Shehadfooledhim，foolthathewas。Hehadeventhoughtthatnightthatherfeelingforhimhadpassed，andhehadtakendelightinthethought，andcaughtvisionsofthesatisfyingfuturefriendshipthatwouldbetheirswiththisperturbingloveoutoftheway。
Andthen，whenhestoodatthedoor，capinhand，andsaidgoodnight。
Ithadstruckhimatthetimeasafunnyandembarrassingthing，herbendingoverhishandandkissingit。Hehadfeltlikeafool，butheshiverednowwhenhelookedbackonitandfeltagainthetouchofherlipsonhishand。Shewassayinggood-by，aneternalgood-by，andhehadneverguessed。
Atthatverymoment，andforallthemomentsoftheevening，coollyanddeliberately，ashewellknewherway，shehadbeenresolvedtodie。Ifhehadonlyknownit！Untouchedbythecontagiousmaladyhimself，neverthelesshewouldhavemarriedherifhehadhadtheslightestinklingofwhatshecontemplated。Andyetheknew，furthermore，thatherswasacertainstiff-kneedpridethatwouldnothavepermittedhertoacceptmarriageasanactofphilanthropy。Therehadreallybeennosavingher，afterall。Thelove-diseasehadfasteneduponher，andshehadbeendoomedfromthefirsttoperishofit。
Heronepossiblechancehadbeenthathe，too，shouldhavecaughtit。
Andhehadfailedtocatchit。Mostlikely，ifhehad，itwouldhavebeenfromFredaorsomeotherwoman。TherewasDartworthy，thecollegemanwhohadstakedtherichfractiononBonanzaaboveDiscovery。EverybodyknewthatoldDoolittle’sdaughter，Bertha，wasmadlyinlovewithhim。Yet，whenhecontractedthedisease，ofallwomen，ithadbeenwiththewifeofColonelWalthstone，thegreatGuggenhammerminingexpert。Result，threelunacycases:Dartworthysellingouthismineforone-tenthitsvalue；
thepoorwomansacrificingherrespectabilityandshelterednookinsocietytofleewithhiminanopenboatdowntheYukon；andColonelWalthstone，breathingmurderanddestruction，takingoutaftertheminanotheropenboat。ThewholeimpendingtragedyhadmovedondownthemuddyYukon，passingFortyMileandCircleandlosingitselfinthewildernessbeyond。Butthereitwas，love，disorganizingmen’sandwomen’slives，drivingtowarddestructionanddeath，turningtopsy-turvyeverythingthatwassensibleandconsiderate，makingbawdsorsuicidesoutofvirtuouswomen，andscoundrelsandmurderersoutofmenwhohadalwaysbeencleanandsquare。
ForthefirsttimeinhislifeDaylightlosthisnerve。Hewasbadlyandavowedlyfrightened。Womenwereterriblecreatures，andthelove-germwasespeciallyplentifulintheirneighborhood。
Andtheyweresoreckless，sodevoidoffear。THEYwerenotfrightenedbywhathadhappenedtotheVirgin。Theyheldouttheirarmstohimmoreseductivelythanever。Evenwithouthisfortune，reckonedasamereman，justpastthirty，magnificentlystrongandequallygood-lookingandgood-natured，hewasaprizeformostnormalwomen。Butwhentohisnaturalexcellenceswereaddedtheromancethatlinkedwithhisnameandtheenormouswealththatwashis，practicallyeveryfreewomanheencounteredmeasuredhimwithanappraisinganddelightedeye，tosaynothingofmorethanonewomanwhowasnotfree。Othermenmighthavebeenspoiledbythisandledtolosetheirheads；buttheonlyeffectonhimwastoincreasehisfright。
Asaresultherefusedmostinvitationstohouseswherewomenmightbemet，andfrequentedbachelorboardsandtheMoosehornSaloon，whichhadnodance-hallattached。BurningDaylight:PartI:ChapterXIIIPartIChapterXIIISixthousandspentthewinterof1897inDawson，workonthecreekswentonapace，whilebeyondthepassesitwasreportedthatonehundredthousandmorewerewaitingforthespring。Lateonebriefafternoon，Daylight，onthebenchesbetweenFrenchHillandSkookumHill，caughtawidervisionofthings。BeneathhimlaytherichestpartofEldoradoCreek，whileupanddownBonanzahecouldseeformiles。Itwasasceneofavastdevastation。Thehills，totheirtops，hadbeenshornoftrees，andtheirnakedsidesshowedsignsofgoringandperforatingthateventhemantleofsnowcouldnothide。Beneathhim，ineverydirectionwerethecabinsofmen。Butnotmanymenwerevisible。Ablanketofsmokefilledthevalleysandturnedthegraydaytomelancholytwilight。Smokearosefromathousandholesinthesnow，where，deepdownonbed-rock，inthefrozenmuckandgravel，mencreptandscratchedanddug，andeverbuiltmorefirestobreakthegripofthefrost。Hereandthere，wherenewshaftswerestarting，thesefiresflamedredly。Figuresofmencrawledoutoftheholes，ordisappearedintothem，or，onraisedplatformsofhand-hewntimber，windlassedthethawedgraveltothesurface，whereitimmediatelyfroze。Thewreckageofthespringwashingappearedeverywhere——pilesofsluice-boxes，sectionsofelevatedflumes，hugewater-wheels，——allthedebrisofanarmyofgold-madmen。”It-all’splaingophering，”Daylightmutteredaloud。
Helookedatthenakedhillsandrealizedtheenormouswastageofwoodthathadtakenplace。Fromthisbird’s-eyeviewherealizedthemonstrousconfusionoftheirexcitedworkings。Itwasagiganticinadequacy。Eachworkedforhimself，andtheresultwaschaos。Inthisrichestofdiggingsitcostoutbytheirfeverish，unthinkingmethodsanotherdollarwaslefthopelesslyintheearth。Givenanotheryear，andmostoftheclaimswouldbeworkedout，andthesumofthegoldtakenoutwouldnomorethanequalwhatwasleftbehind。
Organizationwaswhatwasneeded，hedecided；andhisquickimaginationsketchedEldoradoCreek，frommouthtosource，andfrommountaintoptomountaintop，inthehandsofonecapablemanagement。Evensteam-thawing，asyetuntried，butboundtocome，hesawwouldbeamakeshift。Whatshouldbedonewastohydraulicthevalleysidesandbenches，andthen，onthecreekbottom，tousegold-dredgessuchashehadhearddescribedasoperatinginCalifornia。
Therewastheverychanceforanotherbigkilling。HehadwonderedjustwhatwaspreciselythereasonfortheGuggenhammersandthebigEnglishconcernssendingintheirhigh-salariedexperts。Thatwastheirscheme。
Thatwaswhytheyhadapproachedhimforthesaleofworked-outclaimsandtailings。Theywerecontenttoletthesmallmine-ownersgopheroutwhattheycould，fortherewouldbemillionsintheleavings。
And，gazingdownonthesmokyinfernoofcrudeeffort，Daylightoutlinedthenewgamehewouldplay，agameinwhichtheGuggenhammersandtherestwouldhavetoreckonwithhim。Cutalongwiththedelightinthenewconceptioncameaweariness。HewastiredofthelongArcticyears，andhewascuriousabouttheOutside——thegreatworldofwhichhehadheardothermentalkandofwhichhewasasignorantasachild。Thereweregamesouttheretoplay。Itwasalargertable，andtherewasnoreasonwhyhewithhismillionsshouldnotsitinandtakeahand。Soitwas，thatafternoononSkookumHill，thatheresolvedtoplaythislastbestKlondikehandandpullfortheOutside。
Ittooktime，however。Heputtrustedagentstoworkontheheelsofgreatexperts，andonthecreekswheretheybegantobuyhelikewisebought。
Wherevertheytriedtocorneraworked-outcreek，theyfoundhimstandingintheway，owningblocksofclaimsorartfullyscatteredclaimsthatputalltheirplanstonaught。”Iplayyou-allwideopentowin——amIright”hetoldthemonce，inaheatedconference。
Followedwars，truces，compromises，victories，anddefeats。By1898，sixtythousandmenwereontheKlondikeandalltheirfortunesandaffairsrockedbackandforthandwereaffectedbythebattlesDaylightfought。
AndmoreandmorethetasteforthelargergameurgedinDaylight’smouth。
HerehewasalreadylockedingrappleswiththegreatGuggenhammers，andwinning，fiercelywinning。PossiblythesevereststrugglewaswagedonOphir，theveriestofmoose-pastures，whoselow-gradedirtwasvaluableonlybecauseofitsvastness。TheownershipofablockofsevenclaimsintheheartofitgaveDaylighthisgripandtheycouldnotcometoterms。
TheGuggenhammerexpertsconcludedthatitwastoobigforhimtohandle，andwhentheygavehimanultimatumtothateffectheacceptedandboughtthemout。
Theplanwashisown，buthesentdowntotheStatesforcompetentengineerstocarryitout。IntheRinkabillywatershed，eightymilesaway，hebuilthisreservoir，andforeightymilesthehugewoodenconduitcarriedthewateracrosscountrytoOphir。Estimatedatthreemillions，thereservoirandconduitcostnearerfour。Nordidhestopwiththis。Electricpowerplantswereinstalled，andhisworkingswerelightedaswellasrunbyelectricity。Othersourdoughs，whohadstruckitrichinexcessofalltheirdreams，shooktheirheadsgloomily，warnedhimthathewouldgobroke，anddeclinedtoinvestinsoextravagantaventure。
ButDaylightsmiled，andsoldouttheremainderofhistown-siteholdings。
Hesoldattherighttime，attheheightoftheplacerboom。Whenheprophesiedtohisoldcronies，intheMoosehornSaloon，thatwithinfiveyearstownlotsinDawsoncouldnotbegivenaway，whilethecabinswouldbechoppedupforfirewood，hewaslaughedatroundly，andassuredthatthemother-lodewouldbefounderethattime。Buthewentahead，whenhisneedforlumberwasfinished，sellingouthissawmillsaswell。Likewise，hebegantogetridofhisscatteredholdingsonthevariouscreeks，andwithoutthankstoanyonehefinishedhisconduit，builthisdredges，importedhismachinery，andmadethegoldofOphirimmediatelyaccessible。Andhe，whofiveyearsbeforehadcrossedoverthedividefromIndianRiverandthreadedthesilentwilderness，hisdogspackingIndianfashion，himselflivingIndianfashiononstraightmoosemeat，nowheardthehoarsewhistlescallinghishundredsoflaborerstowork，andwatchedthemtoilunderthewhiteglareofthearc-lamps。
Buthavingdonethething，hewasreadytodepart。Andwhenheletthewordgoout，theGuggenhammersviedwiththeEnglishconcernsandwithanewFrenchcompanyinbiddingforOphirandallitsplant。TheGuggenhammersbidhighest，andthepricetheypaidnettedDaylightacleanmillion。Itwascurrentrumorthathewasworthanywherefromtwentytothirtymillions。
Buthealoneknewjusthowhestood，andthat，withhislastclaimsoldandthetablesweptcleanofhiswinnings，hehadriddenhishunchtothetuneofjustatrifleoverelevenmillions。
HisdeparturewasathingthatpassedintothehistoryoftheYukonalongwithhisotherdeeds。AlltheYukonwashisguest，Dawsontheseatofthefestivity。Onthatonelastnightnoman’sdustsavehisownwasgood。Drinkswerenottobepurchased。Everysaloonranopen，withextrarelaysofexhaustedbartenders，andthedrinksweregivenaway。Amanwhorefusedthishospitality，andpersistedinpaying，foundadozenfightsonhishands。TheveriestchechaquosroseuptodefendthenameofDaylightfromsuchinsult。Andthroughitall，onmoccasinedfeet，movedDaylight，hell-roaringBurningDaylight，over-spillingwithgoodnatureandcamaraderie，howlinghishe-wolfhowlandclaimingthenightashis，bendingmen’sarmsdownonthebars，performingfeatsofstrength，hisbronzedfaceflushedwithdrink，hisblackeyesflashing，cladinoverallsandblanketcoat，hisear-flapsdanglingandhisgauntletedmittensswingingfromthecordacrosstheshoulders。Butthistimeitwasneitheranantenorastakethathethrewaway，butameremarkerinthegamethathewhoheldsomanymarkerswouldnotmiss。
Asanight，iteclipsedanythingthatDawsonhadeverseen。ItwasDaylight’sdesiretomakeitmemorable，andhisattemptwasasuccess。AgoodlyportionofDawsongotdrunkthatnight。Thefallweatherwason，and，thoughthefreeze-upoftheYukonstilldelayed，thethermometerwasdowntotwenty-fivebelowzeroandfalling。Wherefore，itwasnecessarytoorganizegangsoflife-savers，whopatrolledthestreetstopickupdrunkenmenfromwheretheyfellinthesnowandwhereanhour’ssleepwouldbefatal。Daylight，whosewhimitwastomakethemdrunkbyhundredsandbythousands，wastheonewhoinitiatedthislifesaving。HewantedDawsontohaveitsnight，but，inhisdeeperprocessesnevercarelessnorwanton，hesawtoitthatitwasanightwithoutaccident。And，likehisoldennights，hisukasewentforththatthereshouldbenoquarrellingnorfighting，offenderstobedealtwithbyhimpersonally。Nordidhehavetodealwithany。Hundredsofdevotedfollowerssawtoitthattheevillydisposedwererolledinthesnowandhustledofftobed。Inthegreatworld，wheregreatcaptainsofindustrydie，allwheelsundertheirerstwhilemanagementarestoppedforaminute。
ButintheKlondike，suchwasitshilarioussorrowatthedepartureofitscaptain，thatfortwenty-fourhoursnowheelsrevolved。EvengreatOphir，withitsthousandmenonthepay-roll，closeddown。Onthedayafterthenighttherewerenomenpresentorfittogotowork。
Nextmorning，atbreakofday，Dawsonsaidgood-by。Thethousandsthatlinedthebankworemittensandtheirear-flapspulleddownandtied。Itwasthirtybelowzero，therim-icewasthickening，andtheYukoncarriedarunofmush-ice。FromthedeckoftheSeattle，Daylightwavedandcalledhisfarewells。Asthelineswerecastoffandthesteamerswungoutintothecurrent，thosenearhimsawthemoisturewellupinDaylight’seyes。
Inaway，itwastohimdeparturefromhisnativeland，thisgrimArcticregionwhichwaspracticallytheonlylandhehadknown。Hetoreoffhiscapandwavedit。”Good-by，you-all！”hecalled。”Good-by，you-all！”BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterIPartIIChapterIInnoblazeofglorydidBurningDaylightdescenduponSanFrancisco。Notonlyhadhebeenforgotten，buttheKlondikealongwithhim。Theworldwasinterestedinotherthings，andtheAlaskanadventure，liketheSpanishWar，wasanoldstory。Manythingshadhappenedsincethen。Excitingthingswerehappeningeveryday，andthesensation-spaceofnewspaperswaslimited。Theeffectofbeingignored，however，wasanexhilaration。BigmanashehadbeenintheArcticgame，itmerelyshowedhowmuchbiggerwasthisnewgame，whenamanworthelevenmillions，andwithahistorysuchashis，passedunnoticed。
HesettleddowninSt。FrancisHotel，wasinterviewedbythecub-reportersonthehotel-run，andreceivedbriefparagraphsofnoticefortwenty-fourhours。Hegrinnedtohimself，andbegantolookaroundandgetacquaintedwiththeneworderofbeingsandthings。Hewasveryawkwardandveryself-possessed。
Inadditiontothestiffeningaffordedhisbackbonebytheconsciousownershipofelevenmillions，hepossessedanenormouscertitude。
Nothingabashedhim，norwasheappalledbythedisplayandcultureandpoweraroundhim。Itwasanotherkindofwilderness，thatwasall；
anditwasforhimtolearnthewaysofit，thesignsandtrailsandwater-holeswheregoodhuntinglay，andthebadstretchesoffieldandfloodtobeavoided。Asusual，hefoughtshyofthewomen。Hewasstilltoobadlyscaredtocometoclosequarterswiththedazzlingandresplendentcreatureshisownmillionsmadeaccessible。
Theylookedandlonged，buthesoconcealedhistimiditythathehadalltheseemingofmovingboldlyamongthem。Norwasithiswealthalonethatattractedthem。Hewastoomuchaman，andtoomuchanunusualtypeofman。Youngyet，barelythirty-six，eminentlyhandsome，magnificentlystrong，almostburstingwithasplendidvirility，hisfreetrail-stride，neverlearnedonpavements，andhisblackeyes，hintingofgreatspacesandunweariedwiththecloseperspectiveofthecitydwellers，drewmanyacuriousandwaywardfeminineglance。Hesaw，grinnedknowinglytohimself，andfacedthemassomanydangers，withacooldemeanorthatwasafargreaterpersonalachievementthanhadtheybeenfamine，frost，orflood。
HehadcomedowntotheStatestoplaytheman’sgame，notthewoman’sgame；andthemenhehadnotyetlearned。Theystruckhimassoft——softphysically；yethedivinedthemhardintheirdealings，buthardunderanexteriorofsupplesoftness。Itstruckhimthattherewassomethingcat-likeaboutthem。Hemetthemintheclubs，andwonderedhowrealwasthegood-fellowshiptheydisplayedandhowquicklytheywouldunsheathetheirclawsandgougeandrend。”That’stheproposition，”herepeatedtohimself；”whatwillthey-alldowhentheplayiscloseanddowntobrasstacks？”Hefeltunwarrantablysuspiciousofthem。”They’resureslick，”
washissecretjudgment；andfrombitsofgossipdroppednowandagainhefelthisjudgmentwellbuttressed。Ontheotherhand，theyradiatedanatmosphereofmanlinessandthefairplaythatgoeswithmanliness。
Theymightgougeandrendinafight——whichwasnomorethannatural；buthefelt，somehow，thattheywouldgougeandrendaccordingtorule。Thiswastheimpressionhegotofthem——ageneralizationtemperedbyknowledgethattherewasboundtobeacertainpercentageofscoundrelsamongthem。
SeveralmonthspassedinSanFranciscoduringwhichtimehestudiedthegameanditsrules，andpreparedhimselftotakeahand。HeeventookprivateinstructioninEnglish，andsucceededineliminatinghisworstfaults，thoughinmomentsofexcitementhewaspronetolapseinto”you-all，””knowed，””sure，”andsimilarsolecisms。Helearnedtoeatanddressandgenerallycomporthimselfafterthemannerofcivilizedman；butthroughitallheremainedhimself，notundulyreverentialnorconsiderative，andneverhesitatingtostriderough-shodoveranysoft-facedconventionifitgotinhiswayandtheprovocationweregreatenough。Also，andunliketheaveragerunofweakermencomingfrombackcountriesandfarplaces，hefailedtoreverencetheparticulartingodsworshippedvariouslybythecivilizedtribesofmen。Hehadseentotemsbefore，andknewthemforwhattheywere。
Tiringofbeingmerelyanonlooker，heranuptoNevada，wherethenewgold-miningboomwasfairlystarted——”justtotryaflutter，”ashephrasedittohimself。TheflutterontheTonopahStockExchangelastedjusttendays，duringwhichtimehissmashing，wild-bullgameplayedducksanddrakeswiththemorestereotypedgamblers，andattheendofwhichtime，havinggambledFloridelintohisfist，heletgoforanetprofitofhalfamillion。
Whereupon，smackinghislips，hedepartedforSanFranciscoandtheSt。
FrancisHotel。Ittastedgood，andhishungerforthegamebecamemoreacute。
Andoncemorethepaperssensationalizedhim。BURNINGDAYLIGHTwasabig-letterheadlineagain。Interviewersflockedabouthim。
Oldfilesofmagazinesandnewspapersweresearchedthrough，andtheromanticandhistoricElamHarnish，AdventureroftheFrost，KingoftheKlondike，andfatheroftheSourdoughs，strodeuponthebreakfasttableofamillionhomesalongwiththetoastandbreakfastfoods。Evenbeforehiselectedtime，hewasforciblylaunchedintothegame。Financiersandpromoters，andalltheflotsamandjetsamoftheseaofspeculationsurgedupontheshoresofhiselevenmillions。Inself-defencehewascompelledtoopenoffices。Hehadmadethemsitupandtakenotice，andnow，willy-nilly，theyweredealinghimhandsandclamoringforhimtoplay。Well，playhewould；he’dshow’em；evendespitetheelatedprophesiesmadeofhowswiftlyhewouldbetrimmed——prophesiescoupledwithdescriptionsofthebucolicgamehewouldplayandofhiswildandwoollyappearance。
Hedabbledinlittlethingsatfirst——”stallingfortime，”asheexplainedittoHoldsworthy，afriendhehadmadeattheAlta-PacificClub。Daylighthimselfwasamemberoftheclub，andHoldsworthyhadproposedhim。AnditwaswellthatDaylightplayedcloselyatfirst，forhewasastoundedbythemultitudesofsharks——”ground-sharks，”hecalledthem——thatflockedabouthim。
Hesawthroughtheirschemesreadilyenough，andevenmarveledthatsuchnumbersofthemcouldfindsufficientpreytokeepthemgoing。Theirrascalityandgeneraldubiousnesswassotransparentthathecouldnotunderstandhowanyonecouldbetakeninbythem。
Andthenhefoundthatthereweresharksandsharks。Holdsworthytreatedhimmorelikeabrotherthanamerefellow-clubman，watchingoverhim，advisinghim，andintroducinghimtothemagnatesofthelocalfinancialworld。Holdsworthy’sfamilylivedinadelightfulbungalownearMenloPark，andhereDaylightspentanumberofweekends，seeingafinenessandkindnessofhomelifeofwhichhehadneverdreamed。Holdsworthywasanenthusiastoverflowers，andahalflunaticoverraisingprizepoultry；andtheseengrossingmadnesseswereasourceofperpetualjoytoDaylight，wholookedonintolerantgoodhumor。Suchamiableweaknessestokenedthehealthfulnessoftheman，anddrewDaylightclosertohim。Aprosperous，successfulbusinessmanwithoutgreatambition，wasDaylight’sestimateofhim——amantooeasilysatisfiedwiththesmallstakesofthegameevertolaunchoutinbigplay。
Ononesuchweek-endvisit，Holdsworthylethiminonagoodthing，agoodlittlething，abrickyardatGlenEllen。Daylightlistenedcloselytotheother’sdescriptionofthesituation。Itwasamostreasonableventure，andDaylight’soneobjectionwasthatitwassosmallamatterandsofaroutofhisline；andhewentintoitonlyasamatteroffriendship，Holdsworthyexplainingthathewashimselfalreadyinabit，andthatwhileitwasagoodthing，hewouldbecompelledtomakesacrificesinotherdirectionsinordertodevelopit。Daylightadvancedthecapital，fiftythousanddollars，and，ashelaughinglyexplainedafterward，”Iwasstung，allright，butitwasn’tHoldsworthythatdidithalfasmuchasthoseblamedchickensandfruit-treesofhis。”
Itwasagoodlesson，however，forhelearnedthattherewerefewfaithsinthebusinessworld，andthateventhesimple，homelyfaithofbreakingbreadandeatingsaltcountedforlittleinthefaceofaworthlessbrickyardandfiftythousanddollarsincash。
Butthesharksandsharksofvariousordersanddegrees，heconcluded，wereonthesurface。Deepdown，hedivined，weretheintegritiesandthestabilities。Thesebigcaptainsofindustryandmastersoffinance，hedecided，werethementoworkwith。Bytheverynatureoftheirhugedealsandenterprisestheyhadtoplayfair。Noroomthereforlittlesharpers’
tricksandbuncogames。Itwastobeexpectedthatlittlemenshouldsaltgold-mineswithashotgunandworkoffworthlessbrick-yardsontheirfriends，butinhighfinancesuchmethodswerenotworthwhile。Therethemenwereengagedindevelopingthecountry，organizingitsrailroads，openingupitsmines，makingaccessibleitsvastnaturalresources。Theirplaywasboundtobebigandstable。”Theysurecan’taffordtin-horntactics，”
washissummingup。
Soitwasthatheresolvedtoleavethelittlemen，theHoldsworthys，alone；and，whilehemetthemingood-fellowship，hechummedwithnone，andformednodeepfriendships。Hedidnotdislikethelittlemen，themenoftheAlta-Pacific，forinstance。Hemerelydidnotelecttochoosethemforpartnersinthebiggameinwhichheintendedtoplay。Whatthatbiggamewas，evenhedidnotknow。Hewaswaitingtofindit。Andinthemeantimeheplayedsmallhands，investinginseveralarid-landsreclamationprojectsandkeepinghiseyesopenforthebigchancewhenitshouldcomealong。
AndthenhemetJohnDowsett，thegreatJohnDowsett。Thewholethingwasfortuitous。Thiscannotbedoubted，asDaylighthimselfknew，itwasbythemerestchance，wheninLosAngeles，thatheheardthetunawererunningstrongatSantaCatalina，andwentovertotheislandinsteadofreturningdirectlytoSanFranciscoashehadplanned。TherehemetJohnDowsett，restingoffforseveraldaysinthemiddleofaflyingwesterntrip。DowsetthadofcourseheardofthespectacularKlondikeKingandhisrumoredthirtymillions，andhecertainlyfoundhimselfinterestedbythemanintheacquaintancethatwasformed。Somewherealonginthisacquaintanceshiptheideamusthavepoppedintohisbrain。Buthedidnotbroachit，preferringtomatureitcarefully。Sohetalkedinlargegeneralways，anddidhisbesttobeagreeableandwinDaylight’sfriendship。
ItwasthefirstbigmagnateDaylighthadmetfacetoface，andhewaspleasedandcharmed。Therewassuchakindlyhumannessabouttheman，suchagenialdemocraticness，thatDaylightfoundithardtorealizethatthiswasTHEJohnDowsett，presidentofastringofbanks，insurancemanipulator，reputedallyofthelieutenantsofStandardOil，andknownallyoftheGuggenhammers。
Nordidhislooksbeliehisreputationandhismanner。
Physically，heguaranteedallthatDaylightknewofhim。Despitehissixtyyearsandsnow-whitehair，hishand-shakewasfirmlyhearty，andheshowednosignsofdecrepitude，walkingwithaquick，snappystep，makingallmovementsdefinitelyanddecisively。Hisskinwasahealthypink，andhisthin，cleanlipsknewthewaytowritheheartilyoverajoke。Hehadhonestblueeyesofpalestblue；theylookedoutatonekeenlyandfranklyfromundershaggygraybrows。Hismindshoweditselfdisciplinedandorderly，anditsworkingsstruckDaylightashavingallthecertitudeofasteeltrap。HewasamanwhoKNEWandwhoneverdecoratedhisknowledgewithfoolishfrillsofsentimentoremotion。Thathewasaccustomedtocommandwaspatent，andeverywordandgesturetingledwithpower。Combinedwiththiswashissympathyandtact，andDaylightcouldnoteeasilyenoughalltheearmarksthatdistinguishedhimfromalittlemanoftheHoldsworthycaliber。Daylightknewalsohishistory，theprimeoldAmericanstockfromwhichhehaddescended，hisownwarrecord，theJohnDowsettbeforehimwhohadbeenoneofthebankingbuttressesoftheCauseoftheUnion，theCommodoreDowsettoftheWarof1812theGeneralDowsettofRevolutionaryfame，andthatfirstfarDowsett，owneroflandsandslavesinearlyNewEngland。”He’ssuretherealthing，”hetoldoneofhisfellow-clubmenafterwards，inthesmoking-roomoftheAlta-Pacific。”Itellyou，Gallon，hewasagenuinesurprisetome。Iknewthebigoneshadtobelikethat，butI
hadtoseehimtoreallyknowit。
He’soneofthefellowsthatdoesthings。Youcanseeitstickingoutalloverhim。He’soneinathousand，that’sstraight，amantotieto。
There’snolimittoanygameheplays，andyoucanstackonitthatheplaysrightuptothehandle。Ibethecanloseorwinhalfadozenmillionwithoutbattinganeye。”
Gallonpuffedathiscigar，andattheconclusionofthepanegyricregardedtheothercuriously；butDaylight，orderingcocktails，failedtonotethiscuriousstare。”Goinginwithhimonsomedeal，Isuppose，”Gallonremarked。”Nope，nottheslightestidea。Here’skindness。IwasjustexplainingthatI’dcometounderstandhowthesebigfellowsdobigthings。Why，dyeknow，hegavemesuchafeelingthathekneweverything，thatIwasplumbashamedofmyself。””IguessIcouldgivehimcardsandspadeswhenitcomestodrivingadog-team，though，”Daylightobserved，afterameditativepause。”AndIreallybelieveIcouldputhimontoafewwrinklesinpokerandplacermining，andmaybeinpaddlingabirchcanoe。AndmaybeIstandabetterchancetolearnthegamehe’sbeenplayingallhislifethanhewouldstandoflearningthegameIplayedupNorth。”BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterIIPartIIChapterIIItwasnotlongafterwardthatDaylightcameontoNewYork。
AletterfromJohnDowsetthadbeenthecause——asimplelittletypewrittenletterofseverallines。ButDaylighthadthrilledashereadit。Herememberedthethrillthatwashis，acallowyouthoffifteen，when，inTempasButte，throughlackofafourthman，TomGalsworthy，thegambler，hadsaid，”Getin，Kid；takeahand。”Thatthrillwashisnow。Thebald，typewrittensentencesseemedgorgedwithmystery。”OurMr。Howisonwillcalluponyouatyourhotel。Heistobetrusted。Wemustnotbeseentogether。Youwillunderstandafterwehavehadourtalk。”Daylightconnedthewordsoverandover。Thatwasit。Thebiggamehadarrived，anditlookedasifhewerebeinginvitedtositinandtakeahand。Surely，fornootherreasonwouldonemansoperemptorilyinviteanothermantomakeajourneyacrossthecontinent。
Theymet——thanksto”our”Mr。Howison，——uptheHudson，inamagnificentcountryhome。Daylight，accordingtoinstructions，arrivedinaprivatemotor-carwhichhadbeenfurnishedhim。Whosecaritwashedidnotknowanymorethandidheknowtheownerofthehouse，withitsgenerous，rolling，tree-studdedlawns。Dowsettwasalreadythere，andanothermanwhomDaylightrecognizedbeforetheintroductionwasbegun。ItwasNathanielLetton，andnoneother。Daylighthadseenhisfaceascoreoftimesinthemagazinesandnewspapers，andreadabouthisstandinginthefinancialworldandabouthisendowedUniversityofDaratona。He，likewise，struckDaylightasamanofpower，thoughhewaspuzzledinthathecouldfindnolikenesstoDowsett。Exceptinthematterofcleanness，——acleannessthatseemedtogodowntothedeepestfibersofhim，——NathanielLettonwasunliketheotherineveryparticular。Thintoemaciation，heseemedacoldflameofaman，amanofamysterious，chemicsortofflame，who，underaglacier-likeexterior，conveyed，somehow，theimpressionoftheardentheatofathousandsuns。Hislargegrayeyesweremainlyresponsibleforthisfeeling，andtheyblazedoutfeverishlyfromwhatwasalmostadeath’s-head，sothinwastheface，theskinofwhichwasaghastly，dull，deadwhite。Notmorethanfifty，thatchedwithasparsegrowthofiron-grayhair，helookedseveraltimestheageofDowsett。YetNathanielLettonpossessedcontrol——Daylightcouldseethatplainly。Hewasathin-facedascetic，livinginastateofhigh，attenuatedcalm——amoltenplanetunderatranscontinentalicesheet。Andyet，aboveallmostofall，Daylightwasimpressedbytheterrificandalmostawfulcleannessoftheman。Therewasnodrossinhim。Hehadalltheseemingofhavingbeenpurgedbyfire。Daylighthadthefeelingthatahealthyman-oathwouldbeadeadlyoffencetohisears，asacrilegeandablasphemy。
Theydrank——thatis，NathanielLettontookmineralwaterservedbythesmoothlyoperatingmachineofalackeywhoinhabitedtheplace，whileDowsetttookScotchandsodaandDaylightacocktail。NobodyseemedtonoticetheunusualnessofaMartiniatmidnight，thoughDaylightlookedsharplyforthatverything；forhehadlongsincelearnedthatMartinishadtheirstrictlyappointedtimesandplaces。ButhelikedMartinis，and，beinganaturalman，hechosedeliberatelytodrinkwhenandhowhepleased。
Othershadnoticedthispeculiarhabitofhis，butnotsoDowsettandLetton；
andDaylight’ssecretthoughtwas:”Theysurewouldn’tbataneyeifI
calledforaglassofcorrosivesublimate。”
LeonGuggenhammerarrivedinthemidstofthedrink，andorderedScotch。
Daylightstudiedhimcuriously。ThiswasoneofthegreatGuggenhammerfamily；ayoungerone，butneverthelessoneofthecrowdwithwhichhehadlockedgrapplesintheNorth。NordidLeonGuggenhammerfailtomentioncognizanceofthatoldaffair。HecomplimentedDaylightonhisprowess-”TheechoesofOphircamedowntous，youknow。AndImustsay，Mr。Daylight——er，Mr。Harnish，thatyouwhippedusroundlyinthataffair。”
Echoes！Daylightcouldnotescapetheshockofthephrase——echoeshadcomedowntothemofthefightintowhichhehadflungallhisstrengthandthestrengthofhisKlondikemillions。TheGuggenhammerssuremustgosomewhenafightofthatdimensionwasnomorethanaskirmishofwhichtheydeignedtohearechoes。”Theysureplayanalmightybiggamedownhere，”washisconclusion，accompaniedbyacorrespondingelationthatitwasjustpreciselythatalmightybiggameinwhichhewasabouttobeinvitedtoplayahand。Forthemomenthepoignantlyregrettedthatrumorwasnottrue，andthathiselevenmillionswerenotinrealitythirtymillions。Well，thatmuchhewouldbefrankabout；hewouldletthemknowexactlyhowmanystacksofchipshecouldbuy。
LeonGuggenhammerwasyoungandfat。Notadaymorethanthirty，hisface，savefortheadumbratedpuffsacksundertheeyes，wasassmoothandlinelessasaboy’s。He，too，gavetheimpressionofcleanness。Heshowedinthepinkofhealth；hisunblemished，smooth-shavenskinshoutedadvertisementofhissplendidphysicalcondition。Inthefaceofthatperfectskin，hisveryfatnessandmature，rotundpaunchcouldbenothingotherthannormal。Hewasconstitutedtobepronetofatness，thatwasall。
Thetalksooncentreddowntobusiness，thoughGuggenhammerhadfirsttosayhissayabouttheforthcominginternationalyachtraceandabouthisownpalatialsteamyacht，theElectra，whoserecentengineswerealreadyantiquated。Dowsettbroachedtheplan，aidedbyanoccasionalremarkfromtheothertwo，whileDaylightaskedquestions。Whateverthepropositionwas，hewasgoingintoitwithhiseyesopen。Andtheyfilledhiseyeswiththepracticalvisionofwhattheyhadinmind。”Theywillneverdreamyouarewithus，”Guggenhammerinterjected，astheoutliningofthematterdrewtoaclose，hishandsomeJewisheyesflashingenthusiastically。”They’llthinkyouareraidingonyourowninproperbuccaneerstyle。””Ofcourse，youunderstand，Mr。Harnish，theabsoluteneedforkeepingourallianceinthedark，”NathanielLettonwarnedgravely。
Daylightnoddedhishead。”Andyoualsounderstand，”Lettonwenton，”thattheresultcanonlybeproductiveofgood。Thethingislegitimateandright，andtheonlyoneswhomaybehurtarethestockgamblersthemselves。
Itisnotanattempttosmashthemarket。Asyouseeyourself，youaretobullthemarket。Thehonestinvestorwillbethegainer。””Yes，that’stheverything，”Dowsettsaid。”Thecommercialneedforcopperiscontinuallyincreasing。WardValleyCopper，andallthatitstandsfor，——practicallyone-quarteroftheworld’ssupply，asIhaveshownyou，——isabigthing，howbig，evenwecanscarcelyestimate。Ourarrangementsaremade。Wehaveplentyofcapitalourselves，andyetwewantmore。Also，thereistoomuchWardValleyouttosuitourpresentplans。Thuswekillbothbirdswithonestone-””AndIamthestone，”Daylightbrokeinwithasmile。”Yes，justthat。NotonlywillyoubullWardValley，butyouwillatthesametimegatherWardValleyin。Thiswillbeofinestimableadvantagetous，whileyouandallofuswillprofitbyitaswell。AndasMr。Lettonhaspointedout，thethingislegitimateandsquare。Ontheeighteenththedirectorsmeet，and，insteadofthecustomarydividend，adoubledividendwillbedeclared。””Andwherewilltheshortsbethen？”LeonGuggenhammercriedexcitedly。”Theshortswillbethespeculators，”NathanielLettonexplained，”thegamblers，thefrothofWallStreet——youunderstand。Thegenuineinvestorswillnotbehurt。Furthermore，theywillhavelearnedforthethousandthtimetohaveconfidenceinWardValley。Andwiththeirconfidencewecancarrythroughthelargedevelopmentswehaveoutlinedtoyou。””Therewillbeallsortsofrumorsonthestreet，”DowsettwarnedDaylight，”butdonotletthemfrightenyou。Theserumorsmayevenoriginatewithus。Youcanseehowandwhyclearly。Butrumorsaretobenoconcernofyours。Youareontheinside。Allyouhavetodoisbuy，buy，buy，andkeeponbuyingtothelaststroke，whenthedirectorsdeclarethedoubledividend。WardValleywilljumpsothatitwon’tbefeasibletobuyafterthat。””Whatwewant，”Lettontookupthestrain，pausingsignificantlytosiphismineralwater，”whatwewantistotakelargeblocksofWardValleyoffthehandsofthepublic。Wecoulddothiseasilyenoughbydepressingthemarketandfrighteningtheholders。Andwecoulddoitmorecheaplyinsuchfashion。Butweareabsolutemastersofthesituation，andwearefairenoughtobuyWardValleyonarisingmarket。Notthatwearephilanthropists，butthatweneedtheinvestorsinourbigdevelopmentscheme。Nordowelosedirectlybythetransaction。Theinstanttheactionofthedirectorsbecomesknown，WardValleywillrushheavenward。Inaddition，andoutsidethelegitimatefieldofthetransaction，wewillpinchtheshortsforaverylargesum。Butthatisonlyincidental，youunderstand，andinaway，unavoidable。Ontheotherhand，weshallnotturnupournosesatthatphaseofit。Theshortsshallbetheveriestgamblers，ofcourse，andtheywillgetnomorethantheydeserve。””Andoneotherthing，Mr。Harnish，”Guggenhammersaid，”ifyouexceedyouravailablecash，ortheamountyoucaretoinvestintheventure，don’tfailimmediatelytocallonus。Remember，wearebehindyou。””Yes，wearebehindyou，”Dowsettrepeated。
NathanielLettonnoddedhisheadinaffirmation。”Nowaboutthatdoubledividendontheeighteenth-”JohnDowsettdrewaslipofpaperfromhisnote-bookandadjustedhisglasses。”Letmeshowyouthefigures。Here，yousee……”
AndthereuponheenteredintoalongtechnicalandhistoricalexplanationoftheearningsanddividendsofWardValleyfromthedayofitsorganization。
Thewholeconferencelastednotmorethananhour，duringwhichtimeDaylightlivedatthetopmostofthehighestpeakoflifethathehadeverscaled。Thesemenwerebigplayers。Theywerepowers。True，asheknewhimself，theywerenottherealinnercircle。TheydidnotrankwiththeMorgansandHarrimans。Andyettheywereintouchwiththosegiantsandwerethemselveslessergiants。Hewaspleased，too，withtheirattitudetowardhim。Theymethimdeferentially，butnotpatronizingly。Itwasthedeferenceofequality，andDaylightcouldnotescapethesubtleflatteryofit；forhewasfullyawarethatinexperienceaswellaswealththeywerefarandawaybeyondhim。”We’llshakeupthespeculatingcrowd，”LeonGuggenhammerproclaimedjubilantly，astheyrosetogo。”Andyouarethemantodoit，Mr。Harnish。
Theyareboundtothinkyouareonyourown，andtheirshearsareallsharpenedforthetrimmingofnewcomerslikeyou。””Theywillcertainlybemisled，”Lettonagreed，hiseeriegrayeyesblazingoutfromthevoluminousfoldsofthehugeMuellerwithwhichhewasswathinghisnecktotheears。”Theirmindsruninruts。Itistheunexpectedthatupsetstheirstereotypedcalculations——anynewcombination，anystrangefactor，anyfreshvariant。Andyouwillbeallthattothem，Mr。Harnish。AndIrepeat，theyaregamblers，andtheywilldeserveallthatbefallsthem。Theyclogandcumberalllegitimateenterprise。Youhavenoideaofthetroubletheycausemenlikeus——sometimes，bytheirgamblingtactics，upsettingthesoundestplans，evenoverturningthestablestinstitutions。”
DowsettandyoungGuggenhammerwentawayinonemotor-car，andLettonbyhimselfinanother。Daylight，withstillintheforefrontofhisconsciousnessallthathadoccurredintheprecedinghour，wasdeeplyimpressedbythesceneatthemomentofdeparture。Thethreemachinesstoodlikeweirdnightmonstersatthegravelledfootofthewidestairwayundertheunlightedporte-cochere。Itwasadarknight，andthelightsofthemotor-carscutassharplythroughtheblacknessaskniveswouldcutthroughsolidsubstance。
Theobsequiouslackey——theautomaticgenieofthehousewhichbelongedtononeofthethreemen，——stoodlikeagravenstatueafterhavinghelpedthemin。Thefur-coatedchauffeursbulkeddimlyintheirseats。Oneaftertheother，likespurredsteeds，thecarsleapedintotheblackness，tookthecurveofthedriveway，andweregone。
Daylight’scarwasthelast，and，peeringout，hecaughtaglimpseoftheunlightedhousethatloomedhugelythroughthedarknesslikeamountain。
Whosewasit？hewondered。Howcametheytouseitfortheirsecretconference？
Wouldthelackeytalk？Howaboutthechauffeurs？Weretheytrustedmenlike”our”Mr。Howison？Mystery？Theaffairwasalivewithit。AndhandinhandwithmysterywalkedPower。Heleanedbackandinhaledhiscigarette。
Bigthingswereafoot。Thecardswereshuffledeventheforamightydeal，andhewasinonit。HerememberedbacktohispokergameswithJackKearns，andlaughedaloud。Hehadplayedforthousandsinthosedaysontheturnofacard；butnowhewasplayingformillions。Andontheeighteenth，whenthatdividendwasdeclared，hechuckledattheconfusionthatwouldinevitablydescenduponthemenwiththesharpenedshearswaitingtotrimhim——him，BurningDaylight。BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterIIIPartIIChapterIIIBackathishotel，thoughnearlytwointhemorning，hefoundthereporterswaitingtointerviewhim。Nextmorningthereweremore。Andthus，withblareofpapertrumpet，washereceivedbyNewYork。Oncemore，withbeatingoftoms-tomsandwildhullaballoo，hispicturesquefigurestrodeacrosstheprintedsheet。TheKingoftheKlondike，theherooftheArctic，thethirty-million-dollarmillionaireoftheNorth，hadcometoNewYork。Whathadhecomefor？TotrimtheNewYorkersashehadtrimmedtheTonopahcrowdinNevada？WallStreethadbestwatchout，forthewildmanofKlondikehadjustcometotown。Or，perchance，wouldWallStreettrimhim？WallStreethadtrimmedmanywildmen；wouldthisbeBurningDaylight’sfate？Daylightgrinnedtohimself，andgaveoutambiguousinterviews。
Ithelpedthegame，andhegrinnedagain，ashemeditatedthatWallStreetwouldsurehavetogosomebeforeittrimmedhim。
Theywerepreparedforhimtoplay，and，whenheavybuyingofWardValleybegan，itwasquicklydecidedthathewastheoperator。Financialgossipbuzzedandhummed。HewasaftertheGuggenhammersoncemore。ThestoryofOphirwastoldoveragainandsensationalizeduntilevenDaylightscarcelyrecognizedit。Still，itwasallgristtohismill。Thestockgamblerswereclearlybefooled。Eachdayheincreasedhisbuying，andsoeagerwerethesellersthatWardValleyrosebutslowly。”Itsurebeatspoker，”Daylightwhisperedgleefullytohimself，ashenotedtheperturbationhewascausing。
Thenewspapershazardedcountlessguessesandsurmises，andDaylightwasconstantlydoggedbyasmallbattalionofreporters。Hisowninterviewsweregems。Discoveringthedelightthenewspaperstookinhisvernacular，inhis”you-alls，”and”sures，”and”surge-ups，”heevenexaggeratedtheseparticularitiesofspeech，exploitingthephraseshehadheardotherfrontiersmenuse，andinventingoccasionallyanewoneofhisown。
AwildlyexcitingtimewashisduringtheweekprecedingThursdaytheeighteenth。Notonlywashegamblingashehadnevergambledbefore，buthewasgamblingatthebiggesttableintheworldandforstakessolargethateventhecase-hardenedhabituesofthattablewerecompelledtositup。Inspiteoftheunlimitedselling，hispersistentbuyingcompelledWardValleysteadilytorise，andasThursdayapproached，thesituationbecameacute。Somethinghadtosmash。HowmuchWardValleywasthisKlondikegamblergoingtobuy？Howmuchcouldhebuy？WhatwastheWardValleycrowddoingallthistime？Daylightappreciatedtheinterviewswiththemthatappeared——interviewsdelightfullyplacidandnon-committal。LeonGuggenhammerevenhazardedtheopinionthatthisNorthlandCroesusmightpossiblybemakingamistake。Butnotthattheycared，JohnDowsettexplained。Nordidtheyobject。Whileinthedarkregardinghisintentions，ofonethingtheywerecertain；namely，thathewasbullingWardValley。Andtheydidnotmindthat。Nomatterwhathappenedtohimandhisspectacularoperations，WardValleywasallright，andwouldremainallright，asfirmastheRockofGibraltar。No；theyhadnoWardValleytosell，thankyou。Thispurelyfictitiousstateofthemarketwasboundshortlytopass，andWardValleywasnottobeinducedtochangetheeventenorofitswaybyanyinsanestockexchangeflurry。”Itispurelygamblingfrombeginningtoend，”wereNathanielLetton’swords；”andwerefusetohaveanythingtodowithitortotakenoticeofitinanyway。”
DuringthistimeDaylighthadseveralsecretmeetingswithhispartners——onewithLeonGuggenhammer，onewithJohnDowsett，andtwowithMr。Howison。
Beyondcongratulations，theyreallyamountedtonothing；for，ashewasinformed，everythingwasgoingsatisfactorily。
ButonTuesdaymorningarumorthatwasdisconcertingcametoDaylight’sears。ItwasalsopublishedintheWallStreetJournal，anditwastotheeffect，onapparentlystraightinsideinformation，thatonThursday，whenthedirectorsofWardValleymet，insteadofthecustomarydividendbeingdeclared，anassessmentwouldbelevied。ItwasthefirstcheckDaylighthadreceived。Itcametohimwithashockthatifthethingweresohewasabrokenman。Anditalsocametohimthatallthiscolossaloperatingofhiswasbeingdoneonhisownmoney。Dowsett，Guggenhammer，andLettonwereriskingnothing。Itwasapanic，short-lived，itwastrue，butsharpenoughwhileitlastedtomakehimrememberHoldsworthyandthebrick-yard，andtoimpelhimtocancelallbuyingorderswhileherushedtoatelephone。”Nothinginit——onlyarumor，”cameLeonGuggenhammer’sthroatyvoiceinthereceiver。”Asyouknow，”saidNathanielLetton，”Iamoneofthedirectors，andIshouldcertainlybeawareofitweresuchactioncontemplated。
AndJohnDowsett:”Iwarnedyouagainstjustsuchrumors。Thereisnotaniotaoftruthinit——certainlynot。Itellyouonmyhonorasagentleman。”
Heartilyashamedofhimselfforhistemporarylossofnerve，Daylightreturnedtohistask。ThecessationofbuyinghadturnedtheStockExchangeintoabedlam，anddownallthelineofstocksthebearsweresmashing。
WardValley，astheape，receivedthebruntoftheshock，andwasalreadybeginningtotumble。Daylightcalmlydoubledhisbuyingorders。AndallthroughTuesdayandWednesday，andThursdaymorning，hewentonbuying，whileWardValleyrosetriumphantlyhigher。Stilltheysold，andstillhebought，exceedinghispowertobuymanytimesover，whendeliverywastakenintoaccount。Whatofthat？Onthisdaythedoubledividendwouldbedeclared，heassuredhimself。Thepinchofdeliverywouldbeontheshorts。Theywouldbemakingtermswithhim。
Andthenthethunderboltstruck。Truetotherumor，WardValleyleviedtheassessment。Daylightthrewuphisarms。Heverifiedthereportandquit。NotaloneWardValley，butallsecuritieswerebeinghammereddownbythetriumphantbears。AsforWardValley，Daylightdidnoteventroubletolearnifithadfetchedbottomorwasstilltumbling。Notstunned，notevenbewildered，whileWallStreetwentmad，Daylightwithdrewfromthefieldtothinkitover。Afterashortconferencewithhisbrokers，heproceededtohishotel，onthewaypickinguptheeveningpapersandglancingatthehead-lines。BURNINGDAYLIGHTCLEANEDOUT，heread；DAYLIGHTGETSHIS；
ANOTHERWESTERNERFAILSTOFINDEASYMONEY。Asheenteredhishotel，alatereditionannouncedthesuicideofayoungman，alamb，whohadfollowedDaylight’splay。
Whatinhelldidhewanttokillhimselffor？wasDaylight’smutteredcomment。
Hepasseduptohisrooms，orderedaMartinicocktail，tookoffhisshoes，andsatdowntothink。Afterhalfanhourherousedhimselftotakethedrink，andashefelttheliquorpasswarminglythroughhisbody，hisfeaturesrelaxedintoaslow，deliberate，yetgenuinegrin。Hewaslaughingathimself。”Buncoed，bygosh！”hemuttered。
Thenthegrindiedaway，andhisfacegrewbleakandserious。LeavingouthisinterestsintheseveralWesternreclamationprojectswhichwerestillassessingheavily，hewasaruinedman。Butharderhitthanthiswashispride。Hehadbeensoeasy。Theyhadgold-brickedhim，andhehadnothingtoshowforit。Thesimplestfarmerwouldhavehaddocuments，whilehehadnothingbutagentleman’sagreement，andaverbaloneatthat。Gentleman’sagreement。Hesnortedoverit。JohnDowsett’svoice，justashehadhearditinthetelephonereceiver，soundedinhisearsthewords，”Onmyhonorasagentleman。”Theyweresneak-thievesandswindlers，thatwaswhattheywere，andtheyhadgivenhimthedouble-cross。Thenewspaperswereright。
HehadcometoNewYorktobetrimmed，andMessrs。Dowsett，Letton，andGuggenhammerhaddoneit。Hewasalittlefish，andtheyhadplayedwithhimtendays——ampletimeinwhichtoswallowhim，alongwithhiselevenmillions。Ofcourse，theyhadbeenunloadingonhimallthetime，andnowtheywerebuyingWardValleybackforasongerethemarketrighteditself。
Mostprobably，outofhisshareoftheswag，NathanielLettonwoulderectacoupleofnewbuildingsforthatuniversityofhis。LeonGuggenhammerwouldbuynewenginesforthatyacht，orawholefleetofyachts。ButwhatthedevilDowsettwoulddowithhiswhack，wasbeyondhim——mostlikelystartanotherstringofbanks。
AndDaylightsatandconsumedcocktailsandsawbackinhislifetoAlaska，andlivedoverthegrimyearsinwhichhehadbattledforhiselevenmillions。Forawhilemurderateathisheart，andwildideasandsketchyplansofkillinghisbetrayersflashedthroughhismind。Thatwaswhatthatyoungmanshouldhavedoneinsteadofkillinghimself。Heshouldhavegonegunning。Daylightunlockedhisgripandtookouthisautomaticpistol——abigColt’s。44。Hereleasedthesafetycatchwithhisthumb，andoperatingtheslidingouterbarrel，ranthecontentsoftheclipthroughthemechanism。
Theeightcartridgesslidoutinastream。Herefilledtheclip，threwacartridgeintothechamber，and，withthetriggeratfullcock，thrustupthesafetyratchet。Heshovedtheweaponintothesidepocketofhiscoat，orderedanotherMartini，andresumedhisseat。
Hethoughtsteadilyforanhour，buthegrinnednomore。Linesformedinhisface，andinthoselineswerethetravailoftheNorth，thebiteofthefrost，allthathehadachievedandsuffered——thelong，unendingweeksoftrail，thebleaktundrashoreofPointBarrow，thesmashingice-jamoftheYukon，thebattleswithanimalsandmen，thelean-draggeddaysoffamine，thelongmonthsofstinginghellamongthemosquitoesoftheKoyokuk，thetoilofpickandshovel，thescarsandmarsofpack-strapandtump-line，thestraightmeatdietwiththedogs，andallthelongprocessionoftwentyfullyearsoftoilandsweatandendeavor。
Atteno’clockhearoseandporedoverthecitydirectory。Thenheputonhisshoes，tookacab，anddepartedintothenight。Twicehechangedcabs，andfinallyfetchedupatthenightofficeofadetectiveagency。
Hesuperintendedthethinghimself，laiddownmoneyinadvanceinprofusequantities，selectedthesixmenheneeded，andgavethemtheirinstructions。
Never，forsosimpleatask，hadtheybeensowellpaid；for，toeach，inadditiontoofficecharges，hegaveafive-hundred-dollarbill，withthepromiseofanotherifhesucceeded。Sometimenextday，hewasconvinced，ifnotsooner，histhreesilentpartnerswouldcometogether。Toeachonetwoofhisdetectivesweretobeattached。Timeandplacewasallhewantedtolearn。”Stopatnothing，boys，”werehisfinalinstructions。”Imusthavethisinformation。Whateveryoudo，whateverhappens，I’llsureseeyouthrough。”
Returningtohishotel，hechangedcabsasbefore，wentuptohisroom，andwithonemorecocktailforanightcap，wenttobedandtosleep。Inthemorninghedressedandshaved，orderedbreakfastandthenewspaperssentup，andwaited。Buthedidnotdrink。Bynineo’clockhistelephonebegantoringandthereportstocomein。NathanielLettonwastakingthetrainatTarrytown。JohnDowsettwascomingdownbythesubway。LeonGuggenhammerhadnotstirredoutyet，thoughhewasassuredlywithin。Andinthisfashion，withamapofthecityspreadoutbeforehim，Daylightfollowedthemovementsofhisthreemenastheydrewtogether。NathanielLettonwasathisofficesintheMutual-SolanderBuilding。NextarrivedGuggenhammer。Dowsettwasstillinhisownoffices。Butatelevencamethewordthathealsohadarrived，andseveralminuteslaterDaylightwasinahiredmotor-carandspeedingfortheMutual-SolanderBuilding。BurningDaylight:PartII:ChapterIVPartIIChapterIVNathanielLettonwastalkingwhenthedooropened；heceased，andwithhistwocompanionsgazedwithcontrolledperturbationatBurningDaylightstridingintotheroom。Thefree，swingingmovementsofthetrail-travelerwereunconsciouslyexaggeratedinthatstrideofhis。Intruth，itseemedtohimthathefeltthetrailbeneathhisfeet。”Howdy，gentlemen，howdy，”heremarked，ignoringtheunnaturalcalmwithwhichtheygreetedhisentrance。Heshookhandswiththeminturn，stridingfromonetoanotherandgrippingtheirhandssoheartilythatNathanielLettoncouldnotforbeartowince。Daylightflunghimselfintoamassivechairandsprawledlazily，withanappearanceoffatigue。Theleathergriphehadbroughtintotheroomhedroppedcarelesslybesidehimonthefloor”Goddlemighty，butI’vesurebeengoingsome，”hesighed。”Wesuretrimmedthembeautiful。Itwasrealslick。Andthebeautyoftheplayneverdawnedonmetilltheveryend。Itwaspureandsimpleknockdownanddragout。Andthewaytheyfellforitwasamazin’。”
ThegenialityinhislazyWesterndrawlreassuredthem。Hewasnotsoformidable，afterall。DespitetheactthathehadeffectedanentranceinthefaceofLetton’sinstructionstotheouteroffice，heshowednoindicationofmakingasceneorplayingrough。”Well，”Daylightdemandedgood-humoredly，”ain’tyou-allgotagoodwordforyourpardner？Orhashissureenoughbrillianceplumbdazzledyou-all？”
Lettonmadeadrysoundinhisthroat。Dowsettsatquietlyandwaited，whileLeonGuggenhammerstruggledintoarticulation。”YouhavecertainlyraisedCain，”hesaid。
Daylight’sblackeyesflashedinapleasedway。”Didn’tI，though！”heproclaimedjubilantly。”Anddidn’twefool’em！
Iwastotallysurprised。Ineverdreamedtheywouldbethateasy。”Andnow，”hewenton，notpermittingthepausetogrowawkward，”we-allmightaswellhaveanaccounting。I’mpullin’WestthisafternoononthatblamedTwentiethCentury。”Hetuggedathisgrip，gotitopen，anddippedintoitwithbothhishands。”Butdon’tforget，boys，whenyou-allwantmetohornswoggleWallStreetanotherflutter，allyou-allhavetodoiswhispertheword。I’llsureberighttherewiththegoods。”
Hishandsemerged，clutchingagreatmassofstubs，check-books，andbroker’sreceipts。Thesehedepositedinaheaponthebigtable，anddippingagain，hefishedoutthestragglersandaddedthemtothepile。Heconsultedaslipofpaper，drawnfromhiscoatpocket，andreadaloud:-”Tenmilliontwenty-seventhousandandforty-twodollarsandsixty-eightcentsismyfigurin’onmyexpenses。Ofcoursethat-all’stakenfromthewinningsbeforewe-allgettofigurin’onthewhack-up。Where’syourfigures？
Itmusta’beenaGoddlemightybigclean-up。”
Thethreemenlookedtheirbepuzzlementatoneanother。Themanwasabiggerfoolthantheyhadimagined，orelsehewasplayingagamewhichtheycouldnotdivine。
NathanielLettonmoistenedhislipsandspokeup。”Itwilltakesomehoursyet，Mr。Harnish，beforethefullaccountingcanbemade。Mr。Howisonisatworkuponitnow。We——ah——asyousay，ithasbeenagratifyingclean-up。Supposewehavelunchtogetherandtalkitover。I’llhavetheclerksworkthroughthenoonhour，sothatyouwillhaveampletimetocatchyourtrain。”
DowsettandGuggenhammermanifestedareliefthatwasalmostobvious。
Thesituationwasclearing。Itwasdisconcerting，underthecircumstances，tobepentinthesameroomwiththisheavy-muscled，Indian-likemanwhomtheyhadrobbed。Theyrememberedunpleasantlythemanystoriesofhisstrengthandrecklessness。IfLettoncouldonlyputhimofflongenoughforthemtoescapeintothepolicedworldoutsidetheofficedoor，allwouldbewell；andDaylightshowedallthesignsofbeingputoff。”I’mrealgladtohearthat，”hesaid。”Idon’twanttomissthattrain，andyou-allhavedonemeproud，gentlemen，lettingmeinonthisdeal。
Ijustdoappreciateitwithoutbeingabletoexpressmyfeelings。ButIamsurealmightycurious，andI’dliketerribletoknow，Mr。Letton，whatyourfiguresofourwinningis。Canyou-allgivemearoughestimate？”
NathanielLettondidnotlookappealinglyathistwofriends，butinthebriefpausetheyfeltthatappealpassoutfromhim。Dowsett，ofsternermouldthantheothers，begantodivinethattheKlondikerwasplaying。
Buttheothertwowerestilloldertheblandishmentofhischild-likeinnocence。”Itisextremely——er——difficult，”LeonGuggenhammerbegan。”Yousee，WardValleyhasfluctuatedso，er——””Thatnoestimatecanpossiblybemadeinadvance，”Lettonsupplemented。”Approximateit，approximateit，”Daylightcounselledcheerfully。”Itdon’thurtifyou-allareamillionorsooutonesideortheother。
Thefigures’llstraightenthatup。ButI’mthatcuriousI’mjustitchingallover。Whatd’yesay？””Whycontinuetoplayatcrosspurposes？”Dowsettdemandedabruptlyandcoldly。”Letushavetheexplanationhereandnow。Mr。Harnishislaboringunderafalseimpression，andheshouldbesetstraight。Inthisdeal——”
ButDaylightinterrupted。Hehadplayedtoomuchpokertobeunawareorunappreciativeofthepsychologicalfactor，andheheadedDowsettoffinordertoplaythedenouncementofthepresentgameinhisownway。”Speakingofdeals，”hesaid，”remindsmeofapokergameIonceseeninReno，Nevada。Itwa’n’twhatyou-allwouldcallasquaregame。They-allwastin-hornsthatsatin。Buttheywasatenderfoot——short-hornsthey-allarecalledoutthere。Hestandsbehindthedealerandseesthatsamedealergivehisselffouracesoffenthebottomofthedeck。Thetenderfootissureshocked。Heslidesaroundtotheplayerfacin’thedealeracrossthetable。”’Say，’hewhispers，’Iseenthedealerdealhisselffouraces。’”’Well，an’whatofit？”saystheplayer。”’I’mtryin’totellyou-allbecauseIthoughtyou-alloughttoknow，’
saysthetenderfoot。’Itellyou-allIseenhimdealhisselffouraces。’”’Say，mister，’saystheplayer，’you-all’dbettergetoutahere。You-alldon’tunderstandthegame。It’shisdeal，ain’tit？’”
Thelaughterthatgreetedhisstorywashollowandperfunctory，butDaylightappearednottonoticeit。”Yourstoryhassomemeaning，Isuppose，”Dowsettsaidpointedly。
Daylightlookedathiminnocentlyanddidnotreply。HeturnedjoviallytoNathanielLetton。”Fireaway，”hesaid。”Giveusanapproximationofourwinning。AsI
saidbefore，amillionoutonewayortheotherwon’tmatter，it’sboundtobesuchanalmightybigwinning。”BythistimeLettonwasstiffenedbytheattitudeDowsetthadtaken，andhisanswerwaspromptanddefinite。”Ifearyouareunderamisapprehension，Mr。Harnish。Therearenowinningstobedividedwithyou。Nowdon’tgetexcited，Ibegofyou。Ihavebuttopressthisbutton……”
Farfromexcited，Daylighthadalltheseemingofbeingstunned。Hefeltabsentlyinhisvestpocketforamatch，lightedit，anddiscoveredthathehadnocigarette。Thethreemenwatchedhimwiththetenseclosenessofcats。Nowthatithadcome，theyknewthattheyhadanastyfewminutesbeforethem。”Doyou-allmindsayingthatoveragain？”Daylightsaid。”SeemstomeIain’tgotitjustexactlyright。You-allsaid……？”
HehungwithpainfulexpectancyonNathanielLetton’sutterance。”Isaidyouwereunderamisapprehension，Mr。Harnish，thatwasall。
Youhavebeenstockgambling，andyouhavebeenhardhit。ButneitherWardValley，norI，normyassociates，feelthatweoweyouanything。”
Daylightpointedattheheapofreceiptsandstubsonthetable。”That-allrepresentstenmilliontwenty-seventhousandandforty-twodollarsandsixty-eightcents，hardcash。Ain’titgoodforanythinghere？”
Lettonsmiledandshruggedhisshoulders。
DaylightlookedatDowsettandmurmured:——”Iguessthatstoryofminehadsomemeaning，afterall。”Helaughedinasicklyfashion。”Itwasyourdealallright，andyou-alldolethemright，too。Well，Iain’tkicking。I’mliketheplayerinthatpokergame。
Itwasyourdeal，andyou-allhadarighttodoyourbest。Andyoud-oneit-cleanedmeoutslicker’nawhistle。”
Hegazedattheheaponthetablewithanairofstupefaction。”’Nowit’smyDeal，andI’ma-goingtoseeifIcanholdthemFourAces’””Andthat-allain’tworththepaperit’swrittenon。Goldastit，you-allcansuredeal’em’roundwhenyougetachance。Oh，no，Iain’ta-kicking。
Itwasyourdeal，andyou-allcertainlydoneme，andamanain’thalfamanthatsquealsonanotherman’sdeal。Andnowthehandisplayedout，andthecardsareonthetable，andthedeal’sover，but……”
Hishand，dippingswiftlyintohisinsidebreastpocket，appearedwiththebigColt’sautomatic。”AsIwassaying，theolddeal’sfinished。Nowit’sMYdeal，andI’ma-goingtoseeifIcanholdthemfouraces-”Takeyourhandaway，youwhitedsepulchre！”hecriedsharply。
NathanielLetton’shand，creepingtowardthepush-buttononthedesk，wasabruptlyarrested。”Changechairs，”Daylightcommanded。”Takethatchairoverthere，yougangrene-liveredskunk。Jump！ByGod！orI’llmakeyouleaktillfolks’llthinkyourfatherwasawaterhydrantandyourmotherasprinkling-cart。
You-allmoveyourchairalongside，Guggenhammer；andyou-allDowsett，sitrightthere，whileIjustirrelevantlyexplainthevirtuesofthishereautomatic。She’sloadedforbiggameandshegoesoffeighttimes。She’sasurehummerwhenshegetsstarted。”Preliminaryremarksbeingover，Inowproceedtodeal。Remember，I
ain’tmakingnoremarksaboutyourdeal。Youdoneyourdarndest，anditwasallright。Butthisismydeal，andit’suptometodomydarndest。
Inthefirstplace，you-allknowme。I’mBurningDaylight——savvee？Ain’tafraidofGod，devil，death，nordestruction。Them’smyfouraces，andtheysurecopperyourbets。Lookatthattherelivingskeleton。Letton，you’resureafraidtodie。Yourbonesisallrattlingtogetheryou’rethatscared。AndlookatthatfatJewthere。Thislittleweapon’ssureputthefearofGodinhisheart。He’syellowasasickpersimmon。Dowsett，you’reacoolone。You-allain’tbattedaneyenorturnedahair。That’sbecauseyou’regreatonarithmetic。Andthatmakesyou-alldeadeasyinthisdealofmine。You’resittingthereandaddingtwoandtwotogether，andyou-allknowIsuregotyouskinned。Youknowme，andthatIain’tafraidofnothing。
Andyou-alladdsupallyourmoneyandknowsyouain’ta-goingtodieifyoucanhelpit。””I’llseeyouhanged，”wasDowsett’sretort。”Notbyadamnedsight。Whenthefunstarts，you’rethefirstIplug。
I’llhangallright，butyou-allwon’tlivetoseeit。You-alldiehereandnowwhileI’lldiesubjecttothelaw’sdelay——savvee？Beingdead，withgrassgrowingoutofyourcarcasses，youwon’tknowwhenIhang，butI’llsurehavethepleasurealongtimeofknowingyou-allbeatmetoit。”
Daylightpaused。”Yousurelywouldn’tkillus？”Lettonaskedinaqueer，thinvoice。
Daylightshookhishead。”It’ssuretooexpensive。You-allain’tworthit。I’dsoonerhavemychipsback。AndIguessyou-all’dsoonergivemychipsbackthangotothedead-house。”
Alongsilencefollowed。”Well，I’vedonedealt。It’suptoyou-alltoplay。Butwhileyou’redeliberating，Iwanttogiveyou-allawarning:ifthatdooropensandanyoneofyoucussesletsonthere’sanythingunusual，righthereandthenIsurestartplugging。Theyain’tasoul’llgetouttheroomexceptfeetfirst。”
Alongsessionofthreehoursfollowed。Thedecidingfactorwasnotthebigautomaticpistol，butthecertitudethatDaylightwoulduseit。
Notalonewerethethreemenconvincedofthis，butDaylighthimselfwasconvinced。Hewasfirmlyresolvedtokillthemenifhismoneywasnotforthcoming。Itwasnotaneasymatter，onthespurofthemoment，toraisetenmillionsinpapercurrency，andtherewerevexatiousdelays。AdozentimesMr。Howisonandtheheadclerkweresummonedintotheroom。OntheseoccasionsthepistollayonDaylight’slap，coveredcarelesslybyanewspaper，whilehewasusuallyengagedinrollingorlightinghisbrown-papercigarettes。
Butintheend，thethingwasaccomplished。Asuit-casewasbroughtupbyoneoftheclerksfromthewaitingmotor-car，andDaylightsnappeditshutonthelastpackageofbills。Hepausedatthedoortomakehisfinalremarks。”There’sthreeseveralthingsIsurewanttotellyou-all。WhenIgetoutsidethisdoor，you-all’llbesetfreetoact，andIjustwanttowarnyou-allaboutwhattodo。Inthefirstplace，nowarrantsformyarrest——savvee？
Thismoney’smine，andIain’trobbedyouofit。Ifitgetsouthowyougavemethedouble-crossandhowIdoneyoubackagain，thelaugh’llbeonyou，andit’llsurebeanalmightybiglaugh。You-allcan’taffordthatlaugh。Besides，havinggotbackmystakethatyou-allrobbedmeof，ifyouarrestmeandtrytorobmeasecondtime，I’llgogunningforyou-all，andI’llsuregetyou。Nolittlefraid-catshrimpslikeyou-allcanskinBurningDaylight。Ifyouwinyoulose，andthere’llsurebesomeseveralunexpectedfuneralsaroundthisburg。