\"Icanquitebelievethat，\"heagreed，\"butthere’sthisimportantdifference：nomatterhowmuchamanwantstomarryyou，hecan’tLOVEyouasIdo！\"
\"That’sANOTHERthingtheythink，\"sighedHelen。
\"I’msorrytobesounoriginal，\"snappedLatimer。
\"PLEASEdon’t！\"pleadedHelen。\"Idon’tmeantobeunfeeling。I’mnotunfeeling。I’monlytryingtobefair。IfIdon’tseemtotakeittoheart，it’sbecauseIknowitdoesnogood。Icanseehowmiserableagirlmustbeifsheislovedbyonemanandcan’tmakeuphermindwhetherornotshewantstomarryhim。Butwhenthere’ssomanyshejuststopsworrying；forshecan’tpossiblymarrythemall。\"
\"ALL！\"exclaimedLatimer。\"ItisincrediblethatIhaveundervaluedyou，butmayIaskhowmanythereare？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"sighedHelenmiserably。\"Thereseemstobesomethingaboutmethat——\"
\"Thereis！\"interruptedLatimer。\"I’venoticedit。Youdon’thavetotellmeaboutit。IknowthattheHelenPagehabitisadamneddifficulthabittobreak！\"
Itcannotbesaidthathemadeanyviolentefforttobreakit。Atleast，notonethatwasobvioustoFairHarborortoHelen。
Oneoftheirfavoritedriveswasthroughthepinewoodstothepointonwhichstoodthelighthouse，andononeoftheseexcursionstheyexploredaforgottenwoodroadandcameoutuponacliff。Thecliffoverlookedthesea，andbelowitwasajumbleofrockswithwhichthewavesplayedhideandseek。Onmanyafternoonsandmorningstheyreturnedtothisplace，and，whileLatimerreadtoher，Helenwouldsitwithherbacktoatreeandtosspine—conesintothewater。SometimesthepoetswhoseworkshereadmadelovesocharminglythatLatimerwasmostgratefultothemforrenderingsuchexcellentfirstaidtothewounded，andintohisvoicehewouldthrowallthatfeelingandmusicthatfromjuriesandmassmeetingshaddraggedtearsandcheersandvotes。
Butwhenhisvoicebecamesoappealingthatitnolongerwaspossibleforanywomantoresistit，Helenwouldexclaimexcitedly：\"Pleaseexcusemeforinterrupting，butthereisalargespider——\"andthespellwasgone。
Onedaysheexclaimed：\"Oh！\"andLatimerpatientlyloweredthe\"OxfordBookofVerse，\"andasked：\"Whatisit，NOW？\"
\"I’msosorry，\"Helensaid，\"butIcan’thelpwatchingthatChapmanboy；he’sonlygotonereefin，andthenexttimehejibshe’llcapsize，andhecan’tswim，andhe’lldrown。Itoldhismotheronlyyesterday——\"
\"Ihaven’ttheleastinterestintheChapmanboy，\"saidLatimer，\"orinwhatyoutoldhismother，orwhetherhedrownsornot！I’madrowningmanmyself！\"
Helenshookherheadfirmlyandreprovingly。\"MengetoverTHAT
kindofdrowning，\"shesaid。
\"NotTHISkindofmandoesn’t！\"saidLatimer。\"Anddon’ttellme，\"hecriedindignantly，\"thatthat’sANOTHERthingtheyallsay。\"
\"Ifonecouldonlybesure！\"sighedHelen。\"Ifonecouldonlybesurethatyou——thattherightmanwouldkeeponcaringafteryoumarryhimthewayhesayshecaresbeforeyoumarryhim。Ifyoucouldknowthat，itwouldhelpyoualotinmakingupyourmind。\"
\"Thereisonlyonewaytofindthatout，\"saidLatimer；\"thatistomarryhim。Imean，ofcourse，\"hecorrectedhastily，\"tomarryme。\"
Oneday，whenontheirwaytothecliffattheendofthewoodroad，themanwhomakestheNantucketsailorandpeddleshimpassedthroughthevillage；andLatimerboughtthesailormanandcarriedhimtotheirhiding—place。Therehefastenedhimtothelowestlimbofoneoftheancientpine—treesthathelpedtoscreentheirhiding—placefromtheworld。Thelimbreachedoutfreeoftheotherbranches，andthewindcaughtthesailormanfairlyandspunhimlikeadancingdervish。Thenittiredofhim，andwentofftotrytodrowntheChapmanboy，leavingthesailormanmotionlesswithhisarmsoutstretched，balancingineachhandatinyoarandsmilinghappily。
\"Hehasafriendlysmile，\"saidHelen；\"Ithinkhelikesus。\"
\"Heisonguard，\"Latimerexplained。\"Iputhimtheretowarnusifanyoneapproaches，andwhenwearenothere，heistofrightenawaytrespassers。Doyouunderstand？\"hedemandedofthesailorman。\"Yourdutyistoprotectthisbeautifullady。SolongasIloveheryoumustguardthisplace。Itisalifesentence。
Youarealwaysonwatch。Youneversleep。Youareherslave。Shesaysyouhaveafriendlysmile。Shewrongsyou。Itisabeseeching，abject，worshippingsmile。IamsurewhenIlookathermineisequallyidiotic。Infact，weareinmanywaysalike。
Ialsoamherslave。Ialsoamdevotedonlytoherservice。AndI
neversleep，atleastnotsinceImether。\"
FromherthroneamongthepineneedlesHelenlookedupatthesailormanandfrowned。
\"Itisnotahappysimile，\"sheobjected。\"Foronething，asailormanhasasweetheartineveryport。\"
\"Waitandsee，\"saidLatimer。
\"And，\"continuedthegirlwithsomeasperity，\"ifthereisanythingonearththatchangesitsmindasoftenasaweather—vane，thatislessCERTAIN，lessCONSTANT——\"
\"Constant？\"Latimerlaughedatherinopenscorn。\"Youcomebackhere，\"hechallenged，\"monthsfromnow，yearsfromnow，whenthewindshavebeatenhim，andthesunblisteredhim，andthesnowfrozenhim，andyouwillfindhimsmilingatyoujustasheisnow，justasconfidently，proudly，joyously，devotedly。Becausethosewhoareyourslaves，thosewholoveYOU，cannotcometoanyharm；onlyifyoudisownthem，onlyifyoudrivethemaway！
Thesailorman，delightedatsuchbeautifullanguage，threwhimselfaboutinadeliriumofjoy。HisarmsspunintheirsocketslikeIndianclubs，hisoarsflashedinthesun，andhiseyesandlipswerefixedinoneblissful，long—drawn—out，unalterablesmile。
Whenthegolden—rodturnedgray，andtheleavesredandyellow，anditwastimeforLatimertoreturntohisworkintheWest，hecametosaygood—by。ButthebestHelencoulddotokeephopealiveinhimwastosaythatshewasgladhecared。Sheaddeditwasveryhelpfultothinkthatamansuchashebelievedyouweresofineaperson，andduringthecomingwintershewouldtrytobelikethefinepersonhebelievedhertobe，butwhich，sheassuredhim，shewasnot。
Thenhetoldheragainshewasthemostwonderfulbeingintheworld，towhichshesaid：\"Oh，indeedno！\"andthen，asthoughheweregivingheracue，hesaid：\"Good—by！\"Butshedidnottakeuphiscue，andtheyshookhands。Hewaited，hardlydaringtobreathe。
\"Surely，nowthatthepartinghascome，\"heassuredhimself，\"shewillmakesomesign，shewillgivemeaword，alookthatwillwrite’total’underthehourswehavespenttogether，thatwillhelptocarrymethroughthelongwinter。\"
Butheheldherhandsolongandlookedathersohungrilythathereallyforcedhertosay：\"Don’tmissyourtrain，\"whichkindconsiderationforhiscomfortdidnotdelighthimasitshould。
Nor，indeed，laterdidsheherselfrecalltheremarkwithsatisfaction。
WithLatimeroutofthewaytheothertwohundredandforty—ninesuitorattackedwithrenewedhope。AmongotheradvantagestheyhadoverLatimerwasthattheywereontheground。TheysawHelendaily，atdinners，dances，atthecountryclubs，inherowndrawing—room。LikeanysailorfromtheCharlestownNavyYardandhissweetheart，theycouldwalkbesideherintheparkandthrowpeanutstothepigeons，andscratchdatesandinitialsonthegreenbenches；theycouldwalkwithheruponesideofCommonwealthAvenueanddownthesouthbankoftheCharles，whenthesunwasgildingthedomeoftheStateHouse，whenthebridgeswerebeginningtodeckthemselveswithnecklacesoflights。Theyhadknownhersincetheyworeknickerbockers；andtheysharedmanyinterestsandfriendsincommon；theytalkedthesamelanguage。Latimercouldtalktoheronlyinletters，forwithherhesharednofriendsorinterests，andhewasforcedtochoosebetweentellingherofhislawsuitsandhiseffortsinpoliticsorofhislove。Towritetoherofhisaffairsseemedwastefulandimpertinent，andofhisloveforher，aftershehadreceivedwhathetoldofitinsilence，hewastooproudtospeak。Sohewrotebutseldom，andthenonlytosay：\"YouknowwhatIsendyou。\"Hadheknownit，hisbestletterswerethosehedidnotsend。WheninthemorningmailHelenfoundhisfamiliarhandwriting，thatseemedtostandoutlikethefaceofafriendinacrowd，shewouldpounceupontheletter，readit，and，assuredofhislove，wouldgoonherwayrejoicing。Butwheninthemorningtherewasnoletter，shewonderedwhy，andalldayshewonderedwhy。Andthenextmorningwhenagainshewasdisappointed，herthoughtsofLatimerandherdoubtsandspeculationsconcerninghimshutouteveryotherinterest。Hebecameaperplexing，insistentproblem。Hewasneveroutofhermind。Andthenhewouldspoilitallbywritingherthathelovedherandthatofallthewomenintheworldshewastheonlyone。
And，reassureduponthatpoint，Helenhappilyandpromptlywouldforgetallabouthim。
Butwhensherememberedhim，althoughmonthshadpassedsinceshehadseenhim，sherememberedhimmuchmoredistinctly，muchmoregratefully，thanthatoneofthetwohundredandfiftywithwhomshehadwalkedthatsameafternoon。Latimercouldnotknowit，butofthatanxiousmultitudehewasfirst，andtherewasnosecond。AtleastHelenhoped，whenshewasreadytomarry，shewouldloveLatimerenoughtowanttomarryhim。Butasyetsheassuredherselfshedidnotwanttomarryanyone。Asshewas，lifewasverysatisfactory。Everybodylovedher，everybodyinvitedhertobeofhisparty，orinvitedhimselftojoinhers，andtheobjectofeachseemedtobetoseethatsheenjoyedeveryhourofeveryday。Hernaturewassuchthattomakeherhappywasnotdifficult。SomeofherdevoteescoulddoitbygivingheradanceandlettingherinvitehalfofBoston，andherkidbrothercoulddoitbytakinghertoCambridgetowatchtheteamatpractice。
Shethoughtshewashappybecauseshewasfree。Asamatteroffact，shewashappybecauseshelovedsomeoneandthatparticularsomeonelovedher。Herbeing\"free\"wasonlyhermistakenwayofputtingit。HadshethoughtshehadlostLatimerandhislove，shewouldhavediscoveredthat，sofarfrombeingfree，shewasboundhandandfootandheartandsoul。
Butshedidnotknowthat，andLatimerdidnotknowthat。
Meanwhile，fromthebranchofthetreeinthesheltered，secrethiding—placethatoverlookedtheocean，thesailormankeptwatch。
Thesunhadblisteredhim，thestormshadbuffetedhim，thesnowhadfrozenuponhisshoulders。Buthisloyaltyneverrelaxed。Hespuntothenorth，hespuntothesouth，andsorapidlydidhescanthesurroundinglandscapethatnoonecouldhopetocreepuponhimunawares。Nor，indeed，didanyoneattempttodoso。
Onceafoxstoleintothesecrethiding—place，butthesailormanflappedhisoarsandfrightenedhimaway。Hewasalwaystriumphant。Tobirds，tosquirrels，totrespassingrabbitshewasathingofterror。Once，whentheairwasstill，animpertinentcrowperchedontheverylimbonwhichhestood，andwithscornful，disapprovingeyessurveyedhiswhitetrousers，hisbluereefer，hisredcheeks。Butwhenthewindsuddenlydrovepastthemthesailormansprangintoactionandthecrowscreamedinalarmanddartedaway。So，aloneandwithnoonetocometohisrelief，thesailormanstoodhiswatch。Abouthimthebranchesbentwiththesnow，theiciclesfrozehimintoimmobility，andinthetree—topsstrangegroaningsfilledhimwithalarms。Butundaunted，monthaftermonth，alertandsmiling，hewaitedthereturnofthebeautifulladyandofthetallyoungmanwhohaddevouredherwithsuchbeseeching，unhappyeyes。
LatimerfoundthattoloveawomanlikeHelenPageashelovedherwasthebestthingthatcouldcomeintohislife。Buttositdownandlamentoverthefactthatshedidnotlovehimdidnot，tousehisfavoriteexpression，\"tendtowardefficiency。\"Heremovedfromhissightthethreepicturesofherhehadcutfromillustratedpapers，andceasedtowritetoher。
Inhislastletterhesaid：\"Ihavetoldyouhowitis，andthatishowitisalwaysgoingtobe。Thereneverhasbeen，therenevercanbeanyonebutyou。Butmyloveistooprecious，toosacredtobebroughtouteveryweekinaletteranddangledbeforeyoureyeslikeanadvertisementofamotor—car。Itistoowonderfulathingtobecheapened，tobesubjectedtoslightsandsilence。Ifeveryoushouldwantit，itisyours。Itisherewaiting。Butyoumusttellmeso。Ihavedoneeverythingamancandotomakeyouunderstand。Butyoudonotwantmeormylove。
Andmylovesaystome：’Don’tsendmethereagaintohavethedoorshutinmyface。Keepmewithyoutobeyourinspiration，tohelpyoutoliveworthily。’Andsoitshallbe。\"
WhenHelenreadthatlettershedidnotknowwhattodo。Shedidnotknowhowtoanswerit。Herfirstimpressionwasthatsuddenlyshehadgrownveryold，andthatsomeonehadturnedoffthesun，andthatinconsequencetheworldhadnaturallygrowncoldanddark。Shecouldnotseewhythetwohundredandforty—nineexpectedhertokeepondoingexactlythesamethingsshehadbeendoingwithdelightforsixmonths，andindeedforthelastsixyears。Whycouldtheynotseethatnolongerwasthereanypleasureinthem？ShewouldhavewrittenandtoldLatimerthatshefoundshelovedhimverydearlyifinhermindtherehadnotarisenafearfuldoubt。Supposehisletterwasnotquitehonest？
Hesaidthathewouldalwaysloveher，buthowcouldshenowknowthat？Whymightnotthisletterbeonlyhiswayofwithdrawingfromapositionwhichhewishedtoabandon，fromwhich，perhaps，hewasevengladtoescape？Werethistrue，andshewroteandsaidallthosethingsthatwereinherheart，thatnowsheknewweretrue，mightshenotholdhimtoheragainsthiswill？Thelovethatoncehehadforhermightnolongerexist，andif，inherturn，shetoldhimshelovedhimandhadalwayslovedhim，mighthenotinsomemistakenspiritofchivalryfeelitwashisdutytopretendtocare？Hercheeksburnedatthethought。Itwasintolerable。Shecouldnotwritethatletter。Andasdaysucceededday，todosobecamemoredifficult。Andsosheneverwroteandwasveryunhappy。AndLatimerwasveryunhappy。Buthehadhiswork，andHelenhadnone，andforherlifebecameagameofputtinglittlethingstogether，likeapicturepuzzle，anhourhereandanhourthere，tomakeupeachday。Itwasadrearygame。
Fromtimetotimesheheardofhimthroughthenewspapers。For，inhisownState，hewasan\"Insurgent\"makingafight，theoutcomeofwhichwasexpectedtoshowwhatmightfollowthroughouttheentireWest。Whenhewonhisfightmuchmorewaswrittenabouthim，andhebecameanationalfigure。InhisownStatethepeoplehailedhimasthenextgovernor，promisedhimaseatintheSenate。ToHelenthisseemedtotakehimfurtheroutofherlife。Shewonderedifnowsheheldaplaceeveninhisthoughts。
AtFairHarborthetwohundredandforty—nineusedtojokewithheraboutherpolitician。ThentheyconsideredLatimerofimportanceonlybecauseHelenlikedhim。Nowtheydiscussedhimimpersonallyandoverherhead，asthoughshewerenotpresent，asapower，aninfluence，astheleaderandexponentofanewidea。Theyseemedtothinkshenolongercouldpretendtoanypeculiarclaimuponhim，thatnowhebelongedtoallofthem。
Oldermenwouldsaytoher：\"IhearyouknowLatimer？Whatsortofamanishe？\"
Helenwouldnotknowwhattotellthem。Shecouldnotsayhewasamanwhosatwithhisbacktoapine—tree，readingfromabookofverse，orhaltingtodevourherwithhumble，entreatingeyes。
ShewentSouthforthewinter，thedoctorsdecidingshewasrundownandneededthechange。Andwithanunhappylaughatherownexpensesheagreedintheirdiagnosis。Shewasindifferentastowheretheysenther，forsheknewwherevershewentshemuststillforceherselftogoonputtingonehourontopofanother，untilshehadbuiltuptheinexorableandnecessarytwenty—four。
Whenshereturnedwinterwasdeparting，butreluctantly，andreturningunexpectedlytocovertheworldwithsnow，toeclipsethethinspringsunshinewithcheerlessclouds。Helentookherselfseriouslytotask。Sheassuredherselfitwasweak—mindedtorebel。ThesummerwascomingandFairHarborwithallitsolddelightswasbeforeher。Shecompelledherselftotakeheart，toacceptthefactthat，afterall，theworldisaprettygoodplace，andthattothinkonlyofthepast，toliveonlyonmemoriesandregrets，wasnotonlycowardlyandselfish，but，asLatimerhadalreadydecided，didnottendtowardefficiency。
AmongtheotherrulesofconductthatsheimposeduponherselfwasnottothinkofLatimer。Atleast，notduringthewakinghours。Shouldshe，asitsometimeshappened，dreamofhim——shouldsheimaginetheywereagainseatedamongthepines，ridingacrossthedowns，orracingatfiftymilesanhourthroughcountryroads，withthestonefencesflyingpast，withthewindandthesunintheireyes，andintheirheartshappinessandcontent——thatwouldnotbebreakingherrule。Ifshedreamedofhim，shecouldnotbeheldresponsible。Shecouldonlybegrateful。
Andthen，justasshehadbanishedhimentirelyfromhermind，hecameEast。Notasoncehehadplannedtocome，onlytoseeher，butwithablareoftrumpets，atthecommandofmanycitizens，astheguestofthreecities。Hewastospeakatpublicmeetings，toconferwithpartyleaders，tocarrythewarintotheenemy’scountry。HewasduetospeakinBostonatFaneuilHallonthefirstofMay，andthatsamenighttoleavefortheWest，andthreedaysbeforehiscomingHelenfledfromthecity。HehadspokenhismessagetoPhiladelphia，hehadspokentoNewYork，andforaweekthepapershadspokenonlyofhim。Andforthatweek，fromthesightofhisprintedname，fromsketchesofhimexhortingcheeringmobs，fromsnap—shotsofhimonrearplatformsleaningforwardtograspeagerhands，Helenhadshuthereyes。
AndthatduringthetimehewasactuallyinBostonshemightspareherselffurtherandmoredirectattacksuponherfeelingssheescapedtoFairHarbor，theretoremainuntil，onthefirstofMayatmidnight，heagainwouldpassoutofherlife，maybeforever。Noonesawinhergoinganysignificance。Springhadcome，andinpreparationforthesummerseasonthehouseatFairHarbormustbeopenedandsetinorder，andthepresencethereofsomeoneofthePagefamilywaseasilyexplained。
Shemadethethreehours’runtoFairHarborinhercar，drivingitherself，andasthefamiliarlandfallsfellintoplace，shedoubtedifitwouldnothavebeenwiserhadshestayedaway。ForshefoundthatthememoriesofmorethantwentysummersatFairHarborhadbeenwipedoutbythoseofonesummer，bythoseofoneman。Thenativesgreetedherjoyously：theboatmen，thefishermen，herowngroomsandgardeners，thevillagepostmaster，theoldestinhabitant。Theywelcomedherasthoughtheywerehervassalsandshetheirqueen。ButitwastheonemanshehadexiledfromFairHarborwhoateveryturnwrungherheartandcausedherthroattotighten。Shepassedthecottagewherehehadlodged，andhundredsofyearsseemedtohavegonesincesheusedtowaitforhiminthestreet，blowingnoisilyonherautomobilehorn，callingderisivelytohisopenwindows。WhereversheturnedFairHarborspokeofhim。Thegolf—links；thebathingbeach；theuglycornerinthemainstreetwherehealwaysremindedherthatitwasbettertogoslowfortensecondsthantoremainalongtimedead；theoldhouseonthestonewharfwheretheschoonersmadefast，whichheintendedtoborrowforhishoneymoon；thewoodentroughwheretheyalwaysdrewreintowatertheponies；
thepondintowhichhehadwadedtobringherlilies。
Ontheseconddayofherstayshefoundshewaspassingtheseplacespurposely，thattodososhewasgoingoutofherway。
Theynolongerdistressedher，butgaveherastrangecomfort。
Theywereoldfriends，whohadknownherinthedayswhenshewasrichinhappiness。
Butthesecrethiding—place——theirveryownhiding—place，theopeningamongthepinesthatoverhungthejumbleofrocksandthesea——shecouldnotbringherselftovisit。Andthen，ontheafternoonofthethirddaywhenshewasdrivingalonetowardthelighthouse，herpony，ofhisownaccord，fromforceofhabit，turnedsmartlyintothewoodroad。Andagainfromforceofhabit，beforehereachedthespotthatoverlookedthesea，hecametoafullstop。Therewasnoneedtomakehimfast。Forhours，stretchingovermanysummerdays，hehadstoodunderthosesamebranchespatientlywaiting。
Onfoot，herheartbeatingtremulously，steppingreverently，asoneenterstheaisleofsomedimcathedral，Helenadvancedintothesacredcircle。Andthenshestoodquitestill。Whatshehadexpectedtofindthereshecouldnothavetold，butitwasgone。
Theplacewasunknowntoher。Shesawanopeningamonggloomypines，empty，silent，unreal。Nohauntedhouse，nobarrenmoor，noneglectedgraveyardeverspokemorepoignantly，moremournfully，withsuchutterhopelessness。Therewasnosignofhisorofherformerpresence。Acrosstheopenspacesomethinghadpasseditshand，andithadchanged。Whathadbeenatrysting—place，abower，anest，hadbecomeatomb。Atomb，shefelt，forsomethingthatoncehadbeenbrave，fine，andbeautiful，butwhichnowwasdead。Shehadbutonedesire，toescapefromtheplace，toputitawayfromherforever，torememberit，notasshenowfoundit，butasfirstshehadrememberedit，andasnowshemustalwaysrememberIt。Sheturnedsoftlyontiptoeasonewhohasintrudedonashrine。
Butbeforeshecouldescapetherecamefromtheseaasuddengustofwindthatcaughtherbytheskirtsanddrewherback，thatsetthebranchestossingandsweptthedeadleavesracingaboutherankles。Andatthesameinstantfromjustaboveherheadtherebeatupontheairaviolent，joyoustattoo——asoundthatwasneitheroftheseanorofthewoods，acreaking，swiftlyrepeatedsound，liketheflutterofcagedwings。
Helenturnedinalarmandraisedhereyes——andbeheldthesailorman。
Tossinghisarmsinadeliriouswelcome，waltzinginafrenzyofjoy，callingherbacktohimwithwildbeckonings，shesawhimsmilingdownatherwiththesameradiant，beseeching，worshippingsmile。InHelen’searsLatimer’scommandstothesailormanrangasclearlyasthoughLatimerstoodbeforeherandhadjustspoken。Onlynowtheywerenolongerajest；theywereavow，apromise，anoathofallegiancethatbroughttoherpeace，andpride，andhappiness。
\"SolongasIlovethisbeautifullady，\"hadbeenhisfoolishwords，\"youwillguardthisplace。Itisalifesentence！\"
WithonehandHelenPagedraggeddownthebranchonwhichthesailormanstood，withtheothershesnatchedhimfromhispostofduty。Withajoyouslaughthatwasasob，sheclutchedthesailormaninbothherhandsandkissedthebeseeching，worshippingsmile。
Anhourlaterhercar，onitswaytoBoston，passedthroughFairHarboratarateofspeedthatcausedherchauffeurtopraybetweenhischatteringteeththatthefirstpolicemanwouldsavetheirlivesbylandingtheminjail。
Atthewheel，hershouldersthrownforward，hereyessearchingthedarkplacesbeyondthereachoftheleapinghead—lightsHelenPageracedagainsttime，againsttheminionsofthelaw，againstsuddendeath，tobeatthemidnighttrainoutofBoston，toassurethemanshelovedoftheonethingthatcouldmakehislifeworthliving。
Andcloseagainstherheart，buttonedtightbeneathhergreat—coat，thesailormansmiledinthedarkness，hislongwatchover，hissoulatpeace，hisdutywellperformed。
Chapter6。THEMINDREADER
WhenPhilipEndicottwasatHarvard，hewrotestoriesofundergraduatelifesuggestedbythingsthathadhappenedtohimselfandtomenheknew。Underthetitleof\"TalesoftheYard\"theywerecollectedinbookform，andsoldsurprisinglywell。AfterhewasgraduatedandbecameareporterontheNewYorkRepublic，hewrotemorestories，ineachofwhichareporterwasthehero，andinwhichhisfailureorsuccessingatheringnewssuppliedtheplot。Theseappearedfirstinthemagazines，andlaterinabookunderthetitleof\"TalesoftheStreets。\"
Theyalsowerewellreceived。
ThencametohimtheliteraryeditoroftheRepublic，andsaid：
\"Therearetwokindsofmenwhosucceedinwritingfiction——menofgeniusandreporters。Areportercandescribeathinghehasseeninsuchawaythathecanmakethereaderseeit，too。Amanofgeniuscandescribesomethinghehasneverseen，oranyoneelseforthatmatter，insuchawaythatthereaderwillexclaim：
’Ihavenevercommittedamurder；butifIhad，that’sjustthewayI’dfeelaboutit。’Forinstance，KiplingtellsushowaGreekpirate，chainedtotheoarofatrireme，suffers；howamotherrejoiceswhenherbabycrawlsacrossherbreast。Kiplinghasneverbeenamotherorapirate，butheconvincesyouheknowshoweachofthemfeels。Hecandothatbecauseheisagenius；youcannotdoitbecauseyouarenot。Atcollegeyouwroteonlyofwhatyousawatcollege；andnowthatyouareinthenewspaperbusinessallyourtalesareonlyofnewspaperwork。
Youmerelyreportwhatyousee。So，ifyouaredoomedtowriteonlyofwhatyousee，thenthebestthingforyoutodoistoseeasmanythingsaspossible。Youmustseeallkindsoflife。Youmustprogress。YoumustleaveNewYork，andyouhadbettergotoLondon。\"
\"ButontheRepublic，\"Endicottpointedout，\"Igetasalary。AndinLondonIshouldhavetosweepacrossing。\"
\"Then，\"saidtheliteraryeditor，\"youcouldwriteastoryaboutamanwhosweptacrossing。\"
Itwasnotalonetheliteraryeditor’swordsofwisdomthathaddrivenPhiliptoLondon。HelenCareywasinLondon，visitingthedaughteroftheAmericanAmbassador；and，thoughPhiliphadknownheronlyonewinter，helovedherdearly。Thegreattroublewasthathehadnomoney，andthatshepossessedsomuchofitthat，unlesshecouldshowsomeunusualqualityofmindorcharacter，hisaskinghertomarryhim，fromhisownpointofviewatleast，wasquiteimpossible。Ofcourse，heknewthatnoonecouldloveherashedid，thatnoonesotrulywishedforherhappiness，orwouldtrysodevotedlytomakeherhappy。Buttohimitdidnotseempossiblethatagirlcouldbehappywithamanwhowasnotabletopayforherhome，orherclothes，orherfood，whowouldhavetoborrowherpurseifhewantedanewpairofglovesorahair—cut。ForPhilipEndicott，whilerichinbirthandeducationandcharmofmanner，hadnomoneyatall。When，inMay，hecamefromNewYorktolaysiegetoLondonandtotheheartofHelenCareyhehadwithhim，alltold，fifteenhundreddollars。Thatwasallhepossessedintheworld；andunlessthemagazinesboughthisstoriestherewasnoprospectofhisgettinganymore。
FriendswhoknewLondontoldhimthat，ifyouknewLondonwell，itwaseasytolivecomfortablythereandtogoaboutandeventoentertainmodestlyonthreesovereignsaday。So，atthatrate，Philipcalculatedhecouldstaythreemonths。ButhefoundthattoknowLondonwellenoughtobeabletolivethereonthreesovereignsadayyouhadfirsttospendsomanyfive—poundnotesingettingacquaintedwithLondonthattherewerenosovereignsleft。Attheendofonemonthhehadjustenoughmoneytobuyhimasecond—classpassagebacktoNewYork，andhewasasfarfromHelenasever。
Oftenhehadreadinstoriesandnovelsofmenwhoweretoopoortomarry。Andhehadlaughedattheidea。Hehadalwayssaidthatwhentwopeopletrulyloveeachotheritdoesnotmatterwhethertheyhavemoneyornot。ButwheninLondon，withonlyafive—poundnote，andfacetofacewiththeactualpropositionofaskingHelenCareynotonlytomarryhimbuttosupporthim，hefeltthatmoneycountedformorethanhehadsupposed。Hefoundmoneywasmanydifferentthings——itwasself—respect，andproperpride，andprivatehonorsandindependence。And，lackingthesethings，hefelthecouldasknogirltomarryhim，certainlynotoneforwhomhecaredashecaredforHelenCarey。Besides，whileheknewhowhelovedher，hehadnoknowledgewhatsoeverthatshelovedhim。Shealwaysseemedextremelygladtoseehim；butthatmightbeexplainedindifferentways。Itmightbethatwhatwasinherheartforhimwasreallyasortof\"oldhomeweek\"
feeling；thattoheritwasarelieftoseeanyonewhospokeherownlanguage，whodidnotneedtohaveitexplainedwhenshewasjesting，andwhodidnotthinkwhenshewasspeakinginperfectlysatisfactoryphrasesthatshemustbetalkingslang。
TheAmbassadorandhiswifehadbeenverykindtoEndicott，and，asafriendofHelen’s，hadaskedhimoftentodinnerandhadsenthimcardsfordancesatwhichHelenwastobeoneofthebellesandbeauties。AndHelenherselfhadbeenmostkind，andhadtakenearlymorningwalkswithhiminHydeParkandthroughtheNationalGalleries；andtheyhadfedbunstothebearsintheZoo，andindoingsohadlaughedheartily。Theythoughtitwasbecausethebearsweresoridiculousthattheylaughed。Latertheyappreciatedthatthereasontheywerehappywasbecausetheyweretogether。Hadthebearpitbeenempty，theystillwouldhavelaughed。
Ontheeveningofthethirty—firstofMay，EndicotthadgonetobedwithhisticketpurchasedforAmericaandhislastfive—poundnotetolasthimuntiltheboatsailed。Hewasamiserableyoungman。HeknewnowthathelovedHelenCareyinsuchawaythattoputtheoceanbetweenthemwasliabletounseathiscourageandhisself—control。InLondonhecould，eachnight，walkthroughCarltonHouseTerraceand，leaningagainsttheironrailsoftheCarltonClub，gazeupatherwindow。But，onceontheothersideoftheocean，thattenderexercisemustbeabandoned。Hemustevenconsiderherpursuedbymostattractiveguardsmen，diplomats，andbeltedearls。Heknewtheycouldnotloveherashedid；heknewtheycouldnotloveherforthereasonshelovedher，becausethefineandbeautifulthingsinherthathesawandworshippedtheydidnotseek，andsodidnotfind。Andyet，forlackofafewthousanddollars，hemustremainsilent，mustputfromhimthebestthatevercameintohislife，mustwastethewonderfuldevotionhelongedtogive，muststarvethelovethathecouldneversummonforanyotherwoman。
Onthethirty—firstofMayhewenttosleeputterlyandcompletelymiserable。OnthefirstofJunehewokehopelessandunrefreshed。
Andthenthemiraclecame。
Prichard，theex—butlerwhovaletedalltheyounggentlemeninthehousewherePhiliphadtakenchambers，broughthimhisbreakfast。AsheplacedtheeggsandmuffinsonthetablestoPhilipitseemedasthoughPrichardhadsaid：\"Iamsorryheisleavingus。Thenextgentlemanwhotakestheseroomsmaynotbesoopen—handed。Heneverlockeduphiscigarsorhiswhiskey。I
wishhe’dgivemehisolddress—coat。Itfitsme，exceptacrosstheshoulders。\"
PhilipstaredhardatPrichard；butthelipsofthevalethadnotmoved。Insurpriseandbewilderment，Philipdemanded：
\"Howdoyouknowitfits？Haveyoutriediton？\"
\"Iwouldn’ttakesuchaliberty，\"protestedPrichard。\"Notwithanyofourgentlemen’sclothes。\"
\"HowdidyouknowIwastalkingaboutclothes，\"demandedPhilip。
\"Youdidn’tsayanythingaboutclothes，didyou？\"
\"No，sir，Ididnot；butyouaskedme，sir，andI——\"
\"Wereyouthinkingofclothes？\"
\"Well，sir，youmightsay，inaway，thatIwas，answeredthevalet。\"Seeingasyou’releaving，sir，andthey’renotover—new，Ithought\"
\"It’smentaltelepathy，\"saidPhilip。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"exclaimedPrichard。
\"Youneedn’twait，\"saidPhilip。
Thecoincidencepuzzledhim；butbythetimehehadreadthemorningpapershehadforgottenaboutit，anditwasnotuntilhehademergedintothestreetthatitwasforciblyrecalled。Thestreetwascrowdedwithpeople；andasPhilipsteppedinamongthem，Itwasasthougheveryoneatwhomhelookedbegantotalkaloud。Theirlipsdidnotmove，nordidanysoundissuefrombetweenthem；but，withoutceasing，brokenphrasesofthoughtscametohimasclearlyaswhen，inpassinginacrowd，snatchesoftalkarecarriedtotheears。Onemanthoughtofhisdebts；
anotheroftheweather，andofwhatdisasteritmightbringtohissilkhat；anotherplannedhisluncheon；anotherwasrejoicingoveratelegramhehadbutthatmomentreceived。Tohimselfhekeptrepeatingthewordsofthetelegram——\"Noneedtocome，outofdanger。\"ToPhilipthemessagecameasclearlyasthoughhewerereadingitfromthefoldedslipofpaperthatthestrangerclutchedinhishand。
Confusedandsomewhatfrightened，andinorderthatundisturbedhemightconsiderwhathadbefallenhim，Philipsoughtrefugefromthecrowdedstreetinthehallwayofabuilding。Hisfirstthoughtwasthatforsomeunaccountablecausehisbrainforthemomentwasplayingtrickswithhim，andhewasinventingthephrasesheseemedtohear，thathewasattributingthoughtstoothersofwhichtheywereentirelyinnocent。But，whateveritwasthathadbefallenhim，heknewitwasimperativethatheshouldatoncegetatthemeaningofit。
ThehallwayinwhichhestoodopenedfromBondStreetupaflightofstairstothestudioofafashionablephotographer，anddirectlyinfrontofthehallwayayoungwomanofcharmingappearancehadhalted。Herglancewastroubled，hermannerillatease。Toherselfshekeptrepeating：\"DidItellHudsontobehereataquartertoeleven，oraquarterpast？Willshegetthetelephonemessagetobringtheruff？Withouttheruffitwouldbeabsurdtobephotographed。WithoutherruffMaryQueenofScotswouldlookridiculous！\"
Althoughtheyoungwomanhadspokennotasingleword，althoughindeedshewasbitingimpatientlyatherlowerlip，Philiphaddistinguishedthewordsclearly。Or，ifhehadnotdistinguishedthem，hesurelywasgoingmad。Itwasamattertobeatoncedetermined，andtheyoungwomanshoulddetermineit。Headvancedboldlytoher，andraisedhishat。
\"Pardonme，\"hesaid，\"butIbelieveyouarewaitingforyourmaidHudson？\"
Asthoughfearinganimpertinence，thegirlregardedhiminsilence。
\"Ionlywishtomakesure，\"continuedPhilip，\"thatyouaresheforwhomIhaveamessage。Youhaveanappointment，Ibelieve，tobephotographedinfancydressasMaryQueenofScots？\"
\"Well？\"assentedthegirl。
\"AndyoutelephonedHudson，\"hecontinued，\"tobringyouyourmuff。\"
Thegirlexclaimedwithvexation。
\"Oh！\"sheprotested；\"Iknewthey’dgetitwrong！Notmuff，ruff！
Iwantmyruff。\"
Philipfeltacoldshivercreepdownhisspine。
\"FortheloveofHeaven！\"heexclaimedinhorror；\"it’strue！\"
\"What’strue？\"demandedtheyoungwomaninsomealarm。
\"ThatI’mamindreader，\"declaredPhilip。\"I’vereadyourmind！
Icanreadeverybody’smind。Iknowjustwhatyou’rethinkingnow。You’rethinkingI’mmad！\"
Theactionsoftheyoungladyshowedthatagainhewascorrect。
Withagaspofterrorshefledpasthimandracedupthestairstothestudio。Philipmadenoefforttofollowandtoexplain。
Whatwastheretoexplain？Howcouldheexplainthatwhich，tohimself，wasunbelievable？Besides，thegirlhadservedherpurpose。Ifhecouldreadthemindofone，hecouldreadthemindsofall。Bysomeunexplainablemiracle，tohisordinaryequipmentofsensesasixthhadbeenadded。Aseasilyas，beforethatmorning，hecouldlookintothefaceofafellow—mortal，henowcouldlookintotheworkingsofthatfellow—mortal’smind。
Thethoughtwasappalling。Itwaslikelivingwithone’seartoakey—hole。Inhisdismayhisfirstideawastoseekmedicaladvice——thebestinLondon。HeturnedinstantlyinthedirectionofHarleyStreet。There，hedetermined，tothemostskilledalienistintownhewouldexplainhisstrangeplight。Foronlyasamisfortunedidthemiracleappeartohim。Butashemadehiswaythroughthestreetshispaceslackened。
Washewise，heaskedhimself，inallowingotherstoknowhepossessedthisstrangepower？Wouldtheynotatoncetreathimasamadman？Mighttheynotplacehimunderobservation，orevendeprivehimofhisliberty？AtthethoughthecametoanabrupthaltHisowndefinitionofthemiracleasa\"power\"hadopenedanewlineofspeculation。Ifthisstrangegift（alreadyhewasbeginningtoconsideritmoreleniently）wereconcealedfromothers，couldhenothonorablyputittosomeusefulpurpose？
For，amongtheblind，themanwithoneeyeisagod。Wasnothe——amongallothermentheonlyoneabletoreadthemindsofallothermen——agod？TurningintoBrutonStreet，hepaceditsquietlengthconsideringthepossibilitiesthatlaywithinhim。
Itwasapparentthatthegiftwouldleadtocountlessembarrassments。Ifitwereonceknownthathepossessedit，wouldnotevenhisfriendsavoidhim？Forhowcouldanyone，knowinghismostsecretthoughtwasatthemercyofanother，behappyinthatother’spresence？Hispowerwouldleadtohissocialostracism。Indeed，hecouldseethathisgiftmighteasilybecomeacurse。Hedecidednottoacthastily，thatforthepresenthehadbestgivenohinttoothersofhisuniquepower。
Astheideaofpossessingthispowerbecamemorefamiliar，heregardeditwithlessaversion。Hebegantoconsidertowhatadvantagehecouldplaceit。Hecouldseethat，giventherighttimeandtherightman，hemightlearnsecretsleadingtofar—reachingresults。Toastatesman，toafinancier，suchagiftashepossessedwouldmakehimarulerofmen。Philiphadnodesiretobearulerofmen；butheaskedhimselfhowcouldhebendthisgifttoservehisown？WhathemostwishedwastomarryHelenCarey；and，tothatend，topossessmoney。Sohemustmeetmenwhopossessedmoney，whoweremakingmoney。Hewouldputquestionstothem。Andwithwordstheywouldgiveevasiveanswers；buttheirmindswouldtellhimthetruth。
Theethicsofthisproceduregreatlydisturbedhim。Certainlyitwasnobetterthanreadingotherpeople’sletters。But，heargued，thedishonorinknowledgesoobtainedwouldlieonlyintheusehemadeofit。Ifheuseditwithoutharmtohimfromwhomitwasobtainedandwithbenefittoothers，washenotjustifiedintradingonhissuperiorequipment？Hedecidedthateachcasemustbeconsideredseparatelyinaccordancewiththeprincipleinvolved。But，principleornoprinciple，hewasdeterminedtobecomerich。Didnottheendjustifythemeans？
Certainlyanall—wiseProvidencehadnotbroughtHelenCareyintohislifeonlytotakeherawayfromhim。Itcouldnotbesocruel。But，inselectingthemforoneanother，theall—wiseProvidencehadoverlookedthefactthatshewasrichandhewaspoor。ForthatoversightProvidenceapparentlywasnowendeavoringtomakeamends。InwhatcertainlywasafantasticandroundaboutmannerProvidencehadtardilyequippedhimwithagiftthatcouldleadtogreatwealth。AndwhowashetoflyinthefaceofProvidence？Hedecidedtosetaboutbuildingupafortune，andbuildingitinahurry。
FromBrutonStreethehademergeduponBerkeleySquare；and，asLadyWoodcotehadinvitedhimtomeetHelenatluncheonattheRitz，heturnedinthatdirection。Hewastooearlyforluncheon；
butinthecorridoroftheRitzheknewhewouldfindpersonsofpositionandfortune，andinreadingtheirmindshemightpassthetimebeforeluncheonwithentertainment，possiblywithprofit。For，whilepacingBrutonStreettryingtodiscovertheprinciplesofconductthatthreatenedtohamperhisnewpower，hehadfoundthatinactualoperationitwasquitesimple。Helearnedthathismind，inrelationtootherminds，waslikethereceiverofawirelessstationwithanunlimitedfield。For，whilethewirelesscouldreceivemessagesonlyfromthoseinstrumentswithwhichitwasattuned，hismindwasinkeywithallotherminds。Toreadthethoughtsofanother，hehadonlytoconcentratehisownuponthatperson；andtoshutoffthethoughtsofthatperson，hehadonlytoturnhisownthoughtselsewhere。Butalsohediscoveredthatoverthethoughtsofthoseoutsidetherangeofhisphysicalsighthehadnocontrol。WhenheaskedofwhatHelenCareywasatthatmomentthinking，therewasnoresult。Butwhenheasked，\"Ofwhatisthatpolicemanonthecornerthinking？\"hewassurprisedtofindthatthatofficerofthelawwasformulatingregulationstoabolishthehobbleskirtasanimpedimenttotraffic。
AsPhilipturnedintoBerkeleySquare，theaccentsofamindingreatdistresssmoteuponhisnewandsixthsense。And，inthepersonofayounggentlemanleaningagainsttheparkrailing，hediscoveredthesourcefromwhichthementalsufferingsemanated。
Theyoungmanwasapink—cheeked，yellow—hairedyouthofextremelyboyishappearance，anddressedasiffortherace—track。Butatthemomenthispinkandbabyishfaceworeanexpressionofcompletemisery。Withtear—filledeyeshewasgazingatahouseofyellowstuccoontheoppositesideofthestreet。Andhisthoughtswerethese：\"Sheisthebestthateverlived，andIamthemostungratefuloffools。Howhappywereweinthehouseofyellowstucco！Onlynow，whenshehascloseditsdoorstome，doIknowhowhappy！Ifshewouldgivemeanotherchance，neveragainwouldIdistressordeceiveher。\"
Sofarhadtheyoungmanprogressedinhisthoughtswhenanautomobileofsurprisingsmartnesssweptaroundthecorneranddrewupinfrontofthehouseofyellowstucco，andfromitdescendedacharmingyoungperson。ShewasoftheDresden—
shepherdesstype，withlargeblueeyesofhauntingbeautyandinnocence。
\"Mywife！\"exclaimedtheblondyouthattherailings。Andinstantlyhedodgedbehindahorsethat，whilestillattachedtoafour—wheeler，wascontentedlyeatingfromanose—bag。
WithakeytheDresdenshepherdessopenedthedoortotheyellowhouseanddisappeared。
Thecallingofthereportertrainshiminaudacity，andtoactquickly。Hesharesthetroublesofsomanypeoplethattothetroublesofotherpeoplehebecomescallous，andoftenwillrushinwherefriendsofthefamilyfeartotread。AlthoughPhilipwasnotnowactingasareporter，heactedquickly。Hardlyhadthedoorclosedupontheyoungladythanhehadmountedthestepsandrungthevisitor’sbell。Ashedidso，hecouldnotresistcastingatriumphantglanceinthedirectionoftheoutlawedhusband。And，inturn，whattheoutcasthusband，peeringfromacrossthebackofthecabhorse，thoughtofPhilip，ofhisclothes，ofhisgeneralappearance，andofthemannerinwhichhewoulddelighttoalterallofthem，wasquicklycommunicatedtotheAmerican。TheywerethoughtsofanaturesoviolentanduncomplimentarythatPhiliphastilycutoffallconnection。
AsPhilipdidnotknowthenameoftheDresden—chinadoll，itwasfortunatethatonopeningthedoor，thebutlerpromptlyannounced：
\"Herladyshipisnotreceiving。\"
\"Herladyshipwill，Ithink，receiveme，\"saidPhilippleasantly，\"whenyoutellherIcomeasthespecialambassadorofhislordship。\"
Fromatinyreception—roomontherightoftheentrance—hallthereissuedafeminineexclamationofsurprise，notunmixedwithjoy；andinthehallthenobleladyinstantlyappeared。
Whenshesawherselfconfrontedbyastranger，shehaltedinembarrassment。Butas，evenwhileshehalted，heronlythoughthadbeen，\"Oh！ifhewillonlyaskmetoforgivehim！\"Philipfeltnoembarrassmentwhatsoever。Outside，concealedbehindacabhorse，wastheerringbutbitterlyrepentanthusband；inside，hertenderestthoughtsracingtumultuouslytowardhim，wasanunhappychild—wifebeggingtobebeggedtopardon。
ForaNewYorkreporter，andaHarvardgraduateofcharmandgoodmanners，itwastooeasy。
\"Idonotknowyou，\"saidherladyship。Butevenasshespokeshemotionedtothebutlertogoaway。\"Youmustbeoneofhisnewfriends。\"Hertonewasoneofenvy。
\"Indeed，Iamhisnewestfriend，\"Philipassuredher；\"butIcansafelysaynooneknowshisthoughtsaswellasI。Andtheyareallofyou！\"
Thechinashepherdessblushedwithhappiness，butinstantlysheshookherhead。
\"TheytellmeImustnotbelievehim，\"sheannounced。\"Theytellme——\"
\"Nevermindwhattheytellyou，\"commandedPhilip。\"ListentoME。
Helovesyou。Betterthaneverbefore，helovesyou。Allheasksisthechancetotellyouso。Youcannothelpbutbelievehim。
Whocanlookatyou，andnotbelievethathelovesyou！Letme，\"
hebegged，\"bringhimtoyou。\"Hestartedfromherwhen，rememberingthesomewhatviolentthoughtsoftheyouthfulhusband，headdedhastily：\"Orperhapsitwouldbebetterifyoucalledhimyourself。\"
\"Calledhim！\"exclaimedthelady。\"HeisinParis—attheraces——withher！\"
\"Iftheytellyouthatsortofthing，\"protestedPhilipindignantly，\"youmustlistentome。HeisnotinParis。Heisnotwithher。Thereneverwasaher！\"
Hedrewasidethelacecurtainsandpointed。\"Heisthere——
behindthatancientcabhorse，prayingthatyouwilllethimtellyouthatnotonlydidheneverdoit；but，whatismuchmoreimportant，hewillneverdoitagain。\"
Theladyherselfnowtimidlydrewthecurtainsapart，andthenmoreboldlyshowedherselfupontheironbalcony。Leaningoverthescarletgeraniums，shebeckonedwithbothhands。Theresultwasinstantaneous。Philipboltedforthefrontdoor，leavingitopen；and，ashedarteddownthesteps，theyouthfulhusband，instridesresemblingthoseofanostrich，shotpasthim。PhilipdidnotceaserunninguntilhewaswelloutofBerkeleySquare。Then，notill—pleasedwiththeadventure，heturnedandsmiledbackatthehouseofyellowstucco。
\"Blessyou，mychildren，\"hemurmured；\"blessyou！\"
HecontinuedtotheRitz；and，oncrossingPiccadillytothequieterentrancetothehotelinArlingtonStreet，foundgatheredarounditaconsiderablecrowddrawnuponeithersideofaredcarpetthatstretcheddownthestepsofthehoteltoacourtcarriage。AredcarpetinJune，whenallisdryunderfootandthesunisshininggently，canmeanonlyroyalty；andintherearofthemeninthestreetPhiliphalted。HerememberedthatforafewdaystheyoungKingofAsturiaandtheQueenMotherwereattheRitzincognito；and，asheneverhadseentheyoungmanwhosorecentlyandsotragicallyhadbeenexiledfromhisownkingdom，Philipraisedhimselfontiptoeandstaredexpectantly。
Aseasilyashecouldreadtheirfacescouldhereadthethoughtsofthoseabouthim。Theywerethoughtsoffriendlycuriosity，ofpityfortheexiles；onthepartofthepolicemenwhohadhastenedfromacrossstreet，ofprideattheirtemporaryresponsibility；onthepartofthecoachmanofthecourtcarriage，ofspeculationastothepossibleamountofhisMajesty’stip。Thethoughtswereasharmlessandprotectingasthewarmsunshine。
Andthen，suddenlyandharshly，likethestrokeofafirebellatmidnight，theharmoniouschorusofgentle，hospitablethoughtswasshatteredbyonethatwasdiscordant，evil，menacing。Itwasthethoughtofamanwithabraindiseased；anditspurposewasmurder。
\"Whentheyappearatthedoorway，\"spokethebrainofthemaniac，\"Ishallliftthebombfrommypocket。Ishallraiseitabovemyhead。Ishallcrashitagainstthestonesteps。Itwillhurlthemandallofthesepeopleintoeternityandmewiththem。ButI
shallLIVE——amartyrtotheCause。AndtheCausewillflourish！\"
Throughtheunsuspectingcrowd，likeafootballplayerdivingforatackle，Philiphurledhimselfuponalittledarkmanstandingclosetotheopendoorofthecourtcarriage。FromtherearPhilipseizedhimaroundthewaistandlockedhisarmsbehindhim，elbowtoelbow。Philip’sface，appearingovertheman’sshoulder，staredstraightintothatofthepoliceman。
\"Hehasabombinhisright—handpocket！\"yelledPhilip。\"Icanholdhimwhileyoutakeit！But，forHeaven’ssake，don’tdropit！\"Philipturneduponthecrowd。\"Run！allofyou！\"heshouted。
\"Runlikethedevil！\"
AtthatinstanttheboyKingandhisQueenMother，herselfstillyoungandbeautiful，andcloakedwithadignityandsorrowthatherrobesofmourningcouldnotintensify，appearedinthedoorway。
\"Goback，sir！\"warnedPhilip。\"Hemeanstokillyou！\"
Atthewordsandatsightofthestrugglingmen，thegreatladyswayedhelplessly，hereyesfilledwithterror。Hersonsprangprotectinglyinfrontofher。Butthedangerwaspast。Asecondpolicemanwasnowholdingthemaniacbythewrists，forcinghisarmsabovehishead；Philip’sarms，likealariat，werewoundaroundhischest；andfromhispocketthefirstpolicemangingerlydrewfortharound，blackobjectofthesizeofaglassfire—grenade。Heheldithighintheair，andwavedhisfreehandwarningly。Butthewarningwasunobserved。Therewasnooneremainingtoobserveit。Leavingthewould—beassassinstrugglingandbitinginthegraspofthestalwartpoliceman，andtheotherpolicemanunhappilyholdingthebombatarm’slength，PhilipsoughttoescapeintotheRitz。ButtheyoungKingbrokethroughthecircleofattendantsandstoppedhim。
\"Imustthankyou，\"saidtheboyeagerly；\"andIwishyoutotellmehowyoucametosuspecttheman’spurpose。\"
Unabletospeakthetruth，Philip，thewould—bewriteroffiction，begantoimprovisefluently。
\"Tolearntheirpurpose，sir，\"hesaid，\"ismybusiness。IamoftheInternationalPolice，andinthesecretserviceofyourMajesty。\"
\"ThenImustknowyourname，\"saidtheKing，andaddedwithadignitythatwasmostbecoming，\"Youwillfindwearenotungrateful。\"
Philipsmiledmysteriouslyandshookhishead。
\"Isaidinyoursecretservice，\"herepeated。\"DidevenyourMajestyknowme，myusefulnesswouldbeatanend。\"Hepointedtowardthetwopolicemen。\"Ifyoudesiretobejust，aswellasgracious，thosearethementoreward。\"
HeslippedpasttheKingandthroughthecrowdofhotelofficialsintothehallandonintothecorridor。
Thearresthadtakenplacesoquietlyandsoquicklythatthroughtheheavyglassdoorsnosoundhadpenetrated，andofthefactthattheyhadbeensoclosetoapossibletragedythoseinthecorridorwerestillignorant。ThemembersoftheHungarianorchestrawerearrangingtheirmusic；awaiterwasservingtwomenofmiddleagewithsherry；andtwodistinguished—lookingelderlygentlemenseatedtogetheronasofaweretalkinginleisurelywhispers。
Oneofthetwomiddle—agedmenwaswellknowntoPhilip，whoasareporterhadoften，inNewYork，endeavoredtointerviewhimonmattersconcerningthesteeltrust。HisnamewasFaust。HewasaPennsylvaniaDutchmanfromPittsburgh，andatonetimehadbeenaforemanofthenightshiftinthesamemillshenowcontrolled。
Butwitharoarandaspectacularflash，notunlikeoneofhisownblastfurnaces，hehadsoaredtofameandfortune。HerecognizedPhilipasoneofthebrightyoungmenoftheRepublic；
butinhisownopinionhewasfartooself—importanttobetraythatfact。
PhilipsankintoanimitationLouisQuatorzechairbesideafountaininimitationofoneintheapartmentofthePompadour，andorderedwhatheknewwouldbeanexecrableimitationofanAmericancocktail。WhilewaitingforthecocktailandLadyWoodcote’sluncheonparty，Philip，fromwherehesat，couldnothelpbutoverheartheconversationofFaustandofthemanwithhim。ThelatterwasaGermanwithHebraicfeaturesandapointedbeard。InloudtoneshewascongratulatingtheAmericanmany—timemillionaireonhavingthatmorningcomeintopossessionofarareandvaluablemasterpiece，ahithertounknownandbutrecentlydiscoveredportraitofPhilipIVbyVelasquez。
Philipsighedenviously。
\"Fancy，\"hethought，\"owningaVelasquez！Fancyhavingitalltoyourself！Itmustbefuntoberich。Itcertainlyishelltobepoor！\"
TheGerman，whowasevidentlyapicture—dealer，wasexclaimingintonesofrapture，andnoddinghisheadwithanairofaweandsolemnity。
\"Iamtellingyouthetruth，Mr。Faust，\"hesaid。\"InnogalleryinEurope，no，noteveninthePrado，istheresuchanotherVelasquez。Thisiswhatyouaredoing，Mr。Faust，youarerobbingSpain。YouarerobbingherofsomethingworthmoretoherthanCuba。AndItellyou，sosoonasitisknownthatthisVelasquezisgoingtoyourhomeinPittsburgh，everySpaniardwillhateyouandeveryart—collectorwillhateyou，too。ForitisthemostwonderfularttreasureinEurope。Andwhatabargain，Mr。Faust！
Whatabargain！\"
Tomakesurethatthereporterwaswithinhearing，Mr。FaustglancedinthedirectionofPhilipand，seeingthathehadheard，frownedimportantly。Thatthereportermighthearstillmore，healsoraisedhisvoice。
\"Nothingcanbecalledabargain，Baron，\"hesaid，\"thatcoststhreehundredthousanddollars！\"
AgainhecouldnotresistglancingtowardPhilip，andsoeagerlythatPhilipdeemeditwouldbeonlypolitetolookinterested。Soheobliginglyassumedastartledlook，withwhichheendeavoredtominglesimulationsofsurprise，awe，andenvy。
Thenextinstantanexpressionofrealsurpriseoverspreadhisfeatures。
Mr。Faustcontinued。\"Ifyouwillcomeupstairs，\"hesaidtothepicture—dealer，\"Iwillgiveyouyourcheck；andthenIshouldliketodrivetoyourapartmentsandtakeafarewelllookatthepicture。\"
\"Iamsorry，\"theBaronsaid，\"butIhavehaditmovedtomyartgallerytobepacked。\"
\"Thenlet’sgotothegallery，\"urgedthepatronofart。\"We’vejusttimebeforelunch。\"Herosetohisfeet，andontheinstantthesoulofthepicture—dealerwasfilledwithalarm。
Inactualwordshesaid：\"Thepictureisalreadyboxedandinitsleadcoffin。NodoubtbynowitisonitswaytoLiverpool。Iamsorry。\"Buthisthoughts，asPhilipeasilyreadthem，were：
\"FancymylettingthisvulgarfoolintotheTateStreetworkshop！
EvenHEwouldknowthatoldmastersarenotfoundinahalf—finishedstateonChelsea—madeframesandcanvases。Fancymylettinghimseethosetwohalf—completedVanDycks，thenewHals，thehalf—dozenCorots。HewouldevenseehisowncopyofVelasqueznexttotheoneexactlylikeit——theoneMacMillanfinishedyesterdayandthatIamsendingtoOporto，wherenextyear，inaconvent，weshall’discover’it。\"
Philip’ssurprisegavewaytointenseamusement。Inhisdelightatthesituationuponwhichhehadstumbled，helaughedaloud。
Thetwomen，whohadrisen，surprisedatthespectacleofayoungmanlaughingatnothing，turnedandstared。Philipalsorose。
\"Pardonme，\"hesaidtoFaust，\"butyouspokesoloudIcouldn’thelpoverhearing。Ithinkwe’vemetbefore，whenIwasareporterontheRepublic。\"
ThePittsburghmillionairemadeapretense，ofannoyance。
\"Really！\"heprotestedirritably，\"youreportersbuttineverywhere。Nopublicmanissafe。Istherenoplacewecangowhereyoufellowswon’tannoyus？\"
\"YoucangotothedevilforallIcare，\"saidPhilip，\"oreventoPittsburgh！\"
Hesawthewaiterbearingdownuponhimwiththeimitationcocktail，andmovedtomeetit。Themillionaire，fearingthereporterwouldescapehim，hastilychangedhistone。Hespokewitheffectiveresignation。
\"However，sinceyou’velearnedsomuch，\"hesaid，\"I’lltellyouthewholeofit。Idon’twantthefactgarbled，foritisofinternationalimportance。DoyouknowwhataVelasquezis？\"
\"Doyou？\"askedPhilip。
Themillionairesmiledtolerantly。
\"IthinkIdo，\"hesaid。\"Andtoproveit，Ishalltellyousomethingthatwillbenewstoyou。IhavejustboughtaVelasquezthatIamgoingtoplaceinmyartmuseum。Itisworththreehundredthousanddollars。\"
Philipacceptedthecocktailthewaiterpresented。Itwasquiteasbadashehadexpected。
\"Now，Ishalltellyousomething，\"hesaid，\"thatwillbenewstoyou。YouarenotbuyingaVelasquez。ItisnomoreaVelasquezthanthishairoilisarealcocktail。Itisabadcopy，worthafewdollars。\"
\"Howdareyou！\"shoutedFaust。\"Areyoumad？\"
ThefaceoftheGermanturnedcrimsonwithrage。
\"Whoisthisinsolentone？\"hesputtered。
\"Iwillmakeyouasportingproposition，\"saidPhilip。\"Youcantakeit，orleaveit。Youtwowillgetintoataxi。Youwilldrivetothisman’sstudioinTateStreet。YouwillfindyourVelasquezisthereandnotonitswaytoLiverpool。Andyouwillfindoneexactlylikeit，andadozenother’oldmasters’
half—finished。I’llbetyouahundredpoundsI’mright！AndI’llbetthismanahundredpoundsthatheDOESN’TDARETAKEYOUTO
HISSTUDIO！\"
\"Indeed，Iwillnot，\"roaredtheGerman。\"Itwouldbetoinsultmyself。\"
\"Itwouldbeaneasywaytoearnahundredpounds，too，\"saidPhilip。
\"HowdareyouinsulttheBaron？\"demandedFaust。\"Whatmakesyouthink——\"
\"Idon’tthink，Iknow！\"saidPhilip。\"Forthepriceofataxi—cabfaretoTateStreet，youwinahundredpounds。\"
\"Wewillallthreegoatonce，\"criedtheGerman。\"Mycarisoutside。Waithere。Iwillhaveitbroughttothedoor？\"
Faustprotestedindignantly。
\"Donotdisturbyourself，Baron，\"hesaid；\"justbecauseafreshreporter——\"
ButalreadytheGermanhadreachedthehall。Nordidhestopthere。Theysawhim，withouthishat，rushintoPiccadilly，springintoataxi，andshoutexcitedlytothedriver。Thenextmomenthehaddisappeared。
\"That’sthelastyou’llseeofhim，\"saidPhilip。
\"Hisactionsarecertainlypeculiar，\"gaspedthemillionaire。\"Hedidnotwaitforus。Hedidn’tevenwaitforhishat！Ithink，afterall，IhadbettergotoTateStreet。\"
\"Doso，\"saidPhilip，\"andsaveyourselfthreehundredthousanddollars，andfromthelaughteroftwocontinents。You’llfindmehereatlunch。IfI’mwrong，I’llpayyouahundredpounds。\"
\"Youshouldcomewithme，\"saidFaust。\"Itisonlyfairtoyourself。\"
\"I’lltakeyourwordforwhatyoufindinthestudio，\"saidPhilip。\"Icannotgo。Thisismybusyday。\"
Withoutfurtherwords，themillionairecollectedhishatandstick，and，inhisturn，enteredataxi—cabanddisappeared。
PhilipreturnedtotheLouisQuatorzechairandlitacigarette。
Saveforthetwoelderlygentlemenonthesofa，theloungewasstillempty，andhisreflectionswereundisturbed。Heshookhisheadsadly。
\"Surely，\"Philipthought，\"theFrenchchapwasrightwhosaidwordsweregivenustoconcealourthoughts。Whatastrangeworlditwouldbeifeveryonepossessedmypower。Deceptionwouldbequitefutileandlyingwouldbecomealostart。Iwonder，\"hemusedcynically，\"isanyonequitehonest？Doesanyonespeakashethinksandthinkashespeaks？\"
Atoncecameadirectanswertohisquestion。Thetwoelderlygentlemenhadrisenand，beforeseparating，hadhaltedafewfeetfromhim。
\"Isincerelyhope，SirJohn，\"saidoneofthetwo，\"thatyouhavenoregrets。IhopeyoubelievethatIhaveadvisedyouinthebestinterestsofall？\"
\"Ido，indeed，\"theotherrepliedheartily\"Weshallbethoughtentirelyselfish；butyouknowandIknowthatwhatwehavedoneisforthebenefitoftheshareholders。\"
Philipwaspleasedtofindthatthethoughtsofeachoftheoldgentlemenranhandinhandwithhisspokenwords。\"Here，atleast，\"hesaidtohimself，\"aretwohonestmen。\"
Asthoughloathtopart，thetwogentlemenstilllingered。
\"AndIhope，\"continuedtheoneaddressedasSirJohn，\"thatyouapproveofmyholdingbackthepublicannouncementofthecombineuntiltheafternoon。Itwillgivetheshareholdersabetterchance。Hadwegivenoutthenewsinthismorning’spapersthestockbrokerswouldhave——\"
\"Itwasmostwise，\"interruptedtheother。\"Mostjust。\"
TheonecalledSirJohnbowedhimselfaway，leavingtheotherstillstandingatthestepsofthelounge。Withhishandsbehindhisback，hischinsunkonhischest，heremained，gazingatnothing，histhoughtsfaraway。
Philipfoundthemthoughtsofcuriousinterest。Theywereconcernedwiththreeflags。Now，thegentlemanconsideredthemseparately；andPhilipsawtheemblemspaintedclearlyincolors，flutteringandflattenedbythebreeze。Again，thegentlemanconsideredtheminvariouscombinations；butalways，inwhateverorderhismindarrangedthem，ofthethreehisheartspokealwaystothesameflag，astheheartofamotherreachestowardherfirstborn。
Thenthethoughtswerediverted；andinhismind’seyetheoldgentlemanwaswatchingthelaunchingofalittleschoonerfromashipyardontheClyde。Athermainflewoneofthethreeflags——aflagwitharedcrossonawhiteground。Withthoughtstenderandgrateful，hefollowedhertostrange，hotports，throughhurricanesandtidalwaves；hesawherreturnagainandagaintotheLondondocks，ladenwithodorouscoffee，mahogany，redrubber，andrawbullion。HesawsistershipsfollowinherwaketoeveryportintheSouthSea；sawsteampacketstaketheplaceoftheshipswithsails；sawthesteampacketsgivewaytogreatoceanliners，eachafloatingvillage，eachequipped，asnovillageisequipped，withagiantpowerhouse，thousandsofelectriclamps，suiteaftersuiteofsilk—linedboudoirs，withthefloatingharpsthatvibratetoalovemessagethreehundredmilesaway，tothefiercecallforhelpfromasinkingship。Butatthemainofeachgreatvesseltherestillflewthesamehouse—flag——theredcrossonthefieldofwhite——onlynowinthearmsofthecrosstherenestledproudlyaroyalcrown。
Philipcastascaredglanceattheoldgentleman，andraceddownthecorridortothetelephone。
OfalltheyoungEnglishmenheknew，Maddoxwashisbestfriendandastock—broker。InthatlattercapacityPhiliphadneverbeforeaddressedhim。Nowhedemandedhisinstantpresenceatthetelephone。
