II
MR。BILLINGS’SPOCKETS
OnthesixteenthofJuneMr。RollinBillingsenteredhishomeatWestcoteverymuchlaterthanusual，andstealingupstairs，likeathiefinthenight，heundressedanddroppedintobed。Intwominuteshewasasleep，anditwasnowonder，forbythattimeitwasfiveminutesafterthreeinthemorning，andMr。
Billings’susualbedtimewasteno’clock。Evenwhenhewasdelayedathisofficehemadeitaninvariableruletocatchthenineo’clocktrainhome。
WhenMrs。Billingsawokethenext——or，rather，thatsame——
morning，shegazedaminuteatthethin，innocentfaceofherhusband，andwasinthesatisfiedframeofmindthattakesanunexpectedtraindelayasalegitimateexcuse，whenshehappenedtocasthereyesuponMr。Billings’scoat，whichwasthrowncarelesslyoverthefootofthebed。Protrudingfromoneofthesidepocketswasapatentnursing-bottle，halffullofmilk。
InstantlyMrs。BillingswasoutofbedandsearchingMr。
Billings’sotherpockets。Toherhorrorhersearchwasfruitful。
Inavestpocketshefoundthreefalsecurls，orpuffsofhair，suchasladiesarewearingto-daytoincreasetheabundanceoftheirown，andthesecurlswereofarichbrownishred。Finally，whenshedivedintohistrouserspocket，shefoundtwelveacornscarefullywrappedinalady’shandkerchief，withtheinitials\"T。M。C。\"embroideredinonecorner。
AlltheseMrs。Billingshidcarefullyinherupperbureaudrawerandproceededtodress。WhenatlengthsheawakenedMr。
Billings，heyawned，stretched，andthen，realizingthatgetting-uptimehadarrived，hoppedbrisklyoutofbed。
\"Yougotinlatelastnight，\"saidMrs。Billingspleasantly。
IfshehadexpectedMr。Billingstocringeandcowershewasmistaken。Hecontinuedtodress，quiteinhisusualmanner，asifhehadaclearconscience。
\"IndeedIdid，Mary，\"hesaid。\"ItwasthreewhenIenteredthehouse，fortheclockwasjuststriking。\"
\"Somethingmusthavedelayedyou，\"suggestedMrs。Billings。
\"Otherwise，dear，\"saidMr。Billings，\"Ishouldhavebeenhomemuchsooner。
\"Probably，\"saidMrs。Billings，suddenlyassuminghermostsarcastictone，asshereachedintoherbureaudraweranddrewoutthepatentnursing-bottle，\"thishadsomethingtodowithyourbeingdelayed！\"
Mr。Billingslookedatthenursing-bottle，andthenhedrewouthiswatchandlookedatthat。
\"Mydear，\"hesaid，\"youareright。Itdid。ButInowhavejusttimetogulpdownmycoffeeandcatchmytrain。To-night，whenI
returnfromtown，Iwilltellyouthemostremarkablestoryofthatnursing-bottle，andhowithappenedtobeinmypocket，andinthemeantimeIbegyou——Imostsincerelybegyou——tofeelnouneasiness。
Withthishehurriedoutoftheroom，andafewmomentslaterhiswifesawhimrunningforhistrain。
AlldayMrs。Billingswaspreytothemostdisturbingthoughts，andassoonasdinnerwasfinishedthateveningsheledthewayintothelibrary。
\"Now，Rollin？\"shesaid，andwithouthesitationMr。Billingsbegan。
I。THEPATENTNURSING-BOTTLE
Youhave（hesaid），Iknow，metLemuel，thecolouredelevatorboyinourofficebuilding，andyouknowwhatapleasant，accommodatingladheis。Heisthesortofboyforwhomonewouldgladlydoafavour，forheisalwayssowillingtodofavoursforothers，butIwasthinkingnothingofthiswhenIsteppedfrommyofficeatexactlyfiveo’clockyesterdayevening。Iwasthinkingofnothingbutgettinghometodinnerassoonaspossible，andwasjuststeppingintotheelevatorwhenLemuellaidhishandgentlyonmyarm。
\"Ibegyo’pahdon，MistahBillings，\"hesaidpolitely，\"butwouldyo’domeafavour？\"
\"Certainly，Lemuel，\"Isaid；\"howmuchcanIlendyou？\"
\"’Tain’tthat，sah，\"hesaid。\"Iwisht’haveawordortwoinprivatewithyo’。Wouldyo’mindsteppin’backintoyo’officeuntilIgitthesefolksoutofth’buildin’，so’sIcanspeaktoyo’？\"
IknewIhadstillhalfanhourbeforemysix-twotrain，andI
wasnotunwillingtodoLemuelafavour，soIwentbacktomyofficeashedesired，andwaitedthereuntilheappeared，whichwasnotuntilhehadtakenallthetenantsdowninhiselevator。
Thenheopenedthedoorandcamein。WithhimwastheyoungmanI
hadoftenseenintheofficenexttomine，asIpassed，andayoungwomanonwhomIhadneversetmyeyesbefore。Nosoonerhadtheyopenedthedoorthantheyoungmanbegantospeak，andLemuelstoodunobtrusivelytooneside。
\"Mr。Billings，\"saidtheyoungman，\"youmaythinkitstrangethatIshouldcometoyouinthiswaywhenyouandIarehardlyacquaintances，butIhaveoftenobservedyoupassingmydoor，andhavenotedyourkind-lookingface，andthemomentIfoundthistroubleuponmeIinstantlythoughtofyouastheonemanwhowouldbelikelytohelpmeoutofmydifficulty。
WhilehesaidthisIhadtimetostudyhisface，andalsotoglanceattheyoungwoman，andIsawthathemust，indeed，beingreattrouble。Ialsosawthattheyoungwomanwasprettyandmodestandthatshe，also，wasingreatdistress。Iatonceagreedtohelphim，providedIshouldnotbemadetomissthesix-thirtytrain，forIsawIwasalreadytoolateforthesix-two。
\"Good！\"hecried。\"ForseveralyearsMadge——whoisthisyounglady——andIhavebeeninlove，andwewishtobemarriedthisevening，butherfatherandmyfatherarewaitingatthefootoftheelevatoratthisminute，andtheyhavebeenwaitingthereallday。Thereisnootherwayforustoleavethebuilding，forthefootofthestairsisalsothefootoftheelevator，and，infact，whenIlastpeeped，Madge’sfatherwassittingonthebottomstep。Itisnowexactlyfifteenminutesofsix，andatsixo’clocktheymeantocomeupandtearMadgeandmeaway，andhaveusmarried。\"
\"To——\"Ibegan。
\"Toeachother，\"saidtheyoungmanwithemotion。
\"ButIthoughtthatwaswhatyouwanted？\"Iexclaimed。
\"Notatall！Notatall！\"saidtheyoungman，andtheyoungwomanaddedhervoiceinprotest，too。\"IamtheheadoftheStatisticalDepartmentoftheSocietyfortheObtainingofaUniformNationalDivorceLaw，andtheworkinthatdepartmenthasconvincedmebeyondadoubtthatforcedmarriagesalwaysendunhappily。Ineighty-seventhousandsixhundredandfourcasesofforcedmarriagesthatIhavetabulatedIhavefoundthateighty-
seventhousandsixhundredandthreehavebeenunhappy。InthefaceofsuchstatisticsMadgeandIdarenotallowourselvestobemarriedagainstourwills。Weinsistonmarryingvoluntarily。\"
\"Thatcouldbeeasilyarranged，\"Iventuredtosay，inviewofthefactthatbothyourfatherswishyoutobemarried。\"
\"Notatall，\"saidMadge，withmoreindependencethanIhadthoughthercapableof；\"becausemyfatherandHenry’sfatheraregentlemenoftheoldschool。Iwouldnotsayanythingagainsteitherfather，forinordinaryaffairsItheyaretwomostsuaveandcharmingoldgentlemen，butinthistheyholdtotheold-
schoolideathatchildrenshouldallowtheirparentstoselecttheirlife-partners，andtheyinsistthatHenryandIallowourselvestobeforcedtomarryeachother。Andthat，inspiteofthestatisticsHenryhasshownthem。Ourwholehappinessdependsonourgettingoutofthisbuildingbeforetheycancomeupandgetus。Thatiswhyweappealtoyou。\"
\"Ifyoustillhesitate，afterwhatMadgehassaid，\"saidHenry，pullingalargerollofpaperoutofhispocket，\"herearethestatistics。\"
\"Verywell，\"Isaid，\"Iwillhelpyou，ifIcandosoandnotmissthesix-thirtytrain。Whatisyourplan？\"
\"Itisverysimple，\"saidHenry。\"Ourfathersarebothquitenear-sighted，andassixo’clockdrawsneartheywillnaturallybecomegreatlyexcitedandnervous，and，therefore，lessobservantofsmallthings。IhavebroughtwithmesomeburntcorkwithwhichIwillblackenmyface，andIwillchangeclotheswithLemuel，and，intheonemomentnecessarytoescape，myfatherwillnotrecognizeme。Lemuel，ontheotherhand，willwhitenhisfacewithsomepowderthatMadgehasbrought，andwillwearmyclothes，andintheexcitementmyfatherwillseizehiminsteadofme。\"
\"Excellent，\"Isaid，\"butwhatpartdoIplayinthis？\"
\"Thispart，\"saidHenry，\"youwillwear，overyourstreetclothes，agownthatMadgehasbroughtinhersuit-caseandahatthatshehasalsobrought，bothofwhichherfatherwilleasilyrecognize，whileMadgewillreddenherfacewithrouge，mussherhair，donatorn，calicodress，andwithascrub-ragandamopinherhandseasilypassforascrub-woman。
\"Andthen？\"Iasked。
\"ThenyouandLemuelwillstealcautiouslydownthestairs，asifyouwereMadgeandIseekingtoescape，whileMadgeandI，asLemuelandthescrub-woman，willgodownbytheelevator。MyfatherandMadge’sfatherwillseizeyouandLemuel——\"
\"AndIshallappearlikeafoolwhentheydiscoverIamarespectablebusinessmanriggedupinwoman’sclothes，\"Isaid。
\"Notatall，\"saidMadge，\"forHenryandIhavethoughtofthat。YoumustplayyourpartuntilyouseethathenryandIhaveescapedfromtheelevatorandhaveleftthebuilding，andthatisall。Ihavehadtheforethoughttoprepareanalibiforyou。AssoonasyouseethatHenryandIaresafeoutsidethebuilding，youmustbecomeveryindignant，andinsistthatyouarearespectablemarriedwoman，andinproofyoumusthandmyfatherthecontentsofthispackage。Hewillbeconvincedimmediatelyandletyougo，andthenLemuelcanrunyouuptoyourofficeandyoucantakeoffmydressandhatandcatchthesix-thirtytrainwithouttrouble。\"Shethenhandedmeasmallparcel，whichI
slippedintomycoatpocket。
WhenthishadbeenagreeduponsheandHenrylefttheofficeandItookthehatanddressfromthesuit-caseandputthemon，whileLemuelputonHenry’ssuitandwhitenedhisface。Thistookbutafewminutes，andwewentintothehallandfoundHenryandMadgealreadywaitingforus。HenrywasblackenedintoagoodlikenessofLemuel，andMadgewasquiteamussyscrub-woman。Theyimmediatelyenteredtheelevatorandbegantodescendslowly，whileLemuelandIcreptdownthestairs。
LemuelandIkeptasnearlyaspossibleoppositetheelevator，sothatwemightarriveatthefootofthestairsbutamomentbeforeMadgeandHenry，andwecouldhearthetwofathersshufflingonthestreetfloor，whensuddenly，aswereachedthethirdfloor，weheardawhisperfromHenryintheelevator。Theelevatorhadstuckfastbetweenthethirdandfourthfloors。Aswithonemind，LemuelandIseatedourselvesonastepandwaiteduntilHenryshouldgettheelevatorrunningagainandcouldproceedtothestreetfloor。
ForawhilewecouldhearnonoisebutthegratingofmetalonmetalasHenryworkedwiththestartingleveroftheelevator，andthenweheardthetwovoicesofthefathers。
\"Itisaruse，\"saidonefather。\"Theyarepretendingtheelevatorisstuck，andwhenwegrowimpatientandstartupthestairstheywillcomedownwitharushandescapeus。\"
\"Butwearenotsosillyasthat，\"saidtheotherfather。\"Wewillstayrighthereandwaituntiltheycomedown。\"
AtthatLemuelandIsettledourselvesmorecomfortably，fortherewasnothingelsetodo。IcursedinwardlyasIfelttheminutesslipbyandknewthathalf-pastsixhadcomeandgone，butIwassureyouwouldnotliketohavemedesertthosetwopoorloverswhowerefightingtowardoffthestatistics，soI
satstillandsilent。SodidLemuel。
IdonotknowhowlongIsatthere，foritwasalreadydarkinthenarrowstairway，butitmusthavebeenalongtime。Idrowsedoff，andIwasfinallyawakenedbyLemueltuggingatmysleeve，andIknewthatHenryhadmanagedtostarttheelevatoragain。
LemuelandIhastenedoursteps，andjustastheelevatorwascomingintosightbelowthesecondfloorwewereseenbythetwofathers。Foraninstanttheyhesitated，andthentheyseizedus。
AtthesametimetheelevatordooropenedandHenryandMadgecameout，andthetwofathershardlyglancedatthemastheywentoutofthedoorintothestreet。
AssoonasIsawthattheyweresafeIfeignedgreatindignation，andsodidLemuel。
\"Unhandme，sir！\"Icried。\"WhodoyouthinkIam？Iamarespectablemarriedlady，leavingthebuildingwithherhusband。
Unhandme！\"
Insteadofdoingso，however，thefatherthathadmebythearmdrewmenearertothehalllight。Ashedidsohestaredcloselyatmyface。
\"Morgan，\"hesaidtotheotherfather，\"thisisnotmydaughter。Mydaughterdidnothaveamoustache。\"
\"Indeed，Iamnotyourdaughter，\"Isaid；\"Iamarespectablemarriedlady，andhereistheproof。\"
WiththatIreachedforthepackageMadgehadgivenme，butitwasinmycoat-pocket，underneaththedressIhadon，anditwasonlywithgreatdifficultyandbyraisingonesideoftheskirtthatIwasabletogetit。Iunwrappeditandshowedittothefatherthathadmebythearm。Itwasthepatentnursing-bottle。
WhenMr。Billingshadfinishedhisrelationhiswifesatforamomentinsilence。Thenshesaid：
\"Andheletyougo？\"
\"Yes，ofcourse，\"saidMr。Billings；\"hecouldnotholdmeaftersuchproofasthat，andLemuelranmeuptomyoffice，whereIchangedmyhatandtookoffthedress。Iknewitwaslate，andIdidnotknowwhattrainIcouldcatch，butImadehaste，and，onthewaydownintheelevator，IfeltinmypockettoseeifIhadmycommutationticket，whenmyhandstruckthepatentnursing-bottle。Myfirstimpulsewastodropitinthecar，butonsecondthoughtIdecidedtokeepit，forIknewthatwhenyousawitandheardthestoryyouwouldunderstandperfectlywhyIwasdetainedlastnight。\"
\"Yes？\"saidMrs。Billingsquestioningly。\"But，mydear，allthatdoesnotaccountforthese。\"
Asshesaidthatshedrewfromherworkbasketthethreeauburn-redcurls。
\"Oh，those！\"saidMr。Billings，afteramomentaryhesitation。
\"Iwasabouttotellyouaboutthose。\"
\"Doso！\"saidMrs。Billingscoldly。\"Iamlistening。\"
II。THETHREEAUBURN-REDCURLS
WhenIwentdownintheelevator（saidMr。Billings）withthenursing-bottleinmypocket，Ihadnothoughtbuttogettothetrainassoonaspossible，forIsawbytheclockinmyofficethatIhadjusttimetocatchtheeleven-nineifIshouldnotbedelayed。Therefore，assoonasIwasoutsidethebuildingI
startedtorun，butwhenIreachedthecornerandwasjustabouttosteponapassingstreet-carahandwaslaidonmyarm，andI
turnedtoseewhowasseekingtodetainme。Itwasawomaninthemostpitiablerags，andonherarmshecarriedababysothinandpalethatIcouldscarcelybelieveitlived。
Oneglanceatthechildshowedmethatitwasonthevergeofdeathbystarvation，andthiswasconfirmedbythemoansofthemother，whobeggedmeforhumanity’ssaketogivehermoneywithwhichtoprovidefoodforthechild，eventhoughIlether，herself，starve。Youknow，mydear，youneverallowmetogivemoneytostreetbeggars，andIrememberedthis，butatthesametimeIrememberedthepatentnursing-bottleIstillcarriedinmypocket。
WithouthesitationIdrewthepatentnursing-bottlefrommypocketandtoldthemothertoallowtheinfanttohaveasufficientquantityofmilkitcontainedtosustainthechild’slifeuntilshecouldprocureotheralmsorotheraid。Withacryofjoythemothertookthenursing-bottleandpressedittothepoorbaby’slips，anditwaswithgreatpleasureIsawtherosycolourreturntothechild’scheeks。Thesadnessofdespairthathadshadowedthemother’sfacealsofled，andIcouldseethatalreadyshewaslookingonlifewithamoreoptimisticview。
Iverilybelievethechildcouldhaveabsorbedtheentirecontentsofthebottle，butIhadimpresseduponthemotherthatshewastogivethechildonlysufficienttosustainlife，nottosufficeituntilitwasgrowntomanhoodorwomanhood，andwhenthebottlewashalf-emptiedthemotherreturnedittome。HowmuchtimeallthisoccupiedIdonotknow，butthechildtookthemilkwithextremeslowness。Imaysaythatittookthemilkdropbydrop。Agreatdealoftimemusthaveelapsed。
Butwhenthemotherhadreturnedthepatentnursing-bottletomeandsawhowimpatientIwastobegone，shestillretainedherholduponmyarm。
\"Sir，\"shesaid，\"youhaveundoubtedlysavedthelifeofmychild，andIonlyregretthatIcannotrepayyouforallitmeanstome。ButIcannot。Stay！\"shecried，whenIwasabouttopullmyarmaway。\"Hasyourwifeauburn-redhair？\"
\"No，\"Isaid，\"shehasnot。herhairisamostbeautifulblack。\"
\"Nomatter，\"saidthepoorwoman，puttingherhandtoherhead。
\"Somedayshemaywishtochangethecolourofherhairtoauburn-red，whichiseasilydonewithalittlebleachandalittledye，andshouldshedosothesemaycomehandy；\"andwiththatsheslippedsomethingsoftandfluffyintomyhandandfledintothenight。WhenIlooked，Isawinmyhandtheverycurlsyouholdthere。Myfirstimpulsewastodroptheminthestreet，butIrememberedthatthepoorwomanhadnotgiventhemtome，buttoyou，andthatitwasmydutytobringthemhometoyou，soIslippedthemintomypocket。
WhenMr。Billingshadendedthisrecitalofwhathadhappenedtohimhiswifesaid：
\"Huh！\"
Atthesametimeshetossedthecurlsintothegrate，wheretheyshrivelledup，burstintobluesmoke，andshortlydisappearedinashes。
\"Thatisaverylikelystory，\"shesaid，\"butitdoesnotexplainhowthiscametobeinyourpocket。\"
SayingthisshedrewfromherbasketthehandkerchiefandhandedittoMr。Billings。
\"Hah！\"heexclaimed。Foramomentheturnedtherolled-uphandkerchiefoverandover，andthenhecautiouslyopenedit。Atthesightofthetwelveacornsheseemedsomewhatsurprised，andwhentheinitials\"T。M。C。\"onthecornerofthehandkerchiefcaughthiseyeheblushed。
\"Youareblushing——youaredisturbed，\"saidMrs。Billingsseverely。
\"Iam，\"saidMr。Billings，suddenlyrecoveringhimself；\"andnowonder。\"
\"Andnowonder，indeed！\"saidMrsBillings。\"Perhaps，then，youcantellmehowthoseacornsandthathandkerchiefcametobeinyourpocket。\"
\"Ican，\"saidMr。Billings，\"andIwill。\"
\"Youhadbetter，\"saidMrs。Billings。
III。THETWELVEACORNSANDTHELADY’SHANDKERCHIEF
Youmayhavenoticed，mydear（saidMr。Billings），thattheinitialsonthathandkerchiefare\"T。M。C。，\"andIwishyoutokeepthatinmind，forithasagreatdealtodowiththisstory。
Hadtheybeenanythingelsethathandkerchiefwouldnothavefounditswayintomypocket；andwhenyouseehowthoseacornsandthathandkerchief，andthehalf-fillednursing-bottleandtheauburn-redcurlsallcombinedtokeepmeoutofmyhomeuntiltheunearthlyhourofthreeA。M。，youwillforgettheunjustsuspicionswhichItoosadlyfearyounowholdagainstme，andyouwilladmitthatahalf-filledpatentnursing-bottle，atrioofcurls，alady’shandkerchiefandtwelveacornswerethemostnaturalthingsintheworldtofindinmypockets。
WhenIhadleftthepoorwomanwithherno-longer-starvingbabyIhurriedlyglancedintoastorewindow，andbytheclocktheresawitwastwentyminutesofoneandthatIhadexactlytimetocatchtheoneo’clocktrain，whichisthelasttrainthatrunstoWestcote。Iglancedupanddownthestreet，butnotacarwasinsight，andIknewIcouldnotaffordtowaitlongifIwishedtocatchthattrain。Therewasbutonethingtodo，andthatwastotakeacab，and，asluckwouldhaveit，atthatmomentanautomobilecabcamerapidlyaroundthecorner。Iraisedmyvoiceandmyarm，andthedriversaworheardme，forhemadeaquickturninthestreetanddrewupatthecurbbesideme。Ihastilygavehimthedirections，jumpedinandslammedthedoorshut，andtheauto-cabimmediatelystartedforwardatwhatseemedtomeunsafespeed。
Wehadnotgonefarwhensomethingintheforepartoftheautomobilebegantothumpinamostalarmingmanner，andthedriverslackenedhisspeed，drewuptothecurbandstopped。Heopenedthedoorandputhisheadin。
\"Something’sgonewrong，\"hesaid，\"butdon’tyouworry。I’llhaveitfixedinnotime，andthenIcanputonmorespeedandI’llgetyouthereinjustthesametimeasifnothinghadhappened。\"
WhenhesaidthisIwasperfectlysatisfied，forhewasanice-
lookingman，andIlayback，forIwasquitetiredout，itwassolongpastmyusualbedtime；andthedriverwenttowork，doingthingsIcouldnotunderstandtotheforepartoftheautomobile，wherethemachineryis。Irememberthinkingthatthecushionsofthisautomobilewereunusuallysoft，andthenImusthavedozedoff，andwhenIopenedmyeyesIdidnotknowhowmuchtimehadelapsed，butthedriverwasstillatworkandIcouldhearhimswearing。Heseemedtobehavingagreatdealoftrouble，soI
gotoutoftheautomobile，intendingtotellhimthatperhapsI
hadbettertrytogetacar，afterall。Buthisactionswhenhesawmeweremostunexpected。Hewavedthewrenchheheldinhishand，andorderedmetogetbackintotheautomobile，andIdid。
Isupposedhewasafraidhewouldlosehisfareandtip，butinafewminutesheopenedthedooragainandspoketome。
\"Now，sport，\"hesaid，\"thereain’tnousethinkin’aboutgettin’thattrain，becauseit’sgone，andImayaswellsaynowthatyou’vegottocomewithme，unlessyouwantmetosmashyourheadin。Thefactis，thisain’tnopublicautomobile，andI
hadn’tnorighttotakeyouforapassenger。ThisautomobilebelongstoaladyandI’mherhiredchauffeur，andshe’satabridge-whistpartyinahouseonFifthAvenue，andI’msupposedtobewaitingoutsidethathouse。One-fifteeno’clockwasthetimeshesaidshewouldbeout。ButIthoughtmaybeImightmakeadollarortwoformyselfinsteadofwaitingthereallthattime，andshewouldneverknowit。Andnowitisnearlytwoo’clock，andifIgobackaloneshewillberavingmad，andI’llgetmydischargeandnoreferences，andmypoorwifeandsixchildrenwillhavetostarve。SoyouwillhavetogowithmeandexplainhowitwasthatIwasn’tthereatone-fifteeno’clock。\"
\"Myfriend，\"Isaid，\"Iamsorryforyou，butIdonotseehowitwouldhelpyou，shouldIrefusetogoandyoushould，asyousay，smashmyheadin。\"
\"Don’tyouworrynoneaboutthat，\"hesaid。\"IfIsmashedyourheadin，asIcoulddoeasyenoughwiththiswrench，I’dtakewhatwasleftofyouupsomedarkstreet，andlayyouonthepavementandrunthemachineacrossyouonceortwice，andthentakeyoutoahospital，andthatwouldbeexcuseenough。You’dbeanother’KilledbyanAutomobile，’andI’dbetheherothatpickedyouupandtookyoutothehospital。\"
\"Well，\"Isaid，\"underthecircumstancesIshallgowithyou，notbecauseyouthreatenme，butbecauseyourpoorwifeandsixchildrenarethreatenedwithstarvation。\"
\"Good！\"hesaid。\"Andnowallyouhavetodoistothinkofwhattheexcuseyouwillgivemyladybosswillbe。\"
Withthathelaybackagainstthecushionsandwaited。Heseemedtofeelthatthematterdidnotconcernhimanymore，andthattherestofitlaywithme。
\"Goahead！\"Isaidtohim。\"IhavenoideawhatIshalltellyourmistress，butsinceIhavelostthelasttrainImusttrytocatchthetwoo’clocktrolleycartoWesteote，andIdonotwishtospendanymoretimethannecessaryonthisbusiness。Makeallthehastepossible，andaswegoIshallthinkwhatIwillsaywhenwegetthere。\"
Thedrivergotoutandtookhisseatandstartedthecar。Iwasworried，indeed，mydear。Itriedtothinkofsomethingplausibletotelltheyoungman’semployer；somethingthatwouldhaveanairofself-proof，whensuddenlyIrememberedthehalf-fillednursing-bottleandthethreeauburn-redcurls。WhyshouldInottelltheladythatapoormother，whileproceedingdownFifthAvenuefromherscrub-womanjob，hadbeentakensuddenlyill，andthatI，beingnear，hadinsistedthatthisautomobilehelpmeconveythewomantoherhome，whichwefound，alas！tobeinthefarthestdistrictsofBrooklyn？ThenIwouldproducethethreeauburn-redcurlsandthehalf-fillednursing-bottleashavingbeenleftintheautomobilebythewoman，andthisproofwouldsuffice。
IhadfullydecidedonthiswhentheautomobilestoppedinfrontofalargehouseinFifthAvenue，andIhadtimetotellthedriverthatIhadthoughtoftheproperthingtosay，butthatwasall，forthewaitingladycamedownthestepsingreatanger，andwasabouttobeginagoodscolding，whenshenoticedmesittinginherautomobile。
Ifshehadbeenangrybeforeshewasnowfurious，andshewasthekindofyoungwomanwhocanbeextremelyfuriouswhenshetries。Ithinknothingintheworldcouldhavecalmedherhadshenotcaughtsightofmyfacebythelightoftwostronglampsonapassingautomobile。Shesawinmyfacewhatyouseetherenow，mydear——thebenevolent，fatherlyfaceofasettled-down，trustworthy，marriedmanofpastmiddleage——andasifbymagicherangerfledandsheburstintotears。
\"Oh，sir！\"shecried，\"Idonotknowwhoyouare，norhowyouhappentobeinmycar，butatthismomentIamhomelessandfriendless。Iamaloneintheworld，andIneedadvice。Letmegetintothecarbesideyou——\"
\"Miss，\"Isaid，\"Idonotliketodisobligeyou，butIcanneverallowmyselftobeinanautomobileatthistimeofnightwithastrangewoman，unchaperoned。\"
Thesewordsseemedalmostmorethanshecouldbear，andmyheartwasfullofpity，but，justasIwasabouttospringfromtheautomobileandrushaway，IsawonthewalkthepoorwomantowhosebabyIhadgiventhehalfofthecontentsofthepatentnursing-bottle。Icalledherandmadehergetintotheautomobile，andthenIlettheyoungwomanenter。
\"Now，\"Isaid，\"whereto？\"
\"That，\"shesaid，\"iswhatIdonotknow。WhenIleftmyhomethiseveningIleftitforever，andIleftanoteoffarewelltomyfather，whichhemusthavereceivedandreadbythistime，andifIwentbackhewouldturnmefromthedoorinanger，forheisagentlemanoftheoldschool。\"
WhenIheardthesewordsIwasstartled。\"Canitbe，\"Iasked，\"thatyouhaveabrotherhenry？\"
\"Ihave，\"sheadmitted；\"HenryCorwinishisname。\"ThiswasthenameoftheyoungmanIhadhelpedthatveryeveningtomarryMadge。Itoldhertoproceed。
\"Myfather，\"shesaid，\"hasbeeninsistingthatImarryamanI
donotlove，andthingshavecometosuchapointthatImusteitheraccedeortakethingsintomyownhands。IagreedtoelopethiseveningwiththemanIlove，forhehadlongwishedmetoelopewithhim。Iwastomeethimoutsidehishouseatexactlyone-fifteeno’clock，andItoldhimthatifIwasnottherepromptlyhemightknowIhadchangedmymind。Whenthetimecameformetohastentohiminmyautomobile，whichwasthentohurryustoawaitingminister，myautomobilewasnothere。
UnfortunatelyIdidnotknowmylover’saddress，forIhadleftitinthecardpocketinthisautomobile。Iknewnotwhattodo。
AsthetimepassedandmyautomobiledidnotappearIknewthatmyloverhaddecidedthatIwasnotcoming，andhadgoneawayintohishouse。NowIcannotgohome，forIhavenohome。I
cannotsolowermyprideastoringthebellofhishouseandsayIwishtobeforgivenandmarriedevenyet。WhatshallIdo？\"
ForanswerIfeltinthecardpocketoftheautomobileanddrewouttheaddressofherlover，andwithouthesitationIgavetheaddresstothechauffeur。Inafewminuteswewerethere。Leavingtheyoungwomaninthecarwiththepoorwoman，Igotoutandsurveyedthehouse。Itwasunpromising。Evidentlyallthefamilybuttheyoungmanwereawayforthesummer，andthedoorsandwindowswereallboardedup。Therewasnotabelltoring。I
poundedontheboardsthatcoveredthedoor，butitwasunavailing。Theyoungwomancalledtomethattheyoungmanlivedinthefrontroomofthetopmostfloor，andcouldnothearme，andIglancedupandsawthatonewindowaloneofallthoseinthehousewasnotboardedup。InstantlyIhoppedupontheseatbesidethedriverandsaid，\"CentralPark。\"
WedashedupFifthAvenueandintotheParkatfullspeed，andwhenwewerewhatIconsideredfarenoughinIorderedhimtostop，andhurryingupalowbankIbegantogropeamongtheleavesoflastyearunderthetrees。Iwasright。InafewminutesIhadfilledmypocketswithacorns，wasbackinthecar，andwewerehurryingtowardthehouseofthelover，whenIsawstandingonacornerafigureIinstantlyrecognizedasLemuel，theelevatorboy，andatthesametimeIrememberedthatLemuelspenthisholidayspitchingforaballnine，HewasjustthemanIneeded，andIstoppedandmadehimgetintothecar。Inaminutemorewewerebeforethehouseagain，andIhandedLemuelafistfulofacorns。Hedrewbackandthrewthemwithallhisstrengthtowardtheupperwindow。
Mydear，willyoubelieveit？Thoseacornswerewormy！Theywerelight。Theywouldnotcarrytothewindow，butscatteredlikebitsofchipswhentheyhadtravelledbuthalf-way。Iwasupset，butLemuelwasnot。HeorderedthechauffeurtodrivetolowerSixthAvenuewithallspeed，inorderthathemightgetabaseball。Withthishesaidhecouldhitanymark，andwehadstartedinthatdirectionwhen，passingarestaurantonBroadway，IsawemergeHenryandMadge。
\"Betterfar，\"Isaidtomyself，\"putthisyoungwomaninchargeofherbrotherandhisnewwifethanleavehertoelopealone，\"
andImadethechauffeurdrawupbesidethem。HastilyIexplainedthesituation，andwhereweweregoingatthatmoment，andHenryandMadgelaughedinunison。
\"Madge，\"saidHenry，\"wehadnotroublemakingwormyacornstravelthroughtheair，hadwe？\"Andbothlaughedagain。AtthisImadethemgetintotheautomobile，andwhilewereturnedtothelover’shouseImadethemexplain。Itwasverysimple，andIhadjusttiedadozenacornstightlyinmyhandkerchief，makingaballtothrowatthewindow，whenthepoorwomanwiththebabynoticedthatthewindowwaspartlyopen。IaskedLemuelifhecouldthrowstraightenoughtothrowthehandkerchief-ballintothewindow，andhesaidhecould，andtookthehandkerchief，butabrighterideacametome，andIturnedtotheelopingyounglady。
\"Letmehaveyourhandkerchief，ifithasyourinitialsonit，\"
Isaid；\"forwhenheseesthatfallintohisroomhewillknowyouarehere。Hewillnotthinkyouareforward，comingtohimalone，forhewillknowyoucouldneverhavethrownthehandkerchief，evenifloadedwithacorns，tosuchaheight。Itwillbeyourmessagetohim。\"
Atthis，whichIdopridemyselfwasasuggestionworthyofmyself，allweredelighted，andwhileImodestlytiedtwelveacornsinthehandkerchiefonwhichweretheinitials\"T。M。C。，\"
alltheotherscheered。EventhewomanfromwhomIhadreceivedthethreeauburn-redcurlscheered，andthebabythatwashalf-
filledoutofthepatentnursing-bottlecrowedwithjoy。Butthechauffeurhonkedhishonker。Lemueltookthehandkerchieffullofacornsinhishandanddrewbackhisfamousleftarm，whensuddenlyTheodoraMitchellCorwin——forthatwastheelopingyounglady’sname——shrieked，andlookingupwesawherloveratthewindow。Hegaveanansweringyellanddisappeared，andLemuellethisleftarmfallandhandedmethehandkerchief-ball。
IntheexcitementIdroppeditintomypocket，anditwasnotuntilIwasonthecarforWestcotethatIdiscoveredit，andthen，notwishingtobeanylateringettinghome，IdidnotgobacktogiveittoTheodoraMitchellCorwin；infact，Ididnotknowwhereshehadelopedto。NorcouldIgiveittoMadgeorHenry，fortheyhadgoneontheirweddingjourneyassoonastheysawTheodoraandherloversafelyeloped。
Ihadnorighttogiveittothepoorwomanwiththebaby，evenifshehadnotimmediatelydisappearedintoherworldofpoverty，anditcertainlydidnotbelongtoLemuel，norcouldIhavegivenittohim，forhetookthetendollarsthelovergavehimandstayedoutsolatethathewaslatetoworkthismorningandwasdischarged。HesaidhewasgoingbacktoTexas。SoIbroughtthehandkerchiefandthetwelveacornshome，knowingyouwouldbeinterestedinhearingtheirstory。
WhenMr。Billingshadthusfinishedhisrelationofthehappeningsofhislongevening，Mrs。Billingswasthoughtfulforaminute。Thenshesaid：
\"ButRollin，whenIspoketoyouofthehandkerchiefandthetwelveacornsyoublushed，andsaidyouhadreasontoblush。I
seenothinginthiskindactionyoudidtocauseablush。\"
\"Iblushed，\"saidMr。Billings，\"tothinkofthelieIwasgoingtotellTheodoraMerrillCorwin——\"
\"IthoughtyousaidhernamewasTheodoraMitchellCorwin，\"
saidMrs。Billings。
\"MitchellorMerill，\"saidMr。Billings。\"Icannotrememberexactlywhich。\"
ForseveralminutesMrs。Billingswassilent。Occasionallyshewouldopenhermouthasiftoaskaquestion，buteachtimeshecloseditagainwithoutspeaking。Mr。Billingssatregardinghiswifewithwhat，inamanoflessclearconscience，mightbecalledanxiety。AtlengthMrs。Billingsputhersewingintohersewing-basketandarose。
\"Rollin，\"shesaid，\"Ihaveenjoyedhearingyoutellyourexperiencesgreatly。Icansaybutonething：Neverinyourlifehaveyoudeceivedme。Andyouhavenotdeceivedmenow。\"
ForhalfanhourafterthisMr。Billingssatalone，thinking。
III
OURFIRSTBURGLAR
WhenournewsuburbanhousewascompletedItookSarahouttoseeit，andshelikeditallbutthestairs。
\"Edgar，\"shesaid，whenshehadascendedtothesecondfloor，\"Idon’tknowwhetheritisimaginationornot，butitseemstomethatthesestairsarefunny，someway。Ican’tunderstandit。
Theyarenotalongflight，andtheyarenotunusuallysteep，buttheyseemtobeunusuallywearying。Ineverknewashortflighttotiremeso，andIhaveclimbedmanyflightsinthesixyearswehavelivedinflats。\"
\"Perhaps，Sarah，\"Isaid，withmilddissimulation，\"youareunusuallytiredto-day。\"
ThefactwasthatIhadplannedthosestairsmyself，andforaparticularreasonIhadmadetheriseofeachstepthreeinchesmorethanthecustomaryheight，andinthiswayIhadsavedtwosteps。Ihadalsomadethetreadofthestepsunusuallynarrow；
andthereasonwasthatIhadfound，fromlongexperience，thatstaircarpetwearsfirstonthetreadofthesteps，wherethefootfalls。Bymakingthestepstallenoughtosavetwo，andbymakingthetreadnarrow，Ireducedthewearonthecarpettoaminimum。Ibelieveineconomywhereitispossible。ForthesamereasonIhadthestairbanistersmadewide，withasaddle-liketoptothenewelpost，totemptmysonanddaughtertoslidedownstairs。Thelesstheyusedthestairsthelongerthecarpetwouldlast。
IneedhardlysaythatSarahhasafearofburglars；mostwomenhave。Asformyself，Iprefernottomeetaburglar。Itisallverywelltogetupinthenightandprowlaboutwithapistolinonehand，seekingtoeliminatethelifeofaburglar，andsomemenmaylikeit；butIamofaveryexcitablenature，andIamsurethatifIdidfindaburglarandsucceededinshootinghim，IshouldbeinsuchanexcitedstatethatIcouldnotsleepagainthatnight——andnomancanaffordtolosehisnight’srest。
Thereareotherobjectionstoshootingaburglarinthehouse，andtheseobjectionsapplywithdoubleforcewhenthehouseanditsfurnishingsareentirelynew。Althoughsomeoftherugsinourhousewerered，notallofthemwere；andIhadnoguaranteethatifIshotaburglarhewouldliedownonaredrugtobleedtodeath。Aburglardoesnotconsiderone’sfeelings，andwouldbequiteasapttobleedonagreenrug，andspoilit，asnot。
Untilburglarizingisproperlyregulatedandburglarsareeducated，astheyshouldbe，intechnicalburglaryschools，wecannothopethatashotburglarwillstaunchhiswounduntilhecanfindaredrugtoliedownon。
Andtherearestillotherobjectionstoshootingaburglar。Ifallburglarswerefat，oneofthesewouldberemoved；butperhapsathinburglarmightgetinfrontofmyrevolver，andinthatcasethebulletwouldbelikelytogorightthroughhimandcontinueonitsway，andperhapsbreakamirrororacut-glassdish。Iamathinmanmyself，andifaburglarshotatmehemightdamagethingsinthesameway。
Ithoughtallthesethingsoverwhenwedecidedtobuildinthesuburbs，forSarahisverynervousaboutburglars，andmakesmegetupattheslightestnoiseandgopokingabout。Onlythefactthatnoburglarhadeverenteredourflatatnighthadpreventedwhatmighthavebeenaseriousaccidenttoaburglar，forImadeitarule，whenSarahwakenedmeonsuchoccasions，towastenotime，buttogothroughtheroomsashastilyaspossibleandgetbacktobed；andatthespeedItravelledImighthavebumpedintoaburglarinthedarkandknockedhimover，andhisheadmighthavestrucksomehardobject，causingconcussionofthebrain；andasaburglarhasasmallbrainasmallamountofconcussionmighthaveruineditentirely。ButasIamaslightmanitmighthavebeenmybrainthatgotconcussed。Afatherofafamilyhastothinkofthesethings。
ThenervousnessofSarahregardingburglarshadledmeinthiswaytostudythesubjectcarefully，andmyadoptionofjet-blackpajamasasnightwearwasnotduetocowardiceonmypart。I
properlyreasonedthatifaburglartriedtoshootmewhileIwasrushingaroundthehouseafterhiminthedarkness，asuitofblackpajamaswouldsomewhatspoilhisaim，and，notbeingabletoseeme，hewouldnotshootatall。InthiswayIshouldsaveSarahthenerveshockthatwouldfollowtheexplosionofapistolinthehouse。ForSarahwasverymuchmoreafraidofpistolsthanofburglars。IamsuretherewereonlytworeasonswhyIhadneverkilledaburglarwithapistol：onewasthatnoburglarhadeverenteredourflat，andtheotherwasthatIneverhadapistol。
ButIknewthatoneismuchlessprotectedinasuburbthanintown，andwhenIdecidedtobuildIstudiedtheburglarprotectionmattermostcarefully。IsaidnothingtoSarahaboutit，forfearitwouldupsethernerves，butformonthsI
consideredeverymethodthatseemedtohaveanymerit，andthatwouldavoidgettingaburglar’sblood——ormine——spatteredaroundonournewfurnishings。IdesiredsomemethodbywhichIcouldfinishupaburglarproperlywithouthavingtoleavemybed，foralthoughSarahisbraveenoughinsendingmeoutofbedtocatchaburglar，IknewshemustsufferseverenervestrainduringthetimeIwaswanderingaboutinthedark。Herobjectiontoexplosiveshadalsotobeconsidered，andIreallyhadtoexercisemybrainmorethancommonbeforeIhituponwhatImaynowconsidertheonlyperfectmethodofhandlingburglars。
Severalthingscoincidedtosuggestmymethod。OneofthesewasSarah’sfoolishnotionthatoursilvermust，everynight，bebroughtfromthedining-roomanddepositedunderourbed。ThisI
consideredamostfoolhardytemptingoffate。Itcoaxedanyburglarwhoordinarilywouldhavequietlytakenthesilverfromthedining-roomandhavethengoneawaypeacefully，toenterourroom。TheknowledgethatIlayinbedreadyatanytimetospringoutuponhimwouldmakehimpreparehisrevolver，andhisnervousnessmightmakehimshootme，whichwouldquiteupsetSarah’snerves。ItoldSarahso，butshehadahereditaryinstinctforbringingthesilvertothebedroom，andinsisted。I
sawthatinthesuburbanhousethis，wouldbecontinuedas\"bringingthesilverupstairs，\"andatrialofmycarpet-savingstairssuggestedtomemyburglar-defeatingplan。Ihadtheapparatusbuiltintothehouse，andIhadthehouseplannedtoagreewiththeapparatus。
ForseveralmonthsafterwemovedintothehouseIhadnoburglars，butIfeltnofearoftheminanyevent。Iwaspreparedforthem。
InordernottomakeSarahnervous，Iexplainedtoherthatmyinventionofasilver-elevatorwasmerelyatime-savingdevice。
Fromthetopofthedining-roomsideboardIranuprighttracksthroughtheceilingtothebackofthehallabove，andintheseI
placedaglasscase，whichcouldberunupanddownthetrackslikeadumbwaiter。Allourservanthadtodowhenshehadwashedthesilverwastoputitintheglasscase，andIhadattachedtothetopofthecaseastoutsteelcablewhichrantotheceilingofthehallabove，overapulley，andsotoourbedroom，whichwasatthefrontofthehallupstairs。BythismeansIcould，whenIwasinbed，pullthecable，andtheglasscaseofsilverwouldrisetothesecondfloor。Ourbedroomdooropeneduponthehall，andfromthebedIcouldseetheglasscase；butinorderthatImightbesurethatthesilverwasthereIputasmallelectriclightinthecaseandkeptitburningallnight。Sarahwasdelightedwiththisarrangement，forinthemorningallIhadtodowastopayoutthesteelcableandthesilverwoulddescendtothedining-room，andthemaidcouldhavethetableallsetbythetimebreakfastwasready。NotoncedidSarahhaveasuspicionthatallthiswasnotmerelyahouseholdeconomy，butmyburglartrap。
OnthesixthofAugust，attwoo’clockinthemorning，Sarahawakenedme，andIimmediatelysatstraightupinbed。Therewasanundoubtablenoiseofsawing，andIknewatoncethataburglarwasenteringourhome。Sarahwastrembling，andIknewshewasgettingnervous，butIorderedhertoremaincalm。
\"Sarah，\"Isaid，inawhisper，\"becalm！Thereisnottheleastdanger。Ihavebeenexpectingthisforsometime，andIonlyhopetheburglarhasnodependentfamilyorpooroldmothertosupport。Whateverhappens，becalmandkeepperfectlyquiet。\"
WiththatIreleasedthesteelcablefromtheheadofmybedandlettheglasscasefullofsilverslidenoiselesslytothesideboard。
\"Edgar！\"whisperedSarahinagonizedtones，\"areyougivinghimoursilver？\"
\"Sarah！\"Iwhisperedsternly，\"rememberwhatIhavejustsaid。
Becalmandkeepperfectlyquiet。\"AndIwouldsaynomore。
InaveryshorttimeIheardthewindowbelowusopensoftly，andIknewtheburglarwasenteringtheparlourfromthesideporch。Icountedtwenty，whichIhadfiguredwouldbethetimerequiredforhimtoreachthedining-room，andthen，whenIwassurehemusthaveseenthesilvershiningintheglasscase，I
slowlypulledonthesteelcableandraisedcaseandsilvertothehallabove。Sarahbegantowhispertome，butIsilencedher。
WhatIhadexpectedhappened。Theburglar，seeingthesilverrisethroughtheceiling，leftthedining-roomandwentintothehall。There，fromthefootofthestairs，hecouldseethecaseglowinginthehallabove，andwithouthesitationhemountedthestairs。AshereachedthetopIhadagoodviewofhim，forhewassilhouettedagainstthelightthatglowedfromthesilvercase。Hewasamostbrutallookingfellowoftheprize-fightingtype，butIalmostlaughedaloudwhenIsawhisbuild。Hewasshortandchunky。Ashesteppedforwardtograspthesilvercase，Iletthesteelcablerunthroughmyfingers，andthecaseanditspreciouscontentsslidnoiselesslydowntothedining-room。
Foronlyoneinstanttheburglarseemeddisconcerted，thenheturnedandrandownstairsagain。
ThistimeIdidnotwaitsolongtodrawupthesilver。I
hardlygavehimtimetoreachthedining-roomdoorbeforeI
jerkedthecable，andthecasewasglowingintheupperhall。Theburglarimmediatelystopped，turned，andmountedthestairs，butjustashereachedthetopIletthesilverslidedownagain，andhehadtoturnanddescend。HardlyhadhereachedthebottomstepbeforeIhadthesilveroncemoreintheupperhall。
Theburglarwasagrittyfellowandwasnottobesoeasilydefeated。WithsomewordwhichIcouldnotcatch，butwhichI
havenodoubtwasprofane，oratleastvulgar，hedashedupthestairs，andjustashishandtouchedthecaseIletthesilverdroptothedining-room。IsmiledasIsawhisnextmove。Hecarefullyremovedhiscoatandvest，rolleduphissleeves，andtookoffhiscollar。Thisevidentlymeantthatheintendedtogetthesilverifittookthewholenight，andnothingcouldhavepleasedmemore。Ilayinmycomfortablebedfairlyshakingwithsuppressedlaughter，andhadtostuffacornerofapillowinmymouthtosmotherthesoundofmymirth。Ididnotallowtheleastpityfortheunfortunatefellowtoweakenmynerve。
Alow，longscreechfromthehalltoldmethatIhadamanofuncommonbraintocontendwith，forIknewthesoundcamefromhishandsdrawingalongthebanister，andthattohusbandhisstrengthandtosavetime，hewasslidingdown。Butthisdidnotdisconcertme。Itpleasedme。Thequickerhewentdown，theoftenerhewouldhavetowalkup。
ForhalfanhourIplayedwithhim，givinghimjusttimetogetdowntothefootofthestairsbeforeIraisedthesilver，andjusttimetoreachthetopbeforeIloweredit，andthenIgrewtiredofthesport——foritwasnothingelsetome——anddecidedtofinishhimoff。Iwasgettingsleepy，butitwasevidentthattheburglarwasnot，andIwasalittleafraidImightfallasleepandthusdefeatmyself。Theburglarhadthatadvantagebecausehewasusedtonightwork。SoIquickenedmymovementsalittle。
WhentheburglarsliddownIgavehimjusttimetoseethesilverrisethroughtheceiling，andwhenheclimbedthestairsIonlyallowedhimtoseeitdescendthroughthefloor。InthiswayI
madehimdoublehispace，andasIquickenedmymovementsIsoonhadhimdashingupthestairsandslidingdownagainasifforawager。Ididnotgivehimamomentforrest，andhewassoonpantingterriblyandbeginningtostumble；butwithalmostsuperhumannervehekeptupthechase。Hewasanunusuallytoughburglar。
ButquickashewasIwasalwaysquicker，andaglimpseoftheglowingcasewasallIlethimhaveateitherendofhisclimborslide。Nosoonerwashedownthanitwasup，andnosoonerwasthecaseupthanhewasupafterit。InthiswayIkeptincreasinghisspeeduntilitwassomethingterrific，andthewholehouseshook，likeanautomobilewithaverypowerfulmotor。
Butstillhisspeedincreased。IsawthenthatIhadbroughthimtotheplaceIhadpreparedfor，wherehehadbutoneobjectinlife，andthatwastobeatthecaseupordownstairs；andasI
wasnowsosleepyIcouldhardlykeepmyeyesopen，IdidwhatI
hadintendedtodofromthefirst。Iloweredthecaseuntilitwasexactlybetweentheceilingofthedining-roomandthefloorofthehallabove——andturnedouttheelectriclight。Ithentiedthesteelcablesecurelytotheheadofmybed，turnedover，andwenttosleep，lulledbytheshakingofthehouseastheburglardashedupanddownthestairs。
JusthowlongthiscontinuedIdonotknow，formysleepwasdeepanddreamless，butIshouldjudgethattheburglarranhimselftodeathsometimebetweenhalf-pastthreeandaquarterafterfour。SogreathadbeenhiseffortsthatwhenIwenttoremovehimIdidnotrecognizehimatall。WhenIhadseenhimlastintheglowoftheglasssilvercasehehadbeenastout，chunkyfellow，andnowhisremainswerethoseofanemaciatedman。Hemusthaverunoffonehundredandtwentypoundsoffleshbeforehegaveout。
Onlyonethingcloudedmytriumph。Oursilverconsistedofbuthalfadozeneachofknives，forks，andspoons，abutterknife，andasugarspoon，allplated，andworthprobablyfivedollars，andtosavethisIhadmadetheburglarweartoragsaWiltonstaircarpetworthtwenty-ninedollars。ButIhavenowcorrectedthis。Ihaveboughtfiftydollarsworthofsilver。
