“So！“hesneered。“That”sit，isit！Theordinaryvarietyofsneakthief！“Hisvoicewasrisinggradually。“Well，sir，letmetellyouthat”
“Mr。Carling，“saidJimmieDale，inalow，eventone，unlessyoumoderateyourvoicesomeoneinthehousemighthearyou——Iamquitewellawareofthat。Butifthathappens，ifanyoneentersthisroom，ifyoumakeamovetotouchabutton，orinanyotherwayattempttoattractattention，I”lldropyouwhereyoustand！“Hishand，behindhisback，extractedthekeyfromthedoorlock，helditupfortheothertosee，thendroppeditintohispocket——andhisvoice，coldbefore，rangperemptorilynow。“Comebacktothedeskandsitdowninthatchair！“heordered。
ForamomentCarlinghesitated；then，withahalf-mutteredoath，obeyed。
JimmieDalemovedover，andstoodinfrontofCarlingontheothersideofthedesk——andstaredsilentlyattheimmaculate，fashionablygroomedfigurebeforehim。
Undertheprolongedgaze，Carling”scomposure，inameasureatleast，seemedtoforsakehim。Hebegantodrumnervouslywithhisfingersonthedesk，andshiftuneasilyinhischair。
Andthen，fromfirstonepocketandthentheother，JimmieDaletookthetwopackagesofbanknotes，and，stillwithoutaword，pushedthemacrossthedeskuntiltheylayundertheother”seyes。
Carling”sfingersstoppedtheirdrumming，slidtothedeskedge，tightenedthere，andawhitenesscreptintohisface。Then，withaneffort，hejerkedhimselferectinhischair。
“What”sthis？“hedemandedhoarsely。
“Abouttenthousanddollars，Ishouldsay，“saidJimmieDaleslowly。
“Ihaven”tcountedit。Yourbankwasrobbedthiseveningatclosingtime，Iunderstand？“
“Yes！“Carling”svoicewasexcitednow，thecolourbackinhisface。“Butyou——how——doyoumeanthatyouarereturningthemoneytothebank？“
“Exactly，“saidJimmieDale。
Carlingwasoncemorethepompousbankofficial。HeleanedbackandsurveyedJimmieDalecriticallywithhislittleblackeyes。
“Ah，quiteso！“heobserved。“Thataccountsforthemask。ButIamstillalittleinthedark。Underthecircumstances，itisquiteimpossiblethatyoushouldhavestolenthemoneyyourself，and”
“Ididn”t，“saidJimmieDale。“Ifoundithiddeninthehomeofoneofyouremployees。”
“Youfoundit——WHERE？“
“InMoyne”shome——upinHarlem。”
“Moyne，eh？“Carlingwasalert，quicknow，jerkingouthiswords。
“Howdidyoucometogetintothis，then？Hispal？Double-crossinghim，eh？Isupposeyouwantareward——we”llattendtothat，ofcourse。You”rewiserthanyouknow，myman。That”swhatwesuspected。We”vehadthedetectivestrailingMoyneallevening。”
Hereachedforwardoverthedeskforthetelephone。“I”lltelephoneheadquarterstomakethearrestatonce。”
“Justaminute，“interposedJimmieDalegravely。“Iwantyoutolistentoalittlestoryfirst。”
“Astory！Whathasastorygottodowiththis？“snappedCarling。
“Themanhasgotahome，“saidJimmieDalesoftly。“Ahome，andawife——andalittlebabygirl。”
“Oh，that”sthegamethen，eh？Youwanttopleadforhim？“Carlingflungoutgruffly。“Well，heshouldhavethoughtofallthatbefore！It”squiteuselessforyoutobringitup。Themanhashadhischancealready——abetterchancethananyonewithhisrecordeverhadbefore。Wetookhimintothebankknowingthathewasanex-convict，butbelievingthatwecouldmakeanhonestmanofhim——
andthisistheresult。”
“Andyet”
“NO！“saidCarlingicily。
“Yourefuse——absolutely？“JimmieDale”svoicehadalingering，wistfulnoteinit。
“Irefuse！“saidCarlingbluntly。“Iwon”thaveanythingtodowithit。”
Therewasjustaninstant”ssilence；andthen，withastrange，slow，creepingmotion，asapanthercreepswhenabouttospring，JimmieDaleprojectedhisbodyacrossthedesk——faracrossittowardtheother。Andthemusclesofhisjawwerequivering，hiswordsrasping，chokedwiththesweepoffurythat，heldbacksolong，brokenowinapassionatesurge。
“AndshallItellyouwhyyouwon”t？Yourbankwasrobbedto-nightofonehundredthousanddollars。Therearetenthousandhere。THE
OTHERNINETYTHOUSANDAREINYOURSAFE！“
“Youlie！“Ashentothelips，Carlinghadriseninhischair。“Youlie！“hecried。“Doyouhear！Youlie！Itellyou，youlie！“
JimmieDale”slipspartedominously。
“Sitdown！“hegrittedbetweenhisteeth。
ThewhiteinCarling”sfacehadturnedtogray，hislipswereworking——mechanicallyhesankdownagaininhischair。
JimmieDalestillleanedoverthedesk，restinghisweightonhisrightelbow，theautomaticinhisrighthandcoveringCarling。
“Youcur！“whisperedJimmieDale。“There”sjustonereason，onlyone，thatkeepsmefromputtingabulletthroughyouwhileyousitthere。We”llgettothatinamoment。Thereisthatlittlestoryfirst——shallItellittoyounow？Forthepastfouryears，andGodknowshowmanybeforethat，you”vegonethepace。ThelavishnessofthisbachelorestablishmentofyoursiscommontalkinNewYork——farinexcessofabankcashier”ssalary。Butyouweresupposedtobeawealthymaninyourownright；andso，inrealityyouwere——once。
Butyouwentthroughyourfortunetwoyearsago。Countedamodelcitizen，anuprightman，anhonourtothecommunity——whatwereyou，Carling？WhatAREyou？ShallItellyou？Roue，gambler，leadingadoublelifeofthefastestkind。Youdiditcleverly，Carling；hiditwell——butyourgameisup。To-night，forinstance，youareattheendofyourtether，swampedwithdebts，exposurethreateningyouatanymoment。Whydon”tyoutellmeagainthatIlie——Carling？“
Butnowthemanmadenoanswer。Hehadsunkalittledeeperinhischair——adawninglookofterrorintheeyesthatheld，fascinated，onJimmieDale。
“Youcur！“saidJimmieDaleagain。“Youcur，withyourdevil”swork！Ayearagoyousawthisnightcoming——whenyoumusthavemoney，orfaceruinandexposure。Yousawitthen，ayearago，thedaythatMoyne，concealingnothingofhisprisonrecord，appliedthroughfriendsforapositioninthebank。Yourco-officialswereopposedtohisappointment，butyou，doyourememberhowyoupleadedtogivethemanhischance——andinyourhellishingenuitysawyourwaythenoutofthetrap！Anex-convictfromSingSing！Itwasenough，wasn”tit？Whatchancehadhe！“JimmieDalepaused，hislefthandclencheduntiltheskinformedwhitishknobsovertheknuckles。
Carling”stonguesoughthislips，madeacircuitofthem——andhetriedtospeak，buthisvoicewasanincoherentmuttering。
“I”llnotwastewords，“saidJimmieDale，inhisgrimmonotone。
“I”mnotsureenoughmyself——thatIcouldkeepmyhandsoffyoumuchlonger。Theactualdetailsofhowyoustolethemoneyto-daydonotmatter——NOW。Alittlelaterperhapsincourt——butnotnow。Youwerethelasttoleavethebank，butbeforeleavingyoupretendedtodiscoverthetheftofahundredthousanddollars——that，doneupinapaperparcel，waseventhenreposinginyourdesk。Youbroughttheparcelhome，putitinthatsafethere——andnotifiedthepresidentofthebankbytelephonefromhereoftherobbery，suggestingthatpoliceheadquartersbeadvisedatonce。Hetoldyoutogoaheadandactasyousawbest。Younotifiedthepolice，speciouslydirectingsuspicionto——theex-convictinthebank”semploy。YouknewMoynewasdiningoutto-night，youknewwhere——andatahintfromyouthepolicetookupthetrail。Alittlelaterintheevening，youtookthesetwopackagesofbanknotesfromtherest，andwiththissteamshipticket——whichyouobtainedyesterdaywhileoutatlunchbysendingadistrictmessengerboywiththemoneyandinstructionsinasealedenvelopetopurchaseforyou——youwentuptotheMoynes”
flatinHarlemforthepurposeofsecretingthemsomewherethere。
YoupretendedtobemuchdisappointedatfindingMoyneout——youhadjustcomeforalittlesocialvisit，togetbetteracquaintedwiththehomelifeofyouremployees！Mrs。Moynewasgenuinelypleasedandgrateful。Shetookyouintoseetheirlittlegirl，whowasalreadyasleepinbed。Sheleftyouthereforamomenttoanswerthedoor——andyou——you“——JimmieDale”svoicechokedagain”youblotonGod”searth，youslippedthemoneyandticketunderthechild”smattress！“
Carlingcameforwardwithalurchinhischair——andhishandswentout，pawinginawild，pleadingfashionoverJimmieDale”sarm。
JimmieDaleflunghimaway。
“Youweresafeenough，“heraspedon。“ThepolicecouldonlyconstrueyourvisittoMoyne”sflataszealonbehalfofthebank。
Anditwassafer，muchmorecircumspectonyourpart，nottoordertheflatsearchedatonce，butonlyasalastresort，asitwere，afteryouhadledthepolicetotrailhimalleveningandstillremainwithoutaclew——andbesides，ofcourse，notuntilyouhadplantedtheevidencethatwastodamnhimandwreckhislifeandhome！Youwereevengenerousintheamountyoudeprivedyourselfofoutofthehundredthousanddollars——forlesswouldhavebeenenough。Caughtwithtenthousanddollarsofthebank”smoneyandasteamshipticketmadeoutinafictitiousname，itwasprima-facieevidencethathehaddonethejobandhadthebalancesomewhere。
Whatwouldhisdenials，hisprotestationsofinnocencecountfor？
Hewasanex-convict，ahardenedcriminalcaughtred-handedwithaportionoftheproceedsofrobbery——hehadsucceededinhidingtheremainderofittoocleverly，thatwasall。”
Carling”sfacewasghastly。Hishandswentoutagain——againhistonguemoistenedhisdrylips。Hewhispered：
“Isn”t——isn”ttheresome——somewaywecanfixthis？“
AndthenJimmieDalelaughed——notpleasantly。
“Yes，there”saway，Carling，“hesaidgrimly。“That”swhyI”mhere。”Hepickedupasheetofwritingpaperandpusheditacrossthedesk——thenapen，whichhedippedintotheinkstand，andextendedtotheother。“Thewayyou”llfixitwillbetowriteoutaconfessionexoneratingMoyne。”
Carlingshrankbackintohischair，hisheadhuddlingintohisshoulders。
“NO！“hecried。“Iwon”t——Ican”t——myGod！——I——I——WON”T！“
TheautomaticinJimmieDale”shandedgedforwardthefractionofaninch。
“Ihavenotusedthis——yet。Youunderstandnowwhy——don”tyou？“hesaidunderhisbreath。
“No，no！“Carlingpushedawaythepen。“I”mruined——ruinedasitis。Butthiswouldmeanthepenitentiary，too”
“Whereyoutriedtosendaninnocentmaninyourplace，youhound；
whereyou”
“Someotherway——someotherway！“Carlingwasbabbling。“Letmeoutofthis——forGod”ssake，letmeoutofthis！“
“Carling，“saidJimmieDalehoarsely，“Istoodbesidealittlebedto-nightandlookedatababygirl——alittlebabygirlwithgoldenhair，whosmiledassheslept。”
Carlingshivered，andpassedashakinghandacrosshisface。
“Takethispen，“saidJimmieDalemonotonously；“or——THIS！“TheautomaticlifteduntilthemuzzlewasonalinewithCarling”seyes。
Carling”shandreachedout，stillshaking，andtookthepen；andhisbody，draggedlimplyforward，hungoverthedesk。Thepensplutteredonthepaper——abeadofsweatspurtingfromtheman”sforeheaddroppedtothesheet。
Therewassilenceintheroom。Aminutepassed——another。Carling”spentravelledhaltinglyacrossthepaperthen，withaqueer，lowcryashesignedhisname，hedroppedthepenfromhisfingers，and，risingunsteadilyfromhischair，stumbledawayfromthedesktowardacouchacrosstheroom。
AninstantJimmieDalewatchedtheother，thenhepickedupthesheetofpaper。Itwasamiserabledocument，miserablyscrawled：
“Iguessit”sallup。IguessIknewitwouldbesomeday。Moynehadn”tanythingtodowithit。Istolethemoneymyselffromthebankto-night。Iguessit”sallup。
THOMASH。CARLING。”
Fromthepaper，JimmieDale”seyesshiftedtothefigurebythecouch——andthepaperflutteredsuddenlyfromhisfingerstothedesk。Carlingwasreeling，clutchingathisthroat——asmallglassvialrolleduponthecarpet。Andthen，evenasJimmieDalesprangforward，theotherpitchedheadlongoverthecouch——andinamomentitwasover。
PresentlyJimmieDalepickedupthevial——anddroppeditbackontheflooragain。Therewasnolabelonit，butitneedednone——thestrong，penetratingodorofbitteralmondswastelltaleevidenceenough。Itwasprussic，orhydrocyanicacid，probablythemostdeadlypoisonandtheswiftestinitsactionthatwasknowntoscience——Carlinghadprovidedagainstthat“someday“inhisconfession！
Foralittlespace，motionless，JimmieDalestoodlookingdownatthesilent，outstretchedform——thenhewalkedslowlybacktothedesk，andslowly，deliberatelypickedupthesignedconfessionandthesteamshipticket。Heheldthemaninstant，staringatthem，thenmethodicallybegantotearthemintolittlepieces，astrange，tiredsmilehoveringonhislips。Themanwasdeadnow——therewouldbedisgraceenoughforsomeonetobear，amotherperhaps——whoknew！
Andtherewasanotherwaynow——sincethemanwasdead。
JimmieDaleputthepiecesinhispocket，wenttothesafe，openedit，andtookoutaparcel，lockedthesafecarefully，andcarriedtheparceltothedesk。Heopeneditthere。Insidewerenearlytwodozenlittlepackagesofhundred-dollarbills。Theothertwopackagesthathehadbroughtwithhimheaddedtotherest。Fromhispockethetookoutthethinmetalinsigniacase，andwiththetinytweezerslifteduponeofthegray-coloured，diamond-shapedpaperseals。Hemoistenedtheadhesiveside，and，stillholdingitbythetweezers，droppeditonhishandkerchiefandpressedthesealdownonthefaceofthetopmostpackageofbanknotes。Hetiedtheparcelupthen，and，pickingupthepen，addresseditinprintedcharacters：
HUDSON-MERCANTILENATIONALBANK，NEWYORKCITY。
“Districtmessenger——someway——inthemorning，“hemurmured。
JimmieDaleslippedhismaskintohispocket，and，withtheparcelunderhisarm，steppedtothedoorandunlockedit。Hepausedforaninstantonthethresholdforasingle，quick，comprehensiveglancearoundtheroom——thenpassedonoutintothestreet。
Atthecornerhestoppedtolightacigarette——andtheflameofthematchspurtingupdisclosedafacethatwaswornandhaggard。Hethrewthematchaway，smiledalittlewearily——andwenton。
TheGraySealhadcommittedanother“crime。”
CHAPTERVII
THETHIEF
Choosingbetweenthesnowynapery，thesparklingglassandsilver，thecozy，shadedtable-lamps，thefamousFrenchchefoftheultra-
exclusiveSt。JamesClub，hisownhomeonRiversideDrivewhereadinnerfitforanepicureandservedbyJason，thatmostperfectofbutlers，awaitedhim，andMarlianne”s，JimmieDale，drivinginaloneinhistouringcarfromanafternoon”sgolf，hadchosen——
Marlianne”s。
Marlianne”s，ifsuchathingasBohemianism，or，rather，aconcreteexpressionofitexists，wasBohemian。Atwo-piecestringorchestraplayedvaliantlytotheaccompanimentofahoarse-throatedpiano；andbetweencoursesthedinerstookuptherefrain——and，asitwasalwaysbetweencourseswithsomeone，theplacewasabedlamofnoisyriot。Nevertheless，itwasMarlianne”s——andJimmieDalelikedMarlianne”s。Hehaddinedtheremanytimesbefore，ashehadjustdinedinthepersonofJimmieDale，themillionaire，hishigh-
pricedimportedcaratthecurboftheshabbystreetoutside——andhehaddinedthere，disreputableinattire，seedyinappearance，withthepoliceyelpingathisheels，asLarrytheBat。IneithercharacterMarlianne”shadwelcomedhimwithequalcourtesytoitsspottedlinenandmostexcellenttable-d”hotewithVINORDINAIRE——
forfiftycents。
Andnow，intheactofreachingintohispocketforthechangetopayhisbill，JimmieDaleseemedsuddenlytoexperiencesomedifficultyinfindingwhathesought，andhisfingerswentfumblingfromonepockettoanother。Twomenatthetableinfrontofhimweretalking——theirvoices，overamomentarylullinviolinsqueaks，talk，laughter，singing，andtheclatterofdishes，reachedhim：
“Carlingcommitsuicide！Notonyourlife！No；ofcoursehedidn”t！ItwasthatcursedGraySealcroakedhim，justassureasyousitinthatchair！“
Theothergrunted。“Yes；butwhat”dtheGraySealwanttopinchahundredthousandoutofthebankfor，andthengiveitbackagainthenextmorning？“
“What”shedoneahundredotherthingsfortocoveruptherealobjectofwhathe”safter？“retortedthefirstspeaker，withashort，viciouslaugh；then，withathumpofhisfistonthetable：
“Theman”sadevil，afiend，andanywhereelsebutNewYorkhe”dhavebeencaughtandsenttothechairwherehebelongslongago，and”
Aburstofragtimedrownedouttheman”swords。JimmieDaleplacedafifty-centpieceandatipbesideitonhisdinnercheck，pushedbackhischair，androsefromthetable。Therewasahalf-
tolerantlysatirical，half-angryglintinhisdark，steadyeyes。Itwasnotonlythepolicewhoyelpedathisheels，buteveryman，woman，andchildinthecity。Themanhadnotvoicedhisownsentiments——hehadvoicedthesentimentsofNewYork！Anditwasquiteonthecardsthatifhe，JimmieDale，wereevercaughthisdestinationwouldnotevenbethedeathcellandthechairatSingSing——hisfellowcitizenshadreachedapitchwheretheywouldbequitecapableofliterallytearinghimtopiecesiftheyevergottheirhandsonhim！
Andyettherewereafew，averyfew，ahandfuloutoffivemillions，whosometimesrememberedperhapstothankGodthattheGraySeallived——thatwashisreward。That——andSHE，whosemysteriousletterspromptedandimpelledhis，theGraySeal”s，acts！
She——nameless，fascinatinginherbrilliantresourcefulness，amazinginherpower，awomanwhoselifewasboundupwithhisandyetheldapartfromhiminthemostinexplicable，absorbingway；awomanhehadneverseen，saveforherglovedarminthelimousinethatnight，whoatoneunexpectedmomentprojectedadazzling，impersonalexistenceacrosshispath，andthenext，leavinghimbattlingforhislifewheregreedandpassionandcrimeswirledabouthim，wasgone！
JimmieDalethreadedthesmall，crowdedrooms——theinteriorofMarlianne”shadneverbeenalteredfromthedayswhentheplacehadbeenafamilyresidenceofsomepretension——and，reachingthehall，receivedhishatfromthefrowsy-lookingboyinattendance。Hepassedoutside，and，atthetopofthesteps，pausedashetookhiscigarettecasefromhispocket。ItwasnearlyaweeksinceCarling，thecashieroftheHudson-MercantileNationalBank，hadbeenfounddeadinhishome，abottlethathadcontainedhydrocyanicacidonthefloorbesidehim；nearlyaweeksinceBookkeeperBob，unawarethathehadeverbeenundertemporarysuspicionfortherobberyofthebank，had，equallyunknowntohimself，beenclearedofanycomplicityinthataffair——andyet，aswitnesstheconversationofamomentago，itwasstillthetopicofNewYork，stillthevitalissuethatfilledthemawofthenewspaperswithravings，threats，andexecrationsagainsttheGraySeal，snarlingvirulentlythewhileatthepoliceforthelatter”sineptitude，inefficiency，andimpotence！
JimmieDaleclosedhiscigarettecasewithasnapthatwasalmosthumaninitsirony，droppeditbackintohispocket，andlightedamatch——buttheflamewasarrestedhalfwaytothetipofhiscigarette，ashiseyesfixedsuddenlyandcuriouslyonawoman”sformhurryingdownthestreet。Shehadturnedthecornerbeforehetookhiseyesfromher，andthematchbetweenhisfingershadgoneout。Notthattherewasanythingverystrangeinawomanwalking，orevenhalfrunning，alongthestreet；northattherewasanythingparticularlyattractiveorunusualabouther，andiftherehadbeenthestreetwastoodarkforhimtohavedistinguishedit。Itwasnotthat——itwasthefactthatshehadneitherpassedbythehouseonwhosestepshestood，norcomeoutofanyoftheadjoininghouses。Itwasasthoughshehadsuddenlyandmiraculouslyappearedoutofthinair，andtakenformonasidewalkalittlewaydownfromMarlianne”s。
“That”squeer！“commentedJimmieDaletohimself。“However”Hetookoutanothermatch，lightedhiscigarette，jerkedthematchstubawayfromhim，and，withaliftofhisshoulders，wentdownthesteps。
Hecrossedthepavement，walkedaroundthefrontofhismachine，sincethesteeringwheelwasonthesidenexttothecurb，and，withhishandouttoopenthecardoor——stopped。Someonehadbeentamperingwithit——itwasnotquiteclosed。Therewasnomistake。
JimmieDalemadenomistakesofthatkind，amanwhoselifehungadozentimesadayonlittlethingscouldnotaffordtomakethem。
Hehadcloseditfirmly，evenwithabang，whenhehadgotout。
Instantlysuspicious，hewrenchedthedoorwideopen，switchedonthelightunderthehood，and，withasharpexclamation，bentquicklyforward。Aglove，awoman”sglove，awhiteglovelayonthefloorofthecar。JimmieDale”spulseleapedsuddenlyintofierce，poundingbeats。ItwasHERS！HeKNEWthatintuitively——knewitasheknewthathebreathed。Andthatwomanhehadsoleisurelywatchedasshehaddisappearedfromsightwas，musthavebeen——she！
Hesprangfromthecarwithajump，hisfirstimpulsetodashafterher——andcheckedhimself，laughingalittlebitterly。Itwastoolateforthatnow——hehadalreadylethischanceslipthroughhisfingers。AroundthecornerwasSixthAvenue，surfacecars，theelevated，taxicabs，amultitudeofpeople，anyoneofahundredwaysinwhichshecould，andwould，alreadyhavediscountedpursuitfromhim——and，besides，hewouldnotevenhavebeenabletorecogniseherifhesawher！
JimmieDale”ssmilewasmirthlessasheturnedbacktothecar，andpickeduptheglove。Whyhadshedroppeditthere？Itcouldnothavebeenintentional。Whyhad——hebegantotearsuddenlyattheglove”slittlefinger，andinanothersecond，kneelingonthecar”sstep，hisshouldersinside，hewasholdingaringcloseunderthelittleelectricbulb。
Itwasagoldsealring，asmall，daintythingthatboreacrest：abell，surmountedbyabishop”smitre——thebell，quaintindesign，harkingtheimaginationbacktosomeold-timebelfrytower。Andunderneath，inthescroll——amotto。ItwasafullminutebeforeJimmieDalecoulddecipherit，fortheletteringwasminuteandthewords，ofcourse，reversed。ItwasinFrench：SONNEZLETOCSIN。
Hestraightenedup，thegloveandringinhishand，apuzzledexpressiononhisface。Itwasstrange！Hadshe，afterall，droppedtheglovethereintentionally；hadsheatlastletdownthebarriersjustalittlebetweenthem，andgivenhimthislittleintimatesignthatshe——
AndthenJimmieDalelaughedabruptly，self-mockingly。Hewasonlytryingtodeceivehimself，toarguehimselfintobelievingwhat，withheartandsoul，hewantedtobelieve。Itwasnotlikeher——andneitherwasitso！Hiseyeshadfixedontheseatbesidethewheel。
Hehadnotusedthelaprugallthatday，hecouldn”tusearuganddrive，hehadleftitfoldedandhangingontherackinthetonneau——
itwasnowneatlyfoldedandreposingonthefrontseat！
“Yes，“saidJimmieDale，asortofself-pityinhistones，“Imighthaveknown。”
Heliftedtherug。Beneathitontheleatherseatlayawhiteenvelope。Herletter！Theletterthatnevercamesavewiththeplanofsomegrim，desperateworkoutlinedahead——thecalltoarmsfortheGraySeal。SONNEZLETOCSIN！RingtheTocsin！Soundthealarm！TheTocsin！Thewordswererunningthroughhisbrain。A
strangemottoonthatcrest——thatseemedsostrangelyapt！TheTocsin！Neveronceinallthetimesthathehadheardfromher，neveronceintheyearsthathadgonesincethatinitialletterofhershadstruckitsfirstwarningnote，hadanycommunicationfromherbeenbuttosoundagainanewalarm——theToscin！TheTocsin——
thewordseemedtovisualiseher，togiveheraconcreteformandbeing，tobreatheherverypersonality。
“TheTocsin！“——JimmieDalewhisperedthewordsoftly，alittlewistfully。“Yes；Ishallcallyouthat——theTocsin！“
Hefoldedthegloveverycarefully，placeditwiththeringinhispocketbook，pickeduptheletter——and，withasharpexclamation，turneditquicklyoverinhisfingers，thenbenthurriedlywithittothelight。
Strangethingswerehappeningthatnight！Forthefirsttime，theletterwasnotevenSEALED！Thatwasnotlikeher，either！Whatdiditmean？Quick，alertnow，anxiouseven，hepulledthedouble，foldedsheetsfromtheenvelope，glancedrapidlythroughthem——and，afteramoment，asmile，whimsical，cameslowlytohislips。
Itwasquiteplainnow——allofit。Theglove，thering，andtheunsealedletter——andthepostscriptheldthesecret；or，rather，whathadbeenintendedforapostscriptdid，foritcomprisedonlyafewwords，endingabruptly，unfinished：“Lookinthecupboardattherearoftheroom。Themanwiththeredwigis”Thatwasall，andthewords，writteninink，werebadlyblurred，asthoughthepaperhadbeenhastilyfoldedbeforetheinkwasdry。
Itwasquiteplain；and，inviewoftherealexplanationofitall，eminentlycharacteristicofher。Withtheletteralreadywritten，shehadcomethere，meaningtoplaceitontheseatandcoveritwiththerug，as，indeed，shehaddone；then，decidingtoaddthepostscript，andbecauseshewouldattractlessattentionthatwaythaninanyother，shehadclimbedintothecarasthoughitbelongedtoher，andhadseatedherselftheretowriteit。Shewouldhavebeenhurriedinhermovements，ofcourse，andinpullingoffherglovetousethefountainpentheringhadcomewithit。
Therestwasobvious。Shehadbutjustbeguntowritewhenhehadappearedonthesteps。Shehadslippedinstantlydowntothefloorofthecar，probablydroppingtheglovefromherlap，hastilyinclosedtheletterintheenvelopewhichshehadnotimetoseal，thrusttheenvelopeundertherug，and，forgettinghergloveandfearfulofriskinghisattentionbyattemptingtoclosethedoorfirmly，hadstolenalongthebodyofthecar，onlytobenoticedbyhimtoolate——whenshewaswelldownthestreet！
Andatthatlatterthought，oncemorechagrinseizedJimmieDale——
thenheturnedimpulsivelytotheletter。Allthiswasextraneous，apart——foranothertime，wheneverymomentwasnotapricelessassetasitveryprobablywasnow。
“DearPhilanthropicCrook“——italwaysbeganthatway，neveranyotherway。Hereadonmoreandmoreintently，crouchedthereclosetothelightonthefloorofhiscar，lipsthinningasheproceeded——
readittotheend，absorbing，memorisingit——andthentheabortivepostscript：
“Lookinthecupboardattherearoftheroom。Themanwiththeredwigis”
Foraninstant，asmechanicallyhetoretheletterintolittleshreds，heheldtherehesitant——andthenext，slammingthedoortight，heflunghimselfintotheseatbehindthewheel，andthebig，sixty-horse-power，self-startingmachinewasroaringdownthestreet。
TheTocsin！TherewasagrimsmileonJimmieDale”slipsnow。Thealarm！Yes，itwasalwaysanalarm，quick，sudden，anemergencytofaceontheinstant——plans，decisionstobemadewithnotimetoponderthem，withonlythatonefacttoconsider，staggeringenoughinitself，thatamistakemeantdisasterandruintosomeoneelse，andtohimself，ifthecourtsweremercifulwherehehadlittlehopeformercy，thepenitentiaryforlife！
Andnowto-nightagain，asitalmostalwayswaswhenthesemysteriousletterscame，everymomentofinactionwaspilinguptheoddsagainsthim。And，too，thesameproblemconfrontedhim。How，inwhatway，inwhatrole，mustheplaythenight”sgametoitsend？
AsLarrytheBat？
Thecarwasspeedingforward。HewasheadingdownBroadwaynow，lowerBroadway，thatstretchedbeforehim，desertedlikesomedark，narrowcanyonwhere，farbelow，liketoweringwalls，thebuildingsclosedtogetherandseemedtoconvergeintosomeblack，impassablebarrier。Thestreetlightsflashedbyhim；apatrolmanstoppedtheswingingofhisnight-stick，andturnedtogazeatthecarthatrushedbyatarateperilouslyneartocontemptofspeedlaws；
streetcarspassedatindifferentintervals；pedestrianswerefewandfarbetween——itwasthelowerBroadwayofnight。
LarrytheBat？JimmieDaleshookhisheadimpatientlyoverthesteeringwheel。No；thatwouldnotdo。ItwouldbewellenoughforthisyoungBurton，perhaps，butnotforoldIsaac，theEastSidefence——forIsaacknewhiminthecharacterofLarrytheBat。Hisquick，keenbrain，weaving，eliminating，devising，scheming，discardedthatidea。Thefinalcoupofthenight，asyetbutsensedinanindefinite，unshapedway，ifenactedinthepersonofLarrytheBatwouldthereforestampLarrytheBatandtheGraySealasone——acontretempsbutlittlelessfatal，inviewofoldIssac，thantobrackettheGraySealandJimmieDale！LarrytheBatwasnotacharactertobeassumedwithimpunity，noronetojeopardize——itwasabulwarkofsafety，atitwere，towhichmorethanonceheowedescapefromcaptureanddiscovery。
HeliftedhisshoulderswithasuddenjerkofdecisionasthecarswervedtotheleftandheadedfortheEastSide。Therewasonlyonealternativethen——theblacksilkmaskthatfoldedintosuchtinycompass，andthat，togetherwithanautomaticandthecurious，thinmetalcasethatlookedsolikeacigarettecase，wasalwaysinhispocketforanemergency！
Thecarturnedagain，and，approachingitsdestination，JimmieDalesloweddownthespeedperceptibly。Itwasastrangecase，notapleasantone——andtherawedgeswheretheyshowedwereuglyintheirnakedness。OldIsaacPelina，youngBurton，andMaddon——K。
WilmingtonMaddon，thewall-papermagnate！Curious，thatofthethreeheshouldalreadyknowtwo——oldIsaacandMaddon！EverybodyintheEastSide，everydenizenoftheunderworld，andmanywhoposedonafarhigherplaneknewoldIsaac——fencetothemostselectclienteleofthievesinNewYork，unscrupulous，handinglovewithanyrascalityorcrimethatpromisedprofit，amoneylender，aShylockwithoutevenaShylock”shumanityasasavinggrace！Yes；
asLarrytheBatheknewoldIsaac，andheknewhimnotonlypersonallybutbyfirsthandreputation——hehadheardthemancursedinblasphemous，whole-souledabandonbymorethanonecrookwhowasintheoldfence”stoils。Theydealtwithhim，thecrooks，whiletheysworeto“get“himbecausehewas“safe，“but——JimmieDale”slipspartedinamirthlesssmile——somedayoldIsaacwouldbefoundinthatspiders”denofhisbackofthedingyloanofficewithaknifeinhisheartorabulletthroughhishead！AndK。WilmingtonMaddon——JimmieDale”ssmilegrewwhimsical——hehadknownMaddonquiteintimatelyforyears，hadevendinedwithhimattheSt。JamesClubonlyafewnightsbefore。Maddonwasamaninhisown“set“——
andMaddon，interferedwith，waslikelytoprovenonetootractableacustomertohandle。AndyoungBurton，theletterhadsaid，wasMaddon”sprivateandconfidentialsecretary。JimmieDale”slipsthinnedagain。Well，Burton”sacquaintancewasstilltobemade！
Itwasacurioustrio——anditwasdirtywork，morerawthancunning，moredevilishthaningenious；blackmailinitsmosthellishform；
thestake，attheleastcalculation，acoolhalfmillion。Aheavypriceforasingleslipinaman”slife！
Hebroughtthecarabruptlytoahaltattheedgeofthecurb，andsprangouttotheground。Hewasinfrontof“TheBudapest“
restaurant，agarishestablishment，mostpopularofallresortsforthemomentontheEastSide，whereFifthAvenue，inthefondbeliefthatitwasseeingtherealthingin“seamy“life，engageditstableaweekinadvance。JimmieDalepushedabillintothedoorattendant”shand，accompaniedbyaninjunctiontokeepaneyeonthemachine，andenteredthecafe。
ButforasortoftinselledostentationtheplacemightwellhavebeentheMarlianne”sthathehadjustleft——itwascrowdedandriotwasatitsheight；astringedorchestrainHungariancostumeplayedwhatpurportedtobeHungarianairs；shouts，laughter，clatterofdishes，andthumpofsteinsaddedtothedin。Hemadehiswaybetweentheclose-packedtablestothestairs，anddescendedtothelowerfloor。Here，ifanything，theconfusionwasgreaterthanabove；buthere，too，wasanexitthroughtotherearstreet——andamomentlaterhewassaunteringpastthefrontofanunkemptlittlepawnshop，closedforthenight，overwhosedoor，inthemurkofadistantstreetlamp，threeballshunginsaggingdisarray，tawnywithage，andacrosswhosedirty，unwashedwindows，lettersmissing，ranthelegend：
ISACPELINA
PawnbrokrThepawnshopmadethecornerofaverydarkandnarrowlane——and，withaquickglancearoundhimtoassurehimselfthathewasunobserved，JimmieDalesteppedintothealleyway，and，lostinstantlyintheblackershadows，stolealongbythewallofthepawnshop。OldIsaac”sbusinesswasnotalldonethroughthefrontdoor。
AndthensuddenlyJimmieDaleshrankstillcloseragainstthewall。
Wasitintuition，premonition——orreality？ThereseemedanuncannyfeelingofPRESENCEaroundhim，asthoughperhapshewerewatched，asthoughothersbesidehimselfwereinthelane。Yes；aheadofhimashadowmoved——hecouldjustbarelydistinguishitnowthathiseyeshadgrownaccustomedtothedarkness。It，likehimself，wascloseagainstthewall，andnowitslunknoiselesslydownthelengthofthelaneuntilhelostsightofit。ANDWHATWASTHAT？Hestrainedhisearstolisten。Itseemedlikeawindowbeingopenedorclosed，cautiously，stealthily，thefractionofaninchatatime。Andthenhelocatedthesound——itcamefromtheothersideofthelaneandverynearlyoppositetowhere，onthesecondfloor，adull，yellowglowshoneoutfromoldIsaac”sprivatedenintherearofthepawnshop”soffice。
JimmieDale”sbrowsweregatheredinsharpfurrows。Therewasevidentlysomethingafootto-nightofwhichtheTocsinhadNOT
soundedthealarm。Andthenthefrownrelaxed，andhesmiledalittle。Miraculousaswasthemeansthroughwhichsheobtainedtheknowledgethatwasthebasisoftheirstrangepartnership，itwasnomoremiraculousthanherunerringaccuracyintheminutestdetails。
TheTocsinhadneverfailedhimyet。Itwaspossiblethatsomethingwasafootaroundhim，quiteprobable，indeed，sincehewasinthemostviciouspartofthecity，intheheartofgangland；butwhateveritmightbe，itwascertainlyextraneoustohismissionorshewouldhavementionedit。
Thelanewasemptynow，hewasquitesureofthat——andtherewasnofurthersoundfromthewindowopposite。Hestartedforwardoncemore——onlytohaltagainforthesecondtimeasabruptlyasbefore，squeezingifpossibleevenmorecloselyagainstthewall。Someonehadturnedintothelanefromthesidewalk，and，walkinghurriedly，choosingwithevidentprecautiontheexactcentreofthealleyway，cametowardhim。
Themanpassed，hishurriedstrideahalfrun；and，afewfeetbeyond，haltedatoldIsaac”ssidedoor。FromsomewhereinsidetheoldbuildingJimmieDale”searscaughtthefaintringingofanelectricbell；alongring，followedinquicksuccessionbythreeshortones——thentherepeatedclickingofalatch，asthoughpulledbyacordfromabove，andthemanpassedinthroughthedoor，closingitbehindhim。
JimmieDalenoddedtohimselfinthedarkness。Itwasaspringlock；thesignalwasonelongringandthreeshortones——theTocsinhadnotmissedeventhosesmalldetails。Also，Burtonwaslateforhisappointment，forthatmusthavebeenBurton——businesssuchasoldIsaachadinhandthatnightwouldhavepermittedtheentranceofnoothervisitorbutK。WilmingtonMaddon”sprivatesecretary。
Hemoveddownthelanetothedoor，andtrieditsoftly。Itwaslocked，ofcourse。Theslim，tapering，sensitivefingers，whosetipswereeyesandearstoJimmieDale，feltoverthelock——andaslenderlittlesteelinstrumentslippedintothekeyhole。Amomentmoreandthecatchwasreleased，andthedoor，underhishand，begantoopen。Withitajar，hepaused，hiseyessearchingintentlyupanddownthelane。Therewasnothing，nosignofanyone，nomovingshadowsnow。Hisgazeshiftedtothewindowopposite。
Directlyfacingitnow，withthedullreflectionuponitfromthelightedwindowofoldIsaac”sdenabovehishead，hecouldmakeoutthatitwasopen——butthatwasall。
Oncemorehesmiled——alittletolerantlyathimselfthistime。Someonehadbeeninthelane；someonehadopenedthewindowofhisorherroominthattenementhouseacrossfromhim——surelytherewasnothingsurprising，unnatural，orevenoutofthecommonplaceinthat。Hehadbeenalittlebitonedgehimself，perhaps，andthesuddenmovementofthatshadow，unexpected，hadstartledhimforthemoment，as，inallprobability，theopeningofthewindowhadstartledtheskulkingfigureitselfintoaction。
Thedoorwasopennow。Hesteppednoiselesslyinside，andcloseditnoiselesslybehindhim。Hewasinanarrowhall，whereafewyardsaway，alightshonedownastairwayatrightanglestothehallitself。
“Reardoorofpawnshopopensintohall，andexactlyoppositeveryshortflightofstairsleadingdirectlytodoorwayofIsaac”sdenabove。Ramshackleoldplace，lowceilings。Isaac，whensittinginhisden，canlookdown，and，bymeansofatransomoverthereardooroftheshop，seethecustomersastheyenterfromthestreet，whilehealsokeepsaneyeonhisassistant。Latteralwayslocksupandleavespromptlyatsixo”clock”JimmieDalewassubconsciouslyrepeatingtohimselfsnatchesfromtheTocsin”sletter，which，assubconsciouslyinreading，hehadmemorisedalmostwordforword。
Andnowvoicesreachedhim——one，excited，nervous，asthoughthespeakerwerelabouringundermentalstrainthatborderedcloselyonthehysterical；theother，curiouslyminglingaquerulousnesswithanattempttopacify，butdominantlycontemptuous，sneering，cold。
JimmieDalemovedalongthehall——veryslowly——withoutasound——
testingeachstepbeforehethrewhisbodyweightfromonelegtotheother。Hereachedthefootofthestairs。TheTocsinhadbeenright；itwasaveryshortflight。Hecountedthesteps——therewereeight。Above，facinghim，adoorwasopen。Thevoiceswereloudernow。Itwasasordid-lookingroom，whathecouldseeofit，poverty-strickeninitsappearance，intentionallysoprobablyforeffect，withnoattemptwhateveratfurnishing。Hecouldseethroughthedoorwaytothewindowthatopenedonthealleyway，or，rather，justglimpsethetopofthewindowatanangleacrosstheroom——thatandabarestretchoffloor。Thetwomenwerenotinthelineofvision。
Burton”svoice——itwasunquestionablyBurtonspeaking——cametoJimmieDalenowdistinctly。
“No，Ididn”t！Itellyou，Ididn”t！I——Ihadn”tthenerve。”
JimmieDaleslippedhisblacksilkmaskoverhisface；andwithextremecaution，onhandsandknees，begantoclimbthestairs。
“So！“ItwasoldIsaacnow，inahalfpurr，halfsneer。“AndIwassosure，myyoungfriend，thatyouhad。Iwassosurethatyouwerenotsuchafool。Yes；Icouldevenhaveswornthattheywereinyourpocketnow——what？Itistoobad——toobad！Itisnotapleasantthingtothinkof，thatlittlechairuptheriverinitshorriblelittleroomwhere”
“ForGod”ssake，Isaac——notthat！Doyouhear——notthat！MyGod，I
didn”tmeanto——Ididn”tknowwhatIwasdoing！“
JimmieDalecreptupanotherstep，another，andanother。Therewassilenceforamomentintheroom；thenBurtonagain，hoarse-voiced：
“Isaac，I”llmakegoodtoyousomeotherway。IswearIwill——I
swearit！IfI”mcaughtatthisI”ll——I”llgetfifteenyearsforit。”
“Andwhichwouldyouratherhave？“JimmieDalecouldpicturetheoilysmirk，theshrugofhisshoulders，theoutthrusthands，palmsupward，elbowsinatthehips，thefingerscurvedandwideapart——
“fifteenyears，orwhatyouget——formurder？Eh，myfriend，youhavethoughtofthat——eh？ItisaverylittlepriceIask——yes？“
“Damnyou！“Burton”svoicewasshrill，thendroppedtoahalfsob。
“No，no，Isaac，Ididn”tmeanthat。Only，forGod”ssakebemerciful！Itisnotonlytheriskofthepenitentiary；it”smorethanthat。I——Itriedtoplaywhiteallmylife，anduntilthatcursednightthere”snomanlivingcouldsayIhaven”t。Youknowthat——youknowthat，Isaac。ItellyouIcouldn”tdoitthisafternoon——ItellyouIcouldn”t。Itriedtoand——andIcouldn”t。”
JimmieDalewaslyingflatonthelittlelandingnow，peeringintotheroom。Backashortdistancefromthedoorway，arepulsive-
lookinglittlemaninunkemptclothesandsoiledlinen，withyellowish-skinned，parchmentface，outofwhichsmallblackeyesshonecunninglyandshrewdly，satatabaredealtableinaricketychair；facinghimacrossthetablestoodayoungmanofnotmorethantwenty-five，cleancut，welldressed，butwhosefacewasunnaturallywhitenow，andwhosehand，asheextendeditinapleadinggesturetowardtheother，trembledvisibly。JimmieDale”shandmadeitswayquietlytohissidepocketandextractedhisautomatic。
OldIsaachumpedhisshoulders，andleeredathisvisitor。
“Wetalkagreatdeal，myyoungfriend。Whatistheuse？Abargainisabargain。Afewrubiesinexchangeforyourlife。Afewrubiesandmymouthisshut。Otherwise“——hehumpedhisshouldersagain。
“Well？“
Burtondrewback，swepthishandinadazedwayacrosshiseyes——andlaughedoutsuddenlyinbittermirth。
“Afewrubies！“hecried。“Themostmagnificentstonesonthissideofthewater——aFEWrubies！It”sbeenMaddon”slifehobby。EverychildinNewYorkknowsthat！Afew——yes，there”sonlyafew——butthosefewareworthafortune。Hetrustsme，themanhasbeenlikeafathertome，and”
“Soyouaretheverylasttobesuspected，“observedoldIsaacsuavely。“HaveInottoldyouthat？Thereisnothingtofear。Didwenotarrangeeverythingsonicely——eh，myyoungfriend？See，itwasto-nightthatMaddongivesalittlereceptiontohisfriends，anddidyounotsaythattherubieswouldbetakenfromthesafe-
depositvaultthisafternoonsincehisfriendsalwaysclamouredtoseethemasaveryfittingconclusiontoanevening”sentertainment？
Anddidyounotsaythatyouverynaturallyhadaccesstothesafeinthelibrarywhereyouworked，andthathewouldnotnoticetheyweregoneuntilhecametolookforthemsometimethisevening？I
thinkyousaidallthat。Andwhatsuspicionletaloneproof，wouldattachitselftoyou？Youwereoutoftheroomoncewhenhe，too，wasabsentforperhapshalfanhour。Itisverysimple。Inthathalfhour，someone，somehow，abstractedthem。Certainlyitwasnotyou。YouseehowlittleIask——andIpaywell，doInot？AndsoI
gaveyouuntilto-night。Threedayshavegone，andIhavesaidnothing，andthebodyhasnotbeenfound——eh？Butto-night——eh——itwasunderstood！Therubies——orthechair。”
Burton”slipsmoved，butitwasamomentbeforehecouldspeak。
“Youwouldn”tdare！“hewhisperedthickly。“Youwouldn”tdare！I”dtellthestoryof——ofwhatyoutriedtomakemedo，andthey”dsendyouupforit。”
OldIsaacshruggedwithpityingcontempt。
“Isit，afterall，afoolIamdealingwith！“hesneered。“AndI——
whatshouldIsay？Thatyouhadstolenthestonesfromyouremployerandofferedthemasabribetosilenceme，andthatIhadrefused。TheveryactofhandingyouovertothepolicewouldprovethetruthofwhatIsaidandrobyouofevenachanceofleniency——
FORTHATOTHERTHING。Isitnotso——eh？AndwhydidInothandyouoveratoncethreenightsago？Believeme，myyoungfriend，I
shouldhaveaverygoodreasonready，adozen，ifnecessary，ifitcametothat。Butweareborrowingtrouble，arewenot？Weshallnotcometothat——eh？“
ForamomentitseemedtoJimmieDale，ashewatched，thatBurtonwouldhurlhimselfupontheother。Whitetothelips，themusclesofhisfacetwitching，Burtonclenchedhisfistsandleanedoverthetable——andthen，withsuddenrevulsionofemotion，hedrewbackoncemore，andoncemorecamethatchokedsob：
“You”llpayforthis，Isaac——yourturnwillcomeforthis！
“Ihavebeenthreatenedveryoften，“snappedtheothercontemptuously。“Bah，whatarethreats！Ilaughatthem——asI
alwayswill。”Then，withaquickchangeoffront，hisvoiceasuddensnarl：“Well，wehavetalkedenough。Youhaveyourchoice。
Thestonesor——eh？Anditisto-night——NOW！“
Theoldpawnbrokersprawledbackinhischair，acunningleeronhisviciousface，agleamoftriumph，greed，inthebeady，ratlikeeyesthatneverwaveredfromtheother。Burton，moistureoozingfromhisforehead，stoodthere，hesitant，staringbackatoldIsaac，halfinafascinatedgaze，halfasthoughtryingtoreadsomesignofweaknessinthebestialcountenancethatconfrontedhim。Andthen，veryslowly，inanautomatic，machine-likeway，hishandgropedintotheinsidepocketofhisvest——andoldIsaaccackledoutinderision。
“So！Youthoughtyoucouldbluffme，eh——youthoughtyoucouldfoololdIsaac！Bah！Ireadyoulikeabook！DidInottellyouawhilebackthatyouhadtheminyourpocket？Iknowyourkind，myyoungfriend；Iknowyourkindverywellindeed——itismybusiness。Youwouldnothavedaredtocomehereto-nightwithouttheprice。So！
Youtookthemthisafternoonasweagreed。Yes，yes；youdidwell。
Youwillnotregretit。Andnowletmeseethem“——hisvoiceroseeagerly”letmeseethemnow，myyoungfriend。”
“Yes，Itookthem。”Burtonspokelistlessly。“Godhelpme！“
OldIsaac，quivering，excited，likeadifferentcreaturenow，sprangfromhischair，and，asBurtondrewalong，flat，leathercasefromhispocket，snatcheditfromtheother”shand。Hisfingersintheirrapacioushastecouldnotatfirstmanipulatethecatch，andthenfinally，withthecaseopen，hebentoverthetablefeverishly。Thelightreflectedbackasfromsomelivingmassofcrimsonfire，nowshadingdarkly，nowglowingintowondrous，colourfultransparencyashemovedthecasetoandfrowithjerkymotionsofhishands——andhewasbabbling，crooningtohimselflikeonepossessed。
“Ah，thelittlebeauties！Ah，theprettylittlethings！Yes，yes；
thesearetheones！ThisisthegreatAracon——see，see，thesix-
sidedprismterminatedbythesix-sidedpyramid。Butitmustbecut——itmustbecuttosellit，eh？Ah，itistoobad——toobad！
Andthis，thisonehere，Iknowthemall，thisis”
Buthissentencewasneverfinished——itwasJimmieDale，onhisfeetnow，leaningagainstthejambofthedoor，hisautomaticcoveringthetwomenatthetable，whospoke。
“Quiteso，Isaac，“hesaidcoolly；“youknowthemall！Quiteso，Isaac——butbegoodenoughtoDROPthem！“
ThecasefellfromIsaac”shand，theflushonhischeeksdiedtoasicklypallor，and，hismouthhalfopen，hestoodlikeamanturnedtostone，hishandswithcurvedfingersstilloutstretchedoverthetable，overthecrimsongemsthat，spilledfromthecase，layscatterednowonthetabletop。Burtonneitherspokenormoved——alittlewhiter，themiseryinhisfacealmostapathetic，hemoistenedhislipswiththetipofhistongue。
JimmieDalewalkedacrosstheroom，haltedattheendofthetable，andsurveyedthetwomengrimly。Andthen，whileonehandwithrevolverextendedrestedeasilyonthetable，theothergatheredupthestones，placedtheminthecase，and，thecaseinhispocket，JimmieDale”slipspartedinanuninvitingsmile。
“IguessI”minluckto-night，eh，Isaac？“hedrawled。“Betweenyouandyouryoungfriend，asIbelieveyoucallhim，itwouldappearasthoughIhadfallenonmyfeet。ThatAracon”sworth——whatwouldyousay？——ahundred，twohundredthousandalone，eh？Averyfamousstone，that——hadyoureyeonitforquiteatime，Isaac，youmiserablebloodleech，eh？“
Isaacdidnotanswer；but，whilehestillheldbackfromthetable，heseemedtoberegainingalittleofhiscomposure——burglarsofwhateversortwerenonoveltytohim——andwasstaringfixedlyatJimmieDale。
“Can”tplaceme——thoughthere”snotmanyintheprofessionyoudon”tknow？Isthatit？“inquiredJimmieDalesoftly。“Well，don”ttry，Isaac；it”shardlyworthyourwhile。I”VEgotthestonesnow，and”
“Wait！Wait！Listen！“ItwasBurton，speakingforthefirsttime，hiswordscominginaquick，nervousrush。“Listen！Youdon”t”
“Holdyourtongue！“criedoldIsaac，withsuddenfierceness。“Youareafool！“HeleanedtowardJimmieDale，acraftysmileonhisface，quiteincontrolofhimselfoncemore。“Don”tlistentohim——
listentome。You”reright。Ican”tplaceyou，anditdoesn”tmakeanydifference“——hetookastepforward”but”
“Nottooclose，Isaac！“snappedJimmieDalesharply。“IknowYOU！“
“So！“ejaculatedoldIsaac，rubbinghishandstogether。“So！Thatisgood！ThatiswhatIwant。Listen，wewillmakeabargain。Wearebirdsofafeather，eh？Allthieves，eh？You”vegotthedroponuswhodidallthework，butyou”llgiveusourshare——eh？
Listen！Youcouldn”tgetridofthosestonesalone。Youknowthat；
you”renotsogreenatthegame，eh？You”dhavetogotosomeone。
Youknowme；youknowoldIsaac，yousay。Well，then，youknowthereisn”tanothermaninNewYorkcoulddisposeofthoserubiesandplaySAFEdoingitexceptme。I”llmakeagoodbargainwithyou。”
“Isaac，“saidJimmieDalepensively，“you”vemadeagoodmany”good”
bargains。Iwonderwhenyou”llmakeyourlast！There”smorethanonelookingfor”interest”onthosebargainsinaprettygrimsortofway。”
“Bah！“ejaculatedoldIsaac。“Itisanoldstory。Theyareallalike。Iamafraidofnoneofthem。Iholdthemalllike——THAT！“
Hishandopenedandclosedlikeatalonedclaw。
“Andyou”daddmetothelot，eh？“saidJimmieDale。Heliftedtherevolver，itsmuzzleonoldIsaac，examinedthemechanismthoughfully，andlowereditagain。“Verywell，I”llmakeabargainwithyou——providingitisagreeabletoyouryoungfriendhere。”
“Ah！“exclaimedoldIsaacshrilly。“So！Thatisgood！Itisdonethen。”Hechuckledhoarsely。“AnybargainImakehewillagreeto。
Isitnotso？“HefixedhiseyesonBurton。“Well，isitnotso？
Speakup！Say”
Hestopped——thewordscutshortoffonhislips。Itcamewithoutwarning——acrash，apoundonthedoorbelow——another。
Burtonshrankbackagainstthewall。
“MyGod！Thepolice！“hegasped。“Maddon”sfoundout！We”re——
we”recaught！“
JimmieDale”seyes，onoldIsaac，narrowed。Thepoundinginthealleywaygrewlouder，moreinsistent。Andthenhisfirstsuspicionpassed——itwasno“game“ofIsaac”s。Craftythoughtheoldfoxwas，theother”ssurpriseandagitationwastoogenuinetobequestioned。
Stillthepoundingcontinued——someonewaskickingviciouslyatthedoor，andbangingatattooonthepanelswithhisfists。
OldIsaac”sclawlikehandsdoubledsuddenly。
“Itissomedrunkensot，“hesnarledout，“thatknowsnobetterthantocomehereandrousethewholeneighbourhood！Itistrue，inamomentwewillhavethepolicerunninginfromthestreet。Butwait——wait——I”llteachthefoolalesson！“Hedashedaroundthetable，ranforthewindow，wrenchedthecatchup，flungthewindowopen，and，snarlingagain，leanedout——andinstantlytheknockingceased。
Andinstantlythen，withasharpcry，asthewholeghastlymeaningofitsweptuponhim，Jimmiesprangaftertheother——toolate！Cametheroarofarevolvershot，astreamofflamecuttingthedarknessofthealleywayfromthewindowinthehouseopposite——and，withoutasound，oldIsaaccrumpledup，hunglimplyforamomentoverthesill，andslidinaheaptothefloor。
Onhishandsandknees，protectedfromthepossibilityofanotherbulletbytheheightofthesill，JimmieDale，quickineverymovementnow，draggedtheinertformtowardthetableawayfromthewindow，andbenthurriedlyovertheother。Aminuteperhapshestayedthere——andthenroseslowly。
Burton，horror-stricken，unmanned，besidehimself，washanging，clutchingwithbothhandsatthetableedge。
“He”sdead，“saidJimmieDalelaconically。
Burtonflungouthishands。
“Dead！“hewhisperedhoarsely。“I——IthinkI”mgoingmad。Threedaysofhell——andnowthis。We”d——we”dbettergetoutofherequick——they”llgetusif”
JimmieDale”shandfellwithatightgriponBurton”sshoulder。
“Therewon”tbeanymoreshotsfired——pullyourselftogether！“
Burtonstaredathiminadementedway。
“What”s——what”sitmean？“hestammered。
“ItmeansthatIdidn”tputtwoandtwotogether，“saidJimmieDalealittlebitterly。“Itmeansthatthere”sadozencrooksbeendancingoldIsaac”stuneforalongtime——andthatsomeofthemhavegothimatlast。”
BurtonreachedoutsuddenlyandclutchedJimmieDale”sarm。
“ThenI”msafe！“Hemumbledthewords，buttherewasdawninghope，reliefinhiswhiteface。“Safe！I”msafe——ifyou”llonlygivemebackthosestones。Givethembacktome，forGod”ssakegivethembacktome！Youdon”tknow——youdon”tunderstand。Istolethembecause——becausehemademe——becauseI——itwastheonlychanceI
had。Oh，myGod，youdon”tknowwhatthelastthreedayshavebeen！
Givethembacktome，won”tyou——won”tyou？You——youdon”tknow！“
“Don”tloseyournerve！“saidJimmieDalesharply。“Sitdown！“Hepushedtheotherintothechair。“There”snoonewilldisturbushereforsometimeatleast。WhatisitthatIdon”tknow？Thatthreenightsagoyouwereinagamblinghell，Sagosto”s，tobeexact，oneofthemostdisreputableinNewYork——andyouwentthereontheinvitationofastrayacquaintance，amannamedPerley——shallIdescribehimforyou？Ashort，slim-builtman，blackeyes，redhair，beard，and”
“YOUknowthat！“Themisery，thehopelessnesswasbackinBurton”sfaceagain——andsuddenlyhebentoverthetableandburiedhisheadinhisoutflungarms。
Therewassilenceforamoment。Tight-lipped，JimmieDale”seyestravelledfromBurton”sshakingshoulderstothemotionlessformonthefloor。Thenhespokeagain：
“You”reabitofarounder，Burton，butIthinkyou”vehadalessonthatwilllastyouallyourlife。Youwerehalf-drunkwhenyouandPerleybegantohobnoboveradowntownbar。Hesaidhe”dshowyousomereallife，andyouwentwithhimtoSagosto”s。Hegaveyouarevolverbeforeyouwentin，andtoldyoutheplacewasn”tsafeforanunarmedman。HeintroducedyoutoSagosto，theproprietor，andyouwereshowntoabackroom。Youdrankquitealittlethere。YouandPerleywerealone，throwingdice。Yougotintoaquarrel。
Perleytriedtodrawhisrevolver。Youwerequicker。Youdrewtheonehehadgivenyou——andfired。Hefelltothefloor——yousawthebloodgushfromhisbreastjustabovetheheart——hewasdead。Inapanicyourushedfromtheplaceandoutintothestreet。Idon”tthinkyouwenthomethatnight。”
Burtonraisedhishead，showinghishaggardface。
“Iguessit”snouse，“hesaiddully。”Ifyouknow，othersmust。I
thoughtonlyIsaacandSagostoknew。Whyhaven”tIbeenarrested？
IwishtoGodIhad——Iwouldn”thavehadto-daytoanswerfor。”
“Iamnotthroughyet，“saidJimmieDalegravely。“ThenextdayoldIsaacheresentforyou。HesaidSagostohadtoldhimofthemurder，andhadofferedtodisposeofthecorpseandkeephismouthshutforfiftythousanddollars——thatnooneinhisplaceknewofitexcepthimself。Isaac，forhisshare，wantedconsiderablymore。
Youtoldhimyouhadnosuchsums，thatyouhadnomoney。Hetoldyouhowyoucouldgetit——youhadaccesstoMaddon”ssafe，youwereMaddon”sconfidentialsecretary，fullyinyouremployer”strust，thelastmanonearthtobesuspected——andtherewereMaddon”sfamous，pricelessrubies。”
JimmieDalepaused。Burtonmadenoanswer。
“Andso，“saidJimmieDalepresently，“tosaveyourselffromthedeathpenaltyyoutookthem。”
“Yes，“saidBurton，scarcelyabovehisbreath。“Areyouanofficer？
Ifyouare，takeme，havedonewithit！OnlyforHeaven”ssakeendit！Ifyou”renot”
JimmieDalewasnotlistening。“Thecupboardattherearoftheroom，“shehadsaid。Hewalkedacrosstoitnow，openedit，and，afteralittlesearch，foundasmallbundle。Hereturnedwithitinhishand，and，kneelingbesidethedeadmanonthefloor，hisbacktoBurton，untiedit，tookoutaredwigandbeard，andslippedthemontooldIsaac”sheadandface。
“Iwonder，“hesaidgrimly，ashestoodup，“ifyoueversawthismanbefore？“
“MyGod——PERLEY！“Withawildcry，Burtonwasonhisfeet，strainingforwardlikeamancrazed。
“Yes，“saidJimmieDale，“Perley！Sortofanironicjusticeinhisendasfarasyouareconcerned，isn”tthere？Ithinkwe”llleavehimlikethat——asPerley。Itwillprovidethepolicewithaninterestinglittleproblem——whichtheywillneversolve，and——
STEADY！“
Burtonwasrockingonhisfeet，thetearswerestreamingdownhisface。Helurchedheavily——andJimmieDalecaughthim，andpushedhimbackintothechairagain。
Ithought——Ithoughttherewasbloodonmyhands，“saidBurtonbrokenly；“that——thatIhadtakenaman”slife。Itwashorrible，horrible！I”velivedthroughthreedaysthatIthoughtwoulddrivememad，whileI——Itriedtodomywork，and——andtalktopeople，justasifnothinghadhappened。Andeveryonethatspoketomeseemedsocarefreeandhappy，andIwouldhavesoldmysoultohavechangedplaceswiththem。”Hestaredattheformonthefloor，andshiveredsuddenly。“It——itwaslikethatIsawhimlast！“hewhispered。“But——butIdonotunderstand。”
JimmieDalesmiledalittlewearily。
“Itwassimpleenough，“hesaid。“OldIsaachadhadhiseyesonthoserubiesforalongtime。Theeasiestwayofgettingthemwasthroughyou。TherevolverhegaveyoubeforeyouenteredSagosto”swasloadedwithblankcartridges，thebloodyousawwastheold，oldtrick——apuncturedbladderofredpigmentconcealedunderthevest。”
“Letusgetoutofhere！“Burtonshudderedagain。“Letusgetoutofhere——atonce——now。Ifwe”refoundhere，we”llbeaccusedof——
THAT！“
“Thereisnohurry，“JimmieDaleansweredquietly。“Ihavetoldyouthatnooneisliabletocomehereto-night——andwhoeverdidthiscertainlywillnotraiseanalarm。Andbesides，thereisstillthematteroftherubies——Burton。”
“Yes，“saidBurton，withaquickintakeofhisbreath。
“Yes——therubies——whatareyougoingtodowiththem？I——Ihadforgottenthem。You”ll”Hestopped，staredatJimmieDale，andburstintoamiserablelaugh。“I”mafool，ablindfool！“hemoaned。“Itdoesnotmatterwhatyoudowiththem。IforgotSagosto。WhentheyfindIsaachere，Sagostowilleithertellhisstory，whichwillbeenoughtoconvictmeofthisnight”swork，theREALmurder，eventhoughI”minnocent；orelsehe”llblackmailmejustasIsaacdid。”
JimmieDaleshookhishead。
“YouaredoingIsaac”scunninganinjustice，“hesaidgrimly。
“Sagostowasonlyatool，oneofmanythatoldIsaachadinhispower——and，forthatmatter，aslikelyasanyoneelsetohavehadahandinIsaac”smurderto-night。SagostosawyouoncewhenIsaacbroughtyouintohisplace——notbecauseIsaacwantedSagostotoseeyou，butbecausehewantedYOUtoseeSagosto。Doyouunderstand？
ItwouldmakethestorythatSagostocametohimwiththetaleofthemurderthenextdayringtrue。Sagosto，however，didnotgotooldIsaacthenextdaytotellaboutanyfakemurder——naturally。
SagostowouldnotknowyouagainfromAdam——neitherdoesheknowanythingabouttherubies，norwhatoldIsaac”sulteriormotiveswere。HewaspaidforhisshareinthegameinoldIsaac”susualmannerofpaymentprobably——byathreatofexposureforsomeold-
timeoffence，thatIsaacheldoverhim，ifhedidn”tkeephismouthshut。”
Burton”shandbrushedhiseyes。
“Yes，“hemuttered。“Yes——Iseeitnow。”
JimmieDalestoopeddown，pickedupthepaperfromthefloorinwhichthewigandbeardhadbeenwrapped，walkedbackwithit，andreplaceditinthecupboard。Andthen，withhisbacktoBurtonagain，hetookthecaseofgemsfromhispocket，openedit，andlaiditonthecupboardshelf。Alsofromhispocketcamethatthinmetalcase，andfromthecase，withapairoftweezersthatobviatedthepossibilityoftelltalefingerprints，agray，diamond-shapedpieceofpaper，adhesiveononesidethat，cursedbythedistractedauthoritiesineverypoliceheadquartersonbothsidesoftheAtlantic，andravedatbyavirulentpresswhoseprintedreproductionshadmadeitfamiliarineveryhouseholdintheland——
wastheinsigniaoftheGraySeal。Hemoistenedtheadhesiveside，droppeditfromthetweezerstohishandkerchief，andpresseditdownfirmlyontheinsideofthecoverofthejewelcase。Heputbothcasesbackinhispockets，andreturnedtoBurton。
“Burton，“hesaidalittlesharply，“whileIwasoutsidethatdoorwaythere，IheardyoubegoldIsaactoletyoukeeptherubies，andthreetimesalreadyyouhaveaskedthesameofme。WhatwouldyoudowiththemifIgavethembacktoyou？“
Burtondidnotreplyforamoment——hewasgazingatthemaskedfaceinahalf-eager，half-doubtfulway。
“You——youmeanyouwillgivethemback！“heburstoutfinally。
“Answermyquestion，“promptedJimmieDale。
“Dowiththem？“Burtonrepeatedslowly。“Why，I”vetoldyou。
They”dgobacktoMr。Maddon——I”dtakethemback。”
“Wouldyou？“JimmieDale”svoicewasquizzical。
ApuzzledexpressioncametoBurton”sface。
“Idon”tknowwhatyoumeanbythat，“hesaid。“Ofcourse，I
would！“
“How？“askedJimmieDale。“DoyouknowthecombinationofMr。
Maddon”ssafe？“
“No，“saidBurton“Andthesafewouldbelocked，wouldn”tit？“
“Yes。”
“Quiteso，“saidJimmieDalemusingly。“Then，grantedthatMr。
Maddonhasnotalreadydiscoveredthetheft，howwouldyoureplacethestonesbeforehedoesdiscoverit？Andifhealreadyknowsthattheyaregone，howwouldyougetthembackintohishands？“
“Yes，Iknow，“Burtonansweredalittlelistlessly。“I”vethoughtofthat。There”sonlyoneway——totakethembacktohimmyself，andmakeacleanbreastofit，and”Hehesitated。
“Andtellhimyoustolethem，“suppliedJimmieDale。
Burtonnoddedhishead。“Yes，“hesaid。
“Andthen？“proddedJimmieDale。WhatwillMaddondo？FromwhatI”veheardofhim，he”snotamantotriflewith，noramantotakeanoverlycomplacentviewofthings——notthemanwhosephilosophyis”all”swellthatendswell。”“
“Whatdoesitmatter？“Burton”svoicewaslow。“Itisn”tthatsomuch。I”mreadyforthat。It”sthefactthathetrustedmeimplicitly，andI——well，Iplayedthefool，orI”dneverhavegotintoamesslikethis。”
ForaninstantJimmieDalelookedattheothersearchingly，andthen，smilingstrangely，heshookhishead。
“There”sabetterwaythanthat，Burton，“hesaidquietly。
“Ithink，asIsaidbefore，you”vehadalessonto-nightthatwilllastyouallyourlife。I”mgoingtogiveyouanotherchance——withMaddon。Herearethestones。”Hereachedintohispocketandlaidthecaseonthetable。
ButnowBurtonmadenoefforttotakethecase——hiseyes，inthatpuzzledwayagain，wereonJimmieDale。
“Abetterway？“herepeatedtensely。“Whatdoyoumean？Whatway？“
“Well，sayattheexpenseofanotherman”sreputation——ofmine，“
suggestedJimmieDale，withhiswhimsicalsmile。Youneedonlysaythatamancametoyouthisevening，toldyouthathestoletheserubiesfromMr。Maddonduringtheafternoon，andaskedyou，asMr。
Maddon”sprivatesecretary，torestorethemwithhiscomplimentstotheirowner。”
Aslowflushofdisappointment，deepeningtooneofangerdyedBurton”scheeks。
“Areyoutryingtomakeafoolofme？“hecriedout。“GotoMaddonwithachildishtalelikethat！There”snomanlivingwouldbelievesuchacock-and-bullstory！“
“No？“inquiredJimmieDalesoftly。“AndyetIaminclinedtothinkthereareagoodmany——thatevenMaddonwould，hard-headedasheis。
Youmightsaythatwhenthemanhandedyouthecaseyouthoughtitwassomepracticaljokebeingfoistedonyou，untilyouopenedthecase“——JimmieDalepusheditalittlefartheracrossthetable，andBurton，mechanically，hiseyesstillonJimmeDale，loosenedthecatchwithhisthumbnail”untilyouopenedthecase，sawtherubies，and”
“TheGraySeal！“Burtonhadsnatchedthecasetowardhim，andwasstraininghiseyesattheinsidecover。“You——theGraySeal！“
“Well？“saidJimmieDalewhimsically。
Motionless，thecaseheldopeninhishands，Burtonstoodthere。
“TheGraySeal！“hewhispered。Then，withacatchinhisvoice：
“Youmeanthis？Youmeantoletmehavetheseback——youmean——youmeanallyou”vesaid？ForGod”ssake，don”tplaywithme——theGraySeal，themostnotoriouscriminalinthecountry，togivebackafortunelikethis！You——you”
“Dogwithabadname，“saidJimmieDale，withawrysmile；then，alittlegruffly：“Putitinyourpocket！“
Slowly，almostasthoughheexpectedthecasetobesnatchedbackfromhimthenextinstant，Burtonobeyed。
Idon”tunderstand——ICAN”Tunderstand！“hemurmured。“Theysaythatyou——andyetIbelieveyounow——you”vesavedmefromaruinedlifeto-night。TheGraySeal！If——ifeveryoneknewwhatyouhaddone，they”
“Buteveryonewon”t，“JimmieDalebrokeinbluntly，“Whoistotellthem？You？Youcouldn”tverywell，whenyoucometothinkofit——
couldyou？Well，whoknows，perhapstherehavebeenotherslikeyou！“
“Youmean，“saidBurtonexcitedly，“youmeanthatallthesecrimesofyoursthathaveseemedwithoutmotive，thathavebeensoinexplicable，havereallybeenliketo-nightto”
“Idon”tmeananythingatall，“interposedJimmieDalealittlehurriedly。“Nothing，Burton——exceptthatthereisstillonelittlethingmoretodotobolsterupthat”childish”storyofmine——andthengetoutofhere。”Heglancedsharply，criticallyaroundtheroom，hiseyesrestingforamomentatthelastontheformonthefloor。Thentersely：“Iamgoingtoturnoutthelight——wewillhavetopassthewindowtogettothedoor，andwewillinvitenochances。Areyouready？“
“No；notyet，“saidBurtoneagerly。“Ihaven”tsaidwhatI”dliketosaytoyou，whatI”
“Walkstraighttothedoor，“saidJimmieDalecurtly。Therewastheclickofanelectric-lightswitch，andtheroomwasindarkness。
“Now，nonoise！“heinstructed。
AndBurton，perforce，madehiswayacrosstheroom——andatthedoorJimmieDalejoinedhimandledhimdowntheshortflightofstairs。
Atthebottom，heopenedthedoorleadingintotherearofthepawnshopitself，and，biddingBurtonfollow，entered。
“Wecan”triskevenamatch；itcouldbeseenfromthestreet，“hesaidbrusquely，ashefumbledaroundforamomentinthedarkness。
“Ah——hereitis！“Heliftedatelephonereceiverfromitshook，andgaveanumber。
Burtoncaughthimquicklybythearm。
“GoodLord，man，whatareyoudoing？“heprotestedanxiously。
“That”sMr。Maddon”shouse！“
“SoIbelieve，“saidJimmieDalecomplacently。“Hello！IsMr。
Maddonthere？……Ibegpardon？……Personally，yes，ifyouplease。”
Therewasamoment”swait。Burton”shandwasstillnervouslyclutchingatJimmieDale”ssleeve。Then：
“Mr。Maddon？“askedJimmieDalepleasantly。“Yes？……Iamverysorrytotroubleyou，butIcalledyouuptoinquireifyouwereawarethatyourrubies，andamongthemyourAracon，hadbeenstolen？……Ibegpardon！……Rubies——yes……Youweren”t……
Oh，no，Iamquiteinmyrightmind；ifyouwilltakethetroubletoopenyoursafeyouwillfindtheyaregone——shallIholdthelinewhileyouinvestigate？……What？……Don”tshout，please——andstandalittlefartherawayfromthemouthpiece。”JimmieDale”stonewasoneofinsolentcomposurenow。“Thereisreallynouseingettingexcited……Ibegpardon？……Certainly，thisistheGraySealspeaking……What？“JimmieDale”svoicegrewplaintive，“Ireallycan”tmakeoutawordwhenyouyelllikethat……Yes……Ihadoccasiontousethemthisafternoon，andI
tookthelibertyofborrowingthemtemporarily——areyoustillthere，Mr。Maddon？……Oh，quiteso！Yes，IhearyouNOW……No，thatisall，onlyIamreturningthemthroughyourprivatesecretary，averyestimableyoungman，thoughIfearsomewhatexcitableandshaky，whoisonhiswaytoyouwiththemnow……
WHAT”STHATYOUSAY？Yourepeatthat，“snappedJimmieDalesuddenly，icily，“andI”lltakethemfromunderyournoseagainbeforemorning！……Ah！Thatisbetter！Good-night——Mr。
Maddon。”
JimmieDalehungupthereceiverandshovedBurtontowardthedoor。
“Nowthen，Burton，we”llgetoutofher——andthesooneryoureachFifthAvenueandMr。Maddon”shousethebetter。No；notthatway！“
Theyhadreachedthehall，andBurtonhadturnedtowardthesidedoorthatopenedonthealleyway。“WhoevertheywerewhosettledtheirlastaccountwithIsaacmaystillbewatching。They”venothingagainstanyoneelse，buttheyknowsomeonewasinhereatthetime，and，ifthepolicearecleverenoughevertogetontheirtrack，theymightfinditveryconvenienttobeabletosayWHOwasintheroomwhenIsaacwasmurdered——there”snothingtoshow，sinceIsaacsoobliginglyopenedthewindowforthem，thattheshotwasfiredTHROUGHthewindowandnotfromtheinsideoftheroom。Andeveniftheyhavealreadytakentotheirheels“——JimmieDalewasleadingBurtonupthestairsagainashetalked”itmightproveexceedinglyinconvenientforusifsomepasser-byshouldhappentorecollectthathesawtwomenofourgeneralappearanceleavingthepremises。Nowkeepclose——andfollowme。”
TheypassedthedoorofIsaac”sden，turneddownanarrowcorridorthatledtotherearofthehouse——JimmieDaleguidingunerringly，workingfromthementalmapofthehousethattheTocsinhaddrawnforhim——descendedanothershortflightofstairsthatgaveonthekitchen，crossedthekitchen，andJimmieDaleopenedabackdoor。
Hepausedhereforamomenttolisten；then，cautioningBurtontobesilent，movedonagainacrossasmallbackyardandthroughagateintoalanethatranatrightanglestothealleywaybywhichbothhadenteredthehouse——and，aminutelater，theywerecrouchedagainstabuilding，ahalfblockaway，wherethelaneintersectedthecrossstreet。
HereJimmieDalepeeredoutcautiously。Therewasnooneinsight。
HetouchedBurton”sshoulder，andpointeddownthestreet。
“That”syourway，Burton——mine”stheother。Hurrywhileyou”vegotthechance。Good-night。”
Burton”shandreachedout，caughtJimmieDale”s，andwrungit。
“Godblessyou！“hesaidhuskily。“I”
AndJimmieDalepushedhimoutontothestreet。
Burton”sstepsrecededdownthesidewalk。JimmieDalestillcrouchedagainstthewall。Thestepsgrewfainterinthedistanceanddiedfinallyaway。JimmieDalestraightenedup，slippedthemaskfromhisfacetohispocket，steppedoutonthestreet——andfiveminuteslaterwaspassingthroughthenoisybedlamoftheHungarianrestaurantonhiswaytothefrontdoorandhiscar。
“SONNEZLETOCSIN，“JimmieDalewassayingsoftlytohimself。“I
wonderwhatshe”lldowhenshefindsI”vegotthering？“
CHAPTERVIII
THEMANHIGHERUP
TheTocsin！Byneitheract，sign，norwordhadsheevidencedtheslightestinterestinthatring——andyetshemustknow，shecertainlymustknowthatitwasnowinhispossession。JimmieDalewasdisappointed。Somehow，hehadcountedmorethanhehadcaredtoadmitondevelopmentsfromthatring。
Hepulledalittleviciouslyathiscigarette，ashestaredoutoftheSt。JamesClubwindow。Thatwashowlongago？Tendays？Yes；
thiswouldbetheeleventh。Elevendaysnowandnowordfromher——
elevendayssincethatnightatoldIsaac”s，sinceshehadlastcalledhim，theGraySeal，toarms。Itwasalongwhile——solongawhileeventhatwhathadcometobehisprerogativeinthenewspapers，thefrontpagewiththree-inchtyperecountingsomenewexploitofthatmysteriouscriminaltheGraySeal，wasbeingusurped。Thepaperswerehowlingnowaboutwhatthey，forthelackofabetterterm，werepleasedtocallawaveofcrimethathadinundatedNewYork，andofwhich，foronce，theGraySealwasnotthestormcentre，butrather，forthemoment，forgotten。
Hedrewbackfromthewindow，and，settlinghimselfagaininthebigleatherloungingchair，resumedtheperusaloftheeveningpaper。
Hiseyefellonwhatwascommontoeveryeditionnow，acrimeeditorial——andthepapercrackledsuddenlyunderthelong，slim，taperingfingers，socarefullynurtured，whosesensitivetipsahundredtimeshadmademockeryofthehumaningenuitysquanderedontheintricatemechanismofsafesandvaults。No；hewaswrong——theGraySealhadnotbeenforgotten。
“Weshouldnotbesurprised，“wrotetheeditorvirulently，“todiscoveratthebottomoftheseabominableattrocitiesthattheguidingspirit，infact，wastheGraySeal——theyarequiteworthyevenofhisdiabolicaldisregardforthelawsofGodandman。”
JimmieDale”slipsstraightenedominously，andanangryglintcreptintohisdark，steadyeyes。Therewasnothingthen，nothingtoovilethat，inthepublic”seyes，couldnotlogicallybeassociatedwiththeGraySeal——eventhis！Aseriesofthemostcold-blooded，callousmurdersandrobberies，thework，onthefaceofit，ofawell-organizedbandofthugs，brutal，insensate，littlebetterthanfiends，thoughcleverenoughsofartohaveevadedcapture，cleverenough，indeed，tohavekeptthepolicestillstaggeringandgaspingafteraclewforonemurder——whileanotherwasintheveryactofbeingcommitted！TheGraySeal！Whatexquisiteirony！Andyet，afterall，thepaperswerenotwhollytoblameforwhattheysaid；
hehadinvitedmuchofit。SeemingcrimesoftheGraySealhadapparentlybeengenuinebeyondanyquestionofdoubt，ashehadintendedthemtoappear，asintheveryessenceoftheirpurposetheyhadtobe。
