Withagasp，bothmenhadstrainedforward，andwerestaring，wild-
eyed，atthegraysealstuckbetweenthemonthetabletop。
“TheGraySeal！“whisperedtheWeasel，andhistonguecircledhislips。
JimmieDaleshruggedhisshoulders。
“ThatWASabittheatrical，Weasel，“hesaidapologetically；“andyetnotwhollyunnecessary。YouwillrecallStangeist，TheMope，AustralianIke，andClarieDeane，andcandrawyourowninferenceastowhatmighthappenintheThoroldaffairifyoushouldbesoill-
advisedastoforcemyhand。Permitme“——theslim，deftfingers，likeastreakoflightning，wereinsideHamvert”scoatpocketandoutagainwiththeremainderofthebanknotes——andJimmieDalewasbackingforthedoor——notthedoorofthebathroombywhichhehadentered，butthedooroftheroomitselfthatopenedonthecorridor。Therehestopped，andhishandsweptaroundbehindhisbackandturnedthekeyinthelockeddoor。Henoddedatthetwomen，whosefaceswereworkingwithincongruouslymingledexpressionsofimpotentrage，bewilderment，fear，andfury——andopenedthedooralittle。“Tenminutes，Weasel，“hesaidgently。“Itrustyouwillnothavetouseheroicmeasurestorestrainyourfriendforthatlengthoftime，thoughifitisnecessaryIshouldadviseyouforyourownsaketoresortalmost——tomurder。Iwishyougoodevening，gentlemen。”
Thedooropenedfarther；JimmieDale，stillfacinginward，slippedbetweenitandthejamb，whippedthemaskfromhisface，closedthedoorsoftly，steppedbrisklybutwithoutanyappearanceofhastealongthecorridortothestairs，descendedthestairs，mingledwithacrowdinthelobbyforaninstant，walked，seeminglyapartofit，withagroupofladiesandgentlemendownthehalltothesideentrance，passedout——andamomentlater，afterdrawingonalinendustcoatwhichhetookfromundertheseat，andexchanginghishatforatweedcap，thecarglidedfromthecurbandwaslostinapressoftrafficaroundthecorner。
JimmieDalelaughedalittleharshlytohimself。Sofar，sogood——
butthegamewasnotendedyetforallthecrackleofthecrispnotesinhispocket。Therewasstillthemap，stilltherobberyatMittel”shouse——theten-thousand-dollar“theft“wouldnotinanywaychangethat，anditwasaquestionoftimenowtoforestallanymovetheWeaselmightmake。
ThroughthecityJimmieDalealternatelydodged，spurted，anddraggedhisway，fumingwithimpatience；butonceoutonthecountryroadsandheadedtowardNewRochelle，thebigmachine，speedlimitsthrowntothewinds，roaredthroughthenight——agraystreakofroadjumpingunderthepowerfullamps；avillage，atown，aclusteroflightsflashingbyhim，thesteadypurrofhissixty-horse-powerengines；thegraythreadofopenroadagain。
Itwasjusteleveno”clockwhenJimmieDale，theroadtohimselfforthemomentataspotalittlebeyondNewRochelle，extinguishedhislights，andverycarefullyranhiscarofftheroad，backingitinbehindasmallclumpoftrees。Hetossedthelinendustcoatbackintothecar，andsetofftowardwhere，alittledistanceaway，theslapofwavesfromthestiffbreezethatwasblowingindicatedtheshorelineoftheSound。Therewasnomoon，and，whileitwasnotparticularlydark，objectsandsurroundingsatbestwereblurredandindistinct；butthat，afterall，wasamatteroflittleconcerntoJimmieDale——thefirsthousebeyondwasMittel”s。Hereachedthewater”sedgeandkeptalongtheshore。Thereshouldbealittlewharf，shehadsaid。Yes；thereitwas——andthere，too，wasagleamoflightfromthehouseitself。
JimmieDalebegantomakeanaccuratementalnoteofhissurroundings。Fromthelittlewharfonwhichhenowstood，apathledstraighttothehouse，bisectingwhatappearedtobealawn，treestotheright，thehousetotheleft。Atthewharf，besidehim，twomotorboatsweremoored，oneoneachside。JimmieDaleglancedatthem，and，suddenlyattractedbythefamiliarappearanceofone，inspecteditalittlemoreclosely。Hismomentarilyawakenedinterestpassedashenoddedhishead。Ithadcaughthisattention，thatwasall——itwasthesametypeanddesign，quiteapopularmake，ofwhichtherewerehundredsaroundNewYork，astheonehehadboughtthatyearasatenderforhisyacht。
Hemovedforwardnowtowardthehouse，therearofwhichfacedhim——
thelightthatfloodedthelawncamefromasidewindow。JimmieDalewasfiguringthetimeanddistancefromNewYorkashecreptcautiouslyalong。HowquicklycouldtheWeaselmakethejourney？
TheWeaselwouldundoubtedlycome，andiftherewasaconvenienttrainitmightproveacloserace——butinhisownfavourwasthefactthatitwouldprobablytaketheWeaselquitesomelittletimetorecoverhisequilibriumfromhisencounterwiththeGraySealinthePalais-Metropole，alsothefurtherfactthat，fromtheWeasel”sviewpoint，therewasnodesperateneedofhaste。JimmieDalecrossedthelawn，andedgedalongintheshadowsofthehousetowherethelightstreamedoutfromwhatnowprovedtobeopenFrenchwindows。ItwasafairpresumptionthathewouldhaveanhourtothegoodontheWeasel。
Thesillwaslittlemorethanacoupleoffeetfromtheground，and，fromacrouchedpositiononhiskneesbelowthewindow，JimmieDaleraisedhimselfslowlyandpeeredguardedlyinside。Theroomwasempty。Helistenedamoment——theblacksilkmaskwasonhisfaceagain——andwithaquick，agile，silentspringhewasintheroom。
Andthen，inthecentreoftheroom，JimmieDalestoodmotionless，staringaroundhim，anexpression，ironical，sardonic，creepingintohisface。THEROBBERYHADALREADYBEENCOMMITTED！Atthelowerendoftheroomeverythingwasinconfusion；thedoorofasafeswungwide，thedrawersofadeskhadbeenwrenchedout，evenaliqueurstand，onwhichwerewell-filleddecanters，hadbeenbrokenopen，andthecontentsofsafeanddesk，thethief”sdiscardsasitwere，litteredthefloorinalldirections。
ForaninstantJimmieDale，hiseyesnarrowedominously，surveyedthescene；then，withasortofprofessionalinstinctaroused，hesteppedforwardtoexaminethesafe——andsuddenlydartedbehindthedeskinstead。Stepssoundedinthehall。Thedooropened——avoicereachedhim：
“ThemastersaidIwastoshutthewindows，andIhaven”tdasttogoin。Andhe”llbebackwiththepoliceinaminutenow。Comeoninwithme，Minnie。”
“Lord！“exclaimedanothervoice。“Ain”titagoodthingthemissusisaway。She”dhavehighsteericks！“
Stepscamesomewhathesitantlyacrossthefloor——frombehindthedesk，JimmieDalecouldseethatitwasamaid，accompaniedbyabig，rawbonedwoman，sleevesrolledtotheelbowsoverbrawnyarms，presumablytheMittels”cook。
ThemaidclosedtheFrenchwindows，therewerenoothersintheroom，andboltedthem；and，havinggainedalittleconfidence，gazedabouther。
“My，butwasn”thecute！“sheejaculated。”Cutthetelephonewires，hedid。Andain”themadeanawfulmess！Butthemastersaidwewasn”ttotouchnothingtillthepolicesawit。”
“AndtothinkofithappeninginOURhouse！“observedthecookheavily，herhandsonherhips，herarmsakimbo。“It”llallbeinthepapers，andmabbethey”llputourpicturesin，too。”
“Iwon”tgetoveritaslongasIlive！“declaredthemaid。“TheyellMr。Mittelgavewhenhecamedownstairsandputhisheadinhere，andthenhimshoutingandusingthemostterriblelanguageintothetelephone，andthenfindingthewirescut。Andmefollowinghimdownstairshalfdeadwithfright。Andheshoutsatme。”Bella”heshouts，”shutthosewindows，butdon”tyoutouchathinginthatroom。I”mgoingforthepolice。”Andthenherushesoutofthehouse。”
“Iwasgoingtobed，“saidthecook，pickinguphercueforwhatwasprobablythetwentiethrehearsalofthescene，“whenIheardMr。
Mittelyell，and——Lord，Bella，thereheisnow！“
JimmieDale”shandsclenched。He，too，hadcaughtthescuffleoffootsteps，thoseofthreeorfourmenatleast，onthefrontporch。
Therewasoneway，onlyone，ofescape——throughtheFrenchwindows！
ItwasamatterofsecondsonlybeforeMittel，withthepoliceathisheels，wouldbeintheroom——andJimmieDalesprangtohisfeet。
Therewasawildscreamofterrorfromthemaid，echoedbyanotherfromthecook——and，stillscreaming，bothwomenfledforthedoor。
“Mr。Mittel！Mr。Mittel！“shriekedthemaid——shehadflungherselfoutintothehall。“He”s——he”sbackagain！“
JimmieDalewasattheFrenchwindows，tearingatthebolts。Theystuck。Shoutscamefromthefrontentryway。Hewrenchedviciouslyatthefastenings。Theygavenow。Thewindowsflewopen。Heglancedoverhisshoulder。Aman，Mittelpresumably，sincehewastheonlyonenotinuniform，wasspringingintotheroom。TherewasablurofformsandbrassbuttonsbehindMittel——andJimmieDaleleapedtothelawn，speedingacrossitlikeadeer。
Butquickasheran，JimmieDale”sbrainwasquicker，pointingthesinglechancethatseemedopentohim。Themotorboat！ItseemedlikeaGod-givenpieceofluckthathehadnoticeditwaslikehisown；therewouldbenoblind，andthatmeantfatal，blundersinthedarkoveritsmechanism，andhecouldstartitupinamoment——justthetimetocastheroff，thatwasallheneeded。
Theshoutsswelledbehindhim。JimmieDalewasrunningforhislife。Heflungaglancebackward。Oneform——Mittel，hewascertain——wasperhapsahundredyardsintherear。TheotherswerejustemergingfromtheFrenchwindows——grotesque，leapingthingstheylooked，inthelightthatstreamedoutbehindthemfromtheroom。
JimmieDale”sfeetpoundedtheplankingofthewharf。Hestoopedandsnatchedatthemooringline。Mittelwasalmostatthewharf。
Itseemedanage，ayeartoJimmieDalebeforethelinewasclear。
Shoutsrangstilllouderacrossthelawn——thepolice，racinginapack，weremorethanhalfwayfromthehouse。Heflungthelineintotheboat，spranginafterit——andMittel，loomingoverhim，graspedattheboat”sgunwhale。
Bothmenwerepantingfromtheirexertions。
“Letgo！“snarledJimmieDalebetweenclenchedteeth。
Mittel”sanswerwasahoarse，gaspingshouttothepolicetohurry——
andthenMittelreeledback，measuringhislengthuponthewharffromablowwithaboathookfullacrosstheface，drivenwithasudden，untamedsavagerythatseemedforthemomenttohavemasteredJimmieDale。
Therewasnotime——notasecond——notthefractionofasecond。
Desperately，franticallyheshovedtheboatclearofthewharf。
Once——twice——threetimesheturnedtheengineoverwithoutsuccess——
andthentheboatleapedforward。JimmieDalesnatchedthemaskfromhisface，andjumpedforthesteeringwheel。Thepolicewererushingoutalongthewharf。HecouldjustfaintlydiscernMittelnow——themanwasstaggeringabout，hishandsclappedtohisface。A
peremptoryordertohalt，coupledwithathreattofire，rangoutsharply——andJimmieDaleflunghimselfflatinthebottomoftheboat。Thewharfedgeseemedtoopeninlittle，cracklingjetsofflame，cametheroarofreportslikeaminiaturebatteryinaction，thentheFLOP，FLOP，FLOP，astheleadtoreupthewateraroundhim，thedullerthudasabulletburieditsnoseintheboat”sside，andthecuriousripandsqueakasasplinterflew。ThenMittel”svoice，high-pitched，asthoughinpain：
“Can”tanyofyourunamotorboat？He”sgotmebad，I”mafraid。
Thatotheronethereistwiceasfast。”
“Sure！“anothervoicerespondedpromptly。“Andifthat”sright，he”srunhisheadintoatrap。Castloose，there，MacVeay，andpilein，allofyou！Yougobacktothehouse，Mr。Mittel，andfixyourselfup。We”llgethim！“
JimmieDale”slipsthinned。Itwastrue！Iftheotherboathadanyspeedatall，itwasonlyaquestionoftimebeforehewouldbeovertaken。Theonlypointatissuewashowmuchtime。Itwasdark——
thatwasinhisfavour——butitwasnotsodarkbutthataboatcouldbedistinguishedonthewaterforquiteadistance，foralongerdistancethanhecouldhopetoputbetweenthem。Therewasnochanceofeludingthepolicethatway！Thekeen，facilebrainthathadsavedtheGraySealahundredtimesbeforewasweaving，planning，discarding，eliminating，schemingawayout——withdeath，ruin，disasterthepriceoffailure。Hiseyessweptthedim，irregularoutlineoftheshore。Tohisright，intheoppositedirectionfromwherehehadlefthiscar，andperhapsamileahead，aswellashecouldjudge，thelandseemedtorunoutintoapoint。
JimmieDaleheadedforitinstantly。Ifhecouldreachitwithalittleleadtothegood，therewasachance！Itwouldtake，say，sixminutes，grantingtheboataspeedoftenmilesanhour——andshecoulddothat。Theotherscouldhardlyovertakehiminthattime——
theyhadn”tgotstartedyet。Hecouldhearthemstillshoutingandtalkingatthewharf。AndMittel”s“twiceasfast“wasundoubtedlyanexaggeration，anyhow。
Aminutemorepassed，another——andthen，astern，JimmieDalecaughttheracketfromtheexhaustofahigh-poweredengine，andawhitestreakseemedtoshootoutuponthesurfaceofthewaterfromwhere，obscurednow，heplacedthewharf。Aquarter-milelead，roughlyfourhundredyards；yes，hehadasmuchasthat——butthat，too，wasverylittle。
Hebentoverhisengine，coaxingit，nursingittoitshighestefficiency；hiseyesstrainednowuponthepointahead，nowuponhispursuersbehind。Hewasrunningwiththewind，thankHeaven！orthesmallboatwouldhavehadafurtherhandicap——itwasrollingupquiteasea。
Thesteeringgear，hefound，wascordedalongthesideoftheboat，permittingitsmanipulationfromalmostanyposition，and，abruptlynow，JimmieDalelefttheenginetorummagethroughthelittlelockerinthesternoftheboat。Butasherummaged，hiseyesheldspeculativelyontheboatastern。Shewasgainingunquestionably，steadily，butnotasfastashehadfeared。Hewouldstillhaveahundredyards”lead，atleast，abreastthepoint——and，hewassmilinggrimlynow，ahundredyardstheremeantlifetotheGraySeal！Thelockerwasfullofaheterogeneouscollectionofoddsandends——asuitofoilskins，tools，tins，andcansofvarioussizesanddescriptions。JimmieDaleemptiedthecontents，somesortofpowder，ofasmall，roundtinboxoverboard，andfromhispockettookoutthebanknotes，crammedthemintothebox，crammedhiswatchinontopofthem，andscrewedthecoverontightly。Hisfingerswereflyingnow。Alongstriptornfromthetrousers”legoftheoilskinswaswrappedagainandagainaroundthebox——andtheboxwasstuffedintohispocket。
Theflashofarevolvershotcuttheblacknessbehindhim，thenanother，andanother。Theywerefiringinacontinuousstreamagain。Itwasfairlylongrange，buttherewasalwaysthechanceofastraybulletfindingitsmark。JimmieDale，crouchinglow，madehiswaytothebowoftheboatagain。
Thepointwasloomingalmostabreastnow。Heedgedinnearer，tohugitascloselyashedaredriskthedepthofthewater。Behind，remorselessly，theotherboatwassteadilyclosingthegap；andtheshotswerenotallwild——onestruck，withacurioussingingsound，onsomepieceofmetalafootfromhiselbow。Closertotheshore，runningnowparallelwiththeheadofthepoint，JimmieDaleagainedgedintheboat，hisjaws，clamped，workinginlittletwitches。
Andthensuddenly，withaswift，appraisingglancebehindhim，heswervedtheboatfromhercourseandheadedfortheshore——notdirectly，butdiagonallyacrossthelittlebaythat，onthefarthersideofthepoint，hadnowopenedoutbeforehim。Hewascloseinwiththeedgeofthepoint，tenyardsfromit，sweepingpastit——thepointitselfcamebetweenthetwoboats，hidingthemfromeachother——andJimmieDale，withalongspring，dovefromtheboat”ssidetothewater。
Themomentumfromtheboatashesankrobbedhimforaninstantofallcontroloverhimself，andhetwisted，doubledup，androlledoverandoverbeneaththewater——butthenextmomenthisheadwasabovethesurfaceagain，andhewasstrikingoutswiftlyfortheshore。Itwasonlyafewyards——butinafewSECONDSthepursuingboat，too，wouldhaveroundedthepoint。Hisfeettouchedbottom。
Itwashastenow，nothingelse，thatcounted。Thedrumoftheracingengines，thecracklingroaroftheexhaustfromtheoncomingboatwasinhisears。Heflunghimselfupontheshoreanddownbehindarock。Aroundthepoint，pasthim，torethepoliceboat，darkformsstandingclusteredinthebow——andthenasuddenshout：
“Theresheis！Seeher？She”sheadingintothebayfortheshore！“
JimmieDale”slipsrelaxed。Therewasnodoubtthattheyhadsightedtheirquarryagain——aperfectfusilladeofrevolvershotsdirectedatthenowemptyboatwasquitesufficientproofofthat！
Withsomethingthatwasalmostachuckle，JimmieDalestraightenedupfrombehindtherockandbegantorunbackalongtheshore。Thelittlemotorboatwouldhavegroundedlongbeforetheyovertookher，and，thinkingnaturallyenough，thathehadleapedashorefromher，theywouldgothrashingthroughthewoodsandfieldssearchingforhim！
Itwasalongerwaybackbytheshore，agooddeallonger；nowoverrough，rockystretcheswherehestumbledinthedarkness，nowthroughmarshy，soddengroundwherehesankasinaquagmiretimeandagainoverhisankles。Itwasevenlongerthanhehadcountedon，andtime，withtheWeaselononehandandthereturnofthepoliceontheother，wasafactortobereckonedwithagain，as，ahalfhourlater，JimmieDalestoleacrossthelawnofMittel”shouseforthesecondtimethatnight，andforthesecondtimecrouchedbeneaththeopenFrenchwindows。
Maskedagain，thewaterstilldrippingfromwhatwereonceimmaculateeveningclothesbutwhichnowsaggedlimplyabouthim，hiscollarapastystringaroundhisneck，themudanddirtsplashedtohisknees，JimmieDalewasadisreputableandincongruous-lookingobjectashecrouchedthere，shiveringuncomfortablyfromhisimmersioninspiteofhisexertions。Insidetheroom，Mittelpassedthewindows，pacingthefloor，onesideofhisfacebadlycutandbruisedfromtheblowwiththeboathook——andashepassed，hisbackturnedforaninstant，JimmieDalesteppedintotheroom。
Mittelwhirledatthesound，and，withasuppressedcry，instinctivelydrewback——JimmieDale”sautomaticwasdanglingcarelesslyinhisrighthand。
“IamafraidIamatriflemelodramatic，“observedJimmieDaleapologetically，surveyinghisownbedraggledperson；“butIassureyouitisneitherintentionalnorforeffect。Asitis，IwasafraidIwouldbelate。PardonmeifItakethelibertyofhelpingmyself；onegetsachillinwetclothessoeasily“——hepassedtotheliqueurstand，pouredoutagenerousportionfromoneofthedecanters，andtosseditoff。
Mittelneitherspokenormoved。Stupefaction，surprise，andaveryobviousregardforJimmieDale”srevolvermingledthemselvesinahelplessexpressiononhisface。
JimmieDalesetdownhisglassandpointedtoachairinfrontofthedesk。
“Sitdown，Mr。Mittel，“heinvitedpleasantly。“ItwillbequiteapparenttoyouthatIhavenottimetoprolongourinterviewunnecessarily，inviewofthepossiblereturnofthepoliceatanymoment，butyoumightaswellbecomfortable。YouwillpardonmeagainifItakeanotherliberty“——hecrossedtheroom，turnedthekeyinthelockofthedoorleadingintothehall，andreturnedtothedesk。“Sitdown，Mr。Mittel！“herepeated，asuddenraspinhisvoice。
Mittel，nonetoograciously，nowseatedhimself。
“Lookhere，myfinefellow，“heburstout，“you”recarryingthingswithaprettyhighhand，aren”tyou？Youseemtohaveeludedthepoliceforthemoment，somehow，butletmetellyouI”
“No，“interruptedJimmieDalesoftly，“letMEtellyou——allthereistobetold。”HeleanedoverthedeskandstaredrudelyatthebruiseonMittel”sface。“Ratheranastycrack，that，“heremarked。
Mittel”sfistsclenched，andanangryflushswepthischeeks。
“I”dhavemadeitagooddealharder，“saidJimmieDale，withsuddeninsolence，“ifIhadn”tbeenafraidofputtingyououtofbusinessandsoprecludingthepossibilityofthislittlemeeting。Nowthen“——therevolverswungupwardandheldsteadilyonalinewithMittel”seyes”I”lltroubleyouforthediagramofthatAlaskanclaimthatbelongstoMrs。MichaelBreen！“
Mittel，staringfascinatedintothelittle，round，blackmuzzleoftheautomatic，edgedbackinhischair。
So——sothat”swhatyou”reafter，isit？“hejerkedout。“Well“——helaughedunnaturallyandwavedhishandatthedisarrayoftheroom——
“it”sbeenstolenalready。”
“Iknowthat，“saidJimmieDalegrimly。“By——YOU！“
“Me！“Mittelstartedupinhischair，awhitenesscreepingintohisface。“Me！I——I”
“Sitdown！“JimmieDale”svoicerangoutominouslycold。“I
haven”tanytimetospare。Youcanappreciatethat。Butevenifthepolicereturnbeforethatmapisinmypossession，theywillstillbeTOOLATEasfarasyouareconcerned。Doyouunderstand？
Furthermore，ifIamcaught——youareruined。LetmemakeitquiteplainthatIknowthedetailsofyourlittlegame。Youareacurbbroker，Mr。Mittel——ostensibly。Inreality，yourunwhatisnothingbetterthananexceedinglyprofitablebucketshop。TheWeaselhasbeenacustomerandalsoastoolforyouforyears。HowHamvertmettheWeaselisunimportant——hecameEastwiththeintentionofgettingintouchwithaslickcrooktohelphim——theWeaselisthecoincidence，thatisall。IquiteunderstandthatyouhavenevermetHamvert，norHamvertyou，northatHamvertwasawarethatyouandtheWeaselhadanythingtodowithoneanotherandwereplayingintogether——butthatequallyisunimportant。WhenHamvertengagedtheWeaselfortenthousanddollarstogetthemapfromyouforhim，theWeaselchosethelineofleastresistance。HeKNEWyou，andapproachedyouwithanoffertosplitthemoneyinreturnforthemap。Itwasnotaquestionofyouracceptinghisoffer——itwassimplyamatterofhowyoucoulddoitandstillprotectyourself。
TheWeaselwaswellqualifiedtopointtheway——afakerobberyofyourhousewouldanswerthepurposeadmirably——youcouldnotbeheldeitherlegallyormorallyresponsibleforadocumentthatwasplaced，unsolicitedbyyou，inyourpossession，ifitwerestolenfromyou。”
Mittel”sfacewasashen，colourless。Hishandswereopeningandshuttingwithnervoustwitchesonthetopofthedesk。
JimmieDale”slipscurled。
“But“——JimmieDalewasclippingoffhiswordsnowviciously——
“neitheryounortheWeaselwerewillingtotrusttheotherimplicitly——perhapsyouknoweachothertoowell。Youwereunwillingtoturnoverthemapuntilyouhadreceivedyourshareofthemoney，andyouwereequallyunwillingtoturnitoveruntilyouwereSAFE；thatis，untilyouhadengineeredyourfakerobberyeventothepointofnotifyingthepolicethatithadbeencommitted；theWeasel，ontheotherhand，hadsomescruplesaboutpartingwithanyofthemoneywithoutgettingthemapinonehandbeforeheletgoofthebanknoteswiththeother。Itwasverysimplyarranged，however，andtoyourmutualsatisfaction。Whileyourobbedyourownhousethisevening，hewastogethalfthemoneyinadvancefromHamvert，givingHamverttounderstandthatHEhadplannedtocommittherobberyhimselfto-night。Hewastocomeoutherethen，receivethemapfromyouinexchangeforyourshareofthemoney，returntoHamvertwiththemap，andreceiveinturnhisownshare。ImightsaythatHamvertactuallypaiddowntheadvance——anditwasperhapsunfortunateforyouthatyoupaidsuchscrupulousattentiontodetailsastocutyourowntelephonewires！Ihadnot，ofcourse，anexactknowledgeofthehourorminuteinwhichyouproposedtostageyourlittleplayhere。TheobjectofmyfirstvisitalittlewhileagowastoforestallyourturningthediagramovertotheWeasel。Circumstancesfavouredyouforthemoment。Iambackagain，however，forthesamepurpose——themap！“
Mittel，inacowedway，washuddledbackinhischair。HesmiledmiserablyatJimmieDale。
“QUICK！“JimmieDaleflungoutthewordinasharp，peremptorybark。“DoyouneedtobetoldthattheCARTRIDGESaredry？“
Mittel”shand，trembling，wentintohispocketandproducedanenvelope。
“Openit！“commandedJimmieDale。“Andlayitonthedesk，sothatIcanreadit——Iamtoowettotouchit。”
Mittelobeyed——likeadogthathasbeenwhipped。
Aglanceatthepaper，andJimmieDale”seyesliftedagain——tosweeptheflooroftheroom。Hepointedtoapileofbooksanddocumentsinonecornerthathadbeenthrownoutofthesafe。
“Gooverthereandpickupthatcheckbook！“heorderedtersely。
“Whatfor？“Mittelmadefeebleprotest。
“Nevermindwhatfor！“snappedJimmieDale。“Goandgetit——andHURRY！
OncemoreMittelobeyed——anddroppedthebookhesitantlyonthedesk。
JimmieDalestaredsilently，insolently，contemptuouslyattheother。
Mittelstirreduneasily，satdown，shiftedhisfeet，andhisfingersfumbledaimlesslyoverthetopofthedesk。
“Comparedwithyou，“saidJimmieDale，inalowvoice，theWeasel，ay，andHamvert，too，crooksthoughtheyare，aregentlemen！
MichaelBreen，ashedied，toldhiswifetotakethatpapertosomeoneshecouldtrust，whowouldhelpherandtellherwhattodo；
and，knowingnoonetogoto，butbecauseshescrubbedyourfloorsandthereforethoughtyouwereafinegentleman，shecametimidlytoyou，andtrustedyou——youcur！“
JimmieDalelaughedsuddenly——notpleasantly。Mittelshivered。
“HamvertandBreenwerepartnersoutthereinAlaskawhenBreenfirstwentout，“saidJimmieDaleslowly，pullingthetincanwrappedinoilskinfromhispocket。“HamvertswindledBreenoutoftheonestrikehemade，andMrs。Breenandherlittlegirlbackherewerereducedtopoverty。Theamountofthatswindlewas，I
understand，fifteenthousanddollars。Ihavetenofithere，contributedbytheWeaselandHamvert；andyouwill，Ithink，recognisethereinacertainelementofpoeticjustice——butIamstillshortfivethousanddollars。”
JimmieDaleremovedthecoverfromthetincan。Mittelgazedatthecontentsnumbly。
“Youperhapsdidnothearme？“promptedJimmieDalecoldly。“Iamstillshortfivethousanddollars。”
Mittelcircledhislipswiththetipofhistongue。
“Whatdoyouwant？“hewhisperedhoarsely。
“Thebalanceoftheamount。”TherewasanominousquietinJimmieDale”svoice。“AcheckpayabletoMrs。MichaelBreenforfivethousanddollars。”
“I——Ihaven”tgotthatmuchinthebank，“Mittelfenced，stammering。
“No？ThenIshouldadviseyoutoseethatyouhavebyteno”clockto-morrowmorning！“returnedJimmieDalecurtly。“Makeoutthatcheck！“
Mittelhesitated。Therevolveredgedinsistentlyalittlefartheracrossthedesk——andMittel，pickingupapen，wrotefeverishly。Hetorethecheckfromitsstub，and，withasnarl，pushedittowardJimmieDale。
“Foldit！“instructedJimmieDale，inthesamecurttones。“Andfoldthatdiagramwithit。Putthembothinthisbox。Thankyou！“
Hewrappedtheoilskinaroundtheboxagain，andreturnedtheboxtohispocket。Andagainwiththatinsolent，contemptuousstare，hesurveyedthemanatthedesk——thenhebackedtotheFrenchwindows。
“Itmightbeaswelltoremindyou，Mittel，“hecautionedsternly，“thatifforanyreasonthischeckisnothonoured，whetherthroughlackoffundsoranattemptbyyoutostoppayment，you”llbeinacellintheTombsto-morrowforthisnight”swork——thatisquiteunderstood，isn”tit？“
Mittelwasonhisfeet——sweatglistenedonhisforehead。
“MyGod！“hecriedoutshrilly。“Whoareyou？“
AndJimmieDalesmiledandsteppedoutonthelawn。
“AsktheWeasel，“saidJimmieDale——andthenextinstant，lostintheshadowsofthehouse，wasrunningforhiscar。
CHAPTERX
THEALIBI
DEATHTOTHEGRAYSEAL！“——throughtheunderworld，indensanddivesthatshelteredfromthelawthevulturesthatpreyeduponsociety，promptedbyself-fear，bysecretdread，byreasonoftheirveryinabilitytocarryouttheirpurpose，thewhisperedsentencegrewdailymorevenomous，moreinsistent。THEGRAYSEAL，DEADORALIVE——
BUTTHEGRAYSEAL！“Itwasthe“standingorders“ofthepolice。
Railedatbyapopulacewhoangrilydemandedatitshandsthiscriminalofcriminals，mockedatandthreatenedbyavirulentpress，stungtomadnessbytheknowledgeofitsownimpotence，flauntedimpudentlytoitsfacebythismysteriousGraySealtowhosedoorthelawlaidahundredcrimes，forwhomthebarsofadeathcellinSingSingwasthecertaingoalcouldhebutbecaught，thepolice，toaman，waslikeanuncagedbeastthat，flickedtotherawbysomeunseenassailantandmurderousinitsfury，wascrouchedtostrike。
Grimparadox——acommonbondthatlinkedthehandsofthelawwiththosethatoutragedit！
DeathtotheGraySeal！Wasit，atlast，thebeginningoftheend？
JimmieDale，asLarrytheBat，unkempt，disreputableinappearance，supposeddopefiend，afigurefamiliartoeverydenizenbelowthedeadline，skulkedalongthenarrow，ill-lightedstreetoftheEastSidethat，onthecornerahead，boastedthenotoriousresorttowhichBristolBobhadpaidthedoubtful，ifappropriate，complimentofgivinghisname。Fromundertherimofhisbatteredhat，JimmieDale”seyes，veiledbyhalf-closed，well-simulateddrug-ladenlids，missednodetaileitherofhissurroundingsorpertainingtothepassers-by。Thoughalreadylateintheevening，half-nakedchildrenplayedinthegutters；hawkersofmultitudinouscommoditiescriedtheirwaresundergasolinebanjotorchesaffixedtotheirpushcarts；
shawledwomenofhalfadozenraces，andmenequallycosmopolitan，loiteredatthecurb，orblockedthepavement，orbrushedbyhim。
Nowamanpassedhim，flingingagreetingfromthecornerofhismouth；nowanother，alwayswithoutmovementofthelips——andJimmieDaleansweredthem——fromthecornerofhismouth。
Butwhilehiseyeswerealert，hismindwasonlysubconsciouslyattunetohissurroundings。Wasitindeedthebeginningoftheend？
Someday，hehadtoldhimselfoftenenough，theendmustcome。Wasitcomingnow，surely，withasortofgrimimplacability——whenitwastoolatetoescape！Slowly，butinexorably，evenhispersonalfreedomofactionwasnarrowing，beinglimited，and，ironicallyenough，throughtheveryconditionshehadhimselfcreatedasanavenueofescape。
Itwasnotonlythepolicenow；itwas，farmoretobefeared，theunderworldaswell。Intheolddays，theroleofLarrytheBathadbeenassumedatintervals，athisowndiscretion，when，inacorner，hehadnootherwayofescape；nowitwasforceduponhimalmostdaily。ThecharacterofLarrytheBatcouldnolongerbediscardedatwill。Hehadflungdownthegauntlettotheunderworldwhen，astheGraySeal，hehadclosedtheprisondoorsbehindStangeist，TheMope，AustralianIke，andClarieDeane，andtheunderworldhadpickedthegauntletup。Betrayed，astheybelieved，bytheonewho，thoughunknowntothem；theyhadcountedthegreatestamongthemselves，andeachonefearfulthathisownbetrayalmightcomenext，everycrook，everythugintheBadLandsnoweyedhisoldestpalwithsuspicionanddistrust，andeachwasaself-constitutedsleuth，withtheprodofself-preservationbehindhim，sworntotheaccomplishmentofthatunhallowedslogan——deathtotheGraySeal。
AlmostdailynowhemustshowhimselfasLarrytheBatinsomegatheringoftheunderworld——aprolongedabsencefromhishauntswasnotmerelytoinvitecertainsuspicion，whereallweresuspiciousofeachother，itwastoinvitecertaindisaster。Hehadnoweithertocarrytherolelikealittleoldmanoftheseauponhisback，orrenounceitforever。Andthelattercoursehedarednotevenconsider——theSanctuarywasstilltheSanctuary，andtheroleofLarrytheBatwasstillarefuge，thetrumpcardinthelonehandheplayed。
Hereachedthecorner，pushedopenthedoorofBristolBob”s，andshuffledin。Theplacewasaglareoflight，ahideousriotofnoise。Onapolishedsectionofthefloorinthecentre，aturkeytrotwasinfullswing；laughterandshoutingviedraucouslywithanimpossibleorchestra。
JimmieDaleslowlymadethecircuitoftheroompastthetables，that，rangedaroundthesides，werepackedwithoccupantswhothumpedtheirglassesintempowiththemusicandclamouredattherushingwaitersforreplenishment。Adozen，twodozen，menandwomengreetedhim。JimmieDaleindifferentlyreturnedtheirsalutes。Whatagalaxyofcrooks——thecreamoftheunderworld！Hiseyes，underhalf-closedlids，sweptthefaces——lags，dips，gatmen，yeggs，mobstormers，murderers，pettysneakthieves，stalls，hangers-on——theywereallthere。Heknewthemall；hewasknowntoall。
Heshuffledontothefarendoftheroom，hisleeralittlearrogant，acertainarrogance，too，inthetiltofhisbatteredhat。
Healsowasquiteacelebrityinthatgathering——LarrytheBatwasofthearistocracyandtheeliteofgangland。Well，theshowwasover；hehadstalkedacrossthestage，performedforhisaudience——
andinanotherhournow，freeuntilhemustrepeatthesameperformancethenextdayinsomeotherequallynotoriousdive，hewouldbesittinginforarubberofbridgeatthatmostexclusiveofallclubs，theSt。James，wherenonemightentersaveonlythosewhosenameswerevouchedforinthehighestandmostselectcircles，andwhereforpartnershewouldpossiblyhaveajusticeofthesupremecourt，ormayhapaneminentdivine！Helookedsuddenlyaroundhim，asthoughstartled。Italwaysstartledhim，thatcomparison。Therewassomethingtoostupendoustobesimplyironicalintheincongruityofit。If——ifhewereeverruntoearth！
Hiseyesmetthoseofaheavy-built，coarse-featuredman，thechewedendofacigarinhismouth，whosteppedfrombehindthebar，carryingatintraywithtwofullglassesuponit。ItwasBristolBob，ex-pugilist，theproprietor。
“How”reyou，Larry？“gruntedtheman，withwhathemeanttobeasmile。
JimmieDalewasstandinginthedoorwayofapassagethatprefacedarearexittothelane。Hemovedasidetoallowtheothertopass。
“”Ello，Bristol，“hereturneddispassionately。
BristolBobwentonalongdownthepassage，andJimmieDaleshuffledslowlyafterhim。Hehadintendedtoleavetheplacebythereardoor——itobviatedthepossibilityofanundesirableacquaintancejoiningcompanywithhimifhewentoutbythemainentrance。Butnowhiseyeswerefixedontheproprietor”sbackwithasortofspeculativecuriosity。Therewasaprivateroomoffthepassage，withawindowonthelane；buttheymustbefavouredcustomersindeedthatBristolBobwouldcondescendtoservepersonally——anyonewhoknewBristolBobknewthat。
JimmieDaleslowedhisshufflinggait，thenquickeneditagain。
BristolBobopenedthedoorandpassedintotheprivateroom——thedoorwasjustclosingasJimmieDaleshuffledby。Hehadhadonlyaglanceinside——butitwasenough。Theywerefavouredcustomersindeed！ItwasnowonderthatBristolBobhimselfwasonthejob！
Twomenwereintheroom：Lanniganofheadquarters，ratedthesmartestplain-clothesmaninthecountry——and，acrossthetablefromLannigan，WhiteyMack，asclever，finishedanddaringacrookaswastobefoundintheBadLands，whoseparticular“line“wasdiamonds，or，inthevernacularofhisilk，“whitestones，“thathadearnedhimthesobriquetof“Whitey。”Lanniganofheadquarters，WhiteyMackoftheunderworld，swornenemiesthosetwo——insecretsession！BristolBobmightwellplaythepartofouterguard。Ifachoicefewofthoseoutsideinthedancehallcouldgetaglimpseintothatprivateroomitwouldbe“good-night“toWhiteyMack。
JimmieDale”seyeswerenarrowedalittleasheshuffledondownthepassage。LanniganandWhiteyMackwiththeirheadstogether！Whatwasthegame？Therewasnothingincommonbetweenthetwomen。
Lannigan，itwaswellknown，couldnotbe“reached。”WhiteyMack，withhisingeniouscleverness，coupledwithacold-bloodedfearlessnessthathadmadehimanobjectofunholyaweandrespectintheeyesoftheunderworld，wasathornthatwassorebeyondmeasureinthesideofthepolice。Certainly，itwasnoordinarythingthathadbroughtthesetwotogether；especially，since，withtheunrestandsuspicionthatwasbubblingandseethingbelowthedeadline，andwithwhichtherewasnonemoreintimatethanWhiteyMack，WhiteyMackwasinvitingariskin“makingup“withthepolicethatcouldonlybeaccountedforbysomeurgentandvitalincentive。
JimmieDalepushedopenthedoorthatgaveonthelane。Behindhim，BristolBobclosedthedooroftheprivateroomandretreatedbackalongthepassage。JimmieDalesteppedoutintothelane——andinstinctivelyhiseyessoughtthewindowoftheprivateroom。Theshadewasdrawn，onlyayellowmurkfilteredoutintotheblack，unlightedlane，butsuddenlyhestartednoiselesslytowardit。Thewindowwasopenabareinchorsoatthebottom！
Thesillwasjustshoulderhigh，and，placinghiseartotheopening，heflattenedhimselfagainstthewall。Hecouldnotseeinside，fortheshadewasdrawnwelltothebottom；buthecouldhearasdistinctlyasthoughhewereatthetablebesidethetwomen——andatthefirstwords，theloose，disjointedframeofLarrytheBatseemedtotautencuriouslyandstrainforwardlitheandtense。
“ThisGraySealdopelistensgood，Whitey；but，comingfromyou，I”mleery。You”vegottoshowme。”
“Don”tyouwanthim？“TherewasanastylaughfromWhiteyMack。
“YouBETIwanthim！“returnedtheheadquartersmanwithasuppressedsavagerythatleftnodoubtastohisearnestness。“I
wanthimfastenough，but”
“Then，blasthim，sodoI！“WhiteyMackrappedoutwithavicioussnarl。“Sodoeseveryguyinthefleetdownhere。Wegotitinforhim。Yougetthat，don”tyou？He”sgotStangeistandhisgangsteeredfortheelectricchairnow；heputacrimpintheWeaseltheothernight——getthat？He”slikeablastedwizardwithwhatheknows。Andwho”llhedealtheicymitttonext？Me——damnhim——me，forallIknow！“
“That”sallright，“observedLannigancoolly。“I”mnotquestioningyoursincerityforaminute；Iknowallaboutthat；butthatdoesn”tlandtheGraySeal。I”llworkwithyouifyou”veanythingtooffer，butwe”vehadenough”tips”and”information”handedusatheadquartersinthelastfewyearstomakeusatrifleskeptical。
Showmewhatyou”vegot，Whitey？“
“Showyou！“echoedWhiteyMackpassionately。“Sure，I”llshowyou！
That”swhatI”mgoingtodo——showyou。I”llshowyoutheGraySeal！
Iain”thandingyouanytips。I”VEFOUNDOUTWHOTHEGRAYSEALIS！“
Therewasatensesilence。ItseemedtoJimmieDaleasthoughcoldfingerswereclutchingathisheart，stiflingitsbeat——thenthebloodcameburstingtohisforehead。Hecouldnotseeintotheroom，butthatsilencewaseloquent。Itseemedasthoughhecouldpicturethetwomen——Lanniganleaningsuddenlyforward——LanniganandWhiteyMackstaringtenselyintoeachother”seyes。
“You——WHAT！“ItcamelowandgrimfromLannigan。
“That”swhat！“assertedWhiteyMackbluntly。“Youheardme！That”swhatIsaid！IknowwhotheGraySealis——andI”mtheonlyguythat”swisetohim。AmIlettingyouinright？“
“You”resure？“demandedLanniganhoarsely。“You”resure？Whoishe，then？“
Therewasahalflaugh，halfsnarlfromWhiteyMack。
“Oh，no，youdon”t！“hegrowled。“Nixonthat！Whatdoyoutakemefor——afool？Youbeatitoutofhereandroundhimup——eh——whileIsuckmythumbs？Say，forgetit！DoyouthinkI”mdoingthisbecauseIloveyou？Why，blameyou，you”vebeenachingforayeartoputthebraceletsonmeyourself！Say，wakeup！I”minonthismyself。”
Againthatsilence。ThenLanniganspokeslowly，inapuzzledway。
Idon”tgetyou，Whitey，“hesaid。“Whatdoyoumean？“Then，alittlesharply：“You”requiteright；you”vegotsomereputationyourself，andyou”rebadly”wanted”ifwecouldgetthe”goods”onyou。Ifyou”retryingtoplantsomething，lookoutforyourself，or”
“Canthat！“snappedWhiteyMackthreateningly。“Canthatsortofspielrightnow——orquit！Iain”ttellingyouhisname——yet。BUT
I”LLTAKEYOUTOHIMTO-NIGHT——andyouandmenabshimtogether。Isthatstraightenoughgoodsforyou？“
“Don”tgetsore，“saidLannigan，morepacifically。“Yes，ifyou”lldothatit”sgoodenoughforanyman。Butlayyourcardsonthetablefaceup，Whitey——Iwanttoseewhatyouopenedthepoton。”
“You”veseen”em，“WhiteyMackansweredungraciously。“I”vetoldyoualready。TheGraySealgoesoutforkeeps——cursehimforasnitch！IfIbumpedhimoff，orwisedupanyoftheguystoit，andwewascaught，we”dgetthejuiceforitevenifitwastheGraySeal，wouldn”twe？Well，what”stheuse！Ifoneofyoudicksgethim，hegetsbumpedoffjustthesame，onlyregular，upinthewireparlouratSingSing。Iain”tlookingforthatkindoftroublewhenIcanduckit。See？“
“Sure，“saidLannigan。
“Besides，andmoreover，“continuedWhiteyMack，“there”sSOMErewardhungoutforhimthatI”mfiguringtoborninon。I”dswipeitallmyself，don”tyoumakeanymistakeaboutthat，andyou”dnevergetalook-in，only，soreasthemobisontheGraySeal，itain”thealthyforanyguyaroundthesepartstogetthereputationofbeingasnitch，nomatterwhohesnitcheson。Bumphimoff——sure！
Snitching——well，yougettheidea，eh？I”mduckingthattoo。Getme？“
“Igetyou，“saidLannigan，withashort，pleasedlaugh。
“Well，then，“announcedWhiteyMack，“here”smyproposition，andit”smyturntohandoutthe”look-out-for-your-self”dope。I”mbustingthegamewideopenforyoutoplay，butyouthrowmedown，and“——hisvoicesankintoasullensnarlagain”youcantakeitfromme，I”llgetyouforit！“
“Allright，“respondedLannigansoberly。“Let”shearit。IfI
agreetoit，I”llsticktoit。”
“Ibelieveyou，“saidWhiteyMackcurtly。“That”swhyIpickedyououtforthemedalthey”llpinonyouforthis。Andhere”sgettingdowntotacks！I”llleadyoutotheGraySealto-nightandhelpyounabhimandstaywithyoutothefinish，butthere”stobenobodybutyouandmeonthejob。Whenit”sdoneIfadeaway，andnobody”stoknowIsnitched，andnoquestionsaskedastohowIfoundoutabouttheGraySeal。Iain”tlookingforanyoftheglory——youcanfixthatuptosuityourself。Thecashisdifferent——youcomeacrosswithhalftherewardthedaytheypayit。”
“You”llgetit！“TherewassavageelationinLannigan”svoice，theemphaticsmashofafistonthetable。“You”reon，Whitey。AndifwegettheGraySealto-night，I”lldobetterbyyouthanthat。”
“We”llgethim！“saidWhiteyMack，withaviciousoath。“And”
JimmieDalecrouchedsuddenlylowdown，closeagainstthewall。Thecrunchofafootstepsoundedfromtheendofthelane。Someonehadturnedinfromthecrossstreet，somefiftyyardsaway，andwasheadingevidentlyforthebackentrancetoBristolBob”s。JimmieDaleedgednoiselessly，cautiouslybackpastthedoorway，kepton，pressedcloseagainstthewall，andfinallypaused。Hehadnotbeenseen。ThebackdoorofBristolBob”sopenedandclosed。Themanhadgonein。
ForamomentJimmieDalestoodhesitant。Therewasawildsurginginhisbrain，somethinglikeamyriadbatteriesoftriphammersseemedtobepoundingathistemples。Then，almostblindly，hekeptondownthelaneinthesamedirectioninwhichhehadstartedtoretreat——aswellonecrossstreetasanother。
Heturnedintothecrossstreet，wentalongit——andpresentlyemergedintothefulltideoftheBowery。Itwasgarishlylighted；
peopleswarmedabouthim。Subconsciously，therewerecrowdedsidewalks；subconsciously，hewasontheBowery——thatwasall。
Ruin，disaster，perilfacedhim——facedhim，andstaggeredhimwiththesuddennessoftheshock。Wasittrue？No；itcouldnotbetrue！Itwasabluff——WhiteyMackwasbluffing。JimmieDale”slipsgrewthininamirthlesssmileasheshookhishead。NeitherWhiteyMacknoranyothermanwoulddaretoblufflikethat。Itwastoostraight，tooopen-handed，WhiteyMackhadlaidhiscardstooplainlyonthetable。WhiteyMack”swordsranginhisears：“I”llLEADyoutotheGraySealto-nightandhelpyounabhimandstaywithyoutothefinish。”Themanmeantwhathesaid，meantwhathesaid，too，aboutthe“finish“oftheGraySeal；notamanintheBadLandsbutmeant——deathtotheGraySeal！Buthow，bywhatmeans，when，wherehadWhiteyMackgothisinformation？“I”mtheonlyonethat”swise，“WhiteyMackhadsaid。Itseemedimpossible。ItWAS
impossible！WhiteyMackwassincereenoughprobablyinwhathehadsaid，butthemansimplycouldnotknow。WhiteyMackcouldonlyhavespottedsomeonethat，forsomereasonorother，heIMAGINED
wastheGraySeal。Thatwasit——mustbeit！WhiteyMackhadmadeamistake。Whatclewcouldhehaveobtainedto——
OvertheunwashedfaceofLarrytheBatagraypallorspreadslowly。
Hisfingerswerepluckingatthefrayededgeofhisinsidevestpocket。Thedarkeyesseemedtoturncoal-black。Alaugh，likethelaughofonedamned，rosetohislips，andwaschokedback。Itwasgone！GONE！Thatthinmetalcase，likeacigarettecase，that，betweenthelittlesheetsofoilpaper，heldthosediamond-shaped，gray-coloured，adhesiveseals，theinsigniaoftheGraySeal——wasgone！Clew！Itseemedasthoughtherewereanoverpoweringnauseauponhim。CLEW！Thatlittlecasewasnotaclew——itwasadeathwarrant！
Hishandsclenchedfiercely。Ifhecouldonlythinkforamoment！
Theliningofhispockethadgivenaway。Thecasehaddroppedout。
ButtherewasnothingaboutthecasetoidentifyanyoneastheGraySealunlessitwerefoundinone”sactualpossession。ThereforeWhiteyMack，tohavesolvedhisidentity，musthaveseenhimdropthecase。Therecouldbenoquestionaboutthat。ItwasequallyobviousthenthatWhiteyMackwouldknowtheGraySealasLarrytheBat。DidhealsoknowhimasJimmieDale？Yes，orno？Itwasavitalquestion。Hislifehungonit。
Thatkeen，facilebrain，numbedforthemoment，wasbeginningtoworkwithlightningspeed。Itwasfouro”clockthatafternoonwhenhehadassumedthecharacterofLarrytheBat——sometimebetweenfouro”clockandthepresent，itwasnowwellaftereleven，thecasehaddroppedfromhispocket。TherehadbeenampletimethenforWhiteyMacktohavemadethatappointmentwithLannigan——andampletimetohavemadeasurreptitiousvisittotheSanctuary。HadWhiteyMackgonethere？HadWhiteyMackfoundthathidingplaceintheflooringundertheoilcloth？HadWhiteyMackdiscoveredthattheGraySealwasnotonlyLarrytheBat——butJimmieDale？
JimmieDaleswepthishandacrosshisforehead。Itwasdampfromlittleclingingbeadsofmoisture。ShouldhegototheSanctuaryandchange——becomeJimmieDaleagain？Wasitthesafestthingtodo——orthemostdangerous？EvenifWhiteyMackhadbeenthereanddiscoveredthedualpersonalityofLarrytheBat，howwouldhe，JimmieDale，knowit？Themanwouldhavebeencraftyenoughtohaveleftnosignbehindhim。WasittotheSanctuarythatWhiteyMackmeanttoleadLanniganthatevening——ordidWhiteyMackknowhimasJimmieDale，andtomakeitthemoresensational，plantocarryoutthecoup，say，attheSt。JamesClub？WhiteyMackandLanniganwerestillatBristolBob”s；hehadprobablytime，ifhesoelected，toreachtheSanctuary，change，andgetawayagain。Buteveryminutewaspricelessnow。Whatshouldhedo？Runfromthecityashewasforcover——ortakethegambler”schance？WhiteyMackknewhimasLarrytheBat——itwasnotcertainthatWhiteyMackknewhimasJimmieDale。
Hehadhalted，absorbed，infrontofamoving-picturetheatre。
Greatplacards，atfirstbutablurofcolour，suddenlyforcedthemselvesinconcreteformuponhisconsciousness。Lettersafoothighleapedoutathim：“THEDOUBLELIFE。”Therewasthepictureofabankerinhisprivateofficehastilysecretingaforgedpaperastheherointheguiseofaclerkentered；thecompanionpicturewasthebankerinconvictstripesstaringoutfrombehindthebarreddoorsofacell。Thereseemedaghastlyauguryinthecoincidence。
Whyshouldathinglikethatbethrustuponhimtoshakehisnervewhenheneedednervenowmorethanhehadeverneededitinhislifebefore？
Heraisedhishandtojerkaimlesslyatthebrimofhishat，droppedhishandabruptlytohissideagain，andstartedquickly，hurriedlyawaythroughthethrongaroundhim。Asortofsavageryhadsweptuponhim。Inaflashhehadmadehisdecision。Hewouldtakethegambler”schance！Andafterward——JimmieDale”slipswerelikeathin，straightline——itwasWhiteyMack”slifeorhisown！WhiteyMackhadsaidhewastheonlyonethatwaswise——andWhiteyMackhadnottoldLanniganyet，wouldn”ttellLanniganuntiltheshow-down。
Ifhe，JimmieDale，gottotheSanctuary，becameJimmieDaleandgotawayagain，evenifWhiteyMackknewhimasJimmieDale，therewasstillachance。ItwashislifeorWhiteyMack”s——WhiteyMack，withhislean-jawed，clean-shavenwolf”sface！IfhecouldgetWhiteyMackbeforetheotherwasreadytotellLannigan！Surelyhehadtherightofself-preservation！SurelyhislifewasasvaluableasWhiteyMack”s，asvaluableasaman”swho，asthoseinthesecretsoftheunderworldknewwellenough，hadblooduponhishands，wholivedbycrime，whowasamenacetothecommunity！Hadhenottherighttopreservehisownlifeattheexpenseofonesuchasthat？
Hehadnevertakenlife——thethoughtwasabhorrent！ButwasthereanyotherwayineventofWhiteyMackknowinghimasJimmieDale？
Hisbackwasagainstthewall；hewastrapped；certaindeath，and，worse，dishonourstaredhimintheface。LanniganandWhiteyMackwouldbetogether——theoddswouldbetwotooneagainsthim——andhehadnoquarrelwithLannigan——somehowhemustletLanniganoutofit。
Theothersideofthestreetwaslesscrowded。Hecrossedover，and，stillwiththeshufflingtreadthatdozensaroundhimknewasthecharacteristicgaitofLarrytheBat，butcoveringthegroundwithamazingcelerity，hehurriedalong。Itwasonlyattheendoftheblock，thatcrossstreetfromtheBowerythatledtotheSanctuary。Howmuchtimehadhe？Heturnedthecornerintothedarkercrossstreet。WhiteyMackwouldhavelearnedfromBristolBobthatLarrytheBathadjustbeenthere；thatis，thatLarrytheBatwasnotattheSanctuary。WhiteyMackwouldprobablybeinnohurry——heandLanniganmightwaituntillater，untilWhiteyMackshouldbesatisfiedthatLarrytheBathadgonehome。Itwasthelineofleastresistance；theywouldnotattempttoscourthecityforhim。TheymightevenwaitinthatprivateroomatBristolBob”suntiltheydecidedthatitwastimetosallyout。Hemightperhapsstillfindthemtherewhenhegotback；atanyrate，fromtherehemustpickuptheirtrailagain。Ontheotherhand——allthiswasbutsupposition——theymightmakeatoncefortheSanctuarytolieinwaitforhim。Inanycasetherewasneed，desperateneed，forhaste。
Heglancedsharplyaroundhim；and，bythesideofthetenementhousenowthatborderedonthealleyway，withacurious，swift，glidingmotion，heseemedtoblendintotheshadowanddarkness。ItwastheSanctuary，thatroomonthefirstfloorofthetenement，thetenementthathadthreeentrances，threeexits——apassagewaythroughtothesaloononthenextstreetthatabuttedontherear，theusualfrontdoor，andthesidedoorinthealleyway。Gonewastheshufflinggait。Quick，alert，heran，crouching，bentdown，alongthealleyway，reachedthesidedoor，openeditstealthily，closeditbehindhimwithequalcaution，and，inthedarkentry，stoodmotionless，listeningintently。
Therewasnosound。Hebegantomounttherickety，dilapidatedstairs；and，whereitseemedthatthelightesttreadmustmakethemcreakoutinblatantprotest，histrainedmuscles，delicatelycompensatinghisbodyweight，carriedhimupwardwithasilencethatwasalmostuncanny。Therewasneedofsilence，astherewasneedofhaste。Hewasnotsosurenowofthetimeathisdisposal——thathehadevenreachedtheSanctuaryFIRST。Howlonghadheloiteredinthathalf-dazedwayontheBowery？Hedidnotknow——perhapslongerthanhehadimagined。TherewasthepossibilitythatWhiteyMackandLanniganwerealreadyabove，waitingforhim；but，eveniftheywerenotalreadythereandhegotawaybeforetheycame，itwasimperativethatnooneshouldknowthatLarrytheBathadcomeandgone。
Hereachedthelanding，andpausedagain，hisrighthand，withaviciousmuzzleofhisautomaticpeepingnowfrombetweenhisfingers，thrownalittleforward。Itwasblack，utterlyblack，aroundhim。Againthatstealthy，catliketread——andhisearwasatthekeyholeoftheSanctuarydoor。Afullminute，pricelessthoughitwas，passed；then，satisfiedthattheroomwasempty，hedrewhisheadbackfromthekeyhole，andthoseslim，taperingfingers，thatintheirtipsseemedtoembodyallthehumansenses，feltoverthelock。Apparentlyithadbeenundisturbed；butthatwasnoproofthatWhiteyMackhadnotbeenthereafterfindingthemetalcase。
WhiteyMackwasknowntobecleverwithalock——cleverenoughforthat，anyhow。
Heslippedinthekey，turnedit，and，onhingesthatwerealwaysoiled，silentlypushedthedooropenandsteppedacrossthethreshold。Heclosedthedooruntilitwasjustajar，thatanysoundmightreachhimfromwithout——and，whippingoffhiscoat，begantoundressswiftly。
Therewasnolight。Hedarednotusethegas；itmightbeseenfromthealleyway。Hewasmovingnowquickly，surely，silentlyhereandthere。Itwaslikesomeweirdspectrefigure，alittleblackerthanthesurroundingdarkness，flittingabouttheroom。Theoilclothinthecornerwasturnedback，thelooseflooringlifted，theclothesofJimmieDaletakenout，theragsofLarrytheBatputin。Theminutesflewby。Itwasnotthechangeofclothingthattooklong——
itwastheeradicationofLarrytheBat”smake-upfromhisface，throat，neck，wrists，andhands。Occasionallyhisheadwasturnedinatense，listeningattitude；butalwaysthefingerswerebusy，workingwithswiftdeftness。
Itwasdoneatlast。LarrytheBathadvanished，andinhisplacestoodJimmieDale，theyoungmillionaire，thesociallionofNewYork，immaculateinwell-tailoredtweeds。Hestoopedtotheholeintheflooring，and，hisfingersgoingunerringlytotheirhidingplace，tookoutablacksilkmaskandanelectricflashlight——hisautomaticwasalreadyinhispossession。Hislipspartedgrimly。
Whoknewwhatpartaflashlightmightnotplay——andhewouldneedthemaskforLannigan”sbenefit，evenifitdidnotdisguisehimfromWhiteyMack。Hadheleftanytelltaleevidenceofhisvisit？
Itwasalmostworththeriskofalighttomakesure。Hehesitated，thenshookhishead，and，stoopingagain，carefullyreplacedtheflooringandlaidtheoilclothoverit——hedarednotshowalightatanycost。
Butnowevenmorecautionthanbeforewasnecessary。Attimes，thelodgershadnaturallyenoughseentheirfellowlodger，LarrytheBat，enterandleavethetenement——nonehadeverseenJimmieDaleeitherleaveorenter。Hestoleacrosstheroomtothedoor，haltedtoassurehimselfthatthehallwasempty，slippedoutintothehall，andlockedthedoorbehindhim。Againthattrained，long-
practiced，silenttreaduponthestairs。Itseemedasthoughanhourpassedbeforehereachedthebottom，andhisbrainwasshriekingathimtohurry，hurry，HURRY！Theentrywayatlast，thedoor，thealleyway，alongbreathofrelief——andhewasonthecrossstreet。
Astep，two，hetookinthedirectionoftheBowery——andhewasbendingdownasthoughtotiehisshoe，hisautomatic，fromhissidepocket，concealedinhishand。WASTHATSOMEONETHERE？Hecouldhaveswornhesawashadow-likeformstartoutfrombehindthestepsofthehouseontheoppositesideofthestreetashehademergedfromthealleyway。Inhisbentposture，withoutseeminglyturninghishead，hiseyessweptsharplyupanddowntheothersideoftheill-lightedstreet。Nothing！TherewasnotevenapedestrianinsightontheblockfromtheretotheBowery。
JimmieDalestraightenedupnonchalantly，andstoopedalmostinstantlyagain，asthoughthelacewerestillprovingrefractory。
Againthatsharp，searchingglance。Again——nothing！Hewentforwardnowinapparentunconcern；buthisrighthand，insteadofbeingburiedinhiscoatpocket，swungeasilyathisside。
Itwasstrange！Hisineffectiverusetothecontrary，hewascertainthathehadnotbeenmistaken。WasitWhiteyMack？Wasthequestionanswered？WastheGraySealknown，too，asJimmieDale？
Weretheytrailinghimnow，withtheclimaxtocomeattheclub，athisownpalatialhome，whereverthesurroundingswouldbestlendthemselvestoassuagingthatinordinatethirstforthesensationalthatwassoessentiallyacharacteristicoftheconfirmedcriminal？
Whataheadlineinthemorning”spapersitwouldmake！
Atthecornerheloiteredbythecurbtolightacigarette——stillnotasoulinsightoneithersideofthestreetbehindhim，exceptacoupleofItalianswhohadjustpassedby。Strangeagain！Theintuition，ifitwereonlyintuition，wasstillstrong。Heswungabruptlyonhisheel，mingledwiththepassers-byontheBowery，walkedarapidhalfdozenstepsuntilthebuildinghidthecrossstreet，thenranacrosstheroadtotheoppositesideoftheBowery，and，inacrowdnow，camebacktothecorner。Hecrossedfromcurbtocurbslowly，shelteredbyafringeofpeoplethat，however，innowayobstructedhisviewdownthesidestreet。AndthenJimmieDaleshruggedhisshoulders。Hehadevidentlybeenmistaken，afterall。
Hewasoverexcited；hisnerveswereraw——that，perhaps，wasthesolution。Meanwhile，everyminutewascounting，ifWhiteyMackandLanniganshouldstillbeatBristolBob”s。
HekeptondowntheBowery，hurryingwithgrowingimpatiencethroughthecrowdsthatmassedinfrontofvariousplacesofamusement。HehadnotintendedtocomealongtheBowery，and，exceptforwhathadoccurred，wouldhavetakenalessfrequentedstreet。Hewouldturnoffatthenextblock。
Hewasinfrontofthatmoving-picturetheatreagain。“THEDOUBLE
LIFE“——hiseyeswereattractedinvoluntarilytothelurid，overdonedisplay。Itseemedtothreatenhim；itseemedtodanglebeforehimapremonitionasitwere，ofwhatthemorningheldinstore；butnow，too，itseemedtofeedintoflamethatsmoulderingfurythatpossessedhim。Hislife——orWhiteyMack”s！Men，women，andthechildrenwhoturnednightintodayinthatquarterofthecitywereclusteredthickaroundthesigns，hivinglikebeestothebaldsensationalism。Almostsavagelyhebegantoforcehiswaythroughthecrowd——andthenextinstant，likeamanstunned，hadstoppedinhistracks。Hisfingershadclosedinafierce，spasmodicclutchoveranenvelopethathadbeenthrustsuddenlyintohishand。
“JIMMIE！“fromsomewherecamealow，quickvoice。“Jimmie，itishalf-pastelevennow——HURRY。”
Hewhirled，scanningwildlythisface，thenthat。Itwashervoice——
HERvoice！TheTocsin！Thesensitivefingersweretelegraphingtohisbrain，astheyalwaysdid，thatthetextureoftheenvelope，too，washers。Hervoice；yes，anywhere，outofathousandvoices，hewoulddistinguishhers——butherface，hehadneverseenthat。
Which，outofallthecrowdaroundhim，washers？Surelyhecouldtellherbyherdress；shewouldbedifferent；herpersonalityalonemustsingleherout。She——
“Say，haveyousegotdepip，ordoyouset”inkyouseownsdeearth！“
amanflungathim，heavingandpushingtogetby。
Withastart，thoughhescarcelyheardtheman，JimmieDalemovedon。Hisbrainwasafire。Alltheironyoftheworldseemedmassedinasudden，overwhelmingattackuponhim。Itwasuseless——
intuitivelyhehadknownitwasuselessfromtheinstanthehadheardhervoice。Itwasalwaysthesame——always！Foryearsshehadeludedhimlikethat，comeuponhimwithoutwarninganddisappeared，butleavingalwaysthattangibleproofofherexistence——aletter，thecalloftheGraySealtoarms。Butto-nightitwasasithadneverbeenbefore。Itwasnotalonebaffledchagrinnow，notalonethelonging，thewilddesiretoseeherface，tolookintohereyes——
itwaslifeanddeath。Shehadcomeattheverymomentwhenshe，perhapsaloneofalltheworld，couldhavepointedthewayout，whenlife，liberty，everythingthatwascommontothembothwasatstake，indeadlyperil——andshehadgone，ignorantofitall，leavinghimstaggeredbytheverypossibilityofthesuccourthatwasheldupbeforehiseyesonlytobesnatchedawaywithoutpowerofhistograspit。Hisintuitionhadnotbeenatfault——hehadmadenomistakeinthatshadowacrossthestreetfromtheSanctuary。IthadbeentheTocsin。Hehadbeenfollowed；anditwasshewhohadfollowedhim，until，inacrowd，shehadseizedtheopportunityofamomentago。Thoughultimately，perhaps，itchangednothing，itwasareliefinawaytoknowthatitwasshe，notWhiteyMack，whohadbeenlurkingthere；butherpersistent，incomprehensibledeterminationtopreservethemysterywithwhichshesurroundedherselfwaslikenowtocostthembothaghastlyprice。Ifhecouldonlyhavehadonewordwithher——justoneword！
Theletterinhishandcrackledunderhisclenchedfist。Hestaredatitinahalf-blind，half-bitterway。ThecalloftheGraySealtoarms！Anothercoup，withitsincidentdangerandperil，thatshehadplannedforhimtoexecute！Hecouldhavelaughedaloudattheinhumanmockeryofit。ThecalloftheGraySealtoarms——NOW！
Whenwitheveryfacultydrainedtoitslastresource，cornered，trapped，hewasfightingforhisveryexistence！
“Jimmie，itishalf-pastelevennow——HURRY！“Thewordswerejanglingdiscordantlyinhisbrain。
Andnowhelaughedoutright，mirthlessly。Ayounggirlhangingonherescort”sarm，passing，glancedathimandgiggled。ItwasadifferentJimmieDaleforthemoment。Foroncehisimmobilityhadforsakenhim。Helaughedagain——asortofunnatural，desperateindifferencetoeverythingfallinguponhim。Whatdiditmatter，themomentortwoitwouldtaketoreadtheletter？Helookedaroundhim。HewasonthecornerinfrontofthePalaceSaloon，and，turningabruptly，hesteppedinthroughtheswingingdoors。AsLarrytheBat，heknewtheplacewell。Attherearofthebarroomandalongthesideofthewallweresomehalfdozenlittlestalls，partitionedofffromeachother。Severalofthesewereunoccupied，andhechosetheonefarthestfromtheentrance。Itwasprivateenough；noonewoulddisturbhim。
Fromtheapronedindividualwhopresentedhimselfheorderedadrink。Themanreturnedinamoment，andJimmieDaletossedacoinonthetable，biddingtheotherkeepthechange。Hewantednodrink；thetransactionwaswhollyperfunctory。Thewaiterwasgone；
hepushedtheglassawayfromhim，andtoretheenvelopeopen。
Asinglesheet，closelywrittenonbothsidesofthepaper，wasinhishand。Itwasherwriting；therewasnomistakingthat，buteveryword，everylineboreevidenceoffrantichaste。Eventhatcustomaryformula，“dearphilanthropiccrook，“thathadprefacedeverylineshehadeverwrittenhimbefore，hadbeenomitted。Hiseyestraversedthefirstfewlineswiththatstrangeindifferencethathadsettleduponhim。What，afterall，diditmatterwhatitwas；hecoulddonothing——notevensavehimselfprobably。Andthen，withalittlestart，hereadthelinesoveragain，mutteringsnatchesfromthem。
“……MaxDiestricht——diamonds——theRoss-Loganstones——wedding——
slidingpanelinwallofworkshop——endoftheroomnearwindow——tenboardstotherightfromsidewall——presssmallknotinthewoodinthecentreofthetenthboard——to-night……”
ItbroughtasuddenthrillofexcitementtoJimmieDalethat，impossibleashewouldhavebelieveditaninstantago，forthemomentovershadowedtherealisationofhisownperil。Arobberysuchasthat，ifitwereeveraccomplished，wouldstirthecountryfromendtoend；itwouldsetNewYorkbytheears；itwouldloosethepoliceinfullcrylikeapackofbloodhoundswiththeirleashesslipped。ThesocietycolumnsofthenewspapershadbeenbusyformonthsfeaturingthecomingmarriageoftheRoss-Logans”daughtertooneofthecountry”syoungmerchantprinces。ThecombinedfortunesofthetwofamilieswouldmaketheyoungcoupletherichestinAmerica。Theprospectivegroom”sweddinggiftwastobeadiamondnecklaceofperfectlymatched，largestonesthatwouldeclipseanythingofthekindinthecountry。Europe，theforeignmarkets，hadbeenliterallycombedandransackedtosupplythegems。ThestoneshadarrivedinNewYorkthedaybefore，thedutyonthemaloneamountingtooverfiftythousanddollars。Allthishadappearedinthepapers。
JimmieDale”sbrowsdrewtogetherinafrown。Onjustexactlywhatpercentagethedutywasfiguredhedidnotknow；butitwashighenoughonthebasisoffiftythousanddollarstoassumesafelythattheassessedvalueofthestoneswasnotlessthanfourtimesthatamount。Twohundredthousanddollars——laiddown，aquarterofamillion！Well，whynot？Inmorethanonequarterdiamondswererankedasthesoundestkindofaninvestment。Furthermore，throughpersonalacquaintancewiththe“highcontractingparties，“whowereinhisownset，heknewittobetrue。
Heshruggedhisshoulders。Thepapers，too，hadthrownthelimelightonMaxDiestricht，who，thoughforquiteatimethefashioninthesocialworld，had，uptothepresent，beencomparativelyunknowntotheaverageNewYorker。HisownknowledgeofMaxDiestrichtwentdeeperthanthesuperficialbiographyfurnishedbythenewspapers——theoldHollanderhaddonemorethanonepieceofexquisitejewelryworkforhim。Theoldfellowwasacharacterthatbeggareddescription，eccentrictothepointofextravagance，anddeafasapost；but，incraftmanship，amodernCellini。Heemployednoworkmen，livedaloneoverhisshopononeofthelowerstreetsbetweenFifthandSixthAvenuesnearWashingtonSquare——andpossessedasplendidcontemptforsuchprotectivecontrivancesassafesandvaults。Ifhisprospectivepatronsexpostulatedonthisscorebeforeintrustinghimwiththeirvaluables，theywereatlibertytotaketheirworkelsewhere。ItwasMaxDiestrichtwhohonouredyoubyacceptingthecommission；notyouwhohonouredMaxDiestrichtbyintrustinghimwithit。“Ofwhatuseisittome，asafe！“hewouldexclaim。“Ithidesnothing；itonlysays，”Iaminside；donotlookfarther；comeandgetme！”
Yes？Itistoexplodewiththenitro-glycerin——POUF！——andIamdeafandIhearnothing。Itisafoolishness，that“——hehadahabitofproddingatonewithalevelledfore-finger”everynightsomewheretheyarerobbed，andhaveIbeenrobbed？HEIN，tellmethat；haveI
beenrobbed？“
Itwastrue。Intenyears，thoughattimeshavingstonesandpreciousmetalaggregatinglargeamountsdepositedwithhimbyhiscustomers，MaxDiestrichthadneverlostsomuchasthegoldfilings。TherewasaqueersmileonJimmieDale”slipsnow。Theknotinthetenthboardwassignificant！MaxDiestrichtwasscrupulouslyhonest，ageniusinoriginalityandconceptionofdesign，amasterintheperfectionanddelicacyofhisfinishedwork——hehadbeencommissionedtodesignandsettheRoss-Logannecklace。
Thebrainworksquickly。AllthisandmorehadflashedalmostinstantaneouslythroughJimmieDale”smind。Hiseyesfelltotheletteragain，andhereadon。Halfwaythrough，asuddenwhitenessblanchedhisface，and，followingit，asurgingtideofredthatmountedtohistemples。Itdazedhim；itseemedtorobhimforthemomentofthepowerofcoherentthought。Hewaswrong；hehadnotreadaright。Itwasincredible，dare-devilbeyondbelief——andyetinitsveryaudacitylaysuccess。Hefinishedtheletter，readitoncemore——andhisfingersmechanicallybegantotearitintolittleshreds。Hisbrainwasinawhirl，avortexofconflictingemotions。
HadWhiteyMackandLanniganleftBristolBob”syet？Whereweretheynow？Wastheretimefor——this？Hewasstaringatthelittletornscrapsofpaperinhishand。Hethrustthemsuddenlyintohispocket，andjerkedouthiswatch。Itwasnearlymidnight。Thebroad，muscularshouldersseemedtosquarebackcuriously，thejawstoclampalittle，thefacetohardenandgrowcolduntilitwaslikestone。Withaswiftmovementheemptiedhisglassintothecuspidor，settheglassbackonthetable，andsteppedoutfromthestall。HisdestinationwasMaxDiestricht”s。
ThePalaceSaloonwasneartheupperendoftheBowery，and，failingataxicab，ofwhichnonewasinsight，hisquickestmethodwastowalk，andhestartedbrisklyforward。Itwasnotfar；anditwasbarelytenminutesfromthetimehehadleftthePalaceSaloonwhenheswungthroughWashingtonSquaretoFifthAvenue，and，amomentlater，turnedfromthatthoroughfare，headingwesttowardSixthAvenue，alongoneofthosestreetswhich，withthecity”snorthwardtrend，hadquitelostanydistinctiveidentity，andfrombeingonceamodestlyfashionableresidentialsectionhadnowbecomeaconglomeratepotpourriofsmalltradesmen”sstores，shopsandapartmentsofthepoorerclass。HeknewMaxDiestricht”s——hecouldwellhavedonewithouttheaidofthearclampwhich，evenifdimly，indicatedthatlow，almosttumble-down，two-storystructuretuckedawaybetweenthetallerbuildingsoneithersidethatalmostengulfedit。Itwaslate。Thestreetwasquiet。Theshopsandstoreshadlongsincebeenclosed，MaxDiestricht”samongthem——theoldHollanders”nameinpaintedwhitelettersstoodoutagainstthebackgroundofadarkenedworkshopwindow。Inthestoryabove，thelights，too，wereout；MaxDiestrichtwasprobablyfastasleep——andhewasstonedeaf！
Aglanceupanddownthestreet，andJimmieDalewasstanding，or，rather，leaningagainstMaxDiestricht”sdoor。Therewasnoonetosee，andiftherewere，whatwastheretoattractattentiontoamanstandingnonchalantlyforamomentinadoorway？Itwasonlyforamoment。ThosemasterfingersofJimmieDalewereworkingsurely，swiftly，silently。Alittlesteelinstrumentthatwasneveroutofhispossessionwasinthelockandoutagain。Thedooropened，closed；hedrewtheblacksilkmaskfromhispocketandslippeditoverhisface。Immediatelyinfrontofhimthestairsledupward；
immediatelytohisrightwasthedoorintotheshop——themodeststreetentrancewascommontoboth。
Thedoorintotheworkshopwasnotlocked。Heopenedit，steppedinside，andcloseditquietlybehindhim。Theplacewasinblackness。Hestoodforamomentsilent，straininghisearstocatchtheslightestsound，reconstructingtheplanofhissurroundingsinhismindasherememberedit。Itwasanarrow，oblongroom，runningtheentiredepthofthebuilding，averylongroom，blankwallsoneitherside，awindowinthemiddleoftherearwallthatgaveonabackyard，andfromthebackyardtherewasaccesstothelane；also，asherememberedtheplace，itwasariotofdisorder，withworkbenchesandoddsandendsstrewnwithoutsystemorreasonineverydirection——onehadneedofcaretonegotiateitinthedark。Hetookhisflashlightfromhispocket，and，preliminarytoamoreintimateacquaintancewiththeinterior，glancedoutthroughthefrontwindownearwhichhestood——and，withasuppressedcry，shrankbackinstinctivelyagainstthewall。
Twomenwerecrossingthestreet，headingdirectlyfortheshopdoor。Thearclamplighteduptheirfaces。ITWASINSPECTOR
LANNIGANOFHEADQUARTERSANDWHITEYMACK！ThequickintakeofJimmieDalebreathwassuckedthroughclenchedteeth。Theywerecloseonhisheelsthen——farcloserthanhehadimagined。ItwouldtakeWhiteyMackscarcelyanylongertoopenthatfrontdoorthanithadtakenhim。Closeonhisheels！Hisfacewasrigid。Hecouldhearthemnowatthedoor。Theflashlightinhishandwinkeddownthelengthoftheroom。Ifwasadangerousthingtodo，butitwasstillmoredangeroustostumbleintosomeobjectandmakeanoise。
Hedartedforward，circuitingaworkbench，astool，asmallhandforge。Againtheflashlightgleamed。Againstthesidewall，neartherear，wasanotherworkbench，withasortofcoarsecanvascurtainhangingpartwaydowninfrontofit，evidentlytoprotectsuchthingsasmightbestoredawaybeneathitfromdust，andJimmieDalesprangforit，whippedbackthecanvas，andcrawledunderneath。
Hewasnotaninstanttoosoon。Asthecanvasfellbackintoplace，theshopdooropened，closed，andthetwomenhadsteppedinside。
WhiteyMack”svoice，inalowwhisperthoughitwas，seemedtoechoraucouslythroughtheshop。
“Mabbewe”llhaveasweetwait，butIgotthestraightdopeonthis。
He”sgoingtomakeatryforDutchy”ssparklersto-night。We”lllethimgothelimit，andwedon”teitherofusmakeamovetillhe”spinchedthem，andthenwegethimwiththegoodsonhim。Hecan”tgetaway；hehasn”tahope！There”sonlytwowaysofgettinginhereorgettingout——thisdoorandwindowhere，andawindowthat”sdownthereattheback。Youguardthis，andI”lltakecareoftheotherend。Savvy？“
“Right！“Lanniganansweredgrimly。“Goahead！“
Therewasthesoundoffootstepsmovingforward，thenaviciousbump，thescrapingofsomeobjectalongthefloor，andamuffledcursefromWhiteyMack。
“Useyourflashlight！“advisedtheinspector，inaguardedvoice。
“Ihaven”tgotone，damnit！“，growledWhiteyMack。“It”sallright。I”llgetalong。”
Againthesteps，butmorewarilynow，asthoughthemanwerecautiouslyfeelingaheadofhimforpossibleobstacles。JimmieDaleforamomentheldhisbreath。Hecouldhavereachedoutandtouchedthemanastheotherpassed。WhiteyMackwentonuntilhehadtakenupapositionagainsttherearwall。JimmieDaleheardhimashebrushedagainstit。
Thensilencefell。Hewasbetweenthemnow。Stretchedfulllengthonthefloor，JimmieDaleraisedthelowerportionofthecanvasawayfrominfrontofhisface。Hecouldseenothing；theplacewasinStygianblackness；butithadbeencloseandstifling，and，atleast，itgavehimmoreair。
Theminutesdraggedby——eachmoreinterminablethantheonethathadgonebefore。Notamovement，notasound，andthen，throughthestillness，veryfaintatfirst，cametheregular，repressedbreathingofWhiteyMack，whowasmuchthenearerofthetwomen。
And，oncenoticeable，almostimperceptibleasitwasitseemedtopervadetheroomandfillitwithastrange，ominousresonancethatroseandfelluntiltheblacknesspalpitatedwithit。
Slowly，veryslowly，JimmieDale”shandcreptintohispocket——andcreptoutagainwithhisautomatic。Helaymotionlessoncemore。
Timeinanyconcretesenseceasedtoexist。Fanciedshapesbegantoassumeforminthedarkness。Bythedoor，Lanniganstirreduneasily，shiftinghispositionslightly。
Wasithours——wasitonlyminutes？Itseemedtoringthroughthenerve-rackingstillnessliketheshriekofahurtlingshell——anditwasonlyawhisper。
“Watchyourself，Lannigan，“whisperedWhiteyMack。“He”scomingnowthroughtheyard！Don”tmovetillIstartsomething。Lethimgethispawsonthesparklers。”
Silenceagain。Andthenalowraspingatthewindow，likethegnawingofarat；then，inchbyinch，thesashwaslifted。Therewasthesoundasofabodyforcingitswayoverthesillcautiously，thenastepuponthefloorinside，another，andstillanother。Thefigureofamanloomedupsuddenlyagainsttheglowofaflashlightashethrewtheround，whiterayinquisitivelyhereandthereovertherearwall。Andnowheappearedtobecountingtheboards。One，two，three——ten。Hishandranupanddownthetenthboard。Againandagainherepeatedtheoperation，andsomethinglikethesnarlofabaitedbeastechoedthroughtheroom。Hehalfturnedtosnatchatsomethinginhispocket，andthelightforamomentshowedablack-
bearded，loweringface，partiallyhiddenbyapeakedcapthatwaspulledfardownoverhiseyes。
Therewastheripandtearofrendingwood，asasteeljimmy，inlieuofthespringthemanevidentlycouldnotfind，bitinbetweentheboards，amutteredoathofsatisfaction，andaportionofthewallslidback，disclosingwhatlookedlikeametal-linedcupboard。
Hereachedin，seizedoneofadozenlittleboxes，andwrenchedoffthecover。Ablue，scintillatinggleamseemedtoleapouttomeetthewhiterayoftheflashlight。Themanchuckledhoarsely，andbegantocramtherestoftheboxesintohispockets。
JimmieDalestirred。Onhandsandkneeshewascreepingnowfrombeneaththeworkbench。Somethingcaughtandtorebehindhim——thecanvascurtain。Andatthesound，withasharpcry，themanatthewallwhirled，thelightwentout，andhesprangtowardthewindow。
JimmieDalegainedhisfeetandleapedforward。Arevolvershotcutalaneoffirethroughtheblackness；and，abovetheroarofthereport，WhiteyMack”svoiceinafierceyell：
“It”sallright，Lannigan！Igothim！No——HELL！“Therewasaterrificcrashofbreakingglass。“He”sgotaway！“
“Notyet，hehasn”t！“grittedJimmieDalebetweenhisteeth，andhisclubbedrevolverswungcrashingtotheheadofadarkforminfrontofhim。
Therewasahalfsigh，halfmoan。Theformslidlimplytothefloor。Lanniganwasflounderingdowntheshop，leapingobstaclesinamadrush，hisflashlightpickingouttheway。
JimmieDalesteppedswiftlybackward，andhishandgropedoutforthedroplight，overtheendofthebench，thathehadknockedagainstinhisownrush。Hisfingersclutchedit——andthelowerendoftheshopwasfloodedwithlight。Exceptforhisfelthatthatlayalittledistanceaway，therewasnosignofWhiteyMack；thehuddledformoftheman，whobutamomentsincehadchuckledashepocketedoldMaxDiestricht”sgems，laysprawled，inert，uponthefloor，andLanniganwasstaringintothemuzzleofJimmieDale”sautomatic。
“Dropthatgun，Lannigan！“saidJimmieDalecoolly。“AndI”lltroubleyounottomakeanoise；itmightattractattentionfromthestreet；there”sbeentoomuchalready。DROPTHATGUN！“
TherevolverclatteredfromLannigan”shandtothefloor。Astepforward，andJimmieDale”stoesentitspinningunderabench。
Anotherstep，and，hisrevolverstillcoveringtheother，hehadwhippedapairofhandcuffsfromtheofficer”ssidepocket。
Lannigan，asthoughthethoughthadneveroccurredtohim，offerednoresistance。HewasstaringinadazedsortofwaybackandforthfromJimmieDaletothemanonthefloor。
“What”sthismean？“heburstoutsuddenly，“Where”s”
“Yourwrist，please！“requestedJimmieDalepleasantly。“No——theleftone。Thankyou“——asthehandcuffsnappedshut。“Nowgooverthereandsitdownonthefloorbesidethatfellow。QUICK！“JimmieDale”svoiceraspedsuddenly，imperatively。
Stillbewildered，butalittlesullennow，Lanniganobeyed。JimmieDalestoopedquickly，andsnappedtheotherlinkofthehandcuffovertheunconsciousman”srightwrist。
JimmieDalesmiled。
“That”stheapprovedwayoftakingyourman，isn”tit？Leftwristtotheprisoner”sright。He”sonlystunned；he”llbearoundinamoment。Knowhim？“
Lanniganshookhishead。
“Takeagoodlookathim，“invitedJimmieDale。“Yououghttoknowmostoftheminthebusiness。”
Lanniganbentoveralittlecloser，andthen，withanamazedcry，hisfreehandshotforwardandtoreawaytheother”sbeard。
ITWASWHITEYMACK！
“MyGod！“gaspedLannigan。
“Quiteso！“saidJimmieDaleevenly。“You”llfindthediamondsinhispockets，and，excuseme“——hisfingerswererunningthroughWhiteyMack”sclothes”ah，hereitis“——thethinmetalcasewasinhishand”alittlearticlethatbelongstome，andwhoseloss，Iamfreetoadmit，causedmeconsiderableconcernuntilIwasinformedthathehadonlyfounditwithouthavingtheslightestideaastowhomitbelonged。Itmadequiteadifference！“HehadopenedthecasecarelesslybeforeLannigan”seyes。“”TheGraySeal！”I”llsayitforyou，“saidJimmieDalewhimsically。“Thisiswhatprobablyputtheideaintohishead，afterfirst，insomeway，havingdiscoveredoldMaxDiestricht”shidingplace；and，ifIhadgivenhimtimeenough，hewouldprobablyhavestuckoneoftheseseals，inclumsyimitationofthatlittleeccentricityofmine，onthewallovertheretostampthejobasgenuine。Youbegintogetit，don”tyouLannigan？Prettysure-fireasanalibi，eh？Andhe”dhavegotawaywithit，too，asfarasyouwereconcerned。Hehadonlytofirethatshot，smashthewindow，tuckhisfalsebeard，mustache，andpeakedcapintohispocket，putonhisownhatthatyouseethereonthefloor——andyellthatthemanhadescaped。He”dhelpyouchasethethief，too！Ratherneat，don”tyouthink，Lannigan？
Andworththerisk，too，consideringthehowlthatwouldgoupatthetheftofthosestones，andthat，knownastheslickestdiamondthiefinthecountry，hewouldbethefirsttobesuspected——exceptthatthepolicethemselves，inthepersonofInspectorLanniganofheadquarters，wouldbepreparedtoproveaperfectlygoodalibiforhim。”
Lannigan”sheadwasthrustforward；hiseyes，hard，wererivetedonWhiteyMack。
“MyGod！“hesaidagainunderhisbreath。Thenfiercely：“He”llgethisforthis！“
ItwasamomentbeforeJimmieDalespoke；hewasmusinglyexaminingtheautomaticinhishand。
“Iamgoingnow，Lannigan，“heobservedquietly。“Irequire，say，fifteenminutesinwhichtoeffectmyescape。Itis，ofcourse，obviousthatanalarmraisedbyyoumightproveextremelyawkward，butapieceofcanvasfromthatbenchthere，togetherwithabitofstring，wouldmakeamosteffectivegag。Iprefer，however，nottosubmityoutothatindignity。Instead，Iofferyouthealternativeofgivingmeyourwordtoremainquietlywhereyouarefor——fifteenminutes。”
Lanniganhesitated。
