In Cold Blood - SILO.PUB (2024)

InColdBlood _________________ TrumanCapote

I.TheLastToSeeThemAlive ThevillageofHolcombstandsonthehighwheatplainsofwesternKansas,alonesomearea thatotherKansanscall"outthere."SomeseventymileseastoftheColoradoborder,the countryside,withitshardblueskiesanddesert­clearair,hasanatmospherethatisrather moreFarWestthanMiddleWest.Thelocalaccentisbarbedwithaprairietwang,aranch­ handnasalness,andthemen,manyofthem,wearnarrowfrontiertrousers,Stetsons,and high­heeled boots with pointed toes. The land is flat, and the views are awesomely extensive;horses,herdsofcattle,awhiteclusterofgrainelevatorsrisingasgracefullyas Greektemplesarevisiblelongbeforeatravelerreachesthem. Holcomb,too,canbeseenfromgreatdistances.Notthatthere'smuchtosee­simplyan aimlesscongregationofbuildingsdividedinthecenterbythemain­linetracksoftheSanta FeRail­road,ahaphazardhamletboundedonthesouthbyabrownstretchoftheArkansas (pronounced"Ar­kan­sas")River,onthenorthbyahighway,Route50,andontheeastand west by prairielands and wheatfields.After rain,orwhen snowfalls thaw, thestreets, unnamed,unshaded,unpaved,turnfromthethickestdustintothedirestmud.Atoneend ofthetownstandsastarkoldstuccostructure,theroofofwhichsupportsanelectricsign­ dance­butthedancinghasceasedandtheadvertisem*nthasbeendarkforseveralyears. Nearby is another building with an irrelevant sign, this one in flaking gold on a dirty window­Holcombbank.Thebankclosedin1933,anditsformercountingroomshave beenconvertedintoapartments.Itisoneofthetown'stwo"apartmenthouses,"thesecond beingaramshacklemansionknown,becauseagoodpartofthelocalschool'sfacultylives there,astheTeacherage.ButthemajorityofHolcomb'shomesareone­storyframeaffairs, withfrontporches. Downbythedepot,thepostmistress,agauntwomanwhowearsarawhidejacketand denimsandcowboyboots,presidesoverafalling­apartpostoffice.Thedepotit*elf,withits peeling sulphur­colored paint, is equally melancholy; the Chief, the Super­Chief, the El Capitangobyeveryday,butthesecelebratedexpressesneverpausethere.Nopassenger trainsdo­onlyanoccasionalfreight.Uponthehighway,therearetwofillingstations,one ofwhichdoublesasameagerlysuppliedgrocerystore,whiletheotherdoesextradutyasa cafe­Hartman'sCafe,whereMrs.Hartman,theproprietress,dispensessandwiches,coffee, softdrinks,and3.2beer.(Holcomb,likealltherestofKansas,is"dry.") And that, really, is all. Unless you include, as one must, the Holcomb School, a good­ lookingestablishment,whichrevealsacirc*mstancethattheappearanceofthecommunity otherwisecamouflages:thattheparentswhosendtheirchildrentothismodernandably staffed"consolidated"school­thegradesgofromkindergartenthroughseniorhigh,anda fleetofbusestransportthestudents,ofwhichthereareusuallyaroundthreehundredand sixty, from as far as sixteen miles away ­ are, in general, a prosperous people. Farm

ranchers, most of them, they are outdoor folk of very varied stock ­ German, Irish, Norwegian,Mexican,Japanese.Theyraisecattleandsheep,growwheat,milo,grassseed, and sugar beets. Farming is always a chancy business, but in west­era Kansas its practitionersconsiderthemselves"borngamblers,"fortheymustcontendwithanextremely shallowprecipitation(theannualaverageiseighteeninches)andanguishingirrigation problems.However,thelastsevenyearshavebeenyearsofdroughtlessbeneficence.The farmranchersinFinneyCounty,ofwhichHolcombisapart,havedonewell;moneyhas beenmadenotfromfarmingalonebutalsofromtheexploitationofplentifulnatural­gas resources,anditsacquisitionisreflectedinthenewschool,thecomfortableinteriorsofthe farmhouses,thesteepandswollengrainelevators. Untilonemorninginmid­Novemberof1959,fewAmerican­infact,fewKansans­had everheardofHolcomb.Likethewatersoftheriver,likethemotoristsonthehighway,and like the yellow trains streaking down the Santa Fe tracks, drama, in the shape of exceptionalhappenings,hadneverstoppedthere.Theinhabitantsofthevillage,numbering twohundredandseventy,weresatisfiedthatthisshouldbeso,quitecontenttoexistinside ordinarylife­towork,tohunt,towatchtelevision,toattendschoolsocials,choirpractice, meetingsofthe4­HClub.Butthen,intheearliesthoursofthatmorninginNovember,a Sundaymorning,certainforeignsoundsimpingedonthenormalnightlyHolcombnoises­ onthekeening hysteriaof coyotes,thedry scrape of scuttling tumbleweed,the racing, recedingwailoflocomotivewhistles.AtthetimenotasoulinsleepingHolcombheard them ­ four shotgun blasts that, all told, ended six human lives. But afterward the townspeople,theretoforesufficientlyunfearfulofeachothertoseldomtroubletolocktheir doors, found fantasy recreating them over and again ­ those somber explosions that stimulatedfiresofmistrustintheglareofwhichmanyoldneighborsviewedeachother strangely,andasstrangers. ThemasterofRiverValleyFarm,HerbertWilliamClutter,wasforty­eightyearsold,andas resultofarecentmedicalexaminationforaninsurancepolicy,knewhimselftobeinfirst­ ratecondition.Thoughheworerimlessglassesandwasofbutaverageheight,standingjust underfivefeetten,Mr.Cluttercutaman's­manfigure.Hisshoulderswerebroad,hishair had held its dark color, his square­jawed, confident face retained a healthy­hued youthfulness, and histeeth, unstained and strong enough to shatter walnuts, were still intact.Heweighedahundredandfifty­four­thesameashehadthedayhegraduated fromKansasStateUniversity,wherehehadmajoredinagriculture.Hewasnotasrichas therichestmaninHolcomb­Mr.TaylorJones,aneighboringrancher.Hewas,however,the community's most widely known citizen, prominent both thereand in Garden City, the close­bycountyseat,wherehehardheadedthebuildingcommitteeforthenewlycompleted First Methodist Church, an eight­hundred­thousand­dollar edifice. He was currently chairmanoftheKansasConferenceofFarmOrganizations,andhisnamewaseverywhere respectfullyrecognizedamongMidwesternagriculturists,asitwasincertainWashington offices, where he had been a member of the Federal Farm Credit Board during the Eisenhoweradministration. Always certain of what he wanted from the world, Mr. Clutter had in large measure obtainedit.Onhislefthand,onwhatremainedofafingeroncemangledbyapieceoffarm machinery,heworeaplaingoldband,whichwasthesymbol,aquarter­centuryold,ofhis marriagetothepersonhehadwishedtomarry­thesisterofacollegeclassmate,atimid, pious,delicategirlnamedBonnieFox,whowasthreeyearsyoungerthanhe.Shehadgiven

himfourchildren­atrioofdaughters,thenason.Theeldestdaughter,EveAnna,married andthemotherofaboytenmonthsold,livedinnorthernIllinoisbutvisitedHolcomb frequently.Indeed,sheandherfamilywereexpectedwithinthefortnight,formerparents plannedasizableThanksgivingreunionoftheClutterclan(whichhaditsbeginningsin Germany;thefirstimmigrantClutter­orKlotter,asthenamewasthenspelled­arrived herein1880);fifty­oddkinfolkhadbeenasked,severalofwhomwouldbetravelingfrom placesasfarawayasPalatka,Florida.NordidBeverly,thechildnextinagetoEveAnna, anylongerresideatRiverValleyFarm;shewasinKansasQty,Kansas,studyingtobea nurse.Beverlywasengagedtoayoungbiologystudent,ofwhomherfatherverymuch approved;invitationstothewedding,scheduledforChristmasweek,werealreadyprinted. Whichleft,stilllivingathome,theboy,Kenyon,whoatfifteenwastallerthanMr.Clutter, andonesister,ayearolder­thetowndarling,Nancy.Inregardtohisfamily,Mr.Clutter hadjustoneseriouscausefordisquiet­hiswife'shealth.Shewas"nervous,"shesuffered "littlespells"­suchweretheshelteringexpressionsusedbythoseclosetoher.Notthatthe truthconcerning"poorBonnie'safflictions"wasintheleastasecret;everyoneknewshehad been an on­and­off psychiatric patient the last half­dozen years. Yet even upon this shadowedterrainsunlighthadverylatelysparkled.ThepastWednesday,returningfrom twoweeksoftreatmentattheWesleyMedicalCenterinWichita,hercustomaryplaceof retirement,Mrs.Clutterhadbroughtscarcelycredibletidingstotellherhusband;withjoy sheinformedhimthatthesourceofhermisery,somedicalopinionhadatlastdecreed,was notinherheadbutinherspine­itwasphysical,amatterofmisplacedvertebrae.Of course,shemustundergoanoperation,andafterward­well,shewouldbeher"oldself" again. Was it possible ­ the tension, the withdrawals, the pillow­muted sobbing behind locked doors, alldueto an out­of­order backbone? If so, then Mr.Cluttercould, when addressinghisThanksgivingtable,reciteablessingofunmarredgratitude. Ordinarily,Mr.Clutter'smorningsbeganatsix­thirty;clangingmilkpailsandthewhispery chatteroftheboyswhobroughtthem,twosonsofahiredmannamedVieIrsik,usually rousedhim.Buttodayhelingered,letVieIrsik'ssonscomeandleave,fortheprevious evening,aFridaythethirteenth,hadbeenatiringone,thoughinpartexhilarating.Bonnie hadresurrectedher"oldself";asifservingupapreviewofthenormality,theregained vigor,soontobe,shehadrougedherlips,fussedwithherhair,and,wearinganewdress, accompaniedhimtotheHolcombSchool,wheretheyapplaudedastudentproductionof TomSawyer,inwhichNancyplayedBeckyThatcher.Hehadenjoyedit,seeingBonnieout inpublic,nervousbutnonethelesssmiling,talkingtopeople,andtheybothhadbeenproud ofNancy;shehaddonesowell,rememberingallherlines,andlooking,ashehadsaidto herinthecourseofbackstagecongratulations,"Justbeautiful,honey­arealSouthern belle."WhereuponNancyhadbehavedlikeone;curtsyinginherhoop­skirtedcostume,she hadaskedifshemightdriveintoGardenCity.TheStateTheatrewashavingaspecial, eleven­thirty,Friday­the­thirteenth"SpookShow,"andallherfriendsweregoing.Inother circ*mstancesMr.Clutterwouldhaverefused.Hislawswerelaws,andoneofthemwas: Nancy­andKenyon,too­mustbehomebytenonweeknights,bytwelveonSaturdays. Butweakenedbythegenialeventsoftheevening,hehadconsented.AndNancyhadnot returnedhomeuntilalmosttwo.Hehadheardhercomein,andhadcalledtoher,for thoughhewasnotamaneverreallytoraisehisvoice,hehadsomeplainthingstosayto her,statementsthatconcernedlessthelatenessofthehourthantheyoungsterwhohad drivenherhome­aschoolbasketballhero,BobbyRupp. Mr.ClutterlikedBobby,andconsideredhim,foraboyhisage,whichwasseventeen,most dependableandgentlemanly;however,inthethreeyearsshehadbeenpermitted"dates,"

Nancy,popularandprettyasshewas,hadnevergoneoutwithanyoneelse,andwhileMr. Clutterunderstoodthatitwasthepresentnationaladolescentcustomtoformcouples,to "gosteady"andwear"engagementrings,"hedisapproved,particularlysincehehadnot long ago, by accident, surprised his daughter and the Rupp boy kissing. He had then suggested that Nancy discontinue "seeing so much of Bobby," advising her that a slow retreatnowwouldhurtlessthananabruptseverancelater­for,asheremindedher,itwas a parting that musteventuallytakeplace.TheRupp familywereRoman Catholics,the Clutters,Methodist­afactthatshouldinitselfbesufficienttoterminatewhateverfancies sheandthisboymighthaveofsomedaymarrying.Nancyhadbeenreasonable­atany rate,shehadnotargued­andnow,beforesayinggoodnight,Mr.Cluttersecuredfromher apromisetobeginagradualbreakingoffwithBobby. Still,theincidenthadlamentablyputoffhisretiringtime,whichwasordinarilyeleven o'clock. As a consequence, it was well after seven when he awakened on Saturday, November14,1959.Hiswifealwayssleptaslateaspossible.However,whileMr.Clutter wasshaving,showering,andoutfittinghimselfinwhipcordtrousers,acattleman'sleather jacket,andsoftstirrupboots,hehadnofearofdisturbingher;theydidnotsharethesame bedroom.Forseveralyearshehadsleptaloneinthemasterbedroom,onthegroundfloor ofthehouse­atwo­story,fourteenroom,frame­and­brickstructure.ThoughMrs.Clutter Storedherclothesintheclosetsofthisroom,andkeptherfewcosmeticsandhermyriad medicinesintheblue­tile­and­glass­brickbathroomadjoiningit,shehadtakenforserious occupancyEveanna'sformerbedroom,which,likeNancy'sandKenyon'srooms,wasonthe secondfloor. The house ­ for the most part designed by Mr. Clutter, who thereby proved himself a sensibleandsedate,ifnotnotablydecorative,architect­hadbeenbuiltin1048forforty thousanddollars.(Theresalevaluewasnowsixtythousanddollars.)Situatedattheendof along,lanelikedrivewayshadedbyrowsofChineseelms,thehandsomewhitehouse, standingonanamplelawnofgroomedBermudagrass,impressedHolcomb;itwasaplace peoplepointedout.Asfortheinterior,therewerespongydisplaysofliver­coloredcarpet intermittentlyabolishingtheglareofvarnished,resoundingfloors;animmensemodernistic living­roomcouchcoveredinnubbyfabricinterwovenwithglitterystrandsofsilvermetal; abreakfastalcovefeaturingabanquetteupholsteredinblue­and­whiteplastic.Thissortof furnishingwaswhatMr.andMrs.Clutterliked,asdidthemajorityoftheiracquaintances, whosehomes,byandlarge,weresimilarlyfurnished. Otherthanahousekeeperwhocameinonweekdays,theCluttersemployednohousehold help,sosincehiswife'sillnessandthedepartureoftheelderdaughters,Mr.Clutterhadof necessitylearnedtocook;eitherheorNancy,butprincipallyNancy,preparedthefamily meals.Mr.Clutterenjoyedthechore,andwasexcellentatit­nowomaninKansasbakeda betterloafofsalt­risingbread,andhiscelebratedcoconutcookieswerethefirstitemtogo atcharitycakesales­buthewasnotaheartyeater;unlikehisfellowranchers,heeven preferredSpartanbreakfasts. That morning an apple and a glass of milk were enough for him; because he touched neithercoffeeortea,hewasaccustomedtobeginthedayonacoldstomach.Thetruthwas heopposedallstimulants,howevergentle.Hedidnotsmoke,andofcoursehedidnot drink;indeed,hehadnevertastedspirits,andwasinclinedtoavoidpeoplewhohad­a circ*mstancethatdidnotshrinkhissocialcircleasmuchasmightbesupposed,forthe centerofthatcirclewassuppliedbythemembersofGardenCity'sFirstMethodistChurch,

a congregation totaling seventeen hundred, most of whom were as abstemious as Mr. Cluttercoulddesire.Whilehewascarefultoavoidmakinganuisanceofhisviews,toadopt outsidehisrealmanexternallyun­censoringmanner,heenforcedthemwithinhisfamily andamongtheemployeesatRiverValleyFarm."Areyouadrinkingman?"wasthefirst questionheaskedajobapplicant,andeventhoughthefellowgaveanegativeanswer,he stillmustsignaworkcontractcontainingaclausethatdeclaredtheagreementinstantly voidiftheemployeeshouldbediscovered"harboringalcohol."Afriend­anoldpioneer rancher,Mr.LynnRussell­hadoncetoldhim,"You'vegotnomercy.Iswear,Herb,ifyou caughtahiredmandrinking,outhe'dgo.Andyouwouldn'tcareifhisfamilywasstarving." ItwasperhapstheonlycriticismevermadeofMr.Clutterasanemployer.Otherwise,he wasknownforhisequanimity,hischaritableness,andthefactthathepaidgoodwagesand distributedfrequentbonuses;themenwhoworkedforhim­andthereweresometimesas manyaseighteen­hadsmallreasontocomplain. Afterdrinkingtheglassofmilkandputtingonafleece­linedcap,Mr.Cluttercarriedhis applewithhimwhenhewentout­doorstoexaminethemorning.Itwasidealapple­eating weather;thewhitestsunlightdescendedfromthepurestsky,andaneasterlywindrustled, withoutrippingloose,thelastoftheleavesontheChineseelms.Autumnsrewardwestern Kansasfortheevilsthattheremainingseasonsimpose:winter'sroughColoradowindsand hip­high,sheep­slaughteringsnows;theslushesandthestrangelandfogsofspring;and summer,whenevencrowsseekthepunyshade,andthetawnyinfinitudeofwheatstalks bristle,blaze.Atlast,afterSeptember, another weatherarrives, anIndian summerthat occasionallyenduresuntilChristmas.AsMr.Cluttercontemplatedthissuperiorspecimenof theseason,hewasjoinedbyapart­colliemongrel,andtogethertheyambledofftowardthe livestockcorral,whichwasadjacenttooneofthreebarnsonthepremises. One of these barns was a mammoth Quonset hut; it brimmed with grain ­ Westland sorghum­andoneofthemhousedadark,pungenthillofmilograinworthconsiderable money ­ a hundred thousand dollars. That figure alone represented an almost four­ thousand­percentadvanceoverMr.Clutter'sentireincomein1934­theyearhemarried BonnieFoxandmovedwithherfromtheirhometownofRozel,Kansas,toGardenCity, wherehehadfoundworkasanassistanttotheFinneyCountyagriculturalagent.Typically, ittookhimjustsevenmonthstobepromoted;thatis,toinstallhimselfintheheadman's job.Theyearsduringwhichheheldthepost­1935to1939­encompassedthedustiest,the down­and­outesttheregionhadknownsincewhitemensettledthere,andyoung Herb Clutter, having, as he did, a brain expertly racing with the newest in streamlined agriculturalpractices,wasquitequalifiedtoserveasmiddlemanbetweenthegovernment and the despondent farm ranchers; these men could well use the optimism and the educatedinstructionofalikableyoungfellowwhoseemedtoknowhisbusiness.Allthe same, he was not doing whathe wanted to do; the son of a farmer, hehad from the beginningaimedatoperatingapropertyofhisown.Facinguptoit,heresignedascounty agentafterfouryearsand,onlandleasedwithborrowedmoney,created,inembryo,River Valley Farm (a name justified by the Arkansas River's meandering presence but not, certainly, by any evidence of valley). It was an endeavor that several Finny County conservativeswatchedwithshow­usamusem*nt­old­timerswhohadbeenfondofbaiting theyouthfulcountyagentonthesubjectofhisuniversitynotions:"That'sfine,Herb.You alwaysknowwhat'sbesttodoontheotherfellow'sland.Plantthis.Terracethat.Butyou mightsayaslightdifferentiftheplacewasyourown."Theyweremistaken;theupstart's experimentssucceeded­partlybecause,inthebeginningyears,helaboredeighteenhours a day. Setbacks occurred ­ twicethe wheat crop failed, and one winter he lost several

hundredheadofsheepinablizzard;butafteradecadeMr.Clutter'sdo­mainconsistedof overeighthundredacresownedoutrightandthreethousandmoreworkedonarentalbasis ­ and that, as his colleagues admitted, was "a pretty good spread." Wheat, Milo seed, certifiedgrassseed­thesewerethecropsthefarm'sprosperitydependedupon.Animals werealsoimportant­sheep,andespeciallycattle.AherdofseveralhundredHerefordbore theClutterbrand,thoughonewouldnothavesuspecteditfromthescantcontentsofthe livestockcorral,whichwasreservedforailingsteers,afewmilkingcows,Nancy'scats,and Babe,thefamilyfavorite­anoldfatworkhorsewhoneverobjectedtolumberingabout withthreeandfourchildrenastrideherbroadback. Mr.ClutternowfedBabethecoreofhisapple,callinggoodmorningtoamanrakingdebris insidethecorral­AlfredStoecklein,thesoleresidentemployee.TheStoeckleinsandtheir threechildrenlivedinahousenotahundredyardsfromthemainhouse;exceptforthem, theCluttershadnoneighborswithinhalfamile.Along­facedmanwithlongbrownteeth, Stoeckleinasked,"Haveyousomeparticularworkinmindtoday?Causewegotasick­un. Thebaby.MeandMissisbeenupanddownwithhermostthenightIbeenthinkingtocarry hertodoctor."AndMr.Clutter,expressingsympathy,saidbyallmeanstotakethemorning off,andiftherewasanywayheorhiswifecouldhelp,pleaseletthemknow.Then,with thedogrunningaheadofhim,hemovedsouthwardtowardthefields,lion­colorednow, luminouslygoldenwithafter­harveststubble. Theriverlayinthisdirection;nearitsbankstoodagroveoffruittrees­peach,pear,cherry, andapple.Fiftyyearsago,accordingtonativememory,itwouldhavetakenalumberjack ten minutes to axe all the trees in western Kansas. Even today, only cottonwoods and Chineseelms­perennialswithacactuslikein­differencetothirst­arecommonlyplanted. However,asMr.Clutteroftenremarked,"aninchmoreofrainandthiscountrywouldbe paradise­Edenonearth."Thelittlecollectionoffruit­bearersgrowingbytheriverwashis attempttocontrive,rainorno,apatchoftheparadise,thegreen,apple­scentedEden,he envisioned.Hiswifeoncesaid,"Myhusbandcaresmoreforthetreesthanhedoesforhis children,"andeveryoneinHolcombrecalledthedayasmalldisabledplanecrashedintothe peachtrees:"Herbwasfittobetied!Why,thepropellerhadn'tstoppedturningbeforehe'd slappedalawsuitonthepilot." Passing through the orchard, Mr. Clutter proceeded along beside the river, which was shallow here and strewn with islands ­ midstream beaches of soft sand, to which, on Sundaysgoneby,hot­weatherSabbathswhenBonniehadstill"feltuptothings,"picnic basketshadbeencarted,familyafternoonswhiledaway,waitingforatwitchattheendofa fishline.Mr.Clutterseldomencounteredtrespassersonhisproperty;amileandahalffrom thehighway,andarrivedatbyobscureroads,itwasnotaplacethatstrangerscameupon bychance.Now,suddenlyawholepartyofthemappeared,andTeddy,thedog,rushed forwardtearingoutachallenge.ButitwasoddaboutTeddy.Thoughhewasagoodsentry, alert,everreadytoraiseCain,hisvalorhadoneflaw:lethimglimpseagun,ashedidnow ­ for the intruders were armed ­ and his head dropped, his tail turned in. No one understoodwhy,fornooneknewhishistory,otherthanthathewasavagabondKenyon hadadoptedyearsago.ThevisitorsprovedtobefivepheasanthuntersfromOklahoma. Thepheasantseasonin,Kansas,afamedNovemberevent,lureshordesofsportsmenfrom adjoiningstates,andduringthepastweekplaid­hattedregimentshadparadedacrossthe autumnalexpanses,flushingandfellingwithroundsofbirdshotgreatcopperyflightsofthe grain­fattenedbirds.Bycustom,thehunters,iftheyarenotinvitedguests,aresupposedto paythelandownerafeeforlettingthempursuetheirquarryonhispremises,butwhenthe

Oklahomansofferedtohirehuntingrights,Mr.Clutterwasamused."I'mnotaspoorasI look.Goahead,getallyoucan,"hesaid.Then,touchingthebrimofhiscap,heheadedfor homeandtheday'swork,unawarethatitwouldbehislast. LikeMr.Clutter,theyoungmanbreakfastinginacafecalledtheLittleJewelneverdrank coffee. He preferred root beer. Three aspirin, cold root beer, and a chain of Pall Mall cigarettes­thatwashisnotionofaproper"chow­down."Sippingandsmoking,hestudieda mapspreadonthecounterbeforehim­aPhillips66mapofMexico­butitwasdifficultto concentrate, for he was expecting a friend, and the friend was late. He looked out a windowatthesilentsmall­townstreet,astreethehadneverseenuntilyesterday.Stillno signofDick.Buthewassuretoshowup;afterall,thepurposeoftheirmeetingwasDick's idea,his"score."Andwhenitwassettled­Mexico.Themapwasragged,sothumbedthatit hadgrownassuppleasapieceofchamois.Aroundthecorner,inhisroomatthehotel wherehewasstaying,werehundredsmorelikeit­wornmapsofeverystateintheUnion, every Canadian province, every South American country ­ for the young man was an incessantconceiverofvoyages,notafewofwhichhehadactuallytaken:toAlaska,to HawaiiandJapan,toHongKong.Now,thankstoaletter,aninvitationtoa"score,"herehe waswithallhisworldlybelongings:onecardboardsuitcase,aguitar,andtwobigboxesof booksandmapsandsongs,poemsandoldletters,weighingaquarterofaton.(Dick'sface whenhesawthoseboxes!"Christ,Perry.Youcarrythatjunkeverywhere?"AndPerryhad said,"Whatjunk?Oneofthembookscostmethirtybucks.")HerehewasinlittleOlathe, Kansas.Kindoffunny,ifyouthoughtaboutit;imaginebeingbackinKansas,whenonly fourmonthsagohehadsworn,firsttotheStateParoleBoard,thentohimself,thathe wouldneversetfootwithinitsboundariesagain.Well,itwasn'tforlong. Ink­circlednamespopulatedthemap.Cozumel,anislandoffthecoastofYucatan,where, sohehadreadinamen'smagazine,youcould"shedyourclothes,putonarelaxedgrin, live like a Rajah,and have allthewomen youwantfor$50­a­month!" From thesame articlehehadmemorizedotherappealingstatements:"Cozumelisahold­outagainstsocial, economic, and political pressure. No official pushes any private person around on this island,"and"Everyyearflightsofparrotscomeoverfromthemainlandtolaytheireggs." Acapulcoconnoteddeep­seafishing,casinos,anxiousrichwomen;andsierramadremeant gold,meantTreasureoftheSierraMadre,amoviehehadseeneighttimes.(ItwasBogart's bestpicture,buttheoldguywhoplayedtheprospector,theonewhor*mindedPerryofhis father,wasterrific,too.WalterHuston.Yes,andwhathehadtoldDickwastrue:Hedid knowtheinsandoutsofhuntinggold,havingbeentaughtthembyhisfather,whowasa professionalprospector.Sowhyshouldn'tthey,thetwoofthem,buyapairofpackhorses andtrytheirluckintheSierraMadre?ButDick,thepracticalDick,hadsaid,"Whoa,honey, whoa.Iseenthatshow.EndsupEverybodynuts.Onaccountoffeverandbloodsuckers, meanconditionsallaround.Then,whentheygotthegold­remember,bigwindcame alongandblewitallaway?")Perryfoldedthemap.Hepaidfortherootbeerandstoodup. Sitting,hehadseemedamorethannormal­sizedman,apowerfulman,withtheshoulders, thearms,thethick,crouchingtorsoofaweightlifter,weightliftingwas,infact,hishobby. Butsomesectionsofhimwerenotinproportiontoothers.Histinyfeet,encasedinshort black boots with steel buckles, would have neatly fitted into a delicate lady's dancing slippers;whenhestoodup,hewasnotallerthanatwelve­year­oldchild,andsuddenly looked,struttingonstuntedlegsthatseemedgrotesquelyinadequatetothegrown­upbulk theysupported,notlikeawell­builttruckdriverbutlikearetiredjockey,overblownand muscle­bound,outsidethedrugstore,Perrystationedhimselfinthesun.Itwasaquarterto nine,andDickwasahalfhourlate;however,ifDickhadnothammeredhometheevery­

minuteimportanceofthenexttwenty­fourhours,hewouldnothavenoticedit.Timerarely weigheduponhim,forhehadmanymethodsofpassingit­amongthem,mirrorgazing. Dickhadonceobserved,"Everytimeyouseeamirroryougointoatrance,like.Likeyou waslookingatsomegorgeouspieceofbutt.Imean,myGod,don'tyouevergettired?"Far fromit;hisownfaceenthralledhim.Eachangleofitinducedadifferentimpression.Itwas achange­face,andmirror­guidedexperimentshadtaughthimhowtoringthechanges, howtolooknowominous,nowimpish,nowsoulful;atiltofthehead,atwistofthelips, andthecorruptgypsybecamethegentleromantic.Hismotherhadbeenafull­blooded Cherokee;itwasfromherthathehadinheritedhiscoloring­theiodineskin,thedark, moisteyes,theblackhair,whichhekeptbrilliantinedandwasplentifulenoughtoprovide himwithsideburnsandaslipperysprayofbangs.Hismother'sdonationwasapparent;that ofhisfather,afreckled,ginger­hairedIrishman,waslessso.ItwasasthoughtheIndian bloodhadroutedeverytraceoftheCelticstrain.Still,pinklipsandaperkynoseconfirmed itspresence,asdidaqualityofroguishanimation,ofuppityIrishegotism,whichoften activatedtheCherokeemaskandtookcontrolcompletelywhenheplayedtheguitarand sang.Singing,andthethoughtofdoingsoinfrontofanaudience,wasanothermesmeric wayofwhittlinghours.Healwaysusedthesamementalscenery­anightclubinLasVegas, which happened to be his home town. It was an elegant room filled with celebrities excitedly focused on the sensational new star rendering his famous, backed­by­violins versionof"I'llBeSeeingYou"andencoringwithhislatestself­composedballad: EveryAprilflightsofparrots Flyoverhead,redandgreen, Greenandtangerine. Iseethemfly,Ihearthemhigh, SingingparrotsbringingAprilspring... (Dick,onfirsthearingthissong,hadcommented,"Parrotsdon'tsing.Talk,maybe.Holler. Buttheysureashelldon'tsing."Ofcourse,Dickwasveryliteral­minded,very­hehadno understandingofmusic,poetry­andyetwhenyougotrightdowntoot,Dick'sliteralness, hispragmaticapproachtoeverysubject,wastheprimaryreasonPerryhadbeenattracted tohim,foritmadeDickseem,comparedtohimself,soauthenticallytough,invulnerable, "totallymasculine.") Nevertheless,pleasantasthisLasVegasreveriewas,itpaledbesideanotherofhisvisions. Since childhood, for more than half his thirty­one years, he had been sending off for literature("fortunesindiving!TrainatHomeinYourSpareTime.MakeBigMoneyFastin SkinandLungDiving.freebooklets...")answeringadvertisem*nts("sunkentreasure! FiftyGenuineMaps!AmazingOffer...")thatstokedalongingtorealizeanadventurehis imaginationswiftlyandoverandoverenabledhimtoexperience:thedreamofdrifting downwardthroughstrangewaters,ofplungingtowardagreensea­dusk,slidingpastthe scaly,savage­eyed protectorsofaship's hulkthat loomed ahead, aSpanishgalleon­a drownedcargoofdiamondsandpearls,heapingcasketsofgold.Acarhornhonked.Atlast ­Dick. "Goodgrief,Kenyon!Ihearyou."

As usual, the devil was in Kenyon. His shouts kept coming up the stairs: "Nancy! Telephone!" Barefoot,pajama­clad,Nancyscampereddownthestairs.Thereweretwotelephonesinthe house­oneintheroomherfatherusedasanoffice,anotherinthekitchen.Shepickedup thekitchenextension:"Hello?Oh,yes,goodmorning,Mrs.Katz." AndMrs.ClarenceKatz,thewifeofafarmerwholivedonthehighway,said,"Itoldyour daddynottowakeyouup.IsaidNancymustbetiredafterallthatwonderfulactingshe didlastnight.Youwerelovely,dear.Thosewhiteribbonsinyourhair!Andthatpartwhen youthoughtTomSawyerwasdead­youhadrealtearsinyoureyes.Goodasanythingon TV.Butyourdaddysaiditwastimeyougotup;well,itisgoingonfornine.Now,whatI wanted,dear­mylittlegirl,mylittleJolene,she'sjustdyingtobakeacherrypie,and seeinghowyou'reachampion'cherry­piemaker,alwayswinningprizes,IwonderedcouldI bringherovertherethismorningandyoushowher?" Normally,NancywouldwillinglyhavetaughtJolenetoprepareanentireturkeydinner;she feltitherdutytobeavailablewhenyoungergirlscametoherwantinghelpwiththeir cooking,theirsewing,ortheirmusiclessons­or,asoftenhappened,toconfide.Whereshe foundthetime,andstillmanagedtopracticallyrunthatbighouse"andbeastraight­A student,thepresidentofherclass,aleaderinthe4­HprogramandtheYoungMethodists League,askilledrider,anexcellentmusician(piano,clarinet),anannualwinneratthe county fair (pastry, preserves, needlework, flower arrangement) ­ how a girl not yet seventeencouldhaulsuchawagonload,anddosowithout"brag,"with,rather,merelya radiantjauntiness,wasanenigmathecommunitypondered,andsolvedbysaying,"She's gotcharacter.Getsitfromheroldman."Certainlyherstrongesttrait,thetalentthatgave supporttoalltheothers,derivedfromherfather:afine­honedsenseoforganization.Each momentwasassigned;sheknewprecisely,atanyhour,whatshewouldbedoing,howlong itwouldrequire.Andthatwasthetroublewithtoday:shehadoverscheduledit.Shehad committedherselftohelpinganotherneighbor'schild,RoxieLeeSmith,withatrumpetsolo thatRoxieLeeplannedtoplayataschoolconcert;hadpromisedtorunthreecomplicated errandsforhermother;andhadarrangedtoattenda4­HmeetinginGardenCitywithher father. And then there was lunch to make and, after lunch, work to be done on the bridesmaids'dressesforBeverly'swedding,whichshehaddesignedandwassewingherself. Asmattersstood,therewasnoroomforJolene'scherry­pielesson.Unlesssomethingcould becanceled. "Mrs.Katz?Willyouholdthelineamoment,please?"Shewalkedthelengthofthehouse toherfather'soffice.Theoffice,whichhadanoutsideentranceforordinaryvisitors,was separatedfromtheparlorbyaslidingdoor;thoughMr.Clutteroccasionallysharedthe officewithGeraldVanVleet,ayoungmanwhoassistedhimwiththemanagementofthe farm,itwasfundamentallyhisretreat­anorderlysanctuary,paneledinwalnutveneer, where,surroundedbyweatherbarometers,raincharts,apairofbinoculars,hesatlikea captaininhiscabin,anavigatorpilotingRiverValley'ssometimesriskypassagethroughthe seasons. "Nevermind,"hesaid,respondingtoNancy'sproblem,"Skip4­H.I'lltakeKenyoninstead." Andso,liftingtheofficephone,NancytoldMrs.Katzyes,fine,bringJolenerightonover.

Butshehungupwithafrown."It'speculiar,"shesaidasshelookedaroundtheroomand saw in it her father helping Kenyon add a column of figures, and, at his desk by the window,Mr.VanVleet,whohadakindofbrooding,tuggedgoodlooksthatledhertocall himHeathcliffbehindhitback."ButIkeepsmellingcigarettesmoke.""Onyourbreath?" inquiredKenyon. "No,funnyone.Yours."Thatquietedhim,forKenyon,asheknewsheknew,didonceina whilesneakapuff­but,then,sodidNancy.Mr.Clutterclappedhishands."That'sall.This isanoffice."Now,upstairs,shechangedintofadedLevisandagreensweater,andfastened round her wrist her third most valued belonging, a gold watch; her closest cat friend, Evinrude, ranked above it, and surmounting even Evinrude was Bobby's signet ring, cumbersomeproofofher"going­steady"status,whichshewore(whensheworeit;theleast flare­upandoffitcame)onathumb,forevenwiththeuseofadhesivetapeitsman­size girthcouldnot,bemadetofitamoresuitablefinger.Nancywasaprettygirl,leanand boyishlyagile,andtheprettiestthingsaboutherwerehershort­bobbed,shiningchestnut hair(brushedahundredstrokeseachmorning,thesamenumberatnight)andhersoap­ polishedcomplexion,stillfaintlyfreckledandrose­brownfromlastsummer'ssun.Butit was her eyes, wide apart, darkly translucent, like ale held to the light, that made her immediatelylikable,thatatonceannouncedherlackofsuspicion,herconsideredandyet soeasilytriggeredkindliness."Nancy!"Kenyoncalled."Susanonthephone." SusanKidwell,herconfidante.Againsheansweredinthekitchen. "Tell,"saidSusan,whoinvariablylaunchedatelephonesessionthiscommand."And,to begin,tellwhyyouwereflirtingwithJerryRoth."LikeBobby,JerryRothwasaschool basket­ballstar. "Lastnight?Goodgrief,Iwasn'tflirting.Youmeanbecausewewereholdinghands?Hejust camebackstageduringtheshow.AndIwassonervous.Soheheldmyhand.Togiveme courage." "Verysweet.Thenwhat?" "Bobbytookmetothespookmovie.Andweheldhands." "Wasitscary?NotBobby.Themovie." "Hedidn'tthinkso;hejustlaughed.Butyouknowme.Boo!­andIfallofftheseat." "Whatareyoueating?" "Nothing." "Iknow­yourfingernails,"saidSusan,guessingcorrectly.MuchasNancytried,shecould notbreakthehabitofnibblinghernails,and,whenevershewastroubled,chewingthem righttothequick."Tell.Somethingwrong?" "No." "Nancy.Cestmoi..."SusanwasstudyingFrench."Well­Daddy.He'sbeeninanawful

moodthelastthreeweeks.Awful.Atleast,aroundme.AndwhenIgothomelastnighthe startedthatagain." "That needed no amplification; it was a subject that the two friends had discussed completely,anduponwhichtheyagreed.Susan,summarizingtheproblemfromNancy's viewpoint,hadoncesaid,"YouloveBobbynow,andyouneedhim.Butdeepdowneven Bobbyknowsthereisn'tanyfutureinit.Lateron,whenwegoofftoManhattan,everything willseemanewworld."KansasStateUniversityisinManhattan,andthetwogirlsplanned toenrollthereasartstudents,andtoroomtogether."Everythingwillchange,whetheryou want it to or not. But you can't change it now, living here in Holcomb, seeing Bobby everyday,sittinginthesameclasses­andthere'snoreasonto.BecauseyouandBobbyare averyhappything.Anditwillbesomethinghappytothinkbackabout­ifyou'releftalone. Can'tyoumakeyourfatherunderstandthat?"No,shecouldnot."Because,"asheexplained ittoSusan,"wheneverIstarttosaysomething,helooksatmeasthoughImustnotlove him.OrasthoughIlovedhimless.AndsuddenlyI'mtongue­tied;Ijustwanttobehis daughter and do as he wishes." To this Susan had no reply it embodied emotions, a relationship,beyondherexperience.Shelivedalonewithhermother,whotaughtmusicat theHolcombSchool,andshedidnotrememberherownfatherveryclearly,foryearsago, intheirnativeCalifornia,Mr.Kidwellhadonedaylefthomeandnotcomeback. "And,anyway,"Nancycontinuednow,"I'mnotsureit'sme.That'smakinghimgrouchy. Somethingelse­he'sreallyworriedaboutsomething.""Yourmother?" NootherfriendofNancy'swouldhavepresumedtomakesuchsuggestion.Susan,however, wasprivileged.WhenshehadfirstappearedinHolcomb,amelancholy,imaginativechild, willowy,wanandsensitive,theneight,ayearyoungerthanNancy,theCluttershadso ardentlyadoptedherthatthefatherlesslittlegirlCaliforniasooncametoseemamember ofthefamily.Foryearsthetwofriendshadbeeninseparable,each,byvirtuetherarityof similarandequalsensibilities,irreplaceabletotheother.Butthen,thispastSeptember, Susanhadtransferredfromlocalschooltothevaster,supposedlysuperioroneinGarden City.ItwastheusualprocedureforHolcombstudentswhointendedgoingontocollege, butMr.Clutter,adie­hardcommunitybooster,consideredsuchdefectionsanaffrontto communityspirit;theHolcombSchoolwasgoodenoughforhischildren,andtherethey wouldremain.Thus,thegirlswerenolongeralwaystogether,andNancydeeplyfeltthe daytimeabsenceofherfriend,theonepersonwithwhomsheneedbeneitherbravenor reticent. "Well.Butwe'reallsohappyaboutMother­youheardthewonderfulnews."ThenNancy said,"Listen,"andhesitated,asifsummoningnervetomakeanoutrageousremark."Why doIsmellingsmoke?Honestly,IthinkI'mlosingmymind.Igetintothecar,Iwalkintoa room,andit'sasthoughsomebodyhadjustbeenthere,smokingacigarette.Itisn'tMother, itcan'tbeKenyon.Kenyonwouldn'tdare..."Nor,verylikely,wouldanyvisitortothe Clutter home, which was pointedly devoid of ashtrays. Slowly, Susan grasped the implication,butitwasludicrous.Regardlessofwhathisprivateanxietiesmightbe,she couldnotbelievethatMr.Clutterwasfindingsecretsolaceintobacco.Beforeshecouldask ifthiswasreallywhatNancymeant,Nancycutheroff:"Sorry,Susie.I'vegottogo.Mrs. Katzishere." Dickwasdrivingablack1949Chevroletsedan.AsPerrygotin,hecheckedthebackseatto seeifhisguitarwassafelythere;thepreviousnight,afterplayingforapartyofDick's

friends,hehadforgottenandleftitinthecar.ItwasanoldGibsonguitar,sandpaperedand waxedtoahoney­yellowfinish.Anothersortofinstrumentlaybesideit­atwelve­gauge pump­actionshotgun,brand­new,blue­barreled,andwithasportsman'ssceneofpheasants inflightetchedalongthestock.Aflashlight,afishingknife,apairofleathergloves,anda huntingvestfullypackedwithshellscontributedfurtheratmospheretothiscuriousstill life. "Youwearingthat?"Perryasked,indicatingthevest. Dickrappedhisknucklesagainstthewindshield."Knock,knock.Excuseme,sir.We'vebeen outhuntingandlostourway.Ifwecouldusethephone..." "Si,senor.Yocomprendo" "Acinch,"saidDick."Ipromiseyou,honey,we'llblasthairalloverthemwalls." "‘Those'walls,"saidPerry.Adictionarybuff,adevoteeofobscurewords,hehadbeen intentonimprovinghiscompanion'sgrammarandexpandinghisvocabularyeversince theyhadcelledtogetheratKansasStatePenitentiary.Farfromresentingtheselessons,the pupil,topleasehistutor,oncecomposedasheafofpoems,andthoughtheverseswerevery obscene,Perry,whothoughtthemneverthelesshilarious,hadhadthemanuscriptleather­ boundinaprisonshopanditstitle,DirtyJokes,stampedingold. Dickwaswearingabluejumpersuit;letteringstitchedacrossthebackofitadvertisedBob Sands'BodyShop.HeandPerrydrovealongthemainstreetofOlatheuntiltheyarrivedat theBobSandsestablishment,anauto­repairgarage,whereDickhadbeenemployedsince his release from the penitentiary in mid­August. A capable mechanic, he earned sixty dollarsaweek.Hedeservednosalaryfortheworkheplannedtodothismorning,butMr. Sands,wholefthiminchargeonSaturdays,wouldneverknowhehadpaidhishirelingto overhaulhisowncar.WithPerryassistinghim,hewenttowork.Theychangedtheoil, adjustedtheclutch,rechargedthebattery,replacedathrow­outbearing,andputnewtires ontherearwheels­allnecessaryundertakings,forbetweentodayandtomorrowtheaged Chevroletwasexpectedtoperformpunishingfeats. "Becausetheoldmanwasaround,"saidDick,answeringPerry,whowantedtoknowwhy hehadbeenlateinmeetinghimattheLittleJewel."Ididn'twanthimtoseemetakingthe gunoutofthehouse.Christ,thenhewouldhaveknowedIwasn'ttellingthetruth." "‘Known.'Butwhatdidyousay?Finally?" "Likewesaid.Isaidwe'dbegoneovernight­saidwewasgoingtovisityoursisterinFort Scott.Onaccountofshewasholdingmoneyforyou.Fifteenhundreddollars."Perryhada sister,andhadoncehadtwo,butthesurvivingonedidnotliveinFortScott,aKansastown eighty­fivemilesfromOlathe;infact,hewasuncertainofherpresentaddress. "Andwashesore?" "Whyshouldhebesore?" "Becausehehatesme,"saidPerry,whosevoicewasbothgentleandprim­avoicethat,

thoughsoft,manufacturedeachwordexactly,ejecteditlikeasmokeringissuingfroma parson'smouth."Sodoesyourmother.Icouldsee­theineffablewaytheylookedatme. "Dick shrugged. "Nothing to do with you. As such. It's just they don't like me seeing anybodyfromTheWalls."Twicemarried,twicedivorced,nowtwenty­eightandthefather ofthreeboys,Dickhadreceivedhisparoleontheconditionthatheresidewithhisparents; thefamily,whichincludedayoungerbrother,livedonasmallfarmnearOlathe."Anybody wearingthefraternitypin,"headded,andtouchedabluedottattooedunderhislefteye­ aninsigne,avisiblepassword,bywhichcertainformerprisoninmatescouldidentifyhim. "Iunderstand,"saidPerry."Isympathizewiththat.They'regoodpeople.She'sarealsweet person,yourmother." Dicknodded;hethoughtso,too. Atnoontheyputdowntheirtools,andDick,racingtheengine,listeningtotheconsistent hum,wassatisfiedthatathoroughjobhadbeendone. Nancyandherprotegee,JoleneKatz,werealsosatisfiedwiththeirmorning'swork;indeed, thelatter,athinthirteen­year­old,wasagogwithpride.Forthelongestwhileshestaredat theblue­ribbonwinner,theoven­hotcherriessimmeringunderthecrisplatticecrust,and thenshewasovercome,andhuggingNancy,asked,"Honest,didIreallymakeitmyself?" Nancylaughed,returnedtheembrace,andassuredherthatshehad­withalittlehelp. Jolene urged that they sample the pie at once ­ no nonsense about leaving it to cool. "Please,let'sbothhaveapiece.Andyou,too,"shesaidtoMrs.Clutter,whohadcomeinto thekitchen.Mrs.Cluttersmiled­attemptedto;herheadached­andsaidthankyou,but shehadn'ttheappetite.AsforNancy,shehadn'tthetime;RoxieLeeSmith,andRoxieLee's trumpet solo, awaited her, and afterward those errands for her mother, one of which concernedabridalshowerthatsomeGardenCitygirlswereorganizingforBeverly,and anothertheThanksgivinggala. "Yougo,dear,I'llkeepJolenecompanyuntilhermothercomesforher,"Mrs.Cluttersaid, andthen,addressingthechildwithunconquerabletimidity,added,"IfJolenedoesn'tmind keepingmecompany."Asagirlshehadwonanelocutionprize;maturity,itseemed,had reduced her voice to asingle tone, thatof topology,and herpersonality to aseriesof gesturesblurredbythefearthatshemightgiveoffense,insomewaydisplease."Ihopeyou understand,"shecontinuedafterherdaughter'sdeparture."Ihopeyouwon'tthinkNancy rude?" "Goodness, no. Ijust love herto death.Well, everybodydoes.There isn't anybody like Nancy.DoyouknowwhatMrs.Stringersays?"saidJolene,namingherhome­economics teacher. "Onedayshetoldtheclass,'NancyClutterisalwaysinahurry,yetshealwayshastime. Andthat'sonedefinitionofalady.'""Yes,"repliedMrs.Clutter."Allmychildrenarevery efficient.Theydon'tneedme."JolenehadneverbeforebeenalonewithNancy's"strange" mother, but despite discussions she had heard, she felt much at ease, for Mrs. Clutter, thoughunrelaxedherself,hadarelaxingquality,asisgenerallytrueofdefenselesspersons whopresentnothreat;eveninJolene,averychildlikechild,Mrs.Clutter'sheart­shaped, missionary's face, her look of helpless, homespun ethereality aroused protective

compassion.ButtothinkthatshewasNancy'smother!Anaunt­thatseemedpossible;a visitingspinsteraunt,slightlyodd,butnice. "No,theydon'tneedme,"sherepeated,pouringherselfacupofcoffee.Thoughallthe othermembersofthefamilyobservedherhusband'sboycottofthisbeverage,shedrank twocupseverymorningandoftenasnotatenothingelsetherestoftheday.Sheweighed ninety­eightpounds;rings­aweddingbandandonesetwithadiamondmodesttothe pointofmeekness­wobbledononeofherbonyhands. Jolenecutapieceofpie."Boy!"shesaid,wolfingitdown."I'mgoingtomakeoneofthese everydaysevendaysaweek." "Well,youhaveallthoselittlebrothers,andboyscaneatalotofpie.Mr.Clutterand Kenyon,Iknowtheynevergettiredofthem.Butthecookdoes­Nancyjustturnsupher nose.It'llbethesamewithyou.No,no­whydoIsaythat?"Mrs.Clutter,whoworerimless glasses,removedthemandpressedhereyes."Forgiveme,dear.I'msureyou'llneverknow whatitistobetired.I'msureyou'llalwaysbehappy..." Jolenewassilent.ThenoteofpanicinMrs.Clutter'svoicehadcausedhertohaveashiftof feeling;Jolenewasconfused,andwishedthathermother,whohadpromisedtocallback forherateleven,wouldcome. Presently,morecalmly,Mrs.Clutterasked,"Doyoulikeminiaturethings?Tinythings?"and invitedJoleneintothediningroomtoinspecttheshelvesofawhatnotonwhichwere arranged assorted Lilliputian gewgaws ­ scissors, thimbles, crystal flower baskets, toy figurines,forksandknives."I'vehadsomeofthesesinceIwasachild.DaddyandMama­ allofus­spentpartofmostyearsinCalifornia.Bytheocean.Andtherewasashopthat soldsuchpreciouslittlethings.Thesecups."Asetofdoll­houseteacups,anchoredtoa diminutivetray,trembledinthepalmofherhand."Daddygavethemtome;Ihadalovely childhood." TheonlydaughterofaprosperouswheatgrowernamedFox,theadoredsisterofthree olderbrothers,shehadnotbeenspoiledbutspared,ledtosupposethatlifewasasequence ofa*greeableevents­Kansasautumns,Californiasummers,aroundofteacupgifts.When she was eighteen, inflamed by a biography of Florence Nightingale, she enrolled as a studentnurseatSt.Rose'sHospitalinGreatBend,Kansas.Shewasnotmeanttobea nurse,andaftertwoyearssheconfessedit:ahospital'srealities­scenes,odors­sickened her.Yettothisdaysheregrettednothavingcompletedthecourseandreceivedherdiploma ­"justtoprove,"asshehadtoldafriend,"thatIoncesucceededatsomething."Instead,she hadmetandmarriedHerb,acollegeclassmateofheroldestbrother,Glenn;actually,since thetwofamilieslivedwithintwentymilesofeachother,shehadlongknownhimbysight, buttheClutters,plainfarmpeople,werenotonvisitingtermswiththewell­to­doand cultivatedFoxes.However,Herbwashandsome,hewaspious,hewasstrong­willed,he wantedher­andshewasinlove. "Mr.Cluttertravelsagreatdeal,"shesaidtoJolene."Oh,he'salwaysheadedsomewhere. WashingtonandChicagoandOklahomaandKansasCity­sometimesitseemslikehe's neverhome.Butwhereverhegoes,heremembershowIdoteontinythings."Sheunfolded alittlepaperfan."HebroughtmethisfromSanFrancisco.Itonlycostapenny.Butisn'tit pretty?"

Thesecondyearofthemarriage,Eveannawasborn,andthreeyearslater,Beverly;after each confinement the young mother had experienced an inexplicable despondency ­ seizuresofgriefthatsentherwanderingfromroomtoroominahandswringingdaze. BetweenthebirthsofBeverlyandNancy,threemoreyearselapsed,andthesewerethe yearsoftheSundaypicnicsandofsummerexcursionstoColorado,theyearswhenshe reallyranherownhomeandwasthehappycenterofit.ButwithNancyandthenwith Kenyon,thepatternofpostnataldepressionrepeateditself,andfollowingthebirthofher son,themoodofmiserythatdescendedneveraltogetherlifted;itlingeredlikeacloudthat mightrainormightnot.Sheknew"gooddays,"andoccasionallytheyaccumulatedinto weeks,months,butevenonthebestofthegooddays,thosedayswhenshewasotherwise her"oldself,"theaffectionateandcharmingBonnieherfriendscherished,shecouldnot summonthesocialvitalityherhusband'spyramidingactivitiesrequired.Hewasa"joiner,"a "bornleader";shewasnotandstoppedattemptingtobe.Andso,alongpathsborderedby tenderregard,bytotalfidelity,theybegantogotheirsemi­separateways­hisapublic route, a march of satisfying conquests, and hers a private one that eventually wound throughhospitalcorridors.Butshewasnotwithouthope.TrustinGodsustainedher,and fromtimetotimesecularsourcessupplementedherfaithinHisforthcomingmercy;she readofamiraclemedicine,heardofanewtherapy,or,asmostrecently,decidedtobelieve thata"pinchednerve"wastoblame. "Littlethingsreallybelongtoyou,"shesaid,foldingthefan."Theydon'thavetobeleft behind.Youcancarrytheminshoebox." "Carrythemwhereto?" "Why,whereveryougo.Youmightbegoneforalongtime." SomeyearsearlierMrs.ClutterhadtraveledtoWichitafortwoweeksoftreatmentand remainedtwomonths.Ontheadviceofadoctor,whohadthoughttheexperiencewould aidhertoregain"asenseofadequacyandusefulness,"shehadtakenanapartment,then found a job ­ as a file clerk at the Y.W.C.A. Her husband, entirely sympathetic, had encouragedtheadventure,butshehadlikedittoowell,somuchthatit*eemedtoher unchristian,andthesenseofguiltsheinconsequencedevelopedultimatelyoutweighedthe experiment'stherapeuticvalue. "Oryoumightnevergohome.And­it'simportantalwaystohavewithyousomethingof yourown.That'sreallyyours." Thedoorbellrang.ItwasJolene'smother. Mrs.Cluttersaid,"Goodbye,dear,"andpressedintoJolene'shandthepaperfan."It'sonlya pennything­butit'spretty." AfterwardMrs.Clutterwasaloneinthehouse.KenyonandMr.ClutterhadgonetoGarden City;GeraldVanVleethadleftfortheday;andthehousekeeper,theblessedMrs.Helmto whomshecouldconfideanything,didnotcometoworkonSaturdays.Shemightaswell gobacktobed­thebedshesorarelyabandonedthatpoorMrs.Helmhadtobattleforthe chancetochangeitslinentwiceaweek.

There were four bedrooms on the second floor, and hers was the last at the end of a spacioushall,whichwasbareexceptforababycribthathadbeenboughtforthevisitsof hergrandson.Ifcotswerebroughtinandthehallwasusedasadormitory,Mrs.Clutter estimated,thehousecouldaccommodatetwentyguestsduringtheThanksgivingholidays; theotherswouldhavetolodgeatmotelsorwithneighbors.AmongtheClutterkinfolkthe Thanksgiving get­togetherwasanannual, turnaboutto­do,and thisyear Herb was the appointedhost,soithadtobedone,butcoinciding,asitdid,withthepreparationsfor Beverly's wedding, Mrs. Clutter despaired of surviving either project. Both involved the necessityofmakingdecisions­aprocessshehadalwaysdisliked,andhadlearnedtodread, forwhenherhusbandwasoffononeofhisbusinessjourneysshewascontinuallyexpected, inhisabsence,tosupplysnapjudgmentsconcerningtheaffairsofthefarm,anditwas unendurable,atorment.Whatifshemadeamistake?WhatifHerbshouldbedispleased? Bettertolockthebedroomdoorandpretendnottohear,orsay,asshesometimesdid,"I can't.Idon'tknow.Please." Theroomshesoseldomleftwasaustere;hadthebedbeenmade,avisitormighthave thoughtitpermanentlyunoccupied.Anoakbed,awalnutbureau,abedsidetable­nothing elseexceptlamps,onecurtainedwindow,andapictureofJesuswalkingonthewater.It wasasthoughbykeepingthisroomimpersonal,bynotimportingherintimatebelongings but leaving them mingled with those of her husband, she lessened the offense of not sharinghisquarters.TheonlyuseddrawerinthebureaucontainedajarofVick'sVaporub, Kleenex,anelectricheatingpad,anumberofwhitenightgowns,andwhitecottonsocks. Shealwaysworeapairofthesesockstobed,forshewasalwayscold.And,forthesame reason, she habitually kept her windows closed. Summer before last, on a sweltering AugustSunday,whenshewassecludedhere,adifficultincidenthadtakenplace.There were guests that day, a party of friends who had been invited to the farm to pick mulberries,andamongthemwasWilmaKidwell,Susan'smother.Likemostofthepeople who were often entertained by the Clutters, Mrs. Kidwell accepted the absence of the hostess without comment, and assumed, as was the custom, that she was either "indisposed"or"awayinWichita."Inanyevent,whenthehourcametogotothefruit orchard,Mrs.Kidwelldeclined;acity­bredwoman,easilyfatigued,shewishedtoremain indoors.Later,whileshewasawaitingthereturnofthemulberrypickers,sheheardthe soundofweeping,heartbroken,heartbreaking."Bonnie?"shecalled,andranupthestairs, randownthehalltoBonnie'sroom.Whensheopenedit,theheatgatheredinsidetheroom waslikeasudden,awfulhandoverhermouth;shehurriedtoopenawindow."Don't!" Bonniecried."I'mnothot.I'mcold.I'mfreezing.Lord,Lord,Lord!"Sheflailedherarms. "Please,Lord,don'tletanybodyseemethisway."Mrs.Kidwellsatdownonthebed;she wantedtoholdBonnieinherarms,andeventuallyBonnieletherselfbeheld."Wilma,"she said,"I'vebeenlisteningtoyou,Wilma.Allofyou.Laughing.Havingagoodtime.I'm missingoutoneverything.Thebestyears,thechildren­everything.Alittlewhile,andeven Kenyonwillbegrownup­aman. Andhowwillherememberme?Asakindofghost,Wilma."Now,onthisfinaldayofher life,Mrs.Clutterhungintheclosetthecalicohousedressshehadbeenwearing,andputon oneofhertrailingnightgownsandafreshsetofwhitesocks.Then,beforeretiring,she exchangedherordinaryglassesforapairofreadingspectacles.Thoughshesubscribedto several periodicals (the Ladies' Home Journal, McCalls, Reader's Digest, and Together: MidmonthMagazineforMethodistFamilies'),noneoftheserestedonthebedsidetable­ onlyaBible.Abookmarklaybetweenitspages,astiffpieceofwateredsilkuponwhichan admonitionhadbeenembroidered:"Takeyeheed,watchandpray:foryeknownotwhen

thetimeis." Thetwoyoungmenhadlittleincommon,buttheydidnotrealizeit,fortheyshareda numberofsurfacetraits.Both,forexample,werefastidious,veryattentivetohygieneand theconditionoftheirfingernails.Aftertheirgrease­monkeymorning,theyspentthebetter partofanhoursprucingupinthelavatoryofthegarage.Dickstrippedtohisbriefswasnot quitethesameasDickfullyclothed.Inthelatterstate,heseemedaflimsydingy­blond youthofmediumheight,fleshlessandperhapssunken­chested;disrobingrevealedthathe wasnothingofthesort,but,rather,anathleteconstructedonawelterweightscale.The tattooedfaceofacat,blueandgrinning,coveredhisrighthand;ononeshoulderablue roseblossomed.Moremarkings,self­designedandself­executed,ornamentedhisarmsand torso:theheadofadragonwithahumanskullbetweenitsopenjaws;bosomynudes;a gremlinbrandishingapitchfork;thewordpeaceaccompaniedbyacrossradiating,inthe formofcrudestrokes,raysofholylight;andtwosentimentalconcoctions­oneabouquetof flowersdedicatedtomother­dad,theotheraheartthatcelebratedtheromanceofDickand Carol,whomhehadmarriedwhenhewasnineteen,andfromwhomhehadseparatedsix years later in order to "do the right thing" by another young lady, the mother of his youngestchild.("IhavethreeboyswhoIwilldefinitelytakecareof,"hehadwrittenin applyingforparole."Mywifeisremarried.Ihavebeenmarriedtwice,onlyIdon'twant anythingtodowithmysecondwife.")ButneitherDick'sphysiquenortheinkygallery adorning itmade as remarkableanimpression as hisface, which seemed composed of mismatchingparts.Itwasasthoughhishead hadbeenhalved likeanapple,thenput togetherafractionoffcenter.Somethingofthekindhadhappened;theimperfectlyaligned featuresweretheoutcomeofacarcollisionin1950­anaccidentthatlefthislong­jawed andnarrowfacetilted,theleftsideratherlowerthantheright,withtheresultsthatthelips wereslightlyaslant,thenoseaskew,andhiseyesnotonlysituatedatunevenlevelsbutof uneven size, the lefteye being truly serpentine,with venomous, sickly­blue squint that althoughitwasinvoluntarilyacquired,seemedneverthelesstowarnofbittersedimentat thebottomofhisnature.ButPerryhadtoldhim,"Theeyedoesn'tmatter.Becauseyouhave awonderfulsmile.Oneofthosesmilesreallywork."Itwastruethatthetighteningaction ofasmilecontractedhisfaceintoitscorrectproportions,andmadeitpossibletodiscerna lessunnervingpersonality­anAmerican­style"goodkid"withanoutgrowncrewcut,sane enoughbutnottoobright.(Actually,hewasveryintelligent.AnI.Q.testtakeninprison gavehimaratingof130;theaveragesubject,inprisonorout,scoresbetween90and110.) Perry,too,hadbeenmaimed,andhisinjuries,receivedinamotorcyclewreck,wereseverer thanDick's;hehadspenthalfayearinaStateofWashingtonhospitalandanothersix monthsoncrutches,andthoughtheaccidenthadoccurredin1952,hischunky,dwarfish legs,brokeninfiveplacesandpitifullyscarred,stillpainedhimsoseverelythathehad becomeanaspirinaddict.Whilehehadfewertattoosthanhiscompanion,theyweremore elaborate­nottheself­inflictedworkofanamateurbutepicsofartcontrivedbyHonolulu andYokohamamasters.Cookie,thenameofanursewhohadbeenfriendlytohimwhenhe washospitalized,wastattooedonhisrightbiceps.Blue­furred,orange­eyed,red­fanged,a tigersnarleduponhisleftbiceps;aspittingsnake,coiledaroundadagger,slithereddown hisarm;andelsewhereskullsgleamed,atombstoneloomed,achrysanthemumflourished. "O.K., beauty. Put away the comb," said Dick, dressed now and ready to go. Having discardedhisworkuniform,heworegraykhakis,amatchingshirt,and,likePerry,ankle­ highblackboots.Perry,whocouldneverfindtrouserstofithistruncatedlowerhalf,wore bluejeansrolledupatthebottomandaleatherwindbreaker.Scrubbed,combed,astidyas

twodudessettingoffonadoubledate,theywentouttothecar. ThedistancebetweenOlathe,asuburbofKansasCity,andHolcomb,whichmightbecalled asuburbofGardenCity,isapproximatelyfourhundredmiles. Atownofeleventhousand,GardenCitybeganassemblingitsfounderssoonaftertheCivil War. An itinerant buffalo hunter, Mr. C. J. (Buffalo) Jones, had much to do with its subsequentexpansionfromacollectionofhutsandhitchingpostsintoanopulentranching center with razzle­dazzle saloons, an opera house, and the plushiest hotel anywhere betweenKansasCityandDenver­inbrief,aspecimenoffrontierfancinessthatrivaleda morefamoussettlementfiftymileseastofit,DodgeCity.AlongwithBuffaloJones,who losthismoneyandthenhismind(thelastyearsofhislifewerespentharanguingstreet groups against the wanton extermination of the beasts he himself had so profitably slaughtered), the glamours of the past are today entombed. Some souvenirs exist; a moderatelycolorfulrowofcommercialbuildingsisknownastheBuffaloBlock,andthe once splendid Windsor Hotel, with its still splendid high­ceilinged saloon and its atmosphere of spittoons and potted palms, endures amid the variety stores and supermarkets as a Main Street landmark ­ one comparatively un­patronized, for the Windsor's dark, huge chambers and echoing hallways, evocative as they are, cannot competewiththeair­conditionedamenitiesofferedatthetrimlittleHotelWarren,orwith theWheatLandsMotel'sindividualtelevisionsetsand"HeatedSwimmingPool." Anyonewhohasmadethecoast­to­coastjourneyacrossAmerica,whetherbytrainorby car, has probably passed through Garden City, but it is reasonable to assume that few travelersremembertheevent.Itseemsjustanotherfair­sizedtowninthemiddle­almost theexactmiddle­ofthecontinentalUnitedStates.Notthattheinhabitantswouldtolerate suchanopinion­perhapsrightly.Thoughtheymayoverstatethecase("Lookalloverthe world,andyouwon'tfindfriendlierpeopleorfresherairorsweeterdrinkingwater,"and"I couldgotoDenverattriplethesalary,butI'vegotfivekids,andIfigurethere'snobetter placetoraisekidsthanrighthere.Swellschoolswitheverykindofsport.Weevenhavea juniorcollege,"and"Icameoutheretopracticelaw.Atemporarything,Ineverplannedto stay.Butwhenthechancecametomove,Ithought,Whygo?Whatthehellfor?Maybeit's notNewYork­butwhowantsNewYork?Goodneighbors,peoplewhocareabouteach other,that'swhatcounts.Andeverythingelseadecentmanneeds­we'vegotthat,too. Beautifulchurches.Agolfcourse"),thenewcomertoGardenCity,oncehehasadjustedto the nightly after eight silence of Main Street, discovers much to support the defensive boastingsofthecitizenry:awellrunpubliclibrary,acompetentdailynewspaper,green­ lawned andshadysquareshereand there,placid residentialstreetswhereanimalsand childrenaresafetorunfree,abig,ramblingparkcompletewithasmallmenagerie("See thePolarBears!""SeePennytheElephant!"),andaswimmingpoolthatconsumesseveral acres("World'sLargestFREESwim­pool!").Suchaccessories,andthedustandthewinds andtheevercallingtrainwhistles,adduptoa"hometown"thatisprobablyremembered withnostalgiabythosewhohaveleftit,andthatforthosewhohaveremained,providesa senseofrootsandcontentment. Withoutexception,GardenCitiansdenythatthepopulationofthetowncanbesocially graded("No,sir.Nothinglikethathere.Allequal,regardlessofwealth,color,orcreed. Everything the way it ought to be in a democracy; that's us"), but, of course, class distinctionsareasclearlyobserved,andasclearlyobservable,asinanyotherhumanhive. Ahundredmileswestandonewouldbeoutofthe"BibleBelt,"thatgospel­hauntedstripof

Americanterritoryinwhichamanmust,ifonlyforbusinessreasons,takehisreligionwith thestraightestoffaces,butinFinneyCountyoneisstillwithintheBibleBeltborders,and therefore a person's church affiliation is the mostimportant factor influencing hisclass status. A combination of Baptists, Methodists, and Roman Catholics would account for eighty percent of the county's devout, yet among the elite ­ the businessmen, bankers, lawyers, physicians, and more prominent ranchers who tenant the top drawer ­ PresbyteriansandEpiscopalianspredominate.AnoccasionalMethodistiswelcomed,and onceinawhileaDemocratinfiltrates,butonthewholetheEstablishmentiscomposedof right­wingRepublicansofthePresbyterianandEpiscopalianfaiths. Asaneducatedmansuccessfulinhisprofession,asaneminentRepublicanandchurch leader­eventhoughoftheMethodistchurch­Mr.Clutterwasentitledtorankamongthe localpatricians,butjustashehadneverjoinedtheGardenCityCountryClub,hehadnever soughttoassociatewiththereigningcoterie.Quitethecontrary,fortheirpleasureswere nothis;hehadnouseforcardgames,golf,co*cktails,orbuffetsuppersservedatten­or, indeed,foranypastimethathefeltdidnot"accomplishsomething."Whichiswhy,instead ofbeingpartofa*golfingfoursomeonthisshiningSaturday,Mr.Clutterwasactingas chairmanofameetingoftheFinneyCounty4­HClub.(4­Hstandsfor"Head,Heart,Hands, Health,"andtheclubmottoclaims"Welearntodobydoing."Itisanationalorganization, with overseas branches, whose purpose is to help those living in rural areas ­ and the childrenparticularly­developpracticalabilitiesandmoralcharacter.NancyandKenyon hadbeenconscientiousmembersfromtheageofsix.)Towardtheendofthemeeting,Mr. Cluttersaid,"NowIhavesomethingtosayconcerningoneofouradultmembers."Hiseyes singledoutachubbyJapanesewomansurroundedbyfourchubbyJapanesechildren."You allknowMrs.HulcoAshida.KnowhowtheAshidasmovedherefromColorado­started farmingouttoHolcombtwoyearsago.Afinefamily,thekindofpeopleHolcomb'sluckyto have.Asanyonewilltellyou.AnyonewhohasbeensickandhadMrs.Ashidawalknobody cancalculatehowmanymilestobringthemsomeofthewonderfulsoupsshemakes.Or theflowersshegrowswhereyouwouldn'texpectaflowercouldgrow.Andlastyearatthe countyfairyouwillrecallhowmuchshecontributedtothesuccessofthe4­Hexhibits.SoI wanttosuggestwehonorMrs.AshidawithanawardatourAchievementBanquetnext Tuesday." Herchildrentuggedather,punchedher;theoldestboyshouted,"Hey,Ma,that'syou!"But Mrs.Ashidawasbashful;sherubbedhereyeswithherbaby­plumphandsandlaughed.She wasthewifeofatenantfarmer;thefarm,anespeciallywind­sweptandlonesomeone,was halfway between Garden City and Holcomb. After 4­H conferences, Mr. Clutter usually drovetheAshidashome,andhedidsotoday. "Gosh,thatwasajolt,"saidMrs.AshidaastheyrolledalongRoute50inMr.Clutter's pickuptruck."SeemslikeI'malwaysthankingyou,Herb.Butthanks."Shehadmethimon herseconddayinFinneyCounty;itwasthedaybeforeHalloween,andheandKenyonhad cometocall,bringingaloadofpumpkinsandsquash.Allthroughthatfirsthardyear,gifts hadarrived,ofproducethattheAshidashadnotyetplanted­basketsofasparagus,lettuce. AndNancyoftenbroughtBabebyforthechildrentoride."Youknow,inmostways,thisis thebestplacewe'veeverlived.Hideosaysthesame.Wesurehatetothinkaboutleaving. Startingalloveragain." "Leaving?"protestedMr.Clutter,andslowedthecar.

"Well,Herb.Thefarmhere,thepeoplewe'reworkingfor­Hideothinkswecoulddobetter. MaybeinNebraska.Butnothing'ssettled.It'sjusttalksofar."Herheartyvoice,alwayson thevergeoflaughter,madethemelancholynewssoundsomehowcheerful,butseeingthat shehadsaddenedMr.Clutter,sheturnedtoothermatters."Herb,givemeaman'sopinion," shesaid."Meandthekids,we'vebeensavingup,wewanttogiveHideosomethingonthe grandsideforChristmas.Whatheneedsisteeth.Now,ifyourwifewastogiveyouthree goldteeth,wouldthatstrikeyouasawrongkindofpresent?Imean,askingamanto spendChristmasinthedentist'schair?" "Youbeatall.Don'tevertrytogetawayfromhere.We'llhogtieyou,"saidMr.Clutter."Yes, yes,byallmeansgoldteeth.Wasme,I'dbetickled." HisreactiondelightedMrs.Ashida,forsheknewhewouldnotapproveherplanunlesshe meantit;hewasagentleman.Shehadneverknownhimto"acttheSquire,"ortotake advantageorbreakapromise.Sheventuredtoobtainapromisenow."Look,Herb.Atthe banquet­nospeeches,huh?Notforme.You,you'redifferent.Thewayyoucanstandup and talk to hundreds of people. Thousands. And be so easy ­ convince anybody about whatever. Just nothing scares you," she said, commenting upon a generally recognized qualityofMr.Clutter's:afearlessself­assurancethatsethimapart,andwhileitcreated respect,alsolimitedtheaffectionsofothersalittle."Ican'timagineyouafraid.Nomatter whathappened,you'dtalkyourwayoutofit." BymidafternoontheblackChevrolethadreachedEmporia,Kansas­alargetown,almosta city,andasafeplace,sotheoccupantsofthecarhaddecided,todoabitofshopping.They parked on a side street, then wandered about until a suitably crowded variety store presenteditself. Thefirstpurchasewasapairofrubbergloves;thesewereforPerry,who,unlikeDick,had neglectedtobringoldglovesofhisown. Theymovedontoacounterdisplayingwomen'shosiery,aspellofindecisivequibbling, Perrysaid,"I'mforit." Dickwasnot."Whataboutmyeye?They'realltoolightcoloredtohidethat." "Miss,"saidPerry,attractingasalesgirl'sattention."Yougotanyblackstockings?"Whenshe toldhimno,heproposedthattheytryanotherstore."Black'sfoolproof." ButDickhadmadeuphismind:stockingsofanyshadewereunnecessary,anencumbrance, auselessexpense("I'vealreadyinvestedenoughmoneyinthisoperation"),and,afterall, anyonetheyencounteredwouldnotlivetobearwitness."Nowitnesses,"heremindedPerry, forwhatseemedtoPerrythemillionthtime.Itrankledinhim,thewayDickmouthedthose twowords,asthoughtheysolvedeveryproblem;itwasstupidnottoadmitthatthere mightbeawitnesstheyhadn'tseen."Theineffablehappens,thingsdotakeaturn,"hesaid. ButDick,smilingboastfully,boyishly,didnotagree:"Getthebubblesoutofyourblood. Nothingcangowrong."No.BecausetheplanwasDick's,andfromfirstfootfalltofinal silence,flawlesslydevised. Nexttheywereinterestedinrope.Perrystudiedthestock,testedit.Havingonceservedin theMerchantMarine,heunderstoodropeandwascleverwithknots.Hechoseawhite

nyloncord,asstrongaswireandnotmuchthicker.Theydiscussedhowmanyyardsofit theyrequired.ThequestionirritatedDick,foritwaspartofa*greaterquandary,andhe couldnot,despitetheallegedperfectionofhisover­alldesign,becertainoftheanswer. Eventually,hesaid,"Christ,howthehellshouldIknow?" "Youdamnwellbetter." Dick tried. "There's him. Her. The kid and the girl. And maybe the other two. But it's Saturday.Theymighthaveguests.Let'scountoneight,oreventwelve.Theonlysurething iseveryoneofthemhasgottogo." "Seemslikealotofit.Tobesosureabout." "Ain'tthatwhatIpromisedyou,honey­plentyofhaironthem­thosewalls?" Perryshrugged."Thenwe'dbetterbuythewholeroll." Itwasahundredyardslong­quiteenoughfortwelve. Kenyonhadbuiltthechesthimself:amahoganyhopechest,linedwithcedar,whichhe intendedtogiveBeverlyasaweddingpresent.Now,workingonitintheso­calleddenin thebasem*nt,heappliedalastcoatofvarnish.Thefurnitureoftheden,acement­floored room that ran the length of the house, consisted almost entirely of examples of his carpentry(shelves,tables,stools,aping­pongtable)andNancy'sneedlework(chintzslip coversthatrejuvenatedadecrepitcouch,curtains,pillowsbearinglegends:happy?andYou don'thavetobecrazytoliveherebutithelps).Together,KenyonandNancyhadmadea paint­splatteredattempttodeprivethebasem*ntroomofitsun­removabledourness,and neitherwasawareoffailure.Infact,theyboththoughttheirdenatriumphandablessing­ Nancybecauseitwasaplacewhereshecouldentertain"thegang"withoutdisturbingher mother,andKenyonbecauseherehecouldbealone,freetobang,saw,andmesswithhis "inventions,"thenewestofwhichwasanelectricdeep­dishfryingpan.Adjoiningtheden wasafurnaceroom,whichcontainedatool­litteredtablepiledwithsomeofhisother works­in­progress­anamplifyingunit,anelderlywind­upVictrolathathewasrestoringto service. Kenyonresembledneitherofhisparentsphysically;hiscrew­cuthairwashemp­colored, andhewassixfeettallandlanky,thoughheftyenoughtohaveoncerescuedapairoffull­ grownsheepbycarryingthemtwomilesthroughablizzard­sturdy,strong,butcursed withalankyboy'slackofmuscularco­ordination.Thisdefect,aggravatedbyaninabilityto functionwithoutglasses,preventedhimfromtakingmorethanatokenpartinthoseteam sports(basketball,baseball)thatwerethemainoccupationofmostoftheboyswhomight havebeenhisfriends.Hehadonlyoneclosefriend­BobJones,thesonofTaylorJones, whoseranchwasamilewestoftheClutterhome.OutinruralKansas,boysstartdriving carsveryyoung;Kenyonwaselevenwhenhisfatherallowedhimtobuy,withmoneyhe hadearnedraisingsheep,anoldtruckwithaModelAengine­theCoyoteWagon,heand Bobcalledit.NotfarfromRiverValleyFarmthereisamysteriousstretchofcountryside knownastheSandHills;itislikeabeachwithoutanocean,andatnightcoyotesslink among the dunes, assembling in hordes to howl. On moonlit evenings the boys would descenduponthem,setthemrunning,andtrytooutracetheminthewagon;theyseldom did,forthescrawniestcoyotecanhitfiftymilesanhour,whereasthewagon'stopspeed

wasthirty­five,butitwasawildandbeautifulkindoffun,thewagonskiddingacrossthe sand,thefleeingcoyotesframedagainstthemoon­asBobsaid,itsuremadeyourheart hurry. Equally intoxicating, and more profitable, were the rabbit roundups the two boys conducted:Kenyonwasagoodshotandhisfriendabetterone,andbetweenthemthey sometimes delivered half a hundred rabbits to the "rabbit factory" ­ a Garden City processingplantthatpaidtencentsaheadfortheanimals,whichwerethenquick­frozen andshippedtominkgrowers.ButwhatmeantmosttoKenyon­andBob,too­wastheir weekend,overnighthuntinghikesalongtheshoresoftheriver:wandering,wrappingupin blankets,listeningatsunriseforthenoiseofwings,movingtowardthesoundontiptoe, andthen,sweetestofall,swaggeringhomewardwithadozenduckdinnersswingingon theirbelts.ButlatelythingshadchangedbetweenKenyonandhisfriend.Theyhadnot quarreled,therehadbeennooverfalling­out,nothinghadhappenedexceptthatBob,who wassixteen,hadstarted"goingwithagirl,"whichmeantthatKenyon,ayearyoungerand stillverymuchtheadolescentbachelor,couldnolongercountonhiscompanionship.Bob told him, "When you're my age, you'll feel different. I used to think the same as you: Women­sowhat?Butthenyougettotalkingtosomewoman,andit'smightynice.You'll see."Kenyondoubtedit;hecouldnotconceiveofeverwantingtowasteanhouronanygirl that might be spent with guns, horses, tools, machinery, even a book. If Bob was unavailable,thenhewouldratherbealone,forintemperamenthewasnotintheleastMr. Clutter's son but rather Bonnie's child, asensitive and reticent boy. His contemporaries thoughthim"stand­offish,"yetforgavehim,saying,"Oh,Kenyon.It'sjustthathelivesina worldofhisown." Leavingthevarnishtodry,hewentontoanotherchore­onethattookhimout­of­doors. Hewantedtotidyuphismother'sflowergarden,atreasuredpatchofdisheveledfoliage thatgrewbeneathherbedroomwindow.Whenhegotthere,hefoundoneofthehiredmen looseningearthwithaspade­PaulHelm,thehusbandofthehousekeeper. "Seenthatcar?"Mr.Helmasked. Yes,Kenyonhadseenacarinthedriveway­agrayBuick,standingoutsidetheentranceto hisfather'soffice. "Thoughtyoumightknowwhoitwas." "Notunlessit'sMr.Johnson.Dadsaidhewasexpectinghim." Mr.Helm(thelateMr.Helm;hediedofastrokethefollowingMarch)wasasombermanin hislatefiftieswhosewithdrawnmannerveiledanaturekeenlycuriousandwatchful;he likedtoknowwhatwasgoingon."WhichJohnson?" "Theinsurancefellow." Mr.Helmgrunted."Yourdadmustbelayinginastackofit.Thatcar'sbeenhereI'dsay threehours." Thechillofoncomingduskshiveredthroughtheair,andthoughtheskywasstilldeepblue, lengtheningshadowsemanatedfromthegarden'stallchrysanthemumstalks;Nancy'scat

frolickedamongthem,catchingitspawsinthetwinewithwhichKenyonandtheoldman werenowtyingplants.Suddenly,Nancyherselfcamejoggingacrossthefieldsaboardfat Babe ­ Babe, returning from her Saturday treat, a bathe in the river. Teddy, the dog, accompaniedthem,andallthreewerewater­splashedandshining. "You'llcatchcold,"Mr.Helmsaid. Nancylaughed;shehadneverbeenill­notonce.SlidingoffBabe,shesprawledonthe grassattheedgeofthegardenandseizedhercat,dangledhimaboveher,andkissedhis noseandwhiskers. Kenyonwasdisgusted."Kissinganimalsonthemouth." "YouusedtokissSkeeter,"sheremindedhim. "Skeeterwasahorse"Abeautifulhorse,astrawberrystallionhehadraisedfromafoal. HowthatSkeetercouldtakeafence!"Youuseahorsetoohard,"hisfatherhadcautioned him."Onedayyou'llridethelifeoutofSkeeter."Andhehad;whileSkeeterwasstreaking downaroadwithhismasterastridehim,hisheartfailed,andhestumbledandwasdead. Now,ayearlater,Kenyonstillmournedhim,eventhoughhisfather,takingpityonhim, hadpromisedhimthepickofnextspring'sfoals. "Kenyon?"Nancysaid."DoyouthinkTracywillbeabletotalk?ByThanksgiving?"Tracy, not yet a year old, was her nephew, the son of Eveanna, the sister to whom she felt particularlyclose.(BeverlywasKenyon'sfavorite.)"Itwouldthrillmetopiecestohearhim say'AuntNancy.'Or'UncleKenyon.'Wouldn'tyouliketohearhimsaythat?Imean,don't youlovebeinganuncle?Kenyon?Goodgrief,whycan'tyoueveranswerme?" "Becauseyou'resilly,"hesaid,tossinghertheheadofaflower, awilteddahlia,whichshejammedintoherhair. Mr.Helmpickeduphisspade.Crowscawed,sundownwasnear,buthishomewasnot;the laneofChineseelmshadturnedintoatunnelofdarkeninggreen,andhelivedattheend ofit,halfamileaway."Evening,"hesaid,andstartedhisjourney.Butoncehelookedback. "Andthat,"hewastotestifythenextday,"wasthelastIseenthem.NancyleadingoldBabe offtothebarn.LikeIsaid,nothingoutoftheordinary." The black Chevrolet was again parked, this timein front of a Catholic hospital on the outskirtsofEmporia.Undercontinuedneedling("That'syourtrouble.Youthinkthere'sonly onerightway­Dick'sway"),Dickhadsurrendered.WhilePerrywaitedinthecar,hehad goneintothehospitaltotryandbuyapairofblackstockingsfromanun.Thisrather unorthodoxmethodofobtainingthemhadbeenPerry'sinspiration;nuns,hehadargued, werecertaintohaveasupply. Thenotionpresentedonedrawback,ofcourse:nuns,andanythingpertainingtothem, werebadluck,andPerrywasmostrespectfulofhissuperstitions.(Someotherswerethe number15,redhair,whiteflowers,priestscrossingaroad,snakesappearinginadream.) Still,itcouldn'tbehelped.Thecompulsivelysuperstitiouspersonisalsoveryoftenaserious believerinfate;thatwasthecasewithPerry.Hewashere,andembarkedonthepresent

errand,notbecausehewishedtobebutbecausefatehadarrangedthematter;hecould proveit­thoughhehadnointentionofdoingso,atleastwithinDick'shearing,forthe proofwouldinvolvehisconfessingthetrueandsecretmotivebehindhisreturntoKansas,a pieceofparoleviolationhehaddecideduponforareasonquiteunrelatedtoDick's"score" orDick'ssummoningletter.Thereasonwasthatseveralweeksearlierhehadlearnedthat onThursday,November12,anotherofhisformercellmateswasbeingreleasedfromKansas StatePenitentiaryatLansing,and"morethananythingintheworld,"hedesiredareunion withthisman,his"realandonlyfriend,"the"brilliant"Willie­Jay. Duringthefirstofhisthreeyearsinprison,PerryhadobservedWillie­Jayfromadistance, with interest but with apprehension; if one wished to be thought a tough specimen, intimacywithWillie­Jayseemedunwise.Hewasthechaplain'sclerk,aslenderIrishman withprematurelygrayhairandgray,melancholyeyes.Histenorvoicewasthegloryofthe prison's choir. Even Perry, though he was contemptuous of any exhibition of piety, felt "upset"whenheheardWillie­Jaysing"TheLord'sPrayer";thehymn'sgravelanguagesung insocredulousaspiritmovedhim,madehimwonderalittleatthejusticeofhiscontempt. Eventually,proddedbyaslightlyalertedreligiouscuriosity,heapproachedWillie­Jay,and the chaplain's clerk, at once responsive, thought he divined in the cripple­legged body builder with the misty gaze and the prim, smoky voice "a poet, something rare and savable."Anambitionto"bringthisboytoGod"engulfedhim.Hishopesofsucceeding acceleratedwhenonedayPerryproducedapasteldrawinghehadmade­alarge,inno waytechnicallynaiveportraitofJesus.Lansing'sProtestantchaplain,theReverendJames Post,sovalueditthathehungitinhisoffice,whereithangsstill:aslickandprettySaviour, withfulllipsandgrievingeyes.ThepicturewastheclimaxofPerry'sneververyearnest spiritual quest, and, ironically, the termination of it; he adjudged his Jesus "a piece of hypocrisy,"anattemptto"foolandbetray"Willie­Jay,forhewasasunconvincedofGodas ever. Yet should he admit this and risk forfeiting the one friend who had ever "truly understood"him?(Hod,Joe,Jesse,travelersstrayingthroughaworldwherelastnames wereseldomexchanged,thesehadbeenhis"buddies"­neveranyonelikeWillie­Jay,who was in Perry's opinion, "way above average intellectually, perceptive as a well­trained psychologist."HowwasitpossiblethatsogiftedamanhadwoundupinLansing?Thatwas whatamazedPerry.Theanswer,whichheknewbutrejectedas"anevasionofthedeeper, thehumanquestion,"wasplaintosimplerminds:thechaplain'sclerk,thenthirty­eight, wasathief,asmall­scalerobberwhooveraperiodoftwentyyearshadservedsentencesin fivedifferentstates.)Perrydecidedtospeakout:hewassorry,butitwasnotforhim­ heaven,hell,saints,divinemercy­andifWillie­Jay'saffectionwasfoundedontheprospect ofPerry'ssomedayjoininghimatthefootoftheCross,thenhewasdeceivedandtheir friendshipfalse,acounterfeit,liketheportrait. Asusual,Willie­Jayunderstood;disheartenedbutnotdisenchanted,hehadpersistedin courtingPerry'ssouluntilthedayofitspossessor'sparoleanddeparture,ontheeveof whichhewrotePerryafarewellletter,whoselastparagraphran:"Youareamanofextreme passion, a hungry man not quite sure where his appetite lies, a deeply frustrated man strivingtoprojecthisindividualityagainstabackdropofrigidconformity.Youexistina half­worldsuspendedbetweentwosuperstructures,oneself­expressionandtheotherself­ destruction.Youarestrong,butthereisaflawinyourstrength,andunlessyoulearnto control it the flaw "will prove stronger than your strength and defeat you. The flaw? Explosive emotional reaction out of all proportion to the occasion. Why? Why this unreasonableangeratthesightofotherswhoarehappyorcontent,thisgrowingcontempt forpeopleandthedesiretohurtthem?Allright,youthinkthey'refools,youdespisethem

becausetheirmorals,theirhappinessisthesourceofyourfrustrationandresentment.But these are dreadful enemies you carry within yourself ­ in time destructive as bullets. Mercifully,abulletkillsitsvictim.Thisotherbacteria,permittedtoage,doesnotkillaman butleavesinitswakethehulkofacreaturetornandtwisted;thereisstillfirewithinhis beingbutitiskeptalivebycastinguponitfa*ggotsofscornandhate.Hemaysuccessfully accumulate,buthedoesnotaccumulatesuccess,forheishisownenemyandiskeptfrom trulyenjoyinghisachievements." Perry,flatteredtobethesubjectofthissermon,hadletDickreadit,andDick,whotooka dimviewofWillie­Jay,hadcalledtheletter"justmoreofBillyGrahamcracker'shooey," adding,"'fa*ggotsofscorn!'He'sthefa*ggot."Ofcourse,Perryhadexpectedthisreaction, andsecretlyhewelcomedit,forhisfriendshipwithDick,whomhehadscarcelyknown untilhisfinalfewmonthsinLansing,wasanoutgrowthof,andcounterbalanceto,the intensityofhisadmirationforthechaplain'sclerk.PerhapsDickwas"shallow,"oreven,as Willie­Jayclaimed,"aviciousblusterer."Allthesame,Dickwasfulloffun,andhewas shrewd,arealist,he"cutthroughthings,"therewerenocloudsinhisheadorstrawinhis hair.Moreover,unlikeWillie­Jay,hewasnotcriticalofPerry'sexoticaspirations;hewas willingtolisten,catchfire,sharewithhimthosevisionsof"guaranteedtreasure"lurkingin Mexicanseas,Brazilianjungles. After Perry's parole, four months elapsed, months of rattling around in a fifth­hand, hundred­dollar Ford, rolling from Reno to Las Vegas, from Bellingham, Washington, to Buhl,Idaho,anditwasinBuhl,wherehehadfoundtemporaryworkasatruckdriver,that Dick'sletterreachedhim:"FriendP.,CameoutinAugust,andafteryouleftImetSomeone, youdonotknowhim,butheputmeontosomethingwecouldbringoffbeautiful.Acinch, thePerfectscore..."UntilthenPerryhadnotimaginedthathewouldeverseeDickagain. OrWillie­Jay.Buttheyhadbothbeenmuchinhisthoughts,andespeciallythelatter,who inmemoryhadgrowntenfeettall,agray­hairedwisemanhauntingthehallwaysofhis mind."Youpursuethenegative,"Willie­Jayhadinformedhimonce,inoneofhislectures. "Youwantnottogiveadamn,toexistwithoutresponsibility,withoutfaithorfriendsor warmth." Inthesolitary,comfortlesscourseofhisrecentdriftings,Perryhadoverandoveragain reviewedthisindictment,andhaddecideditwasunjust.Hedidgiveadamn­butwhohad evergivenadamnabouthim?Hisfather?Yes,uptoapoint.Agirlortwo­butthatwas"a longstory."NooneelseexceptWillie­Jayhimself.AndonlyWillie­Jayhadeverrecognized hisworth,hispotentialities,hadacknowledgedthathewasnotjustanunder­sized,over muscledhalf­breed,hadseenhim,forallthemoralizing,ashesawhimself­"exceptional," "rare,""artistic."InWillie­Jayhisvanityhadfoundsupport,hissensibilityshelter,andthe four­month exile fromthishigh­caratappreciation had made it morealluring than any dreamofburiedgold.SowhenhereceivedDick'sinvitation,andrealizedthatthedateDick proposed for hiscoming toKansasmore orless coincided with thetimeof Willie­Jay's release,heknewwhathemustdo.HedrovetoLasVegas,soldhisjunk­heapcar,packedhis collectionofmaps,oldletters,manuscripts,andbooks,andboughtaticketforaGreyhound bus.Thejourney'saftermathwasuptofate;if(thingsdidn't"workoutwithWillie­Jay," thenhemight"considerDick'sproposition."Asitturnedout,thechoicewasbetweenDick andnothing,forwhenPerry'sbusreachedKansasCity,ontheeveningofNovember12, Willie­Jay,whomhe'dbeenunabletoadviseofhiscoming,hadalreadylefttown­left,in fact,onlyfivehoursearlier,fromthesameterminalatwhichPerryarrived.Thatmuchhe had learned by telephoning the Reverend Mr. Post, who further discouraged him by

decliningtorevealhisformerclerk'sexactdestination."He'sheadedEast,"thechaplain said."Tofineopportunities.Adecentjob,andahomewithsomegoodpeoplewhoare willing to help him." And Perry, hanging up, had felt "dizzy with anger and disappointment." Butwhat,hewonderedwhentheanguishsubsided,hadhereallyexpectedfromareunion (withWillie­Jay?Freedomhadseparatedthem;asfreemen,theyhadnothingincommon, were opposites, who could never have formed a "team" ­ certainly not one capable of embarking on the skin­diving south­of­the­border adventures he and Dick had plotted. Nevertheless,ifhehadnotmissedWillie­Jay,iftheycouldhavebeentogetherforevenan hour,Perrywasquiteconvinced­just"knew"­thathewouldnotnowbeloiteringoutsidea hospitalwaitingforDicktoemergewithapairofblackstockings. Dickreturnedempty­handed."Nogo,"heannounced,withafurtivecasualnessthatmade Perrysuspicious. "Areyousure?Sureyouevenasked?" "SureIdid." "Idon'tbelieveyou.Ithinkyouwentinthere,hungaroundacoupleofminutes,andcame out." "O.K.,sugar­whateveryousay."Dickstartedthecar.Aftertheyhadtraveledinsilence awhile,DickpattedPerryontheknee."Aw,comeon,"hesaid."Itwasapukyidea.Whatthe hellwouldtheyhavethought?Mebargingintherelikeitwasagod­damfive­'n'­dime..." Perrysaid,"Maybeit'sjustaswell.Nunsareabad­luckbunch." The Garden City representative of New York Life Insurance smiled as he watched Mr. ClutteruncapaParkerpenandopenacheckbook.Hewasremindedofalocaljest:"Know whattheysayaboutyou,Herb?Say,'Sincehaircutswenttoadollar­fifty,Herbwritesthe barberacheck.'" "That'scorrect,"repliedMr.Clutter.Likeroyalty,hewasfamousfornevercarryingcash. "That'sthewayIdobusiness.Whenthosetaxfellowscomepokingaround,canceledchecks areyourbestfriend." Withthecheckwrittenbutnotyetsigned,heswiveledbackinhisdeskchairandseemedto ponder. The agent, astocky,somewhatbald,ratherinformal man namedBob Johnson, hopedhisclientwasn'thavinglast­minutedoubts.Herbwashard­headed,aslowmanto makeadeal;Johnsonhadworkedoverayeartoclinchthissale.But,no,hiscustomerwas merelyexperiencingwhatJohnsoncalledtheSolemnMoment­aphenomenonfamiliarto insurancesalesmen.Themoodofamaninsuringhislifeisnotunlikethatofamansigning hiswill;thoughtsofmortalitymustoccur. "Yes,yes,"saidMr.Clutter,asthoughconversingwithhimself."I'veplentytobegratefulfor ­wonderfulthingsinmylife."Frameddocumentscommemoratingmilestonesinhiscareer gleamedagainstthewalnutwallsofhisoffice:acollegediploma,amapofRiverValley Farm, agricultural awards, an ornate certificate bearing the signatures of Dwight D.

EisenhowerandJohnFosterDulles,whichcitedhisservicestotheFederalFarmCredit Board."Thekids.We'vebeenluckythere.Shouldn'tsayit,butI'mrealproudofthem.Take Kenyon.Rightnowhekindofleanstowardbeinganengineer,orascientist,butyoucan't tellmemyboy'snotabornrancher.Godwilling,he'llrunthisplacesomeday.Youevermet Eveanna'shusband?DonJarchow?Veterinarian.Ican'ttellyouhowmuchIthinkofthat boy.Vere,too.VereEnglish­theboymygirlBeverlyhadthegoodsensetosettleon.If anythingeverhappenedtome,I'msureIcouldtrustthosefellowstotakeresponsibility; Bonniebyherself­Bonniewouldn'tbeabletocarryonanoperationlikethis..." Johnson,aveteranatlisteningtoruminationsofthissort,knewitwastimetointervene. "Why,Herb,"hesaid."You'reayoungman.Forty­eight.Andfromthelooksofyou,from whatthemedicalreporttellsus,we'relikelytohaveyouaroundacoupleofweeksmore." Mr.Clutterstraightened,reachedagainforhispen."Tellthetruth,Ifeelprettygood.And prettyoptimistic.I'vegotanideaamancouldmakesomerealmoneyaroundherethenext fewyears."Whileoutlininghisschemesforfuturefinancialbetterment,hesignedthecheck andpusheditacrosshisdesk. Thetimewastenpastsix,andtheagentwasanxioustogo;hiswifewouldbewaiting supper."It'sbeenapleasure,Herb." "Samehere,fellow." Theyshookhands.Then,withameritedsenseofvictory,JohnsonpickedupMr.Clutter's checkanddepositeditinhisbillfold.Itwasthefirstpaymentonaforty­thousand­dollar policythatintheeventofdeathbyaccidentalmeans,paiddoubleindemnity. "AndHewalkswithme,andHetalkswithme,AndHetellsmeIamHisown, Andthejoyweshareaswetarrythere,Noneotherhaseverknown..." Withtheaidofhisguitar,Perryhadsunghimselfintoahappierhumor.Heknewthelyrics ofsome two hundred hymns and ballads­a repertoireranging from"TheOld Rugged Cross"toColePorter­and,inadditiontotheguitar,hecouldplaytheharmonica,the accordion,thebanjo,andthexylophone.Inoneofhisfavoritetheatricalfantasies,hisstage namewasPerryO'Parsons,astarwhobilledhimselfas"TheOne­ManSymphony." Dicksaid,"Howaboutaco*cktail?" Personally, Perry didn't care what he drank, for he was not much of a drinker. Dick, however,waschoosy,andinbarshisusualchoicewasanOrangeBlossom.Fromthecar's glove compartment Perry fetched a pint bottle containing a ready­mixed compound of orange flavoring and vodka. They passed the bottle to and fro. Though dusk had established itself, Dick, doing a steady sixty miles an hour, was still driving without headlights,butthentheroadwasstraight,thecountrywasaslevelasalake,andothercars wereseldomsighted.Thiswas"outthere"­orgettingnearit. "Christ!"saidPerry,glaringatthelandscape,flatandlimitlessunderthesky'scold,lingering green­emptyandlonesomeexceptforthefarbetweenflickeringsoffarmhouselights.He hatedit,ashehatedtheTexasplains,theNevadadesert;spaceshorizontalandsparsely

inhabitedhadalwaysinducedinhimadepressionaccompaniedbyagoraphobicsensations. Seaportswerehisheart'sdelight­crowded,clanging,ship­clogged,sewage­scentedcities, likeYokohama,whereasanAmericanArmyprivatehe'dspentsummerduringtheKorean War."Christ­andtheytoldmetokeepawayfromKansas!Neversetmyprettyfoothere again.Althoughtheywerebarringmefromheaven.Andjustlookatit.Justfeastyour eyes." Dickhandedhimthebottle,thecontentsreducedbyhalf."Savetherest,"Dicksaid."We mayneedit." "Remember,Dick?Allthattalkaboutgettingaboat?Iwasthinking­wecouldbuyaboatin Mexico. Something cheap but sturdy. And we could go to Japan. Sail right across the Pacific,beendone­thousandsofpeoplehavedoneit.I'mnotconningyou,Dick­you'dgo forJapan.Wonderful,gentlepeople,withmannerslikeflowers.Reallyconsiderate­not justoutforyourdough.Andthewomen.You'venevermetarealwoman…” "Yes,I have," saidDick,whoclaimedstilltobeinlovewithhishoney­blond firstwife thoughshehadremarried. "Therearethesebaths.OneplacecalledtheDreamPool.Youstretchout,andbeautiful, knockout­typegirlscomeandscrubyouheadtotoe." "Youtoldme."Dick'stonewascurt. "So?Can'tIrepeatmyself?" "Later.Let'stalkaboutitlater.Hell,man,I'vegotplentyonmymind." Dickswitchedontheradio;Perryswitcheditoff.IgnoringDick'sprotest,hestrummedhis guitar: "Icametothegardenalone,whilethedewwasstillontheroses, AndthevoiceIhear,fallingonmyear, TheSonofGoddiscloses..." Afullmoonwasformingattheedgeofthesky. The following Monday, while giving evidence prior to taking a lie­detector test, young BobbyRuppdescribedhislastvisittotheClutterhome:"Therewasafullmoon,andI thoughtmaybe,ifNancywantedto,wemightgoforadrive­driveouttoMcKinneyLake. OrgotothemoviesinGardenCity.ButwhenIcalledher­itmusthavebeenabouttenof seven­shesaidshe'dhavetoaskherfather.Thenshecameback,andsaidtheanswerwas no­becausewe'dstayedoutsolatethenightbefore.Butsaidwhydidn'tIcomeoverand watchtelevision.I'vespentalotoftimeattheClutters'watchingtelevision.See,Nancy's theonlygirlIeverdated.I'dknownherallmylife;we'dgonetoschooltogetherfromthe firstgrade.Always,aslongasIcanremember,shewasprettyandpopular­aperson,even whenshewasalittlekid.Imean,shejustmadeeverybodyfeelgoodaboutthemselves.The firsttimeIdatedherwaswhenwewereintheeighthgrade.Mostoftheboysinourclass

wantedtotakehertotheeighth­gradegraduationdance,andIwassurprised,Iwaspretty proud­whenshesaidshewouldgowithme.Wewerebothtwelve.Mydadlentmethecar, andIdrovehertothedance.ThemoreIsawher,themoreIlikedher;thewholefamily, too­therewasn'tanyotherfamilylikethem,notaroundhere,notthatIknowof.Mr. Cluttermayhavebeenmorestrictaboutsomethings­religion,andsoon­buthenever triedtomakeyoufeelhewasrightandyouwerewrong. "WelivethreemileswestoftheClutterplace.Iusedtowalkitbackandforth,butIalways workedsummers,andlastyearI'dsavedenoughtobuymyowncar,a'55Ford.SoIdrove overthere,gottherealittleafterseven.Ididn'tseeanybodyontheroadoronthelanethat leadsuptothehouse,oranybodyoutside.JustoldTeddy.Hebarkedatme.Thelightswere ondownstairsinthelivingroomandinMr.Clutter'soffice.Thesecondfloorwasdark,and IfiguredMrs.Cluttermustbeasleep­ifshewashome.Youneverknewwhethershewasor not,andIneverasked.ButIfoundoutIwasright,becauselaterintheeveningKenyon wantedtopracticehishorn,heplayedbaritonehornintheschoolband­andNancytold himnotto,becausehewouldwakeupMrs.Clutter.Anyway,whenIgottheretheyhad finishedsupperandNancyhadcleanedup,putallthedishesinthedishwasher,andthe threeofthem­thetwokidsandMr.Clutter­wereinthelivingroom.Sowesataroundlike anyothernight­NancyandIonthecouch,andMr.Clutterinhischair,thestuffedrocker. Hewasn'twatchingthetelevisionsomuchashewasreadingabook­a'RoverBoy,'oneof Kenyon's books. Once he went out to the kitchen and came back with two apples; he offeredonetome,butIdidn'twantit,soheatethemboth.Hehadverywhiteteeth;he saidappleswerewhy.Nancy­Nancywaswearingsocksandsoftslippers,bluejeans,I thinkagreensweater;shewaswearingagoldwristwatchandanI.D.braceletIgaveher lastJanuaryforhersixteenthbirthday­withononesideandmineontheother­andshe hadonaring,somelittlesilverthingsheboughtasummerago,whenshewenttoColorado withtheKidwells.Itwasn'tmyring­ourring.See,acoupleofweeksbackshegotsoreat meandsaidshewasgoingtotakeoffourringforawhile.Whenyourgirldoesthat,it meansyou'reonprobation.Imean,sure,wehadfusses­everybodydoes,allthekidsthat gosteady.WhathappenedwasIwenttothisfriend'swedding,thereception,anddranka beer,onebottleofbeer,andNancygottohearaboutit.SometattletoldherIwasroaring drunk.Well,shewasstone,wouldn'tsayhelloforaweek.Butlatelywe'dbeengettingon goodasever,andIbelieveshewasaboutreadytowearourringagain. "O.K.The firstshowwascalled'TheManandtheChallenge.'Channel11.Aboutsome fellowsintheArctic.ThenwesawaWestern,andafterthataspyadventure­'FiveFingers.' 'MikeHammer'cameonatnine­thirty.Thenthenews.ButKenyondidn'tlikeanything, mostlybecausewewouldn'tlethimpicktheprograms.HecriticizedeverythingandNancy kepttellinghimtohushup.Theyalwaysquibbled,butactuallytheywereveryclose­closer thanmostbrothersandsisters.Iguesspartlyitwasbecausethey'dbeenalonetogetherso much,whatwithMrs.ClutterawayandMr.CluttergonetoWashington,orwherever.I knowNancylovedKenyonveryspecially,butIdon'tthinkevenshe,oranybody,exactly understoodhim.Heseemedtobeoffsomewhere.Youneverknewwhathewasthinking, neverevenknewifhewaslookingatyou­onaccountofhewasslightlyco*ckeyed.Some peoplesaidhewasagenius,andmaybeitwastrue.Hesuredidreadalot.But,likeIsay, hewasrestless;hedidn'twanttowatchtheTV,hewantedtopracticehishorn,andwhen Nancywouldn'tlethim,IrememberMr.Cluttertoldhimwhydidn'thegodowntothe basem*nt,therecreationroom,wherenobodycouldhearhim.Buthedidn'twanttodo that,either.

"Thephonerangonce.Twice?Gosh,Ican'tremember.Exceptthatoncethephonerangand Mr.Clutteranswereditinhisoffice.Thedoorwasopen­thatslidingdoorbetweenthe livingroomandtheoffice­andIheardhimsay'Van,'soIknewhewastalkingtohis partner,Mr.VanVleet,andIheardhimsaythathehadaheadachebutthatitwasgetting better.Andsaidhe'dseeMr.VanVleetonMonday.Whenhecameback­yes,theMike Hammerwasjustover.Fiveminutesofnews.Thentheweatherreport.Mr.Clutteralways perkedupwhentheweatherreportcameon.It'sallheeverreallywaitedfor.Liketheonly thingthatinterestedmewasthesports­whichcameonnext.Afterthesportsended,that wasten­thirty,andIgotuptogo.Nancywalkedmeout.Wetalkedawhile,andmadea datetogotothemoviesSundaynight­apictureallthegirlswerelookingforwardto,Blue Denim.Thensheranbackinthehouse,andIdroveaway.Itwasasclearasday­themoon wassobright­andcoldandkindofwindy;alotoftumbleweedblowingabout.Butthat's allIsaw.OnlynowwhenIthinkback,Ithinksomebodymusthavebeenhidingthere. Maybedownamongthetrees.Somebodyjustwaitingformetoleave." Thetravelers stopped fordinnerata restaurantinGreat Bend.Perry,downtohis last fifteendollars,wasreadytosettleforrootbeerandasandwich,butDicksaidno,they neededasolid"tuck­in,"andnevermindthecost,thetabwashis.Theyorderedtwosteaks mediumrare,bakedpotatoes,Frenchfries,friedonions,succotash,sidedishofmacaroni andhominy,saladwithThousandIslanddressing,cinnamonrolls,applepieandicecream, andcoffee.Totopitoff,theyvisitedadrugstoreandselectedcigars;inthesamedrugstore, theyalsoboughttwothickrollsofadhesivetape. As the black Chevrolet regained the highway and hurried on across a country side imperceptiblyascendingtowardthecolder,cracker­dryclimateofthehighwheatplains, Perryclosedhiseyesanddozedoffintoafood­dazedsemi­slumber,fromwhichhewoketo hearavoicereadingtheeleven­o'clocknews.Herolleddownawindowandbathedhisface inthefloodoffrostyair.DicktoldhimtheywereinFinneyCounty."Wecrossedthelineten milesback,"hesaid.Thecarwasgoingveryfast.Signs,theirmessagesignitedbythecar's headlights,flaredup,flewby:"SeethePolarBears,""BurrisMotors,""World'sLargestFREE Swimpool,""WheatLandsMotel,"and,finally,abitbeforestreetlampsbegan,"Howdy, Stranger!WelcometoGardenCity.AFriendlyPlace." Theyskirtedthenorthernrimofthetown.Noonewasabroadatthisnearlymidnighthour, andnothingwasopenexceptastringofdesolatelybrilliantservicestations.Dickturned intoone­Kurd'sPhillips66.Ayoungsterappeared,andasked,"Fillherup?"Dicknodded, andPerry,gettingoutofthecar,wentinsidethestation,wherehelockedhimselfinthe men'sroom.Hislegspainedhim,astheyoftendid;theyhurtasthoughhisoldaccident hadhappenedfiveminutesbefore.Heshookthreeaspirinsoutofabottle,chewedthem slowly(forhelikedthetaste),andthendrankwaterfromthebasintap.Hesatdownon thetoilet,stretchedouthislegsandrubbedthem,massagingthealmostunbendableknees. Dickhadsaidtheywerealmostthere­"onlysevenmilesmore."Heunzipperedapocketof hiswindbreakerandbroughtoutapapersack;insideitweretherecentlypurchasedrubber gloves.Theywereglue­covered,stickyandthin,andasheinchedthemon,onetore­nota dangeroustear,justasplitbetweenthefingers,butit*eemedtohimanomen. Thedoorknobturned,rattled.Dicksaid,"Wantsomecandy?Theygotacandymachineout here." "No."

"YouO.K.?" "I'mfine." "Don'tbeallnight." Dickdroppedadimeinavendingmachine,pulledthelever,andpickedupabagofjelly beans;munching,he wanderedbackto thecarand lounged there watchingtheyoung attendant'seffortstoridthewindshieldofKansasdustandtheslimeofbatteredinsects. Theattendant,whosenamewasJamesSpor,feltuneasy.Dick'seyesandsullenexpression andPerry'sstrange,prolongedsojourninthelavatorydisturbedhim.(Thenextdayhe reportedtohisemployer,"Wehadsometoughcustomersinherelastnight,"buthedidnot think,thenorforthelongestwhile,toconnectthevisitorswiththetragedyinHolcomb.) Dicksaid,"Kindofslowaroundhere." "Sureis,"JamesSporsaid."You'retheonlybodystoppedheresincetwohours.Whereyou comingfrom?""KansasCity." "Heretohunt?" "Justpassing through.Onourwayto Arizona.Wegotjobswaitingthere.Construction work.AnyideathemileagebetweenhereandTucumcari,NewMexico?" "Can'tsayIdo.Threedollarssixcents."HeacceptedDick'smoney,madechange,andsaid, "You'llexcuseme,sir?I'mdoingajob.Puttingabumperonatruck." Dickwaited,atesomejellybeans,impatientlygunnedthemotor,soundedthehorn.Wasit possiblethathehadmisjudgedPerry'scharacter?ThatPerry,ofallpeople,wassufferinga suddencaseof"bloodbubbles"?Ayearago,whentheyfirstencounteredeachother,he'd thoughtPerry"agoodguy,"ifabitstuckonhimself,"sentimental,"toomuch"thedreamer." Hehadlikedhimbutnotconsideredhimespeciallyworthcultivatinguntil,oneday,Perry describedamurder,tellinghow,simplyforthehellofit,"hehadkilledacoloredmaninLas Vegas­beatenhimtodeathwithabicyclechain.TheanecdoteelevatedDick's opinion of Little Perry; he began to see more of him, and, like Willie­Jay, though for dissimilarreasons,graduallydecidedthatPerrypossessedunusualandvaluablequalities. Several murderers, or men who boasted of murder or their willingness to commit it, circulatedinsideLansing;butDickbecameconvincedthatPerrywasthatrarity,"anatural killer"­absolutelysane,butconscienceless,andcapableofdealing,withorwithoutmotive, the coldest­blooded deathblows. It was Dick's theory that such a gift could, under his supervision,beprofitablyexploited.Havingreachedthisconclusion,hehadproceededto wooPerry,flatterhim­pretend,forexample,thathebelievedalltheburied­treasurestuff andsharedhisbeachcomberyearningsandseaportlongings,noneofwhichappealedto Dick,whowanted"aregularlife,"withabusinessofhisown,ahouse,ahorsetoride,a newcar,and"plentyofblondchicken."Itwasimportant,however,thatPerrynotsuspect this­notuntilPerry,withhisgift,hadhelpedfurtherDick'sambitions.Butperhapsitwas Dickwhohadmiscalculated,beenduped;ifso­ifitdevelopedthatPerrywas,afterall, onlyan"ordinarypunk"­then"theparty"wasover,themonthsofplanningwerewasted, therewasnothingtodobutturnandgo.Itmustn'thappen;Dickreturnedtothestation.

Thedoortothemen'sroomwasstillbolted.Hebangedonit:"ForChristsake,Perry!" "Inaminute.". "What'sthematter?Yousick?" Perrygrippedtheedgeofthewashbasinandhauledhimselftoastandingposition.Hislegs trembled;thepaininhiskneesmadehimperspire.Hewipedhisfacewithapapertowel. Heunlockedthedoorandsaid,"O.K.Let'sgo." Nancy'sbedroomwasthesmallest,mostpersonalroominthehouse­girlish,andasfrothy asaballerina'stutu.Walls,ceiling,andeverythingelseexceptabureauandawritingdesk, were pink or blue or white. The white­and­pink bed, piled with blue pillows, was dominatedbyabigpink­and­whiteTeddybear­ashooting­galleryprizethatBobbyhad wonatthecountyfair.Acorkbulletinboard,paintedpink,hungaboveawhite­skirted dressingtable;drygardenias,theremainsofsomeancientcorsage,wereattachedtoit,and oldvalentines,newspaperrecipes,andsnapshotsofherbabynephewandofSusanKidwell and of Bobby Rupp, Bobby caught in a dozen actions ­ swinging a bat, dribbling a basketball, driving a tractor, wading, in bathing trunks, at the edge of McKinney Lake (whichwasasfarashedaredgo,forhehadneverlearnedtoswim).Andtherewere photographs of the two together ­ Nancy and Bobby. Of these, she liked best one that showedthemsittinginaleaf­dappledlightamidpicnicdebrisandlookingatoneanother with expressions that, though unsmiling, seemed mirthful and full of delight. Other pictures,ofhorses,ofcatsdeceasedbutunforgotten­like"poorBoobs,"whohaddiednot longagoandmostmysteriously(shesuspectedpoison)­encumberedherdesk. Nancywasinvariablythelastofthefamilytoretire;asshehadonceinformedherfriend andhome­economicsteacher,Mrs.PollyStringer,themidnighthourswereher"timetobe selfish and vain." It was then that she went through her beauty routine, a cleansing, creamingritual,whichonSaturdaynightsincludedwashingherhair.Tonight,havingdried and brushed her hair and bound it in a gauzy bandanna, she set out the clothes she intendedtoweartochurchthenextmorning:nylons,blackpumps,aredvelveteendress­ herprettiest,whichsheherselfhadmade.Itwasthedressinwhichshewastobeburied. Beforesayingherprayers,shealwaysrecordedinadiaryafewoccurrences("Summer here.Forever,Ihope.SueoverandwerodeBabedowntotheriver.Sueplayedherflute. Fireflies")andanoccasionaloutburst("Ilovehim,Ido").Itwasafive­yeardiary;inthe fouryearsofitsexistenceshehadneverneglectedtomakeanentry,thoughthesplendorof severalevents(Eveanna'swedding,thebirthofhernephew)andthedramaofothers(her firstREALquarrelwithBobby"­apageliterallytear­stained)hadcausedhertousurpspace allottedtothefuture.Adifferenttintedinkidentifiedeachyear:1956wasgreenand1957 aribbonofred,replacedthefollowingyearbybrightlavender,andnow,in1959,shehad decideduponadignifiedblue.Butasineverymanifestation,shecontinuedtotinkerwith herhandwriting,slantingittotherightortotheleft,shapingitroundlyorsteeply,loosely orstingily­asthoughshewereasking,"IsthisNancy?Orthat?Orthat?Whichisme?" (OnceMrs.Riggs,herEnglishteacher,hadreturnedathemewithascribbledcomment: "Good.Butwhywritteninthreestylesofscript?"TowhichNancyhadreplied:"BecauseI'm not grown­up enough to be one person with one kind of signature.") Still, she had progressedinrecentmonths,anditwasinahandwritingofemergingmaturitythatshe

wrote,"JoleneK.cameoverandIshowedherhowtomakeacherrypie.Practicedwith Roxie.BobbyhereandwewatchedTV.Leftateleven." Thisisit,thisisit,thishastobeit,there'stheschool,there'sthegarage,nowweturn south."ToPerry,itseemedasthoughDickweremutteringjubilantmumbo­jumbo.Theyleft thehighway,spedthroughadesertedHolcomb,andcrossedtheSantaFetracks."Thebank, thatmustbethebank,nowweturnwest­seethetrees?Thisisit,thishastobeit."The headlightsdisclosedalaneofChineseelms;bundlesofwind­blownthistlescurriedacross it.Dickdousedtheheadlights,sloweddown,andstoppeduntilhiseyeswereadjustedto themoon­illuminatednight.Presently,thecarcreptforward. Holcombistwelvemileseastofthemountaintime­zoneborder,acirc*mstancethatcauses somegrumbling,foritmeansthatatseveninthemorning,andinwinterateightorafter, theskyisstilldarkandthestars,ifany,arestillshining­astheywerewhenthetwosonsof VieIrsikarrivedtodotheirSunday­morningchores.Butbynine,whentheboysfinished work­duringwhichtheynoticednothingamiss­thesunhadrisen,deliveringanotherday ofpheasant­seasonperfection.Astheyleftthepropertyandranalongthelane,theywaved atanincomingcar,andagirlwavedback.ShewasaclassmateofNancyClutter's,andher namewasalsoNancy­NancyEwalt.Shewastheonlychildofthemanwhowasdriving thecar,Mr.ClarenceEwalt,amiddle­agedsugar­beetfarmer.Mr.Ewaltwasnothimselfa churchgoer,norwashiswife,buteverySundayhedroppedhisdaughteratRiverValley FarminorderthatshemightaccompanytheClutterfamilytoMethodistservicesinGarden City.Thearrangementsavedhim"makingtwoback­and­forthtripstotown."Itwashis custom to wait until he had seen his daughter safely admitted to the house. Nancy, a clothes­consciousgirlwithafilm­starfigure,abespectacledcountenance,andacoy,tiptoe wayof walking,crossed thelawn and pressed thefront­doorbell. Thehousehad four entrances, and when, after repeated knockings, therewas no response atthis one, she movedontothenext­thatofMr.Clutter'soffice.Herethedoorwaspartlyopen;she openeditsomewhatmore­enoughtoascertainthattheofficewasfilledonlywithshadow ­butshedidnotthinktheClutterswouldappreciateher"bargingrightin."Sheknocked, rang,andatlastwalkedaroundtothebackofthehouse.Thegaragewasthere,andshe notedthatbothcarswereinit:twoChevroletsedans.Whichmeanttheymustbehome. However,havingappliedunavailinglyatathirddoor,whichledintoa"utilityroom,"anda fourth,thedoortothekitchen,sherejoinedherfather,whosaid,"Maybethey'reasleep." "Butthat'simpossible.CanyouimagineMr.Cluttermissingchurch?Justtosleep?" "Come on, then. We'll drive down to the Teacherage. Susan ought to know what's happened." TheTeacherage,whichstandsoppositetheup­to­dateschool,isanout­of­dateedifice,drab andpoignant.Itstwenty­oddrooms areseparatedintograce­and­favorapartmentsforthosemembersofthefacultyunableto find,orafford,otherquarters.Nevertheless,SusanKidwellandhermotherhadmanagedto sugarthepillandinstallacozyatmosphereintheirapartment­threeroomsontheground floor.Theverysmalllivingroomincrediblycontained­asidefromthingstositon­an organ,apiano,agardenoffloweringflowerpots,andusuallyadartinglittledoganda large, drowsy cat. Susan, on this Sunday morning, stood at the window of this room watchingthestreet.Sheisatall,languidyoungladywithapallid,ovalfaceandbeautiful

pale­blue­gray eyes; her hands are extraordinary ­ long­fingered, flexible, nervously elegant. She was dressed for church, and expected momentarily to see the Clutters' Chevrolet,forshetoo,alwaysattendedserviceschaperonedbytheClutterfamily.Instead, theEwaltsarrivedtotelltheirpeculiartale. ButSusanknewnoexplanation,nordidhermother,whosaid,iftherewassomechangeof plan,why,I'msuretheywouldhavetelephoned.Susan,whydon'tyoucallthehouse?They couldbeasleep­Isuppose." "SoIdid,"saidSusan,inastatementmadeatalaterdate."Icalledthehouseandletthe phonering­atleast,Ihadtheimpressionitwasringing­oh,aminuteormore.Nobody answered,so(Mr.Ewaltsuggestedthatwegotothehouseandtryto'wakethemup.'But whenwegotthere­Ididn'twanttodoit.Gotothehouse.Iwasfrightened,andIdon't knowwhy,becauseitneveroccurredtome­well,somethinglikethatjustdoesn't.Butthe sunwassobright,everythinglookedtoobrightandquiet.AndthenIsawthatallthecars werethere,evenKenyon'soldcoyotewagon.Mr.Ewaltwaswearingworkclothes;hehad mudonhisboots;hefelthewasn'tproperlydressedtogocallingonClutters.Especially sinceheneverhad.Beeninthehouse,Imean.Finally,Nancysaidshewouldgowithme. Wewentaroundtothekitchendoor,and,ofcourse,itwasn'tlocked;theonlypersonwho everlockeddoorsaroundtherewasMrs.Helm,thefamilyneverdid.Wewalkedin,andI sawrightawaythattheCluttershadn'teatenbreakfast;therewerenodishes,nothingon thestove.ThenInoticedsomethingfunny:Nancy'spurse.Itwaslyingonthefloor,sortof open.Wepassedonthroughthediningroom,andstoppedatthebottomofthestairs. Nancy'sroomisjustatthetop.Icalledhername,andstartedupthestairs,andNancy Ewaltfollowed.Thesoundofourfootstepsfrightenedmemorethananything,theywereso loudandeverythingelsewassosilent.Nancy'sdoorwasopen.Thecurtainshadn'tbeen drawn,andtheroomwasfullofsunlight.Idon'trememberscreaming.NancyEwaltsaysI did­screamedandscreamed.IonlyrememberNancy'sTeddybearstaringatme.And Nancy.Andrunning..." Intheinterim,Mr.Ewalthaddecidedthatperhapsheoughtnottohaveallowedthegirlsto enterthehousealone.Hewasgettingoutofthecartogoafterthemwhenheheardthe screams, but before he could reach the house, the girls were running toward him. His daughtershouted,"She'sdead!"andflungherselfintohisarms."It'strue,Daddy!Nancy's dead!" Susan turned on her. "No, she isn't. And don't you say it. Don't you dare. It's only a nosebleed.Shehasthemallthetime,terriblenosebleed,andthat'sallitis." "There'stoomuchblood.There'sbloodonthewalls.Youdidn'treallylook." "Icouldn'tmakeheadnortails,"Mr.Ewaltsubsequentlytestified."Ithoughtmaybethe childwashurt.Itseemedtomethefirstthingtodowascallanambulance.MissKidwell­ Susan­shetoldmetherewasatelephoneinthekitchen.Ifoundit,rightwhereshesaid. Butthereceiverwasoffthehook,andwhenIpickeditup,Isawthelinehadbeencut." Larry Hendricks, ateacherof English, aged twenty­seven, lived onthetop floorof the Teacherage.Hewantedtowrite,buthisapartmentwasnottheideallairforawould­be author.ItwassmallerthantheKidwell's,and,moreover,heshareditwithawife,three activechildren,andaperpetuallyfunctioningtelevisionset.("It'stheonlywaywecankeep

thekidspacified.")Thoughasyetunpublished,youngHendricks,ahe­mannishex­sailor fromOklahomawhosmokesapipeandhasamustacheandacropofuntamedblackhair, atleastlooksliterary­infact,remarkablylikeyouthfulphotographsofthewriterhemost admires,ErnestHemingway.Tosupplementthisteacher'ssalary,healsodroveaschoolbus. "SometimesIcoversixtymilesaday,"hesaidtoanacquaintance."Whichdoesn'tleave muchtimeforwriting.ExceptSundays.Now,thatSunday,Novemberfifteenth,Iwassitting uphereintheapartmentgoingthroughthepapers.Mostofmyideasforstories,Igetthem outofthenewspapers­youknow?Well,theTVwasonandthekidswerekindoflively,but evensoIcouldhearvoices.Fromdownstairs.DownatMrs.Kidwell's.ButIdidn'tfigureit wasmyconcern,sinceIwasnewhere­onlycametoHolcombwhenschoolbegan.But thenShirley­she'dbeenouthangingupsomeclothes­mywife,Shirley,rushedinand said,'Honey,youbettergodownstairs.They'reallhysterical.'Thetwogirls­now,they really were hysterical. Susan never has got over it. Never will, ask me. And poor Mrs. Kidwell.Herhealth'snottoogood,she'shigh­strungtobeginwith.Shekeptsaying­butit wasonlylaterIunderstoodwhatshemeant­shekeptsaying,"Oh,Bonnie,Bonnie,what happened?Youweresohappy,youtoldmeitwasallover,yousaidyou'dneverbesick again.'Wordstothateffect.EvenMr.Ewalt,hewasaboutasworkedupasamanlikethat evergets.Hehadthesheriff'sofficeonthephone­theGardenCitysheriff­andhewas tellinghimthattherewas'somethingradicallywrongoverattheClutterplace.'Thesheriff promisedtocomestraightout,andMr.Ewaltsaidfine,he'dmeethimonthehighway. Shirleycamedownstairstositwiththewomen,tryandcalmthem­asifanybodycould. And I went with Mr. Ewalt ­ drove with him out to the highway to wait for Sheriff Robinson.Ontheway,hetoldmewhathadhappened.Whenhecametothepartabout findingthewirescut,rightthenIthought,Uh­uh,anddecidedI'dbetterkeepmyeyes open.Makeanoteofeverydetail.IncaseIwasevercalledontotestifyincourt. "Thesheriffarrived;itwasninethirty­five­Ilookedatmywatch.Mr.Ewaltwavedathim tofollowourcar,andwedroveouttotheClutters'.I'dneverbeentherebefore,onlyseenit fromadistance.Ofcourse,Iknewthefamily.Kenyonwasinmysophom*oreEnglishclass, and I'd directed Nancy in the 'Tom Sawyer' play. But they were such exceptional, unassumingkidsyouwouldn'thaveknowntheywererichorlivedinsuchabighouse­and thetrees,thelawn,everythingsotendedandcaredfor.Afterwegotthere,andthesheriff hadheardMr.Ewalt'sstory,heradioedhisofficeandtoldthemtosendreinforcements,and anambulance.Said,'There'sbeensomekindofaccident.'Thenwewentinthehouse,the threeofus.Wentthroughthekitchenandsawalady'spurselyingonthefloor,andthe phonewherethewireshadbeencut.Thesheriffwaswearingahippistol,andwhenwe startedupthestairs,goingtoNancy'sroom,Inoticedhekepthishandonit,readytodraw. "Well,itwasprettybad.Thatwonderfulgirl­butyouwouldneverhaveknownher.She'd beenshotinthebackoftheheadwithashotgunheldmaybetwoinchesaway.Shewas lyingonherside,facingthewall,andthewallwascoveredwithblood.Thebedcoverswere drawnuptohershoulders.SheriffRobinson,hepulledthemback,andwesawthatshewas wearingabathrobe,pajamas,socks,andslippers­like,wheneverithappened,shehadn't gonetobedyet.Herhandsweretiedbehindher,andherankleswereropedtogetherwith thekindofcordyouseeonVenetianblinds.Sheriffsaid,'IsthisNancyClutter?'­he'dnever seenthechildbefore.AndIsaid,'Yes.Yes,that'sNancy.' "Westeppedbackintothehall,andlookedaround.Alltheotherdoorswereclosed.We openedone,andthatturnedouttobethebathroom.Somethingaboutit*eemedwrong.I

decideditwasbecauseofthechair­asortofdining­roomchair,thatlookedoutofplacein abathroom.Thenextdoor­weallagreeditmustbeKenyon'sroom.Alotofboy­stuff scatteredaround.AndIrecognizedKenyon'sglasses­sawthemonabookshelfbesidethe bed.Butthebedwasempty,thoughitlookedasifithadbeensleptin.Sowewalkedtothe endofthehall,thelastdoor,inthere,onherbed,that'swherewefoundMrs.Clutter.She'd beentied,too.Butdifferently­withherhandsinfrontofher,inthatshelookedasthough shewerepraying­andinonehandshewasholding,gripping,ahandkerchief.Orwasit Kleenex?Thecordaroundherwristsrandowntoherankles,whichwereboundtogether, andthenranondowntothebottomofthebed,whereitwastiedtothefootboard­avery complicated,artfulpieceofwork.Thinkhowlongittooktodo!Andherlyingthere,scared outofherwits.Well,shewaswearingsomejewelry,tworings­whichisoneofthereasons whyI'vealwaysdiscountedrobberyasamotive­andarobe,andawhitenightgown,and whitesocks.Hermouthhadbeentapedwithadhesive,butshe'dbeenshotpoint­blankin thesideofthehead,andtheblast­theimpact­hadrippedthetapeloose.Hereyeswere open.Wideopen.Asthoughshewerestilllookingatthekiller.Becauseshemusthavehad towatchhimdoit­aimthegun.Nobodysaidanything.Weweretoostunned.Iremember thesheriffsearchedaroundtoseeifhecouldfindthedischargedcartridge.Butwhoever haddoneitwasmuchtoosmartandcooltohaveleftbehindanyclueslikethat. "Naturally,wewerewonderingwherewasMr.Clutter?AndKenyon?Sheriffsaid,'Let'stry downstairs.'Thefirstplacewetriedwasthemasterbedroom­theroomwhereMr.Clutter slept.Thebedcoversweredrawnback,andlyingthere,towardthefootofthebed,wasa billfoldwithamessofcardsspillingoutofit,likesomebodyhadshuffledthroughthem huntingsomethingparticular­anote,anI.O.U.,whoknows?Thefactthattherewasn'tany moneyinitdidn'tsignifyonewayortheother.ItwasMr.Clutter'sbillfold,andheneverdid carrycash.EvenIknewthat,andI'donlybeeninHolcombalittlemorethantwomonths. AnotherthingIknewwasthatneitherMr.ClutternorKenyoncouldseeadarnwithouthis glasses.AndtherewereMr.Clutter'sglassessittingonabureau.SoIfigured,whereverthey were,theyweren'tthereoftheirownaccord.Welookedallover,andeverythingwasjustas it should be ­ no sign of a struggle, nothing disturbed. Except the office, where the telephonewasoffthehook,andthewirescut,sameasinthekitchen.SheriffRobinson,he foundsomeshotgunsinacloset,andsniffedthemtoseeiftheyhadbeenfiredrecently. Saidtheyhadn't,and­Ineversawamorebewilderedman­said,'Wherethedevilcan Herbbe?'Aboutthenweheardfootsteps.Comingupthestairsfromthebasem*nt.'Who's that?'saidthesheriff,likehewasreadytoshoot.Andavoicesaid,'It'sme.Wendle.'Turned outtobeWendleMeier,theundersheriff.Seemshehadcometothehouseandhadn'tseen us,sohe'dgoneinvestigatingdowninthebasem*nt.Thesherifftoldhim­anditwassort ofpitiful:'Wendle,Idon'tknowwhattomakeofit.There'stwobodiesupstairs."Well,'he said, Wendle did, 'there's another one down here.' So we followed him down to the basem*nt.Orplayroom,Iguessyou'dcallit.Itwasn'tdark­therewerewindowsthatletin plentyoflight.Kenyonwasoverinacorner,lyingonacouch.Hewasgaggedwithadhesive tapeandboundhandandfoot,likethemother­thesameintricateprocessofthecord leadingfromthehandstothefeet,andfinallytiedtoanarmofthecouch.Somehowhe hauntsmethemost,Kenyondoes.Ithinkit'sbecausehewasthemostrecognizable,the onethatlookedthemostlikehimself­eventhoughhe'dbeenshotintheface,directly, head­on.HewaswearingaT­shirtandbluejeans,andhewasbarefoot­asthoughhe'd dressedinahurry,justputonthefirstthingthatcametohand.Hisheadwasproppedbya coupleofpillows,likethey'dbeenstuffedunderhimtomakeaneasiertarget. "Thenthesheriffsaid,'Where'sthisgoto?'Meaninganotherdoorthereinthebasem*nt.

Sheriffledtheway,butinsideyoucouldn'tseeyourhanduntilMr.Ewaltfoundthelight switch. It was a furnace room, and very warm. Around here, people just install a gas furnaceandpumpthegassmackoutoftheground.Doesn'tcostthemanickel­that'swhy allthehousesareover­heated.Well,ItookonelookatMr.Clutter,anditwashardtolook again.Iknewplainshootingcouldn'taccountforthatmuchblood.AndIwasn'twrong. He'dbeenshot,allright,thesameasKenyon­withthegunheldrightinfrontofhisface. Butprobablyhewasdeadbeforehewasshot.Or,anyway,dying.Becausehisthroathad beencut,too.Hewaswearingstripedpajamas­nothingelse.Hismouthwastaped;the tapehadbeenwoundplumbaroundhishead.Hisanklesweretiedtogether,butnothis hands­or,rather,he'dmanaged,Godknowshow,maybeinrageorpain,tobreakthecord bindinghishands.Hewassprawledinfrontofthefurnace.Onabigcardboardboxthat lookedasthoughithadbeenlaidtherespecially.Amattressbox.Sheriffsaid,'Lookhere, Wendle.'Whathewaspointingatwasablood­stainedfootprint.Onthemattressbox.A half­solefootprintwithcircles­twoholesinthecenterlikeapairofeyes.Thenoneofus­ Mr.Ewalt?Idon'trecall­pointedoutsomethingelse.AthingIcan'tgetoutofmymind. Therewasasteampipeoverhead,andknottedtoit,danglingfromit,wasapieceofcord­ thekindofcordthekillerhadused.Obviously,atsomepointMr.Clutterhadbeentied there,strungupbyhishands,andthencutdown.Butwhy?Totorturehim?Idon'tguess we'llneverknow.Everknowwhodidit,orwhy,orwhatwentoninthathousethatnight. "After a bit, the house began to fill up. Ambulances arrived, and the coroner, and the Methodistminister,apolicephotographer,statetroopers,fellowsfromtheradioandthe newspaper.Oh,abunch.Mostofthemhadbeencalledoutofchurch,andactedasthough they were stillthere. Very quiet. Whispery. Itwas likenobody could believe it.A state trooperaskedmedidIhaveanyofficialbusinessthere,andsaidifnot,thenI'dbetterleave. Outside,onthelawn,Isawtheundersherifftalkingtoaman­AlfredStoecklein,thehired man.SeemsStoeckleinlivednotahundredyardsfromtheClutterhouse,withnothing betweenhisplaceandtheirsexceptabarn.Buthewassayingastohowhehadn'thearda sound­said,'Ididn'tknowathingaboutittillfiveminutesago,whenoneofmykidscome runninginandtoldusthesheriffwashere.TheMissisandme,wedidn'tsleeptwohours lastnight,wasupanddownthewholetime,onaccountofwegotasickbaby.Buttheonly thingweheard,aboutten­thirty,quartertoeleven,Iheardacardriveaway,andImadethe remarktoMissis,"TheregoesBobRupp."'Istartedwalkinghome,andontheway,about halfwaydownthelane,IsawKenyon'soldcollieandthatdogwasscared.Stoodtherewith itstailbetweenitslegs,didn'tbarkormove.Andseeingthedog­somehowthatmademe feelagain.I'dbeentoodazed,toonumb,tofeelthefullviciousnessofit.Thesuffering.The horror.Theyweredead.Awholefamily.Gentle,kindlypeople,peopleIknew­murdered. Youhadtobelieveit,becauseitwasreallytrue." Eightnon­stoppassengertrainshurrythroughHolcombeverytwenty­fourhours.Ofthese, twopickupanddepositmail­anoperationthat,asthepersoninchargeofitfervently explains,hasitstrickyside."Yessir,you'vegottokeeponyourtoes.Themtrainscome throughhere,sometimesthey'regoingahundredmilesanhour.Thebreezealone,why,it's enoughtoknockyoudown.Andwhenthosemailsackscomeflyingout­sakesalive!It's likeplayingtackleonafootballteam:Wham!Wham!WHAM!NotthatI'mcomplaining, mindyou.It'shonestwork,governmentwork,anditkeepsmeyoung."Holcomb'smail messenger,Mrs.SadieTruitt­orMotherTruitt,asthetownspeoplecallher­doesseem youngerthanheryears,whichamounttoseventy­five.Astocky,weatheredwidowwho wearsbabushkabandannasandcowboyboots("Mostcomfortablethingsyoucanputon yourfeet,softasaloonfeather"),MotherTruittistheoldestnative­bornHolcombite."Time

waswasn'tanybodyherewasn'tmykin.Themdays,wecalledthisplaceSherlock.Then alongcamethisstranger.BythenameHolcomb.Ahograiser,hewas.Mademoney,and decidedthetownoughttobecalledafterhim.Soonasitwas,whatdidhedo?Soldout. MovedtoCalifornia.Notus.Iwasbornhere,mychildrenwasbornhere.And!Here!We! Are!"OneofherchildrenisMrs.MyrtleClare,whohappenstobethelocalpostmistress. "Only,don'tgothinkingthat'showIgotthispositionwiththegovernment.Myrtdidn'teven wantmetohaveit.Butit'sajobyoubidfor.Goestowhoeverputsinthelowestbid.AndI alwaysdo­solowacaterpillarcouldpeekoverit.Ha­ha!Thatsuredoesriletheboys.Lots ofboyswouldliketobemailmessenger,yessir.ButIdon'tknowhowmuchthey'dlikeit whenthesnow'shighasoldMr.PrimoCamera,andthewind'sblowingblue­hard,and thosesackscomesailing­Ugh!Wham!" InMotherTruitt'sprofession,Sundayisaworkdaylikeanyother.OnNovember15,while she was waiting for the west bound ten­thirty­two, she was astonished to see two ambulancescrosstherailroadtracksandturntowardtheClutterproperty.Theincident provokedherintodoingwhatshehadneverdonebefore­abandonherduties.Letthemail fallwhereitmay,thiswasnews.thatMyrtmusthearatonce. ThepeopleofHolcombspeakoftheirpostofficeas"theFedBuilding,"whichseemsrather toosubstantialatitletoconferonadraftyanddustyshed.Theceilingleaks,thefloor boardswobble,themailboxeswon'tshut,thelightbulbsarebroken,theclockhasstopped. "Yes,it'sadisgrace,"agreesthecaustic,some­whatoriginal,andentirelyimposingladywho presidesoverthis"Butthestampswork,don'tthey?Anyhow,whatdoIcare?Backherein mypartisrealcozy.I'vegotmyrocker,andanicewoodstove,andacoffeepot,andplenty toread." Mrs.ClareisafamousfigureinFinneyCounty.Hercelebrityderivesnotfromherpresent occupationbutapreviousone­dance­hallhostess,anincarnationnotindicatedbyher appearance. She is a gaunt, trouser­wearing, woolen­shirted, cowboy­booted, ginger­ colored, gingery­tempered woman of unrevealed ("That's for me to know, and you to guess")butpromptlyrevealedopinions,mostofwhichareannouncedinavoicerooster­ crowaltitudeandpenetration.Until1955sheandherlatehusbandoperatedtheHolcomb DancePavilion,anenterprisethatowingtoitsuniquenessinthearea,attractedfroma hundredaroundafast­drinking,fancy­steppingclientele,whosebehavior,inturn,attracted theinterestofthesheriffnowandthen.“Wehadsometoughtimes,allright,"saysMrs. Clare,reminiscing."Someofthosebowleggedcountryboys,yougive'emalittle hoochandthey'relikeredskins­wanttoscalpeverythinginsight.Course,weonlysold setups,neverthehardstuffitself.Wouldn'thave,evenifitwaslegal.Myhusband,Homer Clare,hedidn'tholdwithit;neitherdidI.OnedayHomerClare­hepassedonseven monthsandtwelvedaysagotoday,afterafive­houroperationoutinOregon­hesaidto me,'Myrt,we'velivedallourlivesinhell,nowwe'regoingtodieinheaven.'Thenextday weclosedthedancehall.I'veneverregrettedit.Oh,alongatfirstImissedbeinganight owl­thetunes,thejollity.ButnowthatHomer'sgone,I'mjustgladtodomyworkhereat theFederalBuilding.Sitaspell.Drinkacupofcoffee." Infact,onthatSundaymorningMrs.Clarehadjustpouredherselfacupofcoffeefroma freshlybrewedpotwhenMotherTruittreturned."Myrt!"shesaid,butcouldsaynomore untilshehadcaughtherbreath."Myrt,there'stwoambulancesgonetotheClutters'."Her daughtersaid,"Where'stheten­thirty­two?""Ambulances.GonetotheClutters'­"

"Well,whataboutit?It'sonlyBonnie.Havingoneofherspells.Where'stheten­thirty­two?" MotherTruittsubsided;asusual,Myrtknewtheanswer,wasenjoyingthelastword.Thena thought occurred to her. "But Myrt, if it's only Bonnie, why would there be two ambulances? "A sensible question,asMrs.Clare,anadmireroflogic, thoughacurious interpreterofit,wasdriventoadmit.ShesaidshewouldtelephoneMrs.Helm."Mabelwill know,"shesaid. The conversation with Mrs. Helm lasted several minutes, and was most distressing to Mother Truitt, who could hear nothing of it except the noncommittal monosyllabic responsesofherdaughter.Worse,whenthedaughterhungup,shedidnotquenchtheold woman'scuriosity;instead,sheplacidlydrankhercoffee,wenttoherdesk,andbeganto postmarkapileofletters. "Myrt,"MotherTruittsaid."Forheaven'ssake.WhatdidMabelsay?" "I'mnotsurprised,"Mrs.Claresaid."WhenyouthinkhowHerbClutterspenthiswholelife inahurry,rushinginheretogethismailwithneveraminutetosaygood­morning­and­ thank­you­dog,rushing aroundlikeachickenwithitshead off­joiningclubs,running everything,gettingjobsmaybeotherpeoplewanted.Andnowlook­it'sallcaughtupwith him.Well,hewon'tberushinganymore." "Why,Myrt?Whywon'the?" Mrs.Clareraisedhervoice."BECAUSEHE'SDEAD.AndBonnie,too.AndNancy.Andthe boy.Somebodyshotthem.""Myrt­don'tsaythingslikethat.Whoshotthem?"Withouta pauseinherpostmarkingactivities,Mrs.Clarereplied,"Themanintheairplane.Theone Herbsuedforcrashingintohisfruittrees.Ifitwasn'thim,maybeitwasyou.Orsomebody acrossthestreet.Alltheneighborsarerattlesnakes.Varmintslookingforachancetoslam thedoorinyourface.It'sthesamethewholeworldover.Youknowthat." "Idon't," said MotherTruitt,who putherhandsoverherears."Idon'tknowanysuch thing." "Varmints." "I'mscared,Myrt." "Ofwhat?Whenyourtimecomes,itcomes.Andtearswon'tsaveyou."Shehadobserved thathermotherhadbeguntoshedafew."WhenHomerdied,IusedupallthefearIhadin me,andallthegrief,too.Ifthere'ssomebodyloosearound herethatwantstocutmy throat,Iwishhimluck.Whatdifferencedoesitmake?It'sallthesameineternity.Just remember:Ifonebirdcarriedeverygrainofsand,grainbygrain,acrosstheocean,bythe timehegotthemallontheotherside,thatwouldonlybethebeginningofeternity.So blowyournose." Thegriminformation,announcedfromchurchpulpits,distributedovertelephonewires, publicized by Garden City's radio station, KIUL ("A tragedy, unbelievable and shocking beyondwords,struckfourmembersoftheHerbClutterfamilylateSaturdaynightorearly

today.Death,brutalandwithoutapparentmotive..."),producedintheaveragerecipienta reactionnearerthatofMotherTruittthanthatofMrs.Clare:amazement,shadinginto dismay;ashallowhorrorsensationthatcoldspringsofpersonalfearswiftlydeepened. Hartman's Cafe, which contains four roughly made tables and a lunch counter, could accommodatebutafractionofthefrightenedgossips,mostlymale,whowishedtogather there.Theowner,Mrs.BessHartman,asparselyfleshed,un­foolishladywithbobbedgray­ and­goldhairandbright,authoritativegreeneyes,isacousinofPostmistressClare,whose styleofcandorMrs.Hartmancanequal,perhapssurpass."SomepeoplesayI'matoughold bird, but the Clutter business sure took the fly out of me," she later said to a friend. "Imagineanybodypullingastuntlikethat!TimeIheardit,wheneverybodywaspouringin heretalkingallkindsofwild­eyedstuff,myfirstthoughtwasBonnie.Course,itwassilly, butwedidn'tknowthefacts,andalotofpeoplethoughtmaybe­onaccountofherspells. Nowwedon'tknowwhattothink.Itmusthavebeenagrudgekilling.Donebysomebody whoknewthehouseinsideout.ButwhohatedtheClutters?Ineverheardawordagainst them;theywereaboutaspopularasafamilycanbe,and ifsomething likethiscould happentothem,thenwho'ssafe,Iaskyou?OneoldmansittingherethatSunday,heput hisfingerrightonit,thereasonnobodycansleep;hesaid,'Allwe'vegotouthereareour friends.Thereisn'tanything else.'Ina way,that'stheworst partofthecrime.Whata terriblethingwhenneighborscan'tlookateachotherwithoutkindofwondering!Yes,it'sa hardfacttolivewith,butiftheyeverdofindoutwhodoneit,I'msureit'llbeabigger surprisethanthemurdersthemselves." Mrs.BobJohnson,thewifeoftheNewYorkLifeInsuranceagent,isanexcellentcook,but theSundaydinnershehadpreparedwasnoteaten­atleast,notwhileitwaswarm­for justasherhusbandwasplungingaknifeintotheroastpheasant,hereceivedatelephone callfromafriend."Andthat,"herecalls,ratherruefully,"wasthefirstIheardofwhathad happenedin Holcomb.Ididn'tbelieveit.Icouldn'taffordto.Lord,IhadClutter'scheckrighthereinmy pocket.Apieceofpaperwortheightythousanddollars.IfwhatI'dheardwastrue.ButI thought,Itcan'tbe,theremustbesomemistake,thingslikethatdon'thappen,youdon't sellamanabigpolicyoneminuteandhe'sdeadthenext.Murdered.Meaningdouble indemnity.Ididn'tknowwhattodo.IcalledthemanagerofourofficeinWichita.Toldhim howIhadthecheckbuthadn'tputitthrough,andaskedwhatwashisadvice?Well,itwas adelicatesituation.Itappearedthatlegallyweweren'tobligedtopay.Butmorally­that wasanothermatter.Naturally,wedecidedtodothemoralthing." Thetwopersonswhobenefitedbythishonorableattitude­EveannaJarchowandhersister Beverly,soleheirstotheirfather'sestate­were,withinafewhoursoftheawfuldiscovery, ontheirwaytoGardenCity,BeverlytravelingfromWinfield,Kansas,whereshehadbeen visitingherfiancé,andEveannafromherhomeinMountCarroll,Illinois.Gradually,inthe courseoftheday,otherrelativeswerenotified,amongthemMr.Clutter'sfather,histwo brothers,ArthurandClarence,andhissister,Mrs.HarryNelson,allofLarned,Kansas,and asecondsister,Mrs.ElaineSelsor,ofPalatka,Florida.Also,theparentsofBonnieClutter, Mr.and Mrs. Arthur B. Fox, who liveinPasadena, California, and herthree brothers ­ Harold, of Visalia, California; Howard, of Oregon, Illinois; and Glenn, of Kansas City, Kansas.Indeed,thebetterpartofthoseontheClutters'Thanksgivingguestlistwereeither telephonedortelegraphed,andthemajoritysetforthatonceforwhatwastobeafamily reunionnotaroundagroaningboardbutatthegravesideofamassburial.

AttheTeacherage,WilmaKidwellwasforced to controlherself inordertocontrolher daughter, for Susan, puffy­eyed, sickened by spasms of nausea, argued, inconsolably insisted,thatshemustgo­mustrun­thethreemilestotheRuppfarm."Don'tyousee, Mother?"shesaid."IfBobbyjusthearsit?Helovedher.Webothdid.Ihavetobetheoneto tellhim." ButBobbyalreadyknew.Onhiswayhome,Mr.EwalthadstoppedattheRuppfarmand consulted with his friend Johnny Rupp, afather of eight, of whom Bobby is the third. Togetherthetwomenwenttothebunkhouse­abuildingseparatefromthefarmhouse proper,whichistoosmalltoshelteralltheRuppchildren.Theboysliveinthebunkhouse, thegirls"athome."TheyfoundBobbymakinghisbed.HelistenedtoMr.Ewalt,askedno questions,andthankedhimforcoming.Afterward,hestoodoutsideinthesunshine.The Rupppropertyisonarise,anexposedplateau,fromwhichhecouldseetheharvested, glowinglandofRiverValleyFarm­scenerythatoccupiedhimforperhapsanhour.Those whotriedtodistracthimcouldnot.Thedinnerbellsounded,andhismothercalledtohim tocomeinside­calleduntilfinallyherhusbandsaid,"No.I'dleavehimalone."Larry,a younger brother, also refused to obey the summoning bell. He circled around Bobby, helplesstohelpbutwantingto,eventhoughhewastoldto"goaway."Later,whenhis brotherstoppedstandingandstartedtowalk,headingdowntheroadandacrossthefields towardHolcomb,Larrypursuedhim."Hey,Bobby.Listen.Ifwe'regoingsomewhere,why don't we go in the car?" His brother wouldn't answer. He was walking with purpose, running,really,butLarryhadnodifficultykeepingstride.Thoughonlyfourteen,hewasthe tallerofthetwo,thedeeper­chested,thelonger­legged,Bobbybeing,forallhisathletic honors,ratherlessthanmedium­size­compactbutslender,afinelymadeboywithan open,homely­handsomeface."Hey,Bobby.Listen.Theywon'tletyouseeher.Itwon'tdo anygood."Bobbyturnedonhim,andsaid,"Goback.Gohome."Theyoungerbrotherfell behind,thenfollowedatadistance.Despitethepumpkin­seasontemperature,theday's aridglitter,bothboysweresweatingastheyapproachedabarricadethatstatetroopershad erected at the entrance to River Valley Farm. Many friends of the Clutter family, and strangersfromalloverFinneyCountyaswell,hadassembledatthesite,butnonewas allowedpastthebarricade,which,soonafterthearrivaloftheRuppbrothers,wasbriefly liftedtopermittheexitoffourambulances,thenumberfinallyrequiredtoremovethe victims,andacarfilledwithmenfromthesheriff'soffice­menwho,evenatthatmoment, werementioningthenameofBobbyRupp.ForBobby,ashewastolearnbeforenightfall, wastheirprincipalsuspect. Fromherparlorwindow,SusanKidwellsawthewhitecortegeglidepast,andwatcheduntil ithadroundedthecornerandthepavedstreet'seasilyairbornedusthadlandedagain.She wasstillcontemplatingtheviewwhenBobby,shadowedbyhislargelittlebrother,became apartofit,awobblyfigureheadedherway.Shewentoutontheporchtomeethim.She said,"Iwantedsomuchtotellyou."Bobbybegantocry.Larrylingeredattheedgeofthe Teacherageyard,hunchedagainstatree.Hecouldn'tremembereverseeingBobbycry,and hedidn'twantto,soheloweredhiseyes. Faroff,inthetownofOlathe,inahotelroomwherewindowshadesdarkenedthemidday sun.Perrylaysleeping,withagrayportableradiomurmuringbesidehim.Exceptfortaking offhisboots,hehadnottroubledtoundress.Hehadmerelyfallenfacedownacrossthe bed,asthoughsleepwereaweaponthathadstruckhimfrombehind.Theboots,blackand silver­buckled,weresoakinginawashbasinfilledwithwarm,vaguelypink­tintedwater.

Afewmilesnorth,inthepleasantkitchenofamodestfarm­house,Dickwasconsuminga Sundaydinner.Theothersatthetable­hismother,hisfather,hisyoungerbrother­were notconsciousofanythinguncommoninhismanner.Hehadarrivedhomeatnoon,kissed hismother,readilyrepliedtoquestionshisfatherputconcerninghissupposedovernight triptoFortScott,andsatdowntoeat,seemingquitehisordinaryself.Whenthemealwas over, the three male members of the family settled in the parlor to watch a televised basketballgame.ThebroadcasthadonlybegunwhenthefatherwasstartledtohearDick snoring;asheremarkedtotheyoungerboy,heneverthoughthe'dlivetoseethedaywhen Dickwouldrathersleepthanwatchbasketball.But,ofcourse,hedidnotunderstandhow verytiredDickwas,didnotknowthathisdozingsonhad,amongotherthings,drivenover eighthundredmilesinthepasttwenty­fourhours. II PERSONSUNKNOWN ThatMonday,thesixteenthofNovember,1959,wasstillanotherfinespecimenofpheasant weather onthehigh wheatplainsofwesternKansas­adaygloriouslybright­skied,as glitteryasmica.Often,onsuchdaysinyearspast,AndyErharthadspentlongpheasant­ huntingafternoonsatRiverValleyFarm,thehomeofhisgoodfriendHerbClutter,and often,onthesesportingexpeditions,he'dbeenaccompaniedbythreemoreofHerb'sclosest friends:Dr.J.D.Dale,aveterinarian;CarlMyers,adairyowner;andEverettOgburn,a businessman.LikeErhart,thesuperintendentoftheKansasStateUniversityAgricultural ExperimentStation,allwereprominentcitizensofGardenCity. Todaythisquartetofoldhuntingcompanionshadonceagaingatheredtomakethefamiliar journey,butinanunfamiliarspiritandarmedwithodd,non­sportiveequipment­mops andpails,scrubbingbrushes,andahamperheapedwithragsandstrongdetergents.They werewearingtheiroldestclothes.For,feelingittheirduty,aChristiantask,thesem*nhad volunteeredtocleancertainofthefourteenroomsinthemainhouseatRiverValleyFarm: roomsinwhichfourmembersoftheClutterfamilyhadbeenmurderedby,astheirdeath certificatesdeclared,"apersonorpersonsunknown." Erhartandhispartnersdroveinsilence.Oneofthemlaterremarked,"Itjustshutyouup. Thestrangenessofit.Goingoutthere,wherewe'dalwayshadsuchawelcome."Onthe present occasion a highway patrolman welcomed them. The patrolman, guardian of a barricadethattheauthoritieshaderectedattheentrancetothefarm,wavedthemon,and theydroveahalfmilemore,downtheelm­shadedlaneleadingtotheClutterhouse.Alfred Stoecklein,theonlyemployeewhoactuallylivedontheproperty,waswaitingtoadmit them. Theywentfirsttothefurnaceroominthebasem*nt,wherethepajama­cladMr.Clutter hadbeenfoundsprawledatopthecardboardmattressbox.Finishingthere,theymovedon totheplayroominwhichKenyonhadbeenshottodeath.Thecouch,arelicthatKenyon hadrescuedandmendedandthatNancyhadslip­coveredandpiledwithmottoedpillows, wasablood­splashedruin;likethemattressbox,itwouldhavetobeburned.Gradually,as the cleaning party progressed from the basem*nt to the second­floor bedrooms where Nancyandhermotherhadbeenmurderedintheirbeds,theyacquiredadditionalfuelfor theimpendingfire­blood­soiledbedclothes,mattresses,abedsiderug,aTeddy­beardoll.

AlfredStoecklein,notusuallyatalkativeman,hadmuchtosayashefetchedhotwaterand otherwise assisted in the cleaning­up. He wished "folks would stop yappin' and try to understand"whyheandhiswife,thoughtheylivedscarcelyahundredyardsfromthe Clutterhome,hadheard"naryanothin'"­nottheslightestechoofgunthunder­ofthe violencetakingplace."Sheriffandallthemfellasbeenoutherefingerprintin'andscratchin' around,theygotgoodsense,theyunderstandhowitwas.Howcomewedidn'thear.For onething,thewind.Awestwind,likeitwas,wouldcarrythesoundt'otherway.Another thing,there'sthatbigmilobarn'tweenthishouseandour'n.Thatoldbarn'udsoakupa lottaracket'foreitreachedus.Anddidyoueverthinkofthis?Himthatdoneit,hemust've knowedwewouldn'thear.Elsehewouldn'thavetookthechance­shootin'offashotgun fourtimesinthemiddleofthenight!Why,he'dbecrazy.Course,youmightsayhemustbe crazyanyhow.Togodoingwhathedid.Butmyopinion,himthatdoneithaditfiguredout tothefinalT.Heknowed.Andthere'sonethingIknow,too.MeandtheMissis,we'veslept ourlastnightonthisplace.We'removin’outtoahousealongsidethehighway." Themenworkedfromnoontodusk.Whenthetimecametoburnwhattheyhadcollected, theypileditonapickuptruckwithStoeckleinatthewheel,drovedeepintothefarm's northfield,aflatplacefullofcolor,thoughasinglecolor­theshimmeringtawnyyellowof Novemberwheatstubble.TheyunloadedthetruckandmadeapyramidofNancy'spillows, thebedclothes,themattresses,theplayroomcouch;Stoeckleinsprinkleditwithkerosene andstruckamatch. Ofthosepresent,nonehadbeenclosertotheClutterfamilythanAndyErhart.Gentle, geniallydignified,ascholarwithwork­callousedhandsandsunburnedneck,he'dbeena classmateofHerb'satKansasStateUniversity."Wewerefriendsforthirtyyears,"hesaid sometimeafterward,andduringthosedecadesErharthadseenhisfriendevolvefroma poorlypaidCountyAgriculturalAgentintooneoftheregion'smostwidelyknownand respectedfarmranchers:"EverythingHerbhad,heearned­withthehelpofGod.Hewasa modestmanbutaproudmanashehadarighttobe.Heraisedafinefamily.Hemade somethingofhislife."Butthatlife,andwhathe'dmadeofit­howcouldithappen,Erhart wonderedashewatchedthebonfirecatch.Howwasitpossiblethatsucheffort,suchplain virtue,couldovernightbereducedtothis­smoke,thinningasitroseandwasreceivedby thebig,annihilatingsky? TheKansasBureauofInvestigation,astate­wideorganizationwithheadquartersinTopeka, hadastaffofnineteenexperienceddetectivesscatteredthroughthestate,andtheservices of these men are available whenever a case seems beyond the competence of local authorities.TheBureau'sGardenCityrepresentative,andtheagentresponsibleforasizable portionofwesternKansas,isaleanandhandsomefourth­generationKansanofforty­seven named Alvin Adams Dewey. It was inevitable that Earl Robinson, the sheriff of Finney County,shouldaskAlDeweytotakechargeoftheCluttercase.Inevitable,andappropriate. ForDewey,himselfaformersheriffofFinneyCounty(from1947to1955)and,priorto that,aSpecialAgentoftheF.B.I.(between1940and1945hehadservedinNewOrleans, inSanAntonio,inDenver,inMiami,andinSanFrancisco),wasprofessionallyqualifiedto copewithevenasintricateanaffairastheapparentlymotiveless,allbutcluelessClutter murders.Moreover,hisattitudetowardthecrimemadeit,ashelatersaid,"apersonal proposition."Hewentontosaythatheandhiswife"wererealfondofHerbandBonnie," andsawthemeverySundayatchurch,visitedalotbackandforth,"adding,"ButevenifI hadn'tknownthefamily,andlikedthemsowell,Iwouldn'tfeelanydifferent.BecauseI've

seensomebadthings,Isureashellhave.Butnothingsoviciousasthis.Howeverlongit takes,itmaybetherestofmylife,I'mgoingtoknowwhathappenedinthathouse:thewhy andthewho." Towardtheend,atotalofeighteenmenwereassignedtothecasefulltime,amongthem three of the K.B.I.'s ablest investigators ­ Special Agents Harold Nye, Roy Church, and ClarenceDuntz.WiththearrivalinGardenCityofthistrio,Deweywassatisfiedthat"a strongteam"hadbeenassembled."Somebodybetterwatchout,"hesaid. Thesheriff'sofficeisonthethirdflooroftheFinneyCountycourthouse,anordinarystone­ and­cementbuildingstandinginthecenterofanotherwiseattractivetree­filledsquare. Nowadays,GardenCity,whichwasoncearatherraucousfrontiertown,isquitesubdued. Onthewhole,thesheriffdoesn'tdomuchbusiness,andhisoffice,threesparselyfurnished rooms,isordinarilyaquietplacepopularwithcourthouseidlers;Mrs.EdnaRichardton,his hospitablesecretary,usuallyhasapotofcoffeegoingandplentyoftimeto"chewthefat." Ordid,until,asshecomplained,Clutterthingcamealong,"bringingwithit"alltheseout­ of­towners,allthisnewspaperfuss."Thecase,thencommendingheadlinesasfareastas Chicago,asfarwestasDenver,hadindeedluredtoGardenCityaconsiderablepresscorps. OnMonday,atmidday,Deweyheldapressconferenceinthesheriff'soffice."I'lltalkfacts butnottheories,"heinformedtheassembledjournalists."Now,thebigfacthere,thething toremember,iswe'renotdealingwithonemurderbutfour.Andwe'don'tknowwhichof thefourwasthemaintarget.Theprimaryvictim.ItcouldhavebeenNancyorKenyon,or eitheroftheirparents.Somepeoplesay,Well,itmusthavebeenMr.Clutter.Becausehis throatwascut;hewasthemostabused.Butthat'stheory,notfact.Itwouldhelpifwe knewinwhatorderthefamilydied,butthecoronercan'ttellusthat;heonlyknowsthe murdershappenedsometimebetweenelevenp.m.Saturdayandtwoa.m.Sunday."Then, respondingtoquestions,hesaidno,neitherofthewomenhadbeen"sexuallymolested," andno,asfaraswaspresentlyknown,nothinghadbeenstolenfromthehouse,andyes,he didthinkita"queercoincidence"thatMr.Cluttershouldhavetakenoutaforty­thousand­ dollar life­insurance policy, with double indemnity, within eight hours of his death. However,Deweywas"prettydarnsure"thatnoconnectionexistedbetweenthispurchase andthecrime;howcouldtherebeone,whentheonlypersonswhobenefitedfinancially wereMr.Clutter'stwosurvivingchildren,theelderdaughters,Mrs.DonaldJarchowand MissBeverlyClutter?Andyes,hetoldthereporters,hedidhaveanopiniononwhetherthe murdersweretheworkofonemanortwo,buthepreferrednottodiscloseit. Actually,atthistime,onthissubject,Deweywasundecided.Hestillentertainedapairof opinions­or,tousehisword,"concepts"­and,inreconstructingthecrime,haddeveloped botha"single­killerconcept"anda"double­killerconcept."Intheformer,themurdererwas thoughttobeafriendofthefamily,or,atanyrate,amanwithmorethancasualknowledge ofthehouseanditsinhabitants­someonewhoknewthatthedoorswereseldomlocked, thatMr.Cluttersleptaloneinthemasterbedroomonthegroundfloor,thatMrs.Clutter andthechildrenoccupied separatebedroomsonthesecondfloor.Thisperson,soDeweyimagined,approachedthe houseonfoot,probablyaroundmidnight.Thewindowsweredark,theCluttersasleep,and asfor Teddy, the farm's watchdog ­well, Teddy wasfamously gun­shy.Hewould have cringedatthesightoftheintruder'sweapon,whimpered,andcreptaway.Onenteringthe house,thekillerfirstdisposedofthetelephoneinstallations­oneinMr.Clutter'soffice,the

otherinthekitchen­andthen,aftercuttingthewires,hewenttoMr.Clutter'sbedroom andawakenedhim.Mr.Clutter,atthemercyofthegun­bearingvisitor,wasforcedtoobey instructions­forcedtoaccompanyhimtothesecondfloor,wheretheyarousedtherestof thefamily.Then,withcordandadhesivetapesuppliedbythekiller,Mr.Clutterboundand gaggedhiswife,boundhisdaughter(who,inexplicably,hadnotbeengagged),androped themtotheirbeds.Next,fatherandsonwereescortedtothebasem*nt,andthereMr. ClutterwasmadetotapeKenyonandtiehimtotheplayroomcouch.ThenMr.Clutterwas takenintothefurnaceroom,hitonthehead,gagged,andtrussed.Nowfreetodoashe pleased,themurdererkilledthemonebyone,eachtimecarefullycollectingthedischarged shell.Whenhehadfinished,heturnedoutallthelightsandleft. Itmighthavehappenedthatway;ifwasjustpossible.ButDeweyhaddoubts:"IfHerbhad thoughthisfamilywasindanger,mortaldanger,hewouldhavefoughtlikeatiger.And Herbwasnoninny­astrongguyintopcondition.Kenyontoo­bigashisdad,bigger,a big­shoulderedboy.It'shardtoseehowoneman,armedornot,couldhavehandledthe twoofthem."Moreover,therewasreasontosupposethatallfourhadbeenboundbythe sameperson:inallfourinstancesthesametypeofknot,ahalfhitch,wasused. Dewey­andthemajorityofhiscolleagues,aswell­favoredthesecondhypothesis,which inmanyessentialsfollowedthefirst,theimportantdifferencebeingthatthekillerwasnot alonebuthadanaccomplice,whohelpedsubduethefamily,tape,andtiethem.Still,asa theory,this,too,haditsfaults.Dewey,forexample,founditdifficulttounderstand"how twoindividualscouldreachthesamedegreeofrage,thekindofpsychopathicrageittook tocommitsuchacrime."Hewentontoexplain:"Assumingmurdererwassomeoneknown to the family, a member of this community; assuming that he was an ordinary man, ordinary except that he had a quirk, an insane grudge against the Clutters, or of the Clutters­wheredidhefindapartner,someonecrazyenoughtohelphim?Itdoesn'tadd up.Itdoesn'tmakesense.Butthen,comerightdowntoit,nothingdoes." Afterthenewsconference,Deweyretiredtohisoffice,aroomthesheriffhadtemporarily lenthim.Itcontainedadeskandstraightchairs.ThedeskwaslitteredwithwhatDewey wouldsomedayconstitutecourtroomexhibits:theadhesivetapeandtheyardsofcord removedfromthevictimsandsealedinplasticsacks(asclues,neitheritemseemedvery promising,forbothwerecommon­brandproducts,obtainablehereintheUnitedStates), andphotographstakenatthesceneofthecrimebyapolicephotographer­twentyblown­ upglossy­printpicturesofMr.Clutter'sshatteredskull,hisson'sdemolishedface,Nancy's boundhands,hermother'sdeath­dulled,staringeyes,andsoon.Indaystocome,Dewey was to spend hours examining these photographs, hoping that he might suddenly see something,"thatameaningfuldetailwoulddeclareitself."Likethosepuzzles.Theonesthat ask,'Howmanyanimalscanyoufindinthispicture?'Inaway,that'swhatI'mtryingtodo. Findthehiddenanimals.Ifeeltheymustbethere­ifonlyIcouldseethem."Asamatterof fact,oneofthephotographs,aclose­upofMr.Clutterandthemattressboxuponwhichhe lay, already provided a valuable surprise: footprints, the dusty trackings of shoes with diamond­patternedsoles.Theprints,notnoticeabletothenakedeye,registeredonfilm; indeed, the delineating glare of a flashbulb had revealed their presence with superb exactness.Theseprints,togetherwithanotherfootmarkfoundonthesamecardboardcover ­theboldandbloodyimpressionofaCat'sPawhalfsole­weretheonly"seriousclues"the investigators could claim. Not that they were claiming them; Dewey and his team had decidedtokeepsecrettheexistenceofthisevidence.AmongtheotherarticlesonDewey's deskwasNancyClutter'sdiary.Hehadglancedthroughit,nomorethanthat,andnowhe

settleddowntoanearnestreadingoftheday­by­dayentries,whichbeganonherthirteenth birthday and ended some two months short of her seventeenth; the unsensational confidingsofanintelligentchildwhoadoredanimals,wholikedtoread,cook,sew,dance, ride horseback ­ a popular, pretty, virginal girl who thought it "fun to flirt" but was nevertheless"onlyreallyandtrulyinlovewithBobby."Deweyreadthefinalentryfirst.It consistedofthreelineswrittenanhourortwobeforeshedied:"JoleneK.cameoverandI showedherhowtomakeacherrypie.PracticedwithRoxie.Bobbyhereandwewatched TV.Leftateleven." YoungRupp,thelastpersonknowntohaveseenthefamilyalive,hadalreadyundergone one extensive interrogation, and although he'd told a straightforward story of having passed "just an ordinary evening" with the Clutters, he was scheduled for a second interview,atwhichtimehewastobegivenapolygraphtest.Theplainfactwasthatthe policewerenotquitereadytodismisshimasasuspect.Deweyhimself,didnotbelievethe boy had "anything to do with it"; still, it was true that at this early stage of the investigation, Bobby was the only person to whoma motive, howeverfeeble, could be attributed.Hereandthereinthediary,Nancyreferredtothesituationthatwassupposedto havecreatedthemotive:herfather'sinsistencethatsheandBobby"breakoff,"stop"seeing somuchofeachother,"hisobjectionbeingthattheClutterswereMethodist,theRupps Catholic­acirc*mstancethatinhisviewcompletelycanceledanyhopetheyoungcouple mighthaveofonedaymarrying.ButthediarynotationthatmosttantalizedDeweywas unrelatedtotheClutter­Rupp,Methodist­Catholicimpasse.Rather,itconcernedacat,the mysteriousdemiseofNancy'sfavoritepet,Boobs,whom,accordingtoanentrydatedtwo weeks prior to her own death, she'd found "lying in the barn," the victim, or so she suspected(withoutsayingwhy),ofapoisoner:"PoorBoobs.Iburiedhiminaspecialplace." Onreadingthis,Deweyfeltitcouldbe"veryimportant."Ifthecathadbeenpoisoned, mightnotthisacthavebeenasmall,maliciouspreludetothemurders?Hedeterminedto findthe"specialplace"whereNancyhadburiedherpet,eventhoughitmeantcombingthe vastwholeofRiverValleyFarm. While Dewey was occupying himself with the diary, his principal assistants, the Agents Church, Duntz, and Nye, were crisscrossing the countryside, talking, as Duntz said, "to anyonewhocouldtellusanything":thefacultyoftheHolcombSchool,wherebothNancy andKenyonhadbeenhonor­roll,straight­Astudents;theemployeesofRiverValleyFarm(a staffthatinspringandsummersometimesamountedtoasmanyaseighteenmenbutin thepresentfallowseasonconsistedofGeraldVanVleetandthreehiredmen,plusMrs. Helm);friendsofthevictims;theirneighbors;and,veryparticularly,theirrelatives.From farandnear,sometwentyofthelasthadarrivedtoattendthefuneralservices,whichwere totakeplaceWednesdaymorning. TheyoungestoftheK.B.I.group,HaroldNye,whowasapeppylittlemanofthirty­four withrestless,distrustfuleyesandasharpnose,chin,andmind,hadbeenassignedwhathe called"thedamneddelicatebusiness"ofinterviewingtheClutterkinfolk:"It'spainfulfor youandit'spainfulforthem.Whenitcomestomurder,youcan'trespectgrief.Orprivacy. Orpersonalfeelings.You'vegottoaskthequestions.Andsomeofthemcutdeep,"Butnone ofthepersonshequestioned,andnoneofthequestionsheasked("Iwasexploringthe emotionalbackground.Ithoughttheanswermightbeanotherwoman­atriangle.Well, consider:Mr.Clutterwasafairlyyoung,veryhealthyman,buthiswife,shewasasemi­ invalid,shesleptinaseparatebedroom..."),producedusefulinformation;noteventhe twosurvivingdaughterscouldsuggestacauseforthecrime.Inbrief,Nyelearnedonlythis:

"Ofallthepeopleinalltheworld,theCluttersweretheleastlikelytobemurdered." Attheendoftheday,whenthethreeagentsconvenedinDewey'soffice,itdevelopedthat DuntzandChurchhadhadbetterluckthanNye­BrotherNye,astheotherscalledhim. (MembersoftheK.B.I,arepartialtonicknames;DuntzisknownasOldMan­unfairly, since he isnotquitefifty,aburlybutlight­footed manwithabroad,tomcatface,and Church,whoissixtyorso,pink­skinnedandprofessoriallooking,but"tough"accordingto hiscolleagues,and"thefastestdrawinKansas,"iscalledCurly,becausehisheadispartly hairless.)Bothmen,inthecourseoftheirinquiries,hadpickedup"promisingleads." Duntz‘sstoryconcernedafatherandsonwhoshallherebeknownasJohnSeniorand JohnJunior.SomeyearsearlierJohnhad conducted with Mr.Clutteraminorbusiness transaction,theoutcomeofwhichangeredJohnSenior,whofeltthatClutterhadthrown him"aqueerball."Now,bothJohnSeniorandhisson"boozed";indeed,JohnJuniorwasan oftenincarceratedalcoholic.Oneunfortunatedayfatherandson,fullofwhiskeycourage, appearedattheClutterhomeintendingto"haveitoutwithHerb."Theyweredeniedthe chance,forMr.Clutter,anabstaineraggressivelyopposedtodrinkanddrunkards,seizeda gunandmarchedthemoffhisproperty.ThisdiscourtesytheJohnshadnotforgiven;as recentlyasamonthago,JohnSeniorhadtoldanacquaintance,"EverytimeIthinkofthat bastard,myhandsstarttotwitch.Ijustwanttochokehim." Church'sleadwasofasimilarnature.He,too,hadheardofsomeoneadmittedlyhostileto Mr.Clutter:acertainMr.Smith(thoughthatisnothistruename),whobelievedthatthe squireofRiverValleyFarmhadshotandkilledSmith'shuntingdog.Churchhadinspected Smith'sfarmhomeandseenthere,hangingfromabarnrafter,alengthofropetiedwith thesamekindofknotthatwasusedtobindthefourClutters. Deweysaid,"Oneofthose,maybethat'sourdeal.Apersonalthing­agrudgethatgotout ofhand." "Unlessitwasrobbery,"saidNye,thoughrobberyasthemotivehadbeenmuchdiscussed andthenmoreorlessdismissed.Theargumentsagainstitweregood,thestrongestbeing thatMr.Clutter'saversiontocashwasacountylegend;hehadnosafeandnevercarried largesumsofmoney.Also,ifrobberyweretheexplanation,whyhadn'ttherobberremoved thejewelrythatMrs.Clutterwaswearing­agoldweddingbandandadiamondring?Yet Nyewasnotconvinced:"Thewholesetuphasthatrobberysmell.WhataboutClutter's wallet?SomeoneleftitopenandemptyonClutter'sbed­Idon'tthinkitwastheowner. AndNancy'spurse.Thepursewaslyingonthekitchenfloor.Howdiditgetthere?Yes,and notadimeinthehouse.Well­twodollars.WefoundtwodollarsinanenvelopeonNancy's desk.AndweknowCluttercashedacheckforsixtybucksjusttheday before.Wefigurethereoughttohavebeenatleastfiftyofthatleft.Sosomesay,'Nobody wouldkillfourpeopleforfiftybucks.'Andsay,'Sure,maybethekillerdidtakethemoney­ butjusttotryandmisleadus,makeusthinkrobberywasthereason.'Iwonder." Asdarknessfell,Deweyinterruptedtheconsultationtotelephonehiswife,Marie,attheir home,andwarnherthathewouldn'tbehomefordinner.Shesaid,"Yes.Allright,Alvin," buthenoticedinhertoneanuncharacteristicanxiety.TheDeweys,parentsoftwoyoung boys, had been married seventeen years, and Marie, a Louisiana­born former F.B.I, stenographer,whomhe'dmetwhilehewasstationedinNewOrleans,sympathizedwiththe

hardshipsofhisprofession­theeccentrichours,thesuddencallssummoninghimtodistant areasofthestate. Hesaid,"Anythingthematter?" "Notathing,"sheassuredhim."Only,whenyoucomehometonight,you'llhavetoringthe bell.I'vehadallthelockschanged." Nowheunderstood,andsaid,"Don'tworry,honey.Justlockthedoorsandturnonthe porchlight." Afterhe'dhungup,acolleagueasked,"What'swrong?Mariescared?" "Hell,yes,"Deweysaid."Her,andeverybodyelse." Noteverybody. Certainlynot Holcomb'swidowed postmistress, the intrepid Mrs. Myrtle Clare,whoscornedherfellowtownsmenas"alily­liveredlot,shakingintheirbootsafraid toshuttheireyes,"andsaidofherself,"Thisoldgirl,she'ssleepinggoodasever.Anybody wantstoplayatrickonme,let'emtry."(Elevenmonthslateragun­totingteamofmasked banditstookheratherwordbyinvadingthepostofficeandrelievingtheladyofnine hundredandfiftydollars.)Asusual,Mrs.Clare'snotionsconformedwiththoseofveryfew. "Aroundhere,"accordingtotheproprietorofoneGardenCityhardwarestore,"locksand boltsarethefastest­goingitem.Folksain'tparticularwhatbrandtheybuy;theyjustwant themtohold."Imagination,ofcourse,canopenanydoor­turnthekeyandletterrorwalk right in. Tuesday, at dawn, a carload of pheasant hunters from Colorado ­ strangers, ignorantofthelocaldisaster­werestartledbywhattheysawastheycrossedtheprairies and passed through Holcomb: windows ablaze, almost every window in almost every house,and,inthebrightlylitrooms,fullyclothedpeople,evenentirefamilies,whohadsat thewholenightwideawake,watchful,listening.Ofwhatweretheyfrightened?"Itmight happenagain."That,withvariations,wasthecustomaryresponse,however,onewoman,a schoolteacher,observed,"Feelingwouldn'trunhalfsohighifthishadhappenedtoanyone excepttheClutters.Anyonelessadmired.Prosperous.Secure.Butthatfamilyrepresented everythingpeoplehereaboutsreallyvalueandrespect,andthatsuchathingcouldhappen tothem­well,it'slikebeingtoldthereisnoGod.Itmakeslifeseempointless.Idon'tthink peoplearesomuchfrightenedastheyaredeeplydepressed." Anotherreason,thesimplest,theugliest,wasthatthish*thertopeacefulcongregationof neighborsandoldfriendshadsuddenlytoenduretheuniqueexperienceofdistrustingeach other;understandably,theybelievedthatthemurdererwasamongthemselves,and,tothe lastman,endorsedanopinionadvancedbyArthurClutter,abrotherofthedeceased,who, whiletalkingtojournalistsinthelobbyofa*gardenCityhotelonNovember17,hadsaid, "Whenthisisclearedup,I'llwagerwhoeverdiditwassomeonewithintenmilesofwhere wenowstand." ApproximatelyfourhundredmileseastofwhereArthurClutterthenstood,twoyoungmen weresharingaboothintheEagleBuffet,aKansasCitydiner.One­narrow­faced,andwith abluecattattooedonhisrighthand­hadpolishedoffseveralchicken­saladsandwiches andwasnoweyinghiscompanion'smeal:anuntouchedhamburgerandaglassofrootbeer inwhichthreeaspirinweredissolving.

"Perry,baby,"Dicksaid,"youdon'twantthatburger.I'lltakeit." Perryshovedtheplateacrossthetable."Christ!Can'tyouletmeconcentrate?" "Youdon'thavetoreaditfiftytimes." Thereferencewastoafront­pagearticleintheNovember17editionoftheKansasCity Star.HeadlinedCluesarefewinslayingof4,thearticle,whichwasafollow­upofthe previousday'sinitialannouncementofthemurders,endedwithasummarizingparagraph: The investigators are left faced with a search for a killer or killers whose cunning is apparentifhis(ortheir)motiveisnot.Forthiskillerorkillers:'Carefullycutthetelephone cords of the home's two telephones. Bound and gagged their victims expertly, with no evidenceofastrugglewithanyofthem.Leftnothinginthehouseamiss,leftnoindication theyhadsearchedforanythingwiththepossibleexceptionof[Clutter's]billfold.'Shotfour personsindifferentpartsofthehouse,calmlypickinguptheexpendedshotgunshells. Arrivedandleftthehome,presumablywiththemurderweapon,withoutbeingseen.Acted without a motive, if you care to discount an abortive robbery attempt, which the investigatorsarewonttodo. "'Forthiskillerorkillers,'"saidPerry,readingaloud."That'sincorrect.Thegrammaris.It oughttobe'Forthiskillerorthesekillers.'"Sippinghisaspirin­spikedrootbeer,hewenton, "Anyway,Idon'tbelieveit.Neitherdoyou.Ownup,Dick.Behonest.Youdon'tbelievethis nocluestuff? Yesterday, after studying the papers, Perry had put the same question, and Dick, who thoughthe'ddisposedofit("Look.Ifthosecowboyscouldmaketheslightestconnection, we'dhaveheardthesoundofhoofsahundredmilesoff"),wasboredathearingitagain. TooboredtoprotestwhenPerryoncemorepursuedthematter:"I'vealwaysplayedmy hunches.That'swhyI'malivetoday.YouknowWillie­Jay?HesaidIwasanatural­born 'medium,'andheknewaboutthingslikethat,hewasinterested.HesaidIhadahigh degreeof'extrasensoryperception.'Sortoflikehavingbuilt­inradar­youseethingsbefore youseethem.Theoutlinesofcomingevents.Take,like,mybrotherandhiswife.Jimmy andhiswife.Theywerecrazyabouteachother,buthewasjealousashell,andhemadeher somiserable,beingjealousandalwaysthinkingshewaspassingitoutbehindhisback,that sheshotherself,andthenextdayJimmyputabulletthroughhishead.Whenithappened­ thiswas1949,andIwasinAlaskawithDaduparoundCircleCity­ItoldDad,'Jimmy's dead.' A week later we got thenews. Lord's truth. Another time, overin Japan, I was helpingloadaship,andIsatdowntorestaminute.Suddenlyavoiceinsidemesaid, 'Jump!'IjumpedIguessmaybetenfeet,andjustthen,rightwhereI'dbeensitting,atonof stuffcamecrashingdown.Icouldgiveyouahundredexamples.Idon'tcareifyoubelieve meornot.Forinstance,rightbeforeIhadmymotorcycleaccidentIsawthewholething happen:sawitinmymind­therain,theskidtracks,melyingtherebleedingandmylegs broken.That'swhatI'vegotnow.Apremonition.Somethingtellsmethisisatrap."He tappedthenewspaper."Alotofprevarications." Dick ordered another hamburger. During the past few days he'd known a hunger that nothing­threesuccessivesteaks,adozenHersheybars,apoundofgumdrops­seemedto interrupt.Perry,ontheotherhand,waswithoutappetite;hesubsistedonrootbeer,aspirin, andcigarettes."Nowonderyougotleaps,"Dicktoldhim."Aw,comeon,baby.Getthe

bubblesoutofyourblood.Wescored.Itwasperfect." "I'msurprisedtohearthat,allthingsconsidered,"Perrysaid.Thequietnessofhistone italicizedthemaliceofhisreply.ButDicktookit,evensmiled­andhissmilewasaskillful proposition.Here,itsaid,wearingakidgrin,wasaverypersonablecharacter,clean­cut, affable,afellowanymanmighttrusttoshavehim."O.K.,"Dicksaid."MaybeIhadsome wronginformation." "Hallelujah." "Butonthewholeitwasperfect.Wehittheballrightoutofpark.It'slost.Andit'sgonna staylost.Thereisn'tasingleconnection." "Icanthinkofone." Perryhadgonetoofar.Hewentfurther:"Floyd­isthatthename?"Abitbelowthebelt,but thenDickdeservedit,hisconfidencewaslikeakitethatneededreelingin.Nevertheless, PerryobservedwithsomemisgivingthesymptomsoffuryrearrangingDick'sexpression: jaw,lips,thewholefaceslackened;salivabubblesappearedatthecornersofhismouth. Well,ifitcametoitPerrycoulddefendhimself.Hewasshort,severalinchesshorterthan Dick, and his runty, damaged legs were unreliable, but he outweighed his friend, was thicker,hadarmsthatcouldsqueezethebreathoutofabear.Toproveit,however­havea fight,arealfalling­out­wasfarfromdesirable.LikeDickornot(andhedidn'tdislikeDick, thoughoncehe'dlikedhimbetter,respectedhimmore),itwasobvioustheycouldnotnow safelyseparate.Onthatpointtheywereinaccord,forDickhadsaid,"Ifwegetcaught,let's get caught together. Then we can back each other up. When they start pulling the confessioncrap,sayingyousaidandIsaid."Moreover,ifhebrokewithDick,itmeantthe endofplansstillattractivetoPerry,andstill,despiterecentreverses,deemedpossibleby both ­ a skin­diving, treasure­hunting life lived together among islands or along coasts southoftheborder. Dicksaid,"Mr.Wells!"Hepickedupafork."It'dbeworthit.LikeifIwasnabbedonacheck charge,it'dbeworthit.Justtogetbackinthere."Theforkcamedownandstabbedthe table."Rightthroughtheheart,honey." "I'mnotsayinghewould,"saidPerry,willingtomakeaconcessionnowthatDick'sanger hadsoaredpasthimandstruckelsewhere."He'dbetooscared." "Sure,"saidDick."Sure.He'dbetooscared."Amarvel,really,theeasewithwhichDick negotiated changes of mood; in a trice, all trace of meanness, of sullen bravura, had evaporated.Hesaid,"Aboutthatpremonitionstuff.Tellmethis:Ifyouweresodamnsure youweregonnacrackup,whydidn'tyoucallitquits?Itwouldn'thavehappenedifyou'd stayedoffyourbike­right?" ThatwasariddlethatPerryhadpondered.Hefelthe'dsolvedit,butthesolution,while simple,wasalsosomewhathazy:"No.Becauseonceathingissettohappen,allyoucando ishopeitwon't.Orwill­depending.Aslongasyoulive,there'salwayssomethingwaiting, andevenifit'sbad,andyouknowit'sbad,whatcanyoudo?Youcan'tstopliving.Likemy dream.SinceIwasakid,I'vehadthissamedream.WhereI'minAfrica.Ajungle.I'm movingthroughthetreestowardatreestandingallalone.Jesus,itsmellsbad,thattree;it

kindofmakesmesick,thewayitstinks.Only,it'sbeautifultolookat­ithasblueleaves anddiamondshangingeverywhere.Diamondslikeoranges.That'swhyI'mthere­topick myselfabushelofdiamonds.ButIknowtheminuteItryto,theminuteIreachup,asnake isgonnafallonme.Asnakethatguardsthetree.Thisfatsonofabitchlivinginthe branches.Iknowthisbeforehand,see?AndJesus,Idon'tknowhowtofightasnake.ButI figure,Well,I'lltakemychances.WhatitcomesdowntoisIwantthediamondsmorethan I'mafraidofthesnake.SoIgotopickone,Ihavethediamondinmyhand,I'mpullingat it,whenthesnakelandsontopofme.Wewrestlearound,buthe'saslipperysonofabitch andIcan'tgetahold,he'scrushingme,youcanhearmylegscracking.Nowcomesthepart itmakesmesweateventothinkabout.See,hestartstoswallowme.Feetfirst.Likegoing downinquicksand."Perryhesitated.HecouldnothelpnoticingthatDick,busygouging underhisfingernailswithaforkprong,wasuninterestedinhisdream.Dicksaid,"So?The snakeswallowsyou?Orwhat?" "Nevermind.It'snotimportant."(Butitwas!Thefinalewasofgreatimportance,asource of private joy. He'd once told it to his friend Willie­Jay; he had described to him the toweringbird,theyellow"sortofparrot."Ofcourse,Willie­Jaywasdifferent­­delicate­ minded,"asaint."He'dunderstood.ButDick?Dickmightlaugh.AndthatPerrycouldnot abide:anyone'sridiculingtheparrot,whichhadfirstflownintohisdreamswhenhewas sevenyearsold,ahated,hatinghalf­breedchildlivinginaCaliforniaorphanagerunby nuns­shroudeddisciplinarianswhowhippedhimforwettinghisbed.Itwasafteroneof thesebeatings,onehecouldneverforget("Shewokemeup.Shehadaflashlight,andshe hitmewithit.Hitmeandhitme.Andwhentheflashlightbroke,shewentonhittingmein thedark"),thattheparrotappeared,arrivedwhileheslept,abird"tallerthanJesus,yellow likeasunflower,"awarrior­angelwhoblindednunswithitsbeak,fedupontheireyes, slaughtered them asthey"pleaded formercy," thenso gently lifted him, enfolded him, wingedhimawayto"paradise." Astheyearswentby,theparticulartormentsfromwhichthebirddeliveredhimaltered; others­olderchildren,hisfather,afaithlessgirl,asergeanthe'dknownintheArmy­ replaced the nuns, but the parrot remained, a hovering avenger. Thus, the snake, that custodianofthediamond­bearingtree,neverfinisheddevouringhimbutwasitselfalways devoured.Andafterwardthatblessedascent!Ascensiontoaparadisethatinoneversion was merely "a feeling," a sense of power, of unassailable superiority­sensations that in anotherversionweretransposedinto"Aredplace.Likeoutofamovie.Maybethat'swhere Ididseeit,remembereditfromamovie.BecausewhereelsewouldIhaveseenagarden likethat?Withwhitemarblesteps?Fountains?Andawaydownbelow,ifyougototheedge ofthegarden,youcanseetheocean.Terrific!LikearoundCarmel,California.Theworst thing,though­well,it'salong,longtable.Youneverimaginedtoomuchfood.Oysters. Turkeys.Hotdogs.Fruityoucouldmakeintoamillionfruitcups.And,listen­it'severybit free.Imean,Idon'thavetobeafraidtotouchit.IcaneatasmuchasIwant,anditwon't costacent.That'showIknowwhereIam.") Dicksaid,"I'manormal.Ionlydreamaboutblondchicken.Speakingofwhich,youhear aboutthenannygoat'snightmare?"ThatwasDick­alwaysreadywithadirtyjokeonany subject.Buthetoldthejokewell,andPerry,thoughhewasinsomemeasureaprude,could nothelplaughing,asalways. SpeakingofherfriendshipwithNancyClutter,SusanKidwellsaid:"Wewerelikesisters.At least,that'showIfeltabouther­asthoughsheweremysister.Icouldn'tgotoschool­not

thosefirstfewdays.Istayedoutofschooluntilafterthefuneral.SodidBobbyRupp.Fora whileBobbyandIwerealwaystogether.He'saniceboy­hehasagoodheart­butnothing veryterriblehadeverhappenedtohimbefore.Likelosinganyonehe'dloved.Andthen,on top of it, having to take a lie­detector test. I don't mean he was bitter about that; he realizedthepoliceweredoingwhattheyhadtodo.Somehardthings,twoorthree,had alreadyhappenedtome,butnottohim,soitwasashockwhenhefoundoutmaybelife isn'tonelongbasketballgame.Mostly,wejustdrovearoundinhisoldFord.Upanddown thehighway.Outtotheairportandback.Orwe'dgototheCree­Mee­that'sadrive­in­ andsitinthecar,orderaco*ke,listentotheradio.Theradiowasalwaysplaying;wedidn't haveanythingtosayourselves.ExceptonceinawhileBobbysaidhowmuchhe'dloved Nancy,andhowhecouldnevercareaboutanothergirl.Well,IwassureNancywouldn't havewantedthat,andItoldhimso.Iremember­IthinkitwasMonday­wedrovedown totheriver.Weparkedonthebridge.Youcanseethehomefromthere­theClutterhouse. Andpartoftheland­Mr.Qutter'sfruitorchard,andthewheatfieldsgoingaway.Wayoff in one of the fields a bonfire was burning; they were burning stuff from the house. Everywhereyoulooked,therewassomethingtoremindyou.Menwithnetsandpoleswere fishingalongthebanksoftheriver,butnotfishingforfish.Bobbysaidtheywerelooking fortheweapons.Theknife.Thegun. "Nancylovedtheriver.SummernightsweusedtoridedoubleonNancy'shorse,Babe­that oldfatgray?Ridestraighttotheriverandrightintothewater.ThenBabewouldwade alongintheshallowpartwhileweplayedourflutesandsang.Gotcool.Ikeepwondering, Gosh,whatwillbecomeofher?Babe.AladyfromGardenCitytookKenyon'sdog.Took Teddy.Heranaway­foundhiswaybacktoHolcomb.Butshecameandgothimagain.And IhaveNancy'scat­Evinrude.ButBabe.Isupposethey'llsellher.Wouldn'tNancyhatethat? Wouldn'tshebefurious?Anotherday,thedaybeforethefuneral,BobbyandIweresitting bytherailroadtracks.Watchingthetrainsgoby.Realstupid.Likesheepinablizzard. WhensuddenlyBobbywokeupandsaid,'WeoughttogoseeNancy.Weoughttobewith her.'SowedrovetoGardenCity­wenttothePhillipVFuneralHome,thereonMain Street.IthinkBobby'skidbrotherwaswithus.Yes,I'msurehewas.BecauseIremember wepickedhimupafterschool.AndIrememberhesaidhowtherewasn'tgoingtobeany schoolthenextday,soalltheHolcombkidscouldgotothefuneral.Andhekepttellingus whatthekidsthought.Hesaidthekidswereconvinceditwastheworkofahiredkiller.'I didn'twanttohearaboutit.Justgossipandtalk­everythingNancydespised.Anyway,I don't much care who did it. Somehow it seems beside the point. My friend is gone. Knowingwhokilledherisn'tgoingtobringherback.Whatelsematters?Theywouldn'tlet us. At the funeral parlor, I mean. They said no one could view the family. Except the relatives.ButBobbyinsisted,andfinallytheundertaker­heknewBobby,and,Iguess,felt sorryforhim­hesaidallright,bequietaboutit,butcomeonin.NowIwishwehadn't." Thefourcoffins,whichquitefilledthesmall,flower­crowdedparlor,weretobesealedat thefuneralservices­veryunderstandably,fordespitethecaretakenwiththeappearanceof thevictims,theeffectachievedwasdisquieting.Nancyworeherdressofcherry­redvelvet, herbrotherabrightplaidshirt;theparentsweremoresedatelyattired,Mr.Clutterinnavy­ blueflannel,hiswifeinnavy­bluecrepe;and­anditwasthis,especially,thatlentthescene anawfulaura­theheadofeachwascompletelyencasedincotton,aswollencocoontwice thesizeofanordinaryblown­upballoon,andthecotton,becauseithadbeensprayedwith aglossysubstance,twinkledlikeChristmas­treesnow. Susanatonceretreated."Iwentoutsideandwaitedinthecar,"sherecalled."Acrossthe

streetamanwasrakingleaves.Ikeptlookingathim.BecauseIdidn'twanttoclosemy eyes.Ithought,ifIdoI'llfaint.SoIwatchedhimrakeleavesandburnthem.Watched, withoutreallyseeinghim.BecauseallIcouldseewasthedress.Iknewitsowell.Ihelped herpickthematerial.Itwasherowndesign,andsheseweditherself.Irememberhow excitedshewasthefirsttimesheworeit.Ataparty.AllIcouldseewasNancy'sredvelvet. AndNancyinit.Dancing." The Kansas City Star printed a lengthy account of the Clutter funeral, but the edition containingthearticlewastwodaysoldbeforePerry,lyingabedinahotelroom,gotaround toreadingit.Evenso,hemerelyskimmedthrough,skippedaboutamongtheparagraphs: "A thousand persons, the largest crowd in the five­year history of the First Methodist Church,attendedservicesforthefourvictimstoday....SeveralclassmatesofNancy'sfrom HolcombHighSchoolweptastheReverendLeonardCowansaid:'Godoffersuscourage, loveandhopeeventhoughwewalkthroughtheshadowsofthevalleyofdeath.I'msurehe waswiththemintheirlasthours.Jesushasneverpromiseduswewouldnotsufferpainor sorrowbutHehasalwayssaidHewouldbetheretohelpusbearthesorrowandthepain.'. ..Ontheunseasonablywarmday,aboutsixhundredpersonswenttotheValleyView Cemeteryonthenorthedgeofthiscity.There,atgravesideservices,theyrecitedtheLord's Prayer. Their voices, massed together in a low whisper, could be heard throughout the cemetery." Athousandpeople!Perrywasimpressed.Hewonderedhowmuchthefuneralhadcost. Moneywasgreatlyonhismind,thoughnotasrelentlesslyasithadbeenearlierintheday­ adayhe'dbegun"withoutthepriceofacat'smiaow."Thesituationhadimprovedsince then;thankstoDick,heandDicknowpossessed"aprettyfairstake"­enoughtogetthem toMexico. Dick!Smooth.Smart.Yes,youhadtohandittohim.Christ,itwasincrediblehowhecould "conaguy."LiketheclerkintheKansasCity,Missouri,clothingstore,thefirstoftheplaces Dickhaddecidedto"hit."AsforPerry,he'dnevertriedto"passacheck."Hewasnervous, butDicktoldhim,"AllIwantyoutodoisstandthere.Don'tlaugh,anddon'tbesurprised atanythingIsay.Yougottoplaythesethingsbyear."Forthetaskproposed,itseemed,Dick hadperfectpitch.Hebreezedin,breezilyintroducedPerrytotheclerkas"afriendofmine abouttogetmarried,"andwenton,"I'mhisbestman.Helpinghimkindofshoparoundfor theclotheshe'llwant.Ha­ha,whatyoumightsayhis­ha­ha­trousseau."Thesalesman "ateitup,"andsoonPerry,strippedofhisdenimtrousers,wastryingonagloomysuitthat theclerkconsidered"idealforaninformalceremony."Aftercommentingonthecustomer's oddly proportioned figure ­ the oversized torso supported by the undersized legs ­ he added,"I'mafraidwehaven'tanythingthatwouldfitwithoutalteration."Oh,saidDick, thatwasO.K.,therewasplentyoftime­theweddingwas"aweektomorrow."Thatsettled, theythenselectedagaudyarrayofjacketsandslacksregardedasappropriateforwhatwas tobe,accordingtoDick,aFloridahoneymoon."YouknowtheEdenRoc?"Dicksaidtothe salesman."InMiamiBeach?Theygotreservations.Apresentfromherfolks­twoweeksat fortybucksaday.Howaboutthat?Anuglyruntlikehim,he'smakingitwithahoneyshe's notonlybuiltbutloaded.Whileguyslikeyouandme,good­lookin'guys..."Theclerk presentedthebill.Dickreachedinhishippocket,frowned,snappedhisfingers,andsaid, "Hot damn! I forgot my wallet." Which to his partner seemed a ploy so feeble that it couldn'tpossibly"fooladay­oldnigg*r."Theclerk,apparently,wasnotofthatopinion,for heproducedablankcheck,andwhenDickmadeitoutforeightydollarsmorethanthebill totaled,instantlypaidoverthedifferenceincash.

Outside,Dicksaid,"Soyou'regoingtogetmarriednextweek?Well,you'llneedaring." Momentslater,ridinginDick'sagedChevrolet,theyarrivedatastorenamedBestJewelry. Fromthere,afterpurchasingbycheckadiamondengagementringanddiamondwedding band,theydrovetoapawnshoptodisposeoftheseitems.Perrywassorrytoseethemgo. He'd begun to half credit the make­believe bride, though in his conception of her, as opposedtoDick's,shewasnotrich,notbeautiful;rather,shewasnicelygroomed,gently spoken,wasconceivably"acollegegraduate,"inanyevent"averyintellectualtype"­asort ofgirlhe'dalwayswantedtomeetbutinfactneverhad. UnlessyoucountedCookie,thenursehe'dknownwhenhewashospitalizedasaresultof hismotorcycleaccident.Aswellkid,Cookie,andshehadlikedhim,pitiedhim,babiedhim, inspiredhimtoread"seriousliterature"­GonewiththeWind,ThisIsMyBeloved.Sexual episodesofastrangeandstealthynaturehadoccurred,andlovehadbeenmentioned,and marriage,too,buteventually,whenhisinjurieshadmended,he'dtoldhergoodbyeand givenher,bywayofexplanation,apoemhepretendedtohavewritten: There'saraceofmenthatdon'tfitin, Aracethatcan'tstaystill; Sotheybreaktheheartsofkithandkin; Andtheyroamtheworldatwill. Theyrangethefieldandtheyrovetheflood, Andtheyclimbthemountain'screst; Theirsisthecurseofthegypsyblood, Andtheydon'tknowhowtorest. Iftheyjustwentstraighttheymightgofar; Theyarestrongandbraveandtrue; Butthey'realwaystiredofthethingsthatare, Andtheywantthestrangeandnew. Hehadnotseenheragain,oreverheardfromorofher,yetseveralyearslaterhe'dhadher name tattooed on his arm, and once, when Dick asked who "Cookie" was, he'd said, "Nobody.AgirlIalmostmarried."(ThatDickhadbeenmarried­marriedtwice­andhad fatheredthreesonswassomethingheenvied.Awife,children­thosewereexperiences"a manoughttohave,"evenif,aswithDick,theydidn't"makehimhappyordohimany good.") Theringswerepawnedforahundredandfiftydollars.Theyvisitedanotherjewelrystore, Goldman's,andsaunteredoutoftherewithaman'sgoldwristwatch.Nextstop,anElko

CameraStore,wherethey"bought"anelaboratemotion­picturecamera."Camerasareyour bestinvestment,"DickinformedPerry."Easiestthingtohockorsell.CamerasandTVsets." Thisbeingthecase,theydecidedtoobtainseveralofthelatter,and,havingcompletedthe mission, went on to attack a few more clothing emporiums ­ Sheperd & Foster's, Rothschild's,Shopper'sParadise.Bysundown,whenthestoreswereclosing,theirpockets werefilledwithcashandthecarwasheapedwithsalable,pawnablewares.Surveyingthis harvestofshirtsandcigarettelighters,expensivemachineryandcheapcufflinks,Perryfelt elatedlytall­nowMexico,anewchance,a"reallyliving"life.ButDickseemeddepressed. HeshruggedoffPerry'spraises("Imeanit,Dick.Youwereamazing.HalfthetimeIbelieved youmyself").AndPerrywaspuzzled;hecouldnotfathomwhyDick,usuallysofullof himself,shouldsuddenly,whenhehadgoodcausetogloat,bemeek,lookwiltedandsad. Perrysaid,"I'llstandyouadrink." They stopped at a bar. Dick drank three Orange Blossoms. After the third, he abruptly asked,"WhataboutDad?Ifeel­oh,Jesus,he'ssuchagoodoldguy.Andmymother­well, yousawher.Whataboutthem?Me,I'llbeoffinMexico.Orwherever.Butthey'llberight herewhenthosechecksstarttobounce.IknowDad.He'llwanttomakethemgood.Like hetriedtobefore.Andhecan't­he'soldandhe'ssick,heain'tgotanything." "Isympathizewiththat,"saidPerrytruthfully.Withoutbeingkind,hewassentimental,and Dick'saffectionforhisparents,hisprofessedconcernforthem,didindeedtouchhim."But hell,Dick.It'sverysimple,"Perrysaid."Wecanpayoffthechecks.Oncewe'reinMexico, oncewegetstarteddownthere,we'llmakemoney.Lotsofit." "How?" "How?"­whatcouldDickmean?ThequestiondazedPerry.Afterall,sucharichassortment ofventureshadbeendiscussed.Prospectingforgold,skin­divingforsunkentreasure­these werebuttwooftheprojectsPerryhadardentlyproposed.Andtherewereothers.Theboat, forinstance.Theyhadoftentalkedofadeep­sea­fishingboat,whichtheywouldbuy,man themselves,andrenttovacationers­thisthoughneitherhadeverskipperedacanoeor hookedaguppy.Then,too.therewasquickmoneytobemadechauffeuringstolencars acrossSouthAmericanborders.("YougetpaidfivehundredbucksatriporsoPerryhad readsomewhere.)Butofthemanyreplieshemighthavemade,hechosetoremindDickof thefortuneawaitingthemonCocosIsland,alandspeckoffthecoastofCostaRica."No fooling,Dick,"Perrysaid."Thisisauthentic.I'vegotamap.I'vegotthewholehistory.Itwas buriedtherebackin1821­Peruvianbullion,jewelry.Sixtymilliondollars­that'swhatthey sayit'sworth.Evenifwedidn'tfindallofit,evenifwefoundonlysomeofit­Areyouwith me,Dick?"Heretofore,Dickhadalwaysencouragedhim,listenedattentivelytohistalkof maps,talesoftreasure,butnow­andithadnotoccurredtohimbefore­hewonderedifall alongDickhadonlybeenpretending,justkiddinghim. Thethought,acutelypainful,passed,forDick,withawinkandaplayfuljab,said,"Sure, honey.I'mwithyou.Alltheway." Itwasthreeinthemorning,andthetelephonerangagain.Notthatthehourmattered.Al Deweywaswideawakeanyway,andsowereMarieandtheirsons,nine­year­oldPauland twelve­year­oldAlvinAdamsDewey,Jr.Forwhocouldsleepinahouse­amodestone­story house­whereallnightthetelephonehadbeensoundingeveryfewminutes?Ashegotout ofbed,Deweypromisedhiswife,"ThistimeI'llleaveitoffthehook."Butitwasnota

promisehedaredkeep.True,manyofthecallscamefromnews­huntingjournalists,or would­behumorists,ortheorists("Al?Listen,fella,I'vegotthisdealfigured.It'ssuicideand murder.IhappentoknowHerbwasinabadwayfinancially.Hewasspreadprettythin.So whatdoeshedo?Hetakesoutthisbiginsurancepolicy,shootsBonnieandthekids,and killshimselfwithabomb.Ahandgrenadestuffedwithbuckshot"),oranonymouspersons with poison­pen minds ("Know them Ls? Foreigners? Don't work? Give parties? Serve co*cktails?Where'sthemoneycomefrom?Wouldn'tsurprisemeadarniftheyain'tatthe roots of this Clutter trouble"), or nervous ladies alarmed by the gossip going around, rumorsthatknewneitherceilingnorcellar("Alvin,now,I'veknownyousinceyouwerea boy.AndIwantyoutotellmestraightoutwhetherit'sso.IlovedandrespectedMr.Clutter, andIrefusetobelievethatthatman,thatChristian­Irefusetobelievehewaschasing afterwomen..."). But most of those who telephoned were responsible citizens wanting to be helpful ("I wonderifyou'veinterviewedNancy'sfriend,SueKidwell?Iwastalkingtothechild,and shesaidsomethingthatstruckme.ShesaidthelasttimesheeverspoketoNancy,Nancy toldherMr.Clutterwasinarealbadmood.Hadbeenthepastthreeweeks.Thatshe thought he was very worried about something, so worried he'd taken to smoking cigarettes...").Eitherthatorthecallerswerepeopleofficiallyconcerned­lawofficersand sheriffsfromotherpartsofthestate("Thismaybesomething,maynot,butabartender heresaysheoverheardtwofellowsdiscussingthecaseintermsmadeitsoundlikethey hadalottodowithit...").Andwhilenoneoftheseconversationshadasyetdonemore thanmakeextraworkfortheinvestigators,itwasalwayspossiblethatthenextonemight be,asDeweyputit,"thebreakthatbringsdownthecurtain." Onansweringthepresentcall,Deweyimmediatelyheard"Iwanttoconfess." Hesaid,"TowhomamIspeaking,please?" Thecaller,aman,repeatedhisoriginalassertion,andadded,"Ididit.Ikilledthemall." "Yes,"saidDewey."Now,ifIcouldhaveyournameandaddress..." "Oh,no,youdon't,"saidtheman,hisvoicethickwithinebriatedindignation."I'mnotgoing totellyouanything.NottillIgetthereward.Yousendthereward,thenI'lltellyouwhoI am.That'sfinal." Deweywentbacktobed."No,honey,"hesaid."Nothingimportant.Justanotherdrunk." "Whatdidhewant?" "Wantedtoconfess.Providedwesenttherewardfirst."(Akansaspaper,theHutchinson News,hadofferedathousanddollarsforinformationleadingtothesolutionofthecrime.) "Alvin,areyoulightinganothercigarette?Honestly,Alvin,can'tyouatleasttrytosleep?" He was too tense to sleep, even if the telephone could be silenced ­ too fretful and frustrated. None of his "leads" had led anywhere, except, perhaps, down a blind alley towardtheblankestofwalls.BobbyRupp?ThepolygraphmachinehadeliminatedBobby. AndMr.Smith,thefarmerwhotiedropeknotsidenticalwiththoseusedbythemurderer­

he,too,wasadiscardedsuspect,havingestablishedthatonthenightofthecrimehe'd been"offinOklahoma."WhichlefttheJohns,fatherandson,buttheyhadalsosubmitted provablealibis."So,"toquoteHaroldNye,"italladdsuptoaniceroundnumber.Zero." EventhehuntforthegraveofNancy'scathadcometonothing. Nevertheless, there had been one or two meaningful developments. First, while sorting Nancy'sclothes,Mrs.ElaineSelsor,heraunt,hadfoundtuckedinthetoeofashoeagold wristwatch.Second,accompaniedbyaK.B.I.agent,Mrs.Helmhadexploredeveryroomat RiverValleyFarm,touredthehouseintheexpectationthatshemightnoticesomething awryorabsent,andshehad.IthappenedinKenyon'sroom.Mrs.Helmlookedandlooked, pacedroundandroundtheroomwithpursedlips,touchingthisandthat­Kenyon'sold baseballmitt,Kenyon'smud­spatteredworkboots,hispatheticabandonedspectacles.All thewhileshekeptwhispering,"Somethinghereiswrong,Ifeelit,Iknowit,butIdon't knowwhatitis."Andthenshedidknow."It'stheradio!WhereisKenyon'slittleradio?" Takentogether,thesediscoveriesforcedDeweytoconsideragainthepossibilityof"plain robbery"asamotive.SurelythatwatchhadnottumbledintoNancy'sshoebyaccident?She must,lyingthereinthedark,haveheardsounds­footfalls,perhapsvoices­thatledherto supposethieveswereinthehouse,andsobelievingmusthavehurriedlyhiddenthewatch, agiftfromherfatherthatshetreasured.Asfortheradio,agrayportablemadebyZenith­ nodoubtaboutit,theradiowasgone.Allthesame,Deweycouldnotacceptthetheorythat thefamilyhadbeenslaughteredforpaltryprofit­"afewdollarsandaradio."Toacceptit would obliterate his image of the killer ­ or, rather, killers. He and his associates had definitely decided to pluralize the term. The expert execution of the crimes was proof enoughthatatleastoneofthepaircommandedanimmoderateamountofcool­headed slyness, and was ­ must be ­ a person too clever to have done such a deed without calculated motive. Then, too, Dewey had become aware of several particulars that reinforcedhisconvictionthatatleastoneofthemurdererswasemotionallyinvolvedwith thevictims,andfeltforthem,evenashedestroyedthem,acertaintwistedtenderness. Howelseexplainthemattressbox? ThebusinessofthemattressboxwasoneofthethingsthatmosttantalizedDewey.Why hadthemurdererstakenthetroubletomovetheboxfromthefarendofthebasem*nt roomandlayitonthefloorinfrontofthefurnace,unlesstheintentionhadbeentomake Mr.Cluttermorecomfortable­toprovidehim,whilehecontemplatedtheapproaching knife, with a couch less rigid than cold cement? And in studying the death­scene photographsDeweyhaddistinguishedotherdetailsthatseemedtosupporthisnotionofa murderernowandagainmovedbyconsiderateimpulses."Or"­hecouldneverquitefind the word he wanted ­ "something fussy. And soft.Those bedcovers. Now,whatkind of personwoulddothat­tieuptwowomen,thewayBonnieandthegirlweretied,andthen drawupthebedcovers,tuckthemin,likesweetdreamsandgoodnight?Orthepillow underKenyon'shead.AtfirstIthoughtmaybethepillowwasputtheretomakehisheada simplertarget.NowIthink,No,itwasdoneforthesamereasonthemattressboxwas spreadonthefloor­tomakethevictimmorecomfortable." Butspeculationsuchasthese,thoughtheyabsorbedDewey,didnotgratifyhimorgivehim asenseof"gettingsomewhere."Acasewasseldomsolvedby"fancytheories";heputhis faithinfacts­"sweatedforandswornto."Thequantityoffactstobesoughtandsifted,and theagendaplannedtoobtainthem,promisedperspirationaplenty,entailing,asitdid,the trackingdown,the"checkingout,"ofhundredsofpeople,amongthemallformerRiver

Valley Farm employees, friends and family, anyone with whom Mr. Clutter had done business,muchorlittle­atortoisecrawlintothepast.For,asDeweyhadtoldhisteam,"we havetokeepgoingtillweknowtheCluttersbetterthantheyeverknewthemselves.Until weseetheconnectionbetweenwhatwefoundlastSundaymorningandsomethingthat happenedmaybefiveyearsago.Thelink.Gottobeone.Gotto." Dewey'swifedozed,butsheawakenedwhenshefelthimleavetheirbed,heardhimonce moreansweringthetelephone,andheard,fromthenearbyroomwherehersonsslept, sobs,asmallboycrying."Paul?"Ordinarily,Paulwasneithertroublednortroublesome­not awhiner,ever.Hewastoobusydiggingtunnelsinthebackyardorpracticingtobe"the fastestrunnerinFinneyCounty."Butatbreakfastthatmorninghe'dburstintotears.His motherhadnotneededtoaskhimwhy;sheknewthatalthoughheunderstoodonlyhazily the reasons for the uproar around him, he felt endangered by it ­ by the harassing telephone,andthestrangersatthedoor,andhisfather'sworry­weariedeyes.Shewentto comfortPaul.Hisbrother,threeyearsolder,helped."Paul,"hesaid,"youtakeiteasynow, andtomorrowI'llteachyoutoplaypoker." Deweywasinthekitchen;Marie,searchingforhim,foundhimthere,waitingforapotof coffee to percolate and with the murder­scene photographs spread before him on the kitchentable­bleakstains,spoilingthetable'sprettyfruit­patternedoilcloth.(Oncehehad offeredtoletherlookatthepictures.Shehaddeclined.Shehadsaid,"Iwanttoremember BonniethewayBonniewas­andallofthem.")Hesaid,"Maybetheboysoughttostaywith Mother."Hismother,awidow,livednotfaroff,inahouseshethoughttoospaciousand silent;thegrandchildrenwerealwayswelcome."Forjustafewdays.Until­well,until." "Alvin,doyouthinkwe'llevergetbacktonormalliving?"Mrs.Deweyasked. Theirnormallifewaslikethis:bothworked,Mrs.Deweyasanofficesecretary,andthey dividedbetweenthemthehouseholdchores,takingturnsatthestoveandthesink.("When Alvinwassheriff,Iknowsomeoftheboysteasedhim.Usedtosay,'Lookoveryonder!Here comesSheriffDewey!Toughguy!Totesasix­shooter!Butoncehegetshome,offcomesthe gunandongoestheapron!'")Atthattimetheyweresavingtobuildahomeonafarmthat Deweyhadboughtin1951­twohundredandfortyacresseveralmilesnorthofGarden City.Iftheweatherwasfine,andespeciallywhenthedayswerehotandthewheatwas highandripe,helikedtodriveoutthereandpracticehisdraw­shootcrows,tincans­or inhisimaginationroamthroughthehousehehopedtohave,andthroughthegardenhe meanttoplant,andundertreesyettobeseeded.Hewasverycertainthatsomedayhis ownoasisof oaks and elms would stand upon those shadeless plains: "Someday. God willing." AbeliefinGodandtheritualssurroundingthatbelief­churcheverySunday,gracebefore meals,prayersbeforebed­wereanimportantpartoftheDeweys'existence."Idon'tsee howanyonecansitdowntotablewithoutwantingtoblessit,"Mrs.Deweyoncesaid. "Sometimes,whenIcomehomefromwork­well,I'mtired.Butthere'salwayscoffeeonthe stove,andsometimesasteakintheicebox.Theboysmakeafiretocookthesteak,andwe talk,andtelleachotherourday,andbythetimesupper'sreadyIknowwehavegoodcause tobehappyandgrateful.SoIsay,Thankyou,Lord.NotjustbecauseIshould­becauseI wantto." Now Mrs. Dewey said, "Alvin, answer me. Do you think we'll ever have a normal life

again?"Hestartedtoreply,butthetelephonestoppedhim. TheoldChevroletleftKansasCityNovember21,Saturdaynight.Luggagewaslashedtothe fendersandropedtotheroof;thetrunkwassostuffeditcouldnotbeshut;inside,onthe backseat,twotelevisionsetsstood,oneatoptheother.Itwasatightfitforthepassengers: Dick,whowasdriving,andPerry,whosatclutchingtheoldGibsonguitar,hismostbeloved possession.AsforPerry'sotherbelongings­acard­boardsuitcase,agrayZenithportable radio,agallonjugofroot­beersyrup(hefearedthathisfavoritebeveragemightnotbe available in Mexico), and two big boxes containing books, manuscripts, cherished memorabilia (and hadn't Dick raised hell! Cursed, kicked the boxes, called them "five hundredpoundsofpigslop!")­these,too,werepartofthecar'suntidyinterior. AroundmidnighttheycrossedtheborderintoOklahoma.Perry,gladtobeoutofKansas,at lastrelaxed.Nowitwastrue­theywereontheirway.Ontheirway,andnevercomingback ­withoutregret,asfarashewasconcerned,forhewasleavingnothingbehind,andnoone whomightdeeplywonderintowhatthinairhe'dspiraled.Thesamecouldnotbesaidof Dick.TherewerethoseDickclaimedtolove:threesons,amother,afather,abrother­ personshehadn'tdaredconfidehisplansto,orbidgoodbye,thoughheneverexpectedto seethemagain­notinthislife. Clutter­EnglishVowsgiveninSaturdayceremony:thatheadline,appearingonthesocial page of the Garden City Telegram for November 23, surprised many of its readers. It seemedthatBeverly,thesecondofMr.Clutter'ssurvivingdaughters,hadmarriedMr.Vere Edward English,theyoung biology studentto whomshe had long beenengaged. Miss Clutterhadwornwhite,andthewedding,afull­scaleaffair("Mrs.LeonardCowanwas soloist,andMrs.HowardBlanchardorganist"),hadbeen"solemnizedattheFirstMethodist Church" ­ the church in which,threedaysearlier,thebride had formally mourned her parents,herbrother,andheryoungersister.However,accordingtotheTelegram'saccount, "Vere and Beverly had planned to be married at Christmas time. The invitations were printed and her father had reserved the church for that date. Due to the unexpected tragedyandbecauseofthemanyrelativesbeingherefromdistantplaces,theyoungcouple decidedtohavetheirweddingSaturday." Theweddingover,theClutterkinfolkdispersed.OnMonday,thedaythelastofthemleft GardenCity,theTelegramfeaturedonitsfrontpagealetterwrittenbyMr.HowardFox,of Oregon,Illinois,abrotherofBonnieClutter.Theletter,afterexpressinggratitudetothe townspeopleforhavingopenedtheir"homesandhearts"tothebereavedfamily,turnedinto aplea."Thereismuchresentmentinthiscommunity[thatis,GardenCity],"wroteMr.Fox. "Ihaveevenheardonmorethanoneoccasionthattheman,whenfound,shouldbehanged fromthenearesttree.Letusnotfeelthisway.Thedeedisdoneandtakinganotherlife cannotchangeit.Instead,letusforgiveasGodwouldhaveusdo.Itisnotrightthatwe shouldholdagrudgeinourhearts.Thedoerofthisactisgoingtofinditverydifficult indeed to live with himself. His only peace of mind will be when he goes to God for forgiveness. Letus notstand intheway but instead giveprayers that he mayfind his peace." ThecarwasparkedonapromontorywherePerryandDickhadstoppedtopicnic.Itwas noon.Dickscannedtheviewthroughapairofbinoculars.Mountains.Hawkswheelingina whitesky.Adustyroadwindingintoandoutofawhiteanddustyvillage.Todaywashis seconddayinMexico,andsofarhelikeditfine­eventhefood.(Atthisverymomenthe

waseatingacold,oilytortilla.)TheyhadcrossedtheborderatLaredo,Texas,themorning ofNovember23,andspentthefirstnightinaSanLuisPotosibrothel.Theywerenowtwo hundredmilesnorthoftheirnextdestination,MexicoCity. "KnowwhatIthink?"saidPerry."Ithinktheremustbesomethingwrongwithus.Todo whatwedid."' "Didwhat?" "Outthere." Dickdroppedthebinocularsintoaleathercase,aluxuriousreceptacleinitialedH.W.C.He wasannoyed.Annoyedashell.Whythehellcouldn'tPerryshutup?ChristJesus,what damn good did it do, always dragging the goddam thing up? It really was annoying. Especiallysincethey'dagreed,sortof,nottotalkaboutthegoddamthing.Justforgetit. "There'sgottobesomethingwrongwithsomebodywho'ddoathinglikethat,"Perrysaid. "Dealmeout,baby,"Dicksaid."I'manormal."AndDickmeantwhathesaid.Hethought himselfasbalanced,assaneasanyone­maybeabitsmarterthantheaveragefellow,that's all.ButPerry­therewas,inDick'sopinion,"somethingwrong"withLittlePerry.Tosaythe least.Lastspring,whentheyhadcelledtogetheratKansasStatePenitentiary,he'dlearned mostofPerry'slesserpeculiarities:Perrycouldbe"suchakid,"alwayswettinghisbedand cryinginhissleep("Dad,Ibeenlookingeverywhere,whereyoubeen,Dad?"),andoften Dickhadseenhim"sitforhoursjustsuckinghisthumbandporingoverthemphonydamn treasure guides." Which was one side; there were others. In some ways old Perry was "spookyashell."Take,forinstance,thattemperofhis.Hecouldslideintoafury"quicker thantendrunkIndians."Andyetyouwouldn'tknowit."Hemightbereadytokillyou,but you'dneverknowit,nottolookatorlistento,"Dickoncesaid.Forhoweverextremethe inwardrage,outwardlyPerryremainedacoolyoungtough,witheyessereneandslightly sleepy.ThetimehadbeenwhenDickhadthoughthecouldcontrol,couldregulatethe temperature ofthe suddencold feversthat burned and chilled hisfriend,hehad been mistaken,andintheaftermathofthatdiscovery,hadgrownveryunsureofPerry,notatall certainwhattothink­exceptthathefeltheoughttobeafraidofhim,andwonderedreally whyhewasn't. "Deepdown,"Perrycontinued,"way,wayrock­bottom,IneverthoughtIcoulddoit.Athing likethat." "Howaboutthenigg*r?"Dicksaid.Silence.DickrealizedthatPerrywasstaringathim.A weekago,inKansasCity,Perryhadboughtapairofdarkglasses­fancyoneswithsilver­ lacqueredrimsandmirroredlenses.Dickdislikedthem;he'dtoldPerryhewasashamedto beseenwith"anyonewho'dwearthatkindofflitstuff."Actually,whatirkedhimwasthe mirroredlenses;itwasunpleasanthavingPerry'seyeshiddenbehindtheprivacyofthose tinted,reflectingsurfaces. "Butanigg*r,"saidPerry."That'sdifferent."Thecomment,thereluctancewithwhichitwas pronounced, made Dick ask, "Or did you? Kill him like you said?" It was a significant question, for his original interest in Perry, his assessment of Perry's character and potentialities,wasfoundedonthestoryPerryhadoncetoldhimofhowhehadbeatena

coloredmantodeath. "SureIdid.Only­anigg*r.It'snotthesame."ThenPerrysaid,"Knowwhatitisthatreally bugsme?Abouttheotherthing?It'sjustIdon'tbelieveit­thatanyonecangetawaywitha thinglikethat.BecauseIdon'tseehowit'spossible.Todowhatwedid.Andjustone hundredpercentgetawaywithit.Imean,that'swhatbugsme­Ican'tgetitoutofmy headthatsomething'sgottohappen." Thoughasachildhehadattendedchurch,Dickhadnever"comenear"abeliefinGod;nor washetroubledbysuperstitions.UnlikePerry,hewasnotconvincedthatabrokenmirror meantsevenyears'misfortune,orthatayoungmoonifglimpsedthroughglassportended evil. But Perry, with his sharp and scratchy intuitions, had hit upon Dick's one abiding doubt. Dick, too, suffered moments when that question circled inside his head: Was it possible­werethetwoofthem"honesttoGodgoingtogetawaywithdoingathinglike that"?Suddenly,hesaidto Perry, "Now, just shut up!" Then he gunned the motor and backed the car off the promontory.Aheadofhim,onthedustyroad,hesawadogtrottingalonginthewarm sunshine. Mountains.Hawks.Wheelinginawhitesky. WhenPerryaskedDick,"KnowwhatIthink?"heknewhewasbeginningaconversation thatwoulddispleaseDick,andonethat,forthatmatter,hehimselfwouldjustassoon avoid.HeagreedwithDick:Whygoontalkingaboutit?Buthecouldnotalwaysstop himself.Spellsofhelplessnessoccurred,momentswhenhe"rememberedthings"­bluelight explodinginablackroom,theglasseyesofabigtoybear­andwhenvoices,aparticular fewwords,startednagginghismind:"Oh,no!Oh,please!No!No!No!No!Don't!Oh, pleasedon't,please!"Andcertainsoundsreturned­asilverdollarrollingacrossafloor, boot steps on hardwood stairs, and the sounds of breathing, the gasps, the hysterical inhalationsofamanwithaseveredwindpipe. WhenPerrysaid,"Ithinktheremustbesomethingwrongwith us," hewasmaking an admissionhe"hatedtomake."Afterall,itwas"painful"toimaginethatonemightbe"not justright"­particularlyifwhateverwaswrongwasnotyourownfaultbut"maybeathing youwerebornwith."Lookathisfamily!Lookatwhathadhappenedthere!Hismother,an alcoholic,hadstrangledtodeathonherownvomit.Ofherchildren,twosonsandtwo daughters,onlytheyoungergirl,Barbara,hadenteredordinarylife,married,begunraising afamily.Fern,theotherdaughter,jumpedoutofawindowofaSanFranciscohotel.(Perry hadeversince"triedtobelievesheslipped,"forhe'dlovedFern.Shewas"suchasweet person,"so"artistic,"a"terrific"dancer,andshecouldsing,too."Ifshe'deverhadanyluck atall,withherlooksandall,shecouldhavegotsomewhere,beensomebody"Itwassadto thinkofherclimbingoverawindowsillandfallingfifteenfloors.)AndtherewasJimmy, theolderboy­Jimmy,whohadonedaydrivenhiswifetosuicideandkilledhimselfthe next. ThenheheardDicksay,"Dealmeout,baby.I'manormal."Wasn'tthatahorse'slaugh?But never mind, let it pass. "Deep down," Perry continued, "way, way rock­bottom, I never thoughtIcoulddoit.Athinglikethat."Andatonceherecognizedhiserror:Dickwould,of course,answerbyasking,"Howaboutthenigg*r?"Whenhe'dtoldDickthatstory,itwas

becausehe'dwantedDick'sfriendship,wantedDickto"respect"him,thinkhim"hard,"as much"themasculinetype"ashehadconsideredDicktobe.Andsoonedayaftertheyhad bothreadandwerediscussingaReader'sDigestarticleentitled"HowGoodaCharacter DetectiveAreYou?"("Asyouwaitinadentist'sofficeorarailwaystation,trystudyingthe give­awaysignsinpeoplearoundyou.Watchthewaytheywalk,forexample.Astiff­legged gaitcanrevealarigid,unbendingpersonality;ashamblingwalkalackofdetermination"), Perryhadsaid"I'vealwaysbeenanoutstandingcharacterdetective,otherwiseI'dbedead today.LikeifIcouldn'tjudgewhentotrustsomebody.Younevercanmuch.ButI'vecome totrustyou,Dick.You'llseeIdo,becauseI'mgoingtoputmyselfinyourpower.I'mgoing totellyousomethingInevertoldanybody.NotevenWillie­Jay.AboutthetimeIfixeda guy."AndPerrysaw,ashewenton,thatDickwasinterested;hewasreallylistening."Itwas acoupleofsummersago.OutinVegas.Iwaslivinginthisoldboardinghouse­itusedto beafancycathouse.Butallthefancywasgone.Itwasaplacetheyshouldhavetorndown tenyearsback;anyway,itwassortofcomingdownbyitself.Thecheapestroomswerein theattic,andIlivedupthere.Sodidthisnigg*r.HisnamewasKing;hewasatransient.We weretheonlytwoupthere­usandamillioncucarachas.King,hewasn'ttooyoung,but he'ddoneroadworkandotheroutdoorstuff­hehadagoodbuild.Heworeglasses,andhe readalot.Henevershuthisdoor,timeIpassedby,hewasalwayslyingtherebuck­naked, wasoutofwork,andsaidhe'dsavedafewdollarsfromhisjob,saidhewantedtostayin bedawhile,readandfanhimselfanddrinkbeer.Thestuffheread,itwasjustjunk­comic booksandcowboyjunk.HewasO.K.Sometimeswe'dhaveabeertogether,andoncehe lentmetendollars.Ihadnocausetohurthim.Butonenightweweresittingintheattic,it wassohotyoucouldn'tsleep,soIsaid,'Comeon,King,let'sgoforadrive.'Ihadanoldcar I'dstrippedandsoupedandpaintedsilver­theSilverGhost,Icalledit.Wewentforalong drive.Drovewayoutinthedesert.Outthereitwascool.Weparkedanddrankafewmore beers.Kinggotoutofthecar,andIfollowedafterhim.Hedidn'tseeI'dpickedupthis chain.AbicyclechainIkeptundertheseat.Actually,IhadnorealideatodoittillIdidit.I hithimacrosstheface.Brokehisglasses.Ikeptrighton.Afterward,Ididn'tfeelathing.I left him there, and never heard a word about it. Maybe nobody ever found him. Just buzzards." Therewassometruthinthestory.Perryhadknown,underthecirc*mstancesstated,a NegronamedKing.ButifthemanwasdeadtodayitwasnoneofPerry'sdoing;he'dnever raisedahandagainsthim.Forallheknew,Kingmightstillbelyingabedsome­where, fanninghimselfandsippingbeer. "Ordidyou?Killhimlikeyousaid?"Dickasked. Perrywasnotagiftedliar,oraprolificone;however,oncehehadtoldafictionheusually stuckbyit."SureIdid.Only­anigg*r.It'snotthesame."Presently,hesaid,"Knowwhatit isthatreallybugsme?Aboutthatotherthing?It'sjustIdon'tbelieveit­thatanyonecan getawaywithathinglikethat."AndhesuspectedthatDickdidn't,either.ForDickwasat leastpartlyinhabitedbyPerry'smystical­moralapprehensions.Thus:"Now,justshutup!" Thecarwasmoving.Ahundredfeetahead,adogtrottedalongthesideoftheroad.Dick swerved toward it. It was an old half­dead mongrel, brittle­boned and mangy, and the impact, asitmet thecar,waslittle more than whatabird mightmake. But Dick was satisfied."Boy!"hesaid­anditwaswhathealwayssaidafterrunningdownadog,which wassomethinghedidwhenevertheopportunityarose."Boy!Wesuresplatteredhim!"

Thanksgivingpassed,andthepheasantseasoncametoahalt,butnotthebeautifulIndian summer,withitsflowofclear,puredays.Thelastoftheout­of­townnewsmen,convinced thatthecasewasnevergoingtobesolved,leftGardenCity.Butthecasewasbynomeans closedforthepeopleofFinneyCounty,andleastofallforthosewhopatronizedHolcomb's favoritemeetingplace,Hartman'sCafe. "Sincethetroublestarted,we'vebeendoingallthebusinesswecanhandle,"Mrs.Hartman said,gazingaroundhersnugdomain,everyscrapofwhichwasbeingsatorstoodorleaned uponbytobacco­scented,coffee­drinkingfarmers,farmhelpers,andranchhands."Justa bunchofoldwomen,"addedMrs.Hartman'scousin,PostmistressClare,whohappenedto beonthepremises."Ifitwasspringandworktobedone,theywouldn'tbehere.But wheat'swinter'sontheway,theygotnothingtodobutsitaroundandscareeachother.You knowBillBrown,downtotheTelegram?Seetheeditorialhewrote?Thatonehecalledit 'AnotherCrime'?Said,'It'stimeforeveryonetostopwaggingloosetongues.'Becausethat's a crime, too ­ telling plain­out lies. But what can you expect? Look around you. Rattlesnakes.Varmints.Rumor­mongers.Seeanythingelse?Ha!Likedashyoudo." OnerumororiginatinginHartman'sCafeinvolvedTaylorJones,arancherwhoseproperty adjoinsRiverValleyFarm.Intheopinionofa*goodpartofthecafe'sclientele,Mr.Jonesand hisfamily,nottheClutters,werethemurderer'sintendedvictims."Itmakeshardersense," arguedoneofthosewhoheldthisview."TaylorJones,he'sarichermanthanHerbClutter everwas.Now,pretendthefellowwhodoneitwasn'tanyonefromhere­abouts.Pretend he'dbeenmaybehiredtokill,andallhehadwasinstructionsonhowtogettothehouse. Well,itwouldbemightyeasytomakeamistake­takeawrongturn­andendupatHerb's place'steadofTaylor's."The"JonesTheory"wasmuchrepeated­especiallytotheJoneses, adignifiedandsensiblefamily,whor*fusedtobeflustered. Alunchcounter,afewtables,analcoveharboringahotgrill,andaniceboxandaradio­ that'sallthereistoHartman'sCafe."Butourcustomerslikeit,"saystheproprietress."Got to.Nowhereelseforthemtogo.'Lesstheydrivesevenmilesonedirectionorfifteenthe other.Anyway,werunafriendlyplace,andthecoffee'sgoodsinceMablecametowork"­ MabelbeingMrs.Helm."Afterthetragedy,Isaid,'Mabel,nowthatyou'reoutofajob,why don'tyoucomegivemeahandatthecafe?Cookalittle.Waitcounter.'Howitturnedout­ theonlybadfeatureis,everybodycomesinhere,theypesterherwithquestions.Aboutthe tragedy.But Mabel'snotlikeCousinMyrt.Orme. She'sshy.Besides,she doesn't know anythingspecial.Nomorethananybodyelse."ButbyandlargetheHartmancongregation continuedtosuspectthatMabelHelmknewathingortwothatshewasholdingback.And, ofcourse,shedid.Deweyhadhadseveralconversationswithherandhadrequestedthat everythingtheysaidbekeptsecret.Particularly,shewasnottomentionthemissingradio or the watch found in Nancy's shoe. Which is why she said to Mrs. Archibald William Warren­Browne,"AnybodyreadsthepapersknowsasmuchasIdo.More.BecauseIdon't readthem." Square,squat,intheearlierforties,anEnglishwomanfittedoutwithanaccentalmost incoherentlyupper­class,Mrs.ArchibaldWilliamWarren­Brownedidnotatallresemblethe cafe'sotherfrequenters,andseemed,withinthatsetting,likeapeaco*cktrappedinaturkey pen.Once,explainingtoanacquaintancewhysheandherhusbandhadabandoned"family estatesintheNorthofEngland,"exchangingthehereditaryhome­"thejolliest,oh,the prettiestoldpriory"­foranoldandhighlyun­jollyfarm­houseontheplainsofwestern Kansas,Mrs.Warren­Brownesaid:"Taxes,mydear.Deathduties.Enormous,criminaldeath

duties.That'swhatdroveusoutofEngland.Yes,weleftayearago.Withoutregrets.None. Weloveithere,Justadoreit.Though,ofcourse,it'sverydifferentfromourotherlife.The lifewe'vealwaysknown.ParisandRome.Monte.London.Ido­occasionally­thinkof London.Oh,Idon'treallymissit­thefrenzy,andneveracab,andalwaysworryinghow onelooks.Positivelynot.Weloveithere.Isupposesomepeople­thoseawareofourpast, thelifewe'veled­wonderaren'twethetiniestbitlonely,outthereinthewheatfields.Out Westiswherewemeanttosettle.WyomingorNeveda­lavraiechose.Wehopedwhenwe gottheresomeoilmightsticktous.ButonourwaywestoppedtovisitfriendsinGarden City­friendsoffriends,actually.Buttheycouldn'thavebeenkinder.Insistedwelingeron. Andwethought,Well,whynot?Whynothireabitoflandandstartranching?Orfarming. Whichisadecisionwestillhaven'tcometo­whethertoranchorfarm.Dr.Austinaskedif wedidn'tfinditperhapstooquiet.Actually,no.Actually,I'veneverknownsuchbedlam.It's noisierthanabombraid.Trainwhistles.Coyotes.Monstershowlingthebloodynightlong. Ahorridracket.Andsincethemurdersitseemstobothermemore.Somanythingsdo.Our house ­ what an old creaker it is! Mark you, I'm not complaining. Really, it's quite a serviceablehouse­hasallthemod.cons.­but,oh,howitcoughsandgrunts!Andafter dark,whenthewindcommences,thathatefulprairiewind,onehearsthemostappalling moans.Imean,ifone'sabitnervy,onecan'thelpimagining­sillythings.DearGod!That poorfamily!No,wenevermetthem.IsawMr.Clutteronce.IntheFederalBuilding." EarlyinDecember,inthecourseofasingleafternoon,twoofthecafe'ssteadiestcustomers announcedplanstopackupandleavenotmerelyFinneyCountybutthestate.Thefirst was a tenant farmer who worked for Lester McCoy, a well­known western­Kansas landownerandbusinessman.Hesaid,"Ihadmy­selfatalkwithMr.McCoy.Triedtolethim knowwhat'sgoingonouthereinHolcombandhereabouts.Howabodycan'tsleep.My wifecan'tsleep,andshewon'tallowme.SoItoldMr.McCoyIlikehisplacefinebuthe betterhuntupanotherman. 'Countifwe'removin'on.DowntoeastColorado.MaybethenI'llgetsomerest." ThesecondannouncementwasmadebyMrs.HideoAshida,whostoppedbythecafe"with threeofherfourred­cheekedchildren.ShelinedthemupatthecounterandtoldMrs. Hartman,"GiveBruceaboxofCrackerJack.Bobbywantsaco*ke.BonnieJean?Weknow howyoufeel,BonnieJean,butcomeon,haveatreat."BonnieJeanshookherhead,and Mrs.Ashidasaid,"BonnieJean'ssortofblue.Shedon'twanttoleavehere.Theschoolhere. Andallherfriends." "Why, say," said Mrs. Hartman, smiling at Bonnie Jean. "That's nothing to be sad over. TransferringfromHolcombtoGardenCityHigh.Lotsmoreboys­" BonnieJeansaid,"Youdon'tunderstand.Daddy'stakingusaway.ToNebraska." BessHartmanlookedatthemother,asifexpectinghertodenythedaughter'sallegation. "It'strue,Bess,"Mrs.Ashidasaid. "Idon'tknowwhattosay,"saidMrs.Hartman,hervoiceindignantlyastonished,andalso despairing.TheAshidaswereapartoftheHolcombcommunityeveryoneappreciated­a familylikablyhigh­spirited,yethard­workingandneighborlyandgenerous,thoughthey didn'thavemuchtobegenerouswith.

Mrs.Ashidasaid,"We'vebeentalkingonitalongtime.Hideo,hethinkswecandobetter somewhereelse.""Whenyouplantogo?" "Soonaswesellup.ButanywaynotbeforeChristmas.Onaccountofadealwe'veworked outwiththedentist.AboutHideo'sChristmaspresent.Meandthekids,we'regivinghim threegoldteeth.ForChristmas." Mrs.Hartmansighed."Idon'tknowwhattosay.ExceptIwishyouwouldn't.Justupand leaveus."Shesighedagain."Seemslikewe'relosingeverybody.Onewayandanother." "Gosh,youthinkIwanttoleave?"Mrs.Ashidasaid."Faraspeoplego,thisisthenicest placeweeverlived.ButHideo,he'stheman,andhesayswecangetabetterfarmin Nebraska.AndI'lltellyousomething,Bess."Mrs.Ashidaattemptedafrown,butherplump, round,smoothfacecouldnotquitemanageIt."Weusedtoargueaboutit.ThenonenightI said,'O.K.,you'retheboss,let'sgo.'AfterwhathappenedtoHerbandhisfamily,Ifelt something around here had cometo anend.Imeanpersonally.Forme.And so Iquit arguing.IsaidO.K."ShedippedahandintoBruce'sboxofCrackerJack."Gosh,Ican'tget overit.Ican'tgetitoffmymind.IlikedHerb.DidyouknowIwasoneofthelasttosee himalive?Uh­huh.Meandthekids.Webeentothe4­HmeetinginGardenCityandhe gaveusaridehome.ThelastthingIsaidtoHerb,ItoldhimhowIcouldn'timaginehis everbeingafraid.Thatnomatterwhatthesituationwas,hecouldtalkhiswayoutofit." ThoughtfullyshenibbledakernelofCrackerJack,tookaswigofBobby'sco*ke,thensaid, "Funny,butyouknow,Bess,I'llbethewasn'tafraid.Imean,howeverithappened,I'llbet rightuptothelasthedidn'tbelieveitwould.Becauseitcouldn't.Nottohim." Thesunwasblazing.Asmallboatwasridingatanchorinamildsea:theEstrellita,with fourpersonsaboard­Dick,Perry,ayoungMexican,andOtto,arichmiddle­agedGerman. "Please.Again,"saidOtto,andPerry,strumminghisguitar,sanginahuskysweetvoicea SmokyMountainssong: "Inthisworldtodaywhilewe'reliving Somefolkssaytheworstofustheycan, Butwhenwe'redeadandinourcaskets, Theyalwaysslipsomeliliesinourhand. Won'tyougivemeflowerswhileI'mliving..." A week in Mexico City, and then he and Dick had driven south ­ Cuernavaca, Taxco, Acapulco.AnditwasinAcapulco,ina"jukeboxhonky­tonk,"thattheyhadmetthehairy­ legged and hearty Otto. Dick had "picked him up." But the gentleman, a vacationing Hamburglawyer,"alreadyhadafriend"­ayoungnativeAcapulcanwhocalledhimselfthe Cowboy.*"Heprovedtobeatrustworthyperson,"PerryoncesaidoftheCowboy."Meanas Judas,someways,butoh,man,afunnyboy,arealfastjockey.Dicklikedhim,too.Wegot ongreat." TheCowboyfoundforthetattooeddriftersaroominthehouseofanuncle,undertookto

improvePerry'sSpanish,andsharedthebenefitsofhisliaisonwiththeholidaymakerfrom Hamburg, in whose company and at whose expense they drank and ate and bought women.Thehostseemedtothinkhispesoswellspent,ifonlybecauseherelishedDick's jokes.EachdayOttohiredtheEstrellita,adeep­sea­fishingcraft,andthefourfriendswent trollingalongthecoast.TheCowboyskipperedtheboat;Ottosketchedandfished;Perry baitedhooks,daydreamed,sang,andsometimesfished;Dickdidnothing­onlymoaned, complainedofthemotion,layaboutsun­druggedandlistless,likealizardatsiesta.But Perrysaid,"Thisisfinallyit.Thewayitoughttobe."Still,heknewthatitcouldn'tcontinue ­thatitwas,infact,destinedtostopthatveryday.ThenextdayOttowasreturningto Germany,andPerryandDickweredrivingbacktoMexicoCity­atDick'sinsistence."Sure, baby,"he'dsaidwhentheyweredebatingthematter."It'sniceandall.Withthesunonyour back.Butthedough'sgoing­going­gone.Andafterwe'vesoldthecar,whathavewegot left?" Theanswerwasthattheyhadverylittle,fortheyhadbynowmostlydisposedofthestuff acquiredthedayoftheKansasCitycheck­passingspree­thecamera,thecufflinks,the televisionsets.Also,theyhadsold,toaMexicoCitypolicemanwithwhomDickhadgot acquainted,apairofbinocularsandagrayZenithportableradio."Whatwe'lldois,we'llgo backtoMex,sellthecar,andmaybeIcangetagaragejob.Anyway,it'sabetterdealup there.Betteropportunities.Christ,IsurecouldusesomemoreofthatInez."Inezwasa prostitutewhohadaccostedDickonthestepsofthePalaceofFineArtsinMexicoCity(the visitwaspartofasightseeingtourtakentopleasePerry).Shewaseighteen,andDickhad promisedtomarryher.ButhehadalsopromisedtomarryMaria,awomanoffifty,who wasthewidowofa"veryprominentMexicanbanker."Theyhadmetinabar,andthenext morningshehadpaidhimtheequivalentofsevendollars."Sohowaboutit?"Dicksaidto Perry."We'llsellthewagon.Findajob.Saveourdough.Andseewhathappens."Asthough Perrycouldn'tpredictpreciselywhatwouldhappen. SupposetheygottwoorthreehundredfortheoldChevrolet.Dick,ifheknewDick,andhe did­nowhedid­wouldspenditrightawayonvodkaandwomen. WhilePerrysang,Ottosketchedhiminasketchbook.Itwasapassablelikeness,andthe artistperceivedonenotveryobviousaspectofthesitter'scountenance­itsmischief,an amused,babyishmalicethatsuggestedsomeunkindcupidaimingenvenomedarrows.He wasnakedtothewaist.(Perrywas"ashamed"totakeoffhistrousers,"ashamed"towear swimmingtrunks,forhewasafraidthatthesightofhisinjuredlegswould"disgustpeople," andso,despitehisunderwaterreveries,allthetalkaboutskin­diving,hehadn'toncegone intothewater.)Ottoreproducedanumberofthetattoosornamentingthesubject'sover muscledchest,arms,andsmallandcallousedbutgirlishhands.Thesketch­book,which OttogavePerryasapartinggift,containedseveraldrawingsofDick­"nudestudies." Ottoshuthissketchbook,Perryputdownhisguitar,andtheCowboyraisedanchor,started theengine.Itwastimetogo.Theyweretenmilesout,andthewaterwasdarkening. PerryurgedDicktofish."Wemayneverhaveanotherchance,"hesaid. "Chance?" "Tocatchabigone."

"Jesus,I'vegotthebastardkind,"Dicksaid."I'msick."Dickoftenhadheadachesofmigraine intensity­"thebastardkind."Hethoughttheyweretheresultofhisautomobileaccident. "Please,baby.Let'sbevery,veryquiet." MomentslaterDickhadforgottenhispain.Hewasonhisfeet,shoutingwithexcitement. OttoandtheCowboywereshouting,too.Perryhadhooked"abigone."Tenfeetofsoaring, plungingsailfish,itleaped,archedlikearainbow,dived,sankdeep,tuggedthelinetaut, rose, flew, fell, rose. An hour passed, and part of another, before the sweat­soaked sportsmanreeleditin. Thereisanoldmanwithanancientwoodenboxcamerawhohangsaroundtheharborin Acapulco,andwhentheEstrellitadocked,Ottocommissionedhimtodosixportraitsof Perryposedbesidehiscatch.Technically,theoldman'sworkturnedoutbadly­brownand streaked.Still,theywereremarkablephotographs,andwhatmadethemsowasPerry's expression,hislookofunflawedfulfillment,ofbeatitude,asthoughatlast,andasinoneof hisdreams,atallyellowbirdhadhauledhimtoheaven. OneDecemberafternoonPaulHelmwaspruningthepatchoffloraloddsandendsthathad entitledBonnieCluttertomembershipintheGardenCityGardenClub.Itwasamelancholy task,forhewasremindedofanotherafternoonwhenhe'ddonethesamechore.Kenyon hadhelpedhimthatday,anditwasthelasttimehe'dseenKenyonalive,orNancy,orany ofthem.TheweeksbetweenhadbeenhardonMr.Helm.Hewas"inpoorhealth"(poorer thanheknew;hehadlessthanfourmonthstolive),andhewasworriedaboutalotof things.Hisjob,forone.Hedoubtedhewouldhaveitmuchlonger.Nobodyseemedreally to know, but he understood that "the girls," Beverly and Eveanna, intended to sell the property­though,ashe'dheardoneoftheboysatthecaferemark,"ain'tnobodygonna buythatspread,longasthemysterylasts."It"didn'tdo"tothinkaboutstrangershere, harvesting"our"land.Mr.Helmminded­hemindedforHerb'ssake.Thiswasaplace,he said,that"oughttobekeptinaman'sfamily."OnceHerbhadsaidtohim,"Ihopethere'll alwaysbeaClutterhere,andaHelm,too."ItwasonlyayearagoHerbhadsaidthat.Lord, whatwas hetodoifthefarmgotsold?Hefelt"toooldtofitinsomewheredifferent." Still,hemustwork,andhewantedto.Hewasn't,hesaid,thekindtokickoffhisshoesand sitbythestove.Andyetitwastruethatthefarmnowadaysmadehimuneasy:thelocked house,Nancy'shorseforlornlywaitinginafield,theodorofwindfallapplesrottingunder theappletrees,andtheabsenceofvoices­KenyoncallingNancytothetelephone,Herb whistling,hisglad"Goodmorning,Paul."HeandHerbhad"gotalonggrand"­neveracross wordbetweenthem.Why,then,didthemenfromthesheriff'sofficecontinuetoquestion him? Unless they thought he had "something to hide"? Maybe he ought never to have mentionedtheMexicans.HehadinformedAlDeweythatatapproximatelyfouro'clockon Saturday,November14,thedayofthemurders,apairofMexicans,onemustachioedand theotherpockmarked,appearedatRiverValleyFarm.Mr.Helmhadseenthemknockon thedoorof"theoffice,"seenHerbstepoutsideandtalktothemonthelawn,and,possibly tenminuteslater,watchedthestrangerswalkaway,"lookingsulky."Mr.Helmfiguredthat theyhadcomeaskingforworkandhadbeentoldtherewasnone.Unfortunately,though he'dbeencalledupontorecounthisversionofthatday'seventsmanytimes,hehadnot spokenoftheincidentuntiltwoweeksafterthecrime,because,asheexplainedtoDewey, "Ijustsuddenlyrecalledit."ButDewey,andsomeoftheotherinvestigators,seemednotto

credithisstory,andbehavedasthoughitwereatalehe'dinventedtomisleadthem.They preferredtobelieveBobJohnson,theinsurancesalesman,whohadspentallofSaturday afternoon conferring with Mr. Clutter in the latter's office, and who was "absolutely positive"thatfromtwototenpastsixhehadbeenHerb'ssolevisitor.Mr.Helmwasequally definite:Mexicans,amustache,pockmarks,fouro'clock.Herbwouldhavetoldthemthat hewasspeakingthetruth,convincedthemthathe,PaulHelm,wasamanwho"saidhis prayersandearnedhisbread."ButHerbwasgone. Gone.AndBonnie,too.Herbedroomwindowoverlookedthegarden,andnowandthen, usuallywhenshewas"havingabadspell,"Mr.Helmhadseenherstandlonghoursgazing intothegarden,asthoughwhatshesawbewitchedher.("WhenIwasagirl,"shehadonce toldafriend,"Iwasterriblysuretreesandflowerswerethesameasbirdsorpeople.That theythoughtthings,andtalkedamongthemselves.Andwecouldhearthemifwereally tried.Itwasjustamatterofemptyingyourheadofallothersounds.Beingveryquietand listeningveryhard.SometimesIstillbelievethat.Butonecannevergetquietenough...") RememberingBonnieatthewindow,Mr.Helmlookedup,asthoughheexpectedtoseeher, aghostbehindtheglass.Ifhehad,itcouldnothaveamazedhimmorethanwhathedidin factdiscern­ahandholdingbackacurtain,andeyes."But,"ashesubsequentlydescribed it, "the sun was hitting that side of the house" ­ it made the window glass waver, shimmeringlytwistedwhathungbeyondit­andbythetimeMr.Helmhadshieldedhis eyes,thenlookedagain,thecurtainshadswungclosed,thewindowwasvacant."Myeyes aren'ttoogood,andIwonderediftheyhadplayedmeatrick,"herecalled."ButIwas prettydarncertainthattheyhadn't.AndIwasprettydarncertainitwasn'tanyspook. BecauseIdon'tbelieveinspooks.Sowhocoulditbe?Sneakingaroundinthere.Where nobody'sgotarighttogo,exceptthelaw.Andhowdidtheygetin?Witheverythinglocked upliketheradiowasadvertisingtornadoes.That'swhatIwondered.ButIwasn'texpecting to find out ­ not by myself. I dropped what I was doing, and cut across the fields to Holcomb. Soon as I got there, I phoned Sheriff Robinson. Explained that there was somebody,prowlingaroundinsidetheClutterhouse.Well,theycameraringrightonout. Statetroopers.Thesheriffandhisbunch.TheK.B.I.fellows.AlDewey.Justastheywere stringing themselves around the place, sort of getting ready for action, the front door opened."Outwalkedapersonnoonepresenthadeverseenbefore­amaninhismiddle thirties,dull­eyed,wild­haired,andwearingahipholsterstockedwitha.38­caliperpistol. "Iguessallofustherehadtheidenticalidea­thiswashim,theonewhocameandkilled them,"Mr.Helmcontinued."Hedidn'tmakeamove.Stoodquiet.Kindofblinking.They tookthegunaway,andstartedaskingquestions." Theman'snamewasAdrian­JonathanDanielAdrian.HewasonhiswaytoNewMexico, and atpresenthad nofixed address.Forwhatpurposehadhebrokeninto theClutter house,andhow,incidentally,hadhemanagedit?Heshowedthemhow.(Hehadliftedalid offawaterwellandcrawledthroughapipetunnelthatledintothebasem*nt.)Asforwhy, hehadreadaboutthecaseandwascurious,justwantedtoseewhattheplacelookedlike. "Andthen,"accordingtoMr.Helm'smemoryoftheepisode,"somebodyaskedhimwashea hitchhiker?HitchhikinghiswaytoNewMexico?No,hesaid,hewasdrivinghisowncar. Anditwasparkeddownthelaneapiece.Soeverybodywenttolookatthecar.Whenthey foundwhatwasinsideit,oneofthemen­maybeitwasAlDewey­saidtohim,toldthis JonathanDanielAdrian,'Well,mister,seemslikewe'vegotsomethingtodiscuss.'Because, insidethecar,whatthey'dfoundwasa.12­gaugeshotgun.Andahuntingknife."

AroominahotelinMexicoCity.Intheroomwasanuglymodernbureauwithalavender­ tinted mirror, and tucked into a corner of the mirror was a printed warning from the Management: Sudiaterminaalas2p.m. Yourdayendsat2p.m. Guests,inotherwords,mustvacatetheroombythestatedhourorexpecttobecharged another day's rent ­ a luxury thatthe present occupants were notcontemplating. They wondered only whether they could settle the sum already owed. For everything had evolvedasPerryhadprophesied:Dickhadsoldthecar,andthreedayslaterthemoney, slightlylessthantwohundreddollars,hadlargelyvanished.OnthefourthdayDickhad goneouthuntinghonestwork,andthatnighthehadannouncedtoPerry,"Nuts!Youknow whattheypay?Whatthewagesare?Foranexpertmechanic?Twobucksaday.Mexico! Honey,I'vehadit.Wegottomakeitoutofhere.BacktotheStates.No,now,I'mnotgoing tolisten.Diamonds.Buriedtreasure.Wakeup,littleboy.Thereain'tnocasketsofgold.No sunkenship.Andeveniftherewas­hell,youcan'tevenswim."Andthenextday,having borrowedmoneyfromthericherofhistwofiancés,thebanker'swidow,Dickboughtbus ticketsthatwouldtakethem,viaSanDiego,asfarasBarstow,California."Afterthat,"he said,"wewalk." Ofcourse,Perrycouldhavestruckoutonhisown,stayedinMexico,letDickgowherehe damn well wanted. Why not? Hadn't he always been "a loner," and without any "real friends"(exceptthegray­haired,gray­eyed,and"brilliant"Willie­Jay)?Buthewasafraidto leaveDick;merelytoconsideritmadehimfeel"sortofsick,"asthoughheweretryingto makeuphismindto"jumpoffatraingoingninety­ninemilesanhour."Thebasisofhis fear,orsohehimselfseemedtobelieve,wasanewlygrownsuperstitiouscertaintythat "whateverhadtohappenwon'thappen"aslongasheandDick"sticktogether."Then,too, the severity of Dick's "wake­up" speech, the belligerence with which he proclaimed his theretoforeconcealedopinionofPerry'sdreamsandhopes­allthis,perversitybeingwhat itis,appealedtoPerry,hurtandshockedhimbutcharmedhim,almostrevivedhisformer faith in the tough, the "totally masculine," the pragmatic, the decisive Dick he'd once allowedtobosshim.Andso,sinceasunrisehouronachillyMexicoCitymorninginearly December,Perryhadbeenprowlingabouttheunheatedhotelroomassemblingandpacking hispossessions­stealthily,lesthewakenthetwosleepingshapeslyingononeoftheroom's twinbeds:Dick,andtheyoungerofhisbetrotheds,Inez. Therewasonebelongingofhisthatneednolongerconcernhim.Ontheirlastnightin Acapulco,athiefhadstolentheGibsonguitar­abscondedwithitfromawaterfrontcafe" wherehe,Otto,Dick,andtheCowboyhadbeenbiddingoneanotherahighlyalcoholic goodbye. And Perry was bitter about it. He felt, he later said, "real mean and low," explaining,"Youhaveaguitar longenough,likeIhadthatone,waxandshineit,fityourvoicetoit,treatitlikeitwasa girlyoureallyhadsomeusefor­well,itgetstobekindofholy."Butwhilethepurloined guitarpresentednoownershipproblem,hisremainingpropertydid.AsheandDickwould nowbetravelingbyfootorthumb,theyclearlycouldnotcarrywiththemmorethanafew shirtsandsocks.Therestoftheirclothingwouldhavetobeshipped­and,indeed,Perry hadalreadyfilledacardboardcarton(puttingintoit­alongwithsomebitsofunlaundered

laundry­twopairsofboots,onepairwithsolesthatleftaCat'sPawprint,theotherpair with diamond­pattern soles) and addressed it to himself, care of General Delivery, Las Vegas,Nevada. But the big question, and source of heartache, was what to do with his much­loved memorabilia ­the two hugeboxes heavy with booksand maps,yellowing letters,song lyrics,poems,andunusualsouvenirs(suspendersandabeltfabricatedfromtheskinsof Nevadarattlershehimselfhadslain;aneroticnetsukeboughtinKyoto;apetrifieddwarf tree,alsofromJapan;thefootofanAlaskanbear).Probablythebestsolution­atleast,the bestPerrycoulddevise­wastoleavethestuffwith"Jesus."The"Jesus"hehadinmind tended bar in a cafe across the street from the hotel, and was, Perry thought, muy simpatico,definitelysomeonehecouldtrusttoreturntheboxesondemand.(Heintended tosendforthemassoonashehada"fixedaddress.") Still,thereweresomethingstooprecioustochancelosing,andwhiletheloversdrowsed and time dawdled ontoward 2:00 p.m.,Perrylookedthrougholdletters,photographs, clippings,andselectedfromthemthosemementoshemeanttotakewithhim.Amongthem wasabadlytypedcompositionentitled"AHistoryofMyBoy'sLife."Theauthorofthis manuscriptwasPerry'sfather,whoinanefforttohelphissonobtainaparolefromKansas StatePenitentiary,hadwrittenitthepreviousDecemberandmailedittotheKansasState ParoleBoard.ItwasadocumentthatPerryhadreadatleastahundredtimes,neverwith indifference: Childhood­Begladtotellyou,asIseeit,bothgoodandbad.Yes,Perrybirthwasnormal. Healthy­yes.Yea,Iwasabletocareforhimproperlyuntilmywifeturnedouttobea disgracefuldrunkardwhenmychildrenwereatschoolage.Happydisposition­yesandno, veryseriousifmistreatedheneverforgets.Ialsokeepmypromisesandmakehimdoso. Mywifewasdifferent.Welivedinthecountry.Wearealltrulyoutdoorpeople.Itaughtmy childrentheGoldenRule.Live&letliveandinmanycasesmychildrenwouldtelloneach otherwhendoingwrongandtheguiltyonewouldalwaysadmit,andcomeforward,willing foraspanking.Andpromisetobegood,andalwaysdonetheirworkquicklyandwillingso theycouldbefreetoplay.Alwayswashthemselvesfirstthinginthemorning,dressinclean clothes,Iwasverystrictaboutthat,andwrongdoingstoothers,andifwrongwasdoneto thembyotherkidsImadethemquitplayingwiththem.Ourchildrenwerenotroubletous aslongasweweretogether.ItallstartedwhenmywifewantedtogototheCityandlivea wildlife­andranawaytodoso.Ilethergoandsaidgoodbyeasshetookthecarandleft mebehind(thiswasduringdepression).Mychildrenallcryedatthetopoftheirvoices. Sheonlycussedthemsayingtheywouldrunawaytocometomelater.Shegotmadand thensaidshewouldturnthechildrentohateme,whichshedid,allbutPerry.Forthelove ofmychildrenafterseveralmonthsIwenttofindthem,locatedtheminSanFrancisco,my wifenotknowing.Itryedtoseetheminschool.Mywifehadgivenorderstotheteacher nottoletmeseethem.However,Imanagedtoseethemwhileplayingintheschoolyard andwassurprisedwhentheytoldme,"Mamatoldusnottotalktoyou."AllbutPerry.He wasdifferent.Heputhisarmsaroundmeandwantedtorunawaywithmeritethen.Itold himNo.Butriteafterschoolwasout,heranawaytomylawyersofficeMr.RinsoTurco.I tookmyboybacktohismotherandlefttheCity.Perrylatertoldme,hismothertoldhimto findanewhome.Whilemychildrenwerewithhertheyrunaroundastheypleased,I understandPerrygotintotrouble.Iwantedhertoaskfordivorce,whichshedidafter aboutayearorso.Herdrinkinandstepinout,livingwithayoungman.Icontestedthe divorceandwasgrantedfullcustodyofthechildren.ItookPerrytomyhometolivewith

me.TheotherchildrenwereputinhomesasIcouldnotmanagetotakethemallinmy homeandthembeingpartindianbloodandwelfaretookcareofthemasIrequested.This was during depression time. I was working on W.P.A. very small wages. I owned some propertyandsmallhomeatthetime.PerryandIlivedtogetherpeacefully.Myheartwas hurt,asIstilllovedmyotherchildrenalso.SoItooktoroamingtoforgetitall.Imadea livinforusboth.Isoldmypropertyandwelivedina"housecar."Perrywenttoschool oftenaspossible.Hedidn'tlikeschoolverywell.Helearnsquickandnevergotintotrouble withtheotherkids.OnlywhentheBullyKidpickedonhim.Hewasshortandstockyanew kidinschooltheytriedtomistreathim.Theyfoundhimwillingtofightforhisrights.That wasthewayIraisedmykids.Ialwaystoldthemdontstartafight,ifyoudo,I'llgiveyoua beatenwhenIfindout.Butiftheotherkidsstartafight,doyourbest.Onetimeakidtwice hisageatschool,runupandhithim,tohissurprisePerrygothimdownandgivehima goodbeating.Ihadgivenhimsomeadviceinwrestling.AsIonceusedtoBox&Wrestle. Theladyprincipaloftheschoolandallthekidswatchedthisfight.Theladyprincipalloved thebigkid.ToseehimgetwhippedbymylittleboyPerrywasmorethanshecouldtake. AfterthatPerrywasKingoftheKidsatschool.Ifanybigkidtriedtomistreatasmallone, Perrywouldsettlethatritenow.EventheBigBullywasafraidofPerrynow,andhadtobe good.ButthathurttheladyprincipalsoshecametomecomplainingaboutPerryfighting inschool.ItoldherIknewallaboutitandthatIdidntintendtoletmyboygetbeatupby kidstwicehissize.IalsoaskedherwhytheyletthatBullyKidbeatuponotherkids.Itold herthatPerryhadaritetodefendhimself.PerryneverstartedthetroubleandthatIwould takeahandinthisaffairmyself.Itoldhermysonwaswelllikedbyalltheneighbors,and theirkids.IalsotoldherIwasgoingtotakePerryoutofherschoolrealsoon,moveaway toanotherstate.WhichIdid.Perryisnoangelhehasdonewrongmanytimessameasso manyotherkids.RiteisRiteandwrongiswrong.Idontstickupforhiswrongdoings.He mustpaytheHardioaywhenhedoeswrong,lawisBossheknowsthatbynow.Youth­ PerryjoinedthemerchantMarinesinsecondwar.IwenttoAlaska,hecamelaterand joinedmethere.ItrappedfursandPerryworkedwiththeAlaskaRoadCommissionthefirst winterthenhegotworkontherailroadforashortwhile.Hecouldn'tgettheworkheliked todo.Yes­hegiveme$nowandthenwhenhehadit.Healsosentme$30.00amonth whileinKoreawarwhilehewastherefrombeginninguntiltheendandwasdischardin Seattle, Wash. Honorable as far as I know. He is mechanically inclined. Bulldozers, draglines,shovels,heavydutytrucksofalltypeishisdesire.Fortheexperiencehehashad heisrealgood.Somewhatrecklessandspeedcrazywithmotorcyclesandlightcars.But sincehehashadagoodtasteofwhatspeedwilldo,andhisbothlegsBroke&hipinjuryhe nowhassloweddownonthatI'msure.Recreation­interests.Yeshehadseveralgirlfriends, soonashefoundagirltomistreathimortrifle,hewouldquither.Heneverwasmarriedas farasIknow.Mytroubleswithhismothermadehimafraidofmarriagesomewhat.Ima SobermanandasfarasIknowPerryisalsoapersonthatdontlikedrunks.Perryislike myselfa*greatdeal.Helikescompanyofdecenttype­outdoorspeople,helikemyself,likes tobebyhimselfalsohelikesbesttoworkforhimself.AsIdo.I'majackofalltrades,soto speak, masterof few and so is Perry. Ishowed him how to makealiving working for himselfasafurtrapper,prospector,carpenter,woodsman,horses,etc.Iknowhowtocook andsodoeshe,notaprofessionalcookjustplanecookingforhimself.Bakebread,etc. hunt,andfish,trap,domostanythingelse.AsIsaidbefore,PerrylikestobehisownBoss &ifheisgivenachancetoworkatajobhelikes,tellhimhowyouwantitdone,thenleave himalone,hewilltakegreatprideindoinghiswork.IfheseestheBossappreciateshis workhewillgooutofhiswayforhim.Butdontgettuffwithhim.Tellhiminapleasant wayhowyouwanttohaveitdone.Heisverytouchy,hisfeelingisveryeasilyhurt,andso aremine.Ihavequitseveraljobs&sohasPerryonaccountofBullyBosses.Perrydoesnot

havemuchschoolingIdonteither,Ionlyhadsecondreader.Butdontletthatmakeyou thinkwearenotsharp.Imaselftaughtman&soisPerry.AWhiteColarjobisnotforPerry orme.Butoutdoorsjobswecanmaster&ifwecant,showhimormehowitsdone&in justacoupleofdayswecanmasterajobormachine.Booksareout.Actualexperiencewe bothcatchonritenow,ifweliketoworkatit.Firstofallwemustlikethejob.Butnowhes acrippleandalmostmiddle­agedman.PerryknowsheisnotwantednowbyContractors, cripplescan'tgetjobsonheavyequiptment,unlessyouarewellknowtotheContracter.He isbeginningtorealizethat,heisbeginningtothinkofamoreeasierwayofsupporting himselfinlinewithmylife.ImsureImcorrect.Ialsothinkspeedisnolongerhisdesire.I noticeallthatnowinhisletterstome.Hesays"becarefulDad.Don'tdriveifyoufeel sleepy,betterstop&restbytheroadside."ThesearethesamewordsIusedtotellhim. Nowhe'stellingme.He'slearnedalesson.AsIseeit­Perryhaslearnedalessonhewill neverforget.Freedommeanseverythingtohimyouwillnevergethimbehindbarsagain. ImquitesureImrite.Inoticeabigchangeinthewayhetalks.Hedeeplyregretshis mistakehetoldme.Ialsoknowhefeelsashamedtomeetpeopleheknowshewillnottell themhewasbehindbars.Heaskedmenottomentionwhereheistohisfriends.Whenhe wrote&toldmehewasbehindbars,Itoldhimletthatbealesson­thatIwasgladthatit happenedthatwaywhenitcouldhavebeenworse.Someonecouldhaveshothim.Ialso toldhimtotakehistermbehindbarswithasmileUdoneityourself.Uknowbetter.Ididn't raiseyoutostealfromothers,sodontcomplaintomehowtuffitisinprison.Beagood boyinprison.&hepromisedthathewould.Ihopeheisagoodprisoner.Imsurenoone will talk him into stealing anymore. The law is boss, he knows that. He loves his Freedom.HowwellIknowthatPerryisgoodheartedifyoutreathimrite.Treathimmean &yougotabuzzsawtofight.Youcantrusthimwithanyamountof$ifyourhisfriend.He willdoasyousayhewontstealacentfromafriendoranyoneelse.Beforethishappened. AndIsincerelyhopehewilllivetherestofhislifeahonestman.Hedidstealsomethingin Companywithotherswhenhewasalittlekid.JustaskPerryifIwasagoodfathertohim askhimifhismotherwasgoodtohiminFrisco.Perryknowswhatsgoodforhim.Ugot himwhippedforever.Heknowswhenhe'sbeat.He'snotadunce.Heknowslifeistooshort tosweettospendbehindbarseveragain.relatives.OnesisterBobomarried,andmehis fatherisallthatislivingofPerry.Bobo&herhusbandareself­supporting.Owntheirown home&I'mable&activetotakecareofmyselfalso.IsoldmylodgeinAlaskatwoyears ago.Iintend tohaveanothersmallplaceofmyownnextyear.Ilocatedseveralmineralclaims&hope togetsomethingoutofthem.BesidesthatIhavenotgivenupprospecting.Iamalsoasked towriteabookonartisticwoodcarving,andthefamousTrappersDenLodgeIbuildin AlaskaoncemyhomesteadknownbyalltouriststhattravelbycartoAnchorageandmaybe Iwill.I'llshareallIhavewithPerry.AnytimeIeatheeats.AslongasImalive&whenIdie IvegotlifeinsurancethatwillbepaidtohimsohecanstartlifeAnewwhenhegetsfree again.IncaseImnotalivethen. Thisbiographyalwayssetracingastableofemotions­self­pityinthelead,loveandhate runningevenlyatfirst,thelatterultimatelypullingahead.Andmostofthememoriesit releasedwereunwanted,thoughnotall.Infact,thefirstpartofhislifethatPerrycould rememberwastreasurable­afragmentcomposedofapplause,glamour.Hewasperhaps three,andhewasseatedwithhissistersandhisolderbrotherinthegrandstandatan open­airrodeo;inthering,aleanCherokeegirlrodeawildhorse,a"buckingbronc,"and herloosenedhairwhippedbackandforth,flewaboutlikeaflamencodancer's.Hername wasFloBuckskin,andshewasaprofessionalrodeoperformer,a"championbronc­rider."So washerhusband,TexJohnSmith;itwaswhiletouringtheWesternrodeocircuitthatthe

handsomeIndiangirlandthehomely­handsomeIrishcowboyhadmet,married,andhad the four children sitting in the grandstand. (And Perry could remember many another rodeospectacle­seeagainhisfatherskippingaboutinsideacircleofspinninglassos,orhis mother,withsilverandturquoisebanglesjanglingonherwrists,trick­ridingatadesperado speedthatthrilledheryoungestchildandcausedcrowdsintownsfromTexastoOregonto "standupandclap.") UntilPerrywasfive,theteamof"Tex&Flo"continuedtoworktherodeocircuit.Asaway oflife,itwasn't"anygallonoficecream,"Perryoncerecalled:"Sixofusridinginanold truck,sleepinginit,too,sometimes,livingoffmushandHersheykissesandcondensed milk.HawksBrandcondensedmilkitwascalled,whichiswhatweakenedmykidneys­the sugarcontent­whichiswhyIwasalwayswettingthebed."Yetitwasnotanunhappy existence,especiallyforalittleboyproudofhisparents,admiringoftheirshowmanship andcourage­ahappierlife,certainly,thanwhatreplacedit.ForTexandFlo,bothforced byailmentstoretirefromtheiroccupation,settlednearReno,Nevada.Theyfought,and Flo"tooktowhiskey,"andthen,whenPerrywassix,shedepartedforSanFrancisco,taking thechildrenwithher.Itwasexactlyastheoldmanhadwritten:"Ilethergoandsaid goodbyasshetookthecarandleftmebehind(thiswasduringdepression).Mychildrenall cryedatthetopoftheirvoices.Sheonlycursedthemsayingtheywouldrunawaytocome tomelater."And,indeed,overthecourseofthenextthreeyearsPerryhadonseveral occasionsrunoff,setouttofindhislostfather,forhehadlosthismotheraswell,learned to"despise"her;liquorhadblurredtheface,swollenthefigureoftheoncesinewy,limber Cherokeegirl,had"souredhersoul,"honedhertonguetothewickedestpoint,sodissolved herself­respectthatgenerallyshedidnotbothertoaskthenamesofthestevedoresand trolley­car conductorsand suchpersonswho accepted whatsheofferedwithoutcharge (exceptthatsheinsistedtheydrinkwithherfirst,anddancetothetunesofawind­up Victrola). Consequently,asPerryrecalled,"IwasalwaysthinkingaboutDad,hopinghecouldcome takemeaway,andIremember,likeassecondago,thetimeIsawhimagain.Standingin theschoolyard.Itwaslikewhentheballhitsthebatreallysolid.DiMaggio.OnlyDad wouldn'thelpme.Toldmetobegoodandhuggedmeandwentaway.Itwasnotlong afterwardmymotherputmetostayinaCatholicorphanage.TheonewheretheBlack Widowswerealwaysatme.Hittingme.Becauseofwettingthebed.WhichisonereasonI haveanaversiontonuns.AndGod.Andreligion.ButlateronIfoundtherearepeopleeven moreevil.Because,afteracoupleofmonths,theytossedmeoutoftheorphanage,andshe [hismother]putmesomeplaceworse.Achildren'sshelteroperatedbytheSalvationArmy. Theyhatedme,too.Forwettingthebed.Andbeinghalf­Indian.Therewasthisonenurse, she used to call me 'nigg*r' and say there wasn't any difference between nigg*rs and Indians.Oh,Jesus,wassheanEvilBastard!Incarnate.Whatsheusedtodo,she'dfillatub withice­coldwater,putmeinit,andholdmeundertillIwasblue.Nearlydrowned.But shegotfoundout,thebitch.BecauseIcaughtpneumonia.Ialmostconked.Iwasinthe hospitaltwomonths.ItwaswhileIwassosickthatDadcameback.WhenIgotwell,he tookmeaway." ForalmostayearfatherandsonlivedtogetherinthehousenearReno,andPerrywentto school."Ifinishedthethirdgrade,"Perryrecalled."Whichwasthefinish.Ineverwentback. BecausethatsummerDadbuiltaprimitivesortoftrailer,whathecalleda'housecar.'Ithad twobunksandalittlecookinggalley.Thestovewasgood.Youcouldcookanythingonit. Bakedourownbread.Iusedtoputuppreserves­pickledapples,crab­applejelly.Anyway,

forthenextsixyearsweshiftedaroundthecountry.Neverstayednowheretoolong.When we stayed some place too long, people would begin to look atDad, act like he wasa character,andIhatedthat,ithurtme.BecauseIlovedDadthen.Eventhoughhecouldbe roughonme.Bossyashell.ButIlovedDad then.SoIwasalwaysgladwhenwemovedon."Movedon­toWyoming,Idaho,Oregon, eventuallyAlaska.InAlaska,Textaughthissontodreamofgold,tohuntforitinthesandy bedsofsnow­waterstreams,andthere,too,Perrylearnedtouseagun,skinabear,track wolvesanddeer. "Christ,itwascold,"Perryremembered."DadandIslepthuggedtogether,rolledupin blankets and bearskins. Morning, before daylight, I'd hustle our breakfast, biscuits and syrup,friedmeat,andoffwewenttoscratchaliving.ItwouldhavebeenO.K.ifonlyI hadn'tgrownup;theolderIgot,thelessIwasabletoappreciateDad.Hekneweverything, oneway,buthedidn'tknowanything,anotherway.WholesectionsofmeDadwasignorant of.Didn'tunderstandaniotaof.LikeIcouldplayaharmonicafirsttimeIpickedoneup. Guitar,too.Ihadthisgreatnaturalmusicalability.WhichDaddidn'trecognize.Orcare about.Ilikedtoread,too.Improvemyvocabulary.Makeupsongs.AndIcoulddraw.ButI nevergotanyencouragement­fromhimoranybodyelse.NightsIusedtolieawake­ tryingtocontrolmybladder,partly,andpartlybecauseIcouldn'tstopthinking.Always, whenitwastoocoldhardlytobreathe,I'dthinkaboutHawaii.AboutamovieI'dseen. WithDorothyLamour.Iwantedtogothere.Wherethesunwas.Andallyouworewas grassandflowers." Wearing considerably more, Perry, one balmy evening in war­time 1945, found himself inside a Honolulu tattoo parlor having a snake­and­dagger design applied to his left forearm.Hehadgottherebythefollowingroute:arowwithhisfather,ahitchhikejourney fromAnchoragetoSeattle,avisittotherecruitingofficesoftheMerchantMarine."ButI neverwouldhavejoinedifI'dknownwhatIwasgoingupagainst,"Perryoncesaid."Inever mindedthework,andIlikedbeingasailor­seaports,andallthat.Butthequeensonship wouldn'tleavemealone.Asixteen­year­oldkid,andasmallkid.Icouldhandlemyself, sure.Butalotofqueensaren'teffeminate,youknow.Hell,I'veknownqueenscouldtossa pooltableoutthewindow.Andthepianoafterit.Thosekindofgirls,theycangiveyouan eviltime,especiallywhenthere'sacoupleofthem,theygettogetherandganguponyou, andyou'rejustakid.Itcanmakeyoupracticallywanttokillyourself.Yearslater,whenI wentintotheArmy­whenIwasstationedinKorea­thesameproblemcameup.Ihada goodrecordintheArmy,goodasanybody;theygavemetheBronzeStar.ButInevergot promoted.Afterfouryears,andfightingthroughthewholegoddamKoreanwar,Ioughtat leasttohavemadecorporal.ButIneverdid.Knowwhy?Becausethesergeantwehadwas tough.BecauseIwouldn'trollover.Jesus,Ihatethatstuff.Ican'tstandit.Though­Idon't know.SomequeersI'vereallyliked.Aslongastheydidn'ttryanything.Themostworth­ whilefriendIeverhad,reallysensitiveandintelligent,heturnedouttobequeer." IntheintervalbetweenquittingtheMerchantMarineandenteringtheArmy,Perryhad madepeacewithhisfather,who,whenhissonlefthim,drifteddowntoNevada,thenback toAlaska.In1952,theyearPerrycompletedhismilitaryservice,theoldmanwasinthe midstofplansmeanttoendhistravelsforever."Dadwasinafever,"Perryrecalled."Wrote mehehadboughtsomelandonthehighwayoutsideAnchorage.Saidhewasgoingtohave ahuntinglodge,aplacefortourists.'Trapper'sDenLodge'­thatwastobethename.And askedmetohurryonupthereandhelphimbuildit.Hewassurewe'dmakeafortune.

Well, while I was still in the Army, stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, I'd bought a motorcycle (murdercycles, they ought to call them), and as soon as I got discharged I headedforAlaska.GotasfarasBellingham.Upthereontheborder.Itwasraining.Mybike wentintoaskid." Theskiddelayedforayearthereunionwithhisfather.Surgeryandhospitalizationaccount forsixmonthsofthatyear;theremainderhespentrecuperatingintheforesthome,near Bellingham, of a young Indian logger and fisherman. "Joe James. He and his wife befriendedme.Thedifferenceinouragewasonlytwoorthreeyears,buttheytookmeinto theirhomeandtreatedmelikeIwasoneoftheirkids.WhichwasO.K.Becausetheytook troublewiththeirkidsandlikedthem.Atthetimetheyhadfour;thenumberfinallywent toseven.Theywereverygoodtome,Joeandhisfamily.Iwasoncrutches,Iwaspretty helpless.Justhadtositaround.Sotogivemesomethingtodo,trytomakemyselfuseful,I startedwhatbecameasortofschool.ThepupilswereJoe'skids,alongwithsomeoftheir friends,andweheldclassesintheparlor.Iwasteachingharmonicaandguitar.Drawing. Andpenmanship.EverybodyalwaysremarkswhatabeautifulhandwritingIhave.Ido,and it'sbecauseonceIboughtabookonthesubjectandpracticedtillIcouldwritesameasin thebook.Also,weusedtoreadstories­thekidsdid,eachoneinturn,andI'dcorrectthem aswewentalong.Itwasfun.Ilikekids.Littlekids.Andthatwasanicetime.Butthenthe spring came.Ithurt me to walk,butIcould walk.And Dadwas still waiting forme." Waiting,butnotidly.BythetimePerryarrivedatthesiteoftheproposedhuntinglodge,his father,workingalone,hadfinishedthehardestchores­hadclearedtheground,loggedthe necessarytimber,crackedandcartedwagonloadsofnativerock."Buthedidn'tcommence tobuildtillIgotthere.Wedideverydamnpieceofitourselves.Withonceinawhilean Indianhelper.Dadwaslikeamaniac.Itdidn'tmatterwhatwashappening­snowstorms, rainstorms,windsthatcouldsplitatree­wekeptrightatit.Thedaytheroofwasfinished, Daddancedalloverit,shoutingandlaughing,doingaregularjig.Well,itturnedoutquite anexceptionalplace.Thatcouldsleeptwentypeople.Hadabigfireplaceinthedining room.Andtherewasaco*cktaillounge.TheTotemPoleco*cktailLounge.WhereIwasto entertainthecustomers.Singingandsoforth.WeopenedforbusinessendofI953­" Buttheexpectedhuntsmendidnotmaterialize,andthoughordinarytourists­thefewthat tricklealongthehighway­nowandagainpausedtophotographthebeyond­beliefrusticity ofTrapper'sDenLodge,theyseldomstoppedovernight."Forawhilewefooledourselves. Kept thinking it would catch on. Dad tried to trick up the place. Made a Garden of Memories.WithaWishingWell.Putpaintedsignsupanddownthehighway.Butnoneofit meantanickelmore.WhenDadrealizedthat­sawitwasn'tanyuse,allwe'ddonewas wasteourselvesandallourmoney­hebegantotakeitoutonme.Bossmearound.Be spiteful.SayIdidn'tdomypropershareofthework.Itwasn'thisfault,anymorethanit wasmine.Asituationlikethat,withnomoneyandthegrubgettinglow,wecouldn'thelp butbeoneachother'snerves.Thepointcameweweredownrighthungry.Whichiswhat wefelloutover.Ostensibly.Abiscuit.Dadsnatchedabiscuitoutofmyhand,andsaidIate toomuch,whatagreedy,selfishbastardIwas,andwhydidn'tIgetout,hedidn'twantme therenomore.HecarriedonlikethattillIcouldn'tstandit.Myhandsgotholdofhis throat.Myhands­butIcouldn'tcontrolthem.Theywantedtochokehimtodeath.Dad, though,he'sslippery,asmartwrestler.Hetorelooseandrantogethisgun.Cameback pointingitatme.Hesaid,'Lookatme,Perry.I'mthelastthinglivingyou'reevergonnasee.' Ijuststoodmyground.Butthenherealizedthegunwasn'tevenloaded,andhestartedto cry.Satdownandbawledlikeakid.ThenIguessIwasn'tmadathimanymore.Iwassorry forhim.Forbothofus.Butitwasn'tabitofuse­therewasn'tanythingIcouldsay.Iwent

outforawalk.ThiswasApril,butthewoodswerestilldeepinsnow.Iwalkedtillitwas almostnight.WhenIgotback,thelodgewasdark,andallthedoorswerelocked.And everythingIownedwaslyingoutthereinthesnow.WhereDadhadthrownit.Books. Clothes.Everything.Ijustletitlie.Exceptmyguitar.Ipickedupmyguitarandstartedon downthehighway.Notadollarinmypocket.Aroundmidnightatruckstoppedtogiveme alift.ThedriveraskedwhereIwasgoing.Itoldhim,'Whereveryou'reheaded,that'swhere I'mgoing.'" Severalweekslater,afteragainshelteringwiththeJamesfamily,Perrydecidedonadefinite destination ­ Worcester, Massachusetts, the home town of an "Army buddy" he thought mightwelcomehimandhelphimfind"agood­payingjob."Variousdetoursprolongedthe eastwardjourney;hewasheddishesinanOmaharestaurant,pumpedgasatanOklahoma garage,workedamonthonaranchinTexas.ByJulyof1955hehadreached,onthetrek to Worcester, a small Kansas town, Phillipsburg, and there "fate," in the form of "bad company,"asserteditself."HisnamewasSmith,"Perrysaid."Sameasme.Idon'tevenrecall hisfirstname.HewasjustsomebodyI'dpickedupwithsomewhere,andhehadacar,and hesaidhe'dgivemearideasfarasChicago.Anyway,drivingthroughKansaswecameto this little Phillipsburg place and stopped to look at a map. Seems to me like it was a Sunday.Storesshut.Streetsquiet.Myfriendthere,blesshisheart,helookedaroundand made a suggestion." The suggestion was that they burglarize a nearby building, the Chandler Sales Company. Perry agreed, and they broke into the deserted premises and removedaquantityofofficeequipment(typewriters,addingmachines).Thatmighthave beenthatifonly,somedaysafterward,thethieveshadn'tignoredatrafficsignalinthecity ofSaintJoseph,Missouri."Thejunkwasstillinthecar.Thecopthatstoppeduswantedto knowwherewegotit.Alittlecheckingwasdone,and,astheysay,wewere'returned'to Phillipsburg,Kansas.Wherethefolkshavearealcutejail.Ifyoulikejails."Withinforty­ eighthoursPerryandhiscompanionhaddiscoveredanopenwindow,climbedoutofit, stolenacar,anddrivennorthwesttoMcCook,Nebraska."Prettysoonwebrokeup,meand Mr.Smith.Idon'tknowwhateverbecameofhim.WebothmadetheF.B.I.'sWantedlist. ButfarasIknow,theynevercaughtupwithhim." OnewetafternoonthefollowingNovember,aGreyhoundbusdepositedPerryinWorcester, a Massachusetts factory town of steep, up­and­down streets that even in the best of weathersseemcheerlessandhostile."Ifoundthehousewheremyfriendwassupposedto live.MyArmyfriendfromKorea.Butthepeopletheresaidhe'dleftsixmonthsbackand theyhadnoideawherehe'dgone.Toobad,bigdisappointment,endoftheworld,allthat SoIfoundaliquorstoreandboughtahalfgallonofredwopandwentbacktothebus depotandsattheredrinkingmywineandgettingalittlewarmer.Iwasreallyenjoying myselftillamancamealongandarrestedmeforvagrancy."Thepolicebookedhimas"Bob Turner"­anamehe'dadoptedbecauseofbeinglistedbytheF.B.I.Hespentfourteendays in jail, was fined ten dollars, and departed from Worcester on another wet November afternoon."IwentdowntoNewYorkandtookaroominahotelonEighthAvenue,"Perry said."NearForty­secondStreet.Finally,Igotanightjob.Doingoddjobsaroundapenny arcade.RightthereonForty­secondStreet,nexttoanAutomat.WhichiswhereIate­ whenIate.InoverthreemonthsIpracticallyneverlefttheBroadwayarea.Foronething,I didn'thavetherightclothes.JustWesternclothes­jeansandboots.ButthereonForty­ secondStreetnobodycares,itallrides­anything.Mywholelife,Inevermetsomany freaks." Helivedoutthewinterinthatugly,neon­litneighborhood,withitsairfullofthescentof

popcorn,simmeringhotdogs,andorangedrink.Butthen,onebrightMarchmorningon theedgeofspring,asherememberedit,"twoF.B.I,bastardswokemeup.Arrestedmeat thehotel.Bang!­IwasextraditedbacktoKansas.ToPhillipsburg.Thatsamecutejail.They nailedmetothecross­larceny,jailbreak,cartheft.IgotfivetotenyearsinLansing.After I'dbeenthereawhile,IwroteDad.Lethimknowthenews.AndwroteBarbara,mysister. Bynow,overtheyears,thatwasallIhadleftme.Jimmyasuicide.Fernoutthewindow. Mymotherdead.Beendeadeightyears.EverybodygonebutDadandBarbara." AletterfromBarbarawasamongthesheafofselectedmatterthatPerrypreferrednotto leavebehindintheMexicoCityhotelroom.Theletter,writteninapleasinglylegiblescript, was dated April 28, 1958, at which time the recipient had been imprisoned for approximatelytwoyears: DearestBro.Perry,Wegotyour2ndlettertoday&forgivemefornotwritingsooner.Our weatherhere,asyoursis,isturningwarmer&maybeIamgettingspringfeverbutIam goingtotryanddobetter.Yourfirstletterwasverydisturbing,asI'msureyoumusthave suspectedbutthatwasnotthereasonIhaven'twritten­it'struethechildrendokeepme busy&it'shardtofindtimetositandconcentrateonaletterasIhavewantedtowriteyou for some time. Donnie haslearned to open the­doors and climb on the chairs & other furniture&heworriesmeconstantlyaboutfalling.Ihavebeenabletoletthechildrenplay intheyardnow&then­butIalwayshavetogooutwiththemastheycanhurtthemselves ifIdon'tpayattention.Butnothingisforever&IknowIwillbesorrywhentheystart runningtheblockandIdon'tknowwherethey'reat.Herearesomestatisticsifyou're interested­HeightWeightShoeSizeFreddie36­1/2"26­1/2Ibs.7­1/2narrowBaby37­1/2" 29­1/2Ibs.8narrowDonnie34"26Ibs.6­1/2wideYoucanseethatDonnieisaprettybig boyfor15monthswithhis16teethandhissparklingpersonality­peoplejustcan'thelp lovinghim.HewearsthesamesizeclothesasBabyandFreddiebutthepantsaretoolong asyet.Iamgoingtotry&makethisletteralongonesoitwillprobablyhavealotof interruptionssuchasrightnowit'stimeforDonnie'sbath­Baby&Freddiehadtheirsthis a.m.asit'squitecoldtoday&Ihavehadtheminside.Bebacksoon­Aboutmytyping­ First­Icannottellalie!Iamnotatypist,Iusefrom1to5fingers&althoughIcan manage&dohelpBigFredwithhisbusinessaffairs,whatittakesme1hr.todowould probablytakesomeonewiththeKnowHow­15minutes­Seriously,Idonothavethetime northewilltolearnprofessionally.ButIthinkitiswonderfulhowyouhavestuckwithit andbecomesuchanexcellenttypist.Idobelieveweallwereveryadaptable(Jimmy,Fern, youandmyself)&wehadallbeenblessedwithabasicflairfortheartistic­amongother things.EvenMother&Dadwereartistic.Itruthfullyfeelnoneofushaveanyonetoblame forwhateverwehavedonewithourownpersonallives.Ithasbeenproventhatattheage of 7 most of us have reached the age of reason ­ which means we do, at this age, understand&knowthedifferencebetweenright&wrong.Ofcourse­environmentplays anawfullyimportantpartinourlivessuchastheConventinmine&inmycaseIam gratefulforthatinfluence.InJimmy'scase­hewasthestrongestofusall.Irememberhow heworked&wenttoschoolwhentherewasnoonetotellhim&itwashisownWILLto makesomethingofhimself.Wewillneverknowthereasonsforwhateventuallyhappened, whyhedidwhathedid,butIstillhurtthinkingofit.Itwassuchawaste.Butwehavevery littlecontroloverourhumanweaknesses,&thisappliesalsotoFern&thehundredsof thousandsofotherpeopleincludingourselves­forweallhaveweaknesses.Inyourcase­I don'tknowwhatyourweaknessisbutIdofeel­ITISNOSHAMETOHAVEADIRTYFACE ­THESHAMECOMESWHENYOUKEEPITDIRTY.Inalltruthfulness&withloveforyou Perry,foryouaremyonlylivingbrotherandtheuncleofmychildren,Icannotsayorfeel

yourattitudetowardsourfatheroryourimprisonmentjustorhealthy.Ifyouaregetting yourbackup­bettersimmerdownasIrealizetherearenoneofuswhotakecriticism cheerfully&itisnaturaltofeelacertainamountofresentmenttowardstheonegivingthis criticismsoIampreparedforoneortwothings­a)Nottohearfromyouatall,orb)a lettertellingmeexactlywhatyouthinkofme.IhopeI'mwrong&Isincerelyhopeyouwill givethisletteralotofthought&trytosee­howsomeoneelsefeels.PleaseunderstandI knowIamnotanauthority&IdonotboastgreatintelligenceoreducationbutIdobelieve Iamanormalindividualwithbasicreasoningpowers&thewilltolivemylifeaccordingto thelawsofGod&Man.ItisalsotruethatIhave"fallen"attimes,asisnormal­forasIsaid Iamhuman&thereforeItoohavehumanweaknessesbutthepointis,again,Thereisno shame­havingadirtyface­theshamecomeswhenyoukeepitdirty.Nooneismore awareofmyshortcomingsandmistakesthanmyselfsoIwon'tboreyoufurther.Now,first, &mostimportant­Dadisnotresponsibleforyourwrongdoingsoryourgooddeeds.What youhavedone,whetherrightorwrong,isyourowndoing.FromwhatIpersonallyknow, youhavelivedyourlifeexactlyasyoupleasedwithoutregardtocirc*mstancesorpersons who loved you ­ who might be hurt. Whether you realize it or not ­ your present confinementisembarrassingtomewellasDad­notbecauseofwhatyoudidbutthefact thatyoudon'tshowmeanysignsofSINCEREregretandseemtoshownorespectforany laws,peopleoranything.Yourletterimpliesthattheblameofallyourproblemsisthatof someoneelse,butneveryou.Idoadmitthatyouareintelligentandyourvocabularyis excellent&Idofeelyoucandoanythingyoudecidetodo&doitwellbutwhatexactlydo youwanttodo&areyouwillingtowork&makeanhonestefforttoattainwhateveritis youchoosetodo?NothinggoodcomeseasyandI'msureyou'veheardthismanytimesbut oncemorewon'thurt.IncaseyouwantthetruthaboutDad­hisheartisbrokenbecauseof you.Hewouldgiveanythingtogetyououtsohecanhavehissonback­butIamafraid youwouldonlyhurthimworseifyoucould.Heisnotwellandisgettingolder&,asthe sayinggoes,hecannot"CuttheMustard"asintheolddays.Hehasbeenwrongattimes& herealizesthisbutwhateverhehadandwhereverhewenthesharedhislife&belongings withyouwhenhewouldn'tdothisforanyoneelse.NowIdon'tsayyouowehimundying gratitudeoryourlifebutyoudoowehimRESPECTandCOMMONDECENCY.I,personally, amproudofDad.Ilovehim&RespecthimasmyDad&Iamonlysorryhechosetobethe LoneWolfwithhisson,orhemightbelivingwithusandshareourloveinsteadofalonein hislittletrailer&longing&waiting&lonesomeforyou,hisson.Iworryforhim&whenI sayI,ImeanmyhusbandtooformyhusbandrespectsourDad.BecauseheisaMAN.It's true thatDaddid nothaveagreatextensiveeducationbutinschoolweonlylearnto recognizethewordsandtospellbuttheapplicationofthesewordstoreallifeisanother thingthatonlyLIFE&LIVINGcangiveus.Dadhaslived&youshowignoranceincalling himuneducatedandunabletounderstand"thescientificmeaningetc"oflife'sproblems.A motherisstilltheonlyonewhocankissaboo­booandmakeitallwell­explainthat scientifically.I'msorrytoletyouhaveitsostrongbutIfeelImustspeakmypiece.Iam sorrythatthismustbecensored[bytheprisonauthorities],&Isincerelyhopethisletteris notdetrimentaltowardsyoureventualreleasebutIfeelyoushouldknow&realizewhat terriblehurtyouhavedone.DadistheimportantoneasIamdedicatedtomyfamilybut youaretheonlyoneDadloves­inshort,his"family."HeknowsIlovehim,ofcourse,but theclosenessisnotthere,asyouknow.Yourconfinementisnothingtobeproudofandyou willhavetolivewithit&try&liveitdown&itcanbedonebutnotwithyourattitudeof feelingeveryoneisstupid&uneducated&un­understanding.Youareahumanbeingwitha freewill.Whichputsyouabovetheanimallevel.Butifyouliveyourlifewithoutfeeling andcompassionforyourfellowman­youareasananimal­"aneyeforaneye,atoothfor atooth"&happiness&peaceofmindisnotattainedbylivingthus.Asfarasresponsibility

goes,noonereallywantsit­butallofusareresponsibletothecommunitywelivein&its laws. When the time comes to assume the responsibility of a home and children or business,thisistheseedingoftheboysfromtheMen­forsurelyyoucanrealizewhata mess the world would be if everyone in it said, "I want to be an individual, without responsibilities,&beabletospeakmymindfreely&doasIalonewill."Weareallfreeto speak&doasweindividuallywill­providingthis"freedom"ofSpeech&Deedarenot injurioustoourfellow­man.Thinkaboutit,Perry.Youareaboveaverageinintelligence,but somehow your reasoning is off the beam. Maybe it's the strain of your confinement. Whateveritis­remember­you&onlyyouareresponsibleanditisuptoyouandyou alonetoovercomethispartofyourlife.Hopingtohearfromyousoon. WithLove&Prayers, Yoursister&Bro.inLawBarbara&Frederic&Family Inpreservingthisletter,andincludingitinhiscollectionofparticulartreasures,Perrywas notmovedbyaffection.Farfrom it.He"loathed"Barbara,andjusttheotherdayhehadtoldDick,"TheonlyrealregretI have­Iwishthehellmysisterhidbeeninthathouse."(Dickhadlaughed,andconfessedto asimilaryearning:"Ikeepthinkingwhatfunifmysecondwifehadbeenthere.Her,andall hergoddamfamily.")No,hevaluedthelettermerelybecausehisprisonfriend,the"super­ intelligent"Willie­Jay,hadwrittenforhima"verysensitive"analysisofit,occupyingtwo single­spacedtypewrittenpages,withthetitle"ImpressionsIGarneredfromtheLetter"at thetop: ImpressionsIGarneredfromtheLetter1.)Whenshebeganthisletter,sheintendedthatit shouldbeacompassionatedemonstrationofChristianprinciples.Thatistosaythatin returnforyourlettertoher,whichapparentlyannoyedher,shemeanttoturntheother cheekhopinginthiswaytoinciteregretforyourpreviousletterandtoplaceyouonthe defensive in your next.However few people can successfully demonstrate a principle in common ethics when their deliberation is festered with emotionalism. Your sister substantiatesthisfailingforasherletterprogressesherjudgmentgiveswaytotemper­her thoughts are good, lucid the products of intelligence, but it is not now an unbiased, impersonal intelligence. It is a mind propelled by emotional response to memory and frustration;consequently,howeverwiseheradmonishmentsmightbe,theyfailtoinspire resolve,unlessitwouldbetheresolvetoretaliatebyhurtingherinyournextletter.Thus commencingacyclethatcanonlyculminateinfurtherangeranddistress.2.)Itisafoolish letter,butbornofhumanfailing.Yourlettertoher,andthis,heranswertoyou,failedin their objectives.Yourletter wasan attempt toexplainyouroutlookon life, asyouare necessarily affected by it. It was destined to be misunderstood, or taken too literally becauseyourideasareopposedtoconventionalism.Whatcouldbemoreconventionalthan ahousewifewiththreechildren,whois"dedicated"toherfamily????Whatcouldbemore unnatural than that she would resent an unconventional personThere is considerable hypocrisyinconventionalism.Anythinkingpersonisawareofthisparadox;butindealing with conventional people it is advantageous to treat them as though they were not hypocrites. It isn't a question of faithfulness to your own concepts; it is a matter of compromise so that you can remain an individual without the constant threat of conventionalpressures.Herletterfailedbecauseshecouldn'tconceiveoftheprofundityof yourproblem­shecouldn'tfathomthepressuresbroughttobearuponyoubecauseof

environment,intellectualfrustrationandagrowingtendencytowardisolationism.3.)She feelsthat:a)Youareleaningtooheavilytowardsself­pity.b)Thatyouaretoocalculating.c) Thatyouarereallyundeservingofan8pageletterwritteninbetweenmotherlyduties.4.) On page 3 she writes: "I truthfully feel none of us has anyone to blame etc." Thus vindicatingthosewhoboreinfluenceinherformativeyears.Butisthisthewholetruth? Sheisawifeandmother.Respectableandmoreorlesssecure.Itiseasytoignoretherainif youhavearaincoat.Buthowwouldshefeelifshewerecompelledtohustleherlivingon thestreets?Wouldshestillbeall­forgivingaboutthepeopleinherpast?Absolutelynot. Nothingismoreusualthantofeelthatothershavesharedinourfailures,justasitisan ordinary reaction to forget those who have shared in our achievements.5.) Your sister respectsyourDad.Shealsoresentsthefactthatyouhavebeenpreferred.Herjealousy takesasubtleforminthisletter.Betweenthelinessheisregisteringaquestion:"IloveDad andhavetriedtolivesohecouldbeproudtoownmeashisdaughter.ButIhavehadto contentmyselfwiththecrumbsofhisaffection.Becauseitisyouheloves,andwhyshould itbeso?"ObviouslyovertheyearsyourDadhastakenadvantageofyoursister'semotional natureviathemails.Paintingapicturethatjustifiesheropinionofhim­anunderdog cursedwithanungratefulsonuponwhomhehasshoweredloveandconcern,onlytobe infamouslytreatedbythatsoninreturn.Onpage7shesayssheissorrythatherlettermust be censored. But she is really not sorry at all. She is glad it passes through a censor. Subconsciouslyshehaswrittenitwiththecensorinmind,hopingtoconveytheideathat theSmithfamilyisreallyawell­orderedunit:"PleasedonotjudgeallbyPerry?Aboutthe motherkissingawayherchild'sboo­boo.Thiswasawoman'sformofsarcasm.6.)Youwrite toherbecause:a)Youloveherafterafashion.b)Youfeelaneedforthiscontactwiththe outsideworld.c)Youcanuseher.Prognosis:Correspondencebetweenyouandyoursister cannotserveanythingbutapurelysocialfunction.Keepthethemeofyourletterswithin thescopeofherunderstanding.Donotunburdenyourprivateconclusions.Donotputher onthedefensiveanddonotpermithertoputyouonthedefensive.Respectherlimitations tocomprehendyourobjectives,andrememberthatsheistouchytowardscriticismofyour Dad.Beconsistentinyourattitudetowardsheranddonotaddanythingtotheimpression shehasthatyouareweak,notbecauseyouneedhergood­willbutbecauseyoucanexpect moreletterslikethis,andtheycanonlyservetoincreaseyouralreadydangerousanti­social instincts.finish AsPerrycontinuedtosortandchoose,thepileofmaterialhethoughttoodeartopartwith, eventemporarily, assumed atottering height.But what washeto do? Hecouldn'trisk losing the Bronze Medal earned in Korea, or his high­school diploma (issued by the LeavenworthCountyBoardofEducationasaresultofhishaving,whileinprison,resumed hislong­recessedstudies).Nordidhecaretochancethelossofamanilaenvelopefatwith photo­graphs­primarilyofhimself,andrangingintimefromapretty­ little­boyportraitmadewhenhewasintheMerchantMarine(andonthebackofwhichhe had scribbled,"16 yrs. old. Young, happy­go­lucky &Innocent")to therecent Acapulco pictures.Andtherewerehalfahundredotheritemshehaddecidedhemusttakewithhim, amongthemhistreasuremaps,Otto'ssketchbook,andtwothicknotebooks,thethickerof whichconstitutedhispersonaldictionary,anon­alphabeticallylistedmiscellanyofwordshe believed"beautiful"or"useful,"oratleast"worthmemorizing."(Samplepage:"Thanatoid =deathlike;Omnilingual=versedinlanguages;Amerce=punishment,amountfixedby court;Nescient=ignorance;Facinorous=atrociouslywicked;Hagiophobia=amorbid fearofholyplaces&things;Lapidicolous=livingunderstones,ascertainblindbeetles; Dyspathy=lackofsympathy,fellowfeeling;Psilopher=afellowwhofainwouldpassasa

philosopher;Omophagia=eatingrawflesh,theriteofsomesavagetribes;Depredate=to pillage,rob,andpreyupon;Aphrodisiac=adrugorthelikewhichexcitessexualdesire; Megaloda Citylous= having abnormally largefingers; Myrtophobia=fear of night and darkness.") Oilthecoverofthesecondnotebook,thehandwritingofwhichhewassoproud,ascript aboundingincurly,feminineflourishes,proclaimedthecontentstobe"ThePrivateDiaryof PerryEdwardSmith"­aninaccuratedescription,foritwasnotintheleastadiarybut, rather,aformofanthologyconsistingofobscurefacts("EveryfifteenyearsMarsgetscloser. 1958isacloseyear"),poemsandliteraryquotations("Nomanisanisland,Entireofitself), andpassagesfornewspapersandbooksparaphrasedorquoted.Forexample: My acquaintances are many, my friends are few; those who really know me fewer still.Heardaboutanewratpoisononthemarket.Extremelypotent,odorless,tasteless,isso completelyabsorbedonceswallowedthatnotracecouldeverbefoundinadeadbody.If calledupontomakeaspeech:"Ican'trememberwhatIwasgoingtosayforthelifeofme­ Idon'tthinkthateverbeforeinmylifehavesomanypeoplebeensodirectlyresponsible formybeingsovery,veryglad.It'sawonderfulmomentandarareoneandI'mcertainly indebted.Thankyou!"ReadinterestingarticleFeb.issueofMantoMtn:"IKnifedMyWayto a Diamond Pit.""It is almost impossible for a man who enjoys freedom with all its prerogatives, to realize what it means to be deprived of that freedom." ­ Said by Erie StanleyGardner."Whatislife?Itistheflashofafireflyinthenight.Itisbreathofabuffalo inthewintertime.Itisasthelittleshadowthatrunsacrossthegrassandlosesitselfinthe sunset."­SaidbyChiefCrowfoot,BlackfootIndianChief. Thislastentrywaswritteninredinkanddecoratedwithaborderofgreen­inkstars;the anthologistwishedtoemphasizeits"personalsignificance.""Abreathofabuffalointhe wintertime"­thatexactlyevokedhisviewoflife.Whyworry?Whatwasthereto"sweat about"?Manwasnothing,amist,ashadowabsorbedbyshadows. But,damnit,youdoworry,scheme,fretoveryourfingernailsandthewarningsofhotel managements:"Sudiaterminaalas2p.m." "Dick?Youhearme?"Perrysaid."It'salmostoneo'clock."Dickwasawake.Hewasrather morethanthat;heandInezweremakinglove.Asthoughrecitingarosary,Dickincessantly whispered:"Isitgood,baby?Isitgood?"ButInez,smokingacigarette,remainedsilent. Thepreviousmidnight,whenDickhadbroughthertotheroomandtoldPerrythatshewas goingtosleepthere,Perry,thoughdisapproving,hadacquiesced,butiftheyimaginedthat theirconductstimulatedhim,orseemedtohimanythingotherthana"nuisance,"theywere wrong. Nevertheless, Perry felt sorry for Inez. She was such a "stupid kid" ­ she really believedthatDickmeanttomarryher,andhadnoideahewasplanningtoleaveMexico thatveryafternoon."Isitgood,baby?Isitgood?" Perrysaid:"ForChristsake,Dick.Hurryitup,willyou?Ourdayendsattwop.m." ItwasSaturday,Christmaswasnear,andthetrafficcreptalongMainStreet.Dewey,caught inthetraffic,lookedupatthehollygarlandsthathungabovethestreet­swagsofgala greenerytrimmedwithscarletpaperbells­andwasremindedthathehadnotyetboughta singlegiftforhiswifeorhissons.Hismindautomaticallyrejectedproblemsnotconcerned with the Clutter case. Marie and many of their friends had begun to wonder at the

completenessofhisfixation. Oneclosefriend,theyounglawyerCliffordR.Hope,Jr.,hadspokenplainly:"Doyouknow what'shappeningtoyou,Al?Doyourealizeyounevertalkaboutanythingelse?""Well," Deweyhadreplied,"that'sallIthinkabout.Andthere'sthechancethatjustwhiletalking thethingover,I'llhitonsomethingIhaven'tthoughtofbefore.Somenewangle.Ormaybe youwill.Damnit,Cliff,whatdoyousupposemylifewillbeifthisthingstaysintheOpen File?YearsfromnowI'llstillberunningdowntips,andeverytimethere'samurder,acase anywhereinthecountryevenremotelysimilar,I'llhavetohornrightin,check,seeifthere couldbeanypossibleconnection.Butitisn'tonlythat.TherealthingisI'vecometofeelI knowHerbandthefamilybetterthantheyeverknewthemselves.I'mhauntedbythem.I guessIalwayswillbe.UntilIknowwhathappened." Dewey'sdedicationtothepuzzlehadresultedinanuncharacteristicabsent­mindedness. OnlythatmorningMariehadaskedhimplease,wouldheplease,please,notforgetto... Buthecouldn'tremember,ordidn't,until,freeoftheshoppingdaytrafficandracingalong Route50towardHolcomb,hepassedDr.I.E.Dale'sveterinarianestablishment.Ofcourse. Hiswifehadaskedhimtobesureandcollectthefamilycat,CourthousePete.Pete,atiger striped torn weighing fifteen pounds, is a well­known character around Garden City, famousforhispugnacity,whichwasthecauseofhiscurrenthospitalization;abattlelostto aboxerdoghadlefthimwithwoundsnecessitatingbothstitchesandantibiotics.Released byDr.Dale,Petesettleddownonthefrontseatofhisowner'sautomobileandpurredall thewaytoHolcomb. Thedetective'sdestinationwasRiverValleyFarm,butwantingsomethingwarm­acupof hotcoffee­hestoppedoffatHartman'sCafe. "Hello,handsome,"saidMrs.Hartman."WhatcanIdoforyou?" "Justcoffee,ma'am." Shepouredacup."AmIwrong?Orhaveyoulostalotofweight?" "Some."Infact,duringthepastthreeweeksDeweyhaddroppedtwentypounds.Hissuits fittedasthoughhehadborrowedthemfromastoutfriend,andhisface,seldomsuggestive ofhisprofession,wasnownotatallso;itcouldhavebeenthatofanasceticabsorbedin occultpursuits."Howdoyoufeel?" "Mightyfine." "Youlookawful." Unarguably.ButnoworsethantheothermembersoftheK..B.I.entourage­AgentsDuntz, Church,andNye.CertainlyhewasinbettershapethanHaroldNye,who,thoughfullofflu andfever,keptreportingforduty.Amongthem,thefourtiredmenhad"checkedout"some sevenhundredtipsandrumors.Dewey,forexample,hadspenttwowearyingandwasted daystryingtotracethatphantompair,theMexicansswornbyPaulHelmtohavevisitedMr. Clutterontheeveofthemurders."Anothercup,Alvin?" "Don'tguessIwill.Thankyou,ma'am."

Butshehadalreadyfetchedthepot."It'sonthehouse,Sheriff.Howyoulook,youneedit." Atacornertabletwowhiskeryranchhandswereplayingcheckers.Oneofthemgotupand cameovertothecounterwhereDeweywasseated.Hesaid,"Isittruewhatweheard?" "Depends." "Aboutthatfellowyoucaught?ProwlingintheClutterhouse?He'stheoneresponsible. That'swhatweheard." "Ithinkyouheardwrong,oldman.Yes,sir,Ido."AlthoughthepastlifeofJonathanDaniel Adrian,whowasthenbeingheldinthecountyjailonachargeofcarryingaconcealed weapon,includedaperiodofconfinementasamentalpatientinTopekaStateHospital,the dataassembledbytheinvestigatorsindicatedthatinrelationtotheCluttercasehewas guiltyonlyofanunhappycuriosity. "Well,ifhe'sthewrongun,whythehelldon'tyoufindtherightun?Igotahousefulof womenwon'tgotothebathroomalone." Dewey had become accustomed to this brand of abuse; it was a routine part of his existence.Heswallowedthesecondcupofcoffee,sighed,smiled. "Hell,I'mnotcrackingjokes.Imeanit.Whydon'tyouarrestsomebody?That'swhatyou're paidfor." "Hushyourmeanness,"saidMrs.Hartman."We'reallinthesameboat.Alvin'sdoinggood ashecan." Deweywinkedather."Youtellhim,ma'am.Andmuchobligedforthecoffee." Theranchhandwaiteduntilhisquarryhadreachedthedoor,thenfiredafarewellvolley: "Ifyoueverrunforsheriffa*gain,justforgetmyvote.'Causeyouain'tgonnagetit." "Hushyourmeanness,"saidMrs.Hartman. AmileseparatesRiverValleyFarmfromHartman'sCafe.Deweydecidedtowalkit.He enjoyedhikingacrosswheatfields.Normally,onceortwiceaweekhewentforlongwalks onhisownland,thewell­lovedpieceofprairiewherehehadalwayshopedtobuilda house,planttrees,eventuallyentertaingreat­grandchildren.Thatwasthedream,butitwas onehiswifehadlatelywarnedhimshenolongershared;shehadtoldhimthatnevernow wouldsheconsiderlivingallalone"wayoutthereinthecountry."Deweyknewthatevenif heweretosnarethemurderersthenextday,Mariewouldnotchangehermind­foronce anawfulfatehadbefallenfriendswholivedinalonelycountryhouse. Ofcourse,theClutterfamilywerenotthefirstpersonsevermurderedinFinneyCounty,or eveninHolcomb.Seniormembersofthatsmallcommunitycanrecall"awildgoings­on"of more than forty years ago ­ the Hefner Slaying. Mrs. Sadie Truitt, the hamlet's septuagenarianmailmessenger,whoisthemotherofPostmistressClare,isexpertonthis fabledaffair:"August,itwas.1920.HotasHades.AfellowcalledTunifwasworkingonthe

Finnupranch.WalterTunif.Hehadacar,turnedouttobestolen.Turnedouthewasa soldierAWOLfromFortBliss,overthereinTexas.Hewasarascal,sureenough,andalot ofpeoplesuspectedhim.Sooneeveningthesheriff­themdaysthatwasOrlieHefner,such afinesinger,don'tyouknowhe'spartoftheHeavenlyChoir?­oneeveningherodeoutto theFinnupranchtoaskTunifafewstraightforwardquestions.ThirdofAugust.Hotas Hades.Outcomeofitwas,WalterTunifshotthesheriffrightthroughtheheart.PoorOrlie wasgone'forehehittheground.Thedevilwhodoneit,helitoutofthereononeofthe Finnuphorses,rodeeastalongtheriver.Wordspread,andmenformilesaroundmadeupa posse.Alongaboutthenextmorning,theycaughtupwithhim;oldWalterTunif.Hedidn't getthechancetosayhowd'youdo?Onaccountoftheboyswereprettyirate.Theyjustlet thebuckshotfly." Dewey'sowninitialcontactwithfoulplayinFinneyCountyoccurredin1947.Theincident isnotedinhisfilesasfollows:"JohnCarlylePolk,aCreekIndian,32yearsofa*ge,resident Muskogee,Okla.,killedMaryKayFinley,whitefemale,40yearsofa*ge,awaitressresiding inGardenCity.Polkstabbedherwiththejaggedneckofabeerbottleinaroominthe CopelandHotel,GardenCity,Kansas,5­9­47."Acut­and­drieddescriptionofanopen­and­ shutcase.OfthreeothermurdersDeweyhadsinceinvestigated,twowereequallyobvious (a pair of railroad workers robbed and killed an elderly farmer, 11­1­52; a drunken husbandbeatandkickedhiswifetodeath,6­17­56),butthethirdcase,asitwasonce conversationallynarratedbyDewey,wasnotwithoutseveraloriginaltouches:"Itallstarted outatStevensPark.Wheretheyhaveabandstand,andunderthebandstandamen'sroom. Well,thismannamedMooneywaswalkingaroundthepark.HewasfromNorthCarolina somewhere,justastrangerpassingthroughtown.Anyway,hewenttotherestroom,and somebodyfollowedhiminside­aboyfromhereabouts,WilmerLeeStebbins,twentyyears old.Afterward,WilmerLeealwaysclaimedMr.Mooneymadehimanunnaturalsuggestion. AndthatwaswhyherobbedMr.Mooney,andknockedhimdown,andbanged hisheadonthecementfloor,andwhy,whenthatdidn'tfinishhim,hestuckMr.Mooney's headinatoiletbowlandkeptonflushingtillhedrownedhim.Maybeso.Butnothingcan explaintherestofWilmerLee'sbehavior.Firstoff,heburiedthebodyacoupleofmiles northeastofGardenCity.Nextdayhedugitupandputitdownfourteenmilestheother direction.Well,itwentonlikethat,buryingandreburying.WilmerLeewaslikeadogwith abone­hejustwouldn'tletMr.Mooneyrestinpeace.Finally,hedugonegravetoomany; somebodysawhim."PriortotheCluttermystery,thefourcasescitedwerethesumof Dewey'sexperiencewithmurder,andmeasuredagainstthecaseconfrontinghim,wereas squallsprecedingahurricane. DeweyfittedakeyintothefrontdooroftheClutterhouse.Inside,thehousewaswarm,for theheathadnotbeenturnedoff,andtheshiny­flooredrooms,smellingofalemon­scented polish,seemedonlytemporarilyuntenanted;itwasasthoughtodaywereSundayandthe familymightatanymomentreturnfromchurch.Theheirs,Mrs.EnglishandMrs.Jarchow, had removed avan load of clothing and furniture,yet theatmosphere of ahouse still humanly inhabited had not thereby been diminished. In the parlor, a sheet of music, "Comin'Thro'theRye,"stoodopenonthepianorack.Inthehall,asweat­stainedgray Stetsonhat­Herb's­hungonahatpeg.UpstairsinKenyon'sroom,onashelfabovehis bed,thelensesofthedeadboy'sspectaclesgleamedwithreflectedlight. Thedetectivemovedfromroomtoroom.Hehadtouredthehousemanytimes;indeed,he went out there almost every day, and, in one sense, could be said to find these visits

pleasurable,fortheplace,unlikehisownhome,orthesheriff'soffice,withitshullabaloo, waspeaceful.Thetelephones,theirwiresstillsevered, weresilent.Thegreatquietoftheprairiessurroundedhim.HecouldsitinHerb'sparlor rockingchair,androckandthink.Afewofhisconclusionswereunshakable:hebelieved thatthedeathofHerbClutterhadbeenthecriminals'mainobjective.Themotivebeinga psychopathichatred,orpossiblyacombinationofhatredandthievery,andhebelievedthat thecommissionofthemurdershadbeenaleisurelylabor,withperhapstwoormorehours elapsingbetweentheentranceofthekillersandtheirexit.(Thecoroner,Dr.RobertFenton, reportedanappreciabledifferenceinthebodytemperaturesofthevictims,and,onthis basis,theorizedthattheorderofexecutionhadbeen:Mrs.Clutter,Nancy,Kenyon,andMr. Clutter.)Attendantuponthesebeliefswashisconvictionthatthefamilyhadknownvery wellthepersonswhodestroyedthem. DuringthisvisitDeweypausedatanupstairswindow,hisattentioncaughtbysomething seenintheneardistance­ascare­crowamidthewheatstubble.Thescarecrowworea man'shunting­capandadressofweather­fadedfloweredcalico.(Surelyanolddressof BonnieClutter's?)Windfrolickedtheskirtandmadethescarecrowsway­madeitseema creatureforlornlydancinginthecoldDecemberfield.AndDeweywassomehowreminded ofMarie'sdream.Onerecentmorningshehadservedhimabungledbreakfastofsugared eggsandsaltedcoffee,thenblameditallon"asillydream"­butadreamthepowerof daylighthadnotdispersed."Itwassoreal,Alvin,"shesaid."Asrealasthiskitchen.That's where I was. Here in the kitchen. I was cooking supper, and suddenly Bonnie walked throughthedoor.Shewaswearingablueangorasweater,andshelookedsosweetand pretty.AndIsaid,'Oh,Bonnie...Bonnie,dear...Ihaven'tseenyousincethatterrible thinghappened.'Butshedidn'tanswer,onlylookedatmeinthatshywayofhers,andI didn'tknowhowtogoon.Underthecirc*mstances.SoIsaid,'Honey,comeseewhatI'm makingAlvinforhissupper.Apotofgumbo.Withshrimpandfreshcrabs.It'sjustabout ready.Comeon,honey,haveataste.'Butshewouldn't.Shestayedbythedoorlookingat me.Andthen­Idon'tknowhowtotellyouexactly,butsheshuthereyes,shebeganto shakeherhead,veryslowly,andwringherhands,veryslowly,andtowhimper,orwhisper. Icouldn'tunderstandwhatshewassaying.Butitbrokemyheart,Ineverfeltsosorryfor anyone,andIhuggedher.Isaid,'Please,Bonnie!Oh,don't,darling,don't!Ifeveranyone waspreparedtogotoGod,itwasyou,Bonnie.'ButIcouldn'tcomforther.Sheshookher head,andwrungherhands,andthenIheardwhatshewassaying.Shewassaying,'Tobe murdered. To be murdered. No. No. There's nothing worse. Nothing worse than that. Nothing." ItwasmiddaydeepintheMojaveDesert.Perry,sittingonastrawsuitcase,wasplayinga harmonica.Dickwasstandingatthesideofablack­surfacedhigh­way,Route66,hiseyes fixedupontheimmaculateemptinessasthoughthefervorofhisgazecouldforcemotorists tomaterialize.Fewdid,andnoneofthosestoppedforthehitchhikers.Onetruckdriver, boundforNeedles,California,hadofferedalift,butDickhaddeclined.Thatwasnotthe sortof "setup" he and Perry wanted. They werewaiting forsomesolitary traveler ina decentcarandwithmoneyinhisbillfold­astrangertorob,strangle,discardonthedesert. Inthedesert,soundoftenprecedessight.Dickheardthedimvibrationsofanoncoming, notyetvisiblecar.Perryheardit,too;heputtheharmonicainhispocket,pickedupthe straw suitcase (this, their only luggage, bulged and sagged with the weight of Perry's souvenirs,plusthreeshirts,fivepairsofwhitesocks,aboxofaspirin,abottleoftequila,

scissors,asafetyrazor,andafinger­nailfile;alltheirotherbelongingshadeitherbeen pawnedorbeenleftwiththeMexicanbartenderorbeenshippedtoLasVegas),andjoined Dickatthesideoftheroad.Theywatched.Nowthecarappeared,andgrewuntilitbecame ablueDodgesedanwithasinglepassenger,abald,skinnyman.Perfect.Dickraisedhis handandwaved.TheDodgesloweddown,andDickgavethemanasumptuoussmile.The caralmost,butnotquite,cametoastop,andthedriverleanedoutthewindow,looking themupanddown.Theimpressiontheymadewasevidentlyalarming(afterafifty­hour busridefromMexicoCitytoBarstow,California,andhalfadayoftrekkingacrossthe Mojave,bothhikerswerebearded,stark,dustyfigures.)Thecarleapedforwardandsped on.Dickcuppedhishandsaroundhismouthandcalledout,"You'realuckybastard!"Then helaughedandhoistedthesuit­casetohisshoulder.Nothingcouldgethimreallyangry, because,ashelaterrecalled,hewas"toogladtobebackinthegoodolU.S.A."Anyway, anothermaninanothercarwouldcomealong. Perryproducedhisharmonica(hissinceyesterday,whenhestoleitfromaBarstowvariety store)andplayedtheopeningbarsofwhathadcometobetheir"marchingmusic";the songwasoneofPerry'sfavorites,andhehadtaughtDickallfivestanzas.Instep,andside byside,theyswungalong thehighway,singing,"Mineeyeshaveseenthegloryof the comingoftheLord;Heistramplingoutthevintagewherethegrapesofwratharestored." Throughthesilenceofthedesert,theirhard,youngvoicesrang:"Glory!Glory!Hallelujah! Glory!Glory!Hallelujah!" III ANSWER TheyoungmansnamewasFloydWells,andhewasshortandnearlychinless.Hehad attemptedseveralcareers,assoldier,ranchhand,mechanic,thief,thelastofwhichhad earnedhimasentenceofthreetofiveyearsinKansasStatePenitentiary.Ontheeveningof Tuesday, November 17, 1959, he was lying in his cell with a pair of radio earphones clampedtohishead.Hewaslisteningtoanewsbroad­cast,buttheannouncer'svoiceand thedrabnessoftheday'sevents("ChancellorKonradAdenauerarrivedinLondontodayfor talks with Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. . . . President Eisenhower put in seventy minutesgoingoverspaceproblemsandthebudgetforspaceexplorationwithDr.T.Keith Glennan")wereluringhimtowardsleep.Hisdrowsinessinstantlyvanishedwhenheheard, "OfficersinvestigatingthetragicslayingoffourmembersoftheHerbertW.Clutterfamily haveappealedtothepublicforanyinformationwhichmightaidinsolvingthisbaffling crime.Clutter,hiswife,andtheirtwoteen­agechildrenwerefoundmurderedintheirfarm homenearGardenCityearlylastSundaymorning.Eachhadbeenbound,gagged,andshot throughtheheadwitha.12­gaugeshotgun.Investigatingofficialsadmittheycandiscover no motive for the crime, termed by Logan Sanford, Director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, as the most vicious in the history of Kansas. Clutter, a prominent wheat growerandformerEisenhowerappointeetotheFederalFarmCreditBoard..." Wellswasstunned.Ashewaseventuallytodescribehisreaction,he"didn'thardlybelieve it."Yethehadgoodreasonto,fornotonlyhadheknownthemurderedfamily,heknew verywellwhohadmurderedthem. Ithadbegunalongtimeago­elevenyearsago,intheautumnof1948,whenWellswas

nineteen.Hewas"sortofdriftingaroundthecountry,takingjobsastheycame,"ashe recalledit."Onewayandanother,IfoundmyselfoutthereinwesternKansas.Nearthe Coloradoborder.Iwashuntingwork,andaskinground,Iheardmaybetheycouldusea hand over to River Valley Farm ­ that's how he called his place, Mr. Clutter did. Sure enough,heputmeon.IstayedthereIguessayear­allthatwinter,anyway­andwhenI leftitwasjust'causeIwasfeelingkindoffooty.Wantedtomoveon.Notaccountofany quarrelwithMr.Clutter.Hetreatedmefine,sameashetreatedeverybodythatworkedfor him;like,ifyouwasalittleshortbeforepayday,he'dalwayshandyouatenorafive.He paidgoodwages,andifyoudeservedithewasquicktogiveyouabonus.Thefactis,I likedMr.CluttermuchasanymanIevermet.Thewholefamily.Mrs.Clutterandthefour kids.WhenIknewthem,theyoungesttwo,theonesthatgotkilled­Nancyandthelittle boywhatworeglasses­theywereonlybabies,maybefiveorsixyearsold.Theothertwo­ onewascalledBeverly,theothergirlIdon'trememberhername­theywerealreadyin highschool.Anicefamily,realnice.Ineverforgotthem.WhenIleftthere,itwassometime in1949.Igotmarried,Igotdivorced,theArmytookme,otherstuffhappened,timewent by,youmightsay,andin1959­June,1959,tenyearssinceIlastseenMr.Clutter­Igot senttoLansing.Becauseofbreakingintothisappliancestore.Electricalappliances.WhatI hadinmindwas,Iwantedtogetholdofsomeelectricallawnmowers.Nottosell.Iwas goingtostartalawn­mowerrentalservice.Thatway,see,I'dhavehadmyownpermanent littlebusiness.Coursenothingcomeofit­'ceptIdrewathree­to­five.IfIhadn't,thenI neverwouldhavemetDick,andmaybeMr.Clutterwouldn'tbeinhisgrave.Butthereyou are.Thereitis.IcometomeetDick. "HewasthefirstfellowIcelledwith.WecelledtogetherIguessamonth.Juneandpartof July.Hewasjustfinishingathree­to­five­dueforparoleinAugust.Hetalkedalotabout whatheplannedtodowhenhegotout.SaidhethoughthemightgotoNevada,oneof themmissile­basetowns,buyhisselfauniform,andpasshisselfoffasaAirForceofficer.So hecouldhangoutaregularwashlineofhotpaper.Thatwasoneideahetoldme.(Never thoughtmuchofitmyself.Hewassmart,Idon'tdeny,buthedidn'tlookthepartlikenoAir Forceofficer.)Othertimes,hementionedthisfriendofhis.Perry.Ahalf­Indianfellowhe usedtocellwith.AndthebigdealshimandPerrymightpullwhentheygottogetheragain. Inevermethim­Perry.Neversawhim.He'dalreadyleftLansing,wasoutonparole.But Dickalwayssaidifthechanceofarealbigscorecameup,hecouldrelyonPerrySmithto gopartners. "Idon'texactlyrecallhowMr.Clutterfirstgotmentioned.Itmusthavebeenwhenwewere discussingjobs,differentkindsofworkwe'ddone.Dick,hewasatrainedcarmechanic, and mostly that was the work he'd done. Only, once he'd had a job driving a hospital ambulance.Hewasfullofbragaboutthat.Aboutnurses,andallwhathe'ddonewiththem in the back of the ambulance. Anyway, I informed him how I'd worked a year on a considerablewheatspreadinwesternKansas.ForMr.Clutter.HewantedtoknowifMr. Clutterwasawealthyman.Yes,Isaid.Yes,hewas.Infact,Isaid,Mr.Clutterhadoncetold methathegotridoftenthousanddollarsinoneweek.Imean,saiditsometimescosthim tenthousanddollarsaweektorunhisoperation.Afterthat,Dickneverstoppedaskingme aboutthefamily.Howmanywasthey?Whatageswouldthekidsbenow?Exactlyhowdid yougettothehouse?Howwasitlaidout?DidMr.Clutterkeepasafe?Iwon'tdenyit­I toldhimhedid.BecauseIseemedtorememberasortofcabinet,orsafe,orsomething, rightbehindthedeskintheroomMr.Clutterusedasanoffice.NextthingIknew,Dickwas talkingaboutkillingMr.Clutter.SaidhimandPerrywasgonnagooutthereandrobthe place,andtheywasgonnakillallwitnesses­theClutters,andanybodyelsethathappened

tobearound.Hedescribedtomeadozentimeshowhewasgonnadoit,howhimand Perrywasgonnatiethempeopleupandgunthemdown.Itoldhim,'Dick,you'llneverget bywithit.'ButIcan'thonestlysayItriedtopersuadehimdifferent.BecauseIneverfora minutebelievedhemeanttocarryitout.Ithoughtitwasjusttalk.Likeyouhearplentyof inLansing.That'saboutallyoudohear:whatafellow'sgonnadowhenhegetsout­the holdupsandrobberiesandsoforth.It'snothingbutbrag,mostly.Nobodytakesitserious. That'swhy,whenIheardwhatIheardontheearphones­well,Ididn'thardlybelieveit. Stillandall,ithappened.JustlikeDicksaiditwould." ThatwasFloydWells'story,thoughasyethewasfarfromtellingit.Hewasafraidto,forif theotherprisonersheardofhisbearingtalestothewarden,thenhislife,asheputit, "wouldn'tbeworthadeadcoyote."Aweekpassed.Hemonitoredtheradio,hefollowedthe newspaperaccounts­andinoneofthemreadthataKansaspaper,theHutchinsonNews, wasofferingarewardofonethousanddollarsforanyinformationleadingtothecapture andconvictionofthepersonorpersonsguiltyoftheCluttermurders.Aninterestingitem;it almostinspiredWellstospeak.Buthewasstilltoomuchafraid,andhisfearwasnotsolely oftheotherprisoners.Therewasalsothechancethattheauthoritiesmightchargehim with being an accessoryto thecrime.Afterall, itwashewho had guided Dick tothe Clutters'door;certainlyitcouldbeclaimedthathehadbeenawareofDick'sintentions. However oneviewed it, his situationwascurious, hisexcusesquestionable. So hesaid nothing,andtenmoredayswentby.DecemberreplacedNovember,andthoseinvestigating thecaseremained,accordingtoincreasinglybriefnewspaperreports(radionewscasters hadceasedtomentionthesubject),asbewildered,asvirtuallyclueless,astheyhadbeen themorningofthetragicdiscovery. But he knew. Presently, tortured by a need to "tell somebody," he confided in another prisoner."Aparticularfriend.ACatholic.Kindofveryreligious.Heaskedme,'Well,what areyougonnado,Floyd?'Isaid,Well,Ididn'trightlyknow­whatdidhethinkIoughtto do?Well,hewasallformegoingtotheproperpeople.Saidhedidn'tthinkIoughttolive withsomethinglikeonmymind.AndhesaidIcoulddoitwithoutanybodyinsideguessing Iwastheonetold.Saidhe'dfixit.Sothenextdayhegotwordtothedeputywarden­told himIwantedtobe'calledout.”Toldthedeputyifhecalledmetohisofficeonsomepretext orother,maybeIcouldtellhimwhokilledtheClutters.Sureenough,thedeputysentfor me.Iwasscared,butIrememberedMr.Clutter,andhowhe'dneverdonemenoharm,how atChristmashe'dgivemealittlepursewithfiftydollarsinit.Italkedtothedeputy.ThenI toldthewardenhisself.AndwhileIwasstillsittingthere,rightthereinWardenHand's office,hepickedupthetelephone­" ThepersontowhomWardenHandtelephonedwasLoganSanford.Sanfordlistened,hung up,issuedseveralorders,thenplacedacallofhisowntoAlvinDewey.Thatevening,when DeweylefthisofficeinthecourthouseatGardenCity,hetookhomewithhimamanila envelope. When Dewey got home, Marie was in the kitchen preparing supper. The moment he appeared,shelaunchedintoanaccountofhouseholdupsets.Thefamilycathadattacked theco*ckerspanielthatlivedacrossthestreet,andnowitseemedasifoneofthespaniel's eyesmightbeseriouslydamaged.AndPaul,theirnine­year­old,hadfallenoutofatree.It wasawonderhewasalive.Andthentheirtwelve­year­old,Dewey'snamesake,hadgone intotheyardtoburnrubbishandstartedablazethathadthreatenedtheneighborhood. Someone­shedidn'tknowwho­hadactuallycalledtheFireDepartment.

While his wife described these unhappy episodes, Dewey poured two cups of coffee. Suddenly, Marie stopped in the middle of a sentence and stared at him. His face was flushed,andshecouldtellthathewaselated.Shesaid,"Alvin.Oh,honey.Isitgoodnews?" Withoutcomment,hegaveherthemanilaenvelope.Herhandswerewet;shedriedthem, sat down at the kitchen table, sipped her coffee, opened the envelope, and took out photographsofablondyoungmanandadark­haired,dark­skinnedyoungman­police­ made"mugshots."Apairofsemi­codeddossiersaccompaniedthephotographs.Theonefor thefair­headedmanread: Hickock,RichardEugene(WM)28.KBI97093;FBI859273A.Address:Edgerton,Kansas. Birthdate6­6­31.Birthplace:K.C.,Kans.Height:5­10.Weight:175.Hair:Blond.Eyes:Blue. Build:Stout.Comp:Ruddy.Occup:CarPainter.Crime:Cheat&Defr.&BadChecks.Paroled: 8­13­59.By:So.K.C.K. Theseconddescriptionread: Smith,PerryEdward(WM)27­59.Birthplace:Nevada.Height:5­4.Weight:156.Hair:D. Brn.Crime:B&E.Arrested:(blank).By:(blank).Disposition:SentKSP3­13­56fromPhil­ lipsCo.5­10yrs.Rec.3­14­56.Paroled:7­6­59. Marieexaminedthefront­viewandprofilephotographsofSmith:anarrogantface,tough, yetnotentirely,fortherewasaboutitapeculiarrefinement;thelipsandnoseseemed nicelymade,andshethoughttheeyes,withtheirmoist,dreamyexpression,ratherpretty­ rather,inanactorishway,sensitive.Sensitive,andsomethingmore:"mean."Thoughnotas mean,asforbiddingly"criminal,"astheeyesofHickock,RichardEugene.Marie,transfixed byHickock'seyes,wasreminded ofachildhood incident­ofabobcatshe'd onceseen caughtinatrap,andofhow,thoughshe'dwantedtoreleaseit,thecat'seyes,radiantwith painandhatred,haddrainedherofpityandfilledherwithterror."Whoarethey?"Marie asked. DeweytoldherFloydWells'story,andattheendhesaid,"Funny.Thepastthreeweeks, that'stheanglewe'veconcentratedon.Trackingdowneverymanwhoeverworkedonthe Clutterplace.Now,thewayit'sturnedout,itjustseemslikeapieceofluck.Butafewdays moreandwewould'vehitthisWells.Foundhewasinprison.Wewould'vegotthetruth then.Hell,yes." "Maybe it isn't the truth," Marie said. Dewey and the eighteen men assisting him had pursued hundreds of leads to barren destinations, and she hoped to warn him against anotherdisappointment,forshewasworriedabouthishealth.Hisstateofmindwasbad; hewasemaciated;andhewassmokingsixtycigarettesaday."No.Maybenot,"Deweysaid. "ButIhaveahunch."Histoneimpressedher;shelookedagainatthefacesonthekitchen table."Thinkofhim,"shesaid,placingafingeragainstthefront­viewportraitoftheblond youngman."Thinkofthoseeyes.Comingtowardyou."Thenshepushedthepicturesback intotheirenvelope."Iwishyouhadn'tshownme." Laterthatsameevening,anotherwoman,inanotherkitchen,putasideasockshewas darning,removedapairofplastic­rimmedspectacles,andlevelingthematavisitor,said,"I hopeyoufindhim,Mr.Nye.Forhisownsake.Wehavetwosons,andhe'soneofthem,our first­born.Welovehim.But...Oh,Irealized.Irealizedhewouldn'thavepackedup.Run

off.Withoutawordtoanybody­hisdaddyorhisbrother.Unlesshewasintroubleagain. Whatmakeshimdoit?Why?"Sheglancedacrossthesmall,stove­warmedroomatagaunt figurehunchedinarockingchair­WalterHickock,herhusbandandthefatherofRichard Eugene.Hewasamanwithfaded,defeatedeyesandroughhands;whenhespoke,his voicesoundedasifitwereseldomused."Wasnothingwrongwithmyboy,Mr.Nye,"Mr. Hickock said. "An outstanding athlete ­ always on the first team at school. Basketball! Baseball! Football! Dickwasalways the starplayer.A pretty good student, too,with A marks in several subjects. History. Mechanical drawing. After he graduated from high schoolJune,1949­hewantedtogoontocollege.Studytobeanengineer.Butwecouldn't doit.Plaindidn'thavethemoney.Neverhavehadanymoney.Ourfarmhere,it'sonly forty­fouracres­wehardlycanscratchaliving.IguessDickresentedit,notgettingto college.ThefirstjobhehadwaswithSantaFeRailways,inKansasCity.Madeseventy­five dollars a week. He figured that was enough to get married on, so him and Carol got married.Shewasn'tbutsixteen;hewasn'tbutnineteenhisself.Ineverthoughtnothing goodwouldcomeofit.Didn't,neither." Mrs.Hickock,aplumpwomanwithasoft,roundfaceun­marredbyalifetimeofdawn­to­ darkendeavor,reproachedhim."Threepreciouslittleboys,ourgrandchildren­there,that's whatcameofit.AndCarolisalovelygirl.She'snottoblame." Mr.Hickockcontinued,"HimandCarolrentedagood­sizehouse,boughtafancycar­they wasindebtallthetime.EventhoughprettysoonDickwasmakingbettermoneydrivinga hospitalambulance.Lateron,theMarkBuickCompany,abigoutfitthereinKansasCity, theyhiredhim.Asamechanicandcarpainter.ButhimandCarollivedtoohigh,kept buyingstufftheycouldn'tnohowafford,andDickgottowritingchecks.Istillthinkthe reasonhestarteddoingstuntssuchasthatwasconnectedwiththesmash­up.Concussed hishead inacarsmash­up.Afterthat,hewasn'tthesameboy.Gambling,writingbad checks.Ineverknewhimtodothemthingsbefore.Anditwasalongaboutthenhetookup withthisothergal.TheonehedivorcedCarolfor,andwashissecondwife." Mrs. Hickock said, "Dick couldn't help that. You remember how Margaret Edna was attractedtohim." "'Causeawomanlikesyou,doesthatmeanyougottogetcaught?"Mr.Hickocksaid."Well, Mr.Nye,Iexpectyouknowasmuchaboutitaswedo.Whyourboywassenttoprison. Lockedawayseventeenmonths,andallhedonewasborrowahuntingrifle.Fromthe houseofaneighborhere.Hehadnoideatostealit,Idon'tgiveadamnwhatnobodysays. Andthatwastheruinationofhim.WhenhecameoutofLansing,hewasaplainstrangerto me.Youcouldn'ttalktohim.ThewholeworldwasagainstDickHickock­that'showhe figured.Eventhesecondwife,shelefthim­filedfordivorcewhilehewasinprison.Just thesame,latelythere,heseemedtobesettlingdown.WorkingfortheBobSandsBody Shop,overinOlathe.Livinghereathomewithus,gettingtobedearly,notviolatinghis paroleanyshapeorfashion.I'lltellyou,Mr.Nye,I'venotgotlong,I'mwithcancer,and Dickknowedthat­leastways,heknowedI'msickly­andnotamonthago,rightbeforehe tookoff,hetoldme,'Dad,you'vebeenaprettygoodolddadtome.I'mnotevergonnado nothingmoretohurtyou.'Hemeantit,too.Thatboyhasplentyofgoodinsidehim.Ifever youseenhimonafootballfield,ifeveryouseenhimplaywithhischildren,youwouldn't doubtme.Lord,IwishtheLordcouldtellme,becauseIdon'tknowwhathappened." Hiswifesaid,"Ido,"resumedherdarning,andwasforcedbytearstostop."Thatfriendof

his.That'swhathappened." Thevisitor,K.B.I.AgentHaroldNye,busiedhimselfscribblinginashorthandnotebook­a notebookalreadywellfilledwiththeresultsofalongdayspentprobingtheaccusationsof FloydWells.ThusfarthefactsascertainedcorroboratedWells'storymostpersuasively.On November20thesuspectRichardEugeneHickockhadgoneonaKansasCityshopping spreeduringwhichhehadpassednotfewerthan"sevenpiecesofhotpaper."Nyehad called on all the reported victims ­ salesmen of cameras and of radio and television equipment,theproprietorofajewelryshop,aclerkinaclothingstore­andwhenineach instancethewitnesswasshownphotographsofHickockandPerryEdwardSmith,hehad identified the former as the author of the spurious checks, the latter as his "silent" accomplice. (One deceived salesman said, "He [Hickock] did the work. A very smooth talker,veryconvincing.Theotherone­Ithoughthemightbeaforeigner,aMexicanmaybe ­heneveropenedhismouth.") NyehadnextdriventothesuburbanvillageofOlathe,whereheinterviewedHickock'slast employer,theowneroftheBobSandsBodyShop."Yes,heworkedhere,"saidMr.Sands. "FromAugustuntil­Well,IneversawhimafterthenineteenthofNovember,ormaybeit wasthetwentieth.Heleftwithoutgivingmeanynoticewhatever.Justtookoff­Idon't knowwhereto,andneitherdoeshisdad.Surprised?Well,yes.Yes,Iwas.Wewereona fairlyfriendlybasis.Dickkindofhasawaywithhim,youknow.Hecanbeverylikable. Onceinawhileheusedtocometoourhouse.Factis,aweekbeforeheleft,wehadsome peopleover,alittleparty,andDickbroughtthisfriendhehadvisitinghim,aboyfrom Nevada­PerrySmithwashisname.Hecouldplaytheguitarrealnice.Heplayedtheguitar andsangsomesongs,andhimandDickentertainedeverybodywithaweight­liftingact. PerrySmith,he'salittlefellow,notmuchoverfivefeethigh,buthecouldjustaboutpickup ahorse.No,theydidn'tseemnervous,neitherone.I'dsaytheywereenjoyingthemselves. Theexactdate?SureIremember.Itwasthethirteenth.Friday,thethirteenthofNovember." From there, Nyesteered hiscarnorthward along raw country roads. Ashe neared the Hickockfarm,hestoppedatseveralneighboringhomesteads,ostensiblytoaskdirections, actuallytomakeinquiriesconcerningthesuspect.Onefarmer'swifesaid,"DickHickock! Don'ttalktomeaboutDickHickock!IfeverImetthedevil!Steal?Stealtheweightsoffa deadman'seyes!Hismother,though,Eunice,she'safinewoman.Heartbigasabarn.His daddy,too.Bothofthemplain,honestpeople.Dickwould'vegonetojailmoretimesthan youcancount,exceptnobodyaroundhereeverwantedtoprosecute.Outofrespectforhis folks." DuskhadfallenwhenNyeknockedatthedoorofWalterHickock'sweather­grayedfour­ roomfarmhouse.Itwasasthoughsomesuchvisithadbeenexpected.Mr.Hickockinvited thedetectiveintothekitchen,andMrs.Hickockofferedhimcoffee.Perhapsiftheyhad knownthetruemeaningofthecaller'spresence,thereceptiontenderedhimwouldhave beenlessgracious,moreguarded.Buttheydidnotknow,andduringthehoursthethree satconversing,thenameClutterwasnevermentioned,orthewordmurder.Theparents accepted what Nye implied ­ that parole violation and financial fraud were all that motivatedhispursuitoftheirson. "Dickbroughthim[Perry]homeoneevening,andtoldushewasafriendjustoffabus fromLasVegas,andhewantedtoknowcouldn'thesleephere,stayhereawhile,"Mrs. Hickocksaid."No,sir,Iwouldn'thavehiminthehouse.OnelookandIsawwhathewas.

Withhisperfume.Andhisoilyhair.ItwasclearasdaywhereDickhadmethim.According totheconditionsofhisparole,hewasn'tsupposedtoassociatewithanybodyhe'dmetup there[Lansing].IwarnedDick,buthewouldn'tlisten.Hefoundaroomforhisfriendatthe HotelOlathe,inOlathe,andafterthatDickwaswithhimeveryspareminute.Oncethey wentoffonaweekendtrip.Mr.Nye,certainasI'msittinghere,PerrySmithwastheone puthimuptowritingthemchecks." Nyeshuthisnotebookandputhispeninhispocket,andbothhishandsaswell,forhis handswereshakingfromexcitement."Now,onthisweekendtrip.Wheredidtheygo?" "FortScott,"Mr.Hickocksaid,namingaKansastownwithamilitaryhistory."ThewayI understoodit,PerrySmithhasasisterlivesinFortScott.Shewassupposedtobeholdinga pieceofmoneybelongedtohim.Fifteenhundreddollarswasthesummentioned.Thatwas themainreasonhe'dcometoKansas,tocollectthismoneyhissisterwasholding.SoDick drovehimdowntheretogetit.Itwasonlyaovernighttrip.Hewasbackhomealittle beforenoonSunday.TimeforSundaydinner." "Isee,"saidNye."Anovernighttrip.WhichmeanstheyleftheresometimeSaturday.That wouldbeSaturday,Novemberfourteenth?" Theoldmanagreed. "AndreturnedSunday,Novemberfifteenth?" "Sundaynoon." Nyeponderedthemathematicsinvolved,andwasencouragedbytheconclusionhecame to:thatwithinatimespanoftwentyortwenty­fourhours,thesuspectscouldhavemadea round­tripjourneyofrathermorethaneighthundredmiles,and,intheprocess,murder fourpeople. "Now,Mr.Hickock,"Nyesaid."OnSunday,whenyoursoncamehome,washealone?Or wasPerrySmithwithhim?" "No,hewasalone.Hesaidhe'dleftPerryoffattheHotelOlathe." Nye,whosenormalvoiceiscuttinglynasalandnaturallyintimidating,wasattemptinga subduedtimbre,adisarming,throw­awaystyle."Anddoyouremember­didanythingin hismannerstrikeyouasunusual?Different?" "Who?" "Yourson." "When?" "WhenhereturnedfromFortScott." Mr.Hickockruminated.Thenhesaid,"Heseemedthesameasever.Soonashecamein,we satdowntodinner.Hewasmightyhungry.StartedpilinghisplatebeforeI'dfinishedthe

blessing.Iremarkedonit,said,'Dick,you'reshovelingitinasfastasyoucanworkyour elbow.Don'tyoumeantoleavenothingfortherestofus?'Course,he'salwaysbeenabig eater.Pickles.Hecaneatawholetubofpickles." "Andafterdinnerwhatdidhedo?" "Fellasleep,"saidMr.Hickock,andappearedtobemoderatelytakenabackbyhisown reply."Fellfastasleep.AndIguessyoucouldsaythatwasunusual.We'dgatheredroundto watchabasketballgame.OntheTV.MeandDickandourotherboy,David.Prettysoon Dickwassnoringlikeabuzzsaw,andIsaidtohisbrother,'Lord,IneverthoughtI'dliveto see the day Dick would go to sleep at a basketball game.' Did, though. Slept straight throughit.Onlywokeuplongenoughtoeatsomecoldsupper,andrightafterwentoffto bed." Mrs.Hickockrethreadedherdarningneedle;herhusbandrockedhisrockerandsuckedon anunlitpipe.Thedetective'strainedeyesroamedthescrubbedandhumbleroom.Ina corner,agunstoodproppedagainstthewall;hehadnoticeditbefore.Rising,reachingfor it,hesaid,"Youdomuchhunting,Mr.Hickock?" "That'shisgun.Dick's.HimandDavidgooutonceinawhile.Afterrabbits,mostly." Itwasa.12­gaugeSavageshotgun,Model300;adelicatelyetchedsceneofpheasantsin flightornamentedthehandle."HowlonghasDickhadit?" ThequestionarousedMrs.Hickock."Thatguncostmeoverahundreddollars.Dickbought itoncredit,andnowthestorewon'thaveitback,eventhoughit'snothardlyamonthold andonlybeenusedtheonetime­thestartofNovember,whenhimandDavidwentto Grinnellonapheasantshoot.Heusedoursnamestobuyit­hisdaddylethim­soherewe are,liableforthepayments,andwhenyouthinkofWalter,sickasheis,andallthethings weneed,allwedowithout..."Sheheldherbreath,asthoughtryingtohaltanattackof hiccups."Areyousureyouwon'thaveacupofcoffee,Mr.Nye?It'snotrouble." Thedetectiveleanedthegunagainstthewall,relinquishingit,althoughhefeltcertainit wastheweaponthathadkilledtheClutterfamily."Thankyou,butit'slate,andIhaveto drivetoTopeka,"hesaid,andthen,consultinghisnotebook,"Now,I'lljustrunthroughthis, seeifIhaveitstraight.PerrySmitharrivedinKansasThursday,thetwelfthofNovember. Yoursonclaimedthispersoncameheretocollectasumofmoneyfromasisterresidingin FortScott.ThatSaturdaythetwodrovetoFortScott,wheretheyremainedovernight­I assumeinthehomeofthesister?" Mr.Hickocksaid,"No.Theynevercouldfindher.Seemslikeshe'dmoved." Nyesmiled."Nevertheless,theystayedawayovernight.Andduringtheweekthatfollowed ­thatis,fromthefifteenthtothetwenty­first­DickcontinuedtoseehisfriendPerrySmith, butotherwise,orasfarasyouknow,hemaintainedanormalroutine,livedathomeand reportedtoworkeveryday.Onthetwenty­firsthedisappeared,andsodidPerrySmith. Andsincethenyou'venotheardfromhim?Hehasn'twrittenyou?" "He'safraidto,"saidMrs.Hickock."Ashamedandafraid."

"Ashamed?" "Ofwhathe'sdone.Ofhowhe'shurtusagain.Andafraidbecausehethinkswewon't forgivehim.Likewealwayshave.IAndwill.Youhavechildren,Mr.Nye?" Henodded. "Thenyouknowhowitis." "Onethingmore.Haveyouanyidea,anyatall,whereyoursonmighthavegone?" "Openamap,"saidMr.Hickock,"Pointyourfinger­maybethat'sit." Itwaslateafternoon,andthedriverofthecar,amiddle­agedtravelingsalesmanwhoshall herebeknownasMr.Bell,wastired.Helongedtostopforashortnap.However,hewas onlyahundredmilesfromhisdestination­Omaha;Nebraska,theheadquartersofthelarge meatpackingcompanyforwhichheworked.Acompanyruleforbadeitssalesmentopick uphitchhikers,butMr.Belloftendisobeyedit,particularlyifhewasboredanddrowsy,so whenhesawthetwoyoungmenstandingbythesideoftheroad,heimmediatelybraked hiscar. Theylookedtohimlike"O.K.boys."Thetallerofthetwo,awirytypewithdirty­blond, crew­cuthair,hadanengaginggrinandapolitemanner,andhispartner,the"runty"one, holdingaharmonicainhisrighthandand,inhisleft,aswollenstrawsuit­case,seemed "nice enough," shy but amiable. In any event, Mr. Bell, entirely unaware of his guests' intentions,whichincludedthrottlinghimwithabeltandleavinghim,robbedofhiscar,his money,andhislife,concealedinaprairiegrave,wasgladtohavecompany,somebodyto talktoandkeephimawakeuntilhearrivedatOmaha. Heintroducedhimself,thenaskedthemtheirnames.Theaffableyoungmanwithwhomhe wassharingthefrontseatsaidhisnamewasDick."Andthat'sPerry,"hesaid,winkingat Perry,whowasseateddirectlybehindthedriver."IcanrideyouboysasfarasOmaha." Dicksaid,"Thankyou,sir.Omaha'swherewewereheaded.Hopedwemightfindsome work." Whatkindofworkweretheyhunting?Thesalesmanthoughtperhapshecouldhelp. Dicksaid,"I'mafirst­classcarpainter.Mechanic,too.I'musedtomakingrealmoney.My buddyandme,wejustbeendowninoldMexico.Ourideawas,wewantedtolivethere. Buthell,theywon'tpayanywages.Nothingawhitemancouldliveoff."Ah,Mexico.Mr. BellexplainedthathehadhoneymoonedinCuernavaca."Wealwayswantedtogoback. Butit'shardtomovearoundwhenyou'vegotfivekids." Perry, as he later recalled, thought, Five kids ­ well, too bad. And listening to Dick's conceited chatter, hearing him start to describe his Mexican "amorous conquests," he thoughthow"queer"itwas,"egomaniacal."Imaginegoingallouttoimpressamanyou weregoingtokill,amanwhowouldn'tbealivetenminutesfromnow­notiftheplanhe andDickhaddevisedwentsmoothly.Andwhyshouldn'tit?Thesetupwasideal­exactly whattheyhadbeenlookingforduringthethreedaysithadtakenthemtohitchhikefrom

CaliforniatoNevadaandacrossNevadaandWyomingintoNebraska.Untilnow,however,a suitablevictimhadeludedthem.Mr.Bellwasthefirstprosperous­seemingsolitarytraveler toofferthemalift.Theirotherhostshadbeeneithertruckdriversorsoldiers­and,once,a pairofNegroprizefightersdrivingalavenderCadillac.ButMr.Bellwasperfect.Perryfelt insideapocketoftheleatherwindbreakerhewaswearing.Thepocketbulgedwithabottle ofBayeraspirinandwithajagged,fist­sizerockwrappedinayellowcottoncowboyhand­ kerchief.Heunfastenedhisbelt,aNavajobelt,silver­buckledandstuddedwithturquoise beads; he took it off, flexed it, placed it across his knees. He waited. He watched the Nebraskaprairierollingby,andfooledwithhisharmonica­madeupatuneandplayedit andwaitedforDicktopronouncetheagreed­uponsignal:"Hey,Perry,passmeamatch." WhereuponDickwassupposedtoseizethesteeringwheel,whilePerry,wieldinghishand­ kerchief­wrappedrock,belaboredthesalesman'shead­"openeditup."Later,alongsome quietsideroad,usewouldbemadeofthebeltwiththesky­bluebeads. Meanwhile,Dickandthecondemnedmanweretradingdirtyjokes.Theirlaughterirritated Perry;heespeciallydislikedMr.Bell'soutbursts­heartybarksthatsoundedverymuchlike thelaughterofTexJohnSmith,Perry'sfather.Thememoryofhisfather'slaughterincreased histension;hisheadhurt,hiskneesached.Hechewedthreeaspirinandswallowedthem dry.Jesus!Hethoughthemightvomit,orfaint;hefeltcertainhewouldifDickdelayed"the party"muchlonger.Thelightwasdimming,theroadwasstraight,withneitherhousenor humanbeinginview­nothingbutlandwinter­strippedandassomberassheetiron.Now wasthetime,now.HestaredatDick,asthoughtocommunicatethisrealization,andafew smallsigns­atwitchingeyelid,amustacheofsweatdrops­toldhimthatDickhadalready reachedthesameconclusion. AndyetwhenDicknextspoke,itwasonlytolaunchanotherjoke."Here'sariddle.The riddleis:What'sthesimilaritybetweenatriptothebathroomandatriptothecemetery?" Hegrinned."Giveup?" "Giveup." "Whenyougottago,yougottago!" Mr.Bellbarked. "Hey,Perry,passmeamatch." ButjustasPerryraisedhishand,andtherockwasonthevergeofdescent,something extraordinaryoccurred­whatPerrylatercalled"agoddammiracle."Themiraclewasthe suddenappearanceofathirdhitchhiker,aNegrosoldier,forwhomthecharitablesalesman stopped."Say,that'sprettycute,"hesaidashissaviorrantowardthecar."Whenyougotta go,yougottago!" December16,1959,LasVegas,Nevada.Ageandweatherhadremovedthefirstletterand thelast­anRandanS­therebycoiningasomewhatominousword:OOM.Theword, faintlypresentuponasun­warpedsign,seemed appropriatetotheplaceitpublicized,whichwas,asHaroldNyewroteinhisofficialK.B.I. report, "run­down and shabby, the lowest type of hotel or rooming house." The report continued: "Until a few years ago (according to information supplied by the Las Vegas

police), it was one of the biggest cathouses in the West. Then fire destroyed the main building,andtheremainingportionwasconvertedintoacheap­rentroominghouse."The "lobby"wasunfurnished,exceptforacactusplantsixfeettallandamakeshiftreception desk;itwasalsouninhabited.Thedetectiveclappedhishands.Eventually,avoice,female, butnotveryfeminine,shouted,"I'mcoming,"butitwasfiveminutesbeforethewoman appeared. She wore a soiled housecoat and high­heeled gold leather sandals. Curlers pinionedherthinningyellowishhair.Herfacewasbroad,muscular,rouged,powdered.She wascarryingacanofMillerHighLifebeer;shesmelledofbeerandtobaccoandrecently appliednailvarnish.Shewasseventy­fouryearsold,butinNye'sopinion,"lookedyounger ­maybetenminutesyounger."Shestaredathim,histrimbrownsuit,hisbrownsnapbrim hat.Whenhedisplayedhisbadge,shewasamused;herlipsparted,andNyeglimpsedtwo rowsoffaketeeth."Uh­huh.That'swhatIfigured,"shesaid."O.K.Let'shear it."HehandedheraphotographofRichardHickock."Knowhim?" Anegativegrunt. "Orhim?" Shesaid,"Uh­huh.He'sstayedhereacouplatimes.Buthe'snotherenow.Checkedoutover amonthago.Youwannaseetheregister?" Nyeleanedagainstthedeskandwatchedthelandlady'slongandlacqueredfingernails searchapageofpencil­scribblednames.LasVegaswasthefirstofthreeplacesthathis employerswishedhimtovisit.Eachhadbeenchosenbecauseofitsconnectionwiththe historyofPerrySmith.ThetwootherswereReno,whereitwasthoughtthatSmith'sfather lived,and San Francisco, the home of Smith's sister,who shall herebeknown asMrs. FredericJohnson.ThoughNyeplannedtointerviewtheserelatives,andanyoneelsewho mighthaveknowledgeofthesuspect'swhere­abouts,hismainobjectivewastoobtainthe aidofthelocallawagencies.OnarrivinginLasVegas,forexample,hehaddiscussedthe CluttercasewithLieutenantB.J.Handlon,ChiefoftheDetectiveDivisionoftheLasVegas Police Department. The lieutenant had then writtenamemorandum ordering allpolice personneltobeonthealertforHickockandSmith:"WantedinKansasforparoleviolation, andsaidtobedrivinga1949ChevroletbearingKansaslicenseJO­58269.Thesem*nare probably armed and should be considered dangerous." Also, Handlon had assigned a detectivetohelpNye"casethepawnbrokers";ashesaid,therewas"alwaysapackofthem inanygamblingtown."Together,NyeandtheLasVegasdetectivehadcheckedeverypawn ticketissuedduringthepastmonth.Specifically,NyehopedtofindaZenithportableradio believedtohavebeenstolenfromtheClutterhouseonthenightofthecrime,buthehad noluckwiththat.Onebroker,though,rememberedSmith("He'sbeeninandoutofhere goingonagoodtenyears"),andwasabletoproduceaticketforabearskinrugpawned during the first week in November. It was from this ticket that Nye had obtained the addressoftheroominghouse. "Registered October thirtieth," the landlady said. "Pulled out November eleventh." Nye glanced at Smith's signature. The ornateness of it, the mannered swoops and swirls, surprisedhim­areactionthatthelandladyapparentlydivined,forshesaid,"Uh­huh.And yououghtahearhimtalk.Big,longwordscomingatyouinthiskindalispy,whisperyvoice. Quiteapersonality.Whatyougotagainsthim­anicelittlepunklikethat?"

"Paroleviolation." "Uh­huh.CameallthewayfromKansasonaparolecase.Well,I'mjustadizzyblonde.I believeyou.ButIwouldn'ttellthattaletoanybrunettes."Sheraisedthebeercan,emptied it, then thoughtfully rolled the empty can between her veined and freckled hands. "Whateveritis,itain'tnothingbig­big.Couldn'tbe.IneversawthemanyetIcouldn't gaugehisshoesize.Thisone,beonlyapunk.Littlepunktriedtosweet­talkmeoutof payingrentthelastweekhewashere."Shechuckled,presumablyattheabsurdityofsuch anambition. ThedetectiveaskedhowmuchSmith'sroomhadcost."Regularrate.Ninebucksaweek. Plusafifty­centkeydeposit.Strictlycash.Strictlyinadvance." "Whilehewashere,whatdidhedowithhimself?Doeshehaveanyfriends?"Nyeasked. "YouthinkIkeepaneyeoneverycrawlythatcomesinhere?"thelandladyretorted."Bums. Punks.I'mnotinterested.Igotadaughtermarriedbig­big."Thenshesaid,"No,hedoesn't haveanyfriends.Least,Inevernoticedhimrunaroundwithanybodyspecial.Thislasttime hewashere,hespentmosteverydaytinkeringwithhiscar.Haditparkedoutfrontthere. AnoldFord.Lookedlikeitwasmadebeforehewasborn.Hegaveitapaintjob.Painted thetoppartblackandtherestsilver.Thenhewrote'ForSale'onthewindshield.OnedayI heardasuckerstopandofferhimfortybucks­that'sfortymorethanitwasworth.Buthe allowedhecouldn'ttakelessthanninety.Saidheneededthemoneyforabusticket.Just beforeheleftIheardsomecoloredmanboughtit." "Hesaidheneededthemoneyforabusticket.Butyoudon'tknowwhereitwashewanted togo?" Shepursedherlips,hungacigarettebetweenthem,buthereyesstayedonNye."Playfair. Anymoneyonthetable?Areward?"Shewaitedforananswer;whennonearrived,she seemedtoweightheprobabilitiesanddecideinfavorofproceeding."BecauseIgotthe impressionwhereverhewasgoinghedidn'tmeantostaylong.Thathemeanttocutback here.Sortabeenexpectinghimtoturnupanyday."Shenoddedtowardtheinteriorofthe establishment."Comealong,andI'llshowyouwhy." Stairs.Grayhalls.Nyesniffedtheodors,separatingonefromanother:lavatorydisinfectant, alcohol,deadcigars.Beyondonedoor,adrunkentenantwailedandsanginthefirmgripof eithergladnessorgrief."Boildown,Dutch!Turnitofforoutyougo!"thewomanyelled. "Here,"shesaidtoNye,leadinghimintoadarkenedstorageroom.Sheswitchedonalight. "Overthere.Thatbox.HeaskedwouldIkeepittillhecameback." Itwasacardboardbox,unwrappedbuttiedwithcord.Adeclaration,awarningsomewhat inthespiritofanEgyptiancurse,wascrayonedacrossthetop:"Beware!PropertyofPerry E.Smith!Beware!"Nyeundidthecord;theknot,hewasunhappytosee,wasnotthesame asthehalfhitchthatthekillershadusedwhenbindingtheClutterfamily.Hepartedthe flaps.Aco*ckroachemerged,andthelandladysteppedonit,squashingitundertheheelof her gold leathersandal. "Hey!" she said as hecarefully extracted and slowly examined Smith'spossessions."Thesneak.That'smytowel."Inadditiontothetowel,themeticulous Nyelistedinhisnotebook:"Onedirtypillow,'SouvenirofHonolulu';onepinkbabyblanket; onepairkhakitrousers;onealuminumpanwithpancaketurner."Otheroddmentsincluded

a scrapbook thick with photographs clipped from physical­culture magazines (sweaty studiesofweight­liftingweight­lifters)and,insideashoebox,acollectionofmedicines: rinsesandpowdersemployedtocombattrenchmouth,andalsoamystifyingamountof aspirin ­ at least a dozen containers, several of them empty. "Junk," the landlady said. "Nothingbuttrash."True,itwasvaluelessstuffeventoaclue­hungrydetective.Still,Nye wasgladtohaveseenit;eachitem­thepalliativesforsoregums,thegreasyHonolulu pillow­gavehimaclearerimpressionoftheownerandhislonely,meanlife. ThenextdayinReno,preparinghisofficialnotes,Nyewrote:"At9:00a.m.thereporting agentcontactedMr.BillDriscoll,chiefcriminalinvestigator,Sheriff'sOffice,WashoeCounty, Reno, Nevada. After being briefed on the circ*mstances of this case, Mr. Driscoll was suppliedwithphotographs,fingerprintsandwarrantsforHickockandSmith.Stopswere placedinthefilesonboththeseindividualsaswellastheautomobile.At10:30a.m.the reportingagentcontactedSgt.AbeFeroah,DetectiveDivision,PoliceDepartment,Reno, Nevada.Sgt.Feroahandthereportingagentcheckedthepolicefiles.Neitherthenameof SmithorHickockwasreflectedinthefelonregistrationfile.Acheckofthepawnshop­ticket filesfailedtoreflectanyinformationaboutthemissingradio.Apermanentstopwasplaced in these files in the event the radio is pawned in Reno. The detective handling the pawnshopdetailtookphotographsofSmithandHickocktoeachofthepawnshopsintown andalsomadeapersonalcheckofeachshopfortheradio.Thesepawnshopsmadean identification of Smith as being familiar, but were unable to furnish any further information." Thusthemorning.ThatafternoonNyesetforthinsearchofTexJohnSmith.Butathisfirst stop,thepostoffice,aclerkataGeneralDeliverywindowtoldhimheneedlooknofarther notinNevada­for"theindividual"hadlefttherethepreviousAugustandnowlivedinthe vicinityofCircleCity,Alaska.That,anyway,waswherehismailwasbeingforwarded. "Gosh!Now,there'satallorder,"saidtheclerkinresponsetoNye'srequestforadescription oftheelderSmith."Theguy'soutofabook.HecallshimselftheLoneWolf.Alotofhismail comesaddressedthatway­theLoneWolf.Hedoesn'treceivemanyletters,no,butbalesof cataloguesandadvertisingpamphlets.You'dbesurprisedthenumberofpeoplesendaway forthatstuff­justtogetsomemail,mustbe.Howold?I'dsaysixty.DressesWestern­ cowboybootsandabigten­gallonhat.Hetoldmeheusedtobewiththerodeo.I'vetalked tohimquiteabit.He'sbeeninherealmosteverydaythelastfewyears.Onceinawhile he'ddisappear,stayawayamonthorso­alwaysclaimedhe'dbeenoffprospecting.One daylastAugustayoungmancameheretothewindow.Hesaidhewaslookingforhis father,TexJohnSmith,anddidIknowwherehecouldfindhim.Hedidn'tlookmuchlike hisdad;theWolfissothin­lippedandIrish,andthisboylookedalmostpureIndian­hair blackasbootpolish,witheyestomatch.ButnextmorninginwalkstheWolfandconfirms it;hetoldmehissonhadjustgotoutoftheArmyandthattheyweregoingtoAlaska.He's anoldAlaskahand.Ithinkheonceownedahotelthere,orsomekindofhuntinglodge.He saidheexpectedtobegoneabouttwoyears.Nope,neverseenhimsince,himorhisboy." TheJohnsonfamilywererecentarrivalsintheirSanFranciscocommunity­amiddle­class, middle­incomereal­estatedevelopmenthighinthehillsnorthofthecity.Ontheafternoon ofDecember 18,1959,young Mrs.Johnsonwas expecting guests;threewomenofthe neighborhood were coming by for coffee and cake and perhaps a game of cards. The hostesswastense;itwouldbethefirsttimeshehadentertainedinhernewhome.Now, whileshewaslisteningforthedoorbell,shemadeafinaltour,pausingtodisposeofaspeck

oflintoralteranarrangementofChristmaspoinsettias.Thehouse,liketheothersonthe slantinghillsidestreet,wasaconventionalsuburbanranchhouse,pleasantandcommon place.Mrs.Johnsonlovedit;shewasinlovewiththeredwoodpaneling,thewall­to­wall carpeting,thepicturewindowsforeandaft,theviewthattherearwindowprovided­hills, avalley,thenskyandocean.Andshewasproudofthesmallbackgarden;herhusband­by professionaninsurancesalesman,byinclinationacarpenter­hadbuiltarounditawhite picketfence,andinsideitahouseforthefamilydog,andasand­boxandswingsforthe children.Atthemoment,allfour­dog,twolittleboys,andagirl­wereplayingthere underamildsky;shehopedtheywouldbehappyinthegardenuntiltheguestshadgone. WhenthedoorbellsoundedandMrs.Johnsonwenttothedoor,shewaswearingwhatshe consideredhermostbecomingdress,ayellowknitthathuggedherfigureandheightened thepale­teashineofherCherokeecoloringandtheblacknessofherfeather­bobbedhair. She opened the door, prepared to admit three neighbors; instead, she discovered two strangers ­ men who tipped their hats and flipped open badge­studded billfolds. "Mrs. Johnson?"oneofthemsaid."MynameisNye.ThisisInspectorGuthrie.We'reattachedto theSanFranciscopolice,andwe'vejustreceivedaninquiryfromKansasconcerningyour brother,PerryEdwardSmith.Itseemshehasn'tbeenreportingtohisparoleofficer,andwe wonderedifyoucouldtellusanythingofhispresentwhereabouts." Mrs.Johnsonwasnotdistressed­anddefinitelynotsurprisedtolearnthatthepolicewere oncemoreinterestedinherbrother'sactivities.Whatdidupsetherwastheprospectof havingguestsarrivetofindherbeingquestionedbydetectives.Shesaid,"No.Nothing.I haven'tseenPerryinfouryears." "Thisisaseriousmatter,Mrs.Johnson,"Nyesaid."We'dliketotalkitover." Havingsurrendered,havingaskedtheminandofferedthemcoffee(whichwasaccepted), Mrs.Johnsonsaid,"Ihaven'tseenPerryinfouryears.Orheardfromhimsincehewas paroled.Lastsummer,whenhecameoutofprison,hevisitedmyfatherinReno.Inaletter, myfathertoldmehewasreturningtoAtlantaandtakingPerrywithhim.Thenhewrote again, I think in September, and he was very angry. He and Perry had quarreled and separatedbeforetheyreachedtheborder.Perryturnedback,myfatherwentontoAlaska alone." "Andhehasn'twrittenyousince?" "No." "Thenit'spossibleyourbrothermayhavejoinedhimrecently,withinthelastmonth." "Idon'tknow.Idon'tcare." "Onbadterms?" "WithPerry?Yes.I'mafraidofhim." "ButwhilehewasinLansingyouwrotehimfrequently.OrsotheKansasauthoritiestellus," Nyesaid.Thesecondman,InspectorGuthrieseemedcontenttooccupythesidelines. "Iwantedtohelphim.IhopedImightchangeafewofhisideas.NowIknowbetter.The

rightsofotherpeoplemeannothingtoPerry.Hehasnorespectforanyone." "Aboutfriends.Doyouknowofanywithwhomhemightbestaying?" "JoeJames,"shesaid,andexplainedthatJameswasayoungIndianloggerandfisherman who lived in the forest near Bellingham, Washington. No, she was not personally acquaintedwithhim,butsheunderstoodthatheandhisfamilyweregenerouspeoplewho hadoftenbeenkindtoPerryinthepast.TheonlyfriendofPerry'sshehadevermetwasa youngladywhohadappearedontheJohnsons'doorstepinJune,1955,bringingwithhera letterfromPerryinwhichheintroducedherashiswife. "Hesaidhewasintrouble,andaskedifIwouldtakecareofhiswifeuntilhecouldsendfor her. The girl looked twenty; it turned out she was fourteen. And of course she wasn't anyone'swife.ButatthetimeIwastakenin.Ifeltsorryforher,andaskedhertostaywith us. She did, though not for long. Less than a week. And when she left, she took our suitcasesandeverythingtheycouldhold­mostofmyclothesandmostofmyhusband's, thesilver,eventhekitchenclock." "Whenthishappened,wherewereyouliving?" "Denver." "HaveyoueverlivedinFortScott,Kansas?" "Never.I'veneverbeentoKansas." "HaveyouasisterwholivesinFortScott?" "Mysisterisdead.Myonlysister." Nyesmiled.Hesaid,"Youunderstand,Mrs.Johnson,we'reworkingontheassumptionthat yourbrotherwillcontactyou.Writeorcall.Orcometoseeyou." "Ihopenot.Asamatteroffact,hedoesn'tknowwe'vemoved.HethinksI'mstillinDenver. Please,ifyoudofindhim,don'tgivehimmyaddress.I'mafraid." "Whenyousaythat,isitbecauseyouthinkhemightharmyou?Hurtyouphysically?" Sheconsidered,andunabletodecide,saidshedidn'tknow."ButI'mafraidofhim.Ialways have been. He can seem so warm­hearted and sympathetic. Gentle. He cries so easily. Sometimesmusicsetshimoff,andwhenhewasalittleboyheusedtocrybecausehe thoughtasunsetwasbeautiful.Orthemoon.Oh,hecanfoolyou.Hecanmakeyoufeelso sorryforhim­" Thedoorbellrang.Mrs.Johnson'sreluctancetoanswerconveyedherdilemma,andNye (who later wrote of her, "Through­out the interview she remained composed and most gracious.Apersonofexceptionalcharacter")reachedforhisbrownsnap­brim."Sorryto havetroubledyou,Mrs.Johnson.ButifyouhearfromPerry,wehopeyou'llhavethegood sensetocallus.AskforInspectorGuthrie."

Afterthedepartureofthedetectives,thecomposurethathadimpressedNyefaltered;a familiardespairimpended.Shefoughtit,delayeditsfullimpactuntilthepartywasdone andtheguestshadgone,untilshe'dfedthechildrenandbathedthemandheardtheir prayers.Thenthemood,liketheeveningoceanfognowcloudingthestreetlamps,closed roundher.ShehadsaidshewasafraidofPerry,andshewas,butwasitsimplyPerryshe feared,orwasitaconfigurationofwhichhewaspart­theterribledestiniesthatseemed promised the four children of Florence Buckskin and Tex John Smith? The eldest, the brothersheloved,hadshothimself;Fernhadfallenoutofawindow,orjumped;andPerry wascommittedtoviolence,acriminal.So,inasense,shewastheonlysurvivor;andwhat tormentedherwasthethoughtthatintimeshe,too,wouldbeoverwhelmed:gomad,or contractanincurableillness,orinafireloseallshevalued­home,husband,children. Herhusbandwasawayonabusinesstrip,andwhenshewasalone,sheneverthoughtof havingadrink.Buttonightshefixedastrongone,thenlaydownontheliving­roomcouch, apicturealbumproppedagainstherknees. Aphotographofherfatherdominatedthefirstpage­astudioportraittakenin1922,the year of his marriage to theyoung Indianrodeo riderMiss FlorenceBuckskin. Itwasa photographthatinvariablytransfixedMrs.Johnson.Becauseofit,shecouldunderstand why,whenessentiallytheyweresomismatched,hermotherhadmarriedherfather.The youngmaninthepictureexudedvirileallure.Everything­theco*ckytiltofhisginger­ haired head, the squint in his left eye (as though he were sighting a target), the tiny cowboyscarfknottedroundhisthroat­wasabundantlyattractive.Onthewhole,Mrs. Johnson'sattitudetowardherfatherwasambivalent,butoneaspectofhimshehadalways respected­hisfortitude.Shewellknewhoweccentricheseemedtoothers;heseemedso toher,forthatmatter.Allthesame,hewas"arealman."Hedidthings,didthemeasily.He couldmakeatreefallpreciselywherehewished.Hecouldskinabear,repairawatch, buildahouse,bakeacake,darnasock,orcatchatroutwithabentpinandapieceof string.OncehehadsurvivedawinteraloneintheAlaskanwilderness. Alone:inMrs.Johnson'sopinion,thatwashowsuchmenshouldlive.Wives,children,a timidlifearenotforthem.Sheturnedoversomepagesofchildhoodsnapshots­pictures madeinUtahandNevadaandIdahoandOregon.Therodeocareersof"Tex&Flo"were finished,andthefamily,livinginanoldtruck,roamedthecountryhuntingwork,ahard thingtofindin1933."TexJohnSmithFamilypickingberriesinOregon,1933"wasthe caption under a snapshot of four barefooted children wearing overalls and cranky, uniformlyfatiguedexpressions.Berriesorstalebreadsoakedinsweetcondensedmilkwas oftenalltheyhadtoeat.BarbaraJohnsonrememberedthatoncethefamilyhadlivedfor daysonrottenbananas,andthat,asaresult,Perryhadgotcolic;hehadscreamedallnight, whileBobo,asBarbarawascalled,weptforfearhewasdying. BobowasthreeyearsolderthanPerry,andsheadoredhim;hewasheronlytoy,adollshe scrubbedandcombedandkissedandsometimesspanked.Herewasapictureofthetwo togetherbathingnakedinadiamond­wateredColoradocreek,thebrother,apot­bellied, sun­blackened cupid, clutching his sister's hand and giggling, as though the tumbling streamcontainedghostlyticklingfingers.Inanothersnapshot(Mrs.Johnsonwasunsure, butshethoughtprobablyitwastakenataremoteNevadaranchwherethefamilywas stayingwhenafinalbattlebetweentheparents,aterrifyingcontestinwhichhorsewhips andscaldingwaterandkerosenelampswereusedasweapons,hadbroughtthemarriageto

a stop),sheand Perryare astride apony, their heads aretogether,theircheeks touch; beyondthemdrymountainsburn. Later,whenthechildrenandtheirmotherhadgonetoliveinSanFrancisco,Bobo'slovefor thelittleboyweakeneduntilitwentquiteaway.Hewasn'therbabyanymorebutawild thing,a thief,a robber. Hisfirstrecorded arrestwas on October 27, 1936 ­ hiseighth birthday. Ultimately, after several confinements in institutions and children's detention centers,hewasreturnedtothecustodyofhisfather,anditwasmanyyearsbeforeBobo sawhimagain,exceptinphotographsthatTexJohnoccasionallysenthisotherchildren­ picturesthat,pastedabovewhite­inkcaptions,werepartofthealbum'scontents.Therewas "Perry,Dad,andtheirHuskyDog,""PerryandDadPanningforGold,""PerryBear­Hunting inAlaska."Inthislast,hewasafur­cappedboyoffifteenstandingonsnowshoesamong snow­weightedtrees,ariflehookedunderhisarm;thefacewasdrawnandtheeyeswere sadandverytired,andMrs.Johnson,lookingatthepicture,wasremindedofa"scene"that PerryhadmadeoncewhenhehadvisitedherinDenver.Indeed,itwasthelasttimeshe hadeverseenhim­thespringof1955.TheywerediscussinghischildhoodwithTexJohn, andsuddenlyPerry,whohadtoomuchdrinkinsidehim,pushedheragainstawalland heldherthere."Iwashisnigg*r,"Perrysaid."That'sall.Somebodyhecouldworktheirguts outandneverhavetopaythemonehotdime.No,Bobo,I’mtalking.Shutup,orI'llthrow youintheriver.LikeoncewhenIwaswalkingacrossabridgeinJapan,andaguywas standingthere,Ineversawhimbefore,Ijustpickedhimupandthrewhimintheriver. "Please,Bobo.Pleaselisten.YouthinkIlikemyself?Oh,themanIcouldhavebeen!But thatbastardnevergavemeachance.Hewouldn'tletmegotoschool.O.K.O.K.Iwasabad kid.ButthetimecameIbeggedtogotoschool.Ihappentohaveabrilliantmind.Incase youdon'tknow.Abrilliantmindandtalentplus.Butnoeducation,becausehedidn'twant metolearnanything,onlyhowtototeandcarryforhim.Dumb.That'sthewayhewanted metobe.SothatIcouldneverescapehim.Butyou,Bobo.Youwenttoschool.Youand JimmyandFern.Everydamnoneofyougotaneducation.Everybodybutme.AndIhate you,allofyou­Dadandeverybody." Asthoughforhisbrotherandsisterslifehadbeenabedofroses!Maybeso,ifthatmeant cleaningupMama'sdrunkenvomit,ifitmeantneveranythingnicetowearorenoughto eat.Still,itwastrue,allthreehadfinishedhighschool.Jimmy,infact,hadgraduatedat the top of his class ­ an honor he owed entirely to his own will power. That, Barbara Johnsonfelt,waswhatmadehissuicidesoominous.Strongcharacter,highcourage,hard work­­itseemedthatnoneoftheseweredeterminingfactointhefatesofTexJohn's children.Theysharedadoomagainstwhichvirtuewasnodefense.NotthatPerrywas virtuous,orFern.WhenFernwasfourteen,shechangedhername,andfortherestofher shortlifeshetriedtojustifythereplacement:Joy.Shewasaneasygoinggirl,"everybody's sweetheart"­rathertoomucheverybody's,forshewaspartialtomen,thoughsomehowshe hadn'tmuchluckwiththem.Somehow,thekindofmanshelikedalwaysletherdown.Her motherhaddiedinanalcoholiccoma,andshewasafraidofdrink­yetshedrank.Before shewastwenty,Fern­Joywasbeginningthedaywithabottleofbeer.Then,onesummer night,shefellfromthewindowofahotelroom.Fallingshestruckatheatermarquee, bouncedoffit,androlledunderthewheelsofataxi.Above,inthevacatedroom,police foundhershoes,amoneylesspurse,anemptywhiskeybottle. OnecouldunderstandFernandforgiveher,butJimmywasadifferentmatter.Mrs.Johnson waslookingatapictureofhiminwhichhewasdressedasasailor;duringthewarhehad

servedintheNavy.Slender,apaleyoungseafarerwithanelongatedfaceofslightlydour saintliness,hestoodwithanarmaroundthewaistofthegirlhehadmarriedand,inMrs. Johnson'sestimation,oughtnottohave,fortheyhadnothingincommon­theserious Jimmyandthisteen­ageSanDiegofleet­followerwhoseglassbeadsreflectedanowlong­ fadedsun.AndyetwhatJimmyhadfeltforherwasbeyondnormallove;itwaspassion­a passionthatwasinpartpathological.Asforthegirl,shemusthavelovedhim,andloved himcompletely,orshewouldnothavedoneasshedid.IfonlyJimmyhadbelievedthat!Or beencapableofbelievingit.Butjealousyimprisonedhim.Hewasmortifiedbythoughtsof themenshehadsleptwithbeforetheirmarriage;hewasconvinced,moreover,thatshe remainedpromiscuous­thateverytimehewenttosea,orevenleftheralonefortheday, shebetrayedhimwithamultitudeoflovers,whoseexistenceheunendinglydemandedthat sheadmit.Thensheaimedashotgunatapointbetweenhereyesandpressedthetrigger withhertoe.WhenJimmyfoundher,hedidn'tcallthepolice.Hepickedherupandputher onthebedandlaydownbesideher.Sometimearounddawnofthenextday,hereloaded thegunandkilledhimself. OppositethepictureofJimmyandhiswifewasaphotographofPerryinuniform.Ithad been clipped from a newspaper, and was accompanied by a paragraph of text: "Headquarters, United States Army, Alaska. Pvt. Perry E. Smith, 23, first Army Korean combatveterantoreturntotheAnchorage,Alaska,area,greetedbyCaptainMason,Public InformationOfficer,uponarrivalatElmendorfAirForceBase.Smithserved15monthswith the24thDivisionasacombatengineer.HistripfromSeattletoAnchoragewasagiftfrom PacificNorthernAirlines.MissLynnMarquis,airlinehostess,smilesapprovalatwelcome. (Official U.S. Army Photo)." Captain Mason, with hand extended, is looking at Private Smith,butPrivateSmithislookingatthecamera,inhisexpressionMrs.Johnsonsaw,or imaginedshesaw,notgratitudebutarrogance,and,inplaceofpride,immenseconceit,it wasn'tincrediblethathehadmetamanonabridgeandthrownhimoffit.Ofcoursehe had.Shehadneverdoubtedit. Sheshutthealbumandswitchedonthetelevision,buritdidnotconsoleher.Supposehe didcome?Thedetectiveshadfoundher;whyshouldn'tPerry?Heneednotexpectherto helphim,shewouldn'tevenlethimin.Thefrontdoorwaslocked,butnotthedoortothe garden.Thegardenwaswhitewithsea­fog;Itmighthavebeenanassemblyofspirits: MamaandJimmyandFern.WhenMrs.Johnsonboltedthedoor,shehadinmindthedead aswellastheliving. Acloudburst.Rain.Bucketsofit.Dickran.Perryrantoo,buthecouldnotrunasfast;his legswereshorter,andhewasluggingthesuitcase.Dickreachedshelter­abarnnearthe highway­longbeforehim.OnleavingOmaha,afteranightspentinaSalvationArmy dormitory,atruckdriverhadgiventhemarideacrosstheNebraskaborderintoIowa.The pastseveralhours,however,hadfoundthemafoot.Theraincamewhentheyweresixteen milesnorthofanIowasettlementcalledTenvilleJunction. Thebarnwasdark. "Dick?"Perrysaid. "Overhere,"Dicksaid.Hewassprawledonabedofhay. Perry,drenchedandshaking,droppedbesidehim."I'msocold,"hesaid,burrowinginthe

hay,"I'msocoldIwouldn'tgiveadamnifthiscaughtfireandburnedmealive."Hewas hungry,too.Starved.LastnighttheyhaddinedonbowlsofSalvationArmysoup,andtoday theonlynourishmentthey'dhadwassomechocolatebarsandchewinggumthatDickhad stolenfromadrugstorecandycounter."AnymoreHershey?"Perryasked. No, but there was still a pack of chewing gum. They divided it, then settled down to chewingit,eachchompingontwoandahalfsticksofDoublemint,Dick'sfavoriteflavor (PerrypreferredJuicyFruit).Moneywastheproblem.TheirutterlackofithadledDickto decidethattheirnextmoveshouldbewhatPerryconsidered"acrazy­manstunt"­areturn toKansasCity.WhenDickhadfirsturgedthereturn,Perrysaid,"Yououghttoseeadoctor." Now,huddledtogetherinthecolddarkness,listeningtothedark,coldrain,theyresumed theargument,Perryoncemorelistingthedangersofsuchamove,forsurelybythistime Dickwaswantedforparoleviolation­"ifnothingmore."ButDickwasnottobedissuaded. KansasCity,heagaininsisted,wastheoneplacehewascertainhecouldsuccessfully"hang alotofhotpaper.Hell,Iknowwe'vegottobecareful.Iknowthey'vegotawarrantout. Becauseofthepaperwehungbefore.Butwe'llmovefast.Oneday­that'lldoit.Ifwegrab enough,maybeweoughttotryFlorida.SpendChristmasinMiami­staythewinterifit looksgood."ButPerrychewedhisgumandshiveredandsulked.Dicksaid,"Whatisit, honey?Thatotherdeal?Whythehellcan'tyouforgetit?Theynevermadeanyconnection. Theyneverwill." Perrysaid,"Youcouldbewrong.Andifyouare,itmeansTheCorner."Neitheronehadever beforereferredtotheultimatepenaltyintheStateofKansas­thegallows,ordeathinThe Corner,astheinmatesofKansasStatePenitentiaryhavenamedthefadthathousesthe equipmentrequiredtohangaman. Dicksaid,"Thecomedian.Youkillme."Hestruckamatch, intending to smoke a cigarette, but something seen by the light of the flaring match broughthimtohisfeetandcarriedhimacrossthebarntoacowstall.Acarwasparked insidethestall,ablack­and­whitetwo­door1956Chevrolet.Thekeywasintheignition. Deweywasdeterminedtoconcealfrom"thecivilianpopulation"anyknowledgeofamajor breakintheCluttercase­sodeterminedthathedecidedtotakeintohisconfidenceGarden City'stwoprofessionaltowncriers:BillBrown,editoroftheGardenCityTelegram,andRob Wells, manager of the local radio station. KlUL. In outlining the situation, Dewey emphasizedhisreasonsforconsideringsecrecyofthefirstimportance:"Remember,there's apossibilitythesem*nareinnocent." It was a possibility too valid to dismiss. The informer, Floyd Wells, might easily have invented his story; such tale­telling was not infrequently undertaken by prisoners who hopedtowinfavororattractofficialnotice.Buteveniftheman'severywordwasgospel, Deweyandhiscolleagueshadnotyetunearthedonebitofsolidsupportingevidence­ "courtroomevidence."Whathadtheydiscoveredthatcouldnotbeinterpretedasplausible, thoughexceptional,coincidence?JustbecauseSmithhadtraveledtoKansastovisithis friendHickock,andjustbecauseHickockpossessedagunofthecaliberusedtocommitthe crime, and just because the suspects had arranged a false alibi to account for their whereaboutsthenightofNovember14,theywerenotnecessarilymassmurderers."But we're pretty sure this is it. We all think so. If we didn't, we wouldn't have set up a seventeen­statealarm,fromArkansastoOregon.Butkeepinmind:Itcouldbeyearsbefore

wecatchthem.Theymayhaveseparated.Orleftthecountry.There'sachancethey'vegone toAlaska­nothardtogetlostinAlaska.Thelongerthey'refree,thelessofacasewe'll have.Frankly,asmattersstand,wedon'thavemuchofacaseanyhow.Wecouldnabthose sonsabitchestomorrow,andneverbeabletoprovespit." Dewey did not exaggerate. Except for two sets of boot prints, one bearing a diamond patternandtheotheraCat'sPawdesign,theslayershadleftnotasingleclue.Sincethey seemedtotakesuchcare,theyhadundoubtedlygotridofthebootslongago.Andthe radio,too­assumingthatitwastheywhohadstolenit,whichwassomethingDeweystill hesitatedtodo,foritappearedtohim"ludicrouslyinconsistent"withthemagnitudeofthe crimeandthemanifestcunningofthecriminals,and"inconceivable"thatthesem*nhad enteredahouseexpectingtofindamoney­filledsafe,andthen,notfindingit,hadthought itexpedienttoslaughterthefamilyforperhapsafewdollarsandasmallportableradio. "Withoutaconfession,we'llnevergetaconviction,"hesaid."That'smyopinion.Andthat's whywecan'tbetoocautious.Theythinkthey'vegotawaywithit.Well,wedon'twant themtoknowanydifferent.Thesafertheyfeel,thesoonerwe'llgrabthem." ButsecretsareanunusualcommodityinatownthesizeofGardenCity.Anyonevisitingthe sheriff'soffice,threeunder­furnished,overcrowdedroomsonthethirdfloorofthecounty courthouse,coulddetectanodd,almostsinisteratmosphere.Thehurry­scurry,theangry humofrecentweekshaddeparted;aquiveringstillnessnowpermeatedthepremises.Mrs. Richardson,theofficesecretaryandaverydown­to­earthperson,hadacquiredovernighta daintylotofwhispery,tiptoemannerisms,andthemensheserved,thesheriffandhisstaff, DeweyandtheimportedteamofK.B.I.agents,creptaboutconversinginhushedtones.It wasasthough,likehuntsmenhidinginaforest,theywereafraidthatanyabruptsoundor movementwouldwarnawayapproachingbeasts. People talked. The Trail Room of the Warren Hotel, a coffee shop that Garden City businessmentreatasthoughitwereaprivateclub,wasamurmuringcaveofspeculation andrumor.Aneminentcitizen,sooneheard,wasonthepointofarrest.Oritwasknown thatthecrimewastheworkofkillershired byenemiesoftheKansasWheatGrowers' Association,aprogressiveorganizationinwhichMr.Clutterhadplayedalargerole.Ofthe many stories circulating, the most nearly accurate was contributed by a prominent car dealer(whor*fusedtodisclosehissource):"SeemstherewasamanwhoworkedforHerb waybackyonderaround'47or'48.Ordinaryranchhand.Seemhewenttoprison,state prison,andwhilehewastherehegottothinkingwhatarichmanHerbwas.Soabouta monthago,whentheylethimloose,thefirstthinghedidwascomeonoutheretoroband killthosepeople." Butsevenmileswestward,inthevillageofHolcomb,notahintwasheardofimpending sensations,onereasonbeingthatforsomewhiletheCluttertragedyhadbeenabanned topic at both of the community's principal gossip­dispensaries ­ the post office and Hartman'sCafe."Myself,Idon'twanttohearanotherword,"saidMrs.Hartman."Itold them,Wecan'tgoonlikethis.Distrustingeverybody,scaringeachothertodeath.WhatI sayis,ifyouwanttotalkaboutit,stayoutofmyplace."MyrtClaretookquiteasstronga stand."Folkscomeinheretobuyanickel'sworthofpostageandthinktheycanspendthe nextthreehoursandthirty­threeminutesturningtheCluttersinsideout.Pickin'thewings offotherpeople.Rattlesnakes,that'salltheyare.Idon'thavethetimetolisten.I'min business­I'marepresentativeofthegovernmentoftheUnitedStates.Anyway,it'smorbid. AlDeweyandthosehot­shotcopsfromTopekaandKansasCity­supposedtobesharpas

turpentine.ButIdon'tknowasoulwhostillthinksthey'vegothell'schanceofcatchingthe onedoneit.SoIsaythesanethingtodoisshutup.Youliveuntilyoudie,anditdoesn't matterhowyougo;dead'sdead.Sowhycarryonlikeasackfulofsickcatsjustbecause HerbCluttergothisthroatcut?Anyway,it'smorbid.PollyStringer,fromoverattheschool­ house?PollyStringerwasinherethismorning.Shesaidit'sonlynow,afteroveramonth, onlynowthosekidsarebeginningtoquietdown.Whichmademethink:Whatiftheydo arrestsomebody?Iftheydo,it'sboundtobesomebodyeverybodyknows.Andthatwould fanthefireforsure,getthepotboilingjustwhenithadstartedtocooloff.Askme,we've hadenoughexcitement." Itwasearly,notyetnine,andPerrywasthefirstcustomerattheWashateria,aself­service laundry.Heopenedhisfatstrawsuitcase,extractedawadofbriefsandsocksandshirts (somehis,someDick's),tossedthemintoawasher,andfedthemachinealeadslug­one ofmanyboughtinMexico. Perrywaswellacquaintedwiththeworkingsofsuchemporiums,havingoftenpatronized them,andhappily,sinceusuallyhefoundit"sorelaxing"tositquietlyandwatchclothesget clean.Nottoday.Hewastooapprehensive.Despitehiswarnings,Dickhadwonout.Here theywere,backinKansasCity­deadbroke,toboot,anddrivingastolencar!Allnightthey hadracedtheIowaChevroletthroughthickrain,stoppingtwicetosiphongas,bothtimes fromvehiclesparkedontheemptystreetsofsmallsleepingtowns.(ThiswasPerry'sjob, oneatwhichhejudgedhimself"absolutelytops.Justashortpieceofrubberhose,that'smy cross­countrycreditcard.")OnreachingKansasCityatsunrise,thetravelershadgonefirst to theairport,wherein themen's lavatorytheywashed andshaved andbrushedtheir teeth;twohourslater,afteranapintheairportlounge,theyreturnedtothecity.Itwas thenthatDickhaddroppedhispartnerattheWashateria,promisingtocomebackforhim withinthehour. Whenthelaundrywascleananddry,Perryrepackedthesuit­case.Itwaspastten.Dick, supposedlyoffsomewhere"hangingpaper,"wasoverdue.Hesatdowntowait,choosinga benchonwhich,anarm'slengthaway,awoman'spurserested­temptinghimtosnakehis handaroundinsideit.Buttheappearanceofitsowner,theburliestofseveralwomennow employingtheestablishment'sfacilities,deterredhim.Once,whenhewasarunning­wild childinSanFrancisco,heanda"Chinkkid"(TommyChan?TommyLee?)hadworked togetherasa"purse­snatchingteam."ItamusedPerry­cheeredhimup­toremembersome oftheirescapades."Likeonetimewesneakeduponanoldlady,reallyold,andTommy grabbed her handbag, but she wouldn't let go, she was a regular tiger. The harder he tuggedoneway,thehardershetuggedtheother.Thenshesawme,andsaid,'Helpme! Helpme!'andIsaid,'Hell,lady,I'mhelpinghim?­andIboppedhergood.Putheronthe pavement.Ninetycentswasallwegot­Irememberexactly.WewenttoaChinkrestaurant andateourselvesunderthetable." Thingshadn'tchanged much.Perrywastwenty­odd yearsolderand ahundred pounds heavier,andyethismaterialsituationhadimprovednotatall.Hewasstill(andwasn'tit incredible,apersonofhisintelligence,histalents?)anurchindependent,sotosay,on stolencoins. Aclockonthewallkeptcatchinghiseye.Athalfpasttenhebegantoworry;byelevenhis legswerepulsingwithpain,whichwasalways,withhim,asignofapproachingpanic­ "bubblesinmyblood."Heateanaspirin,andtriedtoblotout­blur,atleast­thebrilliantly

vividcavalcadeglidingacrosshismind,aprocessionofdirevisions:Dickinthehandsof thelaw,perhapsarrestedwhilewritingaphonycheck,orforcommittingaminortraffic violation(andfoundtobedrivinga"hot"car).Verylikely,atthisveryinstantDicksat trappedinsideacircleofred­neckeddetectives.Andtheyweren'tdiscussingtrivialities­ badchecksorstolenautomobiles.Murder,thatwasthetopic,forsomehowtheconnection thatDickhadbeensocertainnoonecouldmakehadbeenmade.Andrightnowacarload ofKansasCitypolicewereontheirwaytotheWashateria. But,no,hewasimaginingtoomuch.Dickwouldneverdothat­"spillhisguts."Thinkof howoftenhehadheardhimsay,"Theycanbeatmeblind,I'llnevertellthemanything."Of course,Dickwasa"blowhard";histoughness,asPerryhadcometoknow,existedsolelyin situationswhereheunarguablyhadtheupperhand.Suddenly,gratefully,hethoughtofa lessdesperatereasonforDick'sprolongedabsence.He'dgonetovisithisparents.Arisky thingtodo,butDickwas"devoted"tothem,orclaimedtobe,andlastnightduringthe longrainyridehehadtoldPerry,"I'dsureliketoseemyfolks.Theywouldn'tmentionit.I mean,theywouldn'ttelltheparoleofficer­doanythingtogetusintotrouble.OnlyI'm ashamedto.I'mafraidofwhatmymotherwouldsay.Aboutthechecks.Andgoingofflike wedid.ButIwishIcouldcallthem,hearhowtheyare."However,thatwas notpossible,fortheHickockhomewaswithoutatelephone;otherwise,Perrywouldhave runguptoseeifDickwasthere. Anotherfewminutes,andhewasagainconvincedthatDickwasunderarrest.Hislegpains flaredup,flashedthroughhisbody,andthelaundryodors,thesteamystench,allatonce sickenedhim,pickedhimupandpropelledhimoutthedoor.Hestoodatthecurbretching like"adrunkwiththedryheaves."KansasCity!Hadn'theknownKansasCitywasbadluck, andbeggedDicktokeepaway?Now,maybenow,Dickwassorryhehadn'tlistened.Andhe wondered: But what about me, "with a dime or two and abunch of lead slugsin my pocket"?Wherecouldhego?Whowouldhelphim?Bobo?Fatchance!Butherhusband might. If Fred Johnson had followed his own inclination, he would have guaranteed employment for Perry after he left prison, thus helping him obtain a parole. But Bobo wouldn'tpermitit;shehadsaiditwouldonlyleadtotrouble,andpossiblydanger.Then shehadwrittentoPerrytotellhimpreciselythat.Onefinedayhe'dpayherback,havea littlefun­talktoher,advertisehisabilities,spelloutindetailthethingshewascapableof doingtopeoplelikeher,respectablepeople,safeandsmugpeople,exactlylikeBobo.Yes, letherknowjusthowdangeroushecouldbe,andwatchhereyes.Surelythatwaswortha trip to Denver? Which was what he'd do ­ go to Denver and visit the Johnsons. Fred Johnsonwouldstakehimtoanewstartinlife;he'dhaveto,ifhewantedevertoberidof him. ThenDickcameuptohimatthecurb."Hey,Perry,"hesaid."Yousick?" The sound of Dick's voice was like an injection of some potent narcotic, a drug that, invadinghisveins,producedadeliriumofcollidingsensations:tensionandrelief,furyand affection.HeadvancedtowardDickwithclenchedfists."Yousonofabitch,"hesaid. Dickgrinned,andsaid,"Comeon.We'reeatingagain." Butexplanationswereinorder­apologies,too­andoverabowlofchiliattheKansasCity hashhousethatDicklikedbest,theEagleBuffet,Dicksuppliedthem."I'msorry,honey.I

knewyou'dgetthebends.ThinkI'dtangledwithabull.ButIwashavingsucharunofluck itseemedlikeIoughttoletitride."HeexplainedthatafterleavingPerryhehadgoneto theMarklBuickCompany,thefirmthathadonceemployedhim,hopingtofindasetof license plates to substitute for the hazardous Iowa plates on the abducted Chevrolet. "Nobodysawmecomeorgo.Marklusedtodoaconsiderablewrecked­cartrade.Sure enough,outbacktherewasasmashed­upDeSotowithKansastags."Andwherewerethey now?"Onourbuggy,pal."Havingmadetheswitch,DickhaddroppedtheIowaplatesina Municipalreservoir.Thenhe'dstoppedatafillingstationwhereafriendworked,aformer high­schoolclassmatenamedSteve,andpersuadedStevetocashacheckforfiftydollars, whichwassomethinghe'dnotdonebefore­"robabuddy."Well,he'dneverseeSteveagain. Hewas"cuttingout"ofKansasCitytonight,thisisreallyforever.Sowhynotfleeceafew oldfriends?Withthatinmind,he'dcalledonanotherex­classmate,adrugstoreclerk.The takewastherebyincreasedtoseventy­fivedollars.Now,thisafternoon,we'llrollthatupto acouplehundred.I'vemadealistofplacestohit.Sixorseven,startingrighthere,"hesaid, meaningtheEagleBuffet,whereeverybody­thebartenderandwaiters­knewandliked him,andcalledhimPickles(inhonorofhisfavoritefood)."ThenFlorida,herewecome. How'aboutit,honey?Didn'tIpromiseyouwe'dspendChristmasinMiami?Justlikeallthe millionaires?" DeweyandhiscolleagueK.B.I.AgentClarenceDuntzstoodwaitingforafreetableinthe Trail Room. Looking around at the customary exhibit of lunch­hour faces ­ soft­fleshed businessmenandrancherswithsun­branded,coarsecomplexions­Deweyacknowledged particularacquaintances:thecountycoroner,Dr.Fenton;themanageroftheWarren,Tom Mahar;HarrisonSmith,whohadrunforcountyattorneylastyearandlosttheelectionto DuaneWest;andalsoHerbertW.Clutter,theownerofRiverValleyFarmandamemberof Dewey'sSundaySchoolclass.Waitaminute!Wasn'tHerbClutterdead?Andhadn'tDewey attendedhisfuneral?Yettherehewas,sittingintheTrailRoom'scircularcornerbooth,his livelybrowneyes,hissquare­jawed,genialgoodlooksunchangedbydeath.ButHerbwas notalone.Sharingthetableweretwoyoungmen,andDewey,recognizingthem,nudged AgentDuntz. "Look." "Where?" "Thecorner." "I'llbedamned." HickockandSmith!Butthemomentofrecognitionwasmutual.Thoseboyssmelleddanger. Feetfirst,theycrashedthroughtheTrailRoom'splate­glasswindow,andwithDuntzand Deweyleapingafterthem,spedalongMainStreet,pastPalmerJewelry,NorrisDrugs,the GardenCafe,thenaroundthecorneranddowntothedepotandinandout,hide­and­seek, among a congregation of white grain­storage towers. Dewey drew a pistol, and so did Duntz,butastheytookaim,thesupernaturalintervened.Abruptly,mysteriously(itwas likeadream!),everyonewasswimming­thepursued,thepursuers­strokingtheawesome widthofwaterthattheGardenCityChamberofCommerceclaimsisthe"World'sLargest FREESwim­pool."Asthedetectivesdrewabreastoftheirquarry,why,oncemore(Howdid it happen? Could he be dreaming?) the scene faded out, and faded in upon another landscape: Valley View Cemetery, that gray­and­green island of tombs and trees and

floweredpathsarestful,leafy,whisperingoasislyinglikeacoolpieceofcloudshadeonthe luminouswheatplainsnorthoftown.ButnowDuntzhaddisappeared,andDeweywas alonewiththehuntedmen.Thoughhecouldnotseethem,hewascertaintheywerehiding amongthedead,crouchingtherebehindaheadstone,perhapstheheadstoneofhisown father:"AlvinAdamsDewey,September6,1879­January26,1948."Gundrawn,hecrept alongthesolemnlanesuntil,hearinglaughterandtracingitssound,hesawthatHickock andSmithwerenothidingatallbutstandingastridetheasyetunmarkedmassgraveof HerbandBonnieandNancyandKen­standinglegsapart,handsonhips,headsflungback, laughing.Deweyfired...andagain...andagain...Neithermanfell,thougheachhad beenshotthroughtheheartthreetimes;theysimplyratherslowlyturnedtransparent,by degreesgrewinvisible,evaporated,thoughtheloudlaughterexpandeduntilDeweybowed beforeit,ranfromit,filledwithadespairsomournfullyintensethatitawakenedhim. Whenheawoke,itwasasthoughhewereafeverish,frightenedten­year­old;hishairwas wet,hisshirtcold­dampandclinging.Theroom­aroominthesheriff'soffice,intowhich he'dlockedhimselfbeforefallingasleepatadesk­wasdullwithnear­darkness.Listening, hecouldhearMrs.Richardson'stelephoneringingintheadjacentoffice.Butshewasnot theretoanswerit;theofficewasclosed.Onhiswayouthewalkedpasttheringingphone withdeterminedindifference,andthenhesitated.ItmightbeMarie,callingtoaskifhewas stillworkingandshouldshewaitdinner. "Mr.A.A.Dewey,please.KansasCitycalling." "ThisisMr.Dewey." "Goahead,KansasCity.Yourpartyisontheline." "Al?BrotherNye." "Yes,Brother." "Getreadyforsomeverybignews." "I'mready." "Ourfriendsarehere.RighthereinKansasCity." "Howdoyouknow?" "Well,theyaren'texactlykeepingitasecret.Hickock'swrittenchecksfromonesideoftown totheother.Usinghisownname." "Hisownname.Thatmustmeanhedoesn'tplantohangaroundlong­eitherthatorhe's feelingawfuldamnsureofhimself.SoSmith'sstillwithhim?" "Oh,they'retogetherO.K.Butdrivingadifferentcar.A1956Chevyblack­and­whitetwo­ doorjob." "Kansastags?"

"Kansastags.Andlisten,Al­arewelucky!Theyboughtatelevisionset,see?Hickockgave thesalesmanacheck.Justastheyweredrivingoff,theguyhadthesensetowritedownthe licensenumber.Jotitonthebackofthecheck.JohnsonCountyLicense16212." "Checkedtheregistration?" "Guesswhat?" "It'sastolencar." "Undoubtedly.Butthetagsweredefinitelylifted.OurfriendstookthemoffawreckedDe SotoinaK.C.garage." "Knowwhen?" "Yesterday morning. The boss [Logan Sanford] sent out an alert with the new license numberandadescriptionofthecar." "HowabouttheHickockfarm?Ifthey'restillinthearea,itseemstomesoonerorlater they'llgothere." "Don'tworry.We'rewatchingit.Al­" "I'mhere." "That'swhatIwantforChristmas.AllIwant.Towrapthisup.WrapitupandsleeptillNew Year's.Wouldn'tthatbeonehellofapresent?" "Well,Ihopeyougetit." "Well,Ihopewebothdo." Afterward,ashecrossedthedarkeningcourthousesquare,pensivelyscuffingthroughdry moundsofun­rakedleaves,Deweywonderedathislackofelation.Why,whenhenow knewthatthesuspectswerenotforeverlostinAlaskaorMexicoorTimbuctoo,whenthe nextsecondanarrestmightbemade­whywasithefeltnoneoftheexcitementheought tofeel?Thedreamwasatfault,forthetreadmillmoodofithadlingered,makinghim questionNye'sassertions­inasense,disbelievethem.HedidnotbelievethatHickockand SmithwouldbecaughtinKansasCity.Theywereinvulnerable. InMiamiBeach,335OceanDriveistheaddressoftheSomersetHotel,asmall,square buildingpaintedmoreorlesswhite,withmanylavendertouches,amongthemalavender sign that reads, "VACANCY ­ LOWEST RATES ­ BEACH FACILITIES ­ ALWAYS A SEABREEZE." It is one of a row of little stucco­and­cement hotels lining a white, melancholystreet.InDecember,1959,theSomerset's"beachfacilities"consistedoftwo beachumbrellasstuckinastripofsandattherearof­thehotel.Oneumbrella,pink,had writtenuponit,"WeServeValentineIce­Cream."AtnoononChristmasDay,aquartetof womenlayunderandaroundit,atransistorradioserenadingthem.Thesecondumbrella, blueandbearingthecommand"TanwithCoppertone,"shelteredDickandPerry,whofor fivedayshadbeenlivingattheSomerset,inadoubleroomrentingforeighteendollars

weekly. Perrysaid,"YouneverwishedmeaMerryChristmas." "MerryChristmas,honey.AndaHappyNewYear."Dickworebathingtrunks,butPerry,asin Acapulco, refused to expose his injured legs ­ he feared the sight might "offend" other beach­goers­andthereforesatfullyclothed,wearingevensocksandshoes.Still,hewas comparatively content, and when Dick stood up and started performing exercises ­ handstands,meanttoimpresstheladiesbeneaththepinkumbrella­heoccupiedhimself withtheMiamiHerald.Presentlyhecameacrossaninner­pagestorythatwonhisentire attention. It concerned murder, theslaying of a Floridafamily, a Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Walker, their four­year­old son, and their two­year­old daughter. Each of the victims, thoughnotboundorgagged,hadbeenshotthroughtheheadwitha.22weapon.The crime,cluelessandapparentlymotiveless,hadtakenplaceSaturdaynight,December19,at theWalkerhome,onacattle­raisingranchnotfarfromTallahassee. PerryinterruptedDick'sathleticstoreadthestoryaloud,andsaid,"Wherewerewelast Saturdaynight?" "Tallahassee?" "I'maskingyou." Dickconcentrated.OnThursdaynight,takingturnsatthewheel,theyhaddrivenoutof KansasandthroughMissouriintoArkansasandovertheOzarks,"up"toLouisiana,wherea burned­outgeneratorstoppedthemearlyFridaymorning.(A second­hand replacement, boughtinShreveport,costtwenty­twofifty.)Thatnightthey'dsleptparkedbythesideof theroadsomewhereneartheAlabama­Floridaborder.Thenextday'sjourneywasanun­ hurriedaffair,hadincludedseveraltouristicdiversions­visitstoanalligatorfarmanda rattlesnakeranch,arideinaglass­bottomedboatoverasilvery­clearswamplake,alate andlongandcostlybroiled­lobsterlunchataroadsideseafoodrestaurant.Delightfulday! ButbothwereexhaustedwhentheyarrivedatTallahassee,anddecidedtospendthenight there."Yes,Tallahassee,"Dicksaid. "Amazing!"Perryglancedthroughthearticleagain."KnowwhatIwouldn'tbesurprised?If thiswasn'tdonebyalunatic.SomenutthatreadaboutwhathappenedoutinKansas." Dick,becausehedidn'tcaretohearPerry"getgoingonthatsubject,"shruggedandgrinned and trotted downto theocean's edge,whereheambledawhile overthe surf­drenched sand,hereandtherestoopingtocollectaseashell.Asaboyhe'dsoenviedthesonofa neighborwhohadgonetotheGulfCoastonholidayandreturnedwithaboxfullofshells­ sohatedhim­thathe'dstolentheshellsandonebyonecrushedthemwithahammer. Envywasconstantlywithhim;theEnemywasanyonewhowassomeonehewantedtobe orwhohadanythinghewantedtohave. Forinstance,themanhehadseenbythepoolattheFontaine­bleau.Milesaway,shrouded in a summery veil of heat­haze and sea­sparkle, he could see the towers of the pale, expensivehotels­theFontainebleau,theEdenRoc,theRoneyPlaza.Ontheirsecondday inMiamihehadsuggestedtoPerrythattheyinvadethesepleasure­domes."Maybepickup acouplarichwomen,"hehadsaid.Perryhadbeenmostreluctant;hefeltpeoplewould

stare at them because of their khaki trousers and T­shirts. Actually, their tour, of the Fontainebleau'sgaudypremiseswentunnoticed,amidthemenstridingaboutinBermuda shorts of candy­striped raw silk, and the women wearing bathing suits and mink simultaneously.Thetrespassershadloiteredinthelobby,inthegarden,loungedbythe swimmingpool.ItwastherethatDicksawtheman,whowashisownage­twenty­eightor thirty. He could have been a "gambler or lawyer or maybe a gangster from Chicago." Whateverhewas,helookedasthoughheknewthegloriesofmoneyandpower.Ablonde whor*sembledMarilynMonroewaskneadinghimwithsuntanoil,andhislazy,beringed handreachedforatumbleroficedorangejuice.Allthatbelongedtohim,Dick,buthe wouldneverhaveit.Whyshouldthatsonofabitchhaveeverything,whilehehadnothing? Whyshouldthat"big­shotbastard"havealltheluck?Withaknifeinhishand,he,Dick,had power.Big­shotbastardslikethathadbetterbecarefulorhemight"openthemupandleta little of their hick spill on the floor " But Dick's day was ruined. The beautiful blonde rubbingonthesuntanoilhadruinedit.He'dsaidtoPerry,"Let'spullthehelloutofhere." Nowayounggirl,probablytwelve,wasdrawingfiguresinthesand,carvingoutbig,crude faceswithapieceofdriftwood.Dick,pausingtoadmireherart,offeredtheshellshehad gathered."Theymakegoodeyes,"hesaid.Thechildacceptedthegift,whereuponDick smiledandwinkedather,Hewassorryhefeltashedidabouther,forhissexualinterestin female children was a failing of which he was "sincerely ashamed" ­ a secret he'd not confessedtoanyoneandhopednoonesuspected(thoughhewasawarethatPerryhad reason to), because other people might not think it "normal." That, to be sure, was somethinghewascertainhewas­"anormal."Seducingpubescentgirls,ashehaddone "eightornine"timesinthelastseveralyears,didnotdisproveit,forifthetruthwere known,mostrealmenhadthesamedesireshehad.Hetookthechild'shandandsaid, "You're my baby girl. My little sweetheart." But she objected. Her hand, held by his, twitchedlikeafishonahook,andherecognizedtheastoundedexpressioninhereyesfrom earlierincidentsinhiscareer.Heletgo,laughedlightly,andsaid,"Justagame.Don'tyou likegames?" Perry,stillrecliningundertheblueumbrella,hadobservedthesceneandrealizedDick's purposeatonce,anddespisedhimforit;hehad"norespectforpeoplewhocan'tcontrol themselves sexually," especially when the lack of control involved what he called "pervertiness"­"botheringkids,""queerstuff,"rape.Andhethoughthehadmadehisviews obvioustoDick;indeed,hadn'ttheyalmosthadafistfightwhenquiterecentlyhehad preventedDickfromrapingaterrifiedyounggirl?However,hewouldn'tcaretorepeatthat particulartestofstrength.HewasrelievedwhenhesawthechildwalkawayfromDick. Christmascarolswereintheair;theyissuedfromtheradioofthefourwomenandmixed strangelywithMiami'ssunshineandthecriesofthequerulous,neverthoroughlysilent seagulls."Oh,comeletusadoreHim,Oh,comeletusadoreHim":acathedralchoir,an exaltedmusicthatmovedPerrytotears­whichrefusedtostop,evenafterthemusicdid. Andaswasnotuncommonwhenhewasthusafflicted,hedweltuponapossibilitythathad for him "tremendous fascination" : suicide. As a child he had often thought of killing himself,butthoseweresentimentalreveriesbornofawishtopunishhisfatherandmother andotherenemies.Fromyoungmanhoodonward,however,theprospectofendinghislife had more and more lost its fantastic quality. That, he must remember, was Jimmy's "solution,"andFern's,too.Andlatelyithadcometoseemnotjustanalternativebutthe specificdeathawaitinghim.

Anyway,hecouldn'tseethathehad"alottolivefor."Hotislandsandburiedgold,diving deepinfire­blueseastowardsunkentreasure­suchdreamsweregone.Gone,too,was "PerryO'Parsons,"thenameinventedforthesingingsensationofstageandscreenthathe'd half­seriouslyhopedsomedaytobe.PerryO'Parsonshaddiedwithouthavingeverlived. Whatwastheretolookforwardto?HeandDickwere"runningaracewithoutafinishline" ­thatwashowitstruckhim.Andnow,afternotquiteaweekinMiami,thelongridewasto resume.Dick,whohadworkedonedayattheABCauto­servicecompanyforsixty­five centsanhour,hadtoldhim,"Miami'sworsethanMexico.Sixty­fivecents!Notme.I'm white."Sotomorrow,withonlytwenty­sevendollarsleftofthemoneyraisedinKansasCity, theywereheadingwestagain,toTexas,toNevada­"nowheredefinite." Dick,whohadwadedintothesurf,returned.Hefell,wetandbreathless,facedownonthe stickysand."Howwasthewater?" "Wonderful." TheclosenessofChristmastoNancyClutter'sbirthday,whichwasrightafterNewYear's, had always created problems for her boy friend, Bobby Rupp. It had strained his imaginationtothinkoftwosuitablegiftsinsuchquicksuccession.Buteachyear,with moneymadeworkingsummersonhisfather'ssugar­beetfarm,hehaddonethebesthe could,andonChristmasmorninghehadalwayshurriedtotheClutterhousecarryinga packagethathissistershadhelpedhimwrapandthathehopedwouldsurpriseNancyand delight her. Last year he had given her a small heart­shaped gold locket. This year, as forehandedasever,he'dbeenwaveringbetweentheimportedperfumesonsaleatNorris Drugsandapairofridingboots.ButthenNancyhaddied. OnChristmasmorning,insteadofracingofftoRiverValleyFarm,heremainedathome, andlaterinthedayhesharedwithhisfamilythesplendiddinnerhismotherhadbeena weekpreparing.Everybody­hisparentsandeveryoneofhissevenbrothersandsisters­ hadtreatedhimgentlysincethetragedy.Allthesame,atmealtimeshewastoldagainand againthathemustpleaseeat.Noonecomprehendedthatreallyhewasill,thatgriefhad madehimso,thatgriefhaddrawnacirclearoundhimhecouldnotescapefromandothers couldnotenter­exceptpossiblySue.UntilNancy'sdeathhehadnotappreciatedSue, neverfeltaltogethercomfortablewithher.Shewastoodifferent­tookseriouslythingsthat evengirlsoughtnottotakeveryseriously:paintings,poems,themusicsheplayedonthe piano.And,ofcourse,hewasjealousofher;herpositioninNancy'sesteem,thoughof anotherorder,hadbeenatleastequaltohis.Butthatwaswhyshewasabletounderstand hisloss.WithoutSue,withoutheralmostconstantpresence,howcouldhehavewithstood suchanavalancheofshocks­thecrimeitself,hisinterviewswithMr.Dewey,thepathetic ironyofbeingforawhiletheprincipalsuspect? Then,afteraboutamonth,thefriendshipwaned.Bobbywentlessfrequentlytositinthe Kidwells'tiny,cozyparlor,andwhenhedidgo,Sueseemednotaswelcoming.Thetrouble wasthattheywereforcingeachothertomournandrememberwhatinfacttheywantedto forget.SometimesBobbycould:whenhewasplayingbasketballordrivinghiscarover countryroadsateightymilesanhour,orwhen,aspartofaself­imposedathleticprogram (hisambitionwastobeahigh­schoolgymnasticsinstructor),hetooklong­distancejog­trots acrossflatyellowfields.Andnow,afterhelpingclearthediningtableofallitsholiday dishes,thatwaswhathedecidedtodo­putonasweatshirtandgoforarun.

Theweatherwasremarkable.EvenforwesternKansas,renownedforthelongevityofits Indian summers, the current sample seemed far­fetched ­ dry air, bold sun, azure sky. Optimisticrancherswerepredictingan"openwinter"­aseasonsoblandthatcattlecould grazeduringthewholeofit.Suchwintersarerare,butBobbycouldrememberone­the yearhehadstartedtocourtNancy.Theywerebothtwelve,andafterschoolheusedto carryherbooksatchelthemileseparatingtheHolcombschool­housefromherfather'sfarm ranch.Often,ifthedaywaswarmandsun­kindled,theystoppedalongthewayandsatby theriver,asnaky,slow­moving,brownpieceoftheArkansas. OnceNancyhadsaidtohim,"Onesummer,whenwewereinColorado,Isawwherethe Arkansasbegins.Theexactplace.Youwouldn'tbelieveit,though.Thatitwasourriver.It's notthesamecolor.Butpureasdrinkingwater.Andfast.Andfullofrocks.Whirlpools. Daddycaughtatrout."IthadstayedwithBobby,hermemoryoftheriver'ssource,and sinceherdeath...Well,hecouldn'texplainit,butwheneverhelookedatthe Arkansas,itwasforaninstanttransformed,andwhathesawwasnotamuddystream meanderingacrosstheKansasplains,butwhatNancyhaddescribed­aColoradotorrent,a chilly,crystaltroutriverspeedingdownamountainvalley.ThatwashowNancyhadbeen: likeyoungwater­energetic,joyous. Usually,though,westernKansaswintersareimprisoning,andusuallyfrostonthefieldsand razorywindshavealteredtheclimatebeforeChristmas.Someyearsbacksnowhadfallen onChristmasEveandcontinuedfalling,andwhenBobbysetoutthenextmorningforthe Clutterproperty,athree­milewalk,hehadhadtofightthroughdeepdrifts.Itwasworthit, forthoughhewasnumbedandscarlet,thewelcomehegotthawedhimthoroughly.Nancy wasamazedandproud,andhermother,oftensotimidanddistant,hadhuggedandkissed him,insistingthathewrapupinaquiltandsitclosetotheparlorfire.Whilethewomen workedinthekitchen,heandKenyonandMr.Clutterhadsataroundthefirecracking walnutsandpecans,andMr.CluttersaidhewasremindedofanotherChristmas,whenhe wasKenyon'sage:"Thereweresevenofus.Mother,myfather,thetwogirls,andusthree boys.Welivedonafarmagoodwaysfromtown.Forthatreasonitwasthecustomtodo ourChristmasbuyinginabunch­makethetriponceanddoitalltogether.TheyearI'm thinkingof,themorningweweresupposedtogo,thesnowwashighastoday,higher,and stillcomingdown­flakeslikesaucers.LookedlikewewereinforasnowboundChristmas withnopresentsunderthetree.Motherandthegirlswereheart­broken.ThenIhadan idea."Hewouldsaddletheirhuskiestplowhorse,rideintotown,andshopforeverybody. Thefamilyagreed.AllofthemgavehimtheirChristmassavingsandalistofthethingsthey wished him to buy: four yards of calico, a foot­ball, a pincushion, shotgun shells ­ an assortmentof ordersthattookuntilnightfallto fill.Heading homeward,thepurchases secureinsideatarpaulinsack,hewasgratefulthathisfatherhadforcedhimtocarrya lantern,andglad,too,thatthehorse'sharnesswasstrungwithbells,forboththeirjaunty racketandthecareeninglightofthekerosenelanternwereacomforttohim. "The ride in, that was easy, a piece of cake. But now the road was gone, and every landmark." Earth and air ­ all was snow. The horse, up to his haunches in it, slipped sidewise."Idroppedourlamp.Wewerelostinthenight.Itwasjustaquestionoftime before we fell asleep and froze. Yes, I was afraid. But I prayed. And I felt God's presence . . ." Dogs howled. He followed the noise until he saw the windows of a neighboring farmhouse. "I ought to have stopped there. But I thought of the family ­ imaginedmymotherintears,Dadandtheboysgettingupasearchparty,andIpushedon.

So,naturally,Iwasn'ttoohappywhenfinallyIreachedhomeandfoundthehousedark. Doorslocked.Foundeverybodyhadgonetobedandplainforgotme.Noneofthemcould understandwhyIwassoputout.Dadsaid,'Weweresureyou'dstaythenightintown. Goodgrief,boy!Who'dhavethoughtyouhadn'tbettersensethantostarthomeinaperfect blizzard?'" Thecider­tartodorofspoilingapples.Appletreesandpeartrees,peachandcherry:Mr. Clutter's orchard, the treasured assembly of fruit trees he had planted. Bobby, running mindlessly,hadnotmeanttocomehere,ortoanyotherpartofRiverValleyFarm.Itwas inexplicable,andheturnedtoleave,butheturnedagainandwanderedtowardthehouse­ whiteandsolidandspacious.Hehadalwaysbeenimpressedbyit,andpleasedtothink thathisgirlfriendlivedthere.Butnowthatitwasdeprivedofthelateowner'sdedicated attention,thefirstthreadsofdecay'scobwebwerebeingspun.Agravelrakelayrustingin the driveway;the lawn wasparchedand shabby.That fatefulSunday, when thesheriff summonedambulancestoremovethemurderedfamily,theambulanceshaddrivenacross thegrassstraighttothefrontdoor,andthetiretrackswerestillvisible. Thehiredman'shousewasempty,too;hehadfoundnewquartersforhisfamilynearer Holcomb ­ to no one's surprise, for nowadays, though the weather was glittering, the Clutter place seemed shadowed, and hushed, and motionless. But as Bobby passed a storage barn and, beyond that, a livestock corral, he heard a horse's tail swish. It was Nancy'sBabe,theobedientolddappledmarewithflaxenmaneanddark­purpleeyeslike magnificent pansy blossoms.Clutching hermane, Bobby rubbed hischeek along Babe's neck­somethingNancyusedtodo.AndBabewhinnied.LastSunday,thelasttimehehad visitedtheKidwells,Sue'smotherhadmentionedBabe.Mrs.Kidwell,afancifulwoman, hadbeenstandingatawindowwatchingdusktinttheoutdoors,thesprawlingprairie.And out of the blueshehad said, "Susan? Youknow whatIkeep seeing? Nancy. OnBabe. Comingthisway." Perrynoticedthemfirst­hitch­hikers,aboyandanoldman,bothcarryinghomemade knap­sacks,anddespitetheblowyweather,agrittyandbitterTexaswind,wearingonly overallsandathindenimshirt."Let'sgivethemalift,"Perrysaid.Dickwasreluctant;he hadnoobjectiontoassistinghitchhikers,providedtheylookedasiftheycouldpaytheir way­atleast"chipinacoupleofgallonsofgas."ButPerry,littleoldbig­heartedPerry,was always pestering Dick to pick up the damnedest, sorriest­looking people. Finally Dick agreed,andstoppedthecar. The boy ­ a stocky, sharp­eyed, talkative towhead of about twelve ­ was exuberantly grateful,buttheoldman,whosefacewasseamedandyellow,feeblycrawledintotheback seatandslumpedtheresilently.Theboysaid,"Wesuredoappreciatethis.Johnnywas readytodrop.Weain'thadaridesinceGalveston." PerryandDickhadleftthatportcityanhourearlier,havingspentamorningthereapplying at various shipping offices for jobs as able­bodied seamen. One company offered them immediateworkonatankerboundforBrazil,and,indeed,thetwowouldnowhavebeen atseaiftheirprospectiveemployerhadnotdiscoveredthatneithermanpossessedunion papers or a passport. Strangely, Dick's disappointment exceeded Perry's: "Brazil! That's wherethey'rebuildingawholenewcapitalcity.Rightfromscratch.Imaginegettinginon thegroundfloorofsomethinglikethat!Anyfoolcouldmakeafortune."

"Whereyouheaded?"Perryaskedtheboy. "Sweetwater." "Where'sSweetwater?" "Well,it'salonginthisdirectionsomewhere.It'ssomewhereinTexas.Johnny,here,he'smy gramp.Andhe'sgotasisterlivesinSweetwater.Least,IsureJesushopeshedoes.We thoughtshelivedinJasper,Texas.ButwhenwegottoJasper,folkstoldusherandher peoplemovedtoGalveston.Butshewasn'tinGalveston­ladytheresaidshewasgoneto Sweetwater.IsureJesushopewefindher.Johnny,"hesaid,rubbingtheoldman'shands,as iftothawthem,"youhearme,Johnny?We'reridinginanicewarmChevrolet­'56model." Theoldmancoughed,rolledhisheadslightly,openedandclosedhiseyes,andcoughed again. Dicksaid,"Hey,listen.What'swrongwithhim?" "It'sthechange,"theboysaid."Andthewalking.WebeenwalkingsincebeforeChristmas. SeemstomewecoveredthebetterpartofTexas."Inthemostmatter­of­factvoice,and whilecontinuingtomassagetheoldman'shands,theboytoldthemthatuptothestartof thepresentjourneyheandhisgrandfatherandanaunthadlivedaloneonafarmnear Shreveport,Louisiana.Notlongagotheaunthaddied."Johnny'sbeenpoorlyaboutayear, andAuntiehadalltheworktodo.Withonlymetohelp.Wewerechoppingfirewood. Choppingupastump.Rightinthemiddleofit,Auntiesaidshewasworeout.Everseena horsejustlaydownandnevergetup?Ihave.Andthat'slikewhatAuntiedid."Afewdays beforeChristmasthemanfromwhomhisgrandfatherrentedthefarm"turnedusoffthe place,"theboycontinued."That'showcomewestartedoutforTexas.LookingtofindMrs. Jackson.Ineverseenher,butshe'sJohnny'sownbloodsister.Andsomebody'sgottotake usin.Leastways,him.Hecan'tgoalotmore.Lastnightitrainedonus." Thecarstopped.PerryaskedDickwhyhehadstoppedit "Thatman'sverysick,"Dicksaid. "Well?Whatdoyouwanttodo?Puthimout?" "Useyourhead.Justforonce." "Youreallyareameanbastard." "Supposehedies?" Theboysaid,"Hewon'tdie.We'vegotthisfar,he'llwaitnow." Dickpersisted."Supposehedies?Thinkofwhatcouldhappen.Thequestions." "Frankly,Idon'tgiveadamn.Youwanttoputthemout?Thenbyallmeans."Perrylooked attheinvalid,stillsomnolent,dazed,deaf,andhelookedattheboy,whor*turnedhisgaze calmly,notbegging,not"askingforanything,"andPerryrememberedhimselfatthatage,

hisownwanderingswithanoldman."Goahead.Putthemout.ButI'llbegettingout,too." "O.K.O.K.O.K.Onlydon'tforget,"saidDick."It'syourdamnfault." Dickshiftedgears.Suddenly,asthecarbegantomoveagain,theboyhollered,"Holdit!" Hoppingout,hehurriedalongtheedgeoftheroad,stopped,stooped,pickedupone,two, three,fouremptyCoca­Colabottles,ranback,andhoppedin,happyandgrinning."There's plentyofmoneyinbottles,"hesaidtoDick."Why,mister,ifyouwastodrivekindofslow,I guaranteeyouwecanpickusupabigpieceofchange.That'swhatmeandJohnnybeen eatingoff.Refundmoney." Dickwasamused,buthewasalsointerested,andwhennexttheboycommandedhimto halt,heatonceobeyed.Thecommandscamesofrequentlythatittookthemanhourto travelfivemiles,butitwasworthit.Thekidhadan"honest­to­Godgenius"forspotting, amid the roadside rocks and grassy rubble, and the brown glow of thrown­away beer bottles,theemeralddaubsthathadonceheld7­UpandCanadaDry.Perrysoondeveloped hisownpersonalgiftforspyingoutbottles.Atfirsthemerelyindicatedtotheboythe whereaboutsofhisfinds;hethoughtittooundignifiedtoscurryaboutcollectingthem himself.Itwasall"prettysilly,"just"kidstuff."Nevertheless,thegamegeneratedatreasure­ huntexcitement,andpresentlyhe,too,succumbedtothefun,thefervorofthisquestfor refundableempties.Dick,too,butDickwasindeadearnest.Screwyasitseemed,maybe thiswasawaytomakesomemoney­or,atanyrate,afewbucks.Lordknows,heand Perrycouldusethem;theircombinedfinancesamountedatthemomenttolessthanfive dollars. Nowallthree­DickandtheboyandPerry­werepilingoutofthecarandshamelessly, though amiably, competing with one another. Once Dick located a cache of wine and whiskeybottlesatthebottomofaditch,andwaschagrinedtolearnthathisdiscoverywas valueless."Theydon'tgivenorefundonliquorempties,"theboyinformedhim."Evensome ofthebeersain'tnogood.Idon'tmesswiththemusually.Juststickwiththesurefire things.Dr.Pepper.Pepsi.co*ke.WhiteRock.Nehi." Dicksaid,"What'syourname?" "Bill,"theboysaid. "Well,Bill.You'rearegulareducation." Nightfall came, and forced the hunters to quit ­ that, and lack of space, for they had amassed as many bottles as the car could contain. The trunk was filled, the back seat seemedaglitteringdumpheap;unnoticed,unmentionedbyevenhisgrandson,theailing oldmanwasallbuthiddenundertheshifting,dangerouslychimingcargo. Dicksaid,"Befunnyifwehadasmash­up." AbunchoflightspublicizedtheNewMotel,whichprovedtobe,asthetravelersnearedit, animpressivecompoundconsistingofbungalows,agarage,arestaurant,andaco*cktail lounge.Takingcharge,theboysaidtoDick,"Pullinthere.Maybewecanmakeadeal.Only letmetalk.I'vehadtheexperience.Sometimestheytrytocheat."Perrycouldnotimagine "anyonesmartenoughtocheatthatkid,"hesaidlater."Itdidn'tshamehimabittherewith

allthosebottles.Me,Inevercould've.I'dhavefeltsoashamed.Butthepeopleatthemotel wereniceaboutit;theyjustlaughed.Turnedoutthebottleswereworthtwelvedollarsand sixtycents." Theboydividedthemoneyevenly,givinghalftohimself,theresttohispartners,andsaid, "Knowwhat?I'mgonnablowmeandJohnnytoagoodfeed.Ain'tyoufellowshungry?" Asalways,Dickwas.Andaftersomuchactivity,evenPerryfeltstarved.Ashelatertold aboutit,"Wecartedtheoldmanintotherestaurantandproppedhimupatatable.He lookedexactlythesame­thanatoid.Andheneversaidoneword.Butyoushouldhaveseen himshovelitin.Thekidorderedhimpancakes;hesaidthatwaswhatJohnnylikedbest.I swearheatesomethinglikethirtypancakes.Withmaybetwopoundsofbutter,andaquart ofsyrup.Thekidcouldputitdownhimself.Potatochipsandicecream,thatwasallhe wanted,buthesureatealotofthem.Iwonderitdidn'tmakehimsick." Duringthedinnerparty,Dick,whohadconsultedamap,announcedthatSweetwaterwasa hundredormoremileswestoftheroutehewasdriving­theroutethatwouldtakehim acrossNewMexicoandArizonatoNevada­toLasVegas.Thoughthiswastrue,itwasclear toPerrythatDicksimplywantedtoridhimselfoftheboyandtheoldman.Dick'spurpose wasobvioustotheboy,top,buthewaspoliteandsaid,"Oh,don'tyouworryaboutus. Plentyoftrafficmuststophere.We'llgetaride." The boy walked with them to the car, leaving the old man to devour a fresh stack of pancakes.HeshookhandswithDickandwithPerry,wishedthemaHappyNewYear,and wavedthemawayintothedark. TheeveningofWednesday,December30,wasamemorableoneinthehouseholdofa*gent A.A.Dewey.Rememberingitlater,hiswifesaid,"Alvinwassinginginthebath.'TheYellow RoseofTexas.'ThekidswerewatchingTV.AndIwassettingthedining­roomtable.Fora buffet.I’mfromNewOrleans;Ilovetocookandentertain,andmymotherhadjustsentus acrateofavocadosandblack­eyedpeas,and­oh,aheapofrealnicethings.SoIdecided: We'regoingtohaveabuffet,invitesomefriendsover­theMurrays,andCliffandDodie Hope.Alvindidn'twantto,butIwasdetermined.Mygoodness!Thecasecouldgoon forever,andhehadn'ttakenhardlyaminuteoffsinceitbegan.Well,Iwassettingthetable, sowhenIheardthephoneIaskedoneoftheboystoanswerit­Paul.Paulsaiditwasfor Daddy,andIsaid,'Youtellthemhe'sinthebath,'butPaulsaidhewonderedifheoughtto dothat,becauseitwasMr.SanfordcallingfromTopeka.Alvin'sboss.Alvintookthecall withjustatowelaroundhim.Mademesomad­drippingpuddleseverywhere.ButwhenI wenttogetamopIsawsomethingworse­thatcat,thatfoolPete,uponthekitchentable gorgingcrabmeatsalad.Myavocadostuffing. "Thenextthingwas,suddenlyAlvinhadholdofme,hewashuggingme,andIsaid,'Alvin Dewey,haveyoulostyourmind?'Fun'sfun,butthemanwaswetasapond,hewasruining mydress,andIwasalreadydressedforcompany.Ofcourse,whenIunderstoodwhyhe washuggingmeIhuggedhimrightback.YoucanimaginewhatitmeanttoAlvintoknow thosem*nhadbeenarrested.OutinLasVegas.HesaidhehadtoleaveforLasVegas straightaway,andIaskedhimhadn'theoughttoputonsomeclothesfirst,andAlvin,he wassoexcited,hesaid,'Gosh,honey,IguessI'vespoiledyourparty!'Icouldn'tthinkofa happierwayofhavingitspoiled­notifthismeantthatmaybeonedaysoonwe'dbeback livinganordinarylife.Alvinlaughed­itwasjustbeautifultohearhim.Imean,thepast

twoweekshadbeentheworstofall.BecausetheweekbeforeChristmasthosem*nturned upinKansasCity­cameandwentwithoutgettingcaught­andIneversawAlvinmore depressed,exceptoncewhenyoungAlvinwasinthehospital,hadencephalitis,wethought wemightlosehim.ButIdon'twanttotalkaboutthat. "Anyway,Imadecoffeeforhimandtookittothebedroom,wherehewassupposedtobe gettingdressed.Buthewasn't.Hewassittingontheedgeofourbedholdinghishead,asif hehadaheadache.Hadn'tputonevenasock.SoIsaid,'Whatdoyouwanttodo,get pneumonia?'Andhelookedatmeandsaid,'Marie,listen,it'sgottobetheseguys,hasto, that'stheonlylogicalsolution.'Alvin'sfunny.LikethefirsttimeheranforFinneyCounty Sheriff.ElectionNight,whenpracticallyeveryvotehadbeencountedanditwasplainas plainhe'dwon,hesaid­Icouldhavestrangledhim­saidoverandover,'Well,wewon't knowtillthelastreturn.' "Itoldhim,'Now,Alvin,don'tstartthat.Ofcoursetheydidit.'Hesaid,'Where'sourproof? Wecan'tproveeitherofthemeversetfootinsidetheClutterhouse!'Butthatseemedtome exactlywhathecouldprove:footprints­weren'tfootprintstheonethingthoseanimalsleft behind?Alvinsaid,'Yes,andabiglotofgoodtheyare­unlessthoseboysstillhappentobe wearing the boots that made them. Just footprints by themselves aren't worth a Dixie dollar.'Isaid,'Allright,honey,drinkyourcoffeeandI'llhelpyoupack.'Sometimesyou can'treasonwithAlvin.Thewayhekepton,hehadmealmostconvincedHickockand Smithwereinnocent,andiftheyweren'tinnocenttheywouldneverconfess,andifthey didn'tconfesstheycouldneverbeconvicted­theevidencewastoocirc*mstantial.What botheredhimmost,though­hewasafraidthatthestorywouldleak,thatthemenwould learnthetruthbeforetheK.B.I,couldquestionthem.Asitwas,theythoughtthey'dbeen pickedupforparoleviolation.Passingbadchecks.AndAlvinfeltitwasveryimportantthey keepthinkingthat.Hesaid,'ThenameClutterhastohitthemlikeahammer,ablowthey neverknewwascoming.' "Paul­I'dsenthimouttothewashlineforsomeofAlvin'ssocks­Paulcamebackandstood aroundwatchingmepack.HewantedtoknowwhereAlvinwasgoing.Alvinliftedhimup inhisarms.Hesaid,'Canyoukeepasecret,Pauly?'Notthatheneededtoask.Bothboys knowtheymustn'ttalkaboutAlvin'swork­thebitsandpiecestheyheararoundthehouse. Sohesaid,'Pauly,yourememberthosetwofellowswe'vebeenlookingfor?Well,nowwe knowwheretheyare,andDaddy'sgoingtogogetthemandbringthemheretoGarden City.'ButPaulbeggedhim,'Don'tdothat,Daddy,don'tbringthemhere.'Hewasfrightened ­anynine­year­oldmight'vebeen.Alvinkissedhim.Hesaid,'Nowthat'sO.K.,Pauly,we won'tletthemhurtanybody.They'renotgoingtohurtanybodyeveragain.'" Atfivethatafternoon,sometwentyminutesafterthestolenChevroletrolledofftheNevada desertintoLasVegas,thelongridecametoanend.ButnotbeforePerryhadvisitedtheLas Vegaspost office, wherehe claimed apackage addressedto himself incareofGeneral Delivery ­thelarge cardboard box he had mailed fromMexico, and had insured for a hundreddollars,asumexceedingtoanimpertinentextentthevalueofthecontents,which were suntans and denim pants, worn shirts, underwear, and two pairs of steel­buckled boots.WaitingforPerryoutsidethepostoffice,Dickwasinexcellentspirits;hehadreached adecisionthathewascertainwoulderadicatehiscurrentdifficultiesandstarthimona newroad,withanewrainbowinview.ThedecisioninvolvedimpersonatinganAirForce officer.Itwasaprojectthathadlongfascinatedhim,andLasVegaswastheidealplaceto tryitout.He'dalreadyselectedtheofficer'srankandname,thelatterborrowedfroma

formeracquaintance,thethenwardenofKansasStatePenitentiary:TracyHand.AsCaptain TracyHand,smartlyclothedinamade­to­orderuniform,Dickintendedto"crawlthestrip," LasVegas'sstreetofnever­closedcasinos.Small­time,big­time,theSands,theStardust­he meanttohitthemall,distributingenroute"abundleofconfetti."Bywritingworthless checksrightaroundtheclock,heexpectedtohaulinthree,maybefourthousanddollars withinatwenty­four­hourperiod.Thatwashalftheplot;thesecondhalfwas:Goodbye, Perry.Dickwassickofhim­hisharmonica,hisachesandills,hissuperstitions,theweepy, womanlyeyes,thenagging,whisperingvoice.Suspicious,self­righteous,spiteful,hewas likeawifethatmustbegotridof.Andtherewasbutonewaytodoit:Saynothing­just go. Absorbedinhisplans,Dickdidnotnoticeapatrolcarpanhim,slowdown,reconnoiter. Nor did Perry, descending the post­office steps with the Mexican box balanced on a shoulder,observetheprowlingcarandthepolicemeninit. OfficersOciePigfordandFrancisMacauleycarriedintheirheadspagesofmemorizeddata, includingadescriptionofablack­and­white1956ChevroletbearingKansaslicenseplate No.Jo16212.NeitherPerrynorDickwasawareofthepolicevehicletrailingthemasthey pulledawayfromthepostoffice,andwithDickdrivingandPerrydirecting,theytraveled fiveblocksnorth,turnedleft,thenright,droveaquartermilemore,andstoppedinfrontof adyingpalmtreeandaweather­wreckedsignfromwhichallcalligraphyhadfadedexcept theword"OOM." "Thisit?"Dickasked. Perry,asthepatrolcardrewalongside,nodded. The Detective Division of the Las Vegas City Jail contains two interrogation rooms ­ fluorescent­lightedchambersmeasuringtenbytwelve,withwallsandceilingsofCelotex. Ineachroom,inadditiontoanelectricfan,ametaltable,andfoldingmetalchairs,there arecamouflagedmicrophones,concealedtaperecorders,and,setintothedoor,amirrored one­way observation window. On Saturday, the second day of 1960, both rooms were bookedfor2:00p.m.­thehourthatfourdetectivesfromKansashadselectedfortheirfirst confrontationofHickockandSmith. Shortly before the appointed moment, the quartet of K.B.I. agents ­ Harold Nye, Roy Church,AlvinDewey,andClarence Duntz ­ gathered in a corridor outside the interrogation rooms. Nye was running a temperature."Partflu.Butmostlysheer­excitement,"hesubsequentlyinformedajournalist. "BythenI'dalreadybeenwaitinginLasVegastwodays­tookthenextplaneoutafternews ofthearrestreachedourheadquartersinTopeka.Therestoftheteam,AlandRoyand Clarence,cameonbycar­hadalousytrip,too.Lousyweather.SpentNewYear'sEve snowedupinamotelinAlbuquerque.Boy,whentheyfinallyhitVegas,theyneededgood whiskeyandgoodnews.Iwasreadywithboth.Ouryoungmenhadsignedwaiversof extradition.Betteryet:Wehadtheboots,bothpairs,andthesoles­theCat'sPawandthe diamondpattern­matchedperfectlylife­sizephoto­graphsofthefootprintsfoundinthe Clutterhouse.Thebootswereinaboxofstufftheboyspickedupatthepostofficejust beforethecurtainfell.LikeItoldAlDewey,supposethesqueezehadcomefiveminutes sooner!

"Evenso,ourcasewasveryshaky­nothingthatcouldn'tbepulledapart.ButIremember, whilewewerewaitinginthecorridor­Irememberbeingfeverishandnervousashell,but confident. We all were; we felt we were on the edge of the truth. My job, mine and Church's,wastopressureitoutofHickock.SmithbelongedtoAlandOldManDuntz.At thattimeIhadn'tseenthesuspects­justexaminedtheirpossessionsandarrangedthe extradition waivers. I'd never laid eyes on Hickock until he was brought down to the interrogation room. I'd imagined a bigger guy. Brawnier. Not some skinny kid. He was twenty­eight,buthelookedlikeakid.Hungry­rightdowntothebone.Hewaswearinga blueshirtandsuntansandwhitesocksandblackshoes.Weshookhands;hishandwas drierthanmine.Clean,polite,nicevoice,gooddiction,aprettydecent­lookingfellow,with averydisarmingsmile­andinthebeginninghesmiledquitealot. "Isaid,'Mr.Hickock,mynameisHaroldNye,andthisothergentlemanisMr.RoyChurch. We'reSpecialAgentsoftheKansasBureauofInvestigation,andwe'vecomeheretodiscuss yourparoleviolation.Ofcourse,you'reundernoobligationtoanswerourquestions,and anythingyousaymaybeusedagainstyouinevidence.You'reentitledtoalawyeratall times.We'lluseno force,nothreats,andwe'llmakeyounopromises.'Hewascalmascouldbe." "Iknowtheform,"Dicksaid."I'vebeenquestionedbefore." "Now,Mr.Hickock­" "Dick." "Dick,wewanttotalktoyouaboutyouractivitiessinceyourparole.Toourknowledge, you'vegoneonatleasttwobigcheckspreesintheKansasCityarea." "Uh­huh.Hungoutquiteafew." "Couldyougiveusalist?" The prisoner, evidently proud of his one authentic gift, a brilliant memory, recited the names and addresses of twenty Kansas City stores, cafes, and garages, and recalled, accurately,the"purchase"madeateachandtheamountofthecheckpassed. "I'mcurious,Dick.Whydothesepeopleacceptyourchecks?I'dliketoknowthesecret." "Thesecretis:Peoplearedumb." RoyChurchsaid,"Fine,Dick.Veryfunny.Butjustforthemomentlet'sforgetthesechecks." Thoughhesoundsasifhisthroatwerelinedwithhogbristle,andhashandssohardened thathecanpunchstonewalls(hisfavoritestunt,infact),personshavebeenknownto mistake Church for a kindly little man, some­body's bald­headed, pink­cheeked uncle. "Dick,"hesaid,"supposeyoutellussomethingaboutyourfamilybackground." Theprisonerreminisced.Once,whenhewasnineorten,hisfatherhadfallenill."Itwas rabbitfever,"andtheillnesslastedmanymonths,duringwhichthefamilyhaddepended

uponchurchassistanceandthecharityofneighbors­"otherwisewewould'vestarved."That episodeaside,hischildhoodhadbeen O.K."Weneverhadmuchmoney,butwewereneverreallydown­and­out,"Hickocksaid. "Wealwayshadcleanclothesandsomethingtoeat.Mydadwasstrict,though.Hewasn't happyunlesshehadmedoingchores.ButwegotalongO.K.­noseriousarguments.My parentsneverargued,either.Ican'trecallasinglequarrel.She'swonderful,mymother. Dad'sagoodguy,too.I'dsaytheydidthebestformetheycould."School?Well,hefelthe mighthavebeenmorethananaveragestudentifhehadcontributedtobooksafractionof thetimehe'd"wasted"onsports."Baseball.Football.Imadealltheteams.Afterhighschool Icouldhavegonetocollegeonafootballscholarship.Iwantedtostudyengineering,but evenwithascholarship,dealslikethatcostplenty.Idon'tknow,itseemedsafertogeta job." Beforehistwenty­firstbirthdayHickockhadworkedasarailwaytrackman,anambulance driver,acarpainter,andagaragemechanic;he'dalsomarriedagirlsixteenyearsold. "Carol.Herfatherwasaminister.Hewasdeadagainstme.SaidIwasafull­timenobody. He made all thetroublehe could. ButIwasnuts aboutCarol.Stillam.There's areal princess.Only­see,wehadthreekids.Boys.Andweweretooyoungtohavethreekids. Maybeifwehadn'tgotsodeepintodebt.IfIcould'veearnedextramoney.Itried." Hetriedgambling,andstartedforgingchecksandexperimentingwithotherformsoftheft. In1958hewasconvictedofhouseburglaryinaJohnsonCountycourtandsentencedto fiveyearsinKansasStatePenitentiary.ButbythenCarolhaddepartedandhe'dtakenasa brideanothergirlagedsixteen."Meanashell.Herandherwholefamily.Shedivorcedme whileIwasinside.I'mnotcomplaining.LastAugust,whenIleftTheWalls,IfiguredIhad everychancetostartnew.IgotajobinOlathe,livedwithmyfamily,andstayedhome nights.Iwasdoingswell­" "UntilNovembertwentieth,"saidNye,andHickockseemednottounderstandhim."The dayyoustoppeddoingswellandstartedhangingpaper.Why?" Hickocksighed,andsaid,"Thatwouldmakeabook."Then,smokingacigaretteborrowed fromNyeandlightedbythecourteousChurch,hesaid,"Perry­mybuddyPerrySmith­ wasparoledinthespring.Lateron,whenIcameout,hesentmealetter, PostmarkedIdaho.Hewroteremindingmeofthisdealweusedtotalkover.AboutMexico. TheideawaswewouldgotoAcapulco,oneofthemplaces,buyafishingboat,andrunit ourselves­taketouristsdeep­seafishing." Nyesaid,"Thisboat.Howdidyouplantopayforit?" "I'mcomingtothat,"Hickocksaid."See,PerrywrotemehehadasisterlivinginFortScott. Andshewasholdingsomeheavychangeforhim.Severalthousanddollars.Moneyhisdad owedhimfromthesaleofsomepropertyupinAlaska.HesaidhewascomingtoKansasto getthedough." "Andthetwoofyouwoulduseittobuyaboat." "Correct."

"Butitdidn'tworkoutthatway." "Whathappenedwas,Perryshowedupmaybeamonthlater.Imethimatthebusstationin KansasCity­" "When?"saidChurch."Thedayoftheweek." "AThursday." "AndwhendidyougotoFortScott?" "Saturday." "Novemberfourteenth." Hickock'seyesflashedwithsurprise.OnecouldseethathewasaskinghimselfwhyChurch shouldbesocertainofthedate;andhurriedly­foritwastoosoontostirsuspicions­the detectivesaid,"WhattimedidyouleaveforFortScott?" "Thatafternoon.Wedidsomeworkonmycar,andhadabowlofchiliattheWestSide Cafe.Itmusthavebeenaroundthree." "Aroundthree.WasPerrySmith'ssisterexpectingyou?" "No.Because,see,Perrylostheraddress.Andshedidn'thaveatelephone." "Thenhowdidyouexpecttofindher?" "Byinquiringatthepostoffice." "Didyou?" "Perrydid.Theysaidshe'dmovedaway.ToOregon,theythought.Butshehadn'tleftany forwardingaddress." "Musthavebeenquiteablow.Afteryou'dbeencountingonabigpieceofmoneylikethat." Hickockagreed."Because­well,we'ddefinitelydecidedtogotoMexico.Otherwise,Inever would'vecashedthemchecks.ButIhoped...Nowlistentome;I'mtellingthetruth.I thoughtoncewegottoMexicoandbeganmakingmoney,thenI'dbeabletopaythemoff. Thechecks." Nyetookover."Oneminute,Dick."Nyeisashort,short­temperedmanwhohasdifficulty moderatinghisaggressivevigor,histalentforlanguagebothsharpandoutspoken."I'dlike tohearalittlemoreaboutthetriptoFortScott,"hesaid,soft­pedaling."Whenyoufound Smith'ssisternolongerthere,whatdidyoudothen?" "Walkedaround.Hadabeer.Droveback."

"Youmeanyouwenthome?" "No.ToKansasCity.WestoppedattheZestoDrive­in.Atehamburgers.WetriedCherry Row." NeitherNyenorChurchwasfamiliarwithCherryRow. Hickock said, "You kiddin'? Every cop in Kansas knows it. "When the detectives again pleaded ignorance, he explained that it was a stretch of park where one encountered "hustlersmostly,"adding,"butplentyofamateurs,too.Nurses.Secretaries.I'vehadalotof luckthere." "Andthisparticularevening.Haveanyluck?" "Thebadkind.Weendedupwithapairofrollers." "Named?" "Mildred.Theotherone,Perry'sgirl,IthinkshewascalledJoan." "Describethem." "Maybetheyweresisters.Bothblond.Plump.I'mnottooclearaboutit.See,we'dboughta bottleofready­mixOrangeBlossoms­that'sorangepopandvodka­andIwasgettingstiff. WegavethegirlsafewdrinksanddrovethemouttoFunHaven.Iimagineyougentlemen neverheardofFunHaven?" Theyhadn't. Hickockgrinnedandshrugged."It'sontheBlueRidgeRoad.EightmilessouthofKansas City.Acombinationnight­club­motel.Youpaytenbucksforthekeytoacabin." Continuing,hedescribedthecabininwhichheclaimedthatthefoursomehadstayedthe night:twinbeds,anoldCoca­Colacalendar,aradiothatwouldn'tplayunlessthecustomer depositedaquarter.Hispoise,hisexplicitness,theassuredpresentationofverifiabledetail impressedNye­though,ofcourse,theboywaslying.Well,wasn'the?Whetherbecauseof fluandfeveroranabruptlesseninginthewarmthofhisconfidence,Nyeexudedanicy sweat. "Nextmorningwewokeuptofindthey'drolledusandbeatit,"saidHickock."Didn'tget muchoffme.ButPerrylosthiswallet,withfortyorfiftydollars." "Whatdidyoudoaboutit?" "Therewasn'tnothingtodo." "Youcould'venotifiedthepolice." "Aw,comeon.Quitit.Notifythepolice.Foryourinformation,aguyonparole'snotallowed tobooze.OrassociatewithanotherOldGrad­"

"Allright,Dick.It'sSunday.ThefifteenthofNovember.Telluswhatyoudidthatdayfrom themomentyoucheckedoutofFunHaven." "Well,weatebreakfastatatruckstopnearHappyHill.ThenwedrovetoOlathe,andI dropped Perry off at the hotel where he was living. I'd say that was around eleven. Afterward,Iwenthomeandhaddinnerwiththefamily.SameaseverySunday­WatchedTV ­abasketballgame,ormaybeitwasfootball.Iwasprettytired." "WhendidyounextseePerrySmith?" "Monday.HecamebywhereIworked.BobSands'BodyShop." "Andwhatdidyoutalkabout?Mexico?" "Well,westilllikedtheidea,evenifwehadn'tgotholdofthemoneytodoallwehadin mind­putourselvesinbusinessdownthere.Butwewantedtogo,anditseemedworththe risk." "WorthanotherstretchinLansing?" "Thatdidn'tfigure.See,weneverintendedcomingStatesideagain." Nye,whohadbeenjottingnotesinanotebook,said,"Onthedayfollowingthecheckspree ­thatwouldbethetwenty­first­youandyourfriendSmithdisappeared.Now,Dick,please out­lineyourmovementsbetweenthenandthetimeofyourarresthereinLasVegas.Justa rough idea." Hickock whistled and rolled his eyes. "Wow!" he said, and then, then, summoninghistalentforsomethingveryliketotalrecall,hebegananaccountofthelong ride ­the approximatelyten thousand miles heand Smith had covered inthepast six weeks.Hetalkedforanhourandtwenty­fiveminutes­fromtwo­fiftytofour­fifteen­and told,whileNyeattemptedtolistthem,ofhighwaysandhotels,motels,rivers,towns,and cities,achorusofentwiningnames:Apache,ElPaso,CorpusChristi,Santillo,SanLuis Potosi, Acapulco, San Diego, Dallas, Omaha, Sweetwater, Stillwater, Tenville Junction, Tallahassee, Needles, Miami, Hotel Nuevo Waldorf, Somerset Hotel, Hotel Simone, ArrowheadMotel,CherokeeMotel,andmany,manymore.Hegavethemthenameofthe maninMexicotowhomhe'dsoldhisownold1949Chevrolet,andconfessedthathehad stolenanewermodelinIowa.Hedescribedpersonsheandhispartnerhadmet:aMexican widow,richandsexy;Otto,aGerman"millionaire";a"swish"pairofNegroprizefighters drivinga"swish"lavenderCadillac;theblindproprietorofaFloridarattlesnakefarm;a dyingoldmanandhisgrandson;andothers.Andwhenhehadfinishedhesatwithfolded armsandapleasedsmile,asthoughwaitingtobecommendedforthehumor,theclarity, andthecandorofhistraveler'stale. ButNye,inpursuitofthenarrative,racedhispen,andChurch,lazilyslammingashuthand againstanopenpalm,saidnothing­untilsuddenlyhesaid."Iguessyouknowwhywe're here." Hickock'smouthstraightened­hisposture,too. "Iguessyourealizewewouldn'thavecomeallthewaytoNevadajusttochatwithacouple

oftwo­bitcheckchiselers." Nyehadclosedthenotebook.He,too,staredattheprisoner,andobservedthataclusterof veinshadappearedinhislefttemple. "Wouldwe,Dick?" "What?" "Comethisfartotalkaboutabunchofchecks." "Ican'tthinkofanyotherreason." Nyedrewadaggeronthecoverofhisnotebook.Whiledoingso,hesaid,"Tellme,Dick. HaveyoueverheardoftheCluttermurdercase?"Whereupon,helaterwroteinaformal reportoftheinterview,"Suspectunderwentanintensevisiblereaction.Heturnedgray.His eyestwitched." Hickocksaid,"Whoa,now.Holdonhere.I'mnogoddamkiller." "The question asked," Church reminded him, "was whether you'd heard of the Clutter murders." "Imayhavereadsomething,"Hickocksaid. "Aviciouscrime.Vicious.Cowardly." "Andalmostperfect,"Nyesaid."Butyoumadetwomistakes,Dick.Onewas,youlefta witness.Alivingwitness.Who'lltestifyincourt.Who'llstandinthewitnessboxandtella juryhowRichardHickockandPerrySmithboundandgaggedandslaughteredfourhelpless people." Hickock'sfacereddenedwithreturningcolor."Livingwitness!Therecan'tbe!" "Becauseyouthoughtyou'dgotridofeveryone?" "Isaidwhoa!Thereain'tanybodycanconnectmewithanygoddammurder.Checks.Alittle pettythievery.ButI'mnogoddamkiller." "Thenwhy,"Nyeaskedhotly,"haveyoubeenlyingtous?" "I'vebeentellingyouthegoddamtruth." "Now and then. Not always. For instance, what about Saturday afternoon, November fourteenth?YousayyoudrovetoFortScott." "Yes." "Andwhenyougotthereyouwenttothepostoffice."

"Yes." "ToobtaintheaddressofPerrySmith'ssister." "That'sright." Nyerose.HewalkedaroundtotherearofHickock'schair,andplacinghishandsonthe backofthechair,leaneddownasthoughtowhisperintheprisoner'sear."PerrySmithhas nosisterlivinginFortScott,"hesaid."Heneverhashad.AndonSaturdayafternoonsthe FortScottpostofficehappenstobeclosed."Thenhe said,"Thinkitover,Dick.That'sallfornow.We'lltalktoyoulater." AfterHickock'sdismissal,NyeandChurchcrossedthecorridor,andlookingthroughthe one­way observation window set in the door of the interrogation room, watched the questioningofPerrySmith­ascenevisiblethoughnotaudible.Nye,whowasseeingSmith forthefirsttime,wasfascinatedbyhisfeet­bythefactthathislegsweresoshortthathis feet,assmallasachild's,couldn'tquitemakethefloor.Smith'shead­thestiffIndianhair, the Irish­Indian blending of darkskip and pert, impish features ­ reminded him of the suspect'sprettysister,theniceMrs.Johnson.Butthischunky,misshapenchild­manwasnot pretty;thepinkendofhistonguedartedforth,flickeringlikethetongueofalizard.Hewas smokingacigarette,andfromtheevennessofhisexhalationsNyededucedthathewasstill a"virgin"­thatis,stilluninformedabouttherealpurposeoftheinterview. Nyewasright.ForDeweyandDuntz,patientprofessionals,hadgraduallynarrowedthe prisoner's life story to the events of the last seven weeks, then reduced those to a concentrated recapitulation of the crucial week­end ­ Saturday noon to Sunday noon, November14to15.Now,havingspentthreehourspreparingtheway,theywerenotfar fromcomingtothepoint. Deweysaid,"Perry,let'sreviewourposition.Now,whenyoureceivedparole,itwason conditionthatyouneverreturntoKansas. "TheSunflowerState.Icriedmyeyesout." "Feelingthatway,whydidyougoback?Youmusthavehadsomeverystrongreason." "Itoldyou.Toseemysister.Togetthemoneyshewasholdingforme." "Oh,yes.ThesisteryouandHickocktriedtofindinFortScott.Perry,howfarisFortScott fromKansasCity?" Smithshookhishead.Hedidn'tknow. "Well,howlongdidittakeyoutodrivethere?" Noresponse. "Onehour?Two?Three?Four?"

Theprisonersaidhecouldn'tremember. "Ofcourseyoucan't.Becauseyou'veneverinyourlifebeentoFortScott." Until then, neither of the detectives had challenged any part of Smith's statement. He shiftedinhischair;withthetipofhistonguehewethislips. "Thefactis,nothingyou'vetoldusistrue.YouneversetfootinFortScott.Youneverpicked upanytwogirlsandnevertookthemtoanymotel­" "Wedid.Nokidding." "Whatweretheirnames?" "Ineverasked." "YouandHickockspentthenightwiththesewomenandneveraskedtheirnames?" "Theywerejustprostitutes." "Tellusthenameofthemotel." "AskDick.He'llknow.Ineverrememberjunklikethat." Deweyaddressedhiscolleague."Clarence,Ithinkit'stimewestraightenedPerryout." Duntzhunchedforward.Heisaheavyweightwithawelter­weight'sspontaneousagility, buthiseyesarehoodedandlazy.Hedrawls;eachword,formedreluctantlyandframedina cattle­countryaccent,lastsawhile."Yes,sir,"hesaid."'Bouttime." "Listen good, Perry. Because Mr. Duntz is going to tell you where you really werethat Saturdaynight.Whereyouwereandwhatyouweredoing." Duntzsaid,"YouwerekillingtheClutterfamily." Smithswallowed.Hebegantorubhisknees. "YouwereoutinHolcomb,Kansas.InthehomeofMr.HerbertW.Clutter.Andbeforeyou leftthathouseyoukilledallthepeopleinit." "Never.Inever." "Neverwhat?" "Knewanybodybythatname.Clutter." Deweycalled hima liar, and then,conjuring a cardthatinpriorconsultationthefour detectives had agreed to play face down, told him, "We have a living witness, Perry. Somebodyyouboysoverlooked."

Afullminuteelapsed,andDeweyexultedinSmith'ssilence,foraninnocentmanwouldask whowasthiswitness,andwhoweretheseClutters,andwhydidtheythinkhe'dmurdered them­would,atanyrate,saysomething.ButSmithsatquiet,squeezinghisknees. "Well,Perry?" "Yougotanaspirin?Theytookawaymyaspirin.". "Feelingbad?" "Mylegsdo." Itwasfive­thirty.Dewey,intentionallyabrupt,terminatedtheinterview."We'lltakethisup againtomorrow,"hesaid."Bytheway,doyouknowwhattomorrowis?NancyClutter's birthday.Shewouldhavebeenseventeen." “Shewouldhavebeenseventeen."Perry,sleeplessinthedawnhours,wondered(helater recalled)ifitwastruethattodaywasthegirl'sbirthday,anddecidedno,thatitwasjust anotherwayofgettingunderhisskin,likethatphonybusinessaboutawitness­"aliving witness."Therecouldn'tbe.Ordidtheymean­IfonlyhecouldtalktoDick!Butheand Dickwerebeingkeptapart;Dickwaslockedinacellonanotherfloor."Listengood,Perry. Because Mr. Duntz is going to tell you where you really were . . ." Midway in the questioning,afterhe'dbeguntonoticethenumberofallusionstoaparticularNovember weekend,he'dnervedhimselfforwhatheknewwascoming,yetwhenitdid,whenthebig cowboywiththesleepyvoicesaid,"YouwerekillingtheClutterfamily"­well,he'ddamn neardied,that'sall.Hemusthavelosttenpoundsintwoseconds.ThankGodhehadn'tlet themseeit.Orhopedhehadn't.AndDick?Presumablythey'dpulledthesamestunton him.Dickwassmart,aconvincingperformer,buthis"guts"wereunreliable,hepanicked tooeasily.Evenso,andhowevermuchtheypressuredhim,PerrywassureDickwouldhold out.Unlesshewantedtohang."Andbeforeyouleftthathouseyoukilledallthepeoplein it."Itwouldn'tamazehimifeveryOldGradinKansashadheardthatline.Theymusthave questionedhundredsofmen,andnodoubtaccuseddozens;heandDickweremerelytwo more.Ontheotherhand­well,wouldKansassendfourSpecialAgentsathousandmilesto pick up a small­time pair of parole violators? Maybe somehow they had stumbled on something,somebody­"alivingwitness."Butthatwasimpossible.Except­He'dgivean arm,alegtotalktoDickforjustfiveminutes. And Dick, awake in acell on thefloor below, was(he later recalled)equally eager to conversewithPerry­findoutwhatthepunkhadtoldthem.Christ,youcouldn'ttrusthim toremembereventheoutlineoftheFunHavenalibi­thoughtheyhaddiscusseditoften enough.Andwhenthose bastards threatened himwith awitness! Tentoonethe little spookhadthoughttheymeantaneyewitness.Whereashe,Dick,hadknownatoncewho the so­called witness must be: Floyd Wells, his old friend and former cellmate. While servingthelastweeksofhissentence,DickhadplottedtoknifeFloyd­stabhimthrough theheartwithahandmade"shiv"­andwhatafoolhewasnottohavedoneit.Exceptfor Perry,FloydWellswastheonehumanbeingwhocouldlinkthenamesHickockandClutter. Floyd,withhisslopingshouldersandincliningchin­Dickhadthoughthe'dbetooafraid. Thesonofabitchwasprobablyexpectingsomefancyreward­aparoleormoney,orboth. Buthellwouldfreezebeforehegotit.Becauseaconvict'stattlewasn'tproof.Proofisfoot­ prints,fingerprints,witnesses,aconfession.Hell,ifallthosecowboyshadtogoonwas

somestoryFloydWellshadtold,thentherewasn'talottoworryabout.Comerightdown toit,Floydwasn'thalfasdangerousasPerry.Perry,ifhelosthisnerveandletfly,couldput thembothinTheCorner.Andsuddenlyhesawthetruth:ItwasPerryheoughttohave silenced.OnamountainroadinMexico.OrwhilewalkingacrosstheMojave.Whyhadit neveroccurredtohimuntilnow?Fornow,nowwasmuchtoolate. Ultimately,atfiveminutespastthreethatafternoon,SmithadmittedthefalsityoftheFort Scotttale."ThatwasonlysomethingDicktoldhisfamily.Sohecouldstayoutovernight. Dosomedrinking.See,Dick'sdadwatchedhimprettyclose­afraidhe'dbreakparole.So wemadeupanexcuseaboutmysister.ItwasjusttopacifyMr.Hickock."Otherwise,he repeatedthesamestoryagainandagain,andDuntzandDewey,regardlessofhowoften theycorrectedhimandaccusedhimoflying,couldnotmakehimchangeit­excepttoadd freshdetails.Thenamesoftheprostitutes,herecalledtoday,wereMildredandJane(or Joan)."Theyrolledus,"henowremembered."Walkedoffwithallourdoughwhilewewere asleep."AndthoughevenDuntzhadforfeitedhiscomposure­hadshed,alongwithtieand coat,hisenigmaticdrowsydignity­thesuspectseemedcontentandserene;herefusedto budge.He'dneverheardoftheCluttersorHolcomb,orevenGardenCity. Across the hall, in the smoke­choked room where Hickock was undergoing his second interrogation,ChurchandNyeweremethodicallyapplyingamoreroundaboutstrategy.Not once during this interview,now almost three hours old, had either of them mentioned murder­anomissionthatkepttheprisoneredgy,expectant.Theytalkedofeverythingelse: Hickock'sreligiousphilosophy("Iknowabouthell.Ibeenthere.Maybethere'saheaven, too.Lotsof rich people thinkso");his sexual history ("I've alwaysbehaved likea one­ hundred­percentnormal");and,oncemore,thehistoryofhisrecentcross­countryhegira ("Whywekeptgoinglikethat,theonlyreasonwaswewerelookingforjobs.Couldn'tfind anythingdecent,though.Iworkedonedaydiggingaditch...").Butthingsunspokenwere thecenterofinterest­thecause,thedetectiveswereconvinced,ofHickock'sescalating distress.Presently,heshuthiseyesandtouchedthelidswithtremblingfingertips.And Churchsaid,"Somethingwrong?" "Aheadache.Igetrealbastards." ThenNyesaid,"Lookatme,Dick."Hickockobeyed,withanexpressionthatthedetective interpretedasapleadingwithhimtospeak,toaccuse,andlettheprisonerescapeintothe sanctuaryofsteadfastdenial."Whenwediscussedthematteryesterday,youmayrecallmy sayingthattheCluttermurderswerealmostaperfectcrime.Thekillersmadeonlytwo mistakes.Thefirstonewastheyleftawitness.Thesecond­well,I'llshowyou."Rising,he retrievedfromacorneraboxandabriefcase,bothofwhichhe'dbroughtintotheroomat thestartoftheinterview.Outofthebriefcasecamealargephotograph."This,"hesaid, leavingitonthetable,"isaone­to­onereproductionofcertainfootprintsfoundnearMr. Clutter'sbody.Andhere"­heopenedthebox­"arethebootsthatmadethem.Yourboots, Dick."Hickocklooked,andlookedaway.Herestedhiselbowsonhiskneesandcradledhis headinhishands."Smith,"saidNye,"wasevenmorecareless.Wehavehisboots,too,and theyexactlyfitanothersetofprints.Bloodyones." Churchclosedin."Here'swhat'sgoingtohappentoyou,Hickock,"hesaid."You'llbetaken backtoKansas.You'llbechargedonfourcountsoffirst­degreemurder.CountOne:Thaton oraboutthefifteenthdayofNovember,1959,oneRichardEugeneHickockdidunlawfully, feloniously,willfullyandwithdeliberationandpremeditation,andwhilebeingengagedin

theperpetrationofafelony,killandtakethelifeofHerbertW.Clutter.CountTwo:Thaton or about the fifteenth day of November.1959, the same Richard Eugene Hickock did unlawfully­" Hickocksaid,"PerrySmithkilledtheClutters."Heliftedhishead,andslowlystraightened upinthechair,likeafighterstaggeringtohisfeet."ItwasPerry.Icouldn'tstophim.He killedthemall." Postmistress Clare, enjoying a coffee break at Hartman's Cafe, complained of the low volumeofthecafe'sradio."Turnitup,"shedemanded. TheradiowastunedtoGardenCity'sStationKIUL.Sheheardthewords"...aftersobbing outhisdramaticconfession,Hickockemergedfromtheinterrogationroomandfaintedina hallway.K.B.I.agentscaughthimashefellto thefloor.TheagentsquotedHickockas sayingheandSmithinvadedtheClutterhomeexpectingtofindasafecontainingatleast tenthousanddollars.Buttherewasnosafe,sotheytiedthefamilyupandshotthemone byone.Smithhasneitherconfirmednordeniedtakingpartinthecrime.Whentoldthat Hickockhadsignedaconfession,Smithsaid,'I'dliketoseemybuddy'sstatement.'Butthe requestwasrejected.OfficershavedeclinedtorevealwhetheritwasHickockorSmithwho actuallyshotthemembersof thefamily.Theyemphasizedthatthestatementwasonly Hickock'sversion.K.B.I.personnel,returningthetwomentoKansas,havealreadyleftLas Vegasbycar.ItisexpectedthepartywillarriveinGardenCitylateWednesday.Meanwhile, CountyAttorneyDuaneWest..." "Onebyone,"saidMrs.Hartman."Justimagine.Idon'twonderthevarmintfainted." Othersinthecafe­Mrs.ClareandMabelHelmandahuskyyoungfarmerwhohadstopped to buy a plug of Brown's Mule chewing tobacco ­ muttered and mumbled. Mrs. Helm dabbedathereyeswithapapernapkin."Iwon'tlisten,"shesaid."Imustn't.Iwon't." "...newsofabreakinthecasehasmetwithlittlereactioninthetownofHolcomb,ahalf milefromtheClutterhome.Generally,townspeopleinthecommunityoftwohundredand seventyexpressedrelief..." Theyoungfarmerhooted."Relief!Lastnight,afterwehearditontheTV,knowwhatmy wifedid?Bawledlikeababy." "Shush,"saidMrs.Clare."That'sme." "...andHolcomb'spostmistress,Mrs.MyrtleClare,saidtheresidentsaregladthecasehas beensolved,butsomeofthemstillfeelothersmaybeinvolved.Shesaidplentyoffolksare stillkeepingtheirdoorslockedandtheirgunsready..." Mrs.Hartmanlaughed."Oh,Myrt!"shesaid."Who'dyoutellthatto?" "AreporterfromtheTelegram." Themenofheracquaintance,manyofthem,treatMrs.Clareasthoughshewereanother man.Thefarmerslappedheronthebackandsaid,"Gosh,Myrt.Gee,fella.Youdon'tstill thinkoneofus­anybodyroundhere­hadsomethingtodowithit?"

Butthat,ofcourse,waswhatMrs.Claredidthink,andthoughshewasusuallyaloneinher opinions,thistimeshewasnotwithoutcompany,forthemajorityofHolcomb'spopulation, havinglivedforsevenweeksamidunwholesomerumors,generalmistrust,andsuspicion, appearedtofeeldisappointedatbeingtoldthatthemurdererwasnotsomeoneamong themselves.Indeed,asizablefactionrefusedtoacceptthefactthattwounknownmen,two thievingstrangers,weresolelyresponsible.AsMrs.Clarenowremarked,"Maybetheydid it,thesefellows.Butthere'smoretoitthanthat.Wait.Somedaythey'llgettothebottom, andwhentheydothey'llfindtheonebehindit.TheonewantedClutteroutoftheway.The brains." Mrs.Hartmansighed.ShehopedMyrtwaswrong.AndMrs.Helm,said,"WhatIhopeis,I hopetheykeep'emlockedupgood.Iwon'tfeeleasyknowingthey'reinourvicinity." "Oh,Idon'tthinkyougottoworry,ma'am,"saidtheyoungfarmer."Rightnowthoseboys arealotmorescaredofusthanweareofthem." OnanArizonahighway,atwo­carcaravanisflashingacrosssagebrushcountry­themesa countryofhawksandrattlesnakesandtoweringredrocks.Deweyisdrivingtheleadcar, PerrySmithsitsbesidehim,andDuntzissittinginthebackseat.Smithishandcuffed,and thehandcuffsareattachedtoasecuritybeltbyashortlengthofchain­anarrangementso restricting his movements that he cannot smoke unaided. When he wants a cigarette, Deweymustlightitforhimandplaceitbetweenhislips,ataskthatthedetectivefinds "repellent,"foritseemssuchanintimateaction­thekindofthinghe'ddonewhilehewas courtinghiswife. Onthewhole,theprisonerignoreshisguardiansandtheirsporadicattemptstogoadhim byrepeatingpartsofHickock'shour­longtape­recordedconfession:"Hesayshetriedto stopyou,Perry.Butsayshecouldn't.Sayshewasscaredyou'dshoothimtoo,"and"Yes,sir, Perry.It'sallyourfault.Hickockhimself,hesayshewouldn'tharmthefleasonadog."None ofthis­outwardly,atanyrate­agitatesSmith.Hecontinuestocontemplatethescenery,to readBurma­Shavedoggerel,andtocountthecarcassesofshotgunnedcoyotesfestooning ranchfences. Dewey,notanticipatinganyexceptionalresponse,says,"Hickocktellsusyou'reanatural­ bornkiller.Saysitdoesn'tbotheryouabit.SaysonetimeoutthereinLasVegasyouwent afteracoloredmanwithabicyclechain.Whippedhimtodeath.Forfun." To Dewey's surprise, the prisoner gasps. He twists around inhisseat until he can see, through the rear window, the motorcade's second car, see inside it: "The tough boy!" Turningback,hestaresatthedarkstreakofdeserthighway."Ithoughtitwasastunt.I didn'tbelieveyou.ThatDickletfly.Thetoughboy!Oh,arealbrassboy.Wouldn'tharmthe fleasonadog.Justrunoverthedog."Hespits."Ineverkilledanynigg*r."Duntzagrees withhim;havingstudiedthefilesonunsolvedLasVegashomicides,heknowsSmithtobe innocentofthisparticulardeed."Ineverkilledanynigg*rs.Buthethoughtso.Ialways knewifweevergotcaught,ifDickeverreallyletfly,droppedhisgutsalloverthegoddam floor­Iknewhe'dtellaboutthenigg*r."Hespitsagain."SoDickwasafraidofme?That's amusing.I'mveryamused.Whathedon'tknowis,Ialmostdidshoothim." Deweylightstwocigarettes,oneforhimself,onefortheprisoner."Tellusaboutit,Perry."

Smithsmokeswithclosedeyes,andexplains,"I'mthinking.Iwanttorememberthisjust thewayitwas."Hepausesforquiteawhile."Well,itallstartedwithaletterIgotwhileI wasoutinBuhl,Idaho.ThatwasSeptemberorOctober.TheletterwasfromDick,andhe saidhewasontoacinch.Theperfectscore.Ididn'tanswerhim,buthewroteagain, urgingmetocomebacktoKansasandgopartnerswithhim.Heneversaidwhatkindof scoreitwas.Justthatitwasa'sure­firecinch.'Now,asithappened,Ihadanotherreason forwantingtobeinKansasaroundaboutthattime.ApersonalmatterI'djustassoonkeep tomyself It'sgotnothingtodowiththisdeal.OnlythatotherwiseIwouldn'thavegonebackthere. ButIdid.AndDickmetmeatthebusstationinKansasCity.Wedroveouttothefarm,his parents' place. But they didn't want me there. I'm very sensitive; I usually know what peoplearefeeling. "Likeyou."HemeansDewey,butdoesnotlookathim."Youhatehandingmeabutt.That's yourbusiness.Idon'tblameyou..AnymorethanIblamedDick'smother.Thefactis,she'sa verysweetperson.ButsheknewwhatIwas­afriendfromTheWallsandshedidn'twant meinherhouse.Christ,Iwasgladtogetout,gotoahotel.Dicktookmetoahotelin Olathe.Weboughtsomebeerandcarriedituptotheroom,andthat'swhenDickoutlined whathehadinmind.HesaidafterI'dleftLansinghecelledwithsomeonewho'donce workedforawealthywheatgroweroutinwesternKansas.Mr.Clutter.Dickdrewmea diagramoftheClutterhouse.Heknewwhereeverythingwas­doors,halls,bedrooms.He saidoneoftheground­floorroomswasusedasanoffice,andintheofficetherewasasafe ­awallsafe.HesaidMr.Clutterneededitbecausehealwayskeptonhandlargesumsof cash.Neverlessthantenthousanddollars.Theplanwastorobthesafe,andifwewere seen­well,whoeversawuswouldhavetogo.Dickmusthavesaiditamilliontimes:'No witnesses.'" Deweysays,"Howmanyofthesewitnessesdidhethinkthere mightbe?Imean,howmanypeopledidheexpecttofindintheClutterhouse?" "That'swhatIwantedtoknow.Buthewasn'tsure.Atleastfour.Probablysix.Anditwas possiblethefamilymighthaveguests.Hethoughtweoughttobereadytohandleuptoa dozen." Deweygroans,Duntzwhistles,andSmith,smilingwanly,adds,"Me,too.Seemedtome thatwasalittleoff.Twelvepeople.ButDicksaiditwasacinch.Hesaid,'We'regonnagoin thereandsplatterthosewallswithhair.'ThemoodIwasin,Iletmyselfbecarriedalong. Butalso­I'llbehonest­IhadfaithinDick;hestruckmeasbeingverypractical,the masculinetype,andIwantedthemoneyasmuchashedid.Iwantedtogetitandgoto Mexico.ButIhopedwecoulddoitwithoutviolence.Seemedtomewecouldifwewore masks.Wearguedaboutit.Onthewayoutthere,outtoHolcomb,Iwantedtostopandbuy someblacksilkstockingstowearoverourheads.ButDickfeltthatevenwithastockinghe couldstillbeidentified.Becauseofhisbadeye.Allthesame,whenwegottoEmporia­" Duntzsays,"Holdon,Perry.You'rejumpingahead.GobacktoOlathe.Whattimedidyou leavethere?"­

"One.One­thirty.WeleftjustafterlunchanddrovetoEmporia.Whereweboughtsome rubberglovesandarollofcord.Theknifeandshotgun,theshells­Dickhadbroughtall that from home. But he didn't want to look for black stockings. It got to be quite an argument.SomewhereontheoutskirtsofEmporia,wepassedaCatholichospital,andI persuadedhimtostopandgoinsideandtryandbuysomeblackstockingsfromthenuns.I knewnunswearthem.Butheonlymadebelieve.Cameoutandsaidtheywouldn'tsellhim any.Iwassurehehadn'tevenasked,andheconfessedit;hesaiditwasapukyidea­the nunswould'vethoughthewascrazy.Sowedidn'tstopagaintillGreatBend.That'swhere weboughtthetape.Haddinnerthere,abigdinner.Itputmetosleep.WhenIwokeup,we werejustcomingintoGardenCity.Seemedlikearealdead­dogtown.Westoppedforgas atafillingstation­" Deweyasksifherememberswhichone. "BelieveitwasaPhillips66." "Whattimewasthis?" "Aroundmidnight.DicksaiditwassevenmilesmoretoHolcomb.Alltherestoftheway,he kepttalkingtohimself,sayingthisoughttobehereandthatoughttobethere­according totheinstructionshe'dmemorized.Ihardlyrealizeditwhenwewent,throughHolcomb,it wassuchalittlesettlement.Wecrossedarailroadtrack.SuddenlyDicksaid,'Thisisit,this hastobeit.'Itwastheentrancetoaprivateroad,linedwithtrees.Wesloweddownand turnedoffthelights.Didn'tneedthem.Accountofthemoon.Therewasn'tnothingelseup there­notacloud,nothing.Justthatfullmoon.Itwaslikebroadday,andwhenwestarted uptheroad,Dicksaid,'Lookatthisspread!Thebarns!Thathouse!Don'ttellmethisguy ain'tloaded.'ButIdidn'tlikethesetup,the,atmosphere;itwassortoftooimpressive.We parkedintheshadowsofatree.Whileweweresittingthere,alightcameon­notInthe mainhousebutahousemaybeahundredyardstotheleft.Dicksaiditwasthehiredman's house;heknewbecauseofthediagram.ButhesaiditwasadamnsightnearertheClutter housethanitwassupposedtobe.Thenthelightwentoff.Mr.Dewey­thewitnessyou mentioned.Isthatwhoyoumeant­thehiredman?" "No.Heneverheardasound.Buthiswifewasnursingasickbaby.Hesaidtheywereup anddownthewholenight." "Asickbaby.Well,Iwondered.Whilewewerestillsittingthere,ithappenedagain­alight flashedonandoff.Andthatreallyputbubblesinmyblood.ItoldDicktocountmeout.If hewasdeterminedtogoaheadwithit,he'dhavetodoitalone.Hestartedthecar,wewere leaving,andIthought,BlessJesus.I'vealwaystrustedmyintuitions;they'vesavedmylife morethanonce.ButhalfwaydowntheroadDickstopped.Hewassoreashell.Icouldsee hewasthinking,HereI'vesetupthisbigscore,herewe'vecomeallthisway,andnowthis punkwantstochickenout.Hesaid,'MaybeyouthinkIain'tgotthegutstodoitalone.But, byGod,I'llshowyouwho'sgotguts.'Therewassomeliquorinthecar.Weeachhada drink,andItoldhim,'O.K.,Dick.I'mwithyou.'Soweturnedback.Parkedwherewehad before.Intheshadowsofatree.Dickputongloves;I'dalreadyputonmine.Hecarriedthe knife and a flashlight. I had the gun. The house looked tremendous in the moonlight. Lookedempty.Irememberhopingtherewasnobodyhome­" Deweysays,"Butyousawadog?"

"No." "Thefamilyhadanoldgun­shydog.Wecouldn'tunderstandwhyhedidn’tbark.Unless he'dseenagunandbolted." "Well,Ididn'tseeanythingornobody.That'swhyIneverbelievedit.Aboutaneyewitness." "Noteyewitness.Witness.SomeonewhosetestimonyassociatesyouandHickockwiththis case." "Oh.Uh­huh.Uh­huh.Him.AndDickalwayssaidhe'dbetooscared.Ha!" Duntz,nottobediverted,remindshim,"Hickockhadtheknife.Youhadthegun.Howdid yougetintothehouse?" "Thedoorwasunlocked.Asidedoor.IttookusintoMr.Clutter'soffice.Thenwewaitedin thedark.Listening.Buttheonlysoundwasthewind.Therewasquitealittlewindoutside. Itmadethetreesmove,andyoucouldheartheleaves.Theonewindowwascurtainedwith Venetianblinds,butmoonlightwascomingthrough.Iclosedtheblinds,andDickturnedon hisflashlight.Wesawthedesk.Thesafewassupposedtobeinthewalldirectlybehindthe desk,butwecouldn'tfindit.Itwasapaneledwall,andtherewerebooksandframedmaps, andInoticed,onashelf,aterrificpairofbinoculars.IdecidedIwasgoingtotakethem withmewhenweleftthere." "Didyou?"asksDewey,forthebinocularshadnotbeenmissed. Smithnods."WesoldtheminMexico." "Sorry.Goon." "Well,whenwecouldn'tfindthesafe,Dickdousedtheflashlightandwemovedindarkness outoftheofficeandacrossaparlor,alivingroom.Dickwhisperedtomecouldn'tIwalk quieter.Buthewasjustasbad.Everystepwetookmadearacket.Wecametoahallanda door,andDick,rememberingthediagram,saiditwasabedroom.Heshinedtheflashlight andopenedthedoor.Amansaid,'Honey?'He'dbeenasleep,andheblinkedandsaid,'Is thatyou,honey?'Dickaskedhim,'AreyouMr.Clutter?'Hewaswideawakenow;hesatup andsaid,'Whoisit?Whatdoyouwant?'Dicktoldhim,verypolite,likewewereacouple of door­to­door salesmen, 'We want to talk to you, sir. In your office, please.' And Mr. Clutter,barefoot,justwearingpajamas,hewentwithustotheofficeandweturnedonthe officelights. "Uptillthenhehadn'tbeenabletoseeusverygood.Ithinkwhathesawhithimhard.Dick says,'Now,sir,allwewantyoutodoisshowuswhereyoukeepthatsafe.'ButMr.Clutter says,'Whatsafe?'Hesayshedon'thaveanysafe.Iknewrightthenitwastrue.Hehadthat kindofface.Youjustknewwhateverhetoldyouwasprettymuchthetruth.ButDick shoutedathim,'Don'tlietome,yousonofabitch!Iknowgoddamwellyougotasafe!'My feelingwasnobodyhadeverspokentoMr.Clutterlikethat.ButhelookedDickstraightin theeyeandtoldhim,beingverymildaboutit­said,well,hewassorrybuthejustdidn't haveanysafe.Dicktappedhimonthechestwiththeknife,says,'Showuswherethatsafe

isoryou'regonnabeagoodbitsorrier.'ButMr.Clutter­oh,youcouldseehewasscared, buthisvoicestayedmildandsteady­hewentondenyinghehadasafe. "Sometimealonginthere,Ifixedthetelephone.Theoneintheoffice.Irippedoutthe wires.AndIaskedMr.Clutteriftherewereanyothertelephonesinthehouse.Hesaidyes, therewasoneinthekitchen.SoItooktheflashlightandwenttothekitchen­itwasquite adistancefromtheoffice.WhenIfoundthetelephone,Iremovedthereceiverandcutthe linewithapairofpliers.Then,headingback,Iheardanoise.Acreakingover­head.I stoppedatthefootofthestairsleadingtothesecondfloor.Itwasdark,andIdidn'tdare use the flashlight. But I could tell there was someone there. At the top of the stairs, silhouetted;againstawindow.Afigure.Thenitmovedaway." DeweyimaginesitmusthavebeenNancy.He'doftentheorized,onthebasisofthegold wristwatchfoundtuckedinthetoeofashoeinhercloset,thatNancyhadawakened,heard personsinthehouse,thoughttheymightbethieves,andprudentlyhiddenthewatch,her mostvaluableproperty. "ForallIknew,maybeitwassomebodywithagun.ButDick wouldn'tevenlistentome.Hewassobusyplayingtoughboy.BossingMr.Clutteraround. Nowhe'dbroughthimbacktothebedroom.HewascountingthemoneyinMr.Clutter's billfold.Therewasaboutthirtydollars.Hethrewthebillfoldonthebedandtoldhim, 'You'vegotmoremoneyinthishousethanthat.Arichmanlikeyou.Livingonaspreadlike this.'Mr.Cluttersaidthatwasallthecashhehad,andexplainedhealwaysdidbusinessby check.Heofferedtowriteusacheck.Dickjustblewup­'WhatkindofMongoliansdoyou thinkweare?'­andIthoughtDickwasreadytosmashhim,soIsaid,'Dick.Listentome. There'ssomebodyawakeupstairs.'Mr.Cluttertoldustheonlypeopleupstairswerehiswife andasonanddaughter.Dickwantedtoknowifthewifehadanymoney,andMr.Clutter saidifshedid,itwouldbeverylittle,afewdollars,andheaskedus­reallykindofbroke down­pleasenottobotherher,becauseshewasaninvalid,she'dbeenveryillforalong time.ButDickinsistedongoingupstairs.HemadeMr.Clutterleadtheway. "Atthefootofthestairs,Mr.Clutterswitchedonlightsthatlightedthehallabove,andas weweregoingup,hesaid,'Idon'tknowwhyyouboyswanttodothis.I'veneverdoneyou anyharm.Ineversawyoubefore.'That'swhenDicktoldhim,'Shutup!Whenwewantyou totalk,we'lltellyou.'Wasn'tanybodyintheupstairshall,andallthedoorswereshut.Mr. Clutterpointedouttheroomswheretheboyandgirlweresupposedtobesleeping,then opened his wife's door. He lighted a lamp beside the bed and told her, 'It's all right, sweetheart.Don'tbeafraid.Thesem*n,theyjustwantsomemoney.'Shewasathin,frail sortofwomaninalongwhitenightgown.Theminutesheopenedhereyes,shestartedto cry.Shesays,talkingtoherhusband,'Sweetheart,Idon'thaveanymoney.'Hewasholding herhand,pattingit.Hesaid,'Now,don'tcry,honey.It'snothingtobeafraidof.It'sjustI gavethesem*nallthemoneyIhad,buttheywantsomemore.Theybelievewehaveasafe somewhereinthehouse.Itoldthemwedon't.'Dickraisedhishand,likehewasgoingto crackhimacrossthemouth.Says,'Didn'tItellyoutoshutup?'Mrs.Cluttersaid,'Butmy husband'stellingyoutheGod'struth.Thereisn’tanysafe.'AndDickanswersback,'Iknow goddamwellyougotasafe.AndI'llfinditbeforeIleavehere.Needn'tworrythatIwon't.' Thenheaskedherwhereshekeptherpurse.Thepursewasinabureaudrawer.Dick turneditinsideout.Foundjustsomechangeandadollarortwo.Imotionedtohimto comeintothehall.Iwantedtodiscussthesituation.Sowesteppedoutside,andIsaid­"

DuntzinterruptshimtoaskifMr.andMrs.Cluttercouldover­heartheconversation. "No.Wewerejustoutsidethedoor,wherewecouldkeepaneyeonthem.Butwewere whispering.ItoldDick,'Thesepeoplearetellingthetruth.Theonewholiedisyourfriend FloydWells.Thereisn'tanysafe,solet'sgetthehelloutofhere.'ButDickwastooashamed tofaceit.Hesaidhewouldn'tbelieveittillwesearchedthewholehouse.Hesaidthething todowastiethemallup,thentakeourtimelookingaround.Youcouldn'targuewithhim, hewassoexcited.Thegloryofhavingeverybodyathismercy,that'swhatexcitedhim. Well,therewasabathroomnextdoortoMrs.Clutter'sroom.Theideawastolockthe parentsinthebathroom,andwakethekidsandputthemthere,thenbringthemoutone byoneandtiethemupindifferentpartsofthehouse.Andthen,saysDick,afterwe've foundthesafe,we'llcuttheirthroats.Can'tshootthem,hesays­thatwouldmaketoo muchnoise." Perryfrowns,rubshiskneeswithhismanacledhands."Letmethinkaminute.Because alonginherethingsbegintogetalittlecomplicated.Iremember.Yes.Yes,Itookachair outofthehallandstuckitinthebathroom.SoMrs.Cluttercouldsitdown.Seeingshewas saidtobeaninvalid.Whenwelockedthemup,Mrs.Clutterwascryingandtellingus, 'Pleasedon'thurtanybody.Pleasedon'thurtmychildren.'Andherhusbandhadhisarms aroundher,saying,like,'Sweetheart,thesefellowsdon'tmeantohurtanybody.Allthey wantissomemoney.' "Wewenttotheboy'sroom.Hewasawake.Lyingtherelikehewastooscaredtomove. Dicktoldhimtogetup,butbedidn'tmove,ormovefastenough,soDickpunchedhim, pulledhimoutofbed,andIsaid,'Youdon'thavetohithim,Dick.'AndItoldtheboy­he wasonlywearingaT­shirt­toputonhispants.Heputonapairofbluejeans,andwe'd justlockedhiminthebathroomwhenthegirlappeared­cameoutofherroom.Shewasall dressed,likeshe'dbeenawakesomewhile.Imean,shehadonsocksandslippers,anda kimono,andherhairwaswrappedinabandanna.Shewastryingtosmile.Shesaid,'Good grief,whatisthis?Somekindofjoke?'Idon'tguessshethoughtitwasmuchofajoke, though.NotafterDickopenedthebathroomdoorandshovedherin..." Dewey envisions them: the captive family, meek and frightened but without any premonitionoftheirdestiny.Herbcouldn'thavesuspected,orhewouldhavefought.He wasagentlemanbutstrongandnocoward.Herb,hisfriendAlvinDeweyfeltcertain, wouldhavefoughttothedeathdefendingBonnie'slifeandthelivesofhischildren. "Dick stood guard outside the bathroom door while I reconnoitered. I frisked the girl's room,andIfoundalittlepurse­likeadoll'spurse.Insideitwasasilverdollar.Idroppedit somehow,anditrolledacrossthefloor.Rolledunderachair.Ihadtogetdownonmy knees.AndjustthenitwaslikeIwasoutsidemyself.Watchingmyselfinsomenuttymovie. Itmademesick.Iwasjustdisgusted.Dick,andallhistalkaboutarichman'ssafe,andhere Iamcrawlingonmybellytostealachild'ssilverdollar.Onedollar.AndI'mcrawlingonmy bellytogetit." Perrysqueezeshisknees,asksthedetectivesforaspirin,thanksDuntzforgivinghimone, chewsit,andresumestalking."Butthat'swhatyoudo.Yougetwhatyoucan.Ifriskedthe boy'sroom,too.Notadime.Buttherewasalittleportableradio,andIdecidedtotakeit. ThenIrememberedthebinocularsI'dseeninMr.Clutter'soffice.Iwentdownstairstoget

them.Icarriedthebinocularsandtheradioouttothecar.Itwascold,andthewindand thecoldfeltgood.Themoonwassobrightyoucouldseeformiles.AndIthought,Why don'tIwalkoff?Walktothehighway,hitcharide.IsureJesusdidn'twanttogobackin thathouse.Andyet­HowcanIexplainthis?ItwaslikeIwasn'tpartofit.MoreasthoughI wasreadingastory.AndIhadtoknowwhatwasgoingtohappen.Theend.SoIwentback upstairs.Andnow,let'ssee­uh­huh,that'swhenwetiedthemup.Mr.Clutterfirst.We calledhimoutofthebathroom,andItiedhishandstogether.ThenImarchedhimallthe waydowntothebasem*nt­" Deweysays,"Aloneandunarmed?" "Ihadtheknife." Deweysays,"ButHickockstayedguardupstairs?" "Tokeepthemquiet.Anyway,Ididn'tneedhelp.I'veworkedwithropeallmylife." Deweysays,"Wereyouusingtheflashlightordidyouturnonthebasem*ntlights?" "The lights. The basem*nt was divided into two sections. One part seemed to be a playroom.Tookhimtotheothersection,thefurnaceroom.Isawabigcardboardbox leaningagainstthewall.Amattressbox.Well,Ididn'tfeelIoughttoaskhimtostretchout onthecoldfloor,soIdraggedthemattressboxover,flattenedit,andtoldhimtoliedown." Thedriver,viatherear­viewmirror,glancesathiscolleague,attractshiseye,andDuntz slightlynods,asifintribute.AllalongDeweyhadarguedthatthemattressboxhadbeen placedonthefloorforthecomfortofMr.Clutter,andtakingheedofsimilarhints,other fragmentaryindicationsofironic,erraticcompassion,thedetectivehadconjecturedthatat leastoneofthekillerswasnotaltogetheruncharitable. "Itiedhisfeet,thentiedhishandstohisfeet.Iaskedhimwasittootight,andhesaidno, butsaidwouldwepleaseleavehiswifealone.Therewasnoneedtotieherup­shewasn't goingtohollerortrytorunoutofthehouse.Hesaidshe'dbeensickforyearsandyears, andshewasjustbeginningtogetalittlebetter,butanincidentlikethismightcauseherto haveasetback.Iknowit'snothingtolaughover,onlyIcouldn'thelpit­himtalkingabout a'setback.' "Nextthing,Ibroughttheboydown.FirstIputhimintheroomwithhisdad.Tiedhis handstoanoverheadsteampipe. ThenIfiguredthatwasn'tverysafe.Hemightsomehowgetlooseandundotheoldman,or vice versa. So I cut him down and I took him to the playroom, where there was a comfortablelookingcouch.Iropedhisfeettothefootofthecouch,ropedhishands,then carriedtheropeupandmadealooparoundhisneck,soifhestruggledhe'dchokehimself. Once,whileIwasworking,Iputtheknifedownonthis­well,itwasafreshlyvarnished cedarchest;thewholecellarsmelledofvarnish­andheaskedmenottoputmyknife there.Thechestwasaweddingpresenthe'dbuiltforsomebody.Asister,Ibelievehesaid. JustasIwasleaving,hehadacoughingfit,soIstuffedapillowunderhishead.ThenI turnedoffthelights­"

Deweysays,"Butyouhadn'ttapedtheirmouths?" "No.Thetapingcamelater,afterI'dtiedboththewomenintheirbedrooms.Mrs.Clutter wasstillcrying,atthesametimeshewasaskingmeaboutDick.Shedidn'ttrusthim,but saidshefeltIwasadecentyoungman.I'msureyouare,shesays,andmademepromiseI wouldn'tletDickhurtanybody.Ithinkwhatshereallyhadinmindwasherdaughter.Iwas worriedaboutthatmyself.IsuspectedDickwasplottingsomething,somethingIwouldn't standfor.WhenIfinishedtyingMrs.Clutter,sureenough,Ifoundhe'dtakenthegirltoher bedroom.Shewasinthebed,andhewassittingontheedgeofittalkingtoher.Istopped that;ItoldhimtogolookforthesafewhileItiedherup.Afterhe'dgone,Iropedherfeet togetherandtiedherhandsbehindherback.ThenIpulledupthecovers,tuckedherintill justherheadshowed.Therewasalittleeasychairnearthebed,andIthoughtI'dresta minute;mylegswereonfire­allthatclimbingandkneeling.IaskedNancyifshehada boyfriend.Shesaidyes,shedid.Shewastryinghardtoactcasualandfriendly.Ireally likedher.Shewasreallynice.Averyprettygirl,andnotspoiledoranything.Shetoldme quitealotaboutherself.Aboutschool,andhowshewasgoingtogotoauniversitytostudy musicandart.Horses.Saidnexttodancingwhatshelikedbestwastogallopahorse,soI mentionedmymotherhadbeenachampionrodeorider. "AndwetalkedaboutDick;Iwascurious,see,whathe'dbeensayingtoher.Seemsshe'd askedhimwhyhedidthingslikethis.Robpeople.And,wow,didhetossheratearjerker­ saidhe'dbeenraisedanorphaninanorphanage,andhownobodyhadeverlovedhim,and hisonlyrelativewasasisterwholivedwithmenwithoutmarryingthem.Allthetimewe weretalking,wecould hear the lunatic roaming around below, looking for the safe. Looking behind pictures. Tappingthewalls.Taptaptap.Likesomenuttywoodpecker.Whenhecameback,justtobe arealbastardIaskedhadhefoundit.Coursehehadn't,buthesaidhe'dcomeacross anotherpurseinthekitchen.Withsevendollars." Duntzsays,"Howlongnowhadyoubeeninthehouse?" "Maybeanhour." Duntzsays,"Andwhendidyoudothetaping?" "Rightthen.StartedwithMrs.Clutter.ImadeDickhelpme­becauseIdidn'twanttoleave himalonewiththegirl.Icutthetapeinlongstrips,andDickwrappedthemaroundMrs. Clutter'sheadlikeyou'dwrapamummy.Heaskedher,'Howcomeyoukeeponcrying? Nobody'shurting you,'andheturned off thebedsidelampandsaid,'Goodnight,Mrs. Clutter.Gotosleep.'Thenhesaystome,aswe'reheadingalongthehalltowardNancy's room,I'mgonnabustthatlittlegirl.'AndIsaid,'Uh­huh.Butyou'llhavetokillmefirst.'He lookedlikehedidn'tbelievehe'dheardright.Hesays,'Whatdoyoucare?Hell,youcan bust her, too.' Now, that's something I despise. Anybody that can't control themselves sexually.Christ,Ihatethatkindofstuff.Itoldhimstraight,'Leaveheralone.Elseyou've gotabuzzsawtofight.'Thatreallyburnedhim,butherealizeditwasn'tthetimetohavea flat­outfree­for­all.Sohesays,'O.K.,honey.Ifthat'sthewayyoufeel.'Theendofitwaswe nevereventapedher.Weswitchedoffthehalllightandwentdowntothebasem*nt." Perryhesitates.Hehasaquestionbutphrasesitasastatement:"I'llbethenever said

anythingaboutwantingtorapethegirl." Deweyadmitsit,butheaddsthatexceptforanapparentlysomewhatexpurgatedversionof hisownconduct,Hickock'sstorysupportsSmith's.Thedetailsvary,thedialogueisnot identical,butinsubstancethetwoaccounts­thusfar,atleast­corroborateoneanother. "Maybe.ButIknewhehadn'ttoldaboutthegirl.I'dhavebetmyshirt." Duntzsays,"Perry,I'vebeenkeepingtrackofthelights.ThewayIcalculateit,whenyou turnedofftheupstairslight,thatleftthehousecompletelydark." "Did.Andweneverusedthelightsagain.Excepttheflashlight.Dickcarriedtheflashlight whenwewenttotapeMr.Clutterandtheboy.JustbeforeItapedhim,Mr.Clutterasked me­andthesewerehislastwords­wantedtoknowhowhiswifewas,ifshewasallright, andIsaidshewasfine,shewasreadytogotosleep,andItoldhimitwasn'tlongtill morning,andhowinthemorningsomebodywouldfindthem,andthenallofit,meand Dickandall,wouldseemlikesomethingtheydreamed.Iwasn'tkiddinghim.Ididn'twant toharmtheman.Ithoughthewasaverynicegentleman.Soft­spoken.Ithoughtsoright uptothemomentIcuthisthroat. "Wait.I'mnottellingitthewayitwas."Perryscowls.Herubshislegs;thehandcuffsrattle. "After,see,afterwe'dtapedthem,DickandIwentoffinacorner.Totalkitover.Remember, now,therewerehardfeelingsbetweenus.JustthenitmademystomachturntothinkI'd ever admired him, lapped up all that brag. I said, 'Well, Dick. Any qualms?' He didn't answerme.Isaid,'Leavethemalive,andthiswon'tbeanysmallrap.Tenyearsthevery least.'Hestilldidn'tsayanything.Hewasholdingtheknife.Iaskedhimforit,andhegave ittome,andIsaid,'Allright,Dick.Heregoes.'ButIdidn'tmeanit.Imeanttocallhisbluff, makehimarguemeoutofit,makehimadmithewasaphonyandacoward.See,itwas somethingbetweenmeandDick.IkneltdownbesideMr.Clutter,andthepainofkneeling­ Ithoughtofthatgoddamdollar.Silverdollar.Theshame.Disgust.Andthey'dtoldmenever to come back toKansas. ButIdidn'trealize what I'd donetillIheard thesound. Like somebodydrowning.Screamingunderwater.IhandedtheknifetoDick.Isaid,'Finishhim. You'llfeelbetter.'Dicktried­orpretendedto.Butthemanhadthestrengthoftenmen­he washalfoutofhisropes,hishandswerefree.Dickpanicked.Dickwantedtogetthehell outofthere.ButIwouldn'tlethimgo.Themanwouldhavediedanyway,Iknowthat,butI couldn'tleavehimlikehewas.ItoldDicktoholdtheflashlight,focusit.ThenIaimedthe gun.Theroomjustexploded.Wentblue.Justblazedup.Jesus,I'llneverunderstandwhy theydidn'thearthenoisetwentymilesaround." Dewey'searsringwithit­aringingthatalmostdeafenshimtothewhisperyrushofSmith's softvoice.Butthevoiceplungeson,ejectingafusilladeofsoundsandimages:Hickock huntingthedischargedshell;hurrying,hurrying,andKenyon'sheadinacircleoflight,the murmur of muffled pleadings, then Hickock again scrambling after a used cartridge; Nancy'sroom,Nancylisteningtobootsonhardwoodstairs,thecreakofthestepsasthey climbtowardher,Nancy'seyes,Nancywatchingtheflashlight'sshineseekthetarget("She said,'Oh,no!Oh,please.No!No!No!No!Don't!Oh,pleasedon't!Please!'Igavethegunto Dick.ItoldhimI'ddoneallIcoulddo.Hetookaim,andsheturnedherfacetothewall"); thedarkhall,theassassinshasteningtowardthefinaldoor.Perhaps,havingheardallshe had,Bonniewelcomedtheirswiftapproach.

"Thatlastshellwasabitchtolocate.Dickwiggledunderthebedtogetit.Thenweclosed Mrs.Clutter'sdoorandwentdownstairstotheoffice.Wewaitedthere,likewehadwhen wefirstcame.Lookedthroughtheblindstoseeifthehiredmanwaspokingaround,or anybodyelsewhomighthaveheardthegunfire.Butitwasjustthesame­notasound.Just thewind­andDickpantinglikewolveswereafterhim.Rightthere,inthosefewseconds beforeweranouttothecaranddroveaway,that'swhenIdecidedI'dbettershootDick. He'dsaidoverandover,he'ddrummeditintome:Nowitnesses.AndIthought,He'sa witness.Idon'tknowwhatstoppedme.GodknowsIshould'vedoneit.Shothimdead.Got inthecarandkeptongoingtillIlostmyselfinMexico." Ahush.Fortenmilesandmore,thethreemenridewithoutspeaking. SorrowandprofoundfatigueareattheheartofDewey'ssilence.Ithadbeenhisambition tolearn"exactlywhathappenedinthathousethatnight."Twicenowhe'dbeentold,and thetwoversionswereverymuchalike,theonlyseriousdiscrepancybeingthatHickock attributedallfourdeathstoSmith,whileSmithcontendedthatHickockhadkilledthetwo women.Buttheconfessions,thoughtheyansweredquestionsofhowandwhy,failedto satisfyhissenseofmeaningfuldesign.Thecrimewasapsychologicalaccident,virtuallyan impersonalact;thevictimsmightaswellhavebeenkilledbylightning.Exceptforone thing: they had experienced prolonged terror, they had suffered. And Dewey could not forgettheirsufferings.Nonetheless,hefounditpossibletolookatthemanbesidehim withoutanger­with,rather,ameasureofsympathy­forPerrySmith'slifehadbeennobed of roses but pitiful, an ugly and lonely progress toward one mirage and then another. Dewey'ssympathy,however,wasnotdeepenoughtoaccommodateeitherforgivenessor mercy.HehopedtoseePerryandhispartnerhanged­hangedbacktoback. DunnasksSmith,"Addedup,howmuchmoneydidyougetfromtheClutters?" "Betweenfortyandfiftydollars." AmongGardenCity'sanimalsaretwograytomcatswhoarealwaystogether­thin,dirty strays with strangeand clever habits. The chief ceremony of their day is performed at twilight.FirsttheytrotthelengthofMainStreet,stoppingtoscrutinizetheenginegrillesof parkedautomobiles,particularlythosestationedinfrontofthetwohotels,theWindsorand Warren,forthesecars,usuallythepropertyoftravelersfromafar,oftenyieldwhatthe bony, methodical creatures are hunting: slaughtered birds ­ crows, chickadees, and sparrowsfoolhardyenoughtohaveflownintothepathofoncomingmotorists.Usingtheir paws as though they are surgical instruments, the cats extract from the grilles every featheryparticle.HavingcruisedMainStreet,theyinvariablyturnthecorneratMainand Grant,thenlopealongtowardCourthouseSquare,anotheroftheirhuntinggrounds­anda highlypromisingoneontheafternoonofWednesday,January6,fortheareaswarmedwith FinneyCountyvehiclesthathadbroughttotownpartofthecrowdpopulatingthesquare. Thecrowdstartedformingatfouro'clock,thehourthatthecountyattorneyhadgivenas the probable arrival rime of Hickock and Smith. Since the announcement of Hickock's confession on Sunday evening, newsmen of every style had assembled in Garden City: representatives of the major wire services, photographers, newsreel and television cameramen,reportersfromMissouri,Nebraska,Oklahoma,Texas,and,ofcourse,allthe principalKansaspapers­twentyortwenty­fivemenaltogether.Manyofthemhadbeen waitingthreedayswithoutmuchtodoexceptinterviewtheservice­stationattendantJames Spor,who,afterseeingpublishedphotographsoftheaccusedkillers,hadidentifiedthemas

customerstowhomhe'd soldthreedollarsand sixcentsworth ofgasthenightofthe Holcombtragedy. ItwasthereturnofHickockandSmiththattheseprofessionalspectatorswereonhandto record,andCaptainGeraldMurray,oftheHighwayPatrol,hadreservedforthemample spaceonthesidewalkfrontingthecourthousesteps­thestepstheprisonersmustmounton their waytothecountyjail,aninstitutionthatoccupiesthetopfloorof thefour­story limestonestructure.Onereporter,RichardParr,oftheKansasCityStar,hadobtainedacopy ofMonday'sLasVegasSun.Thepaper'sheadlineraisedgroundsoflaughter:fearlynchmob awaiting return or; killer suspects. Captain Murray remarked, "Don't look much like a necktiepartytome." Indeed,thecongregationinthesquaremighthavebeenexpectingaparade,orattendinga politicalrally.High­schoolstudents,amongthemformerclassmatesofNancyandKenyon Clutter,chantedcheerleaderrhymes,bubbledbubblegum,gobbledhotdogsandsodapop. Motherssoothedwailingbabies.Menstrolledaboutwithyoungchildrenperchedontheir shoulders.TheBoyScoutswerepresent­anentiretroop.Andthemiddle­agedmembership ofawomen'sbridgeclubarrivedenmasse.Mr.J.P.(Jap)Adams,headofthelocalVeterans Commissionoffice,appeared,attiredinatweedgarmentsooddlytailoredthatafriend yelled,"Hey,Jap!Whatyadoin'wearin'ladies'clothes?"­forMr.Adams,inhishasteto reach the scene, had unwittingly donned his secretary's coat. A roving radio reporter interviewed sundry other townsfolk, asking them what, in their opinion, the proper retributionwouldbefor"thedoersofsuchadastardlydeed,"andwhilemostofhissubjects saidgoshorgeewhiz,onestudentreplied,"Ithinktheyoughttobelockedinthesamecell fortherestoftheirlives.Neverallowedanyvisitors.Justsittherestaringateachothertill thedaytheydie."Andatough,struttylittlemansaid,"Ibelieveincapitalpunishment.It's liketheBiblesays­aneyeforaneye.Andevensowe'retwopairshort!" Aslongasthesunlasted,thedayhadbeendryandwarm­OctoberweatherinJanuary. Butwhenthesundescended,whentheshadowsofthesquare'sgiantshadetreesmetand combined,thecoldnessaswellasdarknessnumbedthecrowd.Numbedandprunedit;by six o'clock, fewer than three hundred persons remained. Newsmen, cursing the undue delay,stampedtheirfeetandslappedfrozenearswithungloved,freezinghands.Suddenly, amurmuringaroseonthesouthsideofthesquare.Thecarswerecoming. Althoughnoneofthejournalistsanticipatedviolence,severalhadpredictedshoutedabuse. But when the crowd caught sight of the murderers, with their escort of blue­coated highwaypatrol­men,itfellsilent,asthoughamazedtofindthemhumanlyshaped.The handcuffedmen,white­facedandblinkingblindly,glistenedintheglareofflashbulbsand floodlights.Thecameramen,pursuingtheprisonersandthepoliceintothecourthouseand upthreeflightsofstairs,photographedthedoorofthecountyjailslammingshut. Noonelingered,neitherthepresscorpsnoranyofthetownspeople.Warmroomsand warmsuppersbeckonedthem,andastheyhurriedaway,leavingthecoldsquaretothetwo graycats,themiraculousautumndepartedtoo;theyear'sfirstsnowbegantofall. IV THECORNER

InstitutionaldournessandcheerfuldomesticitycoexistonthefourthflooroftheFinney CountyCourthouse.Thepresenceofthecountyjailsuppliesthefirstquality,whiletheso­ called Sheriff's Residence, a pleasant apartment separated from the jail proper by steel doorsandashortcorridor,accountsforthesecond. In January, 1960, the Sheriff's Residence was not in fact occupied by the sheriff, Earl Robinson,butbytheundersheriffandhiswife,WendleandJosephine("Josie")Meier.The Meiers,whohadbeenmarriedmorethantwentyyears,wereverymuchalike:tallpeople withweightandstrengthtospare,withwidehands,squareandcalmandkindlyfaces­the lastbeingmosttrueofMrs.Meier,adirectandpracticalwomanwhoneverthelessseems illuminated by a mystical serenity. As the undersheriff's helpmate her hours are long; betweenfiveinthemorning,whenshebeginsthedaybyreadingachapterintheBible, and 10:00p.m., her bedtime, she cooks and sews for the prisoners!, darns, does their laundry,takessplendidcareofherhusband,andlooksaftertheirfive­roomapartment,with its gemutlich melange of plump hassocks and squashy chairs and cream­colored lace windowcurtains.TheMeiershaveadaughter,anonlychild,whois marriedandlivesinKansasCity,sothecouplelivealone­or,asMrs.Meiermorecorrectly putsit:"Aloneexceptforwhoeverhappenstobeintheladies'cell." Thejailcontainssixcells;thesixth,theonereservedforfemaleprisoners,isactuallyan isolatedunitsituatedinsidetheSheriff'sResidence­indeed,itadjoinstheMeiers'kitchen. "But,"saysJosieMeier,"thatdon'tworryme.Ienjoythecompany.Havingsomebodytotalk towhileI'mdoingmykitchenwork.Mostofthesewomen,yougottofeelsorryforthem. JustmetupwithOldManTroubleisall.CourseHickockandSmithwasadifferentmatter. FarasIknow,PerrySmithwasthefirstmaneverstayedintheladies'cell.Thereasonwas, thesheriffwantedtokeephimandHickockseparatedfromeachotheruntilaftertheirtrial. Theafternoontheybroughtthemin,Imadesixapplepiesandbakedsomebreadandall the while kept track of the goings­on down there on the Square. My kitchen window overlookstheSquare;youcouldn'twantabetterview.I'mnojudgeofcrowds,butI'dguess therewereseveralhundredpeoplewaitingtoseetheboysthatkilledtheClutterfamily.I nevermetanyoftheCluttersmyself,butfromeverythingI'veeverheardaboutthemthey musthavebeenveryfinepeople.Whathappenedtothemishardtoforgive,andIknow Wendle wasworried how thecrowd mightactwhen they caughtsight of Hickock and Smith.Hewasafraidsomebodymighttrytogetatthem.SoIkindofhadmyheartinmy mouthwhenIsawthecarsarrive,sawthereporters,allthenewspaperfellowsrunningand pushing;butbythenitwasdark,aftersix,andbittercold­morethanhalfthecrowdhad givenupandgonehome.Theonesthatstayed,theydidn'tsayboo.Onlystared. "Later,whentheybroughttheboysupstairs,thefirstoneIsawwasHickock.Hehadon light summer pants and just an old cloth shirt. Surprised he didn't catch pneumonia, consideringhowcolditwas.Buthelookedsickallright.Whiteasaghost.Well,itmustbe aterribleexperience­tobestaredatbyahordeofstrangers,tohavetowalkamongthem, andthemknowingwhoyouareandwhatyoudid.ThentheybroughtupSmith.Ihadsome supperreadytoservethemintheircells,hotsoupandcoffeeandsome sandwichesandpie.Ordinarily,wefeedjusttwiceaday.Breakfastatseven­thirty,andat four­thirtyweservethemainmeal,Ididn'twantthosefellowsgoingtobedonanempty stomach;seemedtometheymustbefeelingbadenoughwithoutthat.ButwhenItook Smithhissupper,carrieditinonatray,hesaidhewasn'thungry.Hewaslookingoutthe

windowoftheladies'cell.Standingwithhisbacktome.Thatwindowhasthesameviewas mykitchenwindow:treesandtheSquareandthetopsofhouses.Itoldhim,'Justtastethe soup,it'svegetable,andnotoutofacan.Imadeitmyself.Thepie,too.'InaboutanhourI wentbackforthetrayandhehadn'ttouchedacrumb.Hewasstillatthewindow.Likehe hadn'tmoved.Itwassnowing,andIremembersayingitwasthefirstsnowoftheyear,and howwe'dhadsuchabeautifullongautumnrighttillthen.Andnowthesnowhadcome. AndthenIaskedhimifhehadanyspecialdishheliked;ifhedidI'dtryandfixitforhim thenextday.Heturnedaroundandlookedatme.Suspicious,likeImightbemockinghim. Thenhesaidsomethingaboutamovie­hehadsuchaquietwayofspeaking,almosta whisper.WantedtoknowifIhadseenamovie.Iforgetthename,anywayIhadn'tseenit: neverhavebeenmuchforpictureshows.HesaidthisshowtookplaceinBiblicaltimes,and therewasascenewhereamanwasflungoffabalcony,throwntoamobofmenand women,whotorehimtopieces.Andhesaidthatwaswhatcametomindwhenhesawthe crowdontheSquare.Themanbeingtornapart.Andtheideathatmaybethatwaswhat theymightdotohim.Saiditscaredhimsobadhisstomachstillhurt.Whichwaswhyhe couldn'teat.Coursehewaswrong,andItoldhimso­nobodywasgoingtoharmhim, regardlessofwhathe'ddone;folksaroundherearen'tlikethat. "Wetalkedsome,hewasveryshy,butafterawhilehesaid,'OnethingIreallylikeis Spanishrice.'SoIpromisedtomakehimsome,andhesmiledkindof,andIdecided­well, hewasn'ttheworstyoungmanIeversaw.Thatnight,afterI'dgonetobed,saidasmuchto myhusband.ButWendlesnorted.Wendlewasn'tofthefirstonthesceneafterthecrime wasdiscovered.HesaidhewishedI'dbeenoutattheClutterplacewhentheyfoundthe bodies.ThenIcould'vejudgedformyselfjusthowgentleMr.Smithwas.Himandhisfriend Hickock.Hesaidthey'dcutoutyourheartandneverbataneye.Therewasnodenyingit­ notwithfourpeopledead.AndIlayawakewonderingifeitheronewasbotheredbyit­the thoughtofthosefourgraves." Amonthpassed,andanother,anditsnowedsomepartofalmosteveryday.Snowwhitened thewheat­tawnycountryside,heapedthestreetsofthetown,hushedthem. Thetopmostbranchesofasnow­ladenelmbrushedagainstthewindowoftheladies'cell. Squirrelslivedinthetree,andafterweeksoftemptingthemwithleftoverbreakfastscraps, Perryluredoneoffabranchontothewindowsillandthroughthebars.Itwasamale squirrelwithauburnfur.HenameditRed,andRedsoonsettleddown,apparentlycontent tosharehisfriend'scaptivity.Perrytaughthimseveraltricks:toplaywithapaperball,to beg,toperchonPerry'sshoulder.Allthishelpedtopasstime,butstillthereweremany longhourstheprisonerhadtolose.Hewasnotallowedtoreadnewspapers,andhewas boredbythemagazinesMrs.Meierlenthim:oldissuesofGoodHousekeepingandMcCalls. Buthefoundthingstodo:filehisfingernailswithanemeryboard,buffthemtoasilkypink sheen;combandcombhislotion­soakedandscentedhair;brushhisteeththreeandfour timesaday;shaveandshoweralmostasoften.Andhekeptthecell,whichcontaineda toilet,ashowerstall,acot,achair,atable,asneatashisperson.Hewasproud ofa complimentMrs.Meierhadpaidhim."Look!"shehadsaid,pointingathisbunk."Lookat thatblanket!Youcouldbouncedimes."Butitwasatthetablethathespentmostofhis wakinglife;heatehismealsthere,itwaswherehesatwhenhesketchedportraitsofRed, drewflowers, andthefaceofJesus,andthefacesandtorsosofimaginarywomen;anditwaswhere,on cheapsheetsofruledpaper,hemadediary­likenotesofday­to­dayoccurrences.

Thursday 7 January. Dewey here. Brought carton of cigarettes. Also typed copies of Statementformysignature.Ideclined. The "Statement," a seventy­eight­page document which he had dictated to the Finney County court stenographer, recounted admissions already made to Alvin Dewey and ClarenceDuntz.Dewey,speakingofhisencounterwithPerrySmithonthisparticularday, rememberedthathehadbeenverysurprisedwhenPerryrefusedtosignthestatement."It wasn'timportant:Icouldalwaystestifyincourtastotheoralconfessionhe'dmadeto Duntzandmyself.AndofcourseHickockhadgivenusasignedconfessionwhilewewere stillinLasVegas­theoneinwhichheaccusedSmithofhavingcommittedallfourmurders. ButIwascurious.IaskedPerrywhyhe'dchangedhismind.Andhesaid,'Everythinginmy statementisaccurateexceptfortwodetails.Ifyou'llletmecorrectthoseitemsthenI'llsign it.'Well,Icouldguesstheitemshemeant.Becausetheonlyseriousdifferencebetweenhis storyandHickock'swasthathedeniedhavingexecutedtheClutterssingle­handed.Until nowhe'dswornHickockkilledNancyandhermother. "AndIwasright!­that'sjustwhathewantedtodo:admitthatHickockhadbeentellingthe truth,andthatitwashe,PerrySmith,whohadshotandkilledthewholefamily.Hesaid he'dliedaboutitbecause,inhiswords,'IwantedtofixDickforbeingsuchacoward. Droppinghisgutsalloverthegoddamfloor.'Andthereasonhe'ddecidedtosettherecord straightwasn'tthathesuddenlyfeltanykindertowardHickock.Accordingtohimhewas doingitoutofconsiderationforHickock'sparents­saidhewassorryforDick'smother. Said,'She'sarealsweetperson.ItmightbesomecomforttohertoknowDickneverpulled thetrigger.Noneofitwouldhavehappenedwithouthim,inawayitwasmostlyhisfault, butthefactremainsI'mtheonewhokilledthem.'ButIwasn'tcertainIbelievedit.Notto theextentoflettinghimalterhisstatement.AsIsay,weweren'tdependentonaformal confessionfromSmithtoproveanypartofourcase.Withorwithoutit,wehadenoughto hangthemtentimesover." AmongtheelementscontributingtoDewey'sconfidencewastherecoveryoftheradioand pair of binoculars the murderers had stolen from the Clutter house and subsequently disposedofinMexicoCity(where,havingflownthereforthepurpose,K.B.I.AgentHarold Nye traced them to a pawnshop). Moreover, Smith, while dictating his statement, had revealedthewhere­aboutsofotherpotentevidence."Wehitthehighwayanddroveeast," he'dsaid,intheprocessofdescribingwhatheandHickockhaddoneafterfleeingthe murderscene."Drovelikehell,Dickdriving.Ithinkwebothfeltveryhigh.Idid.Veryhigh, andveryrelievedatthesametime.Couldn'tstoplaughing,neitheroneofus;suddenlyit allseemedveryfunny­Idon'tknowwhy,itjustdid.Butthegunwasdrippingblood,and myclotheswerestained;therewasevenbloodinmyhair.Soweturnedoffontoacountry road,anddrovemaybeeightmilestillwewerewayoutontheprairie.Youcouldhear coyotes.Wesmokedacigarette,andDickwentonmakingjokesaboutwhathadhappened backthere.Igotoutofthecar,andsiphonedsomewateroutofthewatertankandwashed thebloodoffthegunbarrel.ThenIscrapedaholeinthegroundwithDick'shuntingknife, theoneIusedonMr.Clutter,andburiedinittheemptyshellsandalltheleftovernylon cord and adhesive tape. After that wedrovetillwe cameto U.S. 83, and headed east towardKansasCityandOlathe.ArounddawnDickstoppedatoneofthosepicnicplaces: whattheycallrestareas­wheretheyhaveopenfireplaces.Webuiltafireandburnedstuff. Thegloveswe'dworn,andmyshirt.Dicksaidhewishedwehadanoxtoroast;hesaid he'dneverbeensohungry.ItwasalmostnoonwhenwegottoOlathe.Dickdroppedmeat

myhotel,andwentonhometohaveSundaydinnerwithhisfamily.Yes,hetooktheknife withhim.Thegun,too." K.B.I.agents,dispatchedtoHickock'shome,foundtheknifeinsideafishing­tackleboxand theshotgunstillcasuallyproppedagainstakitchenwall.(Hickock'sfather,whor*fusedto believehis"boy"couldhavetakenpartinsucha"horriblecrime,"insistedthegunhadn't beenoutofthehousesincethefirstweekinNovember,andthereforecouldnotbethe deathweapon).Asfortheemptycartridgeshells,thecordandtape,thesewereretrieved withtheaidofVirgilPietz,acounty­highwayemployee,who,workingwitharoadgrader intheareapinpointedbyPerrySmith,shavedawaytheearthinchbyinchuntiltheburied articleswereuncovered.Thusthelastloosestringsweretied,theK.B.I.hadnowassembled anunshakablecase,fortestsestablishedthattheshellshadbeendischargedbyHickock's shotgun,andremnantsofcordandtapewereofapiecewiththematerialtobindand silencethevictims. Monday11January,Havealawyer.Mr.Fleming.Oldmanwithredtie. Informedbythedefendantsthattheywerewithoutfundstohirelegalcounsel,thecourt,in thepersonofJudgeRolandH.Tate,appointedastheirrepresentativestwolocallawyers, Mr. Arthur Fleming and Mr. Harrison Smith. Fleming, seventy­one, a former mayor of Garden City, a short man who enlivens an unsensational appearance with rather conspicuousneckwear,resistedtheassignment."Idonotdesiretoserve,"hetoldthejudge. "Butifthecourtseesfittoappointme,thenofcourseIhavenochoice."Hickock'sattorney, HarrisonSmith,forty­five,sixfeettall,agolfer,anElkofexalteddegree,acceptedthetask withresignedgrace:"Someonehastodoit.AndI'lldomybest.ThoughIdoubtthat'llmake metoopopulararoundhere." Friday15January.Mrs.MeterplayingradioinherkitchenandIheardmansaythecounty attorney­willseekDeathPenalty."Therichneverhang.Onlythepoorandfriendless." Inmakinghisannouncement,thecountyattorney,DuaneWest,anambitious,portlyyoung manoftwenty­eightwholooksfortyandsometimesfifty,toldnewsmen,"Ifthecasegoes beforeajury,Iwillrequestthejury,uponfindingthemguilty,tosentencethemtothedeath penalty.Ifthedefendantswaiverighttojurytrialandenterapleaofguiltybeforethe judge,Iwillrequestthejudgetosetthedeathpenalty.ThiswasamatterIknewIwouldbe calledupontodecide,andmydecisionhasnotbeenarrivedatlightly.Ifeelthatduetothe violenceofthecrimeandtheapparentutterlackofmercyshownthevictims,theonlyway the public can be absolutely protected is to have the death penalty set against these defendants. This is especially true since in Kansas there is no such thing as life imprisonmentwithoutpossibilityofparole.Personssentencedtolifeimprisonmentactually serve,ontheaverage,lessthenfifteenyears." Wednesday20January.Askedtotakelie­detectorinregardstothisWalkerdeal. A case like the Clutter case, crimes of that magnitude, arouse the interest of lawmen everywhere,particularlythoseinvestigatorsburdenedwithunsolvedbutsimilarcrimes,for itisalwayspossiblethatthesolutiontoonemysterywillsolveanother.Amongthemany officers intrigued by events in Garden City was the sheriff of Sarasota County, Florida, whichincludesOsprey,afishingsettlementnotfarfromTampa,andthescene,slightly morethanamonthaftertheCluttertragedy,ofthequadrupleslayingonanisolatedcattle

ranchwhichSmithhadreadaboutinaMiaminewspaperonChristmasDay.Thevictims wereagainfourmembersofafamily:ayoungcouple,Mr.andMrs.CliffordWalker,and theirtwochildren,aboyandagirl,allofwhomhadbeenshotintheheadwitharifle. SincetheCluttermurderershadspentthenightofDecember19,thedateofthemurders, in a Tallahassee hotel, Osprey's sheriff, who had no other leads whatever, was understandably anxious to have the two men questioned and a polygraph examination administered. Hickock consented to take the test and so did Smith, who told Kansas authorities, "I remarked at the time, I said to Dick, I'll bet whoever did this must be somebodythatreadaboutwhathappenedouthereinKansas.Anut."Theresultsofthe test,tothedismayofOsprey'ssheriffaswellasAlvinDewey,whodoesnotbelieve in exceptional coincidences, were decisively negative. The murderer of the Walker family remainsunknown. Sunday31January.Dick'sdadheretovisitDick.SaidhellowhenIsawhimgopast[the celldoor]buthekeptgoing.Couldbeheneverheardme.UnderstandfromMrs.At[Meier] that Mrs. H [Hickock] didn't come because she felt too bad to. Snowing like a bitch. DreamedlastnightIwasupinAlaskawithDad­wokeupinapuddleofcoldurine!!! Mr.Hickockspentthreehourswithhisson.Afterwardhewalkedthroughthesnowtothe GardenCitydepot,awork­wornoldman,stoopedandthinned­downbythecancerthat wouldkillhimafewmonthshence.Atthestation,whilewaitingforahomeward­bound train,hespoketoareporter:"IseenDirkuh­huh.Wehadalongtalk.AndIcanguarantee youit'snotlikepeoplesay.Orwhat'sputinthepapers.Thoseboysdidn'tgotothathouse planningtodoviolence.Myboydidn't.Hemayhavehadsomebadsides,buthe'snowhere near bad as that. Smitty’s the one. Dick told me he didn't even know it when Smitty attackedtheman[Mr.Clutter],cuthisthroat.Dickwasn’teveninthesameroom.Heonly run in when he heard them struggling. Dick was carrying his shotgun, and how he describedhowSmittytookmyshotgunandjustblewthatman'sheadoff,'Andhesays, 'Dad,IoughttohavegrabbedbackthegunandshotSmittydead.Killedhim'forehekilled therestofthatfamily.IfI'ddoneitI'dbebetteroffthanIamnow.'Iguesshewould,too. Howitis,thewayfolksfeel,hedon'tstandnochance,They’llhangthemboth.And,"he added,fatigueanddefeatglazinghiseyes,"havingyourboyhang,knowinghewill,nothing worsecanhappentoaman." NeitherPerrySmith'sfathernorsisterwrotehimorcametoseehim.TexJohnSmithwas presumedtobeprospectingforsomewhereinAlaska­thoughlawmen,despitegreateffort, beenunabletolocatehim.Thesisterhadtoldinvestigatorsshewasafraidofherbrother, andrequestedthattheypleasenotlethimknowherpresentaddress.(Wheninformedof this,Smithsmiledslightlyandsaid,"Iwishshe'dbeeninthathousethatnight.Whata sweetscene!") Except for the squirrel, except for the Meiers and an occasional consultation with his lawyer,Mr.Fleming,Perrywasverymuchalone.HemissedDick.ManythoughtsofDick, hewroteonedayinhismakeshiftdiary.Sincetheirarresttheyhadnotbeenallowedto communicate,andthat,freedomaside,waswhathemostdesired­totalktoDick,bewith himagain.Dickwasnotthe"hardrock"he'doncethoughthim:"pragmatic,""virile,""areal brass boy"; he'd proven himself to be "pretty weak and shallow," "a coward." Still, of everyoneinalltheworld,thiswasthepersontowhomhewasclosestatthatmoment,for theyatleastwereofthesamespecies,brothersinthebreedofCain;separatedfromhim, Perryfelt"allbymyself.Likesomebodycoveredwithsores.Somebodyonlyabignutwould

haveanythingtodowith."Butthenonemid­FebruarymorningPerryreceivedaletter.It waspostmarkedReading,Mass.,anditread: DearPerry,IwassorrytohearaboutthetroubleyouareinandIdecidedtowriteandlet youknowthatIrememberyouandwouldliketohelpyouinanywaythatIcan.Incase youdon'tremembermyname,DonCullivan,I'veenclosedapicturetakenataboutthetime wemet.WhenIfirstreadaboutyouinthenewsrecentlyIwasstartledandthenIbeganto thinkbacktothosedayswhenIknewyou.WhilewewereneverclosepersonalfriendsI canrememberyoualotmoreclearlythanmostfellowsImetintheArmy.Itmusthave beenaboutthefallof1951whenyouwereassignedtothe761stEngineerLightEquipment CompanyatFortLewis,Washington.Youwereshort(I'mnotmuchtaller),solidlybuilt, darkwithaheavyshockofblackhairandagrinonyourfacealmostallthetime.Sinceyou hadlivedinAlaskaquiteafewofthefellowsusedtocallyou"Eskimo."Oneofmyfirst recollectionsofyouwasataCompanyinspectioninwhichallthefootlockerswereopenfor inspection.AsIrecallitallthefootlockerswereinorder,evenyours,exceptthattheinside coverofyourfootlockerwasplasteredwithpicturesofpin­upgirls.Therestofusweresure youwereinfortrouble.Buttheinspectingofficertookitinstrideandwhenitwasallover andheletitpassIthinkweallfeltyouwereanervyguy.Irememberthatyouwereafairly goodpoolplayerandIcanpictureyouquiteclearlyintheCompanydayroomatthepool table. You were one of the best truck drivers in the outfit. Remember the Army field problemswewentouton?OnonetripthattookplaceinthewinterIrememberthatwe eachwereassignedtoatruckforthedurationoftheproblem.Inouroutfit,Armytrucks hadnoheatersanditusedtogetprettycoldinthosecabs.Irememberyoucuttingaholein thefloor­boardsofyourtruckinordertolettheheatfromtheenginecomeintothecab. ThereasonIrememberthissowellistheimpressionitmadeonmebecause"mutilation"of Armypropertywasacrimeforwhichyoucouldgetseverelypunished.OfcourseIwas prettygreenintheArmyandprobablyafraidtostretchtherulesevenalittlebit,butIcan rememberyougrinningaboutit(andkeepingwarm)whileIworriedaboutit(andfroze).I recallthatyouboughtamotorcycle,andvaguelyrememberyouhadsometroublewithit­ chasedbythepolice?­crackup?Whateveritwas,itwasthefirsttimeIrealizedthewild streakinyou.Someofmyrecollectionsmaybewrong;thiswasovereightyearsagoandI onlyknewyouforaperiodofabouteightmonths.FromwhatIremember,though,Igot alongwithyouverywellandratherlikedyou.Youalwaysseemedcheerfulandco*cky,you weregoodatyourArmyworkandIcan'trememberthatyoudidmuchgriping.Ofcourse youwereapparentlyquitewildbutIneverknewtoomuchaboutthat.Butnowyouarein realtrouble.Itrytoimaginewhatyouarelikenow.Whatyouthinkabout.WhenfirstI readaboutyouIwasstunned.Ireallywas.ButthenIputthepaperdownandturnedto somethingelse.Butthethoughtofyoureturned.Iwasn'tsatisfied,justtoforget.Iam,or trytobe,fairlyreligious[Catholic].Iwasn'talways.Iusedtojustdriftalongwithlittle thoughtabouttheonlyimportantthingthereis.Ineverconsidereddeathorthepossibility ofalifehereafter.Iwastoomuchalive:car,college,dating,etc.Butmykidbrotherdiedof leukemiawhenhewasjust17yearsold.HeknewhewasdyingandafterwardsIusedto wonderwhathethoughtabout.AndnowIthinkofyou,andwonderwhatyouthinkabout. Ididn'tknowwhattosaytomybrotherinthelastweeksbeforehedied.ButIknowwhat I'dsaynow.AndthisiswhyIamwritingyou:becauseGodmadeyouaswellasmeandHe lovesyoujustasHelovesme,andforthelittleweknowofGod'swillwhathashappened toyoucouldhavehappenedtome.Yourfriend,DonCullivan. Thenamemeantnothing,butPerryatoncerecognizedthefaceinthephotographofa youngsoldierwithcrew­cuthairandround,veryearnesteyes.Hereadthelettermany

times;thoughhefoundthereligiousallusionsunpersuasive("I'vetriedtobelieve,butI don't,Ican't,andthere'snousepretending"),hewasthrilledbyit.Herewassomeone offeringhelp,asaneandrespectablemanwhohadonceknownandlikedhim,amanwho signedhimselffriend.Gratefully,ingreathaste,hestartedareply:"DearDon,HellyesI rememberDonCullivan..." Hickock'scellhadnowindow;hefacedawidecorridorandthefacesofothercells.Buthe wasnotisolated,therewerepeopletotalkto,aplentifulturnoverofdrunkards,forgers, wife­beaters,andMexicanvagrants;andDick,withhislight­hearted"con­man"patter,his sexanecdotesandgamyjokes,waspopularwiththeinmates(thoughtherewasonewho hadnouseforhimwhatever­anoldmanwhohissedathim:"Killer!Killer!"andwhoonce drenchedhimwithabucketfulofdirtyscrubwater). Outwardly,Hickockseemedtooneandallanunusuallyuntroubledyoungman.Whenhe wasnotsocializingorsleeping,helayonhiscotsmokingorchewinggumandreading sportsmagazinesorpaperbackthrillers.Oftenhesimplylaytherewhistlingoldfavorites ("YouMustHaveBeenaBeautifulBaby,""ShuffleOfftoBuffalo"),andstaringatanun­ shadedlightbulbthatburneddayandnightintheceilingofthecell.Hehatedthelight bulb'smonotonoussurveillance;itdisturbedhissleepand,moreexplicitly,endangeredthe success of a private project ­ escape. For the prisoner was not as unconcerned as he appearedtobe,orasresigned;heintendedtakingeverysteppossibletoavoid"arideon the Big Swing." Convinced that such a ceremony would be the outcome of any trial ­ certainlyanytrialheldintheStateofKansas­hehaddecidedto"bustjail.Grabacarand raisedust."Butfirsthemusthaveaweapon;andoveraperiodofweekshe'dbeenmaking one:a"shiv,"aninstrumentverylikeanicepick­somethingthatwouldfitwithlethal nicenessbetweentheshoulder­bladesofUndersheriffMeier.Theweapon'scomponents,a piece of wood and a length of hard wire, were originally part of a toilet brush he'd confiscated,dismantledandhiddenunderhismattress.Lateatnight,whentheonlynoises were snoresandcoughsandthemournfulwhistle­wailingsofSantaFetrainsrumbling throughthedarkenedtown,hehonedthewireagainstthecell'sconcretefloor.Andwhile heworkedheschemed. Once,thefirstwinterafterhehadfinished high school,Hickockhad hitchhiked across KansasandColorado:"ThiswaswhenIwaslookingforajob.Well,Iwasridinginatruck, andthedriver,meandhimgotintoalittleargument,noreasonexactly,buthebeatupon me.Shovedmeout.Justleftmethere.HighthehellupintheRockies.Itwassleetinglike, andIwalkedmiles,mynosebleedinglikefifteenpigs.ThenIcometoabunchofcabinson awoodedslope.Summercabins,alllockedupandemptythattimeofyear.AndIbroke intooneofthem.Therewasfirewoodandcannedgoods,evensomewhiskey.Ilaidup thereoveraweek,anditwasoneofthebesttimesIeverknew.Despitethefactmynose hurtsoandmyeyesweregreenandyellow.Andwhenthesnowstoppedthesuncameout. Youneversawsuchskies.LikeMexico.IfMexicowasinacoldclimate.Ihuntedthrough theothercabinsandfoundsomesmokedhamsandaradioandarifle.Itwasgreat.Outall daywithagun.Withthesuninmyface.Boy,Ifeltgood.IfeltlikeTarzan.Andeverynight Iatebeansandfriedhamandrolledupinablanketbythefireandfellasleeplisteningto musicontheradio.Nobodycameneartheplace.IbetIcould'vestayedtillspring."Ifthe escape succeeded, that was the course Dick had determined upon ­ to head for the Coloradomountains,andfindthereacabinwherehecouldhideuntilspring(alone,of course;Perry'sfuturedidnotconcernhim).Theprospectofsoidyllicaninterimaddedto theinspiredstealthwithwhichhewhettedhiswire,filedittoaUmberstilettofineness.

Thursday10March.Sheriffhada,shake­out.Searchedthroughallthecellsandfounda shivtuckedunderD'smattress.Wonderwhathehadinmind(smile). Not that Perry really considered it a smiling matter, for Dick, flourishing a dangerous weapon,couldhaveplayedadecisiveroleinplanshehimselfwasforming.Astheweeks wentbyhehadbecomefamiliarwithlifeonCourthouseSquare,itshabituésandtheir habits.Thecats,forexample:thetwothingraytomswhoappearedwitheverytwilightand prowledtheSquare,stoppingtoexaminethecarsparkedarounditsperiphery­behavior puzzlingtohimuntilMrs.Meierexplainedthatthecatswerehuntingfordeadbirdscaught inthevehicles'enginegrilles.Thereafteritpainedhimtowatchtheirmaneuvers:"Because mostofmylifeI'vedonewhatthey'redoing.Theequivalent." And there was one man of whom Perry had grown especially aware, a robust, upright gentlemanwithhairlikeagray­and­silverskullcap;hisface,filledout,firm­jawed,was somewhatcantankerousinrepose,themouthdown­curved,theeyesdowncastasthoughin mirthlessreverie­apictureofunsparingsternness.Andyetthiswasatleastapartially inaccurateimpression,fornowandagaintheprisonerglimpsedhimashepausedtotalkto othermen,jokewiththemandlaugh,andthenheseemedcarefree,jovial,generous:"The kindofpersonwhomightseethehumanside"­animportantattribute,forthemanwas RolandH.Tate,Judgeofthe32ndJudicialDistrict,thejuristwhowouldpresideatthetrial oftheStateofKansasversusSmithandHickock.Tate,asPerrysoonlearned,wasanold andawesomenameinwesternKansas.Thejudgewasrich,heraisedhorses,heowned muchland,andhiswifewassaidtobeverybeautiful.Hewasthefatheroftwosons,but theyoungerhaddied,atragedythatgreatlyaffectedtheparentsandledthemtoadopta smallboywhohadappearedincourtasanabandoned,homelesschild."Hesoundssoft­ heartedtome,"PerryoncesaidtoMrs.Meier."Maybehe'llgiveusabreak." ButthatwasnotwhatPerryreallybelieved;hebelievedwhathe'dwrittenDonCullivan, with whom he now corresponded regularly: his crime was "unforgivable," and he fully expectedto"climbthosethirteensteps."However,hewasnotaltogetherwithouthope,for hetoohadplottedanescape.Itdependeduponapairofyoungmenthathehadoften observedobservinghim.Onewasred­haired,theotherdark.Sometimes,standinginthe Squareunderthetreethattouchedthecellwindow,theysmiledandsignaledtohim­orso heimagined.Nothingwaseversaid,andalways,afterperhapsaminute,theydriftedaway. Buttheprisonerhadconvincedhimselfthattheyoungmen,possiblymotivatedbyadesire for adventure, meant to help him escape. Accordingly, he drew a map of the Square, indicatingthepointsatwhicha"getawaycar"couldmostadvantageouslybestationed. Beneaththemaphewrote:IneedaHacksawBlade.Nothingelse.Butdoyourealizethe consequencesifyougetcaught(nodyourheadifyoudo)?Itcouldmeanalongstretchin prison.Oryoumightgetkilled.Allforsomeoneyoudon'tknow.YOUBETTERTHINKIT OVER!!Seriously!Besides,howdoIknowIcantrustyou?HowdoIknowitisn'tatrickto getmeoutthereandgunmedown?WhataboutHickock?Allpreparationsmustinclude him. Perrykeptthisdocumentonhisdesk,waddedandreadytodropoutthewindowthenext timetheyoungmenappeared.Buttheyneverdid;heneversawthemagain.Eventually,he wonderedifperhapshehadinventedthem(anotionthathe"mightnotbenormal,maybe insane"hadtroubledhim"evenwhenIwaslittle,andmysisterslaughedbecauseIliked moonlight.Tohideintheshadowsandwatchthemoon").Phantomsornot,heceasedto

thinkoftheyoungmen.Anothermethodofescape,suicide,replacedtheminhismusings; anddespitethejailer'sprecautions(nomirror,nobeltortieorshoelaces),hehaddeviseda waytodoit.Forhealsowasfurnishedwithaceilingbulbthatburnedeternally,but,unlike Hickock,hehadinhiscellabroom,andbypressingthebroom­brushagainstthebulbhe couldunscrewit.Onenighthedreamedthathe'dunscrewedthebulb,brokenit,andwith thebrokenglasscuthiswristsandankles."Ifeltillbreathandlightleavingme,"hesaid,in asubsequentdescriptionofhissensations."Thewallsofthecellfellaway,theskycame down,Isawthebigyellowbird." Throughouthislife­asachild,poorand meanlytreated,asafoot­looseyouth,asan imprisonedman­theyellowbird,hugeandparrot­faced,hadsoaredacrossPerry'sdreams, anavengingangelwhosavagedhisenemiesor,asnow,rescuedhiminmomentsofmortal danger:"Sheliftedme,Icouldhavebeenlightasamouse,wewentup,up,Icouldseethe Square below, men running, yelling, the sheriff shooting at us, everybody sore as hell becauseIwasfree,Iwasflying,Iwasbetterthananyofthem" ThetrialwasscheduledtostartonMarch22,1960.Intheweeksprecedingthatdatethe defense attorneys frequently consulted the defendants. The advisability of requesting a change of venue was discussed, but as the elderly Mr. Fleming warned his client, "It wouldn'tmatterwhereinKansasthetrialwasheld.Sentiment'sthesamealloverthestate. We'reprobablybetteroffinGardenCity.Thisisareligiouscommunity.Eleventhousand population and twenty­two churches. And most of the ministers areopposed to capital punishment, say it's immoral, unchristian; even the Reverend Cowan, the Clutters' own ministerandaclosefriendofthefamily,he'sbeenpreachingagainstthedeathpenaltyin thisverycase.Re­member,allwecanhopeistosaveyourlives.Ithinkwestandasgooda chancehereasanywhere." SoonaftertheoriginalarraignmentofSmithandHickock,theiradvocatesappearedbefore Judge Tate to argue a motion urging comprehensive psychiatric examinations for the accused.Specifically,thecourtwasaskedtopermitthestatehospitalinLarned,Kansas,a mentalinstitutionwithmaximum­securityfacilities,totakecustodyoftheprisonersforthe purposeofascertainingwhethereitherorbothwere"insane,imbecilesoridiots,unableto comprehendtheirpositionandaidintheirdefense." Larned is a hundred miles east of Garden City; Hickock's attorney, Harrison Smith, informedthecourtthathehaddriventherethepreviousdayandconferredwithseveralof the hospital's staff; "We have no qualified psychiatrists in our own community. In fact, Larnedistheonlyplacewithinaradiusoftwohundredandtwenty­fivemileswhereyou'll findsuchmen­doctorstrainedtomakeseriouspsychiatricevaluations.Thattakestime. Fourtoeightweeks.ButthepersonnelwithwhomIdiscussedthemattersaidtheywere willingtostartworkatonce;and,ofcourse,beingastateinstitutionitwon'tcostthe countyanickel." Thisplanwasopposedbythespecialassistantprosecutingattorney,LoganGreen,who, certainthat"temporaryinsanity"wasthedefensehisantagonistswouldattempttosustain intheforth­comingtrial,fearedthattheultimateoutcomeoftheproposalwouldbe,ashe predictedinprivateconversation,theappearanceonthewitnessstandofa"packofhead­ healers" sympathetic to the defendants ("Those fellows, they're always crying over the killers.Neverathoughtforthevictims").Short,pugnacious,aKentuckianbybirth,Green beganbypointingouttothecourtthatKansas'law,inregardtosanity,adherestothe

M'NaghtenRule,theancientBritishimportationwhichcontendsthatiftheaccusedknew the nature of his act, and knew it was wrong, then he is mentally competent and responsible for his actions. Furthermore, said, Green, there was nothing in the Kansas statutesindicatingthatthephysicianschosentodetermineadefendant'smentalcondition must be of any particular qualification: "Just plain doctors. Medical doctors in general practice.That'sallthelawrequires.Wehavesanityhearingsinthiscountyeveryyearfor thepurposeofcommittingpeopletotheinstitution.WenevercallanybodyinfromLarned orpsychiatricinstitutionsofanykind.Ourownlocalphysiciansattendtothematter.It'sno great job to find whether a man is insane or an idiot or an imbecile ... It is entirely unnecessary,awasteoftimetosendthedefendantstoLarned." In rebuttal, Counsel Smith suggested that the present situation was "far graver than a simplesanityhearinginprobatecourt.Twolivesareatstake.Whatevertheircrime,these men are entitled to examination by persons of training and experience. Psychiatry," he added,pleadingwiththejudgequitedirectly,"hasmaturedrapidlyinthepasttwentyyears. TheFederalcourtsarebeginningtokeepintunewiththisscienceasrelatedtopeople chargedwithcriminaloffenses.Itjustseemstomewehaveagoldenopportunitytofaceup tothenewconceptsinthisfield." Itwasanopportunitythejudgepreferredtoreject,forasafellowjuristonceremarked, "Tateiswhatyoumightcallalaw­booklawyer,heneverexperiments,hegoesstrictlyby thetext";butthesamecriticalsosaidofhim,"IfIwereinnocent,he'sthefirstmanI'dwant onthebench;ifIwasguilty,thelast."JudgeTatedidnotentirelydenythemotion;rather, hedid exactlyallthelaw demandedbyappointingacommissionof threeGardenCity doctors and directing them to pronounce a verdict upon the mental capacities of the prisoners.(Induecoursethemedicaltrio mettheaccused and,afteranhourorso of conversational prying, announced that neither man suffered from any mental disorder. Whentoldoftheirdiagnosis,PerrySmithsaid,"Howwouldtheyknow?Theyjustwanted tobeentertained.Hearallthemorbiddetailsfromthekiller'sownterriblelips.Oh,their eyeswereshining."Hickock'sattorneywasalsoangry;oncemorehetraveledtoLamed StateHospital,whereheappealedfortheunpaidservicesofapsychiatristwillingtogoto GardenCityandinterviewthedefendants.Theonemanwhovolunteered,Dr.W.Mitchell Jones,wasexceptionallycompetent;notyetthirty,asophisticatedspecialistincriminal psychology and the criminally insane who had worked and studied in Europe and the UnitedStates,heagreedtoexamineSmithandHickock,and,shouldhisfindingswarrant it,testifyintheirbehalf.) OnthemorningofMarch14counselsforthedefenseagainstoodbeforeJudgeTate,there onthisoccasiontopleadforapostponementofthetrial,whichwastheneightdaysdistant. Tworeasonsweregiven,thefirstwasthata"mostmaterialwitness,"Hickock'sfather,was atpresenttooilltotestify.Thesecondwasasubtlermatter.Duringthepastweekaboldly letterednoticehadbeguntoappearinthetown'sshopwindows,andinbanks,restaurants, andattherailroadstation;anditread:H.W.CLUTTERESTATEAUCTIONSALE21MARCH 1960ATTHECLUTTERHOMESTEAD."Now,"saidHarrisonSmith,addressingthebench,"I realizeitisalmostimpossibletoproveprejudice.Butthissale,anauctionofthevictim's estate,occursoneweekfromtoday­inotherwords,theverydaybeforethetrialbegins. Whetherthat'sprejudicialtothedefendantsI'mnotabletostate.Butthesesigns,coupled with newspaper advertisem*nts, and advertisem*nts on the radio, will be a constant remindertoeverycitizeninthecommunity,amongwhom*onehundredandfiftyhavebeen calledasprospectivejurors."JudgeTatewasnotimpressed.Hedeniedthemotionwithout

comment. EarlierintheyearMr.Clutter'sJapaneseneighbor,HideoAshida,hadauctionedhisfarming equipment and moved to Nebraska. The Ashida sale, which was considered a success, attractednotquiteahundredcustomers.Slightlymorethanfivethousandpeopleattended theClutterauction.Holcomb'scitizenryexpectedanunusualturnout­theLadies'Circleof theHolcombCommunityChurchhadconvertedoneoftheClutterbarnsintoacafeteria stockedwithtwohundredhomemadepies,twohundredandfiftypoundsofhamburger meat,andsixtypoundsofslicedham­butnoonewaspreparedforthelargestauction crowdinthehistoryofwesternKansas.CarsconvergedonHolcombfromhalfthecounties inthestate,andfromOklahoma,Colorado,Texas,Nebraska.Theycamebumpertobumper down the lane leading to River Valley Farm. It was the first time the public had been permitted to visit the Clutter place since the discovery of the murders, a circ*mstance whichexplainedthepresenceofperhapsathirdoftheimmensecongregation­thosewho hadcomeoutofcuriosity.Andofcoursetheweatherwasanaidtoattendance,forbymid­ Marchwinter'shighsnowshavedissolved,andtheearthbeneath,thoroughlythawed,has emergedasacreuponacreofankle­deepmud;thereisnotmuchafarmercandountilthe groundhardens."Land'ssowetandnasty,"saidMrs.BillRamsey,thewifeofafarmer. "Can'tworknohow.Wefiguredwemightaswelldriveonouttothesale."Actually,itwasa beautifulday.Spring.Thoughmudaboundedunderfoot,thesun,solongshroudedbysnow andcloud,seemedanobjectfreshlymade,andthetrees­Mr.Clutter'sorchardofpearand appletrees,theelmsshadingthelane­werelightlyveiledinahazeofvirginalgreen.The finelawnsurroundingtheClutterhousewasalsonewlygreen,andtrespassersuponit, womenanxioustohaveacloserlookattheuninhabitedhome,creptacrossthegrassand peered throughthewindowsas though hopefulbutfearful of discerning,in thegloom beyondthepleasantflower­printcurtains,grimapparitions. Shouting,theauctioneerpraisedhiswares­tractors,trucks,wheelbarrows,nailkegsand sledgehammers and unused lumber, milk buckets, branding irons, horses, horseshoes, everythingneededtorunaranchfromropeandharnesstosheepdipandtinwashtubs­it wastheprospectofbuyingthismerchandiseatbargainpricesthathadluredmostofthe crowd.Butthehandsofbiddersflickeredshyly­work­roughenedhandstimidofparting withhard­earnedcash;yetnothingwentunsold,therewasevensomeonekeentoacquirea bunch of rusty keys, and a youthful cowboy sporting pale­yellow boots bought Kenyon Clutter's"coyotewagon,"thedilapidatedvehiclethedeadboyhadusedtoharasscoyotes, chasethemonmoonlitnights. Thestagehands,themenwhohauledthesmalleritemsonandofftheauctioneer'spodium, were Paul Helm, Vie Irsik, and Alfred Stoecklein, each of them an old, still­faithful employeeofthelateHerbertW.Clutter.Assistingatthedisposalofhispossessionswas theirfinalservice,fortodaywastheirlastdayatRiverValleyFarm;thepropertyhadbeen leasedtoanOklahomarancher,andhenceforwardstrangerswouldliveandworkthere.As theauctionprogressed,andMr.Clutter'sworldlydomaindwindled,graduallyvanished, PaulHelm,rememberingtheburialofthemurderedfamily,said,"It'slikeasecondfuneral." The last thing to go was the contents of the livestock corral, mostly horses, including Nancy'shorse,big,fatBabe,whowasmuchbeyondherprime.Itwaslateafternoon,school wasout,andseveralschoolmatesofNancy'swereamongthespectatorswhenbiddingon the horse began; Susan Kidwell was there. Sue, who had adopted another of Nancy's orphanedpets,acat,wishedshecouldgiveBabeahome,forshelovedtheoldhorseand

knewhowmuchNancyhadlovedher.Thetwogirlshadoftengoneridingtogetheraboard Babe'swideback,joggedthroughthewheatfieldsonhotsummereveningsdowntothe riverandintothewater,themarewadingagainstthecurrentuntil,asSueoncedescribed it,"thethreeofuswerecoolasfish."ButSuehadnoplacetokeepahorse. "Ihearfifty...sixty­five...seventy...":thebiddingwaslaggardly,nobodyseemedreally towantBabe,andthemanwhogother,aMennonitefarmerwhosaidhemightuseherfor plowing,paidseventy­fivedollars.Asheledheroutofthecorral,SueKidwellranforward; sheraisedherhandasthoughtowavegoodbye,butinsteadclaspeditoverhermouth. TheGardenCityTelegram,ontheeveofthetrial'sstart,printedthefollowingeditorial: "SomemaythinktheeyesoftheentirenationareonGardenCityduringthissensational murdertrial.Buttheyarenot.EvenahundredmileswestofhereinColoradofewpersons are even acquainted with the case ­ other than just remembering some members of a prominentfamilywereslain.Thisisasadcommentaryonthestateofcrimeinournation. Since the four members of the Clutter family were killed last fall, several other such multiplemurdershaveoccurredinvariouspartsofthecountry.Justduringthefewdays leadinguptothistrialatleastthreemassmurdercasesbrokeintotheheadlines.Asa result,thiscrimeandtrialarejustoneofmanysuchcasespeoplehavereadaboutand forgotten...." Althoughtheeyesofthenationwerenotuponthem,thedemeanoroftheevent'smain participants,fromthecourtrecordertothejudgehimself,wasmarkedlyself­awareonthe morningofthecourt'sfirstconvening.Allfourofthelawyerssportednewsuits;thenew shoesofthebig­footedcountyattorneycreakedandsquealedwitheverystep.Hickock,too, wassharplydressedinclothesprovidedbyhisparents:trimblue­sergetrousers,awhite shirt,anarrowdark­bluetie.OnlyPerrySmith,whoownedneitherjacketnortie,seemed sartoriallymisplaced.Wearinganopen­neckedshirt(borrowedfromMr.Meier)andblue jeansrolledupatthecuffs,helookedaslonelyandinappropriateasaseagullinawheat field. Thecourtroom,anunpretentiouschambersituatedonthethirdflooroftheFinneyCounty Courthouse,hasdullwhitewallsandfurnishingsofdarklyvarnishedwood.Thespectator benchescanseatperhapsonehundredandsixtypersons.OnTuesdaymorning,March22, thebencheswereoccupiedexclusivelybytheall­malevenireofFinneyCountyresidents fromwhichajurywastobeselected.Notmanyofthesummonedcitizenryseemedanxious toserve(onepotentialjuror,inconversationwithanother,said,"Theycan'tuseme.Ican't hearwellenough."Towhichhisfriend,afterabitofslyreflection,replied,"Cometothink ofit,myhearing'snottoogoodeither"),anditwasgenerallythoughtthatthechoosingof thejurywouldtakeseveraldays.Asitturnedout,theprocesswascompletedwithinfour hours;moreover,thejury,includingtwoalternativemembers,wasextractedfromthefirst forty­fourcandidates.Sevenwererejectedonpre­emptorychallengebythedefense,and threewereexcusedattherequestoftheprosecution;anothertwentywondismissaleither because they opposed capital punishment or because they admitted to having already formedafirmopinionregardingtheguiltofthedefendants. Thefourteenmenultimatelyelectedconsistedofhalfadozenfarmers,apharmacist,a nurserymanager,anairportemployee,awelldriller,twosalesmen,amachinist,andthe managerofRay’sBowlingAlley.Theywereallfamilymen(severalhadfivechildrenor more),andwereseriouslyaffiliatedwithoneoranotherofthelocalchurches.Duringthe

voirdireexamination,fourofthemtoldthecourtthattheyhadbeenpersonally,thoughnot intimately,acquaintedwithMr.Clutter;butuponfurtherquestioning,eachsaidhedidnot feelthiscirc*mstancewouldhinderhisabilitytoreachanimpartialverdict.Theairport employee,amiddle­agedmannamedN.L.Dunnan,said,whenaskedhisopinionofcapital punishment,"OrdinarilyI'magainstit.Butinthiscase,no"­adeclarationwhich,tosome whoheardit,seemedclearlyindicativeofprejudice.Dunnanwasneverthelessacceptedas ajuror. Thedefendantswereinattentiveobserversofthevoirdireproceedings.Thepreviousday, Dr.Jones,thepsychiatristwhohadvolunteeredtoexaminethem,hadinterviewedthem separatelyforapproximatelytwohours:attheendoftheinterviews,hehadsuggestedthat theyeachwriteforhimanautobiographicalstatement,anditwastheactofcomposing thesestatementsthatoccupiedtheaccusedthroughoutthehoursspentassemblingajury. Seatedatoppositeendsoftheircounsels'table,HickockworkedwithapenandSmithwith apencil. Smithwrote: IwasbornPerryEdwardSmithOct.271928inHuntington,ElkoCounty,Nevada,whichis situated way out in the boon docks, so to speak. I recall that in 1929 our family had venturedtoJuneau,Alaska.InmyfamilyweremybrotherTexJr.(helaterchangedhis nametoJamesbecauseoftheridiculeofthename"Tex"&alsoIbelievehehatedmyfather inhisearlyyears­mymother'sdoing).MysisterFern(Shealsochangedhername­to Joy).MysisterBarbara.Andmyself.InJuneau,myfatherwasmakingbootleghooch.I believeitwasduringthisperiodmymotherbecameacquaintedwithalcohol.Mom&Dad beganhavingquarrel.Iremembermymotherwas"entertaining"somesailorswhilemy father was away. When he came home a fight ensued, and my father, after a violent struggle,threwthesailorsout&proceededtobeatmymother.Iwasfrightfullyscared,in factalluschildrenwereterrified.Crying.IwasscaredbecauseIthoughtmyfatherwas goingtohurtme,alsobecausehewasbeatingmymother.Ireallydidn'tunderstandwhyhe wasbeatingherbutIfeltshemusthavedonesomethingdreadfullywrong....Thenext thingIcanvaguelyrecallislivinginFortBragg,Calif.Mybrotherhadbeenpresenteda B.B.gun.Hehadshotahummingbird,andafterhehadshotithewassorry.Iaskedhimto letmeshoottheB.B.gun.Hepushedmeaway,tellingmeIwastoosmall.Itmademeso mad I started to cry. After I finished crying, my anger mounted again, and during the eveningwhentheB.B.gunwasbehindthechairmybrotherwassittingin,Igrabbedit& heldittomybrother'sear&holleredBANG!Myfather(ormother)beatmeandmademe apologize.Mybrotherusedtoshootatabigwhitehorseriddenbyaneighborwhowentby ourplaceonhiswaytotown.TheneighborcaughtmybrotherandIhidinginthebushes andtookustoDad&wegotabeating&brotherhadhisB.B.guntakenaway&Iwasglad hehadhitguntakenaway!...ThisisaboutallIrememberwhenwelivedinFortBragg (Oh!Wekidsusedtojumpfromahay­loft,holdinganumbrella,ontoapileofhayonthe ground)....MynextrecollectionisseveralyearslaterwhenwewerelivinginCalif.? Nevada?IrecallaveryodiousepisodebetweenmymotherandaNegro.Wechildrenslept onaporchinthesummertime.Oneofourbedswasdirectlyundermymotherandfather's room.Everyoneofuskidshadtakenagoodlookthroughthepartlyopencurtainandseen whatwasgoingon.DadhadhiredaNegro(Sam)todooddjobsaroundthefarm,orranch, while he was working somewhere down the road. He used to come home late in the eveninginhisModelAtruck.IdonotrecallthechainofeventsbutassumedDadhad knownorsuspectedwhatwashappening.ItendedinaseparationbetweenMom&Dad&

Mom took us kids to San Francisco. She run off with Dad's truck & all of the many souvenirs he brought from Alaska. I believe this was in 1935 (?). ... In Frisco I was continuouslyintrouble.Ihadstartedtorunaroundwithagang,allofwhichwereolder thanmyself.Mymotherwasalwaysdrunk,neverinafitconditiontoproperlyprovideand careforus.Irunasfree&wildasacoyote.Theirwasnoruleordiscipline,oranyoneto showme rightfromwrongIcame&wentasIpleased­untilmyfirstencounterwith Trouble.Iwasin&outofDetentionHomesmanytimesforrunningawayfromhome& stealing.IrememberoneplaceIwassentto.Ihadweakkidneys&wetthebedeverynight. Thiswasveryhumiliatingtome,butIcouldn’tcontrolmyself.Iwasveryseverelybeatenby thecottagemistress,whohadcalledmenamesandmadefunofmeinfrontofalltheboys. SheusedtocomearoundatallhoursofthenighttoseeifIwetthebed.Shewouldthrow backthecovers&furiouslybeatmewithalargeblackleatherbelt­pullmeoutofbedby myhair&dragmetothebathroom&throwmeinthetub&turnthecoldwateron&tell metowashmyselfandthesheets.Everynightwasanightmare.Lateronshethoughtit wasveryfunnytoputsomeointmentonmypenis.Thiswasalmostunbearable.Itburned somethingterrible.Shewaslaterdischargedfromherjob.Butthisneverchangedmymind abouther&whatIcouldhavedonetoher&allthepeoplewhomadefunofme. Then,becauseDr.Joneshadtoldhimhemusthavethestatementthatveryafternoon, Smith skipped forward to early adolescence and the years he and his father had lived together,thetwoofthemwanderingallovertheWestandFarWest,prospecting,trapping, doingoddjobs: IlovedmyfatherbutthereweretimeswhenthisloveandaffectionIhadforhimdrained frommyheartlikewastedwater.Wheneverhewouldnottrytounderstandmyproblems. Givemealittleconsideration&voice&responsibility.Ihadtogetawayfromhim.WhenI wassixteenIjoinedtheMerchantMarine.In1948Ijoinedthearmy­therecruitingofficer gavemeabreakanduppedmytest.FromthistimeonIstartedtorealizetheimportanceof aneducation.ThisonlyaddedtothehatredandbitternessIheldforothers.Ibegantoget intofights.IthrewaJapanesepolicemanoffabridgeintothewater.Iwascourt­martialed fordemolishingaJapanesecafe.Iwascourt­martialedagaininKyoto,Japan,forstealinga Japanesetaxicab.Iwasinthearmyalmostfouryears.Ihadmanyviolentoutburstsof angerwhileIservedtimeinJapan&Korea.IwasinKorea15months,wasrotatedandsent backtothestates­andwasgivenspecialrecognitionasbeingthefirstKoreanVettocome backtotheterritoryofAlaska.Bigwriteup,pictureinpaper,paidtriptoAlaskabyair,all thetrimmings....IfinishedmyarmyserviceinFt.Lewis,Washington. Smith'spencilspedalmostindecipherablyashehurriedtowardmorerecenthistory:the motorcycleaccidentthathadcrippledhim,theburglaryinPhillipsburg,Kansas,thathad ledtohisfirstprisonsentence: ...Iwassentencedto5to10yearsforgrandlarceny,burglaryandjailbreak.IfeltIwas veryunjustlydealtwith.IbecameverybitterwhileIwasinprison.UponmyreleaseIwas supposedtogotoAlaskawithmyfather­Ididn'tgo­IworkedforawhileinNevadaand Idaho­wenttoLasVegasandcontinuedtoKansaswheregotintothesituationI'minnow. Notimeformore. Hesignedhisname,andaddedapostscript: "Wouldliketospeaktoyouagain.There'smuchIhaven'tsaidthatmayinterestyou.Ihave

alwaysfeltaremarkableexhilarationbeingamongpeoplewithapurposeandsense of dedicationtocarryoutthatpurpose.Ifeltthisaboutyouinyourpresence." Hickockdid not write with hiscompanion'sintensity. Heoftenstopped to listen to the questioningofaprospectivejuror,orto stareatthefacesaroundhim­particularly,andwithplaindispleasure,themuscularfaceof thecountyattorney,DuaneWen,whowashisownage,twenty­eight.Buthisstatement, writtenina stylized scriptthat lookedlike slanting rain,was finished beforethecourt adjournedfortheday: IwilltrytotellyouallIcanaboutmyself,thoughmostofmyearlylifeisvaguetome­up untilaboutmytenthbirthday.Myschoolyearswentquitethesameasmostotherboymy ownage.Ihadmyshareoffights,girls,andotherthingsthatgowithagrowingboy.My homelifewasalsonormal,butasItoldyoubefore,Iwashardlyeverallowedtoleavemy yardandvisitwithplaymates.Myfatherwasalwaysstrictaboutusboys[hisbrotherand him]inthatline.AlsoIhadtohelpmydadquitealotaroundthehouse....Icanonly remembermymotheranddadhavingoneargumentthatamountedtoanything.Whatit wasabout,Idon'tknow....Mydadboughtmeabicycleonce,andIbelievethatIwasthe proudestboyintown.Itwasagirl'sbikeandhechangeditovertoaboy's.Hepainteditall upanditlookedlikenew.ButIhadalotoftoyswhenIwaslittle,alotforthefinancial conditionthatmyfolkswerein.Wewerealwayswhatyouwouldcallsemi­poor.Never downandout,butseveraltimesonthevergeofit.Mydadwasahardworkeranddidhis besttoprovideforus.Mymotheralsowasalwaysahardworker.Herhousewasalways neat, and we had clean clothes aplenty. I remember my dad used to wear those old fashionedflatcrowncaps,andhewouldmakemewearthemtoo,andIdidn'tlikethem.... Inhigh­schoolIdidrealwell,madeaboveaveragegradesthefirstyearortwo.Butthen startedfallingoffalittle.Ihadagirlfriend.Shewasanicegirl,andIneveroncetriedto touchheranywaybutjustkissing.Itwasarealcleancourtship....WhileinschoolI participatedinallthesports,andreceived9lettersinall.Basketball,football,trackand baseball.Mysenioryearwasbest.Ineverhadanysteadygirl,justplayedthefield.That waswhenIhadmyfirstrelationshipwithagirl.OfcourseItoldtheboysthatI'dhadalot ofgirls....Igotoffersfromtwocollegestoplayball,butneverattendedanyofthem.After IgraduatedfromschoolIwenttoworkfortheSantaFerailroad,andstayeduntilthe followingwinterwhenIgotlaidoff.ThefollowingspringIgotajobwiththeRoarkMotor Company.IhadbeenworkingthereaboutfourmonthswhenIhadanautomobilewreck withacompanycar.Iwasinthehospitalseveraldayswithextensiveheadinjuries.WhileI wasintheconditionIwasinIcouldn'tfindanotherjob,soIwasunemployedmostofthe winter.Meantime,Ihadmetagirlandfalleninlove.HerdadwasaBaptistpreacherand resentedmegoingwithher.InJulyweweremarried.Allhellbrokeloosefromherdad untilhelearnedshewaspregnant.Butstillheneverwishedmegoodluckandthathas alwaysgoneagainstthegrain.Afterweweremarried,Iworkedataservice­stationnear KansasCity.Iworkedfrom8atnighttill8inthemorning.Sometimesmywifestayedwith meallnight­shewasafraidIcouldn'tkeepawake,soshecametohelpme.ThenIgotan offertoworkatPerryPontiac,whichIgladlyaccepted.Itwasverysatisfactory,thoughI didn'tmakealotofmoney­$75aweek.Igotalonggoodwiththeothermen,andwas welllikedbymyboss.Iworkedtherefiveyears....Duringmyemploymenttherewasthe beginningofsomeofthelowestthingsIhaveeverdone. Here Hickock revealed his pedophiliac tendencies, and after describing several sample

experiences,wrote: Iknowitiswrong.ButatthetimeInevergiveanythoughttowhetheritisrightorwrong. Thesamewithstealing.Itseemstobeanimpulse.OnethingInevertoldyouaboutthe Clutterdealisthis.BeforeIeverwenttotheirhouseIknewtherewouldbeagirlthere.I thinkthemainreasonIwenttherewasnottorobthembuttorapethegirl.BecauseI thoughtalotaboutit.ThatisonereasonwhyIneverwantedtoturnbackwhenwestarted to.EvenwhenIsawtherewasnosafe.IdidmakesomeadvancestowardtheCluttergirl whenIwasthere.ButPerrynevergavemeachance.Ihopenoonefindsthisoutbutyou, asIhaven'teventoldmylawyer.TherewereotherthingsIshouldhavetoldyou,butI'm afraidofmypeoplefindingthemout.BecauseIammoreashamedofthem(thesethingsI did)thanhanging....Ihavehadsickness.IthinkcausedfromthecarwreckIhad.Spellsof passingout,andsometimesIwouldhemorrhageatthenoseandleftear.Ihadoneatsome people'shousebythenameofCrist­theylivesouthofmyparents.NotlongagoIhada pieceofglassworkoutofmyhead.Itcameoutthecornerofmyeye.Mydadhelpedmeto getitout....IfigureIshouldtellyouthethingsthatledtomydivorce,andthingsthat causedmetogotoprison.Itstartedtheearlypartof1957.MywifeandIwerelivinginan apartmentinKansasCity.Ihadquitmyjobattheauto­mobilecompany,andwentintothe garagebusinessformyself.Iwasrentingthegaragefromawomanwhohadadaughter­in­ lawnamedMargaret.ImetthisgirlonedaywhileIwasatwork,andwewenttohavea cupofcoffee.HerhusbandwasawayintheMarineCorps.Tomakealongstoryshort,I startedgoingoutwithher.Mywifesuedfordivorce.IbeganthinkingIneverreallyloved mywife.BecauseifIhad,Iwouldn'thavedoneallthethingsI'ddone.SoIneverfoughtthe divorce.Istarteddrinking,andwasdrunkforalmostamonth.Ineglectedmybusiness, spentmoremoneythanIearned,wrotebadchecks,andintheendbecameathief.Forthis lastIwassenttothepenitentiary....MylawyersaidIshouldbetruthfulwithyouasyou canhelpme.AndIneedhelp,asyouknow. Thenextday,Wednesday,wastheproperstartofthetrial;itwasalsothefirsttimeordinary spectatorswereadmittedintothecourtroom,anareatoosmalltoaccommodatemorethan amodestpercentageofthosewhoappliedatthedoor.Thebestseatshadbeenreservedfor twentymembersofthepress,andforsuchspecialpersonagesasHickock'sparentsand Donald Cullivan (who, at the request of Perry Smith's lawyer, had traveled from MassachusettstoappearasacharacterwitnessinbehalfofhisformerArmyfriend).Ithad beenrumoredthatthetwosurvivingClutterdaughterswouldbepresent;theywerenot, nordidtheyattendanysubsequentsession.ThefamilywasrepresentedbyMr.Clutter's youngerbrother,Arthur,whohaddrivenahundredmilestobethere.Hetoldnewsmen:"I justwanttogetagoodlookatthem[SmithandHickock].Ijustwanttoseewhatkindof animalstheyare.ThewayIfeel,Icouldtearthemapart."Hetookaseatdirectlybehind thedefendants,andfixedthemwithagazeofuniquepersistence,asthoughheplannedto painttheirportraitsfrommemory.Presently,anditwasasifArthurClutterhadwilledhim todoit,PerrySmithturnedandlookedathim­andrecognizedafaceverylikethefaceof themanhehadkilled:thesamemildeyes,narrowlips,firmchin.Perry,whowaschewing gum,stoppedchewing;heloweredhiseyes,aminuteelapsed,thenslowlyhisjawsbegan to move again. Except for this moment, Smith, and Hickock too, affected a courtroom attitude that was simultaneously uninterested and disinterested; they chewed gum and tappedtheirfeetwithlanguidimpatienceasthestatesummoneditsfirstwitness. NancyEwalt.AndafterNancy,SusanKidwell.Theyounggirlsdescribedwhattheysaw uponenteringtheClutterhouseonSunday,November15:thequietrooms,anemptypurse

onakitchenfloor,sunshineinabedroom,andtheirschoolmate,NancyClutter,surrounded byherownblood.Thedefensewaivedcross­examination,apolicytheypursuedwiththe nextthreewitnesses(NancyEwalt'sfather,Clarence,andSheriffEarlRobinson,andthe countycoroner,Dr.RobertFenton),eachofwhomaddedtothenarrativeofeventsthat sunnyNovembermorning:thediscovery,finally,ofallfourvictims,andaccountsofhow theylooked,and,fromDr.Fenton,aclinicaldiagnosisofwhy­"Severetraumastobrain andvitalcranialstructuresinflictedbyashotgun." ThenRichardG.Rohledertookthestand. Rohleder is Chief Investigator of the Garden City Police Department. His hobby is photography, and he is good at it. It was Rohleder who took the pictures that, when developed,revealedHickock'sdustyfootprintsintheCluttercellar,printsthecameracould discern,thoughnotthehumaneye.Anditwashewhohadphotographedthecorpses, thosedeath­sceneimagesAlvinDeweyhadcontinuouslyponderedwhilethemurderswere stillunsolved.ThepointofRohleder'stestimonywastoestablishthefactofhishaving madethesepictures,whichtheprosecutionproposedtoputintoevidence.ButHickock's attorneyobjected:"Thesolereasonthepicturesarebeingintroducedistoprejudiceand inflame the minds of the jurors." Judge Tate overruled the objection and allowed the photographsintoevidence,whichmeanttheymustbeshowntothejury. Whilethiswasbeingdone,Hickock'sfather,addressingajournalistseatednearhim,said, "Thejudgeupthere!Ineverseenamansoprejudiced.Justnosensehavingatrial.Not withhimincharge.Why,thatmanwasapallbeareratthefuneral!"(Actually,Tatewasbut slightlyacquaintedwiththevictims,andwasnotpresentattheirfuneralinanycapacity.) ButMr.Hickock'swastheonlyvoiceraisedinanexceedinglysilentcourtroom.Altogether, there were seventeen prints, and as they were passed from hand to hand, the jurors' expressionsreflectedtheimpactthepicturesmade:oneman'scheeksreddened,asifhe hadbeenslapped,andafew,afterthefirstdistressingglance,obviouslyhadnoheartfor thetask;itwasasthoughthephotographshadpriedopentheirmind'seye,andforced themtoatlastreallyseethetrueandpitifulthingthathadhappenedtoaneighborandhis wife and children. It amazed them, it made them angry, and several of them ­ the pharmacist, the manager of the bowling alley ­ stared at the defendants with total contempt. TheelderMr.Hickock,wearilywagginghishead,againandagainmurmured,"Nosense. Justnosensehavingatrial." Astheday'sfinalwitness,theprosecutionhadpromisedtopro­ducea"mysteryman."It wasthemanwhohadsuppliedtheinformationthatledtothearrestoftheaccused:Floyd Wells,Hickock'sformercellmate.BecausehewasstillservingasentenceatKansasState Penitentiary,andthereforewasindangerofretaliationfromotherinmates,Wellshadnever beenpubliclyidentifiedastheinformer.Now,inorderthathemightsafelytestifyatthe trial,hehadbeenremovedfromtheprisonandlodgedinasmalljailinanadjacentcounty. Nevertheless, Wells' passage across the courtroom toward the witness stand was oddly stealthy­asthoughheexpectedtoencounteranassassinalongtheway­and,ashewalked past Hickock, Hickock's lips writhed as he whispered a few atrocious words. Wells pretendednottonotice;butlikeahorsethathasheardthehumofarattlesnake,heshied away from the betrayed man's venomous vicinity. Taking the stand, he stared straight ahead,asomewhatchinlesslittlefarmboyishfellowwearingaverydecentdark­bluesuit

whichtheStateofKansashadboughtfortheoccasion­thestatebeingconcernedthatit* mostimportantwitnessshouldlookrespectable,andconsequentlytrustworthy. Wells'testimony,perfectedbypre­trialrehearsal,wasastidyashisappearance.Encouraged by the sympathetic promptingsof Logan Green, the witnessacknowledged thathe had once,forapproximatelyayear,workedasahiredhandatRiverValleyFarm;hewentonto saythatsometenyearslater,followinghisconvictiononaburglarycharge,hehadbecome friendlywithanotherimprisonedburglar,RichardHickock,andhaddescribedtohimthe Clutterfarmandfamily. "Now,"Greenasked,"duringyourconversationswithMr.HickockwhatwassaidaboutMr. Clutterbyeitherofyou?" "Well,wetalkedquiteabitaboutMr.Clutter.Hickocksaidhewasabouttobeparoled,and hewasgoingtogoWestlookingforajob;hemightstoptoseeMr.Cluttertogetajob.I wastellinghimhowwealthyMr.Clutterwas." "DidthatseemtointerestMr.Hickock?" "Well,hewantedtoknowifMr.Clutterhadasafearoundthere." "Mr.Wells,didyouthinkatthetimetherewasasafeintheClutterhouse?" "Well,ithasbeensolongsinceIworkedoutthere.Ithoughttherewasasafe.Iknewthere wasacabinetofsomekind....ThenextthingIknewhe[Hickock]wastalkingabout robbingMr.Clutter." "Didhetellyouanythingabouthowhewasgoingtocommittherobbery?" "Hetoldmeifhedoneanythinglikethathewouldn'tleavenowitnesses." "Didheactuallysaywhathewasgoingtodowiththewitnesses?" "Yes.Hetoldmehewouldprobablytiethemupandthenrobthemandthenkillthem." Having established premeditation of great degree, Green left the witness to the ministrationsofthedefense.OldMr.Fleming.aclassiccountrylawyermorehappilyat home with land deeds than ill deeds, opened the cross­examination. The intent of his queriesashesoonestablished,wastointroduceasubjecttheprosecutionhademphatically avoided:thequestionofWells'ownroleinthemurderplot,andhisownmoralliability. "Youdidn't,"Flemingsaid,hasteningtotheheartofthematter,"sayanythingatalltoMr. HickocktodiscouragehimfromcomingoutheretorobandkilltheClutterfamily?" "No.Anybodytellsyouanythingaboutthatupthere[KansasStatePenitentiary],youdon't payanyattentiontoitbecauseyouthinktheyarejusttalkinganyway." "Youmeanyoutalkedthatwayanddidn'tmeananything?Didn'tyoumeantoconveyto him[Hickock]theideathatMr.Clutterhadasafe?YouwantedMr.Hickocktobelievethat, didyounot?'

Inhisquietway,FlemingwasgivingthewitnessaroughtimeWellspluckedathistie,as thoughtheknotwassuddenlytootight. "AndyoumeantforMr.HickocktobelievethatMr.Clutterhadalotofmoney,didn'tyou?" "ItoldhimMr.Clutterhadalotofmoney,yes." FlemingoncemoreelicitedanaccountofhowHickockhadfullyinformedWellsofhis violentplansfortheClutterfamily.Then,asthoughveiledinaprivategrief,thelawyer wistfullysaid,"Andevenafterallofthatyoudidnothingtodiscouragehim?" "Ididn'tbelievehe'ddoit." "Youdidn'tbelievehim.Thenwhy,whenyouheardaboutthethingthathappenedouthere, whydidyouthinkhewastheonethatwasguilty?" Wellsco*ckilyreplied,"Becauseitwasdonejustlikehesaidhewasgoingtodo!" HarrisonSmith,theyoungerhalfofthedefenseteam,tookcharge.Assuminganaggressive, sneeringmannerthatseemedforced,forreallyheisamildandlenientman,Smithasked thewitnessifhehadanickname. "No.Ijustgoby'Floyd.'" Thelawyersnorted."Don'ttheycallyou'Squealer'now?Ordotheycallyou'Snitch'?" "Ijustgoby'Floyd,'"Wellsrepeated,ratherhangdog. "Howmanytimeshaveyoubeeninjail?" "Aboutthreetimes." "Someofthosetimesforlying,werethey?" Denyingit,thewitnesssaidthatoncehe'dgonetojailfordrivingwithoutanoperator's license,thatburglarywasthereasonforhissecondincarceration,andthethird,aninety­ dayhitchinanArmystockade,hadbeentheoutcomeofsomethingthathappenedwhilehe wasasoldier:"Wewasonatraintripguard.Wegotalittleintoxicatedonthetrain,donea littleextrashootingatsomewindowsandlights." Everyone laughed; everyone except the defendants (Hickock spat on the floor) and HarrisonSmith,whonowaskedWellswhy,afterlearningoftheHolcombtragedy,hehad tarriedseveralweeksbeforetellingtheauthoritieswhatheknew."Weren'tyou,"hesaid, "waitingforsomethingtocomeout?Maybelikeareward?" "No." "Youdidn'thearanythingaboutareward?"Thelawyerwasreferringtotherewardofone thousanddollarsthathadbeenofferedbytheHutchinsonNews,forinformationresulting

inthearrestandconvictionoftheCluttermurderers. "Iseenitinthepaper." "Thatwasbeforeyouwenttotheauthorities,wasn'tit?"Andwhenthewitnessadmitted thatthiswastrue,Smithtriumphantlycontinuedbyasking,"Whatkindofimmunitydidthe countyattorneyofferyouforcomingupheretodayandtestifying?" ButLoganGreenprotested:"Weobjecttotheformofthequestion,YourHonor.There's been no testimony about immunity to anybody." The objection was sustained, and the witnessdismissed;asheleftthestand,Hickockannouncedtoeveryonewithinearshot, "Sonofabitch.Anybodyoughttohang,hetohang.Lookathim.Gonnawalkoutofhereand getthatmoneyandgoscot­free." Thispredictionprovedcorrect,fornotlongafterwardWellscollectedboththerewardanda parole.Buthisgoodfortunewasshort­lived.Hewassoonintroubleagain,and,overthe years,experiencedmanyvicissitudes.AtpresentheisaresidentofMississippiStatePrison inParchman,Mississippi,whereheisservingathirty­yearsentenceforarmedrobbery. ByFriday,whenthecourtrecessedfortheweekend,thestatehadcompleteditscase,which included the appearance of four Special Agents of the Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C. These men, laboratory technicians skilled in various categories of scientificcrimedetection,hadstudiedthephysicalevidenceconnectingtheaccusedtothe murders (blood samples, footprints, cartridge shells, rope and tape), and each of them certifiedthevalidityoftheexhibits.Finally,thefourK.B.I.agentsprovidedaccountsof interviewswiththeprisoners,andoftheconfessionseventuallymadebythem.Incross­ examiningtheK.B.I.personnel,thedefenseattorneys,abeleagueredpair,arguedthatthe admissions of guilt had been obtained by improper means ­ brutal interrogation in sweltering,brightlylighted,closet­likerooms.Theallegation,whichwasuntrue,irritated thedetectivesintoexpoundingveryconvincingdenials.(Later,inreplytoareporterwho askedhimwhyhehaddoggedthisartificialscentatsuchlength,Hickock'slawyersnapped. "WhatamIsupposedtodo?Hell,I'mplayingwithoutanycards.ButIcan'tjustsitherelike adummy.I'vegottosoundoffonceinawhile")' Theprosecution’smostdamagingwitnessprovedtobeAlvinDewey;histestimony,thefirst publicrenderingoftheeventsdetailedinPerrySmith'sconfession,earnedlargeheadlines (UNVEILMUTEMURDERHORROR­COLD,CHILLINGFACTS TOLD),and shocked his listeners ­ none more so than Richard Hickock, who came to a startled and chagrined attentionwhen,inthecourseofDewey'scommentary,theagentsaid,"Thereisoneincident SmithrelatedtomethatIhaven'tasyetmentioned.AndthatwasthataftertheClutter familywastiedup,HickocksaidtohimhowwellbuilthethoughtNancyClutterwas,and thathewasgoingtorapeher.SmithsaidhetoldHickocktherewasn'tgoingtobeanything likethatgoon.Smithtoldmehehadnorespectforanyonewhocouldn'tcontroltheir sexualdesires,andthathewouldhavefoughtHickockbeforeallowinghimtorapethe Cluttergirl."Heretofore,Hickockhadnotknownthathispartnerhadinformedpoliceofthe proposedassault;norwasheawarethat,inafriendlierspirit,Perryhadalteredhisoriginal storytoclaimthathealonehadshotthefourvictims­afactrevealedbyDeweyashe nearedtheendofhistestimony:"PerrySmithtoldmehewishedtochangetwothingsin thestatementhehadgivenus.Hesaideverythingelseinthatstatementwastrueand correct.Exceptthesetwothings.AndthatwasthathewantedtosayhekilledMrs.Clutter

andNancyClutter­notHickock.HetoldmethatHickock...didn'twanttodiewithhis motherthinkinghehadkilledanymembersoftheClutterfamily.AndhesaidtheHickocks weregoodpeople.Sowhynothaveitthatway." Hearing this, Mrs. Hickock wept. Throughout the trial she had sat quietly beside her husband,herhandsworryingarumpledhandkerchief.Asoftenasshecouldshecaughther son's eye, nodded at him and simulated a smile which, though flimsily constructed, affirmedherloyalty.Butclearlythewoman'scontrolwasexhausted;shebegantocry.Afew spectatorsglancedather, and glanced away, embarrassed; the rest seemed oblivious of the raw dirge counter pointingDewey'scontinuingrecitation;evenherhusband,perhapsbecausehebelievedit unmanlytotakenotice,remainedaloof.Atlastawomanreporter,theonlyonepresent,led Mrs.Hickockoutofthecourtroomandintotheprivacyofaladies'room. Onceheranguishhadsubsided,Mrs.Hickockexpressedaneedtoconfide."There'snobody much I can talk to," she told her companion. "I don't mean people haven't been kind, neighborsandall.Andstrangers,too­strangershavewroteletterstosaytheyknowhow harditmustbeandhowsorrytheyare.Nobody'ssaidameanword,eithertoWalterorme. Notevenhere,whereyoumightexpectit.Everybodyherehasgoneoutoftheirwaytobe friendly.Thewaitressoverattheplacewherewetakeourmeals,sheputsicecreamonthe pieanddon'tchargeforit.Itellherdon't,Ican'teatit.UsedtobeIcouldeatanything didn'teatmefirst.Butsheputsiton.Tobenice.Sheila,that'sher,shesaysit'snotourfault whathappened.Butit*eemstomelikepeoplearelookingatmeandthinking,Well,she mustbetoblamesomehow.ThewayIraisedDick.MaybeIdiddosomethingwrong.OnlyI don't know what it could have been; I get headaches trying to remember. We're plain people,justcountrypeople,gettingalongthesameaseverybodyelse.Wehadsomegood times,atourhouse.ItaughtDickthefoxtrot.Dancing,Iwasalwayscrazyaboutit,itwas mywholelifewhenIwasagirl;andtherewasaboy,gosh,hecoulddancelikeChristmas­ wewonasilvercupwaltzingtogether.Foralongtimeweplannedtorunawayandgoon thestage.Vaudeville.Itwasjustadream.Childrendreaming.Helefttown,andonedayI marriedWalter,andWalterHickockcouldn'tdostepone.HesaidifIwantedahooferI should'vemarriedahorse.NobodyeverdancedwithmeagainuntilIlearnedDick,andhe didn'ttaketoitexactly,buthewassweet,Dickwasthebest­naturedlittlekid." Mrs.Hickockremovedthespectaclesshewaswearing,polishedthesmearedlensesand resettledthemonherpudgy,agreeableface."There'slotsmoretoDickthanwhatyouhear backthereinthecourtroom.Thelawyersjabberinghowterribleheis­nogoodatall.I can'tmakeanyexcusesforwhathedid,hispartinit.I'mnotforgettingthatfamily;Ipray forthemeverynight.ButIprayforDick,too.AndthisboyPerry.Itwaswrongofmeto hatehim;I'vegotnothingbutpityforhimnow.Andyouknow­IbelieveMrs.Clutter wouldfeelpity,too.Beingthekindofwomantheysayshewas." Courthadadjourned;thenoisesofthedepartingaudienceclatteredinthecorridorbeyond thelavatorydoor.Mrs.Hickocksaidshemustgoandmeetherhusband."He'sdying.Idon't thinkhemindsanymore." ManyobserversofthetrialscenewerebaffledbythevisitorfromBoston,DonaldCullivan. TheycouldnotquiteunderstandwhythisstaidyoungCatholic,asuccessfulengineerwho hadtakenhisdegreeatHarvard,ahusbandandthefatherofthreechildren,shouldchoose

tobefriendanuneducated,homicidalhalf­breedwhomheknewbutslightlyandhadnot seenfornineyears.Cullivanhimselfsaid,"Mywifedoesn'tunderstanditeither.Comingout herewassomethingIcouldn'taffordtodo­itmeantusingaweekofmyvacation,and moneywereallyneedforotherthings.Ontheotherhand,itwassomethingIcouldn't affordnottodo.Perry'slawyerwrotemeaskingifIwouldbeacharacterwitness;the momentIreadtheletterIknewIhadtodoit.BecauseI'dofferedthismanmyfriendship. Andbecause­well,Ibelieveinthelifeeverlasting.AllsoulscanbesavedforGod." The salvation of a soul, namely Perry Smith's, was an enterprise the deeply Catholic undersheriffandhiswifewereeagertoassist­althoughMrs.Meierhadbeenrebuffedby PerrywhenshehadsuggestedaconsultationwithFatherGoubeaux,alocalpriest.(Perry said,"Priestsandnunshavehadtheirchancewithme.I'mstillwearingthescarstoprove it.")Andso,duringtheweekendrecess,theMeiersinvitedCullivantoeatSundaydinner withtheprisonerinhiscell. The opportunity to entertain his friend, play host as it were, delighted Perry, and the planningofthemenu­wildgoose,stuffedandroasted,withgravyandcreamedpotatoes andstringbeans,aspicsalad,hotbiscuits,coldmilk,freshlybakedcherrytarts,cheese,and coffee­seemedtoconcernhimmorethantheoutcomeofthetrial(which,tobesure,he didnotconsiderasuspensefulmatter:"Thoseprairiebillys,they'llvotetohangfastaspigs eatslop.Lookattheireyes.I'llbedamnedifI'mtheonlykillerinthecourtroom").All Sundaymorninghepreparedtoreceivehisguest.Thedaywaswarm,alittlewindy,and leaf shadows, supple emanations from the tree boughs that brushed the cell's barred window,tantalizedPerry'stamedsquirrel.BigRedchasedtheswayingpatternswhilehis mastersweptanddusted,scrubbedthefloorandscouredthetoiletandclearedthedeskof literaryaccumulations.Thedeskwastobethediningtable,andoncePerryhadfinished settingit,itlookedmostinviting,forMrs.Meierhaddonatedalinentablecloth,starched napkins,andherbestchinaandsilver. Cullivanwasimpressed­hewhistledwhenthefeast,arrivingontrays,wasplaceduponthe table­andbeforesittingdown,heaskedthehostifhemightofferablessing.Thehost, headunbowed,crackedhisknucklesasCullivan,withbowedheadandpalmstogether, intoned,"Blessus,OLord,andthesethygiftswhichweareabouttoreceivefromthy bounty,throughthemercyofChrist,ourLord.Amen."Perrymurmuringlyremarkedthatin hisopinionanycreditduebelongedtoMrs.Meier."Shedidallthework.Well,"hesaid, heaping his guest's plate, "it's good to see you, Don. You look just the same. Haven't changedabit." Cullivan,inappearanceacautiousbankclerkwithdepletedhairandafaceratherdifficult torecall,agreedthatoutwardlyhehadn'tchangedmuch.Buthisinteriorself,theinvisible man,wasanothermatter:"Iwascoastingalong.NotknowingGodistheonlyreality.Once yourealizethat,theneverythingfallsinto place.Lifehasmeaning­andsodoesdeath.Boy,doyoualwayseatlikethis?" Perrylaughed."She'sreallyaterrificcook,Mrs.Meier.YououghttotasteherSpanishrice. I'vegainedfifteenpoundssinceIgothere.CourseIwasonthethinside.I'dlostalotof weightwhileDickandmewereoutontheroadridingalltohellandgone­hardlyever eatingasquaremeal,hungryashellmostofthetime.Mostly,welivedlikeanimals.Dick wasalwaysstealingcannedstuffoutofgrocerystores.Bakedbeansandcannedspaghetti.

We'dopenitupinthecarandgobbleitcold.Animals.Dicklovestosteal.It'sanemotional thingwithhim­asickness.I'mathieftoo,butonlyifIdon'thavethemoneytopay.Dick,if hewascarryingahundreddollarsinhispocket,he'dstealastickofchewinggum." Later,overcigarettesandcoffee,Perryreturnedtothesubjectofthievery."MyfriendWillie­ Jayusedtotalkaboutit.Heusedtosaythatallcrimeswereonlyvarietiesoftheft.'Murder included.Whenyoukillamanyoustealhislife.Iguessthatmakesmeaprettybigthief. See, Don ­ I did kill them. Down there in court, old Dewey made it sound like I was prevaricating­onaccountofDick'smother.Well,Iwasn't.Dickhelpedme,heheldthe flashlightandpickeduptheshells.Anditwashisidea,too.ButDickdidn'tshootthem,he nevercould've­thoughhe'sdamnquickwhenitcomestorunningdownanolddog.I wonder why I did it." He scowled, as though the problem was new to him, a newly unearthedstoneofsurprising,unclassifiedcolor."Idon'tknowwhy,"hesaid,asifholdingit tothelight,andanglingitnowhere,nowthere."IwassoreatDick.Thetoughbrassboy. Butitwasn'tDick.Orthefearofbeingidentified.Iwaswillingtotakethatgamble.Andit wasn'tbecauseofanythingtheCluttersdid.Theyneverhurtme.Likeotherpeople.Like peoplehaveallmylife.Maybeit'sjustthattheCluttersweretheoneswhohadtopayfor it." Cullivanprobed,tryingtogaugethedepthofwhatheassumedwouldbePerry'scontrition. Surelyhemustbeexperiencingaremorsesufficientlyprofoundtosummonadesirefor God'smercyandforgiveness?Perrysaid,"AmIsorry?Ifthat'swhat youmean­I'mnot.Idon'tfeelanythingaboutit.IwishIdid.Butnothingaboutitbothers meabit.Halfanhourafterithappened,DickwasmakingjokesandIwaslaughingat them.Maybewe'renothuman.I'mhumanenoughtofeelsorryformyself.SorryIcan't walk out of here when you walk out. But that's all." Cullivan could scarcely credit so detachedanattitude;Perrywasconfused,mistaken,itwasnotpossibleforanymantobe thatdevoidofconscienceorcompassion.Perrysaid,"Why?Soldiersdon'tlosemuchsleep. Theymurder,andgetmedalsfordoingit.ThegoodpeopleofKansaswanttomurderme­ andsomehang­manwillbegladtogetthework.It'seasytokill­aloteasierthanpassinga badcheck.Justremember:IonlyknewtheCluttersmaybeanhour.IfI'dreallyknown them,IguessI'dfeeldifferent.Idon'tthinkIcouldlivewithmyself.Butthewayitwas,it waslikepickingofftargetsinashootinggallery." Cullivanwassilent,andhissilenceupsetPerry,whoseemedtointerpretitasimplying disapproval."Hell,Don,don'tmakemeactthehypocritewithyou.Throwaloadofbull­ howsorryIam,howallIwanttodonowiscrawlonmykneesandpray.Thatstuffdon't ringwithme.Ican'tacceptovernightwhatI'vealwaysdenied.Thetruthis,you'vedone moreformethananywhatyoucallGodeverhas.Oreverwill.Bywritingtome,bysigning yourself'friend.'WhenIhadnofriends.ExceptJoeJames."JoeJames,heexplainedto Cullivan, was a young Indian logger with whom he had once lived in a forest near Bellingham,Washington."That'salongwayfromGardenCity.Agoodtwothousandmiles. IsentwordtoJoeaboutthetroubleI'min.Joe'sapoorguy,he'sgotsevenkidstofeed,but hepromisedtocomehereifhehadtowalk.Hehasn'tshownupyet,andmaybehewon't, onlyIthinkhewill.Joealwayslikedme.Doyou,Don?" "Yes.Ilikeyou." Cullivan'ssoftlyemphaticanswerpleasedandratherflusteredPerry.Hesmiledandsaid,

"Thenyoumustbesomekindofnut."Suddenlyrising,hecrossedthecellandpickedupa broom."Idon'tknowwhyIshoulddieamongstrangers.Letabunchofprairiebillysstand aroundandwatchmestrangle.sh*t.Ioughttokillmyselffirst."Heliftedthebroomand pressedthebristlesagainstthelightbulbthatburnedintheceiling."Justunscrewthebulb and smash it and cut my wrists. That's what I ought to do. While you're still here. Somebodywhocaresaboutmealittlebit." The trial resumed on Monday morning at ten o'clock. Ninety minutes later the court adjourned, the case for the defense having been completed in that brief time. The defendantsdeclinedtotestifyintheirownbehalf,andthereforethequestionofwhether HickockorSmithhadbeentheactualexecutioneroftheClutterfamilydidnotarise. Ofthefivewitnesseswhodidappear,thefirstwasthehollow­eyedMr.Hickock.Thoughhe spokewithadignifiedandmournfulclarity,hehadbutonecontributiontomakethatwas relevanttoaclaimoftemporaryinsanity.Hisson,hesaid,hadsufferedheadinjuriesina caraccidentinJuly,1950.Priortotheaccident,Dickhadbeena"happy­go­luckyboy,"had donewellinschool,beenpopularwithhisclassmatesandconsiderateofhisparents­"No troubletoanybody." HarrisonSmith,gentlyguidingthewitness,said,"Iwillaskyouif,afterJuly,1950,you observedanychangeinthepersonalityandhabitsandactionsofyourson,Richard?" "Hejustdidn'tactlikethesameboy." "Whatwerethechangesyouobserved?" Mr.Hickock,betweenpensivehesitations,listedseveral:Dickwassulkyandrestless,heran aroundwitholdermen,drankandgambled."Hejustwasn'tthesameboy." The last assertion was promptly challenged by Logan Green, who undertook the cross­ examination."Mr.Hickock,yousayyouneverhadanytroublewithyoursonuntilafter 1950?" "...Ithinkhegotarrestedin1949." AcitricsmilebentGreen'stinylips."Rememberwhathewasarrestedfor?" "Hewasaccusedofbreakingintoadrugstore." "Accused?Didn'theadmitthathebrokeintothestore?" "That'sright,hedid." "Andthatwasin1949.Yetnowyoutellusyoursonhadachangeinhisattitudeand conductafter1950?" "Iwouldsayso,yes." "Youmeanthatafter1950hebecameagoodboy?"

Hardcoughsagitatedtheoldman;hespatintoahandkerchief."No,"hesaid,studyingthe discharge."Iwouldn'tsaythat." "Thenwhatwasthechangethattookplace?" "Well,thatwouldbeprettyhardtoexplain.Hejustdidn'tactlikethesameboy." "Youmeanhelosthiscriminaltendencies?" Thelawyer'ssallyinducedguffaws,acourtroomflare­upthatJudgeTate'sdourgazesoon extinguished.Mr.Hickock,presentlysetfree,wasreplacedonthestandbyDr.W.Mitchell Jones. Dr. Jones identified himself to the court as a "physician specializing in the field of psychiatry,"andinsupportofhisqualifications,addedthathehadattendedperhapsfifteen hundredpatientssince1956,theyearhehadenteredapsychiatricresidencyatTopeka StateHospitalinTopeka,Kansas.Forthepasttwoyearshehad servedonthestaffof LarnedStateHospital,wherehewasinchargeoftheDillonBuilding,asectionreservedfor thecriminallyinsane. HarrisonSmithaskedthewitness,"Approximatelyhowmanymurderershaveyoudealt with?" "Abouttwenty­five." "Doctor,Iwouldliketoaskyouifyouknowmyclient,RichardEugeneHickock?" "Ido." "Haveyouhadoccasiontoexaminehimprofessionally?" "Yes,sir...ImadeapsychiatricevaluationofMr.,Hickock." "Based upon your examination, do you have an opinion as to whether or not Richard EugeneHickockknewrightfromwrongatthetimeofthecommissionofthecrime?" The witness, a stout man of twenty­eight with a moon­shaped but intelligent, subtly delicateface,tookadeepbreath,asthoughtoequiphimselfforaprolongedreply­which thejudgethencautionedhimhemustnotmake:"Youmayanswerthequestionyesorno, Doctor.Limityouranswertoyesorno." "Yes." "Andwhatisyouropinion?" "IthinkthatwithintheusualdefinitionsMr.Hickockdidknowrightfromwrong." ConfinedashewasbytheM'NaghtenRule("theusualdefinitions"),aformulaquitecolor­ blind to any gradations between black and white, Dr. Jones was impotent to answer otherwise.ButofcoursetheresponsewasaletdownforHickock'sattorney,whohopelessly

asked,"Canyouqualifythatanswer?" ItwashopelessbecausethoughDr.Jonesagreedtoelaborate,theprosecutionwasentitled toobject­anddid,citingthefactthatKansaslawallowednothingmorethanayesorno reply to the pertinent question. The objection was upheld, and the witness dismissed. However,hadDr.Jonesbeenallowedtospeakfurther,hereiswhathewouldhavetestified: "RichardHickockisaboveaverageinintelligence,graspsnewideaseasilyandhasawide fundofinformation.Heisalerttowhatishappeningaroundhim,andheshowsnosignof mentalconfusionordisorientation.Histhinkingiswellorganizedandlogicalandheseems tobeingoodcontactwithreality.AlthoughIdidnotfindtheusualsignsoforganicbrain damage­memoryloss,concreteconceptformation,intellectualdeterioration­thiscannot becompletelyruledout.Hehadaseriousheadinjurywithconcussionandseveralhoursof unconsciousnessin1950­thiswasverifiedbymebycheckinghospitalrecords.Hesayshe hashadblackoutspells,periodsofamnesia,andheadacheseversincethattime,anda majorportionofhisantisocialbehaviorhasoccurredsincethattime.Hehasneverhadthe medical tests which would definitely prove or disprove the existence of residual brain damage.Definitivemedicaltestsareindicatedbeforeacompleteevaluationcanbesaidto exist....Hickockdoesshowsignsofemotionalabnormality.Thatheknewwhathewas doingandstillwentaheadwithitispossiblythemostclear­cutdemonstrationofthisfact. He is a person who is impulsive in action, likely to do things without thought of consequencesorfuturediscomforttohimselfortoothers.Hedoesnotseemtobecapable oflearningfromexperience,andheshowsanunusualpatternofintermittentperiodsof productiveactivityfollowedbypatentlyirresponsibleactions.Hecannottoleratefeelingsof frustrationas amore normalperson can,and heis poorlyableto rid himself ofthose feelingsexceptthroughantisocialactivity....Hisself­esteemisverylow,andhesecretly feelsinferiortoothersandsexuallyinadequate.Thesefeelingsseemtobeovercompensated forbydreamsofbeingrichandpowerful,atendencytobragabouthisexploits,spending spreeswhenhehasmoney,anddissatisfactionwithonlythenormalslowadvancementhe couldexpectfromhisjob....Heisuncomfortableinhisrelationshipstootherpeople,and hasapathologicalinabilitytoformandholdenduringpersonalattachments.Althoughhe professesusualmoralstandardsheseemsobviouslyuninfluencedbytheminhisactions.In summary,heshowsfairlytypicalcharacteristicsofwhatwouldpsychiatricallybecalleda severecharacterdisorder.Itisimportantthatstepsbetakentoruleoutthepossibilityof organicbraindamage,since,ifpresent,itmighthavesubstantiallyinfluencedhisbehavior duringthepastseveralyearsandatthetimeofthecrime." Asidefromaformalpleatothejury,whichwouldnottakeplaceuntilthemorrow,the psychiatrist's testimony terminated Hickock's planned defense. Next it was the turn of Arthur Fleming, Smith's elderly counselor. He presented four witnesses: the Reverend JamesE.Post,theProtestantchaplainatKansasStatePenitentiary;Perry'sIndianfriend, JoeJames,whoafterallhadarrivedbybusthatmorning,havingtraveledadayandtwo nightsfromhiswildernesshomeintheFarNorthwest;DonaldCullivan;and,onceagain, Dr.Jones.Exceptforthelatter,thesem*nwereofferedas"characterwitnesses"­persons expectedtoattributetotheaccusedafewhumanvirtues.Theydidnotfareverywell, though each of them negotiated some skimpily favorable remark before the protesting prosecution,whichcontendedthatpersonalcommentsofthisnaturewere"incompetent, irrelevant,immaterial,"hushedandbanishedthem.Forexample,JoeJames,dark­haired, evendarker­skinnedthan Perry,alithefigurewhowithhisfadedhuntsman'sshirtandmoccasinedfeetlookedas

thoughhehadthatinstantmysteriouslyemergedfromwoodlandshadows,toldthecourt thatthedefendanthadlivedwithhimoffandonforovertwoyears."Perrywasalikable kid,welllikedaroundtheneighborhood­heneverdoneonethingoutofthewaytomy knowledge."Thestatestoppedhimthere;andstoppedCullivan,too,whenhesaid,"During thetimeIknewhimintheArmy,Perrywasaverylikablefellow." TheReverendPostsurvivedsomewhatlonger,forhemadenodirectattempttocompliment theprisoner,butdescribedsympatheticallyanencounterwithhimatLansing."Ifirstmet PerrySmithwhenhecametomyofficeintheprisonchapelwithapicturehehadpainted­ ahead­and­shouldersportraitofJesusChristdoneinpastelcrayon.Hewantedtogiveitto meforuseinthechapel.It'sbeenhangingonthewallsofmyofficeeversince." Flemingsaid,"Doyouhaveaphotographofthatpainting?"Theministerhadanenvelope full; but when he produced them, ostensibly for distribution among the jurors, an exasperatedLoganGreenleapedtohisfeet:"IfYourHonorplease,thisisgoingtoofar..." HisHonorsawthatitwentnofurther. Dr. Jones was now recalled, and following the preliminaries that had accompanied his originalappearance,Flemingputtohimthecrucialquery:"Fromyourconversationsand examinationofPerryEdwardSmith,doyouhaveanopinionastowhetherheknewright fromwrongatthetimeoftheoffenseinvolvedinthisaction?"Andoncemorethecourt admonishedthewitness:"Answeryesorno,doyouhaveanopinion?" "No." Amidsurprisedmutters,Fleming,surprisedhimself,said,"Youmaystatetothejurywhy youhavenoopinion." Greenobjected:"Themanhasnoopinion,andthat'sit"Whichitwas,legallyspeaking. ButhadDr.Jonesbeenpermittedtodiscourseonthecauseofhisindecision,hewouldhave testified:"PerrySmithshowsdefinitesignsofseverementalillness.Hischildhood,related tomeandverifiedbyportionsoftheprisonrecords,wasmarkedbybrutalityandlackof concernonthepartofbothparents.Heseemstohavegrownupwithoutdirection,without love,andwithouteverhavingabsorbedanyfixedsenseofmoralvalues....Heisoriented, hyperalerttothingsgoingonabouthim,andshowsnosignofconfusion.Heisabove average in intelligence, and has a good range of information considering his poor educational background. . . . Two features in his personality make­up stand out as particularly pathological. The first is his 'paranoid' orientation toward the world. He is suspiciousanddistrustfulofothers,tendstofeelthatothersdiscriminateagainsthim,and feelsthatothersareunfairtohimanddonotunderstandhim.Heisoverlysensitiveto criticismsthatothersmakeofhim,andcannottoleratebeingmadefunof.Heisquickto sense slight or insult in things others say, and frequently may misinterpret well­meant communications.Hefeelshehasgreatneedoffriendshipandunderstanding,butheis reluctanttoconfideinothers,andwhenhedoes,expectstobemisunderstoodoreven betrayed.Inevaluatingtheintentionsandfeelingsofothers,hisabilitytoseparatethereal situation from his own mental projections is very poor. He not infrequently groups all peopletogetherasbeinghypocritical,hostile,anddeservingofwhateverheisabletodoto them.Akintothisfirsttraitisthesecond,anever­present,poorlycontrolledrage­easily triggeredbyanyfeelingofbeingtricked,slighted,orlabeledinferiorbyothers.Forthe

mostpart,hisragesinthe,pasthavebeendirectedatauthorityfigures­father,brother, Armysergeant,stateparoleofficer­andhaveledtoviolentassaultivebehavioronseveral occasions.Bothheandhisacquaintanceshavebeenawareoftheserages,whichhesays 'mountup'inhim,andofthepoorcontrolhehasoverthem.Whenturnedtowardhimself hisangerhasprecipitatedideasofsuicide.Theinappropriateforceofhisangerandlackof abilitytocontrolorchannelitreflectaprimaryweaknessofpersonalitystructure....In additiontothesetraits,thesubjectshowsmildearlysignsofadisorderofhisthought processes. He has poor ability to organize his thinking, he seems unable to scan or summarizehisthought,becominginvolvedandsometimeslostindetail,andsomeofhis thinkingreflectsa'magical'quality,adisregardofreality.Hehashadfewcloseemotional relationshipswithotherpeople,andthesehavenotbeenabletostandsmallcrises.Hehas littlefeelingforothersoutsideaverysmallcircleoffriends,andattacheslittlerealvalueto humanlife.Thisemotionaldetachmentandblandnessincertainareasisotherevidenceof hismentalabnormality.Moreextensiveevaluationwouldbenecessarytomakeanexact psychiatricdiagnosis,buthispresentpersonalitystructureisverynearlythatofaparanoid schizophrenicreaction." Itissignificantthatawidelyrespectedveteraninthefieldofforensicpsychiatry,Dr.Joseph SattenoftheMenningerClinicinTopeka,Kansas,consultedwithDr.Jonesandendorsed his evaluations of Hickock and Smith. Dr. Satten, who afterward gave the case close attention,suggeststhatthoughthecrimewouldnothaveoccurredexceptforacertain frictionalinterplaybetweentheperpetrators,itwasessentiallytheactofPerrySmith,who, hefeels,representsatypeofmurdererdescribedbyhiminanarticle:"MurderWithout ApparentMotive­AStudyinPersonalityDisorganization." Thearticle,printedinTheAmerican JournalofPsychiatry (July, 1960), andwrittenin collaboration with three colleagues, Karl Menninger, Irwin Rosen, and Martin Mayman, statesitsaimattheoutset:"Inattemptingtoassessthecriminalresponsibilityofmurderers, thelawtriestodividethem(asitdoesalloffenders)intotwogroups,the'sane'andthe 'insane.' The 'sane' murderer is thought of as acting upon rational motives that can be understood,thoughcondemned,andthe'insane'oneasbeingdrivenbyirrationalsenseless motives. When rational motives are conspicuous (for example, when a man kills for personal gain) or when the irrational motives are accompanied by delusions or hallucinations (for example, a paranoid patient who kills his fantasied persecutor), the situation presents little problem to the psychiatrist. But murderers who seem rational, coherent,andcontrolled,andyetwhosehomicidalactshaveabizarre,apparentlysenseless quality, pose a difficult problem, if courtroom disagreements and contradictory reports aboutthesameoffenderareanindex.Itisourthesisthatthepsychopathologyofsuch murderersformsatleastonespecificsyndromewhichweshalldescribe.Ingeneral,these individualsarepredisposedtoseverelapsesinego­controlwhichmakespossibletheopen expressionof primitiveviolence, bornout of previous, and now unconscious, traumatic experiences." Theauthors,aspartofanappealsprocess,hadexaminedfourmenconvictedofseemingly unmotivatedmurders.Allhadbeenexaminedpriortotheirtrials,andfoundtobe"without psychosis"and"sane."Threeofthemenwereunderdeathsentence,andthefourthwas servingalongprisonsentence.Ineachofthesecases,furtherpsychiatricinvestigationhad beenrequestedbecausesomeone­eitherthelawyer,arelative,orafriend­wasdissatisfied withthepsychiatricexplanationspreviouslygiven,andineffecthadasked,"Howcana personassaneasthismanseemstobecommitanactascrazyastheonehewasconvicted

of?"Afterdescribingthefourcriminalsandtheircrimes(aNegrosoldierwhomutilatedand dismemberedaprostitute,alaborerwhostrangledafourteen­year­oldboywhentheboy rejectedhissexualadvances,anArmycorporalwhobludgeonedtodeathanotheryoung boybecauseheimaginedthevictimwasmakingfunofhim,andahospitalemployeewho drownedagirlofninebyholdingherheadunderwater),theauthorssurveyedtheareasof similarity. The men themselves, they wrote, were puzzled as to why they killed their victims,whowererelativelyunknowntothem,andineachinstancethemurdererappears tohavelapsedintoadreamlikedissociativetrancefromwhichheawakenedto"suddenly discover" himself assaulting his victim. "The most uniform, and perhaps the most significant, historical finding was a long­standing, sometimes lifelong, history of erratic controloveraggressiveimpulses.Forexample,threeofthemen,throughouttheirlives,had beenfrequentlyinvolvedinfightswhichwerenotordinaryaltercations,andwhichwould havebecomehomicidalassaultsifnotstoppedbyothers." Here,inexcerpt,areanumberofotherobservationscontainedinthestudy:"Despitethe violenceintheirlives,allofthemenhadego­imagesofthemselvesasphysicallyinferior, weak,andinadequate.Thehistoriesrevealedineachaseveredegreeofsexualinhibition. Toallofthem,adultwomenwerethreateningcreatures,andintwocasestherewasovert sexualperversion.Allofthem,too,hadbeenconcernedthroughouttheirearlyyearsabout being considered'sissies,'physicallyundersizedorsickly....Inallfourcases,therewas historical evidence of altered statesof consciousness, frequently in connection with the outburstsofviolence.Twoofthemenreportedseveredissociativetrancelikestatesduring whichviolentandbizarrebehaviorwasseen,whiletheothertworeportedlesssevere,and perhapslesswell­organized,amnesiacepisodes.Duringmomentsofactualviolence,they oftenfeltseparatedorisolatedfromthemselves,asiftheywerewatchingsomeoneelse. Also seen in the historical back­ground of all the cases was the occurrence of extreme parentalviolenceduringchildhood....Onemansaidhewas'whippedeverytimeIturned around.'...Anotherofthemenhadmanyviolentbeatingsinorderto'break'himofhis stammeringand'fits,'aswellastocorrecthimforhisallegedly'bad'behavior.Thehistory relatingtoextremeviolence,whetherfantasied,observedinreality,oractuallyexperienced by the child, fits in with the psychoanalytic hypothesis that the child's exposure to overwhelmingstimuli,beforehecanmasterthem,iscloselylinkedtoearlydefectsinego formationandlaterseveredisturbancesinimpulsecontrol.Inallofthesecases,therewas evidenceofsevereemotionaldeprivationinearlylife.Thisdeprivationmayhaveinvolved prolongedorrecurrentabsenceofoneorbothparents,achaoticfamilylifeinwhichthe parentswereunknown,oranoutrightrejectionofthechildbyoneorbothparentswiththe childbeingraisedbyothers....Evidenceofdisturbancesinaffectorganizationwasseen. Mosttypicallythemendisplayedatendencynottoexperienceangerorrageinassociation with violent aggressive action. None reported feelings of rage in connection with the murders,nordidtheyexperienceangerinanystrongorpronouncedway,althougheachof themwascapableofenormousandbrutalaggression....Theirrelationshipswithothers wereofashallow,coldnature,lendingaqualityoflonelinessandisolationtothesem*n. People were scarcely real tothem,inthesenseofbeing warmly orpositively(or even angrily) felt about. . .. Thethreemen undersentenceof death had shallow emotions regardingtheirownfateandthatoftheirvictims.Guilt,depression,andremorsewere strikinglyabsent.Suchindividualscanbeconsideredtobemurder­proneinthesenseof eithercarryingasurchargeofa*ggressiveenergyorhavinganunstableegodefensesystem thatperiodicallyallowsthenakedandarchaicexpressionofsuchenergy.Themurderous potentialcanbecomeactivated,especiallyifsomedisequilibriumisalreadypresent,when the victim­to­be is unconsciously perceived as a key figure in some past traumatic

configuration.Thebehavior,oreventhemerepresence,ofthisfigureaddsastresstothe unstablebalanceofforcesthatresultsinasuddenextremedischargeofviolence,similarto theexplosionthattakesplacewhenapercussioncapignitesachargeofdynamite....The hypothesisofunconsciousmotivationexplainswhythemurderersperceivedinnocuousand relativelyunknownvictimsasprovocativeandtherebysuitabletargetsforaggression.But whymurder?Mostpeople,fortunately,donotrespondwithmurderousout­burstseven underextremeprovocation.Thecasesdescribed,ontheotherhand,werepredisposedto grosslapsesinrealitycontactandextremeweaknessinimpulsecontrolduringperiodsof heightenedtensionanddisorganization.Atsuchtimes,achanceacquaintanceorevena strangerwaseasilyabletolosehis'real'meaningandassumeanidentityintheunconscious traumaticcon­figuration.The'old'conflictwasreactivatedandaggressionswiftlymounted tomurderousproportions....Whensuchsenselessmurdersoccur,theyareseentobean endresultofaperiodofincreasingtensionanddisorganizationinthemurdererstarting before the contactwith thevictim who,by fitting into the unconscious conflictsof the murderer,unwittinglyservestosetintomotionhishomicidalpotential." BecauseofthemanyparallelsbetweenthebackgroundandpersonalityofPerrySmithand thesubjectsofhisstudy,Dr.Sattenfeelssecureinassigninghimtoapositionamongtheir ranks.Moreover,thecirc*mstancesofthecrimeseemtohimtofitexactlytheconceptof "murderwithoutapparentmotive."Obviously,threeofthemurdersSmithcommittedwere logicallymotivated­Nancy,Kenyon,andtheirmotherhadtobekilledbecauseMr.Clutter had been killed. But it is Dr. Satten's contention that only the first murder matters psychologically,andthatwhenSmithattackedMr.Clutterhewasunderamentaleclipse; deep inside aschizophrenic darkness, for it was not entirely a flesh­and­blood man he "suddenly discovered" himself destroying, but "a key figure in some past traumatic configuration":hisfather?theorphanagenunswhohadderidedandbeatenhim?thehated Armysergeant?theparoleofficerwhohadorderedhimto"stayoutofKansas"?Oneof them,orallofthem. Inhisconfession,Smithsaid,"Ididn'twanttoharmtheman.Ithoughthewasaverynice gentleman.Soft­spoken.IthoughtsorightuptothemomentIcuthisthroat."Whiletalking toDonaldCullivan,Smithsaid,"They[theClutters]neverhurtme.Likeotherpeople.Like peoplehaveallmylife.Maybeit'sjustthattheCluttersweretheoneswhohadtopayfor it." So it would appear that by independent paths, both the professional and the amateur analystreachedconclusionsnotdissimilar. ThearistocracyofFinneyCountyhadsnubbedthetrial."Itdoesn'tdo,"announcedthewife ofonerichrancher,"toseemcuriousaboutthatsortofthing."Nevertheless,thetrial'slast session found a fair segment of the local Establishment seated alongside the plainer citizenry.Theirpresencewas a courteousgesturetoward Judge Tateand LoganGreen, esteemed membersoftheirownorder.Also,alargecontingentofout­of­townlawyers, manyofwhomhadjourneyedgreatdistances,filledseveralbenches;specifically,theywere on hand to hear Green's final address to the jury. Green, a suavely tough little septuagenarian,hasanimposingreputationamonghispeers,whoadmirehisstagecraft­a repertoireofactorishgiftsthatincludesasenseoftimingacuteasanight­clubcomedian's. Anexpertcriminallawyer,hisusualroleisthatofdefender,butinthisinstancethestate hadretainedhimasaspecialassistanttoDuaneWest,foritwasfeltthattheyoungcounty attorneywastoounseasonedtoprosecutethecasewithoutexperiencedsupport.

Butlikemoststarturns,Greenwasthelastactontheprogram.JudgeTate'slevel­headed instructionstothejuryprecededhim,asdidthecountyattorney'ssummation:"Canthere beasingledoubtinyourmindsregardingtheguiltofthesedefendants?No!Regardlessof whopulledthetriggeronRichardEugeneHickock'sshotgun,bothmenareequallyguilty. Thereisonlyonewaytoassurethatthesem*nwillneveragainroamthetownsandcities of this land. We request the maximum penalty ­ death. This request is made not in vengeance,butinallhumbleness...." Thenthepleasofthedefenseattorneyshadtobeheard.Fleming'sspeech,describedbyone journalistas"soft­sell,"amountedtoamildchurchlysermon:"Manisnotananimal.Hehas abody,andhehasasoulthatlivesforever.Idon'tbelievemanhastherighttodestroythat house,atemple,inwhichthesouldwells...."HarrisonSmith,thoughhetooappealedtothe jurors'presumedChristianity,tookashismainthemetheevilsofcapitalpunishment:"Itisa relicofhumanbarbarism.Thelawtellsusthatthetakingofhumanlifeiswrong,thengoes aheadandsetstheexample.Whichisalmostaswickedasthecrimeitpunished.Thestate hasnorighttoinflictit.Itisn'teffective.Itdoesn'tdetercrime,butmerelycheapenshuman lifeandgivesrisetomoremurders.Allweaskismercy.Surelylifeimprisonmentissmall mercy to ask. . . ." Not everyone was attentive; one juror, as though poisoned by the numerousspring­feveryawnsweightingtheair,satwithdruggedeyesandjawssoutterly ajarbeescouldhavebuzzedinandout. Greenwokethemup."Gentlemen,"hesaid,speakingwithoutnotes,"youhavejustheard twoenergeticpleasformercyinbehalfofthedefendants.Itseemstomefortunatethat theseadmirableattorneys,Mr.FlemingandMr.Smith,werenotattheClutterhousethat fatefulnight­veryfortunateforthemthattheywerenotpresenttopleadmercyforthe doomedfamily.Because hadtheybeenthere­well,comenextmorningwewouldhavehadmorethanfourcorpses tocount." AsaboyinhisnativeKentucky,GreenwascalledPinky,anicknameheowedtohisfreckled coloring;now,ashestruttedbeforethejury,thestressofhisassignmentwarmedhisface and splotched it with patches of pink. "I have no intention of engaging in theological debate.ButIanticipatedthatdefensecounselwouldusetheHolyBibleasanargument againstthedeathpenalty.YouhaveheardtheBiblequoted.ButIcanread,too."Heslapped openacopyoftheOldTestament."AndhereareafewthingstheGoodBookhastosayon thesubject.InExodusTwenty,VerseThirteen,wehaveoneoftheTenCommandments: Thoushaltnotkill.'Thisreferstounlawfulkilling.Ofcourseitdoes,becauseinthenext chapter,VerseTwelve,thepenaltyfordisobedienceofthatCommandmentreads:'Hethat smitethaman,sothathedie,shallbesurelyputtodeath.'Now,Mr.Flemingwouldhave youbelievethatallthiswaschangedbythecomingofChrist.Notso.ForChristsays,'Think notthatIamcometodestroythelaw,ortheprophets:Iamnotcometodestroy,butto fulfill.'Andfinally­"Greenfumbled,andseemedtoaccidentallyshuttheBible,whereupon thevisitinglegaldignitariesgrinnedandnudgedeachother,forthiswasavenerablecourt­ roomploy­thelawyerwhowhilereadingfromtheScripturespretendstolosehisplace, and then remarks, as Green now did, "Never mind. I think I can quote from memory. GenesisNine,VerseSix:'Whososheddethman'sblood,bymanshallhisbloodbeshed.' "But,"Greenwenton,"IseenothingtobegainedbyarguingtheBible.Ourstateprovides

thatthepunishmentformurderinthefirstdegreeshallbeimprisonmentforlifeordeath byhanging.Thatisthelaw.You,gentlemen,areheretoenforceit.Andifevertherewasa caseinwhichthemaximumpenaltywasjustified,thisisit.Thesewerestrange,ferocious murders.Fourofyourfellowcitizenswereslaughteredlikehogsinapen.Andforwhat reason? Not out of vengeance or hatred. But for money. Money. It was the cold and calculatedweighingofsomanyouncesofsilveragainstsomanyouncesofblood.Andhow cheaplythoseliveswerebought!Forfortydollars'worthofloot!Tendollarsalife!"He whirled,andpointedafingerthatmovedbackandforthbetweenHickockandSmith."They wentarmedwithashotgunandadagger.Theywenttorobandkill­"Hisvoicetrembled, toppled, disappeared, as though strangled by the intensity of his own loathing for the debonair,gum­chewingdefendants.Turningagaintothejury,hehoarselyasked,"Whatare yougoingtodo?Whatareyougoingtodowiththesem*nthatbindamanhandandfoot andcuthisthroatandblowouthisbrains?Givethemtheminimumpenalty?Yes,andthat's onlyoneoffourcounts.WhataboutKenyonClutter,ayoungboywithhiswholelifebefore him,tiedhelplesslyinsightofhisfather'sdeathstruggle.OryoungNancyClutter,hearing thegunshotsandknowinghertimewasnext.Nancy,beggingforherlife:'Don't.Oh,please don't. Please. Please.' What agony! What unspeakable torture! And there remains the mother,boundandgaggedandhavingtolistenasherhusband,herbelovedchildrendied onebyone.Listenuntilatlastthekillers,thesedefendantsbeforeyou,enteredherroom, focusedaflashlightinhereyes,andlettheblastofashotgunendtheexistenceofanentire household." Pausing,Greengingerlytouchedaboilonthebackofhisneck,amatureinflammationthat seemed,likeitsangrywearer,abouttoburst.­"So,gentlemen,whatareyougoingtodo? Givethemtheminimum?Sendthembacktothepenitentiary,andtakethechanceoftheir escapingorbeingparoled?Thenexttimetheygoslaughteringitmaybeyourfamily.Isay to you," he solemnly said, staring at the panel in a manner that encompassed and challengedthemall,"someofourenormouscrimesonlyhappenbecauseonceuponatime apackofchicken­heartedjurorsrefusedtodotheirduty.Now,gentlemen,Ileaveittoyou andyourconsciences." Hesatdown.Westwhisperedtohim,"Thatwasmasterly,sir."ButafewofGreen'sauditors werelessenthusiastic;andafterthejuryretiredtodiscusstheverdict,oneofthem,ayoung reporterfromOklahoma,exchangedsharpwordswithanothernewsman,RichardParrof the Kansas City Star. To the Oklahoman, Green's address had seemed "rabble­rousing, brutal." "Hewasjusttellingthetruth,"Parrsaid."Thetruthcanbebrutal.Tocoinaphrase." "Buthedidn'thavetohitthathard.It'sunfair." "What'sunfair?" "Thewholetrial.Theseguysdon'tstandachance." "FatchancetheygaveNancyClutter." "PerrySmith.MyGod.He'shadsucharottenlife­"

Parrsaid,"Manyamancanmatchsobstorieswiththatlittlebastard.Meincluded.MaybeI drinktoomuch,butIsureashellneverkilledfourpeopleincoldblood." "Yeah,andhowabouthangingthebastard?That'sprettygoddamcold­bloodedtoo." TheReverendPost,overhearingtheconversation,joinedin."Well,"hesaid,passingaround asnapshotreproductionofPerrySmith'sportraitofJesus,"anymanwhocouldpaintthis picturecan'tbeonehundredpercentbad.Allthesameit'shardtoknowwhattodo.Capital punishment is no answer: it doesn't give the sinner time enough to come to God. SometimesIdespair."Ajovialfellowwithgold­filledteethandasilverywidow'speak,he joviallyrepeated,"SometimesIdespair.SometimesIthinkoldDocSavagehadtheright idea."TheDocSavagetowhomhereferredwasafictionalheropopularamongadolescent readersofpulpmagazinesagenerationago."Ifyouboysremember,DocSavagewasakind ofsuperman.He'dmadehimselfproficientineveryfield­medicine,science,philosophy, art.Therewasn'tmucholdDocdidn'tknoworcouldn'tdo.Oneofhisprojectswas,he decidedtoridtheworldofcriminals.Firstheboughtabigislandoutintheocean.Thenhe and his assistants ­ he had an army of trained assistants ­ kidnapped all the world's criminalsandbroughtthemtotheisland.AndDocSavageoperatedontheirbrains.He removed the part that holds wicked thoughts. And when they recovered they were all decentcitizens.Theycouldn'tcommitcrimesbecausethatpartoftheirbrainwasout.Now itstrikesmethatsurgeryofthisnaturemightreallybetheanswerto­" Abell,thesignalthatthejurywasreturning,interruptedhim. The jury's deliberations had lasted forty minutes. Many spectators, anticipating a swift decision,hadneverlefttheirseats.JudgeTate,however,hadtobefetchedfromhisfarm, wherehehadgonetofeedhishorses.Ahurriedlydonnedblackrobebillowedabouthim whenatlasthearrived,butitwaswithimpressivesedatenessanddignitythatheasked, "Gentlemenofthejury,haveyoureachedyourverdicts?"Theirforemanreplied:"Wehave, YourHonor."Thecourtbailiffcarriedthesealedverdictstothebench. Trainwhistles,thefanfareofanapproachingSantaFeexpress,penetratedthecourtroom. Tale'sbassvoiceinterlacedwiththelocomotive'scriesasheread:"'CountOne.Wethejury findthedefendant,RichardEugeneHickock,guiltyofmurderinthefirstdegree,andthe punishmentisdeath.'"Then,asthoughinterestedintheirreaction,helookeddownupon theprisoners,whostoodbeforehimhandcuffedtoguards;theystaredbackimpassively until he resumed and read the seven counts that followed: three more convictions for Hickock,andfourforSmith. "­andthepunishmentisdeath";eachtimehecametothesentence,Tateenunciatedit withadark­tonedhollownessthatseemedtoechothetrain'smournful,nowfadingcall. Then he dismissed the jury ("You have performed a courageous service"),and the condemnedmenwereledaway.Atthedoor,SmithsaidtoHickock,"Nochicken­hearted jurors,they!"Theybothlaughedloudly,andacameramanphotographedthem.Thepicture appearedinaKansaspaperaboveacaptionentitled:"TheLastLaugh?" AweeklaterMrs.Meierwassittinginherparlortalkingtoafriend."Yes,it'sturnedquiet aroundhere,"shesaid."Iguessweoughttobegratefulthingshavesettleddown.ButIstill feelbadaboutit.IneverhadmuchtruckwithDick,butPerryandIgottoknoweachother realwell.Thatafternoon,afterheheardtheverdictandtheybroughthimbackuphere­I

shutmyselfinthekitchentokeepfromhavingtoseehim.Isatbythekitchenwindowand watchedthecrowdleavingthecourthouse.Mr.Cullivan­helookedupandsawmeand waved.TheHickocks.Allgoingaway.JustthismorningIhadalovelyletterfromMrs. Hickock;shevisitedwithmeseveraltimeswhilethetrialwasgoingon,andIwishedI couldhavehelpedher,onlywhatcanyousaytosomeoneinasituationlikethat?Butafter everybodyhadgone,andI'dstartedtowashsomedishes­Iheardhimcrying.Iturnedon theradio.Nottohearhim.ButIcould.Cryinglikeachild.He'dneverbrokedownbefore, shownanysignofit.Well,Iwenttohim.Thedoorofhiscell.Hereachedouthishand.He wantedmetoholdhishand,andIdid,Iheldhishand,andallhesaidwas,'I'membraced byshame.'IwantedtosendforFatherGoubeaux­IsaidfirstthingtomorrowI'dmakehim Spanishrice­buthejustheldmyhandtighter. "Andthatnight,ofallnights,wehadtoleavehimalone.WendleandIalmostnevergoout, butwehadalong­standingengagement,andWendledidn'tthinkweoughttobreakit.But I'llalwaysbesorrywelefthimalone.NextdayIdidfixtherice.Hewouldn'ttouchit.Or hardlyspeaktome.Hehatedthewholeworld.Butthemorningthemencametotakehim tothepenitentiary,hethankedmeandgavemeapictureofhimself.AlittleKodakmade whenhewassixteenyearsold.Hesaiditwashowhewantedmetorememberhim,like theboyinthepicture. "Thebadpartwassayinggoodbye.Whenyouknewwherehewasgoing,andwhatwould happentohim.Thatsquirrelofhis,hesuremissesPerry.Keepscomingtothecelllooking forhim.I'vetriedtofeedhim,buthewon'thaveanythingtodowithme.ItwasjustPerry heliked." Prisons are important to the economy of Leavenworth County, Kansas. The two state penitentiaries,oneforeachsex,aresituatedthere;soisLeavenworth,thelargestFederal prison,and,atFortLeavenworth,thecountry'sprincipalmilitaryprison,thegrimUnited StatesArmyandAirForceDisciplinaryBarracks.Ifalltheinmatesintheseinstitutionswere letfree,theycouldpopulateasmallcity. TheoldestoftheprisonsistheKansasStatePenitentiaryforMen,aturretedblack­and­ whitepalacethatvisuallydistinguishesanotherwiseordinaryruraltown,Lansing.Built duringtheCivilWar,itreceiveditsfirstresidentin1864.Nowadaystheconvictpopulation averagesaroundtwothousand;thepresentwarden,ShermanH.Grouse,keepsachart which lists the daily total according to race (for example, White 1405, Colored 360, Mexicans12,Indians6).Whateverhisrace,eachconvictisacitizenofastonyvillagethat existswithintheprison'ssteep,machine­gun­guardedwalls­twelvegrayacresofcement streetsandcellblocksandworkshops. Inasouthsectionoftheprisoncompoundtherestandsacuriouslittlebuilding:adarktwo­ storiedbuildingshapedlikeacoffin.Thisestablishment,officiallycalledtheSegregation andIsolationBuilding,constitutesaprisoninsideaprison.Amongtheinmates,thelower floor is known as The Hole ­ the place to which difficult prisoners, the "hard rock" troublemakers, are now and then banished. The upper story is reached by climbing a circularironstaircase;atthetopisDeathRow. The first time the Clutter murderers ascended the staircase was late one rainy April afternoon.HavingarrivedatLansingafteraneight­hour,four­hundred­milecarridefrom Garden City, the newcomers had been stripped, showered, given close haircuts, and

supplied with coarse denim uniforms and soft slippers (in most American prisons such slippersareacondemnedman'scustomaryfootwear);thenarmedescortsmarchedthem throughawettwilighttothecoffin­shapededifice,hustledthemupthespiralstairsand intotwoofthetwelveside­by­sidecellsthatcompriseLansing'sDeathRow. Thecellsareidentical.Theymeasuresevenbytenfeet,andareunfurnishedexceptfora cot,atoilet,abasin,andanoverheadlightbulbthatisneverextinguishednightorday.The cellwindowsareverynarrow,andnotonlybarredbutcoveredwithawiremeshblackasa widow'sveil;thusthefacesofthosesentencedtohangcanbebuthazilydiscernedby passers­by.Thedoomedthemselvescanseeoutwellenough;whattheyseeisanemptydirt lotthatservesinsummerasabaseballdiamond,beyondthelotapieceofprisonwall,and abovethat,apieceofsky. Thewallismadeofroughstone;pigeonsnestinsideitscrevices.Arustyirondoor,setinto the part of the wall visible to the Row's occupants, rouses the pigeons whenever it is opened, puts them in a flap, for the hinges creak so, scream. The door leads into a cavernousstorageroom,whereoneventhewarmestdaytheairismoistandchilly.A numberofthingsarekeptthere:stockpilesofmetalusedbytheconvictstomanufacture automobile license plates, lumber, old machinery, baseball paraphernalia ­ and also an unpainted wooden gallows that smells faintly of pine. For this is the state's execution chamber;whenamanisbroughtheretobehanged,theprisonerssayhehas"gonetoThe Corner,"or,alternatively,"paidavisittothewarehouse." Inaccordancewiththesentenceofthecourt,SmithandHickockwerescheduledtovisitthe warehousesixweekshence:atoneminuteaftermidnightonFriday,May13,1960. Kansasabolishedcapitalpunishmentin1907;in1935,duetoasuddenprevalenceinthe Midwestoframpagingprofessionalcriminals(Alvin"OldCreepy"Karpis,Charles"Pretty Boy" Floyd, Clyde Barrow and his homicidal sweetheart, Bonnie Parker), the state legislatorsvotedtorestoreit.However,itwasnotuntil1944thatanexecutionerhad a chance to employ his craft; over the next ten years he was given nine additional opportunities.Butforsixyears,orsince1954,therehadbeennopaychecksforahangman in Kansas (except at the Army and Air Force Disciplinary Barracks, which also has a gallows). The late George Docking, Governor of Kansas from1957 through 1060, was responsibleforthishiatus,forhewasunreservedlyopposedtothedeathpenalty("Ijust don'tlikekillingpeople"). Now,atthattime­April,1960­therewereinUnitedStatesprisonsonehundredand ninetypersonsawaitingcivilexecution;five,theClutterkillersincluded,wereamongthe lodgersatLansing.Occasionally,importantvisitorstotheprisonareinvitedtotakewhat onehighofficialcalls"alittlepeekatDeathRow."Thosewhoacceptareassignedaguard who,asheleadsthetouristalongtheironwalkwayfrontingthedeathcells,islikelyto identifythecondemnedwithwhathemustconsidercomicformality."Andthis,"hesaidtoa visitorin1960,"thisisMr.PerryEdwardSmith.Nownextdoor,that'sMr.Smith'sbuddy, Mr.RichardEugeneHickock.AndoverherewehaveMr.EarlWilson.AndafterMr.Wilson­ meetMr.BobbyJoeSpencer.Andasforthislastgentleman,I'msureyourecognizethe famousMr.LowellLeeAndrews." EarlWilson,ahusky,hymn­singingNegro,hadbeensentencedtodieforthekidnapping,

rape, and torture of a young white woman; the victim, though she survived, was left severely disabled. Bobby Joe Spencer, white, an effeminate youth, had confessed to murderinganelderlyKansasCitywoman,theownerofaroominghousewherehelived. PriortoleavingofficeinJanuary,1961,GovernorDocking,whohadbeendefeatedforre­ election(inlargemeasurebecauseofhisattitudetowardcapitalpunishment),commuted thesentencesofboththesem*ntolifeimprisonment,whichgenerallymeantthatthey could apply for parole in seven years. However, Bobby Joe Spencer soon killed again: stabbedwithashivanotheryoungconvict,hisrivalfortheaffectionsofanolderinmate(as oneprisonofficersaid,"Justtwopunksfightingoverajocker").ThisdeedearnedSpencera second life sentence. But the public was not much aware of either Wilson or Spencer; comparedtoSmithandHickock,orthefifthmanontheRow,LowellLeeAndrews,the presshadratherslightedthem. TwoyearsearlierLowellLeeAndrews,anenormous,weak­eyedboyofeighteenwhowore horn­rimmedglassesandweighedalmostthreehundredpounds,hadbeenasophom*oreat theUniversityofKansas,anhonorstudentmajoringinbiology.Thoughhewasasolitary creature,withdrawnandseldomcommunicative,hisacquaintances,bothattheuniversity andinhishometownofWolcott,Kansas,regardedhimasexceptionallygentleand"sweet­ natured"(lateroneKansaspaperprintedanarticleabouthimentitled:"TheNicestBoyin Wolcott"). But inside the quiet young scholar there existed a second, unsuspected personality,onewithstuntedemotionsandadistortedmindthroughwhichcoldthoughts flowedincrueldirections.Hisfamily­hisparentsandaslightlyoldersister,JennieMarie­ would have been astounded had they known the daydreams Lowell Lee dreamed throughoutthesummerandautumnof1958;thebrilliantson,theadoredbrother,was planningtopoisonthemall. TheelderAndrewswasaprosperousfarmer;hehadnotmuchmoneyinthebank,buthe ownedlandvaluedatapproximatelytwohundredthousanddollars.Adesiretoinheritthis estatewasostensiblythemotivationbehindLowellLee'splottodestroyhisfamily.Forthe secretLowellLee,theoneconcealedinsidetheshychurchgoingbiologystudent,fancied himselfanice­heartedmastercriminal:hewantedtoweargangsterishsilkshirtsanddrive scarlet sports cars; he wanted to be recognized as no mere bespectacled, bookish, overweight,virginalschoolboy;andwhilehedidnotdislikeanymemberofhisfamily,at least not consciously, murdering them seemed the swiftest, most sensible way of implementingthefantasiesthatpossessedhim.Arsenicwastheweaponhedecidedupon; afterpoisoningthevictims,hemeanttotuckthemintheirbedsandburndownthehouse, inthe hopethatinvestigatorswould believethedeathsaccidental.However,onedetail perturbed him: suppose autopsies revealed the presence of arsenic? And suppose the purchaseofthepoisoncouldbetracedtohim?Towardtheendofsummerheevolved anotherplan.Hespentthreemonthspolishingit.Finally,therecameanear­zeroNovember nightwhenhewasreadytoact. ItwasThanksgivingweek,andLowellLeewashomefortheholidays,aswasJennieMarie, anintelligentbutratherplaingirlwhoattendedacollegeinOklahoma.Ontheeveningof November28,somewherearoundseven,JennieMariewassittingwithherparentsinthe parlorwatchingtelevision;LowellLeewaslockedinhisbedroomreadingthelastchapter ofTheBrothersKaramazov.Thattaskcompleted,heshaved,changedintohisbestsuit,and proceededtoloadbothasemi­automatic.22­caliberrifleandaRuger.22­caliberrevolver. Hefittedtherevolverintoahipholster,shoulderedtherifle,andambleddownahalltothe parlor,whichwasdarkexceptfortheflickeringtelevisionscreen.Heswitchedonalight,

aimedtherifle,pulledthetrigger,andhithissisterbetweentheeyes,killingherinstantly. He shot his mother three times, and his father twice. The mother, eyes gaping, arms outstretched, staggered toward him; she tried to speak, hermouth opened, closed, but LowellLeesaid:"Shutup."Tobecertainsheobeyedhim,heshotherthreetimesmore.Mr. Andrews,however,wasstillalive;sobbing,whimpering,hethrashedalongthefloortoward thekitchen,butatthekitchen'sthresholdthesonunholsteredhisrevolveranddischarged every chamber, then re­loaded the weapon and emptied it again; altogether, his father absorbedseventeenbullets. Andrews,accordingtostatementscreditedtohim,"didn'tfeelanythingaboutit.Thetime came,andIwasdoingwhatIhadtodo.That'salltherewastoit."Aftertheshootingshe raisedawindowinhisbedroomandremovedthescreen,thenroamedthehouserifling dresserdrawersandscatteringthecontents:itwashisintentiontoblamethecrimeon thieves.Later,drivinghisfather'scar,hetraveledfortymilesoversnow­slipperyroadsto Lawrence,thetownwheretheUniversityofKansasislocated;enroute,heparkedona bridge,dismantledhislethalartillery,anddisposedofitbydroppingthepartsintothe KansasRiver.Butofcoursethejourney'struepurposewastoarrangeanalibi.Firsthe stoppedatthecampushousewhereheroomed;hetalkedwiththelandlady,toldherthat hehadcometopickuphistypewriter,andthatbecauseofthebadweatherthetripfrom WolcotttoLawrencehadtakentwohours.Departing,hevisitedamovietheater,where, uncharacteristically,hechattedwithanusherandacandyvendor.Ateleven,whenthe movieletout,hereturnedtoWolcott.Thefamily'smongreldogwaswaitingonthefront porch;itwaswhiningwithhunger,soLowellLee,enteringthehouseandsteppingacross hisfather'scorpse, prepared abowlof warmmilkand mush; then,whilethedog was lappingitup,hetelephonedthesheriff'sofficeandsaid,"MynameisLowellLeeAndrews.I liveat6040WolcottDrive,andIwanttoreportarobbery­" Four officers of the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Patrol responded. One of the group, PatrolmanMeyers,describedthesceneasfollows:"Well,itwasoneinthemorningwhen wegotthere.Allthelightsinthehousewason.Andthisbigdark­hairedboy,LowellLee, hewassittingontheporchpettinghisdog.Pattingitonthehead.LieutenantAteleven, theyaskedtheboywhathappened,andhepointedtothedoor,realcasual,andsaid,'Look in there.'" Having looked, the astonished officers summoned the county coroner, a gentlemanwhowasalsoimpressedbyyoungAndrews'callousnonchalance,forwhenthe coroneraskedhimwhatfuneralarrangementshewishedtohavemade,Andrewsreplied withashrug,"Idon'tcarewhatyoudowiththem." Shortly,twoseniordetectivesappearedandbegantoquestionthefamily'slonesurvivor. Thoughconvincedhewaslying,thedetectiveslistenedrespectfullytothetaleofhowhe haddriventoLawrencetofetchatypewriter,gonetoamovie,andarrivedhomeafter midnighttofindthebedroomsransackedandhisfamilyslain.Hestayedwiththestory,and mightneverhavealtereditif,subsequenttohisarrestandremovaltothecountyjail,the authoritieshadnotobtainedtheaidoftheReverendMr.VirtoC.Dameron. The Reverend Dameron, a Dickensian personage, an unctuous and jolly brimstone­and­ damnationorator,wasministeroftheGrandviewBaptistChurchinKansasCity,Kansas,the churchtheAndrewsfamilyattendedregularly.Awakenedbyanurgentcallfromthecounty coroner,Dameronpresentedhimselfatthejailaround3:00a.m.,whereupondetectives, whohadbeenstrenuouslybutabortivelyinterrogatingthesuspect,withdrewtoanother room, leaving the minister to consult privately with his parishioner. It proved a fatal

interviewforthelatter,whomanymonthsafterwardgavethisaccountofittoafriend:"Mr. Dameronsaid,'Now,Lee,I'veknownyouallyourlife.Sinceyouwerejustalittletadpole. AndIknewyourdaddyallhislife,wegrewuptogether,wewerechildhoodfriends.And that'swhyI'mhere­notjustbecauseI'myourminister,butbecauseIfeellikeyou'rea memberofmyownfamily.Andbecauseyouneedafriendthatyoucantalktoandtrust. AndIfeelterribleaboutthisterribleevent,andI'meverybitasanxiousasyouaretosee theguiltypartycaughtandpunished.' "HewantedtoknowwasIthirsty,andIwas,sohegotmeaco*ke,andafterthathe'sgoing onabouttheThanksgivingvacationandhowdoIlikeschool,whenallofasuddenhesays, 'Now,Lee,thereseemstobesomedoubtamongthepeoplehereregardingyourinnocence. I'msureyou'dbewillingtotakealiedetectorandconvincethesem*nofyourinnocenceso theycangetbusyandcatchtheguiltyparty.'Thenhesaid,'Lee,youdidn'tdothisterrible thing, did you?If you did,now is thetime topurgeyoursoul.'Thenext thing was,I thoughtwhatdifferencedoesitmake,andItoldhimthetruth,mosteverythingaboutit. Hekeptwagginghisheadandrollinghiseyesandrubbinghishandstogether,andhesaid itwasaterriblething,andIwouldhavetoanswertotheAlmighty,havetopurgemysoul bytellingtheofficerswhatI'dtoldhim,andwouldI?"Receivinganaffirmativenod,the prisoner's spiritual adviser stepped into an adjacent room, which was crowded with expectantpolicemen,andelatedlyissuedaninvitation:"Comeonin.Theboy'sreadyto makeastatement." TheAndrewscasebecamethebasisforalegalandmedicalcrusade.Priortothetrial,at which Andrews pleaded innocent by reason of insanity, the psychiatric staff of the MenningerClinicconductedanexhaustiveexaminationoftheaccused;thisproduceda diagnosis of "schizophrenia, simple type." By "simple," the diagnosticians meant that Andrewssufferednodelusions,nofalseperceptions,nohallucinations,buttheprimary illnessofseparationofthinkingfromfeeling.Heunderstoodthenatureofhisacts,andthat theywereprohibited,andthathewassubjecttopunishment."But,"toquoteDr.Joseph Satten, one of the examiners, "Lowell Lee Andrews felt no emotions whatsoever. He consideredhimselftheonlyimportant,onlysignificantpersonintheworld.Andinhisown seclusiveworlditseemedtohimjustasrighttokillhismotherastokillananimalorafly." IntheopinionofDr.Sattenandhiscolleagues,Andrews'crimeamountedtosuchanun­ debatableexampleofdiminishedresponsibilitythatthecaseofferedanidealchanceto challenge the M'Naghten Rule in Kansas courts. The M’Naghten Rule, as has been previouslystated,recognizesnoformofinsanityprovidedthedefendanthasthecapacityto discriminate between right and wrong ­ legally, not morally. Much to the distress of psychiatristsandliberaljurists,theRuleprevailsinthecourtsoftheBritishCommonwealth and,intheUnitedStates,inthecourtsofallbuthalfadozenorsoofthestatesandthe DistrictofColumbia,whichabidebythemorelenient,thoughtosomemindsimpractical, DurhamRule,whichissimplythatanaccusedisnotcriminallyresponsibleifhisunlawful actistheproductofmentaldiseaseormentaldefect. Inshort,whatAndrews'defenders,ateamcomposedofMenningerClinicpsychiatristsand twofirst­class attorneys, hoped toachievewasa victoryof legal­landmark stature. The greatessentialwastopersuadethecourttosubstitutetheDurhamRulefortheM'Naghten Rule.Ifthathappened,thenAndrews,becauseoftheabundantevidenceconcerninghis schizophreniccondition,wouldcertainlybesentencednottothegallows,oreventoprison, buttoconfinementintheStateHospitalfortheCriminallyInsane.

However, the defense reckoned without the defendant's religious counselor, the tireless ReverendMr.Dameron,whoappearedatthetrialasthechiefwitnessfortheprosecution, andwho,intheoverwrought,rococostyleofatent­showrevivalist,toldthecourthehad oftenwarnedhisformerSundaySchoolpupilofGod'simpendingwrath:"Isays,thereisn't anythinginthisworldthatisworthmorethanyoursoul,andyouhaveacknowledgedto meanumberoftimesinourconversationsthatyourfaithisweak,thatyouhavenofaithin God.YouknowthatallsinisagainstGodandGodisyourfinaljudge,andyouhavegotto answertoHim.ThatiswhatIsaidtomakehimfeeltheterriblenessofthethinghe'ddone, andthathehadtoanswertotheAlmightyforthiscrime." ApparentlytheReverendDameronwasdeterminedyoungAndrewsshouldanswernotonly totheAlmighty,butalsotomoretemporalpowers,foritwashistestimony,addedtothe defendant's confession, that settled matters. The presiding judge upheld the M'Naghten Rule,andthejurygavethestatethedeathpenaltyitdemanded. Friday,May13,thefirstdatesetfortheexecutionofSmithandHickock,passedharmlessly, theKansasSupremeCourthavinggrantedthemastaypendingtheoutcomeofappealsfor anewtrialfiledbytheirlawyers.AtthattimetheAndrewsverdictwasunderreviewbythe samecourt. Perry'scelladjoinedDick's;thoughinvisibletoeachother,theycouldeasilyconverse,yet PerryseldomspoketoDick,anditwasn'tbecauseofanydeclaredanimositybetweenthem (aftertheexchangeofafewtepidreproaches,theirrelationshiphadturnedintooneof mutual toleration: the acceptance of uncongenial but helpless Siamese twins); it was because Perry, cautious as always, secretive, suspicious, disliked having the guards and other inmates overhear his "private business" ­ especially Andrews, or Andy, as he was calledontheRow.Andrews'educatedaccentandtheformalqualityofhiscollege­trained intelligencewereanathematoPerry,who thoughhehad notgonebeyond thirdgrade, imagined himself more learned than most of hisacquaintances, and enjoyed correcting them,especiallytheirgrammarandpronunciation.Butheresuddenlywassomeone­"justa kid!"­constantlycorrectinghim.Wasitanywonderheneveropenedhismouth?Betterto keepyourmouthshutthantoriskoneofthecollegekid'ssnottylines,like:"Don'tsay disinterested.Whenwhatyoumeanisun­interested."Andrewsmeantwell,hewaswithout malice,butPerrycouldhaveboiledhiminoil­yetheneveradmittedit,neverletanyone thereguesswhy,afteroneofthesehumiliatingincidents,hesatandsulkedandignoredthe mealsthatweredeliveredtohimthreetimesaday.AtthebeginningofJunehestopped eatingaltogether­hetoldDick,"Youcanwaitaroundfortherope.Butnotme"­andfrom thatmomentherefusedtotouchfoodorwater,orsayonewordtoanybody. Thefastlastedfivedaysbeforethewardentookitseriously.Onthesixthdayheordered Smithtransferredtotheprisonhospital,butthemovedidnotlessenPerry'sresolve;when attemptsweremadetoforce­feedhimhefoughtback,tossedhisheadandclenchedhis jaws until they were rigid as horseshoes. Eventually, he had to be pinioned and fed intravenouslyorthroughatubeinsertedinanostril.Evenso,overthenextnineweekshis weightfellfrom168to115pounds,andthewardenwaswarnedthatforced­feedingalone couldnotkeepthepatientaliveindefinitely. Dick,though impressed by Perry's willpower,would notconcede that hispurpose was suicide;evenwhenPerrywasreportedtobeinacoma,hetoldAndrews,withwhomhe

hadbecomefriendly,thathisformerconfederatewasfaking."Hejustwantsthemtothink he'scrazy." Andrews,acompulsiveeater(hehadfilledascrapbookwithillustratededibles,everything fromstrawberryshortcaketoroastedpig),said,"Maybeheiscrazy.Starvinghimselflike that." "Hejustwantstogetoutofhere.Play­acting.Sothey'llsayhe'scrazyandputhiminthe crazyhouse." DickafterwardgrewfondofquotingAndrews'reply,foritseemedtohimafinespecimenof theboy's"funnythinking,"his"offonacloud"complacency."Well,"Andrewsallegedlysaid, "itsurestrikesmeahardwaytodoit.Starvingyourself.Becausesoonerorlaterwe'llall getoutofhere.Eitherwalkout­orbecarriedoutinacoffin.Myself,Idon'tcarewhetherI walkorgetcarried.It'sallthesameintheend." Dicksaid,"Thetroublewithyou,Andy,you'vegotnorespectforhumanlife.Includingyour own." Andrewsagreed."And,"hesaid,"I'lltellyousomethingelse.IfeverIdogetoutofhere alive,Imeanoverthewallsandclearout­well,maybenobodywillknowwhereAndy went,butthey'llsurehellknowwhereAndy'sbeen." AllsummerPerryundulatedbetweenhalf­awakestuporsandsickly,sweat­drenchedsleep. Voicesroaredthroughhishead;onevoicepersistentlyaskedhim,"WhereisJesus?Where?" Andoncehewokeupshouting,"ThebirdisJesus!ThebirdisJesus!"Hisfavoriteold theatricalfantasy,theoneinwhichhethoughtofhimselfas"PerryO'Parsons,TheOne­Man Symphony,"­returnedintheguiseofarecurrentdream.Thedream'sgeographicalcenter wasaLasVegasnightclubwhere,wearingawhitetophatandawhitetuxedo,hestrutted aboutaspotlightedstageplayinginturnaharmonica,aguitar,abanjo,drums,sang"You AreMySunshine,"andtap­dancedupashortflightofgold­paintedpropsteps;atthetop, standingonaplatform,hetookabow.Therewasnoapplause,none,andyetthousandsof patronspackedthevastandgaudyroom­astrangeaudience,mostlymenandmostly Negroes.Staringatthem,theperspiringentertaineratlastunderstoodtheirsilence,for suddenly he knew that these werephantoms,theghostsof thelegally annihilated,the hanged,thegassed,theelectrocuted­andinthesameinstantherealizedthathewasthere tojointhem,thatthegold­paintedstepshadledtoascaffold,thattheplatformonwhich he stood was opening beneath him. His top hat tumbled; urinating, defecating, Perry O'Parsonsenteredeternity. Oneafternoonheescapedfromadreamandwakenedtofindthewardenstandingbeside hisbed. The warden said, "Sounds likeyou werehaving alittlenightmare?" ButPerry wouldn'tanswerhim,andthewarden,whoonseveraloccasionshadvisitedthehospital andtriedtopersuadetheprisonertoceasehisfast,said,"Ihavesomethinghere.Fromyour father.Ithoughtyoumightwanttoseeit."Perry,hiseyesglitteringlyimmenseinaface nowalmostphosphorescentlypale,studiedtheceiling;andpresently,afterplacingapicture postcardonthepatient'sbedsidetable,therebuffedvisitordeparted. ThatnightPerrylookedatthecard.Itwasaddressedtothewarden,andpostmarkedBlue Lake, California; the message, written in a familiar stubby script, said: "Dear Sir, I

understandyouhavemyboyPerrybackincustody.Writemepleasewhatdidhedowrong andifIcometherecouldIseehim.Allswellwithmeandtrustthesamewithyou.TexJ. Smith."Perrydestroyedthecard,buthismindpreservedit,forthefewcrudewordshad resurrectedhimemotionally,revivedloveandhate,andremindedhimthathewasstill whathehadtriednottobe­alive."AndIjustdecided,"helaterinformedafriend,"thatI oughttostaythatway.Anybodywantedmylifewasn'tgoingtogetanymorehelpfromme. They'dhavetofightforit." Thenextmorningheaskedforaglassofmilk,thefirstsustenancehehadvolunteeredto acceptinfourteenweeks.Gradually,onadietofeggnogsandorangejuice,heregained weight;byOctobertheprisonphysician,Dr.RobertMoore,consideredhimstrongenough tobereturnedtotheRow.Whenhearrivedthere,Dicklaughedandsaid,"Welcomehome, honey." Twoyearspassed. ThedeparturesofWilsonandSpencerleftSmithandHickockandAndrewsalonewiththe Row'sburninglightsandveiledwindows.Theprivilegesgrantedordinaryprisonerswere deniedthem;noradiosorcardgames,notevenanexerciseperiod­indeed,theywere neverallowedoutoftheircells,excepteachSaturdaywhentheyweretakentoashower room,thengivenaonceweeklychangeofclothing;theonlyotheroccasionsformomentary release were the far between visits of lawyers or relatives. Mrs. Hickock came once a month;herhusbandhaddied,shehadlostthefarm,and,asshetoldDick,livednowwith onerelative,nowanother. Itseemed to Perryasthough heexisted "deepunderwater" ­perhapsbecausethe Row usuallywasasgrayandquietasoceandepths,soundlessexceptforsnores,coughs,the whisperofslipperedfeet,thefeatheryracketofthepigeonsnestingintheprisonwalls.But notalways."Sometimes,"Dickwroteinalettertohismother,"youcan'thearyourselfthink. Theythrowmeninthecellsdownstairs,whattheycallthehole,andplentyofthemare fighting mad and crazy to boot. Curse and scream the whole time. It's intolerable, so everybodystartsyellingshutup.Iwishyou'dsendmeearplugs.Onlytheywouldn'tallow metohavethem.Norestforthewicked,Iguess." The little building had been standing for more than a century, and seasonal changes provoked different symptoms of its antiquity: winter cold saturated the stone­and­iron fixtures,andinsummer,whentemperaturesoftenhurtledoverthehundredmark,theold cellsweremalodorouscauldrons."Sohotmyskinstings,"DickwroteinaletterdatedJuly 5,1961."Itrynottomovemuch.Ijustsitonthefloor.Mybed'stoosweatytoliedown, andthesmellmakesmesickbecauseofonlytheonebathaweekandalwayswearingthe sameclothes.Noventilationwhateverandthelightbulbsmakeeverythinghotter.Bugs keepbumpingonthewalls." Unlikeconventionalprisoners,thecondemnedarenotsubjectedtoaworkroutine;they candowiththeirtimewhattheylike­sleepallday,asPerryfrequentlydid("IpretendI'ma tinylittlebabythatcan'tkeepitseyesopen");or,aswasAndrews'habit,readallnight. Andrewsaveragedfifteentotwentybooksaweek;histasteencompassedbothtrashand belle­lettres,andhelikedpoetry,RobertFrost'sparticularly,buthealsoadmiredWhitman, EmilyDickinson,andthecomicpoemsofOgdenNash.Thoughthequenchlessqualityofhis literarythirsthadsoondepletedtheshelvesoftheprisonlibrary,theprisonchaplainand

otherssympathetictoAndrewskepthimsuppliedwithparcelsfromtheKansasCitypublic library. Dickwasratherabookworm,too;buthisinterestwasrestrictedtotwothemes­sex,as representedinthenovelsofHaroldRobbinsandIrvingWallace(Perry,afterbeinglentone ofthesebyDick,returneditwithanindignantnote:"Degeneratefilthforfilthydegenerate minds!"),andlawliterature. Heconsumedhourseachdayleafingthroughlawbooks,compilingresearchthathehoped would help reverse his conviction. Also, in pursuit of the same cause he fired off a cannonadeofletterstosuchorganizationsastheAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionandthe KansasStateBarAssociation­lettersattackinghistrialasa"travestyofdueprocess,"and urgingtherecipientstoaidhiminhisquestforanewtrial.Perrywaspersuadedtodraft similarpleas,butwhenDicksuggestedthatAndyfollowtheirexamplebywritingprotests inhisownbehalf,Andrewsreplied,"I'llworryaboutmyneckandyouworryaboutyours." (Actually,Dick'sneckwasnotthepartofhisanatomythatmostimmediatelytroubledhim. "Myhairiscomingoutbythehandfuls,"heconfidedinyetanotherlettertohismother."I'm frantic.NobodyinourfamilywasbaldheadedasIcanrecall,anditmakesmefranticthe ideaofbeinganuglyoldbaldhead.") TheRow'stwonightguards,arrivingatworkonanautumneveningin1961,hadapieceof news. "Well," one of them announced, "seems like you boys can expect company." The importoftheremarkwascleartohisaudience:itmeantthattwoyoungsoldiers,whohad beenstandingtrialforthemurderofaKansasrailroadworker,hadreceivedtheultimate sentence."Yessir,"theguardsaid,confirmingthis,"theygotthedeathpenalty."Dicksaid, "Sure.It'sverypopularinKansas.Jurieshanditoutliketheyweregivingcandytokids." One of the soldiers, GeorgeRonald York, waseighteen; his companion, James Douglas Latham,wasayearolder.Theywerebothexceptionallypersonable,whichperhapsexplains whyhordesofteen­agedgirlshadattendedtheirtrial.Thoughconvictedofasingleslaying, thepairhadclaimedsevenvictimsinthecourseofacross­countrymurderspree. RonnieYork,blondandblue­eyed,hadbeenbornandraisedinFlorida,wherehisfather wasawell­known,well­paiddeep­seadiver.TheYorkshadapleasantlycomfortablehome life,andRonnie,overlovedandoverpraisedbyhisparentsandaworshipfulyoungersister, wastheadoredcenterofit.Latham'sback­groundwasattheoppositeextreme,beingevery bitasbleakasPerrySmith's.BorninTexas,hewastheyoungestchildoffertile,moneyless, embattled parents who, when finally they separated, left their progeny to fend for themselves, to scatter hither and thither, loose and unwanted as bundles of Panhandle tumbleweed.Atseventeen,inneedofarefuge,LathamenlistedintheArmy;twoyears later,foundguiltyofanAWOLoffense,hewasimprisonedinthestockadeatFortHood, Texas.ItwastherethathemetRonnieYork,whowasalsoundersentenceforhavinggone AWOL.Thoughtheywereveryunlike­evenphysically,Yorkbeingtallandphlegmatic, whereastheTexanwasashortyoungmanwithfoxybrowneyesanimatingacompact,cute littleface­theyfoundtheysharedatleastonefirmopinion:theworldwashateful,and everybodyinitwouldbebetteroffdead."It'sarottenworld,"Lathamsaid."There'sno answertoitbutmeanness.That'sallanybodyunderstands­meanness.Burndownthe man'sbarn­he'llunderstandthat.Poisonhisdog.Killhim."RonniesaidLathamwas"one hundredpercentcorrect,"adding,"Anyway,anybodyyoukill,you'redoingthemafavor."

ThefirstpersontheychosetosofavorweretwoGeorgiawomen,respectablehousewives whohadthemisfortunetoencounterYorkandLathamnotlongafterthemurderouspair escaped from the Fort Hood stockade, stole a pickup truck, and drove to Jacksonville, Florida,York'shometown.ThesceneoftheencounterwasanEssostationonthedark outskirtsofJacksonville;thedatewasthenightofMay29,1961.Originally,theabsconding soldiershadtraveledtotheFloridacitywiththeintentionofvisitingYork'sfamily;once there, however, York decided it might be unwise to contact his parents; his father sometimeshadquiteatemper.HeandLathamtalkeditover,andNewOrleanswastheir newdestinationwhentheystoppedattheEssostationtobuygas.Alongsidethemanother carwasimbibingfuel;itcontainedthetwomatronlyvictims­to­be,who,afteradayof shoppingandpleasureinJacksonville,werereturningtotheirhomesinasmalltownnear the Florida­Georgia border. Alas, they had lost their way. York, from whom they asked directions,wasmostobliging:"Youjustfollowus.We'llputyouontherightroad."Butthe roadtowhichheledthemwasverywrongindeed:anarrowside­turningthatpeteredoff intoswamp. Theladiesfollowedalongfaithfullyuntiltheleadhalted,andtheysaw,intheshineoftheir headlights,thehelpfulyoungmenapproachingthemonfoot,andsaw,buttoolate,that eachwasarmedwithablackbullwhip.Thewhipswerethepropertyofthestolentruck's rightful custodian, a cattleman; it had been Latham's notion to use them as garrotes ­ which,afterrobbingthewomen,iswhattheydid.InNewOrleanstheboysboughtapistol andcarvedtwonotchesinthehandle. During the next ten days notches were added in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where they acquiredasnappyredDodgeconvertiblebyshootingtheowner,atravelingsalesman;and inanIllinoissuburbofSt.Louis,wheretwomoremenwereslain.TheKansasvictim,who followedtheprecedingfive,wasagrandfather;hisnamewasOttoZiegler,hewassixty­ two, a robust, friendly fellow, the sort not likely to pass distressed motorists without offeringassistance.WhilespinningalongaKansashighwayonefineJunemorning,Mr. Zieglerspiedaredconvertibleparkedbytheroadside,itshoodup,andacoupleofnice­ lookingyoungstersfiddlingwiththemotor.Howwasthegood­heartedMr.Zieglertoknow thatnothingailedthemachine­thatthiswasarusedevisedtorobandkillwould­be Samaritans?Hislastwordswere,"AnythingIcando?"York,atadistanceoftwentyfeet, sentabulletcrashingthroughtheoldman'sskull,thenturnedtoLathamandsaid,"Pretty goodshootin',huh?" Theirfinalvictimwasthemostpathetic.Itwasagirl,onlyeighteen;shewasemployedasa maidinaColoradomotelwheretherampagingpairspentanight,duringwhichshelet themmakelovetoher.ThentheytoldhertheywereontheirwaytoCalifornia,andinvited hertocomealong."Comeon,"Lathamurgedher,"maybewe'llallendupmoviestars."The girlandherhastilypackedcardboardsuitcaseendedupasblood­soakedwreckageatthe bottomofaravinenearCraig,Colorado;butnotmanyhoursaftershehadbeenshotand thrownthere,herassassinswereinfactperformingbeforemotion­picturecameras. Descriptions of the red car's occupants, provided by witnesses who had noticed them loiteringintheareawhereOttoZiegler'sbodywasdiscovered,hadbeencirculatedthrough theMidwestandWesternstates.Roadblockswereerected,andhelicopterspatrolledthe highways; it was a roadblock in Utah that caught York and Latham. Later, at Police HeadquartersinSaltLakeCity,alocaltelevisioncompanywasallowedtofilmaninterview withthem.Theresult,ifviewedwithoutsound,wouldseemtoconcerntwocheerful,milk

fedathletesdiscussinghockeyorbaseball­anythingbutmurderandtheroles,boastfully confessed,theyhadplayedinthedeathsofsevenpeople."Why,"theinterviewerasks,"why didyoudoit?"AndYork,withaself­congratulatorygrin,answers,"Wehatetheworld." AllfiveofthestatesthatviedfortherighttoprosecuteYorkandLathamendorsejudicial homicide:Florida(electrocution),Tennessee(electrocution),Illinois(electrocution),Kansas (hanging),andColorado(lethalgas).Butbecauseithadthefirmestevidence,Kansaswas victorious. ThemenontheRowfirstmettheirnewcompanionsNovember2,1961.Aguard,escorting thearrivalstotheircells,introducedthem:"Mr.York,Mr.Latham,I'dlikeyoutoknowMr. Smithhere.AndMr.Hickock.AndMr.LowellLeeAndrews­'thenicestboyinWolcott!'" Whentheparadehadpassed,HickockheardAndrewschuckling,andsaid,"What'ssofunny aboutthatsonofabitch?" "Nothing,"Andrewssaid."ButIwasthinking:whenyoucountmythreeandyourfourand theirseven,thatmakesfourteenofthemandfiveofus.Nowfiveintofourteenaveragesout ­" "Fourintofourteen,"Hickockcurtlycorrectedhim."Therearefourkillersuphereandone railroadedman.I'mnogoddamkiller.Inevertouchedahaironahumanhead." Hickockcontinuedwritinglettersprotestinghisconviction,andoneoftheseatlastbore fruit.Therecipient,EverettSteerman,ChairmanoftheLegalAidCommitteeoftheKansas StateBarAssociation,wasdisturbedbytheallegationsofthesender,whoinsistedthathe and his co­defendant had not had a fair trial. According to Hickock, the "hostile atmosphere" in Garden City had made it impossible to empanel an unbiased jury, and thereforeachangeofvenueshouldhavebeengranted.Asforthejurorsthatwerechosen, atleasttwohadclearlyindicatedapresumptionofguiltduringthevoirdireexamination ("Whenaskedtostatehisopinionofcapitalpunishment,onemansaidthatordinarilyhe wasagainstit,butinthiscaseno");unfortunately,thevoirdirehadnotbeenrecorded becauseKansaslawdoesnotrequireitunlessaspecificdemandismade.Manyofthe jurors,moreover,were"wellacquaintedwiththedeceased.Sowasthejudge.JudgeTate wasanintimatefriendofMr.Clutter." ButthebulkiestofHickock'smudpieswasaimedatthetwodefenseattorneys,Arthur FlemingandHarrisonSmith,whose"incompetenceandinadequacy"werethechiefcauseof thecorrespondent'spresentpredicament,fornorealdefensehadbeenpreparedoroffered bythem,andthislackofeffort,itwasimplied,hadbeendeliberate­anactofcollusion betweenthedefenseandtheprosecution. Theseweregraveassertions,reflectingupontheintegrityoftworespectedlawyersanda distinguisheddistrictjudge,butifevenpartiallytrue,thentheconstitutionalrightsofthe defendantshadbeenabused.PromptedbyMr.Steerman,theBarAssociationundertooka courseofactionwithoutprecedentinKansaslegalhistory:itappointedayoungWichita attorney, Russell Shultz, to investigate the charges and, should evidence warrant it, challenge the validity of the conviction by bringing habeas corpus proceedings in the KansasSupremeCourt,whichhadrecentlyupheldtheverdict.

ItwouldappearthatShultz'sinvestigationwasratherone­sided,sinceitconsistedoflittle morethananinterviewwithSmithandHickock,fromwhichthelawyeremergedwith crusadingphrasesforthepress:"Thequestionisthis­dopoor,plainlyguiltydefendants havearighttoacompletedefense?IdonotbelievethattheStateofKansaswouldbe eithergreatlyorforlongharmedby thedeathoftheseappellants.ButIdonotbelieveitcouldeverrecoverfromthedeathof dueprocess." Shultzfiledhishabeascorpuspetition,andtheKansasSupremeCourtcommissionedoneof itsownretiredjustices,theHonorableWalterG.Thiele,toconductafull­scalehearing.And soitcametopassthatalmosttwoyearsafterthetrial,thewholecastreassembledinthe courtroom at Garden City. The only important participants absent were the original defendants;intheirstead,asitwere,stoodJudgeTate,oldMr.Fleming,andHarrison Smith,whosecareerswereimperiled­notbecauseoftheappellant'sallegationsperse,but becauseoftheapparentcredittheBarAssociationbestoweduponthem. Thehearing,whichatonepointwastransferredtoLansing,whereJudgeThieleheard SmithandHickocktestify,tooksixdaystocomplete;ultimately,everypointwascovered. Eightjurorssworetheyhadneverknownanymemberoftheslainfamily;fouradmitted someslightacquaintancewithMr.Clutter,buteach,includingN.L.Dunnan,theairport operatorwhohadmadethecontroversialreplyduringthevoirdire,testifiedthathehad enteredthejuryboxwithanunprejudicedmind.ShultzchallengedDunnan:"Doyoufeel, sir,thatyouwouldhavebeenwillingtogototrialwithajurorwhosestateofmindwasthe sameasyours?"Dunnansaidyes,hewould;andShultzthensaid,"Doyourecallbeing asked whether or not you were averse to capital punishment?" Nodding, the witness answered,"ItoldthemundernormalconditionsIwouldprobablybeaversetoit.Butwith themagnitudeofthiscrimeIcouldprobablyvoteinfavor." Tangling with Tate was more difficult: Shultz soon realized he had a tiger by the tail. RespondingtoquestionsrelevanttohissupposedintimacywithMr.Clutter,thejudgesaid, "He[Clutter]wasoncealitigantinthiscourt,acaseoverwhichIpresided,adamage actioninvolvinganairplanefallingonhisproperty;hewassuingfordamagesto­Ibelieve somefruittrees.Otherthanthat,Ihadnooccasiontoassociatewithhim.Nonewhatever.I sawhimperhapsonceortwiceinthecourseofayear..."Shultz,floundering,switchedthe subject. "Doyouknow,"heasked,"whattheattitudeofthepeoplewasinthiscommunityafterthe apprehensionofthesetwomen?" "IbelieveIdo,"thejudgetoldhimwithscathingconfidence."Itismyopinionthatthe attitudetowardthemwasthatofanyoneelsechargedwithacriminaloffense­thatthey shouldbetriedasthelawprovides;thatiftheywereguiltytheyshouldbeconvicted;that theyshouldbegiventhesamefairtreatmentasanyotherperson.Therewasnoprejudice againstthembecausetheywereaccusedofcrime.""Youmean,"Shultzslylysaid,"yousaw noreasonforthecourtonitsownmotiontograntachangeofvenue?"Tate'slipscurved downward,hiseyesblazed."Mr.Shultz,"hesaid,asthoughthenamewasaprolongedhiss, "thecourtcannotonitsowngrantachangeofvenue.ThatwouldbecontrarytoKansas law.Icouldn'tgrantachangeunlessitwasproperlyrequested."Butwhyhadsucharequest notbeenmadebythedefendants'attorneys?Shultznowpursuedthisquestionwiththe

attorneys themselves, for to discredit them and prove that they had not supplied their clients with the minimum protection was, from the Wichita lawyer's viewpoint, the hearing'sprincipal objective.Fleming and Smith withstood theonslaughtin good style, particularlyFleming,who,wearingaboldredtieandanabidingsmile,enduredShultz withgentlemanlyresignation.Explainingwhyhehadnotappliedforachangeofvenue,he said,"IfeltthatsincetheReverendCowan,theministeroftheMethodistchurch,andaman of substance here, a man of high standing, as well as many other ministers here, had expressedthemselvesagainstcapitalpunishment,thatatleasttheleavenhadbeencastin thearea,andtherewerelikelymorepeoplehereinclinedtobelenientinthematterofthe penaltythanperhapsinotherpartsofthestate.ThenIbelieveitwasabrotherofMrs. Clutter'swhomadeastatementthatappearedinthepressindicatinghedidnotfeelthe defendantsshouldbeputtodeath." Shultzhadascoreofcharges,butunderlyingthemallwastheimplicationthatbecauseof communitypressure,FlemingandSmithhaddeliberatelyneglectedtheirduties.Bothmen, Shultzmaintained,hadbetrayedtheirclientsbynotconsultingwiththemsufficiently(Mr. Flemingreplied,"Iworkedonthecasetotheverybestofmyability,givingitmoretime thanIdomostcases");bywaivingapreliminaryhearing(Smithanswered,"Butsir,neither Mr. Fleming nor I had been appointed counsel at the time of the waiver"); by making remarkstonewsmendamagingtothedefendants(ShultztoSmith:"Areyouawarethata reporter,RonKulloftheTopekaDailyCapital,quotedyou,ontheseconddayofthetrial,as sayingtherewasnodoubtofMr.Hickock'sguilt,butthatyouwereconcernedonlywith obtaininglifeimprisonmentratherthanthedeathpenalty?"SmithtoShultz:"No,sir.IfI wasquotedassayingthatitwasincorrect");andbyfailingtoprepareaproperdefense. This last proposition was the one Shultz pedaled hardest; it is relevant, therefore, to reproduceanopinionofitwrittenbythreeFederaljudgesastheresultofasubsequent appealtotheUnitedStatesCourtofAppeals,TenthCircuit:"Wethink,however,thatthose viewing the situation in retrospect have lost sight of the problems which confronted AttorneysSmithandFlemingwhentheyundertookthedefenseofthesepetitioners.When theyacceptedtheappointmentseachpetitionerhadmadeafullconfession,andtheydid notthencontend,nordidtheyseriouslycontendatanytimeinthestatecourts,thatthese confessions were not voluntary. A radio taken from the Clutter home and sold by the petitionersinMexicoCityhadbeenrecovered,andtheattorneysknewofotherevidenceof theirguilttheninthepossessionoftheprosecution.Whencalledupontopleadtothe chargesagainstthemtheystoodmute,anditwasnecessaryforthecourttoenterapleaof notguiltyforthem.Therewasnosubstantialevidencethen,andnonehasbeenproduced sincethetrial,tosubstantiateadefenseofinsanity.Theattempttoestablishinsanityasa defensebecauseofseriousinjuriesinaccidentsyearsbefore,andheadachesandoccasional faintingspellsofHickock,waslikegraspingattheproverbialstraw.Theattorneyswere facedwithasituationwhereoutrageouscrimescommittedoninnocentpersonshadbeen admitted. Under these circ*mstances, they would have been justified in advising that petitionersenterpleasofguiltyandthrowthemselvesonthemercyofthecourt.Theironly hope was through some turn of fate the lives of these misguided individuals might be spared." In the report he submitted to the Kansas Supreme Court, Judge Thiele found that the petitionershadreceivedaconstitutionallyfairtrial;thecourtthereupondeniedthewritto abolishtheverdict,andsetanewdateofexecution­October25,1962.Asithappened, Lowell Lee Andrews, whose case had twice traveled all the way to the United States

SupremeCourt,wasscheduledtohangonemonthlater. TheClutterslayers,grantedareprievebyaFederaljudge,evadedtheirdate.Andrewskept his. lnthedispositionofcapitalcasesintheUnitedStates,themedianelapsedtimebetween sentenceandexecutionisapproximatelyseventeenmonths.Recently,inTexas,anarmed robberwaselectrocutedonemonthafterhisconviction;butinLouisiana,atthepresent writing,tworapistshavebeenwaitingforarecordtwelveyears.Thevariancedependsa little on luck and a great deal on the extent of litigation. The majority of the lawyers handlingthesecasesarecourt­appointedandworkwithoutrecompense;butmoreoften thannotthecourts,inordertoavoidfutureappealsbasedoncomplaintsofinadequate representation,appointmenoffirstqualitywhodefendwithcommendablevigor.However, evenanattorneyofmoderatetalentcanpostponedoomsdayyearafteryear,forthesystem ofappealsthatpervadesAmericanjurisprudenceamountstoalegalisticwheeloffortune,a gameofchance,somewhatfixedinthefavorofthecriminal,thattheparticipantsplay interminably,firstinthestatecourts,thenthroughtheFederalcourtsuntiltheultimate tribunal is reached ­theUnited StatesSupreme Court. But even defeattheredoes not signifyifpetitioner'scounselcandiscoverorinventnewgroundsforappeal;usuallythey can,and so oncemorethewheelturns, and turns until, perhapssome yearslater, the prisonerarrivesbackatthenation'shighestcourt,probablyonlytobeginagaintheslow cruelcontest.Butatintervalsthewheeldoespausetodeclareawinner­or,thoughwith increasingrarity,aloser:Andrews'lawyersfoughttothefinalmoment,buttheirclientwent tothegallowsonFriday,November30,1962. "Thatwasacoldnight,"Hickocksaid,talkingtoajournalistwithwhomhecorresponded andwhowasperiodicallyallowedtovisithim."Coldandwet.Ithadbeenraininglikea bastard,andthebaseballfieldwasmuduptoyourcojones.SowhentheytookAndyoutto thewarehouse,theyhadtowalkhimalongthepath.Wewereallatourwindowswatching ­Perryandme,RonnieYork,JimmyLatham.Itwasjustaftermidnight,andthewarehouse waslituplikeaHalloweenpumpkin.Thedoorswideopen.Wecouldseethewitnesses,a lotofguards,thedoctorandthewarden­everydamnthingbutthegallows.Itwasoffat anangle,butwecouldseeitsshadow.Ashadowonthewallliketheshadowofaboxing ring. "ThechaplainandfourguardshadchargeofAndy,andwhentheygottothedoorthey stoppedasecond.Andywaslookingatthegallows­youcouldsensehewas.Hisarmswere tiedinfrontofhim.AllofasuddenthechaplainreachedoutandtookoffAndy'sglasses. Which was kind of pitiful, Andy without his glasses. They led him on inside, and I wondered he could see to climb the steps. It was real quiet, just nothing but this dog barkingwayoff.Sometowndog.Thenweheardit,thesound,andJimmyLathamsaid, "Whatwasthat?";andItoldhimwhatitwas­thetrapdoor. "Thenitwasrealquietagain.Exceptthatdog.OldAndy,hedancedalongtime.Theymust havehadarealmesstocleanup. Everyfewminutesthedoctorcametothedoorandsteppedoutside,andstoodtherewith thisstethoscopeinhishand.Iwouldn'tsayhewasenjoyinghiswork­keptgasping,likehe wasgaspingforbreath,andhewascrying,too.Jimmysaid,'Getaloadofthatnance.'I guessthereasonhesteppedoutsidewassotheotherswouldn'tseehewascrying.Then

he'dgobackandlistentohearifAndy'shearthadstopped.Seemedlikeitneverwould.The factis,hisheartkeptbearingfornineteenminutes. "Andywasafunnykid,"Hickocksaid,smilinglopsidedlyasheproppedacigarettebetween hislips."ItwaslikeItoldhim:hehadnorespectforhumanlife,notevenhisown.Right beforetheyhangedhim,hesatdownandatetwofriedchickens.Andthatlastafternoonhe wassmokingcigarsanddrinkingco*keandwritingpoetry.Whentheycametogethim,and wesaidourgoodbye,Isaid,‘I’llbeseeingyousoon,Andy.'CauseI'msurewe'regoingto thesameplace.Soscoutaroundandseeifyoucan'tfindacoolshadyspotforusDown There.'Helaughed,andsaidhedidn'tbelieveinheavenorhell,justdustuntodust.Andhe saidanauntandunclehadbeentoseehim,andtoldhimtheyhadacoffinwaitingtocarry himtosomelittlecemeteryinnorthMissouri.Thesameplacewherethethreehedisposed ofwereburied.TheyplannedtoputAndyrightalongsidethem.Hesaidwhentheytold himthathecouldhardlykeepastraightface.Isaid,'Well,you'reluckytohaveagrave. Mostlikelythey'llgivePerryandmetothevivisectionist.'Wejokedonlikethattillitwas timetogo,andjustashewasgoinghehandedmeapieceofpaperwithapoemonit.I don'tknowifhewroteit.Orcopieditoutofabook.Myimpressionwashewroteit.If you'reinterested,I'llsendittoyou." Helaterdidso,andAndrews'farewellmessageturnedouttobetheninthstanzaofGray's "ElegyWritteninaCountryChurchyard": The boasts of heraldry, the pomp of pow'r,And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,Awaitaliketheinevitablehour:Thepathsofgloryleadbuttothegrave. "IreallylikedAndy.Hewasanut­notarealnut,liketheykepthollering;but,youknow, justgoofy.Hewasalwaystalkingaboutbreakingoutofhereandmakinghislivingasa hiredgun.HelikedtoimaginehimselfroamingaroundChicagoorLosAngeleswitha machineguninsideaviolincase.Coolingguys.Saidhe'dchargeathousandbucksperstiff." Hickocklaughed,presumablyattheabsurdityofhisfriend'sambitions,sighed,andshook hishead."ButforsomeonehisagehewasthesmartestpersonIevercomeacross.Ahuman library.Whenthatboyreadabookitstayedread.Coursehedidn'tknowadumb­darnthing aboutlife.Me,I'manignoramusexceptwhenitcomestowhatIknowaboutlife.I've walkedalongalotofmeanstreets.I'veseenawhitemanflogged.I'vewatchedbabiesborn. I'veseenagirl,andhernomorethanfourteen,takeonthreeguysatthesametimeand givethemalltheirmoney'sworth.Felloffashiponcefivemilesouttosea.Swamfivemiles with my life passing before me with every stroke. Once I shook hands with President TrumaninthelobbyoftheHotelMuehlebach.HarrySTruman.WhenIwasworkingfor thehospital,drivinganambulance,Isaweverysideoflifethereis­thingsthatwouldmake adogvomit.ButAndy.Hedidn'tknowonedumb­damn­darnthingexceptwhathe'dread inbooks. "Hewasinnocentasalittlechild,somekidwithaboxofCrackerJack.He'dneveronce beenwithawoman,Manormule.Hesaidsohimself.Maybethat'swhatIlikedabouthim most.Howhewouldn'tprevaricate.TherestofusontheRow,we'reallabunchofbull­ artists.I'moneoftheworst.Shoot,you'vegottotalkaboutsomething.Brag.Otherwise you'renobody,nothing,apotatovegetatinginyourseven­by­tenlimbo.ButAndynever wouldpartake.Hesaidwhat'stheusetellingalotofstuffthatneverhappened.

"OldPerry,though,hewasn'tsorrytoseethelastofAndy.Andywastheonethinginthe worldPerrywantstobe­educated.AndPerrycouldn'tforgivehimforit.Youknowhow Perry'salwaysusinghundred­dollarwordshedoesn'thalfknowthemeaningof?Sounds likeoneofthemcollegenigg*rs?Boy,itburnedhisbottomtohaveAndycatchuponhim andhaulhimtothecurb.CourseAndywasjusttryingtogivehimwhathewanted­an education.Thetruthis,can'tanybodygetalongwithPerry.Hehasn'tgotasinglefriendon thepremises.Imean,justwhothehelldoeshethinkheis?Sneeringateverybody.Calling peoplepervertsanddegenerates.GoingonaboutwhatlowI.Q.'stheyhave.It'stoobadwe can'tallbesuchsensitivesoulslikelittlePerry.Saints.Boy,butIknowsomehardrocks who'dgladlygotoTheCorneriftheycouldgethimaloneintheshowerroomforjustone hotminute.Thewayhehigh­hatsYorkandLatham!Ronniesayshesurewishesheknew wherehecouldlayholdofabullwhip.Sayshe'dliketosqueezePerryalittle.Idon'tblame him.Afterall,we'reallinthesamefix,andthey'reprettygoodboys." Hickockchuckledruefully,shrugged,andsaid,"YouknowwhatImean.Good­considering. RonnieYork'smotherhasbeenheretovisithimseveraltimes.Oneday,outinthewaiting room,shemetmymother,andnowthey'vecometobeeachother'snumber­onebuddy. Mrs.YorkwantsmymothertocomevisitherhomeinFlorida,maybeevenlivethere.Jesus, Iwishshewould.Thenshewouldn'thavetogothroughthisordeal.Onceamonthriding thebusheretoseeme.Smiling,tryingtofindsomethingtosay,makemefeelgood.The poorlady.Idon'tknowhowshestandsit.Iwondersheisn'tcrazy." Hickock'suneveneyesturnedtowardawindowinthevisitingroom;hisface,puffy,pallid asafunerallily,gleamedintheweakwintersunshinefilteringthroughthebar­shrouded glass. "Thepoorlady.Shewrotethewarden,andaskedhimifshecouldspeaktoPerrythenext timeshecamehere.ShewantedtohearfromPerryhimselfhowhekilledthosepeople, howIneverfiredshotone.AllIcanhopeisthatsomedaywe'llgetanewtrial,andPerry willtestifyandtellthetruth.OnlyIdoubtit.He'splaindeterminedthatifhegoesIgo. Backtoback.It'snotright.Manyamanhaskilledandneverseentheinsideofadeathcell. AndIneverkilledanybody.Ifyou'vegotfiftythousanddollarstospend,youcouldbump off half of Kansas City and just laugh ha ha." A sudden grin obliterated his woeful indignation."Uh­oh.ThereIgoagain.Oldcrybaby.You'dthinkI'dlearn.Buthonestto God,I'vedonemydamnedesttogetalongwithPerry.Onlyhe'ssocritical.Two­faced.So jealousofeverylittlething.EveryletterIget,everyvisit.Nobodyevercomestoseehim exceptyou,"hesaid,noddingatthejournalist,whowasasequallywellacquaintedwith SmithashewaswithHickock."Orhislawyer.Rememberwhenhewasinthehospital? Withthatphonystarvationroutine?Andhisdadsentthepostcard?Well,thewardenwrote Perry'sdadandsaidhewaswelcometocomehereanytime.Butheneverhasshowedup.I don'tknow.SometimesyougottofeelsorryforPerry.Hemustbeoneofthemostalone peoplethereeverwas.But.Aw,thehellwithhim.It'smostlyeverybithisownfault." HickockslippedanothercigaretteawayfromapackageofPallMalls,wrinkledhisnose,and said, "I've tried toquitsmoking.Then Ifigurewhatdifference does itmakeunder the circ*mstances.Withalittleluck,maybeI'llgetcancerandbeatthestateatit*owngame. ForawhilethereIwassmokingcigars.Andy's.Themorningaftertheyhangedhim,Iwoke upandcalledtohim,'Andy?'­thewayIusuallydid.ThenIrememberedhewasonhisway toMissouri.Withtheauntanduncle.Ilookedoutinthecorridor.Hiscellhadbeencleaned out, and all his junk was piled there. The mattress off his bunk, his slippers, and the

scrapbookwithallthefoodpictures­hecalledithisicebox.Andthisboxof'Macbeth' cigars.ItoldtheguardAndywantedmetohavethem,leftthemtomeinhiswill.Actually, I never smoked them all. Maybe it was the idea of Andy, but somehow they gave me indigestion. "Well,what'stheretosayaboutcapitalpunishment?I'mnotagainstit.Revengeisallitis, butwhat'swrongwithrevenge?It'sveryimportant.IfIwaskintotheClutters,oranyof thepartiesYorkandLathamdispensedwith,Icouldn'trestinpeacetilltheonesresponsible hadtakenthatrideontheBigSwing.Thesepeoplethatwriteletterstothenewspapers. ThereweretwoinaTopekapapertheotherday­onefromaminister.Saying,ineffect, whatisallthislegalfarce,whyhaven'tthosesonsabitchesSmithandHickockgotitinthe neck,howcomethosemurderingsonsabitchesarestilleatingupthetaxpayers'money? Well,Icanseetheirside.They'remad'causethey'renotgettingwhattheywant­revenge. Andthey'renotgoingtogetitifIcanhelpit.Ibelieveinhanging.JustsolongasI'mnot theonebeinghanged." Butthenhewas. Anotherthreeyearspassed,andduringthoseyearstwoexceptionallyskillfulKansasCity lawyers,JosephP.JenkinsandRobertBingham,replacedShultz,thelatterhavingresigned from the case. Appointed by a Federal judge, and working without compensation (but motivated by a hard­held opinion that the defendants had been the victims of a "nightmarishly unfair trial"), Jenkins and Bingham filed numerous appeals within the frameworkoftheFederalcourtsystem,therebyavoidingthreeexecutiondates:October25, 1962,August8,1963,andFebruary18,1965.Theattorneyscontendedthattheirclients hadbeenunjustlyconvictedbecauselegalcounselhadnotbeenappointedthemuntilafter they had confessed and had waived preliminary hearings; and because they were not competently represented at their trial, were convicted with the help of evidence seized withoutasearchwarrant(theshotgunandknifetakenfromtheHickockhome),werenot grantedachangeofvenueeventhoughtheenvironsofthetrialhadbeen"saturated"with publicityprejudicialtotheaccused. Withthesearguments,JenkinsandBinghamsucceededincarryingthecasethreetimesto theUnitedStatesSupremeCourt­theBigBoy,asmanylitigatingprisonersrefertoit­but on each occasion the Court, which never comments on its decisions in such instances, deniedtheappealsbyrefusingtograntthewritsofcertiorarithatwouldhaveentitledthe appellantstoafullhearingbeforetheCourt.InMarch,1965,afterSmithandHickockhad beenconfinedintheirDeathRowcellsalmosttwothousanddays,theKansasSupreme Courtdecreedthattheirlivesmustendbetweenmidnightand2:00a.m.,Wednesday,April 14,1965.Subsequently,aclemencyappealwaspresentedtothenewlyelectedGovernorof Kansas, William Avery; but Avery, a rich farmer sensitive to public opinion, refused to intervene­adecisionhefelttobeinthe"bestinterestofthepeopleofKansas."(Two months later, Avery also denied the clemency appeals of York and Latham, who were hangedonJune22,1965.) AndsoithappenedthatinthedaylighthoursofthatWednesdaymorning,AlvinDewey, breakfastinginthecoffeeshopofaTopekahotel,read,onthefirstpageoftheKansasCity Star,aheadlinehehadlongawaited:dieonropeforbloodycrime.Thestory,writtenbyan Associated Press reporter, began: "Richard Eugene Hickock and Perry Edward Smith, partners in crime, died on the gallows at the state prison early today for one of the

bloodiestmurdersinKansascriminalannals.Hickock,33yearsold,diedfirst,at12:41a.m.; Smith,36,diedat1:19..." Deweyhadwatchedthemdie,forhehadbeenamongthetwenty­oddwitnessesinvitedto theceremony.Hehadneverattendedanexecution,andwhenonthemidnightpasthe enteredthecoldwarehouse,thesceneryhadsurprisedhim:hehadanticipatedasettingof suitabledignity,notthisbleaklylightedcavernclutteredwithlumberandotherdebris.But thegallowsitself,withitstwopalenoosesattachedtoacrossbeam,wasimposingenough; andso,inanunexpectedstyle,wasthehangman,whocastalongshadowfromhisperch ontheplatformatthetopofthewoodeninstrument'sthirteensteps.Thehangman,an anonymous,leatherygentlemanwhohadbeenimportedfromMissourifortheevent,for whichhewaspaidsixhundreddollars,wasattiredinanageddouble­breastedpinstriped suitoverlycommodiousforthenarrowfigureinsideit­thecoatcamenearlytohisknees; andonhisheadheworeacowboyhatwhich,whenfirstbought,hadperhapsbeenbright green,butwasnowaweathered,sweat­stainedoddity. Also,Deweyfoundtheself­consciouslycasualconversationofhisfellowwitnesses,asthey stoodawaitingthestartofwhatonewitnesstermed"thefestivities,"disconcerting. "WhatIheardwas,theywasgonnaletthemdrawstrawstoseewhodroppedfirst.Orflipa coin.ButSmithsayswhynotdoitalphabetically.Guess'causeScomesafterH.Ha!" "Readinthepaper,afternoonpaper,whattheyorderedfortheirlastmeal?Orderedthe samemenu.Shrimp.Frenchfries.Garlicbread.Icecreamandstrawberriesandwhipped cream.UnderstandSmithdidn'ttouchhismuch." "ThatHickock'sgotasenseofhumor.Theywastellingmehow,aboutanhourago,oneof theguardssaystohim,'Thismustbethelongestnightofyourlife.'AndHickock,helaughs andsays,'No.Theshortest.'" "DidyouhearaboutHickock'seyes?Heleftthemtoaneyedoctor.Soonastheycuthim down,thisdoctor'sgonnayankouthiseyesandsticktheminsomebodyelse'shead.Can't sayI'dwanttobethatsomebody.I'dfeelpeculiarwiththemeyesinmyhead." "Christ!Isthatrain?Allthewindowsdown!MynewChevy.Christ!" Thesuddenrainrappedthehighwarehouseroof.Thesound,notunliketherat­a­tat­tatof parade drums, heralded Hickock's arrival. Accompanied by six guards and a prayer­ murmuringchaplain,heenteredthedeathplacehandcuffedandwearinganuglyharness ofleatherstrapsthatboundhisarmstohistorso.Atthefootofthegallowsthewarden readtohimtheofficialorderofexecution,atwo­pagedocument;andasthewardenread, Hickock'seyes,enfeebledbyhalfadecadeofcellshadows,roamedthelittleaudienceuntil, notseeingwhathesought,heaskedthenearestguard,inawhisper,ifanymemberofthe Clutterfamilywaspresent.Whenhewastoldno,theprisonerseemeddisappointed,as thoughhethoughttheprotocolsurroundingthisritualofvengeancewasnotbeingproperly observed. As is customary, the warden, having finished his recitation, asked the condemned man whetherhehadanylaststatementtomake.Hickocknodded."IjustwanttosayIholdno hardfeelings.Youpeoplearesendingmetoabetterworldthanthiseverwas";then,asifto

emphasizethepoint,heshookhandswiththefourmenmainlyresponsibleforhiscapture and conviction, all of whom had requested permission to attend the executions: K.B.I. AgentsRoyChurch,ClarenceDuntz,HaroldNye,andDeweyhimself."Nicetoseeyou," Hickocksaidwithhismostcharmingsmile;itwasasifheweregreetingguestsathisown funeral. Thehangmancoughed­impatientlyliftedhiscowboyhatandsettleditagain,agesture somehowreminiscentofaturkeybuzzardhuffing,thensmoothingitsneckfeathers­and Hickock,nudgedbyanattendant,mountedthescaffoldsteps."TheLordgiveth,theLord takethaway.BlessedisthenameoftheLord,"thechaplainintoned,astherainsound accelerated, as the noose was fitted, and as a delicate black mask was tied round the prisoner'seyes."MaytheLordhavemercyonyoursoul."Thetrapdooropened,andHickock hungforalltoseeafulltwentyminutesbeforetheprisondoctoratlastsaid,"Ipronounce this man dead." A hearse, its blazing headlights beaded with rain, drove into the warehouse,andthebody,placedonalitterandshroudedunderablanket,wascarriedto thehearseandoutintothenight.Staringafterit,RoyChurchshookhishead:"Inever wouldhavebelievedhehadtheguts.Totakeitlikehedid.Ihadhimtaggedacoward." Themantowhomhespoke,anotherdetective,said,"Aw,Roy.Theguywasapunk.Amean bastard.Hedeservedit."Church,withthoughtfuleyes,continuedtoshakehishead.While waitingforthesecondexecution,areporterandaguardconversed.Thereportersaid,"This yourfirsthanging?" "IseenLeeAndrews." "Thishere'smyfirst." "Yeah.How'dyoulikeit?" Thereporterpursedhislips."Nobodyinourofficewantedtheassignment.Meeither.Butit wasn'tasbadasIthoughtitwouldbe.Justlikejumpingoffadivingboard.Onlywitha ropearoundyourneck." "Theydon'tfeelnothing.Drop,snap,andthat'sit.Theydon'tfeelnothing." "Areyousure?Iwasstandingrightclose.Icouldhearhimgaspingforbreath." "Uh­huh,buthedon'tfeelnothing.Wouldn'tbehumaneifhedid." "Well.AndIsupposetheyfeedthemalotofpills.Sedatives." "Hell,no.Againsttherules.HerecomesSmith." "Gosh,Ididn'tknowhewassuchashrimp." 'Yeah,he'slittle.Butsoisatarantula." Ashewasbroughtintothewarehouse,Smithrecognizedhisoldfoe,Dewey;hestopped chewing a hunk of Doublemint gum he had in hismouth, and grinned and winked at Dewey,jauntyandmischievous.Butafterthewardenaskedifhehadanythingtosay,his

expressionwassober.Hissensitiveeyesgazedgravelyatthesurroundingfaces,swervedup totheshadowyhangman,thendownwardtohisownmanacledhands.Helookedathis fingers,whichwerestainedwithinkandpaint,forhe'dspenthisfinalthreeyearsonDeath Rowpaintingself­portraitsandpicturesofchildren,usuallythechildrenofinmateswho supplied him with photographs of their seldom­seen progeny. "I think," he said, "it's a helluvathingtotakealifeinthismanner.Idon'tbelieveincapitalpunishment,morallyor legally.MaybeIhadsomethingtocontribute,something­"Hisassurancefaltered;shyness blurredhisvoice,loweredittoajustaudiblelevel."Itwouldbemeaninglesstoapologize forwhatIdid.Eveninappropriate.ButIdo.Iapologize." Steps,noose,mask;butbeforethemaskwasadjusted,theprisonerspathischewinggum intothechaplain'soutstretchedpalm.Deweyshuthiseyes;hekeptthemshutuntilhe heardthethud­snapthatannouncesarope­brokenneck.LikethemajorityofAmericanlaw­ enforcementofficials,Deweyiscertainthatcapitalpunishmentisadeterrenttoviolent crime,andhefeltthatifeverthepenaltyhadbeenearned,thepresentinstancewasit.The precedingexecutionhadnotdisturbedhim,hehadneverhadmuchuseforHickock,who seemedtohim"asmall­timechiselerwhogotoutofhisdepth,emptyandworthless."But Smith,thoughhewasthetruemurderer,arousedanotherresponse,forPerrypossesseda quality,theauraofanexiledanimal,acreaturewalkingwounded,thatthedetectivecould notdisregard.HerememberedhisfirstmeetingwithPerryintheinterrogationroomat PoliceHeadquartersinLasVegas­thedwarfishboy­manseatedinthemetalchair,hissmall bootedfeetnotquitebrushingthefloor.AndwhenDeweynowopenedhiseyes,thatis whathesaw:thesamechildishfeet,tilted,dangling. DeweyhadimaginedthatwiththedeathsofSmithandHickock,hewouldexperiencea sense of climax, release, of a design justly completed. Instead, he discovered himself recallinganincidentofalmostayearago,acasualencounterinValleyViewCemetery, which,inretrospect,hadsomehowforhimmoreorlessendedtheCluttercase. ThepioneerswhofoundedGardenCitywerenecessarilyaSpartanpeople,butwhenthe timecametoestablishaformalcemetery,theyweredetermined,despitearidsoilandthe troublesoftransportingwater,tocreatearichcontrasttothedustystreets,theaustere plains.Theresult,whichtheynamedValleyView,issituatedabovethetownonaplateauof modestaltitude.Seentoday,itisadarkislandlappedbytheundulatingsurfofsurrounding wheatfields­agoodrefugefromahotday,fortherearemanycoolpathsunbrokenly shadedbytreesplantedgenerationsago. OneafternoonthepreviousMay,amonthwhenthefieldsblazewiththegreen­goldfireof half­grownwheat,DeweyhadspentseveralhoursatValleyViewweedinghisfather'sgrave, anobligationhehadtoolongneglected.Deweywasfifty­one,fouryearsolderthanwhen hehadsupervisedtheClutterinvestigation;buthewasstillleanandagile,andstillthe K.B.I.'sprincipalagentinwesternKansas;onlyaweekearlierhehadcaughtapairofcattle rustlers.Thedreamofsettlingonhisfarmhadnotcometrue,forhiswife'sfearoflivingin thatsortofisolationhadneverlessened.Instead,theDeweyshadbuiltanewhousein town;theywereproudofit,andproud,too,ofboththeirsons,whoweredeep­voicednow andastallastheirfather.Theolderboywasheadedforcollegeintheautumn. Whenhe hadfinishedweeding,Deweystrolled along thequietpaths.Hestopped ata tombstonemarkedwitharecentlycarvedname:Tate.JudgeTatehaddiedofpneumonia thepastNovember;wreaths,brownroses,andrain­fadedribbonsstilllayupontheraw

earth.Closeby,fresherpetalsspilledacrossanewermound­thegraveofBonnieJean Ashida,theAshidas'elderdaughter,whowhilevisitingGardenCityhadbeenkilledinacar collision.Deaths,births,marriages­why,justtheotherdayhe'dheardthatNancyClutter's boyfriend,youngBobbyRupp,hadgoneandgotmarried. ThegravesoftheClutterfamily,fourgravesgatheredunderasinglegraystone,lieinafar cornerofthecemetery­beyondthetrees,outinthesun,almostatthewheatfield'sbright edge.AsDeweyapproachedthem,hesawthatanothervisitorwasalreadythere:awillowy girlwithwhite­glovedhands,asmoothcapofdark­honeyhair,andlong,elegantlegs.She smiledathim,andhewonderedwhoshewas. "Haveyouforgottenme,Mr.Dewey?SusanKidwell."Helaughed;shejoinedhim."Sue Kidwell.I'llbedarned."Hehadn'tseenhersincethetrial;shehadbeenachildthen."How areyou?How'syourmother?" "Fine,thankyou.She'sstillteachingmusicattheHolcombSchool." "Haven'tbeenthatwaylately.Anychanges?" "Oh,there'ssometalkaboutpavingthestreets.ButyouknowHolcomb.Actually,Idon't spendmuchtimethere.ThisismyjunioryearatK.U.,"shesaid,meaningtheUniversityof Kansas."I'mjusthomeforafewdays." "That'swonderful,Sue.Whatareyoustudying?" "Everything.Art,mostly.Iloveit.I'mreallyhappy."Sheglancedacrosstheprairie."Nancy andIplannedtogotocollegetogether.Weweregoingtoberoommates.Ithinkaboutit sometimes.Suddenly,whenI'mveryhappy,Ithinkofalltheplanswemade." Deweylookedatthegraystoneinscribedwithfournames,andthedateoftheirdeath: November15,1959."Doyoucomehereoften?" "Once in a while. Gosh, the sun's strong." She covered her eyes with tinted glasses. "RememberBobbyRupp?Hemarriedabeautifulgirl." "SoIheard." "ColleenWhitehurst.She'sreallybeautiful.Andverynice,too." "GoodforBobby."Andtoteaseher,Deweyadded,"Buthowaboutyou?Youmusthavealot ofbeaus." "Well.Nothingserious.Butthatremindsme.Doyouhavethetime?Oh,"shecried,when hetoldheritwaspastfour,"I'vegottarun!Butitwasnicetohaveseenyou,Mr.Dewey." "Andnicetohaveseenyou,Sue.Goodluck,"hecalledafterherasshedisappeareddown thepath,aprettygirlinahurry,hersmoothhairswinging,shining­justsuchayoung womanasNancymighthavebeen.Then,startinghome,hewalkedtowardthetrees,and underthem,leavingbehindhimthebigsky,thewhisperofwindvoicesinthewind­bent wheat.

theend