THEGRAYSEAL
AmongNewYork”sfashionableandultra-exclusiveclubs，theSt。
Jamesstoodanacknowledgedleader——moremen，perhaps，castanenviouseyeatitsportals，ofmodestandunassumingtaste，astheypassedbyonFifthAvenue，thantheydidatanyotherclubuponthelonglistthatthecityboasts。True，thereweremoreexpensiveclubsuponwhosemembershiprollscintillatedmorestarsofNewYork”ssocialset，buttheSt。Jameswasdistinctive。Itguaranteedaman，sotospeak——thatis，itguaranteedamantobeinnatelyagentleman。Itrequiredmoney，itistrue，tokeepupone”smembership，butthereweremanymemberswhowerenotwealthy，aswealthismeasurednowadays——thereweremany，even，whowerepressedsometimestomeettheirduesandtheirhouseaccounts，buttheaccountswereinvariablypromptlypaid。Noman，oncein，couldeverafford，oreverhadthedesire，toresignfromtheSt。JamesClub。
Itsmembershipwascosmopolitan；menofeverywalkinlifepassedinandoutofitsdoors，professionalmenandbusinessmen，physicians，artists，merchants，authors，engineers，eachstampedwiththe“hallmark“oftheSt。James，aninnategentleman。Toreceiveatwoweeks”out-of-townvisitor”scardtotheSt。Jameswassomethingtospeakabout，andmenfromChicago，St。Louis，orSanFranciscospokeofitwithasortofholier-than-thouairtofellowmembersoftheirownexclusiveclubs，athomeagain。
IsthereanydoubtthatJimmieDalewasagentleman——anINNATE
gentleman？JimmieDale”sfatherhadbeenamemberoftheSt。JamesClub，andoneofthelargestsafemanufacturersoftheUnitedStates，aprosperous，wealthyman，andatJimmieDale”sbirthhehadproposedhisson”snameformembership。IttooksometimetogetintotheSt。James；therewasalongwaitinglistthatneithermoney，influence，norpullcouldalterbysomuchasoneiota。Menproposedtheirsons”namesformembershipwhentheywerebornasreligiouslyastheyenteredthemuponthecity”sbirthregister。Attwenty-oneJimmieDalewaselectedtomembership；and，incidentally，thatsameyear，graduatedfromHarvard。ItwasMr。Dale”sdesirethathissonshouldenterthebusinessandlearnitfromthegroundup，andJimmieDale，forfouryearsthereafter，hadfollowedhisfather”swishes。Thenhisfatherdied。JimmieDalehadleaningstowardmoreartisticpursuitsthanbusiness。Hewascreditedwithsketchingalittle，writingalittle；andhewascreditedwithhavingreceivedaverysnugamountfromthecombinetowhichhesoldouthissafe-manufacturinginterests。Helivedabachelorlife——hismotherhadbeendeadmanyyears——inthehousethathisfatherhadlefthimonRiversideDrive，keptacarortwoandenoughservantstorunhismenagesmoothly，andserveadinnerexquisitelywhenhefelthospitablyinclined。
CouldtherebeanydoubtthatJimmieDalewasinnatelyagentleman？
Itwasevening，andJimmieDalesatatasmalltableinthecorneroftheSt。JamesClubdiningroom。OppositehimsatHermanCarruthers，ayoungmanofhisownage，abouttwenty-six，aleadingfigureinthenewspaperworld，whoserisefromreportertomanagingeditorofthemorningNEWS-ARGUSwithintheshortspaceofafewyearshadbeenalmostmeteoric。
Theywereatcoffeeandcigars，andJimmieDalewasleaningbackinhischair，hisdarkeyesfixedinterestedlyonhisguest。
Carruthers，intentlyengagedintrimminghiscigarashontheedgeoftheLimogeschinasaucerofhiscoffeeset，lookedupwithanabruptlaugh。
“No；Iwouldn”tcaretogoonrecordasbeinganadvocateofcrime，“
hesaidwhimsically；“thatwouldneverdo。ButIdon”tmindadmittingquiteprivatelythatit”sbeenapositiveregrettomethathehasgone。”
“Madetoogood”copy”tolose，Isuppose？“suggestedJimmieDalequizzically。“Toobad，too，afterworkingupatheatricalnamelikethatforhim——theGraySeal——ratherunique！Whostuckthatonhim——
you？“
Carrutherslaughed——then，grownserious，leanedtowardJimmieDale。
“Youdon”tmeantosay，Jimmie，thatyoudon”tknowaboutthat，doyou？“heaskedincredulously。“Why，uptoayearagothepaperswerefullofhim。”
“Ineverreadyourbeastlyagonycolumns，“saidJimmieDale，withacheerygrin。
“Well，“saidCarruthers，“youmusthaveskippedeverythingbutthestockreportsthen。”
“Granted，“saidJimmieDale。“Sogoon，Carruthers，andtellmeabouthim——IdaresayImayhaveheardofhim，sinceyouaresodistressedaboutit，butmymemoryisn”tgoodenoughtocontradictanythingyoumayhavetosayabouttheestimablegentleman，soyou”resafe。”
CarruthersrevertedtotheLimogessaucerandthetipofhiscigar。
“Hewasthemostpuzzling，bewildering，delightfulcrookintheannalsofcrime，“saidCarruthersreminiscently，afteramoment”ssilence。“Jimmie，hewastheking-pinofthemall。Cleverisn”tthewordforhim，ordare-devilisn”teither。Iusedtothinksometimeshismotivewasmorethanhalfforthepuredeviltryofit，tolaughatthepoliceandpullthenosesoftherestofusthatwereafterhim。Iusedtodreamnightsaboutthoseconfoundedgraysealsofhis——that”swherehegothisname；helefteveryjobheeverdidwithalittlegraypaperaffair，fashioneddiamond-shaped，stucksomewherewhereitwouldbethefirstthingyoureyeswouldlightuponwhenyoureachedthescene，and”
“Don”tgosofast，“smiledJimmieDale。“Idon”tquitegettheconnection。Whatdidyouhavetodowiththis——er——GraySealfellow？Wheredoyoucomein？“
“I？Ihadagooddealtodowithhim，“saidCarruthersgrimly。“I
wasareporterwhenhefirstbrokeloose，andtheambitionofmylife，afterIbeganreallytoappreciatewhathewas，wastogethim——andInearlydid，halfadozentimes，only”
“Onlyyouneverquitedid，eh？“cutinJimmieDaleslyly。“Howneardidyouget，oldman？Comeon，now，nobluffing；didtheGraySealeverevenrecogniseyouasafactorinthehare-and-houndgame？“
“You”reflickingontheraw，Jimmie，“Carruthersanswered，withawrygrimace。“Heknewme，allright，confoundhim！Hefavouredmewithseveralsarcasticnotes——I”llshow”emtoyousomeday——
explaininghowI”dfallendownandhowIcouldhavegothimifI”ddonesomethingelse。”Carruthers”fistcamesuddenlydownonthetable。“AndIwouldhavegothim，too，ifhehadlived。”
“Lived！“ejaculatedJimmieDale。“He”sdead，then？“
“Yes，“avertedCarruthers；“he”sdead。”
“H”m！“saidJimmieDalefacetiously。“Ihopethesizeofthewreathyousentwasanadequatetributeofyourappreciation。”
“Ineversentanywreath，“returnedCarruthers，“fortheverysimplereasonthatIdidn”tknowwheretosendit，orwhenhedied。Isaidhewasdeadbecauseforoverayearnowhehasn”tliftedafinger。”
“Rottenpoorevidence，evenforanewspaper，“commentedJimmieDale。
“Whynotgivehimcreditforhaving，say——reformed？“
Carruthersshookhishead。“Youdon”tgetitatall，Jimmie，“hesaidearnestly。“TheGraySealwasn”tanordinarycrook——hewasaclassic。Hewasanartist，andtheartofthethingwasinhisblood。Amanlikethatcouldnomorestopthanhecouldstopbreathing——andlive。He”sdead；there”snothingtoitbutthat——
he”sdead。I”dbetayear”ssalaryonit。”
“Anothergoodmangonewrong，then，“saidJimmieDalecapriciously。
“Isuppose，though，thatatleastyoudiscoveredthe”womaninthecase”？“
Carrutherslookedupquickly，alittlestartled；thenlaughedshortly。
“What”sthematter？“inquiredJimmieDale。
“Nothing，“saidCarruthers。“Youkindofgotmeforamoment，that”sall。That”sthewaythoseinfernalnotesfromtheGraySealusedtoendup：”Findthelady，oldchap；andyou”llgetme。”Hehadadamnedpatronisingfamiliaritythatwouldmakeyousquirm。”
“PooroldCarruthers！“grinnedJimmieDale。“Youdidtakeittoheart，didn”tyou？“
“I”dhavesoldmysoultogethim——andsowouldyou，ifyouhadbeeninmyboots，“saidCarruthers，bitingnervouslyattheendofhiscigar。
“Andbeensorryforitafterward，“suppliedJimmieDale。
“Yes，byJove，you”reright！“admittedCarruthers，“IsupposeI
should。Iactuallygottolovethefellow——itwastheGAME，really，thatIwantedtobeat。”
“Well，andhowaboutthiswoman？Keeponthestraightandnarrowpath，oldman，“proddedJimmieDale。
“Thewoman？“Carrutherssmiled。“Nothingdoing！Idon”tbelievetherewasone——hewouldn”thavebeenlikelytoeggthepoliceandreportersontofindingheriftherehadbeen，wouldhe？Itwasablind，ofcourse。Heworkedalone，absolutelyalone。That”sthesecretofhissuccess，accordingtomywayofthinking。Therewasneversomuchasanindicationthathehadhadanaccompliceinanythingheeverdid。”
JimmieDale”seyestravelledaroundtheclub”shomelike，perfectlyappointedroom。Henoddedtoafellowmemberhereandthere，thenhiseyesrestedmusinglyonhisguestagain。
Carrutherswasstaringthoughtfullyathiscoffeecup。
“Hewastheprinceofcrooksandthefatheroforiginality，“
announcedCarruthersabruptly，followingthepausethathadensued。
“Halfthetimetherewasn”tanymoregettingatthemotiveforthecuriousthingshedid，thantherewasgettingattheGraySealhimself。”
“Carruthers，“saidJimmyDale，withaquicklittlenodofapproval，“you”repositivelyinterestingto-night。But，sofar，you”vebeenkindofscoutingaroundtheoutsideedgeswithoutgettingintothethickofit。Let”shavesomeofyourexperienceswiththeGraySealindetail；theyoughttomakerippingfineyarns。”
“Notto-night，Jimmie，“saidCarruthers；“itwouldtaketoolong。”
Hepulledouthiswatchmechanicallyashespoke，glancedatit——andpushedbackhischair。“GreatScott！“heexclaimed。“It”snearlyhalf-pastnine。I”dnoideawehadlingeredsolongoverdinner。
I”llhavetohurry；we”reamorningpaper，youknow，Jimmie。”
“What！Really！Isitaslateasthat。”JimmieDalerosefromhischairasCarruthersstoodup。“Well，ifyoumust”
“Imust，“saidCarruthers，withalaugh。
“Allright，Oslave。”JimmieDalelaughedback——andslippedhishand，atrickoftheiroldcollegedaystogether，throughCarruthers”armastheylefttheroom。
HeaccompaniedCarruthersdownstairstothedooroftheclub，andsawhisguestintoataxi；thenhereturnedinside，saunteredthroughthebilliardroom，andfromthereintooneofthecardrooms，where，pressedintoagame，heplayedseveralrubbersofbridgebeforegoinghome。
Itwas，therefore，wellontowardmidnightwhenJimmieDalearrivedathishouseonRiversideDrive，andwasadmittedbyanelderlymanservant。
“Hello，Jason，“saidJimmieDalepleasantly。“Youstillup！“
“Yes，sir，“repliedJason，whohadbeenvalettoJimmieDale”sfatherbeforehim。“Iwasgoingtobed，sir，ataboutteno”clock，whenamessengercamewithaletter。Beggingyourpardon，sir，ayounglady，and”
“Jason“——JimmieDaleflungouttheinterruption，sudden，quick，imperative”whatdidshelooklike？“
“Why——why，Idon”texactlyknowasIcoulddescribeher，sir，“
stammeredJason，takenaback。“Veryladylike，sir，inherdressandappearance，andwhatIwouldcall，sir，abeautifulface。”
“Hairandeyes——whatcolor？“demandedJimmieDalecrisply。“Nose，lips，chin——whatshape？“
“Why，sir，“gaspedJason，staringathismaster，“I——Idon”trightlyknow。Iwouldn”tcallherfairordark，somethingbetween。I
didn”ttakeparticularnotice，anditwasn”toverlightoutsidethedoor。”
“It”stoobadyouweren”tayoungerman，Jason，“commentedJimmieDale，withacurioustingeofbitternessinhisvoice。“I”dhavegivenayear”sincomeforyouropportunityto-night，Jason。”
“Yes，sir，“saidJasonhelplessly。
“Well，goon，“promptedJimmieDale。“YoutoldherIwasn”thome，andshesaidsheknewit，didn”tshe？AndshelefttheletterthatIwasonnoaccounttomissreceivingwhenIgotback，thoughtherewasnoneedoftelephoningmetotheclub——whenIreturnedwoulddo，butitwasimperativethatIshouldhaveitthen——eh？“
“GoodLord，sir！“ejaculatedJason，hisjawdropped，that”sexactlywhatshedidsay。”
“Jason，“saidJimmieDalegrimly，“listentome。Ifevershecomeshereagain，inveigleherin。Ifyoucan”tinveigleher，useforce；
captureher，pullherin，doanything——doanything，doyouhear？
Onlydon”tlethergetawayfromyouuntilI”vecome。”
Jasongazedathismasterasthoughtheotherhadlosthisreason。
“Useforce，sir？“herepeatedweakly——andshookhishead。“You——youcan”tmeanthat，sir。”
“Can”tI？“inquiredJimmieDale，withamirthlesssmile。“Imeaneverywordofit，Jason——andifIthoughttherewastheslightestchanceofhergivingyoutheopportunity，I”dbemoreimperativestill。Asitis——where”stheletter？“
“Onthetableinyourstudio，sir，“saidJason，mechanically。
JimmieDalestartedtowardthestairs——thenturnedandcamebacktowhereJason，stillshakinghisheadheavily，hadbeengazinganxiouslyafterhismaster。JimmieDalelaidhishandontheoldman”sshoulder。
“Jason，“hesaidkindly，withaswiftchangeofmood，“you”vebeenalongtimeinthefamily——firstwithfather，andnowwithme。You”ddoagooddealforme，wouldn”tyou？“
“I”ddoanythingintheworldforyou，MasterJim，“saidtheoldmanearnestly。
“Well，then，rememberthis，“saidJimmieDaleslowly，lookingintotheother”seyes，“rememberthis——keepyourmouthshutandyoureyesopen。It”smyfault。Ishouldhavewarnedyoulongago，butI
neverdreamedthatshewouldevercomehereherself。Therehavebeentimeswhenitwaspracticallyamatteroflifeanddeathtometoknowwhothatwomanisthatyousawto-night。That”sall，Jason。
Nowgotobed。”
“MasterJim，“saidtheoldmansimply，“thankyou，sir，thankyoufortrustingme。I”vedandledyouonmykneewhenyouwereababy，MasterJim。Idon”tknowwhatit”sabout，anditisn”tformetoask。Ithought，sir，thatmaybeyouwerehavingalittlefunwithme。ButIknownow，andyoucantrustme，MasterJim，ifsheevercomesagain。”
“Thankyou，Jason，“saidJimmieDale，hishandclosingwithanappreciativepressureontheother”sshoulder“Good-night，Jason。”
Upstairsonthefirstlanding，JimmieDaleopenedadoor，closedandlockeditbehindhim——andtheelectricswitchclickedunderhisfingers。Aglowfellsoftlyfromaclusterofshadedceilinglights。Itwasalargeroom，averylargeroom，runningtheentiredepthofthehouse，andtheeffectofapparentdisorderinthearrangementofitsappointmentsseemedtobreatheasenseofcharm。
Thereweregreatcozy，deep，leather-coveredloungingchairs，ahuge，leather-covereddavenport，andaneaselortwowithhalf-
finishedsketchesuponthem；thewallswerepanelled，thepanelsofexquisitegrainandmatching；inthecentreoftheroomstoodaflat-toppedrosewooddesk；uponthefloorwasadark，heavyvelvetrug；and，perhapsmostinvitingofall，therewasagreat，old-
fashionedfireplaceatonesideoftheroom。
ForaninstantJimmieDaleremainedquietlybythedoor，asthoughlistening。Sixfeethestood，muscularineverylineofhisbody，likeawell-trainedathletewithnosingleounceofsuperfluousfatabouthim——thegraceandeaseofpowerinhispoise。Hisstrong，clean-shavenface，asthelightfelluponitnow，wasserious——amoodthatbecamehimwell——thefirmlipsclosed，thedark，relianteyesalittlenarrowed，afrownonthebroadforehead，thesquarejawclamped。
Thenabruptlyhewalkedacrosstheroomtothedesk，pickedupanenvelopethatlayuponit，and，turningagain，droppedintothenearestloungingchair。
Therehadbeennodoubtinhismind，nonetodispel。ItwaspreciselywhathehadexpectedfromalmostthefirstwordJasonhadspoken。Itwasthesamehandwriting，thesametextureofpaper，andtherewasthesameoldhaunting，rare，indefinablefragranceaboutit。JimmieDale”shandsturnedtheenvelopenowthisway，nowthat，ashelookedatit。WonderfulhandswereJimmieDale”s，withlong，slim，taperingfingerswhosesensitivetipsseemednowasthoughtheywerestrivingtodecipherthemessagewithin。
Helaughedsuddenly，alittleharshly，andtoreopentheenvelope。
Fivecloselywrittensheetsfellintohishand。Hereadthemslowly，critically，readthemoveragain；andthen，hiseyesontherugathisfeet，hebegantotearthepaperintominutepiecesbetweenhisfingers，depositingthepieces，ashetorethem，uponthearmofhischair。Thefivesheetsdemolished，hisfingersdippedintotheheapofshredsonthearmofthechairandtorethemoverandoveragain，torethemuntiltheywerescarcelylargerthanbitsofconfetti，toreatthemabsentlyandmechanically，hiseyesnevershiftingfromtherugathisfeet。
Thenwithashrugofhisshoulders，asthoughrousinghimselftopresentreality，acurioussmileflickeringonhislips，hebrushedthepiecesofpaperintoonehand，carriedthemtotheemptyfireplace，laidthemdowninalittlepile，andsetthemafire。
Lightingacigarette，hewatchedthemburnuntilthelastglowhadgonefromthelastcharredscrap；thenhecrunchedandscatteredthemwiththebrass-handledfenderbrush，and，retracinghisstepsacrosstheroom，flungbackaportierefromwhereithungbeforealittlealcove，anddroppedonhiskneesinfrontofaround，squat，barrel-shapedsafe——oneofhisowndesignandplanningintheyearswhenhehadbeenwithhisfather。
Hisslim，sensitivefingersplayedforaninstantamongtheknobsanddialsthatstuddedthedoor，guided，itseemedbythesenseoftouchalone——andthedoorswungopen。Withinwasanotherdoor，withlocksandboltsasintricateandmassiveastheouterone。This，too，heopened；andthenfromtheinteriortookoutashort，thick，rolled-upleatherbundletiedtogetherwiththongs。Herosefromhisknees，closedthesafe，anddrewtheportiereacrossthealcoveagain。Withthebundleunderhisarm，heglancedsharplyaroundtheroom，listenedintently，then，unlockingthedoorthatgaveonthehall，heswitchedoffthelightsandwenttohisdressingroom，thatwasonthesamefloor。Here，divestinghimselfquicklyofhisdinnerclothes，heselectedadarktweedsuitwithloose-fitting，sackcoatfromhiswardrobe，andbegantoputiton。
Dressed，allbuthiscoatandvest，heturnedtotheleatherbundlethathehadplacedonatable，untiedthethongs，andcarefullyopeneditouttoitsfulllength——andagainthatcurious，crypticsmiletingedhislips。Rolledtheoppositeawayfromthatinwhichithadbeentiedup，theleatherstripmadeawidebeltthatwentonsomewhatafterthefashionofalifepreserver，thethongsbeingusedforshoulderstraps——abeltthat，onceon，thevestwouldhidecompletely，and，fittingclose，leftnotelltalebulgeintheoutergarments。Itwasnotanordinarybelt；itwasfullofstout-sewn，up-rightlittlepocketsallthewayaround，andinthepocketsgrimlylayanarrayoffine，blued-steel，highlytemperedinstruments——acompact，powerfulburglar”skit。
Theslim，sensitivefingerspassedwithalmostacaressingtouchovertheviciouslittleimplements，andfromoneofthepocketsextractedathin，flatmetalcase。ThisJimmieDaleopened，andglancedinside——betweensheetsofoilpaperlaylittlerowsofGRAY，ADHESIVE，DIAMOND-SHAPEDSEALS。
JimmieDalesnappedthecaseshut，returnedittoitsrecess，andfromanothertookoutablacksilkmask。Heheldituptothelightforexamination。
“Prettygoodshapeafterayear，“mutteredJimmieDale，replacingit。
Heputonthebelt，thenhisvestandcoat。Fromthedrawerofhisdresserhetookanautomaticrevolverandanelectricflashlight，slippedthemintohispocket，andwentsoftlydownstairs。Fromthehatstandhechoseablackslouchhat，pulleditwelloverhiseyes——
andleftthehouse。
JimmieDalewalkeddownablock，thenhailedabusandmountedtothetop。Itwaslate，andhefoundhimselftheonlypassenger。Heinsertedhisdimeintheconductor”slittleresonant-belledcashreceiver，andthensettledbackontheuncomfortable，bumping，cushionlessseat。
Onrattledthebus；itturnedacrosstown，passedtheCircle，andheadedforFifthAvenue——butJimmieDale，toallappearances，wasquiteobliviousofitsmovements。
Itwasayearsinceshehadwrittenhim。SHE！JimmieDaledidnotsmile，hislipswerepressedhardtogether。Notaveryintimateorpersonalappellation，that——butheknewherbynoother。ItWASawoman，surely——thehand-writingwasfeminine，thedictioneminentlyso——andhadSHEnotcomeherselfthatnighttoJason！Herememberedthelastletter，apartfromtheoneto-night，thathehadreceivedfromher。Itwasayearagonow——andtheletterhadbeenhardlymorethananote。ThepolicehadworkedthemselvesintoafrenzyovertheGraySeal，thepapershadgrownabsolutelymaudlin——andshehadwritten，inhercharacteristicway：
Thingsarealittletoowarm，aren”tthey，Jimmie？Let”sletthemcoolforayear。
Sincethenuntilto-nighthehadheardnothingfromher。Itwasastrangecompactthathehadenteredinto——sostrangethatitcouldneverhaveknown，couldneverknowaparallel——unique，dangerous，bizarre，itwasallthatandmore。Ithadbegunreallythroughhisconnectionwithhisfather”sbusiness——thebusinessofmanufacturingsafesthatshoulddefythecleverestcriminals——whenhisbrains，turnedintothatchannel，hadbeenpittedagainsttheunderworld，againstthemethodsofathousanddifferentcrooksfromMainetoCalifornia，thereportofwhoseeveryoperationhadreachedhiminthenaturalcourseofbusiness，andeveryoneofwhichhehadstudiedinminutestdetail。Ithadbegunthroughthat——butatthebottomofitwashisownrestless，adventurousspirit。
Hehadmeanttosetthepolicebytheears，usinghisgray-sealdevicebothasanaddedbarbandthatnoinnocentbystanderoftheunderworld，innocentforonce，mightbeinvolved——hehadmeanttolaughatthemandpuzzlethemtothevergeofmadness，forinthelastanalysistheywouldfindonlyanabortiveattemptatcrime——andhehadsucceeded。Andthenhehadgonetoofar——andhehadbeencaught——byHER。Thatstringofpearls，which，tostudywhoseeffectfacetiously，hehadsoidioticallywrappedaroundhiswrist，andwhich，soironically，hehadbeenunabletoloosenintimeandhadbeenforcedtocarrywithhiminhissudden，desperatedashtoescapefromMarx”sthebigjeweler”s，inMaidenLane，whosestrongroomhehadtoyedwithonenight，hadbeentheleverwhich，AT
FIRST，shehadheldoverhim。
ThebuswasonFifthAvenuenow，andspeedingrapidlydownthedesertedthoroughfare。JimmieDalelookedupatthelightedwindowsoftheSt。JamesClubastheywentby，smiledwhimsically，andshiftedinhisseat，seekingamorecomfortableposition。
Shehadcaughthim——howhedidnotknow——hehadneverseenher——didnotknowwhoshewas，thoughtimeandagainhehaddevotedallhisenergiesformonthsatastretchtoasolutionofthemystery。ThemorningfollowingtheMaidenLaneaffair，indeed，beforehehadbreakfasted，Jasonhadbroughthimthefirstletterfromher。Ithadstartedbydetailinghiseverymoveofthenightbefore——andithadendedwithanultimatum：“Thecleverness，theoriginalityoftheGraySealasacrooklackedbutonething，“shehadnaivelywritten，“andthatonethingwasthathiscrookednessrequiredaleadingstringtoguideitintochannelsthatwereworthyofhisgenius。”
Inaword，SHEwouldplanthecoups，andhewouldactatherdictationandexecutethem——orelsehowdidtwentyyearsinSingSingforthatlittleMaidenLaneaffairappealtohim？Hewastoanswerbythenextmorning，asimple“yes“or“no“inthepersonalcolumnofthemorningNEWS-ARGUS。
AthreattoamanlikeJimmieDalewaslikeflauntingaredragatabull，andarageungovernablehadsurgeduponhim。Thencoldreasonhadcome。Hewascaught——therewasnoquestionaboutthat——shehadtakenpainstoshowhimthatheneedmakenomistakethere。
Innocentenoughinhisownconscience，asfarasactualtheftwent，forthepearlswouldinduecourseberestoredinsomewaytothepossessionoftheirowner，hewouldhavebeenunabletomakeevenhisownfather，whowasalivethen，believeinhisinnocence，letaloneajuryofhispeers。Dishonour，shame，ignominy，alongprisonsentence，staredhimintheface，andtherewasbutonealternative——tolinkhandswiththisunseen，mysteriousaccomplice。
Well，hecouldatleasttemporise，hecouldalways“queer“agameinsomespeciousmanner，ifhewerepushedtoofar。Andso，inthenextmorning”sNEWS-ARGUS，JimmieDalehadanswered“yes。”AndthenhadfollowedthoseyearsinwhichtherehadbeenNOtemporising，inwhicheveryplanwascarriedouttothelastdetail，thoseyearsofcurious，unaccountable，bewilderingaffairsthatCarruthershadspokenof，oneontopofanother，thathadshakentheoldheadquartersonMulberryStreettoitsfoundations，untiltheGraySealhadbecomeanametoconjurewith。And，yes，itwasquitetrue，hehadenteredintoitall，gonethelimit，withaneagernessthatwasinsatiable。
ThebushadreachedthelowerendofFifthAvenue，passedthroughWashingtonSquare，andstoppedattheendofitsrun。JimmieDaleclambereddownfromthetop，threwapleasant“good-night“totheconductor，andheadedbrisklydownthestreetbeforehim。AlittlelaterhecrossedintoWestBroadway，andhispaceslowedtoaleisurelystroll。
Here，attheupperendofthestreet，wasaconglomeratebusinesssectionofratherinferiorclass，cateringdoubtlesstothepoor，foreignelementthatcongregatedwestofBroadwayproper，andtothesouthofWashingtonSquare。Thestreetwas，atfirstglance，deserted；itwasdarkanddreary，withstoresandloftsoneitherside。Anelevatedtrainroaredbyoverhead，withathunderous，deafeningclamour。JimmieDale，ontheright-handsideofthestreet，glancedinterestedlyatthedarkstorewindowsashewentby。Andthen，ablockahead，ontheotherside，hiseyesrestedonanapproachingform。Astheotherreachedthecornerandpaused，andthelightfromthestreetlampglintedonbrassbuttons，JimmieDale”seyesnarrowedalittleunderhisslouchhat。Thepoliceman，althoughnonchalantlyswinginganightstick，appearedtobewatchinghim。
JimmieDalewentonhalfablockfarther，stoopedtothesidewalktotiehisshoe，glancedbackoverhisshoulder——thepolicemanwasnotinsight——andslippedlikeashadowintothealleywaybesidewhichhehadstopped。
ItwasanotherJimmieDalenow——theprofessionalJimmieDale。Quickasacat，active，lithe，hewasoverasixfootfenceintherearofabuildinginaflash，andcrouchedablackshape，againstthebackdoorofanunpretentious，unkempt，dirty，secondhandshopthatfrontedonWestBroadway——thelastplacecertainlyinallNewYorkthatthemanagingeditoroftheNEWS-ARGUS，oranyoneelse，forthatmatter，wouldhavepickedoutasthesettingfortheseconddebutoftheGraySeal。
Fromthebeltaroundhiswaist，JimmieDaletooktheblacksilkmask，andslippediton；andfromthebelt，too，camealittleinstrumentthathisdeftfingersmanipulatedinthelock。Acurioussnippingsoundfollowed。JimmieDaleputhisweightgraduallyagainstthedoor。Thedoorheldfast。
“Bolted，“saidJimmieDaletohimself。
Thesensitivefingerstravelledslowlyupanddownthesideofthedoor，seemingtopressandfeelforthepositionoftheboltthroughaninchofplank——thenfromthebeltcameatinysaw，thinandpointedattheend，thatfittedintothelittlehandledrawnfromanotherreceptacleintheleathergirdlebeneaththeunbuttonedvest。
Hardlyasounditmadeasitbitintothedoor。Halfaminutepassed——therewasthefaintfallofasmallpieceofwood——intotheaperturecreptthedelicate，taperingfingers——cameaslightraspingofmetal——thenthedoorswungback，thedarkshadowthathadbeenJimmieDalevanishedandthedoorclosedagain。
Around，whitebeamoflightglowedforaninstant——anddisappeared。
Amiscellaneous，lumberingcollectionofjunkandoddsandendsblockedtheentry，leavingnomorespacethanwassufficientforbarepassageway。JimmieDalemovedcautiously——andoncemoretheflashlightinhishandshowedthewayforaninstant——thendarknessagain。
Theclutteredaccumulationofsecondhandstuffinthereargaveplacetoalittlemoreorderlyarrangementasheadvancedtowardthefrontofthestore。Likeahugefirefly，theflashlighttwinkled，wentout，twinkledagain，andwentout。Hepassedasortofcrude，partitioned-offapartmentthatdiddutyfortheestablishment”soffice，asortoflittleboxed-inplaceitwas，aboutinthemiddleofthefloor。JimmieDale”slightplayedonitforamoment。buthekeptontowardthefrontdoorwithoutanypause。
Everymovementwasquick，sure，accurate，withnotawastedsecond。
Ithadbeenbarelyaminutesincehehadvaultedthebackfence。Itwashardlyaquarterofaminutemorebeforethecumbersomelockofthefrontdoorwasunfastened，andthedooritselfpulledimperceptiblyajar。
Hewentswiftlybacktotheofficenow——andfounditevenmoreofashaky，cheapaffairthanithadatfirstappeared；morelikeaboxstallwithwindowsaroundthetopthananythingelse，thewindowsdoubtlesstopermittheoccupanttooverlookthestorefromthevantagepointofthehighstoolthatstoodbeforealong，battered，wobblydesk。Therewasadoortotheplace，too，butthedoorwasopenandthekeywasinthelock。TherayofJimmieDale”sflashlightsweptoncearoundtheinterior——andrestedonanantique，ponderoussafe。
UnderthemaskJimmieDale”slipspartedinasmilethatseemedalmostapologetic，asheviewedthehelplessironmonstrositythatwaslittlemorethananinsulttoatrainedcracksman。Thenfromthebeltcamethethinmetalcaseandapairoftweezers。Heopenedthecase，andwiththetweezersliftedoutoneofthegray-coloured，diamond-shapedseals。Holdingthesealwiththetweezers，hemoistenedthegummedsidewithhislips，thenlaiditonahandkerchiefwhichhetookfromhispocket，andclappedthehandkerchiefagainstthefrontofthesafe，stickingthesealconspicuouslyintoplace。JimmieDale”sinsigniaborenofingerprints。Themicroscopesandmagnifyingglassesatheadquartershadmanyatimeregretfullyassuredthepoliceofthatfact。
Andnowhishandsandfingersseemedtoworklikelightning。Intothesoftironbitadrill——bitinandthrough——bitinandthroughagain。Itwasdark，pitchblack——andsilent。Notasound，savethequick，dullraspoftheratchet——likethedistantgnawingofamouse！JimmieDaleworkedfast——anotherholewentthroughthefaceoftheold-fashionedsafe——andthensuddenlyhestraighteneduptolisten，everyfacultytense，alert，andstrained，hisbodythrownalittleforward。WHATWASTHAT！
Fromthealleywayleadingfromthestreetwithout，throughwhichhehimselfhadcome，soundedthestealthycrunchoffeet。Motionlessintheutterdarkness，JimmieDalelistened——therewasascrapingnoiseintherear——someonewasclimbingthefencethathehadclimbed！
InaninstantthetoolsinJimmieDale”shandsdisappearedintotheirrespectivepocketsbeneathhisvest——andthesensitivefingersshottothedialonthesafe。
“Toobad，“mutteredJimmieDaleplaintivelytohimself。Icouldhavemadesuchanartisticjobofit——IswearIcouldhavecutCarruthers”profileintheholeinlessthannotime——toopenitlikethisisreallytakingthepooroldthingatadisadvantage。”
Hewasonhiskneesnow，oneearclosetothedial，listeningasthetumblersfell，whilethedelicatefingersspuntheknobunerringly——
theotherearstrainedtowardtherearofthepremises。
Cameafootstep——arayoflight——astumble——nearer——thenewcomerwasinsidetheplacenow，andmusthavefoundoutthatthebackdoorhadbeentamperedwith。Nearercamethesteps——stillnearer——andthenthesafedoorswungopenunderJimmieDale”shand，andJimmieDale，thathemightnotbecaughtlikearatinatrap，dartedfromtheoffice——buthehaddelayedalittletoolong。
Fromaroundtheclutteredpilesofjunkandmiscellanysweptthelight——fullonJimmieDale。Hesitationforthesmallestfractionofasecondwouldhavebeenfatal，buthesitationwassomethingthatinallhislifeJimmieDalehadneverknown。Quickasapantherinitsspring，heleapedfullatthelightandthemanbehindit。Theroughvoice，insurprisedexclamationatthesuddendiscoveryofthequarry，diedinagasp。
Therewasacrashasthetwomenmet——andtheotherreeledbackbeforetheimpact。OntohimJimmieDalesprang，andhishandsflewfortheother”sthroat。Itwasanofficerinuniform！JimmieDalehadfeltthebrassbuttonsastheylocked。InthedarknesstherewasaqueersmileonJimmieDale”stightlips。ItwasnodoubtTHE
officerwhomhehadpassedontheothersideofthestreet。
TheotherwasasmallermanthanJimmieDale，butpowerfulforhisbuild——andhefoughtnowwithallhisstrength。Thiswayandthatthetwomenreeled，staggered，swayed，pantingandgasping；andthen——theyhadlurchedbackclosetotheofficedoor——withasuddenswing，everymusclebroughtintoplayforasupremeeffort，JimmieDalehurledtheotherfromhim，sendingthemansprawlingbacktotheflooroftheoffice，andinthewinkingofaneyehadslammedshutthedoorandturnedthekey。
Therewasabull-likeroar，theshrillCHEEP-CHEEP-CHEEPofthepatrolman”swhistle，andashatteringcrashastheofficerflunghisbodyagainstthepartition——thenthebarkofarevolvershot，thetinkleofbreakingglass，asthemanfiredthroughtheofficewindow——andpastJimmieDale，speedingnowforthefrontdoor，abullethummedviciously。
OutonthestreetdashedJimmieDale，whippingthemaskfromhisface——andglancedlikeahawkaroundhim。Foralltheracket，theneighbourhoodhadnotyetbeenaroused——noonewasinsight。Fromjustoverheadcametherattleofadowntownelevatedtrain。Inahundred-yardsprint，JimmieDaleraceditahalfblocktothestation，toreupthesteps——andamomentlaterdroppednonchalantlyintoaseatandpulledaneveningnewspaperfromhispocket。
JimmieDalegotoffatthesecondstationdown，crossedthestreet，mountedthestepsoftheelevatedagain，andtookthenexttrainuptown。Hismovementsappearedtobesomewhaterratic——healightedatthestationnextabovetheonebywhichhehadmadehisescape。
Lookingdownthestreetitwastoodarktoseemuchofanything，butaconfusednoiseasofagatheringcrowdreachedhimfromwhatwasaboutthelocationofthesecondhandstore。Helistenedappreciativelyforamoment。
“Isn”titaperfectlylovelynight？“saidJimmieDaleamiablytohimself。“AndtothinkofthatcoprunningawaywiththeideathatIdidn”tseehimwhenhehidinadoorwayafterIpassedthecorner！
Well，well，strange——isn”tit？“
Withanotherglancedownthestreet，awhimsicalliftofhisshoulders，heheadedwestintothedilapidatedtenementquarterthathuddledforahandfulofblocksnearby，justsouthofWashingtonSquare。Itwasalittleafteroneo”clockinthemorningnowandthepedestrianswerecasual。JimmieDalereadthestreetsignsonthecornersashewentalong，turnedabruptlyintoanintersectingstreet，countedthetenementsfromthecornerashepassed，and——fortheeyeofanyonewhomightbewatching——openedthestreetdoorofoneofthemquiteasthoughhewereaccustomedandhadaperfectrighttodoso，andwentinside。
Itwasmurkyanddarkwithin；hot，unhealthy，withlingeringsmellsofgarlicandstalecooking。Hegropedforthestairsandstartedup。Heclimbedoneflight，thenanother——andonemoretothetop。
Here，treadingsoftly，hemadeanexaminationofthelandingwithaview，evidently，toobtaininganideaofthelocationandthenumberofdoorsthatopenedofffromit。
Hisselectionfellonthethirddoorfromtheheadofthestairs——
therewerefouralltold，twoapartmentsoftworoomseach。Hepausedforaninstanttoadjusttheblacksilkmask，triedthedoorquietly，founditunlocked，openeditwithasudden，quick，briskmovement——and，steppinginside，leanedwithhisbackagainstit。
“Good-morning，“saidJimmieDalepleasantly。
Itwasasqualidplace，amiserablehole，inwhichasingleflickering，yellowgasjetgavelight。Itwasalmostbareoffurniture；therewasnothingbutacoupleofcheapchairs，aricketytable——unpawnable。Aboy，hewashardlymorethanthat，perhapstwenty-two，fromapostureinwhichhewashuddledacrossthetablewithheadburiedinout-flungarms，sprangwithastartledcrytohisfeet。
“Good-morning，“saidJimmieDaleagain。“Yourname”sHagan，BertHagan——isn”tit？AndyouworkforIsaacBrolskyinthesecondhandshopoveronWestBroadway——don”tyou？“
Theboy”slipsquivered，andthegaunt，hollow，half-starvedface，white，ashen-whitenow，waspitiful。
“I——Iguessyougotme，“hefaltered“I——Isupposeyou”reaplain-
clothesman，thoughIneverknewdicksworemasks。”
“Theydon”tgenerally，“saidJimmieDalecoolly。“It”safadofmine——BertHagan。”
Thelad，hangingtothetable，turnedhisheadawayforamoment——
andtherewassilence。
PresentlyHaganspokeagain。“I”llgo，“hesaidnumbly。Iwon”tmakeanytrouble。Would——wouldyoumindnotspeakingloud？I——I
wouldn”tlikehertoknow。”
“Her？“saidJimmieDalesoftly。
Theboytiptoedacrosstheroom，openedaconnectingdooralittle，peeredinside，openeditalittlewider——andlookedoverhisshoulderatJimmieDale。
JimmieDalecrossedtotheboy，lookedinsidetheotherroom——andhisliptwitchedqueerly，asthesightsentaquick，hurtthrobthroughhisheart。Ayoungwoman，youngerthantheboy，layonatumble-downbed，aragofclothingoverher——herfacewithadeathlikepalloruponit，asshelayinwhatappearedtobeastupor。Shewasill，criticallyill；itneedednotrainedeyetodiscernafactalltooapparenttothemostcasualobserver。Thesqualor，theglaringpovertyhere，wasevenmorepitifullyinevidencethanintheotherroom——onlyhereuponachairbesidethebedwasaclusterofmedicinebottlesandalittleheapoffruit。
JimmieDaledrewbacksilentlyastheboyclosedthedoor。
Haganwalkedtothetableandpickeduphishat。
“I”m——I”mready，“hesaidbrokenly。“Let”sgo。”
“Justaminute，“saidJimmieDale。“Tellusaboutit。”
“Twon”ttakelong，“saidHagan，tryingtosmile。“She”smywife。
Thesicknesstookallwehad。I——Ikindergotbehindintherentandthings。Theyweregoingtofireusoutofhere——to-morrow。Andtherewasn”tanymoneyforthemedicine，and——andthethingsshehadtohave。Maybeyouwouldn”thavedoneit——butIdid。Icouldn”tseeherdyingthereforthewantofsomethingalittlemoney”dbuy——
and——andIcouldn”t“——hecaughthisvoiceinalittlesob”I
couldn”tseeherthrownoutonthestreetlikethat。”
“Andso，“saidJimmieDale，“insteadofputtingoldIsaac”scashinthesafethiseveningwhenyoulockedup，youputitinyourpocketinstead——eh？Didn”tyouknowyou”dgetcaught？“
“Whatdiditmatter？“saidtheboy。Hewastwirlinghismisshappenhatbetweenhisfingers。“Iknewthey”dknowitwasmeinthemorningwhenoldIsaacfounditgone，becausetherewasn”tanybodyelsetodoit。ButIpaidtherentforfourmonthsaheadto-night，andIfixeditso”sshe”dhavemedicineandthingstoeat。Iwasgoingtobeatitbeforedaylightmyself——I“——hebrushedhishandhurriedlyacrosshischeek”Ididn”twanttogo——toleavehertillIhadto。”
“Well，say“——therewaswondermentinJimmieDale”stones，andhisEnglishlapsedintoungrammatical，reassuringvernacular”ain”tthatqueer！Say，I”mnodetective。Gee，kid，didyouthinkIwas？
Say，listentothis！IcrackedoldIsaac”ssafehalfanhourago——
andIguesstherewon”tbeanyideagoingaroundthatyougotthemoneyandIpulledalemon。Say，Iain”tsuperstitious，butitlookslikeluckmeantyoutohaveanotherchance，don”tit？“
ThehatdroppedfromHagan”shandstothefloor，andheswayedalittle。
“You——youain”tadick！“hestammered。“Thenhow”dyouknowaboutmeandmynamewhenyoufoundthesafeempty？Whotoldyou？“
AwrygrimacespreadsuddenlyoverJimmieDale”sfacebeneaththemask，andheswallowedhard。JimmieDalewouldhavegivenagooddealtohavebeenabletoanswerthatquestionhimself。
“Oh，that！“saidJimmieDale。“That”seasy——Iknewyouworkedthere。Say，it”sthelimit，ain”tit？Talkaboutyourluckbeingin，whyallyou”vegottodoistosittightandkeepyourmouthshut，andyou”resafeasachurch。Onlysay，whatareyougoingtodoaboutthemoney，nowyou”vegotafourmonths”startandarekindoflandedonyourfeet？
“Do？“saidtheboy。“I”llpayitback，littlebylittle。Imeantto。Iain”tno”Hestoppedabruptly。
“Crook，“suppliedJimmieDalepleasantly。“Spititrightout，kid；
youwon”thurtmyfeelingsnone。Well，I”lltellyou——you”retalkingthewayIliketohearyou——youpaythatback，slideitinwithouthisknowingit，abitatatime，wheneveryoucan，andyou”llneverhearayipoutofme；butifyoudon”t，whyitkindoflooksasthoughIhavearighttocomedownyourstreetandgetmyshareorknowthereasonwhy——eh？“
“Thenyounevergetanyshare，“saidHagan，withacatchinhisvoice。“IpayitbackasfastasIcan。”
“Sure，“saidJimmieDale。“That”sright——that”swhatIsaid。Well，solong——Hagan。”AndJimmieDalehadopenedthedoorandslippedoutside。
Anhourlater，inhisdressingroominhishouseonRiversideDrive，JimmieDalewasremovinghiscoatasthetelephone，ahandinstrumentonthetable，rang。JimmieDaleglancedatit——andleisurelyproceededtoremovehisvest。Againthetelephonerang。
JimmieDaletookoffhiscurious，pocketedleatherbelt——asthetelephonerepeateditssummons。Hepickedoutthelittledrillhehadusedashortwhilebefore，andinspecteditcritically——feelingitspointwithhisthumb，asonemightfeelarazor”sblade。Againthetelephoneranginsistently。Hereachedlanguidlyforthereceiver，tookitoffitshook，andheldittohisear。
“Hello！“saidJimmieDale，withasleepyyawn。“Hello！Hello！Whythedeucedon”tyouyankamanoutofbedattwoo”clockinthemorningandhavedonewithit，and——eh？Oh，thatyou，Carruthers？“
“Yes，“cameCarruthers”voiceexcitedly。“Jimmie，listen——listen！
TheGraySeal”scometolife！He”sjustpulledabreakonWestBroadway！“
“GoodLord！“gaspedJimmieDale。“Youdon”tsay！“
CHAPTERII
BYPROXY
Themostpuzzlingbewildering，delightfulcrookintheannalsofcrime，“HermanCarruthers，theeditoroftheMORNINGNEWS-ARGUS，hadcalledtheGraySeal；andJimmieDalesmiledalittlegrimlynowasherecalledtheoccasionofaweekagoattheSt。JamesClubovertheirafter-dinnercoffee。Thatwasbeforehisseconddebut，withIsaacBrolsky”spoverty-strickenpremisesoveronWestBroadwayasasettingforthebreak。
SHEhadwritten：“Thingsarealittletoowarm，aren”tthey，Jimmie？
Let”sletthemcoolforayear。”Well，theyhadcooledforayear，andCarruthersasaresulthadbeencomplacentlysatisfiedinhisownmindthattheGraySealwasdead——untilthatbreakatIsaacBrolsky”soveronWestBroadway！
JimmieDale”ssmilewastingedwithwhimsicalitynow。Theonlyeffectoftheyear”sinactionhadbeentousherinhisrenewedactivitywithafurorcomparedtowhichallthathadgonebeforewasinsignificant。Wherethenewspapershadbeenmaudlin，theynowraved——ravedineditorialsandravedinheadlines。Itwasanimpossible，untenable，unbelievableconditionofaffairsthatthisGraySeal，forallhisincomparablecleverness，shouldflaunthiscrimesinthefacesofthecitizensofNewYork。Onecouldactuallyseetheeditorswrithingintheirswivelchairsastheirfierydenunciationsdrippedfromtheirpens！Whatwasthematterwiththepolice？Werethepolicechildren；or，worsestill，imbeciles——or，stillworseagain，wastheresomeone“higherup“whowasprofitingbythisrogue”swork？NewYorkwouldnotstandforit——NewYorkwouldmostdecidedlynot——andthesoonerthepolicerealisedthatfactthebetter！Ifthepolicewerehelpless，ortools，thecitizensofNewYorkwerenot，anditwastimethecitizenswerethoroughlyaroused。
Therewasaway，too，toarousethecitizens，thatwasbothgoodbusinessfromthenewspaperstandpoint，andefficaciousasamethod。
Carruthers，oftheMORNINGNEWS-ARGUS，hadinitiatedit。TheMORNINGNEWS-ARGUSofferedtwenty-fivethousanddollars”rewardforthecaptureoftheGraySeal！Otherpapersimmediatelyfollowedsuitinvaryingamounts。Theauthorities，Stateandmunicipal，goadedtodesperation，didlikewise，andthefivemillionmen，women，andchildrenofNewYorkwereautomaticallymetamorphosedintoembryonicsleuths。NewYorkwasaroused。
JimmieDale，aliastheGraySeal，memberoftheultra-exclusiveSt。
JamesClub，thelatterfactsufficientinitselftoguaranteehissocialstanding，graduateofHarvard，inheritorofhisdeceasedfather”simmensewealthamassedinthemanufactureofburglar-proofsafes，someofthemostingeniouspatentsonwhichwereduetoJimmieDalehimself，figuredwithapencilonthemarginofthenewspaperhehadbeenreading，usingthearmofthebig，luxurious，leather-upholsteredloungingchairasasupportforthepaper。Theresultofhiscalculationswaseighty-fivethousanddollars。
HebrushedthepaperontotheTurkishrug，doveintothepocketofhisdinnerjacketforhiscigarettes，andbegantosmokeashiseyesstrayedaroundtheroom，hisownparticulardeninhisfashionableRiversideDriveresidence。
Eighty-fivethousanddollars”reward！JimmieDaleblewmeditativeringsofcigarettesmokeatthefireplace。Whatwouldshesaytothat？Wouldshedecideitwas“toohot“again，andcallitoff？Itaddedquitealittlehazardtothegame——QUITEalittle！Ifheonlyknewwho“she“was！Itwasastrangepartnership——thestrangestpartnershipthathadeverexistedbetweentwohumanbeings。
Heturnedalittleinhischairasastepsoundedinthehallwaywithout——thatis，JimmieDalecaughtthesound，muffledthoughitwasbytheheavycarpet。Camethenaknockuponthedoor。
“Comein，“invitedJimmieDale。
ItwasoldJason，thebutler。Theoldmanwasvisiblyexcited，asheextendedasilvertrayonwhichlayaletter。
JimmieDale”shandreachedquicklyout，thelong，slimtaperingfingersclosedupontheenvelope——buthiseyeswereonJasonsignificantly，questioningly。
“Yes，MasterJim，“saidtheoldman，“Irecogniseditontheinstant，sir。Afterwhatyousaid，sir，lastweek，honouringme，I
mightsay，toacertainextentwithyourconfidence，thoughI”msureIdon”tknowwhatitallmeans，I”
“Whobroughtitthistime，Jason？“inquiredJimmieDalequietly。
“Nottheyoungperson，beggingyourpardon，nottheyounglady，sir。
Ashufferinabigautomobile。”Yourmasteratonce”hesays，andshovestheletterintomyhand，andwasoff。”
“Verygood，Jason，“saidJimmieDale。“Youmaygo。”
Thedoorclosed。Yes，itwasfromHER——itwasthesametextureofpaper，therewasthesamerare，hauntingfragranceclingingtoit。
Hetoretheenvelopeopen，andextractedafoldedsheetofpaper。
Whatwasitthistime？Tocallthepartnershipoffagainuntilthepresentfurorshouldhavesubsidedoncemore——ortheskilfullysketchedoutlineofanewadventure？Which？Heglancedatthefewlineswrittenonthesheet，andlungedforwardfromhischairtohisfeet。Itwasneitheronenortheother。Itwas——
JimmieDale”sfacewasset，andanangryredsurgeswepthischeeks。
Hislipsmoved，mutteringaudiblyfragmentsoftheletter，ashestaredatit。
“——incrediblethatyou——aheinousthing——actinstantly——thisisruin”
Foraninstant——arareoccurrenceinJimmieDale”slife——hestoodlikeamanstricken，stillstaringatthesheetinhishand。Thenmechanicallyhisfingerstorethepaperintolittlepieces，andthelittlepiecesintotinyshreds。Angerfled，andasickeningsenseofimpotentdismaytookitsplace；theredlefthischeecks，andinitssteadagraynesscame。
“Actinstantly！“Thewordsseemedtoleapathim，drumathisearswithconstantrepetition。Actinstantly！Buthow？How？Thenhisbrain——thatkeen，clear，masterbrain——sprangfromstunnedinactionintovirilityagain。Ofcourse——Carruthers！ItwasinCarruthers”
line。
Hesteppedtothedesk——andpausedwithhishandextendedtopickupthetelephone。HowexplaintoCarruthersthathe，JimmieDale，alreadyknewwhatCarruthersmightnotyethaveheardof，eventhoughCarrutherswouldnaturallybeamongthefirsttobeintouchwithsuchaffairs！No；thatwouldneverdo。Bettergettherehimselfatonceandtrustto——
Thetelephonerang。
JimmieDalewaiteduntilitrangagain，thenheliftedthereceiverfromthehook。
“Hello？“hesaid。
“Hello！Hello！Jimmie！“cameavoice。“ThisisCarruthers。Thatyou，Jimmie？“
“Yes，“saidJimmieDaleandsatdownlimplyinthedeskchair。
“It”stheGraySealagain。IpromisedyouI”dletyouinonthegroundfloornexttimeanythinghappened，socomeondownherequickifyouwanttoseesomeofhisworkatfirsthand。”
JimmieDaleflirtedabeadofsweatfromhisforehead。
“Carruthers，“saidJimmielanguidly，“younewspaperchapsmakemetiredwithyourGraySeal。I”mjustgoingtobed。”
“Bednothing！“splutteredCarruthers，fromtheotherendofthewire。“Comedown，Itellyou。It”sworthyourwhile——halfthepopulationofNewYorkwouldgivethetoesofftheirfeetforthechance。Comedown，youblastidiot！TheGraySealhasgonethelimitthistime——it”sMURDER。”
JimmieDale”sfacewashaggard。
“Oh！“hesaidpeevishly。“Soundsinteresting。Whereareyou？I
guessmaybeI”lljogalong。”
“Ishouldthinkyouwould！“snappedCarruthers。“YouknowthePalaceontheBowery？Yes？Well，meetmeonthecornerthereassoonasyoucan。Hustle！Good”
“Oh，Isay，Carruthers！“interposedJimmieDale。
“Yes？“demandedCarruthers。
“Thanksawfullyforlettingmeknow，oldman。”
“Don”tmentionit！“returnedCarrutherssarcastically。“Youalwayswereagratefulbeast，Jimmie。Hurryup！“
JimmieDalehungupthereceiverofthecity”phone，andtookdownthereceiverofanother，aprivate-houseinstallation，andrangtwiceforthegarage。
“Thelightcaratonce，Benson，“heorderedcurtly。“Atonce！“
JimmieDaleworkedquicklythen。Inhisdressingroom，hechangedfromdinnerclothestotweeds；spentasecondorsooverthecontentsofalockeddrawerinthedresser，fromwhichheselectedaverysmallbutserviceableautomatic，andaverysmallbuthighlypowerfulmagnifyingglasswhosecombinationoflittleroundlensesworkedonapivot，and，closedoveroneanother，wereofaboutthecompassofaquarterofadollar。
Inthreeminuteshewasoutsidethehouseandsteppingintothecar，justasitdrewupatthecurb。
“Benson，“hesaidterselytohischauffeur，“dropmeoneblockthissideofthePalaceontheBowery——andforgettherewaseveraspeedlawenacted。Understand？“
“Verygood，sir，“saidBenson，touchinghiscap。“I”lldomybest，sir。”
JimmieDale，inthetonneau，stretchedouthislegsunderthefrontseat，anddughishandsintohispockets——andinsidethepocketshishandswereclenchedandknottedfists。
Murder！AttimesithadoccurredtohimthattherewasapossibilitythatsomecrookoftheunderworldwouldattempttocoverhistracksandtakerefugefrompursuitbyfoistinghimselfontheauthoritiesastheGraySeal。Thatwasapossibility，ariskalwaystoberun。ButthatMURDERshouldbelaidtotheGraySeal”sdoor！
Anger，mercilessandunrestrained，surgedoverJimmieDale。
Therewasperilhere，liveandimminent。Supposethatsomedayheshouldbecaughtinsomelittleaffair，recognisedandidentifiedastheGraySeal，therewouldbethechargeofmurderhangingoverhim——
andtheelectricchairtoface！
Buttheperilwasnottheonlything。EvenworsetoJimmieDale”sartisticandsensitivetemperamentwasthevilification，theholdinguptoloathing，contumely，andabhorrenceofthename，thestainlessname，oftheGraySeal。ItWASstainless！Hehadguardeditjealously——asamanguardsthewoman”snameheloves。
Affairsthathadmystifiedanddriventhepolicedistractedwithimpotencetherehadbeen，manyofthem；andonthefaceofthem——
crimes。Butnoactevercommittedhadbeeninrealityacrime——
nonewithoutthehighestofmotives，therightingofsomeoutrageouswrong，theprotectionofsomepoorstumblingfellowhuman。
Thathadbeenhispartnershipwithher。How，bywhatamazingmeans，bywhatpowerthatsmackedalmostofthemiraculousshecameintouchwithallthesethingsandsuppliedhimwiththedataonwhichtoworkhedidnotknow——onlythat，thankstoher，therewerehappierheartsandhappierhomessincetheGraySealhadbeguntowork。“DearPhilanthropicCrook，“sheoftencalledhiminherletters。Andnow——itwasMURDER！
TakeCarruthers，forinstance。Foryears，asareporterbeforehehadrisentotheeditorialdesk，hehadbeenoneofthekeenestonthescentoftheGraySeal，butalwaysforthesakeofthegame——
alwaysfilledwithadmiration，ashesaidhimself，forthedaring，theoriginalityofthemostpuzzling，bewildering，delightfulcrookintheannalsofcrime。Carrutherswasbutanexample。CarruthersnowwouldhunttheGraySeallikeamaddog。TheGraySeal，toCarruthersandeveryoneelse，wouldbethevilestnameintheland——
asynonymformurder。
Onthecarflew——anduponJimmieDale”sface，asthoughchiselledinmarble，wasalookthatwasnotgoodtosee。Andamirthlesssmileset，frozen，onhislips。
“I”llgetthemanthatdidthis，“grittedJimmieDalebetweenhisteeth。“I”llGEThim！And，whenIgethim，I”llwringaconfessionfromhimifIhavetoswingforit！“
ThecarsweptfromBroadwayintoAstorPlace，ondowntheBowery，andpresentlystopped。
JimmieDalesteppedout。“Ishallnotwantyouanymore，Benson，“
hesaid。“Youmayreturnhome。”
JimmieDalestarteddowntheblock——anonchalantJimmieDalenow，ifanything，boredalittle。Nearthecorner，afigure，backturned，wasloungingattheedgeofthesidewalk。JimmieDaletouchedthemanonthearm。
“Hello，Carruthers！“hedrawled。
“Ah，Jimmie！“Carruthersturnedwithanexcitedsmile。“That”stheboy！You”vemademightyquicktime。”
“Well，youtoldmetohurry，“grumbledJimmieDale。“I”mdoingmybesttopleaseyouto-night。Camedowninmycar，andgotsummonedforthreefinesto-morrow。”
Carrutherslaughed。“Comeon，“hesaid；and，linkinghisarminJimmieDale”s，turnedthecorner，andheadedwestalongthecrossstreet。“Thisisgoingtomakeanoise，“hecontinued，agrimnotecreepingintohisvoice。“Thebiggestnoisethecityhaseverheard。ItakebackallIsaidabouttheGraySeal。I”dalwayspicturedhisclevernessasbeinginseparablewithatleastadecentsortofman，evenifhewasarogueandacriminal，butI”mthroughwiththat。He”sarotterandahoundoftherankestsort！Ididn”tthinktherewasanythingmorevulgarorbrutalthanmurder，buthe”sshownmethatthereis。Aguttersnipe”sgotmoredecency！Tomurderamanandthenboastfullylabelthecorpseis”
“Say，Carruthers，“saidJimmieDaleplaintively，suddenlyhangingback，“Isay，youknow，it”s——it”sallrightforyoutomessupinthissortofthing，it”syourbeastlybusiness，andI”mawfullydamnedthankfultoyouforgivingmealook-in，butisn”tit——er——
ratherINFRADIGforme？Abitmorbid，youknow，andallthatsortofthing。I”dneverheartheendofitattheclub——youknowwhattheSt。Jamesis。Couldn”tIbeMeridethStanleyAnnstruther，orsomethinglikethat，oneofyournewreporters，orsomethinglikethat，youknow？“
Carrutherschuckled。“Sure，Jimmie，“hesaid。“You”rethelatestadditiontothestaffoftheNEWS-ARGUS。Don”tworry；theincomparableJimmieDalewon”tfigurepubliclyinthis。”
“It”sawfullygoodofyou，“saidJimmiegratefully。“Ihavetohaveanotebookorsomething，don”tI？“
Carruthers，fromhispocket，handedhimone。“Thanks，“saidJimmieDale。
Alittlewayahead，acrowdhadcollectedonthesidewalkbeforeadoorway，andCarrutherspointedwithajerkofhishand。
“It”sinMoriarty”splace——agamblinghell，“heexplained。“I
haven”tgotthestorymyselfyet，thoughI”vebeeninside，andhadalookaround。InspectorClaytondiscoveredthecrime，andreporteditatheadquarters。Iwasatmydeskintheofficewhenthenewscame，and，asyouknowtheinterestI”vetakenintheGraySeal，I
decidedto”cover”itmyself。WhenIgothere，Claytonhadn”treturnedfromheadquarters，so，asyouseemedsokeenlyinterestedlastweek，Itelephonedyou。IfClayton”sbacknowwe”llgetthedetails。Clayton”sagoodfellowwiththe”press”andhewon”tholdanythingoutonus。Now，hereweare。Keepclosetome，andI”llpassyouin。”
Theyshoulderedthroughthecrowdanduptoanofficeratthedoor。
Theofficernodded，steppedaside，andCarruthers，withJimmieDalefollowing，enteredthehouse。
Theyclimbedoneflight，andthenanother。Thecard-rooms，thefaro，stud，androulettelayoutsweredeserted，saveforpolicemenhereandthereonguard。Carruthersledthewaytoaroomatthebackofthehall，whosedoorwasopenandfromwhichissuedahubbubofvoices——onevoiceroseabovetheothers，heavyandgratinglycomplacent。
“Clayton”sback，“observedCarruthers。
Theysteppedoverthethreshold，andtheheavyvoicegreetedthem。
“Ah，here”sCarruthersnow！H”areyou，Carruthers？Theytoldmeyou”dbeenhere，andwerecomingback，soI”vebeenkeepingtheboyswaitingbeforehandingoutthedope。You”vehadalookatthat——
eh？“Heflungoutafathandtowardthebed。
Thevoicesroseagain，alldirectedatCarruthersnow。
“Bubble”sburst，eh，Carruthers？Whataboutthe”PrinceofCrooks”？
Artistryincrime，wasn”tit，yousaid？“Theywerequotingfromhiseditorialsofbygonedays，ahalfdozenreportersofrivalpapers，grinningandjoshinghimgood-naturedly，seeminglyquiteunaffectedbywhatlaywithinarm”sreachofthemuponthebed。
Carrutherssmiledalittlewryly，shruggedhisshoulders——andpresentedJimmieDaletoInspectorClayton。
“Mr。Matthewson，anewmanofours——inspector。”
“Gladtoknowyou，Mr。Matthewson，“saidtheinspector。
JimmieDalefoundhishandgraspedbyanotherthatwasflabbyandunpleasantlymoist；andfoundhimselflookingintoafacethatwasred，withheavyrollsofunhealthyfatterminatinginadoublechinandathick，apoplecticneck——ahuge，roundface，withrat”seyes。
ClaytondroppedJimmieDale”shand，andwavedhisownintheair。
JimmieDaleremainedmodestlyontheoutsideofthecircleasthereportersgatheredaroundthepoliceinspector。
“Now，then，“saidClaytoncoarsely，“theguythat”scroakedthereisMetzer，JakeMetzer。Getthat？“
JimmieDale，scribblinghurriedlyinhisnotebooklikealltherest，turnedalittletowardthebed，andhislowerjawcreptoutthefractionofaninch。Bothgasjetsintheroomwereturnedonfull，givingamplelight。Amanfullydressed，amanofperhapsforty，layuponhisbackonthebed，onearmoutflungacrossthebedspread，theotherdangling，withfingersjusttouchingthefloor，theheadatanangleandoffthepillow。Itwasasthoughhehadbeencarriedtothebedandflunguponitafterthedeedhadbeencommitted。JimmieDale”seyesshiftedandswepttheroom。Yes，everythingwasindisorder，asthoughtherehadbeenastruggle——achairupturned，atablecantedagainstthewall，brokenpiecesofcrockeryfromthewashstandonthecarpet，and——
“Metzerwasastoolpigeon，see？“wentonClayton，“andhelivedhere。Moriartywasn”tontohim。MetzerstoodinthickwithawidercircleofcrooksthananyothersnitchinNewYork。”
JimmieDale，stillscribblingasClaytontalked，steppedtothebedandleanedoverthemurderedman。Themurderhadbeendonewithablackjackevidently——acoupleofblows。Theleftsideofthetemplewascrushedin。Rightinthemiddleoftheforehead，pastedthere，agray-colored，diamondshapedpapersealflaunteditself——thedeviceoftheGraySeal。InJimmieDale”hand，hiddenasheturnedhisback，thetinycombinationofpowerfullenseswasfocusedontheseal。
Claytonguffawed。“That”sright！“hecalledout。“Takeagoodlook。That”sabrightyoungmanyou”vegot，Carruthers。”
JimmieDalelookedupalittlesheepishly——andgotagrinfromtheassembledreporters，andascowlfromCarruthers。
Now，then，“continuedClayton，“here”sthefacts——asmuchof”emasIcanletyouboysprintatpresent。YouknowI”mstretchingapointtoletyouinhere——don”tforgetthatwhenyoucometowriteupthecase——honourwhere”shonour”sdue，youknow。Well，meandMetzertherewasgettingreadytoclosedownonabigpieceofgame，andIwasoverhereinthisroomtalkingtohimaboutitearlythisafternoon。Wehaditframedtogetourmanto-night——see？IleftMetzer，say，aboutthreeo”clock，andhewastoshowupoveratheadquarterswithanotherlittlebitofevidencewewantedateighto”clockto-night。”
JimmieDalewaslistening——toeveryword。Buthestoopednowagainoverthemurderedman”sheaddeliberately，thoughhefelttheinspector”srat”seyesuponhim——stooped，and，withhisfingernail，liftedbacktheright-handpointofthediamond-shapedsealwhereitborderedafaintthreadofbloodontheman”sforehead。
Therewasabull-likeroarfromtheinspector，andheburstthroughtheringofreporters，andgrabbedJimmieDalebytheshoulder。
“Hereyou，whatinhellareyoudoing！“hesplutteredangrily。
Embarrassedandconfused，JimmieDaledrewback，glancedaround，andsmiledagainalittlesheepishlyashiseyesrestedonthered-
flushedjowloftheinspector。
“I——Iwantedtoseehowitwasstuckon，“heexplainedinanely。
“Stuckon！“bellowedClayton。“I”llshowyouhowit”sSTUCKon，ifyoumonkeyaroundhere！Don”tyouknowanybetterthanthat！Wherewereyoudraggedupanyway？Thecoronerhasn”tbeenhereyet。
You”reahotcubofareporter，youare！“HeturnedtoCarruthers。
“Y”oughttogetoutprintedinstructionsfor”embeforeyouturn”emloose！“hesnapped。
Carruthers”facewasredwithmortification。Therewasagrin，expanded，onthefacesoftheothers。
“Standawayfromthatbed！“roaredClaytonatJimmieDale。“Andifyougonearitagain，I”llthrowyououtofherebodily！“
JimmieDaleedgedaway，and，eyeslowered，fumblednervouslywiththeleavesofhisnotebook。
Claytongrunted，glaredatJimmieDaleforaninstantviciously——andresumedhisstory。
“Iwassaying，“hesaid，“thatMetzerwastocometoheadquartersateighto”clockthisevening。Well，hedidn”tshowup。Thatlookedqueer。Itwasmightyimportantbusiness。Wewasafteroneofthebiggesthaulswe”deverpulledoff。Iwaitedtillnineo”clock，anhourago，andIwasgettingnervous。ThenIstartedoverheretofindoutwhatwasthematter。WhenIgothereIaskedMoriartyifhe”dseenMetzer。Moriartysaidhehadn”tsinceIwasherebefore。
HewasalittlesuspiciousthatIhadsomethingonMetzer——see？
Well，bypumpingMoriarty，headmittedthatMetzerhadhadavisitoraboutanhourafterIleft。”
“Whowasit？Knowwhathisnameis，inspector？“askedoneofthereportersquickly。
InspectorClaytonwinkedheavily。“Don”tbegreedyboys，“hegrinned。
“Youmeanyou”vegothim？“burstoutanotheroneofthemenexcitedly。
“Sure！Sure，I”vegothim。”InspectorClaytonwavedhisfathandairily。“OrIwillhavebeforemorning——butIain”tsayinganythingmoretillit”sover。”Hesmiledsignificantly。“Well，that”saboutall。You”vegotthedetailsrightaroundyou。IleftMoriartydownstairsandcameuphere，andfoundjustwhatyousee——Metzerlayingonthebedthere，andthegraysealstuckonhisforehead——
and“——heendedabruptly”I”llhavetheGraySealhimselfbehindthebarsbymorning。”
Achorusofejaculationsrosefromthereporters，whiletheirpencilsworkedfuriously。
ThenJimmieDaleappearedtohaveaninspiration。JimmieDaleturnedaleafinhisnotebookandbegantosketchrapidly，cockinghisheadnowononesidenowontheother。WithafewdeftstrokeshehadoutlinedthefigureofInspectorClayton。ThereporterbesideJimmieDaleleanedovertoinspectthework，andanotherdidlikewise。JimmieDaledrewinClayton”sfacemostexcellently，ifsomewhatflatteringly；andthen，withalittleflourishofpride，wroteunderthedrawing：“TheManWhoCapturedtheGraySeal。”
“That”sacrackinggoodsketch！“pronouncedthereporterathisside。“Lettheinspectorseeit。”
“Whatisit？“demandedClayton，scowling。
JimmieDalehandedhimthenotebookmodestly。
InspectorClaytontookit，lookedatit，lookedatJimmieDale；thenhisscowlrelaxedintoaself-sufficientandpleasedsmile，andhegruntedapprovingly。
“That”sthestufftoputover，“hesaid。“Mabbeyou”renotmuchofareporter，butyoucandraw。Y”reallright，sport——y”reallright。ForgetwhatIsaidtoyouawhileago。”
JimmieDalesmiledtoo——deprecatingly。Andputthenotebookinhispocket。
Anofficerenteredtheroomhurriedly，and，drawingClaytonaside，spokeinanundertone。AtriumphantandmaliciousgrinsettledonClayton”sfeatures，andhestartedwitharushforthedoor。
“Comearoundtoheadquartersintwohours，boys，“hecalledashewentout，“andI”llhavesomethingmoreforyou。”
Theroomcleared，thereporterstumblingdownstairstomakeforthenearesttelephonestogettheir“copy“intotheirrespectiveoffices。
Onthestreet，afewdoorsupfromthehousewheretheywerefreefromthecrowd，CarruthershaltedJimmieDale。
“Jimmie，“hesaidreproachfully，“youcertainlymadeamarkofusboth。Therewasn”tanyneedtoplaythe”cub”soegregiously。
However，I”llforgiveyouforthesakeofthesketch——handitover，Jimmie；I”mgoingtoreproduceitinthefirstedition。”
“Itwasn”tdrawnforreproduction，Carruthers——atleastnotyet，“
saidJimmieDalequietly。
Carruthersstaredathim。“Eh？“heaskedblankly。
“I”vetakenadisliketoClayton，“saidJimmieDalewhimsically。
“He”stoopatentlyafterfreeadvertising，andI”mnotgoingtohelpalonghisboost。Youcan”thaveit，oldman，solet”sthinkaboutsomethingelse。What”lltheydowiththatbitofpaperthat”sonthepoordevil”sforeheadupthere，forinstance。”
“Say，“saidCarruthers，“doesitstrikeyouthatyou”reactingqueer？Youhaven”tbeendrinking，haveyou，Jimmie？“
“What”lltheydowithit？“persistedJimmieDale。
“Well，“saidCarruthers，smilingalittletolerantly，“they”llphotographitandenlargethephotograph，andlabelit”ExhibitA”
or”ExhibitB”orsomethinglikethat——andfileitawayinthearchiveswiththefiftyormorejustlikeitthatarealreadyintheircollection。”
“That”swhatIthought，“observedJimmieDale。HetookCarruthersbythelapelofthecoat。“I”dlikeaphotographofthat。I”dlikeitsomuchthatI”vegottohaveit。Knowthechapthatdoesthatworkforthepolice？“
“Yes，“admittedCarruthers。
“Verygood！“saidJimmieDalecrisply，“Getanextraprintoftheenlargementfromhimthen——foraconsideration——whateverheasks——
I”llpayforit。”
“Butwhatfor？“demandedCarruthers。“Idon”tunderstand。”
“Because，“saidJimmieDaleveryseriously，“putitdowntoimaginationorwhateveryoulike，IthinkIsmellsomethingfishyhere。”
“YouWHAT！“exclaimedCarruthersinamazement。“You”renotjoking，areyou，Jimmie？“
JimmieDalelaughedshortly。“It”ssofarfromajoke，“hesaid，inalowtone，“thatIwantyourwordyou”llgetthatphotographintomyhandsbyto-morrowafternoon，nomatterwhattranspiresinthemeantime。Andlookhere，Carruthers，don”tthinkI”mplayingthesillythickhead，andtryingtomystifyyou。I”mnodetectiveoranythinglikethat。I”vejustgotanideathatapparentlyhasn”toccurredtoanyoneelse——and，ofcourse，Imaybeallwrong。IfI
am，I”mnotgoingtosayawordeventoyou，becauseitwouldn”tbeplayingfairwithsomeoneelse；ifI”mrighttheMORNINGNEWS-ARGUS
getsthebiggestscoopofthecentury。Willyougoinonthatbasis？“
Carruthersputouthishandimpulsively。“Ifyou”reinearnest，Jimmie——youbet！“
“Good！“returnedJimmieDale。“Thephotographbyto-morrowafternoonthen。Andnow”
“Andnow，“saidCaruthers，“I”vegottohurryovertotheofficeandgetawrite-upmanatwork。Willyoucomealong，ormeetmeatheadquarterslater？Claytonsaidintwohourshe”d”
“Neither，“saidJimmieDale。“I”mnotinterestedinheadquarters。
I”mgoinghome。”
“Well，allrightthen，“Carruthersreturned。“Youcanbankonmeforto-morrow。Good-night，Jimmie。”
“Good-night，oldman，“saidJimmieDale，and，turning，walkedbrisklytowardtheBowery。
ButJimmieDaledidnotgohome。HewalkeddowntheBoweryforthreeblocks，crossedtotheeastside，andturneddownacrossstreet。Twoblocksmorehewalkedinthisdirection，andhalfwaydownthenext。Herehepausedaninstant——thestreetwasdimlylighted，almostdark，deserted。JimmieDaleedgedclosetothehousesuntilhisshadowblendedwiththeshadowsofthewalls——andslippedsuddenlyintoapitch-blackareaway。
