Thestillnessoftheemptyhousewasonlybrokenbythehabituallysubduedvoicesofthechildrenattheirplay，whensuddenlytheharshstrokeofadistantbellcamethroughtheopenwindow。ButitwasnoSabbathbell，andMr。Breezeknewit。ItwasthetocsinoftheVigilanceCommittee，summoningthememberstoassembleattheirquartersforacapture，atrial，oranexecutionofsomewrongdoer。Tohimitwasequallyasummonstotheoffice——todistastefulnewsandexcitement。
Hethrewhisproofsasideindisgust，laiddownhispen，seizedhishat，andpausedamomenttolookroundforhisplaymates。Buttheyweregone！Hewentintothehall，lookedintotheopendooroftheirroom，buttheywerenotthere。Hetriedthedoorofthesecondroom，butitwaslocked。
Satisfiedthattheyhadstolendownstairsintheireagernesstoknowwhatthebellmeant，hehurrieddownalso，metRobertsinthepassage，——asingularlyunusualcircumstanceatthathour，——calledtohimtolookaftertherunaways，andhurriedtohisoffice。
Herehefoundthestaffcollected，excitedlydiscussingthenews。
OneoftheVigilanceCommitteeprisoners，anotoriousbullyandruffian，detainedasacriminalandawitness，hadcommittedsuicideinhiscell。Fortunatelythiswasallreportorialwork，andtheservicesofMr。Breezewerenotrequired。Hehurriedback，relieved，tohisroom。
Whenhereachedhislanding，breathlessly，heheardthesamequickrustlehehadheardthatmemorableevening，andwasquitesatisfiedthathesawafigureglideswiftlyoutoftheopendoorofhisroom。Itwasnodoubthisneighbor，whohadbeenseekingherchildren，andasheheardtheirvoicesashepassed，hisuneasinessandsuspicionswereremoved。
Hesatdownagaintohisscatteredpapersandproofs，finishedhiswork，andtookittotheofficeonhiswaytodinner。Hereturnedearly，inthehopethathemightmeethisneighboragain，andhadquitesettledhismindthathewasjustifiedinofferingacivil"Good-evening"toher，inspiteofhispreviousrespectfulignoringofherpresence。Shemustcertainlyhavebecomeawarebythistimeofhisattentiontoherchildrenandconsiderationforherself，andcouldnotmistakehismotives。Buthewasdisappointed，althoughhecameupsoftly；hefoundthefloorindarknessandsilenceonhisreturn，andhehadtobecontentwithlightinghisgasandsettlingdowntoworkagain。
Anearchurchclockhadstrucktenwhenhewasstartledbythesoundofanunfamiliaranduncertainstepinthehall，followedbyatapathisdoor。Breezejumpedtohisfeet，andwasastonishedtofindDick，the"printer'sdevil，"standingonthethresholdwitharollofproofsinhishand。
"Howdidyougethere？"heaskedtestily。
"Theytoldmeattherestauranttheyreckonedyoulivedyere，andthenightwatchmanatthedoorheadedmestraightup。WhenheknewwharIkemfromhewantedtoknowwhatthenewswas，butItoldhimhe'dbetterbuyanextraandsee。"
"Well，whatdidyoucomefor？"saidtheeditorimpatiently。
"Theforemansaiditwasimportant，andhewantedtoknowaforehewenttopressefthisyercorrectionwasYOURS？"
Hewenttothetable，unrolledtheproofs，and，takingouttheslip，pointedtoamarkedparagraph。"Theforemansaysthereporterwhobroughtthenewsallowshegotitstraightfirst-hand！
Butefyou'vecorrectedit，hereckonsyouknowbest。"
Breezesawataglancethattheparagraphalludedtowasnotofhisownwriting，butoneofseveralnewsitemsfurnishedbyreporters。
Thesehadbeen"setup"inthesame"galley，"andconsequentlyappearedinthesameproof-slip。Hewasabouttosaycurtlythatneitherthematternorthecorrectionwashis，whensomethingoddinthecorrectionoftheitemstruckhim。Itreadasfollows：——
"Itappearsthatthenotorious'JimBodine，'whoisinhidingandbadlywantedbytheVigilanceCommittee，hasbeentemptedlatelyintoarenewalofhisoldrecklessness。HewasseeninSacramentoStreettheothernightbytwoseparatewitnesses，oneofwhomfollowedhim，butheescapedinsomefriendlydoorway。"
Thewords"inSacramentoStreet"werestrickenoutandreplacedbythecorrection"ontheSaucelitoshore，"andthewords"friendlydoorway"werechangedto"friendlydinghy。"Thecorrectionwasnothis，northehandwriting，whichwasfurtherdisguisedbybeinganimitationofprint。Astrangeideaseizedhim。
"HasanyoneseentheseproofssinceIleftthemattheoffice？"
"No，onlytheforeman，sir。"
Herememberedthathehadlefttheproofslyingopenlyonhistablewhenhewascalledtotheofficeatthestrokeofthealarmbell；
herememberedthefigurehesawglidingfromhisroomonhisreturn。Shehadbeentherealonewiththeproofs；sheonlycouldhavetamperedwiththem。
TheevidentobjectofthecorrectionwastodirectthepublicattentionfromSacramentoStreettoSaucelito，astheprobablewhereaboutsofthis"JimmyBodine。"ThestreetbelowwasSacramentoStreet，the"friendlydoorway"mighthavebeentheirown。
ThatshehadsomeknowledgeofthisBodinewasnotmoreimprobablethantheballetstory。Herstrangeabsences，themysterysurroundingher，allseemedtotestifythatshehadsomeconnection——perhapsonlyaninnocentone——withthesedesperatepeoplewhomtheVigilanceCommitteewerehuntingdown。Herattempttosavethemanwas，afterall，nomoreillegalthantheirattempttocapturehim。True，shemighthavetrustedhim，Breeze，withoutthistamperingwithhispapers；yetperhapsshethoughthewascertaintodiscoverit——anditwasonlyasilentappealtohismercy。Thecorrectionswereingeniousandnatural——itwastheactofanintelligent，quick-wittedwoman。
Mr。Breezewaspromptinactinguponhisintuition，whetherrightorwrong。Hetookuphispen，wroteonthemarginoftheproof，"Printascorrected，"saidtotheboycarelessly，"Thecorrectionsareallright，"anddismissedhimquickly。
Thecorrectedparagraphwhichappearedinthe"Informer"thenextmorningseemedtoattractlittlepublicattention，thegreaterexcitementbeingthesuicideoftheimprisonedbullyandtheeffectitmighthaveupontheprosecutionofothersuspectedparties，againstwhomthedeadmanhadbeenexpectedtobearwitness。
Mr。BreezewasunabletoobtainanyinformationregardingthedesperadoBodine'sassociatesandrelations；hiscorrectionoftheparagraphhadmadetheothermembersofthestaffbelievehehadsecretandsuperiorinformationregardingthefugitive，andhethuswasestoppedfromaskingquestions。ButhefelthimselfjustifiednowindemandingfullerinformationfromRobertsattheearliestopportunity。
Forthispurposehecamehomeearlierthatnight，hopingtofindthenightwatchmanstillonhisfirstbeatinthelowerhalls。Buthewasdisappointed。Hewasamazed，however，onreachinghisownlanding，tofindthepassagepiledwithnewluggage，someofthatrudertypeofrolledblanketandknapsackknownasa"miner'skit。"
Hewasstillmoresurprisedtohearmen'svoicesandthesoundoflaughterproceedingfromtheroomthatwasalwayslocked。Asuddensenseofuneasinessanddisgust，heknewnotwhy，cameoverhim。
Hepassedquicklyintohisroom，shutthedoorsharply，andlitthegas。Buthepresentlyheardthedoorofthelockedroomopen，aman'svoice，slightlyelevatedbyliquorandopposition，saying，"I
knowwhat'sduefromonegen'lemanto'nother"——aquerulous，objectingvoicesaying，"Holeon！notnow，"andafainterfeminineprotest，allofwhichwerefollowedbyaraponhisdoor。
Breezeopenedittotwostrangers，oneofwhomlurchedforwardunsteadilywithoutstretchedhand。Hehadahandsomefaceandfigure，andacertainconsciousnessofitevenintheabandonofliquor；hehadanaggressivetreacherousnessofeyewhichhispotationshadnotsubdued。HegraspedBreeze'shandtightly，butdroppeditthenextmomentperfunctorilyasheglancedroundtheroom。
"ItoldthemIwasboundtocomein，"hesaid，withoutlookingatBreeze，"andsay'Howdy！'tothemanthat'sbinapaltomywomenfolksandthekids——andactedwhiteallthrough！IsaidtoMame，'IreckonHEknowswhoIam，andthatIkinbehigh-tonedtothemthat'shigh-toned；kinreturnshakeforshakeandshotforshot！'
Aye！that'sme！SoIwasboundtocomeinlikeagen'leman，sir，andhereIam！"
HethrewhimselfinanunprofferedchairandstaredatBreeze。
"I'mafraid，"saidBreezedryly，"that，nevertheless，Ineverknewwhoyouwere，andthatevennowIamignorantwhomIamaddressing。"
"That'sjustit，"saidthesecondman，withaquerulousprotest，whichdidnot，however，concealhisadmiringvassalagetohisfriend；"that'swhatI'mallustellingJim。'Jim，'Isays，'howisfolkstoknowyou'rethemanthatshotKernelBaxter，anddroppedthreeo'themMariposaVigilants？Theydidn'tseeyoudoit！Theyjustlookatyourfancystyleandthemmustachesofyours，andallowyemightbedeathonthegirls，buttheydon'tknowye！An'
thismanyere——he'sascribeinthempapers——writeswhatthebosseditortellshim，andlivesupyereontheroof，'longsideyerwifeandthechildren——what'sheknowin'aboutYOU？'Jim'sallrightenough，"hecontinued，ineasyconfidencetoBreeze，"buthe'stoofresh'bouthimself。"
Mr。JamesBodineacceptedthistributeandcriticismofhishenchmanwithacomplacentlaugh，whichwasnot，however，withoutacertaincontemptforthespeakerandthemanspokento。Hisbold，selfisheyeswanderedroundtheroomasifinsearchofsomeotheramusementthanhiscompanionsoffered。
"Ireckonthisistheroomwhichthathoundofalandlord，Rakes，allowedhe'dfixupforourpokerclub——theclubthatDanSimmonsandmegotup，withafewothersports。Itwastobeaslap-upaffair，rightundertheroof，wheretherewasnochanceofthepoliceraidingus。ButthecurweakenedwhentheVigilantsstartedouttomakewaronanygameagen'lemanmighthevthatwasn'tintheirgummy-bag，saltporktrade。Well，it'sgettin'alongtimebetweendrinks，gen'lemen，ain'tit？"Helookedroundhimsignificantly。
Onlythethoughtofthewomanandherchildreninthenextroom，andtheshamethathebelievedshewasenduring，enabledBreezetokeephistemperorevenashowofcivility。
"I'mafraid，"hesaidquietly，"thatyou'llfindverylittleheretoremindyouoftheclub——noteventhewhiskey；forIusetheroomonlyasabedroom，andasIamaworkingman，andcomeinlateandgooutearly，Ihaveneverfounditavailableforhospitality，eventomyintimatefriends。Iamveryglad，however，thatthelittleleisureIhavehadinithasenabledmetomakethefloorlesslonelyforyourchildren。"
Mr。Bodinegotupwithanaffectedyawn，turnedanembarrassedyetdarkeningeyeonBreeze，andlungedunsteadilytothedoor。"AndasIonlyhappenedintodothereg'larthingbetweenhigh-tonedgen'lemen，Ireckonwekinsay'Quits。'"Hegaveacoarselaugh，said"Solong，"nodded，stumbledintothepassage，andthenceintotheotherroom。
Hiscompanionwatchedhimpassoutwitharelievedyetprotectingair，andthen，closingthedoorsoftly，drewnearertoBreeze，andsaidinhuskyconfidence，——
"Yeain'tseein'himathisbest，mister！He'sbindrinkin'toomuch，andthisyernewshasupsethim。"
"Whatnews？"askedBreeze。
"Thisyersuicideo'IrishJack！"
"Washehisfriend？"
"Friend？"ejaculatedtheman，horrifiedatthemeresuggestion。
"Notmuch！Why，IrishJackwastheonlymanthatcouldhevhungJim！Nowhe'sdead，incoursetheVigilantsain'tgotnoproofaginJim。Jimwantstofaceitoutnowan'stayhere，buthiswifeandmedon'tseeitnoways！Sowearetakingadvantageo'thelullaginhimtogethimoffdownthecoastthisverynight。That'swhyhe'sbeenoffhisheaddrinkin'。Yesee，whenamanhasbeenforweekshidin'——parto'thetimeinthatroomandparto'thetimeonthewharf，wherethemVigilantshasbeenwatchin'everyshipthatleftinordertoketchhim，he'sinclinedtocelebratehischanceo'gettingaway"——
"Partofthetimeinthatroom？"interruptedBreezequickly。
"Sartin！Don'tyesee？Healluskeminasyouwentout——sabe！——
andgotawaybeforeyoukemback，hiswifeallthetimejusta-
hoverin'betweenthetwoplaces，andkeepingwatchforhim。Itwaskillin'toher，yousee，forshewasn'tbroughtuptoit，whilesJimdidn'tkeer——hadtworevolversandkalkilatedtokilladozenVigilantsaforehedropped。Butthat'sovernow，andwhenI'vegothimsafeonthat'plunger'downatthewharfto-night，andputhimaboardtheschoonerthat'slyingofftheHeads，he'sallrightagin。"
"AndRobertsknewallthisandwasoneofhisfriends？"askedBreeze。
"Robertsknewit，andRoberts'swifeusedtobeakindofservanttoJim'swifeintheSouth，whenshewasagirl，butIdon'tknowezRobertsishisFRIEND！"
"Hecertainlyhasshownhimselfone，"saidBreeze。
"Ye-e-s，"saidthestrangermeditatively，"ye-e-s。"Hestopped，openedthedoorsoftly，andpeepedout，andthencloseditagainsoftly。"It'ssing'lar，Mr。Breeze，"hewentoninasuddenyetembarrassedburstofconfidence，"thatJimthar——amanthetcanshootstraight，andhezfrequent；amanthetknowseveryskingamegoin'——thatTHETmanJim，"veryslowly，"hezn'treally——got——anyfriends——'ceptme——andhiswife。"
"Indeed？"saidMr。Breezedryly。
"Sure！Why，youyourselfdidn'tcottontohim——IcouldseeTHET。"
Mr。Breezefelthimselfreddenslightly，andlookedcuriouslyattheman。Thisvulgarparasite，whomhehadsetdownasaworshiperofshamheroes，undoubtedlydidnotlooklikeanassociateofBodine's，andhadacertainseriousnessthatdemandedrespect。Ashelookedcloserintohiswide，roundface，seamedwithsmall-pox，hefanciedhesaweveninitsfatuousimbecilitysomethingofthathauntingdevotionhehadseenontherefinedfeaturesofthewife。
Hesaidmoregently，——
"Butonefriendlikeyouwouldseemtobeenough。"
"Iain'twhatIusterbe，Mr。Breeze，"saidthemanmeditatively，"andmebbeyedon'tknowwhoIam。I'mAbeShuckster，ofShuckster'sRanch——oneofthebiggestinPetalumy。Iwasarichmanuntilayearago，whenJimgotintertrouble。Whatwithmortgagesandinterest，payin'upJim'sfriendsandbuyingoffsomeezwassetaginhim，tharain'tmuchleft，andwhenI'vesettledthatbillfortheschoonerlyingofftheHeadsthereIreckonI'maboutplayedout。ButI'veallusashantyatPetalumy，andmebbewhenthingsisfrozeoverandJimgetsback——you'llcomeandseehim——foryouain'tseenhimathisbest。"
"Isupposehiswifeandchildrengowithhim？"saidBreeze。
"No！He'saginit，andwantsthemtocomelater。Butthat'sallright，foryouseeshekingobacktotheirownhouseattheMission，nowthattheVigilantsaregivin'upshadderin'it。Solong，Mr。Breeze！We'restartin'aforedaylight。Sorryyoudidn'tseeJimincondition。"
HegraspedBreeze'shandwarmlyandslippedoutofthedoorsoftly。
ForaninstantMr。Breezefeltinclinedtofollowhimintotheroomandmakeakinderadieutothepair，butthereflectionthathemightembarrassthewife，who，itwouldseem，hadpurposelyavoidedaccompanyingherhusbandwhenheentered，withheldhim。Andforthelastfewminuteshehadbeendoubtfulifhehadanyrighttoposeasherfriend。Besidethedevotionofthemanwhohadjustlefthim，hisownscantkindnesstoherchildrenseemedridiculous。
Hewenttobed，buttosseduneasilyuntilhefanciedheheardstealthyfootstepsoutsidehisdoorandinthepassage。Eventhenhethoughtofgettingup，dressing，andgoingouttobidfarewelltothefugitives。Butevenwhilehewasthinkingofithefellasleepanddidnotwakeuntilthesunwasshininginathiswindows。
Hesprangtohisfeet，threwonhisdressing-gown，andpeeredintothepassage。Everythingwassilent。Hesteppedoutside——thelightstreamedintothehallfromtheopendoorsandwindowsofbothrooms——thefloorwasempty；notatraceoftheformeroccupantsremained。Hewasturningbackwhenhiseyefelluponthebatteredwoodendollsetuprightagainsthisdoorjamb，holdingstifflyinitsjointedarmsabitofpaperfoldedlikeanote。Openingit，hefoundafewlineswritteninpencil。
Godblessyouforyourkindnesstous，andtrytoforgivemefortouchingyourpapers。ButIthoughtthatyouwoulddetectit，knowWHYIdidit，andthenhelpus，asyoudid！Good-by！
MAMIEBODINE。
Mr。Breezelaiddownthepaperwithaslightaccessionofcolor，asifitspurporthadbeenironical。Howlittlehadhedonecomparedtothedevotionofthisdelicatewomanorthesacrificesofthatroughfriend！Howdesertedlookedthisnestundertheeaves，whichhadsolongborneitsburdenofguilt，innocence，shame，andsuffering！Formanydaysafterwardsheavoideditexceptatnight，andeventhenheoftenfoundhimselflyingawaketolistentothelostvoicesofthechildren。
Butoneevening，afortnightlater，hecameuponRobertsinthehall。"Well，"saidBreeze，withabruptdirectness，"didhegetaway？"
Robertsstarted，utteredanoathwhichitispossibletheRecordingAngelpassedtohiscredit，andsaid，"Yes，HEgotawayallright！"
"Why，hasn'thiswifejoinedhim？"
"No。Never，inthisworld，Ireckon；andifanywhereinthenext，Idon'twanttogothere！"saidRobertsfuriously。
"Ishedead？"
"Dead？Thatkinddon'tdie！"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
Roberts'slipswrithed，andthen，withastrongeffort，hesaidwithdeliberatedistinctness，"Imean——thatthehoundwentoffwithanotherwoman——that——was——in——thatschooner，andleftthatfoolShucksteradriftintheplunger。"
"Andthewifeandchildren？"
"ShuckstersoldhisshantyatPetalumatopaytheirpassagetotheStates。Good-night！"
HOWREUBENALLEN"SAWLIFE"INSANFRANCISCO
ThejuniorpartnerofthefirmofSparlow&Kane，"DruggistsandApothecaries，"ofSanFrancisco，wasgazingmeditativelyoutofthecornerofthewindowoftheirlittleshopinDupontStreet。HecouldseethedimlylitperspectiveofthenarrowthoroughfarefadeoffintothelevelsandwastesofMarketStreetontheoneside，andplungeintothehalf-excavatedbulkofTelegraphHillontheother。HecouldseetheglowandheartherumbleofMontgomeryStreet——thegreatcentralavenuefartherdownthehill。Abovethehousetopswasspreadthewarmblanketofsea-fogunderwhichthecitywasregularlylaidtosleepeverysummernighttothecoollullabyoftheNorthwestTrades。Itwasalreadyhalf-pasteleven；
footstepsonthewoodenpavementweregettingrarerandmoreremote；thelastcarthadrumbledby；theshutterswereupalongthestreet；theglareofhisownredandbluejarswastheonlybeaconlefttoguidethewayfarers。Ordinarilyhewouldhavebeengoinghomeatthishour，whenhispartner，whooccupiedthesurgeryandasmallbedroomattherearoftheshop，alwaysreturnedtorelievehim。Thatnight，however，aprofessionalvisitwoulddetainthe"Doctor"untilhalf-pasttwelve。Therewasstillanhourtowait。Hefeltdrowsy；themysteriousincenseoftheshop，thatcombinedessenceofdrugs，spice，scentedsoap，andorrisroot——whichalwaysremindedhimoftheArabianNights——wasaffectinghim。Heyawned，andthen，turningaway，passedbehindthecounter，tookdownajarlabeled"Glycyrr。Glabra，"selectedapieceofSpanishlicorice，andmeditativelysuckedit。Notreceivingfromitthatdiversionandsustenanceheapparentlywasseeking，healsovisited，inanequallyfamiliarmanner，ajarmarked"Jujubes，"andreturnedruminatinglytohispreviousposition。
IfIhavenotinthisincidentsufficientlyestablishedtheyouthfulnessofthejuniorpartner，Imayaddbrieflythathewasjustnineteen，thathehadearlyjoinedtheemigrationtoCalifornia，andafteroneortwopreviouslight-heartedessaysatotheroccupations，forwhichhewassingularlyunfitted，hehadsavedenoughtoembarkonhispresentventure，stilllesssuitedtohistemperament。Inthoseadventurousdaystradesandvocationswerenotalwaysfilledbytrainedworkmen；itwasextremelyprobablethattheexperiencedchemistwasalreadymakinghissuccessasagold-miner，withalawyerandaphysicianforhispartners，andMr。Kane'sinexperiencedpositionwasbynomeansanovelone。AslightknowledgeofLatinasawrittenlanguage，anAmericanschoolboy'sacquaintancewithchemistryandnaturalphilosophy，weredeemedsufficientbyhispartner，aregularphysician，forpracticalcooperationinthevendingofdrugsandputtingupofprescriptions。Heknewthedifferencebetweenacidsandalkaliesandthepeculiarresultswhichattendedtheirincautiouscombination。Buthewasexcessivelydeliberate，painstaking，andcautious。Thelegendwhichadornedthedeskatthecounter，"Physicians'prescriptionscarefullyprepared，"wasmorethanusuallytrueasregardedtheadverb。Therewasnodangerofhispoisoninganybodythroughhasteorcarelessness，butitwaspossiblethatanurgent"case"mighthavesuccumbedtothediseasewhilehewasputtinguptheremedy。Norwashiscautionentirelypassive。Inthosedaysthe"heroic"practiceofmedicinewasinkeepingwiththeabnormaldevelopmentofthecountry；therewere"record"dosesofcalomelandquinine，andhehadonceortwiceincurredthefuryoflocalpractitionersbysendingbacktheirprescriptionswithamodestquery。
Thefar-offclatterofcarriagewheelspresentlyarrestedhisattention；lookingdownthestreet，hecouldseethelightsofahackneycarriageadvancingtowardshim。Theyhadalreadyflashedupontheopencrossingablockbeyondbeforehisvaguecuriositychangedintoanactiveinstinctivepresentimentthattheywerecomingtotheshop。Hewithdrewtoamorebecominganddignifiedpositionbehindthecounterasthecarriagedrewupwithajerkbeforethedoor。
Thedriverrolledfromhisboxandopenedthecarriagedoortoawomanwhomheassisted，betweensomehystericalexclamationsonherpartandsomeequallyincoherentexplanationsofhisown，intotheshop。Kanesawataglancethatbothwereundertheinfluenceofliquor，andone，thewoman，wasdisheveledandbleedingaboutthehead。Yetshewaselegantlydressedandevidentlyenfete，withoneortwo"tricolor"knotsandribbonsmingledwithherfinery。
Hergoldenhair，mattedanddarkenedwithblood，hadpartlyescapedfromherFrenchbonnetandhungheavilyoverhershoulders。Thedriver，whowassupportingherroughly，andwithafamiliaritythatwaspartoftheincongruousspectacle，wasthefirsttospeak。
"MadameleBlank！yeknow！GotcutabouttheheaddownatthefeteatSouthPark！Triedtodanceuponthetable，androlledoveronsomechampagnebottles。See？Wantsplasteringup！"
"Ahbrute！Hog！Nozzingofzekine！Whywillyoulie？Idance！
Zecowards，fools，traitorszereupsetzetableandIfall。Iamcut！Ah，myGod，howIamcut！"
Shestoppedsuddenlyandlapsedheavilyagainstthecounter。AtwhichKanehurriedaroundtosupportherintothesurgerywiththeonefixedideainhisbewilderedmindofgettingheroutoftheshop，and，suggestively，intothedomainandundertheresponsibilityofhispartner。Thehackman，apparentlyrelievedandwashinghishandsofanyfurthercomplicityinthematter，noddedandsmiled，andsaying，"IreckonI'llwaitoutside，pardner，"retreatedincontinentlytohisvehicle。ToaddtoKane'shalf-ludicrousembarrassmentthefairpatientherselfslightlyresistedhissupport，accusedthehackmanof"abandoningher，"anddemandedifKaneknew"zeereasonofzeesaffair，"yetshepresentlylapsedagainintothelargereclining-chairwhichhehadwheeledforward，withopenmouth，half-shuteyes，andastrangePierrettemaskofface，combinedofthepalloroffaintnessandchalk，andtherougeofpaintandblood。AtwhichKane'scautiousnessagainembarrassedhim。Alittlebrandyfromthebottlelabeled"ViniGalli"seemedtobeindicated，buthisinexperiencecouldnotdetermineifherrelaxationwasfrombloodlessnessorthereactingdepressionofalcohol。Inthisdilemmahechoseamediumcourse，witharomaticspiritsofammonia，andmixingadilutedquantityinameasuring-glass，poureditbetweenherwhitelips。Astart，astruggle，acough——avolleyofimprecatoryFrench，andtheknockingoftheglassfromhishandfollowed——butshecameto！Hequicklyspongedherheadofthehalf-coagulatedblood，andremovedafewfragmentsofglassfromalonglacerationofthescalp。Theshockofthecoldwaterandtheappearanceoftheensanguinedbasinfrightenedherintoamomentarypassivity。ButwhenKanefounditnecessarytocutherhairintheregionofthewoundinordertoapplytheadhesiveplaster，sheagainendeavoredtoriseandgraspthescissors。
"You'llbleedtodeathifyou'renotquiet，"saidtheyoungmanwithdoggedgravity。
Somethinginhismannerimpressedherintosilenceagain。Hecutwholelocksawayruthlessly；hewasdeterminedtodrawtheedgesofthewoundtogetherwiththestripofplasterandstopthebleeding——
ifhecroppedthewholehead。Hisexcessivecautionforherphysicalconditiondidnotextendtohersuperficialadornment。
Heryellowtresseslayonthefloor，herneckandshouldersweresaturatedwithwaterfromthespongewhichhecontinuallyapplied，untiltheheatedstripsofplasterhadclosedthewoundalmosthermetically。Shewhimpered，tearsrandownhercheeks；butsolongasitwasnotbloodtheyoungmanwassatisfied。
Inthemidstofitheheardtheshopdooropen，andpresentlythesoundofrappingonthecounter。Anothercustomer！
Mr。Kanecalledout，"Waitamoment，"andcontinuedhisministrations。
Afterapausetherappingrecommenced。Kanewasjustsecuringthelaststripofplasterandpreservedapreoccupiedsilence。Thenthedoorflewopenabruptlyandafigureappearedimpatientlyonthethreshold。Itwasthatofaminerrecentlyreturnedfromthegolddiggings——sorecentlythatheevidentlyhadnothadtimetochangehisclothesathisadjacenthotel，andstoodthereinhishighboots，ducktrousers，andflannelshirt，overwhichhiscoatwasslunglikeahussar'sjacketfromhisshoulder。Kanewouldhaveutteredanindignantprotestattheintrusion，hadnottheintruderhimselfasquicklyrecoiledwithanastonishmentandcontritionthatwasbeyondtheeffectofanyreproval。Heliterallygaspedatthespectaclebeforehim。Ahandsomelydressedwomanreclininginachair；laceandjewelryandribbonsdependingfromhersaturatedshoulders；tressesofgoldenhairfillingherlapandlyingonthefloor；apailofruddywaterandaspongeatherfeet，andapaleyoungmanbendingoverherheadwithaspiritlampandstripsofyellowplaster！
"'Scuseme，pard！Iwasjustdroppingin；don'tyouhurry！Ikinwait，"hestammered，fallingback，andthenthedoorclosedabruptlybehindhim。
Kanegathereduptheshornlocks，wipedthefaceandneckofhispatientwithacleantowelandhisownhandkerchief，threwhergorgeousoperacloakoverhershoulders，andassistedhertorise。
Shedidso，weaklybutobediently；shewasevidentlystunnedandcowedinsomemysteriouswaybyhismaterialattitude，perhaps，orhersuddenrealizationofherposition；atleastthecontrastbetweenheraggressiveentranceintotheshopandhersubduedpreparationforherdeparturewassoremarkablethatitaffectedevenKane'spreoccupation。
"There，"hesaid，slightlyrelaxinghisseveredemeanorwithanencouragingsmile，"Ithinkthiswilldo；we'vestoppedthebleeding。Itwillprobablysmartalittleastheplastersetscloser。Icansendmypartner，Dr。Sparlow，toyouinthemorning。"
Shelookedathimcuriouslyandwithastrangesmile。"AndzeesDoctorSparrlow——eezhelikeyou，M'sieu？"
"Heisolder，andverywellknown，"saidtheyoungmanseriously。
"Icansafelyrecommendhim。"
"Ah，"sherepeated，withapensivesmilewhichmadeKanethinkherquitepretty。"Ah——heezolder——yourDoctorSparrlow——butYOUarestrong，M'sieu。"
"And，"saidKanevaguely，"hewilltellyouwhattodo。"
"Ah，"sherepeatedagainsoftly，withthesamesmile，"hewilltellmewhattodoifIshallnotknowmyself。Datezgood。"
Kanehadalreadywrappedhershornlocksinapieceofspotlesswhitepaperandtieditupwithnarrowwhiteribboninthedaintyfashiondeartodruggists'clerks。Ashehandedittohershefeltinherpocketandproducedahandfulofgold。
"WhatshallIpayforzees，M'sieu？"
Kanereddenedalittle——solelybecauseofhisslowarithmeticalfaculties。Adhesiveplasterwascheap——hewouldliketohavechargedproportionatelyfortheexactamounthehadused；butthedivisionwasbeyondhim！Andhelackedthetrader'sinstinct。
"Twenty-fivecents，Ithink，"hehazardedbriefly。
Shestarted，butsmiledagain。"Twenty-fivecentsforallzees——zemedicine，zestripsforzehead，zehaircut"——sheglancedatthepaperparcelhehadgivenher——"itisonlytwenty-fivecents？"
"That'sall。"
Heselectedfromheroutstretchedpalm，withsomedifficulty，theexactamount，thesmallestcoinitheld。Sheagainlookedathimcuriously——halfconfusedly——andmovedslowlyintotheshop。Theminer，whowasstillthere，retreatedasbeforewithagaspinglyapologeticgesture——evenflatteninghimselfagainstthewindowtogivehersweepingsilkflouncesfreerpassage。Asshepassedintothestreetwitha"Merci，M'sieu，gooda'night，"andthehackmanstartedfromthevehicletoreceiveher，theminerdrewalongbreath，andbringinghisfistdownuponthecounter，ejaculated，——
"B'gosh！She'sastunner！"
Kane，agooddealrelievedatherdepartureandthesuccessofhisministration，smiledbenignly。
Thestrangeragainstaredaftertheretreatingcarriage，lookedaroundtheshop，andevenintothedesertedsurgery，andapproachedthecounterconfidentially。"Lookyer，pardner。IkemstraightfromSt。Jo，Mizzorri，toGoldHill——wharI'vegotaclaim——andI
reckonthisisthefirsttimeIeverstruckSanFrancisker。I
ain'tuptotownywaysnohow，andIallowthatmebbeI'mrathergreen。Sowe'llletthatpass！Nowlookyer！"headded，leaningoverthecounterwithstilldeeperandevenmysteriousconfidence，"Isupposethisyerkindo'thingistheregulargohere，eh？
nothin'newtoYOU！incourseno！Buttome，pard，it'sjustfetchin'me！Liftsmeclearoutermybootseverytime！Why，whenIpoppedintothattharroom，andsawthatlady——allgold，furbelows，andspangles——attwelveo'clockatnight，sittin'inthatcheerandyoua-cuttin'herh'randswabbin'herheado'
blood，andkinderprospectin'for'indications，'sotospeak，anddoin'itsokamandindifferentlike，Iseztomyself，'Rube，Rube，'sezI，'thisyer'slife！citylife！SanFranciskerlife！andb'gosh，you'vedroppedintoit！Now，pard，lookyar！don'tyouanswer，yeknow，efitain'tsquareandaboveboardformetoknow；
Iain'taskin'youtogivetheshowaway，yeknow，inthematterofhigh-tonedladieslikethat，but"（verymysteriously，andsinkinghisvoicetothelowestconfidentialpitch，asheputhishandtohisearasiftocatchthehushedreply），"whatmouthevbinhappening，pard？"
Considerablyamusedattheman'ssimplicity，Kanerepliedgood-
humoredly："Dancedamongsomechampagnebottlesonatableataparty，fellandgotcutbyglass。"
Thestrangernoddedhisheadslowlyandapprovinglyasherepeatedwithinfinitedeliberateness："Dancedonchampagnebottles，champagne！yousaid，pard？atapahty！Yes！"（musinglyandapprovingly）。"Ireckonthat'saboutthegaittheytake。SHE'Ddoit。"
"IsthereanythingIcandoforyou？sorrytohavekeptyouwaiting，"saidKane，glancingattheclock。
"OME！Lord！yeneedn'tmindme。Why，Ishouldwaitforanythin'
o'thelikeo'that，andbejustproudtodoit！Andyesee，I
sorterhelpedmyselfwhileyouwarbusy。"
"Helpedyourself？"saidKaneinastonishment。
"Yes，outerthatbottle。"Hepointedtotheammoniabottle，whichstillstoodonthecounter。"Itseemedtobehandyandpopular。"
"Man！youmighthavepoisonedyourself。"
Thestrangerpausedamomentattheidea。"SoImout，Ireckon，"
hesaidmusingly，"that'sso！pizinedmyselfjestezyouwaslookin'arterthathigh-tonedcase，andkinderbotheredyou！It'slikeme！"
"Imeanitrequireddiluting；yououghttohavetakenitinwater，"
saidKane。
"Ireckon！ItDIDsorterh'istmeovertothedoorforalittlefreshairatfirst！seemedraytherscaldytothelips。ButwotofitthatGOTTHAR，"heputhishandgravelytohisstomach，"didmepow'fulgood。"
"Whatwasthematterwithyou？"askedKane。
"Well，yesee，pard"（confidentiallyagain），"Ireckonit'ssuthin'
alongo'myheart。Timesitgetstopoundin'awaylikeaquartzstamp，andthenitstopssuddentlike，andkinderleavesMEouttoo。"
Kanelookedathimmoreattentively。Hewasastrong，powerfullybuiltmanwithacomplexionthatbetrayednothingmoreseriousthantheeffectsofminingcookery。Itwasevidentlyacommoncaseofindigestion。
"Idon'tsayitwouldnothavedoneyousomegoodifproperlyadministered，"hereplied。"IfyoulikeI'llputupadilutedquantityanddirections？"
"That'sme，everytime，pardner！"saidthestrangerwithanaccentofrelief。"Andlookyer，don'tyoustopatthat！Yejustputmeupsomesampleslikeofanythin'youthinkmoutbelikelytohit。
I'llgoinforafairshow，andthenmeanderineverynowandthen，betwixttimes，toletyouknow。Yedon'tmindmydriftinginhere，doye？It'saboutezlikelyaplaceezIstrucksinceI'velefttheSacramentoboat，andmyhotel，justroundthecorner。Yejustsamplemeabito'everythin'；don'tmindtheexpense。I'lltakeYOURwordforit。Thewayyou——ayoungfellow——jeststucktoyourworkinthar，coolandkamasawoodpecker——notmindinghowhigh-
tonedshewas——northejeweleryandspanglesshehadon——jestgotme！Iseztomyself，'Rube，'sezI，'whatever'swrongo'YOUR
insides，youjeststicktothatfellertosetyeright。'"
Thejuniorpartner'sfacereddenedasheturnedtohisshelvesostensiblyforconsultation。Consciousofhisinexperience，thehomelypraiseofeventhisignorantmanwasnotungrateful。Hefelt，too，thathistreatmentoftheFrenchwoman，thoughsuccessful，mightnotbeconsideredremunerativefromabusinesspointofviewbyhispartner。Heaccordinglyacteduponthesuggestionofthestrangerandputuptwoorthreespecificsfordyspepsia。Theywerereceivedwithgratefulalacrityandthecasualdisplayofconsiderablegoldinthestranger'spocketintheprocessofpayment。Hewasevidentlyasuccessfulminer。
Afterbestowingthebottlescarefullyabouthisperson，heagainleanedconfidentiallytowardsKane。"Ireckonofcourseyouknowthishigh-tonedlady，beinginthewayofseein'thatkindo'
folks。Isupposeyouwon'tmindtellingme，ezastranger。But"
（headdedhastily，withadeprecatorywaveofhishand），"perhapsyewould。"
Mr。Kane，infact，hadhesitated。HeknewvaguelyandbyreportthatMadameleBlancwastheproprietressofafamousrestaurant，overwhichshehadroomswhereprivategamblingwascarriedontoagreatextent。Itwasalsoallegedthatshewasprotectedbyafamousgamblerandasomewhatnotoriousbully。Mr。Kane'scautionsuggestedthathehadnorighttoexposethereputationofhischancecustomer。Hewassilent。
Thestranger'sfacebecameintenselysympatheticandapologetic。
"Isee！——notanotherword，pard！Itain'tthesquarethingtobegivin'heraway，andIoughtn'ttohevasked。Well——solong！I
reckonI'lljestdriftbacktothehotel。Iain'tbeeninSanFranciskermor''nthreehours，andIcalkilate，pard，thatI'vejestseenaboutezsquareasampleofhigh-tonedlifeasfellersezhazbinhereayear。Well，hastermanyanner——eztheGreaserssay。
I'llbedroppin'into-morrow。Myname'sReubenAlleno'Mariposa。
Iknowyours；it'sonthesign，anditain'tSparlow。"
Hecastanotherlingeringglancearoundtheshop，asifloathtoleaveit，andthenslowlysaunteredoutofthedoor，pausinginthestreetamoment，intheglareoftheredlight，beforehefadedintodarkness。Withoutknowingexactlywhy，KanehadaninstinctthatthestrangerknewnooneinSanFrancisco，andafterleavingtheshopwasgoingintouttersilenceandobscurity。
AfewmomentslaterDr。Sparlowreturnedtorelievehisweariedpartner。Apushing，activeman，helistenedimpatientlytoKane'saccountofhisyouthfulpracticewithMadameleBlanc，without，however，dwellingmuchonhismethods。"Yououghttohavechargedhermore，"theeldersaiddecisively。"She'dhavepaidit。SheonlycameherebecauseshewasashamedtogotoabigshopinMontgomeryStreet——andshewon'tcomeagain。"
"Butshewantsyoutoseeherto-morrow，"urgedKane，"andItoldheryouwould！"
"Yousayitwasonlyasuperficialcut？"queriedthedoctor，"andyouclosedit？Umph！whatcanshewanttoseeMEfor？"Hepaidmoreattention，however，tothecaseofthestranger，Allen。"Whenhecomeshereagain，managetoletmeseehim。"Mr。Kanepromised，yetforsomeindefinablereasonhewenthomethatnightnotquiteaswellsatisfiedwithhimself。
Hewasmuchmoreconcernedthenextmorningwhen，afterrelievingthedoctorforhisregularmorningvisits，hewasstartledanhourlaterbytheabruptreturnofthatgentleman。Hisfacewasmarkedbysomeexcitementandanxiety，whichneverthelessstruggledwiththatsenseoftheludicrouswhichCaliforniansinthosedaysimportedintomostsituationsofperplexityorcatastrophe。
Puttinghishandsdeeplyintohistrouserspockets，heconfrontedhisyouthfulpartnerbehindthecounter。
"HowmuchdidyouchargethatFrench-woman？"hesaidgravely。
"Twenty-fivecents，"saidKanetimidly。
"Well，I'dgiveitbackandaddtwohundredandfiftydollarsifshehadneverenteredtheshop。"
"What'sthematter？"
"Herheadwillbe——andamassofit，inaday，Ireckon！Why，man，youputenoughplasteronittoclotheandpaperthedomeoftheCapitol！Youdrewherscalptogethersothatshecouldn'tshuthereyeswithoutclimbingupthebed-post！Youmowedherhairoffsothatshe'llhavetowearawigforthenexttwoyears——andhandedittoherinabeau-ti-fulsealedpackage！Theytalkofsuingmeandkillingyououtofhand。"
"Shewasbleedingagreatdealandlookedfaint，"saidthejuniorpartner；"IthoughtIoughttostopthat。"
"Andyoudid——bythunder！ThoughitmighthavebeenbetterbusinessfortheshopifI'dfoundheracrumblingruinhere，thanlathedandplasteredinthisfashion，overthere！However，"headded，withalaugh，seeinganangrylightinhisjuniorpartner'seye，"SHEdon'tseemtomindit——thecursingallcomesfromTHEM。
SHEratherlikesyourstyleandpraisesit——that'swhatgetsme！
Didyoutalktohermuch，"headded，lookingcriticallyathispartner。
"Ionlytoldhertositstillorshe'dbleedtodeath，"saidKanecurtly。
"Humph！——shejabberedsomethingaboutyourbeing'strong'andknowingjusthowtohandleher。Well，itcan'tbehelpednow。I
thinkIcameintimefortheworstofitandhavedrawntheirfire。
Don'tdoitagain。Thenexttimeawomanwithacutheadandlonghairtacklesyou，fillupherscalpwithlintandtannin，andpackherofftosomeofthebigshopsandmakeTHEMpickitout。"Andwithagood-humorednodhestartedofftofinishhisinterruptedvisits。
Withavaguesenseofremorse，andyetaconsciousnessofsomeinjusticedonehim，Mr。Kaneresumedhisoccupationwithfiltersandfunnels，andmortarsandtriturations。Hewassogloomilypreoccupiedthathedidnot，asusual，glanceoutofthewindow，orhewouldhaveobservedtheminingstrangerofthepreviousnightbeforeit。Itwasnotuntiltheman'sbowedshouldersblockedthelightofthedoorwaythathelookedupandrecognizedhim。Kanewasinnomoodtowelcomehisappearance。Hispresence，too，activelyrecalledthelastnight'sadventureofwhichhewasawitness——albeitasympathizingone。Kaneshrankfromtheillusionswhichhefelthewouldbesuretomake。Andwithhispresentillluck，hewasbynomeanssurethathisministrationseventoHIM
hadbeenanymoresuccessfulthantheyhadbeentotheFrenchwoman。