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Title:100%:TheStoryofaPatriot

Author:UptonSinclair

ReleaseDate:May,2004[EBook#5776]ThisfilewasfirstpostedonSeptember1,2002[Lastupdated:June1,2014]

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***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOK100%:THESTORYOFAPATRIOT***

TextfileproducedbyCharlesAldarondo

HTMLfileproducedbyDavidWidger

100%:THESTORYOFAPATRIOT

ByUptonSinclair

PublishedByTheAuthor

Pasadena,California

1920

TOMYWIFEWho is the creator of themost charming character in this story, "Mrs.Godd," andwho

positively refuses to permit the book to go to press until it has been explained that the



characterisaGrecianGoddandnotaHebrewGodd,sothatnoonemayaccusethecreatorofsacrilege.

CONTENTSSection1

Section2

Section3

Section4

Section5

Section6

Section7

Section8

Section9

Section10

Section11

Section12

Section13

Section14

Section15

Section16

Section17

Section18

Section19

Section20

Section21

Section22

Section23

Section24

Section25

Section26

Section27



Section28

Section29

Section30

Section31

Section32

Section33

Section34

Section35

Section36

Section37

Section38

Section39

Section40

Section41

Section42

Section43

Section44

Section45

Section46

Section47

Section48

Section49

Section50

Section51

Section52

Section53

Section54

Section55

Section56

Section57

Section58

Section59

Section60



Section61

Section62

Section63

Section64

Section65

Section66

Section67

Section68

Section69

Section70

Section71

Section72

Section73

Section74

Section75

Section76

Section77

Section78

Section79

Section80

Section81

Section82

Section83

Section84

Section85

Section86

APPENDIX

Section1



Nowandthenitoccurstoonetoreflectuponwhatslenderthreadsofaccidentdependthemostimportantcircumstancesofhislifetolookbackandshudder,realizinghowclosetotheedge of nothingness his being has come. A young man is walking down the street, quitecasually,withanemptymindandnosetpurposehecomestoacrossing,andfornoreasonthat he could tell he takes the right hand turn insteadof the left and so it happens that heencountersablueeyedgirl,whosetshishearttobeating.Hemeetsthegirl,marriesherandshe became your mother. But now, suppose the young man had taken the left hand turninsteadoftheright,andhadnevermettheblueeyedgirlwherewouldyoubenow,andwhatwouldhavebecomeofthosequalitiesofmindwhichyouconsiderofimportancetotheworld,andthosegraveaffairsofbusinesstowhichyourtimeisdevoted?

Something like that itwaswhichbefellPeterGudge just suchanaccident,changing thewholecurrentofhis life,andmaking theseriesofeventswithwhich thisstorydeals.Peterwaswalkingdownthestreetoneafternoon,whenawomanapproachedandheldouttohimaprintedleaflet."Readthis,please,"shesaid.

And Peter, who was hungry, and at odds with the world, answered gruffly: "I got nomoney."Hethoughtitwasanadvertisingdodger,andhesaid:"Ican'tbuynothin'."

"Itisn'tanythingforsale,"answeredthewoman."It'samessage.""Religion?"saidPeter."Ijustgotkickedoutofachurch.""No,notachurch,"saidthewoman."It'ssomethingdifferentputit inyourpocket."She

wasanelderlywomanwithgrayhair,andshefollowedalong,smilingpleasantlyatthisfrail,poorlookingstranger,butnaggingathim."Read it some timewhenyou'venothingelse todo."AndsoPeter,justtogetridofher,tooktheleafletandthrustitintohispocket,andwenton,andinaminuteortwohadforgottenallaboutit.

PeterwasthinkingorratherPeter'sstomachwasthinkingforhimforwhenyouhavehadnothingtoeatallday,andnothingonthedaybeforebutacupofcoffeeandonesandwich,yourthoughtcentersaretransferredfromthetoptothemiddleofyou.Peterwasthinkingthatthis was a hell of a life. Who could have foreseen that just because he had stolen onemiserablefrieddoughnut,hewouldlosehiseasyjobandhischanceofrisingin theworld?Peter'swholebeingwasconcentratedontheefforttoriseintheworldtogetsuccess,whichmeans money, which means ease and pleasurethe magic names which lure all humancreatures.

But who could have foreseen that Mrs. Smithers would have kept count of those frieddoughnuts every timeanybodypassed thruherpantry?And itwasonly thatone ridiculouscircumstancewhichhadbroughtPetertohispresentmisery.Butforthathemighthavehadhislunchofbreadanddriedherringandweakteainthehomeoftheshoemaker'swife,andmighthavestillbeenbusywithhisjobofstirringupdissensionintheFirstApostolicChurch,otherwiseknownastheHolyRollers,andofgettingtheRev.GamalielLunkturnedout,andShoemakerSmithersestablishedatthejobofpastor,withPeterGudgeashisrighthandman.

Alwaysithadbeenlikethat,thruPeter'stwentyyearsoflife.Timeaftertimehewouldgethis feeble clutch fixed upon the ladder of prosperity, and then somethingwould happensomewretchedthinglikethestealingofafrieddoughnuttopryhimlooseandtumblehimdownagainintothepitofmisery.

SoPeterwalkedalong,withhisbeltdrawntight,andhisrestlessblueeyeswanderinghereand there, lookingforaplace togetameal.Therewere jobs tobehad,but theywerehardjobs,andPeterwantedaneasyone.Therearepeopleinthisworldwholivebytheirmuscles,andotherswholivebytheirwitsPeterbelongedtothelatterclassandhadmissedmanyamealratherthandescendinthesocialscale.

Peterlookedintothefacesofeveryonehepassed,searchingforapossibleopening.Somereturnedhisglance,butneverformorethanasecond,for theysawaninsignificant lookingman,undersized,undernourished,andwithoneshoulderhigher than theother,aweakchinandmouth,crookedteeth,andabrownmoustachetoofeebletoholditselfupatthecorners.Peters' straw hat hadmany strawsmissing, his secondhand brown suitwas become third



hand,andhisshoeswereturningoveratthesides.Inacitywhereeverybodywas"hustling,"everybody, as they phrased it, "on themake,"why should anyone take a second glance atPeterGudge?Why should anyone care about the restless soulhidden insidehim,ordreamthatPeterwas,inhisownobscureway,asortofgenius?Noonedidcarenoonediddream.

Itwasabouttwoo'clockofanafternooninJuly,andthesunbeatdownuponthestreetsofAmericanCity.Therewerecrowdsuponthestreets,andPeternoticedthateverywherewereflagsandbunting.Onceortwiceheheardthestrainsofdistantmusic,andwonderedwhatwas"up."Peterhadnotbeenreading thenewspapersallhisattentionhadbeen takenupby thequarrelsoftheSmithersfactionandtheLunkfactionintheFirstApostolicChurch,otherwiseknown as theHolyRollers, and great events that had been happening in theworld outsidewereofnoconcerntohim.Peterknewvaguelythatontheothersideoftheworldhalfadozenmightynationswerelockedtogetherinagripofdeaththewholeearthwasshakenwiththeirstruggles,andPeterhadfeltabitofthetremblingnowandthen.ButPeterdidnotknowthathisowncountryhadanythingtodowiththisEuropeanquarrel,anddidnotknowthatcertaingreatintereststhruoutthecountryhadsetthemselvestorousethepublictoaction.

Thismovementhad reachedAmericanCity, and the streetshadbrokenout in ablazeofpatriotic display. In all the windows of the stores there were signs: "Wake up, America!"AcrossthebroadMainStreettherewerebanners:"AmericaPrepare!"DowninthesquareatoneendofthestreetasmallarmywasgatheringoldveteransoftheCivilWar,andmiddleagedveteransoftheSpanishWar,andregimentsofthestatemilitia,andbrigadesofmarinesandsailorsfromtheshipsintheharbor,andmembersoffraternallodgeswiththeirLordHighChiefGrandMarshalsonhorsebackwithgoldsashesandwavingwhiteplumes,andall thenotablesofthecityincarriages,andascoreofbandstostirtheirfeetandtenthousandflagswavingabove theirheads. "WakeupAmerica!"AndherewasPeterGudge,withanemptystomach,comingsuddenlyupontheswarmingcrowdsinMainStreet,andhavingnoremotestideawhatitwasallabout.

A crowd suggested one thing to Peter. For seven years of his young life he had beenassistant to Pericles Priam, and had traveled over America selling Priam's Peerless PainParalyzertheyhadriddeninanautomobile,andwherevertherewasafairoraconventionoranexcursionorapicnic,theywereonhand,andPericlesPriamwouldstopataplacewherethecrowdswere thickest, and ringadinnerbell, anddeliverhis supereloquentmessage tohumanitythe elixir of life revealed, suffering banished from the earth, and allinconveniencesof thismortalstatebrought toanendforonedollarperbottleoffifteenpercent opium. It hadbeenPeter's job to handle thebottles and take in the coin and sonow,when he saw the crowd, he looked about him eagerly. Perhaps there might be here somevenderofcornplastersorinkstainremovers,orsomethreecardmontemantowhomPetercouldattachhimselfforthepriceofasandwich.

Peter wormed his way thru the crowd for two or three blocks, but saw nothing morepromisingthanvendersofAmericanflagsonlittlesticks,andofpatrioticbuttonswith"WakeupAmerica!"Butthen,ontheothersideofthestreetatoneofthecrossingsPetersawamanstandingona truckmakingaspeech,andhedughiswaythru thecrowd,elbowing,slidingthisway and that, begging everybody's pardonuntil at last hewas out of the crowd, andstandingintheopenwaywhichhadbeenclearedfortheprocession,aseeminglyendlessroadlinedwithsolidwallsofhumanbeings,withblueuniformedpolicemenholding themback.Peterstartedtorunacrossandatthatsameinstantcametheendoftheworld.



Section2

One who seeks to tell about events in words comes occasionally upon a fundamentaldifficulty.Aneventofcolossalandoverwhelmingsignificancemayhappenallatonce,butthewordswhichdescribeithavetocomeonebyoneinalongchain.Theeventmayrevealitself without a moment's warning but if one is to give a sense of it in words, one mustprepareforit,builduptoit,awakenanticipation,establishaclimax.IfthedescriptionofthiseventwhichfatesprunguponPeterGudgeashewascrossingthestreetwerelimitedtotheoneword"BANG"in lettersacoupleof incheshighacross thepage, the impressionwouldhardlybeadequate.

Theendoftheworld,itseemedtoPeter,whenhewasabletocollectenoughofhisterrifiedwitstothinkaboutit.Butatfirsttherewasnothinkingtherewasonlysensationaterrificroar,asifthewholeuniversehadsuddenlyturnedtosoundablindingwhiteglare,asofallthe lightnings of the heavens a blow that picked him up as if he had been a piece ofthistledown,andflunghimacrossthestreetandagainstthesideofabuilding.Peterfelluponthe sidewalk in a heap, deafened, blinded, stunned and there he layhe had no idea howlonguntilgraduallyhissensesbegantoreturntohim,andfromtheconfusioncertainfactorsbegantostandout:afaintgraysmokethatseemedtolieupontheground,abitterodorthatstung the nostrils and tongue, and screams of people, moaning and sobbing and generaluproar.SomethinglayacrossPeter'schest,andhefeltthathewassuffocating,andstruggledconvulsivelytopushitawaythehandswithwhichhepushedfeltsomethinghotandwetandslimy,andthehorrifiedPeterrealizedthatitwashalfthebodyofamangledhumanbeing.

Yes,itwastheendoftheworld.OnlyacoupleofdayspreviouslyPeterGudgehadbeenadevoutmemberoftheFirstApostolicChurch,otherwiseknownastheHolyRollers,andhadlistened at prayermeetings to soulshaking imaginings out of the Book of Revelations. SoPeterknewthatthiswasitandhavingmanysinsuponhisconscience,andbeinginnowayeager to confront his God, he looked out over the bodies of the dead and the writhingwounded,andsawarowofboxesstandingagainstthebuilding,havingbeenplacedtherebypeoplewhowishedtoseeovertheheadsofthecrowd.Peterstartedtocrawl,andfoundthathewasabletodoso,andwormedhiswaybehindoneofthesepackingboxes,andgotinsideandlayhiddenfromhisGod.

Therewasbloodonhim,andhedidnotknowwhetheritwashisownorotherpeoples'.Hewastremblingwithfright,hiscrookedteethwerehammeringtogetherlikethoseofanangrywoodchuck.Buttheeffectsoftheshockcontinuedtopassaway,andhiswitstocomebacktohim,andatlastPeterrealizedthatheneverhadtakenseriouslytheideasoftheFirstApostolicChurchofAmericanCity.He listened to themoansof thewounded, and to the shoutsanduproarofthecrowd,andbeganseriouslyfiguringoutwhatcouldhavehappened.Therehadonce been an earthquake in American City could this be another one? Or had a volcanoopenedupinthemidstofMainStreet?Orcouldithavebeenagasmain?Andwasthistheend,orwoulditexplodesomemore?Wouldthevolcanogoonerupting,andblowPeterandhisfrailpackingboxthruthewallsofGuggenheim'sDepartmentstore?

SoPeterwaited,andlistenedtothehorriblesoundsofpeopleinagony,andpleadingwithotherstoputthemoutofit.Peterheardvoicesofmengivingorders,andrealizedthatthesemustbepolicemen,andthatnodoubttherewouldbeambulancescoming.Maybetherewassomethingthematterwithhim,andheoughttocrawloutandgethimselftakencareof.AllofasuddenPeterrememberedhisstomachandhiswits,whichhadbeensharpenedbytwentyyears' struggle against a hostile world, realized in a flash the opportunity which fate hadbrought tohim.Hemustpretend tobewounded,badlywoundedhemustbeunconscious,sufferingfromshockandshatterednervesthentheywouldtakehimtothehospitalandputhiminasoftbedandgivehimthingstoeatmaybehemightstaythereforweeks,andtheymightgivehimmoneywhenhecameout.

Orperhapshemightgetajobinthehospital,somethingthatwaseasy,andrequiredonly



alertintelligence.Perhapstheheaddoctorinthehospitalmightwantsomebodytowatchtheotherdoctors,toseeiftheywereneglectingthepatients,orperhapsflirtingwithsomeofthenursesthere was sure to be something like that going on. It had been that way in theorphans'homewherePeterhadspentapartofhischildhoodtillheranaway.Ithadbeenthatway again in the great Temple of Jimjambo, conducted by Pashtian el Kalandra, ChiefMagistrian of Eleutherinian Exoticism. Peter hadworked as scullion in the kitchen in thatmystic institution, and had worked his way upward until he possessed the confidence ofTushbarAkrogas,majordomoandrighthandmanoftheProphethimself.

Wherevertherewasagroupofpeople,andatreasuretobeadministered,therePeterknewwas backbiting and scandal and intriguing and spying, and a chance for somebodywhosebrainswere"allthere."ItmightseemstrangethatPetershouldthinkaboutsuchthings,justthenwhentheearthhadopenedupinfrontofhimandtheairhadturnedtoroaringnoiseandblinding white flame, and had hurled him against the side of a building and dropped thebleedinghalfofawoman'sbodyacrosshischestbutPeterhadlivedfromearliestchildhoodbyhiswitsandbynothingelse,andsuchafellowhastolearntousehiswitsunderanyandall circumstances, no matter how bewildering. Peter's training covered almost everyemergencyonecouldthinkofhehadevenattimesoccupiedhimselfbyimaginingwhathewoulddo if theHolyRollers should turnout tobe right, and if suddenlyGabriel's trumpetweretoblow,andheweretofindhimselfconfrontingJesusinalongwhitenightgown.

Section3

Peter's imaginingswerebrought to anendby thepackingboxbeingpulledout from thewall."Hello!"saidavoice.

Petergroaned,butdidnot lookup.Theboxwaspulledoutfurther,andafacepeeredin."Whatyouhidin'intherefor?"

Peterstammeredfeebly:"Whwhwhat?""Youhurt?"demandedthevoice."Idunno,"moanedPeter.Theboxwaspulledoutfurther,anditsoccupantslidout.Peterlookedup,andsawthreeor

fourpolicemenbendingoverhimhemoanedagain."Howdidyougetinthere?"askedone."Icrawledin.""Whatfor?""Togggetawayfromthewhatwasit?""Bomb,"saidoneofthepolicemenandPeterwasastoundedthatforamomentheforgotto

beanervouswreck."Bomb!"hecriedandatthesamemomentoneofthepolicemenliftedhimtohisfeet."Canyoustandup?"hedemandedandPetertried,andfoundthathecould,andforgotthat

hecouldn't.Hewascoveredwithbloodanddirt,andwasanunpresentableobject,buthewasreallyrelievedtodiscoverthathislimbswereintact.

"What'syourname?"demandedoneofthepolicemen,andwhenPeteranswered,heasked,"Wheredoyouwork?"



"Igotnojob,"repliedPeter."Where'dyouworklast?"Andthenanotherbrokein,"Whatdidyoucrawlintherefor?""MyGod!"criedPeter."Iwantedtogetaway!"Thepolicemenseemedtofinditsuspiciousthathehadstayedhiddensolong.Theywerein

astateofexcitementthemselves,itappearedaterriblecrimehadbeencommitted,andtheywerehuntingforanytraceofthecriminal.Anothermancameup,notdressedinuniform,butevidentlyhavingauthority,andhefellontoPeter,demandingtoknowwhohewas,andwherehehadcomefrom,andwhathehadbeendoing in thatcrowd.AndofcoursePeterhadnoverysatisfactoryanswerstogivetoanyofthesequestions.Hisoccupationshadbeenunusual,andnot entirely credible, andhispurposeswerehard to explain to a suspiciousquestioner.Themanwasbigandburly,atleastafoottallerthanPeter,andashetalkedhestoopeddownandstaredintoPeter'seyesasifhewerelookingfordarksecretshiddenbackinthedepthsofPeter'sskull.Peterrememberedthathewassupposedtobesick,andhiseyelidsdroopedandhereeledslightly,sothatthepolicemenhadtoholdhimup.

"Iwanttotalktothatfellow,"saidthequestioner."Takehiminside."OneoftheofficerstookPeterunderonearm,andtheotherunder theotherarm,andtheyhalfwalkedandhalfcarriedhimacrossthestreetandintoabuilding.

Section4

Itwasabigstorewhichthepolicehadopenedup.Insidetherewerewoundedpeoplelyingon thefloor,withdoctorsandothersattending them.Peterwasmarcheddownthecorridor,andintoaroomwheresatorstoodseveralothermen,moreorlessinastateofcollapselikehimselfpeoplewhohadfailedtosatisfythepolice,andwerebeingheldunderguard.

Peter's twopolicemenbackedhimagainst thewallandproceeded togo thruhispockets,producingtheshamefulcontentsasoiledrag,andtwocigarettebuttspickeduponthestreet,andabrokenpipe,andawatchwhichhadoncecostadollar,butwasnowoutoforder,andtoobadlydamagedtobepawned.Thatwasalltheyhadanyrighttofind,sofarasPeterknew.But there came forth one thingmorethe printed circular which Peter had thrust into hispocket.Thepolicemanwhopulleditouttookaglanceatit,andthencried,"GoodGod!"HestaredatPeter,thenhestaredattheotherpolicemanandhandedhimthepaper.

At that moment the man not in uniform entered the room. "Mr. Guffey!" cried thepoliceman."See this!"Theman took thepaper,andglancedat it, andPeter,watchingwithbewildered and fascinated eyes, saw a most terrifying sight. It was as if the man wentsuddenlyoutofhismind.HeglaredatPeter, andunderhisblackeyebrows thebig staringeyesseemedreadytojumpoutofhishead.

"Aha!" he exclaimed and then, "So I've got you!" The hand that held the paper wastrembling,andtheotherhandreachedoutlikeagreatclaw,andfasteneditselfintheneckofPeter's coat, and drew it together until Peter was squeezed tight. "You threw that bomb!"hissedtheman.

"Whwhat?"gaspedPeter,hisvoicealmostfainting."Bbbomb?""Outwithit!"criedtheman,andhisfacecameclosetoPeter's,histeethgleamingasifhe

weregoingtobiteoffPeter'snose."Outwithit!Quick!Whohelpedyou?""MyGGod!"saidPeter."Iddunnowhatyoumean."



"Youdarelietome?"roaredthemanandheshookPeterasifhemeanttojarhisteethout."Nononsensenow!Whohelpedyoumakethatbomb?"

Peter'svoicerosetoascreamofterror:"Ineversawnobomb!Idunnowhatyou'retalkin'about!"

"You,comethisway,"saidtheman,andstartedsuddenlytowardthedoor.Itmighthavebeenmore convenient if he had turnedPeter around, and got himby the back of his coatcollarbutheevidentlyheldPeter'sphysicalbeingasathingtooslightforconsiderationhejustkepthisgripinthebosomofPeter'sjacket,andhalfliftedhimandhalfshovedhimbackoutoftheroom,anddownalongpassagetothebackpartofthebuilding.AndallthetimehewashissingintoPeter'sface:"I'llhaveitoutofyou!Don'tthinkyoucanlietome!Makeupyourmindtoit,you'regoingtocomethru!"

Themanopenedadoor. Itwas somekindof storeroom,andhewalkedPeter insideandslammedthedoorbehindhim."Now,outwithit!"hesaid.Themanthrustintohispockettheprintedcircular,orwhateveritwasPeterneversawitagain,andneverfoundoutwhatwasprintedonit.WithhisfreehandthemangrabbedoneofPeter'shands,orratheronefingerofPeter's hand, and bent it suddenly backward with terrible violence. "Oh!" screamed Peter."Stop!"Andthen,withawildshriek,"You'llbreakit."

"Imeantobreakit!meantobreakeveryboneinyourbody!I'lltearyourfingernailsoutI'llteartheeyesoutofyourhead,ifIhaveto!Youtellmewhohelpedyoumakethatbomb!"

Peterbrokeoutinastormofagonizedprotesthehadneverheardofanybomb,hedidn'tknow what the man was talking about he writhed and twisted and doubled himself overbackward,tryingtoevadethefrightfulpainofthatpressureonhisfinger.

"You'relying!"insistedGuffey."Iknowyou'relying.You'reoneofthatcrowd.""Whatcrowd?Ouch!Idunnowhatyoumean!""You'reoneofthemReds,aintyou?""Reds?WhatareReds?""You want to tell me you don't know what a Red is? Aint you been giving out them

circularsonthestreet?""Ineverseenthecircular!"repeatedPeter."IneverseenawordinitIdunnowhatitis.""Youtrytostuffmewiththat?""Some woman gimme that circular on the street! Ouch! Stop! Jesus! I tell you I never

lookedatthecircular!""Youdaregoonlying?"shoutedtheman,withfreshaccessofrage."AndwhenIseenyou

withthemReds?Iknowaboutyourplots,I'mgoingtogetitoutofyou."HegrabbedPeter'swrist and began to twist it, and Peter half turned over in the effort to save himself, andshriekedagain,inmorepiercingtones,"Idunno!Idunno!"

"What's them fellows done for you that you protect them?" demanded the other. "Whatgood'llitdoyouifwehangyouandletthemescape?"

ButPeteronlyscreamedandweptthelouder."They'llhavetimetogetoutoftown,"persistedtheother."Ifyouspeakquickwecannab

themall,andthenI'llletyougo.Youunderstand,wewon'tdoathingtoyou,ifyou'llcomethruand telluswhoputyouup to this.Weknow itwasn'tyou thatplanned it it's thebigfellowswewant."

He began to wheedle and coax Peter but then, when Peter answered again with hisprovoking "I dunno," he would give another twist to Peter's wrist, and Peter would yell,almostincoherentwithterrorandpainbutstilldeclaringthathecouldtellnothing,heknewnothingaboutanybomb.

Soat lastGuffeyweariedof thisfutile inquisitionorperhapsitoccurredtohimthat thiswas too public a place for the prosecution of a "third degree"there might be some onelisteningoutside thedoor.Hestopped twistingPeter'swrist, and tiltedbackPeter'sheadso



thatPeter'sfrightenedeyeswerestaringintohis."Now,youngfellow,"hesaid,"lookhere.Igotnotimeforyoujustnow,butyou'regoing

tojail,you'remyprisoner,andmakeupyourmindtoit,soonerorlaterI'mgoingtogetitoutofyou.Itmaytakeaday,oritmaytakeamonth,butyou'regoingtotellmeaboutthisbombplot,andwhoprintedthisherecircularopposedtoPreparedness,andallabouttheseRedsyouworkwith.I'mtellingyounowsoyouthinkitoverandmeantime,youholdyourmouth,don'tsayawordtoalivingsoul,orifyoudoI'lltearyourtongueoutofyourthroat."

Then, paying no attention to Peter'swailings, he took himby the back of the collar andmarchedhimdownthehallagain,and turnedhimover tooneof thepolicemen."Take thismantothecityjail,"hesaid,"andputhiminthehole,andkeephimthereuntilIcome,anddon't let him speak a word to anybody. If he tries it, mash his mouth for him." So thepolicemantookpoorsobbingPeterbythearmandmarchedhimoutofthebuilding.

Section5

Thepolicehadgotthecrowdsdrivenbackbynow,andhadropesacrossthestreettoholdthem, and inside the roped spacewere several ambulances and a couple of patrolwagons.Peterwasshovedintooneoftheselatter,andapolicemansatbyhisside,andthebellclanged,andthepatrolwagonforceditswayslowlythruthestrugglingcrowd.Halfanhourlatertheyarrivedatthehugestonejail,andPeterwasmarchedinside.Therewerenoformalities,theydidnotenterPeteronthebooks,ortakehisnameorhisfingerprintssomehigherpowerhadspoken,andPeter'sfatewasalreadydetermined.Hewastakenintoanelevator,anddownintoabasement,andthendownaflightofstonesteps intoadeeperbasement,andtherewasanirondoorwithatinyslitaninchwideandsixincheslongnearthetop.Thiswasthe"hole,"andthedoorwasopenedandPetershovedinsideintoutterdarkness.Thedoorbanged,andtheboltsrattledandthensilence.Petersankuponacoldstonefloor,abundleofabjectandhideousmisery.

TheseeventshadhappenedwithsuchterrifyingrapiditythatPeterGudgehadhardlytimetokeeptrackofthem.Butnowhehadplentyoftime,hehadnothingbuttime.Hecouldthinkthewhole thing out, and realize the ghastly trickwhich fate had played upon him.He laythere,andtimepassedhehadnowayofmeasuringit,noideawhetheritwashoursordays.Itwascoldandclammyinthestonecell theycalledit the"cooler,"andusedit toreducethetemperature of the violent and intractable. Itwas a troublesaving device they just left themanthereandforgothim,andhisowntormentedminddidtherest.

AndsurelynomoretormentedmindthanthemindofPeterGudgehadeverbeenputinthatblackhole.Itwasthemoreterrible,becausesoutterlyundeserved,sopreposterous.Forsuchathingtohappentohim,PeterGudge,ofallpeoplewhotooksuchpainstoavoiddiscomfortinlife,whowasalwaysreadytoobligeanybody,todoanythinghewastoldtodo,soastohave'aneasytime,asufficiencyoffood,andawarmcornertocrawlinto!Whatcouldhavepersuaded fate to pickhim for thevictimof this cruel prank to put him into this position,where he could not avoid suffering, no matter what he did? They wanted him to tellsomething,andPeterwouldhavebeenperfectlywilling to tellanythingbuthowcouldhetellitwhenhedidnotknowit?

ThemorePeterthoughtaboutit,themoreoutragedhebecame.Itwasmonstrous!Hesatupandglaredintotheblackdarkness.Hetalkedtohimself,hetalkedtotheworldoutside,tothe



universewhichhadforgottenhisexistence.Hestormed,hewept.Hegotonhisfeetandflunghimself about the cell, whichwas six feet square, and barely tall enough for him to standerect.HepoundedonthedoorwithhisonehandwhichGuffeyhadnotlamed,hekicked,andheshouted.Buttherewasnoanswer,andsofarashecouldtell,therewasnoonetohear.

Whenhehadexhaustedhimself,hesankdown,andfellintoahauntedsleepandthenhewakenedagain,toarealityworsethananynightmare.Thatawfulmanwascomingafterhimagain!Hewasgoingtotorturehim,tomakehimtellwhathedidnotknow!Alltheogresandall the demons that had ever been invented to frighten the imagination of childrenwere asnothingcomparedtotheimageofthemancalledGuffey,asPeterthoughtofhim.

Several ages after Peter had been locked up, he heard sounds outside, and the doorwasopened. Peter was cowering in the corner, thinking that Guffey had come. There was ascrapingonthefloor,andthenthedoorwasbangedagain,andsilencefell.Peterinvestigatedanddiscoveredthattheyhadputinachunkofbreadandapanofwater.

Thenmoreagespassed,andPeter's impotentragingswererepeated thenoncemoretheybroughtbreadandwater,andPeterwondered,wasittwiceadaytheybroughtit,orwasthisanewday?Andhowlongdidtheymeantokeephimhere?Didtheymeantodrivehimmad?Heaskedthesequestionsofthemanwhobroughtthebreadandwater,butthemanmadenoanswer,heneveratanytimespokeaword.Peterhadnocompanyinthat"hole"buthisGodandPeterwasnotwellacquaintedwithhisGod,anddidnotenjoyateteatetewithHim.

WhattroubledPetermostwasthecolditgotintohisbones,andhisteethwerechatteringallthetime.Despiteallhismovingabout,hecouldnotkeepwarm.Whenthemanopenedthedoor,hecriedouttohim,beggingforablanketeachtimethemancame,Peterbeggedmorefranticallythanever.Hewasill,hehadbeeninjuredintheexplosion,heneededadoctor,hewasgoingtodie!Buttherewasneveranyanswer.Peterwouldliethereandshiverandweep,andwrithe, and babble, and lose consciousness for awhile, and not knowwhether hewasawakeorasleep,whetherhewaslivingordead.Hewasbecomingdelirious,andthethingsthat were happening to him, the people who were tormenting him, became monsters andfiendswhocarriedhimawayuponfarjourneys,andplungedhimthruabyssesofterrorandtorment.

Andyet,manyandstrangeaswerethephantomswhichPeter'ssickimaginationconjuredup,therewasnooneofthemasterribleastherealitywhichprevailedjusttheninthelifeofAmericanCity, andwasdetermining thedestinyof a poor littlemanby thenameofPeterGudge. There lived in American City a group of men who had taken possession of itsindustriesanddominated the livesof itspopulation.Thisgroup, intrenched inpower in thecity'sbusinessandalso in itsgovernment,were facing theoppositionofanewand rapidlyrisingpower,thatoforganizedlabor,determinedtobreaktheoligarchyofbusinessandtakeoveritspowers.Thestruggleofthesetwogroupswascomingtoitsculmination.Theywereliketwomightywrestlers,lockedinagripofdeathtwogiantsincombat,whotearuptreesby the roots andbreak off fragments of cliffs from themountains to smash in each other'sskulls.AndpoorPeterwhatwashe?Anantwhichhappenedtocomeblunderingacrossthegroundwherethesecombatantsmet.Theearthwasshakenwiththeirtrampling,thedirtwaskickedthiswayandthat,andtheunhappyantwasknockedabout,tumbledheadoverheels,buriedinthedebrisandsuddenlySmash!agiantfootcamedownupontheplacewherehewasstrugglingandgasping!



Section6

Peterhadbeeninthe"hole"perhapsthreedays,perhapsaweekhedidnotknow,andnooneevertoldhim.Thedoorwasopenedagain,andforthefirsttimeheheardavoice,"Comeouthere."

Peterhadbeenlongingtohearavoicebutnowheshrunkterrifiedintoacorner.ThevoicewasthevoiceofGuffey,andPeterknewwhatitmeant.Histeethbegantorattleagain,andhewailed,"Idunnoanything!Ican'ttellanything!"

A hand reached in and took him by the collar, and he found himselfwalking down thecorridorinfrontofGuffey."Shutup!"saidtheman,inanswertoallhiswailings,andtookhimintoaroomandthrewhimintoachairasifhehadbeenabundleofbedding,andpulledupanotherchairandsatdowninfrontofPeter.

"Nowlookhere,"hesaid."Iwanttohaveanunderstandingwithyou.Doyouwanttogobackintothatholeagain?"

"Nnno,"moanedPeter."Well,Iwantyoutoknowthatyou'llspendtherestofyourlifeinthathole,exceptwhen

you're talkingtome.Andwhenyou're talkingtomeyou'llbehavingyourarmstwistedoffyou,andsplintersdrivenintoyourfingernails,andyourskinburnedwithmatchesuntilyoutellmewhatIwanttoknow.Nobody'sgoingtohelpyou,nobody'sgoingtoknowaboutit.You'regoingtostayherewithmeuntilyoucomeacross."

Petercouldonlysobandmoan."Now,"continuedGuffey,"Ibeenfindingoutallaboutyou,Igotyourlifestoryfromthe

dayyouwereborn,andthere'snouseyourtryingtohideanything.Iknowyourpartinthisherebombplot,andIcansendyoutothegallowswithoutanytroublewhatever.Butthere'ssomethingsIcan'tproveontheotherfellows.They'rethebigones,therealdevils,andthey'retheonesIwant,soyou'vegotachancetosaveyourself,andyoubetterbethankfulforit."

Peterwentonmoaningandsobbing."Shut up!" cried the man. And then, fixing Peter's frightened gaze with his own, he

continued,"Understand,yougotachancetosaveyourself.Allyougot todois to tellwhatyouknow.Thenyoucancomeoutandyouwon'thaveanymoretrouble.We'lltakegoodcareofyoueverything'llbeeasyforyou."

Petercontinuedtogazelikeafascinatedrabbit.Andsuchalongingassurgedupinhissoultobefree,andoutoftrouble,andtakencareof!Ifonlyhehadknownanythingtotellifonlytherewassomewayhecouldfindoutsomethingtotell!

Section7

SuddenlythemanreachedoutandgraspedoneofPeter'shands.Hetwistedthewristagain,thesorewristwhichstillachedfromthetorture."Willyoutell?"

"I'dtellifIcould!"screamedPeter."MyGod,howcanI?""Don'tlietome,"hissedtheman."Iknowaboutitnow,youcan'tfoolme.YouknowJim

Goober.""Ineverheardofhim!"wailedPeter.



"Youlie!"declaredtheother,andhegavePeter'swristatwist."Yes,yes,Iknowhim!"shriekedPeter."Oh,that'smorelikeit!"saidtheother."Ofcourseyouknowhim.Whatsortofalooking

manishe?""IIdunno.He'sabigman.""Youlie!Youknowhe'samediumsizedman!""He'samediumsizedman.""Adarkman?""Yes,adarkman.""AndyouknowMrs.Goober,themusicteacher?""Yes,Iknowher.""Andyou'vebeentoherhouse?""Yes,I'vebeentoherhouse.""Whereistheirhouse?""Idunnothatis""It'sonFourthStreet?""Yes,it'sonFourthStreet.""Andhehiredyoutocarrythatsuitcasewiththebombsinit,didn'the?""Yes,hehiredme.""Andhetoldyouwhatwasinit,didn'the?""HehethatisIdunno.""Youdon'tknowwhetherhetoldyou?""Yyyes,hetoldme.""Youknewallabouttheplot,didn'tyou?""Yyyes,Iknew.""AndyouknowIsaacs,theJew?""Yyyes,Iknowhim.""Hewasthefellowthatdrovethejitney,wasn'the?""Yyyes,hedrovethejitney.""Wheredidhedriveit?""Hhhedroveiteverywhere.""Hedroveitoverherewiththesuitcase,didn'the?""Yes,hedid.""AndyouknowBiddle,andyouknowwhathedid,don'tyou?""Yes,Iknow.""Andyou'rewillingtotellallyouknowaboutit,areyou?""Yes,I'lltellitall.I'lltellwhateveryou""You'lltellwhateveryouknow,willyou?""Yyyes,sir.""And you'll stand by it?You'll not try to back out?You don'twant to go back into the

hole?""No,sir."AndsuddenlyGuffeypulledfromhispocketapaperfoldedup.Itwasseveraltypewritten

sheets."PeterGudge,"hesaid,"Ibeenlookingupyourrecord,andI'vefoundoutwhatyoudidinthiscase.You'llseewhenyoureadhowperfectlyI'vegotit.Youwon'tfindasingle



mistakeinit."Guffeymeantthisforwit,butpoorPeterwastoofargonewithterrortohaveanyideathattherewassuchathingasasmileintheworld.

"Thisisyourstory,d'yousee?"continuedGuffey."Nowtakeitandreadit."SoPetertookthepaperinhistremblinghand,theonewhichhadnotbeentwistedlame.He

triedtoreadit,buthishandshooksothathehadtoputitonhisknee,andthenhediscoveredthat his eyes hadnot yet got used to the light.He could not see the print. "I cccan't," hewailed.

Andtheothermantookthepaperfromhim."I'llreadittoyou,"hesaid."Nowyoulisten,andputyourmindonit,andmakesureI'vegotitallright."

And soGuffey started to read an elaborate legal document: "I, PeterGudge, being dulysworndodeposeanddeclare"andsoon.ItwasanelaborateanddetailedstoryaboutamannamedJimGoober,andhiswifeandthreeothermen,andhowtheyhademployedPeter tobuyfor themcertainmaterials tomakebombs,andhowPeterhadhelpedthemtomakethebombsinacertainroomatacertaingivenaddress,andhowtheyhadputthebombsinasuitcase,withatimeclocktosetthemoff,andhowIsaacs,thejitneydriver,haddriventhemtoacertaincorneronMainStreet,andhowtheyhadleftthesuitcasewiththebombsonthestreetinfrontofthePreparednessDayparade.

Itwasverysimpleandclear,andPeter,ashelistened,wasalmostreadytocrywithdelight,realizingthatthiswasallhehadtodotoescapefromhishorriblepredicament.Heknewnowwhathewassupposedtoknowandheknewit.WhyhadnotGuffeytoldhimlongago,sothathemighthaveknownitwithouthavinghisfingersbentoutofplaceandhiswristtwistedoff?

"Nowthen,"saidGuffey,"that'syourconfession,isit?""Yyyes,"saidPeter."Andyou'llstandbyittotheend?""Yyyes,sir.""Wecancountonyounow?Nomorenonsense?""Yyyes,sir.""Youswearit'salltrue?""Ido.""Andyouwon't let anybodypersuadeyou togobackon itnomatterwhat they say to

you?""Nnno,sir,"saidPeter."Allright,"saidGuffeyandhisvoiceshowedthereliefofabusinessmanwhohasclosed

animportantdeal.Hebecamealmosthumanasliewenton."Now,Peter,"hesaid,"you'reourman,andwe'regoingtocountonyou.Youunderstand,ofcourse,thatwehavetoholdyouasawitness,butyou'renottobeaprisoner,andwe'regoingtotreatyouwell.We'llputyouinthehospitalpartofthejail,andyou'llhavegoodgrubandnothingtodo.Inaweekorso,we'llwantyoutoappearbeforethegrandjury.Meantime,youunderstandnotawordtoasoul!Peoplemaytrytowormsomethingoutofyou,butdon'tyouopenyourmouthaboutthiscaseexcepttome.I'myourboss,andI'lltellyouwhattodo,andI'lltakecareofyoualltheway.Yougotthatallstraight?"

"Yyyes,sir,"saidPeter.



Section8

Therewasonce,solegenddeclares,adarkywhosaidthathelikedtostubhistoebecauseitfelt sogoodwhen it stoppedhurting.On this sameprinciplePeterhadahappy time in thehospitaloftheAmericanCityjail.Hehadacomfortablebed,andplentytoeat,andabsolutelynothingtodo.Hissorejointsbecamegraduallyhealed,andhegainedhalfapoundadayinweight,andhisbusymindsettoworktostudythecircumstancesabouthim,tofindouthowhecouldperpetuate these comfortable conditions, andadd to them the little luxurieswhichmakelifereallyworthliving.

InchargeofthishospitalwasanoldmanbythenameofDoobman.Hehadbeenappointedbecausehewastheuncleofanalderman,andhehadheldthejobforthelastsixyears,andduringthattimehadgainedweightalmostasrapidlyasPeterwasgaining.Hehadnowcometoaconditionwherehedidnot like togetoutofhisarmchair if itcouldbeavoided.Peterdiscovered this, and so found it possible to make himself useful in small ways. AlsoMr.Doobmanhadasecretvicehetooksnuff,andforthesakeofdisciplinehedidnotwantthisdreadfulfact tobecomeknown.Thereforehewouldwaituntileverybody'sbackwasturnedbeforehetookapinchofsnuffandPeterlearnedthis,andwouldtactfullyturnhisback.

Everybodyinthishospitalhadsomesecretvice,anditwasMr.Doobman'sdutytorepressthevicesoftheothers.Theinmatesofthehospital includedmanyoftheprisonerswhohadmoney, and could pay to make themselves comfortable. They wanted tobacco, whiskey,cocaineandotherdrugs,andsomeof themwantedachancetopracticeunnamablehorrors.All the money they could smuggle in they were ready to spend for license to indulgethemselves.Asfortheattendantsinthehospital,theywereallpoliticalappointees,derelictswhohadbeenunable toholda job in thecommercialworld,andhadsoughtaneasyberth,like Peter himself. They took bribes, and were prepared to bribe Peter to outwit Mr.DoobmanMr.Doobman,ontheotherhand,waspreparedtorewardPeterwithmanyfavors,ifPeterwouldconsenttobringhimsecretinformation.Insuchasituationitwaspossibleforamanwithhiswitsabouthimtoaccumulatequitealittlecapital.

ForthemostpartPeterstuckbyDoobmanhavinglearnedbybitterexperiencethatinthelongrun itpays tobehonest.Doobmanwas referred toby theotherattendantsas the"OldMan"andalwaysinPeter'slife,fromtheverydawnofchildhood,therehadbeensomesuch"OldMan,"thefountainheadofauthority,thedispenserofcreaturecomforts.Firsthadbeen"OldMan"Drubb,who fromearlymorninguntil lateatnightworegreenspectacles,andasignacrosshischest,"Iamblind,"andmadeawearylittlechildleadhimthruthestreetsbythehand.Atnight,whentheygothometotheirgarretroom,"OldMan"Drubbwouldtakeoffhis green goggles, andwas perfectly able to see Peter, and if Peter hadmade the slightestmistakeduringthedayhewouldbeathim.

WhenDrubbwas arrested,Peterwas taken to theorphan asylum, and therewas another"OldMan,"andthesameharshlessonofsubserviencetobelearned.PeterhadrunawayfromtheasylumandthenhadcomePericlesPriamwithhisPainParalyzer,andPeterhadstudiedhis whims and served his interests.When Pericles hadmarried a richwidow and she hadkickedPeterout, therehadcome theTempleof Jimjambo,where the "OldMan"hadbeenTushbarAkrogas,themajordomoterriblewhenhewasthwarted,butagenerousdispenseroffavorswhenonceyouhadlearnedtoflatterhim,toplayuponhisweaknesses,tosmooththepathofhispleasures.AlltheseyearsPeterhadbeenforcedto"crookthepregnanthingesof theknee" ithadbecomean instinctwithhimaninstinct thatwentbackfarbehind thetwentyyearsofhisconscious life, thatwentback twenty thousandyears,perhaps ten timestwenty thousandyears, to a timewhenPeterhad chipped flint spearheads at themouthofsomecave,andbroiledmarrowbonesforsome"OldMan"oftheborde,andseenrebelliousyoungfellowscastouttofallpreytothesabretoothtiger.



Section9

Peter found that he was something of a personality in this hospital. He was the "star"witness in the sensationalGoober case, aboutwhich thewhole city, and in fact thewholecountrywas talking. Itwasknown that hehad "turnedState's" but justwhat heknewandwhathehadtoldwasamightysecret,andPeter"heldhismouth"andlookedportentous,andenjoyedthrillsofselfimportance.

Butmeantimetherewasnoreasonwhyheshouldnotlistentootherstalknoreasonwhyheshouldnotinformhimselffullyaboutthiscase,sothatinfuturehemightbeabletotakecareofhimself.Helistenedtowhat"OldMan"Doobmanhadtosay,andtowhatJanChristian,hisSwedish assistant had to say, and towhatGerald Leslie, the "coke" fiend, had to say.Allthese,andothers,hadfriendsontheoutside,peoplewhowere"intheknow."Sometoldonething,andotherstoldexactlytheoppositebutPeterputthisandthattogether,andusedhisownintriguesharpenedwitsuponit,andbeforelonghewassatisfiedthathehadgotthefacts.

JimGooberwasaprominentlaborleader.HehadorganizedtheemployeesoftheTractionTrust, andhad called and led a tremendous strike.Alsohehad calledbuilding strikes, andsomepeoplesaidhehaduseddynamiteuponuncompletedbuildings,andmadeajokeofit.Anyhow, thebusinessmenof thecitywanted toputhimwherehecouldno longer troublethem and when some maniac unknown had flung a dynamite bomb into the path of thePreparedness parade, the big fellows of the city had decided that nowwas the opportunitytheywere seeking.Guffey, themanwhohad takenchargeofPeter,washeadof the secretservice of the Traction Trust, and the big fellows had put him in complete charge. Theywantedaction,andwouldtakenochanceswiththegraftriddenandincompetentpoliceofthecity.TheyhadGooberinjail,withhiswifeandthreeofhisgang,andthruthenewspapersofthecitytheywerecarryingonapropagandatopreparethepublicforthehangingofallfive.

And that was all right, of course Jim Goober was only a name to Peter, and of lessimportancethanasingleoneofPeter'smeals.PeterunderstoodwhatGuffeyhaddone,andhisonlygrudgewasbecauseGuffeyhadnothadthesensetotellhimhisstoryatthebeginning,instead of first nearly twisting his arm off.However, Peter reflected, no doubtGuffey hadmeant to teach him a lesson, to make sure of him. Peter had learned the lesson, and hispurposenowwastomakethiscleartoGuffeyandtoDoobman.

"Holdyourmouth,"Guffeyhadsaid,andPeterneveroncesaidawordabouttheGoobercase. But, of course, he talked about other matters. A fellow could not go around like amummyalldaylong,anditwasPeter'sweaknessthathelikedtotellabouthisexploits,thecleverdevicesbywhichhehadoutwittedhislast"OldMan."SotoGeraldLeslie,the"coke"fiend,hetoldthestoryofPericlesPriam,andhowmanythousandsofdollarshehadhelpedtowheedle out of the public, and how twice he andPericles had been arrested for swindling.AlsohetoldabouttheTempleofJimjambo,andallthestrangeandincrediblethingsthathadgoneonthere.PashtianelKalandra,whocalledhimselftheChiefMagistrianofEleutherinianExoticism,gavehimselfouttohisfollowerstobeeightyyearsofage,butasamatteroffacthewaslessthanforty.HewassupposedtobeaPersianprince,buthadbeenborninasmalltowninIndiana,andhadbegunlifeasagrocerboy.Hewassupposedtoliveuponahandfuloffruit,buteverydayithadbeenPeter'sjobtoassistinthepreparationofalargebeefsteakor a roast chicken. These were "for sacrificial purposes," so the prophet explained to hisattendants andPeterwouldget the remainsof the sacrificialbeefsteaksandchickens, andwould sacrificially devour them behind the pantry door. That had been one of his privategrafts,which he got in return for keeping secret from the prophet someof the stealings ofTushbarAkrogas,themajordomo.



AwonderfulplacehadbeenthisTempleofJimjambo.Thereweremysticaltarswithsevenveilsbefore them,and thru these theChiefMagistrianwouldappear,clad ina longcreamcoloredrobewithgoldandpurpleborders,andwithpinkembroideredslippersandsymbolicheaddress.His lectures and religious rites had been attended by hundredsmany of themrich societywomen,whocame rollingup to the temple in their limousines.Also therehadbeenaschool,wherechildrenhadbeeninitiatedintothemysticritesofthecult.Theprophetwould take thesechildren intohisprivateapartments,and therewereawful rumorswhichhadendedintheraidingofthetemplebythepolice,andtheflightoftheprophet,andlikewiseofthemajordomo,andofPeterGudge,hisscullionandconfederate.

Also, Peter thought it was fun to tell Gerald Leslie about his adventures with the HolyRollers,intowhosechurchhehaddriftedduringhissearchforajob.Peterhadtakenupwiththis sect, and learned theartof "talking in tongues,"andhow to fallover thebackofyourchairinconvulsionsofcelestialglory.PeterhadgainedtheconfidenceoftheRev.GamalielLunk, and had been secretly employed by him to carry on a propaganda among thecongregation to obtain a raise in salary for the underpaid convulsionist. But certain thingswhichPeterhadlearnedhadcausedhimtogoovertothefactionofShoemakerSmithers,whowas trying to persuade the congregation that he could roll harder and faster than the Rev.Gamaliel.Peterhadonlyheldthislatterjobafewdaysbeforehehadbeenfiredforstealingthefrieddoughnut.

Section10

AllthesethingsandmorePetertoldthinkingthathewassafenow,undertheprotectionofauthority.Butafterhehadspentabouttwomonthsinthehospital,hewassummonedonedayintotheoffice,andtherestoodGuffey,gloweringathiminablackfury."Youdamnedfool!"wereGuffey'sfirstwords.

Peter'skneeswentweakandhisteethbegantochatteragain."Whwhwhat?"hecried."Didn't I tell you to hold yourmouth?"AndGuffey looked as if hewere going to twist

Peter'swristagain."Mr.Guffey,Iain'ttoldasoul!Iain'tsaidonewordabouttheGoobercase,notoneword!"Peterrushedon,pouringoutprotests.ButGuffeycuthimshort."Shutup,younut!Maybe

youdidn'ttalkabouttheGoobercase,butyoutalkedaboutyourself.Didn'tyoutellsomebodyyou'dworkedwiththatfellowKalandra?"

"Yyyes,sir.""Andyouknewthepolicewereafterhim,andafteryou,too?""Yyyes,sir.""Andyousaidyou'dbeenarrestedsellingfakepatentmedicines?""Yyyes,sir.""Christalmighty!"criedGuffey."Andwhatkindofawitnessdoyouthinkyou'llmake?""But,"criedPeterindespair,"Ididn'ttellanybodythatwouldmatter.Ionly""Whatdoyouknowwhatwouldmatter?"roaredthedetective,addingastreamoffurious

oaths."TheGooberpeoplehavegotspiesonusthey'vegotsomebodyrighthereinthisjail.Anyhow,they'vefoundoutaboutyouandyourrecord.You'vegoneandruineduswithyourblabbingmouth!"



"MyLord!"whisperedPeter,hisvoicedyingaway."Look at yourself on a witnessstand! Look at what they'll do to you before a jury!

Travelingoverthecountry,swindlingpeoplewithpatentmedicinesandgettinginjailforit!WorkingforthathellblastedscoundrelKalandra"andGuffeyaddedsomedreadfulwords,descriptiveoftheloathsomevicesofwhichtheChiefMagistrianhadbeenaccused."Andyoumixedupinthatkindofthing!"

"Ineverdoneanythinglikethat!"criedPeterwildly."Ididn'tevenknowforsure.""Tell that to the jury!" sneered Guffey. "Why, they've even been to that Shoemaker

Smithers,and they'llputhiswifeon thestand toproveyoua sneak thief,and tellhowshekickedyouout.Andallbecauseyoucouldn'tholdyourmouthasItoldyouto!"

Peterburstintotears.Hefelldownonhisknees,pleadingthathehadn'tmeantanyharmhehadn'thadanyideathathewasnotsupposedtotalkabouthispastlifehehadn'trealizedwhatawitnesswas,orwhathewassupposedtodo.Allhehadbeentoldwastokeepquietabout theGoober case, and he had kept quiet. So Peter sobbed and pleadedbut in vain.Guffeyorderedhimbacktothehole,declaringhisintentiontoprovethatPeterwastheonewhohadthrownthebomb,andthatPeter,insteadofJimGoober,hadbeentheheadandfrontoftheconspiracy.Hadn'tPetersignedaconfessionthathehadhelpedtomakethebomb?

Section11

AgainPeterdidnotknowhowlonghelayshiveringintheblackdungeon.Heonlyknewthattheybroughthimbreadandwaterthreetimes,beforeGuffeycameagainandsummonedhimforth.Peternowsathuddledintoachair,twistinghistremblinghandstogether,whilethechief detective of the Traction Trust explained to him his new program. Peter waspermanentlyruinedasawitnessinthecase.Thelaborconspiratorshadraisedhugesumsfortheirdefensetheyhadallthelaborunionsofthecity,andinfactoftheentirecountrybehindthem,andtheywerehiringspiesandinformers,andtryingtofindoutalltheycouldabouttheprosecution,theevidenceithadcollectedandthemovesitwaspreparing.GuffeydidnotsaythathehadbeenafraidtokickPeteroutbecauseofthepossibilitythatPetermightgoovertotheGoobersideandtellallheknewbutPeterguessedthiswhilehesatlisteningtoGuffey'sexplanation,andrealizedwithathrillofexcitementthatatlasthehadreallygotaholdupontheladderofprosperity.Notinvainhadhisfingerbeenalmostbrokenandhiswristalmostdislocated!

"Now,"saidGuffey,"here'smyidea:Asawitnessyou'reonthebum,butasaspy,you'reit.Theyknowthatyoublabbed,andthatIknowittheyknowI'vehadyouinthehole.SonowwhatIwanttodoistomakeamartyrofyou.D'yousee?"

Peternoddedyes,hesaw.Itwashisspecialty,seeingthingslikethat."You'reanhonestwitness,youunderstand?Itriedtogetyoutolie,andyouwouldn't,so

nowyougoover to theother side,and they takeyou in,andyou findoutallyoucan,andfrom time to time you meet somebody as I'll arrange it, and send me word what you'velearned.Yougetme?"

"Igetyou,"saidPeter,eagerly.Nowordscouldportrayhisrelief.Hehadarealjobnow!Hewasgoingtobeasleuth,likeGuffeyhimself.

"Now,"saidGuffey,"thefirstthingIwanttoknowis,who'sblabbinginthisjailwecan't



doanythingbuttheygettippedoff.I'vegotwitnessesthatIwantkepthidden,andIdon'tdareput themhere for fearof theGoobercrowd. Iwant toknowwhoare the traitors. Iwant toknowalotofthingsthatI'lltellyoufromtimetotime.IwantyoutogetnexttotheseReds,andlearnabouttheirideas,soyoucantalktheirlingo.

"Sure," said Peter. He could not help smiling a little. He was supposed to be a "Red"already, to have been one of their leading conspirators. But Guffey had abandoned thatpretenceorperhapshadforgottenaboutit!

Itwas reallyaneasy job thatPeterhadsetbeforehim.Hedidnothave topretend tobeanythingdifferent fromwhathewas.Hewouldcallhimselfavictimofcircumstances,andwouldbehonestlyindignantagainst thosewhohadsoughttousehiminaframeupagainstJim Goober. The rest would follow naturally. He would get the confidence of the laborpeople,andGuffeywouldtellhimwhattodonext.

"We'llputyouinoneofthecellsofthisjail,"saidthechiefdetective,"andwe'llpretendtogiveyoua 'thirddegree.'You'll holler andmakea fuss, and sayyouwon't tell, and finallywe'llgiveupandkickyouout.Andthenallyouhavetodoisjusthangaround.They'llcomeafteryou,orImissmyguess."

Sothelittlecomedywasarrangedandplayedthru.GuffeytookPeterbythecollarandledhim out into themain part of the jail, and locked him in one of a row of open cells. HegrabbedPeterbythewristandpretendedtotwistit,andPeterpretendedtoprotest.Hedidnothavetodrawonhisimaginationheknewhowitfelt,andhowhewassupposedtoact,andheacted.Hesobbedandscreamed,andagainandagainhevowedthathehadtoldthetruth,thatheknewnothingelsethanwhathehadtold,andthatnothingcouldmakehimtellanymore.Guffeylefthimthereuntillatethenextafternoon,andthencameagain,andtookhimbythecollar,andledhimouttothestepsofthejail,andgavehimapartingkick.

Peterwasfree!Whatawonderfulsensationfreedom!God!Hadthereeverbeenanythinglikeit?Hewantedtoshoutandhowlwithjoy.Butinsteadhestaggeredalongthestreet,andsank down upon a stone coping, sobbing, with his head clasped in his hands, waiting forsomething tohappen.Andsureenough, ithappened.Perhapsanhourpassed,whenhewastouchedlightlyontheshoulder."Comrade,"saidasoftvoice,andPeter,lookingbetweenhisfingers,sawtheskirtsofagirl.Afoldedslipofpaperwaspressedintohishandandthesoftvoice said: "Come to this address." The girl walked on, and Peter's heart leaped withexcitement.Peterwasasleuthatlast!

Section12

Peterwaiteduntilafterdark,inordertoindulgehissenseoftheromanticalsoheflatteredhisselfimportancebylookingcarefullyabouthimashewalkeddownthestreet.Hedidnotknowjustwhowouldbeshadowinghim,butPeterwantedtobesleuthy.

Alsohehadabitofgenuineanxiety.HehadtoldthetruthwhenhesaidtoGuffeythathedidn't knowwhat a "Red"was but since then he had beenmaking in quiries, and nowheknew. A "Red" was a fellow who sympathized with labor unions and with strikes whowantedtomurdertherichanddividetheirproperty,andbelievedthatthequickestwaytodothe dividing was by means of dynamite. All "Reds" made bombs, and carried concealedweapons, and perhaps secret poisonswho could tell? And now Peter was going amongthem,hewasgoingtobecomeoneof them!Itwasalmost toointeresting,forafellowwho



aimedaboveeverythingtobecomfortable.Somethinginhimwhispered,"Whynotskipgetoutoftownandbedonewithit?"ButthenhethoughtoftherewardsandhonorsthatGuffeyhadpromisedhim.Alsotherewasthespiritofcuriosityhemightskipatanytime,butfirsthewouldliketoknowabitmoreaboutbeinga"dick."

He came to the number which had been given him, a tiny bungalow in a poorneighborhood,andrangthedoorbell.Itwasansweredbyagirl,andataglancePetersawthatitwasthegirlwhohadspokentohim.Shedidnotwaitforhimtoannouncehimself,butcriedimpulsively,"Mr.Gudge!Oh,I'msogladyou'vecome!"Sheadded,"Comrade!"justasifPeterwereawellknownfriend.Andthen,"Butareyouacomrade?"

"Howdoyoumean?"askedPeter."You'renotaSocialist?Well,we'llmakeoneofyou."Shebroughthiminandshowedhim

toachair, saying, "Iknowwhat theydid toyouandyoustoodoutagainst them!Oh,youwerewonderful!Wonderful!"

Peterwasatalosswhattosay.Therewasinthisgirl'svoiceanoteofaffection,aswellasofadmirationandPeterinhishardlifehadhadlittleexperiencewithemotionsofthissort.Peterhadwatchedthegushingsandexcitementsofgirlswhowereseekingflirtationsbutthisgirl'sattitudehefeltatoncewasnotflirtatious.Hervoicethosoft,wasjustatrifletoosolemnforayounggirlherdeepset,wistfulgreyeyesrestedonPeterwiththesolicitudeofamotherwhosechildhasjustescapedadanger.

Shecalled:"Sadie,here'sMr.Gudge."Andthereenteredanothergirl,older,taller,butthinandpalelikehersister.JennieandSadieToddweretheirnames,Peterlearnedtheolderwasa stenographer, and supported the family.The twogirlswere in a stateof intense concern.TheystartedtoquestionPeterabouthisexperiences,buthehadonlytalkedforaminuteortwobeforetheelderwenttothetelephone.TherewerevariouspeoplewhomustseePeteratonce,importantpeoplewhoweretobenotifiedassoonasheturnedup.Shespentsometimeatthephone,andthepeopleshetalkedwithmusthavephonedtoothers,becauseforthenexthourortwotherewasaconstantstreamofvisitorscomingin,andPeterhadtotellhisstoryoverandoveragain.

ThefirsttocomewasagiantofamanwithtightsetmouthandsopowerfulavoicethatitfrightenedPeter.Hewasnotsurprisedtolearnthatthismanwastheleaderofoneofthemostradical of the city's big labor unions, the seamen's. Yes, he was a "Red," all right hecorresponded to Peter's imaginingsa grim, dangerous man, to be pictured like Samson,seizingthepillarsofsocietyandpullingthemdownuponhishead."They'vegotyouscared,myboy,"he said, notingPeter's hesitating answers tohisquestions. "Well, they'vehadmescaredforfortyfiveyears,butI'veneverletthemknowityet."Then,inordertocheerPeterupandstrengthenhisnerves,he toldhowhe,a runawayseaman,hadbeenhunted thru theEvergladesofFloridawithbloodhounds,andtiedtoatreeandbeatenintoinsensibility.

ThencameDavidAndrews,whomPeterhadheardofasoneofthelawyersintheGoobercase,atall,distinguishedlookingmanwithkeen,alertfeatures.Whatwassuchamandoingamongtheseoutcasts?Peterdecidedthathemustbeoneoftheshrewdoneswhomademoneyoutofincitingthediscontented.Thencameayounggirl,frailandsensitive,slightlycrippled.As she crossed the room to shake his hand tears rolled down her cheeks, and Peter stoodembarrassed,wonderingifshehadjustlostanearrelative,andwhatwashetosayaboutit.Fromherfirstwordshegathered,tohisgreatconsternation,thatshehadbeenmovedtotearsbythestoryofwhathehimselfhadendured.

AdaRuthwasapoet,andthiswasanewtypeforPeteraftermuchgropinginhismindhesetherdownforoneofthedupesofthemovementapoorlittlesentimentalchild,withnoideaofthewickednessbywhichshewassurrounded.WithhercameaQuakerboywithpale,asceticfaceandblacklockswhichhehadtoshakebackfromhiseyeseverynowandthenheworeaWindsortie,andablackfelthat,andothermarksofeccentricityandfromhisspeechesPetergatheredthathewasreadytoblowupallthegovernmentsoftheworldintheinterestsofPacificism.ThesamewastrueofMcCormick,anI.W.W.leaderwhohadjustservedsixty



daysinjail,asilentyoungIrishmanwithdrawnlipsandrestlessblackeyes,whomadePeteruneasybywatchinghimcloselyandsayingscarcelyaword.

Section13

Theycontinuedtocome,oneatatimeoringroupsoldwomenandyoungwomen,oldmenandyoungmen,fanaticsanddreamers,agitatorswhocouldhardlyopentheirmouthswithoutsome whitehot words escaping, revealing a blaze of passion smouldering in the deeps ofthem.Peterbecamemoreandmoreuneasy,realizingthathewasactuallyinthemidstofallthemost dangerous "Reds" ofAmericanCity. They itwaswhom our lawabiding citizensdreaded, who were the objects of more concern to the police than all the plain, everydayburglars andbandits.Peternowcould see the reasonhehadnotdreamed that suchangryandhatetormentedpeopleexistedin theworld.Suchpeoplewouldbecapableofanything!Hesat,withhisrestlesseyeswanderingfromonefacetoanother.Whichoneof thiscrowdhadhelpedtosetoffthebomb?Andwouldtheyboastaboutittohimthisevening?

Peterhalfexpected thisbut thenagain,hewondered.Theyweresuchstrangecriminals!Theycalledhim"Comrade"andtheyspokewiththatsameaffectionthathadsobewilderedhiminlittleJennie.Wasthisjustarusetogethisconfidence,ordidthesepeoplereallythinkthat they loved himPeterGudge, a stranger and a secret enemy?Peter had been at greatpains to fool thembut they seemed to him so easy to fool that his painswerewasted.Hedespisedthemforthis,andall thewhilehelistenedtothemhewassayingtohimself,"Thepoornuts!"

Theyhadcometohearhisstory,andtheypliedhimwithquestions,andmadehimtelloverand over again every detail. Peter, of course, had been carefully instructed hewas not tomention the elaborate confession he had been made to sign that would be giving toodangerous a weapon to these enemies of law and order. He must tell as brief a story aspossiblehowhehadhappenedtobenearthesceneoftheexplosion,andhowthepolicehadtriedtoforcehimtoadmitthatheknewsomethingaboutthecase.Petertoldthis,accordingtoordersbuthehadnotbeenpreparedfortheminutequestioningtowhichhewassubjectedbyAndrews, the lawyer, aidedbyold JohnDurand, the leaderof the seamen.Theywanted toknoweverything that hadbeendone to him, andwhohaddone it, andhowandwhen andwhereandwhy.Peterhadasenseofthedramatic,andenjoyedbeingthecenterofattentionand admiration, even tho it was from a roomful of criminal "Reds." So he told all thepicturesque details of how Guffey had twisted his wrist and shut him in a dungeon thememoryofthepainwasstillpoignant,andcameoutofhimnow,witharealismthatwouldhavemovedacoldergroup.

Soprettysoonherewereallthesewomensobbingandraging.LittleAdaRuthbecameinspired,andbeganrecitingapoemorwasshecomposingitrighthere,beforehiseyes?Sheseemedentrancedwithindignation.Itwassomethingabouttheworkersarisingtheoutcryofamob

"NofurtherpatiencewithaheedlessfoeGetoffourbacks,orelsetohellyougo!"

Peter listened, and thought to himself, "The poor nut!" And then Donald Gordon, theQuakerboy,tookthefloor,andbeganshakinghislongblacklocks,andcomposingaspeech,



it seemed. And Peter listened, and thought again, "The poor nut!" Then another man, theeditor of a labor journal, revealed the fact that he was composing an editorial he knewGuffey,andwasgoingtopublishGuffey'spicture,andbrandhimasan"Inquisitionist."Heasked for Peter's picture, andPeter agreed to have one taken, and to be headlined as "TheInquisitionist'sVictim." Peter had no ideawhat the longwordmeant but he assented, andthoughtagain,"Thepoornut!"Allofthemwere"nuts"takingotherpeople'stroubleswithsuchexcitement!

ButPeterwasfrightened, toohecouldn'taltogetherenjoybeingahero, in thisvividandstartlingfashionhavinghisnameandfamespreadfromoneendofthecountrytotheother,so that organized labor might know the methods which the great traction interests ofAmericanCitywereemployingtosendawellknownlaborleadertothegallows!ThethingseemedtogrowandgrowbeforePeter'sfrightenedeyes.Peter,theant,felttheearthshaking,and got a sudden sense of the mountain size of the mighty giants who were stamping incombatoverhishead.Peterwondered,hadGuffeyrealizedwhatastirhisstorywouldmake,whatapowerfulweaponhewasgivingtohisenemies?WhatcouldGuffeyexpecttogetfromPeter, to compensate for this damage to his own case? Peter, as he listened to the stormyoratoryinthecrowdedlittleroom,foundhimselfthinkingagainandagainofrunningaway.He had never seen anything like the rage intowhich these peopleworked themselves, theterriblethingstheysaid,thedenunciations,notmerelyofthepoliceofAmericanCity,butofthe courts and the newspapers, the churches and the colleges, everything that seemedrespectableandsacredtolawabidingcitizenslikePeterGudge.

Peter'sfrightbecameapparent.Butwhyshouldn'thebefrightened?Andrews,thelawyer,offeredtotakehimawayandhidehim,lesttheoppositionshouldtrytomakewaywithhim.Peterwouldbe amost importantwitness for theGooberdefense, and theymust takegoodcareofhim.ButPeterrecoveredhisselfpossession,andtookuphisnoblerole.No,hewouldtakehischanceswiththerestofthem,hewasnottoomuchafraid.

SadieTodd,thestenographer,rewardedhimforhisheroism.Theyhadasparebedroomintheirlittlehome,andifPetercaredtostaywiththemforawhile,theywouldtrytomakehimcomfortable. Peter accepted this invitation, and at a late hour in the evening the gatheringbrokeup.Thevariousgroupsof"Reds"wenttheirway,theirhandsclenchedandtheirfacesportrayingagrimresolvetomakeoutofPeter'sstoryameansoflashingdiscontentedlabortonewfrenziesofexcitement.ThemenclaspedPeter'shandcordiallytheladiesgazedathimwithsoulfuleyes,andwhisperedtheiradmirationforhisbravecourse,theirhope,indeedtheirconviction,thathewouldstandbythetruthtotheend,andwouldstudytheirideasandjointheir"movement."AllthewhilePeterwatchedthem,andcontinuedsayingtohimself:"Thepoornuts!"

Section14

The respectable newspapers of American City of course did not waste their space uponfantastic accusations brought by radicals, charging the police authoritieswith using tortureuponwitnesses.ButtherewasaSocialistpaperpublishedeveryweekinAmericanCity,andthis paper had a long account of Peter's experiences on the front page, together with hispicture.Alsotherewerethreelaborpaperswhichcarriedthestory,andtheGooberDefenseCommittee prepared a circular about it and mailed out thousands of copies all over thecountry.This circularwaswritten byDonaldGordon, theQuaker boy.He brought Peter a



proofofit,tomakesurethathehadgotallthedetailsright,andPeterreadit,andreallycouldnothelpbeingthrilledtodiscoverwhataherohewas.Peterhadnotsaidanythingabouthisearly career, andwhoever among theGooberDefenseCommittee had learned thosedetailschosetobediplomaticallysilent.Petersmiledtohimselfashethoughtaboutthat.Theywerefoxy, these people! Theywere playing their hand for all itwasworthand Peter admiredthemforthat.InDonaldGordon'snarrativePeterappearedasapoorworkingmanandPetergrinned.Hewasusedtotheword"working,"butwhenhetalkedabout"workingpeople,"hemeantsomethingdifferentfromwhattheseSocialistsmeant.

Thestorywentout,andofcourseallsortsofpeoplewantedtomeetPeter,andcametothehomeoftheToddgirls.SoPetersettleddowntohisjoboffindingoutallhecouldaboutthesevisitors, their names and occupations, their relations to the radical movement. Guffey hadadvisedhimnottomakenotes,forfearofdetection,butPetercouldnotcarryallthisinhishead,sohewouldretiretohisroomandmakeminutenotesonslipsofpaper,andcarefullysewtheseupintheliningofhiscoat,withathrillofmystery.

Exceptforthisnotetaking,however,Peter'ssleuthingwaseasywork,forthesepeopleallseemedeagertotalkaboutwhattheyweredoingsometimesitfrightenedPetertheyweresoopenanddefiant!Notmerelydidtheyexpresstheirideastooneanotherandtohim,theywere expressing them on public platforms, and in their publications, in pamphlets and inleafletswhat they called "literature." Peter had had no idea their "movement" was sowidespread or so powerful.He had expected to unearth a secret conspiracy, and perhaps adynamitebombortwoinsteadofwhich,apparently,hewasunearthingavolcano!

However,Peterdidthebesthecould.Hegotthenamesanddetailsaboutsomefortyorfiftypeople of all classes obscureworkingmen andwomen, Jewish tailors, Russian and Italiancigarworkers, Americanborn machinists and printers also some "parlor Reds"large,immaculateandshiningladieswhocamerollinguptothelittlebungalowinlarge,immaculateandshiningautomobiles,andlefttheiruniformedchauffeursoutsideforhoursatatimewhiletheylistenedtoPeter'sstoryofhis"thirddegree."Onebenevolentladywithaflowinggrayveil,whowaftedasweetperfumeabouttheroom,suggestedthatPetermightbeinneed,andpressedatwentydollarbillintohishand.Peter,thrilled,butalsobewildered,gotanewsenseof thewondersof this thingcalled"themovement,"anddecided thatwhenGuffeygot thruwithhimhemightturnintoa"Red"inearnestforawhile.

MeantimehesettleddowntomakehimselfcomfortablewiththeToddsisters.Sadiewentoff to herwork before eight o'clock everymorning, and thatwas before Peter got up butJennie stayedathome,and fixedhisbreakfast, andopened thedoor forhisvisitors, and ingeneralplayedthehostessforhim.Shewasaconfirmedinvalidtwiceaweekshewentofftoadoctortohavesomethingdonetoherspine,andthebalanceofthetimeshewassupposedtoberesting,butPeterveryseldomsawherdoingthis.Shewasalwaysaddressingcirculars,orwriting letters for the "cause," or going off to sell literature and take up collections atmeetings.Whenshewasnotsoemployed,shewasarguingwithsomebodyfrequentlywithPetertryingtomakehimthinkasshedid.

Poor kid, shewas allwrought up over the notions she had got about thewrongs of theworkingclasses.Shegaveherselfnopeaceaboutit,dayornight,andthis,ofcourse,wasabore to Peter, who wanted peace above all things. Over in Europe millions of men wereorganizedinarmies,engagedinslaughteringoneanother.That,ofcourse,was,veryterrible,butwhatwas the good of thinking about it? Therewas noway to stop it, and it certainlywasn'tPeter'sfault.Butthispoor,deludedchildwasactingallthetimeasifsheweretoblameforthisEuropeanconflict,andhadthejobofbringingittoaclose.Thetearswouldcomeintoherdeepsetgreyeyes,andhersoftchinwouldquiverwithpainwhenevershetalkedaboutitanditseemedtoPetershewastalkingaboutitallthetime.ItwasherideathatthewarmustbestoppedbyuprisingsonthepartoftheworkingpeopleinEurope.Apparentlyshethoughtthis might be hastened if the working people of American City would rise up and set anexample!



Section15

Jennietalkedaboutthisplanquiteopenlyshewouldputaredribboninherhair,andpinaredbadgeonherbosom,andgointomeetingplacesandselllittlepamphletswithredcovers.So,ofcourse, itwouldbePeter'sduty to reporther to theheadof thesecret serviceof theTractionTrust.Peterregrettedthis,andwasashamedofhavingtodoitshewasanicelittlegirl,andpretty, too,anda fellowmighthavehadsomefunwithher if shehadnotbeen insuchahystericalstate.Hewouldsitandlookather,asshesatbentoverhertypewriter.Shehadsoft,fluffyhair,thecoloroftwilight,andevenwhiteteeth,andafaintflushthatcameandwentinhercheeksyes,shewouldnotbebadlookingatall,ifonlyshewouldstraightenup,andspendalittletimeonherlooks,asothergirlsdid.

Butno,shewasalwaysinatension,andthedevilofitwas,shewastryingtogetPeterintothesamestate.ShewasabsolutelydeterminedthatPetermustgetwroughtupoverthewrongsof theworkingclasses.She took it forgranted thathewould,whenhewas instructed.Shewould tell him harrowing stories, and it was his duty to be duly harrowed he must becontinuallyactinganemotionalpart.Shewouldgivehimsomeofher"literature"toread,andthen shewould pin him down andmake sure that he had read it.He knew how to readPericles Priam had seen to that, because he wanted him to attend to the printing of hiscircularsandhisadvertisements in thecountrynewspaperswherehewas traveling.SonowPeter was penned in a corner and compelled to fix his attention upon "The A. B. C. ofSocialism,"or"CapitalandProletariat,"or"ThePathtoPower."

Petertoldhimselfthatitwaspartofhisjobtoacquirethisinformation.Hewasgoingtobea"Red,"andhemustlearntheirlingobuthefounditawfullytiresome,fulloflongtechnicalwordswhichhehadneverheardbefore.Whycouldn't thesefellowsat least talkAmerican?Hehad known that therewereSocialists, and also "Arnychists," as he called them, andhethoughttheywereallalike.Butnowhelearned,notmerelyaboutSocialistsand"Arnychists,"but about State Socialists and Communist Anarchists, and Communist Syndicalists andSyndicalist Anarchists and Socialist Syndicalists, and Reformist Socialists and GuildSocialists, to saynothing aboutSingleTaxers andLiberals andProgressives andnumerousother varieties, whom he had to meet and classify and listen to respectfully andsympathetically.Eachparticulargroupinsisteduponthedistinctionswhichmadeitdifferent,andeachinsistedthat ithadthereally, trulytruthandPeterbecamedesperatelyboredwiththeireverlastingtalkhowmuchmoresimpletolumpthemall together,asdidGuffeyandMcGivney,callingthemall"Reds!"

Peterhadgotitclearlyfixedinhismindthatwhatthese"Reds"wantedwastodivideupthepropertyof the rich.Everyonehehadquestionedabout themhadsaid this.Butnowhelearned that this wasn't it exactly.What they wanted was to have the State take over theindustries,or tohavethe laborunionsdoit,or tohavetheworkingpeople ingeneraldoit.Theypointedtothepostofficeandthearmyandthenavy,asexamplesofhowtheStatecouldrunthings.Wasn'tthatallright?demandedJennie.AndPetersaidYes,thatwasallrightbuthiddenback inPeter's soul all the timewas awhisper that itwouldn'tmake a damnbit ofdifference.Therewasasuckerborneveryminute,andyoumightbesurethatnomatterhowtheyfixeditup,therewouldalwaysbesomethatwouldfinditeasytoliveofftherest.Thispoor kid, for example, who was ready to throw herself away for any fool notion, or foranybody that came along and told her a hardluck storywould there ever be a state ofsociety in which she wouldn't be a juicymorsel to be gobbled up by some fellowwith a



normalappetite?ShewasaloneinthehousealldaywithPeter,andshegottoseemmoreandmoreprettyas

hegot toknowherbetter.Also itwasevident that she likedPetermoreandmoreasPeterplayed his game. Peter revealed himself as deeply sympathetic, and a quick convert to thecausehesaweverythingthatJennieexplainedtohim,hewashorrifiedatthehorriblestories,hewasreadytohelpherendtheEuropeanwarbystartingarevolutionamongtheworkingpeopleofAmericanCity.Also,hetoldherabouthimself,andawakenedhersympathyforhisharsh life, his twenty years of privation and servitude andwhen shewept over this, Peterlikedit.Itwasfine,somehow,tohavehersosorryforhimithelpedtocompensatehimfortheboredomofhearingherbesorryforthewholeworkingclass.

Peterdidn'tknowwhetherJenniehadlearnedabouthisbadrecord,buthetooknochanceshetoldhereverything,andthustookthestingoutofit.Yes,hehadbeentrappedintoevilways, but it wasn't his fault, he hadn't known any better, he had been a pitiful victim ofcircumstances.Hetoldhowhehadbeenstarvedanddrivenaboutandbeatenby"OldMan"Drubb,andthetearsglistenedinJennie'sgreyeyesandstoledownhercheeks.Hetoldaboutlonelinessandheartsicknessandmisery in theorphanasylum.Andhowcouldhe,poor lad,realizethatitwaswrongtohelpPericlesPriamsellhisPeerlessPainParalyzer?Howcouldheknowwhether themedicinewasanygoodornothedidn'tevenknownow,asamatteroffact.AsfortheTempleofJimjambo,allthatPeterhaddonewastowashdishesandworkasakitchenslave,asinanyhotelorrestaurant.

Itwasa storyeasy to fixup, andespeciallyeasybecause the first article in thecreedofSocialist Jennie was that economic circumstances were to blame for human frailties. Thatopenedthedoorforallvarietiesofgrafters,andmadethechildsuchaneasymarkthatPeterwouldhavebeenashamedtomakeavictimofher,haditnotbeenthatshehappenedtostandinthepathofhishigherpurposesandalsothatshehappenedtobeyoung,onlyseventeen,withtendergreyeyes,andtempting,sweetlips,alonethereinthehouseallday.

Section16

Peter'sadventures in lovehadsofarbeenprettymuchofapiecewith the restofhis lifeexperiences there had been hopes, andwonderful dreams, but very few realizations. Peterknewalotaboutsuchmattersintheorphanasylumtherewerefewviciouspracticeswhichhe did not witness, few obscene imaginings with which he was not made familiar. Also,Pericles Priam had been a man like the traditional sailor, with a girl in every port andgenerally in these towns and villages there had been no place for Peter to go save wherePericleswent,soPeterhadbeenthewitnessofmanyofhismaster'samoursandtherecipientofhisconfidences.ButnoneofthesegirlsandwomenhadpaidanyattentiontoPeter.Peterwasonlya"kid"andwhenhegrewupandwasnolongerakid,butayouthtormentedwithsharpdesires,theystillpaidnoattentiontohimwhyshouldthey?Peterwasnothinghehadnoposition,nomoney,nocharmshewasfrailandundersized,histeethwerecrooked,andoneshoulderhigherthantheother.Whatcouldheexpectfromwomenandgirlsbutlaughterandrebuffs?

ThenPetermovedontotheTempleofJimjambo,andthereadevastatingexperiencebefellhimhetumbledheadoverheelsandagonizinglyinlove.Therewasachambermaidintheinstitution, a radiant creature from theEmerald Isleswith hair like sunrise and cheeks likeapples,andalaughthatshookthedishpansonthekitchenwalls.ShelaughedatPeter,she



laughed at themajordomo, she laughed at all themen in the placewho tried to catch herroundthewaist.Onceortwiceamonthperhapsshewouldletthemsucceed,justtokeeptheminterested,andtokeepherselfinpractice.

Theonlyoneshereallyfavoredwasthelaundrydeliveryman,andPetersoonrealizedwhy.ThislaundryfellowhadtheuseofanautomobileonSundays,andNellwoulddressherselfuptokill,androllawayinstatewithhim.Hewouldspendallhisweek'searningsentertainingher at the beach Peter knew, because she would tell the whole establishment onMondaymorning."Gee,butIhadaswelltime!"shewouldsayandwouldcounttheicecreamsandthe merrygorounds and the whirlygigs and all the whangdoodle things. She would tellaboutthetattooedmenandthefiveleggedcalfandthewomanwhowashalfman,andallthewhileshewouldmakethedishpansrattle.

Yes,shewasamarvelouscreature,andPetersuddenlyrealizedthathisultimatedesireinlifewas to possess a "swell ladyfriend" likeNell.He realized that therewasone essentialprerequisite,andthatwasmoney.Noneofthemwouldlookatyouwithoutmoney.Nellhadgoneoutwithhimonlyonce,andthatwasuponthesavingsofsixmonths,andPeterhadnotbeenabletoconcealtheeffortitcosthimtospenditall.Sohehadbeensetdownasa"tightwad,"andhadmadenoheadway.

Nellhaddisappeared,alongwitheverybodyelsewhenthepoliceraidedtheTemple.Peterneverknewwhathadbecomeofher,buttheoldlongingsstillhauntedhim,andhewouldfindhimselfimaginingsupposethepolicehadgothersupposeshewereinjail,andhewithhisnew"pull"wereable togetherout,andcarryherawayandkeepherhid fromthe laundryman!

Theseweredreamsbutmeantimeherewasreality,herewasanewworld.Peterhadsettleddown in the home of the Todd sisters and what was their attitude toward these awfulmysteriesoflove?

Section17

It had been arranged with Guffey that at the end of a week Peter was to have a secretmeetingwithoneofthechiefdetective'smen.SoPetertoldthegirlsthathewastiredofbeingaprisonerinthehouseandmustgetsomefreshair.

"Oh please, Mr. Gudge, don't take such a chance!" cried Sadie, her thin, anxious facesuddenlygrowingmoreanxiousandthin."Don'tyouknowthishouseisbeingwatched?Theyarejusthopingtocatchyououtalone.Itwouldbethelastofyou."

"I'm not so important as that," said Peter but she insisted that he was, and Peter waspleased,inspiteofhisboredom,helikedtohearherinsistuponhisimportance.

"Oh!" she cried. "Don't you know yet how much depends on you as a witness for theGooberdefense?Thiscaseisofconcerntomillionsofpeopleallovertheworld!Itisatestcase,Mr.Gudgearetheytobeallowedtomurdertheleadersoftheworkingclasswithoutastruggle?No,wemustshowthemthatthereisagreatmovement,aworldwideawakeningoftheworkers,astruggleforfreedomforthewageslaves"

ButPeter could standnomoreof this. "All right," he said, suddenly interruptingSadie'seloquence."Isupposeit'smydutytostay,evenifIdieofconsumption,beingshutupwithoutanyfreshair."Hewouldplaythemartyrwhichwasnotsohard,forhewasone,andlookedlikeone,withhisthin,onesidedlittlefigure,andhisshabbyclothes.BothSadieandJennie



gazedathimwithadmiration,andsighedwithrelief.Butlateron,Peterthoughtofanidea.Hecouldgooutatnight,hetoldSadie,andslipout

thebackway,sothatnoonewouldseehimhewouldnotgointocrowdsorbrightlylightedstreets,sotherewouldbenochanceofhisbeingrecognized.Therewasafellowheabsolutelyhadtosee,whoowedhimsomemoneyitwaswayoverontheothersideofthecitythatwaswhyherejectedJennie'soffertoaccompanyhim.

SothateveningPeterclimbedabackfenceandstolethruaneighbor'schickenyardandgotaway.Hehadafinetimeduckinganddodgingin thecrowds,makingsure thatnoonewastrailing him to his secret rendezvousno "Red"whomight chance to be suspicious of his"comradeship."Itwasinthe"AmericanHouse,"anobscurehotel,andPeterwastotaketheelevatortothefourthfloor,withoutspeakingtoanyone,andtotapthreetimesonthedoorofRoom 427. Peter did so, and the door opened, and he slipped in, and there he met JerryMcGivney,withthefaceofarat.

"Well,whathaveyougot?"demandedMcGivneyandPetersatdownandstarted to tell.Witheagerfingersheundidtheamateursewingintheliningofhiscoat,andpulledouthisnoteswiththenamesanddescriptionsofpeoplewhohadcometoseehim.

McGivneyglancedoverthemquickly."Jesus!"hesaid,"What'sthegoodofallthis?""Well,butthey'reReds!"exclaimedPeter."Iknow," said theother, "butwhatof that?Wecangohear themspout atmeetings any

night.Wegotmembership listsof thesedifferentorganizations.Butwhatabout theGoobercase?"

"Well,"saidPeter,"they'reagitatingaboutitallthetimethey'vebeenprintingstuffaboutme."

"Sure,weknow that," saidMcGivney. "And thehellof a fine storyyougave themyoumusthaveenjoyedhearingyourselftalk.Butwhatgooddoesthatdous?"

"Butwhatdoyouwanttoknow?"criedPeter,indismay."Wewanttoknowtheirsecretplans,"saidtheother."Wewanttoknowwhatthey'redoing

togetourwitnesseswewanttoknowwhoitisthatissellingusout,who'sthespyinthejail.Didn'tyoufindthatout?"

"Nno,"saidPeter."Nobodysaidanythingaboutit.""GoodGod!"saidthedetective."D'youexpectthemtobringyouthingsonasilvertray?"

HebeganturningoverPeter'snotesagain,andfinallythrewthemonthebedindisgust.HebeganquestioningPeter,andPeter'sdismayturnedtodespair.HehadnotgotasinglethingthatMcGivneywanted.Hiswholeweekof"sleuthing"hadbeenwasted!

Thedetectivedidnotmincewords."It'splainthatyou'reaboob,"hesaid."Butsuchasyouare,we'vegottodothebestwecanwithyou.Now,putyourmindonitandgetitstraight:weknowwhotheseRedsare,andweknowwhatthey'reteachingwecan'tsend 'emtojailforthat.Whatwewantyoutofindoutisthenameoftheirspy,andwhoaretheirwitnessesintheGoobercase,andwhatthey'regoingtosay."

"ButhowcanIfindoutthingslikethat?"criedPeter."You'vegot to useyourwits," saidMcGivney. "But I'll giveyouone tip get yourself a

girl.""Agirl?"criedPeter,inwonder."Surething,"saidtheother."That'sthewaywealwayswork.Guffeysaysthere'sjustthree

timeswhenpeopletelltheirsecrets:Thefirstiswhenthey'redrunk,andthesecondiswhenthey'reinlove"

ThenMcGivneystopped.Peter,whowantedtocompletehiseducation,inquired,"Andthethird?"

"The third iswhen they'rebothdrunkand in love,"was the reply.AndPeterwas silent,smittenwithadmiration.Thisbusinessofsleuthingwasrevealingitselfasmorecomplicated



andmorefascinatingallthetime."Ain'tyouseenanygirlyoufancyinthatcrowd?"demandedtheother."Wellitmightbe"saidPeter,shyly."Itoughttobeeasy,"continuedthedetective."ThemRedsareallfreelovers,youknow.""Freelovers!"exclaimedPeter."Howdoyoumean?""Didn'tyouknowaboutthat?"laughedtheother.Petersatstaringathim.AllthewomenthatPeterhadeverknownorheardoftookmoney

fortheirlove.Theyeithertookitdirectly,ortheytookitintheformofautomobileridesandflowersandcandyandticketstothewhangdoodlethings.Coulditbethattherewerewomenwhodidnottakemoneyineitherform,butwhoselovewasentirelyfree?

The detective assured him that suchwas the case. "They boast about it," said he. "Theythinkit'sright."AndtoPeterthatseemedthemostshockingthinghehadyetheardabouttheReds.

Tobesure,whenhethoughtitover,hecouldseethatithadsomeredeemingpointsitwasdecidedlyconvenientfromthepointofviewofthemanitwassomuchmoneyinhispocket.IfwomenchosetobethatsillyandPeterfoundhimselfsuddenlythinkingaboutlittleJennieTodd.Yes,shewouldbethatsilly,itwasplaintosee.Shegaveawayeverythingshehadsoofcourseshewouldbea"freelover!"

PeterwentawayfromhisrendezvouswithMcGivney,thrillingwithanewandwonderfulidea.Youcouldn'thavegothimtogiveuphisjobnow.Thissleuthingbusinesswastherealthing!

ItwaslatewhenPetergothome,butthetwogirlsweresittingupforhim,andtheirreliefathissafereturnwasevident.HenoticedthatJennie'sfaceexpresseddeeperconcernthanhersister's,andthisgavehimasuddennewemotion.Jennie'sbreathcameandwentmoreswiftlybecausehehadenteredtheroomandthisaffectedhisownbreathinthesameway.Hehadaswiftimpulsetowardsher,anentirelyunselfishdesiretoreassureherandrelieveheranxietybut with an instinctive understanding of the sex gamewhich he had not before known hepossessed, he checked this impulse and turned instead to the older sister, assuring her thatnobodyhadfollowedhim.Hetoldanelaboratestory,preparedonthewayhehadworkedfortendaysforafellowatsawingwoodhardwork,youbet,andthenthefellowhadtriedtogetout of paying him! Peter had caught him at his home that evening, and had succeeded ingettingfivedollarsoutofhim,andapromiseofafewdollarsmoreeveryweek.ThatwastocoverfuturevisitstoMcGivney.

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Peterlayawakeagoodpartofthenight,thinkingoverthisnewjobthatofgettinghimselfa girl.He realized that for some timehe hadbeen falling in lovewith little Jennie but hewantedtobesaneandpractical,hewantedtousehismindinchoosingagirl.Hewasafterinformation,firstofall.Andwhohadthemosttogivehim?HethoughtofMissNebbins,whowassecretarytoAndrews,thelawyershewouldsurelyknowmoresecretsthananyoneelsebutthen,MissNebbinswasanoldmaid,whoworespectaclesandbroadtoedshoes,andwasevidentlyoutofthequestionforlovemaking.ThenhethoughtofMissStandish,atall,blondbeautywhoworked in an insurance office and belonged to the Socialist Party. Shewas a



"swelldresser,"andPeterwouldhavebeenglad tohavesomething like that toshowoff toMcGivney and the rest ofGuffey'smen butwith the best efforts of his selfesteem, Petercould not imagine himself persuading Miss Standish to look at him. There was a MissYankovich,oneoftherealReds,whotrainedwiththeI.W.W.butshewasaJewess,withsharp, black eyes that clearly indicated a temper, and frightened Peter. Also, he had asuspicionthatshewasinterestedinMcCormickthoofcoursewiththese"freelovers"youcouldnevertell.

ButonegirlPeterwasquitesureabout,andthatwaslittleJenniehedidn'tknowifJennieknewmanysecrets,butsurelyshecouldfindsomeoutforhim.Oncehegotherforhisown,he could use her to question others. And so Peter began to picture what lovewith Jenniewouldbelike.Shewasn'texactlywhatyouwouldcall"swell,"buttherewassomethingaboutherthatmadehimsureheneedn'tbeashamedofher.Withsomenewclothesshewouldbepretty,andshehadgrandmannersshehadnotshowntheleastfearof therichladieswhocametothehouseintheirautomobilesalsosheknewanawfullotforagirlevenifmostofwhatsheknewwasn'tso!

Peterlostnotimeinsettingtoworkathisnewjob.InthepapersnextmorningappearedtheusualdetailsfromFlandersthousandsofmenbeingshottopiecesalmosteveryhourofthedayandnight, amillionmenoneachside locked ina ferociouscombat thathad lasted forweeks,thatmightlastformonths.AndsentimentallittleJenniesattherewithbrimmingeyes,talkingaboutitwhilePeteratehisoatmealandthinmilk.AndPetertalkedaboutittoohowwickeditwas,andhowtheymuststopit,heandJennietogether.Heagreedwithhernowhewas a Socialist, he called her "Comrade," and told her she had converted him. Her eyeslightedupwithjoy,asifshehadreallydonesomethingtoendthewar.

Theyweresittingonthesofa,lookingatthepaper,andtheywerealoneinthehouse.Petersuddenlylookedupfromthereadingandsaid,verymuchembarrassed,"ButComradeJennie"

"Yes," she said, and lookedathimwithher frankgreyeyes.Peterwas shy, trulya littlefrightened,thiskindofdetectivebusinessbeingnewtohim.

"ComradeJennie,"hesaid,"IIdon'tknowjusthowtosayit,butI'mafraidI'mfallingalittleinlove."

Jenniedrewbackherhands,andPeterheardherbreathcomequickly."Oh,Mr.Gudge!"sheexclaimed.

"IIdon'tknow"stammeredPeter."Ihopeyouwon'tmind.""Oh,don'tlet'sdothat!"shecried."Whynot,ComradeJennie?"Andheadded,"Idon'tknowasIcanhelpit.""Oh,wewerehavingsuchahappytime,Mr.Gudge!Ithoughtweweregoingtoworkfor

thecause!""Well,butitwon'tinterfere""Oh,butitdoes,itdoesitmakespeopleunhappy!""Then"andPeter'svoice trembled"thenyoudon'tcare the leastbit forme,Comrade

Jennie?"Shehesitatedamoment."Idon'tknow,"shesaid."Ihadn'tthought"AndPeter'sheartgavealeapinsidehim.Itwasthefirsttimethatanygirlhadeverhadto

hesitateinansweringthatquestionforPeter.Somethingpromptedhimjustasifhehadbeendoing this kindof "sleuthing" all his life.He reachedover, andverygently tookher hand."Youdocarejustalittleforme?"hewhispered.

"Oh,ComradeGudge,"sheanswered,andPetersaid,"Callme'Peter.'Please,pleasedo.""ComradePeter,"shesaid,andtherewasalittlecatchinherthroat,andPeter,lookingat

her,sawthathereyeswerecastdown."I know I'm not verymuch to love," he pleaded. "I'm poor and obscureI'm not good



looking""Oh,itisn'tthat!"shecried,"Oh,no,no!WhyshouldIthinkaboutsuchthings?Youarea

comrade!"Peterhadknown,ofcourse, justhowshewould take this lineof talk. "Nobodyhasever

lovedme,"hesaid,sadly."Nobodycaresanythingaboutyou,whenyouarepoor,andhavenothingtooffer"

"I tellyou, that isn't it!" she insisted. "Pleasedon't think that!Youareahero.Youhavesacrificedforthecause,andyouaregoingonandbecomealeader."

"Ihope so," saidPeter,modestly. "But then,what is it,Comrade Jennie?Whydon'tyoucareforme?"

Shelookedupathim,andtheireyesmet,andwithalittlesobinhervoicesheanswered,"I'mnotwell,ComradePeter.I'mofnouseitwouldbewickedformetomarry."

SomewherebackinthedepthsofPeter,wherehisinnerselfwascrouching,itwasasifasudden douche of icecoldwater were let down on him. "Marry!"Who had said anythingabout marrying? Peter's reaction fitted the stockphrase of the comic papers: "This is sosudden!"

ButPeterwastooclevertorevealsuchdismay.HehumoredlittleJennie,saying,"Wedon'thavetomarryrightaway.Icouldwait,ifonlyIknewthatyoucaredformeandsomeday,whenyougetwell"

Sheshookherheadsadly."I'mafraidI'llnevergetreallywell.Andbesides,neitherofushaveanymoney,ComradePeter."

Ah,thereitwas!Money,alwaysmoney!This"freelove"wasnothingbutadream."Icouldgetajob,"saidPeterjustlikeanyothertameandconventionalwooer."Butyoucouldn'tearnenoughfortwoofus,"protestedthegirlandsuddenlyshesprang

up. "Oh, Comrade Peter, let's not fall in love with each other! Let's not make ourselvesunhappy,let'sworkforthecause!Promisemethatyouwill!"

Peterpromisedbutofcoursehehadnoremotestintentionofkeepingthepromise.Hewasnotonlyadetective,hewasamanand inbothcapacitieshewantedComradeJennie.Hehadalltherestoftheday,andovertheaddressingofenvelopeswhichheundertookwithher,hewouldnowandthenstealloveglancesandJennieknewnowwhattheselooksmeant,andthefaintflushwouldcreepoverhercheeksanddownintoherneckandthroat.Shewasreallyveryprettywhenshewasfallinginlove,andPeterfoundhisnewjobthemostdelightfuloneofhis lifetime.Hewatchedcarefully, andnoted the signs, andwas surehewasmakingnomistakebeforeSadiecamebackatsuppertimehehadhisarmsaboutComradeJennie,andwaspres

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