Monicastruggledtowardthelightedvault，butaroundherEverettthrewhisarm。
　　"Comeaway！"hebegged。
　　Monicafoughtagainsttheterrorofsomethingunknown。Shecouldnotunderstand。TheyhadcomeonlytopreventameetingbetweenherbrotherandPeabody；andnowthattheyhadmet，Everettwasendeavoringtoescape。
　　Itwasincomprehensible。
　　Andthemoneyinthevault，theyellowbillshangingfromacobwebofstrings；whyshouldtheyterrifyher；whatdidtheythreaten？Dully，andfromadistance，MonicaheardthevoiceofPeabody。
　　"No，"heanswered；"Ihavecaughtyou！AndI'vehadahellofatimedoingit！"
　　Monicatriedtocallout，toassureherbrotherofherpresence。
　　But，asthoughinanightmare，shecouldmakenosound。Fingersoffeargrippedatherthroat。Tostrugglewasnolongerpossible。
　　ThevoiceofPeabodycontinued：
　　"SixmonthsagowetracedthesebillstoNewOrleans。SoweguessedtheplantwasinCentralAmerica。Weknewonlyonemanwhocouldmakethem。WhenIfoundyouwereinAmapalaandtheysaidyouhadstruck'buriedtreasure'——therestwaseasy。"
　　Monicaheardthevoiceofherbrotheranswerwithalaugh。
　　"Easy？"hemocked。"There'snoextradition。Youcan'ttouchme。
　　You'reluckyifyougetoutofherealive。I'veonlytoraisemyvoice——"
　　"And，I'llkillyou！"
　　ThiswasdangerMonicacouldunderstand。
　　Freedfromthenightmareofdoubt，withacrysheranforward。
　　ShesawPeabody，hisbackagainstawall，alevelledautomaticinhishand；herbrotherattheentrancetoatunnelliketheonefromwhichshehadjustappeared。Hisarmswereraisedabovehishead。
　　Athisfeetlayarevolver。Foraninstant，withdisbelief，hestaredatMonica，andthen，asthoughassuredthatitwasshe，hiseyesdilated。Inthemwerefearandhorror。SogenuinewastheagonyinthefaceofthecounterfeiterthatEverett，whohadfollowed，turnedhisownaway。Buttheeyesofthebrotherandsisterremainedfixeduponeachother，hers，appealingly；his，withdespair。Hetriedtospeak，butthewordsdidnotcome。Whenhedidbreakthesilencehistonewassingularlywistful，mosttenderlykind。
　　"Didyouhear？"heasked。
　　Monicaslowlybowedherhead。Withthesamenoteofgentlenessherbrotherpersisted：
　　"Didyouunderstand？"
　　Betweenthemstretchedthecobwebofstringshungwithyellowcertificates；eachcallingforfivehundreddollars，payableingold。
　　Stirredbythenightairfromtheopentunnels，theyflutteredandflaunted。
　　Againstthesightofthem，Monicaclosedhereyes。Heavily，asthoughwithagreatphysicaleffort，againshebowedherhead。
　　Theeyesofherbrothersearchedabouthimwildly。Theyrestedonthemouthofthetunnel。
　　Withhisloweredarmhepointed。
　　"Whoisthat？"hecried。
　　Instinctivelytheothersturned。
　　Itwasforaninstant。Theinstantsufficed。
　　Monicasawherbrotherthrowhimselfuponthefloor，feltherselfflungasideasEverettandthedetectiveleapeduponhim；sawherbrotherpresshishandsagainsthisheart，thetwomendraggingathisarms。
　　Thecavelikeroomwasshakenwithareport，anacridsmokeassailedhernostrils。Themenceasedstruggling。Herbrotherlaystill。
　　Monicasprangtowardthebody，butablackwaveroseandsubmergedher。Asshefainted，tosaveherselfshethrewoutherarms，andasshefellshedraggeddownwithhertheburiedtreasureofCobre。
　　Stretcheduponthestonefloorbesideherbrother，shelaymotionless。
　　Beneathher，andwrappedaboutandcoveringher，astheleavescoveredthebabesinthewood，wasavastcobwebofyellowbills，eachforfivehundreddollars，payableingold。
　　AmonthlatertheharborofPortoCortezinHonduraswasshakenwiththeroarofcannon。Incomparison，theroaringofallthecannonofalltherevolutionsthatthatdistressfulcountryeverhadknown，werelikefire-crackersunderabarrel。
　　Faithfultohisitinerary，theSecretaryofStateoftheUnitedStateswaspayinghisformalvisittoHonduras，andthePresidentofthatrepublic，waitingupontheFruitCompany'swharftogreethim，wasreceivingthesaluteoftheAmericanbattle-ships。Backofhim，onthewharf，hisownbarefootedartillerymenintheirturnweresaluting，excitedlyandspasmodically，thedistinguishedvisitor。Asanhonorhehadatlastlearnedtoacceptwithoutputtingafingerineachear，theSecretaryofStatesmiledwithgraciouscalm。LesscalmwasthePresidentofHonduras。HeknewsomethingtheSecretarydidnotknow。Heknewthatatanymomentagunofhissalutingbatterymightturnturtle，orblowintotheharborhimself，hiscabinet，andthelargerpartofhisstandingarmy。
　　MadefasttothewharfonthesideoppositetotheoneatwhichtheSecretaryhadlandedwasoneoftheFruitCompany'ssteamers。
　　Shewasonherwaynorth，andPortoCortezwasaportofcall。
　　Thatherpassengersmightnotintrudeupontheceremonies，hersideofthewharfwasropedoffandguardedbythestandingarmy。
　　Butfromherdecksandfrombehindtheropesthepassengers，withabatteryofcameras，wereperpetuatingthehistoricscene。
　　Amongthem，closetotheropes，viewingtheceremonywiththecynicaleyeofonewhoinEuropehadseenkingsandemperorsmeetupontheFieldoftheClothofGold，wasEverett。Hemadenoefforttobringhimselftotheattentionofhisformerchief。Butwhentheintroductionswereover，theSecretaryofStateturnedhiseyestohisfellowcountrymencrowdingtherailsoftheAmericansteamer。Theygreetedhimwithcheers。Thegreatmanraisedhishat，andhiseyesfelluponEverett。TheSecretaryadvancedquickly，hishandextended，brushingtoonesidethestandingarmy。
　　"Whatareyoudoinghere？"hedemanded。
　　"Onmywayhome，sir，"saidEverett。"Icouldn'tleavesooner；therewere——personalreasons。ButIcabledthedepartmentmyresignationthedayMendozagavememywalking-papers。Youmayremember，"
　　Everettaddeddryly，"thedepartmentacceptedbycable。"
　　Thegreatmanshowedembarrassment。
　　"Itwasmostunfortunate，"hesympathized。"Wewantedthattreaty，andwhile，nodoubt，youmadeeveryeffort——"
　　HebecameawareofthefactthatEverett'sattentionwasnotexclusivelyhisown。Followingthedirectionoftheyoungman'seyestheSecretarysawonthedeckjustabovethem，leaningupontherail，agirlindeepmourning。
　　Shewasverybeautiful。Herfacewasaslovelyasavioletandasshy。
　　TotheSecretaryabeautifulwomanwasalwaysabeautifulwoman。
　　Buthehadreadthepapers。Whohadnot？Hewassuretheremustbesomemistake。Thiscouldnotbethesisterofacriminal；thewomanforwhomEveretthadsmashedhiscareer。
　　TheSecretarymaskedhisastonishment，butnothisadmiration。
　　"Mrs。Everett？"heasked。Hisverytoneconveyedcongratulations。
　　"Yes，"saidtheex-diplomat。"SomedayIshallbegladtopresentyou。"
　　TheSecretarydidnotwaitforanintroduction。Raisinghiseyestotheship'srail，hemadeadeepandcourtlybow。Withagestureworthyofd'Artagnan，hishighhatsweptthewharf。Themembersofhisstaff，theofficersfromthewar-ships，thePresidentofHondurasandthemembersofhisstaffendeavoredtoimitatehisactofhomage，andinconfusionMrs。Everettblushedbecomingly。
　　"WhenIreturntoWashington，"saidtheSecretaryhastily，"comeandseeme。Youaretoovaluabletolose。Yourcareer——"
　　AgainEverettwaslookingathiswife。Herdistressathavingbeensosuddenlydrawnintothelime-lightamusedhim，andhewassmiling。Then，asthoughawareoftheSecretary'smeaning，helaughed。
　　"Mydearsir！"heprotested。Histonesuggestedhewasabouttoadd"mindyourownbusiness，"or"gotothedevil。"
　　Insteadhesaid："I'mnotworryingaboutmycareer。Mycareerhasjustbegun。"
　　THEBOYSCOUT
　　AruleoftheBoyScoutsiseverydaytodosomeoneagoodturn。
　　Notbecausethecopybookstellyouitdeservesanother，butinspiteofthatpleasingpossibility。Ifyouareatruescout，untilyouhaveperformedyouractofkindnessyourdayisdark。Youareasunhappyasisthegrown-upwhohasbegunhisdaywithoutshavingorreadingtheNewYorkSun。Butassoonasyouhaveprovedyourselfyoumay，withaclearconscience，looktheworldinthefaceanduntietheknotinyourkerchief。
　　JimmieReederuntiedtheaccusingknotinhisscarfatjusttenminutespasteightonahotAugustmorningafterhehadgivenonedimetohissisterSadie。Withthatshecouldeitherwitnessthefirst-runfilmsatthePalace，orbydividingherfortunepatronizetwoofthenickelshowsonLenoxAvenue。ThechoiceJimmielefttoher。HewassettingoutfortheannualencampmentoftheBoyScoutsatHunter'sIsland，andintheexcitementofthatadventureeventhemoviesceasedtothrill。ButSadiealsocouldbeunselfish。Withaheroismofacamp-firemaidenshemadeagesturewhichmighthavebeeninterpretedtomeanshewasreturningthemoney。
　　"Ican't，Jimmie！"shegasped。"Ican'ttakeitoffyou。Yousavedit，andyououghttogetthefunofit。"
　　"Ihaven'tsavedityet，"saidJimmie。"I'mgoingtocutitoutoftherailroadfare。I'mgoingtogetoffatCityIslandinsteadofatPelhamManorandwalkthedifference。That'stencentscheaper。"
　　Sadieexclaimedwithadmiration：
　　"An'youcarryin'thatheavygrip！"
　　"Aw，that'snothin'，"saidthemanofthefamily。
　　"Good-by，mother。Solong，Sadie。"
　　TowardofffurtherexpressionsofgratitudehehurriedlyadvisedSadietotakein"TheCurseofCain"ratherthan"TheMohawk'sLastStand，"andfleddownthefrontsteps。
　　Heworehiskhakiuniform。Onhisshoulderswashisknapsack，fromhishandsswunghissuit-case，andbetweenhisheavystockingsandhis"shorts"hiskneecaps，unkissedbythesun，asyetunscathedbyblackberryvines，showedaswhiteandfragileasthewristsofagirl。
　　Ashemovedtowardthe"L"stationatthecorner，Sadieandhismotherwavedtohim；inthestreet，boystoosmalltobescoutshailedhimenviously；eventhepolicemanglancingoverthenewspapersonthenews-standnoddedapproval。
　　"Youascout，Jimmie？"heasked。
　　"No，"retortedJimmie，forwasnothealsoinuniform？"I'mSantaClausoutfillingChristmasstockings。"
　　Thepatrolmanalsopossessedareadywit。
　　"Thengetyourselfapair，"headvised。"Ifadogwastoseeyourlegs——"
　　JimmieescapedtheinsultbyfleeingupthestepsoftheElevated。
　　Anhourlater，withhisvaliseinonehandandstaffintheother，hewastrampinguptheBostonPostRoadandbreathingheavily。
　　Thedaywascruellyhot。Beforehiseyes，overaninterminablestretchofasphalt，theheatwavesdancedandflickered。AlreadytheknapsackonhisshoulderspresseduponhimlikeanOldManoftheSea；thelineninthevalisehadturnedtopigiron，hispipe-
　　stemlegswerewabbling，hiseyessmartedwithsaltsweat，andthefingerssupportingthevalisebelongedtosomeotherboy，andweregivingthatboymuchpain。Butasthemotor-carsflashedpastwithraucouswarnings，or，thatthosewhorodemightbetterseetheboywithbareknees，passedat"halfspeed，"Jimmiestiffenedhisshouldersandsteppedjauntilyforward。Evenwhenthejoy-ridersmockedwith"Oh，youscout！"hesmiledatthem。Hewaswillingtoadmittothosewhorodethatthelaughwasontheonewhowalked。Andheregretted——
　　oh，sobitterly——havingleftthetrain。Hewasindignantthatforhis"onegoodturnaday"hehadnotselectedonelessstrenuous——that，forinstance，hehadnotassistedafrightenedoldladythroughthetraffic。Torefusethedimeshemighthaveoffered，asalltruescoutsrefusealltips，wouldhavebeeneasierthantoearnitbywalkingfivemiles，withthesunatninety-ninedegrees，andcarryingexcessbaggage。
　　TwentytimesJamesshiftedthevalisetotheotherhand，twentytimesheletitdropandsatuponit。
　　Andthen，asagainhetookuphisburden，thegoodSamaritandrewnear。Hedrewnearinalowgrayracing-carattherateoffortymilesanhour，andwithinahundredfeetofJimmiesuddenlystoppedandbackedtowardhim。ThegoodSamaritanwasayoungmanwithwhitehair。Heworeasuitofblue，agolfcap；thehandsthatheldthewheelweredisguisedinlargeyellowgloves。Hebroughtthecartoahaltandsurveyedthedrippingfigureintheroadwithtiredanduncuriouseyes。
　　"YouaBoyScout？"heasked。
　　Withalacrityforthetwenty-firsttimeJimmiedroppedthevalise，forcedhiscrampedfingersintostraightlines，andsaluted。
　　Theyoungmaninthecarnoddedtowardtheseatbesidehim。
　　"Getin，"hecommanded。
　　WhenJamessatpantinghappilyathiselbowtheoldyoungman，toJimmie'sdisappointment，didnotcontinuetoshatterthespeedlimit。
　　Instead，heseemedinclinedforconversation，andthecar，growlingindignantly，crawled。
　　"IneversawaBoyScoutbefore，"announcedtheoldyoungman。
　　"Tellmeaboutit。First，tellmewhatyoudowhenyou'renotscouting。"
　　Jimmieexplainedvolubly。Whennotinuniformhewasanofficeboy，andfrompeddlersandbeggarsguardedthegatesofCarrollandHastings，stock-brokers。Hespokethenamesofhisemployerswithawe。Itwasafirmdistinguished，conservative，andlongestablished。Thewhite-hairedyoungmanseemedtonodinassent。
　　"Doyouknowthem？"demandedJimmiesuspiciously。"Areyouacustomerofours？"
　　"Iknowthem，"saidtheyoungman。"Theyarecustomersofmine。"
　　JimmiewonderedinwhatwayCarrollandHastingswerecustomersofthewhite-hairedyoungman。Judginghimbyhisoutergarments，JimmieguessedhewasaFifthAvenuetailor；hemightbeevenahaberdasher。Jimmiecontinued。Helived，heexplained，withhismotheratOneHundredandForty-sixthStreet；Sadie，hissister，attendedthepublicschool；hehelpedsupportthemboth，andhenowwasabouttoenjoyawell-earnedvacationcampingoutonHunter'sIsland，wherehewouldcookhisownmeals，and，ifthemosquitoespermitted，sleepinatent。
　　"Andyoulikethat？"demandedtheyoungman。"Youcallthatfun？"
　　"Sure！"protestedJimmie。"Don'tyougocampingout？"
　　"Igocampingout，"saidthegoodSamaritan，"wheneverIleaveNewYork。"
　　JimmiehadnotforthreeyearslivedinWallStreetnottounderstandthattheyoungmanspokeinmetaphor。
　　"Youdon'tlook，"objectedtheyoungmancritically，"asthoughyouwerebuiltforthestrenuouslife。"
　　Jimmieglancedguiltilyathiswhiteknees。
　　"Yououghtterseemetwoweeksfromnow，"heprotested。"Igetallsunburntandhard——
　　hardasanything！"
　　Theyoungmanwasincredulous。
　　"YouwereneargettingsunstruckwhenIpickedyouup，"helaughed。"Ifyou'regoingtoHunter'sIsland，whydidn'tyougotoPelhamManor？"
　　"That'sright！"assentedJimmieeagerly。"ButIwantedtosavethetencentsso'stosendSadietothemovies。SoIwalked。"
　　Theyoungmanlookedhisembarrassment。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"hemurmured。
　　ButJimmiedidnothearhim。Fromthebackofthecarhewasdraggingexcitedlyatthehatedsuit-case。
　　"Stop！"hecommanded。"Igottergetout。Igotterwalk。"
　　Theyoungmanshowedhissurprise。
　　"Walk！"heexclaimed。"Whatisit——abet？"
　　Jimmiedroppedthevaliseandfolloweditintotheroadway。Ittooksometimetoexplaintotheyoungman。First，hehadtobetoldaboutthescoutlawandtheonegoodturnaday，andthatitmustinvolvesomepersonalsacrifice。And，asJimmiepointedout，changingfromaslowsuburbantraintoaracing-carcouldnotbelistedasasacrifice。Hehadnotearnedthemoney，Jimmieargued；
　　hehadonlyavoidedpayingittotherailroad。IfhedidnotwalkhewouldbeobtainingthegratitudeofSadiebyafalsehood。
　　Therefore，hemustwalk。
　　"Notatall，"protestedtheyoungman。"You'vegotitwrong。Whatgoodwillitdoyoursistertohaveyousunstruck？Ithinkyouaresunstruck。You'recrazywiththeheat。Yougetinhere，andwe'lltalkitoveraswegoalong。"
　　HastilyJimmiebackedaway。"I'dratherwalk，"hesaid。
　　Theyoungmanshiftedhislegsirritably。
　　"Thenhow'llthissuityou？"hecalled。"We'lldeclarethatfirst'onegoodturn'afailureandstartafresh。Domeagoodturn。"
　　Jimmiehaltedinhistracksandlookedbacksuspiciously。
　　"I'mgoingtoHunter'sIslandInn，"calledtheyoungman，"andI'velostmyway。Yougetinhereandguideme。That'llbedoingmeagoodturn。"
　　Oneithersideoftheroad，blottingoutthelandscape，gianthandspickedoutinelectric-lightbulbspointedthewaytoHunter'sIslandInn。Jimmiegrinnedandnoddedtowardthem。
　　"Muchobliged，"hecalled。"Igotterwalk。"Turninghisbackupontemptation，hewaddledforwardintotheflickeringheatwaves。
　　Theyoungmandidnotattempttopursue。Atthesideoftheroad，undertheshadeofagiantelm，hehadbroughtthecartoahaltandwithhisarmscrosseduponthewheelsatmotionless，followingwithfrowningeyestheretreatingfigureofJimmie。Butthenarrow-chestedandknock-kneedboystaggeringoverthesun-bakedasphaltnolongerconcernedhim。ItwasnotJimmie，butthecodepreachedbyJimmie，andnotonlypreachedbutbeforehiseyesputintopractice，thatinterestedhim。Theyoungmanwithwhitehairhadbeenrunningawayfromtemptation。Atfortymilesanhourhehadbeenrunningawayfromthetemptationtodoafellowmortal"agoodturn。"Thatmorning，totheappealofadrowningCaesarto"Helpme，Cassius，orIsink，"hehadanswered："Sink！"Thatanswerhehadnowishtoreconsider。Thathemightnotreconsiderhehadsoughttoescape。
　　Itwashisexperiencethatasixty-horse-powerracing-machineisajealousmistress。Forretrospective，sentimental，orphilanthropicthoughtsshegrantsnoleaveofabsence。Buthehadnotescaped。
　　Jimmiehadhaltedhim，trippedhimbytheheels，andsethimagaintothinking。Withinthehalf-hourthatfollowedthosewhorolledpastsawatthesideoftheroadacarwithherenginerunning，andleaninguponthewheel，asunconsciousofhissurroundingsasthoughhesatathisownfireplace，ayoungmanwhofrownedandstaredatnothing。Thehalf-hourpassedandtheyoungmanswunghiscarbacktowardthecity。Butatthefirstroad-housethatshowedablue-and-whitetelephonesignheleftit，andintotheironboxattheendofthebardroppedanickel。HewishedtocommunicatewithMr。Carroll，ofCarrollandHastings；andwhenhelearnedMr。Carrollhadjustissuedordersthathemustnotbedisturbed，theyoungmangavehisname。
　　Theeffectuponthebarkeeperwasinstantaneous。Withtheaggrievedairofonewhofeelsheisthevictimofajesthelaughedscornfully。
　　"Whatareyouputtingover？"hedemanded。
　　Theyoungmansmiledreassuringly。Hehadbeguntospeakand，thoughapparentlyengagedwiththebeer-glasshewaspolishing，thebarkeeperlistened。
　　DowninWallStreettheseniormemberofCarrollandHastingsalsolistened。Hewasaloneinthemostprivateofallhisprivateoffices，andwheninterruptedhadbeenengagedinwhat，ofallundertakings，isthemostmomentous。Onthedeskbeforehimlayletterstohislawyer，tothecoroner，tohiswife；andhiddenbyamassofpapers，butwithinreachofhishand，wasanautomaticpistol。Thepromiseitofferedofswiftreleasehadmadethewritingoftheletterssimple，hadgivenhimafeelingofcompletedetachment，hadreleasedhim，atleastinthought，fromallresponsibilities。Andwhenathiselbowthetelephonecougheddiscreetly，itwasasthoughsomeonehadcalledhimfromaworldfromwhichalreadyhehadmadehisexit。
　　Mechanically，throughmerehabit，heliftedthereceiver。
　　Thevoiceoverthetelephonecameinbrisk，staccatosentences。
　　"ThatletterIsentthismorning？Forgetit。Tearitup。I'vebeenthinkingandI'mgoingtotakeachance。I'vedecidedtobackyouboys，andIknowyou'llmakegood。I'mspeakingfromaroad-houseintheBronx；goingstraightfromheretothebank。Soyoucanbegintodrawagainstuswithinanhour。And——hello！——willthreemillionsseeyouthrough？"
　　FromWallStreettherecamenoanswer，butfromthehandsofthebarkeeperaglasscrashedtothefloor。
　　Theyoungmanregardedthebarkeeperwithpuzzledeyes。
　　"Hedoesn'tanswer，"heexclaimed。"Hemusthavehungup。"
　　"Hemusthavefainted！"saidthebarkeeper。
　　Thewhite-hairedonepushedabillacrossthecounter。"Topayforbreakage，"hesaid，anddisappeareddownPelhamParkway。
　　Throughouttheday，withthebill，forevidence，pastedagainstthemirror，thebarkeepertoldandretoldthewondroustale。
　　"Hestoodjustwhereyou'restandingnow，"herelated，"blowinginmillion-dollarbillslikeyou'dblowsudsoffabeer。IfI'dknoweditwashim，I'dhavehithimonceandhidhiminthecellarforthereward。Who'dIthinkhewas？Ithoughthewasawire-tapper，workingacongame！"
　　Mr。Carrollhadnot"hungup，"butwhenintheBronxthebeer-glasscrashed，inWallStreetthereceiverhadslippedfromthehandofthemanwhoheldit，andthemanhimselfhadfallenforward。Hisdeskhithiminthefaceandwokehim——wokehimtothewonderfulfactthathestilllived；thatatfortyhehadbeenbornagain；thatbeforehimstretchedmanymoreyearsinwhich，astheyoungmanwiththewhitehairhadpointedout，hestillcouldmakegood。
　　TheafternoonwasfaradvancedwhenthestaffofCarrollandHastingswereallowedtodepart，and，evenlateaswasthehour，twoofthemwereaskedtoremain。IntothemostprivateoftheprivateofficesCarrollinvitedGaskell，theheadclerk；inthemainofficeHastingshadaskedyoungThorne，thebondclerk，tobeseated。
　　UntiltheseniorpartnerhasfinishedwithGaskellyoungThornemustremainseated。
　　"Gaskell，"saidMr。Carroll，"ifwehadlistenedtoyou，ifwe'drunthisplaceasitwaswhenfatherwasalive，thisneverwouldhavehappened。Ithasn'thappened，butwe'vehadourlesson。Andafterthiswe'regoingslowandgoingstraight。Andwedon'tneedyoutotellushowtodothat。Wewantyoutogoaway——onamonth'svacation。WhenIthoughtweweregoingunderIplannedtosendthechildrenonaseavoyagewiththegoverness——sotheywouldn'tseethenewspapers。ButnowthatIcanlookthemintheeyeagain，Ineedthem，Ican'tletthemgo。So，ifyou'dliketotakeyourwifeonanoceantriptoNovaScotiaandQuebec，herearethecabinsIreservedforthekids。Theycallittheroyalsuite——whateverthatis——andthetriplastsamonth。Theboatsailsto-morrowmorning。Don'tsleeptoolateoryoumaymissher。"
　　Theheadclerkwassecretingtheticketsintheinsidepocketofhiswaistcoat。Hisfingerstrembled，andwhenhelaughedhisvoicetrembled。
　　"Misstheboat！"theheadclerkexclaimed。"IfshegetsawayfromMillieandmeshe'sgottostartnow。We'llgoonboardto-night！"
　　Ahalf-hourlaterMilliewasonherkneespackingatrunk，andherhusbandwastelephoningtothedrug-storeforasponge-bagandacureforseasickness。
　　Owingtothejoyinherheartandtothefactthatshewasonherknees，Milliewasalternatelyweepingintothetrunk-trayandofferingupincoherentprayersofthanksgiving。Suddenlyshesankbackuponthefloor。
　　"John！"shecried，"doesn'titseemsinfultosailawayina'royalsuite'andleavethisbeautifulflatempty？"
　　OverthetelephoneJohnwashavingtroublewiththedrugclerk。
　　"No！"heexplained，"I'mnotseasicknow。ThemedicineIwantistobetakenlater。IknowI'mspeakingfromthePavonia；butthePavoniaisn'taship；it'sanapartment-house。"
　　HeturnedtoMillie。"Wecan'tbeintwoplacesatthesametime，"hesuggested。
　　"But，think，"insistedMillie，"ofallthepoorpeoplestiflingto-nightinthisheat，tryingtosleepontheroofsandfire-escapes；
　　andourflatsocoolandbigandpretty——andnooneinit。"
　　Johnnoddedhisheadproudly。
　　"Iknowit'sbig，"hesaid，"butitisn'tbigenoughtoholdallthepeoplewhoaresleepingto-nightontheroofsandintheparks。"
　　"Iwasthinkingofyourbrother——andGrace，"saidMillie。"They'vebeenmarriedonlytwoweeksnow，andthey'reinastuffyhallbedroomandeatingwithalltheotherboarders。Thinkwhatourflatwouldmeantothem；tobebythemselves，witheightroomsandtheirownkitchenandbath，andournewrefrigeratorandthegramophone！Itwouldbeheaven！Itwouldbearealhoneymoon！"
　　Abandoningthedrugclerk，JohnliftedMillieinhisarmsandkissedher，for，nexttohiswife，nearesthisheartwastheyoungerbrother。
　　TheyoungerbrotherandGraceweresittingonthestoopoftheboarding-house。Ontheuppersteps，intheirshirt-sleeves，weretheotherboarders；sothebrideandbridegroomspokeinwhispers。
　　Theairofthecrossstreetwasstaleandstagnant；fromitroseexhalationsofrottingfruit，thegasesofanopensubway，thesmokeofpassingtaxicabs。Butbetweenthestreetandthehallbedroom，withitsodorsofagas-stoveandakitchen，thechoicewasdifficult。
　　"We'vegottocooloffsomehow，"theyounghusbandwassaying，"oryouwon'tsleep。Shallwetreatourselvestoice-creamsodasoratripontheWeehawkenferry-boat？"
　　"Theferry-boat！"beggedthegirl，"wherewecangetawayfromallthesepeople。"
　　Ataxicabwithatrunkinfrontwhirledintothestreet，kickeditselftoastop，andtheheadclerkandMilliespilledoutuponthepavement。Theytalkedsofast，andtheyoungerbrotherandGracetalkedsofast，thattheboarders，althoughtheylistenedintently，couldmakenothingofit。
　　Theydistinguishedonlytheconcludingsentences：
　　"Whydon'tyoudrivedowntothewharfwithus，"theyheardtheelderbrotherask，"andseeourroyalsuite？"
　　Buttheyoungerbrotherlaughedhimtoscorn。
　　"What'syourroyalsuite，"hemocked，"toourroyalpalace？"
　　Anhourlater，hadtheboarderslistenedoutsidetheflatoftheheadclerk，theywouldhaveheardissuingfromhisbathroomthecoolingmurmurofrunningwaterandfromhisgramophonethejubilantnotesof"Alexander'sRag-timeBand。"
　　WheninhisprivateofficeCarrollwasmakingapresentoftheroyalsuitetotheheadclerk，inthemainofficeHastings，thejuniorpartner，wasaddressing"Champ"Thorne，thebondclerk。
　　Headdressedhimfamiliarlyandaffectionatelyas"Champ。"Thiswasduepartlytothefactthattwenty-sixyearsbeforeThornehadbeenchristenedChampneysandtothecoincidencethathehadcaptainedthefootballelevenofoneoftheBigThreetothechampionship。
　　"Champ，"saidMr。Hastings，"lastmonth，whenyouaskedmetoraiseyoursalary，thereasonIdidn'tdoitwasnotbecauseyoudidn'tdeserveit，butbecauseIbelievedifwegaveyouaraiseyou'dimmediatelygetmarried。"
　　Theshouldersoftheex-footballcaptainroseaggressively；hesnortedwithindignation。
　　"AndwhyshouldInotgetmarried？"hedemanded。"You'reafineonetotalk！You'rethemostoffensivelyhappymarriedmanIevermet。"
　　"PerhapsIknowIamhappybetterthanyoudo，"reprovedthejuniorpartner；"butIknowalsothatittakesmoneytosupportawife。"
　　"Youraisemetoahundredaweek，"urgedChamp，"andI'llmakeitsupportawifewhetheritsupportsmeornot。"
　　"Amonthago，"continuedHastings，"wecouldhavepromisedyouahundred，butwedidn'tknowhowlongwecouldpayit。Wedidn'twantyoutorushoffandmarrysomefinegirl——"
　　"Somefinegirl！"mutteredMr。Thorne。"Thefinestgirl！"
　　"Thefinerthegirl，"Hastingspointedout，"theharderitwouldhavebeenforyouifwehadfailedandyouhadlostyourjob。"
　　Theeyesoftheyoungmanopenedwithsympathyandconcern。
　　"Isitasbadasthat？"hemurmured。
　　Hastingssighedhappily。
　　"Itwas，"hesaid，"butthismorningtheYoungManofWallStreetdidusagoodturn——savedus——savedourcreditors，savedourhomes，savedourhonor。We'regoingtostartfreshandpayourdebts，andweagreedthefirstdebtwepaidwouldbethesmalloneweoweyou。
　　You'vebroughtusmorethanwe'vegiven，andifyou'llstaywithuswe'regoingto'see'yourfiftyandraiseitahundred。Whatdoyousay？"
　　YoungMr。Thorneleapedtohisfeet。Whathesaidwas："Where'nhell'smyhat？"
　　Butbythetimehehadfoundthehatandthedoorhemendedhismanners。
　　"Isay，'Thankyouathousandtimes，"'heshoutedoverhisshoulder。"Excuseme，butI'vegottogo。I'vegottobreakthenewsto——"
　　Hedidnotexplaintowhomhewasgoingtobreakthenews；butHastingsmusthaveguessed，foragainhesighedhappilyandthen，alittlehystericallylaughedaloud。Severalmonthshadpassedsincehehadlaughedaloud。
　　InhisanxietytobreakthenewsChampThornealmostbrokehisneck。Inhisexcitementhecouldnotrememberwhethertheredflashmeanttheelevatorwasgoingdownorcomingup，andsoonerthanwaittofindouthestartedtoracedowneighteenflightsofstairswhenfortunatelytheelevator-doorswungopen。
　　"Yougetfivedollars，"heannouncedtotheelevatorman，"ifyoudroptothestreetwithoutastop。Beatthespeedlimit！Actlikethebuildingisonfireandyou'retryingtosavemebeforetherooffalls。"
　　SenatorBarnesandhisentirefamily，whichwashisdaughterBarbara，wereattheRitz-Carlton。TheywereintowninAugustbecausetherewasameetingofthedirectorsoftheBrazilandCuyabaRubberCompany，ofwhichcompanySenatorBarneswaspresident。Itwasasecretmeeting。Thosedirectorswhowerekeepingcoolattheedgeoftheoceanhadbeensummonedbytelegraph；thosewhoweresteamingacrosstheocean，bywireless。
　　Upfromtheequatorhaddriftedthethreatofascandal，sickening，grim，terrible。Asyetitburnedbeneaththesurface，givingoutonlyanodor，butanodorasrankasburningrubberitself。Atanymomentitmightbreakintoflame。Forthedirectors，wasitthebetterwisdomtoletthescandalsmoulder，andtakeachance，ortobethefirsttogivethealarm，thefirsttoleadthewaytothehorrorandstampitout？
　　Itwastodecidethisthat，intheheatofAugust，thedirectorsandthepresidenthadforegathered。
　　ChampThorneknewnothingofthis；heknewonlythatbyamiracleBarbaraBarneswasintown；thatatlasthewasinapositiontoaskhertomarryhim；thatshewouldcertainlysayshewould。Thatwasallhecaredtoknow。
　　Ayearbeforehehadissuedhisdeclarationofindependence。
　　Beforehecouldmarry，hetoldher，hemustbeabletosupportawifeonwhatheearned，withoutherhavingtoacceptmoneyfromherfather，anduntilhereceived"aminimumwage"offivethousanddollarstheymustwait。
　　"Whatisthematterwithmyfather'smoney？"Barbarahaddemanded。
　　Thornehadevadedthedirectquestion。
　　"Thereistoomuchofit，"hesaid。
　　"Doyouobjecttothewayhemakesit？"insistedBarbara。"Becauserubberismostuseful。Youputitingolfballsandautotiresandgaloshes。Thereisnothingsoperfectlyrespectableasgaloshes。
　　Andwhatisthere'tainted'aboutaraincoat？"
　　Thorneshookhisheadunhappily。
　　"It'snotthefinishedproducttowhichIrefer，"hestammered；"it'sthewaytheygettherawmaterial。"
　　"Theygetitoutoftrees，"saidBarbara。Thensheexclaimedwithenlightenment——"Oh！"shecried，"youarethinkingoftheCongo。
　　Thereitisterrible！Thatisslavery。ButtherearenoslavesontheAmazon。Thenativesarefreeandtheworkiseasy。TheyjusttapthetreesthewaythefarmersgathersugarinVermont。Fatherhastoldmeaboutitoften。"
　　Thornehadmadenocomment。Hecouldabuseafriend，ifthefriendwereamongthosepresent，butdenouncinganyonehedislikedasheartilyashedislikedSenatorBarneswasapublicservicehepreferredtoleavetoothers。Andheknewbesidesthatifthefathershelovedandthemansheloveddistrustedeachother，Barbarawouldnotrestuntilshelearnedthereasonwhy。
　　Oneday，inanewspaper，BarbarareadofthePujuMayoatrocities，oftheIndianslavesinthejunglesandbackwatersoftheAmazon，whoareofferedupassacrificesto"redrubber。"Shecarriedthepapertoherfather。Whatitsaid，herfathertoldher，wasuntrue，andifitweretrueitwasthefirsthehadheardofit。
　　SenatorBarneslovedthegoodthingsoflife，butthethinghelovedmostwashisdaughter；thethinghevaluedthehighestwashergoodopinion。Sowhenforthefirsttimeshelookedathimindoubt，heassuredherheatoncewouldorderaninvestigation。
　　"But，ofcourse，"headded，"itwillbemanymonthsbeforeouragentscanreport。OntheAmazonnewstravelsveryslowly。"
　　Intheeyesofhisdaughterthedoubtstilllingered。
　　"Iamafraid，"shesaid，"thatthatistrue。"
　　ThatwassixmonthsbeforethedirectorsoftheBrazilandCuyabaRubberCompanyweresummonedtomeettheirpresidentathisroomsintheRitz-Carlton。Theywereduetoarriveinhalfanhour，andwhileSenatorBarnesawaitedtheircomingBarbaracametohim。Inhereyeswasalightthathelpedtotellthegreatnews。Itgavehimasharp，jealouspang。Hewantedatoncetoplayapartinherhappiness，tomakehergratefultohim，notalonetothisstrangerwhowastakingheraway。Sofearfulwashethatshewouldshuthimoutofherlifethathadsheaskedforhalfhiskingdomhewouldhavepartedwithit。
　　"Andbesidesgivingmyconsent，"saidtherubberking，"forwhichnooneseemstohaveasked，whatcanIgivemylittlegirltomakeherrememberheroldfather？Somediamondstoputonherhead，orpearlstohangaroundherneck，ordoesshewantavacantlotonFifthAvenue？"
　　ThelovelyhandsofBarbararesteduponhisshoulders；herlovelyfacewasraisedtohis；herlovelyeyeswereappealing，andalittlefrightened。
　　"Whatwouldoneofthosethingscost？"askedBarbara。
　　Thequestionwaseminentlypractical。Itcamewithinthescopeofthesenator'sunderstanding。Afterall，hewasnottobecastintoouterdarkness。Hissmilewascomplacent。Heansweredairily：
　　"Anythingyoulike，"hesaid；"amilliondollars？"
　　Thefingerscloseduponhisshoulders。Theeyes，stillfrightened，stillsearchedhisinappeal。
　　"Then，formywedding-present，"saidthegirl，"IwantyoutotakethatmilliondollarsandsendanexpeditiontotheAmazon。AndI
　　willchoosethemen。Menunafraid；mennotafraidoffeverorsuddendeath；notafraidtotellthetruth——eventoyou。Andalltheworldwillknow。Andthey——Imeanyou——willsetthosepeoplefree！"
　　SenatorBarnesreceivedthedirectorswithanembarrassmentwhichheconcealedunderamannerofjustindignation。
　　"Mymindismadeup，"hetoldthem。"Existingconditionscannotcontinue。Andtothatend，atmyownexpense，IamsendinganexpeditionacrossSouthAmerica。Itwillinvestigate，punish，andestablishreforms。Isuggest，onaccountofthisdamnedheat，wedonowadjourn。"
　　Thatnight，overonLongIsland，Carrolltoldhiswifeall，ornearlyall。Hedidnottellherabouttheautomaticpistol。Andtogetherontiptoetheycrepttothenurseryandlookeddownattheirsleepingchildren。Whensherosefromherkneesthemothersaid："ButhowcanIthankhim？"
　　By"him"shemeanttheYoungManofWallStreet。
　　"Younevercanthankhim，"saidCarroll；"that'stheworstofit。"
　　Butafteralongsilencethemothersaid："Iwillsendhimaphotographofthechildren。Doyouthinkhewillunderstand？"
　　DownatSeabright，Hastingsandhiswifewalkedinthesunkengarden。Themoonwassobrightthattherosesstillheldtheircolor。
　　"Iwouldliketothankhim，"saidtheyoungwife。ShemeanttheYoungManofWallStreet。"Butforhimwewouldhavelostthis。"
　　Hereyescaressedthegarden，thefruit-trees，thehousewithwide，hospitableverandas。"To-morrowIwillsendhimsomeoftheseroses，"saidtheyoungwife。"Willheunderstandthattheymeanourhome？"
　　Atascandalouslylatehour，inascandalousspiritofindependence，ChampThorneandBarbaraweredrivingaroundCentralParkinataxicab。
　　"HowstrangelytheLordmoves，hiswonderstoperform，"misquotedBarbara。"HadnottheYoungManofWallStreetsavedMr。Hastings，Mr。Hastingscouldnothaveraisedyoursalary；youwouldnothaveaskedmetomarryyou，andhadyounotaskedmetomarryyou，fatherwouldnothavegivenmeawedding-present，and——"
　　"And，"saidChamp，takingupthetale，"thousandsofslaveswouldstillbeburiedinthejungles，hiddenawayfromtheirwivesandchildrenandthelightofthesunandtheirfellowmen。Theystillwouldbedyingoffever，starvation，tortures。"
　　Hetookherhandinbothofhisandheldherfinger-tipsagainsthislips。
　　"Andtheywillneverknow，"hewhispered，"whentheirfreedomcomes，thattheyoweitalltoyou。"
　　OnHunter'sIsland，JimmieReederandhisbunkie，SamSturges，eachonhiscanvascot，tossedandtwisted。Theheat，themoonlight，andthemosquitoeswouldnotletthemeventhinkofsleep。
　　"Thatwasbully，"saidJimmie，"whatyoudidto-dayaboutsavingthatdog。Ifithadn'tbeenforyouhe'dha'drownded。"
　　"Hewouldnot！"saidSammywithpunctiliousregardforthetruth；
　　"itwasn'tdeepenough。"
　　"Well，thescout-masteroughttoknow，"arguedJimmie；"hesaiditwasthebest'onegoodturn'oftheday！"
　　ModestlySamshiftedthelime-lightsothatitfelluponhisbunkie。
　　"I'llbet，"hedeclaredloyally，"your'onegoodturn'wasabetterone！"
　　Jimmieyawned，andthenlaughedscornfully。
　　"Me！"hescoffed。"Ididn'tdonothing。Isentmysistertothemovies。"
　　"SOMEWHEREINFRANCE"
　　MarieGessler，knownasMarieChaumontel，Jeanned'Avrechy，theCountessd'Aurillac，wasGerman。Herfather，whoservedthroughtheFranco-PrussianWar，wasaGermanspy。ItwasfromhermothershelearnedtospeakFrenchsufficientlywelltosatisfyevenanAcademicianand，amongParisians，topassasone。Bothherparentsweredead。Beforetheydeparted，knowingtheycouldleavetheirdaughternothingsavetheirdebts，theyhadhadhertrainedasanurse。Butwhentheyweregone，MarieintheBerlinhospitalsplayedpolitics，intrigued，indiscriminatelymisusedtheappealing，violeteyes。Therewasascandal；severalscandals。Attheageoftwenty-fiveshewasdismissedfromtheMunicipalHospital，andasnow-saveforthevioleteyes——shewaswithoutresources，asacompagnondevoyagewithaGermandoctorshetravelledtoMonteCarlo。TheresheabandonedthedoctorforHenriRavignac，acaptainintheFrenchAviationCorps，who，whenhisleaveended，escortedhertoParis。
　　ThedutiesofCaptainRavignackepthiminbarracksneartheaviationfield，butMarieheestablishedinhisapartmentsontheBoulevardHaussmann。Onedayhebroughtfromthebarracksarollofblue-prints，andashewaslockingtheminadrawer，said：
　　"TheGermanswouldpaythroughthenoseforthose！"Theremarkwasindiscreet，butthenMariehadtoldhimshewasFrench，andanyonewouldhavebelievedher。
　　ThenextmorningthesamespiritofadventurethathadexiledherfromtheBerlinhospitalscarriedherwiththeblue-printstotheGermanembassy。There，greatlyshocked，theyfirstwrotedownhernameandaddress，andthen，indignantatherproposition，orderedherout。ButthedayfollowingastrangeyoungGermanwhowasnotatallindignant，but，onthecontrary，quitecharming，calleduponMarie。Fortheblue-printsheofferedheraverylargesum，andthatsamehourwiththemandMariedepartedforBerlin。Mariedidnotneedthemoney。Nordidtheargumentthatshewasservinghercountrygreatlyimpressher。Itwasratherthatshelovedintrigue。
　　Andsoshebecameaspy。
　　HenriRavignac，themanshehadrobbedoftheblue-prints，wastriedbycourt-martial。Thechargewastreason，butCharlesRavignac，hisyoungerbrother，promisedtoprovethattheguiltyonewasthegirl，andtothatendobtainedleaveofabsenceandspentmuchtimeandmoney。AtthetrialhewasabletoshowtherecordofMarieinBerlinandMonteCarlo；thatshewasthedaughterofaGermansecretagent；thatontheafternoontheprintsdisappearedMarie，withanagentoftheGermanembassy，hadleftParisforBerlin。
　　Inconsequenceofthisthechargeofsellingmilitarysecretswasalteredtooneof"grossneglect，"andHenriRavignacwassentencedtotwoyearsinthemilitaryprisonatTours。Buthewasofanancientandnoblefamily，andwhentheycametotakehimfromhiscellintheCherche-Midi，hewasdead。Charles，hisbrother，disappeared。Itwassaidhealsohadkilledhimself；thathehadbeenappointedamilitaryattacheinSouthAmerica；thattorevengehisbrotherhehadenteredthesecretservice；butwhateverbecameofhimnooneknew。Allthatwascertainwasthat，thankstotheactofMarieGessler，ontherollsoftheFrencharmytheancientandnoblenameofRavignacnolongerappeared。
　　InherchosenprofessionMarieGesslerfoundnothingdiscreditable。
　　Ofherselfheropinionwasnothigh，andheropinionofmenwaslower。Forhersmilesshehadwatchedseveralsacrificehonor，duty，loyalty；andsheheldthemandtheirkindincontempt。Tolie，tocajole，torobmenofsecretstheythoughtimportant，andofsecretstheimportanceofwhichtheydidnotevenguess，wastohermerelyanintricateandexcitinggame。
　　Sheplayeditverywell。Sowellthatintheserviceheradvancewasrapid。OnimportantmissionsshewassenttoRussia，throughtheBalkans；eventotheUnitedStates。There，withcredentialsasanarmynurse，sheinspectedourmilitaryhospitalsandunobtrusivelyaskedmanyinnocentquestions。
　　WhenshebeggedtobeallowedtoworkinherbelovedParis，"they"toldherwhenwarcame"they"intendedtoplantherinsidethatcity，andthat，untilthen，thelessParisknewofherthebetter。
　　Butjustbeforethegreatwarbroke，toreportonwhichwayItalymightjump，shewassenttoRome，anditwasnotuntilSeptembershewasrecalled。ThetelegraminformedherthatherAuntElizabethwasill，andthatatonceshemustreturntoBerlin。
　　This，shelearnedfromthecodebookwrappedunderthecoverofherthermosbottle，meantthatshewastoreporttothegeneralcommandingtheGermanforcesatSoissons。
　　FromItalyshepassedthroughSwitzerland，and，afterleavingBasle，onmilitarytrainswasrushednorthtoLuxemburg，andthenwesttoLaon。Shewasaccompaniedbyhercompanion，Bertha，anelderlyandrespectable，evendistinguished-lookingfemale。Inthesecretservicehernumberwas528。TheirpassesfromthewarofficedescribedthemasnursesoftheGermanRedCross。OnlytheIntelligenceDepartmentknewtheirrealmission。Withher，also，asherchauffeur，wasayoungItaliansoldieroffortune，PaulAnfossi。HehadservedintheBelgianCongo，intheFrenchForeignLegioninAlgiers，andspokealltheEuropeanlanguages。
　　InRome，whereasawirelessoperatorhewasservingacommercialcompany，insellingMariecopiesofmessageshehadmemorized，Mariehadfoundhimuseful，andwhenwarcamesheobtainedforhim，fromtheWilhelmstrasse，thenumber292。FromLaon，inoneoftheautomobilesoftheGeneralStaff，thethreespiesweredrivenfirsttoSoissons，andthenalongtheroadtoMeauxandParis，tothevillageofNeufchelles。Theyarrivedatmidnight，andinachateauofoneoftheChampagneprinces，foundthecolonelcommandingtheIntelligenceBureau。Heacceptedtheircredentials，destroyedthem，andreplacedthemwithalaissez-
　　passersignedbythemayorofLaon。Thatdignitary，thecolonelexplained，tocitizensofLaonfleeingtoParisandthecoasthadissuedmanypasses。ButasnowbetweenLaonandParistherewerethreeGermanarmies，therefugeeshadbeenturnedbackandtheirpassesconfiscated。
　　"Fromamongthem，"saidtheofficer，"wehaveselectedoneforyou。ItisissuedtothewifeofCountd'Aurillac，acaptainofreserves，andheraunt，MadameBenet。Itasksforthoseladiesandtheirchauffeur，Briand，asafe-conductthroughtheFrenchmilitarylines。IfitgetsyouintoParisyouwilldestroyitandassumeanothername。TheCountd'Aurillacisnowwithhisregimentinthatcity。Ifhelearnedofthepresencethereofhiswife，hewouldseekher，andthatwouldnotbegoodforyou。So，ifyoureachParis，youwillbecomeaBelgianrefugee。Youarehigh-bornandrich。Yourchateauhasbeendestroyed。Butyouhavemoney。YouwillgiveliberallytotheRedCross。Youwillvolunteertonurseinthehospitals。Withyoursadstoryofilltreatmentbyus，withyourhighbirth，andyourknowledgeofnursing，whichyouacquired，ofcourse，onlyasanamateur，youshouldnotfinditdifficulttojointheLadiesofFrance，ortheAmericanAmbulance。WhatyoulearnfromthewoundedEnglishandFrenchofficersandtheFrenchdoctorsyouwillsendusthroughtheusualchannels。"
　　"WhendoIstart？"askedthewoman。
　　"Forafewdays，"explainedtheofficer，"youremaininthischateau。
　　Youwillkeepusinformedofwhatisgoingforwardafterwewithdraw。"
　　"Withdraw？"Itwasmoreofanexclamationthanaquestion。Mariewastoowelltrainedtoaskquestions。
　　"Wearetakingupanewposition，"saidtheofficer，"ontheAisne。"
　　Thewoman，incredulous，stared。
　　"AndwedonotenterParis？"
　　"Youdo，"returnedtheofficer。"Thatisallthatconcernsyou。
　　Wewilljoinyoulater——inthespring。Meanwhile，forthewinterweintrenchourselvesalongtheAisne。Inachimneyofthischateauwehavesetupawirelessoutfit。Weareleavingitintact。
　　ThechauffeurBriand——who，youmustexplaintotheFrench，youbroughtwithyoufromLaon，andwhohasbeenlonginyourservice——willtransmitwhateveryoudiscover。Wewishespeciallytoknowofanymovementtowardourleft。IftheyattackinfrontfromSoissons，weareprepared；butofanyattempttocrosstheOiseandtakeusinflankyoumustwarnus。"
　　Theofficerroseandhunguponhimselfhisfield-glasses，map-cases，andside-arms。
　　"Weleaveyounow，"hesaid。"WhentheFrencharriveyouwilltellthemyourreasonforhaltingatthischateauwasthattheowner，MonsieurIverney，andhisfamilyarefriendsofyourhusband。Youfoundushere，andwedetainedyou。Andsolongasyoucanusethewireless，makeexcusestoremain。IftheyoffertosendyouontoParis，tellthemyourauntistooilltotravel。"
　　"Buttheywillfindthewireless，"saidthewoman。"Theyaresuretousethetowersforobservation，andtheywillfindit。"
　　"Inthatcase，"saidtheofficer，"youwillsuggesttothemthatwefledinsuchhastewehadnotimetodismantleit。Ofcourse，youhadnoknowledgethatitexisted，or，asaloyalFrenchwoman，youwouldhaveatoncetoldthem。"Toemphasizehisnextwordstheofficerpointedather："Undernocircumstances，"hecontinued，"mustyoubesuspected。IftheyshouldtakeBriandintheact，shouldtheyhaveeventheleastdoubtconcerninghim，youmustrepudiatehimentirely。Ifnecessary，tokeepyourownskirtsclear，itwouldbeyourdutyyourselftodenouncehimasaspy。"
　　"Yourfirstorders，"saidthewoman，"weretotellthemBriandhadbeenlonginmyservice；thatIbroughthimfrommyhomeinLaon。"
　　"Hemightbeinyourserviceforyears，"returnedthecolonel，"andyounotknowhewasaGermanagent。"
　　"IftosavemyselfIinformuponhim，"saidMarie，"ofcourseyouknowyouwilllosehim。"
　　Theofficershruggedhisshoulders。"Awirelessoperator，"heretorted，"wecanreplace。Butforyou，andfortheserviceyouaretorenderinParis，wehavenosubstitute。Youmustnotbefoundout。Youareinvaluable。"
　　Thespyinclinedherhead。"Ithankyou，"shesaid。
　　Theofficersputteredindignantly。
　　"Itisnotacompliment，"heexclaimed；"itisanorder。Youmustnotbefoundout！"
　　WithdrawnsometwohundredyardsfromtheParisroad，thechateaustooduponawoodedhill。Exceptdirectlyinfront，treesofgreatheightsurroundedit。Thetipsoftheirbranchesbrushedthewindows；interlacing，theycontinueduntiltheyoverhungthewalloftheestate。Whereitranwiththeroadthewallgavewaytoaloftygateandironfence，throughwhichthosepassingcouldseeastretchofnobleturf，aswideasapolo-field，bordersofflowersdisappearingundertheshadowsofthetrees；
　　andthechateauitself，withitsterrace，itsmanywindows，itshigh-pitched，slopingroof，brokenbytowersandturrets。
　　Throughtheremainderofthenighttherecamefromtheroadtothoseinthechateautheroarandrumblingofthearmyinretreat。
　　Itmovedwithoutpanic，disorder，orhaste，butunceasingly。Notforaninstantwasthereabreathing-spell。Andwhenthesunrose，thethreespies——thetwowomenandthechauffeur——whointhegreatchateauwerenowalone，couldseeaswellashearthegraycolumnofsteelrollingpastbelowthem。
　　ThespiesknewthatthegraycolumnhadreachedClaye，hadstoodwithinfifteenmilesofParis，andthenuponParishadturneditsback。TheyknewalsothatthereverberationsfromthedirectionofMeaux，thateachmomentgrewmoreloudandsavage，weretheFrench"seventy-fives"whippingthegraycolumnforward。OfwhattheyfelttheGermansdidnotspeak。Insilencetheylookedateachother，andintheeyesofMariewasbitternessandresolve。
　　TowardnoonMariemetAnfossiinthegreatdrawing-roomthatstretchedthelengthoftheterraceandfromthewindowsofwhich，throughtheparkgates，theycouldseetheParisroad。
　　"This，thatispassingnow，"saidMarie，"isthelastofourrear-guard。
　　Gotoyourtower，"sheordered，"andsendwordthatexceptforstragglersandthewoundedourcolumnhasjustpassedthroughNeufchelIes，andthatanymomentweexpecttheFrench。"Sheraisedherhandimpressively。"Fromnow，"shewarned，"wespeakFrench，wethinkFrench，weareFrench！"
　　Anfossi，orBriand，asnowhecalledhimself，addressedherinthatlanguage。Histonewasbitter。"Pardonmylese-majesty，"hesaid，"butthischiefofyourIntelligenceDepartmentisadummerMensch。Heisthrowingawayavaluablelife。"
　　Marieexclaimedindismay。Sheplacedherhanduponhisarm，andthevioleteyesfilledwithconcern。
　　"Notyours！"sheprotested。
　　"Absolutely！"returnedtheItalian。"Icansendnothingbythisknapsackwirelessthattheywillnotlearnfromothers；fromairmen，Uhlans，thepeasantsinthefields。AndcertainlyIwillbecaught。
　　DeadIamdead，butaliveandinParistheopportunitiesareunending。
　　FromtheFrenchLegionEtrangerIhavemyhonorabledischarge。I
　　amanexpertwirelessoperatorandintheirSignalCorpsIcaneasilyfindaplace。Imagineme，then，ontheEiffelTower。FromtheairI
　　snatchnewsfromallofFrance，fromtheChannel，theNorthSea。
　　YouandIcouldworktogether，asinRome。Buthere，betweenthelines，withapassfromavillagesous-prefet，itisridiculous。Iamnotafraidtodie。Buttodiebecausesomeoneelseisstupid，thatishard。"
　　Marieclaspedhishandinbothofhers。
　　"Youmustnotspeakofdeath，"shecried；"youknowImustcarryoutmyorders，thatImustforceyoutotakethisrisk。Andyouknowthatthoughtofharmtoyoutorturesme！"
　　Quicklytheyoungmandisengagedhishand。Thewomanexclaimedwithanger。
　　"Whydoyoudoubtme？"shecried。
　　Briandprotestedvehemently。
　　"Idonotdoubtyou。"
　　"Myaffection，then？"InawhisperthatcarriedwithitthefeelingofacaressMarieaddedsoftly："Mylove？"
　　Theyoungmanprotestedmiserably。"Youmakeitveryhard，mademoiselle，"hecried。"Youaremysuperiorofficer，Iamyourservant。WhoamIthatIshouldsharewithothers——"
　　Thewomaninterruptedeagerly。
　　"Ah，youarejealous！"shecried。"Isthatwhyyouaresocruel？
　　ButwhenItellyouIloveyou，andonlyyou，canyounotfeelitisthetruth？"
　　Theyoungmanfrownedunhappily。
　　"Myduty，mademoiselle！"hestammered。
　　WithanexclamationofangerMarielefthim。Asthedoorslammedbehindher，theyoungmandrewadeepbreath。Onhisfacewastheexpressionofineffablerelief。
　　InthehallMariemetherelderlycompanion，Bertha，nowheraunt，MadameBenet。
　　"Iheardyouquarrelling，"Berthaprotested。"Itismostindiscreet。
　　ItisnotinthepartoftheCountessd'Aurillacthatshemakeslovetoherchauffeur。"
　　Marielaughednoiselesslyanddrewherfartherdownthehall。"Heisimbecile！"sheexclaimed。"Hewillkillmewithhissolemnfaceandhisconceit。Imakelovetohim——yes——thathemayworkthemorewillingly。Buthewillhavenoneofit。Heisjealousoftheothers。"
　　MadameBenetfrowned。
　　"Heresentstheothers，"shecorrected。"Idonotblamehim。Heisagentleman！"
　　"Andtheothers，"demandedMarie；"weretheynotofthemostnoblefamiliesofRome？"
　　"IamoldandIamugly，"saidBertha，"buttomeAnfossiisalwaysasconsiderateasheistoyouwhoaresobeautiful。"
　　"AnItaliangentleman，"returnedMarie，"doesnotserveinBelgianCongounlessitis——thechoiceofthatorthemarblequarries。"
　　"Idonotknowwhathispastmaybe，"sighedMadameBenet，"nordoIask。Heisonlyanumber，asyouandIareonlynumbers。
　　AndIbegyoutoletusworkinharmony。Atsuchatimeyourlove-affairsthreatenoursafety。Youmustwait。"
　　Marielaughedinsolently。"WiththeDuBarry，"sheprotested，"I
　　canboastthatIwaitfornoman。"
　　"No，"repliedtheolderwoman；"youpursuehim！"
　　Mariewouldhaveansweredsharply，butontheinstantherinterestwasdiverted。Foroneweek，bydayandnight，shehadlivedinaworldpeopledonlybyGermansoldiers。Besideherintherailroadcarriage，onthestationplatforms，atthewindowsofthetrainsthatpassedtheoneinwhichsherode，atthegradecrossings，onthebridges，intheroadsthatparalleledthetracks，chokingthestreetsofthevillagesandspreadoverthefieldsofgrain，shehadseenonlythegray-greenuniforms。Evenherprofessionaleyenolongerdistinguishedregimentfromregiment，dragoonfromgrenadier，UhlanfromHussarorLandsturm。
　　Stripes，insignia，numerals，badgesofrank，hadlosttheirmeaning。
　　Thosewhoworethemnolongerwereindividuals。Theywerenotevenhuman。Duringthethreelastdaystheautomobile，likeamotor-boatfightingthetide，hadcreptthroughagray-greenriverofmen，stained，asthoughfromthebanks，bymudandyellowclay。Andforhours，whilethecarwasblocked，andinfurytheengineracedandpurred，thegray-greenriverhadrolledpasther，slowlybutasinevitablyaslavadowntheslopeofavolcano，bearingonitssurfacefaceswithstaringeyes，thousandsandthousandsofeyes，somefierceandbloodshot，othersfilledwithweariness，homesickness，pain。Atnightshestillsawthem：
　　thewhitefacesunderthesweatanddust，theeyesdumb，inarticulate，askingtheanswer。ShehadbeensuffocatedbyGermansoldiers，bythemassofthem，engulfedandsmothered；shehadstifledinalandinhabitedonlybygray-greenghosts。
　　Andsuddenly，asthoughamiraclehadbeenwrought，shesawuponthelawn，ridingtowardher，amaninscarlet，blue，andsilver。Onemanridingalone。
　　Approachingwithconfidence，butalert；hisreinsfallen，hishandsnursinghiscarbine，hiseyessearchedtheshadowsofthetrees，theemptywindows，eventhesun-sweptsky。Hiswasthenewfaceatthedoor，thenewsteponthefloor。Andthespyknewhadshebeheldanarmycorpsitwouldhavebeennomoresignificant，nomoremenacing，thanthesolitarychasseurachevalscoutinginadvanceoftheenemy。
　　"Wearesaved！"exclaimedMarie，withirony。"Goquickly，"shecommanded，"tothebedroomonthesecondfloorthatopensuponthestaircase，sothatyoucanseeallwhopass。Youaretooilltotravel。Theymustfindyouinbed。"
　　"Andyou？"saidBertha。
　　"I，"criedMarierapturously，"hastentowelcomeourpreserver！"
　　Thepreserverwasapeasantlad。Underthewhitedusthischeekswereburnedabrown-red，hiseyes，honestandblue，throughmuchstaringattheskiesandathorizonlines，werepuckeredandencircledwithtinywrinkles。Responsibilityhadmadehimolderthanhisyears，andinspeechbrief。Withthebeautifulladywhowithtearsofjoyrantogreethim，andwhoinanecstasyofhappinesspressedhercheekagainstthenoseofhishorse，hewasunimpressed。Hereturnedtoherherpapersandgravelyechoedheranswerstohisquestions。"Thischateau，"herepeated，"wasoccupiedbytheirGeneralStaff；theyhaveleftnowoundedhere；
　　yousawthelastofthempassahalf-hoursince。"Hegathereduphisreins。
　　Marieshriekedinalarm。"Youwillnotleaveus？"shecried。