HewasnolongerEdgarByrne。Hewasatorturedsoulsufferingmoreanguishthananysinner\'sbodyhadeversufferedfromrackorboot。ThedepthofhistormentmaybemeasuredwhenIsaythatthisyoungman，asbraveatleastastheaverageofhiskind，contemplatedseizingapistolandfiringintohisownhead。Butadeadly，chilly，langourwasspreadingoverhislimbs。Itwasasifhisfleshhadbeenwetplasterstiffeningslowlyabouthisribs。
Presently，hethought，thetwowitcheswillbecomingin，withcrutchandstick-horrible，grotesque，monstrous-affiliatedtothedevil-toputamarkonhisforehead，thetinylittlebruiseofdeath。Andhewouldn\'tbeabletodoanything。Tomhadstruckoutatsomething，buthewasnotlikeTom。Hislimbsweredeadalready。Hesatstill，dyingthedeathoverandoveragain；andtheonlypartofhimwhichmovedwerehiseyes，turningroundandroundintheirsockets，runningoverthewalls，thefloor，theceiling，againandagaintillsuddenlytheybecamemotionlessandstony-startingoutofhisheadfixedinthedirectionofthebed。
Hehadseentheheavycurtainsstirandshakeasifthedeadbodytheyconcealedhadturnedoverandsatup。Byrne，whothoughttheworldcouldholdnomoreterrorsinstore，felthishairstirattheroots。Hegrippedthearmsofthechair，hisjawfell，andthesweatbrokeoutonhisbrowwhilehisdrytongueclovesuddenlytotheroofofhismouth。Againthecurtainsstirred，butdidnotopen。\"Don\'t，Tom!\"Byrnemadeefforttoshout，butallheheardwasaslightmoansuchasanuneasysleepermaymake。Hefeltthathisbrainwasgoing，for，now，itseemedtohimthattheceilingoverthebedhadmoved，hadslanted，andcamelevelagain-andoncemoretheclosedcurtainsswayedgentlyasifabouttopart。
Byrneclosedhiseyesnottoseetheawfulapparitionoftheseaman\'scorpsecomingoutanimatedbyanevilspirit。Intheprofoundsilenceoftheroomheenduredamomentoffrightfulagony，thenopenedhiseyesagain。Andhesawatoncethatthecurtainsremainedclosedstill，butthattheceilingoverthebedhadrisenquiteafoot。Withthelastgleamofreasonlefttohimheunderstoodthatitwastheenormousbaldaquinoverthebedwhichwascomingdown，whilethecurtainsattachedtoitswayedsoftly，sinkinggraduallytothefloor。Hisdroopingjawsnappedto-andhalfrisinginhischairhewatchedmutelythenoiselessdescentofthemonstrouscanopy。Itcamedowninshortsmoothrushestillloweredhalfwayormore，whenittookarunandsettledswiftlyitsturtle-backshapewiththedeepborderpiecefittingexactlytheedgeofthebedstead。Aslightcrackortwoofwoodwereheard，andtheoverpoweringstillnessoftheroomresumeditssway。
Byrnestoodup，gaspedforbreath，andletoutacryofrageanddismay，thefirstsoundwhichheisperfectlycertaindidmakeitswaypasthislipsonthisnightofterrors。Thisthenwasthedeathhehadescaped!ThiswasthedevilishartificeofmurderpoorTom\'ssoulhadperhapstriedfrombeyondthebordertowarnhimof。Forthiswashowhehaddied。Byrnewascertainhehadheardthevoiceoftheseaman，faintlydistinctinhisfamiliarphrase，\"Mr。Byrne!Lookout，sir!\"andagainutteringwordshecouldnotmakeout。Butthenthedistanceseparatingthelivingfromthedeadissogreat!PoorTomhadtried。Byrnerantothebedandattemptedtoliftup，topushoffthehorriblelidsmotheringthebody。Itresistedhisefforts，heavyaslead，immovablelikeatombstone。Therageofvengeancemadehimdesist；
hisheadbuzzedwithchaoticthoughtsofextermination，heturnedroundtheroomasifhecouldfindneitherhisweaponsnorthewayout；andallthetimehestammeredawfulmenaces……
Aviolentbatteringatthedooroftheinnrecalledhimtohissoberersenses。Heflewtothewindowpulledtheshuttersopen，andlookedout。Inthefaintdawnhesawbelowhimamobofmen。
Ha!Hewouldgoandfaceatoncethismurderouslotcollectednodoubtforhisundoing。Afterhisstrugglewithnamelessterrorsheyearnedforanopenfraywitharmedenemies。Buthemusthaveremainedyetbereftofhisreason，becauseforgettinghisweaponsherusheddownstairswithawildcry，unbarredthedoorwhileblowswererainingonitoutside，andflingingitopenflewwithhisbarehandsatthethroatofthefirstmanhesawbeforehim。Theyrolledovertogether。Byrne\'shazyintentionwastobreakthrough，toflyupthemountainpath，andcomebackpresentlywithGonzales\'
mentoexactanexemplaryvengeance。Hefoughtfuriouslytillatree，ahouse，amountain，seemedtocrashdownuponhishead-andheknewnomore。
*****
HereMr。Byrnedescribesindetailtheskilfulmannerinwhichhefoundhisbrokenheadbandaged，informsusthathehadlostagreatdealofblood，andascribesthepreservationofhissanitytothatcircumstance。HesetsdownGonzales\'profuseapologiesinfulltoo。ForitwasGonzaleswho，tiredofwaitingfornewsfromtheEnglish，hadcomedowntotheinnwithhalfhisband，onhiswaytothesea。\"Hisexcellency，\"heexplained，\"rushedoutwithfierceimpetuosity，and，moreover，wasnotknowntousforafriend，andsowe……etc。，etc。Whenaskedwhathadbecomeofthewitches，heonlypointedhisfingersilentlytotheground，thenvoicedcalmlyamoralreflection:\"Thepassionforgoldispitilessintheveryold，senor，\"hesaid。\"Nodoubtinformerdaystheyhaveputmanyasolitarytravellertosleepinthearchbishop\'sbed。\"
\"Therewasalsoagipsygirlthere，\"saidByrnefeeblyfromtheimprovisedlitteronwhichhewasbeingcarriedtothecoastbyasquadofguerilleros。
\"Itwasshewhowinchedupthatinfernalmachine，anditwasshetoowholowereditthatnight，\"wastheanswer。
\"Butwhy？Why？\"exclaimedByrne。\"Whyshouldshewishformydeath？\"
\"Nodoubtforthesakeofyourexcellency\'scoatbuttons，\"saidpolitelythesaturnineGonzales。\"Wefoundthoseofthedeadmarinerconcealedonherperson。Butyourexcellencymayrestassuredthateverythingthatisfittinghasbeendoneonthisoccasion。\"
Byrneaskednomorequestions。TherewasstillanotherdeathwhichwasconsideredbyGonzalesas\"fittingtotheoccasion。\"Theone-
eyedBernardinostuckagainstthewallofhiswine-shopreceivedthechargeofsixescopettasintohisbreast。AstheshotsrangouttheroughbierwithTom\'sbodyonitwentpastcarriedbyabandit-likegangofSpanishpatriotsdowntheravinetotheshore，wheretwoboatsfromtheshipwerewaitingforwhatwasleftonearthofherbestseaman。
Mr。Byrne，verypaleandweak，steppedintotheboatwhichcarriedthebodyofhishumblefriend。ForitwasdecidedthatTomCorbinshouldrestfaroutinthebayofBiscay。Theofficertookthetillerand，turninghisheadforthelastlookattheshore，sawonthegreyhillsidesomethingmoving，whichhemadeouttobealittlemaninayellowhatmountedonamule-thatmulewithoutwhichthefateofTomCorbinwouldhaveremainedmysteriousforever。
June，1913。
BECAUSEOFTHEDOLLARS
CHAPTERI
Whilewewerehangingaboutnearthewater\'sedge，assailorsidlingashorewilldoitwasintheopenspacebeforetheHarbourOfficeofagreatEasternport，amancametowardsusfromthe\"front\"ofbusinesshouses，aimingobliquelyatthelandingsteps。
Heattractedmyattentionbecauseinthemovementoffiguresinwhitedrillsuitsonthepavementfromwhichhestepped，hiscostume，theusualtunicandtrousers，beingmadeoflightgreyflannel，madehimnoticeable。
Ihadtimetoobservehim。Hewasstout，buthewasnotgrotesque。
Hisfacewasroundandsmooth，hiscomplexionveryfair。OnhisnearerapproachIsawalittlemoustachemadeallthefairerbyagoodmanywhitehairs。Andhehad，forastoutman，quiteagoodchin。InpassingusheexchangednodswiththefriendIwaswithandsmiled。
MyfriendwasHollis，thefellowwhohadsomanyadventuresandhadknownsomanyqueerpeopleinthatpartofthemoreorless
gorgeousEastinthedaysofhisyouth。Hesaid:\"That\'sagoodman。Idon\'tmeangoodinthesenseofsmartorskilfulinhistrade。ImeanareallyGOODman。\"
Iturnedroundatoncetolookatthephenomenon。The\"reallyGOOD
man\"hadaverybroadback。Isawhimsignalasampantocomealongside，getintoit，andgooffinthedirectionofaclusteroflocalsteamersanchoredcloseinshore。
Isaid:\"He\'saseaman，isn\'the？\"
\"Yes。Commandsthatbiggishdark-greensteamer:\'Sissie-
Glasgow。\'Hehasnevercommandedanythingelsebutthe\'Sissie-
Glasgow，\'onlyitwasn\'talwaysthesameSissie。Thefirsthehadwasabouthalfthelengthofthisone，andweusedtotellpoorDavidsonthatshewasasizetoosmallforhim。EvenatthattimeDavidsonhadbulk。Wewarnedhimhewouldgetcallositiesonhisshouldersandelbowsbecauseofthetightfitofhiscommand。AndDavidsoncouldwellaffordthesmileshegaveusforourchaff。Hemadelotsofmoneyinher。ShebelongedtoaportlyChinamanresemblingamandarininapicture-book，withgogglesandthindroopingmoustaches，andasdignifiedasonlyaCelestialknowshowtobe。
\"ThebestofChinamenasemployersisthattheyhavesuchgentlemanlyinstincts。Oncetheybecomeconvincedthatyouareastraightman，theygiveyoutheirunboundedconfidence。Yousimplycan\'tdowrong，then。Andtheyareprettyquickjudgesofcharacter，too。Davidson\'sChinamanwasthefirsttofindouthisworth，onsometheoreticalprinciple。Onedayinhiscounting-
house，beforeseveralwhitemenhewasheardtodeclare:\'CaptainDavidsonisagoodman。\'Andthatsettledit。Afterthatyoucouldn\'ttellifitwasDavidsonwhobelongedtotheChinamanortheChinamanwhobelongedtoDavidson。Itwashewho，shortlybeforehedied，orderedinGlasgowthenewSissieforDavidsontocommand。\"
WewalkedintotheshadeoftheHarbourOfficeandleanedourelbowsontheparapetofthequay。
\"ShewasreallymeanttocomfortpoorDavidson，\"continuedHollis。
\"Canyoufancyanythingmorenaivelytouchingthanthisoldmandarinspendingseveralthousandpoundstoconsolehiswhiteman？
Well，theresheis。Theoldmandarin\'ssonshaveinheritedher，andDavidsonwithher；andhecommandsher；andwhatwithhissalaryandtradingprivilegeshemakesalotofmoney；andeverythingisasbefore；andDavidsonevensmiles-youhaveseenit？Well，thesmile\'stheonlythingwhichisn\'tasbefore。\"
\"Tellme，Hollis，\"Iasked，\"whatdoyoumeanbygoodinthisconnection？\"
\"Well，therearemenwhoareborngoodjustasothersarebornwitty。WhatImeanishisnature。Nosimpler，morescrupulouslydelicatesoulhadeverlivedinsucha-a-comfortableenvelope。
HowweusedtolaughatDavidson\'sfinescruples!Inshort，he\'sthoroughlyhumane，andIdon\'timaginetherecanbemuchofanyothersortofgoodnessthatcountsonthisearth。Andashe\'sthatwithashadeofparticularrefinement，Imaywellcallhima\'REALLYgoodman。\'\"
IknewfromoldthatHolliswasafirmbelieverinthefinalvalueofshades。AndIsaid:\"Isee\"-becauseIreallydidseeHollis\'sDavidsoninthesympatheticstoutmanwhohadpassedusalittlewhilebefore。ButIrememberedthatattheverymomenthesmiledhisplacidfaceappearedveiledinmelancholy-asortofspiritualshadow。Iwenton。
\"Whoonearthhaspaidhimoffforbeingsofinebyspoilinghissmile？\"
\"That\'squiteastory，andIwilltellittoyouifyoulike。
Confoundit!It\'squiteasurprisingone，too。Surprisingineveryway，butmostlyinthewayitknockedoverpoorDavidson-
andapparentlyonlybecauseheissuchagoodsort。Hewastellingmeallaboutitonlyafewdaysago。Hesaidthatwhenhesawthesefourfellowswiththeirheadsinabunchoverthetable，heatoncedidn\'tlikeit。Hedidn\'tlikeitatall。Youmustn\'tsupposethatDavidsonisasoftfool。Thesemen-
\"ButIhadbetterbeginatthebeginning。WemustgobacktothefirsttimetheolddollarshadbeencalledinbyourGovernmentinexchangeforanewissue。JustaboutthetimewhenIleftthesepartstogohomeforalongstay。Everytraderintheislandswasthinkingofgettinghisolddollarssentuphereintime，andthedemandforemptyFrenchwinecases-youknowthedozenofvermouthorclaretsize-wassomethingunprecedented。Thecustomwastopackthedollarsinlittlebagsofahundredeach。Idon\'tknowhowmanybagseachcasewouldhold。Agoodlot。Prettytidysumsmusthavebeenmovingafloatjustthen。Butletusgetawayfromhere。Won\'tdotostayinthesun。Wherecouldwe-？Iknow!
letusgotothosetiffin-roomsoverthere。\"
Wemovedoveraccordingly。OurappearanceinthelongemptyroomatthatearlyhourcausedvisibleconsternationamongsttheChinaboys。ButHollisledthewaytooneofthetablesbetweenthewindowsscreenedbyrattanblinds。Abrillianthalf-lighttrembledontheceiling，onthewhitewashedwalls，bathedthemultitudeofvacantchairsandtablesinapeculiar，stealthyglow。
\"Allright。Wewillgetsomethingtoeatwhenit\'sready，\"hesaid，wavingtheanxiousChinamanwaiteraside。Hetookhistemplestouchedwithgreybetweenhishands，leaningoverthetabletobringhisface，hisdark，keeneyes，closertomine。
\"DavidsonthenwascommandingthesteamerSissie-thelittleonewhichweusedtochaffhimabout。Heranheralone，withonlytheMalayserangforadeckofficer。Thenearestapproachtoanotherwhitemanonboardofherwastheengineer，aPortuguesehalf-
caste，asthinasalathandquiteayoungsteratthat。ForallpracticalpurposesDavidsonwasmanagingthatcommandofhissingle-handed；andofcoursethiswasknownintheport。Iamtellingyouofitbecausethefacthaditsinfluenceonthedevelopmentsyoushallhearofpresently。
\"Hissteamer，beingsosmall，couldgouptinycreeksandintoshallowbaysandthroughreefsandoversand-banks，collectingproduce，wherenoothervesselbutanativecraftwouldthinkofventuring。Itisapayinggame，often。Davidsonwasknowntovisitinherplacesthatnooneelsecouldfindandthathardlyanybodyhadeverheardof。
\"Theolddollarsbeingcalledin，Davidson\'sChinamanthoughtthattheSissiewouldbejustthethingtocollectthemfromsmalltradersinthelessfrequentedpartsoftheArchipelago。It\'sagoodbusiness。Suchcasesofdollarsaredumpedaftintheship\'slazarette，andyougetgoodfreightforverylittletroubleandspace。
\"Davidson，too，thoughtitwasagoodidea；andtogethertheymadeupalistofhiscallsonhisnexttrip。ThenDavidsonhehadnaturallythechartofhisvoyagesinhisheadremarkedthatonhiswaybackhemightlookinatacertainsettlementupamerecreek，whereapoorsortofwhitemanlivedinanativevillage。
DavidsonpointedouttohisChinamanthatthefellowwascertaintohavesomerattanstoship。
\"\'Probablyenoughtofillherforward，\'saidDavidson。\'Andthat\'llbebetterthanbringingherbackwithemptyholds。Adaymoreorlessdoesn\'tmatter。\'
\"Thiswassoundtalk，andtheChinamanownercouldnotbutagree。
Butifithadn\'tbeensounditwouldhavebeenjustthesame。
Davidsondidwhatheliked。Hewasamanthatcoulddonowrong。
However，thissuggestionofhiswasnotmerelyabusinessmatter。
TherewasinitatouchofDavidsoniankindness。ForyoumustknowthatthemancouldnothavecontinuedtolivequietlyupthatcreekifithadnotbeenforDavidson\'swillingnesstocalltherefromtimetotime。AndDavidson\'sChinamanknewthisperfectlywell，too。Soheonlysmiledhisdignified，blandsmile，andsaid:\'Allright，Captain。Youdowhatyoulike。\'
\"IwillexplainpresentlyhowthisconnectionbetweenDavidsonandthatfellowcameabout。NowIwanttotellyouaboutthepartofthisaffairwhichhappenedhere-thepreliminariesofit。
\"YouknowaswellasIdothatthesetiffin-roomswherewearesittingnowhavebeeninexistenceformanyyears。Well，nextdayabouttwelveo\'clock，Davidsondroppedinheretogetsomethingtoeat。
\"Andherecomestheonlymomentinthisstorywhereaccident-mereaccident-playsapart。IfDavidsonhadgonehomethatdayfortiffin，therewouldbenow，aftertwelveyearsormore，nothingchangedinhiskindly，placidsmile。
\"Buthecameinhere；andperhapsitwassittingatthisverytablethatheremarkedtoafriendofminethathisnexttripwastobeadollar-collectingtrip。Headded，laughing，thathiswifewasmakingratherafussaboutit。Shehadbeggedhimtostayashoreandgetsomebodyelsetotakehisplaceforavoyage。Shethoughttherewassomedangeronaccountofthedollars。Hetoldher，hesaid，thattherewerenoJava-seapiratesnowadaysexceptinboys\'
books。Hehadlaughedatherfears，buthewasverysorry，too；
forwhenshetookanynotioninherheaditwasimpossibletoargueheroutofit。Shewouldbeworryingherselfallthetimehewasaway。Well，hecouldn\'thelpit。Therewasnooneashorefittotakehisplaceforthetrip。
\"ThisfriendofmineandIwenthometogetherinthesamemail-
boat，andhementionedthatconversationoneeveningintheRedSeawhileweweretalkingoverthethingsandpeoplewehadjustleft，withmoreorlessregret。
\"Ican\'tsaythatDavidsonoccupiedaveryprominentplace。Moralexcellenceseldomdoes。Hewasquietlyappreciatedbythosewhoknewhimwell；buthismoreobviousdistinctionconsistedinthis，thathewasmarried。Ours，asyouremember，wasabachelorcrowd；
inspiritanyhow，ifnotabsolutelyinfact。Theremighthavebeenafewwivesinexistence，butifsotheywereinvisible，distant，neveralludedto。Forwhatwouldhavebeenthegood？Davidsonalonewasvisiblymarried。
\"Beingmarriedsuitedhimexactly。Itfittedhimsowellthatthewildestofusdidnotresentthefactwhenitwasdisclosed。
Directlyhehadfelthisfeetouthere，Davidsonsentforhiswife。
ShecameoutfromWestAustraliaintheSomerset，underthecareofCaptainRitchie-youknow，Monkey-faceRitchie-whocouldn\'tpraiseenoughhersweetness，hergentleness，andhercharm。Sheseemedtobetheheaven-bornmateforDavidson。Shefoundonarrivalaveryprettybungalowonthehill，readyforherandthelittlegirltheyhad。Verysoonhegotforheratwo-wheeledtrapandaBurmahpony，andsheusedtodrivedownofaneveningtopickupDavidson，onthequay。WhenDavidson，beaming，gotintothetrap，itwouldbecomeveryfullallatonce。
\"WeusedtoadmireMrs。Davidsonfromadistance。Itwasagirlishheadoutofakeepsake。Fromadistance。Wehadnotmanyopportunitiesforacloserview，becauseshedidnotcaretogivethemtous。WewouldhavebeengladtodropinattheDavidsonbungalow，butweweremadetofeelsomehowthatwewerenotverywelcomethere。Notthatsheeversaidanythingungracious。Sheneverhadmuchtosayforherself。IwasperhapstheonewhosawmostoftheDavidsonsathome。WhatInoticedunderthesuperficialaspectofvapidsweetnesswasherconvex，obstinateforehead，andhersmall，red，pretty，ungenerousmouth。ButthenI
amanobserverwithstrongprejudices。Mostofuswerefetchedbyherwhite，swan-likeneck，bythatdrooping，innocentprofile。
TherewasalotoflatentdevotiontoDavidson\'swifehereabouts，atthattime，Icantellyou。Butmyideawasthatsherepaiditbyaprofoundsuspicionofthesortofmenwewere；amistrustwhichextended-Ifancied-toherveryhusbandattimes。AndI
thoughtthenshewasjealousofhiminaway；thoughtherewerenowomenthatshecouldbejealousabout。Shehadnowomen\'ssociety。
It\'sdifficultforashipmaster\'swifeunlessthereareothershipmasters\'wivesabout，andtherewerenoneherethen。Iknowthatthedockmanager\'swifecalledonher；butthatwasall。ThefellowshereformedtheopinionthatMrs。Davidsonwasameek，shylittlething。Shelookedit，Imustsay。AndthisopinionwassouniversalthatthefriendIhavebeentellingyouofrememberedhisconversationwithDavidsonsimplybecauseofthestatementaboutDavidson\'swife。Heevenwonderedtome:\'FancyMrs。Davidsonmakingafusstothatextent。Shedidn\'tseemtomethesortofwomanthatwouldknowhowtomakeafussaboutanything。\'
\"Iwondered，too-butnotsomuch。Thatbumpyforehead-eh？I
hadalwayssuspectedherofbeingsilly。AndIobservedthatDavidsonmusthavebeenvexedbythisdisplayofwifelyanxiety。
\"Myfriendsaid:\'No。Heseemedrathertouchedanddistressed。
Therereallywasnoonehecouldasktorelievehim；mainlybecauseheintendedtomakeacallinsomeGod-forsakencreek，tolookupafellowofthenameofBamtzwhoapparentlyhadsettledthere。\'
\"Andagainmyfriendwondered。\'Tellme，\'hecried，\'whatconnectioncantherebebetweenDavidsonandsuchacreatureasBamtz？\'
\"Idon\'tremembernowwhatanswerImade。Asufficientonecouldhavebeengivenintwowords:\'Davidson\'sgoodness。\'THATneverboggledatunworthinessiftherewastheslightestreasonforcompassion。Idon\'twantyoutothinkthatDavidsonhadnodiscriminationatall。Bamtzcouldnothaveimposedonhim。
Moreover，everybodyknewwhatBamtzwas。Hewasaloaferwithabeard。WhenIthinkofBamtz，thefirstthingIseeisthatlongblackbeardandalotofpropitiatorywrinklesatthecornersoftwolittleeyes。TherewasnosuchbeardfromheretoPolynesia，whereabeardisavaluablepropertyinitself。Bamtz\'sbeardwasvaluabletohiminanotherway。YouknowhowimpressedOrientalsarebyafinebeard。Yearsandyearsago，Iremember，thegraveAbdullah，thegreattraderofSambir，unabletorepresssignsofastonishmentandadmirationatthefirstsightofthatimposingbeard。Andit\'sverywellknownthatBamtzlivedonAbdullahoffandonforseveralyears。Itwasauniquebeard，andsowasthebearerofthesame。Auniqueloafer。Hemadeafineartofit，orratherasortofcraftandmystery。Onecanunderstandafellowlivingbycadgingandsmallswindlesintowns，inlargecommunitiesofpeople；butBamtzmanagedtodothattrickinthewilderness，toloafontheoutskirtsofthevirginforest。
\"Heunderstoodhowtoingratiatehimselfwiththenatives。Hewouldarriveinsomesettlementupariver，makeapresentofacheapcarbineorapairofshoddybinoculars，orsomethingofthatsort，totheRajah，orthehead-man，ortheprincipaltrader；andonthestrengthofthatgift，askforahouse，posingmysteriouslyasaveryspecialtrader。Hewouldspinthemnoendofyarns，liveonthefatoftheland，forawhile，andthendosomemeanswindleorother-orelsetheywouldgettiredofhimandaskhimtoquit。
Andhewouldgooffmeeklywithanairofinjuredinnocence。Funnylife。Yet，henevergothurtsomehow。I\'veheardoftheRajahofDongalagivinghimfiftydollars\'worthoftradegoodsandpayinghispassageinaprauonlytogetridofhim。Fact。AndobservethatnothingpreventedtheoldfellowhavingBamtz\'sthroatcutandthecarcasethrownintodeepwateroutsidethereefs；forwhoonearthwouldhaveinquiredafterBamtz？
\"HehadbeenknowntoloafupanddownthewildernessasfarnorthastheGulfofTonkin。Neitherdidhedisdainaspellofcivilisationfromtimetotime。AnditwaswhileloafingandcadginginSaigon，beardedanddignifiedhegavehimselfoutthereasabookkeeper，thathecameacrossLaughingAnne。
\"Thelesssaidofherearlyhistorythebetter，butsomethingmustbesaid。WemaysafelysupposetherewasverylittleheartleftinherfamouslaughwhenBamtzspokefirsttoherinsomelowcafe。
ShewasstrandedinSaigonwithpreciouslittlemoneyandingreattroubleaboutakidshehad，aboyoffiveorsix。
\"AfellowIjustremember，whomtheycalledPearlerHarry，broughtheroutfirstintotheseparts-fromAustralia，Ibelieve。Hebroughtheroutandthendroppedher，andsheremainedknockingabouthereandthere，knowntomostofusbysight，atanyrate。
EverybodyintheArchipelagohadheardofLaughingAnne。Shehadreallyapleasantsilverylaughalwaysatherdisposal，sotospeak，butitwasn\'tenoughapparentlytomakeherfortune。Thepoorcreaturewasreadytosticktoanyhalf-decentmanifhewouldonlylether，butshealwaysgotdropped，asitmighthavebeenexpected。
\"ShehadbeenleftinSaigonbytheskipperofaGermanshipwithwhomshehadbeengoingupanddowntheChinacoastasfarasVladivostokfornearupontwoyears。TheGermansaidtoher:
\'Thisisallover，MEINTAUBCHEN。IamgoinghomenowtogetmarriedtothegirlIgotengagedtobeforecomingouthere。\'AndAnnesaid:\'Allright，I\'mreadytogo。Wepartfriends，don\'twe？\'
\"Shewasalwaysanxioustopartfriends。TheGermantoldherthatofcoursetheywerepartingfriends。Helookedratherglumatthemomentofparting。Shelaughedandwentashore。
\"Butitwasnolaughingmatterforher。Shehadsomenotionthatthiswouldbeherlastchance。Whatfrightenedhermostwasthefutureofherchild。ShehadleftherboyinSaigonbeforegoingoffwiththeGerman，inthecareofanelderlyFrenchcouple。ThehusbandwasadoorkeeperinsomeGovernmentoffice，buthistimewasup，andtheywerereturningtoFrance。Shehadtotaketheboybackfromthem；andaftershehadgothimback，shedidnotliketopartwithhimanymore。
\"ThatwasthesituationwhensheandBamtzgotacquaintedcasually。
Shecouldnothavehadanyillusionsaboutthatfellow。TopickupwithBamtzwascomingdownprettylowintheworld，evenfromamaterialpointofview。Shehadalwaysbeendecent，inherway；
whereasBamtzwas，nottomincewords，anabjectsortofcreature。
Ontheotherhand，thatbeardedloafer，wholookedmuchmorelikeapiratethanabookkeeper，wasnotabrute。Hewasgentle-rather-eveninhiscups。Andthen，despair，likemisfortune，makesusacquaintedwithstrangebed-fellows。Forshemaywellhavedespaired。Shewasnolongeryoung-youknow。
\"Ontheman\'ssidethisconjunctionismoredifficulttoexplain，perhaps。Onething，however，mustbesaidofBamtz；hehadalwayskeptclearofnativewomen。Asonecan\'tsuspecthimofmoraldelicacy，Isurmisethatitmusthavebeenfromprudence。Andhe，too，wasnolongeryoung。Thereweremanywhitehairsinhisvaluableblackbeardbythen。Hemayhavesimplylongedforsomekindofcompanionshipinhisqueer，degradedexistence。Whatevertheirmotives，theyvanishedfromSaigontogether。Andofcoursenobodycaredwhathadbecomeofthem。
\"SixmonthslaterDavidsoncameintotheMirrahSettlement。Itwastheveryfirsttimehehadbeenupthatcreek，wherenoEuropeanvesselhadeverbeenseenbefore。AJavanesepassengerhehadonboardofferedhimfiftydollarstocallinthere-itmusthavebeensomeveryparticularbusiness-andDavidsonconsentedtotry。
Fiftydollars，hetoldme，wereneitherherenorthere；buthewascurioustoseetheplace，andthelittleSissiecouldgoanywherewheretherewaswaterenoughtofloatasoup-plate。
\"DavidsonlandedhisJavaneseplutocrat，and，ashehadtowaitacoupleofhoursforthetide，hewentashorehimselftostretchhislegs。
\"Itwasasmallsettlement。Somesixtyhouses，mostofthembuiltonpilesovertheriver，therestscatteredinthelonggrass；theusualpathwayattheback；theforesthemmingintheclearingandsmotheringwhattheremighthavebeenofairintoadead，hotstagnation。
\"Allthepopulationwasontheriver-bankstaringsilently，asMalayswilldo，attheSissieanchoredinthestream。Shewasalmostaswonderfultothemasanangel\'svisit。Manyoftheoldpeoplehadonlyheardvaguelyoffire-ships，andnotmanyoftheyoungergenerationhadseenone。OnthebackpathDavidsonstrolledinperfectsolitude。Buthebecameawareofabadsmellandconcludedhewouldgonofarther。
\"Whilehestoodwipinghisforehead，heheardfromsomewheretheexclamation:\'MyGod!It\'sDavy!\'
\"Davidson\'slowerjaw，asheexpressedit，cameunhookedatthecryingofthisexcitedvoice。Davywasthenameusedbytheassociatesofhisyoungdays；hehadn\'thearditformanyyears。
Hestaredaboutwithhismouthopenandsawawhitewomanissuefromthelonggrassinwhichasmallhutstoodburiednearlyuptotheroof。
\"Trytoimaginetheshock:inthatwildplacethatyoucouldn\'tfindonamap，andmoresqualidthanthemostpoverty-strickenMalaysettlementhadarighttobe，thisEuropeanwomancomingswishingoutofthelonggrassinafancifultea-gownthing，dingypinksatin，withalongtrainandfrayedlacetrimmings；hereyeslikeblackcoalsinapasty-whiteface。Davidsonthoughtthathewasasleep，thathewasdelirious。FromtheoffensivevillagemudholeitwaswhatDavidsonhadsniffedjustbeforeacoupleoffilthybuffaloesuprosewithloudsnortsandlumberedoffcrashingthroughthebushes，panic-struckbythisapparition。
\"Thewomancameforward，herarmsextended，andlaidherhandsonDavidson\'sshoulders，exclaiming:\'Why!Youhavehardlychangedatall。ThesamegoodDavy。\'Andshelaughedalittlewildly。
\"ThissoundwastoDavidsonlikeagalvanicshocktoacorpse。Hestartedineverymuscle。\'LaughingAnne，\'hesaidinanawe-struckvoice。
\"\'Allthat\'sleftofher，Davy。Allthat\'sleftofher。\'
\"Davidsonlookedupatthesky；buttherewastobeseennoballoonfromwhichshecouldhavefallenonthatspot。Whenhebroughthisdistractedgazedown，itrestedonachildholdingonwithabrownlittlepawtothepinksatingown。Hehadrunoutofthegrassafterher。HadDavidsonseenarealhobgoblinhiseyescouldnothavebulgedmorethanatthissmallboyinadirtywhiteblouseandraggedknickers。Hehadaroundheadoftightchestnutcurls，verysunburntlegs，afreckledface，andmerryeyes。Admonishedbyhismothertogreetthegentleman，hefinishedoffDavidsonbyaddressinghiminFrench。
\"\'BONJOUR。\'
\"Davidson，overcome，lookedupatthewomaninsilence。Shesentthechildbacktothehut，andwhenhehaddisappearedinthegrass，sheturnedtoDavidson，triedtospeak，butaftergettingoutthewords，\'That\'smyTony，\'burstintoalongfitofcrying。
ShehadtoleanonDavidson\'sshoulder。He，distressedinthegoodnessofhisheart，stoodrootedtothespotwhereshehadcomeuponhim。
\"Whatameeting-eh？Bamtzhadsentherouttoseewhatwhitemanitwaswhohadlanded。AndshehadrecognisedhimfromthattimewhenDavidson，whohadbeenpearlinghimselfinhisyouth，hadbeenassociatingwithHarrythePearlerandothers，thequietestofaratherrowdyset。
\"BeforeDavidsonretracedhisstepstogoonboardthesteamer，hehadheardmuchofLaughingAnne\'sstory，andhadevenhadaninterview，onthepath，withBamtzhimself。Sheranbacktothehuttofetchhim，andhecameoutlounging，withhishandsinhispockets，withthedetached，casualmannerunderwhichheconcealedhispropensitytocringe。Ya-a-as-as。Hethoughthewouldsettleherepermanently-withher。ThiswithanodatLaughingAnne，whostoodby，ahaggard，tragicallyanxiousfigure，herblackhairhangingoverhershoulders。
\"\'Nomorepaintanddyesforme，Davy，\'shestruckin，\'ifonlyyouwilldowhathewantsyoutodo。YouknowthatIwasalwaysreadytostandbymymen-iftheyhadonlyletme。\'
\"Davidsonhadnodoubtofherearnestness。ItwasofBamtz\'sgoodfaiththathewasnotatallsure。BamtzwantedDavidsontopromisetocallatMirrahmoreorlessregularly。Hethoughthesawanopeningtodobusinesswithrattansthere，ifonlyhecoulddependonsomecrafttobringouttradinggoodsandtakeawayhisproduce。
\"\'Ihaveafewdollarstomakeastarton。Thepeopleareallright。\'
\"Hehadcomethere，wherehewasnotknown，inanativeprau，andhadmanaged，withhissedatemannerandtheexactlyrightkindofyarnheknewhowtotelltothenatives，toingratiatehimselfwiththechiefman。
\"\'TheOrangKayahasgivenmethatemptyhousetheretoliveinaslongasIwillstay，\'addedBamtz。
\"\'Doit，Davy，\'criedthewomansuddenly。\'Thinkofthatpoorkid。\'
\"\'Seenhim？\'Cutelittlecustomer，\'saidthereformedloaferinsuchatoneofinterestastosurpriseDavidsonintoakindlyglance。
\"\'Icertainlycandoit，\'hedeclared。HethoughtofatfirstmakingsomestipulationastoBamtzbehavingdecentlytothewoman，buthisexaggerateddelicacyandalsotheconvictionthatsuchafellow\'spromiseswereworthnothingrestrainedhim。Annewentalittledistancedownthepathwithhimtalkinganxiously。
\"\'It\'sforthekid。HowcouldIhavekepthimwithmeifIhadtoknockaboutintowns？Herehewillneverknowthathismotherwasapaintedwoman。AndthisBamtzlikeshim。He\'srealfondofhim。
IsupposeIoughttothankGodforthat。\'
\"DavidsonshudderedatanyhumancreaturebeingbroughtsolowastohavetothankGodforthefavoursoraffectionofaBamtz。
\"\'Anddoyouthinkthatyoucanmakeouttolivehere？\'heaskedgently。
\"\'Can\'tI？YouknowIhavealwaysstucktomenthroughthickandthintilltheyhadenoughofme。Andnowlookatme!ButinsideI
amasIalwayswas。Ihaveactedonthesquaretothemalloneafteranother。Onlytheydogettiredsomehow。Oh，Davy!Harryoughtnottohavecastmeoff。Itwashethatledmeastray。\'
\"DavidsonmentionedtoherthatHarrythePearlerhadbeendeadnowforsomeyears。Perhapsshehadheard？
\"Shemadeasignthatshehadheard；andwalkedbythesideofDavidsoninsilencenearlytothebank。Thenshetoldhimthathermeetingwithhimhadbroughtbacktheoldtimestohermind。Shehadnotcriedforyears。Shewasnotacryingwomaneither。ItwashearingherselfcalledLaughingAnnethathadstartedhersobbinglikeafool。Harrywastheonlymanshehadloved。Theothers-
\"Sheshruggedhershoulders。Butshepridedherselfonherloyaltytothesuccessivepartnersofherdismaladventures。Shehadneverplayedanytricksinherlife。Shewasapalworthhaving。Butmendidgettired。Theydidnotunderstandwomen。Shesupposedithadtobe。
\"DavidsonwasattemptingaveiledwarningastoBamtz，butsheinterruptedhim。Sheknewwhatmenwere。Sheknewwhatthismanwaslike。Buthehadtakenwonderfullytothekid。AndDavidsondesistedwillingly，sayingtohimselfthatsurelypoorLaughingAnnecouldhavenoillusionsbythistime。Shewrunghishandhardatparting。
\"\'It\'sforthekid，Davy-it\'sforthekid。Isn\'theabrightlittlechap？\'
CHAPTERII
\"AllthishappenedabouttwoyearsbeforethedaywhenDavidson，sittinginthisveryroom，talkedtomyfriend。Youwillseepresentlyhowthisroomcangetfull。Everyseat\'llbeoccupied，andasyounotice，thetablesaresetclose，sothatthebacksofthechairsarealmosttouching。Thereisalsoagooddealofnoisytalkhereaboutoneo\'clock。
\"Idon\'tsupposeDavidsonwastalkingveryloudly；butverylikelyhehadtoraisehisvoiceacrossthetabletomyfriend。Andhereaccident，mereaccident，putinitsworkbyprovidingapairoffineearsclosebehindDavidson\'schair。Itwastentooneagainst，theownerofthesamehavingenoughchangeinhispocketstogethistiffinhere。Buthehad。Mostlikelyhadrookedsomebodyofafewdollarsatcardsovernight。HewasabrightcreatureofthenameofFector，aspare，short，jumpyfellowwitharedfaceandmuddyeyes。Hedescribedhimselfasajournalistascertainkindofwomengivethemselvesoutasactressesinthedockofapolice-court。
\"Heusedtointroducehimselftostrangersasamanwithamissiontotrackoutabusesandfightthemwheneverfound。Hewouldalsohintthathewasamartyr。Andit\'safactthathehadbeenkicked，horsewhipped，imprisoned，andhoundedwithignominyoutofprettywelleveryplacebetweenCeylonandShanghai，foraprofessionalblackmailer。
\"Isuppose，inthattrade，you\'vegottohaveactivewitsandsharpears。It\'snotlikelythatheoverheardeverywordDavidsonsaidabouthisdollarcollectingtrip，butheheardenoughtosethiswitsatwork。
\"HeletDavidsongoout，andthenhastenedawaydowntothenativeslumstoasortoflodging-housekeptinpartnershipbytheusualsortofPortugueseandaverydisreputableChinaman。MacaoHotel，itwascalled，butitwasmostlyagamblingdenthatoneusedtowarnfellowsagainst。Perhapsyouremember？
\"There，theeveningbefore，Fectorhadmetapreciouscouple，apartnershipevenmorequeerthanthePortugueseandtheChinaman。
OneofthetwowasNiclaus-youknow。Why!thefellowwithaTartarmoustacheandayellowcomplexion，likeaMongolian，onlythathiseyesweresetstraightandhisfacewasnotsoflat。Onecouldn\'ttellwhatbreedhewas。Anondescriptbeggar。Fromacertainangleyouwouldthinkaverybiliouswhiteman。AndI
daresayhewas。HeownedaMalayprauandcalledhimselfTheNakhoda，asonewouldsay:TheCaptain。Aha!Nowyouremember。
Hecouldn\'t，apparently，speakanyotherEuropeanlanguagethanEnglish，butheflewtheDutchflagonhisprau。
\"TheotherwastheFrenchmanwithouthands。Yes。Theverysameweusedtoknowin\'79inSydney，keepingalittletobaccoshopatthelowerendofGeorgeStreet。Yourememberthehugecarcasehunchedupbehindthecounter，thebigwhitefaceandthelongblackhairbrushedbackoffahighforeheadlikeabard\'s。Hewasalwaystryingtorollcigarettesonhiskneewithhisstumps，tellingendlessyarnsofPolynesiaandwhiningandcursinginturnabout\'MONMALHEUR。\'Hishandshadbeenblownawaybyadynamitecartridgewhilefishinginsomelagoon。Thisaccident，Ibelieve，hadmadehimmorewickedthanbefore，whichissayingagooddeal。
\"Hewasalwaystalkingabout\'resuminghisactivities\'someday，whatevertheywere，ifhecouldonlygetanintelligentcompanion。
Itwasevidentthatthelittleshopwasnofieldforhisactivities，andthesicklywomanwithherfacetiedup，whousedtolookinsometimesthroughthebackdoor，wasnocompanionforhim。
\"And，trueenough，hevanishedfromSydneybeforelong，aftersometroublewiththeExcisefellowsabouthisstock。Goodsstolenoutofawarehouseorsomethingsimilar。Heleftthewomanbehind，buthemusthavesecuredsomesortofcompanion-hecouldnothaveshiftedforhimself；butwhomhewentawaywith，andwhere，andwhatothercompanionshemighthavepickedupafterwards，itisimpossibletomaketheremotestguessabout。
\"WhyexactlyhecamethiswayIcan\'ttell。TowardstheendofmytimeherewebegantoheartalkofamaimedFrenchmanwhohadbeenseenhereandthere。ButnooneknewthenthathehadforegatheredwithNiclausandlivedinhisprau。IdaresayheputNiclausuptoathingortwo。Anyhow，itwasapartnership。NiclauswassomewhatafraidoftheFrenchmanonaccountofhistempers，whichwereawful。Helookedthenlikeadevil；butamanwithouthands，unabletoloadorhandleaweapon，canatbestgoforoneonlywithhisteeth。FromthatdangerNiclausfeltcertainhecouldalwaysdefendhimself。
\"Thecouplewerealonetogetherloafinginthecommon-roomofthatinfamoushotelwhenFectorturnedup。Aftersomebeatingaboutthebush，forhewasdoubtfulhowfarhecouldtrustthesetwo，herepeatedwhathehadoverheardinthetiffin-rooms。
\"HistaledidnothavemuchsuccesstillhecametomentionthecreekandBamtz\'sname。Niclaus，sailingaboutlikeanativeinaprau，was，inhisownwords，\'familiarwiththelocality。\'ThehugeFrenchman，walkingupanddowntheroomwithhisstumpsinthepocketsofhisjacket，stoppedshortinsurprise。\'COMMENT？
BAMTZ!BAMTZ!\'
\"Hehadrunacrosshimseveraltimesinhislife。Heexclaimed:
\'BAMTZ!MAISJENECONNAISQUECA!\'AndheappliedsuchacontemptuouslyindecentepithettoBamtzthatwhen，later，healludedtohimas\'UNECHIFFE\'amereragitsoundedquitecomplimentary。\'Wecandowithhimwhatwelike，\'heassertedconfidently。\'Oh，yes。Certainlywemusthastentopayavisittothat-\'anotherawfuldescriptiveepithetquiteunfitforrepetition。\'Deviltakemeifwedon\'tpulloffacoupthatwillsetusallupforalongtime。\'
\"HesawallthatlotofdollarsmeltedintobarsanddisposedofsomewhereontheChinacoast。OftheescapeaftertheCOUPheneverdoubted。TherewasNiclaus\'sprautomanagethatin。
\"Inhisenthusiasmhepulledhisstumpsoutofhispocketsandwavedthemabout。Then，catchingsightofthem，asitwere，heheldtheminfrontofhiseyes，cursingandblasphemingandbewailinghismisfortuneandhishelplessness，tillNiclausquietedhimdown。
\"Butitwashismindthatplannedouttheaffairanditwashisspiritwhichcarriedtheothertwoon。Neitherofthemwasoftheboldbuccaneertype；andFector，especially，hadneverinhisadventurouslifeusedotherweaponsthanslanderandlies。
\"ThatveryeveningtheydepartedonavisittoBamtzinNiclaus\'sprau，whichhadbeenlying，emptiedofhercargoofcocoanuts，foradayortwounderthecanalbridge。TheymusthavecrossedthebowsoftheanchoredSissie，andnodoubtlookedatherwithinterestasthesceneoftheirfutureexploit，thegreathaul，LE
GRANDCOUP!
\"Davidson\'swife，tohisgreatsurprise，sulkedwithhimforseveraldaysbeforeheleft。Idon\'tknowwhetheritoccurredtohimthat，forallherangelicprofile，shewasaverystupidlyobstinategirl。Shedidn\'tlikethetropics。Hehadbroughtheroutthere，whereshehadnofriends，andnow，shesaid，hewasbecominginconsiderate。Shehadapresentimentofsomemisfortune，andnotwithstandingDavidson\'spainstakingexplanations，shecouldnotseewhyherpresentimentsweretobedisregarded。OntheverylasteveningbeforeDavidsonwentawaysheaskedhiminasuspiciousmanner:
\"\'Whyisitthatyouaresoanxioustogothistime？\'
\"\'Iamnotanxious，\'protestedthegoodDavidson。\'Isimplycan\'thelpmyself。There\'snooneelsetogoinmyplace。\'
\"\'Oh!There\'snoone，\'shesaid，turningawayslowly。
\"ShewassodistantwithhimthateveningthatDavidsonfromasenseofdelicacymadeuphismindtosaygood-byetoheratonceandgoandsleeponboard。Hefeltverymiserableand，strangelyenough，moreonhisownaccountthanonaccountofhiswife。Sheseemedtohimmuchmoreoffendedthangrieved。
\"Threeweekslater，havingcollectedagoodmanycasesofolddollarstheywerestowedaftinthelazarettewithanironbarandapadlocksecuringthehatchunderhiscabin-table，yes，withabiggerlotthanhehadexpectedtocollect，hefoundhimselfhomewardboundandofftheentranceofthecreekwhereBamtzlivedandeven，inasense，flourished。
\"ItwassolateinthedaythatDavidsonactuallyhesitatedwhetherheshouldnotpassbythistime。HehadnoregardforBamtz，whowasadegradedbutnotareallyunhappyman。HispityforLaughingAnnewasnomorethanhercasedeserved。Buthisgoodnesswasofaparticularlydelicatesort。Herealisedhowthesepeopleweredependentonhim，andhowtheywouldfeeltheirdependenceifhefailedtoturnupthroughalongmonthofanxiouswaiting。
Promptedbyhissensitivehumanity，Davidson，inthegatheringdusk，turnedtheSissie\'sheadtowardsthehardlydiscerniblecoast，andnavigatedhersafetythroughamazeofshallowpatches。
Butbythetimehegottothemouthofthecreekthenighthadcome。
\"Thenarrowwaterwaylaylikeablackcuttingthroughtheforest。