Maddoxgreetedhimgenially，butPhilipcuthimshort。
\"Iwantyoutoactforme，\"hewhispered，\"andactquick！IwantyoutobuyformeonethousandsharesoftheRoyalMailLine，oftheElder—Dempster，andoftheUnionCastle。\"
HeheardMaddoxlaughindulgently。
\"There’snothinginthatyarnofacombine，\"hecalled。\"Ithasfallenthrough。Besides，sharesareatfifteenpounds。\"
Philip，havinginhispossessionasecond—classticketandafive—poundnote，wasindifferenttothat，andsaidso。
\"Idon’tcarewhattheyare，\"heshouted。\"Thecombineisalreadysignedandsealed，andnooneknowsitbutmyself。Inanhoureverybodywillknowit！\"
\"Whatmakesyouthinkyouknowit？\"demandedthebroker。
\"I’veseenthehouse—flags！\"criedPhilip。\"Ihave——doasItellyou，\"hecommanded。
Therewasadistractingdelay。
\"Nomatterwho’sbackofyou，\"objectedMaddox，\"it’sabigorderonagamble。\"
\"It’snotagamble，\"criedPhilip。\"It’sanaccomplishedfact。
I’mattheRitz。Callmeupthere。Startbuyingnow，and，whenyou’vegotathousandofeach，stop！\"
Philipwasmuchtooagitatedtogofarfromthetelephonebooth；
soforhalfanhourhesatinthereading—room，forcinghimselftoreadtheillustratedpapers。Whenhefoundhehadreadthesameadvertisementfivetimes，hereturnedtothetelephone。Thetelephoneboymethimhalf—waywithamessage。
\"Havesecuredforyouathousandsharesofeach，\"heread，\"atfifteen。Maddox。\"
Likeamanawakeningfromanightmare，Philiptriedtoseparatethehorrorofthesituationfromthecoldfact。Thecoldfactwassufficientlyhorrible。Itwasthat，withoutapennytopayforthem，hehadboughtsharesinthreesteamshiplines，whichshares，addedtogether，wereworthtwohundredandtwentyfivethousanddollars。Hereturneddownthecorridortowardthelounge。Tremblingathisownaudacity，hewasinastateofalmostcompletepanic，whenthathappenedwhichmadehisoutrageousspeculationoflittleconsequence。Itwasdrawingneartohalf—pastone；and，inthepersonsofseveralsmartmenandbeautifulladies，thecomponentpartsofdifferentluncheonpartieswerebeginningtoassemble。
OftheluncheontowhichLadyWoodcotehadinvitedhim，onlyoneguesthadarrived；but，sofarasPhilipwasconcerned，thatonewassufficient。ItwasHelenherself，seatedalone，withhereyesfixedonthedoorsopeningfromPiccadilly。Philip，hisheartsingingwithappeals，blessings，andadoration，rantowardher。
Herprofilewastowardhim，andshecouldnotseehim；buthecouldseeher。Andhenotedthat，asthoughseekingsomeone，hereyeswereturnedsearchinglyuponeachyoungmanasheenteredandmovedfromonetoanotherofthosealreadyinthelounge。Herexpressionwaseagerandanxious。
\"Ifonly，\"Philipexclaimed，\"shewerelookingforme！Shecertainlyislookingforsomeman。Iwonderwhoitcanbe？\"
Assuddenlyasifhehadslappedhisfaceintoawall，hehaltedinhissteps。Whyshouldhewonder？Whydidhenotreadhermind？
WhydidhenotKNOW？Awaiterwashasteningtowardhim。Philipfixedhisminduponthewaiter，andhiseyesaswell。MentallyPhilipdemandedofhim：\"Ofwhatareyouthinking？\"
Therewasnoresponse。Andthen，seeinganunlitcigarettehangingfromPhilip’slips，thewaiterhastilystruckamatchandprofferedit。Obviously，hismindhadworked，first，inobservingthehalf—burnedcigarette；next，infurnishingthenecessarymatch。AndofnostepinthatmentalprocesshadPhilipbeenconscious！Theconclusionwasonlytooapparent。Hispowerwasgone。Nolongerwasheamindreader！
HastilyPhilipreviewedtheadventuresofthemorning。Asheconsideredthem，themoralwasobvious。Themomenthehadusedhispowertohisownadvantage，hehadlostit。Solongashehadexerteditforthehappinessofthetwolovers，tosavethelifeoftheKing，tothwartthedishonestyofaswindler，hehadbeenall—powerful；butwhenheendeavoredtobendittohisownuses，ithadfledfromhim。Ashestoodabashedandrepentant，Helenturnedhereyestowardhim；and，atthesightofhim，thereleapedtothemhappinessandwelcomeandcompletecontent。Itwas\"thelookthatneverwasonlandorsea，\"anditwasnotnecessarytobeamindreadertounderstandit。Philipsprangtowardherasquicklyasamandodgesataxi—cab。
\"Icameearly，\"saidHelen，\"becauseIwantedtotalktoyoubeforetheothersarrived。\"Sheseemedtoberepeatingwordsalreadyrehearsed，tobefollowingacourseofconductalreadypredetermined。\"Iwanttotellyou，\"shesaid，\"thatIamsorryyouaregoingaway。IwanttotellyouthatIshallmissyouverymuch。\"Shepausedanddrewalongbreath。AndshelookedatPhilipasifshewasbegginghimtomakeiteasierforhertogoon。
Philipproceededtomakeiteasier。
\"Willyoumissme，\"heasked，\"intheRow，whereIusedtowaitamongthetreestoseeyouridepast？Willyoumissmeatdances，whereIusedtohidebehindthedowagerstowatchyouwaltzingby？Willyoumissmeatnight，whenyoucomehomebysunrise，andIamnothidingagainsttherailingsoftheCarltonClub，justtoseeyourunacrossthepavementfromyourcarriage，justtoseethelightonyourwindowblind，justtoseethelightgoout，andtoknowthatyouaresleeping？\"
Helen’seyesweresmilinghappily。Shelookedawayfromhim。
\"Didyouusetodothat？\"sheasked。
\"EverynightIdothat，\"saidPhilip。\"Askthepolicemen！Theyarrestedmethreetimes。\"
\"Why？\"saidHelengently。
ButPhilipwasnotyetfreetospeak，sohesaid：
\"TheythoughtIwasaburglar。\"
Helenfrowned。Hewasmakingitveryhardforher。
\"YouknowwhatImean，\"shesaid。\"Whydidyoukeepguardoutsidemywindow？\"
\"Itwasthepolicemankeptguard，\"saidPhilip。\"Iwasthereonlyasaburglar。Icametorob。ButIwasacoward，orelseIhadaconscience，orelseIknewmyownunworthiness。\"Therewasalongpause。Asbothofthem，whenevertheyheardthetuneafterward，alwaysremembered，theHungarianband，withrareinconsequence，wasplayingthe\"GrizzlyBear，\"andpeopleweretryingtospeaktoHelen。Byhertheywerereceivedwithalookofsocompletealackofrecognition，andbyPhilipwithaglareofsuchsavagehate，thattheyretreatedindismay。Thepauseseemedtolastformanyyears。
AtlastHelensaid：\"Doyouknowthestoryofthetworoses？Theygrewinagardenunderalady’swindow。Theybothlovedher。Onelookedupatherfromthegroundandsighedforher；buttheotherclimbedtothelady’swindow，andsheliftedhiminandkissedhim——becausehehaddaredtoclimb。\"
Philiptookouthiswatchandlookedatit。ButHelendidnotmindhisdoingthat，becauseshesawthathiseyeswerefilledwithtears。Shewasdelightedtofindthatshewasmakingitveryhardforhim，too。
\"Atanymoment，\"Philipsaid，\"ImayknowwhetherIowetwohundredandtwenty—fivethousanddollarswhichIcanneverpay，orwhetherIamworthaboutthatsum。Ishouldliketocontinuethisconversationattheexactplacewhereyoulastspoke——AFTER
IknowwhetherIamgoingtojail，orwhetherIamworthaquarterofamilliondollars。\"
Helenlaughedaloudwithhappiness。
\"Iknewthatwasit！\"shecried。\"Youdon’tlikemymoney。IwasafraidyoudidnotlikeME。Ifyoudislikemymoney，Iwillgiveitaway，orIwillgiveittoyoutokeepforme。Themoneydoesnotmatter，solongasyoudon’tdislikeme。\"
WhatPhilipwouldhavesaidtothat，Helencouldnotknow，forapageinmanybuttonsrushedathimwithamessagefromthetelephone，andwithahandthattrembledPhilipsnatchedit。Itread：\"Combineisannounced，shareshavegonetothirty—one，shallIholdorsell？\"
ThatatsuchacrisisheshouldpermitofanyinterruptionhurtHelendeeply。Sheregardedhimwithunhappyeyes。Philipreadthemessagethreetimes。Atlast，andnotwithoutuneasydoubtsastohisownsanity，hegraspedthepreposteroustruth。Hewasworthalmostaquarterofamilliondollars！Atthepageheshovedhislastandonlyfive—poundnote。Hepushedtheboyfromhim。
\"Run！\"hecommanded。\"Getoutofhere，TellhimheistoSELL！\"
HeturnedtoHelenwithalookinhiseyesthatcouldnotbequestionedordenied。Heseemedincapableofspeech，and，tobreakthesilence，Helensaid：\"Isitgoodnews？\"
\"Thatdependsentirelyuponyou，\"repliedPhilipsoberly。
\"Indeed，allmyfuturelifedependsuponwhatyouaregoingtosaynext。\"
Helenbreatheddeeplyandhappily。
\"And——whatamIgoingtosay？\"
\"HowcanIknowthat？\"demandedPhilip。\"AmIamindreader？\"
ButwhatshesaidmaybesafelyguessedfromthefactthattheybothchuckedLadyWoodcotesluncheon，andateoneofpennybuns，whichtheysharedwiththebearsinRegentsPark。
Philipwasjustabletopayforthepennybuns。Helenpaidforthetaxi—cab。
Chapter7。THENAKEDMAN
IntheirhometownofKeepsburg，theKeepswerethereigningdynasty，sociallyandineveryway。OldmanKeepwaspresidentofthetrolleyline，thetelephonecompany，andtheKeepNationalBank。ButFred，hisson，andtheheirapparent，didnotinheritthebusinessabilityofhisfather；or，ifhedid，hetookpainstoconcealthatfact。FredhadgonethroughHarvard，butastothatalso，unlesshetoldpeople，theywouldnothaveknownit。
TenminutesafterFredmetamanhegenerallytoldhim。
WhenFredarrangedanalliancewithWinniePlatt，whoalsowasoftheinnermostinnersetofKeepsburg，everybodysaidKeepsburgwouldsoonlosethem。Andeverybodywasright。Whensingle，eachhadsighedforothersocialworldstoconquer，andwhentheycombinedtheirfortunesandambitionstheyfoundKeepsburgimpossible，andtheyleftittolaysiegetoNewYork。TheyweretoocraftytoatonceattackNewYorkitself。AwidowladytheymetwhileontheirhoneymoonatPalmBeachhadtoldthemnottoattemptthat。AndshewasthePalmBeachcorrespondentofasocietypapertheynaturallyacceptedheradvice。ShewarnedthemthatinNewYorkthewaiting—listisalreadyinterminable，andthat，ifyouhopedtobreakintoNewYorksociety，thecleverthingtodowastolaysiegetoitbywayofthesuburbsandthecountryclubs。IfyouwentdirecttoNewYorkknowingnoone，youwouldatonceexposethatfact，andtheresultwouldbedisastrous。
Shetoldthemofacouplelikethemselves，youngandrichandfromtheWest，who，atthefirstdancetowhichtheywereinvited，asked，\"Whoistheoldladyinthewig？\"andthatquestionarguedthemsounknownthatitsetthembacktwoyears。
Itwasaterriblestory，anditfilledtheKeepswithmisgivings。
Theyagreedwiththeladycorrespondentthatitwasfarbettertoadvanceleisurely；firstfirmlytointrenchthemselvesinthesuburbs，andthentoenterNewYork，notastheKeepsfromKeepsburg，whichmeantnothing，butastheFredKeepsofLongIsland，orWestchester，orBordentown。
\"Inallofthoseplaces，\"explainedthewidowlady，\"oursmartestpeoplehavecountryhomes，andatthecountryclubyoumaygettoknowthem。Then，whenwintercomes，youfollowthemontothecity。\"
ThepointfromwhichtheKeepselectedtolaunchtheirattackwasScarboro—on—the—Hudson。TheyselectedScarborobecausebothofthemcouldplaygolf，andtheyplannedthattheirfirstskirmishshouldbefoughtandwonuponthegolf—linksoftheSleepyHollowCountryClub。Buttheattackdidnotsucceed。Somethingwentwrong。Theybegantofearthattheladycorrespondenthadgiventhemthewrongdope。For，althoughthreemonthshadpassed，andtheyhadplayedgolftogetheruntiltheywereasloathtoclaspagolfclubasared—hotpoker，theyknewnoone，andnooneknewthem。Thatis，theydidnotknowtheVanWardens；andifyoulivedatScarboroandwerenotrecognizedbytheVanWardens，youwerenottobefoundonanymap。
SincethedaysofHendrikHudsonthecountry—seatoftheVanWardenshadlookeddownupontheriverthatbearshisname，andeversincethosedaystheVanWardenshadlookeddownuponeverybodyelse。Theyweresoproudthatatalltheirgatestheyhadplacedsignsreading，\"Nohorsesallowed。Taketheotherroad。\"TheotherroadwasanearthroadusedbytradespeoplefromOssining；theroadreservedfortheVanWardens，andautomobiles，wasofbluestone。IthelpedgreatlytogivetheVanWardenestatetheappearanceofawellkeptcemetery。AndthoseVanWardenswhooccupiedthecountry—placewereascoldandunsociableasthesortofpeoplewhooccupycemeteries——except\"Harry\"VanWarden，andshelivedinNewYorkattheTurfClub。
Harry，accordingtoalllocaltradition——forhefrequentlymotoredouttoWardenKoopf，theVanWardencountry—seat——and，accordingtothenewspapers，wasadevilofafellowandinnosensecoldorunsociable。SofarastheKeepsreadofhim，hewasalwaysbeingarrestedforoverspeeding，orbreakinghiscollar—boneouthunting，orlosinghisfrontteethatpolo。ThisgreatlyannoyedtheproudsistersatWardenKoopf；notbecauseHarrywasarrestedorhadbrokenhiscollar—bone，butbecauseitdraggedthefamilynameintothenewspapers。
\"Ifyouwouldonlyplaypoloorridetohoundsinsteadofplayinggolf，\"sighedWinnieKeeptoherhusband，\"youwouldmeetHarryVanWarden，andhe’dintroduceyoutohissisters，andthenwecouldbreakinanywhere。\"
\"IfIwastoridetohounds，\"returnedherhusband，\"theonlythingI’dbreakwouldbemyneck。\"
Thecountry—placeoftheKeepswascompletelysatisfactory，andforthepurposesoftheirsocialcomedythestage—settingwasperfect。Thehousewasonetheyhadrentedfromamanofcharmingtasteandinflatedfortune；andwithittheyhadtakenoverhiswell—disciplinedbutler，hispictures，furniture，familysilver，andlinen。Itstooduponaneminence，washeavilywooded，andsurroundedbymanygardens；butitschiefattractionwasanartificiallakewellstockedwithtroutthatlaydirectlybelowtheterraceofthehouseandalsoinfullviewfromtheroadtoAlbany。
ThislatterfactcausedWinnieKeepmuchconcern。IntheneighborhoodweremanyItalianlaborers，andonseveralnightsthefishhadtemptedthesebornpoacherstotrespass；andmorethanonce，onhotsummerevenings，smallboysfromTarrytownandOssininghadbrokenthroughthehedge，andusedthelakeasaswimming—pool。
\"Itmakesmenervous，\"complainedWinnie。\"Idon’tliketheideaofpeopleprowlingaroundsonearthehouse。Andthinkofthosetwelvehundredconvicts，notonemileaway，inSingSing。Mostofthemareburglars，andiftheyevergetout，ourhouseistheveryfirstonethey’llbreakinto。\"
\"Ihaven’tcaughtanybodyinthisneighborhoodbreakingintoourhouseyet，\"saidFred，\"andI’dbegladtoseeevenaburglar！\"
Theywereseatedonthebrickterracethatoverlookedthelake。
Itwasjustbeforethedinnerhour，andtheduskofawonderfulOctobernighthadfallenonthehedges，theclumpsofevergreens，therowsofclose—clippedbox。Afullmoonwasjustshowingitselfabovethetree—tops，turningthelakeintomovingsilver。
Fredrosefromhiswickerchairand，crossingtohisyoungbride，touchedherhairfearfullywiththetipsofhisfingers。
\"Whatifwedon’tknowanybody，Win，\"hesaid，\"andnobodyknowsus？It’sbeenaperfectlygoodhoneymoon，hasn’tit？Ifyoujustlookatitthatway，itworksoutallright。Wecameherereallyforourhoneymoon，tobetogether，tobealone——\"
Winnielaughedshortly。\"Theycertainlyhaveleftusalone！\"shesighed。
\"Butwhereelsecouldwehavebeenanyhappier？\"demandedtheyounghusbandloyally。\"Wherewillyoufindanyprettierplacethanthis，justasitisatthisminute，sostillandsweetandsilent？There’snothingthematterwiththatmoon，isthere？
Nothingthematterwiththelake？Where’sthereabetterplaceforahoneymoon？It’sabower——abowerofpeace，solitudea——bowerof——\"
Asthoughmockinghiswords，thereburstuponthesleepingcountrysidetheshriekofagiantsiren。Itwasraucous，virulent，insulting。Itcameassharplyasascreamofterror，itcontinuedinabellowofrage。Then，assuddenlyasithadcriedaloud，itsanktosilence；onlyafterapauseofaninstant，asthoughgivingasignal，toshriekagainintwosharpblasts。Andthenagainitbrokeintothehideouslongdrawnscreamofrage，insistent，breathless，commanding；fillingthesoulofhimwhoheardit，evenoftheinnocent，withalarm。
\"InthenameofHeaven！\"gaspedKeep，\"what’sthat？\"
Downtheterracethebutlerwashasteningtowardthem。Whenhestopped，hespokeasthoughhewereannouncingdinner。\"A
convict，sir，\"hesaid，\"hasescapedfromSingSing。Ithoughtyoumightnotunderstandthewhistle。IthoughtperhapsyouwouldwishMrs。Keeptocomein—doors。\"
\"Why？\"askedWinnieKeep。
\"Thehouseisneartheroad，madam，\"saidthebutler。\"Andtherearesomanytreesandbushes。Lastsummertwoofthemhidhere，andthekeepers——therewasafight。\"ThemanglancedatKeep。
Fredtouchedhiswifeonthearm。
\"It’stimetodressfordinner，Win，\"hesaid。
\"Andwhatareyougoingtodo？\"demandedWinnie。
I’mgoingtofinishthiscigarfirst。Itdoesn’ttakemelongtochange。\"Heturnedtothebutler。\"AndI’llhaveacocktail，tooI’llhaveitouthere。\"
Theservantleftthem，butintheFrenchwindowthatopenedfromtheterracetothelibraryMrs。Keeplingeredirresolutely。
\"Fred，\"shebegged，\"you——you’renotgoingtopokearoundinthebushes，areyou？——justbecauseyouthinkI’mfrightened？\"
Herhusbandlaughedather。\"IcertainlyamNOT！\"hesaid。\"Andyou’renotfrightened，either。Goin。I’llbewithyouinaminute。\"
Butthegirlhesitated。Stillshatteringthesilenceofthenightthesirenshriekedrelentlessly；itseemedtobeattheirverydoor，tobeatandbuffetthewindow—panes。Thebrideshiveredandheldherfingerstoherears。
\"Whydon’ttheystopit！\"shewhispered。\"Whydon’ttheygivehimachance！\"
Whenshehadgone，Fredpulledoneofthewickerchairstotheedgeoftheterrace，and，leaningforwardwithhischininhishands，satstaringdownatthelake。Themoonhadclearedthetopsofthetrees，hadblottedthelawnswithblack，rigidsquares，haddisguisedthehedgeswithwaveringshadows。
Somewherenearathandacriminal——amurderer，burglar，thug——wasatlarge，andthevoiceoftheprisonhehadtrickedstillbellowedinrage，inamazement，stillclamorednotonlyforhispersonbutperhapsforhislife。Thewholecountrysideheardit：
thefarmersbeddingdowntheircattleforthenight；theguestsoftheBriarCliffInn，diningunderredcandleshades；thejoyridersfromthecity，racingtheircarsalongtheAlbanyroad。ItwoketheechoesofSleepyHollow。ItcrossedtheHudson。ThegranitewallsofthePalisadesflungitbackagainstthegranitewallsoftheprison。Whicheverwaytheconvictturned，ithuntedhim，reachingforhim，pointinghimout——stirringintheheartofeachwhohearditthelustofthehunter，whichneverissocruelaswhenthehuntedthingisaman。
\"Findhim！\"shriekedthesiren。\"Findhim！He’sthere，behindyourhedge！He’skneelingbythestonewall。THAT’Sherunninginthemoonlight。THAT’Shecrawlingthroughthedeadleaves！Stophim！Draghimdown！He’smine！Mine！\"
Butfromwithintheprison，fromwithinthegraywallsthatmadethehomeofthesiren，eachoftwelvehundredmencurseditwithhissoul。Each，clingingtothebarsofhiscell，each，tremblingwithafearfuljoy，each，histhumbsup，urgingonwithallthestrengthofhiswillthehunted，rat—likefigurethatstumbledpantingthroughthecrispOctobernight，bewilderedbystrangelights，besetbyshadows，staggeringandfalling，runninglikeamaddogincircles，knowingthatwhereverhisfeetledhimthesirenstillheldhimbytheheels。
Asarule，whenWinnieKeepwasdressingfordinner，Fred，intheroomadjoining，couldhearherunconsciouslyandlight—heartedlysingingtoherself。Itwasahabitofhersthatheloved。Butonthisnight，althoughherroomwasdirectlyabovewherehesatupontheterrace，heheardnosinging。Hehadbeenontheterraceforaquarterofanhour。Gridley，theagedbutlerwhowasrentedwiththehouse，andwhofortwentyyearshadbeenaninmateofit，hadbroughtthecocktailandtakenawaytheemptyglass。AndKeephadbeenalonewithhisthoughts。Theywereentirelyoftheconvict。Ifthemansuddenlyconfrontedhimandbeggedhisaid，whatwouldhedo？Heknewquitewellwhathewoulddo。Heconsideredeventhemeansbywhichhewouldassistthefugitivetoasuccessfulget—away。
TheethicsofthequestiondidnotconcernFred。HedidnotweighhisdutytotheStateofNewYork，ortosociety。Oneday，whenhehadvisited\"theinstitution，\"asasomewhatsensitiveneighborhoodpreferstospeakofit，hewastoldthatthechanceofaprisoner’sescapingfromSingSingandnotbeingatonceretakenwasoneoutofsixthousand。SowithFreditwaslargelyasportingproposition。Anymanwhocouldbeatasix—thousand—to—oneshotcommandedhisadmiration。
And，havingsettledhisowncourseofaction，hetriedtoimaginehimselfintheplaceofthemanwhoatthatverymomentwasendeavoringtoescape。Werehethatman，hewouldfirst，hedecided，ridhimselfofhistell—taleclothing。Butthatwouldleavehimnaked，andinWestchesterCountyanakedmanwouldbequiteasconspicuousasoneinthepurple—grayclothoftheprison。Howcouldheobtainclothes？Hemightholdupapasser—by，and，ifthepasser—bydidnotfleefromhimorpunchhimintoinsensibility，hemighteffectanexchangeofgarments；
hemightbythreatsobtainthemfromsomefarmer；hemightdespoilascarecrow。
ButwithnoneoftheseplanswasFredentirelysatisfied。Thequestiondeeplyperplexedhim。Howbestcouldanakedmanclothehimself？Andashesatponderingthatpoint，fromthebushesanakedmanemerged。Hewasnotentirelyundraped。Foraroundhisnakednesshehaddrawnacanvasawning。Fredrecognizeditashavingbeentornfromoneoftherow—boatsinthelake。But，exceptforthat，themanwasnakedtohisheels。HewasayoungmanofFred’sownage。Hishairwascutclose，hisfacesmooth—shaven，andabovehiseyewasahalf—healedbruise。Hehadthesharp，clever，rat—likefaceofonewholivedbyevilknowledge。Waterdrippedfromhim，andeitherforthatreasonorfromfrighttheyoungmantrembled，and，likeonewhohadbeenrunning，breathedinshort，hardgasps。
Fredwassurprisedtofindthathewasnotintheleastsurprised。Itwasasthoughhehadbeenwaitingfortheman，asthoughithadbeenanappointment。
Twothoughtsaloneconcernedhim：thatbeforehecouldridhimselfofhisvisitorhiswifemightreturnandtakealarm，andthattheman，notknowinghisfriendlyintentions，andinastatetocommitmurder，mightrushhim。Butthestrangermadenohostilemove，andforamomentinthemoonlightthetwoyoungmeneyedeachotherwarily。
Then，takingbreathandwithaviolentefforttostopthechatteringofhisteeth，thestrangerlaunchedintohisstory。
\"Itookabathinyourpond，\"heblurtedforth，\"and——andtheystolemyclothes！That’swhyI’mlikethis！\"
Fredwasconsumedwithenvy。Incomparisonwiththisingeniousnarrativehowprosaicandcommonplacebecamehisownplanstoridhimselfofaccusinggarmentsandexplainhisnakedness。Heregardedthestrangerwithadmiration。Buteventhoughheapplaudedtheother’sinvention，hecouldnotlethimsupposethathewasdeceivedbyit。
\"Isn’titratheracoldnighttotakeabath？\"hesaid。
Asthoughinheartyagreement，thenakedmanburstintoaviolentfitofshivering。
\"Itwasn’tabath，\"hegasped。\"Itwasabet！\"
\"Awhat！\"exclaimedFred。Hisadmirationwasincreasing。\"Abet？
Thenyouarenotalone？\"
\"IamNOW——damnthem！\"exclaimedthenakedone。Hebeganagainreluctantly。\"Wesawyoufromtheroad，youandawoman，sittinghereinthelightfromthatroom。TheybetmeIdidn’tdarestripandswimacrossyourpondwithyousittingsonear。Icanseenowitwasframeduponmefromthestart。ForwhenIwasswimmingbackIsawthemruntowhereI’dleftmyclothes，andthenI
heardthemcrankup，andwhenIgottothehedgethecarwasgone！\"
Keepsmiledencouragingly。\"Thecar！\"heassented。\"Soyou’vebeenridingaroundinthemoonlight？\"
Theothernodded，andwasabouttospeakwhenthereburstinuponthemtheroaringscreamofthesiren。Thenotenowwasofdeeperrage，andcameingreatervolume。Betweenhisclinchedteeththenakedonecursedfiercely，andthen，asthoughtoavoidfurtherquestions，burstintoafitofcoughing。Tremblingandshaking，hedrewthecanvascloakclosertohim。Butatnotimedidhisanxious，pryingeyesleavetheeyesofKeep。
\"You——youcouldn’tlendmeasuitofclothescouldyou？\"hestuttered。\"Justforto—night？I’llsendthemback。It’sallright，\"headded；reassuringly。\"Ilivenearhere。\"
WithastartKeepraisedhiseyes，anddistressedbyhislook，theyoungmancontinuedlessconfidently。
\"Idon’tblameyouifyoudon’tbelieveit，\"hestammered，\"seeingmelikethis；butIDOliverightnearhere。Everybodyaroundhereknowsme，andIguessyou’vereadaboutmeinthepapers，too。I’m——thatis，myname——\"likeoneabouttotakeaplungehedrewashortbreath，andtherat—likeeyesregardedKeepwatchfully——\"mynameisVanWarden。I’mtheoneyoureadabout——Harry——I’mHarryVanWarden！\"
Afterapause，slowlyandreprovinglyFredshookhishead；buthissmilewaskindlyevenregretful，asthoughheweresorryhecouldnotlongerenjoythestranger’sconfidences。
\"Myboy！\"heexclaimed，\"you’reMOREthanVanWarden！You’reagenius！\"Heroseandmadeaperemptorygesture。\"Sorry，\"hesaid，\"butthisisn’tsafeforeitherofus。Followme，andI’lldressyouupandsendyouwhereyouwanttogo。\"Heturnedandwhisperedoverhisshoulder：\"Somedayletmehearfromyou。A
manwithyournerve——\"
Inalarmthenakedonewithagesturecommandedsilence。
Thelibraryledtothefronthall。Inthiswasthecoat—room。
Firstmakingsurethelibraryandhallwerefreeofservants，Fredtiptoedtothecoat—roomand，openingthedoor，switched：ontheelectriclight。Thenakedman，leavinginhiswakeatrailofdampfootprints，followedathisheels。
Fredpointedatgolf—capes，sweaters，greatcoatshangingfromhooks，andontheflooratbootsandovershoes。
\"Putonthatmotor—coatandthegaloshes，\"hecommanded。\"They’llcoveryouincaseyouhavetorunforit。I’mgoingtoleaveyouherewhileIgetyousomeclothes。Ifanyoftheservantsbuttin，don’tloseyourhead。Justsayyou’rewaitingtoseeme——Mr。
Keep。Iwon’tbelong。Wait。\"
\"Wait！\"snortedthestranger。\"YouBETI’llwait！’
AsFredclosedthedooruponhim，thenakedonewasrubbinghimselfviolentlywithMrs。Keep’syellowgolf—jacket。
InhisownroomFredcollectedasuitofblueserge，atennisshirt，boots，evenatie。Underclotheshefoundreadylaidoutforhim，andhesnatchedthemfromthebed。Fromarollofmoneyinhisbureaudrawerhecountedoutahundreddollars。Tactfullyheslippedthemoneyinthetrouserspocketofthesergesuitandwiththebundleofclothesinhisarmsraceddownstairsandshovedthemintothecoat—room。
\"Don’tcomeoutuntilIknock，\"hecommanded。\"And，\"headdedinavehementwhisper，\"don’tcomeoutatallunlessyouhaveclotheson！\"
Thestrangergrunted。
FredrangforGridleyandtoldhimtohavehiscarbroughtaroundtothedoor。Hewantedittostartatoncewithintwominutes。
Whenthebutlerhaddeparted，Fred，byaninch，againopenedthecoat—roomdoor。Thestrangerhaddrapedhimselfintheunderclothesandtheshirt，andatthemomentwascarefullyarrangingthetie。
\"Hurry！\"commandedKeep。\"Thecar’llbehereinaminute。WhereshallItellhimtotakeyou？\"
Thestrangerchuckledexcitedly；hisconfidenceseemedtobereturning。\"NewYork，\"hewhispered，\"fastashecangetthere！
Lookhere，\"headdeddoubtfully，\"there’sarollofbillsintheseclothes。\"
\"They’reyours，\"saidFred。
Thestrangerexclaimedvigorously。\"You’reallright！\"hewhispered。\"Iwon’tforgetthis，oryoueither。I’llsendthemoneybacksametimeIsendtheclothes。\"
\"Exactly！\"saidFred。
Thewheelsofthetouring—carcrunchedonthegraveldrive，andFredslammedtothedoor，andlikeasentryonguardpacedbeforeit。Afteraperiodwhichseemedtostretchovermanyminutestherecamefromtheinsideacautiousknocking。WithequalcautionFredopenedthedoorofthewidthofafinger，andputhiseartothecrack。
\"Youcouldn’tfindmeabutton—hook，couldyou？\"whisperedthestranger。
IndignantlyFredshutthedoorand，walkingtotheveranda，hailedthechauffeur。James，thechauffeur，wasaKeepsburgboy，andwhenKeephadgonetoCambridgeJameshadaccompaniedhim。
Keepknewtheboycouldbetrusted。
\"You’retotakeamantoNewYork，\"hesaid，\"orwhereverhewantstogo。Don’ttalktohim。Don’taskanyquestions。So，ifYOU’REquestioned，youcansayyouknownothing。That’sforyourowngood！\"
Thechauffeurmechanicallytouchedhiscapandstarteddownthesteps。Ashedidso，theprisonwhistle，stillunsatisfied，stilldemandingitsprey，shatteredthesilence。Asthoughithadhithimaphysicalblow，theyouthjumped。Heturnedandliftedstartled，inquiringeyestowhereKeepstoodabovehim。
\"Itoldyou，\"saidKeep，\"toasknoquestions。
AsFredre—enteredthehall，WinnieKeepwascomingdownthestairstowardhim。Shehadchangedtooneoftheprettiesteveninggownsofhertrousseau，andsooutrageouslylovelywasthecombinationofherselfandthegownthatherhusband’sexcitementandanxietyfellfromhim，andhewaslostinadmiration。Buthewasnotforlonglost。Tohishorror；thedoorofthecoat—closetopenedtowardhiswifeandoutoftheclosetthestrangeremerged。Winnie，notaccustomedtoseeingyoungmensuddenlyappearfromamongthedust—coats，utteredasharpshriek。
Withwhatheconsideredgreatpresenceofmind，Fredswunguponthevisitor\"Didyoufixit？\"hedemanded。
Thevisitordidnotheedhim。Inamazementinabjectadmiration，hiseyeswerefasteneduponthebeautifulandradiantvisionpresentedbyWinnieKeep。Buthealsostillpreservedsufficientpresenceofmindtonodhisheaddully。
\"Come，\"commandedFred。\"Thecariswaiting。\"
Stillthestrangerdidnotmove。Asthoughhehadneverbeforeseenawoman，asthoughherdazzlinglovelinessheldhiminatrance，hestoodstill，gazing，gaping，devouringWinniewithhiseyes。Inherturn，Winniebeheldastrangeyouthwholookedlikeagroomoutoflivery，soovercomebyhermerepresenceastobestruckmotionlessandinarticulate。Forprotectionshemovedinsomealarmtowardherhusband。
Thestrangergaveasuddenjerkofhisbodythatmighthavebeenintendedforabow。BeforeKeepcouldinterrupthim，likeaparrotrecitingitslesson，heexclaimedexplosively：
\"Myname’sVanWarden。I’mHarryVanWarden。\"
HeseemedaslittleconvincedofthetruthofhisstatementasthoughhehadannouncedthathewastheCzarofRussia。Itwasasthoughastage—managerhaddrilledhiminthelines。
ButuponWinnie，asherhusbandsawtohisdismay，thewordsproducedaninstantandappallingeffect。Shefairlyradiatedexcitementanddelight。HowherhusbandhadsucceededincapturingthesocialprizeofScarboroshecouldnotimagine，but，fordoingso，sheflashedtowardhimaglanceofdeepandgratefuldevotion。
Thenshebeameduponthestranger。\"Won’tMr。VanWardenstaytodinner？\"sheasked。
Herhusbandemittedahowl。\"HewillNOT！\"hecried。\"He’snotthatkindofaVanWarden。He’saplumber。He’sthemanthatfixesthetelephone！\"
Heseizedthevisitorbythesleeveofthelongmotor—coatanddraggedhimdownthesteps。Reluctantly，almostresistingly，thevisitorstumbledafterhim，castingbackwardamazedglancesatthebeautifullady。Fredthrusthimintotheseatbesidethechauffeur。Pointingatthegolf—capandautomobilegoggleswhichthestrangerwasstupidlytwistinginhishands，Fredwhisperedfiercely：
\"Putthoseon！Coveryourface！Don’tspeak！Themanknowswhattodo。\"
WitheagereyesandpartedlipsJamesthechauffeurwaswaitingforthesignal。Frednoddedsharply，andthechauffeurstoopedtothrowintheclutch。Butthecardidnotstart。Fromthehedgebesidethedriveway，directlyinfrontofthewheels，somethingonallfoursthrewitselfuponthegravel；somethinginasuitofpurple—gray；somethingtornandbleeding，smearedwithsweatanddirt；somethingthatcringedandcrawled，thattriedtoriseandsankbackuponitsknees，liftingtotheglareofthehead—lightsthewhitefaceandwhitehairofaveryold，oldman。Thekneelingfiguresobbed；thesobsrisingfromfardowninthepitofthestomach，wrenchingthebodylikewavesofnausea。Themanstretchedhisarmstowardthem。Fromlongdisusehisvoicecrackedandbroke。
\"I’mdone！\"hesobbed。\"Ican’tgonofarther！Igivemyselfup！\"
Abovetheawfulsilencethatheldthefouryoungpeople，theprisonsirenshriekedinonelong，mockinghowloftriumph。
Itwasthestrangerwhowasthefirsttoact。PushingpastFred，andslippingfromhisownshouldersthelongmotor—coat，heflungitoverthesuitofpurple—gray。Thegogglesheclappedupontheoldman’sfrightenedeyes，thegolf—caphepulleddownoverthewhitehair。Withonearmheliftedtheconvict，andwiththeotherdraggedandpushedhimintotheseatbesidethechauffeur。Intothehandsofthechauffeurhethrusttherollofbills。
\"Gethimaway！\"heordered。\"It’sonlytwelvemilestotheConnecticutline。Assoonasyou’reacross，buyhimclothesandatickettoBoston。GothroughWhitePlainstoGreenwich——andthenyou’resafe！\"
Asthoughsuddenlyrememberingthepresenceoftheownerofthecar，heswunguponFred。\"AmIright？\"hedemanded。
\"Ofcourse！\"roaredFred。Heflunghisarmatthechauffeurasthoughthrowinghimintospace。
\"Get—to—hell—out—of—here！\"heshouted。
Thechauffeur，byprofessionacriminal，butbybirthahumanbeing，chuckledsavagelyandthistimethrewintheclutch。Withagrindingofgraveltheracing—carleapedintothenight，itsrubyrearlampwinkinginfarewell，itstinysirenansweringthegreatsirenoftheprisoninjeeringnotesofjoyandvictory。
Fredhadsupposedthatatthelastmomenttheyoungerconvictproposedtoleaptotherunning—board，butinsteadthestrangerremainedmotionless。
Fredshoutedimpotentlyaftertheflyingcar。Indismayheseizedthestrangerbythearm。
\"Butyou？\"hedemanded。\"Howareyougoingtogetaway？\"
ThestrangerturnedappealinglytowhereupontheupperstepstoodWinnieKeep。
\"Idon’twanttogetaway，\"hesaid。\"Iwashoping，maybe，you’dletmestaytodinner。\"
AterribleandicychillcreptdownthespineofFredKeep。Hemovedsothatthelightfromthehallfellfulluponthefaceofthestranger。
\"Willyoukindlytellme，\"Freddemanded，\"whothedevilyouare？\"
Thestrangerexclaimedpeevishly。\"I’veBEENtellingyouallevening，\"heprotested。\"I’mHarryVanWarden！\"
Gridley，theancientbutler，appearedintheopendoor。
\"Dinnerisserved，madam，\"hesaid。
Thestrangergaveanexclamationofpleasure。\"Hello，Gridley！\"
hecried。\"WillyoupleasetellMr。KeepwhoIam？Tellhim，ifhe’llaskmetodinner，Iwon’tstealthespoons。\"
UponthefaceofGridleyappearedasmileitneverhadbeentheprivilegeofFredKeeptobehold。Thebutlerbeameduponthestrangerfondly，proudly，bytherightoflongacquaintanceship，withtheaffectionofanoldfriend。Stillbeaming，hebowedtoKeep。
\"IfMr。Harry——Mr。VanWarden，\"hesaid，\"istostaytodinner，mightIsuggest，sir，heisverypartialtothePaulVibert，’84。\"
FredKeepgazedstupidlyfromhisbutlertothestrangerandthenathiswife。Shewasagainradiantlybeautifulandsmilinglyhappy。
Gridleycoughedtentatively。\"ShallIopenabottle，sir？\"heasked。
HopelesslyFredtossedhisarmsheavenward。
\"Openacase！\"heroared。
Atteno’clock，whentheywerestillattableandreachingastateofsuchmutualappreciationthatsoontheywouldbecallingeachotherbytheirfirstnames，Gridleybroughtinawrittenmessagehehadtakenfromthetelephone。Itwasalong—distancecallfromYonkers，sentbyJames，thefaithfulchauffeur。
Fredreaditaloud。
\"Igotthatpartythearticlesheneeded，\"itread，\"andsawhimsafeonatraintoBoston。OnthewaybackIgotarrestedforspeedingthecaronthewaydown。Pleasesendmoney。IaminacellinYonkers。\"
Chapter8。THEBOYWHOCRIEDWOLF
Beforehefinallyarrestedhim，\"Jimmie\"Sniffenhadseenthemanwiththegolf—cap，andtheblueeyesthatlaughedatyou，threetimes。Twice，unexpectedly，hehadcomeuponhiminawoodroadandonceonRoundHillwherethestrangerwaspretendingtowatchthesunset。Jimmieknewpeopledonotclimbhillsmerelytolookatsunsets，sohewasnotdeceived。HeguessedthemanwasaGermanspyseekinggunsites，andsecretlyvowedto\"stalk\"him。
Fromthatmoment，hadthestrangerknownit，hewasasgoodasdead。Foraboyscoutwithbadgesonhissleevefor\"stalking\"
and\"path—finding，\"nottoboastofothersfor\"gardening\"and\"cooking，\"canoutwitanyspy。Evenhad，GeneralBaden—PowellremainedinMafekingandnotinventedtheboyscout，JimmieSniffenwouldhavebeenone。Because，bybirthhewasaboy，andbyinheritance，ascout。InWestchesterCountytheSniffensareoneofthecountyfamilies。Ifitisn’taSarles，it’saSniffen；
andwithBrundages，Platts，andJays，theSniffensdatebacktowhentheacresofthefirstCharlesFerrisranfromtheBostonpostroadtothecoachroadtoAlbany，andwhenthefirstGouverneurMorrisstoodononeofhishillsandsawtheIndiancanoesintheHudsonandintheSoundandrejoicedthatallthelandbetweenbelongedtohim。
Ifyoudonotbelieveinheredity，thefactthatJimmie’sgreat—great—grandfatherwasascoutforGeneralWashingtonandhunteddeer，andevenbear，overexactlythesamehillswhereJimmiehuntedweasleswillcountfornothing。ItwillnotexplainwhytoJimmie，fromTarrytowntoPortChester，thehills，theroads，thewoods，andthecow—paths，caves，streams，andspringshiddeninthewoodswereasfamiliarashisownkitchengarden，Norexplainwhy，whenyoucouldnotseeaPeaseandElliman\"ForSale\"signnailedtoatree，Jimmiecouldseeinthehighestbranchesalastyear’sbird’snest。
Orwhy，whenhewasoutaloneplayingIndiansandhadsunkhisscout’saxeintoafallenlogandthenscalpedthelog，hefeltthatoncebeforeinthosesamewoodshehadtrailedthatsameIndian，andwithhisowntomahawksplitopenhisskull。Sometimeswhenheknelttodrinkatasecretspringintheforest，theautumnleaveswouldcrackleandhewouldraisehiseyesfearingtoseeapantherfacinghim。
Butthereain’tnopanthersinWestchester，\"Jimmiewouldreassurehimself。Andinthedistancetheroarofanautomobileclimbingahillwiththemuffleropenwouldseemtosuggesthewasright。ButstillJimmierememberedoncebeforehehadkneltatthatsamespring，andthatwhenheraisedhiseyeshehadfacedacrouchingpanther。\"Mebbedadtoldmeithappenedtograndpop，\"Jimmiewouldexplain，\"orIdreamedit，or，mebbe，I
readitinastorybook。\"
The\"Germanspy\"maniaattackedRoundHillafterthevisittotheboyscoutsofClaveringGould，thewarcorrespondent。Hewasspendingtheweekendwith\"Squire\"HarryVanVorst，andasyoungVanVorst，besidesbeingajusticeofthepeaceandaMasterofBeaglesandPresidentoftheCountryClub，wasalsoalocal\"councilman\"fortheRoundHillScouts，hebroughthisguesttoacamp—firemeetingtotalktothem。Indeferencetohisaudience，GouldtoldthemoftheboyscoutshehadseeninBelgiumandoftheparttheywereplayinginthegreatwar。Itwashisperorationthatmadetrouble。
\"Andanyday，\"heassuredhisaudience，\"thiscountrymaybeatwarwithGermany；andeveryoneofyouboyswillbeexpectedtodohisbit。Youcanbeginnow。WhentheGermanslanditwillbenearNewHaven，orNewBedford。TheywillfirstcapturethemunitionworksatSpringfield，Hartford，andWatervlietsoastomakesureoftheirammunition，andthentheywillstartforNewYorkCity。TheywillfollowtheNewHavenandNewYorkCentralrailroads，andmarchstraightthroughthisvillage。Ihaven’ttheleastdoubt，\"exclaimedtheenthusiasticwarprophet，\"thatatthismomentGermanspiesareasthickinWestchesterasblackberries。Theyareheretoselectcampsitesandgunpositions，tofindoutwhichofthesehillsenfiladetheothersandtolearntowhatextenttheirarmiescanliveonthecountry。
Theyarecountingthecows，thehorses，thebarnswherefodderisstored；andtheyaremarkingdownontheirmapsthewellsandstreams。\"
AsthoughatthatmomentaGermanspymightbecrouchingbehindthedoor，Mr。Gouldspokeinawhisper。\"Keepyoureyesopen！\"hecommanded。\"Watcheverystranger。Ifheactssuspiciously，getwordquicktoyoursheriff，ortoJudgeVanVorsthere。Rememberthescouts’motto，’Beprepared！’\"
Thatnightasthescoutswalkedhome，behindeachwallandhayricktheysawspikedhelmets。
YoungVanVorstwasextremelyannoyed。
\"Nexttimeyoutalktomyscouts，\"hedeclared，you’lltalkon’VotesforWomen。’Afterwhatyousaidto—nighteveryrealestateagentwhodaresopenamapwillbearrested。We’renottryingtodrivepeopleawayfromWestchester，we’retryingtosellthembuildingsites。\"
\"YOUarenot！\"retortedhisfriend，\"youownhalfthecountynow，andyou’retryingtobuytheotherhalf。\"
\"I’majusticeofthepeace，\"explainedVanVorst。\"Idon’tknowWHYIam，exceptthattheywisheditonme。AllIgetoutofitistrouble。TheItaliansmakechargesagainstmybestfriendsforoverspeedingandIhavetofinethem，andmybestfriendsbringchargesagainsttheItaliansforpoaching，andwhenIfinetheItalians，theysendmeBlackHandletters。AndnoweverydayI’llbeaskedtoissueawarrantforaGermanspywhoisselectinggunsites。AndhewillturnouttobeamillionairewhoistiredoflivingattheRitz—Carltonandwantsto’ownhisownhome’andhisowngolf—links。Andhe’llbesohotatbeingarrestedthathe’lltakehismillionstoLongIslandandtrytobreakintothePipingRockClub。And，itwillbeyourfault！\"
Theyoungjusticeofthepeacewasright。AtleastsofarasJimmieSniffenwasconcerned，thewordsofthewarprophethadfilledonemindwithunrest。InthepastJimmie’sideaofaholidayhadbeentospenditscoutinginthewoods。Inthispleasurehewasselfish。Hedidnotwantcompanionswhotalked，andtrampleduponthedeadleavessothattheyfrightenedthewildanimalsandgavetheIndianswarning。Jimmielikedtopretend。Helikedtofillthewoodswithwaryandhostileadversaries。Itwasagameofhisowninventing。Ifhecrepttothetopofahillandonpeeringoverit，surprisedafatwoodchuck，hepretendedthewoodchuckwasabear，weighingtwohundredpounds；if，himselfunobserved，hecouldlieandwatch，offitsguard，arabbit，squirrel，or，mostdifficultofall，acrow，itbecameadeerandthatnightatsupperJimmiemadebelievehewaseatingvenison。SometimeshewasascoutoftheContinentalArmyandcarrieddespatchestoGeneralWashington。
Therulesofthatgamewerethatifanymanploughinginthefields，orcuttingtreesinthewoods，orevenapproachingalongthesameroad，sawJimmiebeforeJimmiesawhim，Jimmiewastakenprisoner，andbeforesunrisewasshotasaspy。Hewasseldomshot。Orelsewhyonhissleevewasthebadgefor\"stalking。\"Butalwaystohavetomakebelievebecamemonotonous。Even\"dryshopping\"alongtheRuedelaPaixwhenyoupretendyoucanhaveanythingyouseeinanywindow，leavesonejustasrich，butunsatisfied。SotheadviceofthewarcorrespondenttoseekoutGermanspiescametoJimmielikeadayatthecircus，likeaweekattheDanburyFair。Itnotonlywasacalltoarms，toprotecthisflagandhome，butachancetoplayinearnestthegameinwhichhemostdelighted。Nolongerneedhepretend。Nolongerneedhewastehisenergiesinwatching，unobserved，agreedyrabbitrobacarrotfield。Thegamenowwashisfellow—manandhisenemy；notonlyhisenemy，buttheenemyofhiscountry。
InhisfirsteffortJimmiewasnotentirelysuccessful。Themanlookedthepartperfectly；heworeanauburnbeard，disguisingspectacles，andhecarriedasuspiciousknapsack。ButheturnedouttobeaprofessorfromtheMuseumofNaturalHistory，whowantedtodigforIndianarrow—heads。AndwhenJimmiethreatenedtoarresthim，theindignantgentlemanarrestedJimmie。Jimmieescapedonlybyleadingtheprofessortoasecretcaveofhisown，thoughonsomeoneelse’sproperty，whereonenotonlycoulddigforarrow—heads，butfindthem。Theprofessorwasdelighted，butforJimmieitwasagreatdisappointment。TheweekfollowingJimmiewasagaindisappointed。
OnthebankoftheKensicoReservoir，hecameuponamanwhowasactinginamysteriousandsuspiciousmanner。Hewasmakingnotesinabook，andhisrunaboutwhichhehadconcealedinawoodroadwasstuffedwithblue—prints。ItdidnottakeJimmielongtoguesshispurpose。HewasplanningtoblowuptheKensicodam，andcutoffthewatersupplyofNewYorkCity。Sevenmillionsofpeoplewithoutwater！Withoutfiringashot，NewYorkmustsurrender！AtthethoughtJimmieshuddered，andattheriskofhislifebyclingingtothetailofamotortruck，hefollowedtherunaboutintoWhitePlains。Butthereitdevelopedthemysteriousstranger，sofarfromwishingtodestroytheKensicodam，wastheStateEngineerwhohadbuiltit，and，also，alargepartofthePanamaCanal。NorinhisthirdeffortwasJimmiemoresuccessful。FromtheheightsofPoundRidgehediscoveredonahilltopbelowhimamanworkingaloneuponabasinofconcrete。
ThemanwasaGerman—American，andalreadyonJimmie’slistof\"suspects。\"ThatfortheuseoftheGermanartilleryhewaspreparingaconcretebedforasiegegunwasonlytooevident。
Butcloserinvestigationprovedthattheconcretewasonlytwoinchesthick。Andthehyphenatedoneexplainedthatthebasinwasbuiltoveraspring，inthewatersofwhichheplannedtoerectafountainandraisegoldfish。Itwasabitterblow。Jimmiebecamediscouraged。MeetingJudgeVanVorstonedayintheroadhetoldhimhistroubles。Theyoungjudgeprovedunsympathetic。\"Myadvicetoyou，Jimmie，\"hesaid，\"istogoslow。Accusingeverybodyofespionageisaveryseriousmatter。Ifyoucallamanaspy，it’ssometimeshardforhimtodisproveit；andthenamesticks。So，goslow——veryslow。Beforeyouarrestanymorepeople，cometomefirstforawarrant。\"
So，thenexttimeJimmieproceededwithcaution。
Besidesbeingafarmerinasmallway，Jimmie’sfatherwasahandymanwithtools。Hehadnounioncard，but，inlayingshinglesalongabluechalkline，fewwereasexpert。ItwasAugust，therewasnoschool，andJimmiewascarryingadinner—pailtowherehisfatherwasatworkonanewbarn。Hemadeacross—cutthroughthewoods，andcameupontheyoungmaninthegolf—cap。Thestrangernodded，andhiseyes，whichseemedtobealwayslaughing，smiledpleasantly。Buthewasdeeplytanned，and，fromthewaistup，heldhimselflikeasoldier，so，atonce，Jimmiemistrustedhim。EarlythenextmorningJimmiemethimagain。Ithadnotbeenraining，buttheclothesoftheyoungmanweredamp。Jimmieguessedthatwhilethedewwasstillontheleavestheyoungmanhadbeenforcinghiswaythroughunderbrush。
ThestrangermusthaverememberedJimmie，forhelaughedandexclaimed：
\"Ah，myfriendwiththedinner—pail！It’sluckyouhaven’tgotitnow，orI’dholdyouup。I’mstarving！\"
Jimmiesmiledinsympathy。\"It’searlytobehungry，\"saidJimmie；\"whendidyouhaveyourbreakfast？\"
\"Ididn’t，\"laughedtheyoungman。\"Iwentouttowalkupanappetite，andIlostmyself。But，Ihaven’tlostmyappetite。
WhichistheshortestwaybacktoBedford？\"
\"Thefirstroadtoyourright，\"saidJimmie。
\"Isitfar？\"askedthestrangeranxiously。Thathewasveryhungrywasevident。
\"It’sahalf—hour’swalk，\"saidJimmie\"IfIlivethatlong，\"correctedtheyoungman；andsteppedoutbriskly。
Jimmieknewthatwithinahundredyardsaturnintheroadwouldshuthimfromsight。So，hegavethestrangertimetowalkthatdistance，and，then，divingintothewoodthatlinedtheroad，\"stalked\"him。Frombehindatreehesawthestrangerturnandlookback，andseeingnooneintheroadbehindhim，alsoleaveitandplungeintothewoods。
HehadnotturnedtowardBedford；hehadturnedtotheleft。Likearunnerstealingbases，Jimmieslippedfromtreetotree。Aheadofhimheheardthestrangertramplingupondeadtwigs，movingrapidlyasonewhoknewhisway。AttimesthroughthebranchesJimmiecouldseethebroadshouldersofthestranger，andagaincouldfollowhisprogressonlybythenoiseofthecracklingtwigs。Whenthenoisesceased，Jimmieguessedthestrangerhadreachedthewoodroad，grass—grownandmoss—covered，thatledtoMiddlePatent。So，heranatrightanglesuntilhealsoreachedit，andasnowhewasclosetowhereitenteredthemainroad，heapproachedwarily。But，hewastoolate。Therewasasoundlikethewhirofarisingpartridge，andaheadofhimfromwhereithadbeenhidden，agraytouring—carleapedintothehighway。Thestrangerwasatthewheel。Throwingbehinditacloudofdust，thecarracedtowardGreenwich。JimmiehadtimetonoteonlythatitboreaConnecticutStatelicense；thatinthewheel—rutsthetiresprintedlittleV’s，likearrow—heads。
ForaweekJimmiesawnothingofthespy，butformanyhotanddustymileshestalkedarrow—heads。Theyluredhimnorth，theyluredhimsouth，theywerestampedinsoftasphalt，inmud，dust，andfresh—spreadtarvia。WhereverJimmiewalked，arrow—headsranbefore。Inhissleepasinhiscopy—book，hesawendlesschainsofV’s。Butnotoncecouldhecatchupwiththewheelsthatprintedthem。Aweeklater，justatsunsetashepassedbelowRoundHill，hesawthestrangerontopofit。Ontheskyline，insilhouetteagainstthesinkingsun，hewasasconspicuousasaflagstaff。Buttoapproachhimwasimpossible。ForacresRoundHillofferednoothercoverthanstubble。Itwasasbaldasaskull。Untilthestrangerchosetodescend，Jimmiemustwait。Andthestrangerwasinnohaste。ThesunsankandfromthewestJimmiesawhimturnhisfaceeasttowardtheSound。Astormwasgathering，dropsofrainbegantosplashandastheskygrewblackthefigureonthehilltopfadedintothedarkness。Andthen，attheveryspotwhereJimmiehadlastseenit，theresuddenlyflaredtwotinyflashesoffire。Jimmieleapedfromcover。Itwasnolongertobeendured。Thespywassignalling。
