Thetimeforcautionhadpassed，nowwasthetimetoact。Jimmieracedtothetopofthehill，andfounditempty。Heplungeddownit，vaultedastonewall，forcedhiswaythroughatangleofsaplings，andheldhisbreathtolisten。Justbeyondhim，overajumbleofrocks，ahiddenstreamwastrippingandtumbling。
Joyfully，itlaughedandgurgled。Jimmieturnedhot。Itsoundedasthoughfromthedarknessthespymockedhim。Jimmieshookhisfistattheenshroudingdarkness。Abovethetumultofthecomingstormandthetossingtree—tops，heraisedhisvoice。
"Youwait！"heshouted。"I’llgetyouyet！Nexttime，I’llbringagun。"
Nexttime，wasthenextmorning。Therehadbeenahawkhoveringoverthechickenyard，andJimmieusedthatfacttoexplainhisborrowingthefamilyshotgun。Heloadeditwithbuckshot，and，inthepocketofhisshirtbuttonedhislicenseto"hunt，pursueandkill，totakewithtrapsorotherdevices。"
HerememberedthatJudgeVanVorsthadwarnedhim，beforehearrestedmorespies，tocometohimforawarrant。ButwithanimpatientshakeoftheheadJimmietossedtherecollectionfromhim。Afterwhathehadseenhecouldnotpossiblybeagainmistaken。Hedidnotneedawarrant。Whathehadseenwashiswarrant——plustheshotgun。
Asa"pathfinder"should，heplannedtotakeupthetrailwherehehadlostit，but，beforehereachedRoundHill，hefoundawarmertrail。Beforehim，stampedclearlyintheroadstilldampfromtherainofthenightbefore，twolinesoflittlearrow—headspointedtheway。Theyweresofreshthatateachtwistintheroad，lestthecarshouldbejustbeyondhim，Jimmieslackenedhissteps。Afterhalfamilethescentgrewhot。Thetracksweredeeper，thearrow—headsmoreclearlycut，andJimmiebrokeintoarun。Then，thearrow—headsswungsuddenlytotheright，andinaclearingattheedgeofawood，werelost。Butthetireshadpresseddeepintothegrass，andjustinsidethewood，hefoundthecar。Itwasempty。Jimmiewasdrawntwoways。
Shouldheseekthespyonthenearesthilltop，or，untiltheownerreturned，waitbythecar。Betweenlyinginambushandaction，Jimmiepreferredaction。But，hedidnotclimbthehillnearestthecar；heclimbedthehillthatoverlookedthathill。
Flatontheground，hiddeninthegolden—rodhelaymotionless。
Beforehim，forfifteenmilesstretchedhillsandtinyvalleys。
Sixmilesawaytohisrightrosethestonesteeple，andtheredroofsofGreenwich。Directlybeforehimwerenosignsofhabitation，onlygreenforests，greenfields，graystonewalls，and，wherearoadranup—hill，asplashofwhite，thatquiveredintheheat。Thestormofthenightbeforehadwashedtheair。
Eachleafstoodbyitself。Nothingstirred；andintheglareoftheAugustsuneverydetailofthelandscapewasasdistinctasthoseinacoloredphotograph；andasstill。
Inhisexcitementthescoutwastrembling。
"Ifhemoves，"hesighedhappily，"I’vegothim！"
Opposite，acrossalittlevalleywasthehillatthebaseofwhichhehadfoundthecar。Theslopetowardhimwasbare，butthetopwascrownedwithathickwood；andalongitscrest，asthoughestablishinganancientboundary，ranastonewall，moss—coveredandwrappedinpoison—ivy。Inplaces，thebranchesofthetrees，reachingouttothesun，overhungthewallandhiditinblackshadows。Jimmiedividedthehillintosectors。Hebeganattheright，andslowlyfollowedthewall。Withhiseyeshetookitapart，stonebystone。Hadachipmunkraisedhishead，Jimmiewouldhaveseenhim。So，whenfromthestonewall，likethereflectionofthesunuponawindow—pane，somethingflashed，Jimmieknewhehadfoundhisspy。Apairofbinocularshadbetrayedhim。Jimmienowsawhimclearly。Hesatonthegroundatthetopofthehillopposite，inthedeepshadowofanoak，hisbackagainstthestonewall。Withthebinocularstohiseyeshehadleanedtoofarforward，andupontheglassthesunhadflashedawarning。
Jimmieappreciatedthathisattackmustbemadefromtherear。
Backward，likeacrabhewriggledfreeofthegolden—rod，andhiddenbythecontourofthehill，raceddownitandintothewoodsonthehillopposite。Whenhecametowithintwentyfeetoftheoakbeneathwhichhehadseenthestranger，hestooderect，andasthoughavoidingalivewire，steppedontip—toetothewall。Thestrangerstillsatagainstit。Thebinocularshungfromacordaroundhisneck。Acrosshiskneeswasspreadamap。Hewasmarkingitwithapencil，andasheworked，hehummedatune。
Jimmieknelt，andrestingthegunonthetopofthewall，coveredhim。
"Throwupyourhands！"hecommanded。
Thestrangerdidnotstart。Exceptthatheraisedhiseyeshegavenosignthathehadheard。Hiseyesstaredacrossthelittlesun—filledvalley。Theywerehalfclosedasthoughinstudy，asthoughperplexedbysomedeepandintricateproblem。Theyappearedtoseebeyondthesun—filledvalleysomeplaceofgreatermoment，someplacefardistant。
Thentheeyessmiled，andslowly，asthoughhisneckwerestiff，butstillsmiling，thestrangerturnedhishead。Whenhesawtheboy，hissmilewassweptawayinwavesofsurprise，amazement，anddisbelief。Thesewerefollowedinstantlybyanexpressionofthemostacutealarm。"Don’tpointthatthingatme！"shoutedthestranger。"Isitloaded？"Withhischeekpressedtothestockandhiseyesquinteddownthelengthofthebrownbarrel，Jimmienodded。Thestrangerflunguphisopenpalms。Theyaccentedhisexpressionofamazedincredulity。Heseemedtobeexclaiming，"Cansuchthingsbe？"
"Getup！"commandedJimmie。
Withalacritythestrangerrose。
"Walkoverthere，"orderedthescout。"Walkbackward。Stop！Takeoffthosefield—glassesandthrowthemtome。"Withoutremovinghiseyesfromthegunthestrangerliftedthebinocularsfromhisneckandtossedthemtothestonewall。"Seehere！"hepleaded，"ifyou’llonlypointthatdamnedblunderbusstheotherway，youcanhavetheglasses，andmywatch，andclothes，andallmymoney；onlydon’t——"
Jimmieflushedcrimson。"Youcan’tbribeme，"hegrowled。Atleast，hetriedtogrowl，butbecausehisvoicewaschanging，orbecausehewasexcitedthegrowlendedinahighsqueak。Withmortification，Jimmieflushedadeepercrimson。Butthestrangerwasnotamused。AtJimmie’swordsheseemedratherthemoreamazed。
"I’mnottryingtobribeyou，"heprotested。"Ifyoudon’twantanything，whyareyouholdingmeup？"
"I’mnot，"returnedJimmie，"I’marrestingyou！"
Thestrangerlaughedwithrelief。Againhiseyessmiled。"Oh，"hecried，"Isee！HaveIbeentrespassing？"
WithaglanceJimmiemeasuredthedistancebetweenhimselfandthestranger。Reassured，heliftedonelegaftertheotheroverthewall。"Ifyoutrytorushme，"hewarned，"I’llshootyoufullofbuckshot。"
ThestrangertookahastystepBACKWARD。"Don’tworryaboutthat，"heexclaimed。"I’llnotrushyou。WhyamIarrested？"
Huggingtheshotgunwithhisleftarm，Jimmiestoppedandliftedthebinoculars。Hegavethemaswiftglance，slungthemoverhisshoulder，andagainclutchedhisweapon。Hisexpressionwasnowsternandmenacing。
"Thenameonthem"heaccused，"is’Weiss，Berlin。’Isthatyourname？"Thestrangersmiled，butcorrectedhimself，andrepliedgravely，"That’sthenameofthefirmthatmakesthem。"
Jimmieexclaimedintriumph。"Hah！"hecried，"madeinGermany！"
Thestrangershookhishead。
"Idon’tunderstand，"hesaid。"WhereWOULDaWeissglassbemade？"Withpoliteinsistenceherepeated，"WouldyoumindtellingmewhyIamarrested，andwhoyoumighthappentobe？"
Jimmiedidnotanswer。Againhestoopedandpickedupthemap，andashedidso，forthefirsttimethefaceofthestrangershowedthathewasannoyed。Jimmiewasnotathomewithmaps。
Theytoldhimnothing。Butthepencilednotesonthisonemadeeasyreading。Athisfirstglancehesaw，"Correctrange，1，800
yards"；"thisstreamnotfordable"；"slopeofhill15degreesinaccessibleforartillery。""Wireentanglementshere"；"forageforfivesquadrons。"
Jimmie’seyesflashed。Heshovedthemapinsidehisshirt，andwiththegunmotionedtowardthebaseofthehill。"Keepfortyfeetaheadofme，"hecommanded，"andwalktoyourcar。"Thestrangerdidnotseemtohearhim。Hespokewithirritation。
"Isuppose，"hesaid，"I’llhavetoexplaintoyouaboutthatmap。"
"Nottome，youwon’t，"declaredhiscaptor。"You’regoingtodrivestraighttoJudgeVanVorst’s，andexplaintoHIM！"
Thestrangertossedhisarmsevenhigher。"ThankGod！"heexclaimedgratefully。
WithhisprisonerJimmieencounterednofurthertrouble。Hemadeawillingcaptive。AndifincoveringthefivemilestoJudgeVanVorst’sheexceededthespeedlimit，thefactthatfromtherearseatJimmieheldtheshotgunagainstthebaseofhisskullwasanextenuatingcircumstance。
Theyarrivedinthenickoftime。InhisowncaryoungVanVorstandabagofgolfclubswerejustdrawingawayfromthehouse。
Seeingthecarclimbingthesteepdrivewaythatforahalf—mileledfromhislodgetohisfrontdoor，andseeingJimmiestandinginthetonneaubrandishingagun，theJudgehastilydescended。
Thesightofthespyhunterfilledhimwithmisgiving，butthesightofhimgaveJimmiesweetrelief。ArrestingGermanspiesforasmallboyisnoeasytask。ForJimmiethestrainwasgreat。Andnowthatheknewhehadsuccessfullydeliveredhimintothehandsofthelaw，Jimmie’sheartrosewithhappiness。Theaddedpresenceofabutlerofmagnificentbearingandofanathleticlookingchauffeurincreasedhissenseofsecurity。Theirpresenceseemedtoaffordafeelingofsecuritytotheprisoneralso。Ashebroughtthecartoahalt，hebreathedasigh。Itwasasighofdeeprelief。
Jimmiefellfromthetonneau。Inconcealinghissenseoftriumph，hewasnotentiretysuccessful。
"Igothim！"hecried。"Ididn’tmakenomistakeaboutTHISone！"
"Whatone？"demandedVanVorst。
Jimmiepointeddramaticallyathisprisoner。Withananxiousexpressionthestrangerwastenderlyfingeringthebackofhishead。Heseemedtowishtoassurehimselfthatitwasstillthere。
"THATone！"criedJimmie。"He’saGermanspy！"
ThepatienceofJudgeVanVorstfellfromhim。Inhisexclamationwasindignation，anger，reproach。
"Jimmie！"hecried。
Jimmiethrustintohishandthemap。Itwashis"ExhibitA。"
"Lookwhathe’swrote，"commandedthescout。"It’sallmilitarywords。Andthesearehisglasses。Itook’emoffhim。They’remadeinGERMANY！Ibeenstalkinghimforaweek。He’saspy！"
WhenJimmiethrustthemapbeforehisface，VanVorsthadglancedatit。Thenheregardeditmoreclosely。Asheraisedhiseyestheyshowedthathewaspuzzled。
Buthegreetedtheprisonerpolitely。
"I’mextremelysorryyou’vebeenannoyed，"hesaid。"I’monlygladit’snoworse。Hemighthaveshotyou。He’smadovertheideathateverystrangerhesees——"
Theprisonerquicklyinterrupted。
"Please！"hebegged，"Don’tblametheboy。Hebehavedextremelywell。MightIspeakwithyou——ALONE？"heasked。
JudgeVanVorstledthewayacrosstheterrace，andtothesmoking—room，thatservedalsoashisoffice，andclosedthedoor。Thestrangerwalkeddirectlytothemantelpieceandputhisfingeronagoldcup。
"IsawyourmarewinthatatBelmontPark，"hesaid。"Shemusthavebeenagreatlosstoyou？"
"Shewas，"saidVanVorst。"Theweekbeforeshebrokeherback，I
refusedthreethousandforher。Willyouhaveacigarette？"
Thestrangerwavedasidethecigarettes。
"Ibroughtyouinside，"hesaid，"becauseIdidn’twantyourservantstohear；andbecauseIdon’twanttohurtthatboy’sfeelings。He’safineboy；andhe’sadamnedcleverscout。IknewhewasfollowingmeandIthrewhimofftwice，butto—dayhecaughtmefair。IfIreallyhadbeenaGermanspy，Icouldn’thavegotawayfromhim。AndIwanthimtothinkhehascapturedaGermanspy。Becausehedeservesjustasmuchcreditasthoughhehad，andbecauseit’sbestheshouldn’tknowwhomheDID
capture。"
VanVorstpointedtothemap。"Mybetis，"hesaid，"thatyou’reanofficeroftheStatemilitia，takingnotesforthefallmanoeuvres。AmIright？"
Thestrangersmiledinapproval，butshookhishead。
"You’rewarm，"hesaid，"butit’smoreseriousthanmanoeuvres。
It’stheRealThing。"Fromhispocketbookhetookavisitingcardandlaiditonthetable。"I’m’Sherry’McCoy，"hesaid，"CaptainofArtilleryintheUnitedStatesArmy。"Henoddedtothehandtelephoneonthetable。
"YoucancallupGovernor’sIslandandgetGeneralWoodorhisaide，CaptainDorey，onthephone。Theysentmehere。AskTHEM。
I’mnotpickingoutgunsitesfortheGermans；I’mpickingoutpositionsofdefenseforAmericanswhentheGermanscome！"
VanVorstlaughedderisively。
"Myword！"heexclaimed。"You’reasbadasJimmie！"
CaptainMcCoyregardedhimwithdisfavor。
"Andyou，sir，"heretorted，"areasbadasninetymillionotherAmericans。YouWON’Tbelieve！WhentheGermansareshellingthishill，whenthey’retakingyourhunterstopulltheircook—wagons，maybe，you’llbelieveTHEN。"
"Areyouserious？"demandedVanVorst。"Andyouanarmyofficer？"
"That’swhyIamserious，"returnedMcCoy。"WEknow。Butwhenwetrytoprepareforwhatiscoming，wemustdoitsecretly——inunderhandways，forfearthenewspaperswillgetholdofitandridiculeus，andaccuseusoftryingtodragthecountryintowar。That’swhywehavetoprepareundercover。That’swhyI’vehadtoskulkaroundthesehillslikeachickenthief。And，"headdedsharply，"that’swhythatboymustnotknowwhoIam。Ifhedoes，theGeneralStaffwillgetacallingdownatWashington，andI’llhavemyearsboxed。"
VanVorstmovedtothedoor。
"Hewillneverlearnthetruthfromme，"hesaid。"ForIwilltellhimyouaretobeshotatsunrise。"
"Good！"laughedtheCaptain。"Andtellmehisname。IfeverwefightoverWestchesterCounty，Iwantthatladformychiefofscouts。Andgivehimthis。Tellhimtobuyanewscoutuniform。
Tellhimitcomesfromyou。"
ButnomoneycouldreconcileJimmietothesentenceimposeduponhiscaptive。Hereceivedthenewswithahowlofanguish。"Youmustn’t，"hebegged；"Ineverknowedyou’dshoothim！Iwouldn’thavecaughthim，ifI’dknowedthat。Icouldn’tsleepifI
thoughthewasgoingtobeshotatsunrise。"AttheprospectofunendingnightmaresJimmie’svoiceshookwithterror。"Makeitfortwentyyears，"hebegged。"Makeitforten，"hecoaxed，"but，please，promiseyouwon’tshoothim。"
WhenVanVorstreturnedtoCaptainMcCoy，hewassmiling，andthebutlerwhofollowed，bearingatrayandtinklingglasses，wastryingnottosmile。
"IgaveJimmieyourtendollars，"saidVanVorst，"andmadeittwenty，andhehasgonehome。Youwillbegladtohearthathebeggedmetospareyourlife，andthatyoursentencehasbeencommutedtotwentyyearsinafortress。Idrinktoyourgoodfortune。"
"No！"protestedCaptainMcCoy，"WewilldrinktoJimmie！"
WhenCaptainMcCoyhaddrivenaway，andhisowncarandthegolfclubshadagainbeenbroughttothesteps，JudgeVanVorstoncemoreattemptedtodepart；buthewasagaindelayed。
Othervisitorswerearriving。
Upthedrivewayatouring—carapproached，andthoughitlimpedonaflattire，itapproachedatrecklessspeed。Thetwomeninthefrontseatwerewhitewithdust；theirfaces，maskedbyautomobileglasses，wereindistinguishable。Asthoughpreparingforanimmediateexit，thecarswunginacircleuntilitsnosepointeddownthedrivewayupwhichithadjustcome。RaisinghissilkmasktheonebesidethedrivershoutedatJudgeVanVorst。
Histhroatwasparched，hisvoicewashoarseandhotwithanger。
"Agraytouring—car，"heshouted。"Itstoppedhere。Wesawitfromthathill。Thenthedamntireburst，andwelostourway。
Wheredidhego？"
"Who？"demandedVanVorst，stiffly，"CaptainMcCoy？"
Themanexplodedwithanoath。Thedriverwithashoveofhiselbow，silencedhim。
"Yes，CaptainMcCoy，"assentedthedrivereagerly。"Whichwaydidhego？"
"ToNewYork，"saidVanVorst。
Thedrivershriekedathiscompanion。
"Then，he’sdoubledback，"hecried。"He’sgonetoNewHaven。"Hestoopedandthrewintheclutch。Thecarlurchedforward。
AcoldterrorsweptyoungVanVorst。
"Whatdoyouwantwithhim？"hecalled"Whoareyou？"
Overoneshoulderthemaskedfaceglaredathim。Abovetheroarofthecarthewordsofthedriverwereflungback。"We’reSecretServicefromWashington，"heshouted。"He’sfromtheirembassy。
He’saGermanspy！"
Leapingandthrobbingatsixtymilesanhour，thecarvanishedinacurtainofwhite，whirlingdust。
Chapter9。THECARD—SHARP
IhadlookedforwardtospendingChristmaswithsomepeopleinSuffolk，andeveryoneinLondonassuredmethatattheirhousetherewouldbethekindofaChristmashousepartyyouhearaboutbutseeonlyintheillustratedChristmasnumbers。Theypromisedmistletoe，snapdragon，andSirRogerdeCoverley。OnChristmasmorningwewouldwalktochurch，afterluncheonwewouldshoot，afterdinnerwewouldeatplumpuddingfloatinginblazingbrandy，dancewiththeservants，andlistentothewaitssinging"Godrestyou，merrygentlemen，letnothingyoudismay。"
ToaloneAmericanbachelorstrandedinLondonitsoundedfine。
AndinmygratitudeIhadalreadyshippedtomyhostess，forherchildren，ofwhoseage，number，andsexIwasignorant，halfofGamage’sdolls，skees，andcricketbats，andthosecrackersthat，whenyoupullthem，sometimesexplode。Butitwasnottobe。Mostinconsideratelymywealthiestpatientgainedsufficientcouragetoconsenttoanoperation，andinallNewYorkwouldpermitnoonetolayviolenthandsuponhimsavemyself。BycableIadvisedpostponement。Havinglivedinlawfulharmonywithhisappendixforfiftyyears，Ithought，foroneweeklongerhemightsafelymaintainthestatusquo。Buthiscableinreplywasanultimatum。So，onChristmaseve，insteadofHallamHallandaYulelog，IwasinagaleplungingandpitchingoffthecoastofIreland，andtheonlylogonboardwastheonethecaptainkepttohimself。
Isatinthesmoking—room，depressedandcross，anditmusthavebeenontheprinciplethatmiserylovescompanythatI
foregatheredwithTalbot，orratherthatTalbotforegatheredwithme。Certainty，underhappierconditionsandinhauntsofmenmorecrowded，theopen—facedmannerinwhichheforcedhimselfuponmewouldhaveputmeonmyguard。But，eitheroutofdeferencetotheholidayspirit，asmanifestedinthefictitiousgayetyofourfewfellow—passengers，orbecausetheyoungmaninaknowing，impertinentwaywasmostamusing，Ilistenedtohimfromdinnertimeuntilmidnight，whenthechiefofficer，hungwithsnowandicicles，wasblowninfromthedeckandwishedallamerryChristmas。
EvenaftertheyunmaskedTalbotIhadneithertheheartnortheinclinationtoturnhimdown。Indeed，hadnotsomeofthepassengerstestifiedthatIbelongedtoadifferentprofession，thesmoking—roomcrowdwouldhavequarantinedmeashisaccomplice。OnthefirstnightImethimIwasnotcertainwhetherhewasEnglishorgivinganimitation。AlltheoutwardandvisiblesignswereEnglish，buthetoldmethat，thoughhehadbeeneducatedatOxfordandsincethenhadspentmostofhisyearsinIndia，playingpolo，hewasanAmerican。Heseemedtohavespentmuchtime，andaccordingtohimselfmuchmoney，attheFrenchwatering—placesandontheRiviera。IfeltsurethatitwasinFranceIhadalreadyseenhim，butwhereIcouldnotrecall。Hewashardtoplace。OfpeopleathomeandinLondonwellworthknowinghetalkedglibly，butinspeakingofthemhemadeseveralslips。Itwashistakingthetroubletocoveruptheslipsthatfirstmademewonderifhistalkingabouthimselfwasnotmerevanity，buthadsomespecialobject。Ifelthewaspresentinglettersofintroductioninorderthatlaterhemightaskafavor。Whetherhewasleadinguptoanimmediateloan，orinNewYorkwouldaskforacardtoaclub，oranintroductiontoabanker，Icouldnottell。Butinforcinghimselfuponme，exceptinself—interest，Icouldthinkofnoothermotive。ThenexteveningIdiscoveredthemotive。
Hewasinthesmoking—roomplayingsolitaire，andatonceI
recalledthatitwasatAix—les—BainsIhadfirstseenhim，andthatheheldabankatbaccarat。WhenheaskedmetositdownI
said："IsawyoulastsummeratAix—les—Bains。"
Hiseyesfelltothepackinhishandsandapparentlysearcheditforsomeparticularcard。
"WhatwasIdoing？"heasked。
"DealingbaccaratattheCasinodesFleurs。"
Withobviousreliefhelaughed。
"Oh，yes，"heassented；"jollyplace，Aix。ButIlostapotofmoneythere。I’marottenhandatcards。Can’twin，andcan’tleave’emalone。"Asthoughforthisweakness，sofranklyconfessed，hebeggedmetoexcusehim，hesmiledappealingly。
"Poker，bridge，chemindefer，Ilike’emall，"herattledon，"buttheydon’tlikeme。SoIsticktosolitaire。It’sdull，butcheap。"Heshuffledthecardsclumsily。Asthoughmakingconversation，heasked："Youcareforcardsyourself？"
ItoldhimtruthfullyIdidnotknowthedifferencebetweenaclubandaspadeandhadnocuriositytolearn。Atthis，whenhefoundhehadbeenwastingtimeonme，Iexpectedhimtoshowsomesignofannoyance，evenofirritation，buthisdisappointmentstruckfardeeper。AsthoughIhadhurthimphysically，heshuthiseyes，andwhenagainheopenedthemIsawinthemdistress。
ForthemomentIbelieveofmypresencehewasutterlyunconscious。Hishandslayidleuponthetable；likeamanfacingacrisis，hestaredbeforehim。Quiteimproperly，Ifeltsorryforhim。Inmehethoughthehadfoundavictim；andthatthelossofthefewdollarshemighthavewonshouldsodeeplydisturbhimshowedhisneedwasgreat。AlmostatonceheabandonedmeandIwentondeck。WhenIreturnedanhourlatertothesmoking—roomhewasdeepinagameofpoker。
AsIpassedhehailedmegayly。
"Don’tscold，now，"helaughed；"youknowIcan’tkeepawayfromit。"
Fromhismannerthoseatthetablemighthavesupposedwewerefriendsoflongandhappycompanionship。Istoppedbehindhischair，buthethoughtIhadpassed，andinreplytooneoftheplayersanswered："Knownhimforyears；he’ssetmerightmanyatime。WhenIbrokemyrightfemur’chasin，’hegotmebackinthesaddleinsixweeks。Allmypeopleswearbyhim。"
Oneoftheplayerssmiledupatme，andTalbotturned。Buthiseyesmetminewithperfectserenity。Heevenhelduphiscardsformetosee。"Whatwouldyoudraw？"heasked。
HisaudacitysoastonishedmethatinsilenceIcouldonlystareathimandwalkon。
Whenondeckhemetmehewasnotevenapologetic。Instead，asthoughwewerepartnersincrime，hechuckleddelightedly。
"Sorry，"hesaid。"Hadtodoit。Theyweren’tverykeenatmytakingahand，soIhadtouseyourname。ButI’mallrightnow，"
heassuredme。"Theythinkyouvouchedforme，andto—nightthey’regoingtoraisethelimit。I’veconvincedthemI’maneasymark。"
"AndItakeityouarenot，"Isaidstiffly。
Heconsideredthisunworthyofananswerandonlysmiled。Thenthesmiledied，andagaininhiseyesIsawdistress，infiniteweariness，andfear。
Asthoughhisthoughtsdrovehimtoseekprotection，hecamecloser。
"I’m’inbad，’doctor，"hesaid。Hisvoicewasfrightened，bewildered，likethatofachild。"Ican’tsleep；nervesallontheloose。Idon’tthinkstraight。Ihearvoices，andnoonearound。Ihearknockingsatthedoor，andwhenIopenit，noonethere。IfIdon’tkeepfitIcan’twork，andthistripIgottomakeexpenses。Youcouldn’thelpme，couldyou——couldn’tgivemesomethingtokeepmyheadstraight？"
Theneedofmykeepinghisheadstraightthathemighttheeasierrobourfellow—passengersraisedaprettyquestionofethics。I
meanlydodgedit。ItoldhimprofessionaletiquetterequiredI
shouldleavehimtotheship’ssurgeon。
"ButIdon’tknowHIM，"heprotested。
Mindfuloftheusehehadmadeofmyname，Iobjectedstrenuously：
"Well，youcertainlydon’tknowme。"
Myresentmentobviouslypuzzledhim。
"IknowwhoyouARE，"hereturned。"YouandI——"Withadeprecatorygesture，asthoughgoodtasteforbadehimsayingwhowewere，hestopped。"Buttheship’ssurgeon！"heprotested，"he’sanawfulbounder！Besides，"headdedquitesimply，"he’swatchingme。"
"Asadoctor，"Iasked，"orwatchingyouplaycards？"
"Playcards，"theyoungmananswered。"I’mafraidhewasship’ssurgeonontheP。&O。Icamehomeon。Therewastroublethatvoyage，andIfancyheremembersme。"
Hisconfidenceswerebecominganuisance。
"Butyoumustn’ttellmethat，"Iprotested。"Ican’thaveyoumakingtroubleonthisship，too。HowdoyouknowIwon’tgostraightfromheretothecaptain？"
Asthoughthesuggestiongreatlyentertainedhim，helaughed。
Hemadeamockobeisance。
"Iclaimthesealofyourprofession，"hesaid。"Nonsense，"I
retorted。"It’saprofessionalsecretthatyournervesareoutofhand，butthatyouareacard—sharpisNOT。Don’tmixmeupwithapriest。"
ForamomentTalbot，asthoughfearinghehadgonetoofar，lookedatmesharply；hebithislowerlipandfrowned。
"Igottomakeexpenses，"hemuttered。"And，besides，allcardgamesaregamesofchance，andacard—sharpisoneofthechances。Anyway，"herepeated，asthoughdisposingofallargument，"Igottomakeexpenses。"
Afterdinner，whenIcametothesmoking—room，thepokerpartysatwaiting，andoneofthemaskedifIknewwheretheycouldfind"myfriend。"IshouldhavesaidthenthatTalbotwasasteameracquaintanceonly；butIhatearow，andIletthechancepass。
"Wewanttogivehimhisrevenge，"oneofthemvolunteered。
"He’slosing，then？"Iasked。
Themanchuckledcomplacently。
"Theonlyloser，"hesaid。
"Iwouldn’tworry，"Iadvised。"He’llcomeforhisrevenge。"
ThatnightafterIhadturnedinheknockedatmydoor。I
switchedonthelightsandsawhimstandingatthefootofmyberth。Isawalsothatwithdifficultyhewasholdinghimselfinhand。
"I’mscared，"hestammered，"scared！"
Iwroteoutarequisitiononthesurgeonforasleeping—potionandsentittohimbythesteward，givingthemantounderstandI
wanteditformyself。Uninvited，Talbothadseatedhimselfonthesofa。Hiseyeswereclosed，andasthoughhewerecoldhewasshiveringandhugginghimselfinhisarms。
"Haveyoubeendrinking？"Iasked。
Insurpriseheopenedhiseyes。
"Ican’tdrink，"heansweredsimply。"It’snervesandworry。I’mtired。"
Herelaxedagainstthecushions；hisarmsfellheavilyathissides；thefingerslayopen。
"God，"hewhispered，"howtiredIam！"
Inspiteofhistan——andcertainlyhehadledtheout—of—doorlife——hisfaceshowedwhite。Forthemomenthelookedold，worn，finished。
"They’recrowdin’me，"theboywhispered。"They’realwayscrowdin’me。"Hisvoicewasquerulous，uncomprehending，likethatofachildcomplainingofsomethingbeyondhisexperience。
"Ican’trememberwhentheyhaven’tbeencrowdin’me。Movin’meon，youunderstand？Alwaysmovin’meon。MovedmeoutofIndia，thenCairo，thentheyclosedParis，andnowthey’veshutmeoutofLondon。Iopenedaclubthere，veryquiet，veryexclusive，smartneighborhood，too——aflatinBerkeleyStreet——rouletteandchemindefer。Ithinkitwasmyvaletsoldmeout；anyway，theycameinandtookusalltoBowStreet。SoI’veplungedonthis。
It’smylastchance！"
"Thistrip？"
"No；myfamilyinNewYork。Haven’tseen’emintenyears。Theypaidmetoliveabroad。I’mgamblingonTHEM；gamblingontheirtakin’meback。I’mcominghomeastheProdigalSon，tiredoffillingmybellywiththehusksthattheswinedoeat；reformedcharacter，repentantandallthat；wanttofollowthestraightandnarrow；andthey’llkillthefattedcalf。"Helaughedsardonically。"Likehelltheywill！They’dratherseeMEkilled。"
Itseemedtome，ifhewishedhisfamilytobelievehewerereturningrepentant，hiscourseinthesmoking—roomwouldnothelptoreassurethem。Isuggestedasmuch。
"Ifyougetinto’trouble，’asyoucallit，"Isaid，"andtheysendawirelesstothepolicetobeatthewharf，yourpeoplewouldhardly——"
"Iknow，"heinterrupted；"butIgottochancethat。IGOTtomakeenoughtogoonwith——untilIseemyfamily。"
"Iftheywon’tseeyou？"Iasked。"Whatthen？"
Heshruggedhisshouldersandsighedlightly，almostwithrelief，asthoughforhimtheprospectheldnoterror。
"Thenit’s’Good—night，nurse，’"hesaid。"AndIwon’tbeabothertoanybodyanymore。"
Itoldhimhisnervesweretalking，andtalkingrot，andIgavehimthesleeping—draftandsenthimtobed。
ItwasnotuntilafterluncheonthenextdaywhenhemadehisfirstappearanceondeckthatIagainsawmypatient。HewasoncemoreahealthypictureofayoungEnglishmanofleisure；keen，smart，andfit；readyforanyexerciseorsport。TheparticularsportatwhichhewassoexpertIaskedhimtoavoid。
"Can’tbedone！"heassuredme。"I’mtheloser，andwedockto—morrowmorning。SotonightI’vegottomakemykilling。"
Itwastheotherswhomadethekilling。
Icameintothesmoking—roomaboutnineo’clock。Talbotalonewasseated。Theotherswereontheirfeet，andbehindtheminawidersemicirclewerepassengers，thesmoking—roomstewardsandtheship’spurser。
Talbotsatwithhisbackagainstthebulkhead，hishandsinthepocketsofhisdinnercoat；fromthecornerofhismouthhislongcigarette—holderwascockedatanimpudentangle。Therewasatumultofangryvoices，andtheeyesofallwereturneduponhim。
Outwardlyatleasthemetthemwithcompleteindifference。Thevoiceofoneofmycountrymen，anoisypestnamedSmedburg，wasraisedinexcitedaccusation。
"Whentheship’ssurgeonfirstmetyou，"hecried，"youcalledyourselfLordRidley。"
"I’llcallmyselfanythingIjollywelllike，"returnedTalbot。
"IfIchoosetododgereporters，that’smypidgin。Idon’thavetogivemynametoeverymeddlingbusybodythat——"
"You’llgiveittothepolice，allright，"chortledMr。Smedburg。
Intheconfident，bullyingtonesofthemanwhoknowsthecrowdiswithhim，heshouted："Andinthemeantimeyou’llkeepoutofthissmoking—room！"
Thechorusofassentwasunanimous。Itcouldnotbedisregarded。
Talbotroseandwithfastidiousconcernbrushedthecigaretteashesfromhissleeve。Ashemovedtowardthedoorhecalledback："Onlytoodelightedtokeepout。Thecrowdinthisroommakesagentlemanfeellonely。"
Buthewasnottoescapewiththelastword。
Hisprosecutorpointedhisfingerathim。
"AndthenexttimeyoutakethenameofAdolphMeyer，"heshouted，"makesurefirsthehasn’tafriendonboard；someonetoprotecthimfromsharpersandswindlers——"
Talbotturnedsavagelyandthenshruggedhisshoulders。
"Oh，gotothedevil！"hecalled，andwalkedoutintothenight。
Thepurserwasstandingatmysideand，catchingmyeye，shookhishead。
"Badbusiness，"heexclaimed。
"Whathappened？"Iasked。
"I’mtoldtheycaughthimdealingfromthewrongendofthepack，"hesaid。"Iunderstandtheysuspectedhimfromthefirst——seemsoursurgeonrecognizedhim——andto—nighttheyhadoutsiderswatchinghim。Theoutsidersclaimtheysawhimsliphimselfanacefromthebottomofthepack。It’sapity！He’sanice—lookinglad。"
IaskedwhattheexcitedSmedburghadmeantbytellingTalbotnottocallhimselfMeyer。
"Theyaccusedhimoftravellingunderafalsename，"explainedthepurser，"andhetold’emhedidittododgetheship’snewsreporters。ThenhesaidhereallywasabrotherofAdolphMeyer，thebanker；butitseemsSmedburgisafriendofMeyer’s，andhecalledhimhard！Itwasasillyassthingtodo，"protestedthepurser。"EverybodyknowsMeyerhasn’tabrother，andifhehadn’tmadeTHATbreakhemighthavegotawaywiththeotherone。ButnowthisSmedburgisgoingtowirelessaheadtoMr。Meyerandtothepolice。"
"Hashenootherwayofspendinghismoney？"Iasked。
"He’saconfoundednuisance！"growledthepurser。"HewantstoshowusheknowsAdolphMeyer；wantstoputMeyerunderanobligation。Itmeansasceneonthewharf，andnewspapertalk；
and，"headdedwithdisgust，"thesesmoking—roomrowsneverhelpedanyline。"
IwentinsearchofTalbot；partlybecauseIknewhewasonthevergeofacollapse，partly，asIfranklyadmittedtomyself，becauseIwassorrytheyoungmanhadcometogrief。Isearchedthesnow—sweptdecks，andthen，afterthreadingmywaythroughfaintlylittunnels，Iknockedathiscabin。Thesoundofhisvoicegavemeadistinctfeelingofrelief。Buthewouldnotadmitme。Throughthecloseddoorhedeclaredhewas"allright，"
wantednomedicaladvice，andaskedonlytoresumethesleepheclaimedIhadbroken。Ilefthim，notwithoutuneasiness，andthenextmorningthesightofhimstillinthefleshwasagenuinethrill。Ifoundhimwalkingthedeckcarryinghimselfnonchalantlyandtryingtoappearunconsciousoftheglances——amused，contemptuous，hostile——thatwereturnedtowardhim。Hewouldhavepassedmewithoutspeaking，butItookhisarmandledhimtotherail。Wehadlongpassedquarantineandaconvoyoftugswerebuttingusintothedock。
"Whatareyougoingtodo？"Iasked。
"Doesn’tdependonme，"hesaid。"DependsonSmedburg。He’sabusylittlebody！"
Theboywantedmetothinkhimunconcerned，butbeneaththeflippancyIsawthenervesjerking。Thenquitesimplyhebegantotellme。Hespokeinalow，evenmonotone，dispassionately，asthoughforhimtheincidentnolongerwasofinterest。
"Theywerewatchingme，"hesaid。"ButIknewtheywere，andbesides，nomatterhowclosetheywatchedIcouldhavedonewhattheysaidIdidandthey’dneverhaveseenit。ButIdidn’t。"
Myscepticismmusthavebeenobvious，forheshookhishead。
"Ididn’t！"herepeatedstubbornly。"Ididn’thaveto！Iwasplayinginluck——wonderfulluck——sheer，dumbluck。Icouldn’tHELPwinning。ButbecauseIwaswinningandbecausetheywerewatching，Iwascarefulnottowinonmyowndeal。Ilaiddown，orplayedtolose。ItwasthecardstheyGAVEmeIwonwith。AndwhentheyjumpedmeItold’emthat。Icouldhaveproveditifthey’dlistened。Buttheywereallupintheair，shoutingandspittingatme。Theybelievedwhattheywantedtobelieve；theydidn’twantthefacts。"
Itmayhavebeencredulousofme，butIfelttheboywastellingthetruth，andIwasdeeplysorryhehadnotstucktoit。So，ratherharshly，Isaid：
"Theydidn’twantyoutotellthemyouwereabrothertoAdolphMeyer，either。Whydidyouthinkyoucouldgetawaywithanythinglikethat？"
Talbotdidnotanswer。
"Why？"Iinsisted。
Theboylaughedimpudently。
"HowthedevilwasItoknowhehadn’tabrother？"heprotested。
"Itwasagoodname，andhe’saJew，andtwoofthesixwhowereinthegameareJews。Youknowhowtheysticktogether。Ithoughttheymightstickbyme。"
"Butyou，"Iretortedimpatiently，"arenotaJew！"
"Iamnot，"saidTalbot，"butI’veoftenSAIDIwas。It’shelped——lotsoftimes。IfI’dtoldyoumynamewasCohen，orSelinsky，orMeyer，insteadofCraigTalbot，YOU’DhavethoughtIwasaJew。"Hesmiledandturnedhisfacetowardme。Asthoughfurnishingadescriptionforthepolice，hebegantoenumerate：
"Hair，darkandcurly；eyes，poppy；lips，full；nose，RomanorHebraic，accordingtotaste。Doyousee？"
Heshruggedhisshoulders。
"Butitdidn’twork，"heconcluded。"IpickedthewrongJew。"
Hisfacegrewserious。"DoyousupposethatSmedburgpersonhaswirelessedthatbanker？"
ItoldhimIwasafraidhehadalreadysentthemessage。
"AndwhatwillMeyerdo？"heasked。"Willhedropitormakeafuss？Whatsortishe？"
BrieflyIdescribedAdolphMeyer。IexplainedhimastherichestHebrewinNewYork；giventocharity，tophilanthropy，tothebettermentofhisownrace。
"Thenmaybe，"criedTalbothopefully，"hewon’tmakearow，andmyfamilywon’thearofit！"
Hedrewaquickbreathofrelief。Asthoughaburdenhadbeenlifted，hisshouldersstraightened。
Andthensuddenly，harshly，inopenpanic，heexclaimedaloud：
"Look！"hewhispered。"There，attheendofthewharf——thelittleJewinfurs！"
Ifollowedthedirectionofhiseyes。Belowusonthedock，protectedbytwoobviousmembersofthestrong—armsquad，thegreatbanker，philanthropist，andHebrew，AdolphMeyer，waswaiting。
WeweresoclosethatIcouldreadhisface。Itwasstern，set；
thefaceofamanintentuponhisduty，unrelenting。Withoutquestion，ofabadbusinessMr。Smedburghadmadetheworst。I
turnedtospeaktoTalbotandfoundhimgone。
Hissilentslippingawayfilledmewithalarm。Ifoughtagainstagrowingfear。HowmanyminutesIsearchedforhimIdonotknow。
Itseemedmanyhours。Hiscabin，wherefirstIsoughthim，wasemptyanddismantled，andbythatIwasremindedthatifforanydesperatepurposeTalbotwereseekingtoconcealhimselftherenowwerehundredsofotherempty，dismantledcabinsinwhichhemighthide。Tomyinquiriesnoonegaveheed。Intheconfusionofdeparturenoonehadobservedhim；noonewasinahumortoseekhimout；thepassengerswerepressingtothegangway，thestewardsconcernedonlyincountingtheirtips。Fromdecktodeck，downlaneafterlaneofthegreatfloatingvillage，I
racedblindly，peeringintohalf—openeddoors，pushingthroughgroupsofmen，pursuingsomeoneinthedistancewhoappearedtobethemanIsought，onlytofindhewasunknowntome。WhenI
returnedtothegangwaythelastofthepassengerswasleavingit。
IwasabouttofollowtoseekforTalbotinthecustomsshedwhenawhite—facedstewardtouchedmysleeve。BeforehespokehislooktoldmewhyIwaswanted。
"Theship’ssurgeon，sir，"hestammered，"asksyoupleasetohurrytothesick—bay。Apassengerhasshothimself！"
Onthebed，proppedupbypillows，youngTalbot，withglazed，shockedeyes，staredatme。Hisshirthadbeencutaway；hischestlaybare。Againsthisleftshoulderthedoctorpressedatinyspongewhichquicklydarkened。
Imusthaveexclaimedaloud，forthedoctorturnedhiseyes。
"ItwasHEsentforyou，"hesaid，"buthedoesn’tneedyou。
Fortunately，he’sadamnedbadshot！"
Theboy’seyesopenedwearily；beforewecouldpreventithespoke。
"Iwassotired，"hewhispered。"Alwaysmovingmeon。Iwassotired！"
Behindmecameheavyfootsteps，andthoughwithmyarmItriedtobarthemout，thetwodetectivespushedintothedoorway。TheyshovedmetoonesideandthroughthepassagemadeforhimcametheJewinthesablecoat，Mr。AdolphMeyer。
Foraninstantthelittlegreatmanstoodwithwide，owl—likeeyes，staringatthefaceonthepillow。
Thenhesanksoftlytohisknees。Inbothhishandshecaughtthehandofthecard—sharp。
"Heine！"hebegged。"Don’tyouknowme？ItisyourbrotherAdolph；yourlittlebrotherAdolph！"