AFTER TWENTY YEARS BY O. HENRY The policeman on the beat moved up the avenue impressivel . The impressiveness !

as habitual and not "or sho!# "or spectators !ere "e!. The time !as barel $% o&cloc' at ni(ht# but chill (usts o" !ind !ith a taste o" rain in them had !ell ni(h de)peopled the streets. Tr in( doors as he !ent# t!irlin( his club !ith man intricate and art"ul movements# turnin( no! and then to cast his !atch"ul e e ado!n the paci"ic thorou(h"are# the o""icer# !ith his stal!art "orm and sli(ht s!a((er# made a "ine picture o" a (uardian o" the peace. The vicinit !as one that 'ept earl hours. No! and then ou mi(ht see the li(hts o" a ci(ar store or o" an all)ni(ht lunch counter* but the ma+orit o" the doors belon(ed to business places that had lon( since been closed. When about mid!a o" a certain bloc' the policeman suddenl slo!ed his !al'. ,n the door!a o" a dar'ened hard!are store a man leaned# !ith an unli(hted ci(ar in his mouth. As the policeman !al'ed up to him the man spo'e up -uic'l . .,t&s all ri(ht# o""icer#. he said# reassurin(l . .,&m +ust !aitin( "or a "riend. ,t&s an appointment made t!ent ears a(o. Sounds a little "unn to ou# doesn&t it/ Well# ,&ll e0plain i" ou&d li'e to ma'e certain it&s all strai(ht. About that lon( a(o there used to be a restaurant !here this store stands))&Bi( 1oe& Brad &s restaurant.. .2ntil "ive ears a(o#. said the policeman. .,t !as torn do!n then.. The man in the door!a struc' a match and lit his ci(ar. The li(ht sho!ed a pale# s-uare)+a!ed "ace !ith 'een e es# and a little !hite scar near his ri(ht e ebro!. His scar"pin !as a lar(e diamond# oddl set. .T!ent ears a(o to)ni(ht#. said the man# ., dined here at &Bi( 1oe& Brad &s !ith 1imm Wells# m best chum# and the "inest chap in the !orld. He and , !ere raised here in Ne! Yor'# +ust li'e t!o brothers# to(ether. , !as ei(hteen and 1imm !as t!ent . The ne0t mornin( , !as to start "or the West to ma'e m "ortune. You couldn&t have dra((ed 1imm out o" Ne! Yor'* he thou(ht it !as the onl place on earth. Well# !e a(reed that ni(ht that !e !ould meet here a(ain e0actl t!ent ears "rom that date and time# no matter !hat our conditions mi(ht be or "rom !hat distance !e mi(ht have to come. We "i(ured that in t!ent ears each o" us ou(ht to have our destin !or'ed out and our "ortunes made# !hatever the !ere (oin( to be.. .,t sounds prett interestin(#. said the policeman. .Rather a lon( time bet!een meets# thou(h# it seems to me. Haven&t ou heard "rom our "riend since ou le"t/. .Well# es# "or a time !e corresponded#. said the other. .But a"ter a ear or t!o !e lost trac' o" each other. You see# the West is a prett bi( proposition# and , 'ept hustlin( around over it prett livel . But , 'no! 1imm !ill meet me here i" he&s alive# "or he al!a s !as the truest# stanchest old chap in the !orld. He&ll never "or(et. , came a thousand miles to stand in this door to)ni(ht# and it&s !orth it i" m old partner turns up.. The !aitin( man pulled out a handsome !atch# the lids o" it set !ith small diamonds. .Three minutes to ten#. he announced. .,t !as e0actl ten o&cloc' !hen !e parted here at the restaurant door.. .3id prett !ell out West# didn&t ou/. as'ed the policeman. .You bet4 , hope 1imm has done hal" as !ell. He !as a 'ind o" plodder# thou(h# (ood "ello! as he !as. ,&ve had to compete !ith some o" the sharpest !its (oin( to (et m pile. A man (ets in a (roove in Ne! Yor'. ,t ta'es the West to put a ra5or)ed(e on him.. The policeman t!irled his club and too' a step or t!o. .,&ll be on m !a . Hope our "riend comes around all ri(ht. 6oin( to call time on him sharp/. ., should sa not4. said the other. .,&ll (ive him hal" an hour at least. ," 1imm is alive on earth he&ll be here b that time. So lon(# o""icer.. .6ood)ni(ht# sir#. said the policeman# passin( on alon( his beat# tr in( doors as he !ent. There !as no! a "ine# cold dri55le "allin(# and the !ind had risen "rom its uncertain pu""s into a stead blo!. The "e! "oot passen(ers astir in that -uarter hurried dismall and silentl alon( !ith coat collars turned hi(h and poc'eted hands. And in the door o" the hard!are store the man !ho had come a thousand miles to "ill an appointment# uncertain almost to absurdit # !ith the "riend o" his outh# smo'ed his ci(ar and !aited. About t!ent minutes he !aited# and then a tall man in a lon( overcoat# !ith collar turned up to his ears# hurried across "rom the opposite side o" the street. He !ent directl to the !aitin( man. .,s that ou# Bob/. he as'ed# doubt"ull . .,s that ou# 1imm Wells/. cried the man in the door. .Bless m heart4. e0claimed the ne! arrival# (raspin( both the other&s hands !ith his o!n. .,t&s Bob# sure as "ate. , !as certain ,&d "ind ou here i" ou !ere still in e0istence. Well# !ell# !ell4))t!ent ears is a lon( time. The old restaurant&s

(one# Bob* , !ish it had lasted# so !e could have had another dinner there. Ho! has the West treated ou# old man/. .Bull * it has (iven me ever thin( , as'ed it "or. You&ve chan(ed lots# 1imm . , never thou(ht ou !ere so tall b t!o or three inches.. .Oh# , (re! a bit a"ter , !as t!ent .. .3oin( !ell in Ne! Yor'# 1imm /. .7oderatel . , have a position in one o" the cit departments. 8ome on# Bob* !e&ll (o around to a place , 'no! o"# and have a (ood lon( tal' about old times.. The t!o men started up the street# arm in arm. The man "rom the West# his e(otism enlar(ed b success# !as be(innin( to outline the histor o" his career. The other# submer(ed in his overcoat# listened !ith interest. At the corner stood a dru( store# brilliant !ith electric li(hts. When the came into this (lare each o" them turned simultaneousl to (a5e upon the other&s "ace. The man "rom the West stopped suddenl and released his arm. .You&re not 1imm Wells#. he snapped. .T!ent ears is a lon( time# but not lon( enou(h to chan(e a man&s nose "rom a Roman to a pu(.. .,t sometimes chan(es a (ood man into a bad one#. said the tall man. .You&ve been under arrest "or ten minutes# &Sil' & Bob. 8hica(o thin's ou ma have dropped over our !a and !ires us she !ants to have a chat !ith ou. 6oin( -uietl # are ou/ That&s sensible. No!# be"ore !e (o on to the station here&s a note , !as as'ed to hand ou. You ma read it here at the !indo!. ,t&s "rom 9atrolman Wells.. The man "rom the West un"olded the little piece o" paper handed him. His hand !as stead !hen he be(an to read# but it trembled a little b the time he had "inished. The note !as rather short. .Bob: I was at the appointed place on time. When you struck the match to light your cigar I saw it was the face of the man wanted in Chicago. Somehow I couldn't do it myself, so I went around and got a plain clothes man to do the ob. !I""#.. THE :AST :EAF ,n a little district !est o" Washin(ton S-uare the streets have run cra5 and bro'en themselves into small strips called .places.. These .places. ma'e stran(e an(les and curves. One street crosses itsel" a time or t!o. An artist once

discovered a valuable possibilit in this street. Suppose a collector !ith a bill "or paints# paper and canvas should# in traversin( this route# suddenl meet himsel" comin( bac'# !ithout a cent havin( been paid on account4 So# to -uaint old 6reen!ich ;illa(e the art people soon came pro!lin(# huntin( "or north !indo!s and ei(hteenth) centur (ables and 3utch attics and lo! rents. Then the imported some pe!ter mu(s and a cha"in( dish or t!o "rom Si0th avenue# and became a .colon .. At the top o" a s-uatt # three)stor bric' Sue and 1ohns had their studio. .1ohns . !as "amiliar "or 1oanna. One !as "rom 7aine* the other "rom 8ali"ornia. The had met at the table d'hote o" an Ei(hth street .3elmonico&s#. and "ound their tastes in art# chicor salad and bishop sleeves so con(enial that the +oint studio resulted. That !as in 7a . ,n November a cold# unseen stran(er# !hom the doctors called 9neumonia# stal'ed about the colon # touchin( one here and there !ith his ic "in(ers. Over on the east side this rava(er strode boldl # smitin( his victims b scores# but his "eet trod slo!l throu(h the ma5e o" the narro! and moss)(ro!n .places.. 7r. 9neumonia !as not !hat ou !ould call a chivalric old (entleman. A mite o" a little !oman !ith blood thinned b 8ali"ornia 5eph rs !as hardl "air (ame "or the red)"isted# short)breathed old du""er. But 1ohns he smote* and she la # scarcel movin(# on her painted iron bedstead# loo'in( throu(h the small 3utch !indo!)panes at the blan' side o" the ne0t bric' house. One mornin( the bus doctor invited Sue into the hall!a !ith a sha(( # (ra e ebro!. .She has one chance in))let us sa # ten#. he said# as he shoo' do!n the mercur in his clinical thermometer. .And that chance is "or her to !ant to live. This !a people have o" linin()up on the side o" the underta'er ma'es the entire pharmacopeia loo' sill . Your little lad has made up her mind that she&s not (oin( to (et !ell. Has she an thin( on her mind/. .She))she !anted to paint the Ba o" Naples some da #. said Sue. .9aint/))bosh4 Has she an thin( on her mind !orth thin'in( about t!ice))a man# "or instance/. .A man/. said Sue# !ith a +e!&s)harp t!an( in her voice. .,s a man !orth))but# no# doctor* there is nothin( o" the 'ind.. .Well# it is the !ea'ness# then#. said the doctor. ., !ill do all that science# so "ar as it ma "ilter throu(h m e""orts# can accomplish. But !henever m patient be(ins to count the carria(es in her "uneral procession , subtract <% per cent. "rom the curative po!er o" medicines. ," ou !ill (et her to

as' one -uestion about the ne! !inter st les in cloa' sleeves , !ill promise ou a one)in)"ive chance "or her# instead o" one in ten.. A"ter the doctor had (one Sue !ent into the !or'room and cried a 1apanese nap'in to a pulp. Then she s!a((ered into 1ohns &s room !ith her dra!in( board# !histlin( ra(time. 1ohns la # scarcel ma'in( a ripple under the bedclothes# !ith her "ace to!ard the !indo!. Sue stopped !histlin(# thin'in( she !as asleep. She arran(ed her board and be(an a pen)and)in' dra!in( to illustrate a ma(a5ine stor . Youn( artists must pave their !a to Art b dra!in( pictures "or ma(a5ine stories that oun( authors !rite to pave their !a to :iterature. As Sue !as s'etchin( a pair o" ele(ant horsesho! ridin( trousers and a monocle on the "i(ure o" the hero# an ,daho co!bo # she heard a lo! sound# several times repeated. She !ent -uic'l to the bedside. 1ohns &s e es !ere open !ide. She !as loo'in( out the !indo! and countin())countin( bac'!ard. .T!elve#. she said# and a little later .eleven*. and then .ten#. and .nine*. and then .ei(ht. and .seven#. almost to(ether. Sue loo'ed solicitousl out the !indo!. What !as there to count/ There !as onl a bare# drear ard to be seen# and the blan' side o" the bric' house t!ent "eet a!a . An old# old iv vine# (narled and deca ed at the roots# climbed hal" !a up the bric' !all. The cold breath o" autumn had stric'en its leaves "rom the vine until its s'eleton branches clun(# almost bare# to the crumblin( bric's. .What is it# dear/. as'ed Sue. .Si0#. said 1ohns # in almost a !hisper. .The &re "allin( "aster no!. Three da s a(o there !ere almost a hundred. ,t made m head ache to count them. But no! it&s eas . There (oes another one. There are onl "ive le"t no!.. .Five !hat# dear. Tell our Sudie.. .:eaves. On the iv vine. When the last one "alls , must (o# too. ,&ve 'no!n that "or three da s. 3idn&t the doctor tell ou/. .Oh# , never heard o" such nonsense#. complained Sue# !ith ma(ni"icent scorn. .What have old iv leaves to do !ith our (ettin( !ell/ And ou used to love that vine so# ou nau(ht (irl. 3on&t be a (oose . Wh # the doctor told me this mornin( that our chances "or (ettin( !ell real soon !ere))let&s see e0actl !hat he said))he said the chances !ere ten to one4 Wh # that&s almost as (ood a chance as !e have in Ne! Yor' !hen !e ride on the street cars or

!al' past a ne! buildin(. Tr to ta'e some broth no!# and let Sudie (o bac' to her dra!in(# so she can sell the editor man !ith it# and bu port !ine "or her sic' child# and por' chops "or her (reed sel".. .You needn&t (et an more !ine#. said 1ohns # 'eepin( her e es "i0ed out the !indo!. .There (oes another. No# , don&t !ant an broth. That leaves +ust "our. , !ant to see the last one "all be"ore it (ets dar'. Then ,&ll (o# too.. .1ohns # dear#. said Sue# bendin( over her# .!ill ou promise me to 'eep our e es closed# and not loo' out the !indo! until , am done !or'in(/ , must hand those dra!in(s in b to)morro!. , need the li(ht# or , !ould dra! the shade do!n.. .8ouldn&t ou dra! in the other room/. as'ed 1ohns # coldl . .,&d rather be here b ou#. said Sue. .Besides , don&t !ant ou to 'eep loo'in( at those sill iv leaves.. .Tell me as soon as ou have "inished#. said 1ohns # closin( her e es# and l in( !hite and still as a "allen statue# .because , !ant to see the last one "all. ,&m tired o" !aitin(. ,&m tired o" thin'in(. , !ent to turn loose m hold on ever thin(# and (o sailin( do!n# do!n# +ust li'e one o" those poor# tired leaves.. .Tr to sleep#. said Sue. ., must call Behrman up to be m model "or the old hermit miner. ,&ll not be (one a minute. 3on&t tr to move &till , come bac'.. Old Behrman !as a painter !ho lived on the (round "loor beneath them. He !as past si0t and had a 7ichael An(elo&s 7oses beard curlin( do!n "rom the head o" a sat r alon( the bod o" an imp. Behrman !as a "ailure in art. Fort ears he had !ielded the brush !ithout (ettin( near enou(h to touch the hem o" his 7istress&s robe. He had been al!a s about to paint a masterpiece# but had never et be(un it. For several ears he had painted nothin( e0cept no! and then a daub in the line o" commerce or advertisin(. He earned a little b servin( as a model to those oun( artists in the colon !ho could not pa the price o" a pro"essional. He dran' (in to e0cess# and still tal'ed o" his comin( masterpiece. For the rest he !as a "ierce little old man# !ho sco""ed terribl at so"tness in an one# and !ho re(arded himsel" as especial masti"")in)!aitin( to protect the t!o oun( artists in the studio above. Sue "ound Behrman smellin( stron(l o" +uniper berries in his diml li(hted den belo!. ,n one corner !as a blan' canvas on an easel that had been !aitin( there "or t!ent ) "ive ears to receive the "irst line o" the masterpiece. She told him o" 1ohns &s "anc # and ho! she "eared she !ould# indeed# li(ht and "ra(ile as a lea" hersel"# "loat a!a !hen her sli(ht hold upon the !orld (re! !ea'er.

Old Behrman# !ith his red e es# plainl streamin(# shouted his contempt and derision "or such idiotic ima(inin(s. .;ass4. he cried. .,s dere people in de !orld mit der "oolishness to die because lea"s de drop o"" "rom a con"ounded vine/ , ha" not heard o" such a thin(. No# , !ill not bose as a model "or our "ool hermit)dunderhead. ; do ou allo! dot sill pusiness to come in der prain o" her/ Ach# dot poor lettle 7iss 1ohns .. .She is ver ill and !ea'#. said Sue# .and the "ever has le"t her mind morbid and "ull o" stran(e "ancies. ;er !ell# 7r. Behrman# i" ou do not care to pose "or me# ou needn&t. But , thin' ou are a horrid old))old "libberti(ibbet.. .You are +ust li'e a !oman4. elled Behrman. .Who said , !ill not bose/ 6o on. , come mit ou. For hal" an hour , ha" peen tr in( to sa dot , am read to bose. 6ott4 dis is not an blace in !hich one so (oot as 7iss Yohns shall lie sic'. Some da , vill baint a masterpiece# and ve shall all (o a!a . 6ott4 es.. 1ohns !as sleepin( !hen the !ent upstairs. Sue pulled the shade do!n to the !indo!)sill# and motioned Behrman into the other room. ,n there the peered out the !indo! "ear"ull at the iv vine. Then the loo'ed at each other "or a moment !ithout spea'in(. A persistent# cold rain !as "allin(# min(led !ith sno!. Behrman# in his old blue shirt# too' his seat as the hermit)miner on an upturned 'ettle "or a roc'. When Sue a!o'e "rom an hour&s sleep the ne0t mornin( she "ound 1ohns !ith dull# !ide)open e es starin( at the dra!n (reen shade. .9ull it up* , !ant to see#. she ordered# in a !hisper. Wearil Sue obe ed. But# lo4 a"ter the beatin( rain and "ierce (usts o" !ind that had endured throu(h the livelon( ni(ht# there et stood out a(ainst the bric' !all one iv lea". ,t !as the last on the vine. Still dar' (reen near its stem# but !ith its serrated ed(es tinted !ith the ello! o" dissolution and deca # it hun( bravel "rom a branch some t!ent "eet above the (round. .,t is the last one#. said 1ohns . ., thou(ht it !ould surel "all durin( the ni(ht. , heard the !ind. ,t !ill "all to)da # and , shall die at the same time.. .3ear# dear4. said Sue# leanin( her !orn "ace do!n to the pillo!# .thin' o" me# i" ou !on&t thin' o" oursel". What !ould , do/. But 1ohns did not ans!er. The lonesomest thin( in all the !orld is a soul !hen it is ma'in( read to (o on its m sterious# "ar +ourne . The "anc seemed to possess her

more stron(l as one b one the ties that bound her to "riendship and to earth !ere loosed. The da !ore a!a # and even throu(h the t!ili(ht the could see the lone iv lea" clin(in( to its stem a(ainst the !all. And then# !ith the comin( o" the ni(ht the north !ind !as a(ain loosed# !hile the rain still beat a(ainst the !indo!s and pattered do!n "rom the lo! 3utch eaves. When it !as li(ht enou(h 1ohns # the merciless# commanded that the shade be raised. The iv lea" !as still there. 1ohns la "or a lon( time loo'in( at it. And then she called to Sue# !ho !as stirrin( her chic'en broth over the (as stove. .,&ve been a bad (irl# Sudie#. said 1ohns . .Somethin( has made that last lea" sta there to sho! me ho! !ic'ed , !as. ,t is a sin to !ant to die. You ma brin( me a little broth no!# and some mil' !ith a little port in it# and))no* brin( me a hand)mirror "irst# and then pac' some pillo!s about me# and , !ill sit up and !atch ou coo'.. An hour later she said. .Sudie# some da , hope to paint the Ba o" Naples.. The doctor came in the a"ternoon# and Sue had an e0cuse to (o into the hall!a as he le"t. .Even chances#. said the doctor# ta'in( Sue&s thin# sha'in( hand in his. .With (ood nursin( ou&ll !in. And no! , must see another case , have do!nstairs. Behrman# his name is)) some 'ind o" an artist# , believe. 9neumonia# too. He is an old# !ea' man# and the attac' is acute. There is no hope "or him* but he (oes to the hospital to)da to be made more com"ortable.. The ne0t da the doctor said to Sue= .She&s out o" dan(er. You&ve !on. Nutrition and care no!))that&s all.. And that a"ternoon Sue came to the bed !here 1ohns la # contentedl 'nittin( a ver blue and ver useless !oolen shoulder scar"# and put one arm around her# pillo!s and all. ., have somethin( to tell ou# !hite mouse#. she said. .7r. Behrman died o" pneumonia to)da in the hospital. He !as ill onl t!o da s. The +anitor "ound him on the mornin( o" the "irst da in his room do!nstairs helpless !ith pain. His shoes and clothin( !ere !et throu(h and ic cold. The couldn&t ima(ine !here he had been on such a dread"ul ni(ht. And then the "ound a lantern# still li(hted# and a ladder that had been dra((ed "rom its place# and some scattered brushes# and a palette !ith (reen and ello! colors mi0ed on it# and))loo' out the !indo!# dear# at the last iv lea" on the !all. 3idn&t ou !onder !h it never

"luttered or moved !hen the !ind ble!/ Ah# darlin(# it&s Behrman&s masterpiece))he painted it there the ni(ht that the last lea" "ell.. A RETR,E;E3 REFOR7AT,ON A (uard came to the prison shoe)shop# !here 1imm ;alentine !as assiduousl stitchin( uppers# and escorted him to the "ront o""ice. There the !arden handed 1imm his pardon# !hich had been si(ned that mornin( b the (overnor. 1imm too' it in a tired 'ind o" !a . He had served nearl ten months o" a "our ear sentence. He had e0pected to sta onl about three months# at the lon(est. When a man !ith as man "riends on the outside as 1imm ;alentine had is received in the .stir. it is hardl !orth !hile to cut his hair. .No!# ;alentine#. said the !arden# . ou&ll (o out in the mornin(. Brace up# and ma'e a man o" oursel". You&re not a bad "ello! at heart. Stop crac'in( sa"es# and live strai(ht.. .7e/. said 1imm # in surprise. .Wh # , never crac'ed a sa"e in m li"e.. .Oh# no#. lau(hed the !arden. .O" course not. :et&s see# no!. Ho! !as it ou happened to (et sent up on that Sprin("ield +ob/ Was it because ou !ouldn&t prove an alibi "or "ear o" compromisin( somebod in e0tremel hi(h) toned societ / Or !as it simpl a case o" a mean old +ur that had it in "or ou/ ,t&s al!a s one or the other !ith ou innocent victims.. .7e/. said 1imm # still blan'l virtuous. .Wh # !arden# , never !as in Sprin("ield in m li"e4. .Ta'e him bac'# 8ronin4. said the !arden# .and "i0 him up !ith out(oin( clothes. 2nloc' him at seven in the mornin(# and let him come to the bull)pen. Better thin' over m advice# ;alentine.. At a -uarter past seven on the ne0t mornin( 1imm stood in the !arden&s outer o""ice. He had on a suit o" the villainousl "ittin(# read )made clothes and a pair o" the sti""# s-uea' shoes that the state "urnishes to its dischar(ed compulsor (uests. The cler' handed him a railroad tic'et and the "ive)dollar bill !ith !hich the la! e0pected him to rehabilitate himsel" into (ood citi5enship and prosperit . The !arden (ave him a ci(ar# and shoo' hands. ;alentine# >?@A# !as chronicled on the boo's# .9ardoned b 6overnor#. and 7r. 1ames ;alentine !al'ed out into the sunshine. 3isre(ardin( the son( o" the birds# the !avin( (reen trees# and the smell o" the "lo!ers# 1imm headed strai(ht "or a restaurant. There he tasted the "irst s!eet +o s o" libert in the shape o" a broiled chic'en and a bottle o" !hite !ineB

"ollo!ed b a ci(ar a (rade better than the one the !arden had (iven him. From there he proceeded leisurel to the depot. He tossed a -uarter into the hat o" a blind man sittin( b the door# and boarded his train. Three hours set him do!n in a little to!n near the state line. He !ent to the ca"C o" one 7i'e 3olan and shoo' hands !ith 7i'e# !ho !as alone behind the bar. .Sorr !e couldn&t ma'e it sooner# 1imm # me bo #. said 7i'e. .But !e had that protest "rom Sprin("ield to buc' a(ainst# and the (overnor nearl bal'ed. Feelin( all ri(ht/. .Fine#. said 1imm . .6ot m 'e /. He (ot his 'e and !ent upstairs# unloc'in( the door o" a room at the rear. Ever thin( !as +ust as he had le"t it. There on the "loor !as still Ben 9rice&s collar)button that had been torn "rom that eminent detective&s shirt)band !hen the had overpo!ered 1imm to arrest him. 9ullin( out "rom the !all a "oldin()bed# 1imm slid bac' a panel in the !all and dra((ed out a dust)covered suit)case. He opened this and (a5ed "ondl at the "inest set o" bur(lar&s tools in the East. ,t !as a complete set# made o" speciall tempered steel# the latest desi(ns in drills# punches# braces and bits# +immies# clamps# and au(ers# !ith t!o or three novelties# invented b 1imm himsel"# in !hich he too' pride. Over nine hundred dollars the had cost him to have made at DDDD# a place !here the ma'e such thin(s "or the pro"ession. ,n hal" an hour 1imm !ent do!n stairs and throu(h the ca"C. He !as no! dressed in taste"ul and !ell)"ittin( clothes# and carried his dusted and cleaned suit)case in his hand. .6ot an thin( on/. as'ed 7i'e 3olan# (eniall . .7e/. said 1imm # in a pu55led tone. ., don&t understand. ,&m representin( the Ne! Yor' Amal(amated Short Snap Biscuit 8rac'er and Fra55led Wheat 8ompan .. This statement deli(hted 7i'e to such an e0tent that 1imm had to ta'e a selt5er)and)mil' on the spot. He never touched .hard. drin's. A !ee' a"ter the release o" ;alentine# >?@A# there !as a neat +ob o" sa"e)bur(lar done in Richmond# ,ndiana# !ith no clue to the author. A scant ei(ht hundred dollars !as all that !as secured. T!o !ee's a"ter that a patented# improved# bur(lar)proo" sa"e in :o(ansport !as opened li'e a cheese to the tune o" "i"teen hundred dollars# currenc * securities and silver untouched. That be(an to interest the ro(ue) catchers. Then an old)"ashioned ban')sa"e in 1e""erson 8it became active and thre! out o" its crater an eruption o" ban')notes amountin( to "ive thousand dollars. The losses !ere no! hi(h enou(h to brin( the matter up into Ben 9rice&s class o" !or'. B comparin( notes# a remar'able

similarit in the methods o" the bur(laries !as noticed. Ben 9rice investi(ated the scenes o" the robberies# and !as heard to remar'= .That&s 3and 1im ;alentine&s auto(raph. He&s resumed business. :oo' at that combination 'nobB+er'ed out as eas as pullin( up a radish in !et !eather. He&s (ot the onl clamps that can do it. And loo' ho! clean those tumblers !ere punched out4 1imm never has to drill but one hole. Yes# , (uess , !ant 7r. ;alentine. He&ll do his bit ne0t time !ithout an short)time or clemenc "oolishness.. Ben 9rice 'ne! 1imm &s habits. He had learned them !hile !or'in( up the Sprin("ield case. :on( +umps# -uic' (et) a!a s# no con"ederates# and a taste "or (ood societ Bthese !a s had helped 7r. ;alentine to become noted as a success"ul dod(er o" retribution. ,t !as (iven out that Ben 9rice had ta'en up the trail o" the elusive crac'sman# and other people !ith bur(lar)proo" sa"es "elt more at ease. One a"ternoon 1imm ;alentine and his suit)case climbed out o" the mail)hac' in Elmore# a little to!n "ive miles o"" the railroad do!n in the blac')+ac' countr o" Ar'ansas. 1imm # loo'in( li'e an athletic oun( senior +ust home "rom colle(e# !ent do!n the board side)!al' to!ard the hotel. A oun( lad crossed the street# passed him at the corner and entered a door over !hich !as the si(n# .The Elmore Ban'.. 1imm ;alentine loo'ed into her e es# "or(ot !hat he !as# and became another man. She lo!ered her e es and coloured sli(htl . Youn( men o" 1imm &s st le and loo's !ere scarce in Elmore. 1imm collared a bo that !as loa"in( on the steps o" the ban' as i" he !ere one o" the stoc'holders# and be(an to as' him -uestions about the to!n# "eedin( him dimes at intervals. B and b the oun( lad came out# loo'in( ro all unconscious o" the oun( man !ith the suit)case# and !ent her !a . .,sn&t that oun( lad 9oll Simpson/. as'ed 1imm # !ith specious (uile. .Na!#. said the bo . .She&s Annabel Adams. Her pa o!ns this ban'. What&d ou come to Elmore "or/ ,s that a (old !atch)chain/ ,&m (oin( to (et a bulldo(. 6ot an more dimes/. 1imm !ent to the 9lanters& Hotel# re(istered as Ralph 3. Spencer# and en(a(ed a room. He leaned on the des' and declared his plat"orm to the cler'. He said he had come to Elmore to loo' "or a location to (o into business. Ho! !as the shoe business# no!# in the to!n/ He had thou(ht o" the shoe business. Was there an openin(/ The cler' !as impressed b the clothes and manner o" 1imm . He# himsel"# !as somethin( o" a pattern o" "ashion to the thinl (ilded outh o" Elmore# but he no! perceived

his shortcomin(s. While tr in( to "i(ure out 1imm &s manner o" t in( his "our)in)hand he cordiall (ave in"ormation. Yes# there ou(ht to be a (ood openin( in the shoe line. There !asn&t an e0clusive shoe)store in the place. The dr ) (oods and (eneral stores handled them. Business in all lines !as "airl (ood. Hoped 7r. Spencer !ould decide to locate in Elmore. He !ould "ind it a pleasant to!n to live in# and the people ver sociable. 7r. Spencer thou(ht he !ould stop over in the to!n a "e! da s and loo' over the situation. No# the cler' needn&t call the bo . He !ould carr up his suit)case# himsel"* it !as rather heav . 7r. Ralph Spencer# the phEni0 that arose "rom 1imm ;alentine&s ashesBashes le"t b the "lame o" a sudden and alterative attac' o" loveBremained in Elmore# and prospered. He opened a shoe)store and secured a (ood run o" trade. Sociall he !as also a success# and made man "riends. And he accomplished the !ish o" his heart. He met 7iss Annabel Adams# and became more and more captivated b her charms. At the end o" a ear the situation o" 7r. Ralph Spencer !as this= he had !on the respect o" the communit # his shoe) store !as "lourishin(# and he and Annabel !ere en(a(ed to be married in t!o !ee's. 7r. Adams# the t pical# ploddin(# countr ban'er# approved o" Spencer. Annabel&s pride in him almost e-ualled her a""ection. He !as as much at home in the "amil o" 7r. Adams and that o" Annabel&s married sister as i" he !ere alread a member. One da 1imm sat do!n in his room and !rote this letter# !hich he mailed to the sa"e address o" one o" his old "riends in St. :ouis= 3ear Old 9al= , !ant ou to be at Sullivan&s place# in :ittle Roc'# ne0t Wednesda ni(ht# at nine o&cloc'. , !ant ou to !ind up some little matters "or me. And# also# , !ant to ma'e ou a present o" m 'it o" tools. , 'no! ou&ll be (lad to (et themB ou couldn&t duplicate the lot "or a thousand dollars. Sa # Bill # ,&ve -uit the old businessBa ear a(o. ,&ve (ot a nice store. ,&m ma'in( an honest livin(# and ,&m (oin( to marr the "inest (irl on earth t!o !ee's "rom no!. ,t&s the onl li"e# Bill Bthe strai(ht one. , !ouldn&t touch a dollar o" another man&s mone no! "or a million. A"ter , (et married ,&m (oin( to sell out and (o West# !here there !on&t be so much dan(er o" havin( old scores brou(ht up a(ainst me. , tell ou# Bill # she&s an an(el. She believes in me* and , !ouldn&t do another croo'ed thin( "or the !hole !orld. Be sure to be at Sull &s# "or , must see ou. ,&ll brin( alon( the

tools !ith me. Your old "riend# 1imm . On the 7onda ni(ht a"ter 1imm !rote this letter# Ben 9rice +o((ed unobtrusivel into Elmore in a liver bu(( . He loun(ed about to!n in his -uiet !a until he "ound out !hat he !anted to 'no!. From the dru()store across the street "rom Spencer&s shoe)store he (ot a (ood loo' at Ralph 3. Spencer. .6oin( to marr the ban'er&s dau(hter are ou# 1imm /. said Ben to himsel"# so"tl . .Well# , don&t 'no!4. The ne0t mornin( 1imm too' brea'"ast at the Adamses. He !as (oin( to :ittle Roc' that da to order his !eddin()suit and bu somethin( nice "or Annabel. That !ould be the "irst time he had le"t to!n since he came to Elmore. ,t had been more than a ear no! since those last pro"essional .+obs#. and he thou(ht he could sa"el venture out. A"ter brea'"ast -uite a "amil part !ent do!nto!n to(etherB7r. Adams# Annabel# 1imm # and Annabel&s married sister !ith her t!o little (irls# a(ed "ive and nine. The came b the hotel !here 1imm still boarded# and he ran up to his room and brou(ht alon( his suit)case. Then the !ent on to the ban'. There stood 1imm &s horse and bu(( and 3olph 6ibson# !ho !as (oin( to drive him over to the railroad station. All !ent inside the hi(h# carved oa' railin(s into the ban'in()roomB1imm included# "or 7r. Adams&s "uture son)in)la! !as !elcome an !here. The cler's !ere pleased to be (reeted b the (ood)loo'in(# a(reeable oun( man !ho !as (oin( to marr 7iss Annabel. 1imm set his suit) case do!n. Annabel# !hose heart !as bubblin( !ith happiness and livel outh# put on 1imm &s hat# and pic'ed up the suit)case. .Wouldn&t , ma'e a nice drummer/. said Annabel. .7 4 Ralph# ho! heav it is/ Feels li'e it !as "ull o" (old bric's.. .:ot o" nic'el)plated shoe)horns in there#. said 1imm # cooll # .that ,&m (oin( to return. Thou(ht ,&d save e0press char(es b ta'in( them up. ,&m (ettin( a!"ull economical.. The Elmore Ban' had +ust put in a ne! sa"e and vault. 7r. Adams !as ver proud o" it# and insisted on an inspection b ever one. The vault !as a small one# but it had a ne!# patented door. ,t "astened !ith three solid steel bolts thro!n simultaneousl !ith a sin(le handle# and had a time)loc'. 7r. Adams beamin(l e0plained its !or'in(s to 7r. Spencer# !ho sho!ed a courteous but not too intelli(ent interest. The t!o children# 7a and A(atha# !ere deli(hted b the shinin( metal and "unn cloc' and 'nobs.

While the !ere thus en(a(ed Ben 9rice sauntered in and leaned on his elbo!# loo'in( casuall inside bet!een the railin(s. He told the teller that he didn&t !ant an thin(* he !as +ust !aitin( "or a man he 'ne!. Suddenl there !as a scream or t!o "rom the !omen# and a commotion. 2nperceived b the elders# 7a # the nine) ear) old (irl# in a spirit o" pla # had shut A(atha in the vault. She had then shot the bolts and turned the 'nob o" the combination as she had seen 7r. Adams do. The old ban'er spran( to the handle and tu((ed at it "or a moment. .The door can&t be opened#. he (roaned. .The cloc' hasn&t been !ound nor the combination set.. A(atha&s mother screamed a(ain# h stericall . .Hush4. said 7r. Adams# raisin( his tremblin( hand. .All be -uite "or a moment. A(atha4. he called as loudl as he could. .:isten to me.. 3urin( the "ollo!in( silence the could +ust hear the "aint sound o" the child !ildl shrie'in( in the dar' vault in a panic o" terror. .7 precious darlin(4. !ailed the mother. .She !ill die o" "ri(ht4 Open the door4 Oh# brea' it open4 8an&t ou men do somethin(/. .There isn&t a man nearer than :ittle Roc' !ho can open that door#. said 7r. Adams# in a sha' voice. .7 6od4 Spencer# !hat shall !e do/ That childBshe can&t stand it lon( in there. There isn&t enou(h air# and# besides# she&ll (o into convulsions "rom "ri(ht.. A(atha&s mother# "rantic no!# beat the door o" the vault !ith her hands. Somebod !ildl su((ested d namite. Annabel turned to 1imm # her lar(e e es "ull o" an(uish# but not et despairin(. To a !oman nothin( seems -uite impossible to the po!ers o" the man she !orships. .8an&t ou do somethin(# RalphBtr # !on&t ou/. He loo'ed at her !ith a -ueer# so"t smile on his lips and in his 'een e es. .Annabel#. he said# .(ive me that rose ou are !earin(# !ill ou/. Hardl believin( that she heard him ari(ht# she unpinned the bud "rom the bosom o" her dress# and placed it in his hand. 1imm stu""ed it into his vest)poc'et# thre! o"" his coat and pulled up his shirt)sleeves. With that act Ralph 3. Spencer passed a!a and 1imm ;alentine too' his place. .6et a!a "rom the door# all o" ou#. he commanded# shortl . He set his suit)case on the table# and opened it out "lat. From that time on he seemed to be unconscious o" the

presence o" an one else. He laid out the shinin(# -ueer implements s!i"tl and orderl # !histlin( so"tl to himsel" as he al!a s did !hen at !or'. ,n a deep silence and immovable# the others !atched him as i" under a spell. ,n a minute 1imm &s pet drill !as bitin( smoothl into the steel door. ,n ten minutesBbrea'in( his o!n bur(larious recordBhe thre! bac' the bolts and opened the door. A(atha# almost collapsed# but sa"e# !as (athered into her mother&s arms. 1imm ;alentine put on his coat# and !al'ed outside the railin(s to!ards the "ront door. As he !ent he thou(ht he heard a "ar)a!a voice that he once 'ne! call .Ralph4. But he never hesitated.

At the door a bi( man stood some!hat in his !a . .Hello# Ben4. said 1imm # still !ith his stran(e smile. .6ot around at last# have ou/ Well# let&s (o. , don&t 'no! that it ma'es much di""erence# no!.. And then Ben 9rice acted rather stran(el . .6uess ou&re mista'en# 7r. Spencer#. he said. .3on&t believe , reco(ni5e ou. Your bu(( &s !aitin( "or ou# ain&t it/. And Ben 9rice turned and strolled do!n the street.