Whenthestillnesswasoncemoreperfect，Alanshoulderedtheportmanteau，carrieditin，andshutandlockedthegardendoor;andthen，oncemore，abstractionseemedtofalluponhim，andhestoodwithhishandonthekey，untilthecoldbegantonibbleatJohn’sfingers。
’Whyarewestandinghere？’askedJohn。
’Eh？’saidAlan，blankly。
’Why，man，youdon’tseemyourself，’saidtheother。
’No，I’mnotmyself，’saidAlan;andhesatdownontheportmanteauandputhisfaceinhishands。
Johnstoodbesidehimswayingalittle，andlookingabouthimattheswayingshadows，theflittingsparkles，andthesteadystarsoverhead，untilthewindlesscoldbegantotouchhimthroughhisclothesonthebareskin。Eveninhisbemusedintelligence，wonderbegantoawake。
’Isay，let’scomeontothehouse，’hesaidatlast。
’Yes，let’scomeontothehouse，’repeatedAlan。
Andheroseatonce，reshoulderedtheportmanteau，andtakingthecandleinhisotherhand，movedforwardtotheLodge。
Thiswasalong，lowbuilding，smotheredincreepers;andnow，exceptforsomechinksoflightbetweenthedining—roomshutters，itwasplungedindarknessandsilence。
InthehallAlanlightedanothercandle，gaveittoJohn，andopenedthedoorofabedroom。
’Here，’saidhe;’gotobed。Don’tmindme，John。You’llbesorryformewhenyouknow。’
’Waitabit，’returnedJohn;’I’vegotsocoldwithallthatstandingabout。Let’sgointothedining—roomaminute。
Justoneglasstowarmme，Alan。’
Onthetableinthehallstoodaglass，andabottlewithawhiskylabelonatray。Itwasplainthebottlehadbeenjustopened，forthecorkandcorkscrewlaybesideit。
’Takethat，’saidAlan，passingJohnthewhisky，andthenwithacertainroughnesspushedhisfriendintothebedroom，andclosedthedoorbehindhim。
Johnstoodamazed;thenheshookthebottle，and，tohisfurtherwonder，founditpartlyempty。Threeorfourglassesweregone。Alanmusthaveuncorkedabottleofwhiskyanddrankthreeorfourglassesoneaftertheother，withoutsittingdown，fortherewasnochair，andthatinhisowncoldlobbyonthisfreezingnight！Itfullyexplainedhiseccentricities，Johnreflectedsagely，ashemixedhimselfagrog。PoorAlan！Hewasdrunk;andwhatadreadfulthingwasdrink，andwhataslavetoitpoorAlanwas，todrinkinthisunsociable，uncomfortablefashion！Themanwhowoulddrinkalone，exceptforhealth’ssake—asJohnwasnowdoing—wasamanutterlylost。Hetookthegrogout，andfelthazier，butwarmer。Itwashardworkopeningtheportmanteauandfindinghisnightthings;andbeforehewasundressed，thecoldhadstruckhometohimoncemore。’Well，’saidhe;
’justadropmore。There’snosenseingettingillwithallthisothertrouble。’Andpresentlydreamlessslumberburiedhim。
WhenJohnawokeitwasday。Thelowwintersunwasalreadyintheheavens，buthiswatchhadstopped，anditwasimpossibletotellthehourexactly。Ten，heguessedit，andmadehastetodress，dismalreflectionscrowdingonhismind。
Butitwaslessfromterrorthanfromregretthathenowsuffered;andwithhisregretthereweremingledcuttingpangsofpenitence。Therehadfallenuponhimablow，cruel，indeed，butyetonlythepunishmentofoldmisdoing;andhehadrebelledandplungedintofreshsin。Therodhadbeenusedtochasten，andhehadbitthechasteningfingers。Hisfatherwasright;Johnhadjustifiedhim;Johnwasnoguestfordecentpeople’shouses，andnofitassociatefordecentpeople’schildren。Andhadabroaderhintbeenneeded，therewasthecaseofhisoldfriend。Johnwasnodrunkard，thoughhecouldattimesexceed;andthepictureofHoustondrinkingneatspiritsathishall—tablestruckhimwithsomethinglikedisgust。Hehungbackfrommeetinghisoldfriend。Hecouldhavewishedhehadnotcometohim;andyet，evennow，whereelsewashetoturn？
Thesemusingsoccupiedhimwhilehedressed，andaccompaniedhimintothelobbyofthehouse。Thedoorstoodopenonthegarden;doubtless，Alanhadsteppedforth;andJohndidashesupposedhisfriendhaddone。Thegroundwashardasiron，thefroststillrigorous;ashebrushedamongthehollies，iciclesjingledandglitteredintheirfall;andwhereverhewent，avolleyofeagersparrowsfollowedhim。HerewereChristmasweatherandChristmasmorningdulymet，tothedelightofchildren。Thiswasthedayofreunitedfamilies，thedaytowhichhehadsolonglookedforward，thinkingtoawakeinhisownbedinRandolphCrescent，reconciledwithallmenandrepeatingthefootprintsofhisyouth;andherehewasalone，pacingthealleysofawintrygardenandfilledwithpenitentialthoughts。
Andthatremindedhim：whywashealone？andwherewasAlan？
Thethoughtofthefestalmorningandtheduesalutationsreawakenedhisdesireforhisfriend，andhebegantocallforhimbyname。Asthesoundofhisvoicediedaway，hewasawareofthegreatnessofthesilencethatenvironedhim。
Butforthetwitteringofthesparrowsandthecrunchingofhisownfeetuponthefrozensnow，thewholewindlessworldofairhungoverhimentranced，andthestillnessweigheduponhismindwithahorrorofsolitude。
Stillcallingatintervals，butnowwithamoderatedvoice，hemadethehastycircuitofthegarden，andfindingneithermannortraceofmaninallitsevergreencoverts，turnedatlasttothehouse。Aboutthehousethesilenceseemedtodeepenstrangely。Thedoor，indeed，stoodopenasbefore;
butthewindowswerestillshuttered，thechimneysbreathednostainintothebrightair，theresoundedabroadnoneofthatlowstir（perhapsaudiblerathertotheearofthespiritthantotheearoftheflesh）bywhichahouseannouncesandbetraysitshumanlodgers。AndyetAlanmustbethere—Alanlockedindrunkenslumbers，forgetfulofthereturnofday，oftheholyseason，andofthefriendwhomhehadsocoldlyreceivedandwasnowsochurlishlyneglecting。
John’sdisgustredoubledatthethought，buthungerwasbeginningtogrowstrongerthanrepulsion，andasasteptobreakfast，ifnothingelse，hemustfindandarousethissleeper。
Hemadethecircuitofthebedroomquarters。All，untilhecametoAlan’schamber，werelockedfromwithout，andborethemarksofaprolongeddisuse。ButAlan’swasaroomincommission，filledwithclothes，knickknacks，letters，books，andtheconveniencesofasolitaryman。Thefirehadbeenlighted;butithadlongagoburnedout，andtheasheswerestonecold。Thebedhadbeenmade，butithadnotbeensleptin。
Worseandworse，then;Alanmusthavefallenwherehesat，andnowsprawledbrutishly，nodoubt，uponthedining—roomfloor。
Thedining—roomwasaverylongapartment，andwasreachedthroughapassage;sothatJohn，uponhisentrance，broughtbutlittlelightwithhim，andmustmovetowardthewindowswithspreadarms，gropingandknockingonthefurniture。
Suddenlyhetrippedandfellhislengthoveraprostratebody。Itwaswhathehadlookedfor，yetitshockedhim;andhemarvelledthatsoroughanimpactshouldnothavekickedagroanoutofthedrunkard。Menhadkilledthemselveserenowinsuchexcesses，adrearyanddegradedendthatmadeJohnshudder。WhatifAlanweredead？TherewouldbeaChristmas—day！
Bythis，Johnhadhishandupontheshutters，andflingingthemback，beheldonceagaintheblessedfaceoftheday。
Evenbythatlighttheroomhadadiscomfortableair。Thechairswerescattered，andonehadbeenoverthrown;thetable—cloth，laidasiffordinner，wastwitchedupononeside，andsomeofthedisheshadfallentothefloor。Behindthetablelaythedrunkard，stillunaroused，onlyonefootvisibletoJohn。
Butnowthatlightwasintheroom，theworstseemedover;itwasadisgustingbusiness，butnotmorethandisgusting;anditwaswithnogreatapprehensionthatJohnproceededtomakethecircuitofthetable：hislastcomparativelytranquilmomentforthatday。Nosoonerhadheturnedthecorner，nosoonerhadhiseyesalightedonthebody，thanhegaveasmothered，breathlesscry，andfledoutoftheroomandoutofthehouse。
ItwasnotAlanwholaythere，butamanwellupinyears，ofsterncountenanceandiron—greylocks;anditwasnodrunkard，forthebodylayinablackpoolofblood，andtheopeneyesstaredupontheceiling。
ToandfrowalkedJohnbeforethedoor。Theextremesharpnessoftheairactedonhisnerveslikeanastringent，andbracedthemswiftly。Presently，henotrelaxinginhisdisorderedwalk，theimagesbegantocomeclearerandstaylongerinhisfancy;andnextthepowerofthoughtcamebacktohim，andthehorroranddangerofhissituationrootedhimtotheground。
Hegraspedhisforehead，andstaringononespotofgravel，piecedtogetherwhatheknewandwhathesuspected。Alanhadmurderedsomeone：possibly’thatman’againstwhomthebutlerchainedthedoorinRegentTerrace;possiblyanother;
someoneatleast：ahumansoul，whomitwasdeathtoslayandwhosebloodlayspilleduponthefloor。Thiswasthereasonofthewhiskydrinkinginthepassage，ofhisunwillingnesstowelcomeJohn，ofhisstrangebehaviourandbewilderedwords;thiswaswhyhehadstartedatandharpeduponthenameofmurder;thiswaswhyhehadstoodandhearkened，orsatandcoveredhiseyes，intheblacknight。
Andnowhewasgone，nowhehadbaselyfled;andtoallhisperplexitiesanddangersJohnstoodheir。
’Letmethink—letmethink，’hesaid，aloud，impatiently，evenpleadingly，asiftosomemercilessinterrupter。Intheturmoilofhiswits，athousandhintsandhopesandthreatsandterrorsdinningcontinuouslyinhisears，hewaslikeoneplungedinthehubbubofacrowd。Howwashetoremember—
he，whohadnotathoughttospare—thathewashimselftheauthor，aswellasthetheatre，ofsomuchconfusion？Butinhoursoftrialthejuntoofman’snatureisdissolved，andanarchysucceeds。
Itwasplainhemuststaynolongerwherehewas，forherewasanewJudicialErrorintheverymaking。Itwasnotsoplainwherehemustgo，fortheoldJudicialError，vagueasacloud，appearedtofillthehabitableworld;whateveritmightbe，itwatchedforhim，full—grown，inEdinburgh;itmusthavehaditsbirthinSanFrancisco;itstoodguard，nodoubt，likeadragon，atthebankwhereheshouldcashhiscredit;andthoughthereweredoubtlessmanyotherplaces，whoshouldsayinwhichofthemitwasnotambushed？No，hecouldnottellwherehewastogo;hemustnotlosetimeontheseinsolubilities。Lethimgobacktothebeginning。Itwasplainhemuststaynolongerwherehewas。Itwasplain，too，thathemustnotfleeashewas，forhecouldnotcarryhisportmanteau，andtofleeandleaveitwastoplungedeeperinthemire。Hemustgo，leavethehouseunguarded，findacab，andreturn—returnafteranabsence？Hadhecourageforthat？
Andjustthenhespiedastainaboutahand’s—breadthonhistrouser—leg，andreachedhisfingerdowntotouchit。Thefingerwasstainedred：itwasblood;hestareduponitwithdisgust，andawe，andterror，andinthesharpnessofthenewsensation，fellinstantlytoact。
Hecleansedhisfingerinthesnow，returnedintothehouse，drewnearwithhushedfootstepstothedining—roomdoor，andshutandlockedit。Thenhebreathedalittlefreer，forhereatleastwasanoakenbarrierbetweenhimselfandwhathefeared。Next，hehastenedtohisroom，toreoffthespottedtrouserswhichseemedinhiseyesalinktobindhimtothegallows，flungtheminacorner，donnedanotherpair，breathlesslycrammedhisnightthingsintohisportmanteau，lockedit，swungitwithaneffortfromtheground，andwitharushofrelief，cameforthagainundertheopenheavens。
Theportmanteau，beingofoccidentalbuild，wasnofeather—
weight;ithaddistressedthepowerfulAlan;andasforJohn，hewascrushedunderitsbulk，andthesweatbrokeuponhimthickly。Twicehemustsetitdowntorestbeforehereachedthegate;andwhenhehadcomesofar，hemustdoasAlandid，andtakehisseatupononecorner。Herethen，hesatawhileandpanted;butnowhisthoughtsweresensiblylightened;now，withthetrunkstandingjustinsidethedoor，somepartofhisdissociationfromthehouseofcrimehadbeeneffected，andthecabmanneednotpassthegardenwall。
Itwaswonderfulhowthatrelievedhim;forthehouse，inhiseyes，wasaplacetostrikethemostcursorybeholderwithsuspicion，asthoughtheverywindowshadcriedmurder。
Buttherewastobenoremissionofthestrokesoffate。Ashethussat，takingbreathintheshadowofthewallandhoppedaboutbysparrows，itchancedthathiseyerovedtothefasteningofthedoor;andwhathesawpluckedhimtohisfeet。Thethinglockedwithaspring;oncethedoorwasclosed，theboltshutofitself;andwithoutakey，therewasnomeansofenteringfromwithout。
Hesawhimselfobligedtooneoftwodistastefulandperilousalternatives;eithertoshutthedooraltogetherandsethisportmanteauoutuponthewayside，awondertoallbeholders;
ortoleavethedoorajar，sothatanythievishtramporholidayschoolboymightstrayinandstumbleonthegrislysecret。Tothelast，astheleastdesperate，hismindinclined;buthemustfirstinsurehimselfthathewasunobserved。Hepeeredout，anddownthelongroad;itlaydeadempty。Hewenttothecorneroftheby—roadthatcomesbywayofDean;therealsonotapassengerwasstirring。
Plainlyitwas，nowornever，thehightideofhisaffairs;
andhedrewthedoorascloseashedurst，slippedapebbleinthechink，andmadeoffdownhilltofindacab。
Half—waydownagateopened，andatroopofChristmaschildrensalliedforthinthemostcheerfulhumour，followedmoresoberlybyasmilingmother。
’AndthisisChristmas—day！’thoughtJohn;andcouldhavelaughedaloudintragicbitternessofheart。
CHAPTERVII—ATRAGI—COMEDYINACAB
InfrontofDonaldson’sHospital，Johncounteditgoodfortunetoperceiveacabagreatwayof，andbymuchshoutingandwavingofhisarm，tocatchthenoticeofthedriver。Hecounteditgoodfortune，forthetimewaslongtohimtillheshouldhavedoneforeverwiththeLodge;andthefurtherhemustgotofindacab，thegreaterthechancethattheinevitablediscoveryhadtakenplace，andthatheshouldreturntofindthegardenfullofangryneighbours。Yetwhenthevehicledrewuphewassensiblychagrinedtorecognisetheport—winecabmanofthenightbefore。’Here，’hecouldnotbutreflect，’hereisanotherlinkintheJudicialError。’
Thedriver，ontheotherhand，waspleasedtodropagainuponsoliberalafare;andashewasaman—thereadermustalreadyhaveperceived—ofeasy，nottosayfamiliar，manners，hedroppedatonceintoaveinoffriendlytalk，commentingontheweather，onthesacredseason，whichstruckhimchieflyinthelightofadayofliberalgratuities，onthechancewhichhadreunitedhimtoapleasingcustomer，andonthefactthatJohnhadbeen（ashewaspleasedtocallit）
visibly’ontherandan’thenightbefore。
’Andyelookdreidfulbadthe—day，sir，Imustsaythat，’hecontinued。’There’snothinglikeadramforye—ifye’lltakemyadviceofit;andbein’asit’sChristmas，I’mno’
saying，’headded，withafatherlysmile，’butwhatIwouldjoinyemysel’。’
Johnhadlistenedwithasickheart。
’I’llgiveyouadramwhenwe’vegotthrough，’saidhe，affectingasprightlinesswhichsatonhimmostunhandsomely，’andnotadroptillthen。Businessfirst，andpleasureafterward。’
Withthispromisethejarveywasprevailedupontoclambertohisplaceanddrive，withhideousdeliberation，tothedooroftheLodge。Therewerenosignsasyetofanypublicemotion;only，twomenstoodnotfaroffintalk，andtheirpresence，seenfromafar，setJohn’spulsesbuzzing。Hemighthavesparedhimselfhisfright，forthepairwerelostinsomedisputeofatheologicalcomplexion，andwithlengthenedupperlipandenumeratingfingers，pursuedthematteroftheirdifference，andpaidnoheedtoJohn。
Butthecabmanprovedathornintheflesh。
Nothingwouldkeephimonhisperch;hemustclamberdown，commentuponthepebbleinthedoor（whichheregardedasaningeniousbutunsafedevice），helpJohnwiththeportmanteau，andenlivenmatterswithaflowofspeech，andespeciallyofquestions，whichIthuscondense：—
’He’llno’beherehimsel’，willhe？No？Well，he’saneccentricman—afairoddity—ifyekentheexpression。
Greattroublewithhistenants，theytellme。I’vedriventhefam’lyforyears。Idroveacabathisfather’swaddin’。
What’llyournamebe？—Ishouldkenyourface。Baigrey，yesay？TherewereBaigreysaboutGilmerton;ye’llbeoneofthatlot？Thenthis’llbeafriend’sportmantie，like？Why？
Becausethenameuponit’sNucholson！Oh，ifye’reinahurry，that’sanotherjob。WaverleyBrig？Areyeforaway？’
SothefriendlytoperpratedandquestionedandkeptJohn’sheartinaflutter。Buttothisalso，astootherevilsunderthesun，therecameaperiod;andthevictimofcircumstancesbeganatlasttorumbletowardtherailwayterminusatWaverleyBridge。Duringthetransit，hesatwithraisedglassesinthefrostychillandmouldyfetorofhischariot，andglancedoutsidelongontheholidayfaceofthings，theshutteredshops，andthecrowdsalongthepavement，muchastheriderintheTyburncartmayhaveobservedtheconcoursegatheringtohisexecution。
Atthestationhisspiritsroseagain;anotherstageofhisescapewasfortunatelyended—hebegantospybluewater。
Hecalledarailwayporter，andbadehimcarrytheportmanteautothecloak—room：notthathehadanynotionofdelay;flight，instantflightwashisdesign，nomatterwhither;buthehaddeterminedtodismissthecabmanerehenamed，orevenchose，hisdestination，thuspossiblybalkingtheJudicialErrorofanotherlink。Thiswashiscunningaim，andnowwithonefootontheroadway，andonestillonthecoach—step，hemadehastetoputthethinginpractice，andplungedhishandintohistrouserspocket。
Therewasnothingthere！
Ohyes;thistimehewastoblame。Heshouldhaveremembered，andwhenhedesertedhisblood—stainedpantaloons，heshouldnothavedesertedalongwiththemhispurse。Makethemostofhiserror，andthencompareitwiththepunishment！Conceivehisnewposition，forIlackwordstopictureit;conceivehimcondemnedtoreturntothathouse，fromtheverythoughtofwhichhissoulrevolted，andoncemoretoexposehimselftocaptureontheverysceneofthemisdeed：conceivehimlinkedtothemouldycabandthefamiliarcabman。Johncursedthecabmansilently，andthenitoccurredtohimthathemuststoptheincarcerationofhisportmanteau;that，atleast，hemustkeepcloseathand，andheturnedtorecalltheporter。Buthisreflections，briefastheyhadappeared，musthaveoccupiedhimlongerthanhesupposed，andtherewasthemanalreadyreturningwiththereceipt。
Well，thatwassettled;hehadlosthisportmanteaualso;forthesixpencewithwhichhehadpaidtheMurrayfieldTollwasonethathadstrayedaloneintohiswaistcoatpocket，andunlessheoncemoresuccessfullyachievedtheadventureofthehouseofcrime，hisportmanteaulayinthecloakroomineternalpawn，forlackofapennyfee。Andthenherememberedtheporter，whostoodsuggestivelyattentive，wordsofgratitudehangingonhislips。
Johnhuntedrightandleft;hefoundacoin—prayedGodthatitwasasovereign—drewitout，beheldahalfpenny，andofferedittotheporter。
Theman’sjawdropped。
’It’sonlyahalfpenny！’hesaid，startledoutofrailwaydecency。
’Iknowthat，’saidJohn，piteously。
Andheretheporterrecoveredthedignityofman。
’Thankyou，sir，’saidhe，andwouldhavereturnedthebasegratuity。ButJohn，too，wouldnoneofit;andastheystruggled，whomustjoininbutthecabman？
’Hoots，Mr。Baigrey，’saidhe，’yousurelyforgetwhatdayitis！’
’ItellyouIhavenochange！’criedJohn。
’Well，’saidthedriver，’andwhatthen？Iwouldrathergiveamanashillin’onadaylikethisthanputhimoffwithaderisionlikeabawbee。I’msurprisedatthelikeofyou，Mr。Baigrey！’
’MynameisnotBaigrey！’brokeoutJohn，inmerechildishtemperanddistress。
’Yetoldmeitwasyoursel’，’saidthecabman。
’IknowIdid;andwhatthedevilrighthadyoutoask？’
criedtheunhappyone。
’Oh，verywell，’saidthedriver。’Iknowmyplace，ifyouknowyours—ifyouknowyours！’herepeated，asonewhoshouldimplygravedoubt;andmutteredinarticulatethunders，inwhichthegrandoldnameofgentlemanwastakenseeminglyinvain。
Ohtohavebeenabletodischargethismonster，whomJohnnowperceived，withtardyclear—sightedness，tohavebegunbetimesthefestivitiesofChristmas！Butfarfromanysuchrayofconsolationvisitingthelost，hestoodbareofhelpandhelpers，hisportmanteausequesteredinoneplace，hismoneydesertedinanotherandguardedbyacorpse;himself，sosedulousofprivacy，thecynosureofallmen’seyesaboutthestation;and，asifthesewerenotenoughmischances，hewasnowfalleninill—bloodwiththebeasttowhomhispovertyhadlinkedhim！Inill—blood，ashereflecteddismally，withthewitnesswhoperhapsmighthangorsavehim！Therewasnotimetobelost;hedurstnotlingeranylongerinthatpublicspot;andwhetherhehadrecoursetodignityorconciliation，theremedymustbeappliedatonce。
Somehappilysurvivingelementofmanhoodmovedhimtotheformer。
’Letushavenomoreofthis，’saidhe，hisfootoncemoreuponthestep。’Gobacktowherewecamefrom。’
Hehadavoidedthenameofanydestination，fortherewasnowquitealittlebandofrailwayfolkaboutthecab，andhestillkeptaneyeuponthecourtofjustice，andlabouredtoavoidconcentricevidence。Buthereagainthefataljarveyout—manoeuvredhim。
’BacktotheLudge？’criedhe，inshrilltonesofprotest。
’Driveonatonce！’roaredJohn，andslammedthedoorbehindhim，sothatthecrazychariotrockedandjingled。
ForthtrundledthecabintotheChristmasstreets，thefarewithinplungedintheblacknessofadespairthatneighbouredonunconsciousness，thedriverontheboxdigestinghisrebukeandhiscustomer’sduplicity。Iwouldnotbethoughttoputthepairincompetition;John’scasewasoutofallparallel。Butthecabman，too，isworththesympathyofthejudicious;forhewasafellowofgenuinekindlinessandahighsenseofpersonaldignityincensedbydrink;andhisadvanceshadbeencruellyandpubliclyrebuffed。Ashedrove，therefore，hecountedhiswrongs，andthirstedforsympathyanddrink。Now，itchancedhehadafriend，apublicaninQueensferryStreet，fromwhom，inviewofthesacrednessoftheoccasion，hethoughthemightextractadram。QueensferryStreetliessomethingoffthedirectroadtoMurrayfield。Butthenthereisthehillycross—roadthatpassesbythevalleyoftheLeithandtheDeanCemetery;andQueensferryStreetisonthewaytothat。Whatwastohinderthecabman，sincehishorsewasdumb，fromchoosingthecross—road，andcallingonhisfriendinpassing？Soitwasdecided;andthecharioteer，alreadysomewhatmollified，turnedasidehishorsetotheright。
John，meanwhile，satcollapsed，hischinsunkuponhischest，hismindinabeyance。Thesmellofthecabwasstillfaintlypresenttohissenses，andacertainleadenchillabouthisfeet，allelsehaddisappearedinonevastoppressionofcalamityandphysicalfaintness。Itwasdrawingontonoon—
two—and—twentyhourssincehehadbrokenbread;intheinterval，hehadsufferedtorturesofsorrowandalarm，andbeenpartlytipsy;andthoughitwasimpossibletosayheslept，yetwhenthecabstoppedandthecabmanthrusthisheadintothewindow，hisattentionhadtoberecalledfromdepthsofvacancy。
’Ifyou’llno’STANDmeadram，’saidthedriver，withawell—meritedseverityoftoneandmanner，’Idaresayye’llhavenoobjectiontomytakingonemysel’？’
’Yes—no—dowhatyoulike，’returnedJohn;andthen，ashewatchedhistormentormountthestairsandenterthewhisky—
shop，therefloatedintohismindasenseasofsomethinglongagofamiliar。Atthathestartedfullyawake，andstaredattheshop—fronts。Yes，heknewthem;butwhen？andhow？Longsince，hethought;andthen，castinghiseyethroughthefrontglass，whichhadbeenrecentlyoccludedbythefigureofthejarvey，hebeheldthetree—topsoftherookeryinRandolphCrescent。Hewasclosetohome—home，wherehehadthought，atthathour，tobesittinginthewell—remembereddrawing—roominfriendlyconverse;and，instead—！
Itwashisfirstimpulsetodropintothebottomofthecab;
hisnext，tocoverhisfacewithhishands。Sohesat，whilethecabmantoastedthepublican，andthepublicantoastedthecabman，andbothreviewedtheaffairsofthenation;sohestillsat，whenhismastercondescendedtoreturn，anddriveoffatlastdown—hill，alongthecurveofLynedochPlace;butevensositting，ashepassedtheendofhisfather’sstreet，hetookoneglancefrombetweenshieldingfingers，andbeheldadoctor’scarriageatthedoor。
’Well，justso，’thoughthe;’I’llhavekilledmyfather！
AndthisisChristmas—day！’
IfMr。Nicholsondied，itwasdownthissameroadhemustjourneytothegrave;anddownthisroad，onthesameerrand，hiswifehadprecededhimyearsbefore;andmanyotherleadingcitizens，withthepropertrappingsandattendanceoftheend。Andnow，inthatfrosty，ill—smelling，straw—
carpeted，andragged—cushionedcab，withhisbreathcongealingontheglasses，whereelsewasJohnhimselfadvancingto？
Thethoughtstirredhisimagination，whichbegantomanufacturemanythousandpictures，brightandfleeting，liketheshapesinakaleidoscope;andnowhesawhimself，ruddyandcomfortered，slidinginthegutter;and，again，alittlewoe—begone，boredurchintrickedforthincrapeandweepers，descendingthissamehillatthefoot’spaceofmourningcoaches，hismother’sbodyjustprecedinghim;andyetagain，hisfancy，runningfarinfront，showedhimhisdestination—
nowstandingsolitaryinthelowsunshine，withthesparrowshoppingonthethresholdandthedeadmanwithinstaringattheroof—andnow，withasuddenchange，throngedaboutwithwhite—faced，hand—upliftingneighbours，anddoctorburstingthroughtheirmidstandfixinghisstethoscopeashewent，thepolicemanshakingasagaciousheadbesidethebody。Itwastothishefearedthathewasdriving;inthemidstofthishesawhimselfarrive，heardhimselfstammerfaintexplanations，andfeltthehandoftheconstableuponhisshoulder。Heavens！howhewishedhehadplayedthemanlierpart;howhedespisedhimselfthathehadfledthatfatalneighbourhoodwhenallwasquiet，andshouldnowbetamelytravellingbackwhenitwasthrongingwithavengers！
Anystrongdegreeofpassionlends，eventothedullest，theforcesoftheimagination。Andsonowashedweltonwhatwasprobablyawaitinghimattheendofthisdistressfuldrive—John，whosawthingslittle，rememberedthemless，andcouldnothavedescribedthematall，beheldinhismind’s—eyethegardenoftheLodge，detailedasinamap;hewenttoandfroinit，feedinghisterrors;hesawthehollies，thesnowyborders，thepathswherehehadsoughtAlan，thehigh，conventualwalls，theshutdoor—what！wasthedoorshut？Ay，truly，hehadshutit—shutinhismoney，hisescape，hisfuturelife—shutitwiththesehands，andnonecouldnowopenit！Heheardthesnapofthespring—locklikesomethingburstinginhisbrain，andsatastonied。
Andthenhewokeagain，terrorjarringthroughhisvitals。
Thiswasnotimetobeidle;hemustbeupanddoing，hemustthink。Onceattheendofthisridiculouscruise，onceattheLodgedoor，therewouldbenothingforitbuttoturnthecabandtrundlebackagain。Why，then，gosofar？whyaddanotherfeatureofsuspiciontoacasealreadysosuggestive？
whynotturnatonce？Itwaseasytosay，turn;butwhither？
Hehadnowherenowtogoto;hecouldnever—hesawitinlettersofblood—hecouldneverpaythatcab;hewassaddledwiththatcabforever。Ohthatcab！hissoulyearnedandburned，andhisbowelssoundedtoberidofit。
Heforgotallothercares。Hemustfirstquithimselfofthisill—smellingvehicleandofthehumanbeastthatguidedit—firstdothat;dothat，atleast;dothatatonce。
Andjustthenthecabsuddenlystopped，andtherewashispersecutorrappingonthefrontglass。Johnletitdown，andbeheldtheport—winecountenanceinflamedwithintellectualtriumph。
’Ikenwhayeare！’criedthehuskyvoice。’Imindyenow。
Ye’reaNucholson。IdroveyetoHermistontoaChristmasparty，andyecamebackonthebox，andIletyedrive。’
Itisafact。Johnknewtheman;theyhadbeenevenfriends。
Hisenemy，henowremembered，wasafellowofgreatgoodnature—endlessgoodnature—withaboy;whynotwithaman？Whynotappealtohisbetterside？Hegraspedatthenewhope。
’GreatScott！andsoyoudid，’hecried，asifinatransportofdelight，hisvoicesoundingfalseinhisownears。’Well，ifthat’sso，I’vesomethingtosaytoyou。I’lljustgetout，Iguess。Wherearewe，anyway？’
Thedriverhadflutteredhisticketintheeyesofthebranch—tollkeeper，andtheywerenowbroughttoonthehighestandmostsolitarypartoftheby—road。Ontheleft，arowoffieldsidetreesbeshadedit;ontheright，itwasborderedbynakedfallows，undulatingdown—hilltotheQueensferryRoad;infront，CorstorphineHillraiseditssnow—bedabbled，darklingwoodsagainstthesky。Johnlookedallabouthim，drinkingtheclearairlikewine;thenhiseyesreturnedtothecabman’sfaceashesat，notungleefully，awaitingJohn’scommunication，withtheairofonelookingtobetipped。
Thefeaturesofthatfacewerehardtoread，drinkhadsoswollenthem，drinkhadsopaintedthem，intintsthatvariedfrombrick—redtomulberry。Thesmallgreyeyesblinked，thelipsmoved，withgreed;greedwastherulingpassion;andthoughtherewassomegoodnature，somegenuinekindliness，atruehumantouch，intheoldtoper，hisgreedwasnowsosetafirebyhope，thatallothertraitsofcharacterlaydormant。Hesatthereamonumentofgluttonousdesire。
John’sheartslowlyfell。Hehadopenedhislips，buthestoodthereandutterednought。Hesoundedthewellofhiscourage，anditwasdry。Hegropedinhistreasuryofwords，anditwasvacant。Adevilofdumbnesshadhimbythethroat;thedevilofterrorbabbledinhisears;andsuddenly，withoutaworduttered，withnoconsciouspurposeformedinhiswill，Johnwhippedabout，tumbledovertheroadsidewall，andbeganrunningforhislifeacrossthefallows。
Hehadnotgonefar，hewasnotpastthemidstofthefirstafield，whenhiswholebrainthunderedwithinhim，’Fool！
Youhaveyourwatch！’Theshockstoppedhim，andhefacedoncemoretowardthecab。Thedriverwasleaningoverthewall，brandishinghiswhip，hisfaceempurpled，roaringlikeabull。AndJohnsaw（orthought）thathehadlostthechance。Nowatchwouldpacifytheman’sresentmentnow;hewouldcryforvengeancealso。Johnwouldbehadundertheeyeofthepolice;histalewouldbeunfolded，hissecretplumbed，hisdestinywouldcloseonhimatlast，andforever。
Heutteredadeepsigh;andjustasthecabman，takingheartofgrace，wasbeginningatlasttoscalethewall，hisdefaultingcustomerfellagaintorunning，anddisappearedintothefurtherfields。
CHAPTERVIII—SINGULARINSTANCEOFTHEUTILITYOFPASS—KEYS
WHEREheranatfirst，Johnneververyclearlyknew;noryethowlongatimeelapsederehefoundhimselfintheby—roadnearthelodgeofRavelston，proppedagainstthewall，hislungsheavinglikebellows，hislegsleaden—heavy，hismindpossessedbyonesoledesire—toliedownandbeunseen。Herememberedthethickcovertsroundthequarry—holepond，anuntroddencorneroftheworldwherehemightsurelyfindconcealmenttillthenightshouldfall。Thitherhepasseddownthelane;andwhenhecamethere，behold！hehadforgottenthefrost，andthepondwasalivewithyoungpeopleskating，andthepond—sidecovertswerethickwithlookers—
on。Helookedonawhilehimself。Therewasonetall，gracefulmaiden，skatinghandinhandwithayouth，onwhomshebestowedherbrighteyesperhapstoopatently;anditwasstrangewithwhatangerJohnbeheldher。Hecouldhavebrokenforthincurses;hecouldhavestoodthere，likeamortifiedtramp，andshakenhisfistandventedhisgalluponherbythehour—orsohethought;andthenextmomenthisheartbledforthegirl。’Poorcreature，it’slittlesheknows！’hesighed。’Letherenjoyherselfwhileshecan！’
Butwasitpossible，whenFlorausedtosmileathimontheBraidponds，shecouldhavelookedsofulsometoasick—
heartedbystander？
Thethoughtofonequarry，inhisfrozenwits，suggestedanother;andheploddedofftowardCraigleith。Awindhadsprungupoutofthenorth—west;itwascruelkeen，itdriedhimlikeafire，andrackedhisfinger—joints。Itbroughtclouds，too;pale，swift，hurryingclouds，thatblottedheavenandshedgloomupontheearth。Hescrambledupamongthehazelledrubbishheapsthatsurroundthecaldronofthequarry，andlayflatuponthestones。Thewindsearchedclosealongtheearth，thestoneswerecuttingandicy，thebarehazelswailedabouthim;andsoontheairoftheafternoonbegantobevocalwiththosestrangeanddismalharpingsthatheraldsnow。PainandmiseryturnedinJohn’slimbstoaharrowingimpatienceandblinddesireofchange;
nowhewouldrollinhisharshlair，andwhentheflintsabradedhim，wasalmostpleased;nowhewouldcrawltotheedgeofthehugepitandlookdizzilydown。Hesawthespiralofthedescendingroadway，thesteepcrags，theclingingbushes，thepepperingofsnow—wreaths，andfardowninthebottom，thediminishedcrane。Here，nodoubt，wasawaytoendit。Butitsomehowdidnottakehisfancy。
Andsuddenlyhewasawarethathewashungry;ay，eventhroughthetorturesofthecold，eventhroughthefrostsofdespair，agross，desperatelongingafterfood，nomatterwhat，nomatterhow，begantowakeandspurhim。Supposehepawnedhiswatch？Butno，onChristmas—day—thiswasChristmas—day！—thepawnshopwouldbeclosed。Supposehewenttothepublic—houseclosebyatBlackhall，andofferedthewatch，whichwasworthtenpounds，inpaymentforamealofbreadandcheese？Theincongruitywastooremarkable;thegoodfolkswouldeitherputhimtothedoor，oronlylethimintosendforthepolice。Heturnedhispocketsoutoneafteranother;someSanFranciscotram—carchecks，onecigar，nolights，thepass—keytohisfather’shouse，apocket—
handkerchief，withjustatouchofscent：no，moneycouldberaisedonnoneofthese。Therewasnothingforitbuttostarve;andafterall，whatmatteredit？Thatalsowasadoorofexit。
Hecreptcloseamongthebushes，thewindplayingroundhimlikealash;hisclothesseemedthinaspaper，hisjointsburned，hisskincurdledonhisbones。Hehadavisionofahigh—lyingcattle—driveinCalifornia，andthebedofadriedstreamwithonemuddypool，bywhichthevaqueroshadencamped：splendidsunoverall，thebigbonfireblazing，thestripsofcowbrowningandsmokingonaskewerofwood;howwarmitwas，howsavourythesteamofscorchingmeat！Andthenagainherememberedhismanifoldcalamities，andburrowedandwallowedinthesenseofhisdisgraceandshame。
AndnexthewasenteringFrank’srestaurantinMontgomeryStreet，SanFrancisco;hehadorderedapan—stewandvenisonchops，ofwhichhewasimmoderatelyfond，andashesatwaiting，Munroe，thegoodattendant，broughthimawhiskypunch;hesawthestrawberriesfloatonthedelectablecup，heheardtheicechinkaboutthestraws。Andthenhewokeagaintohisdetestedfate，andfoundhimselfsitting，humpedtogether，inawindycombeofquarryrefuse—darknessthickabouthim，thinflakesofsnowflyinghereandtherelikeragsofpaper，andthestrongshudderingofhisbodyclashinghisteethlikeahiccough。
WehaveseenJohninnothingbutthestormiestcondition;wehaveseenhimreckless，desperate，triedbeyondhismoderatepowers;ofhisdailyself，cheerful，regular，notunthrifty，wehaveseennothing;anditmaythusbeasurprisetothereadertolearnthathewasstudiouslycarefulofhishealth。
Thisfavouritepreoccupationnowawoke。Ifheweretositthereanddieofcold，therewouldbemightylittlegained;
betterthepolicecellandthechancesofajurytrial，thanthemiserablecertaintyofdeathatadyke—sidebeforethenextwinter’sdawn，ordeathalittlelaterinthegas—
lightedwardsofaninfirmary。
Heroseonachinglegs，andstumbledhereandthereamongtherubbishheaps，stillcircumventedbytheyawningcraterofthequarry;orperhapsheonlythoughtso，forthedarknesswasalreadydense，thesnowwasgrowingthicker，andhemovedlikeablindman，andwithablindman’sterrors。Atlastheclimbedafence，thinkingtodropintotheroad，andfoundhimselfstaggering，instead，amongtheironfurrowsofaploughland，endless，itseemed，asawholecounty。Andnexthewasinawood，beatingamongyoungtrees;andthenhewasawareofahousewithmanylightedwindows，Christmascarriageswaitingatthedoors，andChristmasdrivers（forChristmashasadoubleedge）becomingswiftlyhoodedwithsnow。Fromthisglimpseofhumancheerfulness，hefledlikeCain;wanderedinthenight，unpiloted，carelessofwhitherhewent;fell，andlay，andthenroseagainandwanderedfurther;andatlast，likeatransformationscene，beholdhiminthelightedjawsofthecity，staringatalampwhichhadalreadydonnedthetiltednight—capofthesnow。Itcamethicklynow，a’FeedingStorm’;andwhileheyetstoodblinkingatthelamp，hisfeetwereburied。Herememberedsomethinglikeitinthepast，astreet—lampcrownedandcakeduponthewindwardsidewithsnow，thewindutteringitsmournfulhoot，himselflookingon，evenasnow;butthecoldhadstrucktoosharplyonhiswits，andmemoryfailedhimastothedateandsequelofthereminiscence。
HisnextconsciousmomentwasontheDeanBridge;butwhetherhewasJohnNicholsonofabankinaCaliforniastreet，orsomeformerJohn，aclerkinhisfather’soffice，hehadnowcleanforgotten。Anotherblank，andhewasthrustinghispass—keyintothedoor—lockofhisfather’shouse。
Hoursmusthavepassed。Whethercrouchedonthecoldstonesorwanderinginthefieldsamongthesnow，wasmorethanhecouldtell;buthourshadpassed。Thefingerofthehallclockwascloseontwelve;anarrowpeepofgasinthehall—
lampshedshadows;andthedoorofthebackroom—hisfather’sroom—wasopenandemittedawarmlight。Atsolateanhour，allthiswasstrange;thelightsshouldhavebeenout，thedoorslocked，thegoodfolksafeinbed。Hemarvelledattheirregularity，leaningonthehall—table;andmarvelledtohimselfthere;andthawedandgrewoncemorehungry，inthewarmerairofthehouse。
Theclockuttereditspremonitorycatch;infiveminutesChristmas—daywouldbeamongthedaysofthepast—
Christmas！—whataChristmas！Well，therewasnousewaiting;hehadcomeintothathouse，hescarceknewhow;iftheyweretothrusthimforthagain，ithadbestbedoneatonce;andhemovedtothedoorofthebackroomandentered。
Oh，well，thenhewasinsane，ashehadlongbelieved。
There，inhisfather’sroom，atmidnight，thefirewasroaringandthegasblazing;thepapers，thesacredpapers—
tolayahandonwhichwascriminal—hadallbeentakenoffandpiledalongthefloor;aclothwasspread，andasupperlaid，uponthebusinesstable;andinhisfather’schairawoman，habitedlikeanun，sateating。Asheappearedinthedoorway，thenunrose，gavealowcry，andstoodstaring。
Shewasalargewoman，strong，calm，alittlemasculine，herfeaturesmarkedwithcourageandgoodsense;andasJohnblinkedbackather，afaintresemblancedodgedabouthismemory，aswhenatunehauntsus，andyetwillnotberecalled。
’Why，it’sJohn！’criedthenun。
’IdaresayI’mmad，’saidJohn，unconsciouslyfollowingKingLear;’but，uponmyword，Idobelieveyou’reFlora。’
’OfcourseIam，’repliedshe。
AndyetitisnotFloraatall，thoughtJohn;Florawasslender，andtimid，andofchangingcolour，anddewy—eyed;
andhadFlorasuchanEdinburghaccent？Buthesaidnoneofthesethings，whichwasperhapsaswell。Whathesaidwas，’Thenwhyareyouanun？’
’Suchnonsense！’saidFlora。’I’masick—nurse;andIamherenursingyoursister，withwhom，betweenyouandme，thereispreciouslittlethematter。Butthatisnotthequestion。Thepointis：Howdoyoucomehere？andareyounotashamedtoshowyourself？’
’Flora，’saidJohn，sepulchrally，’Ihaven’teatenanythingforthreedays。Or，atleast，Idon’tknowwhatdayitis;
butIguessI’mstarving。’
’Youunhappyman！’shecried。’Here，sitdownandeatmysupper;andI’lljustrunupstairsandseemypatient;notbutwhatIdoubtshe’sfastasleep，forMariaisaMALADE
IMAGINAIRE。’
WiththisspecimenoftheFrench，notofStratford—atte—Bowe，butofafinishingestablishmentinMorayPlace，sheleftJohnaloneinhisfather’ssanctum。Hefellatonceuponthefood;anditistobesupposedthatFlorahadfoundherpatientwakeful，andbeendetainedwithsomedetailsofnursing，forhehadtimetomakeafullendofalltherewastoeat，andnotonlytoemptytheteapot，buttofillitagainfromakettlethatwasfitfullysingingonhisfather’sfire。Thenhesattorpid，andpleased，andbewildered;hismisfortuneswerethenhalfforgotten;hismindconsidering，notwithoutregret，thisunsentimentalreturntohisoldlove。
Hewasthusengaged，whenthatbustlingwomannoiselesslyre—
entered。
’Haveyoueaten？’saidshe。’Thentellmeallaboutit。’
Itwasalongand（asthereaderknows）apitifulstory;butFlorahearditwithcompressedlips。Shewaslostinnoneofthosequestioningsofhumandestinythathave，fromtimetotime，arrestedtheflightofmyownpen;forwomen，suchasshe，arenophilosophers，andbeholdtheconcreteonly。Andwomen，suchasshe，areveryhardontheimperfectman。
’Verywell，’saidshe，whenhehaddone;’thendownuponyourkneesatonce，andbegGod’sforgiveness。’
Andthegreatbabyplumpeduponhisknees，anddidashewasbid;andnonetheworseforthat！Butwhilehewasheartilyenoughrequestingforgivenessongeneralprinciples，therationalsideofhimdistinguished，andwonderedif，perhaps，theapologywerenotdueupontheotherpart。Andwhenheroseagainfromthatbecomingexercise，hefirsteyedthefaceofhisoldlovedoubtfully，andthen，takingheart，utteredhisprotest。
’Imustsay，Flora，’saidhe，’inallthisbusiness，Icanseeverylittlefaultofmine。’
’Ifyouhadwrittenhome，’repliedthelady，’therewouldhavebeennoneofit。IfyouhadevengonetoMurrayfieldreasonablysober，youwouldneverhavesleptthere，andtheworstwouldnothavehappened。Besides，thewholethingbeganyearsago。Yougotintotrouble，andwhenyourfather，honestman，wasdisappointed，youtookthepet，orgotafraid，andranawayfrompunishment。Well，you’vehadyourownwayofit，John，andIdon’tsupposeyoulikeit。’
’IsometimesfancyI’mnotmuchbetterthanafool，’sighedJohn。
’MydearJohn，’saidshe，’notmuch！’
Helookedather，andhiseyefell。Acertainangerrosewithinhim;herewasaFlorahedisowned;shewashard;shewasofasetcolour;asettled，mature，undecorativemanner;
plainofspeech，plainofhabit—hehadcomenearsaying，plainofface。Andthischangelingcalledherselfbythesamenameasthemany—coloured，clingingmaidofyore;sheofthefrequentlaughter，andthemanysighs，andthekind，stolenglances。Andtomakeallworse，shetooktheupperhandwithhim，which（asJohnwellknew）wasnotthetruerelationofthesexes。Hesteeledhisheartagainstthissick—nurse。
’Andhowdoyoucometobehere？’heasked。
Shetoldhimhowshehadnursedherfatherinhislongillness，andwhenhedied，andshewasleftalone，hadtakentonurseothers，partlyfromhabit，partlytobeofsomeserviceintheworld;partly，itmightbe，foramusement。
’There’snoaccountingfortaste，’saidshe。Andshetoldhimhowshewentlargelytothehousesofoldfriends，astheneedarose;andhowshewasthusdoublywelcomeasanoldfriendfirst，andthenasanexperiencednurse，towhomdoctorswouldconfidethegravestcases。
’And，indeed，it’samerefarcemybeinghereforpoorMaria，’shecontinued;’butyourfathertakesherailmentstoheart，andIcannotalwaysberefusinghim。Wearegreatfriends，yourfatherandI;hewasverykindtomelongago—
tenyearsago。
AstrangestircameinJohn’sheart。Allthiswhilehadhebeenthinkingonlyofhimself？Allthiswhile，whyhadhenotwrittentoFlora？Inpenitentialtenderness，hetookherhand，and，tohisaweandtrouble，itremainedinhis，compliant。AvoicetoldhimthiswasFlora，afterall—toldhimsoquietly，yetwithathrillofsinging。
’Andyounevermarried？’saidhe。
’No，John;Inevermarried，’shereplied。
Thehallclockstrikingtworecalledthemtothesenseoftime。
’Andnow，’saidshe，’youhavebeenfedandwarmed，andI
haveheardyourstory，andnowit’shightimetocallyourbrother。’
’Oh！’criedJohn，chap—fallen;’doyouthinkthatabsolutelynecessary？’
’Ican’tkeepyouhere;Iamastranger，’saidshe。’Doyouwanttorunawayagain？Ithoughtyouhadenoughofthat。’
Hebowedhisheadunderthereproof。Shedespisedhim，hereflected，ashesatoncemorealone;amonstrousthingforawomantodespiseaman;andstrangestofall，sheseemedtolikehim。Wouldhisbrotherdespisehim，too？Andwouldhisbrotherlikehim？
Andpresentlythebrotherappeared，underFlora’sescort;
and，standingafaroffbesidethedoorway，eyedtheheroofthistale。
’Sothisisyou？’hesaid，atlength。
’Yes，Alick，it’sme—it’sJohn，’repliedtheelderbrother，feebly。
’Andhowdidyougetinhere？’inquiredtheyounger。
’Oh，Ihadmypass—key，’saysJohn。
’Thedeuceyouhad！’saidAlexander。’Ah，youlivedinabetterworld！Therearenopass—keysgoingnow。’
’Well，fatherwasalwaysaversetothem，’sighedJohn。Andtheconversationthenbrokedown，andthebrotherslookedaskanceatoneanotherinsilence。
’Well，andwhatthedevilarewetodo？’saidAlexander。’I
supposeiftheauthoritiesgotwindofyou，youwouldbetakenup？’
’Itdependsonwhetherthey’vefoundthebodyornot，’
returnedJohn。’Andthenthere’sthatcabman，tobesure！’
’Oh，botherthebody！’saidAlexander。’Imeanabouttheotherthing。That’sserious。’
’Isthatwhatmyfatherspokeabout？’askedJohn。’Idon’tevenknowwhatitis。’
’AboutyourrobbingyourbankinCalifornia，ofcourse，’
repliedAlexander。
Itwasplain，fromFlora’sface，thatthiswasthefirstshehadheardofit;itwasplainerstill，fromJohn’s，thathewasinnocent。
’I！’heexclaimed。’Irobmybank！MyGod！Flora，thisistoomuch;evenyoumustallowthat。’
’Meaningyoudidn’t？’askedAlexander。
’Ineverrobbedasoulinallmydays，’criedJohn：’exceptmyfather，ifyoucallthatrobbery;andIbroughthimbackthemoneyinthisroom，andhewouldn’teventakeit！’
’Lookhere，John，’saidhisbrother，’letushavenomisunderstandinguponthis。Macewensawmyfather;hetoldhimabankyouhadworkedforinSanFranciscowaswiringoverthehabitableglobetohaveyoucollared—thatitwassupposedyouhadnailedthousands;anditwasdeadcertainyouhadnailedthreehundred。SoMacewensaid，andIwishyouwouldbecarefulhowyouanswer。Imaytellyoualso，thatyourfatherpaidthethreehundredonthespot。’
’Threehundred？’repeatedJohn。’Threehundredpounds，youmean？That’sfifteenhundreddollars。Why，then，it’sKirkman！’hebrokeout。’ThankHeaven！Icanexplainallthat。IgavethemtoKirkmantopayformethenightbeforeIleft—fifteenhundreddollars，andalettertothemanager。WhatdotheysupposeIwouldstealfifteenhundreddollarsfor？I’mrich;Istruckitrichinstocks。It’sthesillieststuffIeverheardof。Allthat’sneedfulistocabletothemanager：Kirkmanhasthefifteenhundred—findKirkman。Hewasafellow—clerkofmine，andahardcase;buttodohimjustice，Ididn’tthinkhewasashardasthis。’
’Andwhatdoyousaytothat，Alick？’askedFlora。
’Isaythecablegramshallgoto—night！’criedAlexander，withenergy。’Answerprepaid，too。Ifthiscanbeclearedaway—anduponmywordIdobelieveitcan—weshallallbeabletoholdupourheadsagain。Here，youJohn，youstickdowntheaddressofyourbankmanager。You，Flora，youcanpackJohnintomybed，forwhichIhavenofurtheruseto—
night。Asforme，Iamofftothepost—office，andthencetotheHighStreetaboutthedeadbody。Thepoliceoughttoknow，yousee，andtheyoughttoknowthroughJohn;andIcantellthemsomerigmaroleaboutmybrotherbeingamanofhighlynervousorganisation，andtherestofit。Andthen，I’lltellyouwhat，John—didyounoticethenameuponthecab？’
Johngavethenameofthedriver，which，asIhavenotbeenabletocommandthevehicle，Iheresuppress。
’Well，’resumedAlexander，’I’llcallroundattheirplacebeforeIcomeback，andpayyourshotforyou。Inthatway，beforebreakfast—time，you’llbeasgoodasnew。’
Johnmurmuredinarticulatethanks。Toseehisbrotherthusenergeticinhisservicemovedhimbeyondexpression;ifhecouldnotutterwhathefelt，heshoweditlegiblyinhisface;andAlexanderreaditthere，andlikeditthebetterinthatdumbdelivery。
’Butthere’sonething，’saidthelatter，’cablegramsaredear;andIdaresayyourememberenoughofthegovernortoguessthestateofmyfinances。’
’Thetroubleis，’saidJohn，’thatallmystampsareinthatbeastlyhouse。’
’Allyourwhat？’askedAlexander。
’Stamps—money，’explainedJohn。’It’sanAmericanexpression;I’mafraidIcontractedoneortwo。’
’Ihavesome，’saidFlora。’Ihaveapoundnoteupstairs。’
’MydearFlora，’returnedAlexander，’apoundnotewon’tseeusveryfar;andbesides，thisismyfather’sbusiness，andI
shallbeverymuchsurprisedifitisn’tmyfatherwhopaysforit。’
’Iwouldnotapplytohimyet;Idonotthinkthatcanbewise，’objectedFlora。
’Youhaveaveryimperfectideaofmyresources，andnotatallofmyeffrontery，’repliedAlexander。’Pleaseobserve。’
HeputJohnfromhisway，choseastoutknifeamongthesupperthings，andwithsurprisingquicknessbrokeintohisfather’sdrawer。
’There’snothingeasierwhenyoucometotry，’heobserved，pocketingthemoney。
’Iwishyouhadnotdonethat，’saidFlora。’Youwillneverhearthelastofit。’
’Oh，Idon’tknow，’returnedtheyoungman;’thegovernorishumanafterall。Andnow，John，letmeseeyourfamouspass—
key。Getintobed，anddon’tmoveforanyonetillIcomeback。Theywon’tmindyounotansweringwhentheyknock;I
generallydon’tmyself。’
CHAPTERIX—INWHICHMR。NICHOLSONACCEPTSTHEPRINCIPLEOF
ANALLOWANCE
INspiteofthehorrorsofthedayandthetea—drinkingofthenight，Johnsleptthesleepofinfancy。Hewasawakenedbythemaid，asitmighthavebeentenyearsago，tappingatthedoor。Thewintersunrisewaspaintingtheeast;andasthewindowwastothebackofthehouse，itshoneintotheroomwithmanystrangecoloursofrefractedlight。Without，thehouseswereallcleanlyroofedwithsnow;thegardenwallswerecopedwithitafootinheight;thegreenslayglittering。YetstrangeassnowhadgrowntoJohnduringhisyearsupontheBayofSanFrancisco，itwaswhathesawwithinthatmostaffectedhim。ForitwastohisownroomthatAlexanderhadbeenpromoted;therewastheoldpaperwiththedeviceofflowers，inwhichacunningfancymightyetdetectthefaceofSkinnyJim，oftheAcademy，John’sformerdominie;therewastheoldchestofdrawers;therewerethechairs—one，two，three—threeasbefore。Onlythecarpetwasnew，andthelitterofAlexander’sclothesandbooksanddrawingmaterials，andapencil—drawingonthewall，which（inJohn’seyes）appearedamarvelofproficiency。
Hewasthuslying，andlooking，anddreaming，hanging，asitwere，betweentwoepochsofhislife，whenAlexandercametothedoor，andmadehispresenceknowninaloudwhisper。
Johnlethimin，andjumpedbackintothewarmbed。
’Well，John，’saidAlexander，’thecablegramissentinyourname，andtwentywordsofanswerpaid。Ihavebeentothecabofficeandpaidyourcab，evensawtheoldgentlemanhimself，andproperlyapologised。Hewasmightyplacable，andindicatedhisbeliefyouhadbeendrinking。ThenI
knockedupoldMacewenoutofbed，andexplainedaffairstohimashesatandshiveredinadressing—gown。AndbeforethatIhadbeentotheHighStreet，wheretheyhaveheardnothingofyourdeadbody，sothatIinclinetotheideathatyoudreamedit。’
’Catchme！’saidJohn。
’Well，thepoliceneverdoknowanything，’assentedAlexander;’andatanyrate，theyhavedespatchedamantoinquireandtorecoveryourtrousersandyourmoney，sothatreallyyourbillisnowfairlyclean;andIseebutonelioninyourpath—thegovernor。’
’I’llbeturnedoutagain，you’llsee，’saidJohn，dismally。
’Idon’timagineso，’returnedtheother;’notifyoudowhatFloraandIhavearranged;andyourbusinessnowistodress，andlosenotimeaboutit。Isyourwatchright？Well，youhaveaquarterofanhour。Byfiveminutesbeforethehalf—
houryoumustbeattable，inyouroldseat，underUncleDuthie’spicture。Florawillbetheretokeepyoucountenance;andweshallseewhatweshallsee。’
’Wouldn’titbewiserformetostayinbed？’saidJohn。
’Ifyoumeantomanageyourownconcerns，youcandopreciselywhatyoulike，’repliedAlexander;’butifyouarenotinyourplacefiveminutesbeforethehalf—hourIwashmyhandsofyou，forone。’
Andthereuponhedeparted。Hehadspokenwarmly，butthetruthis，hisheartwassomewhattroubled。Andashehungoverthebalusters，watchingforhisfathertoappear，hehadhardadotokeephimselfbracedfortheencounterthatmustfollow。
’Ifhetakesitwell，Ishallbelucky，’hereflected。
’Ifhetakesitill，whyit’llbeaherringacrossJohn’stracks，andperhapsallforthebest。He’saconfoundedmuff，thisbrotherofmine，butheseemsadecentsoul。’
Atthatstageadooropenedbelowwithacertainemphasis，andMr。Nicholsonwasseensolemnlytodescendthestairs，andpassintohisownapartment。Alexanderfollowed，quakinginwardly，butwithasteadyface。Heknocked，wasbiddentoenter，andfoundhisfatherstandinginfrontoftheforceddrawer，towhichhepointedashespoke。
’Thisisamostextraordinarything，’saidhe;’Ihavebeenrobbed！’
’Iwasafraidyouwouldnoticeit，’observedhisson;’itmadesuchabeastlyhashofthetable。’
’YouwereafraidIwouldnoticeit？’repeatedMr。Nicholson。
’And，pray，whatmaythatmean？’
’ThatIwasathief，sir，’returnedAlexander。’Itookallthemoneyincasetheservantsshouldgetholdofit;andhereisthechange，andanoteofmyexpenditure。Youweregonetobed，yousee，andIdidnotfeelatlibertytoknockyouup;butIthinkwhenyouhaveheardthecircumstances，youwilldomejustice。Thefactis，IhavereasontobelievetherehasbeensomedreadfulerroraboutmybrotherJohn;thesooneritcanbeclearedupthebetterforallparties;itwasapieceofbusiness，sir—andsoItookit，anddecided，onmyownresponsibility，tosendatelegramtoSanFrancisco。Thankstomyquicknesswemayhearto—night。
Thereappearstobenodoubt，sir，thatJohnhasbeenabominablyused。’
’Whendidthistakeplace？’askedthefather。
