Sperry left early the next morning; only his host and Blakeman saw him off. When he had reached his train and had slipped off his overcoat, he found all the tips he had given Blakeman in its outside pocket.
The doctor was not the only man that morning that awoke with an anxious mind. His host was equally preoccupied1; all through breakfast he had caught his thoughts straying from those usually given to a departing guest. In his talk with Holcomb, the night before, his manager had gone straight to the point.
"You remember, do you not," he had said, "that a horse Bergstein bought died a week after its arrival—the first horse we lost, I mean?"
"Yes, Billy, I remember," Thayor had answered. "Poor beast. I remember also that you said in the letter that Bergstein was indefatigable2 in his efforts to save him."
"Perhaps so—but I don't think so now, and I'll tell you why in a minute. You remember, too, that Jimmy said he was all right that night when he got through work and put him in the barn for the night?" Thayor raised his eyes in surprise. "That barn was locked," Holcomb went on, "and Bergstein had the key."
"What was the veterinary's opinion?" Thayor had asked seriously, after a moment's thought.
"Quite different from mine," declared Holcomb; "he pronounced it congestion3."
"Was he a capable man?" demanded Thayor.
"So Bergstein said," replied Holcomb slowly. "He got him from
Montreal."
Thayor bent4 his head in deep thought.
"And what do you think, Holcomb?"
"That the horse was poisoned, sir."
Thayor started. "That's a serious charge. What proof have you got?"
"This"—and he opened the wisp of paper the hide-out had given him and laid it on the table. "There's strychnine enough in that to kill a dozen horses. This was found under Bergstein's mattress—the rest of it is in the gray horse's stomach." Then had followed the sum of his discoveries in which, however, no mention was made of the hide-out's help. That was too dangerous a secret to be entrusted5 to anyone not of the woods.
These discoveries had revealed a condition of things Thayor little dreamed of, and yet the facts were undeniable. Within the last month two horses had died; another had gone so lame7 that he had been given up as incurable8. Leaks had also been frequent in expensive piping. Moreover, the men had begun to complain of bad food at the lower shanty9; especially some barrels of corned beef and beans which were of so poor a quality and in such bad condition that the shanty cook had refused to serve them.
That not a word concerning these things had reached Thayor's ears was owing, so Holcomb told him, to the influence of the trapper and the Clown, who prevented the men from coming to him in open protest. In the meantime he—Holcomb—had been secretly engaged in ferreting out the proofs of a wholesale11 villainy at the bottom of which was Bergstein. What he destroyed he replaced at such a good profit to himself that he had, during his connection with Big Shanty, already become exceedingly well off. Not content with laming12 and poisoning dumb beasts to buy others at a fat commission, he had provided condemned13 meat for the men under him at the lower shanty, had secretly damaged thousands of dollars' worth of expensive plumbing14, and had sown hatred15 among the men against the man whose generosity16 had befriended him. He had accomplished17 this systematically18, little by little, carrying his deeds clear from suspicion by a shrewdness and daring that marked him a most able criminal. He had had freedom to do as he pleased for months, and no profitable opportunity had escaped him. These gains he had deposited in inconspicuous sums in rural savings20 banks. What he did not deposit he had invested in timber land. The evidence against him had been collected with care. Upon two occasions Holcomb said he took the trapper with him as a witness. The two had moved skilfully21 on, the trail of the culprit and had watched him at work; once he was busy ruining a costly23 system of water-filters. They had let him pass—he having stepped within a rod of them unconscious of their presence.
* * * * *
With these facts before him Thayor came to an instant conclusion. The result was that a little before noon on this same day—the day of Sperry's departure—the owner of Big Shanty sent for Bergstein. Both the trapper and Holcomb were present. Thayor stood beside the broad writing table of his den6 as Bergstein entered; his manner was again that of the polite, punctilious24 man of affairs; he was exceedingly calm and exasperatingly25 pleasant. To all outward appearances the black-bearded man, grasping his dusty derby in his hand, might have been a paying teller26 summoned to the president's office for an increase of salary.
"Mr. Bergstein" Thayor said, "dating from to-morrow, the 8th of September, I shall no longer need your services. You may therefore consider what business relations have existed between us at an end."
A sullen27 flash from the black eyes accompanied Bergstein's first words, his clammy hand gripping the rim19 of the derby lined with soiled magenta28 satin.
"See here, Mr. Thayor," the voice began, half snarl29, half whine30.
"That will do, Mr. Bergstein," returned Thayor briskly. "I believe the situation is sufficiently31 clear to need no further explanation on either your part or mine. I bid you good morning."
Bergstein turned, with the look of a trapped bear, to Holcomb and the old man; what he saw in their steady gaze made him hesitate. He put on his hat and walked out of the door without again opening his thick lips.
"You ain't goin' to let him go free, be ye?" exclaimed the trapper in astonishment32. Holcomb started to speak, glancing hurriedly at the retreating criminal.
"What he has taken from me," interrupted Thayor, "I can replace; what he has taken from himself he can never replace." He turned to a small mahogany drawer and extracted a thin, fresh box of Havanas. "Let us forget," he said, as he pried33 open the fragrant34 lid. "Be tolerant, Billy—be tolerant even of scoundrels," and he struck a match for the trapper.
The news of Bergstein's discharge demoralized the gang at the lower shanty. They no sooner heard of it than Thayor became a target for their unwarranted abuse. I say "the news" since Bergstein did not put in an appearance to officially announce it. His mismanagement of the commissary department was laid at Thayor's door. The men's grumbling35 had been of some weeks' duration; their opinions wavering, swaying and settling under Bergstein's hypnotic popularity as easily as a weather-vane in April. Nowhere had they earned as good wages as at Big Shanty. They, too, looked at Thayor's purchase as a gold mine. Morrison had done a thriving business with the stout36 little tumblers with bottoms half an inch thick. Bergstein frequently treated—when they growled37 over the bad food he treated liberally, and they forgot. He blamed it on Thayor and they agreed. They made no secret of the fact among themselves as well as outsiders, that if it were not for the high wages they would have deserted38 in a body long ago; no lumber39 boss they had ever known or worked for had dared feed them like this. These lumber jacks40 were used to good, plain food and plenty of it.
It is needless to say neither the trapper nor the Clown complained. They, like Holcomb, were fully22 aware of the fact that Bergstein was playing a dangerous game. They were waiting for the denouement42. At times when the men gave vent10 to their grievances43 Hite Holt and Freme Skinner did their level best to smooth things over; they did not want to trouble Thayor.
The same afternoon of Bergstein's discharge the gang at the lower shanty struck. The bar-room at Morrison's became packed. Little else was talked of but the injustice45 of the owner of Big Shanty. Later in the day a delegation46 of awkward, sinewy47 men came upon his veranda48. They were for the most part sober. It might be said they were the soberest. Le Boeuf was among them. Men of the sea and men of the woods air their grievances in the same way—a spokesman is indispensable.
This man's name was Shank Dollard—a man with a slow mind and a quick temper. Their interview with Thayor was brief. His polite firmness and his quiet manner made Shank Dollard lower his voice.
"I know precisely49 what you are going to say," Thayor began as the deputation shuffled50 into his den. "In the first place I hear there has been general dissatisfaction over the food at the lower shanty."
"You ain't fur from the p'int," blurted51 out Dollard; "it hain't been fit to feed to a dog."
"One moment, Mr. Dollard—you will wait until I get through speaking," Thayor said as he lifted a pile of bills. "These," he went on, "are the complete list of supplies since Bergstein took charge of your commissary department. A glance at the items and their cost will, I feel sure, force you men to acknowledge that they are the best money can buy." He passed half the file to Dollard, the remainder he handed to a big fellow next him for distribution. The totals alone were startling.
"We hain't had a dollar's worth of them things, and you know it,"
Dollard exclaimed surlily, looking up suddenly, as he read.
"Of course you haven't," Thayor smiled in return, "and yet you censure52 me for terminating my business relations with Bergstein—a man you men unanimously chose."
There was an awkward pause and a sheepish look on the faces of the men as they craned their corded, bronzed necks over the shoulders of those who held the accounts.
"Wall, I swan!" drawled one.
"Reg'lar damned skin!" muttered another.
"I need not explain to you further," Thayor resumed, "that the statements are pure forgeries53. You will readily see that it was Bergstein's method to open a small account at these reputable houses and add the rest."
"I tink he been one beeg rascal—hein!" grinned Le Boeuf.
There were others present who were still unconvinced.
"Anything further, Mr. Dollard?" asked Thayor sharply.
"About this 'ere grub," returned the spokesman; "it ain't fit, I tell ye, for a dog."
"It will be fit enough by to-morrow night," answered Thayor. "I have attended to that by telegraph." There was a slight murmur54 of approval.
"See here, Mr. Thayor," resumed Dollard, gaining courage over the promise of good food. "Maybe the food'll git so's we kin44 git along, but you hain't been treatin' us no whiter 'n you're a mind to. We ain't gittin' paid no more'n keep us out the poor-house."
"I goll, you're right, Shank Dollard," came from somewhere in the back row.
"Ah!" exclaimed Thayor, "I was waiting for that. Where, may I ask, have you received as high wages as I have paid you? Not even on a river drive," he went on coolly—"dangerous work like that, I know, commands a just reward."
"When we was to work for Morrison," interrupted a round-shouldered lumber jack41, "we—"
"You need not enlighten me with figures," resumed Thayor; "I have them here," and he turned to a yellow pad. "When, I say, have you been paid as much and as steadily55?"
"That may be, but we ain't as satisfied over what we git as you be," retorted Shank Dollard.
"Then let me tell you plainly—and I wish you to understand me clearly once for all," returned Thayor, glancing quickly into the faces of the men before him, "you'll stay at Big Shanty for the wages you are getting or you'll go. Moreover, the man that leaves my employ leaves for good."
Again there was an awkward silence. Thayor turned, seated himself promptly56 at his desk and began methodically filing away the forged accounts in a pigeon hole. The men moved toward the open door leading on to the veranda, muttering among themselves. Shank Dollard shot a vicious glance at the man seated at his desk. To exit thus, beaten by the truth, was not easy—a gentleman is always a difficult opponent.
"Good mornin'," he sneered57 as he started to follow the last man through the door; "a hell of a lot you done for us."
"Good morning," returned Thayor, looking up—"and good-bye. You may go to Holcomb, Dollard, for whatever is due you at once."
Dollard straightened aggressively and with an oath passed out, slamming the door behind him. The closed door muffled58 somewhat the grumbling from the group on the veranda. Now it increased, plentifully59 interlarded with profanity.
Sam Thayor, sitting at his desk, did not move. He drew from a drawer a packet of vouchers60 and began studying them, jotting61 the totals upon the yellow pad. After a few moments the sound of heavy boots stamping down the veranda steps reached his ears—grew fainter and died away. Thayor started to rise. As he did so, his foot struck something heavy and muscular beneath his desk; then a cold, wet muzzle62 touched his hand.
It was the old dog.
He had been plainly visible from where the men stood during the entire interview; he had arrived early, unperceived. The look in his brave, gray eyes might have had something to do with Shank Dollard's exit.
On the other side of the closed door leading out to the living room,
Alice stood breathless for a quarter of an hour—listening.
She had passed a sleepless63 night; in the gray dawn she had left her bed and taken a seat by the window. She had tried the balcony—but the night air chilled her to the bone and she had gone back to bed, her teeth chattering64.
As she listened, her cheek close to the panel, straining her ears, her heart beating fast with a dull throb65, her hands like ice, there were moments when she grew faint—the faintness of fear. Now and then she managed to catch disconnected grumbling sentences; occasionally she was enabled, through the glimmering66 light of the half-closed keyhole, to distinguish with her strained, frightened eyes, the figure of her husband speaking fearlessly as he flung his ultimatum67 in the faces of the rough men in front of him. What manner of man was this whom she had defied?
Suddenly an uncontrollable fear fell upon her; with a quick movement she gathered her skirts about her and fled upstairs to her own room.
That night the photograph taken in Heidelberg, and all the letters
Sperry had written her, lay in ashes in her bedroom grate.
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1
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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2
indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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3
congestion
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| n.阻塞，消化不良 | |
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4
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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5
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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7
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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8
incurable
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| adj.不能医治的，不能矫正的，无救的；n.不治的病人，无救的人 | |
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9
shanty
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| n.小屋，棚屋；船工号子 | |
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10
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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11
wholesale
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| n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售 | |
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12
laming
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| 瘸的( lame的现在分词 )； 站不住脚的； 差劲的； 蹩脚的 | |
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13
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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14
plumbing
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| n.水管装置；水暖工的工作；管道工程v.用铅锤测量（plumb的现在分词）；探究 | |
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15
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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16
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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17
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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18
systematically
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| adv.有系统地 | |
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rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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20
savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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21
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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22
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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23
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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24
punctilious
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| adj.谨慎的，谨小慎微的 | |
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25
exasperatingly
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26
teller
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| n.银行出纳员；(选举)计票员 | |
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27
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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28
magenta
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| n..紫红色（的染料）；adj.紫红色的 | |
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29
snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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30
whine
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| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
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31
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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32
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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33
pried
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| v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的过去式和过去分词 )；撬开 | |
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34
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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35
grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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37
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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38
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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39
lumber
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| n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动 | |
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40
jacks
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| n.抓子游戏；千斤顶( jack的名词复数 )；（电）插孔；[电子学]插座；放弃 | |
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41
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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42
denouement
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| n.结尾，结局 | |
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43
grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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44
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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45
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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46
delegation
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| n.代表团；派遣 | |
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47
sinewy
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| adj.多腱的，强壮有力的 | |
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48
veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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49
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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50
shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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51
blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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53
forgeries
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| 伪造( forgery的名词复数 )； 伪造的文件、签名等 | |
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54
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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55
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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56
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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57
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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59
plentifully
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| adv. 许多地，丰饶地 | |
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60
vouchers
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| n.凭证( voucher的名词复数 )；证人；证件；收据 | |
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61
jotting
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| n.简短的笔记，略记v.匆忙记下( jot的现在分词 )；草草记下，匆匆记下 | |
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62
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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63
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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64
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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65
throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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66
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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67
ultimatum
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| n.最后通牒 | |
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