"Hennicker’sitis!Leadon。"
　　Theostlerremountedhishorse，andtheothersfollowed。Thetrailpresentlyturnedintoabroadertrack，thatboresomesignsofapproachinghabitations，andattheendoffiveminutestheycameuponaclearing。Itwaspartofoneofthefragmentarymountainterraces，andformedbyitselfavastniche，orbracketedshelf，inthehollowflankofthemountainthat，toHale’sfirstglance，borearuderesemblancetoEagle’sCourt。Buttherewasneithermeadownoropenfield；thefewacresofgroundhadbeenwrestedfromtheforestbyaxeandfire，andunsightlystumpseverywheremarkedtherudeanddifficultattemptsatcultivation。Twoorthreeroughbuildingsofunplanedandunpaintedboards，connectedbyramblingsheds，stoodinthecentreoftheamphitheatre。Farfrombeingprotectedbytheencirclingrampart，itseemedtobetheselectedarenaforthecombatingelements。AwhirlwindfromtheouterabysscontinuallyfilledthiscaveofAEoluswithdrivingsnow，which，however，meltedasitfell，orwasquicklywhirledawayagain。
　　Afewdogsbarkedandranouttomeetthecavalcade，buttherewasnoothersignofanylifedisturbedorconcernedattheirapproach。
　　"IreckonHennickerain’thome，orhe’dhevbeenonthelookoutaforethis，"saidtheostler，dismountingandrappingonthedoor。
　　Afterasilence，afemalevoice，unintelligiblytotheothers，apparentlyhadsomecolloquywiththeostler，whoreturnedtotheparty。
　　"Mustgointhroughthekitchin——can’topenthedoorforthewind。"
　　Leavingtheirhorsesintheshed，theyenteredthekitchen，whichcommunicated，andpresentlycameuponasquareroomfilledwithsmokefromafireofgreenpinelogs。Thedoorsandwindowsweretightlyfastened；theonlyaircameinthroughthelarge—throatedchimneyinvoluminousgusts，whichseemedtomakethehollowshelloftheapartmentswellandexpandtothepointofbursting。
　　Despitethestingingoftheresinoussmoke，thetemperaturewasgratefultothebenumbedtravellers。Severalcushionlessarm—
　　chairs，suchaswereusedinbar—rooms，twotables，asideboard，halfbarandhalfcupboard，andarocking—chaircomprisedthefurniture，andafewbearandbuffaloskinscoveredthefloor。
　　Halesankintooneofthearm—chairs，and，withalazysatisfaction，partlybornofhisfatigueandpartlyfromsomenewly—discoveredappreciativefaculty，gazedaroundtheroom，andthenatthemistressofthehouse，withwhomtheothersweretalking。
　　Shewastall，gaunt，andwithered；inspiteofherevidentyears，hertwistedhairwasstilldarkandfull，andhereyesbrightandpiercing；hercomplexionandteethhadlongsincesuccumbedtothevitiatingeffectsoffrontiercookery，andherlipswerestainedwiththeyellowjuiceofabrier—woodpipesheheldinhermouth。
　　Theostlerhadexplainedtheirintrusion，andveiledtheircharacterunderthevagueepithetofa"huntingparty，"andwasnowevidentlydescribingthempersonally。Inhisnew—foundphilosophythefactthattheinterestofhishostessseemedtobeexcitedonlybythenamesofhiscompanions，thathehimselfwascarelessly，andevendeprecatingly，alludedtoasthe"strangerfromEagle’s"bytheostler，andcompletelyoverlookedbytheoldwoman，gavehimnoconcern。
　　"You’llhavetotalktoZenobiayourself。DodrotefI’mginetointerfere。SheknowsHennicker’sways，andifshechoosestotakeintransientsitain’tnofuneralo’mine。Zeenie!You，Zeenie!
　　Lookyer!"
　　Atall，lazy—looking，handsomegirlappearedonthethresholdofthenextroom，andwithahandoneachdoor—postslowlyswungherselfbackwardsandforwards，withoutentering。"Well，Maw？"
　　Theoldwomanbrieflyandunalluringlypicturedtheconditionofthetravellers。
　　"Pawain’there，"beganthegirldoubtfully，"and——Howdy，Dick!
　　isthatyou？"Theinterruptionwascausedbyherrecognitionoftheostler，andsheloungedintotheroom。Inspiteofaskimp，slatternlygown，whosestraightskirtclungtoherlowerlimbs，therewasaquaint，nymph—likecontourtoherfigure。Whetherfromlanguor，ill—health，ormoreprobablyfromamorbidconsciousnessofherownheight，shemovedwithaslightlyaffectedstoopthathadbecomeahabit。ItdidnotseemungracefultoHale，alreadyattractedbyherdelicateprofile，herlargedarkeyes，andacertainweirdresemblanceshehadtosomehalf—domesticateddryad。
　　"That’lldo，Maw，"shesaid，dismissingherparentwithanod。
　　"I’lltalktoDick。"
　　Asthedoorclosedontheoldwoman，Zenobialeanedherhandsonthebackofachair，andconfrontedtheadmiringeyesofDickwithagoddess—likeindifference。
　　"Nowwot’stheuseofyourplayin’thisyergameonme，Dick？
　　Wot’sthegoodofyourladlin’outthathogwashabouthuntin’？
　　HUNTIN’!I’lltellyerthehuntin’you—unshevbeenat!You’vebeenhuntin’GeorgeLeeandhisboyssinceanhourbeforesunup。
　　You’vebeenfollowin’ablindtrailuptotheRidge，untilthesnowgotupandhuntedYOUrighthere!You’vebeenwhoopin’andyellin’
　　andcircus—ridin’ontheroadslikeezyerwosComanches，andfrighteningallthewomenfolkwithinmiles——that’syourhuntin’!
　　You’vebeenclimbin’downPaw’soldslideatlast，andmakin’
　　tracksforheretosavetheskinsofthemcondemnedgovernmenthorsesoftheKempany!AndTHAT’Syourhuntin’!"
　　ToHale’ssurprise，aburstoflaughterfromthepartyfollowedthisspeech。Hetriedtojoinin，butthisridiculoussummaryoftheresultofhisenthusiasticsenseofdutylefthim——theonlyearnestbelievermortifiedandembarrassed。Norwashethelessconcernedashefoundthegirl’sdarkeyeshadrestedonceortwiceuponhimcuriously。Zenobialaughedtoo，and，lazilyturningthechairaround，droppedintoit。"AndbythistimeGeorgeLee’sloungin’backinhischyarandsmokin’hiscigyarsomewharinSacramento，"sheadded，stretchingherfeetouttothefire，andsuitingtheactiontothewordwithanimaginarycigarbetweenthelongfingersofathinandnotover—cleanhand。
　　"Wecave，Zeenie!"saidRawlins，whentheirhilarityhadsubsidedtoamoresubduedandscarcelylessflatteringadmirationoftheunconcernedgoddessbeforethem。"That’saboutthesizeofit。
　　Youkinrakedownthepile。Iforgotyou’reanoldfriendofGeorge’s。"
　　"He’sawhiteman!"saidthegirldecidedly。
　　"Yeusedtoknowhim？"continuedRawlins。
　　"Once。Pawain’tinthatlinenow，"shesaidsimply。
　　TherewassuchasublimeunconsciousnessofanymoraldegradationinvolvedinthisallusionthatevenHaleaccepteditwithoutashock。Sherosepresently，and，goingtothelittlesideboard，broughtoutanumberofglasses；theseshehandedtoeachoftheparty，andthen，producingademijohnofwhiskey，slungitdexterouslyandgracefullyoverherarm，sothatitrestedonherelbowlikeacradle，and，goingtoeachoneinsuccession，filledtheirglasses。Itobligedeachonetorisetoacceptthelibation，andasHaledidsoinhisturnhemetthedarkeyesofthegirlfullonhisown。Therewasapleasedcuriosityinherglancethatmadethismarriedmanofthirty—fivecolorasawkwardlyasaboy。
　　Thetenderofrefreshmentbeingunderstoodasatacitrecognitionoftheirclaimstoalargerhospitality，allfurtherrestraintwasremoved。Zenobiaresumedherseat，andplacingherelbowonthearmofherchair，andhersmallroundchininherhand，lookedthoughtfullyinthefire。"WhenIsayGeorgeLee’sawhiteman，itain’tbecauseIknowhim。It’shisgeneralgait。Wot’sheeverdonethat’sunderhandedormean？Nothin’!Youkantshowthepoormanhe’severtookapicayunefrom。Whenhe’shelpedhimselftoapileit’sbeenouterthembanksorthemexpresscompanies，thatthinkitmightyfinetobustupthemselves，andswindlethepoorfolkso’theirlastcent，andnobodytalkso’huntin’THEM!Anddoeshekeeptheirmoney？No；hepassesitroundamongtheboysthathelphim，andtheyputitincirculation。HEdon’tkeepitforhimself；heain’tgotfinehousesinFrisco；hedon’tkeepfasthorsesforshow。Likeeznotthecritterhedidthatjobwith——efitwashim——noneofyouboyswouldhaverid!Andhetakesalltheriskshimself；youkenbetyourlifethateverymanwithhimwassafeandawayaforeheturnedhisbackonyou—uns。"
　　"Hecertainlydropsalittleofhismoneyatdrawpoker，Zeenie，"
　　saidClinch，laughing。"HelostfivethousanddollarstoSheriffKellylastweek。"
　　"Well，Idon’thearofthesheriffhuntin’himtogiveitback，nordoIreckonKellyhandeditovertotheExpressitwastakenfrom。
　　IheardYOUwonsuthin’fromhimaspellago。Ireckonyou’vebeenhuntin’himtofindoutwharyoushouldreturnit。"ThelaughwasclearlyagainstClinch。Hewasabouttomakesomerallyingrejoinderwhentheyounggirlsuddenlyinterruptedhim。"Efyou’rewantin’tohuntsomebody，whydon’tyoutakehighergame？Thar’sthatJimHarkins：goforhim，andI’lljoinyou。"
　　"Harkins!"exclaimedClinchandHalesimultaneously。
　　"Yes，JimHarkins；doyouknowhim？"shesaid，glancingfromonetotheother。
　　"Oneofmyfriendsdo，"saidClinchlaughing；"butdon’tletthatstopyou。"
　　"AndYOU——overthere，"continuedZenobia，bendingherheadandeyestowardsHale。
　　"Thefactis——Ibelievehewasmybanker，"saidHale，withasmile。
　　"Idon’tknowhimpersonally。"
　　"Thenyou’dbetterhunthimbeforehedoesyou。"
　　"What’sHEdone，Zeenie？"askedRawlins，keenlyenjoyingthediscomfitureoftheothers。
　　"What？"Shestopped，threwherlongblackbraidsoverhershoulder，claspedherkneewithherhands，androckingbackwardsandforwards，sublimelyunconsciousoftheapparitionofaslimankleandhalf—dropped—offslipperfromunderhershortenedgown，continued，"Itmightn’tpleaseHIM，"shesaidslyly，noddingtowardsHale。
　　"Praydon’tmindme，"saidHale，withunnecessaryeagerness。
　　"Well，"saidZenobia，"IreckonyouallknowNedFalknerandtheExcelsiorDitch？"
　　"Yes，Falkner’sthesuperintendentofit，"saidRawlins。"Andasquaremantoo。Tharain’tanythingmeanabouthim。"
　　"Shake，"saidZenobia，extendingherhand。Rawlinsshooktheprofferedhandwitheagerspontaneousness，andthegirlresumed：
　　"He’saboutezgoodeztheymake’em——youbet。Well，youknowNedhasputallhismoney，andallhisstrength，andallhissabe，and——"
　　"Hisgoodlooks，"addedClinchmischievously。
　　"IntothatDitch，"continuedZenobia，ignoringtheinterruption。
　　"It’shismother，it’shissweetheart，it’shiseverything!Whenotherchapsofhisagewascavortin’roundFrisco，andhavin’highjinks，NedwasinhisDitch。’WaittilltheDitchisdone，’heusedtosay。’Waittillshebeginstoboom，andthenyoujuststandround。’Mor’nthat，hegotalltheboystoputintheirlastcent——fortheylovedNed，andlovehimnow，likeezefhewosawoman。"
　　"That’sso，"saidClinchandRawlinssimultaneously，"andhe’sworthit。"
　　"Well，"continuedZenobia，"theDitchdidn’tboomezsooneztheykalkilated。Andthentheboyskeptgettin’poorerandpoorer，andNedhekeptgettin’poorerandpoorerineverythingbuthishopefulnessandgrit。Thenhelooksaroundformorecapital。Andaboutthistime，thatcoyoteHarkinssmeltsuthin’niceupthere，andhegitsNedtogivehimcontrolofit，andhe’lllendhimhisnameandfixupacompany。Soonezhegetscontrol，thefirstthinghedoesistosaythatitwantshalfamilliono’moneytomakeitpay，andleviesanassessmentoftwohundreddollarsashare。That’snothin’forthemrichfellowstopay，orpretendtopay，butforboysongrubwagesitmeantonlyruin。Theycouldn’tpay，andhadtoforfeittheirsharesfornexttonothing。AndNedmadeonemoredesperateattempttosavethemandhimselfbyborrowingmoneyonhisshares；whenthathoundHarkinsgotwindofit，andletitbebuzzedaroundthattheDitchisafailure，andthathewasgoin’outofit；thatbroughtthesharesdowntonothing。AsNedcouldn’traiseadollar，thenewcompanyswoopeddownonhissharesforthedebtsTHEYhadputup，andlefthimandtheboystohelpthemselves。Nedcouldn’tbeartofacetheboysthathe’dhelpedtoruin，andputout，andain’tbeenheardfromsince。AfterHarkinshadgotridofNedandtheboyshemanagestopayoffthatwonderfuldebt，andsellsoutforahundredthousanddollars。Thatmoney——Ned’smoney——hesendstoSacramento，forhedon’tdaretotravelwithithimself，andiskalkilatin’toleavethekentry，forsomeoftheboysallowtokillhimonsight。Soefyou’rewantin’tohuntsuthin’，thar’syerchance，andyouneedn’tgointerthesnowtodoit。"
　　"Butsurelythelawcanrecoverthismoney？"saidHaleindignantly。
　　"Itisasinfamousarobberyas——"HestoppedashecaughtZenobia’seye。
　　"Ezlastnight’s，youweregoin’tosay。I’llcallitMORE。Themroadagentsdon’tpretendtobeyourfriend——buttakeyermoneyandruntheirrisks。Foreztothelaw——thatcan’thelpyer。"
　　"It’saskingame，andyoumightezwellexpecttorecoveragamblingdebtfromashort—cardsharp，"explainedClinch；"Falkneroughtershothimonsight。"
　　"Ortheboyslynchedhim，"suggestedRawlins。
　　"Ithink，"saidHale，morereflectively，"thatintheabsenceoflegalremedyamanofthatkindshouldhavebeenforcedunderstrongphysicalmenacetogiveuphisill—gottengains。Themoneywastheprimaryobject，andifthatcouldbegotwithoutbloodshed——
　　whichseemstomeauselesscrime——itwouldbequiteaseffective。
　　Ofcourse，iftherewasresistanceorretaliation，itmightbenecessarytokillhim。"
　　Hehadunconsciouslyfallenintohisolddidacticanddogmatichabitofspeech，andperhaps，underthespurofZenobia’seyes，hehadgivenitsomenaturalemphasis。Adeadsilencefollowed，inwhichtheothersregardedhimwithamusedandgratifiedsurprise，anditwasbrokenonlybyZenobiarisingandholdingoutherhand。
　　"Shake!"
　　Haleraiseditgallantly，andpressedhislipsontheonespotlessfinger。
　　"That’sgospeltruth。Andyouain’tthefirstwhitemantosayit。"
　　"Indeed，"laughedHale。"Whowastheother？"
　　"GeorgeLee!"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　Thelaughterthatfollowedwasinterruptedbyasuddenbarkingofthedogsintheouterclearing。Zenobiaroselazilyandstrodetothewindow。ItrelievedHaleofcertainembarrassingreflectionssuggestedbyhercomment。
　　"Efitain’tthatGod—forsakenfoolDickbringinguppassengersfromthesnow—boundupstageintheroad!IreckonI’VEgotsuthin’tosaytothat!"ButthelaterappearanceoftheapologeticDick，withtheassurancethatthepartycarriedapermissionfromherfather，grantedatthelowerstationinviewofsuchanemergency，checkedheractiveopposition。"That’slikePaw，"shesoliloquizedaggrievedly；"shuttin’usupandsettin’
　　dogsoneverybodyforaweek，andthenlettin’thewholestageservicepassthroughonedoorandoutatanother。Well，it’sHIS
　　houseandHISwhiskey，andtheykintakeit，buttheydon’tgetmetohelp’em。"
　　Theycertainlywerenotaprepossessingorgood—naturedacquisitiontotheparty。Apartfromthenaturalantagonismwhich，onsuchoccasions，thoseinpossessionalwaysfeeltowardsthenew—comer，theywerestronglyinclinedtoresistthedissatisfiedquerulousnessandaggressiveattitudeofthesefreshapplicantsforhospitality。Themostoffensiveonewasapersonwhoappearedtoexercisesomeauthorityovertheothers。Hewasloud，assuming，anddressedwithvulgarpretension。HequicklydisposedhimselfinthechairvacatedbyZenobia，andcalledforsomeliquor。
　　"Ireckonyou’llhevtohelpyourself，"saidRawlinsdryly，asthesummonsmetwithnoresponse。"Thereareonlytwowomeninthehouse，andIreckontheirhandsarefullalready。"
　　"Icallitd——dunciviltreatment，"saidtheman，raisinghisvoice；"andHennickerhadbettersingsmallerifhedon’twanthisolddenpulleddownsomeday。Heain’tanybetterthanmenthathevbeenpickedupaforenow。"
　　"Yououghtertoldhimthat，andmebbehe’dhevcomeoverwithyer，"
　　returnedRawlins。"He’samild，soft，easy—goingman，isHennicker!Ain’the，ColonelClinch？"
　　ThecasualmentionofClinch’snameproducedtheeffectwhichthespeakerprobablyintended。ThestrangerstaredatClinch，who，apparentlyobliviousoftheconversation，wasblinkinghiscoldgrayeyesatthefire。Droppinghisaggressivetonetomerequerulousness，themansoughtthewhiskeydemijohn，andhelpedhimselfandhiscompanions。Fortifiedbyliquorhereturnedtothefire。
　　"Ireckonyou’veheardaboutthisyerrobbery，Colonel，"hesaid，addressingClinch，withanattemptateasyfamiliarity。
　　Withoutraisinghiseyesfromthefire，Clinchbrieflyassented，"I
　　reckon。"
　　"I’mupyer，examiningintoit，fortheExpress。"
　　"Lostmuch？"askedRawlins。
　　"Notsomucheztheymighthev。ThatfoolHarkinshadahundredthousanddollarsingreenbackssealeduplikeanordinarypackageofathousanddollars，andgaveittoafriend，BillGuthrie，inthebanktopickoutsomeunlikelychapamongthepassengerstotakechargeofittoReno。Hewouldn’ttrusttheExpress。Ha!ha!"
　　Thedead，oppressivesilencethatfollowedhisemptylaughtermadeitseemalmostartificial。RawlinsheldhisbreathandlookedatClinch。Hale，withtheinstinctsofarefined，sensitiveman，turnedhotwiththeembarrassmentClinchshouldhaveshown。Forthatgentleman，withoutliftinghiseyesfromthefire，andwithnoapparentchangeinhisdemeanor，lazilyasked——
　　"Yedidn’tketchthenameo’thatpassenger？"
　　"Naturally，no!ForwhenGuthrieheardwhatwassaidaginhimhewouldn’tgivehisnameuntilheheardfromhim。"
　　"AndWHATwassaidaginhim？"askedClinchmusingly。
　　"Whatwouldbesaidaginamanthatgiveupthatsumo’money，likeachawoftobacco，fortheasking？Why，therewerebutthreemen，asfarezwekinhear，thatdidthejob。Andtherewerefourpassengersinside，armed，andthedriverandexpressmessengeronthebox。SixwererobbedbyTHREE!——theywereasweet—scentedlot!
　　Reckontheymusthevfeltmightysmall，forIheartheygotupandskedaddledfromthestationunderthepretextoflookin’fortherobbers。"Helaughedagain，andthelaughwasnoisilyrepeatedbyhisfivecompanionsattheotherendoftheroom。
　　Hale，whohadforgottenthatthestrangerwasonlyechoingapartofhisowncriticismofeighthoursbefore，wasonthepointofrisingwithburningcheeksandangryindignation，whenthelazilyupliftedeyeofClinchcaughthis，andabsolutelyheldhimdownwithitsparalyzinganddeadlysignificance。Murderitselfseemedtolookfromthosecruellyquietandremorselessgraypupils。ForamomentheforgothisownrageinthisglimpseofClinch’simplacableresentment；foramomenthefeltathrillofpityforthewretchwhohadprovokedit。HeremainedmotionlessandfascinatedinhischairasthelazylidsclosedlikeasheathoverClinch’seyesagain。Rawlins，whohadprobablyreceivedthesameglanceofwarning，remainedequallystill。
　　"Theyhaven’theardthelastofityet，youbet，"continuedtheinfatuatedstranger。"I’vegotalittlestatementhereforthenewspaper，"headded，drawingsomepapersfromhispocket；"suthin’
　　IjustrunoffinthecoachasIcamealong。Ireckonit’llshowthingsupinanewlight。It’stimethereshouldbesomechange。
　　Allthecussin’that’sbeenusuallydonehezbeenbythepassengersagintheexpressandstagecompanies。IproposethattheCompanyshoulddoalittlecussin’themselves。See？P’r’apsyoudon’tmindmyreadin’ittoye？It’sjustspicyenoughtosuitthemnewspaperchaps。"
　　"Goon，"saidColonelClinchquietly。
　　Themanclearedhisthroat，withthepreliminaryposeofauthorship，andhisfivefriends，towhomthecompositionwasevidentlynotunfamiliar，assumedanticipatorysmiles。
　　"Icallit’PrizePusillanimousPassengers。’Sortofrunseasyoffthetongue，youknow。
　　"’ItnowappearsthatthesuccessofthelatestagecoachrobberyneartheSummitwaslargelyduetothepusillanimity——nottouseamoreseriousword’"——Hestopped，andlookedexplanatorilytowardsClinch："Ye’llseeinaminitwhatI’mgettin’atbythatpusillanimityofthepassengersthemselves。’Itnowtranspiresthattherewereonlythreerobberswhoattackedthecoach，andthatalthoughpassengers，driver，andexpressmessengerwerefullyarmed，andweredoublethenumberoftheirassailants，notashotwasfired。Wemeannoreflectionsuponthewell—knowncourageofYubaBill，northeexperienceandcoolnessofBracyTibbetts，thecourteousexpressmessenger，bothofwhomhavesinceconfessedtohavebeenmorethanastonishedattheChristianandlamb—likesubmissionoftheinsiders。Amusingstoriesofsomelaughableyetsickeningincidentsoftheoccasion——suchasgrownmenkneelingintheroad，andofferingtostripthemselvescompletely，iftheirliveswereonlyspared；ofoneofthepassengershidingundertheseat，andonlybeingdislodgedbypullinghiscoat—tails；ofincrediblesumspromised，andevenoffersofmenialservice，forthepreservationoftheirwretchedcarcases——arereceivedwiththegreatestgusto；butweareinpossessionoffactswhichmayleadtomoreseriousaccusations。Althoughoneofthepassengersissaidtohavelostalargesumofmoneyintrustedtohim，whileattemptingwithbarefacedeffronterytoestablisharival"carrying"businessinoneoftheExpressCompany’sowncoaches——’I
　　callthatagoodpoint。"Heinterruptedhimselftoallowtheunrestrainedapplauseofhisownparty。"Don’tyou？"
　　"It’sjusth—ll，"saidClinchmusingly。
　　"’Yettheaffair，"resumedthestrangerfromhismanuscript，"’islockedupingreatandsuspiciousmystery。ThepresenceofJacksonN。Stanner，Esq。’（that’sme），’specialdetectiveagenttotheCompany，andhisstaffintown，isaguarantythatthemysterywillbethoroughlyprobed。’HedtoputthatintopleasetheCompany，"
　　heagaindeprecatinglyexplained。"’Weareindebtedtothisgentlemanforthefacts。’"
　　"Thepintyouwanttomakeinthatarticle，"saidClinch，rising，butstilldirectinghisfaceandhisconversationtothefire，"ezfarezIkenseeezthatnothreemenkinbackdownsixunlesstheybecowards，orarewillingtobebackeddown。"
　　"That’sthepointwhatIstartfrom，"rejoinedStanner，"andworkup。Ileaveittoyouefitain’tso。"
　　"Ican’tsayezIagreewithyou，"saidtheColoneldryly。Heturned，andstillwithoutliftinghiseyeswalkedtowardsthedooroftheroomwhichZenobiahadentered。Thekeywasontheinside，butClinchgentlyopenedthedoor，removedthekey，andclosingthedooragainlockeditfromhisside。HaleandRawlinsfelttheirheartsbeatquickly；theothersfollowedClinch’sslowmovementsanddowncastmienwithamusedcuriosity。Afterlockingtheotheroutletfromtheroom，andputtingthekeysinhispocket，Clinchreturnedtothefire。Forthefirsttimeheliftedhiseyes；themannearesthimshrankbackinterror。
　　"Iamtheman，"hesaidslowly，takingdeliberatebreathbetweenhissentences，"whogaveupthosegreenbackstotherobbers。Iamoneofthethreepassengersyouhavelampoonedinthatpaper，andthesegentlemenbesidemearetheothertwo。"Hestoppedandlookedaroundhim。"Youdon’tbelievethatthreemencanbackdownsix!Well，I’llshowyouhowitcanbedone。Morethanthat，I’llshowyouhowONEmancandoit；for，bythelivingG—d，ifyoudon’thandoverthatpaperI’llkillyouwhereyousit!I’llgiveyouuntilIcountten；ifoneofyoumovesheandyouaredeadmen——
　　butYOUfirst!"
　　BeforehehadfinishedspeakingHaleandRawlinshadbothrisen，asifinconcert，withtheirweaponsdrawn。Halecouldnottellhoworwhyhehaddoneso，buthewasequallyconscious，withoutknowingwhy，offixinghiseyeononeoftheotherparty，andthatheshould，intheeventofanaffray，trytokillhim。Hedidnotattempttoreason；heonlyknewthatheshoulddohisbesttokillthatmanandperhapsothers。
　　"One，"saidClinch，liftinghisderringer，"two——three——"
　　"Lookhere，Colonel——IswearIdidn’tknowitwasyou。Come——d——mit!Isay——seehere，"stammeredStanner，withwhitecheeks，notdaringtoglanceforaidtohisstupefiedparty。
　　"Four——five——six——"
　　"Wait!Here!"Heproducedthepaperandthrewitonthefloor。
　　"Pickitupandhandittome。Seven——eight——"
　　Stannerhastilyscrambledtohisfeet，pickedupthepaper，andhandedittotheColonel。"Iwasonlyjoking，Colonel，"hesaid，withaforcedlaugh。
　　"I’mgladtohearit。Butasthisjokeisinblackandwhite，youwouldn’tmindsayingsointhesamefashion。TakethatpenandinkandwriteasIdictate。’IcertifythatIamsatisfiedthattheabovestatementisabasecalumnyagainstthecharactersofRingwoodClinch，RobertRawlins，andJohnHale，passengers，andthatIdoherebyapologizetothesame。’Signit。That’lldo。
　　Nowlettherestofyourpartysignaswitnesses。"
　　Theycompliedwithouthesitation；some，seizingtheopportunityoftreatingtheaffairasajoke，suggestedadrink。
　　"Excuseme，"saidClinchquietly，"butezthishouseain’tbigenoughformeandthatman，andezI’vegotbusinessatWildCatStationwiththispaper，IthinkI’llgowithoutdrinkin’。"Hetookthekeysfromhispocket，unlockedthedoors，andtakinguphisovercoatandrifleturnedasiftogo。
　　Rawlinsrosetofollowhim；Halealonehesitated。Therapidoccurrencesofthelasthalfhourgavehimnotimeforreflection。
　　Buthewasbynomeanssatisfiedofthelegalityofthelastacthehadaidedandabetted，althoughheadmitteditsrudejustice，andfelthewouldhavedonesoagain。Afearofthis，andaninstinctthathemightbeledintofurthercomplicationsifhecontinuedtoidentifyhimselfwithClinchandRawlins；thefactthattheyhadprofessedlyabandonedtheirquest，andthatitwasreallysupplantedbythepresenceofanauthorizedpartywhomtheyhadalreadycomeinconflictwith——allthisurgedhimtoremainbehind。
　　Ontheotherhand，theapparentdesertionofhiscomradesatthelastmomentwasopposedbothtohissenseofhonorandthelikinghehadtakentothem。Buthereflectedthathehadalreadyshownhisactivepartisanship，thathecouldbeoflittleservicetothematWildCatStation，andwouldbeonlyincreasingthedistancefromhishome；andaboveall，animpatientlongingforindependentactionfinallydecidedhim。"IthinkI’llstayhere，"hesaidtoClinch，"unlessyouwantme。"
　　Clinchcastaswiftandmeaningglanceattheenemy，butlookedapproval。"Keepyoureyesskinned，andyou’regoodforadozenof’em，"hesaidsottovoce，andthenturnedtoStanner。"I’mgoingtotakethispapertoWildCat。IfyouwanttocommunicatewithmehereafteryouknowwhereIamtobefound，unless——"hesmiledgrimly——"you’dliketoseemeoutsideforafewminutesbeforeI
　　go？"
　　"ItisamatterthatconcernstheStageCompany，notme，"saidStanner，withanattempttoappearathisease。
　　HaleaccompaniedClinchandRawlinsthroughthekitchentothestables。Theostler，Dick，hadalreadyreturnedtotherescueofthesnow—boundcoach。
　　"Ishouldn’tliketoleavemanymenalonewiththatcrowd，"saidClinch，pressingHale’shand；"andIwouldn’thaveallowedyourstayingbehindefIdidn’tknowIcouldbetmypileonyou。Yourofferin’tostayjustputsacleanfinishonit。Lookyer，Hale，I
　　didn’tcottonmuchtoyouatfirst；butefyoueverwantafriend，callonRingwoodClinch。"
　　"Thesamehere，oldman，"saidRawlins，extendinghishandasheappearedfromahurriedconferencewiththeoldwomanatthewoodshed，"andtrusttoZeenietogiveyouahintefthere’sanythin’underhandedgoin’on。Solong。"
　　Halfinclinedtoresentthisimpliedsuggestionofprotection，yethalfpleasedattheideaofaconfidencewiththehandsomegirlhehadseen，Halereturnedtotheroom。Awhispereddiscussionamongthepartyceasedonhisentering，andanawkwardsilencefollowed，whichHaledidnotattempttobreakashequietlytookhisseatagainbythefire。HewaspresentlyconfrontedbyStanner，whowithanaffectationofeasyfamiliaritycrossedovertothehearth。
　　"TheoldKernel’sd——dpepperyandhightonedwhenhe’sgotalittlemorethanhisreg’larthreefingerso’cornjuice，eh？"
　　"Imustbegyoutounderstanddistinctly，Mr。Stanner，"saidHale，withareturnofhishabitualprecisionofstatement，"thatI
　　regardanyslightingallusiontothegentlemanwhohasjustleftnotonlyasinexceedinglybadtastecomingfromYOU，butveryoffensivetomyself。Ifyoumeantoimplythathewasundertheinfluenceofliquor，itismydutytoundeceiveyou；hewassoperfectlyinpossessionofhisfacultiesastoexpressnotonlyhisownbutMYopinionofyourconduct。Youmustalsoadmitthathewasdiscriminatingenoughtoshowhisobjectiontoyourcompanybyleavingit。Iregretthatcircumstancesdonotmakeitconvenientformetoexercisethatprivilege；butifIamobligedtoputupwithyourpresenceinthisroom，Istronglyinsistthatitisnotmadeunendurablewiththeadditionofyourconversation。"
　　TheeffectofthisdeliberateandpassionlessdeclarationwasmorediscomposingtothepartythanClinch’sfury。Utterlyunaccustomedtotheideasandlanguagesuddenlyconfrontingthem，theywereunabletodeterminewhetheritwastherealexpressionofthespeaker，orwhetheritwasavaguebadinageoraffectationtowhichanyreplywouldinvolvetheminridicule。Inacountryterrorizedbypracticaljoking，theydidnotdoubtbutthatthiswasanewformofhoaxingcalculatedtoprovokesomeresponsethatwouldconstitutethemasvictims。TheimmediateeffectuponthemwasthatcompletesilenceinregardtohimselfthatHaledesired。Theydrewtogetheragainandconversedinwhispers，whileHale，withhiseyesfixedonthefire，gavehimselfuptosomewhatlateanduselessreflection。
　　Hecouldscarcelyrealizehisposition。Forhoweverhemightlookatit，withinaspaceoftwelvehourshehadnotonlychangedsomeofhismostcherishedopinions，buthehadactedinaccordancewiththatchangeinawaythatmadeitseemalmostimpossibleforhimevertorecant。Intheinterestsoflawandorderhehadengagedinanunlawfulanddisorderlypursuitofcriminals，andhadactuallycomeinconflictnotwiththecriminals，butwiththeonlypartyapparentlyauthorizedtopursuethem。Morethanthat，hewasfindinghimselfcommittedtoacertainsympathywiththecriminals。
　　Twenty—fourhoursago，ifanyonehadtoldhimthathewouldhavecondonedanillegalactforitsabstractjustice，orassistedtocommitanillegalactforthesamepurpose，hewouldhavefelthimselfinsulted。Thatheknewhewouldnotnowfeelitasaninsultperplexedhimstillmore。Inthesecircumstancesthefactthathewasseparatedfromhisfamily，andasitwerefromallhispastlifeandtraditions，byachanceaccident，didnotdisturbhimgreatly；indeed，hewasforthefirsttimealittledoubtfuloftheirprobablecriticismonhisinconsistency，andwasbynomeansinahurrytosubjecthimselftoit。
　　Liftinghiseyes，hewassuddenlyawarethatthedoorleadingtothekitchenwasslowlyopening。HehadthoughthehearditcreakonceortwiceduringhisdeliberatereplytoStanner。Itwasevidentlymovingnowsoastoattracthisattention，withoutdisturbingtheothers。ItpresentlyopenedsufficientlywidetoshowthefaceofZeenie，who，withagestureofcautiontowardshiscompanions，beckonedhimtojoinher。Herosecarelesslyasifgoingout，and，puttingonhishat，enteredthekitchenastheretreatingfigureoftheyounggirlglidedlightlytowardsthestables。Sheascendedafewopenstepsasiftoahay—loft，butstoppedbeforealowdoor。Pushingitopen，sheprecededhimintoasmallroom，apparentlyundertheroof，whichscarcelyallowedhertostandupright。Bythelightofastablelanternhangingfromabeamhesawthat，thoughpoorlyfurnished，itboresomeevidenceoffemininetasteandhabitation。Motioningtotheonlychair，sheseatedherselfontheedgeofthebed，withherhandsclaspingherkneesinherfamiliarattitude。Herfaceboretracesofrecentagitation，andhereyeswereshiningwithtears。Bythecloserlightofthelanternhewassurprisedtofinditwasfromlaughter。
　　"Ireckonedyou’dberightlonelydowntherewiththatStannercrowd，particklerlyafterthatlittlespeecho’your’n，soIseztoMawI’dgetyouupyerforaspell。MawandIheerdyouexhort’em!Mawallowedyouwoztalkin’afurrin’tongueallalong，butI——sakesalive!——Ihedtohumpmyselftokeepfrombustin’intoayellwhenyerjistdrawedthemWebster—unabridgedsentenceson’em。"Shestoppedandrockedbackwardsandforwardswithalaughthat，subduedbytheproximityoftheroofandthefearofbeingoverheard，wasbynomeansunmusical。"I’lltellyewhotgotme，though!Thatpartcommencing，’SuckamstancesoverwhichI’venocontroul。’"
　　"Oh，come!Ididn’tsaythat，"interruptedHale，laughing。
　　"’Don’tmakeitconvenientformetoexercisetheprivilegeofkickin’yerouttothatextent，’"shecontinued；"’butifIcannotdispensewithyourroom，theleastIcansayisthatit’sad——dsightbetterthanyourcompany——’orsuthin’likethat!Andthenthewayyoumindedyourstops，andletyourvoiceriseandfalljustezeasyezifyouwosaFirstReaderinlargetype。Why，theKernelwasn’tnowhere。HIScussin’didn’tcomewithinamileo’
　　yourn。ThatStannerjistturnedyaller。"
　　"I’mafraidyouarelaughingatme，"saidHale，notknowingwhethertobepleasedorvexedatthegirl’samusement。
　　"IreckonI’mtheonlyonethatdaredoit，then，"saidthegirlsimply。"TheKernelsezthewayyouturnedroundafterhe’ddonehiscussin’，andsaidyerbelievedyou’dstayandtaketheresponsibilityofthewholething——anddid，inthatkam，soft，did—
　　anybody—speak—to—mestyle——wastheneatestthinghe’dseenyet。
　　No!MawsaysIain’tmuchonmanners，butIknowamanwhenIseehim。"
　　ForaninstantHalegavehimselfuptothedeliciousflatteryofunexpected，unintended，andapparentlyuninterestedcompliment。
　　Becomingatlastalittleembarrassedunderthefrankcuriosityofthegirl’sdarkeyes，hechangedthesubject。
　　"Doyoualwayscomeupherethroughthestables？"heasked，glancingroundtheroom，whichwasevidentlyherown。
　　"Ireckon，"sheansweredhalfabstractedly。"There’saladderdownthartoMaw’sroom——"pointingtoatrapdoorbesidethebroadchimneythatservedasawall——"butit’shandiertheotherway，andnearerthebossesifyouwanttogetawayquick。"
　　Thispalpablesuggestion——borneoutbywhatherememberedoftheotherdomesticdetails——thatthehousehadbeenplannedwithreferencetosuddenforayorescapereawakenedhisformeruneasyreflections。Zeenie，whohadbeenwatchinghisface，added，"It’snoslouch，whenb’arorpaintershangroundnightsandstampedethestock，tobeabletoswingyourselfontoabosswheneveryouheararowgoingonoutside。"
　　"DoyoumeanthatYOU——"
　　"PawUSED，andIdoNOW，senseI’vecomeintotheroom。"Shepointedtoanondescriptgarment，halfcloak，halfhabit，hangingonthewall。"I’vebeenouterbedandonPitchpine’sbackasfarezthetrailfiveminutesarterIheardthefirstbellow。"
　　Haleregardedherwithundisguisedastonishment。TherewasnothingatallAmazonianorhorseyinhermanners，norwasthereeventherobustphysicalcontourthatmighthavebeendevelopedthroughsuchexperiences。Onthecontrary，sheseemedtobelazilyeffeminateinbodyandmind。Heedlessofhiscriticalsurveyofher，shebeckonedhimtodrawhischairnearer，and，lookingintohiseyes，said——
　　"WhateverpossessedYOUtotaketohuntin’men？"
　　Halewasstaggeredbythequestion，butneverthelessendeavoredtoexplain。Buthewassurprisedtofindthathisexplanationappearedstiltedeventohimself，and，hecouldnotdoubt，wasutterlyincomprehensibletothegirl。Shenoddedherhead，however，andcontinued——
　　"Thenyouhaven’tanythin’agin’George？"
　　"Idon’tknowGeorge，"saidHale，smiling。"Myproceedingwasagainstthehighwayman。"
　　"Well，HEwasthehighwayman。"
　　"Imean，itwastheprincipleIobjectedto——aprinciplethatI
　　considerhighlydangerous。"
　　"WellHEistheprincipal，fortheothersonlyHELPED，Ireckon，"
　　saidZeeniewithasigh，"andIreckonheISdangerous。"
　　Halesawitwasuselesstoexplain。Thegirlcontinued——
　　"WhatmadeyoustayhereinsteadofgoingonwiththeKernel？
　　Therewassuthin’elsebesidesyourwantingtomakethatStannertakewater。Whatisit？"
　　Alightsenseofthepropinquityofbeauty，ofherconfidence，oftheirisolation，oftheeloquenceofherdarkeyes，atfirsttemptedHaletoareplyofsimplegallantry；agraverconsiderationofthesamecircumstancesfrozeituponhislips。
　　"Idon’tknow，"hereturnedawkwardly。
　　"Well，I’lltellyou，"shesaid。"Youdidn’tcottontotheKernelandRawlinsmuchmorethanyoudidtoStanner。Theyain’tyourkind。"
　　InhisembarrassmentHaleblundereduponthethoughthehadhonorablyavoided。
　　"Suppose，"hesaid，withaconstrainedlaugh，"Ihadstayedtoseeyou。"
　　"IreckonIain’tyourkind，neither，"sherepliedpromptly。Therewasamomentarypausewhensheroseandwalkedtothechimney。
　　"It’sveryquietdownthere，"shesaid，stoopingandlisteningovertheroughly—boardedfloorthatformedtheceilingoftheroombelow。"Iwonderwhat’sgoingon。"
　　Inthebeliefthatthiswasadelicatehintforhisreturntothepartyhehadleft，Halerose，butthegirlpassedhimhurriedly，and，openingthedoor，castaquickglanceintothestablebeyond。
　　"JustasIreckoned——thehorsesaregonetoo。They’veskedaddled，"
　　shesaidblankly。
　　Haledidnotreply。Inhisembarrassmentamomentagotheideaoftakinganequallysuddendeparturehadflasheduponhim。Shouldhetakethisasajustificationofthatimpulse，orhow？Hestoodirresolutelygazingatthegirl，whoturnedandbegantodescendthestairssilently。Hefollowed。Whentheyreachedthelowerroomtheyfounditastheyhadexpected——deserted。
　　"IhopeIdidn’tdrivethemaway，"saidHale，withanuneasylookatthetroubledfaceofthegirl。"ForIreallyhadanideaofgoingmyselfamomentago。"
　　Sheremainedsilent，gazingoutofthewindow。Then，turningwithaslightshrugofhershoulders，saidhalfdefiantly："What’stheusenow？Oh，Maw!theStannercrowdhasvamosedtheranch，andthisyerstrangerkalkilatestostay!"
　　CHAPTERVII
　　AweekhadpassedatEagle’sCourt——aweekofmingledcloudsandsunshinebyday，ofrainoverthegreenplateauandsnowonthemountainbynight。Eachmorninghadbroughtitsfreshgreennesstothewinter—girtdomain，andafreshcoatofdazzlingwhitetothebarrierthatseparateditsdwellersfromtheworldbeyond。Therewaslittlechangeintheencompassingwalloftheirprison；ifanything，thesnowycircleroundthemseemedtohavedrawnitslinesnearerdaybyday。Theimmediateresultofthisrestrictedlimithadbeentoconfinetherangeofcattletothemeadowsnearerthehouse，andatasafedistancefromthefringeofwildernessnowinvadedbytheprowlingtreadofpredatoryanimals。
　　Nevertheless，thetwofiguresloungingontheslopeatsunsetgaveverylittleindicationofanyseriousqualityinthesituation。
　　Indeed，sofarasappearanceswereconcerned，Kate，whowasreturningfromanafternoonstrollwithFalkner，exhibited，withfeminineinconsistency，adecidedreturntotheworldoffashionandconventionalityapparentlyjustasshewaseffectuallyexcludedfromit。Shehadnotonlydiscardedherwhitedressasaconcessiontothepracticalevidenceofthesurroundingwinter，butshehadalsobroughtoutafeatherhatandsablemuffwhichhadoncegracedafashionablesuburbofBoston。EvenFalknerhadexchangedhisslouchhatandpicturesqueserapeforabeaverovercoatandfurcapofHale’swhichhadbeenpresseduponhimbyKate，undertheexcuseoftheexigenciesoftheseason。Withinastone’sthrowofthethicket，turbulentwiththesavageforcesofnature，theywalkedwiththeabstractionofpeoplehearingonlytheirownvoices；inthefaceofthesolemnpeaksclothedwithwhiteausteritytheytalkedgravelyofdress。
　　"Idon’tmeantosay，"saidKatedemurely，"thatyou’retogiveuptheserapeentirely；youcanwearitonrainynightsandwhenyourideoverherefromyourfriend’shousetospendtheevening——forthesakeofoldtimes，"sheadded，withanunconsciousairofreferringtoanalreadyantiquatedfriendship；"butyoumustadmitit’salittletoogorgeousandtheatricalforthesunlightofdayandthepublichighway。"
　　"Butwhyshouldthatmakeitwrong，iftheexperienceofapeoplehasshownittobeagarmentbestfittedfortheirwantsandrequirements？"saidFalknerargumentatively。
　　"Butyouarenotoneofthosepeople，"saidKate，"andthatmakesallthedifference。Youlookdifferentlyandactdifferently，sothatthereissomethingirreconcilablebetweenyourclothesandyouthatmakesyoulookodd。"
　　"Andtolookodd，accordingtoyourcivilizedprejudices，istobewrong，"saidFalknerbitterly。
　　"Itistoseemdifferentfromwhatonereallyis——whichISwrong。
　　Now，youareaminingsuperintendent，youtellme。Thenyoudon’twanttolooklikeaSpanishbrigand，asyoudointhatserape。I
　　amsureifyouhadriddenuptoastage—coachwhileIwasinit，I’dhavehandedyoumywatchandpursewithoutaword。There!youarenotoffended？"sheadded，withalaugh，whichdidnot，however，concealacertainearnestness。"IsupposeIoughttohavesaidI
　　wouldhavegivenitgladlytosucharomanticfigure，andperhapshavegotoutanddancedasarabandorbolerowithyou——ifthatisthethingtodonowadays。Well!"shesaid，afteradangerouspause，"considerthatI’vesaidit。"
　　Hehadbeenwalkingalittlebeforeher，withhisfaceturnedtowardsthedistantmountain。Suddenlyhestoppedandfacedher。
　　"Youwouldhavegivenenoughofyourtimetothehighwayman，MissScott，aswouldhaveenabledyoutoidentifyhimforthepolice——
　　andnomore。Likeyourbrother，youwouldhavebeenwillingtosacrificeyourselfforthebenefitofthelawsofcivilizationandgoodorder。"
　　Ifadenialtothisassertioncouldhavebeenexpressedwithouttheuseofspeech，itwascertainlytransparentinthefaceandeyesoftheyounggirlatthatmoment。IfFalknerhadbeenlessself—
　　conscioushewouldhaveseenitplainly。ButKateonlyburiedherfaceinherliftedmuff，slightlyraisedherprettyshoulders，and，droppinghertremulouseyelids，walkedon。"Itseemsapity，"shesaid，afterapause，"thatwecannotpreserveourownmiserableexistencewithouttakingsomethingfromothers——sometimesevenalife!"Hestarted。"Andit’shorridtohavetoremindyouthatyouhaveyettokillsomethingfortheinvalid’ssupper，"shecontinued。"Isawahareinthefieldyonder。"
　　"Youmeanthatjackassrabbit？"hesaid，abstractedly。
　　"Whatyouplease。It’sapityyoudidn’ttakeyourguninsteadofyourrifle。"
　　"Ibroughttherifleforprotection。"
　　"Andashotgunisonlyaggressive，Isuppose？"
　　Falknerlookedatherforamoment，andthen，astheharesuddenlystartedacrosstheopenahundredyardsaway，broughttherifletohisshoulder。Alonginterval——asitseemedtoKate——elapsed；theanimalappearedtobealreadysafelyoutofrange，whentheriflesuddenlycracked；thehareboundedintheairlikeaball，anddroppedmotionless。Thegirllookedatthemarksmaninundisguisedadmiration。"Isitquitedead？"shesaidtimidly。
　　"Itneverknewwhatstruckit。"
　　"Itcertainlylookslessbrutalthanshootingitwithashotgun，asJohndoes，andthennotkillingitoutright，"saidKate。"I
　　hatewhatiscalledsportandsportsmen，butarifleseems——"
　　"What？"saidFalkner。
　　"More——gentlemanly。"
　　Shehadraisedherprettyheadintheair，and，withherhandshadinghereyes，waslookingaroundtheclearether，andsaidmeditatively，"Iwonder——nomatter。"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"Oh，nothing。"
　　"Itissomething，"saidFalkner，withanamusedsmile，reloadinghisrifle。
　　"Well，youoncepromisedmeaneagle’sfeatherformyhat。Isn’tthatthinganeagle？"
　　"Iamafraidit’sonlyahawk。"
　　"Well，thatwilldo。Shootthat!"
　　Hereyesweresparkling。Falknerwithdrewhisownwithaslightsmile，andraisedhisriflewithprovokingdeliberation。
　　"Areyouquitesureit’swhatyouwant？"heaskeddemurely。
　　"Yes——quick!"
　　Nevertheless，itwassomeminutesbeforetheriflecrackedagain。
　　Thewheelingbirdsuddenlystruckthewindwithitswingsaslant，andthenfelllikeaplummetatadistancewhichshowedthedifficultyofthefeat。Falknerstartedfromhersidebeforethebirdreachedtheground。Hereturnedtoherafteralapseofafewmoments，bearingatrailingwinginhishand。"Youshallmakeyourchoice，"hesaidgayly。
　　"Areyousureitwaskilledoutright？"
　　"Headshotoff，"saidFalknerbriefly。
　　"Andbesides，thefallwouldhavekilledit，"saidKateconclusively。
　　"It’slovely。Isupposetheycallyouaverygoodshot？"
　　"They——who？"
　　"Oh!thepeopleyouknow——yourfriends，andtheirsisters。"
　　"GeorgeshootsbetterthanIdo，andhashadmoreexperience。I’veseenhimdothatwithapistol。Ofcoursenotsuchalongshot，butamoredifficultone。"
　　Katedidnotreply，butherfaceshowedaconvictionthatasanartisticandgentlemanlyperformanceitwasprobablyinferiortotheoneshehadwitnessed。Falkner，whohadpickeduptheharealso，againtookhisplacebyherside，astheyturnedtowardsthehouse。
　　"Doyourememberthedayyoucame，whenwewerewalkinghere，youpointedoutthatrockonthemountainwherethepooranimalshadtakenrefugefromthesnow？"saidKatesuddenly。
　　"Yes，"answeredFalkner；"theyseemtohavediminished。Iamafraidyouwereright；theyhaveeithereateneachotherorescaped。Letushopethelatter。"
　　"Ilookedatthemwithaglasseveryday，"saidKate，"andthey’vegotdowntoonlyfour。There’sabearandthatshabby，over—growncatyoucallaCalifornialion，andawolf，andacreaturelikeafoxorasquirrel。"
　　"It’sapitythey’renotallofakind，"saidFalkner。
　　"Why？"
　　"There’dbenothingtokeepthemfrombeingcomfortabletogether。"
　　"Onthecontrary，Ishouldthinkitwouldbesimplyawfultobeshutupentirelywithone’sownkind。"
　　"Thenyoubelieveitispossibleforthem，withtheirdifferentnaturesandhabits，tobehappytogether？"saidFalkner，withsuddenearnestness。
　　"Ibelieve，"saidKatehurriedly，"thatthebearandthelionfindthefoxandthewolfveryamusing，andthatthefoxandthewolf——"
　　"Well？"saidFalkner，stoppingshort。
　　"Well，thefoxandthewolfwillcarryawayamuchbetteropinionofthelionandbearthantheyhadbefore。"
　　Theyhadreachedthehousebythistime，andforsomeoccultreasonKatedidnotimmediatelyentertheparlor，whereshehadlefthersisterandtheinvalid，whohadalreadybeenpromotedtoasofaandacushionbythewindow，butproceededdirectlytoherownroom。
　　AsamanoeuvretoavoidmeetingMrs。Hale，itwasscarcelynecessary，forthatladywasalreadyinadvanceofheronthestaircase，asifshehadlefttheparlorforamomentbeforetheyenteredthehouse。Falkner，too，wouldhavepreferredthecompanyofhisownthoughts，butLee，apparentlytheonlyunpreoccupied，all—pervading，andboyishlyalertspiritintheparty，hailedhimfromwithin，andobligedhimtopresenthimselfonthethresholdoftheparlorwiththehareandhawk’swinghewasstillcarrying。
　　Eyingthelatterwithaffectedconcern，Leesaidgravely："Ofcourse，ICANeatit，Ned，andIdaresayit’sthebestpartofthefowl，andthehareisn’tmorethanenoughforthewomen，butIhadnoideaweweresoreduced。Threehoursandahalfgunning，andonlyonehareandahawk’swing。It’sterrible。"
　　Perceivingthathisfriendwasalone，Falknerdroppedhisburdeninthehallandstroderapidlytohisside。"Lookhere，George，wemust，Imustleavethisplaceatonce。It’snousetalking；Icanstandthissortofthingnolonger。"
　　"NorcanI，withthedooropen。Shutit，andsaywhatyouwantquick，beforeMrs。Halecomesback。Haveyoufoundatrail？"
　　"No，no；that’snotwhatImean。"
　　"Well，itstrikesmeitoughttobe，ifyouexpecttogetaway。
　　HaveyouproposedtoBeaconStreet，andshethinksitratherprematureonaweek’sacquaintance？"
　　"No；but——"
　　"ButyouWILL，youmean？DON’T，justyet。"
　　"ButIcannotlivethisperpetuallie。"
　　"Thatdepends。Idon’tknowHOWyou’relyingwhenI’mnotwithyou。Ifyou’rewalkingroundwiththatgirl，singinghymnsandtalkingofyourclassinSunday—school，orifyou’reinsinuatingthatyou’reamillionaire，andthinkofbuyingtheplaceforasummerhotel，Ishouldsayyou’dbetterquitthatkindoflying。
　　But，ontheotherhand，Idon’tseethenecessityofyourdancingroundherewithashotgun，andyellingforHarkins’sblood，orcountingthatpackageofgreenbacksinthelapofMissScott，tobetruthful。Itseemstomethereoughttobesomethingbetweenthetwo。"
　　"But，George，don’tyouthink——youareonsuchgoodtermswithMrs。
　　Haleandhermother——thatyoumighttellthemthewholestory？
　　Thatis，tellitinyourownway；theywillhearanythingfromyou，andbelieveit。"
　　"Thankyou；butsupposeIdon’tbelieveinlying，either？"
　　"YouknowwhatImean!Youhaveaway，d——nit，ofmakingeverythingseemlikeamatterofcourse，andthemostnaturalthinggoing。"
　　"Well，supposeIdid。Areyoupreparedfortheworst？"
　　Falknerwassilentforamoment，andthenreplied，"Yes，anythingwouldbebetterthanthissuspense。"
　　"Idon’tagreewithyou。Thenyouwouldbewillingtohavethemforgiveus？"
　　"Idon’tunderstandyou。"
　　"Imeanthattheirforgivenesswouldbetheworstthingthatcouldhappen。Lookhere，Ned。Stopamoment；listenatthatdoor。Mrs。
　　Halehasthetreadofanangel，withthepervadingcapacityofacat。Nowlisten!Idon’tpretendtobeinlovewithanybodyhere，butifIwereIshouldhardlytakeadvantageofawoman’shelplessnessandsolitudewithasensationalstoryaboutmyself。
　　It’snotgivingherafairshow。Youknowshewon’tturnyououtofthehouse。"
　　"No，"saidFalkner，reddening；"butIshouldexpecttogoatonce，andthatwouldbemyonlyexcusefortellingher。"
　　"Go!where？Inyourpreoccupationwiththatgirlyouhaven’tevenfoundthetrailbywhichManuelescaped。Doyouintendtocampoutsidethehouse，andmakeeyesatherwhenshecomestothewindow？"
　　"BecauseyouthinknothingofflirtingwithMrs。Hale，"saidFalknerbitterly，"youcarelittle——"
　　"MydearNed，"saidLee，"thefactthatMrs。Halehasahusband，andknowsthatshecan’tmarryme，putsusonequalterms。Nothingthatshecouldlearnaboutmehereafterwouldmakeaflirtationwithmeanylesswrongthanitwouldbenow，ormakeherseemmoreavictim。CanyousaythesameofyourselfandthatPuritangirl？"
　　"Butyoudidnotadvisemetokeepalooffromher；onthecontrary，you——"
　　"Ithoughtyoumightmakethebestofthesituation，andpayhersomeattention，BECAUSEyoucouldnotgoanyfurther。"
　　"YouthoughtIwasutterlyheartlessandselfish，like——"
　　"Ned!"
　　Falknerwalkedrapidlytothefireplace，andreturned。
　　"Forgiveme，George——I’mafool——andanungratefulone。"
　　Leedidnotreplyatonce，althoughhetookandretainedthehandFalknerhadimpulsivelyextended。"Promiseme，hesaidslowly，afterapause，"thatyouwillsaynothingyettoeitherofthesewomen。Iaskitforyourownsake，andthisgirl’s，notformine。
　　If，onthecontrary，youaretemptedtodosofromanyQuixoticideaofhonor，rememberthatyouwillonlyprecipitatesomethingthatwillobligeyou，fromthatsamesenseofhonor，toseparatefromthegirlforever。"
　　"Idon’tunderstand。"
　　"Enough!"saidhe，withaquickreturnofhisoldrecklessgayety。