\"Shoot—Off—His—Mouth——theBeardlessBoyChiefoftheSierras——hasspoken!LetthePaleFacewiththeblackmoustacheponderandbewarehowhetalkshereaftertotheRipplingCochituateWater!
Go!\"
Nevertheless，assoonasthedoorhadcloseduponFalkner，Lee’ssmilevanished。Withhiscolorlessfaceturnedtothefadinglightatthewindow，thehollowsinhistemplesandthelinesinthecornersofhiseyesseemedtohavegrownmoreprofound。Heremainedmotionlessandabsorbedinthoughtsodeepthatthelightrustleofaskirt，thatwouldatothertimeshavethrilledhissensitiveear，passedunheeded。Atlast，throwingoffhisreveriewiththefullandunrestrainedsighofamanwhobelieveshimselfalone，hewasstartledbythesoftlaughofMrs。Hale，whohadenteredtheroomunperceived。
\"Dearme!Howportentous!Really，IalmostfeelasifIwereinterruptingatete—a—tetebetweenyourselfandsomeoldflame。I
haven’theardanythingsoold—fashionedandconservativeasthatsighsinceIhavebeeninCalifornia。IthoughtyouneverhadanyPastouthere？\"
Fortunatelyhisfacewasbetweenherandthelight，andtheunmistakableexpressionofannoyanceandimpatiencewhichwaspassedoveritwassparedher。Therewas，however，stillenoughdissonanceinhismannertoaffectherquickfemininesense，andwhenshedrewnearertohimitwaswithacertainmaiden—liketimidity。
\"Youarenotworse，Mr。Lee，Ihope？Youhavenotover—exertedyourself？\"
\"There’slittlechanceofthatwithoneleg——ifnotinthegraveatleastmummifiedwithbandages，\"hereplied，withabitternessnewtohim。
\"ShallIloosenthem？Perhapstheyaretootight。Thereisnothingsoirritatingtooneasthesensationofbeingtightlybound。\"
Thelighttouchofherhandupontherugthatcoveredhisknees，thethoughtfultendernessoftheblue—veinedlids，andthedelicateatmospherethatseemedtosurroundherlikeaperfumeclearedhisfaceofitsshadowandbroughtbacktherecklessfireintohisblueeyes。
\"IsupposeI’mintolerantofallbonds，\"hesaid，lookingatherintently，\"inothersaswellasmyself!\"
Whetherornotshedetectedanydoublemeaninginhiswords，shewasobligedtoacceptthechallengeofhisdirectgaze，and，raisinghereyestohis，drewbackalittlefromhimwithaslightincreaseofcolor。\"Iwasafraidyouhadheardbadnewsjustnow。\"
\"Whatwouldyoucallbadnews？\"askedLee，claspinghishandsbehindhishead，andleaningbackonthesofa，butwithoutwithdrawinghiseyesfromherface。
\"Oh，anynewsthatwouldinterruptyourconvalescence，orbreakupourlittlefamilyparty，\"saidMrs。Hale。\"Youhavebeengettingonsowellthatreallyitwouldseemcrueltohaveanythinginterferewithourlifeofforgettingandbeingforgotten。But，\"
sheaddedwithapprehensivequickness，\"hasanythinghappened？Istherereallyanynewsfrom——from，thetrails？YesterdayMr。
Falknersaidthesnowhadrecommencedinthepass。Hasheseenanything，noticedanythingdifferent？\"
Shelookedsoverypretty，withtherare，genuine，andyouthfulexcitementthattransfiguredherweariedandwearyingregularityoffeature，thatLeecontentedhimselfwithdrinkinginherprettinessashewouldhaveinhaledtheperfumeofsomeflower。
\"Whydoyoulookatmeso，Mr。Lee？\"sheasked，withaslightsmile。\"IbelievesomethingHAShappened。Mr。FalknerHASbroughtyousomeintelligence。\"
\"HehascertainlyfoundoutsomethingIdidnotforesee。\"
\"Andthattroublesyou？\"
\"Itdoes。\"
\"Isitasecret？\"
\"No。\"
\"ThenIsupposeyouwilltellittomeatdinner，\"shesaid，withalittletoneofrelief。
\"Iamafraid，ifItellitatall，Imusttellitnow，\"hesaid，glancingatthedoor。
\"Youmustdoasyouthinkbest，\"shesaidcoldly，\"asitseemstobeasecret，afterall。\"Shehesitated。\"Kateisdressing，andwillnotbedownforsometime。\"
\"Somuchthebetter。ForI’mafraidthatNedhasmadeapoorreturntoyourhospitalitybyfallinginlovewithher。\"
\"Impossible!Hehasknownherforscarcelyaweek。\"
\"Iamafraidwewon’tagreeastothelengthoftimenecessarytoappreciateandloveawoman。Ithinkitcanbedoneinsevendaysandfourhours，theexacttimewehavebeenhere。\"
\"Yes；butasKatewasnotinwhenyouarrived，anddidnotcomeuntillater，youmusttakeoffatleastonehour，\"saidMrs。Halegayly。
\"Nedcan。Ishallnotabateasecond。\"
\"Butareyounotmistakeninhisfeelings？\"shecontinuedhurriedly。\"Hecertainlyhasnotsaidanythingtoher。\"
\"Thatishislastholdonhonorandreason。Andtopreservethatlittleintacthewantstorunawayatonce。\"
\"Butthatwouldbeverysilly。\"
\"Doyouthinkso？\"hesaid，lookingatherfixedly。
\"Whynot？\"sheaskedinherturn，butratherfaintly。
\"I’lltellyouwhy，\"hesaid，loweringhisvoicewithacertainintensityofpassionunlikehisusualboyishlightheartedness。
\"Thinkofamanwhoselifehasbeenoneofalternatehardnessandaggression，ofsavagedisappointmentandequallysavagesuccesses，whohasknownnootherrelaxationthandissipationandextravagance；amantowhomtheideaofthedomestichearthandfamilytiesonlymeantweakness，effeminacy，or——worse；whohadlookedforloyaltyanddevotiononlyinthemanwhobattledforhimathisrighthandindanger，orsharedhisprivationsandsufferings。Thinkofsuchaman，andimaginethatanaccidenthassuddenlyplacedhiminanatmosphereofpurity，gentleness，andpeace，surroundedhimbytherefinementsofahigherlifethanhehadeverknown，andthathefoundhimselfasinadream，ontermsofequalitywithapurewomanwhohadneverknownanyotherlife，andyetwouldunderstandandpityhis。Imaginehislovingher!
Imaginethatthefirsteffectofthatlovewastoshowhimhisowninferiorityandtheimmeasurablegulfthatlaybetweenhislifeandhers!Wouldhenotflyratherthanbravethedisgraceofherawakeningtothetruth？Wouldhenotflyratherthanaccepteventhepitythatmighttempthertoasacrifice？\"
\"But——isMr。Falknerallthat？\"
\"Nothingofthekind，Iassureyou!\"saidhedemurely。\"Butthat’sthewayamaninlovefeels。\"
\"Really!Mr。FalknershouldgetyoutopleadhiscausewithKate，\"
saidMrs。Halewithafaintlaugh。
\"Ineedallmypersuasivepowersinthatwayformyself，\"saidLeeboldly。
Mrs。Halerose。\"IthinkIhearKatecoming，\"shesaid。
Nevertheless，shedidnotmoveaway。\"ItISKatecoming，\"sheaddedhurriedly，stoopingtopickupherwork—basket，whichhadslippedwithLee’shandfromherown。
ItwasKate，whoatonceflewtohersister’sassistance，Leedeploringfromthesofahisownutterinabilitytoaidher。\"It’sallmyfault，too，\"hesaidtoKate，butlookingatMrs。Hale。\"ItseemsIhaveafacultyofupsettingexistingarrangementswithoutthepowerofimprovingthem，orevenputtingthembackintheirplaces。WhatshallIdo？Iamwillingtoholdanynumberofskeinsorrewindanyquantityofspools。IamevenwillingtoforgiveNedforspendingthewholedaywithyou，andonlybringingmethewingofahawkforsupper。\"
\"Thatwasallmyfolly，Mr。Lee，\"saidKate，withswiftmendacity；
\"hewasallthetimelookingaftersomethingforyou，whenIbeggedhimtoshootabirdtogetafeatherformyhat。AndthatwingisSOpretty。\"
\"Itisapitythatmerebeautyisnotedible，\"saidLee，gravely，\"andthatiftheworstcomestotheworsthereyouwouldprobablyprefermetoNedandhismoustachios，merelybecauseI’vebeentiedbythelegtothissofaandslowlyfattenedlikeaStrasbourggoose。\"
Nevertheless，hisbadinagefailedsomehowtoamuseKate，andshepresentlyexcusedherselftorejoinhersister，whohadalreadyslippedfromtheroom。ForthefirsttimeduringtheirenforcedseclusionasenseofrestraintanduneasinessaffectedMrs。Hale，hersister，andFalkneratdinner。ThelatteraddressedhimselftoMrs。Scott，almostentirely。Mrs。HalewasfaintobestowanexceptionalandmarkedtendernessonherlittledaughterMinnie，who，however，bysomeoccultchildishinstinct，insisteduponsharingitwithLee——hergreatfriend——toMrs。Hale’suneasyconsciousness。NorwasLeeslowtoprofitbythechild’ssuggestion，butrespondedwithcertainvicariouscaressesthatincreasedthemother’sembarrassment。Thateveningtheyretiredearly，butintheintervalsofarestlessnightKatewasaware，fromthesoundofvoicesintheoppositeroom，thatthefriendswereequallywakeful。
Amorningofbrightsunshineandsoftwarmairdidnot，however，bringanychangetotheirnewandconstrainedrelations。ItonlyseemedtoofferareasonforFalknertoleavethehouseveryearlyforhisdailyrounds，andgaveLeethatoccasionforunaidedexercisewithanextemporecrutchontheverandawhichallowedMrs。
Haletopursuehermanifolddutieswithoutthenecessityofkeepinghimcompany。Katealso，asiftoavoidanaccidentalmeetingwithFalkner，hadremainedathomewithhersister。Withoneexception，theydidnotmaketheirgueststhesubjectoftheirusualplayfulcomments，nor，afterthefashionoftheirsex，quotetheirideasandopinions。ThatexceptionwasmadebyMrs。Hale。
\"YouhavehadnodifferencewithMr。Falkner？\"shesaidcarelessly。
\"No，\"saidKatequickly。\"Why？\"
\"Ionlythoughtheseemedratherputoutatdinnerlastnight，andyoudidn’tproposetogoandmeethimto—day。\"
\"Hemustbeboredwithmycompanyattimes，Idaresay，\"saidKate，withanindifferencequiteinconsistentwithherrisingcolor。\"I
shouldn’twonderifhewasalittlevexedwithMr。Lee’schaffinghimabouthissportyesterday，andprobablyintendstogofurtherto—day，andbringhomelargergame。IthinkMr。Leeveryamusingalways，butIsometimesfancyhelacksfeeling。\"
\"Feeling!Youdon’tknowhim，Kate，\"saidMrs。Halequickly。Shestoppedherself，butwithahalf—smilingrecollectioninherdroppedeyelids。
\"Well，hedoesn’tlookveryamiablenow，stampingupanddowntheveranda。Perhapsyou’dbettergoandsoothehim。\"
\"I’mreallySObusyjustnow，\"saidMrs。Hale，withsuddenandinconsequentenergy；\"thingshavegotdreadfullybehindinthelastweek。Youhadbettergo，Kate，andmakehimsitdown，orhe’llbeoverdoingit。Thesemenneverknowanymedium——inanything。\"
ContrarytoKate’sexpectation，Falknerreturnedearlierthanusual，and，takingtheinvalid’sarm，supportedhiminamoreambitiouswalkalongtheterracebeforethehouse。Theywereapparentlyabsorbedinconversation，butthetwowomenwhoobservedthemfromthewindowcouldnothelpnoticingthealmostfemininetendernessofFalkner’smannertowardshiswoundedfriend，andthethoughtfultendernessofhisministeringcare。
\"Iwonder，\"saidMrs。Hale，followingthemwithsoftlyappreciativeeyes，\"ifwomenarecapableofasdisinterestedfriendshipasmen？
Ineversawanythinglikethedevotionofthesetwocreatures。
Look!ifMr。Falknerhasn’tgothisarmroundMr。Lee’swaist，andLee，withhisownarmoverFalkner’sneck，islookingupinhiseyes。Ideclare，Kate，italmostseemsanindiscretiontolookatthem。\"
Kate，however，toMrs。Hale’sindignation，threwherprettyheadbackandsniffedtheaircontemptuously。\"Ireallydon’tseeanythingbutsomeabsurdsentimentalismoftheirown，orsomemannishwickednessthey’reconcoctingbythemselves。Iambynomeanscertain，Josephine，thatLee’sinfluenceoverthatyoungmanisthebestthingforhim。\"
\"Onthecontrary!Lee’sinfluenceseemstheonlythingthatcheckshiswaywardness，\"saidMrs。Halequickly。\"I’msure，ifanyonemakessacrifices，itisLee；Ishouldn’twonderthatevennowheismakingsomeconcessiontoFalkner，andallthosecaressingwaysofyourfriendareforapurpose。They’renotmuchdifferentfromus，dear。\"
\"Well，Iwouldn’tstandthereandletthemseemelookingatthemasifIcouldn’tbearthemoutofmysightforamoment，\"saidKate，whiskingherselfoutoftheroom。\"They’reconceitedenough，Heavenknows，already。\"
Thatevening，atdinner，however，thetwomenexhibitednotraceoftherestraintoruneasinessofthepreviousday。Iftheywerelessimpulsiveandexuberant，theywerestillfrankandinterested，andifthetermcouldbeusedinconnectionwithmenapparentlytrainedtoneitherself—controlnorrepose，therewasacertaingentledignityintheirmannerwhichforthetimehadtheeffectofliftingthemalittleabovethesocialleveloftheirentertainers。
Forevenwithalltheirpredispositiontothestrangers，KateandMrs。Halehadalwaysretainedaconsciousattitudeofgentlecondescensionandsuperioritytowardsthem——anattitudenotinconsistentwithastrongerfeeling，noraltogetherunprovocativeofit；yetthiseveningtheyfoundthemselvesimpressedwithsomethingmorethananequalityinthemenwhohadamusedandinterestedthem，andtheywereperhapsalittlemorecriticalanddoubtfuloftheirownpower。Mrs。Hale’slittlegirl，whohadappreciatedonlytheseriousnessofthesituation，hadmadeherownapplicationofit。\"Areyoudow’in’awayfromauntKateandmamma？\"sheasked，inanintervalofsilence。
\"HowelsecanIgetyoutheredsnowwesawatsunset，theotherday，onthepeakyonder？\"saidLeegayly。\"I’llhavetogetupsomemorningveryearly，andcatchitwhenitcomesatsunrise。\"
\"Whatisthiswonderfulsnow，Minnie，thatyouaretormentingMr。
Leefor？\"askedMrs。Hale。
\"Oh!it’safairysnowthathetoldmeallabout；itonlycomeswhenthesuncomesupandgoesdown，andifyoucatcheversolittleofitinyourhanditmakesallyoufinkyouwantcometrue!
Wouldn’tthatbenice？\"Buttothechild’sastonishmentherlittlecircleofauditors，evenwhileassenting，sighed。
Theredsnowwasthereplainenoughthenextmorningbeforethevalleywaswarmwithlight，andwhileMinnie，hermother，andauntKatewerestillpeacefullysleeping。AndMr。Leehadkepthisword，andwasevidentlyseekingit，forheandFalknerwerealreadyurgingtheirhorsesthroughthepass，withtheirfacestowardsandlitupbyitsglow。
CHAPTERVIII
Katewasstirringearly，butnotasearlyashersister，whometheronthethresholdofherroom。Herfacewasquitepale，andsheheldaletterinherhand。\"Whatdoesthismean，Kate？\"
\"Whatisthematter？\"askedKate，herowncolorfadingfromhercheek。
\"Theyaregone——withtheirhorses。Leftbeforeday，andleftthis。\"
ShehandedKateanopenletter。Thegirltookithurriedly，andread——
\"Whenyougetthisweshallbenomore；perhapsnotevenasmuch。
Nedfoundthetrailyesterday，andwearetakingthefirstadvantageofitbeforeday。Wedarednottrustourselvestosay’Good—by!’lastevening；weweretoocowardlytofaceyouthismorning；wemustgoaswecame，withoutwarning，butnotwithoutregret。Weleaveapackageandaletterforyourhusband。Itisnotonlyourpoorreturnforyourgentlenessandhospitality，but，sinceitwasaccidentallythemeansofgivingusthepleasureofyoursociety，webegyoutokeepitinsafetyuntilhisreturn。Wekissyourmother’shands。Nedwantstosaysomethingmore，buttimepresses，andIonlyallowhimtosendhislovetoMinnie，andtotellherthatheistryingtofindtheredsnow。
\"GEORGELEE。\"
\"Butheisnotfittotravel，\"saidMrs。Hale。\"Andthetrail——itmaynotbepassable。\"
\"Itwaspassablethedaybeforeyesterday，\"saidKatedrearily，\"forIdiscoveredit，andwentasfarasthebuck—eyes。\"
\"Thenitwasyouwhotoldthemaboutit，\"saidMrs。Halereproachfully。
\"No，\"saidKateindignantly。\"OfcourseIdidn’t。\"Shestopped，and，readingthesignificanceofherspeechintheglisteningeyesofhersister，sheblushed。Josephinekissedher，andsaid——
\"ItWAStreatinguslikechildren，Kate，butwemustmakethempayforithereafter。ForthatpackageandlettertoJohnmeanssomething，andweshallprobablyseethembeforelong。Iwonderwhattheletterisabout，andwhatisinthepackage？\"
\"ProbablyoneofMr。Lee’sjokes。Heisquitecapableofturningthewholethingintoridicule。Idaresayheconsidershisvisithereaprolongedjest。\"
\"Withhispoorleg，Kate？YouareasunfairtohimasyouweretoFalknerwhentheyfirstcame。\"
Kate，however，keptherdarkeyebrowsknittedinapiquantfrown。
\"TothinkofhisintimatingWHAThewouldallowFalknertosay!
Andyetyoubelievehehasnoevilinfluenceovertheyoungman。\"
Mrs。Halelaughed。\"Whereareyougoingsofast，Kate？\"shecalledmischievously，astheyoungladyflouncedoutoftheroom。
\"Where？Why，totidyJohn’sroom。Hemaybecomingatanymomentnow。Ordoyouwanttodoityourself？\"
\"No，no，\"returnedMrs。Halehurriedly；\"youdoit。I’lllookinalittlelateron。\"
Sheturnedawaywithasigh。Thesunwasshiningbrilliantlyoutside。Throughthehalf—openblindsitslongshaftsseemedtobesearchingthehouseforthelostguests，andmakingthehollowshellappeardoublyempty。Whatacontrasttothedeardarkdaysofmysteriousseclusionanddelicioussecurity，litbyLee’slaughterandthesparklinghearth，whichhadpassedsoquickly!
Theforgottenouterworldseemedtohavereturnedtothehousethroughthoseopenwindowsandawakeneditsdwellersfromadream。
Themorningseemedinterminable，anditwaspastnoon，whiletheyweredeepinasympatheticconferencewithMrs。Scott，whohaddrawnapatheticword—pictureofthetwofriendsperishinginthesnow—drift，withoutflannels，brandy，smelling—salts，orjelly，whichtheyhadforgotten，whentheywerestartledbytheloudbarkingof\"Spot\"onthelawnbeforethehouse。Thewomenlookedhurriedlyateachother。
\"Theyhavereturned，\"saidMrs。Hale。
Katerantothewindow。Ahorsemanwasapproachingthehouse。A
singleglanceshowedherthatitwasneitherFalkner，Lee，norHale，butastranger。
\"Perhapshebringssomenewsofthem，\"saidMrs。Scottquickly。Socompletehadbeentheirpreoccupationwiththelossoftheirgueststhattheycouldnotyetconceiveofanythingthatdidnotpertaintoit。
Thestranger，whowasatonceusheredintotheparlor，wasevidentlydisconcertedbythepresenceofthethreewomen。
\"IreckonedtoseeJohnHaleyer，\"hebegan，awkwardly。
Aslightlookofdisappointmentpassedovertheirfaces。\"Hehasnotyetreturned，\"saidMrs。Halebriefly。
\"Sho!Iwanterknow。He’shedtimetodoit，Ireckon，\"saidthestranger。
\"Isupposehehasn’tbeenabletogetoverfromtheSummit，\"
returnedMrs。Hale。\"Thetrailisclosed。\"
\"Itain’tnow，forIkemoveritthismornin’myself。\"
\"Youdidn’t——meet——anyone？\"askedMrs。Haletimidly，withaglanceattheothers。
\"No。\"
Alongsilenceensued。Theunfortunatevisitorplainlyperceivedanevidentabatementofinterestinhimself，yethestillstruggledpolitelytosaysomething。\"ThenIreckonyouknowwhatkeptHaleaway？\"hesaiddubiously。
\"Oh，certainly——thestagerobbery。\"
\"IwishI’dknownthat，\"saidthestrangerreflectively，\"forIezgoodezrodeoverjisttotellittoye。YeseeJohnHale，hesentanotetoye’splainin’mattersbyagentleman；buttheroadagentstackledthatman，andlefthimfordeadintheroad。\"
\"Yes，\"saidMrs。Haleimpatiently。
\"Luckilyhedidn’tdie，butkemto，andmanagedtocrawlinterthebrush，wharIfoundhimwhenIwaslookin’forstock，andbroughthimtomyhouse——\"
\"YOUfoundhim？YOURhouse？\"interruptedMrs。Hale。
\"InterMYhouse，\"continuedthemandoggedly。\"I’mThompsonofThompson’sPassoveryon；mebbeitain’tmuchofahouse；butI
broughthimthar。Well，ezhecouldn’tfindthenotethatHalehadguvhim，andlikeeznottheroadagentshadgonethroughhimandgotit，ezsooneztheweatherletupImadeabreakoveryertotellye。\"
\"YousayMr。Leecametoyourhouse，\"repeatedMrs。Hale，\"andistherenow？\"
\"Notmuch，\"saidthemangrimly；\"andIneversaidLEEwasthar。I
meanthatBilsonwazshotbyLeeandkem——\"
\"Certainly，Josephine!\"saidKate，suddenlysteppingbetweenhersisterandThompson，andturninguponherawhitefaceandeyesofsilencingsignificance；\"certainly——don’tyouremember？——that’sthestorywegotfromtheChinaman，youknow，onlymuddled。Goonsir，\"shecontinued，turningtoThompsoncalmly；\"yousaythatthemanwhobroughtthenotefrommybrotherwasshotbyLee？\"
\"AndanotherfellowtheycallFalkner。Yes，that’saboutthesizeofit。\"
\"Thankyou；it’snearlythesamestorythatweheard。Butyouhavehadalongride，Mr。Thompson；letmeofferyouaglassofwhiskeyinthedining—room。Thisway，please。\"
Thedoorcloseduponthemnonetoosoon。ForMrs。Halealreadyfelttheroomwhirlingaroundher，andsankbackintoherchairwithahystericallaugh。OldMrs。Scottdidnotmovefromherseat，but，withhereyesfixedonthedoor，impatientlywaitedKate’sreturn。Neitherspoke，buteachfeltthattheyoung，untriedgirlwasequaltotheemergency，andwouldgetatthetruth。
ThesoundofThompson’sfeetinthehallandtheclosingofthefrontdoorwasfollowedbyKate’sreappearance。Herfacewasstillpale，butcalm。
\"Well？\"saidthetwowomeninabreath。
\"Well，\"returnedKateslowly；\"Mr。LeeandMr。FalknerwereundoubtedlythetwomenwhotookthepaperfromJohn’smessengerandbroughtithere。\"
\"Youaresure？\"saidMrs。Scott。
\"Therecanbenomistake，mother。\"
\"THEN，\"saidMrs。Scott，withtriumphantfemininelogic，\"Idon’twantanythingmoretosatisfymethattheyarePERFECTLYINNOCENT!\"
Moreconvincingthanthemostperfectmasculinededuction，thissingleexpressionoftheircommonnaturesentathrillofsympathyandunderstandingthrougheach。Theycriedforafewmomentsoneachother’sshoulders。\"Tothink，\"saidMrs。Scott，\"whatthatpoorboymusthavesufferedtohavebeenobligedtodo——thatto——
to——Bilson——isn’tthatthecreature’sname？Isupposeweoughttosendoverthereandinquireafterhim，withsomechickenandjelly，Kate。It’sonlycommonhumanity，andwemustbejust，mydear；forevenifheshotMr。Leeandprovokedthepoorboytoshoothim，hemayhavethoughtithisduty。Andthen，itwillavertsuspicions。\"
\"Tothink，\"murmuredMrs。Hale，\"whattheymusthavegonethroughwhiletheywerehere——momentarilyexpectingJohntocome，andyetkeepingupsuchalightheart。\"
\"Ibelieve，iftheyhadstayedanylonger，theywouldhavetolduseverything，\"saidMrs。Scott。
Boththeyoungerwomenweresilent。KatewasthinkingofFalkner’ssignificantspeechastheynearedthehouseontheirlastwalk；
JosephinewasrecallingtheremorsefulpicturedrawnbyLee，whichsheknewwashisownportrait。Suddenlyshestarted。
\"ButJohnwillbeheresoon；whatarewetotellhim？Andthenthatpackageandthatletter。\"
\"Don’tbeinahurrytotellhimanythingatpresent，mychild，\"
saidMrs。Scottgently。\"ItisunfortunatethisMr。Thompsoncalledhere，butwearenotobligedtounderstandwhathesaysnowaboutJohn’smessage，ortoconnectourvisitorswithhisstory。
I’msure，Kate，IshouldhavetreatedthemexactlyaswedidiftheyhadcomewithoutanymessagefromJohn；soIdonotknowwhyweshouldlayanystressonthat，orevenspeakofit。Thesimplefactisthatwehaveopenedourhousetotwostrangersindistress。
Yourhusband，\"continuedMr。Hale’smother—in—law，\"doesnotrequiretoknowmore。Astotheletterandpackage，wewillkeepthatforfurtherconsideration。Itcannotbeofmuchimportance，ortheywouldhavespokenofitbefore；itisprobablysometriflingpresentasareturnforyourhospitality。IshouldusenoINDECOROUShasteinhavingitopened。\"
ThetwowomenkissedMrs。Scottwithafeelingofrelief，andfellbackintothemonotonyoftheirhouseholdduties。Itistobefeared，however，thattheabsenceoftheiroutlawedguestswasnearlyasdangerousastheirpresenceintheopportunityitaffordedforuninterruptedandimaginativereflection。BothKateandJosephinewereatfirstshockedandwoundedbythediscoveryoftherealcharacterofthetwomenwithwhomtheyhadassociatedsofamiliarly，butitwasnodisparagementtotheirsenseofproprietytosaythattheshockdidnotlastlong，andwasaccompaniedwiththefascinationofdanger。Thiswassucceededbyaconsciousnessofthedelicateflatteryimpliedintheirindirectinfluenceoverthemenwhohadundoubtedlyriskedtheirlivesforthesakeofremainingwiththem。Thebestwomanisnotabovebeingtouchedbytheeffectofherpowerovertheworstman，andKateatfirstallowedherselftothinkofFalknerinthatlight。Butifinherlaterreflectionshesufferedasaheroicexperiencetobeforgotten，hegainedsomethingasanactualmantoberemembered。
Nowthattheproposedridesfrom\"hisfriend’shouse\"wereapartoftheillusion，wouldheeverdaretovisitthemagain？Wouldshedaretoseehim？Sheheldherbreathwithasuddenpainofpartingthatwasnewtoher；shetriedtothinkofsomethingelse，topickupthescatteredthreadsofherlifebeforethateventfulday。Butinvain；thatoneweekhadfilledtheplacewithimplacablememories，ormoreterrible，asitseemedtoherandhersister，theyhadbothlosttheirfeeble，alienholduponEagle’sCourtinthesuddenpresenceoftherealgeniiofthesesolitudes，andhenceforththeyalonewouldbethestrangersthere。Theyscarcelydaredtoconfessittoeachother，butthisreturntothedazzlingsunlightandcloudlessskiesofthepastappearedtothemtobetheoneunrealexperience；theyhadneverknownthetruewildflavoroftheirhome，exceptinthatweekofdeliciousisolation。Withoutbreathingitaloud，theylongedforsomevaguedenoumenttothisexperiencethatshouldtakethemfromEagle’sCourtforever。
ItwasnoonthenextdaywhenthelittlehouseholdbeheldthelastshredoftheirillusionvanishlikethemeltingsnowinthestrongsunlightofJohnHale’sreturn。HewasaccompaniedbyColonelClinchandRawlins，twostrangerstothewomen。Wasitfancy，ortheavengingspiritoftheirabsentcompanions？butHEtoolookedastranger，andasthelittlecavalcadewounditswayuptheslopeheappearedtosithishorseandwearhishatwithacertainslouchandabsenceofhisusualrestraintthatstrangelyshockedthem。
Eventheoldhalf—condescending，half—punctiliousgallantryofhisgreetingofhiswifeandfamilywaschanged，asheintroducedhiscompanionswithaminglingoffamiliarityandshynessthatwasnewtohim。DidMrs。Haleregretit，orfeelasenseofreliefintheabsenceofhisusualseignorialformality？Sheonlyknewthatshewasgratefulforthepresenceofthestrangers，whichforthemomentpostponedamatrimonialconfidencefromwhichsheshrank。
\"Proudtoknowyou，\"saidColonelClinch，withasuddenoutbreakoftheantiquegallantryofsomeremoteHuguenotancestor。\"Myfriend，JudgeHale，mustbearegularRomancitizentoleavesuchafamilyandsuchahouseatthecallofpublicduty。Eh，Rawlins？\"
\"Youbet，\"saidRawlins，lookingfromKatetohersisterinundisguisedadmiration。
\"AndIsupposethedutycouldnothavebeenaverypleasantone，\"
saidMrs。Hale，timidly，withoutlookingatherhusband。
\"Gad，madam，that’sjustit，\"saidthegallantColonel，seatinghimselfwithacomfortableair，andaneasy，thoughbynomeansdisrespectful，familiarity。\"Wewentintothisfightalittlemorethanaweekago。Theonlyscrimmagewe’vehadhasbeenwiththedetectivesthatwereontherobbers’track。Ha!ha!Thebestpeoplewe’vemethavebeenthefriendsofthemenwewerehuntin’，andwe’vegenerallycometotheconclusiontovotetheotherticket!EzJudgeHaleandmeagreedezwecamealong，thetwomenezwe’dmostliketoseejustnowandshakehandswithareGeorgeLeeandNedFalkner。\"
\"Thetwoleadersofthepartywhorobbedthecoach，\"explainedMr。
Hale，withaslightreturnofhisusualprecisionofstatement。
Thethreewomenlookedateachotherwithablazeofthanksgivingintheirgratefuleyes。WithoutcomprehendingallthatColonelClinchhadsaid，theyunderstoodenoughtoknowthattheirlateguestsweresafefromthepursuitofthatparty，andthattheirownconductwassparedcriticism。Ihardlydarewriteit，buttheyinstantlyassumedtheappearanceofaggrievedmartyrs，andfeltasiftheywere!
\"Yes，ladies!\"continuedtheColonel，inspiredbythebrighteyesfixeduponhim。\"Wehaven’ttakentheroadourselvesyet，but——
pohnhonor——wewouldn’tminddoingitinacaselikethis。\"Thenwiththefluent，butsomewhatexaggerated，phraseologyofamantrainedto\"stump\"speaking，hegaveanaccountoftherobberyandhisownconnectionwithit。HespokeoftheswindlingandtreacherywhichhadundoubtedlyprovokedFalknertoobtainrestitutionofhispropertybyanovertactofviolenceundertheleadershipofLee。HeaddedthathehadlearnedsinceatWildCatStationthatHarkinshadfledthecountry，thatasuithadbeencommencedbytheExcelsiorDitchCompany，andthatallavailablepropertyofHarkinshadbeenseizedbythesheriff。
\"Ofcourseitcan’tbeprovedyet，butthere’snodoubtinmymindthatLee，whoisanoldfriendofNedFalkner’s，gotupthatjobtohelphim，andthatNed’soffwiththemoneybythistime——andI’mrightgladofit。Ican’tsayezwe’vedonemuchtowardsit，excepttokeeptumblinginthewayofthatdetectivepartyofStanner’s，andsothrowthemoffthetrail——ha，ha!TheJudgehere，Ireckon，hashadhisshareoffun，forwhilehewasatHennicker’stryingtogetsomefactsfromHennicker’sprettydaughter，StannertriedtogetupsomesortofvigilancecommitteeofthestagepassengerstoburndownHennicker’sranchoutofspite，buttheJudgeheresteppedinandstoppedthat。\"
\"Itwasreallyahigh—handedproceeding，Josephine，butImanagedtocheckit，\"saidHale，meetingsomewhatconsciouslythefirstdirectlookhiswifehadcastuponhim，andfallingbackforsupportonhisoldmanner。\"Initsway，IthinkitwasworsethantherobberybyLeeandFalkner，foritwasdoneinthenameoflawandorder；while，asfarasIcanjudgefromthefacts，theaffairthatwewerefollowingupwassimplyarudeandirregularrestitutionofpropertythathadbeenmorallystolen。\"
\"Ihavenodoubtyoudidquiteright，thoughIdon’tunderstandit，\"saidMrs。Halelanguidly；\"butItrustthesegentlemenwillstaytoluncheon，andinthemeantimeexcuseusforrunningaway，asweareshortofservants，andManuelseemstohavefollowedtheexampleoftheheadofthehouseandleftus，inpursuitofsomebodyorsomething。\"
Whenthethreewomenhadgainedthevantage—groundofthedrawing—
room，Katesaid，earnestly，\"Asit’sallright，hadn’twebettertellhimnow？\"
\"Decidedlynot，child，\"saidMrs。Scott，imperatively。\"DoyousupposetheyareinahurrytotellusTHEIRwholestory？WhoarethoseHennickerpeople？andtheywerethereaweekago!\"
\"AnddidyounoticeJohn’shatwhenhecamein，andthevulgarfamiliarityofcallinghim’Judge’？\"saidMrs。Hale。
\"Well，certainlyanythinglikethefamiliarityofthismanClinchI
neversaw，\"saidKate。\"ContrasthismannerwithMr。Falkner’s。\"
AtluncheonthethreesufferingmartyrsfinallysucceededinreducingHaleandhistwofriendstoanattitudeofvagueapology。
Buttheirtriumphwasshort—lived。Attheendofthemealtheywerestartledbythetramplingofhoofswithout，followedbyloudknocking。Inanothermomentthedoorwasopened，andMr。Stannerstrodeintotheroom。Halerosewithalookofindignation。
\"Ithought，asMr。StannerunderstoodthatIhadnodesireforhiscompanyelsewhere，hewouldhardlyventuretointrudeuponmeinmyhouse，andcertainlynotafter——\"
\"Efyou’realludingtotheVigilantesshakin’youandZeenieupatHennicker’s，youcan’tmakeMEresponsibleforthat。I’mherenowonbusiness——youunderstand——reg’larbusiness。Efyouwanttoseethepapersyerken。Isupposeyouknowwhatawarrantis？\"
\"IknowwhatYOUare，\"saidHalehotly；\"andifyoudon’tleavemyhouse——\"
\"Steady，boys，\"interruptedStanner，ashisfivehenchmenfiledintothehall。\"There’snobackin’downhere，ColonelClinch，unlessyouandHalekalkilatetobackdowntheStateofCaliforny!
Thematterstandslikethis。There’sahalf—breedMexican，calledManuel，arrestedoverattheSummit，whoswearshesawGeorgeLeeandEdwardFalknerinthishousethenightaftertherobbery。Hesaysthattheyweremakin’themselvesathomehere，asiftheywereamongfriends，andconsiderin’thekindofhelpwe’vehadfromMr。
JohnHale，itlooksezifitmightbetrue。\"
\"It’saninfamouslie!\"saidHale。
\"Itmaybetrue，John，\"saidMrs。Scott，suddenlysteppinginfrontofherpale—cheekeddaughters。\"Awoundedmanwasbroughthereoutofthestormbyhisfriend，whoclaimedtheshelterofyourroof。
AsyourmotherIshouldhavebeenunworthytostaybeneathitandhavedeniedthatshelterorwithheldituntilIknewhisnameandwhathewas。Hestayedhereuntilhecouldberemoved。Heleftaletterforyou。Itwillprobablytellyouifhewasthemanthispersonisseeking。\"
\"Thankyou，mother，\"saidHale，liftingherhandtohislipsquietly；\"andperhapsyouwillkindlytellthesegentlementhat。
asyoursondoesnotcaretoknowwhoorwhatthestrangerwas，thereisnonecessityforopeningtheletter，orkeepingMr。
Stanneramomentlonger。\"
\"ButyouwillobligeME，John，byopeningitbeforethesegentlemen，\"saidMrs。Halerecoveringhervoiceandcolor。
\"Pleasetofollowme，\"shesaidprecedingthemtothestaircase。
TheyenteredMr。Hale’sroom，nowrestoredtoitsoriginalcondition。Onthetablelayaletterandasmallpackage。TheeyesofMr。Stanner，alittleabashedbytheattitudeofthetwowomen，fasteneduponitandglistened。
Josephinehandedherhusbandtheletter。Heopeneditinbreathlesssilenceandread——
\"JOHNHALE，\"Weoweyounoreturnforvoluntarilymakingyourselfachampionofjusticeandpursuingus，exceptitwastoofferyouafairfieldandnofavor。Wedidn’tgetthatmuchfromyou，butaccidentbroughtusintoyourhouseandintoyourfamily，whereweDIDgetit，andwerefairlyvanquished。Tothevictorsbelongthespoils。
WeleavethepackageofgreenbackswhichwetookfromColonelClinchintheSierracoach，butwhichwasfirststolenbyHarkinsfromforty—fourshareholdersoftheExcelsiorDitch。WehavenorighttosaywhatYOUshoulddowithit，butifyouaren’ttiredoffollowingthesamelineofjusticethatinducedyoutorunafterUS，youwilltrytorestoreittoitsrightfulowners。
\"Weleaveyouanothertrifleasanevidencethatourintrusionintoyouraffairswasnotwithoutsomeservicetoyou，eveniftheservicewasasaccidentalastheintrusion。Youwillfindapairofbootsinthecornerofyourcloset。TheyweretakenfromtheburglariousfeetofManuel，yourpeon，who，believingthethreeladieswerealoneandathismercy，enteredyourhousewithanaccompliceattwoo’clockonthemorningofthe21st，andwaskickedoutby\"Yourobedientservants，\"GEORGELEE&EDWARDFALKNER\"
Hale’svoiceandcolorchangedonreadingthislastparagraph。Heturnedquicklytowardshiswife；Kateflewtothecloset，wherethemuffledbootsofManuelconfrontedthem。\"Weneverknewit。I
alwayssuspectedsomethingthatnight，\"saidMrs。HaleandMrs。
Scottinthesamebreath。
\"That’sallverywell，andlikeGeorgeLee’shighfalutin’，\"saidStanner，approachingthetable，\"butaslongezthegreenbacksareherehecanmakewhatcapitalhelikesouterManuel。I’lltroubleyoutopassoverthatpackage。\"
\"Excuseme，\"saidHale，\"butIbelievethisisthepackagetakenfromColonelClinch。Isitnot？\"headded，appealingtotheColonel。
\"Itis，\"saidClinch。
\"Thentakeit，\"saidHale，handinghimthepackage。\"Thefirstrestitutionistoyou，butIbelieveyouwillfulfilLee’sinstructionsaswellasmyself。\"
\"But，\"saidStanner，furiouslyinterposing，\"I’veawarranttoseizethatwhereverfound，andIdareyoutodisobeythelaw。\"
\"Mr。Stanner，\"saidClinch，slowly，\"thereareladiespresent。IfyouinsistuponhavingthatpackageImustaskthemtowithdraw，andI’mafraidyou’llfindmebetterpreparedtoresistaSECOND
robberythanIwasthefirst。Yourwarrant，whichwastakenoutbytheExpressCompany，issupplantedbycivilproceedingstakenthedaybeforeyesterdayagainstthepropertyofthefugitiveswindlerHarkins!Youshouldhaveconsultedthesheriffbeforeyoucamehere。\"
Stannersawhismistake。Butinthefacesofhisgrinningfollowershewasobligedtokeepuphisbluster。\"Youshallhearfrommeagain，sir，\"hesaid，turningonhisheel。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidClinchgrimly，\"butdoIunderstandthatatlastIamtohavethehonor——\"
\"YoushallhearfromtheCompany’slawyers，sir，\"saidStanner。
turningred，andnoisilyleavingtheroom。
\"Andso，mydearladies，\"saidColonelClinch，\"youhavespentaweekwithahighwayman。IsayAhighwayman，foritwouldbehardtocallmyyoungfriendFalknerbythatnameforhisfirstoffence，committedundergreatprovocation，andundoubtedlyinstigatedbyLee，whowasanoldfriendofhis，andtowhomhecame，nodoubt，indesperation。\"
Katestoleatriumphantglanceathersister，whodroppedherlidsoverherglisteningeyes。\"AndthisMr。Lee，\"shecontinuedmoregently，\"ishereallyahighwayman？\"
\"GeorgeLee，\"saidClinch，settlinghimselfbackoratoricallyinhischair，\"mydearyounglady，ISahighwayman，butnotofthecommonsort。Heisagentlemanborn，madam，comesfromoneoftheoldestfamiliesoftheEasternShoreofMaryland。Henevermixeshimselfupwithanythingbutsomeofthebiggeststrikes，andhe’saneducatedman。Heisverypopularwithladiesandchildren；hewasneverknowntodoorsayanythingthatcouldbringablushtothecheekofbeautyorateartotheeyeofinnocence。IthinkI
maysayI’msureyoufoundhimso。\"
\"Ishallneverbelievehimanythingbutagentleman，\"saidMrs。
Scott，firmly。
\"Ifhehasadefect，itisperhapsatoorecklessindulgenceindrawpoker，\"saidtheColonel，musingly；\"notunbecomingagentleman，understandme，Mrs。Scott，butperhapstoorecklessforhisowngood。Georgeplayedagrandgame，aglitteringgame，butpardonmeifIsayanUNCERTAINgame。I’vetoldhimso；it’stheonlypointonwhichweeverdiffered。\"
\"Thenyouknowhim？\"saidMrs。Hale，liftinghersofteyestotheColonel。
\"Ihavethathonor。\"
\"Didhisappearance，Josephine，\"brokeinHale，somewhatostentatiously，\"appearto——er——er——correspondwiththesequalities？YouknowwhatImean。\"
\"Hecertainlyseemedverysimpleandnatural，\"saidMrs。Hale，slightlydrawingherprettylipstogether。\"Hedidnotwearhistrousersrolledupoverhisbootsinthecompanyofladies，asyou’redoingnow，nordidhemakehisfirstappearanceinthishousewithsuchahatasyouworethismorning，orIshouldnothaveadmittedhim。\"
Therewereafewmomentsofembarrassingsilence。
\"DoyouintendtogivethatpackagetoMr。Falkneryourself，Colonel？\"askedMrs。Scott。
\"IshallhanditovertotheExcelsiorCompany，\"saidtheColonel，\"butIshallinformNedofwhatIhavedone。\"
\"Then，\"saidMrs。Scott，\"willyoukindlytakeamessagefromustohim？\"
\"Ifyouwishit。\"
\"YouwillbedoingMEagreatfavor，Colonel，\"saidHale，politely。
Whateverthemessagewas，sixmonthslateritbroughtEdwardFalkner，thereestablishedsuperintendentoftheExcelsiorDitch，toEagle’sCourt。AsheandKatestoodagainontheplateau，lookingtowardsthedistantslopesoncemoregreenwithverdure，Falknersaid——
\"EverythingherelooksasitdidthefirstdayIsawit，exceptyoursister。\"
\"Theplacedoesnotagreewithher，\"saidKatehurriedly。\"Thatiswhymybrotherthinksofleavingitbeforethewintersetsin。\"
\"Itseemssosad，\"saidFalkner，\"forthelastwordspoorGeorgesaidtome，ashelefttojoinhiscousin’scorpsatRichmond，were：’IfI’mnotkilled，Ned，IhopesomedaytostandagainbesideMrs。Hale，atthewindowinEagle’sCourt，andwatchyouandKatecominghome!’\"