第1章

ITHELASTOFTHETROUBADOURS InexorablySamGallowaysaddledhispony。HewasgoingawayfromtheRanchoAltitoattheendofathree-months’visit。Itisnottobeexpectedthataguestshouldputupwithwheatcoffeeandbiscuitsyellow-streakedwithsaleratusforlongerthanthat。NickNapoleon，thebigNegromancook，hadneverbeenabletomakegoodbiscuits：Oncebefore，whenNickwascookingattheWillowRanch，Samhadbeenforcedtoflyfromhis_cuisine_，afteronlyasix-weeks’sojourn。 OnSam’sfacewasanexpressionofsorrow，deepenedwithregretandslightlytemperedbythepatientforgivenessofaconnoisseurwhocannotbeunderstood。Butveryfirmlyandinexorablyhebuckledhissaddle-cinches，loopedhisstake-ropeandhungittohissaddle-horn，tiedhisslickerandcoatonthecantle，andloopedhisquirtonhisrightwrist。TheMerrydews（householdersoftheRanchoAltito），men，women，children，andservants，vassals，visitors，employes，dogs，andcasualcallersweregroupedinthe\"gallery\"oftheranchhouse，allwithfacessettothetuneofmelancholyandgrief。For，asthecomingofSamGallowaytoanyranch，camp，orcabinbetweentheriversFrioorBravodelNortearousedjoy，sohisdeparturecausedmourninganddistress。 Andthen，duringabsolutesilence，exceptforthebumpingofahindelbowofahounddogashepursuedawickedflea，Samtenderlyandcarefullytiedhisguitaracrosshissaddleontopofhisslickerandcoat。Theguitarwasinagreenduckbag；andifyoucatchthesignificanceofit，itexplainsSam。 SamGallowaywastheLastoftheTroubadours。Ofcourseyouknowaboutthetroubadours。Theencyclopaediasaystheyflourishedbetweentheeleventhandthethirteenthcenturies。Whattheyflourisheddoesn’tseemclear-——youmaybeprettysureitwasn’tasword：maybeitwasafiddlebow，oraforkfulofspaghetti，oralady’sscarf。Anyhow，SamGallowaywasoneof’em。 Samputonamartyredexpressionashemountedhispony。Buttheexpressiononhisfacewashilariouscomparedwiththeoneonhispony’s。 Yousee，aponygetstoknowhisridermightywell，anditisnotunlikelythatcowponiesinpasturesandathitchingrackshadoftenguyedSam’sponyforbeingriddenbyaguitarplayerinsteadofbyarollicking，cussing，all-woolcowboy。Nomanisaherotohissaddle-horse。Andevenanescalatorinadepartmentstoremightbeexcusedfortrippingupatroubadour。 Oh，IknowI’mone；andsoareyou。Yourememberthestoriesyoumemorizeandthecardtricksyoustudyandthatlittlepieceonthepiano——howdoesitgo？——ti-tum-te-tum-ti-tum——thoselittleArabianTenMinuteEntertainmentsthatyoufurnishwhenyougouptocallonyourrichAuntJane。Youshouldknowthat_omnaepersonaeintrespartesdivisaesunt_。 Namely：Brons，Troubadours，andWorkers。Baronshavenoinclinationtoreadsuchfolderolasthis；andWorkershavenotime：soIknowyoumustbeaTroubadour，andthatyouwillunderstandSamGalloway。Whetherwesing，act，dance，write，lecture，orpaint，weareonlytroubadours；soletusmaketheworstofit。 TheponywiththeDanteAlighieriface，guidedbythepressureofSam’sknees，borethatwanderingminstrelsixteenmilessoutheastward。Naturewasinhermostbenignantmood。Leagueafterleagueofdelicate，sweetfloweretsmadefragrantthe’gentlyundulatingprairie。Theeastwindtemperedthespringwarmth；wool-whitecloudsflyinginfromtheMexicanGullhinderedthedirectraysoftheAprilsun。Samsangsongsasherode。Underhispony’sbridlehehadtuckedsomesprigsofchaparraltokeepawaythedeerflies。Thuscrowned，thelong-facedquadrupedlookedmoreDantesquethanbefore，and，judgingbyhiscountenance，seemedtothinkofBeatriceStraightastopographypermitted，Samrodeto，thesheepranchofoldmanEllison。Avisittoasheepranchseemedtohimdesirablejustthen。 Therehadbeentoomanypeople，toomuchnoise，argument，competition，confusion，atRanchoAltito。HehadneverconferreduponoldmanEllisonthefavourofsojourningathisranch；butheknewhewouldbewelcome。 Thetroubadourishisownpassporteverywhere。TheWorkersinthecastleletdownthedrawbridgetohim，andtheBaronsetshimathislefthandattableinthebanquethall。Thereladiessmileuponhimandapplaudhissongsandstories，whiletheWorkersbringboars’headsandflagons。IftheBaronnodsonceortwiceinhiscarvedoakenchair，hedoesnotdoitmaliciously。 OldmanEllisonwelcomedthetroubadourflatteringly。HehadoftenheardpraisesofSamGallowayfromotherranchmenwhohadbeencomplimentedbyhisvisits，buthadneveraspiredtosuchanhonourforhisownhumblebarony。IsaybaronybecauseoldmanEllisonwastheLastoftheBarons。 Ofcourse，Mr。Bulwer-Lyttonlivedtooearlytoknowhim，orhewouldn’thaveconferredthatsobriquetuponWarwick。InlifeitisthedutyandthefunctionoftheBarontoprovideworkfortheWorkersandlodgingandshelterfortheTroubadours。 OldmanEllisonwasashrunkenoldman，withashort，yellow-whitebeardandafacelinedandseamedbypast-and-gonesmiles。Hisranchwasalittletwo-roomboxhouseinagroveofhackberrytreesinthelonesomestpartofthesheepcountry。HishouseholdconsistedofaKiowaIndianmancook，fourhounds，apetsheep，andahalf-tamedcoyotechainedtoafence-post。Heowned3，000sheep，whichheranontwosectionsofleasedlandandmanythousandsofacresneitherleasednorowned。Threeorfourtimesayearsomeonewhospokehislanguagewouldrideuptohisgateandexchangeafewbaldideaswithhim。Thosewerered-letterdaystooldmanEllison。Theninwhatilluminated，embossed，andgorgeouslydecoratedcapitalsmusthavebeenwrittenthedayonwhichatroubadour——-atroubadourwho，accordingtotheencyclopaedia，shouldhaveflourishedbetweentheeleventhandthethirteenthcenturies-——drewreinatthegatesofhisbaronialcastle！ OldmanEllison’ssmilescamebackandfilledhiswrinkleswhenhesawSam。Hehurriedoutofthehouseinhisshuffling，limpingwaytogreethim。 \"Hello，Mr。Ellison，\"calledSamcheerfully。\"ThoughtI’ddropoverandseeyouawhile。Noticeyou’vehadfinerainsonyourrange。Theyoughttomakegoodgrazingforyourspringlambs。\" \"Well，well，well，\"saidoldmanEllison。\"I’mmightygladtoseeyou，Sam。Ineverthoughtyou’dtakethetroubletorideovertoasout-of-the-wayanoldranchasthis。Butyou’remightywelcome。’Light。 I’vegotasackofnewoatsinthekitchen——-shallIbringoutafeedforyourhoss？\" \"Oatsforhim？\"saidSam，derisively。\"No，sir-ee。He’sasfatasapignowongrass。Hedon’tgetrodeenoughtokeephimincondition。I’lljustturnhiminthehorsepasturewithadragropeonifyoudon’tmind。\" IampositivethatneverduringtheeleventhandthirteenthcenturiesdidBaron，Troubadour，andWorkeramalgamateasharmoniouslyastheirparallelsdidthateveningatoldmanEllison’ssheepranch。TheKiowa’sbiscuitswerelightandtastyandhiscoffeestrong。IneradicablehospitalityandappreciationglowedonoldmanEllison’sweather-tannedface。Asforthetroubadour，hesaidtohimselfthathehadstumbleduponpleasantplacesindeed。Awell-cooked，abundantmeal，ahostwhomhislightestattempttoentertainseemedtodelightfarbeyondthemeritsoftheexertion，andthereposefulatmospherethathissensitivesoulatthattimecravedunitedtoconferuponhimasatisfactionandluxuriouseasethathehadseldomfoundonhistoursoftheranches。 Afterthedelectablesupper，Samuntiedthegreenduckbagandtookouthisguitar。Notbywayofpayment，mindyou——neitherSamGallowaynoranyotherofthetruetroubadoursarelinealdescendantsofthelateTommyTucker。YouhavereadofTommyTuckerintheworksoftheesteemedbutoftenobscureMotherGoose。TommyTuckersangforhissupper。Notruetroubadourwoulddothat。Hewouldhavehissupper，andthensingforArt’ssake。 SamGalloway’srepertoirecomprisedaboutfiftyfunnystoriesandbetweenthirtyandfortysongs。Hebynomeansstoppedthere。Hecouldtalkthroughtwentycigarettesonanytopicthatyoubroughtup。Andheneversatupwhenhecouldliedown；andneverstoodwhenhecouldsit。Iamstronglydisposedtolingerwithhim，forIamdrawingaportraitaswellasabluntpencilandatatteredthesauruswillallow。 Iwishyoucouldhaveseenhim：hewassmallandtoughandinactivebeyondthepowerofimaginationtoconceive。Heworeanultramarine-bluewoollenshirtlaceddownthefrontwithapearl-gray，exaggeratedsortofshoestring，indestructiblebrownduckclothes，inevitablehigh-heeledbootswithMexicanspurs，andaMexicanstrawsombrero。 ThateveningSamandoldmanEllisondraggedtheirchairsoutunderthehackberrytrees。Theylightedcigarettes；andthetroubadourgailytouchedhisguitar。Manyofthesongshesangweretheweird，melancholy，minor-keyed_canciones_thathehadlearnedfromtheMexicansheepherdersand_vaqueros_。One，inparticular，charmedandsoothedthesoulofthelonelybaron。Itwasafavouritesongofthesheepherders，beginning： \"_Huile，huile，palomita_，\"whichbeingtranslatedmeans，\"Fly，fly，littledove。\"SamsangitforoldmanEllisonmanytimesthatevening。 Thetroubadourstayedonattheoldman’sranch。Therewaspeaceandquietandappreciationthere，suchashehadnotfoundinthenoisycampsofthecattlekings。Noaudienceintheworldcouldhavecrownedtheworkofpoet，musician，orartistwithmoreworshipfulandunflaggingapprovalthanthatbestoweduponhiseffortsbyoldmanEllison。Novisitbyaroyalpersonagetoahumblewoodchopperorpeasantcouldhavebeenreceivedwithmoreflatteringthankfulnessandjoy。 Onacool，canvas-coveredcotintheshadeofthehackberrytreesSamGallowaypassedthegreaterpartofhistime。Thereherolledhisbrownpapercigarettes，readsuchtediousliteratureastheranchafforded，andaddedtohisrepertoireofimprovisationsthatheplayedsoexpertlyonhisguitar。Tohim，asaslaveministeringtoagreatlord，theKiowabroughtcoolwaterfromtheredjarhangingunderthebrushshelter，andfoodwhenhecalledforit。Theprairiezephyrsfannedhimmildly； mocking-birdsatmornandevecompetedwithbutscarceequalledthesweetmelodiesofhislyre；aperfumedstillnessseemedtofillallhisworld。 WhileoldmanEllisonwaspotteringamonghisflocksofsheeponhismile-an-hourpony，andwhiletheKiowatookhissiestaintheburningsunshineattheendofthekitchen，Samwouldlieonhiscotthinkingwhatahappyworldhelivedin，andhowkinditistotheoneswhosemissioninlifeitistogiveentertainmentandpleasure。Herehehadfoodandlodgingasgoodashehadeverlongedfor；absoluteimmunityfromcareorexertionorstrife；anendlesswelcome，andahostwhosedelightatthesixteenthrepetitionofasongorastorywasaskeenasatitsinitialgiving。Wasthereeveratroubadourofoldwhostruckuponasroyalacastleinhiswanderings？Whilehelaythus，meditatinguponhisblessings，littlebrowncottontailswouldshyly’frolicthroughtheyard； acoveyofwhite-topknottedbluequailwouldrunpast，insinglefile，twentyyardsaway；a_paisano_bird，outhuntingfortarantulas，wouldhopuponthefenceandsalutehimwithsweepingflourishesofits’longtail。 Intheeighty-acrehorsepasturetheponywiththeDantesquefacegrewfatandalmostsmiling。Thetroubadourwasattheendofhiswanderings。 OldmanEllisonwashisown_vaciero_。Thatmeansthathesuppliedhissheepcampswithwood，water，andrationsbyhisownlaboursinsteadofhiringa_vaciero_。Onsmallranchesitisoftendone。 OnemorninghestartedforthecampofIncarnacionFelipedelaCruzyMontePiedras（oneofhissheepherders）withtheweek’susualrationsofbrownbeans，coffee，meal，andsugar。TwomilesawayonthetrailfromoldFortEwinghemet，facetoface，aterriblebeingcalledKingJames，mountedonafiery，prancing，Kentucky-bredhorse。 KingJames’srealnamewasJamesKing；butpeoplereverseditbecauseitseemedtofithimbetter，andalsobecauseitseemedtopleasehismajesty。KingJameswasthebiggestcattlemanbetweentheAlamoplazainSanAntoneandBillHopper’ssalooninBrownsville。AlsohewastheloudestandmostoffensivebullyandbraggartandbadmaninsouthwestTexas。Andhealwaysmadegoodwheneverhebragged；andthemorenoisehemadethemoredangeroushewas。Inthestorypapersitisalwaysthequiet，mild-manneredmanwithlightblueeyesandalowvoicewhoturnsouttobereallydangerous；butinreallifeandinthisstorysuchisnotthecase。Givememychoicebetweenassaultingalarge，loudmouthedrough-houserandaninoffensivestrangerwithblueeyessittingquietlyinacorner，andyouwillseesomethingdoinginthecornereverytime。 KingJames，asIintendedtosayearlier，wasafierce，two-hundred-poundsunburned，blondman，aspinkasanOctoberstrawberry，andwithtwohorizontalslitsundershaggyredeyebrowsforeyes。Onthatdayheworeaflannelshirtthatwastan-coloured，withtheexceptionofcertainlargeareaswhichweredarkenedbytransudationsduetothesummersun。Thereseemedtobeotherclothingandgarnishingsabouthim，suchasbrownducktrousersstuffedintoimmenseboots，andredhandkerchiefsandrevolvers； andashotgunlaidacrosshissaddleandaleatherbeltwithmillionsofcartridgesshininginit——butyourmindskiddedoffsuchaccessories； whatheldyourgazewasjustthetwolittlehorizontalslitsthatheusedforeyes。 ThiswasthemanthatoldmanEllisonmetonthetrail；andwhenyoucountupinthebaron’sfavourthathewassixty-fiveandweighedninety-eightpoundsandhadheardofKingJames’srecordandthathe（thebaron）hadahankeringforthe_vitasimplex_andhadnogunwithhimandwouldn’thave’useditifhehad，youcan’tcensurehimifItellyouthatthesmileswithwhichthetroubadourhadfilledhiswrinkleswentoutofthemandleftthemplainwrinklesagain。Buthewasnotthekindofbaronthatfliesfromdanger。Hereinedinthemile-an-hourpony（nodifficultfeat），andsalutedtheformidablemonarch。 KingJamesexpressedhimselfwithroyaldirectness。\"You’rethatoldsnoozerthat’srunningsheeponthisrange，ain’tyou？\"saidhe。\"Whatrighthaveyougottodoit？Doyouownanyland，orleaseany？\" \"Ihavetwosectionsleasedfromthestate，\"saidoldmanEllison，mildly。 \"Notbynomeansyouhaven’t，\"saidKingJames。\"Yourleaseexpiredyesterday；andIhadamanatthelandofficeontheminutetotakeitup。Youdon’tcontrolafootofgrassinTexas。Yousheepmenhavegottogit。Yourtime’sup。It’sacattlecountry，andthereain’tanyroominitforsnoozers。Thisrangeyou’vegotyoursheeponismine。I’mputtingupawirefence，fortybysixtymiles；andifthere’sasheepinsideofitwhenit’sdoneit’llbeadeadone。I’llgiveyouaweektomoveyoursaway。Iftheyain’tgonebythen，I’llsendsixmenoverherewithWinchesterstomakemuttonoutofthewholelot。AndifIfindyouhereatthesametimethisiswhatyou’llget。\" KingJamespattedthebreechofhisshot-gunwarningly。 OldmanEllisonrodeontothecampofIncarnacion。Hesighedmanytimes，andthewrinklesinhisfacegrewdeeper。Rumoursthattheoldorderwasabouttochangehadreachedhimbefore。TheendofFreeGrasswasinsight。Othertroubles，too，hadbeenaccumulatinguponhisshoulders。 Hisflocksweredecreasinginsteadofgrowing；thepriceofwoolwasdecliningateveryclip；evenBradshaw，thestorekeeperatFrioCity，atwhosestoreheboughthisranchsupplies，wasdunninghimforhislastsixmonths’billandthreateningtocuthimoff。AndsothislastgreatestcalamitysuddenlydealtouttohimbytheterribleKingJameswasacrusher。 WhentheoldmangotbacktotheranchatsunsethefoundSamGallowaylyingonhiscot，proppedagainstarollofblanketsandwoolsacks，fingeringhisguitar。 \"Hello，UncleBen，\"thetroubadourcalled，cheerfully。\"Yourolledinearlythisevening。IbeentryinganewtwistontheSpanishFandangoto-day。Ijustaboutgotit。Here’showshegoes——listen。\" \"That’sfine，that’smightyfine，\"saidoldmanEllison，sittingonthekitchenstepandrubbinghiswhite，Scotch-terrierwhiskers。\"Ireckonyou’vegotallthemusiciansbeateastandwest，Sam，asfarastheroadsarecutout。\" \"Oh，Idon’tknow，\"saidSam，reflectively。\"ButIcertainlydogetthereonvariations。IguessIcanhandleanythinginfiveflatsaboutaswellasanyof’em。Butyoulookkindoffaggedout，UncleBen——ain’tyoufeelingrightwellthisevening？\" \"Littletired；that’sall，Sam。Ifyouain’tplayedyourselfout，let’shavethatMexicanpiecethatstartsoffwith：’_Huile，huile，palomita_。’ ItseemsthatthatsongalwayskindofsoothesandcomfortsmeafterI’vebeenridingfaroranythingbothersme。\" \"Why，_seguramente_，_senor_，\"saidSam。\"I’llhitherupforyouasoftenasyoulike。AndbeforeIforgetaboutit，UncleBen，youwanttojerkBradshawupaboutthemlasthamshesentus。They’rejustalittlebitstrong。\" Amansixty-fiveyearsold，livingonasheepranchandbesetbyacomplicationofdisasters，cannotsuccessfullyandcontinuouslydissemble。Moreover，atroubadourhaseyesquicktoseeunhappinessinothersaroundhim——becauseitdisturbshisownease。So，onthenextday，Samagainquestionedtheoldmanabouthisairofsadnessandabstraction。ThenoldmanEllisontoldhimthestoryofKingJames’sthreatsandordersandthatpalemelancholyandredruinappearedtohavemarkedhimfortheirown。Thetroubadourtookthenewsthoughtfully。HehadheardmuchaboutKingJames。 Onthethirddayofthesevendaysofgraceallowedhimbytheautocratoftherange，oldmanEllisondrovehisbuckboardtoFrioCitytofetchsomenecessarysuppliesfortheranch。Bradshawwashardbutnotimplacable。 Hedividedtheoldman’sorderbytwo，andlethimhavealittlemoretime。Onearticlesecuredwasanew，finehamforthepleasureofthetroubadour。 FivemilesoutofFrioCityonhiswayhometheoldmanmetKingJamesridingintotown。Hismajestycouldneverlookanythingbutfierceandmenacing，butto-dayhisslitsofeyesappearedtobealittlewiderthantheyusuallywere。 \"Goodday，\"saidtheking，gruffly。\"I’vebeenwantingtoseeyou。I hearitsaidbyacowmanfromSandyyesterdaythatyouwasfromJacksonCounty，Mississippi，originally。Iwanttoknowifthat’safact。\" \"Bornthere，\"saidoldmanEllison，\"andraisedtheretillIwastwenty-one。\" \"Thismansays，\"wentonKingJames，\"thathethinksyouwasrelatedtotheJacksonCountyReeveses。Washeright？\" \"AuntCarolineReeves，\"saidtheoldman，\"wasmyhalf-sister。\" \"Shewasmyaunt，\"saidKingJames。\"IrunawayfromhomewhenIwassixteen。Now，let’sre-talkoversomethingsthatwediscussedafewdaysago。Theycallmeabadman；andthey’reonlyhalfright。There’splentyofroominmypastureforyourbunchofsheepandtheirincreaseforalongtimetocome。AuntCarolineusedtocutoutsheepincakedoughandbake’emforme。Youkeepyoursheepwheretheyare，andusealltherangeyouwant。How’syourfinances？\" Theoldmanrelatedhiswoesindetail，dignifiedly，withrestraintandcandour。 \"Sheusedtosmuggleextragrubintomyschoolbasket——I’mspeakingofAuntCaroline，\"saidKingJames。\"I’mgoingovertoFrioCityto-day，andI’llridebackbyyourranchto-morrow。I’lldraw$2，000outofthebankthereandbringitovertoyou；andI’lltellBradshawtoletyouhaveeverythingyouwantoncredit。Youareboundtohaveheardtheoldsayingathome，thattheJacksonCountyReevesesandKingswouldstickcloserbyeachotherthanchestnutburrs。Well，I’maKingyetwheneverIrunacrossaReeves。Soyoulookoutformealongaboutsundownto-morrow，anddon’tworryaboutnothing。Shouldn’twonderifthedryspelldon’tkillouttheyounggrass。\" OldmanEllisondrovehappilyranchward。Oncemorethesmilesfilledouthiswrinkles。Verysuddenly，bythemagicofkinshipandthegoodthatliessomewhereinallhearts，histroubleshadbeenremoved。 OnreachingtheranchhefoundthatSamGallowaywasnotthere。Hisguitarhungbyitsbuckskinstringtoahackberrylimb，moaningasthegulfbreezeblewacrossitsmasterlessstrings。 TheKiowaendeavouredtoexplain。 \"Sam，hecatchpony，\"saidhe，\"andsayheridetoFrioCity。Whatfornocandamnsabe。Sayhecomebackto-night。Maybeso。Thatall。\" Asthefirststarscameoutthetroubadourrodebacktohishaven。Hepasturedhisponyandwentintothehouse，hisspursjinglingmartially。 OldmanEllisonsatatthekitchentable，havingatincupofbefore-suppercoffee。Helookedcontentedandpleased。 \"Hello，Sam，\"saidhe。\"I’mdarnedgladtoseeyeback。Idon’tknowhowImanagedtogetalongonthisranch，anyhow，beforeyedroppedintocheerthingsup。I’llbetye’vebeenskylarkingaroundwithsomeofthemFrioCitygals，now，that’skeptyesolate。\" AndthenoldmanEllisontookanotherlookatSam’sfaceandsawthattheminstrelhadchangedthemanofaction。 AndwhileSamisunbucklingfromhiswaistoldmanEllison’ssix-shooter，thatthelatterhadleftbehindwhenhedrovetotown，wemaywellpausetoremarkthatanywhereandwheneveratroubadourlaysdowntheguitarandtakesuptheswordtroubleissuretofollow。ItisnottheexpertthrustofAthosnorthecoldskillofAramisnortheironwristofPorthosthatwehavetofear——itistheGascon’sfury——thewildandunacademicattackofthetroubadour——theswordofD’Artagnan。 \"Idoneit，\"saidSam。\"IwentovertoFrioCitytodoit。Icouldn’tlethimputtheskibunkonyou，UncleBen。ImethiminSummers’ssaloon。Iknowedwhattodo。Isaidafewthingstohimthatnobodyelseheard。Hereachedforhisgunfirst——halfadozenfellowssawhimdoit——butIgotmineunlimberedfirst。ThreedosesIgavehim——rightaroundthelungs，andasaucercouldhavecoveredupallof’em。Hewon’tbotheryounomore。\" \"This——is——King——James——youspeak——of？\"askedoldmanEllison，whilehesippedhiscoffee。 \"Youbetitwas。Andtheytookmebeforethecountyjudge；andthewitnesseswhatsawhimdrawhisgunfirstwasallthere。Well，ofcourse，theyputmeunder$300bondtoappearbeforethecourt，buttherewasfourorfiveboysonthespotreadytosignthebail。Hewon’tbotheryounomore，UncleBen。Yououghttohaveseenhowclosethembulletholeswastogether。IreckonplayingaguitarasmuchasIdomustkindoflimberafellow’striggerfingerupalittle，don’tyouthink，UncleBen？\" ThentherewasalittlesilenceinthecastleexceptforthesplutteringofavenisonsteakthattheKiowawascooking。 \"Sam，\"saidoldmanEllison，strokinghiswhitewhiskerswithatremuloushand，\"wouldyoumindgettingtheguitarandplayingthat’_Huile，huile，palomita_’pieceonceortwice？Italwaysseemstobekindofsoothingandcomfortingwhenaman’stiredandfaggedout。\" Thereisnomoretobesaid，exceptthatthetitleofthestoryiswrong。 Itshouldhavebeencalled\"TheLastoftheBarons。\"Thereneverwillbeanendtothetroubadours；andnowandthenitdoesseemthatthejingleoftheirguitarswilldrownthesoundofthemuffledblowsofthepickaxesandtriphammersofalltheWorkersintheworld。 IITHESLEUTHS InTheBigCityamanwilldisappearwiththesuddennessandcompletenessoftheflameofacandlethatisblownout。Alltheagenciesofinquisition——thehoundsofthetrail，thesleuthsofthecity’slabyrinths，theclosetdetectivesoftheoryandinduction——willbeinvokedtothesearch。Mostoftentheman’sfacewillbeseennomore。 SometimeshewillreappearinSheboyganorinthewildsofTerreHaute，callinghimselfoneofthesynonymsof\"Smith，\"andwithoutmemoryofeventsuptoacertaintime，includinghisgrocer’sbill。Sometimesitwillbefound，afterdraggingtherivers，andpollingtherestaurantstoseeifhemaybewaitingforawell-donesirloin，thathehasmovednextdoor。 Thissnuffingoutofahumanbeingliketheerasureofachalkmanfromablackboardisoneofthemostimpressivethemesindramaturgy。 ThecaseofMarySnyder，inpoint，shouldnotbewithoutinterest。 Amanofmiddleage，ofthenameofMeeks，camefromtheWesttoNewYorktofindhissister，Mrs。MarySnyder，awidow，agedfifty-two，whohadbeenlivingforayearinatenementhouseinacrowdedneighbourhood。 AtheraddresshewastoldthatMarySnyderhadmovedawaylongerthanamonthbefore。Noonecouldtellhimhernewaddress。 OncomingoutMr。Meeksaddressedapolicemanwhowasstandingonthecorner，andexplainedhisdilemma。 \"Mysisterisverypoor，\"hesaid，\"andIamanxioustofindher。Ihaverecentlymadequitealotofmoneyinaleadmine，andIwanthertosharemyprosperity。Thereisnouseinadvertisingher，becauseshecannotread。\" ThepolicemanpulledhismoustacheandlookedsothoughtfulandmightythatMeekscouldalmostfeelthejoyfultearsofhissisterMarydroppinguponhisbrightbluetie。 \"YougodownintheCanalStreetneighbourhood，\"saidthepoliceman，\"andgetajobdrivin’thebiggestdrayyoucanfind。There’soldwomenalwaysgettin’knockedoverbydraysdownthere。Youmightsee’eramong’em。 Ifyoudon’twanttodothatyoubettergo’roundtoheadquartersandget’emtoputaflycopontothedame。\" Atpoliceheadquarters，Meeksreceivedreadyassistance。Ageneralalarmwassentout，andcopiesofaphotographofMarySnyderthatherbrotherhadweredistributedamongthestations。InMulberryStreetthechiefassignedDetectiveMullinstothecase。 ThedetectivetookMeeksasideandsaid： \"Thisisnotaverydifficultcasetounravel。Shaveoffyourwhiskers，fillyourpocketswithgoodcigars，andmeetmeinthecafeoftheWaldorfatthreeo’clockthisafternoon。\" Meeksobeyed。HefoundMullinsthere。Theyhadabottleofwine，whilethedetectiveaskedquestionsconcerningthemissingwoman。 \"Now，\"saidMullins，\"NewYorkisabigcity，butwe’vegotthedetectivebusinesssystematized。Therearetwowayswecangoaboutfindingyoursister。Wewilltryoneof’emfirst。Yousayshe’sfifty-two？\" \"Alittlepast，\"saidMeeks。 ThedetectiveconductedtheWesternertoabranchadvertisingofficeofoneofthelargestdailies。Therehewrotethefollowing\"ad\"andsubmittedittoMeeks： \"Wanted，atonce——onehundredattractivechorusgirlsforanewmusicalcomedy。ApplyalldayatNo-Broadway。\" Meekswasindignant。 \"Mysister，\"saidhe，\"isapoor，hard-working，elderlywoman。Idonotseewhataidanadvertisementofthiskindwouldbetowardfindingher。\" \"Allright，\"saidthedetective。\"Iguessyoudon’tknowNewYork。Butifyou’vegotagrouchagainstthisschemewe’lltrytheotherone。It’sasurething。Butit’llcostyoumore。\" \"Nevermindtheexpense，\"saidMeeks；\"we’lltryit。\" ThesleuthledhimbacktotheWaldorf。\"Engageacoupleofbedroomsandaparlour，\"headvised，\"andlet’sgoup。\" Thiswasdone，andthetwowereshowntoasuperbsuiteonthefourthfloor。Meekslookedpuzzled。Thedetectivesankintoavelvetarmchair，andpulledouthiscigarcase。 \"Iforgottosuggest，oldman，\"hesaid，\"thatyoushouldhavetakentheroomsbythemonth。Theywouldn’thavestuckyousomuchforem。 \"Bythemonth！\"exclaimedMeeks。\"Whatdoyoumean？\" \"Oh，it’lltaketimetoworkthegamethisway。Itoldyouitwouldcostyoumore。We’llhavetowaittillspring。There’llbeanewcitydirectoryoutthen。Verylikelyyoursister’snameandaddresswillbeinit。\" Meeksridhimselfofthecitydetectiveatonce。OnthenextdaysomeoneadvisedhimtoconsultShamrockJolnes，NewYork’sfamousprivatedetective，whodemandedfabulousfees，butperformedmiraclesinthewayofsolvingmysteriesandcrimes。 Afterwaitingfortwohoursintheanteroomofthegreatdetective’sapartment，Meekswasshownintohispresence。Jolnessatinapurpledressing-gownataninlaidivorychesstable，withamagazinebeforehim，tryingtosolvethemysteryof\"They。\"Thefamoussleuth’sthin，intellectualface，piercingeyes，andrateperwordaretoowellknowntoneeddescription。 Meekssetforthhiserrand。\"Myfee，ifsuccessful，willbe$500，\"saidShamrockJolnes。 Meeksbowedhisagreementtotheprice。 \"Iwillundertakeyourcase，Mr。Meeks，\"saidJolnes，finally。\"Thedisappearanceofpeopleinthiscityhasalwaysbeenaninterestingproblemtome。IrememberacasethatIbroughttoasuccessfuloutcomeayearago。AfamilybearingthenameofClarkdisappearedsuddenlyfromasmallflatinwhichtheywereliving。Iwatchedtheflatbuildingfortwomonthsforaclue。Onedayitstruckmethatacertainmilkmanandagrocer’sboyalwayswalkedbackwardwhentheycarriedtheirwaresupstairs。Followingoutbyinductiontheideathatthisobservationgaveme，Iatoncelocatedthemissingfamily。TheyhadmovedintotheflatacrossthehallandchangedtheirnametoKralc。\" ShamrockJolnesandhisclientwenttothetenementhousewhereMarySnyderhadlived，andthedetectivedemandedtobeshowntheroominwhichshehadlived。Ithadbeenoccupiedbynotenantsinceherdisappearance。 Theroomwassmall，dingy，andpoorlyfurnished。Meeksseatedhimselfdejectedlyonabrokenchair，whilethegreatdetectivesearchedthewallsandfloorandthefewsticksofold，ricketyfurnitureforaclue。 AttheendofhalfanhourJolneshadcollectedafewseeminglyunintelligiblearticles——acheapblackhatpin，apiecetornoffatheatreprogramme，andtheendofasmalltorncardonwhichwastheword\"left\"andthecharacters\"C12。\" ShamrockJolnesleanedagainstthemantelfortenminutes，withhisheadrestinguponhishand，andanabsorbedlookuponhisintellectualface。 Attheendofthattimeheexclaimed，withanimation： \"Come，Mr。Meeks；theproblemissolved。Icantakeyoudirectlytothehousewhereyoursisterisliving。Andyoumayhavenofearsconcerningherwelfare，forsheisamplyprovidedwithfunds——forthepresentatleast。\" Meeksfeltjoyandwonderinequalproportions。 \"Howdidyoumanageit？\"heasked，withadmirationinhistones。 PerhapsJolnes’sonlyweaknesswasaprofessionalprideinhiswonderfulachievementsininduction。Hewaseverreadytoastoundandcharmhislistenersbydescribinghismethods。 \"Byelimination，\"saidJolnes，spreadinghiscluesuponalittletable，\"I gotridofcertainpartsofthecitytowhichMrs。Snydermighthaveremoved。Youseethishatpin？ThateliminatesBrooklyn。NowomanattemptstoboardacarattheBrooklynBridgewithoutbeingsurethatshecarriesahatpinwithwhichtofightherwayintoaseat。AndnowIwilldemonstratetoyouthatshecouldnothavegonetoHarlem。Behindthisdooraretwohooksinthewall。UpononeoftheseMrs。Snyderhashungherbonnet，andupontheotherhershawl。Youwillobservethatthebottomofthehangingshawlhasgraduallymadeasoiledstreakagainsttheplasteredwall。Themarkisclean-cut，provingthatthereisnofringeontheshawl。Now，wasthereeveracasewhereamiddle-agedwoman，wearingashawl，boardedaHarlemtrainwithouttherebeingafringeontheshawltocatchinthegateanddelaythepassengersbehindher？SoweeliminateHarlem。 \"ThereforeIconcludethatMrs。Snyderhasnotmovedveryfaraway。Onthistornpieceofcardyouseetheword\"Left，\"theletter\"C，\"andthenumber\"12。\"Now，IhappentoknowthatNo。12AvenueCisafirst-classboardinghouse，farbeyondyoursister’smeans——aswesuppose。ButthenIfindthispieceofatheatreprogramme，crumpledintoanoddshape。 Whatmeaningdoesitconvey。Nonetoyou，verylikely，Mr。Meeks；butitiseloquenttoonewhosehabitsandtrainingtakecognizanceofthesmallestthings。 \"Youhavetoldmethatyoursisterwasascrubwoman。Shescrubbedthefloorsofofficesandhallways。Letusassumethatsheprocuredsuchworktoperforminatheatre。Whereisvaluablejewellerylosttheoftenest，Mr。Meeks？Inthetheatres，ofcourse。Lookatthatpieceofprogramme，Mr。Meeks。Observetheroundimpressioninit。Ithasbeenwrappedaroundaring——perhapsaringofgreatvalue。Mrs。Snyderfoundtheringwhileatworkinthetheatre。Shehastilytoreoffapieceofaprogramme，wrappedtheringcarefully，andthrustitintoherbosom。Thenextdayshedisposedofit，and，withherincreasedmeans，lookedaboutherforamorecomfortableplaceinwhichtolive。WhenIreachthusfarinthechainIseenothingimpossibleaboutNo。12AvenueC。Itistherewewillfindyoursister，Mr。Meeks。\" ShamrockJolnesconcludedhisconvincingspeechwiththesmileofasuccessfulartist。Meeks’sadmirationwastoogreatforwords。TogethertheywenttoNo。12AvenueC。Itwasanold-fashionedbrownstonehouseinaprosperousandrespectableneighbourhood。 Theyrangthebell，andoninquiringweretoldthatnoMrs。Snyderwasknownthere，andthatnotwithinsixmonthshadanewoccupantcometothehouse。 Whentheyreachedthesidewalkagain，Meeksexaminedtheclueswhichhehadbroughtawayfromhissister’soldroom。 \"Iamnodetective，\"heremarkedtoJolnesasheraisedthepieceoftheatreprogrammetohisnose，\"butitseemstomethatinsteadofaringhavingbeenwrappedinthispaperitwasoneofthoseroundpeppermintdrops。Andthispiecewiththeaddressonitlookstomeliketheendofaseatcoupon——No。12，rowC，leftaisle。\" ShamrockJolneshadafar-awaylookinhiseyes。 \"IthinkyouwoulddowelltoconsultJuggins，\"saidhe。 \"WhoisJuggins？\"askedMeeks。 \"Heistheleader，\"saidJolnes，\"ofanewmodernschoolofdetectives。 Theirmethodsaredifferentfromours，butitissaidthatJugginshassolvedsomeextremelypuzzlingcases。Iwilltakeyoutohim。\" TheyfoundthegreaterJugginsinhisoffice。Hewasasmallmanwithlighthair，deeplyabsorbedinreadingoneofthebourgeoisworksofNathanielHawthorne。 Thetwogreatdetectivesofdifferentschoolsshookhandswithceremony，andMeekswasintroduced。 \"Statethefacts，\"saidJuggins，goingonwithhisreading。 WhenMeeksceased，thegreateroneclosedhisbookandsaid： \"DoIunderstandthatyoursisterisfifty-twoyearsofage，withalargemoleonthesideofhernose，andthatsheisaverypoorwidow，makingascantylivingbyscrubbing，andwithaveryhomelyfaceandfigure？\" \"Thatdescribesherexactly，\"admittedMeeks。Jugginsroseandputonhishat。 \"Infifteenminutes，\"hesaid，\"Iwillreturn，bringingyouherpresentaddress。\" ShamrockJolnesturnedpale，butforcedasmile。 WithinthespecifiedtimeJugginsreturnedandconsultedalittleslipofpaperheldinhishand。 \"Yoursister，MarySnyder，\"heannouncedcalmly，\"willbefoundatNo。 162Chiltonstreet。Sheislivinginthebackhallbedroom，fiveflightsup。Thehouseisonlyfourblocksfromhere，\"hecontinued，addressingMeeks。\"Supposeyougoandverifythestatementandthenreturnhere。 Mr。Jolneswillawaityou，Idaresay。\" Meekshurriedaway。Intwentyminuteshewasbackagain，withabeamingface。 \"Sheisthereandwell！\"hecried。\"Nameyourfee！\" \"Twodollars，\"saidJuggins。 WhenMeekshadsettledhisbillanddeparted，ShamrockJolnesstoodwithhishatinhishandbeforeJuggins。 \"Ifitwouldnotbeaskingtoomuch，\"hestammered——\"ifyouwouldfavourmesofar——wouldyouobjectto——\" \"Certainlynot，\"saidJugginspleasantly。\"IwilltellyouhowIdidit。 YourememberthedescriptionofMrs。Snyder？Didyoueverknowawomanlikethatwhowasn’tpayingweeklyinstalmentsonanenlargedcrayonportraitofherself？Thebiggestfactoryofthatkindinthecountryisjustaroundthecorner。Iwentthereandgotheraddressoffthebooks。 That’sall。\" IIIWITCHES’LOAVES MissMarthaMeachamkeptthelittlebakeryonthecorner（theonewhereyougoupthreesteps，andthebelltinkleswhenyouopenthedoor）。 MissMarthawasforty，herbank-bookshowedacreditoftwothousanddollars，andshepossessedtwofalseteethandasympatheticheart。ManypeoplehavemarriedwhosechancestodosoweremuchinferiortoMissMartha’s。 Twoorthreetimesaweekacustomercameininwhomshebegantotakeaninterest。Hewasamiddle-agedman，wearingspectaclesandabrownbeardtrimmedtoacarefulpoint。 HespokeEnglishwithastrongGermanaccent。Hisclotheswerewornanddarnedinplaces，andwrinkledandbaggyinothers。Buthelookedneat，andhadverygoodmanners。 Healwaysboughttwoloavesofstalebread。Freshbreadwasfivecentsaloaf。Staleonesweretwoforfive。Neverdidhecallforanythingbutstalebread。 OnceMissMarthasawaredandbrownstainonhisfingers。Shewassurethenthathewasanartistandverypoor。Nodoubthelivedinagarret，wherehepaintedpicturesandatestalebreadandthoughtofthegoodthingstoeatinMissMartha’sbakery。 OftenwhenMissMarthasatdowntoherchopsandlightrollsandjamandteashewouldsigh，andwishthatthegentle-manneredartistmightsharehertastymealinsteadofeatinghisdrycrustinthatdraughtyattic。 MissMartha’sheart，asyouhavebeentold，wasasympatheticone。 Inordertotesthertheoryastohisoccupation，shebroughtfromherroomonedayapaintingthatshehadboughtatasale，andsetitagainsttheshelvesbehindthebreadcounter。 ItwasaVenetianscene。Asplendidmarblepalazzio（soitsaidonthepicture）stoodintheforeground——orratherforewater。Fortherestthereweregondolas（withtheladytrailingherhandinthewater），clouds，sky，andchiaro-oscuroinplenty。Noartistcouldfailtonoticeit。 Twodaysafterwardthecustomercamein。 \"Twoloafsofstalebread，ifyoublease。 \"Youhafhereafinebicture，madame，\"hesaidwhileshewaswrappingupthebread。 \"Yes？\"saysMissMartha，revelinginherowncunning。\"Idosoadmireartand\"（no，itwouldnotdotosay\"artists\"thusearly）\"andpaintings，\" shesubstituted。\"Youthinkitisagoodpicture？\" \"Derbalance，\"saidthecustomer，isnotingooddrawing。Derbairspectiveofitisnottrue。Gootmorning，madame。\" Hetookhisbread，bowed，andhurriedout。 Yes，hemustbeanartist。MissMarthatookthepicturebacktoherroom。 Howgentleandkindlyhiseyesshonebehindhisspectacles！Whatabroadbrowhehad！Tobeabletojudgeperspectiveataglance——andtoliveonstalebread！Butgeniusoftenhastostrugglebeforeitisrecognized。 Whatathingitwouldbeforartandperspectiveifgeniuswerebackedbytwothousanddollarsinbank，abakery，andasympatheticheartto——Butthesewereday-dreams，MissMartha。 Oftennowwhenhecamehewouldchatforawhileacrosstheshowcase。HeseemedtocraveMissMartha’scheerfulwords。 Hekeptonbuyingstalebread。Neveracake，neverapie，neveroneofherdeliciousSallyLunns。 Shethoughthebegantolookthinneranddiscouraged。Herheartachedtoaddsomethinggoodtoeattohismeagrepurchase，buthercouragefailedattheact。Shedidnotdareaffronthim。Sheknewtheprideofartists。 MissMarthatooktowearingherblue-dottedsilkwaistbehindthecounter。Inthebackroomshecookedamysteriouscompoundofquinceseedsandborax。Eversomanypeopleuseitforthecomplexion。 Onedaythecustomercameinasusual，laidhisnickelontheshowcase，andcalledforhisstaleloaves。WhileMissMarthawasreachingforthemtherewasagreattootingandclanging，andafire-enginecamelumberingpast。 Thecustomerhurriedtothedoortolook，asanyonewill。Suddenlyinspired，MissMarthaseizedtheopportunity。 Onthebottomshelfbehindthecounterwasapoundoffreshbutterthatthedairymanhadlefttenminutesbefore。WithabreadknifeMissMarthamadeadeepslashineachofthestaleloaves，insertedagenerousquantityofbutter，andpressedtheloavestightagain。 Whenthecustomerturnedoncemoreshewastyingthepaperaroundthem。 Whenhehadgone，afteranunusuallypleasantlittlechat，MissMarthasmiledtoherself，butnotwithoutaslightflutteringoftheheart。 Hadshebeentoobold？Wouldhetakeoffense？Butsurelynot。Therewasnolanguageofedibles。Butterwasnoemblemofunmaidenlyforwardness。 Foralongtimethatdayherminddweltonthesubject。Sheimaginedthescenewhenheshoulddiscoverherlittledeception。 Hewouldlaydownhisbrushesandpalette。Therewouldstandhiseaselwiththepicturehewaspaintinginwhichtheperspectivewasbeyondcriticism。 Hewouldprepareforhisluncheonofdrybreadandwater。Hewouldsliceintoaloaf——ah！ MissMarthablushed。Wouldhethinkofthehandthatplaceditthereasheate？Wouldhe—— Thefrontdoorbelljangledviciously。Somebodywascomingin，makingagreatdealofnoise。 MissMarthahurriedtothefront。Twomenwerethere。Onewasayoungmansmokingapipe——amanshehadneverseenbefore。Theotherwasherartist。 Hisfacewasveryred，hishatwasonthebackofhishead，hishairwaswildlyrumpled。HeclinchedhistwofistsandshookthemferociouslyatMissMartha。_AtMissMartha_。 \"_Dummkopf_！\"heshoutedwithextremeloudness；andthen\"_Tausendonfer_！\" orsomethinglikeitinGerman。 Theyoungmantriedtodrawhimaway。