ForamomentMrs。Horncastlewasspeechlessandvacillating。ShehadoftennoticedbeforethatitwaspartoftheironyofthecreationofsuchasimplenatureasBarker’sthathewasnotonlyopentodeceit，butabsolutelyseemedtoinviteit。Insteadofmakingothersfranker，peoplewereinclinedtorebukehiscredulitybyrestraintandequivocationontheirownpart。Buttheevasionthusofferedtoher，althoughonlytemporary，wasatemptationshecouldnotresist。Anditprolongedaninterviewthataruthlessrevelationofthetruthmighthaveshortened。
"Shedidnottellmeshewasgoingthere，"sherepliedstillevasively；"and，indeed，"sheadded，withaburstofcandorstillmoredangerous，"Ionlylearneditfromthehotelclerkaftershewasgone。ButIwanttotalktoyouaboutherrelationstoVanLoo，"shesaid，withareturnofherformerintensityofgaze，"andIthoughtwewouldbelesssubjecttointerruptionherethanatthehotel。OnlyIsupposeeverybodyknowsthisplace，andanyofthoseflirtingcouplesarelikelytocomehere。Besides，"sheadded，withalittlehalf-hystericallaughandaslightshiver，asshelookedupatthehighinterlacingboughsaboveherhead，"it’saspublicastheaislesofachurch，andreallyonefeelsasifonewere’speakingout’inmeeting。Isn’ttheresomeotherspotalittlemoresecluded，wherewecouldsitdown，"shewenton，asshepokedherparasolintotheusualblackgunpowderydepositofearthwhichmingledwiththecarpetofpine-needlesbeneathherfeet，"andnotgetallstickyanddirty？"
Barker’seyessparkled。"Iknoweveryfootofthishill，Mrs。
Horncastle，"hesaid，"andifyouwillfollowmeI’lltakeyoutooneoftheloveliestnooksyoueverdreamedof。It’sanoldIndianspringnowforgotten，andIthinkknownonlytomeandthebirds。
It’snotmorethantenminutesfromhere；only"——hehesitatedashecaughtsightofthesmartFrenchbronzebuckledshoeandsilkenanklewhichMrs。Horncastle’sgatheringupofherdaintyskirtsaroundherhaddisclosed——"itmaybealittleroughanddustygoingtoyourfeet。"
ButMrs。Horncastlepointedoutthatshehadalreadyirretrievablyruinedhershoesandstockingsinclimbinguptohim，——althoughBarkercouldreallydistinguishnodiminutionoftheirfreshness，——
andthatshemightaswellgoon。Whereattheybothpasseddownthelongaisleofslopetoalittlehollowofmanzanita，whichagainopenedtoaviewofBlackSpur，butleftthehotelhidden。
"WhattimedidKittygo？"beganBarkereagerly，whentheywerehalfdowntheslope。
ButhereMrs。Horncastle’sfootslippedupontheglassypine-
needles，andnotonlystoppedananswer，butobligedBarkertogiveallhisattentiontokeephiscompanionfromfallingagainuntiltheyreachedtheopen。Thencametheplungethroughthemanzanitathicket，thenacoolwadethroughwaist-deepferns，andthentheyemerged，holdingeachother’shand，breathlessandpantingbeforethespring。
Itdidnotbeliehisenthusiasticdescription。Atriangularhollow，nichedinashelfofthemountain-side，narrowedtoapointfromwhichtheoverflowofthespringpercolatedthroughafringeofalder，tofallinwhatseemedfromthevalleytobeagreenfurrowdownthewholelengthofthemountain-side。Overhungbypinesabove，whichmetandmingledwiththewillowsthateverywherefringedit，itmadetheonecoolingshadeinthewholebaskingexpanseofthemountain，andyetwaspenetratedthroughoutbytheintoxicatingspiceoftheheatedpines。Floweringreedsandlonglushgrassesdrewamagiccircleroundanopenbowl-likepoolinthecentre，thatwasalwaysreplenishedtotheslowmurmurofanunseenrivuletthattrickledfromawhite-quartzcaverninthemountain-sidelikeaveinopenedinitsflank。Shadowsoftimidwingscrossedit，quickrustlingsdisturbedthereeds，butnothingmore。Itwassilent，butbreathing；itwashiddentoeverythingbuttheskyandtheillimitabledistance。
Theythreadedtheirwayarounditonthespongycarpet，coveredbydelicatelace-likevinesthatseemedtocaressratherthantrammeltheirmovingfeet，untiltheyreachedanopenspacebeforethepool。Itwascushionedandmattedwithdisintegratedpinebark，andheretheysatdown。Mrs。Horncastlefurledherparasolandlaiditaside；raisedbothhandstothebackofherheadandtooktwohat-pinsout，whichsheplacedinhersmilingmouth；removedherhat，stuckthehat-pinsinit，andhandedittoBarker，whogentlyplaceditonthetopofatallreed，whereduringtherestofthatmomentousmeetingitswunganddroopedlikeaflower；
removedherglovesslowly；drankstillsmilinglyandgratefullynearlyawineglassfulofthewaterwhichBarkerbroughtherinthegreentwistedchaliceofalilyleaf；lookedthepictureofhappiness，andthenburstintotears。
Barkerwasastounded，dismayed，eventerror-stricken。Mrs。
Horncastlecrying！Mrs。Horncastle，theimperious，thecollected，thecoldlycritical，thecynical，smilingwomanoftheworld，actuallycrying！Otherwomenmightcry——Kittyhadcriedoften——butMrs。Horncastle！Yet，thereshewas，sobbing；actuallysobbinglikeaschoolgirl，herbeautifulshouldersrisingandfallingwithhergrief；cryingunmistakablythroughherlongwhitefingers，throughalacepocket-handkerchiefwhichshehadhurriedlyproducedandshakenfrombehindherlikeaconjurer’strick；herbeautifuleyesathousandtimesmorelustrousforthesparklingbeadsthatbrimmedherlashesandwelledoverlikethepoolbeforeher。
"Don’tmindme，"shemurmuredbehindherhandkerchief。"It’sveryfoolish，Iknow。Iwasnervous——worried，Isuppose；I’llbebetterinamoment。Don’tnoticeme，please。"
ButBarkerhaddrawnbesideherandwastrying，afterthefashionofhissex，totakeherhandkerchiefawayinapparentlythefirmbeliefthatthisactionwouldstophertears。"Buttellmewhatitis。DoMrs。Horncastle，please，"hepleadedinhisboyishfashion。
"IsitanythingIcando？Onlysaytheword；onlytellmeSOMETHING！"
Buthehadsucceededinpartiallyremovingthehandkerchief，andsocaughtaglimpseofherweteyes，inwhichafaintsmilestruggledoutlikesunshinethroughrain。Buttheycloudedagain，althoughshedidn’tcry，andherbreathcameandwentwiththeactionofasob，andherhandsstillremainedagainstherflushedface。
"IwasonlygoingtotalktoyouofKitty"（sob）——"butIsupposeI’mweak"（sob）——"andsuchafool"（sob）"andIgottothinkingofmyselfandmyownsorrowswhenIoughttobethinkingonlyofyouandKitty。"
"NevermindKitty，"saidBarkerimpulsively。"Tellmeaboutyourself——yourownsorrows。Iamabrutetohavebotheredyouaboutheratsuchamoment；andnowuntilyouhavetoldmewhatispainingyousoIshallnotletyouspeakofher。"Hewasperfectlysincere。WhatwereKitty’spossibleandeasytearsoverthelossofhermoneytotheunknownagonythatcouldwrenchasobfromawomanlikethis？"DearMrs。Horncastle，"hewentonasbreathlessly，"thinkofmenownotasKitty’shusband，butasyourtruefriend。Yes，asyourBESTandTRUESTfriend，andspeaktomeasyouwouldspeaktohim。"
"Youwillbemyfriend？"shesaidsuddenlyandpassionately，graspinghishand，"mybestandtruestfriend？andifItellyouall，——everything，youwillnotcastmefromyouandhateme？"
Barkerfeltthesamethrillfromherwarmhandslowlypossesshiswholebeingasithadtheeveningbefore，butthistimehewaspreparedandansweredthegraspandhereyestogetherashesaidbreathlessly，"Iwillbe——IAMyourfriend。"
Shewithdrewherhandandpasseditoverhereyes。Afteramomentshecaughthishandagain，and，holdingittightlyasifshefearedhemightflyfromher，bitherlip，andthenslowly，withoutlookingathim，said，"IliedtoyouaboutmyselfandKittythatnight；Ididnotcomewithher。IcamealoneandsecretlytoBoomvilletosee——toseethemanwhoismyhusband。"
"Yourhusband！"saidBarkerinsurprise。Hehadbelieved，withtherestoftheworld，thattherehadbeennocommunicationbetweenthemforyears。Yetsointensewashisinterestinherthathedidnotnoticethatthisrevelationwasleavingnownoexcuseforhiswife’spresenceatBoomville。
Mrs。Horncastlewentonwithdoggedbitterness，"Yes，myhusband。
Iwenttohimtobegandbribehimtoletmeseemychild。Yes，MY
child，"shesaidfrantically，tighteningherholduponhishand，"forIliedtoyouwhenIoncetoldyouIhadnone。Ihadachild，and，morethanthat，achildwhoathisbirthIdidnotdaretoopenlyclaim。"
Shestoppedbreathlessly，staredathisfacewithherformerintensityasifshewouldpluckthethoughtthatfollowedfromhisbrain。Butheonlymovedclosertoher，passedhisarmoverhershoulderswithamovementsonaturalandprotectingthatithadacertaindignityinit，and，lookingdownuponherbentheadwitheyesbrimmingwithsympathy，whispered，"Poor，poorchild！"
WhereatMrs。Horncastleagainburstintotears。Andthen，withherheadhalfdrawntowardshisshoulder，shetoldhimall，——allthathadpassedbetweenherandherhusband，——evenallthattheyhadthenbuthintedat。Itwasasifshefeltshecouldnow，forthefirsttime，voicealltheseterriblememoriesofthepastwhichhadcomebacktoherlastnightwhenherhusbandhadlefther。Sheconcealednothing，sheveilednothing；therewereintervalswhenhertearsnolongerflowed，andacruelhardnessandreturnofheroldimperiousnessofvoiceandmannertooktheirplace，asifshewasdoingarigidpenanceandtookabittersatisfactioninlayingbareherwholesoultohim。"Ineverhadafriend，"shewhispered；
"therewerewomenwhopersecutedmewiththeirjealoussneers；
thereweremenwhopersecutedmewiththeirselfishaffections。
WhenIfirstsawYOU，youseemedsomethingsoapartanddifferentfromallothermenthat，althoughIscarcelyknewyou，Iwantedtotellyou，eventhen，allthatIhavetoldyounow。Iwantedyoutobemyfriend；somethingtoldmethatyoucould，——thatyoucouldseparatemefrommypast；thatyoucouldtellmewhattodo；thatyoucouldmakemethinkasyouthought，seelifeasYOUsawit，andtrustalwaystosomegoodnessinpeopleasYOUdid。AndinthisfaithIthoughtthatyouwouldunderstandmenow，andevenforgivemeall。"
Shemadeaslightmovementasiftodisengagehisarm，and，possibly，tolookintohiseyes，whichsheknewinstinctivelywerebentuponherdowncasthead。Butheonlyheldherthemoretightlyuntilhercheekwascloseagainsthisbreast。"WhatcouldIdo？"
shemurmured。"Amaninsorrowandtroublemaygotoawomanforsympathyandsupportandtheworldwillnotgainsayormisunderstandhim。Butawoman——weaker，morehelpless，credulous，ignorant，andcravingforlight——mustnotinheragonygotoamanforsuccorandsympathy。"
"Whyshouldshenot？"burstoutBarkerpassionately，releasingherinhisattempttogazeintoherface。"Whatmandarerefuseher？"
"NotTHAT，"shesaidslowly，butwithstillavertedeyes，"butbecausetheworldwouldsaysheLOVEDhim。"
"Andwhatshouldshecarefortheopinionofaworldthatstandsasideandletshersuffer？Whyshouldsheheeditswretchedbabble？"hewentoninflashingindignation。
"Because，"shesaidfaintly，liftinghermoisteyesandmoistandpartedlipstowardshim，——"becauseitwouldbeTRUE！"
Therewasasilencesoprofoundthateventhespringseemedtowithholditssongastheireyesandlipsmet。Whenthespringrecommenceditsmurmur，andtheycouldhearthedroningofabeeabovethemandtherustlingofthereed，shewasmurmuring，too，withherfaceagainsthisbreast："YoudidnotthinkitstrangethatIshouldfollowyou——thatIshouldriskeverythingtotellyouwhatIhavetoldyoubeforeItoldyouanythingelse？Youwillneverhatemeforit，George？"
Therewasanothersilencestillmoreprolonged，andwhenhelookedagainintotheflushedfaceandglisteningeyeshewassaying，"I
haveALWAYSlovedyou。IknownowIlovedyoufromthefirst，fromthedaywhenIleanedoveryoutotakelittleStafromyourlapandsawyourtendernessforhiminyoureyes。IcouldhavekissedyouTHEN，dearest，asIdonow。"
"And，"shesaid，whenshehadgainedhersmilingbreathagain，"youwillalwaysremember，George，thatyoutoldmethisBEFOREItoldyouanythingofher。"
"HER？Ofwhom，dearest？"heasked，leaningoverhertenderly。
"OfKitty——ofyourwife，"shesaidimpatiently，asshedrewbackshylywithherformerintensegaze。
Hedidnotseemtograsphermeaning，butsaidgravely，"LetusnottalkofherNOW。LaterweshallhaveMUCHtosayofher。For，"headdedquietly，"youknowImusttellherall。"
Thecolorfadedfromhercheek。"Tellherall！"sherepeatedvacantly；thensuddenlysheturneduponhimeagerly，andsaid，"Butwhatifsheisgone？"
"Gone？"herepeated。
"Yes；gone。WhatifshehasrunawaywithVanLoo？Whatifshehasdisgracedyouandherchild？"
"Whatdoyoumean？"hesaid，seizingbothherhandsandgazingatherfixedly。
"Imean，"shesaid，withahalf-frightenedeagerness，"thatshehasalreadygonewithVanLoo。George！George！"sheburstoutsuddenlyandpassionately，fallinguponherkneesbeforehim，"doyouthinkthatIwouldhavefollowedyouhereandtoldyouwhatI
didifIthoughtthatshehadnowtheslightestclaimuponyourloveorhonor？Don’tyouunderstandme？IcametotellyouofherflighttoBoomvillewiththatman；howIaccidentallyinterceptedthemthere；howItriedtosaveherfromhim，andevenliedtoyoutotrytosaveherfromyourindignation；buthowshedeceivedmeasshehasyou，andevenescapedandjoinedherloverwhileyouwerewithme。Icametotellyouthatandnothingmore，George，I
swearit。Butwhenyouwerekindtomeandpitiedme，Iwasmad——
wild！Iwantedtowinyoufirstoutofyourownlove。IwantedyoutorespondtoMINEbeforeyouknewyourwifewasfaithless。
YetIwouldhavesavedherifIcould。Listen，George！Amomentmorebeforeyouspeak！"
Thenshehurriedlytoldhimall；thewholestoryofhiswife’sdishonor，fromherentranceintothesitting-roomwithVanLoo，herlaterappealforconcealmentfromherhusband’sunexpectedpresence，totheuseshemadeofthatconcealmenttoflywithherlover。Shesparednodetail，andevenrepeatedtheinsultMrs。
Barkerhadcastuponherwiththetriumphantreproachthatherhusbandwouldnotbelieveher。"Perhaps，"sheaddedbitterly，"youmaynotbelievemenow。Icouldevenstandthatfromyou，George，ifitcouldmakeyouhappier；butyouwouldstillhavetobelieveitfromothers。ThepeopleattheBoomvilleHotelsawthemleaveittogether。"
"Idobelieveyou，"besaidslowly，butwithdowncasteyes，"andifIdidnotloveyoubeforeyoutoldmethisIcouldloveyounowforthepartyouhavetaken；but"——Hestopped。
"Youloveherstill，"sheburstout，"andImighthaveknownit。
Perhaps，"shewentondistractedly，"youloveherthemorethatyouhavelosther。Itisthewayofmen——andwomen。"
"IfIhadlovedhertruly，"saidBarker，liftinghisfrankeyestohers，"IcouldnothavetouchedYOURlips。Icouldnotevenhavewishedto——asIdidthreeyearsago——asIdidlastnight。ThenI
feareditwasmyweakness，nowIknowitwasmylove。Ihavethoughtofiteversince，evenwhilewaitingmywife’sreturnhere，knowingthatIdidnotandnevercouldhavelovedher。ButforthatveryreasonImusttrytosaveherforherownsake，ifI
cannotsaveherformine；andifIfail，dearest，itshallnotbesaidthatweclimbedtohappinessoverherbackbentwiththeburdenofhershame。IfIlovedyouandtoldyouso，thinkingherstillguiltlessandinnocent，howcouldIprofitnowbyherfault？"
Mrs。Horncastlesawtoolatehermistake。"Thenyouwouldtakeherback？"shesaidfrenziedly。
"Tomyhome——whichishers——yes。Tomyheart——no。Sheneverwasthere。"
"AndI，"saidMrs。Horncastle，withaquiveringlip，——"wheredoI
gowhenyouhavesettledthis？Backtomypastagain？Backtomyhusbandless，childlesslife？"
Shewasturningaway，butBarkercaughtherinhisarmsagain。
"No！"hesaid，hiswholefacesuddenlyradiatingwithhopeandyouthfulenthusiasm。"No！Kittywillhelpus；wewilltellherall。Youdonotknowher，dearest，asIdo——howgoodandkindsheis，inspiteofall。Wewillappealtoher；shewilldevisesomemeansbywhich，withoutthescandalofadivorce，sheandImaybeseparated。ShewilltakedearlittleStawithher——itisonlyright，poorgirl；butshewillletmecomeandseehim。Shewillbeasistertous，dearest。Courage！Allwillcomerightyet。
Trusttome。"
AnhystericallaughcametoMrs。Horncastle’slipsandthenstopped。Forasshelookedupathiminhissupremehopefulness，hisdivineconfidenceinhimselfandothers——athishandsomefacebeamingwithloveandhappiness，andhiscleargrayeyesglitteringwithanalmostspiritualprescience——she，womanoftheworldandbitterexperience，andperfectlycognizantofherownandKitty’spossibilities，was，nevertheless，completelycarriedawaybyherlover’soptimism。Forofalloptimismthatofloveisthemostconvincing。Dearboy！——forhewasbutaboyinexperience——onlyhisloveforhercouldworkthismagic。Soshegavehimkissforkiss，largelybelieving，largelyhoping，thatMrs。BarkerwasinlovewithVanLooandwouldNOTreturn。Andinthishopeaninvinciblebeliefinthefollyofherownsexsoothedandsustainedher。
"Wemustgonow，dearest，"saidBarker，pointingtothesunalreadynearthemeridian。Threehourshadfled，theyknewnothow。"I
willbringyoubacktothehillagain，buttherewehadbetterseparate，youtakingyourwayalonetothehotelasyoucame，andI
willgoalittlewayontheroadtotheDivideandreturnlater。
KeepyourowncounselaboutKittyforhersakeandours；perhapsnooneelsemayknowthetruthyet。"Withafarewellkisstheyplungedagainhandinhandthroughthecoolbrackenandagainthroughthehotmanzanitabushes，andsopartedonthehilltop，astheyhadneverpartedbefore，leavingtheirwholeworldbehindthem。
Barkerwalkedslowlyalongtheroadundertheflickeringshadeofwaysidesycamore，hissensitivefacealsoalternatingwithhisthoughtinlightsandshadows。Presentlytherecrepttowardshimoutofthedistanceahalting，vacillating，deviatingbuggy，trailingacloudofdustafteritlikeabrokenwing。Asitcamenearerhecouldseethatthehorsewasspentandexhausted，andthatthebuggy’ssoleoccupant——awoman——wasequallyexhaustedinhermonotonousattempttourgeitforwardwithwhipandreinsthatroseandfellatintervalswithfeeblereiteration。Thenhesteppedoutoftheshadowandstoodinthemiddleofthesunlitroadtoawaitit。Forherecognizedhiswife。
Thebuggycamenearer。Andthenthemostexquisitepanghehadeverfeltbeforeathiswife’shandsshotthroughhim。Forassherecognizedhimshemadeawildbutimpotentattempttodashpasthim，andthenassuddenlypulledupintheditch。
Hewentuptoher。Shewasdirty，shewasdisheveled，shewashaggard，shewasplain。Therewereringsofdustroundhertear-
swepteyesandsmudgesofdust-driedperspirationoverherfaircheek。Hethoughtofthebeauty，freshness，andeleganceofthewomanhehadjustleft，andaninfinitepitysweptthesoulofthisweak-mindedgentleman。Herantowardsher，andtenderlyliftingherinhershame-stainedgarmentsfromthebuggy，saidhurriedly，"Iknowitall，poorKitty！YouheardthenewsofVanLoo’sflight，andyouranovertotheDividetotryandsavesomeofyourmoney。Whydidn’tyouwait？Whydidn’tyoutellme？"
Therewasnomistakingtherealityofhiswords，thegenuinepityandtendernessofhisaction；butthewomansawbeforeheronlythefamiliardupeofherlife，andfeltaninfinitereliefmingledwithacertaincontemptforhisweaknessandangeratherpreviousfearsofhim。
"Youmighthavedrivenover，then，yourself，"shesaidinahigh，querulousvoice，"ifyouknewitsowell，andhavesparedMEthishorrid，dirty，filthy，hopelessexpedition，forIhavenotsavedanything——there！AndIhavehadallthisdisgustingbother！"
Foraninstanthewassorelytemptedtolifthiseyestoherface，buthecheckedhimself；thenhegentlytookherdust-coatfromhershouldersandshookitout，wipedthedustfromherfaceandeyeswithhisownhandkerchief，heldherhatandblewthedustfromitwithavividmemoryofperformingthesameserviceforMrs。
Horncastleonlyanhourbefore，whileshearrangedherhair；andthen，liftingheragainintothebuggy，saidquietly，ashetookhisseatbesideherandgraspedthereins：——
"Iwilldriveyoutothehotelbywayofthestables，andyoucangoatoncetoyourroomandchangeyourclothes。Youaretired，youarenervousandworried，andwantrest。Don’ttellmeanythingnowuntilyoufeelquiteyourselfagain。"
Hewhippedupthehorse，who，recognizinganotherhandatthereins，lungedforwardinafinaleffort，andinafewminutestheywereatthehotel。
AsMrs。Horncastlesatatluncheoninthegreatdining-room，alittlepaleandabstracted，shesawMrs。Barkersweepconfidentlyintotheroom，fresh，rosy，andinanewandravishingtoilette。
WithaswiftglanceofconsciouspowertowardstheotherguestsshewalkedtowardsMrs。Horncastle。"Ah，hereyouare，dear，"shesaidinavoicethatcouldeasilyreachallears，"andyou’vearrivedonlyalittlebeforeme，afterall。AndI’vehadsuchanAWFUL
drivetotheDivide！Andonlythink！poorGeorgetelegraphedtomeatBoomvillenottoworry，andhisdispatchhasonlyjustcomebackhere。"
AndwithaglanceofcomplacencyshelaidBarker’sgentleandforgivingdispatchbeforetheastonishedMrs。Horncastle。
CHAPTERVIII。
AsthedayadvancedtheexcitementoverthefinancialcrisisincreasedatHymettus，until，inspiteofitsremoteandpeacefulisolation，itseemedtothrobthroughallitsverandasandcorridorswithsomepulsationfromtheouterworld。BesidesthelettersanddispatchesbroughtbyhurriedmessengersandbycoachfromtheDivide，therewasacrowdofguestsandservantsaroundthebranchtelegraphatthenewHeavyTreepost-officewhichwasconstantlyaugmenting。Addedtothenaturalanxietyofthedeeplyinterestedwasthestimulatedfeverofthefewwhowishedtobe"inthefashion。"Itwasearlyrumoredthataheavyoperator，aguestofthehotel，whowasalsoadirectorinthetelegraphcompany，hadboughtupthewiresforhissoleuse，thatthedispatchesweredoctoredinhisinterestsasa"bear，"andtherewaswildtalkoflynchingbytheindignantmob。PassengersfromSacramento，SanFrancisco，andMarysvillebroughtincrediblenewsandthewildestsensations。Firmafterfirmhadfailedinthegreatcities。Oldestablishedhousesthatdatedbacktothe"springof’49，"andhadweatheredthefiresandinundationsoftheirperilousCalifornianinfancy，collapsedbeforethismysterious，invisible，impalpablebreathofpanic。Companiesrootedinrespectabilityandsneeredatforold-fashionedwayswerediscoveredtohaveshamelesslyspeculatedwithtrusts！Aneminentdeaconandpillarofthechurchwasfounddeadinhisroomwithabulletinhisheartandadamningconfessiononthedeskbeforehim！Foreignbankersweresendingtheirgoldoutofthecountry；governmentwouldbeappealedtotoopenthevaultsoftheMint；therewouldbeanembargoonallbullionshipment！Nothingwastoowildorpreposteroustoberepeatedorcredited。
Andwiththisfeverofsordidpassionthesummertemperaturehadincreased。Forthelasttwoweeksthethermometerhadstoodabnormallyhighduringtheday-longsunshine；andthemetallicdustintheroadsovermineralrangesprickedtheskinlikered-hotneedles。Inthedeepestwoodsthearomaticsapstoodinbeadsonfelledlogsandsplinteredtree-shafts；eventhemountainnightbreezefailedtocoolthesebakedandheatedfastnesses。Therewereominouscloudsofsmokebydaythatwerepillarsoffirebynightalongthedistantvalleys。Someofthenearercrestswereetchedagainstthemidnightskybydullredcreepinglineslikeadyingfirework。Thegreathotelitselfcreakedandcrackledandwarpedthoughallitspainted，blistered，andveneeredexpanse，andwasfilledwiththestiflingbreathofdesiccation。Thestuccocrackedandcrumbledawayfromthecornices；therewereyawninggapsintheboardedfloorsbeneaththeTurkeycarpets。Plate-glasswindowsbecamehopelesslyfixedintheirwarpedandtwistedsashes，andaddedtotheheat；therewasawarmincenseofpinesapinthedining-roomthatflavoredallthecuisine。Andyetthebabbleofstocksandshareswenton，andpeopleprickedtheirearsovertheirsouptocatchthegossipofthelastarrival。
Demorest，loathingitallinhisnew-foundbitterness，wasneverthelessimpatientinhisinaction，andwaseagerlyawaitingatelegramfromStacy；Barkerhaddisappearedsinceluncheon。
Suddenlytherewasacommotionontheverandaasacarriagedroveupwithahandsome，gray-hairedwoman。InthebuzzingofvoicesaroundhimDemorestheardthenameofMrs。VanLoo。Infurthercomments，madeinmoresmotheredaccents，heheardthatVanLoohadbeenstoppedatCanyonStation，butthatnowarranthadyetbeenissuedagainsthim；thatitwasgenerallybelievedthatthebankdarednotholdhim；thatothersopenlyaverredthathehadbeenusedasascapegoattoavertsuspicionfromhigherguilt。AndcertainlyMrs。VanLoo’scalm，confidentairseemedtocorroboratetheseassertions。
Hewasstillwonderingifthestrangecoincidencewhichhadbroughtbothmotherandsonintohisownlifewasnotmerelyafancy，asfarasSHEwasconcerned，whenawaiterbroughtamessagefromMrs。
VanLoothatshewouldbegladtoseehimforafewmomentsinherroom。Lastnighthecouldscarcelyhaverestrainedhiseagernesstomeetherandelucidatethemysteryofthephotograph；nowhewasconsciousofanequallystrongrevulsionoffeeling，andadullpremonitionofevil。However，itwasnodoubtpossiblethatthemanhadtoldherofhispreviousinquiries，andshehadmerelyacknowledgedthembythatmessage。
DemorestfoundMrs。VanLoointheprivatesitting-roomwhereheandhisoldpartnershadsuppedontheprecedingnight。Shereceivedhimwithunmistakablecourtesyandevenacertaindignitythatmightormightnothavebeenassumed。Hehadnodifficultyinrecognizingtheson’smechanicalpolitenessinthefirst，buthewaspuzzledatthesecond。
"Themanagerofthishotel，"shebegan，withaforeigner’sprecisionofEnglish，"hasjusttoldmethatyouwereatpresentoccupyingmyroomsathisinvitation，butthatyouwishedtoseemeatonceonmyreturn，andIbelievethatIwasnotwronginapprehendingthatyoupreferredtohearmywishesfrommyownlipsratherthanfromaninnkeeper。Ihadintendedtokeeptheseroomsforsomeweeks，but，unfortunatelyforme，thoughfortunatelyforyou，thepresentterriblefinancialcrisis，whichhasmostunjustlybroughtmysonintosuchscandalousprominence，willobligemetoreturntoSanFranciscountilhisreputationisfullyclearedofthesefoulaspersions。IshallonlyaskyoutoallowmetheundisturbedpossessionoftheseroomsforacoupleofhoursuntilI
canpackmytrunksandgatherupafewsouvenirsthatIalmostalwayskeepwithme。"
"Pray，considerthatyourwishesaremyowninrespecttothat，mydearmadam，"returnedDemorestgravely，"andthat，indeed，I
protestedagainsteventhistemporaryintrusionuponyourapartments；butIconfessthatnowthatyouhavespokenofyoursouvenirsIhavethegreatestcuriosityaboutoneofthem，andthatevenmyobjectinseekingthisinterviewwastogratifyit。ItisinregardtoaphotographwhichIsawonthechimney-pieceinyourbedroom，whichIthinkIrecognizedasthatofsomeonewhomI
formerlyknew。"
Therewasasuddenlookofsharpsuspicionandevenhardaggressivenessthatquitechangedthelady’sfaceashementionedtheword"souvenir，"butitquicklychangedtoasmileassheputupherfanwithagestureofarchdeprecation，andsaid：
"Ah！Isee。Ofcourse，alady’sphotograph。"
ThereplyirritatedDemorest。Morethanthat，hefeltasuddensenseoftheabsolutesentimentalityofhisrequest，andtheconsciousnessthathewasabouttoinvitethefamiliarconfidenceofthisstrangewoman——whosesonhadforgedhisname——inregardtoHER！
"ItwasaVenetianpicture，"hebegan，andstopped，asingulardisgustkeepinghimfromvoicingthename。
ButMrs。VanLoowaslessreticent。"Oh，youmeanmydearestfriend——alovelypicture，andyouknowher？Why，yes，surely。YouareTHEMr。Demorestwho——Ofcourse，thatoldlove-affair。Well，youareamarvel！Fiveyearsago，atleast，andyouhavenotforgotten！Ireallymustwriteandtellher。"
"Writeandtellher！"Thenitwasallalieaboutherdeath！Hefeltnotonlyhisfaith，hishope，hisfutureleavinghim，butevenhisself-control。Withanefforthesaid。——
"Ithinkyouhavealreadysatisfiedmycuriosity。Iwastoldfiveyearsagothatshewasdead。Itwasbecauseofthedateofthephotograph——twoyearslater——thatIventuredtointrudeuponyou。
Iwasanxiousonlytoknowthetruth。"
"ShecertainlywasverymuchlivingandoftheworldwhenIsawherlast，twoyearsago，"saidMrs。VanLoo，withaneasysmile。"I
daresaythatwasaruseofherrelatives——averystupidone——tobreakofftheaffair，forIthinktheyhadotherplans。But，dearme！nowIremember，wastherenotsomelittlequarrelbetweenyoubefore？Someletterfromyouthatwasnotverykind？Myimpressionisthattherewassomethingofthesort，andthattheyoungladywasindignant。Butonlyforatime，youknow。Sheverysoonforgotit。Idaresayifyouwrotesomethingverycharmingtoheritmightnotbetoolate。Wewomenareveryforgiving，Mr。
Demorest，andalthoughsheisverymuchsoughtafter，asareallyoungAmericangirlswhosefatherscangivethemacomfortable’dot’，herparentsmightbepersuadedtothrowoverapoorprinceforarichcountrymanintheend。Ofcourse，youknow，toyouRepublicansthereisalwayssomethingfascinatingintitlesandblood，andourdearfriendislikeothergirls。Still，itisworththerisk。Andfiveyearsofwaitinganddevotionreallyoughttotell。It’squitearomance！ShallIwritetoherandtellherI
haveseenyou，lookingwellandprosperous？Nothingmore。Doletme！Ishouldbedelighted。"
"Ithinkithardlyworthwhileforyoutogiveyourselfthattrouble，"saidDemorestquietly，lookinginMrs。VanLoo’ssmilingeyes，"nowthatIknowthestoryoftheyounglady’sdeathwasaforgery。AndIwillnotintrudefurtheronyourtime。Praygiveyourselfnoneedlesshurryoveryourpacking。ImaygotoSanFranciscothisafternoon，andnotevenrequiretheroomsto-night。"
"Atleast，letmemakeyouapresentofthesouvenirasanacknowledgmentofyourcourtesy，"saidMrs。VanLoo，passingintoherbedroomandreturningwiththephotograph。"Ifeelthatwithyourfiveyearsofconstancyitismoreyoursthanmine。"AsagentlemanDemorestknewhecouldnotrefuse，andtakingthephotographfromherwithalowbow，withanotherfinalsalutationhewithdrew。
Alonebyhimselfinacorneroftheverandahewassurprisedthattheinterviewhadmadesolittleimpressiononhim，andhadsolittlealteredhisconviction。Hisdiscoverythattheannouncementofhisbetrothed’sdeathwasafictiondidnotaffectthefactthatthoughlivingshewasyetdeadtohim，andapparentlybyherownconsent。ThecontrastbetweenherlifeandhisduringthosefiveyearshadbeencovertlyaccentedbyMrs。VanLoo，whetherintentionallyornot，andhesawagainaslastnightthefullextentofhissentimentalfolly。Hecouldnotevencondolewithhimselfthathewasthevictimofmiserablefalsehoodsthatothershadinvented。SHEhadacceptedthem，andhadevenexcusedherdesertionofhimbythatlastdeceitoftheletter。
Hedrewoutherphotographandagainexaminedit，butnotasalover。Hadshereallygrownstouterandmoreself-complacent？Wasthespiritualityanddelicacyhehadworshipedinherpurelyhisownidioticfancy？Hadshealwaysbeenlikethis？Yes。Therewasthegirlwhocouldweaklystrive，weaklyrevengeherself，andweaklyforget。Therewasthefigurethathehadexpectedtofindcarveduponthetombwhichhehadlongsoughtthathemightweepover。Helaughedaloud。
Itwasveryhot，andhewasstiflingwithinaction。WhatwasBarkerdoing，andwhyhadnotStacytelegraphedtohim？Andwhatwerethosepeopleinthecourtyarddoing？Weretheydiscussingnewsoffurtherdisasterandruin？Perhapshewasevennowabeggar。Well，hisfortunemightgowithhisfaith。
Butthecrowdwassimplylookingattheroofofthehotel，andhenowsawthatablacksmokewasdriftingacrossthecourtyard，andwasconsciousofasmellofsootandburning。Hesteppeddownfromtheverandaamongthemingledguestsandservants，andsawthatthesmokewasonlypouringfromachimney。Heheard，too，thatthechimneyhadbeenonfire，andthatitwasMrs。VanLoo’sbedroomchimney，andthatwhenthestartledservantshadknockedatthelockeddoorshehadtoldthemthatshewasonlyburningsomeoldlettersandnewspapers，therefuseofhertrunks。Therewasnaturallysomeindignationthatthehotelhadbeensofoolishlyendangered，insuchscorchingweather，andthemanagerhadhadascenewithherwhichresultedinherleavingthehotelindignantlywithherhalf-packedboxes。Butevenafterthesmokehaddiedawayandthefirebeenextinguishedinthechimneyandhearth，therewasanacridsmellofsmoulderingpinepenetratingtheupperfloorsofthehotelallthatafternoon。
WhenMrs。VanLoodroveaway，themanagerreturnedwithDemoresttotherooms。Themarblehearthwassmokedanddiscoloredandstilllitteredwithcharredashesofburntpaper。"Mybeliefis，"saidthemanagerdarkly，"thattheoldhagcameherejusttoburnupalotofincriminatingpapersthathersonhadintrustedtoherkeeping。Itlooksmightysuspicious。YouseeshegotupanawfullotofsidewhenItoldherIdidn’treckontorunasmeltingfurnaceinawoodenhotelwiththethermometeratonehundredintheoffice，andIreckonitwasjustanexcuseforgettingoffinahurry。"
ButthecontinueddelayinStacy’spromisedtelegramhadbeguntoworkuponDemorest’susualequanimity，andhescarcelylistenedinhisanxietyforhisoldpartner。HeknewthatStacyshouldhavearrivedinSanFranciscobynoon。HehadalmostdeterminedtotakethenexttrainfromtheDividewhentwohorsemendashedintothecourtyard。Therewastheusualstirontheverandaandrushfornews，butthetwonewarrivalsturnedouttobeBarker，onahorsecoveredwithfoam，andadashing，elegantlydressedstrangeronamustangascarefullygroomedandasspotlessashimself。DemorestinstantlyrecognizedJackHamlin。
HehadnotseenHamlinsincethatday，fiveyearsbefore，whenthelatterhadaccompaniedthethreepartnerswiththeirtreasuretoBoomville，andhadhandedhimthemysteriouspacket。Asthetwomendismountedhurriedlyandmovedtowardshim，hefeltapremonitionofsomethingasfatefulandimportantasthen。InobediencetoasignfromBarkerheledthemtoamoresecludedangleoftheveranda。Hecouldnothelpnoticingthathisyoungerpartner’sfacewasmobileasever，butmorethoughtfulandolder；
yethisvoicerangwiththeoldfreemasonryofthecamp，ashesaid，withalaugh，"Thesignalhasbeengiven，andit’sbootandsaddleandaway。"
"ButIhavehadnodispatchfromStacy，"saidDemorestinsurprise。
"HewastotelegraphtomefromSanFranciscoinanyemergency。"
"Henevergotthereatall，"saidBarker。"JackranslapintoVanLooattheDivide，andsentadispatchtoJim，whichstoppedhimhalfwayuntilJackcouldreachhim，whichhenearlybrokehisnecktodo；andthenJackfinishedupbybringingamessagefromStacytousthatweshouldallmeettogetherontheslopeofHeavyTree，neartheBar。ImetJackjustasIwasridingintotheDivide，andcamebackwithhim。Hewilltellyoutherest，andyoucanswearbywhatJacksays，forhe’swhiteallthrough，"headded，layinghishandaffectionatelyonHamlin’sshoulder。
Hamlinwincedslightly。ForhehadNOTtoldBarkerthathiswifewaswithVanLoo，norhisfirstreasonforinterfering。ButherelatedhowhehadfinallyovertakenVanLooatCanyonStation，andhowthefugitivehaddisclosedtheconspiracyofSteptoeandHallagainstthebankandMarshallasthepriceofhisownrelease。Onthisnews，rememberingthatStacyhadpassedtheDivideonhiswaytothestation，hehadfirstsentadispatchtohim，andthenmethimatthefirststationontheroad。"Ireckon，gentlemen，"saidHamlin，withanunusualearnestnessinhisvoice，"thathe’dnotonlygotmytelegram，butALLTHENEWSthathadbeenflyingaroundthismorning，forhelookedlikeamantowhomitwasjusta’toss-
up’whetherhetookhisownlifethenandthereorwaswillingtohavesomebodyelsetakeitforhim，forhesaid，’I’llgomyself，’
andtelegraphedtohavethesurveyorstoppedfromcoming。Thenhetoldmetotellyoufellows，andaskyoutocometoo。"Jackpaused，andaddedhalfmischievously，"HesortofaskedMEwhatI
wouldtaketostandbyhimintherow，iftherewasone，andItoldhimI’dtake——whiskey！Yousee，boys，it’sakindofoff-nightwithme，andIwouldn’tmindforthesakeofoldtimestofinishthegamewitholdSteptoethatIbeganamatteroffiveyearsago。"
"Allright，"saidDemorest，withakindlingeye；"Isupposewe’dbetterstartatonce。Onemoment，"headded。"Barkerboy，willyouexcusemeifIspeakawordtoHamlin？"AsBarkernoddedandwalkedtotherailsoftheveranda，DemoresttookHamlinaside，"YouandI，"hesaidhurriedly，"areSINGLEmen；Barkerhasawifeandchild。Thisislikelytobenochild’splay。"
ButJackHamlinwasnofool，andfromcertainleadingquestionswhichBarkerhadalreadyput，butwhichhehadskillfullyevaded，hesurmisedthatBarkerknewsomethingofhiswife’sescapade。Heansweredalittlemoreseriouslythanhiswont，"Idon’tthinkasregardsHISWIFEthatwouldmakemuchdifferencetohimorherhowstifftheworkwas。"
Demorestturnedawaywithhislastpangofbitterness。ItneededonlythisconfirmationofallthatStacyhadhinted，ofwhathehimselfhadseeninhisbriefinterviewwithMrs。Barkersincehisreturn，toshakehislastremainingfaith。"We’llallgotogether，then，"hesaid，withalaugh，"asintheoldtimes，andperhapsit’saswellthatwehavenowomaninourconfidence。"
Anhourlaterthethreemenpassedquietlyoutofthehotel，scarcelynoticedbytheotherguests，whowerealsoobliviousoftheirabsenceduringtheevening。ForMrs。Barker，quiterecoveredfromherfatiguingride，wasinhighspiritsandthemostbeautifulandspotlessofsummergowns，andwasconsideredquiteaheroinebytheotherladiesasshedweltupontheterribleheatofherreturnjourney。"OnlyIknewMr。Barkerwouldbeworried——andthepoormanactuallywalkedamiledowntheDivideroadtomeetme——I
believeIshouldhavestayedthereallday。"SheglancedroundtheothergroupsforMrs。Horncastle，butthatladyhadretiredearly。
Possiblyshealonehadnoticedtheabsenceofthetwopartners。
Theguestssatupuntilquitelate，fortheheatseemedtogrowstillmoreoppressive，andthestrangesmellofburningwoodrevivedthegossipaboutMrs。VanLooandherstupidityinsettingfiretoherchimney。Someaverredthatitwouldbedaysbeforethesmellcouldbegotoutofthehouse；othersreferredittothefiresinthewoods，whichwerenowdangerouslynear。Onespokeoftheisolatedpositionofthehotelasaffordingthegreatestsecurity，butwasmetbytheassertionofafamousmountaineerthattheforestfireswerewonttoleapfromcresttocrestmysteriously，withoutanyapparentcontinuouscontact。Thisledtomoreorlesslight-heartedconjectureofpresentdangerandsomeamusingstoriesofhotelfiresandtheirludicrousrevelations。Therewerealsosomeentertainingspeculationsastowhattheywoulddoandwhattheywouldtrytosaveinsuchanemergency。
"Formyself，"saidMrs。Barkeraudaciously，"IshouldcertainlyletMr。BarkerlookafterStaandconfinemyselfentirelytogettingawaywithmydiamonds。Iknowthewretchwouldneverthinkofthem。"
Itwasstilllaterwhen，exhaustedbytheheatandsomereactionfromtheexcitementoftheday，theyatlastdesertedtheverandafortheirrooms，andforawhiletheshadowybulkofthewholebuildingwaspickedoutwithregularlyspacedlightsfromitsopenwindows，untilnowthesefinallyfadedandwentoutonebyone。Anhourlaterthewholebuildinghadsunktorest。Itwassaidthatitwasonlyfourinthemorningwhenayawningporter，havingputoutthelightinadark，uppercorridor，wasamazedbyadullglowfromthetopofthewall，andawoketothefactthataredfire，asyetsmokelessandflameless，wascreepingalongthecornice。Herantotheofficeandgavethealarm；butonreturningwithassistancewasstoppedinthecorridorbyanimpenetrablewallofsmokeveinedwithmurkyflashes。Thealarmwasgiveninallthelowerfloors，andtheoccupantsrushedfromtheirbedshalfdressedtothecourtyard，onlytosee，astheyafterwardsaverred，theflamesburstlikecannondischargesfromtheupperwindowsanduniteabovethecracklingroof。Sosuddenandcompletewasthecatastrophe，althoughslowlypreparedbyaleakintheoverheatedchimneybetweenthefloors，thateventheexcitementoffearandexertionwassparedthesurvivors。Therewasbewildermentandstupor，butneitheruproarnorconfusion。Peoplefoundthemselveswanderinginthewoods，halfawakeandhalfdressed，havingdescendedfromthebalconiesandleapedfromthewindows，——theyknewnothow。Othersontheupperfloorneitherawokenormovedfromtheirbeds，butweresuffocatedwithoutacry。Fromthefirstaninstinctiveideaofthehopelessnessofcombatingtheconflagrationpossessedthemall；toablind，automaticfeelingtofleethebuildingwasaddedtheslowmechanismofthesomnambulist；
delicatewomenwalkedspeechlessly，butsecurely，alongledgesandroofsfromwhichtheywouldhavefallenbythemerelightofreasonandofday。Therewasnocrowdingorimpedinghasteintheirdumbexodus。ItwasonlywhenMrs。Barkerawokedisheveledinthecourtyard，andwithanhystericaloutcryrushedbackintothehotel，thattherewasanysignofpanic。
Mrs。Horncastle，whowasstandingnear，fullydressedasfromsomenight-longvigil，quicklyfollowedher。Thehalf-franticwomanwasmakingdirectlyforherownapartments，whosewindowsthoseinthecourtyardcouldseewerealreadybelchingsmoke。SuddenlyMrs。
Horncastlestoppedwithabittercryandclaspedherforehead。IthadjustflasheduponherthatMrs。BarkerhadtoldheronlyafewhoursbeforethatStahadbeenremovedwiththenursetotheUPPER
FLOOR！ItwasnottheforgottenchildthatMrs。Barkerwasreturningfor，butherdiamonds！Mrs。Horncastlecalledher；shedidnotreply。Thesmokewasalreadypouringdownthestaircase。
Mrs。Horncastlehesitatedforamomentonly，andthen，drawingalongbreath，dashedupthestairs。Onthefirstlandingshestumbledoversomething——theprostratefigureofthenurse。Butthissavedher，forshefoundthatnearthefloorshecouldbreathemorefreely。Beforeherappearedtobeanopendoor。Shecreptalongtowardsitonherhandsandknees。Thefrightenedcryofachild，awakenedfromitssleepinthedark，gavehernervetorise，entertheroom，anddashopenthewindow。Bytheflashinglightshecouldseealittlefigurerisingfromabed。ItwasSta。
Therewasnotamomenttobelost，fortheopenwindowwasbeginningtodrawthesmokefromthepassage。Luckily，theboy，bysomechildishinstinct，threwhisarmsroundherneckandleftherhandsfree。Whisperinghimtoholdtight，sheclamberedoutofthewindow。Anarrowledgeofcornicescarcelywideenoughforherfeetranalongthehousetoadistantbalcony。Withherbacktothehouseshezigzaggedherfeetalongthecornicetogetawayfromthesmoke，whichnowpoureddirectlyfromthewindow。Thenshegrewdizzy；theweightofthechildonherbosomseemedtobetopplingherforwardtowardstheabyssbelow。Sheclosedhereyes，franticallygraspingthechildwithcrossedarmsonherbreastasshestoodontheledge，until，asseenfrombelowthroughthetwistingsmoke，theymighthaveseemedafigureoftheMadonnaandChildnichedinthewall。Thenavoicefromabovecalledtoher，"Courage！"andshefelttheflapofatwistedsheetloweredfromanupperwindowagainstherface。Shegraspediteagerly；itheldfirmly。Thensheheardacryfrombelow，sawthemcarryingaladder，andatlastwasliftedwithherburdenfromtheledgebypowerfulhands。Thenonlydidsheraisehereyestotheupperwindowwhencehadcomeherhelp。Smokeandflamewerepouringfromit。Theunknownherowhohadsacrificedhisonlychanceofescapetoherremainedforeverunknown……
OnlyfourmilesawaythatnightagroupofmenwerewaitingforthedawnintheshadowofapinenearHeavyTreeBar。AstheskyglowedredlyoverthecrestbetweenthemandHymettus，Hamlinsaid：——
"Anotheroneofthoseforestfires。It’sthissideofBlackSpur，andabigone，Ireckon。"
"Doyouknow，"saidBarkerthoughtfully，"IwasthinkingofthetimetheoldcabinburntuponHeavyTree。Itlookstobeaboutinthesameplace。"
"Hush！"saidStacysharply。
CHAPTERIX。
Anabandonedtunnel——anirregularorificeinthemountainflankwhichlookedlikeadried-upsewerthathaddisgorgedthroughitsopeningtherefuseofthemountaininredslime，gravel，andapeculiarclayknownas"cement，"inafoulstreakdownitsside；anarrowledgeoneitherside，brokenupbyheapsofquartz，tailings，androck，andhalfhiddeninscrub，oak，andmyrtle；adecayingcabinoflogs，bark，andcobblestones——thesemadeuptheexterioroftheMarshallclaim。Tothisdefacementofthemountain，therudeclearingofthicketandunderbrushbyfireorblasting，theloppingoftree-boughsandthedecapitationofsaplings，mightbeaddedthedebrisandruinsofhalf-civilizedoccupancy。Thegroundbeforethecabinwascoveredwithbrokenboxes，tincans，thestavesandbrokenhoopsofcasks，andthecast-offragsofblanketsandclothing。Thewholeclaiminitsunsavory，unpicturesquedetails，anditsvulgarstoryofsordid，reckless，andselfishoccupancyandabandonment，wasafoulblotonthelandscape，whichthefirstrosydawnonlymadethemoreoffending。Surelythelastspotintheworldthatmenshouldquarrelandfightfor！
SothoughtGeorgeBarker，aswithhiscompanionstheymovedinsinglefileslowlytowardsit。Thelittlepartyconsistedonlyofhimself，Demorest，andStacy；MarshallandHamlin——accordingtoaprearrangedplan——werestillinambushtojointhematthefirstappearanceofSteptoeandhisgang。Theclaimwasyetunoccupied；
theyhadsecuredtheirfirstsuccess。Steptoe’sfollowers，unawarethathisdesignhadbeendiscovered，andconfidentthattheycouldeasilyreachtheclaimbeforeMarshallandthesurveyor，hadlingered。SomeofthemhadheldadrunkencarouseattheirrendezvousatHeavyTree。Otherswerestillengagedinprocuringshovelsandpicksandpansfortheirmockequipmentasminers，andthis，again，gaveMarshall’sadherentstheadvantage。THEYknewthattheiropponentswouldprobablyfirstapproachtheemptyclaimencumberedonlywiththeirpeacefulimplements，whiletheythemselveshadbroughttheirrifleswiththem。
Stacy，whobytacitconsentledtheparty，onreachingtheclaimatoncepostedDemorestandBarkereachbehindaseparateheapofquartztailingsontheledge，whichaffordedthemacapitalbreastwork，andstationedhimselfatthemouthofthetunnelwhichwasnearestthetrail。Ithadalreadybeenarrangedwhateachmanwastodo。Theywereinpossession。Fortheresttheymustwait。
Whattheythoughtatthatmomentnooneknew。Theircharacteristicappearancehadslightlychanged。ThemelancholyandphilosophicDemorestwasalertandbitter。Barker’schangefulfacehadbecomefixedandsteadfast。Stacyaloneworehis"fightinglook，"whichtheothershadremembered。
Theyhadnotlongtowait。Thesoundsofrudelaughter，coarseskylarking，andvoicesmoreorlessstillconfusedwithhalf-spentliquorcamefromtherockytrail。AndthenSteptoeappearedwithpartofhisstragglingfollowers，whowerecelebratingtheireasyinvasionbyclatteringtheirpicksandshovelsandbeatingloudlyupontheirtinsandprospecting-pans。Thethreepartnersquicklyrecognizedthestampofthestrangers，inspiteoftheirpeacefulimplements。TheywerethewaifsandstraysofSanFranciscowharves，ofSacramentodens，ofdissolutemountaintowns；andtherewasnot，probably，asingleactualmineramongthem。AragingscornandcontempttookpossessionofBarkerandDemorest，butStacyknewtheirexactvalue。AsSteptoepassedbeforetheopeningofthetunnelheheardthecryof"Halt！
Helookedup。HesawStacynotthirtyyardsbeforehimwithhisrifleathalf-cock。HesawBarkerandDemorest，fullyarmed，risefrombehindtheirbreastworksofrockalongtheledgeandthusfullyoccupytheclaim。Buthesawmore。Hesawthathisplotwasknown。Outlawanddesperadoashewas，hesawthathehadlosthismoralpowerinthisactualpossession，andthatfromthatmomenthemustbetheaggressor。Hesawhewasfightingnoirresponsiblehirelingslikehisown，butmenofpositionandimportance，whoselosswouldmakeastir。Againsttheirriflesthefewrevolversthathismenchancedtohaveslungtothemwereoflittleavail。
Buthewasnotcowed，althoughhisfewfollowersstumbledtogetheratthismomentarycheck，halfangrily，halftimorouslylikewolveswithoutaleader。"Bringuptheothermenandtheirguns，"hewhisperedfiercelytothenearest。ThenhefacedStacy。
"WhoareYOUtostoppeacefulminersgoingtoworkontheirownclaim？"hesaidcoarsely。"I’lltellyouWHO，boys，"headded，suddenlyturningtohismenwithahoarselaugh。"Itain’teventhebank！It’sonlyJimStacy，thatthebankkickedoutyesterdaytosaveitself，——JimStacyandhisbroken-downpals。Andwhat’sthethiefdoinghere——inMarshall’stunnel——theonlyspotthatMarshallcanclaim？Weain’tnoparticularfriendso’Marshall’s，thoughwe’reneighborsonthesameclaim；butweain’tgoingtoseeMarshalloustedbytramps。Arewe，boys？"
"No，byG-d！"saidhisfollowers，droppingthepansandseizingtheirpicksandrevolvers。Theyunderstoodtheappealtoarmsifnottotheirreason。Foraninstantthefightseemedimminent。
Thenavoicefrombehindthemsaid：——
"Youneedn’ttroubleyourselvesaboutthat！I’MMarshall！IsentthesegentlementooccupytheclaimuntilIcameherewiththesurveyor，"andtwomensteppedfromathicketofmyrtleintherearofSteptoeandhisfollowers。Thespeaker，Marshall，wasathin，slight，overworked，over-agedman；hiscompanion，thesurveyor，wasequallyslight，butred-bearded，spectacled，andprofessional-
looking，withalongtraveling-dusterthatmadehimappearevenclerical。TheywerescarcelyaphysicaladditiontoStacy’sparty，whatevermighthavebeentheirmoralandlegalsupport。
ButitwasjustthissupportthatSteptoestrangelyclungtoinhisdesignsforthefuture，andawildideaseizedhim。Thesurveyorwasreallytheonlydisinterestedwitnessbetweenthetwoparties。
IfSteptoecouldconfusehismindbeforetheactualfighting——fromwhichhewould，ofcourse，escapeasanon-combatant——itwouldgofarafterwardstorehabilitateSteptoe’sparty。"Verywell，then，"
hesaidtoMarshall，"Ishallcallthisgentlemantowitnessthatwehavebeenattackedhereinpeaceablepossessionofourpartoftheclaimbythesearmedstrangers，andwhethertheyareactingonyourorderornot，theirbloodwillbeonyourhead。"
"ThenIreckon，"saidthesurveyor，ashetoreawayhisbeard，wig，spectacles，andmustache，andrevealedthefigureofJackHamlin，"thatI’maboutthelastwitnessthatMr。Steptoe-Horncastleoughttocall，andaboutthelastwitnessthatheeverWILLcall！"
ButhehadnotcalculateduponthedesperationofSteptoeoverthefailureofthislasthope。Fortheresprangupintheoutlaw’sbrainthesamehideousideathathevoicedtohiscompanionsattheDivide。Withahoarsecrytohisfollowers，hecrashedhispickaxeintothebrainofMarshall，whostoodnearhim，andsprangforward。
Threeorfourshotswereexchanged。Twoofhismenfell，abulletfromStacy’sriflepiercedSteptoe’sleg，andhedroppedforwardononeknee。Heheardthestepsofhisreinforcementswiththeirweaponscomingclosebehindhim，androlledasideontheslopingledgetoletthempass。Butherolledtoofar。Hefelthimselfslippingdownthemountain-sideintheslimyshootofthetunnel。
Hemadeadesperateattempttorecoverhimself，butthetreacherousdriftoftheloosedebrisrolledwithhim，asifhewerepartofitsrefuse，and，carryinghimdown，lefthimunconscious，butotherwiseuninjured，inthebushesofthesecondledgefivehundredfeetbelow。
Whenherecoveredhissensestheshoutsandoutcriesabovehimhadceased。Heknewhewassafe。Theledgecouldonlybereachedbyacircuitousroutethreemilesaway。Heknew，too，thatifhecouldonlyreachapointofoutcropahundredyardsawayhecouldeasilydescendtothestageroad，downthegentleslopeofthemountainhiddeninagrowthofhazel-brush。Hebounduphiswoundedleg，anddraggedhimselfonhishandsandkneeslaboriouslytotheoutcrop。Hedidnotlookup；sincehispickhadcrashedintoMarshall’sbrainhehadbutoneblindthoughtbeforehim——toescapeatonce！Thathisrevengeandcompensationwouldcomelaterheneverdoubted。Helimpedandcrept，rolledandfell，frombushtobushthroughtheslopingthickets，untilhesawtheredroadafewfeetbelowhim。
Ifheonlyhadahorsehecouldputmilesbetweenhimandanypresentpursuit！Whyshouldhenothaveone？Theroadwasfrequentedbysolitaryhorsemen——minersandMexicans。Hehadhisrevolverwithhim；whatmatteredthelifeofanothermanifheescapedfromtheconsequencesoftheonehehadjusttaken？Heheardtheclatterofhoofs；twopriestsonmulesrodeslowlyby；hegroundhisteethwithdisappointment。Buttheyhadscarcelypassedbeforeanotherandmorerapidclattercamefromtheirrear。Itwasaladonhorseback。Hestarted。Itwashisownson！
Herememberedinaflashhowtheboyhadsaidhewascomingtomeetthepadreatthestationonthatday。Hisfirstimpulsewastohidehimself，hiswound，andhisdefeatfromthelad，buttheblindideaofescapewasstillparamount。Heleanedoverthebankandcalledtohim。Theastonishedladcanteredeagerlytohisside。
"Givemeyourhorse，Eddy，"saidthefather；"I’minbadluck，andmustget。"
Theboyglancedathisfather’sface，athistatteredgarmentsandbandagedleg，andreadthewholestory。Itwasafamiliarpagetohim。Hepaledfirstandthenflushed，andthen，withanoddglitterinhiseyes，said，"Takemewithyou，father。Do！Youalwaysdidbefore。I’llbringyouluck。"
Desperationissuperstitious。Whynottakehim？Theyhadbeenluckybefore，andthetwotogethermightconfoundanydescriptionoftheiridentitytothepursuers。"Helpmeup，Eddy，andthengetupbeforeme。"
"BEHIND，youmean，"saidtheboy，withalaugh，ashehelpedhisfatherintothesaddle。
"No，"saidSteptoeharshly。"BEFOREme，——doyouhear？AndifanythinghappensBEHINDyou，don’tlook！IfIdropoff，don’tstop！Don’tgetdown，butgoonandleaveme。Doyouunderstand？"
herepeatedalmostsavagely。
"Yes，"saidtheboytremulously。
"Allright，"saidthefather，withasoftervoice，ashepassedhisonearmroundtheboy’sbodyandliftedthereins。"Holdtightwhenwecometothecross-roads，forwe’lltakethefirstturn，foroldluck’ssake，totheMission。"
Theywerethelastwordsexchangedbetweenthem，forastheywheeledrapidlytotheleftatthecross-roads，JackHamlinandDemorestswungasquicklyoutofanotherroadtotherightimmediatelybehindthem。Jack’schallengeto"Halt！"wasonlyansweredbySteptoe’shorsespringingforwardunderthesharplashoftheriata。
"Holdup！"saidJacksuddenly，layinghishandupontheriflewhichDemoresthadliftedtohisshoulder。"He’scarryingsomeone，——awoundedcomrade，Ireckon。Wedon’twantHIM。Swingoutandgoforthehorse；wellforward，intheneckorshoulder。"
Demorestswungfarouttotherightoftheroadandraisedhisrifle。AsitcrackedSteptoe’shorseseemedtohavesuddenlystrucksomeobstacleaheadofhimratherthantohavebeenhithimself，forhisheadwentdownwithhisforefeetunderhim，andheturnedahalf-somersaultontheroad，flinginghistworidersadozenfeetaway。
Steptoescrambledtohisknees，revolverinhand，buttheotherfigurenevermoved。"Handsup！"saidJack，sightinghisownweapon。Thereportsseemedsimultaneous，butJack’sbullethadpiercedSteptoe’sbrainevenbeforetheoutlaw’spistolexplodedharmlesslyintheair。
Thetwomendismounted，butbyacommoninstincttheybothrantotheprostratefigurethathadnevermoved。
"ByGod！it’saboy！"saidJack，leaningoverthebodyandliftingtheshouldersfromwhichtheheadhungloosely。"Neckbrokenanddeadashispal。"Suddenlyhestarted，and，toDemorest’sastonishment，beganhurriedlypullingofftheglovefromtheboy’slimprighthand。
"Whatareyoudoing？"demandedDemorestincreepinghorror。
"Look！"saidJack，ashelaidbarethesmallwhitehand。Thefirsttwofingersweremerelyunsightlystumpsthathadbeenhiddeninthepaddedglove。
"GoodGod！VanLoo’sbrother！"saidDemorest，recoiling。
"No！"saidJack，withagrimface，"it’swhatIhavelongsuspected，——it’sSteptoe’sson！"
"Hisson？"repeatedDemorest。
"Yes，"saidJack；andheadded，afterlookingatthetwobodieswithalong-drawnwhistleofconcern，"andIwouldn’t，ifIwereyou，sayanythingofthistoBarker。"
"Why？"saidDemorest。
"Well，"returnedJack，"whenourscrimmagewasoverdownthere，andtheybroughtthenewstoBarkerthathiswifeandherdiamondswereburntupatthehotel，yourememberthattheysaidthatMrs。
Horncastlehadsavedhisboy。"
"Yes，"saidDemorest；"butwhathasthattodowithit？"
"Nothing，Ireckon，"saidJack，withaslightshrugofhisshoulders，"onlyMrs。Horncastlewasthemotheroftheboythat’slyingthere。"……
TwoyearslaterasDemorestandStacysatbeforethefireintheoldcabinonMarshall’sclaim——nowlegallytheirown——theylookedfromthedoorbeyondthegreatbulkofBlackSpurtothepallidsnow-lineoftheSierras，stillasremoteandunchangedtothemaswhentheyhadgazeduponitfromHeavyTreeHill。And，forthematterofthat，theythemselvesseemedtohavebeenleftsounchangedthatevennow，asintheolddays，itwasBarker’svoiceashegreetedthemfromthedarkeningtrailthatalonebroketheirreverie。
"Well，"saidDemorestcheerfully，"yourusualluck，Barkerboy！"
fortheyalreadysawinhisfacethehappylighttheyhadonceseenthereonaneventfulnightsevenyearsago。
"I’mtobemarriedtoMrs。Horncastlenextmonth，"hesaidbreathlessly，"andlittleStalovesheralreadyasifshewashisownmother。Wishmejoy。"
AslightshadowpassedoverStacy’sface；buthishandwasthefirsttograspBarker’s，andhisvoicethefirsttosay"Amen！"