II
MR。BILLINGS’SPOCKETS
OnthesixteenthofJuneMr。RollinBillingsenteredhishomeatWestcoteverymuchlaterthanusual，andstealingupstairs，likeathiefinthenight，heundressedanddroppedintobed。Intwominuteshewasasleep，anditwasnowonder，forbythattimeitwasfiveminutesafterthreeinthemorning，andMr。
Billings’susualbedtimewasteno’clock。Evenwhenhewasdelayedathisofficehemadeitaninvariableruletocatchthenineo’clocktrainhome。
WhenMrs。Billingsawokethenext——or，rather，thatsame——
morning，shegazedaminuteatthethin，innocentfaceofherhusband，andwasinthesatisfiedframeofmindthattakesanunexpectedtraindelayasalegitimateexcuse，whenshehappenedtocasthereyesuponMr。Billings’scoat，whichwasthrowncarelesslyoverthefootofthebed。Protrudingfromoneofthesidepocketswasapatentnursing-bottle，halffullofmilk。
InstantlyMrs。BillingswasoutofbedandsearchingMr。
Billings’sotherpockets。Toherhorrorhersearchwasfruitful。
Inavestpocketshefoundthreefalsecurls，orpuffsofhair，suchasladiesarewearingto-daytoincreasetheabundanceoftheirown，andthesecurlswereofarichbrownishred。Finally，whenshedivedintohistrouserspocket，shefoundtwelveacornscarefullywrappedinalady’shandkerchief，withtheinitials"T。M。C。"embroideredinonecorner。
AlltheseMrs。Billingshidcarefullyinherupperbureaudrawerandproceededtodress。WhenatlengthsheawakenedMr。
Billings，heyawned，stretched，andthen，realizingthatgetting-uptimehadarrived，hoppedbrisklyoutofbed。
"Yougotinlatelastnight，"saidMrs。Billingspleasantly。
IfshehadexpectedMr。Billingstocringeandcowershewasmistaken。Hecontinuedtodress，quiteinhisusualmanner，asifhehadaclearconscience。
"IndeedIdid，Mary，"hesaid。"ItwasthreewhenIenteredthehouse，fortheclockwasjuststriking。"
"Somethingmusthavedelayedyou，"suggestedMrs。Billings。
"Otherwise，dear，"saidMr。Billings，"Ishouldhavebeenhomemuchsooner。
"Probably，"saidMrs。Billings，suddenlyassuminghermostsarcastictone，asshereachedintoherbureaudraweranddrewoutthepatentnursing-bottle，"thishadsomethingtodowithyourbeingdelayed！"
Mr。Billingslookedatthenursing-bottle，andthenhedrewouthiswatchandlookedatthat。
"Mydear，"hesaid，"youareright。Itdid。ButInowhavejusttimetogulpdownmycoffeeandcatchmytrain。To-night，whenI
returnfromtown，Iwilltellyouthemostremarkablestoryofthatnursing-bottle，andhowithappenedtobeinmypocket，andinthemeantimeIbegyou——Imostsincerelybegyou——tofeelnouneasiness。
Withthishehurriedoutoftheroom，andafewmomentslaterhiswifesawhimrunningforhistrain。
AlldayMrs。Billingswaspreytothemostdisturbingthoughts，andassoonasdinnerwasfinishedthateveningsheledthewayintothelibrary。
"Now，Rollin？"shesaid，andwithouthesitationMr。Billingsbegan。
I。THEPATENTNURSING-BOTTLE
Youhave（hesaid），Iknow，metLemuel，thecolouredelevatorboyinourofficebuilding，andyouknowwhatapleasant，accommodatingladheis。Heisthesortofboyforwhomonewouldgladlydoafavour，forheisalwayssowillingtodofavoursforothers，butIwasthinkingnothingofthiswhenIsteppedfrommyofficeatexactlyfiveo’clockyesterdayevening。Iwasthinkingofnothingbutgettinghometodinnerassoonaspossible，andwasjuststeppingintotheelevatorwhenLemuellaidhishandgentlyonmyarm。
"Ibegyo’pahdon，MistahBillings，"hesaidpolitely，"butwouldyo’domeafavour？"
"Certainly，Lemuel，"Isaid；"howmuchcanIlendyou？"
"’Tain’tthat，sah，"hesaid。"Iwisht’haveawordortwoinprivatewithyo’。Wouldyo’mindsteppin’backintoyo’officeuntilIgitthesefolksoutofth’buildin’，so’sIcanspeaktoyo’？"
IknewIhadstillhalfanhourbeforemysix-twotrain，andI
wasnotunwillingtodoLemuelafavour，soIwentbacktomyofficeashedesired，andwaitedthereuntilheappeared，whichwasnotuntilhehadtakenallthetenantsdowninhiselevator。
Thenheopenedthedoorandcamein。WithhimwastheyoungmanI
hadoftenseenintheofficenexttomine，asIpassed，andayoungwomanonwhomIhadneversetmyeyesbefore。Nosoonerhadtheyopenedthedoorthantheyoungmanbegantospeak，andLemuelstoodunobtrusivelytooneside。
"Mr。Billings，"saidtheyoungman，"youmaythinkitstrangethatIshouldcometoyouinthiswaywhenyouandIarehardlyacquaintances，butIhaveoftenobservedyoupassingmydoor，andhavenotedyourkind-lookingface，andthemomentIfoundthistroubleuponmeIinstantlythoughtofyouastheonemanwhowouldbelikelytohelpmeoutofmydifficulty。
WhilehesaidthisIhadtimetostudyhisface，andalsotoglanceattheyoungwoman，andIsawthathemust，indeed，beingreattrouble。Ialsosawthattheyoungwomanwasprettyandmodestandthatshe，also，wasingreatdistress。Iatonceagreedtohelphim，providedIshouldnotbemadetomissthesix-thirtytrain，forIsawIwasalreadytoolateforthesix-two。
"Good！"hecried。"ForseveralyearsMadge——whoisthisyounglady——andIhavebeeninlove，andwewishtobemarriedthisevening，butherfatherandmyfatherarewaitingatthefootoftheelevatoratthisminute，andtheyhavebeenwaitingthereallday。Thereisnootherwayforustoleavethebuilding，forthefootofthestairsisalsothefootoftheelevator，and，infact，whenIlastpeeped，Madge’sfatherwassittingonthebottomstep。Itisnowexactlyfifteenminutesofsix，andatsixo’clocktheymeantocomeupandtearMadgeandmeaway，andhaveusmarried。"
"To——"Ibegan。
"Toeachother，"saidtheyoungmanwithemotion。
"ButIthoughtthatwaswhatyouwanted？"Iexclaimed。
"Notatall！Notatall！"saidtheyoungman，andtheyoungwomanaddedhervoiceinprotest，too。"IamtheheadoftheStatisticalDepartmentoftheSocietyfortheObtainingofaUniformNationalDivorceLaw，andtheworkinthatdepartmenthasconvincedmebeyondadoubtthatforcedmarriagesalwaysendunhappily。Ineighty-seventhousandsixhundredandfourcasesofforcedmarriagesthatIhavetabulatedIhavefoundthateighty-
seventhousandsixhundredandthreehavebeenunhappy。InthefaceofsuchstatisticsMadgeandIdarenotallowourselvestobemarriedagainstourwills。Weinsistonmarryingvoluntarily。"
"Thatcouldbeeasilyarranged，"Iventuredtosay，inviewofthefactthatbothyourfatherswishyoutobemarried。"
"Notatall，"saidMadge，withmoreindependencethanIhadthoughthercapableof；"becausemyfatherandHenry’sfatheraregentlemenoftheoldschool。Iwouldnotsayanythingagainsteitherfather，forinordinaryaffairsItheyaretwomostsuaveandcharmingoldgentlemen，butinthistheyholdtotheold-
schoolideathatchildrenshouldallowtheirparentstoselecttheirlife-partners，andtheyinsistthatHenryandIallowourselvestobeforcedtomarryeachother。Andthat，inspiteofthestatisticsHenryhasshownthem。Ourwholehappinessdependsonourgettingoutofthisbuildingbeforetheycancomeupandgetus。Thatiswhyweappealtoyou。"
"Ifyoustillhesitate，afterwhatMadgehassaid，"saidHenry，pullingalargerollofpaperoutofhispocket，"herearethestatistics。"
"Verywell，"Isaid，"Iwillhelpyou，ifIcandosoandnotmissthesix-thirtytrain。Whatisyourplan？"
"Itisverysimple，"saidHenry。"Ourfathersarebothquitenear-sighted，andassixo’clockdrawsneartheywillnaturallybecomegreatlyexcitedandnervous，and，therefore，lessobservantofsmallthings。IhavebroughtwithmesomeburntcorkwithwhichIwillblackenmyface，andIwillchangeclotheswithLemuel，and，intheonemomentnecessarytoescape，myfatherwillnotrecognizeme。Lemuel，ontheotherhand，willwhitenhisfacewithsomepowderthatMadgehasbrought，andwillwearmyclothes，andintheexcitementmyfatherwillseizehiminsteadofme。"
"Excellent，"Isaid，"butwhatpartdoIplayinthis？"
"Thispart，"saidHenry，"youwillwear，overyourstreetclothes，agownthatMadgehasbroughtinhersuit-caseandahatthatshehasalsobrought，bothofwhichherfatherwilleasilyrecognize，whileMadgewillreddenherfacewithrouge，mussherhair，donatorn，calicodress，andwithascrub-ragandamopinherhandseasilypassforascrub-woman。
"Andthen？"Iasked。
"ThenyouandLemuelwillstealcautiouslydownthestairs，asifyouwereMadgeandIseekingtoescape，whileMadgeandI，asLemuelandthescrub-woman，willgodownbytheelevator。MyfatherandMadge’sfatherwillseizeyouandLemuel——"
"AndIshallappearlikeafoolwhentheydiscoverIamarespectablebusinessmanriggedupinwoman’sclothes，"Isaid。
"Notatall，"saidMadge，"forHenryandIhavethoughtofthat。YoumustplayyourpartuntilyouseethathenryandIhaveescapedfromtheelevatorandhaveleftthebuilding，andthatisall。Ihavehadtheforethoughttoprepareanalibiforyou。AssoonasyouseethatHenryandIaresafeoutsidethebuilding，youmustbecomeveryindignant，andinsistthatyouarearespectablemarriedwoman，andinproofyoumusthandmyfatherthecontentsofthispackage。Hewillbeconvincedimmediatelyandletyougo，andthenLemuelcanrunyouuptoyourofficeandyoucantakeoffmydressandhatandcatchthesix-thirtytrainwithouttrouble。"Shethenhandedmeasmallparcel，whichI
slippedintomycoatpocket。
WhenthishadbeenagreeduponsheandHenrylefttheofficeandItookthehatanddressfromthesuit-caseandputthemon，whileLemuelputonHenry’ssuitandwhitenedhisface。Thistookbutafewminutes，andwewentintothehallandfoundHenryandMadgealreadywaitingforus。HenrywasblackenedintoagoodlikenessofLemuel，andMadgewasquiteamussyscrub-woman。Theyimmediatelyenteredtheelevatorandbegantodescendslowly，whileLemuelandIcreptdownthestairs。
LemuelandIkeptasnearlyaspossibleoppositetheelevator，sothatwemightarriveatthefootofthestairsbutamomentbeforeMadgeandHenry，andwecouldhearthetwofathersshufflingonthestreetfloor，whensuddenly，aswereachedthethirdfloor，weheardawhisperfromHenryintheelevator。Theelevatorhadstuckfastbetweenthethirdandfourthfloors。Aswithonemind，LemuelandIseatedourselvesonastepandwaiteduntilHenryshouldgettheelevatorrunningagainandcouldproceedtothestreetfloor。
ForawhilewecouldhearnonoisebutthegratingofmetalonmetalasHenryworkedwiththestartingleveroftheelevator，andthenweheardthetwovoicesofthefathers。
"Itisaruse，"saidonefather。"Theyarepretendingtheelevatorisstuck，andwhenwegrowimpatientandstartupthestairstheywillcomedownwitharushandescapeus。"
"Butwearenotsosillyasthat，"saidtheotherfather。"Wewillstayrighthereandwaituntiltheycomedown。"
AtthatLemuelandIsettledourselvesmorecomfortably，fortherewasnothingelsetodo。IcursedinwardlyasIfelttheminutesslipbyandknewthathalf-pastsixhadcomeandgone，butIwassureyouwouldnotliketohavemedesertthosetwopoorloverswhowerefightingtowardoffthestatistics，soI
satstillandsilent。SodidLemuel。
IdonotknowhowlongIsatthere，foritwasalreadydarkinthenarrowstairway，butitmusthavebeenalongtime。Idrowsedoff，andIwasfinallyawakenedbyLemueltuggingatmysleeve，andIknewthatHenryhadmanagedtostarttheelevatoragain。
LemuelandIhastenedoursteps，andjustastheelevatorwascomingintosightbelowthesecondfloorwewereseenbythetwofathers。Foraninstanttheyhesitated，andthentheyseizedus。
AtthesametimetheelevatordooropenedandHenryandMadgecameout，andthetwofathershardlyglancedatthemastheywentoutofthedoorintothestreet。
AssoonasIsawthattheyweresafeIfeignedgreatindignation，andsodidLemuel。
"Unhandme，sir！"Icried。"WhodoyouthinkIam？Iamarespectablemarriedlady，leavingthebuildingwithherhusband。
Unhandme！"
Insteadofdoingso，however，thefatherthathadmebythearmdrewmenearertothehalllight。Ashedidsohestaredcloselyatmyface。
"Morgan，"hesaidtotheotherfather，"thisisnotmydaughter。Mydaughterdidnothaveamoustache。"
"Indeed，Iamnotyourdaughter，"Isaid；"Iamarespectablemarriedlady，andhereistheproof。"
WiththatIreachedforthepackageMadgehadgivenme，butitwasinmycoat-pocket，underneaththedressIhadon，anditwasonlywithgreatdifficultyandbyraisingonesideoftheskirtthatIwasabletogetit。Iunwrappeditandshowedittothefatherthathadmebythearm。Itwasthepatentnursing-bottle。
WhenMr。Billingshadfinishedhisrelationhiswifesatforamomentinsilence。Thenshesaid：
"Andheletyougo？"
"Yes，ofcourse，"saidMr。Billings；"hecouldnotholdmeaftersuchproofasthat，andLemuelranmeuptomyoffice，whereIchangedmyhatandtookoffthedress。Iknewitwaslate，andIdidnotknowwhattrainIcouldcatch，butImadehaste，and，onthewaydownintheelevator，IfeltinmypockettoseeifIhadmycommutationticket，whenmyhandstruckthepatentnursing-bottle。Myfirstimpulsewastodropitinthecar，butonsecondthoughtIdecidedtokeepit，forIknewthatwhenyousawitandheardthestoryyouwouldunderstandperfectlywhyIwasdetainedlastnight。"
"Yes？"saidMrs。Billingsquestioningly。"But，mydear，allthatdoesnotaccountforthese。"
Asshesaidthatshedrewfromherworkbasketthethreeauburn-redcurls。
"Oh，those！"saidMr。Billings，afteramomentaryhesitation。
"Iwasabouttotellyouaboutthose。"
"Doso！"saidMrs。Billingscoldly。"Iamlistening。"
II。THETHREEAUBURN-REDCURLS
WhenIwentdownintheelevator（saidMr。Billings）withthenursing-bottleinmypocket，Ihadnothoughtbuttogettothetrainassoonaspossible，forIsawbytheclockinmyofficethatIhadjusttimetocatchtheeleven-nineifIshouldnotbedelayed。Therefore，assoonasIwasoutsidethebuildingI
startedtorun，butwhenIreachedthecornerandwasjustabouttosteponapassingstreet-carahandwaslaidonmyarm，andI
turnedtoseewhowasseekingtodetainme。Itwasawomaninthemostpitiablerags，andonherarmshecarriedababysothinandpalethatIcouldscarcelybelieveitlived。
Oneglanceatthechildshowedmethatitwasonthevergeofdeathbystarvation，andthiswasconfirmedbythemoansofthemother，whobeggedmeforhumanity’ssaketogivehermoneywithwhichtoprovidefoodforthechild，eventhoughIlether，herself，starve。Youknow，mydear，youneverallowmetogivemoneytostreetbeggars，andIrememberedthis，butatthesametimeIrememberedthepatentnursing-bottleIstillcarriedinmypocket。
WithouthesitationIdrewthepatentnursing-bottlefrommypocketandtoldthemothertoallowtheinfanttohaveasufficientquantityofmilkitcontainedtosustainthechild’slifeuntilshecouldprocureotheralmsorotheraid。Withacryofjoythemothertookthenursing-bottleandpressedittothepoorbaby’slips，anditwaswithgreatpleasureIsawtherosycolourreturntothechild’scheeks。Thesadnessofdespairthathadshadowedthemother’sfacealsofled，andIcouldseethatalreadyshewaslookingonlifewithamoreoptimisticview。
Iverilybelievethechildcouldhaveabsorbedtheentirecontentsofthebottle，butIhadimpresseduponthemotherthatshewastogivethechildonlysufficienttosustainlife，nottosufficeituntilitwasgrowntomanhoodorwomanhood，andwhenthebottlewashalf-emptiedthemotherreturnedittome。HowmuchtimeallthisoccupiedIdonotknow，butthechildtookthemilkwithextremeslowness。Imaysaythatittookthemilkdropbydrop。Agreatdealoftimemusthaveelapsed。
Butwhenthemotherhadreturnedthepatentnursing-bottletomeandsawhowimpatientIwastobegone，shestillretainedherholduponmyarm。
"Sir，"shesaid，"youhaveundoubtedlysavedthelifeofmychild，andIonlyregretthatIcannotrepayyouforallitmeanstome。ButIcannot。Stay！"shecried，whenIwasabouttopullmyarmaway。"Hasyourwifeauburn-redhair？"
"No，"Isaid，"shehasnot。herhairisamostbeautifulblack。"
"Nomatter，"saidthepoorwoman，puttingherhandtoherhead。
"Somedayshemaywishtochangethecolourofherhairtoauburn-red，whichiseasilydonewithalittlebleachandalittledye，andshouldshedosothesemaycomehandy；"andwiththatsheslippedsomethingsoftandfluffyintomyhandandfledintothenight。WhenIlooked，Isawinmyhandtheverycurlsyouholdthere。Myfirstimpulsewastodroptheminthestreet，butIrememberedthatthepoorwomanhadnotgiventhemtome，buttoyou，andthatitwasmydutytobringthemhometoyou，soIslippedthemintomypocket。
WhenMr。Billingshadendedthisrecitalofwhathadhappenedtohimhiswifesaid：
"Huh！"
Atthesametimeshetossedthecurlsintothegrate，wheretheyshrivelledup，burstintobluesmoke，andshortlydisappearedinashes。
"Thatisaverylikelystory，"shesaid，"butitdoesnotexplainhowthiscametobeinyourpocket。"
SayingthisshedrewfromherbasketthehandkerchiefandhandedittoMr。Billings。
"Hah！"heexclaimed。Foramomentheturnedtherolled-uphandkerchiefoverandover，andthenhecautiouslyopenedit。Atthesightofthetwelveacornsheseemedsomewhatsurprised，andwhentheinitials"T。M。C。"onthecornerofthehandkerchiefcaughthiseyeheblushed。
"Youareblushing——youaredisturbed，"saidMrs。Billingsseverely。
"Iam，"saidMr。Billings，suddenlyrecoveringhimself；"andnowonder。"
"Andnowonder，indeed！"saidMrsBillings。"Perhaps，then，youcantellmehowthoseacornsandthathandkerchiefcametobeinyourpocket。"
"Ican，"saidMr。Billings，"andIwill。"
"Youhadbetter，"saidMrs。Billings。
III。THETWELVEACORNSANDTHELADY’SHANDKERCHIEF
Youmayhavenoticed，mydear（saidMr。Billings），thattheinitialsonthathandkerchiefare"T。M。C。，"andIwishyoutokeepthatinmind，forithasagreatdealtodowiththisstory。
Hadtheybeenanythingelsethathandkerchiefwouldnothavefounditswayintomypocket；andwhenyouseehowthoseacornsandthathandkerchief，andthehalf-fillednursing-bottleandtheauburn-redcurlsallcombinedtokeepmeoutofmyhomeuntiltheunearthlyhourofthreeA。M。，youwillforgettheunjustsuspicionswhichItoosadlyfearyounowholdagainstme，andyouwilladmitthatahalf-filledpatentnursing-bottle，atrioofcurls，alady’shandkerchiefandtwelveacornswerethemostnaturalthingsintheworldtofindinmypockets。
WhenIhadleftthepoorwomanwithherno-longer-starvingbabyIhurriedlyglancedintoastorewindow，andbytheclocktheresawitwastwentyminutesofoneandthatIhadexactlytimetocatchtheoneo’clocktrain，whichisthelasttrainthatrunstoWestcote。Iglancedupanddownthestreet，butnotacarwasinsight，andIknewIcouldnotaffordtowaitlongifIwishedtocatchthattrain。Therewasbutonethingtodo，andthatwastotakeacab，and，asluckwouldhaveit，atthatmomentanautomobilecabcamerapidlyaroundthecorner。Iraisedmyvoiceandmyarm，andthedriversaworheardme，forhemadeaquickturninthestreetanddrewupatthecurbbesideme。Ihastilygavehimthedirections，jumpedinandslammedthedoorshut，andtheauto-cabimmediatelystartedforwardatwhatseemedtomeunsafespeed。
Wehadnotgonefarwhensomethingintheforepartoftheautomobilebegantothumpinamostalarmingmanner，andthedriverslackenedhisspeed，drewuptothecurbandstopped。Heopenedthedoorandputhisheadin。
"Something’sgonewrong，"hesaid，"butdon’tyouworry。I’llhaveitfixedinnotime，andthenIcanputonmorespeedandI’llgetyouthereinjustthesametimeasifnothinghadhappened。"
WhenhesaidthisIwasperfectlysatisfied，forhewasanice-
lookingman，andIlayback，forIwasquitetiredout，itwassolongpastmyusualbedtime；andthedriverwenttowork，doingthingsIcouldnotunderstandtotheforepartoftheautomobile，wherethemachineryis。Irememberthinkingthatthecushionsofthisautomobilewereunusuallysoft，andthenImusthavedozedoff，andwhenIopenedmyeyesIdidnotknowhowmuchtimehadelapsed，butthedriverwasstillatworkandIcouldhearhimswearing。Heseemedtobehavingagreatdealoftrouble，soI
gotoutoftheautomobile，intendingtotellhimthatperhapsI
hadbettertrytogetacar，afterall。Buthisactionswhenhesawmeweremostunexpected。Hewavedthewrenchheheldinhishand，andorderedmetogetbackintotheautomobile，andIdid。
Isupposedhewasafraidhewouldlosehisfareandtip，butinafewminutesheopenedthedooragainandspoketome。
"Now，sport，"hesaid，"thereain’tnousethinkin’aboutgettin’thattrain，becauseit’sgone，andImayaswellsaynowthatyou’vegottocomewithme，unlessyouwantmetosmashyourheadin。Thefactis，thisain’tnopublicautomobile，andI
hadn’tnorighttotakeyouforapassenger。ThisautomobilebelongstoaladyandI’mherhiredchauffeur，andshe’satabridge-whistpartyinahouseonFifthAvenue，andI’msupposedtobewaitingoutsidethathouse。One-fifteeno’clockwasthetimeshesaidshewouldbeout。ButIthoughtmaybeImightmakeadollarortwoformyselfinsteadofwaitingthereallthattime，andshewouldneverknowit。Andnowitisnearlytwoo’clock，andifIgobackaloneshewillberavingmad，andI’llgetmydischargeandnoreferences，andmypoorwifeandsixchildrenwillhavetostarve。SoyouwillhavetogowithmeandexplainhowitwasthatIwasn’tthereatone-fifteeno’clock。"
"Myfriend，"Isaid，"Iamsorryforyou，butIdonotseehowitwouldhelpyou，shouldIrefusetogoandyoushould，asyousay，smashmyheadin。"
"Don’tyouworrynoneaboutthat，"hesaid。"IfIsmashedyourheadin，asIcoulddoeasyenoughwiththiswrench，I’dtakewhatwasleftofyouupsomedarkstreet，andlayyouonthepavementandrunthemachineacrossyouonceortwice，andthentakeyoutoahospital，andthatwouldbeexcuseenough。You’dbeanother’KilledbyanAutomobile，’andI’dbetheherothatpickedyouupandtookyoutothehospital。"
"Well，"Isaid，"underthecircumstancesIshallgowithyou，notbecauseyouthreatenme，butbecauseyourpoorwifeandsixchildrenarethreatenedwithstarvation。"
"Good！"hesaid。"Andnowallyouhavetodoistothinkofwhattheexcuseyouwillgivemyladybosswillbe。"
Withthathelaybackagainstthecushionsandwaited。Heseemedtofeelthatthematterdidnotconcernhimanymore，andthattherestofitlaywithme。
"Goahead！"Isaidtohim。"IhavenoideawhatIshalltellyourmistress，butsinceIhavelostthelasttrainImusttrytocatchthetwoo’clocktrolleycartoWesteote，andIdonotwishtospendanymoretimethannecessaryonthisbusiness。Makeallthehastepossible，andaswegoIshallthinkwhatIwillsaywhenwegetthere。"
Thedrivergotoutandtookhisseatandstartedthecar。Iwasworried，indeed，mydear。Itriedtothinkofsomethingplausibletotelltheyoungman’semployer；somethingthatwouldhaveanairofself-proof，whensuddenlyIrememberedthehalf-fillednursing-bottleandthethreeauburn-redcurls。WhyshouldInottelltheladythatapoormother，whileproceedingdownFifthAvenuefromherscrub-womanjob，hadbeentakensuddenlyill，andthatI，beingnear，hadinsistedthatthisautomobilehelpmeconveythewomantoherhome，whichwefound，alas！tobeinthefarthestdistrictsofBrooklyn？ThenIwouldproducethethreeauburn-redcurlsandthehalf-fillednursing-bottleashavingbeenleftintheautomobilebythewoman，andthisproofwouldsuffice。
IhadfullydecidedonthiswhentheautomobilestoppedinfrontofalargehouseinFifthAvenue，andIhadtimetotellthedriverthatIhadthoughtoftheproperthingtosay，butthatwasall，forthewaitingladycamedownthestepsingreatanger，andwasabouttobeginagoodscolding，whenshenoticedmesittinginherautomobile。
Ifshehadbeenangrybeforeshewasnowfurious，andshewasthekindofyoungwomanwhocanbeextremelyfuriouswhenshetries。Ithinknothingintheworldcouldhavecalmedherhadshenotcaughtsightofmyfacebythelightoftwostronglampsonapassingautomobile。Shesawinmyfacewhatyouseetherenow，mydear——thebenevolent，fatherlyfaceofasettled-down，trustworthy，marriedmanofpastmiddleage——andasifbymagicherangerfledandsheburstintotears。
"Oh，sir！"shecried，"Idonotknowwhoyouare，norhowyouhappentobeinmycar，butatthismomentIamhomelessandfriendless。Iamaloneintheworld，andIneedadvice。Letmegetintothecarbesideyou——"
"Miss，"Isaid，"Idonotliketodisobligeyou，butIcanneverallowmyselftobeinanautomobileatthistimeofnightwithastrangewoman，unchaperoned。"
Thesewordsseemedalmostmorethanshecouldbear，andmyheartwasfullofpity，but，justasIwasabouttospringfromtheautomobileandrushaway，IsawonthewalkthepoorwomantowhosebabyIhadgiventhehalfofthecontentsofthepatentnursing-bottle。Icalledherandmadehergetintotheautomobile，andthenIlettheyoungwomanenter。
"Now，"Isaid，"whereto？"
"That，"shesaid，"iswhatIdonotknow。WhenIleftmyhomethiseveningIleftitforever，andIleftanoteoffarewelltomyfather，whichhemusthavereceivedandreadbythistime，andifIwentbackhewouldturnmefromthedoorinanger，forheisagentlemanoftheoldschool。"
WhenIheardthesewordsIwasstartled。"Canitbe，"Iasked，"thatyouhaveabrotherhenry？"
"Ihave，"sheadmitted；"HenryCorwinishisname。"ThiswasthenameoftheyoungmanIhadhelpedthatveryeveningtomarryMadge。Itoldhertoproceed。
"Myfather，"shesaid，"hasbeeninsistingthatImarryamanI
donotlove，andthingshavecometosuchapointthatImusteitheraccedeortakethingsintomyownhands。IagreedtoelopethiseveningwiththemanIlove，forhehadlongwishedmetoelopewithhim。Iwastomeethimoutsidehishouseatexactlyone-fifteeno’clock，andItoldhimthatifIwasnottherepromptlyhemightknowIhadchangedmymind。Whenthetimecameformetohastentohiminmyautomobile，whichwasthentohurryustoawaitingminister，myautomobilewasnothere。
UnfortunatelyIdidnotknowmylover’saddress，forIhadleftitinthecardpocketinthisautomobile。Iknewnotwhattodo。
AsthetimepassedandmyautomobiledidnotappearIknewthatmyloverhaddecidedthatIwasnotcoming，andhadgoneawayintohishouse。NowIcannotgohome，forIhavenohome。I
cannotsolowermyprideastoringthebellofhishouseandsayIwishtobeforgivenandmarriedevenyet。WhatshallIdo？"
ForanswerIfeltinthecardpocketoftheautomobileanddrewouttheaddressofherlover，andwithouthesitationIgavetheaddresstothechauffeur。Inafewminuteswewerethere。Leavingtheyoungwomaninthecarwiththepoorwoman，Igotoutandsurveyedthehouse。Itwasunpromising。Evidentlyallthefamilybuttheyoungmanwereawayforthesummer，andthedoorsandwindowswereallboardedup。Therewasnotabelltoring。I
poundedontheboardsthatcoveredthedoor，butitwasunavailing。Theyoungwomancalledtomethattheyoungmanlivedinthefrontroomofthetopmostfloor，andcouldnothearme，andIglancedupandsawthatonewindowaloneofallthoseinthehousewasnotboardedup。InstantlyIhoppedupontheseatbesidethedriverandsaid，"CentralPark。"
WedashedupFifthAvenueandintotheParkatfullspeed，andwhenwewerewhatIconsideredfarenoughinIorderedhimtostop，andhurryingupalowbankIbegantogropeamongtheleavesoflastyearunderthetrees。Iwasright。InafewminutesIhadfilledmypocketswithacorns，wasbackinthecar，andwewerehurryingtowardthehouseofthelover，whenIsawstandingonacornerafigureIinstantlyrecognizedasLemuel，theelevatorboy，andatthesametimeIrememberedthatLemuelspenthisholidayspitchingforaballnine，HewasjustthemanIneeded，andIstoppedandmadehimgetintothecar。Inaminutemorewewerebeforethehouseagain，andIhandedLemuelafistfulofacorns。Hedrewbackandthrewthemwithallhisstrengthtowardtheupperwindow。
Mydear，willyoubelieveit？Thoseacornswerewormy！Theywerelight。Theywouldnotcarrytothewindow，butscatteredlikebitsofchipswhentheyhadtravelledbuthalf-way。Iwasupset，butLemuelwasnot。HeorderedthechauffeurtodrivetolowerSixthAvenuewithallspeed，inorderthathemightgetabaseball。Withthishesaidhecouldhitanymark，andwehadstartedinthatdirectionwhen，passingarestaurantonBroadway，IsawemergeHenryandMadge。
"Betterfar，"Isaidtomyself，"putthisyoungwomaninchargeofherbrotherandhisnewwifethanleavehertoelopealone，"
andImadethechauffeurdrawupbesidethem。HastilyIexplainedthesituation，andwhereweweregoingatthatmoment，andHenryandMadgelaughedinunison。
"Madge，"saidHenry，"wehadnotroublemakingwormyacornstravelthroughtheair，hadwe？"Andbothlaughedagain。AtthisImadethemgetintotheautomobile，andwhilewereturnedtothelover’shouseImadethemexplain。Itwasverysimple，andIhadjusttiedadozenacornstightlyinmyhandkerchief，makingaballtothrowatthewindow，whenthepoorwomanwiththebabynoticedthatthewindowwaspartlyopen。IaskedLemuelifhecouldthrowstraightenoughtothrowthehandkerchief-ballintothewindow，andhesaidhecould，andtookthehandkerchief，butabrighterideacametome，andIturnedtotheelopingyounglady。
"Letmehaveyourhandkerchief，ifithasyourinitialsonit，"
Isaid；"forwhenheseesthatfallintohisroomhewillknowyouarehere。Hewillnotthinkyouareforward，comingtohimalone，forhewillknowyoucouldneverhavethrownthehandkerchief，evenifloadedwithacorns，tosuchaheight。Itwillbeyourmessagetohim。"
Atthis，whichIdopridemyselfwasasuggestionworthyofmyself，allweredelighted，andwhileImodestlytiedtwelveacornsinthehandkerchiefonwhichweretheinitials"T。M。C。，"
alltheotherscheered。EventhewomanfromwhomIhadreceivedthethreeauburn-redcurlscheered，andthebabythatwashalf-
filledoutofthepatentnursing-bottlecrowedwithjoy。Butthechauffeurhonkedhishonker。Lemueltookthehandkerchieffullofacornsinhishandanddrewbackhisfamousleftarm，whensuddenlyTheodoraMitchellCorwin——forthatwastheelopingyounglady’sname——shrieked，andlookingupwesawherloveratthewindow。Hegaveanansweringyellanddisappeared，andLemuellethisleftarmfallandhandedmethehandkerchief-ball。
IntheexcitementIdroppeditintomypocket，anditwasnotuntilIwasonthecarforWestcotethatIdiscoveredit，andthen，notwishingtobeanylateringettinghome，IdidnotgobacktogiveittoTheodoraMitchellCorwin；infact，Ididnotknowwhereshehadelopedto。NorcouldIgiveittoMadgeorHenry，fortheyhadgoneontheirweddingjourneyassoonastheysawTheodoraandherloversafelyeloped。
Ihadnorighttogiveittothepoorwomanwiththebaby，evenifshehadnotimmediatelydisappearedintoherworldofpoverty，anditcertainlydidnotbelongtoLemuel，norcouldIhavegivenittohim，forhetookthetendollarsthelovergavehimandstayedoutsolatethathewaslatetoworkthismorningandwasdischarged。HesaidhewasgoingbacktoTexas。SoIbroughtthehandkerchiefandthetwelveacornshome，knowingyouwouldbeinterestedinhearingtheirstory。
WhenMr。Billingshadthusfinishedhisrelationofthehappeningsofhislongevening，Mrs。Billingswasthoughtfulforaminute。Thenshesaid：
"ButRollin，whenIspoketoyouofthehandkerchiefandthetwelveacornsyoublushed，andsaidyouhadreasontoblush。I
seenothinginthiskindactionyoudidtocauseablush。"
"Iblushed，"saidMr。Billings，"tothinkofthelieIwasgoingtotellTheodoraMerrillCorwin——"
"IthoughtyousaidhernamewasTheodoraMitchellCorwin，"
saidMrs。Billings。
"MitchellorMerill，"saidMr。Billings。"Icannotrememberexactlywhich。"
ForseveralminutesMrs。Billingswassilent。Occasionallyshewouldopenhermouthasiftoaskaquestion，buteachtimeshecloseditagainwithoutspeaking。Mr。Billingssatregardinghiswifewithwhat，inamanoflessclearconscience，mightbecalledanxiety。AtlengthMrs。Billingsputhersewingintohersewing-basketandarose。
"Rollin，"shesaid，"Ihaveenjoyedhearingyoutellyourexperiencesgreatly。Icansaybutonething：Neverinyourlifehaveyoudeceivedme。Andyouhavenotdeceivedmenow。"
ForhalfanhourafterthisMr。Billingssatalone，thinking。
III
OURFIRSTBURGLAR
WhenournewsuburbanhousewascompletedItookSarahouttoseeit，andshelikeditallbutthestairs。
"Edgar，"shesaid，whenshehadascendedtothesecondfloor，"Idon’tknowwhetheritisimaginationornot，butitseemstomethatthesestairsarefunny，someway。Ican’tunderstandit。
Theyarenotalongflight，andtheyarenotunusuallysteep，buttheyseemtobeunusuallywearying。Ineverknewashortflighttotiremeso，andIhaveclimbedmanyflightsinthesixyearswehavelivedinflats。"
"Perhaps，Sarah，"Isaid，withmilddissimulation，"youareunusuallytiredto-day。"
ThefactwasthatIhadplannedthosestairsmyself，andforaparticularreasonIhadmadetheriseofeachstepthreeinchesmorethanthecustomaryheight，andinthiswayIhadsavedtwosteps。Ihadalsomadethetreadofthestepsunusuallynarrow；
andthereasonwasthatIhadfound，fromlongexperience，thatstaircarpetwearsfirstonthetreadofthesteps，wherethefootfalls。Bymakingthestepstallenoughtosavetwo，andbymakingthetreadnarrow，Ireducedthewearonthecarpettoaminimum。Ibelieveineconomywhereitispossible。ForthesamereasonIhadthestairbanistersmadewide，withasaddle-liketoptothenewelpost，totemptmysonanddaughtertoslidedownstairs。Thelesstheyusedthestairsthelongerthecarpetwouldlast。
IneedhardlysaythatSarahhasafearofburglars；mostwomenhave。Asformyself，Iprefernottomeetaburglar。Itisallverywelltogetupinthenightandprowlaboutwithapistolinonehand，seekingtoeliminatethelifeofaburglar，andsomemenmaylikeit；butIamofaveryexcitablenature，andIamsurethatifIdidfindaburglarandsucceededinshootinghim，IshouldbeinsuchanexcitedstatethatIcouldnotsleepagainthatnight——andnomancanaffordtolosehisnight’srest。
Thereareotherobjectionstoshootingaburglarinthehouse，andtheseobjectionsapplywithdoubleforcewhenthehouseanditsfurnishingsareentirelynew。Althoughsomeoftherugsinourhousewerered，notallofthemwere；andIhadnoguaranteethatifIshotaburglarhewouldliedownonaredrugtobleedtodeath。Aburglardoesnotconsiderone’sfeelings，andwouldbequiteasapttobleedonagreenrug，andspoilit，asnot。
Untilburglarizingisproperlyregulatedandburglarsareeducated，astheyshouldbe，intechnicalburglaryschools，wecannothopethatashotburglarwillstaunchhiswounduntilhecanfindaredrugtoliedownon。
Andtherearestillotherobjectionstoshootingaburglar。Ifallburglarswerefat，oneofthesewouldberemoved；butperhapsathinburglarmightgetinfrontofmyrevolver，andinthatcasethebulletwouldbelikelytogorightthroughhimandcontinueonitsway，andperhapsbreakamirrororacut-glassdish。Iamathinmanmyself，andifaburglarshotatmehemightdamagethingsinthesameway。
Ithoughtallthesethingsoverwhenwedecidedtobuildinthesuburbs，forSarahisverynervousaboutburglars，andmakesmegetupattheslightestnoiseandgopokingabout。Onlythefactthatnoburglarhadeverenteredourflatatnighthadpreventedwhatmighthavebeenaseriousaccidenttoaburglar，forImadeitarule，whenSarahwakenedmeonsuchoccasions，towastenotime，buttogothroughtheroomsashastilyaspossibleandgetbacktobed；andatthespeedItravelledImighthavebumpedintoaburglarinthedarkandknockedhimover，andhisheadmighthavestrucksomehardobject，causingconcussionofthebrain；andasaburglarhasasmallbrainasmallamountofconcussionmighthaveruineditentirely。ButasIamaslightmanitmighthavebeenmybrainthatgotconcussed。Afatherofafamilyhastothinkofthesethings。
ThenervousnessofSarahregardingburglarshadledmeinthiswaytostudythesubjectcarefully，andmyadoptionofjet-blackpajamasasnightwearwasnotduetocowardiceonmypart。I
properlyreasonedthatifaburglartriedtoshootmewhileIwasrushingaroundthehouseafterhiminthedarkness，asuitofblackpajamaswouldsomewhatspoilhisaim，and，notbeingabletoseeme，hewouldnotshootatall。InthiswayIshouldsaveSarahthenerveshockthatwouldfollowtheexplosionofapistolinthehouse。ForSarahwasverymuchmoreafraidofpistolsthanofburglars。IamsuretherewereonlytworeasonswhyIhadneverkilledaburglarwithapistol：onewasthatnoburglarhadeverenteredourflat，andtheotherwasthatIneverhadapistol。
ButIknewthatoneismuchlessprotectedinasuburbthanintown，andwhenIdecidedtobuildIstudiedtheburglarprotectionmattermostcarefully。IsaidnothingtoSarahaboutit，forfearitwouldupsethernerves，butformonthsI
consideredeverymethodthatseemedtohaveanymerit，andthatwouldavoidgettingaburglar’sblood——ormine——spatteredaroundonournewfurnishings。IdesiredsomemethodbywhichIcouldfinishupaburglarproperlywithouthavingtoleavemybed，foralthoughSarahisbraveenoughinsendingmeoutofbedtocatchaburglar，IknewshemustsufferseverenervestrainduringthetimeIwaswanderingaboutinthedark。Herobjectiontoexplosiveshadalsotobeconsidered，andIreallyhadtoexercisemybrainmorethancommonbeforeIhituponwhatImaynowconsidertheonlyperfectmethodofhandlingburglars。
Severalthingscoincidedtosuggestmymethod。OneofthesewasSarah’sfoolishnotionthatoursilvermust，everynight，bebroughtfromthedining-roomanddepositedunderourbed。ThisI
consideredamostfoolhardytemptingoffate。Itcoaxedanyburglarwhoordinarilywouldhavequietlytakenthesilverfromthedining-roomandhavethengoneawaypeacefully，toenterourroom。TheknowledgethatIlayinbedreadyatanytimetospringoutuponhimwouldmakehimpreparehisrevolver，andhisnervousnessmightmakehimshootme，whichwouldquiteupsetSarah’snerves。ItoldSarahso，butshehadahereditaryinstinctforbringingthesilvertothebedroom，andinsisted。I
sawthatinthesuburbanhousethis，wouldbecontinuedas"bringingthesilverupstairs，"andatrialofmycarpet-savingstairssuggestedtomemyburglar-defeatingplan。Ihadtheapparatusbuiltintothehouse，andIhadthehouseplannedtoagreewiththeapparatus。
ForseveralmonthsafterwemovedintothehouseIhadnoburglars，butIfeltnofearoftheminanyevent。Iwaspreparedforthem。
InordernottomakeSarahnervous，Iexplainedtoherthatmyinventionofasilver-elevatorwasmerelyatime-savingdevice。
Fromthetopofthedining-roomsideboardIranuprighttracksthroughtheceilingtothebackofthehallabove，andintheseI
placedaglasscase，whichcouldberunupanddownthetrackslikeadumbwaiter。Allourservanthadtodowhenshehadwashedthesilverwastoputitintheglasscase，andIhadattachedtothetopofthecaseastoutsteelcablewhichrantotheceilingofthehallabove，overapulley，andsotoourbedroom，whichwasatthefrontofthehallupstairs。BythismeansIcould，whenIwasinbed，pullthecable，andtheglasscaseofsilverwouldrisetothesecondfloor。Ourbedroomdooropeneduponthehall，andfromthebedIcouldseetheglasscase；butinorderthatImightbesurethatthesilverwasthereIputasmallelectriclightinthecaseandkeptitburningallnight。Sarahwasdelightedwiththisarrangement，forinthemorningallIhadtodowastopayoutthesteelcableandthesilverwoulddescendtothedining-room，andthemaidcouldhavethetableallsetbythetimebreakfastwasready。NotoncedidSarahhaveasuspicionthatallthiswasnotmerelyahouseholdeconomy，butmyburglartrap。
OnthesixthofAugust，attwoo’clockinthemorning，Sarahawakenedme，andIimmediatelysatstraightupinbed。Therewasanundoubtablenoiseofsawing，andIknewatoncethataburglarwasenteringourhome。Sarahwastrembling，andIknewshewasgettingnervous，butIorderedhertoremaincalm。
"Sarah，"Isaid，inawhisper，"becalm！Thereisnottheleastdanger。Ihavebeenexpectingthisforsometime，andIonlyhopetheburglarhasnodependentfamilyorpooroldmothertosupport。Whateverhappens，becalmandkeepperfectlyquiet。"
WiththatIreleasedthesteelcablefromtheheadofmybedandlettheglasscasefullofsilverslidenoiselesslytothesideboard。
"Edgar！"whisperedSarahinagonizedtones，"areyougivinghimoursilver？"
"Sarah！"Iwhisperedsternly，"rememberwhatIhavejustsaid。
Becalmandkeepperfectlyquiet。"AndIwouldsaynomore。
InaveryshorttimeIheardthewindowbelowusopensoftly，andIknewtheburglarwasenteringtheparlourfromthesideporch。Icountedtwenty，whichIhadfiguredwouldbethetimerequiredforhimtoreachthedining-room，andthen，whenIwassurehemusthaveseenthesilvershiningintheglasscase，I
slowlypulledonthesteelcableandraisedcaseandsilvertothehallabove。Sarahbegantowhispertome，butIsilencedher。
WhatIhadexpectedhappened。Theburglar，seeingthesilverrisethroughtheceiling，leftthedining-roomandwentintothehall。There，fromthefootofthestairs，hecouldseethecaseglowinginthehallabove，andwithouthesitationhemountedthestairs。AshereachedthetopIhadagoodviewofhim，forhewassilhouettedagainstthelightthatglowedfromthesilvercase。Hewasamostbrutallookingfellowoftheprize-fightingtype，butIalmostlaughedaloudwhenIsawhisbuild。Hewasshortandchunky。Ashesteppedforwardtograspthesilvercase，Iletthesteelcablerunthroughmyfingers，andthecaseanditspreciouscontentsslidnoiselesslydowntothedining-room。
Foronlyoneinstanttheburglarseemeddisconcerted，thenheturnedandrandownstairsagain。
ThistimeIdidnotwaitsolongtodrawupthesilver。I
hardlygavehimtimetoreachthedining-roomdoorbeforeI
jerkedthecable，andthecasewasglowingintheupperhall。Theburglarimmediatelystopped，turned，andmountedthestairs，butjustashereachedthetopIletthesilverslidedownagain，andhehadtoturnanddescend。HardlyhadhereachedthebottomstepbeforeIhadthesilveroncemoreintheupperhall。
Theburglarwasagrittyfellowandwasnottobesoeasilydefeated。WithsomewordwhichIcouldnotcatch，butwhichI
havenodoubtwasprofane，oratleastvulgar，hedashedupthestairs，andjustashishandtouchedthecaseIletthesilverdroptothedining-room。IsmiledasIsawhisnextmove。Hecarefullyremovedhiscoatandvest，rolleduphissleeves，andtookoffhiscollar。Thisevidentlymeantthatheintendedtogetthesilverifittookthewholenight，andnothingcouldhavepleasedmemore。Ilayinmycomfortablebedfairlyshakingwithsuppressedlaughter，andhadtostuffacornerofapillowinmymouthtosmotherthesoundofmymirth。Ididnotallowtheleastpityfortheunfortunatefellowtoweakenmynerve。
Alow，longscreechfromthehalltoldmethatIhadamanofuncommonbraintocontendwith，forIknewthesoundcamefromhishandsdrawingalongthebanister，andthattohusbandhisstrengthandtosavetime，hewasslidingdown。Butthisdidnotdisconcertme。Itpleasedme。Thequickerhewentdown，theoftenerhewouldhavetowalkup。
ForhalfanhourIplayedwithhim，givinghimjusttimetogetdowntothefootofthestairsbeforeIraisedthesilver，andjusttimetoreachthetopbeforeIloweredit，andthenIgrewtiredofthesport——foritwasnothingelsetome——anddecidedtofinishhimoff。Iwasgettingsleepy，butitwasevidentthattheburglarwasnot，andIwasalittleafraidImightfallasleepandthusdefeatmyself。Theburglarhadthatadvantagebecausehewasusedtonightwork。SoIquickenedmymovementsalittle。
WhentheburglarsliddownIgavehimjusttimetoseethesilverrisethroughtheceiling，andwhenheclimbedthestairsIonlyallowedhimtoseeitdescendthroughthefloor。InthiswayI
madehimdoublehispace，andasIquickenedmymovementsIsoonhadhimdashingupthestairsandslidingdownagainasifforawager。Ididnotgivehimamomentforrest，andhewassoonpantingterriblyandbeginningtostumble；butwithalmostsuperhumannervehekeptupthechase。Hewasanunusuallytoughburglar。
ButquickashewasIwasalwaysquicker，andaglimpseoftheglowingcasewasallIlethimhaveateitherendofhisclimborslide。Nosoonerwashedownthanitwasup，andnosoonerwasthecaseupthanhewasupafterit。InthiswayIkeptincreasinghisspeeduntilitwassomethingterrific，andthewholehouseshook，likeanautomobilewithaverypowerfulmotor。
Butstillhisspeedincreased。IsawthenthatIhadbroughthimtotheplaceIhadpreparedfor，wherehehadbutoneobjectinlife，andthatwastobeatthecaseupordownstairs；andasI
wasnowsosleepyIcouldhardlykeepmyeyesopen，IdidwhatI
hadintendedtodofromthefirst。Iloweredthecaseuntilitwasexactlybetweentheceilingofthedining-roomandthefloorofthehallabove——andturnedouttheelectriclight。Ithentiedthesteelcablesecurelytotheheadofmybed，turnedover，andwenttosleep，lulledbytheshakingofthehouseastheburglardashedupanddownthestairs。
JusthowlongthiscontinuedIdonotknow，formysleepwasdeepanddreamless，butIshouldjudgethattheburglarranhimselftodeathsometimebetweenhalf-pastthreeandaquarterafterfour。SogreathadbeenhiseffortsthatwhenIwenttoremovehimIdidnotrecognizehimatall。WhenIhadseenhimlastintheglowoftheglasssilvercasehehadbeenastout，chunkyfellow，andnowhisremainswerethoseofanemaciatedman。Hemusthaverunoffonehundredandtwentypoundsoffleshbeforehegaveout。
Onlyonethingcloudedmytriumph。Oursilverconsistedofbuthalfadozeneachofknives，forks，andspoons，abutterknife，andasugarspoon，allplated，andworthprobablyfivedollars，andtosavethisIhadmadetheburglarweartoragsaWiltonstaircarpetworthtwenty-ninedollars。ButIhavenowcorrectedthis。Ihaveboughtfiftydollarsworthofsilver。