\"Twothousanddollarsingold，andfiveinnotes。\"
\"Thatwilldo。Ihaveasmuchmoretoaddtoit。WemustpushforCarsonCitythroughthemountains。YouhadbestwakeLucy。Itisaswellthattheservantsdonotsleepinthehouse。\"
WhileFerrierwasabsent，preparinghisdaughterfortheapproachingjourney，JeffersonHopepackedalltheeatablesthathecouldfindintoasmallparcel，andfilledastonewarejarwithwater，forheknewbyexperiencethatthemountainwellswerefewandfarbetween。Hehadhardlycompletedhisarrangementsbeforethefarmerreturnedwithhisdaughteralldressedandreadyforastart。Thegreetingbetweentheloverswaswarm，butbrief，forminuteswereprecious，andtherewasmuchtobedone。
\"Wemustmakeourstartatonce，\"saidJeffersonHope，speakinginalowbutresolutevoice，likeonewhorealizesthegreatnessoftheperil，buthassteeledhishearttomeetit。\"Thefrontandbackentrancesarewatched，butwithcautionwemaygetawaythroughthesidewindowandacrossthefields。OnceontheroadweareonlytwomilesfromtheRavinewherethehorsesarewaiting。Bydaybreakweshouldbehalf-waythroughthemountains。\"
\"Whatifwearestopped，\"askedFerrier。
Hopeslappedtherevolverbuttwhichprotrudedfromthefrontofhistunic。\"Iftheyaretoomanyforusweshalltaketwoorthreeofthemwithus，\"hesaidwithasinistersmile。
Thelightsinsidethehousehadallbeenextinguished，andfromthedarkenedwindowFerrierpeeredoverthefieldswhichhadbeenhisown，andwhichhewasnowabouttoabandonforever。Hehadlongnervedhimselftothesacrifice，however，andthethoughtofthehonourandhappinessofhisdaughteroutweighedanyregretathisruinedfortunes。Alllookedsopeacefulandhappy，therustlingtreesandthebroadsilentstretchofgrain-land，thatitwasdifficulttorealizethatthespiritofmurderlurkedthroughitall。Yetthewhitefaceandsetexpressionoftheyounghuntershowedthatinhisapproachtothehousehehadseenenoughtosatisfyhimuponthathead。
Ferriercarriedthebagofgoldandnotes，JeffersonHopehadthescantyprovisionsandwater，whileLucyhadasmallbundlecontainingafewofhermorevaluedpossessions。
Openingthewindowveryslowlyandcarefully，theywaiteduntiladarkcloudhadsomewhatobscuredthenight，andthenonebyonepassedthroughintothelittlegarden。Withbatedbreathandcrouchingfigurestheystumbledacrossit，andgainedtheshelterofthehedge，whichtheyskirteduntiltheycametothegapwhichopenedintothecornfields。Theyhadjustreachedthispointwhentheyoungmanseizedhistwocompanionsanddraggedthemdownintotheshadow，wheretheylaysilentandtrembling。
ItwasaswellthathisprairietraininghadgivenJeffersonHopetheearsofalynx。Heandhisfriendshadhardlycroucheddownbeforethemelancholyhootingofamountainowlwasheardwithinafewyardsofthem，whichwasimmediatelyansweredbyanotherhootatasmalldistance。Atthesamemomentavagueshadowyfigureemergedfromthegapforwhichtheyhadbeenmaking，andutteredtheplaintivesignalcryagain，onwhichasecondmanappearedoutoftheobscurity。
\"To-morrowatmidnight，\"saidthefirstwhoappearedtobeinauthority。\"WhentheWhip-poor-Willcallsthreetimes。\"
\"Itiswell，\"returnedtheother。\"ShallItellBrotherDrebber?\"
\"Passitontohim，andfromhimtotheothers。Ninetoseven!\"
\"Seventofive!\"repeatedtheother，andthetwofiguresflittedawayindifferentdirections。Theirconcludingwordshadevidentlybeensomeformofsignandcountersign。Theinstantthattheirfootstepshaddiedawayinthedistance，JeffersonHopesprangtohisfeet，andhelpinghiscompanionsthroughthegap，ledthewayacrossthefieldsatthetopofhisspeed，supportingandhalf-carryingthegirlwhenherstrengthappearedtofailher。
\"Hurryon!hurryon!\"hegaspedfromtimetotime。\"Wearethroughthelineofsentinels。Everythingdependsonspeed。
Hurryon!\"
Onceonthehighroadtheymaderapidprogress。Onlyoncedidtheymeetanyone，andthentheymanagedtoslipintoafield，andsoavoidrecognition。Beforereachingthetownthehunterbranchedawayintoaruggedandnarrowfootpathwhichledtothemountains。Twodarkjaggedpeaksloomedabovethemthroughthedarkness，andthedefilewhichledbetweenthemwastheEagleCanoninwhichthehorseswereawaitingthem。WithunerringinstinctJeffersonHopepickedhiswayamongthegreatbouldersandalongthebedofadried-upwatercourse，untilhecametotheretiredcorner，screenedwithrocks，wherethefaithfulanimalshadbeenpicketed。Thegirlwasplaceduponthemule，andoldFerrierupononeofthehorses，withhismoney-bag，whileJeffersonHopeledtheotheralongtheprecipitousanddangerouspath。
ItwasabewilderingrouteforanyonewhowasnotaccustomedtofaceNatureinherwildestmoods。Ontheonesideagreatcragtoweredupathousandfeetormore，black，stern，andmenacing，withlongbasalticcolumnsuponitsruggedsurfaceliketheribsofsomepetrifiedmonster。Ontheotherhandawildchaosofbouldersanddebrismadealladvanceimpossible。Betweenthetworantheirregulartrack，sonarrowinplacesthattheyhadtotravelinIndianfile，andsoroughthatonlypractisedriderscouldhavetraverseditatall。Yetinspiteofalldangersanddifficulties
theheartsofthefugitiveswerelightwithinthem，foreverystepincreasedthedistancebetweenthemandtheterribledespotismfromwhichtheywereflying。
Theysoonhadaproof，however，thattheywerestillwithinthejurisdictionoftheSaints。Theyhadreachedtheverywildestandmostdesolateportionofthepasswhenthegirlgaveastartledcry，andpointedupwards。Onarockwhichoverlookedthetrack，showingoutdarkandplainagainstthesky，therestoodasolitarysentinel。Hesawthemassoonastheyperceivedhim，andhismilitarychallengeof\"Whogoesthere?\"rangthroughthesilentravine。
\"TravellersforNevada，\"saidJeffersonHope，withhishandupontheriflewhichhungbyhissaddle。
Theycouldseethelonelywatcherfingeringhisgun，andpeeringdownatthemasifdissatisfiedattheirreply。
\"Bywhosepermission?\"heasked。
\"TheHolyFour，\"answeredFerrier。HisMormonexperienceshadtaughthimthatthatwasthehighestauthoritytowhichhecouldrefer。
\"Ninefromseven，\"criedthesentinel。
\"Sevenfromfive，\"returnedJeffersonHopepromptly，rememberingthecountersignwhichhehadheardinthegarden。
\"Pass，andtheLordgowithyou，\"saidthevoicefromabove。
Beyondhispostthepathbroadenedout，andthehorseswereabletobreakintoatrot。Lookingback，theycouldseethesolitarywatcherleaninguponhisgun，andknewthattheyhadpassedtheoutlyingpostofthechosenpeople，andthatfreedomlaybeforethem。
CHAPTERV。
THEAVENGINGANGELS。
ALLnighttheircourselaythroughintricatedefilesandoverirregularandrock-strewnpaths。Morethanoncetheylosttheirway，butHope\'sintimateknowledgeofthemountainsenabledthemtoregainthetrackoncemore。Whenmorningbroke，asceneofmarvellousthoughsavagebeautylaybeforethem。Ineverydirectionthegreatsnow-cappedpeakshemmedthemin，peepingovereachother\'sshoulderstothefarhorizon。Sosteepweretherockybanksoneithersideofthem，thatthelarchandthepineseemedtobesuspendedovertheirheads，andtoneedonlyagustofwindtocomehurtlingdownuponthem。Norwasthefearentirelyanillusion，forthebarrenvalleywasthicklystrewnwithtreesandboulderswhichhadfalleninasimilarmanner。Evenastheypassed，agreatrockcamethunderingdownwithahoarserattlewhichwoketheechoesinthesilentgorges，andstartledthewearyhorsesintoagallop。
Asthesunroseslowlyabovetheeasternhorizon，thecapsofthegreatmountainslituponeaftertheother，likelampsatafestival，untiltheywereallruddyandglowing。Themagnificentspectaclecheeredtheheartsofthethreefugitivesandgavethemfreshenergy。Atawildtorrentwhichsweptoutofaravinetheycalledahaltandwateredtheirhorses，whiletheypartookofahastybreakfast。Lucyandherfatherwouldfainhaverestedlonger，butJeffersonHopewasinexorable。\"Theywillbeuponourtrackbythistime，\"hesaid。\"Everythingdependsuponourspeed。OncesafeinCarsonwemayrestfortheremainderofourlives。\"
Duringthewholeofthatdaytheystruggledonthroughthedefiles，andbyeveningtheycalculatedthattheyweremorethanthirtymilesfromtheirenemies。Atnight-timetheychosethebaseofabeetlingcrag，wheretherocksofferedsomeprotectionfromthechillwind，andtherehuddledtogetherforwarmth，theyenjoyedafewhours\'sleep。Beforedaybreak，however，theywereupandontheirwayoncemore。
Theyhadseennosignsofanypursuers，andJeffersonHopebegantothinkthattheywerefairlyoutofthereachoftheterribleorganizationwhoseenmitytheyhadincurred。Helittleknewhowfarthatirongraspcouldreach，orhowsoonitwastocloseuponthemandcrushthem。
Aboutthemiddleoftheseconddayoftheirflighttheirscantystoreofprovisionsbegantorunout。Thisgavethehunterlittleuneasiness，however，fortherewasgametobehadamongthemountains，andhehadfrequentlybeforehadtodependuponhisriflefortheneedsoflife。Choosingashelterednook，hepiledtogetherafewdriedbranchesandmadeablazingfire，atwhichhiscompanionsmightwarmthemselves，fortheywerenownearlyfivethousandfeetabovethesealevel，andtheairwasbitterandkeen。Havingtetheredthehorses，andbadeLucyadieu，hethrewhisgunoverhisshoulder，andsetoutinsearchofwhateverchancemightthrowinhisway。Lookingbackhesawtheoldmanandtheyounggirlcrouchingovertheblazingfire，whilethethreeanimalsstoodmotionlessintheback-ground。
Thentheinterveningrockshidthemfromhisview。
Hewalkedforacoupleofmilesthroughoneravineafteranotherwithoutsuccess，thoughfromthemarksuponthebarkofthetrees，andotherindications，hejudgedthattherewerenumerousbearsinthevicinity。Atlast，aftertwoorthreehours\'fruitlesssearch，hewasthinkingofturningbackindespair，whencastinghiseyesupwardshesawasightwhichsentathrillofpleasurethroughhisheart。Ontheedgeofajuttingpinnacle，threeorfourhundredfeetabovehim，therestoodacreaturesomewhatresemblingasheepinappearance，butarmedwithapairofgigantichorns。
Thebig-horn——forsoitiscalled——wasacting，probably，asaguardianoveraflockwhichwereinvisibletothehunter；
butfortunatelyitwasheadingintheoppositedirection，andhadnotperceivedhim。Lyingonhisface，herestedhisrifleuponarock，andtookalongandsteadyaimbeforedrawingthetrigger。Theanimalsprangintotheair，totteredforamomentupontheedgeoftheprecipice，andthencamecrashingdownintothevalleybeneath。
Thecreaturewastoounwieldytolift，sothehuntercontentedhimselfwithcuttingawayonehaunchandpartoftheflank。Withthistrophyoverhisshoulder，hehastenedtoretracehissteps，fortheeveningwasalreadydrawingin。
Hehadhardlystarted，however，beforeherealizedthedifficultywhichfacedhim。Inhiseagernesshehadwanderedfarpasttheravineswhichwereknowntohim，anditwasnoeasymattertopickoutthepathwhichhehadtaken。
Thevalleyinwhichhefoundhimselfdividedandsub-dividedintomanygorges，whichweresolikeeachotherthatitwasimpossibletodistinguishonefromtheother。Hefollowedoneforamileormoreuntilhecametoamountaintorrentwhichhewassurethathehadneverseenbefore。Convincedthathehadtakenthewrongturn，hetriedanother，butwiththesameresult。Nightwascomingonrapidly，anditwasalmostdarkbeforeheatlastfoundhimselfinadefilewhichwasfamiliartohim。Eventhenitwasnoeasymattertokeeptotherighttrack，forthemoonhadnotyetrisen，andthehighcliffsoneithersidemadetheobscuritymoreprofound。
Weigheddownwithhisburden，andwearyfromhisexertions，hestumbledalong，keepinguphisheartbythereflectionthateverystepbroughthimnearertoLucy，andthathecarriedwithhimenoughtoensurethemfoodfortheremainderoftheirjourney。
Hehadnowcometothemouthoftheverydefileinwhichhehadleftthem。Eveninthedarknesshecouldrecognizetheoutlineofthecliffswhichboundedit。Theymust，hereflected，beawaitinghimanxiously，forhehadbeenabsentnearlyfivehours。Inthegladnessofhisheartheputhishandstohismouthandmadetheglenre-echotoaloudhallooasasignalthathewascoming。Hepausedandlistenedforananswer。Nonecamesavehisowncry，whichclatteredupthedrearysilentravines，andwasbornebacktohisearsincountlessrepetitions。Againheshouted，evenlouderthanbefore，andagainnowhispercamebackfromthefriendswhomhehadleftsuchashorttimeago。Avague，namelessdreadcameoverhim，andhehurriedonwardsfrantically，droppingthepreciousfoodinhisagitation。
Whenheturnedthecorner，hecamefullinsightofthespotwherethefirehadbeenlit。Therewasstillaglowingpileofwoodashesthere，butithadevidentlynotbeentendedsincehisdeparture。Thesamedeadsilencestillreignedallround。Withhisfearsallchangedtoconvictions，hehurriedon。Therewasnolivingcreatureneartheremainsofthefire:animals，man，maiden，allweregone。Itwasonlytooclearthatsomesuddenandterribledisasterhadoccurredduringhisabsence——adisasterwhichhadembracedthemall，andyethadleftnotracesbehindit。
Bewilderedandstunnedbythisblow，JeffersonHopefelthisheadspinround，andhadtoleanuponhisrifletosavehimselffromfalling。Hewasessentiallyamanofaction，however，andspeedilyrecoveredfromhistemporaryimpotence。
Seizingahalf-consumedpieceofwoodfromthesmoulderingfire，heblewitintoaflame，andproceededwithitshelptoexaminethelittlecamp。Thegroundwasallstampeddownbythefeetofhorses，showingthatalargepartyofmountedmenhadovertakenthefugitives，andthedirectionoftheirtracksprovedthattheyhadafterwardsturnedbacktoSaltLakeCity。Hadtheycarriedbackbothofhiscompanionswiththem?JeffersonHopehadalmostpersuadedhimselfthattheymusthavedoneso，whenhiseyefelluponanobjectwhichmadeeverynerveofhisbodytinglewithinhim。Alittlewayononesideofthecampwasalow-lyingheapofreddishsoil，whichhadassuredlynotbeentherebefore。Therewasnomistakingitforanythingbutanewly-duggrave。Astheyounghunterapproachedit，heperceivedthatastickhadbeenplantedonit，withasheetofpaperstuckinthecleftforkofit。Theinscriptionuponthepaperwasbrief，buttothepoint:
JOHNFERRIER，FORMERLYOFSALTLAKECITY，{22}
DiedAugust4th，1860。
Thesturdyoldman，whomhehadleftsoshortatimebefore，wasgone，then，andthiswasallhisepitaph。JeffersonHopelookedwildlyroundtoseeiftherewasasecondgrave，buttherewasnosignofone。Lucyhadbeencarriedbackbytheirterriblepursuerstofulfilheroriginaldestiny，bybecomingoneoftheharemoftheElder\'sson。Astheyoungfellowrealizedthecertaintyofherfate，andhisownpowerlessnesstopreventit，hewishedthathe，too，waslyingwiththeoldfarmerinhislastsilentresting-place。
Again，however，hisactivespiritshookoffthelethargywhichspringsfromdespair。Iftherewasnothingelselefttohim，hecouldatleastdevotehislifetorevenge。
Withindomitablepatienceandperseverance，JeffersonHopepossessedalsoapowerofsustainedvindictiveness，whichhemayhavelearnedfromtheIndiansamongstwhomhehadlived。
Ashestoodbythedesolatefire，hefeltthattheonlyonethingwhichcouldassuagehisgriefwouldbethoroughandcompleteretribution，broughtbyhisownhanduponhisenemies。Hisstrongwillanduntiringenergyshould，hedetermined，bedevotedtothatoneend。Withagrim，whiteface，heretracedhisstepstowherehehaddroppedthefood，andhavingstirredupthesmoulderingfire，hecookedenoughtolasthimforafewdays。Thishemadeupintoabundle，and，tiredashewas，hesethimselftowalkbackthroughthemountainsuponthetrackoftheavengingangels。
Forfivedayshetoiledfootsoreandwearythroughthedefileswhichhehadalreadytraversedonhorseback。
Atnightheflunghimselfdownamongtherocks，andsnatchedafewhoursofsleep；butbeforedaybreakhewasalwayswellonhisway。Onthesixthday，hereachedtheEagleCanon，fromwhichtheyhadcommencedtheirill-fatedflight。Thencehecouldlookdownuponthehomeofthesaints。Wornandexhausted，heleaneduponhisrifleandshookhisgaunthandfiercelyatthesilentwidespreadcitybeneathhim。Ashelookedatit，heobservedthattherewereflagsinsomeoftheprincipalstreets，andothersignsoffestivity。Hewasstillspeculatingastowhatthismightmeanwhenheheardtheclatterofhorse\'shoofs，andsawamountedmanridingtowardshim。Asheapproached，herecognizedhimasaMormonnamedCowper，towhomhehadrenderedservicesatdifferenttimes。Hethereforeaccostedhimwhenhegotuptohim，withtheobjectoffindingoutwhatLucyFerrier\'sfatehadbeen。
\"IamJeffersonHope，\"hesaid。\"Yourememberme。\"
TheMormonlookedathimwithundisguisedastonishment——
indeed，itwasdifficulttorecognizeinthistattered，unkemptwanderer，withghastlywhitefaceandfierce，wildeyes，thespruceyounghunterofformerdays。
Having，however，atlast，satisfiedhimselfastohisidentity，theman\'ssurprisechangedtoconsternation。
\"Youaremadtocomehere，\"hecried。\"Itisasmuchasmyownlifeisworthtobeseentalkingwithyou。ThereisawarrantagainstyoufromtheHolyFourforassistingtheFerriersaway。\"
\"Idon\'tfearthem，ortheirwarrant，\"Hopesaid，earnestly。
\"Youmustknowsomethingofthismatter，Cowper。Iconjureyoubyeverythingyouholddeartoanswerafewquestions。
Wehavealwaysbeenfriends。ForGod\'ssake，don\'trefusetoanswerme。\"
\"Whatisit?\"theMormonaskeduneasily。\"Bequick。
Theveryrockshaveearsandthetreeseyes。\"
\"WhathasbecomeofLucyFerrier?\"
\"ShewasmarriedyesterdaytoyoungDrebber。Holdup，man，holdup，youhavenolifeleftinyou。\"
\"Don\'tmindme，\"saidHopefaintly。Hewaswhitetotheverylips，andhadsunkdownonthestoneagainstwhichhehadbeenleaning。\"Married，yousay?\"
\"Marriedyesterday——that\'swhatthoseflagsareforontheEndowmentHouse。TherewassomewordsbetweenyoungDrebberandyoungStangersonastowhichwastohaveher。They\'dbothbeeninthepartythatfollowedthem，andStangersonhadshotherfather，whichseemedtogivehimthebestclaim；butwhentheyargueditoutincouncil，Drebber\'spartywasthestronger，sotheProphetgaveherovertohim。Noonewon\'thaveherverylongthough，forIsawdeathinherfaceyesterday。
Sheismorelikeaghostthanawoman。Areyouoff，then?\"
\"Yes，Iamoff，\"saidJeffersonHope，whohadrisenfromhisseat。Hisfacemighthavebeenchiselledoutofmarble，sohardandsetwasitsexpression，whileitseyesglowedwithabalefullight。
\"Whereareyougoing?\"
\"Nevermind，\"heanswered；and，slinginghisweaponoverhisshoulder，strodeoffdownthegorgeandsoawayintotheheartofthemountainstothehauntsofthewildbeasts。
Amongstthemalltherewasnonesofierceandsodangerousashimself。
ThepredictionoftheMormonwasonlytoowellfulfilled。
Whetheritwastheterribledeathofherfatherortheeffectsofthehatefulmarriageintowhichshehadbeenforced，poorLucyneverheldupherheadagain，butpinedawayanddiedwithinamonth。Hersottishhusband，whohadmarriedherprincipallyforthesakeofJohnFerrier\'sproperty，didnotaffectanygreatgriefathisbereavement；
buthisotherwivesmournedoverher，andsatupwithherthenightbeforetheburial，asistheMormoncustom。Theyweregroupedroundthebierintheearlyhoursofthemorning，when，totheirinexpressiblefearandastonishment，thedoorwasflungopen，andasavage-looking，weather-beatenmanintatteredgarmentsstrodeintotheroom。Withoutaglanceorawordtothecoweringwomen，hewalkeduptothewhitesilentfigurewhichhadoncecontainedthepuresoulofLucyFerrier。Stoopingoverher，hepressedhislipsreverentlytohercoldforehead，andthen，snatchingupherhand，hetookthewedding-ringfromherfinger。\"Sheshallnotbeburiedinthat，\"hecriedwithafiercesnarl，andbeforeanalarmcouldberaisedsprangdownthestairsandwasgone。
Sostrangeandsobriefwastheepisode，thatthewatchersmighthavefoundithardtobelieveitthemselvesorpersuadeotherpeopleofit，haditnotbeenfortheundeniablefactthatthecircletofgoldwhichmarkedherashavingbeenabridehaddisappeared。
ForsomemonthsJeffersonHopelingeredamongthemountains，leadingastrangewildlife，andnursinginhisheartthefiercedesireforvengeancewhichpossessedhim。TalesweretoldintheCityoftheweirdfigurewhichwasseenprowlingaboutthesuburbs，andwhichhauntedthelonelymountaingorges。OnceabulletwhistledthroughStangerson\'swindowandflatteneditselfuponthewallwithinafootofhim。Onanotheroccasion，asDrebberpassedunderacliffagreatbouldercrasheddownonhim，andheonlyescapedaterribledeathbythrowinghimselfuponhisface。ThetwoyoungMormonswerenotlongindiscoveringthereasonoftheseattemptsupontheirlives，andledrepeatedexpeditionsintothemountainsinthehopeofcapturingorkillingtheirenemy，butalwayswithoutsuccess。Thentheyadoptedtheprecautionofnevergoingoutaloneorafternightfall，andofhavingtheirhousesguarded。Afteratimetheywereabletorelaxthesemeasures，fornothingwaseitherheardorseenoftheiropponent，andtheyhopedthattimehadcooledhisvindictiveness。
Farfromdoingso，ithad，ifanything，augmentedit。
Thehunter\'smindwasofahard，unyieldingnature，andthepredominantideaofrevengehadtakensuchcompletepossessionofitthattherewasnoroomforanyotheremotion。Hewas，however，aboveallthingspractical。Hesoonrealizedthatevenhisironconstitutioncouldnotstandtheincessantstrainwhichhewasputtinguponit。Exposureandwantofwholesomefoodwerewearinghimout。Ifhediedlikeadogamongthemountains，whatwastobecomeofhisrevengethen?Andyetsuchadeathwassuretoovertakehimifhepersisted。Hefeltthatthatwastoplayhisenemy\'sgame，sohereluctantlyreturnedtotheoldNevadamines，theretorecruithishealthandtoamassmoneyenoughtoallowhimtopursuehisobjectwithoutprivation。
Hisintentionhadbeentobeabsentayearatthemost，butacombinationofunforeseencircumstancespreventedhisleavingtheminesfornearlyfive。Attheendofthattime，however，hismemoryofhiswrongsandhiscravingforrevengewerequiteaskeenasonthatmemorablenightwhenhehadstoodbyJohnFerrier\'sgrave。Disguised，andunderanassumedname，hereturnedtoSaltLakeCity，carelesswhatbecameofhisownlife，aslongasheobtainedwhatheknewtobejustice。
Therehefoundeviltidingsawaitinghim。TherehadbeenaschismamongtheChosenPeopleafewmonthsbefore，someoftheyoungermembersoftheChurchhavingrebelledagainsttheauthorityoftheElders，andtheresulthadbeenthesecessionofacertainnumberofthemalcontents，whohadleftUtahandbecomeGentiles。AmongthesehadbeenDrebberandStangerson；andnooneknewwhithertheyhadgone。
RumourreportedthatDrebberhadmanagedtoconvertalargepartofhispropertyintomoney，andthathehaddepartedawealthyman，whilehiscompanion，Stangerson，wascomparativelypoor。Therewasnoclueatall，however，astotheirwhereabouts。
Manyaman，howevervindictive，wouldhaveabandonedallthoughtofrevengeinthefaceofsuchadifficulty，butJeffersonHopeneverfalteredforamoment。Withthesmallcompetencehepossessed，ekedoutbysuchemploymentashecouldpickup，hetravelledfromtowntotownthroughtheUnitedStatesinquestofhisenemies。Yearpassedintoyear，hisblackhairturnedgrizzled，butstillhewanderedon，ahumanbloodhound，withhismindwhollysetupontheoneobjectuponwhichhehaddevotedhislife。Atlasthisperseverancewasrewarded。Itwasbutaglanceofafaceinawindow，
butthatoneglancetoldhimthatClevelandinOhiopossessedthemenwhomhewasinpursuitof。Hereturnedtohismiserablelodgingswithhisplanofvengeanceallarranged。Itchanced，however，thatDrebber，lookingfromhiswindow，hadrecognizedthevagrantinthestreet，andhadreadmurderinhiseyes。Hehurriedbeforeajusticeofthepeace，accompaniedbyStangerson，whohadbecomehisprivatesecretary，andrepresentedtohimthattheywereindangeroftheirlivesfromthejealousyandhatredofanoldrival。
ThateveningJeffersonHopewastakenintocustody，andnotbeingabletofindsureties，wasdetainedforsomeweeks。
Whenatlasthewasliberated，itwasonlytofindthatDrebber\'shousewasdeserted，andthatheandhissecretaryhaddepartedforEurope。
Againtheavengerhadbeenfoiled，andagainhisconcentratedhatredurgedhimtocontinuethepursuit。Fundswerewanting，however，andforsometimehehadtoreturntowork，savingeverydollarforhisapproachingjourney。Atlast，havingcollectedenoughtokeeplifeinhim，hedepartedforEurope，andtrackedhisenemiesfromcitytocity，workinghiswayinanymenialcapacity，butneverovertakingthefugitives。WhenhereachedSt。PetersburgtheyhaddepartedforParis；andwhenhefollowedthemtherehelearnedthattheyhadjustsetoffforCopenhagen。AttheDanishcapitalhewasagainafewdayslate，fortheyhadjourneyedontoLondon，whereheatlastsucceededinrunningthemtoearth。
Astowhatoccurredthere，wecannotdobetterthanquotetheoldhunter\'sownaccount，asdulyrecordedinDr。Watson\'sJournal，towhichwearealreadyundersuchobligations。
CHAPTERVI。
ACONTINUATIONOFTHEREMINISCENCESOFJOHNWATSON，M。D。
OURprisoner\'sfuriousresistancedidnotapparentlyindicateanyferocityinhisdispositiontowardsourselves，foronfindinghimselfpowerless，hesmiledinanaffablemanner，andexpressedhishopesthathehadnothurtanyofusinthescuffle。\"Iguessyou\'regoingtotakemetothepolice-station，\"
heremarkedtoSherlockHolmes。\"Mycab\'satthedoor。
Ifyou\'llloosemylegsI\'llwalkdowntoit。I\'mnotsolighttoliftasIusedtobe。\"
GregsonandLestradeexchangedglancesasiftheythoughtthispropositionratheraboldone；butHolmesatoncetooktheprisonerathisword，andloosenedthetowelwhichwehadboundroundhisancles。{23}Heroseandstretchedhislegs，asthoughtoassurehimselfthattheywerefreeoncemore。
IrememberthatIthoughttomyself，asIeyedhim，thatIhadseldomseenamorepowerfullybuiltman；andhisdarksunburnedfaceboreanexpressionofdeterminationandenergywhichwasasformidableashispersonalstrength。
\"Ifthere\'savacantplaceforachiefofthepolice，Ireckonyouarethemanforit，\"hesaid，gazingwithundisguisedadmirationatmyfellow-lodger。\"Thewayyoukeptonmytrailwasacaution。\"
\"Youhadbettercomewithme，\"saidHolmestothetwodetectives。
\"Icandriveyou，\"saidLestrade。
\"Good!andGregsoncancomeinsidewithme。Youtoo，Doctor，youhavetakenaninterestinthecaseandmayaswellsticktous。\"
Iassentedgladly，andwealldescendedtogether。Ourprisonermadenoattemptatescape，butsteppedcalmlyintothecabwhichhadbeenhis，andwefollowedhim。Lestrademountedthebox，whippedupthehorse，andbroughtusinaveryshorttimetoourdestination。WewereusheredintoasmallchamberwhereapoliceInspectornoteddownourprisoner\'snameandthenamesofthemenwithwhosemurderhehadbeencharged。Theofficialwasawhite-facedunemotionalman，whowentthroughhisdutiesinadullmechanicalway。
\"Theprisonerwillbeputbeforethemagistratesinthecourseoftheweek，\"hesaid；\"inthemeantime，Mr。
JeffersonHope，haveyouanythingthatyouwishtosay?
Imustwarnyouthatyourwordswillbetakendown，andmaybeusedagainstyou。\"
\"I\'vegotagooddealtosay，\"ourprisonersaidslowly。
\"Iwanttotellyougentlemenallaboutit。\"
\"Hadn\'tyoubetterreservethatforyourtrial?\"askedtheInspector。
\"Imayneverbetried，\"heanswered。\"Youneedn\'tlookstartled。Itisn\'tsuicideIamthinkingof。AreyouaDoctor?\"Heturnedhisfiercedarkeyesuponmeasheaskedthislastquestion。
\"Yes；Iam，\"Ianswered。
\"Thenputyourhandhere，\"hesaid，withasmile，motioningwithhismanacledwriststowardshischest。
Ididso；andbecameatonceconsciousofanextraordinarythrobbingandcommotionwhichwasgoingoninside。Thewallsofhischestseemedtothrillandquiverasafrailbuildingwoulddoinsidewhensomepowerfulenginewasatwork。InthesilenceoftheroomIcouldhearadullhummingandbuzzingnoisewhichproceededfromthesamesource。
\"Why，\"Icried，\"youhaveanaorticaneurism!\"
\"That\'swhattheycallit，\"hesaid，placidly。\"IwenttoaDoctorlastweekaboutit，andhetoldmethatitisboundtoburstbeforemanydayspassed。Ithasbeengettingworseforyears。Igotitfromover-exposureandunder-feedingamongtheSaltLakeMountains。I\'vedonemyworknow，andIdon\'tcarehowsoonIgo，butIshouldliketoleavesomeaccountofthebusinessbehindme。Idon\'twanttoberememberedasacommoncut-throat。\"
TheInspectorandthetwodetectiveshadahurrieddiscussionastotheadvisabilityofallowinghimtotellhisstory。
\"Doyouconsider，Doctor，thatthereisimmediatedanger?\"
theformerasked，{24}
\"Mostcertainlythereis，\"Ianswered。
\"Inthatcaseitisclearlyourduty，intheinterestsofjustice，totakehisstatement，\"saidtheInspector。
\"Youareatliberty，sir，togiveyouraccount，whichIagainwarnyouwillbetakendown。\"
\"I\'llsitdown，withyourleave，\"theprisonersaid，suitingtheactiontotheword。\"Thisaneurismofminemakesmeeasilytired，andthetusslewehadhalfanhouragohasnotmendedmatters。I\'monthebrinkofthegrave，andIamnotlikelytolietoyou。EverywordIsayistheabsolutetruth，andhowyouuseitisamatterofnoconsequencetome。\"
Withthesewords，JeffersonHopeleanedbackinhischairandbeganthefollowingremarkablestatement。Hespokeinacalmandmethodicalmanner，asthoughtheeventswhichhenarratedwerecommonplaceenough。Icanvouchfortheaccuracyofthesubjoinedaccount，forIhavehadaccesstoLestrade\'snote-book，inwhichtheprisoner\'swordsweretakendownexactlyastheywereuttered。
\"Itdon\'tmuchmattertoyouwhyIhatedthesemen，\"hesaid；
\"it\'senoughthattheywereguiltyofthedeathoftwohumanbeings——afatherandadaughter——andthattheyhad，therefore，forfeitedtheirownlives。Afterthelapseoftimethathaspassedsincetheircrime，itwasimpossibleformetosecureaconvictionagainsttheminanycourt。Iknewoftheirguiltthough，andIdeterminedthatIshouldbejudge，jury，andexecutionerallrolledintoone。You\'dhavedonethesame，ifyouhaveanymanhoodinyou，ifyouhadbeeninmyplace。
\"ThatgirlthatIspokeofwastohavemarriedmetwentyyearsago。ShewasforcedintomarryingthatsameDrebber，andbrokeherheartoverit。Itookthemarriageringfromherdeadfinger，andIvowedthathisdyingeyesshouldrestuponthatveryring，andthathislastthoughtsshouldbeofthecrimeforwhichhewaspunished。Ihavecarrieditaboutwithme，andhavefollowedhimandhisaccompliceovertwocontinentsuntilIcaughtthem。Theythoughttotiremeout，buttheycouldnotdoit。IfIdieto-morrow，asislikelyenough，Idieknowingthatmyworkinthisworldisdone，andwelldone。Theyhaveperished，andbymyhand。
Thereisnothingleftformetohopefor，ortodesire。
\"TheywererichandIwaspoor，sothatitwasnoeasymatterformetofollowthem。WhenIgottoLondonmypocketwasaboutempty，andIfoundthatImustturnmyhandtosomethingformyliving。Drivingandridingareasnaturaltomeaswalking，soIappliedatacabowner\'soffice，andsoongotemployment。Iwastobringacertainsumaweektotheowner，andwhateverwasoverthatImightkeepformyself。Therewasseldommuchover，butImanagedtoscrapealongsomehow。Thehardestjobwastolearnmywayabout，forIreckonthatofallthemazesthateverwerecontrived，thiscityisthemostconfusing。Ihadamapbesidemethough，andwhenonceIhadspottedtheprincipalhotelsandstations，Igotonprettywell。
\"ItwassometimebeforeIfoundoutwheremytwogentlemenwereliving；butIinquiredandinquireduntilatlastI
droppedacrossthem。Theywereataboarding-houseatCamberwell，overontheothersideoftheriver。WhenonceI
foundthemoutIknewthatIhadthematmymercy。Ihadgrownmybeard，andtherewasnochanceoftheirrecognizingme。IwoulddogthemandfollowthemuntilIsawmyopportunity。
Iwasdeterminedthattheyshouldnotescapemeagain。
\"Theywereveryneardoingitforallthat。GowheretheywouldaboutLondon，Iwasalwaysattheirheels。SometimesI
followedthemonmycab，andsometimesonfoot，buttheformerwasthebest，forthentheycouldnotgetawayfromme。ItwasonlyearlyinthemorningorlateatnightthatI
couldearnanything，sothatIbegantogetbehindhandwithmyemployer。Ididnotmindthat，however，aslongasI
couldlaymyhanduponthemenIwanted。
\"Theywereverycunning，though。Theymusthavethoughtthattherewassomechanceoftheirbeingfollowed，fortheywouldnevergooutalone，andneverafternightfall。DuringtwoweeksIdrovebehindthemeveryday，andneveroncesawthemseparate。Drebberhimselfwasdrunkhalfthetime，butStangersonwasnottobecaughtnapping。Iwatchedthemlateandearly，butneversawtheghostofachance；butIwasnotdiscouraged，forsomethingtoldmethatthehourhadalmostcome。Myonlyfearwasthatthisthinginmychestmightburstalittletoosoonandleavemyworkundone。
\"Atlast，oneeveningIwasdrivingupanddownTorquayTerrace，asthestreetwascalledinwhichtheyboarded，whenIsawacabdriveuptotheirdoor。Presentlysomeluggagewasbroughtout，andafteratimeDrebberandStangersonfollowedit，anddroveoff。Iwhippedupmyhorseandkeptwithinsightofthem，feelingveryillatease，forIfearedthattheyweregoingtoshifttheirquarters。AtEustonStationtheygotout，andIleftaboytoholdmyhorse，andfollowedthemontotheplatform。IheardthemaskfortheLiverpooltrain，andtheguardanswerthatonehadjustgoneandtherewouldnotbeanotherforsomehours。Stangersonseemedtobeputoutatthat，butDrebberwasratherpleasedthanotherwise。IgotsoclosetotheminthebustlethatI
couldheareverywordthatpassedbetweenthem。Drebbersaidthathehadalittlebusinessofhisowntodo，andthatiftheotherwouldwaitforhimhewouldsoonrejoinhim。Hiscompanionremonstratedwithhim，andremindedhimthattheyhadresolvedtosticktogether。Drebberansweredthatthematterwasadelicateone，andthathemustgoalone。
IcouldnotcatchwhatStangersonsaidtothat，buttheotherburstoutswearing，andremindedhimthathewasnothingmorethanhispaidservant，andthathemustnotpresumetodictatetohim。OnthattheSecretarygaveitupasabadjob，andsimplybargainedwithhimthatifhemissedthelasttrainheshouldrejoinhimatHalliday\'sPrivateHotel；
towhichDrebberansweredthathewouldbebackontheplatformbeforeeleven，andmadehiswayoutofthestation。
\"ThemomentforwhichIhadwaitedsolonghadatlastcome。
Ihadmyenemieswithinmypower。Togethertheycouldprotecteachother，butsinglytheywereatmymercy。Ididnotact，however，withundueprecipitation。Myplanswerealreadyformed。Thereisnosatisfactioninvengeanceunlesstheoffenderhastimetorealizewhoitisthatstrikeshim，andwhyretributionhascomeuponhim。IhadmyplansarrangedbywhichIshouldhavetheopportunityofmakingthemanwhohadwrongedmeunderstandthathisoldsinhadfoundhimout。ItchancedthatsomedaysbeforeagentlemanwhohadbeenengagedinlookingoversomehousesintheBrixtonRoadhaddroppedthekeyofoneoftheminmycarriage。
Itwasclaimedthatsameevening，andreturned；butintheintervalIhadtakenamouldingofit，andhadaduplicateconstructed。BymeansofthisIhadaccesstoatleastonespotinthisgreatcitywhereIcouldrelyuponbeingfreefrominterruption。HowtogetDrebbertothathousewasthedifficultproblemwhichIhadnowtosolve。
\"Hewalkeddowntheroadandwentintooneortwoliquorshops，stayingfornearlyhalf-an-hourinthelastofthem。
Whenhecameouthestaggeredinhiswalk，andwasevidentlyprettywellon。Therewasahansomjustinfrontofme，andhehailedit。Ifolloweditsoclosethatthenoseofmyhorsewaswithinayardofhisdriverthewholeway。
WerattledacrossWaterlooBridgeandthroughmilesofstreets，until，tomyastonishment，wefoundourselvesbackintheTerraceinwhichhehadboarded。Icouldnotimaginewhathisintentionwasinreturningthere；butIwentonandpulledupmycabahundredyardsorsofromthehouse。
Heenteredit，andhishansomdroveaway。Givemeaglassofwater，ifyouplease。Mymouthgetsdrywiththetalking。\"
Ihandedhimtheglass，andhedrankitdown。
\"That\'sbetter，\"hesaid。\"Well，Iwaitedforaquarterofanhour，ormore，whensuddenlytherecameanoiselikepeoplestrugglinginsidethehouse。Nextmomentthedoorwasflungopenandtwomenappeared，oneofwhomwasDrebber，andtheotherwasayoungchapwhomIhadneverseenbefore。
ThisfellowhadDrebberbythecollar，andwhentheycametotheheadofthestepshegavehimashoveandakickwhichsenthimhalfacrosstheroad。`Youhound，\'hecried，shakinghisstickathim；`I\'llteachyoutoinsultanhonestgirl!\'HewassohotthatIthinkhewouldhavethrashedDrebberwithhiscudgel，onlythatthecurstaggeredawaydowntheroadasfastashislegswouldcarryhim。Heranasfarasthecorner，andthen，seeingmycab，hehailedmeandjumpedin。`DrivemetoHalliday\'sPrivateHotel，\'saidhe。
\"WhenIhadhimfairlyinsidemycab，myheartjumpedsowithjoythatIfearedlestatthislastmomentmyaneurismmightgowrong。Idrovealongslowly，weighinginmyownmindwhatitwasbesttodo。Imighttakehimrightoutintothecountry，andthereinsomedesertedlanehavemylastinterviewwithhim。Ihadalmostdecideduponthis，whenhesolvedtheproblemforme。Thecrazefordrinkhadseizedhimagain，andheorderedmetopullupoutsideaginpalace。