AsCharleswhirledintothecountryroadinwhichstoodhishousehesawdrawnupinfrontofitthelonggraycarinwhich，thatmorning，ChesterGriswoldhadcalledattheoffice。Cochranemittedahowlofanger。Washishomeagaintobeinvaded？Andagainwhilehewasabsent？TowhatextremewouldGriswold\'sjealousynextleadhim？
Hefelloutofhisowncarwhileitstillmoved，andleapedupthegardenwalk。Thefrontroomsofthehousewereempty，butfromhisbedroomheheard，raisedinexcitedtones，thevoiceofGriswold。Theaudacityofthemanwassosurprising，andhisowndelightatcatchinghimred-handedsosatisfying，thatnolongerwasCochranangry。TheLordhaddeliveredhisenemyintohishands！And，asheadvancedtowardhisbedroom，notonlywashecalm，but，atthethoughtofhisrevenge，distinctlyjubilant。Inthepassagewayafrightenedmaidservant，who，athisunexpectedarrival，wasnowevenmorefrightened，endeavoredtogivehimanexplanation；buthewavedherintosilence，and，stridingbeforeher，enteredhisbedroom。
Hefoundconfrontinghimatallandbeautifulyoungwoman。ItwasnottheAlineProctorheknew。Itwasnotthewell-poised，gracious，anddistinguishedbeautyhehadseenglidingamongthetablesatSherry\'sorthrowingsmilesoverthefootlights。ThisAlineProctorwasaveryindignantyoungperson，withflashingeyes，tossinghead，andastampingfoot。Extendedfromheratarm\'slength，sheheldaphotographofherselfinaheavysilverframe；and，asthoughitwereaweapon，shewasbrandishingitinthefaceofChesterGriswold。
AsCochran，inamazement，haltedinthedoorwayshewasexclaiming：
\"ItoldyouIdidn\'tknowCharlesCochran！Itellyousonow！Ifyoucan\'tbelieveme-\"
OutofthecornerofherflashingeyestheangryladycaughtsightofCochraninthedoorway。Sheturnedupontheintruderasthoughshemeantforciblytoejecthim。
\"Whoareyou？\"shedemanded。Hermannerandtoneseemedtoadd：
\"Andwhatthedeuceareyoudoinghere？\"
Charlesansweredhertone。
\"IamCharlesCochran，\"hesaid。\"Ilivehere。Thisismyhouse！\"
ThesewordshadnoothereffectuponMissProctorthantoswitchherindignationdownanothertrack。ShenowturneduponCharles。
\"Then，ifthisisyourhouse，\"criedthatangryyoungperson，\"whyhaveyoufilleditwithphotographsofmethatbelongtosomeoneelse？\"
Charlessawthathishourhadcome。Hissinhadfoundhimout。Hefeltthattoprevaricatewouldbeonlystupid。
Griswoldhadtrieddeviousmethods——andlookwherehisdeviousmethodshaddumpedhim！Griswoldcertainlywasinwrong。Charlesquicklydeterminedtoadoptacoursedirectlyopposite。GriswoldhadshownanutterlackofconfidenceinAline。Charlesdecidedthathewouldgiveherhisentireconfidence，wouldthrowhimselfuponthemercyofthecourt。
\"Ihavethosephotographsinmyhouse，MissProctor，\"hesaid，\"becauseIhaveadmiredyoualongtime。TheyweremorelikeyouthanthoseIcouldbuy。Havingthemherehashelpedmealot，andithasn\'tdoneyouanyharm。Youknowverywellyouhaveanonymousadmirersalloverthiscountry。I\'monlyoneofthem。IfIhaveoffended，Ihaveoffendedwithmany，manythousands。\"
AlreadyithasbeenrelatedthatCochranwasverygoodtolookupon。Atthepresentmoment，ashespokeinrespectful，evensoulfulaccents，meeklyandpenitentlyproclaiminghislong-concealedadmiration，MissProctorfoundherindignationmeltinglikeanicicleinthesun。
Still，shedidnotholdherselfcheaply。Shewasaccustomedtosuchopenflattery。Shewouldnotatoncecapitulate。
\"Butthesepictures，\"sheprotested，\"IgavetoamanIknew。Youhavenorighttothem。TheyarenotatallthesortofpictureI
wouldgivetoanutterstranger！\"Withanxietythelovelyladypausedforareply。Shehopedthatthereplythetallyoungmanwithappealingeyeswouldmakewouldbesuchastomakeitpossibleforhertoforgivehim。
Hewasnotgiventimetoreply。WithamockingsnortGriswoldinterrupted。AlineandCharleshadentirelyforgottenhim。
\"Anutterstranger！\"mimickedGriswold。\"Oh，yes；he\'sanutterstranger！You\'reprettygoodactors，bothofyou；butyoucan\'tkeepthatuplong，andyou\'dbetterstopitnow。\"
\"Stopwhat？\"askedMissProctor。Hertonewascoldandcalm，butinhereyeswasastrangelight。ItshouldhavewarnedGriswoldthathewouldhavebeensaferunderthebed。
\"Stoppretending！\"criedGriswold。\"Iwon\'thaveit！\"
\"Idon\'tunderstand，\"saidMissProctor。Shespokeinthesamecoldvoice，onlynowithaddroppedseveraldegreesnearerfreezing。
\"Idon\'tthinkyouunderstandyourself。Youwon\'thavewhat？\"
Griswoldnowwasfrightened，andthatmadehimreckless。Insteadofwithdrawingheplungeddeeper。
\"Iwon\'thaveyoutwopretendingyoudon\'tknoweachother，\"heblustered。\"Iwon\'tstandbeingfooled！Ifyou\'regoingtodeceivemebeforewe\'remarried，whatwillyoudoafterwe\'remarried？\"
Charlesemittedahowl。Itwasmadeupofdisgust，amazement，andrage。FiercelyheturneduponMissProctor。
\"Letmehavehim！\"hebegged。
\"No！\"almostshoutedMissProctor。Hertonewasnolongercold——itwasvolcanic。Hereyes，flashingbeautifully，werefixeduponGriswold。
ShemadeagestureasthoughtosweepCharlesoutoftheroom。
\"Pleasego！\"shedemanded。\"Thisdoesnotconcernyou。\"
Hertonewasonenotlightlytobedisregarded。Charlesdisregardedit。
\"Itdoesconcernme，\"hesaidbriskly。\"Nobodycaninsultawomaninmyhouse——you，leastofall！\"HeturneduponthegreatestcatchinAmerica。\"Griswold，\"hesaid，\"InevermetthisladyuntilI
cameintothisroom；butIknowher，understandher，valueherbetterthanyou\'dunderstandherifyouknewherathousandyears！\"
Griswoldallowedhimtogonofarther。
\"Iknowthismuch，\"heroared：\"shewasinlovewiththemanwhotookthosephotographs，andthatmanwasinlovewithher！Andyou\'rethatman！\"
\"WhatifIam！\"roaredbackCharles。\"Menalwayshavelovedher；
menalwayswill——becauseshe\'safine，big，wonderfulwoman！Youcan\'tseethat，andyouneverwill。Youinsultedher！NowI\'llgiveyoutimetoapologizeforthat，andthenI\'llorderyououtofthishouse！AndifMissProctoristhesortofgirlIthinksheis，she\'llorderyououtofit，too！\"
BothmenswungtowardMissProctor。Hereyeswerenowsmilingexcitedly。ShefirstturnedthemuponCharles，blushingmostbecomingly。
\"MissProctor，\"shesaid，\"hopessheisthesortofgirlMr。Cochranthinkssheis。\"ShethenturneduponthegreatestcatchinAmerica。\"Youneedn\'twait，Chester，\"shesaid，\"noteventoapologize。\"
ChesterGriswold，aloneinhiscar，wasdrivenbacktoNewYork。
Onthewayheinventedastorytoexplainwhy，attheeleventhhour，hehadjiltedAlineProctor；butwhenhisthoughtsrevertedtotheyoungmanhehadseenworkingwithhissleevesrolleduphedecideditwouldbesafertoletMissProctortellofthebrokenengagementinherownway。
CharleswouldnotconsenttodrivehisfairguestbacktoNewYorkuntilshehadfirsthonoredhimwithherpresenceatluncheon。Itwasservedfortwo，onhisveranda，undertheclimbinghoneysuckles。Duringtheluncheonhetoldherall。
MissProctor，inthelightofhisfiveyearsofdevotion，magnanimouslyforgavehim。
\"Suchaprettyhouse！\"sheexclaimedastheydroveawayfromit。
\"WhenGriswoldselecteditforourhoneymoonheshowedhisfirstappreciationofwhatIreallylike。\"
\"Itisstillatyourservice！\"saidCharles。
MissProctor\'seyessmiledwithastrangelight，butshedidnotspeak。Itwasahappyride；butwhenCharlesleftheratthedoorofherapartment-househeregardedsadlyandwithregretthebundleofretrievedphotographsthatshecarriedaway。
\"Whatisit？\"sheaskedkindly。
\"I\'mthinkingofgoingbacktothoseemptyframes，\"saidCharles，andblusheddeeply。MissProctorblushedalso。Withdelightedandguiltyeyesshehastilyscannedthephotographs。Snatchingonefromthecollection，shegaveittohimandthenranupthesteps。
InthelightofthespringsunsettheeyesofCharlesdevouredthephotographofwhich，atlast，hewastherightfulowner。Onitwaswritten：\"Aslongasthisrocklasts！\"
AsCharleswalkedtohiscarhisexpressionwasdistinctlythoughtful。
THEMENOFZANZIBAR
WhenhishuntingtripinUgandawasover，HemingwayshippedhisspecimensandweaponsdirectfromMombasatoNewYork，buthehimselfjourneyedsouthoverthefewmilesthatstretchedtoZanzibar。
Ontheoutwardtripthesteamerhadtouchedthere，andthelittlehesawoftheplacehadsocharmedhimthatallthetimehewasonsafarihepromisedhimselfhewouldnotreturnhomewithoutrevisitingit。OnthemorninghearrivedhehadcalleduponHarris，hisconsul，toinquireaboutthehotel；andthateveningHarrishadreturnedhiscallandintroducedhimattheclub。
OneofthementhereaskedHemingwaywhatbroughthimtoAfrica，andwhenheansweredsimplyandtruthfullythathehadcometoshootbiggame，itwasasthoughhehadsaidsomethingclever，andeveryonesmiled。Onthewaybacktothehotel，astheyfelttheirwaythroughthenarrowslitsinthewallthatservedasstreets，heaskedtheconsulwhyeveryonehadsmiled。
Theconsullaughedevasively。
\"It\'salocaljoke，\"heexplained。\"Alotofmencomehereforreasonsbestkepttothemselves，andtheyallsaywhatyousaid，thatthey\'vecometoshootbiggame。It\'sgrowntobeapolitewayoftellingamanitisnoneofhisbusiness。\"
\"ButIdidn\'tmeanitthatway，\"protestedHemingway。\"Ireallyhavebeenafterbiggameforthelasteightmonths。\"
Inthetoneoneusestoquietadrunkenmanorachild，theconsulansweredsoothingly。
\"Ofcourse，\"heassented——\"ofcourseyouhave。\"Buttoshowhewasnothopelesslycredulous，andtokeepHemingwayfrominvolvinghimselfdeeper，hehintedtactfully：\"Maybetheynoticedyoucameashorewithonlyonesteamertrunkandnogun-cases。\"
\"Oh，that\'seasilyexplained，\"laughedHemingway。\"Myheavyluggage——\"
Theconsulhadreachedhishouseandhis\"boy\"waspoundinguponitwithhisheavystaff。
\"Pleasedon\'texplaintome，\"hebegged。\"It\'squiteunnecessary。
Downherewe\'resodarnedgladtoseeanywhitemanthatwedon\'taskanythingofhimexceptthathewon\'thurryaway。Wejudgethemastheybehavethemselveshere；wedon\'tcarewhattheyareathomeorwhytheyleftit。\"
Hemingwaywashighlyamused。Tofindthathe，arespectable，sport-lovingHemingwayofMassachusetts，shouldbemistakenforagun-runner，slave-dealer，orescapingcashiergreatlydelightedhim。
\"Allright！\"heexclaimed。\"I\'llpromisenottoboreyouwithmypast，andIagreetobejudgedbyZanzibarstandards。IonlyhopeIcanliveuptothem，forIseeIamgoingtoliketheplaceverymuch。\"
Hemingwaykepthispromise。Heborednoonewithconfidencesastohisancestors。Ofhispasthemadeapointnevertospeak。Hepreferredthatthelittlecommunityintowhichhehaddroppedshouldremainunenlightened，shouldtakehimastheyfoundhim。
Ofthefactthatacollegewasnamedafterhisgrandfatherandthatonhisfather\'srailroadhecouldtravelthroughmanyStates，hewasdiscreetlysilent。
ThemenofZanzibaraskednoquestions。ThatHemingwaycouldplayastiffgameoftennis，astiffergameofpoker，and，onthepiano，songsfromhomewastothemsufficientrecommendation。InaweekhehadbecomeoneofthemostpopularmembersofZanzibarsociety。Itwasasthoughhehadlivedtherealways。Hemingwayfoundhimselfreachingouttograspthewarmthoftheplaceasaflowerturnstothesun。Hediscoveredthatforthirtyyearssomethinginhimhadbeencheated。
Forthirtyyearshehadbelievedthatcompletelytosatisfyhissoulallheneededwasthegraystonewallsandthegray-shingledcabinsunderthegrayskiesofNewEngland，thatwhatinnaturehemostlovedwasthepineforestsandthefieldsofgoldenrodontherock-boundcoastoftheNorthShore。Butnow，likeamanescapedfromprison，heleapedanddancedintheglaringsunlightoftheequator，herevelledintherecklessgenerosityofnature，inthegloriousconfusionofcolors，inthe\"bloomingblue\"oftheIndianOcean，intheArabiannightsspentuponthehousetopsunderthepurplesky，andbeneathsilverstarssonearthathecouldtouchthemwithhishand。
Hefounditlikebeingperpetuallyinacomicoperaandplayingapartinone。Foronlythescenicartistwoulddaretopainthousesinsuchyellow，pink，andcobalt-blue；onlya\"producer\"whohadneverventuredfartherfromBroadwaythantheAtlanticCityboardwalkwouldhaveconceivedcostumessomadandsomagnificent。InstinctivelyhecastthepeopleofZanzibarintheconventionalrolesofmusicalcomedy。
Hischoruseswerealreadyinwaiting。TherewastheSultan\'sbody-guardingold-lacedturbans，themerchantsofthebazaarsinredfezzesandgownsofflowingsilk，theMalaysailorsinblue，theblacknativepoliceinscarlet，theladiesoftheharemscloselyveiledandcloaked，themarketwomeninasinglegarmentoforange，orscarlet，orpurple，orofallthree，andthehappy，hilariousZanzibariboysinthecolorGodgavethem。
Forhourshewouldsitundertheyellow-and-greenawningoftheGreekhotelandwatchtheprocessionpass，orhewouldlieunderanumbrellaonthebeachandlaughastheboatmenliftedtheirpassengerstotheirshouldersandwiththemsplashthroughthebreakers，orinthebazaarsforhourshewouldbargainwiththeIndianmerchants，orinthegreatmahoganyhalloftheIvoryHouse，tothewhisperofapunkaandthetinkleoficeinatallglass，listentotalesofArabraids，ofelephantpoachers，ofthetradeinwhiteandblackivory，ofthegreatexplorerswhohadsatinthatsameroom——ofEminPasha，ofLivingstone，ofStanley。Hiscomicoperalackedonlyaheroineandtheloveinterest。
WhenhemetMrs。Adairhefoundboth。PollyAdair，aseveryonewhodaredtodosopreferredtocallher，was，likehimself，anAmericanand，thoughabsurdlyyoung，awidow。IntheStatesshewouldhavebeencalledanextremelyprettygirl。Inacommunitywherethefewdozenwhitewomenhadwiltedandfadedinthefiercesunoftheequator，andwheretherestofthewomenwerejetblackexcepttheirteeth，whichweredyedanalluringpurple，PollyAdairwasasbeautifulasaJunemorning。Atleast，soHemingwaythoughtthefirsttimehesawher，andeachsucceedingtimehethoughthermorebeautiful，morelovely，moretobeloved。
Hemether，threedaysafterhisarrival，attheresidenceoftheBritishagentandconsul-general，whereLadyFirthwasgivingteatothesixnursesfromtheEnglishhospitalandtoalltheotherrespectablemembersofZanzibarsociety。
\"Myhusband\'stypist，\"saidherladyshipasshehelpedHemingwaytotea，\"isacopatriotofyours。She\'ssuchanicegell；notabitlikeanAmerican。Idon\'tknowwhatI\'ddointhisawfulplacewithouther。
Promiseme，\"shebeggedtragically，\"youwillnotaskhertomarryyou。\"
Unconsciousofhisfate，Hemingwaypromised。
\"Becauseallthemendo，\"sighedLadyFirth，\"andIneverknowwhatmorningoneofthewretcheswon\'tcarryherofftoahomeofherown。Andthenwhatwouldbecomeofme？Menaresoselfish！
Ifyoumustfallinlove，\"suggestedherladyship，\"promisemeyouwillfallinlovewith\"——shepausedinnocentlyandraisedbaby-blueeyes，inababy-likestare——\"withsomeoneelse。\"
AgainHemingwaypromised。Hebowedgallantly。\"Thatwillbequiteeasy，\"hesaid。
Herladyshipsmiled，butHemingwaydidnotseethesmile。Hewaslookingpastheratagirlfromhome，whocameacrosstheterracecarryinginherhandastenographer\'snote-book。
LadyFirthfollowedthedirectionofhiseyesandsawthelookinthem。Sheexclaimedwithdismay：
\"Already！Alreadyhedesertsme，evenbeforetheinkisdryonthepaper。\"
Shedrewthenote-bookfromMrs。Adair\'sfingersanddroppeditunderthetea-table。
\"Lettersmustwait，mychild，\"shedeclared。
\"ButSirGeorge——\"protestedthegirl。
\"SirGeorgemustwait，too，\"continuedhiswife；\"theForeignOfficemustwait，theBritishEmpiremustwaituntilyouhavehadyourtea。\"
Thegirllaughedhelplessly。Asthoughassuredherfellowcountrymanwouldcomprehend，sheturnedtohim。
\"They\'resoexactlylikewhatyouwantthemtobe，\"shesaid——\"I
meanabouttheirtea！\"
HemingwaysmiledbackwithsuchintimateunderstandingthatLadyFirthglancedupinquiringly。
\"HaveyoumetMrs。Adairalready？\"sheasked。
\"No，\"saidHemingway，\"butIhavebeentryingtomeetherforthirtyyears。\"
Perplexed，theEnglishwomanfrowned，andthen，withdelightatherownperspicuity，laughedaloud。
\"Iknow，\"shecried，\"inyourcountryyouarewhattheycalla\'hustler\'！Isthatright？\"Shewavedthemaway。\"TakeMrs。Adairoverthere，\"shecommanded，\"andtellherallthenewsfromhome。
Tellherabouttherailroadaccidentsand\'washouts\'andthelatestthinginlynching。\"
Theyoungpeoplestretchedoutinlongwickerchairsintheshadeofatreecoveredwithpurpleflowers。Onaperchatonesideofthemanorang-outanginasteelbeltwascombingthewhiskersofherinfantdaughter；attheirfeetwhatlookedliketwochowpuppies，butwhichhappenedtobeLadyFirth\'spetlions，werechewingeachother\'stoothlessgums；andintheimmediateforegroundthehospitalnursesweredefyingthesunattenniswhiletheSultan\'sbandplayedselectionsfromaGaietysuccessofmanyyearsinthepast。Withthesesurroundingsitwasdifficulttotalkofhome。Noronanylateroccasions，exceptthroughinadvertence，didtheytalkofhome。
Forthereasonsalreadystated，itamusedHemingwaytovolunteernoconfidences。OnaccountofwhatthatsameeveningHarristoldhimofMrs。Adair，heaskednone。
Harrishimselfwasayoungmaninnowayinclinedtowithholdconfidences。Heenjoyedgivingoutinformation。Heenjoyedtalkingabouthimself，hisduties，theotherconsuls，theZanzibaris，andhisnativeStateofIowa。Solongashewaspermittedtotalk，thelistenercouldselectthesubject。But，combinedwithhisloquacity，Hemingwayhadfoundhimkind-hearted，intelligent，observing，andthecallofacommoncountryhadgotthemquicklytogether。
Hemingwaywasquiteconsciousthatthegirlhehadseenbutoncehadimpressedhimoutofallproportiontowhatheknewofher。
Sheseemedtoogoodtobetrue。Andhetriedtopersuadehimselfthataftereightmonthsinthehinterlandamonghipposandzebrasanyreasonablyattractivegirlwouldhaveprovedequallydisturbing。
Buthewasnotconvinced。Hedidnotwishtobeconvinced。HeassuredhimselfthathadhemetMrs。Adairathomeamonghundredsofothershewouldhaverecognizedherasawomanofexceptionalcharacter，asoneespeciallycharming。Hewantedtojustifythisideaofher；hewantedtotalkofMrs。AdairtoHarris，nottolearnmoreconcerningher，butjustforthepleasureofspeakinghername。
Hewasmuchupsetatthat，andthediscoverythatonmeetingawomanforthefirsttimehestillcouldbesoboyishlyandingenuouslymovedgreatlypleasedhim。Itwasamostdelightfulsecret。Soheactedontheprinciplethatwhenamanimmenselyadmiresawomanandwishestoconcealthatfactfromeveryoneelsehecanbestdosobydeclaringhisadmirationinthefrankestandmostopenmanner。Afterthetea-party，asHarrisandhimselfsatintheconsulate，hesoexpressedhimself。
\"Whatanextraordinarynicegirl，\"heexclaimed，\"isthatMrs。Adair！
Ihadalongtalkwithher。Sheismostcharming。Howeverdidawomanlikethatcometobeinaplacelikethis？\"
Judgingfromhismanner，itseemedtoHemingwaythatatthementionofMrs。Adair\'snamehehadfoundHarrismentallyonguard，asthoughtheconsulhadguessedthequestionwouldcomeandhadpreparedforit。
\"Shejustdroppedinhereoneday，\"saidHarris，\"fromnoplaceinparticular。Personally，Ialwayshavethoughtfromheaven。\"
\"It\'sagoodaddress，\"saidHemingway。
\"Itseemstosuither，\"theconsulagreed。\"Anyway，ifshedoesn\'tcomefromthere，that\'swhereshe\'sgoing——justonaccountofthegoodshe\'sdoneuswhileshe\'sbeenhere。Shearrivedfourmonthsagowithatypewriting-machineandletterstomefromourconsulsinCapeTownandDurban。Shehaddonesometypewritingforthem。Itseemsthatafterherhusbanddied，whichwasafewmonthsaftertheyweremarried，shelearnedtomakeherlivingbytypewriting。Sheworkedtoohardandbrokedown，andthedoctorsaidshemustgotohotcountries，the\'hotterthebetter。\'Soshe\'sworkedherwayhalfaroundtheworldtypewriting。SheworkedchieflyforherownconsulsorfortheAmericancommissionhouses。Sometimesshestayedamonth，sometimesonlyoveronesteamerday。ButwhenshegothereLadyFirthtooksuchafancytoherthatshemadeSirGeorgeengageherashisprivatesecretary，andshe\'sbeenhereeversince。\"
InacommunitysosmallaswasthatofZanzibarthewhiteresidentssawoneanothereveryday，andwithinaweekHemingwayhadmetMrs。Adairmanytimes。Hemetheratdinner，attheBritishagency；
hemetherinthecountryclub，wherethewhiteexilesgatheredforteaandtennis。Hehiredalaunchandinherhonorgaveapicniconthenorthcoastoftheisland，andonthreegloriousandmemorablenights，afterdifferentdinner-partieshadascendedtotheroof，hesatathersideandacrossthewhitelevelofthehousetopslookeddownintothemoonlitharbor。
Whatinterestthetwoyoungpeoplefeltineachotherwasinnowaydiscouragedbytheirsurroundings。Inthetropicsthetenderemotionsarenotwinterkilled。Hadtheymetathome，theconventions，hisownwork，hersocialdutieswouldhavekepttheprogressoftheirinterestwithinacertainspeedlimit。Buttheywereinaplacefreeofconventions，andtheprecedingeightmonthswhichHemingwayhadspentinthejungleandontheplainhadmadethesocietyofhisfellowman，andofMrs。Adairinparticular，especiallyattractive。
Hemingwayhadnoworktooccupyhistime，andheplaceditunreservedlyatthedispositionofhiscountrywoman。IndoingsoitcouldnotbesaidthatMrs。Adairencouragedhim。Hemingwayhimselfwouldhavebeenthefirsttoacknowledgethis。Fromthedayhemetherhewasconsciousthatalwaystherewasanintangiblebarrierbetweenthem。Evenbeforeshepossiblycouldhaveguessedthathisinterestinherwasmorethanevenshe，attractiveasshewas，hadtherighttoexpect，shehadwrappedaroundherselfaninvisiblemantleofdefense。
Therewerecertainspeechesofhiswhichsheneverheard，certaintonestowhichsheneverresponded。Atmomentswhenhewascomplimentinghimselfthatatlastshewascontenttobeinhiscompany，shewouldsuddenlyriseandjointheothers，andhewouldbeleftwonderinginwhatwayhecouldpossiblyhaveoffended。
Heassuredhimselfthatawoman，youngandattractive，inastrangelandinherdependentpositionmustofnecessitybediscreet，butinhisconducttherecertainlyhadbeennothingthatwasnotconsiderate，courteous，andstraightforward。
Whenheappreciatedthathecaredforherseriously，thathewasgloriouslyhappyincaring，andproudofthewayinwhichhecared，thefactthatshepersistentlyheldhimatarm\'slengthpuzzledandhurt。Atfirstwhenhehaddeliberatelysettoworktomakeherlikehimhewasgladtothinkthat，owingtohisreticenceabouthimself，ifshedidlikehimitwouldbeforhimselfaloneandnotforhisworldlygoods。ButwhenheknewherbetterheunderstoodthatifonceMrs。Adairmadeuphermindtotakeasecondhusband，thefactthathewasasocialandfinancialsomebody，andnot，asmanyinZanzibarsupposedHemingwaytobe，asocialoutcast，wouldmakebutlittledifference。
Norwashermannertobeexplainedbythefactthatthemajorityofwomenfoundhimunattractive。Astothat，thepleasantburdenofhisexperiencewastothecontrary。Heatlastwonderediftherewassomeoneelse，ifhehadcomeintoherlifetoolate。
Hesetaboutlookingforthemanandso，hebelieved，hesoonfoundhim。
Ofthelittlecolony，ArthurFearingwasthemanofwhomHemingwayhadseentheleast。ThatwassobecauseFearingwishedit。Likehimself，FearingwasanAmerican，young，andabachelor，but，verymuchunlikeHemingway，ahermitandarecluse。
TwoyearsbeforehehadcometoZanzibarlookingforaninvestmentforhismoney。InZanzibarthereweregentlemenadventurersofeverycountry，whowerewelcometoliveinanycountrysavetheirown。
TothemMr。Fearingseemedaheaven-sentvictim。Buttohimtheiralluringtalesofthefortunesthatweretorisefromburiedtreasures，lostmines，andpearlbedsdidnotappeal。Insteadheconferredwiththeconsuls，theresponsiblemerchants，thepartnersintheprosperoustradinghouses。Afteramonthof\"lookingaround\"hehadpurchasedoutrightthegoodwillandstockofoneoftheoldestofthecommissionhouses，andsoonshowedhimselftobeamostcapablemanofbusiness。But，exceptasamanofbusiness，nooneknewhim。Fromthedimrecessesofhiswarehousehepassedeachdaytotheseclusionofhisbungalowinthecountry。And，althougheveryonewasfriendlytohim，hemadenofriends。
ItwasonlyafterthearrivalofMrs。Adairthatheconsentedtoshowhimself，anditwassoonnotedthatitwasonlywhenshewasinvitedthathewouldappear，andthatontheseoccasionshedevotedhimselfentirelytoher。Inthepresenceofothers，hestillwasshy，gravelypolite，andspeakingbutlittle，andneverofhimself；butwithMrs。Adairhisshynessseemedtoleavehim，andwhenwithherhewasseentotalkeasilyandeagerly。And，onherpart，towhathesaid，PollyAdairlistenedwithseriousinterest。
LadyFirth，who，athome，wasatrainedandsuccessfulmatch-maker，andwho，inZanzibar，hadfoundbutalimitedfieldforheractivities，decidedthatifhercompanionandprotegeemustmarry，sheshouldmarryFearing。
Fearingwasnogentlemanadventurer，remittance-man，orhumbleclerkservinghisapprenticeshiptoasteamshiplineoranivoryhouse。HewasoneofthepillarsofZanzibarsociety。Thetradinghousehehadpurchasedhadhaditsbeginningsintheslave-trade，andnowunderhisalertdirectionwasmakingaturnoverequaltothatofanyofitsancientrivals。Personally，Fearingwasamostdesirablecatch。Hewaswell-mannered，well-read，ofgoodappearance，steady，and，inalatitudeonlysixdegreesremovedfromtheequator，ofimpeccablemorals。
Itissaidthatitisthepersonwhoisinlovewhoalwaysisthefirsttodiscoverhissuccessfulrival。Itiseitheraninstinctorbecausehisconcernisdeeperthanthatofothers。
Andso，whenHemingwaysoughtfortheinfluencethatseparatedhimfromPollyAdair，thetrailledtoFearing。Tofindthattheobstacleinthepathofhistruelovewasamangreatlyrelievedhim。HehadfearedthatwhatwasinthethoughtsofMrs。Adairwasthememoryofherdeadhusband。Hehadnodesiretocrossswordswithaghost。Buttoalivingrivalhecouldaffordtobegenerous。
ForhewassurenoonecouldcareforPollyAdairashecared，and，likeeveryothermaninlove，hebelievedthathealonehaddiscoveredinherbeautiesofsoulandcharacterthattotherestofmankindwerehidden。Thisknowledge，heassuredhimself，hadarousedinhimadepthofdevotionnooneelsecouldhopetoimitate，andthisdepthofdevotionwouldintimesoimpressher，wouldbecomesonecessarytoherexistence，thatitwouldforceheratlastintothearmsoftheonlymanwhocouldofferit。
Havingsatisfiedhimselfinthisfashion，hecontinuedcheerfullyonhisway，andthepresenceofarivalinnowaydiscouragedhim。ItonlywasPollyAdairwhodiscouragedhim。Andthis，inspiteofthefactthateveryhourofthedayhetriedtobringhimselfpleasantlytohernotice。Allthatanidleyoungmaninlove，aidedandabettedbyimaginationandanunlimitedletterofcredit，coulddo，Hemingwaydid。Buttonoend。
Thetreasureshedugoutofthebazaarsandpresentedtoher，underfalsepretensesastrinketshehappenedatthatmomenttofindinhispockets，wereadmiredbyherattheirowngreatvalue，andreturnedalsounderfalsepretenses，ashavingbeenofferedheronlytoexamine。
\"Itisforyoursisterathome，Isuppose，\"sheprompted。\"It\'squitelovely。Thankyouforlettingmeseeit。\"
Afterhavingbeenseveraltimesseverelysnubbedinthisfashion，Hemingwayremarkedgrimlyasheputablackpearlbackintohispocket：
\"AtthisratesisterwillbemightygladtoseemewhenIgethome。ItseemsalmostapityIhaven\'tgotasister。\"
Thegirlansweredthisonlywithagravesmile。
OnanotheroccasionsheadmiredapoloponythathadbeenimportedforthestableoftheboySultan。ButnextmorningHemingway，aftermuchdiplomacy，becametheownerofitandproudlyrodeittotheagency。LadyFirthandPollyAdairwalkedouttomeethimarminarm，butatsightoftheponytherecameintotheeyesofthesecretaryalookthatcausedHemingwaytowishhimselfandhismountmanymilesinthejungle。Hesawthatbeforeithadbeenproffered，hisgift-horsehadbeenrejected。
Heactedpromptly。
\"LadyFirth，\"hesaid，\"you\'vebeensoawfullykindtome，madethisplacesolikeahometome，thatIwantyoutoputthismareinyourstable。TheSultanwantedher，butwhenhelearnedImeanttoturnherovertoyou，helethergo。Webothhopeyou\'llaccept。\"
LadyFirthhadnoscruples。Infiveminutesshehadaccepted，hadclappedaside-saddleonherrichgift，andwascanteringjoyouslydownthePearlRoad。
PollyAdairlookedafterherwithanexpressionthatwasdistinctlywistful。Thusencouraged，Hemingwaysaid：
\"I\'mgladyouaresorry。Ihopeeverytimeyouseethatponyyou\'llbesorry。\"
\"WhyshouldIbesorry？\"askedthegirl。
\"Becauseyouhavebeenunkind，\"saidHemingway，\"anditisnotyourcharactertobeunkind。Andthatyouhaveshownlackofcharacteroughttomakeyousorry。\"
\"Butyouknowperfectlywell，\"saidMrs。Adair，\"thatifIweretotakeanyoneofthesewonderfulthingsyoubringme，Iwouldn\'thaveanycharacterleft。\"
Shesmiledathimreassuringly。\"Andyouknow，\"sheadded，\"thatthatisnotwhyIdonottakethem。Itisn\'tbecauseIcan\'taffordto，orbecauseIdon\'twantthem，becauseIdo；butit\'sbecauseIdon\'tdeservethem，becauseIcangiveyounothinginreturn。\"
\"Asthecopy-booksays，\"returnedHemingway，\"\'thepleasureisinthegiving。\'Ifthecopy-bookdon\'tsaythat，Ido。Andtopretendthatyougivemenothing，thatisridiculous！\"
Itwassoridiculousthatherushedonvehemently。\"Why，everyminuteyougivemesomething，\"heexclaimed。\"Justtoseeyou，justtoknowyouarealive，justtobecertainwhenIturninatnightthatwhentheworldwakesupagainyouwillstillbeapartofit；thatiswhatyougiveme。Anditsnameis——Happiness！\"
Hehadbegunquiteinnocently；hehadhadnoideathatitwouldcome。Buthehadsaidit。Asclearlyasthoughhehaddroppedupononeknee，laidhishandoverhisheartandexclaimed：\"Mostbeautifulofyoursex，Iloveyou！Willyoumarryme？\"Hiseyesandthetoneofhisvoicehadsaidit。Andheknewthathehadsaidit，andthatsheknew。
Hereyeswerefilledwithsuddentears，andsowonderfulwasthelightinthemthatforonemadmomentHemingwaythoughttheyweretearsofhappiness。Butthelightdied，andwhathadbeentearsbecameonlywetdropsofwater，andhesawtohisdismaythatshewasmostmiserable。
Thegirlmovedaheadofhimtothecliffonwhichtheagencystood，andwhichoverhungtheharborandtheIndianOcean。Hereyeswerefilledwithtrouble。Assheraisedthemtohistheybeggedofhimtobekind。
\"Iamgladyoutoldme，\"shesaid。\"Ihavebeenafraiditwascoming。ButuntilyoutoldmeIcouldnotsayanything。Itriedtostopyou。Iwasrudeandunkind——\"
\"Youcertainlywere，\"Hemingwayagreedcheerfully。\"Andthemoreyouwouldhavenothingtodowithme，themoreIadmiredyou。AndthenIlearnedtoadmireyoumore，andthentoloveyou。ItseemsnowasthoughIhadalwaysknownandalwayslovedyou。Andnowthisiswhatwearegoingtodo。\"
Hewouldn\'tletherspeak；herushedonprecipitately。
\"Wearefirstgoinguptothehousetogetyourtypewriting-machine，andwewillbringitbackhereandhurlitasfaraswecanoffthiscliff。
Iwanttoseethesplash！Iwanttohearitsmashwhenithitsthatrock。
Ithasbeenmyworstenemy，becauseithelpedyoutobeindependentofme，becauseitkeptyoufromme。Timeaftertime，ontheveranda，whenIwaspretendingtolistentoLadyFirth，Iwaslisteningtothatdamnedmachinebangingandcomplainingandtiringyourprettyfingersandyourdeareyes。Sofirstithasgottogo。Youhavebeenitsslave，nowIamgoingtobeyourslave。Youhaveonlytorubthelampandthingswillhappen。AndbecauseI\'vetoldyounothingaboutmyself，youmustn\'tthinkthatthemoneythathelpstomakethemhappenis\'tainted。\'Itisn\'t。NoramI，normyfather，normyfather\'sfather。Iamaskingyoutomarryaperfectlyrespectableyoungman。And，whenyoudo——\"
Againhegavehernoopportunitytointerrupt，butrushedonimpetuously：\"Wewillsailawayacrossthatoceantowhereveryouwilltakeme。ToCeylonandTokioandSanFrancisco，toNaplesandNewYork，toGreeceandAthens。Theyareallnear。Theyareallyours。Willyouacceptthemandme？\"Hesmiledappealingly，butmostmiserably。Forthoughhehadspokenlightlyandwithconfidence，itwastoconcealthefactthathewasnotatallconfident。
Ashehadreadinhereyesherrefusalofhispony，hehadread，evenashespoke，herrefusalofhimself。Whenheceasedspeakingthegirlanswered：
\"IfIsaythatwhatyoutellmemakesmeproud，Iamsayingtoolittle。\"
Sheshookherheadfirmly，withanairoffinalitythatfrightenedHemingway。\"Butwhatyouask——whatyousuggestisimpossible。\"
\"Youdon\'tlikeme？\"saidHemingway。
\"Ilikeyouverymuch，\"returnedthegirl，\"and，ifIdon\'tseemunhappythatitcan\'tbe，itisbecauseIalwayshaveknownitcan\'tbe——\"
\"Whycan\'titbe？\"rebelledHemingway。\"Idon\'tmeanthatIcan\'tunderstandyournotwantingtomarryme，butifIknewyourobjection，maybe，Icouldbeatitdown。\"
Again，withthesameairoffinality，thegirlmovedherheadslowly，asthoughconsideringeachword；shebegancautiously。
\"Icannottellyouthereason，\"shesaid，\"becauseitdoesnotconcernonlymyself。\"
\"Ifyoumeanyoucareforsomeoneelse，\"pleadedHemingway，\"thatdoesnotfrightenmeatall。\"Itdidfrightenhimextremely，but，believingthatafaintheartneverwonanything，hepretendedtobebrave。
\"Foryou，\"heboasted，\"Iwouldgodownintothegraveasdeepasanyman。Hethathathmorelethimgive。IknowwhatIoffer。I
knowIloveyouasnootherman——\"
Thegirlbackedawayfromhimasthoughhehadstruckher。\"Youmustnotsaythat，\"shecommanded。
Forthefirsttimehesawthatshewasmoved，thatthefingersshelacedandunlacedweretrembling。\"Itisfinal！\"exclaimedthegirl。\"Icannotmarry——you，oranyone。I——Ihavepromised。
Iamnotfree。\"
\"Nothingintheworldisfinal，\"returnedHemingwaysharply，\"exceptdeath。\"Heraisedhishatand，asthoughtoleaveher，movedaway。Notbecauseheadmitteddefeat，butbecausehefeltthatforthepresenttocontinuemightlosehimthechancetofightagain。But，todeliveranultimatum，heturnedback。
\"Aslongasyouarealive，andIamalive，\"hetoldher，\"allthingsarepossible。Idon\'tgiveuphope。Idon\'tgiveupyou。\"
Thegirlexclaimedwithagestureofdespair。\"Hewon\'tunderstand！\"
shecried。
Hemingwayadvancedeagerly。
\"Helpmetounderstand，\"hebegged。
\"Youwon\'tunderstand，\"explainedthegirl，\"thatIamspeakingthetruth。Youarerightthatthingscanchangeinthefuture，butnothingcanchangethepast。Can\'tyouunderstandthat？\"
\"WhatdoIcareforthepast？\"criedtheyoungmanscornfully。\"I
knowyouaswellasthoughIhadknownyouforathousandyearsandIloveyou。\"
Thegirlflushedcrimson。
\"Notmypast，\"shegasped。\"Imeant——\"
\"Idon\'tcarewhatyoumeant，\"saidHemingway。\"I\'mnotpryingintoyourlittlesecrets。Iknowonlyonething——twothings，thatIloveyouandthat，untilyouloveme，Iamgoingtomakeyourlifehell！\"
Hecaughtatherhands，andforaninstantshelethimclasptheminbothofhis，whileshelookedathim。
Somethinginherface，otherthandistressandpity，causedhishearttoleap。Buthewastoowisetospeak，and，thatshemightnotreadthehopeinhiseyes，turnedquicklyandlefther。Hehadnotcrossedthegroundsoftheagencybeforehehadmadeuphismindastothereasonforherrepellinghim。
\"SheisengagedtoFearing！\"hetoldhimself。\"ShehaspromisedtomarryFearing！Shethinksthatitistoolatetoconsideranotherman！\"Theprospectofafightforthewomanhelovedthrilledhimgreatly。Hislowerjawsetpugnaciously。
\"I\'llshowherit\'snottoolate，\"hepromisedhimself。\"I\'llshowherwhichofusisthemantomakeherhappy。And，ifIamnottheman，I\'lltakethefirstoutboundsteamerandtroublethemnomore。
Butbeforethathappens，\"healsopromisedhimself，\"Fearingmustshowheisthebetterman。\"
Inspiteofhisbravewords，inspiteofhisdetermination，withinthedayHemingwayhadwithdrawninfavorofhisrival，and，ontheCrownPrinceEitel，boundforGenoaandNewYork，hadbookedhispassagehome。
OntheafternoonofthesamedayhehadspokentoPollyAdair，Hemingwayatthesunsethourbetookhimselftotheconsulate。Atthathourithadbecomehiscustomtovisithisfellowcountrymanandwithhimsharethegossipofthedayandsuchacocktailasonlyafellowcountrymancouldcompose。LaterhewastodineatthehouseoftheIvoryCompanyand，ashisheartneverceasedtellinghim，Mrs。Adairalsowastobepresent。
\"Itwillbeaverypleasantparty，\"saidHarris。\"Theygavemeabid，too，butit\'ssteamerdayto-morrow，andI\'vegottogetmymailreadyfortheCrownPrinceEitel。Mrs。Adairistobethere。\"
Hemingwaynodded，andwithpleasantanticipationwaited。OfMrs。
Adair，Harrisalwaysspokewithreverententhusiasm，andthemanwholovedherdelightedtolisten。ButthistimeHarrisdisappointedhim。
\"AndFearing，too，\"headded。
AgainHemingwaynodded。Theconjunctionofthetwonamessurprisedhim，buthemadenosign。LoquaciousasheknewHarristobe，heneverbeforehadheardhisfriendevensuggestthesubjectthattoZanzibarhadbecomeofacuteinterest。
Harrisfilledthetwoglasses，andbegantopacetheroom。Whenhespokeitwasintheaggrievedtoneofonewhofeelshimselfplacedinafalseposition。
\"There\'snoone，\"hecomplainedsuddenly，\"sopopularlyunpopularasthemanwhobuttsin。Iknowthat，butstillI\'vealwaystakenhisside。I\'vealwaysbeenforhim。\"Hehalted，straddlingwithlegsapartandhandsdeepinhistrouserspockets，andfrowneddownuponhisguest。
\"Suppose，\"hebeganaggressively，\"Iseeamandrivinghiscaroveracliff。IfItellhimthatroadwilltakehimoveracliff，theworstthatcanhappentomeistobetoldtomindmyownbusiness，andIcanalwaysanswerback：\'Iwasonlytryingtohelpyou。\'IfIdon\'tspeak，themanbreakshisneck。Betweenthetwo，itseemstome，soonerthanhaveanyone\'slifeonmyhands，I\'dratherbetoldtomindmyownbusiness。\"
Hemingwaystaredintohisglass。Hisexpressionwasdistinctlydisapproving，but，undismayed，theconsulcontinued。
\"Now，weallknowthatthismorningyougavethatpoloponytoLadyFirth，andoneofusguessesthatyoufirstofferedittosomeoneelse，whorefusedit。Oneofusthinksthatverysoon，to-morrow，orevento-night，atthispartyyoumayofferthatsamepersonsomethingelse，somethingworthmorethanapolopony，andthatifsherefusesthat，itisgoingtobreakyouallup，isgoingtohurtyoufortherestofyourlife。\"
Liftinghiseyesfromhisglass，Hemingwayshotathisfriendaglanceofwarning。Inhaste，Harriscontinued：
\"Iknow，\"heprotested，answeringthelook，\"IknowthatthisiswhereMr。Buttinskyistoldtomindhisbusiness。ButI\'mgoingrighton。I\'mgoingtostateahypotheticalcasewithnonamesmentionedandnoquestionsasked，oranswered。I\'mgoingtostateatheory，andletyoudrawyourowndeductions。\"
Heslidintoachair，andacrossthetablefastenedhiseyesonthoseofhisfriend。Confidentlyandundisturbed，butwithawrysmileofdislike，Hemingwaystaredfixedlybackathim。
\"What，\"demandedHarris，\"isthefirstruleindetectivework？\"
Hemingwaystarted。Hewaspreparedforsomethingunpleasant，butnotforthatparticularformofunpleasantness。Buthisfaithwasunshaken，andhesmiledconfidently。Helettheconsulanswerhisownquestion。
\"Itistofollowthewoman，\"declaredHarris。\"And，accordingly，whatshouldbethefirstprecautionofamanmakinghisget-away？
Toseethatthewomandoesnotfollow。Butsupposewearedealingwithafugitiveofespecialintelligence，withacriminalwhohasimaginationandbrains？Hemightfixitsothatthewomancouldfollowhimwithoutgivinghimaway，hemightplanitsothatnoonewouldsuspect。Shemightarriveathishiding-placeonlyaftermanymonths，onlyaftereachhadmadeseparatelyalongcircuitoftheglobe，onlyafterajourneywithaplausibleandlegitimateobject。
Shewouldarrivedisguisedineveryway，andtheywouldmeetastotalstrangers。And，asstrangersundertheeyesofothers，theywouldbecomeacquainted，wouldgraduallygrowmorefriendly，wouldbeseenmorefrequentlytogether，untilatlastpeoplewouldsay：\'Thosetwomeantomakeamatchofit。\'Andthen，oneday，openly，inthesightofallmen，withtheaidofthelawandthechurch，theywouldresumethoserelationsthatexistedbeforethemanranawayandthewomanfollowed。\"
Therewasashortsilence。
Hemingwaybrokeitinatonethatwouldacceptnodenial。
\"Youcan\'ttalklikethattome，\"hecried。\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
Withoutresentment，theconsulregardedhimwithgravesolicitude。
Hislookwasoneofrealaffection，and，althoughhistoneheldtheabsolutefinalityofthefamilyphysicianwhodeliversasentenceofdeath，hespokewithgentlenessandregret。
\"Imean，\"hesaid，\"thatMrs。Adairisnotawidow，thatthemanshespeaksofasherlatehusbandisnotdead；thatthatmanisFearing！\"
Hemingwayfeltafraid。Amonthbeforearhinoceroshadchargedhimandhaddroppedathisfeet。Atanothertimeawoundedlionesshadleapedintohispathandcrouchedtospring。Thenhehadnotbeenafraid。Thenhehadaimedasconfidentlyasthoughhewerefiringatastrawtarget。Butnowhefeltrealfear：fearofsomethinghedidnotcomprehend，ofasituationhecouldnotmaster，ofanadversaryasstrongasFate。Byawordsomethinghadbeensnatchedfromhimthathenowknewwasasdeartohimaslife，thatwaslife，thatwaswhatmadeitworthcontinuing。Andhecoulddonothingtopreventit；hecouldnothelphimself。Hewasasimpotentastheprisonerwhohearsthejudgebanishhimintoexile。Hetriedtoadjusthismindtothecalamity。Buthismindrefused。Aseasilyaswithhisfingeramancanblocktheswingofapendulumandhalttheprogressoftheclock，Harriswithawordhadbroughttheentireworldtoafullstop。
Andthen，abovehishead，Hemingwayheardthelazywhisperofthepunka，andfromtheharbortheraucouswhistleoftheCrownPrinceEitel，signallingherentrance。Theworldhadnotstopped；forthepunka-boy，forthecaptainoftheGermansteamer，forHarrisseatedwithfaceaverted，theworldwasstillgoinggaylyandbusilyforward。
Onlyforhimhaditstopped。
InspiteoftheconfidenttoneinwhichHarrishadspoken，inspiteofthefactthatunlessheknewitwasthetruth，hewouldnothavespoken，Hemingwaytriedtourgehimselftobelievetherehadbeensomehideous，absurderror。Butinanswercamebacktohimsnatchesoftalkorphrasesthegirlhadlastaddressedtohim：\"Youcancommandthefuture，butyoucannotchangethepast。Icannotmarryyou，oranyone！Iamnotfree！\"
Andthentocomforthimself，hecalledupthelookhehadsurprisedinhereyeswhenhestoodholdingherhandsinhis。Heclungtoit，asadrowningmanwillclutchevenatapieceoffloatingseaweed。
Whenhetriedtospeakhefoundhisvoicechokedandstifled，andthathisdistresswasevident，heknewfromthepityhereadintheeyesofHarris。
Inavoicestrangetohim，heheardhimselfsaying：\"Whydoyouthinkthat？You\'vegottotellme。Ihavearighttoknow。ThismorningIaskedMrs。Adairtomarryme。\"
Theconsulexclaimedwithdismayandsquirmedunhappily。\"I
didn\'tknow，\"heprotested。\"IthoughtIwasintime。Ioughttohavetoldyoudaysago，but——\"
\"Tellmenow，\"commandedHemingway。
\"Iknowitinathousandways，\"beganHarris。
Hemingwayraisedhiseyeshopefully。
Buttheconsulshookhishead。\"Buttoconvinceyou，\"hewenton，\"Ineedtellyouonlyone。Thethousandotherproofsarelookstheyhaveexchanged，sentencesIhavechancedtooverhear，andthateachofthemunknowntotheotherhastoldmeoflittlehappeningsandincidentswhichIfoundwerecommontoboth。Eachhasdescribedthehouseinwhichheorshelived，anditwasthesamehouse。TheyclaimtocomefromdifferentcitiesinNewEngland，theycamefromthesamecity。Theyclaim——\"
\"Thatisnoproof，\"criedHemingway，\"eitherthattheyaremarried，orthatthemanisacriminal。\"
ForamomentHarrisregardedtheotherinsilence。Thenhesaid：
\"You\'remakingitveryhardforme。IseeI\'vegottoshowyou。
It\'skindest，afterall，tocutquick。\"Heleanedfartherforward，andhisvoicedropped。Speakingquickly，hesaid：
\"LastsummerIlivedoutsidethetowninabungalowonthePearlRoad。Fearing\'shousewasnexttomine。ThiswasbeforeMrs。
Adairwenttoliveattheagency，andwhileshewasaloneinanotherbungalowfartherdowntheroad。Iwasillthatsummer；
mynerveswentbackonme。Icouldn\'tsleep。Iusedtositallnightonmyverandaandprayforthesuntorise。FromwhereIsatitwasdarkandnoonecouldseeme，butIcouldseetheverandaofFearing\'shouseandintohisgarden。AndnightafternightIsawMrs。AdaircreepoutofFearing\'shouse，sawhimwalkwithhertothegate，sawhimintheshadowofthebushestakeherinhisarms，andsawthemkiss。\"Thevoiceoftheconsulrosesharply。\"NooneknowsthatbutyouandI，and，\"hecrieddefiantly，\"itisimpossibleforustobelieveillofPollyAdair。Theeasyexplanationwerefuse。Itisintolerable。
AndsoyoumustbelieveasIbelieve；thatwhenshevisitedFearingbynightshewenttohimbecauseshehadtherighttogotohim，becausealreadyshewashiswife。AndnowwheneveryoneherebelievestheymetforthefirsttimeinZanzibar，whennoonewillbesurprisediftheyshouldmarry，theywillgothroughtheceremonyagain，andliveasmanandwife，astheyare，astheywerebeforehefledfromAmerica！\"
Hemingwaywasseatedwithhiselbowsonthetableandhisfaceinhishands。HewassolongsilentthatHarrisstruckthetableroughlywithhispalm。
\"Well，\"hedemanded，\"whydon\'tyouspeak？Doyoudoubther？
Don\'tyoubelievesheishiswife？\"
\"Irefusetobelieveanythingelse！\"saidHemingway。Herose，andslowlyandheavilymovedtowardthedoor。\"AndIwillnottroublethemanymore，\"headded。\"I\'llleaveatsunriseontheEitel。\"
Harrisexclaimedindismay，butHemingwaydidnothearhim。Inthedoorwayhehaltedandturnedback。Fromhisvoicealltraceofemotionhaddeparted。\"Why，\"heaskeddully，\"doyouthinkFearingisafugitive？Notthatitmatterstoher，sincesheloveshim，orthatitmatterstome。OnlyIwouldliketothinkyouwerewrong。Iwanthertohaveonlythebest。\"
Againtheconsulmovedunhappily。
\"Ioughtn\'ttotellyou，\"heprotested，\"andifIdoIoughttotelltheStateDepartment，andadetectiveagencyfirst。Theyhavethecall。
Theywanthim，oramandamnedlikehim。\"Hisvoicedroppedtoawhisper。\"ThemanwantedisHenryBrownell，acashierofabankinWaltham，Mass。，thirty-fiveyearsofage，smooth-shaven，college-bred，speakingwithamarkedNewEnglandaccent，and——andwithothermarksthatfitFearinglikethecoveronabook。ThedepartmentandthePinkertonshavebeendevillingthelifeoutofmeaboutitforninemonths。TheyarepositiveheisonthecoastofAfrica。Iputthemoff。
Iwasn\'tsure。\"
\"You\'vebeenprotectingthem，\"saidHemingway。
\"Iwasn\'tsure，\"reiteratedHarris。\"AndifIwere，thePinkertonscandotheirownsleuthing。Theman\'slivinghonestlynow，anyway，isn\'the？\"
hedemanded；\"andsheloveshim。Atleastshe\'sstuckbyhim。WhyshouldIpunishher？\"
Histoneseemedtochallengeandupbraid。
\"GoodGod！\"criedtheother，\"I\'mnotblamingyou！I\'dbeproudofthechancetodoasmuch。IaskedbecauseI\'dliketogoawaythinkingshe\'scontent，thinkingshe\'shappywithhim。\"
\"Doesn\'titlookasthoughshewere？\"Harrisprotested。\"She\'sfollowedhim——followedhimhalfaroundtheglobe。Ifshe\'dbeenhappierawayfromhim，she\'dhavestayedawayfromhim。\"
Sointenthadbeenthemenupontheirtalkthatneitherhadnotedthepassingoftheminutesor，whatatothertimeswasaneventofmoment，thatthemailsteamerhaddistributedhermailandpassengers；andwhenaservantenteredbearinglamps，andfromtheofficetheconsul\'sclerkappearedwithabundleoflettersfromtheEitel，bothweretakenbysurprise。
\"Solate？\"exclaimedHemingway。\"Imustgo。IfI\'mtosailwiththeEitelatdaybreak，I\'velittletime！\"
Buthedidnotgo。
AsheadvancedtowardHarriswithhishandoutstretchedinadieu，thefaceoftheconsulhaltedhim。Withtheletters，theclerkhadplaceduponthetableavisiting-card，andasitlayinthecircleoflightfromthelamptheconsul，asthoughitwerealiveandmenacing，staredatitinfascination。Movingstiffly，heturneditsothatHemingwaycouldsee。OnitHemingwayread，\"GeorgeS。Sheyer，\"and，onalowerline，\"RepresentingWilliamL。Pinkerton。\"
Tothewomanhelovedthecalamitytheydreadedhadcome，andHemingway，withagroanofdismay，exclaimedaloud：
\"Itistheend！\"
Fromthedarknessoftheouterofficeamansteppedsoftlyintothecircleofthelamp。Theycouldseehisfigureonlyfromthewaistdown；therestofhimwasblurredinshadows。
\"\'Itistheend\'？\"herepeatedinquiringly。Hespokethephrasewithpeculiaremphasis，asthoughtoimpressituponthememoryofthetwoothers。Hisvoicewascool，alert，authoritative。\"Theendofwhat？\"hedemandedsharply。
Thequestionwasmostdifficult。Inthesilencethedetectivemovedintothelight。Hewastallandstronglybuilt，hisfacewasshrewdandintelligent。Hemighthavebeenaprosperousmanofbusiness。
\"Whichofyouistheconsul？\"heasked。ButhedidnottakehiseyesfromHemingway。
\"Iamtheconsul，\"saidHarris。ButstillthedetectivedidnotturnfromHemingway。
\"Why，\"heasked，\"didthisgentleman，whenhereadmycard，say，\'Itistheend\'？Theendofwhat？Hasanythingbeengoingonherethatcametoanendwhenhesawmycard？\"
Disconcerted，indeepembarrassment，Harrisstruggledforaword。
Buthisdistresswasnotobservedbythedetective。Hiseyes，suspiciousandaccusing，stillwerefixeduponHemingway，andundertheirscrutinyHarrissawhisfriendslowlyretreat，slowlycrumpleupintoachair，slowlyraisehishandstocoverhisface。Asthoughinanightmare，heheardhimsayingsavagely：
\"Itistheendoftwoyearsofhell，itistheendoftwoyearsoffearandagony！NowIshallhavepeace。NowIshallsleep！
IthankGodyou\'vecome！IthankGodIcangoback！\"
Harrisbrokethespellbyleapingtohisfeet。Hesprangbetweenthetwomen。
\"Whatdoesthismean？\"hecommanded。
Hemingwayraisedhiseyesandsurveyedhimsteadily。
\"Itmeans，\"hesaid，\"thatIhavedeceivedyou，Harris——thatIamthemanyoutoldmeof，Iamthemantheywant。\"Heturnedtotheofficer。
\"Ifooledhimforfourmonths，\"hesaid。\"Icouldn\'tfoolyouforfiveminutes。\"
Theeyesofthedetectivedancedwithsuddenexcitement，joy，andtriumph。HeshotaneagerglancefromHemingwaytotheconsul。
\"Thisman，\"hedemanded；\"whoishe？\"
WithanimpatientgestureHemingwaysignifiedHarris。
\"Hedoesn\'tknowwhoIam，\"hesaid。\"HeknowsmeasHemingway。
IamHenryBrownell，ofWaltham，Mass。\"Againhisfacesankintothepalmsofhishands。\"AndI\'mtired——tired，\"hemoaned。\"Iamsickofnotknowing，sickofrunningaway。Igivemyselfup。\"
Thedetectivebreathedasighofreliefthatseemedtoissuefromhissoul。
\"MyGod，\"hesighed，\"you\'vegivenmealongchase！I\'vehadelevenmonthsofyou，andI\'massickofthisasyouare。\"Herecoveredhimselfsharply。Asthoughrecitinganincantation，headdressedHemingwayincrisp，emotionlessnotes。
\"HenryBrownell，\"hechanted，\"IarrestyouinthenameofthecommonwealthofMassachusettsfortherobbery，onOctobertheeleventh，nineteenhundredandnine，oftheWalthamTitleandTrustCompany。Iunderstand，\"headded，\"youwaiveextraditionandreturnwithmeofyourownfreewill？\"
Withhisfacestillinhishands，Hemingwaymurmuredassent。Thedetectivesteppedbrisklyanduninvitedtothetableandseatedhimself。
Hewasbeamingwithtriumph，withpleasurableexcitement。
\"Iwanttosendamessagehome，Mr。Consul，\"hesaid。\"MayIuseyourcableblanks？\"
HarriswasstillstandinginthecentreoftheroomlookingdownuponthebowedheadandshouldersofHemingway。Since，inamazement，hehadsprungtowardhim，hehadnotspoken。Andhewasstillsilent。
InsidetheskullofWilburHarris，ofIowa，U。S。A。，AmericanconsultoZanzibar，EastAfrica，therewasgoingforwardamightystrugglethatwasnotfittoputintowords。ForHarrisandhisconsciencehadmetandwereatodds。Onewayortheotherthefightmustbesettledatonce，andwhateverhedecidedmustbeforalltime。Thisheunderstood，andashissympathiesandconsciencestruggledforthemasterythepenofthedetective，scratchingatracingspeedacrossthepaper，warnedhimthatonlyafewsecondswerelefthiminwhichtoprotestorelsetoforeverafterholdhispeace。
SorealistichadbeentheactingofHemingwaythatforaninstantHarrishimselfhadbeendeceived。Butonlyforaninstant。WithhisknowledgeofthecircumstanceshesawthatHemingwaywasnotconfessingtoacrimeofhisown，butdrawingacrossthetrailoftherealcriminaltheconvenientandusefulredherring。HeknewthatalreadyHemingwayhaddeterminedtosailthenextmorning。InleavingZanzibarhewasmakingnosacrifice。Hemerelywascarryingouthisoriginalplan，andbytakingawaywithhimthedetectivewasgivingBrownellandhiswifeatleastamonthinwhichtoagainlosethemselves。
Whatwashisowndutyhecouldnotdetermine。ThatofHemingwayheknewnothing，hecouldtruthfullytestify。AndifnowHemingwayclaimedtobeHenryBrownell，hehadnocertainknowledgetothecontrary。ThatthroughhisadventureHemingwaywouldcometoharmdidnotgreatlydisturbhim。HeforesawthathisfriendneedonlysendawirelessfromNantucketandatthewharfwitnesseswouldswarmtoestablishhisidentityandmakeitevidentthedetectivehadblundered。AndinthemeanwhileBrownellandhiswife，insomesettlementstillfurtherremovedfromobservation，wouldforthesecondtimehavefortifiedthemselvesagainstpursuitandcapture。HesawtheeyesofHemingwayfixeduponhiminappealandwarning。
Thebriskvoiceofthedetectivebrokethesilence。
\"Youwilltestify，ifneedbe，Mr。Consul，\"hesaid，\"thatyouheardtheprisoneradmithewasHenryBrownellandthathesurrenderedhimselfofhisownfreewill？\"
Foraninstanttheconsulhesitated，thenhenoddedstiffly。
\"Iheardhim，\"hesaid。
Threehourslater，atteno\'clockofthesameevening，thedetectiveandHemingwayleanedtogetherontherailoftheCrownPrinceEitel。Forward，intheglareofhercargolights，tothepuffingandcreakingofderricksanddonkeyengines，bundlesofbeeswax，ofrawhides，andprecioustusksofivorywerebeinghurledintothehold；fromtheshore-boatsclingingtotheship\'ssidescametheshrieksoftheZanzibarboys，fromthesmoking-roomtheblareofthesteward\'sbandandtheclinkofglasses。ThoseoftheyouthofZanzibarwhowereonboard，theGermanandEnglishclerksandagents，sawinthepresenceofHemingwayonlyapurposesimilartotheirown；thedesireofahomesickexiletogazeuponthemirroredgloriesoftheEitel\'ssaloon，atthefacesofwhitemenandwomen，tolistentohome-mademusic，todrinkhome-brewedbeer。Ashepassedthesmoking-roomtheycalledtohim，andtothestrangerathiselbow，butheonlynoddedsmilingand，avoidingthem，ascendedtotheshadowofthedesertedboat-deck。
\"Youaresure，\"hesaid，\"youtoldnoone？\"
\"Noone，\"thedetectiveanswered。\"Ofcourseyourhotelproprietorknowsyou\'resailing，buthedoesn\'tknowwhy。And，bysunrise，we\'llbewelloutatsea。\"
ThewordscaughtHemingwaybythethroat。Heturnedhiseyestothetownlyinglikeafieldofsnowinthemoonlight。Somewhereononeofitsflatroofsamerrydinner-partywaslaughing，drinking，perhapsregrettinghisabsence，wonderingathisexcuseofsuddenillness。Shewasthere，andhewiththedetectivelikeashadowathiselbow，wassailingoutofherlifeforever。Hehadseenherforthelasttime：thatmorningforthelasttimehadlookedintohereyes，hadheldherhandsinhis。Hesawthewhitebeach，thewhitefortress-likewalls，thehanginggardens，thecourtesyingpalms，dimly。Itwasamongthosethathewhohadthoughthimselfcontent，hadfoundhappiness，andhadthenseenitdeserthimandtakeoutofhislifepleasureinallotherthings。Withapainthatseemedimpossibletosupport，heturnedhisbackuponZanzibarandallitmeanttohim。
And，asheturned，hefaced，comingtowardhim，acrossthemoonlitdeck，Fearing。
Hisinstinctwastocryouttothemaninwarning，buthissecondthoughtshowedhimthatthroughhisveryefforttoprotecttheother，hemightbringabouthisundoing。So，helplesstoprevent，inagitationandalarm，hewaitedinsilence。Ofthetwomen，Fearingappearedtheleastdisturbed。Withapolitebutauthoritativegestureheturnedtothedetective。\"Ihavesomethingtosaytothisgentlemanbeforehesails，\"
hesaid；\"wouldyoukindlystandoverthere？\"
Hepointedacrosstheemptydeckattheotherrail。
Inthealert，confidentyoungmanintheEnglishmess-jacket，clean-shavenandbronzedbythesunsoftheequator，thedetectivesawnolikenesstothepale，beardedbankclerkoftheNewEnglandcity。This，heguessed，mustbesomeEnglishofficial，somefriendofBrownell\'swhogenerouslyhadcometobidtheunfortunatefugitiveGodspeed。
Assuredofthis，thedetectivealsobowedpolitely，and，outofhearing，butwithhisprisonerinfullview，tookupapositionagainsttherailopposite。
Turninghisbackuponthedetective，andfacingHemingwaywithhiseyesclosetohis，Fearingbeganabruptly。Hisvoicewassunktoawhisper，buthespokewithouttheslightestsignoftrepidation，withoutthehesitationofaninstant。
\"Twoyearsago，whenIwasindicted，\"hewhispered，\"andranaway，PollypaidbackhalfofthesumIstole。Thatleftherwithoutapenny；that\'swhyshetooktothistypewriting。Sincethen，Ihavepaidbacknearlyalltherest。ButPollywasnotsatisfied。Shewantedmetotakemypunishmentandstartfresh。
Sheknewtheywerewatchinghersoshecouldn\'twritethistome，butshecametomebyaroundaboutway，takingayeartogethere。Andallthetimeshe\'sbeenhere，she\'sbeenbeggingmetogobackandgivemyselfup。Icouldn\'tseeit。IknewinafewmonthsI\'dhavepaidbackallItook，andIthoughtthatwasenough。
Iwantedtokeepoutofjail。ButshesaidImusttakemymedicineinourowncountry，andstartsquarewithacleanslate。She\'sdonealotforme，andwhetherI\'dhavedonethatforherornot，Idon\'tknow。Butnow，Imust！Whatyoudidto-nighttosaveme，leavesmenochoice。So，I\'llsail——\"