第4章

类别:其他 作者:Davis, Richard Harding字数:25833更新时间:18/12/21 13:14:24
Themoonlightfellallabouther,asithadonthefirstnightof,theirarrival,amonthbefore,butnowitseemedcoldand,cheerless,andgaveanaddedsenseoflonelinesstothesilent,house。Shedidnotgoinsidetoread,asshehadpromisedtodo,butsatforthenexthourlookingoutacrosstheharbor。She,couldnotblameAlice。SheconsideredthatAlicealwaysmovedby,rulesandprecedents,likeaqueeninagameofchess,andshe,wonderedwhy。Itmadelifesotameanduninteresting,andyet,peopleinvariablyadmiredAlice,andsomeonehadspokenofher,asthenoblestexampleofthemoderngentlewoman。Shewas,sureshecouldnotgrowuptobeanythinglikethat。Shewas,quiteconfidentthatshewasgoingtodisappointherfamily。She,wonderedifpeoplewouldlikeherbetterifshewerediscreet,likeAlice,andlesslikeherbrotherTed。IfMr。Clay,for,instance,wouldlikeherbetter?,Shewonderedifhedisapproved,ofherridingontheenginewithMacWilliams,andofhertearing,throughtheminesonherpony,andspearingwithalanceof,sugar-caneatthemongrelcursthatrantosnapathisflanks。 Sherememberedhislookofastonishedamusementthedayhehad,caughtherinthisimpromptupig-sticking,andshefeltherself,growingredattherecollection。Shewassurehethoughthera,tomboy。Probablyheneverthoughtofheratall。 Hopeleanedbackinthechairandlookedupatthestarsabove,themountainsandtriedtothinkofanyofherheroesandprinces,infictionwhohadgonethroughsuchinterestingexperiencesas,hadMr。Clay。Someofthemhaddoneso,buttheywerecreatures,inabookandthisherowasalive,andsheknewhim,andhad,probablymadehimdespiseherasasillylittlegirlwhowas,scoldedandsentofftobedlikeadisobedientchild。Hopefelt,achokinginherthroatandsomethinglikeatearcreeptoher,eyes:butshewassurprisedtofindthatthefactdidnot,makeherashamedofherself。Sheownedthatshewaswounded,anddisappointed,andtomakeithardershecouldnothelp,picturingAliceandClaylaughingandtalkingtogetherinsome,cornerawayfromtheball-room,whileshe,whounderstoodhimso,well,andwhocouldnotfindthewordstotellhimhowmuchshe,valuedwhathewasandwhathehaddone,wasforgottenand,sittingherealone,likeCinderella,bytheemptyfireplace。 ThepicturewassopatheticasHopedrewit,thatforamoment,shefeltalmostatouchofself-pity,butthenextshelaughed,scornfullyatherownfoolishness,andrisingwithanimpatient,shrug,walkedawayinthedirectionofherroom。 Butbeforeshehadcrossedtheverandashewasstoppedbythe,soundofahorse’shoofsgallopingoverthehardsun-bakedroad,thatledfromthecity,andbeforeshehadsteppedforwardoutof,theshadowinwhichshestoodthehorsehadreachedthestepsand,hisriderhadpulledhimbackonhishaunchesandswunghimself,offbeforetheforefeethadtouchedtheground。 HopehadguessedthatitwasClaybyhisriding,andshefeared,fromhishastethatsomeoneofherpeoplewereill。Sosheran,anxiouslyforwardandaskedifanythingwerewrong。 Claystartedathersuddenappearance,andgaveashortboyish,laughofpleasure。 ``I’msogladyou’restillup,’’hesaid。``No,nothingis,wrong。’’,Hestoppedinsomeembarrassment。Hehadbeenmovedto,returnbythefactthatthelittlegirlheknewwasintrouble,andnowthathewassuddenlyconfrontedbythisolderand,statelieryoungperson,hisactionseemedparticularlysilly,and,hewasatalosstoexplainitinanywaythatwouldnotgive,offence。 ``No,nothingiswrong,’’herepeated。``Icameafter,something。’’ Clayhadborrowedoneofthecloaksthetroopersworeatnight,fromthesamemanwhohadlenthimthehorse,andashestood,bareheadedbeforeher,withthecloakhangingfromhis,shoulderstothefloorandthestarandribbonacrosshisbreast,Hopefeltverygratefultohimforbeingabletolooklikea,Princeoraheroinabook,andtoyetremainherMr。Clayatthe,sametime。 ``Icametogetyoursister’sfan,’’Clayexplained。``She,forgotit。’’ Theyounggirllookedathimforamomentinsurpriseandthen,straightenedherselfslightly。Shedidnotknowwhethershewas,themoreindignantwithAliceforsendingsuchamanonso,foolishanerrand,orwithClayforsubmittingtosuchaservice。 ``Oh,isthatit?’’shesaidatlast。``Iwillgoandfind,youone。’’,Shegavehimadignifiedlittlebowandmovedaway,towardthedoor,witheveryappearanceofdisapproval。 ``Oh,Idon’tknow,’’sheheardClaysay,doubtfully;``Idon’t,havetogojustyet,doI?,MayInotstayherealittlewhile?’’ Hopestoodandlookedathiminsomeperplexity。 ``Why,yes,’’sheanswered,wonderingly。``Butdon’tyouwantto,goback?,Youcameinagreathurry。Andwon’tAlicewanther,fan?’’ ``Oh,shehasitbythistime。ItoldStuarttofindit。She,leftitinthecarriage,andthecarriageiswaitingattheend,oftheplaza。’’ ``Thenwhydidyoucome?’’askedHope,withrisingsuspicion。 ``Oh,Idon’tknow,’’saidClay,helplessly。``IthoughtI’d,justlikearideinthemoonlight。Ihateballsanddances,anyway,don’tyou?,Ithinkyouwereverywisenottogo。’’ Hopeplacedherhandsonthebackofthebigarm-chairandlooked,steadilyathimashestoodwhereshecouldseehisfaceinthe,moonlight。``Youcameback,’’shesaid,``becausetheythoughtI wascrying,andtheysentyoutosee。Isthatit?,DidAlice,sendyou?’’shedemanded。 Claygaveagaspofconsternation。 ``Youknowthatnoonesentme,’’hesaid。``Ithoughtthey,treatedyouabominably,andIwantedtocomeandsayso。That’s,all。AndIwantedtotellyouthatImissedyouverymuch,and,thatyournotcominghadspoiledtheeveningforme,andIcame,alsobecauseIpreferredtotalktoyouthantostaywhereIwas。 NooneknowsthatIcametoseeyou。IsaidIwasgoingtoget,thefan,andItoldStuarttofinditafterI’dleft。Ijust,wantedtoseeyou,that’sall。ButIwillgobackagainat,once。’’ WhilehehadbeenspeakingHopehadloweredhereyesfromhis,faceandhadturnedandlookedoutacrosstheharbor。Therewas,astrange,happytumultinherbreast,andshewasbreathingso,rapidlythatshewasafraidhewouldnoticeit。Shealsofeltan,absurdinclinationtocry,andthatfrightenedher。Soshe,laughedandturnedandlookedupintohisfaceagain。Claysaw,thesamelookinhereyesthathehadseentherethedaywhenshe,hadcongratulatedhimonhisworkatthemines。Hehadseenit,beforeintheeyesofotherwomenandittroubledhim。Hope,seatedherselfinthebigchair,andClaytossedhiscloakonthe,flooratherfeetandsatdownwithhisshouldersagainstoneof,thepillars。Heglancedupatherandfoundthatthelookthat,hadtroubledhimwasgone,andthathereyeswerenowsmiling,withexcitementandpleasure。 ``Anddidyoubringmesomethingfromtheballinyourpocketto,comfortme,’’sheasked,mockingly。 ``Yes,Idid,’’Clayanswered,unabashed。``Ibroughtyousome,bonbons。’’ ``Youdidn’t,really!’’Hopecried,withashriekofdelight。 ``Howabsurdofyou!,Thesortyoupull?’’ ``Thesortyoupull,’’Clayrepeated,gravely。``Andalsoa,dance-card,whichisarelicofbarbarismstillexistinginthis,Southerncapital。IthasthearmsofOlanchoonitingold,and,Ithoughtyoumightliketokeepitasasouvenir。’’,Hepulled,thecardfromhiscoat-pocketandsaid,``MayIhavethis,dance?’’ ``Youmay,’’Hopeanswered。``Butyouwouldn’tmindifwesatit,out,wouldyou?’’ ``Ishouldpreferit,’’Claysaid,ashescrawledhisnameacross,thecard。``Itissocrowdedinside,andthecompanyisrather,mixed。’’,Theybothlaughedlightlyattheirownfoolishness,and,Hopesmileddownuponhimaffectionatelyandproudly。``Youmay,smoke,ifyouchoose;andwouldyoulikesomethingcoolto,drink?’’sheasked,anxiously。``Afteryourride,youknow,’’ shesuggested,withhospitableintent。Claysaidthathewas,verycomfortablewithoutadrink,butlightedacigarandwatched,hercovertlythroughthesmoke,asshesatsmilinghappily,andquiteunconsciouslyuponthemoonlitworldaroundthem。She,caughtClay’seyefixedonher,andlaughedlightly。 ``Whatisit?’’hesaid。 ``Oh,Iwasjustthinking,’’Hopereplied,``thatitwasmuch,bettertohaveadancecometoyou,thantogotothedance。’’ ``Doesonemanandadance-cardandthreebonbonsconstituteyour,ideaofaball?’’ ``Doesn’tit?,Yousee,Iamnotoutyet,Idon’tknow。’’ ``Ishouldthinkitmightdependagooddealupontheman,’’Clay,suggested。 ``Thatsoundsasthoughyouwerehinting,’’saidHope,doubtfully。``NowwhatwouldIsaytothatifIwereout?’’ ``Idon’tknow,butdon’tsayit,’’Clayanswered。``Itwould,probablybesomethingveryunflatteringorveryforward,andin,eithercaseIshouldtakeyoubacktoyourchaperonandleaveyou,there。’’ Hopehadnotbeenlistening。Hereyeswerefixedonalevelwith,histie,andClayraisedhishandtoitinsometrepidation。 ``Mr。Clay,’’shebeganabruptlyandleaningeagerlyforward,``wouldyouthinkmeveryrudeifIaskedyouwhatyoudidtoget,allthosecrosses?,Iknowtheymeansomething,andIdoso,wanttoknowwhat。Pleasetellme。’’ ``Oh,those!’’saidClay。``ThereasonIputthemonto-nightis,becausewearingthemissupposedtobeasortofcomplimentto,yourhost。Igotinthehabitabroad——’’ ``Ididn’taskyouthat,’’saidHope,severely。``Iaskedyou,whatyoudidtogetthem。NowbeginwiththeLegionofHonoron,theleft,andgorightonuntilyoucometotheend,andplease,don’tskipanything。Leaveinallthebloodthirstyparts,and,pleasedon’tbemodest。’’ ``LikeOthello,’’suggestedClay。 ``Yes,’’saidHope;``IwillbeDesdemona。’’ ``Well,Desdemona,itwaslikethis,’’saidClay,laughing。``I gotthatmedalandthatstarforservingintheNilecampaign,underWolseley。AfterIleftEgypt,Iwentupthecoastto,Algiers,whereItookserviceundertheFrenchinamost,disreputableorganizationknownastheForeignLegion——’’ ``Don’ttellme,’’exclaimedHope,indelight,``thatyouhave,beenaChasseurd’Afrique!,Notlikethemanin`UnderTwo,Flags’?’’ ``No,notatalllikethatman,’’saidClay,emphatically。``I wasjustaplain,common,orgarden,sappeur,andIshowedthe,othergood-for-nothingshowtodigtrenches。Well,I contaminatedtheForeignLegionforeightmonths,andthenI wenttoPeru,whereI——’’ ``You’reskipping,’’saidHope。``HowdidyougettheLegionof,Honor?’’ ``Oh,that?’’saidClay。``ThatwasagalleryplayImadeonce,whenwewerechasingsomeArabs。TheytooktheFrenchflagaway,fromourcolor-bearer,andIgotitbackagainandwavedit,franticallyaroundmyheaduntilIwasquitecertaintheColonel,hadseenmedoingit,andthenIstoppedassoonasIknewthatI wassureofpromotion。’’ ``Oh,howcanyou?’’criedHope。``Youdidn’tdoanythingofthe,sort。Youprobablysavedtheentireregiment。’’ ``Well,perhapsIdid,’’Clayreturned。``ThoughIdon’t,rememberit,andnobodymentioneditatthetime。’’ ``Goonabouttheothers,’’saidHope。``Anddotrytobe,truthful。’’ ``Well,IgotthisonefromSpain,becauseIwasPresidentofan,InternationalCongressofEngineersatMadrid。Thatwasthe,ostensiblereason,buttherealreasonwasbecauseItaughtthe,SpanishCommissionerstoplaypokerinsteadofbaccarat。The,GermanEmperorgavemethisfordesigningafort,andtheSultan,ofZanzibargavemethis,andnoonebuttheSultanknows,why,andhewon’ttell。Isupposehe’sashamed。Hegivesthem,awayinsteadofcigars。HewasoutofcigarsthedayIcalled。’’ ``Whatalotofplacesyouhaveseen,’’sighedHope。``Ihave,beeninCairoandAlgiers,too,butIalwayshadtowalkabout,withagoverness,andshewouldn’tgotothemosquesbecauseshe,saidtheywerefulloffleas。WealwaysgotoHomburgandParis,inthesummer,andtobighotelsinLondon。Ilovetotravel,butIdon’tlovetotravelthatway,wouldyou?’’ ``ItravelbecauseIhavenohome,’’saidClay。``I’mdifferent,fromthechapthatcamehomebecausealltheotherplaceswere,shut。Igotootherplacesbecausethereisnohomeopen。’’ ``Whatdoyoumean?’’saidHope,shakingherhead。``Whyhave,younohome?’’ ``TherewasaranchinColoradothatIusedtocallhome,’’said,Clay,``butthey’vecutitupintotownlots。Iownaplotin,thecemeteryoutsideofthetown,wheremymotherisburied,and,IvisitthatwheneverIamintheStates,andthatistheonly,pieceofearthanywhereintheworldthatIhavetogobackto。’’ Hopeleanedforwardwithherhandsclaspedinfrontofherand,hereyeswideopen。 ``Andyourfather?’’shesaid,softly;``ishe——ishethere,too——’’ Claylookedatthelightedendofhiscigarasheturnedit,betweenhisfingers。 ``Myfather,MissHope,’’hesaid,``wasafilibuster,andwent,outonthe`Virginius’tohelpfreeCuba,andwasshot,againsta,stonewall。Weneverknewwherehewasburied。’’ ``Oh,forgiveme;Ibegyourpardon,’’saidHope。Therewassuch,distressinhervoicethatClaylookedatherquicklyandsawthe,tearsinhereyes。Shereachedoutherhandtimidly,andtouched,foraninstanthisownrough,sunburnedfist,asitlayclenched,onhisknee。``Iamsosorry,’’shesaid,``sosorry。’’,Forthe,firsttimeinmanyyearsthetearscametoClay’seyesand,blurredthemoonlightandthescenebeforehim,andhesat,unmannedandsilentbeforethesimpletouchofayounggirl’s,sympathy。 Anhourlater,whenhisponystruckthegravelfrombeneathhis,hoofsontheracebacktothecity,andClayturnedtowavehis,handtoHopeinthedoorway,sheseemed,asshestoodwiththe,moonlightfallingaboutherwhitefigure,likeaspiritbeckoning,thewaytoanewparadise。 VIII ClayreachedthePresident’sPalaceduringthesupper-hour,and,foundMr。LanghamandhisdaughteratthePresident’stable。 MadameAlvarezpointedtoaplaceforhimbesideAliceLangham,whoheldupherhandinwelcome。``Youwereveryfoolishtorush,offlikethat,’’shesaid。 ``Itwasn’tthere,’’saidClay,crowdingintotheplacebeside,her。 ``No,itwashereinthecarriageallthetime。CaptainStuart,founditforme。’’ ``Oh,hedid,didhe?’’saidClay;``that’swhyIcouldn’tfind,it。Iamhungry,’’helaughed,``myridegavemeanappetite。’’ HelookedoverandgrinnedatStuart,butthatgentlemanwas,staringfixedlyatthecandlesonthetablebeforehim,hiseyes,filledwithconcern。ClayobservedthatMadameAlvarezwas,covertlywatchingtheyoungofficer,andfrowningherdisapproval,athispreoccupation。Sohestretchedhislegunderthetable,andkickedviciouslyatStuart’sboots。OldGeneralRojas,the,Vice-President,whosatnexttoStuart,movedsuddenlyandthen,blinkedviolentlyattheceilingwithanexpressionof,patientsuffering,buttheexclamationwhichhadescapedhim,broughtStuartbacktothepresent,andhetalkedwiththewoman,nexthiminaperfunctorymanner。 MissLanghamandherfatherwerewaitingfortheircarriagein,thegreathallofthePalaceasStuartcameuptoClay,and,puttinghishandaffectionatelyonhisshoulder,beganpointing,tosomethingfartherbackinthehall。Tothenight-birdsofthe,streetsandthenoisyfiacredriversoutside,andtothecrowdof,guestswhostoodonthehighmarblestepswaitingfortheirturn,todepart,hemighthavebeenrelatinganamusinganecdoteofthe,balljustover。 ``I’mingreattrouble,oldman,’’waswhathesaid。``Imust,seeyoualoneto-night。I’daskyoutomyrooms,buttheywatch,meallthetime,andIdon’twantthemtosuspectyouareinthis,untiltheymust。Gooninthecarriage,butgetoutasyoupass,thePlazaBolivarandwaitformebythestatuethere。’’ Claysmiled,apparentlyingreatamusement。``That’svery,good,’’hesaid。 HecrossedovertowhereKingstoodsurveyingthepowdered,beautiesofOlanchoandtheirgownsofapastfashion,withan,intensityofadmirationwhichwouldhavebeensuspicioustothose,whoknewhistastes。``Whenwegetintothecarriage,’’ saidClay,inalowvoice,``wewillbothcalltoStuartthatwe,willseehimto-morrowmorningatbreakfast。’’ ``Allright,’’assentedKing。``What’sup?’’ StuarthelpedMissLanghamintohercarriage,andasitmoved,awayKingshoutedtohiminEnglishtorememberthathewas,breakfastingwithhimonthemorrow,andClaycalledoutin,Spanish,``Untilto-morrowatbreakfast,don’tforget。’’,And,Stuartanswered,steadily,``Goodnightuntilto-morrowatone。’’ Astheircarriagejoltedthroughthedarkandnarrowstreet,emptynowofallnoiseormovement,oneofStuart’stroopers,dashedbyitatagallop,withalightedlanternswingingathis,side。Heraiseditashepassedeachstreetcrossing,andheld,ithighabovehisheadsothatitslightfelluponthewallsof,thehousesatthefourcorners。Theclatterofhishorse’shoofs,hadnotceasedbeforeanothertroopergallopedtowardthemriding,moreslowly,andthrowingthelightofhislanternoverthe,trunksofthetreesthatlinedthepavements。Asthecarriage,passedhim,hebroughthishorsetoitssidewithajerkofthe,bridle,andswunghislanterninthefacesofitsoccupants。 ``Wholives?’’hechallenged。 ``Olancho,’’Clayreplied。 ``Whoanswers?’’ ``Freemen,’’Clayansweredagain,andpointedatthestaronhis,coat。 Thesoldiermutteredanapology,andstrikinghisheelsintohis,horse’sside,dashednoisilyaway,hislanterntossingfromside,toside,highintheair,ashedrewreintoscaneachtreeand,passedfromonelamp-posttothenext。 ``Whatdoesthatmean?’’saidMr。Langham;``didhetakeusfor,highwaymen?’’ ``Itisthecustom,’’saidClay。``Weareoutratherlate,you,see。’’ ``IfIrememberrightly,Clay,’’saidKing,``theygaveaballat,BrusselsontheeveofWaterloo。’’ ``Ibelievetheydid,’’saidClay,smiling。Hespoketothe,drivertostopthecarriage,andsteppeddownintothestreet。 ``Ihavetoleaveyouhere,’’hesaid;``driveonquickly,please;Icanexplainbetterinthemorning。’’ ThePlazaBolivarstoodinwhathadoncebeenthecentreofthe,fashionablelifeofOlancho,butthetownhadmovedfartherup,thehill,anditwasnowfarinthesuburbs,itswalksneglected,anditsturfoverrunwithweeds。Thehousesaboutithadfallen,intodisuse,andthefewthatwerestilloccupiedatthetime,Clayentereditshowednosignoflife。Claypickedhisway,overthegrass-grownpathstothestatueofBolivar,the,heroofthesisterrepublicofVenezuela,whichstillstoodon,itspedestalinatangleofunderbrushandhangingvines。The,ironrailingthathadoncesurroundeditwasbrokendown,andthe,branchesofthetreesnearwereblackwithsleepingbuzzards。 Twogreatpalmsrearedthemselvesinthemoonlightateither,side,andbeattheirleavestogetherinthenightwind,whisperingandmurmuringtogetherliketwolivingconspirators。 ``Thisoughttobesafeenough,’’Claymurmuredtohimself。 ``It’sjusttheplaceforplotting。Ihopethereareno,snakes。’’,Heseatedhimselfonthestepsofthepedestal,and,lightingacigar,remainedsmokingandpeeringintotheshadows,abouthim,untilashadowblackerthanthedarknessroseathis,feet,andavoicesaid,sternly,``Putoutthatlight。Isawit,halfamileaway。’’ Clayroseandcrushedhiscigarunderhisfoot。``Nowthen,old,man,’’hedemandedbriskly,``what’sup?,It’snearlydaylight,andwemusthurry。’’ Stuartseatedhimselfheavilyonthestonesteps,likeaman,tiredinmindandbody,andunfoldedaprintedpieceofpaper。 Itsblanksidewasdampandstickywithpaste。 ``Itistoodarkforyoutoseethis,’’hebegan,ina,strainedvoice,``soIwilltranslateittoyou。Itisanattack,onMadameAlvarezandmyself。Theyputthemupduringtheball,whentheyknewmymenwouldbeatthePalace。Ihavehadthem,scouringthestreetsforthelasttwohourstearingthemdown,buttheyareallovertheplace,inthecafe’sandclubs。They,havedonewhattheyweremeanttodo。’’ Claytookanothercigarfromhispocketandrolleditbetweenhis,lips。``Whatdoesitsay?’’heasked。 ``Itgoesovertheoldgroundfirst。ItsaysAlvarezhasgiven,therichestbirthrightofhiscountrytoaliens——thatmeansthe,minesandLangham——andhasputanalienincommandofthearmy—— thatismeantforme。I’venomoretodowiththearmythanyou,have——IonlywishIhad!,Andthenitsaysthattheboundary,aggressionsofEcuadorandVenezuelahavenotbeenresentedin,consequence。ItaskswhatcanbeexpectedofaPresidentwhois,asblindtothedishonorofhiscountryasheistothedishonor,ofhisownhome?’’ Claymutteredunderhisbreath,``Well,goon。Isitexplicit? Moreexplicitthanthat?’’ ``Yes,’’saidStuart,grimly。``Ican’trepeatit。Itisquite,clearwhattheymean。’’ ``Haveyougotanyofthem?’’Clayasked。Canyoufixiton,someonethatyoucanfight?’’ ``Mendozadidit,ofcourse,’’Stuartanswered,``butwecannot,proveit。Andifwecould,wearenotstrongenoughtotakehim。 Hehasthecityfullofhismennow,andthetroopsarepouring,ineveryhour。’’ ``Well,Alvarezcanstopthat,can’the?’’ ``Theyarecominginfortheannualreview。Hecan’tshowthe,peoplethatheisafraidofhisownarmy。’’ ``Whatareyougoingtodo?’’ ``WhatamIgoingtodo?’’Stuartrepeated,dully。``Thatis,whatIwantyoutotellme。ThereisnothingIcandonow。I’ve,broughttroubleandinsultonpeoplewhohavebeenkindertome,thanmyownbloodhavebeen。WhotookmeinwhenIwasnakedand,clothedme,whenIhadn’tafriendorasixpencetomyname。You,remember——IcameherefromthatrowinColombiawithmywound,andIwasdownwiththefeverwhentheyfoundme,andAlvarez,gavemetheappointment。AndthisishowIrewardthem。IfI stayIdomoreharm。IfIgoawayIleavethemsurroundedby,enemies,andnotenemieswhofightfair,butdamnedthievesand,scoundrels,whostabatwomenandwhofightinthedark。I wouldn’thavehadithappen,oldman,formyrightarm! They——theyhavebeensokindtome,andIhavebeensohappy,here——andnow!’’,Theboybowedhisfaceinhishandsandsat,breathingbrokenlywhileClayturnedhisunlitcigarbetweenhis,teethandpeeredathimcuriouslythroughthedarkness。``NowI havemadethembothunhappy,andtheyhateme,andIhatemyself,andIhavebroughtnothingbuttroubletoeveryone。FirstI mademyownpeoplemiserable,andnowImakemybestfriends,miserable,andIhadbetterbedead。IwishIweredead。Iwish,Ihadneverbeenborn。’’ Claylaidhishandontheother’sbowedshoulderandshookhim,gently。``Don’ttalklikethat,’’hesaid;``itdoesnogood。 Whydoyouhateyourself?’’ ``What?’’askedStuart,wearily,withoutlookingup。``Whatdid,yousay?’’ ``Yousaidyouhadmadethemhateyou,andyouaddedthatyou,hatedyourself。Well,Icanseewhytheynaturallywouldbe,angryforthetime,atleast。Butwhydoyouhateyourself? Haveyoureasonto?’’ ``Idon’tunderstand,’’saidStuart。 ``Well,Ican’tmakeitanyplainer,’’Clayreplied。``Itisn’t,aquestionIwillask。Butyousayyouwantmyadvice。Well,my,advicetomyfriendandtoamanwhoisnotmyfriend,differ。 Andinthiscaseitdependsonwhetherwhatthatthing——’’ Claykickedthepaperwhichhadfallenontheground——``whatthat,thingsaysistrue。’’ Theyoungermanlookedatthepaperbelowhimandthenbackat,Clay,andsprangtohisfeet。 ``Why,damnyou,’’hecried,``whatdoyoumean?’’ HestoodaboveClaywithbotharmsrigidathissideandhishead,bentforward。Thedawnhadjustbroken,andthetwomensaweach,otherintheghastlygraylightofthemorning。``Ifanyman,’’ criedStuartthickly,``darestosaythatthatblackguardlylie,istrueI’llkillhim。Youoranyoneelse。Isthatwhatyou,mean,damnyou?,Ifitis,sayso,andI’llbreakeveryboneof,yourbody。’’ ``Well,that’smuchbetter,’’growledClay,sullenly。``Theway,youwentonwishingyouweredeadandhatingyourselfmademe,almostlosefaithinmankind。Nowyougomakethatspeechtothe,President,andthenfindthemanwhoputupthoseplacards,and,ifyoucan’tfindtherightman,takeanymanyoumeetandmake,himeatit,pasteandall,andbeathimtodeathifhedoesn’t。 Why,thisisnotimetowhimper——becausetheworldisfullof,liars。Gooutandfightthemandshowthemyouarenotafraid。 Confoundyou,youhadmesoscaredtherethatIalmostthrashed,youmyself。Forgiveme,won’tyou?’’hebeggedearnestly。 Heroseandheldouthishandandtheothertookit,doubtfully。 ``Itwasyourownfault,youyoungidiot,’’protestedClay。 ``Youtoldyourstorythewrongway。Nowgohomeandgetsome,sleepandI’llbebackinafewhourstohelpyou。Look!’’he,said。Hepointedthroughthetreestothesunthatshotuplike,aredhotdiskofheatabovethecoolgreenofthemountains。 ``See,’’saidClay,``Godhasgivenusanotherday。Seven,battleswerefoughtinsevendaysonceinmycountry。Let’sbe,thankful,oldman,thatwe’reNOTdead,butalivetofightour,ownandotherpeople’sbattles。’’ TheyoungermansighedandpressedClay’shandagainbeforehe,droppedit。 ``Youareverygoodtome,’’hesaid。``I’mnotjustquite,myselfthismorning。I’mabitnervous,Ithink。You’llsurely,come,won’tyou?’’ ``Bynoon,’’Claypromised。``Andifitdoescome,’’headded,``don’tforgetmyfifteenhundredmenatthemines。’’ ``Good!Iwon’t,’’Stuartreplied。``I’llcallonyouifIneed,them。’’,Heraisedhisfingersmechanicallytohishelmetin,salute,andcatchinguphisswordturnedandstrodeawayerect,andsoldierlythroughthedebrisandweedsofthedesertedplaza。 Clayremainedmotionlessonthestepsofthepedestaland,followedtheyoungermanwithhiseyes。Hedrewalongbreath,andbeganaleisurelysearchthroughhispocketsforhismatch- box,gazingabouthimashedidso,asthoughlookingforsome,onetowhomhecouldspeakhisfeelings。Heliftedhiseyesto,thestern,smooth-shavenfaceofthebronzestatueabovehimthat,seemedtobewatchingStuart’sdepartingfigure。 ``GeneralBolivar,’’Claysaid,ashelithiscigar,``observe,thatyoungman。Heisasoldierandagallantgentleman。You,sir,wereagreatsoldier——thegreatestthisGod-forsakencountry,willeverknow——andyouwere,sir,anardentlover。Iaskyouto,salutethatyoungmanasIdo,andtowishhimwell。’’,Clay,liftedhishighhattothebackoftheyoungofficerasitwas,hiddeninthehangingvines,andonceagain,withgraverespect,tothegrimfeaturesofthegreatgeneralabovehim,andthen,smilingathisownconceit,heranlightlydownthestepsand,disappearedamongthetreesoftheplaza。 IX Claysleptforthreehours。Hehadleftanoteonthefloor,instructingMacWilliamsandyoungLanghamnottogotothemines,buttowakenhimatteno’clock,andbyeleventhethreemenwere,gallopingofftothecity。AstheyleftthePalmstheymetHope,returningfromamorningrideontheAlameda,andClaybegged,her,withmuchconcern,nottorideabroadagain。Therewasa,differenceinhistonetowardher。Therewasmoreanxietyinit,thantheoccasionseemedtojustify,andheputhisrequestin,theformofafavortohimself,whilethedayprevioushewould,simplyhavetoldherthatshemustnotgoridingalone。 ``Why?’’askedHope,eagerly。``Istheregoingtobetrouble?’’ ``Ihopenot,’’Claysaid,``butthesoldiersarecominginfrom,theprovincesforthereview,andtheroadsarenotsafe。’’ ``I’dbesafewithyou,though,’’saidHope,smilingpersuasively,uponthethreemen。``Won’tyoutakemewithyou,please?’’ ``Hope,’’saidyoungLanghaminthetoneoftheelder,brother’sbriefauthority,``youmustgohomeatonce。’’ Hopesmiledwickedly。``Idon’twantto,’’shesaid。 ``I’llbetyouaboxofcigarsIcanbeatyoutotheverandaby,fiftyyards,’’saidMacWilliams,turninghishorse’shead。 Hopeclaspedhersailorhatinonehandandswungherwhipwith,theother。``Ithinknot,’’shecried,anddisappearedwitha,flutterofskirtsandascurryofflyingpebbles。 ``Attimes,’’saidClay,``MacWilliamsshowsanunexpected,knowledgeofhumannature。’’ ``Yes,hedidquiteright,’’assentedLangham,noddinghishead,mysteriously。``We’venotimeforgirlsatpresent,havewe?’’ ``No,indeed,’’saidClay,hidinganysignofasmile。 Langhambreatheddeeplyatthethoughtoftheparthewastoplay,inthiscomingstruggle,andremainedrespectfullysilentasthey,trottedtowardthecity。Hedidnotwishtodisturbtheplots,andcounterplotsthathewasconfidentwereforminginClay’s,brain,andhisdevotionwouldhavebeenseverelytriedhadhe,knownthathishero’smindwasfilledwithapictureofayoung,girlinablueshirt-waistandawhipcordriding-skirt。 ClaysentforStuarttojointhemattherestaurant,and,MacWilliamsarrivingatthesametime,thefourmenseated,themselvesconspicuouslyinthecentreofthecafe’andsipped,theirchocolateasthoughunconsciousofanyimminentdanger,and,inapparentfreedomfromallresponsibilitiesandcare。While,MacWilliamsandLanghamlaughedanddisputedoveragameof,dominoes,theoldermenexchanged,undercoveroftheirchatter,thefewwordswhichtheyhadmettospeak。 Themanifestoes,Stuartsaid,hadfailedoftheirpurpose。He,hadalreadycalleduponthePresident,andhadofferedtoresign,hispositionandleavethecountry,ortostayandfighthis,maligners,andtakeuparmsatonceagainstMendoza’sparty。 Alvarezhadtreatedhimlikeason,andbadehimbepatient。He,heldthatCaesar’swifewasabovesuspicionbecauseshewas,Caesar’swife,andthatnocanardspostedatmidnightcould,affecthisfaithinhiswifeorinhisfriend。Herefusedto,believethatanycoupd’etatwasimminent,savetheone,whichhehimselfmeditatedwhenhewasreadytoproclaimthe,countryinastateofrevolution,andtoassumeamilitary,dictatorship。 ``Whatnonsense!’’exclaimedClay。``Whatisamilitary,dictatorshipwithoutsoldiers?,Can’theseethatthearmyis,withMendoza?’’ ``No,’’Stuartreplied。``RojasandIwerewithhimallthe,morning。Rojasisanoldtrump,Clay。He’snotbrightandhe’s,old-fashioned;butheishonest。Andthepeopleknowit。IfI hadRojasforachiefinsteadofAlvarez,I’darrestMendozawith,myownhand,andIwouldn’tbeafraidtotakehimtothecarcel,throughthestreets。Thepeoplewouldn’thelphim。Butthe,Presidentdoesn’tdare。Notthathehasn’tpluck,’’addedthe,younglieutenant,loyally,``forhetakeshislifeinhishands,whenhegoestothereviewtomorrow,andheknowsit。Thinkof,it,willyou,outtherealonewithafieldoffivethousandmen,aroundhim!,Rojasthinkshecanholdhalfofthem,asmanyas,Mendozacan,andIhavemyfifty。Butyoucan’ttellwhatany,oneofthemwilldoforadrinkoradollar。They’renomore,soldiersthanthesewaiters。They’rebanditsinuniform,and,they’llkillforthemanthatpaysbest。’’ ``Thenwhydoesn’tAlvarezpaythem?’’Claygrowled。 Stuartlookedawayandloweredhiseyestothetable。``He,hasn’tthemoney,Isuppose,’’hesaid,evasively。``He——hehas,transferredeverycentofitintodraftsonRothschild。Theyare,atthehousenow,representingfivemillionsofdollarsingold—— andherjewels,too——packedreadyforflight。’’ ``Thenhedoesexpecttrouble?’’saidClay。``Youtoldme——’’ ``They’reallalike;youknowthem,’’saidStuart。``Theywon’t,believethey’reindangeruntiltheexplosioncomes,butthey,alwayshaveaspecialtrainready,andtheykeepthefundsofthe,governmentundertheirpillows。Heengagedapartmentsonthe,AvenueKlebersixmonthsago。’’ ``Bah!’’saidClay。``It’stheoldstory。Whydon’tyouquit,him?’’ Stuartraisedhiseyesanddroppedthemagain,andClaysighed。 ``I’msorry,’’hesaid。 MacWilliamsinterruptedtheminanindignantstage-whisper。 ``Say,howlonghavewegottokeepupthisfakegame?’’he,asked。``Idon’tknowanythingaboutdominoes,andneitherdoes,Ted。Telluswhatyou’vebeensaying。Istheregoingtobe,trouble?,Ifthereis,TedandIwanttobeinit。Weare,lookingfortrouble。’’ Clayhadtippedbackhischair,andwassurveyingtherestaurant,andtheblazingplazabeyonditsopenfrontwithanexpressionof,cheerfulunconcern。Twomenwerereadingthemorningpapersnear,thedoor,andtwoothersweredraggingthroughagameofdominoes,inafarcorner。Theheatofmiddayhadsettledontheplace,andthewaitersdozed,withtheirchairstippedbackagainstthe,walls。Outside,theawningoftherestaurantthrewabroad,shadowacrossthemarble-toppedtablesonthesidewalk,andhalf,adozenfiacredriverssleptpeacefullyintheircarriagesbefore,thedoor。 Thetownwastakingitssiesta,andthebriskstepofastranger,whocrossedthetessellatedfloorandrappedwithhisknuckleson,thetopofthecigar-casewastheonlysignoflife。The,newcomerturnedwithonehandontheglasscaseandsweptthe,roomcarelesslywithhiseyes。Theywerehardblueeyesunder,straighteyebrows。Theirownerwasdressedunobtrusivelyina,suitofroughtweed,andthisandhisblackhat,andthefact,thathewassmooth-shaven,distinguishedhimasaforeigner。 AshefacedthemtheforelegsofClay’schairdescendedslowlyto,thefloor,andhebegantosmilecomprehendinglyandtonodhis,headasthoughthecomingofthestrangerhadexplainedsomething,ofwhichhehadbeenindoubt。Hiscompanionsturnedand,followedthedirectionofhiseyes,butsawnothingofinterest,inthenewcomer。Helookedasthoughhemightbeaconcession,hunterfromtheStates,oraManchesterdrummer,preparedto,offersixmonths’creditonblanketsandhardware。 Clayroseandstrodeacrosstheroom,circlingthetablesinsuch,awaythathecouldkeephimselfbetweenthestrangerand,thedoor。Athisapproachthenew-comerturnedhisbackand,fumbledwithhischangeonthecounter。 ``CaptainBurke,Ibelieve?’’saidClay。Thestrangerbitthe,cigarhehadjustpurchased,andshookhishead。``Iamvery,gladtoseeyou,’’Claycontinued。``Sitdown,won’tyou?,I wanttotalkwithyou。’’ ``Ithinkyou’vemadeamistake,’’thestrangeranswered,quietly。``Mynameis——’’ ``Colonel,perhaps,then,’’saidClay。``Imighthaveknownit。 Icongratulateyou,Colonel。’’ ThemanlookedatClayforaninstant,withthecigarclenched,betweenhisteethandhisblueeyesfixedsteadilyontheother’s,face。Claywavedhishandagaininvitinglytowardatable,and,themanshruggedhisshouldersandlaughed,and,pullingachair,towardhim,satdown。 ``Comeoverhere,boys,’’Claycalled。``Iwantyoutomeetan,oldfriendofmine,CaptainBurke。’’ ThemancalledBurkestaredatthethreemenastheycrossedthe,roomandseatedthemselvesatthetable,andnoddedtothemin,silence。 ``Wehavehere,’’saidClay,gayly,butinalowvoice,``thekey,tothesituation。ThisisthegentlemanwhosuppliesMendoza,withthesinewsofwar。CaptainBurkeisabravesoldieranda,citizenofmyownorofanycountry,indeed,whichhappens,tohavethemostsympatheticConsul-General。’’ Burkesmiledgrimly,withacondescendingnod,andputtingaway,thecigar,tookoutabrierpipeandbegantofillitfromhis,tobacco-pouch。``TheCaptainisamanoffewwordsandextremely,modestabouthimself,’’Claycontinued,lightly;``soImusttell,youwhoheismyself。Heisapromoterofrevolutions。Thatis,hisbusiness,——aprofessionalpromoterofrevolutions,andthat,iswhatmakesmesogladtoseehimagain。Heknowsallabout,thepresentcrisishere,andheisgoingtotellusallheknows,assoonashefillshispipe。Ioughttowarnyou,Burke,’’he,added,``thatthisisCaptainStuart,inchargeofthepoliceand,thePresident’scavalrytroop。So,yousee,whateveryousay,youwillhaveonemanwhowilllistentoyou。’’ Burkecrossedoneshortfatlegovertheother,andcrowdedthe,tobaccointhebowlofhispipewithhisthumb。 ``IthoughtyouwereinChili,Clay,’’hesaid。 ``No,youdidn’tthinkIwasinChili,’’Clayreplied,kindly。 ``IleftChilitwoyearsago。TheCaptainandImetthere,’’he,explainedtotheothers,``whenBalmacedawastryingtomake,himselfdictator。TheCaptainwasonthesideofthe,Congressionalists,andwasfurnishingarmsanddynamite。 TheCaptainisalwaysonthewinningside,atleasthealwayshas,been——uptothepresent。Heisnotacreatureofsentiment;are,you,Burke?,TheCaptainbelieveswithNapoleonthatGodison,thesidethathastheheaviestartillery。’’ Burkelightedhispipeanddrummedabsentmindedlyonthetable,withhismatch-box。 ``Ican’taffordtobesentimental,’’hesaid。``Notinmy,business。’’ ``Ofcoursenot,’’Clayassented,cheerfully。HelookedatBurke,andlaughed,asthoughthesightofhimrecalledpleasant,memories。``IwishIcouldgivetheseboysanideaofhowclever,youare,Captain,’’hesaid。``TheCaptainwasthefirstman,forinstance,tothinkofpackingcartridgesintubsoflard,and,ofsendingriflesinpiano-cases。HerepresentstheWelby,revolverpeopleinEngland,andhalfadozenfirmsintheStates,andhehashislittlestoresinTampaandMobileandJamaica,readytoshipoffatamoment’snoticetoanyrevolutionin,CentralAmerica。WhenIfirstmettheCaptain,’’Claycontinued,gleefully,andquiteunmindfuloftheother’scontinuedsilence,``hewasstartingofftorescueArabiPashafromtheislandof,Ceylon。Youmayremember,boys,thatwhenDufferinsavedArabi,fromhanging,theBritishshippedhimtoCeylonasa,politicalprisoner。Well,theCaptainwassentbyArabi’s,followersinEgypttobringhimbacktoleadasecondrebellion。 BurkehadeverybodybribedatCeylon,andafineschoonerfitted,outandalotofruffianstodothefighting,andthenthegood,kindBritishGovernmentpardonedArabithedaybeforeBurke,arrivedinport。Andyounevergotacentforit;didyou,Burke?’’ Burkeshookhisheadandfrowned。 ``SixthousandpoundssterlingIwastohavegotforthat,’’he,said,withatouchofpardonableprideinhisvoice,``andthey,sethimfreethedaybeforeIgotthere,justasMr。Claytells,you。’’ ``AndthenyouheadedGranvillePrior’sexpeditionforburied,treasureofftheislandofCocos,didn’tyou?’’saidClay。``Go,on,tellthemaboutit。Besociable。Yououghttowriteabook,aboutyourdifferentbusinessventures,Burke,indeedyouought; butthen,’’Clayadded,smiling,``nobodywouldbelieveyou。’’ Burkerubbedhischin,thoughtfully,withhisfingers,andlooked,modestlyattheceiling,andthetwoyoungerboysgazedathim,withopen-mouthedinterest。 ``Thereain’tanythinginburiedtreasure,’’hesaid,aftera,pause,``exceptthemoneythat’ssunkinthefittingout。It,soundsgood,butit’sallfoolishness。’’ ``Allfoolishness,eh?’’saidClay,encouragingly。``And,whatdidyoudoafterBalmacedawasbeaten?——afterIlastsaw,you?’’ ``Crespo,’’Burkereplied,afterapause,duringwhichhepulled,gentlyonhispipe。```CarolineBrewer’——clearedfromKeyWest,forCuracao,withcargoofsewing-machinesandploughs—— beachedbelowMaracaibo——thirty-fivethousandroundsandtwo,thousandrifles——attwentybolivarsapiece。’’ ``Ofcourse,’’saidClay,inatoneofgenuineappreciation。``I mighthaveknownyou’dbeinthat。Hesays,’’heexplained,``thatheassistedGeneralCrespoinVenezueladuringhis,revolutionagainstGuzmanBlanco’sparty,andloadedatramp,steamercalledthe`CarolineBrewer’atKeyWestwitharms,which,helandedsafelyataplaceforwhichhehadnoclearancepapers,andhereceivedfortythousanddollarsinourmoneyforthejob—— andverygoodpay,too,Ishouldthink,’’commentedClay。 ``Well,Idon’tknow,’’Burkedemurred。``Youtakeinthecost,ofleasingtheboatandprovisioningher,andthecrew’swages,andthecostofthecargo;thatcutsintoprofits。ThenIhadto,standoffshorebetweenTrinidadandCuracaoforoverthree,weeksbeforeIgotthesignaltorunin,andafterthatIwas,chasedbyagun-boatforthreedays,andthecrazyfoolputa,shotcleanthroughmyengine-room。Costmeabouttwelve,hundreddollarsinrepairs。’’ Therewasapause,andClayturnedhiseyestothestreet,and,thenasked,abruptly,``Whatareyoudoingnow?’’ ``Tryingtogetordersforsmokelesspowder,’’Burkeanswered,promptly。HemetClay’slookwitheyesasundisturbedashis,own。``Buttheywon’ttouchitdownhere,’’hewenton。``It,doesn’tappealto’em。It’stooexpensive,andthey’drathersee,thesmoke。Itmakesthemthink——’’ ``Howlongdidyouexpecttostayhere?’’Clayinterrupted。 ``Howlong?’’repeatedBurke,likeamaninawitness-boxwhois,tryingtogaintime。``Well,Iwasthinkingofleavingby,Friday,andtakingamule-trainovertoBogotainsteadofwaiting,forthesteamertoColon。’’,Heblewamouthfulofsmokeintothe,airandwatcheditdriftingtowardthedoorwithapparent,interest。 ``The`Santiago’leaveshereSaturdayforNewYork。Iguessyou,hadbetterwaitoverforher,’’Claysaid。``I’llengageyour,passage,and,inthemeantime,CaptainStuartherewillseethat,theytreatyouwellinthecuartel。’’ Themenaroundthetablestarted,andsatmotionlesslookingat,Clay,butBurkeonlytookhispipefromhismouthand,knockedtheashesoutontheheelofhisboot。``WhatamIgoing,tothecuartelfor?’’heasked。 ``Well,thepublicgood,Isuppose,’’laughedClay。``I’msorry,butit’syourownfault。Youshouldn’thaveshownyourselfhere,atall。’’ ``Whathaveyougottodowithit?’’askedBurke,calmly,ashe,begantorefillhispipe。Hehadtheairofamanwhosaw,nothingbeforehimbutanafternoonofpleasantdiscourseand,leisurelyinactivity。 ``YouknowwhatI’vegottodowithit,’’Clayreplied。``I’ve,gotourconcessiontolookafter。’’ ``Well,you’renotrunningthetown,too,areyou?’’askedBurke。 ``No,butI’mgoingtorunyououtofit,’’Clayanswered。 ``Now,whatareyougoingtodo,——makeitunpleasantforusand,forceourhand,ordrivedownquietlywithourfriendMacWilliams,here?,Heisthebestonetotakeyou,becausehe’snotsowell,known。’’ BurketurnedhisheadandlookedoverhisshoulderatStuart。 ``YoutakingordersfromMr。Clay,to-day,CaptainStuart?’’he,asked。 ``Yes,’’Stuartanswered,smiling。``IagreewithMr。Clayin,whateverhethinksright。’’ ``Oh,well,inthatcase,’’saidBurke,risingreluctantly,withaprotestingsigh,``IguessI’dbettercallontheAmerican,minister。’’ ``Youcan’t。He’sinEcuadoronhisannualvisit,’’saidClay。 ``Indeed!,That’sbadforme,’’mutteredBurke,asthoughinmuch,concern。``Well,then,I’llaskyoutoletmeseeourconsul,here。’’ ``Certainly,’’Clayassented,withalacrity。``Mr。Langham,this,younggentleman’sfather,gothimhisappointment,soI’veno,doubthe’llbeonlytoogladtodoanythingforafriendof,ours。’’ BurkeraisedhiseyesandlookedinquiringlyatClay,asthough,toassurehimselfthatthiswastrue,andClaysmiledbackat,him。 ``Oh,verywell,’’Burkesaid。``Then,asIhappentobean,IrishmanbythenameofBurke,andaBritishsubject,I’lltry,HerMajesty’srepresentative,andwe’llseeifhewillallowme,tobelockedupwithoutareasonorawarrant。’’ ``That’snogood,either,’’saidClay,shakinghishead。``You,fixedyournationality,asfarasthiscontinentisconcerned,in,Rioharbor,whenPeixotohandedyouovertotheBritishadmiral,andyouclaimedtobeanAmericancitizen,andweresentonboard,the`Detroit。’,Ifthere’sanydoubtaboutthatwe’veonlygotto,cabletoRioJaneiro——toeitherlegation。Butwhat’stheuse? Theyknowmehere,andtheydon’tknowyou,andIdo。 You’llhavetogotojailandstaythere。’’ ``Oh,well,ifyouputitthatway,I’llgo,’’saidBurke。 ``But,’’headded,inalowervoice,``it’stoolate,Clay。’’ TheexpressionofamusementonClay’sface,andhiseaseof,manner,fellfromhimatthewords,andhepulledBurkebackinto,thechairagain。``Whatdoyoumean?’’heasked,anxiously。 ``Imeanjustthat,it’stoolate,’’Burkeanswered。``Idon’t,mindgoingtojail。Iwon’tbetherelong。Mywork’salldone,andpaidfor。Iwasonlystayingontoseethefunatthe,finish,toseeyoufellowsmadefoolsof。’’ ``Oh,you’resureofthat,areyou?’’askedClay。 ``Mydearboy!’’exclaimedtheAmerican,withasuggestioninhis,speechofhisIrishorigin,ashisinterestrose。``Didyouever,knowmetogointoanythingofthissortforthesentimentofit? Didyoueverknowmetobackthelosingside?,No。Well,Itell,youthatyoufellowshavenomoreshowinthisthanaparcelof,Sunday-schoolchildren。OfcourseIcan’tsaywhentheymeanto,strike。Idon’tknow,andIwouldn’ttellyouifIdid。But,whentheydostrikethere’llbenostrikingback。It’llbeall,overbutthecheering。’’ Burke’stonewascalmandpositive。Heheldthecentreofthe,stagenow,andhelookedfromonetotheotherofthe,seriousfacesaroundhimwithanexpressionofpityingamusement。 ``Alvarezmaygetoff,andsomayMadameAlvarez,’’headded,loweringhisvoiceandturninghisfaceawayfromStuart。``But,notifsheshowsherselfinthestreets,andnotifshetriesto,takethosedraftsandjewelswithher。’’ ``Oh,youknowthat,doyou?’’interruptedClay。 ``Iknownothing,’’Burkereplied。``Atleast,nothingtowhat,therestofthemknow。That’sonlythegossipIpickupat,headquarters。Itdoesn’tconcernme。I’vedeliveredmygoods,andgivenmyreceiptforthemoney,andthat’sallIcareabout。 Butifitwillmakeanoldfriendfeelanymorecomfortableto,havemeinjail,why,I’llgo,that’sall。’’ ClaysatwithpursedlipslookingatStuart。Thetwoboysleaned,withtheirelbowsonthetablesandstaredatBurke,whowas,searchingleisurelythroughhispocketsforhismatch-box。From,outsidecamethelazycryofavendoroflotterytickets,andthe,swift,unevenpatterofbarefeet,ascompanyaftercompanyof,dust-coveredsoldierspassedontheirwayfromtheprovinces,withtheirshoesswingingfromtheirbayonets。 Clayslappedthetablewithanexclamationofimpatience。 ``Afterall,thisisonlyamatterofbusiness,’’hesaid,``withallofus。Whatdoyousay,Burke,totakingaridewith,metoStuart’srooms,andhavingatalktherewiththePresident,andMr。Langham?,Langhamhasthreemillionssunkinthesemines,andAlvarezhasevenbetterreasonsthanthatforwantingtohold,hisjob。Whatdoyousay?,That’sbetterthangoingtojail。 Telluswhattheymeantodo,andwhoistodoit,andI’lllet,younameyourownfigure,andI’llguaranteeyouthatthey’ll,meetit。Aslongasyou’venosentiment,youmightaswellfight,onthesidethatwillpaybest。’’ Burkeopenedhislipsasthoughtospeak,andthenshutthem,again,closely。IftheothersthoughtthathewasgivingClay’s,propositionasecondandmoreseriousthought,hewasquickto,undeceivethem。 ``ThereAREmeninthebusinesswhodothatsortofthing,’’ hesaid。``Theysellarmstooneman,andsellthefactthat,he’sgotthemtothedeputy-marshals,andsellthestoryofhow,smartthey’vebeentothenewspapers。Andtheynevermakeany,moresalesafterthat。I’dlookpretty,wouldn’tI,bringing,stuffintothiscountry,andgettingpaidforit,andthen,tellingyouwhereitwashid,andeverythingelseIknew?,I’ve,nosentiment,asyousay,butI’vegotbusinessinstinct,and,that’snotbusiness。No,I’vetoldyouenough,andifyou,thinkI’mnotsafeatlarge,whyI’mquitereadytotakearide,withyouryoungfriendhere。’’ MacWilliamsrosewithalacrity,andbeamingwithpleasureatthe,importanceofthedutythrustuponhim。 Burkesmiled。``Theyoung’unseemstolikethejob,’’hesaid。 ``It’sanhonortobeassociatedwithCaptainBurkeinanyway,’’ saidMacWilliams,ashefollowedhimintoacab,whileStuart,gallopedoffbeforetheminthedirectionofthecuartel。 ``Youwouldn’tthinksoifyouknewbetter,’’saidBurke。``My,friendshavebeenwatchinguswhilewehavebeentalkinginthere,forthelasthour。They’rewatchingusnow,andifIweretonod,myheadduringthisride,they’dthrowyououtintothestreet,andsetmefree,iftheyhadtobreakthecabintokindling-wood,whiletheyweredoingit。’’ MacWilliamschangedhisseattotheoneoppositehisprisoner,andpeeredupanddownthestreetinsomeanxiety。 ``Isupposeyouknowthere’sananswertothat,don’tyou?’’he,asked。``Well,theansweris,thatifyounodyourheadonce,youlosethetopofit。’’ Burkegaveanexclamationofdisgust,andgazedathiszealous,guardianwithanexpressionoftrepidationandunconcealed,disapproval。``You’renotarmed,areyou?’’heasked。 MacWilliamsnodded。``Whynot?’’hesaid;``thesearerather,heavyweathertimes,justatpresent,thankstoyouandyour,friends。Why,youseemratherafraidoffire-arms,’’headded,withtheintoleranceofyouth。 TheIrish-Americantouchedtheyoungmanontheknee,andlifted,hishat。``Myson,’’hesaid,``whenyourhairisasgrayas,that,andyouhavebeenthroughsixcampaigns,you’llbebrave,enoughtoownthatyou’reafraidoffire-arms,too。’’ X ClayandLanghamleftMacWilliamsandStuarttolookaftertheir,prisoner,andreturnedtothePalms,wheretheydinedinstate,andmadenoreference,whilethewomenwerepresent,tothe,eventsoftheday。 Themoonroselatethatnight,andasHopewatchedit,fromwhere,shesatatthedinner-tablefacingtheopenwindows,shesawthe,figureofamanstandingoutlinedinsilhouetteupontheedgeof,thecliff。Hewasdressedintheuniformofasailor,andthe,moonlightplayedalongthebarrelofarifleuponwhichhe,leaned,motionlessandmenacing,likeasentryonarampart。 Hopeopenedherlipstospeak,andthenclosedthemagain,and,smiledwithpleasurableexcitement。AmomentlaterKing,whosat,onherright,calledoneoftheservantstohissideand,whisperedsomeinstructions,pointingmeanwhileatthewineupon,thetable。Andaminuteafter,Hopesawthewhitefigureofthe,servantcrossthegardenandapproachthesentinel。Shesawthe,sentryflinghisgunsharplytohiship,andthen,aftera,moment’sparley,tossituptohisshoulderanddisappearfrom,sightamongtheplantsofthegarden。 Themendidnotleavethetablewiththeladies,aswastheir,custom,butremainedinthedining-room,anddrewtheirchairs,closertogether。 Mr。LanghamwouldnotbelievethatthedownfalloftheGovernment,wasasimminentastheothersbelievedittobe。Itwasonly,aftermuchargument,andwithgreatreluctance,thathehadeven,allowedKingtoarmhalfofhiscrew,andtoplacethemonguard,aroundthePalms。Claywarnedhimthatinthedisorderthat,followedeverysuccessfulrevolution,thehomesofunpopular,membersoftheCabinetwereoftenburned,andthathefeared,shouldMendozasucceed,andAlvarezfall,thatthemobmight,possiblyventitsvictoriouswrathonthePalmsbecauseitwas,thehomeofthealien,whohad,astheythought,robbedthe,countryoftheironmines。Mr。Langhamsaidhedidnotthinkthe,peoplewouldtrampfivemilesintothecountryseekingvengeance。 TherewasanAmericanman-of-warlyingintheharborofTruxillo,aseaportoftherepublicthatboundedOlanchoonthesouth,and,ClaywasinfavorofsendingtohercaptainbyWeimer,the,Consul,andaskinghimtoanchoroffValencia,toprotect,Americaninterests。Therunwouldtakebutafewhours,and,thesightofthevessel’swhitehullintheharborwould,he,thought,haveasalutaryeffectupontherevolutionists。ButMr。 Langhamsaid,firmly,thathewouldnotaskforhelpuntilhe,neededit。 ``Well,I’msorry,’’saidClay。``Ishouldverymuchliketo,havethatman-of-warhere。However,ifyousayno,wewilltry,togetalongwithouther。But,forthepresent,Ithinkyouhad,betterimagineyourselfbackinNewYork,andletushavean,entirelyfreehand。We’vegonetoofartodropout,’’hewent,on,laughingatthesightofMr。Langham’sgloomycountenance。 ``We’vegottofightthemnow。It’sagainsthumannaturenotto,doit。’’ Mr。LanghamlookedappealinglyathissonandatKing。 Theybothsmiledbackathiminunanimousdisapprovalofhis,policyofnon-interference。 ``Oh,verywell,’’hesaid,atlast。``Yougentlemencango,ahead,kill,burn,anddestroyifyouwish。But,consideringthe,factthatitismypropertyyouareallfightingabout,Ireally,thinkImighthavesomethingtosayinthematter。’’,Mr。Langham,gazedabouthimhelplessly,andshookhishead。 ``Mydoctorsendsmedownherefromaquiet,happyhome,’’he,protested,withhumorouspathos,``thatImayrestandget,awayfromexcitement,andhereIamwitharmedmenpatrollingmy,garden-paths,withalotoffilibustersplottingatmyown,dinner-table,andacivilwarlikelytobreakout,entirelyonmy,account。AndDr。Wintertoldmethiswastheonlyplacethat,wouldcuremynervousprostration!’’ HopejoinedClayassoonasthemenleftthedining-room,and,beckonedhimtothefartherendoftheveranda。``Well,whatis,it?’’shesaid。 ``Whatiswhat?’’laughedClay。Heseatedhimselfontherailof,theveranda,withhisfacetotheavenueandthedrivewayleading,tothehouse。Theycouldheartheothersfromthebackofthe,house,andthevoiceofyoungLangham,whowasgivingan,imitationofMacWilliams,andsingingwithpeculiaremphasis,``ThereisnoplacelikeHome,SweetHome。’’ ``WhyarethemenguardingthePalms,andwhydidyougotothe,PlazaBolivarthismorningatdaybreak?,Alicesaysyouleftthem,there。Iwanttoknowwhatitmeans。IamnearlyasoldasTed,andheknows。Themenwouldn’ttellme。’’ ``Whatmen?’’ ``King’smenfromthe`Vesta’。Isawsomeofthemdodgingaround,inthebushes,andIwenttofindoutwhattheyweredoing,andI walkedintofifteenofthematyouroffice。Theyhave,hammocksswungallovertheveranda,andaquick-firinggunmade,fasttothesteps,andmusketsstackedallabout,justlikereal,soldiers,buttheywouldn’ttellmewhy。’’ ``We’llputyouinthecarcel,’’saidClay,``ifyougospyingon,ourforces。Yourfatherdoesn’twishyoutoknowanythingabout,it,but,sinceyouhavefounditoutforyourself,youmightas,wellknowwhatlittlethereistoknow。It’sthesamestory。 Mendozaisgettingreadytostarthisrevolution,or,rather,he,hasstartedit。’’ ``Whydon’tyoustophim?’’askedHope。 ``Youareveryflattering,’’saidClay。``EvenifIcouldstop,him,it’snotmybusinesstodoitasyet。Ihavetowaituntil,heinterfereswithme,ormymines,ormyworkmen。Alvarezis,themanwhoshouldstophim,butheisafraid。Wecannotdo,anythinguntilhemakesthefirstmove。IfIwerethePresident,I’dhaveMendozashotto-morrowmorninganddeclaremartiallaw。 ThenI’darresteverybodyIdidn’tlike,andlevyforcedloanson,allthemerchants,andsailawaytoParisandlivehappyever,after。That’swhatMendozawoulddoifhecaughtanyone,plottingagainsthim。Andthat’swhatAlvarezshoulddo,too,accordingtohislights,ifhehadthecourageofhis,convictions,andofhiseducation。Iliketoseeamanplay,hispartproperly,don’tyou?,Ifyouareanemperor,youought,toconductyourselflikeone,asourGermanfrienddoes。Orif,youareaprize-fighter,yououghttobeahumanbulldog。 There’snosuchthingasagentlemanlypugilist,anymorethan,therecanbeavirtuousburglar。Andifyou’reaSouthAmerican,Dictator,youcan’taffordtobesqueamishaboutthrowingyour,enemiesintojailorshootingthemfortreason。Thewayto,dictateistodictate,——nottohideindoorsalldaywhileyour,wifeplotsforyou。’’ ``Doesshedothat?’’askedHope。``Anddoyouthinkshewillbe,indanger——anypersonaldanger,iftherevolutioncomes?’’ ``Well,sheisveryunpopular,’’Clayanswered,``andunjustly,so,Ithink。Butitwouldbebetter,perhaps,forherifshe,wentasquietlyaspossible,whenshedoesgo。’’ ``IsourCaptainStuartindanger,too?’’thegirlcontinued,anxiously。``Alicesaystheyputupplacardsabouthimallover,thecitylastnight。Shesawhismentearingthemdownasshe,wascominghome。Whathashedone?’’ ``Nothing,’’Clayanswered,shortly。``Hehappenstobeina,falseposition,that’sall。Theythinkheisherebecauseheis,notwantedinhisowncountry;thatisnotso。Thatisnot,thereasonheremainshere。Whenhewasevenyoungerthan,heisnow,hewaswildandfoolish,andspentmoremoneythanhe,couldafford,andlentmoremoneytohisbrother-officers,Ihave,nodoubt,thantheyeverpaidback。Hehadtoleavetheregiment,becausehisfatherwouldn’tpayhisdebts,andhehasbeen,sellinghisswordforthelastthreeyearstooneoranotherking,orsultanorpartyallovertheworld,inChinaandMadagascar,andlaterinSiam。IhopeyouwillbeverykindtoStuartand,believewellofhim,andthatyouwilllistentonoevilagainst,him。SomewhereinEnglandStuarthasasisterlikeyou——about,yourage,Imean,thatloveshimverydearly,andafatherwhose,heartachesforhim,andthereisacertainroyalregimentthat,stilldrinkshishealthwithpride。Heisalonelylittlechap,andhehasnosenseofhumortohelphimoutofhisdifficulties,butheisaverybravegentleman。Andheisherefightingfor,menwhoarenotworthytoholdhishorse’sbridle,becauseofa,woman。AndItellyouthisbecauseyouwillhearmanyliesabout,him——andabouther。Heservesherwiththesamesortof,chivalricdevotionthathisancestorsfeltforthewomanwhose,ribbonstheytiedtotheirlances,andforwhomtheyfoughtin,thelists。’’ ``Iunderstand,’’Hopesaid,softly。``Iamgladyoutold,me。Ishallnotforget。’’,Shesighedandshookherhead。``I wishthey’dletyoumanageitforthem,’’shesaid。 Claylaughed。``Ifearmyexecutiveabilityisnotofsohighan,order;besides,asIhaven’tbeenborntoit,myconsciencemight,troublemeifIhadtoshootmyenemiesandrobtheworthy,merchants。Ihadbettersticktodiggingholesintheground。 ThatisallIseemtobegoodfor。’’ Hopelookedupathim,quickly,insurprise。 ``Whatdoyoumeanbythat?’’shedemanded。Therewasatoneof,suchsharpreproachinhervoicethatClayfelthimselfputon,thedefensive。 ``Imeannothingbyit,’’hesaid。``YoursisterandIhada,talktheotherdayaboutaman’smakingthebestofhimself,and,itopenedmyeyesto——tomanythings。Itwasaveryhealthy,lesson。’’ ``Itcouldnothavebeenaveryhealthylesson,’’Hopereplied,severely,``ifitmakesyouspeakofyourworkslightingly,as,youdidthen。Thatdidn’tsoundatallnatural,orlikeyou。It,soundedlikeAlice。Tellme,didAlicesaythat?’’