Perhapsitwashisveryinabilitytograspinthatexhaustedstatethefullcomprehensionofthedoctor’smeaning，perhapsbecausethephysicalbenumbingofhisbrainwasstrongerthananymentalexcitement，buthesleptagainuntilthedoctorreappeared。
　　"You’redoingwellenoughnow，colonel，"saidthephysician，afterabriefexaminationofhispatient，"andIthinkwecanaffordtowakeyouupabit，andevenletyoumoveyourarm。You’reluckierthanpoorTomHigbee，whowon’tbeabletosethislegtothefloorforthreeweekstocome。Ihaven’tgotallthebuckshotoutofityetthatJackDumontputtheretheothernight。"
　　Courtlandstartedslightly。JackDumont！ThatwasthenameofSallyDowscousinofwhomChampneyhadspoken！Hehadresolutelyputasidefromhisreturningmemorythehazyrecollectionoftheyounggirl’svoice——thelastthinghehadheardthatnight——andthemysterythatseemedtosurroundit。Buttherewasnodelusioninthiscousin——hisrival，andthatoftheequallydeceivedChampney。
　　Hecontrolledhimselfandrepeatedcoldly：——
　　"JackDumont！"
　　"Yes。Butofcourseyouknewnothingofallthat，whileyouwereoffintheswampthere。Yet，byJingo！itwasDumont’sshootingHigbeethathelpedYOUtogetoffyourniggeradarnedsightmorethanYOURkillingthedogs。"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"returnedCourtlandcoldly。
　　"Well，yousee，Dumont，whohadtakenupNo’th’nprinciples，I
　　reckon，moretogoadtheHigbeesandpleaseSallyDowsthanfromanyconviction，cameoverherethatnight。Whetherhesuspectedanythingwasup，orwantedtodareHigbeeforbedevilment，orwasonlydancingattendanceonMissSally，nooneknows。ButherodeslapintoHighee’sparty，calledout，’Ifyou’reouthunting，Tom，here’sachanceforyourscore！’meaningtheiroldvendettafeud，andbringshisshot—gunuptohisshoulder。Higbeewasn’tquickenough，Dumontletsfly，dropsHigbee，andthengallopsoffchasedbytheReedstoavengeHigbee，andfollowedbythewholecrowdtoseethefun，whichwasalittlebetterthannigger—driving。AndthatletyouandCatoout，colonel。"
　　"AndDumont？"
　　"GotcleanawaytoFoxboro’Station，leavinganotherscoreonhissidefortheReedsandHigbeestowipeoutasbesttheycan。YouNo’th’nmendon’tbelieveinthesesortofthings，colonel，buttakenasastraightdashandhito’raiding，thatstrokeofSallyDows’cousinwasmightyfine！"
　　Courtlandcontrolledhimselfwithdifficulty。Thedoctorhadspokentruly。TheheroofthismiserableaffairwasHERcousin——
　　HISRIVAL！Andtohim——perhapsinfluencedbysomepityingappealofMissSallyforthemanshehaddeceived——Courtlandowedhislife！Heinstinctivelydrewaquick，sharpbreath。
　　"Areyouinpain？"
　　"Notatall。WhencanIgetup？"
　　"Perhapsto—morrow。"
　　"Andthisarm？"
　　"Betternotuseitforaweekortwo。"Hestopped，and，glancingpaternallyattheyoungerman，addedgravelybutkindly："Ifyou’lltakemyunprofessionaladvice，ColonelCourtland，you’llletthismattersimmerdown。Itwon’thurtyouandyouraffairsherethatfolkshavehadatasteofyourquality，andtheniggeralessonthathisfellowswon’tforget。"
　　"Ithankyou，"returnedCourtlandcoldly;"butIthinkIalreadyunderstandmydutytothecompanyIrepresentandtheGovernmentI
　　haveserved。"
　　"Possibly，colonel，"saidthedoctorquietly;"butyou’llletanoldermanremindyouandtheGovernmentthatyoucan’tchangethehabitsorrelationsoftwodistinctracesinafewyears。Yourfriend，MissSallyDows——althoughnotquiteinmywayofthinking——
　　hasneverattemptedTHAT。"
　　"IamfullyawarethatMissDowspossessesdiplomaticaccomplishmentsandgracesthatIcannotlayclaimto，"returnedCourtlandbitterly。
　　Thedoctorliftedhiseyebrowsslightlyandchangedthesubject。
　　Whenhehadgone，Courtlandcalledforwritingmaterials。Hehadalreadymadeuphismind，andonecoursealoneseemedpropertohim。Hewrotetothepresidentofthecompany，detailingthecircumstancesthathadjustoccurred，admittingtheallegedprovocationgivenbyhisoverseer，butpointingouttheterrorismofamob—lawwhichrenderedhisowndisciplineimpossible。HeaskedthatthematterbereportedtoWashington，andsomemeasurestakenfortheprotectionofthefreedmen，inthemeantimehebeggedtotenderhisownresignation，buthewouldstayuntilhissuccessorwasappointed，orthesafetyofhisemployeessecured。
　　Untilthen，heshouldactuponhisownresponsibilityandaccordingtohisjudgment。Hemadenopersonalcharges，mentionednonames，askedfornoexemplaryprosecutionortrialoftheoffenders，butonlydemandedasafeguardagainstarepetitionoftheoffense。Hisnextletter，althoughlessformalandofficial，wasmoredifficult。
　　ItwasaddressedtothecommandantofthenearestFederalbarracks，whowasanoldfriendandformercompanion—in—arms。HealludedtosomeconversationtheyhadpreviouslyexchangedinregardtothepresenceofasmalldetachmentoftroopsatRedlandsduringtheelections，whichCourtlandatthetime，however，haddiplomaticallyopposed。Hesuggesteditnowasamatterofpublicexpediencyandprevention。Whenhehadsealedtheletters，notcaringtoexposethemtotheespionageofthelocalpostmasterorhisordinaryservants，heintrustedthemtooneofMissSally’sownhenchmen，tobepostedatthenextoffice，atBitterCreekStation，tenmilesdistant。
　　Unfortunately，thisdutyaccomplished，thereactionconsequentonhisstillweakphysicalconditionthrewhimbackuponhimselfandhismemory。HehadresolutelyrefusedtothinkofMissSally;hehadbeenabletowithstandthesuggestionsofherinthepresenceofherhandmaid——supposedtobepotentinnursingandherb—lore——
　　whomshehaddetachedtowaituponhim，andhehadreturnedpolitelyformalacknowledgmentstoherinquiries。Hehaddeterminedtocontinuethispersonalavoidanceasfaraspossibleuntilhewasrelieved，onthegroundofthatBUSINESSexpediencywhichtheseeventshadmadenecessary。Shewouldseethathewasonlyacceptingtheargumentswithwhichshehadmethispreviousadvances。Briefly，hehadrecoursetothathopelesslogicbywhichamanprovestohimselfthathehasnoreasonforlovingacertainwoman，andisasincontestablyconvincedbythesameprocessthathehas。Andinthemidstofitheweaklyfellasleep，anddreamedthatheandMissSallywerewalkinginthecemetery;thatahideoussnakeconcealedamongsomelilies，overwhichtheyounggirlwasbending，haduplifteditstriangularheadtostrike。Thatheseizeditbytheneck，struggledwithituntilhewasnearlyexhausted，whenitsuddenlycollapsedandshrunk，leavinginhispalmthelimp，crushed，anddelicatelyperfumedlittlethreadglovewhichherememberedtohaveonceslippedfromherhand。
　　Whenheawoke，thatperfumeseemedtobestillintheair，distinctfromthefreshbuthomelierscentsofthegardenwhichstolethroughthewindow。Asenseofdeliciouscoolnesscamewiththeafternoonbreeze，thatfaintlytrilledtheslantingslatsoftheblindwithaslumberoushummingasofbees。Thegoldengloryofasinkingsouthernsunwaspencilingthecheappaperonthewallwithleafytraceryandglowingarabesques。Butmorethanthat，thecalmofsomepotentinfluence——orsomeunseenpresence——wasuponhim，whichhefearedamovementmightdispel。Thechairatthefootofhisbedwasempty。Sophyhadgoneout。Hedidnotturnhisheadtolookfurther;hislanguideyesfallingaimlesslyuponthecarpetathisbedsidesuddenlydilated。Fortheyfellalsoonthe"smallestfootintheState。"
　　Hestartedtohiselbow，butasofthandwaslaidgentlyyetfirmlyuponhisshoulder，andwithafaintrustleofmuslinskirtsMissSallyrosefromanunseenchairattheheadofhisbed，andstoodbesidehim。
　　"Don’tstir，co’nnle，Ididn’tsitwhereIcouldlookinyo’rfaceforfearofwakingyo’。ButI’llchangeseatsnow。"ShemovedtothechairwhichSophyhadvacated，drewitslightlynearerthebed，andsatdown。
　　"Itwasverykindofyou——tocome，"saidCourtlandhesitatingly，aswithastrongefforthedrewhiseyesawayfromthefascinatingvision，andregainedacertaincoldcomposure，"butIamafraidmyillnesshasbeengreatlymagnified。Ireallyamquitewellenoughtobeupandaboutmybusiness，ifthedoctorwouldpermitit。ButIshallcertainlymanagetoattendtomydutyto—morrow，andIhopetobeatyourservice。
　　"Meaningthatyo’don’tcaretoseemeNOW，co’nnle，"shesaidlightly，withafainttwinkleinherwise，sweeteyes。"Ithoughtofthat，butasmybusinesswouldn’twait，Ibroughtittoyo’。"
　　Shetookfromthefoldsofhergownaletter。Tohisutteramazementitwastheonehehadgivenhisoverseertoposttothecommandantthatmorning。Tohisgreaterindignationthesealwasbroken。
　　"Whohasdared？"hedemanded，halfrising。
　　Herlittlehandwasthrustouthalfdeprecatingly。"Nooneyo’canfight，co’nnle;onlyME。Idon’tgenerallyopenotherfolks’
　　letters，andIwouldn’thavedoneitforMYSELF;Ididforyo’。"
　　"Forme？"
　　"Foryo’。Ireckonedwhatyo’MIGHTdo，andItoldSamtobringME
　　thelettersfirst。Ididn’tmindwhatyo’wrotetothecompany——
　　forthey’lltakecareofyo’，andtheirowneggsareallinthesamebasket。Ididn’topenTHATone，butIdidTHISwhenIsawtheaddress。ItwasasIexpected，andyo’’dgivenyo’selfaway！Forifyo’hadthosesoldiersdownhere，yo’’dhavearow，sure！
　　Don’tmove，co’nnle，YO’maynotcareforthat，it’sinYO’Rline。
　　Butfolkswillsaythatthesoldiersweren’tsenttopreventRIOTING，butthatCo’nnleCourtlandwasusinghisoldcomradestokeeporderonhispropertyatGov’mentexpense。Hol’on！Hol’on！
　　co’nnle，"saidthelittlefigure，risingandwavingitsprettyarmswithamischievoussimulationofterrifieddeprecation。"Don’tshoot！Ofcourseyo’didn’tmeanTHAT，butthat’saboutthewaythatSo’th’nmenwillputittoyo’rGov’ment。For，"shecontinued，moregently，yetwiththeshrewdesttwinkleinhergrayeyes，"ifyo’reallythoughttheniggersmightneedFederalprotection，yo’’dhaveletMEwritetothecommandanttosendanescort——nottoYO，buttoCATO——thatHEmightbeabletocomebackinsafety。Yo’’dhavehadyo’rsoldiers;I’dhavehadbackmynigger，which"——demurely——"yo’don’tseemtoworryyo’selfmuchabout，co’nnle;andthereisn’taSo’th’nmanwouldhaveobjected。
　　But，"stillmoredemurely，andaffectedlysmoothingouthercrispskirtwithherlittlehands，"yo’haven’tbeentroublingmemuchwithyo’rcounsellately。"
　　AswiftandutterlynewcomprehensionsweptoverCourtland。Forthefirsttimeinhisknowledgeofherhesuddenlygraspedwhatwas，perhaps，thetrueconceptionofhercharacter。Lookingatherclearlynow，heunderstoodthemeaningofthosepliantgraces，sounaffectedandyetalwayscontrolledbythereasoningofanunbiasedintellect;herfrankspeechandplausibleintonations！
　　Beforehimstoodthetrue—borndaughterofalongraceofpoliticians！Allthathehadheardoftheirdexterity，tact，andexpediencyrosehereincarnate，withtheaddedgraceofwomanhood。
　　Astrangesenseofrelief——perhapsadawningofhope——stoleoverhim。
　　"ButhowwillthisinsureCato’ssafetyhereafter，orgiveprotectiontotheothers？"hesaid，fixinghiseyesuponher。
　　"Thefuturewon’tconcernYO’much，co’nnle，ifasyo’sayhereyo’rresignationissentin，andyo’rsuccessorappointed，"shereplied，withmoregravitythanshehadpreviouslyshown。
　　"ButyoudonotthinkIwillleaveYOUinthisuncertainty，"hesaidpassionately。Hestoppedsuddenly，hisbrowdarkened。"I
　　forgot，"headdedcoldly，"youwillbewellprotected。Your——
　　COUSIN——willgiveyouthecounselofrace——and——closerties。"
　　Tohisinfiniteastonishment，MissSallyleanedforwardinherchairandburiedherlaughingfaceinbothofherhands。Whenherdimpleshadbecomeagainvisible，shesaidwithaneffort，"Don’tyo’think，co’nnle，thatasapeacemakermycousinwasevenabiggerfailurethanyo’self？"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"stammeredCourtland。
　　"Don’tyo’think，"shecontinued，wipinghereyesdemurely，"thatifayoungwomanaboutmysize，whohadgotperfectlytiredandsickofallthisfussmadeaboutyo’，becauseyo’wereaNo’th’nman，managingniggers——ifthatyoungwomanwantedtoshowherpeoplewhatsortofaradicalandabolitionistaSO’TH’Nmanoftheirownsortmightbecome，she’dhavesentforJackDumontasasample？Eh？Only，Ideclaretogoodness，IneverreckonedthatheandHigbeewouldrevivethetomfoolingofthevendetta，andtaketoshootin’eachotheratonce。"
　　"Andyoursendingforyourcousinwasonlyafeinttoprotectme？"
　　saidCourtlandfaintly。
　　"Perhapshedidn’thavetobeSENTfor，co’nnle，"shesaid，withaslighttouchofcoquetry。"Supposewesay，ILETHIMCOME。He’dbehanginground，forhehaspropertyhere，andwantedtogetmetotakeitupwithmineinthecompany。Iknewwhathisnewviewsandideaswere，andIthoughtI’dbetterconsultChampney——who，beingaforeigner，andanolderresidentthanyo’，wasquiteneutral。Hedidn’thappentotellYO’anythingaboutit——didhe，co’nnle？"sheaddedwithagravemouth，butanindescribabletwinkleinhereyes。
　　Courtland’sfacedarkened。"Hedid——andhefurthertoldme，MissDows，thathehimselfwasyoursuitor，andthatyouhadrefusedhimbecauseoftheobjectionsofyourpeople。"
　　Sheraisedhereyestohisswiftlyanddroppedthem。
　　"Andyo’thinkIoughttohaveacceptedhim？"shesaidslowly。
　　"No！but——youknow——youtoldme"——hebeganhurriedly。Butshehadalreadyrisen，andwasshakingoutthefoldsofherdress。
　　"We’renottalkingBUSINESSco’nnle——andbusinesswasmyonlyexcuseforcominghere，andtakingSophy’splace。I’llsendherintoyo’，now。"
　　"But，MissDows！——MissSally！"
　　Shestopped——hesitated——asingularweaknessforsoself—containedanature——andthenslowlyproducedfromherpocketasecondletter——
　　theonethatCourtlandhaddirectedtothecompany。"Ididn’treadTHISletter，asIjusttoldyo’co’nnle，forIreckonIknowwhat’sinit，butIthoughtI’dbringitwithmetoo，incaseYO’CHANGED
　　YO’RMIND。"
　　Heraisedhimselfonhispillowassheturnedquicklyaway;butinthatsinglevanishingglimpseofherbrightfacehesawwhatneitherhenoranyoneelsehadeverseenuponthefaceofSallyDows——aburningblush！
　　"MissSally！"Healmostleapedfromthebed，butshewasgone。
　　Therewasanotherrustleatthedoor——theentranceofSophy。
　　"Callherback，Sophy，quick！"hesaid。
　　Thenegressshookherturbanedhead。"Notmuch，honey！WhenMissSallysayshegoes——shedonegone，shuah！"
　　"But，Sophy！"Perhapssomethinginthesignificantfaceofthegirltemptedhim;perhapsitwasonlyanimpulseofhisforgottenyouth。"Sophy！"appealingly——"tellme！——isMissSallyengagedtohercousin？"
　　"Watdat？"saidSophyinindignantscorn。"MissSallyengagedtodatDumont！Whatfo’？Yo’’recrazy！No！"
　　"NorChampney？Tellme，Sophy，hassheaLOVER？"
　　ForamomentthewhitesofSophy’seyeswereupliftedinspeechlessscorn。"Yo’askdat！Yo’lyin’darwiddatsnake—bitarm！Yo’
　　lyin’dar，andMissSally——whohasonlytowhistletocalldefustqualityindeStateraounher——comingandgoingherewidyou，andtrottingonyo’rarrants——andyo’askdat！Yes！shehasalover，andwhat’sme’，sheCAN’THELPIT;andyo’’reherlover;andwhat’sme’，YO’can’thelpiteither！Andyo’can’tbackoutofitnow——bo’feofyo’——nebber！Fo’yo’’rehers，andshe’syo’rs——fo’
　　ebber。Forshesuckedyo’blood。"
　　"What！"gaspedCourtland，aghastatwhathebelievedtobethesuddeninsanityofthenegress。
　　"Yes！Whar’syo’reyes？whar’syo’ryears？who’syo’datyo’
　　didn’tseenorheahnuffin？Whendeydraggedyo’outerdeswampdatnight——widdesnake—bitefreshenyo’rarm——didn’tSHE，datpohchile！——datsameMissSally——frowherselfdownonyo’，andputdatbabymoufofherstodewoundandsuckoutdepizenandsabedelifeobyo’atderiskobherown？Say？Andifdey’sanytroofinHoodoo，don’tdatmakeyo’onebloodandonesoul！Goway，whiteman！I’msickofyo’。Stopdar！Liedowndar！Hol’on，co’nnle，formassy’ssake。Well，dar——I’llcallherback！"
　　Andshedid！
　　"Lookhere——don’tyouknow——itrathertookmebysurprise，"saidChampney，afewdayslater，withaheartygripofthecolonel’suninjuredhand;"butIdon’tbearmalice，oldfellow，and，byJove！
　　itwasSUCHasensible，all—round，business—likechoiceforthegirltomakethatnowonderweneverthoughtofitbefore。Hangitall，youseeafellowwasalwayssocertainitwouldbesomethingoutofthewayanddetrimental，don’tyouknow，thatwouldtakethefancyofagirllikethat——somebodylikethatcousinofhersorHigbee，orevenME，byJovethatweneverthoughtoflookingbeyondournoses——neverthoughtoftheBUSINESS！AndYOUallthetimesocoldandsilentandmatter—of—factaboutit！ButIcongratulateyou！You’vegotthebusinessdownonasafebasisnow，andwhat’smore，you’vegottheonewomanwhocanrunit。"
　　Theysayhewasatrueprophet。AtleasttheSyndicateaffairsprospered，andincourseoftimeeventheReedsandtheHigbeesparticipatedinthebenefits。Therewerenomoreracialdisturbances;onlythedistrictspolledapeacefulandSMALLER
　　Democraticmajorityatthenextelection。TherewerenotwantingthosewhoallegedthatColonelCourtlandhadsimplybecomeMRS。
　　COURTLAND’SSUPERINTENDENT;thatshehadabsorbedhimasshehadeveryonewhohadcomeunderherinfluence，andthatshewouldnotrestuntilshehadmadehimaSenator（torepresentMrs。Courtland）
　　inthecouncilsofthenation。ButwhenIlastdinedwiththeminWashington，tenyearsago，Ifoundthembothveryhappyandcomfortable，andIrememberthatMrs。Courtland’sremarksuponFederalandStateinterests，thepropereducationofyounggirls，andthemanagementofthefamily，wereeminentlywiseandpractical。
　　THECONSPIRACYOFMRS。BUNKER。
　　PARTI。
　　OnthenortherlyshoreofSanFranciscoBayalineofbluffsterminatesinapromontory，atwhosebase，formedbythecrumblingdebrisofthecliffabove，thereisanarrowstretchofbeach，saltmeadow，andscruboak。Theabruptwallofrockbehinditseemstoisolateitascompletelyfromthemainlandastheseabeforeitseparatesitfromtheoppositeshore。InspiteofitscontiguitytoSanFrancisco，——oppositealso，buthiddenbythesharpre—
　　enteringcurveofcoast，——thelocalitywaswild，uncultivated，andunfrequented。Asolitaryfisherman’scabinhalfhiddenintherockswastheonlytraceofhabitation。Whitedriftsofsea—gullsandpelicanacrossthefaceofthecliff，graycloudsofsandpipersrisingfromthebeach，thedrippingflightofducksoverthesaltmeadows，andtheoccasionalsplashofasealfromtherocks，weretheonlysignsoflifethatcouldbeseenfromthedecksofpassingships。Andyetthefisherman’scabinwasoccupiedbyZephasBunkerandhisyoungwife，andhehadsucceededinwrestingfromthehardsoilpasturageforacowandgoats，whilehislateen—sailedfishing—boatoccasionallyrodequietlyintheshelteredcovebelow。
　　ThreeyearsagoZephasBunker，anex—whaler，hadfoundhimselfstrandedonaSanFranciscowharfandhad"hiredout"toasmallPetalumafarmer。Attheendofayearhehadacquiredlittletasteforthefarmer’sbusiness，butconsiderableforthefarmer’syouthfuldaughter，who，equallywearyofsmallagriculture，hadconsentedtoelopewithhiminordertoescapeit。TheyweremarriedatOakland;heputhisscantearningsintoafishing—boat，discoveredthesiteforhiscabin，andbroughthisbridethither。
　　Thenoveltyofthechangepleasedher，althoughperhapsitwasbutlittleadvanceonherprevioushumbleposition。Yetshepreferredherpresentfreedomtothebarerestrictedhomelifeofherpast;
　　theperpetualpresenceoftherestlessseawasarelieftotheoldmonotonyofthewheatfieldanditsisolateddrudgery。ForMary’syouthfulfancy，thinlysustainedinchildhoodbythelightestliteraryfood，hadneitherbeenstimulatednordisillusionedbyhermarriage。Thatpracticalexperiencewhichisusuallytheendofgirlishromancehadleftherstillachildinsentiment。Thelongabsencesofherhusbandinhisfishing—boatkeptherfromwearyingoforevenknowinghisolderandunequalcompanionship;itgaveherafreedomhergirlhoodhadneverknown，yetaddedaprotectionthatsuitedherstillchildishdependency，whileittickledherpridewithitsequality。Whennotengagedinhereasyhouseholddutiesinherthree—roomedcottage，orthecareofherrockygardenpatch，shefoundtimeenoughtoindulgeherfancyoverthemysterioushazethatwrappedtheinvisiblecitysonearandyetunknowntoher;inthesailsthatslippedinandoutoftheGoldenGate，butofwhosedestinationsheknewnothing;andinthelongsmoketrailofthemailsteamerwhichhadyetbroughthernomessage。Likealldwellersbythesea，herfaceandherthoughtsweremorefrequentlyturnedtowardsit;andaswiththem，italsoseemedtoherthatwhateverchangewascomingintoherlifewouldcomeacrossthatvastunknownexpanse。ButitwasherethatMrs。Bunkerwasmistaken。
　　Ithadbeenasparklingsummermorning。Thewaveswererunningbeforethedrynorthwesttradewindswithcrystallinebutcolorlessbrilliancy。Shelteredbythehigh，northerlybluff，thehouseanditsgardenwereexposedtotheuntemperedheatofthecloudlesssunrefractedfromtherockywallbehindit。Sometarpaulinandropeslyingamongtherockswerestickyandodorous;thescruboaksandmanzanitabushesgaveoutthearomaofbakingwood;occasionallyafaintpot—pourrifragrancefromthehotwildrosesandbeachgrasswasblownalongtheshore;eventhelingeringodorsofBunker’svocation，andofMrs。Bunker’scooking，wereidealizedandrefinedbythesalinebreathoftheseaatthedoorsandwindows。Mrs。
　　Bunker，inthedazzlingsun，bendingoverherpeasandlettuceswithasmallhoe，feltthecomfortofherbrownhollandsunbonnet。
　　Secureinherisolation，sheunbuttonedtheneckofhergownforair，anddidnotputupthestrandofblackhairthathadescapedoverhershoulder。Itwasveryhotintheleeofthebluff，andveryquietinthatstillair。Soquietthatsheheardtwodistinctreports，followingeachotherquickly，butveryfaintandfar。
　　Sheglancedmechanicallytowardsthesea。Twomerchant—meninmidstreamwereshakingouttheirwingsforalongflight，apilotboatandcoastingschoonerwereroundingthepoint，buttherewasnosmokefromtheirdecks。Shebentoverherworkagain，andinanothermomenthadforgottenit。Buttheheat，withthedazzlingreflectionfromthecliff，forcedhertosuspendhergardening，andstrollalongthebeachtotheextremelimitofherdomain。Hereshelookedafterthecowthathadalsostrayedawaythroughthetangledbushforcoolness。Thegoats，impervioustotemperature，werebaskingininaccessiblefastnessesonthecliffitselfthatmadehereyesachetoclimb。Overanhourpassed，shewasreturning，andhadnearedherhouse，whenshewassuddenlystartledtoseethefigureofamanbetweenherandthecliff。Hewasengagedinbrushinghisdustyclotheswithahandkerchief，andalthoughhesawhercoming，andevenmovedslowlytowardsher，continuedhisoccupationwithahalf—impatient，half—abstractedair。Herfeminineperceptionwasstruckwiththecircumstancethathewasindeepblack，withscarcelyagleamofwhiteshowingevenathisthroat，andthatheworeatallblackhat。Withoutknowinganythingofsocialcustoms，itseemedtoherthathisdresswasinconsistentwithhisappearancethere。
　　"Good—morning，"hesaid，liftinghishatwithapreoccupiedair。
　　"Doyoulivehere？"
　　"Yes，"shesaidwonderingly。
　　"Anybodyelse？"
　　"Myhusband。"
　　"Imeananyotherpeople？Arethereanyotherhouses？"hesaidwithaslightimpatience。
　　"No。"
　　Helookedatherandthentowardsthesea。"Iexpectsomefriendswhoarecomingformeinaboat。Isupposetheycanlandeasilyhere？"
　　"Didn’tyouyourselflandherejustnow？"shesaidquickly。
　　Hehalfhesitated，andthen，asifscorninganequivocation，madeahastygestureoverhershoulderandsaidbluntly，"No，Icameoverthecliff。"
　　"Downthecliff？"sherepeatedincredulously。
　　"Yes，"hesaid，glancingathisclothes;"itwasaroughscramble，butthegoatsshowedmetheway。"
　　"Andyouwereuponthebluffallthetime？"shewentoncuriously。
　　"Yes。Yousee——I"——hestoppedsuddenlyatwhatseemedtobethebeginningofaprearrangedandplausibleexplanation，asifimpatientofitsweaknessorhypocrisy，andsaidbriefly，"Yes，I
　　wasthere。"
　　Likemostwomen，moreobservantofhisfaceandfigure，shedidnotmissthislackofexplanation。Hewasaverygood—lookingmanofmiddleage，withathin，proud，high—bredface，whichinacountryofbeardedmenhadthefurtherdistinctionofbeingsmoothlyshaven。Shehadneverseenanyonelikehimbefore。Shethoughthelookedlikeanillustrationofsomenovelshehadread，butalsosomewhatmelancholy，worn，andtired。
　　"Won’tyoucomeinandrestyourself？"shesaid，motioningtothecabin。
　　"Thankyou，"hesaid，stillhalfabsently。"PerhapsI’dbetter。
　　Itmaybesometimeyetbeforetheycome。"
　　Sheledthewaytothecabin，enteredthelivingroom——aplainlyfurnishedlittleapartmentbetweenthebedroomandthekitchen——
　　pointedtoalargebambooarmchair，andplacedabottleofwhiskeyandsomewateronthetablebeforehim。Hethankedheragainverygently，pouredoutsomespiritsinhisglass，andmixeditwithwater。Butwhensheglancedtowardshimagainhehadapparentlyrisenwithouttastingit，andgoingtothedoorwasstandingtherewithhishandinthebreastofhisbuttonedfrockcoat，gazingsilentlytowardsthesea。Therewassomethingvaguelyhistoricalinhisattitude——orwhatshethoughtmightbehistorical——asofsomebodyofgreatimportancewhohadhaltedontheeveofsomegreateventatthedoorofherhumblecabin。
　　Hisapparentunconsciousnessofherandofhissurroundings，hispreoccupationwithsomethingfarbeyondherken，farfrompiquingher，onlyexcitedherinterestthemore。Andthentherewassuchanoddsadnessinhiseyes。
　　"Areyouanxiousforyourfolks’coming？"shesaidatlast，followinghisoutlook。
　　"I——ohno！"hereturned，quicklyrecallinghimself，"they’llbesuretocome——soonerorlater。Nofearofthat，"headded，halfsmilingly，halfwearily。
　　Mrs。Bunkerpassedintothekitchen，where，whileapparentlyattendingtoherhouseholdduties，shecouldstillobservehersingularguest。Leftalone，heseatedhimselfmechanicallyinthechair，andgazedfixedlyatthefireplace。Heremainedalongtimesoquietandunmoved，inspiteofthemarkedostentatiousclatterMrs。Bunkerfounditnecessarytomakewithherdishes，thatanoddfancythathewasscarcelyahumanvisitantbegantotakepossessionofher。Yetshewasnotfrightened。Sheremembereddistinctlyafterwardsthat，farfromhavinganyconcernforherself，shewasonlymovedbyastrangeandvagueadmirationofhim。
　　Butherprolongedscrutinywasnotwithouteffect。Suddenlyheraisedhisdarkeyes，andshefeltthempiercetheobscurityofherkitchenwithaquick，suspicious，impatientpenetration，whichastheymethersgaveway，however，toalookthatshethoughtwasgentlyreproachful。Thenherose，stretchedhimselftohisfullheight，andapproachingthekitchendoorleanedlistlesslyagainstthedoor—post。
　　"Idon’tsupposeyouareeverlonelyhere？"
　　"No，sir。"
　　"Ofcoursenot。Youhaveyourselfandhusband。Nobodyinterfereswithyou。Youarecontentedandhappytogether。"
　　Mrs。Bunkerdidnotsay，whatwasthefact，thatshehadneverbeforeconnectedthesolecompanionshipofherhusbandwithherhappiness。Perhapsithadneveroccurredtoheruntilthatmomenthowlittleithadtodowithit。Sheonlysmiledgratefullyatthechangeinherguest’sabstraction。
　　"DoyouoftengotoSanFrancisco？"hecontinued。
　　"Ihaveneverbeenthereatall。SomedayIexpectwewillgotheretolive。"
　　"Iwouldn’tadviseyouto，"hesaid，lookingathergravely。"I
　　don’tthinkitwillpayyou。You’llneverbehappythereashere。
　　You’llneverhavetheindependenceandfreedomyouhavehere。
　　You’llneverbeyourownmistressagain。ButhowdoesithappenyouneverwereinSanFrancisco？"hesaidsuddenly。
　　Ifhewouldnottalkofhimself，hereatleastwasachanceforMrs。Bunkertosaysomething。SherelatedhowherfamilyhademigratedfromKansasacrosstheplainsandhadtakenupa"location"atContraCosta。Howshedidn’tcareforit，andhowshecametomarrytheseafaringmanwhobroughtherhere——allwithgreatsimplicityandfranknessandasunreservedlyastoasuperiorbeing——albeithisattentionwanderedattimes，andararebutmelancholysmilethathehadapparentlyevokedtomeetherconversationaladvancesbecamefixedoccasionally。Evenhisdarkeyes，whichhadobligedMrs。Bunkertoputupherhairandbuttonhercollar，resteduponherwithoutseeingher。
　　"Thenyourhusband’snameisBunker？"hesaidwhenshepausedatlast。"That’soneofthoseNantucketQuakernames——sailorsandwhalersforgenerations——andyours，yousay，wasMacEwan。Well，Mrs。Bunker，YOURfamilycamefromKentuckytoKansasonlylately，thoughIsupposeyourfathercallshimselfaFree—Statesman。Yououghttoknowsomethingoffarmingandcattle，foryourancestorswereoldScotchCovenanterswhoemigratedahundredyearsago，andweregreatstockraisers。"
　　Allthisseemedonlythenaturalomniscienceofasuperiorbeing。
　　AndMrs。Bunkerperhapswasnotpainedtolearnthatherhusband’sfamilywasofalowerdegreethanherown。Butthestranger’sknowledgedidnotendthere。Hetalkedofherhusband’sbusiness——
　　heexplainedthevastfishingresourcesofthebayandcoast。HeshowedherhowthelargecolonyofItalianfishermenwereinimicaltotheinterestsofCaliforniaandtoherhusband——particularlyasanativeAmericantrader。Hetoldherofthevolcanicchangesofthebayandcoastline，oftheformationoftherockyledgeonwhichshelived。HepointedouttoheritsvaluetotheGovernmentfordefensivepurposes，andhowitnaturallycommandedtheentranceoftheGoldenGatefarbetterthanFortPoint，andthatitoughttobeinitshands。IftheFederalGovernmentdidnotbuyitofherhusband，certainlytheStateofCaliforniashould。Andherehefellintoanabstractionasdeepandasgloomyasbefore。Hewalkedtothewindow，pacedthefloorwithhishandinhisbreast，wenttothedoor，andfinallysteppedoutofthecabin，movingalongtheledgeofrockstotheshore，wherehestoodmotionless。
　　Mrs。Bunkerhadlistenedtohimwithpartedlipsandeyesofeloquentadmiration。ShehadneverbeforeheardanyonetalklikeTHAT——shehadnotbelieveditpossiblethatanyonecouldhavesuchknowledge。Perhapsshecouldnotunderstandallhesaid，butshewouldtrytorememberitafterhehadgone。Shecouldonlythinknowhowkinditwasofhimthatinallthismysteryofhiscoming，andinthesingularsadnessthatwasoppressinghim，heshouldtrytointeresther。Andthuslookingathim，andwondering，anideacametoher。
　　Shewentintoherbedroomandtookdownherhusband’sheavypilotovercoatandsou’wester，andhandedthemtoherguest。
　　"You’dbetterputthemonifyou’regoingtostandthere，"shesaid。
　　"ButIamnotcold，"hesaidwonderingly。
　　"ButyoumightbeSEEN，"shesaidsimply。Itwasthefirstsuggestionthathadpassedbetweenthemthathispresencetherewasasecret。Helookedatherintently，thenhesmiledandsaid，"I
　　thinkyou’reright，formanyreasons，"putthepilotcoatoverhisfrockcoat，removedhishatwiththegestureofabow，handedittoher，andplacedthesou’westerinitsstead。Thenforaninstanthehesitatedasifabouttospeak，butMrs。Bunker，withadelicacythatshecouldnotherselfcomprehendatthemoment，hurriedbacktothecabinwithoutgivinghimanopportunity。
　　Nordidsheagainintrudeuponhismeditations。Hiddeninhisdisguise，whichtohereyesdidnot，however，seemtoconcealhischaracteristicfigure，hewanderedfornearlyanhourunderthebluffandalongtheshore，returningatlastalmostmechanicallytothecabin，where，obliviousofhissurroundings，hereseatedhimselfinsilencebythetablewithhischeekrestingonhishand。
　　Presently，herquick，experiencedeardetectedthesoundofoarsintheirrow—locks;shecouldplainlyseefromherkitchenwindowasmallboatwithtwostrangersseatedatthesternbeingpulledtotheshore。Withthesamestrangeinstinctofdelicacy，shedeterminednottogooutlestherpresencemightembarrassherguest’sreceptionofhisfriends。Butassheturnedtowardsthelivingroomshefoundhehadalreadyrisenandwasremovinghishatandpilotcoat。Shewasstruck，however，bythecircumstancethatnotonlydidheexhibitnofeelingofreliefathisdeliverance，butthatahalf—cynical，half—savageexpressionhadtakentheplaceofhisformermelancholy。Ashewenttothedoor，thetwogentlemenhastilyclambereduptherockstogreethim。
　　"Jimreckoneditwasyouhangin’roundtherocks，butIcouldn’ttellatthatdistance。Seemedyouborrowedahatandcoat。Well——
　　it’sallfixed，andwe’venotimetolose。There’sacoastingsteamerjustdroppingdownbelowtheHeads，anditwilltakeyouaboard。ButIcantellyouyou’vekickedupah—llofarowoverthere。"Hestopped，evidentlyatsomesignfromherguest。Therestoftheman’sspeechfollowedinahurriedwhisper，whichwasstoppedagainbythevoicesheknew。"No。Certainlynot。"Thenextmomenthistallfigurewasdarkeningthedoorofthekitchen;
　　hishandwasoutstretched。"Good—by，Mrs。Bunker，andmanythanksforyourhospitality。Myfriendshere，"heturnedgrimlytothemenbehindhim，"thinkIoughttoaskyoutokeepthisasecretevenfromyourhusband。IDON’T！TheyalsothinkthatIoughttoofferyoumoneyforyourkindness。IDON’T！Butifyouwillhonormebykeepingthisringinremembranceofit"——hetookaheavysealringfromhisfinger——"it’stheonlybitofjewelryIhaveaboutme——I’llbeveryglad。Good—by！"Shefeltforamomentthefirm，softpressureofhislong，thinfingersaroundherown，andthen——
　　hewasgone。Thesoundofretreatingoarsgrewfainterandfainterandwaslost。Thesamereserveofdelicacywhichnowappearedtoherasadutykeptherfromgoingtothewindowtowatchthedestinationoftheboat。No，heshouldgoashecame，withouthersupervisionorknowledge。
　　Nordidshefeellonelyafterwards。Onthecontrary，thesilenceandsolitudeoftheisolateddomainhadanewcharm。Theykeptthememoryofherexperienceintact，andenabledhertorefillitwithhispresence。Shecouldseehistallfigureagainpausingbeforehercabin，withouttheincongruousassociationofanotherpersonality;shecouldhearhisvoiceagain，unmingledwithonemorefamiliar。Forthefirsttime，theregularabsenceofherhusbandseemedanessentialgoodfortuneinsteadofanaccidentoftheirlife。FortheexperiencebelongedtoHER，andnottohimandhertogether。Hecouldnotunderstandit;hewouldhaveacteddifferentlyandspoiledit。Sheshouldnottellhimanythingofit，inspiteofthestranger’ssuggestion，which，ofcourse，hehadonlymadebecausehedidn’tknowZephasaswellasshedid。ForMrs。Bunkerwasgettingonrapidly;itwasherfirstadmissionoftheconjugalknowledgethatone’shusbandisinferiortotheoutsideestimateofhim。Thenextstep——thebeliefthathewasdeceivingHERashewasTHEM——wouldbecomparativelyeasy。
　　Norshouldsheshowhimthering。Thestrangerhadcertainlyneversaidanythingaboutthat！Itwasaheavyring，withahelmetedheadcarvedonitsredcarnelianstone，andwhatlookedlikestrangelettersaroundit。Itfittedherthirdfingerperfectly;
　　butHISfingersweresmall，andhehadtakenitfromhislittlefinger。Sheshouldkeepitherself。Ofcourse，ifithadbeenmoney，shewouldhavegivenittoZephas;butthestrangerknewthatshewouldn’ttakemoney。Howfirmlyhehadsaidthat"I
　　don’t！"Shefeltthewarmbloodflytoherfreshyoungfaceatthethoughtofit。Hehadunderstoodher。Shemightbelivinginapoorcabin，doingallthehouseworkherself，andherhusbandonlyafisherman，buthehadtreatedherlikealady。
　　Andsotheafternoonpassed。TheoutlyingfogbegantorollinattheGoldenGate，obliteratingtheheadlandandstretchingafleecybaracrossthechannelasifshuttingoutfromvulgareyesthewaythathehadgone。Nightfell，butZephashadnotyetcome。Thiswasunusual，forhewasgenerallyasregularastheafternoon"trades"whichblewhimthere。Therewasnothingtodetainhiminthisweatherandatthisseason。Shebegantobevaguelyuneasy;
　　thenalittleangryatthisnewdevelopmentofhisincompatibility。
　　Thenitoccurredtoher，forthefirsttimeinherwifehood，tothinkwhatshewoulddoifhewerelost。Yet，inspiteofsomepain，terror，andperplexityatthepossibility，herdominantthoughtwasthatshewouldbeafreewomantoorderherlifeassheliked。
　　Itwasaftertenbeforehislateensailflappedinthelittlecove。
　　Shewaswaitingtoreceivehimontheshore。Hisgood—humoredhirsutefacewasslightlyapologeticinexpression，butflushedanddisturbedwithsomenewexcitementtowhichanextraglassortwoofspiritshadapparentlyaddedintensity。Thecontrastbetweenhisevidentindulgenceandthepreviousabstemiousnessofherlategueststruckherunpleasantly。"Well——Ideclare，"shesaidindignantly，"soTHAT’Swhatkeptyou！"
　　"No，"hesaidquickly;"there’sbeenawfultimesoverin’Frisco！
　　Everybodyjustwild，andtheVigilanceCommitteeinsession。JoHenderson’skilled！ShotbyWynyardMarioninaduel！He’llbelynched，sureasagun，iftheyketchhim。"
　　"ButIthoughtmenwhofoughtduelsalwayswentfree。"
　　"Yes，butthisain’tnocommonduel;theysaythewholethingwasplannedbeforehandbythemSouthernfire—eaterstogetrido’
　　Hendersonbecausehe’saNorthernmanandanti—slavery，andthattheypickedoutColonelMariontodoitbecausehewasadeadshot。
　　TheygothimtoinsultHenderson，sohewasboundtochallengeMarion，andthatgiv’Marionthechyceofweppings。Itwasareg’larputupjobtokillhim。"
　　"Andwhat’sallthistodowithyou？"sheasked，withirritation。
　　"Holdon，won’tyou！andI’lltellyou。Iwaspickin’upnetsoffSaucelitoaboutnoon，whenIwashailedbyoneofthemVigilancetugs，andtheysetmetostandoffandontheshoreandwatchthatMariondidn’tgetaway，whiletheywerescoutin’inland。YeseeTHEDUELTOOKPLACEJUSTOVERTHEBLUFFTHERE——BEHINDYE——andtheyallowedthatMarionhadstruckawaynorthforMendocinototakeshipthere。Forafteroverhaulin’hissecond’sboat，theyfoundoutthattheyhadcomeawayfromSaucelitoALONE。ButtheysentatugaroundbyseatoMendocinotoheadhimoffthere，whilethey’reclosin’inaroundhiminland。They’reboundtocatchhimsoonerorlater。Butyouain’tlistenin’，Mollie？"
　　Shewas——ineveryfibre——butwithherheadturnedtowardsthewindow，andtheinvisibleGoldenGatethroughwhichthefugitivehadescaped。Forshesawitallnow——thatgloriousvision——herhigh—bred，handsomeguestandWynyardMarionwereoneandthesameperson。Andthisrough，commonplacemanbeforeher——herownhusband——hadbeenbaselysettocapturehim！
　　PARTII。
　　DuringthateveningandthenextMrs。Bunker，withoutbetrayinghersecret，orexcitingtheleastsuspiciononthepartofherhusband，managedtoextractfromhimnotonlyaroughdescriptionofMarionwhichtalliedwithherownimpressions，butashorthistoryofhiscareer。HewasafamouspoliticianwhohadheldhighofficeintheSouth;hewasanaccomplishedlawyer;hehadservedinthearmy;hewasafieryspeaker;hehadasingularcommandofmen。Hewasunmarried，buttherewerequeerstoriesofhisrelationswithsomeofthewivesofprominentofficials，andtherewasnodoubtthatheusedtheminsomeofhispoliticalintrigues。He，Zephas，wouldbetsomethingthatitwasawomanwhohadhelpedhimoff！Didshespeak？
　　Yes，shehadspoken。Itmadehersicktositthereandhearsuchstories！Becauseamandidnotagreewithsomepeopleinpoliticsitwasperfectlyawfultothinkhowtheywouldabusehimandtakeawayhischaracter！Menweresoawfullyjealous，too;ifanothermanhappenedtobesuperiorandfine—lookingtherewasn’tanythingbadenoughforthemtosayabouthim！No！shewasn’taslaverysympathizereither，andhadn’tanythingtodowithmanpolitics，althoughshewasaSouthernwoman，andtheMacEwanshadcomefromKentuckyandownedslaves。Ofcourse，he，Zephas，whoseancestorswereCapeCodQuakersandhadalwaysbeensailors，couldn’tunderstand。Shedidnotknowwhathemeantbysaying"whatalongtailourcat’sgot，"butifhemeanttocallheracat，andwasgoingtousesuchlanguagetoher，hehadbetterhavestayedinSanFranciscowithhisVigilancefriends。AndperhapsitwouldhavebeenbetterifhehadstayedtherebeforehetookherawayfromherparentsatMartinez。Thenshewouldn’thavebeenleftonadesertrockwithoutanychanceofseeingtheworld，orevermakinganyfriendsoracquaintances！
　　Itwastheirfirstquarrel。DiscreetlymadeupbyMrs。Bunkerinsomealarmatbetrayingherself;honestlyforgivenbyZephasinarude，remorsefulconsciousnessofherlimitedlife。Oneortwonightslater，whenhereturned，itwaswithamingledairofmysteryandsatisfaction。"Well，Mollie，"hesaidcheerfully，"itlooksasifyourpetswerenotasbadasIthoughtthem。"
　　"Mypets！"repeatedMrs。Bunker，withafaintrisingofcolor。
　　"Well，IcalltheseSouthernChivsyourpets，Mollie，becauseyoustuckupforthemsotheothernight。Butnevermindthatnow。
　　Whatdoyousupposehashappened？JimRider，youknow，theSouthernbankerandspeculator，who’saregularbigInjinamongthe’Chivs，’hesentCapSimmonsdowntothewharfwhileIwasunloadin’tocomeupandseehim。Well，Iwent，andwhatdoy’uthink？Hetoldmehewasgettin’upanAmericanFishin’Company，andwantedmetotakechargeofafirst—classschooneronshares。
　　Saidheheardofmeafore，andknewIwasanAmericanandawhiteman，andjustthechapezcouldknockthemEytaliansouterthemarket。"
　　"Yes，"interruptedMrs。Bunkerquickly，butemphatically，"thefishinginterestoughttobeAmericanandprotectedbytheState，withregularchartersandtreaties。"
　　"Isay，Mollie，"saidherastonishedbutadmiringhusband，"you’vebeenreadin’thepapersorlistenin’tostumpspeakin’sure。"
　　"Goon，"returnedMrs。Bunkerimpatiently，"andsaywhathappenednext。"
　　"Well，"returnedZephas，"Ifirstthought，yousee，thatithadsuthin’todowiththatMarionbusiness，particklerlyezfolksallowedhewashidin’somewhereyet，andtheywantedmetorunhimoff。SoIthoughtRidermightaswellknowthatIwasn’ttobebribed，soIupsandtellshimhowI’dbeenlyin’offSaucelitotheotherdayworkin’fortheothersideaginhim。Withthathelaughs，sayshedidn’twantanybetterfriendsthanme，butthatI
　　mustbelivin’inthebackwoodsnottoknowthatWynyardMarionhadescaped，andwasthenatseaonhiswaytoMexicoorCentralAmerica。Thenweagreedtoterms，andthelongandshortofitis，Mollie，thatI’mtohavetheschoonerwithahundredandfiftydollarsamonth，andtenpercent。sharesafterayear！Lookslikebiz，eh，Mollie，oldgirl？butyoudon’tseempleased。"
　　Shehadputasidethearmwithwhichhewasdrawinghertohim，andhadturnedherwhitefaceawaytothewindow。SoHEhadgone——thisstranger——thisonefriendofherlife——shewouldneverseehimagain，andallthatwouldevercomeofitwasthispecuniarybenefittoherhusband，whohaddonenothing。Hewouldnotevenofferhermoney，buthehadmanagedtopayhisdebttoherinthiswaythattheirvulgarpovertywouldappreciate。Andthiswastheendofherdream！
　　"Youdon’tseemtotakeitin，Mollie，"continuedthesurprisedZephas。"Itmeansahousein’Friscoandalittlecabinforyouontheschoonerwhenyoulike。"
　　"Idon’twantit！Iwon’thaveit！Ishallstayhere，"sheburstoutwithahalf—passionate，half—childishcry，andranintoherbedroom，leavingtheastonishedZephashelplessinhisawkwardconsternation。
　　"ByGum！Imusttakeherto’Friscorightoff，orshe’llbehavin’
　　thehighstrikesherealone。Ioughterknoweditwouldcometothis！"Butalthoughheconsulted"Cap"Simmonsthenextday，whoinformedhimitwasallwoman’swayswhen"struck，"andadvisedhimtopayoutallthelinehecouldatsuchdelicatemoments，shehadnorecurrenceoftheoutbreak。Onthecontrary，fordaysandweeksfollowingsheseemedcalmer，older，andmore"growedup;"althoughsheresistedchangingherseashoredwellingforSanFrancisco，sheaccompaniedhimononeortwoofhis"deepsea"tripsdownthecoast，andseemedhappierontheirsouthernlimits。Shehadtakentoreadingthepoliticalpapersandspeeches，andsomecheapAmericanhistories。CaptainBunker’screw，profoundlyconvincedthattheirskipper’swifewasa"woman’srights"fanatic，withthebalefulqualitiesof"sealawyer"superadded，marveledathisbringingher。
　　ItwasonreturninghomefromoneofthesetripsthattheytouchedbrieflyatSanFrancisco，wheretheSecretaryoftheFishingCompanycameonboard。Mrs。BunkerwasstartledtorecognizeinhimoneofthetwogentlemenwhohadtakenMr。Marionoffintheboat，butashedidnotappeartorecognizeherevenafteranawkwardintroductionbyherhusband，shewouldhaverecoveredherequanimitybutforasingularincident。Asherhusbandturnedmomentarilyaway，theSecretary，withasignificantgesture，slippedaletterintoherhand。Shefeltthebloodrushtoherfaceas，withasmile，hemovedawaytofollowherhusband。Shecamedowntothelittlecabinandimpatientlytoreopentheenvelope，whichborenoaddress。Asmallfoldednotecontainedthefollowinglines：——
　　"Ineverintendedtoburdenyouwithmyconfidence，butthediscretion，tact，andcourageyoudisplayedonourfirstmeeting，andwhatIknowofyourloyaltysince，havepromptedmetotrustmyselfagaintoyourkindness，eventhoughyouarenowawarewhomyouhavehelped，andtherisksyouran。Myfriendswishtocommunicatewithmeandtoforwardtome，fromtimetotime，certainpapersofimportance，which，owingtothetyrannicalespionageoftheGovernment，wouldbediscoveredandstoppedinpassingthroughtheexpressorpost—office。Thesepaperswillbeleftatyourhouse，buthereImusttrustentirelytoyourwitandjudgmentastothewayinwhichtheyshouldbedeliveredtomyagentatthenearestMexicanport。Tofacilitateyouraction，yourhusbandwillreceivedirectionstopursuehiscourseasfarsouthasTodosSantos，whereaboatwillbereadytotakechargeofthemwhenheissighted。IknowIamaskingagreatfavor，butIhavesuchconfidenceinyouthatIdonotevenaskyoutocommityourselftoareplytothis。IfitcanbedoneIknowthatyouwilldoit;ifitcannot，Iwillunderstandandappreciatethereasonwhy。Iwillonlyaskyouthatwhenyouarereadytoreceivethepapersyouwillflyasmallredpennantfromthelittleflagstaffamongtherocks。Believeme，yourfriendandgratefuldebtor，"W。M。"