"Letmeknowwhatitisanditshallbedone，"repliedRenshawquickly。
　　"IfyoushouldcomeacrossMonsieurdeFerrieres，orhearofhim，I
　　wishyouwouldletmeknow。Hewasverypoorlywhenhelefthere，andIshouldliketoknowifhewasbetter。Hedidn’tsaywherehewasgoing。Atleast，hedidn’ttellfather;butIfancyheandfatherdon’tagree。"
　　"IshallbeverygladofhavingevenTHATopportunityofmakingyourememberme，MissNott，"returnedRenshawwithafaintsmile;"I
　　don’tsupposeeitherthatitwouldbeverydifficulttogetnewsofyourfriend——everybodyseemstoknowhim。"
　　"ButnotasIdid，"saidRoseywithanabstractedlittlesigh。
　　Mr。Renshawopenedhisbrowneyesuponher。Washemistaken？wasthisromanticgirlonlyalittlecoquetteplayingherprovincialairsonhim？"Yousayheandyourfatherdidn’tagree？Thatmeans，Isuppose，thatYOUandheagreed？——andthatwastheresult。"
　　"Idon’tthinkfatherknewanythingaboutit，"saidRoseysimply。
　　Mr。Renshawrose。Andthiswaswhathehadbeenwaitingtohear！
　　"Perhaps，"hesaidgrimly，"youwouldalsolikenewsofthephotographerandCaptainBower，ordidyourfatheragreewiththembetter？"
　　"No，"saidRoseyquietly。Sheremainedsilentforamoment，andliftingherlashessaid，"FatheralwaysseemedtoagreewithYOU，andthat——"shehesitated。
　　"That’swhyYOUdon’t。"
　　"Ididn’tsaythat，"saidRoseywithanincongruousincreaseofcoldnessandcolor。"Ionlymeanttosayitwasthatwhichmakesitseemsohardyoushouldgonow。"
　　NotwithstandinghispreviousdeterminationRenshawfoundhimselfsittingdownagain。Confusedandpleased，wishinghehadsaidmore——orless——hesaidnothing，andRoseywasforcedtocontinue。
　　"It’sstrange，isn’tit——butfatherwasurgingmethismorningtomakeavisittosomefriendsattheoldRanch。Ididn’twanttogo。Ilikeitmuchbetterhere。"
　　"Butyoucannotburyyourselfhereforever，MissNott，"saidRenshawwithasuddenburstofhonestenthusiasm。"Soonerorlateryouwillbeforcedtogowhereyouwillbeproperlyappreciated，whereyouwillbeadmiredandcourted，whereyourslightestwishwillbelaw。Believeme，withoutflattery，youdon’tknowyourownpower。"
　　"Itdoesn’tseemstrongenoughtokeepeventhelittleIlikehere，"saidRoseywithaslightglisteningoftheeyes。"But，"sheaddedhastily，"youdon’tknowhowmuchthedearoldshipistome。
　　It’stheonlyhomeIthinkIeverhad。"
　　"ButtheRanch？"saidRenshaw。
　　"TheRanchseemedtobeonlytheoldwagonhaltedintheroad。Itwasaverylittleimprovementonoutdoors，"saidRoseywithalittleshiver。"Butthisissocozyandsnugandyetsostrangeandforeign。DoyouknowIthinkIbegantounderstandwhyIlikeitsosinceyoutaughtmesomuchaboutshipsandvoyages。BeforethatIonlylearnedfrombooks。Booksdeceiveyou，Ithink，morethanpeopledo。Don’tyouthinkso？"
　　Sheevidentlydidnotnoticethequickflushthatcoveredhischeeksandapparentlydazzledhistroubledeyelidforshewentonconfidentially。
　　"Iwasthinkingofyouyesterday。Iwassittingbythegalleydoor，lookingforward。YourememberthefirstdayIsawyouwhenyoustartledmebycomingupoutofthehatch？"
　　"Iwishyouwouldn’tthinkofthat，"saidRenshaw，withmoreearnestnessthanhewouldhavemadeapparent。
　　"Idon’twanttoeither，"saidRosey，gravely，"forI’vehadastrangefancyaboutit。IsawoncewhenIwasyounger，apictureinaprintshopinMontgomeryStreetthathauntedme。Ithinkitwascalled’ThePirate。’Therewasanumberofwicked-lookingsailorslyingaroundthedeck，andcomingoutofahatchwasonefigurewithhishandsonthedeckandacutlassinhismouth。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidRenshaw。
　　"Youdon’tunderstand。Hewashorrid-looking，notatalllikeyou。
　　IneverthoughtofHIMwhenIfirstsawyou;buttheotherdayI
　　thoughthowdreadfulitwouldhavebeenifsomeonelikehimandnotlikeyouhadcomeupthen。Thatmademenervoussometimesofbeingalone。Ithinkfatheristoo。Heoftengoesaboutstealthilyatnight，asifhewaswatchingforsomething。"
　　Renshaw’sfacegrewsuddenlydark。CoulditbepossiblethatSleighthadalwayssuspectedhim，andsetspiestowatch——orwasheguiltyofsomedoubleintrigue？
　　"Hethinks，"continuedRoseywithafaintsmile，"thatsomeoneislookingaroundtheship，andtalksofsettingbear-traps。Ihopeyou’renotmad，Mr。Renshaw，"sheadded，suddenlycatchingsightofhischangedexpression，"atmyfoolishnessinsayingyouremindedmeofthepirate。Imeantnothing。"
　　"Iknowyou’reincapableofmeaninganythingbutgoodtoanybody，MissNott，perhapstomemorethanIdeserve，"saidRenshawwithasuddenburstoffeeling。"Iwish——Iwish——youwoulddoMEafavor。
　　YOUaskedmeonejustnow。"Hehadtakenherhand。Itseemedsolikeamereillustrationofhisearnestness，thatshedidnotwithdrawit。"Yourfathertellsyoueverything。Ifhehasanyoffertodisposeoftheship，willyouwritetomeatoncebeforeanythingisconcluded？"Hewincedalittle——thesentenceofSleight，"What’sthefigureyouandshehavesettledupon？"flashedacrosshismind。HescarcelynoticedthatRoseyhadwithdrawnherhandcoldly。
　　"Perhapsyouhadbetterspeaktofather，asitisHISbusiness。
　　Besides，Ishallnotbehere。IshallbeattheRanch。"
　　"Butyousaidyoudidn’twanttogo？"
　　"I’vechangedmymind，"saidRoseylistlessly。"Ishallgoto-
　　night。"
　　Sheroseasiftoindicatethattheinterviewwasended。Withanoverpoweringinstinctthathiswholefuturehappinessdependeduponhisnextact，hemadeasteptowardsher，witheageroutstretchedhands。Butsheslightlyliftedherownwithawarninggesture，"I
　　hearfathercoming——youwillhaveachancetotalkBUSINESSwithhim，"shesaid，andvanishedintoherstate-room。
　　VI
　　TheheavytreadofAbnerNottechoedinthepassage。Confusedandembarrassed，RenshawremainedstandingatthedoorthathadcloseduponRoseyasherfatherenteredthecabin。Providence，whichalwaysfosteredMr。Nott’scharacteristicmisconceptions，leftthatperspicaciousparentbutoneinterpretationofthesituation。
　　RoseyhadevidentlyjustinformedMr。Renshawthatshelovedanother！
　　"Iwasjustsaying’good-by’toMissNott，"saidRenshaw，hastilyregaininghiscomposurewithaneffort。"IamgoingtoSacramentoto-night，andwillnotreturn。I——"
　　"Incourse，incourse，"interruptedNott，soothingly;"that’swotyousaynow，andthat’swhatyouallowtodo。That’swottheyallusdo。"
　　"Imean，"saidRenshaw，reddeningatwhatheconceivedtobeanallusiontotheabscondingpropensitiesofNott’sprevioustenants，——"Imeanthatyoushallkeeptheadvancetocoveranylossyoumightsufferthroughmygivinguptherooms。"
　　"Certingly，"saidNott，layinghishandwithalargesympathyonRenshaw’sshoulder;"butwe’lldropthatjustnow。Wewon’tswaphossesinthemiddleoftheriver。We’llsquareupaccountsinyourroom，"headded，raisinghisvoicethatRoseymightoverhearhim，afterapreliminarywinkattheyoungman。"Yes，sir，we’lljustsquareupandsettleinthere。Comealong，Mr。Renshaw。"
　　Pushinghimwithpaternalgentlenessfromthecabin，withhishandstilluponhisshoulder，hefollowedhimintothepassage。Halfannoyedathisfamiliarity，yetnotaltogetherdispleasedbythisillustrationofRosey’sbeliefofhispreference，Renshawwonderinglyaccompaniedhim。Nottclosedthedoor，andpushingtheyoungmanintoachair，deliberatelyseatedhimselfatthetableopposite。"It’sjustaswellthatRoseyreckonsthatyouandmeissettlin’ouraccounts，"hebegan，cunningly，"andmebbeeit’sjustezwellezsheshouldreckonyou’regoin’away。"
　　"ButIAMgoing，"interruptedRenshaw，impatiently。"Ileaveto-
　　night。"
　　"Surely，surely，"saidNott，gently，"that’swotyoukalkilatetodo;that’sjustnat’ralinayoungfeller。That’saboutwhatI
　　reckonI’Dhevdonetohermotherifanythin’likethishedevercroppedup，whichitdidn’t。NotbutwhatAlmiryJanehadyoungfellersenoughroundher，but，’ceptoleJudgePeter，ezwaslamedintheWarof1812，thereain’tnosimilarityezIkinsee，"headded，musingly。
　　"IamafraidIcan’tseeanysimilarityeither，Mr。Nott，"saidRenshaw，strugglingbetweenadawningsenseofsomeimpendingabsurdityandhisgrowingpassionforRosey。"ForHeaven’ssakespeakoutifyou’vegotanythingtosay。"
　　Mr。Nottleanedforward，andplacedhislargehandontheyoungman’sshoulder。"That’sit。That’swhatIsedtomyselfwhenI
　　seedhowthingswerepintin’。’Speakout，’sezI，’Abner！Speakoutifyou’vegotanythingtosay。YoukintrustthisyerMr。
　　Renshaw。Heain’tthekindofmantocreepintothebosomofaman’sshipforpupposesofhisown。Heain’tamanthatwouldhuntrounduntilhediscoveredapoorman’streasure，andthentrytorob——’"
　　"Stop！"saidRenshaw，withasetfaceanddarkeningeyes。"WHAT
　　treasure？WHATmanareyouspeakingof？"
　　"WhyRoseyandMr。Ferrers，"returnedNott，simply。
　　Renshawsankintohisseatagain。ButtheexpressionofreliefwhichherepassedswiftlyoverhisfacegavewaytooneofuneasyinterestasNottwenton。
　　"P’r’apsit’salittlehighfalutintalkin’ofRoseyezatreasure。
　　But，considerin’，Mr。Renshaw，ezshe’stheonlyprop’tyI’vekeptbymeforseventeenyearsezhezpaidinterestandincreasedinvalooe，itain’tsayin’toomuchtocallherso。AndezFerrersknowsthis，heoughterbeencontentwithgougin’meinthathorse-
　　hairspec，withoutgoin’forRosey。P’r’apsyersurprisedathearingmespeako’myownfleshandbloodezifIwastalkin’
　　hoss-trade，butyouandmeisbus’nessmen，Mr。Renshaw，andwediscussesezsuch。Weain’tgoin’tosloshroundandslopoverinpo’tryandsentiment，"continuedNott，withatremulousvoice，andahandthatslightlyshookonRenshaw’sshoulder。"Weain’tgoin’
　　togitupandsing，’Thou’stlarnedtoloveanotherthou’stbrokeneveryvowwe’vepartedfromeachotherandmybozom’slonelynowohisitwelltoseversuchheartsasournforeverkinIforgettheeneverfarewellfarewellfarewell。’Yeneverhappen’dtohearJimBakersingthatatthemoosichallonDupontStreet，Mr。Renshaw，"
　　continuedMr。Nott，enthusiastically，whenhehadrecoveredfromthatcompleteabsenceofpunctuationwhichalonesuggestedversetohisintellect。"Hesorterstruckwaterdownhere，"indicatinghisheart，"everytime。"
　　"ButwhathasMissNotttodowithM。deFerrieres？"askedRenshaw，withafaintsmile。
　　Mr。Nottregardedhimwithdumb，round，astonishedeyes。"Hezn’tshetoldyer？"
　　"Certainlynot。"
　　"Andshedidn’tletonanythin’abouthim？"hecontinued，feebly。
　　"Shesaidshe’dlikedtoknowwhere——"Hestopped，withthereflectionthathewasbetrayingherconfidences。
　　Adimforebodingofsomenewformofdeceit，towhicheventhemanbeforehimwasaconsentingparty，almostparalyzedNott’sfaculties。"Thenshedidn’ttellyerthatsheandFerrerswassparkin’andkeepin’kimpanytogether;thatsheandhimwasengaged，andwaskalkilatin’torunawaytofurrinparts;thatshecottonedtohimmorethantotheshiporherfather？"
　　"Shecertainlydidnot，andIshouldn’tbelieveit，"saidRenshaw，quickly。
　　Nottsmiled。Hewasamused;heastutelyrecognizedtheusualtrustfulnessofloveandyouth。Therewasclearlynodeceithere！
　　Renshaw’sattentiveeyessawthesmile，andhisbrowdarkened。
　　"Iliketohearyersaythat，Mr。Renshaw，"saidNott，"andit’snomorethanRoseydeserves，ezit’ssuthingonnat’ralandspell-likethat’scomeoverherthroughFerrers。Itain’tmyRosey。Butit’sGospeltruth，whethershe’sbewitchedornot;whetherit’sthemdamnfoolstoriesshereads——andit’slikeeznothe’sjustthekindo’snipetowrite’emhisself，andsorteradvertisehisself，don’tyersee——she’sallusstuckupforhim。They’vehadclandesentinterviews，andwhenItaxedhimwithitheezmuchezalloweditwasso，andreckonedhemustleave，soezhecouldrunheroff，youknow——kinderstampedeherwith’honor。’Them’shisverywords。"
　　"Butthatisallpast;heisgone，andMissNottdoesnotevenknowwhereheis！"saidRenshaw，withalaugh，which，however，concealedavagueuneasiness。
　　Mr。Nottroseandopenedthedoorcarefully。Whenhehadsatisfiedhimselfthatnoonewaslistening，hecamebackandsaidinawhisper，"That’salie。NotezRoseymeanstolie，butit’satrickhe’sputuponthatpoorchild。Thatman，Mr。Renshaw，hezbeenhangin’roundthePontiaceversince。I’veseedhimtwicewithmyowneyespassthecabinwindys。Morethanthat，I’veheardstrangenoisesatnight，andseenstrangefacesinthealleyoveryer。AndonlyjistnowezIkeminIketchedsightofafurrinlookin’ChineeniggerslinkingroundthebackdoorofwhatuseterbeFerrers’sloft。"
　　"Didhelooklikeasailor？"askedRenshawquickly，withareturnofhisformersuspicion。
　　"NotmorethanIdo，"saidNott，glancingcomplacentlyathispea-
　　jacket。"Hehadringsonhisyeerslikeawench。"
　　Mr。Renshawstarted。ButseeingNott’seyesfixedonhim，hesaidlightly，"Butwhathavethesestrangefacesandthisstrangeman——
　　probablyonlyaLascarsailoroutofajob——todowithFerrieres？"
　　"Friendso’his——fellerfurrincitizens——spiesonRosey，don’tyousee？Buttheycan’tplaytheoldman，Mr。Renshaw。I’vetoldRoseyshemustmakeavisittotheoldRanch。OnceI’vegotherthersafe，IreckonIkinmanageMr。FerrersandanynumberofChineeniggershekinbringalong。"
　　Renshawremainedforafewmomentslostinthought。ThenrisingsuddenlyhegraspedMr。Nott’shandwithafranksmilebutdeterminedeyes。"Ihaven’tgotthehangofthis，Mr。Nott——thewholethinggetsme！IonlyknowthatI’vechangedmymind。I’mNOTgoingtoSacramento。IshallstayHERE，oldman，untilIseeyousafethroughthebusiness，ormyname’snotDickRenshaw。
　　There’smyhandonit！Don’tsayaword。MaybeitisnomorethanIoughttodo——perhapsnothalfenough。Onlyremember，notawordofthistoyourdaughter。ShemustbelievethatIleaveto-night。
　　Andthesooneryougetheroutofthiscursedshipthebetter。"
　　"DeaconFlint’sgirlsaregoin’upinto-night’sboat。I’llsendRoseywiththem，"saidNottwithacunningtwinkle。Renshawnodded。Nottseizedhishandwithawinkofunutterablesignificance。
　　LefttohimselfRenshawtriedtoreviewmorecalmlythecircumstancesinthesestrangerevelationsthathadimpelledhimtochangehisresolutionsosuddenly。Thattheshipwasunderthesurveillanceofunknownparties，andthatthedescriptionofthemtalliedwithhisownknowledgeofacertainLascarsailor，whowasoneofSleight’sinformants——seemedtobemorethanprobable。ThatthisseemedtopointtoSleight’sdisloyaltytohimselfwhilehewasactingashisagent，oradoubletreacheryonthepartofSleight’sinformantswasineithercaseareasonandanexcuseforhisowninterference。ButtheconnectionoftheabsurdFrenchmanwiththecase，whichatfirstseemedacharacteristicimbecilityofhislandlord，bewilderedhimthemorehethoughtofit。Rejectinganyhypothesisofthegirl’saffectionfortheantiquatedfigurewhosesanitywasaquestionofpubliccriticism，hewasforcedtotheequallyalarmingtheorythatFerriereswascognizantofthetreasure，andthathisattentionstoRoseyweretogainpossessionofitbymarryingher。Mightshenotbedazzledbyapictureofthiswealth？Wasitnotpossiblethatshewasalreadyinpartpossessionofthesecret，andherstrangeattractiontotheship，andwhathehaddeemedherinnocentcravingforinformationconcerningit，aconsequence？Whyhadhenotthoughtofthisbefore？Perhapsshehaddetectedhispurposefromthefirst，andhaddeliberatelycheckmatedhim。ThethoughtdidnotincreasehiscomplacencyasNottsoftlyreturned。
　　"It’sallright，"hebeganwithacertainsatisfactioninthisrareopportunityforMachiavelliandiplomacy，"it’sallfixednow。
　　Roseytumbledtoitatonce，partiklerlywhenIsaidyouwasboundtogo。’ButwotmakesMr。Renshawgo，father，’sezshe;’wotmakeseverybodyrunawayfromtheship？’sezshe，ratherpeartlikeandsassyforher。’Mr。Renshawhezcontractin’business，’sezI;’gotabigthingupinSacramentothat’llmakehisfortun’，’sezI——forIwasn’tgoin’togiveyeraway，don’tyesee。’Hehadsomebusinesstotalktoyouabouttheship，’sezshe，lookin’atmeunderthecornerofherpockethandkerchief。’Lotso’business，’
　　sezI。’ThenIreckonhedon’tcaretohevmewritetohim，’sezshe。’Notabit，’sezI，’hewouldn’tansweryeifyedid。Ye’llneverhearfromthatchapagin。’"
　　"Butwhatthedevil——"interruptedtheyoungmanimpetuously。
　　"Keepyerhairon！"remonstratedtheoldmanwithdarkintelligence。"Efyou’dseenthewaysheflouncedintoherstateroom！——she，Rosey，ezallusmovesezsoftlyezaspirit——you’dhevwishedI’dhevunloadedalittlemore。Nosir，galsisgalsinsomethingsallthetime。"
　　Renshawroseandpacedtheroomrapidly。"PerhapsI’dbetterspeaktoheragainbeforeshegoes，"hesaid，impulsively。
　　"P’r’apsyou’dbetternot，"repliedtheimperturbableNott。
　　Irritatedashewas，Renshawcouldnotavoidthereflectionthattheoldmanwasright。What，indeed，couldhesaytoherwithhispresentimperfectknowledge？Howcouldshewritetohimifthatknowledgewascorrect？
　　"Ef，"saidNott，kindly，withalayingonoflargebenedictoryandpaternalhands，"efyerarewillin’toseeRoseyagin，withoutSPEAKIN’toher，IreckonIkenfixitforyer。I’mgoin’totakeherdowntotheboatinhalfanhour。Efyershouldhappen——mind，efyershouldHAPPENtobedownthere，seein’somefriendsoffandsorterpromenadin’upanddownthewharflikethemhigh-tonedchapsonMontgomeryStreet——yemightketchhereyeunconsciouslike。Or，yemightdothis！"Heroseafteramoment’scogitationandwithafaceofprofoundmysteryopenedthedoorandbeckonedRenshawtofollowhim。Leadingthewaycautiously，hebroughttheyoungmanintoanopenunpartitionedrecessbesideherstateroom。Itseemedtobeusedasastoreroom，andRenshaw’seyewascaughtbyatrunkthesizeandshapeoftheonethathadprovidedRoseywiththematerialsofhermasquerade。PointingtoitMr。Nottsaidinagravewhisper："ThisyertrunkisthecompaniontrunktoRosey’s。
　　SHE’Sgotthethingsthemoperywomenwears;thisyercontainstheHEthings，thedudsandfixin’so’themeno’thesamestripe。"
　　Throwingitopenhecontinued："Now，Mr。Renshaw，galsisgals;
　　it’snat’raltheyshouldbetookbyfancydressandstoreclothesonyoungchapsasontheirselves。ThatmanFerrershezgotthedeadwoodonallofyeinthissortofthing，andhezbeenplaying，sotospeak，alonehandallalong。Andefthar’sanythin’inthar，"headded，liftingpartofatheatricalwardrobe，"thatyouthinkyou’dfancy——anythin’you’dliketoputonwhenyepromenadethewharfdownyonder——it’syours。Don’tyebebashful，buthelpyourself。"
　　ItwasfullyaminutebeforeRenshawfairlygraspedtheoldman’smeaning。Butwhenhedid——whenthesuggestedspectacleofhimselfarrayedalaFerrieres，gravelypromenadingthewharfasalastgorgeousappealtotheaffectionsofRosey，rosebeforehisfancy，hegavewaytoafitofgenuinelaughter。Thenervoustensionofthepastfewhoursrelaxed;helaugheduntilthetearscameintohiseyes;hewasstilllaughingwhenthedoorofthecabinwassuddenlyopenedandRoseyappearedcoldanddistantonthethreshold。
　　"I——begyourpardon，"stammeredRenshawhastily。"Ididn’tmean——
　　todisturbyou——I——"
　　WithoutlookingathimRoseyturnedtoherfather。"Iamready，"
　　shesaidcoldly，andclosedthedooragain。
　　AglanceofartfulintelligencecameintoNott’seyes，whichhadremainedblanklystaringatRenshaw’sapparentlycauselesshilarity。Turningtohimhewinkedsolemnly。"Thatkeerlesskindo’hoss-laffjistfetchedher，"hewhispered，andvanishedbeforehischagrinedcompanioncouldreply。
　　WhenMr。NottandhisdaughterdepartedRenshawwasnotintheship，neitherdidhemakeaspectacularappearanceonthewharfasMr。Notthadfondlyexpected，nordidheturnupagainuntilafternineo’clock，whenhefoundtheoldmaninthecabinawaitinghisreturnwithsomeagitation。
　　"Aminitago，"hesaid，mysteriouslyclosingthedoorbehindRenshaw，"Iheardavoiceinthepassage，andgoin’outwhoshouldIseeaginbutthatdarnedfurrinniggerezItoldyer’bout，kinderhidin’inthedark，hiseyesshininlikeacatamount，Iwasjistreachin’formyweppinswhenherizupwithagrinandhandedmethisyerletter。ItoldhimIreckonedyou’dgonetoSacramento，buthesaidhewezsureyouwasinyourroom，andtoproveitIwentthar。ButwhenIkembackthed————dskunkhadvamoosed——gotfrightenedIreckon——andwasn’tnowhartobeseen。"
　　Reashawtooktheletterhastily。ItcontainedonlyalineinSleight’shand。"Ifyouchangeyourmind，thebearermaybeofservicetoyou。"
　　HeturnedabruptlytoNott。"YousayitwasthesameLascaryousawbefore。"
　　"Itwas。"
　　"ThenallIcansayisheisnoagentofdeFerrieres’s，"saidRenshaw，turningawaywithadisappointedair。Mr。Nottwouldhaveaskedanotherquestion，butwithanabrupt"Good-night"theyoungmanenteredhisroom，lockedthedoor，andthrewhimselfonhisbedtoreflectwithoutinterruption。
　　ButifhewasinnomoodtostandNott’sfatuousconjectures，hewaslessinclinedtobesatisfiedwithhisown。Hadhebeenagaincarriedawaythroughhisimpulsesevokedbythecapricesofaprettycoquetteandtheabsurdtheoriesofherhalfimbecilefather？HadhebrokenfaithwithSleightandremainedintheshipfornothing，andwouldnothischangeofresolutionappeartobetheresultofSleight’snote？ButwhyhadtheLascarbeenhauntingtheshipbefore？Inthemidstoftheseconjectureshefellasleep。
　　VII
　　BetweenthreeandfourinthemorningthecloudsbrokeoverthePontiac，andthemoon，ridinghigh，pickedoutinblackandsilverthelonghulkthatlaycradledbetweentheironshellsofwarehousesandthewoodenframesoftenementsoneitherside。Thegalleyandcoveredgangwaypresentedamassofundefinedshadow，againstwhichthewhitedeckshonebrightly，stretchingtotheforecastleandbows，wherethetinyglassroofofthephotographerglistenedlikeageminthePontiac’screst。Sopeacefulandmotionlessshelaythatshemighthavebeensomepetrifactionofapastagenowfirstexhumedandlaidbaretothecoldlightofthestars。
　　Neverthelessthiscalmsecuritywaspresentlyinvadedbyasenseofstealthylifeandmotion。Whathadseemedafixedshadowsuddenlydetacheditselffromthedeck，andbegantoslipstanchionbystanchionalongthebulwarkstowardthecompanionway。Atthecabindoorithaltedandcrouchedmotionless。Thenrising，itglidedforwardwiththesamestaccatomovementuntiloppositetheslightelevationoftheforehatch。Suddenlyitdartedtothehatch，unfastenedandlifteditwithaswift，familiardexterity，anddisappearedintheopening。Butasthemoonshoneuponitsvanishingface，itrevealedthewhiteningeyesandteethoftheLascarseaman。
　　Droppingtothelowerdecklightly，hefelthiswaythroughthedarkpassagebetweenthepartitions，evidentlylessfamiliartohim，haltingbeforeeachdoortolisten。ReturningforwardhereachedthesecondhatchwaythathadattractedRosey’sattention，andnoiselesslyuncloseditsfastenings。Apenetratingsmellofbilgearosefromtheopening。Drawingasmallbull’s-eyelanternfromhisbreasthelitit，andunhesitatinglylethimselfdowntothefurtherdepth。Themovingflashofhislightrevealedtherecessesoftheupperhold，theabyssofthewellamidships，andglancedfromtheshiningbacksofmovingzig-zagsofratsthatseemedtooutlinetheshadowybeamsandtransoms。Disregardingthosecuriousspectatorsofhismovements，heturnedhisattentioneagerlytotheinnercasingsofthehold，thatseemedinonespottohavebeenstrengthenedbyfreshtimbers。Attackingthisstealthilywiththeaidofsometoolshiddeninhisoil-skinclothing，inthelightofthelanternheboreafancifulresemblancetothepredatoryanimalsaroundhim。Thelowcontinuoussoundofraspingandgnawingoftimberwhichfollowedheightenedtheresemblance。Attheendofafewminuteshehadsucceededinremovingenoughoftheouterplankingtoshowthattheentirefillingofthecasingbetweenthestanchionswascomposedofsmallboxes。Draggingoutoneofthemwithfeverisheagernesstothelight，theLascarforceditopen。Intheraysofthebull’s-
　　eye，awedgedmassofdiscoloredcoinsshowedwithaluridglow。
　　ThestoryofthePontiacwastrue——thetreasurewasthere！
　　ButMr。Sleighthadoverlookedthelogicaleffectofthisdiscoveryonthenaturalvillainyofhistool。Intheverymomentofhistriumphantexecutionofhispatron’ssuggestionstheideaofkeepingthetreasuretohimselfflasheduponhismind。HEhaddiscoveredit——whyshouldhegiveituptoanybody？HEhadrunalltherisks;ifheweredetectedatthatmoment，whowouldbelievethathispurposethereatmidnightwasonlytosatisfysomeoneelsethatthetreasurewasstillintact？No。Thecircumstanceswerepropitious;hewouldgetthetreasureoutoftheshipatonce，dropitoverherside，hastilyconcealitinthenearestlotadjacent，andtakeitawayathisconvenience。——Whowouldbethewiserforit？
　　Butitwasnecessarytoreconnoitrefirst。Heknewthattheloftoverheadwasempty。Heknewthatitcommunicatedwiththealley，forhehadtriedthedoorthatmorning。Hewouldconveythetreasurethere，anddropitintothealley。Theboxeswereheavy。
　　Eachonewouldrequireaseparatejourneytotheship’sside，buthewouldatleastsecuresomethingifhewereinterrupted。Hestrippedthecasing，andgatheredtheboxestogetherinapile。
　　Ah，yes，itwasfunnytoothathe——theLascarhound——thed————dnigger——shouldgetwhatbiggerandbulliermenthanhehaddiedfor！Themate’sbloodwasonthoseboxes，ifthesaltwaterhadnotwasheditout。Itwasahellofafightwhentheydraggedthecaptain——Oh，whatwasthat？Wasitthesplashofaratinthebilge，orwhat？
　　Asuperstitiousterrorhadbeguntoseizehimatthethoughtofblood。Thestiflingholdseemedagainfilledwithstrugglingfigureshehadknown;theairthickwithcriesandblasphemiesthathehadforgotten。Herosetohisfeet，andrunningquicklytothehatchway，leapedtothedeckabove。Allwasquiet。Thedoorleadingtotheemptyloftyieldedtohistouch。Heentered，and，glidingthrough，unbarredandopenedthedoorthatgaveuponthealley。Thecoldairandmoonlightflowedinsilently;thewayofescapewasclear。Bah！Hewouldgobackforthetreasure。
　　Hehadreachedthepassagewhenthedoorhehadjustopenedwassuddenlydarkened。Turningrapidly，hewasconsciousofagauntfigure，grotesque，silent，anderect，loomingonthethresholdbetweenhimandthesky。Hiddenintheshadow，hemadeastealthysteptowardsit，withanironwrenchinhisupliftedhand。Butthenextmomenthiseyesdilatedwithsuperstitioushorror;theironfellfromthishand，andwithascream，likeafrightenedanimal，heturnedandfledintothepassage。Inthefirstaccessofhisblindterrorhetriedtoreachthedeckabovethroughtheforehatch，butwasstoppedbythesoundofaheavytreadoverhead。
　　Theimmediatefearofdetectionnowovercamehissuperstition;hewouldhaveevenfacedtheapparitionagaintoescapethroughtheloft;but，beforehecouldreturnthere，otherfootstepsapproachedrapidlyfromtheendofthepassagehewouldhavetotraverse。
　　Therewasbutonechanceofescapeleftnow——theforeholdhehadjustquitted。Hemighthidethereuntilthealarmwasover。Heglidedbacktothehatch，liftedit，anditclosedsoftlyoverhisheadastheupperhatchwassimultaneouslyraised，andthesmallroundeyesofAbnerNottpeereddownuponit。TheotherfootstepsprovedtobeRenshaw’sbut，attractedbytheopendooroftheloft，heturnedasideandentered。AssoonashedisappearedMr。Nottcautiouslydroppedthroughtheopeningtothedeckbelow，and，goingtotheotherhatchthroughwhichtheLascarhadvanished，deliberatelyrefastenedit。InafewmomentsRenshawreturnedwithalight，andfoundtheoldmansittingonthehatch。
　　"Theloftdoorwasopen，"saidRenshaw。"There’slittledoubtwhoeverwashereescapedthatway。"
　　"Surely，"saidNott。TherewasapeculiarlookofMachiavelliansagacityinhisfacewhichirritatedRenshaw。
　　"Thenyou’resureitwasFerrieresyousawpassbyyourwindowbeforeyoucalledme？"heasked。
　　Nottnoddedhisheadwithanexpressionofinfiniteprofundity。
　　"ButyousayhewasgoingFROMtheship。Thenitcouldnothavebeenhewhomadethenoisewehearddownhere。"
　　"Mebbeeno，andmebbeeyes，"returnedNott，cautiously。"Butifhewasalreadyconcealedinsidetheship，asthatopendoor，whichyousayyoubarredfromtheinside，wouldindicate，whatthedevildidhewantwiththis？"saidRenshaw，producingthemonkey-wrenchhehadpickedup。
　　Mr。Nottexaminedthetoolcarefully，andshookhisheadwithmomentoussignificance。Nevertheless，hiseyeswanderedtothehatchonwhichhewasseated。
　　"DidyoufindanythingdisturbedTHERE？"saidRenshaw，followingthedirectionofhiseye。"Wasthathatchfastenedasitisnow？"
　　"Itwas，"saidNott，calmly。"Butyewouldn’tmindfetchin’meahammerandsomeo’thembignailsfromthelocker，wouldyer，whileIhangroundherejustsoeztomakesureagainstanotherattack。"
　　Renshawcompliedwithhisrequest;butasNottproceededtogravelynaildownthefasteningsofthehatch，heturnedimpatientlyawaytocompletehisexaminationoftheship。Thedoorsoftheotherloftsandtheirfasteningsappearedsecureandundisturbed。Yetitwasundeniablethatafeloniousentrancehadbeenmade，butbywhomorforwhatpurposestillremaineduncertain。Evennow，RenshawfounditdifficulttoacceptNott’stheorythatdeFerriereswastheaggressorandRoseytheobject，norcouldhejustifyhisownsuspicionthattheLascarhadobtainedasurreptitiousentranceunderSleight’sdirections。WithafeelingthatifRoseyhadbeenpresenthewouldhaveconfessedall，anddemandedfromheranequalconfidence，hebegantohatehisfeeble，purposeless，andinefficientalliancewithherfather，whobelievedbutdarenottaxhisdaughterwithcomplicityinthisoutrage。Whatcouldbedonewithamanwhoseonlyideaofactionatsuchamomentwastonailupanundisturbedentranceinhisinvadedhouse！HewassopreoccupiedwiththesethoughtsthatwhenNottrejoinedhiminthecabinhescarcelyheededhispresence，andwasentirelyobliviousofthefurtivelookswhichtheoldmanfromtimetotimecastuponhisface。
　　"Ireckonyewouldn’tmind，"brokeinNott，suddenly，"efIaskedafavorofye，Mr。Renshaw。Mebbeeye’llallowit’saskin’toomuchinthematterofexpense;mebbeeye’llallowit’saskin’toomuchinthemattero’time。ButIkalkilatetopayalltheexpense，andifyou’dletmeknowwhatyervallyyertimeat，IreckonIcouldstandthat。WhatI’dbeaskin’isthis。Wouldyemindtakin’aletterfrommetoRosey，andbringin’backananswer？"
　　Renshawstaredspeechlesslyatthisabsurdrealizationofhiswishofamomentbefore。"Idon’tthinkIunderstandyou，"hestammered。
　　"P’r’apsnot，"returnedNott，withgreatgravity。"Butthat’snotsomuchmattertoyouezyourtimeandexpenses。"
　　"ImeantIshouldbegladtogoifIcanbeofanyservicetoyou，"
　　saidRenshaw，hastily。
　　"Youkinketchtheseveno’clockboatthismorning，andyou’llreachSanRafaelatten——"
　　"ButIthoughtMissRoseywenttoPetaluma，"interruptedRenshawquickly。
　　Nottregardedhimwithanexpressionofpatronizingsuperiority。
　　"That’swhatweladledouttothepublicgin’rally，andtoFerrersandhisganginpartickler。WeSAIDPetalumey，butifyougotoMadronoCottage，SanRafael，you’llfindRoseythar。"
　　IfMr。RenshawrequiredanythingmoretoconvincehimofthenecessityofcomingtosomeunderstandingwithRoseyatonceitwouldhavebeenthislastevidenceofherfather’sutterlydarkandsupremelyinscrutabledesigns。Heassentedquickly，andNotthandedhimanote。
　　"Ye’llbeparticklertogivethisinterherownhands，andwaitforananswer，"saidNottgravely。
　　Resistingthepropositiontoenterthenandthereintoanelaboratecalculationofthevalueofhistimeandtheexpensesofthetrip，Renshawfoundhimselfatseveno’clockontheSanRafaelboat。
　　BriefaswasthejourneyitgavehimtimetoreflectuponhiscominginterviewwithRosey。Hehadresolvedtobeginbyconfessingall;theattemptoflastnighthadreleasedhimfromanysenseofdutytoSleight。Besides，hedidnotdoubtthatNott’slettercontainedsomereferencetothisaffaironlyknowntoNott’sdarkandtortuousintelligence。
　　VIII
　　MadronoCottagelayattheentranceofalittlecanadaalreadygreenwiththeearlywinterrains，andnestledinathicketoftheharlequinpaintedtreesthatgaveitaname。TheyoungmanwasalittlerelievedtofindthatRoseyhadgonetothepost-officeamileaway，andthathewouldprobablyovertakeherormeetherreturning——alone。Theroad——littlemorethanatrail——woundalongthecrestofthehilllookingacrossthecanadatothelong，dark，heavily-woodedflankofMountTamalpaisthatrosefromthevalleyadozenmilesaway。Acessationofthewarmrain，ariftinthesky，andtherarespectacleofcloudscenery，combinedwithacertainsenseoffreedom，restoredthatlightheartedgayetythatbecamehimmost。AtasuddenturnoftheroadhecaughtsightofRosey’sfigurecomingtowardshim，andquickenedhisstepwiththeimpulsivenessofaboy。Butshesuddenlydisappeared，andwhenheagainsawhershewasontheothersideofthetrailapparentlypickingtheleavesofamanzanita。Shehadalreadyseenhim。
　　Somehowthefranknessofhisgreetingwaschecked。Shelookedupathimwithcheeksthatretainedenoughoftheircolortosuggestwhyshehadhesitated，andsaid，"YOUhere，Mr。Renshaw？IthoughtyouwereinSacramento。"
　　"AndIthoughtYOUwereinPetaluma，"heretortedgayly。"Ihavealetterfromyourfather。Thefactis，oneofthosegentlemenwhohasbeenhauntingtheshipactuallymadeanentrylastnight。Whohewas，andwhathecamefor，nobodyknows。Perhapsyourfathergivesyouhissuspicions。"Hecouldnothelplookingathernarrowlyashehandedherthenote。Exceptthatherprettyeyebrowswereslightlyraisedincuriositysheseemedundisturbedassheopenedtheletter。Presentlysheraisedhereyestohis。
　　"Isthisallfathergaveyou？"
　　"All。"
　　"You’resureyouhaven’tdroppedanything？"
　　"Nothing。Ihavegivenyouallhegaveme。"
　　"Andthatisallitis。"Sheexhibitedthemissive，aperfectlyblanksheetofpaperfoldedlikeanote！
　　Renshawfelttheangrybloodglowinhischeeks。"Thisisunpardonable！Iassureyou，MissNott，theremustbesomemistake。
　　Hehimselfhasprobablyforgottentheinclosure，"hecontinued，yetwithaninwardconvictionthattheactwasperfectlypremeditatedonthepartoftheoldman。
　　Theyounggirlheldoutherhandfrankly。"Don’tthinkanymoreofit，Mr。Renshaw。Fatherisforgetfulattimes。Buttellmeaboutlastnight。"
　　InafewwordsMr。RenshawbrieflybutplainlyrelatedthedetailsoftheattemptuponthePontiac，fromthemomentthathehadbeenawakenedbyNott，tohisdiscoveryoftheunknowntrespasser’sflightbytheopendoortotheloft。Whenhehadfinished，hehesitated，andthentakingRosey’shand，saidimpulsively，"YouwillnotbeangrywithmeifItellyouall？YourfatherfirmlybelievesthattheattemptwasmadebytheoldFrenchman，deFerrieres，withaviewofcarryingyouoff。"
　　Adozenreasonsotherthantheoneherfatherwouldhaveattributedittomighthavecalledthebloodtoherface。Butonlyinnocencecouldhavebroughtthelookofastonishedindignationtohereyesassheansweredquickly：
　　"SoTHATwaswhatyouwerelaughingat？"
　　"Notthat，MissNott，"saidtheyoungmaneagerly："thoughIwishtoGodIcouldaccusemyselfofnothingmoredisloyal。Donotspeak，Ibeg，"headdedimpatiently，asRoseywasabouttoreply。
　　"Ihavenorighttohearyou;IhavenorighttoevenstandinyourpresenceuntilIhaveconfessedeverything。IcametothePontiac;
　　Imadeyouracquaintance，MissNott，throughafraudaswickedasanythingyourfatherchargestodeFerrieres。Iamnotacontractor。IneverwasanhonestlodgerinthePontiac。Iwassimplyaspy。"
　　"Butyoudidn’tmeantobe——itwassomemistake，wasn’tit？"saidRosey，quitewhite，butmorefromsympathywiththeoffender’semotionthanhorrorattheoffense。
　　"IamafraidIdidmeanit。Butbearwithmeforafewmomentslongerandyoushallknowall。It’salongstory。Willyouwalkon，and——takemyarm？Youdonotshrinkfromme，MissNott。Thankyou。Iscarcelydeservethekindness。"
　　IndeedsolittledidRoseyshrinkthathewasconsciousofaslightreassuringpressureonhisarmastheymovedforward，andforthemomentIfeartheyoungmanfeltlikeexaggeratinghisoffenseforthesakeofproportionatesympathy。"Doyouremember，"hecontinued，"oneeveningwhenItoldyousomeseatales，yousaidyoualwaysthoughttheremustbesomestoryaboutthePontiac？
　　TherewasastoryofthePontiac，MissNott——awickedstory——aterriblestory——whichImighthavetoldyou，whichIOUGHTtohavetoldyou——whichwasthestorythatbroughtmethere。Youwereright，too，insayingthatyouthoughtIhadknownthePontiacbeforeIsteppedfirstonherdeckthatday。Ihad。"
　　HelaidhisdisengagedhandacrosslightlyonRosey’s，asiftoassurehimselfthatshewaslistening。
　　"Iwasatthattimeasailor。Ihadbeenfoolenoughtorunawayfromcollege，thinkingitafineromanticthingtoshipbeforethemastforavoyageroundtheworld。Iwasalittledisappointed，perhaps，butImadethebestofit，andintwoyearsIwassecondmateofawhalerlyinginalittleharborofoneoftheuncivilizedislandsofthePacific。WhilewewereatanchorthereaFrenchtradingvesselputin，apparentlyforwater。ShehadthedregsofamixedcrewofLascarsandPortuguese，whosaidtheyhadlosttherestoftheirmenbydesertion，andthatthecaptainandmatehadbeencarriedoffbyfever。Therewassomethingsoqueerintheirstorythatourskippertookthelawinhisownhands，andputmeonboardofherwithasalvagecrew。ButthatnighttheFrenchcrewmutinied，cutthecables，andwouldhavegottoseaifwehadnotbeenarmedandprepared，andmanagedtodrivethembelow。Whenwehadgotthemunderhatchesforafewhourstheyparleyed，andofferedtogoquietlyashore。Aswewereshortofhandsandunabletotakethemwithus，andaswehadnoevidenceagainstthem，weletthemgo，tooktheshiptoCallao，turnedherovertotheauthorities，lodgedaclaimforsalvage，andcontinuedourvoyage。
　　Whenwereturnedwefoundthetruthofthestorywasknown。ShehadbeenaFrenchtraderfromMarseilles，ownedbyhercaptain;hercrewhadmutiniedinthePacific，killedtheirofficersandtheonlypassenger——theownerofthecargo。TheyhadmadeawaywiththecargoandatreasureofnearlyhalfamillionofSpanishgoldfortradingpurposeswhichbelongedtothepassenger。IncourseoftimetheshipwassoldforsalvageandputintotheSouthAmericantradeuntilthebreakingoutoftheCaliforniangoldexcitement，whenshewassentwithacargotoSanFrancisco。ThatshipwasthePontiacwhichyourfatherbought。"
　　Aslightshudderranthroughthegirl’sframe。"Iwish——Iwishyouhadn’ttoldme，"shesaid。"Ishallneverclosemyeyesagaincomfortablyonboardofher，Iknow。"
　　"IwouldsaythatyouhadpurifiedherofALLstainsofherpast——
　　buttheremaybeonethatremains。AndTHATinmostpeople’seyeswouldbenodetraction。Youlookpuzzled，MissNott——butIamcomingtotheexplanationandtheendofmystory。Ashipofwarwassenttotheislandtopunishthemutineersandpirates，forsuchtheywere，buttheycouldnotbefound。Aprivateexpeditionwassenttodiscoverthetreasurewhichtheyweresupposedtohaveburied，butinvain。AbouttwomonthsagoMr。SleighttoldmeoneofhisshipmateshadsenthimaLascarsailorwhohadtodisposeofavaluablesecretregardingthePontiacforapercentage。ThatsecretwasthatthetreasurewasnevertakenbythemutineersoutofthePontiac！Theywereabouttolandandburyitwhenweboardedthem。TheytookadvantageoftheirimprisonmentunderhatchestoBURYITINTHESHIP。TheyhiditintheholdsosecurelyandsafelythatitwasneverdetectedbyusortheCallaoauthorities。Iwasthenasked，asonewhoknewthevessel，toundertakeaprivateexaminationofher，withaviewofpurchasingherfromyourfatherwithoutawakeninghissuspicions。Iassented。
　　Youhavemyconfessionnow，MissNott。Youknowmycrime。Iamatyourmercy。"
　　Rosey’sarmonlytightenedaroundhisown。Hereyessoughthis。
　　"Andyoudidn’tfindanything？"shesaid。
　　ThequestionsoundedsooddlylikeSleight’s，thatRenshawreturnedalittlestiffly——
　　"Ididn’tlook。"
　　"Why？"askedRoseysimply。
　　"Because，"stammeredRenshaw，withanuneasyconsciousnessofhavingexaggeratedhissentiment，"itdidn’tseemhonorable;itdidn’tseemfairtoyou。"
　　"Oh，yousilly！youmighthavelookedandtoldME。"
　　"But，"saidRenshaw，"doyouthinkthatwouldhavebeenfairtoSleight？"
　　"Asfairtohimastous。For，don’tyousee，itwouldn’tbelongtoanyofus。Itwouldbelongtothefriendsorthefamilyofthemanwholostit。"
　　"Buttherewerenoheirs，"saidRenshaw。"Thatwasprovedbysomeimpostorwhopretendedtobehisbrother，andlibelledthePontiacatCallao，butthecourtsdecidedhewasalunatic。"
　　"Thenitbelongstothepoorpirateswhoriskedtheirownlivesforit，ratherthantoSleight，whodidnothing。"Shewassilentforamoment，andthenresumedwithenergy，"Ibelievehewasatthebottomofthatattacklastnight。"
　　"Ihavethoughtsotoo，"saidRenshaw。
　　"ThenImustgobackatonce，"shecontinuedimpulsively。"Fathermustnotbeleftalone。"
　　"NormustYOU，"saidRenshaw，quickly。"Doletmereturnwithyou，andsharewithyouandyourfatherthetroubleIhavebroughtuponyou。Donot，"headdedinalowertone，"deprivemeoftheonlychanceofexpiatingmyoffense，ofmakingmyselfworthyyourforgiveness。"
　　"Iamsure，"saidRosey，loweringherlidsandhalfwithdrawingherarm，"IamsureIhavenothingtoforgive。Youdidnotbelievethetreasurebelongedtousanymorethantoanybodyelse，untilyouknewME——"
　　"Thatistrue，"saidtheyoungman，attemptingtotakeherhand。
　　"Imean，"saidRosey，blushing，andshowingadistractingrowoflittleteethinoneofherinfrequentlaughs，"oh，youknowwhatI
　　mean。"Shewithdrewherarmgently，andbecameinterestedintheselectionofcertainwaysidebayleavesastheypassedalong。"Allthesame，Idon’tbelieveinthistreasure，"shesaidabruptly，asiftochangethesubject。"Idon’tbelieveiteverwashiddeninsidethePontiac。"
　　"Thatcaneasilybeascertainednow，"saidRenshaw。
　　"Butit’sapityyoudidn’tfinditoutwhileyouwereaboutit，"
　　saidRosey。"Itwouldhavesavedsomuchtalkandtrouble。"
　　"IhavetoldyouwhyIdidn’tsearchtheship，"respondedRenshaw，withaslightbitterness。"ButitseemsIcouldonlyavoidbeingagreatrascalbybecomingagreatfool。"
　　"Youneverintendedtobearascal，"saidRosey，earnestly，"andyoucouldn’tbeafool，exceptinheedingwhatasillygirlsays。
　　Ionlymeantifyouhadtakenmeintoyourconfidenceitwouldhavebeenbetter。"
　　"MightInotsaythesametoyouregardingyourfriend，theoldFrenchman？"returnedRenshaw。"WhatifIweretoconfesstoyouthatIlatelysuspectedhimofknowingthesecret，andoftryingtogainyourassistance？"
　　Insteadofindignantlyrepudiatingthesuggestion，totheyoungman’sgreatdiscomfiture，Roseyonlyknitherprettybrows，andremainedforsomeminutessilent。Presentlysheaskedtimidly，——
　　"Doyouthinkitwrongtotellanotherperson’ssecretfortheirowngood？"
　　"No，"saidRenshaw，promptly。
　　"ThenI’lltellyouMonsieurdeFerrieres’s！ButonlybecauseI
　　believefromwhatyouhavejustsaidthathewillturnouttohavesomerighttothetreasure。"
　　Thenwithkindlingeyes，andavoiceeloquentwithsympathy，RoseytoldthestoryofheraccidentaldiscoveryofdeFerrieres’smiserableexistenceintheloft。Clothingitwiththeunconsciouspoetryofherfresh，youngimagination，shelightlypassedoverhisantiquegallantryandgrotesqueweakness，exaltingonlyhislonelysufferingsandmysteriouswrongs。Renshawlistened，lostbetweenshameforhislatesuspicionsandadmirationforherthoughtfuldelicacy，untilshebegantospeakofdeFerrieres’sstrangeallusionstotheforeignpapersinhisportmanteau。"Ithinksomewerelawpapers，andIamalmostcertainIsawthewordCallaoprintedononeofthem。"
　　"Itmaybeso，"saidRenshaw，thoughtfully。"TheoldFrenchmanhasalwayspassedforaharmless，wanderingeccentric。Ihardlythinkpubliccuriosityhaseverevensoughttoknowhisname，muchlesshishistory。ButhadwenotbetterfirsttrytofindifthereIS
　　anypropertybeforeweexaminehisclaimstoit？"
　　"Asyouplease，"saidRosey，withaslightpout;"butyouwillfinditmucheasiertodiscoverhimthanhistreasure。It’salwayseasiertofindthethingyou’renotlookingfor。"
　　"Untilyouwantit，"saidRenshaw，withsuddengravity。
　　"Howprettyitlooksoverthere，"saidRosey，turningherconsciouseyestotheoppositemountain。
　　"Very。"
　　Theyhadreachedthetopofthehill，andintheneardistancethechimneyofMadronoCottagewasevennowvisible。Attheexpectedsighttheyunconsciouslystopped——unconsciouslydisappointed。
　　Roseybroketheembarrassingsilence。
　　"There’sanotherwayhome，butit’saroundaboutway，"shesaidtimidly。
　　"Letustakeit，"saidRenshaw。
　　Shehesitated。"Theboatgoesatfour，andwemustreturnto-
　　night。"
　　"Themorereasonwhyweshouldmakethemostofourtimenow，"saidRenshawwithafaintsmile。"To-morrowallthingsmaybechanged;
　　to-morrowyoumayfindyourselfanheiress，MissNott。To-morrow，"
　　headded，withaslighttremorinhisvoice，"Imayhaveearnedyourforgiveness，onlytosayfarewelltoyouforever。Letmekeepthissunshine，thispicture，thiscompanionshipwithyoulongenoughtosaynowwhatperhapsImustnotsayto-morrow。"
　　Theyweresilentforamoment，andthenbyacommoninstinctturnedtogetherintoanarrowtrail，scarcewideenoughfortwo，thatdivergedfromthestraightpracticalpathbeforethem。Itwasindeedaroundaboutwayhome，soroundabout，infact，thatastheywanderedonitseemedeventodoubleonitstrack，occasionallylingeringlongandbecomingindistinctundertheshadowofmadronoandwillow;atonetimestoppingblindlybeforeafallentreeinthehollow，wheretheyhadquitelostit，andhadtositdowntorecallit;aroughway，oftenrequiringthemutualhelpofeachother’shandsandeyestotreadtogetherinsecurity;anuncertainway，nottobefoundwithoutwhisperedconsultationandconcession，andyetawayeventuallybringingthemhandinhand，happyandhopeful，tothegateofMadronoCottage。AndiftherewasonlyjusttimeforRoseytopreparetotaketheboat，itwasduetothedeviousnessoftheway。IfastraycurlwaslyinglooseonRosey’scheek，andalonghairhadcaughtinRenshaw’sbutton，itwasowingtotheroughnessoftheway;andifinthetonesoftheirvoicesandintheglancesoftheireyestherewasamaturerseriousness，itwasduetothedimuncertaintyofthepaththeyhadtraveled，andwouldhereaftertreadtogether。
　　IX
　　WhenMr。NotthadsatisfiedhimselfofRenshaw’sdeparture，hecoollyboltedthedoorattheheadofthecompanionway，thuscuttingoffanycommunicationwiththelowerdeck。Takingalongriflefromtherackabovehisberth，hecarefullyexaminedthehammerandcap，andthencautiouslylethimselfdownthroughtheforehatchtothedeckbelow。Afteradeliberatesurveyofthestillintactfasteningsofthehatchovertheforehold，heproceededquietlytounloosethemagainwiththeaidofthetoolsthatstilllaythere。Whenthehatchwasoncemorefreeheliftedit，and，withdrawingafewfeetfromtheopening，sathimselfdown，rifleinhand。Aprofoundsilencereignedthroughoutthelowerdeck。
　　"Yekinrizeupouto’that，"saidNottgently。
　　Therewasastealthyrustlebelowthatseemedtoapproachthehatch，andthenwithasuddenboundtheLascarleapedonthedeck。
　　ButatthesameinstantNottcoveredhimwithhisrifle。Aslightshadeofdisappointmentandsurprisehadcrossedtheoldman’sface，andcloudedhissmallroundeyesattheapparitionoftheLascar，buthishandwasnonethelessfirmuponthetriggerasthefrightenedprisonersankonhisknees，withhishandsclaspedintheattitudeofsupplicationformercy。
　　"Efyou’rethinkin’o’skippin’aforeI’vedonewithyer，"saidNottwithlaboredgentleness，"Ioughterwarnyethatit’smystyletodropInjinsattwohundredyards，andthisdeckain’tanywheremor’nfifty。It’sanuncomfortablestyle，anastystyle——butit’sMYstyle。IthoughtI’dtellyer，soyercouldtakeiteasywhereyouair。Where’sFerrers？"
　　Evenintheman’sinsaneterror，hisutterbewildermentatthequestionwasevident。"Ferrers？"hegasped;"don’tknowhim，I
　　sweartoGod，boss。"
　　"P’r’aps，"saidNott，withinfinitecunning，"yerdon’tknowthemanezkemintotheloftfromthealleylastnight——p’r’apsyerdidn’tseeanairyFrenchmanwithadyedmoustache，eh？Ithoughtthatwouldfetchye！"hecontinued，asthemanstartedattheevidencethathisvisionoflastnightwasalivingman。"P’r’apsyouandhimdidn’tbreakintothisshiplastnight，jisttorunoffwithmydarterRosey？P’r’apsyerdon’tknowRosey，eh？P’r’apsyerdon’tknowezFerrerswantstomarryher，andhezbeenhangin’
　　roundyereversinceheleft——eh？"
　　Scarcelybelievingtheevidenceofhissensesthattheoldmanwhosetreasurehehadbeentryingtostealwasutterlyignorantofhisrealoffense，andyetuncertainofthepenaltyoftheothercrimeofwhichhewasaccused，theLascarwrithedhisbodyandstammeredvaguely，"Mercy！Mercy！"
　　"Well，"saidNott，cautiously，"ezIreckonthehideofadeadChineeniggerain’tanymorevallyblethanthatofadeadInjin，I
　　don’tcareefIletuponyer——seein’thecussednessain’tyours。
　　ButefIletyeroffthisonce，youmusttakeamessagetoFerrersfromme。"
　　"Letmeoffthistime，boss，andIsweartoGodIwill，"saidtheLascareagerly。
　　"YekinsaytoFerrers——letmesee——"deliberatedNott，leaningonhisriflewithcautiousreflection。"YekinsaytoFerrerslikethis——sezyou，’Ferrers，’sezyou，’theoldmansezthataforeyouwentawayyouseztohim，sezyou，"Itakemyhonorwithme，"sezyou’——haveyougotthat？"interruptedNottsuddenly。
　　"Yes，boss。"
　　"’Itakemyhonorwithme，’sezyou，"repeatedNottslowly。
　　"’Now，’sezyou——’theoldmansez，sezhe——tellFerrers，sezhe，thathishonorhavin’runawayagin，hesendsitbacktohim，andefheeverketchesitaroundafterthis，he’llshootitonsight。’
　　Hevyergotthat？"
　　"Yes，"stammeredthebewilderedcaptive。
　　"Thengit！"
　　TheLascarsprangtohisfeetwiththeagilityofapanther，leapedthroughthehatchabovehim，anddisappearedoverthebowoftheshipwithanunhesitatingdirectnessthatshowedthateveryavenueofescapehadbeenalreadycontemplatedbyhim。Slippinglightlyfromthecutwatertotheground，hecontinuedhisflight，onlystoppingattheprivateofficeofMr。Sleight。
　　WhenMr。RenshawandRoseyNottarrivedonboardthePontiacthatevening，theywereastonishedtofindthepassagebeforethecabincompletelyoccupiedwithtrunksandboxes，andthebulkoftheirhouseholdgoodsapparentlyintheprocessofremoval。Mr。Nott，whowassuperintendingtheworkoftwoChinamen，betrayednotonlynosurpriseattheappearanceoftheyoungpeople，butnottheremotestrecognitionoftheirownbewildermentathisoccupation。
　　"Kalkilatin’，"heremarkedcasuallytohisdaughter，"you’dratherlookarteryourfixin’s，Rosey，I’veleft’emtillthelast。
　　P’r’apsyerandMr。Renshawwouldn’tmindsittin’downonthatlockeruntilI’vestrappedthisyerbox。"
　　"Butwhatdoesitallmean，father？"saidRosey，takingtheoldmanbythelapelsofhissea-jacket，andslightlyemphasizingherquestion。"Whatinthenameofgoodnessareyoudoing？"
　　"Breakin’camp，Roseydear，breakin’camp，jistezweuster，"
　　repliedNottwithcheerfulphilosophy。"Kinderlikeoldtimes，ain’tit？Lord，Rosey，"hecontinued，stoppingandfollowingupthereminiscence，withtheendoftheropeinhishandasifitwereaclue，"don’tyemindthatdaywestartedouterLivermorePass，andseedthehullo’theCalifornycoaststretchin’yonder——
　　eh？Butdon’tyebeskeered，Roseydear，"headdedquickly，asifinrecognitionofthealarmexpressedinherface。"Iain’tturningyeouterhouseandhome;I’vejisthiredthat’ereMadronoCottagefromthePetersontilwekinlookround。"
　　"Butyou’renotleavingtheship，father，"continuedRosey，impetuously。"Youhaven’tsoldittothatmanSleight？"
　　Mr。Nottroseandcarefullyclosedthecabindoor。Thendrawingalargewalletfromhispocket，hesaid，"It’ssing’laryeshouldhevgotthenamerightthefirstpop，ain’tit，Rosey？butit’sSleight，sureenough，allthetime。Thisyercheck，"headded，producingapaperfromthedepthsofthewallet，"thisyercheckfor25，000dollarsiswothepaidforitonlytwohoursago。"
　　"But，"saidRenshaw，springingtohisfeetfuriously，"you’reduped，swindled——betrayed！"
　　"Youngman，"saidNott，throwingacertaindignityintohishabitualgestureofplacinghishandsonRenshaw’sshoulders，"I
　　boughtthisyershipfiveyearsagojistezshestoodfor8，000
　　dollars。Kalkilatin’wotshecostmeinrepairsandtaxes，andwotshebroughtmeinsincethen，accordin’tomyfiggerin’，Idon’tcallaclearprofitof15，000dollarsmuchofaswindle。"
　　"Tellhimall，"saidRosey，quickly，morealarmedatRenshaw’sdespairingfacethanatthenewsitself。"Tellhimeverything，Dick——Mr。Renshaw;itmaynotbetoolate。"
　　InavoicehalfchokedwithpassionateindignationRenshawhurriedlyrepeatedthestoryofthehiddentreasure，andtheplottorescueit，promptedfrequentlybyRosey’stenaciousmemoryandassistedbyRosey’sdeftandtactfulexplanations。ButtotheirsurprisetheimperturbablecountenanceofAbnerNottneveraltered;
　　aslightmoistureofkindlypaternaltoleranceoftheirextravaganceglistenedinhislittleeyes，butnothingmore。
　　"Eftherewasaparto’thisship，aplankoraboltezIdon’tknow，ezIhevn’ttouchedwithmyownhand，andlookedintowithmyowneyes，tharmightbesuthin’inthatstory。Idon’tletontobeasailorlikeYOU，butezIknowtheshipezaboyknowshisfirsthoss，asawomanknowsherfirstbabby，Ireckontharain’tnotreasureyer，onlessitwasbroughtintothePontiaclastnightbythemchaps。"
　　"Butareyoumad！Sleightwouldnotpaythreetimesthevalueoftheshipto-dayifhewerenotpositive！AndthatpositiveknowledgewasgainedlastnightbythevillainwhobrokeintothePontiac——nodoubttheLascar。"
　　"Surely，"saidNott，meditatively。"TheLascar！There’ssuthin’
　　inthat。ThatLascarIfasteneddownintheholdlastnightunbeknownsttoyou，Mr。Renshaw，andlethimoutagainthismorningekallyunbeknownst。"
　　"AndyoulethimcarryhisinformationtoSleight——withoutaword！"
　　saidRenshaw，withasickeningsenseofNott’sutterfatuity。
　　"Isenthimbackwithamessagetothemanhekemfrom，"saidNott，winkingbothhiseyesatRenshaw，significantly，andmakingsignsbehindhisdaughter’sback。
　　Rosey，consciousofherlover’sirritation，andmoreeagertosoothehisimpatiencethanfromanyfaithinhersuggestion，interfered。"Whynotexaminetheplacewherehewasconcealed？hemayhaveleftsometracesofhissearch。"
　　Thetwomenlookedateachother。"Seem’ezI’veturnedthePontiacovertoSleightjistezitstands，Idon’tknowezit’s’xactlyonthesquare，"saidNottdoubtfully。
　　"You’vearighttoknowatleastWHATyoudelivertohim，"
　　interruptedRenshawbrusquely："Bringalantern。"
　　FollowedbyRosey，RenshawandNotthurriedlysoughtthelowerdeckandtheopenhatchoftheforehold。Thetwomenleapeddownfirstwiththelantern，andthenassistedRoseytodescend。Renshawtookastepforwardandutteredacry。
　　Theraysofthelanternfellontheship’sside。TheLascarhad，duringhisforcedseclusion，putbacktheboxesoftreasureandreplacedtheplanking，yetnotsocarefullybutthatthequickeyeofRenshawhaddiscoveredit。Thenextmomenthehadstrippedawaytheplankingagain，andthehurriedly-restoredboxwhichtheLascarhadfoundfelltothedeck，scatteringpartofitsringingcontents。Roseyturnedpale;Renshaw’seyesflashedfire;onlyAbnerNottremainedquietandimpassive。
　　"Areyousatisfiedyouhavebeenduped？"saidRenshawpassionately。
　　TotheirsurpriseMr。Nottstoopeddown，andpickinguponeofthecoinshandeditgravelytoRenshaw。"Wouldyemindheftin’that’erecoininyourhand——feelin’it，bitin’it，scrapin’itwithaknife，andkinderseein’howitcompareswithothercoins？"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"saidRenshaw。
　　"Imeanthatthatyercoin——thatALLthecoinsinthisyerbox，thatallthecoinsinthemotherboxes——andther’sfortyon’em——isallandeveryoneof’emcounterfeits！"
　　ThepiecedroppedunconsciouslyfromRenshaw’shand，andstrikinganotherthatlayonthedeckgaveoutadull，suspiciousring。
　　"TheywazcounterfeitsgotupbythemDutchsupercargosharpsfordealin’withtheInjinsandcannibalsandSouthSeaheathensezbowsdowntowoodandstone。Ifsatisfiedthemezwellezthembuttonsyeputsinmissionaryboxes，Ireckon，and’ceptingezfreight，don’tcostnothin’。Ifound’emtuckedintheribso’theoldPontiacwhenIboughther，andInailed’emupintharlesttheyshouldfallintodishonesthands。It’saluckything，Mr。
　　Renshaw，thattheycomesintothehonestfingersofasquaremanlikeSleight——ain’tit？"
　　Heturnedhissmall，guilelesseyesuponRenshawwithsuchchild-
　　likesimplicitythatitcheckedthehystericallaughthatwasrisingtotheyoungman’slips。
　　"Butdidanyoneknowofthisbutyourself？"
　　"Ireckonnot。Ioncesuspicionedthatoldcap’enBowers，whowasalwaysfoolin’roundtheholdyer，musthevnoticedthebulgeinthecasin’，butwhenhetooktoaxin’questionsIaxedothers——yeknowmystyle，Rosey？Come。"
　　Heledthewaygrimlybacktothecabin，theyoungpeoplefollowing;butturningsuddenlyatthecompanionwayheobservedRenshaw’sarmaroundthewaistofhisdaughter。
　　Hesaidnothinguntiltheyhadreachedthecabin，whenheclosedthedoorsoftly，andlookingatthembothgently，saidwithinfinitecunning——
　　"Efitisn’ttoolate，Rosey，yekintellthisyoungmanezhowI
　　forgivehimforhavin’diskiveredTHETREASUREofthePontiac。"……
　　ItwasnearlyeighteenmonthsafterwardsthatMr。Nottonemorningenteredtheroomofhisson-in-lawatMadronoCottage。Drawinghimaside，hesaidwithhisoldairofmystery，"NowezRosey’sailin’
　　anddon’tseemtobesoeagertodiskiverwhat’sbecomeofMr。
　　Ferrers，Idon’tmindtellin’yethatoverayearagoIheardhediedsuddenlyinSacramento。Tharwassuthin’inthepaperabouthisbein’alunaticandclaimin’tobearelationtosomebodyonthePontiac;butlikeseznotit’sonlythewaythosenewspaperfellowsgotholdofthestoryofhiswantin’tomarryRosey。"