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  Contents

  TheMisadventuresofJohnNicholsonTheBody—SnatcherTheStoryofaLie

  THEMISADVENTURESOFJOHNNICHOLSON

  CHAPTERI—INWHICHJOHNSOWSTHEWIND

  JOHNVAREYNICHOLSONwasstupid;yet,stupidermenthanhearenowsprawlinginParliament,andlaudingthemselvesastheauthorsoftheirowndistinction。Hewasofafathabit,evenfromboyhood,andinclinedtoacheerfulandcursoryreadingofthefaceoflife;andpossiblythisattitudeofmindwastheoriginalcauseofhismisfortunes。Beyondthishintphilosophyissilentonhiscareer,andsuperstitionstepsinwiththemorereadyexplanationthathewasdetestedofthegods。

  Hisfather—thatirongentleman—hadlongagoenthronedhimselfontheheightsoftheDisruptionPrinciples。Whattheseare(andinspiteoftheirgrimnametheyarequiteinnocent)noarrayoftermswouldrenderthinkabletothemerelyEnglishintelligence;buttotheScottheyoftenproveunctuouslynourishing,andMr。Nicholsonfoundinthemthemilkoflions。AbouttheperiodwhenthechurchesconveneatEdinburghintheirannualassemblies,hewastobeseendescendingtheMoundinthecompanyofdiversred—headedclergymen:thesevoluble,heonlycontributingoracularnods,briefnegatives,andtheausterespectacleofhisstretchedupperlip。ThenamesofCandlishandBeggwerefrequentintheseinterviews,andoccasionallythetalkranontheResiduaryEstablishmentandthedoingsofoneLee。A

  strangertothetightlittletheologicalkingdomofScotlandmighthavelistenedandgatheredliterallynothing。AndMr。

  Nicholson(whowasnotadullman)knewthis,andragedatit。Heknewtherewasavastworldoutside,towhomDisruptionPrincipleswereasthechatteroftree—topapes;

  thepaperbroughthimchillwhiffsfromit;hehadmetEnglishmenwhohadaskedlightlyifhedidnotbelongtotheChurchofScotland,andthenhadfailedtobemuchinterestedbyhiselucidationofthatnicepoint;itwasanevil,wild,rebelliousworld,lyingsunkinDOZENEDNESS,fornothingshortofaScotswordwillpaintthisScotsman’sfeelings。

  AndwhenheenteredintohisownhouseinRandolphCrescent(southside),andshutthedoorbehindhim,hisheartswelledwithsecurity。Here,atleast,wasacitadelimpregnablebyright—handdefectionsorleft—handextremes。Herewasafamilywhereprayerscameatthesamehour,wheretheSabbathliteraturewasunimpeachablyselected,wheretheguestwhoshouldhaveleanedtoanyfalseopinionwasinstantlysetdown,andoverwhichtherereignedallweek,andgrewdenseronSundays,asilencethatwasagreeabletohisear,andagloomthathefoundcomfortable。

  Mrs。Nicholsonhaddiedaboutthirty,andlefthimwiththreechildren:adaughtertwoyears,andasonabouteightyearsyoungerthanJohn;andJohnhimself,theunluckybearerofanameinfamousinEnglishhistory。Thedaughter,Maria,wasagoodgirl—dutiful,pious,dull,butsoeasilystartledthattospeaktoherwasquiteaperilousenterprise。’Idon’tthinkIcaretotalkaboutthat,ifyouplease,’shewouldsay,andstriketheboldestspeechlessbyherunmistakablepain;thisuponalltopics—dress,pleasure,morality,politics,inwhichtheformulawaschangedto’mypapathinksotherwise,’andevenreligion,unlessitwasapproachedwithaparticularwhiningtoneofvoice。Alexander,theyoungerbrother,wassickly,clever,fondofbooksanddrawing,andfullofsatiricalremarks。Inthemidstofthese,imaginethatnatural,clumsy,unintelligent,andmirthfulanimal,John;mightywell—behavedincomparisonwithotherlads,althoughnotuptothemarkofthehouseinRandolphCrescent;fullofasortofblunderingaffection,fullofcaresses,whichwereneververywarmlyreceived;fullofsuddenandloudlaughterwhichrangoutinthatstillhouselikecurses。Mr。Nicholsonhimselfhadagreatfundofhumour,oftheScotsorder—intellectual,turningontheobservationofmen;hisowncharacter,forinstance—ifhecouldhaveseenitinanother—wouldhavebeenararefeasttohim;buthisson’semptyguffawsoverabrokenplate,andempty,almostlight—heartedremarks,struckhimwithpainastheindicesofaweakmind。

  OutsidethefamilyJohnhadearlyattachedhimself(muchasadogmayfollowamarquis)tothestepsofAlanHouston,aladaboutayearolderthanhimself,idle,atriflewild,theheirtoagoodestatewhichwasstillinthehandsofarigoroustrustee,andsoroyallycontentwithhimselfthathetookJohn’sdevotionasathingofcourse。TheintimacywasgalltoMr。Nicholson;ittookhissonfromthehouse,andhewasajealousparent;itkepthimfromtheoffice,andhewasamartinet;lastly,Mr。Nicholsonwasambitiousforhisfamily(inwhich,andtheDisruptionPrinciples,heentirelylived),andhehatedtoseeasonofhisplaysecondfiddletoanidler。Aftersomehesitation,heorderedthatthefriendshipshouldcease—anunfaircommand,thoughseeminglyinspiredbythespiritofprophecy;andJohn,sayingnothing,continuedtodisobeytheorderundertherose。

  Johnwasnearlynineteenwhenhewasonedaydismissedratherearlierthanusualfromhisfather’soffice,wherehewasstudyingthepracticeofthelaw。ItwasSaturday;andexceptthathehadamatteroffourhundredpoundsinhispocketwhichitwashisdutytohandovertotheBritishLinenCompany’sBank,hehadthewholeafternoonathisdisposal。HewentbyPrincesStreetenjoyingthemildsunshine,andthelittlethrillofeasterlywindthattossedtheflagsalongthatterraceofpalaces,andtumbledthegreentreesinthegarden。Thebandwasplayingdowninthevalleyunderthecastle;andwhenitcametotheturnofthepipers,heheardtheirwildsoundswithastirringoftheblood。Somethingdistantlymartialwokeinhim;andhethoughtofMissMackenzie,whomhewastomeetthatdayatdinner。

  Now,itisundeniablethatheshouldhavegonedirectlytothebank,butrightinthewaystoodthebilliard—roomofthehotelwhereAlanwasalmostcertaintobefound;andthetemptationprovedtoostrong。Heenteredthebilliard—room,andwasinstantlygreetedbyhisfriend,cueinhand。

  ’Nicholson,’saidhe,’IwantyoutolendmeapoundortwotillMonday。’

  ’You’vecometotherightshop,haven’tyou?’returnedJohn。

  ’Ihavetwopence。’

  ’Nonsense,’saidAlan。’Youcangetsome。Goandborrowatyourtailor’s;theyalldoit。OrI’lltellyouwhat:popyourwatch。’

  ’Oh,yes,Idaresay,’saidJohn。’Andhowaboutmyfather?’

  ’Howishetoknow?Hedoesn’twinditupforyouatnight,doeshe?’inquiredAlan,atwhichJohnguffawed。’No,seriously;Iaminafix,’continuedthetempter。’Ihavelostsomemoneytoamanhere。I’llgiveityouto—night,andyoucangettheheir—loomoutagainonMonday。Come;

  it’sasmallservice,afterall。Iwoulddoagooddealmoreforyou。’

  WhereuponJohnwentforth,andpawnedhisgoldwatchundertheassumednameofJohnFroggs,85Pleasance。Butthenervousnessthatassailedhimatthedoorofthatinglorioushaunt—apawnshop—andtheeffortnecessarytoinventthepseudonym(which,somehow,seemedtohimanecessarypartoftheprocedure),hadtakenmoretimethanheimagined:andwhenhereturnedtothebilliard—roomwiththespoils,thebankhadalreadycloseditsdoors。

  Thiswasashrewdknock。’Apieceofbusinesshadbeenneglected。’Heheardthesewordsinhisfather’strenchantvoice,andtrembled,andthendodgedthethought。Afterall,whowastoknow?HemustcarryfourhundredpoundsaboutwithhimtillMonday,whentheneglectcouldbesurreptitiouslyrepaired;andmeanwhile,hewasfreetopasstheafternoonontheencirclingdivanofthebilliard—room,smokinghispipe,sippingapintofale,andenjoyingtothemastheadthemodestpleasuresofadmiration。

  Nonecanadmirelikeayoungman。Ofallyouth’spassionsandpleasures,thisisthemostcommonandleastalloyed;andeveryflashofAlan’sblackeyes;everyaspectofhiscurlyhead;everygracefulreach,everyeasy,stand—offattitudeofwaiting;ay,anddowntohisshirt—sleevesandwrist—links,wereseenbyJohnthroughaluxuriousglory。Hevaluedhimselfbythepossessionofthatroyalfriend,huggedhimselfuponthethought,andswaminwarmazure;hisowndefects,likevanquisheddifficulties,becomingthingsonwhichtoplumehimself。OnlywhenhethoughtofMissMackenzietherefelluponhismindashadowofregret;thatyoungladywasworthyofbetterthingsthanplainJohnNicholson,stillknownamongschoolmatesbythederisivenameof’Fatty’;andhefelt,ifhecouldchalkacue,orstandatease,withsuchacarelessgraceasAlan,hecouldapproachtheobjectofhissentimentswithalesscrushingsenseofinferiority。

  Beforetheyparted,Alanmadeaproposalthatwasstartlingintheextreme。HewouldbeatColette’sthatnightabouttwelve,hesaid。WhyshouldnotJohncomethereandgetthemoney?TogotoColette’swastoseelife,indeed;itwaswrong;itwasagainstthelaws;itpartook,inaverydingymanner,ofadventure。Wereitknown,itwasthesortofexploitthatdisconsideredayoungmanforgoodwiththemoreseriousclasses,butgavehimastandingwiththeriotous。

  AndyetColette’swasnotahell;itcouldnotcome,withoutvaultinghyperbole,undertherubricofagildedsaloon;and,ifitwasasintogothere,thesinwasmerelylocalandmunicipal。Colette(whosenameIdonotknowhowtospell,forIwasneverinepistolarycommunicationwiththathospitableoutlaw)wassimplyanunlicensedpublican,whogavesuppersafterelevenatnight,theEdinburghhourofclosing。Ifyoubelongedtoaclub,youcouldgetamuchbettersupperatthesamehour,andlosenotajotinpublicesteem。Butifyoulackedthatqualification,andwereanhungered,orinclinedtowardconvivialityatunlawfulhours,Colette’swasyouronlyport。Youwereveryill—supplied。

  ThecompanywasnotrecruitedfromtheSenateortheChurch,thoughtheBarwasverywellrepresentedontheonlyoccasiononwhichIflewinthefaceofmycountry’slaws,and,takingmyreputationinmyhand,penetratedintothatgrimsupper—

  house。AndColette’sfrequenters,thrillinglyconsciousofwrong—doingand’thattwo—handedengine(thepoliceman)atthedoor,’wereperhapsinclinedtosomewhatfeverishexcess。

  Buttheplacewasinnosenseaverybadone;anditissomewhatstrangetome,atthisdistanceoftime,howithadacquireditsdangerousrepute。

  InpreciselythesamespiritasamanmaydebateaprojecttoascendtheMatterhornortocrossAfrica,JohnconsideredAlan’sproposal,and,greatlydaring,acceptedit。Ashewalkedhome,thethoughtsofthisexcursionoutofthesafeplacesoflifeintothewildandarduous,stirredandstruggledinhisimaginationwiththeimageofMissMackenzie—incongruousandyetkindredthoughts,fordidnoteachimplyunusualtighteningofthepegsofresolution?didnoteachwoohimforthandwarnhimbackagainintohimself?

  Betweenthesetwoconsiderations,atleast,hewasmorethanusuallymoved;andwhenhegottoRandolphCrescent,hequiteforgotthefourhundredpoundsintheinnerpocketofhisgreatcoat,hungupthecoat,withitsrichfreight,uponhisparticularpinofthehatstand;andintheveryactionsealedhisdoom。

  CHAPTERII—INWHICHJOHNREAPSTHEWHIRLWIND

  ABOUThalf—pasttenitwasJohn’sbravegoodfortunetoofferhisarmtoMissMackenzie,andescortherhome。Thenightwaschillandstarry;allthewayeastwardthetreesofthedifferentgardensrustledandlookedblack。UpthestonegullyofLeithWalk,whentheycametocrossit,thebreezemadearushandsettheflamesofthestreet—lampsquavering;

  andwhenatlasttheyhadmountedtotheRoyalTerrace,whereCaptainMackenzielived,agreatsaltfreshnesscameintheirfacesfromthesea。ThesephasesofthewalkremainedwrittenonJohn’smemory,eachemphasisedbythetouchofthatlighthandonhisarm;andbehindalltheseaspectsofthenocturnalcityhesaw,inhismind’s—eye,apictureofthelighteddrawing—roomathomewherehehadsattalkingwithFlora;andhisfather,fromtheotherend,hadlookedonwithakindandironicalsmile。Johnhadreadthesignificanceofthatsmile,whichmighthaveescapedastranger。Mr。Nicholsonhadremarkedhisson’sentanglementwithsatisfaction,tingedbyhumour;andhissmile,ifitstillwasathoughtcontemptuous,hadimpliedconsent。

  Atthecaptain’sdoorthegirlheldoutherhand,withacertainemphasis;andJohntookitandkeptitalittlelonger,andsaid,’Good—night,Flora,dear,’andwasinstantlythrownintomuchfearbyhispresumption。Butsheonlylaughed,ranupthesteps,andrangthebell;andwhileshewaswaitingforthedoortoopen,keptcloseintheporch,andtalkedtohimfromthatpointasoutofafortification。Shehadaknittedshawloverherhead;herblueHighlandeyestookthelightfromtheneighbouringstreet—lampandsparkled;andwhenthedooropenedandcloseduponher,Johnfeltcruellyalone。

  Heproceededslowlybackalongtheterraceinatenderglow;

  andwhenhecametoGreensideChurch,hehaltedinadoubtfulmind。OverthecrownoftheCaltonHill,tohisleft,laythewaytoColette’s,whereAlanwouldsoonbelookingforhisarrival,andwherehewouldnowhavenomoreconsentedtogothanhewouldhavewilfullywallowedinabog;thetouchofthegirl’shandonhissleeve,andthekindlylightinhisfather’seyes,bothloudlyforbidding。Butrightbeforehimwasthewayhome,whichpointedonlytobed,aplaceoflittleeaseforonewhosefancywasstrungtothelyricalpitch,andwhosenotveryardentheartwasjustthentumultuouslymoved。Thehilltop,thecoolairofthenight,thecompanyofthegreatmonuments,thesightofthecityunderhisfeet,withitshillsandvalleysandcrossingfilesoflamps,drewhimbyallhehadofthepoetic,andheturnedthatway;andbythatquiteinnocentdeflection,ripenedthecropofhisvenialerrorsforthesickleofdestiny。

  OnaseatonthehillaboveGreensidehesatforperhapshalfanhour,lookingdownuponthelampsofEdinburgh,andupatthelampsofheaven。Wonderfulweretheresolvesheformed;

  beautifulandkindlywerethevistasoffuturelifethatspedbeforehim。HeutteredtohimselfthenameofFlorainsomanytouchinganddramatickeys,thathebecameatlengthfairlymeltedwithtenderness,andcouldhavesungaloud。Atthatjunctureacertaincreasinginhisgreatcoatcaughthisear。Heputhishandintohispocket,pulledforththeenvelopethatheldthemoney,andsatstupefied。TheCaltonHill,aboutthisperiod,hadanillnameofnights;andtobesittingtherewithfourhundredpoundsthatdidnotbelongtohimwashardlywise。Helookedup。Therewasamaninaverybadhatalittleononesideofhim,apparentlylookingatthescenery;fromalittleontheotherasecondnight—

  walkerwasdrawingveryquietlynear。UpjumpedJohn。Theenvelopefellfromhishands;hestoopedtogetit,andatthesamemomentbothmenraninandclosedwithhim。

  Alittleafter,hegottohisfeetverysoreandshaken,thepoorerbyapursewhichcontainedexactlyonepennypostage—

  stamp,byacambrichandkerchief,andbytheall—importantenvelope。

  Herewasayoungmanonwhom,atthehighestpointoflovelyexaltation,therehadfallenablowtoosharptobesupportedalone;andnotmanyhundredyardsawayhisgreatestfriendwassittingatsupper—ay,andevenexpectinghim。Wasitnotinthenatureofmanthatheshouldrunthere?Hewentinquestofsympathy—inquestofthatdrollarticlethatweallsupposeourselvestowantwheninastrait,andhaveagreedtocalladvice;andhewent,besides,withvaguebutrathersplendidexpectationsofrelief。Alanwasrich,orwouldbesowhenhecameofage。Byastrokeofthepenhemightremedythismisfortune,andavertthatdreadedinterviewwithMr。Nicholson,fromwhichJohnnowshrunkinimaginationasthehanddrawsbackfromfire。

  CloseundertheCaltonHillthererunsacertainnarrowavenue,partstreet,partby—road。Theheadofitfacesthedoorsoftheprison;itstaildescendsintothesunlessslumsoftheLowCalton。Ononehanditisoverhungbythecragsofthehill,ontheotherbyanoldgraveyard。Betweenthesetwotheroadwayrunsinatrench,sparselylightedatnight,sparselyfrequentedbyday,andbordered,whenitwasclearedtheplaceoftombs,bydingyandambiguoushouses。OneofthesewasthehouseofColette;andathisdoorourill—

  starredJohnwaspresentlybeatingforadmittance。Inanevilhourhesatisfiedthejealousinquiriesofthecontrabandhotel—keeper;inanevilhourhepenetratedintothesomewhatunsavouryinterior。Alan,tobesure,wasthere,seatedinaroomlightedbynoisygas—jets,besideadirtytable—cloth,engagedonacoarsemeal,andinthecompanyofseveraltipsymembersofthejuniorbar。ButAlanwasnotsober;hehadlostathousandpoundsuponahorse—

  race,hadreceivedthenewsatdinner—time,andwasnow,indefaultofanypossiblemeansofextrication,drowningthememoryofhispredicament。HetohelpJohn!Thethingwasimpossible;hecouldn’thelphimself。

  ’Ifyouhaveabeastofafather,’saidhe,’IcantellyouI

  haveabruteofatrustee。’

  ’I’mnotgoingtohearmyfathercalledabeast,’saidJohnwithabeatingheart,feelingthatheriskedthelastsoundrivetofthechainthatboundhimtolife。

  ButAlanwasquitegood—natured。

  ’Allright,oldfellow,’saidhe。’Mos’respec’ablemanyourfather。’Andheintroducedhisfriendtohiscompanionsas’oldNicholsonthewhat—d’ye—call—um’sson。’

  Johnsatindumbagony。Colette’sfoulwallsandmaculatetable—linen,andevendowntoColette’svillainouscasters,seemedlikeobjectsinanightmare。Andjustthentherecameaknockandascurrying;thepolice,solamentablyabsentfromtheCaltonHill,appeareduponthescene;andtheparty,takenFLAGRANTEDELICTO,withtheirglassesattheirelbow,wereseized,marcheduptothepoliceoffice,andalldulysummonedtoappearaswitnessesintheconsequentcaseagainstthatarch—shebeener,Colette。

  Itwasasorrowfulandamightilysoberedcompanythatcameforthagain。Thevagueterrorofpublicopinionweighedgenerallyonthemall;buttherewereprivateandparticularhorrorsonthemindsofindividuals。Alanstoodindreadofhistrustee,alreadysorelytried。Oneofthegroupwasthesonofacountryminister,anotherofajudge;John,theunhappiestofall,hadDavidNicholsontofather,theideaoffacingwhomonsuchascandaloussubjectwasphysicallysickening。TheystoodawhileconsultingunderthebuttressesofSaintGiles;thencetheyadjournedtothelodgingsofoneofthenumberinNorthCastleStreet,where(forthatmatter)

  theymighthavehadquiteasgoodasupper,andfarbetterdrink,thaninthedangerousparadisefromwhichtheyhadbeenrouted。There,overanalmosttearfulglass,theydebatedtheirposition。Eachexplainedhehadtheworldtoloseiftheaffairwenton,andheappearedasawitness。Itwasremarkablewhatbrightprospectswerejustthenintheveryactofopeningbeforeeachofthatlittlecompanyofyouths,andwhatpiousconsiderationforthefeelingsoftheirfamiliesbegannowtowellfromthem。Each,moreover,wasinanoddstateofdestitution。Notonecouldbearhisshareofthefine;notonebutevincedawonderfultwinkleofhopethateachoftheothers(insuccession)wastheverymanwhocouldstepintomakegoodthedeficit。Onetookahighhand;hecouldnotpayhisshare;ifitwenttoatrial,heshouldbolt;hehadalwaysfelttheEnglishBartobehistruesphere。Anotherbranchedoutintotouchingdetailsabouthisfamily,andwasnotlistenedto。John,inthemidstofthisdisorderlycompetitionofpovertyandmeanness,satstunned,contemplatingthemountainbulkofhismisfortunes。

  Atlast,uponapledgethateachshouldapplytohisfamilywithacommonfrankness,thisconventionofunhappyyoungassesbrokeup,wentdownthecommonstair,andinthegreyofthespringmorning,withthestreetslyingdeademptyallaboutthem,thelampsburningonintothedaylightindiminishedlustre,andthebirdsbeginningtosoundpremonitorynotesfromthegrovesofthetowngardens,wenteachhisownwaywithbowedheadandechoingfootfall。

  TherookswereawakeinRandolphCrescent;butthewindowslookeddown,discreetlyblinded,onthereturnoftheprodigal。John’spass—keywasarecentprivilege;thiswasthefirsttimeithadbeenused;and,oh!withwhatasickeningsenseofhisunworthinesshenowinserteditintothewell—oiledlockandenteredthatcitadeloftheproprieties!Allslept;thegasinthehallhadbeenleftfaintlyburningtolighthisreturn;adreadfulstillnessreigned,brokenbythedeeptickingoftheeight—dayclock。

  Heputthegasout,andsatonachairinthehall,waitingandcountingtheminutes,longingforanyhumancountenance。

  Butwhenatlastheheardthealarmspringitsrattleinthelowerstory,andtheservantsbegintobeabout,heinstantlylostheart,andfledtohisownroom,wherehethrewhimselfuponthebed。

  CHAPTERIII—INWHICHJOHNENJOYSTHEHARVESTHOME

  SHORTLYafterbreakfast,atwhichheassistedwithahighlytragicalcountenance,Johnsoughthisfatherwherehesat,presumablyinreligiousmeditation,ontheSabbathmornings。

  Theoldgentlemanlookedupwiththatsour,inquisitiveexpressionthatcamesoneartosmilingandwassodifferentineffect。

  ’ThisisatimewhenIdonotliketobedisturbed,’hesaid。

  ’Iknowthat,’returnedJohn;’butIhave—Iwant—I’vemadeadreadfulmessofit,’hebrokeout,andturnedtothewindow。

  Mr。Nicholsonsatsilentforanappreciabletime,whilehisunhappysonsurveyedthepolesinthebackgreen,andacertainyellowcatthatwaspercheduponthewall。DespairsatuponJohnashegazed;andheragedtothinkofthedreadfulseriesofhismisdeeds,andtheessentialinnocencethatlaybehindthem。

  ’Well,’saidthefather,withanobviouseffort,butinveryquiettones,’whatisit?’

  ’Macleangavemefourhundredpoundstoputinthebank,sir,’beganJohn;’andI’msorrytosaythatI’vebeenrobbedofit!’

  ’Robbedofit?’criedMr。Nicholson,withastrongrisinginflection。’Robbed?Becarefulwhatyousay,John!’

  ’Ican’tsayanythingelse,sir;Iwasjustrobbedofit,’

  saidJohn,indesperation,sullenly。

  ’Andwhereandwhendidthisextraordinaryeventtakeplace?’

  inquiredthefather。

  ’OntheCaltonHillabouttwelvelastnight。’

  ’TheCaltonHill?’repeatedMr。Nicholson。’Andwhatwereyoudoingthereatsuchatimeofthenight?’

  ’Nothing,sir,’saysJohn。

  Mr。Nicholsondrewinhisbreath。

  ’Andhowcamethemoneyinyourhandsattwelvelastnight?’

  heasked,sharply。

  ’Ineglectedthatpieceofbusiness,’saidJohn,anticipatingcomment;andtheninhisowndialect:’Icleanforgotallaboutit。’

  ’Well,’saidhisfather,’it’samostextraordinarystory。

  Haveyoucommunicatedwiththepolice?’

  ’Ihave,’answeredpoorJohn,thebloodleapingtohisface。

  ’Theythinktheyknowthementhatdidit。Idaresaythemoneywillberecovered,ifthatwasall,’saidhe,withadesperateindifference,whichhisfathersetdowntolevity;

  butwhichsprungfromtheconsciousnessofworsebehind。

  ’Yourmother’swatch,too?’askedMr。Nicholson。

  ’Oh,thewatchisallright!’criedJohn。’Atleast,ImeanIwascomingtothewatch—thefactis,Iamashamedtosay,I—Ihadpawnedthewatchbefore。Hereistheticket;theydidn’tfindthat;thewatchcanberedeemed;theydon’tsellpledges。’Theladpantedoutthesephrases,oneafteranother,likeminuteguns;butatthelastword,whichranginthatstatelychamberlikeanoath,hisheartfailedhimutterly;andthedreadedsilencesettledonfatherandson。

  ItwasbrokenbyMr。Nicholsonpickingupthepawn—ticket:

  ’JohnFroggs,85Pleasance,’heread;andthenturninguponJohn,withabriefflashofpassionanddisgust,’WhoisJohnFroggs?’hecried。

  ’Nobody,’saidJohn。’Itwasjustaname。’

  ’AnALIAS,’hisfathercommented。

  ’Oh!Ithinkscarcelyquitethat,’saidtheculprit;’it’saform,theyalldoit,themanseemedtounderstand,wehadagreatdealoffunoverthename—’

  Hepausedatthat,forhesawhisfatherwinceatthepicturelikeamanphysicallystruck;andagaintherewassilence。

  ’Idonotthink,’saidMr。Nicholson,atlast,’thatIamanungenerousfather。Ihavenevergrudgedyoumoneywithinreason,foranyavowablepurpose;youhadjusttocometomeandspeak。AndnowIfindthatyouhaveforgottenalldecencyandallnaturalfeeling,andactuallypawned—pawned—yourmother’swatch。Youmusthavehadsometemptation;I

  willdoyouthejusticetosupposeitwasastrongone。Whatdidyouwantwiththismoney?’

  ’Iwouldrathernottellyou,sir,’saidJohn。’Itwillonlymakeyouangry。’

  ’Iwillnotbefencedwith,’criedhisfather。’Theremustbeanendofdisingenuousanswers。Whatdidyouwantwiththismoney?’

  ’TolendittoHouston,sir,’saysJohn。

  ’IthoughtIhadforbiddenyoutospeaktothatyoungman?’

  askedthefather。

  ’Yes,sir,’saidJohn;’butIonlymethim。’

  ’Where?’camethedeadlyquestion。

  And’Inabilliard—room’wasthedamninganswer。Thus,hadJohn’ssingledeparturefromthetruthbroughtinstantpunishment。FornootherpurposebuttoseeAlanwouldhehaveenteredabilliard—room;buthehaddesiredtopalliatethefactofhisdisobedience,andnowitappearedthathefrequentedthesedisreputablehauntsuponhisownaccount。

  OncemoreMr。Nicholsondigestedtheviletidingsinsilence,andwhenJohnstoleaglanceathisfather’scountenance,hewasabashedtoseethemarksofsuffering。

  ’Well,’saidtheoldgentleman,atlast,’Icannotpretendnottobesimplyboweddown。Irosethismorningwhattheworldcallsahappyman—happy,atleast,inasonofwhomI

  thoughtIcouldbereasonablyproud—’

  Butitwasbeyondhumannaturetoendurethislonger,andJohninterruptedalmostwithascream。’Oh,wheest!’hecried,’that’snotall,that’snottheworstofit—it’snothing!HowcouldItellyouwereproudofme?Oh!I

  wish,IwishthatIhadknown;butyoualwayssaidIwassuchadisgrace!Andthedreadfulthingisthis:wewerealltakenuplastnight,andwehavetopayColette’sfineamongthesix,orwe’llbehadupforevidence—shebeeningitis。

  Theymademesweartotellyou;butformypart,’hecried,burstingintotears,’IjustwishthatIwasdead!’Andhefellonhiskneesbeforeachairandhidhisface。

  Whetherhisfatherspoke,orwhetherheremainedlongintheroomoratoncedeparted,arepointslosttohistory。A

  horridturmoilofmindandbody;burstingsobs;broken,vanishingthoughts,nowofindignation,nowofremorse;

  brokenelementarywhiffsofconsciousness,ofthesmellofthehorse—haironthechairbottom,ofthejanglingofchurchbellsthatnowbegantomakedayhorriblethroughouttheconfinesofthecity,ofthehardfloorthatbruisedhisknees,ofthetasteoftearsthatfoundtheirwayintohismouth:foraperiodoftime,thedurationofwhichIcannotguess,whileIrefusetodwelllongeronitsagony,thesewerethewholeofGod’sworldforJohnNicholson。

  Whenatlast,asbythetouchingofaspring,hereturnedagaintoclearnessofconsciousnessandevenameasureofcomposure,thebellshadbutjustdoneringing,andtheSabbathsilencewasstillmarredbythepatterofbelatedfeet。Bytheclockabovethefire,aswellasbythesemorespeakingsigns,theservicehadnotlongbegun;andtheunhappysinner,ifhisfatherhadreallygonetochurch,mightcountonneartwohoursofonlycomparativeunhappiness。Withhisfather,thesuperlativedegreereturnedinfallibly。Heknewitbyeveryshrinkingfibreinhisbody,heknewitbythesuddendizzywhirlingofhisbrain,atthemerethoughtofthatcalamity。Anhourandahalf,perhapsanhourandthree—quarters,ifthedoctorwaslong—winded,andthenwouldbeginagainthatactiveagonyfromwhich,eveninthedullacheofthepresent,heshrunkasfromthebiteoffire。Hesaw,inavision,thefamilypew,thesomnolentcushions,theBibles,thepsalm—books,Mariawithhersmelling—salts,hisfathersittingspectacledandcritical;andatoncehewasstruckwithindignation,notunjustly。Itwasinhumantogoofftochurch,andleaveasinnerinsuspense,unpunished,unforgiven。Andattheverytouchofcriticism,thepaternalsanctitywaslessened;yetthepaternalterroronlygrew;andthetwostrandsoffeelingpushedhiminthesamedirection。

  Andsuddenlytherecameuponhimamadfearlesthisfathershouldhavelockedhimin。Thenotionhadnogroundinsense;itwasprobablynomorethanareminiscenceofsimilarcalamitiesinchildhood,forhisfather’sroomhadalwaysbeenthechamberofinquisitionandthesceneofpunishment;

  butitstucksorigorouslyinhismindthathemustinstantlyapproachthedoorandproveitsuntruth。Ashewent,hestruckuponadrawerleftopeninthebusinesstable。Itwasthemoney—drawer,ameasureofhisfather’sdisarray:themoney—drawer—perhapsapointingprovidence!Whoistodecide,whenevendivinesdifferbetweenaprovidenceandatemptation?orwho,sittingcalmlyunderhisownvine,istopassajudgmentonthedoingsofapoor,hunteddog,slavishlyafraid,slavishlyrebellious,likeJohnNicholsononthatparticularSunday?Hishandwasinthedrawer,almostbeforehismindhadconceivedthehope;andrisingtohisnewsituation,hewrote,sittinginhisfather’schairandusinghisfather’sblotting—pad,hispitifulapologyandfarewell:—

  ’MYDEARFATHER,—Ihavetakenthemoney,butIwillpayitbackassoonasIamable。Youwillneverhearofmeagain。

  Ididnotmeananyharmbyanything,soIhopeyouwilltryandforgiveme。Iwishyouwouldsaygood—byetoAlexanderandMaria,butnotifyoudon’twantto。Icouldnotwaittoseeyou,really。Pleasetrytoforgiveme。Youraffectionateson,JOHNNICHOLSON。’

  Thecoinsabstractedandthemissivewritten,hecouldnotbegonetoosoonfromthesceneofthesetransgressions;andrememberinghowhisfatherhadoncereturnedfromchurch,onsomeslightillness,inthemiddleofthesecondpsalm,hedurstnotevenmakeapacketofachangeofclothes。Attiredashewas,heslippedfromthepaternaldoors,andfoundhimselfinthecoolspringair,thethinspringsunshine,andthegreatSabbathquietofthecity,whichwasnowonlypointedbythecawingoftherooks。TherewasnotasoulinRandolphCrescent,norasoulinQueensferryStreet;inthisoutdoorprivacyandthesenseofescape,Johntookheartagain;andwithapatheticsenseofleave—taking,heevenventuredupthelaneandstoodawhile,astrangeperiatthegatesofaquaintparadise,bythewestendofSt。George’sChurch。Theyweresingingwithin;andbyastrangechance,thetunewas’St。George’s,Edinburgh,’whichbearsthename,andwasfirstsunginthechoirofthatchurch。’WhoisthisKingofGlory?’wentthevoicesfromwithin;and,toJohn,thiswasliketheendofallChristianobservances,forhewasnowtobeawildmanlikeIshmael,andhislifewastobecastinhomelessplacesandwithgodlesspeople。

  Itwasthus,withnorisingsenseoftheadventurous,butinmeredesolationanddespair,thatheturnedhisbackonhisnativecity,andsetoutonfootforCalifornia,withamoreimmediateeyetoGlasgow。

  CHAPTERIV—THESECONDSOWING

  ITisnopartofminetonarratetheadventuresofJohnNicholson,whichweremany,butsimplyhismoremomentousmisadventures,whichweremorethanhedesired,and,byhumanstandards,morethanhedeserved;howhereachedCalifornia,howhewasrooked,androbbed,andbeaten,andstarved;howhewasatlasttakenupbycharitablefolk,restoredtosomedegreeofself—complacency,andinstalledasaclerkinabankinSanFrancisco,itwouldtaketoolongtotell;norintheseepisodeswerethereanymarksofthepeculiarNicholsonicdestiny,fortheywerejustsuchmattersasbefellsomethousandsofotheryoungadventurersinthesamedaysandplaces。Butoncepostedinthebank,hefellforatimeintoahighdegreeofgoodfortune,which,asitwasonlyalongerwayabouttofreshdisaster,itbehoovesmetoexplain。

  Itwashislucktomeetayoungmaninwhatistechnicallycalleda’dive,’andthankstohismonthlywages,toextricatethisnewacquaintancefromapositionofpresentdisgraceandpossibledangerinthefuture。ThisyoungmanwasthenephewofoneoftheNobHillmagnates,whoruntheSanFranciscoStockExchange,muchasmorehumbleadventurers,inthecornerofsomepublicparkathome,maybeseentoperformthesimpleartificeofpeaandthimble:

  fortheirownprofit,thatistosay,andthediscouragementofpublicgambling。Itwasthusinhispower—and,ashewasofgratefultemper,itwasamongthethingsthathedesired—toputJohninthewayofgrowingrich;andthus,withoutthoughtorindustry,orsomuchasevenunderstandingthegameatwhichheplayed,butbysimplybuyingandsellingwhathewastoldtobuyandsell,thatplaythingoffortunewaspresentlyattheheadofbetweenelevenandtwelvethousandpounds,or,ashereckonedit,ofupwardofsixtythousanddollars。

  Howhehadcometodeservethiswealth,anymorethanhowhehadformerlyearneddisgraceathome,wasaproblembeyondthereachofhisphilosophy。Itwastruethathehadbeenindustriousatthebank,butnomoresothanthecashier,whohadsevensmallchildrenandwasvisiblysinkingindecline。

  Norwasthestepwhichhaddeterminedhisadvance—avisittoadivewithamonth’swagesinhispocket—anactofsuchtranscendentvirtue,orevenwisdom,astoseemtomeritthefavourofthegods。Fromsomesenseofthis,andofthedizzysee—saw—heaven—high,hell—deep—onwhichmensitclutching;orperhapsfearingthatthesourcesofhisfortunemightbeinsidiouslytracedtosomerootinthefieldofpettycash;hestucktohiswork,saidnotawordofhisnewcircumstances,andkepthisaccountwithabankinadifferentquarterofthetown。Theconcealment,innocentasitseems,wasthefirststepinthesecondtragicomedyofJohn’sexistence。

  Meanwhile,hehadneverwrittenhome。Whetherfromdiffidenceorshame,oratouchofanger,ormereprocrastination,orbecause(aswehaveseen)hehadnoskillinliteraryarts,orbecause(asIamsometimestemptedtosuppose)thereisalawinhumannaturethatpreventsyoungmen—nototherwisebeasts—fromtheperformanceofthissimpleactofpiety—monthsandyearshadgoneby,andJohnhadneverwritten。Thehabitofnotwriting,indeed,wasalreadyfixedbeforehehadbeguntocomeintohisfortune;

  anditwasonlythedifficultyofbreakingthislongsilencethatwithheldhimfromaninstantrestitutionofthemoneyhehadstolenor(ashepreferredtocallit)borrowed。Invainhesatbeforepaper,attendingoninspiration;thatheavenlynymph,beyondsuggestingthewords’mydearfather,’remainedobstinatelysilent;andpresentlyJohnwouldcrumpleupthesheetanddecide,assoonashehad’agoodchance,’tocarrythemoneyhomeinperson。Andthisdelay,whichisindefensible,washissecondstepintothesnaresoffortune。

  Tenyearshadpassed,andJohnwasdrawingneartothirty。

  Hehadkeptthepromiseofhisboyhood,andwasnowofalustyframe,vergingtowardcorpulence;goodfeatures,goodeyes,agenialmanner,areadylaugh,alongpairofsandywhiskers,adashofanAmericanaccent,aclosefamiliaritywiththegreatAmericanjoke,andacertainlikenesstoaR—

  y—lP—rs—n—ge,whoshallremainnamelessforme,madeuptheman’sexternalsashecouldbeviewedinsociety。Inwardly,inspiteofhisgrossbodyandhighlymasculinewhiskers,hewasmorelikeamaidenladythanamanoftwenty—nine。

  Itchancedoneday,ashewasstrollingdownMarketStreetontheeveofhisfortnight’sholiday,thathiseyewascaughtbycertainrailwaybills,andinveryidlenessofmindhecalculatedthathemightbehomeforChristmasifhestartedonthemorrow。Thefancythrilledhimwithdesire,andinonemomenthedecidedhewouldgo。

  Therewasmuchtobedone:hisportmanteautobepacked,acredittobegotfromthebankwherehewasawealthycustomer,andcertainofficestobetransactedforthatotherbankinwhichhewasanhumbleclerk;anditchanced,inconformitywithhumannature,thatoutofallthisbusinessitwasthelastthatcametobeneglected。Nightfoundhim,notonlyequippedwithmoneyofhisown,butoncemore(asonthatformeroccasion)saddledwithaconsiderablesumofotherpeople’s。

  Nowitchancedtherelivedinthesameboarding—houseafellow—clerkofhis,anhonestfellow,withwhatiscalledaweaknessfordrink—thoughitmight,inthiscase,havebeencalledastrength,forthevictimhadbeendrunkforweekstogetherwithoutthebriefestintermission。TothisunfortunateJohnintrustedaletterwithaninclosureofbonds,addressedtothebankmanager。Evenashedidsohethoughtheperceivedacertainhazinessofeyeandspeechinhistrustee;buthewastoohopefultobestayed,silencedthevoiceofwarninginhisbosom,andwithoneandthesamegesturecommittedthemoneytotheclerk,andhimselfintothehandsofdestiny。

  Idwell,evenattheriskoftedium,onJohn’sminutesterrors,hiscasebeingsoperplexingtothemoralist;butwehavedonewiththemnow,therollisclosed,thereaderhastheworstofourpoorhero,andIleavehimtojudgeforhimselfwhetherheorJohnhasbeenthelessdeserving。

  Henceforthwehavetofollowthespectacleofamanwhowasamerewhip—topforcalamity;onwhoseunmeritedmisadventuresnoteventhehumouristcanlookwithoutpity,andnoteventhephilosopherwithoutalarm。

  Thatsamenighttheclerkentereduponaboutofdrunkennesssoconsistentastosurpriseevenhisintimateacquaintance。

  Hewasspeedilyejectedfromtheboarding—house;depositedhisportmanteauwithaperfectstranger,whodidnotevencatchhisname;wanderedheknewnotwhere,andwasatlasthove—to,allstanding,inahospitalatSacramento。There,undertheimpenetrableALIASofthenumberofhisbed,thecrapulousbeinglayforsomemoredaysunconsciousofallthings,andofonethinginparticular:thatthepolicewereafterhim。TwomonthshadcomeandgonebeforetheconvalescentintheSacramentohospitalwasidentifiedwithKirkman,theabscondingSanFranciscoclerk;eventhen,theremustelapsenearlyafortnightmoretilltheperfectstrangercouldbehuntedup,theportmanteaurecovered,andJohn’slettercarriedatlengthtoitsdestination,thesealstillunbroken,theinclosurestillintact。

  Meanwhile,Johnhadgoneuponhisholidayswithoutaword,whichwasirregular;andtherehaddisappearedwithhimacertainsumofmoney,whichwasoutofallboundsofpalliation。Buthewasknowntobecareless,andbelievedtobehonest;themanagerbesideshadaregardforhim;andlittlewassaid,althoughsomethingwasnodoubtthought,untilthefortnightwasfinallyatanend,andthetimehadcomeforJohntoreappear。Then,indeed,theaffairbegantolookblack;andwheninquiriesweremade,andthepennilessclerkwasfoundtohaveamassedthousandsofdollars,andkeptthemsecretlyinarivalestablishment,thestoutestofhisfriendsabandonedhim,thebookswereoverhauledfortracesofancientandartfulfraud,andthoughnonewerefound,therestillprevailedageneralimpressionofloss。

  Thetelegraphwassetinmotion;andthecorrespondentofthebankinEdinburgh,forwhichplaceitwasunderstoodthatJohnhadarmedhimselfwithextensivecredits,waswarnedtocommunicatewiththepolice。

  NowthiscorrespondentwasafriendofMr。Nicholson’s;hewaswellacquaintedwiththetaleofJohn’scalamitousdisappearancefromEdinburgh;andputtingonethingwithanother,hastedwiththefirstwordofthisscandal,nottothepolice,buttohisfriend。Theoldgentlemanhadlongregardedhissonasonedead;John’splacehadbeentaken,thememoryofhisfaultshadalreadyfallentobeoneofthoseoldaches,whichawakenagainindeeduponoccasion,butwhichwecanalwaysvanquishbyaneffortofthewill;andtohavethelonglostresuscitatedinafreshdisgracewasdoublybitter。

  ’Macewen,’saidtheoldman,’thismustbehushedup,ifpossible。IfIgiveyouacheekforthissum,aboutwhichtheyarecertain,couldyoutakeitonyourselftoletthematterrest?’

  ’Iwill,’saidMacewen。’Iwilltaketheriskofit。’

  ’Youunderstand,’resumedMr。Nicholson,speakingprecisely,butwithashenlips,’Idothisformyfamily,notforthatunhappyyoungman。Ifitshouldturnoutthatthesesuspicionsarecorrect,andhehasembezzledlargesums,hemustlieonhisbedashehasmadeit。’AndthenlookingupatMacewenwithanod,andoneofhisstrangesmiles:’Good—

  bye,’saidhe,andMacewen,perceivingthecasetobetoograveforconsolation,tookhimselfoff,andblessedGodonhiswayhomethathewaschildless。

  CHAPTERV—THEPRODIGAL’SRETURN

  BYalittleafternoonontheeveofChristmas,Johnhadlefthisportmanteauinthecloak—room,andsteppedforthintoPrincesStreetwithawonderfulexpansionofthesoul,suchasmenenjoyonthecompletionoflong—nourishedschemes。Hewasathomeagain,incognitoandrich;presentlyhecouldenterhisfather’shousebymeansofthepass—key,whichhehadpiouslypreservedthroughallhiswanderings;hewouldthrowdowntheborrowedmoney;therewouldbeareconciliation,thedetailsofwhichhefrequentlyarranged;

  andhesawhimself,duringthenextmonth,madewelcomeinmanystatelyhousesatmanyfrigiddinner—parties,takinghisshareintheconversationwiththefreedomofthemanandthetraveller,andlayingdownthelawuponfinancewiththeauthorityofthesuccessfulinvestor。Butthisprogrammewasnottobebegunbeforeevening—nottilljustbeforedinner,indeed,atwhichmealthereassembledfamilyweretositroseate,andthebestwine,themodernfattedcalf,shouldflowfortheprodigal’sreturn。

  Meanwhilehewalkedfamiliarstreets,merryreminiscencescrowdingroundhim,sadonesalso,bothwiththesamesurprisingpathos。Thekeenfrostyair;thelow,rosy,wintrysun;thecastle,hailinghimlikeanoldacquaintance;

  thenamesoffriendsondoor—plates;thesightoffriendswhomheseemedtorecognise,andwhomheeagerlyavoided,inthestreets;thepleasantchantofthenorth—countryaccent;

  thedomeofSt。George’sremindinghimofhislastpenitentialmomentsinthelane,andofthatKingofGlorywhosenamehadechoedeversinceinthesaddestcornerofhismemory;andthegutterswherehehadlearnedtoslide,andtheshopwherehehadboughthisskates,andthestonesonwhichhehadtrod,andtherailingsinwhichhehadrattledhisclachanashewenttoschool;andallthosethousandandonenamelessparticulars,whichtheeyeseeswithoutnoting,whichthememorykeepsindeedyetwithoutknowing,andwhich,takenonewithanother,buildupforustheaspectoftheplacethatwecallhome:allthesebesiegedhim,ashewent,withbothdelightandsadness。

  HisfirstvisitwasforHouston,whohadahouseonRegentTerrace,keptforhiminolddaysbyanaunt。Thedoorwasopened(tohissurprise)uponthechain,andavoiceaskedhimfromwithinwhathewanted。

  ’IwantMr。Houston—Mr。AlanHouston,’saidhe。

  ’Andwhoareye?’saidthevoice。

  ’Thisismostextraordinary,’thoughtJohn;andthenaloudhetoldhisname。

  ’No’youngMr。John?’criedthevoice,withasuddenincreaseofScotchaccent,testifyingtoafriendlierfeeling。

  ’Theverysame,’saidJohn。

  Andtheoldbutlerremovedhisdefences,remarkingonly’I

  thochtyewerethatman。’Buthismasterwasnotthere;hewasstaying,itappeared,atthehouseinMurrayfield;andthoughthebutlerwouldhavebeengladenoughtohavetakenhisplaceandgivenallthenewsofthefamily,John,struckwithalittlechill,waseagertobegone。Only,thedoorwasscarceclosedagain,beforeheregrettedthathehadnotaskedabout’thatman。’

  Hewastopaynomorevisitstillhehadseenhisfatherandmadeallwellathome;Alanhadbeentheonlypossibleexception,andJohnhadnottimetogoasfarasMurrayfield。

  ButherehewasonRegentTerrace;therewasnothingtopreventhimgoingroundtheendofthehill,andlookingfromwithoutontheMackenzies’house。Ashewent,hereflectedthatFloramustnowbeawomanofnearhisownage,anditwaswithintheboundsofpossibilitythatshewasmarried;

  butthisdishonourabledoubthedammeddown。

  Therewasthehouse,sureenough;butthedoorwasofanothercolour,andwhatwasthis—twodoor—plates?Hedrewnearer;

  thetoponebore,withdignifiedsimplicity,thewords,’Mr。

  Proudfoot’;theloweronewasmoreexplicit,andinformedthepasser—bythatherewaslikewisetheabodeof’Mr。J。A。

  DunlopProudfoot,Advocate。’TheProudfootsmustberich,fornoadvocatecouldlooktohavemuchbusinessinsoremoteaquarter;andJohnhatedthemfortheirwealthandfortheirname,andforthesakeofthehousetheydesecratedwiththeirpresence。HerememberedaProudfoothehadseenatschool,notknown:alittle,whey—facedurchin,thedespicablememberofsomelowerclass。Coulditbethisabortionthathadclimbedtobeanadvocate,andnowlivedinthebirthplaceofFloraandthehomeofJohn’stenderestmemories?ThechillthathadfirstseizeduponhimwhenheheardofHouston’sabsencedeepenedandstruckinward。Foramoment,ashestoodunderthedoorsofthatestrangedhouse,andlookedeastandwestalongthesolitarypavementoftheRoyalTerrace,wherenotacatwasstirring,thesenseofsolitudeanddesolationtookhimbythethroat,andhewishedhimselfinSanFrancisco。

  Andthenthefigurehemade,withhisdecentportliness,hiswhiskers,themoneyinhispurse,theexcellentcigarthathenowlighted,recurredtohismindinconsolatorycomparisonwiththatofacertainmaddenedladwho,onacertainspringSundaytenyearsbefore,andinthehourofchurch—timesilence,hadstolenfromthatcitybytheGlasgowroad。Inthefaceofthesechanges,itwereimpioustodoubtfortune’skindness。Allwouldbewellyet;theMackenzieswouldbefound,Flora,youngerandlovelierandkinderthanbefore;

  Alanwouldbefound,andwouldhavesonicelydiscriminatedhisbehaviourastohavegrown,ontheonehand,intoavaluedfriendofMr。Nicholson’s,andtohaveremained,upontheother,ofthatexactshadeofjovialitywhichJohndesiredinhiscompanions。Andso,oncemore,Johnfelltoworkdiscountingthedelightfulfuture:hisfirstappearanceinthefamilypew;hisfirstvisittohisuncleGreig,whothoughthimselfsogreatafinancier,andonwhosepurblindEdinburgheyesJohnwastoletinthedazzlingdaylightoftheWest;andthedetailsingeneralofthatunrivalledtransformationscene,inwhichhewastodisplaytoallEdinburghaportlyandsuccessfulgentlemanintheshoesofthederidedfugitive。

  Thetimebegantodrawnearwhenhisfatherwouldhavereturnedfromtheoffice,anditwouldbetheprodigal’scuetoenter。HestrolledwestwardbyAlbanyStreet,facingthesunsetembers,pleased,heknewnotwhy,tomoveinthatcoldairandindigotwilight,starredwithstreet—lamps。Buttherewasonemoredisenchantmentwaitinghimbytheway。

  AtthecornerofPittStreethepausedtolightafreshcigar;thevestathrew,ashedidso,astronglightuponhisfeatures,andamanofabouthisownagestoppedatsightofit。

  ’IthinkyournamemustbeNicholson,’saidthestranger。

  Itwastoolatetoavoidrecognition;andbesides,asJohnwasnowactuallyonthewayhome,ithardlymattered,andhegavewaytotheimpulseofhisnature。

  ’GreatScott!’hecried,’Beatson!’andshookhandswithwarmth。Itscarceseemedhewasrepaidinkind。

  ’Soyou’rehomeagain?’saidBeatson。’Wherehaveyoubeenallthislongtime?’

  ’IntheStates,’saidJohn—’California。I’vemademypilethough;anditsuddenlystruckmeitwouldbeanobleschemetocomehomeforChristmas。’

  ’Isee,’saidBeatson。’Well,Ihopewe’llseesomethingofyounowyou’rehere。’

  ’Oh,Iguessso,’saidJohn,alittlefrozen。

  ’Well,ta—ta,’concludedBeatson,andheshookhandsagainandwent。

  Thiswasacruelfirstexperience。Itwasidletoblinkfacts:herewasJohnhomeagain,andBeatson—OldBeatson—

  didnotcarearush。HerecalledOldBeatsoninthepast—

  thatmerryandaffectionatelad—andtheirjointadventuresandmishaps,thewindowtheyhadbrokenwithacatapultinIndiaPlace,theescaladeofthecastlerock,andmanyanotherinestimablebondoffriendship;andhishurtsurprisegrewdeeper。Well,afterall,itwasonlyonaman’sownfamilythathecouldcount;bloodwasthickerthanwater,heremembered;andthenetresultofthisencounterwastobringhimtothedoorstepofhisfather’shouse,withtendererandsofterfeelings。

  Thenighthadcome;thefanlightoverthedoorshonebright;

  thetwowindowsofthedining—roomwheretheclothwasbeinglaid,andthethreewindowsofthedrawing—roomwhereMariawouldbewaitingdinner,glowedsoftlierthroughyellowblinds。Itwaslikeavisionofthepast。Allthistimeofhisabsencelifehadgoneforwardwithanequalfoot,andthefiresandthegashadbeenlighted,andthemealsspread,attheaccustomedhours。Attheaccustomedhour,too,thebellhadsoundedthricetocallthefamilytoworship。Andatthethought,apangofregretforhisdemeritseizedhim;herememberedthethingsthatweregoodandthathehadneglected,andthethingsthatwereevilandthathehadloved;anditwaswithaprayeruponhislipsthathemountedthestepsandthrustthekeyintothekey—hole。

  Hesteppedintothelightedhall,shutthedoorsoftlybehindhim,andstoodtherefixedinwonder。Nosurpriseofstrangenesscouldequalthesurpriseofthatcompletefamiliarity。TherewasthebustofChalmersnearthestair—

  railings,therewastheclothes—brushintheaccustomedplace;andthere,onthehat—stand,hunghatsandcoatsthatmustsurelybethesameasheremembered。Tenyearsdroppedfromhislife,asapinmayslipbetweenthefingers;andtheoceanandthemountains,andthemines,andcrowdedmartsandmingledracesofSanFrancisco,andhisownfortuneandhisowndisgrace,became,forthatonemoment,thefiguresofadreamthatwasover。

  Hetookoffhishat,andmovedmechanicallytowardthestand;

  andtherehefoundasmallchangethatwasagreatonetohim。Thepinthathadbeenhisfromboyhood,wherehehadflunghisbalmoralwhenheloiteredhomefromtheAcademy,andhisfirsthatwhenhecamebrisklybackfromcollegeortheoffice—hispinwasoccupied。’Theymighthaveatleastrespectedmypin!’hethought,andhewasmovedasbyaslight,andbeganatoncetorecollectthathewashereaninterloper,inastrangehouse,whichhehadenteredalmostbyaburglary,andwhereatanymomenthemightbescandalouslychallenged。

  Hemovedatonce,hishatstillinhishand,tothedoorofhisfather’sroom,openedit,andentered。Mr。NicholsonsatinthesameplaceandpostureasonthatlastSundaymorning;

  onlyhewasolder,andgreyer,andsterner;andashenowglancedupandcaughttheeyeofhisson,astrangecommotionandadarkflushsprungintohisface。

  ’Father,’saidJohn,steadily,andevencheerfully,forthiswasamomentagainstwhichhewaslongagoprepared,’father,hereIam,andhereisthemoneythatItookfromyou。I

  havecomebacktoaskyourforgiveness,andtostayChristmaswithyouandthechildren。’

  ’Keepyourmoney,’saidthefather,’andgo!’

  ’Father!’criedJohn;’forGod’ssakedon’treceivemethisway。I’vecomefor—’

  ’Understandme,’interruptedMr。Nicholson;’youarenosonofmine;andinthesightofGod,Iwashmyhandsofyou。

  OnelastthingIwilltellyou;onewarningIwillgiveyou;

  allisdiscovered,andyouarebeinghuntedforyourcrimes;

  ifyouarestillatlargeitisthankstome;butIhavedoneallthatImeantodo;andfromthistimeforthIwouldnotraiseonefinger—notonefinger—tosaveyoufromthegallows!Andnow,’withalowvoiceofabsoluteauthority,andasingleweightygestureofthefinger,’andnow—go!’

  CHAPTERVI—THEHOUSEATMURRAYFIELD

  HowJohnpassedtheevening,inwhatwindyconfusionofmind,inwhatsquallsofangerandlullsofsickcollapse,inwhatpacingofstreetsandplungingintopublic—houses,itwouldprofitlittletorelate。Hismisery,ifitwerenotprogressive,yettendedinnowaytodiminish;forinproportionasgriefandindignationabated,fearbegantotaketheirplace。Atfirst,hisfather’smenacingwordslaybyinsomesafedrawerofmemory,bidingtheirhour。Atfirst,Johnwasallthwartedaffectionandblightedhope;

  nextbludgeonedvanityraiseditsheadagain,withtwentymortalgashes:andthefatherwasdisownedevenashehaddisownedtheson。Whatwasthisregularcourseoflife,thatJohnshouldhaveadmiredit?whatweretheseclock—workvirtues,fromwhichlovewasabsent?Kindnesswasthetest,kindnesstheaimandsoul;andjudgedbysuchastandard,thediscardedprodigal—nowrapidlydrowninghissorrowsandhisreasoninsuccessivedrams—wasacreatureofaloveliermoralitythanhisself—righteousfather。Yes,hewasthebetterman;hefeltit,glowedwiththeconsciousness,andenteringapublic—houseatthecornerofHowardPlace(whitherhehadsomehowwandered)hepledgedhisownvirtuesinaglass—perhapsthefourthsincehisdismissal。Ofthatheknewnothing,keepingnoaccountofwhathedidorwherehewent;andinthegeneralcrashinghurryofhisnerves,unconsciousoftheapproachofintoxication。Indeed,itisaquestionwhetherhewerereallygrowingintoxicated,orwhetheratfirstthespiritsdidnotevensoberhim。Foritwasevenashedrainedthislastglassthathisfather’sambiguousandmenacingwords—poppingfromtheirhiding—

  placeinmemory—startledhimlikeahandlaiduponhisshoulder。’Crimes,hunted,thegallows。’Theywereuglywords;intheearsofaninnocentman,perhapsalltheuglier;forifsomejudicialerrorwereinactagainsthim,whoshouldsetalimittoitsgrossnessortohowfaritmightbepushed?NotJohn,indeed;hewasnobelieverinthepowersofinnocence,hiscursedexperiencepointinginquiteotherways;andhisfears,oncewakened,grewwitheveryhourandhuntedhimaboutthecitystreets。

  Itwas,perhaps,nearlynineatnight;hehadeatennothingsincelunch,hehaddrunkagooddeal,andhewasexhaustedbyemotion,whenthethoughtofHoustoncameintohishead。

  Heturned,notmerelytothemanasafriend,buttohishouseasaplaceofrefuge。Thedangerthatthreatenedhimwasstillsovaguethatheknewneitherwhattofearnorwherehemightexpectit;butthismuchatleastseemedundeniable,thataprivatehousewassaferthanapublicinn。

  Movedbythesecounsels,heturnedatoncetotheCaledonianStation,passed(notwithoutalarm)intothebrightlightsoftheapproach,redeemedhisportmanteaufromthecloak—room,andwassoonwhirlinginacabalongtheGlasgowRoad。Thechangeofmovementandposition,thesightofthelampstwinklingtotherear,andthesmellofdampandmouldandrottenstrawwhichclungaboutthevehicle,wroughtinhimstrangealternationsoflucidityandmortalgiddiness。

  ’Ihavebeendrinking,’hediscovered;’Imustgostraighttobed,andsleep。’AndhethankedHeavenforthedrowsinessthatcameuponhismindinwaves。

  Fromoneofthesespellshewaswakenedbythestoppageofthecab;and,gettingdown,foundhimselfinquiteacountryroad,thelastlampofthesuburbshiningsomewaybelow,andthehighwallsofagardenrisingbeforehiminthedark。

  TheLodge(astheplacewasnamed),stood,indeed,verysolitary。Tothesouthitadjoinedanotherhouse,butstandinginsolargeagardenastobewelloutofcry;onallothersides,openfieldsstretchedupwardtothewoodsofCorstorphineHill,orbackwardtothedellsofRavelston,ordownwardtowardthevalleyoftheLeith。Theeffectofseclusionwasaidedbythegreatheightofthegardenwalls,whichwere,indeed,conventual,and,asJohnhadtestedinformerdays,defiedtheclimbingschoolboy。Thelampofthecabthrewagleamuponthedoorandthenotbrillianthandleofthebell。

  ’ShallIringforye?’saidthecabman,whohaddescendedfromhisperch,andwasslappinghischest,forthenightwasbitter。

  ’Iwishyouwould,’saidJohn,puttinghishandtohisbrowinoneofhisaccessesofgiddiness。

  Themanpulledatthehandle,andtheclankingofthebellrepliedfromfurtherinthegarden;twiceandthricehedidit,withsufficientintervals;inthegreatfrostysilenceofthenightthesoundsfellsharpandsmall。

  ’Doesheexpectye?’askedthedriver,withthatmanneroffamiliarinterestthatwellbecamehisport—wineface;andwhenJohnhadtoldhimno,’Well,then,’saidthecabman,’ifye’lltak’myadviceofit,we’lljustgangback。Andthat’sdisinterested,mindye,formystablesareintheGlesgieRoad。’

  ’Theservantsmusthear,’saidJohn。

  ’Hout!’saidthedriver。’Hekeepsnoservantshere,man。

  They’rea’inthetownhouse;Idrivehimoften;it’sjustakindofahermitage,this。’

  ’Givemethebell,’saidJohn;andhepluckedatitlikeamandesperate。

  Theclamourhadnotyetsubsidedbeforetheyheardstepsuponthegravel,andavoiceofsingularnervousirritabilitycriedtothemthroughthedoor,’Whoareyou,andwhatdoyouwant?’

  ’Alan,’saidJohn,’it’sme—it’sFatty—John,youknow。

  I’mjustcomehome,andI’vecometostaywithyou。’

  Therewasnoreplyforamoment,andthenthedoorwasopened。

  ’Gettheportmanteaudown,’saidJohntothedriver。

  ’Donothingofthekind,’saidAlan;andthentoJohn,’Comeinhereamoment。Iwanttospeaktoyou。’

  Johnenteredthegarden,andthedoorwasclosedbehindhim。

  Acandlestoodonthegravelwalk,winkingalittleinthedraughts;itthrewinconstantsparklesontheclumpedholly,struckthelightanddarknesstoandfrolikeaveilonAlan’sfeatures,andsenthisshadowhoveringbehindhim。

  Allbeyondwasinscrutable;andJohn’sdizzybrainrockedwiththeshadow。Yetevenso,itstruckhimthatAlanwaspale,andhisvoice,whenhespoke,unnatural。

  ’Whatbringsyouhereto—night?’hebegan。’Idon’twant,Godknows,toseemunfriendly;butIcannottakeyouin,Nicholson;Icannotdoit。’

  ’Alan,’saidJohn,’you’vejustgotto!Youdon’tknowthemessI’min;thegovernor’sturnedmeout,andIdaren’tshowmyfaceinaninn,becausethey’redownonmeformurderorsomething!’

  ’Forwhat?’criedAlan,starting。

  ’Murder,Ibelieve,’saysJohn。

  ’Murder!’repeatedAlan,andpassedhishandoverhiseyes。

  ’Whatwasthatyouweresaying?’heaskedagain。

  ’Thattheyweredownonme,’saidJohn。’I’maccusedofmurder,bywhatIcanmakeout;andI’vereallyhadadreadfuldayofit,Alan,andIcan’tsleepontheroadsideonanightlikethis—atleast,notwithaportmanteau,’hepleaded。

  ’Hush!’saidAlan,withhisheadononeside;andthen,’Didyouhearnothing?’heasked。

  ’No,’saidJohn,thrilling,heknewnotwhy,withcommunicatedterror。’No,Iheardnothing;why?’Andthen,astherewasnoanswer,herevertedtohispleading:’ButI

  say,Alan,you’vejustgottotakemein。I’llgorightawaytobedifyouhaveanythingtodo。Iseemtohavebeendrinking;Iwasthatknockedover。Iwouldn’tturnyouaway,Alan,ifyouweredownonyourluck。’

  ’No?’returnedAlan。’Neitherwillyou,then。Comeandlet’sgetyourportmanteau。’

  Thecabmanwaspaid,anddroveoffdownthelong,lamp—

  lightedhill,andthetwofriendsstoodontheside—walkbesidetheportmanteautillthelastrumbleofthewheelshaddiedinsilence。ItseemedtoJohnasthoughAlanattachedimportancetothisdepartureofthecab;andJohn,whowasinnostatetocriticise,sharedprofoundlyinthefeeling。

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