 19. All went well, and we fled down the bitter stream of the Martian gulf at a pace, leaving me little to do but got our course just clear of snags and promontories on the port shore. Just before dawn, however, with a thin mist on the water and flocks of a flamingo-like bird croaking as they flew southward overhead, we were nearly captured again. Drifting silently down on a rocky island, I was having a drink at the water picture at the moment, while Haru, her hair beady with prismatic moisture and looking more ethereal than ever, sat in the bowels timorously inhaling the breath of freedom, when all on a sudden voices invisible in the mist came round the corner. It was one of Arhap's work news toiling upstream. Haru and I ducked down into the haze like dab chicks and held our breath. Straight on towards us came the toiling ship, the dip of oars resonant in the hollow fog and a ripple babbling on her cutwater plainly discernible. Oh-ho, ho-ho, how high, how high, sounded the sleepy songs of the rowers till they were looming right abreast, and we could smell their damp hides in the morning air. Then they stopped suddenly and someone asked, is there not something like a boat away on the right? It is nothing, said another, but the leaves of last night's beer curdling in your stupid brain. But I saw it move. That must have been in dreams. What's all this talking about? growled a sleepy voice of authority from the stern. Bow, man, sir, says he can see a boat. And what does it matter if he can? Are we to delay every time that lazy ruffian spying a shadow makes it an excuse to stop, to yawn, and scratch? Go on, you plaintful of lovers, or I'll give you something worth thinking about. And joyfully, oh, so joyfully, we heard the sullen dip of oars commence again. Nothing more happened after that till the sun at length shone on the little harbor town at the estuary mouth, making the mast a fishing-craft clustering there like a golden reed bed against the cool, clean blue of the sea beyond. Quite glad we were to see it, and keeping now in shadow of the banks made all haste while light was faint and mishung about to reach the town, finally pushing through the boats and gaining a safe hiding-place without hostile notice before it was clear daylight. Covering her roux up and knowing well all our chances of escape lay in expedition, I went at once in pursuit of a plan made during the night. To the good-day-me-at-what, for lack of a better name, must still continue to be called the fish-shop. When finding her alone, frankly told her the salient points of my story. When she learned I had robbed the lion of his prey and taken his new wife single-handed from the dreaded Arhap, her astonishment was unbounded. Nothing would do but she must look upon the princess, so back we went to the hiding-place. And when Haru knew on this woman depended our lives, she stepped ashore, taking the rugged Martian hand in her dainty fingers, and begging her help so sweetly that my own heart was moved. And, thrusting hands in pocket, I went aside, leaving those two to settle it in their own female way. And when I looked back in five minutes, Royal Seth had her arms around the woman's neck, kissing the homely cheeks with more than imperial fervor. So I knew all was well thus far, and stopped expectorating at the little fishes in the water below and went over to them. It was time. We had hardly spoken together a minute when a couple of war-connues filled with men appeared around the nearest promontory, coming down the swift water with error-like rapidity. Quick, said the fish-wife, or we are all lost. Into your canoe and paddle up this creek. It runs out to the sea behind the town, and at the bar is my man's fishing-boat amongst many others. Lie hidden there till he comes if you value your lives. So when we got, and while that good Samaritan went back to our house, we cautiously paddled through a deserted backwater to where it presently turned through low sand-banks to the gulf. There were the boats, and we hid the canoe and lay down amongst them till, soon after, a man easily recognized as the husband of our friend came sauntering down from the village. At first he was sullen, not unreasonably alarmed at the danger into which his good woman was running him. But when he set eyes on Haru, he softened immediately. Probably that thick-body fellow had never seen so much female loveliness and so small a bulk in all his life. And being a man, he surrendered at discretion. In with you then, he growled, since I must need to risk my neck for a pair of runaways who better deserve to be hung than I do. In with you both into this fishing-cobble of mine, and I will cover you with nets while I go for a mast and sail, and mind you lie still as logs. The town is already full of soldiers looking for you, and it will be short shrift for us all if you are seen. Well aware of the fact, and now in the hands of destiny, the princess and I lay down as bidden in the prow, and the man covered us lightly over with one of those fine mesh sands used by these people to catch the little fish I had breakfasted on more than once. Materially I could have enjoyed the half-hour which followed, since such rest after exertion was welcome, the sun warm, the lapping of sea on shingle infinitely soothing, and above all Haru was in my arms. How sweet and childlike she was! I could feel her little heart beating through her scanty clothing, while every now and then she turned her gazelle eyes to mine with a trust in admiration infinitely alluring. Yes, as far as that went, I could have lain there with that slip of maine royalty forever, but the fascination of the moment was marred by the thought of our danger. What was to prevent these new friends giving us away? They knew we had no money to recompense them for the risk they were running. They were poor, and a splendid reward, wealth itself to them, would doubtless be theirs if they betrayed us even by a look. Yet somehow I trusted them as I have trusted the poor before with the happiest results, and telling myself this and comforting Haru, I listened and waited. Minute by minute went by. It seemed an aid since the fisherman had gone, but presently the sound of voices interrupted the sea's murmur. Cautiously stealing a glance through a chink, imagined my feelings on perceiving half a dozen of our Hap soldiers coming down the beach straight towards us. Then my heart was bitter within me, and I tasted a defeat, even with Haru in my arms. Luckily, even in that moment of agony I kept still, and another peep showed the men were now wandering about rather aimlessly. Perhaps after all they did not know of our nearness. Then they took the horse-play, as idle soldiers will even in Mars, pelting each other with bits of wood and dead fish, and thereon I breathed again. Nearer they came and nearer, my heart beating fast as they strolled amongst the boats until they were actually larking round the one next to ours. A minute or two of this and another footstep crunched on the pebbles, a quick nervous one, which my instinct told me was that of our returning friend. Hello, old Spratcatcher, going for a sail? cried out a soldier, and I knew that the group were all round our boat, Haru trembling so violently in my breast that I thought she would make the vessel shake. Yes, said the man gruffly. Let's go with him, cried several voices. Here, old dried headache, will you take us if we help haul your nets for you? No, I won't. Your ugly faces would frighten all the fish out of the sea. And yours, you old chunk of dried mahogany, is meant to attract them, no doubt. What's time to a post and go fishing in his boat ourselves, someone suggested? Meanwhile, two of them began rocking the cobble violently from side to side. This was awful. In every moment I expected the net in the sail which our friend had thrown down unceremoniously upon us would roll off. Oh, stop that, said the Martian, who was no doubt quite as well aware of the danger as we were. The tide's full, the shoals are in the bay. Stop your nonsense, and help me launch like good fellows. Well take two of us then. We will sit on this heap of nets as quiet as mice, and stain you a drink when we get back. No, not one of you, quote the plucky fellow. And here's my staff in my hand, and if you don't leave my gear alone I will crack some of your ugly heads. That's a pity, I thought to myself. For if they take the fighting, it will be six to one, long odds against our chances. There was indeed a scuffle, and then a yell of pain, as though a soldier had been hit across the knuckles. But in a minute, the best disposed called out, oh, cease your fun, boys, and let the fellow get off if he wants to. You know the fleet will be down directly, and our hap has promised something worth having to the man who can find that lost bit of crackling of his. It's my opinion she's in the town, and I for one would rather look for her than go had it fishing any day. Right you are, mates, said our friend with visible relief, and what's more, if you help me launch this boat, and then go to my missus and tell her what you've done, she'll understand, and give you the biggest pumpkin full of beer in the place. Ah, she will understand, and bless your soft hearts and heads while you drink it. She's a cute one, is my missus. And aren't you afraid to leave her with us? Not I, my Daisy. Unless it were, that sight of your pretty face might give her hysterics. Now, lend a hand, your accursed cheddar has already cost me half an hour of the best fishing time. In with you, old buck, shouted the soldiers, I felt the fisherman step in, as a matter of fact he stepped in on my toes. A dozen hands were on the gunnels, six soldier yells resounded it seemed in my very ears. There was the grit and rush of pebbles under the keel, a sudden lurch up of the boughs, which brought the fairy-lady's honey-scented lips to mine, and then the gentle lapping of the deep blue waters underneath us. There is little more to be said of that voyage. We pulled until out of sight of the town, then hoisted sail, and with a fair win, held upon one tack until we made an island where there was a small colony of hitherfolk. Here our friend turned back. I gave him another gold button for my coat, and the princess a kiss upon either cheek, which he seemed to like even more than the button. It was small payment, but the best we had. Notice he got safely home, and I can but hope that Providence somehow or other paid him and his wife for a good deed bravely done. Those islanders in turn lent us another boat with a guide, who had business in the hither capital, and on the evening of the second day, the direct route being very short in comparison, we were under the crumbling marble walls of Seth. End of CHAPTER XIX It was like turning into a hot house from a keen winter walk, our arrival at a beautiful but nervous city after my life amongst the woodmen. As for the people, they were delighted to have their princess back, but with the delight of children, fawning about her, singing, clapping hands, yet asking no questions as to where she had been, showing no appreciation of our adventures, a serious offense in my eyes, and perhaps most important of all, no understanding of what I may call the political bearings of Haru's restoration, and how far their arch enemies beyond the sea might be inclined to attempt her recovery. They were just delighted to have the princess back, and that was the end of it. There's was the joy of a vast nursery let loose. Flower processions were organized, garlands woven by the mile. A general order issued that the nation might stay up for an hour after bedtime, and in the vortex of that gentle rejoicing Haru was taken from me, and I saw her no more, while there happened the wildest scene of all you have shared with me so patiently. Overlooked, unthanked, I turned sulky, and when this mood, one I can never maintain for long wore off, I threw myself into the dissipation about me with angry zeal. I am frankly ashamed of the confession, but I was a sailor ashore, and can only claim the indulgences proper to the situation. I laughed, danced, drank through the night. I drank deep of a dozen rosy ways to forgetfulness, till my mind was a great confusion, full of flitting pictures of loveliness, till life itself was an elusive pantomime, and my will but thistle down on the folly of the moment. I drank with those gentle roisters all through their starlit night, and if we stopped when morning came it was more from weariness than virtue. Then the yellow-robed slaves gave us the wine of recovery, alas my faithful on was not amongst them, and all through the day we lay about in sodden happiness. This nightfall I was myself again, not unfortunately with the headache well earned, but sufficiently remorseful to be in a vein to make good resolutions for the future. In this mood I mingled with a happy crowd, all purposeless and cheerful as usual, but before long began to feel the influence of one of these drifts, a universal turning in one direction, as seaweed turns when the tide changes, so characteristic of Martian society. It was dusk, a lovely soft velvet dusk, but not dark yet, and I said to a yellow-robed fairy at my side, With her away, comrade, it is not eight bells yet. Surely we are not going to be put to bed as early as this. No, said the smiling individual, it is the princess. We are going to listen to Princess Haru in the palace square. She reads the globe on the terrace again tonight, to see if omens are propitious for her marriage. She must marry, and you know the ceremony has been unavoidably postponed so far. Yes, heaven wanted I was aware of the fact. And was Haru going to marry Black Hath in such a hurry, and after all I had done for her? It was scarcely decent, and I tried to rouse myself to rage over it, but somehow the seductive Martian contentment with any fate was getting into my veins. I was not yet altogether sunk in their slothful acceptance of the inevitable, but there was not the slightest doubt the hot red blood in me was turning into vapid stuff, such as did duty for the article in their veins. I mustered up a half-hearted frown at this unwelcome intelligence, turning with it on my face towards the slave girl. But she had slipped away into the throng. So the frown evaporated and shrugging my shoulders I said to myself, what does it matter? There are twenty others will do as well for me. If not one, why then obviously another? Tis the only rational way to think. And at all events, there is the magic globe. That may tell us something. And slipping my arm round the waist of the first disengaged girl, we were not then, mind you, in Atlantic City. I kissed her dimpling cheek unreproached, and gaily followed in the drift of humanity, trending with a low hum of pleasure towards the great white terraces under the palace porch. How well I knew them. It was just such an evening herruic insulted fate in the same place once before. How much it happened since then. But there was little time or inclination to think of those things now. The whole Phantom City's population had drifted to one common center. The crumbling seaward ramparts were all deserted. No soldier watch was kept to note if angry woodman came from overseas. A soft wind blew in from the brine, but told no tales. The streets were empty. And when as we waited far away in the southern sky, the earth-planet presently got up. By its light herru, herself again, came tripping down the steps to read her fate. They had placed another magic globe under a shroud on a tripod for her. It stood within the charmed circle upon the terrace, and I was close by, although the princess did not see me. Again that weird fantastic dance commenced. The princess working herself up from the drowsy's undulations to a hurricane of emotion. Then she stopped close by the orb, and seized the corner of the web covering it. We saw the globe begin to beam with veiled magnificence at her touch. Not an eye wavered. Not a thought wandered from her in all that silent multitude. It was a moment of the keenest suspense. And just when it was at its height, there came a strange sound of herring feet behind the outermost crowd. A murmur such as a great pack of wolves might make rushing through snow, while a soft long wail went up from the darkness. Whether herru understood it or not, I cannot say. But she hesitated a moment, then swept the cloth from the orb of her fate. And as its ghostly self-emitting light beamed up in the darkness with weird brilliancy, thereby it, in golden furs and war panoply, huge fierce and lowering, stood Arhat himself. I, and behind him, towering over the crouching Martians blocking every outlet in street, were scores and hundreds of his men. Never was surprise so utter, ambush more complete. Even I was transfixed with astonishment, staring with open mouth horror at the splendid figure of the barbarian king, as he stood a glitter in the ready light, scowling defiance at the throng around him. So silently had he come on his errand of vengeance, it was difficult to believe he was a reality. And not some clever piece of stageplay, some vision conjured up by Martian necromancy. But he was a good reality. In a minute, comedy turned to tragedy. Arhat gave a sign with his hand, whereon all his men set up a terrible war cry, the like of which Seth had not heard for very long. And as far as I could make out in the half light began hacking and hewing my luckless friends with all their might. Meanwhile, the king made Haru, feeling sure of her this time, and doubtless intending to make her taste as vengeance to the dregs. And seeing her handled like that, and hearing her plaintive cries, wrath took the place of stupid surprise in me. I was on my feet in a second, across the intervening space, and with all my force gave the king a blow upon the jaw, which sent even him staggering backwards. Before I could close again, so swift was a sequence of events in those flying minutes, a wild mob of people, victims and executioners in one disordered throng was between us. How the king fared I know not, nor stop to ask, but half dragging, half carrying Haru through the streaking mob, got her up the palace steps and in the great doors, which a couple of yellow clad slaves, more frightened of the barbarians than thoughtful of the crowd without, promptly clapped to and shot the bolts. Thus, we were safe for a moment, and putting the princess on a couch, I ran up a short flight of stairs and looked out the front window, to see if there were a chance of suckering those in the palace square. But it was all hopeless chaos in the town, already beginning to burn, and not a show of fight anywhere which I could join. I glared out on that infernal tumult for a moment or two in an agony of impotent rage. Then turned towards the harbor, and saw on the shrine of the burning town below, the ancient battlements and towers of Seth beginning to gleam out, like a sprended frostwork of living metal clear cut against a smooth black night behind, and never a show of resistance there, either. I, and by this time, perhaps men were battering in our gates with a big beam, and somehow, I do not know how it happened, the palace itself away on the right, where the dry as dust library lay, was also beginning to burn. It was hopeless outside, and nothing to be done but save Haru, so down I went, and with the slaves, carried her away from the hall through a vestibule or two, and into an anti-room, where some yellow-girt individuals were already engaged in the suggestive work of tying up palace plates and bundles. Amongst other things, alas, the great gold love-bowl from which, oh, so long ago, I had drawn Haru's marriage billet. These individuals told me in tremulous accents they had got a boat on a secret waterway behind the palace, went's flight to the main river, and so, far away inland, to another smaller, but more peaceful city of their race, would be quite practical. Enjoyfully hearing this news, I handed over to them the princess, while I went to look for half. And the search was not long. Dashing into the banquet hall, still littered with the remains of a feast, and looking down its deserted vistas, there at the farther end on his throne, clad in the somber garments he affected, chin on hand, sedate and royal melancholy, listening unmoved to the sack of his town outside, sat the prince himself. Strange, gloomy man, the great dead intelligence of his race shining in his face as weird and out of place as a lonely sea-beacon, fading to nothing before the glow of sunrise. Never had he appeared so mysterious as he was at that moment. Even in the heat of excitement, I stared at him in amazement. Wishing in hasty thought, the confusion of the past few weeks had given me opportunity to penetrate the recesses of his mind, and therefrom retelling you things better worth listening to than all the incident of my adventures. But now there was no time to think, scarce time to act. Hath, I cried, rushing over to him, wake up, your Majesty. The thithermen are outside, killing and burning. I know it. And the palace is on fire. You can smell the reek even here. Yes. Then what are you going to do? Nothing. My word, that is a fine proposition for a prince. If you care nothing for town or palace, perhaps you will bestow yourself for Princess Haru. A faint glimmer of interest rose upon the alabaster calm of his face at that name, but it faded instantly, and he said quietly, The slaves will save her. She will live. I looked into the book of her fate yesterday. She will escape and forget, and sit at another marriage feast, and be a mother, and give the people yet one more prince to keep the faint glimmer of our ancestry alive. I am content. But damn it, man, I am not. I take a deal more interest in the young lady than you seem to, and a scoured half this precious planet of yours on her account, and will be hanged if I sit idly twiddling my thumbs while her pretty skin is in danger. But hath was lost in contemplation of his shoestrings. Come, sir, I said, shaking his majesty by the shoulder. Don't be down on your luck. There has been some rivalry between us, but never mind about that just now. The princess wants you. I am going to say both her and you. You must come with her. No. But you shall come. No. By this time the palace was blazing like a bonfire, and the uproar outside was terrible. What was I to do? As I hesitated, the heiress at the further end of the hall was swept aside. A disordered mob of slaves bearing bundles and dragging Heru with them, rushing down to the door near us. As Heru was carried swiftly by, she stretched her milk-white arms towards the prince, and turned her face, lovely as a convovalous flower even in its pallor upon him. It was a heart-moving appeal from a woman with the heart of a child, and hath rose to his feet, while for a moment there shone a look of responsible manhood in his eyes. But it faded quickly. He bowed slowly as though he had received an address of condolence on the condition of his empire, and the next moment, the frightened slaves, stumbling under their burdens, had swept poor Heru through the doorway. I glanced savagely round at the curling smoke overhead, the red tendrils of fire climbing up a distant wall, and there on a table by us was a half-finished flask of the lovely tinted wine of forgetfulness. If hath would not come sober, perhaps he might come drunk. Here, I cried, drink to tomorrow your majesty, a sovereign toast in all ages, and better luck next time with these hairy gentlemen battering at your majesty's doors, and splashing out a goblet full of the stuff, I handed it to him. He took it and looked rather lovingly into the lipid pool, then deliberately poured it on the step in front of him, and throwing the cup away, said pleasantly, Not tonight, good comrade. Tonight I drink a deeper draft of oblivion than that, and here come my cup-bearers. Even while he spoke, the palace gates had given way. There was a horrible medley of shrieks and cries, a quick sound of running feet. Then again the heiress lifted, and in poured a horde of r-haps men in arms. The moment they caught sight of us, about a dozen of them, armed with bows, drew the thick-hide strings to their ears, and down the hall came a ravening flight of shafts. One went through my cap, two struck quivering in the throne, and one, winged with alf-eather, caught black hath full in the bosom. He had stood up boldly at the first coming of that onset. Arms crossed on breast, chin up, and looking more of a gentleman than I had ever seen him look before. And now, stricken, he smiled gravely, then without flinching, and still eyeing his enemies with gentle calm, his knees unlocked, his frame trembled. Then down he went headlong, his red blood running forth in rivulets, amongst the wine of oblivion he had just poured out. There was no time for sentiment. I shrugged my shoulders, and turning on my heels, with the woodmen close after me, sprang through the near doorway. Where was Haru? I flew down the corridor by which it seemed she had retreated. And then, hesitating a moment where it divided in two, took the left one. This to my chagrin, suddenly began to trend upwards, whereas I knew Haru was making for the river down below. But it was impossible to go back, and whenever I stopped in those deserted passages, I could hear the wolf-like patter of men's feet upon my trail. On again, into the stoning labyrinths of the old palace, ever upwards, in spite of my desire to go down, until at last, the pursuers off the track for a moment, I came to a north window in the palace wall, and, hot and breathless, stayed to look out. Wall was peace here. The sky a lovely lavender. A promise of coming morning in it, and a gold-spangled curtain of stars out yonder on the horizon. Not a soul moved. Below appeared a sheer drop of a hundred feet, into a moat winding through thickets of heavily scented convolveless flowers to the waterways beyond. And as I looked, a skiff with half a dozen rowers came swiftly out of the darkness of the wall, and passed like a shadow amongst the thickets. In the prow was all-hast wedding-plate, and in the stern, a faint vision of unconscious loveliness lay Haru. Before I could lift a finger or call out, even if I had had a mind to, the shadow was gone round a bend, and a shout within the palace told me I was sighted again. On once more, hotly pursued, until the last corridor ended in two doors leading to a half-lit gallery with open windows at the further end. There was a wilderness of lumber down the sides of the great garret. And now I come to think of it more calmly, I imagine it was Hasse's lost property office, the vast receptacle where his slaves deposited everything lazy Martians forgot or left about in their daily life. At that moment, it only represented a last refuge. And into it I dashed, swung the doors to, and fastened them just as a foremost of Arhap's men hurled themselves upon the barrier from outside. There I was like a rat in a trap, and like a rat I made it my mind to fight savagely to the end, without for a moment deceiving myself as to what that end must be. Even up there, the horrible roar of destruction was plainly audible as the barbarians sacked and burned the ancient town, and I was glad from the bottom of my heart my poor little princess was safely out of it. Nor did I bear her or hers the least resentment for making off while there was yet time in leaving me to my fate. Anything else would have been contrary to Martian nature. Doubtless she would get away, as Hathid said, and elsewhere drop a few pearly tears. And then over her sugar candy and lotus eating, forget with happy completeness, most blessed gift. And meanwhile, the four said barbarians were battering on my doors. While over their heads, choking smoke was pouring in and ever increasing volumes. In burst the first panel, then another, and I could see through the gaps a medley of tossing weapons and wild faces without. Short shrift for me if they came through. So in the obstinacy of desperation, I set to work to pile old furniture and dry goods against the barricade. And as I yelled and hammered outside, I screamed back defiance from within, sweating, tugging and hauling with the strength of 10 men. Piling up the old Martian lumber against the opening till, so fierce was the attack outside. Little was left of the original doorway, and nothing between me and the besiegers, but a rampart of broken woodwork, half seen in a smother of smoke and flames. Still they came on, thrusting spears and javelins through every crevice, and my strength began to go. I threw two tables into a gap, and brained a besieger with a sweet meat-sellers block and smothered another, and overturned a great chest against my barricade. But what was the purpose of it all? They were fifty to one, and my rampart quaked before them. The smoke was stifling, and the pains of dissolution in my heart. They burst in, and clambered up the ramparts like black ants. I looked round for still one more thing to hurl into the breach. My eyes lit on a roll of carpet. I seized it by one corner, meaning to drag it to the doorway, and it came undone at a touch. That's strange, that incredible pattern. Where in all of the susitudes of a checker career had I seen such a one before? I stared at it in amazement, under the very spears of the woodman in the red glare of Haas burning palace. Then, all in a sudden it burst upon me, that it was the accursed rug. The very one which in response to a careless wish had swept me out of my own dear world, and forced me to take as wild a journey into space as ever fell to a man's lot since the universe was made. And in another second, it occurred to me that if it had brought me hither, it might take me hence. It was but a chance, yet worth trying when all other chances were against me. As R. Hap's man came shouting over the barricade, I threw myself down upon that incredible carpet, and cried from the bottom of my heart. I wish, I wish I were in New York. Yes. A moment of thrilling suspense, and then the corners lifted as though a strong breeze were playing upon them. Another moment, and they had curled over like an incoming surge. One swift glance I got at the smoke and flames, the glittering spears and angry faces, and then fold upon fold, a stifling all enveloping embrace, a lift, a sense of superhuman speed, and then forgetfulness. When I came to, as reporters say, I was aware the rug had ejected me on solid ground and disappeared forever. Where was I? It was cool, damp, and muddy. There were some iron railings close at hand, and a street lamp overhead. These things showed clearly to me, sitting on a doorstep under that light, head in hand, amazed and giddy. So amazed that when slowly the recognition came of the incredible fact my wish was gratified and I was home again, the stupendous incident scarcely appealed to my tingling senses more than one of the many others I had lately undergone. Very slowly I rose to my feet, and as like a discredible revelress could be climbed the steps. The front door was open, and entering the oh so familiar hall, a sound of voices in my sitting-room on the right caught my ear. Oh no, Mrs. Brown said one, which I recognized at once as my Polly's. He is dead for certain, and my heart is breaking. He would never, never have left me so long without writing if he had been alive. And then came a great sound of sobbing. Bless your kind heart, Miss, said the voice of my landlady in reply, but you don't know as much about young gentleman as I do. It is not likely if he has gone off on a razzle-dazzle, as I am sure he has. He's going to write every post and tell you about it. Now off you go to your ma to hotel like a deer, and forget all about him till he comes back. That's my advice. I cannot, I cannot, Miss Brown. I cannot rest by day or sleep by night for thinking of him, for wondering why he went away so suddenly, and for hungering for news of him. Oh, I am miserable. Gully, gully, come to me. And then there were sounds of troubled footsteps, pacing to and fro, and of a woman's grief. That was more than I could stand. I flung the door open, and dirty, disheveled, with unsteady steps, advanced into the room. Ahem, coughed Miss Brown, just as I expected. But I had no eyes for her. Polly, Polly, I cried, and that dear girl, after a startled scream and a glance to make sure it was indeed the recovered prodigal, rushed over and threw all her weight of dear, warm, comfortable womanhood into my arms, and the moment after burst into a passion of happy tears down my collar. Hmm, quote the landlady, that is not what Brown gets when he forgets his self. No, not by any means. But she was a good old soul at heart, and seeing how matters stood, with a parting glance of scorn in my direction and a toss of her head, went out of the room and closed the door behind her. Need I tell in detail what followed? Polly behaved like an angel, and when in answer to her general reproaches, I told her the outlines of my marvelous story, she almost believed me. Over there, on the writing desk, lay a whole row of the unopened letters she had showered upon me during my absence, and amongst them an official one. We went and opened it together, and it was an intimation of my promotion, a much better step than I had ever dared to hope for. Holding that missive in my hand, a thought suddenly occurred to me. Polly, dear, this letter makes me able to maintain you as you ought to be maintained, and there is still a fortnight of vacation for me. Polly, will you marry me to-morrow? No, certainly not, sir. Then will you marry me on Monday? Do you truly, truly want me to? Truly, truly. Then yes, and the dear girl again came blushing into my arms. While we were thus the door opened, and in came her parents, who were staying at a neighboring hotel, while inquiries were made as to my mysterious absence. Not unnaturally, my appearance went a long way to confirm suspicions such as Mrs. Brown had confessed to, and after they had given me cold salutations, Polly's mother, fixing gold glasses on the bridge of her nose and eyeing me haughtily therefrom observed, and now that you are safely at home again, Lieutenant Gulliver Jones, I think I will take my daughter away with me. Tomorrow her father will ascertain the true state of her feelings after this unpleasant experience, and subsequently he will no doubt communicate with you on the subject. This very icily. But I was too happy to be lightly put down. My dear madam, I replied, I am happy to be able to save her father that trouble. I have already communicated with this young lady as to the state of her feelings, and as an outcome I am delighted to be able to tell you we are to be married on Monday. Oh yes, mother, it is true, and if you do not want to make me the most miserable of girls again, you will not be unkind to us. In brief that sweet champion spoke so prettily and smooth things so cleverly that I was forgiven, and later on in the evening allowed to escort Polly back to her hotel. And oh, she said, in her charmingly enthusiastic way when we were saying good night, you shall write a book about that extraordinary story you told me just now. Only you must promise me one thing. What is it? To leave out all about Haru. I don't like that part at all. This with the prettiest little pout. But Polly, dear, see how important she was to the narrative. I cannot quite do that. Then will you say as little as you can about her? No more than the story compels me to. And are you quite sure you like me the best, and will not go after her again? Quite sure. The compact was sealed in the most approved fashion, and here, indulgent reader, is the artless narrative that resulted. An incident so incredible in this prosaic latter-day world that I dare not ask you to believe, and must humbly content myself with hoping that if I fail to convince, yet I may at least claim the consolation of having amused you.