"Doctor，Iamquitesane。YouknowIamquitesane。Iamexcited，I
　　confess，butIamquitesane。ForthirteenyearsandmoreIhavesoughtforthoselittlepiecesofmetalandrock，but，thankGod！I
　　havefoundthem，notformyself，butformygirl。Iruinedherlife—
　　—Inowredeem。Andnow，Mr。Macgregor，willyouundertakeachargeforme？Willyousweartobetrue，tofaithfullycarryouttherequestIamtomake？"
　　Shockhesitated。
　　"Donotdisappointme，"saidtheoldman，takingholdofShock’shandeagerlywithhistwohandssothinandwornandtrembling。
　　"Promiseme，"hesaid。
　　"Ipromise，"saidShocksolemnly。
　　"Iwantyoutofollowthistrail，tostakeoutthisclaim，toregisteritinyournameformydaughter，andtodevelopordisposeofthismineinthewaythatmayseembesttoyourself。Itrustyouentirely。Ihavewatchedyoucarefullythroughthesemonths，andhaveregainedmyfaithinmyfellowmenandmyfaithinGodthroughknowingyou。IwilldieinpeacebecauseIknowyouwillprovetrue，and，"afterapause，"becauseIknowGodwillreceiveasinful，brokenmanlikeme。Youpromisemethis，Mr。Macgregor？"TheoldmaninhiseagernessraisedhimselfuponhiselbowandstretchedouthishandtoShock。
　　"Oncemore，"saidShock，inabrokenvoice，"Ipromiseyou，Mr。
　　Mowbray。Iwilldomybesttocarryoutwhatyoudesire，andsomayGodhelpme！"
　　Theoldmansankquietlybackonhiscouch。Asmilespreadoverhisfaceashelaywithclosedeyes，andhebreathed，"ThankGod！Icantrustyouasifyouweremyson。"
　　"Hark！"hesaidamomentafterwardsinananxiouswhisper。"Thereissomeonenearthetent。"Thedoctorhurriedout，andfoundCrawleyintheneighbourhoodofthetentgatheringsomesticksforthefire。Hehastenedback。
　　"ItisonlyMr。Crawley，"hesaid，"gettingsomewoodforthefire。"
　　Aspasmoffeardistortedtheoldman’sface。
　　"Crawley！"hewhispered，"Ifearhim。Don’tlethimsee——orknow。
　　Nowtakethesethings——away。Ihavedonewiththem——Ihavedonewiththem！Youwillgivemylove——tomydaughter，"hesaidtoShockaftersomemomentsofsilence。
　　"Sheishere，"saidShockquietly。
　　"Here！Now！Ifearedtoask。Godisgood。Yes，Godisgood。"
　　Thedoctorsteppedoutofthetent。Theoldmanlaywitheagereyeswatchingthedoor。
　　Swiftly，butwithastepcomposedandsteady，hisdaughtercametohim。
　　"Father，Iamhere，"shesaid，droppingonherkneesbesidehim。
　　"Mydaughter！"hecriedwithasob，whilehisarmsheldherinacloseembrace。"Mydaughter！mydaughter！Godisgoodtous。"
　　Foralongtimetheyremainedsilentwiththeirarmsabouteachother。Shockmovedtothedoor。Thegirlwasthefirsttomasterheremotions。
　　"Father，"shesaidquietly，"thedoctortellsmeyouareveryill。"
　　"Yes，mydaughter，veryill，butsoonIshallbebetter。Soonquitewell。"
　　Thegirlliftedupherfacequickly。
　　"Oh，father！"shecriedjoyfully，"doyouthink——"Thelookonherfather’sfacecheckedherjoy。Shecouldnotmistakeitsmeaning。
　　Shethrewherselfwithpassionatesobsonthegroundbesidehim。
　　"Yes，mydaughter，"wentontheoldmaninaclear，steadyvoice，"soonIshallbewell。Mylifehasbeenforyearsafevereddream，butthedreamispast。Iamabouttoawake。Dearchild，Ihavespoiledyourlife。Wehaveonlyafewprecioushoursleft。Helpmenottospoiltheseforyou。"
　　Atoncethegirlsatup，wipedhereyes，andgrewstill。
　　"Yes，father，wewillnotlosethem。"
　　Sheputherhandinhis。
　　"Youmakemestrong，mydaughter。Ihavemuchtosaytoyou，muchtosaytoyouofmypast。"
　　Sheputherfingersonhislipsgently。
　　"Isthatbest，father，doyouthink？"shesaid。lookinglovinglyintohisface。
　　Heglancedatherinquicksurprise。Shewasagirlnolonger，butawoman，wiseandstrongandbrave。
　　"Perhapsyouareright，mydaughter。ButyouwillrememberthatitwasforyouIlivedmylonelylife，foryouIpursuedmyfeveredquest。YouwereallIhadleftintheworldafterIhadlaidyourmotherinhergrave。Ifearedtobringyoutome。NowIknowIneednothavefeared。NowIknowwhatIhavemissed，mydaughter。"
　　"Wehavefoundeachother，dear，dearfather，"thegirlsaid，andwhilehervoicebrokeforamomentinasobherfacewasbrightwithsmiles。
　　"Yes，mydaughter，wehavefoundeachotheratlength。Thedoorsofmyheart，longclosed，hadgrownrusty，butnowtheyarewideopen，andgladlyIwelcomeyou。"
　　Therewassilenceforsomeminutes，thentheoldmanwenton，painfully，withever—shorteningbreath。"Now，listentomecarefully。"AndthenhetoldherthetaleofhissearchfortheLostRiver，endingwiththeeagerexclamation:"AndlastyearIfoundit。
　　Itisaminerichbeyondmyfondesthopes，anditisyours。Itisyours，mydaughter。"
　　"Oh，father，"criedthegirl，losingherselfforamoment，"Idon’twantthemine。ItisyouIwant。"
　　"Yes，mydaughter，Iknowthatwell，butforthepresentitisnotthewillofGodthatIshouldbewithyou，andIhavelearnedthatitisgoodtotrusttoHim，andwithoutfearIgiveyou，mydaughter，toHiscare。"
　　Againthegirlgrewsteadyandcalm。
　　"CallMr。Macgregorandthedoctor，mydear，"herfathersaid。
　　"Thesegentlemenalone，"hecontinuedwhentheyhadcometohim，"holdmysecret。EvenPeraultdoesnotknowall。Heknowsthevalleywhichweexploredlastyear，buthedoesnotknowitistheLostRiver。Mr。Macgregorhaspromisedtoseetheclaimstaked。Peraultwillguidehimtoit。"
　　"Thispaper，"takingapacketfromhisbreast，"ismywill。Initafulldisposalismadeofall。NowIwillsignit。"
　　Thepaperwasdulysignedandwitnessed。Withasighofcontenttheoldmansankbackuponhisbed。
　　"Nowallisdone。Iamwellcontent。"
　　Forsometimehelaywithclosedeyes。Then，wakingsuddenly，helookedatShockandsaid:"Carrymeout，Mr。Macgregor。CarrymeoutwhereIcanseethetreesandthestars。Throughlongyearstheyhavebeenmybestfriends。There，too，Iwouldlieinmylongsleep。"
　　Theymadeabedofboughsandskinsforhimbeforethecamp—fire，andoutintothedry，warmnightShockcarriedhim。Inthewidevalleytherestilllingeredthesoftlightofthedyingday，buttheshadowswereeverywherelyingdeeper。Nightwasrapidlydrawinguphercurtainsupontheworld。Thegreattreesstoodinthedimlightsilent，solemn，andshadowy，keepingkindlywatchoverthevalleyandallthingstherein。Overtheeasternhillthefullmoonwasjustbeginningtorise。Themingledlightsofsilverandgoldfallingthroughthetreeslentarare，unearthlylovelinesstothewholescene。
　　TheOldProspector，recliningonhiscouch，lethiseyeswanderoverthevalleyandupthroughthetreestotheskyandthestars，whileasmileoffullcontentrestedonhisface。
　　"Itisalovelynight，dearfather，"saidhisdaughter，quicktointerprethisthought。
　　"Yes，mydaughter，ararenight。OftenhaveIseensuchnightsinthisveryspot，butnevertillto—nightdidtheirfulljoyentermyheart。Mylifewasonelong，terribleunreality。To—nighttheworldisnew，andfulloflovelinessandallpeace。"
　　Thenhelayinlongsilence。Thedoctorcamenear，touchedhiswrist，listenedtothebeatingofhisheart，andwhisperedtohisdaughter，"Itwillnotbelongnow。"
　　Theoldmanopenedhiseyes。"Youarenear，mydaughter，"hesaid。
　　"Yes，father，dear，Iamhere，"shereplied，pressinghishandbetweenhers。
　　"Couldyousingsomething，doyouthink？"
　　Thegirldrewinherbreathsharplyaswithasobofpain。
　　"No，"saidherfather。"Nevermind，mydaughter。Itistoomuchtoask。"
　　"Yes，yes，father，Iwillsing。WhatshallIsing？"
　　"SingBernard’sgreathymn，’Theworldisveryevil。’"
　　Itwasahymnshehadoftensungforhim，selectingsuchofitsversesasweremorefamiliar，andasexpressedmorenearlythethoughtintheirhearts。
　　Asshebegantosingthedoctorpassedoutbeyondthefirelighttothesideofthetent。TherehefoundStanton，withhisheadbowedlowbetweenhisknees。
　　"Myboy，"saidthedoctor，"thatisverybeautiful，butitisveryhardtobear。"
　　"Yes，"saidStanton。"I’mababy。Iwouldliketohelpher，butI
　　cannot。"
　　"Well，myboy，sheneedsnohelpthateitheryouorIcangive。"
　　Perault，thehalf—breed，andCrawleysatinsilenceattheothersideofthefire。Shockremainednear，thegirl，wonderingathermarvellousself—control。Verseafterverseshesanginavoicelow，butclearandsweet。Astherefrainoccurredagainandagain，"Osweetandblessedcountry，thehomeofGod’select，Osweetandblessedcountrythateagerheartsexpect，Jesus，inmercybringustothatdearlandofrest，"
　　theonlychangewasthatthesongrosealittleclearerandfullerandwithdeepertone。
　　Aftershehadfinishedthecamplayinperfectsilence。
　　"Areyouasleep，father，dear？"hisdaughtersaidatlength，buttherewasnoreply。Shetouchedhishandsandhisface。
　　"Father！"shecriedinavoiceofaweandfear，butstilltherewasnoreply。
　　Thedoctorcamehastilyintothelight，lookedintotheoldman’sface，andsaid:"Heisgone。"
　　Withalong，low，wailingcrythegirllaidherselfuponthegroundbyherfather’ssideandputherarmsaroundhim。Theyallgatheredaboutthecouch，withthedoctorandShockstandingnearest。
　　"Poorchild！"saidthedoctorsoftly。"Thisisasadnightforher。"
　　"Yes，"saidShock，inavoicequietandsteady。"Forherthenightissad，butforhimthedayhasdawnedandthereshallbenightnomore。"
　　There，inthatwidevalleywheretheyellowpineneedlesliedeepandwheremorningandeveningtheminglinglightsfallsoftlythroughtheoverarchingboughs，theylaidtheOldProspectortorestunderthepinesandthestarsthathadbeenhiscompanionsforsolong。
　　XV
　　EJECTEDANDREJECTED
　　InthemainroomoftheOldProspector’shousesometenortwelvestern—facedmenhadgathered。Theeasy，carelessmannerthatwascharacteristicoftheranchersandcowboysofthedistricthadgivenplacetoanairofsternandseriousdetermination。Itwasevidentthattheyhadgatheredforsomepurposeofmorethanordinarymoment。BycommonconsentSinclair，ashrewdandfair—mindedScotchrancherwhopossessedthecompleteconfidenceofeverymaninthecompany，bothforhisintegrityandhisintelligence，wasinthechair。
　　"WhereisMr。Macgregor？"heenquired。
　　"GonetotheFort，"answeredTheKid。"Heisondutythereto—
　　morrow。Hewishedmetosay，however，thathehasnodesiretopushthismatter，asfarasheispersonallyconcerned，butthatifthecommitteethinksthepublicgooddemandshispresenceandhistestimonyhewillappearonMonday。"
　　"Heoughttobehere，"saidSinclair，andhistonealmostconveyedareproof。
　　"He’llcomeifhe’swanted，Iguess，"drawledoutIke，quicktotakehisfriend’spart。
　　"Well，thenletusproceed。Letusgetthefactsfirst，"saidSinclair。"Stanton，wewouldliketohearwhatyouhavetosay。"
　　"Well，"saidTheKid，"thereisnotmuchthatIhavetotell，butI
　　shallbeginatthebeginningandgiveyouallIknow。"Stanton’sairofboyishcarelessnesshadquitedisappeared，hisvoicetookadeepertonethanusual，hismannerwasgraveandstern。
　　"ItwassixdaysagothatIhappenedtocallattheOldProspector’shouse。"
　　"Toseethepreacher，Iguess，"interruptedIkegravely，winkingatMacnamara，whorespondedwithahearty"Ha！ha！Ofcourse！"
　　"Quitthat，Ike，"saidSinclairsternly。"Wehavegotbusinessonhand。"
　　"AsIwassaying，"continuedtheKid;withheightenedcolour，"I
　　calledattheOldProspector’shouseandfoundMissMowbrayinastateofgreatanxietyinregardtoMr。Macgregor。ShetoldmehowthedoctorhadcometoseeMr。Macgregoraboutaweekbefore，ingreatexcitement，andhadinformedhimthatCarrollandCrawleyhadsetoffforthemountainstwodaysbefore，andhow，uponhearingthat，Mr。MacgregorandPeraulthadhastilyfollowed，havingwiththemaboutaweek’sprovisions。"
　　"WhatreasondidMissMowbrayassignforthis？"enquiredSinclair。
　　"Well，Isupposeit’snosecret，now，"saidTheKid，withsomehesitation。"TheOldProspector，youknow，beforehisdeathhadmadeaveryrichfind，butdiedwithoutstakinghisclaim。ThesecretofitslocationheentrustedtoMr。Macgregorandthedoctor。Thedoctor，inafitofdrunkenness，gavethesecretawaytoCarrollandCrawley，who，leavinghimincapablefromdrink，setoffatoncetostaketheclaim。"
　　"Holdon，Mr。Stanton，"saidSinclair。"Wemustbecareful。Howdoyouknowtheirpurposeinsettingoffforthemountains？"
　　"Well，Ithink——"
　　"But，"interruptedSinclair，"wemusthavestatementsoffactonly。"
　　"Dat’sso！"criedPeraultexcitedly。"DemfellertrytogetdeOleBossshowdatmine，forsure。Crawleyhe’strytomakdeOleBosstell。Ihearheem，me。Demfellerwantdatminebad。"
　　"Allright，Perault，"saidSinclairquietly。"Thatdoesn’tprovetheywenttostakethatclaim。Goon，Stanton。"
　　"Well，"continuedTheKid，"Isetoffatonce，andonmyseconddayoutImetthesetwomen，Mr。MacgregorandPerault，exhaustedwithtravellingandfaintwithhunger。"
　　"Guessyou’dbettertellhowyoufoundthem，Kid，"saidIke，whohadheardthestorybefore。
　　"Well，gentlemen，"continuedTheKid，hisvoiceshaking，"itwasaprettytoughsight，Icantellyou。Ifirstsawthemalongwaydownthetrail。Mr。MacgregorwascarryingPeraultonhisbackandevidentlywalkingwithgreatdifficulty。WhenIcameuptothemI
　　foundPeraultwasalmost，ifnotquite，insensible，andMr。
　　Macgregorinthelaststagesofexhaustion。"TheKidpausedafewmomentstosteadyhisvoice。Low，deepoathswereheardoneveryside，whilePerault，stillweakandnervousfromhisrecentterribleexperience，wassobbingaudibly。
　　"Ihadplentyofgrub，"continuedTheKid。"Ididmybestforthemandhelpedthemhome。ThatisallIhavetosay。"
　　Adeepsilencefelluponthegroupofmen。
　　"Now，Perault，"saidSinclair，"tellusyourstory。"
　　Peraulttriedtosteadyhisvoice，but，failingutterly，brokeintopassionateweeping，Sinclairwaitingingravesilenceforhimtorecover。Macnamara，thesoft—heartedbigIrishrancher，wasquietlywipinghiseyes，whiletheothermenwereswearingterribleoaths。
　　"Givehimadrink，"drawledIke。"Toomuchwateraintgoodfornoman。"
　　Halfadozenflaskswereimmediatelyoffered。Peraultdrank，and，afterafewmoments，beganhistale。
　　"Ican’spikmuch，me，"hesaid，"whenItinkhowdatbeegfellerpackmeonheesbacktwentymile，Ifin’badpainhere，"strikinghisbreast，"anddenIcan’spikatall。"AndagainthelittleFrenchman’svoicebrokedowninsobs。
　　"Taketime，Perault，"saidSinclairgravely。"Wewanttoknowallaboutit。Beginatthebeginningandtellitinyourownway。"Thegravetone，evenmorethanthewhiskyhehaddrunk，steadiedPerault，andhebeganagain。
　　"Dat’stwelveortirteenday，now。DePreachere，datProspector，I
　　callheem，he’sjus’lakdeOleBoss，forsure——deProspectorhe’ssen’datolefooldoctor，formequeek。Icomeandfin’deProspectorhe’sver’mad;mos’awfulmad;neverseeheemlak，datbefore。’Perault，’hesay，’getponeeandgrubqueek。WegofordeLos’Reever。’"
　　"Bygar！He’smakmescare。Igetponeean’grubandgetoffqueek，toutesuite，rightaway。Well，wegotwodayhardandcometodecampwheredeOleBosshe’sdie，denweclimboverdemontin。DeProspectorhe’sgotmapandshowmetrail。Oui，Iknowhimbon，fusrate。’Perault，’hesay，’youmin’las’yeardeOleBosshe’sfin’
　　goodminewayupindevalley？’`Oui，forsure。’’Youknowdetrail？’Oui，certainment。’’Den，’hesay，’wegodere。’Nex’daywestrikedattrailandgofourorfivemile。Wecometodatvalley——
　　MonDieu！dere’snovalleydere。Wecomebackandtryoncemore——datblankvalley，she’snodere。DeProspectorhelookmuchondatmap。
　　’Wheredosetreepeak？’hesay。’Deresure’nuff，one，twotree。Datvalleyshe’srightonlineofdosepeak。’’Sure，’Isay。’Iseeheemmyselfshe’sgonenowforsure！Ah！Voila！Isee！Beegslidefeeldatvalleyup！Bygar！Dat’sso，datmontinshe’shalfgone，datvalleyhe’sfullup。MonDieu！DeProspectorhe’slakwil’man。
　　’Perault，’hesay，’IpromisedeolemanIgoforfin’datmine。’
　　’Allright，boss，’Isay，’metoo。’Wemakecacheforgrub，wehobbledeponeeandgoforfin’datmine。Dat’soneblankhardday。
　　Overrockandtreeandholeandstomphe’sgolakonedeerhoun。’
　　Nextdayhe’sjus’same。Forme，I’mtire’out。Well，wecomehometocamp，slow，slow，hungree，sorefoot——bygar！Sacrebleu！Datcacheshebrokeup，degrubhe’sgone！MonDieu！dat’sbad——fourorfivedaywalkfromhomeandnogrubatall。"
　　"Whatdidyouthink，Perault？"askedSinclair。"Didyouseesignsofanybeast，bearormountainlion？"
　　"Sure，dat’swhatItinkfus’ting，butdeProspectorhe’swalkaroun’quietandlookeveryting。’Perault，dat’sfoneeting，’hesay。’Wheredosecan’meat，eh？’Bygar！daysso，debearhecan’
　　eatdosecan’meat，notmoche！"
　　"Notlikely，notbein’agoat，"putinIkedrily。
　　"Well，welookaroun’ver’close，noscratch，notrack。Bygar！daysnobear，forsure——dat’sonebearontwoleg。"
　　"Ithink，"saidSinclairgravely，"thatthereisnodoubtofthat。
　　Thequestionis，whodidit？Gentlemen，ithasbeenprovedthatthesetwomen，CarrollandCrawley，wereawayduringtheweekwhenthiscrimetookplace。Wedonotknowwheretheywere，butwemustbefairtothem。Wemayhaveouropinionsaboutthis，butinfixingtheresponsibilityofthiscrimewemustbeexceedinglycarefultodealjustlywitheveryman。IsuggestwecallCarroll。"
　　Carrollcametothemeetingwithouthesitation，andwithhim，Crawley。
　　"Wewilltakeyouinafewminutes，"saidSinclairtoCrawley。
　　"Now，"hecontinuedtoCarroll，whenCrawleyhadbeenremoved，"wewouldliketoknowwhereyouwerelastweek。"
　　"That’snobody’sblankbusiness，"saidCarroll。
　　Anangrymurmurarosefromthecrowd。
　　"Carroll，thisthingistooseriousforanybluffing，andwearegoingtoseeitthrough。Itisfairthatyoushouldknowwhyweask。
　　Letmegiveyouthefactswehavefoundout。"SinclairgaveabriefresumeofthestoryasgatheredfromStantonandPerault。AsCarrolllistenedhisfacegrewwhitewithfury。
　　"Doesanyblank，blanksonofahorsethief，"hecried，whenSinclairhaddone，"sayIamthemanthatbrokeopenthatcache？Lethimstandupforninstmeandsayso。"Hegnashedhisteethinhisrage。"WhinTimCarrollgoestogitevenwidamanhedoesn’tgobehindhisbackfurit，andyezallknowthat！No，"hecried，plantinghishugefistwithacrashuponthetable，"Ididn’tputafingeronthecachenorhisponiesayther，begob！"
　　"Allright，Carroll，wearegladtohearit，"saidSinclair，inacold，sternvoice。"Youneedn’tgetsowildoverit。Youcannotfrightenus，youknow。Everymanherecangiveanaccountofhisdoingslastweek——canyou？"
　　"Icanthatsame，"saidCarroll，somewhatsubduedbySinclair’stoneandmanner。"Iamnotafraidtosaythatwewentuptoseeamineweheardof。"
　　"YouandCrawley，youmean？"saidSinclairquietly。
　　"Yes，"continuedCarroll，"andthat’sfairenough，too;andwehuntedaroundaweekfurit，an’cameback。"
　　"Didyoufindyourmine？"askedSinclair。
　　"Wedidnot，andit’sablank，blankfoolIwastolistentotheyarnofthedrunkenoldfoolofadoctor。"
　　"Thankyou，Carroll。Now，Idonotthinkmyselfthatyoutouchedthatcache。"
　　"Ifhedid，hewillswingforit，"saidavoice，coolandrelentless，inthecrowd。
　　Carrollstartedalittleasheheardthatvoice。
　　"Youshutup！"saidIke。
　　"Now，Carroll，wewantyoutoanswerafewquestions，"continuedSinclair。"Mr。CrawleybroughtyoutothecampwheretheOldProspectordied——isthatright？"
　　"Hedid。"
　　"Andthenyouwenteastfromthatpointoverthemountain？"
　　"Wedid，andIamtellingyouwewaslookingforthatmineweheardof。"
　　"Allright，"saidSinclair。"Howlongdidyoustayinthatneighbourhood？"
　　"Aweekorso。"
　　"DidyouseeMr。MacgregororPeraultwhileyouwerethere？"
　　"That’snoneofyourbusiness。"
　　"You’dbetteranswer，Carroll。"
　　"It’llbeyourbusinessprettyblanksoon！"drawledthevoiceagain。
　　"Shutup！"saidIke。"Givehimachance。"
　　"Ithinkyou’dbetteranswer，"saidSinclairquietly。"You’venothingtohide，Isuppose？"
　　"Ihaven’t，"saidCarrolldefiantly。"Wedidseethemtwowalkingaround，andwesoonknew，too，thattheydidn’tknowanymorethanourselvesaboutthatmine。Thinwecameaway。"
　　"Didyouseetheircamp？"
　　"Wedid。Wepasseditby。"
　　"Didyoustopandspeaktothem？"
　　"No，wedidnot;forthegoodreasontheyweren’tthere。"
　　"Didyouexaminethecamportouchanything？"
　　"Niviratouch，sohelpmeGod！"saidCarroll，withgreatearnestness。
　　"ThendidyouandCrawleycomeawaytogether？"
　　"Wedid。"
　　"Wheredidyoucampthatnight？"
　　"Overthemountainbeyant，forninsttheOldProspector’sgrave。"
　　"Andyoucamestraighthomenextday？"
　　"Wedid，exceptforalukatacoupleofprospectsweknewof。"
　　"Oh！Howlongdidthattakeyou？"
　　"Ittukmeaboutaday，andCrawleyalittleless，I’mthinkin’。"
　　"Howwasthat，Carroll？"enquiredSinclair。
　　"Well，hetukonegulchandItuktheother，andhegotthroughbeforeme，andthenextdaywecamehome;andthat’sthetruthofit，sohelpme。"
　　"Thenyouwereneverseparatedfromeachotherexceptforthatoneday？"
　　"That’strue。"TherewasnomistakingthesincerityandhonestyofCarroll’smanner。
　　"Anyfurtherquestionstoask，gentlemen？"
　　"HowlongdidyoustopatMr。Macgregor’scampwhenyouwaspassingby？"askedIke。
　　"Don’tbesoblankedsmart，Ike！"saidCarroll，insavagescorn。
　　"I’mtellingyouthatIdidn’tstopafut。Wesawtheircampandtheirponiesandwewentsthraightpast。"
　　"Didn’tstoptolightyourpipeornothing？"enquiredIke。
　　"Blankyourblankuglymug！"roaredCarroll，"doyoumeantosay，——"
　　"Oh，nothing，"saidIkequietly。"Justwantedtoknowhowlongyoustopped？"
　　"AndIamtellin’youwedidn’tsthopatall，atall，notafutofus！
　　Wedidn’tgoneartheircampwithinfiftyyard。"
　　"Notfiftyyards，eh？Well，that’sstrange。"
　　Carrollpouredoutavolleyofoaths。
　　"You’resureaboutthatfiftyyards，Carroll？"askedIke，ininsinuatingtones。
　　"Ididn’tpaceit，youblankedfool！butI’llswearitwasn’tmorethanthirty。"
　　"You’redeadsureaboutthatthirtyyards，Carroll？"persistedIke。
　　"Iamthat，andifyouwanttosayanythingmorecomeoutside！"saidCarroll，glaringwildlyathisinterlocutor。
　　"Oh，thanks，I’mcomfortable，"saidIkemildly，ashe，satlackinhischair。"Hopeyouarethesame。"
　　"Thatwilldo，Carroll，"saidSinclair。"Iamsureweallfeelmuchobligedtoyouforyourstraightforwardanswers。Ifwewantyouagainwe’llsendforyou。"
　　"AndI’llcome，"saidCarroll，withanotheroath，passingoutoftheroom。