Oneleap，oneblow，andVictorBurleighwouldcarryonlyonemorescartohisgrave。
　　Suddenlyafaintpipingvoicefloatedinupontheglen:
　　LittlechildwenpwessingnearTothefeetofThwist，theTing，HaveyouneiverdoubtnorfearOrsometwibutedoyoubwing？
　　AndBugBuler，flushedandsplashed，andgenerallymuddyandhappy，camearoundthefallenledgesanddebauchedintothegrassysunshinyspacebeforethecavern。Onlyatiny，tumbled-up，joyouschild，withnopowerinhispudgylittlearm；andVictorBurleigh，tall，muscularandagile。
　　Againstthismanoftremendousstrengththecaveman'sclubwaslifted。
　　Butwiththesoundofthechild'svoiceandthesightoftheinnocentfacetheclubfellharmless。Alookoffright，deepeningtoamaniac'sterror，seizedthecreature，andnoiselesslyandswiftlyasaserpentwouldescapehecrawledbackintothedarknessandburroweddeepfromtheeyesofmen。
　　Sostrengththatdaywasruledbyweakness。
　　"Iistfollowedyou，Vic，"Bugsaid，clutchingVic'shand。
　　"Thisisn'tasafeplacetocome，Bug。Youmustn'tfollowmehere。”
　　"Nenyoumustn'tgointoisn'tsafeplaces，soIwon'tfollow。
　　Littlefolksdon'tknow，"Bugsaid，withcunninggravity。
　　"Heisright，"Elinorsaid。"Ithinkwe'dbetterleavenow。”
　　Theyknewthathenceforththisspotwouldbeholygroundforthem，buttheydidnotdaretothinkfurtherthanthat。
　　Theyonlywishedthatthemomentswouldstay，thatthesunwouldloiterslowlydowntheafternoonsky。
　　"Iknowawayout，"Bugdeclared。Turn，I'llshowyou。”
　　Then，withachild'ssenseofdirection，heledawayfromthecaveouttowherethedeepravineheadedinaroughmassofbrokenrock。
　　"Tlimbupthatandyou'reout，"Bugdeclared。
　　TheyclimbeduptothehighlevelprairiethatsweepswestwardfromtheWalnutbluffs。
　　"Doodby，folks。IwanttoBotanywivurnoverthere。
　　IturnwivLimpyouthere。”
　　BugpointedtoagroupofstudentswanderingaboutinsearchofdogtoothvioletsandotherbotanicalplunderfromNature'sspringtimetreasury。
　　AmongthegroupwasBug'schum，thecrippledstudent。
　　"Well，staywiththemthistime，youlittlewanderingJew，"Vicadmonished，nordreamedhowhisguardianangelhadcometohimthisdayintheguiseofthissamelittlewanderer。
　　WhenVictorandElinorhadcomeatlasttothewestbluffabovetheWalnutRiver，thelateafternoonwasalreadycastinglongshadowsacrossthegrassyleveloftheoldKickapooCorral。AndagainthecampfireswereglowingwhereaSorority"spread"wasmerrilyinthemaking。
　　Theymustgodownsoonandjoininthehilarity。Butagoldenhalfhouryethunginthewest——andthegoingdownmeantthegoingbacktoallthathadbeen。
　　"Lookatthefoamonthewhirlpool，Elinor。Seehowdeliberatelyitswingsupstream。Isn'tthatamostdeceivingbitoftreachery？"
　　Vicsaidashewatchedtheriver。
　　Elinorlookedthoughtfullyattheslow-movingwater。
　　"Icannotenduredeceit，"shesaidatlast。"Ilikehonestyineverything。
　　IsaidIwouldtellyousometimeaboutasacrificeIwasforcedtomake。
　　I'lltellyounowifyouwillnotspeakofwhatIsay。”
　　Howdelicioustohaveherconfidenceinanything。
　　Vicsmiledassent。
　　"Myfatherhadafortunefrommymother。Whenhediedheleftmetothecareofmytwouncles，andgaveallhismoneytoendowchairsinuniversities。Hethoughtawomancouldmarrymoney，andthathewasdoingmankindaserviceinthisendowment。
　　Maybehewas，butI'vealwaysrebelledagainstbeingdependent。
　　I'vealwayswantedmyown。UncleJoshuathinksIamfrivolous，andhehastoldUncleLloydthatit'sjustmyloveofspendingandextravagantnotionsthatmakesmerebelagainstconditions。
　　Itisn't。It'sthesenseofbeingrobbed，asitwere。
　　Itwasn'trightandhonesttowardme，eveninagreatcause，toleavemedependent。UncleLloydwouldneverhavedoneit。
　　Ihopehedoesn'tthinkI'masbadasUncleJoshuadoes。
　　Youwon'tmindmytellingyouthis，northinkmeungratefultomyrelativesfortheircareofme。Nobodyquiteunderstandsmebutyou。”
　　ThetimehadcomeforthemtojointhejollypicniccrowdintheCorral。ShewouldgobacktoVincentBurgessinalittlewhile，andthisgloriousdaywouldbeonlyamemory。
　　Andyet，downintheprettyglen，Victorhadheldherhandsandkissedherredlips。Andshehadbeengladdownthere。
　　Thevoidinhislifeseemedblackerthantheblacknessbehindthecavern。
　　"Elinor，"heasked，suddenly，"areyouboundbyanypromise——
　　hasProfessorBurgess——？"Hehesitated。
　　"No，"sheanswered，turningherfaceaway。
　　"Pardonmyrudeness。YouknowIamnotwell-bred，"hesaid，gently。
　　"VictorBurleigh，youill-bred，ofallthegentle，manlyfellowsinSunrise!Youknowyouarenot。”
　　Agreathopeleapedtolifenow，asVicrecalledthequery，"IfVictorBurleighhadhiscornersknockedoffandwassandpapereddownandhadmoney？"——andofElinor'sblushingconfessionthatitwouldmakeadifferenceshecouldnothelpifthesethingswere。
　　Thecornerswereknockedoffnow，andDeanFennebenhadgentlybutpersistentlyappliedthesandpaper。Themoneymustbehenceforththeonecondition。
　　"Elinor。”Vic'svoicewassweetaslowbarsofmusic。
　　"Oh，Victor，there'ssomethingIcan'tprevent。”
　　ShewasthinkingofUncleJoshua，whosemoneyhadsupportedheralltheseyearsandofherobligationtoheedhiswishes。
　　Itwasallsettledforhernow。AndallthewhileVictorwasthinkingofhisownlimitedmeansastherockthatwaswreckinghimwithher。
　　Forallhislifeafterwardheneverforgotthesorrowofthatmoment。
　　HelookedintoElinor'sface，andallthelonging，alltheheart-hungerofthedaysgoneby，andofthedaystocomeseemedtolieinthosewide-openeyesshadedbylongblacklashes。
　　"Elinor，myfather'scruelmurderandmymotherdyingalonewereonekindofgrief。MyfightwiththosedeadlypoisonthingstorescuelittleBugwasanotherkind。Mydaysofhardshipandpovertyontheclaim，withonlyBugandmeinthatdesolateloneliness，wasstillanother。
　　ButnoneoftheseseemasorrowbesidewhatImustfacehenceforth。
　　AndyetIhaveonejoyminenow。Youdidcaredownintheglen。
　　MayIkeepthatonegraciousjoy——minealways？"
　　"Youhavealwayswonineverygame。Youwillinthisstruggle。
　　Don'tforgetthenameyourmothergaveyou。”Hereyeswereluminouswithtears。"WemustgodowntotheCorralnow。
　　Tomorrowwillmakethingsallright。Ishallbeproudofyouandyoursuccesseverywhere，foryouwillsucceed。”
　　"Imaynotbeworthyofvictory，"hesaid，sadly。
　　"Youhaveneverbeenunworthy。Don'tbenow。”Shesmiledbravely。
　　Theyturnedfromthewestprairieandthesunset，andslowlytheypassedoutofitspassingradiancedowntothedarkeningspacesoftheoldKickapooCorral。
　　Andthedaywithitsgladnessandsorrow，whetherforlossorgain，slippedintotheshadowybeautyofanApriltwilight。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　GAIN，ORLOSS？
　　_YeknowhowhardanIdoldies，an'whatthatmeanttome——
　　E'entakeitforasacrifice，acceptabletoThee_——
　　KIPLING
　　THEballgameonFriday，thethirteenth，wasagreateventthisyear。
　　TheSunrisefootballelevenhadheldthechampionshiprecordwithanuncrossedgoallineintheautumn。Thebasket-ballteamhadhadnodefeatthisyear。DebatingtestshadgivenSunrisethevictory。
　　ThatcamethroughTrenchandthecrippledstudent。Andthestateoratoricalstrugglerepeatedthestory，aconquest，allthegreaterbecauseVictorBurleigh，theathlete，worealsothelaurelsoforatory。
　　Andwhyshouldhenot，withthatfinepresenceandmagnificentvoice？
　　AsDr。Fennebenlistenedtohisforcefullogichesawclearlythelinefortheboy'sfuture，aline，hethought，thatcouldendatlastonlyinthepulpit。
　　OnemorebattletofightnowandLagondaLedgeandthewholeWalnutValleywouldgodowninhistoryasfamoussoil。
　　ItwasabanneryearforSunrise，andenthusiasmwasatfeverpitch，whichincollegeistheonlyhealthytemperature。
　　InthislastbattleSunriseturnedagaintoVictorBurleighasitshighesthope。Althoughthiswashisfirstgamefortheseason，hehadneverfailedtobringvictorytotheSunrisebanners，andinallhisbase-ballpracticehewasasunerringashewasspeedy。
　　Andthensuccesswashishabitanyhow。So"Burleighatthebat"
　　wastheslogannowfromthesummitofthecollegeridgetothefarthestcornersofLagondaLedge；andidolworshipwereinsignificantcomparedtotheadulationpouredoutonhim。
　　AndBurleigh，beingyoungandveryhuman，hadallthepleasuretheadorationofacommunitycanbringtoitslocalhero。
　　Fortruly，fewtriumphsinlife'slateryearscanbefraughtwithhalfthekeenjoytheseschooldayvictoriesbring。
　　Andtheapplauseoflisteningsenatesmeanslessthangoodoldcomrades'yells。
　　VincentBurgess，A。B。，GreekProfessorfromBoston，seemedtohaveforgottenentirelyabouttypesandgeographicalbreadthsandseclusionforprofoundresearchamidbarrenprairies。
　　HewasfacultymemberontheAthleticboardnowandenthusiasticaboutallcollegesports。Sunrisehaddonethismuchforhimanyhow。
　　Inaddition，theyoungeducatorwastakingonalittleroundness，suggestiveofastoutforminmiddlelife。
　　ButVincentBurgesshadnotforgottenallofthemotivesthathadpulledhimKansas-ward，althoughunknowntoDr。Fenneben，hehadalreadyrefusedtoconsiderapositionhigherupinaneasterncollege。
　　HewasnotquitereadytoleavetheWestyet。Ofcourse，not。
　　ElinorWreamwasonlyhalfthroughschoolandgrowingmorepopularasshewasgrowingmorewomanlyandmorebeautifuleachyear。
　　Hissalvationlayinkeepingonthegroundsifhewouldholdhisclaimundisturbed。
　　BurgesshadcometoKansas，hehadtoldFenneben，inordertoknowsomethingofthestatewherehisonlysisterhadlived。
　　Hedidnotknowyetallhewishedtoknowaboutherlifeanddeathhere。
　　Hernamewasneverspokeninhisfather'spresenceaftershecameWest，sogreatwasthatfather'sangeroverherleavingtheEast。AnddeepinVincent'smindhefixedtheimpressionthathisdaughterhaddiedasunreconciledtoherbrotherastoherfatherhimself。
　　Thiswasallhisownbusiness，however，andhiddendeep，almostoutofsightofhimself，wasaselfishmotivethathadnotyetputavisiblemarkonthesurface。
　　BurgesswantedtomarryNorrieWream，andhewantedhertohaveallthegoodthingsoflifewhichinhersimplerearinghadbeendeniedher。
　　Theheritagefromhisfather'sestateincludedcertaintrustfundsambiguouslybestowedbyaneccentricEnglishancestoruponsomeonewhohadcomeWestnotlongbeforehisdeath。
　　ThesefundsVincentheldbyhisfather'swill——towhichwillJoshuaWreamwaswitness——onconditionthatnoheirtothesefundswasliving。
　　Ifthereweresuchpersonorpersonsliving——butBurgessknewtherewerenone。JoshuaWreamhadmadesureofthatforhimbeforeheleftCambridge。AndyetitmightbewelltostayinKansasforayearortwo——muchbettertosettleanypossibledifficultyherethantohaveanythingfollowhimEastlater。
　　ForBurgesshadhiseyeonDr。Wream'schairinHarvardwhentheoldmanshouldgiveitup。Thatwasapartofthecontractbetweenthetwomen，theolddoctorandtheyoungprofessor。
　　UntilthenightwhenBondSaxonforcedhimtotakeanunwillingoath，Burgesshadhadacomfortableconscience，surethathisfinancialfuturewassettled，andconfidentthatthisassuredhimthehandofElinorWreamwhenthetimewasripe。WiththatOctobernight，however，aweightofanxietybeganthatincreasedwiththepassingdays。
　　Forashegrewnearertothestudentlifeandtookonfleshandgoodwillandabroaderknowledgeoftheworthofhumanity，sohegrewnearertothissmoothlyhiddeninnercare。And，outsideandin，hewantedtostayinKansasforthetime。
　　Intheweeksbeforethebigballgame，VictorBurleighseemedtohaveforgottentheglenandthewestbluffabovetheKickapooCorral。ThegirlswhowouldhavesubstitutedforElinorintheafternoonrambletookupmuchofthebigsophomore'stime，andheneverseemedmoregaynorcarefree。
　　AndElinor，ifshehadaheartache，didnotshowitinherhappymanner。
　　Ontheafternoonbeforetheballgame，aMaythunderstormswepttheWalnutValleyandthedarknessfellearly。AsDennieSaxonwaitedontheSunriseporticobeforestartingoutintherain，ProfessorBurgesslockedthefrontdoorandjoinedher。VictorBurleighwasalsowaitingbesideastonecolumnfortheshowertolighten。
　　BurgessdidnotseehiminthedarkeningtwilightandBurleighneverspoketotheyounginstructorwhenitwasnotnecessary。
　　"Imustbenervous，"ProfessorBurgesssaid，tryingtomanageDennie'sumbrellaandcatchingitinherhair。
　　"Ihadalettertodaythatworriedme。”
　　"Toobad!"Denniesaidsympathetically。
　　"I'lltellyouallaboutitsometime。”
　　Hewastryingtoloosethewirerib-jointfromDennie'shair，whichthedampnesswasrollinginsoftlittleringletsaboutherforeheadandneck。
　　Half-consciously，herememberedthesameoutlineofripplinghair，asithadlookedintheglowoftheOctobercampfiredownintheKickapooCorralwhenshewastellingtheoldlegendofSwiftElkandTheFawnoftheMorningLight。Shesmiledupathimconsolingly。
　　Denniewaslevel-headed，andlifewasalwaysworthlivingwhereshewas。
　　"I'llbeyourrainbeau。”Hetookherarmtoassistherdownthesteps。
　　Socourteouswashisaction，shemighthavebeenaladyofrankinsteadofoldBondSaxon'sdaughtercarryingherownweightofasorrowgreaterthanLagondaLedgedreamedof。
　　Asthetwowalkedslowlyhomewardunderthedrippingshelterofthetrees，VincentBurgessfeltasenseofcomfortandpleasureoutofallkeepingforamaninloveelsewhere。
　　VictorBurleighwatchedthemfromtheshadowoftheporticocolumn。
　　"IbelieveTrenchisright。HeinsiststhatBurgesslikesDennie，orthatheismeanenoughtodeceiveDennieintolikinghim。
　　Amanlikethatoughttobekilled——ascholar，andarichman，andDenniesuchabravelittlepoorgirlwithakind，weak-kneed，oldfatheronherheart。Norrieoughttoknowthis，butwhoamItosayaword？"
　　"VictorBurleigh，won'tyoureleasethefairprincessfromthetower？"
　　agirl'svoicecalled。
　　VicturnedtoseeElinorframedinthehalf-waywindowofthesouthturret。
　　Andinthatdrippingshadowylight，noframecouldwantararerpicture。
　　"I'vefallenintothepitandamfarontheroadtoperdition，"
　　Elinorsaid。"IhurrieddownthiswayfromchoirpracticeandUncleLloyd'sgoneandleftthelowerdoorlocked。
　　Itthunderedso，andDenniedidn'tcomeintothestudy，andnobodyheardmyscreams。ButifIperish，Iperish，"
　　sheaddedwithmockresignation。
　　"Ifyou'llletuponperishingforhalfaminute，Rapunzel，I'lltotherescue，"Viccried，"ifIhavetoclimbthedomeandknockthe_peraspera_outoftheStateSealandcomedownthroughthehole，_perastraadaspera_。”Andthenherushedofftofindanunlockedexittothebuilding。
　　FromtheChapelendofthecircularstairs，hecalledpresently。
　　"Curfewmustnotringforacoupleofseconds。
　　Risetothesurface，fairmermaid。”
　　Elinorcameupthewindingstairintothedimlylightedchapelathiscall。
　　ThetwohadavoidedeachothersincetheAprildayintheglen。
　　Theywerenottoblameforthischancemeetingnow。
　　"Whenyouareintroubleandthenightsaredarkandrainy，callme，Elinor，"Vicsaidastheywerecrossingtherotunda。
　　"IfIshowyousometimeshowtolookupandfindthelight，asyoushowedmetheSunrisebeacononthenightofthestormoutonWestBluff，youmaybegladyouheardme。Seethatglowonthedome!
　　YouwouldhavemissedthatdowninLagondaLedge。”
　　Alevelrayfromamomentarycloudriftinthewesternskysmotethestainedglassofthedome，lightingitsgleaminginscriptionwithafleetingradiance。
　　"Butthelightcomesrarelyandissofaraway，andbetweentimes，onlythecave，andthedarkwaysbehinditleadingtotheriver，"
　　hesaidgravely。Thesorrowofhopelessnesswashistone。
　　"Notunlessonechoosestoburrowdownward，"sherepliedsoftly。
　　"Let'shurryhome。Tomorrowyouwillbe`VictortheFamous'again。
　　Ihopethisshowerwon'tspoiltheballgame。”
　　Asnightdeepened，therainfellsteadily。UpinVictorBurleigh'sroomBugBulergrewdrowsyearly。
　　"Iwanttosaymypwayersnow，Vic，"hesaid。
　　Thebigfellowputdownhisbookandtookthechildinhisarms。
　　Bughadageniusforprayingbrieflyandforothersratherthanforhimself。
　　Tonighthemerelyclaspedhischubbyhandsandsaid，reverently:
　　"DearDod，pleaseistmakeVicdoodasfolksfinksheis，forThwist'ssake。Amen-n-n。”
　　Whenhefellasleep，VictorsatalongwhilestaringatthewindowwheretheMayrainwasbeatingheavily。Atlength，hebentoverlittleBugandpushedbackthecurlsfromhisbrow。
　　Bugsmiledupdrowsilyandwentonsleeping。
　　"AsgoodasfolksthinkIam，Bug!"hemused。"Youhavegottenbetweenmeandtherattlesnakesthatwereaftermysoulagoodmanytimes，littlebrother-of-mine。AsgoodasfolksthinkIam!
　　Doyouknowwhatitcoststobethatgood？"
　　TenminuteslaterhesatinLloydFenneben'slibrary。
　　"Ihavecomeforhelp，"hesaidinreplytotheDean'squestioningface。
　　"IhopeIcangiveit，"Fennebenresponded。
　　"It'sabouttomorrow'sgame。Therearesuretobesomeprofessionalplayersontheotherteam。IwantSunrisetowin。
　　Iwanttowinmyself。”Vic'svoicewasharshtonight。
　　AndtheDeancaughtthehardtone。
　　"IwantSunrisetowin。Iwantyoutowin。Therewillprobablybesomeprofessionalstoplayagainst，butwehavenowayofprovingthis，"Fennebensaid。
　　"Whatdoyouthinkofsuchplaying，Doctor？"Vicasked。
　　"Ithinktheruleaboutprofessionalismisoftenastrainedpieceoffoolishness。Itisviolatedpersistentlyandpersistentlywinkedat，butsolongasitistherulethereisonlyonesquarethingtodo，andthatistoliveuptothelaw。Youshouldnotdreadanyprofessionalisminthegametomorrow，however。You'llbringusthroughanyhow，andkeeptheSunrisenameandfameuntarnished。”
　　TheDeansmiledgenially。
　　Burleigh'sfacewasverypaleandastrangefireburnedinhiseyes。
　　"Dr。Fenneben"——hismusicalvoicerangclear——"I'monlyapoordevilfromtheshort-grasscountrywherelifeeachyeardependsonthatyear'scrop。
　　Threeyearsoutoffour，thewindanddrouthbringonlyfailureatharvesttime。Thenwestarveourbodiesandgripontohopeanddeterminationwithoursoulstillseedtimecomesagain。Iwantacollegeeducation。
　　Lastsummerburnedusoutasusualwithinamonthofharvest。
　　ThenthemortgagegotinitsworkonmyclaimandIhadtogiveitup。
　　Ihadbarelyenoughtogetthroughhereatpauperratesthisyear——
　　butIcouldn'tdoitandkeepBug，too。IwentintoColoradoandplayedbaseballforpay，soIcouldcomehereandbringhimwithme。That'swhyIcanout-batourteam，andcouldwindeadeasyforSunrisetomorrow。
　　NobodyinKansasknowsit。Now，whatshallIdo？"
　　Thewordswereshotoutlikebullets。
　　"Whatshallyoudo？"LloydFenneben'sblackeyesheldBurleigh。"Thereisonlyonethingtodo。Whenyourankedhighingradeswithonlythetrivialmatterofexcusableabsenceagainstyou——nobrokenlaw——youtookProfessorBurgessgentlybythethroatandtoldhimyoumeanttoplayanyhow。
　　Youstoodyourgroundlikeaman，foryourownsakeandforthehonorofSunrise。StandlikeamanforyourownsakeandthehonorofSunrise，now。GotoProfessorBurgessandtakehimgently——
　　bythehand，thistime——andtellhimyoudonotmeantoplay，andwhyyoucannot。”
　　Burleighsatstillasstone，hisfacewhiteasmarble，hiswide-openeyesunderhisblackbrowsseeingnothing。
　　"Butourproudrecord——theglorioushonorofthiscollege，"hesaidatlength，andbackofhiswordswasthethoughtofVictorBurleigh，theidolofSunrise，dethroned，wherehehadbeenadored。
　　"Thereisnohonorforacollegelikethehonestyofitsstudents。
　　Thereisnoprouderrecordthantherecordofdaringtodotheright。
　　Youcouldgetintothegameoncebyabrute'sstrength。
　　Getoutofitnowbyagentleman'shonor。”
　　BehindthespeechwasLloydFennebenhimself，sympathetic，firm，upright，beforewhomtheharshnessofVictorBurleigh'sfaceslowlygaveplacetoanexpressionofsorrow。
　　"Myboy，"Fennebensaidgently，"NaturegaveustheWalnutValleywithitslimestoneledgesandfineforesttrees。ButbeforeourSunrisecouldbebuildedtheledgehadtobeshapenintothehewnstone，thegreentreetotheseasonedlumber，quarter-sawedoak——
　　quarter-sawed，mindyou。Mill，forgeandtry-pit，axandsawandchisel，withcleftandblowandfurnaceheat，shapedthemallforService。OverourdoorwayistheSunriseinitial。
　　ItstandsalsoforStrife，partofwhichyouknowalready；
　　butitstandsforSacrificeaswell。Youareintheshaping。
　　GodgrantyoumaybeturnedoutamanfittedbySacrificeforServicewhentheshapingisdone。”
　　Burleighrose，silentstill，andthetwowentouttogether。
　　Atthedoorway，heturnedtoFenneben，whograspedhishandwithoutaword。Andonceagain，thefirmhandclaspoftheDeanofSunriseseemedtobindthecountryboytothefinerthingsoflife。
　　IthaddonethesameonthatdayaftertheThanksgivinggamewhenhesatinFenneben'sstudy，andunderstoodforthefirsttimewhatgivestherighttoprideinbrawnyarmandsteel-springnerve。
　　AfterBurleighlefthim，LloydFennebenstoodforalongtimeonhisverandainthelightofthedoorwaywatchingthesteadydownpourofthewarmMayrain。Asheturnedatlengthtoenterthehousearough-lookingmanwithrain-soakedclothingandslouchedhat，sprangoutoftheshadows。
　　"Stranger，"hecalledhastily。"There'salittlechildfellintheriverroundthebend，andhismothergotholdofhim，butshecan'tpullhimout，andcan'tholdonmuchlonger。
　　Willyoucomehelpme，quick？I'veonlygotonearmorIwouldn'thavehadtoaskforhelp。”
　　Anemptysleevewasflappingintherain，andFennebendidnotnoticethenthatthemankeptthatsideofhimselfallthetimeintheshadows。
　　Fennebenhadonlyonethoughtashehurriedawayinthedarkness，tosavethewomanandchild。Hiscompanionsaidlittle，directingthecoursetowardthebendintheriverbeforethegatewayofPigeonPlace。Astheypushedonwithallspeedthroughrainandmud，FennebenwashardlyconsciousthatDennieSaxon'swordsaboutthelonelygray-hairedhermitwomanwererecurringcuriouslytohismind。
　　"IftalkingaboutSunrisemadehercrylikethat，maybeyoumightdosomethingforher，"Denniehadsaid。Hehadnevertriedtodoanythingforher。
　　Somehowsheseemedtobethewomanwhowasinperilnow，andhewashalf-consciouslyblaminghimselfthathehadnevertriedtohelpher，hadnoteventhoughtofherformonths。Womenwerenotinhisline，exceptthekindlyimpersonalinteresthefeltforalltheSunrisegirls，andhissenseofresponsibilityforNorrie，andthememoryofagirl——
　　oh，thehungryhauntingmemory!
　　Allthisinasemi-consciousfleetnesssweptacrosshismind，thatwasbentonreachingtheriver，andonthatwomanholdingadrowningchild。
　　Atthebendintheriver，themanhaltedsuddenly。
　　"Lookout!There'sastone；don'tstumble!"hesaidhoarsely，dodgingbackashespoke。
　　ThenFennebenwasconsciousofhisownfeetstrikingtheslabofstonebytheroadside，ofasuddenshovefromsomebodybehindhim，atwo-armedmanitmusthavebeen，ofstumblingblindly，tryingtocatchattheelmtreethatstoodthere，offallingthroughtheunderbrush，headforemost，intotheriver，evenofstrikingthewater。Ashefell，hewasveryfaintlyconsciousofasenseofpityforVictorBurleighfightingoutabattlewithhisownhonortonight，andthenhemusthaveheardadog'sfierceyelp，andawoman'sscream。Somehow，itseemedtocomethroughdistanceoftime，asoutofpastyears，andnotthroughlengthofspace——
　　andthenofabrutallaughandanoathwiththewords:
　　"NowforJoshWream，and——"
　　ButFenneben'sheadhadstruckthestoneledgeagainstwhichtheWalnutripplesatlowtide，andforalongtimeheknewnomore。
　　ItwasrainingstillwhenVictorBurleighreachedtheSaxonHouse。AtthedoorhemetProfessorBurgess，whowasjustleaving。Strangelyenough，thememoryoftheirfirstmeetingatthecampusgateonaSeptemberdayflashedintothemindofeachastheycamefacetofacenow。
　　Theyneverspoketoeachotherexceptwhenitwasnecessary。
　　Andyettonight，somethingmadethemgreeteachothercourteously。
　　"Professor，willyoubekindenoughtocomeuptomyroomafewminutes？"
　　Burleighasked，liftinghiscaptohisinstructorwiththewords。
　　"Certainly，"VincentBurgesssaidwithequalgrace。
　　BugBulerhadkickedoffthebedcoveringandlayfastasleeponhislittlecotwithhisstubbyarmsbare，andhislittlefathands，dimpledineachknuckle，thrownwideapart。
　　"Isawapicturelikethisonceforthesignofthecross，"
　　Vicsaidashedrewthecoveringoverthelittleform。
　　"Bughasbeenacrosstomesometimes，buthe'softenermysalvation。”
　　ProfessorBurgesswonderedagain，whyaboylikeBurleighshouldhavebeengivenavoiceofsuchrarecharm。
　　"Iwillnotkeepyoulong，"Vicsaid，turningfromBug。"Icannotplayintomorrow'sgame，andbeaman。”
　　Then，briefly，heexplainedthereason。
　　"Itisrainingstill。Takemyumbrella，"hesaidatthecloseofhissimplytoldstory。"Buttomorrow'ssunshinewilldrythefieldforthegame，allright。Goodnight。”
　　"Goodnight，"VincentBurgesssaidhoarsely，andplungedintothedarknessandtherain。
　　TenstepsfromtheSaxonHouse，hecameplumpintoBondSaxon，whostaggeredalittletoavoidhim。
　　"Myluckonrainynights，"Vincentthought。"Theoldfellow'sspreesseemtorunwiththestorms。Hehasn'tbeen`off'foralongtime。”
　　ButBondSaxonwasnevermoresoberinhislife，andheclutchedtheyoungman'sarmeagerly。
　　"ProfessorBurgess，won'tyouhelpme!"hecried。
　　"Whatdoyouwanttodoonanightlikethis？"Burgessasked，rememberingthevowhehadbeenforcedtomake，bythissameman。
　　"Comehelpmesaveaman'slife!"Bondurged。
　　"Lookhere，Saxon。You'vegotsomewildnotionoutofaboot-legger'sbottle。Straightenupnow。
　　It'saninfamousthinginacollegetownlikeLagondaLedge，whereneitherasaloonnorajointwouldbeallowed，thatsomeimpofSatanshouldforeverbebringingyouwhisky。
　　Whodoesit，anyhow？"
　　"I'mnotdrunkandhaven'tbeenforsixmonths。Comeon，forGod'ssake，andhelpmetosavealife，maybetwolives，fromtheverymanthat'sdonetheboot-leggin'androbbin'inthistownformonthsandmonths。”
　　Saxon'swordswereconvincingenough。
　　"WhatcanIdo？"Burgessasked。"I'mnotapoliceman。”
　　"Comeon!Comeon!"Saxonurged，tuggingattheprofessor'sarm。
　　"It'salife，Itellyou。”
　　Vincentyieldedunwillingly，thenight，thebeatingrain，themanwhoaskeditofhim，thepurpose，hisownunfitness——allholdinghimback。
　　Beforetheyhadgonefar，BondSaxonsuddenlyexclaimed:
　　"Say，Professor，doyourememberthenightIaskedyoutotakecareofDennieifanythingshouldhappentome？"
　　"DoYOUrememberit？"Burgessresponded。"Youdidn'task；youdemanded。”
　　"Iwasdrunkthen。I'msobernow。Burgess，ifanythingshouldhappentomenow，wouldyoustillbewilling？"
　　BondSaxonaskedintenseanxiety。
　　"I'vealreadytakenoath，"Burgesssaid。"Ithinkyourdaughtermayneedsomebody'scarebeforeanythinghappensifyoukeepupthisgait。”
　　Theyhurriedonthroughtherainuntiltheyhadlefttheboardwalkandthetownlights，andwerestaggeringalongthecinder-madepath，whenBurgesshalted。
　　"Saxon，who'stheman，ortwomen，youwanttosave？
　　Ibelieveyouaredrunk。”
　　BondSaxongraspedhisarm，andsaidhoarsely:
　　"Don'tshriekhere。Weareindanger，now。It'snottwomen。
　　It'samanandawoman，maybe。It'sDeanFunnybone。Comeon!"
　　CHAPTERX
　　THETHIEFINTHEMOUTH
　　_O，thouinvisiblespiritofwine，ifthouhastno，nametobeknownby，letuscallthee，devil!_——
　　SHAKESPEARE
　　WHENLloydFennebencouldthinkagain，thewatershadreceded，therockledgehadturnedtoapillowunderhishead，theriverbankwasastraightwhitehospitalwall，sunlightandsweetairforthedarknessandtherain，andNorrieWreamwasbesidehiminsteadofthebrutalstranger。
　　Hisheavyblackhairwasshornawayandhisheadwasboundwithmuchsoftcottonstuffs。Hisleftarmwasfullofprickles，asifthebloodhadjustresumedcirculation。