Thetimeforcautionhadpassed，nowwasthetimetoact。Jimmieracedtothetopofthehill，andfounditempty。Heplungeddownit，vaultedastonewall，forcedhiswaythroughatangleofsaplings，andheldhisbreathtolisten。Justbeyondhim，overajumbleofrocks，ahiddenstreamwastrippingandtumbling。
Joyfully，itlaughedandgurgled。Jimmieturnedhot。Itsoundedasthoughfromthedarknessthespymockedhim。Jimmieshookhisfistattheenshroudingdarkness。Abovethetumultofthecomingstormandthetossingtree—tops，heraisedhisvoice。
\"Youwait！\"heshouted。\"I’llgetyouyet！Nexttime，I’llbringagun。\"
Nexttime，wasthenextmorning。Therehadbeenahawkhoveringoverthechickenyard，andJimmieusedthatfacttoexplainhisborrowingthefamilyshotgun。Heloadeditwithbuckshot，and，inthepocketofhisshirtbuttonedhislicenseto\"hunt，pursueandkill，totakewithtrapsorotherdevices。\"
HerememberedthatJudgeVanVorsthadwarnedhim，beforehearrestedmorespies，tocometohimforawarrant。ButwithanimpatientshakeoftheheadJimmietossedtherecollectionfromhim。Afterwhathehadseenhecouldnotpossiblybeagainmistaken。Hedidnotneedawarrant。Whathehadseenwashiswarrant——plustheshotgun。
Asa\"pathfinder\"should，heplannedtotakeupthetrailwherehehadlostit，but，beforehereachedRoundHill，hefoundawarmertrail。Beforehim，stampedclearlyintheroadstilldampfromtherainofthenightbefore，twolinesoflittlearrow—headspointedtheway。Theyweresofreshthatateachtwistintheroad，lestthecarshouldbejustbeyondhim，Jimmieslackenedhissteps。Afterhalfamilethescentgrewhot。Thetracksweredeeper，thearrow—headsmoreclearlycut，andJimmiebrokeintoarun。Then，thearrow—headsswungsuddenlytotheright，andinaclearingattheedgeofawood，werelost。Butthetireshadpresseddeepintothegrass，andjustinsidethewood，hefoundthecar。Itwasempty。Jimmiewasdrawntwoways。
Shouldheseekthespyonthenearesthilltop，or，untiltheownerreturned，waitbythecar。Betweenlyinginambushandaction，Jimmiepreferredaction。But，hedidnotclimbthehillnearestthecar；heclimbedthehillthatoverlookedthathill。
Flatontheground，hiddeninthegolden—rodhelaymotionless。
Beforehim，forfifteenmilesstretchedhillsandtinyvalleys。
Sixmilesawaytohisrightrosethestonesteeple，andtheredroofsofGreenwich。Directlybeforehimwerenosignsofhabitation，onlygreenforests，greenfields，graystonewalls，and，wherearoadranup—hill，asplashofwhite，thatquiveredintheheat。Thestormofthenightbeforehadwashedtheair。
Eachleafstoodbyitself。Nothingstirred；andintheglareoftheAugustsuneverydetailofthelandscapewasasdistinctasthoseinacoloredphotograph；andasstill。
Inhisexcitementthescoutwastrembling。
\"Ifhemoves，\"hesighedhappily，\"I’vegothim！\"
Opposite，acrossalittlevalleywasthehillatthebaseofwhichhehadfoundthecar。Theslopetowardhimwasbare，butthetopwascrownedwithathickwood；andalongitscrest，asthoughestablishinganancientboundary，ranastonewall，moss—coveredandwrappedinpoison—ivy。Inplaces，thebranchesofthetrees，reachingouttothesun，overhungthewallandhiditinblackshadows。Jimmiedividedthehillintosectors。Hebeganattheright，andslowlyfollowedthewall。Withhiseyeshetookitapart，stonebystone。Hadachipmunkraisedhishead，Jimmiewouldhaveseenhim。So，whenfromthestonewall，likethereflectionofthesunuponawindow—pane，somethingflashed，Jimmieknewhehadfoundhisspy。Apairofbinocularshadbetrayedhim。Jimmienowsawhimclearly。Hesatonthegroundatthetopofthehillopposite，inthedeepshadowofanoak，hisbackagainstthestonewall。Withthebinocularstohiseyeshehadleanedtoofarforward，andupontheglassthesunhadflashedawarning。
Jimmieappreciatedthathisattackmustbemadefromtherear。
Backward，likeacrabhewriggledfreeofthegolden—rod，andhiddenbythecontourofthehill，raceddownitandintothewoodsonthehillopposite。Whenhecametowithintwentyfeetoftheoakbeneathwhichhehadseenthestranger，hestooderect，andasthoughavoidingalivewire，steppedontip—toetothewall。Thestrangerstillsatagainstit。Thebinocularshungfromacordaroundhisneck。Acrosshiskneeswasspreadamap。Hewasmarkingitwithapencil，andasheworked，hehummedatune。
Jimmieknelt，andrestingthegunonthetopofthewall，coveredhim。
\"Throwupyourhands！\"hecommanded。
Thestrangerdidnotstart。Exceptthatheraisedhiseyeshegavenosignthathehadheard。Hiseyesstaredacrossthelittlesun—filledvalley。Theywerehalfclosedasthoughinstudy，asthoughperplexedbysomedeepandintricateproblem。Theyappearedtoseebeyondthesun—filledvalleysomeplaceofgreatermoment，someplacefardistant。
Thentheeyessmiled，andslowly，asthoughhisneckwerestiff，butstillsmiling，thestrangerturnedhishead。Whenhesawtheboy，hissmilewassweptawayinwavesofsurprise，amazement，anddisbelief。Thesewerefollowedinstantlybyanexpressionofthemostacutealarm。\"Don’tpointthatthingatme！\"shoutedthestranger。\"Isitloaded？\"Withhischeekpressedtothestockandhiseyesquinteddownthelengthofthebrownbarrel，Jimmienodded。Thestrangerflunguphisopenpalms。Theyaccentedhisexpressionofamazedincredulity。Heseemedtobeexclaiming，\"Cansuchthingsbe？\"
\"Getup！\"commandedJimmie。
Withalacritythestrangerrose。
\"Walkoverthere，\"orderedthescout。\"Walkbackward。Stop！Takeoffthosefield—glassesandthrowthemtome。\"Withoutremovinghiseyesfromthegunthestrangerliftedthebinocularsfromhisneckandtossedthemtothestonewall。\"Seehere！\"hepleaded，\"ifyou’llonlypointthatdamnedblunderbusstheotherway，youcanhavetheglasses，andmywatch，andclothes，andallmymoney；onlydon’t——\"
Jimmieflushedcrimson。\"Youcan’tbribeme，\"hegrowled。Atleast，hetriedtogrowl，butbecausehisvoicewaschanging，orbecausehewasexcitedthegrowlendedinahighsqueak。Withmortification，Jimmieflushedadeepercrimson。Butthestrangerwasnotamused。AtJimmie’swordsheseemedratherthemoreamazed。
\"I’mnottryingtobribeyou，\"heprotested。\"Ifyoudon’twantanything，whyareyouholdingmeup？\"
\"I’mnot，\"returnedJimmie，\"I’marrestingyou！\"
Thestrangerlaughedwithrelief。Againhiseyessmiled。\"Oh，\"hecried，\"Isee！HaveIbeentrespassing？\"
WithaglanceJimmiemeasuredthedistancebetweenhimselfandthestranger。Reassured，heliftedonelegaftertheotheroverthewall。\"Ifyoutrytorushme，\"hewarned，\"I’llshootyoufullofbuckshot。\"
ThestrangertookahastystepBACKWARD。\"Don’tworryaboutthat，\"heexclaimed。\"I’llnotrushyou。WhyamIarrested？\"
Huggingtheshotgunwithhisleftarm，Jimmiestoppedandliftedthebinoculars。Hegavethemaswiftglance，slungthemoverhisshoulder，andagainclutchedhisweapon。Hisexpressionwasnowsternandmenacing。
\"Thenameonthem\"heaccused，\"is’Weiss，Berlin。’Isthatyourname？\"Thestrangersmiled，butcorrectedhimself，andrepliedgravely，\"That’sthenameofthefirmthatmakesthem。\"
Jimmieexclaimedintriumph。\"Hah！\"hecried，\"madeinGermany！\"
Thestrangershookhishead。
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"hesaid。\"WhereWOULDaWeissglassbemade？\"Withpoliteinsistenceherepeated，\"WouldyoumindtellingmewhyIamarrested，andwhoyoumighthappentobe？\"
Jimmiedidnotanswer。Againhestoopedandpickedupthemap，andashedidso，forthefirsttimethefaceofthestrangershowedthathewasannoyed。Jimmiewasnotathomewithmaps。
Theytoldhimnothing。Butthepencilednotesonthisonemadeeasyreading。Athisfirstglancehesaw，\"Correctrange，1，800
yards\"；\"thisstreamnotfordable\"；\"slopeofhill15degreesinaccessibleforartillery。\"\"Wireentanglementshere\"；\"forageforfivesquadrons。\"
Jimmie’seyesflashed。Heshovedthemapinsidehisshirt，andwiththegunmotionedtowardthebaseofthehill。\"Keepfortyfeetaheadofme，\"hecommanded，\"andwalktoyourcar。\"Thestrangerdidnotseemtohearhim。Hespokewithirritation。
\"Isuppose，\"hesaid，\"I’llhavetoexplaintoyouaboutthatmap。\"
\"Nottome，youwon’t，\"declaredhiscaptor。\"You’regoingtodrivestraighttoJudgeVanVorst’s，andexplaintoHIM！\"
Thestrangertossedhisarmsevenhigher。\"ThankGod！\"heexclaimedgratefully。
WithhisprisonerJimmieencounterednofurthertrouble。Hemadeawillingcaptive。AndifincoveringthefivemilestoJudgeVanVorst’sheexceededthespeedlimit，thefactthatfromtherearseatJimmieheldtheshotgunagainstthebaseofhisskullwasanextenuatingcircumstance。
Theyarrivedinthenickoftime。InhisowncaryoungVanVorstandabagofgolfclubswerejustdrawingawayfromthehouse。
Seeingthecarclimbingthesteepdrivewaythatforahalf—mileledfromhislodgetohisfrontdoor，andseeingJimmiestandinginthetonneaubrandishingagun，theJudgehastilydescended。
Thesightofthespyhunterfilledhimwithmisgiving，butthesightofhimgaveJimmiesweetrelief。ArrestingGermanspiesforasmallboyisnoeasytask。ForJimmiethestrainwasgreat。Andnowthatheknewhehadsuccessfullydeliveredhimintothehandsofthelaw，Jimmie’sheartrosewithhappiness。Theaddedpresenceofabutlerofmagnificentbearingandofanathleticlookingchauffeurincreasedhissenseofsecurity。Theirpresenceseemedtoaffordafeelingofsecuritytotheprisoneralso。Ashebroughtthecartoahalt，hebreathedasigh。Itwasasighofdeeprelief。
Jimmiefellfromthetonneau。Inconcealinghissenseoftriumph，hewasnotentiretysuccessful。
\"Igothim！\"hecried。\"Ididn’tmakenomistakeaboutTHISone！\"
\"Whatone？\"demandedVanVorst。
Jimmiepointeddramaticallyathisprisoner。Withananxiousexpressionthestrangerwastenderlyfingeringthebackofhishead。Heseemedtowishtoassurehimselfthatitwasstillthere。
\"THATone！\"criedJimmie。\"He’saGermanspy！\"
ThepatienceofJudgeVanVorstfellfromhim。Inhisexclamationwasindignation，anger，reproach。
\"Jimmie！\"hecried。
Jimmiethrustintohishandthemap。Itwashis\"ExhibitA。\"
\"Lookwhathe’swrote，\"commandedthescout。\"It’sallmilitarywords。Andthesearehisglasses。Itook’emoffhim。They’remadeinGERMANY！Ibeenstalkinghimforaweek。He’saspy！\"
WhenJimmiethrustthemapbeforehisface，VanVorsthadglancedatit。Thenheregardeditmoreclosely。Asheraisedhiseyestheyshowedthathewaspuzzled。
Buthegreetedtheprisonerpolitely。
\"I’mextremelysorryyou’vebeenannoyed，\"hesaid。\"I’monlygladit’snoworse。Hemighthaveshotyou。He’smadovertheideathateverystrangerhesees——\"
Theprisonerquicklyinterrupted。
\"Please！\"hebegged，\"Don’tblametheboy。Hebehavedextremelywell。MightIspeakwithyou——ALONE？\"heasked。
JudgeVanVorstledthewayacrosstheterrace，andtothesmoking—room，thatservedalsoashisoffice，andclosedthedoor。Thestrangerwalkeddirectlytothemantelpieceandputhisfingeronagoldcup。
\"IsawyourmarewinthatatBelmontPark，\"hesaid。\"Shemusthavebeenagreatlosstoyou？\"
\"Shewas，\"saidVanVorst。\"Theweekbeforeshebrokeherback，I
refusedthreethousandforher。Willyouhaveacigarette？\"
Thestrangerwavedasidethecigarettes。
\"Ibroughtyouinside，\"hesaid，\"becauseIdidn’twantyourservantstohear；andbecauseIdon’twanttohurtthatboy’sfeelings。He’safineboy；andhe’sadamnedcleverscout。IknewhewasfollowingmeandIthrewhimofftwice，butto—dayhecaughtmefair。IfIreallyhadbeenaGermanspy，Icouldn’thavegotawayfromhim。AndIwanthimtothinkhehascapturedaGermanspy。Becausehedeservesjustasmuchcreditasthoughhehad，andbecauseit’sbestheshouldn’tknowwhomheDID
capture。\"
VanVorstpointedtothemap。\"Mybetis，\"hesaid，\"thatyou’reanofficeroftheStatemilitia，takingnotesforthefallmanoeuvres。AmIright？\"
Thestrangersmiledinapproval，butshookhishead。
\"You’rewarm，\"hesaid，\"butit’smoreseriousthanmanoeuvres。
It’stheRealThing。\"Fromhispocketbookhetookavisitingcardandlaiditonthetable。\"I’m’Sherry’McCoy，\"hesaid，\"CaptainofArtilleryintheUnitedStatesArmy。\"Henoddedtothehandtelephoneonthetable。
\"YoucancallupGovernor’sIslandandgetGeneralWoodorhisaide，CaptainDorey，onthephone。Theysentmehere。AskTHEM。
I’mnotpickingoutgunsitesfortheGermans；I’mpickingoutpositionsofdefenseforAmericanswhentheGermanscome！\"
VanVorstlaughedderisively。
\"Myword！\"heexclaimed。\"You’reasbadasJimmie！\"
CaptainMcCoyregardedhimwithdisfavor。
\"Andyou，sir，\"heretorted，\"areasbadasninetymillionotherAmericans。YouWON’Tbelieve！WhentheGermansareshellingthishill，whenthey’retakingyourhunterstopulltheircook—wagons，maybe，you’llbelieveTHEN。\"
\"Areyouserious？\"demandedVanVorst。\"Andyouanarmyofficer？\"
\"That’swhyIamserious，\"returnedMcCoy。\"WEknow。Butwhenwetrytoprepareforwhatiscoming，wemustdoitsecretly——inunderhandways，forfearthenewspaperswillgetholdofitandridiculeus，andaccuseusoftryingtodragthecountryintowar。That’swhywehavetoprepareundercover。That’swhyI’vehadtoskulkaroundthesehillslikeachickenthief。And，\"headdedsharply，\"that’swhythatboymustnotknowwhoIam。Ifhedoes，theGeneralStaffwillgetacallingdownatWashington，andI’llhavemyearsboxed。\"
VanVorstmovedtothedoor。
\"Hewillneverlearnthetruthfromme，\"hesaid。\"ForIwilltellhimyouaretobeshotatsunrise。\"
\"Good！\"laughedtheCaptain。\"Andtellmehisname。IfeverwefightoverWestchesterCounty，Iwantthatladformychiefofscouts。Andgivehimthis。Tellhimtobuyanewscoutuniform。
Tellhimitcomesfromyou。\"
ButnomoneycouldreconcileJimmietothesentenceimposeduponhiscaptive。Hereceivedthenewswithahowlofanguish。\"Youmustn’t，\"hebegged；\"Ineverknowedyou’dshoothim！Iwouldn’thavecaughthim，ifI’dknowedthat。Icouldn’tsleepifI
thoughthewasgoingtobeshotatsunrise。\"AttheprospectofunendingnightmaresJimmie’svoiceshookwithterror。\"Makeitfortwentyyears，\"hebegged。\"Makeitforten，\"hecoaxed，\"but，please，promiseyouwon’tshoothim。\"
WhenVanVorstreturnedtoCaptainMcCoy，hewassmiling，andthebutlerwhofollowed，bearingatrayandtinklingglasses，wastryingnottosmile。
\"IgaveJimmieyourtendollars，\"saidVanVorst，\"andmadeittwenty，andhehasgonehome。Youwillbegladtohearthathebeggedmetospareyourlife，andthatyoursentencehasbeencommutedtotwentyyearsinafortress。Idrinktoyourgoodfortune。\"
\"No！\"protestedCaptainMcCoy，\"WewilldrinktoJimmie！\"
WhenCaptainMcCoyhaddrivenaway，andhisowncarandthegolfclubshadagainbeenbroughttothesteps，JudgeVanVorstoncemoreattemptedtodepart；buthewasagaindelayed。
Othervisitorswerearriving。
Upthedrivewayatouring—carapproached，andthoughitlimpedonaflattire，itapproachedatrecklessspeed。Thetwomeninthefrontseatwerewhitewithdust；theirfaces，maskedbyautomobileglasses，wereindistinguishable。Asthoughpreparingforanimmediateexit，thecarswunginacircleuntilitsnosepointeddownthedrivewayupwhichithadjustcome。RaisinghissilkmasktheonebesidethedrivershoutedatJudgeVanVorst。
Histhroatwasparched，hisvoicewashoarseandhotwithanger。
\"Agraytouring—car，\"heshouted。\"Itstoppedhere。Wesawitfromthathill。Thenthedamntireburst，andwelostourway。
Wheredidhego？\"
\"Who？\"demandedVanVorst，stiffly，\"CaptainMcCoy？\"
Themanexplodedwithanoath。Thedriverwithashoveofhiselbow，silencedhim。
\"Yes，CaptainMcCoy，\"assentedthedrivereagerly。\"Whichwaydidhego？\"
\"ToNewYork，\"saidVanVorst。
Thedrivershriekedathiscompanion。
\"Then，he’sdoubledback，\"hecried。\"He’sgonetoNewHaven。\"Hestoopedandthrewintheclutch。Thecarlurchedforward。
AcoldterrorsweptyoungVanVorst。
\"Whatdoyouwantwithhim？\"hecalled\"Whoareyou？\"
Overoneshoulderthemaskedfaceglaredathim。Abovetheroarofthecarthewordsofthedriverwereflungback。\"We’reSecretServicefromWashington，\"heshouted。\"He’sfromtheirembassy。
He’saGermanspy！\"
Leapingandthrobbingatsixtymilesanhour，thecarvanishedinacurtainofwhite，whirlingdust。
Chapter9。THECARD—SHARP
IhadlookedforwardtospendingChristmaswithsomepeopleinSuffolk，andeveryoneinLondonassuredmethatattheirhousetherewouldbethekindofaChristmashousepartyyouhearaboutbutseeonlyintheillustratedChristmasnumbers。Theypromisedmistletoe，snapdragon，andSirRogerdeCoverley。OnChristmasmorningwewouldwalktochurch，afterluncheonwewouldshoot，afterdinnerwewouldeatplumpuddingfloatinginblazingbrandy，dancewiththeservants，andlistentothewaitssinging\"Godrestyou，merrygentlemen，letnothingyoudismay。\"
ToaloneAmericanbachelorstrandedinLondonitsoundedfine。
AndinmygratitudeIhadalreadyshippedtomyhostess，forherchildren，ofwhoseage，number，andsexIwasignorant，halfofGamage’sdolls，skees，andcricketbats，andthosecrackersthat，whenyoupullthem，sometimesexplode。Butitwasnottobe。Mostinconsideratelymywealthiestpatientgainedsufficientcouragetoconsenttoanoperation，andinallNewYorkwouldpermitnoonetolayviolenthandsuponhimsavemyself。BycableIadvisedpostponement。Havinglivedinlawfulharmonywithhisappendixforfiftyyears，Ithought，foroneweeklongerhemightsafelymaintainthestatusquo。Buthiscableinreplywasanultimatum。So，onChristmaseve，insteadofHallamHallandaYulelog，IwasinagaleplungingandpitchingoffthecoastofIreland，andtheonlylogonboardwastheonethecaptainkepttohimself。
Isatinthesmoking—room，depressedandcross，anditmusthavebeenontheprinciplethatmiserylovescompanythatI
foregatheredwithTalbot，orratherthatTalbotforegatheredwithme。Certainty，underhappierconditionsandinhauntsofmenmorecrowded，theopen—facedmannerinwhichheforcedhimselfuponmewouldhaveputmeonmyguard。But，eitheroutofdeferencetotheholidayspirit，asmanifestedinthefictitiousgayetyofourfewfellow—passengers，orbecausetheyoungmaninaknowing，impertinentwaywasmostamusing，Ilistenedtohimfromdinnertimeuntilmidnight，whenthechiefofficer，hungwithsnowandicicles，wasblowninfromthedeckandwishedallamerryChristmas。
EvenaftertheyunmaskedTalbotIhadneithertheheartnortheinclinationtoturnhimdown。Indeed，hadnotsomeofthepassengerstestifiedthatIbelongedtoadifferentprofession，thesmoking—roomcrowdwouldhavequarantinedmeashisaccomplice。OnthefirstnightImethimIwasnotcertainwhetherhewasEnglishorgivinganimitation。AlltheoutwardandvisiblesignswereEnglish，buthetoldmethat，thoughhehadbeeneducatedatOxfordandsincethenhadspentmostofhisyearsinIndia，playingpolo，hewasanAmerican。Heseemedtohavespentmuchtime，andaccordingtohimselfmuchmoney，attheFrenchwatering—placesandontheRiviera。IfeltsurethatitwasinFranceIhadalreadyseenhim，butwhereIcouldnotrecall。Hewashardtoplace。OfpeopleathomeandinLondonwellworthknowinghetalkedglibly，butinspeakingofthemhemadeseveralslips。Itwashistakingthetroubletocoveruptheslipsthatfirstmademewonderifhistalkingabouthimselfwasnotmerevanity，buthadsomespecialobject。Ifelthewaspresentinglettersofintroductioninorderthatlaterhemightaskafavor。Whetherhewasleadinguptoanimmediateloan，orinNewYorkwouldaskforacardtoaclub，oranintroductiontoabanker，Icouldnottell。Butinforcinghimselfuponme，exceptinself—interest，Icouldthinkofnoothermotive。ThenexteveningIdiscoveredthemotive。
Hewasinthesmoking—roomplayingsolitaire，andatonceI
recalledthatitwasatAix—les—BainsIhadfirstseenhim，andthatheheldabankatbaccarat。WhenheaskedmetositdownI
said：\"IsawyoulastsummeratAix—les—Bains。\"
Hiseyesfelltothepackinhishandsandapparentlysearcheditforsomeparticularcard。
\"WhatwasIdoing？\"heasked。
\"DealingbaccaratattheCasinodesFleurs。\"
Withobviousreliefhelaughed。
\"Oh，yes，\"heassented；\"jollyplace，Aix。ButIlostapotofmoneythere。I’marottenhandatcards。Can’twin，andcan’tleave’emalone。\"Asthoughforthisweakness，sofranklyconfessed，hebeggedmetoexcusehim，hesmiledappealingly。
\"Poker，bridge，chemindefer，Ilike’emall，\"herattledon，\"buttheydon’tlikeme。SoIsticktosolitaire。It’sdull，butcheap。\"Heshuffledthecardsclumsily。Asthoughmakingconversation，heasked：\"Youcareforcardsyourself？\"
ItoldhimtruthfullyIdidnotknowthedifferencebetweenaclubandaspadeandhadnocuriositytolearn。Atthis，whenhefoundhehadbeenwastingtimeonme，Iexpectedhimtoshowsomesignofannoyance，evenofirritation，buthisdisappointmentstruckfardeeper。AsthoughIhadhurthimphysically，heshuthiseyes，andwhenagainheopenedthemIsawinthemdistress。
ForthemomentIbelieveofmypresencehewasutterlyunconscious。Hishandslayidleuponthetable；likeamanfacingacrisis，hestaredbeforehim。Quiteimproperly，Ifeltsorryforhim。Inmehethoughthehadfoundavictim；andthatthelossofthefewdollarshemighthavewonshouldsodeeplydisturbhimshowedhisneedwasgreat。AlmostatonceheabandonedmeandIwentondeck。WhenIreturnedanhourlatertothesmoking—roomhewasdeepinagameofpoker。
AsIpassedhehailedmegayly。
\"Don’tscold，now，\"helaughed；\"youknowIcan’tkeepawayfromit。\"
Fromhismannerthoseatthetablemighthavesupposedwewerefriendsoflongandhappycompanionship。Istoppedbehindhischair，buthethoughtIhadpassed，andinreplytooneoftheplayersanswered：\"Knownhimforyears；he’ssetmerightmanyatime。WhenIbrokemyrightfemur’chasin，’hegotmebackinthesaddleinsixweeks。Allmypeopleswearbyhim。\"
Oneoftheplayerssmiledupatme，andTalbotturned。Buthiseyesmetminewithperfectserenity。Heevenhelduphiscardsformetosee。\"Whatwouldyoudraw？\"heasked。
HisaudacitysoastonishedmethatinsilenceIcouldonlystareathimandwalkon。
Whenondeckhemetmehewasnotevenapologetic。Instead，asthoughwewerepartnersincrime，hechuckleddelightedly。
\"Sorry，\"hesaid。\"Hadtodoit。Theyweren’tverykeenatmytakingahand，soIhadtouseyourname。ButI’mallrightnow，\"
heassuredme。\"Theythinkyouvouchedforme，andto—nightthey’regoingtoraisethelimit。I’veconvincedthemI’maneasymark。\"
\"AndItakeityouarenot，\"Isaidstiffly。
Heconsideredthisunworthyofananswerandonlysmiled。Thenthesmiledied，andagaininhiseyesIsawdistress，infiniteweariness，andfear。
Asthoughhisthoughtsdrovehimtoseekprotection，hecamecloser。
\"I’m’inbad，’doctor，\"hesaid。Hisvoicewasfrightened，bewildered，likethatofachild。\"Ican’tsleep；nervesallontheloose。Idon’tthinkstraight。Ihearvoices，andnoonearound。Ihearknockingsatthedoor，andwhenIopenit，noonethere。IfIdon’tkeepfitIcan’twork，andthistripIgottomakeexpenses。Youcouldn’thelpme，couldyou——couldn’tgivemesomethingtokeepmyheadstraight？\"
Theneedofmykeepinghisheadstraightthathemighttheeasierrobourfellow—passengersraisedaprettyquestionofethics。I
meanlydodgedit。ItoldhimprofessionaletiquetterequiredI
shouldleavehimtotheship’ssurgeon。
\"ButIdon’tknowHIM，\"heprotested。
Mindfuloftheusehehadmadeofmyname，Iobjectedstrenuously：
\"Well，youcertainlydon’tknowme。\"
Myresentmentobviouslypuzzledhim。
\"IknowwhoyouARE，\"hereturned。\"YouandI——\"Withadeprecatorygesture，asthoughgoodtasteforbadehimsayingwhowewere，hestopped。\"Buttheship’ssurgeon！\"heprotested，\"he’sanawfulbounder！Besides，\"headdedquitesimply，\"he’swatchingme。\"
\"Asadoctor，\"Iasked，\"orwatchingyouplaycards？\"
\"Playcards，\"theyoungmananswered。\"I’mafraidhewasship’ssurgeonontheP。&O。Icamehomeon。Therewastroublethatvoyage，andIfancyheremembersme。\"
Hisconfidenceswerebecominganuisance。
\"Butyoumustn’ttellmethat，\"Iprotested。\"Ican’thaveyoumakingtroubleonthisship，too。HowdoyouknowIwon’tgostraightfromheretothecaptain？\"
Asthoughthesuggestiongreatlyentertainedhim，helaughed。
Hemadeamockobeisance。
\"Iclaimthesealofyourprofession，\"hesaid。\"Nonsense，\"I
retorted。\"It’saprofessionalsecretthatyournervesareoutofhand，butthatyouareacard—sharpisNOT。Don’tmixmeupwithapriest。\"
ForamomentTalbot，asthoughfearinghehadgonetoofar，lookedatmesharply；hebithislowerlipandfrowned。
\"Igottomakeexpenses，\"hemuttered。\"And，besides，allcardgamesaregamesofchance，andacard—sharpisoneofthechances。Anyway，\"herepeated，asthoughdisposingofallargument，\"Igottomakeexpenses。\"
Afterdinner，whenIcametothesmoking—room，thepokerpartysatwaiting，andoneofthemaskedifIknewwheretheycouldfind\"myfriend。\"IshouldhavesaidthenthatTalbotwasasteameracquaintanceonly；butIhatearow，andIletthechancepass。
\"Wewanttogivehimhisrevenge，\"oneofthemvolunteered。
\"He’slosing，then？\"Iasked。
Themanchuckledcomplacently。
\"Theonlyloser，\"hesaid。
\"Iwouldn’tworry，\"Iadvised。\"He’llcomeforhisrevenge。\"
ThatnightafterIhadturnedinheknockedatmydoor。I
switchedonthelightsandsawhimstandingatthefootofmyberth。Isawalsothatwithdifficultyhewasholdinghimselfinhand。
\"I’mscared，\"hestammered，\"scared！\"
Iwroteoutarequisitiononthesurgeonforasleeping—potionandsentittohimbythesteward，givingthemantounderstandI
wanteditformyself。Uninvited，Talbothadseatedhimselfonthesofa。Hiseyeswereclosed，andasthoughhewerecoldhewasshiveringandhugginghimselfinhisarms。
\"Haveyoubeendrinking？\"Iasked。
Insurpriseheopenedhiseyes。
\"Ican’tdrink，\"heansweredsimply。\"It’snervesandworry。I’mtired。\"
Herelaxedagainstthecushions；hisarmsfellheavilyathissides；thefingerslayopen。
\"God，\"hewhispered，\"howtiredIam！\"
Inspiteofhistan——andcertainlyhehadledtheout—of—doorlife——hisfaceshowedwhite。Forthemomenthelookedold，worn，finished。
\"They’recrowdin’me，\"theboywhispered。\"They’realwayscrowdin’me。\"Hisvoicewasquerulous，uncomprehending，likethatofachildcomplainingofsomethingbeyondhisexperience。
\"Ican’trememberwhentheyhaven’tbeencrowdin’me。Movin’meon，youunderstand？Alwaysmovin’meon。MovedmeoutofIndia，thenCairo，thentheyclosedParis，andnowthey’veshutmeoutofLondon。Iopenedaclubthere，veryquiet，veryexclusive，smartneighborhood，too——aflatinBerkeleyStreet——rouletteandchemindefer。Ithinkitwasmyvaletsoldmeout；anyway，theycameinandtookusalltoBowStreet。SoI’veplungedonthis。
It’smylastchance！\"
\"Thistrip？\"
\"No；myfamilyinNewYork。Haven’tseen’emintenyears。Theypaidmetoliveabroad。I’mgamblingonTHEM；gamblingontheirtakin’meback。I’mcominghomeastheProdigalSon，tiredoffillingmybellywiththehusksthattheswinedoeat；reformedcharacter，repentantandallthat；wanttofollowthestraightandnarrow；andthey’llkillthefattedcalf。\"Helaughedsardonically。\"Likehelltheywill！They’dratherseeMEkilled。\"
Itseemedtome，ifhewishedhisfamilytobelievehewerereturningrepentant，hiscourseinthesmoking—roomwouldnothelptoreassurethem。Isuggestedasmuch。
\"Ifyougetinto’trouble，’asyoucallit，\"Isaid，\"andtheysendawirelesstothepolicetobeatthewharf，yourpeoplewouldhardly——\"
\"Iknow，\"heinterrupted；\"butIgottochancethat。IGOTtomakeenoughtogoonwith——untilIseemyfamily。\"
\"Iftheywon’tseeyou？\"Iasked。\"Whatthen？\"
Heshruggedhisshouldersandsighedlightly，almostwithrelief，asthoughforhimtheprospectheldnoterror。
\"Thenit’s’Good—night，nurse，’\"hesaid。\"AndIwon’tbeabothertoanybodyanymore。\"
Itoldhimhisnervesweretalking，andtalkingrot，andIgavehimthesleeping—draftandsenthimtobed。
ItwasnotuntilafterluncheonthenextdaywhenhemadehisfirstappearanceondeckthatIagainsawmypatient。HewasoncemoreahealthypictureofayoungEnglishmanofleisure；keen，smart，andfit；readyforanyexerciseorsport。TheparticularsportatwhichhewassoexpertIaskedhimtoavoid。
\"Can’tbedone！\"heassuredme。\"I’mtheloser，andwedockto—morrowmorning。SotonightI’vegottomakemykilling。\"
Itwastheotherswhomadethekilling。
Icameintothesmoking—roomaboutnineo’clock。Talbotalonewasseated。Theotherswereontheirfeet，andbehindtheminawidersemicirclewerepassengers，thesmoking—roomstewardsandtheship’spurser。
Talbotsatwithhisbackagainstthebulkhead，hishandsinthepocketsofhisdinnercoat；fromthecornerofhismouthhislongcigarette—holderwascockedatanimpudentangle。Therewasatumultofangryvoices，andtheeyesofallwereturneduponhim。
Outwardlyatleasthemetthemwithcompleteindifference。Thevoiceofoneofmycountrymen，anoisypestnamedSmedburg，wasraisedinexcitedaccusation。
\"Whentheship’ssurgeonfirstmetyou，\"hecried，\"youcalledyourselfLordRidley。\"
\"I’llcallmyselfanythingIjollywelllike，\"returnedTalbot。
\"IfIchoosetododgereporters，that’smypidgin。Idon’thavetogivemynametoeverymeddlingbusybodythat——\"
\"You’llgiveittothepolice，allright，\"chortledMr。Smedburg。
Intheconfident，bullyingtonesofthemanwhoknowsthecrowdiswithhim，heshouted：\"Andinthemeantimeyou’llkeepoutofthissmoking—room！\"
Thechorusofassentwasunanimous。Itcouldnotbedisregarded。
Talbotroseandwithfastidiousconcernbrushedthecigaretteashesfromhissleeve。Ashemovedtowardthedoorhecalledback：\"Onlytoodelightedtokeepout。Thecrowdinthisroommakesagentlemanfeellonely。\"
Buthewasnottoescapewiththelastword。
Hisprosecutorpointedhisfingerathim。
\"AndthenexttimeyoutakethenameofAdolphMeyer，\"heshouted，\"makesurefirsthehasn’tafriendonboard；someonetoprotecthimfromsharpersandswindlers——\"
Talbotturnedsavagelyandthenshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Oh，gotothedevil！\"hecalled，andwalkedoutintothenight。
Thepurserwasstandingatmysideand，catchingmyeye，shookhishead。
\"Badbusiness，\"heexclaimed。
\"Whathappened？\"Iasked。
\"I’mtoldtheycaughthimdealingfromthewrongendofthepack，\"hesaid。\"Iunderstandtheysuspectedhimfromthefirst——seemsoursurgeonrecognizedhim——andto—nighttheyhadoutsiderswatchinghim。Theoutsidersclaimtheysawhimsliphimselfanacefromthebottomofthepack。It’sapity！He’sanice—lookinglad。\"
IaskedwhattheexcitedSmedburghadmeantbytellingTalbotnottocallhimselfMeyer。
\"Theyaccusedhimoftravellingunderafalsename，\"explainedthepurser，\"andhetold’emhedidittododgetheship’snewsreporters。ThenhesaidhereallywasabrotherofAdolphMeyer，thebanker；butitseemsSmedburgisafriendofMeyer’s，andhecalledhimhard！Itwasasillyassthingtodo，\"protestedthepurser。\"EverybodyknowsMeyerhasn’tabrother，andifhehadn’tmadeTHATbreakhemighthavegotawaywiththeotherone。ButnowthisSmedburgisgoingtowirelessaheadtoMr。Meyerandtothepolice。\"
\"Hashenootherwayofspendinghismoney？\"Iasked。
\"He’saconfoundednuisance！\"growledthepurser。\"HewantstoshowusheknowsAdolphMeyer；wantstoputMeyerunderanobligation。Itmeansasceneonthewharf，andnewspapertalk；
and，\"headdedwithdisgust，\"thesesmoking—roomrowsneverhelpedanyline。\"
IwentinsearchofTalbot；partlybecauseIknewhewasonthevergeofacollapse，partly，asIfranklyadmittedtomyself，becauseIwassorrytheyoungmanhadcometogrief。Isearchedthesnow—sweptdecks，andthen，afterthreadingmywaythroughfaintlylittunnels，Iknockedathiscabin。Thesoundofhisvoicegavemeadistinctfeelingofrelief。Buthewouldnotadmitme。Throughthecloseddoorhedeclaredhewas\"allright，\"
wantednomedicaladvice，andaskedonlytoresumethesleepheclaimedIhadbroken。Ilefthim，notwithoutuneasiness，andthenextmorningthesightofhimstillinthefleshwasagenuinethrill。Ifoundhimwalkingthedeckcarryinghimselfnonchalantlyandtryingtoappearunconsciousoftheglances——amused，contemptuous，hostile——thatwereturnedtowardhim。Hewouldhavepassedmewithoutspeaking，butItookhisarmandledhimtotherail。Wehadlongpassedquarantineandaconvoyoftugswerebuttingusintothedock。
\"Whatareyougoingtodo？\"Iasked。
\"Doesn’tdependonme，\"hesaid。\"DependsonSmedburg。He’sabusylittlebody！\"
Theboywantedmetothinkhimunconcerned，butbeneaththeflippancyIsawthenervesjerking。Thenquitesimplyhebegantotellme。Hespokeinalow，evenmonotone，dispassionately，asthoughforhimtheincidentnolongerwasofinterest。
\"Theywerewatchingme，\"hesaid。\"ButIknewtheywere，andbesides，nomatterhowclosetheywatchedIcouldhavedonewhattheysaidIdidandthey’dneverhaveseenit。ButIdidn’t。\"
Myscepticismmusthavebeenobvious，forheshookhishead。
\"Ididn’t！\"herepeatedstubbornly。\"Ididn’thaveto！Iwasplayinginluck——wonderfulluck——sheer，dumbluck。Icouldn’tHELPwinning。ButbecauseIwaswinningandbecausetheywerewatching，Iwascarefulnottowinonmyowndeal。Ilaiddown，orplayedtolose。ItwasthecardstheyGAVEmeIwonwith。AndwhentheyjumpedmeItold’emthat。Icouldhaveproveditifthey’dlistened。Buttheywereallupintheair，shoutingandspittingatme。Theybelievedwhattheywantedtobelieve；theydidn’twantthefacts。\"
Itmayhavebeencredulousofme，butIfelttheboywastellingthetruth，andIwasdeeplysorryhehadnotstucktoit。So，ratherharshly，Isaid：
\"Theydidn’twantyoutotellthemyouwereabrothertoAdolphMeyer，either。Whydidyouthinkyoucouldgetawaywithanythinglikethat？\"
Talbotdidnotanswer。
\"Why？\"Iinsisted。
Theboylaughedimpudently。
\"HowthedevilwasItoknowhehadn’tabrother？\"heprotested。
\"Itwasagoodname，andhe’saJew，andtwoofthesixwhowereinthegameareJews。Youknowhowtheysticktogether。Ithoughttheymightstickbyme。\"
\"Butyou，\"Iretortedimpatiently，\"arenotaJew！\"
\"Iamnot，\"saidTalbot，\"butI’veoftenSAIDIwas。It’shelped——lotsoftimes。IfI’dtoldyoumynamewasCohen，orSelinsky，orMeyer，insteadofCraigTalbot，YOU’DhavethoughtIwasaJew。\"Hesmiledandturnedhisfacetowardme。Asthoughfurnishingadescriptionforthepolice，hebegantoenumerate：
\"Hair，darkandcurly；eyes，poppy；lips，full；nose，RomanorHebraic，accordingtotaste。Doyousee？\"
Heshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Butitdidn’twork，\"heconcluded。\"IpickedthewrongJew。\"
Hisfacegrewserious。\"DoyousupposethatSmedburgpersonhaswirelessedthatbanker？\"
ItoldhimIwasafraidhehadalreadysentthemessage。
\"AndwhatwillMeyerdo？\"heasked。\"Willhedropitormakeafuss？Whatsortishe？\"
BrieflyIdescribedAdolphMeyer。IexplainedhimastherichestHebrewinNewYork；giventocharity，tophilanthropy，tothebettermentofhisownrace。
\"Thenmaybe，\"criedTalbothopefully，\"hewon’tmakearow，andmyfamilywon’thearofit！\"
Hedrewaquickbreathofrelief。Asthoughaburdenhadbeenlifted，hisshouldersstraightened。
Andthensuddenly，harshly，inopenpanic，heexclaimedaloud：
\"Look！\"hewhispered。\"There，attheendofthewharf——thelittleJewinfurs！\"
Ifollowedthedirectionofhiseyes。Belowusonthedock，protectedbytwoobviousmembersofthestrong—armsquad，thegreatbanker，philanthropist，andHebrew，AdolphMeyer，waswaiting。
WeweresoclosethatIcouldreadhisface。Itwasstern，set；
thefaceofamanintentuponhisduty，unrelenting。Withoutquestion，ofabadbusinessMr。Smedburghadmadetheworst。I
turnedtospeaktoTalbotandfoundhimgone。
Hissilentslippingawayfilledmewithalarm。Ifoughtagainstagrowingfear。HowmanyminutesIsearchedforhimIdonotknow。
Itseemedmanyhours。Hiscabin，wherefirstIsoughthim，wasemptyanddismantled，andbythatIwasremindedthatifforanydesperatepurposeTalbotwereseekingtoconcealhimselftherenowwerehundredsofotherempty，dismantledcabinsinwhichhemighthide。Tomyinquiriesnoonegaveheed。Intheconfusionofdeparturenoonehadobservedhim；noonewasinahumortoseekhimout；thepassengerswerepressingtothegangway，thestewardsconcernedonlyincountingtheirtips。Fromdecktodeck，downlaneafterlaneofthegreatfloatingvillage，I
racedblindly，peeringintohalf—openeddoors，pushingthroughgroupsofmen，pursuingsomeoneinthedistancewhoappearedtobethemanIsought，onlytofindhewasunknowntome。WhenI
returnedtothegangwaythelastofthepassengerswasleavingit。
IwasabouttofollowtoseekforTalbotinthecustomsshedwhenawhite—facedstewardtouchedmysleeve。BeforehespokehislooktoldmewhyIwaswanted。
\"Theship’ssurgeon，sir，\"hestammered，\"asksyoupleasetohurrytothesick—bay。Apassengerhasshothimself！\"
Onthebed，proppedupbypillows，youngTalbot，withglazed，shockedeyes，staredatme。Hisshirthadbeencutaway；hischestlaybare。Againsthisleftshoulderthedoctorpressedatinyspongewhichquicklydarkened。
Imusthaveexclaimedaloud，forthedoctorturnedhiseyes。
\"ItwasHEsentforyou，\"hesaid，\"buthedoesn’tneedyou。
Fortunately，he’sadamnedbadshot！\"
Theboy’seyesopenedwearily；beforewecouldpreventithespoke。
\"Iwassotired，\"hewhispered。\"Alwaysmovingmeon。Iwassotired！\"
Behindmecameheavyfootsteps，andthoughwithmyarmItriedtobarthemout，thetwodetectivespushedintothedoorway。TheyshovedmetoonesideandthroughthepassagemadeforhimcametheJewinthesablecoat，Mr。AdolphMeyer。
Foraninstantthelittlegreatmanstoodwithwide，owl—likeeyes，staringatthefaceonthepillow。
Thenhesanksoftlytohisknees。Inbothhishandshecaughtthehandofthecard—sharp。
\"Heine！\"hebegged。\"Don’tyouknowme？ItisyourbrotherAdolph；yourlittlebrotherAdolph！\"