JimmieDaledidnotslouchnow。Andforallhisdisreputableattire，incongruousasitwasinthatneighbourhood，fewpeoplethathepassedpaidanyattentiontohim，nonegavehimmorethanacasualglance——JimmieDaleswungalong，upright，withnoattempttomakehimselfinconspicuous，hurryingalittle，asoneintentuponadefiniteerrand。Ashenearedhishouseheslowedhispacealittleuntilacouple，whowerepassinginfrontofit，hadgoneon；thenhewentupthesteps，butnoiselesslyasashadownow，tothefrontdoor，openeditsoftly，closeditsoftlybehindhim，andcrouchedforamomentinthevestibule。
Throughthemonogrammedlaceontheplateglassoftheinnerdoorshecouldsee，alittleindistinctly，intothereceptionhallbeyond。
Thehallwasempty。Jason，forthatmatter，wouldbetheonlyonelikelytobeabout；theotherservantswouldhavenobusinessthereinanycase，andwhetherintheirquartersaboveorbelow，theyhadtheirownstairsattherear。
JimmieDaleinsertedthekeyinthespringlock，andopenedthedooracautiousfractionofaninch——tolisten。Therewasnosound——yes，asubduedmurmured——theservantsweredownstairsinthebasement。
Heslippedinside，slipped，inaflash，acrossthehall，and，treadinglikeacat，wentupthestairs。Hescarcelyseemedtobreatheuntil，withalittlesighofrelief，hestoodinsidehisdenonthefirstfloor，withthedoorshutbehindhim。
“ImustspeaktoJasonaboutbeingalittlemorewatchful，“mutteredJimmieDalefacetiously。“Here”sallmypropertyatthemercyof——
LarrytheBat！“
Aninstanthestoodbythedoor，lookingabouthim——inthebrightmoonlightstreaminginthroughthesidewindowstheroom”sappointmentsstoodoutinsoftshadows，thehugedavenport，thegreat，luxuriouseasy-chairs，aneaselwithahalf-finishedcanvas，ashehadleftit；thebig，flat-topped，rosewooddesk，theopenfireplace——andthen，hisstepssilentonthethickvelvetrugunderfoot，hewalkedquicklytothedesk。
Yes，thereitwas——theletter。Heplacedithurriedlyinhispocket——themoonlightwasnotstrongenoughtoreadby，andhedarednotturnonthelights。
Andnowmoney——funds。Inthealcovebehindtheportiere，JimmieDaledroppedonhiskneesbeforethesquat，barrel-shapedsafe，andopenedit。Hereachedinside，tookoutapackageofbanknotes，placedthebillsinhispocket——andhesitatedamoment。Whatelsewouldherequire？WhatactdidthatlettercallupontheGraySealtoperforminthenextfewhours？JimmieDalestaredthoughtfullyintotheinteriorofthesafe。Whateveritwas，itmustbeperformedintheroleofLarrytheBat，forthoughhecouldgetintohisdressingroomnow，andbecomeJimmieDaleagain，therewerestillthosewatchersoutsidetheSanctuary——THEYmustnotbecomesuspicious——andifLarrytheBatdisappearedmysteriously，LarrytheBatwouldbethemanthatKlineandthesecretserviceoftheUnitedStateswouldneverceasehuntingfor，andthatwouldmeanthathecouldneverreassumeacharacterthatwasasnecessaryforhisprotectionasbreathwastolife，solongastheGraySealworked。
True，hecouldchangenowtoJimmieDale，buthewouldhavetochangebackagainandreturntotheSanctuarybeforemorning，asLarrytheBat——andremainthereuntilKline，beaten，calledoffhishumanbloodhounds。No，achangewasnottobethoughtof。
What，then，wouldherequire——thatcompactlittlekitofburglartools，rolledinitsleatherjacket，that，unrolledslippedabouthisbodylikeaclose-fittingundervest？Aswelltotakeitanyway。
Heremovedhiscoatandvest，tookouttheleatherbundlefromthesafe，untiedthethongsthatboundittogether，unrolledit，passeditaroundhisbody，lifebeltfashion，securedthethongsoverhisshoulders，andputonhiscoatandvestagain。Arevolver，aflashlight？Hehadboth——attheSanctuary，undertheflooring——buttherewereduplicateshere！Heslippedthemintohispockets。
Anythingelse——toforestallandprovideforanypossiblecontingency？Hehesitatedagainforamoment，thinking，thenslowlyclosedtheinnerdoorofthesafe，lockedit，swungtheouterdoorshut——and，intheactoftwirlingtheknobs，sprangsuddenlytohisfeet。Sharp，shrillinthestillnessoftheroom，thetelephonebellonthedeskrangoutclamourously。
JimmieDale”sfacesethard，asheleapedoutfrombehindthecurtain——hadJasonheardit！Itrangagainbeforehecouldreachthedesk——wasringingashesnatchedthereceiverfromthehook。
“Yes，yes！“hecalled，inalow，guarded，hastyway，intothemouthpiece。“Hello！Whatisit？“Andthenonehand，restingonthedesk，closedaroundtheedge，andtighteneduntiltheskinovertheknucklesgrewivorywhite。Itwas——SHE！She！ItwasHER
voice——hehadonlyhearditonceinallhislife——thatnight，twonightsbefore，inasilverylaughfromthelimousineasithadspedawayfromhimdowntheroad——butheknew！Itthrilledhimnowwithamadrhapsody，robbinghimforthemomentofeverythoughtsavethatshewasliving，real，existent——thatitwasHERvoice。“It”syou——YOU！“hesaidhoarsely。
“Oh，Jimmie——youatlast！“——itcameinalittlegaspingcryofrelief。“Theletter”
“Yes，I”vegotit——it”sallright——it”sallright“——thewordswouldnotseemtocomefastenoughinhisdesperatehaste。“Butit”syounow。Listen！Listen！“hepleaded。“Tellmewhoyouare！MyGod！
howI”vetriedtofindyou，and”
Thatrippling，silverylaughagain，butnow，too，itseemedtohiseagerear，withjustthefaintestnoteofwistfulnessinit。
“Someday，Jimmie。Thatletternow。It”
JimmieDalestraightenedupsuddenly——Jason”ssteps，running，soundedoutsidetheroomalongthecorridor——therewasnotaninstanttolose。
“Hangup！Good-bye！Danger！Don”tringagain！“hewhisperedhurriedly，and，withamiserablesmile，replacingthereceiverbitterlyonthehook，hejumpedforthecurtain。
Hereacheditnonetoosoon。Thedooropened，anelectric-lightswitchclicked，andtheroomwasfloodedwithlight。Jason，stillrunning，headedforthedesk。
“It”llbeheragain！“JimmieDaleheardtheoldmanmutter，asfromtheedgeoftheportierehewatchedtheother”sactions。
Jasonpickedupthetelephone。
“Hello！Hello！“hecalled——thenbegantoclickimpatientlywiththereceiverhook。“Hello！……Who？……Central？……Idon”twantanynumber——somebodywascallinghere……What？……
Nobodyonthewire！“
Hesetthetelephonebackonthedeskwithabewilderedair。
“That”squeer！“heexclaimed。“IcouldhaveswornIhearditringtwice，and”Hestoppedabruptly，and，leaningacrossthedesk，hungthere，wide-eyed，staring，whileasicklypallorbegantostealintohisface。“Theletter！“hemumbledwildly。“Theletter——
MasterJim”sletter——theletter——it”sGONE！“
Trembling，excited，theoldmanbegantosearchthedesk，thendownonhiskneesonthefloorunderit；andthen，growingmorefranticwitheveryinstant，roseandbegantohuntaroundtheroominanagitated，aimlessfashion。
Jason”sdistresswasveryreal——hewasalmostbesidehimselfnowwithfearandanxiety。Awhimsical，affectionatesmileplayedoverJimmieDale”slipsattheoldman”santics——andchangedsuddenlyintooneofconsternation。Jasonwasmakingdirectlynowforthecurtainbehindwhichhestood！Perhaps，though，hewouldpassitby，and——Jason”shandreachedoutandgraspedtheportiere。
“Jason！“saidJimmieDalesharply。
Theoldmanstaggeredbackasthoughhehadbeenstruck，triedtospeak，choked，andgazedatthecurtainwithdistendedeyes。
“Is——isthatyou，sir——MasterJim——behindthecurtainthere？“hefinallyblurtedout。“I——sir——yougavemeastart——andtheletter，MasterJim”
“Don”tloseyourhead，Jason，“saidJimmieDalecoolly。“I”vegottheletter。NowdoasIbidyou。”
“Yes——MasterJim，“falteredtheoldman。
“Pulldownthewindowshadesanddrawtheportieretogether，“
directedJimmieDale。
Jason，stilloverwroughtandexcited，obeyedalittleawkwardly。
“Nowthelights，Jason，“instructedJimmieDale。“Turnthemoff，andgoandsitdowninthatchairatthedesk。”
AgainJasonobeyed，stumblinginthedarknessashereturnedfromtheelectric-lightswitchatthefartherendoftheroom。Hesatdowninthechair。
LarrytheBatsteppedoutfrombehindthecurtain。“Icameforthatletter，Jason，“heexplainedquietly。“Iamgoingoutagainnow。I
maybebackto-morrow；Imaynotbebackforaweek。Youwillsaynothing，notaword，ofmyhavingbeenhereto-night。Doyouunderstand，Jason？“
“Yes，sir，“saidJason；thenhesitantly：“Wouldyoumindsaying，sir，whenyoucamein？“
“It”sofnoconsequence，Jason——isit？“
“No，sir，“saidJason。
JimmieDalesmiledinthedarkness。
“Jason！“
“Yes，sir。”
“Iwishyoutoremainwhereyouare，withoutleavingthatchair，forthenexttenminutes。”Hemovedacrosstheroomtothedoor。
“Good-night，Jason，“hesaid。
“Good-night，MasterJim——good-night，sir——oh，Lord！“
JimmieDaledidnotrequirethattenminutes；itwasaverywidemarginofsafetytoobviatethepossibilityofJason，fromawindow，detectingtheexitofadisreputablecharacterfromthehouse——inthreeminuteshewasturningthecornerofthefirstcrossstreetandwalkingrapidlyawayfromRiversideDrive。
InthesubwaystationJimmieDalereadtheletter——readittwiceover，ashealwaysreadthosestrangeepistlesofhersthatopenedthedoortonewperil，newdangertotheGraySeal，buttoo，thatseemedsomehowtodrawtighter，inaglad，bigway，theunseenbondbetweenthem；readit，ashealwaysreadthoseletters，almostsubconsciouslycommittingtheverywordstomemorywiththatkeenfacultyofbrainofhis。Butnowashebegantotearthesheetandenvelopeintominuteparticles，astrained，hardlookwasonhisfaceandinhiseyes，andhislips，halfparted，movedalittle。
“It”sadeathwarrant，“mutteredJimmieDale。“I——Iguessto-nightwillseetheendoftheGraySeal。ShesaysIneedn”tdoit，butI
guessit”sworththerisk——ahumanlife！“
Adowntownexpressroaredintothestation。
“Whattimeisit？“JimmieDaleaskedtheguard，ashesteppedaboard。
“”Boutmidnight，“themanansweredtersely。
Theforwardcarwasalmostempty，andJimmieDalechoseaseatbyhimself。Howdidsheknow？Howdidsheknownotonlythis，butthehundredotheraffairsthatshehadoutlinedinthoselettersofhers？Bywhatmeans，superhuman，indeed，itseemed，didshe——JimmieDalejerkedhimselferectsuddenly。Whatgooddiditdotospeculateonthatnow，wheneveryminutewaspriceless？WhatwasHE
todo，howwashetoact，whatplancouldheformulateandcarryout，andWINagainstoddsthat，attheoutset，weredesperateenougheventoforecastalmostcertainfailure——anddeath！
WhowouldeverhavesuspectedoldTomLudgate，knownforyearsthroughoutthesqualouroftheEastSideasoldLuddy，thepushcartman，ofhavingabagofunsetdiamondsunderhispillow——orunderthesack，rather，thatheprobablyusedforapillow！Whataqueerthingtodo！Butthen，oldLuddywasacharacter——apparentlyalwaysinthemostpoverty-strickencondition，apparentlyhardlymorethankeepingbodyandsoultogether，trustingnoone，andobsessedbythedreadthatbydepositinginabanksomeonewoulddiscoverthathehadmoney，andattempttoforceitfromhim，hehadputhissavings，yearafteryear，fortwentyyears，twenty-fiveyears，perhaps，intounsetstone——diamonds。Howhadshefoundthatout？
JimmieDalesankintoadeeperreverie。Hecouldstealthemallright，andtheywouldbewellworththestealing——oldLuddyhaddonewell，andlivedandexistedonnexttonothing——thestones，shesaid，wereworthaboutfifteenthousanddollars。Notsobad，evenfortwenty-fiveyearsofvegetablesellingfromapushcart！Hecouldstealthemallright；itwouldtaxtheGraySeal”singenuitylittletodososimpleathingasthat，butthatwasnotall，nor，indeed，hardlyafactorinit——itwasvitalthatifheweretosucceedatallhemuststealthemPUBLICLY，asitwere。
Andafterthat——WHAT？Hisownchanceswereprettyslimatbest。
JimmieDale，staringatthegraynessofthesubwaywallthroughthewindow，shookhisheadslowly——then，withaqueerlittlephilosophicalshrugofhisshoulders，hesmiledgravely，seriously。
Itwasallapartofthegame，allapartofthelife——oftheGraySeal！
Itwashalf-pasttwelve，oralittlelater，asnearlyashecouldjudge，forLarrytheBatcarriednosuchornatethinginevidenceasawatch，ashehaltedatthecornerofadark，squalidstreetinthelowerEastSide。Itwasamiserablelocality——indaylighthummingwithacosmopolitanhiveofpitifulhumansdraggingoutasbesttheycouldanintolerableexistence，alocalitypeopledwitheverynationalityonearth，theircommunityofinterestthestruggletomaintainlifeatthelowestpossibleexpenditure，wherenecessityevenwasparedandshaveddowntoaminimum；butnow，atnighttime，orratherintheearly-morninghours，thedarkness，inverymercy，itseemed，covereditwithaveil，asitwere，andinthequietthathungoveritnowhidthebald，thehideous，aye，andthepiteous，too，fromview。
Itwasanarrowstreet，andtherowoftenementhouses，eachhousealmostidenticalwithitsneighbour，thatflankedthepavementoneitherside，seemed，fromwhereJimmieDalestoodlookingdownitslength，fromthecorner，toconvergetogetheratapointalittlewaybeyond，givingitanunreal，ominous，cavernlikeeffect。And，too，thereseemedsomethingominouseveninitsquiet。ItwasasthoughonesensedacutelythecrouchingofsomeThinginitslair——
waitingsilently，viciously，withsullenpatience。
Afootstepsounded——another。JimmieDaledrewquicklybackaroundthecornerintoanareaway。Twomenpassed——inhelmets——swingingtheirnightsticks——thatbeatwasalwayspolicedinpairs！
Theypassedon，turnedthecorner，andwentdownthenarrowcrossstreetthatJimmieDalehadjustbeeninspecting。Hestartedtofollow——anddrewbackagainabruptly。Aformflittedsuddenlyacrosstheroadanddisappearedinthedarknessintheofficers”
wake——tenyardsbehindthefirstanotherfollowed——atthesameintervalofdistancestillanother——andyetstillonemore——fourinall。
Thedarknesshidallsix，thetwopolicemen，thefourmenbehindthem——theonlysoundsweretheOFFICERS”footstepsdyingawayinthedistance。
JimmieDale”sfingersweremechanicallytestingthemechanismoftheautomaticinhispocket。
“TheSkeeter”sgang！“hemutteredtohimself。“RedMose，theMidget，HarveThoms——andtheSkeeter！TheWorstapachesinthecityofNewYork；deathcontractors——thelowestbidders！Professionalassassins，andaman”slifeanytimefortwenty-fivedollars！I
wonder——I”veneverdoneityet——butIwonderifitwouldbeacrimeinGod”ssightifoneshot——toKILL！“
JimmieDalewasatthecorneragain——againthestreetbeforehimwasblack，deserted，empty。Hechosetherighthandside，and，wellintheshadowofthehouses，asanextraprecaution，stolealongsilently。Hestoppedfinallybeforeonewhere，inthedoorway，hungalittlesign。JimmieDalemountedtheporch，andwithhiseyesclosetothesigncouldjustmakeoutthelargerwordsinthebigprintedtype：
ROOMTORENT
TOPFLOOR
JimmieDalenodded。Thatwasright。Thefirsthouseontheright-
handside，withtheroom-to-rentsign，herletterhadsaid。Hisfingersweretestingthedoorknob。Thedoorwasnotlocked。
“Naturally，itwouldn”tbelocked，“JimmieDaletoldhimselfgrimly——
andsteppedinside。
Hestoodforaninstantwithoutmovement，everyfacultyonthealert。Farupabovehimastep，guardedthoughhistrainedearmadeitouttobe，creakedfaintlyuponthestairs——therewasnoothersound。Thecreaking，almostinaudibleatitsloudest，recededfartherup——andsilencefell。
Inthedarkness，noiselessly，JimmieDalegropedforthestairway，foundit，andbegantoascend。Theminutespassed——itseemedaminuteevenfromsteptostep，andtherewerethreeflightstothetop！Theremustbenocreakingthistime——theslightestsound，heknewwellenough，wouldbenotonlyfataltotheworkhehadtodo，butprobablyfataltohimselfaswell。Hehadbeenneardeathmanytimes——theconsciousnessthathewasnearertoitnow，possibly，thanhehadeverbeenbefore，seemedtostimulatehissensesintoacuteandabnormalenergy。And，too，thephysicaleffort，as，stepbystep，theflexedmusclesrelaxingsoslowly，littlebylittle，gradually，eachtimeashefoundfootholdonthestephigherup，wasaterrificstrain。Atthetophisfacewasbathedinperspiration，andhewipeditoffwithhiscoatsleeve。
Itwasstilldarkhere，intenselydark，andhiseyes，thoughgrownaccustomedtoit，couldmakeoutnothingbutthedeepershadowofthewalls。Butthankstoher，alwaysamistressofaccurateandminutedetail，hepossessedamentalplanofhissurroundings。Theheadofthestairsgaveonthemiddleofthehallway——thehallwayrantohisrightandleft。Tohisright，ontheoppositesideofthehall，wasthedoorofoldLuddy”ssqualidtwo-roomapartment。
ForamomentJimmieDalestoodhesitant——asuddenperplexityandanxietygrowinguponhim。Itwasstrange！Whatdiditmean？Hehadnervedhimselftoaquick，desperateattempt，trustingtosurpriseandhisownwitandagilityforvictory——therehadseemednootherwaythanthat，sincehehadseenthosefourmenatthecorner——sincetheywereAHEADofhim。True，theywerenotmuchaheadofhim，notenoughtohaveaccomplishedtheirpurpose——and，furthermore，theywerenotinthatroom。Heknewthatabsolutely，beyondquestionofdoubt。Hehadlistenedforjustthatallthenerve-rackingwayupthestairs。Butwherewerethey？Therewasnosound——notasound——justblackness，dark，impenetrable，utter，thatbegantopalpitatenow。
Itcameinawhisper，wavering，sibilant——fromhisleft。Asortofrelief，fierceinthebreakingofthetenseexpectancy，premonitoryinthepossibilitiesthatitheld，sweptJimmieDale。Hecreptalongthehall。Thewhisperhadcomefromthatroom，presumablyempty——thatwasforrent！
Bythedoorhecrouched——hissensitivefingers，eyestoJimmieDalesooften——feelingoverjambandpanelswithadelicate，soundlesstouch。Thedoorwasjustajar。Thefingerscreptinsideandtouchedtheknobandlock——therewasnokeywithin。
Thewhisperingstillwenton——butitseemedlikeascreamingofvulturesnowinJimmieDale”sears，asthewordscametohim。
“Aw，say，Skeeter，dishigh-browstuntgivesmedepip！Mefergoin”inderean”croakin”degeezerreg”lar，widoutdefrills。
Who”stoknow？Say，justabouttwominutes，an”we”rebeatin”itwiddesparklers。”
Aninch，ahalfinchatatime，theknobslowly，very，veryslowlyturning，thedoorwasbeingclosedbythecrouchedformonthethreshold。
“Closeyertrap，Mose！“cameafierceresponse。“Weain”tfixedthelayalldayfornothin”。Thereain”tasoulonearthknowshe”sgotanysparklers，”ceptus。Iftherewas，itwouldbedifferent——thenthey”dknowthatwaswhatwhoeverdiditwasafter，see？“
Thedoorwasclosed——theknobslowly，very，veryslowlybeingreleasedagain。FromoneoftheleatherpocketsunderJimmieDale”svestcameatinysteelinstrumentthatheinsertedinthekey-hole。
Thesamevoicespokeon：
“That”swhatwe”recroakinghimfor，”causenobodyknowsaboutthemdiamonds，andso”shecan”tTELLanybodyafterwardthatanywerepinched。An”that”swhyit”sgottolooklikehejustgottiredoflivinganddidithimself。Iguessthat”llholdthepolicewhentheyfindthepooroldduckhangingfromtheceiling，withabitofcordaroundhisneck，andachairkickedoutfromunderhisfeetonthefloor。Ain”tyougotthebrainsofalousetoseethat？“
“Sure“——thewhispercamedully，ingrudgingintonationthroughthepanels——thedoorwaslocked。“Sure，butit”sdehangin””roundwaitin”togetbusythat”sgettin”megoat，an””
JimmieDalestraightenedupandbegantoretreatalongthecorridor。
Amercilessragewasuponhimnow，everyfiberofhisbeingseemedtotingleandquiverwithit——thedamnable，hellishingenuityofitallseemedtochokeandsuffocatehim。
“Luck！“mutteredJimmieDalebetweenhisclenchedteeth。“Oh，theblessedlucktogetthatdoorlocked！I”vegottimenowtosetthestageformyownget-awaybeforetheshowdown！“
Hestoleonalongthecorridor。Excerptsfromherletterwererunningthroughhisbrain：“Itwoulddonogoodtowarnhim，Jimmie——
theSkeeterandhisgangwouldneverletuponhimuntiltheygotthestones……Itwoulddonogoodforyoutostealthemfirst，fortheywouldonlytakethatasaruseofoldLuddy”s，andmurderthemanfirstandhuntafterward……InsomewayyoumustlettheSkeeterSEEyoustealthem，makethemthink，makethemcertainthatitisabona-fidetheft，sothattheywillnolongerhaveanyinterestoranydesiretodooldLuddyharm……Andforittoappearrealtothem，itmustappearrealtooldLuddyhimself——donottakeanychancesthere。”
JimmieDale”seyesnarrowed。Yes，itwassimpleenoughnowwiththatpackofhell”swolvesguardedforthemomentbyalockeddoor，forcedtogivehimwarningbybreakingthedoorbeforetheycouldgetout。ItwassimpleenoughnowtoenteroldLuddy”sroom，stealthestonesattherevolverpoint，thenmakeenoughdisturbance——whenhewasready——tosettheganginmotion，and，astheyrushedinopenhim，tomakehisescapewiththestonestotheroofthroughLuddy”sroom。Thatwassimpleenough——therewasanopeningtotheroofinLuddy”sroom，shehadsaid，andtherewasaladderkeptthereinplace。Onhotnights，itseemed，theoldmanusedtogoupthereandsleepontheroof——notnow，ofcourse。Itwastoolateintheyearforthat——buttheopeningintheroofwasthere，andtheladderremainedthere，too。
Yes，itwassimpleenoughnow。AndthenextmorningthepaperswouldravewithexecrationsagainsttheGraySeal——fortherobberyofthelifesavingsofapoor，defenselessoldman，forcommittingasvileandpitifulacrimeashadeverstirredNewYork！EvenCarruthers，oftheMORNINGNEWS-ARGUS，wouldbemovedtobitterattack。GoodoldCarruthers——wholittlethoughtthattheGraySealwashisoldcollegepal，hispresentmostintimatefriend，JimmieDale！Andafterward——afterthenextmorning？Well，that，atleast，hadneverbeenindoubt。OldLuddycouldbemadetoleaveNewYork，and，onceaway，withtheSkeeterandhisgangrobbedofincentivetopayanyfurtherattentiontohim，thestonescouldbesecretlyreturnedtotheoldman。Anditwouldtothepublic，tothepolice，bejustanotheroftheGraySeal”scrimes——thatwasall！
JimmieDalehadreachedoldLuddy”sdoor。TheGraySeal？Oh，yes，theywouldknowitwastheGraySeal——theinsigniawasfamiliarenough；familiartothecrooksoftheunderworld，whohelditinawe；familiartothepolice，towhomitwasanaddedbarbofridicule。Hewasplacingitnow，thatinsignia，adiamond-shaped，graypaperseal，onthepanelofthedoor；andnow，ablacksilkmaskadjustedoverhisface，JimmieDalebenttoinsertthelittlesteelinstrumentinthelock——apitiful，paltrything，acheaplock，tofingersthatcouldplaysointimatelywithtwirlingknobsanddials，mastersoftheintricatemechanismofvaultsandsafes！
Andthen，abouttoopenthedoor，asortofsuddendismayfelluponhim。Hehadnotthoughtofthat——somehow，ithadnotoccurredtohim！WHATWASITTHEYWEREWAITINGFOR？Whyhadtheynotstruckatonce，as，whenhehadfirstenteredthehouse，hehadsupposedtheywoulddo？Whatwasit？Whywasit？WasoldLuddyout？Weretheywaitingforhisreturn——orwhat？
Thedoor，withoutsound，movedgraduallyunderhishand。Afaintodorassailedhisnostrils！Itwasdark，verydark。Acrosstheroom，inadirectline，wasthedoorwayoftheinnerroom——shehadexplainedthatinherletter。Itwasslowprogresstocrossthatroomwithoutsound，insilence——itwasasnail”smovement——forfearthatevenamusclemightcrack。
Andnowhestoodintheinnerdoorway。Itwasdarkhere，to——andyet，howbizarre，astarseemedtotwinklethroughtheveryroofoftheroomitself！Theodourwaspungentnow。Therewasalong-drawnsigh——thenalow，indescribablesoundofmovement。SOMEBODY，APART
FROMOLDLUDDY，WASINTHEROOM！
Itswept，thefullconsciousnessofit，uponJimmieDaleinaninstantaneousflash。Chloroform；theopenscuttleintheroof；thewaitingofthoseothers——allfusedintoacompactlogicalwhole。
Theyhadloosenedthescuttleduringtheday，probablywhenoldLuddywasaway——oneofthemhadcreptdowntherenowtochloroformtheoldmanintoinsensibility——theotherswouldcompletetheghastlyworkpresentlybystringingtheirvictimuptotheceiling——
anditwouldbesuicide，for，longbeforemorningcame，longbeforetheoldmanwouldbediscovered，thefumesofthechloroformwouldbegone。
Itseemedlikeacoldhand，deathlike，clutchingathisheart。Washetoolate，afterall！Chloroformalonecould——kill！Totheright，justalittletotheright——hemustmakenomistake——hisearplacedthesound！Hewhippedhishandsfromthesidepocketsofhiscoat——therayofhisflashlightcutacrosstheroomandfelluponanagedfaceuponabed，uponahandclutchingawadofcloth，theclothpressedhorriblyagainstthenoseandmouthoftheupturnedface——andthen，roaringinthestillness，spittingaviciouslaneoffirethatparalleledtheflashlight”sray，camethetongueflameofhisautomatic。
Therewasayell，ascream，thatechoedout，reverberated，andwentracketingthroughthehouse，andJimmieDaleleapedforward——overatable，sendingitcrashingtothefloor。Themanhadreeledbackagainstthewall，clutchingatashatteredwrist，staringintotheflashlight”seye，white-faced，jawdropped，lipsworkinginmingledpainandfear。
“HarveThoms——you，eh？“grittedJimmieDale。
Acunninglooksweptthedistortedface。Here，apparently，wasonlyoneman——therewerepals，threeofthem，onlyafewyardsaway。
“Youain”tgotnothingonme！“hesnarled，sparringfortime。“Youpolicearetoodamnedfreshwithyourguns！“
“I”lltakeyours！“snappedJimmieDale，andsnatcheditdeftlyfromtheother”spocket。“Thisain”tanypolicejob，mybucko，andyoumakeamoveandI”lldropyouforkeeps，ifwhatyou”vegotalreadyain”tenoughtoteachyoutokeepyourhandsoffjobsthatbelongtoyourbetters！“
Hewasworkingwithmadhasteashespoke。Oneminuteattheoutsidewas，perhaps，allhecouldcountupon。Alreadyhehadcaughttherattleofthelockeddoordownthehall。Helitamatchandturnedonthegasoverthebed——itwasthemostdangerousthinghecoulddo——heknewthatwellenough，noneknewitbetter——itwasofferinghimselfasafairmarkwhentheothersrushedin，astheywouldinamomentnow——buttheSkeeterandhisgangandthismanheremusthavenomisconceptionofhispurpose，hisreasonforbeingthere，thesameastheirown，thetheftofthestones——andnomisconceptionastohisSUCCESS。
“Y”ain”tthepolice！“——itcameinachokedgaspfromtheother，asheblinkedinthesuddenlight“Saythen”
“Shutup！“orderedJimmieDalecurtly。“AndmindwhatItoldyouaboutmoving！“Heleanedoverthebed。OldLuddy，thoughundertheinfluenceofthechloroform，wasmovingrestlessly。Thomshadevidentlyonlybeguntoapplythechloroform——oldLuddywassafe！
JimmieDaleranhishandinunderthepillow。“Ifyouain”tswipedthemalreadytheyoughttobehere！“hegrowled；“andifyouhaveI”ll——ah！“Alittlechamoisbagwasinhishand。HelaughedsneeringlyatThoms，openedthebag，allowedafewstonestotrickleintohishand——andthen，withoutstoppingtoreplacethem，dashedstonesandbagintohispocket。Thedooralongthecorridorcrashedopen。
“What”sthat？“hegaspedout，inwell-simulatedfright——andsprangfortheladderthatleduptotheroof。
Ithadalltaken，perhaps，theminutethathehadcountedon——nomore。Noisescamefromthefloorsbelownow，aconfusionofthem——
theshot，thescreamhadbeenheardbyothers，savethosewhohadbeeninthelockedroom。Andthelatterwereoutsidenowinthecorridor，runningtotheiraccomplice”said。
Therewasapauseattheouterdoor——thenanoath——andcoupledwiththeoathanexclamation：
“TheGraySeal！“
Theyhadsweptaflashlightoverthedoorpanel——JimmieDale，halfwayuptheladder，smiledgrimly。
Thedooropened——therewasarushoffeet。Themanwiththeshatteredwristyelled，cursingwildly：
“Hereheis——ontheladder！Lethimhaveit！Fillhimfullofholes！“
JimmieDalewasinthelight——theywereinthedarkoftheouterroom。Hefiredatthethreshold，checkingtheirrush——asahailofbulletschippedandtoreattheladderandspatwickedlyagainstthewall。Heswungthroughtotheroof，trying，ashedidso，tokicktheladderloosebehindhim。Itwasfastened！
Thethreegunmenjumpedintotheroom——fromtheroofJimmieDalegotaglimpseofthembelow，asheflunghimselfclearoftheopening。
Bulletswhistledthroughtheaperture——avoiceroaredupashegainedhisfeet：
“Comeon！Afterhim！Thewholeplaceisalive，butthisletsusout。Wecanframeuphowwecametobehereeasyenough。Nevermindtheoldgeezerthereanymore！GettheGraySeal——therewardthat”soutforhimisworthtwicethesparklers，and”
JimmieDalehurledthecoveroverthescuttle。Hecouldhavestoodthemofffromaboveandkepttheladderclearwithhisrevolver，butthealarmseemedgeneralnow——windowswereopening，voiceswerecallingtooneanother——fromthewindowsacrossthestreethemuststandoutinsharpoutlineagainstthesky。Yes——hewasseennow。
Awoman”svoice，fromatop-storywindowacrossthestreet，screamedout，high-pitchedinexcitement：
“Thereheis！Thereheis！Ontheroofthere！“
JimmieDalestartedontherunalongtheroof。Thehouses，builtwalltowall，flat-roofed，seemedtoofferanopencourseaheadofhim——untilalaneoranintersectingstreetshouldbarhisway！Buttheywerenotquiteallonthesamelevel，though——thewallofthenexthouserosesuddenlybreasthighinfrontofhim。Heflunghimselfup，regainedhisfeet——andduckedinstantlybehindachimney。
Thecrackofarevolverechoedthroughthenight——abulletdrummedthroughtheair——theSkeeterandhisgangwereontheroofnow，dashingforward，firingastheyran。TwoshotsfromJimmieDale”sautomatic，inquicksuccessioncooledtheardouroftheirrush——andtheybroke，black，flittingforms，fortheshelterofchimneys，too。
Andnowthewholeneighbourhoodseemedawakened。Adull-tonedroar，asfromsomegreatgulfbelow，rolledupfromthestreet，amedleyofslammingwindows，therushoffeetaspeoplepouredfromthehouses，cries，shouts，andyells——andhighoveralltheshrillcallofthepolice-patrolwhistle——andtheCRACK，CRACK，CRACKoftheSkeeter”srevolvershots——theSkeeterandhishellhoundsforonceself-appointedalliesofthelaw！
TwiceagainJimmieDalefired——thencrouching，runninglow，hezigzaggedhiswayacrossthenextroof。Thebulletsfollowedhim——
oncemorehispursuersdashedforward。AndagainJimmieDale，hisfacesetlikestonenow，hisbreathcominginhardgasps，dodgedbehindachimney，andwithhisguncheckedtheirrushforthethirdtime。
Heglancedabouthim——andwithagrowingsenseofdisastersawthattwohousesfartheronthestretchofroofappearedtoend。Therewouldbealaneorastreetthere！Andinanotherminuteortwo，ifitwerenotalreadythecase，otherswouldbefollowingthegunmentotheroof，andthenhewouldbe——hecaughthisbreathsuddenlyinaqueerlittlestrangledcryofrelief。Justbackofhim，afewyardsaway，hiseyesmadeoutwhat，inthedarkness，seemedtobeaglassskylight。
Adarkformspedlikeadeepershadowacrosstheblackinfrontofhim，makingforachimneynearerby，closingintherange。JimmieDalefired——wide。Tightaswasthecornerhewasin，littleaswasthemercydeservedathishands，hecouldnot，afterall，bringhimselftoshoot——tokill。
Avoice，theSkeeter”s，bawledoutraucously：
“Rushhimalltogether——fromdifferentsidesatonce！“
Abackwardleap！JimmieDale”sbootwascrashingglassandframe，stampingatitdesperately，makingaholeforhisbodythroughtheskylight。Ayell，achorusofthem，answeredthis——thenthecrunchofracingfeetonthegravelroof。Heemptiedhisrevolver，sweepingthedarknesswithasemicircleofviciousflashes。
Itseemedanhour——itwasbarelythefractionofasecond，ashehungbyhishandsfromthesideoftheskylightframe，hisbodyswingingbackandforthintheunknownblacknessbelow。Theskylightmightbe，probablywas，directlyoverthestairwell，andopencleartothebasementofthehouse——butitwashisonlychance。
Heswunghisbodywellout，letgo——anddropped。Withtheimpetushesmashedagainstawall，wasflungbackfromitinasortofrebound，andhishandsclosed，grippingfiercely，onbanisters。Ithadbeenthestairwellbeyondanyquestionofdoubt，buthisswinghadsenthimclearofit。
Above，theyhadnotyetreachedtheskylight。JimmieDalesnatchedapreciousmomenttolisten，asherose，andfoundhimself，apartfrombruises，perhapsunhurt。Therewascommotion，too，inthishousebelow，thealarmhadextendedandspreadalongtheblock——butthecommotionwasallintheFRONTofthehouse——thestreetwasthelure。
JimmieDalestarteddownthestairs，andinaninstanthehadgainedthelanding。Inanotherhehadslippedtotherearofthehall——
somewherethere，fromthehallitself，fromoneoftherearrooms，theremustbeanexittothefireescape。Toattempttoleavebythefrontwaywascertaincapture。
Theywereyelling，shoutingdownnowthroughthesky-lightabove，asJimmieDalesoftlyraisedthewindowsashattherearofthehall。
Thefireescapewasthere。Shoutsfromalongthecorridor，fromthetenementdwellerswhohadbeencrowdingtheirneighbours”rooms，craningtheirnecksprobablyfromthefrontwindows，answeredtheshoutsnowfromtheroofandtheskylight；doorsopened；formsrushedout——butitwasdarkinthecorridor，onlyamurkyyellowattheupperendfromtheopeneddoors。
JimmieDaleslippedthroughthewindowtothefireescape，and，workingcautiously，silently，butwiththespeedofatrainedathlete，madehiswaydown。Atthebottomhedroppedfromtheironplatformintothebackyard，ranforthefenceandclimbedoverintoalaneontheotherside。
Andthen，asheran，JimmieDalesnatchedthemaskfromhisfaceandputitinhispocket。Hewassafenow。Hesweptthesweatdropsfromhisforeheadwiththebackofhishand——noticingthemforthefirsttime。Ithadbeenclose——almostascloseforhimasithadbeenforoldLuddy。Andto-morrowthepaperswouldexecratetheGraySeal！Hesmiledalittlewanly。Hisbreathwasstillcominghard。Presentlytheywouldscourthelane——whentheyfoundthattheirquarrywasnotinthehouse。Whatarackettheyweremaking！
Thewholedistrictseemedrousedlikeaswarmofangrybees。
Hekeptonalongthelane——anddodgedsuddenlyintoacrossstreetwherethetwointersected。Theclangofabelldinneddiscordantlyinhisears——apatrolwagonsweptbyhim，racingforthesceneofthedisturbance——theriotcallwasout！
AgainJimmieDalesmiledwearily，passinghishandacrosshiseyes。
“Iguess，“saidJimmieDale，“I”mprettynearallin。AndIguessit”stimethatLarrytheBatwent——home。”
AndalittlelaterafigureturnedfromtheBoweryandshambleddownthecrossstreet，adisreputablefigure，withhandsplungeddeepinhispockets——andashadowacrosstheroadwaysuddenlyshifteditspositionastheshamblingfigureslouchedintotheblackalleywayandenteredthetenement”ssidedoor。
AndLarrytheBatsmiledsoftlytohimself——Kline”smenwerestillonguard！
CHAPTERVI
DEVIL”SWORK
Awhite-glovedarm，avoice，andasilverylaugh！“Justthat——nomore！JimmieDale，inhisfavouriteseat，anaisleseatsomesevenoreightrowsbackfromtheorchestra，staredatthestage，toalloutwardappearancesabsorbedinthelastactoftheplay；inwardly，quiteoblivioustothefactthatevenaplaywasgoingon。
Awhite-glovedarm，avoice，andasilverylaugh！Thewordshadformedthemselvesintoasortofsingsongrefrainthat，forthelastfewdays，hadbeenrunningthroughhishead。Astrangeenoughguidingstartomouldanddictateeveryactioninhislife！Andthatwasallhehadeverseenofher，allthathehadeverheardofher——exceptthoseletters，ofcourse，eachofwhichhadoutlinedthedetailsofsomeaffairfortheGraySealtoexecute。
Indeed，itseemedagreatlengthoftimenowsincehehadheardfromhereveninthatway，thoughitwasnotsomanydaysago，afterall。
Perhapsitwasthecalm，asitwere，that，bycontrast，hadgivenplacetothestrenuousmonthsandweeksjustpast。ThestormraisedbythenewspapersatthetheftofOldLuddy”sdiamondshadsubsidedintosporadicdiatribesaimedatthepolice；Kline，ofthesecretservice，hadfinallyadmitteddefeat，andashadownolongerskulkeddayandnightattheentrancetotheSanctuary——andLarrytheBatborethegovernmentindorsement，sotospeak，ofbeingnomoresuspiciousacharacterthanthatofadisreputable，butharmless，dopefiendoftheunderworld。
LarrytheBat！TheGraySeal！JimmieDalethemillionaire！Whatifitwereeverknownthatthatstrangethreewereone！Whatif——
JimmieDalesmiledwhimsically。Aburstofapplauseechoedthroughthehouse，theorchestrawasplaying，thelightswereon，seatsbanged，therewasthebustleoftherisingaudience，theplaywasatanend——andforthelifeofhimhecouldnothaverememberedasinglelineofthelastact！
Theaisleathiselbowwasalreadycrowdedwithpeopleontheirwayout。JimmieDalestoopeddownmechanicallytoreachforhishatbeneathhisseat——andthenextinstanthewasstandingup，staringwildlyintothefacesaroundhim。
Ithadfallenathisfeet——awhiteenvelope。Hers！Itwasinhishandnow，thoseslim，tapering，wonderfullysensitivefingersofJimmieDale，thatwerean“opensesame“tolocksandsafes，subconsciouslytelegraphingtohismindthefactthatthetextureofthepaper——washers。Hers！Andshemustbeoneofthosearoundhim——oneofthosecrowdingeithertherowofseatsinfrontorbehind，oroneofthosejustpassingintheaisle。Ithadfallenathisfeetashehadstoopedoverforhishat——butfromjustexactlywhatdirectionhecouldnottell。Hiseyes，eagerly，hungrily，critically，sweptfaceafterface。Whichonewashers？Whatirony！
She，whomhewouldhavegivenhislifetoknow，forwhomindeedheriskedhislifeeveryhourofthetwenty-four，wasclosetohimnow，withinreach——andasfarremovedasthoughathousandmilesseparatedthem。Shewasthere——buthecouldnotrecogniseafacethathehadneverseen！
Withaneffort，hechokedbackthebitter，impotentlaughthatrosetohislips。Theyweretalking，laughingaroundhim。HerVOICE——
yes，hehadonceheardthat，andthathewouldrecogniseagain。Hestrainedtocatch，toindividualisethetonesoundsthatfloatedinamedleyabouthim。Itwasuseless——ofcourse——everyeffortthathehadevermadetofindherhadbeenuseless。Shewastooclever，fartoocleverforthat——she，too，wouldknowthathecouldandwouldrecognisehervoicewherehecouldrecognisenothingelse。
Andthen，suddenly，herealisedthathewasattractingattention。
Levelstaresfromthewomenreturnedhisgaze，andtheyedgedawayalittlefromhisvicinityastheypassed，theirescortscrowdingsomewhatbelligerentlyintotheirplaces。Others，inthesamerowofseatsashisown，wereimpatientlywaitingtogetbyhim。Withamutteredapology，JimmieDaleraisedtheseatofhischair，allowingtheselattertopasshim——andthen，slippingtheletterintohispocketbook，hesnatcheduphishatfromtheseatrack。
Therewasstillachance。Knowinghewasthere，shewouldbeonherguard；butinthelobby，amongthecrowdandunawareofhispresence，therewasthepossibilitythat，ifhecouldreachtheentranceaheadofher，she，too，mightbetalkingandlaughingassheleftthetheatre。Justasingleword，justatone——thatwasallheasked。
Therowofseatsatwhoseendhestoodwasemptynow，and，insteadofsteppingintothethrongedaisle，hemadehiswayacrosstotheoppositesideofthetheatre。Here，thefaraislewaslesscrowded，andinaminutehehadgainedthefoyer，confidentthathewasnowinadvanceofher。Thenextmomenthewaslostinajamofpeopleinthelobby。
Hemovedslowlynow，veryslowly——allowingthosebehindtopressbyhimonthewaytotheentrance。Ababelofvoicesroseabouthim，as，tight-packed，themassofpeoplejostled，elbowed，andpushedgood-naturedly。Itwasavoicenow，hervoice，thathewaslisteningfor；but，thoughitseemedthateveryfacultywasstrainedandintentuponthatoneeffort，hiseyes，too，hadinnodegreerelaxedtheirvigilance——andonce，halfgrimly，halfsardonically，hesmiledtohimself。Therewouldbeanunexpectedaftermathtothisexodusofexpensivelygownedandbejewelledwomenwiththeirprosperous，well-groomedescorts！TherewastheWowzeroverthere——
sleek，dapper，squirminginandoutofthethrongwiththeagilityandstealthofacat。AsLarrytheBathehadmettheWowzermanytimes，asindeedhehadmetandwasacquaintedwithmostoftheeliteoftheunderworld。TheWowzer，beyondashadowofdoubt，inhisownprofessionstooduponaplaneentirelybyhimself——amongthosequalifiedtospeak，nooneyethadeverquestionedtheWowzer”sclaimtothedistinctionofbeingthemostdexterousandfinished“pokegetter“intheUnitedStates！
Thecrowdthinnedinthelobby，thinneddowntothelastfewbelatedstragglers，whopassedhimashestillloiteredintheentrance；andthenJimmieDale，withashrugofhisshouldersthatwasagreatdealmorephilosophicalthanthemaddeningsenseofchagrinanddisappointmentthatburnedwithinhim，steppedouttothepavementandheadeddownBroadway。Afterall，hehadknownitinhisheartofheartsallthetime——ithadalwaysbeenthesame——itwasonlyonemoreoccasionaddedtotheinnumerableonesthathadgonebeforeinwhichshehadeludedhim！
Andnow——therewastheletter！Automaticallyhequickenedhisstepsalittle。Itwasuseless，futile，profitless，forthemoment，atleast，todisturbhimselfoverhisfailure——therewastheletter！
Hislipspartedinastrange，half-serious，half-speculativesmile。
Theletter——thatwasparamountnow。Whatnewventuredidthenightholdinstoreforhim？WhatsuddenemergencywastheGraySealcalledupontofacethistime——whatrole，unrehearsed，withoutwarning，mustheplay？Whatstoryofgrim，desperaterascalitywouldthepaperscredithimwithwhendaylightcame？OrwouldtheycarryinscreamingheadlinestheannouncementthattheGraySealwascagedandcaughtatlast，andinthree-inchtypetelltheworldthattheGraySealwas——JimmieDale！
Ablockdown，heturnedfromBroadwayoutofthetheatrecrowdsthatstreamedinbothdirectionspasthim。Theletter！Almostfeverishlynowhewasseekinganopportunitytoopenandreaditunobserved；aneagernessuponhimthatmingledexhilarationatthelureofdangerwithasenseofpremonitionthat，irritably，inevitablywaswithhimatmomentssuchasthese。Itseemed，italwaysseemed，that，withanunopenedletterofhersinhispossession，itwasasthoughhewereabouttoopenapageintheBookofFateandread，asitwere，apronouncementuponhimselfthatmightmeanlifeordeath。
Hehurriedon。Peoplestillpassedbyhim——toomany。Andthenacafe，justahead，makingacorner，gavehimtheopportunitythathesought。Awayfromtheentrance，onthesidestreet，thebrilliantlightsfromthewindowsshoneoutonacomparativelydesertedpavement。Therewasamplelighttoreadby，evenasfarawayfromthewindowasthecurb，andJimmieDale，withanapprovingnod，turnedthecornerandwalkedalongafewstepsuntiloppositethefarthestwindow——but，ashehaltedhereattheedgeofthestreet，heglancedquicklybehindhimatamanwhomhehadjustpassed。Theotherhadpausedatthecornerandwasstaringdownthestreet。
JimmieDaleinstantlyandnonchalantlyproducedhiscigarettecase，selectedacigarette，andfastidiouslytappeditsendonhisthumbnail。
“InspectorBurtoninplainclothes，“heobservedmusinglytohimself。“Iwonderifit”sjustafluke——orsomethingelse？We”llsee。”
JimmieDaletookaboxofmatchesfromhispocket。Thefirstwouldnotlight。Thesecondbroke，and，withanexclamationofannoyance，heflungitaway。Thethirdwasmakingafitfuleffortatlife，asanothermanemergedhastilyfromthecafe”ssidedoor，hurriedtothecorner，joinedthemanwhowasstillloiteringthere，andbothtogetherdisappearedatarapidpacedownthestreet。
JimmieDalewhistledsoftlytohimself。Thesecondmanwasevenbetterknownthanthefirst；therewasnotacrookinNewYorkbutwouldside-stepLanniganofheadquarters，anddoitwithamazingcelerity——ifhecould！
“Somethingup！Butit”snotmyhunt！“mutteredJimmieDale；then，withashrugofhisshoulders：“QueerthewaythoseheadquarterschapsfascinateandgivemeathrilleverytimeIseethem，evenifIhaven”taghostofareasonforimaginingthat”
Thesentencewasneverfinished。JimmieDale”sfacewasgray。Thestreetseemedtorockabouthim——andhestared，likeamanstricken，whitetothelips，aheadofhim。THELETTERWASGONE！Hishand，wrigglingfromhisemptypocket，sweptawaythesweatbeadsthatwereburstingfromhisforehead。Ithadcomeatlast——thepitcherhadgoneoncetoooftentothewell！
Numbedforaninstant，hisbrainclearednow，workingwithlightningspeed，leapingfrompremisetoconclusion。Thecrushinthetheatrelobby——thepushing，thejostling，theclosecontact——theWowzer，theslickest，cleverestpickpocketintheUnitedStates！Foramomenthecouldhavelaughedaloudinasortofghastly，defiantmockery——
hehimselfhadpredictedanunexpectedaftermath，hadhenot！
Aftermath！Itwas——theEND！Anhour，twohours，andNewYorkwouldbemetamorphosedintoaseethingcaldronofhumanitybubblingwiththenews。Itseemedthathecouldhearthescreamsofthenewsboysnowshoutingtheirextras；itseemedthathecouldseethepeople，rousedtofrenzy，swarminginexcitedcrowds，snatchingatthepapers；heseemedtohearthemob”sshoutsswellinexecration，inexultation——itseemedasthoughallaroundhimhadgonemad。ThemysteryoftheGraySealwassolved！ItwasJimmieDale，JimmieDale，Jimmie，Dale，themillionaire，thelionofsociety——andtherewasignominyforanhonouredname，andshameanddisasterandconvictstripesandsullenpenitentiarywalls——ordeath！Afelon”sdeath——thechair！
Hewasrunningnow，hishandsclenchedathissides；hismind，workingsubconsciously，urginghimonwardinablind，asyetunrealised，objectlessway。Andthengraduallyimpulsegavewaytocalmerreason，andheslowedhispacetoaquick，lessnoticeablewalk。TheWowzer！Thatwasit！Therewasyetachance——theWowzer！Amercilessrage，cold，deadly，settleduponhim。ItwastheWowzerwhohadstolenhispocketbook，andwithittheletter。
Therecouldbenodoubtofthat。Well，therewouldbeareckoningatleastbeforetheend！
Hewasinadowntownsubwaytrainnow——theroarinhisearsinconsonance，itseemed，withtheturmoilinhisbrain。Butnow，too，hewasJimmieDaleagain；and，apartfromtheslightlyoutthrustjaw，thetight-closedlips，impassive，debonair，composed。
Therewasyetachance。AsLarrytheBathekneweverydenandlairbelowthedeadline，andheknew，too，theWowzer”sfavouritehaunts。Therewasyetachance，onlyoneinathousand，itwastrue，almosttoopitifultobedependedupon——butyetachance。TheWowzerhadprobablynotworkedalone，andheandhispal，orpals，wouldcertainlynotremainuptowneithertoexamineordividetheirspoils——theywouldwaituntiltheyweresafesomewhereinoneoftheirhellholesontheEastSide。IfhecouldfindtheWowzer，reachthemanBEFORETHELETTERWASOPENED——JimmieDale”slipsgrewtighter。THATwasthechance！Ithefailedinthat——JimmieDale”slipsdroopeddownwardingrimcurvesatthecorners。Achance！
AlreadytheWowzerhadatleastahalfhour”slead，and，worsestill，therewasnotellingwhichoneofadozenplacesthemanmighthavechosentoretreattowithhisloot。
Timepassed。Hismindobsessed，JimmieDale”sphysicalactswerealmostwhollymechanical。Itwasperhapsfifteenminutessincehehaddiscoveredthelossoftheletter，andhewaswalkingnowthroughtheheartoftheBowery。Exactlyhowhehadgottherehecouldnothavetold；hehadonlyavaguerealisationthat，followinganintuitivesenseofdirection，hehadlostnotasecondoftimeinmakinghiswaydowntown。
Andnowhefoundhimselfhesitatingatthecornerofacrossstreet。
Twoblockseastwasthatdark，narrowalleyway，thatsidedoorthatmadetheentrancetotheSanctuary。Itwouldbesafer，ahundredtimessafer，togothere，changehisclothesandhispersonality，andemergeagainasLarrytheBat——infinitelysaferinthatroletoexplorethedensoftheunderworld，manyofthemindeedunknownandundreamedofbythepolicethemselves，thantotrusthimselfthereinwell-cut，fashionabletweeds——butthatwouldtaketime。Time！
When，witheverysecond，theonechancehehad，desperateasthatalreadywas，wasslippingawayfromhim。No；whatwasapparentlythegreaterriskatleastheldouttheonlyhope。
Hewentonagain——hisbrainincessantlyatwork。Attheworst，therewasonemitigatingfactorinitall。Hehadnoneedtothinkofher。Whatevertheruinanddisasterthatfacedhiminthenextfewhours，sheinanycasewassafe。TherewasnoclewtoHER
identityintheletter；andwherehe，formonthsonend，withevenmoretoworkupon，hadfailedateveryturntotraceher，therewaslittlefearthatanyoneelsewouldhaveanybettersuccess。Shewassafe。Asforhimself——thatwasdifferent。TheGraySealwouldbereferredtointheletter，therewouldbetheoutline，thedataforthe“crime“shehadplannedforthatnight；andtheletter，thoughunaddressed，beingfoundinhispocketbook，wherecardsandnotesandadozendifferentthingsamongitscontentsproclaimedhimJimmieDale，needednofurtherevidenceastoitsownershipnortheidentityoftheGraySeal。
JimmieDale”sfingerscreptinsidehisvestandfumbledthereforamoment——andadiamondstud，extractedfromhisshirtfront，glistenedsportivelyinthenecktiethatwasnowtuckedjauntilyinatonesideofhisshirtbosom。HehadreachedtheBlueDragon，oneofWowzer”susualhangouts，and，swervingfromthesidewalk，enteredtheplace。Therewaswildtumultwithin——aconstantstormofapplause，derision，andhilaritythatwashurledfromthetablesaroundtheroomattheturkey-trotting，tango-writhingcouplesonthesomewhatrestrictedspaceofpolishedhardwoodflooringinthecentre。JimmieDaleswaggereddowntheroom，acigartiltedupatananglebetweenhisteeth，hissoftfelthatalittlerakishlyononesideofhisheadandwelloverhisnose。
Attheendoftheroom，atthebar，JimmieDaleleanedtowardthebarkeeperandtalkedoutofthecornerofhismouth。Therewereprivateroomsupstairs，andhejerkedhisheadsurreptitiouslyceilingward。
“Say，isdeWowzerupdere？“heinquiredinacautiouswhisper。
Themanbehindthebar，wellknowntoJimmieDaleasoneoftheWowzer”sparticularpals，favouredhimwithablankstare。
“Neverheardofdeguy！“heannouncedbrusquely。“Wot”syours？“
“Gimmeamugofsuds，“saidJimmieDale，reachingforamatch。Hepuffedathiscigar，blewoutthematch，and，afteramoment，flungthecharredendaway——butonhishand，as，palmoutward，heraisedittotakehisglass，thematchhadtracedasmallblackcross。
Thebarkeeperputdownthebeerhehadjustdrawn，wipedhishandhurriedly，andwithsuddenenthusiasmthrustitacrossthebar。
“Gladtoknowyouse，cull！“heexclaimed。“Wot”sdelay？“
JimmieDalesmiled。
“Nix！“saidJimmieDale。“IjustblewinfromChicago。UsedtoknowdeWowzerdere。Hesaiddisplacewasondelevel，an”Icouldalwaysfindhimhere，dat”sall。”
“Sure，yousecan！“returnedthebarkeeperheartily。“Onlyheain”therenow。Hebeatitaboutfifteenminutesago，himan”DagoJim。
Iguessyouse”llfindhimatChang”s，Iheardhiman”Dagosaydeywasgoin”dere。Knowdeplace？“
JimmieDaleshookhishead。
“Iain”tmuchwisetoNewYork，“heexplained。
“Aw，dat”seasy，“whisperedthebarkeeper。“GodowntoChathamSquare，an”denanyguy”llshowyouseChangFoo”s。”Hewinkedconfidentially。“Iguessyousewon”tbumpyerheadnonegettin”
aroundinside。”
JimmieDalenodded，grinnedback，emptiedhisglass，anddugforacoin。
“Forgetit！“observedthebarkeepercordially。“Disisonme。AnyfriendofdeWowzer”sgetsdegladhandhereanytime。”
“T”anks！“saidJimmieDalegratefully，asheturnedaway。“Solong，then——seeyouselater。”
ChangFoo”s！JimmieDale”sfacesetevenalittleharderthanithadbefore，asheswungonagaindowntheBowery。Yes；heknewChangFoo”s——toowell。UndergroundChinatown——whereaman”slifewasworththepriceofanopiumpill——orless！Mechanicallyhishandslippedintohispocketandclosedovertheautomaticthatnestledthere。Oncein——wherehehadtogo——andthechanceswereeven，justeven，thatwasall，thathewouldevergetout。AgainhewastemptedtoreturntotheSanctuaryandmaketheattemptasLarrytheBat。LarrytheBatwaswellenoughknowntoenterChangFoo”sunquestioned，and——butagainheshookhisheadandwenton。Therewasnottime。TheWowzerandhispal——itwasDagoJimitseemed——
hadevidentlybeendrinkingandloiteringtheirwaydowntownfromthetheatre，andhehadgainedthatmuchonthem；butbynowtheywouldbesmuglytuckedawaysomewhereinthatmazeofdensbelowtheground，andatthatmomentprobablyweregloatingoverthebiggestnight”shaultheyhadevermadeintheirlives！
Andiftheywere！Whatthen？Oncetheyknewthecontentsofthatletter——whatthen？BuythemoffforalargeramountthanthemanythousandsofferedforthecaptureoftheGraySeal？JimmieDalegrittedhisteeth。Thatmeantblackmailfromthemallhislife，anintolerableexistence，impossible，ahellonearth——theslave，atthebeckandcalloftwooftheworstcriminalsinNewYork！ThemoistureoozedagaintoJimmieDale”sforehead。God，ifhecouldgetthatletterbeforeitwasopened——beforetheyKNEW！Ifhecouldonlygetthechancetofightforit——againstANYodds！Life！Lifewasapitifulconsiderationagainstthealternativethatfacedhimnow！
FromtheBlueDragontoChangFoo”swasnotfar；andJimmieDalecoveredthedistanceinwellunderfiveminutes。ChangFoo”swasjustateamerchant”sshop，innocuousandinnocentenoughinitsappearance，blandlysoindeed，andthatwasall——outwardly；butJimmieDale，ashereachedhisdestination，experiencedthefirstsensationofuplifthehadknownthatnight，andthisfromwhat，apparently，didnotintheleastseemlikeacontributingcause。
“Luck！Theblessedluckofit！“hemutteredgrimly，ashesurveyedthesight-seeingcardrawnupatthecurb，andwatchedthepassengerscrowdingoutofittotheground。“Itwouldn”thavebeenaseasytofoololdChangasitwasthatfellowbackattheDragon——
and，besides，ifIcanworkit，there”sabetterchancethiswayofgettingoutalive。”
Theguidewasmarshallinghis“gapers“——sometwodozeninall，menandwomen。JimmieDaleunostentatiouslyfellinattherear；and，theguideleading，thelittlecrowdpassedintotheteamerchant”sshop。ChangFoo，awizened，wrinkled-facedlittleCelestial，oily，suave，greetedthemwithprofusebows，chatteringthewhilevolublyinChinese。
Theguidemadetheintroductionwithanall-embracingsweepofhishand。
“ChangFoo——ladiesandgentlemen，“heannounced；thenhelduphishandforsilence。“Ladiesandgentlemen，“hesaidimpressively，“thisisoneofthemostnotorious，ifnotTHEmostnotoriousdiveinChinatown，anditisonlythroughspecialarrangementwiththeauthoritiesandatgreatexpensethatthecompanyisableexclusivelytogainanentreehereforitspatrons。YouwillseeherethereallifeoftheChinese，andinhalfanhouryouwillgetwhatfewwouldgetinalifetimespentinChinaitself。YouwillseetheChinesechildrendanceandperform；theChinesewomenattheirhouseholdtasks；thejoss，theshrineofhishallowedancestors，atwhichChangFoohereworships；andyouwillenterthemostfamousopiumdenintheUnitedStates。Now，ifyouwillallkeepclosetogether，wewillmakeastart。”
Inspiteofhisdesperatesituation，JimmieDalesmiledalittlewhimsically。Yes；theywouldseeitall——UPSTAIRS！Thesameoldbunkdishedoutnightafternightatsomuchahead——andthenervouslittleschoolma”amofuncertainage，whofidgetednowbesidehim，wouldgobacksomewheredowninMaineandshiverwhilesherelatedher“widerexperiences“intremulouswhispersintotheshockedearsofenviousothermaidenladiesofequallyuncertainage。Thesameoldbunk——andaprofitableoneforChangFooformorereasonsthanone。Itwasdustintheeyesofthepolice。ThepolicesmiledknowinglyatmentionofChangFoo。Whoshouldknow，iftheydidn”t，thatitwasallharmlessfake，allbunk！Andsoitwas——UPSTAIRS！
Theywerepassingoutoftheshopnow，bowedoutthroughasidedoorbytheobsequiousandoilyChangFoo。Andnowtheymassedagaininasortoflittlehallway——andChangFoo，closingthedooruponJimmieDale，whowasthelastintheline，shuffledbackbehindthecounterinhisshoptoresumehisguarddutyovercustomersofquiteanotherilk。Withthedoorclosed，itwasdark，pitchdark。Andthis，too，likeeverythingelseconnectedwithChangFoo”sestablishment，formorereasonsthanone——foreffect——andforsecurity。Nervouslittletwittersbegantoemanatefromthewomen——
theguide”svoicerosereassuringly：
“Keepclosetogether，ladiesandgentlemen。Wearegoingupstairsnowto”
JimmieDalehuggedbackagainstthewall，sidledalongit，andlikeashadowslippeddowntotheendofthehall。Thescufflingoftwodozenpairsoffeetmountingthecreakystaircasedrownedtheslightsoundashecautiouslyopenedadoor；thedarknesslayblack，impenetrable，alongthehall。Andthen，ascautiouslyashehadopenedit，heclosedthedoorbehindhim，andstoodforaninstantlisteningattheheadofaladder-likestairway，hisautomaticinhishandnow。ItwasfamiliargroundtoLarrytheBat。Thestepsleddowntoacellar；anddiagonallyacrossfromthefootofthestepswasanopening，ingeniouslyhiddenbyaheterogeneouscollectionofoddsandends，boxes，cases，andrubbishfromthepseudoteashopabove；alowopeninginthewalltoapassagethatledonthroughthecellarsofperhapshalfadozenadjoininghouses，eachofwhichlatterwasleased，inonenameoranother——byChangFoo。
JimmieDalecreptdownthesteps，andinanothermomenthadgainedthefarthersideofthecellar；then，skirtingaroundtheruckofcases，hestoopedsuddenlyandpassedinthroughtheopeninginthewall。Andnowhehaltedoncemore。Hewasstraininghiseyesdownalong，narrowpassage，whoseblacknesswasaccentuatedratherthanrelievedbycuriouswavering，gossamerthreadsofyellowlightthatshowedhereandtherefromundermakeshiftthresholds，fromdoorsslightlyajar。Faintnoisescametohim，amuffled，intermittentclinkofcoin，alow，continuous，droninghumofvoices；thesicklysweetsmellofopiumprickedathisnostrils。
JimmieDale”sfacesetrigidly。Itwastheresort，notonlyofthemostdepravedChineseelement，butoftheworst“white“thugsthatmadeNewYorktheirheadquarters——here，inthesuccessionofcellars，roughlypartitionedofftomakeadozenroomsoneithersideofthepassage，dopefiendssuckedatthedrug，andChinesegamblersspentthegreaterpartoftheirlives；here，murderwashatchedandplayedtoooftentoitshellishend；here，thescumoftheunderworldsoughtrefugefromthepolicetotheprofitofChangFoo；andhere，somewhere，inoneoftheserooms，was——theWowzer。
TheWowzer！JimmieDalestoleforwardsilently，withoutasound，swiftly——pausingonlytolistenforasecond”sspaceatthedoorsashepassed。Fromthisonecamethatclinkofcoin；fromanotherthatjabberofChinese；fromstillanotherthatoverpoweringstenchofopium——andonce，iron-nervedashewas，acoldthrillpassedoverhim。Letthislairofhell”swolves，sointentnowontheirownaffairs，beonceroused，astheycertainlymustberousedbeforehecouldhopetofinishtheWowzer，andhischancesofescapewere——
Hestraightenedsuddenly，alert，tense，strained。Voices，raisedinafuriousquarrel，camefromadoorjustbeyondhimontheothersideofthepassage，whereafilmoflightstreamedoutthroughacrackedpanel——itwastheWowzerandDagoJim！Anddrunk，bothofthem——andbothinablindfury！
Ithappenedquickthen，almostinstantaneouslyitseemedtoJimmieDale。Hewascrouchednowcloseagainstthedoor，hiseyetothecrackinthepanel。Therewasonlyonefigureinsight——DagoJim——
standingbesideatableonwhichburnedalamp，thetabletoplitteredwithwatches，purses，andsmallchatelainebags。Themanwaslurchingunsteadilyonhisfeet，avicioussneeroftriumphonhisface，wavingtauntinglyanopenletterandJimmieDale”spocket-
bookinhishands——wavingthempresumablyinthefaceoftheWowzer，whom，fromtherestrictionsofthecrack，JimmieDalecouldnotsee。
Hewasconsciousofasickeningsenseofdisaster。Hishopeagainsthopehadbeeninvain——theletterhadbeenopenedandread——THE
IDENTITYOFTHEGRAYSEALWASSOLVED。
DagoJim”svoiceroaredout，hoarse，blasphemous，indrunkenrage：
“DeGraySeal——see！YousebetcherlifeIknows！Ibeenwaitin”fersomet”inglikedis，damnyouse！Yousebeenstallin”onmeferayeareverytimeitcametoadivvy。Youse”vegotapocketfulnowyousesnitchedto-nightdatyousearetryin”todomeoutof。Well，keep”em“——heshovedhisfaceforward。“Ikeepsdis——see！Keep”emWowzer，yousecross-eyed”
“Everyt”ingIpinchedto-night”sondetablederewidwotyousepinchedyerself，“cutintheWowzer，inasullen，threateninggrowl。
“Youselie，an”youseknowsit！“retortedDagoJim。“Yousehavegivenmedeshortendeverytimewe”vepulledadeal！“
“Datletter”smine，youse”bawledtheWowzerfuriously。
“Whydidn”tyouseopenitan”readit，den，insteadoflettin”medoittokeepmebusywhileyouseshort-changedme？“sneeredDagoJim。
“Youset”oughtitwassomesweetbilly-doo，eh？Well，t”anks，Wowzer——dat”swotitis！Say，“hemocked，“dere”saguy”llcashat”ousandcenturynotesferdis，an”ifhedon”t——say，dere”sSOME
rewardoutfertheGraySeal！Wouldn”tyouseliketoknowwhoitis？Well，whenI”mridin”inmeprivatebuzzwagon，Wowzer，yousestickaroundan”mabbeI”lltellyouse——an”mabbeIwon”t！“
“ByGod“——theWowzer”svoiceroseinascream”yousehandoverdatletter！“
“Yousegoto”
Red，luridred，astreamofflameseemedtocutacrossJimmieDale”slineofvision，cametheroarofarevolvershot——andlikeamadmanJimmieDaleflunghisbodyatthedoor。Ricketyatbest，itcrashedinward，halfwrenchedfromitshinges，precipitatinghiminside。Herecoveredhimselfandleapedforward。Theroomwasswirlingwithblueeddiesofsmoke；DagoJim，handsflungup，stillgraspingletterandpocketbook，pawedattheair——andplungedwithasagginglurchfacedownwardtothefloor。TherewasayellandanoathfromtheWowzer——thecrackofanotherrevolvershot，thehumofthebulletpastJimmieDale”sear，thescorchofthetongueflameinhisface，andhewasupontheother。
Screechingprofanity，theWowzergrappled；and，foraninstant，thetwomenrocked，reeled，andswayedineachother”sembrace；then，bothmenlosingtheirbalance，theyshotsuddenlybackward，theWowzer，undermost，strikinghisheadagainstthetable”sedge——andmen，table，andlampcrasheddownwardinaheaptothefloor。
Ithadbeennomore，atmost，thanamatterofsecondssinceJimmieDalehadhurledhimselfintotheroom；andnow，withagurglingsigh，theWowzer”sarms，thathadbeenwoundaroundJimmieDale”sbackandshoulders，relaxed，and，fromtheblowonhisheadtheman，laybackinertandstunned。AndthenitseemedtoJimmieDaleasthoughpandemonium，unreality，andchaosatthetouchofsomedevil”shandreignedaroundhim。Itwasdark——no，notdark——aspurtofflamewasleapingalongthelineoftricklingoilfromthebrokenlamponthefloor。ItthrewintoghastlyreliefthesprawledformofDagoJim。Outside，fromalongthepassageway，cameaconfusedjangleofcommotion——whisperingvoices，shufflingfeet，theswishofChinesegarments。Andtheroomitselfbegantospringintoweird，flickeringshadows，thatmountedandcreptupthewallswiththespreadingfire。
Therewasnotasecondtolosebeforetheroomwouldbeswarmingwiththatrushfromthepassageway——andtherewasstilltheletter，thepocketbook！ThetablehadfallenhalfoverDagoJim——JimmieDalepusheditaside，torethecrushedletterandthepocketbookfromtheman”shands——andfelt，withagrim，horriblesortofanxiety，fortheother”sheartbeat，fortheverdictthatmeantlifeordeathtohimself。Therewasnosignoflife——themanwasdead。
JimmieDalewasonhisfeetnow。Aface，another，andanothershowedinthedoorway——theWowzerwasregaininghissenses，stumblingtohisknees。Therewasonechance——justone——totakethosecrowdingfiguresbysurprise。Andwithayellof“Fire！“
JimmieDalesprangforthedoorway。
Theygavewaybeforehisrush，tumblingbackintheirsurpriseagainsttheoppositewall；and，turning，JimmieDaleraceddownthepassageway。Doorswereopeningeverywherenow，formswerepushingoutintothesemi-darkness——onlytoduckhastilybackagain，asJimmieDale”sautomaticbarkedandspatarunningfireofwarningaheadofhim。Andthen，behind，theWowzer”svoiceshriekedout：
“Soakhim！Killdeguy！He”scroakedDagoJim！Putaholeinhim，de”
Yells，achorusofthem，tookuptherefrain——thentherushoffollowingfeet——andthepassagewayseemedtoracketasthoughaGatlinggunwereinplaywiththefusilladeofrevolvershots。ButJimmieDalewasattheopeningnow——and，likeabaserunnerplungingforthebag，heflunghimselfinalowdivethroughandintotheopencellarbeyond。Hewasonhisfeet，overtheboxes，anddashingupthestairsinasecond。Thedooraboveopenedashereachedthetop——JimmieDale”srighthandshotoutwithclubbedrevolver——andwithagruntChangFoowentdownbeforetheblowandtheheadlongrush。ThenextinstantJimmieDalehadsprungthroughtheteashopandwasoutonthestreet。
Aminute，twominutesmore，andChinatownwouldbeinanuproar——
ChangFoowouldseetothat——andtheWowzerwouldprodhimon。Thedangerwasfarfromoveryet。Andthen，asheran，JimmieDalegavealittlegaspofrelief。Justahead，drawnupatthecurb，stoodataxicab——waiting，probably，foraprivateslummingparty。JimmieDaleputonaspurt，reachedit，andwrenchedthedooropen。
“Quick！“heflungatthestartledchauffeur。“Thenearestsubwaystation——there”saten-spotinitforyou！Quickman——QUICK！Heretheycome！“
AcrowdofChinese，pouringlikeangryhornetsfromChangFoo”sshop，cameyellingdownthestreet——andthetaxitookthecornerontwowheels——andJimmieDale，panting，chokingforhisbreathlikeamanspent，sankbackagainstthecushions。
ButfiveminuteslateritwasquiteanotherJimmieDale，composed，nonchalant，imperturbable，whoenteredanup-townsubwaytrain，and，choosingaseatalonenearthecentreofthecar，whichatthathourofnightinthedowntowndistrictwasalmostdeserted，tookthecrushedletterfromhispocket。Foramomenthemadenoattempttoreadit，hisdarkeyes，nowthathewasfreefromobservation，fulloftroubledretrospect，fixedonthewindowathisside。Itwasnotapleasantthoughtthatithadcostamanhislife，noryetthatthatlifewasalsothepriceofhisownfreedom。True，ifthereweretwomeninthecityofNewYorkwhosecrimesmeritedneithersympathynormercy，thosetwomenweretheWowzerandDagoJim——butyet，afterall，itwasahumanlife，and，evenifhisownhadbeeninthebalance，thankGodithadbeenthroughnoactofhisthatDagoJimhadgoneout！TheWowzer，cuteandcunning，hadbeenquickenoughtosaysotoclearhimself，but——JimmieDalesmiledalittlenow——neithertheWowzer，norChangFoo，norChinatownwouldeverbeinapositiontorecognisetheiruninvitedguest！
JimmieDale”seyesshiftedtotheletterspeculatively，gravely。Itseemedasthoughthenighthadalreadyheldayearofhappenings，andthenightwasnotoveryet——therewastheletter！Ithadalreadycostonelife；wasittocostanother——orwhat？
Itbeganasitalwaysdid。Hereaditthroughonce，inamazement；asecondtime，withaflushofbitterangercreepingtohischeeks；
andathirdtime，curiouslymemorising，asitwere，snatchesofithereandthere。
“DEARPHILANTHROPICCROOK：RobberyofHudson-MercantileNationalBank——trustedemployeeisex-convict，badpolicerecord，servedterminSingSingthreeyearsago——knowntopoliceasBookkeeperBob，realnameisRobertMoyne，livesat——Street，Harlem——InspectorBurtonandLanniganofheadquarterstrailinghimnow——robberynotyetmadepublic”
Therewasagreatdealmore——foursheetsofcloselywrittendata。
Withanexclamationalmostofdismay，JimmieDalepulledouthiswatch。SothatwaswhatBurtonandLanniganwereupto！Andhehadactuallyrunintothem！Lord，theironyofit！The——AndthenJimmieDalestaredatthedialofhiswatchincredulously。Itwasstillbutbarelymidnight！Itseemedimpossiblethatsinceleavingthetheatreatafewminutesbeforeeleven，hehadlivedthroughbutasinglehour！
JimmieDale”sfingersbegantopluckattheletter，tearingitintopieces，tearingthepiecesoverandoveragainintotinyshreds。
Thetrainstoppedatstationafterstation，peoplegotonandoff——
JimmieDale”shatwasoverhiseyes，andhiseyesweregluedagaintothewindow。HadBookkeeperBobreturnedtohisflatinHarlemwiththedetectivesathisheels——orwereBurtonandLanniganstilltrailingthemandowntownsomewherearoundthecafe”s？Iftheformer，thetheftoftheletteranditsincidentlossoftimehadbeenanirreparabledisaster；ifthelatter——well，whoknew！TheriskwastheGraySeal”s！
AtOneHundredandTwenty-FifthStreetJimmieDaleleftthetrain；
and，attheendofasharpfourminutes”walk，duringwhichhehaddodgedinandoutfromstreettostreet，stoppedonacornertosurveytheblockaheadofhim。Itwasablockdevotedexclusivelytoflatsandapartmenthouses，and，apartfromafewbelatedpedestrians，wasdeserted。JimmieDalestrolledleisurelydownoneside，crossedthestreetattheendoftheblock，andstrolledleisurelybackontheotherside——therewasnosignofeitherBurtonorLannigan。ItwasafairlysafepresumptionthenthatBookkeeperBobhadnotreturnedyet，oroneofthedetectivesatleastwouldhavebeenshadowingthehouse。
JimmieDale，smilingalittlegrimly，retracedhisstepsagain，andturneddeliberatelyintoadoorway——whosenumberhehadnotedashehadpassedamomentorsobefore。So，afterall，therewastimeyet！Thiswasthehouse。“Numbereighteen，“shehadsaidinherletter。“Aflat——threestories——Moynelivesongroundfloor。”
JimmieDaleleanedagainstthevestibuledoor——therewasafaintclick——alittlesteelinstrumentwaswithdrawnfromthelock——andJimmieDalesteppedintothehall，whereagasjet，turneddown，burneddimly。
Thedooroftheground-floorapartmentwasathisright，JimmieDalereachedupandturnedoffthelight。Againthoseslim，tapering，wonderfullysensitivefingersworkedwiththelittlesteelinstrument，thistimeinthelockoftheapartmentdoor——againtherewasthatalmostinaudibleclick——andthencautiously，inchbyinch，thedooropenedunderhishand。Hepeeredinside——downahallwaylighted，ifitcouldbecalledlightedatall，byasubduedglowfromtwoopendoorsthatgaveuponit——peeredintently，listeningintently，ashedrewablacksilkmaskfromhispocketandslippeditoverhisface。Andthen，silentasashadowinhismovements，thedoorleftjustajarbehindhim，hestoledownthecarpetedhallway。
OppositethefirstoftheopendoorwaysJimmieDalepaused——acuriouslyhardexpressioncreepingoverhisface，hislipsbeginningtodroopominouslydownwardatthecorners。Itwasalittlesittingroom，cheaplybuttastefullyfurnished，andayoungwoman，BookkeeperBob”swifeevidently，andevidentlysittingupforherhusband，hadfallensoundasleepinachair，herheadpillowedonherarmsthatwereoutstretchedacrossthetable。ForamomentJimmieDaleheldthere，hiseyesonthescene——andthenextmoment，hishandcurvedintoaclenchedfist，hehadpassedonandenteredtheadjoiningroom。
Itwasachild”sbedroom。Anightlampburnedonatablebesidethebed，andthesoftraysseemedtoplayandlingerincaressonthetousledgoldenhairofalittlegirlofperhapstwoyearsofage——
andsomethingseemedtochokesuddenlyinJimmieDale”sthroat——thesweet，innocentlittleface，upturnedtohis，wassmilingathimassheslept。
JimmieDaleturnedawayhishead——hiseyelasheswetunderhismask。
“BENEATHTHEMATTRESSOFTHECHILD”SBED，“theletterhadsaid。Hisfacelikestone，hislipsathinlinenow，JimmieDale”shandreacheddeftlyinwithoutdisturbingthechildandtookoutapackage——andthenanother。Hestraightenedup，abundleofcrispnewhundred-dollarnotesineachhand——andonthetopofone，slippedundertheelasticbandthatheldthebillstogether，anunsealedenvelope。Hedrewoutthelatter，andopenedit——itwasasecond-classsteamshippassagetoVeraCruz，madeoutinafictitiousname，ofcourse，toJohnDavies，thebookingfornextday”ssailing。Fromtheticket，fromthestolenmoney，JimmieDale”seyesliftedtorestagainonthelittlegoldenhead，thesmilinglips——andthen，droppingthepackagesintohispockets，hisownlipsmovingqueerly，heturnedabruptlytothedoor。
“MyGod，theshameofit！“hewhisperedtohimself。
Hecreptdownthecorridor，pasttheopendooroftheroomwheretheyoungwomanstillsatfastasleep，and，hismaskinhispocketagain，steppedsoftlyintothevestibule，andfromtheretothestreet。
JimmieDalehurriednow，spurredonitseemedbyahot，insensatefurythatragedwithinhim——therewasstilloneothercalltomakethatnight——stillthoseremainingandminutedetailsinthelatterpartofherletter，grimanduglyintheirportent！
Itwascloseupononeo”clockinthemorningwhenJimmieDalestoppedagain——thistimebeforeafashionabledwellingjustoffCentralPark。Andhere，forperhapsthespaceofaminute，hesurveyedthehousefromthesidewalk——watching，withasortofspeculativesatisfaction，aman”sshadowthatpassedconstantlytoandfroacrossthedrawnblindsofoneofthelowerwindows。Therestofthehousewasindarkness。
“Yes，“saidJimmieDale，noddinghishead，“Iratherthoughtso。
Theservantswillhaveretiredhoursago。It”ssafeenough。”
Heranquicklyupthestepsandrangthebell。Adooropenedalmostinstantly，sendingafaintglowintothehallfromthelightedroom；
ahurriedstepcrossedthehall——andtheouterdoorwasthrownback。
“Well，whatisit？“demandedavoicebrusquely。
Itwasquitedark，toodarkforeithertodistinguishtheother”sfeatures——andJimmieDale”shatwasdrawnfardownoverhiseyes。
“IwanttoseeMr。ThomasH。Carling，cashieroftheHudson-
MercantileNationalBank——it”sveryimportant，“saidJimmieDaleearnestly。
“IamMr。Carling，“repliedtheother。“Whatisit？“
JimmieDaleleanedforward。
“Fromheadquarters——withareport，“hesaid，inalowtone。
“Ah！“exclaimedthebankofficialsharply。“Well，it”sabouttime！
I”vebeenwaitingupforit——thoughIexpectedyouwouldtelephoneratherthanthis。Comein！“
“Thankyou，“saidJimmieDalecourteously——andsteppedintothehall。
Theotherclosedthefrontdoor。“Theservantsareinbed，ofcourse，“heexplained，asheledthewaytowardthelightedroom。
“Thisway，please。”
Behindtheother，acrossthehall，JimmieDalefollowedandcloseatCarling”sheelsenteredtheroom，whichwasfittedup，quiteevidentlyregardlessofcost，asacombinationlibraryandstudy。
Carling，inasomewhatpompousfashion，walkedstraightaheadtowardthecarved-mahoganyflat-toppeddesk，and，ashereachedit，wavedhishand。
“Takeachair，“hesaid，overhisshoulder——andthen，turningintheactofdroppingintohisownchair，graspedsuddenlyattheedgeofthedeskinstead，and，withalow，startledcry，staredacrosstheroom。
JimmieDalewasleaningbackagainstthedoorthatwasclosednowbehindhim——andonJimmieDale”sfacewasablacksilkmask。
Foraninstantneithermanspokenormoved；thenCarling，spare-
built，dapperineveningclothes，edgedbackfromthedeskandlaughedalittleuncertainly。
“Quiteneat！Icomplimentyou！Fromheadquarterswithareport，I
thinkyousaid？“
“WhichIneglectedtoadd，“saidJimmieDale，“wastobemadeinprivate。”
Carling，asthoughtoputasmuchdistancebetweenthemaspossible，continuedtoedgebackacrosstheroom——buthissmallblackeyes，blacknowtothepupilsthemselves，neverleftJimmieDale”sface。
“Inprivate，eh？“——heseemedtobesparringfortime，ashesmiled。
“Inprivate！You”veastrangemethodofsecuringprivacy，haven”tyou？Abitmelodramatic，isn”tit？Perhapsyou”llbegoodenoughtotellmewhoyouare？“
JimmieDalesmiledindulgently。
“Mymaskisonlyforeffect，“hesaid。“Mynameis——Smith。”
“Yes，“saidCarling。“Iamverystupid。Thankyou。I”hehadreachedtheothersideoftheroomnow——andwithaquick，suddenmovementjerkedhishandtothedialofthesafethatstoodagainstthewall。
ButJimmieDalewasquicker——withoutshiftinghisposition，hisautomatic，whippedfromhispocket，heldadisconcertingbeadonCarling”sforehead。
“Pleasedon”tdothat，“saidJimmieDalesoftly。“It”sratheragoodmake，thatsafe。Idaresayitwouldtakemehalfanhourtoopenit。Iwasrathercurioustoknowwhetheritwaslockedornot。”
Carling”shanddroppedtohisside。
