第10章
Thehousewasalreadywatched，wouldbewatchednowuntiringly，unceasingly；notamovementofhishenceforthbutwouldbeundertheireyes！
Hishands，restingonthearmsofthechair，closedslowlyuntiltheybecametight-clenched，knottedfists。Whatwashetodo？ItwasnotonlytheCrimeClub，itwasnotonlytheTocsinandherperil——therewastheunderworldsnappingandsnarlingathisheels，therewasthepolice，doggedandsullen，everonthetrailoftheGraySeal！Hislife，evenbeforethis，inhisfightagainsttheunderworldandthepolice，haddependeduponhisfreedomofaction——
andnow，atoneandthesametime，thatfreedomwascutawayfrombeneathhisfeet，asitwere，andathirdfoe，equallyasdeadlyastheothers，wasaddedtothelist！
Formonths，topreserveandsustainthecharacterofLarrytheBat，hehadbeenforcedtoassumetherolealmostdaily；for，inthatsordidempirebelowthedeadline，whoseonecommonbondandaimwastheGraySeal”sdeath，wheresuspicion，oneoftheother，wasrampantandextravagant，whereeachmightbetheoneagainstwhomallsworetheirvengeance，LarrytheBatcouldnotmysteriouslydisappearfromhisaccustomedhauntswithoutinvitingsuspicioninanactiveandpracticalform——aninquisitorialvisittohissqualidlodgings，theSanctuary——andtheendofLarrytheBat！
If，ashehadthoughtonlyafewhoursbefore，hewasthroughforeverwithhisduallife，thatwouldnothavemattered，theunderworldwouldhavebeenwelcometomakewhatitchoseofit——butnowthepreservationofthecharacterofLarrytheBatwasmorevitalandnecessarytohimthanithadeverbeenbefore。Itwasameansofdefenseandoffenseagainstthesemenwholurkednowoutsidehisdoors。Itwasthesolemeansnowofcommunicationwithher；for，warnedbothbyJason”swords，andwhatmustbeanobviousfacttoher，thattheirplanshadmiscarried，thatitwasdangeroustocommunicatewithhimasJimmieDale，shewouldexpecthim，countonhimtomakethatmove。Therewouldbenolongereitherreasonorattemptonherparttomaintainthemysterywithwhichshehadheretoforesurroundedherself，thecrisishadcome，shewouldbewatching，waiting，hoping，seekingforhimmoreanxiouslyandwithfarmoreatstakethanhehadeversoughtforher——untilnow！
Hegotupimpulsivelyfromhischair，and，intheblackness，begantopacetheroom。Thenextmovewasclear，pitifullyclear；ithadbeenclearfromthefirst，ithadbeencleareveninthatrideinthecar——itwassoclearthatitseemedveritablytomockhimasheproddedhisbrainsforsomemeansofputtingitintoexecution。HemustgettotheSanctuary，becomeLarrytheBat——buthow？HOW！Thequestionseemedatlasttobecomeresonant，toringthroughtheroomwiththeweightofdoomuponit。
Schemes，plans，ideascame，bringingamomentaryuplift——onlytobediscardedthenextinstantwithasortofbitter，desperateregret。
Thesemenwerenotmenofmereordinaryintelligence；theircleverness，theirpower，theamazingscopeoftheirorganisation，allboregrimwitnesstothefactthattheywouldbeblindednotatallbyanypaltryruse。
HecouldwalkoutofthehouseinthemorningasJimmieDalewithoutapparenthindrance——thatwasobviousenough。AndsolongashepursuedtheusualavocationsofJimmieDale，hewouldnotbeinterferedwith——onlyWATCHED。Itwasuselesstoconsiderthatplanforamoment。ItwouldnothelphimtoreachtheSanctuary——withoutleadingthemtherebehindhim！True，therewasalwaysthechancethathemightshakethemoffhistrail，buthecouldhardlyhopetoaccomplishanythinglikethatwithouttheirknowingthatitwasdoneDELIBERATELY——andthathedarednotrisk。Thestrongestweaponinhishandsnowwashissecretknowledgethathewasbeingwatched。
Thattelephonethere，forinstance，thatmostcuriouslykeptoninsistinginhismindthatit，anditalonewasthewayout，wasthelastthinghecouldplaceinjeopardy。Besides，therewasanotherreasonwhysuchaplanwouldnotdo；for，grantingeventhathesucceededineludingthemontheway，andmanagedtoreachtheSanctuary，hisfreedomofactionwouldbesorestrictedandlimitedastobepracticallyworthless——hewouldhavetoreturntohishomehereagainwithinareasonabletimeasJimmieDale，withinafewhoursatmost——oragaintheywouldbeinpossessionofthefactthathehaddiscoveredtheirsurveillance。
That，itwastrue，hadbeenhisoriginalplanwhenhehadenteredthehousehalfanhourpreviously，butitwasanentirelydifferentmatternow。Then，hehadcountedonGETTINGAWAYwithouttheirknowingit，beforethey，ashehadfondlythought，wouldhavehadachancetoestablishtheirespionage，andwhentheywouldhavehadnoreasontosuspect，foratimeatleast，thathewasnotstillwithinthehouse，whentheywouldhavebeenwatching，asitwere，anemptycage。
Hestoppedinhiswalk，and，afteramoment，droppeddownintotheloungingchairagain。Thatwasit，ofcourse。Anemptycage！Ifhecouldescapefromthehouse！Notsomuchwithouttheirseeinghim；thatwasmoreorlessamechanicaldetail。Butescape——andleavetheminpossessionofasortofguaranteeorassurancethathewasstillthere！Thatwouldgivehimthefreedomofactionthathemusthave。Hesmiledwithbitterirony。Thatsolvedtheproblem！
Thatwasalltherewastoit——justthat！Itwasverysimple，exceedinglysimple；itwasonly——impossible！
Thesmilelefthislips，andoncemorehishands，clenchedfiercely。
No；itwasnotimpossible！ItMUSTbedone——ifhewastowinthrough，ifhewaseventosavehimself！Itmustbedone——orFAIL
her！ItCOULDbedone；therewasaway——ifhecouldonlyseeit！
CHAPTERVII
THE“HOUR“
Astheminutespassed，manyofthem，JimmieDalesattheremotionless，staringbeforehimatthedeskthatwasfaintlyoutlinedintheunlightedroom。Thensomewhereinthehouseaclockstruckthehour。Fiveo”clock！Heraisedhishead。YES！Itcouldbedone！Therewasaway！Hehadthegermofitnow。Andnowtheplanbegantogrow，totakeformandshapeinhismind，todovetail，toknittheintegralpartsintoacomprehensivewhole。Therewasaway——buthemusthaveassistance。Jason——yes，assuredly。Benson，hischauffeur——yes，equallyastrustworthyasJason。Bensonwasdevotedtohim；andmoreoverBensonwasyoung，alert，daring，cool。
HehadhadmorethanoneoccasiontotestBenson”sresourcefulnessandnerve！
JimmieDaleroseabruptly，wenttotherearwindow，and，partingthecurtainscautiously，stoodpeeringdownintothecourtyard。Yes，itwasfeasible；evenalittlemorethanfeasible。Thegaragefrontedthedriveway，ofcourse，togivefreeentranceandegresstothecars，butwherethewallofthegarageandtherearwallofthehouseoverlapped，asitwere，thespacebetweenthemwasnotmuchmorethantenyards；andheretheshadowsofthetwowalls，mingling，laylikeablack，impenetrablepathway——notlikethatothershadowhehadseenmovingatthesideofthegarage，andthat，ifnotforthemomentdiscernible，wasnonethelesssurelystilllurkingthere！
Satisfied，JimmieDaleswungbrisklyfromthewindow，and，goingnowtohisbedroomacrossthehall，undressedandwenttobed——butnottosleep。Therewouldbetimeenoughtosleep，allday，ifhewished；now，therewerestillthelittledetailstobethoughtoutthat，morethananythingelse，couldmakeorwreckhisplans。A
pointoverdone，thefaintestsuggestionofafalsenotewheremenofthecalibreofthoseagainstwhomhewasnowfightingforhislifewereconcerned，wouldnotonlymakehisschemeabortive，butwouldplacehimutterlyattheirmercy。
Itwasnineo”clockwhenherangforJason。
“Jason，“hesaidabruptly，astheotherentered，“IwantyoutotelephoneforDoctorMerlin。”
“Thedoctor，sir！“exclaimedtheoldmananxiously。“You”re——you”renotill，MasterJim，sir？“
“DoIlookill，Jason？“inquiredJimmieDalegravely。
“Well，sir，“admittedJason，inconcern；“abitdoneup，sir，perhaps。Alittlepale，sir；thoughI”msure”
“I”mgladtohearit，“saidJimmieDale，sittingupinbed。“TheworseIlook，thebetter！“
“I——Ibegpardon，sir？“stammeredJason。
“Jason，“saidJimmieDale，gravelyagain，“youhavehadreasontoknowthatonseveraloccasionsmylifehasbeenthreatened。Itisthreatenednow。Youknowfromlastnightthatthishouseisnowwatched。Youmay，oryoumaynothavesurmised——thatourtelephonewireshavebeentapped。”
“Tapped，sir！“——Jason”sfacehadgonealittlegray。
“Yes；apartyline，sotospeak，“saidJimmieDalegrimly。“Doyouunderstand？Youmustbecarefultosaynomore，nolessthanexactlywhatItellyoutosay。Nowgoandtelephone！Askthedoctortocomeoverandseemethismorning。SimplysaythatIamnotfeelingwell；butthat，apartfrombeingapparentlyinaverynervouscondition，youdonotknowwhatisthematter。”
“Yes，sir——goodLord，sir！“gaspedJason——andlefttheroomtocarryouthisorders。
Anhourlater，DoctorMerlinhadbeenandgone——andhadlefttwoprescriptions；onewritten，theotherverbal。Withthewrittenone，Benson，inhischauffeur”slivery，wasdispatchedtothedrugstore；
theverbalonewaspreciselywhatJimmieDalehadexpectedfromthefussyoldfamilyphysician：“TwoorthreedaysofquietinthehouseJames；andifyouneedmeagain，letmeknow。”
“Now，Jason，“saidJimmieDale，whentheoldmanhadreturnedfromusheringDoctorMerlinfromthehouse，“ourfriendsouttherewillbeanxioustolearntheverdict。IwastodinewiththeRoss-
Hendersonsto-morrownight，wasInot？“
“Yes，sir；Ithinkso，sir。”
“Makesure！“saidJimmieDale。“Lookinmyengagementbookthereonthetable。”
Jasonlooked。
“Yes，sir，that”sright，“heannounced。
“Verygood，“saidJimmieDalesoftly。“Nowgoandtelephoneagain，Jason。PresentmyregretsandexcusestotheRoss-Hendersons，andsaythatunderthedoctor”sordersIamconfinedtothehouseforthenextfewdays——and，Jason！“
“Yes，sir？“
“WhenBensonreturnswiththemedicinelethimbringitherehimself——andIshallwantyouaswell。”
JimmieDaleproppedhimselfupalittlewearilyonthepillows，asJasonwentoutoftheroom。Afterall，hisconditionwasnotentirelyfeigned。Hewas，asamatteroffact，prettywellplayedout，bothmentallyandphysically。Certainly，thatheshouldrequireadoctorandbeconfinedtothehousecouldnotarousesuspicioneveninthemindsofthosealert，aristocraticthugsoftheCrimeClub，proneastheywouldbetosuspectanything——amanwhohadbeenknockedunconsciousinanautomobilesmashthenightbefore，hadbeeninafight，hadbeensubjectedtoaterrificmentalshock，tosaynothingoftheinfernaldrugthathadbeenadministeredtohim，mightwellbeexpectedtobeindisposedthenextmorning，andforseveralmorningsfollowingthat！Itmight，indeed，evencausethemtorelaxtheirvigilanceforthetimebeing——
thoughhedaredbuildnothingonthat。Well，hehadonlytocoachBensonandJasoninthepartstheyweretoplay，andthebalanceofthemorningandalltheafternoonwashisinwhichtorest。
Hereachedovertothetable，pickedupapencilandpaper，andbegantojotdownmemoranda。Hehadjusttossedthepencilbackonthetableasthetwomenentered。
Jason，atasign，closedthedoorquietly。
JimmieDalelookedatBensonhalfmusingly，halfwhimsically，foramomentbeforehespoke。
“Benson，“hesaid，“thebackseatofthelargetouringcarishingedandliftsup，oncethecushionisremoved，doesn”tit？“
“Yes，sir，“Bensonansweredpromptly。
“Andthere”sspaceenoughfor，say，amaninside，isn”tthere？“
“Why，yes，sir；Isupposeso——atasqueeze“——Bensonstaredblankly。
“Quiteso！“saidJimmieDalecalmly。“Now，anothermatter，Benson：
Ibelievesomechauffeurshaveahabit，whenoccasionlendsitself，oftaking，shallwesay，their”bestgirl”outridingintheirmasters”machines？“
“SOMEmight，“Bensonreplied，alittlestiffly。“Ihopeyoudon”tthink，sir，that”
“Onemoment，Benson。Thepointis，it”sdone——quitegenerally？“
“Yes，sir。”
“Andyouhavea”bestgirl”oratleastcouldfindoneforsuchapurpose，ifyouweresoinclined？“
“Yes，sir，“saidBenson；“but”
“Verygood！“JimmieDaleinterrupted。“Thento-night，Benson，takingadvantageofmyillness，andto-morrownight，andthenightsafterthatuntilfurthernotice，youwillacquireandputintopracticethatreprehensiblehabit。”
“I——Idon”tunderstand，Mr。Dale。”
“No；Idaresaynot，“saidJimmieDale——andthenthewhimsicalitydroppedfromhim。“Benson，“hesaidslowly，“doyourememberanight，nearlyfouryearsago，thefirstnightyoueversawme？Youhad，indiscreetly，Ithink，displayedmoremoneythanwaswiseinthatEastSideneighbourhood。”
“Iremember，“saidBenson，withasuddenstart；thensimply：“I
wouldn”tbeherenow，sir，ifithadn”tbeenforyou。”
“Well，“saidJimmieDalequietly，“thetablesareturnedto-day，Benson。AsJasonalreadyknows，thishouseiswatched。ForreasonsthatIcannotexplain，Iamingreatdanger。Bluntly，Iamputtingmylifeinyourhands——andJason”s。”
BensonlookedforaninstantfromJimmieDaletoJason，caughtthestrained，troubledexpressionontheoldman”sface，thenbackagainatJimmieDale。
“D”yemeanthat，sir！“hecried。“Thenyoucancountonme，Mr。
Dale，tothelastditch！“
“Iknowthat，Benson，“JimmieDalesaidsoftly。“Andnow，bothofyou，listen！ItisimperativethatIshouldgetawayfromthehouse；andequallyimperativethatthosewatchingshouldbelievethatIamstillhere。NoteventheservantsaretobepermittedasuspicionthatIamnothereinmybed，ill。That，Jason，isyourtask。Youwillallownoonetowaitonmebutyourself；youwillbringthemealtraysupregularly——andeatthefoodyourself。Youwillanswerallinquiries，telephoneandotherwise，inperson——Iamnotseeinganyone。Youunderstandperfectly，Jason？“
“Iunderstand，MasterJim。Youneedhavenofear，sir，onthatscore。”
“Now，you，Benson，“JimmieDalewenton。“AfewminutesagoIsentyououtinyourchauffeur”stogswiththatprescription。Youwereundoubtedlyobserved。Iwantedyoutobe。Itwasquitenecessarythattheyshouldknowandbeabletorecogniseyouagain——todisabusetheirmindslateronofthepossibilitythatImightbemasqueradinginyourclothes；andalso，ofcourse，thattheyshouldknowwhoyouwere，andwhatyourpositionwasinthehousehold。
Verywell！To-night，ateighto”clockexactly，youaretogooutfromthebackdoorofthehousetothegarage。Onthewayout——itwillbequitedarkthen——Iwantyoutodropsomething，say，abunchofkeysthatyouhadbeenjinglinginyourhand。Youaretoexperiencesomedifficultyinfindingitagain，moveaboutalittletoforceanyonethatmaybelurkingbythegaragetoretreataroundthecorner。Grumbleabitandmakealittlenoise；butyouarenottooverdoit——acoupleofminutesattheoutsideisenough，bythattimeIshallbeunderthecarseat。Youwillthenrunthemachineouttothestreetandstopatthecurb，jumpout，and，asthoughyouhadforgottensomething，hurrybacktothegarage。Youmustnotbeawaylong——enoughonlytopermit，say，apasser-bytoglanceintothecarandsatisfyhimselfthatitisempty。Youunderstand，ofcourse，Benson，thatthehoodmustbedown——noclosedcartoinviteeventhesuggestionofconcealment——thatwouldbeafatalblunder。
Drivethentotheyounglady”shomebyasdirectarouteasyoucan——
givenoappearanceofbeingawarethatyouarefollowed，asyouwillbe，andmuchlesstheappearanceofattemptingtoeludepursuit。Actnaturally。BetweenhereandyourdestinationIwillmanagereadilyenoughtoleavethecar。Youwillthentaketheyoungladyforherdrive——thatiswhattheywillbeinterestedin——
yourmotiveforgoingoutto-night。And，asIsaid，takeherdrivingagainoneachsucceedingnight——establishtheHABITtotheirsatisfaction。”
JimmieDalepaused，glancedatthepaperwhichhestillheldinhishand，thenhandedittoBenson。
“Justonethingmore，Benson，“hesaid：“Listedonthatpaperyouwillfindadifferentrendezvousforeachnightforthenextfivenights，excludingto-night，which，afteryouhavereturnedtheyoungladytoherhome，youaretopassbyonyourwaybackhere。Seethatyourdriveisalwaysoverintimeforyoutopasseachnight”srendezvousathalfpastelevensharp。Don”tstopunlessIsignalyou。IfIamnotthere，gorightonhome，andbeatthenextplaceonthefollowingnight。Iamfairlywellsatisfiedtheywillnotbotheraboutyouafterto-night，orto-morrownightatthemost；
but，forallthat，youmusttakenochances，so，exceptintherouteyoutakeingoingtotheyounglady”s，alwaysavoidcoveringthesamegroundtwice，whichmightgivetheappearanceofhavingsomeulteriorpurposeinview——eveninyourdrives，varyyourruns。Isthisclear，Benson？“
“Yes，sir，“saidBensonearnestly。
“Verywell，then，“saidJimmieDale。“Eighto”clocktothedot，Benson——compareyourtimewithJason”s。Andnow，Jason，seethatI
getachancetosleepuntildinnertimeto-night。”
Thehoursthatfollowedwerehoursofsoundandmuch-neededsleepforJimmieDale，andfromwhichheawokeonlyonJason”sentrancethateveningwiththedinnertray。
“I”vesleptlikealog，Jason！“hecriedbriskly，asheleapedoutofbed。“Anythingnew——anythinghappened？“
“No，sir；notathing，“Jasonanswered。“Only，MasterJim，sir“——
theoldmantwistedhishandsnervously”I——you”llexcusemysayingso，sir——Idohopeyou”llbecarefulto-night，sir。Ican”thelpbeingafraidthatsomething”llhappentoyou，MasterJim。”
“Nonsense，Jason！“JimmieDalelaughedcheerfully。“There”snothinggoingtohappen——tome！Yougoaheadnowandstaywiththeservants，andgetthemoutoftheroadatthepropertime。”
Hebathed，dressed，atehisdinner，andwasslippingcartridgesintothemagazineofhisautomaticwhen，withinaminuteortwoofeighto”clock，Jason”swhispercamefromthedoorway。
“It”sallclearnow，MasterJim，sir。”
“Right！“JimmieDaleresponded——andfollowedJasondownthestairway，andtotheheadofthecellarstairs。
HereJasonhalted。
“Godkeepyou，MasterJim！“saidtheoldmanhuskily。“Good-night，Jason，“JimmieDaleansweredsoftly；and，withareassuringsqueezeontheother”sarm，wentondowntothecellar。
Herehemovedquickly，noiselesslyacrosstothewindow——notthewindowofthenightbefore，butanotherofthesamedescription，almostdirectlybeneaththeoneinhisdenabove，thatfacedthegarageandlayinthelineofthatblackshadowpathbetweenthetwobuildings。Deftly，cautiouslywithoutsound，ahalfinch，aninchatatimeheopenedit。Hestoodlistening，then。Aminutepassed。
ThenheheardBensonopenandshutthebackdoor；thenBensonintheyard；andthenBenson”svoiceinamutteredandirritablegrowl，talkingtohimself，ashestampedaroundontheground。
Withalithe，agilemovement，JimmieDalepulledhimselfupandthroughthewindow——andbegantocreeprapidlyonhandsandkneestowardthegarage。Itwasdark，intenselydark。HecouldbarelydistinguishBenson”sform，though，ashepassedtheother，theslightsoundshemadedrownedoutbythechauffeur”sangrymumblings，hecouldhavereachedoutandtouchedBensoneasily。
Hegainedtheinteriorofthegarage，and，asBenson，cameonagain，steppedlightlyintothecar，liftedtheseat，andwriggledhiswayinside。
Itwasclose，stuffy，abominablycramped，butJimmieDalewassmilinggrimlynow。ThankstoBenson，therewasn”tapossibilitythathehadbeenseen。HebothfeltandheardBensonstartthecar。
Thenthecarmovedforward，ranthelengthofthedriveway，bumpedslightlyasitmadethestreet——andstopped。HeheardBensonjumpoutandrunback——andthenhelistenedintently，andthegrimsmileflickeredonhislipsagain。Camethesoundofafootsteponthesidewalkclosebesidethecar——thensilence——thecarshookalittleasthoughsomeone”sweightwasonthestep——thenthefootstepsreceded——Bensonreturnedontherun——andthecarstartedforwardoncemore。
Perhapstenminutespassed。Threetimesthecarhadswervedsharply，makingacornerturn。ThenJimmieDalepusheduptheseat，and，protectedfromobservationfrombehindbythebackofthecaritself，crawledoutandcroucheddownonthefloorofthetonneau。
“Don”tlookaround，Benson，“hesaidcalmly。“Arewefollowed？“
“Yes，sir。”Bensonanswered。“Atleast，there”salwaysbeenacarbehindus，thoughnotthesameone。They”reprettyclever。Theremustbethreeorfour，eachfollowingtheother。EverytimeIturnacornerit”sadifferentcarthatturnsitbehindme。”
“Howfarbehind？“JimmieDaleasked。
“Halfablock。”
“Slowdownalittle，“instructedJimmieDale；“anddon”tturnanothercorneruntilthey”vehadachancetoaccomodatethemselvestoyournewspeed。Youaregoingtoofastformetojump，andI
don”twantthemtonoticeanychangeinspeed，exceptwhatismadeinplainsight。Yes；that”sbetter。Wherearewe，Benson？“
“That”sAmsterdamAvenueahead，“repliedBenson。
“Allright，“saidJimmieDalequietly。“Turnintoit。Themorepeoplethebetter。Tellmejustasyouareabouttoturn。”
“Yes，sir，“saidBenson；then，almostontheinstant，“Allready，sir！“
JimmieDale”shandreachedoutforthedoorcatch，edgedthedoorajar，thecarswerved，tookthecorner——andJimmieDalesteppedoutontherunningboard，hungtherenegligentlyforamomentasthoughchattingwithBenson，andthenwithanairy“good-night“droppednonchalantlytotheground，andthenextinstanthadmingledwiththethrongofpedestriansonthesidewalk。
Ahalfminutelater，alargegrayautomobileturnedthecornerandfollowedBenson——andJimmieDale，steppingoutintothestreetagain，swungonadowntowncar。TheroadtotheSanctuarywasopen！
Inhisimpatience，now，thestreetcarseemedtodragalongeveryfootoftheway；butaglanceathiswatch，ashefinallyreachedtheBowery，and，walkingthen，rapidlyapproachedthecrossstreetafewstepsaheadthatledtotheSanctuary，toldhimthatitwasstillbutaquartertonine。Butevenatthathequickenedhisstepsalittle。Hewasfreenow！Therewasasortofsavage，elementalupliftuponhim。Hewasfree！Hecouldstrikenowinhisowndefense——andhers！InafewmomentshewouldbeattheSanctuary；inafewmorehewouldbeLarrytheBat，andbyto-morrowatthelatesthewouldsee——TheTocsin。Afterall，that“hour“wasnottobetakenfromhim！Itwasnot，perhaps，thehourthatshehadmeantitshouldbe，thoughtandprayed，perhaps，thatitmightbe！Itwasnotthehourofvictory。Butitwasthehourthatmeanttohimtherealisationoftheyearsoflonging，thehourwhenheshouldseeher，seeherforthefirsttimefacetoface，whenthereshouldbenomorebarriersbetweenthem，when”
“FerGawd”ssake，mister，buyapencil！“
Ahandwaspluckingathissleeve，thethinvoicewaswhininginhisear。Hehaltedmechanically。Awoman，old，bedraggled，ragged，wasthrustingabunchofcheappencilsimploringlytowardhim——andthen，withastifledcry，JimmieDaleleanedforward。Theeyesthatliftedtohisforaninstantwerebrightandclearwiththevigorofyouth，greateyesofbrowntheywere，andtrouble，hope，fear，wistfulness，ay，andagloriousshynesswereintheirdepths。Andthenthevoiceheknewsowell，theTocsin”swaswhisperinghurriedly：
“Iwillbewaitinghere，Jimmie——forLarrytheBat。”
CHAPTERVIII
THETOCSIN
ItwasonlyalittlewaybackalongthestreetfromtheSanctuarytothecornerontheBowerywhereasJimmieDalehehadlefther，whereasLarrytheBatnowhewasgoingtomeetheragain；itwouldtakeonlyamomentorso，evenatLarrytheBat”shabitual，characteristic，slouching，gait——butitseemedthatwasalltooslow，thathemustthrowdiscretiontothewindsandrunthedistance。Hisbloodwastingling；therewaselationuponhim，coupledwithanalmostchildlikedreadthatshemightbegone。
“TheTocsin！TheTocsin！“hekeptsayingtohimself。
Yes；shewasstillthere，stillwhininglyimploringthosewhopassedtobuyhermiserablepencils——andthen，withaquick-flungwhispertohimtofollowasheslouchedupclosetoher，shehadstartedslowlydownthestreet。
“TheTocsin！TheTocsin！TheTocsin！“——hisbrainseemedtoberingingwiththewords，ringingwiththeminanoteclearasasilverbell。TheTocsin——atlast！Thewomanwhosostrangely，sowonderfully，somysteriouslyhadenteredintohislife，andpossessedit，andfilleditwithaloveandyearningthathadcometomoldandswayandactuatehisveryexistence——thewomanforwhomhehadfought；forwhomhehadrisked，andgladlyrisked，hiswealth，hisname，hishonour——everything；thewomanforwhosesakehe，theGraySeal，wassoughtandhoundedasthemostnotoriouscriminaloftheage；shewhosecleverness，whoseresourcefulness，whoseamazingintimacywiththehiddenthingsoftheunderworldhadseemed，indeed，toborderonthesupernatural；she，theTocsin——thewomanwhosefacehehadneverseenbefore！Thewomanwhosefacehehadneverseenbefore——andwhonowwasthatwretchedhagthathobbledalongthestreetbeforehim，begging，whining，andimportuningthepassers-bytopurchaseofherpitifulwares！
Helaughedalittle——buoyantly。Hehadneverpicturedafirstmeetingsuchasthis！Ahag？Yes！Andoneasdisreputableinappearanceashehimself，asLarrytheBat，wasdisreputable！Buthehadseenhereyes！Inimitableaswasherdisguise，shecouldnothidehereyes，orhidethepledgetheyheldofthebeautyofformandfeaturebeneaththetatteredragsandthetouchofamasterinthemake-upthatbroughthaggardwantandageintotheface——anddimlyhebegantodivinethesource，themeansbywhichshehadacquiredtheinformationthatforyearshadenabledhertoplantheircoups，thathadenabledhimtoexecutethemundertheguiseofcrime，thatforyearshadseemedbeyondallhumanreach。
Wherewasshegoing？Wherewasshetakinghim？Butwhatdiditmatter！Theyearsofwaitingwereatanend——theyearsofmysteryinafewmomentsnowwouldbemysterynomore！
Ah！ShehadturnedfromtheBowery，andwasheadingeast。Heshuffledonafterher，guardedly，ahalfblockbehind。ItwaswellthatJimmieDalehaddisappeared，thathewasLarrytheBatagain——
theneighbourhoodwasgrowingmoreandmoreonethatJimmieDalecouldnotlonglingerinwithoutattractingattention；while，ontheotherhand，itwasthenaturalenvironmentofsuchasLarrytheBatandsuchasshe，whowasleadinghimnowtothesuprememomentofhislife。Yes，itwasthat——thefulfillmentoftheyears！Thethoughtofitalonefilledhismind，hissoul；itbrushedaside，itblottedoutforthetimebeingthedanger，theperil，thedeadlymenacethathungoverthemboth。Itwasonlythatshe，theTocsin，washere——onlythatatlasttheywouldbetogether。
Onshewent，traversingstreetafterstreet，thedirectionalwaystrendingtowardtheriver——untilfinallyshehaltedbeforewhatappearedtobe，asnearlyashecouldmakeoutinthealmosttotaldarknessoftheill-lightedstreet，asmallandtumble-down，self-
containeddwellingthatborderedonwhatseemedtobeanunfencedstoreyardofsomedescription。Hedrewhisbreathinsharply。Shehadhalted——waitingforhimtocomeupwithher。Shewaswaitingforhim——WAITINGforhim！Itseemedasthoughhedrankofsomestrange，exhilaratingelixir——hereachedhersideeagerly——andthen——
andthen——herhandhadcaughthis，andshewasleadinghimintothehouse，intoablackpassagewherehecouldseenothing，intoaroomequallyblackoverwhosethresholdhestumbled，andhervoiceinalow，consciousway，withalittletremour，ahalfsobinitthatthrilledhimwithitspromise，wasinhisears：
“Wearesafehere，Jimmie，foralittlewhile——but，oh，Jimmie，whathaveIdone！WhathaveIdonetobringyouintothis——only——only——I
wassosure，sosure，Jimmie，thattherewasnothingmoretofear！“
Thebloodwasbeatinginhammerblowsathistemples。Itseemedallunreal，untruethatthismomentcouldbehis，thatitwasnotadream——adreamwhichwaspresentlytobesnatchedfromhiminabitterawakening。Andthenhelaughedoutwildly，passionately。
No——itwastrue，itwasreal！Herbreathwasonhischeek，itwasaliving，pulsinghandthatwasstillinhis——andthensoulandmindandbodyseemedengulfedandlostinamadecstasy——andshewasinhisarms，crushedtohim，andhewasrainingkissesuponherface。
“Iloveyou！Iloveyou！“hewascryinghoarsely；andoverandoveragain：“Iloveyou！Iloveyou！“
Shedidnotstruggle。Thewarm，richlipswereyieldingtohis；hecouldfeelthethrob，thelifeintheyoung，litheformagainsthisown。Shewashis——his！Theyears，thepast，allweresweptaway——
andshewashisatlast——hisforalways。Andtherecameamightysenseofkingshipuponhim，asthoughalltheworldwereathisfeet，andvirility，andagreat，gladstrengthaboveallothermen”s，andasongwasinhissoul，asongtriumphant——forshewashis！
“You！“hecriedout——andstrainedhertohim。“You！“hecriedagain——andkissedherlipsandhereyelidsandherlipsagain。
Andthenherheadwasburiedonhisshoulder，andshewascryingsoftly；butafteramomentsheraisedherhandsandlaidthemuponhisface，andheldthemthere，andbecauseitwasdark，daredtoraiseherheadaswell，andhereyestolookintohis。
Thenforalongtimetheystoodthereso，andforalongtimeneitherspoke——andthenwithalittlestartled，brokencry，asthoughtheperilandthemenacehangingoverthem，forgottenforthemoment，werethrustlikeaknifestabsuddenlyuponher，shedrewherselfaway，andranfromhim，andwentandgotalamp，andlightedit，andsetituponthetable。
AndJimmieDale，stillstandingthere，watchedher。Howgloriouslyhereyesshone，dimmedandmistywiththetearsthatfilledthemthoughtheywere！Andtherewasnothingincongruousintheragsthatclothedher，inthesqualourandpovertyofthebareroom，inthewhitefurrowsthatthetearshadplowedthroughthegrimeandmake-uponhercheeks。
“Youwonderful，wonderfulwoman！“JimmieDalewhispered。
Sheshookherheadasthoughalmostinself-reproach。
“Iamnotwonderful，Jimmie，“shesaid，inalowvoice。“I“——andthenshecaughthisarm，andhervoicebrokealittle”I”vebroughtyouintothis——probablytoyourdeath。Jimmie，tellmewhathappenedlastnight，andsincethen。I——I”vethoughtattimesto-
dayIshouldgomad。Oh，Jimmie，thereissomuchtosayto-night，somuchtodoif——ifweareevertobetogetherfor——foralways。
Lastnight，Jimmie——thetelephone——Iknewtherewasdanger——thatallhadgonewrong——whatwasit？“
Hisarmswerearoundhershoulders，drawingherclosetohimagain。
“Ifoundthewirestapped，“hesaidslowly。
“Yes，and——andthemanyoumet——thechauffeur？“
“Heisdead，“JimmieDaleansweredgently。
Hefeltherhandclosewithaquick，spasmodicclutchuponhisarm；
herfacegrewwhite——andforamomentsheturnedawayherhead。
“And——andthepackage？“sheaskedpresently。
“Idonotknow，“repliedJimmieDale。“Hedidnothaveitwithhim；
he”
“Wait！“sheinterruptedquickly。“Weareonlywastingtimelikethis！Tellmeeverything，everythingjustasithappened，everythingfromthemomentyoureceivedmyletter。”
And，holdingherthereinhisarms，softeningasbesthecouldthemorebrutaldetails，hetoldher。And，attheend，foralittlewhileshewassilent；theninastrained，impulsivewaysheaskedagain：
“Thechauffeur——youaresure——youarepositivethatheisdead？“
“Yes，“saidJimmieDalegrimly；“Iamsure。”Andthenthepent-upfloodofquestionsburstfromhislips。Whowasthechauffeur？Thepackage，theboxnumbered428，andJohnJohansson？AndtheCrimeClub？Andtheissueatstake？Thedanger，theperilthatsurroundedher？Andshe——aboveall——morethananythingelse——aboutherself——herstrangelife，itsmystery？
Shecheckedhimwithastrangelywistfultouchofherfingeruponhislips，withaqueer，patheticshakeofherhead。
“No，Jimmie；notthatway。Youwouldneverunderstand。Icannot”
“ButIamtoknow——now！SurelyIamtoknowNOW！“hecried，asuddensenseofdismayuponhim。Threeyears！Threeyears——andalwaysthe“next“time！“Imustknownow，ifIamtohelpyou！“
Shesmiledalittlewanlyathim，asshedrewherselfaway，and，droppingintoachair，placedherelbowsonthericketytable，cuppingherchininherhands。
“Yes；youaretoknownow，“shesaid，almostasthoughsheweretalkingtoherself；then，withaswiftintakeofherbreath，impulsively：“Jimmie！Jimmie！Ihadthoughtthatitwouldbeallsodifferentwhen——whenyoucame。That——thatIwouldhavenothingtofear——foryou——forme——because——itwouldbeallover。Andnowyouarehere，Jimmie——and，oh，thankGodforyou！——butIfeelto-
nightalmost——almostasthoughitwerehopeless，that——thatwewerebeaten。”
“Beaten！“Hesteppedquicklytothetable，andsatdown，andtookoneofherhandsawayfromherfacetoholditinbothhisown。
“Beaten！“helaughedoutdefiantly；then，playfully，soothingly，toreassureher：“JimmieDaleandLarrytheBatandtheGraySealandtheTocsin——BEATEN！Andafterwehavejustscoredthelasttrick！“
“Butwedonotholdmanytrumps，Jimmie，“sheansweredgravely。
“YouhaveseensomethingofthisCrimeClub”spower，itsmethods，itsmerciless，cruel，inhumancunning，andyou，perhaps，thinkthatyouunderstand——butyouhavenotbeguntograsptheextentofeitherthatpowerorcunning。Thishorribleorganisationhasbeeninexistenceformanyyears。Idonotknowhowmany。Ionlyknowthatthemenofwhomitiscomposedarenotordinarycriminals，thattheydonotworkintheordinaryway——to-day，theysetthemachineryoffraud，deception，robbery，andmurderinmotionthattenyearsfromnow，and，perhaps，onlythen，willculminateinthefinalsuccessoftheirschemes——andtheyplayonlyforenormousstakes。But“——herlipsgrewset”youwillseeforyourself。Imustnottalkanylongerthanisnecessary；wemustnottaketoomuchtime。YoucountonthreedaysbeforetheybegintosuspectthatallisnotrightwithJimmieDale——Iknowthembetterthanyou，andIgiveyoutwodays，forty-eighthoursattheoutside，andpossiblyfarless。
Jimmie“——abruptly”didyoueverhearofPeterLaSalle？“
“Thecapitalist？Yes！“saidJimmieDale。“Hediedafewyearsago。
IknowhisbrotherHenrywell——attheclub，andallthat。”
“Doyou！“shesaidevenly。“Well，themanyouknowisnotPeterLaSalle”sbrother；heisanimpostor——andoneoftheCrimeClub。”
“Not——PeterLaSalle”sbrother！“——JimmieDalerepeatedthewordsmechanically。Andsuddenlyhisbrainwaswhirling。Vaguely，dimly，inlittlememorysnatches，events，notpertinentthen，vitallysignificantnow，camecrowdinguponhim。PeterLaSallehadcomefromsomewhereintheWesttoliveinNewYork；andveryshortlyafterwardhaddied。Theestatehadbeenworthsomethingoverelevenmillions。Andtherehadbeen——heleanedquickly，tenselyforwardoverthetable，staringather。“MyGod！“hewhisperedhoarsely。
“Youarenot，youcannotbe——the——thedaughter——PeterLaSalle”sdaughter，whodisappearedstrangely！“
“Yes，“shesaidquietly。“IamMarieLaSalle。”
CHAPTERIX
THETOCSIN”SSTORY
LaSalle！TheoldFrenchname！ThatoldFrenchinscriptiononthering：“SONNEZLETOCSIN！“Yes；hebegantounderstandnow。ShewasMarieLaSalle！Hebegantoremembermoreclearly。
MarieLaSalle！TheyhadsaidshewasoneofthemostbeautifulgirlswhohadevermadeherentreeintoNewYorksociety。Buthehadnevermether——asMarieLaSalle；nevermether——untilnow，astheTocsin，inthisbare，destitute，squalidhovel，hereatbay，bothofthem，fortheirlives。
HehadbeenawaywhenshehadcomewithherfathertoNewYork；andonhisreturntherehadonlybeenthefather”sbrotherinthefather”splace——andshewasgone。Herememberedthefurorherdisappearancehadcaused；theenormousrewardsherunclehadofferedinanefforttotraceher；thethousandandonespeculationsastowhathadbecomeofher；andthatthen，gradually，aseventhemoststartlingandmystifyingofeventsandhappeningsalwaysdo，theaffairhaddroppedintooblivionandhadbeenforgottenbythepublicatleast。Hebegantocountback。Yes，itmusthavebeennearlyfiveyearsago；twoyearsbeforeshe，astheTocsin，andhe，astheGraySeal，hadformedtheiramazingandsingularpartnership，that——hestartedsuddenly，asshespoke。
“IwanttotellyouinasfewwordsasIcan，“shesaidabruptly，breakingthesilence。“Listen，then，Jimmie。Mymotherdiedtenyearsago。Iwaslittlemorethanachildthen。Shortlyafterherdeath，fathermadeabusinesstriptoNewYork，and，ontheadviceofsomesupposedfriends，hehadanewwilldrawnupbyalawyerwhomtheyrecommended，andtowhomtheyintroducedhim。Idonotknowwhothosemenwere。Thelawyer”snamewasTravers，HiltonTravers。”SheglancedcuriouslyatJimmieDale，andaddedquickly：
“Hewasthechauffeur——themanwhowaskilledlastnight。”
“Youmean，“JimmieDaleburstout，“youmeanthathewas——but，first，thewill！Whatwasinthewill？“
“Itwasaverysimplewill，“sheanswered。“Andfromthenatureofit，itwasnotatallstrangethatmyfathershouldhavebeenwillingtohavehaditdrawnbyacomparativestranger，ifthatiswhatyouarethinking。Summarisedinafewwords，thewilllefteverythingtome，andappointedmyUncleHenryasmyguardianandthesoleexecutoroftheestateuntilIshouldhavereachedmytwenty-fifthbirthday。Itprovidedforacertainsumeachyeartobepaidtomyuncleforhisservicesasexecutor；andattheexpirationofthetrustperiod——thatis，whenIwastwenty-five——
bequeathedtohimthesumofonehundredthousanddollars。”
JimmieDalenodded。“Goon！“heprompted。
“Itishardtotellitinlogicalsequence，“shesaid，hesitatingamoment。“Somanythingsseemtooverlapeachother。YoumustunderstandalittlemoreaboutHiltonTravers。DuringthefiveyearsfollowingthesigningofthewillfathercamefrequentlytoNewYork，andbecame，notonlyintimatewithTravers，butsomuchimpressedwiththeother”sclevernessandabilitythathekeptputtingmoreandmoreofhisbusinessintoTravers”hands。Attheendofthatfiveyears，wemovedtoNewYork，andfather，whowasthenquiteanoldman，retiredfromallactivebusiness，andturnedoveragreatmanyofhispersonalaffairstoTraverstolookafterforhim，givingTraverspowerofattorneyinanumberofinstances。
SomuchforTravers。Nowaboutmyuncle。Hewasmyfather”sonlybrother；infact，theyweretheonlysurvivingmembersoftheirfamily，apartfromverydistantconnectionsinFrance，fromwhere，generationsback，thefamilyoriginallycame。”HerhandtouchedJimmieDale”sforaninstant。“Thatring，Jimmie，withitscrestandinscription，istheoldfamilycoatofarms。”
“Yes，“hesaidbriefly；“Isurmisedasmuch。”
“Strangeasitmayseem，inviewofthefactthattheyhadnotseeneachotherfortwentyyears，“shewentonhurriedly“myfatherandmyuncleweremorethanordinarilyattachedtoeachother。Letterspassedregularlybetweenthem，andtherewasconstanttalkofonepayingtheotheravisit——butthevisitnevermaterialised。MyunclewassomewhereinAustralia，myfatherwashere，andconsequentlyIneversawmyuncle。Hewasquiteadifferenttypeofmanfromfather——morerestless，lesssettled，moreroughandready，preferringtheoutdoorlifeoftheAustralianbushtotherestrictionsofanyso-calledcivilisation，Iimagine。Financially，Idonotthinkheeversucceededverywell，fortwice，inonewayoranother，helosteverysheeponhisranchandfathersethimupagain；andIdonotthinkhecouldeverhavehadmuchofaranch，forIrememberonce，inoneofthelettershewrote，thathesaidhehadnotseenawhitemaninweeks，sohemusthavelivedaverylonelylife。Indeed，ataboutthetimefatherdrewthenewwill，myunclewrote，sayingthathehaddecidedtogiveupsheeprunningonhisownaccountasitdidnotpay，andtoacceptaveryfavourableofferthathadbeenmadetohimtomanagearanchinNewZealand；
andhisnextletterwasfromthelattercountry，statingthathehadcarriedouthisintentions，andwaswellsatisfiedwiththechangehehadmade。Thelong-proposedvisitstillcontinuedtooccupymyfather”sthoughts，andonhisretirementfrombusinesshedefinitelymadeuphismindtogoouttoNewZealand，takingmewithhim。Infact，theplanswereallarranged，myuncleexpressedunboundeddelightinhisletters，andwewerepracticallyontheeveofsailing，whenacablecamefrommyuncle，tellingustopostponethevisitforafewmonths，ashewasobligedtomakeabuyingtripforhisnewemployerthatwouldkeephimawaythatlengthoftime——andthen“——herfingers，thathadbeenabstractedlypickingoutthelinesformedbythegrainofthewoodinthetabletop，closedsuddenlyintotight-clenchedfists”andthen——myfatherdied。”
JimmieDaleturnedawayhishead。Thereweretearsinhereyes。
Theoldsenseofunrealitywasstronguponhimagain。HewaslisteningtotheTocsin”sstory。Itwasstrangethatheshouldbedoingthat——thatitcouldbereallyso！Itseemedasthoughmagicallyhehadbeentransportedoutoftheworldwhereforyearspasthehadlivedwithdangerlurkingateveryturn，wheremensetwatchabouthishousetotraphim，wherethedenizensoftheunderworldyowledlikestarvingbeaststosinktheirfangsinhim，wherethepolicewereceaselesslyuponhistrailtowreakaninsensatevengeanceuponhim；itseemedasthoughhehadbeentransportedawayfromallthattosomethingthathehaddreamedmight，perhaps，sometimehappen，thathehadhopedmighthappen，thathehadlongedforalways，butnowthatitwashis，thatitalsowasfullofthesenseoftheunreal。Andyetashismindfollowedthethreadofherstory，andleapedaheadandvaguelyglimpsedwhatwastocome，bewasconsciousinasortofpremonitorywayofavasterperilthananyhehadeverknown，asthoughforces，forthemomentmasked，werearrayedagainsthimwhosestrengthandwhosemalignitywerebeyondhumanparallel。Inwhatastrange，almostincoherentwayhisbrainwasworking！Herousedhimselfalittleandlookedaroundhim——and，withashock，thestarknessoftheroom，theabject，pitifulairofdestitutionbroughthometohimwithterrific，startlingforcethesignificanceofthesceneinwhichhewasplayingapart。Hisfacesetsuddenlyinhardlines。Thatsheshouldhavebeenbroughttoassumesuchalifeasthis——forcedoutofherenvironmentofwealthandrefinement，forcedinherpuritytorubshoulderswiththevile，thedissolute，forcedtoexistassuchacreatureamidthecrimeandvice，thewretchedhorroroftheunderworldthatswirledaroundher！Therewasangernowuponhim，burning，hot——amercilesscravingthatwasasavage，hungrylustforvengeance。
Andthenshewasspeakingagain：
“Father”sdeathoccurredveryshortlyaftermyuncle”smessageadvisingustopostponeourtripwasreceived。Onhisdeath，Travers，verynaturally，asfather”slawyer，cabledmyuncletocometoNewYorkatonce；andmyunclereplied，sayingthathewascomingbythefirststeamer。”
Shepausedagain——butonlyforaninstant，asthoughtoframeherthoughtsinwords。
“IhavetoldyouthatIhadneverseenmyuncle，thatevenmyfatherhadnotseenhimfortwentyyears；andIhavetoldyouthatthemanyouknowasHenryLaSalleisanimpostor——Iamusingtheword”uncle”nowwhenIrefertohimsimplytoavoidconfusion。Youare，perhaps，expectingmetosaythatItookadistinctivedisliketohimfromthemomenthearrived？Onthecontrary，Ihadeveryreasontobepredisposedtowardhim；and，indeed，wasratheragreeablysurprisedthanotherwise——hewasnotnearlysouncouthandunpolishedas，somehow，Ihadpicturedhislifewouldhavemadehim。
Doyouunderstand，Jimmie？Hewaskind，sympathetic；and，inanapatheticway，Ilikedhim。Isay”apathetic”becauseIthinkthatbestdescribesmyownattitudetowardeveryoneandeverythingfollowingfather”sdeathuntil——THATNIGHT。”
Sheroseabruptlyfromherchair，asthoughapassivepositionofanykindhadsuddenlybecomeintolerable。
“WhytellyouwhatmyfatherandIweretoeachother！“shecriedoutinalow，passionatevoice。“Itseemedasthougheverythingthatmeantanythinghadgoneoutofmylife。Ibecamewornout，nervous；andthoughthedayswerebadenough，thenightswereasourceofdread。Ibegantosufferfrominsomnia——Icouldnotsleep。Thiswasevenbeforemysupposedunclecame。IusedtoreadforhoursandhoursinmyroomafterIhadgonetobed。But“——sheflungoutherhandwithanimpatientgesture”thereisnoneedtodwellonthat。Onenight，aboutaweekafterthatmanhadarrived，andalittleoveramonthafterfatherhaddied，IwasinmyroomandhadfinishedabookIwasreading。Irememberthatitwaswellaftermidnight。Ihadnottheslightestinclinationtosleep。I
pickedupanotherbook——andafterthatanother。Therewereplentyinmyroom；but，irrationally，ofcourse，nonepleasedme。I
decidedtogodowntothelibrary——notthatIthinkIreallyexpectedtofindanythingthatIactuallywanted，butmorebecauseitwasanimpulse，andfurnishedmeforthemomentwithsomedefiniteobjective，somethingtodo。Igotup，slippedonadressinggown，andwentdownstairs。Thelightswereallout。Iwasjustonthepointofswitchingonthoseinthereceptionhall，whensuddenlyitseemedasthoughIhadnotstrengthtoliftmyhand，andIrememberthatforaninstantIgrewterriblycoldwithdreadandfear。Fromtheroomonmyrightavoicehadreachedme。Thedoorwasclosed，butthevoicewasraisedinanoutburstofprofanity。
I——Icouldheareveryword。
“”Ifshe”soutoftheway，there”snocome-back”thevoicesnarled。”Iwon”tlistentoanythingelse！Doyouhear！Why，youfool，whatareyoutryingtodo——handmeone！Turneverythingintocash，anddivvy，andbeatit——eh？AndI”mthegoat，andIgetcaughtandgettwentyyearsforstealingtrustfunds——andtherestofyougetthecoin！”Hesworeterriblyagain。”Who”stakentheriskinthisforthelastfiveyears！There”llbenosmartAlecklawyertricks——
there”llbenohalfwaymeasures！Andwhoareyoutodictate！Shegoesout——that”ssafe——Iinheritasnextofkin，withnoonetodisputeit，andthat”sallthereistoit！”
“Istoodthereandcouldnotmove。ItwasthevoiceofthemanI
knewasmyuncle！Myheartseemedtohavestoppedbeating。ItriedtotellmyselfthatIwasdreaming，thatitwastoohorrible，tooincredibletobereal；thattheycouldnotreallymeanto——toMURDER
me。AndthenIrecognisedHiltonTravers”voice。
“”Iamnotdictating，andyouarenotserious，ofcourse”hesaid，withwhatseemedanuneasylaugh。”IamonlywarningyouthatyouareforgettingtotaketherealHenryLaSalleintoaccount。Heisboundtohearofthiseventually，andthen——”
“Anothervoicebrokein——oneIdidnotrecognise。
“”You”retalkingtooloud，bothofyou！Traversdoesn”tunderstand，buthe”stobewisedupto-night，accordingtoorders，and——”
“Thevoicebecameinaudible，muffled——Icouldnothearanymore。I
supposeIremainedthereanotherthreeorfourminutes，toostunnedtoknowwhattodo；andthenIransoftlyalongthehalltothelibrarydoor。Thelibrary，youunderstand，wasattherearoftheroomtheywerein，andthetworoomswerereallyone；thatis，therewasonlyanarchwaybetweenthem。Icannottellyouwhatmyemotionswere——Idonotknow。IonlyknowthatIkeptrepeatingtomyself，”theyaregoingtokillme，theyaregoingtokillme！”andthatitseemedImusttryandfindouteverything，everythingI
could。”
Sheturnedawayfromthetable，andbegantopacenervouslyupanddownthemiserableroom。
JimmieDaleroseimpulsivelyfromhischair——butshewavedhimbackagain。
“No；wait！“shesaid。“Letmefinish。Icreptintothelibrary。
Ittookmealongtime，becauseIhadtobesocarefulnottomaketheslightestnoise。IsupposeitwasfullysixorsevenminutesfromthetimeIhadfirstheardmysupposeduncle”svoiceuntilI
hadcreptfarenoughforwardtobeabletoseeintotheroombeyond。
Therewerethreementhere。ThemanIknewasmyunclewassittingatoneendofthetable；anotherhadhisbacktowardme；andTraverswasfacinginmydirection——andIthinkIneversawsoghastlyafaceaswasHiltonTravers”then。Hewasstandingup，sortofswaying，asheleanedwithbothhandsonthetable。
“”Nowthen，Travers”themanwhosebackwasturnedtomewassayingthreateningly，”you”vegotthestorynow——signthosepapers！”
“ItseemedasthoughTraverscouldnotspeakforamoment。Hekeptlookingwildlyfromonetotheother。Hewaswhitetothelips。
“”You”veletmeinfor——THIS！”hesaidhoarsely，atlast，”Youdevils——youdevils——youdevils！You”veletmeinfor——murder！Bothofthem！BothPeterandhisbrother——MURDERED！”“
ShestoppedabruptlybeforeJimmieDale，andclutchedhisarmtightly。
“Jimmie，Idon”tknowwhyIdidnotscreamout。Everythingwentblackforamomentbeforemyeyes。ItwasthefirstsuspicionIhadhadthatmyfatherhadmetwithfoulplay，andI”
ButnowJimmieDaleswayedupfromhischair。
“Murdered！“heexclaimedtensely。“Yourfather！But——butI
rememberperfectly，therewasnohintofanysuchthingatthetime，andneverhasbeensince。Hediedfromquitenaturalcauses。”
Shelookedathimstrangely。
“Hediedfrom——inoculation，“shesaid。“Did——didyounotseesomethingofthatlaboratoryintheCrimeClubyourselfthenightbeforelast——enoughtounderstand？“
“GoodGod！“mutteredJimmieDale，inastartledwaythen：“Goon！
Goon！Whathappenedthen？“
Shepassedherhandalittlewearilyacrosshereyes——andsankdownintoherchairagain。
“Travers，“shecontinued，pickingupthethreadofherstory，“hadraisedhisvoice，andthethirdmanatthetableleanedsuddenly，aggressivelytowardhim。
“”Holdyourtongue！”hegrowledfuriously。”Allyou”reaskedtodoissignthepapers——nottalk！”
“Traversshookhishead。
“”Iwon”t！”hecriedout。”Iwon”thaveanyhandinanothermurder——
inhers！MyGod，Iwon”t——Iwon”t，Itellyou！It”shorrible！”
“”Lookhere，youfool！”themanwhowasposingasmyunclebrokeinthen。”You”reinthistoodeeptogetoutnow。Ifyouknowwhat”sgoodforyou，you”lldoasyou”retold！”
“Jimmie，IshallneverforgetTravers”face。Itseemedtohavechangedfromwhitetogray，andtherewashorrorinhiseyes：andthenheseemedtoloseallcontrolofhimself，shakinghisfistsintheirfaces，cursingtheminutterabandon。
“”I”mbad！”hecried。”I”vegoneeverything，everythingbutthelimit——everythingbutmurder。Istopthere！I”llhavenomoretodowiththis。I”mthrough！You——youpulledmeintothis，and——andIdidn”tknow！”
“”Well，youknownow！”thethirdmansneered。”Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？”
“”I”mgoingtoseethatnoharmcomestoMarieLaSalle”Traversansweredinadullway。
“Theothermannowwasonhisfeet——and，Idonotknowquitehowtoexpressit，Jimmie，heseemedominouslyquietinbothhisvoiceandhismovements。
“”You”dbetterthinkthatoveragain，Travers！”hesaid。”Doyoumeanit？”
“”Imeanit”Traverssaid。”Imeanit——Godhelpme！”
“”Youmaywelladdthat！”returnedtheother，withanuglylaugh。
Hereachedouthishandtowardthetelephoneonthetable。”DoyouknowwhatwillhappentoyouifItelephoneacertainnumberandsaythatyouhaveturned——traitor？”
“”I”llhavetotakemychances”Traversreplieddoggedly。”I”mthrough！”
“”Takethem，then！”flungouttheother。”You”llhavelittletimegivenyoutodousanyharm？”
“Traversdidnotanswer。Ithinkhealmostexpectedanattackuponhimthenfromthetwomen。Hehesitatedamoment，thenbackedslowlytowardthedoor。Whathappenedinthenextfewmomentsinthatroom，Idonotknow。Istoleoutofthelibrary。IwasobsessedwiththethoughtthatImustseeTravers，seehimatallcosts，beforehegotawayfromthehouse。Ireachedtheendofthehallastheroomdooropened，andhecameout。Itwasdark，asI
said，andIcouldnotseedistinctly，butIcouldmakeouthisform。
Heclosedthedoorbehindhim——andthenIcalledhisnameinawhisper。Hetookaquicksteptowardme，thenturnedandhurriedtowardthefrontdoor，andIthoughthewasgoingaway——butthenextinstantIunderstoodhisruse。Heopenedthefrontdoor，shutitagainquiteloudly，andcreptbacktome。
“”Takemesomewherewherewewillbesafe——quick！”hewhispered。
“TherewasonlyoneplacewhereIwassurewewouldbesafe。Iledhimtotherearofthehouseanduptheservants”stairs，andtomyboudoir。”
Shebrokeoffabruptly，andoncemorerosefromherchair，andoncemorebegantopacetheroom。Backinhischair，JimmieDale，tenseandmotionlessnow，watchedherwithoutaword。
“Itwouldtaketoolongtotellyouallthatpassedbetweenus，“shewentonhurriedly。“Themanwasfranklyacriminal——butnottotheextentofmurder。Andinthatrespect，atleast，hewashonestwithhimself。Almostthefirstwordshesaidtomewere：”MissLaSalle，IamasgoodasadeadmanifIamcaughtbythedevilsbehindthosetwomendownstairs。”Andthenhebegantopleadwithmetomakemyownescape。Hedidnotknowwhothemanwasthatwasposingasmyuncle，hadneverseenhimbeforeuntilhepresentedhimselfasHenryLaSalle；theothermanheknewasClarke，butknewalsothat”Clarke”wasmerelyanassumedname。HehadfalleninwithClarkealmostfromthetimethathehadbeguntopractisehisprofession，andatClarke”sinstigationhadgonefromonecrookeddealtoanother，andhadmadeagreatdealofmoney。HeknewthatbehindClarkewasapowerful，daring，andunscrupulousbandofcriminals，organisedonagiganticscale，ofwhichhehimselfwas，inasense——
aprobationarysense，asheputit——amember；buthehadnevercomeintodirectcontactwiththem——hehadreceivedallhisordersandinstructionsthroughClarke。HehadbeentoldbyClarkethathewastocultivatefatherfollowingtheintroduction，towinfather”sconfidence，togetasmanyoffather”saffairsintohishandsaspossible，toreachtheposition，infact，ofbecomingfather”srecognisedattorney——andallthiswiththeobject，ashesupposedofembezzlingfromfatheronalargescale。Thenfatherdied，andTraverswasinstructedtocablemyuncle。Heknewthatthemanwhoansweredthatsummonswasanimpostor；buthedidnotknow，untiltheyhadadmittedittohimthatnight，thatbothmyfatherandmyunclehadbeenmurdered，andthatI，too，wastobemadeawaywith。”
ShelookedatJimmieDale，andsuddenlylaughedoutbitterly。
“No；youdon”tunderstand，evenyet，thepatient，ingeniousdeviltryofthosefiends。Itwasthey，atthetimethenewwillwasdrawn，whoofferedtobuyoutmyrealuncle”ssheepranchinthatlonely，unsettleddistrictinAustralia，andofferedhimthatnewpositioninNewZealand。MyuncleneverreachedNewZealand。Hewasmurderedonhiswaythere。Andinhisplace，assuminghisname，appearedthemanwhohasbeenposingasmyuncleeversince。Doyoubegintosee！Forfiveyearstheywerepatientlyworkingouttheirplans，forfiveyearsbeforemyfather”sdeaththatmanlivedandbecameknownandaccepted，andESTABLISHEDhimselfasHenryLaSalle。
Doyouseenowwhyhecabledustopostponeourvisit？Heranverylittlerisk。ThechanceswereoneinathousandthatanyofhisfewacquaintancesinAustraliawouldeverrunacrosshiminNewZealand；
andbesides，hewaschosenbecauseitseemstherewasaslightresemblancebetweenhimandtherealHenryLaSalle——enough，withhischangedmodeoflivingandmoreelaborateandpretentioussurroundings，tohaveenabledhimtocarrythroughabluffhaditbecomenecessary。Hehadallofmyuncle”spapers；andtheCrimeClubfurnishedhimwitheverydetailofourliveshere。Iforgottosay，too，thatfromthemomentmyunclewassupposedtohavereachedNewZealandallhislettersweretypewritten——anevidenceinfather”seyesthathisbrotherhadsecuredapositionofsomeimportance；as，indeed，fromapparentlyunprejudicedsources，theytookpainstoassurefatherwasafact。Thisleftthemwithonlymyuncle”ssignaturetoforgetotheletters——notadifficultmatterforthem！
“BelievingthattheyhadTraverssodeeplyimplicatedthathecoulddonothing，evenifhehadtheinclination，whichtheyhadnotforamomentimagined，andarrogantinthebeliefintheirownpowertoputhimoutofthewayinanycaseifheprovedrefractory，theyadmittedallthistohimthatnightwhenhebroughtuptheissueoftherealHenryLaSalleputtinginanappearancesoonerorlater，andwhentheywantedhimtosmooththeirpathbyreleasingalldocumentswherehispowerofattorneywasinvolved。DoyouseenowtheparttheygaveTraverstoplay？ItwastoputthestampofgenuinenessuponthefalseHenryLaSalle。Notbutthattheywerepreparedwithwhatwouldappeartobeoverwhelminglyconvincingevidencetoproveitifitwerenecessary；butifthemanwereacceptedbytheestate”slawyertherewaslittlechanceofanyoneelsequestioninghisidentity。”
Shehaltedagainbythetable——andforcedasmile，ashereyesmetJimmieDale”s。
“Iamalmostthrough，Jimmie。Thatnightwasaterribleoneforbothofus。Travers”lifewasnotworthamoment”spurchaseoncetheyfoundhim——andminewasonlyunderreprieveuntilsufficienttimetoobviatesuspicionshouldhaveelapsedafterfather”sdeath。
Wehadnoproofthatwouldstandinanycourt——evenifweshouldhavebeengiventhechancetoadoptthatcourse。Andwithoutabsolute，irrefutableproof，itwasallsocleverlywoven，stretchedoversomanyyears，thatourchargemusthavebeenheldtobetoovisionaryandfantastictohaveanybasisinfact。
“AllTraverswouldhavebeenabletoadvancewasthestatementthatthesupposedHenryLaSallehadadmittedbeinganimpostorandamurderertohim！Whowouldbelieveit！Onthefaceofit，itappearedtobeanabsurdity。Andevengrantedthatweweregivenanopportunitytobringthecharge，theywouldbeabletoprovebyahundredinfluentialandwell-knownmeninNewZealandthattheimpostorwasreallyHenryLaSalle；andwereweabletofindanyofmyuncle”soldacquaintancesinAustralia，itwouldbenecessarytogetthemhere——andnotoneofthemwouldhavereachedAmericaalive。
“Buttherewasnotachance，notachance，Jimmie，ofdoingthat——
theywouldhavekilledTraversthemomentheshowedhimselfintheopen。Theonlythingwecoulddothatnightwastotryandsaveourownlives；theonlythingwecouldlookforwardtowasacquiringinsomeway，unknowntothem，theproof，fullyestablished，withwhichwecouldcrushtheminasinglestroke，andbeforetheywouldhavetimetostrikeback。
“Thevitalthingwasproofofmyuncle”sdeath。That，ifitcouldbeobtainedatall，couldonlybeobtainedinAustralia。Traverswasobligedtogosomewhere，todisappearfromthatmomentifhewantedtosavehislife，andhevolunteeredtogooutthere。Heleftthehousethatnightbythebackentranceinanoldservant”ssuit，whichIfoundforhim——andIneverheardfromhimagainuntilamonthagointhe”personal”columnoftheMORNINGNEWS-ARGUS，throughwhichwehadagreedtocommunicate。
“Asformyself，Ileftthehousethenextmorning，tellingmypseudounclethatIwasgoingtospendafewdayswithafriend。AndthisIactuallydid；butinthosefewdaysImanagedtoturnallmyownsecurities，thathadbeenleftmebymymotherandwhichamountedtoaconsiderablesum，intocash。Andthen，Jimmie，Icameto——this，I
havelivedlikethisandindifferentdisguises，asasettlementworker，asawidowofmeansinafashionableuptownapartment，butmostlyasyouseemenow——forfiveyears。ForfiveyearsIhavewatchedmysupposeduncle，hoping，prayingthatthroughhimIcouldgettoknowtheothersassociatedwithhim；hoping，prayingthatTraverswouldsucceed；hoping，prayingthatwewouldgetthemall——
andwatchingdayafterday，andyearafteryearthe”personal”
columnofthepaper，untilatlastIbegantobeafraidthatitwasalluseless。Andtherewasnothing，Jimmie，nothinganywhere，andI
hadnosuccess“——hervoicechokedalittle。“Nothing！EvenClarkeneverwentagaintothehouse。YoucanunderstandnowhowIcametoknowthestrangethingsthatIwrotetotheGraySeal，howthelifethatIhaveled，howthislifehereintheunderworld，howtheconstantsearchforsomeclewonmyownaccountbroughtthemtomyknowledge；andyoucanunderstandnow，too，whyIneverdaredtoletyoumeetme，forIknewwellenoughthat，whileIworkedtounderminemyfather”sandmyuncle”smurderers，theyweremovingheavenandearthtofindme。
“Thatisall，Jimmie。Thedaybeforeyesterday，amonthafterTravers”firstmessagetoletmeknowthathewascoming，therewasanother”personal”givingmeanhourandatelephonenumber。Hewasback！Hehadeverything——everything！Wedarednotmeet；hewasafraid，suspiciousthattheyhadgottrackofhimagain。Youknowtherest。Thatpackagecontainedtheproofthat，withTravers”
death，canprobablyneverbeobtainedagain。DoyouunderstandwhyTHEYwantit——whyitislifeanddeathtome？Doyouunderstandwhymysupposeduncleofferedhugerewardsforme，whysecretlyeveryresourceofthathideousorganisationhasbeenemployedtofindme——
thatitisonlybymyDEATHtheestatecanpassintotheirhands，andnow”
SheflungoutherhandssuddenlytowardJimmieDale。“Oh，Jimmie，Jimmie，I”ve——I”vefoughtsolongalone！Jimmie，whatarewetodo？“
Hecameslowlytohisfeet。Shehadfoughtsolong——alone。Butnow——nowitwashisturntofight——forher。Buthow？Shehadnottoldhimall——surelyshehadnottoldhimall，foreverythingdependeduponthatpackage。Therehadbeensomuchtotellthatshehadnotthoughtofall，andshehadnottoldhimthedetailsaboutthat。
“Thatbox——No。428！“hecriedquickly。“Whatisthat？Whatdoesitmean？“
Sheshookherhead。
“Idonotknow，“sheanswered。
“ThenwhoisthisJohnJohansson？“
“Idonotknow，“shesaidagain。
“NorwheretheCrimeClubis？“
“No“——dully。
Hestaredatherforamomentinadazedway。
“MyGod！“JimmieDalemurmured。
Andthensheturnedawayherhead。
“It”s——it”sprettybad，isn”tit，Jimmie？I——Itoldyouthatwedidnotholdmanytrumps。”
CHAPTERX
SILVERMAG
Therewassilencebetweenthem。Minuteafterminutepassed。
Neitherspoke。
JimmieDaledroppedbackintohischairagain，andstaredabstractedlybeforehim。“Wedonotholdmanytrumps，Jimmie——wedonotholdmanytrumps“——herwordswererepeatingthemselvesoverandoverinhismind。Theyseemedtochallengehimmockinglytodenywhatwassoobviouslyafact，andbecausehecouldnotdenyittotauntandjeerathim——tojeerathim，whenallthatwasheldatstakehungliterallyuponhisnextmove！
HelookedupmechanicallyastheTocsinwalkedtoabrokenmirrorattherearofthemiserableroom；noddedmechanicallyinapprovalasshebegandeftlytoretouchthemake-uponherfacewherethetearshadlefttheirtraces——andresumedhisabstractedgazebeforehim。
Boxnumberfour-two-eight——JohnJohansson——theCrimeClub——theidentityofthemanwhowasposingasHenryLaSalle！Ifonlyhecouldhituponaclewtothesolutionofasingleoneofthosethings，orasinglephaseofoneofthem——ifonlyhecouldglimpsearayoflightthatwouldatleastpromptaction，wheneverymomentofinactionwasmultiplyingtheoddsagainstthem！
TherewerethemenwhowerewatchinghishouseatthatmomentonRiversideDrive——he，asLarrytheBat，mightinturnkeepwatchonthem。Hehadthoughofthat。Intime，perhaps，hemight，bysodoing，discoverthewhereaboutsoftheCrimeClub。Intime！Itwasjustthat——hehadnotime！Forty-eighthours，theTocsininsisted，wasallthetimethathecouldcountuponbeforetheywouldbecomesuspiciousofJimmieDale”s“illness，“beforetheywoulddiscoverthattheywerewatchinganemptyhouse！
Hemight——thoughthiswasevenmorehazardous——makeanattempttotracethewiresthattappedthoseofhistelephonethroughthebasementwindowthatgaveonthegaragedriveway。Andwhatthen？
True，theycouldnotleadveryfaraway；but，evenifsuccessful，whatthen？TheywouldnotleadhimtotheCrimeClub，butsimplytosomeconfederate，tosomemanorwomanplayingthepartofaservant，perhaps，inthehousenextdoor，who，inturn，wouldhavetobeshadowedandwatched。
JimmieDaleshookhishead。Better，ofthetwo，tostartinatonceandshadowthosewhowereshadowinghishouse。Butthatwasnottheway！Heknewthatintuitively。Hehatedtoeliminateitfromconsideration，forhehadnoothermovetotakeitsplace——butsuchamovewasalmostsuicideinitself。Time，andtimealone，wasthevitalfactor。They，theTocsinandhe，mustactquickly——andSTRIKE
thatnightiftheyweretowin。Hisfingers，thegrimyfingers，dirty-nailed，ofLarrytheBat，thatnonenowwouldrecogniseastheslimtapering，wonderfullysensitivefingersofJimmieDale，thefingersthathadmadethenameoftheGraySealfamous，whosetipsmockedatbarsandsafesandlocks，andseemedtoembodyinthemselvesallthehumansenses，tightenedspasmodicallyontheedgeofthetable。Time！Time！Time！Itseemedtodininhisears。
Andwhilehesattherepowerless，impotent，theCrimeClubwasmovingheavenandearthtofindwhatHEmustfind——thatpackage——ifhewastosavethiswomanhere，thewomanwhomheloved，shewhohadbeenforced，throughthemachinationsofthesehellfiends，toadoptthelifeofawretchedhag，toexistamongthedregsoftheunderworld，whosesqualourandviceandwantonnessnoneknewbetterthanhe！
JimmieDale”sfacesetgrimly。Somewhere——somewhereinthepastfiveyearsofthislifeofhersinwhichshehadbeenfightingtheCrimeClub，pittingthatcleverbrainofhersagainstit，MUSTlieaclew。Shehadtoldhimherstoryonlyinbaldestoutline，withscarcelyareferencetoherownpersonalacts，withbarelyasingledetail。Theremustbesomething，somethingthatperhapsshehadoverlooked，something，justthemeresthintofsomethingthatwouldsupplyastartingpoint，givehimaglimmeroflight。
Shecamebackfromacrosstheroom，andsankdowninherchairagain。Shedidnotspeak——thequestion，thatmeantlifeanddeathtothemboth，wasinhereyes。
Jimmieansweredthemuteinterrogationtersely。
“Notyet！“hesaid。Then，almostcurtly，inaquick，incisiveway，asthekeen，alertbrainbegantodelveandprobe：“YousaythismanClarkeneverreturnedtothehouseafterthatnight？“
Shenoddedherheadquietly。
“Youaresureofthat？“heinsisted。
“Yes，“shesaid。“Iamsure。”
“Andyousaythatalltheseyearsyouhavekeptawatchonthemanwhoisposingasyouruncle，andthatheneverwentanywhere，orassociatedwithanyone，thatwouldaffordyouaclewtothisCrimeClub？“
“Yes，“shesaidagain。
ItwasamomentbeforeJimmieDalespoke。
“It”sverystrange！“hesaidmusingly，atlast。“Sostrange，infact，thatit”simpossible。Hemusthavecommunicatedwiththeothers，andcommunicatedwiththemoften。Thegametheywereplayingwastoobig，toofullofdetails，toadmitofanyotherpossibility。Andthetelephoneasanexplanationisn”tgoodenough。”
“Andyet，“shesaidearnestly，“possibleorimpossible，itisneverthelesstrue。Thathemighthavesucceededineludingmeonoccasionswasperhapstobeexpected；butthatinallthoseyearsI
shouldnotcatchhimonceinwhat，ifyouarecorrect，musthavebeenmanyandrepeatedconferenceswiththesamemenistooimprobabletobethoughtofseriously。”
JimmieDaleshookhisheadagain。
“Ifyouhadbeenabletowatchhimnightandday，thatmightbeso，“
hesaidcrisply。“But，atbest，youcouldonlywatchhimaverysmallportionofthetime。”
Shesmiledathimalittlewanly。
“Doyouthink，Jimmie，fromwhatyou，astheGraySeal，knowofme，thatIwouldhavewatchedinanyhaphazardwaylikethat？“
Heglancedatherwithasuddenstart。
“Whatdoyoumean？“heaskedquickly。
“Lookatme！“shesaidquietly。“Haveyoueverseenmebefore？I
meanasIamnow。”
“No，“heanswered，afteraninstant。“NotthatIknowof。”
“Andyet“——shesmiledwanlyagain”youhavenotlived，ormadetheplaceyouholdintheunderworld，withouthavingheardofSilverMag。”
“You！“exclaimedJimmieDale。“You——SilverMag！“Hestaredatherwonderingly，as，crouch-shoulderednow，thehair，gray-threaded，stragglingoutfromunderthehoodofafaded，dark-blue，seam-worncloak，shesatbeforehim，atypicalcreatureoftheunderworld，herroleanartinitsconception，perfectinitsexecution。SilverMag！Yes，hehadheardofSilverMag——aseveryoneintheBadLandshadheardofher。SilverMagandherpocketfulofcoin！Alwaysapocketfulofsilver，sotheysaid，thatwasdispensedprodigallytothewivesandchildrentemporarilydeprivedofsupportbyhusbandsandfathersunfortunateenoughintheirclasheswiththelawtobedoing“spaces“uptheriver——andthereforetheunderworldsworebySilverMag。Alwayssilver，neverabill；SilverMaghadneverbeenseenwithabanknote——thatwashereccentricity。Muchorlittle，shegaveorpaidoutofherpocketfulofjanglingsilver。Shewascreditedwithbeingaswornenemyofthepolice，and——yes，heremembered，too——withhavingdone“time“herself。“Idon”tquiteunderstand，“hesaid，inapuzzledway。“Ihaven”trunacrossyoupersonallybecauseyouprobablytookcaretoseethatIshouldn”t；
but——it”snosecret——everyonesaysyou”veservedajailsentenceyourself。”
“Thatissimplyenoughexplained，“sheansweredgravely。“Thestoryisofmyownmaking。WhenIdecidedtoadoptthislife，bothformyownsafetyandasthebestmeansofkeepingawatchonthatman，I
knewthatImustwintheconfidenceoftheunderworld，thatImusthavehelp，andthatinordertoobtainthathelpImusthavesomeexcuseformyenmityagainstthemanknownasHenryLaSalle。Tobewidelyknownintheunderworldwasofinestimablevalue——nothing，I
knew，couldaccomplishthatasquicklyaseccentricity。YouseenowhowandwhyIbecameknownasSilverMag。IgainedtheconfidenceofeverycrookinNewYorkthroughtheirwivesandchildren。Itoldthemthestoryofmyjailsentence——whileIsworevengeanceonHenryLaSalle。ItoldthemthathehadhadmearrestedforsomethingI
neverstolewhileIwasworkingforhimasacharwoman，andthathehadhadmerailroadedtojail。Therewasn”tonebutgavemecreditforthetheft，perhaps；butequally，therewasn”tonebutunderstood，andmyeccentricityhelpedthisout，mywantingto”get”
HenryLaSalle。Well——doyouseenow，Jimmie？Ihadmoney，Ihadtheconfidenceoftheunderworld，IhadanexcuseformyhatredofHenryLaSalle，andsoIhadallthehelpIwanted。Dayandnightthatmanhasbeenwatched。Hereceivesnovisitors——whatsociallifehehasis，asyouknow，attheclub。Thereisnotahousethathehaseverenteredthat，soonerorlater，Ihavenotenteredafterhiminthehopeoffindingtheheadquartersoftheclique。Eventhemenandwomen，asfarashumanpossibilitycouldaccomplishit，thathehastalkedtoonthestreetshavebeenshadowed，andtheiridentitysatisfactorilyestablished——andthenetresulthasbeenfailure；utter，absolute，completefailure！“
JimmieDale”seyes，thathadheldsteadilyonherface，shifted，troubledandperplexed，tothetabletop。
“Youarewonderful！“hesaid，underhisbreath。“Wonderful！And——
andthatmakesitallthemoreamazing，allthemoreincomprehensible。Itisstillimpossiblethathehasnotbeenincloseandconstanttouchwithhisaccomplices。HeMUSThavebeen！
Wewouldbeblindfoolstoargueagainstit！Itcouldnot，onthefaceofit，havebeenotherwise！“
“Thenhow，when，wherehashedoneit？“sheaskedwearily。
“Godknows！“hesaidbitterly。“Andiftheyhavebeencleverenoughtoescapeyoualltheseyears，I”malmostinclinedtosaywhatyousaidalittlewhileago——thatwe”rebeaten。”
Shewatchedhimmiserably，ashepushedbackhischairimpulsivelyand，standingup，stareddownather。
“We”reagainstit——HARD！“hesaid，withamirthlesslaugh。Then，hislipstightening：“Butwe”lltryanothertack——thechauffeur——
Travers。ThoughevenheretheCrimeClubhasaday”sstartofus，eveniflastnighttheyknewnomoreaboutthewhereaboutsofthatpackagethanweknownow。I”mafraidofit！Thechancesaremorethaneventhatthey”vealreadygotit。IftheywereabletocatchTraversasthechauffeur，theywouldhavehadsomethingtangibletoworkbackfrom“——JimmieDalewastalkingmoretohimselfthantotheTocsinnow，asthoughheweremutteringhisthoughtsaloud。“Howdidtheygettrackofhim？When？Where？Whathasitledto？AndwhatinHeaven”sname，“heburstoutsuddenly，“isthisboxnumberfour-two-eight！“
“Asafety-depositvault，perhaps，thathehastakensomewhere，“shehazarded。
JimmieDalelaughedmirthlesslyagain。
“ThatistheonedefinitethingIdoknow——thatitisn”t！“hesaidpositively。“Itisnothingofthatkind。Itwashalf-pastteno”clockatnightwhenImethim，andhesaidthathehadintendedgoingbackforthepackageifithadbeensafetodoso。Depositvaultsarenotopenatthathour。Thepackageis，orwas，iftheyhavenotalreadygotit，readilyaccessible——andatanyhour。Nowgoovereverythingagain，everydetailthatpassedbetweenyouandTravers。HeletyouknowthathewasbackinNewYorkbymeansofa”personal”yousaid。Whatelsewasinthat”personal”besidesthetelephonenumberandthehouryouweretocallhim？Anything？“
“Nothingthatwillhelpusany，“sherepliedcolourlessly。Thereweresimplythewords”northeastcornerofSixthAvenueandWaverlyPlace”andthesignaturethatwehadagreedupon，thetwofirstandtwolastlettersofthealphabettransposed——BAZY。”
“Isee，“saidJimmieDalequickly。“Andoverthe”phonehecompletedhismessage。Cleverenough！“
“Yes，“shesaid。“Inthatway，ifanyonewerelistening，oroverheadtheplan，therecouldbelittleharmcomeofit，fortheessentialfeatureofall，theplaceofrendezvous，wasnotmentioned。IthasnotbeenTravers”faultthatthishappened——andinspiteofeveryprecautionithascosthimhislife。Hewantednothingtogivethemaclewtomywhereabouts；hewastryingtoguardagainsttheslightestevidencethatwouldassociateusonewiththeother。Heevenwarnedmeoverthe”phonenottotellhimhow，where，orthemodeoflifeIwasliving。Andnaturally，hedaredgivemenoparticularsabouthimself。IwassimplytoselectathirdpartywhomIcouldtrust，andtofollowouthisinstructions，whichwerethosethatIsenttoyouinmyletter。”
JimmieDalebegantopacenervouslyupanddowntheroom。