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A long-awaited reunion between two friends takes a dramatic turn when an unforeseen twist reveals the true nature of their two-decade-old pact.
Officer Jimmy Wells is on his nightly beat on a deserted New York street, around 10 PM. A cold wind blows and a fine rain begins to fall. He sees a man leaning in the doorway of a hardware store, which used to be 'Big Joe' Brady's restaurant. The man, who calls himself Bob, is waiting for an old friend. Bob explains that twenty years ago, he and Jimmy Wells, his best friend, agreed to meet at this exact spot at this exact time, no matter what their lives had become. Bob talks about their last meal together at Brady's, just before he left New York to seek his fortune in the West, while Jimmy stayed in the city.
Bob, sounding important, describes his successful life out West, hinting that he 'had to hustle' to make his money, suggesting some illegal activities. He brags about his success, contrasting it with what he assumes is Jimmy's more ordinary life as a city resident. Bob pulls out a magnificent watch covered in diamonds, showing his wealth. He feels sure that Jimmy, 'good old Jimmy,' would have kept the appointment, even if he didn't have similar success. Officer Wells listens closely to Bob's story, watching his friend with a sharp, neutral gaze, his own identity still hidden.
Bob continues to recall Jimmy, calling him a 'plodder' but a 'fine fellow.' He assumes that Jimmy, having stayed in New York, probably didn't achieve the same financial success as Bob did in the West. He even suggests that Jimmy might work for the city, perhaps in a minor role. Officer Wells, keeping his professional manner, agrees that twenty years is a long time and can change a person greatly. He asks if Bob thinks Jimmy would have been successful if he had stayed. Bob dismisses the idea, convinced his own path was better. The officer then moves on, continuing his patrol, leaving Bob to wait alone.
After some time, a different man approaches Bob in the doorway. This man is taller and has a distinct nose. He greets Bob warmly, calling him 'Bob' and claiming to be Jimmy Wells. Bob is overjoyed, shaking the man's hand vigorously, believing his old friend has finally arrived. He expresses his happiness and relief that Jimmy kept the appointment. The two men begin to walk down the street together, discussing their past and catching up, with Bob still happy about their reunion. The streetlights illuminate their faces, showing more details about the 'reunited' friends.
As they walk under the bright light of a drugstore, Bob suddenly stops, his face pale with shock and recognition. He notices a distinct feature on the man's face — a small scar above his right eye, which he hadn't seen clearly in the dim light of the doorway. More importantly, he realizes the man's nose is different from Jimmy's. He exclaims, 'You're not Jimmy Wells!' The realization hits him hard, destroying his joy and replacing it with a cold fear. The man, who had been pretending to be Jimmy, now reveals his true purpose.
The man, who is actually a plainclothes officer, calmly confirms Bob's realization. He tells Bob that he is under arrest for being a wanted man in Chicago, known as 'Silky' Bob. The officer explains that he was sent to arrest Bob after the first officer, Jimmy Wells, recognized him. Bob is stunned and defeated, his confidence completely gone. The officer then hands Bob a note, revealing the painful truth of the situation, a final twist from his old friend. Bob is led away, his reunion ending in capture.
Bob reads the note, which is from Officer Jimmy Wells. The note explains that Jimmy, the first patrolman Bob met, recognized him immediately. However, Jimmy realized that Bob was the wanted man 'Silky' Bob, and he couldn't bring himself to arrest his old friend personally. Instead, he walked away and sent a plainclothes officer to do the job. The note expresses Jimmy's regret and his conflicting emotions, but ultimately upholds his duty to the law. Bob is left to deal with the painful reality that his best friend, the man he waited twenty years for, was the one who turned him in, though indirectly.
The Protagonist/Antagonist
Bob begins as a self-assured, successful individual nostalgic for his past, but ends as a captured criminal, betrayed by the very loyalty he valued.
The Supporting/Protagonist
Jimmy remains true to his character as a law-abiding officer, making a difficult decision that prioritizes duty over personal sentiment, showcasing his unwavering integrity.
The Supporting
The Plainclothes Officer serves as a catalyst for the climax, revealing Bob's true identity and Jimmy's difficult decision.
This is the main theme, shown through Officer Jimmy Wells's difficult decision. He recognizes his old friend, Bob, as a wanted criminal. His loyalty to their twenty-year-old pact is clear, as he was at the meeting spot. However, his duty as a police officer to uphold the law wins out. He cannot bring himself to arrest Bob personally, showing their deep bond, but he also cannot let Bob escape justice. This inner conflict highlights the hard choices people face when personal connections conflict with moral or professional duties, leading him to send someone else for the arrest.
“'I was to meet Jimmy Wells here to-night. It's exactly twenty years ago to-night that we parted here, at Big Joe Brady's restaurant.'”
Twenty years changes both Bob and Jimmy, not just physically but in their life paths and values. Bob leaves New York seeking money and finds it, but becomes a criminal. Jimmy, whom Bob calls a 'plodder,' stays in the city and becomes a respected law enforcer. The story emphasizes how time can shape individuals into very different people, making it hard to connect the past with the present. The physical changes are just a surface representation of the deeper moral and ethical shifts that have happened.
“'It's twenty years, Bob; I hope you've had half the good time I have. I had to call you here to-night to tell you that Jimmy Wells is not the man I expected him to be.'”
The story expertly uses what characters think versus what is true. Bob sees himself as a successful 'big shot' from the West, while implicitly seeing Jimmy as a less accomplished, ordinary man. He doesn't recognize the uniformed officer as his old friend, failing to see the man beyond the uniform. The plainclothes officer first appears to be Jimmy, fooling Bob until a key detail (the nose) reveals the trick. This theme shows how easily appearances can mislead and how quick judgments can blind people to real situations, leading to dramatic discoveries.
“'You're not Jimmy Wells,' he snapped. 'Twenty years is a long time, but not long enough to change a man's nose from a Roman to a pug.'”
The story explores how justice is unwavering. Despite the deep personal bond between Jimmy and Bob, the law must be followed. Jimmy's decision to send another officer to arrest Bob shows that law enforcement is impartial and necessary, even in emotional situations. It suggests that while personal feelings are valid, they cannot override society's need for order and accountability. The story quietly praises the integrity of those who uphold the law, even at personal cost.
“'I was glad to see you, Bob, after all these years. But I knew at once that you were the man wanted in Chicago.'”
The contrast between expectation and reality creates a surprising outcome.
The story is built on situational irony. Bob waits for his old friend Jimmy, expecting a heartwarming reunion, only for that friend to be the very police officer who has recognized him as a wanted criminal. Bob's confident boasts about his success and his assumption of Jimmy's mundane life are ironically juxtaposed with Jimmy's integrity and the fact that Jimmy, the 'plodder,' is the one who ultimately ensures Bob's capture.
A sudden, unexpected turn of events at the story's conclusion.
The quintessential O. Henry ending is employed when the reader, along with Bob, discovers that the first patrolman was indeed Jimmy Wells, and that Jimmy, unable to personally arrest his old friend, sent a plainclothes officer to do the job. This revelation completely recontextualizes the earlier scenes and delivers a powerful emotional punch, making the story memorable for its unexpected final development.
Subtle hints that suggest future events without revealing the twist.
O. Henry uses subtle foreshadowing, such as Jimmy Wells's quiet observation of Bob and his brief, almost evasive conversation, which hints at his recognition of Bob without giving away his identity or his internal conflict. Bob's description of Jimmy as a 'plodder' and his own 'hustle' also subtly sets up the contrast in their moral paths, preparing the reader for the eventual reveal of their differing lives.
Speech patterns and content reveal character traits.
The dialogue is crucial for characterization. Bob's boastful and self-important speech, filled with references to his wealth and 'hustle,' immediately establishes him as a flashy, perhaps morally ambiguous character. In contrast, Jimmy Wells's sparse, professional dialogue and his focus on his beat reveal his disciplined and dutiful nature, setting up the conflict between their respective lives and values.
“The cop, swinging his club with many intricate and artful movements, turned to the man. 'It's all right, officer,' said the latter, 'I'm just waiting for a friend. It's an appointment made twenty years ago.'”
— The opening interaction between the patrolman and the man waiting in the doorway.
“'Twenty years ago to-night,' said the man, 'we stood here at the door of 'Big Joe' Brady's restaurant.'”
— Jimmy Wells's friend recounting the details of their past meeting.
“'Jimmy and I were boys together, you see. There was a restaurant where this store stands—'Big Joe' Brady's restaurant.'”
— The waiting man explaining his long-standing friendship and the original meeting place.
“'We agreed that night that we would meet here again exactly twenty years from that date and time, no matter what our conditions might be or from what distance we might have to come.'”
— The waiting man detailing the pact he made with Jimmy Wells.
“'He was a fine chap, though, Jimmy. He was my best chum, and a good fellow.'”
— The waiting man fondly describing his friend, Jimmy Wells.
“'I've had to hustle around a good deal to make my pile. A man gets in a groove in New York. It takes the West to put a razor-edge on him.'”
— The waiting man (Bob) reflecting on his life and the influence of the West.
“'I'll be on my way. Hope your friend comes around all right. Going to call time on him pretty soon, ain't you?'”
— The patrolman's parting words to the waiting man.
“The waiting man began to pace the sidewalk, a fine, hearty, self-possessed man, with a keen eye, and a face that showed his determination.”
— Description of 'Silky' Bob as he continues to wait.
“'Is that you, Bob?' he asked, doubtfully. 'Is that you, Jimmy Wells?' cried the other, with a sudden thrill of pleasure.”
— The initial exchange between the waiting man and the man who approaches, seemingly Jimmy.
“'You've changed a good deal, Jimmy. I never thought you were so tall by two or three inches.'”
— Bob's observation about the man he believes is Jimmy Wells.
“'It's twenty years, Bob; that's a long time. The West has made a big man of you, old chap.'”
— The imposter's comment to Bob, echoing Bob's earlier sentiment.
“When they came to the bright glare of a drug store, each of them turned simultaneously to gaze upon the other's face.”
— The moment of revelation when Bob sees the imposter's face clearly.
“'You are not Jimmy Wells,' he snapped. 'Jimmy Wells would never have worn a scarf-pin with a big diamond in it.'”
— Bob's realization that the man is an imposter, using a small detail as a clue.
“The note was rather short. 'Bob: I was at the appointed place on time. When you struck the match to light your cigar I saw it was the face of the man wanted in Chicago. Somehow I couldn't do it myself, so I went around and got a plain clothes man to do the job. Jimmy.'”
— The full text of the note delivered to 'Silky' Bob, revealing the twist.
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Biography coming soon.
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