"Shoot—Off—His—Mouth——theBeardlessBoyChiefoftheSierras——hasspoken!LetthePaleFacewiththeblackmoustacheponderandbewarehowhetalkshereaftertotheRipplingCochituateWater!
Go!"
Nevertheless，assoonasthedoorhadcloseduponFalkner，Lee’ssmilevanished。Withhiscolorlessfaceturnedtothefadinglightatthewindow，thehollowsinhistemplesandthelinesinthecornersofhiseyesseemedtohavegrownmoreprofound。Heremainedmotionlessandabsorbedinthoughtsodeepthatthelightrustleofaskirt，thatwouldatothertimeshavethrilledhissensitiveear，passedunheeded。Atlast，throwingoffhisreveriewiththefullandunrestrainedsighofamanwhobelieveshimselfalone，hewasstartledbythesoftlaughofMrs。Hale，whohadenteredtheroomunperceived。
"Dearme!Howportentous!Really，IalmostfeelasifIwereinterruptingatete—a—tetebetweenyourselfandsomeoldflame。I
haven’theardanythingsoold—fashionedandconservativeasthatsighsinceIhavebeeninCalifornia。IthoughtyouneverhadanyPastouthere？"
Fortunatelyhisfacewasbetweenherandthelight，andtheunmistakableexpressionofannoyanceandimpatiencewhichwaspassedoveritwassparedher。Therewas，however，stillenoughdissonanceinhismannertoaffectherquickfemininesense，andwhenshedrewnearertohimitwaswithacertainmaiden—liketimidity。
"Youarenotworse，Mr。Lee，Ihope？Youhavenotover—exertedyourself？"
"There’slittlechanceofthatwithoneleg——ifnotinthegraveatleastmummifiedwithbandages，"hereplied，withabitternessnewtohim。
"ShallIloosenthem？Perhapstheyaretootight。Thereisnothingsoirritatingtooneasthesensationofbeingtightlybound。"
Thelighttouchofherhandupontherugthatcoveredhisknees，thethoughtfultendernessoftheblue—veinedlids，andthedelicateatmospherethatseemedtosurroundherlikeaperfumeclearedhisfaceofitsshadowandbroughtbacktherecklessfireintohisblueeyes。
"IsupposeI’mintolerantofallbonds，"hesaid，lookingatherintently，"inothersaswellasmyself!"
Whetherornotshedetectedanydoublemeaninginhiswords，shewasobligedtoacceptthechallengeofhisdirectgaze，and，raisinghereyestohis，drewbackalittlefromhimwithaslightincreaseofcolor。"Iwasafraidyouhadheardbadnewsjustnow。"
"Whatwouldyoucallbadnews？"askedLee，claspinghishandsbehindhishead，andleaningbackonthesofa，butwithoutwithdrawinghiseyesfromherface。
"Oh，anynewsthatwouldinterruptyourconvalescence，orbreakupourlittlefamilyparty，"saidMrs。Hale。"Youhavebeengettingonsowellthatreallyitwouldseemcrueltohaveanythinginterferewithourlifeofforgettingandbeingforgotten。But，"
sheaddedwithapprehensivequickness，"hasanythinghappened？Istherereallyanynewsfrom——from，thetrails？YesterdayMr。
Falknersaidthesnowhadrecommencedinthepass。Hasheseenanything，noticedanythingdifferent？"
Shelookedsoverypretty，withtherare，genuine，andyouthfulexcitementthattransfiguredherweariedandwearyingregularityoffeature，thatLeecontentedhimselfwithdrinkinginherprettinessashewouldhaveinhaledtheperfumeofsomeflower。
"Whydoyoulookatmeso，Mr。Lee？"sheasked，withaslightsmile。"IbelievesomethingHAShappened。Mr。FalknerHASbroughtyousomeintelligence。"
"HehascertainlyfoundoutsomethingIdidnotforesee。"
"Andthattroublesyou？"
"Itdoes。"
"Isitasecret？"
"No。"
"ThenIsupposeyouwilltellittomeatdinner，"shesaid，withalittletoneofrelief。
"Iamafraid，ifItellitatall，Imusttellitnow，"hesaid，glancingatthedoor。
"Youmustdoasyouthinkbest，"shesaidcoldly，"asitseemstobeasecret，afterall。"Shehesitated。"Kateisdressing，andwillnotbedownforsometime。"
"Somuchthebetter。ForI’mafraidthatNedhasmadeapoorreturntoyourhospitalitybyfallinginlovewithher。"
"Impossible!Hehasknownherforscarcelyaweek。"
"Iamafraidwewon’tagreeastothelengthoftimenecessarytoappreciateandloveawoman。Ithinkitcanbedoneinsevendaysandfourhours，theexacttimewehavebeenhere。"
"Yes；butasKatewasnotinwhenyouarrived，anddidnotcomeuntillater，youmusttakeoffatleastonehour，"saidMrs。Halegayly。
"Nedcan。Ishallnotabateasecond。"
"Butareyounotmistakeninhisfeelings？"shecontinuedhurriedly。"Hecertainlyhasnotsaidanythingtoher。"
"Thatishislastholdonhonorandreason。Andtopreservethatlittleintacthewantstorunawayatonce。"
"Butthatwouldbeverysilly。"
"Doyouthinkso？"hesaid，lookingatherfixedly。
"Whynot？"sheaskedinherturn，butratherfaintly。
"I’lltellyouwhy，"hesaid，loweringhisvoicewithacertainintensityofpassionunlikehisusualboyishlightheartedness。
"Thinkofamanwhoselifehasbeenoneofalternatehardnessandaggression，ofsavagedisappointmentandequallysavagesuccesses，whohasknownnootherrelaxationthandissipationandextravagance；amantowhomtheideaofthedomestichearthandfamilytiesonlymeantweakness，effeminacy，or——worse；whohadlookedforloyaltyanddevotiononlyinthemanwhobattledforhimathisrighthandindanger，orsharedhisprivationsandsufferings。Thinkofsuchaman，andimaginethatanaccidenthassuddenlyplacedhiminanatmosphereofpurity，gentleness，andpeace，surroundedhimbytherefinementsofahigherlifethanhehadeverknown，andthathefoundhimselfasinadream，ontermsofequalitywithapurewomanwhohadneverknownanyotherlife，andyetwouldunderstandandpityhis。Imaginehislovingher!
Imaginethatthefirsteffectofthatlovewastoshowhimhisowninferiorityandtheimmeasurablegulfthatlaybetweenhislifeandhers!Wouldhenotflyratherthanbravethedisgraceofherawakeningtothetruth？Wouldhenotflyratherthanaccepteventhepitythatmighttempthertoasacrifice？"
"But——isMr。Falknerallthat？"
"Nothingofthekind，Iassureyou!"saidhedemurely。"Butthat’sthewayamaninlovefeels。"
"Really!Mr。FalknershouldgetyoutopleadhiscausewithKate，"
saidMrs。Halewithafaintlaugh。
"Ineedallmypersuasivepowersinthatwayformyself，"saidLeeboldly。
Mrs。Halerose。"IthinkIhearKatecoming，"shesaid。
Nevertheless，shedidnotmoveaway。"ItISKatecoming，"sheaddedhurriedly，stoopingtopickupherwork—basket，whichhadslippedwithLee’shandfromherown。
ItwasKate，whoatonceflewtohersister’sassistance，Leedeploringfromthesofahisownutterinabilitytoaidher。"It’sallmyfault，too，"hesaidtoKate，butlookingatMrs。Hale。"ItseemsIhaveafacultyofupsettingexistingarrangementswithoutthepowerofimprovingthem，orevenputtingthembackintheirplaces。WhatshallIdo？Iamwillingtoholdanynumberofskeinsorrewindanyquantityofspools。IamevenwillingtoforgiveNedforspendingthewholedaywithyou，andonlybringingmethewingofahawkforsupper。"
"Thatwasallmyfolly，Mr。Lee，"saidKate，withswiftmendacity；
"hewasallthetimelookingaftersomethingforyou，whenIbeggedhimtoshootabirdtogetafeatherformyhat。AndthatwingisSOpretty。"
"Itisapitythatmerebeautyisnotedible，"saidLee，gravely，"andthatiftheworstcomestotheworsthereyouwouldprobablyprefermetoNedandhismoustachios，merelybecauseI’vebeentiedbythelegtothissofaandslowlyfattenedlikeaStrasbourggoose。"
Nevertheless，hisbadinagefailedsomehowtoamuseKate，andshepresentlyexcusedherselftorejoinhersister，whohadalreadyslippedfromtheroom。ForthefirsttimeduringtheirenforcedseclusionasenseofrestraintanduneasinessaffectedMrs。Hale，hersister，andFalkneratdinner。ThelatteraddressedhimselftoMrs。Scott，almostentirely。Mrs。HalewasfaintobestowanexceptionalandmarkedtendernessonherlittledaughterMinnie，who，however，bysomeoccultchildishinstinct，insisteduponsharingitwithLee——hergreatfriend——toMrs。Hale’suneasyconsciousness。NorwasLeeslowtoprofitbythechild’ssuggestion，butrespondedwithcertainvicariouscaressesthatincreasedthemother’sembarrassment。Thateveningtheyretiredearly，butintheintervalsofarestlessnightKatewasaware，fromthesoundofvoicesintheoppositeroom，thatthefriendswereequallywakeful。
Amorningofbrightsunshineandsoftwarmairdidnot，however，bringanychangetotheirnewandconstrainedrelations。ItonlyseemedtoofferareasonforFalknertoleavethehouseveryearlyforhisdailyrounds，andgaveLeethatoccasionforunaidedexercisewithanextemporecrutchontheverandawhichallowedMrs。
Haletopursuehermanifolddutieswithoutthenecessityofkeepinghimcompany。Katealso，asiftoavoidanaccidentalmeetingwithFalkner，hadremainedathomewithhersister。Withoneexception，theydidnotmaketheirgueststhesubjectoftheirusualplayfulcomments，nor，afterthefashionoftheirsex，quotetheirideasandopinions。ThatexceptionwasmadebyMrs。Hale。
"YouhavehadnodifferencewithMr。Falkner？"shesaidcarelessly。
"No，"saidKatequickly。"Why？"
"Ionlythoughtheseemedratherputoutatdinnerlastnight，andyoudidn’tproposetogoandmeethimto—day。"
"Hemustbeboredwithmycompanyattimes，Idaresay，"saidKate，withanindifferencequiteinconsistentwithherrisingcolor。"I
shouldn’twonderifhewasalittlevexedwithMr。Lee’schaffinghimabouthissportyesterday，andprobablyintendstogofurtherto—day，andbringhomelargergame。IthinkMr。Leeveryamusingalways，butIsometimesfancyhelacksfeeling。"
"Feeling!Youdon’tknowhim，Kate，"saidMrs。Halequickly。Shestoppedherself，butwithahalf—smilingrecollectioninherdroppedeyelids。
"Well，hedoesn’tlookveryamiablenow，stampingupanddowntheveranda。Perhapsyou’dbettergoandsoothehim。"
"I’mreallySObusyjustnow，"saidMrs。Hale，withsuddenandinconsequentenergy；"thingshavegotdreadfullybehindinthelastweek。Youhadbettergo，Kate，andmakehimsitdown，orhe’llbeoverdoingit。Thesemenneverknowanymedium——inanything。"
ContrarytoKate’sexpectation，Falknerreturnedearlierthanusual，and，takingtheinvalid’sarm，supportedhiminamoreambitiouswalkalongtheterracebeforethehouse。Theywereapparentlyabsorbedinconversation，butthetwowomenwhoobservedthemfromthewindowcouldnothelpnoticingthealmostfemininetendernessofFalkner’smannertowardshiswoundedfriend，andthethoughtfultendernessofhisministeringcare。
"Iwonder，"saidMrs。Hale，followingthemwithsoftlyappreciativeeyes，"ifwomenarecapableofasdisinterestedfriendshipasmen？
Ineversawanythinglikethedevotionofthesetwocreatures。
Look!ifMr。Falknerhasn’tgothisarmroundMr。Lee’swaist，andLee，withhisownarmoverFalkner’sneck，islookingupinhiseyes。Ideclare，Kate，italmostseemsanindiscretiontolookatthem。"
Kate，however，toMrs。Hale’sindignation，threwherprettyheadbackandsniffedtheaircontemptuously。"Ireallydon’tseeanythingbutsomeabsurdsentimentalismoftheirown，orsomemannishwickednessthey’reconcoctingbythemselves。Iambynomeanscertain，Josephine，thatLee’sinfluenceoverthatyoungmanisthebestthingforhim。"
"Onthecontrary!Lee’sinfluenceseemstheonlythingthatcheckshiswaywardness，"saidMrs。Halequickly。"I’msure，ifanyonemakessacrifices，itisLee；Ishouldn’twonderthatevennowheismakingsomeconcessiontoFalkner，andallthosecaressingwaysofyourfriendareforapurpose。They’renotmuchdifferentfromus，dear。"
"Well，Iwouldn’tstandthereandletthemseemelookingatthemasifIcouldn’tbearthemoutofmysightforamoment，"saidKate，whiskingherselfoutoftheroom。"They’reconceitedenough，Heavenknows，already。"
Thatevening，atdinner，however，thetwomenexhibitednotraceoftherestraintoruneasinessofthepreviousday。Iftheywerelessimpulsiveandexuberant，theywerestillfrankandinterested，andifthetermcouldbeusedinconnectionwithmenapparentlytrainedtoneitherself—controlnorrepose，therewasacertaingentledignityintheirmannerwhichforthetimehadtheeffectofliftingthemalittleabovethesocialleveloftheirentertainers。
Forevenwithalltheirpredispositiontothestrangers，KateandMrs。Halehadalwaysretainedaconsciousattitudeofgentlecondescensionandsuperioritytowardsthem——anattitudenotinconsistentwithastrongerfeeling，noraltogetherunprovocativeofit；yetthiseveningtheyfoundthemselvesimpressedwithsomethingmorethananequalityinthemenwhohadamusedandinterestedthem，andtheywereperhapsalittlemorecriticalanddoubtfuloftheirownpower。Mrs。Hale’slittlegirl，whohadappreciatedonlytheseriousnessofthesituation，hadmadeherownapplicationofit。"Areyoudow’in’awayfromauntKateandmamma？"sheasked，inanintervalofsilence。
"HowelsecanIgetyoutheredsnowwesawatsunset，theotherday，onthepeakyonder？"saidLeegayly。"I’llhavetogetupsomemorningveryearly，andcatchitwhenitcomesatsunrise。"
"Whatisthiswonderfulsnow，Minnie，thatyouaretormentingMr。
Leefor？"askedMrs。Hale。
"Oh!it’safairysnowthathetoldmeallabout；itonlycomeswhenthesuncomesupandgoesdown，andifyoucatcheversolittleofitinyourhanditmakesallyoufinkyouwantcometrue!
Wouldn’tthatbenice？"Buttothechild’sastonishmentherlittlecircleofauditors，evenwhileassenting，sighed。
Theredsnowwasthereplainenoughthenextmorningbeforethevalleywaswarmwithlight，andwhileMinnie，hermother，andauntKatewerestillpeacefullysleeping。AndMr。Leehadkepthisword，andwasevidentlyseekingit，forheandFalknerwerealreadyurgingtheirhorsesthroughthepass，withtheirfacestowardsandlitupbyitsglow。
CHAPTERVIII
Katewasstirringearly，butnotasearlyashersister，whometheronthethresholdofherroom。Herfacewasquitepale，andsheheldaletterinherhand。"Whatdoesthismean，Kate？"
"Whatisthematter？"askedKate，herowncolorfadingfromhercheek。
"Theyaregone——withtheirhorses。Leftbeforeday，andleftthis。"
ShehandedKateanopenletter。Thegirltookithurriedly，andread——
"Whenyougetthisweshallbenomore；perhapsnotevenasmuch。
Nedfoundthetrailyesterday，andwearetakingthefirstadvantageofitbeforeday。Wedarednottrustourselvestosay’Good—by!’lastevening；weweretoocowardlytofaceyouthismorning；wemustgoaswecame，withoutwarning，butnotwithoutregret。Weleaveapackageandaletterforyourhusband。Itisnotonlyourpoorreturnforyourgentlenessandhospitality，but，sinceitwasaccidentallythemeansofgivingusthepleasureofyoursociety，webegyoutokeepitinsafetyuntilhisreturn。Wekissyourmother’shands。Nedwantstosaysomethingmore，buttimepresses，andIonlyallowhimtosendhislovetoMinnie，andtotellherthatheistryingtofindtheredsnow。
"GEORGELEE。"
"Butheisnotfittotravel，"saidMrs。Hale。"Andthetrail——itmaynotbepassable。"
"Itwaspassablethedaybeforeyesterday，"saidKatedrearily，"forIdiscoveredit，andwentasfarasthebuck—eyes。"
"Thenitwasyouwhotoldthemaboutit，"saidMrs。Halereproachfully。
"No，"saidKateindignantly。"OfcourseIdidn’t。"Shestopped，and，readingthesignificanceofherspeechintheglisteningeyesofhersister，sheblushed。Josephinekissedher，andsaid——
"ItWAStreatinguslikechildren，Kate，butwemustmakethempayforithereafter。ForthatpackageandlettertoJohnmeanssomething，andweshallprobablyseethembeforelong。Iwonderwhattheletterisabout，andwhatisinthepackage？"
"ProbablyoneofMr。Lee’sjokes。Heisquitecapableofturningthewholethingintoridicule。Idaresayheconsidershisvisithereaprolongedjest。"
"Withhispoorleg，Kate？YouareasunfairtohimasyouweretoFalknerwhentheyfirstcame。"
Kate，however，keptherdarkeyebrowsknittedinapiquantfrown。
"TothinkofhisintimatingWHAThewouldallowFalknertosay!
Andyetyoubelievehehasnoevilinfluenceovertheyoungman。"
Mrs。Halelaughed。"Whereareyougoingsofast，Kate？"shecalledmischievously，astheyoungladyflouncedoutoftheroom。
"Where？Why，totidyJohn’sroom。Hemaybecomingatanymomentnow。Ordoyouwanttodoityourself？"
"No，no，"returnedMrs。Halehurriedly；"youdoit。I’lllookinalittlelateron。"
Sheturnedawaywithasigh。Thesunwasshiningbrilliantlyoutside。Throughthehalf—openblindsitslongshaftsseemedtobesearchingthehouseforthelostguests，andmakingthehollowshellappeardoublyempty。Whatacontrasttothedeardarkdaysofmysteriousseclusionanddelicioussecurity，litbyLee’slaughterandthesparklinghearth，whichhadpassedsoquickly!
Theforgottenouterworldseemedtohavereturnedtothehousethroughthoseopenwindowsandawakeneditsdwellersfromadream。
Themorningseemedinterminable，anditwaspastnoon，whiletheyweredeepinasympatheticconferencewithMrs。Scott，whohaddrawnapatheticword—pictureofthetwofriendsperishinginthesnow—drift，withoutflannels，brandy，smelling—salts，orjelly，whichtheyhadforgotten，whentheywerestartledbytheloudbarkingof"Spot"onthelawnbeforethehouse。Thewomenlookedhurriedlyateachother。
"Theyhavereturned，"saidMrs。Hale。
Katerantothewindow。Ahorsemanwasapproachingthehouse。A
singleglanceshowedherthatitwasneitherFalkner，Lee，norHale，butastranger。
"Perhapshebringssomenewsofthem，"saidMrs。Scottquickly。Socompletehadbeentheirpreoccupationwiththelossoftheirgueststhattheycouldnotyetconceiveofanythingthatdidnotpertaintoit。
Thestranger，whowasatonceusheredintotheparlor，wasevidentlydisconcertedbythepresenceofthethreewomen。
"IreckonedtoseeJohnHaleyer，"hebegan，awkwardly。
Aslightlookofdisappointmentpassedovertheirfaces。"Hehasnotyetreturned，"saidMrs。Halebriefly。
"Sho!Iwanterknow。He’shedtimetodoit，Ireckon，"saidthestranger。
"Isupposehehasn’tbeenabletogetoverfromtheSummit，"
returnedMrs。Hale。"Thetrailisclosed。"
"Itain’tnow，forIkemoveritthismornin’myself。"
"Youdidn’t——meet——anyone？"askedMrs。Haletimidly，withaglanceattheothers。
"No。"
Alongsilenceensued。Theunfortunatevisitorplainlyperceivedanevidentabatementofinterestinhimself，yethestillstruggledpolitelytosaysomething。"ThenIreckonyouknowwhatkeptHaleaway？"hesaiddubiously。
"Oh，certainly——thestagerobbery。"
"IwishI’dknownthat，"saidthestrangerreflectively，"forIezgoodezrodeoverjisttotellittoye。YeseeJohnHale，hesentanotetoye’splainin’mattersbyagentleman；buttheroadagentstackledthatman，andlefthimfordeadintheroad。"
"Yes，"saidMrs。Haleimpatiently。
"Luckilyhedidn’tdie，butkemto，andmanagedtocrawlinterthebrush，wharIfoundhimwhenIwaslookin’forstock，andbroughthimtomyhouse——"
"YOUfoundhim？YOURhouse？"interruptedMrs。Hale。
"InterMYhouse，"continuedthemandoggedly。"I’mThompsonofThompson’sPassoveryon；mebbeitain’tmuchofahouse；butI
broughthimthar。Well，ezhecouldn’tfindthenotethatHalehadguvhim，andlikeeznottheroadagentshadgonethroughhimandgotit，ezsooneztheweatherletupImadeabreakoveryertotellye。"
"YousayMr。Leecametoyourhouse，"repeatedMrs。Hale，"andistherenow？"
"Notmuch，"saidthemangrimly；"andIneversaidLEEwasthar。I
meanthatBilsonwazshotbyLeeandkem——"
"Certainly，Josephine!"saidKate，suddenlysteppingbetweenhersisterandThompson，andturninguponherawhitefaceandeyesofsilencingsignificance；"certainly——don’tyouremember？——that’sthestorywegotfromtheChinaman，youknow，onlymuddled。Goonsir，"shecontinued，turningtoThompsoncalmly；"yousaythatthemanwhobroughtthenotefrommybrotherwasshotbyLee？"
"AndanotherfellowtheycallFalkner。Yes，that’saboutthesizeofit。"
"Thankyou；it’snearlythesamestorythatweheard。Butyouhavehadalongride，Mr。Thompson；letmeofferyouaglassofwhiskeyinthedining—room。Thisway，please。"
Thedoorcloseduponthemnonetoosoon。ForMrs。Halealreadyfelttheroomwhirlingaroundher，andsankbackintoherchairwithahystericallaugh。OldMrs。Scottdidnotmovefromherseat，but，withhereyesfixedonthedoor，impatientlywaitedKate’sreturn。Neitherspoke，buteachfeltthattheyoung，untriedgirlwasequaltotheemergency，andwouldgetatthetruth。
ThesoundofThompson’sfeetinthehallandtheclosingofthefrontdoorwasfollowedbyKate’sreappearance。Herfacewasstillpale，butcalm。
"Well？"saidthetwowomeninabreath。
"Well，"returnedKateslowly；"Mr。LeeandMr。FalknerwereundoubtedlythetwomenwhotookthepaperfromJohn’smessengerandbroughtithere。"
"Youaresure？"saidMrs。Scott。
"Therecanbenomistake，mother。"
"THEN，"saidMrs。Scott，withtriumphantfemininelogic，"Idon’twantanythingmoretosatisfymethattheyarePERFECTLYINNOCENT!"
Moreconvincingthanthemostperfectmasculinededuction，thissingleexpressionoftheircommonnaturesentathrillofsympathyandunderstandingthrougheach。Theycriedforafewmomentsoneachother’sshoulders。"Tothink，"saidMrs。Scott，"whatthatpoorboymusthavesufferedtohavebeenobligedtodo——thatto——
to——Bilson——isn’tthatthecreature’sname？Isupposeweoughttosendoverthereandinquireafterhim，withsomechickenandjelly，Kate。It’sonlycommonhumanity，andwemustbejust，mydear；forevenifheshotMr。Leeandprovokedthepoorboytoshoothim，hemayhavethoughtithisduty。Andthen，itwillavertsuspicions。"
"Tothink，"murmuredMrs。Hale，"whattheymusthavegonethroughwhiletheywerehere——momentarilyexpectingJohntocome，andyetkeepingupsuchalightheart。"
"Ibelieve，iftheyhadstayedanylonger，theywouldhavetolduseverything，"saidMrs。Scott。
Boththeyoungerwomenweresilent。KatewasthinkingofFalkner’ssignificantspeechastheynearedthehouseontheirlastwalk；
JosephinewasrecallingtheremorsefulpicturedrawnbyLee，whichsheknewwashisownportrait。Suddenlyshestarted。
"ButJohnwillbeheresoon；whatarewetotellhim？Andthenthatpackageandthatletter。"
"Don’tbeinahurrytotellhimanythingatpresent，mychild，"
saidMrs。Scottgently。"ItisunfortunatethisMr。Thompsoncalledhere，butwearenotobligedtounderstandwhathesaysnowaboutJohn’smessage，ortoconnectourvisitorswithhisstory。
I’msure，Kate，IshouldhavetreatedthemexactlyaswedidiftheyhadcomewithoutanymessagefromJohn；soIdonotknowwhyweshouldlayanystressonthat，orevenspeakofit。Thesimplefactisthatwehaveopenedourhousetotwostrangersindistress。
Yourhusband，"continuedMr。Hale’smother—in—law，"doesnotrequiretoknowmore。Astotheletterandpackage，wewillkeepthatforfurtherconsideration。Itcannotbeofmuchimportance，ortheywouldhavespokenofitbefore；itisprobablysometriflingpresentasareturnforyourhospitality。IshouldusenoINDECOROUShasteinhavingitopened。"
ThetwowomenkissedMrs。Scottwithafeelingofrelief，andfellbackintothemonotonyoftheirhouseholdduties。Itistobefeared，however，thattheabsenceoftheiroutlawedguestswasnearlyasdangerousastheirpresenceintheopportunityitaffordedforuninterruptedandimaginativereflection。BothKateandJosephinewereatfirstshockedandwoundedbythediscoveryoftherealcharacterofthetwomenwithwhomtheyhadassociatedsofamiliarly，butitwasnodisparagementtotheirsenseofproprietytosaythattheshockdidnotlastlong，andwasaccompaniedwiththefascinationofdanger。Thiswassucceededbyaconsciousnessofthedelicateflatteryimpliedintheirindirectinfluenceoverthemenwhohadundoubtedlyriskedtheirlivesforthesakeofremainingwiththem。Thebestwomanisnotabovebeingtouchedbytheeffectofherpowerovertheworstman，andKateatfirstallowedherselftothinkofFalknerinthatlight。Butifinherlaterreflectionshesufferedasaheroicexperiencetobeforgotten，hegainedsomethingasanactualmantoberemembered。
Nowthattheproposedridesfrom"hisfriend’shouse"wereapartoftheillusion，wouldheeverdaretovisitthemagain？Wouldshedaretoseehim？Sheheldherbreathwithasuddenpainofpartingthatwasnewtoher；shetriedtothinkofsomethingelse，topickupthescatteredthreadsofherlifebeforethateventfulday。Butinvain；thatoneweekhadfilledtheplacewithimplacablememories，ormoreterrible，asitseemedtoherandhersister，theyhadbothlosttheirfeeble，alienholduponEagle’sCourtinthesuddenpresenceoftherealgeniiofthesesolitudes，andhenceforththeyalonewouldbethestrangersthere。Theyscarcelydaredtoconfessittoeachother，butthisreturntothedazzlingsunlightandcloudlessskiesofthepastappearedtothemtobetheoneunrealexperience；theyhadneverknownthetruewildflavoroftheirhome，exceptinthatweekofdeliciousisolation。Withoutbreathingitaloud，theylongedforsomevaguedenoumenttothisexperiencethatshouldtakethemfromEagle’sCourtforever。
ItwasnoonthenextdaywhenthelittlehouseholdbeheldthelastshredoftheirillusionvanishlikethemeltingsnowinthestrongsunlightofJohnHale’sreturn。HewasaccompaniedbyColonelClinchandRawlins，twostrangerstothewomen。Wasitfancy，ortheavengingspiritoftheirabsentcompanions？butHEtoolookedastranger，andasthelittlecavalcadewounditswayuptheslopeheappearedtosithishorseandwearhishatwithacertainslouchandabsenceofhisusualrestraintthatstrangelyshockedthem。
Eventheoldhalf—condescending，half—punctiliousgallantryofhisgreetingofhiswifeandfamilywaschanged，asheintroducedhiscompanionswithaminglingoffamiliarityandshynessthatwasnewtohim。DidMrs。Haleregretit，orfeelasenseofreliefintheabsenceofhisusualseignorialformality？Sheonlyknewthatshewasgratefulforthepresenceofthestrangers，whichforthemomentpostponedamatrimonialconfidencefromwhichsheshrank。
"Proudtoknowyou，"saidColonelClinch，withasuddenoutbreakoftheantiquegallantryofsomeremoteHuguenotancestor。"Myfriend，JudgeHale，mustbearegularRomancitizentoleavesuchafamilyandsuchahouseatthecallofpublicduty。Eh，Rawlins？"
"Youbet，"saidRawlins，lookingfromKatetohersisterinundisguisedadmiration。
"AndIsupposethedutycouldnothavebeenaverypleasantone，"
saidMrs。Hale，timidly，withoutlookingatherhusband。
"Gad，madam，that’sjustit，"saidthegallantColonel，seatinghimselfwithacomfortableair，andaneasy，thoughbynomeansdisrespectful，familiarity。"Wewentintothisfightalittlemorethanaweekago。Theonlyscrimmagewe’vehadhasbeenwiththedetectivesthatwereontherobbers’track。Ha!ha!Thebestpeoplewe’vemethavebeenthefriendsofthemenwewerehuntin’，andwe’vegenerallycometotheconclusiontovotetheotherticket!EzJudgeHaleandmeagreedezwecamealong，thetwomenezwe’dmostliketoseejustnowandshakehandswithareGeorgeLeeandNedFalkner。"
"Thetwoleadersofthepartywhorobbedthecoach，"explainedMr。
Hale，withaslightreturnofhisusualprecisionofstatement。
Thethreewomenlookedateachotherwithablazeofthanksgivingintheirgratefuleyes。WithoutcomprehendingallthatColonelClinchhadsaid，theyunderstoodenoughtoknowthattheirlateguestsweresafefromthepursuitofthatparty，andthattheirownconductwassparedcriticism。Ihardlydarewriteit，buttheyinstantlyassumedtheappearanceofaggrievedmartyrs，andfeltasiftheywere!
"Yes，ladies!"continuedtheColonel，inspiredbythebrighteyesfixeduponhim。"Wehaven’ttakentheroadourselvesyet，but——
pohnhonor——wewouldn’tminddoingitinacaselikethis。"Thenwiththefluent，butsomewhatexaggerated，phraseologyofamantrainedto"stump"speaking，hegaveanaccountoftherobberyandhisownconnectionwithit。HespokeoftheswindlingandtreacherywhichhadundoubtedlyprovokedFalknertoobtainrestitutionofhispropertybyanovertactofviolenceundertheleadershipofLee。HeaddedthathehadlearnedsinceatWildCatStationthatHarkinshadfledthecountry，thatasuithadbeencommencedbytheExcelsiorDitchCompany，andthatallavailablepropertyofHarkinshadbeenseizedbythesheriff。
"Ofcourseitcan’tbeprovedyet，butthere’snodoubtinmymindthatLee，whoisanoldfriendofNedFalkner’s，gotupthatjobtohelphim，andthatNed’soffwiththemoneybythistime——andI’mrightgladofit。Ican’tsayezwe’vedonemuchtowardsit，excepttokeeptumblinginthewayofthatdetectivepartyofStanner’s，andsothrowthemoffthetrail——ha，ha!TheJudgehere，Ireckon，hashadhisshareoffun，forwhilehewasatHennicker’stryingtogetsomefactsfromHennicker’sprettydaughter，StannertriedtogetupsomesortofvigilancecommitteeofthestagepassengerstoburndownHennicker’sranchoutofspite，buttheJudgeheresteppedinandstoppedthat。"
"Itwasreallyahigh—handedproceeding，Josephine，butImanagedtocheckit，"saidHale，meetingsomewhatconsciouslythefirstdirectlookhiswifehadcastuponhim，andfallingbackforsupportonhisoldmanner。"Initsway，IthinkitwasworsethantherobberybyLeeandFalkner，foritwasdoneinthenameoflawandorder；while，asfarasIcanjudgefromthefacts，theaffairthatwewerefollowingupwassimplyarudeandirregularrestitutionofpropertythathadbeenmorallystolen。"
"Ihavenodoubtyoudidquiteright，thoughIdon’tunderstandit，"saidMrs。Halelanguidly；"butItrustthesegentlemenwillstaytoluncheon，andinthemeantimeexcuseusforrunningaway，asweareshortofservants，andManuelseemstohavefollowedtheexampleoftheheadofthehouseandleftus，inpursuitofsomebodyorsomething。"
Whenthethreewomenhadgainedthevantage—groundofthedrawing—
room，Katesaid，earnestly，"Asit’sallright，hadn’twebettertellhimnow？"
"Decidedlynot，child，"saidMrs。Scott，imperatively。"DoyousupposetheyareinahurrytotellusTHEIRwholestory？WhoarethoseHennickerpeople？andtheywerethereaweekago!"
"AnddidyounoticeJohn’shatwhenhecamein，andthevulgarfamiliarityofcallinghim’Judge’？"saidMrs。Hale。
"Well，certainlyanythinglikethefamiliarityofthismanClinchI
neversaw，"saidKate。"ContrasthismannerwithMr。Falkner’s。"
AtluncheonthethreesufferingmartyrsfinallysucceededinreducingHaleandhistwofriendstoanattitudeofvagueapology。
Buttheirtriumphwasshort—lived。Attheendofthemealtheywerestartledbythetramplingofhoofswithout，followedbyloudknocking。Inanothermomentthedoorwasopened，andMr。Stannerstrodeintotheroom。Halerosewithalookofindignation。
"Ithought，asMr。StannerunderstoodthatIhadnodesireforhiscompanyelsewhere，hewouldhardlyventuretointrudeuponmeinmyhouse，andcertainlynotafter——"
"Efyou’realludingtotheVigilantesshakin’youandZeenieupatHennicker’s，youcan’tmakeMEresponsibleforthat。I’mherenowonbusiness——youunderstand——reg’larbusiness。Efyouwanttoseethepapersyerken。Isupposeyouknowwhatawarrantis？"
"IknowwhatYOUare，"saidHalehotly；"andifyoudon’tleavemyhouse——"
"Steady，boys，"interruptedStanner，ashisfivehenchmenfiledintothehall。"There’snobackin’downhere，ColonelClinch，unlessyouandHalekalkilatetobackdowntheStateofCaliforny!
Thematterstandslikethis。There’sahalf—breedMexican，calledManuel，arrestedoverattheSummit，whoswearshesawGeorgeLeeandEdwardFalknerinthishousethenightaftertherobbery。Hesaysthattheyweremakin’themselvesathomehere，asiftheywereamongfriends，andconsiderin’thekindofhelpwe’vehadfromMr。
JohnHale，itlooksezifitmightbetrue。"
"It’saninfamouslie!"saidHale。
"Itmaybetrue，John，"saidMrs。Scott，suddenlysteppinginfrontofherpale—cheekeddaughters。"Awoundedmanwasbroughthereoutofthestormbyhisfriend，whoclaimedtheshelterofyourroof。
AsyourmotherIshouldhavebeenunworthytostaybeneathitandhavedeniedthatshelterorwithheldituntilIknewhisnameandwhathewas。Hestayedhereuntilhecouldberemoved。Heleftaletterforyou。Itwillprobablytellyouifhewasthemanthispersonisseeking。"
"Thankyou，mother，"saidHale，liftingherhandtohislipsquietly；"andperhapsyouwillkindlytellthesegentlementhat。
asyoursondoesnotcaretoknowwhoorwhatthestrangerwas，thereisnonecessityforopeningtheletter，orkeepingMr。
Stanneramomentlonger。"
"ButyouwillobligeME，John，byopeningitbeforethesegentlemen，"saidMrs。Halerecoveringhervoiceandcolor。
"Pleasetofollowme，"shesaidprecedingthemtothestaircase。
TheyenteredMr。Hale’sroom，nowrestoredtoitsoriginalcondition。Onthetablelayaletterandasmallpackage。TheeyesofMr。Stanner，alittleabashedbytheattitudeofthetwowomen，fasteneduponitandglistened。
Josephinehandedherhusbandtheletter。Heopeneditinbreathlesssilenceandread——
"JOHNHALE，"Weoweyounoreturnforvoluntarilymakingyourselfachampionofjusticeandpursuingus，exceptitwastoofferyouafairfieldandnofavor。Wedidn’tgetthatmuchfromyou，butaccidentbroughtusintoyourhouseandintoyourfamily，whereweDIDgetit，andwerefairlyvanquished。Tothevictorsbelongthespoils。
WeleavethepackageofgreenbackswhichwetookfromColonelClinchintheSierracoach，butwhichwasfirststolenbyHarkinsfromforty—fourshareholdersoftheExcelsiorDitch。WehavenorighttosaywhatYOUshoulddowithit，butifyouaren’ttiredoffollowingthesamelineofjusticethatinducedyoutorunafterUS，youwilltrytorestoreittoitsrightfulowners。
"Weleaveyouanothertrifleasanevidencethatourintrusionintoyouraffairswasnotwithoutsomeservicetoyou，eveniftheservicewasasaccidentalastheintrusion。Youwillfindapairofbootsinthecornerofyourcloset。TheyweretakenfromtheburglariousfeetofManuel，yourpeon，who，believingthethreeladieswerealoneandathismercy，enteredyourhousewithanaccompliceattwoo’clockonthemorningofthe21st，andwaskickedoutby"Yourobedientservants，"GEORGELEE&EDWARDFALKNER"
Hale’svoiceandcolorchangedonreadingthislastparagraph。Heturnedquicklytowardshiswife；Kateflewtothecloset，wherethemuffledbootsofManuelconfrontedthem。"Weneverknewit。I
alwayssuspectedsomethingthatnight，"saidMrs。HaleandMrs。
Scottinthesamebreath。
"That’sallverywell，andlikeGeorgeLee’shighfalutin’，"saidStanner，approachingthetable，"butaslongezthegreenbacksareherehecanmakewhatcapitalhelikesouterManuel。I’lltroubleyoutopassoverthatpackage。"
"Excuseme，"saidHale，"butIbelievethisisthepackagetakenfromColonelClinch。Isitnot？"headded，appealingtotheColonel。
"Itis，"saidClinch。
"Thentakeit，"saidHale，handinghimthepackage。"Thefirstrestitutionistoyou，butIbelieveyouwillfulfilLee’sinstructionsaswellasmyself。"
"But，"saidStanner，furiouslyinterposing，"I’veawarranttoseizethatwhereverfound，andIdareyoutodisobeythelaw。"
"Mr。Stanner，"saidClinch，slowly，"thereareladiespresent。IfyouinsistuponhavingthatpackageImustaskthemtowithdraw，andI’mafraidyou’llfindmebetterpreparedtoresistaSECOND
robberythanIwasthefirst。Yourwarrant，whichwastakenoutbytheExpressCompany，issupplantedbycivilproceedingstakenthedaybeforeyesterdayagainstthepropertyofthefugitiveswindlerHarkins!Youshouldhaveconsultedthesheriffbeforeyoucamehere。"
Stannersawhismistake。Butinthefacesofhisgrinningfollowershewasobligedtokeepuphisbluster。"Youshallhearfrommeagain，sir，"hesaid，turningonhisheel。
"Ibegyourpardon，"saidClinchgrimly，"butdoIunderstandthatatlastIamtohavethehonor——"
"YoushallhearfromtheCompany’slawyers，sir，"saidStanner。
turningred，andnoisilyleavingtheroom。
"Andso，mydearladies，"saidColonelClinch，"youhavespentaweekwithahighwayman。IsayAhighwayman，foritwouldbehardtocallmyyoungfriendFalknerbythatnameforhisfirstoffence，committedundergreatprovocation，andundoubtedlyinstigatedbyLee，whowasanoldfriendofhis，andtowhomhecame，nodoubt，indesperation。"
Katestoleatriumphantglanceathersister，whodroppedherlidsoverherglisteningeyes。"AndthisMr。Lee，"shecontinuedmoregently，"ishereallyahighwayman？"
"GeorgeLee，"saidClinch，settlinghimselfbackoratoricallyinhischair，"mydearyounglady，ISahighwayman，butnotofthecommonsort。Heisagentlemanborn，madam，comesfromoneoftheoldestfamiliesoftheEasternShoreofMaryland。Henevermixeshimselfupwithanythingbutsomeofthebiggeststrikes，andhe’saneducatedman。Heisverypopularwithladiesandchildren；hewasneverknowntodoorsayanythingthatcouldbringablushtothecheekofbeautyorateartotheeyeofinnocence。IthinkI
maysayI’msureyoufoundhimso。"
"Ishallneverbelievehimanythingbutagentleman，"saidMrs。
Scott，firmly。
"Ifhehasadefect，itisperhapsatoorecklessindulgenceindrawpoker，"saidtheColonel，musingly；"notunbecomingagentleman，understandme，Mrs。Scott，butperhapstoorecklessforhisowngood。Georgeplayedagrandgame，aglitteringgame，butpardonmeifIsayanUNCERTAINgame。I’vetoldhimso；it’stheonlypointonwhichweeverdiffered。"
"Thenyouknowhim？"saidMrs。Hale，liftinghersofteyestotheColonel。
"Ihavethathonor。"
"Didhisappearance，Josephine，"brokeinHale，somewhatostentatiously，"appearto——er——er——correspondwiththesequalities？YouknowwhatImean。"
"Hecertainlyseemedverysimpleandnatural，"saidMrs。Hale，slightlydrawingherprettylipstogether。"Hedidnotwearhistrousersrolledupoverhisbootsinthecompanyofladies，asyou’redoingnow，nordidhemakehisfirstappearanceinthishousewithsuchahatasyouworethismorning，orIshouldnothaveadmittedhim。"
Therewereafewmomentsofembarrassingsilence。
"DoyouintendtogivethatpackagetoMr。Falkneryourself，Colonel？"askedMrs。Scott。
"IshallhanditovertotheExcelsiorCompany，"saidtheColonel，"butIshallinformNedofwhatIhavedone。"
"Then，"saidMrs。Scott，"willyoukindlytakeamessagefromustohim？"
"Ifyouwishit。"
"YouwillbedoingMEagreatfavor，Colonel，"saidHale，politely。
Whateverthemessagewas，sixmonthslateritbroughtEdwardFalkner，thereestablishedsuperintendentoftheExcelsiorDitch，toEagle’sCourt。AsheandKatestoodagainontheplateau，lookingtowardsthedistantslopesoncemoregreenwithverdure，Falknersaid——
"EverythingherelooksasitdidthefirstdayIsawit，exceptyoursister。"
"Theplacedoesnotagreewithher，"saidKatehurriedly。"Thatiswhymybrotherthinksofleavingitbeforethewintersetsin。"
"Itseemssosad，"saidFalkner，"forthelastwordspoorGeorgesaidtome，ashelefttojoinhiscousin’scorpsatRichmond，were：’IfI’mnotkilled，Ned，IhopesomedaytostandagainbesideMrs。Hale，atthewindowinEagle’sCourt，andwatchyouandKatecominghome!’"