NothingwasknowndefinitelyuntilJack，amonthlater，turnedupinSacramento，withabilliard-cueinhishand，andaheartoverchargedwithindignantemotion。\"Idon’tmindsayingtoyou，gentlemen，inconfidence，\"saidJacktoacircleofsympathizingplayers，——\"Idon’tmindtellingyouregardingthisthing，thatI
wasassoftonthatfreckled-faced，red-eyed，tallow-hairedgal，asifshe’dbeen——a——a——anactress。AndIdon’tmindsaying，gentlemen，that，asfarasIunderstandwomen，shewasjustassoftonme。Youkinlaugh;butit’sso。OnedayItookheroutbuggy-
riding，——instyle，too，——andoutontheroadIofferedtodothesquarething，justasifshe’dbeenalady，——offeredtomarryherthenandthere。Andwhatdidshedo？\"saidJackwithahystericallaugh。\"Why，blankitall！OFFEREDMETWENTY-FIVEDOLLARSAWEEK
ALLOWANCE——PAYTOBESTOPPEDWHENIWASN’TATHOME！\"Theroaroflaughterthatgreetedthisfrankconfessionwasbrokenbyaquietvoiceasking，\"AndwhatdidYOUsay？\"——\"Say？\"screamedJack，\"I
justtoldhertogoto————withhermoney。\"——\"Theysay，\"continuedthequietvoice，\"thatyouaskedherfortheloanoftwohundredandfiftydollarstogetyoutoSacramento——andthatyougotit。\"——
\"WhosayssoroaredJack。\"Showmetheblankliar。\"Therewasadeadsilence。Thenthepossessorofthequietvoice，Mr。JackHamlin，languidlyreachedunderthetable，tookthechalk，and，rubbingtheendofhisbilliard-cue，beganwithgentlegravity：\"ItwasanoldfriendofmineinSacramento，amanwithawoodenleg，agameeye，threefingersonhisrighthand，andaconsumptivecough。
Beingunable，naturally，tobackhimself，heleavesthingstome。
So，forthesakeofargument，\"continuedHamlin，suddenlylayingdownhiscue，andfixinghiswickedblackeyesonthespeaker，\"sayit’sME！\"
Iamafraidthatthisstory，whethertruthfulornot，didnottendtoincreasePeg’spopularityinacommunitywhererecklessnessandgenerositycondonedfortheabsenceofalltheothervirtues;anditispossible，also，thatRedDogwasnomorefreefromprejudicethanothermorecivilizedbutequallydisappointedmatchmakers。
Likewise，duringthefollowingyear，shemadeseveralmorefoolishventures，andlostheavily。Infact，afeverishdesiretoincreaseherstoreatalmostanyriskseemedtopossessher。AtlastitwasannouncedthatsheintendedtoreopentheinfelixRockvilleHotel，andkeepitherself。
Wildasthisschemeappearedintheory，whenputintopracticaloperationthereseemedtobesomechanceofsuccess。Much，doubtless，wasowingtoherpracticalknowledgeofhotel-keeping，butmoretoherrigideconomyanduntiringindustry。Themistressofmillions，shecooked，washed，waitedontable，madethebeds，andlaboredlikeacommonmenial。Visitorswereattractedbythisnovelspectacle。Theincomeofthehouseincreasedastheirrespectforthehostesslessened。Noanecdoteofheravaricewastooextravagantforcurrentbelief。Itwasevenallegedthatshehadbeenknowntocarrytheluggageofgueststotheirrooms，thatshemightanticipatetheusualporter’sgratuity。Shedeniedherselftheordinarynecessariesoflife。Shewaspoorlyclad，shewasill-fed——butthehotelwasmakingmoney。
Afewhintedofinsanity;othersshooktheirheads，andsaidacursewasentailedontheproperty。Itwasbelieved，also，fromherappearance，thatshecouldnotlongsurvivethistaxonherenergies，andalreadytherewasdiscussionastotheprobablefinaldispositionofherproperty。
ItwastheparticularfortuneofMr。JackHamlintobeabletosettheworldrightonthisandotherquestionsregardingher。
AstormyDecembereveninghadsetinwhenhechancedtobeaguestoftheRockvilleHotel。Hehad，duringthepastweek，beenengagedintheprosecutionofhisnobleprofessionatRedDog，andhad，inthegraphiclanguageofacoadjutor，\"clearedoutthetown，excepthisfareinthepocketsofthestage-driver。\"\"TheRedDogStandard\"hadbewailedhisdepartureinplayfulobituaryverse，beginning，\"DearestJohnny，thouhastleftus，\"whereintherhymes\"bereftus\"and\"deplore\"carriedavagueallusionto\"athousanddollarsmore。\"Aquietcontentmentnaturallysuffusedhispersonality，andhewasmorethanusuallylazyanddeliberateinhisspeech。Atmidnight，whenhewasabouttoretire，hewasalittlesurprised，however，byataponhisdoor，followedbythepresenceofMistressPegMoffat，heiress，andlandladyofRockvillehotel。
Mr。Hamlin，despitehispreviousdefenceofPeg，hadnolikingforher。Hisfastidioustasterejectedheruncomeliness;hishabitsofthoughtandlifewereallantagonistictowhathehadheardofherniggardlinessandgreed。Asshestoodthere，inadirtycalicowrapper，stillredolentwiththeday’scuisine，crimsonwithembarrassmentandtherecentheatofthekitchenrange，shecertainlywasnotanalluringapparition。Happilyforthelatenessofthehour，herloneliness，andtheinfelixreputationofthemanbeforeher，shewasatleastasafeone。AndIfeartheveryconsciousnessofthisscarcelyrelievedherembarrassment。
\"Iwantedtosayafewwordstoyealone，Mr。Hamlin，\"shebegan，takinganunofferedseatontheendofhisportmanteau，\"orI
shouldn’thevintruded。Butit’stheonlytimeIcanketchyou，oryoume;forI’mdowninthekitchenfromsunuptillnow。\"
Shestoppedawkwardly，asiftolistentothewind，whichwasrattlingthewindows，andspreadingafilmofrainagainsttheopaquedarknesswithout。Then，smoothingherwrapperoverherknees，sheremarked，asifopeningadesultoryconversation，\"Thar’sapowerofrainoutside。\"
Mr。Hamlin’sonlyresponsetothismeteorologicalobservationwasayawn，andapreliminarytugathiscoatashebegantoremoveit。
\"Ithoughtyecouldn’tminddoin’meafavor，\"continuedPeg，withahard，awkwardlaugh，\"partik’lyseein’ezfolksallowedyou’dsorterbinafriendo’mine，andhedstoodupformeattimeswhenyouhedn’tanypartiklercalltodoit。Ihevn’t\"shecontinued，lookingdownonherlap，andfollowingwithherfingerandthumbaseamofhergown，——\"Ihevn’tsomanyfriendsezslingsakindwordformethesetimesthatIdisrememberthem。\"Herunderlipquiveredalittlehere;and，aftervainlyhuntingforaforgottenhandkerchief，shefinallyliftedthehemofhergown，wipedhersnubnoseuponit，butleftthetearsstillinhereyesassheraisedthemtotheman，Mr。Hamlin，whohadbythistimedivestedhimselfofhiscoat，stoppedunbuttoninghiswaistcoat，andlookedather。
\"Likeeznotthar’llbehighwaterontheNorthFork，efthisrainkeepson，\"saidPeg，asifapologetically，lookingtowardthewindow。
Theotherrainhavingceased，Mr。Hamlinbegantounbuttonhiswaistcoatagain。
\"IwantedtoaskyeafavoraboutMr。——about——JackFolinsbee，\"
beganPegagainhurriedly。\"He’sailin’agin，andismightylow。
Andhe’slosin’aheapo’moneyhereandthar，andmostlytoYOU。
Youcleanedhimoutoftwothousanddollarslastnight——allhehad。\"
\"Well？\"saidthegamblercoldly。
\"Well，Ithoughtezyouwozafriendo’mine，I’daskyetoletupalittleonhim，\"saidPeg，withanaffectedlaugh。\"Youkindoit。Don’tlethimplaywithye。\"
\"MistressMargaretMoffat，\"saidJack，withlazydeliberation，takingoffhiswatch，andbeginningtowinditup，\"efyou’rethatmuchstuckafterJackFolinsbee，YOUkinkeephimoffofmemucheasierthanIkin。You’rearichwoman。Givehimenoughmoneytobreakmybank，orbreakhimselfforgoodandall;butdon’tkeephimforlin’roundmeinhopestomakearaise。Itdon’tpay，MistressMoffat——itdon’tpay！\"
AfinernaturethanPeg’swouldhavemisunderstoodorresentedthegambler’sslang，andthemiserabletruthsthatunderlaidit。Butshecomprehendedhiminstantly，andsathopelesslysilent。
\"Efyou’lltakemyadvice，\"continuedJack，placinghiswatchandchainunderhispillow，andquietlyunloosinghiscravat，\"you’llquitthisyerforlin’，marrythatchap，andhandovertohimthemoneyandthemoney-makin’that’skillin’you。He’llgetridofitsoonenough。Idon’tsaythisbecauseIexpecttogitit;for，whenhe’sgotthatmuchofaraise，he’llmakeabreakfor’Frisco，andloseittosomefirst-classsportTHERE。Idon’tsay，neither，thatyoumayn’tbeinluckenoughtoreformhim。Idon’tsay，neither——andit’sadernedsightmorelikely！——thatyoumayn’tbeluckieryet，andhe’llupanddieaforehegitsridofyourmoney。
ButIdosayyou’llmakehimhappyNOW;and，ezIreckonyou’reaboutezbadlystuckafterthatchapezIeversawanywoman，youwon’tbehurtin’yourownfeelin’seither。\"
ThebloodleftPeg’sfaceasshelookedup。\"Butthat’sWHYI
can’tgivehimthemoney——andhewon’tmarrymewithoutit。\"
Mr。Hamlin’shanddroppedfromthelastbuttonofhiswaistcoat。
\"Can’t——give——him——the——money？\"herepeatedslowly。
\"No。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Because——becauseILOVEhim。\"
Mr。Hamlinrebuttonedhiswaistcoat，andsatdownpatientlyonthebed。Pegarose，andawkwardlydrewtheportmanteaualittlenearertohim。
\"WhenJimBywaysleftmethisyerproperty，\"shebegan，lookingcautiouslyaround，\"heleftittomeonCONDITIONS;notconditionsezwazinhisWRITTENwill，butconditionsezwazSPOKEN。A
promiseImadehiminthisveryroom，Mr。Hamlin，——thisveryroom，andonthatverybedyou’resittin’on，inwhichhedied。\"
Likemostgamblers，Mr。Hamlinwassuperstitious。Herosehastilyfromthebed，andtookachairbesidethewindow。ThewindshookitasifthediscontentedspiritofMr。Bywayswerewithout，re-
enforcinghislastinjunction。
\"Idon’tknowifyourememberhim，\"saidPegfeverishly。\"hewasamanezhedsuffered。Allthatheloved——wife，fammerly，friends——
hadgonebackonhim。Hetriedtomakelightofitaforefolks;
butwithme，beingapoorgal，helethimselfout。Inevertoldanybodythis。Idon’tknowwhyhetoldME;Idon’tknow，\"
continuedPeg，withasniffle，\"whyhewantedtomakemeunhappytoo。Buthemademepromise，that，ifheleftmehisfortune，I’dNEVER，NEVER——sohelpmeGod！——nevershareitwithanymanorwomanthatILOVED;Ididn’tthinkitwouldbehardtokeepthatpromisethen，Mr。Hamlin;forIwasverypoor，andhedn’tafriendnoralivingbein’thatwaskindtome，butHIM。\"
\"Butyou’veasgoodasbrokenyourpromisealready，\"saidHamlin。
\"You’vegivenJackmoney，asIknow。\"
\"OnlywhatImademyself。Listentome，Mr。Hamlin。WhenJackproposedtome，IofferedhimaboutwhatIkalkilatedIcouldearnmyself。Whenhewentaway，andwassickandintrouble，Icamehereandtookthishotel。IknewthatbyhardworkIcouldmakeitpay。Don’tlaughatme，please。IDIDworkhard，andDIDmakeitpay——withouttakin’onecentofthefortin’。AndallImade，workin’bynightandday，Igavetohim。Idid，Mr。Hamlin。I
ain’tsohardtohimasyouthink，thoughImightbekinder，I
know。\"
Mr。Hamlinrose，deliberatelyresumedhiscoat，watch，hat，andovercoat。Whenhewascompletelydressedagain，heturnedtoPeg。
\"Doyoumeantosaythatyou’vebeengivin’allthemoneyyoumadeheretothisA1first-classcherubim？\"
\"Yes;buthedidn’tknowwhereIgotit。OMr。Hamlin！hedidn’tknowthat。\"
\"DoIunderstandyou，thathe’sbinbuckinaginFarowiththemoneythatyouraisedonhash？AndYOUmakin’thehash？\"
\"Buthedidn’tknowthat，hewouldn’thevtookitifI’dtoldhim。\"
\"No，he’dhevdiedfust！\"saidMr。Hamlingravely。\"Why，he’sthatsensitive——isJackFolinsbee——thatitnearlykillshimtotakemoneyevenofME。Butwheredoesthisangelresidewhenheisn’tfightin’thetiger，andis，sotospeak，visibletothenakedeye？\"
\"He——he——stopshere，\"saidPeg，withanawkwardblush。
\"Isee。MightIaskthenumberofhisroom——orshouldIbea——
disturbinghiminhismeditations？\"continuedJackHamlin，withgravepoliteness。
\"Oh！thenyou’llpromise？Andyou’lltalktohim，andmakeHIM
promise？\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidHamlinquietly。
\"Andyou’llrememberhe’ssick——verysick？Hisroom’sNo。44，attheendofthehall。PerhapsI’dbettergowithyou？\"
\"I’llfindit。\"
\"Andyouwon’tbetoohardonhim？\"
\"I’llbeafathertohim，\"saidHamlindemurely，asheopenedthedoorandsteppedintothehall。Buthehesitatedamoment，andthenturned，andgravelyheldouthishand。Pegtookittimidly。
Hedidnotseemquiteinearnest;andhisblackeyes，vainlyquestioned，indicatednothing。Butheshookherhandwarmly，andthenextmomentwasgone。
Hefoundtheroomwithnodifficulty。Afaintcoughfromwithin，andaquerulousprotest，answeredhisknock。Mr。Hamlinenteredwithoutfurtherceremony。Asickeningsmellofdrugs，apalpableflavorofstaledissipation，andthewastedfigureofJackFolinsbee，half-dressed，extendeduponthebed，greetedhim。Mr。
Hamlinwasforaninstantstartled。Therewerehollowcirclesroundthesickman’seyes;therewaspalsyinhistremblinglimbs;
therewasdissolutioninhisfeverishbreath。
\"What’sup？\"heaskedhuskilyandnervously。
\"Iam，andIwantYOUtogetuptoo。\"
\"Ican’t，Jack。I’mregularlydoneup。\"Hereachedhisshakinghandtowardsaglasshalf-filledwithsuspicious，pungent-smellingliquid;butMr。Hamlinstayedit。
\"Doyouwanttogetbackthattwothousanddollarsyoulost？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，getup，andmarrythatwomandownstairs。\"
Folinsbeelaughedhalfhysterically，halfsardonically。
\"Shewon’tgiveittome。\"
\"No;butIwill。\"
\"YOU？\"
\"Yes。\"
Folinsbee，withanattemptatarecklesslaugh，rose，tremblingandwithdifficulty，tohisswollenfeet。Hamlineyedhimnarrowly，andthenbadehimliedownagain。\"To-morrowwilldo，\"hesaid，\"andthen——\"
\"IfIdon’t\"
\"Ifyoudon’t，\"respondedHamlin，\"why，I’lljustwadeinandCUT
YOUOUT！\"
ButonthemorrowMr。Hamlinwassparedthatpossibleactofdisloyalty;for，inthenight，thealreadyhesitatingspiritofMr。
JackFolinsbeetookflightonthewingsofthesouth-eaststorm。
Whenorhowithappened，nobodyknew。Whetherthislastexcitementandthenearprospectofmatrimony，orwhetheranoverdoseofanodyne，hadhastenedhisend，wasneverknown。Ionlyknow，that，whentheycametoawakenhimthenextmorning，thebestthatwasleftofhim——afacestillbeautifulandboy-like——lookedupcoldlyatthetearfuleyesofPegMoffat。\"Itservesmeright，it’sajudgment，\"shesaidinalowwhispertoJackHamlin;\"forGodknewthatI’dbrokenmyword，andwilledallmypropertytohim。\"
Shedidnotlongsurvivehim。WhetherMr。HamlineverclothedwithactionthesuggestionindicatedinhisspeechtothelamentedJackthatnight，isnotofrecord。Hewasalwaysherfriend，andonherdemisebecameherexecutor。ButthebulkofherpropertywaslefttoadistantrelationofhandsomeJackFolinsbee，andsopassedoutofthecontrolofRedDogforever。
THEGREATDEADWOODMYSTERY
Itwasgrowingquitedarkinthetelegraph-officeatCottonwood，TuolumneCounty，California。Theoffice，abox-likeenclosure，wasseparatedfromthepublicroomoftheMiners’Hotelbyathinpartition;andtheoperator，whowasalsonewsandexpressagentatCottonwood，hadclosedhiswindow，andwasloungingbyhisnews-
standpreparatorytogoinghome。Without，thefirstmonotonousrainoftheseasonwasdrippingfromtheporchesofthehotelinthewaninglightofaDecemberday。Theoperator，accustomedashewastolongintervalsofidleness，wasfastbecomingbored。
Thetreadofmud-muffledbootsontheveranda，andtheentranceoftwomen，offeredamomentaryexcitement。HerecognizedinthestrangerstwoprominentcitizensofCottonwood;andtheirmannerbespokebusiness。Oneofthemproceededtothedesk，wroteadespatch，andhandedittotheotherinterrogatively。
\"That’saboutthewaythethingp’ints，\"respondedhiscompanionassentingly。
\"Ireckoneditonlysquartousehisdienticalwords？\"
\"That’sso。\"
Thefirstspeakerturnedtotheoperatorwiththedespatch。
\"Howsooncanyoushoveherthrough？\"
Theoperatorglancedprofessionallyovertheaddressandthelengthofthedespatch。
\"Now，\"heansweredpromptly。
\"Andshegetsthere？\"
\"To-night。Butthere’snodeliveryuntilto-morrow。\"
\"Shoveherthroughto-night，andsaythere’sanextratwentyleftherefordelivery。\"
Theoperator，accustomedtoallkindsofextravagantoutlayforexpedition，repliedthathewouldlaythispropositionwiththedespatch，beforetheSanFranciscooffice。Hethentookitandreadit——andre-readit。Hepreservedtheusualprofessionalapathy，——haddoubtlesssentmanymoreenigmaticalandmysteriousmessages，——butnevertheless，whenhefinished，heraisedhiseyesinquiringlytohiscustomer。Thatgentleman，whoenjoyedareputationforequalspontaneityoftemperandrevolver，methisgazealittleimpatiently。Theoperatorhadrecoursetoatrick。
Underthepretenceofmisunderstandingthemessage，heobligedthesendertorepeatitaloudforthesakeofaccuracy，andevensuggestedafewverbalalterations，ostensiblytoinsurecorrectness，butreallytoextractfurtherinformation。
Nevertheless，themandoggedlypersistedinaliteraltranscriptofhismessage。Theoperatorwenttohisinstrumenthesitatingly。
\"Isuppose，\"headdedhalf-questioningly，\"thereain’tnochanceofamistake。ThisaddressisRightbody，thatricholdBostonianthateverybodyknows。Thereain’tbutone？\"
\"That’stheaddress，\"respondedthefirstspeakercoolly。
\"Didn’tknowtheoldchaphadinvestmentsouthere，\"suggestedtheoperator，lingeringathisinstrument。
\"NomoredidI，\"wastheinsufficientreply。
Forsomefewmomentsnothingwasheardbuttheclickoftheinstrument，astheoperatorworkedthekey，withtheusualappearanceofimpartingconfidencetoasomewhatreluctanthearerwhopreferredtotalkhimself。Thetwomenstoodby，watchinghismotionswiththeusualaweoftheunprofessional。Whenhehadfinished，theylaidbeforehimtwogold-pieces。Astheoperatortookthemup，hecouldnothelpsaying，——
\"Theoldmanwentoffkindersudden，didn’the？Hadnotimetowrite？\"
\"Notsuddenforthatkindo’man，\"wastheexasperatingreply。
Butthespeakerwasnottobedisconcerted。\"Ifthereisananswer——\"hebegan。
\"Thereain’tany，\"repliedthefirstspeakerquietly。
\"Why？\"
\"Becausethemanezsentthemessageisdead。\"
\"Butit’ssignedbyyoutwo。\"
\"On’yezwitnesses——eh？\"appealedthefirstspeakertohiscomrade。
\"On’yezwitnesses，\"respondedtheother。
Theoperatorshruggedhisshoulders。Thebusinessconcluded，thefirstspeakerslightlyrelaxed。Henoddedtotheoperator，andturnedtothebar-roomwithapleasingsocialimpulse。Whentheirglassesweresetdownempty，thefirstspeaker，withacheerfulcondemnationofthehardtimesandtheweather，apparentlydismissedallpreviousproceedingsfromhismind，andloungedoutwithhiscompanion。Atthecornerofthestreettheystopped。
\"Well，thatjob’sdone，\"saidthefirstspeaker，bywayofrelievingtheslightsocialembarrassmentofparting。
\"Thet’sso，\"respondedhiscompanion，andshookhishand。
Theyparted。Agustofwindsweptthroughthepines，andstruckafaintAeoliancryfromthewiresabovetheirheads;andtherainandthedarknessagainslowlysettleduponCottonwood。
ThemessagelaggedalittleatSanFrancisco，laidoverhalfanhouratChicago，andfoughtlongitudethewholeway;sothatitwaspastmidnightwhenthe\"allnight\"operatortookitfromthewiresatBoston。ButitwasfreightedwithamandatefromtheSanFranciscooffice;andamessengerwasprocured，whospedwithitthroughdarksnow-boundstreets，betweenthehighwallsofclose-
shutteredraylesshouses，toacertainformalsquareghostlywithsnow-coveredstatues。Hereheascendedthebroadstepsofareservedandsolid-lookingmansion，andpulledabronzebell-knob，thatsomewherewithinthosechasterecesses，afteranapparentreflectivepause，coldlycommunicatedthefactthatastrangerwaswaitingwithout——asheought。Despitethelatenessofthehour，therewasaslightglowfromthewindows，clearlynotenoughtowarmthemessengerwithindicationsofafestivitywithin，butyetbespeaking，asitwere，someprolongedthoughsubduedexcitement。
Thesoberservantwhotookthedespatch，andreceiptedforitasgravelyasifwitnessingalastwillandtestament，respectfullypausedbeforetheentranceofthedrawing-room。Thesoundofmeasuredandrhetoricalspeech，throughwhichtheoccasionalcatarrhalcoughoftheNew-Englandcoaststruggled，astheonlyeffortofnaturenotwhollyrepressed，camefromitsheavily-
curtainedrecesses;fortheoccasionoftheeveninghadbeenthereceptionandentertainmentofvariousdistinguishedpersons，and，ashadbeenepigrammaticallyexpressedbyoneoftheguests，\"thehistoryofthecountry\"wastakingitsleaveinphrasesmoreorlessmemorableandcharacteristic。Someofthesevaledictoryaxiomswereclever，somewitty，afewprofound，butalwaysleftasagenteelcontributiontotheentertainer。Somehadbeenalreadyprepared，and，likeacard，hadservedandidentifiedtheguestatothermansions。
Thelastguestdeparted，thelastcarriagerolledaway，whentheservantventuredtoindicatetheexistenceofthedespatchtohismaster，whowasstandingonthehearth-ruginanattitudeofweariedself-righteousness。Hetookit，openedit，readit，re-
readit，andsaid，——
\"Theremustbesomemistake！Itisnotforme。Calltheboy，Waters。\"
Waters，whowasperfectlyawarethattheboyhadleft，neverthelessobedientlywalkedtowardsthehall-door，butwasrecalledbyhismaster。
\"Nomatter——atpresent！\"
\"It’snothingserious，William？\"askedMrs。Rightbody，withlanguidwifelyconcern。
\"No，nothing。Istherealightinmystudy？\"
\"Yes。But，beforeyougo，canyougivemeamomentortwo？\"
Mr。Rightbodyturnedalittleimpatientlytowardshiswife。Shehadthrownherselflanguidlyonthesofa;herhairwasslightlydisarranged，andpartofaslipperedfootwasvisible。Shemighthavebeenafinely-formedwoman;butevenhercarelessdeshabilleleftthegeneralimpressionthatshewasseverelyflannelledthroughout，andthatanyostentationofwomanlycharmwasundervigoroussanitarySURVEILLANCE。
\"Mrs。Marvintoldmeto-nightthathersonmadenosecretofhisseriousattachmentforourAlice，andthat，ifIwassatisfied，Mr。
Marvinwouldbegladtoconferwithyouatonce。\"
TheinformationdidnotseemtoabsorbMr。Rightbody’swanderingattention，butratherincreasedhisimpatience。Hesaidhastily，thathewouldspeakofthatto-morrow;andpartlybywayofreprisal，andpartlytodismissthesubject，added——
\"PositivelyJamesmustpaysomeattentiontotheregisterandthethermometer。Itwasover70degreesto-night，andtheventilatingdraughtwasclosedinthedrawing-room。\"
\"ThatwasbecauseProfessorAmmonsatnearit，andtheoldgentleman’stonsilsaresosensitive。\"
\"HeoughttoknowfromDr。DyerDoitthatsystematicandregularexposuretodraughtsstimulatesthemucousmembrane;whilefixedairover60degreesinvariably——\"
\"Iamafraid，William，\"interruptedMrs。Rightbody，withfeminineadroitness，adoptingherhusband’stopicwithaviewoftherebydirectinghimfromit，——\"I’mafraidthatpeopledonotyetappreciatethesubstitutionofbouillonforpunchandices。I
observedthatMr。Spondeedeclinedit，and，Ifancied，lookeddisappointed。Thefibrineandwheatinliqueur-glassespassedquiteunnoticedtoo。\"
\"Andyeteachhalf-drachmcontainedthehalf-digestedsubstanceofapoundofbeef。I’msurprisedatSpondee！\"continuedMr。
Rightbodyaggrievedly。\"ExhaustinghisbrainandnerveforcebythehighestcreativeeffortsoftheMuse，heprefersperfumedanddilutedalcoholflavoredwithcarbonicacidgas。EvenMrs。
Faringwayadmittedtomethatthesuddenloweringofthetemperatureofthestomachbytheintroductionofice——\"
\"Yes;butshetookalemoniceatthelastDorotheaReception，andaskedmeifIhadobservedthattheloweranimalsrefusedtheirfoodatatemperatureover60degrees。\"
Mr。Rightbodyagainmovedimpatientlytowardsthedoor。Mrs。
Rightbodyeyedhimcuriously。
\"Youwillnotwrite，Ihope？Dr。Kepplertoldmeto-nightthatyourcerebralsymptomsinterdictedanyprolongedmentalstrain。\"
\"Imustconsultafewpapers，\"respondedMr。Rightbodycurtly，asheenteredhislibrary。
Itwasarichly-furnishedapartment，morbidlysevereinitsdecorations，whichweresymptomaticofagloomydyspepsiaofart，thenquiteprevalent。Afewcurios，veryugly，butprovidentiallyequallyrare，werescatteredabout。Therewerevariousbronzes，marbles，andcasts，allrequiringexplanation，andsofulfillingtheirpurposeofpromotingconversation，andexhibitingtheeruditionoftheirowner。Thereweresouvenirsoftravelwithahistory，oldbric-a-bracwithapedigree，butlittleornothingthatchallengedattentionforitselfalone。Inallcasesthesuperiorityoftheownertohispossessionswasadmitted。Asanaturalresult，nobodyeverlingeredthere，theservantsavoidedtheroom，andnochildwaseverknowntoplayinit。
Mr。Rightbodyturnedupthegas，andfromacabinetofdrawers，preciselylabelled，drewapackageofletters。Thesehecarefullyexamined。Allwerediscolored，andmadedignifiedbyage;butsome，intheiroriginalfreshness，musthaveappearedtrifling，andinconsistentwithanycorrespondentofMr。Rightbody。Nevertheless，thatgentlemanspentsomemomentsincarefullyperusingthem，occasionallyreferringtothetelegraminhishand。Suddenlytherewasaknockatthedoor。Mr。Rightbodystarted，madeahalf-unconsciousmovementtoreturntheletterstothedrawer，turnedthetelegramfacedownwards，andthen，somewhatharshly，stammered，——
\"Eh？Who’sthere？Comein。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，papa，\"saidaveryprettygirl，entering，without，however，theslightesttraceofapologyoraweinhermanner，andtakingachairwiththeself-possessionandfamiliarityofanhabitueoftheroom;\"butIknewitwasnotyourhabittowritelate，soIsupposedyouwerenotbusy。Iamonmywaytobed。\"
Shewassoverypretty，andwithalsoutterlyunconsciousofit，orperhapssoconsciouslysuperiortoit，thatonewasprovokedintoamorecriticalexaminationofherface。Butthisonlyresultedinareiterationofherbeauty，andperhapstheaddedfactsthatherdarkeyeswereverywomanly，herrichcomplexioneloquent，andherchiselledlipsfellenoughtobepassionateorcapricious，notwithstandingthattheirgeneraleffectsuggestedneithercaprice，womanlyweakness，norpassion。
Withtheinstinctofanembarrassedman，Mr。Rightbodytouchedthetopichewouldhavepreferredtoavoid。
\"Isupposewemusttalkoverto-morrow，\"hehesitated，\"thismatterofyoursandMr。Marvin’s？Mrs。Marvinhasformallyspokentoyourmother。\"
MissAliceliftedherbrighteyesintelligently，butnotjoyfully;
andthecolorofaction，ratherthanembarrasament，rosetoherroundcheeks。
\"Yes，HEsaidshewould，\"sheansweredsimply。
\"Atpresent，\"continuedMr。Rightbodystillawkwardly，\"Iseenoobjectiontotheproposedarrangement。\"
MissAliceopenedherroundeyesatthis。
\"Why，papa，Ithoughtithadbeenallsettledlongago！Mammaknewit，youknewit。LastJuly，mammaandyoutalkeditover。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"returnedherfather，fumblinghispapers;\"thatis——
well，wewilltalkofitto-morrow。\"Infact，Mr。RightbodyHAD
intendedtogivetheaffairaproperattitudeofseriousnessandsolemnitybydueprecisionofspeech，andsomeappositereflections，whenheshouldimpartthenewstohisdaughter，butfelthimselfunabletodoitnow。\"Iamglad，Alice，\"hesaidatlast，\"thatyouhavequiteforgottenyourpreviouswhimsandfancies。YouseeWE
areright。\"
\"Oh！Idaresay，papa，ifI’mtobemarriedatall，thatMr。Marvinisineverywaysuitable。\"
Mr。Rightbodylookedathisdaughternarrowly。Therewasnottheslightestimpatiencenorbitternessinhermanner：itwasaswellregulatedasthesentimentsheexpressed。
\"Mr。Marvinis——\"hebegan。
\"IknowwhatMr。MarvinIS，\"interruptedMissAlice;\"andhehaspromisedmethatIshallbeallowedtogoonwithmystudiesthesameasbefore。Ishallgraduatewithmyclass;and，ifIprefertopractisemyprofession，Icandosointwoyearsafterourmarriage。\"
\"Intwoyears？\"queriedMr。Rightbodycuriously。
\"Yes。Yousee，incaseweshouldhaveachild，thatwouldgivemetimeenoughtoweanit。\"
Mr。Rightbodylookedatthisfleshofhisflesh，prettyandpalpablefleshasitwas;but，beingconfrontedasequallywiththebrainofhisbrain，allhecoulddowastosaymeekly，——
\"Yes，certainly。Wewillseeaboutallthatto-morrow。\"
MissAlicerose。Somethinginthefree，unfetteredswingofherarmsassherestedthemlightly，afterahalfyawn，onherlithehips，suggestedhisnextspeech，althoughstilldistraitandimpatient。
\"Youcontinueyourexercisewiththehealth-liftyet，Isee。\"
\"Yes，papa;butIhadtogiveuptheflannels。Idon’tseehowmammacouldwearthem。Butmydressesarehigh-necked，andbybathingItoughenmyskin。See！\"sheadded，as，withachild-likeunconsciousness，sheunfastenedtwoorthreebuttonsofhergown，andexposedthewhitesurfaceofherthroatandnecktoherfather，\"Icandefyachill。\"
Mr。Rightbody，withsomethingakintoagenuineplayful，paternallaugh，leanedforwardandkissedherforehead。
\"It’sgettinglate，Ally，\"hesaidparentally，butnotdictatorially。
\"Gotobed。\"
\"Itookanapofthreehoursthisafternoon，\"saidMissAlice，withadazzlingsmile，\"toanticipatethisdissipation。Good-night，papa。To-morrow，then。\"
\"To-morrow，\"repeatedMr。Rightbody，withhiseyesstillfixeduponthegirlvaguely。\"Good-night。\"
MissAlicetrippedfromtheroom，possiblyatriflethemorelight-
heartedlythatshehadpartedfromherfatherinoneofhisraremomentsofillogicalhumanweakness。Andperhapsitwaswellforthepoorgirlthatshekeptthissingleremembranceofhim，when，I
fear，inafter-years，hismethods，hisreasoning，andindeedallhehadtriedtoimpressuponherchildhood，hadfadedfromhermemory。
For，whenshehadleft，Mr。Rightbodyfellagaintotheexaminationofhisoldletters。Thiswasquiteabsorbing;somuchso，thathedidnotnoticethefootstepsofMrs。Rightbody，onthestaircaseasshepassedtoherchamber，northatshehadpausedonthelandingtolookthroughtheglasshalf-dooronherhusband，ashesattherewiththelettersbesidehim，andthetelegramopenedbeforehim。
Hadshewaitedamomentlater，shewouldhaveseenhimrise，andwalktothesofawithadisturbedairandaslightconfusion;sothat，onreachingit，heseemedtohesitatetoliedown，althoughpaleandevidentlyfaint。Hadshestillwaited，shewouldhaveseenhimriseagainwithanagonizedeffort，staggertothetable，fumblinglyrefoldandreplacethepapersinthecabinet，andlockit，and，althoughnowbuthalf-conscious，holdthetelegramoverthegas-flametillitwasconsumed。
For，hadshewaiteduntilthismoment，shewouldhaveflownunhesitatinglytohisaid，as，thisactcompleted，hestaggeredagain，reachedhishandtowardthebell，butvainly，andthenfellproneuponthesofa。
Butalas！noprovidentialnoraccidentalhandwasraisedtosavehim，oranticipatetheprogressofthisstory。Andwhen，halfanhourlater，Mrs。Rightbody，alittlealarmed，andmoreindignantathisviolationofthedoctor’srules，appeareduponthethreshold，Mr。Rightbodylayuponthesofa，dead！
Withbustle，withthrongingfeet，withtheirruptionofstrangers，andahurryingtoandfro，but，morethanall，withanimpulseandemotionunknowntothemansionwhenitsownerwasinlife，Mrs。
Rightbodystrovetocallbackthevanishedlife，butinvain。Thehighestmedicalintelligence，calledfromitsbedatthisstrangehour，sawonlythedemonstrationofitstheoriesmadeayearbefore。Mr。Rightbodywasdead——withoutdoubt，withoutmystery，evenasacorrectmanshoulddie——logically，andindorsedbythehighestmedicalauthority。
Butevenintheconfusion，Mrs。Rightbodymanagedtospeedamessengertothetelegraph-officeforacopyofthedespatchreceivedbyMr。Rightbody，butnowmissing。
Inthesolitudeofherownroom，andwithoutaconfidant，shereadthesewords：——
\"[Copy。]
\"ToMR。ADAMSRIGHTBODY，BOSTON，MASS。
\"JoshuaSilsbiediedsuddenlythismorning。Hislastrequestwasthatyoushouldrememberyoursacredcompactwithhimofthirtyyearsago。
（Signed）\"SEVENTY-FOUR。
\"SEVENTY-FIVE。\"
Inthedarkenedhome，andamidtheformalcondolementsoftheirfriendswhohadcalledtogazeuponthescarcelycoldfeaturesoftheirlateassociate，Mrs。Rightbodymanagedtosendanotherdespatch。Itwasaddressedto\"Seventy-FourandSeventy-Five，\"
Cottonwood。Inafewhoursshereceivedthefollowingenigmaticalresponse：——
\"Ahorse-thiefnamedJoshSilsbiewaslynchedyesterdaymorningbytheVigilantesatDeadwood。\"
PARTII。
Thespringof1874wasretardedintheCaliforniasierras;somuchso，thatcertainEasterntouristswhohadearlyventuredintotheYoSemiteValleyfoundthemselves，oneMaymorning，snow-boundagainstthetempestuousshouldersofElCapitan。SofuriouswastheonsetofthewindattheUpperMercedCanyon，thatevensorespectablealadyasMrs。Rightbodywasfaintoclingtotheneckofherguidetokeepherseatinthesaddle;whileMissAlice，scorningallmasculineassistance，washurled，alovelychaos，againstthesnowywallofthechasm。Mrs。Rightbodyscreamed;MissAliceragedunderherbreath，butscrambledtoherfeetagaininsilence。
\"Itoldyouso！\"saidMrs。Rightbody，inanindignantwhisper，asherdaughteragainrangedbesideher。\"Iwarnedyouespecially，Alice——that——that——\"
\"What？\"interruptedMissAlicecurtly。
\"Thatyouwouldneedyourchemiloonsandhighboots，\"saidMrs。
Rightbody，inaregretfulundertone，slightlyincreasingherdistancefromtheguides。
MissAliceshruggedherprettyshouldersscornfully，butignoredhermother’simplication。
\"Youwereparticularlywarnedagainstgoingintothevalleyatthisseason，\"sheonlyrepliedgrimly。
Mrs。Rightbodyraisedhereyesimpatiently。
\"YouknowhowanxiousIwastodiscoveryourpoorfather’sstrangecorrespondent，Alice。Youhavenoconsideration。\"
\"ButwhenYOUHAVEdiscoveredhim——whatthen？\"queriedMissAlice。
\"Whatthen？\"
\"Yes。Mybeliefis，thatyouwillfindthetelegramonlyamerebusinesscipher，andallthisquestmerenonsense。\"
\"Alice！Why，YOUyourselfthoughtyourfather’sconductthatnightverystrange。Haveyouforgotten？\"
TheyoungladyhadNOT，but，forsomefar-reachingfemininereason，chosetoignoreitatthatmoment，whenherlatetumbleinthesnowwasstillfreshinhermind。
\"Andthiswoman，whoevershemaybe——\"continuedMrs。Rightbody。
\"Howdoyouknowthere’sawomaninthecase？\"interruptedMissAlice，wickedlyIfear。
\"Howdo——I——know——there’sawoman？\"slowlyejaculatedMrs。
Rightbody，flounderinginthesnowandtheunexpectedpossibilityofsucharidiculousquestion。Buthereherguideflewtoherassistance，andestoppedfurtherspeech。And，indeed，agraveproblemwasbeforethem。
Theroadthatledtotheirsingleplaceofrefuge——acabin，halfhotel，halftrading-post，scarceamileaway——skirtedthebaseoftherockydome，andpassedperilouslyneartheprecipitouswallofthevalley。Therewasarapiddescentofahundredyardsormoretothisterrace-likepassage;andtheguidespausedforamomentofconsultation，coolyoblivious，aliketotheterrifiedquestioningofMrs。Rightbody，orthehalf-insolentindependenceofthedaughter。Theelderguidewasrusset-bearded，stout，andhumorous：
theyoungerwasdark-bearded，slight，andserious。
\"EfyoukingityoungBunkerHilltoletyoutoteheronyourshoulders，I’llgittheMadamtohangontome，\"cametoMrs。
Rightbody’shorrifiedearsastheexpressionofherparticularcompanion。
\"Freezetotheoldgal，anddon’treckononmeifthedaughterstartsintoplayitalone，\"wastheenigmaticalresponseoftheyoungerguide。
MissAliceoverheardbothpropositions;and，beforethetwomenreturnedtotheirside，thathigh-spiritedyoungladyhadurgedherhorsedownthedeclivity。
Alas！atthismomentagustofwhirlingsnowsweptdownuponher。
Therewasaflounder，amis-step，afatalstrainonthewrongrein，afall，afewpluckybutunavailingstruggles，andbothhorseandriderslidignominiouslydowntowardtherockyshelf。Mrs。
Rightbodyscreamed。MissAlice，fromaconfuseddebrisofsnowandice，upliftedavexedandcoloringfacetotheyoungerguide，alittlethemoreangrily，perhaps，thatshesawashadeofimpatienceonhisface。
\"Don’tmove，buttieoneendofthe’lass’underyourarms，andthrowmetheother，\"hesaidquietly。
\"Whatdoyoumeanby’lass’——thelasso？\"askedMissAlicedisgustedly。
\"Yes，ma’am。\"
\"Thenwhydon’tyousayso？\"
\"OAlice！\"reproachfullyinterpolatedMrs。Rightbody，encircledbytheelderguide’sstalwartarm。
MissAlicedeignednoreply，butdrewtheloopofthelassooverhershoulders，andletitdroptoherroundwaist。Thensheessayedtothrowtheotherendtoherguide。Dismalfailure！Thefirstflingnearlyknockedherofftheledge;thesecondwentallwildagainsttherockywall;thethirdcaughtinathorn-bush，twentyfeetbelowhercompanion’sfeet。MissAlice’sarmsunkhelplesslytoherside，atwhichsignalofunqualifiedsurrender，theyoungerguidethrewhimselfhalfwaydowntheslope，workedhiswaytothethorn-bush，hungforamomentperilouslyovertheparapet，securedthelasso，andthenbegantopullawayathislovelyburden。MissAlicewasnodeadweight，however，butsteadilyhalf-scrambledonherhandsandkneestowithinafootortwoofherrescuer。Atthistoofamiliarproximity，shestoodup，andleanedalittlestifflyagainsttheline，causingtheguidetogiveanextrapull，whichhadthelamentableeffectoflandingheralmostinhisarms。
Asitwas，herintelligentforeheadstruckhisnosesharply，andI
regrettoadd，treatingofaromanticsituation，causedthatsomewhatprominentsignandtokenofaherotobleedfreely。MissAliceinstantlyclappedahandfulofsnowoverhisnostrils。
\"Nowelevateyourrightarm，\"shesaidcommandingly。
Hedidashewasbidden，butsulkily。
\"Thatcompressestheartery。\"
Noman，withaprettywoman’shandandahandfulofsnowoverhismouthandnose，couldeffectivelyutteraheroicsentence，nor，withhisarmelevatedstifflyoverhishead，assumeaheroicattitude。But，whenhismouthwasfreeagain，hesaidhalf-
sulkily，half-apologetically，——
\"Imighthaveknownagirlcouldn’tthrowworthacent。\"
\"Why？\"demandedMissAlicesharply。
\"Because——why——because——yousee——theyhaven’tgottheexperience，\"
hestammeredfeebly。
\"Nonsense！theyhaven’ttheCLAVICLE——that’sall！It’sbecauseI’mawoman，andsmallerinthecollar-bone，thatIhaven’ttheplayofthefore-armwhichyouhave。See！\"Shesquaredhershouldersslightly，andturnedtheblazeofherdarkeyesfullonhis。
\"Experience，indeed！Agirlcanlearnanythingaboycan。\"
Apprehensiontooktheplaceofill-humorinherhearer。Heturnedhiseyeshastilyaway，andglancedabovehim。TheelderguidehadgoneforwardtocatchMissAlice’shorse，which，relievedofhisrider，wasflounderingtowardthetrail。Mrs。Rightbodywasnowheretobeseen。Andthesetwowerestilltwentyfeetbelowthetrail！
Therewasanawkwardpause。
\"ShallIputyouupthesameway？\"hequeried。MissAlicelookedathisnose，andhesitated。\"Orwillyoutakemyhand？\"headdedinsurlyimpatience。Tohissurprise，MissAlicetookhishand，andtheybegantheascenttogether。
Butthewaywasdifficultanddangerous。Onceortwiceherfeetslippedonthesmoothly-wornrockbeneath;andsheconfessedtoaninwardthankfulnesswhenheruncertainfemininehand-gripwasexchangedforhisstrongarmaroundherwaist。Notthathewasungentle;butMissAliceangrilyfeltthathehadonceortwiceexercisedhissuperiormasculinefunctionsinaroughway;andyetthenextmomentshewouldhaveprobablyrejectedtheideathatshehadevennoticedit。Therewasnodoubt，however，thatheWASalittlesurly。
Afiercescramblefinallybroughtthembackinsafetytothetrail;
butintheactionMissAlice’sshoulder，strikingaprojectingbowlder，wrungfromherafemininecryofpain，herfirstsignofwomanlyweakness。Theguidestoppedinstantly。
\"IamafraidIhurtyou？\"
Sheraisedherbrownlashes，atriflemoistfromsuffering，lookedinhiseyes，anddroppedherown。Why，shecouldnottell。Andyethehadcertainlyakindface，despiteitsseriousness;andafineface，albeitunshornandweather-beaten。Herowneyeshadneverbeensoneartoanyman’sbefore，saveherlover’s;andyetshehadneverseensomuchinevenhis。Sheslippedherhandaway，notwithanyreferencetohim，butrathertoponderoverthissingularexperience，andsomehowfeltuncomfortablethereat。
Norwashelessso。Itwasbutafewdaysagothathehadacceptedthechargeofthisyoungwomanfromtheelderguide，whowastherecognizedescortoftheRightbodyparty，havingbeenaformercorrespondentofherfather’s。Hehadbeenhiredlikeanyotherguide，buthadundertakenthetaskwiththatchivalrousenthusiasmwhichtheaverageCalifornianalwaysextendstothesexsoraretohim。Buttheillusionhadpassed;andhehaddroppedintoasulky，practicalsenseofhissituation，perhapsfraughtwithlessdangertohimself。Onlywhenappealedtobyhismanhoodorherweakness，hehadforgottenhiswoundedvanity。
Hestrodemoodilyahead，dutifullybreakingthepathforherinthedirectionofthedistantcanyon，whereMrs。Rightbodyandherfriendawaitedthem。MissAlicewasfirsttospeak。Inthistrackless，unchartedterraincognitaofthepassions，itisalwaysthewomanwhostepsouttoleadtheway。
\"Youknowthisplaceverywell。Isupposeyouhavelivedherelong？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Youwerenotbornhere——no？\"
Alongpause。
\"Iobservetheycallyou’StanislausJoe。’Ofcoursethatisnotyourrealname？\"（Mem。——MissAlicehadnevercalledhimANYTHING，usuallyprefacinganyrequestwithalanguid，\"O-er-er，please，mister-er-a！\"explicitenoughforhisstation。）
\"No。\"
MissAlice（trottingafterhim，andbawlinginhisear）。——\"WHAT
namedidyousay？\"
TheMan（doggedly）。——\"Idon’tknow。\"Nevertheless，whentheyreachedthecabin，afteranhalf-hour’sbuffetingwiththestorm，MissAliceappliedherselftohermother’sescort，Mr。Ryder。
\"What’sthenameofthemanwhotakescareofmyhorse？\"
\"StanislausJoe，\"respondedMr。Ryder。
\"Isthatall？\"
\"No。Sometimeshe’scalledJoeStanislaus。\"
MissAlice（satirically）。——\"Isupposeit’sthecustomheretosendyoungladiesoutwithgentlemenwhohidetheirnamesunderanalias？\"
Mr。Ryder（greatlyperplexed）。——\"Why，dearme，MissAlice，youallers’pearedtomeasagalaswasabletotakekeer——\"
MissAlice（interruptingwithawounded，dove-liketimidity）。——\"Oh，nevermind，please！\"
Thecabinofferedbutscantyaccommodationtothetourists;whichfact，whenindignantlypresentedbyMrs。Rightbody，wasexplainedbythegood-humoredRyderfromthecircumstancethattheusualhotelwasonlyaslightaffairofboards，cloth，andpaper，putupduringtheseason，andpartlydismantledinthefall。\"Youcouldn’tbekeptwarmenoughthere，\"headded。NeverthelessMissAlicenoticedthatbothMr。RyderandStanislausJoeretiredtherewiththeirpipes，afterhavingpreparedtheladies’supper，withtheassistanceofanIndianwoman，whoapparentlyemergedfromtheearthatthecomingoftheparty，anddisappearedasmysteriously。
Thestarscameoutbrightlybeforetheyslept;andthenextmorningaclear，unwinkingsunbeamedwithalmostsummerpowerthroughtheshutterlesswindowoftheircabin，andironicallydisclosedthedetailsofitsrudeinterior。Twoorthreemangy，half-eatenbuffalo-robes，abearskin，somesuspicious-lookingblankets，riflesandsaddles，deal-tables，andbarrels，madeupitsscantinventory。
Astripoffadedcalicohungbeforearecessnearthechimney，butsoblackenedbysmokeandagethatevenfemininecuriosityrespecteditssecret。Mrs。Rightbodywasinhighspirits，andinformedherdaughterthatshewasatlastonthetrackofherhusband’sunknowncorrespondent。\"Seventy-FourandSeventy-FiverepresenttwomembersoftheVigilanceCommittee，mydear，andMr。
Ryderwillassistmetofindthem。\"
\"Mr。Ryder！\"ejaculatedMissAlice，inscornfulastonishment。
\"Alice，\"saidMrs。Rightbody，withasuspiciousassumptionofsuddendefence，\"youinjureyourself，youinjureme，bythisexclusiveattitude。Mr。Ryderisafriendofyourfather’s，anexceedinglywell-informedgentleman。Ihavenot，ofcourse，impartedtohimtheextentofmysuspicions。ButhecanhelpmetowhatImustandwillknow。Youmighttreathimalittlemorecivilly——or，atleast，alittlebetterthanyoudohisservant，yourguide。Mr。Ryderisagentleman，andnotapaidcourier。\"
MissAlicewassuddenlyattentive。Whenshespokeagain，sheasked，\"WhydoyounotfindoutsomethingaboutthisSilsbie——whodied——orwashung——orsomethingofthatkind？\"
\"Child！\"saidMrs。Rightbody，\"don’tyouseetherewasnoSilsbie，or，iftherewas，hewassimplytheconfidantofthat——woman？\"
Aknockatthedoor，announcingthepresenceofMr。RyderandStanislausJoewiththehorses，checkedMrs。Rightbody’sspeech。
Astheanimalswerebeingpacked，Mrs。RightbodyforamomentwithdrewinconfidentialconversationwithMr。Ryder，and，totheyounglady’sstillgreaterannoyance，leftheralonewithStanislausJoe。MissAlicewasnotingoodtemper，butshefeltitnecessarytosaysomething。
\"Ihopethehoteloffersbetterquartersfortravellersthanthisinsummer，\"shebegan。
\"Itdoes。\"
\"Thenthisdoesnotbelongtoit？\"
\"No，ma’am。\"
\"Wholiveshere，then？\"
\"Ido。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"stammeredMissAlice，\"Ithoughtyoulivedwherewehired——wherewemetyou——in——in——Youmustexcuseme。\"
\"I’mnotaregularguide;butastimeswerehard，andIwasoutofgrub，Itookthejob。\"
\"Outofgrub！\"\"job！\"AndSHEwasthe\"job。\"WhatwouldHenryMarvinsay？Itwouldnearlykillhim。Shebeganherselftofeelalittlefrightened，andwalkedtowardsthedoor。
\"Onemoment，miss！\"
Theyounggirlhesitated。Theman’stonewassurly，andyetindicatedacertainkindofhalf-patheticgrievance。HERcuriositygotthebetterofherprudence，andsheturnedback。
\"Thismorning，\"hebeganhastily，\"whenwewerecomingdownthevalley，youpickedmeuptwice。\"
\"IpickedYOUup？\"repeatedtheastonishedAlice。
\"Yes，CONTRADICTEDme：that’swhatImean，——oncewhenyousaidthoserockswerevolcanic，oncewhenyousaidthefloweryoupickedwasapoppy。Ididn’tletonatthetime，foritwasn’tmysay;
butallthewhileyouweretalkingImighthavelaidforyou——\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"saidAlicehaughtily。
\"Imighthaveentrappedyoubeforefolks。ButIonlywantyoutoknowthatI’Mright，andherearethebookstoshowit。\"
Hedrewasidethedingycalicocurtain，revealedasmallshelfofbulkybooks，tookdowntwolargevolumes，——oneofbotany，oneofgeology，——nervouslysoughthistext，andputtheminAlice’soutstretchedhands。
\"Ihadnointention——\"shebegan，half-proudly，half-embarrassedly。
\"AmIright，miss？\"heinterrupted。
\"Ipresumeyouare，ifyousayso。\"
\"That’sall，ma’am。Thankyou！\"
Beforethegirlhadtimetoreply，hewasgone。Whenheagainreturned，itwaswithherhorse，andMrs。RightbodyandRyderwereawaitingher。ButMissAlicenoticedthathisownhorsewasmissing。
\"Areyounotgoingwithus？\"sheasked。
\"No，ma’am。\"
\"Oh，indeed！\"
MissAlicefeltherspeechwasafeebleconventionalism;butitwasallshecouldsay。She，however，DIDsomething。Hithertoithadbeenherhabittosystematicallyrejecthisassistanceinmountingtoherseat。Nowsheawaitedhim。Asheapproached，shesmiled，andputoutherlittlefoot。Heinstantlystooped;sheplaceditinhishand，rosewithaspring，andforonesuprememomentStanislausJoeheldherunresistinglyinhisarms。Thenextmomentshewasinthesaddle;butinthatbriefintervalofsixtysecondsshehadutteredavolumeinasinglesentence，——
\"Ihopeyouwillforgiveme！\"
Hemutteredareply，andturnedhisfaceasidequicklyasiftohideit。
MissAlicecanteredforwardwithasmile，butpulledherhatdownoverhereyesasshejoinedhermother。Shewasblushing。
PARTIII。
Mr。Ryderwasasgoodashisword。AdayortwolaterheenteredMrs。Rightbody’sparlorattheChrysopolisHotelinStockton，withtheinformationthathehadseenthemysterioussendersofthedespatch，andthattheywerenowintheofficeofthehotelwaitingherpleasure。Mr。Ryderfurtherinformedherthatthesegentlemenhadonlystipulatedthattheyshouldnotrevealtheirrealnames，andthattheybeintroducedtohersimplyastherespective\"Seventy-Four\"and\"Seventy-Five\"whohadsignedthedespatchsenttothelateMr。Rightbody。
Mrs。Rightbodyatfirstdemurredtothis;but，ontheassurancefromMr。Ryderthatthiswastheonlyconditiononwhichaninterviewwouldbegranted，finallyconsented。
\"Youwillfindthemsquaremen，eveniftheyarealittlerough，ma’am。But，ifyou’dlikemetobepresent，I’llstop;thoughI
reckon，ifye’dcalkilatedonthat，you’dhavehadmetakecareo’
yourbusinessbyproxy，andnotcomeyourselfthreethousandmilestodoit。\"
Mrs。Rightbodybelieveditbettertoseethemalone。
\"Allright，ma’am。I’llhangroundouthere;andefyeshouldhappentohaveaticklin’inyourthroat，andabadspello’
coughin’，I’lldropin，carelesslike，toseeifyoudon’twantthemdrops。Sabe？\"
Andwithanexceedinglyarchwink，andaslightfamiliartaponMrs。Rightbody’sshoulder，whichmighthavecausedthelateMr。
Rightbodytobursthissepulchre，hewithdrew。
Averytimid，hesitatingtaponthedoorwasfollowedbytheentranceoftwomen，bothofwhom，ingeneralsize，strength，anduncouthness，wereludicrouslyinconsistentwiththeirdiffidentannouncement。TheyproceededinIndianfiletothecentreoftheroom，facedMrs。Rightbody，acknowledgedherdeepcourtesybyastrongshakeofthehand，and，drawingtwochairsoppositetoher，satdownsidebyside。
\"IpresumeIhavethepleasureofaddressing——\"beganMrs。Rightbody。
ThemandirectlyoppositeMrs。Rightbodyturnedtotheotherinquiringly。
Theothermannoddedhishead，andreplied，——
\"Seventy-Four。\"
\"Seventy-Five，\"promptlyfollowedtheother。
Mrs。Rightbodypaused，alittleconfused。
\"Ihavesentforyou，\"shebeganagain，\"tolearnsomethingmoreofthecircumstancesunderwhichyougentlemensentadespatchtomylatehusband。\"
\"Thecircumstances，\"repliedSeventy-Fourquietly，withaside-
glanceathiscompanion，\"pannedoutaboutinthisyerstyle。WehungamannamedJoshSilsbie，downatDeadwood，forhoss-stealin’。
WhenIsayWE，IspeakforSeventy-Fiveyerasispresent，aswellasrepresentin’，sotospeak，seventy-twoothergentsasisscattered。WehungJoshSilsbieonsquar，prettysquar，evidence。
Aforehewasstrungup，Seventy-Fiveyeraxedhim，accordin’tocustom，eftherwasennythinghehadtosay，orennyrequestthatheallowedtomakeofus。HeturnstoSeventy-Fiveyer，and——\"
Herehepausedsuddenly，lookingathiscompanion。
\"Hesez，sezhe，\"beganSeventy-Five，takingupthenarrative，——\"hesez，’KinIwritealetter？’sezhe。SezI，’Notmuch，oleman：
ye’vegotnotime。’Sezhe，’KinIsendadespatchbytelegraph？’
Isez，’Heaveahead。’Hesez，——theseishisdientikalwords，——
’SendtoAdamRightbody，Boston。Tellhimtorememberhissacredcompackwithmethirtyyearsago。’\"
\"’Hissacredcompackwithmethirtyyearsago，’\"echoedSeventy-
Four，——\"hisdientikalwords。\"
\"Whatwasthecompact？\"askedMrs。Rightbodyanxiously。
Seventy-FourlookedatSeventy-Five，andthenbotharose，andretiredtothecorneroftheparlor，wheretheyengagedinaslowbutwhispereddeliberation。Presentlytheyreturned，andsatdownagain。
\"Weallow，\"saidSeventy-Four，quietlybutdecidedly，\"thatYOU
knowwhatthatsacredcompactwas。\"
Mrs。Rightbodylosthertemperandhertruthfulnesstogether。\"Ofcourse，\"shesaidhurriedly，\"Iknow。Butdoyoumeantosaythatyougavethispoormannofurtherchancetoexplainbeforeyoumurderedhim？\"
Seventy-FourandSeventy-Fivebothroseagainslowly，andretired。
Whentheyreturnedagain，andsatdown，Seventy-Five，whobythistime，throughsomesubtilemagnetism，Mrs。Rightbodybegantorecognizeasthesuperiorpower，saidgravely，——
\"Wewishtosay，regardingthisyermurder，thatSeventy-Fourandmeisequallyresponsible;thatwereckonalsotorepresent，sotospeak，seventy-twoothergentlemenasisscattered;thatweareready，Seventy-Fourandme，totakeandholtthatresponsibility，nowandatanytime，aforeeverymanormenaskinbefetchedaginus。WewishtosaythatthisyersayofoursholdsgoodyerinCaliforny，orinanypartoftheseUnitedStates。\"
\"OrinCanady，\"suggestedSeventy-Four。
\"OrinCanady。Wewouldn’tagreetocrossthewater，orgotofurrinparts，unlessabsolutelynecessary。Weleavesthechiseofweppingstoyourprincipal，ma’am，orbeingalady，ma’am，andinterested，toanyoneyoumayfetchtoactforhim。AnadvertisementinanyoftheSacramentopapers，oraplaycardorhandbillstuckuntoatreenearDeadwood，sayingthatSeventy-FourorSeventy-Fivewillcommunicatewiththisyerprincipaloragentofyours，willfetchus——allers。\"
Mrs。Rightbody，alittlealarmedanddesperate，sawherblunder。
\"Imeannothingofthekind，\"shesaidhastily。\"IonlyexpectedthatyoumighthavesomefurtherdetailsofthisinterviewwithSilsbie;thatperhapsyoucouldtellme——\"abold，brightthoughtcrossedMrs。Rightbody’smind——\"somethingmoreaboutHER。\"
Thetwomenlookedateachother。
\"IsupposeyoursocietyhavenoobjectiontogivingmeinformationaboutHER，\"saidMrs。Rightbodyeagerly。
Anotherquietconversationinthecorner，andthereturnofbothmen。
\"Wewanttosaythatwe’venoobjection。\"
Mrs。Rightbody’sheartbeathigh。Herboldnesshadmadeherpenetrationgood。Yetshefeltshemustnotalarmthemenheedlessly。
\"WillyouinformmetowhatextentMr。Rightbody，mylatehusband，wasinterestedinher？\"
ThistimeitseemedanagetoMrs。Rightbodybeforethemenreturnedfromtheirsolemnconsultationinthecorner。Shecouldbothhearandfeelthattheirdiscussionwasmoreanimatedthantheirpreviousconferences。Shewasalittlemortified，however，whentheysatdown，tohearSeventy-Foursayslowly，——
\"Wewishtosaythatwedon’tallowtosayHOWmuch。\"
\"Doyounotthinkthatthe’sacredcompact’betweenMr。RightbodyandMr。Silsbiereferredtoher？\"
\"Wereckonitdo。\"
Mrs。Rightbody，flushedandanimated，wouldhavegivenworldshadherdaughterbeenpresenttohearthisundoubtedconfirmationofhertheory。Yetshefeltalittlenervousanduncomfortableevenonthisthresholdofdiscovery。
\"Issheherenow？\"
\"She’sinTuolumne，\"saidSeventy-Four。
\"Alittlebetterlookedarterthanformerly，\"addedSeventy-Five。
\"Isee。ThenMr。SilsbieENTICEDheraway？\"
\"Well，ma’am，itWASallowedassherunnedaway。Butitwasn’tproved，anditgenerallywasn’therstyle。\"
Mrs。Rightbodytrifledwithhernextquestion。
\"Shewaspretty，ofcourse？\"
Theeyesofbothmenbrightened。
\"ShewasTHAT！\"saidSeventy-Fouremphatically。
\"Itwouldhavedoneyougoodtoseeher！\"addedSeventy-Five。
Mrs。Rightbodyinwardlydoubtedit;but，beforeshecouldaskanotherquestion，thetwomenagainretiredtothecornerforconsultation。Whentheycameback，therewasashademoreofkindlinessandconfidenceintheirmanner;andSeventy-Fouropenedhismindmorefreely。
\"Wewishtosay，ma’am，lookingatthething，byandlarge，inafar-mindedway，that，ezYOUseeminterested，andezMr。Rightbodywasinterested，andwas，accordingtoallaccounts，deceivedandledawaybySilsbie，thatwedon’tmindlisteningtoanypropositionYOUmightmake，asalady——allowin’youwasekallyinterested。\"
\"Iunderstand，\"saidMrs。Rightbodyquickly。\"Andyouwillfurnishmewithanypapers？\"
Thetwomenagainconsulted。
\"Wewishtosay，ma’am，thatwethinkshe’sgotpapers，but——\"
\"IMUSThavethem，youunderstand，\"interruptedMrs。Rightbody，\"atanyprice。
\"Wewasabouttosay，ma’am，\"saidSeventy-Fourslowly，\"that，considerin’allthings，——andyoubeingalady——youkinhaveHER，papers，pedigree，andguaranty，fortwelvehundreddollars。\"
IthasbeenallegedthatMrs。Rightbodyaskedonlyonequestionmore，andthenfainted。Itisknown，however，thatbythenextdayitwasunderstoodinDeadwoodthatMrs。RightbodyhadconfessedtotheVigilanceCommitteethatherhusband，acelebratedBostonmillionaire，anxioustogainpossessionofAbnerSpringer’swell-
knownsorrelmare，hadincitedtheunfortunateJoshSilsbietostealit;andthatfinally，failinginthis，thewidowofthedeceasedBostonmillionairewasnowinpersonalnegotiationwiththeowners。
Howbeit，MissAlice，returninghomethatafternoon，foundhermotherwithaviolentheadache。
\"Wewillleaveherebythenextsteamer，\"saidMrs。Rightbodylanguidly。\"Mr。Ryderhaspromisedtoaccompanyus。\"
\"But，mother——\"
\"Theclimate，Alice，isover-rated。Mynervesarealreadysufferingfromit。Theassociationsareunfitforyou，andMr。
Marvinisnaturallyimpatient。\"
MissAlicecoloredslightly。
\"Butyourquest，mother？\"
\"I’veabandonedit。\"
\"ButIhavenot，\"saidAlicequietly。\"DoyouremembermyguideattheYoSemite，——StanislausJoe？Well，StanislausJoeis——whodoyouthink？\"
Mrs。Rightbodywaslanguidlyindifferent。
\"Well，StanislausJoeisthesonofJoshuaSilsbie。\"
Mrs。Rightbodysatuprightinastonishment\"Yes。Butmother，heknowsnothingofwhatweknow。Hisfathertreatedhimshamefully，andsethimcruellyadriftyearsago;and，whenhewashung，thepoorfellow，insheerdisgrace，changedhisname。\"