the cost-第35章

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　　Spread　it　as　a　rumor。〃

Tavistock　went　away　convinced；　enthusiastic。　　There　was　that　in　Dumont　which　inspired　men　to　their　strongest；　most　intelligent　efforts。　　He　was　harsh；　he　was　tyrannical；　treacherous　evenin　a　large　way；　often　cynically　ungrateful。　　But　he　knew　how　to　lead；　knew　how　to　make　men　forget　all　but　the　passion　for　victory；　and　follow　him　loyally。　　Tavistock　had　seen　his　financial　brain　solve　too　many　〃unsolvable〃　problems　not　to　have　confidence　in　it。

〃I　might　have　known！〃　he　reflected。　　〃Why；　those　fellows　apparently　only　scotched　him。　　They　got　the　Woolens　Company　away　from　him。　　He　lets　it　go　without　a　murmur　when　he　sees　he's　beaten；　and　he　turns　his　mind　to　grabbing　a　big　railway　as　if　Woolens　had　never　existed。〃

Just　after　his　elevated　train　passed　Chatham　Square　on　the　way　down…town　Tavistock　suddenly　slapped　his　leg　with　noisy　energy　and　exclaimed　half…aloud；　〃By　Jove；　of　course！〃　to　the　amusement　of　those　near　him　in　the　car。　　He　went　on　to　himself：　　〃Why　didn't　I　see　it　before？　　Because　it's　so　beautifully　simple；　like　all　the　things　the　big　'uns　do。　　He's　a　wonder。　　So　THAT'S　what　he's　up　to？　　Gad；　what　a　breeze　there'll　be　next　week！〃

At　eleven　o'clock　Doctor　Sackett　came　into　Dumont's　bedroom；　in　arms　against　his　patient。

〃You're　acting　like　a　lunatic。　　No　business；　I　saynot　for　a　week。　　Absolute　quiet；　Mr。　Dumont；　or　I'll　not　answer　for　the　consequences。〃

〃I　see　you　want　to　drive　me　back　into　the　fever；〃　replied　Dumont。　　〃But　I'm　bent　on　getting　well。　　I　need　the　medicine　I've　had　this　morning；　and　Culver's　bringing　me　another　dose。　　If　I'm　not　better　when　he　leaves；　I　agree　to　try　your　prescription　of　fret　and　fume。〃

〃You　are　risking　your　life。〃

Dumont　smiled。　　〃Possibly。　　But　I'm　risking　it　for　what's　more　than　life　to　me；　my　dear　Sackett。〃

〃You'll　excite　yourself。　　You'll〃

〃On　the　contrary；　I　shall　calm　myself。　　I'm　never　so　calm　and　cheerful　as　when　I'm　fighting；　unless　it's　when　I'm　getting　ready　to　fight。　　There's　something　inside　meI　don't　know　whatbut　it　won't　let　me　rest　till　it　has　pushed　me　into　action。　　That's　my　nature。　　If　any　one　asks　how　I　am；　say　you've　no　hope　of　my　recovery。〃

〃I　shall　tell　only　the　truth　in　that　case；〃　said　Sackett；　but　with　resignationhe　was　beginning　to　believe　that　for　his　extraordinary　patient　extraordinary　remedies　might　be　best。

Dumont　listened　to　Culver's　report　without　interrupting　him　once。　　Culver's　position　had　theretofore　been　most　disadvantageous　to　himself。　　He　had　been　too　near　to　Dumont；　had　been　merged　in　Dumont's　big　personality。　　Whatever　he　did　well　seemed　to　Dumont　merely　the　direct　reflection　of　his　own　abilities；　whatever　he　did　ill　seemed　far　more　stupid　than　a　similar　blunder　made　by　a　less　intimate　subordinatewhat　excuse　for　Culver's　going　wrong　with　the　guiding　hand　of　the　Great　Man　always　upon　him？

In　this；　his　first　important　independent　assignment；　he　had　at　last　an　opportunity　to　show　his　master　what　he　could　do；　to　show　that　he　had　not　learned　the　Dumont　methods　parrot…fashion；　but　intelligently；　that　he　was　no　mere　reflecting　asteroid　to　the　Dumont　sun；　but　a　self…luminous；　if　lesser　and　dependent；　star。

Dumont　was　in　a　peculiarly　appreciative　mood。

〃Why；　the　fellow's　got　brainsGOOD　brains；〃　was　his　inward　comment　again　and　again　as　Culver　unfolded　the　information　he　had　collectedclear；　accurate；　non…essentials　discarded；　essentials　given　in　detail；　hidden　points　brought　to　the　surface。

It　was　proof　positive　of　Dumont's　profound　indifference　to　money　that　he　listened　without　any　emotion　either　of　anger　or　of　regret　to　the　first　part　of　Culver's　tale；　the　survey　of　the　wreckwhat　had　been　forty　millions　now　reduced　to　a　dubious　six。　　Dumont　had　neither　time　nor　strength　for　emotion；　he　was　using　all　his　mentality　in　gaging　what　he　had　for　the　work　in　handjust　how　long　and　how　efficient　was　the　broken　sword　with　which　he　must　face　his　enemies　in　a　struggle　that　meant　utter　ruin　to　him　if　he　failed。　　For　he　felt　that　if　he　should　fail　he　would　never　again　be　able　to　gather　himself　together　to　renew　the　combat；　either　he　would　die　outright　or　he　would　abandon　himself　to　the　appetite　which　had　just　shown　itself　dangerously　near　to　being　the　strongest　of　the　several　passions　ruling　him。

When　Culver　passed　to　the　Herron　coterie　and　the　Fanning…Smiths　and　Great　Lakes　and　Gulf；　Dumont　was　still　motionlesshe　was　now　estimating　the　strength　and　the　weaknesses　of　the　enemy；　and　miscalculation　would　be　fatal。　　At　the　end　of　three…quarters　of　an　hour　Culver　stopped　the　steady；　swift　flow　of　his　report〃That's　all　the　important　facts。　　There's　a　lot　more　but　it　would　be　largely　repetition。〃

Dumont　looked　at　him　with　an　expression　that　made　him　proud。　　〃Thanks；　Culver。　　At　the　next　annual　meeting　we'll　elect　you　to　Giddings'　place。　　Please　go　back　down…town　and〃　　He　rapidly　indicated　half　a　dozen　points　which　Culver　had　failed　to　see　and　investigatethe　best　subordinate　has　not　the　master's　eye；　if　he　had；　he　would　not　be　a　subordinate。

Dumont　waved　his　hand　in　dismissal　and　settled　himself　to　sleep。　　When　Culver　began　to　stammer　thanks　for　the　promised　promotion；　he　frowned。

〃Don't　bother　me　with　that　sort　of　stuff。　　The　job's　yours　because　you've　earned　it。　　It'll　be　yours　as　long　as　you　can　hold　it　downor　until　you　earn　a　better　one。　　And　you'll　be　loyal　as　Giddings　wasjust　as　long　as　it's　to　your　interest　and　not　a　second　longer。　　Otherwise　you'd　be　a　fool；　and　I'd　not　have　you　about　me。　　Be　off！〃

He　slept　an　hour　and　a　half；　then　Pauline　brought　him　a　cup　of　beef　extract〃A　very　small　cup；〃　he　grumbled　good…humoredly。　　〃And　a　very　weak；　watery　mess　in　it。〃

As　he　lay　propped　in　his　bed　drinking　itslowly　to　make　it　last　the　longerPauline　sat　looking　at　him。　　His　hands　had　been　fat　and　puffy；　she　was　filled　with　pity　as　she　watched　the　almost　scrawny　hand　holding　the　cup　to　his　lips；　there　were　hollows　between　the　tendons；　and　the　wrist　was　gaunt。　　Her　gaze　wandered　to　his　face　and　rested　there；　in　sympathy　and　tenderness。　　The　ravages　of　the　fever　had　been　frightfulhollows　where　the　swollen；　sensual　cheeks　had　been；　the　neck　caved　in　behind　and　under　the　jaw…bones；　loose　skin　hanging　in　wattles；　deeply…set　eyes；　a　pinched　look　about　the　nostrils　and　the　corners　of　the　mouth。　　He　was　homely；　ugly　even；　except　the　noble　curve　of　head　and　profile；　not　a　trace　of　his　former　good　looksbut　at　least　that　swinish；　fleshy；　fleshly　expression　was　gone。

A　physical　wreck；　battered；　torn；　dismantled　by　the　storm　and　fire　of　disease！　　It　was　hard　for　her　to　keep　back　her　tears。

Their　eyes　met　and　his　instantly　shifted。　　The　rest　of　the　world　saw　the　man　of　force　bent　upon　the　possessions　which　mean　fame　and　honor　regardless　of　how　they　are　got。　　He　knew　that　he　could　deceive　the　world；　that　so　long　as　he　was　rich　and　powerful　it　would　refuse　to　let　him　undeceive　it；　though　he　might　strive　to　show　it　what　he　was。　　But　he　knew　that　SHE　saw　him　as　he　really　wasknew　him　as　only　a　husband　and　a　wife　can　know　each　the　other。　　And　he　respected　her　for　the　qualities　which　gave　her　a　right　to　despise　him；　and　which　had　forced　her　to　exercise　that　right。　　He　felt　himself　the　superior　of　the　rest　of　his　fellow…beings；　but　her　inferior；　did　she　not　successfully　defy　him；　could　she　not；　without　a　word；　by　simply　resting　her　calm　gaze　upon　him；　make　him　shift　and　slink？

He　felt　that　he　must　change　the　subjectnot　of　their　conversation；　for　they　were　not　talking；　but　of　theirherthoughts。　　He　did　not　know　precisely　what　she　was　thinking　of　him；　but　he　was　certain　that　it　was　not　anything　favorable　how　could　it　be？　　In　fact；　fight　though　she　did　against　the　thought；　into　her　mind　as　she　looked；　pitying　yet　shrinking；　came　his　likeness　to　a　wolfstarved　and　sick　and　gaunt；　by　weakness　tamed　into　surface　restraint；　but　in　vicious　teeth；　in　savage　lips；　in　jaw　made　to　crush　for　love　of　crushing；　a　wicked　wolf；　impatient　to　resume　the　life　of　the　beast　of　prey。

By　a　mischance　unavoidable　in　a　mind　filled　as　was　his　he　began　to　tell　of　his　revengeof　the　exhibition　of　power　he　purposed　to　give；　sudden　and　terrible。　　He　talked　of　his　enemies　as　a　cat　might　of　a　mouse　it　was　teasing　in　the　impassable　circle　of　its　paws。　　She　felt　that　they　deserved　the　thunderbolt　he　said　he　was　about　to　hurl　into　them；　but　she　could　not　help　feeling　pity　for　them。　　If　what　he　said　of　his　resources　and　power　were　true；　how　feeble；　how　helpless　they　werepygmies　fatuously　disporting　themselves　in　the　palm　of　a　giant's　hand；　unconscious　of　where　they　were；　of　the　cruel　eyes　laughing　at　them；　of　the　iron　muscles　that　would　presently　contract　that　hand　andshe　shuddered；　his　voice　came　to　her　in　a　confused　murmur。

〃If　he　does　not　stop　I　shall　loathe　him　AGAIN！〃　she　said　to　herself。　　Then　to　him：　　〃Perhaps　you'd　like　to　see　Langdonhe's　in　the　drawing…room　with　Gladys。〃

〃I　sent　for　him　two　hours　ago。　　Yes；　tell　him　to　come　up　at　once。〃

As　she　took　the　cup　he　detained　her　hand。　　She　beat　down　the　impulse　to　snatch　it　away；　let　it　lie　passive。　　He　pressed　his　lips　upon　it。

〃I　haven't　thanked　you　for　coming　back；〃　he　said　in　a　low　voice；　holding　to　her　hand　nervously。

〃But　you　know　it　wasn't　because　I'm　not　grateful；　don't　you？　　I　can　hardly　believe　yet　that　it　isn't　a　dream。　　I'd　have　said　there　wasn't　a　human　being　on　earth　who'd　have　done　itexcept　your　mother。　　No；　not　even　you；　only　your　mother。〃

At　this　tribute　to　her　mother；　unexpected；　sincere；　tears　dimmed　Pauline's　eyes　and　a　sob　choked　up　into　her　throat。

〃It　was　your　mother　in　you　that　made　you　come；〃　he　went　on。　　〃But　you　cameand　I'll　not　forget　it。　　You　said　you　had　come　to　stayis　that　so；　Pauline？〃

She　bent　her　head　in　assent。

〃When　I'm　well　and　on　top　againbut　there's　nothing　in　words。　　All　I'll　say　is；　you're　giving　me　a　chance；　and　I'll　make　the　best　of　it。　　I've　learned　my　lesson。〃

He　slowly　released　her　hand。　　She　stood　there　a　moment；　without　speaking；　without　any　definite　thought。　　Then　she　left　to　send　Langdon。

〃Yes；〃　Dumont　reflected；　〃it　was　her　duty。　　It's　a　woman's　duty　to　be　forgiving　and　gentle　and　loving　and　purethey're　made　differently　from　men。　　It　was　unnatural；　her　ever　going　away　at　all。　　But　she's　a　good　woman；　and　she　shall　get　what　she　deserves　hereafter。　　When　I　settle　this　bill　for　my　foolishness　I'll　not　start　another。〃

Dutythat　word　summed　up　his　whole　conception　of　the　right　attitude　of　a　good　woman　toward　a　man。　　A　woman　who　acted　from　love　might　change　her　mind；　but　duty　was　safe；　was　always　there　when　a　man　came　back　from　wanderings　which　were　mere　amiable；　natural　weaknesses　in　the　male。　　Love　might　adorn　a　honeymoon　or　an　escapade；　duty　was　the　proper　adornment　of　a　home。

〃I've　just　been　viewing　the　wreck　with　Culver；〃　he　said；　as　Langdon　entered；　dressed　in　the　extreme　of　the　latest　London　fashion。

〃Much　damage？〃

〃What　didn't　go　in　the　storm　was　carried　off　by　Giddings　when　he　abandoned　the　ship。　　But　the　hull's　there　andoh；　I'll　get　her　off　and　fix　her　up　all　right。〃

〃Always　knew　Giddings　was　a　rascal。　　He　oozes　piety　and　respectability。　　That's　the　worst　kind　you　have　down…town。　　When　a　man　carries　so　much　character　in　his　faceit's　like　a　woman　who　carries　so　much　color　in　her　cheeks　that　you　know　it　couldn't