Andastherewerealwaysgroundedsnaggsinthechannelwhichitwouldbeimpossibletomakeout，DavidsonveryprudentlyturnedtheSissieround，andwithonlyenoughsteamontheboilerstogiveheratouchaheadifnecessary，letherdriftupsternfirstwiththetide，silentandinvisibleintheimpenetrabledarknessandinthedumbstillness。
\"Itwasalongjob，andwhenattheendoftwohoursDavidsonthoughthemustbeuptotheclearing，thesettlementsleptalready，thewholelandofforestsandriverswasasleep。
\"Davidson，seeingasolitarylightinthemasseddarknessoftheshore，knewthatitwasburninginBamtz\'shouse。Thiswasunexpectedatthistimeofthenight，butconvenientasaguide。
ByaturnofthescrewandatouchofthehelmhesheeredtheSissiealongsideBamtz\'swharf-amiserablestructureofadozenpilesandafewplanks，ofwhichtheex-vagabondwasveryproud。A
coupleofKalashesjumpeddownonit，tookaturnwiththeropesthrowntothemroundtheposts，andtheSissiecametorestwithoutasingleloudwordortheslightestnoise。Andjustintimetoo，forthetideturnedevenbeforeshewasproperlymoored。
\"Davidsonhadsomethingtoeat，andthen，comingondeckforalastlookround，noticedthatthelightwasstillburninginthehouse。
\"Thiswasveryunusual，butsincetheywereawakesolate，Davidsonthoughtthathewouldgouptosaythathewasinahurrytobeoffandtoaskthatwhatrattanstherewereinstoreshouldbesentonboardwiththefirstsignofdawn。
\"Hesteppedcarefullyovertheshakyplanks，notbeinganxioustogetasprainedankle，andpickedhiswayacrossthewastegroundtothefootofthehouseladder。Thehousewasbutaglorifiedhutonpiles，unfencedandlonely。
\"Likemanyastoutman，Davidsonisverylightfooted。Heclimbedthesevenstepsorso，steppedacrossthebambooplatformquietly，butwhathesawthroughthedoorwaystoppedhimshort。
\"Fourmenweresittingbythelightofasolitarycandle。Therewasabottle，ajugandglassesonthetable，buttheywerenotengagedindrinking。Twopacksofcardswerelyingtheretoo，buttheywerenotpreparingtoplay。Theyweretalkingtogetherinwhispers，andremainedquiteunawareofhim。Hehimselfwastooastonishedtomakeasoundforsometime。Theworldwasstill，exceptforthesibilationofthewhisperingheadsbunchedtogetheroverthetable。
\"AndDavidson，asIhavequotedhimtoyoubefore，didn\'tlikeit。
Hedidn\'tlikeitatall。
\"Thesituationendedwithascreamproceedingfromthedark，interiorpartoftheroom。\'ODavy!you\'vegivenmeaturn。\'
\"DavidsonmadeoutbeyondthetableAnne\'sverypaleface。Shelaughedalittlehysterically，outofthedeepshadowsbetweenthegloomymatwalls。\'Ha!ha!ha!\'
\"Thefourheadssprangapartatthefirstsound，andfourpairsofeyesbecamefixedstonilyonDavidson。Thewomancameforward，havinglittlemoreonherthanaloosechintzwrapperandstrawslippersonherbarefeet。HerheadwastiedupMalayfashioninaredhandkerchief，withamassofloosehairhangingunderitbehind。Herprofessional，gay，Europeanfeathershadliterallydroppedoffherinthecourseofthesetwoyears，butalongnecklaceofamberbeadshungroundheruncoveredneck。Itwastheonlyornamentshehadleft；Bamtzhadsoldallherpoor-enoughtrinketsduringtheflightfromSaigon-whentheirassociationbegan。
\"Shecameforward，pastthetable，intothelight，withherusualgropinggestureofextendedarms，asthoughhersoul，poorthing!
hadgoneblindlongago，herwhitecheekshollow，hereyesdarklywild，distracted，asDavidsonthought。Shecameonswiftly，grabbedhimbythearm，draggedhimin。\'It\'sheavenitselfthatsendsyouto-night。MyTony\'ssobad-comeandseehim。Comealong-do!\'
\"Davidsonsubmitted。TheonlyoneofthementomovewasBamtz，whomadeasiftogetupbutdroppedbackinhischairagain。
Davidsoninpassingheardhimmutterconfusedlysomethingthatsoundedlike\'poorlittlebeggar。\'
\"Thechild，lyingveryflushedinamiserablecotknockedupoutofgin-cases，staredatDavidsonwithwide，drowsyeyes。Itwasabadboutoffeverclearly。ButwhileDavidsonwaspromisingtogoonboardandfetchsomemedicines，andgenerallytryingtosayreassuringthings，hecouldnothelpbeingstruckbytheextraordinarymannerofthewomanstandingbyhisside。Gazingwithdespairingexpressiondownatthecot，shewouldsuddenlythrowaquick，startledglanceatDavidsonandthentowardstheotherroom。
\"\'Yes，mypoorgirl，\'hewhispered，interpretingherdistractioninhisownway，thoughhehadnothingpreciseinhismind。\'I\'mafraidthisbodesnogoodtoyou。Howisittheyarehere？\'
\"Sheseizedhisforearmandbreathedoutforcibly:\'Nogoodtome!
Oh，no!Butwhataboutyou!Theyareafterthedollarsyouhaveonboard。\'
\"Davidsonletoutanastonished\'Howdotheyknowthereareanydollars？\'
\"Sheclappedherhandslightly，indistress。\'Soit\'strue!Youhavethemonboard？Thenlookoutforyourself。\'
\"Theystoodgazingdownattheboyinthecot，awarethattheymightbeobservedfromtheotherroom。
\"\'Wemustgethimtoperspireassoonaspossible，\'saidDavidsoninhisordinaryvoice。\'You\'llhavetogivehimhotdrinkofsomekind。Iwillgoonboardandbringyouaspirit-kettleamongstotherthings。\'Andheaddedunderhisbreath:\'Dotheyactuallymeanmurder？\'
\"Shemadenosign，shehadreturnedtoherdesolatecontemplationoftheboy。Davidsonthoughtshehadnotheardhimeven，whenwithanunchangedexpressionshespokeunderherbreath。
\"\'TheFrenchmanwould，inaminute。Theothersshirkit-unlessyouresist。He\'sadevil。Hekeepsthemgoing。Withouthimtheywouldhavedonenothingbuttalk。I\'vegotchummywithhim。WhatcanyoudowhenyouarewithamanlikethefellowIamwithnow。
Bamtzisterrifiedofthem，andtheyknowit。He\'sinitfromfunk。Oh，Davy!takeyourshipaway-quick!\'
\"\'Toolate，\'saidDavidson。\'She\'sonthemudalready。\'
\"Ifthekidhadn\'tbeeninthisstateIwouldhaverunoffwithhim-toyou-intothewoods-anywhere。Oh，Davy!willhedie？\'shecriedaloudsuddenly。
\"Davidsonmetthreemeninthedoorway。Theymadewayforhimwithoutactuallydaringtofacehisglance。ButBamtzwastheonlyonewholookeddownwithanairofguilt。ThebigFrenchmanhadremainedlollinginhischair；hekepthisstumpsinhispocketsandaddressedDavidson。
\"\'Isn\'titunfortunateaboutthatchild!Thedistressofthatwomanthereupsetsme，butIamofnouseintheworld。Icouldn\'tsmooththesickpillowofmydearestfriend。Ihavenohands。
Wouldyoumindstickingoneofthosecigarettesthereintothemouthofapoor，harmlesscripple？Mynerveswantsoothing-uponmyhonour，theydo。\'
\"Davidsoncompliedwithhisnaturallykindsmile。Ashisoutwardplaciditybecomesonlymorepronounced，ifpossible，themorereasonthereisforexcitement；andasDavidson\'seyes，whenhiswitsarehardatwork，getverystillandasifsleepy，thehugeFrenchmanmighthavebeenjustifiedinconcludingthatthemantherewasameresheep-asheepreadyforslaughter。Witha\'MERCIBIEN\'heupliftedhishugecarcasetoreachthelightofthecandlewithhiscigarette，andDavidsonleftthehouse。
\"Goingdowntotheshipandreturning，hehadtimetoconsiderhisposition。AtfirsthewasinclinedtobelievethatthesemenNiclaus-thewhiteNakhoda-wastheonlyoneheknewbysightbefore，besidesBamtzwerenotofthestamptoproceedtoextremities。Thiswaspartlythereasonwhyheneverattemptedtotakeanymeasuresonboard。HispacificKalasheswerenottobethoughtofasagainstwhitemen。Hiswretchedengineerwouldhavehadafitfromfrightatthemereideaofanysortofcombat。
Davidsonknewthathewouldhavetodependonhimselfinthisaffairifitevercameoff。
\"DavidsonunderestimatednaturallythedrivingpoweroftheFrenchman\'scharacterandtheforceoftheactuatingmotive。Tothatmansohopelesslycrippledthesedollarswereanenormousopportunity。WithhisshareoftherobberyhewouldopenanothershopinVladivostok，Haiphong，Manila-somewherefaraway。
\"NeitherdiditoccurtoDavidson，whoisamanofcourage，ifevertherewasone，thathispsychologywasnotknowntotheworldatlarge，andthattothisparticularlotofruffians，whojudgedhimbyhisappearance，heappearedanunsuspicious，inoffensive，softcreature，ashepassedagainthroughtheroom，hishandsfullofvariousobjectsandparcelsdestinedforthesickboy。
\"Allthefourweresittingagainroundthetable。Bamtznothavingtheplucktoopenhismouth，itwasNiclauswho，asacollectivevoice，calledouttohimthicklytocomeoutsoonandjoininadrink。
\"\'IthinkI\'llhavetostaysomelittletimeinthere，tohelpherlookaftertheboy，\'Davidsonansweredwithoutstopping。
\"Thiswasagoodthingtosaytoallayapossiblesuspicion。And，asitwas，Davidsonfelthemustnotstayverylong。
\"Hesatdownonanoldemptynail-kegneartheimprovisedcotandlookedatthechild；whileLaughingAnne，movingtoandfro，preparingthehotdrink，givingittotheboyinspoonfuls，orstoppingtogazemotionlessattheflushedface，whispereddisjointedbitsofinformation。ShehadsucceededinmakingfriendswiththatFrenchdevil。Davywouldunderstandthatsheknewhowtomakeherselfpleasanttoaman。
\"AndDavidsonnoddedwithoutlookingather。
\"Thebigbeasthadgottobequiteconfidentialwithher。Sheheldhiscardsforhimwhentheywerehavingagame。Bamtz!Oh!BamtzinhisfunkwasonlytoogladtoseetheFrenchmanhumoured。AndtheFrenchmanhadcometobelievethatshewasawomanwhodidn\'tcarewhatshedid。That\'showitcameabouttheygottotalkbeforeheropenly。Foralongtimeshecouldnotmakeoutwhatgametheywereupto。Thenewarrivals，notexpectingtofindawomanwithBamtz，hadbeenverystartledandannoyedatfirst，sheexplained。
\"Shebusiedherselfinattendingtotheboy；andnobodylookingintothatroomwouldhaveseenanythingsuspiciousinthosetwopeopleexchangingmurmursbythesick-bedside。
\"\'ButnowtheythinkIamabettermanthanBamtzeverwas，\'shesaidwithafaintlaugh。
\"Thechildmoaned。Shewentdownonherknees，and，bendinglow，contemplatedhimmournfully。Thenraisingherhead，sheaskedDavidsonwhetherhethoughtthechildwouldgetbetter。Davidsonwassureofit。Shemurmuredsadly:\'Poorkid。There\'snothinginlifeforsuchashe。Notadog\'schance。ButIcouldn\'tlethimgo，Davy!Icouldn\'t。\'
\"Davidsonfeltaprofoundpityforthechild。ShelaidherhandonhiskneeandwhisperedanearnestwarningagainsttheFrenchman。
Davymustneverlethimcometoclosequarters。NaturallyDavidsonwantedtoknowthereason，foramanwithouthandsdidnotstrikehimasveryformidableunderanycircumstances。
\"\'Mindyoudon\'tlethim-that\'sall，\'sheinsistedanxiously，hesitated，andthenconfessedthattheFrenchmanhadgotherawayfromtheothersthatafternoonandhadorderedhertotieaseven-
poundironweightoutofthesetofweightsBamtzusedinbusinesstohisrightstump。Shehadtodoitforhim。Shehadbeenafraidofhissavagetemper。Bamtzwassuchacraven，andneitheroftheothermenwouldhavecaredwhathappenedtoher。
TheFrenchman，however，withmanyawfulthreatshadwarnedhernottolettheothersknowwhatshehaddoneforhim。Afterwardshehadbeentryingtocajoleher。HehadpromisedherthatifshestoodbyhimfaithfullyinthisbusinesshewouldtakeherwithhimtoHaiphongorsomeotherplace。Apoorcrippleneededsomebodytotakecareofhim-always。
\"Davidsonaskedheragainiftheyreallymeantmischief。Itwas，hetoldme，thehardestthingtobelievehehadrunupagainst，asyet，inhislife。Annenodded。TheFrenchman\'sheartwassetonthisrobbery。Davymightexpectthem，aboutmidnight，creepingonboardhisship，tostealanyhow-tomurder，perhaps。Hervoicesoundedweary，andhereyesremainedfastenedonherchild。
\"AndstillDavidsoncouldnotacceptitsomehow；hiscontemptforthesemenwastoogreat。
\"\'Lookhere，Davy，\'shesaid。\'I\'llgooutsidewiththemwhentheystart，anditwillbehardluckifIdon\'tfindsomethingtolaughat。Theyareusedtothatfromme。Laughorcry-what\'stheodds。Youwillbeabletohearmeonboardonthisquietnight。
Darkitistoo。Oh!it\'sdark，Davy!-it\'sdark!\'
\"\'Don\'tyourunanyrisks，\'saidDavidson。Presentlyhecalledherattentiontotheboy，who，lessflushednow，haddroppedintoasoundsleep。\'Look。He\'llbeallright。\'
\"Shemadeasiftosnatchthechilduptoherbreast，butrestrainedherself。Davidsonpreparedtogo。Shewhisperedhurriedly:
\"\'Mind，Davy!I\'vetoldthemthatyougenerallysleepaftinthehammockundertheawningoverthecabin。Theyhavebeenaskingmeaboutyourwaysandaboutyourship，too。ItoldthemallIknew。
Ihadtokeepinwiththem。AndBamtzwouldhavetoldthemifI
hadn\'t-youunderstand？\'
\"Hemadeafriendlysignandwentout。ThemenaboutthetableexceptBamtzlookedathim。ThistimeitwasFectorwhospoke。
\'Won\'tyoujoinusinaquietgame，Captain？\'
\"Davidsonsaidthatnowthechildwasbetterhethoughthewouldgoonboardandturnin。Fectorwastheonlyoneofthefourwhomhehad，sotospeak，neverseen，forhehadhadagoodlookattheFrenchmanalready。HeobservedFector\'smuddyeyes，hismean，bittermouth。Davidson\'scontemptforthosemenroseinhisgorge，whilehisplacidsmile，hisgentletonesandgeneralairofinnocenceputheartintothem。Theyexchangedmeaningglances。
\"\'Weshallbesittinglateoverthecards，\'Fectorsaidinhisharsh，lowvoice。
\"\'Don\'tmakemorenoisethanyoucanhelp。\'
\"\'Oh!weareaquietlot。Andiftheinvalidshouldn\'tbesowell，shewillbesuretosendoneofusdowntocallyou，sothatyoumayplaythedoctoragain。Sodon\'tshootatsight。\'
\"\'Heisn\'tashootingman，\'struckinNiclaus。
\"\'Inevershootbeforemakingsurethere\'sareasonforit-atanyrate，\'saidDavidson。
\"Bamtzletoutasicklysnigger。TheFrenchmanalonegotuptomakeabowtoDavidson\'scarelessnod。Hisstumpswerestuckimmovablyinhispockets。Davidsonunderstoodnowthereason。
\"Hewentdowntotheship。Hiswitswereworkingactively，andhewasthoroughlyangry。Hesmiled，hesaysitmusthavebeenthefirstgrimsmileofhislife，atthethoughtoftheseven-poundweightlashedtotheendoftheFrenchman\'sstump。Theruffianhadtakenthatprecautionincaseofaquarrelthatmightariseoverthedivisionofthespoil。Amanwithanunsuspectedpowertodealkillingblowscouldtakehisownpartinasuddenscrimmageroundaheapofmoney，evenagainstadversariesarmedwithrevolvers，especiallyifhehimselfstartedtherow。
\"\'He\'sreadytofaceanyofhisfriendswiththatthing。Buthewillhavenouseforit。Therewillbenooccasiontoquarrelaboutthesedollarshere，\'thoughtDavidson，gettingonboardquietly。Heneverpausedtolookiftherewasanybodyaboutthedecks。Asamatteroffact，mostofhiscrewwereonshore，andtherestslept，stowedawayindarkcorners。
\"Hehadhisplan，andhewenttoworkmethodically。
\"Hefetchedalotofclothingfrombelowanddisposeditinhishammockinsuchawayastodistendittotheshapeofahumanbody；thenhethrewoverallthelightcottonsheetheusedtodrawoverhimselfwhensleepingondeck。Havingdonethis，heloadedhistworevolversandclamberedintooneoftheboatstheSissiecarriedrightaft，swungoutontheirdavits。Thenhewaited。
\"Andagainthedoubtofsuchathinghappeningtohimcreptintohismind。Hewasalmostashamedofthisridiculousvigilinaboat。Hebecamebored。Andthenhebecamedrowsy。Thestillnessoftheblackuniverseweariedhim。Therewasnoteventhelappingofthewatertokeephimcompany，forthetidewasoutandtheSissiewaslyingonsoftmud。Suddenlyinthebreathless，soundless，hotnightanarguspheasantscreamedinthewoodsacrossthestream。Davidsonstartedviolently，allhissensesonthealertatonce。
\"Thecandlewasstillburninginthehouse。Everythingwasquietagain，butDavidsonfeltdrowsynolonger。Anuneasypremonitionofeviloppressedhim。
\"\'SurelyIamnotafraid，\'hearguedwithhimself。
\"Thesilencewaslikeasealonhisears，andhisnervousinwardimpatiencegrewintolerable。Hecommandedhimselftokeepstill。
Butallthesamehewasjustgoingtojumpoutoftheboatwhenafaintrippleontheimmensityofsilence，ameretremorintheair，theghostofasilverylaugh，reachedhisears。
\"Illusion!
\"Hekeptverystill。Hehadnodifficultynowinemulatingthestillnessofthemouse-agrimlydeterminedmouse。Buthecouldnotshakeoffthatpremonitionofevilunrelatedtothemeredangerofthesituation。Nothinghappened。Ithadbeenanillusion!
\"Acuriositycametohimtolearnhowtheywouldgotowork。Hewonderedandwondered，tillthewholethingseemedmoreabsurdthanever。
\"Hehadleftthehanginglampinthecabinburningasusual。Itwaspartofhisplanthateverythingshouldbeasusual。Suddenlyinthedimglowoftheskylightpanesabulkyshadowcameuptheladderwithoutasound，madetwostepstowardsthehammockithungrightovertheskylight，andstoodmotionless。TheFrenchman!
\"Theminutesbegantoslipaway。DavidsonguessedthattheFrenchman\'spartthepoorcripplewastowatchhisDavidson\'s
slumberswhiletheotherswerenodoubtinthecabinbusyforcingoffthelazarettehatch。
\"Whatwasthecoursetheymeanttopursueoncetheygotholdofthesilverthereweretencases，andeachcouldbecarriedeasilybytwomennobodycantellnow。Butsofar，Davidsonwasright。
Theywereinthecabin。Heexpectedtohearthesoundsofbreaking-ineverymoment。ButthefactwasthatoneofthemperhapsFector，whohadstolenpapersoutofdesksinhistime
knewhowtopickalock，andapparentlywasprovidedwiththetools。ThuswhileDavidsonexpectedeverymomenttohearthembegindownthere，theyhadthebaroffalreadyandtwocasesactuallyupinthecabinoutofthelazarette。
\"InthediffusedfaintglowoftheskylighttheFrenchmanmovednomorethanastatue。Davidsoncouldhaveshothimwiththegreatestease-buthewasnothomicidallyinclined。Moreover，hewantedtomakesurebeforeopeningfirethattheothershadgonetowork。
Nothearingthesoundsheexpectedtohear，hefeltuncertainwhethertheyallwereonboardyet。
\"Whilehelistened，theFrenchman，whoseimmobilitymighthavebutcloakedaninternalstruggle；movedforwardapace，thenanother。
Davidson，entranced，watchedhimadvanceoneleg，withdrawhisrightstump，thearmedone，outofhispocket，andswinginghisbodytoputgreaterforceintotheblow，bringtheseven-poundweightdownonthehammockwheretheheadofthesleeperoughttohavebeen。
\"Davidsonadmittedtomethathishairstirredattherootsthen。
ButforAnne，hisunsuspectingheadwouldhavebeenthere。TheFrenchman\'ssurprisemusthavebeensimplyoverwhelming。Hestaggeredawayfromthelightlyswinginghammock，andbeforeDavidsoncouldmakeamovementhehadvanished，boundingdowntheladdertowarnandalarmtheotherfellows。
\"Davidsonspranginstantlyoutoftheboat，threwuptheskylightflap，andhadaglimpseofthemendowntherecrouchingroundthehatch。Theylookedupscared，andatthatmomenttheFrenchmanoutsidethedoorbellowedout\'TRAHISON-TRAHISON!\'Theyboltedoutofthecabin，fallingovereachotherandswearingawfully。
TheshotDavidsonletoffdowntheskylighthadhitnoone；butherantotheedgeofthecabin-topandatonceopenedfireatthedarkshapesrushingaboutthedeck。Theseshotswerereturned，andarapidfusilladeburstout，reportsandflashes，Davidsondodgingbehindaventilatorandpullingthetriggertillhisrevolverclicked，andthenthrowingitdowntotaketheotherinhisrighthand。
\"HehadbeenhearinginthedintheFrenchman\'sinfuriatedyells\'TUEZ-LE!TUEZ-LE!\'abovethefiercecursingoftheothers。Butthoughtheyfiredathimtheywereonlythinkingofclearingout。
IntheflashesofthelastshotsDavidsonsawthemscramblingovertherail。Thathehadhitmorethanonehewascertain。Twodifferentvoiceshadcriedoutinpain。Butapparentlynoneofthemweredisabled。
\"Davidsonleanedagainstthebulwarkreloadinghisrevolverwithouthaste。Hehadnottheslightestapprehensionoftheircomingback。
Ontheotherhand，hehadnointentionofpursuingthemonshoreinthedark。Whattheyweredoinghehadnoidea。Lookingtotheirhurtsprobably。NotveryfarfromthebanktheinvisibleFrenchmanwasblasphemingandcursinghisassociates，hisluck，andalltheworld。Heceased；thenwithasudden，vengefulyell，\'It\'sthatwoman!-it\'sthatwomanthathassoldus，\'washeardrunningoffinthenight。
\"Davidsoncaughthisbreathinasuddenpangofremorse。HeperceivedwithdismaythatthestratagemofhisdefencehadgivenAnneaway。Hedidnothesitateamoment。Itwasforhimtosavehernow。Heleapedashore。Butevenashelandedonthewharfheheardashrillshriekwhichpiercedhisverysoul。
\"Thelightwasstillburninginthehouse。Davidson，revolverinhand，wasmakingforitwhenanothershriek，awaytohisleft，madehimchangehisdirection。
\"Hechangedhisdirection-butverysoonhestopped。Itwasthenthathehesitatedincruelperplexity。Heguessedwhathadhappened。Thewomanhadmanagedtoescapefromthehouseinsomeway，andnowwasbeingchasedintheopenbytheinfuriatedFrenchman。Hetrustedshewouldtrytorunonboardforprotection。
\"AllwasstillaroundDavidson。Whethershehadrunonboardornot，thissilencemeantthattheFrenchmanhadlostherinthedark。
\"Davidson，relieved，butstillveryanxious，turnedtowardstheriver-side。Hehadnotmadetwostepsinthatdirectionwhenanothershriekburstoutbehindhim，againclosetothehouse。
\"HethinksthattheFrenchmanhadlostsightofthepoorwomanrightenough。Thencamethatperiodofsilence。Butthehorribleruffianhadnotgivenuphismurderouspurpose。Hereasonedthatshewouldtrytostealbacktoherchild，andwenttolieinwaitforhernearthehouse。
\"Itmusthavebeensomethinglikethat。Assheenteredthelightfallingaboutthehouse-ladder，hehadrushedathertoosoon，impatientforvengeance。Shehadletoutthatsecondscreamofmortalfearwhenshecaughtsightofhim，andturnedtorunforlifeagain。
\"Thistimeshewasmakingfortheriver，butnotinastraightline。HershriekscircledaboutDavidson。Heturnedonhisheels，followingthehorribletrailofsoundinthedarkness。Hewantedtoshout\'Thisway，Anne!Iamhere!\'buthecouldn\'t。Atthehorrorofthischase，moreghastlyinhisimaginationthanifhecouldhaveseenit，theperspirationbrokeoutonhisforehead，whilehisthroatwasasdryastinder。Alastsupremescreamwascutshortsuddenly。
\"Thesilencewhichensuedwasevenmoredreadful。Davidsonfeltsick。Hetorehisfeetfromthespotandwalkedstraightbeforehim，grippingtherevolverandpeeringintotheobscurityfearfully。Suddenlyabulkyshapesprangfromthegroundwithinafewyardsofhimandboundedaway。Instinctivelyhefiredatit，startedtoruninpursuit，andstumbledagainstsomethingsoftwhichthrewhimdownheadlong。
\"EvenashepitchedforwardonhisheadheknewitcouldbenothingelsebutLaughingAnne\'sbody。Hepickedhimselfupand，remainingonhisknees，triedtoliftherinhisarms。Hefelthersolimpthathegaveitup。Shewaslyingonherface，herlonghairscatteredontheground。Someofitwaswet。Davidson，feelingaboutherhead，cametoaplacewherethecrushedbonegavewayunderhisfingers。Butevenbeforethatdiscoveryheknewthatshewasdead。ThepursuingFrenchmanhadflungherdownwithakickfrombehind，and，squattingonherback，wasbatteringinherskullwiththeweightsheherselfhadfastenedtohisstump，whenthetotallyunexpectedDavidsonloomedupinthenightandscaredhimaway。
\"Davidson，kneelingbythesideofthatwomandonesomiserablytodeath，wasovercomebyremorse。Shehaddiedforhim。Hismanhoodwasasifstunned。Forthefirsttimehefeltafraid。HemighthavebeenpounceduponinthedarkatanymomentbythemurdererofLaughingAnne。Heconfessestotheimpulseofcreepingawayfromthatpitifulcorpseonhishandsandkneestotherefugeoftheship。Heevensaysthatheactuallybegantodoso……
\"OnecanhardlypicturetooneselfDavidsoncrawlingawayonallfoursfromthemurderedwoman-Davidsonunmannedandcrushedbytheideathatshehaddiedforhiminasense。Buthecouldnothavegoneveryfar。Whatstoppedhimwasthethoughtoftheboy，LaughingAnne\'schild，thatDavidsonrememberedherverywords
wouldnothaveadog\'schance。
\"ThislifethewomanhadleftbehindherappearedtoDavidson\'sconscienceinthelightofasacredtrust。Heassumedanerectattitudeand，quakinginwardlystill，turnedaboutandwalkedtowardsthehouse。
\"Forallhistremorshewasverydetermined；butthatsmashedskullhadaffectedhisimagination，andhefeltverydefencelessinthedarkness，inwhichheseemedtohearfaintlynowhere，nowthere，theprowlingfootstepsofthemurdererwithouthands。Butheneverfalteredinhispurpose。Hegotawaywiththeboysafelyafterall。Thehousehefoundempty。Aprofoundsilenceencompassedhimallthetime，exceptonce，justashegotdowntheladderwithTonyinhisarms，whenafaintgroanreachedhisears。Itseemedtocomefromthepitch-blackspacebetweenthepostsonwhichthehousewasbuilt，buthedidnotstoptoinvestigate。
\"It\'snousetellingyouindetailhowDavidsongotonboardwiththeburdenAnne\'smiserablycruelfatehadthrustintohisarms；
hownextmorninghisscaredcrew，afterobservingfromadistancethestateofaffairsonboard，rejoinedwithalacrity；howDavidsonwentashoreand，aidedbyhisengineerstillhalfdeadwithfright，rolledupLaughingAnne\'sbodyinacottonsheetandbroughtitonboardforburialatsealater。Whilebusywiththispioustask，Davidson，glancingabout，perceivedahugeheapofwhiteclotheshuddledupagainstthecorner-postofthehouse。
ThatitwastheFrenchmanlyingtherehecouldnotdoubt。Takingitinconnectionwiththedismalgroanhehadheardinthenight，DavidsonisprettysurethathisrandomshotgaveamortalhurttothemurdererofpoorAnne。
\"Astotheothers，Davidsonneverseteyesonasingleoneofthem。
Whethertheyhadconcealedthemselvesinthescaredsettlement，orboltedintotheforest，orwerehidingonboardNiclaus\'sprau，whichcouldbeseenlyingonthemudahundredyardsorsohigherupthecreek，thefactisthattheyvanished；andDavidsondidnottroublehisheadaboutthem。HelostnotimeingettingoutofthecreekdirectlytheSissiefloated。Aftersteamingsometwentymilesclearofthecoast，heinhisownwords\'committedthebodytothedeep。\'Hedideverythinghimself。Heweightedherdownwithafewfire-bars，hereadtheservice，heliftedtheplank，hewastheonlymourner。Andwhilehewasrenderingtheselastservicestothedead，thedesolationofthatlifeandtheatrociouswretchednessofitsendcriedaloudtohiscompassion，whisperedtohimintonesofself-reproach。
\"Heoughttohavehandledthewarningshehadgivenhiminanotherway。Hewasconvincednowthatasimpledisplayofwatchfulnesswouldhavebeenenoughtorestrainthatvileandcowardlycrew。
Butthefactwasthathehadnotquitebelievedthatanythingwouldbeattempted。
\"ThebodyofLaughingAnnehavingbeen\'committedtothedeep\'sometwentymilesS。S。W。fromCapeSelatan，thetaskbeforeDavidsonwastocommitLaughingAnne\'schildtothecareofhiswife。Andtherepoor，goodDavidsonmadeafatalmove。Hedidn\'twanttotellherthewholeawfulstory，sinceitinvolvedtheknowledgeofthedangerfromwhichhe，Davidson，hadescaped。Andthis，too，afterhehadbeenlaughingatherunreasonablefearsonlyashorttimebefore。
\"\'IthoughtthatifItoldhereverything，\'Davidsonexplainedtome，\'shewouldneverhaveamoment\'speacewhileIwasawayonmytrips。\'
\"Hesimplystatedthattheboywasanorphan，thechildofsomepeopletowhomhe，Davidson，wasunderthegreatestobligation，andthathefeltmorallyboundtolookafterhim。Somedayhewouldtellhermore，hesaid，andmeantimehetrustedinthegoodnessandwarmthofherheart，inherwoman\'snaturalcompassion。
\"Hedidnotknowthatherheartwasaboutthesizeofaparchedpea，andhadtheproportionalamountofwarmth；andthatherfacultyofcompassionwasmainlydirectedtoherself。Hewasonlystartledanddisappointedattheairofcoldsurpriseandthesuspiciouslookwithwhichshereceivedhisimperfecttale。Butshedidnotsaymuch。Sheneverhadmuchtosay。Shewasafoolofthesilent，hopelesskind。
\"WhatstoryDavidson\'screwthoughtfittosetafloatinMalaytownisneitherherenorthere。Davidsonhimselftooksomeofhisfriendsintohisconfidence，besidesgivingthefullstoryofficiallytotheHarbourMaster。
\"TheHarbourMasterwasconsiderablyastonished。Hedidn\'tthink，however，thataformalcomplaintshouldbemadetotheDutchGovernment。Theywouldprobablydonothingintheend，afteralotoftroubleandcorrespondence。Therobberyhadnotcomeoff，afterall。Thosevagabondscouldbetrustedtogotothedevilintheirownway。Noamountoffusswouldbringthepoorwomantolifeagain，andtheactualmurdererhadbeendonejusticetobyachanceshotfromDavidson。Betterletthematterdrop。
\"Thiswasgoodcommonsense。Buthewasimpressed。
\"\'Soundsaterribleaffair，CaptainDavidson。\'
\"\'Aye，terribleenough，\'agreedtheremorsefulDavidson。Butthemostterriblethingforhim，thoughhedidn\'tknowityetthen，wasthathiswife\'ssillybrainwasslowlycomingtotheconclusionthatTonywasDavidson\'schild，andthathehadinventedthatlamestorytointroducehimintoherpurehomeindefianceofdecency，ofvirtue-ofhermostsacredfeelings。
\"Davidsonwasawareofsomeconstraintinhisdomesticrelations。
Butatthebestoftimesshewasnotdemonstrative；andperhapsthatverycoldnesswaspartofhercharmintheplacidDavidson\'seyes。Womenarelovedforallsortsofreasonsandevenforcharacteristicswhichonewouldthinkrepellent。Shewaswatchinghimandnursinghersuspicions。
\"Then，oneday，Monkey-facedRitchiecalledonthatsweet，shyMrs。
Davidson。Shehadcomeoutunderhiscare，andheconsideredhimselfaprivilegedperson-heroldestfriendinthetropics。Heposedforagreatadmirerofhers。Hewasalwaysagreatchatterer。Hehadgotholdofthestoryrathervaguely，andhestartedchatteringonthatsubject，thinkingsheknewallaboutit。
AndinduecourseheletoutsomethingaboutLaughingAnne。
\"\'LaughingAnne，\'saysMrs。Davidsonwithastart。\'What\'sthat？\'
Ritchieplungedintocircumlocutionatonce，butsheverysoonstoppedhim。\'Isthatcreaturedead？\'sheasks。
\"\'Ibelieveso，\'stammeredRitchie。\'Yourhusbandsaysso。\'
\"\'Butyoudon\'tknowforcertain？\'
\"\'No!HowcouldI，Mrs。Davidson!\'
\"\'That\'sallwantedtoknow，\'saysshe，andgoesoutoftheroom。
\"WhenDavidsoncamehomeshewasreadytogoforhim，notwithcommonvolubleindignation，butasiftricklingastreamofcoldclearwaterdownhisback。Shetalkedofhisbaseintriguewithavilewoman，ofbeingmadeafoolof，oftheinsulttoherdignity。
\"Davidsonbeggedhertolistentohimandtoldherallthestory，thinkingthatitwouldmoveaheartofstone。Hetriedtomakeherunderstandhisremorse。Sheheardhimtotheend，said\'Indeed!\'
andturnedherbackonhim。
\"\'Don\'tyoubelieveme？\'heasked，appalled。
\"Shedidn\'tsayyesorno。Allshesaidwas，\'Sendthatbratawayatonce。\'
\"\'Ican\'tthrowhimoutintothestreet，\'criedDavidson。\'Youdon\'tmeanit。\'
\"\'Idon\'tcare。Therearecharitableinstitutionsforsuchchildren，Isuppose。\'
\"\'ThatIwillneverdo，\'saidDavidson。
\"\'Verywell。That\'senoughforme。\'
\"Davidson\'shomeafterthiswaslikeasilent，frozenhellforhim。
Astupidwomanwithasenseofgrievanceisworsethananunchaineddevil。HesenttheboytotheWhiteFathersinMalacca。Thiswasnotaveryexpensivesortofeducation，butshecouldnotforgivehimfornotcastingtheoffensivechildawayutterly。Sheworkeduphersenseofherwifelywrongsandofherinjuredpuritytosuchapitchthatoneday，whenpoorDavidsonwaspleadingwithhertobereasonableandnottomakeanimpossibleexistenceforthemboth，sheturnedonhiminachillpassionandtoldhimthathisverysightwasodioustoher。
\"Davidson，withhisscrupulousdelicacyoffeeling，wasnotthemantoasserthisrightsoverawomanwhocouldnotbearthesightofhim。Hebowedhishead；andshortlyafterwardsarrangedforhertogobacktoherparents。Thatwasexactlywhatshewantedinheroutrageddignity。AndthenshehadalwaysdislikedthetropicsandhaddetestedsecretlythepeopleshehadtoliveamongstasDavidson\'swife。Shetookherpure，sensitive，meanlittlesoulawaytoFremantleorsomewhereinthatdirection。Andofcoursethelittlegirlwentawaywithhertoo。WhatcouldpoorDavidsonhavedonewithalittlegirlonhishands，evenifshehadconsentedtoleaveherwithhim-whichisunthinkable。
\"ThisisthestorythathasspoiledDavidson\'ssmileforhim-
whichperhapsitwouldn\'thavedonesothoroughlyhadhebeenlessofagoodfellow。\"
Hollisceased。ButbeforewerosefromthetableIaskedhimifheknewwhathadbecomeofLaughingAnne\'sboy。
HecountedcarefullythechangehandedhimbytheChinamanwaiter，andraisedhishead。
\"Oh!that\'sthefinishingtouch。Hewasabright，takinglittlechap，asyouknow，andtheFatherstookveryspecialpainsinhisbringingup。Davidsonexpectedinhishearttohavesomecomfortoutofhim。Inhisplacidwayhe\'samanwhoneedsaffection。
Well，Tonyhasgrownintoafineyouth-butthereyouare!Hewantstobeapriest；hisonedreamistobeamissionary。TheFathersassureDavidsonthatitisaseriousvocation。Theytellhimhehasaspecialdispositionformissionwork，too。SoLaughingAnne\'sboywillleadasaintlylifeinChinasomewhere；hemayevenbecomeamartyr；butpoorDavidsonisleftoutinthecold。Hewillhavetogodownhillwithoutasinglehumanaffectionnearhimbecauseoftheseolddollars。\"
Jan。1914
Footnotes:
1Thegallows，supposedtobewidowedofthelastexecutedcriminalandwaitingforanother。