ITHELASTOFTHETROUBADOURS

InexorablySamGallowaysaddledhispony。HewasgoingawayfromtheRanchoAltitoattheendofathree-months’visit。Itisnottobeexpectedthataguestshouldputupwithwheatcoffeeandbiscuitsyellow-streakedwithsaleratusforlongerthanthat。NickNapoleon，thebigNegromancook，hadneverbeenabletomakegoodbiscuits：Oncebefore，whenNickwascookingattheWillowRanch，Samhadbeenforcedtoflyfromhis_cuisine_，afteronlyasix-weeks’sojourn。

OnSam’sfacewasanexpressionofsorrow，deepenedwithregretandslightlytemperedbythepatientforgivenessofaconnoisseurwhocannotbeunderstood。Butveryfirmlyandinexorablyhebuckledhissaddle-cinches，loopedhisstake-ropeandhungittohissaddle-horn，tiedhisslickerandcoatonthecantle，andloopedhisquirtonhisrightwrist。TheMerrydews（householdersoftheRanchoAltito），men，women，children，andservants，vassals，visitors，employes，dogs，andcasualcallersweregroupedinthe"gallery"oftheranchhouse，allwithfacessettothetuneofmelancholyandgrief。For，asthecomingofSamGallowaytoanyranch，camp，orcabinbetweentheriversFrioorBravodelNortearousedjoy，sohisdeparturecausedmourninganddistress。

Andthen，duringabsolutesilence，exceptforthebumpingofahindelbowofahounddogashepursuedawickedflea，Samtenderlyandcarefullytiedhisguitaracrosshissaddleontopofhisslickerandcoat。Theguitarwasinagreenduckbag；andifyoucatchthesignificanceofit，itexplainsSam。

SamGallowaywastheLastoftheTroubadours。Ofcourseyouknowaboutthetroubadours。Theencyclopaediasaystheyflourishedbetweentheeleventhandthethirteenthcenturies。Whattheyflourisheddoesn’tseemclear-——youmaybeprettysureitwasn’tasword：maybeitwasafiddlebow，oraforkfulofspaghetti，oralady’sscarf。Anyhow，SamGallowaywasoneof’em。

Samputonamartyredexpressionashemountedhispony。Buttheexpressiononhisfacewashilariouscomparedwiththeoneonhispony’s。

Yousee，aponygetstoknowhisridermightywell，anditisnotunlikelythatcowponiesinpasturesandathitchingrackshadoftenguyedSam’sponyforbeingriddenbyaguitarplayerinsteadofbyarollicking，cussing，all-woolcowboy。Nomanisaherotohissaddle-horse。Andevenanescalatorinadepartmentstoremightbeexcusedfortrippingupatroubadour。

Oh，IknowI’mone；andsoareyou。Yourememberthestoriesyoumemorizeandthecardtricksyoustudyandthatlittlepieceonthepiano——howdoesitgo？——ti-tum-te-tum-ti-tum——thoselittleArabianTenMinuteEntertainmentsthatyoufurnishwhenyougouptocallonyourrichAuntJane。Youshouldknowthat_omnaepersonaeintrespartesdivisaesunt_。

Namely：Brons，Troubadours，andWorkers。Baronshavenoinclinationtoreadsuchfolderolasthis；andWorkershavenotime：soIknowyoumustbeaTroubadour，andthatyouwillunderstandSamGalloway。Whetherwesing，act，dance，write，lecture，orpaint，weareonlytroubadours；soletusmaketheworstofit。

TheponywiththeDanteAlighieriface，guidedbythepressureofSam’sknees，borethatwanderingminstrelsixteenmilessoutheastward。Naturewasinhermostbenignantmood。Leagueafterleagueofdelicate，sweetfloweretsmadefragrantthe’gentlyundulatingprairie。Theeastwindtemperedthespringwarmth；wool-whitecloudsflyinginfromtheMexicanGullhinderedthedirectraysoftheAprilsun。Samsangsongsasherode。Underhispony’sbridlehehadtuckedsomesprigsofchaparraltokeepawaythedeerflies。Thuscrowned，thelong-facedquadrupedlookedmoreDantesquethanbefore，and，judgingbyhiscountenance，seemedtothinkofBeatriceStraightastopographypermitted，Samrodeto，thesheepranchofoldmanEllison。Avisittoasheepranchseemedtohimdesirablejustthen。

Therehadbeentoomanypeople，toomuchnoise，argument，competition，confusion，atRanchoAltito。HehadneverconferreduponoldmanEllisonthefavourofsojourningathisranch；butheknewhewouldbewelcome。

Thetroubadourishisownpassporteverywhere。TheWorkersinthecastleletdownthedrawbridgetohim，andtheBaronsetshimathislefthandattableinthebanquethall。Thereladiessmileuponhimandapplaudhissongsandstories，whiletheWorkersbringboars’headsandflagons。IftheBaronnodsonceortwiceinhiscarvedoakenchair，hedoesnotdoitmaliciously。

OldmanEllisonwelcomedthetroubadourflatteringly。HehadoftenheardpraisesofSamGallowayfromotherranchmenwhohadbeencomplimentedbyhisvisits，buthadneveraspiredtosuchanhonourforhisownhumblebarony。IsaybaronybecauseoldmanEllisonwastheLastoftheBarons。

Ofcourse，Mr。Bulwer-Lyttonlivedtooearlytoknowhim，orhewouldn’thaveconferredthatsobriquetuponWarwick。InlifeitisthedutyandthefunctionoftheBarontoprovideworkfortheWorkersandlodgingandshelterfortheTroubadours。

OldmanEllisonwasashrunkenoldman，withashort，yellow-whitebeardandafacelinedandseamedbypast-and-gonesmiles。Hisranchwasalittletwo-roomboxhouseinagroveofhackberrytreesinthelonesomestpartofthesheepcountry。HishouseholdconsistedofaKiowaIndianmancook，fourhounds，apetsheep，andahalf-tamedcoyotechainedtoafence-post。Heowned3，000sheep，whichheranontwosectionsofleasedlandandmanythousandsofacresneitherleasednorowned。Threeorfourtimesayearsomeonewhospokehislanguagewouldrideuptohisgateandexchangeafewbaldideaswithhim。Thosewerered-letterdaystooldmanEllison。Theninwhatilluminated，embossed，andgorgeouslydecoratedcapitalsmusthavebeenwrittenthedayonwhichatroubadour——-atroubadourwho，accordingtotheencyclopaedia，shouldhaveflourishedbetweentheeleventhandthethirteenthcenturies-——drewreinatthegatesofhisbaronialcastle！

OldmanEllison’ssmilescamebackandfilledhiswrinkleswhenhesawSam。Hehurriedoutofthehouseinhisshuffling，limpingwaytogreethim。

"Hello，Mr。Ellison，"calledSamcheerfully。"ThoughtI’ddropoverandseeyouawhile。Noticeyou’vehadfinerainsonyourrange。Theyoughttomakegoodgrazingforyourspringlambs。"

"Well，well，well，"saidoldmanEllison。"I’mmightygladtoseeyou，Sam。Ineverthoughtyou’dtakethetroubletorideovertoasout-of-the-wayanoldranchasthis。Butyou’remightywelcome。’Light。

I’vegotasackofnewoatsinthekitchen——-shallIbringoutafeedforyourhoss？"

"Oatsforhim？"saidSam，derisively。"No，sir-ee。He’sasfatasapignowongrass。Hedon’tgetrodeenoughtokeephimincondition。I’lljustturnhiminthehorsepasturewithadragropeonifyoudon’tmind。"

IampositivethatneverduringtheeleventhandthirteenthcenturiesdidBaron，Troubadour，andWorkeramalgamateasharmoniouslyastheirparallelsdidthateveningatoldmanEllison’ssheepranch。TheKiowa’sbiscuitswerelightandtastyandhiscoffeestrong。IneradicablehospitalityandappreciationglowedonoldmanEllison’sweather-tannedface。Asforthetroubadour，hesaidtohimselfthathehadstumbleduponpleasantplacesindeed。Awell-cooked，abundantmeal，ahostwhomhislightestattempttoentertainseemedtodelightfarbeyondthemeritsoftheexertion，andthereposefulatmospherethathissensitivesoulatthattimecravedunitedtoconferuponhimasatisfactionandluxuriouseasethathehadseldomfoundonhistoursoftheranches。

Afterthedelectablesupper，Samuntiedthegreenduckbagandtookouthisguitar。Notbywayofpayment，mindyou——neitherSamGallowaynoranyotherofthetruetroubadoursarelinealdescendantsofthelateTommyTucker。YouhavereadofTommyTuckerintheworksoftheesteemedbutoftenobscureMotherGoose。TommyTuckersangforhissupper。Notruetroubadourwoulddothat。Hewouldhavehissupper，andthensingforArt’ssake。

SamGalloway’srepertoirecomprisedaboutfiftyfunnystoriesandbetweenthirtyandfortysongs。Hebynomeansstoppedthere。Hecouldtalkthroughtwentycigarettesonanytopicthatyoubroughtup。Andheneversatupwhenhecouldliedown；andneverstoodwhenhecouldsit。Iamstronglydisposedtolingerwithhim，forIamdrawingaportraitaswellasabluntpencilandatatteredthesauruswillallow。

Iwishyoucouldhaveseenhim：hewassmallandtoughandinactivebeyondthepowerofimaginationtoconceive。Heworeanultramarine-bluewoollenshirtlaceddownthefrontwithapearl-gray，exaggeratedsortofshoestring，indestructiblebrownduckclothes，inevitablehigh-heeledbootswithMexicanspurs，andaMexicanstrawsombrero。

ThateveningSamandoldmanEllisondraggedtheirchairsoutunderthehackberrytrees。Theylightedcigarettes；andthetroubadourgailytouchedhisguitar。Manyofthesongshesangweretheweird，melancholy，minor-keyed_canciones_thathehadlearnedfromtheMexicansheepherdersand_vaqueros_。One，inparticular，charmedandsoothedthesoulofthelonelybaron。Itwasafavouritesongofthesheepherders，beginning：

"_Huile，huile，palomita_，"whichbeingtranslatedmeans，"Fly，fly，littledove。"SamsangitforoldmanEllisonmanytimesthatevening。

Thetroubadourstayedonattheoldman’sranch。Therewaspeaceandquietandappreciationthere，suchashehadnotfoundinthenoisycampsofthecattlekings。Noaudienceintheworldcouldhavecrownedtheworkofpoet，musician，orartistwithmoreworshipfulandunflaggingapprovalthanthatbestoweduponhiseffortsbyoldmanEllison。Novisitbyaroyalpersonagetoahumblewoodchopperorpeasantcouldhavebeenreceivedwithmoreflatteringthankfulnessandjoy。

Onacool，canvas-coveredcotintheshadeofthehackberrytreesSamGallowaypassedthegreaterpartofhistime。Thereherolledhisbrownpapercigarettes，readsuchtediousliteratureastheranchafforded，andaddedtohisrepertoireofimprovisationsthatheplayedsoexpertlyonhisguitar。Tohim，asaslaveministeringtoagreatlord，theKiowabroughtcoolwaterfromtheredjarhangingunderthebrushshelter，andfoodwhenhecalledforit。Theprairiezephyrsfannedhimmildly；

mocking-birdsatmornandevecompetedwithbutscarceequalledthesweetmelodiesofhislyre；aperfumedstillnessseemedtofillallhisworld。

WhileoldmanEllisonwaspotteringamonghisflocksofsheeponhismile-an-hourpony，andwhiletheKiowatookhissiestaintheburningsunshineattheendofthekitchen，Samwouldlieonhiscotthinkingwhatahappyworldhelivedin，andhowkinditistotheoneswhosemissioninlifeitistogiveentertainmentandpleasure。Herehehadfoodandlodgingasgoodashehadeverlongedfor；absoluteimmunityfromcareorexertionorstrife；anendlesswelcome，andahostwhosedelightatthesixteenthrepetitionofasongorastorywasaskeenasatitsinitialgiving。Wasthereeveratroubadourofoldwhostruckuponasroyalacastleinhiswanderings？Whilehelaythus，meditatinguponhisblessings，littlebrowncottontailswouldshyly’frolicthroughtheyard；

acoveyofwhite-topknottedbluequailwouldrunpast，insinglefile，twentyyardsaway；a_paisano_bird，outhuntingfortarantulas，wouldhopuponthefenceandsalutehimwithsweepingflourishesofits’longtail。

Intheeighty-acrehorsepasturetheponywiththeDantesquefacegrewfatandalmostsmiling。Thetroubadourwasattheendofhiswanderings。

OldmanEllisonwashisown_vaciero_。Thatmeansthathesuppliedhissheepcampswithwood，water，andrationsbyhisownlaboursinsteadofhiringa_vaciero_。Onsmallranchesitisoftendone。

OnemorninghestartedforthecampofIncarnacionFelipedelaCruzyMontePiedras（oneofhissheepherders）withtheweek’susualrationsofbrownbeans，coffee，meal，andsugar。TwomilesawayonthetrailfromoldFortEwinghemet，facetoface，aterriblebeingcalledKingJames，mountedonafiery，prancing，Kentucky-bredhorse。

KingJames’srealnamewasJamesKing；butpeoplereverseditbecauseitseemedtofithimbetter，andalsobecauseitseemedtopleasehismajesty。KingJameswasthebiggestcattlemanbetweentheAlamoplazainSanAntoneandBillHopper’ssalooninBrownsville。AlsohewastheloudestandmostoffensivebullyandbraggartandbadmaninsouthwestTexas。Andhealwaysmadegoodwheneverhebragged；andthemorenoisehemadethemoredangeroushewas。Inthestorypapersitisalwaysthequiet，mild-manneredmanwithlightblueeyesandalowvoicewhoturnsouttobereallydangerous；butinreallifeandinthisstorysuchisnotthecase。Givememychoicebetweenassaultingalarge，loudmouthedrough-houserandaninoffensivestrangerwithblueeyessittingquietlyinacorner，andyouwillseesomethingdoinginthecornereverytime。

KingJames，asIintendedtosayearlier，wasafierce，two-hundred-poundsunburned，blondman，aspinkasanOctoberstrawberry，andwithtwohorizontalslitsundershaggyredeyebrowsforeyes。Onthatdayheworeaflannelshirtthatwastan-coloured，withtheexceptionofcertainlargeareaswhichweredarkenedbytransudationsduetothesummersun。Thereseemedtobeotherclothingandgarnishingsabouthim，suchasbrownducktrousersstuffedintoimmenseboots，andredhandkerchiefsandrevolvers；

andashotgunlaidacrosshissaddleandaleatherbeltwithmillionsofcartridgesshininginit——butyourmindskiddedoffsuchaccessories；

whatheldyourgazewasjustthetwolittlehorizontalslitsthatheusedforeyes。

ThiswasthemanthatoldmanEllisonmetonthetrail；andwhenyoucountupinthebaron’sfavourthathewassixty-fiveandweighedninety-eightpoundsandhadheardofKingJames’srecordandthathe（thebaron）hadahankeringforthe_vitasimplex_andhadnogunwithhimandwouldn’thave’useditifhehad，youcan’tcensurehimifItellyouthatthesmileswithwhichthetroubadourhadfilledhiswrinkleswentoutofthemandleftthemplainwrinklesagain。Buthewasnotthekindofbaronthatfliesfromdanger。Hereinedinthemile-an-hourpony（nodifficultfeat），andsalutedtheformidablemonarch。

KingJamesexpressedhimselfwithroyaldirectness。"You’rethatoldsnoozerthat’srunningsheeponthisrange，ain’tyou？"saidhe。"Whatrighthaveyougottodoit？Doyouownanyland，orleaseany？"

"Ihavetwosectionsleasedfromthestate，"saidoldmanEllison，mildly。

"Notbynomeansyouhaven’t，"saidKingJames。"Yourleaseexpiredyesterday；andIhadamanatthelandofficeontheminutetotakeitup。Youdon’tcontrolafootofgrassinTexas。Yousheepmenhavegottogit。Yourtime’sup。It’sacattlecountry，andthereain’tanyroominitforsnoozers。Thisrangeyou’vegotyoursheeponismine。I’mputtingupawirefence，fortybysixtymiles；andifthere’sasheepinsideofitwhenit’sdoneit’llbeadeadone。I’llgiveyouaweektomoveyoursaway。Iftheyain’tgonebythen，I’llsendsixmenoverherewithWinchesterstomakemuttonoutofthewholelot。AndifIfindyouhereatthesametimethisiswhatyou’llget。"

KingJamespattedthebreechofhisshot-gunwarningly。

OldmanEllisonrodeontothecampofIncarnacion。Hesighedmanytimes，andthewrinklesinhisfacegrewdeeper。Rumoursthattheoldorderwasabouttochangehadreachedhimbefore。TheendofFreeGrasswasinsight。Othertroubles，too，hadbeenaccumulatinguponhisshoulders。

Hisflocksweredecreasinginsteadofgrowing；thepriceofwoolwasdecliningateveryclip；evenBradshaw，thestorekeeperatFrioCity，atwhosestoreheboughthisranchsupplies，wasdunninghimforhislastsixmonths’billandthreateningtocuthimoff。AndsothislastgreatestcalamitysuddenlydealtouttohimbytheterribleKingJameswasacrusher。

WhentheoldmangotbacktotheranchatsunsethefoundSamGallowaylyingonhiscot，proppedagainstarollofblanketsandwoolsacks，fingeringhisguitar。

"Hello，UncleBen，"thetroubadourcalled，cheerfully。"Yourolledinearlythisevening。IbeentryinganewtwistontheSpanishFandangoto-day。Ijustaboutgotit。Here’showshegoes——listen。"

"That’sfine，that’smightyfine，"saidoldmanEllison，sittingonthekitchenstepandrubbinghiswhite，Scotch-terrierwhiskers。"Ireckonyou’vegotallthemusiciansbeateastandwest，Sam，asfarastheroadsarecutout。"

"Oh，Idon’tknow，"saidSam，reflectively。"ButIcertainlydogetthereonvariations。IguessIcanhandleanythinginfiveflatsaboutaswellasanyof’em。Butyoulookkindoffaggedout，UncleBen——ain’tyoufeelingrightwellthisevening？"

"Littletired；that’sall，Sam。Ifyouain’tplayedyourselfout，let’shavethatMexicanpiecethatstartsoffwith：’_Huile，huile，palomita_。’

ItseemsthatthatsongalwayskindofsoothesandcomfortsmeafterI’vebeenridingfaroranythingbothersme。"

"Why，_seguramente_，_senor_，"saidSam。"I’llhitherupforyouasoftenasyoulike。AndbeforeIforgetaboutit，UncleBen，youwanttojerkBradshawupaboutthemlasthamshesentus。They’rejustalittlebitstrong。"

Amansixty-fiveyearsold，livingonasheepranchandbesetbyacomplicationofdisasters，cannotsuccessfullyandcontinuouslydissemble。Moreover，atroubadourhaseyesquicktoseeunhappinessinothersaroundhim——becauseitdisturbshisownease。So，onthenextday，Samagainquestionedtheoldmanabouthisairofsadnessandabstraction。ThenoldmanEllisontoldhimthestoryofKingJames’sthreatsandordersandthatpalemelancholyandredruinappearedtohavemarkedhimfortheirown。Thetroubadourtookthenewsthoughtfully。HehadheardmuchaboutKingJames。

Onthethirddayofthesevendaysofgraceallowedhimbytheautocratoftherange，oldmanEllisondrovehisbuckboardtoFrioCitytofetchsomenecessarysuppliesfortheranch。Bradshawwashardbutnotimplacable。

Hedividedtheoldman’sorderbytwo，andlethimhavealittlemoretime。Onearticlesecuredwasanew，finehamforthepleasureofthetroubadour。

FivemilesoutofFrioCityonhiswayhometheoldmanmetKingJamesridingintotown。Hismajestycouldneverlookanythingbutfierceandmenacing，butto-dayhisslitsofeyesappearedtobealittlewiderthantheyusuallywere。

"Goodday，"saidtheking，gruffly。"I’vebeenwantingtoseeyou。I

hearitsaidbyacowmanfromSandyyesterdaythatyouwasfromJacksonCounty，Mississippi，originally。Iwanttoknowifthat’safact。"

"Bornthere，"saidoldmanEllison，"andraisedtheretillIwastwenty-one。"

"Thismansays，"wentonKingJames，"thathethinksyouwasrelatedtotheJacksonCountyReeveses。Washeright？"

"AuntCarolineReeves，"saidtheoldman，"wasmyhalf-sister。"

"Shewasmyaunt，"saidKingJames。"IrunawayfromhomewhenIwassixteen。Now，let’sre-talkoversomethingsthatwediscussedafewdaysago。Theycallmeabadman；andthey’reonlyhalfright。There’splentyofroominmypastureforyourbunchofsheepandtheirincreaseforalongtimetocome。AuntCarolineusedtocutoutsheepincakedoughandbake’emforme。Youkeepyoursheepwheretheyare，andusealltherangeyouwant。How’syourfinances？"

Theoldmanrelatedhiswoesindetail，dignifiedly，withrestraintandcandour。

"Sheusedtosmuggleextragrubintomyschoolbasket——I’mspeakingofAuntCaroline，"saidKingJames。"I’mgoingovertoFrioCityto-day，andI’llridebackbyyourranchto-morrow。I’lldraw$2，000outofthebankthereandbringitovertoyou；andI’lltellBradshawtoletyouhaveeverythingyouwantoncredit。Youareboundtohaveheardtheoldsayingathome，thattheJacksonCountyReevesesandKingswouldstickcloserbyeachotherthanchestnutburrs。Well，I’maKingyetwheneverIrunacrossaReeves。Soyoulookoutformealongaboutsundownto-morrow，anddon’tworryaboutnothing。Shouldn’twonderifthedryspelldon’tkillouttheyounggrass。"

OldmanEllisondrovehappilyranchward。Oncemorethesmilesfilledouthiswrinkles。Verysuddenly，bythemagicofkinshipandthegoodthatliessomewhereinallhearts，histroubleshadbeenremoved。

OnreachingtheranchhefoundthatSamGallowaywasnotthere。Hisguitarhungbyitsbuckskinstringtoahackberrylimb，moaningasthegulfbreezeblewacrossitsmasterlessstrings。

TheKiowaendeavouredtoexplain。

"Sam，hecatchpony，"saidhe，"andsayheridetoFrioCity。Whatfornocandamnsabe。Sayhecomebackto-night。Maybeso。Thatall。"

Asthefirststarscameoutthetroubadourrodebacktohishaven。Hepasturedhisponyandwentintothehouse，hisspursjinglingmartially。

OldmanEllisonsatatthekitchentable，havingatincupofbefore-suppercoffee。Helookedcontentedandpleased。

"Hello，Sam，"saidhe。"I’mdarnedgladtoseeyeback。Idon’tknowhowImanagedtogetalongonthisranch，anyhow，beforeyedroppedintocheerthingsup。I’llbetye’vebeenskylarkingaroundwithsomeofthemFrioCitygals，now，that’skeptyesolate。"

AndthenoldmanEllisontookanotherlookatSam’sfaceandsawthattheminstrelhadchangedthemanofaction。

AndwhileSamisunbucklingfromhiswaistoldmanEllison’ssix-shooter，thatthelatterhadleftbehindwhenhedrovetotown，wemaywellpausetoremarkthatanywhereandwheneveratroubadourlaysdowntheguitarandtakesuptheswordtroubleissuretofollow。ItisnottheexpertthrustofAthosnorthecoldskillofAramisnortheironwristofPorthosthatwehavetofear——itistheGascon’sfury——thewildandunacademicattackofthetroubadour——theswordofD’Artagnan。

"Idoneit，"saidSam。"IwentovertoFrioCitytodoit。Icouldn’tlethimputtheskibunkonyou，UncleBen。ImethiminSummers’ssaloon。Iknowedwhattodo。Isaidafewthingstohimthatnobodyelseheard。Hereachedforhisgunfirst——halfadozenfellowssawhimdoit——butIgotmineunlimberedfirst。ThreedosesIgavehim——rightaroundthelungs，andasaucercouldhavecoveredupallof’em。Hewon’tbotheryounomore。"

"This——is——King——James——youspeak——of？"askedoldmanEllison，whilehesippedhiscoffee。

"Youbetitwas。Andtheytookmebeforethecountyjudge；andthewitnesseswhatsawhimdrawhisgunfirstwasallthere。Well，ofcourse，theyputmeunder$300bondtoappearbeforethecourt，buttherewasfourorfiveboysonthespotreadytosignthebail。Hewon’tbotheryounomore，UncleBen。Yououghttohaveseenhowclosethembulletholeswastogether。IreckonplayingaguitarasmuchasIdomustkindoflimberafellow’striggerfingerupalittle，don’tyouthink，UncleBen？"

ThentherewasalittlesilenceinthecastleexceptforthesplutteringofavenisonsteakthattheKiowawascooking。

"Sam，"saidoldmanEllison，strokinghiswhitewhiskerswithatremuloushand，"wouldyoumindgettingtheguitarandplayingthat’_Huile，huile，palomita_’pieceonceortwice？Italwaysseemstobekindofsoothingandcomfortingwhenaman’stiredandfaggedout。"

Thereisnomoretobesaid，exceptthatthetitleofthestoryiswrong。

Itshouldhavebeencalled"TheLastoftheBarons。"Thereneverwillbeanendtothetroubadours；andnowandthenitdoesseemthatthejingleoftheirguitarswilldrownthesoundofthemuffledblowsofthepickaxesandtriphammersofalltheWorkersintheworld。

IITHESLEUTHS

InTheBigCityamanwilldisappearwiththesuddennessandcompletenessoftheflameofacandlethatisblownout。Alltheagenciesofinquisition——thehoundsofthetrail，thesleuthsofthecity’slabyrinths，theclosetdetectivesoftheoryandinduction——willbeinvokedtothesearch。Mostoftentheman’sfacewillbeseennomore。

SometimeshewillreappearinSheboyganorinthewildsofTerreHaute，callinghimselfoneofthesynonymsof"Smith，"andwithoutmemoryofeventsuptoacertaintime，includinghisgrocer’sbill。Sometimesitwillbefound，afterdraggingtherivers，andpollingtherestaurantstoseeifhemaybewaitingforawell-donesirloin，thathehasmovednextdoor。

Thissnuffingoutofahumanbeingliketheerasureofachalkmanfromablackboardisoneofthemostimpressivethemesindramaturgy。

ThecaseofMarySnyder，inpoint，shouldnotbewithoutinterest。

Amanofmiddleage，ofthenameofMeeks，camefromtheWesttoNewYorktofindhissister，Mrs。MarySnyder，awidow，agedfifty-two，whohadbeenlivingforayearinatenementhouseinacrowdedneighbourhood。

AtheraddresshewastoldthatMarySnyderhadmovedawaylongerthanamonthbefore。Noonecouldtellhimhernewaddress。

OncomingoutMr。Meeksaddressedapolicemanwhowasstandingonthecorner，andexplainedhisdilemma。

"Mysisterisverypoor，"hesaid，"andIamanxioustofindher。Ihaverecentlymadequitealotofmoneyinaleadmine，andIwanthertosharemyprosperity。Thereisnouseinadvertisingher，becauseshecannotread。"

ThepolicemanpulledhismoustacheandlookedsothoughtfulandmightythatMeekscouldalmostfeelthejoyfultearsofhissisterMarydroppinguponhisbrightbluetie。

"YougodownintheCanalStreetneighbourhood，"saidthepoliceman，"andgetajobdrivin’thebiggestdrayyoucanfind。There’soldwomenalwaysgettin’knockedoverbydraysdownthere。Youmightsee’eramong’em。

Ifyoudon’twanttodothatyoubettergo’roundtoheadquartersandget’emtoputaflycopontothedame。"

Atpoliceheadquarters，Meeksreceivedreadyassistance。Ageneralalarmwassentout，andcopiesofaphotographofMarySnyderthatherbrotherhadweredistributedamongthestations。InMulberryStreetthechiefassignedDetectiveMullinstothecase。

ThedetectivetookMeeksasideandsaid：

"Thisisnotaverydifficultcasetounravel。Shaveoffyourwhiskers，fillyourpocketswithgoodcigars，andmeetmeinthecafeoftheWaldorfatthreeo’clockthisafternoon。"

Meeksobeyed。HefoundMullinsthere。Theyhadabottleofwine，whilethedetectiveaskedquestionsconcerningthemissingwoman。

"Now，"saidMullins，"NewYorkisabigcity，butwe’vegotthedetectivebusinesssystematized。Therearetwowayswecangoaboutfindingyoursister。Wewilltryoneof’emfirst。Yousayshe’sfifty-two？"

"Alittlepast，"saidMeeks。

ThedetectiveconductedtheWesternertoabranchadvertisingofficeofoneofthelargestdailies。Therehewrotethefollowing"ad"andsubmittedittoMeeks：

"Wanted，atonce——onehundredattractivechorusgirlsforanewmusicalcomedy。ApplyalldayatNo-Broadway。"

Meekswasindignant。

"Mysister，"saidhe，"isapoor，hard-working，elderlywoman。Idonotseewhataidanadvertisementofthiskindwouldbetowardfindingher。"

"Allright，"saidthedetective。"Iguessyoudon’tknowNewYork。Butifyou’vegotagrouchagainstthisschemewe’lltrytheotherone。It’sasurething。Butit’llcostyoumore。"

"Nevermindtheexpense，"saidMeeks；"we’lltryit。"

ThesleuthledhimbacktotheWaldorf。"Engageacoupleofbedroomsandaparlour，"headvised，"andlet’sgoup。"

Thiswasdone，andthetwowereshowntoasuperbsuiteonthefourthfloor。Meekslookedpuzzled。Thedetectivesankintoavelvetarmchair，andpulledouthiscigarcase。

"Iforgottosuggest，oldman，"hesaid，"thatyoushouldhavetakentheroomsbythemonth。Theywouldn’thavestuckyousomuchforem。

"Bythemonth！"exclaimedMeeks。"Whatdoyoumean？"

"Oh，it’lltaketimetoworkthegamethisway。Itoldyouitwouldcostyoumore。We’llhavetowaittillspring。There’llbeanewcitydirectoryoutthen。Verylikelyyoursister’snameandaddresswillbeinit。"

Meeksridhimselfofthecitydetectiveatonce。OnthenextdaysomeoneadvisedhimtoconsultShamrockJolnes，NewYork’sfamousprivatedetective，whodemandedfabulousfees，butperformedmiraclesinthewayofsolvingmysteriesandcrimes。

Afterwaitingfortwohoursintheanteroomofthegreatdetective’sapartment，Meekswasshownintohispresence。Jolnessatinapurpledressing-gownataninlaidivorychesstable，withamagazinebeforehim，tryingtosolvethemysteryof"They。"Thefamoussleuth’sthin，intellectualface，piercingeyes，andrateperwordaretoowellknowntoneeddescription。

Meekssetforthhiserrand。"Myfee，ifsuccessful，willbe$500，"saidShamrockJolnes。

Meeksbowedhisagreementtotheprice。

"Iwillundertakeyourcase，Mr。Meeks，"saidJolnes，finally。"Thedisappearanceofpeopleinthiscityhasalwaysbeenaninterestingproblemtome。IrememberacasethatIbroughttoasuccessfuloutcomeayearago。AfamilybearingthenameofClarkdisappearedsuddenlyfromasmallflatinwhichtheywereliving。Iwatchedtheflatbuildingfortwomonthsforaclue。Onedayitstruckmethatacertainmilkmanandagrocer’sboyalwayswalkedbackwardwhentheycarriedtheirwaresupstairs。Followingoutbyinductiontheideathatthisobservationgaveme，Iatoncelocatedthemissingfamily。TheyhadmovedintotheflatacrossthehallandchangedtheirnametoKralc。"

ShamrockJolnesandhisclientwenttothetenementhousewhereMarySnyderhadlived，andthedetectivedemandedtobeshowntheroominwhichshehadlived。Ithadbeenoccupiedbynotenantsinceherdisappearance。

Theroomwassmall，dingy，andpoorlyfurnished。Meeksseatedhimselfdejectedlyonabrokenchair，whilethegreatdetectivesearchedthewallsandfloorandthefewsticksofold，ricketyfurnitureforaclue。

AttheendofhalfanhourJolneshadcollectedafewseeminglyunintelligiblearticles——acheapblackhatpin，apiecetornoffatheatreprogramme，andtheendofasmalltorncardonwhichwastheword"left"andthecharacters"C12。"

ShamrockJolnesleanedagainstthemantelfortenminutes，withhisheadrestinguponhishand，andanabsorbedlookuponhisintellectualface。

Attheendofthattimeheexclaimed，withanimation：

"Come，Mr。Meeks；theproblemissolved。Icantakeyoudirectlytothehousewhereyoursisterisliving。Andyoumayhavenofearsconcerningherwelfare，forsheisamplyprovidedwithfunds——forthepresentatleast。"

Meeksfeltjoyandwonderinequalproportions。

"Howdidyoumanageit？"heasked，withadmirationinhistones。

PerhapsJolnes’sonlyweaknesswasaprofessionalprideinhiswonderfulachievementsininduction。Hewaseverreadytoastoundandcharmhislistenersbydescribinghismethods。

"Byelimination，"saidJolnes，spreadinghiscluesuponalittletable，"I

gotridofcertainpartsofthecitytowhichMrs。Snydermighthaveremoved。Youseethishatpin？ThateliminatesBrooklyn。NowomanattemptstoboardacarattheBrooklynBridgewithoutbeingsurethatshecarriesahatpinwithwhichtofightherwayintoaseat。AndnowIwilldemonstratetoyouthatshecouldnothavegonetoHarlem。Behindthisdooraretwohooksinthewall。UpononeoftheseMrs。Snyderhashungherbonnet，andupontheotherhershawl。Youwillobservethatthebottomofthehangingshawlhasgraduallymadeasoiledstreakagainsttheplasteredwall。Themarkisclean-cut，provingthatthereisnofringeontheshawl。Now，wasthereeveracasewhereamiddle-agedwoman，wearingashawl，boardedaHarlemtrainwithouttherebeingafringeontheshawltocatchinthegateanddelaythepassengersbehindher？SoweeliminateHarlem。

"ThereforeIconcludethatMrs。Snyderhasnotmovedveryfaraway。Onthistornpieceofcardyouseetheword"Left，"theletter"C，"andthenumber"12。"Now，IhappentoknowthatNo。12AvenueCisafirst-classboardinghouse，farbeyondyoursister’smeans——aswesuppose。ButthenIfindthispieceofatheatreprogramme，crumpledintoanoddshape。

Whatmeaningdoesitconvey。Nonetoyou，verylikely，Mr。Meeks；butitiseloquenttoonewhosehabitsandtrainingtakecognizanceofthesmallestthings。

"Youhavetoldmethatyoursisterwasascrubwoman。Shescrubbedthefloorsofofficesandhallways。Letusassumethatsheprocuredsuchworktoperforminatheatre。Whereisvaluablejewellerylosttheoftenest，Mr。Meeks？Inthetheatres，ofcourse。Lookatthatpieceofprogramme，Mr。Meeks。Observetheroundimpressioninit。Ithasbeenwrappedaroundaring——perhapsaringofgreatvalue。Mrs。Snyderfoundtheringwhileatworkinthetheatre。Shehastilytoreoffapieceofaprogramme，wrappedtheringcarefully，andthrustitintoherbosom。Thenextdayshedisposedofit，and，withherincreasedmeans，lookedaboutherforamorecomfortableplaceinwhichtolive。WhenIreachthusfarinthechainIseenothingimpossibleaboutNo。12AvenueC。Itistherewewillfindyoursister，Mr。Meeks。"

ShamrockJolnesconcludedhisconvincingspeechwiththesmileofasuccessfulartist。Meeks’sadmirationwastoogreatforwords。TogethertheywenttoNo。12AvenueC。Itwasanold-fashionedbrownstonehouseinaprosperousandrespectableneighbourhood。

Theyrangthebell，andoninquiringweretoldthatnoMrs。Snyderwasknownthere，andthatnotwithinsixmonthshadanewoccupantcometothehouse。

Whentheyreachedthesidewalkagain，Meeksexaminedtheclueswhichhehadbroughtawayfromhissister’soldroom。

"Iamnodetective，"heremarkedtoJolnesasheraisedthepieceoftheatreprogrammetohisnose，"butitseemstomethatinsteadofaringhavingbeenwrappedinthispaperitwasoneofthoseroundpeppermintdrops。Andthispiecewiththeaddressonitlookstomeliketheendofaseatcoupon——No。12，rowC，leftaisle。"

ShamrockJolneshadafar-awaylookinhiseyes。

"IthinkyouwoulddowelltoconsultJuggins，"saidhe。

"WhoisJuggins？"askedMeeks。

"Heistheleader，"saidJolnes，"ofanewmodernschoolofdetectives。

Theirmethodsaredifferentfromours，butitissaidthatJugginshassolvedsomeextremelypuzzlingcases。Iwilltakeyoutohim。"

TheyfoundthegreaterJugginsinhisoffice。Hewasasmallmanwithlighthair，deeplyabsorbedinreadingoneofthebourgeoisworksofNathanielHawthorne。

Thetwogreatdetectivesofdifferentschoolsshookhandswithceremony，andMeekswasintroduced。

"Statethefacts，"saidJuggins，goingonwithhisreading。

WhenMeeksceased，thegreateroneclosedhisbookandsaid：

"DoIunderstandthatyoursisterisfifty-twoyearsofage，withalargemoleonthesideofhernose，andthatsheisaverypoorwidow，makingascantylivingbyscrubbing，andwithaveryhomelyfaceandfigure？"

"Thatdescribesherexactly，"admittedMeeks。Jugginsroseandputonhishat。

"Infifteenminutes，"hesaid，"Iwillreturn，bringingyouherpresentaddress。"

ShamrockJolnesturnedpale，butforcedasmile。

WithinthespecifiedtimeJugginsreturnedandconsultedalittleslipofpaperheldinhishand。

"Yoursister，MarySnyder，"heannouncedcalmly，"willbefoundatNo。

162Chiltonstreet。Sheislivinginthebackhallbedroom，fiveflightsup。Thehouseisonlyfourblocksfromhere，"hecontinued，addressingMeeks。"Supposeyougoandverifythestatementandthenreturnhere。

Mr。Jolneswillawaityou，Idaresay。"

Meekshurriedaway。Intwentyminuteshewasbackagain，withabeamingface。

"Sheisthereandwell！"hecried。"Nameyourfee！"

"Twodollars，"saidJuggins。

WhenMeekshadsettledhisbillanddeparted，ShamrockJolnesstoodwithhishatinhishandbeforeJuggins。

"Ifitwouldnotbeaskingtoomuch，"hestammered——"ifyouwouldfavourmesofar——wouldyouobjectto——"

"Certainlynot，"saidJugginspleasantly。"IwilltellyouhowIdidit。

YourememberthedescriptionofMrs。Snyder？Didyoueverknowawomanlikethatwhowasn’tpayingweeklyinstalmentsonanenlargedcrayonportraitofherself？Thebiggestfactoryofthatkindinthecountryisjustaroundthecorner。Iwentthereandgotheraddressoffthebooks。

That’sall。"

IIIWITCHES’LOAVES

MissMarthaMeachamkeptthelittlebakeryonthecorner（theonewhereyougoupthreesteps，andthebelltinkleswhenyouopenthedoor）。

MissMarthawasforty，herbank-bookshowedacreditoftwothousanddollars，andshepossessedtwofalseteethandasympatheticheart。ManypeoplehavemarriedwhosechancestodosoweremuchinferiortoMissMartha’s。

Twoorthreetimesaweekacustomercameininwhomshebegantotakeaninterest。Hewasamiddle-agedman，wearingspectaclesandabrownbeardtrimmedtoacarefulpoint。

HespokeEnglishwithastrongGermanaccent。Hisclotheswerewornanddarnedinplaces，andwrinkledandbaggyinothers。Buthelookedneat，andhadverygoodmanners。

Healwaysboughttwoloavesofstalebread。Freshbreadwasfivecentsaloaf。Staleonesweretwoforfive。Neverdidhecallforanythingbutstalebread。

OnceMissMarthasawaredandbrownstainonhisfingers。Shewassurethenthathewasanartistandverypoor。Nodoubthelivedinagarret，wherehepaintedpicturesandatestalebreadandthoughtofthegoodthingstoeatinMissMartha’sbakery。

OftenwhenMissMarthasatdowntoherchopsandlightrollsandjamandteashewouldsigh，andwishthatthegentle-manneredartistmightsharehertastymealinsteadofeatinghisdrycrustinthatdraughtyattic。

MissMartha’sheart，asyouhavebeentold，wasasympatheticone。

Inordertotesthertheoryastohisoccupation，shebroughtfromherroomonedayapaintingthatshehadboughtatasale，andsetitagainsttheshelvesbehindthebreadcounter。

ItwasaVenetianscene。Asplendidmarblepalazzio（soitsaidonthepicture）stoodintheforeground——orratherforewater。Fortherestthereweregondolas（withtheladytrailingherhandinthewater），clouds，sky，andchiaro-oscuroinplenty。Noartistcouldfailtonoticeit。

Twodaysafterwardthecustomercamein。

"Twoloafsofstalebread，ifyoublease。

"Youhafhereafinebicture，madame，"hesaidwhileshewaswrappingupthebread。

"Yes？"saysMissMartha，revelinginherowncunning。"Idosoadmireartand"（no，itwouldnotdotosay"artists"thusearly）"andpaintings，"

shesubstituted。"Youthinkitisagoodpicture？"

"Derbalance，"saidthecustomer，isnotingooddrawing。Derbairspectiveofitisnottrue。Gootmorning，madame。"

Hetookhisbread，bowed，andhurriedout。

Yes，hemustbeanartist。MissMarthatookthepicturebacktoherroom。

Howgentleandkindlyhiseyesshonebehindhisspectacles！Whatabroadbrowhehad！Tobeabletojudgeperspectiveataglance——andtoliveonstalebread！Butgeniusoftenhastostrugglebeforeitisrecognized。

Whatathingitwouldbeforartandperspectiveifgeniuswerebackedbytwothousanddollarsinbank，abakery，andasympatheticheartto——Butthesewereday-dreams，MissMartha。

Oftennowwhenhecamehewouldchatforawhileacrosstheshowcase。HeseemedtocraveMissMartha’scheerfulwords。

Hekeptonbuyingstalebread。Neveracake，neverapie，neveroneofherdeliciousSallyLunns。

Shethoughthebegantolookthinneranddiscouraged。Herheartachedtoaddsomethinggoodtoeattohismeagrepurchase，buthercouragefailedattheact。Shedidnotdareaffronthim。Sheknewtheprideofartists。

MissMarthatooktowearingherblue-dottedsilkwaistbehindthecounter。Inthebackroomshecookedamysteriouscompoundofquinceseedsandborax。Eversomanypeopleuseitforthecomplexion。

Onedaythecustomercameinasusual，laidhisnickelontheshowcase，andcalledforhisstaleloaves。WhileMissMarthawasreachingforthemtherewasagreattootingandclanging，andafire-enginecamelumberingpast。

Thecustomerhurriedtothedoortolook，asanyonewill。Suddenlyinspired，MissMarthaseizedtheopportunity。

Onthebottomshelfbehindthecounterwasapoundoffreshbutterthatthedairymanhadlefttenminutesbefore。WithabreadknifeMissMarthamadeadeepslashineachofthestaleloaves，insertedagenerousquantityofbutter，andpressedtheloavestightagain。

Whenthecustomerturnedoncemoreshewastyingthepaperaroundthem。

Whenhehadgone，afteranunusuallypleasantlittlechat，MissMarthasmiledtoherself，butnotwithoutaslightflutteringoftheheart。

Hadshebeentoobold？Wouldhetakeoffense？Butsurelynot。Therewasnolanguageofedibles。Butterwasnoemblemofunmaidenlyforwardness。

Foralongtimethatdayherminddweltonthesubject。Sheimaginedthescenewhenheshoulddiscoverherlittledeception。

Hewouldlaydownhisbrushesandpalette。Therewouldstandhiseaselwiththepicturehewaspaintinginwhichtheperspectivewasbeyondcriticism。

Hewouldprepareforhisluncheonofdrybreadandwater。Hewouldsliceintoaloaf——ah！

MissMarthablushed。Wouldhethinkofthehandthatplaceditthereasheate？Wouldhe——

Thefrontdoorbelljangledviciously。Somebodywascomingin，makingagreatdealofnoise。

MissMarthahurriedtothefront。Twomenwerethere。Onewasayoungmansmokingapipe——amanshehadneverseenbefore。Theotherwasherartist。

Hisfacewasveryred，hishatwasonthebackofhishead，hishairwaswildlyrumpled。HeclinchedhistwofistsandshookthemferociouslyatMissMartha。_AtMissMartha_。

"_Dummkopf_！"heshoutedwithextremeloudness；andthen"_Tausendonfer_！"

orsomethinglikeitinGerman。

Theyoungmantriedtodrawhimaway。

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