g faster.
He felt several other things that left him none too comfortable. Again
that curious interest that made him want to listen, that held him with
a weird fascination.

"Tell me about it," said Covington.

Hamilton sat up with a start. He faced Covington as if searching his
soul.

"Do you believe me?" he demanded.

"Yes," answered Monte; "I think I do."

"Because--did you see a play in New York called 'Peter Grimm'?"

"I remember it," nodded Monte.

"It's been like that--like dying and coming back and trying to make
people hear, and not being able to. I made an ass of myself until I
met her. I know that. I'm not fit to be in the same room with her. I
know that you can say nothing too bad about me--up to the day I met
her. I would n't care what people said up to that day--if they'd only
believe the rest; if she'd only believe the rest. I think I could
stand it even if I knew she--she did not care for me--if only I could
make her understand how much she means to me."

Monte looked puzzled.

"Just what does she mean to you?" he asked.

"All that's left in life," answered Hamilton. "All that's left to work
for, to live for, to hope for. It's been like that ever since I saw
her on the boat. I was coming over here to go the old rounds, and
then--everything was changed. There was no place to go, after that,
except where she went. I counted the hours at night to the time when
the sun came up and I could see her again. I did n't begin to live
until then; the rest of the time I was only waiting to live. Every
time she came in sight it--it was as if I were resurrected, Covington;
as if in the mean while I'd been dead. I thought at first I had a
chance, and I planned to come back home with her to do things. I
wanted to do big things for her. I thought I had a chance all the
while, until she came here--until this morning. Then, when she only
smiled--well, I lost my head."

"What was the idea back of the gun?" asked Monte.

Hamilton answered without bravado.

"I meant to end it for both of us; but I lost my nerve."

"Good Lord! You would have gone as far as that?"

"Yes," answered Hamilton wearily. "But I'm glad I fell down."

Monte passed his hand over his forehead. He could not fully grasp the
meaning of a passion that led a man to such lengths as this. Why, the
man had proposed murder--murder and suicide; and all because of this
strange love of a woman. He had been driven stark rav