\"Whatwasyouthinkin\'about，Jim？\"
Jimwasatrifleawkwardforthemoment。
\"Nothin\'，\"heanswered。\"OnlyIwasthinkin\'justhowfunnyitwas——allthemjoolsathishouse。Whatmadeyouask？\"
\"Nothin\'。Iwasjustwonderin\'，thatwasall。\"
Thesilencesettleddown，brokenbyanoccasionallowandnervousgiggleonthepartofJim。Hewasovercomebythespreadofgems。Itwasnotthathefelttheirbeauty。Hewasunawarethattheywerebeautifulinthemselves。Butinthemhisswiftimaginationvisionedthejoysoflifetheywouldbuy，andallthedesiresandappetitesofhisdiseasedmindandsicklyfleshweretickledbythepromisetheyextended。Hebuildedwondrous，orgy-hauntedcastlesoutoftheirbrilliantfires，andwasappalledatwhathebuilded。Thenitwasthathegiggled。Itwasalltooimpossibletobereal。Andyettheretheyblazedonthetablebeforehim，fanningtheflameofthelustofhim，andhegiggledagain。
\"Iguesswemightaswellcount\'em，\"Mattsaidsuddenly，tearinghimselfawayfromhisownvisions。\"Youwatchmean\'seethatit\'ssquare，becauseyouan\'mehasgottobeonthesquare，Jim。Understand？\"
Jimdidnotlikethis，andbetrayeditinhiseyes，whileMattdidnotlikewhathesawinhispartner\'seyes。
\"Understand？\"Mattrepeated，almostmenacingly。
\"Ain\'twealwaysbensquare？\"theotherreplied，onthedefensivebecauseofthetreacheryalreadywhisperinginhim。
\"Itdon\'tcostnothin\'，bein\'squareinhardtimes，\"Mattretorted。\"It\'sbein\'squareinprosperitythatcounts。Whenweain\'tgotnothin\'，wecan\'thelpbein\'square。We\'reprosperousnow，an\'we\'vegottobebusinessmen——honestbusinessmen。Understand？\"
\"That\'sthetalkforme，\"Jimapproved，butdeepdowninthemeagresoulofhim，——andinspiteofhim，——wantonandlawlessthoughtswerestirringlikechainedbeasts。
Mattsteppedtothefoodshelfbehindthetwo-burnerkerosenecookingstove。Heemptiedtheteafromapaperbag，andfromasecondbagemptiedsomeredpeppers。Returningtothetablewiththebags，heputintothemthetwosizesofsmalldiamonds。Thenhecountedthelargegemsandwrappedthemintheirtissuepaperandchamoisskin。
\"Hundredan\'forty-sevengood-sizedones，\"washisinventory；\"twentyrealbigones；twobigboysandonewhopper；an\'acoupleoffistfulsofteenyonesan\'dust。\"
HelookedatJim。
\"Correct，\"wastheresponse。
Hewrotethecountoutonaslipofmemorandumpaper，andmadeacopyofit，givingonesliptohispartnerandretainingtheother。
\"Justforreference，\"hesaid。
Againhehadrecoursetothefoodshelf，whereheemptiedthesugarfromalargepaperbag。Intothishethrustthediamonds，largeandsmall，wrappeditupinabandannahandkerchief，andstoweditawayunderhispillow。Thenhesatdownontheedgeofthebedandtookoffhisshoes。
\"An\'youthinkthey\'reworthahundredthousan\'？\"Jimasked，pausingandlookingupfromtheunlacingofhisshoe。
\"Sure，\"wastheanswer。\"Iseenadance-housegirldowninArizonaonce，withsomebigsparklersonher。Theywasn\'treal。Shesaidiftheywasshewouldn\'tbedancin\'。Saidthey\'dbeworthalloffiftythousan\'，an\'
shedidn\'thaveadozenof\'emalltold。\"
\"Who\'dworkforalivin\'？\"Jimtriumphantlydemanded。\"Pickan\'shovelwork!\"hesneered。\"Worklikeadogallmylife，an\'saveallmywages，an\'Iwouldn\'thavehalfasmuchaswegottonight。\"
\"Dishwashin\'saboutyourmeasure，an\'youcouldn\'tgetmore\'ntwentyamonthan\'board。Yourfiggersis\'wayoff，butyourpointiswelltaken。
Letthemthatlikesit，work。IroderangeforthirtyamonthwhenIwasyoungan\'foolish。Well，I\'molder，an\'Iain\'tridin\'range。\"
Hegotintobedononeside。Jimputoutthelightandfollowedhiminontheotherside。
\"How\'syourarmfeel？\"Jimqueriedamiably。
Suchconcernwasunusual，andMattnotedit，andreplied——
\"Iguessthere\'snodangerofhydrophoby。Whatmadeyouask？\"
Jimfeltinhimselfaguiltystir，andunderhisbreathhecursedtheother\'swayofaskingdisagreeablequestions；butaloudheanswered——
\"Nothin\'，onlyyouseemedscaredofitatfirst。Whatareyougoin\'todowithyourshare，Matt？\"
\"BuyacattleranchinArizonaan\'setdownan\'payothermentoriderangeforme。There\'ssomeseveralI\'dliketoseeaskin\'ajobfromme，damnthem!An\'nowyoushutyourface，Jim。It\'llbesometimebeforeIbuythatranch。JustnowI\'mgoin\'tosleep。\"
ButJimlaylongawake，nervousandtwitching，rollingaboutrestlesslyandrollinghimselfwideawakeeverytimehedozed。Thediamondsstillblazedunderhiseyelids，andthefireofthemhurt。Matt，inspiteofhisheavynature，sleptlightly，likeawildanimalalertinitssleep；andJimnoticed，everytimehemoved，thathispartner\'sbodymovedsufficientlytoshowthatithadreceivedtheimpressionandthatitwastremblingonthevergeofawakening。Forthatmatter，Jimdidnotknowwhetherornot，frequently，theotherwasawake。Once，quietly，betokeningcompleteconsciousness，Mattsaidtohim:\"Aw，gotosleep，Jim。Don\'tworryaboutthemjools。They\'llkeep。\"AndJimhadthoughtthatatthatparticularmomentMatthadbeensurelyasleep。
InthelatemorningMattwasawakewithJim\'sfirstmovement，andthereafterheawokeanddozedwithhimuntilmidday，whentheygotuptogetherandbegandressing。
\"I\'mgoin\'outtogetapaperan\'somebread，\"Mattsaid。\"Youboilthecoffee。\"
AsJimlistened，unconsciouslyhisgazeleftMatt\'sfaceandrovedtothepillow，beneathwhichwasthebundlewrappedinthebandannahandkerchief。
OntheinstantMatt\'sfacebecamelikeawildbeast\'s。
\"Lookhere，Jim，\"hesnarled。\"You\'vegottoplaysquare。Ifyoudomedirt，I\'llfixyou。Understand？I\'deatyou，Jim。Youknowthat。I\'dbiterightintoyourthroatan\'eatyoulikethatmuchbeefsteak。\"
Hissunburnedskinwasblackwiththesurgeofbloodinit，andhistobacco-stainedteethwereexposedbythesnarlinglips。Jimshiveredandinvoluntarilycowered。Therewasdeathinthemanhelookedat。Onlythenightbeforethatblack-facedmanhadkilledanotherwithhishands，andithadnothurthissleep。AndinhisownheartJimwasawareofasneakingguilt，ofatrainofthoughtthatmeritedallthatwasthreatened。
Mattpassedout，leavinghimstillshivering。Thenahatredtwistedhisownface，andhesoftlyhurledsavagecursesatthedoor。Herememberedthejewels，andhastenedtothebed，feelingunderthepillowforthebandannabundle。Hecrusheditwithhisfingerstomakecertainthatitstillcontainedthediamonds。AssuredthatMatthadnotcarriedthemaway，helookedtowardthekerosenestovewithaguiltystart。Thenhehurriedlylightedit，filledthecoffee-potatthesink，andputitovertheflame。
ThecoffeewasboilingwhenMattreturned，andwhilethelattercutthebreadandputasliceofbutteronthetable，Jimpouredoutthecoffee。
Itwasnotuntilhesatdownandhadtakenafewsipsofthecoffee，thatMattpulledoutthemorningpaperfromhispocket。
\"Wewaswayoff，\"hesaid。\"ItoldyouIdidn\'tdastfiggerouthowfatitwas。Lookatthat。\"
Hepointedtothehead-linesonthefirstpage。
\"SWIFTNEMESISONBUJANNOFF\'STRACK，\"theyread。\"MURDEREDINHISSLEEP
AFTERROBBINGHISPARTNER。\"
\"Thereyouhaveit!\"Mattcried。\"Herobbedhispartner——robbedhimlikeadirtythief。\"
\"Halfamillionofjewelsmissin\'，\"Jimreadaloud。HeputthepaperdownandstaredatMatt。
\"That\'swhatItoldyou，\"thelattersaid。\"Whatinhelldoweknowaboutjools？Halfamillion!——an\'thebestIcouldfiggeritwasahundredthousan\'。Goonan\'readtherestofit。\"
Theyreadonsilently，theirheadssidebyside，theuntouchedcoffeegrowingcold；andeverandanononeortheotherburstforthwithsomesalientprintedfact。
\"I\'dliketoseenMetzner\'sfacewhenheopenedthesafeatthestorethismornin\'，\"Jimgloated。
\"HehitthehighplacesrightawayforBujannoff\'shouse，\"Mattexplained。
\"Goonan\'read。\"
\"WastohavesailedlastnightattenontheSajodafortheSouthSeas——
steamshipdelayedbyextrafreight——\"
\"That\'swhywecaught\'minbed，\"Mattinterrupted。\"Itwasjustluck——
likepickin\'afifty-to-onewinner。\"
\"Sajodasailedatsixthismornin\'——\"
\"Hedidn\'tcatchher，\"Mattsaid。\"Isawhisalarm-clockwassetatfive。
That\'dgiven\'mplentyoftime……onlyIcomealongan\'putthekiboshonhistime。Goon。\"
\"AdolphMetznerindespair——thefamousHaythornepearlnecklace——
magnificentlyassortedpearls——valuedbyexpertsatfromfiftytoseventythousan\'dollars。\"
Jimbrokeofftoswearvilelyandsolemnly，concludingwith，\"Thosedamnoyster-eggsworthallthatmoney!\"
Helickedhislipsandadded，\"Theywasbeautiesan\'nomistake。\"
\"BigBraziliangem，\"hereadon。\"Eightythousan\'dollars——manyvaluablegemsofthefirstwater——severalthousan\'smalldiamondswellworthfortythousan\'。\"
\"Whatyoudon\'tknowaboutjoolsisworthknowin\'，\"Mattsmiledgood-
humouredly。
\"Theoryofthesleuths，\"Jimread。\"Thievesmusthaveknown——cleverlykeptwatchonBujannoff\'sactions——musthavelearnedhisplanandtrailedhimtohishousewiththefruitsofhisrobbery——\"
\"Clever——hell!\"Mattbrokeout。\"That\'sthewayreputationsismade……
inthenoospapers。How\'dweknowhewasrobbin\'hispardner？\"
\"Anyway，we\'vegotthegoods，\"Jimgrinned。\"Let\'slookat\'emagain。\"
Heassuredhimselfthatthedoorwaslockedandbolted，whileMattbroughtoutthebundleinthebandannaandopeneditonthetable。
\"Ain\'ttheybeauties，though!\"Jimexclaimedatsightofthepearls；andforatimehehadeyesonlyforthem。\"Accordin\'totheexperts，worthfromfiftytoseventythousan\'dollars。\"
\"An\'womenlikethemthings，\"Mattcommented。\"An\'they\'lldoeverythingtoget\'em——sellthemselves，commitmurder，anything。\"
\"Justlikeyouan\'me。\"
\"Notonyourlife，\"Mattretorted。\"I\'llcommitmurderfor\'em，butnotfortheirownsakes，butforsakeofwhatthey\'llgetme。That\'sthedifference。Womenwantthejoolsforthemselves，an\'Iwantthejoolsforthewomenan\'suchthingsthey\'llgetme。\"
\"Luckythatmenan\'womendon\'twantthesamethings，\"Jimremarked。
\"That\'swhatmakescommerce，\"Mattagreed；\"peoplewantin\'differentthings。\"
InthemiddleoftheafternoonJimwentouttobuyfood。Whilehewasgone，Mattclearedthetableofthejewels，wrappingthemupasbeforeandputtingthemunderthepillow。Thenhelightedthekerosenestoveandstartedtoboilwaterforcoffee。Afewminuteslater，Jimreturned。
\"Mostsurprising，\"heremarked。\"Streets，an\'stores，an\'peoplejustliketheyalwayswas。Nothin\'changed。An\'mewalkingalongthroughitallamillionaire。Nobodylookedatmean\'guessedit。\"
Mattgruntedunsympathetically。Hehadlittlecomprehensionofthelighterwhimsandfanciesofhispartner\'simagination。
\"Didyougetaporterhouse？\"hedemanded。
\"Sure，an\'aninchthick。It\'sapeach。Lookatit。\"
Heunwrappedthesteakandhelditupfortheother\'sinspection。Thenhemadethecoffeeandsetthetable，whileMattfriedthesteak。
\"Don\'tputontoomuchofthemredpeppers，\"Jimwarned。\"Iain\'tusedtoyourMexicancookin\'。Youalwaysseasontoohot。\"
Mattgruntedalaughandwentonwithhiscooking。Jimpouredoutthecoffee，butfirst，intothenickedchinacup，heemptiedapowderhehadcarriedinhisvestpocketwrappedinarice-paper。Hehadturnedhisbackforthemomentonhispartner，buthedidnotdaretoglancearoundathim。
Mattplacedanewspaperonthetable，andonthenewspapersetthehotfrying-pan。Hecutthesteakinhalf，andservedJimandhimself。
\"Eatherwhileshe\'shot，\"hecounselled，andwithknifeandforksettheexample。
\"She\'sadandy，\"wasJim\'sjudgment，afterhisfirstmouthful。\"ButItellyouonethingstraight。I\'mnevergoin\'tovisityouonthatArizonaranch，soyouneedn\'taskme。\"
\"What\'sthematternow？\"Mattasked。
\"Hell\'sthematter，\"wastheanswer。\"TheMexicancookin\'onyourranch\'dbetoomuchforme。IfI\'vegothella-comin\'inthenextlife，I\'mnotgoin\'totormentmyinsidesinthisone。Damnedpeppers!\"
Hesmiled，expelledhisbreathforciblytocoolhisburningmouth，dranksomecoffee，andwentoneatingthesteak。
\"Whatdoyouthinkaboutthenextlifeanyway，Matt？\"heaskedalittlelater，whilesecretlyhewonderedwhytheotherhadnotyettouchedhiscoffee。
\"Ain\'tnonextlife，\"Mattanswered，pausingfromthesteaktotakehisfirstsipofcoffee。\"Norheavennorhell，nornothin\'。Yougetallthat\'scomin\'righthereinthislife。\"
\"An\'afterward？\"Jimqueriedoutofhismorbidcuriosity，forheknewthathelookeduponamanthatwassoontodie。\"An\'afterward？\"herepeated。
\"Didyoueverseeamantwoweeksdead？\"theotherasked。
Jimshookhishead。
\"Well，Ihave。Hewaslikethisbeefsteakyouan\'meiseatin\'。Itwasoncesteercavortin\'overthelandscape。Butnowit\'sjustmeat。That\'sall，justmeat。An\'that\'swhatyouan\'mean\'allpeoplecometo——meat。\"
Mattgulpeddownthewholecupofcoffee，andrefilledthecup。
\"Areyouscaredtodie？\"heasked。
Jimshookhishead。\"What\'stheuse？Idon\'tdieanyway。Ipassonan\'
liveagain——\"
\"Togostealin\'，an\'lyin\'an\'snivellin\'throughanotherlife，an\'goonthatwayforeveran\'everan\'ever？\"Mattsneered。
\"MaybeI\'llimprove，\"Jimsuggestedhopefully。\"Maybestealin\'won\'tbenecessaryinthelifetocome。\"
Heceasedabruptly，andstaredstraightbeforehim，afrightenedexpressiononhisface。
\"What\'sthematter!\"Mattdemanded。
\"Nothin\'。Iwasjustwonderin\'\"——Jimreturnedtohimselfwithaneffort——
\"aboutthisdyin\'，thatwasall。\"
Buthecouldnotshakeoffthefrightthathadstartledhim。Itwasasifanunseenthingofgloomhadpassedhimby，castinguponhimtheintangibleshadowofitspresence。Hewasawareofafeelingofforeboding。
Somethingominouswasabouttohappen。Calamityhoveredintheair。Hegazedfixedlyacrossthetableattheotherman。Hecouldnotunderstand。
Wasitthathehadblunderedandpoisonedhimself？No，Matthadthenickedcup，andhehadcertainlyputthepoisoninthenickedcup。
Itwasallhisownimagination，washisnextthought。Ithadplayedhimtricksbefore。Fool!Ofcourseitwas。Ofcoursesomethingwasabouttohappen，butitwasabouttohappentoMatt。HadnotMattdrunkthewholecupofcoffee？
Jimbrightenedupandfinishedhissteak，soppingbreadinthegravywhenthemeatwasgone。
\"WhenIwasakid——\"hebegan，butbrokeoffabruptly。
Againtheunseenthingofgloomhadfluttered，andhisbeingwasvibrantwithpremonitionofimpendingmisfortune。Hefeltadisruptiveinfluenceatworkinthefleshofhim，andinallhismusclestherewasaseemingthattheywereabouttobegintotwitch。Hesatbacksuddenly，andassuddenlyleanedforwardwithhiselbowsonthetable。Atremorrandimlythroughthemusclesofhisbody。Itwaslikethefirstrustlingofleavesbeforetheoncomingofwind。Heclenchedhisteeth。Itcameagain，aspasmodictensingofhismuscles。Heknewpanicattherevoltwithinhisbeing。Hismusclesnolongerrecognizedhismasteryoverthem。Againtheyspasmodicallytensed，despitethewillofhim，forhehadwilledthattheyshouldnottense。Thiswasrevolutionwithinhimself，thiswasanarchy；
andtheterrorofimpotencerushedupinhimashisfleshgrippedandseemedtoseizehiminaclutch，chillsrunningupanddownhisbackandsweatstartingonhisbrow。Heglancedabouttheroom，andallthedetailsofitsmotehimwithastrangesenseoffamiliarity。Itwasasthoughhehadjustreturnedfromalongjourney。Helookedacrossthetableathispartner。Mattwaswatchinghimandsmiling。AnexpressionofhorrorspreadoverJim\'sface。
\"MyGod，Matt!\"hescreamed。\"Youain\'tdopedme？\"
Mattsmiledandcontinuedtowatchhim。Intheparoxysmthatfollowed，Jimdidnotbecomeunconscious。Hismusclestensedandtwitchedandknotted，hurtinghimandcrushinghimintheirsavagegrip。Andinthemidstofitall，itcametohimthatMattwasactingqueerly。Hewastravellingthesameroad。Thesmilehadgonefromhisface，andtherewasonitanintentexpression，asifhewerelisteningtosomeinnertaleofhimselfandtryingtodivinethemessage。Mattgotupandwalkedacrosstheroomandbackagain，thensatdown。
\"Youdidthis，Jim，\"hesaidquietly。
\"ButIdidn\'tthinkyou\'dtrytofixME，\"Jimansweredreproachfully。
\"Oh，Ifixedyouallright，\"Mattsaid，withteethclosetogetherandshiveringbody。\"Whatdidyougiveme？\"
\"Strychnine。\"
\"SameasIgaveyou，\"Mattvolunteered。\"It\'sahellofamess，ain\'tit？\"
\"You\'relyin\'，Matt，\"Jimpleaded。\"Youain\'tdopedme，haveyou？\"
\"Isuredid，Jim；an\'Ididn\'toverdoseyou，neither。Icookeditinasneatasyoupleaseinyourhalftheporterhouse——Holdon!Where\'reyougoin\'？\"
Jimhadmadeadashforthedoor，andwasthrowingbackthebolts。Mattspranginbetweenandshovedhimaway。
\"Drugstore，\"Jimpanted。\"Drugstore。\"
\"Noyoudon\'t。You\'llstayrighthere。Thereain\'tgoin\'tobeanyrunnin\'outan\'makin\'apoisonplayonthestreet——notwithallthemjoolsreposin\'underthepillow。Savve？Evenifyoudidn\'tdie，you\'dbeinthehandsofthepolicewithawholelotofexplanationscomin\'。Emeticsisthestuffforpoison。I\'mjustasbadbitasyou，an\'I\'mgoin\'totakeaemetic。That\'sallthey\'dgiveyouatadrugstore，anyway。\"
HethrustJimbackintothemiddleoftheroomandshottheboltsintoplace。Ashewentacrossthefloortothefoodshelf，hepassedonehandoverhisbrowandflungoffthebeadedsweat。Itspatteredaudiblyonthefloor。JimwatchedagonizedlyasMattgotthemustard-canandacupandranforthesink。Hestirredacupfulofmustardandwateranddrankitdown。Jimhadfollowedhimandwasreachingwithtremblinghandsfortheemptycup。AgainMattshovedhimaway。Ashemixedasecondcupful，hedemanded——
\"D\'youthinkonecup\'lldoforme？YoucanwaittillI\'mdone。\"
Jimstartedtotottertowardthedoor，butMattcheckedhim。
\"Ifyoumonkeywiththatdoor，I\'lltwistyourneck。Savve？YoucantakeyourswhenI\'mdone。An\'ifitsavesyou，I\'lltwistyourneck，anyway。
Youain\'tgotnochance，nohow。Itoldyoumanytimeswhatyou\'dgetifyoudidmedirt。\"
\"Butyoudidmedirt，too，\"Jimarticulatedwithaneffort。
Mattwasdrinkingthesecondcupful，anddidnotanswer。ThesweathadgotintoJim\'seyes，andhecouldscarcelyseehiswaytothetable，wherehegotacupforhimself。ButMattwasmixingathirdcupful，and，asbefore，thrusthimaway。
\"ItoldyoutowaittillIwasdone，\"Mattgrowled。\"Getoutamyway。\"
AndJimsupportedhistwitchingbodybyholdingontothesink，thewhileheyearnedtowardtheyellowishconcoctionthatstoodforlife。Itwasbysheerwillthathestoodandclungtothesink。Hisfleshstrovetodoublehimupandbringhimtothefloor。Mattdrankthethirdcupful，andwithdifficultymanagedtogettoachairandsitdown。Hisfirstparoxysmwaspassing。Thespasmsthatafflictedhimweredyingaway。Thisgoodeffectheascribedtothemustardandwater。Hewassafe，atanyrate。Hewipedthesweatfromhisface，and，intheintervalofcalm，foundroomforcuriosity。Helookedathispartner。
AspasmhadshakenthemustardcanoutofJim\'shands，andthecontentswerespilleduponthefloor。Hestoopedtoscoopsomeofthemustardintothecup，andthesucceedingspasmdoubledhimuponthefloor。Mattsmiled。
\"Staywithit，\"heencouraged。\"It\'sthestuffallright。It\'sfixedmeup。\"
Jimheardhimandturnedtowardhimastrickenface，twistedwithsufferingandpleading。Spasmnowfollowedspasmtillhewasinconvulsions，rollingonthefloorandyellowinghisfaceandhairinthemustard。
Mattlaughedhoarselyatthesight，butthelaughbrokemidway。Atremorhadrunthroughhisbody。Anewparoxysmwasbeginning。Hearoseandstaggeredacrosstothesink，where，withprobingforefinger，hevainlystrovetoassisttheactionoftheemetic。Intheend，heclungtothesinkasJimhadclung，filledwiththehorrorofgoingdowntothefloor。
Theother\'sparoxysmhadpassed，andhesatup，weakandfainting，tooweaktorise，hisforeheaddripping，hislipsfleckedwithafoammadeyellowbythemustardinwhichhehadrolled。Herubbedhiseyeswithhisknuckles，andgroansthatwerelikewhinescamefromhisthroat。
\"Whatareyousnifflin\'about？\"Mattdemandedoutofhisagony。\"Allyougottodoisdie。An\'whenyoudieyou\'redead。\"
\"I……ain\'t……snifflin\'……it\'s……the……mustard……
stingin\'……my……eyes，\"Jimpantedwithdesperateslowness。
Itwashislastsuccessfulattemptatspeech。Thereafterhebabbledincoherently，pawingtheairwithshakingarmstillafreshconvulsionstretchedhimonthefloor。
Mattstruggledbacktothechair，and，doubleduponit，withhisarmsclaspedabouthisknees，hefoughtwithhisdisintegratingflesh。Hecameoutoftheconvulsioncoolandweak。Helookedtoseehowitwentwiththeother，andsawhimlyingmotionless。
Hetriedtosoliloquize，tobefacetious，tohavehislastgrimlaughatlife，buthislipsmadeonlyincoherentsounds。Thethoughtcametohimthattheemetichadfailed，andthatnothingremainedbutthedrugstore。
Helookedtowardthedooranddrewhimselftohisfeet。Therehesavedhimselffromfallingbyclutchingthechair。Anotherparoxysmhadbegun。
Andinthemidstoftheparoxysm，withhisbodyandallthepartsofitflyingapartandwrithingandtwistingbackagainintoknots，heclungtothechairandshoveditbeforehimacrossthefloor。Thelastshredsofhiswillwereleavinghimwhenhegainedthedoor。Heturnedthekeyandshotbackonebolt。Hefumbledforthesecondbolt，butfailed。Thenheleanedhisweightagainstthedoorandsliddowngentlytothefloor。
CREATEDHETHEM
Shemethimatthedoor。
\"Ididnotthinkyouwouldbesoearly。\"
\"Itishalfpasteight。\"Helookedathiswatch。\"Thetrainleavesat9。12。\"
Hewasverybusinesslike，untilhesawherlipstrembleassheabruptlyturnedandledtheway。
\"It\'llbeallright，littlewoman，\"hesaidsoothingly。\"DoctorBodineau\'stheman。He\'llpullhimthrough，you\'llsee。\"
Theyenteredtheliving-room。Hisglancequestedapprehensivelyabout，thenturnedtoher。
\"Where\'sAl？\"
Shedidnotanswer，butwithasuddenimpulsecameclosetohimandstoodmotionless。Shewasaslender，dark-eyedwoman，inwhosefacewasstampedthestrainandstressofliving。Butthefinelinesandthehauntedlookintheeyeswerenotthehandiworkofmereworry。Heknewwhosehandiworkitwasashelookeduponit，andsheknewwhensheconsultedhermirror。
\"It\'snouse，Mary，\"hesaid。Heputhishandonhershoulder。\"We\'vetriedeverything。It\'sawretchedbusiness，Iknow，butwhatelsecanwedo？You\'vefailed。DoctorBodineau\'sallthat\'sleft。\"
\"IfIhadanotherchance……\"shebeganfalteringly。
\"We\'vethreshedthatallout，\"heansweredharshly。\"You\'vegottobuckup，now。Youknowwhatconclusionwearrivedat。Youknowyouhaven\'ttheghostofahopeinanotherchance。\"
Sheshookherhead。\"Iknowit。Butitisterrible，thethoughtofhisgoingawaytofightitoutalone。\"
\"Hewon\'tbealone。There\'sDoctorBodineau。Andbesides，it\'sabeautifulplace。\"
Sheremainedsilent。
\"Itistheonlything，\"hesaid。
\"Itistheonlything，\"sherepeatedmechanically。
Helookedathiswatch。\"Where\'sAl？\"
\"I\'llsendhim。\"
Whenthedoorhadclosedbehindher，hewalkedovertothewindowandlookedout，drummingabsentlywithhisknucklesonthepane。
\"Hello。\"
Heturnedandrespondedtothegreetingofthemanwhohadjustentered。
Therewasaperceptibledragtotheman\'sfeetashewalkedacrosstowardthewindowandpausedirresolutelyhalfway。
\"I\'vechangedmymind，George，\"heannouncedhurriedlyandnervously。\"I\'mnotgoing。\"
Hepluckedathissleeve，shuffledwithhisfeet，droppedhiseyes，andwithastrongeffortraisedthemagaintoconfronttheother。
Georgeregardedhimsilently，hisnostrilsdistendingandhisleanfingersunconsciouslycrookinglikeaneagle\'stalonsabouttoclutch。
Inlineandfeature，therewasmuchofresemblancebetweenthetwomen；andyet，inthestrongestresemblancestherewasaradicaldifference。Theirswerethesameblackeyes，butthoseofthemanatthewindowweresharpandstraightlooking，whilethoseofthemaninthemiddleoftheroomwerecloudyandfurtive。Hecouldnotfacetheother\'sgaze，andcontinuallyandvainlystruggledwithhimselftodoso。Thehighcheekboneswiththehollowsbeneathwerethesame，yetthetextureofthehollowsseemeddifferent。Thethin-lippedmouthswerefromthesamemould，butGeorge\'slipswerefirmandmuscular，whileAl\'sweresoftandloose——thelipsofanasceticturnedvoluptuary。Therewasalsoasagatthecorners。Hisfleshhintedofgrossness，especiallysointheeagle-likeaquilinenosethatmustoncehavebeenliketheother\'s，butthathadlosttheausteritytheother\'sstillretained。
Alfoughtforsteadinessinthemiddleofthefloor。Thesilencebotheredhim。Hehadafeelingthathewasabouttobeginswayingbackandforth。
Hemoistenedhislipswithhistongue。
\"I\'mgoingtostay，\"hesaiddesperately。
Hedroppedhiseyesandpluckedagainathissleeve。
\"Andyouareonlytwenty-sixyearsold，\"Georgesaidatlast。\"Youpoor，feebleoldman。\"
\"Don\'tbesosureofthat，\"Alretorted，withaflashofbelligerence。
\"Doyourememberwhenweswamthatmileandahalfacrossthechannel？\"
\"Well，andwhatofit？\"AsullenexpressionwascreepingacrossAl\'sface。
\"Anddoyourememberwhenweboxedinthebarnafterschool？\"
\"Icouldtakeallyougaveme。\"
\"AllIgaveyou!\"George\'svoicerosemomentarilytoahigherpitch。\"Youlickedmefourafternoonsoutoffive。YouweretwiceasstrongasI——
threetimesasstrong。AndnowI\'dbeafraidtolandonyouwithasofacushion；you\'dcrumpleuplikealastyear\'sleaf。You\'ddie，youpoor，miserableoldman。\"
\"Youneedn\'tabusemejustbecauseI\'vechangedmymind，\"theotherprotested，thehintofawhineinhisvoice。
Hiswifeentered，andhelookedappealinglytoher；butthemanatthewindowstrodesuddenlyuptohimandburstout——
\"Youdon\'tknowyourownmindfortwosuccessiveminutes!Youhaven\'tanymind，youspineless，crawlingworm!\"
\"Youcan\'tmakemeangry。\"Alsmiledwithcunning，andglancedtriumphantlyathiswife。\"Youcan\'tmakemeangry，\"herepeated，asthoughtheideawerethoroughlygratifyingtohim。\"Iknowyourgame。
It\'smystomach，Itellyou。Ican\'thelpit。BeforeGod，Ican\'t!Isn\'titmystomach，Mary？\"
SheglancedatGeorgeandspokecomposedly，thoughshehidatremblinghandinafoldofherskirt。
\"Isn\'tittime？\"sheaskedsoftly。
Herhusbandturneduponhersavagely。\"I\'mnotgoingtogo!\"hecried。
\"That\'sjustwhatI\'vebeentelling……him。AndItellyouagain，allofyou，I\'mnotgoing。Youcan\'tbullyme。\"
\"Why，Al，dear，yousaid——\"shebegan。
\"NevermindwhatIsaid!\"hebrokeout。\"I\'vesaidsomethingelserightnow，andyou\'veheardit，andthatsettlesit。\"
HewalkedacrosstheroomandthrewhimselfwithemphasisintoaMorrischair。Buttheothermanwasswiftlyuponhim。Thetalon-likefingersgrippedhisshoulders，jerkedhimtohisfeet，andheldhimthere。
\"You\'vereachedthelimit，Al，andIwantyoutounderstandit。I\'vetriedtotreatyoulike……likemybrother，buthereafterIshalltreatyoulikethethingthatyouare。Doyouunderstand？\"
Theangerinhisvoicewascold。Theblazeinhiseyeswascold。Itwasvastlymoreeffectivethananyoutburst，andAlcringedunderitandundertheclutchinghandthatwasbruisinghisshouldermuscles。
\"Itisonlybecauseofmethatyouhavethishouse，thatyouhavethefoodyoueat。Yourposition？Anyothermanwouldhavebeenshownthedoorayearago——twoyearsago。Ihaveheldyouinit。Yoursalaryhasbeencharity。Ithasbeenpaidoutofmypocket。Mary……herdresses……
thatgownshehasonismadeover；shewearsthediscardeddressesofhersisters，ofmywife。Charity——doyouunderstand？Yourchildren——theyarewearingthediscardedclothesofmychildren，ofthechildrenofmyneighbourswhothinktheclotheswenttosomeorphanasylum。Anditisanorphanasylum……oritsoonwillbe。\"
Heemphasizedeachpointwithanunconscioustighteningofhisgripontheshoulder。Alwassquirmingwiththepainofit。Thesweatwasstartingoutonhisforehead。
\"Nowlistenwelltome，\"hisbrotherwenton。\"Inthreeminutesyouwilltellmethatyouaregoingwithme。Ifyoudon\'t，Maryandthechildrenwillbetakenawayfromyou——to-day。Youneedn\'tevercometotheoffice。
Thishousewillbeclosedtoyou。AndinsixmonthsIshallhavethepleasureofburyingyou。Youhavethreeminutestomakeupyourmind。\"
Almadeastranglingmovement，andreachedupwithweakfingerstotheclutchinghand。
\"Myheart……letmego……you\'llbethedeathofme，\"hegasped。
ThehandthrusthimdownforciblyintotheMorrischairandreleasedhim。
Theclockonthemantletickedloudly。Georgeglancedatit，andatMary。
Shewasleaningagainstthetable，unabletoconcealhertrembling。Hebecameunpleasantlyawareofthefeelingofhisbrother\'sfingersonhishand。Quiteunconsciouslyhewipedthebackofthehanduponhiscoat。
Theclocktickedoninthesilence。ItseemedtoGeorgethattheroomreverberatedwithhisvoice。Hecouldhearhimselfstillspeaking。
\"I\'llgo，\"camefromtheMorrischair。
Itwasaweakandshakenvoice，anditwasaweakandshakenmanthatpulledhimselfoutoftheMorrischair。Hestartedtowardthedoor。
\"Whereareyougoing？\"Georgedemanded。
\"Suitcase，\"cametheresponse。\"Mary\'llsendthetrunklater。I\'llbebackinaminute。\"
Thedoorclosedafterhim。Amomentlater，struckwithsuddensuspicion，Georgewasopeningthedoor。Heglancedin。Hisbrotherstoodatasideboard，inonehandadecanter，intheotherhand，bottomupandtohislips，awhiskyglass。
AcrosstheglassAlsawthathewasobserved。Itthrewhimintoapanic。
Hastilyhetriedtorefilltheglassandgetittohislips；butglassanddecanterweresentsmashingtothefloor。Hesnarled。Itwaslikethesoundofawildbeast。Butthegriponhisshouldersubduedandfrightenedhim。Hewasbeingpropelledtowardthedoor。
\"Thesuitcase，\"hegasped。\"It\'sthereinthatroom。Letmegetit。\"
\"Where\'sthekey？\"hisbrotherasked，whenhehadbroughtit。
\"Itisn\'tlocked。\"
Thenextmomentthesuitcasewasspreadopen，andGeorge\'shandwassearchingthecontents。Fromonesideitbroughtoutabottleofwhisky，fromtheothersideaflask。Hesnappedthecaseto。
\"Comeon，\"hesaid。\"Ifwemissonecar，wemissthattrain。\"
Hewentoutintothehallway，leavingAlwithhiswife。Itwaslikeafuneral，Georgethought，ashewaited。
Hisbrother\'sovercoatcaughtontheknobofthefrontdooranddelayeditsclosinglongenoughforMary\'sfirstsobtocometotheirears。George\'slipswereverythinandcompressedashewentdownthesteps。Inonehandhecarriedthesuitcase。Withtheotherhandheheldhisbrother\'sarm。
Astheynearedthecorner，heheardtheelectriccarablockaway，andurgedhisbrotheron。Alwasbreathinghard。Hisfeetdraggedandshuffled，andheheldback。
\"AhellofabrotherYOUare，\"hepanted。
Forreply，hereceivedaviciousjerkonhisarm。Itremindedhimofhischildhoodwhenhewashurriedalongbysomeangrygrown-up。Andlikeachild，hehadtobehelpedupthecarstep。Hesankdownonanoutsideseat，panting，sweating，overcomebytheexertion。HefollowedGeorge\'seyesasthelatterlookedhimupanddown。
\"AhellofabrotherYOUare，\"wasGeorge\'scommentwhenhehadfinishedtheinspection。
MoisturewelledintoAl\'seyes。
\"It\'smystomach，\"hesaidwithself-pity。
\"Idon\'twonder，\"wastheretort。\"Burntoutlikethecraterofavolcano。
Ferventheatisn\'tacircumstance。\"
Thereaftertheydidnotspeak。Whentheyarrivedatthetransferpoint，Georgecametohimselfwithastart。Hesmiled。Withfixedgazethatdidnotseethehousesthatstreamedacrosshisfieldofvision，hehadhimselfbeensunkdeepinself-pity。Hehelpedhisbrotherfromthecar，andlookeduptheintersectingstreet。Thecartheyweretotakewasnotinsight。
Al\'seyeschanceduponthecornergroceryandsaloonacrosstheway。Atoncehebecamerestless。Hishandspassedbeyondhiscontrol，andheyearnedhungrilyacrossthestreettothedoorthatswungopenevenashelookedandletinahappypilgrim。Andinthatinstanthesawthewhite-
jacketedbartenderagainstanarrayofglitteringglass。Quiteunconsciouslyhestartedtocrossthestreet。
\"Holdon。\"George\'shandwasonhisarm。
\"Iwantsomewhisky，\"heanswered。
\"You\'vealreadyhadsome。\"
\"Thatwashoursago。Goon，George，letmehavesome。It\'sthelastday。
Don\'tshutoffonmeuntilwegetthere——Godknowsitwillbesoonenough。\"
Georgeglanceddesperatelyupthestreet。Thecarwasinsight。
\"Thereisn\'ttimeforadrink，\"hesaid。
\"Idon\'twantadrink。Iwantabottle。\"Al\'svoicebecamewheedling。
\"Goon，George。It\'sthelast，theverylast。\"
\"No。\"ThedenialwasasfinalasGeorge\'sthinlipscouldmakeit。
Alglancedattheapproachingcar。Hesatdownsuddenlyonthecurbstone。
\"What\'sthematter？\"hisbrotherasked，withmomentaryalarm。
\"Nothing。Iwantsomewhisky。It\'smystomach。\"
\"Comeonnow，getup。\"
Georgereachedforhim，butwasanticipated，forhisbrothersprawledflatonthepavement，oblivioustothedirtandtothecuriousglancesofthepassers-by。Thecarwasclangingitsgongatthecrossing，ablockaway。
\"You\'llmissit，\"Algrinnedfromthepavement。\"Anditwillbeyourfault。\"
George\'sfistsclenchedtightly。
\"FortwocentsI\'dgiveyouathrashing。\"
\"Andmissthecar，\"wasthetriumphantcommentfromthepavement。
Georgelookedatthecar。Itwashalfwaydowntheblock。Helookedathiswatch。Hedebatedasecondlonger。
\"Allright，\"hesaid。\"I\'llgetit。Butyougetonthatcar。Ifyoumissit，I\'llbreakthebottleoveryourhead。\"
Hedashedacrossthestreetandintothesaloon。Thecarcameinandstopped。Therewerenopassengerstogetoff。Aldraggedhimselfupthestepsandsatdown。Hesmiledastheconductorrangthebellandthecarstarted。Theswingingdoorofthesaloonburstopen。Clutchinginhishandthesuitcaseandapintbottleofwhisky，Georgestartedinpursuit。
Theconductor，hishandonthebellcord，waitedtoseeifitwouldbenecessarytostop。Itwasnot。Georgeswunglightlyaboard，satdownbesidehisbrother，andpassedhimthebottle。
\"Youmighthavegotaquart，\"Alsaidreproachfully。
Heextractedthecorkwithapocketcorkscrew，andelevatedthebottle。
\"I\'msick……mystomach，\"heexplainedinapologetictonestothepassengerwhosatnexttohim。
Inthetraintheysatinthesmoking-car。Georgefeltthatitwasimperative。Also，havingsuccessfullycaughtthetrain，hisheartsoftened。Hefeltmorekindlytowardhisbrother，andaccusedhimselfofunnecessaryharshness。Hestrovetoatonebytalkingabouttheirmother，andsisters，andthelittleaffairsandinterestsofthefamily。ButAlwasmorose，anddevotedhimselftothebottle。Asthetimepassed，hismouthhunglooserandlooser，whiletheringsunderhiseyesseemedtopuffoutandallhisfacialmusclestorelax。
\"It\'smystomach，\"hesaid，once，whenhefinishedthebottleanddroppeditundertheseat；buttheswifthardeningofhisbrother\'sfacedidnotencouragefurtherexplanations。
Theconveyancethatmetthematthestationhadallthedignityandluxuriousnessofaprivatecarriage。George\'seyeswerekeenfortheearmarksoftheinstitutiontowhichtheyweregoing，buthisapprehensionswereallayedfrommomenttomoment。Astheyenteredthewidegatewayandrolledonthroughthespaciousgrounds，hefeltsurethattheinstitutionalsideoftheplacewouldnotjaruponhisbrother。Itwasmorelikeasummerhotel，or，betteryet，acountryclub。Andastheysweptonthroughthespringsunshine，thesongsofbirdsinhisears，andinhisnostrilsthebreathofflowers，Georgesighedforaweekofrestinsuchaplace，andbeforehiseyesloomedthearidvistaofsummerintownandattheoffice。Therewasnotroominhisincomeforhisbrotherandhimself。
\"Letustakeawalkinthegrounds，\"hesuggested，aftertheyhadmetDoctorBodineauandinspectedthequartersassignedtoAl。\"Thecarriageleavesforthestationinhalfanhour，andwe\'lljusthavetime。\"
\"It\'sbeautiful，\"heremarkedamomentlater。Underhisfeetwasthevelvetgrass，thetreesarchedoverhead，andhestoodinmottledsunshine。
\"IwishIcouldstayforamonth。\"
\"I\'lltradeplaceswithyou，\"Alsaidquickly。
Georgelaugheditoff，buthefeltasinkingoftheheart。
\"Lookatthatoak!\"hecried。\"Andthatwoodpecker!Isn\'theabeauty!\"
\"Idon\'tlikeithere，\"heheardhisbrothermutter。
George\'slipstightenedinpreparationforthestruggle，buthesaid——
\"I\'mgoingtosendMaryandthechildrenofftothemountains。Sheneedsit，andsodothey。Andwhenyou\'reinshape，I\'llsendyourightontojointhem。Thenyoucantakeyoursummervacationbeforeyoucomebacktotheoffice。\"
\"I\'mnotgoingtostayinthisdamnedhole，forallyoutalkaboutit，\"Alannouncedabruptly。
\"Yesyouare，andyou\'regoingtogetyourhealthandstrengthbackagain，sothatthelookofyouwillputthecolourinMary\'scheekswhereitusedtobe。\"
\"I\'mgoingbackwithyou。\"Al\'svoicewasfirm。\"I\'mgoingtotakethesametrainback。It\'sabouttimeforthatcarriage，Iguess。\"
\"Ihaven\'ttoldyouallmyplans，\"Georgetriedtogoon，butAlcuthimoff。
\"Youmightaswellquitthat。Idon\'twantanyofyoursoapytalking。Youtreatmelikeachild。I\'mnotachild。Mymind\'smadeup，andI\'llshowyouhowlongitcanstaymadeup。Youneedn\'ttalktome。Idon\'tcarearapforwhatyou\'regoingtosay。\"
Abalefullightwasinhiseyes，andtohisbrotherheseemedforalltheworldlikeacorneredrat，desperateandreadytofight。AsGeorgelookedathimherememberedbacktotheirchildhood，anditcametohimthatatlastwasarousedinAlthesameoldstubbornstrainthathadenabledhim，asachild，tostandagainstallforceandpersuasion。
Georgeabandonedhope。Hehadlost。Thiscreaturewasnothuman。Thelastfineinstinctofthehumanhadfled。Itwasabrute，sluggishandstolid，impossibletomove——justtherawstuffoflife，combative，rebellious，andindomitable。Andashecontemplatedhisbrotherhefeltinhimselftherisingupofasimilarbrute。Hebecamesuddenlyawarethathisfingersweretensingandcrookinglikeathug\'s，andheknewthedesiretokill。Andhisreason，turnedtraitoratlast，counselledthatheshouldkill，thatitwastheonlythingleftforhimtodo。
Hewasarousedbyaservantcallingtohimthroughthetreesthatthecarriagewaswaiting。Heanswered。Then，lookingstraightbeforehim，hediscoveredhisbrother。Hehadforgottenitwashisbrother。Ithadbeenonlyathingthemomentbefore。Hebegantotalk，andashetalkedthewaybecamecleartohim。Hisreasonhadnotturnedtraitor。Thebruteinhimhadmerelyorientatedhisreason。
\"Youarenoearthlygood，Al，\"hesaid。\"Youknowthat。You\'vemadeMary\'slifeahell。Youareacursetoyourchildren。Andyouhavenotmadelifeexactlyaparadisefortherestofus。\"
\"There\'snouseyourtalking，\"Alinterjected。\"I\'mnotgoingtostayhere。\"
\"That\'swhatI\'mcomingto，\"Georgecontinued。\"Youdon\'thavetostayhere。\"(Al\'sfacebrightened，andheinvoluntarilymadeamovement，asthoughabouttostarttowardthecarriage。)\"Ontheotherhand，itisnotnecessarythatyoushouldreturnwithme。Thereisanotherway。\"
George\'shandwenttohishippocketandappearedwitharevolver。Itlayalonghispalm，thebutttowardAl，andtowardAlheextendedit。Atthesametime，withhishead，heindicatedthenear-bythicket。
\"Youcan\'tbluffme，\"Alsnarled。
\"Itisnotabluff，Al。Lookatme。Imeanit。Andifyoudon\'tdoitforyourself，Ishallhavetodoitforyou。\"
Theyfacedeachother，theprofferedrevolverstillextended。Aldebatedforamoment，thenhiseyesblazed。Withaquickmovementheseizedtherevolver。
\"MyGod!I\'lldoit，\"hesaid。\"I\'llshowyouwhatI\'vegotinme。\"
Georgefeltsuddenlysick。Heturnedaway。Hedidnotseehisbrotherenterthethicket，butheheardthepassageofhisbodythroughtheleavesandbranches。
\"Good-bye，Al，\"hecalled。
\"Good-bye，\"camefromthethicket。
Georgefeltthesweatuponhisforehead。Hebeganmoppinghisfacewithhishandkerchief。Heheard，asfromaremotedistance，thevoiceoftheservantagaincallingtohimthatthecarriagewaswaiting。Thewoodpeckerdroppeddownthroughthemottledsunshineandlightedonthetrunkofatreeadozenfeetaway。Georgefeltthatitwasalladream，andyetthroughitallhefeltsupremejustification。Itwastherightthingtodo。Itwastheonlything。
Hiswholebodygaveaspasmodicstart，asthoughtherevolverhadbeenfired。ItwasthevoiceofAl，closeathisback。
\"Here\'syourgun，\"Alsaid。\"I\'llstay。\"
Theservantappearedamongthetrees，approachingrapidlyandcallinganxiously。Georgeputtheweaponinhispocketandcaughtbothhisbrother\'shandsinhisown。
\"Godblessyou，oldman，\"hemurmured；\"and\"——withafinalsqueezeofthehands——\"goodluck!\"
\"I\'mcoming，\"hecalledtotheservant，andturnedandranthroughthetreestowardthecarriage。
THECHINAGO
\"Thecoralwaxes，thepalmgrows，butmandeparts。\"——
Tahitianproverb。
