“Thereisnohelpforit，“Mrs。Sampsonrepeated，“butifIAMachurchmember，Iwouldn'tbesosorryifitruinedElizaBlack。
Well，good-day，Mrs。Manstey；I'mgladtofindyousocomfortable。“
Socomfortable——socomfortable！Lefttoherselftheoldwomanturnedoncemoretothewindow。Howlovelytheviewwasthatday！Theblueskywithitsroundcloudsshedabrightnessovereverything；theailanthushadputonatingeofyellow-green，thehyacinthswerebudding，themagnoliaflowerslookedmorethaneverlikerosettescarvedinalabaster。Soonthewistariawouldbloom，thenthehorse-chestnut；butnotforher。Betweenhereyesandthemabarrierofbrickandmortarwouldswiftlyrise；
presentlyeventhespirewoulddisappear，andallherradiantworldbeblottedout。Mrs。Mansteysentawayuntouchedthedinner-traybroughttoherthatevening。Shelingeredinthewindowuntilthewindysunsetdiedinbat-coloreddusk；then，goingtobed，shelaysleeplessallnight。
Earlythenextdayshewasupandatthewindow。Itwasraining，buteventhroughtheslantinggraygauzethescenehaditscharm——
andthentherainwassogoodforthetrees。Shehadnoticedthedaybeforethattheailanthuswasgrowingdusty。
“OfcourseImightmove，“saidMrs。Mansteyaloud，andturningfromthewindowshelookedaboutherroom。Shemightmove，ofcourse；somightshebeflayedalive；butshewasnotlikelytosurviveeitheroperation。Theroom，thoughfarlessimportanttoherhappinessthantheview，wasasmuchapartofherexistence。
Shehadlivedinitseventeenyears。Shekneweverystainonthewall-paper，everyrentinthecarpet；thelightfellinacertainwayonherengravings，herbookshadgrownshabbyontheirshelves，herbulbsandivywereusedtotheirwindowandknewwhichwaytoleantothesun。“Wearealltoooldtomove，“shesaid。
Thatafternoonitcleared。Wetandradiantthebluereappearedthroughtornragsofcloud；theailanthussparkled；theearthintheflower-borderslookedrichandwarm。ItwasThursday，andonMondaythebuildingoftheextensionwastobegin。
OnSundayafternoonacardwasbroughttoMrs。Black，asshewasengagedingatheringupthefragmentsoftheboarders'dinnerinthebasement。Thecard，black-edged，boreMrs。Manstey'sname。
“OneofMrs。Sampson'sboarders；wantstomove，Isuppose。Well，Icangiveheraroomnextyearintheextension。Dinah，“saidMrs。Black，“telltheladyI'llbeupstairsinaminute。“
Mrs。BlackfoundMrs。Mansteystandinginthelongparlorgarnishedwithstatuettesandantimacassars；inthathouseshecouldnotsitdown。
Stoopinghurriedlytoopentheregister，whichletoutacloudofdust，Mrs。Blackadvancedonhervisitor。
“I'mhappytomeetyou，Mrs。Manstey；takeaseat，please，“thelandladyremarkedinherprosperousvoice，thevoiceofawomanwhocanaffordtobuildextensions。Therewasnohelpforit；
Mrs。Mansteysatdown。
“IsthereanythingIcandoforyou，ma'am？”Mrs。Blackcontinued。“Myhouseisfullatpresent，butIamgoingtobuildanextension，and——“
“ItisabouttheextensionthatIwishtospeak，“saidMrs。
Manstey，suddenly。“Iamapoorwoman，Mrs。Black，andIhaveneverbeenahappyone。Ishallhavetotalkaboutmyselffirstto——tomakeyouunderstand。“
Mrs。Black，astonishedbutimperturbable，bowedatthisparenthesis。
“IneverhadwhatIwanted，“Mrs。Mansteycontinued。“Itwasalwaysonedisappointmentafteranother。ForyearsIwantedtoliveinthecountry。Idreamedanddreamedaboutit；butwenevercouldmanageit。Therewasnosunnywindowinourhouse，andsoallmyplantsdied。Mydaughtermarriedyearsagoandwentaway——besides，shenevercaredforthesamethings。ThenmyhusbanddiedandIwasleftalone。Thatwasseventeenyearsago。
IwenttoliveatMrs。Sampson's，andIhavebeenthereeversince。Ihavegrownalittleinfirm，asyousee，andIdon'tgetoutoften；onlyonfinedays，ifIamfeelingverywell。Soyoucanunderstandmysittingagreatdealinmywindow——thebackwindowonthethirdfloor——“
“Well，Mrs。Manstey，“saidMrs。Black，liberally，“Icouldgiveyouabackroom，Idaresay；oneofthenewroomsintheex——“
“ButIdon'twanttomove；Ican'tmove，“saidMrs。Manstey，almostwithascream。“AndIcametotellyouthatifyoubuildthatextensionIshallhavenoviewfrommywindow——noview！Doyouunderstand？”
Mrs。Blackthoughtherselffacetofacewithalunatic，andshehadalwaysheardthatlunaticsmustbehumored。
“Dearme，dearme，“sheremarked，pushingherchairbackalittleway，“thatistoobad，isn'tit？Why，Ineverthoughtofthat。
Tobesure，theextensionWILLinterferewithyourview，Mrs。
Manstey。“
“Youdounderstand？”Mrs。Mansteygasped。
“OfcourseIdo。AndI'mrealsorryaboutit，too。Butthere，don'tyouworry，Mrs。Manstey。Iguesswecanfixthatallright。“
Mrs。Mansteyrosefromherseat，andMrs。Blackslippedtowardthedoor。
“Whatdoyoumeanbyfixingit？DoyoumeanthatIcaninduceyoutochangeyourmindabouttheextension？Oh，Mrs。Black，listentome。IhavetwothousanddollarsinthebankandI
couldmanage，IknowIcouldmanage，togiveyouathousandif——“
Mrs。Mansteypaused；thetearswererollingdownhercheeks。
“There，there，Mrs。Manstey，don'tyouworry，“repeatedMrs。
Black，soothingly。“Iamsurewecansettleit。IamsorrythatIcan'tstayandtalkaboutitanylonger，butthisissuchabusytimeofday，withsuppertoget——“
Herhandwasonthedoor-knob，butwithsuddenvigorMrs。Mansteyseizedherwrist。
“Youarenotgivingmeadefiniteanswer。Doyoumeantosaythatyouacceptmyproposition？”
“Why，I'llthinkitover，Mrs。Manstey，certainlyIwill。I
wouldn'tannoyyoufortheworld——“
“Buttheworkistobeginto-morrow，Iamtold，“Mrs。Mansteypersisted。
Mrs。Blackhesitated。“Itshan'tbegin，Ipromiseyouthat；I'llsendwordtothebuilderthisverynight。“Mrs。Mansteytightenedherhold。
“Youarenotdeceivingme，areyou？”shesaid。
“No——no，“stammeredMrs。Black。“Howcanyouthinksuchathingofme，Mrs。Manstey？”
SlowlyMrs。Manstey'sclutchrelaxed，andshepassedthroughtheopendoor。“Onethousanddollars，“sherepeated，pausinginthehall；thensheletherselfoutofthehouseandhobbleddownthesteps，supportingherselfonthecast-ironrailing。
“Mygoodness，“exclaimedMrs。Black，shuttingandboltingthehall-door，“Ineverknewtheoldwomanwascrazy！Andshelookssoquietandladylike，too。“
Mrs。Mansteysleptwellthatnight，butearlythenextmorningshewasawakenedbyasoundofhammering。Shegottoherwindowwithwhathasteshemightand，lookingoutsawthatMrs。Black'syardwasfullofworkmen。Somewerecarryingloadsofbrickfromthekitchentotheyard，othersbeginningtodemolishtheold-
fashionedwoodenbalconywhichadornedeachstoryofMrs。Black'shouse。Mrs。Mansteysawthatshehadbeendeceived。AtfirstshethoughtofconfidinghertroubletoMrs。Sampson，butasettleddiscouragementsoontookpossessionofherandshewentbacktobed，notcaringtoseewhatwasgoingon。
Towardafternoon，however，feelingthatshemustknowtheworst，sheroseanddressedherself。Itwasalaborioustask，forherhandswerestifferthanusual，andthehooksandbuttonsseemedtoevadeher。
Whensheseatedherselfinthewindow，shesawthattheworkmenhadremovedtheupperpartofthebalcony，andthatthebrickshadmultipliedsincemorning。Oneofthemen，acoarsefellowwithabloatedface，pickedamagnoliablossomand，aftersmellingit，threwittotheground；thenextman，carryingaloadofbricks，trodontheflowerinpassing。
“Lookout，Jim，“calledoneofthementoanotherwhowassmokingapipe，“ifyouthrowmatchesaroundnearthosebarrelsofpaperyou'llhavetheoldtinder-boxburningdownbeforeyouknowit。“
AndMrs。Manstey，leaningforward，perceivedthattherewereseveralbarrelsofpaperandrubbishunderthewoodenbalcony。
Atlengththeworkceasedandtwilightfell。Thesunsetwasperfectandaroseatelight，transfiguringthedistantspire，lingeredlateinthewest。WhenitgrewdarkMrs。Mansteydrewdowntheshadesandproceeded，inherusualmethodicalmanner，tolightherlamp。Shealwaysfilledandlititwithherownhands，keepingakettleofkeroseneonazinc-coveredshelfinacloset。
Asthelamp-lightfilledtheroomitassumeditsusualpeacefulaspect。Thebooksandpicturesandplantsseemed，liketheirmistress，tosettlethemselvesdownforanotherquietevening，andMrs。Manstey，aswasherwont，drewupherarmchairtothetableandbegantoknit。
Thatnightshecouldnotsleep。Theweatherhadchangedandawildwindwasabroad，blottingthestarswithclose-drivenclouds。Mrs。Mansteyroseonceortwiceandlookedoutofthewindow；butoftheviewnothingwasdiscerniblesaveatardylightortwointheoppositewindows。Theselightsatlastwentout，andMrs。Manstey，whohadwatchedfortheirextinction，begantodressherself。Shewasinevidenthaste，forshemerelyflungathindressing-gownoverhernight-dressandwrappedherheadinascarf；thensheopenedherclosetandcautiouslytookoutthekettleofkerosene。Havingslippedabundleofwoodenmatchesintoherpocketsheproceeded，withincreasingprecautions，tounlockherdoor，andafewmomentslatershewasfeelingherwaydownthedarkstaircase，ledbyaglimmerofgasfromthelowerhall。Atlengthshereachedthebottomofthestairsandbeganthemoredifficultdescentintotheutterdarknessofthebasement。Here，however，shecouldmovemorefreely，astherewaslessdangerofbeingoverheard；andwithoutmuchdelayshecontrivedtounlocktheirondoorleadingintotheyard。Agustofcoldwindsmoteherasshesteppedoutandgropedshiveringlyundertheclothes-lines。
Thatmorningatthreeo'clockanalarmoffirebroughttheenginestoMrs。Black'sdoor，andalsobroughtMrs。Sampson'sstartledboarderstotheirwindows。ThewoodenbalconyatthebackofMrs。Black'shousewasablaze，andamongthosewhowatchedtheprogressoftheflameswasMrs。Manstey，leaninginherthindressing-gownfromtheopenwindow。
Thefire，however，wassoonputout，andthefrightenedoccupantsofthehouse，whohadfledinscantattire，reassembledatdawntofindthatlittlemischiefhadbeendonebeyondthecrackingofwindowpanesandsmokingofceilings。Infact，thechiefsuffererbythefirewasMrs。Manstey，whowasfoundinthemorninggaspingwithpneumonia，anotunnaturalresult，aseveryoneremarked，ofherhavinghungoutofanopenwindowatherageinadressing-gown。Itwaseasytoseethatshewasveryill，butnoonehadguessedhowgravethedoctor'sverdictwouldbe，andthefacesgatheredthateveningaboutMrs。Sampson'stablewereawestruckanddisturbed。NotthatanyoftheboardersknewMrs。Mansteywell；she“kepttoherself，“astheysaid，andseemedtofancyherselftoogoodforthem；butthenitisalwaysdisagreeabletohaveanyonedyinginthehouseand，asoneladyobservedtoanother：“Itmightjustaswellhavebeenyouorme，mydear。“
ButitwasonlyMrs。Manstey；andshewasdying，asshehadlived，lonelyifnotalone。Thedoctorhadsentatrainednurse，andMrs。Sampson，withmuffledstep，cameinfromtimetotime；
butboth，toMrs。Manstey，seemedremoteandunsubstantialasthefiguresinadream。Alldayshesaidnothing；butwhenshewasaskedforherdaughter'saddresssheshookherhead。Attimesthenursenoticedthatsheseemedtobelisteningattentivelyforsomesoundwhichdidnotcome；thenagainshedozed。
Thenextmorningatdaylightshewasverylow。ThenursecalledMrs。Sampsonandasthetwobentovertheoldwomantheysawherlipsmove。
“Liftmeup——outofbed，“shewhispered。
Theyraisedherintheirarms，andwithherstiffhandshepointedtothewindow。
“Oh，thewindow——shewantstositinthewindow。Sheusedtositthereallday，“Mrs。Sampsonexplained。“Itcandohernoharm，Isuppose？”
“Nothingmattersnow，“saidthenurse。
TheycarriedMrs。Mansteytothewindowandplacedherinherchair。Thedawnwasabroad，ajubilantspringdawn；thespirehadalreadycaughtagoldenray，thoughthemagnoliaandhorse-
chestnutstillslumberedinshadow。InMrs。Black'syardallwasquiet。Thecharredtimbersofthebalconylaywheretheyhadfallen。Itwasevidentthatsincethefirethebuildershadnotreturnedtotheirwork。Themagnoliahadunfoldedafewmoresculpturalflowers；theviewwasundisturbed。
ItwashardforMrs。Mansteytobreathe；eachmomentitgrewmoredifficult。Shetriedtomakethemopenthewindow，buttheywouldnotunderstand。Ifshecouldhavetastedtheair，sweetwiththepenetratingailanthussavor，itwouldhaveeasedher；
buttheviewatleastwasthere——thespirewasgoldennow，theheavenshadwarmedfrompearltoblue，daywasalightfromeasttowest，eventhemagnoliahadcaughtthesun。
Mrs。Manstey'sheadfellbackandsmilingshedied。
Thatdaythebuildingoftheextensionwasresumed。
TheEndTHEBOLTEDDOOR
asfirstpublishedinScribner'sMagazine，March1909
I
HubertGranice，pacingthelengthofhispleasantlamp-litlibrary，pausedtocomparehiswatchwiththeclockonthechimney-piece。
Threeminutestoeight。
InexactlythreeminutesMr。PeterAscham，oftheeminentlegalfirmofAschamandPettilow，wouldhavehispunctualhandonthedoor-belloftheflat。ItwasacomforttoreflectthatAschamwassopunctual——thesuspensewasbeginningtomakehishostnervous。Andthesoundofthedoor-bellwouldbethebeginningoftheend——afterthatthere'dbenogoingback，byGod——nogoingback！
Graniceresumedhispacing。EachtimehereachedtheendoftheroomoppositethedoorhecaughthisreflectionintheFlorentinemirrorabovethefineoldwalnutcredencehehadpickedupatDijon——sawhimselfspare，quick-moving，carefullybrushedanddressed，butfurrowed，grayaboutthetemples，withastoopwhichhecorrectedbyaspasmodicstraighteningoftheshoulderswheneveraglassconfrontedhim：atiredmiddle-agedman，baffled，beaten，wornout。
Ashesummedhimselfupthusforthethirdorfourthtimethedooropenedandheturnedwithathrillofrelieftogreethisguest。Butitwasonlytheman-servantwhoentered，advancingsilentlyoverthemossysurfaceoftheoldTurkeyrug。
“Mr。Aschamtelephones，sir，tosayhe'sunexpectedlydetainedandcan'tbeheretilleight-thirty。“
Granicemadeacurtgestureofannoyance。Itwasbecomingharderandharderforhimtocontrolthesereflexes。Heturnedonhisheel，tossingtotheservantoverhisshoulder：“Verygood。Putoffdinner。“
Downhisspinehefelttheman'sinjuredstare。Mr。Granicehadalwaysbeensomild-spokentohispeople——nodoubttheoddchangeinhismannerhadalreadybeennoticedanddiscussedbelowstairs。Andverylikelytheysuspectedthecause。Hestooddrummingonthewriting-tabletillheheardtheservantgoout；
thenhethrewhimselfintoachair，proppinghiselbowsonthetableandrestinghischinonhislockedhands。
Anotherhalfhouralonewithit！
Hewonderedirritablywhatcouldhavedetainedhisguest。Someprofessionalmatter，nodoubt——thepunctiliouslawyerwouldhaveallowednothinglesstointerferewithadinnerengagement，moreespeciallysinceGranice，inhisnote，hadsaid：“Ishallwantalittlebusinesschatafterward。“
Butwhatprofessionalmattercouldhavecomeupatthatunprofessionalhour？Perhapssomeothersoulinmiseryhadcalledonthelawyer；and，afterall，Granice'snotehadgivennohintofhisownneed！NodoubtAschamthoughthemerelywantedtomakeanotherchangeinhiswill。Sincehehadcomeintohislittleproperty，tenyearsearlier，Granicehadbeenperpetuallytinkeringwithhiswill。
Suddenlyanotherthoughtpulledhimup，sendingaflushtohissallowtemples。Herememberedawordhehadtossedtothelawyersomesixweeksearlier，attheCenturyClub。“Yes——myplay'sasgoodastaken。Ishallbecallingonyousoontogooverthecontract。Thosetheatricalchapsaresoslippery——Iwon'ttrustanybodybutyoutotietheknotforme！”That，ofcourse，waswhatAschamwouldthinkhewaswantedfor。Granice，attheidea，brokeintoanaudiblelaugh——aqueerstage-laugh，likethecackleofabaffledvillaininamelodrama。Theabsurdity，theunnaturalnessofthesoundabashedhim，andhecompressedhislipsangrily。Wouldhetaketosoliloquynext？
Heloweredhisarmsandpulledopentheupperdrawerofthewriting-table。Intheright-handcornerlayathickmanuscript，boundinpaperfolders，andtiedwithastringbeneathwhichaletterhadbeenslipped。Nexttothemanuscriptwasasmallrevolver。Granicestaredamomentattheseoddlyassociatedobjects；thenhetooktheletterfromunderthestringandslowlybegantoopenit。Hehadknownheshoulddosofromthemomenthishandtouchedthedrawer。Wheneverhiseyefellonthatlettersomerelentlessforcecompelledhimtore-readit。
Itwasdatedaboutfourweeksback，undertheletter-headof“TheDiversityTheatre。“
“MYDEARMR。GRANICE：
“Ihavegiventhemattermybestconsiderationforthelastmonth，andit'snouse——theplaywon'tdo。IhavetalkeditoverwithMissMelrose——andyouknowthereisn'tagamerartistonourstage——andIregrettotellyoushefeelsjustasIdoaboutit。
Itisn'tthepoetrythatscaresher——ormeeither。Webothwanttodoallwecantohelpalongthepoeticdrama——webelievethepublic'sreadyforit，andwe'rewillingtotakeabigfinancialriskinordertobethefirsttogivethemwhattheywant。BUT
WEDON'TBELIEVETHEYCOULDBEMADETOWANTTHIS。Thefactis，thereisn'tenoughdramainyourplaytotheallowanceofpoetry——
thethingdragsallthrough。You'vegotabigidea，butit'snotoutofswaddlingclothes。
“IfthiswasyourfirstplayI'dsay：TRYAGAIN。Butithasbeenjustthesamewithalltheothersyou'veshownme。Andyouremembertheresultof'TheLeeShore，'whereyoucarriedalltheexpensesofproductionyourself，andwecouldn'tfillthetheatreforaweek。Yet'TheLeeShore'wasamodernproblemplay——mucheasiertoswingthanblankverse。Itisn'tasifyouhadn'ttriedallkinds——“
Granicefoldedtheletterandputitcarefullybackintotheenvelope。Whyonearthwashere-readingit，whenhekneweveryphraseinitbyheart，whenforamonthpasthehadseenit，nightafternight，standoutinlettersofflameagainstthedarknessofhissleeplesslids？
“ITHASBEENJUSTTHESAMEWITHALLTHEOTHERSYOU'VESHOWNME。“
Thatwasthewaytheydismissedtenyearsofpassionateunremittingwork！
“YOUREMEMBERTHERESULTOF'THELEESHORE。'“
GoodGod——asifhewerelikelytoforgetit！Here-liveditallnowinadrowningflash：thepersistentrejectionoftheplay，hissuddenresolvetoputitonathisowncost，tospendtenthousanddollarsofhisinheritanceontestinghischanceofsuccess——thefeverofpreparation，thedry-mouthedagonyofthe“firstnight，“theflatfall，thestupidpress，hissecretrushtoEuropetoescapethecondolenceofhisfriends！
“ITISN'TASIFYOUHADN'TTRIEDALLKINDS。“
No——hehadtriedallkinds：comedy，tragedy，proseandverse，thelightcurtain-raiser，theshortsharpdrama，thebourgeois-
realisticandthelyrical-romantic——finallydecidingthathewouldnolonger“prostitutehistalent“towinpopularity，butwouldimposeonthepublichisowntheoryofartintheformoffiveactsofblankverse。Yes，hehadofferedthemeverything——
andalwayswiththesameresult。
Tenyearsofit——tenyearsofdoggedworkandunrelievedfailure。
Thetenyearsfromfortytofifty——thebesttenyearsofhislife！Andifonecountedtheyearsbefore，thesilentyearsofdreams，assimilation，preparation——thencallithalfaman'slife-time：halfaman'slife-timethrownaway！
Andwhatwashetodowiththeremaininghalf？Well，hehadsettledthat，thankGod！Heturnedandglancedanxiouslyattheclock。Tenminutespasteight——onlytenminuteshadbeenconsumedinthatstormyrushthroughhiswholepast！AndhemustwaitanothertwentyminutesforAscham。Itwasoneoftheworstsymptomsofhiscasethat，inproportionashehadgrowntoshrinkfromhumancompany，hedreadedmoreandmoretobealone……
ButwhythedevilwashewaitingforAscham？Whydidn'thecuttheknothimself？Sincehewassounutterablysickofthewholebusiness，whydidhehavetocallinanoutsidertoridhimofthisnightmareofliving？
Heopenedthedraweragainandlaidhishandontherevolver。Itwasasmallslimivorytoy——justtheinstrumentforatiredsufferertogivehimselfa“hypodermic“with。Graniceraiseditslowlyinonehand，whilewiththeotherhefeltunderthethinhairatthebackofhishead，betweentheearandthenape。Heknewjustwheretoplacethemuzzle：hehadoncegotayoungsurgeontoshowhim。Andashefoundthespot，andliftedtherevolvertoit，theinevitablephenomenonoccurred。Thehandthatheldtheweaponbegantoshake，thetremorcommunicateditselftohisarm，hisheartgaveawildleapwhichsentupawaveofdeadlynauseatohisthroat，hesmeltthepowder，hesickenedatthecrashofthebulletthroughhisskull，andasweatoffearbrokeoutoverhisforeheadandrandownhisquiveringface……
Helaidawaytherevolverwithanoathand，pullingoutacologne-scentedhandkerchief，passedittremulouslyoverhisbrowandtemples。Itwasnouse——heknewhecouldneverdoitinthatway。Hisattemptsatself-destructionwereasfutileashissnatchesatfame！Hecouldn'tmakehimselfareallife，andhecouldn'tgetridofthelifehehad。AndthatwaswhyhehadsentforAschamtohelphim……
Thelawyer，overtheCamembertandBurgundy，begantoexcusehimselfforhisdelay。
“Ididn'tliketosayanythingwhileyourmanwasabout——butthefactis，Iwassentforonaratherunusualmatter——“
“Oh，it'sallright，“saidGranicecheerfully。Hewasbeginningtofeeltheusualreactionthatfoodandcompanyproduced。Itwasnotanyrecoveredpleasureinlifethathefelt，butonlyadeeperwithdrawalintohimself。Itwaseasiertogoonautomaticallywiththesocialgesturesthantouncovertoanyhumaneyetheabysswithinhim。
“Mydearfellow，it'ssacrilegetokeepadinnerwaiting——
especiallytheproductionofanartistlikeyours。“Mr。AschamsippedhisBurgundyluxuriously。“Butthefactis，Mrs。Ashgrovesentforme。“
Graniceraisedhisheadwithaquickmovementofsurprise。Foramomenthewasshakenoutofhisself-absorption。
“MRS。ASHGROVE？”
Aschamsmiled。“Ithoughtyou'dbeinterested；Iknowyourpassionforcausescelebres。Andthispromisestobeone。Ofcourseit'soutofourlineentirely——wenevertouchcriminalcases。Butshewantedtoconsultmeasafriend。Ashgrovewasadistantconnectionofmywife's。And，byJove，itISaqueercase！”Theservantre-entered，andAschamsnappedhislipsshut。
Wouldthegentlemenhavetheircoffeeinthedining-room？
“No——serveitinthelibrary，“saidGranice，rising。Heledthewaybacktothecurtainedconfidentialroom。HewasreallycurioustohearwhatAschamhadtotellhim。
Whilethecoffeeandcigarswerebeingservedhefidgetedaboutthelibrary，glancingathisletters——theusualmeaninglessnotesandbills——andpickinguptheeveningpaper。Asheunfoldeditaheadlinecaughthiseye。
“ROSEMELROSEWANTSTO
PLAYPOETRY。
“THINKSSHEHASFOUNDHER
POET。“
Hereadonwithathumpingheart——foundthenameofayoungauthorhehadbarelyheardof，sawthetitleofaplay，a“poeticdrama，“dancebeforehiseyes，anddroppedthepaper，sick，disgusted。Itwastrue，then——sheWAS“game“——itwasnotthemannerbutthemattershemistrusted！
Graniceturnedtotheservant，whoseemedtobepurposelylingering。“Ishan'tneedyouthisevening，Flint。I'lllockupmyself。“
Hefanciedtheman'sacquiescenceimpliedsurprise。Whatwasgoingon，Flintseemedtowonder，thatMr。Graniceshouldwanthimoutoftheway？Probablyhewouldfindapretextforcomingbacktosee。Granicesuddenlyfelthimselfenvelopedinanetworkofespionage。
AsthedoorclosedhethrewhimselfintoanarmchairandleanedforwardtotakealightfromAscham'scigar。
“TellmeaboutMrs。Ashgrove，“hesaid，seemingtohimselftospeakstiffly，asifhislipswerecracked。
“Mrs。Ashgrove？Well，there'snotmuchtoTELL。“
“Andyoucouldn'tiftherewere？”Granicesmiled。
“Probablynot。Asamatteroffact，shewantedmyadviceaboutherchoiceofcounsel。Therewasnothingespeciallyconfidentialinourtalk。“
“Andwhat'syourimpression，nowyou'veseenher？”
“Myimpressionis，verydistinctly，THATNOTHINGWILLEVERBE
KNOWN。“
“Ah——？”Granicemurmured，puffingathiscigar。
“I'mmoreandmoreconvincedthatwhoeverpoisonedAshgroveknewhisbusiness，andwillconsequentlyneverbefoundout。That'sacapitalcigaryou'vegivenme。“
“Youlikeit？IgetthemoverfromCuba。“Graniceexaminedhisownreflectively。“ThenyoubelieveinthetheorythattheclevercriminalsneverAREcaught？”
“OfcourseIdo。Lookaboutyou——lookbackforthelastdozenyears——noneofthebigmurderproblemsareeversolved。“Thelawyerruminatedbehindhisbluecloud。“Why，taketheinstanceinyourownfamily：I'dforgottenIhadanillustrationathand！
TakeoldJosephLenman'smurder——doyousupposethatwilleverbeexplained？”
AsthewordsdroppedfromAscham'slipshishostlookedslowlyaboutthelibrary，andeveryobjectinitstaredbackathimwithastaleunescapablefamiliarity。Howsickhewasoflookingatthatroom！Itwasasdullasthefaceofawifeonehasweariedof。Heclearedhisthroatslowly；thenheturnedhisheadtothelawyerandsaid：“IcouldexplaintheLenmanmurdermyself。“
Ascham'seyekindled：hesharedGranice'sinterestincriminalcases。
“ByJove！You'vehadatheoryallthistime？It'soddyounevermentionedit。Goaheadandtellme。TherearecertainfeaturesintheLenmancasenotunlikethisAshgroveaffair，andyourideamaybeahelp。“
Granicepausedandhiseyerevertedinstinctivelytothetabledrawerinwhichtherevolverandthemanuscriptlaysidebyside。
WhatifheweretotryanotherappealtoRoseMelrose？Thenhelookedatthenotesandbillsonthetable，andthehorroroftakingupagainthelifelessroutineoflife——ofperformingthesameautomaticgesturesanotherday——displacedhisfleetingvision。
“Ihaven'tatheory。IKNOWwhomurderedJosephLenman。“
Aschamsettledhimselfcomfortablyinhischair，preparedforenjoyment。
“YouKNOW？Well，whodid？”helaughed。
“Idid，“saidGranice，rising。
HestoodbeforeAscham，andthelawyerlaybackstaringupathim。Thenhebrokeintoanotherlaugh。
“Why，thisisglorious！Youmurderedhim，didyou？Toinherithismoney，Isuppose？Betterandbetter！Goon，myboy！
Unbosomyourself！Tellmeallaboutit！Confessionisgoodforthesoul。“
Granicewaitedtillthelawyerhadshakenthelastpealoflaughterfromhisthroat；thenherepeateddoggedly：“Imurderedhim。“
Thetwomenlookedateachotherforalongmoment，andthistimeAschamdidnotlaugh。
“Granice！”
“Imurderedhim——togethismoney，asyousay。“
Therewasanotherpause，andGranice，withavagueunderlyingsenseofamusement，sawhisguest'slookchangefrompleasantrytoapprehension。
“What'sthejoke，mydearfellow？Ifailtosee。“
“It'snotajoke。It'sthetruth。Imurderedhim。“Hehadspokenpainfullyatfirst，asiftherewereaknotinhisthroat；
buteachtimeherepeatedthewordshefoundtheywereeasiertosay。
Aschamlaiddownhisextinctcigar。
“What'sthematter？Aren'tyouwell？Whatonearthareyoudrivingat？”
“I'mperfectlywell。ButImurderedmycousin，JosephLenman，andIwantitknownthatImurderedhim。“
“YOUWANTITKNOWN？”
“Yes。That'swhyIsentforyou。I'msickofliving，andwhenI
trytokillmyselfIfunkit。“Hespokequitenaturallynow，asiftheknotinhisthroathadbeenuntied。
“GoodLord——goodLord，“thelawyergasped。
“ButIsuppose，“Granicecontinued，“there'snodoubtthiswouldbemurderinthefirstdegree？I'msureofthechairifIownup？”
Aschamdrewalongbreath；thenhesaidslowly：“Sitdown，Granice。Let'stalk。“
II
Granicetoldhisstorysimply，connectedly。
Hebeganbyaquicksurveyofhisearlyyears——theyearsofdrudgeryandprivation。Hisfather，acharmingmanwhocouldneversay“no，“hadsosignallyfailedtosayitoncertainessentialoccasionsthatwhenhediedheleftanillegitimatefamilyandamortgagedestate。Hislawfulkinfoundthemselveshangingoveragulfofdebt，andyoungGranice，tosupporthismotherandsister，hadtoleaveHarvardandburyhimselfateighteeninabroker'soffice。Heloathedhiswork，andhewasalwayspoor，alwaysworriedandinill-health。Afewyearslaterhismotherdied，buthissister，anineffectualneurasthenic，remainedonhishands。Hisownhealthgaveout，andhehadtogoawayforsixmonths，andworkharderthaneverwhenhecameback。
Hehadnoknackforbusiness，noheadforfigures，nodimmestinsightintothemysteriesofcommerce。Hewantedtotravelandwrite——thosewerehisinmostlongings。Andastheyearsdraggedon，andhenearedmiddle-agewithoutmakinganymoremoney，oracquiringanyfirmerhealth，asickdespairpossessedhim。Hetriedwriting，buthealwayscamehomefromtheofficesotiredthathisbraincouldnotwork。Forhalftheyearhedidnotreachhisdimup-townflattillafterdark，andcouldonly“brushup“fordinner，andafterwardlieontheloungewithhispipe，whilehissisterdronedthroughtheeveningpaper。Sometimeshespentaneveningatthetheatre；orhedinedout，or，morerarely，strayedoffwithanacquaintanceortwoinquestofwhatisknownas“pleasure。“Andinsummer，whenheandKatewenttothesea-sideforamonth，hedozedthroughthedaysinutterweariness。Oncehefellinlovewithacharminggirl——butwhathadhetoofferher，inGod'sname？Sheseemedtolikehim，andincommondecencyhehadtodropoutoftherunning。Apparentlynoonereplacedhim，forshenevermarried，butgrewstoutish，grayish，philanthropic——yethowsweetshehadbeenwhenhehadfirstkissedher！Onemorewastedlife，hereflected……
Butthestagehadalwaysbeenhismaster-passion。Hewouldhavesoldhissoulforthetimeandfreedomtowriteplays！ItwasIN
HIM——hecouldnotrememberwhenithadnotbeenhisdeepest-
seatedinstinct。Astheyearspasseditbecameamorbid，arelentlessobsession——yetwitheveryyearthematerialconditionsweremoreandmoreagainstit。Hefelthimselfgrowingmiddle-
aged，andhewatchedthereflectionoftheprocessinhissister'swastedface。Ateighteenshehadbeenpretty，andasfullofenthusiasmashe。Nowshewassour，trivial，insignificant——shehadmissedherchanceoflife。Andshehadnoresources，poorcreature，wasfashionedsimplyfortheprimitivefunctionsshehadbeendeniedthechancetofulfil！Itexasperatedhimtothinkofit——andtoreflectthatevennowalittletravel，alittlehealth，alittlemoney，mighttransformher，makeheryounganddesirable……Thechieffruitofhisexperiencewasthatthereisnosuchfixedstateasageoryouth——
thereisonlyhealthasagainstsickness，wealthasagainstpoverty；andageoryouthastheoutcomeofthelotonedraws。
AtthispointinhisnarrativeGranicestoodup，andwenttoleanagainstthemantel-piece，lookingdownatAscham，whohadnotmovedfromhisseat，orchangedhisattitudeofrigidfascinatedattention。
“ThencamethesummerwhenwewenttoWrenfieldtobenearoldLenman——mymother'scousin，asyouknow。Someofthefamilyalwaysmountedguardoverhim——generallyanieceorso。Butthatyeartheywereallscattered，andoneoftheniecesofferedtolendushercottageifwe'drelieveherofdutyfortwomonths。
Itwasanuisanceforme，ofcourse，forWrenfieldistwohoursfromtown；butmymother，whowasaslavetofamilyobservances，hadalwaysbeengoodtotheoldman，soitwasnaturalweshouldbecalledon——andtherewasthesavingofrentandthegoodairforKate。Sowewent。
“YouneverknewJosephLenman？Well，picturetoyourselfanamoebaorsomeprimitiveorganismofthatsort，underaTitan'smicroscope。Hewaslarge，undifferentiated，inert——sinceIcouldrememberhimhehaddonenothingbuttakehistemperatureandreadtheChurchman。Oh，andcultivatemelons——thatwashishobby。Notvulgar，out-of-doormelons——hisweregrownunderglass。HehadmilesofitatWrenfield——hisbigkitchen-gardenwassurroundedbyblinkingbattalionsofgreen-houses。Andinnearlyallofthemmelonsweregrown——earlymelonsandlate，French，English，domestic——dwarfmelonsandmonsters：everyshape，colourandvariety。Theywerepettedandnursedlikechildren——astaffoftrainedattendantswaitedonthem。I'mnotsuretheydidn'thaveadoctortotaketheirtemperature——atanyratetheplacewasfullofthermometers。Andtheydidn'tsprawlonthegroundlikeordinarymelons；theyweretrainedagainsttheglasslikenectarines，andeachmelonhunginanetwhichsustaineditsweightandleftitfreeonallsidestothesunandair……
“ItusedtostrikemesometimesthatoldLenmanwasjustlikeoneofhisownmelons——thepale-fleshedEnglishkind。Hislife，apatheticandmotionless，hunginanetofgold，inanequablewarmventilatedatmosphere，highabovesordidearthlyworries。
Thecardinalruleofhisexistencewasnottolethimselfbe'worried。'……Irememberhisadvisingmetotryitmyself，onedaywhenIspoketohimaboutKate'sbadhealth，andherneedofachange。'Ineverletmyselfworry，'hesaidcomplacently。
'It'stheworstthingfortheliver——andyoulooktomeasifyouhadaliver。Takemyadviceandbecheerful。You'llmakeyourselfhappierandotherstoo。'Andallhehadtodowastowriteacheque，andsendthepoorgirloffforaholiday！
“Thehardestpartofitwasthatthemoneyhalf-belongedtousalready。Theoldskin-flintonlyhaditforlife，intrustforusandtheothers。ButhislifewasagooddealsounderthanmineorKate's——andonecouldpicturehimtakingextracareofitforthejokeofkeepinguswaiting。Ialwaysfeltthatthesightofourhungryeyeswasatonictohim。
“Well，ItriedtoseeifIcouldn'treachhimthroughhisvanity。
Iflatteredhim，feignedapassionateinterestinhismelons。
Andhewastakenin，andusedtodiscourseonthembythehour。
Onfinedayshewasdriventothegreen-housesinhispony-chair，andwaddledthroughthem，proddingandleeringatthefruit，likeafatTurkinhisseraglio。WhenhebraggedtomeoftheexpenseofgrowingthemIwasremindedofahideousoldLothariobraggingofwhathispleasurescost。Andtheresemblancewascompletedbythefactthathecouldn'teatasmuchasamouthfulofhismelons——hadlivedforyearsonbuttermilkandtoast。'But，afterall，it'smyonlyhobby——whyshouldn'tIindulgeit？'hesaidsentimentally。AsifI'deverbeenabletoindulgeanyofmine！
OnthekeepofthosemelonsKateandIcouldhavelivedlikegods……
“Onedaytowardtheendofthesummer，whenKatewastoounwelltodragherselfuptothebighouse，sheaskedmetogoandspendtheafternoonwithcousinJoseph。ItwasalovelysoftSeptemberafternoon——adaytolieunderaRomanstone-pine，withone'seyesonthesky，andletthecosmicharmoniesrushthroughone。
Perhapsthevisionwassuggestedbythefactthat，asIenteredcousinJoseph'shideousblackwalnutlibrary，Ipassedoneoftheunder-gardeners，ahandsomefull-throatedItalian，whodashedoutinsuchahurrythathenearlyknockedmedown。Irememberthinkingitqueerthatthefellow，whomIhadoftenseenaboutthemelon-houses，didnotbowtome，orevenseemtoseeme。
“CousinJosephsatinhisusualseat，behindthedarkenedwindows，hisfathandsfoldedonhisprotuberantwaistcoat，thelastnumberoftheChurchmanathiselbow，andnearit，onahugedish，afatmelon——thefattestmelonI'deverseen。AsIlookedatitIpicturedtheecstasyofcontemplationfromwhichImusthaverousedhim，andcongratulatedmyselfonfindinghiminsuchamood，sinceIhadmadeupmymindtoaskhimafavour。ThenI
noticedthathisface，insteadoflookingascalmasanegg-
shell，wasdistortedandwhimpering——andwithoutstoppingtogreetmehepointedpassionatelytothemelon。
“'Lookatit，lookatit——didyoueverseesuchabeauty？Suchfirmness——roundness——suchdelicioussmoothnesstothetouch？'Itwasasifhehadsaid'she'insteadof'it，'andwhenheputouthissenilehandandtouchedthemelonIpositivelyhadtolooktheotherway。
“Thenhetoldmewhathadhappened。TheItalianunder-gardener，whohadbeenspeciallyrecommendedforthemelon-houses——thoughitwasagainstmycousin'sprinciplestoemployaPapist——hadbeenassignedtothecareofthemonster：forithadrevealeditself，earlyinitsexistence，asdestinedtobecomeamonster，tosurpassitsplumpest，pulpiestsisters，carryoffprizesatagriculturalshows，andbephotographedandcelebratedineverygardeningpaperintheland。TheItalianhaddonewell——seemedtohaveasenseofresponsibility。Andthatverymorninghehadbeenorderedtopickthemelon，whichwastobeshownnextdayatthecountyfair，andtobringitinforMr。Lenmantogazeonitsblondevirginity。Butinpickingit，whathadthedamnedscoundrellyJesuitdonebutdropit——dropitcrashonthesharpspoutofawatering-pot，sothatitreceivedadeepgashinitsfirmpalerotundity，andwashenceforthbutabruised，ruined，fallenmelon？
“Theoldman'sragewasfearfulinitsimpotence——heshook，splutteredandstrangledwithit。HehadjusthadtheItalianupandhadsackedhimonthespot，withoutwagesorcharacter——hadthreatenedtohavehimarrestedifhewasevercaughtprowlingaboutWrenfield。'ByGod，andI'lldoit——I'llwritetoWashington——I'llhavethepauperscoundreldeported！I'llshowhimwhatmoneycando！'AslikelyasnottherewassomemurderousBlack-handbusinessunderit——itwouldbefoundthatthefellowwasamemberofa'gang。'ThoseItalianswouldmurderyouforaquarter。Hemeanttohavethepolicelookintoit……
Andthenhegrewfrightenedathisownexcitement。'ButImustcalmmyself，'hesaid。Hetookhistemperature，rangforhisdrops，andturnedtotheChurchman。HehadbeenreadinganarticleonNestorianismwhenthemelonwasbroughtin。Heaskedmetogoonwithit，andIreadtohimforanhour，inthedimcloseroom，withafatflybuzzingstealthilyaboutthefallenmelon。
“Allthewhileonephraseoftheoldman'sbuzzedinmybrainliketheflyaboutthemelon。'I'LLSHOWHIMWHATMONEYCANDO！'
Goodheaven！IfIcouldbutshowtheoldman！IfIcouldmakehimseehispowerofgivinghappinessasanewoutletforhismonstrousegotism！ItriedtotellhimsomethingaboutmysituationandKate's——spokeofmyill-health，myunsuccessfuldrudgery，mylongingtowrite，tomakemyselfaname——Istammeredoutanentreatyforaloan。'Icanguaranteetorepayyou，sir——
I'veahalf-writtenplayassecurity……'
“Ishallneverforgethisglassystare。Hisfacehadgrownassmoothasanegg-shellagain——hiseyespeeredoverhisfatcheekslikesentinelsoveraslipperyrampart。
“'Ahalf-writtenplay——aplayofYOURSassecurity？'Helookedatmealmostfearfully，asifdetectingthefirstsymptomsofinsanity。'Doyouunderstandanythingofbusiness？'heenquiredmildly。Ilaughedandanswered：'No，notmuch。'
“Heleanedbackwithclosedlids。'Allthisexcitementhasbeentoomuchforme，'hesaid。'Ifyou'llexcuseme，I'llprepareformynap。'AndIstumbledoutoftheroom，blindly，liketheItalian。“
Granicemovedawayfromthemantel-piece，andwalkedacrosstothetraysetoutwithdecantersandsoda-water。Hepouredhimselfatallglassofsoda-water，emptiedit，andglancedatAscham'sdeadcigar。
“Betterlightanother，“hesuggested。
Thelawyershookhishead，andGranicewentonwithhistale。Hetoldofhismountingobsession——howthemurderousimpulsehadwakedinhimontheinstantofhiscousin'srefusal，andhehadmutteredtohimself：“ByGod，ifyouwon't，I'llmakeyou。“Hespokemoretranquillyasthenarrativeproceeded，asthoughhisragehaddieddownoncetheresolvetoactonitwastaken。Heappliedhiswholemindtothequestionofhowtheoldmanwastobe“disposedof。“Suddenlyherememberedtheoutcry：“ThoseItalianswillmurderyouforaquarter！”Butnodefiniteprojectpresenteditself：hesimplywaitedforaninspiration。
Graniceandhissistermovedtotownadayortwoaftertheincidentofthemelon。Butthecousins，whohadreturned，kepttheminformedoftheoldman'scondition。Oneday，aboutthreeweekslater，Granice，ongettinghome，foundKateexcitedoverareportfromWrenfield。TheItalianhadbeenthereagain——hadsomehowslippedintothehouse，madehiswayuptothelibrary，and“usedthreateninglanguage。“Thehouse-keeperfoundcousinJosephgasping，thewhitesofhiseyesshowing“somethingawful。“
Thedoctorwassentfor，andtheattackwardedoff；andthepolicehadorderedtheItalianfromtheneighbourhood。
ButcousinJoseph，thereafter，languished，had“nerves，“andlosthistastefortoastandbutter-milk。Thedoctorcalledinacolleague，andtheconsultationamusedandexcitedtheoldman——
hebecameoncemoreanimportantfigure。Themedicalmenreassuredthefamily——toocompletely！——andtothepatienttheyrecommendedamorevarieddiet：advisedhimtotakewhatever“temptedhim。“Andsooneday，tremulously，prayerfully，hedecidedonatinybitofmelon。Itwasbroughtupwithceremony，andconsumedinthepresenceofthehouse-keeperandahoveringcousin；andtwentyminuteslaterhewasdead……
“Butyourememberthecircumstances，“Granicewenton；“howsuspicionturnedatonceontheItalian？Inspiteofthehintthepolicehadgivenhimhehadbeenseenhangingaboutthehousesince'thescene。'Itwassaidthathehadtenderrelationswiththekitchen-maid，andtherestseemedeasytoexplain。Butwhentheylookedroundtoaskhimfortheexplanationhewasgone——
gonecleanoutofsight。Hehadbeen'warned'toleaveWrenfield，andhehadtakenthewarningsotoheartthatnooneeverlaideyesonhimagain。“
Granicepaused。Hehaddroppedintoachairoppositethelawyer's，andhesatforamoment，hisheadthrownback，lookingaboutthefamiliarroom。Everythinginithadgrowngrimacingandalien，andeachstrangeinsistentobjectseemedcraningforwardfromitsplacetohearhim。
“ItwasIwhoputthestuffinthemelon，“hesaid。“AndIdon'twantyoutothinkI'msorryforit。Thisisn't'remorse，'
understand。I'mgladtheoldskin-flintisdead——I'mgladtheothershavetheirmoney。Butmine'snousetomeanymore。Mysistermarriedmiserably，anddied。AndI'veneverhadwhatI
wanted。“
Aschamcontinuedtostare；thenhesaid：“Whatonearthwasyourobject，then？”
“Why，toGETwhatIwanted——whatIfanciedwasinreach！I
wantedchange，rest，LIFE，forbothofus——wanted，aboveall，formyself，thechancetowrite！Itravelled，gotbackmyhealth，andcamehometotiemyselfuptomywork。AndI'veslavedatitsteadilyfortenyearswithoutreward——withoutthemostdistanthopeofsuccess！Nobodywilllookatmystuff。AndnowI'mfifty，andI'mbeaten，andIknowit。“Hischindroppedforwardonhisbreast。“Iwanttochuckthewholebusiness，“heended。
III
ItwasaftermidnightwhenAschamleft。
HishandonGranice'sshoulder，asheturnedtogo——“DistrictAttorneybehanged；seeadoctor，seeadoctor！”hehadcried；
andso，withanexaggeratedlaugh，hadpulledonhiscoatanddeparted。
Graniceturnedbackintothelibrary。IthadneveroccurredtohimthatAschamwouldnotbelievehisstory。Forthreehourshehadexplained，elucidated，patientlyandpainfullygoneovereverydetail——butwithoutoncebreakingdowntheironincredulityofthelawyer'seye。
AtfirstAschamhadfeignedtobeconvinced——butthat，asGranicenowperceived，wassimplytogethimtoexposehimself，toentraphimintocontradictions。Andwhentheattemptfailed，whenGranicetriumphantlymetandrefutedeachdisconcertingquestion，thelawyerdroppedthemasksuddenly，andsaidwithagood-
humouredlaugh：“ByJove，Graniceyou'llwriteasuccessfulplayyet。Thewayyou'veworkedthisalloutisamarvel。“
Graniceswungaboutfuriously——thatlastsneerabouttheplayinflamedhim。Wasalltheworldinaconspiracytoderidehisfailure？
“Ididit，Ididit，“hemutteredsullenly，hisragespendingitselfagainsttheimpenetrablesurfaceoftheother'smockery；
andAschamansweredwithasmile：“Everreadanyofthosebooksonhallucination？I'vegotafairlygoodmedico-legallibrary。
Icouldsendyouoneortwoifyoulike……“
Leftalone，Granicecowereddowninthechairbeforehiswriting-
table。HeunderstoodthatAschamthoughthimoffhishead。
“GoodGod——whatiftheyallthinkmecrazy？”
Thehorrorofitbrokeoutoverhiminacoldsweat——hesatthereandshook，hiseyeshiddeninhisicyhands。Butgradually，ashebegantorehearsehisstoryforthethousandthtime，hesawagainhowincontrovertibleitwas，andfeltsurethatanycriminallawyerwouldbelievehim。
“That'sthetrouble——Ascham'snotacriminallawyer。Andthenhe'safriend。WhatafoolIwastotalktoafriend！Evenifhedidbelieveme，he'dneverletmeseeit——hisinstinctwouldbetocoverthewholethingup……Butinthatcase——ifheDID
believeme——hemightthinkitakindnesstogetmeshutupinanasylum……“Granicebegantotrembleagain。“Goodheaven！Ifheshouldbringinanexpert——oneofthosedamnedalienists！
AschamandPettilowcandoanything——theirwordalwaysgoes。IfAschamdropsahintthatI'dbetterbeshutup，I'llbeinastrait-jacketbyto-morrow！Andhe'ddoitfromthekindestmotives——bequiterighttodoitifhethinksI'mamurderer！”
Thevisionfrozehimtohischair。Hepressedhisfiststohisburstingtemplesandtriedtothink。ForthefirsttimehehopedthatAschamhadnotbelievedhisstory。
“Buthedid——hedid！Icanseeitnow——Inoticedwhataqueereyehecockedatme。GoodGod，whatshallIdo——whatshallI
do？”
Hestartedupandlookedattheclock。Half-pastone。WhatifAschamshouldthinkthecaseurgent，routoutanalienist，andcomebackwithhim？Granicejumpedtohisfeet，andhissuddengesturebrushedthemorningpaperfromthetable。Mechanicallyhestoopedtopickitup，andthemovementstartedanewtrainofassociation。
Hesatdownagain，andreachedforthetelephonebookintherackbyhischair。
“Givemethree-o-ten……yes。“
Thenewideainhismindhadrevivedhisflaggingenergy。Hewouldact——actatonce。Itwasonlybythusplanningahead，committinghimselftosomeunavoidablelineofconduct，thathecouldpullhimselfthroughthemeaninglessdays。Eachtimehereachedafreshdecisionitwaslikecomingoutofafoggywelteringseaintoacalmharbourwithlights。Oneofthequeerestphasesofhislongagonywastheintensereliefproducedbythesemomentarylulls。
“ThattheofficeoftheInvestigator？Yes？GivemeMr。Denver，please……Hallo，Denver……Yes，HubertGranice……Justcaughtyou？Goingstraighthome？CanIcomeandseeyou……
yes，now……haveatalk？It'sratherurgent……yes，mightgiveyousomefirst-rate'copy。'……Allright！”Hehungupthereceiverwithalaugh。IthadbeenahappythoughttocalluptheeditoroftheInvestigator——RobertDenverwastheverymanheneeded……
Graniceputoutthelightsinthelibrary——itwasoddhowtheautomaticgesturespersisted！——wentintothehall，putonhishatandovercoat，andlethimselfoutoftheflat。Inthehall，asleepyelevatorboyblinkedathimandthendroppedhisheadonhisfoldedarms。Granicepassedoutintothestreet。AtthecornerofFifthAvenuehehailedacrawlingcab，andcalledoutanup-townaddress。Thelongthoroughfarestretchedbeforehim，dimanddeserted，likeanancientavenueoftombs。ButfromDenver'shouseafriendlybeamfellonthepavement；andasGranicesprangfromhiscabtheeditor'selectricturnedthecorner。
Thetwomengraspedhands，andDenver，feelingforhislatch-key，usheredGraniceintothebrightly-lithall。
“Disturbme？Notabit。Youmighthave，attento-morrowmorning……butthisismyliveliesthour……youknowmyhabitsofold。“
GranicehadknownRobertDenverforfifteenyears——watchedhisrisethroughallthestagesofjournalismtotheOlympianpinnacleoftheInvestigator'seditorialoffice。Inthethick-
setmanwithgrizzlinghairtherewerefewtracesleftofthehungry-eyedyoungreporterwho，onhiswayhomeinthesmallhours，usedto“bobin“onGranice，whilethelattersatgrindingathisplays。DenverhadtopassGranice'sflatonthewaytohisown，anditbecameahabit，ifhesawalightinthewindow，andGranice'sshadowagainsttheblind，togoin，smokeapipe，anddiscusstheuniverse。
“Well——thisislikeoldtimes——agoodoldhabitreversed。“Theeditorsmotehisvisitorgeniallyontheshoulder。“RemindsmeofthenightswhenIusedtoroutyouout……How'stheplay，bytheway？ThereISaplay，Isuppose？It'sassafetoaskyouthatastosaytosomemen：'How'sthebaby？'“
Denverlaughedgood-naturedly，andGranicethoughthowthickandheavyhehadgrown。Itwasevident，eventoGranice'storturednerves，thatthewordshadnotbeenutteredinmalice——andthefactgavehimanewmeasureofhisinsignificance。Denverdidnotevenknowthathehadbeenafailure！ThefacthurtmorethanAscham'sirony。
“Comein——comein。“Theeditorledthewayintoasmallcheerfulroom，wheretherewerecigarsanddecanters。Hepushedanarm-
chairtowardhisvisitor，anddroppedintoanotherwithacomfortablegroan。
“Now，then——helpyourself。Andlet'shearallaboutit。“
HebeamedatGraniceoverhispipe-bowl，andthelatter，lightinghiscigar，saidtohimself：“Successmakesmencomfortable，butitmakesthemstupid。“
Thenheturned，andbegan：“Denver，Iwanttotellyou——“
Theclocktickedrhythmicallyonthemantel-piece。Thelittleroomwasgraduallyfilledwithdriftingbluelayersofsmoke，andthroughthemtheeditor'sfacecameandwentlikethemoonthroughamovingsky。Oncethehourstruck——thentherhythmicaltickingbeganagain。Theatmospheregrewdenserandheavier，andbeadsofperspirationbegantorollfromGranice'sforehead。
“DoyoumindifIopenthewindow？”
“No。ItISstuffyinhere。Wait——I'lldoitmyself。“Denverpusheddowntheuppersash，andreturnedtohischair。“Well——goon，“hesaid，fillinganotherpipe。HiscomposureexasperatedGranice。
“There'snouseinmygoingonifyoudon'tbelieveme。“
Theeditorremainedunmoved。“WhosaysIdon'tbelieveyou？AndhowcanItelltillyou'vefinished？”
Granicewenton，ashamedofhisoutburst。“Itwassimpleenough，asyou'llsee。Fromthedaytheoldmansaidtome，'ThoseItalianswouldmurderyouforaquarter，'Idroppedeverythingandjustworkedatmyscheme。ItstruckmeatoncethatImustfindawayofgettingtoWrenfieldandbackinanight——andthatledtotheideaofamotor。Amotor——thatneveroccurredtoyou？
YouwonderwhereIgotthemoney，Isuppose。Well，Ihadathousandorsoputby，andInosedaroundtillIfoundwhatI
wanted——asecond-handracer。Iknewhowtodriveacar，andI
triedthethingandfounditwasallright。Timeswerebad，andIboughtitformyprice，andstoreditaway。Where？Why，inoneofthoseno-questions-askedgarageswheretheykeepmotorsthatarenotforfamilyuse。Ihadalivelycousinwhohadputmeuptothatdodge，andIlookedabouttillIfoundaqueerholewheretheytookinmycarlikeababyinafoundlingasylum……
ThenIpracticedrunningtoWrenfieldandbackinanight。I
knewthewayprettywell，forI'ddoneitoftenwiththesamelivelycousin——andinthesmallhours，too。Thedistanceisoverninetymiles，andonthethirdtrialIdiditundertwohours。
ButmyarmsweresolamethatIcouldhardlygetdressedthenextmorning……
“Well，thencamethereportabouttheItalian'sthreats，andI
sawImustactatonce……Imeanttobreakintotheoldman'sroom，shoothim，andgetawayagain。Itwasabigrisk，butI
thoughtIcouldmanageit。Thenweheardthathewasill——thatthere'dbeenaconsultation。Perhapsthefatesweregoingtodoitforme！GoodLord，ifthatcouldonlybe！……“
Granicestoppedandwipedhisforehead：theopenwindowdidnotseemtohavecooledtheroom。
“Thencamewordthathewasbetter；andthedayafter，whenI
cameupfrommyoffice，IfoundKatelaughingoverthenewsthathewastotryabitofmelon。Thehouse-keeperhadjusttelephonedher——allWrenfieldwasinaflutter。Thedoctorhimselfhadpickedoutthemelon，oneofthelittleFrenchonesthatarehardlybiggerthanalargetomato——andthepatientwastoeatitathisbreakfastthenextmorning。
“InaflashIsawmychance。Itwasabarechance，nomore。ButIknewthewaysofthehouse——Iwassurethemelonwouldbebroughtinovernightandputinthepantryice-box。Iftherewereonlyonemelonintheice-boxIcouldbefairlysureitwastheoneIwanted。Melonsdidn'tliearoundlooseinthathouse——
everyonewasknown，numbered，catalogued。Theoldmanwasbesetbythedreadthattheservantswouldeatthem，andhetookahundredmeanprecautionstopreventit。Yes，Ifeltprettysureofmymelon……andpoisoningwasmuchsaferthanshooting。Itwouldhavebeenthedevilandalltogetintotheoldman'sbedroomwithouthisrousingthehouse；butIoughttobeabletobreakintothepantrywithoutmuchtrouble。
“Itwasacloudynight，too——everythingservedme。Idinedquietly，andsatdownatmydesk。Katehadoneofherusualheadaches，andwenttobedearly。AssoonasshewasgoneI
slippedout。Ihadgottogetherasortofdisguise——redbeardandqueer-lookingulster。Ishovedthemintoabag，andwentroundtothegarage。Therewasnoonetherebutahalf-drunkenmachinistwhomI'dneverseenbefore。Thatservedme，too。Theywerealwayschangingmachinists，andthisnewfellowdidn'tevenbothertoaskifthecarbelongedtome。Itwasaveryeasy-
goingplace……
“Well，Ijumpedin，ranupBroadway，andletthecargoassoonasIwasoutofHarlem。Darkasitwas，Icouldtrustmyselftostrikeasharppace。IntheshadowofawoodIstoppedasecondandgotintothebeardandulster。Thenawayagain——itwasjusteleven-thirtywhenIgottoWrenfield。
“IleftthecarinadarklanebehindtheLenmanplace，andslippedthroughthekitchen-garden。Themelon-houseswinkedatmethroughthedark——IrememberthinkingthattheyknewwhatI
wantedtoknow……Bythestableadogcameoutgrowling——buthenosedmeout，jumpedonme，andwentback……Thehousewasasdarkasthegrave。Ikneweverybodywenttobedbyten。Buttheremightbeaprowlingservant——thekitchen-maidmighthavecomedowntoletinherItalian。Ihadtoriskthat，ofcourse。
Icreptaroundbythebackdoorandhidintheshrubbery。ThenI
listened。Itwasallassilentasdeath。Icrossedovertothehouse，priedopenthepantrywindowandclimbedin。Ihadalittleelectriclampinmypocket，andshieldingitwithmycapI
gropedmywaytotheice-box，openedit——andtherewasthelittleFrenchmelon……onlyone。
“Istoppedtolisten——Iwasquitecool。ThenIpulledoutmybottleofstuffandmysyringe，andgaveeachsectionofthemelonahypodermic。Itwasalldoneinsideofthreeminutes——attenminutestotwelveIwasbackinthecar。IgotoutofthelaneasquietlyasIcould，struckabackroadthatskirtedthevillage，andletthecaroutassoonasIwasbeyondthelasthouses。Ionlystoppedonceonthewayin，todropthebeardandulsterintoapond。Ihadabigstonereadytoweightthemwithandtheywentdownplump，likeadeadbody——andattwoo'clockI
wasbackatmydesk。“