ThenIstruckasmallveinthattemporarilyrecoupedme，andsuppliedthenecessaryfundswithwhichtogoaheadforawhile。
Thurl，whohadtriedtobuythemineoutfromundermyoptioninthefirstplace，repeatedlythentriedtobuyitfrommeataridiculousfigure。Irefused。Hepersisted。Irefused——Iwasconfident，I
KNEWIhadoneoftherichestpropertiesinAlaska。”
Wilburpaused。Alittlerowofglisteningdropshadgatheredonhisforehead。JimmieDale，balancingMarkel”scashboxononeknee，drummedsoftlywithhisfingertipsonthecover。
“Theveinpeteredout，“Wilburwenton。“ButIwasstillconfident。
Isankalltheproceedsofthefirststrike——andsankthemfast，forunaccountableaccidentsthatcrippledmebothfinanciallyandintheprogressoftheworkbegantohappen。”Wilburflungouthishandsimpotently。“Oh，it”salongstory——toolongtotell。Thurlwasatthebottomofthoseaccidents。HeknewaswellasIdidthattheminewasrich——betterthanIdid，forthatmatter，forwediscoveredbeforeweranhimoutofAlaskathathehadmadesecretboringsontheproperty。ButwhatIdidnotknowuntilafewhoursagowasthathehadactuallyuncoveredwhatweuncoveredonlyyesterday——themotherlode。Hewasdrivingmeasfastashecouldintothelastditch——forMarkel。Ididn”tknowuntilyesterdaythatMarkelhadanythingtodowithit。Istruggledonoutthere，hopingeverydaytoopenanewvein。IraisedmoneyoneverythingIhad，exceptmyinsuranceandthemine——andsankitinthemine。Nooneouttherewouldadvancemeanythingonapropertythatlookedlikeafailure，thathadoncealreadybeenabandoned。Ihavealwayskeptanofficehere，andIcamebackEastwiththeideaofraisingsomethingonmyinsurance。Markel，quitebyhaphazardasIthenthought，wasintroducedtomejustbeforeweleftSanFranciscoonourwaytoNewYork。Ontherunacrossthecontinentwebecameveryfriendly。
Naturally，Itoldhimmystory。Heplayedsympatheticgoodfellow，andofferedtolendmefiftythousanddollarsonademandnote。I
didnotwanttobeinvolvedforacentmorethanwasnecessary，and，asIsaid，Ihopedfromdaytodaytomakeanotherstrike。I
refusedtotakemorethantenthousand。Iremembernowthatheseemedstrangelydisappointed。”
AgainWilburstopped。Hesweptthemoisturefromhisforehead——andhisfist，clenched，camedownuponthedesk。
“Youseethegame！“——therewasbitterangerinhisvoicenow。“Youseethegame！HewantedtogetmeindeepenoughsothatIcouldn”twriggleout，deeperthantenthousandthatIcouldgetatanytimeonmyinsurance，hewantedmewhereIcouldn”tgetaway——andhegotme。Thefirsttenthousandwasn”tenough。Iwenttohimforasecond，athird，afourth，afifth——hopingalwaysthateachwouldbethelast。Eachtimeanewnote，ademandnoteforthetotalamount，wasmade，cancellingtheformerone。Ididn”tknowhisgame，didn”tsuspectit——IblessedGodforgivingmesuchafriend——untilthis，or，rather，yesterdayafternoon，whenIreceivedatelegramfrommymanagerattheminesayingthathehadstruckwhatlookedlikeaveryrichvein——themotherlode。And“——Wilbur”sfistcurleduntiltheknuckleswerelikeivoryintheirwhiteness”headdedinthetelegramthatThurlhadwiredthenewsofthestriketoamaninNewYorkbythenameofMarkel。Doyousee？Ihadn”thadthetelegramfiveminutes，whenamessengerbroughtmealetterfromMarkelcurtlyinformingmethatIwouldhavetomeetmynoteto-morrowmorning。Ican”tmeetit。HeknewIcouldn”t。Withwealthinsight——I”mwipedout。ADEMANDnote，acallloan，doyouunderstand——andwithafewmonthsinwhichtodevelopthenewveinI
couldpayitreadily。Asitis——Idefaultthenote——MarkelattachesallIhaveleft，whichisthemine。Themineissoldtosatisfymyindebtedness。Markelbuysitinlegally，upheldbythelaw——andacquires，ROBSmeofit，and”
“Andso，“saidJimmieDalemusingly，“youweregoingtoshootyourself？“
Wilburstraightenedup，andtherewassomethingakintopatheticgrandeurinthesetoftheoldshouldersastheysquaredback。
“Yes！“hesaid，inalowvoice。“AndshallItellyouwhy？Evenif，whichisnotlikely，therewassomethingrevertingtomeoverthepurchaseprice，itwouldbeapaltrythingcomparedwiththemine。Ihaveawifeandchildren。IfIhaveworkedforthemallmylife，couldIstandbacknowatthelastandseethemrobbedoftheirinheritancebyablack-heartedscoundrelwhenIcouldstillliftahandtopreventit！Ihadonewayleft。Whatismylife？I
amtoooldamantoclingtoitwheretheyareconcerned。Ihavereferredtomyinsuranceseveraltimes。Ihavealwayscarriedheavyinsurance“——hesmiledalittlecurious，mirthlesssmile”THATHAS
NOSUICIDECLAUSE。”Heswepthishandoverthedesk，indicatingthepapersscatteredthere。“Ihaveworkedlateto-nightgettingmyaffairsinorder。Mytotalinsuranceisfifty-twothousanddollars，thoughIcouldn”tBORROWanywherenearthefullamountonit——butatmydeath，paidinfull，itwouldsatisfythenote。Myexecutors，byinstructionwouldpaythenote——andnodollarfromthemine，nosinglegrainofgold，notanounceofquartz，wouldMarkelevergethishandson，andmywifeandchildrenwouldbesaved。Thatis”
Hiswordsendedabruptly——withalittlegasp。JimmieDalehadopenedthecashboxandwasdanglingthenecklaceunderthelight——astreamoffiery，flashing，sparklinggems。
ThenWilburspokeagain，ahard，bitternoteinhisvoice，pointinghishandatthenecklace。
“Butnow，ontopofeverything，youhavebroughtmedisgrace——
becauseyoubrokeintohissafeto-nightforTHAT？Hewouldandwillaccuseme。Ihaveheardofyou——theGraySeal——youhavedoneapitifulnight”sworkinyourgreedforthatthingthere。”
“Forthis？“JimmieDalesmiledironically，holdingthenecklaceup。
Thenheshookhishead。“Ididn”tbreakintoMarkel”ssafeforthis——itwouldn”thavebeenworthwhile。It”sonlypaste。”
“PASTE！“exclaimedWilbur，inaslowway。
“Paste，“saidJimmieDaleplacidly，droppingthenecklacebackintoitscase。“QuiteinkeepingwithMarkel，isn”tit——tomakeasensationonthecheap？“
“Butthatdoesn”tchangematters！“Wilburcriedoutsharply，afteranumbedinstant”spause。“Youstillbrokeintothesafe，evenifyoudidn”tknowthenthatthenecklacewaspaste。”
“Ah，but，yousee——Ididknowthen，“saidJimmieDalesoftly。“Iamreally——youmusttakemywordforit——averygoodjudgeofstones，andIhad——er——seenthesebefore。”
Wilburstared——bewildered，confused。
“Thenwhy——whatwasitthat”
“Apaper，“saidJimmieDale，withalittlechuckle——andproduceditfromthecashbox。“Itreadslikethis：”Ondemand，Ipromisetopay——”“
“Mynote！“Itcameinagreat，surgingcryfromWilbur；andhestrainedforwardtoreadit。
“Ofcourse，“saidJimmieDale。“Ofcourse——yournote。DidyouthinkthatIhadjusthappenedtodropinonyou？Now，then，seehere，youjustbuckup，and——er——smile。Thereisn”tevenapossibilityofyoubeingaccusedofthetheft。Inthefirstplace，Markelsawquiteenoughofmetoknowthatitwasn”tyou。Secondly，neitherMarkelnoranyoneelsewouldeverdreamthatthebreakwasmadeforanythingelsebutthenecklace，withwhichyouhavenoconnection——thepaperswereinthecashboxandwerejusttakenalongwithit。Don”tyousee？And，besides，thepolice，withmyverygoodfriend，Carruthersattheirelbows，willseeverythoroughlytoitthattheGraySealgetsfullandamplecreditforthecrime。But“——JimmieDalepulledouthiswatch，andyawnedunderhismask”it”sgettingtobeanunconscionablehour——andyou”vestillalettertowrite。”
“Aletter？“Wilbur”svoicewasbroken，hislipsquivering。
“ToMarkel，“saidJimmieDalepleasantly。“Writehiminreplytohisletteroftheafternoon，andpostitbeforeyouleavehere——justasthoughyouhadwrittenitatonce，promptly，onreceiptofhis。
Hewillstillgetitonthemorningdelivery。Statethatyouwilltakeupthenoteimmediatelyonpresentationatwhateverbankhechoosestoname。That”sall。Seeingthathehasn”tgotit，hecan”tverywellpresentit——canhe？Eventually，having——er——nouseforfakediamonds，Ishallreturnthenecklace，togetherwiththepapersinhiscashboxhere——includingyournote。”
“Eventually？“Uncomprehendingly，stumblingly，Wilburrepeatedtheword。
“Inamonthortwoorthree，asthecasemaybe，“explainedJimmieDalebrightly。“WheneveryouinsertapersonalintheNEWS-ARGUStotheeffectthatthemotherlodehasgivenyouthecashtomeetit。”
Hereplacedthenoteinthecashbox，slippeddowntohisfeetfromthedesk——andthenhechokedalittle。Wilbur，thetearsstreamingdownhisface，unabletospeak，washoldingouthishandstoJimmieDale。“I——er——good-night！“saidJimmieDalehurriedly——andsteppedquicklyfromtheroom。
Halfwaydownthefirstflightofstairshepaused。Steps，runningafterhim，soundedalongthecorridorabove；andthenWilbur”svoice。
“Don”tgo——notyet，“criedtheoldman。“Idon”tunderstand。Howdidyouknow——whotoldyouaboutthenote？“
JimmieDaledidnotanswer——hewentonnoiselesslydownthestairs。
Hismaskwasoffnow，andhislipscurvedintoastrangelittlesmile。
“IwishIknew，“saidJimmieDalewistfullytohimself。
CHAPTERIV
THECOUNTERFEITFIVE
Itwasstillearlyintheevening，butalittleafternineo”clock。
TheFifthAvenuebuswendeditsway，jouncingitspatrons，particularlythoseonthetopseats，acrosstown，andturnedintoRiversideDrive。Ashortdistancebehindthebus，alimousinerolleddownthecrossstreetleisurely，silently。
AsthelightsofpassingcraftontheHudsonandamyriadscintillating，luminouspointsdottingthewestshorecameintoview，JimmieDaleroseimpulsivelyfromhisseatonthetopofthebus，descendedthelittlecircularironladderattherear，anddroppedoffintothestreet。ItwasonlyafewblocksfarthertohisresidenceontheDrive，andthenightwaswellworththewalk；
besides，restless，disturbed，andperplexedinmind，thewalkappealedtohim。
Hesteppedacrosstothesidewalkandproceededslowlyalong。A
monthhadgonebyandhehadnotheardawordfrom——HER。ThebreakonWestBroadway，themurderofMetzerinMoriarty”sgamblinghell，thetheftofMarkel”sdiamondnecklacehadfollowedeachotherinquicksuccession——andthenthismonthofuttersilence，withnosignofher，asthoughindeedshehadneverexisted。
ButitwasnotthistemporarysilenceonherpartthattroubledJimmieDalenow。Intheyearsthathehadworkedwiththisunknown，mysteriousaccompliceofhiswhomhehadneverseen，therehadbeenlongerintervalsthanabaremonthinwhichhehadheardnothingfromher——itwasnotthat。Itwasthefailure，total，absolute，andcomplete，thatwastheonlyresultforthemonthofceaseless，unremitting，doggedly-expendedeffort，evenasithadbeentheresultmanytimesbefore，inanattempttosolvetheenigmathatwassointimateandvitalafactorinhisownlife。
Ifhemightlayanyclaimstocleverness，hisresourcefulness，atleast，hewasforcedtoadmit，wasnomatchforhers。Shecame，shewentwithoutbeingseen——andbehindherremained，insteadofclewstoheridentity，onlyanamazing，intangiblemystery，thatlefthimattimesappalledanddismayed。HowdidsheknowaboutthoseconditionsinWestBroadway，howdidsheknowaboutMetzer”smurder，howdidsheknowaboutMarkelandWilbur——howdidsheknowaboutahundredotheraffairsofthesamesortthathadhappenedsincethatnight，yearsagonow，whenoutofpureadventurehehadtamperedwithMarx”s，thejeweller”sstrongroominMaidenLane，andshehad，mysteriouslythen，too，solvedHISidentity，discoveredhimtobetheGraySeal？
JimmieDale，wrappedupinhisownthoughts，entirelyoblivioustohissurroundings，traversedanotherblock。Therehadneverbeensincetheworldbegan，andtherewouldneverbeagain，sosingularandbizarreapartnershipasthis——ofhersandhis。He，JimmieDale，withhisstrangedoublelife，oneofNewYork”syoungbachelormillionaires，onewhosesocialstatuswasunquestioned；andshe，who——whoWHAT？Thatwasjustit！Whowhat？Whatwasshe？Whatwashername？Whatonepersonal，intimatethingdidheknowabouther？Andwhatwastobetheend？Notthathewouldhaveseveredhisassociationwithher——notforworlds！——thougheverytime，that，bysomenewandcuriousmethod，oneofherlettersfounditswayintohishands，outliningsomefreshcoupforhimtoexecute，hisperilanddangerofdiscoverywasincreasedinstaggeringratio。
To-day，thepolicehuntedtheGraySealastheyhuntedamaddog；
thepapersstormedandravedagainsthim：ineverydetectivebureauoftwocontinentshewascataloguedasthemostnotoriouscriminaloftheage——andyet，strangeparadox，nosinglecrimehadeverbeencommitted！
JimmieDale”sstrong，fine-featuredfacelightedup。Crime！Thankstoher，therewerethosewhoblessedthenameoftheGraySeal，thoseintowhoseliveshadcomejoy，relieffrommisery，escapefromdeatheven——andtheirblessingswereworthathousandfoldtheriskandperilofdisasterthatthreatenedhimateveryminuteoftheday。
“ThankGodforher！“murmuredJimmieDalesoftly。“But——butifI
couldonlyfindher，seeher，knowwhosheis，talktoher，andhearhervoice！“Thenhesmiledalittlewanly。“It”sbeenaprettytoughmonth——andnothingtoshowforit！“
Ithad！IthadbeenoneofthehardestmonthsthroughwhichJimmieDalehadeverlived。TheSt。James，thatmostexclusiveclub，hisfavouritehaunt，hadseennothingofhim；theeaselinhisden，thatwashishobby，hadbeenuntouched；therehadbeendaysevenwhenhehadnotcrossedthethresholdofhishome。Everyresourceathiscommandhehadcalledintoplayinanefforttosolvethemystery。
Fornearlytheentiremonth，followingfirstthisleadandthenthat，hehadlivedintheonedisguisethathefeltconfidentsheknewnothingof——thatwas，or，rather，hadbecome，almostadualpersonalitywithhim。FromtheSanctuary，thatmiserableanddisreputableroominatenementontheEastSide，atenementthathadthreeseparatemeansofentranceandexit，hehademergeddayafterdayasLarrytheBat，acharacteraswellknownandaswelllikedintheexclusivecirclesoftheunderworldaswasJimmieDaleinthemostexclusivestrataofNewYork”ssocietyandfashion。Andithadbeenuseless——alluseless。Throughhisownendeavours，throughthehelpofhisfriendsoftheunderworld，thelivesofhalfadozenmen，BertHagan”sonWestBroadway，forinstance，Markel”s，andothers”，hadbeenlaidbaretothelastshred，butnowherecouldbefoundtheonevitalpointthatlinkedtheirliveswithhers，thatwouldaccountforherintimateknowledgeofthem，andsofurnishhimwiththeclewthatwouldthenwithcertaintyleadhimtoasolutionofheridentity。
Itwasbaffling，puzzling，unbelievable，bordering，indeed，onthemiraculous——herself，everythingabouther，heracts，hermethods，hercleverness，intangibleinonesense，wereterrificallyrealinanother。JimmieDaleshookhishead。Themiraculousandthispractical，everydaylifewerewideandfarapart。Therewasnothingmiraculousaboutit——itwasonlythatthekeytoitwas，sofar，beyondhisreach。
AndthensuddenlyJimmieDaleshruggedhisshouldersinconsonancewithawhimsicalchangeinbothmoodandthought。
“LarrytheBat，isahardtaskmaster！“hemutteredfacetiously。
“I”mafraidI”mnotverypresentablethisevening——nobaththismorning，andnoshave，and，afternearlyamonthofmake-up，thatbeastlygreasepaintgetsintotheskincreasesinamostintimateway。”HechuckledasthethoughtofoldJason，hisbutler，cametohim。“IsawJason，tornbetweentwoconflictingemotions，shakinghisheadovertheblackcirclesundermyeyeslastnight——hedidn”tknowwhethertoworryoverthefirstsignsofagallopingdecline，orbreakhisheartatwitnessingtheyoungmasterhehaddandledonhiskneesgoingtothedamnationbowwowsandturningintoaconfirmedroue！IguessI”llhavetomindmyself，though。EvenCarruthersdetachedhismindfarenoughfromhiseditorialdeskandthehopeofexclusivelypublishingthenewsoftheGraySeal”scaptureintheMORNINGNEWS-ARGUS，totellmeIwaslookingseedy。
It”swonderfulthewayalittlepaintwillmetamorphoseaman！
Well，anyway，here”sforagoodhottubto-night，andafreshstart！
Hequickenedhispace。Therewerestillthreeblockstogo，andherewasnohurrying，jostlingcrowdtoimpedehisprogress；indeed，asfarashecouldseeuptheDrive，therewasnotapedestrianinsight。Andthen，ashewalked，involuntarily，insistently，hismindharkedbackintotheoldgrooveagain。
“I”vetriedtopictureher，“saidJimmieDalesoftlytohimself。
“I”vetriedtopictureherahundred，yes，athousandtimes，and”
Abus，rumblingcityward，wentbyhim，squeaking，creaking，andrattlinginitsuneasyjoints——andoutofthenoise，almostathiselbowitseemed，avoicespokehisname——andinthatinstantintuitivelyheKNEW，anditthrilledhim，stoppedthebeatofhisheart，as，dulcet，soft，clearasthenoteofasilverbellitfell——
andonlyoneword：
“Jimmie！“
Hewhirledaround。Alimousine，wheelsjustgrazingthecurb，wasglidingslowlyandsilentlypasthim，andfromthewindowawoman”sarm，white-glovedanddainty，wasextended，andfromthefingerstothepavementflutteredanenvelope——andthecarleapedforward。
Forthefractionofasecond，JimmieDalestooddazed，immovable，agamutofemotions，surprise，fierceexultation，amazement，astrangejoy，amightyuplift，swirlinguponhim——andthen，snatchinguptheenvelopefromtheground，hesprangoutintotheroadafterthecar。
Itwastheonechancehehadeverhad，theonechanceshehadevergivenhim，andhehadseen——awhite-glovedarm！Hecouldnotreachthecar，itwasspeedingawayfromhimlikeanarrownow，buttherewassomethingelsethatwoulddojustaswell，somethingthatwithallherclevernessshehadoverlooked——thecar”snumberdanglingontherearaxle，theraysofthelittlelampplayingontheenamelledsurfaceoftheplate！Gasping，panting，heheldhisownforayardormore，andtherefloatedbacktohimalittlesilverylaughfromthebodyofthelimousine，andthenJimmieDalelaughed，too，andstopped——itwasNo。15，836！
HestoodandwatchedthecardisappearuptheDrive。Whatdeliciousirony！Amonthofgruelling，ceaselesstoilthathadbeenvain，futile，useless——andthekey，whenhewasnotlookingforit，unexpectedly，throughnoeffortofhis，wasthrustintohishand——
No。15，836！
JimmieDale，thegentlyironicsmilestillonhislips，thoseslim，supersensitivefingersofhissubconsciouslynotingthatthetextureoftheenvelopewasthesameasshealwaysused，retracedhisstepstothesidewalk。
“Numberfifteenthousandeighthundredandthirty-six，“saidJimmieDalealoud——andhaltedatthecurbasthoughrootedtothespot。Itsoundedstrangelyfamiliar，thatnumber！Herepeateditoveragainslowly：“One-five-eight-three-six。”Andthesmilelefthislips，anduponhisfacecamethelookofachastenedchild。Shehadusedaduplicateplate！Fifteenthousandeighthundredandthirty-sixwasthenumberofoneofhisowncars——hisownparticularrunabout！
Foramomentlongerhestoodthere，undecidedwhethertolaughorswear，andthenhiseyesfastenedmechanicallyontheenvelopehewastwirlinginhisfingers。Here，atleast，wassomethingthatwasnotelusive；that，onthecontrary，asahundredothersinthepasthaddone，outlinedprobablyagrimnight”sworkaheadfortheGraySeal！And，ifitwereasthoseothershadbeen，everyminutefromthemomentofitsreceiptwasprecioustime。Hesteppedundertheneareststreetlight，andtoretheenvelopeopen。
“DearPhilanthropicCrook，“itbegan——andthenfollowedtwocloselywrittenpages。JimmieDalereadthem，hislipsgrowinggraduallytighter，asmoulderinglightcreepingintohisdarkeyes，andonceheemittedashort，lowwhistleofconsternation——thatwasattheend，ashereadthepost-scriptthatwasheavilyunderscored：“Workquickly。Theywillraidto-night。Becareful。LookoutforKline，heisthesharpestmanintheUnitedStatessecretservice。”
Forabriefinstantlonger，JimmieDalestoodunderthestreetlamp，hismindinalightning-quickwaycataloguingeverypointinherletter，viewingeverypointfromamyriadangles，constructing，devising，mappingoutaplantodove-tailintothem——andthenJimmieDaleswungonadowntownbus。Therewasneithertimenoroccasiontogohomenow——thatmarvellouslittlekitofburglar”stoolsthatpeepedfromtheirtinypocketsinthatcuriousleatherundervest，andthatreposednowinthesafeinhisden，wouldbeuselesstohimto-night；besides，inthebreastpocketofhiscoat，neatlyfolded，wasablacksilkmask，and，relicsofhisroleofLarrytheBat，anautomaticrevolver，anelectricflashlight，asteeljimmy，andabunchofskeletonkeys，weredistributedamongtheotherpocketsofhissmarttweedsuit。
JimmieDalechangedfromthebustothesubway，leavingbehindhim，strewnovermanyblocks，thetinyandminutefragmentsintowhichhehadtornherletter；atAstorPlaceheleftthesubway，walkedtoBroadway，turneduptownforablocktoEighthStreet，thenalongEighthStreetalmosttoSixthAvenue——andstopped。
Arathershabbyshop，apitifulsortofaplace，displayinginitswindowaheterogeneousconglomerationofcheapoddsandends，inkbottles，candy，pencils，cigarettes，pens，toys，writingpads，marbles，andamultitudeofothersmallwares，confrontedhim。
Within，alittle，old，sweet-faced，gray-hairedwomanstoodbehindthecounter，potteringovertherearrangementofsomearticlesontheshelves。
“Myword！“saidJimmieDalesoftlytohimself。“Youwouldn”tbelieveit，wouldyou！AndI”vealwayswonderedhowtheselittlestoresmanagedtomakebothendsmeet。Thinkofthatoldsoulmakingfifteenortwentythousanddollarsfromalayoutlikethis——
evenifithastakenheralifetime！“
JimmieDalehadhaltednonchalantlyandunconcernedlybythecurb，nottoonearthewindow，busiedapparentlyinanefforttolightarefractorycigarette；andthen，abouttoenterthestore，hegazedaimlesslyacrossthestreetforamomentinstead。AmancamebrisklyaroundthecornerfromSixthAvenue，openedthestoredoor，andwentin。
JimmieDaledrewbackalittle，andturnedhisheadagainasthedoorclosed——andasudden，quick，alert，andstartledlookspreadoverhisface。
Themanwhohadenteredbentoverthecounterandspoketotheoldlady。Sheseemedtolistenwithadawningterrorcreepingoverherfeatures，andthenherhandswentpiteouslytothethinhairbehindherears。Themanmotionedtowardadoorattherearofthestore。
Shehesitated，thencameoutfrombehindthecounter，andswayedalittleasthoughherlimbswouldnotsupportherweight。
JimmieDale”slipsthinned。
“I”mafraid，“hemutteredslowly，“I”mafraidthatI”mtoolateevennow。”Andthen，asshecametothedoorandturnedthekeyontheinside：“PrayHeavenshedoesn”tturnthelightout——orsomebodymightthinkIwastryingtobreakin！“
ButinthatrespectJimmieDale”sfearsweregroundless。Shedidnotturnouteitherofthegasjetsthatlightedthelittleshop；
instead，inafaltering，reluctantsortofmanner，sheledthewaydirectlythroughthedoorintherear，andthemanfollowedher。
Theshopwasempty——andJimmieDalewasstandingagainstthedoorontheoutside。Hispositionwasperfectlynatural——ahundredpassers-
bywouldhavenotednothingbutamostcommonplaceoccurrence——amanintheactofenteringastore。And，ifheappearedtofumbleandhavetroublewiththelatch，whatofit！JimmieDale，however，wasnotfumbling——hiddenbyhisbackthatwasturnedtothestreet，thosewonderfulfingersofhis，inwhosetipsseemedembodiedandconcentratedeveryoneofthehumansenses，wereworkingquickly，surely，accurately，withoutsomuchasthewastedmovementofasinglemuscle。
Afainttinkle——andthekeywithinfellfromthelocktothefloor。
Afaintclick——andtheboltofthelockslippedback。JimmieDalerestoredtheskeletonkeysandalittlesteelinstrumentthataccompaniedthemtohispocket——andquietlyopenedthedoor。Hesteppedinside，pickedupthekeyfromthefloor，inserteditinthelock，closedthedoorbehindhim，andlockeditagain。
“Toguardagainstinterruption，“observedJimmieDale，alittlequizzically。
Hewas，perhaps，thirtysecondsbehindtheothers。Hecrossedtheshopnoiselessly，cautiously，andpassedthroughthedoorattherear。Itopenedintoashortpassagethat，afterafewfeet，gaveonasortofcorridoratrightangles——anddownthislatter，facinghim，attheend，thedoorofalightedroomwasopen，andhecouldseethefigureofthemanwhohadenteredtheshop，backturned，standingonthethreshold。Voices，indistinct，cametohim。
Thecorridoritselfwasdark；andJimmieDale，satisfiedthathewasfairlysafefromobservation，stolesoftlyforward。Hepassedtwodoorsonhisleft——andthecuriousarrangementofthebuildingthathadpuzzledhimforamomentbecameclear。Thestoremadethefrontofanoldtenementbuilding，withapartmentsabove，andtherearofthestorewasasortofapartment，too——theoldlady”slivingquarters。
Stepbystep，testingeachoneagainstapossiblecreakingofthefloor，JimmieDalemovedforward，keepingcloseupagainstonewall。
Themanpassedonintotheroom——andnowJimmieDalecoulddistinguisheverywordthatwasbeingspoken；and，crouchedup，inthedarkcorridor，intheangleofthewallandthedoorjambitself，couldseeplainlyenoughintotheroombeyond。JimmieDale”sjawcreptoutalittle。
Ayoungman，gaunt，pale，wrappedinblankets，halfsat，halfreclinedinaninvalid”schair；theoldlady，onherknees，thetearsstreamingdownherface，hadherarmsaroundthesickman”sneck；whiletheotherman，apparentlyupsetatthescene，tuggedvigorouslyatlong，graymustaches。
“Sammy！Sammy！“sobbedthewomanpiteously。“Sayyoudidn”tdoit，Sammy——sayyoudidn”tdoit！“
Lookhere，Mrs。Matthews，“saidthemanwiththegraymustachesgently，“nowdon”tyougotomakingthingsanyharder。I”vegottodomydutyjustthesame，andtakeyourson。”
Theyoungman，ahecticflushbeginningtoburnonhischeeks，gazedwildlyfromonetotheother。
“What——whatisit？“hecriedout。
Themanthrewbackhiscoatanddisplayedabadgeonhisvest。
“I”mKlineofthesecretservice，“hesaidgravely。“I”msorry，Sammy，butIwantyouforthatlittlejobinWashingtonatthebureau——beforeyouleftonsickleave！“
SammyMatthewsstruggledawayfromhismother”sarms，pulledhimselfforwardinhischair——andhistonguelickeddrylips。
“What——whatjob？“hewhisperedthickly。
“Youknow，don”tyou？“theotheransweredsteadily。Hetookalarge，flatpocketbookfromhispocket，openedit，andtookoutafive-dollarbill。Heheldthisbeforethesickman”seyes，butjustoutofreach，onefingersilentlyindicatingthelowerleft-handcorner。
Matthewsstaredatitforamoment，andthehecticflushfadedtoagrayishpallor，andaqueer，impotentsoundgurgledinhisthroat。
“Iseeyourecogniseit，“saidtheotherquietly。“It”sopenandshut，Sammy。Thatlittleimperfectionintheplate”sgotyou，myboy。”
“Sammy！Sammy！“sobbedthewomanagain。“Sammy，sayyoudidn”tdoit！“
“It”salie！“saidMatthewshoarsely。“It”salie！Thatplatewascondemnedinthebureauforthatimperfection——condemnedanddestroyed。”
“CondemnedTOBEdestroyed，“correctedtheother，withoutraisinghisvoice。“There”salittledifferencethere，Sammy——abouttwentyyears”difference——intheFederalpen。Butitwasn”tdestroyed；
thisnotewasprintedfromitbyoneoftheslickestgangsofcounterfeitersintheUnitedStates——butIdon”tneedtotellyouthat，Iguessyouknowwhotheyare。I”vebeenafterthemalongtime，andI”vegotthemnow，justastightasI”vegotyou。Insteadofdestroyingthatplate，youstoleit，anddisposedofittothegang。Howmuchdidtheygiveyou？“
Matthews”faceseemedtoholdadumbhorror，andhisfingerspickedatthearmsofthechair。Hismotherhadmovedfrombesidehimnow，andbothherhandswerepattingattheman”ssleeveinapitifulway，whileagainandagainshetriedtospeak，butnowordswouldcome。
“It”salie！“saidMatthewsagain，inacolourless，mechanicalway。
ThemanglancedatMrs。Matthewsasheputthefive-dollarnotebackintohispocket，seemedtochokealittle，shookhishead，andalltraceoftheofficialsternnessthathadcreptintohisvoicedisappeared。
“It”snogood，“hesaidinalowtone。“Don”tdothat，Mrs。
Matthews，I”vegottodomyduty。”Heleanedalittletowardthechair。“It”sdeadtorights，Sammy。Youmightaswellmakeacleanbreastofit。ItwasuptoyouandAlGregortoseethattheplatewasdestroyed。ItWASN”Tdestroyed；instead，itshowsupinthehandsofagangofcounterfeitersthatI”vebeenwatchingformonths。Furthermore，I”vegottheplateitself。Andfinally，thoughIhaven”tplacedhimunderarrestyetforfearyoumighthearofitbeforeIwantedyoutoandmakeaget-away，I”vegotAlGregorwhereIcanputmyhandsonhim，andI”vegothisconfessionthatyouandheworkedthegamebetweenyoutogetthatplateoutofthebureauanddisposeofittothegang。”
“Oh，myGod！“——itcameinawildcryfromthesickman，andinadesperate，lurchingwayhestruggleduptohisfeet。“AlGregorsaidthat？Then——thenI”mdone！“Heclutchedathistemples。“Butit”snottrue——it”snottrue！Iftheplatewasstolen，anditmusthavebeenstolen，orthatnotewouldn”thavebeenfound，itwasAlGregorwhostoleit——Ididn”t，Itellyou！Iknewnothingofit，exceptthatheandIwereresponsibleforitand——andIleftittohim——that”stheonlywayI”mtoblame。He”scaught，andhe”stryingtogetoutofitwithalightsentencebypretendingtoturnState”sevidence，but——butI”llfighthim——hecan”tproveit——it”sonlyhiswordagainstmine，and”
Theothershookhisheadagain。
“It”snogood，Sammy，“hesaid，atouchofsternnessbackinhistonesagain。“Itoldyouitwasopenandshut。It”snotonlyAlGregor。OneoftheganggotweakkneeswhenIgothimwhereI
wantedhimtheothernight，andheswearsthatyouaretheonewhoDELIVEREDtheplatetothem。BetweenhimandGregorandwhatIknowmyself，I”vegotevidenceenoughforanyjuryagainsteveryoneoftherestofyou。”
Horror，fear，helplessnessseemedtomingleinthesickman”sstaringeyes，andheswayedunsteadilyuponhisfeet。
“I”minnocent！“hescreamedout。“ButI”mcaught，I”mcaughtinanet，andIcan”tgetout——theyliedtoyou——butnoonewillbelieveitanymorethanyoudoand——anditmeanstwentyyearsforme——oh，God！——twentyyears，and”Hishandswentwrigglingtohistemplesagain，andhetoppledbackinafaintintothechair。
“You”vekilledhim！You”vekilledmyboy！“theoldladyshriekedoutpiteously，andflungherselftowardthesenselessfigure。
Themanjumpedforthetableacrosstheroom，onwhichwasarowofbottles，snatchedoneup，drewthecork，smelledit，andranbackwiththebottle。Hepouredalittleofthecontentsintohiscuppedhand，helditunderyoungMatthews”nostrils，andpushedthebottleintoMrs。Matthews”hands。
“Bathehisforeheadwiththis，Mrs。Matthews，“hedirectedreassuringly。“He”llbeallrightagaininamoment。There，see——
he”scomingaroundnow。”
Therewasalong，flutteringsigh，andMatthewsopenedhiseyes；
thenamoment”ssilence；andthenhespoke，withaneffort，withlongpausesbetweenthewords：
“Am——I——to——go——now？“
Thewordsseemedtoringabsoluteterrorintheoldlady”sears。
Sheturned，anddroppedtoherkneesonthefloor。
“Mr。Kline，Mr。Kline，“shesobbedout，“oh，forGod”slove，don”ttakehim！Lethimoff，lethimgo！He”smyboy——allI”vegot！
You”vegotamother，haven”tyou？Youknow”Thetearswerestreamingdownthesweet，oldfaceagain。“Oh，won”tyou，forGod”sdearname，won”tyoulethimgo？Won”t”
“Stop！“themancriedhuskily。Hewasmoppingathisfacewithhishandkerchief。“IthoughtIwascase-hardened，Ioughttobe——butI
guessI”mnot。ButI”vegottodomyduty。You”reonlymakingitworseforSammythere，aswellasme。”
Herarmswerearoundhiskneesnow，clingingthere。
“Whycan”tyoulethimoff！“shepleadedhysterically。“Whycan”tyou！Whycan”tyou！Nobodywouldknow，andI”ddoanything——I”dpayanything——anything——I”llgiveyouten——fifteenthousanddollars！“
“Mypoorwoman，“hesaidkindly，placinghishandonherhead，“youaretalkingwildly。Apartaltogetherfromthequestionofduty，evenifIsucceededinhushingthematterup，Iwouldprobablyatleastbesuspectedandcertainlydischarged，andIhaveafamilytosupport——andifIwerecaughtI”dgettenyearsintheFederalprisonforit。I”msorryforthis；Ibelieveit”syourboy”sfirstoffence，andifIcouldlethimoffIwould。”
“Butyoucan——youcan！“sheburstout，rockingonherknees，clingingtighterstilltohim，asthoughinaparoxysmoffearthathemightsomehoweludeher。“Itwillkillhim——itwillkillmyboy。
Andyoucansavehim！Andeveniftheydischargedyou，whatwouldthatmeanagainstmyboy”slife！Youwouldn”tsuffer，yourfamilywouldn”tsuffer，I”ll——I”lltakecareofthat——perhapsIcouldraisealittlemorethanfifteenthousand——but，oh，havepity，havemercy——
don”ttakehimaway！“
Themanstaredatheramoment，staredatthewhitefaceontherecliningchair——andpassedhishandheavilyacrosshiseyes。
“Youwill！Youwill！“Itcameinagreatsurgingcryofjoyfromtheoldlady。“Youwill——oh，thankGod，thankGod！——Icanseeitinyourface！“
“I——IguessI”msoft，“hesaidhuskily，andstoopedandraisedMrs。
Matthewstoherfeet。“Don”tcryanymore。It”llbeallright——
it”llbeallright。I”ll——I”llfixitupsomehow。Ihaven”tmadeanyarrestsyet，and——well，I”lltakemychances。I”llgettheplateandturnitovertoyouto-morrow，only——onlyit”sgottobedestroyedinmypresence。”
“Yes，yes！“shecried，tryingtosmilethroughhertears——andthensheflungherarmsaroundherson”sneckagain。“Andwhenyoucometo-morrow，I”llbereadywiththemoneytodomyshare，too，and”
ButSammyMatthewsshookhishead。
“You”rewrong，bothofyou，“hesaidweakly。“You”reawhiteman，Kline。Butdestroyingthatplatewon”tsaveme。Theminuteasinglenoteprintedfromitshowsup，they”llknowbackthereinWashingtonthattheplatewasstolen，and”
“No；you”resafeenoughthere，“theotherinterposedheavily。
“Knowingwhatwasup，youdon”tthinkI”dgivethegangachancetogetthemintocirculation，doyou？IgotthemallwhenIgottheplate。And“——hesmiledalittleanxiously”I”llbringthemheretobedestroyedwiththeplate。Itwouldfinishmenow，aswellasyou，ifoneofthemevershowedup。Say，“hesaidsuddenly，withacatchinhisbreath，“I——Idon”tthinkIknowwhatI”mdoing。”
Mrs。Matthewsreachedoutherhandstohim。
“WhatcanIsaytoyou！“shesaidbrokenly，“What”
JimmieDaledrewbackalongthewall。Alittlewayfromthedoorhequickenedhispace，stillmoving，however，withextremecaution。
Theywerestilltalkingbehindhimasheturnedfromthecorridorintothepassagewayleadingtothestore，andfromthereintothestoreitself。Andthensuddenly，inspiteofcaution，hisfootslippedonthebarefloor。Itwasnotmuch——justenoughtocausehisotherfoot，poisedtentativelyinair，tocomeheavilydown，andaloudandcomplainingcreakechoedfromthefloor。
JimmieDale”sjawssnappedlikeasteeltrap。Fromdownthecorridorcameasudden，excitedexclamationinthelittleoldlady”svoice，andthenherstepssoundedrunningtowardthestore。InthefractionofasecondJimmieDalewasatthefrontdoor。
“Clumsy，blunderingfool！“hewhisperedfiercelytohimselfasheturnedthekey，openedthedoornoiselesslyuntilitwasjustajar，andturnedthekeyinthelockagain，leavingtheboltprotrudingout。Onestepbackward，andhewasrappingonthecounterwithhisknuckles。“Isn”tanybodyhere？“hecalledoutloudly。“Isn”tany——
oh！“——asMrs。Matthewsappearedinthebackdoorway。“Apackageofcigarettes，please。”
Shestaredathim，alittlefrightened，hereyesredandswollenwithrecentcrying。
“How——howdidyougetinhere？“sheaskedtremendously。
“Ibegyourpardon？“inquiredJimmieDale，inpolitesurprise。
“I——Ilockedthedoor——I”msureIdid，“shesaid，moretoherselfthantoJimmieDale，andhurriedacrossthefloortothedoorasshespoke。
JimmieDale，stillpolitelycurious，turnedtowatchher。Foramomentbewildermentandapuzzledlookwereinherface——andthenasortofsurprisedrelief。
“Imusthaveturnedthekeyinthelockwithoutshuttingthedoortight，“sheexplained，“forIknewIturnedthekey。”
JimmieDalebentforwardtoexaminethelock——andnodded。
“Yes，“heagreed，withasmile。“Ishouldsayso。”Then，gravelycourteous：“I”msorrytohaveintruded。”
“Itisnothing，“sheanswered；and，evidentlyanxioustoberidofhim，movedquicklyaroundbehindthecounter。“Whatkindofcigarettesdoyouwant？“
“Egyptians——anykind，“saidJimmieDale，layingabillonthecounter。
Hepocketedthecigarettesandhischange，andturnedtothedoor。
“Good-evening，“hesaidpleasantly——andwentout。
JimmieDalesmiledalittlecuriously，alittletolerantly。Ashestartedalongthestreet，heheardthedoorofthelittleshopclosewithasortofsupercarefulbang，thekeyturned，andthelatchrattletotrythedoor——thelittleoldladywasbentonmakingnomistakeasecondtime！
AndthenthesmileleftJimmieDale”slips，hisfacegrewstrainedandserious，andhebrokeintoarundowntheblocktoSixthAvenue。
Herehepausedforaninstant——therewastheelevated，thesurfacecars——whichwouldbethequicker？Helookeduptheavenue。Therewasnotraincoming；thenearestsurfacecarwasblocksaway。Hebithislipsinvexation——andthenwithajumphewasacrossthestreetandhailingapassingtaxicabthathiseyeshadjustlightedon。
“Gotafare？“calledJimmieDale。
“No，sir，“answeredthechauffeur，bumpinghiscartoanabrupthalt。
“Good！“JimmieDaleranalongside，andyankedthedooropen。“DoyouknowwherethePalaceSaloonontheBoweryis？“
“Yes，sir，“repliedtheman。
JimmieDaleheldaten-dollarbanknoteupbeforethechauffeur”seyes。
“Earnthatinfourminutes，then，“hesnapped——andsprangintothecab。
Thetaxicabswervedaroundonlittlebetterthantwowheels，startedonamaddashdowntheAvenue——andJimmieDalebracedhimselfgrimlyinhisseat。Thecabswervedagain，toreacrossWaverlyPlace，circuitedWashingtonSquare，crossedBroadway，andwhirledfinallyintotheupperendoftheBowery。
JimmieDalespokeonce——tohimself——plaintively。
“It”stoobadIcan”tletoldCarruthersinonthisforascoopwithhispreciousMORNINGNEWS-ARGUS——butifIgetoutofitalivemyself，I”lldowell！Wonderiftheday”llevercomewhenhefindsoutthathisverydearfriendandoldcollegepal，JimmieDale，istheGraySealthathe”sturnedhimselfinsideoutforaboutfouryearsnowtocatch，andthathe”dtradehissoulwiththedevilanytimetolayhandson！GoodoldCarruthers！”Themostpuzzling，bewildering，delightfulcrookintheannalsofcrime”——amI？“
Thecabdrewupatthecurb。JimmieDalesprangout，shovedthebillintothechauffeur”shand，steppedquicklyacrossthesidewalk，andpushedhiswaythroughtheswingingdoorsofthePalaceSaloon。
Insideleisurelyandnonchalantly，hewalkeddownpastthelengthofthebartoadoorattherear。Thisopenedintoapassagewaythatledtothesideentranceofthesaloononthecrossstreet。JimmieDaleemergedfromthesideentrance，crossedthestreet，retracedhisstepstotheBowery，crossedover，andwalkedrapidlydownthatthoroughfarefortwoblocks。Hereheturnedeastintothecrossstreet；andhere，oncemore，hispacebecameleisurelyandunhurried。
“It”sastrangecoincidence，thoughpossiblyaveryhappyone，“saidJimmieDale，ashewalkedalong，“thatitshouldbeonthesamestreetastheSanctuary——ah，thisoughttobetheplace！“
Analleyway，correspondingtotheonethatflankedthetenementwhere，asLarrytheBat，hehadpaidroomrentasatenantforseveralyears，infact，thealleywaynextaboveit，andbutashortblockaway，intersectedthestreet，narrow，black，anduninviting。
JimmieDale，ashepassed，peereddownitslength。
“Nolight——that”sgood！“commentedJimmieDaletohimself。Then：
“Windowopensonalleywaytenfeetfromground——shoestore，RussianJew，inbasement——goinfrontdoor——straighthallway——roomatend——
RussianJewprobablyaccomplice——becarefulthathedoesnothearyoumovingoverhead“——JimmieDale”smind，withthatcuriousfacultyofhis，wassubconsciouslyrepeatingsnatchesfromherletterwordforword，evenashenotedthedimlylighted，untidy，anddisorderlyinteriorofwhat，fromstringsofleatherslippersthatdecoratedthecellarlikeentrance，wasevidentlyacheapandshoddyshoestoreinthebasementofthebuilding。
Thebuildingitselfwasricketyandtumble-down，threestorieshigh，andgivenoverundoubtedlytogregariousforeignersofthepoorerclass，arabbitburrow，asitwere，havingamultitudeofroomersandlodgers。Therewasnothingominousorevensecretiveaboutit——
uptheshortflightofstepstotheentrance，eventhedoorhungcarelesslyhalfopen。
JimmieDale”sslouchhatwaspulledalittlefartherdownoverhiseyesashemountedthestepsandenteredthehallway。Helistenedamoment。Asortofsubdued，queruloushubbubseemedtohumthroughtheplace，asvoices，men”s，women”s，andchildren”s，echoingoutfromtheirvariousroomsabove，mingledtogether，andfloateddownthestairwaysinadiscordantmedley。JimmieDalesteppedlightlydownthelengthofthehall——andlistenedagain；thistimeintently，withhiseartothekeyholeofthedoorthatmadetheendofthepassage。Therewasnotasoundfromwithin。Hetriedthedoor，smiledalittleashereachedforhiskeys，workedoverthelock——
andstraightenedupsuddenlyashisearcaughtadescendingsteponthestairs。Itwastwoflightsup，however——andthedoorwasunlockednow。JimmieDaleopenedit，and，likeashadow，slippedinside；and，ashelockedthedoorbehindhim，smiledoncemore——thedoorlockwasbutapaltrymakeshiftatbest，butINSIDEhisfingershadtouchedamassivesteelboltthat，whenshothome，wouldyieldwhenthedooritselfyielded——andnotbefore。Withoutmovingthebolt，heturned——andhisflashlightforamomentswepttheroom。
“Notmuchlikethewaytheydescribethissortofplaceinstorybooks！“murmuredJimmieDalecapriciously。“ButIgettheidea。Mr。RussianJewdownstairsmakesabluffatusingitforastoreroom。”
Againtheflashlightmadeacircuit。Here，there，andeverywhere，seeminglywithoutanyattemptatorder，werepilesofwoodenshippingcases。Onlythecentreoftheroomwasclearandempty；
that，andavacantspaceagainstthewallbythewindow。
JimmieDale，movingwithoutsound，wenttothewindow。Therewasashadeonit，anditwaspulleddown。Hereachedupunderneathit，feltforthewindowfastening，andunlockedit；thencautiouslytestedthewindowitselfbyliftingitaninchortwo——itslideasilyinitsgrooves。
Hestoodthenforamoment，hardfaced，afrowngatheringhisforeheadintoheavyfurrows，astheflashlight”srayagainandagaindartedhitherandthither。Therewasnothing，absolutelynothingintheroombutwoodenpackingcases。Heliftedthecoveroftheonenearesttohimandlookedinside。Itwasquiteempty，exceptforsomepiecesofheavycord，andafewcardboardshoeboxesthat，inturn，wereempty，too。
“It”shere，ofcourse，“saidJimmieDalethoughtfullytohimself。
“Cleverwork，too！ButIcan”tmovehalfahundredpackingcaseswithoutthatchapbelowhearingme；andIcan”tdoitintenminutes，either，which，Iimagineistheoutsidelimitoftime。
Fortunately，though，thesecasesarenotwithouttheircompensation——
adozenmencouldhidehere。”
Hebegantomoveabouttheroom。Andnowhestoopedbeforeonepileofboxesandthenanother，curiouslyattemptingtoliftuptheentirepilefromthebottom。Somehecouldnotmove；others，byexertingallhisstrength，gavealittle；andthen，finally，overinonecorner，hefoundapilethatappearedtoanswerhispurpose。
“Thesearecertainlyempty，“hemuttered。
Therewasjustroomtosqueezethroughbetweenthemandthenextstackofcasesalongside；but，oncethrough，bythesimpleexpedientofmovingthecasesoutalittletotakeadvantageoftheanglemadebythecorneroftheroom，heobtainedamplespacetostandcomfortablyuprightagainstthewall。ButJimmieDalewasnotsatisfiedyet。Couldheseeoutintotheroom？Heexperimentedwithhisflashlight——andcarefullyshiftedthescreenofcasesbeforehimalittletooneside。Andyetstillhewasnotsatisfied。Withasortofironicaldroopatthecornersofhislips，asthoughsuddenlytherehadflasheduponhimtheinspirationthatfatheredoneofthosewhimsicalideasandfanciesthatweresoessentiallyacharacteristicofJimmieDale，hecameoutfrombehindthecases，wentacrosstheroomtothecasehehadopenedwhenhefirstentered，tookoutthecordandthecoverofoneofthecardboardshoeboxes，andwiththesereturnedtohishidingplaceoncemore。
Thesoundsfromtheupperstoriesofthetenementnowreachedhimhardlyatall；butfrombelow，directlyunderhisfeetalmost，hecouldhearsomeone，theproprietoroftheshoestoreprobably，walkingabout。
Tense，everyfacultynowonthealert，hisheadturnedinastrained，attentiveattitude，JimmieDalethrewontheflashlight”stinyswitch，tookthatintimateandthinmetalcasefromhispocket，extractedadiamond-shaped，graypapersealwiththelittletweezers，moistenedtheadhesiveside，andstuckitinthecentreofthewhitecardboard-boxcover，thentoretheedgesofthecardboarddownuntilthewholewasjustsmallenoughtoslipintohispocket。
Throughthecardboardheloopedapieceofcord，placardfashion，andwithhispencilprintedthefourwords”withthecomplimentsof“——abovethegrayseal。Hesurveyedtheresultwithagrim，mirthlesschuckle——andputthepieceofcardboardinhispocket。
“I”mtakingthelongestchancesIevertookinmylife，“saidJimmieDaleveryseriouslytohimself，ashisfingerstwisted，anddoubled，andtiedtheremainingpiecesofcordtogether，andfinallyfashionedarunningnooseinoneend。“Idon”t”Thecordandtheflashlightwentintohispocket，theroomwasindarkness，theblackmaskwaswhippedfromhisbreastpocketandadjustedtohisface，andhisautomaticwasinhishand。
Camethecreakofafootstep，asthoughonaladderexactlybelowhim，another，andanother，recedingcuriouslyinitsdirection，yetatthesametimegrowinglouderinsoundasifnearerthefloor——
thenacrackoflightshowedinthefloorinthecentreoftheroom。
Thisheldforaninstant，thenexpandedsuddenlyintoagreatluminoussquare——andthroughatrapdoor，openedwidenow，aman”sheadappeared。
JimmieDale”seyes，fixedthroughthespacebetweenthepilesofcases，narrowed——therewas，indeed，littledoubtbutthattheshoe-
storeproprietorbelowwasanaccomplice！Thestoreservedamostconvenientpurposeineveryrespect——asasecretmeansofentryintotheroom，asasortofguaranteeofinnocencefortheroomitself。
Whynot！Tothesuperficialobserver，tothemanwhomightbysomechanceblunderintotheroom——itwasbutanadjunctofthestoreitself！
Themaninthetrap-doorwaypausedwithhisshouldersabovethefloor，lookedaround，listened，thendrewhimselfup，walkedacrossthefloor，andshottheheavyboltonthedoorthatledintothehallwayofthehouse。Hereturnedthentothetrapdoor，bentoverit，andwhistledsoftly。Twomoremen，inanswertothesummons，cameupintotheroom。
“TheCap”llbealonginaminute，“oneofthemsaid。“Turnonthelight。”
Aswitchclicked，floodingtheroomwithsuddenbrilliancyfromhalfadozenelectricbulbs。
“Toomany！“gruntedthesamevoiceagain。“Weain”tworkingto-
night——turnouthalfof”em。”
ThesuddentransitionfromthedarknessforamomentdazzledJimmieDale”seyes——butthenextmomenthewassearchingthefacesofthethreemen。Therewerefewcrooks，fewdenizensofthecrimeworldbelowthenowobsoletebutstillfamousdeadlinethat，asLarrytheBat，hedidnotknowatleastbysight。
“Moulton，WhitieBurns，andMartyDean，“confidedJimmieDalesoftlytohimself。“AndIdon”tknowofanyworse，except——theCap。Andgunfighters，everyoneofthem，too——niceodds，tosaynothingof”
“Here”stheCapnow！“announcedoneofthethree。“Hello，Cap，where”dyouraisethemustache？“
JimmieDale”seyesshiftedtothetrapdoor，andintothemcreptacontemptuousandsardonicsmile——themanwhowascomingupnowandhoistinghimselftothefloorwasthemanwho，halfanhourbefore，hadthreatenedyoungSammyMatthewswitharrest。
TheCap，aliasBertMalone，aliasascoreofothernames，closedthetrapdoorafterhim，pulledoffhismustacheandgraywig，tuckedtheminhispocket，andfacedhiscompanionsbrusquely。
“Nevermindaboutthemustache，“hesaidcurtly。“Getbusy，thelotofyou。Stiraroundandgettheworksout！“
“Whatfor？“inquiredWhitieBurns，asharp，ferret-facedlittleman。
“Wegotenoughoftheoldstuffonhandnow，andthatbumbreakGregormadewhenhepinchedthecrackedplateputthefinishonthat。Say，Cap”
“Closeyourface，Whitie，andgettheworksout！“Malonecutinshortly。“We”veonlygotthewholenightaheadofus——butwe”llneeditall。We”regoingtorunthequeeroffthatcrackedplate。”
Oneoftheothers，MartyDeanthistime，acertainbrutalaggressivenessinbothfeaturesandphysique，edgedforward。
“Say，what”sthelay？“hedemanded。“Ajoke？Weprintedonefiveroffthatplate——andthenweknewenoughtoquit。Withthatcrackalongthecorner，youcouldn”tpass”emonablindman！AndGregorsayinghethoughtwecouldpatchtheplateupenoughtogetbywithgivesmeapain——he”sgotjinglesinhisdomefactory！Runthemfiverseh——say，areyoucracked，too？“
“Aw，forgetit！“observedMalonecaustically。“Who”srunningthisgang？“Then，withamaliciousgrin：“Igotacustomerforthosefivers——fifteenthousanddollarsforallwecanturnoutto-night。
See？“
Theothersstaredathimforamoment，incredulityandgreedminglinginacurioushalf-hesitant，half-expectantlookontheirfaces。
ThenWhitieBurnsspoke，circlinghislipswiththetipofhistongue：
“D”yemeanit，Cap——honest？What”sthelay？How”dyouworkit？“
Malone，unbendingwiththesensationhehadcreated，grinnedagain。
“Easyenough，“hesaidoffhandedly。Itwaslikefallingoffalog。
Gregorsaid，didn”the，thattheonlywayhehadbeenabletogethisclawsonthatplatewasonaccountofyoungMatthewsgoingawaysick——eh？Well，theoldMatthewswoman，hismother，hasgotmoney——
aboutfifteenthousand。Iguesssheain”tgotanymorethanthat，orI”dhaveraisedtheante。Aw，itwaseasy。Shethrewitatme。
Iframedoneuponthem，that”sall。I”mKline，ofthesecretservice——see？Idon”tsupposethey”deverseenhim，thoughthey”dknowhisnamefastenough，butImadeupsomethinglikehim。I
showedthemwhereIhadacaseagainstSammyforpinchingtheplatethatwasstrongenoughtoputahundredinnocentmenbehindthebars。Ofcourse，heknewwellenoughhewasinnocent，buthecouldseethetwentyyearsIshowedhimwithbotheyes。Say，hemussedallovertheplace，andwentandfaintedlikeagirl。Andthentheoldwomancameacrosswithanofferoffifteenthousandfortheplate，andcorruptedme。”Malone”scunning，viciousface，nowthatthesofteningeffectsofthegrayhairandmustacheweregone，seemedaccentuateddiabolicallybythegrinbroadeningintoalaugh，asheguffawed。
MartyDean”shandswungwithabangtoMalone”sshoulder。
“Say，Cap——say，you”reallright！“heexclaimedexcitedly。You”retheboy！Butwhat”sthegoodofrunninganythingofftheplatebeforeturningitoverto”em——thestuff”snogoodtous。”
“Yougotawoodennut，withsawdustforbrains，“saidMalonesarcastically。“Ifhe”dthoughtthegangofcounterfeitersthatwassupposedtohaveboughttheplatefromhimhadrunoffonlyonefiverandthenstoppedbecausetheysayitwouldn”tgetby，andweren”tgoingtorunanymore，andjustdestroytheplatelikeitwassupposedtohavebeendestroyedtobeginwith，anditallendupwithnoonethewiser，whered”yethinkwe”dhavebankedthatfifteenthousand！ItoldhimIhadthewholerunconfiscated，andthatthequeerwentwiththeplate，sowe”lljustmakethatlittlerunto-night——that”swhyIsentwordaroundtoyouthismorning。”
“Bythejumping！“ejaculatedWhitieBurns，heavywithadmiration。
“Yougotaheadonyou，Cap！“
“It”sagoodthingforsomeofyouthatIhave，“returnedMalonecomplacently。“Butdon”tstandjawingallnight。Goon，now——getbusy！“
TherewasnosurpriseinJimmieDale”sface——hehadchosenhispositionbehindapileofcasesthathehadbeenextremelycareful，asamaniscarefulwhenhislifehangsinthebalance，toassurehimselfwereempty。Noneofthefourcamenearortouchedthepilebehindwhichhestood；but，hereandthereabouttheroom，theypulledthisoneandthatoneoutfromvariousstacks。Inscarcelymorethanamoment，theroomwascompletelytransformed。Itwasnolongerastoreroomforsurplusstock，forthestorageofbulkyandemptypackingcases！Fromthecasesthemenhadpickedout，likeatouchofmagic，appearedaveritableprintingplant，anelaborateengraver”soutfit——ahighlyefficientfoot-powerpress，rapidlybeingassembledbyWhitieBurns；anelectricdryer，inks，apileofwhite，silk-threadedbank-notepaper，acutter，andascoreofotherappurtenances。
“Yes，“saidJimmieDaleverygentlytohimself。“Yes，quiteso——buttheplate？Ah！“Malonewastakingitoutfromthemiddleofabundleofoldnewspapers，looselytiedtogether，thathehadliftedfromoneofthecases。
JimmieDale”seyesfastenedonit——andfromthatinstantneverleftit。Aminutepassed，two，threeofthem——thefourmenweresilentlybusyabouttheroom——Malonewascarefullycleaningtheplate。
“Theywillraidto-night。LookoutforKline，heisthesharpestmanintheUnitedStatesecretservice“——thewarninginherletterwasrunningthroughJimmieDale”smind。Kline——therealKline——wasgoingtoraidtheplaceto-night。When？Atwhattime？Itmustbenearlyeleveno”clockalready，and——
Itcamesudden，quickasthecrackofdoom——aterrificcrashagainstthebolteddoor——butthedoor，undoubtedlytothesurpriseofthosewithout，heldfast，thankstothebolt。Thefourmen，white-faced，seemedforaninstantturnedtostatues。Cameanothercrashagainstthedoor——andasharp，imperativeordertothosewithintoopenitandsurrender。
“We”repinched！Beatit！“whisperedWhitieBurnswildly——anddashedforthetrapdoor。
Likearatforitshole，MartyDeanfollowed。Malone，fartheraway，droppedtheplateonthefloor，andrushed，withMoultonbesidehim，aftertheothers——butheneverreachedthetrapdoor。
Overthecrashingblows，rainingnowinquicksuccessiononthedooroftheroom，overastartledcommotionaslodgers，roomers，andtenantsontheflooraboveawokeintofrightenedactivitywithshoutsandcries，cametheloudercrashofapileofpackingboxeshurledtothefloor。Andoverthem，vaultingthosescatteredinhisway，JimmieDalesprangatMalone。Themanreeledback，withacry。Moultondashedthroughthetrapdooranddisappeared。Theshort，uglybarrelofJimmieDale”sautomaticwasbetweenMalone”seyes。
“Youmakeamove，“saidJimmieDale，inalowsibilantway，“andI”lldropyouwhereyoustand！Putyourhandsbehindyourback——
palmstogether！“
Malone，dazed，cowed，obeyed。Apanelofthedoorsplitandrentdownitslength——thehingesweresagging。JimmieDaleworkedlikelightning。ThecordwiththeslipnoosefromhispocketwentaroundMalone”swrists，jerkedtight，andknotted；theplacard，hislipsgrim，withnosignofhumour，JimmieDaledangledaroundtheman”sneck。
“AnintroductionforyoutoMr。Klineoutthere——thatyouseemsofondof！“grittedJimmieDale。Then，workingashetalked：“I”vegotnotimetotellyouwhatIthinkofyou，youpitifulhound“——hesnatcheduptheplatefromthefloorandputitinhispocket”
Twentyyears，Ithinkyousaid，didn”tyou？“——hishandshotintoMalone”spocket-book，andextractedthefive-dollarnote”Ifyoucanopenthiswithyourtoesmaybeyoucangetaway“——hewrenchedthetrapdooroverandslammeditshut”good-night，Malone“——andheleapedforthewindow。
Thedoortotteredinwardfromthetop，ripping，tearing，smashinghinges，panels，andjamb。JimmieDalegotablurredvisionofbrassbuttons，bluecoats，andhelmets，and，intheforefront，ofastocky，gray-mustached，gray-hairedmaninplainclothes。
JimmieDalethrewupthewindow，swungout，aswitharushtheofficersburstthroughintotheroomandarevolverbullethummedviciouslypasthisear，anddroppedtotheground——intoencirclingarms！
“Ah，no，youdon”t，mybucko！“snappedahoarsevoiceinhisear。
“Keepquietnow，orI”llcrackyourbean——understand！“
Buttheofficer，tooheavytobemuscular，wasnomatchforJimmieDale，who，evenashehaddroppedfromthesill，hadcaughtsightofthelurkingformbelow；andnow，withaquick，sudden，lithemovementhewriggledloose，hisfistfromashort-armjabsmasheduponthepointoftheother”sjaw，sendingthemanstaggeringbackward——andJimmieDaleran。
Acrowdwasalreadycollectingatthemouthofthealleyway，mostlyoccupantsofthehouseitself，andintothese，scatteringtheminalldirections，eludingdexterouslyanotherofficerwhomadeagrabforhim，JimmieDalechargedattopspeed，burstthrough，andheadeddownthestreet，runninglikeadeer。
Yellswentup，arevolverspatvenomouslybehindhim，cametheshrillCHEEP-CHEEP！ofthepolicewhistle，andheavybootspoundingthepavementinpursuit。
DowntheblockJimmieDaleraced。Theyellsaugmentedinhisrear。
Anothershot——andthistimeheheardthebulletbuzz。Andthenheswerved——intothenextalleyway——thatflankedtheSanctuary。
Hehadperhapsatenyards”lead，justalittlemorethanthedistancefromthestreettothesidedooroftheSanctuarythatopenedonthealleyway。And，asherannow，hisfingerstoreathisclothing，looseninghistie，unbuttoningcoat，vest，collar，shirt，andundershirt。Heleapedatthedoor，swungitopen，flunghimselfinside——andthensacrificingspeedtosilence，wentupthestairslikeacat，cramminghismasknowintohispocket。
Hisroomwasonthefirstlanding。Inaninstanthehadunlockedthedoor，entered，andlockeditagainbehindhim。Fromoutside，anexcitedstreeturchin”svoiceshrilleduptohim：
“Hewentinthatdoor！Iseenhim！“
Thepolicewhistlechirpedagain；andthenanauthoritativevoice：
“Getaroundandwatchthesaloonbackofthis，Heeney——there”sawayoutthroughtherefromthisjoint。”
JimmieDale，divestedofeverystitchofclothingthathehadworn，pulledadisreputablecollarlessflannelshirtoverhishead，pulledonadirtyandpatchedpairoftrousers，andslippedintoathreadbareandfilthycoat。JimmieDalewasworkingagainstseconds。Theywereatthelowerdoornow。Heliftedtheoilclothinthecorneroftheroom，lifteduptheloosepieceoftheflooring，shovedhisdiscardedgarmentsinside，andfromalittleboxthatwastheresmearedthehollowofhishandwithsomeblacksubstance，possessedhimselfoftwolittlearticles，replacedtheflooring，replacedtheoilcloth，and，inbarefeet，stoleacrosstheroomtothedoor。Againstthedoor，withoutasound，JimmieDaleplacedachair，andonthechairseathelaidthetwolittlearticleshehadbeencarryinginhishand。Itwasintenselyblackintheroom，butJimmieDaleneedednolighthere。Fromunderthebedhepulledoutapairofwoolensocksandapairofcongressboots，bothasdisreputableastherestofhisattire，putthemon——
andveryquietly，softly，cautiously，stretchedhimselfoutonthebed。
Theofficerswereatthetopofthestairs。Avoicebarkedout：
“Standguardonthislanding，Peters。Higgins，youtaketheoneabove。We”llstartfromthetopofthehouseandworkdown。Allownoonetopassyou。”
“Yes，sir！Verygood，Mr。Kline，“wastheresponse。
Kline！——thesharpestmanintheUnitedStatessecretservice，shehadsaid。JimmieDale”slipsset。
“I”mgladIhadnoshavethismorning，“saidJimmieDalegrimlytohimself。
Hisfingerswereworkingwiththeblacksubstanceinthehollowofhishand——andthelong，slim，taperingfingers，theshapely，well-
cared-forhandsgrewunkemptandgrimy，blackbeneaththefingernails——andalittle，too，playeditspartontheday”sgrowthofbeard，alittlearoundthethroatandatthenapeoftheneck，alittleacrosstheforeheadtomeetthelocksofstragglinganddisorderedhair。JimmieDalewipedtheresiduefromthehollowofhishandonthekneeofhistrousers——andlaystill。
Anofficerpacedoutside。Upstairsdoorsopenedandclosed。Gruff，harshtonesincommandsechoedthroughthehouse。Thesearchpartydescendedtothesecondfloor——andagainthesamesoundswererepeated。Andthen，thumpingdownthecreakingstairs，theystoppedbeforeJimmieDale”sroom。Someonetriedthedoor，and，findingitlocked，rattleditviolently。
“Openthedoor！“ItwasKline”svoice，JimmieDale”seyeswereclosed，andhewasbreathingregularly，thoughjustalittleslowerthaninnaturalrespiration。
“Breakitdown！“orderedKlinetersely。
Therewasarushatit——anditgave。Itsurgedinward，knockedagainstthechair，upsetthelatter，somethingtinkledtothefloor——
andfourofficers，withKlineattheirhead，jumpedintotheroom。
JimmieDalenevermoved。Aflashlightplayedaroundtheroomandfocuseduponhim——andthenhewasshakenroughly——onlytofallinertlybackonthebedagain。
“Iguessthisisallright，Mr。Kline，“saidoneoftheofficers。
“It”sLarrytheBat，andhe”sdopedtotheeyes。There”sthestuffonthefloorweknockedoffthechair。”
“Lightthegas！“directedKlinecurtly；and，beingobeyed，stoopedtothefloorandpickedupahypodermicsyringeandasmallbottle。
Heheldthebottletothelight，andreadthelabel：LIQUOR
MORPHINAE。“Shakehimagain！“hecommanded。
Nonetoogently，apolicemancaughtJimmieDalebytheshoulderandshookhimvigorously——againJimmieDale，oncetheotherletgohishold，fellbacklimplyonthebed，breathinginthatsame，slightlyslowedway。
“LarrytheBat，eh？“gruntedKline；then，totheofficerwhohadvolunteeredtheinformation：“Who”sLarrytheBat？Whatishe？Andhowlonghaveyouknownhim？“
“Idon”tknowwhoheisanymorethanwhatyoucanseethereforyourself，“repliedtheofficer。“He”sadopefiend，andIguessaprettytoughcase，thoughwe”veneverhadhimupforanything。He”slivedhereeversinceI”vebeenonthebeat，andthat”sthreeyearsor”
“Allright！“interruptedKlinecrisply。“He”snogoodtous！Yousaythere”sanexitfromthishouseintothatsaloonattheback？“
“Yes，sirbutthefellow，whoeverheis，couldn”tgetawayfromthere。Heeney”sbeenoveronguardfromthestart。”
“Thenhe”sstillinsidethere，“saidKline，clippingoffhiswords。
“We”llsearchthesaloon。Nicenight”sworkthisis！Oneoutofthewholegang——andthatonewiththecomplimentsoftheGraySeal！“
Themenwentoutandbegantodescendthestairs。
“One，“saidJimmieDaletohimself，stillmotionless，stillbreathinginthatslowwaysocharacteristicofthedrug。“Two。
Three。Four。”
Theminuteswentby——aquarterofanhour——ahalfhour。StillJimmieDalelaythere——stillmotionless——stillbreathingwithslowregularity。Hismusclesbegantocramp，togivehimexquisitetorture。Aroundhimallwassilence——onlydistantsoundsfromthestreetreachedhim，muffled，andatintervals。Anotherquarterofanhourpassed——aneternityoftorment。ItseemedtoJimmieDale，forallhiswillpower，thathecouldnotholdhimselfincheck，thathemustmove，screamouteveninthetorturethatwaspassingallendurance。Itwassilentnow，utterlysilent——andthenoutofthesilence，justoutsidehisdoor，afootstepcreaked——andamanwalkedtothestairsandwentdown。
“Five，“saidJimmieDaletohimself。“ThesharpestmanintheUnitedStatessecretservice。”
AndthenforthefirsttimeJimmieDalemoved——towipeawaythebeadsofsweatthathadsprungoutuponhisforehead。
CHAPTERV
THEAFFAIROFTHEPUSHCARTMAN
LarrytheBatshambledoutofthesidedoorofthetenementintothebackalleyway；shambledalongtheblackalleywaytothestreet——andsmiledalittlegrimlyasashadowacrosstheroadwaysuddenlyshifteditsposition。Thegamewasgrowingacute，critical，desperateeven——anditwashismove。
LarrytheBat，disreputabledenizenoftheunderworld，aliasJimmieDale，millionairsclubman，aliastheGraySeal，whomCarruthersoftheMORNINGNEWS-ARGUScalledthemastercriminaloftheage，shuffledalonginthedirectionoftheBowery，hishandsplungeddeepinthepocketsofhisfrayedandtatteredtrousers，wherehisfingers，inacurious，wistfulway，fondledthekeysofhisownmagnificentresidenceonRiversideDrive。Itwashismove——anditwasanimpasse，ironical，sardonic，anditwasworse——itwasfullofperil。
True，hehadoutwittedKlineofthesecretservicetwonightsbefore，whenKlinehadraidedthecounterfeiters”den；true，hehadnoreasontobelievethatKlinesuspectedHIMspecifically，butthemanKlinewantedHADenteredthetenementthatnight，andsincethenthehousehadbeenshadoweddayandnight。Theresultwasbothsimpleanddisastrous——toJimmieDale。LarrytheBat，aknowninmateofthehouse，mightcomeandgoashepleased——buttoemergefromtheSanctuaryinthepersonofJimmieDalewouldbefatal。
Klinehadbeenoutwitted，butKlinehadnotacknowledgedfinaldefeat。Thetenementhadbeensearchedfromtoptobottom——
unostentatiously。Hisownroomonthefirstlandinghadbeensearchedthepreviousafternoon，whenhewasout，buttheyhadfailedtofindthecunninglycontrivedopeninginthefloorundertheoilclothinthecorner，animpromptuwardrobe，thatwouldproclaimLarrytheBatandJimmieDaletobeoneandthesameperson——thatwouldinevitablyleadfurthertotheestablishmentofhisidentityastheGraySeal。Intime，ofcourse，thesurveillancewouldcease——buthecouldnotwait。Thatwasthemonumentalironyofit——thefactorthat，allunknowntoKline，wasforcingtheissuehardnow。Itwashismove。
Since，yearsagonow，astheGraySeal，hehadbeguntoworkwithHER，thatunknown，mysteriousaccompliceofhis，andthepolice，stungtomadnessbothbythevirulentandconstantattacksofthepressandbythehumiliatingprodoftheirownfailures，soughtdaily，highandlow，witheveryresourceattheircommand，fortheGraySeal，hehadneverbeeninquitesostrangeandperilousaplightashefoundhimselfatthatmoment。TopreserveinviolatetheidentityofLarrytheBatwasabsolutelyvitaltohissafety。
Itwastheonesecretthatevenshe，whosostrangelyappearedtoknowallelseabouthim，hewassure，hadnotdiscovered——anditwasjustthat，inaway，thathadbroughtthepresentimpossiblesituationtopass。
Inthemonthprevious，inalullbetweenthoselettersofhers，hehadsethimselfdoggedlyanddeterminedlytotherenewedtaskofwhathadbecomesodominantlynowapartofhisveryexistence——thesolvingofHERidentity。Andforthatmonth，asthebestmeanstotheend——means，however，thatonlyresultedasfutilelyastheattemptsthathadgonebefore——hehadlivedmostlyasLarrytheBat，returningtohishomeinhisproperpersononlywhenoccasionandnecessitydemandedit。Hehadbeengoinghomethatevening，twonightsbefore，walkingalongRiversideDrive，whenfromthewindowofthelimousineshehaddroppedtheletterathisfeetthathadplungedhimintotheaffairoftheCounterfeitFive——andhehadnotgonehome！Eventually，tosavehimself，hehad，intheSanctuary，performingthetransformationindesperatehaste，againbeenforcedtoassumetheroleofLarrytheBat。
Thatwasreallythegistofit。Andyesterdaymorninghehadremembered，tohisdismay，thathehadhadlittleornomoneyleftthenightbefore。Hehadintended，ofcourse，toreplenishhissupply——whenhegothome。Onlyhehadn”tgonehome！Andnowheneededmoney——neededitbadly，desperately。Withthousandsinthebank，withabundanceeveninhissafe，inhisowndenathome，asupplykepttherealwaysforanemergency，hewasfacingactualwant——herattledtwodimes，anickel，andafewoddpenniesthoughtfullyagainstthekeysinhispocket。
Toacertainextent，oldJason，hisbutler，couldbetrusted。Jasonevenknewthatmysteriouslettersoftremendoussecretiveimportancecametothehouse，andtheoldmanalwaysmeantwell——buthedarednottrustevenJasonwiththesecretofhisdualpersonality。Whatwashetodo？Heneededmoneyimperatively——atonce。ThankstoKline，forthetimebeing，atleast，hecouldnotridhimselfofthepersonalityofLarrytheBatbythesimpleexpedientorslippingintotheclothesofJimmieDale——hemustlive，act，andremainLarrytheBatuntilthesecretserviceofficergaveupthehunt。HowbridgethegulfbetweenJimmieDaleandLarrytheBatinoldJason”seyes！
Norwasthatall。Therewasstillanothermatter，andonethat，inordertocounteractit，demandedatonceaseriousinroad——totheextentofatelephonecall——uponhisslendercapital。Atooprolongedandunaccounted-forabsencefromhome，andoldJason，inhisanxious，blunderingsolicitude，wouldhavethefatinthefireatthatend——andthecity，andthesocialfirmamentthereof，wouldbehummingwiththestartlingnewsofthedisappearanceofawell-
knownmillionaire。Thecomplicationsthatwouldthenensue，withhimselfpowerlesstoliftafinger，JimmieDaledidnotcaretothinkabout——suchacontretempsmustatallhazardsbeprevented。
JimmieDalereachedthecornerofthestreet，whereitintersectedtheBowery，andpausedlanguidlybythecurb。Nooneappearedtobefollowing。Hehadnotexpectedthattherewouldbe——butitwasaswelltobesure。HewalkedthenafewstepsalongtheBowery——andslippedsuddenlyintoadoorway，fromwherehecouldcommandaviewofthestreetcornerthathehadjustleft。Attheendoftenminutes，satisfiedthatnoonehadanyconcerninhisimmediatemovements，heshambledonagaindowntheBowery。
Therewasasaloontwoblocksawaythatboastedaprivatetelephonebooth。JimmieDalemadethathisdestination。
LarrytheBatwasaverywell-knowncharacterinthatresort，andthebullet-headeddispenserofdrinksbehindthebarnoddedunctuouslytohimovertheheadsofthoseclusteredattherailasheentered；LarrytheBat，asbefittedoneoftheeliteoftheunderworld，wasgraciouslypleasedtoacknowledgetheproletariatsalutationwithacurtnod。Hewalkeddowntotheendoftheroom，enteredthetelephonebooth——andwascarelesslycarefultoclosethedoortightlybehindhim。
HegavethenumberofhisresidenceonRiversideDrive，andwaitedfortheconnection。Aftersomedelay，Jason”svoiceansweredhim。
“Jason，“saidJimmieDale，inmatter-of-facttones，“Ishallbeoutofthecityforanotherthreeorfourdays，possiblyaweek，and”
hestoppedabruptly，asasortofgaspcametohimoverthewire。
“ThankGodthat”syou，sir！“exclaimedtheoldbutlerwildly。“I”vebeennearmad，sir，allday！“
“Don”tgetexcited，Jason！“saidJimmieDalealittlesharply。“Themerematterofmyabsenceforthelasttwodaysisnothingtocauseyouanyconcern。AndwhileIamonthesubject，Jason，letmesaynowthatIshallbegladifyouwillbearthatfactinmindinfuture。”
“Yes，sir，“stammeredJason。“But，sir，itain”tthat——goodLord，MasterJim，itain”tthat，sir！It”s——it”soneofthemletters。”
Somethinglikeagalvanicshockseemedtojerkthedisreputable，loose-jointedframeofLarrytheBatsuddenlyerect——andastrainedwhitenesscreptoverthedirty，unwashedface。
“Goon，Jason，“saidJimmieDale，withoutaquiverinhisvoice。
“Itcamethismorning，sir——thatshufferwithhisautomobileleftit。Ihadjusttimetosayyouweren”tathome，sir，andhewasgone。Andthen，sir，thereain”tbeenanhourgonebyallthroughthedaythatawoman，sir——alady，beggingyourpardon，MasterJim——
hasn”trunguponthetelephone，askingifyouwereback，andifI
couldgetyou，andwhereyouwere，andhalffrantic，sir，halfsobbing，sometimes，sir，andsayingtherewasalifehangingonit，MasterJim。”
LarrytheBat，staringintothemouthpieceoftheinstrument，subconsciouslypassedhishandacrosshisforehead，andsubconsciouslynotedthathisfingers，ashedrewthemaway，weredamp。
“Whereistheletternow，Jason？“inquiredJimmieDalecoolly。
“Hereonyourdesk，MasterJim。ShallIbringittoyou？“
Bringittohim！How？When？Where？Bringittohim！Theghastlyironyofit！JimmieDaletriedtothink——prodding，spurringdesperatelythatkeen，lightningbrainofhisthathadneverfailedhimyet。HowbridgethegulfbetweenLarrytheBatandJimmieDaleinJason”seyes——notjustforthereplenishingoffundsnow，butwithalifeatstake！
“No——Ithinknot，Jason，“saidJimmieDalecalmly。Justleaveitwhereitis。Andifshetelephonesagain，saythatyouhavetoldme——thatwillbesufficienttosatisfyanyfurtherinquiries。AndJason”
“Yes，sir？“
“Ifshetelephonesagain，tryandfindoutwherethecallcomesfrom。”
“Ihaven”tforgottenwhatyousaidonce，MasterJim，sir，“saidtheoldmaneagerly。“AndI”vebeentryingthatsir，allday。They”veallcomefromdifferentpaystations，sir。”
AmirthlesslittlesmiletingedJimmieDale”slips。Ofcourse！Hemighthaveknown！Itwasalwaysthatway，alwaysthesame。Hewasasneartothesolutionofheridentityatthatmomentashehadbeenyearsago，whenshe，insomemysteriousway，aloneofalltheworld，hadidentifiedhimastheGraySeal！
“Verygood，Jason，“hesaidquietly。“Don”tbotheraboutitanymore。Itwillbeallright。Youcanexpectmewhenyouseeme。
Good-night。”Hehungthereceiveronthehook，walkedoutofthebooth，andmechanicallyreachedthestreet。
Allright！Itwasfarfrom“allright“——veryfarfromit。Itwasnotrivialthing，thatletter；theyneverhadbeentrivialthings，thoselettersofhers，thatinvolvedsooftenamatteroflifeanddeath——asthisonenow，perhaps，asheractionswouldseemtoindicate，involvedlifeanddeathmoreurgentlythananythathadgonebefore。Itwasfarfromallright——atamomentwhenhisownposition，hisownsafety，wasatbestbutadesperatechance；whenhiseveryenergy，brain，wit，andcunningweretaxedtotheutmosttosavehimself！Andyet，somehow，someway，atanycost，hemustgetthatletter——andatanycosthemustactuponit！Tofailherwastofailutterlyineverythingthatfailureinitsmostmiserable，itswidestsense，implied——failureinthatwhichroseparamounttoeveryotherconsiderationinlife！
Failher！JimmieDale”slipsthinnedintoahard，drawnline——andthenpartedslowlyinacuriouslywhimsicalsmile。Itwouldbeastrangeburglarythathehaddecidedupon，inorderthathemightnotfailher——strangerthananytheGraySealhadevercommitted，and，insomerespects，evenmoreperilous！
HestartedalongtheBowery，walkingbrisklynow，towardthenearestsubwaystation，atAstorPlace，hismindforthemomentelectingtofacethesituationinahumouraswhimsicalashissmile。Supposingthat，asLarrytheBat，hewerecaughtandarrestedduringthenexthour，inJimmie”sDale”sresidenceonRiversideDrive！WithhisarrestasLarrytheBat，Jimmie”sDalewouldautomaticallydisappear。WouldfollowthenthesuspicionthatJimmieDale，themillionaire，hadmetwithfoulplay，andastimewenton，andJimmieDale，beingtheninprisonasLarrytheBat，didnotreappear，theassuranceofit；thenthecertaintythatsuspicionwouldfocusonLarrytheBatasbeingconnectedwiththemillionaire”sdeath，sinceLarrytheBathadbeencaughtinJimmieDale”shome——andhewouldbeaccusedofhisownmurder！Itwasquitehumourous，ofcourse，quitegrotesquelybizarre——butitwasequallyanexceedinglygrimpossibility！Thereweredrawbackstoadualpersonality！
“Inaword，“confidedJimmieDalesoftlytohimself，andaseriouslightcreptintothedark，steadyeyes，“I”minabitofanastymess！“
AtAstorPlaceheenteredthesubway；atFourteenthStreethechangedtoanexpress，andatNinety-sixthStreethegotout。ItwasbutashortwalkwesttoRiversideDrive，andfromtherehishousewasonlyafewblocksfartheron。
