AndwhenPupkincouldn’tanswertheargumentshewasquitecrossandsilentallthewayhome。
　　WhatwasPeterPupkindoing，then，ateighthundreddollarsinabankinMariposa？Ifyouaskthat，itmeansthatyouknownothingofthelifeoftheMaritimeProvincesandthesturdytemperofthepeople。I
　　supposetherearenopeopleintheworldwhohateluxuryandextravaganceandthatsortofthingquiteasmuchastheMaritimeProvincepeople，and，ofthem，noonehatedluxurymorethanPupkinsenior。
　　Don’tmistaketheman。Heworealongsealskincoatinwinter，yes;
　　butmarkyou，notasamatterofluxury，butmerelyasaquestionofhislungs。Hesmoked，Iadmitit，athirty—fivecentcigar，notbecausehepreferredit，butmerelythroughadelicacyofthethoraxthatmadeitimperative。Hedrankchampagneatlunch，Iconcedethepoint，notintheleastfromtheenjoymentofit，butsimplyonaccountofapeculiaraffectionofthetongueandlipsthatpositivelydictatedit。Hisownlonging——andhiswifesharedit——wasforthesimple，simplelife——anislandsomewhere，withbirdsandtrees。Theyhadboughtthreeorfourislands——oneintheSt。
　　Lawrence，andtwointheGulf，andoneoffthecoastofMaine——lookingforthissortofthing。PupkinsenioroftensaidthathewantedtohavesomeplacethatwouldremindhimofthelittleoldfarmuptheAroostookwherehewasbroughtup。Heoftenboughtlittleoldfarms，justtotrythem，buttheyalwaysturnedouttobesonearacitythathecutthemintorealestatelots，withoutevenhavinghadtimetolookatthem。
　　But——andthisiswheretheemphasislay——inthematterofluxuryforhisonlyson，Peter，PupkinseniorwasaMaritimeProvincemanrighttothecore，withallthehardihoodoftheUnitedEmpireLoyalistsingrainedinhim。Noluxuryforthatboy！No，sir！Fromhischildhood，Pupkinseniorhadundertaken，attheleastsignofluxury，to"tanitoutofhim，"afterthefashionstillinvogueintheprovinces。Thenhesenthimtoanold—fashionedschooltogetit"thumpedoutofhim，"andafterthathehadputhimforayearonaNovaScotiaschoonertogetit"knockedoutofhim。"If，afterallthat，youngPupkin，evenwhenhecametoMariposa，worecameopinsanddaffodilblazers，andbrokeoutintoribbedsilksaffrontiesonpayday，itonlyshowsthattheoldAdamstillneedsfurthertanningevenintheMaritimeProvinces。
　　YoungPupkin，ofcourse，wastohavegoneintolaw。Thatwashisfather’scherisheddreamandwouldhavemadethefirmPupkin，Pupkin，Pupkin，andPupkin，asitoughttohavebeen。ButyoungPeterwaskeptoutofthelawbythefoolsystemofexaminationsdevisedsincehisfather’stime。Hencetherewasnothingforitbuttoslinghimintoabank;"slinghim"was，Ithink，theexpression。SohisfatherdecidedthatifPupkinwastobeslung，heshouldbeslunggoodandfar——cleanintoCanada（youknowthewaytheyusethatwordintheMaritimeProvinces）。AndtoslingPupkinhecalledintheservicesofanoldfriend，amanafterhisownheart，justasviolentashimself，whousedtobeatthelawschoolinthecitywithPupkinseniorthirtyyearsago。Sothisfriend，whohappenedtoliveinMariposa，andwhowasaviolentman，saidatonce："Edward，byJehoshaphat！
　　sendtheboyuphere。"
　　SothatishowPupkincametoMariposa。Andif，whenhegotthere，hisfather’sfriendgavenosign，andtreatedtheboywithroughnessandincivility，thatmayhavebeen，forallIknow，acontinuationofthe"tanning"processoftheMaritimepeople。
　　DidImentionthatthePepperleighfamily，generationsago，hadtakenuplandneartheAroostook，andthatitwasfromtherethejudge’sfathercametoTecumsehtownship？Perhapsnot，butitdoesn’tmatter。
　　ButsurelyaftersuchreminiscencesasthesetheawfulthingsthatareimpendingoverMr。Pupkinmustbekeptforanotherchapter。
　　NINE
　　TheMariposaBankMysterySuicideisathingthatoughtnottobecommittedwithoutverycarefulthought。Itofteninvolvesseriousconsequences，andinsomecasesbringspaintoothersthanoneself。
　　Idon’tsaythatthereisnojustificationforit。Thereoftenis。
　　Anybodywhohaslistenedtocertainkindsofmusic，orreadcertainkindsofpoetry，orheardcertainkindsofperformancesupontheconcertina，willadmitthattherearesomeliveswhichoughtnottobecontinued，andthatevensuicidehasitsbrighteraspects。
　　Buttocommitsuicideongroundsofloveisatthebestaverydubiousexperiment。IknowthatinthisIamexpressinganopinioncontrarytothatofmosttrueloverswhoembracesuicideontheslightestprovocationastheonlyhonourableterminationofanexistencethatneveroughttohavebegun。
　　Iquiteadmitthatthereisaglamourandasensationaboutthethingwhichhasitscharm，andthatthereisnothinglikeitforcausingagirltorealizethevalueoftheheartthatshehasbrokenandwhichbreathedforgivenessuponherattheverymomentwhenitheldinitshandthehalf—pintofprussicacidthatwastoterminateitsbeatingforever。
　　Butapartfromthegeneralmeritsofthequestion，Isupposetherearefewpeople，outsideoflovers，whoknowwhatitistocommitsuicidefourtimesinfiveweeks。
　　YetthiswaswhathappenedtoMr。Pupkin，oftheExchangeBankofMariposa。
　　EversincehehadknownZenaPepperleighhehadrealizedthathisloveforherwashopeless。Shewastoobeautifulforhimandtoogoodforhim;herfatherhatedhimandhermotherdespisedhim;hissalarywastoosmallandhisownpeopleweretoorich。
　　Ifyouaddtoallthatthathecameuptothejudge’shouseonenightandfoundapoetrecitingversestoZena，youwillunderstandthesuicideatonce。Itwasoneofthoseregularpoetswithasolemnjackassface，andlankpartedhairandeyeslikepuddlesofmolasses。
　　Idon’tknowhowhecamethere——upfromthecity，probably——buttherehewasonthePepperleighs’verandahthatAugustevening。Hewasrecitingpoetry——eitherTennyson’sorShelley’s，orhisown，youcouldn’ttell——andabouthimsatZenawithherhandsclaspedandNoraGallagherlookingattheskyandJocelynDronegazingintoinfinity，andalittletubbywomanlookingatthepoetwithherheadfallingoversideways——infact，therewasawholegroupofthem。
　　Idon’tknowwhatitisaboutpoetsthatdrawswomentotheminthisway。Buteverybodyknowsthatapoethasonlytositandsawtheairwithhishandsandreciteversesinadeepstupidvoice，andallthewomenarecrazyoverhim。Mendespisehimandwouldkickhimofftheverandahiftheydared，butthewomensimplyraveoverhim。
　　SoPupkinsatthereinthegloomandlistenedtothispoetrecitingBrowningandherealizedthateverybodyunderstooditbuthim。HecouldseeZenawithhereyesfixedonthepoetasifshewerehangingontoeverysyllable（shewas;sheneededto），andhestooditjustaboutfifteenminutesandthenslidoffthesideoftheverandahanddisappearedwithoutevensayinggood—night。
　　HewalkedstraightdownOneidaStreetandalongtheMainStreetjustashardashecouldgo。Therewasonlyonepurposeinhismind，——suicide。HewasheadingstraightforJimEliot’sdrugstoreonthemaincornerandhisideawastobuyadrinkofchloroformanddrinkitanddierightthereonthespot。
　　AsPupkinwalkeddownthestreet，thewholethingwassovividinhismindthathecouldpictureittotheremotestdetail。Hecouldevenseeitallintype，inbigheadingsinthenewspapersofthefollowingday：
　　APPALLINGSUICIDE。PETERPUPKINPOISONED。
　　HeperhapshopedthatthethingmightleadtosomekindofpublicenquiryandthatthequestionofBrowning’spoetryandwhetheritisaltogetherfairtoallowofitsgeneralcirculationwouldbefullyventilatedinthenewspapers。
　　Thinkingofthat，Pupkincametothemaincorner。
　　OnawarmAugusteveningthedrugstoreofMariposa，asyouknow，isallablazeoflights。Youcanhearthehissingofthesoda—waterfountainhalfablockaway，andinsidethestorethereareeversomanypeople——boysandgirlsandoldpeopletoo——alldrinkingsarsaparillaandchocolatesundaesandlemonsoursandfoamingdrinksthatyoutakeoutoflongstraws。Thereissuchalaughingandatalkingasyouneverheard，andthegirlsareallinwhiteandpinkandcambridgeblue，andthesodafountainisofwhitemarblewithsilvertaps，andithissesandsputters，andJimEliotandhisassistantwearwhitecoatswithredgeraniumsinthem，andit’sjustasgayasgay。
　　ThefoyeroftheoperainParismaybeafinesight，butIdoubtifitcancomparewiththeinsideofEliot’sdrugstoreinMariposa——forrealgaietyandjoyofliving。
　　ThisnightthestorewasespeciallycrowdedbecauseitwasaSaturdayandthatmeantearlyclosingforallthehotels，except，ofcourse，Smith’s。Soasthehotelswereshut，thepeoplewereallinthedrugstore，drinkinglikefishes。ItjustshowsthefollyofLocalOptionandtheTemperanceMovementandallthat。Why，ifyoushutthehotelsyousimplydrivethepeopletothesodafountainsandthere’smoredrinkingthanever，andnotonlyofthemen，too，butthegirlsandyoungboysandchildren。I’veseenlittlethingsofeightandninethathadtobelifteduponthehighstoolsatEliot’sdrugstore，drinkinggreatgobletsoflemonsoda，enoughtoburstthem——broughttherebytheirownfathers，andwhy？Simplybecausethehotelbarswereshut。
　　What’stheuseofthinkingyoucanstoppeopledrinkingmerelybycuttingoffwhiskeyandbrandy？Theonlyeffectistodrivethemtotakinglemonsourandsarsaparillaandcherrypectoralandcarokacordialandthingstheywouldn’thavetouchedbefore。Sointhelongruntheydrinkmorethanever。Thepointisthatyoucan’tpreventpeoplehavingagoodtime，nomatterhowhardyoutry。Iftheycan’thaveitwithlagerbeerandbrandy，they’llhaveitwithplainsodaandlemonpop，andsothewholegloomyschemeofthetemperancepeoplebreaksdown，anyway。
　　ButIwasonlysayingthatEliot’sdrugstoreinMariposaonaSaturdaynightisthegayestandbrightestspotintheworld。
　　Andjustimaginewhatafoolofaplacetocommitsuicidein！
　　Justimaginegoinguptothesoda—waterfountainandaskingforfivecents’worthofchloroformandsoda！Well，yousimplycan’t，that’sall。
　　That’sthewayPupkinfoundit。Yousee，assoonashecamein，somebodycalledout："Hello，Pete！"andoneortwootherscalled：
　　"Hullo，Pup！"andsomesaid："Howgoesit？"andothers："Howareyoutoughingit？"andsoon，becauseyouseetheyhadallbeendrinkingmoreorlessandnaturallytheyfeltjollyandglad—hearted。
　　Sotheupshotofitwasthatinsteadoftakingchloroform，Pupkinsteppeduptothecounterofthefountainandhehadabromo—seltzerwithcherrysoda，andafterthathehadoneofthoseaeratedseltzers，andthenacoupleoflemonseltzersandabromo—phizzer。
　　Idon’tknowifyouknowthementaleffectofabromo—seltzer。
　　Butit’sahardthingtocommitsuicideon。
　　Youcan’t。
　　Youfeelsobuoyant。
　　Anyway，whatwiththephizzingoftheseltzerandthelightsandthegirls，Pupkinbegantofeelsofinethathedidn’tcareacussforalltheBrowningintheworld，andasforthepoet——oh，toblazeswithhim！What’spoetry，anyway？——onlyrhymes。
　　So，wouldyoubelieveit，inabouttenminutesPeterPupkinwasoffagainandheadingstraightforthePepperleighs’house，poetornopoet，and，whatwasmoretothepoint，hecarriedwithhimthreegreatbricksofEliot’sicecream——ingreen，pinkandbrownlayers。
　　HestrucktheverandahjustatthemomentwhenBrowningwasgettingtoostaleanddrearyforwords。Hisbrainwasallsizzlingandjollywiththebromo—seltzer，andwhenhefetchedouttheicecreambricksandZenarantogetplatesandspoonstoeatitwith，andPupkinwentwithhertohelpfetchthemandtheypickedoutthespoonstogether，theyweresolaughingandhappythatitwasjustamarvel。Girls，youknow，neednobromo—seltzer。They’refullofitallthetime。
　　Andasforthepoet——well，canyouimaginehowPupkinfeltwhenZenatoldhimthatthepoetwasmarried，andthatthetubbylittlewomanwithherheadonsidewayswashiswife？
　　Sotheyhadtheicecream，andthepoetateitinbucketsful。Poetsalwaysdo。Theyneedit。AndafteritthepoetrecitedsomestanzasofhisownandPupkinsawthathehadmisjudgedtheman，becauseitwasdandypoetry，theverybest。ThatnightPupkinwalkedhomeonairandtherewasnothoughtofchloroform，anditturnedoutthathehadn’tcommittedsuicide，butlikealllovershehadcommutedit。
　　Idon’tneedtodescribeinfullthelatersuicidesofMr。Pupkin，becausetheywereallconductedonthesameplanandrestedonsomethingthesamereasonsasabove。
　　Sometimeshewouldgodownatnighttotheofficesofthebankbelowhisbedroomandbringuphisbankrevolverinordertomakeanendofhimselfwithit。This，too，hecouldseeheadedupinthenewspapersas：
　　BRILLIANTBOYBANKERBLOWSOUTBRAINS。
　　Butblowingyourbrainsoutisanoisy，racketyperformance，andPupkinsoonfoundthatonlyspecialkindsofbrainsaresuitedforit。Sohealwayssneakedbackagainlaterinthenightandputtherevolverinitsplace，decidingtodrownhimselfinstead。YeteverytimethathewalkeddowntotheTrestleBridgeovertheOssawippihefounditwasquiteunsuitablefordrowning——toohigh，andthewatertooswiftandblack，andtherushestoogruesome——infact，notatallthekindofplaceforadrowning。
　　Farbetter，herealized，towaitthereontherailroadtrackandthrowhimselfunderthewheelsoftheexpressandbedonewithit。
　　Yet，thoughPupkinoftenwaitedinthiswayforthetrain，hewasneverabletopickoutapairofwheelsthatsuitedhim。Anyhow，it’sawfullyhardtotellanexpressfromafastfreight。
　　Iwouldn’tmentiontheseattemptsatsuicideifoneofthemhadn’tfinallyculminatedinmakingPeterPupkinaheroandsolvingforhimthewholeperplexedentanglementofhisloveaffairwithZenaPepperleigh。Incidentallyitthrewhimintotheverycentreofoneofthemostimpenetrablebankmysteriesthateverbaffledtheingenuityofsomeofthefinestlegaltalentthateveradornedoneofthemostenterprisingcommunitiesinthecountry。
　　Ithappenedonenight，asIsay，thatPupkindecidedtogodownintotheofficeofthebankandgethisrevolverandseeifitwouldblowhisbrainsout。ItwasthenightoftheFiremen’sBallandZenahaddancedfourtimeswithavisitorfromthecity，amanwhowasinthefourthyearattheUniversityandwhokneweverything。ItwasmorethanPeterPupkincouldbear。MalloryTompkinswasawaythatnight，andwhenPupkincamehomehewasallaloneinthebuilding，exceptforGillis，thecaretaker，wholivedintheextensionattheback。
　　Hesatinhisroomforhoursbrooding。Twoorthreetimeshepickedupabook——herememberedafterwardsdistinctlythatitwasKant’sCritiqueofPureReason——andtriedtoreadit，butitseemedmeaninglessandtrivial。Thenwithasuddenaccessofresolutionhestartedfromhischairandmadehiswaydownthestairsandintotheofficeroomofthebank，meaningtogetarevolverandkillhimselfonthespotandletthemfindhisbodylyingonthefloor。
　　Itwasthenfaroninthenightandtheemptybuildingofthebankwasasstillasdeath。Pupkincouldhearthestairscreakunderhisfeet，andashewenthethoughtheheardanothersoundliketheopeningorclosingofadoor。Butitsoundednotlikethesharpordinarynoiseofaclosingdoorbutwithadullmufflednoiseasifsomeonehadshuttheirondoorofasafeinaroomundertheground。
　　ForamomentPupkinstoodandlistenedwithhisheartthumpingagainsthisribs。Thenhekickedhisslippersfromhisfeetandwithoutasoundstoleintotheofficeonthegroundfloorandtooktherevolverfromhisteller’sdesk。Ashegrippedit，helistenedtothesoundsontheback—stairwayandinthevaultsbelow。
　　IshouldexplainthatintheExchangeBankofMariposatheofficesareonthegroundfloorlevelwiththestreet。Belowthisisanotherfloorwithlowdarkroomspavedwithflagstones，withunusedofficedesksandwithpilesofpapersstoredinboxes。Onthisfloorarethevaultsofthebank，andlyinginthemintheautumn——thegrainseason——thereisanythingfromfiftytoahundredthousanddollarsincurrencytiedinbundles。Thereisnootherlightdowntherethanthedimreflectionfromthelightsoutonthestreet，thatliesinpatchesonthestonefloor。
　　IthinkasPeterPupkinstood，revolverinhand，intheofficeofthebank，hehadforgottenallaboutthemaudlinpurposeofhisfirstcoming。Hehadforgottenforthemomentallaboutheroesandloveaffairs，andhiswholemindwasfocussed，sharpandalert，withtheintensityofthenight—time，onthesoundsthatheheardinthevaultandontheback—stairwayofthebank。
　　Straightaway，Pupkinknewwhatitmeantasplainlyasifitwerewritteninprint。Hehadforgotten，Isay，aboutbeingaheroandheonlyknewthattherewassixtythousanddollarsinthevaultofthebankbelow，andthathewaspaideighthundreddollarsayeartolookafterit。
　　AsPeterPupkinstoodtherelisteningtothesoundsinhisstockingedfeet，hisfacedshowedgreyasashesinthelightthatfellthroughthewindowfromthestreet。Hisheartbeatlikeahammeragainsthisribs。ButbehinditsbeatingswasthebloodoffourgenerationsofLoyalists，andtherobberwhowouldtakethatsixtythousanddollarsfromtheMariposabankmusttakeitoverthedeadbodyofPeterPupkin，teller。
　　Pupkinwalkeddownthestairstothelowerroom，theonebelowthegroundwiththebankvaultinit，withasfineastepasanyofhisancestorsshowedonparade。Andifhehadknownit，ashecamedownthestairwayinthefrontofthevaultroom，therewasamancrouchedintheshadowofthepassagewaybythestairsattheback。Thisman，too，heldarevolverinhishand，and，criminalornot，hisfacewasasresoluteasPupkin’sown。Asheheardtheteller’ssteponthestair，heturnedandwaitedintheshadowofthedoorwaywithoutasound。
　　Thereisnoneedreallytomentionallthesedetails。TheyareonlyofinterestasshowinghowsometimesabanktellerinacordedsmokingjacketandstockingedfeetmaybeturnedintosuchaheroaseventheMariposagirlsmightdreamabout。
　　Allofthismusthavehappenedataboutthreeo’clockinthenight。
　　ThismuchwasestablishedafterwardsfromtheevidenceofGillis，thecaretaker。Whenhefirstheardthesoundshehadlookedathiswatchandnoticedthatitwashalf—pasttwo;thewatchheknewwasthree—quartersofanhourslowthreedaysbeforeandhadbeengainingsince。TheexacttimeatwhichGillisheardfootstepsinthebankandstarteddownstairs，pistolinhand，becameanicepointafterwardsinthecross—examination。
　　Butonemustnotanticipate。Pupkinreachedtheirondoorofthebanksafe，andkneltinfrontofit，feelinginthedarktofindthefractureofthelock。Asheknelt，heheardasoundbehindhim，andswungroundonhiskneesandsawthebankrobberinthehalflightofthepassagewayandtheglitterofapistolinhishand。Therestwasoverinaninstant。Pupkinheardavoicethatwashisown，butthatsoundedstrangeandhollow，callout："Dropthat，orI’llfire！"andthenjustasheraisedhisrevolver，therecameablindingflashoflightbeforehiseyes，andPeterPupkin，juniortellerofthebank，fellforwardonthefloorandknewnomore。
　　Atthatpoint，ofcourse，Ioughttoclosedownachapter，orvolume，or，atleast，strikethereaderovertheheadwithasandbagtoforcehimtostopandthink。Incommonfairnessoneoughttostophereandcountahundredorgetupandwalkroundablock，or，atanyrate，picturetooneselfPeterPupkinlyingonthefloorofthebank，motionless，hisarmsdistended，therevolverstillgraspedinhishand。ButImustgoon。
　　Byhalf—pastsevenonthefollowingmorningitwasknownalloverMariposathatPeterPupkinthejuniortelleroftheExchangehadbeenshotdeadbyabankrobberinthevaultofthebuilding。ItwasknownalsothatGillis，thecaretaker，hadbeenshotandkilledatthefootofthestairs，andthattherobberhadmadeoffwithfiftythousanddollarsincurrency;thathehadleftatrailofbloodonthesidewalkandthatthemenwereouttrackinghimwithbloodhoundsinthegreatswampstothenorthofthetown。
　　This，Isay，anditisimportanttonoteit，waswhattheyknewathalf—pastseven。Ofcourseaseachhourwentpasttheylearnedmoreandmore。Ateighto’clockitwasknownthatPupkinwasnotdead，butdangerouslywoundedinthelungs。Ateight—thirtyitwasknownthathewasnotshotinthelungs，butthattheballhadtraversedthepitofhisstomach。
　　Atnineo’clockitwaslearnedthatthepitofPupkin’sstomachwasallright，butthatthebullethadstruckhisrightearandcarrieditaway。Finallyitwaslearnedthathisearhadnotexactlybeencarriedaway，thatis，notpreciselyremovedbythebullet，butthatithadgrazedPupkin’sheadinsuchawaythatithadstunnedhim，andifithadbeenaninchortwomoretotheleftitmighthavereachedhisbrain。This，ofcourse，wasjustasgoodasbeingkilledfromthepointofviewofpublicinterest。
　　Indeed，bynineo’clockPupkincouldbehimselfseenontheMainStreetwithagreatbandagesidewaysonhishead，pointingoutthetracesoftherobber。Gillis，thecaretaker，too，itwasknownbyeight，hadnotbeenkilled。Hehadbeenshotthroughthebrain，butwhethertheinjurywasseriousornotwasonlyamatterofconjecture。Infact，byteno’clockitwasunderstoodthatthebulletfromtherobber’ssecondshothadgrazedthesideofthecaretaker’shead，butasfarascouldbeknownhisbrainwasjustasbefore。I
　　shouldaddthatthefirstreportaboutthebloodstainsandtheswampandthebloodhoundsturnedouttobeinaccurate。Thestainsmayhavebeenblood，butastheyledtothecellarwayofNetley’sstoretheymayhavealsobeenmolasses，thoughitwasargued，tobesure，thattherobbermightwellhavepouredmolassesoverthebloodstainsfromsheercunning。
　　Itwasremembered，too，thattherewerenobloodhoundsinMariposa，although，mindyou，thereareanyamountofdogsthere。
　　Soyouseethatbyteno’clockinthemorningthewholeaffairwassettlingintotheimpenetrablemysterywhichiteversinceremained。
　　Notthattherewasn’tevidenceenough。TherewasPupkin’sownstoryandGillis’sstory，andthestoriesofallthepeoplewhohadheardtheshotsandseentherobber（somesaid，thebunchofrobbers）gorunningpast（otherssaid，walkingpast），inthenight。ApparentlytherobberranupanddownhalfthestreetsofMariposabeforehevanished。
　　ButthestoriesofPupkinandGilliswereplainenough。Pupkinrelatedthatheheardsoundsinthebankandcamedownstairsjustintimetoseetherobbercrouchinginthepassageway，andthattherobberwasalarge，hulking，villainouslookingman，wearingaheavycoat。Gillistoldexactlythesamestory，havingheardthenoisesatthesametime，exceptthathefirstdescribedtherobberasasmallthinfellow（peculiarlyvillainouslooking，however，eveninthedark），wearingashortjacket;butonthinkingitover，Gillisrealizedthathehadbeenwrongaboutthesizeofthecriminal，andthathewasevenbigger，ifanything，thanwhatMr：Pupkinthought。
　　Gillishadfiredattherobber;justatthesamemomenthadMr。
　　Pupkin。
　　Beyondthat，allwasmystery，absoluteandimpenetrable。
　　Byeleveno’clockthedetectiveshadcomeupfromthecityunderordersfromtheheadofthebank。
　　IwishyoucouldhaveseenthetwodetectivesastheymovedtoandfroinMariposa——finelooking，stern，impenetrablementhattheywere。Theyseemedtotakeinthewholetownbyinstinctandsoquietly。TheyfoundtheirwaytoMr。Smith’sHoteljustasquietlyasifitwasn’tdesignatallandstoodthereatthebar，pickingupscrapsofconversation——youknowthewaydetectivesdoit。
　　Occasionallytheyallowedoneortwobystanders——confederates，perhaps，——tobuyadrinkforthem，andyoucouldseefromthewaytheydrankitthattheywerestilllisteningforaclue。IftherehadbeenthefaintestclueinSmith’sHotelorintheMariposaHouseorintheContinental，thosefellowswouldhavebeenatitlikeaflash。
　　Toseethemmovingroundthetownthatday——silent，massive，imperturbable——gaveoneagreatideaoftheirstrange，dangerouscalling。Theywentaboutthetownalldayandyetinsuchaquietpeculiarwaythatyoucouldn’thaverealizedthattheywereworkingatall。TheyatetheirdinnertogetheratSmith’scafeandtookanhourandahalfoverittothrowpeopleoffthescent。Thenwhentheygotthemoffit，theysatandtalkedwithJoshSmithinthebackbartokeepthemoff。Mr。Smithseemedtotaketothemrightaway。Theyweremenofhisownsize，ornearit，andanywayhotelmenanddetectiveshaveageneralaffinityandshareinthesameimpenetrablesilenceandintheirconfidentialknowledgeoftheweaknessesofthepublic。
　　Mr。Smith，too，wasofgreatusetothedetectives。"Boys，"hesaid，"Iwouldn’tasktoocloseastowhatfolkswasoutlateatnight：inthistownitdon’tdo。"
　　Whenthosetwogreatbrainsfinallyleftforthecityonthefive—thirty，itwashardtorealizethatbehindeachgrand，impassiblefaceaperfectvortexofclueswasseething。
　　Butifthedetectiveswereheroes，whatwasPupkin？Imaginehimwithhisbandageonhisheadstandinginfrontofthebankandtalkingofthemidnightrobberywiththatpeculiarfalsemodestythatonlyheroesareentitledtouse。
　　Idon’tknowwhetheryouhaveeverbeenahero，butforsheerexhilarationthereisnothinglikeit。AndforMr。Pupkin，whohadgonethroughlifethinkinghimselfnogood，tobesuddenlyexaltedintotheclassofNapoleonBonaparteandJohnMaynardandtheChargeoftheLightBrigade——oh，itwaswonderful。BecausePupkinwasabravemannowandheknewitandacquiredwithitallthebraveman’smodesty。Infact，Ibelievehewasheardtosaythathehadonlydonehisduty，andthatwhathedidwaswhatanyothermanwouldhavedone：thoughwhensomebodyelsesaid："That’sso，whenyoucometothinkofit，"Pupkinturnedonhimthatquietlookofthewoundedhero，bittererthanwords。
　　AndifPupkinhadknownthatalloftheafternoonpapersinthecityreportedhimdead，hewouldhavefeltmoreluxuriousstill。
　　ThatafternoontheMariposacourtsatinenquiry，——technicallyitwassummonedininquestonthedeadrobber——thoughtheyhadn’tfoundthebody——anditwaswonderfultoseethemliningupthewitnessesandholdingcross—examinations。Thereissomethinginthecross—examinationofgreatcriminallawyerslikeNivens，ofMariposa，andinthecounterexaminationsofpresidingjudgeslikePepperleighthatthrillsyoutothecorewiththeastutenessofit。
　　TheyhadHenryMullins，themanager，onthestandforanhourandahalf，andtheexcitementwassobreathlessthatyoucouldhaveheardapindrop。Nivenstookhimonfirst。
　　"Whatisyourname？"hesaid。
　　"HenryAugustMullins。"
　　"Whatpositiondoyouhold？"
　　"IammanageroftheExchangeBank。"
　　"Whenwereyouborn？"
　　"December30，1869。"
　　Afterthat，NivensstoodlookingquietlyatMullins。Youcouldfeelthathewasthinkingprettydeeplybeforeheshotthenextquestionathim。
　　"Wheredidyougotoschool？"
　　Mullinsansweredstraightoff："Thehighschooldownhome，"andNivensthoughtagainforawhileandthenasked：
　　"Howmanyboyswereattheschool？"
　　"Aboutsixty。"
　　"Howmanymasters？"
　　"Aboutthree。"
　　AfterthatNivenspausedalongwhileandseemedtobedigestingtheevidence，butatlastanideaseemedtostrikehimandhesaid：
　　"Iunderstandyouwerenotonthebankpremiseslastnight。Wherewereyou？"
　　"Downthelakeduckshooting。"
　　YoushouldhaveseentheexcitementinthecourtwhenMullinssaidthis。Thejudgeleanedforwardinhischairandbrokeinatonce。
　　"Didyougetany，Harry？"heasked。
　　"Yes，"Mullinssaid，"aboutsix。"
　　"Wheredidyougetthem？What？Inthewildricemarshpasttheriver？Youdon’tsayso！Didyougetthemonthesitorhow？"
　　Allofthesequestionswerefiredoffatthewitnessfromthecourtinasinglebreath。Infact，itwastheknowledgethatthefirstducksoftheseasonhadbeenseenintheOssawippimarshthatledtotheterminationoftheproceedingsbeforetheafternoonwasaquarterover。MullinsandGeorgeDuffandhalfthewitnesseswereoffwithshotgunsassoonasthecourtwascleared。
　　ImayaswellstateatoncethatthefullstoryoftherobberyofthebankofMariposanevercametothelight。Anumberofarrests——mostlyofvagrantsandsuspiciouscharacters——weremade，buttheguiltoftherobberywasneverbroughthometothem。Onemanwasarrestedtwentymilesaway，attheother。endofMissinabacounty，whonotonlycorrespondedexactlywiththedescriptionoftherobber，but，inadditiontothis，hadawoodenleg。VagrantswithonelegarealwaysregardedwithsuspicioninplaceslikeMariposa，andwheneverarobberyoramurderhappenstheyarearrestedinbatches。
　　Itwasneverevenknownjusthowmuchmoneywasstolenfromthebank。
　　Somepeoplesaidtenthousanddollars，othersmore。Thebank，nodoubtforbusinessmotives，claimedthatthecontentsofthesafewereintactandthattherobberhadbeenfoiledinhisdesign。
　　ButnoneofthismatterstotheexaltationofMr。Pupkin。Goodfortune，likebad，nevercomesinsmallinstalments。Onthatwonderfulday，everygoodthinghappenedtoPeterPupkinatonce。Themorningsawhimahero。Atthesittingofthecourt，thejudgepubliclytoldhimthathisconductwasfittorankamongtheannalsofthepioneersofTecumsehTownship，andaskedhimtohishouseforsupper。Atfiveo’clockhereceivedthetelegramofpromotionfromtheheadofficethatraisedhissalarytoathousanddollars，andmadehimnotonlyaherobutamarriageableman。Atsixo’clockhestarteduptothejudge’shousewithhisresolutionnervedtothemostmomentousstepofhislife。
　　Hismindwasmadeup。
　　HewoulddoathingseldomifeverdoneinMariposa。HewouldproposetoZenaPepperleigh。InMariposathiskindofstep，Isay，isseldomtaken。Thecourseofloverunsonandonthroughallitsstagesoftennisplayinganddancingandsleighriding，tillbysheernotorietyofcircumstanceanunderstandingisreached。Toproposestraightoutwouldbethoughtpriggishandaffectedandissupposedtobelongonlytopeopleinbooks。
　　ButPupkinfeltthatwhatordinarypeopledarenotdo，heroesareallowedtoattempt。HewouldproposetoZena，andmorethanthat，hewouldtellherinastraight，manlywaythathewasrichandtaketheconsequences。
　　Andhedidit。
　　Thatnightonthepiazza，wherethehammockhangsintheshadowoftheVirginiacreeper，hedidit。Bysheergoodluckthejudgehadgoneindoorstothelibrary，andbyapieceofraregoodfortuneMrs。
　　Pepperleighhadgoneindoorstothesewingroom，andbyahappytrickofcoincidencetheservantwasoutandthedogwastiedup——infact，nosuchchainofcircumstanceswaseverofferedinfavourofmortalmanbefore。
　　WhatZenasaid——beyondsayingyes——Idonotknow。IamsurethatwhenPupkintoldherofthemoney，sheboreupasbravelyassofineagirlasZenawould，andwhenhespokeofdiamondsshesaidshewouldwearthemforhissake。
　　Theyweresayingthesethingsandotherthings——eversomanyotherthings——whentherewassucharoarandaclatterupOneidaStreetasyouneverheard，andtherecameboundinguptothehouseoneofthemostmarvellousLimousinetouringcarsthateverdrewupatthehomeofajudgeonamodestsalaryofthreethousanddollars。Whenitstoppedtheresprangfromitanexcitedmaninalongsealskincoat——wornnotfortheluxuryofitatallbutfromthesheerchillinessoftheautumnevening。Anditwas，asofcourseyouknow，Pupkin’sfather。Hehadseenthenewsofhisson’sdeathintheeveningpaperinthecity。Theydrovethecarthrough，sothechauffeursaid，intwohoursandaquarter，andbehindthemtherewastofollowaspecialtrainloadofdetectivesandemergencymen，butPupkinseniorhadcancelledallthatbytelegramhalfwayupwhenheheardthatPeterwasstillliving。
　　ForamomentashiseyerestedonyoungPupkinyouwouldalmosthaveimagined，hadyounotknownthathecamefromtheMaritimeProvinces，thatthereweretearsinthemandthathewasabouttohughissontohisheart。Butifhedidn’thugPetertohisheart，hecertainlydidwithinafewmomentsclaspZenatoit，inthatfinefatherlywayinwhichtheyclaspprettygirlsintheMaritimeProvinces。ThestrangestthingisthatPupkinseniorseemedtounderstandthewholesituationwithoutanyexplanationsatall。
　　JudgePepperleigh，Ithink，wouldhaveshakenbothofPupkinsenior’sarmsoffwhenhesawhim;andwhenyouheardthemcalloneanother"Ned"and"Phillip"itmadeyoufeelthattheywereboysagainattendingclassestogetherattheoldlawschoolinthecity。
　　IfPupkinthoughtthathisfatherwouldn’tmakeahitinMariposa，itonlyshowedhisignorance。Pupkinseniorsatthereonthejudge’sverandahsmokingacorncobpipeasifhehadneverheardofHavanacigarsinhislife。InthethreedaysthathespentinMariposathatautumn，hewentinandoutofJeffThorpe’sbarbershopandEliot’sdrugstore，shotblackducksinthemarshandplayedpokereveryeveningatahundredmatchesforacentasifhehadneverlivedanyotherlifeinallhisdays。Theyhadtosendhimtelegramsenoughtofillasatcheltomakehimcomeaway。
　　SoPupkinandZenainduecourseoftimeweremarried，andwenttoliveinoneoftheenchantedhousesonthehillsideinthenewerpartofthetown，whereyoumayfindthemtothisday。
　　YoumayseePupkinthereatanytimecuttingenchantedgrassonalittlelawninasgaudyablazerasever。
　　Butifyoustepuptospeaktohimorwalkwithhimintotheenchantedhouse，praymodulateyourvoicealittlemusicalthoughitis——forthereissaidtobeanenchantedbabyonthepremiseswhosesleepmustnotlightlybedisturbed。
　　TEN
　　TheGreatElectioninMissinabaCountyDon’taskmewhatelectionitwas，whetherDominionorProvincialorImperialorUniversal，forIscarcelyknow。
　　Itmust，ofcourse，havebeengoingoninotherpartsofthecountryaswell，butIsawitallfromMissinabaCountywhich，withthetownofMariposa，was，ofcourse，thestormcentreandfocuspointofthewholeturmoil。
　　Ionlyknowthatitwasahugeelectionandthatonitturnedissuesofthemosttremendousimportance，suchaswhetherornotMariposashouldbecomepartoftheUnitedStates，andwhethertheflagthathadwavedovertheschoolhouseatTecumsehTownshipfortencenturiesshouldbetrampledunderthehoofofanalieninvader，andwhetherBritonsshouldbeslaves，andwhetherCanadiansshouldbeBritons，andwhetherthefarmingclasswouldprovethemselvesCanadians，andtremendousquestionsofthatkind。
　　Andtherewassucharoarandatumulttoit，andsuchawavingofflagsandbeatingofdrumsandflaringoftorchlightsthatsuchpartsoftheelectionasmayhavebeengoingonelsewherethaninMissinabacountymusthavebeenquiteunimportantanddidn’treallymatter。
　　Nowthatitisallover，wecanlookbackatitwithoutheatorpassion。Wecansee，——it’splainenoughnow，——thatinthegreatelectionCanadasavedtheBritishEmpire，andthatMissinabasavedCanadaandthatthevoteoftheThirdConcessionofTecumsehTownshipsavedMissinabaCounty，andthatthoseofuswhocarriedthethirdconcession，——well，there’snoneedtopushitfurther。Weprefertobemodestaboutit。Ifwestillspeakofit，itisonlyquietlyandsimplyandnotmorethanthreeorfourtimesaday。
　　Butyoucan’tunderstandtheelectionatall，andtheconventionsandthecampaignsandthenominationsandtheballoting，unlessyoufirstappreciatethepeculiarcomplexionofpoliticsinMariposa。
　　Letmebeginatthebeginning。EverybodyinMariposaiseitheraLiberaloraConservativeorelseisboth。SomeofthepeopleareorhavebeenLiberalsorConservativesalltheirlivesandarecalleddyed—in—the—woolGritsorold—timeToriesandthingsofthatsort。
　　Thesepeoplegetfromlongtrainingsuchaswiftpenetratinginsightintonationalissuesthattheycandecidethemostcomplicatedquestioninfourseconds：infact，justassoonastheygrabthecitypapersoutofthemorningmail，theyknowthewholesolutionofanyproblemyoucanputtothem。Thereareotherpeoplewhoseaimitistobebroad—mindedandjudiciousandwhovoteLiberalorConservativeaccordingtotheirjudgmentofthequestionsoftheday。IftheirjudgmentofthesequestionstellsthemthatthereissomethinginitfortheminvotingLiberal，thentheydoso。Butifnot，theyrefusetobetheslavesofapartyorthehenchmenofanypoliticalleader。
　　Sothatanybodylookingforhencheshasgottokeepawayfromthem。
　　ButtheonethingthatnobodyisallowedtodoinMariposaistohavenopolitics。Ofcoursetherearealwayssomepeoplewhosecircumstancescompelthemtosaythattheyhavenopolitics。Butthatiseasilyunderstood。TakethecaseofTrelawney，thepostmaster。
　　LongagohewasalettercarrierundertheoldMackenzieGovernment，andlaterhewasalettersorterundertheoldMacdonaldGovernment，andafterthataletterstamperundertheoldTupperGovernment，andsoon。Trelawneyalwayssaysthathehasnopolitics，butthetruthisthathehastoomany。
　　So，too，withtheclergyinMariposa。Theyhavenopolitics——
　　absolutelynone。YetDeanDroneroundelectiontimealwaysannouncesashistextsuchaverseas："Lo！istherenotonerighteousmaninIsrael？"or："Whatho！isitnottimeforachange？"AndthatisasignalforalltheLiberalbusinessmentogetupandleavetheirpews。
　　SimilarlyoveratthePresbyterianChurch，theministersaysthathissacredcallingwillnotallowhimtotakepartinpoliticsandthathissacredcallingpreventshimfrombreathingevenawordofharshnessagainsthisfellowman，butthatwhenitcomestotheelevationoftheungodlyintohighplacesinthecommonwealth（thismeans，ofcourse，thenominationoftheConservativecandidate）thenhe’snotgoingtoallowhissacredcallingtopreventhimfromsayingjustwhathethinksofit。Andbythattime，havingprettywellclearedthechurchofConservatives，heproceedstoshowfromthescripturesthattheancientHebrewswereLiberalstoaman，exceptthosewhoweredrownedinthefloodorwhoperished，moreorlessdeservedly，inthedesert。
　　Thereare，Isay，somepeoplewhoareallowedtoclaimtohavenopolitics，——theofficeholders，andtheclergyandtheschoolteachersandthehotelkeepers。Butbeyondthem，anybodyinMariposawhosaysthathehasnopoliticsislookeduponascrooked，andpeoplewonderwhatitisthatheis"outafter。"
　　Infact，thewholetownandcountyisahiveofpolitics，andpeoplewhohaveonlywitnessedgatheringssuchastheHouseofCommonsatWestminsterandtheSenateatWashingtonandneverseenaConservativeConventionatTecumsehCornersoraLiberalRallyattheConcessionschoolhouse，don’tknowwhatpoliticsmeans。
　　SoyoumayimaginetheexcitementinMariposawhenitbecameknownthatKingGeorgehaddissolvedtheparliamentofCanadaandhadsentoutawritorcommandforMissinabaCountytoelectforhimsomeotherpersonthanJohnHenryBagshawbecausehenolongerhadconfidenceinhim。
　　Theking，ofcourse，isverywellknown，veryfavourablyknown，inMariposa。EverybodyremembershowhevisitedthetownonhisgreattourinCanada，andstoppedoffattheMariposastation。Althoughhewasonlyaprinceatthetime，therewasquiteabigcrowddownatthedepotandeverybodyfeltwhatashameitwasthattheprincehadnotimetoseemoreofMariposa，becausehewouldgetsuchafalseideaofit，seeingonlythestationandthelumberyards。Still，theyallcametothestationandalltheLiberalsandConservativesmixedtogetherperfectlyfreelyandstoodsidebysidewithoutanydistinction，sothattheprinceshouldnotobserveanypartydifferencesamongthem。Andhedidn’t，——youcouldseethathedidn’t。
　　TheyreadhimanaddressallaboutthetranquillityandloyaltyoftheEmpire，andtheypurposelyleftoutanyreferencetothetroubleoverthetownwharforthebigrowtherehadbeenaboutthelocationofthenewpost—office。Therewasageneraldecentfeelingthatitwouldn’tbefairtodisturbtheprincewiththesethings：lateron，asking，hewould，ofcourse，havetoknowallaboutthem，butmeanwhileitwasbettertoleavehimwiththeideathathisempirewastranquil。
　　Sotheydeliberatelycouchedtheaddressintermsthatwerejustasreassuringaspossibleandtheprincewassimplydelightedwithit。I
　　amcertainthathesleptprettysoundlyafterhearingthataddress。
　　Why，youcouldseeittakingeffectevenonhisaides—de—campandthepeopleroundhim，soimaginehowtheprincemusthavefelt！
　　IthinkinMariposatheyunderstandkingsperfectly。Everytimethatakingoraprincecomes，theytrytomakehimseethebrightsideofeverythingandlethimthinkthatthey’reallunited。JudgePepperleighwalkedupanddownarminarmwithDr。Gallagher，theworstGritinthetown，justtomaketheprincefeelfine。
　　SowhentheygotthenewsthatthekinghadlostconfidenceinJohnHenryBagshaw，thesittingmember，theyneverquestioneditabit。
　　Lostconfidence？Allright，they’delecthimanotherrightaway。
　　They’delecthimhalfadozenifheneededthem。Theydon’tmind;
　　they’delectthewholetownmanaftermanratherthanhavethekingworriedaboutit。
　　Inanycase，alltheConservativeshadbeenwonderingforyearshowthekingandthegovernor—generalandmenlikethathadtoleratedsuchamanasBagshawsolong。
　　MissinabaCounty，Isay，isaregularhiveofpolitics，andnotthemiserable，crooked，money—riddenpoliticsofthecities，butthestraight，realold—fashionedthingthatisanhonourtothecountryside。Anymanwhowouldoffertotakeabribeorsellhisconvictionsformoney，wouldbeanobjectofscorn。Idon’tsaytheywouldn’ttakemoney，——theywould，ofcourse，whynot？——butiftheydidtheywouldtakeitinastraightfearlesswayandsaynothingaboutit。
　　Theymight，——it’sonlyhuman，——acceptajoboracontractfromthegovernment，butiftheydid，restassureditwouldbeinabroadnationalspiritandnotforthesakeoftheworkitself。No，sir。
　　Notforaminute。
　　AnymanwhowantstogetthevotesoftheMissinabafarmersandtheMariposabusinessmenhasgottopersuadethemthathe’stherightman。Ifhecandothat，——ifhecanpersuadeanyoneofthemthatheistherightmanandthatalltherestknowit，thenthey’llvoteforhim。
　　Thedivision，Irepeat，betweentheLiberalsandtheConservatives，isintense。Yetyoumightliveforalongwhileinthetown，betweenelections，andneverknowit。Itisonlywhenyougettounderstandthepeoplethatyoubegintoseethatthereisacrossdivisionrunningthroughthemthatnothingcaneverremove。Yougraduallybecomeawareoffinesubtledistinctionsthatmissyourobservationatfirst。Outwardly，theyareallfriendlyenough。Forinstance，JoeMilliganthedentistisaConservative，andhasbeenforsixyears，andyethesharesthesameboat—housewithyoungDr。Gallagher，whoisaLiberal，andtheyevenboughtamotorboatbetweenthem。PeteGloverandAlfMcNicholwereinpartnershipinthehardwareandpaintstore，thoughtheybelongedondifferentsides。
　　Butjustassoonaselectionsdrewnear，thedifferencesinpoliticsbecameperfectlyapparent。LiberalsandConservativesdrewawayfromoneanother。JoeMilliganusedthemotorboatoneSaturdayandDr。