Thestillnessoftheemptyhousewasonlybrokenbythehabituallysubduedvoicesofthechildrenattheirplay，whensuddenlytheharshstrokeofadistantbellcamethroughtheopenwindow。ButitwasnoSabbathbell，andMr。Breezeknewit。ItwasthetocsinoftheVigilanceCommittee，summoningthememberstoassembleattheirquartersforacapture，atrial，oranexecutionofsomewrongdoer。Tohimitwasequallyasummonstotheoffice——todistastefulnewsandexcitement。
Hethrewhisproofsasideindisgust，laiddownhispen，seizedhishat，andpausedamomenttolookroundforhisplaymates。Buttheyweregone！Hewentintothehall，lookedintotheopendooroftheirroom，buttheywerenotthere。Hetriedthedoorofthesecondroom，butitwaslocked。
Satisfiedthattheyhadstolendownstairsintheireagernesstoknowwhatthebellmeant，hehurrieddownalso，metRobertsinthepassage，——asingularlyunusualcircumstanceatthathour，——calledtohimtolookaftertherunaways，andhurriedtohisoffice。
Herehefoundthestaffcollected，excitedlydiscussingthenews。
OneoftheVigilanceCommitteeprisoners，anotoriousbullyandruffian，detainedasacriminalandawitness，hadcommittedsuicideinhiscell。Fortunatelythiswasallreportorialwork，andtheservicesofMr。Breezewerenotrequired。Hehurriedback，relieved，tohisroom。
Whenhereachedhislanding，breathlessly，heheardthesamequickrustlehehadheardthatmemorableevening，andwasquitesatisfiedthathesawafigureglideswiftlyoutoftheopendoorofhisroom。Itwasnodoubthisneighbor，whohadbeenseekingherchildren，andasheheardtheirvoicesashepassed，hisuneasinessandsuspicionswereremoved。
Hesatdownagaintohisscatteredpapersandproofs，finishedhiswork，andtookittotheofficeonhiswaytodinner。Hereturnedearly，inthehopethathemightmeethisneighboragain，andhadquitesettledhismindthathewasjustifiedinofferingacivil\"Good-evening\"toher，inspiteofhispreviousrespectfulignoringofherpresence。Shemustcertainlyhavebecomeawarebythistimeofhisattentiontoherchildrenandconsiderationforherself，andcouldnotmistakehismotives。Buthewasdisappointed，althoughhecameupsoftly；hefoundthefloorindarknessandsilenceonhisreturn，andhehadtobecontentwithlightinghisgasandsettlingdowntoworkagain。
Anearchurchclockhadstrucktenwhenhewasstartledbythesoundofanunfamiliaranduncertainstepinthehall，followedbyatapathisdoor。Breezejumpedtohisfeet，andwasastonishedtofindDick，the\"printer\'sdevil，\"standingonthethresholdwitharollofproofsinhishand。
\"Howdidyougethere？\"heaskedtestily。
\"Theytoldmeattherestauranttheyreckonedyoulivedyere，andthenightwatchmanatthedoorheadedmestraightup。WhenheknewwharIkemfromhewantedtoknowwhatthenewswas，butItoldhimhe\'dbetterbuyanextraandsee。\"
\"Well，whatdidyoucomefor？\"saidtheeditorimpatiently。
\"Theforemansaiditwasimportant，andhewantedtoknowaforehewenttopressefthisyercorrectionwasYOURS？\"
Hewenttothetable，unrolledtheproofs，and，takingouttheslip，pointedtoamarkedparagraph。\"Theforemansaysthereporterwhobroughtthenewsallowshegotitstraightfirst-hand！
Butefyou\'vecorrectedit，hereckonsyouknowbest。\"
Breezesawataglancethattheparagraphalludedtowasnotofhisownwriting，butoneofseveralnewsitemsfurnishedbyreporters。
Thesehadbeen\"setup\"inthesame\"galley，\"andconsequentlyappearedinthesameproof-slip。Hewasabouttosaycurtlythatneitherthematternorthecorrectionwashis，whensomethingoddinthecorrectionoftheitemstruckhim。Itreadasfollows：——
\"Itappearsthatthenotorious\'JimBodine，\'whoisinhidingandbadlywantedbytheVigilanceCommittee，hasbeentemptedlatelyintoarenewalofhisoldrecklessness。HewasseeninSacramentoStreettheothernightbytwoseparatewitnesses，oneofwhomfollowedhim，butheescapedinsomefriendlydoorway。\"
Thewords\"inSacramentoStreet\"werestrickenoutandreplacedbythecorrection\"ontheSaucelitoshore，\"andthewords\"friendlydoorway\"werechangedto\"friendlydinghy。\"Thecorrectionwasnothis，northehandwriting，whichwasfurtherdisguisedbybeinganimitationofprint。Astrangeideaseizedhim。
\"HasanyoneseentheseproofssinceIleftthemattheoffice？\"
\"No，onlytheforeman，sir。\"
Herememberedthathehadlefttheproofslyingopenlyonhistablewhenhewascalledtotheofficeatthestrokeofthealarmbell；
herememberedthefigurehesawglidingfromhisroomonhisreturn。Shehadbeentherealonewiththeproofs；sheonlycouldhavetamperedwiththem。
TheevidentobjectofthecorrectionwastodirectthepublicattentionfromSacramentoStreettoSaucelito，astheprobablewhereaboutsofthis\"JimmyBodine。\"ThestreetbelowwasSacramentoStreet，the\"friendlydoorway\"mighthavebeentheirown。
ThatshehadsomeknowledgeofthisBodinewasnotmoreimprobablethantheballetstory。Herstrangeabsences，themysterysurroundingher，allseemedtotestifythatshehadsomeconnection——perhapsonlyaninnocentone——withthesedesperatepeoplewhomtheVigilanceCommitteewerehuntingdown。Herattempttosavethemanwas，afterall，nomoreillegalthantheirattempttocapturehim。True，shemighthavetrustedhim，Breeze，withoutthistamperingwithhispapers；yetperhapsshethoughthewascertaintodiscoverit——anditwasonlyasilentappealtohismercy。Thecorrectionswereingeniousandnatural——itwastheactofanintelligent，quick-wittedwoman。
Mr。Breezewaspromptinactinguponhisintuition，whetherrightorwrong。Hetookuphispen，wroteonthemarginoftheproof，\"Printascorrected，\"saidtotheboycarelessly，\"Thecorrectionsareallright，\"anddismissedhimquickly。
Thecorrectedparagraphwhichappearedinthe\"Informer\"thenextmorningseemedtoattractlittlepublicattention，thegreaterexcitementbeingthesuicideoftheimprisonedbullyandtheeffectitmighthaveupontheprosecutionofothersuspectedparties，againstwhomthedeadmanhadbeenexpectedtobearwitness。
Mr。BreezewasunabletoobtainanyinformationregardingthedesperadoBodine\'sassociatesandrelations；hiscorrectionoftheparagraphhadmadetheothermembersofthestaffbelievehehadsecretandsuperiorinformationregardingthefugitive，andhethuswasestoppedfromaskingquestions。ButhefelthimselfjustifiednowindemandingfullerinformationfromRobertsattheearliestopportunity。
Forthispurposehecamehomeearlierthatnight，hopingtofindthenightwatchmanstillonhisfirstbeatinthelowerhalls。Buthewasdisappointed。Hewasamazed，however，onreachinghisownlanding，tofindthepassagepiledwithnewluggage，someofthatrudertypeofrolledblanketandknapsackknownasa\"miner\'skit。\"
Hewasstillmoresurprisedtohearmen\'svoicesandthesoundoflaughterproceedingfromtheroomthatwasalwayslocked。Asuddensenseofuneasinessanddisgust，heknewnotwhy，cameoverhim。
Hepassedquicklyintohisroom，shutthedoorsharply，andlitthegas。Buthepresentlyheardthedoorofthelockedroomopen，aman\'svoice，slightlyelevatedbyliquorandopposition，saying，\"I
knowwhat\'sduefromonegen\'lemanto\'nother\"——aquerulous，objectingvoicesaying，\"Holeon！notnow，\"andafainterfeminineprotest，allofwhichwerefollowedbyaraponhisdoor。
Breezeopenedittotwostrangers，oneofwhomlurchedforwardunsteadilywithoutstretchedhand。Hehadahandsomefaceandfigure，andacertainconsciousnessofitevenintheabandonofliquor；hehadanaggressivetreacherousnessofeyewhichhispotationshadnotsubdued。HegraspedBreeze\'shandtightly，butdroppeditthenextmomentperfunctorilyasheglancedroundtheroom。
\"ItoldthemIwasboundtocomein，\"hesaid，withoutlookingatBreeze，\"andsay\'Howdy！\'tothemanthat\'sbinapaltomywomenfolksandthekids——andactedwhiteallthrough！IsaidtoMame，\'IreckonHEknowswhoIam，andthatIkinbehigh-tonedtothemthat\'shigh-toned；kinreturnshakeforshakeandshotforshot！\'
Aye！that\'sme！SoIwasboundtocomeinlikeagen\'leman，sir，andhereIam！\"
HethrewhimselfinanunprofferedchairandstaredatBreeze。
\"I\'mafraid，\"saidBreezedryly，\"that，nevertheless，Ineverknewwhoyouwere，andthatevennowIamignorantwhomIamaddressing。\"
\"That\'sjustit，\"saidthesecondman，withaquerulousprotest，whichdidnot，however，concealhisadmiringvassalagetohisfriend；\"that\'swhatI\'mallustellingJim。\'Jim，\'Isays，\'howisfolkstoknowyou\'rethemanthatshotKernelBaxter，anddroppedthreeo\'themMariposaVigilants？Theydidn\'tseeyoudoit！Theyjustlookatyourfancystyleandthemmustachesofyours，andallowyemightbedeathonthegirls，buttheydon\'tknowye！An\'
thismanyere——he\'sascribeinthempapers——writeswhatthebosseditortellshim，andlivesupyereontheroof，\'longsideyerwifeandthechildren——what\'sheknowin\'aboutYOU？\'Jim\'sallrightenough，\"hecontinued，ineasyconfidencetoBreeze，\"buthe\'stoofresh\'bouthimself。\"
Mr。JamesBodineacceptedthistributeandcriticismofhishenchmanwithacomplacentlaugh，whichwasnot，however，withoutacertaincontemptforthespeakerandthemanspokento。Hisbold，selfisheyeswanderedroundtheroomasifinsearchofsomeotheramusementthanhiscompanionsoffered。
\"Ireckonthisistheroomwhichthathoundofalandlord，Rakes，allowedhe\'dfixupforourpokerclub——theclubthatDanSimmonsandmegotup，withafewothersports。Itwastobeaslap-upaffair，rightundertheroof，wheretherewasnochanceofthepoliceraidingus。ButthecurweakenedwhentheVigilantsstartedouttomakewaronanygameagen\'lemanmighthevthatwasn\'tintheirgummy-bag，saltporktrade。Well，it\'sgettin\'alongtimebetweendrinks，gen\'lemen，ain\'tit？\"Helookedroundhimsignificantly。
Onlythethoughtofthewomanandherchildreninthenextroom，andtheshamethathebelievedshewasenduring，enabledBreezetokeephistemperorevenashowofcivility。
\"I\'mafraid，\"hesaidquietly，\"thatyou\'llfindverylittleheretoremindyouoftheclub——noteventhewhiskey；forIusetheroomonlyasabedroom，andasIamaworkingman，andcomeinlateandgooutearly，Ihaveneverfounditavailableforhospitality，eventomyintimatefriends。Iamveryglad，however，thatthelittleleisureIhavehadinithasenabledmetomakethefloorlesslonelyforyourchildren。\"
Mr。Bodinegotupwithanaffectedyawn，turnedanembarrassedyetdarkeningeyeonBreeze，andlungedunsteadilytothedoor。\"AndasIonlyhappenedintodothereg\'larthingbetweenhigh-tonedgen\'lemen，Ireckonwekinsay\'Quits。\'\"Hegaveacoarselaugh，said\"Solong，\"nodded，stumbledintothepassage，andthenceintotheotherroom。
Hiscompanionwatchedhimpassoutwitharelievedyetprotectingair，andthen，closingthedoorsoftly，drewnearertoBreeze，andsaidinhuskyconfidence，——
\"Yeain\'tseein\'himathisbest，mister！He\'sbindrinkin\'toomuch，andthisyernewshasupsethim。\"
\"Whatnews？\"askedBreeze。
\"Thisyersuicideo\'IrishJack！\"
\"Washehisfriend？\"
\"Friend？\"ejaculatedtheman，horrifiedatthemeresuggestion。
\"Notmuch！Why，IrishJackwastheonlymanthatcouldhevhungJim！Nowhe\'sdead，incoursetheVigilantsain\'tgotnoproofaginJim。Jimwantstofaceitoutnowan\'stayhere，buthiswifeandmedon\'tseeitnoways！Sowearetakingadvantageo\'thelullaginhimtogethimoffdownthecoastthisverynight。That\'swhyhe\'sbeenoffhisheaddrinkin\'。Yesee，whenamanhasbeenforweekshidin\'——parto\'thetimeinthatroomandparto\'thetimeonthewharf，wherethemVigilantshasbeenwatchin\'everyshipthatleftinordertoketchhim，he\'sinclinedtocelebratehischanceo\'gettingaway\"——
\"Partofthetimeinthatroom？\"interruptedBreezequickly。
\"Sartin！Don\'tyesee？Healluskeminasyouwentout——sabe！——
andgotawaybeforeyoukemback，hiswifeallthetimejusta-
hoverin\'betweenthetwoplaces，andkeepingwatchforhim。Itwaskillin\'toher，yousee，forshewasn\'tbroughtuptoit，whilesJimdidn\'tkeer——hadtworevolversandkalkilatedtokilladozenVigilantsaforehedropped。Butthat\'sovernow，andwhenI\'vegothimsafeonthat\'plunger\'downatthewharfto-night，andputhimaboardtheschoonerthat\'slyingofftheHeads，he\'sallrightagin。\"
\"AndRobertsknewallthisandwasoneofhisfriends？\"askedBreeze。
\"Robertsknewit，andRoberts\'swifeusedtobeakindofservanttoJim\'swifeintheSouth，whenshewasagirl，butIdon\'tknowezRobertsishisFRIEND！\"
\"Hecertainlyhasshownhimselfone，\"saidBreeze。
\"Ye-e-s，\"saidthestrangermeditatively，\"ye-e-s。\"Hestopped，openedthedoorsoftly，andpeepedout，andthencloseditagainsoftly。\"It\'ssing\'lar，Mr。Breeze，\"hewentoninasuddenyetembarrassedburstofconfidence，\"thatJimthar——amanthetcanshootstraight，andhezfrequent；amanthetknowseveryskingamegoin\'——thatTHETmanJim，\"veryslowly，\"hezn\'treally——got——anyfriends——\'ceptme——andhiswife。\"
\"Indeed？\"saidMr。Breezedryly。
\"Sure！Why，youyourselfdidn\'tcottontohim——IcouldseeTHET。\"
Mr。Breezefelthimselfreddenslightly，andlookedcuriouslyattheman。Thisvulgarparasite，whomhehadsetdownasaworshiperofshamheroes，undoubtedlydidnotlooklikeanassociateofBodine\'s，andhadacertainseriousnessthatdemandedrespect。Ashelookedcloserintohiswide，roundface，seamedwithsmall-pox，hefanciedhesaweveninitsfatuousimbecilitysomethingofthathauntingdevotionhehadseenontherefinedfeaturesofthewife。
Hesaidmoregently，——
\"Butonefriendlikeyouwouldseemtobeenough。\"
\"Iain\'twhatIusterbe，Mr。Breeze，\"saidthemanmeditatively，\"andmebbeyedon\'tknowwhoIam。I\'mAbeShuckster，ofShuckster\'sRanch——oneofthebiggestinPetalumy。Iwasarichmanuntilayearago，whenJimgotintertrouble。Whatwithmortgagesandinterest，payin\'upJim\'sfriendsandbuyingoffsomeezwassetaginhim，tharain\'tmuchleft，andwhenI\'vesettledthatbillfortheschoonerlyingofftheHeadsthereIreckonI\'maboutplayedout。ButI\'veallusashantyatPetalumy，andmebbewhenthingsisfrozeoverandJimgetsback——you\'llcomeandseehim——foryouain\'tseenhimathisbest。\"
\"Isupposehiswifeandchildrengowithhim？\"saidBreeze。
\"No！He\'saginit，andwantsthemtocomelater。Butthat\'sallright，foryouseeshekingobacktotheirownhouseattheMission，nowthattheVigilantsaregivin\'upshadderin\'it。Solong，Mr。Breeze！We\'restartin\'aforedaylight。Sorryyoudidn\'tseeJimincondition。\"
HegraspedBreeze\'shandwarmlyandslippedoutofthedoorsoftly。
ForaninstantMr。Breezefeltinclinedtofollowhimintotheroomandmakeakinderadieutothepair，butthereflectionthathemightembarrassthewife，who，itwouldseem，hadpurposelyavoidedaccompanyingherhusbandwhenheentered，withheldhim。Andforthelastfewminuteshehadbeendoubtfulifhehadanyrighttoposeasherfriend。Besidethedevotionofthemanwhohadjustlefthim，hisownscantkindnesstoherchildrenseemedridiculous。
Hewenttobed，buttosseduneasilyuntilhefanciedheheardstealthyfootstepsoutsidehisdoorandinthepassage。Eventhenhethoughtofgettingup，dressing，andgoingouttobidfarewelltothefugitives。Butevenwhilehewasthinkingofithefellasleepanddidnotwakeuntilthesunwasshininginathiswindows。
Hesprangtohisfeet，threwonhisdressing-gown，andpeeredintothepassage。Everythingwassilent。Hesteppedoutside——thelightstreamedintothehallfromtheopendoorsandwindowsofbothrooms——thefloorwasempty；notatraceoftheformeroccupantsremained。Hewasturningbackwhenhiseyefelluponthebatteredwoodendollsetuprightagainsthisdoorjamb，holdingstifflyinitsjointedarmsabitofpaperfoldedlikeanote。Openingit，hefoundafewlineswritteninpencil。
Godblessyouforyourkindnesstous，andtrytoforgivemefortouchingyourpapers。ButIthoughtthatyouwoulddetectit，knowWHYIdidit，andthenhelpus，asyoudid！Good-by！
MAMIEBODINE。
Mr。Breezelaiddownthepaperwithaslightaccessionofcolor，asifitspurporthadbeenironical。Howlittlehadhedonecomparedtothedevotionofthisdelicatewomanorthesacrificesofthatroughfriend！Howdesertedlookedthisnestundertheeaves，whichhadsolongborneitsburdenofguilt，innocence，shame，andsuffering！Formanydaysafterwardsheavoideditexceptatnight，andeventhenheoftenfoundhimselflyingawaketolistentothelostvoicesofthechildren。
Butoneevening，afortnightlater，hecameuponRobertsinthehall。\"Well，\"saidBreeze，withabruptdirectness，\"didhegetaway？\"
Robertsstarted，utteredanoathwhichitispossibletheRecordingAngelpassedtohiscredit，andsaid，\"Yes，HEgotawayallright！\"
\"Why，hasn\'thiswifejoinedhim？\"
\"No。Never，inthisworld，Ireckon；andifanywhereinthenext，Idon\'twanttogothere！\"saidRobertsfuriously。
\"Ishedead？\"
\"Dead？Thatkinddon\'tdie！\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
Roberts\'slipswrithed，andthen，withastrongeffort，hesaidwithdeliberatedistinctness，\"Imean——thatthehoundwentoffwithanotherwoman——that——was——in——thatschooner，andleftthatfoolShucksteradriftintheplunger。\"
\"Andthewifeandchildren？\"
\"ShuckstersoldhisshantyatPetalumatopaytheirpassagetotheStates。Good-night！\"
HOWREUBENALLEN\"SAWLIFE\"INSANFRANCISCO
ThejuniorpartnerofthefirmofSparlow&Kane，\"DruggistsandApothecaries，\"ofSanFrancisco，wasgazingmeditativelyoutofthecornerofthewindowoftheirlittleshopinDupontStreet。HecouldseethedimlylitperspectiveofthenarrowthoroughfarefadeoffintothelevelsandwastesofMarketStreetontheoneside，andplungeintothehalf-excavatedbulkofTelegraphHillontheother。HecouldseetheglowandheartherumbleofMontgomeryStreet——thegreatcentralavenuefartherdownthehill。Abovethehousetopswasspreadthewarmblanketofsea-fogunderwhichthecitywasregularlylaidtosleepeverysummernighttothecoollullabyoftheNorthwestTrades。Itwasalreadyhalf-pasteleven；
footstepsonthewoodenpavementweregettingrarerandmoreremote；thelastcarthadrumbledby；theshutterswereupalongthestreet；theglareofhisownredandbluejarswastheonlybeaconlefttoguidethewayfarers。Ordinarilyhewouldhavebeengoinghomeatthishour，whenhispartner，whooccupiedthesurgeryandasmallbedroomattherearoftheshop，alwaysreturnedtorelievehim。Thatnight，however，aprofessionalvisitwoulddetainthe\"Doctor\"untilhalf-pasttwelve。Therewasstillanhourtowait。Hefeltdrowsy；themysteriousincenseoftheshop，thatcombinedessenceofdrugs，spice，scentedsoap，andorrisroot——whichalwaysremindedhimoftheArabianNights——wasaffectinghim。Heyawned，andthen，turningaway，passedbehindthecounter，tookdownajarlabeled\"Glycyrr。Glabra，\"selectedapieceofSpanishlicorice，andmeditativelysuckedit。Notreceivingfromitthatdiversionandsustenanceheapparentlywasseeking，healsovisited，inanequallyfamiliarmanner，ajarmarked\"Jujubes，\"andreturnedruminatinglytohispreviousposition。
IfIhavenotinthisincidentsufficientlyestablishedtheyouthfulnessofthejuniorpartner，Imayaddbrieflythathewasjustnineteen，thathehadearlyjoinedtheemigrationtoCalifornia，andafteroneortwopreviouslight-heartedessaysatotheroccupations，forwhichhewassingularlyunfitted，hehadsavedenoughtoembarkonhispresentventure，stilllesssuitedtohistemperament。Inthoseadventurousdaystradesandvocationswerenotalwaysfilledbytrainedworkmen；itwasextremelyprobablethattheexperiencedchemistwasalreadymakinghissuccessasagold-miner，withalawyerandaphysicianforhispartners，andMr。Kane\'sinexperiencedpositionwasbynomeansanovelone。AslightknowledgeofLatinasawrittenlanguage，anAmericanschoolboy\'sacquaintancewithchemistryandnaturalphilosophy，weredeemedsufficientbyhispartner，aregularphysician，forpracticalcooperationinthevendingofdrugsandputtingupofprescriptions。Heknewthedifferencebetweenacidsandalkaliesandthepeculiarresultswhichattendedtheirincautiouscombination。Buthewasexcessivelydeliberate，painstaking，andcautious。Thelegendwhichadornedthedeskatthecounter，\"Physicians\'prescriptionscarefullyprepared，\"wasmorethanusuallytrueasregardedtheadverb。Therewasnodangerofhispoisoninganybodythroughhasteorcarelessness，butitwaspossiblethatanurgent\"case\"mighthavesuccumbedtothediseasewhilehewasputtinguptheremedy。Norwashiscautionentirelypassive。Inthosedaysthe\"heroic\"practiceofmedicinewasinkeepingwiththeabnormaldevelopmentofthecountry；therewere\"record\"dosesofcalomelandquinine，andhehadonceortwiceincurredthefuryoflocalpractitionersbysendingbacktheirprescriptionswithamodestquery。
Thefar-offclatterofcarriagewheelspresentlyarrestedhisattention；lookingdownthestreet，hecouldseethelightsofahackneycarriageadvancingtowardshim。Theyhadalreadyflashedupontheopencrossingablockbeyondbeforehisvaguecuriositychangedintoanactiveinstinctivepresentimentthattheywerecomingtotheshop。Hewithdrewtoamorebecominganddignifiedpositionbehindthecounterasthecarriagedrewupwithajerkbeforethedoor。
Thedriverrolledfromhisboxandopenedthecarriagedoortoawomanwhomheassisted，betweensomehystericalexclamationsonherpartandsomeequallyincoherentexplanationsofhisown，intotheshop。Kanesawataglancethatbothwereundertheinfluenceofliquor，andone，thewoman，wasdisheveledandbleedingaboutthehead。Yetshewaselegantlydressedandevidentlyenfete，withoneortwo\"tricolor\"knotsandribbonsmingledwithherfinery。
Hergoldenhair，mattedanddarkenedwithblood，hadpartlyescapedfromherFrenchbonnetandhungheavilyoverhershoulders。Thedriver，whowassupportingherroughly，andwithafamiliaritythatwaspartoftheincongruousspectacle，wasthefirsttospeak。
\"MadameleBlank！yeknow！GotcutabouttheheaddownatthefeteatSouthPark！Triedtodanceuponthetable，androlledoveronsomechampagnebottles。See？Wantsplasteringup！\"
\"Ahbrute！Hog！Nozzingofzekine！Whywillyoulie？Idance！
Zecowards，fools，traitorszereupsetzetableandIfall。Iamcut！Ah，myGod，howIamcut！\"
Shestoppedsuddenlyandlapsedheavilyagainstthecounter。AtwhichKanehurriedaroundtosupportherintothesurgerywiththeonefixedideainhisbewilderedmindofgettingheroutoftheshop，and，suggestively，intothedomainandundertheresponsibilityofhispartner。Thehackman，apparentlyrelievedandwashinghishandsofanyfurthercomplicityinthematter，noddedandsmiled，andsaying，\"IreckonI\'llwaitoutside，pardner，\"retreatedincontinentlytohisvehicle。ToaddtoKane\'shalf-ludicrousembarrassmentthefairpatientherselfslightlyresistedhissupport，accusedthehackmanof\"abandoningher，\"anddemandedifKaneknew\"zeereasonofzeesaffair，\"yetshepresentlylapsedagainintothelargereclining-chairwhichhehadwheeledforward，withopenmouth，half-shuteyes，andastrangePierrettemaskofface，combinedofthepalloroffaintnessandchalk，andtherougeofpaintandblood。AtwhichKane\'scautiousnessagainembarrassedhim。Alittlebrandyfromthebottlelabeled\"ViniGalli\"seemedtobeindicated，buthisinexperiencecouldnotdetermineifherrelaxationwasfrombloodlessnessorthereactingdepressionofalcohol。Inthisdilemmahechoseamediumcourse，witharomaticspiritsofammonia，andmixingadilutedquantityinameasuring-glass，poureditbetweenherwhitelips。Astart，astruggle，acough——avolleyofimprecatoryFrench，andtheknockingoftheglassfromhishandfollowed——butshecameto！Hequicklyspongedherheadofthehalf-coagulatedblood，andremovedafewfragmentsofglassfromalonglacerationofthescalp。Theshockofthecoldwaterandtheappearanceoftheensanguinedbasinfrightenedherintoamomentarypassivity。ButwhenKanefounditnecessarytocutherhairintheregionofthewoundinordertoapplytheadhesiveplaster，sheagainendeavoredtoriseandgraspthescissors。
\"You\'llbleedtodeathifyou\'renotquiet，\"saidtheyoungmanwithdoggedgravity。
Somethinginhismannerimpressedherintosilenceagain。Hecutwholelocksawayruthlessly；hewasdeterminedtodrawtheedgesofthewoundtogetherwiththestripofplasterandstopthebleeding——
ifhecroppedthewholehead。Hisexcessivecautionforherphysicalconditiondidnotextendtohersuperficialadornment。
Heryellowtresseslayonthefloor，herneckandshouldersweresaturatedwithwaterfromthespongewhichhecontinuallyapplied，untiltheheatedstripsofplasterhadclosedthewoundalmosthermetically。Shewhimpered，tearsrandownhercheeks；butsolongasitwasnotbloodtheyoungmanwassatisfied。
Inthemidstofitheheardtheshopdooropen，andpresentlythesoundofrappingonthecounter。Anothercustomer！
Mr。Kanecalledout，\"Waitamoment，\"andcontinuedhisministrations。
Afterapausetherappingrecommenced。Kanewasjustsecuringthelaststripofplasterandpreservedapreoccupiedsilence。Thenthedoorflewopenabruptlyandafigureappearedimpatientlyonthethreshold。Itwasthatofaminerrecentlyreturnedfromthegolddiggings——sorecentlythatheevidentlyhadnothadtimetochangehisclothesathisadjacenthotel，andstoodthereinhishighboots，ducktrousers，andflannelshirt，overwhichhiscoatwasslunglikeahussar\'sjacketfromhisshoulder。Kanewouldhaveutteredanindignantprotestattheintrusion，hadnottheintruderhimselfasquicklyrecoiledwithanastonishmentandcontritionthatwasbeyondtheeffectofanyreproval。Heliterallygaspedatthespectaclebeforehim。Ahandsomelydressedwomanreclininginachair；laceandjewelryandribbonsdependingfromhersaturatedshoulders；tressesofgoldenhairfillingherlapandlyingonthefloor；apailofruddywaterandaspongeatherfeet，andapaleyoungmanbendingoverherheadwithaspiritlampandstripsofyellowplaster！
\"\'Scuseme，pard！Iwasjustdroppingin；don\'tyouhurry！Ikinwait，\"hestammered，fallingback，andthenthedoorclosedabruptlybehindhim。
Kanegathereduptheshornlocks，wipedthefaceandneckofhispatientwithacleantowelandhisownhandkerchief，threwhergorgeousoperacloakoverhershoulders，andassistedhertorise。
Shedidso，weaklybutobediently；shewasevidentlystunnedandcowedinsomemysteriouswaybyhismaterialattitude，perhaps，orhersuddenrealizationofherposition；atleastthecontrastbetweenheraggressiveentranceintotheshopandhersubduedpreparationforherdeparturewassoremarkablethatitaffectedevenKane\'spreoccupation。
\"There，\"hesaid，slightlyrelaxinghisseveredemeanorwithanencouragingsmile，\"Ithinkthiswilldo；we\'vestoppedthebleeding。Itwillprobablysmartalittleastheplastersetscloser。Icansendmypartner，Dr。Sparlow，toyouinthemorning。\"
Shelookedathimcuriouslyandwithastrangesmile。\"AndzeesDoctorSparrlow——eezhelikeyou，M\'sieu？\"
\"Heisolder，andverywellknown，\"saidtheyoungmanseriously。
\"Icansafelyrecommendhim。\"
\"Ah，\"sherepeated，withapensivesmilewhichmadeKanethinkherquitepretty。\"Ah——heezolder——yourDoctorSparrlow——butYOUarestrong，M\'sieu。\"
\"And，\"saidKanevaguely，\"hewilltellyouwhattodo。\"
\"Ah，\"sherepeatedagainsoftly，withthesamesmile，\"hewilltellmewhattodoifIshallnotknowmyself。Datezgood。\"
Kanehadalreadywrappedhershornlocksinapieceofspotlesswhitepaperandtieditupwithnarrowwhiteribboninthedaintyfashiondeartodruggists\'clerks。Ashehandedittohershefeltinherpocketandproducedahandfulofgold。
\"WhatshallIpayforzees，M\'sieu？\"
Kanereddenedalittle——solelybecauseofhisslowarithmeticalfaculties。Adhesiveplasterwascheap——hewouldliketohavechargedproportionatelyfortheexactamounthehadused；butthedivisionwasbeyondhim！Andhelackedthetrader\'sinstinct。
\"Twenty-fivecents，Ithink，\"hehazardedbriefly。
Shestarted，butsmiledagain。\"Twenty-fivecentsforallzees——zemedicine，zestripsforzehead，zehaircut\"——sheglancedatthepaperparcelhehadgivenher——\"itisonlytwenty-fivecents？\"
\"That\'sall。\"
Heselectedfromheroutstretchedpalm，withsomedifficulty，theexactamount，thesmallestcoinitheld。Sheagainlookedathimcuriously——halfconfusedly——andmovedslowlyintotheshop。Theminer，whowasstillthere，retreatedasbeforewithagaspinglyapologeticgesture——evenflatteninghimselfagainstthewindowtogivehersweepingsilkflouncesfreerpassage。Asshepassedintothestreetwitha\"Merci，M\'sieu，gooda\'night，\"andthehackmanstartedfromthevehicletoreceiveher，theminerdrewalongbreath，andbringinghisfistdownuponthecounter，ejaculated，——
\"B\'gosh！She\'sastunner！\"
Kane，agooddealrelievedatherdepartureandthesuccessofhisministration，smiledbenignly。
Thestrangeragainstaredaftertheretreatingcarriage，lookedaroundtheshop，andevenintothedesertedsurgery，andapproachedthecounterconfidentially。\"Lookyer，pardner。IkemstraightfromSt。Jo，Mizzorri，toGoldHill——wharI\'vegotaclaim——andI
reckonthisisthefirsttimeIeverstruckSanFrancisker。I
ain\'tuptotownywaysnohow，andIallowthatmebbeI\'mrathergreen。Sowe\'llletthatpass！Nowlookyer！\"headded，leaningoverthecounterwithstilldeeperandevenmysteriousconfidence，\"Isupposethisyerkindo\'thingistheregulargohere，eh？
nothin\'newtoYOU！incourseno！Buttome，pard，it\'sjustfetchin\'me！Liftsmeclearoutermybootseverytime！Why，whenIpoppedintothattharroom，andsawthatlady——allgold，furbelows，andspangles——attwelveo\'clockatnight，sittin\'inthatcheerandyoua-cuttin\'herh\'randswabbin\'herheado\'
blood，andkinderprospectin\'for\'indications，\'sotospeak，anddoin\'itsokamandindifferentlike，Iseztomyself，\'Rube，Rube，\'sezI，\'thisyer\'slife！citylife！SanFranciskerlife！andb\'gosh，you\'vedroppedintoit！Now，pard，lookyar！don\'tyouanswer，yeknow，efitain\'tsquareandaboveboardformetoknow；
Iain\'taskin\'youtogivetheshowaway，yeknow，inthematterofhigh-tonedladieslikethat，but\"（verymysteriously，andsinkinghisvoicetothelowestconfidentialpitch，asheputhishandtohisearasiftocatchthehushedreply），\"whatmouthevbinhappening，pard？\"
Considerablyamusedattheman\'ssimplicity，Kanerepliedgood-
humoredly：\"Dancedamongsomechampagnebottlesonatableataparty，fellandgotcutbyglass。\"
Thestrangernoddedhisheadslowlyandapprovinglyasherepeatedwithinfinitedeliberateness：\"Dancedonchampagnebottles，champagne！yousaid，pard？atapahty！Yes！\"（musinglyandapprovingly）。\"Ireckonthat\'saboutthegaittheytake。SHE\'Ddoit。\"
\"IsthereanythingIcandoforyou？sorrytohavekeptyouwaiting，\"saidKane，glancingattheclock。
\"OME！Lord！yeneedn\'tmindme。Why，Ishouldwaitforanythin\'
o\'thelikeo\'that，andbejustproudtodoit！Andyesee，I
sorterhelpedmyselfwhileyouwarbusy。\"
\"Helpedyourself？\"saidKaneinastonishment。
\"Yes，outerthatbottle。\"Hepointedtotheammoniabottle，whichstillstoodonthecounter。\"Itseemedtobehandyandpopular。\"
\"Man！youmighthavepoisonedyourself。\"
Thestrangerpausedamomentattheidea。\"SoImout，Ireckon，\"
hesaidmusingly，\"that\'sso！pizinedmyselfjestezyouwaslookin\'arterthathigh-tonedcase，andkinderbotheredyou！It\'slikeme！\"
\"Imeanitrequireddiluting；yououghttohavetakenitinwater，\"
saidKane。
\"Ireckon！ItDIDsorterh\'istmeovertothedoorforalittlefreshairatfirst！seemedraytherscaldytothelips。ButwotofitthatGOTTHAR，\"heputhishandgravelytohisstomach，\"didmepow\'fulgood。\"
\"Whatwasthematterwithyou？\"askedKane。
\"Well，yesee，pard\"（confidentiallyagain），\"Ireckonit\'ssuthin\'
alongo\'myheart。Timesitgetstopoundin\'awaylikeaquartzstamp，andthenitstopssuddentlike，andkinderleavesMEouttoo。\"
Kanelookedathimmoreattentively。Hewasastrong，powerfullybuiltmanwithacomplexionthatbetrayednothingmoreseriousthantheeffectsofminingcookery。Itwasevidentlyacommoncaseofindigestion。
\"Idon\'tsayitwouldnothavedoneyousomegoodifproperlyadministered，\"hereplied。\"IfyoulikeI\'llputupadilutedquantityanddirections？\"
\"That\'sme，everytime，pardner！\"saidthestrangerwithanaccentofrelief。\"Andlookyer，don\'tyoustopatthat！Yejustputmeupsomesampleslikeofanythin\'youthinkmoutbelikelytohit。
I\'llgoinforafairshow，andthenmeanderineverynowandthen，betwixttimes，toletyouknow。Yedon\'tmindmydriftinginhere，doye？It\'saboutezlikelyaplaceezIstrucksinceI\'velefttheSacramentoboat，andmyhotel，justroundthecorner。Yejustsamplemeabito\'everythin\'；don\'tmindtheexpense。I\'lltakeYOURwordforit。Thewayyou——ayoungfellow——jeststucktoyourworkinthar，coolandkamasawoodpecker——notmindinghowhigh-
tonedshewas——northejeweleryandspanglesshehadon——jestgotme！Iseztomyself，\'Rube，\'sezI，\'whatever\'swrongo\'YOUR
insides，youjeststicktothatfellertosetyeright。\'\"
Thejuniorpartner\'sfacereddenedasheturnedtohisshelvesostensiblyforconsultation。Consciousofhisinexperience，thehomelypraiseofeventhisignorantmanwasnotungrateful。Hefelt，too，thathistreatmentoftheFrenchwoman，thoughsuccessful，mightnotbeconsideredremunerativefromabusinesspointofviewbyhispartner。Heaccordinglyacteduponthesuggestionofthestrangerandputuptwoorthreespecificsfordyspepsia。Theywerereceivedwithgratefulalacrityandthecasualdisplayofconsiderablegoldinthestranger\'spocketintheprocessofpayment。Hewasevidentlyasuccessfulminer。
Afterbestowingthebottlescarefullyabouthisperson，heagainleanedconfidentiallytowardsKane。\"Ireckonofcourseyouknowthishigh-tonedlady，beinginthewayofseein\'thatkindo\'
folks。Isupposeyouwon\'tmindtellingme，ezastranger。But\"
（headdedhastily，withadeprecatorywaveofhishand），\"perhapsyewould。\"
Mr。Kane，infact，hadhesitated。HeknewvaguelyandbyreportthatMadameleBlancwastheproprietressofafamousrestaurant，overwhichshehadroomswhereprivategamblingwascarriedontoagreatextent。Itwasalsoallegedthatshewasprotectedbyafamousgamblerandasomewhatnotoriousbully。Mr。Kane\'scautionsuggestedthathehadnorighttoexposethereputationofhischancecustomer。Hewassilent。
Thestranger\'sfacebecameintenselysympatheticandapologetic。
\"Isee！——notanotherword，pard！Itain\'tthesquarethingtobegivin\'heraway，andIoughtn\'ttohevasked。Well——solong！I
reckonI\'lljestdriftbacktothehotel。Iain\'tbeeninSanFranciskermor\'\'nthreehours，andIcalkilate，pard，thatI\'vejestseenaboutezsquareasampleofhigh-tonedlifeasfellersezhazbinhereayear。Well，hastermanyanner——eztheGreaserssay。
I\'llbedroppin\'into-morrow。Myname\'sReubenAlleno\'Mariposa。
Iknowyours；it\'sonthesign，anditain\'tSparlow。\"
Hecastanotherlingeringglancearoundtheshop，asifloathtoleaveit，andthenslowlysaunteredoutofthedoor，pausinginthestreetamoment，intheglareoftheredlight，beforehefadedintodarkness。Withoutknowingexactlywhy，KanehadaninstinctthatthestrangerknewnooneinSanFrancisco，andafterleavingtheshopwasgoingintouttersilenceandobscurity。
AfewmomentslaterDr。Sparlowreturnedtorelievehisweariedpartner。Apushing，activeman，helistenedimpatientlytoKane\'saccountofhisyouthfulpracticewithMadameleBlanc，without，however，dwellingmuchonhismethods。\"Yououghttohavechargedhermore，\"theeldersaiddecisively。\"She\'dhavepaidit。SheonlycameherebecauseshewasashamedtogotoabigshopinMontgomeryStreet——andshewon\'tcomeagain。\"
\"Butshewantsyoutoseeherto-morrow，\"urgedKane，\"andItoldheryouwould！\"
\"Yousayitwasonlyasuperficialcut？\"queriedthedoctor，\"andyouclosedit？Umph！whatcanshewanttoseeMEfor？\"Hepaidmoreattention，however，tothecaseofthestranger，Allen。\"Whenhecomeshereagain，managetoletmeseehim。\"Mr。Kanepromised，yetforsomeindefinablereasonhewenthomethatnightnotquiteaswellsatisfiedwithhimself。
Hewasmuchmoreconcernedthenextmorningwhen，afterrelievingthedoctorforhisregularmorningvisits，hewasstartledanhourlaterbytheabruptreturnofthatgentleman。Hisfacewasmarkedbysomeexcitementandanxiety，whichneverthelessstruggledwiththatsenseoftheludicrouswhichCaliforniansinthosedaysimportedintomostsituationsofperplexityorcatastrophe。
Puttinghishandsdeeplyintohistrouserspockets，heconfrontedhisyouthfulpartnerbehindthecounter。
\"HowmuchdidyouchargethatFrench-woman？\"hesaidgravely。
\"Twenty-fivecents，\"saidKanetimidly。
\"Well，I\'dgiveitbackandaddtwohundredandfiftydollarsifshehadneverenteredtheshop。\"
\"What\'sthematter？\"
\"Herheadwillbe——andamassofit，inaday，Ireckon！Why，man，youputenoughplasteronittoclotheandpaperthedomeoftheCapitol！Youdrewherscalptogethersothatshecouldn\'tshuthereyeswithoutclimbingupthebed-post！Youmowedherhairoffsothatshe\'llhavetowearawigforthenexttwoyears——andhandedittoherinabeau-ti-fulsealedpackage！Theytalkofsuingmeandkillingyououtofhand。\"
\"Shewasbleedingagreatdealandlookedfaint，\"saidthejuniorpartner；\"IthoughtIoughttostopthat。\"
\"Andyoudid——bythunder！ThoughitmighthavebeenbetterbusinessfortheshopifI\'dfoundheracrumblingruinhere，thanlathedandplasteredinthisfashion，overthere！However，\"headded，withalaugh，seeinganangrylightinhisjuniorpartner\'seye，\"SHEdon\'tseemtomindit——thecursingallcomesfromTHEM。
SHEratherlikesyourstyleandpraisesit——that\'swhatgetsme！
Didyoutalktohermuch，\"headded，lookingcriticallyathispartner。
\"Ionlytoldhertositstillorshe\'dbleedtodeath，\"saidKanecurtly。
\"Humph！——shejabberedsomethingaboutyourbeing\'strong\'andknowingjusthowtohandleher。Well，itcan\'tbehelpednow。I
thinkIcameintimefortheworstofitandhavedrawntheirfire。
Don\'tdoitagain。Thenexttimeawomanwithacutheadandlonghairtacklesyou，fillupherscalpwithlintandtannin，andpackherofftosomeofthebigshopsandmakeTHEMpickitout。\"Andwithagood-humorednodhestartedofftofinishhisinterruptedvisits。
Withavaguesenseofremorse，andyetaconsciousnessofsomeinjusticedonehim，Mr。Kaneresumedhisoccupationwithfiltersandfunnels，andmortarsandtriturations。Hewassogloomilypreoccupiedthathedidnot，asusual，glanceoutofthewindow，orhewouldhaveobservedtheminingstrangerofthepreviousnightbeforeit。Itwasnotuntiltheman\'sbowedshouldersblockedthelightofthedoorwaythathelookedupandrecognizedhim。Kanewasinnomoodtowelcomehisappearance。Hispresence，too，activelyrecalledthelastnight\'sadventureofwhichhewasawitness——albeitasympathizingone。Kaneshrankfromtheillusionswhichhefelthewouldbesuretomake。Andwithhispresentillluck，hewasbynomeanssurethathisministrationseventoHIM
hadbeenanymoresuccessfulthantheyhadbeentotheFrenchwoman。
