This transcription follows the text of the edition published by Simon and Schuster, Inc. in 1926. The following alterations have been made to correct what are believed to be unambiguous errors in the text: * “circumstancs” has been changed to “circumstance” (Chapter VII); * “Reeve’s” has been changed to “Reeves’” (Chapter XII); * “they’d thing it was” has been changed to “they’d think it was” (Chapter XVI); * “Marrayyatt’s” has been changed to “Marrayatt’s” (Chapter XXI); * “Oatville” has been changed to “Oatvile” (Chapter XXIII).