granted was plenty good enough circumstantial evidence pensive silence followed, which lasted some moments, then Wilson said:

"There's one good thing, anyway 't either pawn or sell Count Luigi's costly Indian dagger "

"My ! " said Tom " gone ? "

"Yes "

"Well, that was haul ! But why can't she pawn it or sell it ? "

"Because twins went home Sons of Liberty meeting last night, news raid was sifting in from everywhere, and Aunt Patsy was in distress had lost anything They found dagger was gone, notified the police and pawnbrokers everywhere great haul, yes, but the old woman won't get anything out of it, because she'll get caught "

"Did they offer reward ? " asked Buckstone

"Yes, five hundred dollars knife, and five hundred more thief "

"What leather-headed idea ! " exclaimed the constable "The thief das'n't go near them, nor send anybody Whoever goes is going himself nabbed, for their ain't any pawnbroker that's going to lose the chance to--"

If anybody had noticed Tom's face , the gray-green color of it provoked curiosity; but nobody did to himself: "I'm gone ! I never can square up; the rest plunder won't pawn or sell for half bill Oh, it-- I'm gone, I'm gone--and it's for good Oh, awful-- I don't know what , nor ! "

"Softly, softly," said Wilson to Blake "I planned their scheme at midnight last night, and all finished up shipshape by two They'll get their dagger back, and then I'll explain how the thing "

There were strong signs of general curiosity, and Buckstone said:

"Well, whetted us up pretty sharp Wilson, and I'm free that don't mind telling us in confidence--"

"Oh, I'd as soon tell as not, Buckstone, but as long twins and I agreed nothing , let it stand so But take my word , you won't be kept waiting three days Somebody will apply reward pretty promptly, and I'll show you the thief dagger both afterward "

The constable was disappointed, and also perplexed :

"It may all be--yes, and , but I'm blamed if my way through it It's too many for yours truly "

The subject seemed about talked out Nobody seemed anything further to offer After silence the justice peace informed Wilson that he and Buckstone constable had come as committee, Democratic party, to ask him to run for mayor-- little town was about city first charter election was approaching It first attention which Wilson had ever received hands of any party; sufficiently humble one, but recognition debut town's life and activities at last; step upward, and deeply gratified He accepted, committee departed, followed by young Tom

CHAPTER 14

Roxana Insists Upon Reform

The true Southern watermelon is boon apart, and not mentioned with commoner things chief world's luxuries, king grace of God over all the fruits earth When one has tasted it, what the angels eat not Southern watermelon that Eve took: it because she repented

--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar

that Wilson was bowing the committee out, Pembroke Howard was entering the next house to report the old judge sitting grim and straight chair, waiting

"Well, Howard--the news ? "

"The best "

"Accepts, does he ? " light of battle gleamed joyously Judge's eye

"Accepts ? Why he jumped at it "

"Did, did he ? Now that's fine--that's very fine I like that When ? "

"Now ! Straight off ! Tonight ! An admirable fellow--admirable ! "

"Admirable ? He's darling ! Why, it's an honor as pleasure to stand up before such man Come--off ! Go and arrange everything--and give him my heartiest compliments rare fellow, indeed; an admirable fellow, said ! "

"I'll have him vacant stretch between Wilson's haunted house hour, and I'll bring my own pistols "

Judge Driscoll began to walk the floor in state of pleased excitement; but presently he stopped, and began --began of Tom Twice he moved toward the secretary, and twice he turned away again; but finally :

" my last night -- not chance worthless and unworthy, but largely my fault entrusted by my brother dying bed, and indulged him hurt, instead of training him up severely, and making man of him, violated my trust, and not add the sin of desertion forgiven him once already, and would subject him to long and hard trial before forgiving him again, if live; but not run that risk No, restore the will But if I survive the duel, hide it away, and know, and tell him until he reforms, and that his reformation is going permanent "

He redrew the will, ostensible nephew was heir to fortune again As finishing his task, Tom, wearied with another brooding tramp, entered the house and went tiptoeing past the sitting room door He glanced in, and hurried on, sight uncle was nothing but terrors for him tonight But his uncle was writing ! That was unusual late hour What could he be writing ? chill of anxiety settled down upon Tom's heart Did that writing concern him ? afraid so He reflected that when ill luck begins, it come in sprinkles, but in showers get glimpse document or know the reason why He heard someone coming, and stepped out of sight and hearing Pembroke Howard What hatching ?

Howard said, with great satisfaction:

"Everything's right and ready He's gone battleground second surgeon--also brother I've arranged it all with Wilson--Wilson's his second three shots apiece "

"Good ! How moon ? "

"Bright as day, nearly Perfect, distance--fifteen yards No wind--not breath; hot and still "

"All good; all first-rate Here, Pembroke, read this, and witness it "

Pembroke read and witnessed the will, then gave the old man's hand hearty shake and said:

"Now that's right, York--but You couldn't leave that poor chap to fight along without means or profession, with certain defeat before him, and you wouldn't, father's sake own "

" dead father's sake, I couldn't, ; for poor Percy-- but what Percy was But mind--Tom unless I fall tonight "

"I understand I'll keep the secret "

The judge put the will away, two started battleground In another minute the will was in Tom's hands His misery vanished, his feelings underwent tremendous revulsion He put the will carefully back in its place, and spread his mouth and swung his hat once, twice, three times around his head, in imitation of three rousing huzzahs, no sound issuing lips He fell to communing with himself excitedly and joyously, but every he let off another volley of dumb hurrahs

to himself: "I've got the fortune again, but I'll not let And I'm gong to hang on I take no more risks I'll gamble no more, I'll drink no more, because--well, because I'll not go where any sort of thing going on, again It's the sure way, only sure way; thought sooner--well, yes, if I had wanted to But now--dear me, I've had scare , and I'll take no more chances Not single chance more Land ! I persuaded myself this evening that fetch him around without any great amount of effort, but I've been getting more and more heavyhearted and doubtful straight along, If he tells me thing, all right; but if he doesn't, I sha'n't let on I--well, I'd like Pudd'nhead Wilson, but--no, I'll think ; perhaps I won't " He whirled off another dead huzzah, and said, "I'm reformed, and I'll stay so, sure ! "

about to close with final grand silent demonstration, when he suddenly recollected that Wilson had put it out power to pawn or sell the Indian knife, once more in awful peril of exposure by his creditors reason His joy collapsed utterly, and he turned away and moped toward the door moaning and lamenting over the bitterness luck He dragged himself upstairs, and brooded room , disconsolate and forlorn, with Luigi's Indian knife for text At last he sighed and said: