Hisunclestaredathimwithamixedexpressionofamazementandshameandincredulitythatwassorrowfultosee。Atlasthesaid：
　　"Whichofthetwinswasit？"
　　"CountLuigi。"
　　"Youhavechallengedhim？"
　　"N——no，"hesitatedTom，turningpale。
　　"Youwillchallengehimtonight。Howardwillcarryit。"
　　Tombegantoturnsick，andtoshowit。Heturnedhishatroundandroundinhishand，hisunclegloweringblackerandblackeruponhimastheheavysecondsdriftedby;thenatlasthebegantostammer，andsaidpiteously：
　　"Oh，please，don’taskmetodoit，uncle！Heisamurderousdevil——
　　Inevercould——I——I’mafraidofhim！"
　　OldDriscoll’smouthopenedandclosedthreetimesbeforehecouldgetittoperformitsoffice;thenhestormedout：
　　"Acowardinmyfamily！ADriscollacoward！Oh，whathaveIdonetodeservethisinfamy！"Hetotteredtohissecretaryinthecorner，repeatedthatlamentagainandagaininheartbreakingtones，andgotoutofadrawerapaper，whichheslowlytoretobits，scatteringthebitsabsentlyinhistrackashewalkedupanddowntheroom，stillgrievingandlamenting。Atlasthesaid：
　　"Thereitis，shredsandfragmentsoncemore——mywill。Oncemoreyouhaveforcedmetodisinherityou，youbasesonofamostnoblefather！
　　Leavemysight！Go——beforeIspitonyou！"
　　Theyoungmandidnottarry。ThenthejudgeturnedtoHoward：
　　"Youwillbemysecond，oldfriend？"
　　"Ofcourse。"
　　"Thereispenandpaper。Draftthecartel，andlosenotime。"
　　"TheCountshallhaveitinhishandsinfifteenminutes，"saidHoward。
　　Tomwasveryheavyhearted。Hisappetitewasgonewithhispropertyandhisself—respect。Hewentoutthebackwayandwandereddowntheobscurelanegrieving，andwonderingifanycourseoffutureconduct，howeverdiscreetandcarefullyperfectedandwatchedover，couldwinbackhisuncle’sfavorandpersuadehimtoreconstructoncemorethatgenerouswillwhichhadjustgonetoruinbeforehiseyes。
　　Hefinallyconcludedthatitcould。Hesaidtohimselfthathehadaccomplishedthissortoftriumphoncealready，andthatwhathadbeendoneoncecouldbedoneagain。Hewouldsetaboutit。Hewouldbendeveryenergytothetask，andhewouldscorethattriumphoncemore，costwhatitmighttohisconvenience，limitasitmighthisfrivolousandliberty—lovinglife。
　　"Tobegin，"hesaystohimself，"I’llsquareupwiththeproceedsofmyraid，andthengamblinghasgottobestopped——andstoppedshortoff。
　　It’stheworstviceI’vegot——frommystandpoint，anyway，becauseit’stheonehecanmosteasilyfindout，throughtheimpatienceofmycreditors。Hethoughtitexpensivetohavetopaytwohundreddollarstothemformeonce。Expensive——_that！_Why，itcostmethewholeofhisfortune——but，ofcourse，heneverthoughtofthat;
　　somepeoplecan’tthinkofanybuttheirownsideofacase。
　　IfhehadknownhowdeepIaminnow，thewillwouldhavegonetopotwithoutwaitingforadueltohelp。Threehundreddollars！
　　It’sapile！Buthe’llneverhearofit，I’mthankfultosay。
　　TheminuteI’vecleareditoff，I’msafe;andI’llnevertouchacardagain。Anyway，Iwon’twhilehelives，Imakeoathtothat。
　　I’menteringonmylastreform——Iknowit——yes，andI’llwin;
　　butafterthat，ifIeverslipagainI’mgone。"
　　CHAPTER13
　　TomStaresatRuinWhenIreflectuponthenumberofdisagreeablepeoplewhoIknowhavegonetoabetterworld，Iammovedtoleadadifferentlife。
　　——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarOctober。Thisisoneofthepeculiarlydangerousmonthstospeculateinstocksin。TheothersareJuly，January，September，April，November，May，March，June，December，August，andFebruary。
　　——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarThusmournfullycommuningwithhimself，TommopedalongthelanepastPudd’nheadWilson’shouse，andstillonandonbetweenfencesenclosingvacantcountryoneachhandtillhenearedthehauntedhouse，thenhecamemopingbackagain，withmanysighsandheavywithtrouble。
　　Hesorelywantedcheerfulcompany。Rowena！Hisheartgaveaboundatthethought，butthenextthoughtquietedit——thedetestedtwinswouldbethere。
　　HewasontheinhabitedsideofWilson’shouse，andnowasheapproachedit，henoticedthatthesittingroomwaslighted。
　　Thiswoulddo;othersmadehimfeelunwelcomesometimes，butWilsonneverfailedincourtesytowardhim，andakindlycourtesydoesatleastsaveone’sfeelings，evenifitisnotprofessingtostandforawelcome。
　　Wilsonheardfootstepsathisthreshold，thentheclearingofathroat。
　　"It’sthatfickle—tempered，dissipatedyounggoose——poordevil，hefindfriendsprettyscarcetoday，likely，afterthedisgraceofcarryingapersonalassaultcaseintoalaw—court。"
　　Adejectedknock。"Comein！"
　　Tomentered，anddroppedintoachair，withoutsayinganything。
　　Wilsonsaidkindly：
　　"Why，myboy，youlookdesolate。Don’ttakeitsohard。
　　Tryandforgetyouhavebeenkicked。"
　　"Oh，dear，"saidTom，wretchedly，"it’snotthat，Pudd’nhead——
　　it’snotthat……It’sathousandtimesworsethanthat——oh，yes，amilliontimesworse。"
　　"Why，Tom，whatdoyoumean？HasRowena——"
　　"Flungme？_No_，buttheoldmanhas。"
　　Wilsonsaidtohimself，"Aha！"andthoughtofthemysteriousgirlinthebedroom。"TheDriscollshavebeenmakingdiscoveries！"
　　Thenhesaidaloud，gravely：
　　"Tom，therearesomekindsofdissipationwhich——"
　　"Oh，shucks，thishasn’tgotanythingtodowithdissipation。
　　HewantedmetochallengethatdernedItaliansavage，andIwouldn’tdoit。"
　　"Yes，ofcoursehewoulddothat，"saidWilsoninameditativematter—of—courseway，"butthethingthatpuzzledmewas，whyhedidn’tlooktothatlastnight，foronething，andwhyheletyoucarrysuchamatterintoacourtoflawatall，eitherbeforetheduelorafterit。It’snoplaceforit。
　　Itwasnotlikehim。Icouldn’tunderstandit。Howdidithappen？"
　　"Ithappenedbecausehedidn’tknowanythingaboutit。HewasasleepwhenIgothomelastnight。"
　　"Andyoudidn’twakehim？Tom，isthatpossible？"
　　Tomwasnotgettingmuchcomforthere。Hefidgetedamoment，thensaid：
　　"Ididn’tchoosetotellhim——that’sall。Hewasgoinga—fishingbeforedawn，withPembrokeHoward，andifIgotthetwinsintothecommoncalaboose——andIthoughtsureIcould——Ineverdreamedoftheirslippingoutonapaltryfineforsuchanoutrageousoffense——
　　well，onceinthecalaboosetheywouldbedisgraced，andunclewouldn’twantanyduelswiththatsortofcharacters，andwouldn’tallowany。
　　"Tom，Iamashamedofyou！Idon’tseehowyoucouldtreatyourgoodolduncleso。Iamabetterfriendofhisthanyouare;
　　forifIhadknownthecircumstancesIwouldhavekeptthatcaseoutofcourtuntilIgotwordtohimandlethimhavethegentleman’schance。"
　　"Youwould？"exclaimedTom，withlivelysurprise。"Andityourfirstcase！Andyouknowperfectlywellthereneverwouldhave_been_
　　anycaseifhehadgotthatchance，don’tyou？Andyou’dhavefinishedyourdaysapaupernobody，insteadofbeinganactuallylaunchedandrecognizedlawyertoday。Andyouwouldreallyhavedonethat，wouldyou？"
　　"Certainly。"
　　Tomlookedathimamomentortwo，thenshookhisheadsorrowfullyandsaid：
　　"Ibelieveyou——uponmywordIdo。Idon’tknowwhyIdo，butIdo。
　　Pudd’nheadWilson，Ithinkyou’rethebiggestfoolIeversaw。"
　　"Thankyou。"
　　"Don’tmentionit。"
　　"Well，hehasbeenrequiringyoutofighttheItalian，andyouhaverefused。Youdegenerateremnantofanhonorableline！
　　I’mthoroughlyashamedofyou，Tom！"
　　"Oh，that’snothing！Idon’tcareforanything，nowthatthewill’stornupagain。"
　　"Tom，tellmesquarely——didn’thefindanyfaultwithyouforanythingbutthosetwothings——carryingthecaseintocourtandrefusingtofight？"
　　Hewatchedtheyoungfellow’sfacenarrowly，butitwasentirelyreposeful，andsoalsowasthevoicethatanswered：
　　"No，hedidn’tfindanyotherfaultwithme。Ifhehadhadanytofind，hewouldhavebegunyesterday，forhewasjustinthehumorforit。
　　Hedrovethatjack—pairaroundtownandshowedthemthesights，andwhenhecamehomehecouldn’tfindhisfather’soldsilverwatchthatdon’tkeeptimeandhethinkssomuchof，andcouldn’trememberwhathedidwithitthreeorfourdaysagowhenhesawitlast，andwhenIsuggestedthatitprobablywasn’tlostbutstolen，itputhiminaregularpassion，andhesaidIwasafool——
　　whichconvincedme，withoutanytrouble，thatthatwasjustwhathewasafraid_had_happened，himself，butdidnotwanttobelieveit，becauselostthingsstandabetterchanceofbeingfoundagainthanstolenones。"
　　"Whe—ew！"whistledWilson。"Scoreanotheronethelist。"
　　"Anotherwhat？"
　　"Anothertheft！"
　　"Theft？"
　　"Yes，theft。Thatwatchisn’tlost，it’sstolen。There’sbeenanotherraidonthetown——andjustthesameoldmysterioussortofthingthathashappenedoncebefore，asyouremember。"
　　"Youdon’tmeanit！"
　　"It’sassureasyouareborn！Haveyoumissedanythingyourself？"
　　"No。Thatis，IdidmissasilverpencilcasethatAuntMaryPrattgavemelastbirthday——"
　　"You’llfinditstolen——that’swhatyou’llfind。"
　　"No，Isha’n’t;forwhenIsuggestedtheftaboutthewatchandgotsucharap，Iwentandexaminedmyroom，andthepencilcasewasmissing，butitwasonlymislaid，andIfounditagain。"
　　"Youaresureyoumissednothingelse？"
　　"Well，nothingofconsequence。Imissedasmallplaingoldringworthtwoorthreedollars，butthatwillturnup。I’lllookagain。"
　　"Inmyopinionyou’llnotfindit。There’sbeenaraid，Itellyou。
　　Come_in！_"
　　Mr。JusticeRobinsonentered，followedbyBuckstoneandthetownconstable，JimBlake。Theysatdown，andaftersomewanderingandaimlessweather—conversationWilsonsaid：
　　"Bytheway，We’vejustaddedanothertothelistofthefts，maybetwo。
　　JudgeDriscoll’soldsilverwatchisgone，andTomherehasmissedagoldring。"
　　"Well，itisabadbusiness，"saidthejustice，"andgetsworsethefurtheritgoes。TheHankses，theDobsons，thePilligrews，theOrtons，theGrangers，theHales，theFullers，theHolcombs，infacteverybodythatlivesaroundaboutPatsyCooper’shadbeenrobbedoflittlethingsliketrinketsandteaspoonsandsuchlikesmallvaluablesthatareeasilycarriedoff。It’sperfectlyplainthatthethieftookadvantageofthereceptionatPatsyCooper’swhenalltheneighborswereinherhouseandalltheirniggershangingaroundherfenceforalookattheshow，toraidthevacanthousesundisturbed。
　　Patsyismiserableaboutit;miserableonaccountoftheneighbors，andparticularlymiserableonaccountofherforeigners，ofcourse;
　　somiserableontheiraccountthatshehasn’tanyroomtoworryaboutherownlittlelosses。"
　　"It’sthesameoldraider，"saidWilson。"Isupposethereisn’tanydoubtaboutthat。"
　　"ConstableBlakedoesn’tthinkso。"
　　"No，you’rewrongthere，"saidBlake。"Theothertimesitwasaman;
　　therewasplentyofsignsofthat，asweknow，intheprofession，thoughtwenevergothandsonhim;butthistimeit’sawoman。"
　　Wilsonthoughtofthemysteriousgirlstraightoff。Shewasalwaysinhismindnow。Butshefailedhimagain。Blakecontinued：
　　"She’sastoop—shoulderedoldwomanwithacoveredbasketonherarm，inablackveil，dressedinmourning。Isawhergoingaboardtheferryboatyesterday。LivesinIllinois，Ireckon;butIdon’tcarewhereshelives，I’mgoingtogether——shecanmakeherselfsureofthat。"
　　"Whatmakesyouthinkshe’sthethief？"
　　"Well，thereain’tanyother，foronething;andforanother，someniggerdraymenthathappenedtobedrivingalongsawhercomingoutoforgoingintohouses，andtoldmeso——anditjusthappensthattheywas_robbed_，everytime。"
　　Itwasgrantedthatthiswasplentygoodenoughcircumstantialevidence。
　　Apensivesilencefollowed，whichlastedsomemoments，thenWilsonsaid：
　　"There’sonegoodthing，anyway。Shecan’teitherpawnorsellCountLuigi’scostlyIndiandagger。"
　　"My！"saidTom。"Is_that_gone？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，thatwasahaul！Butwhycan’tshepawnitorsellit？"
　　"BecausewhenthetwinswenthomefromtheSonsofLibertymeetinglastnight，newsoftheraidwassiftinginfromeverywhere，andAuntPatsywasindistresstoknowiftheyhadlostanything。
　　Theyfoundthatthedaggerwasgone，andtheynotifiedthepoliceandpawnbrokerseverywhere。Itwasagreathaul，yes，buttheoldwomanwon’tgetanythingoutofit，becauseshe’llgetcaught。"
　　"Didtheyofferareward？"askedBuckstone。
　　"Yes，fivehundreddollarsfortheknife，andfivehundredmoreforthethief。"
　　"Whataleather—headedidea！"exclaimedtheconstable。
　　"Thethiefdas’n’tgonearthem，norsendanybody。
　　Whoevergoesisgoingtogethimselfnabbed，fortheirain’tanypawnbrokerthat’sgoingtolosethechanceto——"
　　IfanybodyhadnoticedTom’sfaceatthattime，thegray—greencolorofitmighthaveprovokedcuriosity;butnobodydid。
　　Hesaidtohimself："I’mgone！Inevercansquareup;therestoftheplunderwon’tpawnorsellforhalfofthebill。Oh，Iknowit——
　　I’mgone，I’mgone——andthistimeit’sforgood。Oh，thisisawful——
　　Idon’tknowwhattodo，norwhichwaytoturn！"
　　"Softly，softly，"saidWilsontoBlake。"Iplannedtheirschemeforthematmidnightlastnight，anditwasallfinishedupshipshapebytwothismorning。They’llgettheirdaggerback，andthenI’llexplaintoyouhowthethingwasdone。"
　　Therewerestrongsignsofageneralcuriosity，andBuckstonesaid：
　　"Well，youhavewhettedusupprettysharp。Wilson，andI’mfreetosaythatifyoudon’tmindtellingusinconfidence——"
　　"Oh，I’dassoontellasnot，Buckstone，butaslongasthetwinsandIagreedtosaynothingaboutit，wemustletitstandso。
　　Butyoucantakemywordforit，youwon’tbekeptwaitingthreedays。
　　Somebodywillapplyforthatrewardprettypromptly，andI’llshowyouthethiefandthedaggerbothverysoonafterward。"
　　Theconstablewasdisappointed，andalsoperplexed。Hesaid：
　　"Itmayallbe——yes，andIhopeitwill，butI’mblamedifI
　　canseemywaythroughit。It’stoomanyforyourstruly。"
　　Thesubjectseemedabouttalkedout。Nobodyseemedtohaveanythingfurthertooffer。AfterasilencethejusticeofthepeaceinformedWilsonthatheandBuckstoneandtheconstablehadcomeasacommittee，onthepartoftheDemocraticparty，toaskhimtorunformayor——forthelittletownwasabouttobecomeacityandthefirstcharterelectionwasapproaching。ItwasthefirstattentionwhichWilsonhadeverreceivedatthehandsofanyparty;
　　itwasasufficientlyhumbleone，butitwasarecognitionofhisdebutintothetown’slifeandactivitiesatlast;itwasastepupward，andhewasdeeplygratified。Heaccepted，andthecommitteedeparted，followedbyyoungTom。
　　CHAPTER14
　　RoxanaInsistsUponReformThetrueSouthernwatermelonisaboonapart，andnottobementionedwithcommonerthings。Itischiefofthisworld’sluxuries，kingbythegraceofGodoverallthefruitsoftheearth。
　　Whenonehastastedit，heknowswhattheangelseat。ItwasnotaSouthernwatermelonthatEvetook：weknowitbecausesherepented。
　　——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarAboutthetimethatWilsonwasbowingthecommitteeout，PembrokeHowardwasenteringthenexthousetoreport。
　　Hefoundtheoldjudgesittinggrimandstraightinhischair，waiting。
　　"Well，Howard——thenews？"
　　"Thebestintheworld。"
　　"Accepts，doeshe？"andthelightofbattlegleamedjoyouslyintheJudge’seye。
　　"Accepts？Whyhejumpedatit。"
　　"Did，didhe？Nowthat’sfine——that’sveryfine。Ilikethat。
　　Whenisittobe？"
　　"Now！Straightoff！Tonight！Anadmirablefellow——admirable！"
　　"Admirable？He’sadarling！Why，it’sanhonoraswellasapleasuretostandupbeforesuchaman。Come——offwithyou！
　　Goandarrangeeverything——andgivehimmyheartiestcompliments。
　　Ararefellow，indeed;anadmirablefellow，asyouhavesaid！"
　　"I’llhavehiminthevacantstretchbetweenWilson’sandthehauntedhousewithinthehour，andI’llbringmyownpistols。"
　　JudgeDriscollbegantowalkthefloorinastateofpleasedexcitement;
　　butpresentlyhestopped，andbegantothink——begantothinkofTom。
　　Twicehemovedtowardthesecretary，andtwiceheturnedawayagain;
　　butfinallyhesaid：
　　"Thismaybemylastnightintheworld——Imustnottakethechance。
　　Heisworthlessandunworthy，butitislargelymyfault。
　　Hewasentrustedtomebymybrotheronhisdyingbed，andIhaveindulgedhimtohishurt，insteadoftraininghimupseverely，andmakingamanofhim，Ihaveviolatedmytrust，andImustnotaddthesinofdesertiontothat。Ihaveforgivenhimoncealready，andwouldsubjecthimtoalongandhardtrialbeforeforgivinghimagain，ifIcouldlive;butImustnotrunthatrisk。
　　No，Imustrestorethewill。ButifIsurvivetheduel，Iwillhideitaway，andhewillnotknow，andIwillnottellhimuntilhereforms，andIseethathisreformationisgoingtobepermanent。"
　　Heredrewthewill，andhisostensiblenephewwasheirtoafortuneagain。Ashewasfinishinghistask，Tom，weariedwithanotherbroodingtramp，enteredthehouseandwenttiptoeingpastthesittingroomdoor。Heglancedin，andhurriedon，forthesightofhisunclewasnothingbutterrorsforhimtonight。Buthisunclewaswriting！Thatwasunusualatthislatehour。Whatcouldhebewriting？AchillofanxietysettleddownuponTom’sheart。
　　Didthatwritingconcernhim？Hewasafraidso。Hereflectedthatwhenillluckbegins，itdoesnotcomeinsprinkles，butinshowers。
　　Hesaidhewouldgetaglimpseofthatdocumentorknowthereasonwhy。
　　Heheardsomeonecoming，andsteppedoutofsightandhearing。
　　ItwasPembrokeHoward。Whatcouldbehatching？
　　Howardsaid，withgreatsatisfaction：
　　"Everything’srightandready。He’sgonetothebattlegroundwithhissecondandthesurgeon——alsowithhisbrother。I’vearrangeditallwithWilson——Wilson’shissecond。Wearetohavethreeshotsapiece。"
　　"Good！Howisthemoon？"
　　"Brightasday，nearly。Perfect，forthedistance——fifteenyards。
　　Nowind——notabreath;hotandstill。"
　　"Allgood;allfirst—rate。Here，Pembroke，readthis，andwitnessit。"
　　Pembrokereadandwitnessedthewill，thengavetheoldman’shandaheartyshakeandsaid：
　　"Nowthat’sright，York——butIknewyouwoulddoit。Youcouldn’tleavethatpoorchaptofightalongwithoutmeansorprofession，withcertaindefeatbeforehim，andIknewyouwouldn’t，forhisfather’ssakeifnotforhisown。"
　　"Forhisdeadfather’ssake，Icouldn’t，Iknow;forpoorPercy——
　　butyouknowwhatPercywastome。Butmind——TomisnottoknowofthisunlessIfalltonight。"
　　"Iunderstand。I’llkeepthesecret。"
　　Thejudgeputthewillaway，andthetwostartedforthebattleground。
　　InanotherminutethewillwasinTom’shands。
　　Hismiseryvanished，hisfeelingsunderwentatremendousrevulsion。
　　Heputthewillcarefullybackinitsplace，andspreadhismouthandswunghishatonce，twice，threetimesaroundhishead，inimitationofthreerousinghuzzahs，nosoundissuingfromhislips。
　　Hefelltocommuningwithhimselfexcitedlyandjoyously，buteverynowandthenheletoffanothervolleyofdumbhurrahs。
　　Hesaidtohimself："I’vegotthefortuneagain，butI’llnotletonthatIknowaboutit。AndthistimeI’mgongtohangontoit。
　　Itakenomorerisks。I’llgamblenomore，I’lldrinknomore，because——well，becauseI’llnotgowherethereisanyofthatsortofthinggoingon，again。It’sthesureway，andtheonlysureway;
　　Imighthavethoughtofthatsooner——well，yes，ifIhadwantedto。
　　Butnow——dearme，I’vehadascarethistime，andI’lltakenomorechances。Notasinglechancemore。Land！IpersuadedmyselfthiseveningthatIcouldfetchhimaroundwithoutanygreatamountofeffort，butI’vebeengettingmoreandmoreheavyheartedanddoubtfulstraightalong，eversince。Ifhetellsmeaboutthisthing，allright;butifhedoesn’t，Isha’n’tleton。I——well，I’dliketotellPudd’nheadWilson，but——no，I’llthinkaboutthat;perhapsIwon’t。"
　　Hewhirledoffanotherdeadhuzzah，andsaid，"I’mreformed，andthistimeI’llstayso，sure！"
　　Hewasabouttoclosewithafinalgrandsilentdemonstration，whenhesuddenlyrecollectedthatWilsonhadputitoutofhispowertopawnorselltheIndianknife，andthathewasoncemoreinawfulperilofexposurebyhiscreditorsforthatreason。
　　Hisjoycollapsedutterly，andheturnedawayandmopedtowardthedoormoaningandlamentingoverthebitternessofhisluck。
　　Hedraggedhimselfupstairs，andbroodedinhisroomalongtime，disconsolateandforlorn，withLuigi’sIndianknifeforatext。
　　Atlasthesighedandsaid：
　　"WhenIsupposedthesestoneswereglassandthisivorybone，thethinghadn’tanyinterestformebecauseithadn’tanyvalue，andcouldn’thelpmeoutofmytrouble。Butnow——why，nowitisfullofinterest;yes，andofasorttobreakabody’sheart。
　　It’sabagofgoldthathasturnedtodirtandashesinmyhands。
　　Itcouldsaveme，andsavemesoeasily，andyetI’vegottogotoruin。
　　It’slikedrowningwithalifepreserverinmyreach。Allthehardluckcomestome，andallthegoodluckgoestootherpeople——
　　Pudd’nheadWilson，forinstance;evenhiscareerhasgotasortofalittlestartatlast，andwhathashedonetodeserveit，Ishouldliketoknow？Yes，hehasopenedhisownroad，butheisn’tcontentwiththat，butmustblockmine。
　　It’sasordid，selfishworld，andIwishIwasoutofit。"
　　Heallowedthelightofthecandletoplayuponthejewelsofthesheath，buttheflashingsandsparklingshadnocharmforhiseye;
　　theywereonlyjustsomanypangstohisheart。"ImustnotsayanythingtoRoxyaboutthisthing，"hesaid。"Sheistoodaring。
　　Shewouldbefordiggingthesestonesoutandsellingthem，andthen——
　　why，shewouldbearrestedandthestonestraced，andthen——"
　　Thethoughtmadehimquake，andhehidtheknifeaway，tremblingalloverandglancingfurtivelyabout，likeacriminalwhofanciesthattheaccuserisalreadyathand。
　　Shouldhetrytosleep？Oh，no，sleepwasnotforhim;histroublewastoohaunting，tooafflictingforthat。Hemusthavesomebodytomournwith。HewouldcarryhisdespairtoRoxy。
　　Hehadheardseveraldistantgunshots，butthatsortofthingwasnotuncommon，andtheyhadmadenoimpressionuponhim。
　　Hewentoutatthebackdoor，andturnedwestward。HepassedWilson’shouseandproceededalongthelane，andpresentlysawseveralfiguresapproachingWilson’splacethroughthevacantlots。
　　Theseweretheduelistsreturningfromthefight;hethoughtherecognizedthem，butashehadnodesireforwhitepeople’scompany，hestoopeddownbehindthefenceuntiltheywereoutofhisway。
　　Roxywasfeelingfine。Shesaid：
　　"Whahwasyou，child？Warn’tyouinit？"
　　"Inwhat？"
　　"Indeduel。"
　　"Duel？Hastherebeenaduel？"
　　"Co’sedeyhas。DeoleJedgehasbe’nhavin’aduelwidoneo’demtwins。"
　　"GreatScott！"Thenheaddedtohimself："That’swhatmadehimremakethewill;hethoughthemightgetkilled，anditsoftenedhimtowardme。
　　Andthat’swhatheandHowardweresobusyabout……
　　Ohdear，ifthetwinhadonlykilledhim，Ishouldbeoutofmy——"
　　"Whatisyoumumblin’’bout，Chambers？Whahwasyou？
　　Didn’tyouknowdeywasgwinetobeaduel？"
　　"No，Ididn’t。TheoldmantriedtogetmetofightonewithCountLuigi，buthedidn’tsucceed，soIreckonheconcludedtopatchupthefamilyhonorhimself。"
　　Helaughedattheidea，andwentramblingonwithadetailedaccountofhistalkwiththejudge，andhowshockedandashamedthejudgewastofindthathehadacowardinhisfamily。Heglancedupatlast，andgotashockhimself。Roxana’sbosomwasheavingwithsuppressedpassion，andshewasgloweringdownuponhimwithmeasurelesscontemptwritteninherface。
　　"Enyourefuse’tofightamandatkickedyou，’stido’jumpin’
　　atdechance！Enyouain’tgotnomo’feelin’dentocomeentellme，datfetchedsichapo’lowdownorneryrabbitintodeworl’！Pah！itmakemesick！It’sdeniggerinyou，dat’swhatitis。Thirty—onepartso’youiswhite，enon’yonepartnigger，endatpo’littleonepartisyo’_soul_。
　　’Tain’twuthsavin’;tain’twuthtotin’outonashovelenthrowin’
　　endegutter。Youhasdisgracedyo’birth。Whatwouldyo’pathinko’you？It’senoughtomakehimturninhisgrave。
　　ThelastthreesentencesstungTomintoafury，andhesaidtohimselfthatifhisfatherwereonlyaliveandinreachofassassinationhismotherwouldsoonfindthathehadaveryclearnotionofthesizeofhisindebtednesstothatman，andwaswillingtopayitupinfull，andwoulddoittoo，evenatriskofhislife;
　　buthekeptthisthoughttohimself;thatwassafestinhismother’spresentstate。
　　"Whateverhascomeo’yo’Essexblood？Dat’swhatIcan’tunderstan’。
　　Enitain’ton’yjistEssexblooddat’sinyou，notbyalongsight——
　　’deeditain’t！Mygreat—great—great—gran’fatherenyo’
　　great—great—great—great—gran’fatherwasOleCap’nJohnSmith，dehighestblooddatOleVirginnyeverturnedout，en_his_
　　great—great—gran’mother，orsomersalongbackdah，wasPocahontasdeInjunqueen，enherhusbun’wasaniggerkingoutenAfrica——
　　enyithereyouis，aslinkin’outenaduelendisgracin’ourwholelinelikeaornerylowdownhound！Yes，it’sdeniggerinyou！"
　　Shesatdownonhercandleboxandfellintoareverie。
　　Tomdidnotdisturbher;hesometimeslackedprudence，butitwasnotincircumstancesofthiskind，Roxana’sstormwentgraduallydown，butitdiedhard，andevenwhenitseemedtobequitegone，itwouldnowandthenbreakoutinadistantrumble，sotospeak，intheformofmutteredejaculations。Oneofthesewas，"Ain’tniggerenoughinhimtoshowinhisfingernails，endattakesmightylittle——
　　yitdey’senoughtopainhissoul。"
　　Presentlyshemuttered。"Yassir，enoughtopaintawholethimblefulof’em。"Atlastherramblingsceasedaltogether，andhercountenancebegantoclear——awelcomesighttoTom，whohadlearnedhermoods，andknewshewasonthethresholdofgoodhumornow。
　　Henoticedthatfromtimetotimesheunconsciouslycarriedherfingertotheendofhernose。Helookedcloserandsaid：
　　"Why，Mammy，theendofyournoseisskinned。Howdidthatcome？"
　　ShesentoutthesortofwholeheartedpealoflaughterwhichGodhadvouchsafedinitsperfectiontononebutthehappyangelsinheavenandthebruisedandbrokenblackslaveontheearth，andsaid：
　　"Dadfetchdatduel，Ibe’ninitmyself。"
　　"Gracious！didabullettothat？"
　　"Yassir，youbetitdid！"
　　"Well，Ideclare！Why，howdidthathappen？"
　　"Happeneddis—away。I’uza—sett’n’herekinderdozin’indedark，en_che—bang！_goesagun，rightoutdah。Iskipsalongouttowardst’otherendo’dehousetoseewhat’sgwineon，enstopsbydeolewinderondesidetowardsPudd’nheadWilson’shousedatain’tgotnosashinit——
　　butdeyain’tnoneof’emgotanysashes，forasdat’sconcerned——
　　enIstooddahindedarkenlookout，endarinthemoonlight，rightdownunderme’uzoneo’detwinsa—cussin’——notmuch，butjista—cussin’soft——it’uzdebrownonedat’uzcussin，’
　　’ca’sehe’uzhitindeshoulder。EnDoctorClaypoolhe’uza—workin’athim，enPudd’nheadWilsonhe’uza—he’pin’，enoleJedgeDriscollenPemHoward’uza—standin’outyonderalittlepiecewaitin’for’emtogetreadyagin。Entrecklydeysquaredoffengivedeword，en_bang—bang_wentdepistols，endetwinhesay，’Ouch！’——hithimondehan’distime——enIheardatsamebulletgo_spat！_ag’indelogsunderdewinder;endenex’timedeyshoot，detwinsay，’Ouch！’ag’in，enIdoneittoo，’ca’sedebulletglance’
　　onhischeekboneenskipuphereenglance’ondesideo’dewinderenwhizrightacrostmyfaceentuckdehideoff’nmynose——
　　why，ifI’d’a’;be’njistainchorainchenahalffurder’twould’a’tuckdewholenoseendisfiggeredme。Here’sdebullet;
　　Ihuntedherup。"
　　"Didyoustandthereallthetime？"
　　"Dat’saquestiontoask，ain’tit！WhatelsewouldIdo？
　　DoesIgitachancetoseeadueleveryday？"
　　"Why，youwererightinrange！Weren’tyouafraid？"
　　Thewomangaveasniffofscorn。
　　"’Fraid！DeSmith—Pocahontasesain’t’fraido’nothin’，letalonebullets。"
　　"They’vegotpluckenough，Isuppose;whattheylackisjudgment。
　　_I_wouldn’thavestoodthere。"
　　"Nobody’saccusin’you！"
　　"Didanybodyelsegethurt？"
　　"Yes，weallgothit’cep’deblon’twinendedoctorendeseconds。
　　DeJedgedidn’tgithurt，butIhearPudd’nheadsaydebulletsnipsomeo’hisha’roff。"
　　"’George！"saidTomtohimself，"tocomesonearbeingoutofmytrouble，andmissitbyaninch。Ohdear，dear，hewilllivetofindmeoutandsellmetosomeniggertraderyet——yes，andhewoulddoitinaminute。"Thenhesaidaloud，inagravetone：
　　"Mother，weareinanawfulfix。"
　　Roxanacaughtherbreathwithaspasm，andsaid：
　　"Chile！Whatyouhitabodysosuddenfor，likedat？
　　What’sbe’nengoneenhappen’？"
　　"Well，there’sonethingIdidn’ttellyou。WhenIwouldn’tfight，hetoreupthewillagain，and——"
　　Roxana’sfaceturnedadeadwhite，andshesaid：
　　"Nowyou’s_done！_——doneforever！Dat’sdeend。Bofeunusisgwinetostarveto——"
　　"Waitandhearmethrough，can’tyou！Ireckonthatwhenheresolvedtofight，himself，hethoughthemightgetkilledandnothaveachancetoforgivemeanymoreinthislife，sohemadethewillagain，andI’veseenit，andit’sallright。But——"
　　"Oh，thankgoodness，denwe’ssafeag’in！——safe！ensowhatdidyouwanttocomehereentalksichdreadful——"
　　"HoldON，Itellyou，andletmefinish。TheswagIgatheredwon’thalfsquaremeup，andthefirstthingweknow，mycreditors——
　　well，youknowwhat’llhappen。"
　　Roxanadroppedherchin，andtoldhersontoleaveheralone——
　　shemustthinkthismatterout。Presentlyshesaidimpressively：
　　"Yougottogomightykeerfulnow，Itellyou！Enhere’swhatyougottodo。Hedidn’tgitkilled，enifyougiveshimdeleastreason，he’llbustdewillag’in，endat’sde_las’_time，nowyouhearme！
　　So——you’sgottoshowhimwhatyoukindoindenex’fewdays。
　　Yougottobepisongood，enlethimseeit;yougottodoeverythingdat’llmakehimb’lieveinyou，enyougottosweetenaroun’oleAuntPratt，too——she’spow’fulstrongwithdeJedge，endebes’frien’yougot。
　　Nex’，you’llgo’longawaytoSentLouis，endat’ll_keep_himinyo’favor。
　　Denyougoenmakeabargainwiddempeople。Youtell’emheain’tgwinetolivelong——endat’sdefac’，too——entell’emyou’llpay’emintrust，enbigintrust，too——tenper——whatyoucallit？"
　　"Tenpercentamonth？"
　　"Dat’sit。Denyoutakeandsellyo’truckaroun’，alittleatatime，enpaydeintrust。Howlongwillitlas’？"
　　"Ithinkthere’senoughtopaytheinterestfiveorsixmonths。"
　　"Denyou’sallright。Ifhedon’tdieinsixmonths，datdon’tmakenodiff’rence——Providence’llprovide。You’sgwinetobesafe——
　　ifyoubehaves。"Shebentanaustereeyeonhimandadded，"EnyouISgwinetobehave——doesyouknowdat？"
　　Helaughedandsaidhewasgoingtotry，anyway。Shedidnotunbend。
　　Shesaidgravely：
　　"Tryin’ain’tdething。You’sgwineto_do_it。Youain’tgwinetostealapin——’ca’seitain’tsafenomo’;enyouain’tgwineintonobadcomp’ny——notevenonce，youunderstand;enyouain’tgwinetodrinkadrop——naryasingledrop;enyouain’tgwinetogambleonesinglegamble——notone！Disain’twhatyou’sgwinetotrytodo，it’swhatyou’sgwinetoDO。EnI’lltellyouhowIknowsit。
　　Disishow。I’sgwinetofolleralongtoSentLouismyownself;
　　enyou’sgwinetocometomeeverydayo’yourlife，enI’lllookyouover;enifyoufailsinonesingleoneo’demthings——jist_one_——
　　ItakemyoathI’llcomestraightdowntodistownentelldeJedgeyou’saniggerenaslave——en_prove_it！"Shepausedtoletherwordssinkhome。Thensheadded，"Chambers，doesyoub’lievemewhenIsaysdat？"
　　Tomwassoberenoughnow。Therewasnolevityinhisvoicewhenheanswered：
　　"Yes，Mother，Iknow，now，thatIamreformed——andpermanently。
　　Permanently——andbeyondthereachofanyhumantemptation。"
　　"Deng’longhomeenbegin！"
　　CHAPTER15
　　TheRobberRobbedNothingsoneedsreformingasotherpeople’shabits。
　　——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarBehold，thefoolsaith，"Putnotallthineeggsintheonebasket"——
　　whichisbutamannerofsaying，"Scatteryourmoneyandyourattention";butthewisemansaith，"Putallyoureggsintheonebasketand——_watchthatbasket！_"
　　——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarWhatatimeofitDawson’sLandingwashaving！Allitslifeithadbeenasleep，butnowithardlygotachanceforanod，soswiftlydidbigeventsandcrashingsurprisescomealonginoneanother’swake：Fridaymorning，firstglimpseofRealNobility，alsograndreceptionatAuntPatsyCooper’s，alsogreatrobberraid;
　　Fridayevening，dramatickickingoftheheirofthechiefcitizeninpresenceoffourhundredpeople;Saturdaymorning，emergenceaspracticinglawyerofthelong—submergedPudd’nheadWilson;
　　Saturdaynight，duelbetweenchiefcitizenandtitledstranger。
　　Thepeopletookmoreprideintheduelthaninalltheothereventsputtogether，perhaps。Itwasaglorytotheirtowntohavesuchathinghappenthere。Intheireyestheprincipalshadreachedthesummitofhumanhonor。Everybodypaidhomagetotheirnames;
　　theirpraiseswereinallmouths。Eventheduelists’subordinatescameinforahandsomeshareofthepublicapprobation：
　　whereforePudd’nheadWilsonwassuddenlybecomeamanofconsequence。
　　WhenaskedtorunforthemayoraltySaturdaynight，hewasriskingdefeat，butSundaymorningfoundhimamademanandhissuccessassured。
　　Thetwinswereprodigiouslygreatnow;thetowntookthemtoitsbosomwithenthusiasm。Dayafterday，andnightafternight，theywentdiningandvisitingfromhousetohouse，makingfriends，enlargingandsolidifyingtheirpopularity，andcharmingandsurprisingallwiththeirmusicalprodigies，andnowandthenheighteningtheeffectswithsamplesofwhattheycoulddoinotherdirections，outoftheirstockofrareandcuriousaccomplishments。Theyweresopleasedthattheygavetheregulationthirtydays’notice，therequiredpreparationforcitizenship，andresolvedtofinishtheirdaysinthispleasantplace。Thatwastheclimax。
　　Thedelightedcommunityroseasonemanandapplauded;andwhenthetwinswereaskedtostandforseatsintheforthcomingaldermanicboard，andconsented，thepubliccontentmentwasroundedandcomplete。
　　TomDriscollwasnothappyoverthesethings;theysunkdeep，andhurtallthewaydown。Hehatedtheonetwinforkickinghim，andtheotheroneforbeingthekicker’sbrother。
　　Nowandthenthepeoplewonderedwhynothingwasheardoftheraider，orofthestolenknifeortheotherplunder，butnobodywasabletothrowanylightonthatmatter。Nearlyaweekhaddriftedby，andstillthethingremainedavexedmystery。
　　OnSundayConstableBlakeandPudd’nheadWilsonmetonthestreet，andTomDriscolljoinedthemintimetoopentheirconversationforthem。
　　HesaidtoBlake："Youarenotlookingwell，Blake;youseemtobeannoyedaboutsomething。Hasanythinggonewronginthedetectivebusiness？Ibelieveyoufairlyandjustifiablyclaimtohaveaprettygoodreputationinthatline，isn’titso？"——
　　whichmadeBlakefeelgood，andlookit;butTomadded，"foracountrydetective"——whichmadeBlakefeeltheotherway，andnotonlylookit，butbetrayitinhisvoice。
　　"Yes，sir，I_have_gotareputation;andit’sasgoodasanybody’sintheprofession，too，countryornocountry。"
　　"Oh，Ibegpardon;Ididn’tmeananyoffense。WhatIstartedouttoaskwasonlyabouttheoldwomanthatraidedthetown——
　　thestoop—shoulderedoldwoman，youknow，thatyousaidyouweregoingtocatch;andIknewyouwould，too，becauseyouhavethereputationofneverboasting，and——well，you——you’vecaughttheoldwoman？"
　　"Damntheoldwoman！"
　　"Why，sho！youdon’tmeantosayyouhaven’tcaughther？"
　　"No，Ihaven’tcaughther。Ifanybodycouldhavecaughther，Icould;butnobodycouldn’t，Idon’tcarewhoheis。"
　　Iamsorry，realsorry——foryoursake;because，whenitgetsaroundthatadetectivehasexpressedhimselfconfidently，andthen——"
　　"Don’tyouworry，that’sall——don’tyouworry;andasforthetown，thetownneedn’tworryeither。She’smymeat——makeyourselfeasyaboutthat。I’monhertrack;I’vegotcluesthat——"
　　"That’sgood！NowifyoucouldgetanoldveterandetectivedownfromSt。Louistohelpyoufindoutwhatthecluesmean，andwheretheyleadto，andthen——"
　　"I’mplentyveteranenoughmyself，andIdon’tneedanybody’shelp。
　　I’llhaveherinsideofawe——insideofamonth。ThatI’llswearto！"
　　Tomsaidcarelessly：
　　"Isupposethatwillanswer——yes，thatwillanswer。ButIreckonsheisprettyold，andoldpeopledon’toftenoutlivethecautiouspaceoftheprofessionaldetectivewhenhehasgothiscluestogetherandisoutonhisstill—hunt。"
　　Blake’sdullfaceflushedunderthisgibe，butbeforehecouldsethisretortinorderTomhadturnedtoWilson，andwassaying，withplacidindifferenceofmannerandvoice：
　　"Whogotthereward，Pudd’nhead？"
　　Wilsonwincedslightly，andsawthathisownturnwascome。
　　"Whatreward？"
　　"Why，therewardforthethief，andtheotheronefortheknife。"
　　Wilsonanswered——andratheruncomfortably，tojudgebyhishesitatingfashionofdeliveringhimself：
　　"Well，the——well，inface，nobodyhasclaimedityet。"
　　Tomseemedsurprised。
　　"Why，isthatso？"
　　Wilsonshowedatrifleofirritationwhenhereplied：
　　"Yes，it’sso。Andwhatofit？"
　　"Oh，nothing。OnlyIthoughtyouhadstruckoutanewidea，andinventedaschemethatwasgoingtorevolutionizethetimewornandineffectualmethodsofthe——"Hestopped，andturnedtoBlake，whowashappynowthatanotherhadtakenhisplaceonthegridiron。
　　"Blake，didn’tyouunderstandhimtointimatethatitwouldn’tbenecessaryforyoutohunttheoldwomandown？"
　　’B’George，hesaidhe’dhavethiefandswagbothinsideofthreedays——
　　hedid，byhokey！andthat’sjustaboutaweekago。
　　Why，Isaidatthetimethatnothiefandnothief’spalwasgoingtotrytopawnorsellathingwhereheknowedthepawnbrokercouldgetbothrewardsbytakingHIMintocamp_with_theswag。
　　ItwastheblessedestideathateverIstruck！"
　　"You’dchangeyourmind，"saidWilson，withirritatedbluntness，"ifyouknewtheentireschemeinsteadofonlypartofit。"
　　"Well，"saidtheconstable，pensively，"Ihadtheideathatitwouldn’twork，anduptonowI’mrightanyway。"
　　"Verywell，then，letitstandatthat，andgiveitafurthershow。
　　Ithasworkedatleastaswellasyourownmethods，youperceive。"
　　Theconstablehadn’tanythinghandytohitbackwith，sohedischargedadiscontentedsniff，andsaidnothing。
　　AfterthenightthatWilsonhadpartlyrevealedhisschemeathishouse，Tomhadtriedforseveraldaystoguessoutthesecretoftherestofit，buthadfailed。ThenitoccurredtohimtogiveRoxana’ssmarterheadachanceatit。Hemadeupasupposititious0zHcase，andlaiditbeforeher。Shethoughtitover，anddeliveredherverdictuponit。Tomsaidtohimself，"She’shitit，sure！"Hethoughthewouldtestthatverdictnow，andwatchWilson’sface;sohesaidreflectively：
　　"Wilson，you’renotafool——afactofrecentdiscovery。