Rogues company

ROGUES&COMPANY
BY
IDAA.R.WYLIE
AUTHOROF
“CHILDRENOFSTORM,”“TOWARDSMORNING,”ETC.
NEWYORK
JOHNLANECOMPANY
MCMXXI
COPYRIGHT,1921,BYINTERNATIONALMAGAZINECOMPANY
COPYRIGHT,1921,BYJOHNLANECOMPANY
PressofJ.J.Little&IvesCompanyNewYork,U.S.A.
ROGUES&COMPANY


CHAPTERI
ITwasaverycuriousanddecidedlyuncomfortablefeeling,andthoughhehada
dimideathathehadfeltitsomewherebefore,hecouldremembernothingmore
definiteaboutit.Asamatteroffactitwasinitselfnothingsoveryunusualmost
peopleexperiencethesamesensationsonwakingupatdeadofnightinstrange
quarters.Onsuchoccasionsthevictimgrowshotandfeverishintheendeavour
tolocatethedoorandwindow;hecannotrememberwhoheis,whereheisor
howhegotthere;hefeelspainfullylostandhelpless.Then,gradually,his
facultiesrubtheireyesandarrangethemselves,andthefactthatheisJones,that
heisspendingtheweek-endwiththeSmiths,andthattheuncannyapartmentis
nothingmoreterriblethantheirbestsparebed-room,dawnsonhimwith
comfortingcompleteness,andheturnsoverandresumeshisinterrupted
slumbers.
Butinthiscasetheexperiencewaslesspleasantinitsdevelopmentand
considerablymoreoriginal.Themorewide-awakehegrewthelessheknew
abouthimself.Themorehesaidtohimself,“Mydearfellow,pullyourself

togetherit’sonlyadream,”themoreobviousdiditbecomethathewassitting
onthedoorstepofanunknownhouseinanunknownstreet,withachinglimbs
andanachinghead.Nowsuchacombinationofcircumstancesisnotaltogether
unusualeveninthebestsociety,andhesatandpatientlywaitedforan
illuminatingmemory.Butnonecame.Ifhehad,asheatfirstsupposed,supped
notwiselybuttoowell,wherehadhesuppedandwithwhom?Therewasno
answertothisnaturalquestion.Heshookhimself.
“Oh,comenow!”hesaidaloud.“Surelyyouknowyourownname?”
Againnoanswer.Evidentlyithadbeenabigbusiness.Whenamanhastoresort
tohisownvisitingcardtofindoutwhoheisonemaybeforgivenforsupposing
thatthisself-forgetfulnessissomethinglessthanpurealtruism.Themanonthe
doorstepresignedhimselftonecessityandputhishandinhistrouserpocket.
Nothing.Theothertrouserpocketwasalsoemptylikewisethewaistcoatpocket.
Thiswasdisconcerting.Whatwasstillmoredisconcertingwastheholeinthe
kneeofhistrousersasrevealedbythelightofastreet-lamp,andhethereupon
madethediscoverythatfarfrombeingin.evening-dress,ashiscondition
suggested,heworeachecksuitofvulgartypeandancientlineage,andthathe
wascufflessandcollarless.Allthiswasverysurprisingandpainful.He


addressedhimselfwithseverity.
“Really,mydearfellow,thiswon’tdocan’tsitouthereallnight,youknownot
done—”
AtthisjunctureConstableX.oftheD.Divisionloomeduponthehorizon.
ConstableX.carriedalanternandwasevidentlyonthelookoutforburglarsand
othermiscreants,forhedidnotnoticethemanonthedoorstepuntilhehad
stumbledoverhislegs.WhattheConstablesaidisirrelevant.Themanonthe
doorstepapologisedprofusely.
“I’msureI’mextremelysorry,”hesaid.Hisownpromptpolitenessledhimat
oncetotheconclusionthathisstation’inlifemustbesomethingbetweenashopwalkerandagentleman,butthisopinionwasapparentlynotsharedbyhis

victim.ConstableX.flashedhislanternontothedoorstepandgaveventtoa
snortofmingledtriumphandindignation.
“Atitagain!Eh?”hesaid.“Gotyouthistime,haveI?”
“Itlookslikeit,”hisprisoneradmitted.“Wereyoulookingforme?”
“Nowthen,noneofyourtongue,youngfellow!Wotd’yermean?”
“Imean,”saidthemanonthedoorstepcourteously,“thatitwouldbeagreat
relieftometoknowthatsomeonewaslookingforme—evenapoliceman.The
factis,youknowI’mlost.”
“Oh,soyou’relost,areyou?”TheConstablelaughedwiththerudenesswhichis
bornofashatteredtrustinhumannature.“Sortoflostdog,eh?”
“ThedesignationwilldountilIfindabetterone,”returnedtheother,wearily.
“ButIdoubtifeventheDog’sHomewilltakemein.WhatamItodo?”
“Moveon!”saidtheConstable,fromsheerforceofhabit.
“ButIcan’tkeepon‘movingon’indefinitely.”
TheConstablescratchedhishead.
“You’dbettercomealongwithme,”hesaid.


“MightIaskwhither?”
“Lock-up,”wasthelaconicanswer.
“ButIhaven’tdoneanything.”
“Can’tbesosureofthatandanyhow,you’resittingonsomeoneelse’s
doorstep.”
“Youdon’tknowthatitissomeoneelse’sdoorstep.Itmightbemine.”
“Itmightbutitdon’tlooklikeit.”
“Youinfer,”hiscaptivesuggested,“thatIdonotgiveyoutheimpressionof
beingalandedproprietor?”
“Can’tsayasyoudo,”ConstableX.admittedfrankly.“Yougivesmethe
impressionofbeingaverycommonsortofnight-bird.”
Themanonthedoorstepshookhishead.

“Youjudgetoohastily,”heprotested.“IfIam,asyousuggest,anight-bird,I
havenonethelessthefeelingthatImayturnouttobeoneofnature’s
gentlemen.Now,lookhere!”Herosestifflyandpainfullyandconductedthe
doubtingConstabletothelamp.“Whatdoyoumakeofthat!”heenquired
triumphantly.Heextendedhistwohands.ConstableX.consideredthemwithhis
headcockedastutelyononeside.
“Cleanish,”hesaid.“Uncommoncleanish.”
“Sergeant,youareamanofperception.Now,glanceoverme.Donotlet
yourselfbeledastraybythevulgarityofmycostume.Considermyface,my
mannerandmyspeech.Whatdoyouthinkofme?”
“Well,youmightbeasortofgent,”ConstableX.admitted.
“Inspector—”theyoungmanbegan.
“Notyet,sir—”ConstableX.protestedwithatouchofcoyness.
“Nevermind,yououghttobeaninspector,evenifyouaren’t.Iwasjudgingyou


asyoujudgedmebydeserts.IfeelthatIoughttobeagentleman,I’msureyou
oughttobeaninspector.ButthetroublewithmeisthatIdon’tknowwhoor
whatIam.”
“Drunk,”suggestedtheinspectorinembryo,consolingly.
“ImayhavebeeninthepastbutIamcertainlysobernow.”
“Yes,youtalksclearenough.Gotawishingcardonyou?”
“IfIhad,thematterwouldbesimplified.Mypocketsareasemptyasmyhead.”
TheConstable’ssmilewasunflattering.
“Can’tyourememberanythink?”heappealed.
“Notathing.I’vebeentryingforthelasthalf-hour.What’stobedone?Ican’t
stayonthestreetsallnightandasfarasIknowIhaven’tanyclaimonany
charitableinstitution.”
ConstableX.rubbedhischin.
“It’sacaseoflostmemory,”heannouncedsolemnly.“I’ve‘eardofitbefore.I

knewofanoldladywhowanderedover‘alfLondonbeforetheyfoundoutthat
shewasaduchess’Itwasabigthingforthemanwhofound‘er.”
“NothinglikesobigasitwouldbeforyouifyoufoundIwasaduke,”
interposedthelostonegenerously.“IfIamadukesolventofcourseIshallraise
youtoapositionofaffluency.IswearitbymyancestorssupposingIhaveany.”
ConstableX.touchedhishelmet.
“Thankyou,sir,”hesaidwithconsiderablymorerespect.“It’sacaseforthe
doctorsthat’swotitis,”hewentonthoughtfully,“wottheycallsaspecialist.The
duchesswasqueerinherupperstorey—seniledecay,astheycalledit.”
“Goodheavens,I’mnotasoldasthat,amI?”
”‘Tain’talwaysagethatdoesit,”ConstableX.returned,withagraveand
significantshakeofthehead.“There’sdecaysanddecays.You’vegot‘emyoung


that’sall.”
“Supposewefindthedoctor?”suggestedtheyoungmanhastily.
“You’resittingon‘isdoorstep.”
Theprospectivepatientexaminedthedoorplate.
“Mr.Smedley,”hereadaloud,“veterinarysurgeon.Lookhere,Inspector,that
won’tdo.I’mnotananimal.”
“Yousaidyouwasalostdog,”retortedtheConstable,withgrimdelightinhis
ownjest.“Well,anyhow,there’saDoctorThingummyroundthecorner.Icalls
‘imThingummybecause‘e‘asaforeignname,andIdon’t‘oldwithforeign
names.Notsincethattherewar.Iup’oldstheLawmyself,butwotIsaysis,
‘WhenanEnglishmanseesaforeignerheortterbash‘imintheeye,’Idon’t
carewhoheis–”
“Well,perhapsDr.Thingumityonlysoundsforeign,”theyoungmansuggested.
“Anyhow,we’llgivehimacall.Whattimeisit?”
“Aboutmidnight.”
“Inthatcase,”theyoungmanreflected,“Ifancythatweshallbethebashedones

bashedandabashed,youknow.”Hechuckledencouragingly,buthiscompanion
remainedunmoved.“However,anythingisbetterthanthelock-upandthecold
stoneofMr.Smedley’ssteps.Leadon,Macduff.”
“Lookhere,youngfeller,ifyoustartcallingnames—”
“I’mnot.I’mquoting.Ican’trememberwhatfromBibleprobably.Anyhow,
absolutelyrespectable.Wouldn’tinsultyoufortheworld.Why—”heexclaimed
witharushofpathos“youmaybemyonlyfriend,Constable.”
“Well,mindout.It’saslikelyasnotyou’reunderarrest,inwhichcaseanything
yousaywillbetakendownagainstyou.”
“ButI’mnotacriminal.”
“Can’tbesure.Youcouldn’tsweartoityourself.”


“Well,Idon’tlooklikeoneatleastIdon’tfeellikeone.”
ConstableX.shookhisheadgloomily.
“Can’tgobythat.IfyouknewwotIknewaboutcriminals,you’dbesurprised.
Therewasafelleraniceupstandingchap,aspleasantspokenasyouplease
murderedhiswife,hedid.‘Why,Constable,’hesaidtomegoinguptothedock,
‘Iwouldn’t‘urtakitten.’AndIbelieved‘im.But‘iswifeshegoton‘isnerves
shewasalwaysahummin’tunesto‘erself,andthemoreheasked‘ernotthe
moreshedidit.Andoneday,rightinthemiddleof‘AnnieLaurie,’heupsand
‘its‘eroverthe‘eadwith‘isbeer-mug.Must‘avecaught‘eron‘ersoftspot,for
shenever‘ummedagain.But‘eswungforit,poorchap,thoughthejurydidput
inextenuatingcircumstances.No,sir,youbelieveme,youcan’tbesureof
anyoneinthislife—leastofallyourself.”
Theyoungmanputhishandtohisforehead.
“Constable,I’masickman.Youdon’twantmetofaint,doyou?”
“I’monlydoingmydooty,sir.Boundtowarnyou—”
“Iknowyoumeanitkindly,”theyoungmanadmittedhumbly.“Butit’sallvery
uncomfortable.”

Thatmuch,atanyrate,wasbecomingcertain.Forthefirstfewminuteshis
positionhadstruckhimasentirelyhumorous.Hehadexpectedeachminuteto
bringthedesiredflashofillumination,buthismindhadremainedblank,andthe
painatthebackofhisheadwasbecomingtroublesomelyinsistent.Whoand
whatwashe?Hedecidedthatitwasagreatdealworsethanbeingbornagain,
becauseoftheadditionalunpleasantnessofknowingbeforehandalltheawful
conditionsintowhichonemightbeflungbyarecklessandindiscriminating
Fate.HemightbeaDukehehopedhewasbuthefelthisappearancewas
againsthim.Hemightbewhathisclothessuggested,whichwasintolerable.He
mightbemarried,andhiswifemightbeAtthispointthepossibilitiesnearly
overcamehim,andhewasthankfulforthetoniceffectoftheConstable’sgrip
uponhisarm.
“Hearthat,sir?”
“Soundslikesomeonerunning,”thederelictadmitted.“Someonelookingfor


me,nodoubt—”
Thenextinstantanextraordinaryapparitiontoreroundthecornerofthestreet
andwasreceivedfullinConstableX.‘sgeniallyoutstretchedarms.The
constablerosetothesituationwiththesamesangfroidthathehaddisplayed
earlierintheevening.
“Sothereyouare!”hesaid.“Gotyou,‘avel?”
HiscaptureshowednointelligentappreciationoftheConstable’ssmartness.He
brokeintoanincoherenttorrentofbadlanguageand,disengaginghimselfwitha
dexteroustwist,revealedhimselfasalittledarkman,ofmarkedHebraic
descent,inadressing-gown,bed-roomslippersandanungovernabletemper.
“Youjackassneveranywherewhereyou’rewanteddeafasadoor-postdidn’t
youhearmywhistle?What’sthegoodofwhistlingifyoudon’tlisten?Myhouse
brokenintoallmysilvergoneandyoustandtherelikealikea—”Heranhis
fingersthroughhislongblackhairtillitstoodstraightonend,addinga

comicallydevilishtouchtohisunusualappearance.“MyGodthiscountry!”he
exclaimedfinally,asthoughoverwhelmedbysomeculminatinggrievance.“My
God!”
“Nowdon’tyougogettingabusive,”theConstablewarnedhimcoldly.“If
you’ve‘adburglars,we’llseeafter‘emallingoodtime.”Thenwithawinkat
hisfirstcaptive,heremarkedinastagewhisper“That’s‘im!”
Thiscrypticobservationdrewthenewcomer’sattentiontothepresenceofathird
person.Heswungroundandstaredattheyoungmanwithhishandsthrustdeep
inthepocketsofhisdressing-gown.
“Soyoudidcatchhim.Yourprisoner,eh?”
ConstableX.scratchedhischin.
“‘Eisand‘eisn’t,”heexplained.“‘E’smad.”
Thedoctor’smannerchangedinstantly.Hedrewoutapairoftortoise-shellrimmedspectacles,adjustedthemonthebridgeofhisthicknoseandconsidered
theyoungmanwithadispassionateinterest,whichseemedasoutofplaceasthe
purpledressing-gown.


“Mad?”hesaid.“Rubbish.Whatdoesanidiotlikeyouknowaboutmadness?
Don’ttalknonsense.”
“Thankyou,”theyoungmaninterjectedwarmly.“Ifeltsurethatourfriendhere
hadoverstatedmycase.I’mnotexactlymadatleast,Ihopenot.ButIdon’t
knowwhoIam.Infact,I’velostmymemory—”
“Rubbish!Thereisn’tsuchathing.Youcan’tloseyourmemory.Youcanhideit,
youcansuppressit,youcanputitawayandturnakeyonit,butyoucan’tlose
it.IfItoldyouwhatIknewaboutmemory,Ishouldbestandingheretill
tomorrowmorningandthenyouwouldn’thaveunderstoodhalfIsaid.But
thoughyouexpressyourselfinaccurately,Irecogniseyourcondition.Itisnot
uncommon,but,toacertaindegree,itisinteresting—”
“—anduncomfortable.”
“Possiblyforyou.That—”hewaggedalongreprovingfingerintheyoung

man’sface“that,sir,iswherethescientificandtheuntrainedminddiffer.You
areconcernedwithtrivialpersonalities,Iwithlargeissues,withcauseandeffect
andtherelationofonephenomenontoanother.You,frankly,consideryour
identityasthemainconsideration.Tomeitisnotoftheslightestimportance.
Howlonghaveyoubeeninthisstate?”
“Idon’tknow.TheConstableherefoundmeonadoorstepabouthalfanhour
ago.”
“Verybrilliantofhim.Andyouhavenothingonyourpersonnoobviousclue—”
“Nothing.Ihaven’tevenabrass-farthing.That’swhat’sworryingmechiefly.
Yousee,doctor—”
“Frohlocken,psycho-analyst,”thedoctorinterruptedwithaslightbow.
“Thankyou.I’msorrythatforobviousreasonsIcannotintroducemyself.Well,
doctor,Iwantyourhelp,butasI’vealreadymentionedIampennilessandforall
IknowImayremainsoandIfeel—”
“That,”saidthedoctor,“isasecondillustrationofmypoint.Intheverymidstof
whatnodoubttoyouseemsacatastrophe,yourmindturnstomoney.Whatin
God’snamedoyousupposeIcareaboutyourmoney?Youinterestme.


Microbesinterestme.DoyouthinkIrequestanewlydiscoveredgermtopayme
consultingfees?Don’tbeafool.”
Theyoungmansmiledruefully.
“Well,thankHeavenI’vegotavalueevenifIhaven’tgotanidentity,”hesaid.
“MayIcountthenuponyourassistance?WithoutitI’mafraidIshallhaveto
accompanyourfriendheretothepolice-station.It’stheonlyinvitationI’vehad
sofar—”
Thedoctor’sanswerwastotaketheyoungmanbythearmandleadhimby
long,unhurriedstridesdownthestreetwhencehehadcome.Burglars,
policemen,andstolensilveralikeseemedtohavebeensweptfromhismemory.
ButConstableX.,nottobeforgotten,ponderouslybroughtuptherear.Five

housesdownthetriocameuponanopendoor,atthemomentblockedbyasmall
crowdofexciteddomestics,scantilyattiredandarmedwithpokers,who
welcomedtheirappearancewithamurmuroftriumph.Theyoungmanheld
back.
“Obviouslytheytakemeforyourburglar,”hesaid.“Itwouldbeperhapsbetter
ifyouexplained—”
“Rubbish,”saidthedoctorfirmly.Hebustledhispatientupthesteps,anda
personwhomthelatterjudgedbyhiswaistcoattobeabutlertherestofhis
costumewasunrecognisablemadeafierceclutchatthesupposedcaptive.Dr.
Frohlockenwardedofftheattackwithasweepofthearm.
“Don’tbeafool,James!You’vedoneenoughstupidthingsforoneevening.Go
tobed,thelotofyou.Thisgentlemanismypatient.Comein,sir,comein.”
“Look‘ere,”saidConstableX.fromthedoorstep.
Dr.Frohlockenlooked.
“Well?Whatat?”
“Look‘ere,”theLawrepeatedundeterred,“that’smyman,ifyoudon’tmind,
sir.”
“Yourman?Isthisaslave-country?Whatrighthaveyoutocallhimyourman?”


AshadowofbitterdisappointmentstoleovertheConstable’sroundredface.
“Ifound‘im,”hesaid.
“Supposeyoudid?Whatdoyouwanttodowithhim?TakehimtotheLost
PropertyOfficeasthoughhewereanumbrella?MyGodandyoucallthisa
civilisedcountry?Goawaywithyou—”
“Well,wotaboutthemburglarsandthesilverwottheytook?”ConstableX.
persisteddoggedly.
Thedoctorpressedhisfingertohisnose.
“Damnyourburglarsandyoursilvertoo,”hesaid.Heslammedthedoorinthe
aggrievedface.“That,”hesaid,“isthelowestexampleofthetypeofmindthat

governsthisunfortunatecountry.Entirelyconcernedwithobviousand
insignificanttrivialities.Utterlyuntrained.Butformehewouldactuallyhave
takenyoutothepolice-station,Godknowswhatdamagetheywouldhavedone
betweenthem.Asitis,thereiseveryreasontohope—”
“—thatIshallremember,youmean?”
Dr.Frohlockenshruggedhisslopingshoulders.
“Mydearsir,youhavenotforgotten.Forreasonsofwhichweareatpresent
ignorantyouarehidingyouridentityinyoursubconsciousmind.Whenwehave
discoveredandremovedthecauseofyouractionyouwill,asyouwould
inaccuratelyexpressit,recoveryourmemory.Thatisthewholebusinessina
nutshell.Inthemeantimeyoumustsleep.Youhavehadsomementalshock.You
aresufferingfromaseverenervousstrain—”
“Ifeel,”theyoungmaninterrupted,uasthoughsomeonehadhitmeoverthe
headwithabrick-bat—”
“Anillusionarysensation,nodoubt,aneffortofthemindtogiveamisleading
causeforyourcondition.Ihaveseveralsimilarcasesonmyhands.Yoursindeed
istheseventh.Youwon’tobjecttomycallingyouNo.7,Ihope?Itwillsimplify
matters,andforthemomentyouwillfinditareliefyourselftobesomething
definite.”


“Thankyou,”saidtheyoungman.“Ifeelthatalready.WhenIstartworryingI
shallsay,‘That’sallright.You’reDr.Frohlocken’sNo.7.’Idaresayit’squiteas
goodasmyownname.”
“Better,nodoubt,”thedoctoragreed.
Heopenedaside-doorandledthewayintoaplainlyyetcomfortablyfurnished
room.Asofawasdrawnupinvitinglytothestillglowingfire.
Thewallswerelinedwithbooksandshelvesonwhichreposedglasscasesand
jarsfullofayellowishliquidinwhichfloatedrepellantlumpsofgreymatter.Dr.
Frohlockenindicatedoneoftheseinpassing.

“Myfirstpatient.SirAugustusSmythe.Sufferedfromdelusions,poorfellow.
Fanciedthatwaterwaspoisontohim.Thefossilwhocalledhimselfthefamily
doctortalkedabouttumoursonthebrainandhereditarydipsomaniaandGod
knowswhatrubbish.Thepoorfellowcametomeindesperation.Iwasjust
gettingattherealtroubleasimplematterofasuppressedcomplexinconnection
withastepmotherwhomhedislikedinearlyyouthwhenthepoorfellowdied.
Yes,deliriumtremens.Verydisappointingcase.Thewifepresentedmewitha
portionofhisbra-inasasignofgratitude.Notumour,ofcourse.Utterrubbish.
Youcanseeforyourself.”
“Thankyou,”saidNo.7.“Tomorrowperhaps—”
“Certainly.Iammerelydivertingyourmindfromyourowntroubles.Nowifyou
willliedownIwillcoveryouoverwitharugandinfiveminutesyouwillbe
asleep.”
“I’mafraidnot,”No.7objected.“Ifeelhorriblyawakeandmyheadhurts.”
Hestopped,awarethatDr.Frohlockenwasnotlistening.Itwasfurtherbornein
uponhimthatasapersonalityhehadnorealexistenceinthelatter’seyesand
thathewastheresimplyasadiseasewhichhadn’ttheghostofachanceof
survival.Alreadyhefeltthehopelessnessofresistance.Hewastoliedownand
gotosleep.Helaydownandhehadaratherhorriblesuspicionthathewas
alreadysleepy.Thefirelightwasgrowingdim.Hisbottledpredecessorsfaded
fromtheirshelves.Thereseemedtobenothingdefinitebutthedark,unsmiling
facewiththeblackeyesstaringathimthroughenormousaureolesoftortoiseshell.Theygrewlargerandlarger.Theyseemedtobeswallowinghimupbitby


bit.Andhisheadwithitsachesandanxietieswasthefirsttogo.
“Isupposeevenamicrobemaybegrateful—”No.7murmured.
“Infiveminutes—”Dr.Frohlockensaid.
HelaidhishandonNo.7andpushedhimgentlyintodarkness.
*
THEwintrymorningsunshinehadalreadybeguntoshowthroughthewindow

whenthebutlertiptoedintothelibrary.Hecarriedaladenbreakfast-traywhich
heplacedquietlyonthetablebesidethesofaandthenstoodgazingseverelyat
themanwholaythereasleep.Onceortwiceheshookhisheadwiththat
expressionofaloofdisparagementpeculiartohisclass,then,warnedbyafaint
flutterofthesleeper’seyelids,hebeganadiscreetbutbusyclatterwiththeteathings.
Themanonthesofastretchedhimselfandyawned.
“Morning!”hesaidsleepily.
ThebutlerapparentlydidnothearthegreetingandNo.7openedhiseyeswide.
Helookedabouthimandhisexpressionofpeacefulcontentgaveplacetooneof
disappointment.Herubbedhishandoverhisdarkheadandsighed.
“I’mjustwhereIwasbefore,”hesaid.
“Yessir,”saidthebutler.The“sir”camewithaneffort,butitcame.No.7drew
himselfupandreceivedhiscupwithresignation.
“Well,Isupposeitcan’tbehelped,”hesaid.“IreallyhopedI’dsleepitoff
though.Bytheway,youhadratheradisturbednightyourself,didn’tyou?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Didyouseeyournocturnalvisitor?”No.7enquiredwithgraciousinterest.
“Idid,sir.”
Therewassomethingabouttheman’smannerwhichwasdistinctly


unsatisfactory.Itimpliedunutterablethings.Initsself-containedwayitwas
inimical.AndNo.7,inhislonelyfriendlessstatecouldnotbearit.Moreoverhe
wasunderthenecessityofprovingtohimselfthathehadhandledbutlersbefore.
Heheldthemanunderasteadyeye.
“Ifyousawhim,”hesaid,“thenIsupposeyoucouldeasilyidentifyhim?”The
butlerhandedthetoast.
“I’mafraidnot,sir.Heworeamask.”
“Butyousawhisdressandfigure?”
“Yes,sir.Hewasaboutyoursize,sir,andhisclotheswerecheckedasfarasI

couldseeasortofdirtybrowncolour.”
“Oh!”No.7drewhisruguptohischin.Butheknewbytheslantofthebutler’s
eyethathehadseenandhesuspectedthedescriptiontohavebeenapieceof
puremalice.“Scarcelyenoughforpurposesofidentification,”heobserved.
Thebutlerpassedthebutter.Hisfeatureswereexpressionless.
“No,sir,Isupposenot.”
Thiswasnobetter.No.7feltthwarted.Heputhishandtohiscollarwitha
movementthatseemedhabitual.Itwasdisconcertingtofindthatthecollarwas
missing.
“Anycluebeenfound?”heasked,tocoverhisconfusion.
“No,sirbutthesilver.”
“Ohindeed?”
“Yes,sirdownanarea.”
“Veryfortunate.”
“Yes,sir.”
Bythistimethebutlerhadfinishedhisarrangementsandplacedthemorningpaperonthetable.


“You’llfindanaccountofitallinthere,sir,”hesaid.
“Whatalready?”
“Therewasajournalistfellowherelastnight,sir.Heseemedtoknowmore
aboutitallthananyone.”Thebutler’sfacelitupwithaflashofbitterhumour
whichmadehimseemmorehuman.No.7feltencouraged.Perhaps,afterall,
theymightbefriends.Itwasacaseforadiscreetmixtureoftactandfrankness.
“Bytheway,what’syourname?”heaskedgraciouslyasthebutlerreachedthe
door.
“James,sir.”
“Well,James,Ithinkitbettertoinformyoumyreasonforbeinghere.Inthiseh
unusualstate.IamDr.Frohlocken’spatientnervousshock,youknow,followed
bycompletelossofmemory.”

“Verygood,sir.”
Thebutler’stonesuggestedadiscreetacceptanceofamorethandoubtful
explanation,andasthedoorclosedNo.7sankbackamonghiscushions.Hehad
excusedhimself.AndtherewasabeastlyFrenchadageaboutpeoplewho
excusedthemselves,evenhecouldrememberthat.Besides,itwasevidentthatin
goodsocietyonedoesnotexplainthingseventhemostextraordinarytothe
butler.Hisbeliefinhimselfbegantofade.
Moretochangetheunpleasanttrendofhisthoughtsthanoutofrealinteresthe
tookupthepaperandopenedit.Judgingfromthefirstsheetwhichwasblack
withstartlingheadings,Dr.Frohlockenlikedhisnewsservedupinawellspiced
form.Sandwichedbetweenahorriblemurderandthelatestsocietyscandal,the
patientdiscovered“adaringburglaryheroicconductofabutler”whichhe
recognizedatonceastheoneinwhichDr.Frohlocken’ssilverhadbeenso
closelyconcerned.Theaccountranasfollows:
“Lastnight,atabouttwelveo’clock,thehouseofthewell-knownspecialist,Dr.
Frohlocken,wasbrokenintoandaconsiderablequantityofvaluablesilverstolen
beforeoneoftheservants,rousedbythesuspiciousnoise,gavethealarm.Great
courageandpresenceofmindwasdisplayedbythebutlerwhopluckilyattacked
theintruder.Thelatterhoweversucceededinmakinggoodhisescape.Atthe


timeofgoingtopressnotraceofhimhadbeenfound.Thepolicebelieve,
judgingfromthemannerinwhichtherobberywascarriedout,thattheburglar
andthenotoriousWilliamBrown,aliasSlipperyBill,areidentical.Itwillbe
rememberedthatBrownhasbeenconnectedwiththemostcunninganddaring
swindlesandburglaries,buthiscapturehasbeenmadeextremelydifficultbythe
factthatonlyhismostintimateaccomplicesknowwhathereallylookslike.His
disguisesareasmanyastheyarecomplete.Thankstoagentlemanlyappearance
andmanner,hehasimposeduponhisvictimsasamillionaire,nobleman,
clergyman,aswellasotherlessdistinguishedpersons,andmanylegendsare

toldconcerninghiscunning.Aformeraccomplice,whoturnedKing’sevidence
inthelastcase,gaveevidencethatBrownalwayscarriedasmallcharmfastened
totheinsideofhiscoatwhichservedbothasaluck-bringerandameansof
revealinghimselftohisaccomplices.Thischarm,asmallgoldpig,popularly
knownasaluckypig,shouldproveusefulasamarkofidentitywhenthetime
comes,butforthepresenttheownerhasdisappearedwithhisusual
completeness.”
Herefollowedfurtherdetailsconcerning“SlipperyBill’s”careerwhichwerenot
sufficientlyinterestingtoattractthereader’sthoughtsfromhimself.Themere
word“identity”hadawakenedinhimtherecollectionofhisownunhappystate,
andhefellbackwithasighofdespair.ThisSmith,thisroguehadanidentityand
hehadnonenotevenabadone.Toallintentsandpurposeshewasnothingbuta
merederelictonawide,unknownsea,withoutflag,withouthelm,without
anchor.Itwasverytragic,verypathetic,andhisimagination,takingthebit
betweenhisteeth,carriedhimintoscenesbothprobableandimprobable.He
imaginedinturnanadoringmother,anadoringbride,anadoringwife,waitingin
vainforthesonor,respectively,thefianceorhusbandwhoneverreturned.He
cametotheconclusionthathemustbeanaffectionateandtender-heartedman,
forhefeltprofoundlymovedatthethoughtofthepossiblepainhemightbe
inflicting.Hegrewdesperate.Wastherenomeansofunravellingthemystery
whichsurroundedhislife,nothingabouthimwhichmightawakenmemoryor
givesomeclueastohispreviousexistence?
Withaquickglanceroundtheroom,tomakesurethatJameswasnotwatching,
hethrewoffthebigrugandexaminedhimselffromheadtofoot.Theresultwas
notgratifying.Hisbootswereshapelessandill-fittingandthesamecouldbe
saidofhistrousers,which,whatwiththeirpatternandtherecentrentinthe
knee,werethelastthingindisreputableness.Anxiously,heplungedhishands
firstintoonepocketandthenintoanother,butwithoutanybetterresultthanon

thefirstoccasion.Theywereperfectlyempty.Hepattedtheside-pocket,the
waistcoatnothing.Hishandglidedoverthebreastandtherestoppedsuddenlyas
thoughithadbeenseizedbyavise.Halfparalysedhewithdrewhishandand
lookedatit.Thenhisjawdropped.There,betweenfingerandthumb,wasa
smallgoldenobjectaridiculousthingwithaminutecurlytailandimpossible
eyesandaslightbutghastlyresemblancetoapig.No.7lurchedtohisfeet.He
staggeredtothelooking-glass.Hesawthereapleasantandevengood-looking
youngmanwithashortdarkmoustacheandeyeswhichinanormalstatemust
havebeenbothhumorousandfrank.Atthatmoment,however,theywerewide
openwithanexpressionofalmostdeliriousconsternation.No.7raiseda
tremblinghandtohismoustacheandtuggeditvigorously.Theresultprovedit
genuine.Hetweakedthedark,disorderedhairnowigrevealeditself.Hegroaned
aloud.ThisthenwasWilliamBrownthiswastherealman.Hewasneithera
dukenoramillionairenorevenarespectableloaferbutanotoriousswindler,a
thief,arogue.Hehadstolenthesilverofhisownhost,hadpreyeduponthe
weaknessandcredulityofhisfellow-creatures.Hewascalled“SlipperyBill.”
Thelasthorribleitemweighedmoreuponhimthanalltheothersputtogether.If
ithadbeen“RovingRobert”or“DaringDick,”hewouldhaveborneitbetter;
but“SlipperyBill”lackedthecommonestelementofromanceascompletelyas
didWilliamBrown.Bothnameswerevulgarasvulgarashisclothes,andone,at
least,soundedasdisreputableashispastreputation.Helookedattheterrible
discoverylyinginthepalmofhishand.Itseemedtohimthatthebeadyeyes
twinkledandthattherewassomethingmaliciousandinsultinginthetwistofthe
curlytail.Visionsofrejoicingmothersandbridesandwivesvanished.Hesaw
himselfinthedocksentencedforoffenceshecouldn’tevenremember;hesaw
himself“doingtime”;heheardthetreadofapproachingfootstepsthefootsteps
ofanavengingNemesis;heheardthedooropen.Involuntarilyheturned,
preparedtofacetheworst,theperspirationbreakingoutingreatbeadsuponhis
forehead.ButitwasonlyDr.Frohlockenwhogazedathimwithagrim
displeasure.

“You’vebeenthinkingaboutyourself,”hesaidcrossly.“Itoldyounotto.ButI
wasnotinform.Itshowshowthemostdisciplinedbraincanbecome
unbalanced.Atanyrateyousleptwell?”
“Excellently.”
“Didyoudream?”


“Notathing.”
“Rubbish.However,it’snouseexpectinganythingfromamindthathasnot
learnttocontemplateitselfdispassionately.Sitdown.”
No.7satdown.Hetriedtodosowithanairofindependence,buthisrecently
acquiredknowledgehadcowedhimtosuchanextentthathewouldhavestood
onhisheadwithequaldocility.Dr.Frohlockensatdownoppositehim.Except
thattheluriddressing-gownhadgivenplacetoanold-fashionedfrockcoat,his
appearancehadnotchanged.Hisblackhairstillstoodonendand,forsome
reasonorother,hewasstillinaverybadtemper.Afteramoment’sintense
silence,duringwhichhestaredathispatientunblinkingly,heproduceda
newspaperwhichhespreadoutoverhisknees,keepinghislongfingerona
particularparagraphandreferringtoitconstantlythroughouttheinterview.
Itwasasituationcalculatedtotrythestrongestnerves.Theself-discovered
WilliamBrowncouldonlysethisteethandendeavourtobearhimselftosome
extentasbecameamanofhisreputation.Highwaymen,heremembered,wentto
thegallowswithajest.SlipperyBillshouldatleastnotcringeopenly.
“Isupposeyoustillwanttoknowwhoyouare?”Dr.Frohlockenbeganatlength.
“Ipresume,judgingfrommyobservationofordinarymentality,thatyouwould
prefertoberecognised,externally,ifImaysoexpressmyself.Thedesiretoget
tothetopofamountainwithoutclimbingitisoneofthemostdiscouraging
symptomsofourtimes—”
“Ifyoumean,”WilliamBrowninterrupted,“thatIwantyoutofindoutwhoI
am,reallyIcan’tsaythatIdo.Yousee,I’vebeenthinkingitover.Afterall,you

know,it’sratheraninterestingexperimentthisstartingalloveragain.Who
knowsperhapsIshan’tlikemyoldselfatall.”
“That,”saidDr.Frohlocken,referringdisconcertinglytotheparagraph,“is
extremelylikely.However,thematterisnotinourhands.Iforeseethat
interferingbusybodieswillmakeareasonableandlogicalprocessinthismatter
impossible.Inotherwords,No.7,Ifearthatyouarealreadydiscovered.”
No.7feltforapocket-handkerchiefthatwasnotthere.
“It’snotcricket,”hesaid,withpassion.“Idon’tseewhyIshouldhavea
personalitythrustuponmethatIdon’trecognise.Irepudiateit.Why,Idon’t


rememberathingthefellowdid.ImightdisapprovehorriblyandyetIshouldbe
blamed.Ishouldbeheldresponsible—”
“Exactly.”ForthefirsttimeDr.Frohlockenlookedathimwithapproval.“Isee
thatyouhavesomeglimmeringsofmyownidea.It’schildishtostartattheend.
Theonlysensiblemethodisforyoutoreturntoyournormalconsciousnessby
normalmeans.ThatwaswhatIhadintended.Unfortunatelyitisadelicateand
lengthyprocessandthetimeatourdisposalisverylimited.ThebestthatIcan
doforyouistosetyouontheroad.Areyoupreparedtoanswermyquestions
fullyandfrankly?”
“But,”saidWilliamBrownbitterly,“ItellyouIdon’trememberit’snotfair.”
“Onemoment.Yousaythatyoudonotremember.YetifIaskedyoutotellme
someofthedreamsyouhavedreamedinyourotherlifeyouwillnodoubtbe
abletofurnishmewithseveralexamples.Comenow!”
Thisseemedinnocentenough.Dreamswereidioticthings.Noonecouldbeheld
responsibleforthem.Anditcertainlywasoddthathedidremember…
“Well,ofcourseIsupposeIdreamedtheusualstuffthekindofthingeverybody
dreams.”
“As,forinstance—”
“Well,walkingdownBondStreetinone’spyjamas—”

“Asyousaycommonquitecommon—”
“Fallingoverprecipiceschasedbylocomotivesclimbingspiralstaircases—”
Dr.Frohlockenglancedupoverhisglasses.
“Imightsuggest,”hesaid,“thatinthesedaysitisnotwisetorelateone’s
dreamsinpublic.Butthatisquitebytheway.Istherenothingsignificantor
outstandingthatyoucanremember?”
“Nothing,”saidWilliamBrownfirmly.
“Thenallowmetotestyourreactions.”Hetookaverymodernwatchfromhis


old-fashionedwaistcoatpocketandsetitonhisknee.“Ishallgiveyouastring
ofwordsandIwishyoutorespondpromptlywithwhatevertheysuggesttoyou.
Forexample“Drink?”
“Whisky.”
“Yousee.Yougettheidea.Butter?”
“Margarine.”
“Meat?”
“Coupons.”
“Locks?”
WilliamBrownfaltered“Lock-up”and“prison”hadsuggestedthemselves
instantly.Hesuppressedthem.Dr.Frohlockenwasobviouslycountingthe
seconds.Heplunged…
“Safes.”
“Sea?”
“America.”
“Career?”
“Criminal—”Thiswouldnotdoatall.Hefelthehadbeentrappedledintoabog
inwhichhewasslitheringhopelessly.
“Pig,”saidDr.Frohlockenunexpectedly.
ThereatWilliamBrown’smindsimplyrefusedtofunction.Itstoppeddead.He

sattherewithhismouthopen,theperspirationgatheringonhisforehead,whilst
Dr.Frohlockencountedtheseconds.Itwasdevilish.TherewereHeavenknew
howmanythousandwordsintheEnglishlanguage.Notoneofthemcameto
him.Butbeforehisglazingeyesamonstrousthinghadbeguntoshapeitselfa
goldenhorrorwithbeadystaringeyesandagrotesquetail…
“Adistinctresult,”Dr.Frohlockenwassayinggleefully;“intheshortspaceof


fiveminuteswehavetouchedontwodefinitesuppressions.Ihavenotthe
slightestdoubtNo.7—”
Hisvoicefaded.WilliamBrownheardatelephoneclanginginthedistance.Ever
afterwardshebelievedthathefainted,forherememberednothingfurtheruntila
handwaslaidonhisshoulderwithagalvanisinghorriblefamiliarity.
“It’sasIfeared,”Dr.Frohlockensaid.“ThankstothatdamnConstable,they’re
onyourtrackalready.I’msorry.Iwouldliketohavepreparedyoubetter.You
willnowhavetoendurethemethodsofordinaryunscientificinvestigation.The
bestIcandoforyouistoseethatyoumeetthisfellowinamorepresentable
condition.Ifyougointothenextroom,youwillfindabathpreparedanda
changeofclothes.No,theyarenotmyclothes.Theybelongedtomylastpatient.
Threwhimselfoutofthewindow,poorfellow.Inyourterminology,he’dlosthis
memoryforfiveyears.Oh,yes,hewascured.Wonderfulcase.Butwhenhe
recognisedhisfamilyhekilledhimself.Verysad.However,Ithinkthey’llfit
you—”
No.7heldhisground.Hewasawareofahorribleinternalupheaval.Something
enormouswashappeningtohim.Outofthedepths,asitwere,Slipperyshowed
himselfforthefirsttime.Heleered.Hewhispered.Henudged.
“You’recaught,oldbird.Ofcourseheknowswhoyouare.He’ssentforthe
police.Bashhimovertheheadandmakeaboltforit.It’syouronlychance—”
“Ican’t,”No.7argueddesperately.“Itisn’tfair.I’vestolenhissilver,I’ve
abusedhishospitality,butthereisalimit—”

“Stowit,oldbird.You’reascoundrelandyouknowit.Noneofthatpi’-stuff—”
Physicallyheswayedbeforethestorm.Dr.Frohlockentookhimkindlybythe
arm.
“Whenyouareready,”hesaid,“Ishallhavefurthernewsforyou.Mindyou,I
disapproveentirely.Iconsiderthewholebusinessoutrageous.Itoldthemso.It’s
thatdamnConstable.Whenarewardof1000isofferedyoucan’texpectan
intellectlikethattoworjtscientifically.InfactIdoubtifthatConstablehasan
intellectatallprobablyheisamereinstinct.Anyhow,thereitis.Icanonlyhope
thattheirmethodswillnotbetoomuchofashocktoyou.”


“That’sthesortofsenseoffunhe’sgot,”SlipperyBillurged,insidiously.
“Guyingyou,that’swhatheis.Givehimoneonthebean.”
Theadvicewasobviouslysound.ThatNo.7didnotfollowit,butslunktamely
intothebathroom,wasduetothefactthathewashopelesslyhandicapped.He
mightbeotherwiseascoundrel,buthehadbecomeascoundrelwitha
conscience.Itwasanimpossiblesituation.True,hisbetter-halfenjoyedthebath,
buttherealisationthathehadtheinstinctsandeventheappearanceofa
gentlemanDr.Frohlocken’slatepatientmusthavehadanexcellenttastein
suiting,andtheglassrevealedanagreeableyoungmanwiththatcorrectbearing
whichiserroneouslysupposedtogowithablamelesslifedidnotreassurehim.
NotfornothinghadWilliamBrownimpersonateddukesandmillionaireswith
impunity.AndthentherewastheLuckyPig.Hehelditinthepalmofhishand
andconsidereditreproachfully.Itsexpressionofidioticcomplacencyirritated
him.Hecouldnothelpfeelingthatitsinfluencewasbadandthatithadledhim
astrayinhisearlyyouthwhenamother’scaremighthaveputhimontheright
path,whichleadstopublicfuneralsandotherrewardsofvirtue.Hefully
intendedtohurlitthroughthewindow,butasecondimpulse,bornof
superstition,preventedhimand,instead,heslippedthecreatureintohispocket.
Afterall,ifhereallywereWilliamBrown,itwassheerfollytothrowaway

somethingwhichhadbeeninstrumentalingettinghimoutoftightplaces.
Andthiswasatightplace.Hewantedalltheluckhecouldlayhandson.
No.7wentbacktoDr.Frohlocken’slibrarywiththecouragewhichaccompanies
acomparativelynewsuitofclothes.Butonthethresholdhefaltered.Dr.
Frohlockenwasnolongeralone.TherewasConstableX.,helmetinhand,and
lookingasthoughhewereinchurch,andasecondindividual,dressedlikea
Man-in-the-Street.Hewasperhapsatrifletooclean-shavenandhisdress
perhapsatrifletoounobtrusive.HelookedtoNo.7horriblylikeadetectivein
disguise.Dr.Frohlockenindicatedhimwitharudeforefinger—
“That,”hesaid,“isInspectorSmythefromScotlandYard.”
InspectorSmythejerkedhisheadatConstableX.
“Thathim?”
“That’s‘im,sir.”


“InspectorSmythetakesagreatinterestinyou,No.7,”Dr.Frohlockenadded
withtheobviousdesiretobeinsulting.“1,000isanicelittlesum,eh,
Inspector?”
No.7satdownbecausehecouldnotstand,andthetwomenstaredathim,the
Doctorwithagloomysympathy,theInspectorwithanalmosthungryeagerness.
ConstableX.hadceasedaltogethertobehuman.No.7hadhatedInspector
Smytheonsight.Probablythedislikewasinheritedfromhisotherselfwhichat
thatmomentpredominatedwholly.Thedesireto“do”hisenemyatallcostshad
sentthelastremnantsofaconscienceinfullretreat.Hesethisteethandwaited.
InspectorSmythegotup.HeinspectedNo.7fromdifferentangles.Hehada
littlenotetowhichhereferred,makingmarksagainstvariousitems,afterthe
fashionofamancheckinganinventory.
“Soyou’rethegentlemanwho’slosthismemory?”heremarked,finally.“Don’t
knowwhoyouare,eh?”
No.7felttherewasmaliceinthequestionthesortofplayfulfacetiousnessfor

whichthepolicearenoted.Hebowedcoldly.InspectorSmythesnipedhimfrom
anothercorner.
“Readthemorning’spaperyet,sir?”
“Ihave.”
“Nothinginittostrikeyourmemory,eh?”
No.7realisedthattheendwasverynear.ToolatehesawhowgoodSlippery
Bill’sadvicehadbeen.TheoddswerenowthreetoonesupposingtheDoctor
cametotheInspector’sassistance,which,fromhisexpression,wasdoubtful.
ConstableX.blockedthewindoweffectively,andNo.7hadashrewdif
unreasonedsuspicionthatJameswasatthekey-hole.Heslippedhishandinto
hispocketandfindingthePigstillthereclungtoit.
“Nothing.”
“Humph.Well,we’llseewhatwecando,eh,Doctor?”
Dr.Frohlockenranhishandthroughhisblackhair.


“Idiot!”hesaiddistinctly.
TheInspectorsmiled.HeflutteredaneyelidinNo.7’sdirection.Itwasevident
heexpectedthelattertoappreciatethejoke.
“Ourfriendheredoesn’tthinkmuchofourmethodsbutwepolicehaveourlittle
successestoosometimes.Iwouldn’tmindlayingabetwithyou,Doctor,thatour
friendherewillsoonbetellingusallabouthimself.Now,sir,onemoment.
Whenyoufoundyourselfonthedoorstep,whatwasyourfirstsensation?”
“Well,IwonderedhowthedeuceI’dgotthere?”
“Youweresurprised?”
“Very.”
“Didanythingelsesurpriseyou?”
“Myclothes—”
“Unfamiliar,eh?”
“Distinctly.”

“Feelmorenaturalnow?”
“Better,atanyrate.”
InspectorSmythenoddedwithsatisfaction.Hecameclosertohisvictim.His
brightgimleteyeswerefixedapparentlyonNo.y’sneck.
“Foundnothingonyourpersontoidentifyyou,eh?”
No.7gulped.
“Nothing.”
Obviouslyhewouldbesearched.Andthefirstandonlythingthattheywould
findwasSlipperyBill’smascot.Heconsideredhurriedlywhetheritwouldbe
bettertostuffitdownthebackofhischairortoswallowitwhole.Thelatter