Jimmy called a boy that was standing on the steps of the bank as if he were one of the stockholders，and began to ask him questions about the town，giving him dimes from time to time.By and by the young lady came out，passed Jimmy again，pretending not to see him，and went on her way.
“Isn’t that young lady Miss Polly Simpson？”asked Jimmy slyly.
“No，”said the boy.“She’s Annabel Adams.Her father owns this bank.What have you come to Elmore for？Is that a gold watchchain？I’m going to get a bulldog.Have you got any more dimes？”
Jimmy went to the planters’Hotel，registered as Ralph D.Spencer，and engaged a room.He leaned on the desk and declared his intentions to the clerk.He said he had come to Elmore to start business.How was the shoe business now in the town？He had thought of the shoe business.Was it worthwhile opening a shoestore？The clerk was impressed by the clothes and manner of Jimmy and he was ready to give the young man any information he desired.
Yes，it was worthwhile investing money in the shoe business，he thought.There wasn’t a shoestore in the place.The drygoods and general stores sold them.Business in all lines was fairly good.
“I hope，Mr.Spencer，you’ll decide to stay in Elmore.You’ll find it a pleasant town to live in，and the people are very nice，”continued the clerk.
Mr.Spencer said that he would stop in the town for a few days and consider the situation.
The clerk wanted to call the boy to carry up the suitcase，but Mr.Spencer said that he needn’t do it.He would carry his suitcase himself；it was rather heavy.Mr.Ralph Spencer，the phoenix that arose from Jimmy Valentine’s ashesashes left by the flame of a sudden attack of loveremained in Elmore and prospered.He opened a shoestore and made large profits.In all other respects he was also a success.
He was popular with many important people and had many friends.And he accompanied the wish of his heart.He met Miss Annabel Adams，and fell more and more deeply in love with her.
In a year the situation of Mr.Ralph Spencer was this：he had won the respect of most of the inhabitants of the place，his shoestore was prospering，and he and Annabel were to be married in two weeks.Mr.Adams，Annabel’s father，who was a typical country banker，approved of Spencer.Annabel herself was very proud of her fianc .In fact her pride almost equaled her affection.Jimmy was as much at home in the family of Mr.Adams and that of Annabel’s married sister as if he were already a member.
One day Jimmy sat down in his room and wrote this letter which he sent to the address of one his old friends：
“Dear Old Chap，
I want you to be at Brown’s Cafe，in Little Rock，next Wednesday night at nine o’clock.I want you to do something for me.And，also，I want to make you a present of my tools.I know you’ll be glad to get themyou couldn’t get such a set for a thousand dollars.Say，Billy，I gave up the old businessa year ago.I’ve got a nice store.I’m making an honest living，and in two weeks I’m going to marry the finest girl on earth.It’s the only life，Billy，the straight one.I wouldn’t’touch a dollar of another man’s money now for a million.After I get married I’m going to sell my store and go west，where there won’t be so much danger of meeting people who knew me before.I tell you，Billy，she’s an angel.She believes in me and I would never do another crooked thing for the whole world.Do come to Brown’s，for I must see you.I’ll bring the tools with me.
Your old friend，Jimmy.”
On the Monday night after Jimmy wrote this letter，Ben Price，the detective，arrived in Elmore.He walked about the town quietly until he found out what he wanted to know.From the drugstore across the street from Spencer’s shoestore he got a good look at Ralph D.Spencer.
爱的力量（1）
看守来到基米·范林丁正在干活的监狱制鞋间，将他带到监狱办公室。到了那里，监狱长将一张赦免书递给基米，这是今天早上州长签署的。基米默默地接过去，对此他没有流露出任何的激动。他早已腻烦，他在狱中待了将近10个月，而判他的是4年徒刑。说真的，他本来打算最多待3个月的。他有好多朋友，他相信他们一定会为他想办法的。
“范林丁，”监狱长说，“明天早上你就可以出狱了，要活出个人样来。其实你这人并不坏。再不要撬保险柜了。做一个诚实的人。”
“我？”基米吃惊地说，“你说什么？我可从来没有撬过保险柜呀。”
“啊，没有，”监狱长笑道，“当然没有。可是，春田事件该怎么说呢？你是说你没有参与那件事吗？”
“我？”基米更吃惊了。“怎么，监狱长，我可从来没有去过春田呀！”
“把他带回去，”监狱长对看守笑道，“给他一些衣服，明天早上7点给他开锁后让他到我这里来。最好还是把我的劝告想一下，范林丁。”
第二天早上7点15分，基米站在了监狱长的办公室。他穿着一套很不合身的现成衣服和一双廉价的鞋子。这些是在释放犯人时发给他们的。一名职员递给他一张火车票和5美元。拿着这些钱，从此就可以开始诚实的新的人生了。监狱长递给他一支雪茄。他们握了握手。范林丁，9762号，已经登记在“州长赦免册”中。于是，詹姆斯·范林了便走到了阳光下。
基米没有理会鸟鸣、绿树和花香，径直向饭店走去。到了那里，他要了一份烧鸡、一瓶葡萄酒和一支比监狱长给他的要好的雪茄，随后慢慢地踱向了火车站。他向坐在门边的盲人的帽中丢了2角5分钱。3个小时之后，他来到了自己的家乡，直奔他的好友迈克·杜兰开的咖啡馆而去，跟独自站在柜台后面的迈克握了握手。“很抱歉我们没有早些办成，基米，我的孩子，”迈克说，“这次可真不容易，我们费了不少周折。你一切都好吧？”
“很好，”基米说，“你没拿我的钥匙吧？”
他拿了钥匙就上了楼，打开他房间的门。一切都和他离开时一样。地板上那颗领扣还在，这是那个著名侦探本·普莱斯逮捕他时，从他的衬衫上撕掉的。基米移开墙壁上的一块嵌板，取出一只积满灰尘的手提箱。他将它打开之后，爱惜地瞧着那套在东部最出色的盗窃工具。这是完整的一套，是用特种钢制成的，包括各种最新式的工具，其中两三件还是他自己发明的，对此他感到非常自豪。他为这套工具花费了900多美元。这是在某地制作的，那个地方以制造这种东西而闻名。
半小时后，基米下了楼，穿过咖啡馆，现在他穿上一套新颖雅致的衣服，手里提着擦拭一新的手提箱。“下一步准备做什么呢？撬开另一个保险柜吧？”迈克·杜兰笑道。
“我不懂你的意思，我是纽约联合陶器公司的代表。”
这一番话把迈克逗乐了，他为此马上递给基米一杯矿泉牛奶。基米是从来不碰烈性饮料的。
在9762号范林丁释放一周之后，印第安那州的里士满又发生了一起保险柜被盗事件。只有区区800美元。两星期后，一家保险柜再次被盗，1500美元不翼而飞，证券和银器纹丝未动。这开始引起了侦探的注意。又过了几天，杰弗逊市银行被盗，被窃走了5000美元。现在损失的数目越来越大，因此该由本·普莱斯这样大名鼎鼎的侦探来着手侦查。在比较了所有的案件之后，普莱斯侦探发现盗窃手法如出一辙。本·普莱斯调查了这些盗窃案的现场。尔后，人们听他说道：
“这都是基米·范林丁干的。他又重操旧业了。他有非常出色的工具，可以打开任何保险柜而又不留下任何蛛丝马迹。是的，这是范林丁干的。”
本·普莱斯对基米的恶习了如指掌。当他在侦查春田案件时就掌握了所有这一切。
一天下午，基米·范林丁带着他的手提箱在阿肯色州的一个名叫爱尔摩的小镇下了火车。基米看上去就像一个刚从学校回家的大学生。他出了车站，向旅馆走去。
这时，正好有一位年轻小姐穿过马路，在拐角处和他擦身而过，走进了写有“爱尔摩银行”的大门。基米·范林丁凝视着她的眼睛，忘乎所以，像换了一个人似的。她双眼低垂，脸色羞红。在爱尔摩，像基米这样风度翩翩的年轻人还是不多见的。
基米将站在银行台阶上的一个男孩叫了进来，活像一个股东似的，向他了解该镇的情况，不时给他几个一角的银币。过了一会儿，那个小姐走了出来，又从基米的身边走过，假装没有看见他的样子，只顾走自己的路。
“这不是波丽·辛普森小姐吗？”基米神情闪烁地问道。
“不是，”那个男孩说，“她是安娜贝尔·亚当斯。她的父亲是这家银行的老板。你到爱尔摩来做什么？你这是金表链吗？我想买一条哈巴狗。你还有银币吗？”
基米来到了普兰特旅馆登记时签的是拉尔夫·D.斯宾塞，他在那里租赁了一个房间。他靠着桌子向店员说明了来意。他说他是来爱尔摩做生意的。这镇上鞋子生意怎么样。他想做鞋子的生意。开一家鞋店划得来吗？基米的衣着和举止使店员感到这人来头不小，因此很乐意为这个年轻人提供他所需要的情况。
他想，不错。投资经营鞋子是划得来的。这地方没有鞋店。鞋子只在布店和百货商店有售。各行各业的买卖都相当不错。
“我希望，斯宾塞先生，你能决定在爱尔摩居住。你会发现住在这个小镇是非常令人愉快的。这里的人都很好，”店员继续说道。
斯宾塞先生说，他想在这镇上待一段时间，看看情况。
店员想叫手下人搬手提箱。斯宾塞先生说不需要，他自己会提。手提箱是相当沉的。拉尔夫·斯宾塞先生，这只由基米·范林丁的灰烬中再生的凤凰——灰烬是由突然袭来的爱情之火燃成的——在爱尔摩定居下来了，并且取得了成功。他开了一家鞋店，获利甚丰，在其他方面也都一帆风顺。
他在众多重要人物中名声鹊起，也结交了不少朋友。他在努力实现自己的心愿。他和安娜贝尔·亚当斯小姐相识，而且越来越深地坠入了情网。
