"MissDeHaroispeculiar，"explainedthepoliticMrs。Plodgitttoherguests;"shemakesnoacquaintances，whichIconsiderbadforherbusiness。Ifithadnotbeenforme，shewouldnothaveknownRoyalThatcher，thegreatquicksilverminer，——andhadhisorderforapictureofhismine！"
Thetwoforeigngentlemenexchangedglances。Onesaid，"Ah，God！
thisisbad，"andtheother，"Itisnotpossible;"andthen，whenthelandlady’sbackwasturned，introducedthemselveswithaskeletonkeyintothethenvacantbedroomandstudiooftheirfaircountrywoman，whowasabsentsketching。"Thouobservest，"saidMr。
Pedro，refugee，toMiguel，ex-ecclesiastic，"thatthisAmericanoisall-powerful，andthatthisVictor，drunkardasheis，isrightinhissuspicions。"
"Ofaverity，yes，"repliedMiguel，"thoudostrememberitwasJovitaCastrowho，forherAmericanolover，betrayedtheSobrienteclaim。Itisonlywithus，myPedro，thattheMexicanspirit，therealGodandLiberty，yetlives！"
Theyshookhandsnoblyandwithsentimentalfervor，andthenwenttowork，i。e。，therummagingoverthetrunks，drawers，andportmanteausofthepoorlittlepainter，CarmendeHaro，andevenrippedupthemattressofhervirginalcot。Buttheyfoundnotwhattheysought。
"Whatisthatyonderontheeasel，coveredwithacloth？"saidMiguel："itisatrickoftheseartiststoputtheirvaluablestogether。"
Pedrostrodetotheeaselandtoreawaythemuslincurtainthatveiledit;thenutteredashriekthatappalledhiscomradeandbroughthimtohisside。
"InthenameofGod，"saidMiguelhastily，"areyoutryingtoalarmthehouse？"
Theex-vaquerowastremblinglikeachild。"Look，"hesaidhoarsely，"look，doyousee？ItisthehandofGod，"andfaintedonthefloor！
Miguellooked。ItwasCarmen’spartly-finishedsketchofthedesertedfurnace。ThefigureofConcho，thrownoutstronglybythecampfire，occupiedtheleftforeground。Buttobalanceherpictureshehadevidentlybeenobligedtointroduceanother，——thefaceandfigureofPedro，onallfours，creepingtowardsthesleepingman。
PARTIII。——INCONGRESS
CHAPTERX
WHOLOBBIEDFORIT
Itwasamidsummer’sdayinWashington。Evenatearlymorning，whilethesunwasyetlevelwiththefacesofpedestriansinitsbroad，shadelessavenues，itwasinsufferablyhot。Latertheavenuesthemselvesshonelikethedivergingraysofanothersun，——
theCapitol，——athingtobefearedbythenakedeye。Lateryetitgrewhotter，andthenamistarosefromthePotomac，andblottedouttheblazingarchabove，andpresentlypiledupalongthehorizondelusivethunderclouds，thatspenttheirstrengthandsubstanceelsewhere，andleftithotterthanbefore。Towardseveningthesuncameoutinvigorated，havingclearedtheheavenlybrowofperspiration，butleavingitsfeverunabated。
Thecitywasdeserted。Thefewwhoremainedapparentlyburiedthemselvesfromthegarishlightofdayinsomedim，cloisteredrecessofshop，hotel，orrestaurant;andtheperspiringstranger，dazedbytheouterglare，whobrokeinupontheirquiet，sequesteredrepose，confrontedcollarlessandcoatlessspectersofthepast，withfansintheirhands，who，afterdreamilygoingthroughsomeperfunctorybusiness，immediatelyretiredtosleepafterthestrangerhadgone。CongressmenandSenatorshadlongsincereturnedtotheirseveralconstituencieswiththevariousinformationthatthecountrywasgoingtoruin，orthattheoutlookneverwasmorehopefulandcheering，asthetastesoftheirconstituencyindicated。AfewCabinetofficersstilllingered，havingbythistimebecomeconvincedthattheycoulddonothingtheirownway，orindeedinanywaybuttheoldway，andgettinggloomilyresignedtotheirsituation。Abodyoflearned，cultivatedmen，representingthehighestlegaltribunalintheland，stilllingeredinavagueideaofearningthescantsalarybestoweduponthembytheeconomicalfoundersoftheGovernment，andlistenedpatientlytotheargumentsofcounsel，whosefeesforadvocacyofclaimsbeforethemwouldhavepaidthelifeincomeofhalfthebench。TherewasMr。Attorney-GeneralandhisassistantsstillprotectingtheGovernment’smillionsfromrapacioushands，anddrawingtheyearlypublicpittancethattheirwealthierprivateantagonistswouldhavescarcegivenasaretainertotheirjuniorcounsel。Thelittlestandingarmyofdepartmentalemployes，——
thehelplessvictimsofthemostsenselessandidioticformofdisciplinetheworldhasknown，——adisciplinesomadeupofcaprice，expediency，cowardice，andtyrannythatitsreformmeantrevolution，nottobetoleratedbylegislatorsandlawgivers，oradespotisminwhichhalfadozenaccidentally-chosenmeninterpretedtheirprejudicesorpreferencesasbeingthatReform。AdministrationafteradministrationandPartyafterPartyhadpersistedintheirdesperateattemptstofittheyouthfulcolonialgarments，madebyourFathersafteraby-gonefashion，overtheexpandedlimitsandgenerousoutlineofamaturednation。Therewerepatcheshereandthere;thereweregrievousrentsandholeshereandthere;therewereludicrousandpainfulexposuresofgrowinglimbseverywhere;
andthePartyinPowerandthePartyoutofPowercoulddonothingbutmendandpatch，andrevampandcleanseandscour，andoccasionally，inthewildnessofdespair，suggesteventhecuttingofftherebelliouslimbsthatpersistedingrowingbeyondtheswaddlingclothesofitsinfancy。
ItwasacapitalofContradictionsandInconsistencies。AtoneendoftheAvenuesattheresponsibleHighKeeperofthemilitaryhonor，valor，andwar-likeprestigeofagreatnation，withoutthepowertopayhisowntroopstheirlegalduesuntilsomeselfishquarrelbetweenPartyandPartywassettled。HardbysatanotherSecretary，whoseestablishedfunctionsseemedtobethemisrepresentationofthenationabroadbytheleastcharacteristicofitsclasses，thepoliticians，——andonlythenwhentheyhadbeendefeatedaspoliticians，andwhentheirconstituentshaddeclaredthemnolongerworthytobeevenTHEIRrepresentatives。ThisNationalAbsurditywasonlyequaledbyanother，whereinanex-
Politicianwasforfouryearsexpectedtoupholdthehonorofaflagofagreatnationoveranoceanhehadnevertempted，withadisciplinetherudimentsofwhichhecouldscarcelyacquirebeforehewasremoved，orhistermofofficeexpired，receivinghisordersfromasuperiorofficerasignorantofhisspecialdutiesashimself，andsubjectedtotherevisionofaCongresscognizantofhimonlyasapolitician。AtthefartherendoftheAvenuewasanotherdepartmentsovastinitsextentandsovariedinitsfunctionsthatfewofthereallygreatpracticalworkersofthelandwouldhaveaccepteditsresponsibilityfortentimesitssalary，butwhichthemostperfectconstitutionintheworldhandedovertomenwhowereobligedtomakeitasteppingstonetofuturepreferment。Therewasanotherdepartment，moresuggestiveofitsfinancialfunctionsfromtheoccasionalextravagancesoreconomiesexhibitedinitspayrolls，——successiveCongresseshavingtakenothermattersoutofitshands，——presidedoverbyanofficialwhoborethetitleandresponsibilityoftheCustodianandDisburseroftheNation’sPurse，andreceivedasalarythatabank-Presidentwouldhavesniffedat。ForitwaspartofthisConstitutionalInconsistencyandAdministrativeAbsurditythatinthematterofhonor，justice，fidelitytotrust，andevenbusinessintegrity，theofficialwasalwaysexpectedtobethesuperioroftheGovernmentherepresented。YetthecrowningInconsistencywasthat，fromtimetotime，itwassubmittedtothesovereignpeopletodeclareifthesevariousInconsistencieswerenotreallytheperfectexpressionofthemostperfectGovernmenttheworldhadknown。AnditistoberecordedthattheunanimousvoicesofRepresentative，Orator，andUnfetteredPoetrywerethatitwas！
EventhepublicpresslentitselftotheGreatInconsistency。ItwasasclearascrystaltothejournalononesideoftheAvenuethatthecountrywasgoingtothedogsunlesstheSPIRIToftheFathersoncemorereanimatedthepublic;itwasequallycleartothejournalontheothersideoftheAvenuethatonlyarigidadherencetotheLETTERoftheFatherswouldsavethenationfromdecline。Itwasobvioustothefirst-namedjournalthatthe"letter"meantGovernmentpatronagetotheotherjournal;itwaspatenttothatjournalthatthe"shekels"ofSenatorXreallyanimatedthespiritoftheFathers。Yetallagreeditwasagreatandgoodandperfectgovernment，——subjectonlytothepredatoryincursionsofaHydra-headedmonsterknownasa"Ring。"TheRing’soriginwaswrappedinsecrecy，itsfecunditywasalarming;butalthoughitsrapacitywaspreternatural，itsdigestionwasperfectandeasy。Itcircumvolvedallaffairsinanatmosphereofmystery;
itcloudedallthingswiththedustandashesofdistrust。Alldisappointmentofplace，ofavarice，ofincompetencyorambition，wasclearlyattributabletoit。Itevenpermeatedprivateandsociallife;therewereRingsinourkitchenandhouseholdservice;
inourpublicschools，thatkepttheactiveintelligencesofourchildrenpassive;therewereRingsofengaging，handsome，dissoluteyoungfellows，whokeptusmoralbutunengagingseniorsfromthefavorsofthefair;thereweresubtle，conspiringRingsamongourcreditors，whichsentusintobankruptcyandrestrictedourcredit。
Infactitwouldnotbehazardoustosaythatallthatwascalamitousinpublicandprivateexperiencewasclearlytraceabletothatcombinationofpowerinaminorityoverweaknessinamajority——knownasaRing。
Haplytherewasabodyofdemigods，asyetuninvoked，whoshouldspeedilysettleallthat。WhenSmithofMinnesota，RobinsonofVermont，andJonesofGeorgiareturnedtoCongressfromtheseruralseclusionssopotentwithinformationandsofreedfromlocalprejudices，itwasunderstood，vaguely，thatgreatthingswouldbedone。Thiswasalwaysunderstood。ThereneverwasatimeinthehistoryofAmericanpoliticswhen，tousetheexpressionofthejournalsbeforealludedto，"thepresentsessionofCongress"didnot"bidfairtobethemostmomentousinourhistory，"anddidnot，asfarasthefactsgo，leaveavastamountofunfinishedimportantbusinesslyinghopelesslyuponitsdesks，having"bolted"
therestasrashlyandwithaslittleregardtodigestionorassimilationastheAmericantravellerhasforhisrailwayrefreshment。
Inthiscapital，onthislanguidmidsummerday，inanupperroomofoneofitssecond-ratehotels，theHonorablePrattC。Gashwilersatathiswriting-table。Therearecertainlarge，fleshymenwithwhomtheomissionofevenanecktieorcollarhasalltheeffectofanindecentexposure。TheHon。Mr。Gashwiler，inhistrousersandshirt，wasasighttobeavoidedbythemodesteye。Thereweresuchpalpablesuggestionsofvastextentsofunctuousfleshintheslightglimpseofferedbyhisopenthroatthathisdishabilleshouldhavebeenasprivateashisbusiness。Nevertheless，whentherewasaknockathisdoorheunhesitatinglysaid，"Comein！"——
pushingawayagobletcrownedwithacertainaromaticherbwithhisrighthand，whilehedrewtowardshimwithhisleftafewproofslipsofhisforthcomingspeech。TheGashwilerbrowbecame，asitwere，intelligentlyabstracted。
TheintruderregardedGashwilerwithaglanceoffamiliarrecognitionfromhisrighteye，whilehislefttookinarapidsurveyofthepapersonthetable，andgleamedsardonically。
"Youareatwork，Isee，"hesaidapologetically。
"Yes，"repliedtheCongressman，withanairofperfunctoryweariness，——"oneofmyspeeches。Thosed————dprintersmakesuchamessofit;IsupposeIdon’twriteaveryfinehand。"
IfthegiftedGashwilerhadaddedthathedidnotwriteaveryintelligenthand，oraverygrammaticalhand，andthathisspellingwasfaulty，hewouldhavebeentruthful，althoughthecopyandproofbeforehimmightnothavebornehimout。ThenearfactwasthatthespeechwascomposedandwrittenbyoneExpectantDobbs，apoorretainerofGashwiler，andthehonorablemember’slaborasaproof-readerwasconfinedtotheintroductionofsuchwordsas"anarchy，""oligarchy，""satrap，""palladium，"and"Argus-eyed"intheproof，withlittlerelevancyastopositionorplace，andnoperceptibleeffectastoargument。
Thestrangersawallthiswithhiswickedlefteye，butcontinuedtobeammildlywithhisright。RemovingthecoatandwaistcoatofGashwilerfromachair，hedrewittowardsthetable，pushingasideaportly，loud-tickingwatch，——theveryimageofGashwiler，——thatlaybesidehim，and，restinghiselbowsontheproofs，said：
"Well？"
"Haveyouanythingnew？"askedtheparliamentaryGashwiler。
"Much！awoman！"repliedthestranger。
TheastuteGashwiler，waitingfurtherinformation，concludedtoreceivethisfactgailyandgallantly。"Awoman？——mydearMr。
Wiles，——ofcourse！Thedearcreatures，"hecontinued，withafat，offensivechuckle，"somehowarealwaysmakingtheircharmingpresencefelt。Ha！ha！Aman，sir，inpubliclifebecomesaccustomedtothatsortofthing，andknowswhenhemustbeagreeable，——agreeable，sir，butfirm！I’vehadmyexperience，sir，——myOWNexperience，"——andtheCongressmanleanedbackinhischair，notunlikearobustSt。Anthonywhohadwithstoodonetemptationtothriveonanother。
"Yes，"saidWilesimpatiently，"butd——nit，she’sontheOTHER
SIDE。"
"Theotherside！"repeatedGashwilervacantly。
"Yes，she’sanieceofGarcia’s。Alittleshedevil。"
"ButGarcia’sonourside，"rejoinedGashwiler。
"Yes，butsheisboughtbytheRing。"
"Awoman！"sneeredMr。Gashwiler;"whatcanshedowithmenwhowon’tbemadefoolsof？Isshesohandsome？"
"Ineversawanygreatbeautyinher，"saidWilesshortly，"althoughtheysaythatshe’srathercaughtthatd————dThatcher，inspiteofhiscoldness。Atanyrate，sheishisprotegee。Butsheisn’tthesortyou’rethinkingof，Gashwiler。Theysaysheknows，orpretendstoknow，somethingaboutthegrant。Shemayhavegotholdofsomeofheruncle’spapers。ThoseGreaserswerealwaysd————dfools;and，ifhedidanythingfoolish，likeasnothebungledordidn’tcoveruphistracks。Andwithhisknowledgeandfacilitiestoo！Why，ifI’d——"buthereMr。Wilesstoppedtosighovertheinequalitiesoffortunethatwastedopportunitiesonthelessskillfulscamp。
Mr。Gashwilerbecamedignified。"Shecandonothingwithus，"hesaidpotentially。
Wilesturnedhiswickedeyeonhim。"ManuelandMiguel，whosoldouttoourman，areafraidofher。Theywereourwitnesses。I
verilybelievethey’dtakebackeverythingifshegotafterthem。
AndasforPedro，hethinkssheholdsthepoweroflifeanddeathoverhim。"
"Pedro！lifeanddeath，——what’sallthis？"saidtheastonishedGashwiler。
Wilessawhisblunder，butsawalsothathehadgonetoofartostop。"Pedro，"hesaid，"wasstronglysuspectedofhavingmurderedConcho，oneoftheoriginallocators。"
Mr。Gashwilerturnedwhiteasasheet，andthenflushedagainintoanapoplecticglow。"Doyoudaretosay，"hebeganassoonashecouldfindhistongueandhislegs，forintheexerciseofhiscongressionalfunctionstheseextremememberssupportedeachother，——"doyoumeantosay，"hestammeredinrisingrage，"thatyouhavedaredtodeceiveanAmericanlawgiverintolegislatinguponameasureconnectedwithacapitaloffense？DoIunderstandyoutosay，sir，thatmurderstandsupontherecord——standsupontherecord，sir，——ofthiscausetowhich，asarepresentativeofRemus，Ihavelentmyofficialaid？Doyoumeantosaythatyouhavedeceivedmyconstituency，whosesacredtrustIhold，ininveiglingmetohidingacrimefromtheArguseyesofjustice？"
AndMr。Gashwilerlookedtowardsthebell-pullasifabouttosummonaservanttowitnessthisoutrageagainsttheestablishedjudiciary。
"Themurder，ifitWASamurder，tookplacebeforeGarciaentereduponthisclaim，orhadafootinginthiscourt，"returnedWilesblandly，"andisnopartoftherecord。"
"Youaresureitisnotspreadupontherecord？"
"Iam。Youcanjudgeforyourself。"
Mr。Gashwilerwalkedtothewindow，returnedtothetable，finishedhisliquorinasinglegulp，andthen，withaslightresumptionofdignity，said：
"Thataltersthecase。"
WilesglancedwithhislefteyeattheCongressman。Therightplacidlylookedoutofthewindow。Presentlyhesaidquietly，"I’vebroughtyouthecertificatesofstock;doyouwishthemmadeoutinyourownname？"
Mr。GashwilertriedhardtolookasifheweretryingtorecallthemeaningofWiles’swords。"Oh！——ah！——umph！——letmesee，——oh，yes，thecertificates，——certainly！Ofcourseyouwillmakethemoutinthenameofmysecretary，Mr。ExpectantDobbs。Theywillperhapsrepayhimfortheextraclericallaborrequiredintheprosecutionofyourclaim。Heisaworthyyoungman。Althoughnotapublicofficer，yetheissoneartomethatperhapsIamwronginpermittinghimtoacceptafeeforprivateinterests。AnAmericanrepresentativecannotbetoocautious，Mr。Wiles。Perhapsyouhadbetterhavealsoablanktransfer。Thestockis，Iunderstand，yetinthefuture。Mr。Dobbs，thoughtalentedandpraiseworthy，ispoor;hemaywishtorealize。Ifsome——ahem！someFRIEND——bettercircumstancedshouldchoosetoadvancethecashtohimandruntherisk，——why，itwouldonlybeanactofkindness。"
"Youareproverbiallygenerous，Mr。Gashwiler，"saidWiles，openingandshuttinghislefteyelikeadarklanternonthebenevolentrepresentative。
"Youth，whenfaithfulandpainstaking，shouldbeencouraged，"
repliedMr。Gashwiler。"IlatelyhadoccasiontopointthisoutinafewremarksIhadtomakebeforetheSabbathschoolreunionatRemus。Thankyou，Iwillseethattheyare——ahem！——conveyedtohim。Ishallgivethemtohimwithmyownhand，"heconcluded，fallingbackinhischair，asifthebettertocontemplatetheperspectiveofhisowngenerosityandcondescension。Mr。Wilestookhishatandturnedtogo。BeforehereachedthedoorMr。
Gashwilerreturnedtothesociallevelwithachuckle：
"Yousaythiswoman，thisGarcia’sniece，ishandsomeandsmart？"
"Yes。"
"Icansetanotherwomanonthetrackthat’lleuchrehereverytime！"
Mr。WileswastooclevertoappeartonoticethesuddenlapseintheCongressman’sdignity，andonlysaid，withhisrighteye：
"Canyou？"
"ByG-d，IWILL，orIdon’tknowhowtorepresentRemus。"
Mr。Wilesthankedhimwithhisrighteye，andlookedadaggerwithhisleft。"Good，"hesaid，andaddedpersuasively："Doesshelivehere？"
TheCongressmannoddedassent。"Anawfullyhandsomewoman，——aparticularfriendofmine！"Mr。Gashwilerherelookedasifhewouldnotmindtohavebeenralliedalittleoverhisintimacywiththefairone;buttheastuteMr。Wileswasatthesamemomentmakinguphismind，afterinterpretingtheCongressman’slookandmanner，thathemustknowthisfairincognitaifhewishedtoswayGashwiler。Hedeterminedtobidehistime，andwithdrew。
ThedoorwasscarcelycloseduponhimwhenanotherknockdivertedMr。Gashwiler’sattentionfromhisproofs。Thedooropenedtoayoungmanwithsandyhairandanxiousface。Heenteredtheroomdeprecatingly，asifconsciousofthepresenceofapowerfulbeing，tobesupplicatedandfeared。Mr。Gashwilerdidnotattempttodisabusehismind。"Busy，yousee，"hesaidshortly，"correctingyourwork！"
"Ihopeitisacceptable？"saidtheyoungmantimidly。
"Well——yes——itwilldo，"saidGashwiler;"indeedImaysayitissatisfactoryonthewhole，"headdedwiththeappearanceofalargegenerosity;"quitesatisfactory。"
"Youhavenonews，Isuppose，"continuedtheyoungman，withaslightflush，bornofprideorexpectation。
"No，nothingasyet。"Mr。Gashwilerpausedasifathoughthadstruckhim。
"Ihavethought，"hesaid，finally，"thatsomeposition——suchasasecretaryshipwithme——wouldhelpyoutoabetterappointment。
Now，supposingthatImakeyoumyprivatesecretary，givingyousomeimportantandconfidentialbusiness。Eh？"
Dobbslookedathispatronwithacertainwistful，dog-likeexpectancy，movedhimselfexcitedlyonhischairseatinapeculiarcanine-likeanticipationofgratitude，stronglysuggestingthathewouldhavewaggedhistailifhehadone。AtwhichMr。Gashwilerbecamemoreimpressive。
"Indeed，ImaysayIanticipateditbycertainpapersIhaveputinyourchargeandinyourname，onlytakingfromyouatransferthatmightenablemetosatisfymyconsciencehereafterinrecommendingyouasmy——ahem！——privatesecretary。Perhaps，asamereform，youmightnow，whileyouarehere，putyournametothesetransfers，and，sotospeak，beginyourdutiesatonce。"
TheglowofprideandhopethatmantledthecheekofpoorDobbsmighthavemeltedaharderheartthanGashwiler’s。ButthesenatorialtogahadinvestedMr。GashwilerwithamorethanRomanstoicismtowardsthefeelingsofothers，andheonlyfellbackinhischairintheposeofconsciousrectitudeasDobbshurriedlysignedthepaper。
"Ishallplacetheminmyportman-tell，"saidGashwiler，suitingthewordtotheaction，"forsafekeeping。Ineednotinformyou，whoarenow，asitwere，onthethresholdofofficiallife，thatperfectandinviolablesecrecyinallaffairsofState"——Mr。G。
heremotionedtowardhisportmanteauasifitcontainedatreatyatleast——"ismostessentialandnecessary。"
Dobbsassented。"Thenmydutieswillkeepmewithyouhere？"heaskeddoubtfully。
"No，no，"saidGashwilerhastily;then，correctinghimself，headded："thatis——forthepresent——no！"
PoorDobbs’sfacefell。Thenearfactwasthathehadlatelyhadnoticetoquithispresentlodgingsinconsequenceofarrearsinhisrent，andhehadahopefulreliancethathisconfidentialoccupationwouldcarrybreadandlodgingwithit。Butheonlyaskediftherewereanynewpaperstomakeout。
"Ahem！notatpresent;thefactisIamobligedtogivesomuchofmytimetocallers——Ihaveto-daybeenobligedtoseehalfadozen——
thatImustlockmyselfupandsay’Notathome’fortherestoftheday。"Feelingthatthiswasanintimationthattheinterviewwasover，thenewprivatesecretary，alittledashedastohisnearhopes，butstillsanguineofthefuture，humblytookhisleave。
ButhereacertainProvidence，perhapsmindfulofpoorDobbs，threwintohissimplehands——tobeusedornot，ifhewereworthyorcapableofusingit——acertainpowerandadvantage。Hehaddescendedthestaircase，andwaspassingthroughthelowercorridor，whenhewasmadetheunwillingwitnessofaremarkableassault。
ItappearedthatMr。Wiles，whohadquittedGashwiler’spresenceasDobbswasannounced，hadotherbusinessinthehotel，andinpursuanceofithadknockedatroomNo。90。Inresponsetothegruffvoicethatbadehimenter，Mr。Wilesopenedthedoor，andespiedthefigureofatall，muscular，fiery-beardedmanextendedonthebed，withthebedclothescarefullytuckedunderhischin，andhisarmslyingflatbyhisside。
Mr。Wilesbeamedwithhisrightcheek，andadvancedtothebedasiftotakethehandofthestranger，who，however，neitherbywordorsignrespondedtohissalutation。
"PerhapsI’mintruding？"saidMr。Wilesblandly。
"Perhapsyouare，"saidRedBearddryly。
Mr。Wilesforcedasmileonhisrightcheek，whichheturnedtothesmiter，butpermittedthelefttoindulgeinunlimitedmalevolence。
"Iwantedmerelytoknowifyouhavelookedintothatmatter？"hesaidmeekly。
"I’velookedintoitandrounditandacrossitandoveritandthroughit，"respondedthemangravely，withhiseyesfixedonWiles。
"Andyouhaveperusedallthepapers？"continuedMr。Wiles。
"I’vereadeverypaper，everyspeech，everyaffidavit，everydecision，everyargument，"saidthestrangerasifrepeatingaformula。
Mr。Wilesattemptedtoconcealhisembarrassmentbyaneasy，right-
handedsmile，thatwentoffsardonicallyontheleft，andcontinued："ThenIhope，mydearsir，that，havingthoroughlymasteredthecase，youareinclinedtobefavorabletous？"
Thegentlemaninthebeddidnotreply，butapparentlynestledmorecloselybeneaththecoverlids。
"IhavebroughtthesharesIspokeof，"continuedMr。Wiles，insinuatingly。
"Hevyouafriendwithincall？"interruptedtherecumbentmangently。
"Idon’tquiteunderstand！"smiledMr。Wiles。"Ofcourseanynameyoumightsuggest——"
"Hevyouafriend，anychapthatyoumightwaltzinhereatamoment’scall？"continuedthemaninbed。"No？Doyouknowanyofthemwaitersinthehouse？Thar’sabelloveryan！"andhemotionedwithhiseyestowardsthewall，butdidnototherwisemovehisbody。
"No，"saidWiles，becomingslightlysuspiciousandwrathful。
"Mebbeastrangermightdo？Ireckonthar’sonepassin’inthehall。Callhimin，——he’lldo！"
Wilesopenedthedooralittleimpatiently，yetinquisitively，asDobbspassed。Themaninbedcalledout，"Oh，stranger！"and，asDobbsstopped，said，"Comeyar。"
Dobbsenteredalittletimidly，aswashishabitwithstrangers。
"Idon’tknowwhoyoube——norcare，Ireckon，"saidthestranger。
"Thisyerman"——pointingtoWiles——isWiles。I’mJoshSibbleeofFresno，MemberofCongressfromthe4thCongressionalDistrictofCaliforny。I’mjistlyinghere，withaderringerintoeachhand，——
jistlyingherekiveredupandholdin’inon’ytokeepfromblowin’
thetopo’thisd————dskunk’sheadoff。IkinderfeelIcan’tholdinanylonger。WhatIwanttosaytoye，stranger，isthatthisyerskunk——whichhisnameisWiles——hezbintryin’hisd——desttogetabribeontoJosh，andJosh，outorespectforhisconstituents，isjistwaitin’forsomestrangertowaltzinandstopthed——destfight——"
"But，mydearMr。Sibblee，theremustbesomemistake，"saidWilesearnestly。
"Mistake？Stripme！"
"No！No！"saidWiles，hurriedly，asthesimple-mindedDobbswasabouttodrawdownthecoverlid。
"Takehimaway，"saidtheHon。Mr。Sibblee，"beforeIdisgracemyconstituency。TheysaidI’dbeinjailaforeIgetthroughthesession。Efyou’vegotanyhumanity，stranger，snakehimout，andpow’fulquick，too。"
Dobbs，quitewhiteandaghast，lookedatWilesandhesitated。
Therewasaslightmovementinthebed。Bothmenstartedforthedoor;andthenextminuteitclosedverydecidedlyonthememberfromFresno。
CHAPTERXI
HOWITWASLOBBIEDFOR
TheHon。PrattC。Gashwiler，M。C。，wasofcourseunawareoftheincidentdescribedinthelastchapter。Hissecret，evenifithadbeendiscoveredbyDobbs，wassafeinthatgentleman’sinnocentandhonorablehands，andcertainlywasnotofaqualitythatMr。Wiles，atpresent，wouldhavecaredtoexpose。For，inspiteofMr。
Wiles’sdiscomfiture，hestillhadenoughexperienceofcharactertoknowthattheiratememberfromFresnowouldbesatisfiedwithhisownpeculiarmannerofvindicatinghisownpersonalintegrity，andwouldnotmakeapublicscandalofit。Again，WileswasconvincedthatDobbswasequallyimplicatedwithGashwiler，andwouldbesilentforhisownsake。SothatpoorDobbs，asistoooftenthefateofsimplebutweaknatures，hadfullcreditforduplicitybyeveryrascalintheland。
FromwhichitmaybeinferredthatnothingoccurredtodisturbthesecurityofGashwiler。WhenthedoorcloseduponMr。Wiles，heinditedanotewhich，withacostlybutexceedinglydistastefulbouquet，——rearrangedbyhisownfatfingers，anddiscordandincongruityvisibleineverycombinationofcolor，——hesentoffbyaspecialmessenger。Thenheproceededtomakehistoilet，——anoperationrarelygracefulorpicturesqueinoursex，andaninsulttothespectatorwhenobesityissuperadded。Whenhehadputonacleanshirt，ofwhichtherewasgrosslytoomuch，andaddedawhitewaistcoat，thatseemedtoaccenthisrotundity，hecompletedhisattirewithablackfrockcoatofthelateststyle，andsurveyedhimselfcomplacentlybeforeamirror。Itistoberecordedthat，howeversatisfactorytheresultmighthavebeentoMr。Gashwiler，itwasnotsotothedisinterestedspectator。Therearesomemenonwhom"thatdeformedthief，Fashion，"avengeshimselfbymakingtheirclothesappearperenniallynew。Theglossofthetailor’sironneverdisappears;thecreasesoftheshelfperpetuallyriseinjudgmentagainstthewearer。NoveltywasthegeneralsuggestionofMr。Gashwiler’sfull-dress，——itwasneverhisHABITUDE;——and"OurownMake，""Nobby，"andthe"LatestStyle，only$15，"wasaspatentonthelegislator’sbroadbackasifitstillretainedtheshop-
man’sticket。
Thusarrayed，withinanhourhecomplacentlyfollowedthenoteandhisfloraloffering。ThehousehesoughthadbeenoncetheresidenceofaforeignAmbassador，whohadloyallyrepresentedhisgovernmentinasingleunimportanttreaty，nowforgotten，andinvariousreceptionsanddinners，stillactivelyrememberedbyoccasionalvisitstoitssalon;nowtheaveragedrearyAmericanparlor。"Dearme，"thefascinatingMr。Xwouldsay，"butdoyouknow，love，inthisveryroomIremembermeetingthedistinguishedMarquisofMontePio;"orperhapsthefashionableJonesoftheStateDepartmentinstantlycrushedthedecayedfriendhewasperfunctorilyvisitingbysaying，"’Ponmysoul，YOUhere;——why，thelasttimeIwasinthisroomIgossipedforanhourwiththeCountessdeCastenetinthatverycorner。"For，withtherecalloftheaforesaidAmbassador，themansionhadbecomeaboarding-place，keptbythewifeofadepartmentalclerk。
Perhapstherewasnothinginthehistoryofthehousemorequaintandphilosophicthanthestoryofitspresentoccupant。RogerFauquierhadbeenadepartmentalclerkforfortyyears。Itwasatoncehispracticalgoodluckandhismisfortunetohavebeenearlyappointedtoapositionwhichrequiredathoroughandcompleteknowledgeoftheformulasandroutineofadepartmentthatexpendedmillionsofthepublicfunds。Fauquier，onapoorsalary，diminishinginsteadofincreasingwithhisservice，hadseensuccessiveadministrationsbudandblossomanddecay，buthadkepthispositionthroughthefactthathisknowledgewasanecessitytothesuccessivechiefsandemployes。OnceitwastruethathehadbeensummarilyremovedbyanewSecretary，tomakeroomforacampfollower，whoseexhaustiveandintellectualservicesinapoliticalcampaignhadmadehimeminentlyfitforanything;butthealarmingdiscoverythatthenewclerk’sknowledgeofgrammarandetymologywasevenworsethanthatoftheSecretaryhimself，andthat，throughignoranceofdetail，thebusinessofthatdepartmentwasretardedtoadamagetotheGovernmentofoverhalfamillionofdollars，ledtothereinstatementofMr。Fauquier——ATALOWER
SALARY。Foritwasfeltthatsomethingwaswrongsomewhere，andasithadalwaysbeenthecustomofCongressandtheadministrationtocutdownsalariesasthefirststeptoreform，theymadeofMr。
Fauquieramoralexample。Agentlemanborn，ofsomewhatexpensivetastes，havingliveduptohisformersalary，thischangebroughtanotherbread-winnerintothefield，Mrs。Fauquier，whotried，moreorlessunsuccessfully，toturnheroldSouthernhabitsofhospitalitytoremunerativeaccount。ButaspoorFauquiercouldneverbeprevailedupontopresentabilltoagentleman，sir，andassomeofthescionsofthebestSouthernfamilieswerestillwaitingfor，orhadbeenrecentlydismissedfrom，aposition，theexperimentwasapecuniaryfailure。Yetthehousewasofexcellentreputeandwellpatronized;indeed，itwasworthsomethingtoseeoldFauquiersittingattheheadofhisowntable，insomethingofhisancestralstyle，relatinganecdotesofgreatmennowdeadandgone，interruptedonlybyoccasionalvisitsfromimportunatetradesmen。
ProminentamongwhatMr。Fauquiercalledhis"littlefamily"wasablack-eyedladyofgreatpowersoffascination，andconsiderablelocalreputationasaflirt。Nevertheless，thesesocialaberrationswereamplycondonedbyafacileandcomplacenthusband，wholookedwithalenientandevenadmiringeyeuponthelittlelady’samusement，andtoacertainextentlentatacitindorsementtoherconduct。NobodymindedHopkinson;intheblazeofMrs。
Hopkinson’sfascinationshewascompletelylostsightof。Afewmarriedwomenwithundulysensitivehusbands，andseveralsingleladiesofthebestandlongeststanding，reflectedseverelyonherconduct。Theyoungermenofcourseadmiredher，butIthinkshegotherchiefsupportfromoldfogieslikeourselves。Foritisyourquiet，self-conceited，complacent，philosophic，broad-waistedpaterfamiliaswho，afterall，istheonetowhomthegayandgiddyoftheproverbiallyimpulsive，unselfishsexowetheirplaceinthesocialfirmament。Weareneverinclinedtobecaptious;welaughatasafollywhatourwivesanddaughterscondemnasafault;OUR
"withersareunwrung，"yetwestillconfesstothefascinationsofaprettyface。Weknow，blessus，fromdearexperience，theexactvalueofonewoman’sopinionofanother;wewantourbrilliantlittlefriendtoshine;itisonlythemothswhowillburntheirtwo-pennyimmaturewingsintheflame！Andwhyshouldtheynot？
Naturehasbeenpleasedtosupplymoremothsthancandles！Goto！——
givetheprettycreature——beshemaid，wife，orwidow——ashow！
Andso，mydearsir，whilemater-familiasbendsherblackbrowsindisgust，wesmileoursuperiorlittlesmile，andextendtoMistressAnonymaourgraciousindorsement。Andifgiddinessisgrateful，oriffollyisfriendly，——well，ofcourse，wecan’thelpthat。Indeeditratherprovesourtheory。
IhadintendedtosaysomethingaboutHopkinson;butreallythereisverylittletosay。Hewasinvariablygoodhumored。Afewladiesoncetriedtoshowhimthathereallyoughttofeelworsethanhedidabouttheconductofhiswife;anditisrecordedthatHopkinson，inanexcessofgoodhumorandkindliness，promisedtodoso。IndeedthegoodfellowwassoaccessiblethatitissaidthatyoungDeLancyoftheTapeDepartmentconfidedtoHopkinsonhisjealousyofarival;andrevealedtheawfulsecretthathe（DeLancy）hadreasontoexpectmoreloyaltyfromhis（Hopkinson’s）
wife。Thegoodfellowisreportedtohavebeenverysympathetic，andtohavepromisedDelaneytolendwhateverinfluencehehadwithMrs。Hopkinsoninhisfavor。"Yousee，"hesaidexplanatorilytoDeLancy，"shehasagooddealtoattendtolately，andIsupposehasgotrathercareless，——that’swomen’sways。ButifIcan’tbringherroundI’llspeaktoGashwiler，——I’llgethimtousehisinfluencewithMrs。Hop。Socheerup，myboy，HE’LLmakeitallright。"
TheappearanceofabouquetonthetableofMrs。Hopkinsonwasnorareevent;nevertheless，Mr。Gashwiler’swasnotthere。Itshideouscontrastshadoffendedherwoman’seye，——itisobservablethatgoodtastesurvivesthewreckofalltheotherfemininevirtues，——andshehaddistributedittomakeboutonnieresforothergentlemen。Yet，whenheappeared，shesaidtohimhastily，puttingherlittlehandoverthecardiacregion：
"I’msogladyoucame。ButyougavemeSUCHafrightanhourago。"
Mr。Gashwilerwasbothpleasedandastounded。"WhathaveIdone，mydearMrs。Hopkinson？"hebegan。
"Oh，don’ttalk，"shesaidsadly。"Whathaveyoudone，indeed！
Why，yousentmethatbeautifulbouquet。Icouldnotmistakeyourtasteinthearrangementoftheflowers;——butmyhusbandwashere。
Youknowhisjealousy。Iwasobligedtoconcealitfromhim。
never——promisemenow——NEVERdoitagain。"
Mr。Gashwilergallantlyprotested。
"No！Iamserious！Iwassoagitated：hemusthaveseenmeblush。"
NothingbutthegrossflatterytothisspeechcouldhavecloudeditsmanifestabsurditytotheGashwilerconsciousness。ButMr。
Gashwilerhadalreadysuccumbedtothegirlishhalf-timiditywithwhichitwasuttered。Nevertheless，hecouldnothelpsaying：
"Butwhyshouldhebesojealousnow？OnlydaybeforeyesterdayI
sawSimpsonofDuluthhandyouanosegayrightbeforehim！"
"Ah，"returnedthelady，"hewasoutwardlycalmTHEN，butyouknownothingofthescenethatoccurredbetweenusafteryouleft。"
"But，"gaspedthepracticalGashwiler，"Simpsonhadgivenyourhusbandthatcontract，——acoolfiftythousandinhispocket！"
Mrs。HopkinsonlookedasdignifiedlyatGashwileraswasconsistentwithfivefeetthree（theextrathreeinchesbeingapyramidalstructureofstraw-coloredhair），afrondoffaintcurls，apairoflaughingblueeyes，andasmallbeltedwaist。Thenshesaid，withacastingdownofherlids：
"Youforgetthatmyhusbandlovesme。"Andforoncetheminxappearedtolookpenitent。Itwasbecoming;butasithadbeenoriginallypracticedinasimplewhitedress，relievedonlywithpale-blueribbons，itwasnotentirelyinkeepingwithbe-flouncedlavenderandrose-coloredtrimmings。Yetthewomanwhohesitatesbetweenhermoralexpressionandtheharmonyofherdressislost。
AndMrs。Hopkinsonwasvictrixbyherveryaudacity。
Mr。Gashwilerwasflattered。Themostdissolutemanlikestheappearanceofvirtue。"Butgracesandaccomplishmentslikeyours，dearMrs。Hopkinson，"hesaidoleaginously，"belongtothewholecountry。"Which，withsomethingbetweenacourtesyandastrut，heendeavoredtorepresent。"AndIshallwanttoavailmyselfofall，"headded，"inthematteroftheCastroclaim。AlittlesupperatWelcker’s，aglassortwoofchampagne，andasingleflashofthosebrighteyes，andthethingisdone。"
"But，"saidMrs。Hopkinson，"I’vepromisedJosiahthatIwouldgiveupallthosefrivolities，andalthoughmyconscienceisclear，youknowhowpeopletalk！Josiahhearsit。Why，onlylastnight，atareceptionatthePatagonianMinister’s，everywomanintheroomgossipedaboutmebecauseIledthegermanwithhim。Asifamarriedwoman，whosehusbandwasinterestedintheGovernment，couldnotbeciviltotherepresentativeofafriendlypower？"
Mr。GashwilerdidnotseehowMr。Hopkinson’slatecontractforsupplyingsaltporkandcannedprovisionstothearmyoftheUnitedStatesshouldmakehiswifesusceptibletotheadvancesofforeignprinces;butheprudentlykeptthattohimself。Still，notbeinghimselfadiplomat，hecouldnothelpsaying：
"ButIunderstoodthatMr。Hopkinsondidnotobjecttoyourinterestingyourselfinthisclaim，andyouknowsomeofthestock——"
Theladystarted，andsaid：
"Stock！DearMr。Gashwiler，forHeaven’ssakedon’tmentionthathideousnametome。Stock，Iamsickofit！Haveyougentlemennoothertopicforalady？"
Shepunctuatedhersentencewithamischievouslookatherinterlocutor。ForasecondtimeIregrettosaythatMr。Gashwilersuccumbed。TheRomanconstituencyatRemus，itistobehoped，werehappilyignorantofthislastdefectionoftheirgreatlegislator。Mr。Gashwilerinstantlyforgothistheme，——begantoplytheladywithacertainbovine-likegallantry，whichitistobesaidtohercreditsheparriedwithaplayful，terrier-likedexterity，whentheservantsuddenlyannounced，"Mr。Wiles。"
Gashwilerstarted。NotsoMrs。Hopkinson，who，however，prudentlyandquietlyremovedherownchairseveralinchesfromGashwiler’s。
"DoyouknowMr。Wiles？"sheaskedpleasantly。
"No！Thatis，I——ah——yes，ImaysayIhavehadsomebusinessrelationswithhim，"respondedGashwilerrising。
"Won’tyoustay？"sheaddedpleadingly。"Do！"
Mr。Gashwiler’sprudencealwaysgotthebetterofhisgallantry。
"Notnow，"herespondedinsomenervousness。"PerhapsIhadbettergonow，inviewofwhatyouhavejustsaidaboutgossip。Youneednotmentionmynametothis-er——this——Mr。Wiles。"Andwithoneeyeonthedoor，andanawkwarddashofhislipsatthelady’sfingers，hewithdrew。
TherewasnointroductoryformulatoMr。Wiles’sinterview。Hedashedatonceinmediasres。"Gashwilerknowsawomanthat，hesays，canhelpusagainstthatSpanishgirlwhoiscomingherewithproofs，prettiness，fascination，andwhatnot！Youmustfindherout。"
"Why？"askedtheladylaughingly。
"BecauseIdon’ttrustthatGashwiler。Awomanwithaprettyfaceandanounceofbrainscouldsellhimout;aye，andUSwithhim。"
"Oh，sayTWOouncesofbrains。Mr。Wiles，Mr。Gashwilerisnofool。"
"Possibly，exceptwhenyoursexisconcerned，anditisverylikelythatthewomanishissuperior。"
"Ishouldthinkso，"saidMrs。Hopkinsonwithamischievouslook。
"Ah，youknowher，then？"
"NotsowellasIknowhim，"saidMrs。H。quiteseriously。"IwishIdid。"
"Well，you’llfindoutifshe’stobetrusted！Youarelaughing，——
itisaseriousmatter！Thiswoman——"
Mrs。Hopkinsondroppedhimacharmingcourtesyandsaid，"C’estmoi！"
CHAPTERXII
ARACEFORIT
RoyalThatcherworkedhard。Thattheboyishlittlepainterwhosharedhishospitalityatthe"BlueMass"mineshouldafterwardhavelittlepartinhisactivelifeseemednotinconsistentwithhishabits。Atpresenttheminewashisonlymistress，claiminghisentiretime，exasperatinghimwithfickleness，butstillrequiringthatsupremedevotionofwhichhisnaturewascapable。
ItispossiblethatMissCarmensawthistoo，andsosetaboutwithfemininetact，ifnottosupplement，atleasttomakeherrivallesspertinaciousandabsorbing。Apartfromthisobject，shezealouslylaboredinherprofession，yetwithsmallpecuniaryresult，Ifear。LocalartwasatadiscountinCalifornia。Thesceneryofthecountryhadnotyetbecomefamous;ratheritwasreservedforacertainEasternartist，alreadyfamous，tomakeitso;andpeoplecaredlittleforthereproduction，undertheirverynoses，ofthatwhichtheysawcontinuallywiththeirowneyes，andvaluednot。SothatlittleMistressCarmenwasfaintodivertherartistsoultosupportherplumplittlematerialbody;andmadediversexcursionsintotheregionsofceramicart，paintingonvelvet，illuminatingmissals，decoratingchina，andthelike。I
haveinmypossessionsomewaxflowers——astartlingfuchsiaandabewilderingdahlia——soldforamerepittancebythislittlelady，whosepictureslatelytooktheprizeataforeignexhibition，shortlyaftershehadbeenhalfstarvedbyaCaliforniapublic，andclaimedbyaCaliforniapressasitsfosteredchildofgenius。
OfthesestrugglesandtriumphsThatcherhadnoknowledge;yethewasperhapsmorestartledthanhewouldowntohimselfwhen，oneDecemberday，hereceivedthisdespatch："CometoWashingtonatonce。——CarmendeHaro。"
"CarmendeHaro！"Igrievetostatethatsuchwasthepreoccupationofthisman，electedbyfatetobetheheroofthesolitaryamatoryepisodeofhisstory，thatforamomenthecouldnotrecallher。
Whenthehonestlittlefigurethathadsomanfullystoodupagainsthim，andhadprovedhersexbyafterwardsrunningawayfromhim，camebackatlasttohismemory，hewasatfirstmystifiedandthenself-reproachful。Hehadbeen，hefeltvaguely，untruetohimself。
Hehadbeenremisstotheself-confesseddaughterofhisenemy。
Yetwhyshouldshetelegraphtohim，andwhatwasshedoinginWashington？Toallthesespeculationsitistobesaidtohiscreditthathelookedfornosentimentalorromanticanswer。
RoyalThatcherwasnaturallymodestandself-depreciatinginhisrelationstotheothersex，asindeedmostmenwhoareapttobesuccessfulwithwomengenerallyare，despiteavastdegreeofsuperannuatedboshtothecontrary。Tothehalfdozenwomenwhoarestartledbysheeraudacityintosubmissiontherearescoreswhoarepiquedbyaself-respectfulpatience;andwhereawomenhastodohalfthewooing，shegenerallymakesaprettysurethingofit。
InhisbewildermentThatcherhadoverlookedaletterlyingonhistable。ItwasfromhisWashingtonlawyer。Theconcludingparagraphcaughthiseye，——"Perhapsitwouldbewellifyoucamehereyourself。Roscommonishere;andtheysaythereisanieceofGarcia’s，latelyappeared，whoislikelytogetupastrongsocialsympathyfortheoldMexican。Idon’tknowthattheyexpecttoproveanythingbyher;butI’mtoldsheisattractiveandclever，andhasenlistedthesympathiesofthedelegation。"Thatcherlaidtheletterdownalittleindignantly。Strongmenarequiteasliableasweakwomenaretosuddeninconsistenciesonanyquestiontheymayhaveincommon。Whatrighthadthispoorlittlebudhehadcherished，——hewasquitesatisfiednowthathehadcherishedher，andreallyhadsufferedfromherabsence，——whatrighthadshetosuddenlyblossominthesunshineofpowertobe，perhaps，pluckedandwornbyoneofhisenemies？Hedidnotagreewithhislawyerthatshewasinanywayconnectedwithhisenemies：hetrustedtohermasculineloyaltythatfar。Butherewassomethingvaguelydangeroustothefemininemind，——position，flattery，power。
Hewasalmostasfirmlysatisfiednowthathehadbeenwrongedandneglectedashehadbeenpositiveafewmomentsbeforethathehadbeenremissinhisattention。Theirritation，althoughmomentary，wasenoughtodecidethisstrongman。HetelegraphedtoSanFrancisco;and，havingmissedthesteamer，securedanoverlandpassagetoWashington;thoughtbetterofit，andpartlychangedhismindanhouraftertheticketwaspurchased;but，manlike，havingoncemadeapracticalstepinawrongdirection，hekeptonratherthanadmitaninconsistencytohimself。Yethewasnotentirelysatisfiedthathisjourneywasabusinessone。Theimpulsive，weaklittleMistressCarmenhadprudentlyscoredoneagainstthestrongman。
Onlyasmallpartofthepresentgreattrans-continentalrailwayatthistimehadbeenbuilt，andwasbutpiersateitherendofadesolateandwildexpanseasyetunbridged。WhentheoverlandtravellerlefttherailatReno，heleft，asitwere，civilizationwithit;and，untilhereachedtheNebraskafrontier，therestofhisroadwasonlytheoldemigranttrailtraversedbythecoachesoftheOverlandCompany。Exceptingapartof"Devil’sCanyon，"thewaywasunpicturesqueandflat;andthepassageoftheRockyMountains，farfromsuggestingtheallegedpoetryofthatregion，wasonlyareminderofthosesteriledistancesofalevelNewEnglandlandscape。
Thejourneywasadrearymonotonythatwasscarcelyenlivenedbyitsdiscomforts，neveramountingtoactualaccidentorincident，bututterlydestructivetoallnervoustissue。Insanityoftensupervened。"Onthethirddayout，"saidHankMonk，driver，speakingcasuallybutcharitablyofa"fare，"——"onthethirddayout，afteraxingnoendofquestionsandgettingnoanswers，hetooktochewingstrawsthathepickedouterthecushion，andkussin’tohisself。FromthatverydayIknewitwasalloverwithhim，andIhandedhimovertohisfriendsat’ShyAnn，’strappedtothebackseat，andravin’andcussin’atBenHolliday，thegent’manlyproprietor。"Itispresumedthattheunfortunatetourist’sindignationwasexcitedatthelateMr。BenjaminHolliday，thentheproprietoroftheline，——anevidenceofhisinsanitythatnoonewhoknewthatlarge-hearted，fastidious，andelegantly-culturedCalifornian，sincealliedtoforeignnobility，willforamomentdoubt。
Mr。RoyalThatcherwastoooldandexperiencedamountaineertodoaughtbutacceptpatientlyandcynicallyhisbrotherCalifornian’smethodofincreasinghisprofits。AsitwasgenerallyunderstoodthatanyonewhocamefromCaliforniabythatroutehadsomedarkdesign，thevictimreceivedlittlesympathy。Thatcher’sequabletemperamentandindomitablewillstoodhimingoodstead，andhelpedhimcheerfullyinthisemergency。Heatehisscantmeals，andotherwisetookcareofthefunctionsofhisweakhumannature，whenandwherehecould，withoutgrumbling，andattimesearnedeventhepraiseofhisdriverbyhisabilityto"roughit。"Which"roughingit，"bytheway，meanttheabilityofthepassengerstoaccepttheincompetencyoftheCompany。Itistruethereweretimeswhenheregrettedthathehadnottakenthesteamer;butthenhereflectedthathewasoneofaVigilanceCommittee，sworntohangthatadmirableman，thelateCommodoreCorneliusVanderbilt，forcertainpracticesandcrueltiesdoneuponthebodiesofcertainsteeragepassengersbyhisline，andfordiversirregularitiesintheirtransportation。ImentionthisfactmerelytoshowhowsopracticalandstoutavoyagerasThatchermighthaveconfoundedtheperplexitiesattendingtheadministrationofagreatsteamshipcompanywithselfishgreedandbrutality;andthathe，withotherCalifornians，maynothaveknownthefact，sincerecordedbytheCommodore’sfamilyclergyman，thatthegreatmillionairewasalwaystruetothehymnsofhischildhood。
Nevertheless，Thatcherfoundtimetobecheerfulandhelpfultohisfellowpassengers，andeventobesofarinterestingto"YubaBill，"thedriver，astohavetheboxseatplacedathisdisposal。
"But，"saidThatcher，insomeconcern，"theboxseatwaspurchasedbythatothergentlemaninSacramento。Hepaidextraforit，andhisname’sonyourway-bill！""That，"saidYubaBill，scornfully，"don’tfetchmeevenefhe’dcharteredthewholeshebang。Lookyar，doyoureckonI’mgoin’tospilemytemperbysettingnexttoamanwithagameeye？Andsuchaneye！Gewhillikins！Why，darnmyskin，theotherdaywhenwewarwateringatWebster’s，hegotdownandpassedinfrontoftheoff-leader，——thatyerpintocoltthat’sbinaccustomedtoinjins，grizzlies，andbuffalo，andI’mblessef，whenhereyetackledhis，efshedidn’tjistgitupandrarroundthatIreckonedI’dhevtogodownandtakethemblindersofffromHEReyesandclaponHIS。""Buthepaidthemoney，andisentitledtohisseat，"persistedThatcher。"Mebbeheis——intheofficeoftheKempeny，"growledYubaBill;"butit’stimesomefolksknowedthatoutintheplainsIrunthisyerteammyself。"——A
factwhichwasself-evidenttomostofthepassengers。"Isupposehisauthorityisasabsoluteonthisdrearywasteasashipcaptain’sinmidocean，"exclaimedThatchertothebaleful-eyedstranger。Mr。Wiles——whomthereaderhasrecognized——assentedwiththepublicsideofhisface，butlookedvengeanceatYubaBillwiththeother，whileThatcher，innocentofthepresenceofoneofhisworstenemies，placatedBillsofarastorestoreWilestohisrights。Wilesthankedhim。"ShallIhavethepleasureofyourcompanyfar？"Wilesaskedinsinuatingly。"ToWashington，"repliedThatcherfrankly。"Washingtonisagaycityduringthesession，"
againsuggestedthestranger。"I’mgoingonbusiness，"saidThatcherbluntly。
AtriflingincidentoccurredatPine-TreeCrossingwhichdidnotheightenYubaBill’sadmirationofthestranger。AsBillopenedthedouble-lockedboxinthe"boot"ofthecoach——sacredtoWells，Fargo&Co。’sExpressandtheOverlandCompany’streasures——Mr。
Wilesperceivedasmall，blackmoroccoportemanteauamongtheparcels。"Ah，youcarrybaggagetheretoo？"hesaidsweetly。"Notoften，"respondedYubaBillshortly。"Ah，thisthencontainsvaluables？""Itbelongstothatmanwhoseseatyou’vegot，"saidYubaBill，who，forinsultingpurposesofhisown，preferredtoestablishthefictionthatWileswasaninterloper;"andefhereckons，inasortermixedkempenylikethis，tolockuphisportmantle，Idon’tknowwho’sbusinessitis。Who？"continuedBill，lashinghimselfintoasimulatedrage，"who，inblank，isrunningthisyerteam？Hey？Mebbeyouthink，sittin’uptharontheboxseat，youare。Mebbeyouthinkyoukinseeroundcornerswiththatthareye，andkinpullupforteamsroundcorners，ondowngrades，amileahead？"ButhereThatcher，who，withsomethingofLancelot’sconcernforModred，hadanoblepityforallinfirmities，interferedsosternlythatYubaBillstopped。
Onthefourthdaytheystruckablindingsnow-storm，whileascendingthedrearyplateauthathenceforwardforsixhundredmileswastobetheirroadbed。Thehorses，afterflounderingthroughthedrift，gaveoutcompletelyonreachingthenextstation，andtheprospectsahead，toallbuttheexperiencedeye，lookeddoubtful。Afewpassengersadvisedtakingtosledges，othersapostponementofthejourneyuntiltheweatherchanged。
YubaBillalonewasforpressingforwardastheywere。"Twomilesmoreandwe’reonthehighgrade，wharthewindisstrongenoughtoblowyouthroughthewindy，andjistpeartenoughtopackawayoverthemcliffseveryinchofsnowthatfalls。I’lljistskirmishroundinandouto’themdriftsonthesefourwheelswharyecan’tdragoneo’themflat-bottomeddry-goodsboxesthroughadrift。"
BillhadaCaliforniawhip’scontemptforasledge。ButhewaswarmlysecondedbyThatcher，whohadthenextbestthingtoexperience，theinstinctthattaughthimtoreadcharacter，andtakeadvantageofanotherman’sexperience。"Themthatwantstostopkindoso，"saidBillauthoritatively，cuttingtheGordianknot;"themaswantstotakeasledgecandoso，——thar’soneinthebarn。Themaswantstogoonwithmeandtherelaywillcomeon。"
Mr。Wilesselectedthesledgeandadriver，afewremainedforthenextstage，andThatcher，withtwoothers，decidedtoaccompanyYubaBill。Thesechangestookupsomevaluabletime;andthestormcontinuing，thestagewasrunundertheshed，thepassengersgatheringaroundthestationfire;andnotuntilaftermidnightdidYubaBillputintherelays。"Iwishyouagoodjourney，"saidWiles，ashedrovefromtheshedasBillentered。Billvouchsafednoreply，but，addressinghimselftothedriver，saidcurtly，asifgivinganorderforthedeliveryofgoods，"ShovehimoutatRawlings，"andpassedcontemptuouslyaroundtothetailboardofthesled，andreturnedtotheharnessingofhisrelay。
ThemooncameoutandshonehighasYubaBilloncemoretookthereinsinhishands。Thewind，whichinstantlyattackedthemastheyreachedthelevel，seemedtomakethedriver’stheoryplausible，andforhalfamiletheroadbedwassweptclean，andfrozenhard。Furtheronatongueofsnow，extendingfromabouldertotheright，reachedacrosstheirpathtotheheightoftwoorthreefeet。ButYubaBilldashedthroughapartofit，andbyskillfulmaneuveringcircumventedtherest。Butevenastheobstaclewaspassed，thecoachdroppedwithanominouslurchononeside，andtheoffforewheelflewoffinthedarkness。Billthrewthehorsesbackontheirhaunches;but，beforetheirmomentumcouldbechecked，thenearhindwheelslippedaway，thevehiclerockedviolently，plungedbackwardsandforwards，andstopped。
YubaBillwasontheroadinaninstantwithhislantern。ThenfollowedanoutbreakofprofanitywhichIregret，forartisticpurposes，exceedsthatgenerouslimitwhichasympathizingpublichasalreadyextendedtomeintheexplicationofcharacter。Letmestate，therefore，thatinaveryfewmomentshesucceededindisparagingthecharactersofhisemployers，theirmaleandfemalerelatives，thecoachbuilder，thestationkeeper，theroadonwhichhetravelled，andthetravellersthemselves，withoccasionalbroadexpletivesaddressedtohimselfandhisownrelatives。Forthespiritofthisandamorecultivatedpoetryofexpression，Ibegtoreferthetemperatereadertothe3dchapterofJob。
ThepassengersknewBill，andsat，conservative，patient，andexpectant。Asyetthecauseofthecatastrophewasnotknown。
AtlastThatcher’svoicecamefromtheboxseat：
"What’sup，Bill？"
"Notablanklynchpininthewholeblankcoach，"wastheanswer。
Therewasadeadsilence。YubaBillexecutedawildwardanceofhelplessrage。
"BlanktheblankENCHANTEDthingtoblank！"
（IbegheretoreferthefastidiousandcultivatedreadertotheonlyadjectiveIhavedaredtranscribeofthisactualoathwhichI
oncehadthehonorofhearing。HewillItrustnotfailtorecognizetheoldclassicdaemoninthiswildwesternobjurgation。）
"Whodidit？"askedThatcher。
YubaBilldidnotreply，butdashedupagaintothebox，unlockedthe"boot，"andscreamedout：
"Themanthatstoleyourportmantle，——Wiles！"
Thatcherlaughed：
"Don’tworryaboutthat，Bill。A’biled’shirt，anextracollar，andafewpapers。Nothingmore。"
YubaBillslowlydescended。Whenhereachedtheground，hepluckedThatcherasidebyhiscoatsleeve：
"Yedon’tmeantosayyehadnothinginthatbagyewastryingtogetawaywith？"
"No，"saidthelaughingThatcherfrankly。
"AndthatWileswarn’toneo’themdetectives？"
"Nottomyknowledge，certainly。"
YubaBillsighedsadly，andreturnedtoassistinthereplacingofthecoachonitswheelsagain。
"Nevermind，Bill，"saidoneofthepassengerssympathizingly，"we’llcatchthatmanWilesatRawlingssure;"andhelookedaroundattheinchoatevigilancecommittee，already"roundingintoform"
abouthim。
"Ketchhim！"returnedYubaBill，derisively，"whywe’vegottogobacktothestation;andaforewe’reoffaginhe’spintedfurClarmontontherelaywelose。Ketchhim！H-ll’sfullofsuchketches！"
Therewasclearlynothingtodobuttogobacktothestationtoawaittherepairingofthecoach。WhilethiswasbeingdoneYubaBillagaindrewThatcheraside：
"Iallerssuspectedthatchap’sgameeye，butIdidn’tsomehowallowforanythinglikethis。Ireckoneditwasonlythesquarethingtolookarterthingsgen’rally，and’speciallyyourtraps。
So，topurventtroubil，andkeepthingsaboutekal，ezhewasgoin’
away，Isorterliftedthisyerbagofhizouterthetailboardofhissleigh。Idon’tknowasitisanyexchangeorcompensation，butitmaygiveyeachancetospothimagin，orhimyou。Itstrikesmeasbein’far-mindedandsquar’;"andwiththesewordshedepositedatthefeetoftheastoundedThatchertheblacktravellingbagofMr。Wiles。
"But，Bill，——seehere！Ican’ttakethis！"interruptedThatcherhastily。"Youcan’tswearthathe’stakenmybag，——and——and，——
blankitall，——thiswon’tdo，youknow。I’venorighttothisman’sthings，evenif——"
"Holdyourhosses，"saidBillgravely;"Iondertooktotakechargeo’yourtraps。Ididn’t——atleastthatd————dwall-eyed——Thar’saportmantle！Idon’tknowwho’sitis。Takeit。"
Halfamused，halfembarrassed，yetstillprotesting，Thatchertookthebaginhishands。
"Yemightopenitinmypresence，"suggestedYubaBillgravely。
Thatcher，halflaughingly，didso。Itwasfullofpapersandsemi-
legal-lookingdocuments。Thatcher’sownnameononeofthemcaughthiseye;heopenedthepaperhastilyandperusedit。Thesmilefadedfromhislips。
"Well，"saidYubaBill，"supposewecallitafairexchangeatpresent。"
Thatcherwasstillexaminingthepapers。Suddenlythiscautious，strong-mindedmanlookedupintoYubaBill’swaitingface，andsaidquietly，inthedespicableslangoftheepochandregion：
"It’sago！Supposewedo。"