第1章

ITHELASTOFTHETROUBADOURS

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

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

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

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

Samputonamartyredexpressionashemountedhispony。Buttheexpressiononhisfacewashilariouscomparedwiththeoneonhispony’s。

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

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

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

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

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

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

OldmanEllisonwelcomedthetroubadourflatteringly。HehadoftenheardpraisesofSamGallowayfromotherranchmenwhohadbeencomplimentedbyhisvisits，buthadneveraspiredtosuchanhonourforhisownhumblebarony。IsaybaronybecauseoldmanEllisonwastheLastoftheBarons。

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

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

OldmanEllison’ssmilescamebackandfilledhiswrinkleswhenhesawSam。Hehurriedoutofthehouseinhisshuffling，limpingwaytogreethim。

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

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

I’vegotasackofnewoatsinthekitchen——-shallIbringoutafeedforyourhoss？\"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

mocking-birdsatmornandevecompetedwithbutscarceequalledthesweetmelodiesofhislyre；aperfumedstillnessseemedtofillallhisworld。

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

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

Intheeighty-acrehorsepasturetheponywiththeDantesquefacegrewfatandalmostsmiling。Thetroubadourwasattheendofhiswanderings。

OldmanEllisonwashisown_vaciero_。Thatmeansthathesuppliedhissheepcampswithwood，water，andrationsbyhisownlaboursinsteadofhiringa_vaciero_。Onsmallranchesitisoftendone。

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

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

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

andashotgunlaidacrosshissaddleandaleatherbeltwithmillionsofcartridgesshininginit——butyourmindskiddedoffsuchaccessories；

whatheldyourgazewasjustthetwolittlehorizontalslitsthatheusedforeyes。

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

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

\"Ihavetwosectionsleasedfromthestate，\"saidoldmanEllison，mildly。

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

KingJamespattedthebreechofhisshot-gunwarningly。

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

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

WhentheoldmangotbacktotheranchatsunsethefoundSamGallowaylyingonhiscot，proppedagainstarollofblanketsandwoolsacks，fingeringhisguitar。

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

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

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

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

ItseemsthatthatsongalwayskindofsoothesandcomfortsmeafterI’vebeenridingfaroranythingbothersme。\"

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

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

Onthethirddayofthesevendaysofgraceallowedhimbytheautocratoftherange，oldmanEllisondrovehisbuckboardtoFrioCitytofetchsomenecessarysuppliesfortheranch。Bradshawwashardbutnotimplacable。

Hedividedtheoldman’sorderbytwo，andlethimhavealittlemoretime。Onearticlesecuredwasanew，finehamforthepleasureofthetroubadour。

FivemilesoutofFrioCityonhiswayhometheoldmanmetKingJamesridingintotown。Hismajestycouldneverlookanythingbutfierceandmenacing，butto-dayhisslitsofeyesappearedtobealittlewiderthantheyusuallywere。

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

hearitsaidbyacowmanfromSandyyesterdaythatyouwasfromJacksonCounty，Mississippi，originally。Iwanttoknowifthat’safact。\"

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

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

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

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

Theoldmanrelatedhiswoesindetail，dignifiedly，withrestraintandcandour。

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

OldmanEllisondrovehappilyranchward。Oncemorethesmilesfilledouthiswrinkles。Verysuddenly，bythemagicofkinshipandthegoodthatliessomewhereinallhearts，histroubleshadbeenremoved。

OnreachingtheranchhefoundthatSamGallowaywasnotthere。Hisguitarhungbyitsbuckskinstringtoahackberrylimb，moaningasthegulfbreezeblewacrossitsmasterlessstrings。

TheKiowaendeavouredtoexplain。

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

Asthefirststarscameoutthetroubadourrodebacktohishaven。Hepasturedhisponyandwentintothehouse，hisspursjinglingmartially。

OldmanEllisonsatatthekitchentable，havingatincupofbefore-suppercoffee。Helookedcontentedandpleased。

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

AndthenoldmanEllisontookanotherlookatSam’sfaceandsawthattheminstrelhadchangedthemanofaction。

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

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

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

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

ThentherewasalittlesilenceinthecastleexceptforthesplutteringofavenisonsteakthattheKiowawascooking。

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

Thereisnomoretobesaid，exceptthatthetitleofthestoryiswrong。

Itshouldhavebeencalled\"TheLastoftheBarons。\"Thereneverwillbeanendtothetroubadours；andnowandthenitdoesseemthatthejingleoftheirguitarswilldrownthesoundofthemuffledblowsofthepickaxesandtriphammersofalltheWorkersintheworld。

IITHESLEUTHS

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

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

Thissnuffingoutofahumanbeingliketheerasureofachalkmanfromablackboardisoneofthemostimpressivethemesindramaturgy。

ThecaseofMarySnyder，inpoint，shouldnotbewithoutinterest。

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

AtheraddresshewastoldthatMarySnyderhadmovedawaylongerthanamonthbefore。Noonecouldtellhimhernewaddress。

OncomingoutMr。Meeksaddressedapolicemanwhowasstandingonthecorner，andexplainedhisdilemma。

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

ThepolicemanpulledhismoustacheandlookedsothoughtfulandmightythatMeekscouldalmostfeelthejoyfultearsofhissisterMarydroppinguponhisbrightbluetie。

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

Ifyoudon’twanttodothatyoubettergo’roundtoheadquartersandget’emtoputaflycopontothedame。\"

Atpoliceheadquarters，Meeksreceivedreadyassistance。Ageneralalarmwassentout，andcopiesofaphotographofMarySnyderthatherbrotherhadweredistributedamongthestations。InMulberryStreetthechiefassignedDetectiveMullinstothecase。

ThedetectivetookMeeksasideandsaid：

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

Meeksobeyed。HefoundMullinsthere。Theyhadabottleofwine，whilethedetectiveaskedquestionsconcerningthemissingwoman。

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

\"Alittlepast，\"saidMeeks。

ThedetectiveconductedtheWesternertoabranchadvertisingofficeofoneofthelargestdailies。Therehewrotethefollowing\"ad\"andsubmittedittoMeeks：

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

Meekswasindignant。

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

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

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

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

Thiswasdone，andthetwowereshowntoasuperbsuiteonthefourthfloor。Meekslookedpuzzled。Thedetectivesankintoavelvetarmchair，andpulledouthiscigarcase。

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

\"Bythemonth！\"exclaimedMeeks。\"Whatdoyoumean？\"

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

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

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

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

Meeksbowedhisagreementtotheprice。

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

ShamrockJolnesandhisclientwenttothetenementhousewhereMarySnyderhadlived，andthedetectivedemandedtobeshowntheroominwhichshehadlived。Ithadbeenoccupiedbynotenantsinceherdisappearance。

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

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

ShamrockJolnesleanedagainstthemantelfortenminutes，withhisheadrestinguponhishand，andanabsorbedlookuponhisintellectualface。

Attheendofthattimeheexclaimed，withanimation：

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

Meeksfeltjoyandwonderinequalproportions。

\"Howdidyoumanageit？\"heasked，withadmirationinhistones。

PerhapsJolnes’sonlyweaknesswasaprofessionalprideinhiswonderfulachievementsininduction。Hewaseverreadytoastoundandcharmhislistenersbydescribinghismethods。

\"Byelimination，\"saidJolnes，spreadinghiscluesuponalittletable，\"I

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

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

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

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

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

Theyrangthebell，andoninquiringweretoldthatnoMrs。Snyderwasknownthere，andthatnotwithinsixmonthshadanewoccupantcometothehouse。

Whentheyreachedthesidewalkagain，Meeksexaminedtheclueswhichhehadbroughtawayfromhissister’soldroom。

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

ShamrockJolneshadafar-awaylookinhiseyes。

\"IthinkyouwoulddowelltoconsultJuggins，\"saidhe。

\"WhoisJuggins？\"askedMeeks。

\"Heistheleader，\"saidJolnes，\"ofanewmodernschoolofdetectives。

Theirmethodsaredifferentfromours，butitissaidthatJugginshassolvedsomeextremelypuzzlingcases。Iwilltakeyoutohim。\"

TheyfoundthegreaterJugginsinhisoffice。Hewasasmallmanwithlighthair，deeplyabsorbedinreadingoneofthebourgeoisworksofNathanielHawthorne。

Thetwogreatdetectivesofdifferentschoolsshookhandswithceremony，andMeekswasintroduced。

\"Statethefacts，\"saidJuggins，goingonwithhisreading。

WhenMeeksceased，thegreateroneclosedhisbookandsaid：

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

\"Thatdescribesherexactly，\"admittedMeeks。Jugginsroseandputonhishat。

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

ShamrockJolnesturnedpale，butforcedasmile。

WithinthespecifiedtimeJugginsreturnedandconsultedalittleslipofpaperheldinhishand。

\"Yoursister，MarySnyder，\"heannouncedcalmly，\"willbefoundatNo。

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

Mr。Jolneswillawaityou，Idaresay。\"

Meekshurriedaway。Intwentyminuteshewasbackagain，withabeamingface。

\"Sheisthereandwell！\"hecried。\"Nameyourfee！\"

\"Twodollars，\"saidJuggins。

WhenMeekshadsettledhisbillanddeparted，ShamrockJolnesstoodwithhishatinhishandbeforeJuggins。

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

\"Certainlynot，\"saidJugginspleasantly。\"IwilltellyouhowIdidit。

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

That’sall。\"

IIIWITCHES’LOAVES

MissMarthaMeachamkeptthelittlebakeryonthecorner（theonewhereyougoupthreesteps，andthebelltinkleswhenyouopenthedoor）。

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

Twoorthreetimesaweekacustomercameininwhomshebegantotakeaninterest。Hewasamiddle-agedman，wearingspectaclesandabrownbeardtrimmedtoacarefulpoint。

HespokeEnglishwithastrongGermanaccent。Hisclotheswerewornanddarnedinplaces，andwrinkledandbaggyinothers。Buthelookedneat，andhadverygoodmanners。

Healwaysboughttwoloavesofstalebread。Freshbreadwasfivecentsaloaf。Staleonesweretwoforfive。Neverdidhecallforanythingbutstalebread。

OnceMissMarthasawaredandbrownstainonhisfingers。Shewassurethenthathewasanartistandverypoor。Nodoubthelivedinagarret，wherehepaintedpicturesandatestalebreadandthoughtofthegoodthingstoeatinMissMartha’sbakery。

OftenwhenMissMarthasatdowntoherchopsandlightrollsandjamandteashewouldsigh，andwishthatthegentle-manneredartistmightsharehertastymealinsteadofeatinghisdrycrustinthatdraughtyattic。

MissMartha’sheart，asyouhavebeentold，wasasympatheticone。

Inordertotesthertheoryastohisoccupation，shebroughtfromherroomonedayapaintingthatshehadboughtatasale，andsetitagainsttheshelvesbehindthebreadcounter。

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

Twodaysafterwardthecustomercamein。

\"Twoloafsofstalebread，ifyoublease。

\"Youhafhereafinebicture，madame，\"hesaidwhileshewaswrappingupthebread。

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

shesubstituted。\"Youthinkitisagoodpicture？\"

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

Hetookhisbread，bowed，andhurriedout。

Yes，hemustbeanartist。MissMarthatookthepicturebacktoherroom。

Howgentleandkindlyhiseyesshonebehindhisspectacles！Whatabroadbrowhehad！Tobeabletojudgeperspectiveataglance——andtoliveonstalebread！Butgeniusoftenhastostrugglebeforeitisrecognized。

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

Oftennowwhenhecamehewouldchatforawhileacrosstheshowcase。HeseemedtocraveMissMartha’scheerfulwords。

Hekeptonbuyingstalebread。Neveracake，neverapie，neveroneofherdeliciousSallyLunns。

Shethoughthebegantolookthinneranddiscouraged。Herheartachedtoaddsomethinggoodtoeattohismeagrepurchase，buthercouragefailedattheact。Shedidnotdareaffronthim。Sheknewtheprideofartists。

MissMarthatooktowearingherblue-dottedsilkwaistbehindthecounter。Inthebackroomshecookedamysteriouscompoundofquinceseedsandborax。Eversomanypeopleuseitforthecomplexion。

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

Thecustomerhurriedtothedoortolook，asanyonewill。Suddenlyinspired，MissMarthaseizedtheopportunity。

Onthebottomshelfbehindthecounterwasapoundoffreshbutterthatthedairymanhadlefttenminutesbefore。WithabreadknifeMissMarthamadeadeepslashineachofthestaleloaves，insertedagenerousquantityofbutter，andpressedtheloavestightagain。

Whenthecustomerturnedoncemoreshewastyingthepaperaroundthem。

Whenhehadgone，afteranunusuallypleasantlittlechat，MissMarthasmiledtoherself，butnotwithoutaslightflutteringoftheheart。

Hadshebeentoobold？Wouldhetakeoffense？Butsurelynot。Therewasnolanguageofedibles。Butterwasnoemblemofunmaidenlyforwardness。

Foralongtimethatdayherminddweltonthesubject。Sheimaginedthescenewhenheshoulddiscoverherlittledeception。

Hewouldlaydownhisbrushesandpalette。Therewouldstandhiseaselwiththepicturehewaspaintinginwhichtheperspectivewasbeyondcriticism。

Hewouldprepareforhisluncheonofdrybreadandwater。Hewouldsliceintoaloaf——ah！

MissMarthablushed。Wouldhethinkofthehandthatplaceditthereasheate？Wouldhe——

Thefrontdoorbelljangledviciously。Somebodywascomingin，makingagreatdealofnoise。

MissMarthahurriedtothefront。Twomenwerethere。Onewasayoungmansmokingapipe——amanshehadneverseenbefore。Theotherwasherartist。

Hisfacewasveryred，hishatwasonthebackofhishead，hishairwaswildlyrumpled。HeclinchedhistwofistsandshookthemferociouslyatMissMartha。_AtMissMartha_。

\"_Dummkopf_！\"heshoutedwithextremeloudness；andthen\"_Tausendonfer_！\"

orsomethinglikeitinGerman。

Theyoungmantriedtodrawhimaway。