"Fourth。ThemoneyBurgesshadisyours，onlybecauseI'mgivingittoyou。
　　ItbelongstoBugBuler。Hecouldn'ttalkplainwhenyousavedhim。
　　He'snotBugBuler；he'sBugBurleigh，sonofVictorBurleigh，heirtoV。B。'smoneyinthelaw。I'vegotalltheproofs。
　　Youseewhyyoucanhavethatmoney。Nobodywilleverknowbutme。
　　Don'thuntformeandI'llnevertell。TOMGRESH。”
　　ThepaperfellfromVictorBurleigh'shands。Theworld，thattenminutesagowasarose-huedsunsetland，wasadrearymidnightwastenow。
　　TheonebarrierbetweenhimselfandElinorhadfallenonlytoriseupagain。
　　ThencameSatanintothegame。"NobodyknewthisbutGresh!WhohadsavedBug'slife？Whohadcaredforhimandwouldalwayscareforhim？
　　WhyshouldBug，little，lovingBug，comenowtospoilhishopes？
　　IfBugknewhewouldbefirsttogiveitalltohisbelovedVic。”
　　AndthencameSatan'stenstrike。"Noneedtosettlethingsnow。
　　Waitandthinkitover。”AndVicdecidedinablindwaytothinkitover。
　　IntherotundahemetTrench，oldTrench，slowofstepbutalightningcalculator。
　　"Whereareyougoing？"heexclaimed，ashesawVic'sface。
　　"I'mgoingtothewhirlpoolbeforeI'mthrough，"Vicsaid，hoarsely。
　　Trenchcaughthiminapowerfulgripandshovedhimtothefootoftherotundastairs。
　　"No，-youre-not-going-to-the-whirlpool，"'hesaid，slowly。
　　"You'regoinguptothetopofthedomerightagainstthat_AdAstraperAspera_businessupthere，andopenthewestwindowandlookoutattheworldtheLordmadetohealhurtsoulsbylookingat。
　　Andyouaregoingtostayupthereuntilyouhavefoughtthethingoutwithyourself，andcomedownlikeMosesdidwiththetenCommandmentscutdeeponthetablesofyourstonyoldheart。
　　Ifyoudon't，you'llnotneedtogotooldLagonda'spool。
　　Bytheholysaints，I'lltakeyoutheremyselfandplungeyouinjusttoridtheworldofsuchafool。Youhearme!Now，goon!
　　AndrememberinyourtusslethatthatbigScutovertheoldSunrisedoorouttherestandsforService。That'swhatwillmakeyournamefityouyet，Victor。”
　　Vicslowlyclimbeduptowhereanhouragothesuddenopportunityforthefruitionofhisyounglifeandhopehadbeenbroughttohim。
　　Lostnow，unless——NobodywouldeverknowandBugcouldlosenothing。
　　HeopenedthewestwindowandlookedoutattheWalnutValley，dimandshadowynow，andthesilverprairiesbeyonditandthegorgeouscrimsontintedskywherefromthesunhadslipped。Andthenandthere，withhisfacetothelight，hewrestledwiththeblackApollyonofhissoul。
　　Andeveryminutethetemptationgrewtokeepthefunds"intrust，"
　　andtokeeponcaringfortheboyhehadcaredforsincebabyhood。
　　HeclinchedhiswhiteteethandthetigerlightwasinhiseyesagainasthelongingforElinor'sloveovercamehim。Hepicturedherasonlyonesunsetagoshehadlookedupintohiseyes，herfacetransfiguredwithlove'ssweetness，andhewishedhemightkeepthatpictureforever。
　　But，somehow，betweenthatfaceandhisown，camethepictureoflittleBugaloneinthewretcheddugout，reachingupbabyarmstohimforlifeandsafety；onhisbabyfaceapleadingtrustfulness。
　　Victorunbuttonedhiscuffandslippeduphissleevetothescaronhisarm。
　　"AnybodycanseethescarIputtherewhenIcutoutthepoison，"
　　hesaidtohimself，atlast。"Nobodywillseethescaronmysoul，butI'llcutoutthepoisonjustthesame。Ididnotsavethatbabyboyfromtherattlesnakesonlytolethimbecrushedbytheserpentinme。
　　Trenchwasright，theSoverthedoorwaydowntherestandsforServiceaswellasforSacrificeandStrife。Dr。FennebensaystheyallenterintothewinningofaMaster'sDegree。ShallIevergetmineearned，Iwonder？"
　　Helookedoncemoreatthewest，allasoftpurple，gray-veiledwithmistyshadows，saveovertheplacewherethesunwentoutoneshaftofdeepestrosehuetippedwithgoldenflamewascleavingitswaytowardthedarkeningzenith。
　　ThenheclosedthewindowandwentdownstairsandoutintothebeautifulDecembertwilight。
　　InallKansasinthateveninghournomanbreatheddeeperofthesweet，pureair，norwalkedwithfirmerstride，thanthemanwhohadgoneoutunderthecarvedsymbolofthecollegedoorway，VictorBurleighofthejuniorclassatSunrise。
　　SUPREMACY
　　MakethyselffreeofManhood'sguild，Pulldownthybarnsandgreaterbuild，Pluckfromthesunset'sfruitofgold，Gleanfromtheheavensandoceanold，FromfiresideloneandtramplingstreetLetthylifegarnerdailywheat，Theepicofamanrehearse，Besomethingbetterthanthyverse，Andthoushalthearthelife-bloodflowFromfartheststarstograss-bladeslow——
　　LOWELL
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THEMANBELOWTHESMOKE
　　_Andforgiveusourdebtsasweforgiveourdebtors_。
　　ELINORWREAMwasstandingatthegateasVictorBurleighcamestridingupthestreet。
　　"Whereareyougoingsofast，Victor？"sheasked。"Everybodyisinarushthisevening。WehadatelegramfromtheEastthisafternoon。
　　UncleJoshuaisveryill，andUncleLloydhadtogetawayonshortnotice。
　　OldBondSaxonwentbyjustnow，but，"loweringhervoice，"hewasawfullydrunkandslippedalonglikeasnake。”
　　"HaveyouseenBug？"Victorasked。"Denniesaysheleftalittlewhileagotofindhisballhelostoutnorththisafternoon。
　　Hewouldn'ttellwhere，becausehehadpromisednotto。”
　　"No，Ihavenotseenhim。Butdon'tbeuneasyaboutBug。Heneverplaysneartheriver，northerailroadtracks，andhealwayscomesinattherighttime，"
　　Elinorsaid，comfortingly。
　　"Iknowhealwayshasbefore，butIwanttofindhim，anyhow。”
　　TheaffectionatetonetoldElinorwhatalovingguardianshipwasgiventotheunknownorphanchild。
　　"TherewasamanheretoseeUncleLloydjustafterheleftthisevening。
　　Thesamemanthatbroughtalittlepackageforyouthenightwecamehome。
　　IsupposehecomesfromyourpartofthestateoutWest，forheseemedtoknowyouandBug。HeaskedmeifBugeverplayedalongtheriverandifhewasashychild。Hewasastrange-lookingman，andIthoughthehadthecruelestfaceIeversaw，butIamnoexpertonstrangefaces。”
　　Victordidnotwaitforanotherword。
　　"ImustfindBugrightaway。Youcan'tthinkwhatheistome，Elinor，"
　　andhehurriedaway。
　　AtthebendintheWalnutVicsawBug'slittlescarletstockingcapbesidetheflatstone。Thetwilightwasalmostgone，buttheglisteningriverreflectedonthetornbushesabovethebank-fullstream。
　　Thecrushingagonyofthefirstminutesmadethemseemlikehours。
　　Andthenthecollegedisciplineputinitswork。
　　Vicstoppedandreasoned。
　　"Bugisn'tdownthere。Henevergoesneartheriver。ThatstrangemanisTomGresh。Hekilledmyfatherandhe'slaidatrapforme。Hedoesn'twanttokillBug。Hewantstokeephimtoworkoutvengeanceandhateonme。
　　Hesayshe'llsendmetomyfatherifIgonearhim。Well，I'mgoingsonearhe'llnotdoubtwhoIam，andI'llhaveBugunharmedifIhavetosendGreshwheremyfathercouldnotgoevenwithwatertocoolhistongue。
　　Amanmayfightwithamanashewouldfightwithabeasttosavehimselforsomethingdearerthanhimselffrombeastlydestruction，Fennebensays。
　　That'sthebattlebeforemenow，andit'stothedeath。”
　　Thetigerlightwasintheyelloweyesasneverbeforeandthesternjawwasset，asVictorBurleighhurriedaway。
　　Andthiswasthemanwho，suchalittlewhileago，wasdebatingwithhimselfoverthequietpossessionofBugBuler'sinheritance。
　　TrulytheMasterycomesveryneartosuchashe。
　　Itwaswithtiger-likestepandinstinct，too，thattheyoungmanwentleapingupthedark，frost-coatedglen。
　　Aboutthemouthofthecavetheblacknesswasappalling。
　　Itseemedaplaceapart，cursedwiththefrownofNature。YetintheApriltime，thesweetestmomentsofVic'syounglifehadbeenspentinthisveryspotthatnowshowedallthedifferencebetweenLoveandHate。
　　Ashenearedtheopeningofthecavernheguardedhisfootstepsmorecarefully。Thejunglebeastwasalertwithinhimandthecollegetrainingwasgivingwaytothemightofmusclebackedbyawilltowin。
　　Adimlightgleamedinthecaveandhewatchedoutsidenow，asGreshontheAprildayhadwatchedhiminside。
　　Downbyawoodfire，whosesmokewastwistingoutthroughacreviceoverheadsomewhere，littleBugwassittingonTomGresh'sbigcoat，thefirelightinguphistangleofred-browncurls。
　　Hisbigbrowneyeslookingupatthemancrouchingbythefirewereeyesofinnocentcourage，andtheexpressiononthesweetchild-facewasimpenetrable。
　　"He'saBurleigh。He'snotafraid，"Victhought，exultingly。
　　"That'shalfmybattle。Ihaditoutwiththerattlesnakes。
　　I'lldobetterhere。”
　　AtthatmomenttheoutlawturnedtowardthedoorandleapedtohisfeetasVicspranginside。
　　Bugstartedupwithoutstretchedarms。
　　"Keepoutoftheway，Bug，"Viccried，asthetwomenclinched。
　　Andthestrugglebegan。Theywereevenlymatched，andbothhadthesinewsofgiants。Theoutlawhadtheadvantageofanironstrength，hardenedbyyearsofout-doorlife。
　　Butthecollegethathadsoftenedthecountryboysomewhatgaveinreturnthequickjudgmentandsuperioragilityofthetrainedpowerthatcountsagainstweightbeforethebattleisover。
　　Butwithal，itwasterrible。Onefighterwasamurdererbytrade，hishandsteadyfortheblackestdeeds，andherewasamanhehadwaitedlongmonthstodestroy。Theotherfighterwasinthestruggletosavealifedeartohim，alifethatmustvindicatehisconscienceandpreservehissoul'speace。
　　Acrossthestone-flooredcavetheythreshedinfury，untilatthefartherwallGreshflungVicfromhimagainstthejaggedrockwithaforcethatcutagashacrosstheboy'shead。
　　Thebloodsplashedonbothmen'sfacesastheyrenewedthestrife。
　　ThenwithaquicktwistBurleighthrewtheoutlawtothefloorandheldhiminaclutchthatweighedhimdownlikealedgeofrock；
　　anditwaspoundforpoundagain。
　　Awayfromthemassofburningcoalstheblacknesswashorrible。
　　BeyondthatfireBugsat，silentasthestonewallbehindhim。
　　Greshgainedthemasteryagain，andwithagriponVic'sthroatwasabouttothrusthishead，facedownward，intotheburningembers。
　　Vicunderstoodandstroveforhisownlifewithamaniac'smight，forheknewthatonemorewrenchwouldendthething。
　　"Youfirst，andthenthebaby；I'llroastyouboth，"Greshhissed，andVicsmelledtheheatofthewoodflame。
　　ButwhohadcountedonBug？Hehadwatchedthisfearfulgrapple，motionlessandterror-stricken，andnowwithachild'svisionhesawwhatGreshmeanttodo。Springingup，hecaughttheheavycoatonwhichhehadbeensittingandflungitonthefire，smotheringtheembersandputtingthecavernintocompletedarkness。
　　Vicgainedthevantagebythisunlookedformovementandthegripshifted。
　　ThefightersfelltothefloorandthenbeganthesamekindofstrugglebywhichBurleighhadout-generaledbig，unconquerableTrenchoneday。
　　ThetwohadrolledandfoughtincollegecombatfromthetopofthelimestoneridgetothelowercampusandlandedwithBurleighgrippingTrenchhelplesstodefendfurther。Thatbattlewasfriendwithfriend。
　　Thisbattlewastothedeath。Thebloodofbothmensmearedthefloorastheytoreateachotherlikewildbeasts，andnomancouldhavetoldwhichoftenesthadthevantagehold，norhowthestrifewouldend。Butitdidendsoon。
　　Theheavycoat，thathadsmotheredthefireandsavedVic，smolderedalittle，thenflaredintoflame，lightingthewholecave，andthrowingoutblackandawfulshadowsofthetwofighters。Theywereclosetotheholeintheinnerwallnow。Gresh'sfaceinthatunsteadyglarewashorribletosee。
　　Heloosedhisholdasecond，thenlungedatVicwiththefuryofamadbrute。
　　AndVic，whohadfoughtthedevilinhimselftoastandstillthreehoursago，nowcaughtthefiendoutsideofhimforafinishingblow，andthestrengthofthatlaststrugglewasterrific。
　　UptothistimeVichadnotspoken。
　　"Ikilledtheothersnakes。I'llkillyounow，"hegrowled，asheheldtheoutlawatlengthinaconqueringgrip，hiskneesonGresh'sbreast，hisrighthandonGresh'sthroat。
　　Inthatweirdlighttheconqueror'sfacewasonlyadegreelessbrutalthantheoutlaw'sface。AndBurleighmeanteveryword，formurderwasinhisheartandinhisclutchingfingers。
　　BeneaththeweightofhisstrengthGreshslowlyrelaxed，strugglingfiercelyatfirstandgropingblindlytoescape。
　　Thenhebegantowhineformercy，buthiswhiningmaddenedhisconquerormorethanhisblowshaddone。Forsuchstrifeisnomerewrestlingmatch。Everyblowstruckagainstafellowmanisasthesmellofbloodtothetiger，feedingafiendisheagernesstokill。Beside，Burleighhadamplecauseforvengeance。
　　Thecreatureunderhisgripwasnotonlyabootleggerthroughwhoseevilinfluencementookotherlivesorlosttheirown；
　　hehadslainoneinnocentman，Vic'sownfather，andintheroomwherehisdeadmotherlayhadrobbedVic'shomeofeveryvaluablething。HehadswornvengeanceonallwhoborethenameofBurleigh。WhatfatemightawaitBug，Vicdarednotpicture。
　　Onestranglinggripnowcouldfinishthebusinessforever，andhisclutchtightened，asGreshlaybegginglikeacowardforhisownworthlesslife。
　　"It'sagoodthingafellowhasaguardianangelonceinawhile。
　　Wegetprettyclosetotheedgesometimesandneverknowhownearwearetodestruction，"VichadsaidtoElinorinhereontheAprilday。
　　ItwasnotVic'sguardianangel，butlittleBugwhosewhitefacewasthrustbetweenhimandhisvictim，andthetouchofasoftlittlehandandthepleadingchild-voicethatcried:
　　"Don'tkillhim，Vic。He'sfroughoffightingnow。
　　Don'thurthimnomore。”
　　Vicstaidhishandatthewords。Thefewminutesofthismad-beastduelhadmadehimforgetthesoundofhumanvoices。
　　HehalfliftedhimselffromGresh'sbodyatBug'scry。AndBug，wisebeyondhisyears，quaint-mindedlittleBug，said，softly:
　　"Fordiveusourdebtsaswefordiveourdebtors。”
　　Strange，lovingwordsoftheManofGalilee，spokenonthemountain-sidelong，longago，andechoednowbychildishlipsinthedyinglightofthecaverntothesetwomen，drunkwithbrute-lustforhumanblood!ForVicthewordsstrucklikeblows。
　　Alltheyearssincehisfather'sdeathhehadwaitedforthishour。
　　Atlasthehadmetandvanquishedthemanwhohadtakenhisfather'slife，andnow，exultantinhisvictory，camethislittlechild'svoice。
　　Thecavedarkened。Amist，halfblood，halfblindness，camebeforehiseyes，butcleartohisearstheresoundedtheringingwords:
　　"Vengeanceismine；Iwillrepay!"
　　ItwasthevoiceofDisciplinecallingtohisbetterjudgment，asBug'sinnocentpleadingspoketothefinermanwithinhim。
　　UnderhisgripGreshlaymotionless，allpowerofresistancethreshedoutofhim。
　　"Areyoureadytoquit？"Vicquestioned，hoarsely，bendingoverthealmostlifelessform。
　　Theoutlawmumbledassent。
　　"ThenI'llletyoulive，youmiserablewretch，andthecourtswilltakecareofyou。”
　　Burleighhimselfwasfaintfromstrifeandlossofblood。
　　Asherelaxedhisvigilancethelastatomofstrength，thelasthopeofescapereturnedtoGresh。Hesprangtohisfeet，staggeredblindlythen，quickasapanther，heleapedthroughtheholeinthefartherwall，wriggledswiftlyintotheblindcrevicesoftheinnercave，andwasgone。
　　ItwasTrenchwhodressedVic'sheadthatnightandshieldedhimuntilhisstrengthreturned。ButitwasBondSaxonwhocounseledpatience。
　　"Don'tsquealtothesheriffnow，"heurged。"Thescoundrelisgone，anditwouldmakeaninedays'hooray，andnothingwouldcomeofit。
　　HewasdarnedslicktotakethetimewhenFunnybonewasaway。”
　　"Why？"Vicasked。
　　ButBondwouldnottellwhy。AndVicneverdreamedhowmuchcauseBondSaxonhadtodreadthedaywhenTomGreshshouldbebroughtintocourt，andhisowngreatcrimecommittedinhisdrunkenhourswoulddemandretribution。
　　SoLagondaLedgeandSunriseknewnothingofwhathadoccurred。
　　Burleighhadnorecoursebuttowait，whileBugbuttoneduphislips，ashehaddoneforBurgessoutatPigeonPlace，andconveniently"fordot"whathechosenottotell。
　　Buthewanderednomorealoneabouttheprettyby-cornersofLagondaLedge。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　THEDERELICTS
　　_IdimlyguessfromblessingsknownOfgreateroutofsight，And，withthechastenedPsalmist，ownHisjudgments，too，areright。
　　IknownotwhatthefuturehathOfmarvelorsurprise，AssuredalonethatlifeanddeathHismercyunderlies_——
　　WHITTIER
　　ITwasearlyspringbeforeDr。FennebenreturnedtoLagondaLedge。Everybodythoughtthenewlineonhisfacewasputtherebythedeathofhisbrother。Tothosewholovedhimmost——
　　thatis，toallLagondaLedge——hewasgrowinghandsomereveryyear，andevenwiththisnewexpressionhiscountenanceworeamorekindlygracethaneverbefore。
　　"Norrie，yourunclewasastrangeman，"Fennebendeclared，asheandElinorsatinthelibraryontheeveningofhisreturn。
　　"Naturally，Iamunlikemystepbrothers，butIhavenotevenunderstoodthem。ThereweremanythingsIlearnedatJoshua'sbedsidethatIneverknewofthefamilybefore。
　　Thereweresomethingsforyoutoknow，butnotnow。”
　　"Icantrustyou，UncleLloyd，todojusttherightthing，"Norriedeclared。
　　ThenewlineofsadnessdeepenedinLloydFenneben'sface。
　　"Thatisahardthingtodosometimes。Yourtrustwillhelpmewonderfully，however，"hereplied。"MybrotherinhislasthoursmadeurgentrequestsofmeandpledwithmeuntilIpledgedmywordtocarryouthiswishes。
　　Here'swhereIneedyourtrustmost。”
　　Elinorbentoverheruncleandsoftlystrokedtheheavyblackhairfromhisforehead。
　　"Here'swhereIhelpyoumost，then，"shesaid，gently。
　　"Ihavesomefunds，Elinor，tobeyoursatyourgraduation——notbefore。
　　Believeme，deargirl，IbeggedofJoshuatoletmeturnthemovertoyounow，buthestaidobstinatetothelast。”
　　"AndIdon'twantathingdifferenttillIgetmydiploma。
　　NoteventillIgetmyMaster'sDegreeforthatmatter，"
　　Elinorsaid，playfully。
　　"Andmeantime，Norrie，willyoujustbeacollegegirlanddropallthoughtofthismarryingbusinessuntilyouarethroughschool？"
　　Fennebenwashesitatingalittlenow。"Ayearhencewillbetimeenoughforthat。”
　　"Mostgladly，"Elinorassuredhim。
　　"Thenthat'sallformybrother'ssake。Nowformine，Norrie，orforyours，rather，ifmylittlegirlhashermindallsetaboutthingsafterschooldays，Ihopeshewillnotbeaflirt。
　　Sometimesthewordsandactscutdeeperintootherlivesthanweeverdream。Norrie，Iknowthisoutoftheyearsofmyownlonelylife。”
　　Elinor'seyesweredewywithtearsandshebentherheaduntilherhairtouchedhischeek。
　　"I'lltrytobegood`fornever，'asBugBulersays，"shemurmured。
　　OverintheSaxonHouseonthissameeveningVincentBurgesshadcomeintoseeDennieaboutsomebooks。
　　"Itookyouradvice，Dennie，"hesaid。"IhavebeenamantotheextentofmakingmyselfsquarewithVictorBurleigh，andI'vefeltlikeafreemaneversince。”
　　ThelookofjoyandprideinDennie'seyesthrilledhimwithakeenpleasure。
　　Hereyeswereofsuchasoftgrayandherprettywavyhairwassolustroustonight。
　　"Dennie，Iamgoingtobeevenmoreofamanthanyouaskedmetobe。”
　　Denniedidnotlookup。Thepinkofhercheek，herlonglashesoverherdowncasteyes，thesunnycurlsaboveherforehead，allwerefairtoVincentBurgess。Ashelookedatherhebegantounderstand，blindbatthathehadbeenallthistime，he，ProfessorVincentBurgess，A。B。，InstructorinGreekfromHarvardUniversity。
　　"Imustbegoingnow。Good-night，Dennie。”
　　Heshookhandsandhurriedaway，buttothegirlwhowasearninghercollegeeducationtherewassomethinginhishandclasp，deniedbefore。
　　ThenextdaytherewasasettlingofaffairsatSunrise，andthecharacter-buildingputintoLloydFenneben'shand，asclayforthepotter'swheel，seemedtohimtobeshapingsomewhattoitsdestineduses。
　　Again，VincentBurgesssatinthechairbytheweststudywindow，acting-dean，nowseekingneithertypes，norgeographicalbreadth，norseclusionamidbarrenprairielandsforprofoundresearchinpreparingforaMaster'sDegree。
　　Withnoefforttoconcealmatters，exceptthefactthatthetrustfundshadfirstbelongedtohisownsisterandbrother-in-law，heexplainedtoFennebenthelineofeventsconnectinghimwithVictorBurleigh。
　　"And，Dr。Fenneben，ImustspeakofamatterIhavenevertoucheduponwithyoubefore。ItwasagreedbetweenDr。WreamandmyselfthatIshouldbecomehisnephewbymarriage。
　　IwanttogotoMissElinorandaskhertoreleaseme。
　　Youwillpardonmyfrankness，forIcannothonorablycontinueinthisrelationshipsinceIhaverestoredthepropertytoVictorBurleigh。”
　　"Hethinksshewillnotcareforhimnow，"Fennebensaidtohimself。
　　Aloudhesaid:
　　"HaveyoueverspokendirectlytoElinoronthismatter？"
　　"N-no。Itwasanunderstandingbetweenherandheruncleandbetweenhimandme，"Burgessreplied。
　　"Well，Idon'tpretendtoknowgirlsverywell，beingaconfirmedbachelor"——
　　theDean'seyesweresmiling——"butmyadviceatthisdistanceisnottoaskNorrietoreleaseyoufromwhatsheherselfhasneveryetboundyou。
　　I'llvouchforherpeaceofmind；andyoursenseofhonorisfullyvindicatednow。Tobeequallyfrankwithyou，Burgess，nowthatNorrieisentirelyinmycharge，Ihaveputthissortofthingforherabsolutelyintotheafter-commencementyears。Thebestwifeisnotalwaysthegirlwhowearsadiamondringthroughthreeorfouryearsofhercollegelife。
　　Iwantmyniecetobeagirlnow，notabride-in-waiting。”
　　AsBurgessrosetogohiseyecaughtsightofthepigeonsabovethebendintheriver。
　　"Bytheway，Doctor，haveyoueverfoundoutanythingaboutthewomanwhousedtoliveinthatdesertedplaceupnorth？"
　　"Nothingyet，"Fennebenreplied。"But，remember，Ihavenotspentaweek——
　　thatis，asaneweek——inLagondaLedgesincethenightyou，andshe，andSaxon，andthedogsavedmylife。Ishalltakeuphercasesoon。”
　　"Sheisgoneawayandnobodyknowswhere，Saxontellsme，"Burgesssaid。
　　"FormanyreasonsIwishwecouldfindher，butshehasdroppedoutofsight。”
　　LloydFennebenwonderedatthesorrowfulexpressionontheyoungerman'sfacewhenhesaidthis。
　　AsheleftthestudyVictorBurleighcamein。
　　"Sitdown，Burleigh。WhatcanIdoforyou？"Fennebenasked。
　　Somethinglikehisownmagnetismofpresencewasintheyoungmanbeforehim。
　　"Iwanttotellyousomething，"Vicresponded。
　　"Letmetellyousomething。IknewyouhadgoodbloodinyourveinsevenwhenIsawyoukillthatbullsnake。Burgesshasjustbeenin。
　　Hehastoldmehissideofyourstory。Noblefellowheistofreehimselfofalife-longslaverytosomebodyelse'sdollars。
　　Howevermuchamanmaytrytohidethefettersofunlawfulgains，theyclankinhisownearstillhehateshimself。NowBurgessisafreeman。”
　　"Iamgladtohearyousayso，Dr。Fenneben。Itmakesmyownfreedomsweeter，"Vicdeclared。
　　"Yes，"Fennebenreplied。"Youraddedmeanswillbringyoulife'sbestgift——opportunity。”
　　"Ihavenoaddedmeans，Doctor。IhavefundsintrustforBugBuler，andIcometoaskyoutotakehislegalguardianshipforme。”
　　Andthenhetoldhisownlifestory。
　　"Sotheheroismshiftstoyouaswell。Icanpicturethecosttoamanlikeyourself，"theDeansaid。"HaveyounorecordofBug'sfatherandmother？"
　　"NonebuttherecordgivenbyDr。Wream。Theyaredead，"Burleighreplied。
　　"Hisfathermayhavemetthesamefatethatmyfatherdid。”
　　"Whydon'tyoutaketheguardianshipyourself，Burleigh？Theboyisyoursinloveandblood。Heoughttobeinlaw。”
　　VictorBurleighstooduptohisfullheight，amagnificentproductofNature'shandiwork。Butthemindandsoul"DeanFunnybone"
　　hadhelpedtoshape。
　　"Iwillbehonestwithyou，Dr。Fenneben，"Burleighsaid，andhisvoicewasdeepandsweetlyresonant。"IfIkeepthemoneyinchargeImaynotbeproofagainstthetemptationtouseitformyself。Asstrongasmystrongarmsaremyhatesandloves，andforsomereasonsIwoulddoalmostanythingtogainriches。
　　Imightnotresistthetempter。”
　　LloydFenneben'sblackeyesblazedatthewords。
　　"Iunderstandperfectlywhatyoumean，butnowomanwhoexactsthispriceisworththecost。”Then，inagentlertone，hecontinued:
　　"Burleigh，willyoutakemyadvice？Ihavealwayshadyourwelfareonmyheart。Finishyourcollegeworkfirst。
　　Getthebestoftheclassroom，thelibrary，theathleticfield，andthe`picnicspread。'Isthattherightterm？
　　Butfityourselfformanhoodbeforeyouundertakeaman'sduties。
　　Meantime，Hewhohasgivenyouthemasteryintheyearsbehindyouisleadingyoutowardthelargerplacesbeforeyou，teachingyouallthemeaningsofStrife，andSacrifice，andServicesymbolizedaboveourdoorwayinourproudCollegeinitialletter。
　　TheSupremacyisyettocome。Willyoufollowmycounsel？
　　I'lltakecareofBug，andwewillkeepBurgessoutofthisforawhile。”
　　Burleighthoughtheunderstood，andthesilenthandclasppledgedthefaithofthecountryboytotheteacher'swishes。
　　Itisonlyinstorybooksthateventsleapoutaspagesareturned，eventsthattakedaysondaysofreallifetocompass。
　　IntheswingofonebriefyearLagondaLedgeknewlittlechange。
　　NewcementwalkswerebuiltsouthalmosttotheKickapooCorral。Anewmanufacturingconcernhadbondsvotedforitatanexcitingelection，andasquabbleforasuitablesitewasinprocess。VincentBurgessandVictorBurleigh，twostrongmen，weregrowingactuallychummy，andTrenchdeclaredhewasgladtheyhaddecidedtoquitplayingmarblesforkeepsandhidingeachother'scaps。
　　AndnowthespringtimeoftheyearwasonthebeautifulWalnutValley。ElinorandDennie，Trench，"Limpy，"thecrippledstudent，andVictorBurleighwereallonthehome-stretchoftheirsenioryear。
　　OnemoreJuneCommencementdayandSunrisewouldknowthemnomore。
　　BeyondallthistherewasnothingnewatLagondaLedgeuntilsuddenlythewhite-hairedwomanwasupatPigeonPlace，again，afactknownonlytooldBondSaxonandlittleBug，whosawherleavethetrain。
　　Thelittlebluesmoke-twistwasagainrisinglazilyinthewarmMayair，andsomebodywassystematicallyrobbinghousesintown，andBondSaxonwasoftendrunkandhidingawayfromsight。
　　AMaystormsenttheWalnutboomingdownthevalley，bankfull，cuttingofftrafficatthetownbridge，butthedaysthatfollowedwereajoy。
　　Atenderlygreenworlditwasnow，allblossom-decked，andblownacrossbythegentleMayzephyrs，withnothingharshnorcruelinit，unlesstherushingriverdownbelowtheshallowsmightseemso。
　　TheKickapooCorral，luxuriantwithflowers，andspringinggrass，andMaygreenfoliage，toldnothingoftheold-timesiegeandsorrowofSwiftElkandtheFawnoftheMorningLight。
　　OnthenightafterthestormProfessorBurgessstoppedattheSaxonHouse。
　　"Whereisyourfather，Dennie？"heasked。
　　"Hewentupnorthtohelpsomebodyoutofthemudandwater，Isuppose，"Denniereplied。"Heisthekindestneighbor，andhehasbeentryingto——tokeepstraight。Hetoldmewhenheleftthatthisnight'sworkwastobeaworkofredemptionforhim。
　　Hemaygetstrongersometime。”
　　InhisheartBurgessknewbetter。Hehadnofaithintheoldman'swillpower，andtheburdenofahiddencrimeheknewwouldbutincreaseitsweightwithtime，anddragBonddownatlast。
　　ButDennieneednotsuffernow。
　　"WillyougowithmedowntotheoldCorraltomorrowafternoon，Dennie？Iwantsomeplantsthatgrowthere。
　　I'mstudyingnaturealongwithGreek，"hesaid，smiling。
　　"Ofcourse，ifitisfair，"Denniereplied，theprettycolorbloomingdeeperinhercheeks。