Inimmediateechothecryarose，\"They’reoff！They’reoff！\"andneckswerestrainedtocatchaglimpseofthefirstthatshouldappearwherethecoursetookaslightturn。
Inafewsecondsthetwoleadinghorsesareseen，theriderslowovertheirnecks，andbehindthem，almosthiddenbythedust，thecrowdofyelling，waving，shootinghorsemen。
TheDemonisleading，theSwallowcloseonhisflank。AstheycomewithinclearviewtheexperiencedeyesofthecrowdseethatwhiletheDemon，thoughasyetuntouchedbywhiporspur，isdoingallthatisinhim，theSwallowisholdinghimeasily。Onallsidesthemenofthewestraiseapaeanofvictory，\"TheSwallow！TheSwallow！
Goodboy，Kiddie！Lethergo！Lethergo！\"\"You’vegothimstanding！\"\"Bullyboy！\"
FiftyyardsfromthewinningpostTheKidleansoverhismare’sneckandshakesouthisflutteringreins。LikethebirdwhosenameshebearstheSwallowdartstothefront，alengthahead。InvaintheCaptaincallstotheDemon，plyingfiercelywhipandspur。Withnostrilsdistendedandblood—red，witheyesstartingfromtheirsockets，andmouthfoamingbloodyfroth，thenobleanimalrespondsandessayshisfinalattempt。
Itisamagnificenteffort。SlowlyhecreepsuptotheSwallow’sflank，butbeyondthathecannotmakeaninch，andsotheyremaintothewinningpost。
Downthestreetbehindtheleaders，yellingwildoaths，shootingofftheirguns，flinginghatsintheair，andallenvelopedinacloudofdust，thundersthepursuingcavalcade。
JustastheSwallowshootstothefront，outfromthecloudofdustbehind，withhiscowboyhathighinonehandandhisreinsflutteringlooselyintheother，IkeemergesonhisbelovedSlipper。
Ateveryboundthebuckskingainsupontherunnersinfront，butwhenlevelwiththeDemon，Ikesteadieshimdown，forhewouldnotbeguiltyofthebadtasteof\"shovinghisnoseintoanotherman’sfight，\"norwouldhedeprivethelittlemare，whocarriedthefortunesofthemenofthewest，ofthegloryofhervictory。
Theriotthatfollowstheracepassesdescription。Themenfromthewestgomad。AboutTheKidandhislittlemaretheysurgeinawaveoffranticenthusiasm。IntotheRanchers’Roosttheycarrytheridertowashdownthedust，whileasmanyascanfindroomforahandgetvigorouslytoworkupontheSwallow。
Aftertheriothadsomewhatsubsidedandthestreethadbecomepartiallyclear，sidebyside，threadingtheirwaythroughthecrowd，appearedthetwocompetitorsfortheCup。Onallsidestheyweregreetedwithrenewedcheers，andundertheexcitementofthehourtheyabandonedthecustomaryreserveofthecowboy，andbeganperformingwhatseemedtoShockimpossiblefeatsofhorsemanship。
\"IbetyouI’llrideherintotheRoost，Captain，\"criedTheKiddie。
\"Done，forthedrinks！\"repliedtheCaptain。
Theboycanteredhismareacrossthestreet。
\"Outofthewaythere！\"hecried。\"Outoftheway，youfellows！I’mcoming！\"
AshespokeheputthelittlemarestraightattheflightofstepsleadinguptothedooroftheRoost。Thecrowdpartedhastily，buttheSwallowbalkedandswerved，andbutforthefinehorsemanshipoftheriderhewouldhavebeenthrown。
Withanoath，theKidtookholdofhishorseagain，andridingcarelessly，facedheroncemoreatthesteps。Butagainsheplunged，reared，swunground，andsetoffatarundownthestreet。
Theladrodehereasilyback，broughtheruptothestepsatawalk，quietedherwithvoiceandhand，andthen，canteringacrossthestreet，camebackagainataneasylopetothesteps。Themaremadeasiftobalkagain。
\"Up，girl！\"criedtheboy，liftingherwiththerein;andthen，assherose，touchingherwiththespur，Likeacatthelittlemareclamberedupthesteps，andbeforeshecouldchangehermindshefoundherselfthroughthedoor，standinginthebar—roomwithherrideronherback。
Throughtheouterentrancethrongedthecrowdofmen，givingventtotheiradmirationinyellsandoaths，andliningupatthebarwaitedforthepaymentofthebet。
Shock，whohadbeensingularlyattractedbythehandsome，boyishfaceoftherider，walkeduptothedoorandstoodlookingin，hisgreatformtoweringabovethecrowdofmenthatswayedandjostled，chaffingandswearing，inside。Ashestoodlookingattheboy，sittinghishorsewithsuchcarelessgrace，andlisteningwithpleasedandsmilingfacetothevariedandpicturesqueprofanityinwhichthecrowdwereexpressingtheiradmiration，thewordsofhisConvenercametohismind，\"Theymaynotwantyou，buttheyneedyou。\"
\"Yes，\"hemutteredtohimself，\"theyneedme，or，someonebetter。\"
Agreatpityfortheladfilledhisheartandoverflowedfromhiseyes。
Theboycaughtthelook。Withagaylaughhecried，\"Iwoulddrinktoyourverygoodhealth，sir！\"hishigh，clearvoicepenetratingthedinandbringingthecrowdtosilence。\"Butwhycarrysograveafaceatsuchajoyousmoment？\"HeliftedhisglassoverhisheadandbowedlowtoShock。
Arrestedbyhiswords，thecrowdturnedtheireyestowardthemanthatstoodinthedoor，waitinginsilenceforhisreply。
AquickflushrosetoShock’sface，butwithoutmovinghiseyesfromthegay，laughingfaceoftheboy，hesaidinaclear，steadyvoice，\"Ithankyou，sir，foryourcourtesy，andIaskyourpardonifmyfacewasgrave。Iwasthinkingofyourmother。\"
Asifsomeonehadstrickenhimtheboyswayedoverhishorse’sneck，butinamomentrecoveringhimselfhesatupstraight，andliftinghighhisglass，hesaidreverently，asifhehadbeentoastingtheQueen:\"Gentlemen，mymother！Godblessher！\"
\"Godblessher！\"echoedthemen。
Drinkingofftheglasshedismountedand，followedbythecheersofthecrowd，ledhishorseoutoftheroomanddownthesteps，androdeaway。
MeantimeShockwentinsearchofthedoctor。InacorneroftheInternationalbarhefoundhiminsdrunkensleep。Aftervaineffortstowakehim，withoutmoreadoShockliftedhiminhisarms，carriedhimouttothebuckboardanddroveaway，followedbythejibesandcomplimentsoftheastonishedcrowd。
Butwhattodowithhimwasthequestion。Therewasnoroomforhimself，muchlessforhischarge，inanyofthehotelsorstoppingplaces。
\"Mayaswellbeginnow，\"Shocksaidtohimself，anddroveouttoalittlebluffofpoplarsattheriverbanknearthetown，andpreparedtocamp。
Hedisposedofthedoctorbylayinghiminthebackofhisbuckboard，coveredwiththebuffalo。Heunhitchedandtetheredthepony，and，accordingtohiscrudenotionsofwhatacampshouldbe，begantomakehispreparations。Withveryconsiderabledifficulty，hefirstofallstartedafire。
\"Hello！Ratherchillyforcampin’outyit？\"
HelookedupandsawIke。
\"Iguessyouaintlivedmuchoutofdoors，\"continuedhisvisitor，glancingattheapologyforafire，andnoticingtheabsenceofeverythingincamp—makingthatdistinguishestheexperiencedcamper。
\"No，thisismyfirstcamp，\"saidShock。\"ButIsupposeeverymanmustmakeabeginning。\"
\"Yes，\"agreedIke，\"whenhe’sgotto。ButIhavealingerin’
suspicionthatyou’dbebetterinsideto—night。Itaintgoin’tobepleasant。\"
\"Oh，I’llbeallright，\"repliedShockcheerfully。
\"Ihaveasmalltent，acoupleofcoats，apairofblankets，andmyponyhasgothisoats。\"
\"Yes，\"drawledIke，regardingthecayusewithcontemptuouseyes，\"he’sallright。Youcan’tkillthemfellers。But，asIremarked，you’dbebetterinside。\"
Hewalkedaroundthebuckboardandhiseyesfelluponthedoctor。
\"Whatthe——\"Ikecheckedhimself，eitheroutofdeferencetoShock’sprofessionormorelikelyfromsheeramazement。
Heturneddownthebuffalo，gazedatthesleepingfigurewithlongandgraveinterest，thenliftinghisheadheremarkedwithimpressivesolemnity，\"Well，Ibechawedandswallered！YouHAVEgothim，eh？Now，howdidyoudoit？\"
\"Well，\"saidShock，\"itwasnotdifficult。IfoundhimasleepintheInternational。Icarriedhimout，andthereheis。\"
\"Say，\"saidIke，lookingatShockwithdawningadmirationinhiseyes，\"you’reabird！Isthereanythin’elseyouwantinthattown？
Guessnot，elseitwouldbehere。TheGeneralsaidyou’dkidnaphim，andhewasright。Now，whatyougoin’todowhenhecomesto？Thereaintmuchshelterinthisbluff，andwhenhewakeshe’llneedsomeonetosetupwithhim，sure。He’saterror，adog—gonedterror！\"
\"Oh，we’llmanage，\"saidShocklightly。\"Imeantostartearlyinthemorning。\"
\"Beforehegetsup，eh？AsIremarkedbefore，you’reabird！\"
ForsomemomentsIkehungaboutthecamp，pokingthefire，evidentlysomewhatdisturbedinhismind。Finallyhesaidinahesitatingtone，\"Itaintmuchtoofferanyman，butmyshackkinholdtwomenaswellasone，andIguessthreecouldsqueezein，speciallyifthethirdisintheconditionhe’sin，\"noddingtowardthedoctor。\"Wekinlayhimonthefloor。Ofcourse，itaintdoneupwithnopictersandhangin’s，butitkeepsoutthebreeze，andthereaintnobugs，youbet。\"
Shock’sexperienceofWesternshackshadnotbeensufficientlyvariedandextensivetoenablehimtoappreciatetothefullthislastcommendationofIke’s。
Ike’shesitationinmakingtheofferdeterminedShock。
\"Thankyouverymuch，\"hesaidcordially。\"Ishallbedelightedtogowithyou。\"
\"Allright，let’sgit，\"saidIke，proceedingtohitchupthepony，whileShockgatheredhisstufftogether。Inafewminutestheywerereadytostart。
\"Guesshe’llridecomfortablewhereheis，\"saidIke。\"Youcan’tkilladrunkman。Strange，aintit？\"
Itwasgrowingduskastheydrovethroughthetown，butthestreets，thehotelstoops，andbarswerefilledwithmeninvariousstagesofintoxication。AstheycaughtsightofIkeandrecognisedhiscompanion，theyindulgedthemselvesinvariousfacetiousremarks。
\"Hello，Ike。Goin’tomeetin’？\"
\"No，\"retortedIkeshortly。\"Goin’toschoolfermanners。Wanttocome？\"
\"Ikey’sgotreligion。Caughtontothefire—escapeyoubet。\"
\"No，he’sgoin’tolearnthatrasslin’trick。\"
\"Ikey’sshowin’thestrangerthetown。He’sonforabust，youbet。\"
\"Blanklotofjaybirds，\"saidIkegrimly，inalowtone。\"I’llsee’emlater。You’dthinkthey’dneverseenastrangerbefore。\"
\"Thatisallforme，Isuppose，Ike，\"saidShockapologetically。
\"Don’tyouworry。Itwon’tgivemeanygreyhair。\"Ikeemphasisedhisindifferencebytiltinghishattillitstruckontheextremebackofhishead，andloungingbackinhisseatwithhisfeetonthedashboard。
\"Theyallseenyougivin’methath’istthisafternoon，\"hecontinued，\"andtheycan’tgetoverthatweaintfightin’。And，\"headded，hittingthehubofthewheelwithastreamoftobaccojuice，\"itisaratherremarkablereminiscence。\"
Ikehadafondnessforwordsnotusuallycurrentamongthecowboys，andinconsequencehisEnglishwasmoreorlessreminiscent，andoftenphoneticratherthanetymoligical。
Ike’sshackstoodatthefurthersideofthetown。UponenteringShockdiscoveredthatitneedednoapologyforitsappearance。Theboardwallswereadornedwithillustrationsfrommagazinesandpapers，miscellaneousandwithouttaintofprejudice，theSundayMagazineandthePoliceGazettehavingplacesofequalhonour。Onthewall，too，werenailedheadsofmountainsheepandgoats，ofwapitiandotherdeer，proclaimingIkeahunter。
Everythingintheshackwasconspicuouslyclean，fromthepots，pans，andcookingutensils，whichhungonarowofnailsbehindthestove，tothedish—cloth，whichwasspreadcarefullytodryoverthedishpan。HadShock’sexperienceofbachelors’shacksandbachelors’
dishesbeenlarger，hewouldhavebeenmoreprofoundlyimpressedwiththatcookingoutfit，andespeciallywiththedish—cloth。Asitwas，thedishclothgaveShockasenseofsecurityandcomfort。
Depositingthedoctoruponabuffaloskinonthefloorinthecorner，withapillowunderhishead，theyproceededtotheirduties，Iketopreparetheeveningmeal，andShocktounpackhisstuff，wonderingallthewhilehowthiscowboyhadcometohunthimupandtreathimwithsuchgeneroushospitality。
Thismysterywasexplainedastheysataboutthefireafterthetea—
disheshadbeenmostcarefullywashedandsetaway，IkesmokingandShockmusing。
\"Thatoldskunkratherturnedyoudown，Iguess，\"remarkedIke，afteralongsilence;\"thatoldMacfarren，Imean，\"inanswertoShock’slookofenquiry。
\"Iwassurprised，Iconfess，\"repliedShock。\"Yousee，Iwasledtobelievethathewaswaitingforme，andIwasdependinguponhim。
Now，Ireallydonotknowwhattothink。\"
\"Movin’out，perhaps？\"saidIke，castingasharplookathimfromoutofhishalf—closedeyes。
\"What？Leavethispost，doyoumean？\"saidShock，hisindignantsurpriseshowinginhistone。\"No，sir。Atleast，nottillmychiefsaysso。\"
AgleamshotoutfromunderIke’sloweredeyelids。
\"Theoldfellow’llmakeithotforyou，ifyoudon’tmove。Guessheexpectsyoutomove，\"saidIkequietly。
\"Move！\"criedShockagain，stirredattheremembranceofMacfarren’streatmentthatafternoon。\"Wouldyou？\"
\"Seehimblankedfirst，\"saidIkequietly。
\"SowillI，\"saidShockemphatically。\"Imean，\"correctinghimselfhastily，\"seehimsavedfirst。\"
\"Eh？Oh——well，guessheneedssome。Heneedsmanners，anyhow。He’llworryyou，Iguess。Yousee，hesurmiseshe’stheentirebunch，butaman’sopinionofhimselfdon’treallyaffectthesizeofhishatband。\"
Shockfelttheopportunitytobegoldenforthegatheringofinformationaboutmenandthingsinthecountrywherehisworkwastobedone。HefeltthattoseelifethroughtheeyesofamanlikeIke，whorepresentedalargeandpotentelementinthecommunity，wouldbevaluableindeed。
ItwasdifficulttomakeIketalk，butbycarefulsuggestions，ratherthanbyquestioning，Ikewasfinallyledtotalk，andShockbegantocatchglimpsesofaworldquitenewtohim，andaltogetherwonderful。HemadetheastoundingdiscoverythatthingsthathadallhislifeformedthebasisofhisthinkingweretoIkeandhisfellowsnotsomuchunimportantasirrelevant;andasforthegreatspiritualveritieswhichlayattherootofallShock’smentaland，indeed，physicalactivities，furnishingmotiveanddeterminingdirection，thesetoIkewerequiteremotefromallpracticalliving。
WhathadGodtodowithroundingupcattle，orbroncho—busting，orhorse—trading？True，theelementalvirtuesofjustice，truth，charity，andloyaltywereaspotentoverIkeasoverShock，buttheirmoralstandardsweresowidelydifferentthattheseveryvirtuescouldhardlybeclassifiedinthesamecategories。Truthwassacred，butlyingwasonethingandhorse—swappinganother，andifamanwas\"whitetotheback\"whatmorewouldyouask，eventhoughatpokerhecouldcleanyououtofyourwholeoutfit？Hitherto，amanwhopaidnorespecttothedecenciesofreligionShockhadregardedas\"aheathenmanandapublican，\"butwithIkereligion，withallitsgreatcredos，withallitscustoms，hadsimplynobearing。ShockhadnottalkedlongwithIkeuntilhebegantofeelthathemustreadjustnotonlyhiswholesystemoftheology，butevenhismoralstandards，andhebegantowonderhowthefewsermonsandaddresseshehadgarneredfromhisministryinthecitywardswoulddoforIkeandhispeople。Hewasmakingthediscoverythatclimatechangesthecomplexion，notonlyofmen，butofhabitsofthoughtandaction。
AsShockwasfindinghiswaytonewadjustmentsandnewstandardshewasincidentallyfindinghiswayintoanewfeelingofbrotherhoodaswell。Thelinesofcleavagewhichhadhithertodeterminedhisinterestsandaffinitieswerebeingobliterated。Thefictitiousandaccidentalwerefadingoutunderthisnewatmosphere，andthegreatlinesofsheerhumanitywerecomingtostandoutwithstartlingclearness。Uptothistimecreedandclasshadlargelydeterminedbothhisinterestandhisresponsibility，butnow，apartfromclassandcreed，menbecameinteresting，andformenhebegantofeelresponsibility。Herealisedasneverbeforethatamanwasthegreatassetoftheuniverse——nothisclothes，material，socialorreligious。
Itwasthisnewfeelingofinterestandresponsibilitythatmadehimask，\"Whowasthatladthatrodethewinninghorseto—day？\"
\"Thatchap？\"repliedIke。\"He’smyboss。TheKid，theycallhim。\"
Menoflaconicspeechsaymuchbytoneandgesture，andoftenbysilence。InIke’stoneShockreadcontempt，admiration，pity。
\"Arancher？\"heenquired。
\"Well，he’sgotaranch，andhorsesandcattleonit，liketherestof’em。Butranchin’——\"Ike’ssilencewasmorethansufficient。
\"Well，\"saidShock，withadmiringemphasis，\"heseemstobeabletoride，anyway。\"
\"Ride！Ishouldsurmise！Ride！Thatkidcouldrideanythin’fromahe—goattoarampagin’，highpottopotamus。Why，lookhere！\"Ikewagedenthusiastic。\"He’sbeentwoyearsinthiscountry，andhe’sgotusalllickedgoodandquiet。Why，hecouldgivepointstoanycattle—
maninAlberta。\"
\"Well，what’sthematterwithhim？\"
\"Money！\"saidIkewrathfully。\"Someblamedfooluncleathome——he’sgotnoparents，Iunderstand——keepsa—sendin’himmoney。
Consequently，everyremittancehecutsthingsloose，witheveryoneinsighta—helpin’him。\"
\"Whatashame！\"criedShock。\"Hehasaniceface。Ijustliketolookathim。\"
\"That’sright！\"answeredIke，withnowaningofhisenthusiasm。
\"He’swhite——buthe’ssoft。Makesmesoblankmad！Hedon’tknowthey’replayin’him，andmakin’himpayforthegame。Theonlyquestionis，willheholdoutlonger’nhismoney。\"
\"Why！hasn’theanyfriendsherewhowouldremonstratewithhim？\"
\"Remonstrate！Remonstrate！\"Ikerolledthewordunderhistongueasifitfeltgood。\"Youtrytoremonstrate，andseehimlookatyou，andthensmile，tillyoufeellikeacluckin’henthathaslosthernest。Notanyforme，thankyou。Butit’sablankpity！He’sawhitekiddie，heis。\"
\"Andthatfriendofhiswhowasridingwithhim——whoishe？\"
\"Harricomb——CaptainHalHarricomb，theycallhim。Goodsortoffellow，too，butlazy——andconsiderablemoney。Goin’ataprettygoodlick。Wifepullshimup，Iguess。Goodthingforhim，too。
LivesupbytheGeneral’s——oldgent，youknow，satbywhenyousetmedownoutyonder。Mightyslick，too。Wasn’tontoyou，though。\"
\"No，\"Shockhastenedtosay，\"itwasaflukeofcourse。GeneralBrady，youmean。Yes，hewasverykind，indeed。\"
\"Oh，theGeneral’sagentleman，youbet！Horseranch。Notverybig，butmakesitgo。\"
\"CouldnotamanliketheGeneral，now，helpthatyoungfellow——whatishisname？\"
\"Hisname？Well，hegoesby’TheKid。’Hisname’sStanton，Ithink。
Yes，Stanton——VicStanton。Thoughhenevergetsit。\"
\"Well，couldnottheGeneralhelphim？\"repeatedShock。
\"HelpTheKid？Nothe，noranyoneelse。Whenahorsewithbloodinhimgetsa—goin’，why，he’sgottogotillhiswindgivesout，unlessyouthrowhimrightdown，andthat’sresky。You’vegottowaithistime。Then’syourchance。Andthatremindsme，\"saidIke，risingandknockingthelashesoutofhispipe，\"thatI’vegotajobonhand。There’llbedoin’sto—nightthereafterthehappytimeisover。\"
Shocklookedmystified。
\"They’llgettheladiesoff，youknow，andthenthefun’llbegin。\"
\"Fun？\"
Ikewinkedalong，significantwink。\"Yes。Lit’rarySociety，youknow。Alittlegameinthebackroom。\"
\"Andareyougoingtoplay，Ike？\"
\"Notto—night，thankyou。Iaintnosaint，butIaintablankfoolaltogether，andto—nightIgottokeeplevel。To—day’stheboss’sremittanceday。He’sgothischeque，I’veheard，andthey’regoin’
torollhim。\"
\"Rollhim？\"
\"Yes，cleanhimout。SoIsurmiseit’dbewiseformetobeonhand。\"
\"Why，whathaveyougottodowithit，Ike？\"
Ikepausedforafewmoments，whilehefilledhispipe，preparatorytogoingout。
\"Well，that’swhatIdon’trightknow。Itaintanyofmyownbusiness。Coursehe’smyboss，butitaintthat。Somehow，thatKiddiehasgotahitchontomyinnards，andIcan’tlethimgetaway。He’sgotsuchablankslickwaywithhimthathemakesyoufeellikedoin’thethingsyouhatetodo。Why，whenhesmilesatyouthesunbeginstoshine。That’sso。Why，yousawthatracethisafternoon？\"
\"Yes，thelastheat。\"
\"Well，didyouobserveSlippercomein？\"
\"Well，yes，Idid。AndIcouldnotunderstandwhySlipperwasnotrunning。Whydidn’tyourunhim，Ike？\"
\"Why？\"saidIke，\"that’swhatIdon’tknow。Thereaintnothin’onfourlegswithhorsehideoninthesehereTerritoriesthatcanmakeSlippertakedust，butthen——well，IknowedhehadmoneyontheSwallow。ButIguessImustbegoin’。\"
\"Butwhatareyougoingtodo？\"
\"Oh，I’llfalldownsomewheresandgotosleep。Youseelotsofthingswhenyou’reasleep，providin’youknowhowtoaccomplishit。\"
\"ShallIgowithyou？\"askedShock。
Ikeregardedhimcuriously。
\"Guessyouwouldn’tcaretobemixedupinthiskindofthing。Butblameit，ifIdon’tthinkyou’dstaywithitifitwasinyourline，whichitaint。\"
\"Butsupposeyougetintodifficulty。\"
\"Well，\"saidIke，smilingaslowsmile，\"whenIwantyouI’llsendforyou，\"andwiththathepassedoutintothenight。
XII
HISKEEPER
TilllongaftermidnightShocksatoverthefireponderingtheeventsoftheday，andtryingtomakerealtohimselfthestrangeseriesofhappeningsthathadmarkedhisintroductiontohisworkinthiscountry。Hislifeforthelastmonthhadbeensounlikeanythinginhispastastoseemquiteunnatural。
Ashesatthusmusingoverthepastandplanningforthefuture，aknockcametothedoor，andalmostimmediatelytherecameinalittleman，shortandsquat，withhumpedshoulders，bushy，grizzledhairandbeard，throughwhichpeeredsharplittleblackeyes。HisheadandfaceandeyesmadeonethinkofalittleScotchterrier。
\"Ye’rethemeenister？\"hesaidbriefly。
\"Yes，\"repliedShock，greatlysurprisedathisvisitor，butwarmingtotheScotchvoice。
\"Aye。Ye’rewanted。\"
\"Wanted？Bywhom？\"
\"Themanthatlivesinthishoose。He’sdeein’，I’mthinkin’。\"
\"Dying！\"saidShock，startingupandseizinghishat。\"What！Ike？\"
\"Aye，Ike。He’sverraill。\"
\"Goon，then，\"saidShock。\"Quick！\"
\"Aye，quickitis。\"Andthelittleman，withoutfurtherwords，plungedintothedarkness。Afewminutes’swiftwalkthroughtheblacknightbroughtthemtotheRanchers’Roost。There，inacorneroftheroomatthebackofthebar，hefoundIkelyingalmostunconscious，andapparentlyveryill。
\"Why，what’sthematter？\"criedShock，droppingonhiskneesbesideIke。ButIkeseemedstupefied，andmumbledafewincoherentwords。
Shockcaughtthewords，\"thegang，\"and\"dope。\"
HelookedinanagonyofhelplessnessatthelittleScotchman，whostoodbylookingdownuponthesickmanwithfacequiteunmoved。
\"Doyouknowwhathesays？\"enquiredShock。
\"He’snosayin’much，\"saidthelittleScotchmancalmly。
AgainIketriedtospeak，andthistimeShockcaughtthewords，\"Theboss——gang’sgothim——SmileySimmons——backroom——fetchhim。\"
\"Whatdoeshemean？\"criedShock。
\"It’sha—r—r—dtotellthat，\"saidthelittleScotchman。\"He’stalkin’aboutsomebossorother。\"
\"Oh，yes，Iknowwhatthatmeans。Heisreferringtohisboss，youngStanton。\"
\"Oh，ay！\"saidthelittleScotchman，withalightbreakingonhisface。\"Isawthebodies。They’vegaeno’ertothecreatureSimmons’。\"
\"Showmetheway，\"saidShock。\"Quick！\"
\"Come，then，\"saidthelittleScotchman，leadingoncemoreintothedarkness。
SomedistancedownthestreetstoodSmiley——orassomepreferredtocallhimSlimy——Simmons’generalstore。Atthebackofthestoretherewasasidedoor。
\"They’reinyonder，\"saidthelittleScotchman，anddisappeared。
Shockknockedatthedoor，buttherewasnoresponse。Heturnedthehandle，openedthedoor，andwalkinginfoundhimselfinthebackofthestore，inaroomdimlylightedbyahanginglantern。Seatedonastoolatahighdesk，evidentlybusywithhisledger，sataman，tall，slender，andwiry。Hehadasharp，thinface，withhighforehead，protrudingnose，andrecedingchin。ThemomenthespokeShockdiscoveredatoncehowitwashecamebyhisnickname。
Hissmilewasthemoststrikingcharacteristicofhismanner。
Indeed，sopermanentandpervasivedidhissmileappear，thatitseemedalmosttobeafixedfeatureofhisface。
HecameforwardtoShock，rubbinghishands。
\"Ah，goodevening，\"hesaid，inamostinsinuatingvoice。\"IsthereanythingIcandoforyou？\"
\"Yes，\"saidShock，instinctivelyshrinkingfromhim。\"IwanttoseeMr。Stanton。\"
\"Mr。Stanton——Mr。Stanton？Letmesee。IsawMr。Stantonsomehoursago。Letmethink。WasitattheInternational？Yes，IthinkitwastheInternational。No，intheRoyal。Ihavenodoubtyouwillfindhimthere。Ishallbepleasedtoshowyou，forIseeyouareastranger。Wearealwaysdelightedtoseestrangersandwetrytomakethemwelcometoourtown。\"
Hemovedtowardthedoorashespoke。Shockknewatoncehewaslying。
\"Mr。StantonisnotattheRoyal。Ihavebeeninformedheisinthisbuildingsomewhere。\"
\"Inthisbuilding？\"murmuredSmiley，inapuzzledtone。\"Inthisbuilding？\"Heglancedupattheceilingasifexpectingtoseethemissingmanthere。\"Strange，\"hecontinued。\"Now，Ihavebeenhereforsometime，forhours，indeed。Iamabusyman，Mr。——\"
\"Macgregor，\"repliedShock。
\"Mr。Macgregor。Ifinditnecessarytopursuemyavocationintothehourswegenerallydevotetoslumber。Andto—daybusinesshasbeenunusuallyinterrupted。ButIhavefailedtonoticeMr。Stantonenter。\"