Hefoundconfrontinghimatallandbeautifulyoungwoman。ItwasnottheAlineProctorheknew。Itwasnotthewell-poised，gracious，anddistinguishedbeautyhehadseenglidingamongthetablesatSherry'sorthrowingsmilesoverthefootlights。ThisAlineProctorwasaveryindignantyoungperson，withflashingeyes，tossinghead，andastampingfoot。Extendedfromheratarm'slength，sheheldaphotographofherselfinaheavysilverframe；and，asthoughitwereaweapon，shewasbrandishingitinthefaceofChesterGriswold。
AsCochran，inamazement，haltedinthedoorwayshewasexclaiming：
"ItoldyouIdidn'tknowCharlesCochran！Itellyousonow！Ifyoucan'tbelieveme-"
OutofthecornerofherflashingeyestheangryladycaughtsightofCochraninthedoorway。Sheturnedupontheintruderasthoughshemeantforciblytoejecthim。
"Whoareyou？"shedemanded。Hermannerandtoneseemedtoadd：
"Andwhatthedeuceareyoudoinghere？"
Charlesansweredhertone。
"IamCharlesCochran，"hesaid。"Ilivehere。Thisismyhouse！"
ThesewordshadnoothereffectuponMissProctorthantoswitchherindignationdownanothertrack。ShenowturneduponCharles。
"Then，ifthisisyourhouse，"criedthatangryyoungperson，"whyhaveyoufilleditwithphotographsofmethatbelongtosomeoneelse？"
Charlessawthathishourhadcome。Hissinhadfoundhimout。Hefeltthattoprevaricatewouldbeonlystupid。
Griswoldhadtrieddeviousmethods——andlookwherehisdeviousmethodshaddumpedhim！Griswoldcertainlywasinwrong。Charlesquicklydeterminedtoadoptacoursedirectlyopposite。GriswoldhadshownanutterlackofconfidenceinAline。Charlesdecidedthathewouldgiveherhisentireconfidence，wouldthrowhimselfuponthemercyofthecourt。
"Ihavethosephotographsinmyhouse，MissProctor，"hesaid，"becauseIhaveadmiredyoualongtime。TheyweremorelikeyouthanthoseIcouldbuy。Havingthemherehashelpedmealot，andithasn'tdoneyouanyharm。Youknowverywellyouhaveanonymousadmirersalloverthiscountry。I'monlyoneofthem。IfIhaveoffended，Ihaveoffendedwithmany，manythousands。"
AlreadyithasbeenrelatedthatCochranwasverygoodtolookupon。Atthepresentmoment，ashespokeinrespectful，evensoulfulaccents，meeklyandpenitentlyproclaiminghislong-concealedadmiration，MissProctorfoundherindignationmeltinglikeanicicleinthesun。
Still，shedidnotholdherselfcheaply。Shewasaccustomedtosuchopenflattery。Shewouldnotatoncecapitulate。
"Butthesepictures，"sheprotested，"IgavetoamanIknew。Youhavenorighttothem。TheyarenotatallthesortofpictureI
wouldgivetoanutterstranger！"Withanxietythelovelyladypausedforareply。Shehopedthatthereplythetallyoungmanwithappealingeyeswouldmakewouldbesuchastomakeitpossibleforhertoforgivehim。
Hewasnotgiventimetoreply。WithamockingsnortGriswoldinterrupted。AlineandCharleshadentirelyforgottenhim。
"Anutterstranger！"mimickedGriswold。"Oh，yes；he'sanutterstranger！You'reprettygoodactors，bothofyou；butyoucan'tkeepthatuplong，andyou'dbetterstopitnow。"
"Stopwhat？"askedMissProctor。Hertonewascoldandcalm，butinhereyeswasastrangelight。ItshouldhavewarnedGriswoldthathewouldhavebeensaferunderthebed。
"Stoppretending！"criedGriswold。"Iwon'thaveit！"
"Idon'tunderstand，"saidMissProctor。Shespokeinthesamecoldvoice，onlynowithaddroppedseveraldegreesnearerfreezing。
"Idon'tthinkyouunderstandyourself。Youwon'thavewhat？"
Griswoldnowwasfrightened，andthatmadehimreckless。Insteadofwithdrawingheplungeddeeper。
"Iwon'thaveyoutwopretendingyoudon'tknoweachother，"heblustered。"Iwon'tstandbeingfooled！Ifyou'regoingtodeceivemebeforewe'remarried，whatwillyoudoafterwe'remarried？"
Charlesemittedahowl。Itwasmadeupofdisgust，amazement，andrage。FiercelyheturneduponMissProctor。
"Letmehavehim！"hebegged。
"No！"almostshoutedMissProctor。Hertonewasnolongercold——itwasvolcanic。Hereyes，flashingbeautifully，werefixeduponGriswold。
ShemadeagestureasthoughtosweepCharlesoutoftheroom。
"Pleasego！"shedemanded。"Thisdoesnotconcernyou。"
Hertonewasonenotlightlytobedisregarded。Charlesdisregardedit。
"Itdoesconcernme，"hesaidbriskly。"Nobodycaninsultawomaninmyhouse——you，leastofall！"HeturneduponthegreatestcatchinAmerica。"Griswold，"hesaid，"InevermetthisladyuntilI
cameintothisroom；butIknowher，understandher，valueherbetterthanyou'dunderstandherifyouknewherathousandyears！"
Griswoldallowedhimtogonofarther。
"Iknowthismuch，"heroared："shewasinlovewiththemanwhotookthosephotographs，andthatmanwasinlovewithher！Andyou'rethatman！"
"WhatifIam！"roaredbackCharles。"Menalwayshavelovedher；
menalwayswill——becauseshe'safine，big，wonderfulwoman！Youcan'tseethat，andyouneverwill。Youinsultedher！NowI'llgiveyoutimetoapologizeforthat，andthenI'llorderyououtofthishouse！AndifMissProctoristhesortofgirlIthinksheis，she'llorderyououtofit，too！"
BothmenswungtowardMissProctor。Hereyeswerenowsmilingexcitedly。ShefirstturnedthemuponCharles，blushingmostbecomingly。
"MissProctor，"shesaid，"hopessheisthesortofgirlMr。Cochranthinkssheis。"ShethenturneduponthegreatestcatchinAmerica。"Youneedn'twait，Chester，"shesaid，"noteventoapologize。"
ChesterGriswold，aloneinhiscar，wasdrivenbacktoNewYork。
Onthewayheinventedastorytoexplainwhy，attheeleventhhour，hehadjiltedAlineProctor；butwhenhisthoughtsrevertedtotheyoungmanhehadseenworkingwithhissleevesrolleduphedecideditwouldbesafertoletMissProctortellofthebrokenengagementinherownway。
CharleswouldnotconsenttodrivehisfairguestbacktoNewYorkuntilshehadfirsthonoredhimwithherpresenceatluncheon。Itwasservedfortwo，onhisveranda，undertheclimbinghoneysuckles。Duringtheluncheonhetoldherall。
MissProctor，inthelightofhisfiveyearsofdevotion，magnanimouslyforgavehim。
"Suchaprettyhouse！"sheexclaimedastheydroveawayfromit。
"WhenGriswoldselecteditforourhoneymoonheshowedhisfirstappreciationofwhatIreallylike。"
"Itisstillatyourservice！"saidCharles。
MissProctor'seyessmiledwithastrangelight，butshedidnotspeak。Itwasahappyride；butwhenCharlesleftheratthedoorofherapartment-househeregardedsadlyandwithregretthebundleofretrievedphotographsthatshecarriedaway。
"Whatisit？"sheaskedkindly。
"I'mthinkingofgoingbacktothoseemptyframes，"saidCharles，andblusheddeeply。MissProctorblushedalso。Withdelightedandguiltyeyesshehastilyscannedthephotographs。Snatchingonefromthecollection，shegaveittohimandthenranupthesteps。
InthelightofthespringsunsettheeyesofCharlesdevouredthephotographofwhich，atlast，hewastherightfulowner。Onitwaswritten："Aslongasthisrocklasts！"
AsCharleswalkedtohiscarhisexpressionwasdistinctlythoughtful。
THEMENOFZANZIBAR
WhenhishuntingtripinUgandawasover，HemingwayshippedhisspecimensandweaponsdirectfromMombasatoNewYork，buthehimselfjourneyedsouthoverthefewmilesthatstretchedtoZanzibar。
Ontheoutwardtripthesteamerhadtouchedthere，andthelittlehesawoftheplacehadsocharmedhimthatallthetimehewasonsafarihepromisedhimselfhewouldnotreturnhomewithoutrevisitingit。OnthemorninghearrivedhehadcalleduponHarris，hisconsul，toinquireaboutthehotel；andthateveningHarrishadreturnedhiscallandintroducedhimattheclub。
OneofthementhereaskedHemingwaywhatbroughthimtoAfrica，andwhenheansweredsimplyandtruthfullythathehadcometoshootbiggame，itwasasthoughhehadsaidsomethingclever，andeveryonesmiled。Onthewaybacktothehotel，astheyfelttheirwaythroughthenarrowslitsinthewallthatservedasstreets，heaskedtheconsulwhyeveryonehadsmiled。
Theconsullaughedevasively。
"It'salocaljoke，"heexplained。"Alotofmencomehereforreasonsbestkepttothemselves，andtheyallsaywhatyousaid，thatthey'vecometoshootbiggame。It'sgrowntobeapolitewayoftellingamanitisnoneofhisbusiness。"
"ButIdidn'tmeanitthatway，"protestedHemingway。"Ireallyhavebeenafterbiggameforthelasteightmonths。"
Inthetoneoneusestoquietadrunkenmanorachild，theconsulansweredsoothingly。
"Ofcourse，"heassented——"ofcourseyouhave。"Buttoshowhewasnothopelesslycredulous，andtokeepHemingwayfrominvolvinghimselfdeeper，hehintedtactfully："Maybetheynoticedyoucameashorewithonlyonesteamertrunkandnogun-cases。"
"Oh，that'seasilyexplained，"laughedHemingway。"Myheavyluggage——"
Theconsulhadreachedhishouseandhis"boy"waspoundinguponitwithhisheavystaff。
"Pleasedon'texplaintome，"hebegged。"It'squiteunnecessary。
Downherewe'resodarnedgladtoseeanywhitemanthatwedon'taskanythingofhimexceptthathewon'thurryaway。Wejudgethemastheybehavethemselveshere；wedon'tcarewhattheyareathomeorwhytheyleftit。"
Hemingwaywashighlyamused。Tofindthathe，arespectable，sport-lovingHemingwayofMassachusetts，shouldbemistakenforagun-runner，slave-dealer，orescapingcashiergreatlydelightedhim。
"Allright！"heexclaimed。"I'llpromisenottoboreyouwithmypast，andIagreetobejudgedbyZanzibarstandards。IonlyhopeIcanliveuptothem，forIseeIamgoingtoliketheplaceverymuch。"
Hemingwaykepthispromise。Heborednoonewithconfidencesastohisancestors。Ofhispasthemadeapointnevertospeak。Hepreferredthatthelittlecommunityintowhichhehaddroppedshouldremainunenlightened，shouldtakehimastheyfoundhim。
Ofthefactthatacollegewasnamedafterhisgrandfatherandthatonhisfather'srailroadhecouldtravelthroughmanyStates，hewasdiscreetlysilent。
ThemenofZanzibaraskednoquestions。ThatHemingwaycouldplayastiffgameoftennis，astiffergameofpoker，and，onthepiano，songsfromhomewastothemsufficientrecommendation。InaweekhehadbecomeoneofthemostpopularmembersofZanzibarsociety。Itwasasthoughhehadlivedtherealways。Hemingwayfoundhimselfreachingouttograspthewarmthoftheplaceasaflowerturnstothesun。Hediscoveredthatforthirtyyearssomethinginhimhadbeencheated。
Forthirtyyearshehadbelievedthatcompletelytosatisfyhissoulallheneededwasthegraystonewallsandthegray-shingledcabinsunderthegrayskiesofNewEngland，thatwhatinnaturehemostlovedwasthepineforestsandthefieldsofgoldenrodontherock-boundcoastoftheNorthShore。Butnow，likeamanescapedfromprison，heleapedanddancedintheglaringsunlightoftheequator，herevelledintherecklessgenerosityofnature，inthegloriousconfusionofcolors，inthe"bloomingblue"oftheIndianOcean，intheArabiannightsspentuponthehousetopsunderthepurplesky，andbeneathsilverstarssonearthathecouldtouchthemwithhishand。
Hefounditlikebeingperpetuallyinacomicoperaandplayingapartinone。Foronlythescenicartistwoulddaretopainthousesinsuchyellow，pink，andcobalt-blue；onlya"producer"whohadneverventuredfartherfromBroadwaythantheAtlanticCityboardwalkwouldhaveconceivedcostumessomadandsomagnificent。InstinctivelyhecastthepeopleofZanzibarintheconventionalrolesofmusicalcomedy。
Hischoruseswerealreadyinwaiting。TherewastheSultan'sbody-guardingold-lacedturbans，themerchantsofthebazaarsinredfezzesandgownsofflowingsilk，theMalaysailorsinblue，theblacknativepoliceinscarlet，theladiesoftheharemscloselyveiledandcloaked，themarketwomeninasinglegarmentoforange，orscarlet，orpurple，orofallthree，andthehappy，hilariousZanzibariboysinthecolorGodgavethem。
Forhourshewouldsitundertheyellow-and-greenawningoftheGreekhotelandwatchtheprocessionpass，orhewouldlieunderanumbrellaonthebeachandlaughastheboatmenliftedtheirpassengerstotheirshouldersandwiththemsplashthroughthebreakers，orinthebazaarsforhourshewouldbargainwiththeIndianmerchants，orinthegreatmahoganyhalloftheIvoryHouse，tothewhisperofapunkaandthetinkleoficeinatallglass，listentotalesofArabraids，ofelephantpoachers，ofthetradeinwhiteandblackivory，ofthegreatexplorerswhohadsatinthatsameroom——ofEminPasha，ofLivingstone，ofStanley。Hiscomicoperalackedonlyaheroineandtheloveinterest。
WhenhemetMrs。Adairhefoundboth。PollyAdair，aseveryonewhodaredtodosopreferredtocallher，was，likehimself，anAmericanand，thoughabsurdlyyoung，awidow。IntheStatesshewouldhavebeencalledanextremelyprettygirl。Inacommunitywherethefewdozenwhitewomenhadwiltedandfadedinthefiercesunoftheequator，andwheretherestofthewomenwerejetblackexcepttheirteeth，whichweredyedanalluringpurple，PollyAdairwasasbeautifulasaJunemorning。Atleast，soHemingwaythoughtthefirsttimehesawher，andeachsucceedingtimehethoughthermorebeautiful，morelovely，moretobeloved。
Hemether，threedaysafterhisarrival，attheresidenceoftheBritishagentandconsul-general，whereLadyFirthwasgivingteatothesixnursesfromtheEnglishhospitalandtoalltheotherrespectablemembersofZanzibarsociety。
"Myhusband'stypist，"saidherladyshipasshehelpedHemingwaytotea，"isacopatriotofyours。She'ssuchanicegell；notabitlikeanAmerican。Idon'tknowwhatI'ddointhisawfulplacewithouther。
Promiseme，"shebeggedtragically，"youwillnotaskhertomarryyou。"
Unconsciousofhisfate，Hemingwaypromised。
"Becauseallthemendo，"sighedLadyFirth，"andIneverknowwhatmorningoneofthewretcheswon'tcarryherofftoahomeofherown。Andthenwhatwouldbecomeofme？Menaresoselfish！
Ifyoumustfallinlove，"suggestedherladyship，"promisemeyouwillfallinlovewith"——shepausedinnocentlyandraisedbaby-blueeyes，inababy-likestare——"withsomeoneelse。"
AgainHemingwaypromised。Hebowedgallantly。"Thatwillbequiteeasy，"hesaid。
Herladyshipsmiled，butHemingwaydidnotseethesmile。Hewaslookingpastheratagirlfromhome，whocameacrosstheterracecarryinginherhandastenographer'snote-book。
LadyFirthfollowedthedirectionofhiseyesandsawthelookinthem。Sheexclaimedwithdismay：
"Already！Alreadyhedesertsme，evenbeforetheinkisdryonthepaper。"
Shedrewthenote-bookfromMrs。Adair'sfingersanddroppeditunderthetea-table。
"Lettersmustwait，mychild，"shedeclared。
"ButSirGeorge——"protestedthegirl。
"SirGeorgemustwait，too，"continuedhiswife；"theForeignOfficemustwait，theBritishEmpiremustwaituntilyouhavehadyourtea。"
Thegirllaughedhelplessly。Asthoughassuredherfellowcountrymanwouldcomprehend，sheturnedtohim。
"They'resoexactlylikewhatyouwantthemtobe，"shesaid——"I
meanabouttheirtea！"
HemingwaysmiledbackwithsuchintimateunderstandingthatLadyFirthglancedupinquiringly。
"HaveyoumetMrs。Adairalready？"sheasked。
"No，"saidHemingway，"butIhavebeentryingtomeetherforthirtyyears。"
Perplexed，theEnglishwomanfrowned，andthen，withdelightatherownperspicuity，laughedaloud。
"Iknow，"shecried，"inyourcountryyouarewhattheycalla'hustler'！Isthatright？"Shewavedthemaway。"TakeMrs。Adairoverthere，"shecommanded，"andtellherallthenewsfromhome。
Tellherabouttherailroadaccidentsand'washouts'andthelatestthinginlynching。"
Theyoungpeoplestretchedoutinlongwickerchairsintheshadeofatreecoveredwithpurpleflowers。Onaperchatonesideofthemanorang-outanginasteelbeltwascombingthewhiskersofherinfantdaughter；attheirfeetwhatlookedliketwochowpuppies，butwhichhappenedtobeLadyFirth'spetlions，werechewingeachother'stoothlessgums；andintheimmediateforegroundthehospitalnursesweredefyingthesunattenniswhiletheSultan'sbandplayedselectionsfromaGaietysuccessofmanyyearsinthepast。Withthesesurroundingsitwasdifficulttotalkofhome。Noronanylateroccasions，exceptthroughinadvertence，didtheytalkofhome。
Forthereasonsalreadystated，itamusedHemingwaytovolunteernoconfidences。OnaccountofwhatthatsameeveningHarristoldhimofMrs。Adair，heaskednone。
Harrishimselfwasayoungmaninnowayinclinedtowithholdconfidences。Heenjoyedgivingoutinformation。Heenjoyedtalkingabouthimself，hisduties，theotherconsuls，theZanzibaris，andhisnativeStateofIowa。Solongashewaspermittedtotalk，thelistenercouldselectthesubject。But，combinedwithhisloquacity，Hemingwayhadfoundhimkind-hearted，intelligent，observing，andthecallofacommoncountryhadgotthemquicklytogether。
Hemingwaywasquiteconsciousthatthegirlhehadseenbutoncehadimpressedhimoutofallproportiontowhatheknewofher。
Sheseemedtoogoodtobetrue。Andhetriedtopersuadehimselfthataftereightmonthsinthehinterlandamonghipposandzebrasanyreasonablyattractivegirlwouldhaveprovedequallydisturbing。
Buthewasnotconvinced。Hedidnotwishtobeconvinced。HeassuredhimselfthathadhemetMrs。Adairathomeamonghundredsofothershewouldhaverecognizedherasawomanofexceptionalcharacter，asoneespeciallycharming。Hewantedtojustifythisideaofher；hewantedtotalkofMrs。AdairtoHarris，nottolearnmoreconcerningher，butjustforthepleasureofspeakinghername。
Hewasmuchupsetatthat，andthediscoverythatonmeetingawomanforthefirsttimehestillcouldbesoboyishlyandingenuouslymovedgreatlypleasedhim。Itwasamostdelightfulsecret。Soheactedontheprinciplethatwhenamanimmenselyadmiresawomanandwishestoconcealthatfactfromeveryoneelsehecanbestdosobydeclaringhisadmirationinthefrankestandmostopenmanner。Afterthetea-party，asHarrisandhimselfsatintheconsulate，hesoexpressedhimself。
"Whatanextraordinarynicegirl，"heexclaimed，"isthatMrs。Adair！
Ihadalongtalkwithher。Sheismostcharming。Howeverdidawomanlikethatcometobeinaplacelikethis？"
Judgingfromhismanner，itseemedtoHemingwaythatatthementionofMrs。Adair'snamehehadfoundHarrismentallyonguard，asthoughtheconsulhadguessedthequestionwouldcomeandhadpreparedforit。
"Shejustdroppedinhereoneday，"saidHarris，"fromnoplaceinparticular。Personally，Ialwayshavethoughtfromheaven。"
"It'sagoodaddress，"saidHemingway。
"Itseemstosuither，"theconsulagreed。"Anyway，ifshedoesn'tcomefromthere，that'swhereshe'sgoing——justonaccountofthegoodshe'sdoneuswhileshe'sbeenhere。Shearrivedfourmonthsagowithatypewriting-machineandletterstomefromourconsulsinCapeTownandDurban。Shehaddonesometypewritingforthem。Itseemsthatafterherhusbanddied，whichwasafewmonthsaftertheyweremarried，shelearnedtomakeherlivingbytypewriting。Sheworkedtoohardandbrokedown，andthedoctorsaidshemustgotohotcountries，the'hotterthebetter。'Soshe'sworkedherwayhalfaroundtheworldtypewriting。SheworkedchieflyforherownconsulsorfortheAmericancommissionhouses。Sometimesshestayedamonth，sometimesonlyoveronesteamerday。ButwhenshegothereLadyFirthtooksuchafancytoherthatshemadeSirGeorgeengageherashisprivatesecretary，andshe'sbeenhereeversince。"
InacommunitysosmallaswasthatofZanzibarthewhiteresidentssawoneanothereveryday，andwithinaweekHemingwayhadmetMrs。Adairmanytimes。Hemetheratdinner，attheBritishagency；
hemetherinthecountryclub，wherethewhiteexilesgatheredforteaandtennis。Hehiredalaunchandinherhonorgaveapicniconthenorthcoastoftheisland，andonthreegloriousandmemorablenights，afterdifferentdinner-partieshadascendedtotheroof，hesatathersideandacrossthewhitelevelofthehousetopslookeddownintothemoonlitharbor。
Whatinterestthetwoyoungpeoplefeltineachotherwasinnowaydiscouragedbytheirsurroundings。Inthetropicsthetenderemotionsarenotwinterkilled。Hadtheymetathome，theconventions，hisownwork，hersocialdutieswouldhavekepttheprogressoftheirinterestwithinacertainspeedlimit。Buttheywereinaplacefreeofconventions，andtheprecedingeightmonthswhichHemingwayhadspentinthejungleandontheplainhadmadethesocietyofhisfellowman，andofMrs。Adairinparticular，especiallyattractive。
Hemingwayhadnoworktooccupyhistime，andheplaceditunreservedlyatthedispositionofhiscountrywoman。IndoingsoitcouldnotbesaidthatMrs。Adairencouragedhim。Hemingwayhimselfwouldhavebeenthefirsttoacknowledgethis。Fromthedayhemetherhewasconsciousthatalwaystherewasanintangiblebarrierbetweenthem。Evenbeforeshepossiblycouldhaveguessedthathisinterestinherwasmorethanevenshe，attractiveasshewas，hadtherighttoexpect，shehadwrappedaroundherselfaninvisiblemantleofdefense。
Therewerecertainspeechesofhiswhichsheneverheard，certaintonestowhichsheneverresponded。Atmomentswhenhewascomplimentinghimselfthatatlastshewascontenttobeinhiscompany，shewouldsuddenlyriseandjointheothers，andhewouldbeleftwonderinginwhatwayhecouldpossiblyhaveoffended。
Heassuredhimselfthatawoman，youngandattractive，inastrangelandinherdependentpositionmustofnecessitybediscreet，butinhisconducttherecertainlyhadbeennothingthatwasnotconsiderate，courteous，andstraightforward。
Whenheappreciatedthathecaredforherseriously，thathewasgloriouslyhappyincaring，andproudofthewayinwhichhecared，thefactthatshepersistentlyheldhimatarm'slengthpuzzledandhurt。Atfirstwhenhehaddeliberatelysettoworktomakeherlikehimhewasgladtothinkthat，owingtohisreticenceabouthimself，ifshedidlikehimitwouldbeforhimselfaloneandnotforhisworldlygoods。ButwhenheknewherbetterheunderstoodthatifonceMrs。Adairmadeuphermindtotakeasecondhusband，thefactthathewasasocialandfinancialsomebody，andnot，asmanyinZanzibarsupposedHemingwaytobe，asocialoutcast，wouldmakebutlittledifference。
Norwashermannertobeexplainedbythefactthatthemajorityofwomenfoundhimunattractive。Astothat，thepleasantburdenofhisexperiencewastothecontrary。Heatlastwonderediftherewassomeoneelse，ifhehadcomeintoherlifetoolate。
Hesetaboutlookingforthemanandso，hebelieved，hesoonfoundhim。
Ofthelittlecolony，ArthurFearingwasthemanofwhomHemingwayhadseentheleast。ThatwassobecauseFearingwishedit。Likehimself，FearingwasanAmerican，young，andabachelor，but，verymuchunlikeHemingway，ahermitandarecluse。
TwoyearsbeforehehadcometoZanzibarlookingforaninvestmentforhismoney。InZanzibarthereweregentlemenadventurersofeverycountry，whowerewelcometoliveinanycountrysavetheirown。
TothemMr。Fearingseemedaheaven-sentvictim。Buttohimtheiralluringtalesofthefortunesthatweretorisefromburiedtreasures，lostmines，andpearlbedsdidnotappeal。Insteadheconferredwiththeconsuls，theresponsiblemerchants，thepartnersintheprosperoustradinghouses。Afteramonthof"lookingaround"hehadpurchasedoutrightthegoodwillandstockofoneoftheoldestofthecommissionhouses，andsoonshowedhimselftobeamostcapablemanofbusiness。But，exceptasamanofbusiness，nooneknewhim。Fromthedimrecessesofhiswarehousehepassedeachdaytotheseclusionofhisbungalowinthecountry。And，althougheveryonewasfriendlytohim，hemadenofriends。
ItwasonlyafterthearrivalofMrs。Adairthatheconsentedtoshowhimself，anditwassoonnotedthatitwasonlywhenshewasinvitedthathewouldappear，andthatontheseoccasionshedevotedhimselfentirelytoher。Inthepresenceofothers，hestillwasshy，gravelypolite，andspeakingbutlittle，andneverofhimself；butwithMrs。Adairhisshynessseemedtoleavehim，andwhenwithherhewasseentotalkeasilyandeagerly。And，onherpart，towhathesaid，PollyAdairlistenedwithseriousinterest。
LadyFirth，who，athome，wasatrainedandsuccessfulmatch-maker，andwho，inZanzibar，hadfoundbutalimitedfieldforheractivities，decidedthatifhercompanionandprotegeemustmarry，sheshouldmarryFearing。
Fearingwasnogentlemanadventurer，remittance-man，orhumbleclerkservinghisapprenticeshiptoasteamshiplineoranivoryhouse。HewasoneofthepillarsofZanzibarsociety。Thetradinghousehehadpurchasedhadhaditsbeginningsintheslave-trade，andnowunderhisalertdirectionwasmakingaturnoverequaltothatofanyofitsancientrivals。Personally，Fearingwasamostdesirablecatch。Hewaswell-mannered，well-read，ofgoodappearance，steady，and，inalatitudeonlysixdegreesremovedfromtheequator，ofimpeccablemorals。
Itissaidthatitisthepersonwhoisinlovewhoalwaysisthefirsttodiscoverhissuccessfulrival。Itiseitheraninstinctorbecausehisconcernisdeeperthanthatofothers。
Andso，whenHemingwaysoughtfortheinfluencethatseparatedhimfromPollyAdair，thetrailledtoFearing。Tofindthattheobstacleinthepathofhistruelovewasamangreatlyrelievedhim。HehadfearedthatwhatwasinthethoughtsofMrs。Adairwasthememoryofherdeadhusband。Hehadnodesiretocrossswordswithaghost。Buttoalivingrivalhecouldaffordtobegenerous。
ForhewassurenoonecouldcareforPollyAdairashecared，and，likeeveryothermaninlove，hebelievedthathealonehaddiscoveredinherbeautiesofsoulandcharacterthattotherestofmankindwerehidden。Thisknowledge，heassuredhimself，hadarousedinhimadepthofdevotionnooneelsecouldhopetoimitate，andthisdepthofdevotionwouldintimesoimpressher，wouldbecomesonecessarytoherexistence，thatitwouldforceheratlastintothearmsoftheonlymanwhocouldofferit。
Havingsatisfiedhimselfinthisfashion，hecontinuedcheerfullyonhisway，andthepresenceofarivalinnowaydiscouragedhim。ItonlywasPollyAdairwhodiscouragedhim。Andthis，inspiteofthefactthateveryhourofthedayhetriedtobringhimselfpleasantlytohernotice。Allthatanidleyoungmaninlove，aidedandabettedbyimaginationandanunlimitedletterofcredit，coulddo，Hemingwaydid。Buttonoend。
Thetreasureshedugoutofthebazaarsandpresentedtoher，underfalsepretensesastrinketshehappenedatthatmomenttofindinhispockets，wereadmiredbyherattheirowngreatvalue，andreturnedalsounderfalsepretenses，ashavingbeenofferedheronlytoexamine。
"Itisforyoursisterathome，Isuppose，"sheprompted。"It'squitelovely。Thankyouforlettingmeseeit。"
Afterhavingbeenseveraltimesseverelysnubbedinthisfashion，Hemingwayremarkedgrimlyasheputablackpearlbackintohispocket：
"AtthisratesisterwillbemightygladtoseemewhenIgethome。ItseemsalmostapityIhaven'tgotasister。"
Thegirlansweredthisonlywithagravesmile。
OnanotheroccasionsheadmiredapoloponythathadbeenimportedforthestableoftheboySultan。ButnextmorningHemingway，aftermuchdiplomacy，becametheownerofitandproudlyrodeittotheagency。LadyFirthandPollyAdairwalkedouttomeethimarminarm，butatsightoftheponytherecameintotheeyesofthesecretaryalookthatcausedHemingwaytowishhimselfandhismountmanymilesinthejungle。Hesawthatbeforeithadbeenproffered，hisgift-horsehadbeenrejected。
Heactedpromptly。
"LadyFirth，"hesaid，"you'vebeensoawfullykindtome，madethisplacesolikeahometome，thatIwantyoutoputthismareinyourstable。TheSultanwantedher，butwhenhelearnedImeanttoturnherovertoyou，helethergo。Webothhopeyou'llaccept。"
LadyFirthhadnoscruples。Infiveminutesshehadaccepted，hadclappedaside-saddleonherrichgift，andwascanteringjoyouslydownthePearlRoad。
PollyAdairlookedafterherwithanexpressionthatwasdistinctlywistful。Thusencouraged，Hemingwaysaid：
"I'mgladyouaresorry。Ihopeeverytimeyouseethatponyyou'llbesorry。"
"WhyshouldIbesorry？"askedthegirl。
"Becauseyouhavebeenunkind，"saidHemingway，"anditisnotyourcharactertobeunkind。Andthatyouhaveshownlackofcharacteroughttomakeyousorry。"
"Butyouknowperfectlywell，"saidMrs。Adair，"thatifIweretotakeanyoneofthesewonderfulthingsyoubringme，Iwouldn'thaveanycharacterleft。"
Shesmiledathimreassuringly。"Andyouknow，"sheadded，"thatthatisnotwhyIdonottakethem。Itisn'tbecauseIcan'taffordto，orbecauseIdon'twantthem，becauseIdo；butit'sbecauseIdon'tdeservethem，becauseIcangiveyounothinginreturn。"
"Asthecopy-booksays，"returnedHemingway，"'thepleasureisinthegiving。'Ifthecopy-bookdon'tsaythat，Ido。Andtopretendthatyougivemenothing，thatisridiculous！"
Itwassoridiculousthatherushedonvehemently。"Why，everyminuteyougivemesomething，"heexclaimed。"Justtoseeyou，justtoknowyouarealive，justtobecertainwhenIturninatnightthatwhentheworldwakesupagainyouwillstillbeapartofit；thatiswhatyougiveme。Anditsnameis——Happiness！"
Hehadbegunquiteinnocently；hehadhadnoideathatitwouldcome。Buthehadsaidit。Asclearlyasthoughhehaddroppedupononeknee，laidhishandoverhisheartandexclaimed："Mostbeautifulofyoursex，Iloveyou！Willyoumarryme？"Hiseyesandthetoneofhisvoicehadsaidit。Andheknewthathehadsaidit，andthatsheknew。
Hereyeswerefilledwithsuddentears，andsowonderfulwasthelightinthemthatforonemadmomentHemingwaythoughttheyweretearsofhappiness。Butthelightdied，andwhathadbeentearsbecameonlywetdropsofwater，andhesawtohisdismaythatshewasmostmiserable。
Thegirlmovedaheadofhimtothecliffonwhichtheagencystood，andwhichoverhungtheharborandtheIndianOcean。Hereyeswerefilledwithtrouble。Assheraisedthemtohistheybeggedofhimtobekind。
"Iamgladyoutoldme，"shesaid。"Ihavebeenafraiditwascoming。ButuntilyoutoldmeIcouldnotsayanything。Itriedtostopyou。Iwasrudeandunkind——"
"Youcertainlywere，"Hemingwayagreedcheerfully。"Andthemoreyouwouldhavenothingtodowithme，themoreIadmiredyou。AndthenIlearnedtoadmireyoumore，andthentoloveyou。ItseemsnowasthoughIhadalwaysknownandalwayslovedyou。Andnowthisiswhatwearegoingtodo。"
Hewouldn'tletherspeak；herushedonprecipitately。
"Wearefirstgoinguptothehousetogetyourtypewriting-machine，andwewillbringitbackhereandhurlitasfaraswecanoffthiscliff。
Iwanttoseethesplash！Iwanttohearitsmashwhenithitsthatrock。
Ithasbeenmyworstenemy，becauseithelpedyoutobeindependentofme，becauseitkeptyoufromme。Timeaftertime，ontheveranda，whenIwaspretendingtolistentoLadyFirth，Iwaslisteningtothatdamnedmachinebangingandcomplainingandtiringyourprettyfingersandyourdeareyes。Sofirstithasgottogo。Youhavebeenitsslave，nowIamgoingtobeyourslave。Youhaveonlytorubthelampandthingswillhappen。AndbecauseI'vetoldyounothingaboutmyself，youmustn'tthinkthatthemoneythathelpstomakethemhappenis'tainted。'Itisn't。NoramI，normyfather，normyfather'sfather。Iamaskingyoutomarryaperfectlyrespectableyoungman。And，whenyoudo——"
Againhegavehernoopportunitytointerrupt，butrushedonimpetuously："Wewillsailawayacrossthatoceantowhereveryouwilltakeme。ToCeylonandTokioandSanFrancisco，toNaplesandNewYork，toGreeceandAthens。Theyareallnear。Theyareallyours。Willyouacceptthemandme？"Hesmiledappealingly，butmostmiserably。Forthoughhehadspokenlightlyandwithconfidence，itwastoconcealthefactthathewasnotatallconfident。
Ashehadreadinhereyesherrefusalofhispony，hehadread，evenashespoke，herrefusalofhimself。Whenheceasedspeakingthegirlanswered：
"IfIsaythatwhatyoutellmemakesmeproud，Iamsayingtoolittle。"
Sheshookherheadfirmly，withanairoffinalitythatfrightenedHemingway。"Butwhatyouask——whatyousuggestisimpossible。"
"Youdon'tlikeme？"saidHemingway。
"Ilikeyouverymuch，"returnedthegirl，"and，ifIdon'tseemunhappythatitcan'tbe，itisbecauseIalwayshaveknownitcan'tbe——"
"Whycan'titbe？"rebelledHemingway。"Idon'tmeanthatIcan'tunderstandyournotwantingtomarryme，butifIknewyourobjection，maybe，Icouldbeatitdown。"
Again，withthesameairoffinality，thegirlmovedherheadslowly，asthoughconsideringeachword；shebegancautiously。
"Icannottellyouthereason，"shesaid，"becauseitdoesnotconcernonlymyself。"
"Ifyoumeanyoucareforsomeoneelse，"pleadedHemingway，"thatdoesnotfrightenmeatall。"Itdidfrightenhimextremely，but，believingthatafaintheartneverwonanything，hepretendedtobebrave。
"Foryou，"heboasted，"Iwouldgodownintothegraveasdeepasanyman。Hethathathmorelethimgive。IknowwhatIoffer。I
knowIloveyouasnootherman——"
Thegirlbackedawayfromhimasthoughhehadstruckher。"Youmustnotsaythat，"shecommanded。
Forthefirsttimehesawthatshewasmoved，thatthefingersshelacedandunlacedweretrembling。"Itisfinal！"exclaimedthegirl。"Icannotmarry——you，oranyone。I——Ihavepromised。
Iamnotfree。"
"Nothingintheworldisfinal，"returnedHemingwaysharply，"exceptdeath。"Heraisedhishatand，asthoughtoleaveher，movedaway。Notbecauseheadmitteddefeat，butbecausehefeltthatforthepresenttocontinuemightlosehimthechancetofightagain。But，todeliveranultimatum，heturnedback。
"Aslongasyouarealive，andIamalive，"hetoldher，"allthingsarepossible。Idon'tgiveuphope。Idon'tgiveupyou。"
Thegirlexclaimedwithagestureofdespair。"Hewon'tunderstand！"
shecried。
Hemingwayadvancedeagerly。
"Helpmetounderstand，"hebegged。
"Youwon'tunderstand，"explainedthegirl，"thatIamspeakingthetruth。Youarerightthatthingscanchangeinthefuture，butnothingcanchangethepast。Can'tyouunderstandthat？"
"WhatdoIcareforthepast？"criedtheyoungmanscornfully。"I
knowyouaswellasthoughIhadknownyouforathousandyearsandIloveyou。"
Thegirlflushedcrimson。
"Notmypast，"shegasped。"Imeant——"
"Idon'tcarewhatyoumeant，"saidHemingway。"I'mnotpryingintoyourlittlesecrets。Iknowonlyonething——twothings，thatIloveyouandthat，untilyouloveme，Iamgoingtomakeyourlifehell！"
Hecaughtatherhands，andforaninstantshelethimclasptheminbothofhis，whileshelookedathim。
Somethinginherface，otherthandistressandpity，causedhishearttoleap。Buthewastoowisetospeak，and，thatshemightnotreadthehopeinhiseyes，turnedquicklyandlefther。Hehadnotcrossedthegroundsoftheagencybeforehehadmadeuphismindastothereasonforherrepellinghim。
"SheisengagedtoFearing！"hetoldhimself。"ShehaspromisedtomarryFearing！Shethinksthatitistoolatetoconsideranotherman！"Theprospectofafightforthewomanhelovedthrilledhimgreatly。Hislowerjawsetpugnaciously。
"I'llshowherit'snottoolate，"hepromisedhimself。"I'llshowherwhichofusisthemantomakeherhappy。And，ifIamnottheman，I'lltakethefirstoutboundsteamerandtroublethemnomore。
Butbeforethathappens，"healsopromisedhimself，"Fearingmustshowheisthebetterman。"
Inspiteofhisbravewords，inspiteofhisdetermination，withinthedayHemingwayhadwithdrawninfavorofhisrival，and，ontheCrownPrinceEitel，boundforGenoaandNewYork，hadbookedhispassagehome。
OntheafternoonofthesamedayhehadspokentoPollyAdair，Hemingwayatthesunsethourbetookhimselftotheconsulate。Atthathourithadbecomehiscustomtovisithisfellowcountrymanandwithhimsharethegossipofthedayandsuchacocktailasonlyafellowcountrymancouldcompose。LaterhewastodineatthehouseoftheIvoryCompanyand，ashisheartneverceasedtellinghim，Mrs。Adairalsowastobepresent。
"Itwillbeaverypleasantparty，"saidHarris。"Theygavemeabid，too，butit'ssteamerdayto-morrow，andI'vegottogetmymailreadyfortheCrownPrinceEitel。Mrs。Adairistobethere。"
Hemingwaynodded，andwithpleasantanticipationwaited。OfMrs。
Adair，Harrisalwaysspokewithreverententhusiasm，andthemanwholovedherdelightedtolisten。ButthistimeHarrisdisappointedhim。
"AndFearing，too，"headded。
AgainHemingwaynodded。Theconjunctionofthetwonamessurprisedhim，buthemadenosign。LoquaciousasheknewHarristobe，heneverbeforehadheardhisfriendevensuggestthesubjectthattoZanzibarhadbecomeofacuteinterest。
Harrisfilledthetwoglasses，andbegantopacetheroom。Whenhespokeitwasintheaggrievedtoneofonewhofeelshimselfplacedinafalseposition。
"There'snoone，"hecomplainedsuddenly，"sopopularlyunpopularasthemanwhobuttsin。Iknowthat，butstillI'vealwaystakenhisside。I'vealwaysbeenforhim。"Hehalted，straddlingwithlegsapartandhandsdeepinhistrouserspockets，andfrowneddownuponhisguest。
"Suppose，"hebeganaggressively，"Iseeamandrivinghiscaroveracliff。IfItellhimthatroadwilltakehimoveracliff，theworstthatcanhappentomeistobetoldtomindmyownbusiness，andIcanalwaysanswerback：'Iwasonlytryingtohelpyou。'IfIdon'tspeak，themanbreakshisneck。Betweenthetwo，itseemstome，soonerthanhaveanyone'slifeonmyhands，I'dratherbetoldtomindmyownbusiness。"
Hemingwaystaredintohisglass。Hisexpressionwasdistinctlydisapproving，but，undismayed，theconsulcontinued。
"Now，weallknowthatthismorningyougavethatpoloponytoLadyFirth，andoneofusguessesthatyoufirstofferedittosomeoneelse，whorefusedit。Oneofusthinksthatverysoon，to-morrow，orevento-night，atthispartyyoumayofferthatsamepersonsomethingelse，somethingworthmorethanapolopony，andthatifsherefusesthat，itisgoingtobreakyouallup，isgoingtohurtyoufortherestofyourlife。"
Liftinghiseyesfromhisglass，Hemingwayshotathisfriendaglanceofwarning。Inhaste，Harriscontinued：
"Iknow，"heprotested，answeringthelook，"IknowthatthisiswhereMr。Buttinskyistoldtomindhisbusiness。ButI'mgoingrighton。I'mgoingtostateahypotheticalcasewithnonamesmentionedandnoquestionsasked，oranswered。I'mgoingtostateatheory，andletyoudrawyourowndeductions。"
Heslidintoachair，andacrossthetablefastenedhiseyesonthoseofhisfriend。Confidentlyandundisturbed，butwithawrysmileofdislike，Hemingwaystaredfixedlybackathim。
"What，"demandedHarris，"isthefirstruleindetectivework？"
Hemingwaystarted。Hewaspreparedforsomethingunpleasant，butnotforthatparticularformofunpleasantness。Buthisfaithwasunshaken，andhesmiledconfidently。Helettheconsulanswerhisownquestion。
"Itistofollowthewoman，"declaredHarris。"And，accordingly，whatshouldbethefirstprecautionofamanmakinghisget-away？
Toseethatthewomandoesnotfollow。Butsupposewearedealingwithafugitiveofespecialintelligence，withacriminalwhohasimaginationandbrains？Hemightfixitsothatthewomancouldfollowhimwithoutgivinghimaway，hemightplanitsothatnoonewouldsuspect。Shemightarriveathishiding-placeonlyaftermanymonths，onlyaftereachhadmadeseparatelyalongcircuitoftheglobe，onlyafterajourneywithaplausibleandlegitimateobject。
Shewouldarrivedisguisedineveryway，andtheywouldmeetastotalstrangers。And，asstrangersundertheeyesofothers，theywouldbecomeacquainted，wouldgraduallygrowmorefriendly，wouldbeseenmorefrequentlytogether，untilatlastpeoplewouldsay：'Thosetwomeantomakeamatchofit。'Andthen，oneday，openly，inthesightofallmen，withtheaidofthelawandthechurch，theywouldresumethoserelationsthatexistedbeforethemanranawayandthewomanfollowed。"
Therewasashortsilence。
Hemingwaybrokeitinatonethatwouldacceptnodenial。
"Youcan'ttalklikethattome，"hecried。"Whatdoyoumean？"
Withoutresentment，theconsulregardedhimwithgravesolicitude。
Hislookwasoneofrealaffection，and，althoughhistoneheldtheabsolutefinalityofthefamilyphysicianwhodeliversasentenceofdeath，hespokewithgentlenessandregret。
"Imean，"hesaid，"thatMrs。Adairisnotawidow，thatthemanshespeaksofasherlatehusbandisnotdead；thatthatmanisFearing！"
Hemingwayfeltafraid。Amonthbeforearhinoceroshadchargedhimandhaddroppedathisfeet。Atanothertimeawoundedlionesshadleapedintohispathandcrouchedtospring。Thenhehadnotbeenafraid。Thenhehadaimedasconfidentlyasthoughhewerefiringatastrawtarget。Butnowhefeltrealfear：fearofsomethinghedidnotcomprehend，ofasituationhecouldnotmaster，ofanadversaryasstrongasFate。Byawordsomethinghadbeensnatchedfromhimthathenowknewwasasdeartohimaslife，thatwaslife，thatwaswhatmadeitworthcontinuing。Andhecoulddonothingtopreventit；hecouldnothelphimself。Hewasasimpotentastheprisonerwhohearsthejudgebanishhimintoexile。Hetriedtoadjusthismindtothecalamity。Buthismindrefused。Aseasilyaswithhisfingeramancanblocktheswingofapendulumandhalttheprogressoftheclock，Harriswithawordhadbroughttheentireworldtoafullstop。
Andthen，abovehishead，Hemingwayheardthelazywhisperofthepunka，andfromtheharbortheraucouswhistleoftheCrownPrinceEitel，signallingherentrance。Theworldhadnotstopped；forthepunka-boy，forthecaptainoftheGermansteamer，forHarrisseatedwithfaceaverted，theworldwasstillgoinggaylyandbusilyforward。
Onlyforhimhaditstopped。
InspiteoftheconfidenttoneinwhichHarrishadspoken，inspiteofthefactthatunlessheknewitwasthetruth，hewouldnothavespoken，Hemingwaytriedtourgehimselftobelievetherehadbeensomehideous，absurderror。Butinanswercamebacktohimsnatchesoftalkorphrasesthegirlhadlastaddressedtohim："Youcancommandthefuture，butyoucannotchangethepast。Icannotmarryyou，oranyone！Iamnotfree！"
Andthentocomforthimself，hecalledupthelookhehadsurprisedinhereyeswhenhestoodholdingherhandsinhis。Heclungtoit，asadrowningmanwillclutchevenatapieceoffloatingseaweed。
Whenhetriedtospeakhefoundhisvoicechokedandstifled，andthathisdistresswasevident，heknewfromthepityhereadintheeyesofHarris。
Inavoicestrangetohim，heheardhimselfsaying："Whydoyouthinkthat？You'vegottotellme。Ihavearighttoknow。ThismorningIaskedMrs。Adairtomarryme。"
Theconsulexclaimedwithdismayandsquirmedunhappily。"I
didn'tknow，"heprotested。"IthoughtIwasintime。Ioughttohavetoldyoudaysago，but——"
"Tellmenow，"commandedHemingway。
"Iknowitinathousandways，"beganHarris。
Hemingwayraisedhiseyeshopefully。
Buttheconsulshookhishead。"Buttoconvinceyou，"hewenton，"Ineedtellyouonlyone。Thethousandotherproofsarelookstheyhaveexchanged，sentencesIhavechancedtooverhear，andthateachofthemunknowntotheotherhastoldmeoflittlehappeningsandincidentswhichIfoundwerecommontoboth。Eachhasdescribedthehouseinwhichheorshelived，anditwasthesamehouse。TheyclaimtocomefromdifferentcitiesinNewEngland，theycamefromthesamecity。Theyclaim——"
"Thatisnoproof，"criedHemingway，"eitherthattheyaremarried，orthatthemanisacriminal。"
ForamomentHarrisregardedtheotherinsilence。Thenhesaid：
"You'remakingitveryhardforme。IseeI'vegottoshowyou。
It'skindest，afterall，tocutquick。"Heleanedfartherforward，andhisvoicedropped。Speakingquickly，hesaid：
"LastsummerIlivedoutsidethetowninabungalowonthePearlRoad。Fearing'shousewasnexttomine。ThiswasbeforeMrs。
Adairwenttoliveattheagency，andwhileshewasaloneinanotherbungalowfartherdowntheroad。Iwasillthatsummer；
mynerveswentbackonme。Icouldn'tsleep。Iusedtositallnightonmyverandaandprayforthesuntorise。FromwhereIsatitwasdarkandnoonecouldseeme，butIcouldseetheverandaofFearing'shouseandintohisgarden。AndnightafternightIsawMrs。AdaircreepoutofFearing'shouse，sawhimwalkwithhertothegate，sawhimintheshadowofthebushestakeherinhisarms，andsawthemkiss。"Thevoiceoftheconsulrosesharply。"NooneknowsthatbutyouandI，and，"hecrieddefiantly，"itisimpossibleforustobelieveillofPollyAdair。Theeasyexplanationwerefuse。Itisintolerable。
AndsoyoumustbelieveasIbelieve；thatwhenshevisitedFearingbynightshewenttohimbecauseshehadtherighttogotohim，becausealreadyshewashiswife。AndnowwheneveryoneherebelievestheymetforthefirsttimeinZanzibar，whennoonewillbesurprisediftheyshouldmarry，theywillgothroughtheceremonyagain，andliveasmanandwife，astheyare，astheywerebeforehefledfromAmerica！"
Hemingwaywasseatedwithhiselbowsonthetableandhisfaceinhishands。HewassolongsilentthatHarrisstruckthetableroughlywithhispalm。
"Well，"hedemanded，"whydon'tyouspeak？Doyoudoubther？
Don'tyoubelievesheishiswife？"
"Irefusetobelieveanythingelse！"saidHemingway。Herose，andslowlyandheavilymovedtowardthedoor。"AndIwillnottroublethemanymore，"headded。"I'llleaveatsunriseontheEitel。"
Harrisexclaimedindismay，butHemingwaydidnothearhim。Inthedoorwayhehaltedandturnedback。Fromhisvoicealltraceofemotionhaddeparted。"Why，"heaskeddully，"doyouthinkFearingisafugitive？Notthatitmatterstoher，sincesheloveshim，orthatitmatterstome。OnlyIwouldliketothinkyouwerewrong。Iwanthertohaveonlythebest。"
Againtheconsulmovedunhappily。
"Ioughtn'ttotellyou，"heprotested，"andifIdoIoughttotelltheStateDepartment，andadetectiveagencyfirst。Theyhavethecall。
Theywanthim，oramandamnedlikehim。"Hisvoicedroppedtoawhisper。"ThemanwantedisHenryBrownell，acashierofabankinWaltham，Mass。，thirty-fiveyearsofage，smooth-shaven，college-bred，speakingwithamarkedNewEnglandaccent，and——andwithothermarksthatfitFearinglikethecoveronabook。ThedepartmentandthePinkertonshavebeendevillingthelifeoutofmeaboutitforninemonths。TheyarepositiveheisonthecoastofAfrica。Iputthemoff。
Iwasn'tsure。"
"You'vebeenprotectingthem，"saidHemingway。
"Iwasn'tsure，"reiteratedHarris。"AndifIwere，thePinkertonscandotheirownsleuthing。Theman'slivinghonestlynow，anyway，isn'the？"
hedemanded；"andsheloveshim。Atleastshe'sstuckbyhim。WhyshouldIpunishher？"
Histoneseemedtochallengeandupbraid。
"GoodGod！"criedtheother，"I'mnotblamingyou！I'dbeproudofthechancetodoasmuch。IaskedbecauseI'dliketogoawaythinkingshe'scontent，thinkingshe'shappywithhim。"
"Doesn'titlookasthoughshewere？"Harrisprotested。"She'sfollowedhim——followedhimhalfaroundtheglobe。Ifshe'dbeenhappierawayfromhim，she'dhavestayedawayfromhim。"
Sointenthadbeenthemenupontheirtalkthatneitherhadnotedthepassingoftheminutesor，whatatothertimeswasaneventofmoment，thatthemailsteamerhaddistributedhermailandpassengers；andwhenaservantenteredbearinglamps，andfromtheofficetheconsul'sclerkappearedwithabundleoflettersfromtheEitel，bothweretakenbysurprise。
"Solate？"exclaimedHemingway。"Imustgo。IfI'mtosailwiththeEitelatdaybreak，I'velittletime！"
Buthedidnotgo。
AsheadvancedtowardHarriswithhishandoutstretchedinadieu，thefaceoftheconsulhaltedhim。Withtheletters，theclerkhadplaceduponthetableavisiting-card，andasitlayinthecircleoflightfromthelamptheconsul，asthoughitwerealiveandmenacing，staredatitinfascination。Movingstiffly，heturneditsothatHemingwaycouldsee。OnitHemingwayread，"GeorgeS。Sheyer，"and，onalowerline，"RepresentingWilliamL。Pinkerton。"
Tothewomanhelovedthecalamitytheydreadedhadcome，andHemingway，withagroanofdismay，exclaimedaloud：
"Itistheend！"
Fromthedarknessoftheouterofficeamansteppedsoftlyintothecircleofthelamp。Theycouldseehisfigureonlyfromthewaistdown；therestofhimwasblurredinshadows。
"'Itistheend'？"herepeatedinquiringly。Hespokethephrasewithpeculiaremphasis，asthoughtoimpressituponthememoryofthetwoothers。Hisvoicewascool，alert，authoritative。"Theendofwhat？"hedemandedsharply。
Thequestionwasmostdifficult。Inthesilencethedetectivemovedintothelight。Hewastallandstronglybuilt，hisfacewasshrewdandintelligent。Hemighthavebeenaprosperousmanofbusiness。
"Whichofyouistheconsul？"heasked。ButhedidnottakehiseyesfromHemingway。
"Iamtheconsul，"saidHarris。ButstillthedetectivedidnotturnfromHemingway。
"Why，"heasked，"didthisgentleman，whenhereadmycard，say，'Itistheend'？Theendofwhat？Hasanythingbeengoingonherethatcametoanendwhenhesawmycard？"
Disconcerted，indeepembarrassment，Harrisstruggledforaword。
Buthisdistresswasnotobservedbythedetective。Hiseyes，suspiciousandaccusing，stillwerefixeduponHemingway，andundertheirscrutinyHarrissawhisfriendslowlyretreat，slowlycrumpleupintoachair，slowlyraisehishandstocoverhisface。Asthoughinanightmare，heheardhimsayingsavagely：
"Itistheendoftwoyearsofhell，itistheendoftwoyearsoffearandagony！NowIshallhavepeace。NowIshallsleep！
IthankGodyou'vecome！IthankGodIcangoback！"
Harrisbrokethespellbyleapingtohisfeet。Hesprangbetweenthetwomen。
"Whatdoesthismean？"hecommanded。
Hemingwayraisedhiseyesandsurveyedhimsteadily。
"Itmeans，"hesaid，"thatIhavedeceivedyou，Harris——thatIamthemanyoutoldmeof，Iamthemantheywant。"Heturnedtotheofficer。
"Ifooledhimforfourmonths，"hesaid。"Icouldn'tfoolyouforfiveminutes。"
Theeyesofthedetectivedancedwithsuddenexcitement，joy，andtriumph。HeshotaneagerglancefromHemingwaytotheconsul。
"Thisman，"hedemanded；"whoishe？"
WithanimpatientgestureHemingwaysignifiedHarris。
"Hedoesn'tknowwhoIam，"hesaid。"HeknowsmeasHemingway。
IamHenryBrownell，ofWaltham，Mass。"Againhisfacesankintothepalmsofhishands。"AndI'mtired——tired，"hemoaned。"Iamsickofnotknowing，sickofrunningaway。Igivemyselfup。"
Thedetectivebreathedasighofreliefthatseemedtoissuefromhissoul。
"MyGod，"hesighed，"you'vegivenmealongchase！I'vehadelevenmonthsofyou，andI'massickofthisasyouare。"Herecoveredhimselfsharply。Asthoughrecitinganincantation，headdressedHemingwayincrisp，emotionlessnotes。
"HenryBrownell，"hechanted，"IarrestyouinthenameofthecommonwealthofMassachusettsfortherobbery，onOctobertheeleventh，nineteenhundredandnine，oftheWalthamTitleandTrustCompany。Iunderstand，"headded，"youwaiveextraditionandreturnwithmeofyourownfreewill？"
Withhisfacestillinhishands，Hemingwaymurmuredassent。Thedetectivesteppedbrisklyanduninvitedtothetableandseatedhimself。
Hewasbeamingwithtriumph，withpleasurableexcitement。
"Iwanttosendamessagehome，Mr。Consul，"hesaid。"MayIuseyourcableblanks？"
HarriswasstillstandinginthecentreoftheroomlookingdownuponthebowedheadandshouldersofHemingway。Since，inamazement，hehadsprungtowardhim，hehadnotspoken。Andhewasstillsilent。
InsidetheskullofWilburHarris，ofIowa，U。S。A。，AmericanconsultoZanzibar，EastAfrica，therewasgoingforwardamightystrugglethatwasnotfittoputintowords。ForHarrisandhisconsciencehadmetandwereatodds。Onewayortheotherthefightmustbesettledatonce，andwhateverhedecidedmustbeforalltime。Thisheunderstood，andashissympathiesandconsciencestruggledforthemasterythepenofthedetective，scratchingatracingspeedacrossthepaper，warnedhimthatonlyafewsecondswerelefthiminwhichtoprotestorelsetoforeverafterholdhispeace。
SorealistichadbeentheactingofHemingwaythatforaninstantHarrishimselfhadbeendeceived。Butonlyforaninstant。WithhisknowledgeofthecircumstanceshesawthatHemingwaywasnotconfessingtoacrimeofhisown，butdrawingacrossthetrailoftherealcriminaltheconvenientandusefulredherring。HeknewthatalreadyHemingwayhaddeterminedtosailthenextmorning。InleavingZanzibarhewasmakingnosacrifice。Hemerelywascarryingouthisoriginalplan，andbytakingawaywithhimthedetectivewasgivingBrownellandhiswifeatleastamonthinwhichtoagainlosethemselves。
Whatwashisowndutyhecouldnotdetermine。ThatofHemingwayheknewnothing，hecouldtruthfullytestify。AndifnowHemingwayclaimedtobeHenryBrownell，hehadnocertainknowledgetothecontrary。ThatthroughhisadventureHemingwaywouldcometoharmdidnotgreatlydisturbhim。HeforesawthathisfriendneedonlysendawirelessfromNantucketandatthewharfwitnesseswouldswarmtoestablishhisidentityandmakeitevidentthedetectivehadblundered。AndinthemeanwhileBrownellandhiswife，insomesettlementstillfurtherremovedfromobservation，wouldforthesecondtimehavefortifiedthemselvesagainstpursuitandcapture。HesawtheeyesofHemingwayfixeduponhiminappealandwarning。
Thebriskvoiceofthedetectivebrokethesilence。
"Youwilltestify，ifneedbe，Mr。Consul，"hesaid，"thatyouheardtheprisoneradmithewasHenryBrownellandthathesurrenderedhimselfofhisownfreewill？"
Foraninstanttheconsulhesitated，thenhenoddedstiffly。
"Iheardhim，"hesaid。
Threehourslater，atteno'clockofthesameevening，thedetectiveandHemingwayleanedtogetherontherailoftheCrownPrinceEitel。Forward，intheglareofhercargolights，tothepuffingandcreakingofderricksanddonkeyengines，bundlesofbeeswax，ofrawhides，andprecioustusksofivorywerebeinghurledintothehold；fromtheshore-boatsclingingtotheship'ssidescametheshrieksoftheZanzibarboys，fromthesmoking-roomtheblareofthesteward'sbandandtheclinkofglasses。ThoseoftheyouthofZanzibarwhowereonboard，theGermanandEnglishclerksandagents，sawinthepresenceofHemingwayonlyapurposesimilartotheirown；thedesireofahomesickexiletogazeuponthemirroredgloriesoftheEitel'ssaloon，atthefacesofwhitemenandwomen，tolistentohome-mademusic，todrinkhome-brewedbeer。Ashepassedthesmoking-roomtheycalledtohim，andtothestrangerathiselbow，butheonlynoddedsmilingand，avoidingthem，ascendedtotheshadowofthedesertedboat-deck。
"Youaresure，"hesaid，"youtoldnoone？"
"Noone，"thedetectiveanswered。"Ofcourseyourhotelproprietorknowsyou'resailing，buthedoesn'tknowwhy。And，bysunrise，we'llbewelloutatsea。"
ThewordscaughtHemingwaybythethroat。Heturnedhiseyestothetownlyinglikeafieldofsnowinthemoonlight。Somewhereononeofitsflatroofsamerrydinner-partywaslaughing，drinking，perhapsregrettinghisabsence，wonderingathisexcuseofsuddenillness。Shewasthere，andhewiththedetectivelikeashadowathiselbow，wassailingoutofherlifeforever。Hehadseenherforthelasttime：thatmorningforthelasttimehadlookedintohereyes，hadheldherhandsinhis。Hesawthewhitebeach，thewhitefortress-likewalls，thehanginggardens，thecourtesyingpalms，dimly。Itwasamongthosethathewhohadthoughthimselfcontent，hadfoundhappiness，andhadthenseenitdeserthimandtakeoutofhislifepleasureinallotherthings。Withapainthatseemedimpossibletosupport，heturnedhisbackuponZanzibarandallitmeanttohim。
And，asheturned，hefaced，comingtowardhim，acrossthemoonlitdeck，Fearing。
Hisinstinctwastocryouttothemaninwarning，buthissecondthoughtshowedhimthatthroughhisveryefforttoprotecttheother，hemightbringabouthisundoing。So，helplesstoprevent，inagitationandalarm，hewaitedinsilence。Ofthetwomen，Fearingappearedtheleastdisturbed。Withapolitebutauthoritativegestureheturnedtothedetective。"Ihavesomethingtosaytothisgentlemanbeforehesails，"
hesaid；"wouldyoukindlystandoverthere？"
Hepointedacrosstheemptydeckattheotherrail。
Inthealert，confidentyoungmanintheEnglishmess-jacket，clean-shavenandbronzedbythesunsoftheequator，thedetectivesawnolikenesstothepale，beardedbankclerkoftheNewEnglandcity。This，heguessed，mustbesomeEnglishofficial，somefriendofBrownell'swhogenerouslyhadcometobidtheunfortunatefugitiveGodspeed。
Assuredofthis，thedetectivealsobowedpolitely，and，outofhearing，butwithhisprisonerinfullview，tookupapositionagainsttherailopposite。
Turninghisbackuponthedetective，andfacingHemingwaywithhiseyesclosetohis，Fearingbeganabruptly。Hisvoicewassunktoawhisper，buthespokewithouttheslightestsignoftrepidation，withoutthehesitationofaninstant。
"Twoyearsago，whenIwasindicted，"hewhispered，"andranaway，PollypaidbackhalfofthesumIstole。Thatleftherwithoutapenny；that'swhyshetooktothistypewriting。Sincethen，Ihavepaidbacknearlyalltherest。ButPollywasnotsatisfied。Shewantedmetotakemypunishmentandstartfresh。
Sheknewtheywerewatchinghersoshecouldn'twritethistome，butshecametomebyaroundaboutway，takingayeartogethere。Andallthetimeshe'sbeenhere，she'sbeenbeggingmetogobackandgivemyselfup。Icouldn'tseeit。IknewinafewmonthsI'dhavepaidbackallItook，andIthoughtthatwasenough。
Iwantedtokeepoutofjail。ButshesaidImusttakemymedicineinourowncountry，andstartsquarewithacleanslate。She'sdonealotforme，andwhetherI'dhavedonethatforherornot，Idon'tknow。Butnow，Imust！Whatyoudidto-nighttosaveme，leavesmenochoice。So，I'llsail——"
Withanexclamationofanger，Hemingwaycaughttheotherbytheshoulderanddraggedhimcloser。
"Tosaveyou！"hewhispered。"Noone'sthinkingofyou。Ididn'tdoitforyou。Ididit，thatyoubothcouldescapetogether，togiveyoutime——"
"ButItellyou，"protestedFearing，"shedoesn'twantmetoescape。
Andmaybeshe'sright。Anyway，we'resailingwithyouat——"
"We？"echoedHemingway。
Thatagainhewastoseethewomanheloved，thatforsixweeksthroughsummerseashewouldtravelinhercompany，filledhimwithalarm，withdistress，withawonderfulhappiness。
"We？"hewhispered，steadyinghisvoice。"Then——thenyourwifeisgoingwithyou？"
Fearinggazedathimasthoughtheotherhadsuddenlygonemad。
"Mywife！"heexclaimed。"Ihaven'tgotawife！"IfyoumeanPolly——Mrs。Adair，sheismysister！Andshewantstothankyou。
She'sbelow——"
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