第8章
JimmieDalesmiled。
“Iagree，“saidLanniganshortly。
JimmieDalesteppedback。Theelectric-lightswitchclicked。Theplacewasindarkness。Therewasamoment，two，ofutterstillness；
thensoftly，fromthefrontendoftheshop，awhisper：
“IfIwereyou，Lannigan，I”dtakethatgunfromWhitey”spocketbeforehecomesroundandbeatsyoutoit。”
AndthedoorhadclosedsilentlybehindJimmieDale。
CHAPTERXI
THESTOOL-PIGEON
Inthesubway，tenminutesbefore，afreckled-facedmessengerboyhadsqueezedhimselfintoaseatbesideJimmieDale，yankedadimenovelfromarefractorypocket，and，blissfullylosttoalltheworld，hadburiedhisheadinitspages。JimmieDale”sglanceattheyoungsterhadequally，perforce，embracedtheluridtitleofthethriller，“DicingwithDeath，“soimperturbablythrustunderhisnose。Atthetime，hehadsmiledindulgently；butnow，asheleftthesubwayandheadedforhishomeonRiversideDrive，thewordsnotonlyrefusedtobeignored，buthadresolvedthemselvesintoacuriouslypersistentrefraininhismind。Theywereexactlywhattheypurportedtobe，dime-novelish，ofthedeepesthueofyellow，melodramaticintheextreme；butalso，tohimnow，theyweregrimlyaptandpremonitorilyappropriate。“DicingwithDeath“——therewasnotanhour，notamomentintheday，whenhewasnotliterallydicingwithdeath；when，withtheunderworldandthepolicealliedagainsthim，asinglefalsemovewouldlosehimthethrowthatleftdeaththewinner！
Theriskoftheduallifeenforceduponhimgrewdailygreater，andintheendtheremustbethereckoning。Hewouldhavebeenamadmantohaveshuthiseyesinthefaceofwhatwasobvious——butitwasworthitall，andinhissoulheknewthathewouldnothavehaditotherwiseevennow。To-night，to-morrow，thedayafter，wouldcomeanotherletterfromtheTocsin，andtherewouldbeanother“crime“
oftheGraySeal”sblazonedinthepress——wouldthatbethelastaffair，orwouldtherebeanother——orto-night，to-morrow，thedayafter，wouldhebetrappedbeforeevenonemorelettercame！
Heshruggedhisshoulders，asheranupthestepsofhishouse。
Thosewerethestakesthathehimselfhadlaidonthetabletowageruponthegame，hehadnoquarrelthere；butifonly，beforetheendcame，orevenwiththeenditself，hecouldfind——HER！
Withhislatchkeyhelethimselfintothespacious，richlyfurnished，well-lightedreceptionhall，and，crossingthis，wentupthebroadstaircase，hisstepsnoiselessontheheavycarpet。
Below，faintly，hecouldhearsomeoftheservants——theyevidentlyhadnotheardhimclosethedoorbehindhim。Disciplinewasrelaxedsomewhat，itwasquiteapparent，withJason，thatpeerofbutlers，away。Jason，poorchap，wasinthehospital。Typhoid，theyhadthoughtitatfirst，thoughithadturnedouttobesomemilderformofinfection。Hewouldbebackinafewdaysnow；butmeanwhilehemissedtheoldmansorelyfromthehouse。
Hereachedthelanding，and，turning，wentalongthehalltothedoorofhisownparticularden，openedthedoor，closeditbehindhim——andinaninstantthekeen，agilebrain，trainedtothelittlethingsthatneverescapedit，thatdailyheldhislifeinthebalance，wasalert。Theroomwasunusuallydark，evenfornight-
time。Itwasasthoughthewindowshadeshadbeencloselydrawn——athingJasonneverdid。ButthenJasonwasn”tthere！JimmieDale，smilingthenalittlequizzicallyathimself，reachedupfortheelectric-lightswitchbesidethedoor，pressedit——and，hisfingerstillonthebutton，whippedhisautomaticfromhispocketwithhisotherhand。THEROOMWASSTILLINDARKNESS。
ThesmileonJimmieDale”slipswasgone，forhislipsnowhadclosedtogetherinatight，drawnline。Thelightsintherestofthehouse，aswitnessthereceptionhall，wereinorder。ThiswasnoACCIDENT！Silent，motionless，hestoodthere，listening。Washetrappedatlast——inhisownhouse！Bywhom？Thepolice？Thethugsoftheunderworld？Itmadelittledifference——theendwoulddifferonlyinthemethodbywhichitwasattained！Whatwasthat！Wasthereaslightstir，amovementatthelowerendoftheroom——orwasithisimagination？Hishandfellfromtheelectric-lightswitchtothedoorknobbehindhisback。Slowly，withoutasound，itbegantoturnunderhisslim，taperingfingers，whosedeft，sensitivetouchhadmadehimknownandfearedasthemastercracksmanofthemall；
and，asnoiselessly，thedoorbegantoopen。
Itwaslikeaduel——aduelofsilence。Whatwastheintruder，whoeverhemightbe，waitingfor？Theabortiveclickoftheelectric-lightswitch，tosaynothingoftheopeningofthedoorwhenhehadentered，wasevidenceenoughthathewasthere。Wastheothertryingtoplacehimexactlythroughthedarknesstomakesureofhisattack！Thedoorwasopennow。AndsuddenlyJimmieDalelaughedeasilyaloud——andontheinstantshiftedhisposition。
“Well？“inquiredJimmieDalecoollyfromtheothersideofthethreshold。
Itseemedlikealong-drawnsighflutteringthroughtheroom，agaspofrelief——andthenthebloodwaspoundingmadlyathistemples，andhewasbackintheroomagain，thedoorclosedoncemorebehindhim。
“Oh，Jimmie——whydidn”tyouspeak？Ihadtobesurethatitwasyou。”
Itwashervoice！HERS！TheTocsin！HERE！Shewashere——hereinhishouse！
“You！“hecried。“You——here！“Hewaspressingtheelectric-lightswitchfrantically，againandagain。
Hervoicecameoutofthedarknessfromacrosstheroom：
“Whyareyoudoingthat，Jimmie？YouknowalreadythatIhaveturnedoffthelights。”
“Atthesockets——ofcourse！“Helaughedoutthewordsalmosthysterically。“Yourface——Ihaveneverseenyourface，youknow。”
Hewasmovingquicklytowardthereadinglamponhisdesk。
Therewasaquick，hurriedswishofgarments，andshewasblockinghisway。
“No，“shesaid，inalowvoice；“youmustnotlightthatlamp。”
Helaughedagain，shortly，fiercelynow。Shewasclosetohim，hishandsreachedoutforher，touchedher，andthrillingatthetouch，swepthertowardhim。
“Jimmie——Jimmie——areyoumad！“shebreathed。
Mad！Yes——hewasmadwiththewildest，mostpassionateexhilarationhehadeverknown。Hefoundhisvoicewithaneffort。
“ThesemonthsandyearsthatIhavetrieduntilmysoulwassicktofindyou！“hecriedout。“Andyouareherenow！Yourface——Imustseeyourface！“
Shehadwrenchedherselfawayfromhim。Hecouldhearherbreathcomingsharplyinlittlegasps。Hegropedhiswayonwardtowardthedesk。
“WAIT！“——hertonesseemedtoringsuddenlyvibrantthroughtheroom。
“Wait，beforeyoutouchthatlamp！I——Iputyouonyourhonournottolightit。”
Hestoppedabruptly。
“My——honour？“herepeatedmechanically。
“Yes！Icamehereto-nightbecausetherewasnootherway。Nootherway——doyouunderstand？Icame，trustingtoyourhonournottotakeadvantageoftheconditionsthatforcedmetodothis。I
hadnofearthatIwaswrong——Ihavenofearnow。Youwillnotlightthatlamp，andyouwillnotmakeanyattempttopreventmygoingawayasIcame——unknown。Isthereanyquestionaboutit，Jimmie？IaminYOURhouse。”
“Youdon”tknowwhatyouaresaying！“heburstoutwildly。“I”veriskedmylifeforachancelikethisagainandagain；I”vegonethroughhell，livinginsqualourforamonthonendasLarrytheBatinthehopethatImightdiscoverwhoyouare——anddoyouthinkI”llletanythingstopmenow！Itellyou，no——athousandtimesno！“
Shemadenoanswer。Therewasonlyherlow，quickbreathingcomingfromsomewherenearhim。Hemadeanothersteptowardthelamp——andstopped。
“Itellyou，no！“hesaidagain，andtookanotherstepforward——andstoppedoncemore。
Stillshemadenoanswer。Aminutepassed——another。Hishandliftedandsweptacrosshisforeheadinanagitatedway。Stillsilence。Sheneithermovednorspoke。Hishanddroppedslowlytohisside。Therewasaqueer，twistedsmileuponhislips。
“Youwin！“hesaidhoarsely。
“Thankyou，Jimmie，“shesaidsimply。
“Andyourname，whoyouare“——hewasspeaking，buthedidnotseemtorecognisehisownvoice”thehundredotherthingsI”veswornI”dmakeyouexplainwhenIfoundyou，arealltabooaswell，I
suppose！“
“Yes，“shesaid。
Helaughedbitterly。
“Don”tyouknow，“hecriedout，“thatbetweenthepoliceandtheunderworld，ourhouseofcardsislikelytocollapseatanyminute——
thattheyarehuntingtheGraySealdayandnight！Isittobealwayslikethis——thatIamnevertoknow——untilitistoolate！
Shecametowardhimoutofthedarknessimpulsively。
“Theywillnevergetyou，Jimmie，“shesaid，inasuppressedvoice。
Andsomeday，Ipromiseyounow，youshallhaveyourrewardforto-
night。Youshallknow——everything。”
“When？“Thewordcamefromhimwithfierceeagerness。
“Idonotknow，“sheansweredgently。“Soon，perhaps——perhapssoonerthaneitherofusimagine。”
“Andbythatyoumean——what？“heasked，andhishandreachedoutforheragainthroughtheblackness。
Thistimeshedidnotdrawaway。Therewasaninstant”shesitation；
thenshespokeagainhurriedly，anoteofanxietyinhervoice。
“Youarebeginningalloveragain，aren”tyou，Jimmie？AndIhavetoldyouthatto-nightIcanexplainnothing。And，besides，itiswhathasbroughtmeherethatcountsnow，andeverymomentisof”
“Yes。Iknow，“heinterposed；“but，then，atleastyouwilltellmeonething：Whydidyoucometo-night，insteadofsendingmealetterasyoualwayshavebefore？“
“Becauseitisdifferentto-nightthaniteverwasbefore，“sherepliedearnestly。“BecausethereissomethinginwhathashappenedthatIcannotexplainmyself；becausethereisdanger，andwhereI
couldnotseeclearlyIfearedatrap，andsoIdarednotsendwhat，inaletter，couldatbestbeonlyvagueandincompletedetails。Doyousee？“
“Yes，“saidJimmieDale——buthewasonlylisteninginanabstractedway。Ifhecouldonlyseethatface，soclosetohis！Hehadyearnedforthatwithallhissoulforyearsnow！Andshewashere，standingbesidehim，andhishandwasuponherarm；andhere，inhisownden，inhisownhouse，hewaslisteningtoanothercalltoarmsfortheGraySealfromherownlips！Honour！Washebutapoor，quixoticfool！Hehadonlytosteptothedeskandswitchonthelight！Whyshould——hesteadiedhimselfwithajerk，anddrewawayhishand。ShewasinHIShouse。“Goon，“hesaidtersely。
“Doyouknow，ordidyoueverhearofoldLutherDoyle？“sheasked。
“No，“saidJimmieDale。
“Doyouknowaman，then，namedConnieMyers？“
ConnieMyers！WhointheBadLandsdidnotknowConnieMyers，whoboastedofthehalfdozenprisonsentencesalreadytohiscredit？
Yes；heknewConnieMyers！But，strangelyenough，itwasnotintheBadLandsorasLarrytheBatthatheknewtheman，orthattheotherknewhim——itwasasJimmieDale。ConnieMyershadintroducedhimselfonenightseveralyearsagowithablackjackthathadjustmisseditsmarkasthemanhadjumpedoutfromadarkalleywayontheEastSide，andhe，JimmieDale，hadthrashedtheothertowithinaninchofhislife。HehadreasontoknowConnieMyers——andConnieMyershadreasontorememberhim！
“Yes，“hesaid，withagrimsmile；“IknowConnieMyers。”
“AndthetenementacrossthestreetfromwhereyouliveasLarrytheBat——that，ofcourse，youknow。”Heleanedtowardherwonderinglynow。
“Ofcourse！“heejaculated。“Naturally！“
“Listen，then，Jimmie！“Shewasspeakingquicklynow。“Itisastrangestory。ThisLutherDoylewasalreadyoverfifty，when，someeightornineyearsago，hisparentsdiedwithinafewmonthsofeachother，andheinheritedsomewhereintheneighbourhoodofahundredthousanddollars；buttheman，thoughharmlessenough，wasmildlyinsane，half-witted，queer，andtheoldcouple，onaccountoftheirson”smentaldefects，tookcaretoleavethemoneysecurelyinvested，andsothathecouldonlytouchtheinterest。Duringtheseeightornineyearshehaslivedbyhimselfinthesameoldfamilyhousewherehehadlivedwithhisparents，inalonelyspotnearPelham。Andhehaslivedinamostfrugal，evenmiserly，manner。Hisincomecouldnothavebeenlessthansixthousanddollarsayear，andhisexpenditurescouldnothavebeenmorethansixhundred。Hisdementia，ironicallyenoughfromthedaythathecameintohisfortune，tooktheformofamostpitiableandabjectfearthathewoulddieinpoverty，misery，andwant；andso，yearafteryear，cashinghischecksasfastashegotthem，nevertrustingthebankwithapenny，hekepthidingawaysomewhereinhishouseeverycenthecouldscrapeandsavefromhisincome——whichto-
daymustamount，ataminimumcalculation，tofiftythousanddollars。”
“And，“observedJimmieDalequietly。“ConnieMyersrobbedhimofit，and”
“No！“Hervoicewasquiveringwithpassion，asshecaughtuphiswords。“TwiceinthelastmonthConnieMyersTRIEDtorobhim，butthemoneywastoosecurelyhidden。TwicehebrokeintoDoyle”shousewhentheoldmanwasout，butonbothoccasionswasunsuccessfulinhissearch，andwasinterruptedandforcedtomakehisescapeonaccountofDoyle”sreturn。To-night，anhourago，inanemptyroomonthesecondfloorofthattenement，intheroomfacingthelanding，oldLutherDoylewasMURDERED！“
Therewassilenceforaninstant。Herhandhadclosedinatightpressureonhisarm。Thedarknessseemedtoaddasortofghastlysignificancetoherwords。
“InGod”sname，howdoyouknowallthis？“hedemandedwildly。“Howdoyouknowallthesethings？
“Doesthatmatternow？“sheansweredtensely。“Youwillknowthatwhenyouknowtherest。Oh，don”tyouunderstand，Jimmie，thereisnotamomenttolosenow？Itwaseasytolureahalf-wittedcreaturelikethatanywhere；itwasConnieMyerswholuredhimtothetenementandmurderedhimthere——butfromthatpoint，Jimmie，I
amnotsureofourground。IdonotknowwhetherConnieMyersisaloneinthisornot；butIdoknowthatheisgoingtoDoyle”shouseagainto-nighttomakeanothersearchforthemoney。ThereisnoquestionbutthatoldDoylewasmurderedtogiveConnieMyersandhisaccomplices，ifthereareany，achancetotearthehouseinsideouttofindthemoney，togivethemthewholenighttoworkinwithoutinterruptionifnecessary——butDoyledeadinhisownhousecouldhaveinterferednomorewiththemthanDoyledeadinthattenement！WhywasheluredtothetenementbyConnieMyerswhenhecouldmuchmoreeasilyhavebeenputoutofthewayinhisownhouse？Jimmie，thereissomethingbehindthis，somethingmorethatyoumustfindout。TheremaybeothersinthisbesidesConnieMyers，Idonotknow；butthereissomethingherethatIamafraidof。Jimmie，youmustgetthatman，youmustgettheothersifthereareothers，andyoumuststopthemfromgettingthemoneyinthathouseto-night！DoyouunderstandnowwhyIhavecomehere？I
couldnotexplaininaletter；Idonotquiteseemtobeexplainingnow。ItwouldseemasthoughtherewerenoneedfortheGraySeal——
thatsimplythepoliceshouldbenotified。ButIKNOW，Jimmie，callitintuition，whatyouwill，Iknowthatthereisneedforus，foryouto-night——thatbehindallthisisatragedy，deeper，blacker，thaneventhebrutal，cold-bloodedmurderthatisalreadydone。”
Hervoice，initspassionateearnestness，diedaway；andananger，cold，grim，remorseless，settleduponJimmieDale——settledasitalwayssettleduponhimathercalltoarms。Hisbrainwasalreadyatworkinitsquick，instantway，probing，sifting，planning。Shewasright！Itwasstrange，itwasmorethanstrangethat，withtheaddedrisk，thedanger，thedifficulty，themanshouldhavebeenbroughtmilestobedoneawaywithinthattenement！Why？ConnieMyerstookformbeforehim——thecoarsefeatures，thetawnyhairthatstraggledacrossthelowforehead，theshiftyeyesthatwereanindeterminatecolourbetweenbrownandgray，thethinlipsthatseemedtodrawinandgivethejawaprotruding，belligerenteffect。
AndConnieMyersknewhimasJimmieDale——itwouldhavetobethenasLarrytheBatthattheGraySealmustwork。Thatmeanttime——togototheSanctuaryandchange。
“Thepolice，“heaskedsuddenly，aloud，“theyhavenotyetdiscoveredthebody？“
“Notyet，“sherepliedhurriedly。“Andthatisstillanotherreasonforhaste——thereisnotellingwhentheywill。See——here！“Shethrustapaperintohishand。“HereisaplanofoldDoyle”shouse，anddirectionsforfindingit。YoumustgetConnieMyersred-
handed，youmustmakehimconvicthimself，fortheevidencethroughwhichIknowhimtobeguiltycanneverbeusedagainsthim。And，Jimmie，becareful——IknowIamnotwrong，thatthereisstillsomethingmorebehindallthis。Andnowgo，Jimmie，go！Thereisnotimetolose！“Shewaspushinghimacrosstheroomtowardthedoor。
Go！Thewordseemedsuddenlytobringdismay。Itwassheagainwhowasdominantnowinhismind。Whoknewifto-night，whenhewastakinghislifeinhishandsagain，wouldnotbethelast！Andshewasherenow，herebesidehim——whereshemightneverbeagain！
Sheseemedtodivinehisthoughts，forshespokeagain，astrangenewnoteoftendernessinhervoicethatthrilledhim。
“Youmustneverletthemgetyou，Jimmie——formysake。Itwillnotlastmuchlonger——itisneartheend——andIshallkeepmypromise。
Butgo，now，Jimmie——go！“
“Go？“herepeatednumbly。“Go？But——butyou？“
“I？“Sheslippedsuddenlyawayfromhim，retreatingbackdowntheroom。“Iwillgo——asIcame。”
“Wait！Listen！“hepleaded。
Therewasnoanswer。
Shewasthere——somewherebackthereinthedarknessstill。Hestoodhesitantatthedoor。Itseemedthateveryfacultyhepossessedurgedhimbackthereagain——toher。Couldheletherescapehimnowwhenshewassoutterlyinhispower，shewhomeanteverythinginhislife！Andthen，likeacoldshock，camethatotherthought——shewhohadtrustedtohishonour！Withajerk，hishandsweptout，feltforthedoorknob，andcloseduponit。
“Good-night！“hesaidheavily，andsteppedoutintothehall。
Itseemedforawhile，evenafterhehadgainedthestreetandmadehiswayagaintothesubway，thatnothingwasconcretearoundhim，thathewaslivingthroughsomefantasticaldream。Hisheadwhirled，andhecouldnotthinkrationally——andthenslowly，littlebylittle，hisgripuponhimselfcameback。Shehadcome——andgone！
Withtheroarofthesubwayinhisears，itsraucousnoteseemingtostrikesoperfectlyinconsonancewiththeturmoilwithinhim，hesmiledmirthlessly。Afterall，itwasasitalwayswas！Shewasgone——andaheadofhimlaythechancesofthenight！
“Dicingwithdeath！“Thewords，unbidden，camebackoncemore。Iftheyweretruebefore，theyweredoublyapplicablenow。Itwasdifferentto-nightfromwhatithadeverbeenbefore，asshehadsaid。Usually，tothesmallestdetail，everythingwaslaidopen，clearbeforehiminthoseastoundingletters。To-night，itwasvagueatbest。Amanhadbeenmurdered。ConnieMyershadcommittedthemurderundercircumstancesthatpointedstronglytosomehiddenmotivebehindandbeyondthemerechanceitaffordedhimtosearchhisvictim”shouseforthehiddencash。Whatwasit？
JimmieDalestaredoutattheblacksubwaywalls。Theanswerwouldnotcome。Stationafterstationpassed。AtFourteenthStreethechangedfromtheexpresstoalocal，gotoutatAstorPlace，andafewminuteslaterwaswalkingrapidlydowntheupperendoftheBowery。
Theanswerwouldnotcome——onlythefactitselfgrewmoreandmoredeeplysignificant。Theghastly，callousfiendishnessthatluredanold，half-wittedmantohisdeathhadJimmieDaleinthatgripofcold，mercilessangeragain，andtherewasadullflushnowuponhischeeks。Whateveritmeant，whateverwasbehindit，onethingatleastwascertain——HEWOULDGETCONNIEMYERS！
HewasclosetotheSanctuarynow——itwasdownthenextcrossstreet。Hereachedthecornerandturnedit，headingeast；buthisbriskwalkhadchangedtoanonchalantsaunter——thereweresomepeoplecomingtowardhim。ItwastheGraySealnow，alertandcautious。Thelittlegrouppassedby。Ahead，thetenementborderingontheblackalleywayloomedup——theSanctuary，withitsthreeentrancesandexits；thehomeofLarrytheBat。Andacrossfromitwasthatothertenement，thatheldanewinterestforhimnow，where，inanemptyroomonthesecondfloor，shehadsaid，oldDoylestilllay。Shouldhegothere？Hewasthinkingquicklynow，andshookhishead。Itwouldtakewhathedidnothavetospare——
time。Itwasalreadyteno”clock；and，grantedthatConnieMyershadcommittedthecrimeonlyalittleoveranhourago，themanbythistimewouldcertainlybeonhiswaytoDoyle”shousenearPelham，if，indeed，hewerenotalreadythere。No，therewasnotimetospare——thequestionresolveditselfsimplyintohowlong，sincehehadalreadysearchedtwiceandfailedonbothoccasions，itwouldtakeConnieMyerstouneartholdDoyle”shidingplaceforthemoney。
JimmieDaleglancedsharplyaroundhim，slippedintothealleyway，and，crouchingagainstthetenementwall，movednoiselesslyalongtothesideentrance。Amomentmore，andhehadnegotiatedthericketystairswithpracticed，soundlesstread，wasinsidethesqualidquartersofLarrytheBat，andthedooroftheSanctuarywaslockedandboltedbehindhim。
Perhapsfiveminutespassed——andthen，whereJimmieDale，themillionaire，hadentered，thereemergedLarrytheBat，ofthearistocracyandtheeliteoftheBadLands。Butinsteadofleavingbythesidedoorandthealleyway，ashehadentered，hewentalongthelowerhallwaytothefrontentrance。Andhere，instinctively，hepausedamomentatthetopofthesteps，ashiseyesresteduponthetenementontheoppositesideofthestreet。
Itwasstrangethatthecrimeshouldhavebeencommittedthere！
Somethingagainseemedtodrawhimtowardthatemptyroomonthesecondstory。Hehaddecidedoncethathewouldnotgo，thattherewasnottime；but，afterall，itwouldnottakelong，andtherewasatleastthepossibilityofgainingsomethingmorevaluableeventhantimefromthesceneofthecrimeitself——theremightevenbetheevidencehewantedtherethatwoulddisclosethewholeofConnieMyers”game。
Hewentdownthesteps，andstartedacrossthestreet；buthalfwayover，hehesitateduncertainly，asachild”scrycamepetulantlyfromthedoorway。Itwasdarkinthestreet；and，likewise，itwasoneofthosehot，suffocatingeveningswhen，inthecrowdedtenementsofthepoorerclass，miserableenoughinanycase，miserywasaddedtoahundredfoldforlackofasingleGod-givenbreathofair。Thesetwofacts，apparentlyirrelevant，causedJimmieDaletochangehismindagain。Hehadnotnoticedthewomanwiththebabyinherarms，sittingonthedoorstep；butnow，ashereachedthecurb，henotonlysaw，butrecognisedher——andheswungondownthestreettowardtheBowery。Hecouldnotverywellgoinwithoutpassingher，withoutbeingrecognisedhimself——andthatwasaneedlessrisk。
Hesmiledalittlewanly。Oncethecrimewasdiscovered，shewouldnothavehesitatedlongbeforeinformingthepolicethatshehadseenhimenterthere！Mrs。Haganwasnofriendofhis！Onecouldnotliveashehadlived，asLarrytheBat，andnotseesomethinginanintimatewayofthepitifullittletragediesofthepooraroundhim；for，bad，tough，anddissoluteasthequarterwas，allwerenotdegradedthere，someweresimply——poor。Mrs。Haganwaspoor。Herhusbandwasadaylabourer，oftenoutofajob——andsometimeshedrank。Thatwashowhe，JimmieDale，orrather，LarrytheBat，hadcometoearnMrs。Hagan”senmity。HehadfoundMikeHagandrunkonenight，andintheactofbeingarrested，andhadwheedledthemanawayfromtheofficeronthepromisethathewouldtakeHaganhome。
AndhewasLarrytheBat，adopefiend，acharacterknowntoalltheneighbourhood，andMrs。Haganhadlaidherhusband”sconditiontoHISinfluenceandcompanionship！HehadtakenMikeHaganhome——andMrs。HaganhaddrivenLarrytheBatfromthedoorofhermiserableone-roomlodginginthattenementwiththebitterwordsonhertonguethatonlyawomancanusewhenshameandgriefandangerarebreakingherheart。
Heshruggedhisshoulders，as，backalongtheBowery，heretracedhissteps，butnow，withthehurriedshuffleofLarrytheBatwherebeforehadbeenthebrisk，athleticstrideofJimmieDale。
AtAstorPlaceagain，hetookthesubway，thistimetotheGrandCentralStation——and，wellwithinanhourfromthetimehehadlefttheSanctuary，includingthetrainjourneytoPelham，hewasstandinginaclumpoftreesthatfringedadesertedroadway。Hehadpassedbutfewhouses，oncehewasawayfromPelham，and，aswellashecouldjudge，therewasnonenowwithinaquarterofamileofhim——exceptthisoneofoldLutherDoyle”sthatshowedupblackandshadowyjustbeyondthetrees。
JimmieDale”seyesnarrowedashesurveyedtheplace。Itwaslittlewonderthat，knowntohavemoney，anattempttoroboldDoyleshouldhavebeenmadeinaplacelikethis！Itwasevenmoregrimlysignificantthaneverofsomedeepermeaningthat，initslonelinessanidealplaceforamurder，themanshouldhavebeenluredfromthereforthatpurposetoacrowdedtenementinthecityinstead！
Whatdiditmean？Whyhaditbeendone？Heshookhishead。Theanswerwouldnotcomenowanymorethanithadcomebeforeinthesubway，orinthetrainonthewayout，whenhehadsethisbrainsofutilelytosolvetheproblem。
Fromasurveyofthehouse，JimmieDalegaveattentiontothedetailsofhissurroundings：thetreesoneitherside；theopenspaceinfront，adistanceoffiftyyardstotheroad；theabsenceofanyfence。Andthen，abruptly，hestoleforward。Therewasnolighttobeseenanywhereaboutthehouse。WasitpossiblethatConnieMyerswasnotyetthere？Heshookhisheadagainimpatiently。ConnieMyerswouldnothavewastedanytime——astheTocsinhadsaid，therewasalwayspresentthepossibilitythatthecrimeinthattenementmightbediscoveredatANYmoment。ConnieMyerswouldhavelostnotime；for，letthediscoverybemade，letthepoliceidentifythebody，astheymostcertainlywould，andtheywouldbeoutherehotfoot。JimmieDalestoodsuddenlystill。Whatdiditmean！Hehadnotthoughtofthatbefore！IfoldDoylehadbeenmurderedHERE，therewouldnothavebeeneventhepossibilityofdiscoveryuntilthemorningattheearliest，andConnieMyerswouldhavehadallthetimehewanted！
WHATWASTHATSOUND！Alow，muffledtapping，likeasuccessionofhammerblows，camefromwithinthehouse。JimmieDaledartedforward，reachedthesideofthehouse，anddroppedonhandsandknees。Onequestionatleastwasanswered——ConnieMyerswasinside。
Theplanthatshehadgivenhimshowedanold-fashionedcellarway，closedbyfoldingtrapdoors，thatwaslocatedalittletowardtherearand，inamoment，creepingalong，hecameuponit。Hishandsfeltoverit。Itwasshut，fastenedbyapadlockontheoutside。
JimmieDale”slipsthinnedalittle，ashetookasmallsteelinstrumentfromhispocket。Eitherthroughinadvertenceorbyintention，ConnieMyershadpassedupanalmostchildishlysimplemeansofentranceintothehouse！Onesideofthetrapdoorwasliftedupsilently——andsilentlyclosed。JimmieDalewasinthecellar。Thehammering，muchmoredistinctnow，heavy，thuddingblows，camefromaroominthefront——theconnectionbetweenthecellarandthehouse，asshownontheTocsin”splan，wasthroughanothertrapdoorinthefloorofthekitchen。
JimmieDale”sflashlightplayedonashort，ladderlikestairway，andinaninstanthewasclimbingupward。Thesoundsfromthefrontofthehousecontinuednowwithoutinterruption；therewaslittlefearthatConnieMyerswouldhearanythingelse——eventheprotestingsqueakofthehingesasJimmieDalecautiouslypushedbackthetrapdoorintheflooringabovehishead。Aninch，twoinchesheliftedit；and，hiseyesonalevelwiththeopeningnow，hepeeredintotheroom。Thekitchenitselfwasintenselydark；butthroughanopendoorway，welltoonesidesothathecouldnotseeintotheroombeyond，therestruggledacuriouslyfaint，dimglimmeroflight。AndthenJimmieDale”sformstraightenedrigidlyonthestairs。Theblowsstopped，andavoice，inalowgrowl，presumablyConnieMyers”，reachedhim。
“Here，takeadriveatitfromtheloweredge！“
Therewasnoanswer——savethattheblowswereresumedagain。JimmieDale”sfacehadsethard。ConnieMyerswasnotaloneinthis，then！
Well，theoddswerealittleheavier，DOUBLED——thatwasall！Hepushedthetrapdoorwideopen，swunghimselfupthroughtheopeningtothefloor；andthenextinstant，backalittlefromtheconnectingdoorway，hisbodypressedcloselyagainstthekitchenwall，hewasstaring，bewilderedandamazed，intothenextroom。
Onthefloor，presumablytolessenthechanceofanylightraysstealingthroughthetightlydrawnwindowshades，burnedasmalloillamp。Theplacewasinutterconfusion。Theright-handsideofalargefireplace，madeofrough，untrimmedstoneandcement，andwhichoccupiedalmosttheentireendoftheroom，wasalreadypracticallydemolished，andthewreckagewaslitteredeverywhere；
partofthefurniturewaspiledunceremoniouslyintoonecorneroutoftheway；andatthefireplaceitself，workingwithsledgeandbar，weretwomen。OnewasConnieMyers。AnironicalglintcreptintoJimmieDale”seyes。ThefalsebeardandmustachethemanworewoulddeceivenoonewhoknewConnieMyers！Andthatheshouldbewearingthemnow，ashekneltholdingthebarwhiletheotherstruckatit，seemedbothuncalledforandabsurd。Theotherman，heavilybuilt，roughlydressed，hadhisbackturned，andJimmieDalecouldnotseehisface。
ThepuzzledfrownonJimmieDale”sforeheaddeepened。Somewhereinthemasonryofthefireplace，ofcourse，waswhereoldLutherDoylehadhiddenhismoney。Thatwasquiteplainenough；andthatConnieMyers，insomewayorother，hadmadesureofthatfactwasequallyobvious。ButhowdidoldLutherDoylegethismoneyINtherefromtimetotime，ashereceivedtheinterestanddividendswhoseaccumulation，accordingtotheTocsin，comprisedhishoard！AndhowdidhegetitOUTagain？
“Allright，that”lldo！“gruntedConnieMyerssuddenly。“Wecanprythisoneoutnow。Lendahandonthebar！“
Theotherdroppedhissledge，turnedsidewaysashestoopedtohelpConnieMyers，hisfacecameintoview——and，withaninvoluntarystart，JimmieDalecrouchedfartherbackagainstthewall，ashestaredattheother。ItwasHagan！Mrs。Hagan”shusband！MikeHagan！“
“MyGod！“whisperedJimmieDale，underhisbreath。
Sothatwasit！Thatthemurderhadbeencommittedinthetenementwasnotsostrangenow！AsurgeofangersweptJimmieDale——andwasengulfedinawaveofpity。Somehow，thethin，tiredfaceofMrs。
Haganhadrisenbeforehim，andsheseemedtobepleadingwithhimtogoaway，toleavethehouse，toforgetthathehadeverbeenthere，toforgetwhathehadseen，whathewasseeingnow。Hishandsclenchedfiercely。Howrealistically，howimportunately，howpitifullyshetookformbeforehim！Shewasonherknees，claspinghisknees，imploringhim，terrified，FromJimmieDale”spocketcametheblacksilkmask。Slowly，almosthesitantly，hefitteditoverhisface——MikeHaganknewLarrytheBat。WhyshouldhehavepityforMikeHagan？HadheanyforConnieMyers？Whatrighthadhetoletpityswayhim！Themanhadgonethelimit；hewasConnieMyers”accomplice——amurderer！Butthemanwasnotahardened，confirmedcriminallikeConnieMyers。MikeHagan——amurderer！Itwouldhavebeenunbelievablebutfortheevidencebeforehisowneyesnow。Themanhadfaults，brawledenough，anddrankenoughtohavebroughthimseveraltimestothenoticeofthepolice——butthis！
JimmieDale”seyeshadneverleftthescenebeforehim。Bothmenwerethrowingtheirweightuponthebar，andthestonethattheyweretryingtodislodge——theywereintotheheartofthemasonrynow——seemedtomovealittle。ConnieMyersstoodup，and，leaningforward，examinedthestonecriticallyattopandbottom，proddingitwiththebar。Heturnedfromhisexaminationabruptly，andthrustthebarintoHagan”shands。
“Holdit！“hesaidtersely。“I”llstrikeforaturn。”
Crouched，onhishandsandknees，Haganinsertedthepointofthebarintothecrevice。ConnieMyerspickedupthesledge。
“Lower！Bendlower！“hesnapped——andswungthesledge。
ItseemedtogoblackforamomentbeforeJimmieDale”seyes，seemedtoparalyseallactionofmindandbody。Therewasalowcrythatwasmoreamoan，theclangoftheironbarclatteringonthefloor，andMikeHaganhadpitchedforwardonhisface，aninertandhuddledheap。Ahalflaugh，halfsnarlpurledfromConnieMyers”lips，ashesnatchedastoutpieceofcordfromhispocketandswiftlyknottedtheunconsciousman”swriststogether。Anotherinstant，and，pickingupthebar，pryingwithitagain，theloosenedstonetoppledwithacrashintothegrate。
Ithadcomesuddenasthecrackofdoom，thatblow——tooquick，toounexpectedforJimmieDaletohaveliftedafingertopreventit。
Andnowthatthefirstnumbedshockofmingledhorrorandamazementwaspast，hefoughtbackthequick，fierceimpulsetospringoutonConnieMyers。Whetherthemanwaskilledoronlystunned，hecoulddonogoodtoMikeHagannow，andtherewasConnieMyers——hewasstaringinafascinatedwayatConnieMyers。Behindthestonethattheotherhadjustdislodgedwasalargehollowspacethathadbeenleftinthemasonry，andfromthisnowConnieMyerswaseagerlycollectinghandfulsofbanknotesthatwererolledupintotheshapeoflittlecylinders，eachonegrotesquelytiedwithastring。Themanwasfeverishlyexcited，mutteringtohimself，runningfromthefireplacetowherethetablehadbeenpushedasidewiththerestofthefurniture，droppingthecuriouslittlerollsofmoneyonthetable，andrunningbackformore。Andthen，havingapparentlyemptiedthereceptacle，hewriggledhisbodyoverthedismantledfireplace，stuckhisheadintotheopening，andpeeredupward。
“Kinksinhisnut，kinksinhisnut！“ConnieMyerswasmuttering。
“I”lldropthebarthroughfromthetop，mabbethere”ssomegotstuckinthepipe。”
Heregainedhisfeet，pickedupthebar，andranwithitintowhatwasevidentlythefronthall——thenhisstepssoundedrunningupstairs。
Likeaflash，JimmieDalewasacrosstheroomandatthefireplace。
LikeConnieMyers，he，too，puthisheadintotheopening；andthen，aqueer，unpleasantsmileonhislips，hebentquicklyoverthemanonthefloor。Haganwasnomorethanstunned，andwaseventhenbeginningtoshowsignsofreturningconsciousness。Therewasarattle，aclang，athud——andthebar，toolongtocomeallthewaythrough，droppedintotheopeningandstoodupright。ConnieMyers”
footstepssoundedagain，returningontherun——andJimmieDalewasbackoncemoreontheothersideofthekitchendoorway。
Itwasallsimpleenough——onceoneunderstood！ThesamequeersmilewasstillflickeringonJimmieDale”slips。Therewasnowaytogetthemoneyout，exceptthewayConnieMyershadgotitout——bydiggingitout！Withtheirrationalcunningofhismadbrain，thathadputthemoneyevenbeyondhisownreach，oldDoylehadbuilthisfireplacewithahollowsomeeighteeninchessquareinagreatwallofsolidstonework，andfromithadrunatwo-inchpipeupsomewheretothestoryabove；anddownthispipehehaddroppedhislittlestring-tiedcylindersofbanknotes，satisfiedthathishoardwassafe！Thereseemedsomethingpitfullyironicintheelaborate，insanecraftinessoftheoldman”sfear-twisted，dementedmind。
AndnowConnieMyerswasbackintheroomagain——andagainapuzzledexpressionsettleduponJimmieDale”sfaceashewatchedtheother。
Forperhapsaminutethemanstoodbythetablesiftingthelittlerollsofmoneythroughhisfingersgloatingly——then，impulsively，hepushedthesetooneside，producedarevolver，laiditonthetable，andfromanotherpockettookoutalittlecasewhich，asheopenedit，JimmieDalecouldseecontainedahypodermicsyringe。Onemorearticlefollowedtheothertwo——aletter，whichConnieMyerstookoutofanunsealedenvelope。Hedroppedthissuddenlyonthetable，asMikeHagan，threefeetawayonthefloor，groanedandsatup。
Hagan”seyesswept，bewildered，confused，aroundhim，questioninglyatConnieMyers——andthen，restingsuddenlyonhisboundwrists，theynarrowedmenacingly。
“Damnyou，yousmashedmewiththatsledgeonPURPOSE！“heburstout——andbegantostruggletohisfeet。
Withabrutalchuckle，ConnieMyerspushedHaganbackandshovedhisrevolverundertheother”snose。
“Sure！“headmittedevenly。“Andyoukeepquiet，orI”llfinishyounow——insteadoflettingthepolicedoit！“Helaughedoutjarringly。“You”reunderarrest，youknow，forthemurderofLutherDoyle，andforrobbingthepooroldnutofhissavingsinhishousehere。”
Haganwrenchedhimselfuponhiselbow。
“What——whatdoyoumean？“hestammered。
“Oh，don”tworry！“saidConnieMyersmaliciously。“I”Mnotmakingthearrest，I”dratherthepolicedidthat。I”mnotmixingupinit，andbyandby“——heliftedupthehypodermicforHagantosee——
“I”mgoingtoshootalittledopeintoyouthat”llkeepyouquietwhileIgetawaymyself。”
Hagan”sfacehadgoneagrayishwhite——hehadcaughtsightofthemoneyonthetable，andhiseyeskeptshiftingbackandforthfromittoMyers”face。
“Murder！“hesaidhuskily。“Thereisnomurder。Idon”tknowwhoDoyleis。Yousaidthishousewasyours——youhiredmetocomehere。
Yousaidyouweregoingtoteardownthefireplaceandbuildanother。YousaidIcouldworkeveningsandearnsomeextramoney。”
“Sure，Idid！“TherewasaviciousleernowonConnieMyers”lips。
“Butyoudon”tthinkIpickedyououtbyACCIDENT，doyou？Yourreputation，mybucko，wasjustshadyenoughtosatisfyanybodythatitwouldn”tbebeyondyoutogothelimit。Sure，youmurderedDoyle！Listentothis。”Hetookuptheletter：
“TOTHEPOLICE：LutherDoylewasmurderedthiseveninginthetenementat67——Street。You”llfindhisbodyinaroomonthesecondfloor。Ifyouwanttoknowwhodidit，lookinMikeHagan”sroomonthefloorabove。There”sapaperstuckundertheedgeofHagan”stablewithapieceofchewinggum，wherehehidit。You”llknowwhatitiswhenyougooutandtakealookatDoyle”shouseinPelham。Yourstruly，AFRIEND。”
MikeHagandidnotspeak——hislipsweretwitching，andtherewashorrorcreepingintohiseyes。
“D”yegetme！“sneeredConnieMyers。“Tellyourstory——who”dbelieveit！Igotyoucinched。TwiceItriedtogetthisolddub”scoinouthere，andcouldn”tfindit。ButthesecondtimeIfoundsomethingelse——apieceofpaperwithadrawingofthefireplaceonit，andaplaceinthedrawingmarkedwithanX。Thatwasgoodenough，wasn”tit？That”sthepaperIstuckunderyourtablethisafternoonwhenyourwifewasout——see？Somebody”sgottostandforthejob，andifit”ssomebodyelseitwon”tbeme——getme！WhenI
hadalookatthatfireplaceIknewIcouldn”tdothejobaloneinaweek，andIdidn”tdareblastitwith”soup”forfearofspoilingwhatwasinside。AndsinceIhadtohavesomebodytohelpme，I
thoughtImightaswelllethimhelpmeallthewaythrough——andstandforit。Ipickedyou，Mike——that”swhyIcroakedoldDoyleinyourtenementto-night。IwrotethisletterwhileIwaswaitingforyoutoshowupatthestationtocomeoutherewithme，andI”mgoingtoseethatthepolicegetitinthenexthour。WhentheyfindDoyleintheroombelowyours，andthatpaperinyourroom，andthebustedfireplacehere——Iguesstheywon”tlookanyfartherforwhodidit。Andsay“——heleanedforwardwithanuglygrin”mabbeyouthinkI”msofttobetellingyouallthis？Butdon”tyoufoolyourself。Youdon”tknowme——youdon”tknowwhoIam。Sotell”emtheTRUTH！Theywon”tbelieveyouanywaywithevidencelikethatagainstyou——andtheneaterthestorythemorethey”llthinkitshowsbrainsenoughonyourparttohavepulledajoblikethis！“
“MyGod！“Haganwasrockingonhisknees，beadsofsweatwerestartingoutonhisforehead。“Youwouldn”tplantamanlikethat！“
hecriedbrokenly。“Youwouldn”tdoit，wouldyou？MyGod——youwouldn”tdothat！“
JimmieDale”sfaceunderhismaskwaswhiteandrigid。Therewassomethingprimal，elementalinthesavagerythatwassweepinguponhim。Hehaditallnow——ALL！Shehadbeenright——therewasneedto-nightfortheGraySeal。Sothatwasthegame，inhuman，hellish，thewholeofit，tothelastfilthydregs——ConnieMyers，toprotecthimself，wasrailroadinganinnocentmantodeathforthecrimethathehimselfhadcommitted！TherewasacoldsmileonJimmieDale”slipsnow，ashetookhisautomaticfromhispocket。No，itwasn”tquiteallthegame——therewasstillHIShandtoplay！Heedgedforwardalittlenearertothedoor——andhaltedabruptly，listening。
Anautomobilehadstoppedoutsideontheroad。Haganwasstillpleadinginafrenziedway；ConnieMyerswascallouslyfoldinghisletter，whilehewatchedtheotherwarily——neitherofthemenhadheardthesound。
Andthen，quick，almostontheinstant，camearushoffeet，acrashuponthefrontdoor——animperativecommandtoopeninthenameofthelaw。THEPOLICE！JimmieDale”sbrainwasworkingnowwithlightningspeed。Somehowthepolicehadstumbleduponthecrimeinthattenement；and，ashehadforeseeninsuchanevent，hadidentifiedDoyle。Buttheycouldnotbesurethatanyonewaspresenthereinthehousenow——theycouldnotseealightanymorethanhehad。HemustgetMikeHaganaway——mustseethatConnieMyersdidNOTgetaway。Myerswasonhisfeetnow，fearstruckinhisturn，theletterclutchedinatight-closedfist，hisrevolverswungout，poised，intheotherhand。Hagan，too，wasonhisfeet，and，unheedednowbyConnieMyers，waswrenchinghiswristsapart。
Anothercrashuponthedoor——another。Anotherdemandinaharshvoicetoopenit。Thensomeonerunningaroundtothewindowatthesideofthehouse——andJimmieDalesprangforward。
Therewastheroarofareport，ablindingflashalmostinJimmieDale”seyes，asConnieMyers，whirlinginstantlyathisentrance，fired——andmissed。Ithappenedquickthen，inthespaceofthetickingofawatch——beforeJimmieDale，flinginghimselfforward，hadreachedtheman。Likeadefiantchallengetotheirdemanditmusthaveseemedtotheofficersoutside，thatshotofConnieMyersatJimmieDale，foritwasansweredontheinstantbyanotherthroughthesidewindow。Andtheshot，firedatrandom，theinterioroftheroomhiddenfromtheofficersoutsidebythedrawnshades，founditsmark——andConnieMyers，abulletinhisbrain，pitchedforward，dead，uponthefloor。
“QUICK！“JimmieDaleflungatHagan。“Getthatletteroutofhishand！“Hejumpedforthelamponthefloor，extinguishedit，andturnedagaintowardHagan。“Haveyougotit？“hewhisperedtensely。
“Yes，“saidHagan，inanumbedway。
“Thisway，then！“JimmieDalecaughtHagan”sarm，andpulledtheotheracrosstheroomandintothekitchentothetrapdoor。
“Quick！“hebreathedagain。“Getdownthere——quick！Andnonoise！
Theydon”tknowhowmanyareinthehouse。WhentheyfindHIM
they”llprobablybesatisfied。”
Hagan，stupefied，dazed，obeyedmechanically——and，inaninstant，thetrapdoorclosedbehindthem，JimmieDalewasstandingbesidetheotherinthecellar。
“Notasoundnow！“hecautionedoncemore。
Hisflashlightwinked，wentout，winkedagain；thenheldsteadily，incuriousfascinationitseemed，as，initscircuit，therayfelluponHagan——FELLUPONTHETORN，RAGGEDEDGEOFAPAPERINHAGAN”S
HAND！Withasuppressedcry，JimmieDalesnatcheditawayfromtheother。ItwasbutatornHALFoftheletter！“Theotherhalf！Theotherhalf，Hagan——whereisit？“hedemandedhoarsely。
Hagan，almostinastateofcollapse，mutteredinaudibly。Thecrashofatopplingdoorsoundedfromabove。JimmieDaleshookthemandesperately。
“Whereisit？“herepeatedfiercely。
“He——hewasholdingittight，it——ittoreinhishand，“Haganstammered。“Doesitmakeanydifference？Oh，let”sgetoutofhere，whoeveryouare——forGod”ssakelet”sgetoutofhere！“
Anydifference！JimmieDale”sjawswereclampedlikeasteelvise。
Anydifference！Thedifferencebetweenlifeanddeathforthemanbesidehim——thatwasall！Hewasreadingtheportioninhishand。
Itwasthelastpartoftheletter，beginningwith：“There”sapaperstuckundertheedgeofHagan”stable”Fromabove，fromthefloorofthefrontroomnow，cametherushandtrampleoffeet。Hecouldnotgobackfortheotherhalf。AndanyattempttoconcealthefactthatConnieMyershadbeenaloneinthehousewasfutilenow。Theywouldfindthetornletterinthedeadman”shand，proofenoughthatsomeoneelsehadbeenthere。Whatwasinthatpartoftheletterthatwasstillclutchedinthatdeathgripupstairs？Asentencefromit，thathehadheardConnieMyersread，seemedtoburnitselfintohisbrain。“IFYOUWANTTOKNOWWHODIDIT，LOOKINMIKE
HAGAN”SROOMONTHEFLOORABOVE。”Andthen，suddenly，likelightthroughthedarkness，camearayofhope。HepulledHagantothecellarway，andstealthilyliftedonesideofthedoubletrapdoor。
Therewasachance，desperateenough，oneinathousand——butstillachance！
Voicesfromthehousecameplainlynow，buttherewasnooneinsight。Thepolice，toaman，wereevidentlyallinside。Fromtheroadinfrontshowedthelampglareoftheirautomobile。
“Runforthecar！“JimmieDalejerkedoutfrombetweensetteeth——
andwithHaganbesidehim，steadyingthemanbythearm，dashedacrosstheinterveningfiftyyards。
Theyhadnotbeenseen。Aminutemore，andthecar，evidentlybelongingtothelocalpolice，foritwasheadedinthedirectionofNewYork，andasthoughithadcomefromPelham，sweptdowntheroad，sweptaroundaturn，andJimmieDale，withagaspofrelief，straightenedupalittlefromthewheel。
Howmuchtimehadhe？Thepolicemusthaveheardthecar；but，equally，occupiedastheywere，theymightwellgiveitnothoughtotherthanthatitwasbutanothercarpassingby。Therewasnotelephoneinthehouse；thenearesthousewasaquarterofamileaway，andthatmightormightnothaveatelephone。Couldhecountonhalfanhour？Heglancedanxiouslyatthecrouchedfigurebesidehim。Hewouldhaveto！Itwastheonlychance。Theywouldtelephonethecontentsofthedeadman”shalfofthelettertotheNewYorkpolice。CouldhegettoHagan”sroomFIRST！“LookinHagan”sroom，“theirpartoftheletterread——butitdidnotsayforWHAT，orexactlyWHERE！Iftheyfoundnothing，Haganwassafe。
ConnieMyers”reputation，thefactthathewasfoundindisguiseatDoyle”shouse，was，barringanyincriminatingevidence，quiteenoughtoletHaganout。Therewouldonlyremaininthemindsofthepolicethequestionofwho，besideConnieMyers，hadbeeninoldDoyle”shousethatnight？AndnowJimmieDalesmiledalittlewhimsically。Well，perhapshecouldanswerthat——and，ifnotquitetothesatisfactionofthepolice，atleasttothecompletevindicationofMikeHagan。
Buthecouldnotdrivethroughtownsandvillageswithamaskonhisface；andthere，aheadnow，lightswerebeginningtoshow。Andmorethanevernow，withwhatwasbeforehim，itwasimperativethatMikeHaganshouldnotrecogniseLarrytheBat。JimmieDaleglancedagainatHagan——andsloweddownthecar。Theywereontheoutskirtsofatown，andofftotherighthecaughtthetwinklinglightsofastreetcar。
“Hagan，“hesaidsharply，“pullyourselftogether，andlistentome！
Ifyoukeepyourmouthshut，you”venothingtofear；ifyouletoutawordofwhat”shappenedto-night，you”llprobablygotothechairforacrimeyouknownothingabout。Doyouunderstand？——keepyourmouthshut！“
Thecarhadstopped。Hagannoddedhishead。
“Allright，then。Yougetouthere，andtakeastreetcarintoNewYork，“continuedJimmieDalecrisply。“Butwhenyougetthere，keepawayfromyourhomeforthenexttwoorthreehours。Hangaroundwithsomeoftheboysyouknow，andifyou”reaskedanythingafterward，sayyouwerebattingaroundtownallevening。Don”tworry——you”llfindyou”reoutofthiswhenyoureadthemorningpapers。Nowgetout——hurry！“HepushedHaganfromthecar。“I”vegottomakemyownget-away。”
Hagan，standingintheroad，brushedhishandbewilderinglyacrosshiseyes。
“Yes——butyou——I”
“Nevermindaboutthat！“JimmieDaleleanedout，andgrippedHagan”sarmimpressively。“There”sonlyonethingyou”vegottothinkof，orremember。Keepyourmouthshut！Nomatterwhathappens，keepyourmouthshut——ifyouwanttosaveyourneck！Good-night，Hagan！“
Thecarwasracingforwardagain。Itshotstreakingthroughthestreetsofthetownahead，and，dully，overitsowninferno，echoedshouts，cries，andexecrationsofanoutragedpopulace——thenoutintothenightagain，roaringitswaytowardNewYork。
Hehadhalfanhour——perhaps！ItwasagoodthingHagandidnotknow，orhadnotgraspedthesignificanceofthattornletter——themanwouldhavebeenunmanageablewithfearandexcitement。ItwouldpuzzleHagantofindnopaperstuckunderhistablewhenhecametolookforit！Butthatwasaminorconsideration，thatmatterednotatall，Halfanhour！Onroaredthecar——towns，blackroads，villages，woodedlandswerekaleidoscopicintheirpassing。Halfanhour！
Hadhedoneit？Hadhecomeanywhereneardoingit？Hedidnotknow。Hewasinthecityatlast——andnowhehadtomoderatehisspeed；but，bykeepingtothelessfrequentedstreets，hecouldstilldriveatafastpace。Onepieceofgoodfortunehadbeenhis——
thelongmotorcoathehadfoundinthecarwithwhichtocovertheragsofLarrytheBat，andwithoutwhichhewouldhavebeenobligedtoleavethecarsomewhereontheoutskirtsofthecity，andtotrust，likeMikeHagan，tootherandslowermeansoftransportation。
BlocksawayfromHagan”stenement，heranthecarintoalane，slippedoffthemotorcoat，andfromhispocketwhippedoutthelittlemetalinsigniacase——andinanothermomentadiamond-shapedgraysealwasneatlyaffixedtotheblackebonyrimofthesteeringwheel。Hesmiledironically。Itwasnecessary，quitenecessarythatthepoliceshouldhavenodoubtastowhohadbeeninDoyle”shousewithConnieMyersthatnight，ortowhomtheyhadsoconsideratelyloanedtheirautomobile！
Hewasrunningnow——throughlanes，dodgingdownsidestreets，takingeveryshortcutheknew。HadhebeatenthepolicetoMikeHagan”sroom？Itwouldbeeasythen。Iftheywereaheadofhim，then，bysomemeansorother，hemuststillgetthatpaperfirst。
Hewasatthetenementnow——shufflingleisurelyupthesteps。Thefrontdoorwasopen。Heentered，andwentupthefirstflightofstairs，thenalongthehall，andupthenextflight。Hehadhalfexpectedtheplacetobebustlingwithexcitementoverthecrime；
butthepoliceevidentlyhadkepttheaffairquiet，forhehadseennoonesincehehadentered。Butnow，ashebegantomountthethirdflight，hewentmoreslowly——someonewasaheadofhim。Itwasverydark——hecouldnotsee。Thestepsabovediedaway。Hereachedthelanding，startedalongforHagan”sroom——andalightblazedsuddenlyinhisface，andahard，quickgriponhisshoulderforcedhimbackagainstthewall。Thentheflashlightwavered，glistenedonbrassbuttonswentout，andavoicelaughedroughly：
“It”sonlyLarrytheBat！“
“LarrytheBat，eh？“Itwasanothervoice，harshandcurt。“Whatareyoudoinghere？“
Hewasnotfirst，afterall！ThetelephonemessagefromPelham——itwasalmostcertainlythat——hadbeatenhim！Theywereaheadofhim，justaheadofhim，theyhadonlybeenafewstepsaheadofhimgoingupthestairs，justasecondaheadofhimontheirwaytoHagan”sroom！JimmieDalewasthinkingfastnow。Hemustgo，too——toHagan”sroomwiththem——somehow——therewasnootherway——therewasHagan”slifeatstake。
“Aw，Iain”tdonenothin”！“hewhined。“Iwasjustgoin”terborrowthepriceofafeedfromMikeHagan——lemmego！“
“Hagan，eh！“snappedthequestioner。“Areyouafriendofhis？“
“Sure，Iam！“
Theofficerswhisperedforamomenttogether。
“We”lltryit，“decidedtheonewhoappearedtobeincommand。
“We”reinthedark，anyhow，andthethingmaybeonlyasteer。
Mabbeit”llwork——anyway，itwon”tdoanyharm。”HishandfellheavilyonJimmieDale”sshoulder。“Mrs。Haganknowyou？“
brusquely。
“Sureshedoes！“sniffledLarrytheBat。
“Good！“raspedtheofficer。“Well，we”llmakethevisitwithyou。
Andyoudowhatyou”retold，orwe”llputthescrewsonyou——see？
We”reaftersomethinghere，andyou”veblownthewholegame——savvy？
You”vespilledthegravy——understand？“
Inthedarkness，JimmieDalesmiledgrimly。Itwasfarmorethanhehaddaredtohopefor——theywereplayingintohishands！
“ButIdon”tknow”boutanygame，“grovelledLarrytheBatpiteously。
“Whoinhellsaidyoudid！“growledtheofficer。“You”resupposedtohavesnitchedthelaytous，that”sall——andmindyouplayyourpart！Comeon！“
ItwastwodoorsdownthehalltoMikeHagan”sroom，andthereoneoftheofficers，puttinghisshouldertothedoor，burstitopenandsprangin。TheothershovedJimmieDaleforward。Itwasquicklydone。Thethreewereintheroom。Thedoorwasclosedagain。
Cameacryofterroroutofthedarkness，amovementasofsomeonerisinguphurriedlyinbed；andthenMrs。Hagan”svoice：
“Whatisit！Whoisit！Mike！“
Thetable——itwasagainsttheright-handwall，JimmieDateremembered。Hesidledquicklytowardit。
“Strikealight！“orderedtheofficerincharge。
JimmieDale”sfingerswerefeelingundertheedgeofthetable——aquicksweepalongit——NOTHING！Hestooped，reachingfartherin——
anothersweepofhisarm——andhisfingersclosedonasheetofpaperandapieceofhardgum。Inaninstanttheywereinhispocket。
Amatchcrackledandflaredup。Alampwaslighted。LarrytheBatsulkedsullenlyagainstthewall。
Terror-stricken，wide-eyed，Mrs。Haganhadclutchedthechildlyingbesidehertoherarms，andwassittingboltuprightinbed。
“Nowthen，nofussaboutit！“saidtheofficerincharge，withbrutaldirectness。“YoumightaswellmakeacleanbreastofMike”sshareinthatmurderdownstairs——LarrytheBat，here，hasalreadytoldusthewholestory。Comeon，now——outwithit！“
“Murder！“——herfacewentwhite。“MyMike——MURDER！“Sheseemedforaninstantstunned——andthendowntheworn，thin，haggardfacegushedthetears。“Idon”tbelieveit！“shecried。“Idon”tbelieveit！“
“Comeonnow，cutthatout！“proddedtheofficerroughly。“ItellyouLarrytheBat，here，hasopenedeverythingupwide。You”reonlymakingitworseforyourself。”
“Him！“ShewasstaringnowatJimmieDale。“Oh，God！“shecried。
“Sothat”swhatyouare，areyou——astool-pigeonforthecops？
Well，whateveryoutoldthem，youlie！You”rethecurseofthisneighbourhood，youare，andifmyMikeisbadatall，it”syouthat”shelpedtomakehimbad。Butmurder——youLIE！“
Shehadrisenslowlyfromthebed——agaunt，pitifulfigure，pitifullyclothed，theblackhair，gray-streaked，streamingthinlyoverhershoulders，stillclutchingthebabythat，too，wascryingnow。
Theofficerslookedatoneanotherandnodded。
“Guessshe”shandingitstraight——we”llhavealookonourownhook，“theleadermuttered。
Shepaidnoattentiontothem——shewaswalkingstraighttoJimmieDale。
“It”syou，isit，“shewhisperedfiercelythroughhersobs“thatwouldbringmoreshameandruinhere——youthat”ssellingmyman”slifeawaywithyourfilthyliesforwhatthey”repayingyou——it”syou，isit，that”Hervoicebroke。
Therewasafrightened，uneasylookinLarrytheBat”seyes，hislipsweretwitchingweakly，hedrewfarbackagainstthewall——andthen，glancingmiserablyattheofficers，asthoughentreatingtheirpermission，begantoedgetowardthedoor。
Foramomentshewatchedhim，herfacewhitewithoutrage，herhandclenchedatherside——andthenshefoundhervoiceagain。
“Getoutofhere！“shesaid，inachoked，strainedwaypointingtothedoor。“Getoutofhere——youdirtyskate！“
“Sure！“mumbledLarrytheBat，hiseyesonthefloor。“Sure！“hemumbled——andthedoorclosedbehindhim。
PARTTWO：THEWOMANINTHECASE
CHAPTERI
BELOWTHEDEADLINE
Whisperings！Alwayswhisperings，low，sibilant，floatingerrantlyfromallsides，untiltheyseemedacomponentpartofthedrug-ladenatmosphereitself。Andoccasionallyanothersound：thesoftSLAP-
SLAPofloose-slipperedfeet，thefaintrustleofequallyloose-
fittinggarments。Andeverywherethesweet，sickishsmellofopium。
ItwasChangFoo”s，simplyacellarortwodeeperinChangFoo”sthanthatinwhichDagoJimhadquarrelledonce——anddied！
LarrytheBat，vicious-faced，unkempt，disreputable，laysprawledoutononeofthedive”sbunks，anopiumpipebesidehim。ButLarrytheBatwasnotsmoking；instead，hisearwaspressedcloselyagainsttheboardingthatformedtheratherflimsypartitionatthesideofthebunk。OneheardmanythingsinChangFoo”sifonecaredtolisten——ifonecouldfirstwinone”swaythroughthecarefullyguardedgateway，thattotheuninitiatedofferednothingmoreinterestingthantheentrancetoaChinesetea-shop，andanuninvitingoneatthat！
HADHEBEENFOLLOWEDINHERE？Hehadbeenshadowedforthelasthour；ofthat，atleast，hewascertain。Why？Bywhom？Foranhourhehaddodgedinandoutthroughthedensoftheunderworld，asonlyonewhowasathomethereandknowntoallcoulddo——andatlasthehadtakenrefugeinChangFoo”slikeafoxburrowingdeepintoitshole。
FewcouldfindtheirwayintothemostinfamousopiumdeninallNewYork，wherenotonlythepoppyruledasmaster，butwherecrimewashatched，ay，andcarriedtoitsghastlyconsummation，sometimes，aswell；andofthosefew，notonebutwasoftheunderworlditself。
Anditwasthatfactwhichheldhismusclesstrainedandrigidnowunderthemiserableragsthatcoveredthem，anditwasthatwhichkeptthekeen，quickbrainalertandactive，everyfacultykeyedupandtense。Ifitwerethepolice，hehadlittletofear，fortheycouldnotforcetheirwayinwithoutwarning；butifitweretheunderworld，hewasinimminentperil，andhaddonelittlebetterthanrunhimselfintoatrapfromwhichtherewasnoescape。
“DEATHTOTHEGRAYSEAL！“——hehadheardthatwhisperedmorethanonceinthisveryplace。WhoknewatwhatmomenttheroleofLarrytheBatwouldbeuncovered，andtheunderworld，wherenowheheldsohighaplace，wouldbeathisthroatlikeapackofsnarlingwolves！
Whohadbeenshadowinghimduringthelasthour？
Whisperings！Nothingtangible！Hecouldcatchnowords。Onlythenever-endingwhisperingsofgatheredgroupshereandthere——andsometimestheclinkofcoinwheresomegamewasinprogress。
Thecurtainbeforehisbunkwasdrawnsuddenlyaside——andLarrytheBat”sfingers，wherehishandwascarelesslyhiddenbyhisbodytighteneduponhisautomatic。
“Smokeesomemore？“
Thefingersrelaxed。ItwasonlySamWah，oneoftheattendants。
“Nix！“saidLarrytheBat，inaslightlymuddledtone。“Gotenough。”
Thecurtainfellintoplaceagain。LarrytheBat”slipssetinathinsmile。Ultimatelyitmadelittledifferencewhetheritwasthepoliceortheunderworld！Thesmilegrewthinner。Itwastheflipofacoin，thatwasall！WithonetherewasthedeathhouseatSingSingfortheGraySeal；withtheother——well，thereweremanyways，fromashotoraknifethrustintheopenstreet，tohismurderinsomehiddendivelikethisofChangFoo”s，forinstance，wherehenowwas——theGraySealwasresponsiblefortheoccupancyoftoomanypenitentiarycellsbythoseoftheunderworldtolookforanyotherfate！
Heraisedhimselfupsharplyonhiselbow。Ashrill，highnote，likethescreamofaparrakeet，rangoutasecondtime。Hetorethecurtainaside，andjumpedtohisfeet。Allaroundhim，inthetwinklingofaneye，Chinameninflutteringblouses，chatteringlikemagpies，mingledwithsnarling，cursingwhites，wererunningmadly。
Avoice，prefacedwithanoath，bawledoutbehindhim，ashesprangforwardandjoinedtherush：
“Beatit！Decops！Beatit！“
Thepolice！Araid！WasitforHIM？Fromrooms，anamazingnumberofthem，moreformsrushedout，joined，divided，separated，anddashed，somethisway，somethat，alongbranchingpassageways。
Therehadbeenraidsbefore，thepolicehadbeguntochangetheirmindsaboutChangFoo”s，butChangFoo”swasnotaneasyplacetoraid。HouseafterhouseinthatquarterofChineselaundries，ofteashops，ofchop-sueyjoints，openedoneintotheotherthroughsecretpassagesinthecellars。LarrytheBatplungeddownastaircase，andhaltedinthedarknessofacellar，drawingbackagainstthewallwhiletheflyingfeetofhisfellowfugitivesscurriedbyhim。
WasitforHIM，thisraid？Ifnot，thepolicehadnotahopeofgettinghimifhekepthishead；forbackinChangFoo”sproper，whichwouldbequiteclosedoffnow，ChangFoowouldbeblandlysubmittingtoarrest，offeringhimselfasasortofglorifiedsacrificewhilethepoliceconfiscatedopiumandfan-tanlayouts。
Ifthepolicehadnootherpurposethanthatinmind，ChangFoowouldsimplypayafine；thenextnighttheplacewouldbeinfullblastagain；andChangFoo，higherthaneverintheconfidenceoftheunderworld”saristocracy，wouldreaphisreward——andthatwouldbealltherewastoit。
Butwasthatall？TheraidhadfollowedsignificantlycloseupontheheelsofhisentryintoChangFoo”s。LarrytheBatbegantomoveforwardagain。Hedarednotfollowtheothers，and，lateron，whenquietwasrestored，issueoutintothestreetfromanyoneofthevarioushousesinwhichhemighttemporarilyhavetakenrefuge。
Therewasachanceinthat，achancethatthepolicemightbemorezealousthanusual，evenifheparticularlywasnottheirgame——andhecouldtakenochance。ArrestforLarrytheBat，evenonsuspicion，couldhavebutoneconclusion——notapleasantone——thedisclosurethatLarrytheBatwasnotLarrytheBatatall，butJimmieDale，themillionaireclub-man，and，tocompleteafataltriplication，thatLarrytheBatandJimmieDalewastheGraySealuponwhoseheadwasfixedaprice！
Allwassilencearoundhimnow，exceptthatfromoverheadcameoccasionallythemuffledtreadoffeet。Hefelthiswayalongintoablack，narrowpassage，emergedintoasecondcellar，swepttheplacewithasingle，circlinggleamfromapocketflashlight，passedastairwaythatledupward，reachedtheoppositewall，and，droppingonhandsandknees，crawledintowhat，innocentlyenough，appearedtobetheopeningofacoalbin。
HeknewChangFoo”swell——asheknewtheinsandoutsofeverydenandplacehefrequented，knewthemasamanknowssuchthingswhenhislifeatanymomentmighthanguponhisknowledge。
Hewasinanotherpassagenow，andthis，inafewsteps，broughthimtoadoor。Herehehalted，andstoodforafullfiveminutes，absolutelymotionless，absolutelystill，listening。Therewasnothing——notasound。Hetriedthedoorcautiously。Itwaslocked。
Theslim，sensitive，taperingfingersofJimmieDale，unrecognisablenowinthegrimydigitsofLarrytheBat，felttentativelyoverthelock。Tofingersthatseemedintheirtipstopossessallthehumansenses，thattimeandagainintheirdelicatetouchuponthedialofasafehadmockedathumaningenuityanddriventhepoliceintoimpotentfrenzy，thiswasapitifulthing。Fromhispocketcameasmallsteelinstrumentthatwasquicklyanddeftlyinsertedinthekeyhole。Therewasaclick，thedoorswungopen，andJimmieDale，aliasLarrytheBat，steppedoutsideintoabackyardhalfablockawayfromtheentrancetoChangFoo”s。
Againhelistened。Theredidnotappeartobeanyunusualexcitementintheneighbourhood。Fromopenwindowsabovehimandfromadjoininghousescametheordinary，commonplacesoundsofvoicestalkingandlaughing，eventhequeer，weirdnotesofaChinesechant。Hestolenoiselesslyacrosstheyard，outintothelane，andmadehiswayrapidlyalongtothecrossstreet。
Inameasure，now，hewassafe；butonething，averyvitalthing，remainedtobedone。Itwasabsolutelynecessarythatheshouldknowwhetherhewasthequarrythatthepolicehadbeenafterintheraid，ifitwasthepolicewhohadbeenshadowinghimallevening。
Ifitwasthepolice，therewasbutonemeaningtoit——LarrytheBatwasknowntobetheGraySeal，andaproblemperilousenoughinanyaspectconfrontedhim。DareherisktheSanctuary——fortheclothesofJimmieDale？Orwasitsafertoburglarise，ashehadoncedonebefore，hisownmansiononRiversideDrive？
Histhoughtswererunningriot，andhefrowned，angrywithhimself。
Therewastimeenoughtothinkofthatwhenheknewthatitwasthepoliceagainstwhomhehadtomatchhiswits。
Wellintheshadowofthebuildings，hemovedswiftlyalongthesidestreetuntilhecametothecornerofthestreetonwhich，halfwaydowntheblock，frontedChangFoo”stea-shop。Aglanceinthatdirection，andJimmieDaledrewabreathofrelief。Apatrolwagonwasbackeduptothecurb，andahalfdozenofficerswerebusyloadingitwithwhatwasevidentlyChangFoo”sfarfrommeagrestockofgamblingappurtenances；whileChangFoohimself，togetherwithSamWahandanotherattendant，wereinthegripoftwootherofficers，waitingpossiblyforanotherpatrolwagon。Therewasacrowd，too，butthecrowdwasatarespectfuldistance——ontheoppositesideofthestreet。
JimmieDalestillhuggedthecorner。Amanswaggeredoutfromadoorway，quiteclosetoChangFoo”s，andcameonalongthestreet。
Astheotherreachedthecorner，JimmieDalesidledforward。
“”Ello，Chick！“hesaid，outofthecornerofhismouth。“Wot”sdelay？“
“”Ello，Larry！“returnedtheother。“Aw，nuthin”！DenutcrackeronChang，dat”sall。”
“It”oughtmabbedeywaslookin”forsomeguydatwasindere，“
observedJimmieDale。
“Nuthin”doin”！“theotheranswered。“Iwasinderemeself。Dewholemobbeatitclean，an”debullsneverbattedaneye。Didn”tyousepipememakemeget-awayouterShanghai”saminuteago？DebullsneverwentnowhereexceptintoChang”s。Dere”sanewlootenantindeprecinctinaugeratin”himself，dat”sall。S”long，Larry——Igottadate。”
“S”long，Chick！“respondedJimmieDale——andstartedslowlybackalongthecrossstreet。
Itwasnotthepolice，then，whowereinterestedinhismovements！
Thenwho？Heshookhisheadwithalittle，savage，impotentgesture。Onethingwasclear：itwastooearlytoriskareturntotheSanctuaryandattempttherehabilitationofJimmieDale。IfanyonewasonthehuntforLarrytheBat，theSanctuarywouldbethelastplacetobeoverlooked。
Heturnedthenextcorner，hesitatedamomentinfrontofagarishlylighteddancehall，andfinallyshuffledinthroughthedoor，madehiswayacrossthefloor，noddinghereandtheretotheeliteofgangland，and，withasomewhatarrogantairofproprietorship，satdownatatableinthecorner。Littlebetterthanatrampinappearance，certainlythemostdisreputable-lookingobjectintheplace，eventhewaiterwhoapproachedhimaccordedhimacertaincuriousdeference——wasnotLarrytheBatthemostcelebrateddopefiendbelowthedeadline？
“Gimmeamugo”suds！“orderedJimmieDale，andsprawledroyallybackinhischair。
Undertherimofhisslouchhat，pullednowfaroverhiseyes，hesearchedthefacesaroundhim。Ifhehadbeenaskedtopicktheactorsforarevelfromthescumoftheunderworld，hecouldnothaveimproveduponthegathering。Therewereperhapsahundredmenandwomenintheroom，themajoritydancing，and，withtheexceptionofafewsight-seeingslummers，theyweremenandwomenwhoseacquaintancewiththepolicewasintimatebutnotcordial——farfromcordial。
JimmieDaleshruggedhisshoulders，andsippedattheglassthathadbeensetbeforehim。Itwasgrimlyironicthatheshouldbe，notonlythere，butactuallyafactorandapartoftheunderworld”sintimatelife！He，JimmieDale，awealthyman，amemberofNewYork”sexclusiveclubs，amemberofNewYork”smostexclusivesociety！Itwasinconceivable。Hesmiledsardonically。Wasit？
Well，then，itwasnonethelesstrue。Hislifeunquestionablywasoneunique，apartfromanyotherman”s，butitwas，forallthat，actualandreal。
Therehadbeenthreeyearsofitnow——sinceSHEhadcomeintohislife。JimmieDalesloucheddownalittleinhischair。Theicewasthin，perilouslythin，thathewasskatingonnow。Eachletter，withitsdemanduponhimtomatchhiswitsagainstpoliceorunderworld，oragainstbothcombined，perhaps，madethatperilalittlegreater，alittlemoreimminent——ifthatwerepossible，whenalreadyhislifewasalmostliterallycarried，daily，hourly，inhishand。Notthatherebelledagainstit；itwasworththepricethatsomedayheexpectedhemustpay——thepriceofhonour，wealth，anamedisgraced，ruin，death。Washequixotic？Immoderatelyso？Hesmiledgravely。Perhaps。Buthewoulddoitalloveragainifthechoicewerehis。TherewerethosewhoblessedthenameoftheGraySeal，aswellasthosewhocursedit。AndtherewastheTocsin！
Whowasshe？Hedidnotknow，butheknewthathehadcometoloveher，cometocareforher，andthatshehadcometomeaneverythinginlifetohim。Hehadneverseenher，toknowherface。Hehadneverseenherface，butheknewhervoice——ay，hehadevenheldherforamoment，themomentofwildesthappinesshehadeverknown，inhisarms。Thatnightwhenhehadenteredhislibrary，hisownparticulardeninhisownhouse，andinthedarknesshadfoundherthere——foundherfinallythroughnoeffortofhisown，whenhehadsearchedsofruitlesslyforyearstofindher，usingeveryresourceathiscommandtofindher！Andshe，becauseshehadcomeofherownvolition，relyinguponhim，hadheldhiminhonourtolethergoasshehadcome——withoutlookinguponherface！Exquisiteirony！
Butshehadmadehimapromisethen——thattheworkoftheGraySealwasnearlyover——thatsoontherewouldbeanendtothemysterythatsurroundedher——thatheshouldknowall——thatheshouldknowHER。
Hesmiledagain，butitwasatwistedsmileonthemechanicallymisshapenlipsofLarrytheBat。NEARLYover！Whoknew？That“nearly“mightbetoolate！Eventonighthehadbeenshadowed，wasskulkingevennowinthisplaceasarefuge。Whoknew？Anotherhour，andthenewsboysmightbeshriekingtheir“Uxtra！Uxtra！DeGraySealcaught！DemillionaireJimmieDaledeJekyllan”Hydeofreallife！“
JimmieDalestraightenedupsuddenlyinhisseat。Therewasashout，anoathbawledouthighabovetheriotofnoise，achorusoffeminineshrieksfromacrosstheroom。Whatwasthematterwiththeunderworldto-night？Heseemedfatedtofindnothingbutcentresofdisturbance——firstaraidatChangFoo”s，andnowthis。Whatwasthematterhere？Theywerestampedingtowardhimfromtheothersideoftheroom。Therewastheroarofarevolvershot——another。
BlackIke！Hecaughtaninstant”sglimpseofthegunman”sdistortedfacethroughthecrowd。Thatwasitprobably——arowoversomemoll。
Andthen，asJimmieDalelungedupfromhischairtohisfeettoescapetherush，pandemoniumitselfseemedtobreakloose。Yells，shots，screams，andoathsfilledtheair。Thecrowdsurgedthiswayandthat。Tableswereoverturnedandsentcrashingtothefloor。
Andthencamesuddendarkness，assomeoneoftheattendantsinmisguidedexcitabilityswitchedoffthelights。
Thedarknessbutservedtoincreasethepanic，notallayit。Withasavagesnapofhisjaws，JimmieDaleswungfromhistableinthecornerwiththeintentionofmakinghiswayoutbyasidedoorbehindhim——itwasacaseofthepoliceagain，andthepatrolmanoutsidewouldprobablybepullingariotcallbynow。Andthepolice——Hestoppedsuddenly，asthoughhehadbeenstruck。Anenvelope，thrustthereoutofthedarkness，wasinhishand；andhervoice，HERS，theTocsin”s，wassoundinginhisears：
“Jimmie！Jimmie！I”vebeentryingalleveningtocatchyou！
Quick！GettotheSanctuaryandchangeyourclothes。There”snotaninstanttolose！It”sformysaketo-night！“
Andthenasurgingmobwasaroundhimoneveryside，and，pushing，jostling，halfliftinghimattimesfromhisfeet，carriedhimforwardwithitsrush，andwithhiminitsmidstburstthroughthedoorandoutintothestreet。
CHAPTERII
THECALLTOARMS
Notasoundasthekeyturnedinthelock；notasoundasthedoorswungbackonitscarefullyoiledhinges；notasoundasLarrytheBatslippedlikeashadowintotheblacknessoftheroom，closingthedoorbehindhimagain。Withatreadasnoiselessasacat”s，hewasacrosstheroomtosatisfyhimselfthattheshuttersweretightlyclosed；andthenthesinglegasjetflaredup，murky，yellow，illuminatingthemiserable，squalidroom——theSanctuary——thehomeofLarrytheBat。Therewasneedforsilence，needforcaution。Infiveminutes，tenattheoutside，hemustemergeagain——
asJimmieDale。
Withasmileonhislipsthatmingledcuriouslychagrinandself-
commiseration，hetooktheletterfromhispocketandtoreitopen。
Itwasshe，then，whohadbeenfollowinghimallevening，and，likeablunderingidiot，hehadwastedprecious，perhapsirreparable，hours！Whathadshemeantby“It”sformysaketo-night“？Thewordshadbeenringinginhisearssincethemomentshehadwhisperedtheminthatpanic-strickencrowd。Wasitnotalwaysforhersakethatheansweredthesecallstoarms？Wasitnotalwaysforhersakethathe，astheGraySeal，was——Thementalsoliloquycametoanabruptend。Hehadsubconsciouslyreadthefirstsentenceoftheletter，andnow，withsuddenfeverisheagernessandexcitement，hewasreadingittothelastword。
“DEARPHILANTHROPICCROOK：Inanhourafteryoureceivethis，ifallgoeswell，youshallknoweverything——everything。WhoIam——
yes，andmyname。Ithasbeenmorethanthreeyearsnow，hasn”tit？
Ithasbeenincomprehensibletoyou，buttherehasbeennootherway。Idarednottakethechanceofdiscoverybyanyone；Idarednotexposeyoutotheriskofbeingknownbyme。Yourlifewouldnothavebeenworthamoment”spurchase。Oh，Jimmie，amIonlymakingthemysterymoremystifying？Butto-night，Ithink，Ihope，Ipraythatitisallatanend：thoughagainstme，andagainstyouto-nightwhenyougotohelpme，isthemostpowerfulandpitilessorganisationofcriminalsthattheworldhaseverknown；andthestakeweareplayingforisafortuneofmillions——andmylife。AndyetsomehowIamafraidnow，justbecausetheendissonear，andthevictoryseemssosurelywon。Andso，Jimmie，becareful；useallthatwonderfulclevernessofyoursasyouhaveneveruseditbefore，and——Butthereshouldbenoneedforthat，itissosimpleathingthatIamgoingtoaskyoutodo。WhyamIwritingsoillogically！Nothing，surely，canpossiblyhappen。Thisisnotlikeoneofmyusualletters，isit？Iambesidemyselfto-nightwithhope，anxiety，fear，andexcitement。
“Listen，then，Jimmie：BeatthenortheastcornerofSixthAvenueandWaverlyPlaceatexactlyhalf-pastten。Ataxicabwilldriveup，asthoughyouhadsignalleditinpassing，andthechauffeurwillsay：“I”veanotherfare，inhalfanhour，sir，butIcangetyoumostanywhereinthattime。”Youwillbesmokingacigarette。
Tossitoutintothestreet，makeanyreplyyoulike，andgetintothecab。Givethechauffeurthatlittleringofminewiththecrestofthebellandbelfryandthemotto，“SonnezleTocsin，“thatyoufoundthenightoldIsaacPelinawasmurdered，andthechauffeurwillgiveyouinexchangeasealedpacketofpapers。Hewilldriveyoutoyourhome，andIwilltelephonetoyouthere。
“Ineednottellyoutodestroythis。Keeptheappointmentinyourproperperson——asJimmieDale。CarrynothingthatmightidentifyyouastheGraySealifanyaccidentshouldhappen。And，lastly，trustthepseudochauffeurabsolutely。”
Therewasnosignature。Herletterswereneversigned。Hestoodforamomentstaringatthecloselywrittensheetsinhishand，aheightenedcolourinhischeeks，hislipspressedtightlytogether——
andthenhisfingersautomaticallybegantoteartheletterintopieces，andthepiecesagainintolittleshreds。To-night！Itwastobeto-night，theendofallthismystery。To-nightwastoseetheendofthisduallifeofhis，withitsconstantperil！To-nighttheGraySealwastoexitfromthestageforever！To-night，awonderfulclimaxoftheyears，hewastoseeHER！
Hisbloodwasquickenednow，hisheartpoundinginafasterbeat；amadelation，afierceupliftwasuponhim。Hethrustthetornbitsofpaperintohispockethurriedly，steppedacrosstheroomtothecorner，rolledbacktheoilcloth，andliftedupthelooseplankintheflooring，soinnocentlydustladen，as，morethanonce，tohaveeludedtheeyesofinquisitivevisitorsintheshapeofpoliceandplainclothesmenfromheadquarters。
Fromthespacebeneathheremovedaneatlyfoldedpileofclothes，laidtheseonthebed，andbegantoundress。Hewasworkingrapidlynow。Tinypiecesofwaxwereremovedfromhisnostrils，fromunderhislips，frombehindhisears；waterfromacrackedpitcherpouredintoabatteredtinbasin，andmixedwithafewdropsofsomeliquidfromabottlewhichheprocuredfromitshidingplaceundertheflooring，banishedthemake-upstainfromhisface，hisneck，hiswrists，andhandsasifbymagic。Itwasastrangemetamorphosisthathadtakenplace——thecoarse，brutal-featured，blear-eyed，leeringcountenanceofLarrytheBatwasgone，andinitsplace，clean-cut，square-jawed，clear-eyed，wasthefaceofJimmieDale。