manorwomanamongthem；thattheywerelookeduponasadistinctandsuperiorcasteofIndians，andenjoyedcertainprivilegeswiththetribe；thattheysuperstitiouslyavoidedwhitemen，ofwhomtheyhadthegreatestfear，andthattheywereprotectedinthisbytheotherIndians；thatitwasmarvelousandalmostbeyondbeliefthatPomfreyhadbeenabletoseeone，fornootherwhitemanhad，orwasevenawareoftheirexistence。
Howmuchofthisheactuallyunderstood，howmuchofitwaslyingandduetoJim\'sbeliefthathewishedtoabductthefairstranger，Pomfreywasunabletodetermine。Therewasenough，however，toexcitehiscuriositystronglyandoccupyhismindtotheexclusionofhisbooks——saveone。Amonghissmallervolumeshehadfoundatravelbookofthe\"ChinookJargon，\"withalexiconofmanyofthewordscommonlyusedbytheNorthernPacifictribes。Anhourortwo\'strialwiththeastonishedJimgavehimanincreasedvocabularyandanewoccupation。Eachdaytheincongruouspairtookalessonfromthelexicon。InaweekPomfreyfelthewouldbeabletoaccostthemysteriousstranger。Buthedidnotagainsurpriseherinanyofhisrambles，oreveninalatervisittothesweat-house。HehadlearnedfromJimthatthehousewasonlyusedbythe\"bucks，\"ormales，andthatherappearancetherehadbeenaccidental。Herecalledthathehadhadtheimpressionthatshehadbeenstealthilyfollowinghim，andtherecollectiongavehimapleasurehecouldnotaccountfor。Butanincidentpresentlyoccurredwhichgavehimanewideaofherrelationstowardshim。
ThedifficultyofmakingJimunderstandhadhithertopreventedPomfreyfromintrustinghimwiththecareofthelantern；butwiththeaidofthelexiconhehadbeenabletomakehimcomprehenditsworking，andunderPomfrey\'spersonalguidancetheIndianhadonceortwicelitthelampandsetitsmachineryinmotion。ItremainedforhimonlytotestJim\'sunaidedcapacity，incaseofhisownabsenceorillness。Ithappenedtobeawarm，beautifulsunset，whentheafternoonfoghadforoncedelayeditsinvasionoftheshore-line，thatheleftthelighthousetoJim\'sundividedcare，andrecliningonasand-dunestillwarmfromthesun，lazilywatchedtheresultofJim\'sfirstessay。Asthetwilightdeepened，andthefirstflashofthelanternstrovewiththedyinggloriesofthesun，Pomfreypresentlybecameawarethathewasnottheonlywatcher。Alittlegrayfigurecreepingonallfourssuddenlyglidedoutoftheshadowofanothersand-duneandthenhalted，fallingbackonitsknees，gazingfixedlyatthegrowinglight。Itwasthewomanhehadseen。Shewasnotadozenyardsaway，andinhereagernessandutterabsorptioninthelighthadevidentlyoverlookedhim。Hecouldseeherfacedistinctly，herlipspartedhalfinwonder，halfwiththebreathlessabsorptionofadevotee。
Afaintsenseofdisappointmentcameoverhim。ItwasnotHIMshewaswatching，butthelight！Asitswelledoutoverthedarkeninggraysandsheturnedasiftowatchitseffectaroundher，andcaughtsightofPomfrey。Withalittlestartledcry——thefirstshehaduttered——shedartedaway。Hedidnotfollow。Amomentbefore，whenhefirstsawher，anIndiansalutationwhichhehadlearnedfromJimhadrisentohislips，butintheoddfeelingwhichherfascinationofthelighthadcausedhimhehadnotspoken。Hewatchedherbentfigurescuttlingawaylikesomefrightenedanimal，withacriticalconsciousnessthatshewasreallyscarcehuman，andwentbacktothelighthouse。Hewouldnotrunafterheragain！
Yetthateveninghecontinuedtothinkofher，andrecalledhervoice，whichstruckhimnowashavingbeenatoncemelodiousandchildlike，andwishedhehadatleastspoken，andperhapselicitedareply。
Hedidnot，however，hauntthesweat-houseneartheriveragain。
YethestillcontinuedhislessonswithJim，andinthisway，perhaps，althoughquiteunpremeditatedly，enlistedahumbleally。
Aweekpassedinwhichhehadnotalludedtoher，whenonemorning，ashewasreturningfromarow，Jimmethimmysteriouslyonthebeach。
\"S\'posehimcomeslow，slow，\"saidJimgravely，airinghisnewlyacquiredEnglish；\"makenonoise——plentycatcheeIndianmaiden。\"
Thelastepithetwasthepolitelexiconequivalentofsquaw。
Pomfrey，notentirelysatisfiedinhismind，neverthelesssoftlyfollowedthenoiselesslyglidingJimtothelighthouse。HereJimcautiouslyopenedthedoor，motioningPomfreytoenter。
Thebaseofthetowerwascomposedoftwolivingrooms，astoreroomandoil-tank。AsPomfreyentered，Jimclosedthedoorsoftlybehindhim。Theabrupttransitionfromtheglareofthesandsandsuntothesemi-darknessofthestoreroomatfirstpreventedhimfromseeinganything，buthewasinstantlydistractedbyascurryingflutterandwildbeatingofthewalls，asofacagedbird。Inanothermomenthecouldmakeoutthefairstranger，quiveringwithexcitement，passionatelydashingatthebarredwindow，thewalls，thelockeddoor，andcirclingaroundtheroominherdesperateattempttofindanegress，likeacapturedseagull。
Amazed，mystified，indignantwithJim，himself，andevenhisunfortunatecaptive，PomfreycalledtoherinChinooktostop，andgoingtothedoor，flungitwideopen。Shedartedbyhim，raisinghersoftblueeyesforaninstantinaswift，sidelongglanceofhalfappeal，half-frightenedadmiration，andrushedoutintotheopen。Buthere，tohissurprise，shedidnotrunaway。Onthecontrary，shedrewherselfupwithadignitythatseemedtoincreaseherheight，andwalkedmajesticallytowardsJim，whoatherunexpectedexithadsuddenlythrownhimselfuponthesand，inutterlyabjectterrorandsupplication。Sheapproachedhimslowly，withonesmallhandupliftedinamenacinggesture。Themanwrithedandsquirmedbeforeher。Thensheturned，caughtsightofPomfreystandinginthedoorway，andwalkedquietlyaway。Amazed，yetgratifiedwiththisnewassertionofherself，Pomfreyrespectfully，butalas！incautiously，calledafterher。Inaninstant，atthesoundofhisvoice，shedroppedagainintoherslouchingIndiantrotandglidedawayoverthesandhills。
PomfreydidnotaddanyreproofofhisowntothediscomfitureofhisIndianretainer。Neitherdidheattempttoinquirethesecretofthissavagegirl\'spoweroverhim。Itwasevidenthehadspokentrulywhenhetoldhismasterthatshewasofasuperiorcaste。
PomfreyrecalledhererectandindignantfigurestandingovertheprostrateJim，andwasagainperplexedanddisappointedathersuddenlapseintothetimidsavageatthesoundofhisvoice。
Wouldnotthiswell-meantbutmiserabletrickofJim\'shavetheeffectofincreasingherunreasoninganimal-likedistrustofhim？
Afewdayslaterbroughtanunexpectedanswertohisquestion。
Itwasthehottesthouroftheday。Hehadbeenfishingoffthereefofrockswherehehadfirstseenher，andhadtakeninhislineandwasleisurelypullingforthelighthouse。Suddenlyalittlemusicalcrynotunlikeabird\'sstruckhisear。Helayonhisoarsandlistened。Itwasrepeated；butthistimeitwasunmistakablyrecognizableasthevoiceoftheIndiangirl，althoughhehadhearditbutonce。Heturnedeagerlytotherock，butitwasempty；hepulledaroundit，butsawnothing。Helookedtowardstheshore，andswunghisboatinthatdirection，whenagainthecrywasrepeatedwiththefaintestquaverofalaugh，apparentlyontheleveloftheseabeforehim。Forthefirsttimehelookeddown，andthereonthecrestofawavenotadozenyardsahead，dancedtheyellowhairandlaughingeyesofthegirl。Thefrightenedgravityofherlookwasgone，lostintheflashofherwhiteteethandquiveringdimplesasherdrippingfaceroseabovethesea。
Whentheireyesmetshedivedagain，butquicklyreappearedontheotherbow，swimmingwithlazy，easystrokes，hersmilingheadthrownbackoverherwhiteshoulder，asifluringhimtoarace。
Ifhersmilewasarevelationtohim，stillmoresowasthisfirsttouchoffemininecoquetryinherattitude。Hepulledeagerlytowardsher；withafewlongoverhandstrokesshekeptherdistance，or，ifheapproachedtoonear，shedivedlikealoon，comingupasternofhimwiththesamechildlike，mockingcry。Invainhepursuedher，callinghertostopinherowntongue，andlaughinglyprotested；sheeasilyavoidedhisboatateveryturn。
Suddenly，whentheywerenearlyabreastoftheriverestuary，sheroseinthewater，and，wavingherlittlehandswithagestureoffarewell，turned，andcurvingherbacklikeadolphin，leapedintothesurgingswelloftheestuarybarandwaslostinitsfoam。Itwouldhavebeenmadnessforhimtohaveattemptedtofollowinhisboat，andhesawthatsheknewit。Hewaiteduntilheryellowcrestappearedinthesmootherwateroftheriver，andthenrowedback。Inhisexcitementandpreoccupationhehadquiteforgottenhislongexposuretothesunduringhisactiveexercise，andthathewaspoorlyequippedforthecoldsea-fogwhichtheheathadbroughtinearlier，andwhichnowwasquietlyobliteratingseaandshore。Thismadehisprogressslowerandmoredifficult，andbythetimehehadreachedthelighthousehewaschilledtothebone。
Thenextmorninghewokewithadullheadacheandgreatweariness，anditwaswithconsiderabledifficultythathecouldattendtohisduties。Atnightfall，feelingworse，hedeterminedtotransferthecareofthelighttoJim，butwasamazedtofindthathehaddisappeared，andwhatwasmoreominous，abottleofspiritswhichPomfreyhadtakenfromhislockerthenightbeforehaddisappearedtoo。LikeallIndians，Jim\'srudimentaryknowledgeofcivilizationincluded\"fire-water；\"heevidentlyhadbeentempted，hadfallen，andwastooashamedortoodrunktofacehismaster。Pomfrey，however，managedtogetthelightinorderandworking，andthen，hescarcelyknewhow，betookhimselftobedinastateofhighfever。Heturnedfromsidetosiderackedbypain，withburninglipsandpulses。Strangefanciesbesethim；hehadnoticedwhenhelithislightthatastrangesailwasloomingofftheestuary——aplacewherenosailhadeverbeenseenorshouldbe——andwasrelievedthatthelightingofthetowermightshowtherecklessorignorantmarinerhisrealbearingsforthe\"Gate。\"Attimeshehadheardvoicesabovethefamiliarsongofthesurf，andtriedtorisefromhisbed，butcouldnot。Sometimesthesevoiceswerestrange，outlandish，dissonant，inhisownlanguage，yetonlypartlyintelligible；butthroughthemalwaysrangasinglevoice，musical，familiar，yetofatonguenothisown——hers！Andthen，outofhisdelirium——forsuchitprovedafterwardstobe——cameastrangevision。Hethoughtthathehadjustlitthelightwhen，fromsomestrangeandunaccountablereason，itsuddenlybecamedimanddefiedallhiseffortstoreviveit。Toaddtohisdiscomfiture，hecouldseequiteplainlythroughthelanternastrange-lookingvesselstandinginfromthesea。ShewassoclearlyoutofhercoursefortheGatethatheknewshehadnotseenthelight，andhislimbstrembledwithshameandterrorashetriedinvaintorekindlethedyinglight。Yettohissurprisethestrangeshipkeptsteadilyon，passingthedangerousreefofrocks，untilshewasactuallyinthewatersofthebay。Butstrangerthanall，swimmingbeneathherbowswasthegoldenheadandlaughingfaceoftheIndiangirl，evenashehadseenitthedaybefore。Astrangerevulsionoffeelingovertookhim。Believingthatshewasluringtheshiptoitsdestruction，heranoutonthebeachandstrovetohailthevesselandwarnitofitsimpendingdoom。Buthecouldnotspeak——nosoundcamefromhislips。Andnowhisattentionwasabsorbedbytheshipitself。High-bowedandpooped，andcurvedlikethecrescentmoon，itwasthestrangestcraftthathehadeverseen。
Evenashegazeditglidedonnearerandnearer，andatlastbeacheditselfnoiselesslyonthesandsbeforehisownfeet。A
scoreoffiguresasbizarreandoutlandishastheshipitselfnowthrongeditshighforecastle——reallyacastleinshapeandwarlikepurpose——andleapedfromitsports。Thecommonseamenwerenearlynakedtothewaist；theofficerslookedmorelikesoldiersthansailors。Whatstruckhimmorestrangelywasthattheywereoneandallseeminglyunconsciousoftheexistenceofthelighthouse，saunteringupanddowncarelessly，asifonsomeuninhabitedstrand，andeventalking——sofarashecouldunderstandtheiroldbookishdialect——asifinsomehithertoundiscoveredland。Theirignoranceofthegeographyofthewholecoast，andevenoftheseafromwhichtheycame，actuallyarousedhiscriticalindignation；
theircoarseandstupidallusionstothefairIndianswimmerasthe\"mermaid\"thattheyhadseenupontheirbowmadehimmorefuriousstill。Yethewashelplesstoexpresshiscontemptuousanger，orevenmakethemconsciousofhispresence。Thenanintervalofincoherencyandutterblanknessfollowed。Whenheagaintookupthethreadofhisfancytheshipseemedtobelyingonherbeamendsonthesand；thestrangearrangementofherupperdeckandtop-hamper，morelikeadwellingthananyshiphehadeverseen，wasfullyexposedtoview，whiletheseamenseemedtobeatworkwiththerudestcontrivances，calkingandscrapingherbarnacledsides。Hesawthatphantomcrew，whennotworking，atwassailandfestivity；heardtheshoutsofdrunkenroisterers；sawtheplacingofaguardaroundsomeofthemostuncontrollable，andlaterdetectedthestealthyescapeofhalfadozensailorsinland，amidstthefruitlessvolleyfireduponthemfromobsoleteblunderbusses。
Thenhisstrangevisiontransportedhiminland，wherehesawtheseseamenfollowingsomeIndianwomen。Suddenlyoneofthemturnedandranfrenziedlytowardshimasifseekingsuccor，closelypursuedbyoneofthesailors。Pomfreystrovetoreachher，struggledviolentlywiththefearfulapathythatseemedtoholdhislimbs，andthen，assheutteredatlastalittlemusicalcry，bursthisbondsand——awoke！
Asconsciousnessslowlystruggledbacktohim，hecouldseethebarewooden-likewallsofhissleeping-room，thelocker，theonewindowbrightwithsunlight，theopendoorofthetank-room，andthelittlestaircasetothetower。Therewasastrangesmokyandherb-likesmellintheroom。Hemadeanefforttorise，butashedidsoasmallsunburnthandwaslaidgentlyyetrestraininglyuponhisshoulder，andheheardthesamemusicalcryasbefore，butthistimemodulatedtoagirlishlaugh。Heraisedhisheadfaintly。
Halfsquatting，halfkneelingbyhisbedwastheyellow-hairedstranger。
Withtherecollectionofhisvisionstillperplexinghim，hesaidinaweakvoice，\"Whoareyou？\"
Herblueeyesmethisownwithquickintelligenceandnotraceofherformertimidity。Asoft，caressinglighthadtakenitsplace。
Pointingwithherfingertoherbreastinachildlikegesture，shesaid，\"Me——Olooya。\"
\"Olooya！\"HerememberedsuddenlythatJimhadalwaysusedthatwordinspeakingofher，butuntilthenhehadalwaysthoughtitwassomeIndiantermforherdistinctclass。
\"Olooya，\"herepeated。Then，withdifficultyattemptingtouseherowntongue，heasked，\"Whendidyoucomehere？\"
\"Lastnight，\"sheansweredinthesametongue。\"Therewasnowitch-firethere，\"shecontinued，pointingtothetower；\"whenitcamenot，Olooyacame！Olooyafoundwhitechiefsickandalone。
Whitechiefcouldnotgetup！Olooyalitwitch-fireforhim。\"
\"You？\"herepeatedinastonishment。\"Ilititmyself。\"
Shelookedathimpityingly，asifstillrecognizinghisdelirium，andshookherhead。\"Whitechiefwassick——howcanknow？Olooyamadewitch-fire。\"
Hecastahurriedglanceathiswatchhangingonthewallbesidehim。IthadRUNDOWN，althoughhehadwounditthelastthingbeforegoingtobed。Hehadevidentlybeenlyingtherehelplessbeyondthetwenty-fourhours！
Hegroanedandturnedtorise，butshegentlyforcedhimdownagain，andgavehimsomeherbalinfusion，inwhichherecognizedthetasteoftheYerbaBuenavinewhichgrewbytheriver。ThenshemadehimcomprehendinherowntonguethatJimhadbeendecoyed，whiledrunk，aboardacertainschoonerlyingofftheshoreataspotwhereshehadseensomemendigginginthesands。Shehadnotgonethere，forshewasafraidofthebadmen，andaslightreturnofherformerterrorcameintoherchangefuleyes。Sheknewhowtolightthewitch-light；sheremindedhimshehadbeeninthetowerbefore。
\"Youhavesavedmylight，andperhapsmylife，\"hesaidweakly，takingherhand。
Possiblyshedidnotunderstandhim，forheronlyanswerwasavaguesmile。Butthenextinstantshestartedup，listeningintently，andthenwithafrightenedcrydrewawayherhandandsuddenlydashedoutofthebuilding。Inthemidstofhisamazementthedoorwasdarkenedbyafigure——astrangerdressedlikeanordinaryminer。PausingamomenttolookaftertheflyingOlooya，themanturnedandglancedaroundtheroom，andthenwithacoarse，familiarsmileapproachedPomfrey。
\"HopeIain\'tdisturbin\'ye，butIallowedI\'djustbeneighborlyanddropin——seein\'asthisisgov\'nmentproperty，andmeandmypardners，asAmericancitizensandtax-payers，helpstosupportit。
We\'recoastin\'fromTrinidaddownhereandprospectin\'alongthebeachforgoldinthesand。Yeseemtohevamightysoftberthofithere——nothingtodo——andlotsofpurtyhalf-breedshangin\'
round！\"
Theman\'seffronterywastoomuchforPomfrey\'sself-control，weakenedbyillness。\"ItISgovernmentproperty，\"heansweredhotly，\"andyouhavenomorerighttointrudeuponitthanyouhavetodecoyawaymyservant，agovernmentemployee，duringmyillness，andjeopardizethatproperty。\"
Theunexpectednessofthisattack，andthesuddenrevelationofthefactofPomfrey\'sillnessinhisflushedfaceandhollowvoiceapparentlyfrightenedandconfusedthestranger。Hestammeredasurlyexcuse，backedoutofthedoorway，anddisappeared。AnhourlaterJimappeared，crestfallen，remorseful，andextravagantlypenitent。Pomfreywastooweakforreproachesorinquiry，andhewasthinkingonlyofOlooya。
Shedidnotreturn。Hisrecoveryinthatkeenair，aided，ashesometimesthought，bytheherbsshehadgivenhim，wasalmostasrapidashisillness。Theminersdidnotagainintrudeuponthelighthousenortroublehisseclusion。Whenhewasabletosunhimselfonthesands，hecouldseetheminthedistanceatworkonthebeach。Hereflectedthatshewouldnotcomebackwhiletheywerethere，andwasreconciled。ButonemorningJimappeared，awkwardandembarrassed，leadinganotherIndian，whomheintroducedasOlooya\'sbrother。Pomfrey\'ssuspicionswerearoused。Exceptthatthestrangerhadsomethingofthegirl\'ssuperiorityofmanner，therewasnolikenesswhatevertohisfair-hairedacquaintance。Butafuryofindignationwasaddedtohissuspicionswhenhelearnedtheamazingpurportoftheirvisit。ItwasnothinglessthananofferfromtheallegedbrothertoSELLhissistertoPomfreyforfortydollarsandajugofwhiskey！
Unfortunately，Pomfrey\'stemperoncemoregotthebetterofhisjudgment。WithascathingexpositionofthelawsunderwhichtheIndianandwhitemanequallylived，andthelegalpunishmentofkidnaping，hesweptwhathebelievedwastheimpostorfromhispresence。Hewasscarcelyaloneagainbeforeherememberedthathisimprudencemightaffectthegirl\'sfutureaccesstohim，butitwastoolatenow。
Stillheclungtothebeliefthatheshouldseeherwhentheprospectorshaddeparted，andhehailedwithdelightthebreakingupofthecampnearthe\"sweat-house\"andthedisappearanceoftheschooner。Itseemedthattheirgold-seekingwasunsuccessful；butPomfreywasstruck，onvisitingthelocality，tofindthatintheirexcavationsinthesandattheestuarytheyhaduncoveredthedecayingtimbersofaship\'ssmallboatofsomeancientandobsoleteconstruction。Thismadehimthinkofhisstrangedream，withavaguesenseofwarningwhichhecouldnotshakeoff，andonhisreturntothelighthousehetookfromhisshelvesacopyoftheoldvoyagestoseehowfarhisfancyhadbeenaffectedbyhisreading。IntheaccountofDrake\'svisittothecoasthefoundafootnotewhichhehadoverlookedbefore，andwhichranasfollows：
\"TheAdmiralseemstohavelostseveralofhiscrewbydesertion，whoweresupposedtohaveperishedmiserablybystarvationintheinhospitableinteriororbythehandsofsavages。ButlatervoyagershavesuggestedthatthedesertersmarriedIndianwives，andthereisalegendthatahundredyearslaterasingularraceofhalf-breeds，bearingunmistakableAnglo-Saxoncharacteristics，wasfoundinthatlocality。\"Pomfreyfellintoareverieofstrangehypothesesandfancies。Heresolvedthat，whenheagainsawOlooya，hewouldquestionher；herterrorofthesemenmightbesimplyracialorsomehereditarytransmission。
Buthisintentionwasneverfulfilled。Forwhendaysandweekshadelapsed，andhehadvainlyhauntedtheriverestuaryandtherockyreefbeforethelighthousewithoutasignofher，heovercamehispridesufficientlytoquestionJim。Themanlookedathimwithdullastonishment。
\"Olooyagone，\"hesaid。
\"Gone！——where？\"
TheIndianmadeagesturetoseawardwhichseemedtoencompassthewholePacific。
\"How？Withwhom？\"repeatedhisangryyethalf-frightenedmaster。
\"Withwhitemaninship。YousayYOUnowantOlooya——fortydollarstoomuch。Whitemangivefiftydollars——takeeOlooyaallsame。\"
UNDERTHEEAVES
TheassistanteditoroftheSanFrancisco\"DailyInformer\"wasgoinghome。Somuchofhistimewasspentintheofficeofthe\"Informer\"thatnooneevercaredtoknowwherehepassedthosesixhoursofsleepwhichpresumablysuggestedadomicile。Hisbusinessappointmentsoutsidetheofficeweregenerallykeptattherestaurantwherehebreakfastedanddined，orofeveningsinthelobbiesoftheatresortheanteroomsofpublicmeetings。Yethehadahomeandanintervalofseclusionofwhichhewasjealouslymindful，anditwastothishewasgoingto-nightathisusualhour。
Hisroomwasinanewbuildingononeofthelargerandbusierthoroughfares。Thelowerfloorwasoccupiedbyabank，butasitwasclosedbeforehecamehome，andnotyetopenedwhenheleft，itdidnotdisturbhisdomesticsensibilities。Thesamemaybesaidofthenextfloor，whichwasdevotedtostockbrokers\'andcompaniesoffices，andwasequallytomb-likeandsilentwhenhepassed；thefloorabovethatwasadesertofemptyrooms，whichechoedtohisfootstepsnightandmorning，withhereandthereanoasisinthegreensignofaminingsecretary\'soffice，with，however，thedesolatingannouncementthatitwouldonlybe\"openfortransfersfromtwotofouronSaturdays。\"Thetopfloorhadbeenfranklyabandonedinanunfinishedstatebythebuilder，whoseambitionhad\"o\'erleapeditself\"inthatsanguineeraofthecity\'sgrowth。
Therewasasmellofplasterandthefirstcoatofpaintaboutitstill，butthewholefrontofthebuildingwasoccupiedbyalongroomwithodd\"bull\'s-eye\"windowslookingoutthroughtheheavyornamentationsofthecorniceovertheadjacentroofs。
Ithadbeenoriginallyintendedforaclub-room，butaftertheillfortunewhichattendedthelettingofthefloorbelow，andpossiblybecausetheearthquake-fearingSanFranciscanshadtheirdoubtsofsuccessfulhilarityatthetopofsotallabuilding，itremainedunfinished，withthetwosmallerroomsatitsside。Itsincompleteandlonelygrandeurhadoncestrucktheeditorduringavisitofinspection，andthelandlord，whomheknew，hadofferedtomakeithabitableforhimatanominalrent。Ithadalavatorywithamarblebasinandatapofcoldwater。Theofferwasanovelone，butheacceptedit，andfitteduptheapartmentwithsomecheapsecond-handfurniture，quiteinconsistentwiththecarvedmantelsanddecorations，andmadeafairsitting-roomandbedroomofit。
Here，onaSunday，whenitsstillnesswasintensified，andevenapassingfootsteponthepavementfiftyfeetbelowwasquitestartling，hewouldsitandworkbyoneofthequaintopenwindows。
Intherainyseason，throughthefilmedpaneshesometimescaughtaglimpseofthedistant，white-cappedbay，butneverofthestreetbelowhim。
Thelightswereout，but，gropinghiswayuptothefirstlanding，hetookfromacup-boardednicheinthewallhiscandlestickandmatchesandcontinuedtheascenttohisroom。Thehumblecandlelightflickeredontheostentatiousgoldlettersdisplayedontheground-glassdoorsofopulentcompanieswhichheknewwerefamous，androomswheremillionairesmetinsecretconclave，butthecontrastawakenedonlyhissenseofhumor。Yethewasalwaysrelievedafterhehadreachedhisownfloor。Possiblyitsincompletenessandinchoateconditionmadeitseemlesslonelythanthedesolationofthefinishedandfurnishedroomsbelow，anditwasonlythisrecollectionofpasthumanoccupancythatwasdepressing。
Heopenedhisdoor，litthesolitarygasjetthatonlyhalfilluminatedthelongroom，and，itbeingalreadypastmidnight，begantoundresshimself。Thisprocesspresentlybroughthimtothatcornerofhisroomwherehisbedstood，whenhesuddenlystopped，andhissleepyyawnchangedtoagapeofsurprise。For，lyinginthebed，itsheaduponthepillow，anditsrigidarmsaccuratelystretcheddownovertheturned-backsheet，wasachild\'sdoll！Itwasasmalldoll——abangedandbattereddoll，thathadseenservice，butithadevidentlybeen\"tuckedin\"withmaternaltenderness，andlaytherewithitsstaringeyesturnedtotheceiling，theverygeniusofinsomnia！
Hisfirststartofsurprisewasfollowedbyanaturalresentmentofwhatmighthavebeenanimpertinentintrusiononhisprivacybysomepractical-jokingadult，forheknewtherewasnochildinthehouse。
Hisroomwaskeptinorderbythewifeofthenightwatchmanemployedbythebank，andnooneelsehadarightofaccesstoit。
Butthewomanmighthavebroughtachildthereandnotnoticeditsdisposalofitsplaything。Hesmiled。Itmighthavebeenworse！
Itmighthavebeenarealbaby！
Theideatickledhimwithapromiseoffuture\"copy\"——ofastorywithfarcicalcomplications，orevenadramaticending，inwhichthebaby，adoptedbyhim，shouldturnouttobesomebody\'sstolenoffspring。Heliftedthelittleimagethathadsuggestedthesefancies，carefullylaiditonhistable，wenttobed，andpresentlyforgotitallinslumber。
Inthemorninghisgood-humorandinterestinitrevivedtotheextentofwritingonaslipofpaper，\"Good-morning！Thankyou——
I\'vesleptverywell，\"puttingtheslipinthedoll\'sjointedarms，andleavingitinasittingpostureoutsidehisdoorwhenhelefthisroom。Whenhereturnedlateatnightitwasgone。
Butitsochancedthat，afewdayslater，owingtopressofworkonthe\"Informer，\"hewasobligedtoforegohisusualSundayholidayoutoftown，andthatmorningfoundhim，whilethebellswereringingforchurch，inhisroomwithapileofmanuscriptandproofbeforehim。FortheseweretroublousdaysinSanFrancisco；thegreatVigilanceCommitteeof\'56wasinsession，andtheofficesofthedailypaperswerethrongedwitheagerseekersofnews。Suchaffairs，indeed，werenotinthefunctionsoftheassistanteditor，norexactlytohistaste；hewasneitherapartisanoftheso-
calledLawandOrderParty，noryetanenthusiasticadmirerofthecitizenRevolutionistsknownastheVigilanceCommittee，bothextremesbeingincompatiblewithhishabitsofthought。
Consequentlyhewasnotdispleasedatthisopportunityofdoinghisworkawayfromtheofficeandthe\"headytalk\"ofcontroversy。
HeworkedonuntilthebellsceasedandamorethanSabbathstillnessfelluponthestreets。Soquietwasitthatonceortwicetheconversationofpassingpedestriansfloatedupandintohiswindow，asofvoicesathiselbow。
Presentlyheheardthesoundofachild\'svoicesinginginsubduedtone，asiffearfulofbeingoverheard。Thistimehelaidasidehispen——itcertainlywasnodelusion！Thesounddidnotcomefromtheopenwindow，butfromsomespaceonalevelwithhisroom。Yettherewasnocontiguousbuildingashigh。
Heroseandtriedtoopenhisdoorsoftly，butitcreaked，andthesinginginstantlyceased。Therewasnothingbeforehimbutthebare，emptyhall，withitslathedandplasteredpartitions，andthetwosmallerrooms，unfinishedlikehisown，oneithersideofhim。
Theirdoorswereshut；theoneathisrighthandwaslocked，theotheryieldedtohistouch。
Forthefirstmomenthesawonlythebarewallsoftheapparentlyemptyroom。Butasecondglanceshowedhimtwochildren——aboyofsevenandagirloffive——sittingonthefloor，whichwasfurtherlitteredbyamattress，pillow，andblanket。Therewasacheaptrayononeofthetrunkscontainingtwosoiledplatesandcupsandfragmentsofameal。Buttherewasneitherachairnortablenoranyotherarticleoffurnitureintheroom。Yethewasstruckbythefactthat，inspiteofthispovertyofsurrounding，thechildrenweredecentlydressed，andthefewscatteredpiecesofluggageinqualitybespokeasuperiorcondition。
Thechildrenmethisastonishedstarewithanequalwonderand，hefancied，somelittlefright。Theboy\'slipstrembledalittleashesaidapologetically——
\"ItoldJinnynottosing。Butshedidn\'tmakeMUCHnoise。\"
\"MammasaidIcouldplaywithmydolly。ButIfordotandsinged，\"
saidthelittlegirlpenitently。
\"Where\'syourmamma？\"askedtheyoungman。Thefancyoftheirbeingnearrelativesofthenightwatchmanhadvanishedatthesoundoftheirvoices。
\"Dornout，\"saidthegirl。
\"Whendidshegoout？\"
\"Lastnight。\"
\"Wereyouallaloneherelastnight？\"
\"Yes！\"
Perhapstheysawthelookofindignationandpityintheeditor\'sface，fortheboysaidquickly——
\"Shedon\'tgooutEVERYnight；lastnightshewentto\"——
Hestoppedsuddenly，andbothchildrenlookedateachotherwithahalflaughandhalfcry，andthenrepeatedinhopelessunison，\"She\'sdornout。\"
\"Whenisshecomingbackagain？\"
\"To-night。Butwewon\'tmakeanymorenoise。\"
\"Whobringsyouyourfood？\"continuedtheeditor，lookingatthetray。
\"Woberts。\"
EvidentlyRoberts，thenightwatchman！Theeditorfeltrelieved；
herewasacluetosomeexplanation。Heinstantlysatdownonthefloorbetweenthem。
\"Sothatwasthedollythatsleptinmybed，\"hesaidgayly，takingitup。
Godgiveshelplessnessawonderfulintuitionofitsfriends。Thechildrenlookedupatthefaceoftheirgrown-upcompanion，giggled，andthenburstintoashrillfitoflaughter。Hefeltthatitwasthefirstonetheyhadreallyindulgedinformanydays。Neverthelesshesaid，\"Hush！\"confidentially；whyhescarcelyknew，excepttointimatetothemthathehadtakenintheirsituationthoroughly。\"Makenonoise，\"headdedsoftly，\"andcomeintomybigroom。\"
Theyhungback，however，withfrightenedyetlongingeyes。\"Mammasaidwemussentdooutofthisroom，\"saidthegirl。
\"NotALONE，\"respondedtheeditorquickly，\"butwithME，youknow；
that\'sdifferent。\"
Thelogicsufficedthem，poorasitwas。Theirhandsslidquitenaturallyintohis。Butatthedoorhestopped，andmotioningtothelockeddooroftheotherroom，asked：——
\"Andisthatmamma\'sroom，too？\"
Theirlittlehandsslippedfromhisandtheyweresilent。
Presentlytheboy，asifacteduponbysomeoccultinfluenceofthegirl，saidinahalfwhisper，\"Yes。\"
Theeditordidnotquestionfurther，butledthemintohisroom。
Heretheylosttheslightrestrainttheyhadshown，andbegan，childfashion，tobecomequestionersthemselves。
Inafewmomentstheywereinpossessionofhisname，hisbusiness，thekindofrestauranthefrequented，wherehewentwhenhelefthisroomallday，themeaningofthosefunnyslipsofpaper，andthewrittenmanuscripts，andwhyhewassoquiet。Butanyattemptofhistoretaliatebycounterquestionswasmetbyasuddenreservesounchildlikeandpainfultohim——asitwasevidentlytothemselves——thathedesisted，wiselypostponinghisinquiriesuntilhecouldmeetRoberts。
Hewasgladwhentheyfelltoplayinggameswitheachotherquitenaturally，yetnotentirelyforgettinghispropinquity，astheiroccasionalfurtiveglancesathismovementsshowedhim。He，too，becamepresentlyabsorbedinhiswork，untilitwasfinishedanditwastimeforhimtotakeittotheofficeofthe\"Informer。\"ThewildideaseizedhimofalsotakingthechildrenafterwardsforaholidaytotheMissionDolores，butheprudentlyrememberedthateventhisnegligentmotheroftheirsmighthavesomerightsoverheroffspringthathewasboundtorespect。
Hetookleaveofthemgayly，suggestingthatthedollbereplacedinhisbedwhilehewasaway，andevenassistedin\"tuckingitup。\"
Butduringtheafternoontherecollectionoftheselonelyplayfellowsinthedesertedhouseobtrudeditselfuponhisworkandthetalkofhiscompanions。Sundaynightwashisbusiestnight，andhecouldnot，therefore，hopetogetawayintimetoassurehimselfoftheirmother\'sreturn。
Itwasnearlytwointhemorningwhenhereturnedtohisroom。Hepausedforamomentonthethresholdtolistenforanysoundfromtheadjoiningroom。Butallwashushed。
Hisintentionofspeakingtothenightwatchmanwas，however，anticipatedthenextmorningbythatguardianhimself。Atapuponhisdoorwhilehewasdressingcausedhimtoopenitsomewhathurriedlyinthehopeoffindingoneofthechildrenthere，buthemetonlytheembarrassedfaceofRoberts。Invitinghimintotheroom，theeditorcontinueddressing。Carefullyclosingthedoorbehindhim，themanbegan，withevidenthesitation，——
\"Ioughterhevtoldyesuthin\'afore，Mr。Breeze；butIkalkilated，sotospeak，thatyouwouldn\'tbebotheredonewayoranother，andsoyehadn\'tanycalltoknowthattherewasfolkshere\"——
\"Oh，Isee，\"interruptedBreezecheerfully；\"you\'respeakingofthefamilynextdoor——thelandlord\'snewtenants。\"
\"Theyain\'texactlyTHAT，\"saidRoberts，stillwithembarrassment。
\"Thefactis——yesee——thethingpointsTHISway：theyain\'tnorighttobehere，andit\'sasmuchasmyplaceisworthifitleaksoutthattheyare。\"
Mr。Breezesuspendedhiscollar-buttoning，andstaredatRoberts。
\"Yousee，sir，they\'remightypoor，andthey\'venowhereelsetogo——
andIreckonedtotake\'eminhereforaspellandsaynothingaboutit。\"
\"Butthelandlordwouldn\'tobject，surely？I\'llspeaktohimmyself，\"saidBreezeimpulsively。
\"Oh，no；don\'t！\"saidRobertsinalarm；\"hewouldn\'tlikeit。Yousee，Mr。Breeze，it\'sjustthisway：themother，she\'sabornlady，anddidmyoldwomanagoodturninoldtimeswhenthefamilywasrich；butnowshe\'sobliged——justtosupportherself，youknow——totakeupwithwhatshegets，andsheactsintheballyinthetheatre，yousee，andheztocomeinlateo\'nights。Inthemcheapboarding-houses，youknow，thefolkslooksdownuponherforthat，andwon\'thevher，andinthecheaphotelsthemenare——youknow——adarnedsightwuss，andthat\'showItookherandherkidsinhere，wherenooneknows\'em。\"
\"Isee，\"noddedtheeditorsympathetically；\"andverygooditwasofyou，myman。\"
Robertslookedstillmoreconfused，andstammeredwithaforcedlaugh，\"And——so——I\'mjustkeepingheronhere，unbeknownst，untilherhusbandgets\"——Hestoppedsuddenly。
\"Soshehasahusbandliving，then？\"saidBreezeinsurprise。
\"Inthemines，yes——inthemines！\"repeatedRobertswithamonotonousdeliberationquitedistinctfromhisprevioushesitation，\"andshe\'sonlywaitin\'untilhegetsmoneyenough——
to——totakeheraway。\"Hestoppedandbreathedhard。
\"Butcouldn\'tyou——couldn\'tWE——gethersomemorefurniture？
There\'snothinginthatroom，youknow，notachairortable；andunlesstheotherroomisbetterfurnished\"——
\"Eh？Oh，yes！\"saidRobertsquickly，yetstillwithacertainembarrassment；\"ofcourseTHAT\'Sbetterfurnished，andshe\'squitesatisfied，andsoarethekids，withanything。Andnow，Mr。
Breeze，Ireckonyou\'llsaynothin\'o\'this，andyou\'llnevergobackonme？\"
\"MydearMr。Roberts，\"saidtheeditorgravely，\"fromthismomentI
amnotonlyblind，butdeaftothefactthatANYBODYoccupiesthisfloorbutmyself。\"
\"Iknewyouwaswhiteallthrough，Mr。Breeze，\"saidthenightwatchman，graspingtheyoungman\'shandwithagripofiron，\"andI
telledmywifeso。Isez，\'JestyouletmetellhimEVERYTHIN\'，\'
butshe\"——Hestoppedagainandbecameconfused。
\"Andshewasquiteright，Idaresay，\"saidBreeze，withalaugh；
\"andIdonotwanttoknowanything。AndthatpoorwomanmustneverknowthatIeverknewanything，either。Butyoumaytellyourwifethatwhenthemotherisawayshecanbringthelittleonesinherewhenevershelikes。\"
\"Thankye——thankye，sir！——andI\'lljustrundownandtelltheoldwomannow，andwon\'tintrudeuponyourdressin\'anylonger。\"
HegraspedBreeze\'shandagain，wentoutandclosedthedoorbehindhim。Itmighthavebeentheeditor\'sfancy，buthethoughttherewasacertainintervalofsilenceoutsidethedoorbeforethenightwatchman\'sheavytreadwasheardalongthehallagain。
ForseveraleveningsafterthisMr。Breezepaidsomeattentiontotheballetinhisusualroundofthetheatres。Althoughhehadneverseenhisfairneighbor，hehadavagueideathathemightrecognizeherthroughsomelikenesstoherchildren。Butinvain。
Intheopulentcharmsofcertainnymphs，andintheangularausteritiesofothers，hefailedequallytodiscernanyofthoserefinementswhichmighthavedistinguishedthe\"bornlady\"ofRoberts\'sstory，orwhichhehimselfhadseeninherchildren。
Thesehedidnotmeetagainduringtheweek，ashisdutieskepthimlateattheoffice；butfromcertainsignsinhisroomheknewthatMrs。Robertshadavailedherselfofhisinvitationtobringtheminwithher，andheregularlyfound\"Jinny\'s\"dolltuckedupinhisbedatnight，andheasregularlydisposedofitoutsidehisdoorinthemorning，withafewsweets，likeanoffering，tuckedunderitsrigidarms。
Butanothercircumstancetouchedhimmoredelicately；hisroomwasarrangedwithgreatercarethanbefore，andwithanoccasionalexhibitionoftastethatcertainlyhadnotdistinguishedMrs。
Roberts\'spreviousministrations。Oneeveningonhisreturnhefoundasmallbouquetofinexpensiveflowersinaglassonhiswriting-table。Helovedflowerstoowellnottodetectthattheywerequitefresh，andcouldhavebeenputthereonlyanhourortwobeforehearrived。
ThenexteveningwasSaturday，and，asheusuallylefttheofficeearlieronthatday，itoccurredtohim，ashewalkedhome，thatitwasaboutthetimehisfairneighborwouldbeleavingthetheatre，andthatitwaspossiblehemightmeether。
Atthefrontdoor，however，hefoundRoberts，whoreturnedhisgreetingwithacertainawkwardnesswhichstruckhimassingular。
Whenhereachedthenicheonthelandinghefoundhiscandlewasgone，butheproceededon，gropinghiswayupthestairs，withanoddconvictionthatboththeseincidentspointedtothefactthatthewomanhadjustreturnedorwasexpected。
Hehadalsoastrangefeeling——whichmayhavebeenowingtothedarkness——thatsomeonewashiddenonthelandingoronthestairswherehewouldpass。Thiswasfurtheraccentedbyafaintodorofpatchouli，as，withhishandontherail，heturnedthecornerofthethirdlanding，andhewasconvincedthatifhehadputouthisotherhanditwouldhavecomeincontactwithhismysteriousneighbor。Butacertaininstinctofrespectforhersecret，whichshewasevennowguardinginthedarkness，withheldhim，andhepassedonquicklytohisownfloor。
Hereitwaslighter；themoonshotabeamofsilveracrossthepassagefromanunshutteredwindowashepassed。Hereachedhisroomdoor，entered，butinsteadoflightingthegasandshuttingthedoor，stoodwithithalfopen，listeninginthedarkness。
Hissuspicionswereverified；therewasaslightrustlingnoise，andafigurewhichhadevidentlyfollowedhimappearedattheendofthepassage。Itwasthatofawomanhabitedinagrayishdressandcloakofthesamecolor；butasshepassedacrossthebandofmoonlighthehadadistinctviewofheranxious，worriedface。Itwasafacenolongeryoung；itwaswornwithillness，butstillrepletewithadelicacyandfadedbeautysoinconsistentwithheravowedprofessionthathefeltasuddenpangofpainanddoubt。
Thenextmomentshehadvanishedinherroom，leavingthesamefaintperfumebehindher。Heclosedhisdoorsoftly，litthegas，andsatdowninastateofperplexity。Thatswiftglimpseofherfaceandfigurehadmadeherstoryimprobabletothepointofabsurdity，orpossiblytotheextremeofpathos！
Itseemedincrediblethatawomanofthatqualityshouldbeforcedtoacceptavocationatoncesolow，sodistasteful，andsounremunerative。Withherevidentantecedents，hadshenofriendsbutthiscommonWesternnightwatchmanofabank？HadRobertsdeceivedhim？Washiswholestoryafabrication，andwastheresomecomplicitybetweenthetwo？Whatwasit？Heknithisbrows。
Mr。Breezehadthatoverpoweringknowledgeoftheworldwhichonlycomeswiththeexperienceoftwenty-five，andtothishesuperaddedtheactiveimaginationofanewspaperman。Aplottorobthebank？
Thesemysteriousabsences，thatluggagewhichhedoubtednotwasemptyandintendedforspoil！Butwhyencumberherselfwiththetwochildren？Herehiscommonsenseandinstinctoftheludicrousreturnedandhesmiled。
Buthecouldnotbelieveintheballetdancer！Hewondered，indeed，howanymanagercouldhaveacceptedthegrimsatireofthatpale，worriedfaceamongthefairies，thatsadrefinementamidtheirvacantsmilesandrougedchecks。Andthen，growingsadagain，hecomfortedhimselfwiththereflectionthatatleastthechildrenwerenotalonethatnight，andsowenttosleep。
Forsomedayshehadnofurthermeetingwithhisneighbors。Thedisturbedstateofthecity——fortheVigilanceCommitteewerestillinsession——obligedthedailypresstoissue\"extras，\"andhisworkattheofficeincreased。
ItwasnotuntilSundayagainthathewasabletobeathome。
Needlesstosaythathissolitarylittlecompanionsweredulyinstalledthere，whilehesatatworkwithhisproofsonthetablebeforehim。