Hefound，however，afaintledgemadebycaughtdriftwoodfromthecurrentandthedebrisoftheoverhangingcliffs。Againthenarrowfootprintontheoozewashisguide。Atlast，emergingfromthecanyon，astrangeviewburstuponhissight。Theriverturnedabruptlytotheright，and，followingthemountainside，leftasmallhollowcompletelywalledinbythesurroundingheights。Tohisleftwastheridgehehaddescendedfromontheotherside，andhenowunderstoodthesingulardetourhehadmade。Hewasontheothersideofthestageroadalso，whichranalongthemountainshelfathousandfeetabovehim。Thewall，asheercliff，madethehollowinaccessiblefromthatside。Littlehillscoveredwithbuckeyeencompassedit。Itlookedlikeasylvanretreat，andyetwasassecureinitsisolationandapproachesastheoutlaw’sdenthatitwas。
Hewasgazingatthesingularprospectwhenashotrangintheair。
Itseemedtocomefromadistance，andheinterpreteditasasignal。Butitwasfollowedpresentlybyanother；andputtinghishandtohishattokeepitfromfalling，hefoundthattheupturnedbrimhadbeenpiercedbyabullet。Hestoppedatthisevidenthint，and，takinghisdispatchbagfromhisshoulder，placeditsignificantlyuponaboulder，andlookedaroundasiftoawaittheappearanceoftheunseenmarksman。Therifleshotrangoutagain，thebagquivered，andturnedoverwithabulletholethroughit！
Hetookouthiswhitehandkerchiefandwavedit。Anothershotfollowed，andthehandkerchiefwassnappedfromhisfingers，tornfromcornertocorner。Afeelingofdesperationandfuryseizedhim；hewasbeingplayedwithbyamaskedandskillfulassassin，whoonlywaiteduntilitpleasedhimtofirethedeadlyshot！Butthistimehecouldseetheriflesmokedriftingfromunderasycamorenotahundredyardsaway。Hesethiswhitelipstogether，butwithadeterminedfaceandunfalteringstepwalkeddirectlytowardsit。Inanothermomenthebelievedandalmosthopedthatallwouldbeover。Withsuchamarksmanhewouldnotbemaimed，butkilledoutright。
Hehadnotcoveredhalfthedistancebeforeamanloungedoutfrombehindthetreecarelesslyshoulderinghisrifle。Hewastallbutslightlybuilt，withanamused，criticalmanner，andnothingabouthimtosuggestthebloodthirstyassassin。HemetBricehalfway，droppinghisrifleslantinglyacrosshisbreastwithhishandslightlygraspingthelock，andgazedattheyoungmancuriously。
\"Youlookasifyou’dhadabigscare，oldman，butyou’vecleargritforallthat！\"hesaid，withacriticalandreassuringsmile。
\"Now，whatareyoudoinghere？Stay，\"hecontinued，asBrice’sparchedlipspreventedhimfromreplyingimmediately。\"Ioughttoknowyourface。Hello！you’retheexpressman！\"Hisglancesuddenlyshifted，andsweptpastBriceoverthegroundbeyondhimtotheentranceofthehollow，buthissmilereturnedasheapparentlysatisfiedhimselfthattheyoungmanwasalone。\"Well，whatdoyouwant？\"
\"IwanttoseeSnapshotHarry，\"saidBrice，withaneffort。Hisvoicecamebackmoreslowlythanhiscolor，butthatwasperhapshurriedbyasenseofshameathisphysicalweakness。
\"Whatyouwantisadropo’whiskey，\"saidthestrangergoodhumoredly，takinghisarm，\"andwe’llfinditinthatshantyjustbehindthetree。\"ToBrice’ssurprise，afewstepsinthatdirectionrevealedafair-sizedcabin，withaslightpretentiousnessaboutitofneatness，comfort，andpicturesqueeffect，farsuperiortotheTarboxshanty。Afewflowerswereinboxesonthewindow——
signs，asBricefancied，offemininetaste。Whentheyreachedthethreshold，somewhatofthisqualitywasalsovisibleintheinterior。WhenBricehadpartakenofthewhiskey，thestranger，whohadkeptsilence，pointedtoachair，andsaidsmilingly：——
\"IamHenryDimwood，aliasSnapshotHarry，andthisismyhouse。\"
\"Icametospeakwithyouabouttherobberyofgreenbacksfromthecoachlastnight，\"beganBricehurriedly，withasuddenaccessofhopeathisreception。\"Imean，ofcourse，\"——hestoppedandhesitated，——\"theactualrobberybeforeYOUstoppedus。\"
\"What！\"saidHarry，springingtohisfeet，\"doyoumeantosayYOU
knewit？\"
Brice’sheartsank，butheremainedsteadfastandtruthful。\"Yes，\"
hesaid，\"IknewitwhenIhandeddownthebox。Isawthatthelockhadbeenforced，butIsnappedittogetheragain。Itwasmyfault。PerhapsIshouldhavewarnedyou，butIamsolelytoblame。\"
\"DidYubaBillknowofit？\"askedthehighwayman，withsingularexcitement。
\"Notatthetime，Igiveyoumyword！\"repliedBricequickly，thinkingonlyofloyaltytohisoldcomrade。\"Inevertoldhimtillwereachedthestation。\"
\"Andheknewitthen？\"repeatedHarryeagerly。
\"Yes。\"
\"Didhesayanything？Didhedoanything？Didhelookastonished？\"
BricerememberedBill’suncontrollablemerriment，butrepliedvaguelyanddiplomatically，\"Hewascertainlyastonished。\"
AlaughgatheredinSnapshotHarry’seyeswhichatlastoverspreadhiswholeface，andfinallyshookhisframeashesathelplesslydownagain。Then，wipinghiseyes，hesaidinashakyvoice：——
\"Itwouldhavebeensuredeathtohavetrustedmyselfnearthatstation，butIthinkI’dhaveriskeditjusttohaveseenBill’sfacewhenyoutoldhim！Justthinkofit！Bill，whowasamatchforanybody！Bill，whowasnevercaughtnapping！Bill，whoonlywantedsupremecontrolofthingstowipemeoffthefaceoftheearth！Bill，whoknewhoweverythingwasdone，andcouldstopitifhechose，andthentohavebeenROBBEDTWICEINONEEVENINGBY
MYGANG！Yes，sir！YubaBillandhisrottenoldcoachwereGONE
THROUGHTWICEINSIDEHALFANHOURbythegang！\"
\"Thenyouknewofittoo？\"saidBrice，inuneasyastonishment。
\"Afterwards，myyoungfriend——likeYubaBill——afterwards。\"Hestopped；hiswholeexpressionchanged。\"Itwasdonebytwosneakinghounds，\"hesaidsharply；\"onewhomIsuspectedbefore，andone，anewhand，apalofhis。Theyweredetachedtowatchthecoachandbesatisfiedthatthegreenbackswereaboard，foritisn’tmystyleto’holdup’exceptforsomethingspecial。TheyweretotakeseatsonthecoachasfarasRingwoodStation，threemilesbelowwhereweheldyouup，andtogetoutthereandpassthewordtousthatitwasallright。Theydidn’t；thatmadeusalittleextracareful，seeingsomethingwaswrong，butneversuspectingTHEM。Wefoundoutafterwardsthattheygotoneofmyscoutstocutdownthattree，sayingitwasmyordersandapartofourgame，calculatinginthestoppageandconfusiontocollartheswagandgetoffwithit。Withoutknowingit，YOUplayedintotheirhandsbygoingintoTarbox’scabin。\"
\"Buthowdidyouknowthis？\"interruptedBrice，inwonder。
\"Theyforgotonething，\"continuedSnapshotHarrygrimly。\"Theyforgotthathalfanhourbeforeandhalfanhourafterastageisstoppedwehavethatroadpatrolled，everyfootofit。WhileIwasopeningtheboxinthebrush，thetwofools，sneakingalongtheroad，cameslapupononeofmypatrols，andthentriedtorunforit。Onewasdropped，butbeforehewaspluggedfullofholesandhunguponatree，heconfessed，andsaidtheothermanwhoescapedhadthegreenbacks。\"
Brice’sfacefell。\"Thentheyarelost，\"hesaidbitterly。
\"Notunlessheeatsthem——ashemaywanttodobeforeI’mdoneonhim，forhemusteitherstarveorcomeout。ThatroadisstillwatchedbymymenfromTarbox’scabintothebridge。He’stheresomewhere，andcan’tgetforwardorbackward。Look！\"hesaid，risingandgoingtothedoor。\"Thatroad，\"hepointedtothestageroad，——anarrowledgeflankedononesidebyaprecipitousmountainwall，andontheotherbyanequallyprecipitatedescent，——\"ishislimitandtether，andhecan’tescapeoneitherside。\"
\"Butthetrail？\"
\"Thereisbutoneentrancetoit，——thewayyoucame，andthatisguardedtoo。Fromthetimeyouenteredituntilyoureachedthebottom，youweresignaledherefrompointtopoint！HEwouldhavebeendropped！ImerelygaveYOUahintofwhatmighthavehappenedtoyou，ifyouwereuptoanylittlegame！Youtookitlikeawhiteman。Come，now！Whatisyourbusiness？\"
Thuschallenged，Briceplungedwithyouthfulhopefulnessintohisplan；if，ashevoicedit，itseemedtohimalittleextravagant，hewasbuoyedupbythefranknessofthehighwayman，whoalsohadtreatedthedoublerobberywithalevitythatseemedalmostasextravagant。Hesuggestedthattheyshouldworktogethertorecoverthemoney；thattheexpresscompanyshouldknowthattheunprecedentedstealthyintroductionofrobbersintheguiseofpassengerswasnotSnapshotHarry’smethod，andherepudiateditasunmanlyandunsportsmanlike；andthat，byusinghissuperiorskillandknowledgeofthelocalitytorecoverthemoneyanddelivertheculpritintothecompany’shands，hewouldnotonlyearntherewardthattheyshouldoffer，butthathewouldevokeasentimentthatallCalifornianswouldunderstandandrespect。Thehighwaymanlistenedwithatolerantsmile，but，toBrice’ssurprise，thisappealtohisvanitytouchedhimlessthantheprospectivepunishmentofthethief。
\"Itwouldservethed————dhoundright，\"hemuttered，\"if，insteadofbeingshotlikeaman，hewasmadeto’dotime’inprison，liketheordinarysneakthiefthatheis。\"WhenBricehadconcluded，hesaidbriefly，\"Theonlytroublewithyourplans，myyoungfriend，isthatabouttwenty-fivemenhavegottoconsiderthem，andhaveTHEIRsayaboutit。Everymaninmygangisashareholderinthesegreenbacks，forIworkonthesquare；andit’sforhimtosaywhetherhe’llgivethemupforarewardandthegoodopinionoftheexpresscompany。Perhaps，\"hewenton，withapeculiarsmile，\"it’sjustaswellthatyoutrieditonmefirst！However，I’llsoundtheboys，andseewhatcomesofit，butnotuntilyou’resafeoffthepremises。\"
\"Andyou’llletmeassistyou？\"saidBriceeagerly。
SnapshotHarrysmiledagain。\"Well，ifyoucomeacrossthed————dthief，andyourecognizehimandcangetthegreenbacksfromhim，I’llpassoverthegametoyou。\"Heroseandadded，apparentlybywayoffarewell，\"Perhapsit’sjustaswellthatIshouldgiveyouaguidepartofthewaytopreventaccidents。\"Hewenttoadoorleadingtoanadjoiningroom，andcalled\"Flo！\"
Brice’sheartleaped！Ifhehadforgottenherintheexcitementofhisinterview，heatonedforitbyavividblush。Herowncolorwasalittleheightenedassheslippedintotheroom，butthetwomanagedtolookdemurelyateachother，withoutawordofrecognition。
\"Thisismyniece，Flora，\"saidSnapshotHarry，withaslightwaveofthehandthatwasbynomeansuncourtly，\"andhercompanywillkeepyoufromanyimpertinentquestioningaswellasifIwerewithyou。ThisisMr。Brice，Flo，whocametoseemeonbusiness，andhasquiteforgottenmypracticaljoking。\"
ThegirlacknowledgedBrice’sbowwithashynessverydifferentfromhermanneroftheeveningbefore。Bricefeltembarrassedandevidentlyshowedit，forhishost，withasmile，putanendtotheconstraintbyshakingtheyoungman’shandheartily，biddinghimgood-by，andaccompanyinghimtothedoor。
Onceontheirway，Mr。Brice’sspiritsreturned。\"Itoldyoulastnight，\"hesaid，\"thatIhopedtomeetyouthenexttimewithabetterintroduction。Yousuggestedyouruncle’s。Well，areyousatisfied？\"
\"Butyoudidn’tcometoseeME，\"saidthegirlmischievously。
\"Howdoyouknowwhatmyintentionswere？\"returnedtheyoungmangayly，gazingatthegirl’scharmingfacewithaseriousdoubtastothesinglenessofhisownintentions。
\"Oh，becauseIknow，\"sheanswered，withatossofherbrownhead。
\"IheardwhatyousaidtouncleHarry。\"
Mr。Brice’sbrowcontracted。\"Perhapsyousawme，too，whenI
came，\"hesaid，withaslighttouchofbitternessashethoughtofhisreception。
MissFlolaughed。Bricewalkedonsilently；thegirlwasheartlessandworthyofhereducation。Afterapauseshesaiddemurely，\"I
knewhewouldn’thurtyou——butYOUdidn’t。That’swhereyoushowedyourgritinwalkingstraighton。\"
\"AndIsupposeyouweregreatlyamused，\"herepliedscornfully。
Thegirlliftedherarmsalittlewearily，aswithahalfsighshereadjustedherbrownbraidsunderheruncle’sgrayslouchhat，whichshehadcaughtupasshepassedout。\"Tharain’tmuchtolaughathere！\"shesaid。\"Butitwasmightyfunnywhenyoutriedtoputyourhatstraight，andthenfoundthurwasthatbulletholerightthroughthebrim！Andthewayyoustaredatit——Lordy！\"
Hermusicallaughwasinfectious，andsweptawayhisoutrageddignity。Helaughedtoo。Atlastshesaid，gazingathishat，\"Itwon’tdoforyoutogobacktoyourfolkswearin’thatsorto’
thing。Here！Takemine！\"Withasaucymovementsheaudaciouslyliftedhishatfromhishead，andplacedherownuponit。
\"Butthisisyouruncle’shat，\"heremonstrated。
\"Allthesame；hespoiledyours，\"shelaughed，adjustinghishatuponherownhead。\"ButI’llkeepyourstorememberyouby。I’llloopitupbythishole，andit’lllookmightypurty。Jes’see！\"
Shepluckedawildrosefromabushbythewayside，and，passingthestalkthroughthebullethole，pinnedthebrimagainstthecrownbyathorn。\"There，\"shesaid，puttingonthehatagainwithalittleaffectationofcoquetry，\"how’sthat？\"
Mr。Bricethoughtitverypicturesqueandbecomingtothegracefulheadandlaughingeyesbeneathit，andsaidso。Then，becominginhisturnaudacious，hedrewnearertoherside。
\"Isupposeyouknowtheforfeitofputtingonagentleman’shat？\"
Apparentlyshedid，forshesuddenlymadeawarninggesture，andsaid，\"Nothere！Itwouldbeabiggerforfeitthanyou’dkeerfo’。\"Beforehecouldreplysheturnedasideasifquiteinnocently，andpassedintotheshadeofafringeofbuckeyes。Hefollowedquickly。\"Ididn’tmeanthat，\"shesaid；butinthemeantimehehadkissedthepinktipofherearunderitsbrowncoils。
Hewas，nevertheless，somewhatdiscomfitedbyherundisturbedmannerandsereneface。\"Yedon’tseemtomindbein’shotat，\"shesaid，withanoddsmile，\"butitwon’tdoforyoutokalkilatethatEVERYBODYshootsaskeerfullyasuncleHarry。\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"hereplied，struckbyhermanner。
\"Yeain’tverycomplimentary，oryou’dallowthatotherfolksmightbewantin’whatyoutookjustnow，andmightconsideryouwaspoachin’，\"shereturnedgravely。\"MybestandstrongestholtamongthosemenisthatuncleHarrywouldkillthefirstonewhotriedanythinglikethaton——andtheyknowit。That’showIgetallthelibertyIwanthere，andcancomeandgoaloneasIlike。\"
Brice’sfaceflushedquicklywithgenuineshameandremorse。\"Doforgiveme，\"hesaidhurriedly。\"Ididn’tthink——I’mabruteandafool！\"
\"UncleHarryallowedyouwaseitherdrunkorabornidiotwhenyouwaspromenadin’intothevalleyjustnow，\"shesaid，withasmile。
\"Andwhatdidyouthink？\"heaskedalittleuneasily。
\"Ithoughtyoudidn’tlooklikeadrinkin’man，\"sheansweredaudaciously。
Bricebithislipandwalkedonsilently，atwhichshecastasidelongglanceunderherwidelyspacedheavylashesandsaiddemurely，\"Ithoughtlastnightitwasmightygoodforyoutostandupforyourfrien’YubaBill，andthen，afteryeknewwhoIwas，toletthefolksseeyoukindercottonedtometoo。Notinthestyleo’thatland-grabberHeckshill，northatpeartnewspaperman，neither。OfcourseIgavethemasgoodastheysent，\"shewenton，withalittlelaugh，butBricecouldseethathersensitivelipinprofilehadthetremulousandresentfulcurveofonewhowasaccustomedtoslightandannoyance。Wasitpossiblethatthisreckless，self-containedgirlfeltherpositionkeenly？
\"Iamproudtohaveyourgoodopinion，\"hesaid，withacertainrespectmingledwithhisadmiringglance，\"evenifIhavenotyouruncle’s。\"
\"Oh，helikesyouwellenough，orhewouldn’thavehearkenedtoyouaminute，\"shesaidquickly。\"Whenyouopenedoutaboutthemgreenbacks，Ijes’clutchedmycheerSO，\"sheillustratedherwordswithagestureofherhands，andherfaceactuallyseemedtogrowpaleattherecollection，——andInighstarteduptostopye；butthatideaofYubaBillbein’robbedTWICEIthinktickledhimawful。Butitwasluckynoneo’thegangheardyeorsuspectedanything。Ireckonthat’swhyhesentmewithyou，——tokeepthemfromdoggin’youandaskin’questionsthatastraightmanlikeyouwouldbesuretoanswer。Buttheydaren’tcomenighyeaslongasI’mwithyou！\"Shethrewbackherheadandrose-crestedhatwithamockairofprotectionthat，however，hadacertainrealprideinit。
\"Iamverygladofthat，ifitgivesmethechanceofhavingyourcompanyalone，\"returnedBrice，smiling，\"andverygratefultoyouruncle，whateverwerehisreasonsformakingyoumyguide。Butyouhavealreadybeenthattome，\"andhetoldherofthefootprints。
\"Butforyou，\"headded，withgentlesignificance，\"Ishouldnothavebeenhere。\"
Shewassilentforamoment，andhecouldonlyseethebackofherheadanditsheavybrowncoils。Afterapausesheaskedabruptly，\"Where’syourhandkerchief？\"
Hetookitfromhispocket；heringeniousuncle’sbullethadtornratherthanpiercedthecambric。
\"Ithoughtso，\"shesaid，gravelyexaminingit，\"butIkinmenditasgoodasnew。IreckonyouallowIcan’tsew，\"shecontinued，\"butIdoheapsofmendin’，asthediggersquawandChinamenwehaveheredoonlythecoarserwork。I’llsenditbacktoyou，andmeanwhilesyoukeepmine。\"
Shedrewahandkerchieffromherpocketandhandedittohim。Tohisgreatsurpriseitwasadelicateone，beautifullyembroidered，andutterlyincongruoustoherstation。Theideathatflasheduponhim，itistobefeared，showeditselfmomentarilyinhishesitationandembarrassment。
Shegaveaquicklaugh。\"Don’tbefrightened。It’sboughtandpaidfor。UncleHarrydon’ttouchpassengers’fixin’s；thatain’thisstyle。Yououghterknowthat。\"Yetinspiteofherlaugh，hecouldseethesensitivepoutofherlowerlip。
\"Iwasonlythinking，\"hesaidhurriedlyandsympathetically，\"thatitwastoofineforme。ButIwillbeproudtokeepitasasouvenirofyou。It’snottooprettyforTHAT！\"
\"Unclegetsmethesethings。Hedon’tkeerwhattheycost，\"shewenton，ignoringthecompliment。\"Why，I’vegotawfullyfinegownsuptherethatIonlywearwhenIgotoMarysvilleoncetinawhile。\"
\"Doeshetakeyouthere？\"askedBrice。
\"No！\"sheansweredquietly。\"Not\"——alittledefiantly——\"thathe’safeard，fortheycan’tproveanythingagainsthim；nomankinsweartohim，andtharain’tanofficerthatkeerstogoforhim。Buthe’sthatshyforMEhedon’tkeertohavememixedwithhim。\"
\"Butnobodyrecognizesyou？\"
\"Sometimes——butIdon’tkeerforthat。\"Shecockedherhatalittleaudaciously，butBricenoticedthatherarmsafterwardsdroppedathersidewiththesamewearygesturehehadobservedbefore。\"WheneverIgointoshopsit’salways’Yes，miss，’and’No，miss，’and’Certainly，MissDimwood。’Oh，they’remightyrespectful。IreckontheyallowthatSnapshotHarry’sriflecarriesfar。\"
Presentlyshefacedhimagain，fortheirconversationhadbeencarriedoninprofile。Therewasacritical，searchinglookinherbrowneyes。
\"HereI’mtalkin’toyouasifyouwereone\"——Mr。Bricewaspositiveshewasgoingtosay\"oneofthegang，\"butshehesitatedandconcluded，\"oneofmyrelations——likecousinHiram。\"
\"Iwishyouwouldthinkofmeasbeingastrueafriend，\"saidtheyoungmanearnestly。
Shedidnotreplyimmediately，butseemedtobeexaminingthedistance。Theywerenotfarfromthecanyonnow，andtheriverbank。Afringeofbuckeyeshidthebaseofthemountain，whichhadbeguntotowerupabovethemtotheinvisiblestageroadoverhead。
\"Iamgoingtobearealguidetoyounow，\"shesaidsuddenly。
\"Whenwereachthatbuckeyecornerandareoutofsight，wewillturnintoitinsteadofgoingthroughthecanyon。Youshallgoupthemountaintothestageroad，fromTHISside。\"
\"Butitisimpossible！\"heexclaimed，inastonishment。\"Yourunclesaidso。\"
\"ComingDOWN，butnotgoingup，\"shereturned，withalaugh。\"I
foundit，andnooneknowsitbutmyself。\"
Heglancedupatthetoweringcliff；itsnearlyperpendicularflankswereseamedwithfissures，somecleftsdeeplysetwithstuntedgrowthsofthornand\"scrub，\"butstillsheerandforbidding，andthenglancedbackatherincredulously。\"Iwillshowyou，\"shesaid，answeringhislookwithasmileoftriumph。
\"Ihaven’ttrampedoverthiswholevalleyfornothing！Butwaituntilwereachtheriverbank。Theymustthinkthatwe’vegonethroughthecanyon。\"
\"They？
\"Yes——anyonewhoiswatchingus，\"saidthegirldryly。
Afewstepsfurtheronbroughtthemtothebuckeyethicket，whichextendedtotheriverbankandmouthofthecanyon。Thegirllingeredforamomentostentatiouslybeforeit，andthen，saying\"Come，\"suddenlyturnedatrightanglesintothethicket。Bricefollowed，andthenextmomenttheywerehiddenbyitsfriendlyscreenfromthevalley。Ontheothersiderosethemountainwall，leavinganarrowtrailbeforethem。Itwascomposedoftherockydebrisandfallentreesofthecliff，fromwhichbuckeyesandlarcheswerenowspringing。Itwasuneven，irregular，andslowlyascending；buttheyounggirlledthewaywiththefreefootstepofamountaineer，andyetagracethatwasakintodelicacy。Norcouldhefailtonoticethat，aftertheWesterngirl’sfashion，shewasshodmoreelegantlyandlightlythanwasconsistentwiththerudeandrusticsurroundings。Itwasthesameslimshoe-printwhichhadguidedhimthatmorning。Presentlyshestopped，andseemedtobegazingcuriouslyatthecliffside。Bricefollowedthedirectionofhereyes。Onaprotrudingbushattheedgeofoneofthewoodedcleftsofthemountainflanksomethingwashanging，andinthefresheningsoutherlywindwasflappingheavily，likearaven’swing，orasifstillsaturatedwiththelastnight’srain。
\"That’smightyqueer！\"saidFlo，gazingintentlyattheunsightlyandincongruousattachmenttotheshrub，whichhadavague，weirdsuggestion。\"Itwasn’tthereyesterday。\"
\"Itlookslikeaman’scoat，\"remarkedBriceuneasily。
\"Whew！\"saidthegirl。\"Thensomebodyhascomedownwhowon’tgoupagain！There’salotoffreshrocksandbrushhere，too。
What’sthat？\"Shewaspointingtoaspotsomeyardsbeforethemwheretherehadbeenarecentprecipitationofdebrisanduprootedshrubs。Butmingledwithitlayamassofragsstrangelyakintothetatteredremnantthatflaggedfromthebushahundredfeetabovethem。Thegirlsuddenlyutteredasharpfemininecryofmingledhorroranddisgust，——thefirstweaknessofsexshehadshown，——and，recoiling，graspedBrice’sarm。\"Don’tgothere！
Comeaway！\"
ButBricehadalreadyseenthatwhich，whileitshockedhim，wasurginghimforwardwithaninvinciblefascination。Gentlyreleasinghimself，andbiddingthegirlstandback，hemovedtowardtheunsightlyheap。Graduallyitdisclosedagrotesquecaricatureofahumanfigure，butsomaimedanddoubledupthatitseemedastuffedandfallenscarecrow。Asiscommoninmenstrickensuddenlydownbyaccidentinthefullnessoflife，theclothesassertedthemselvesbeforeallelsewithahideousludicrousness，obliteratingeventhemajestyofdeathintheirhelplessyetironicalincongruity。Thegarmentsseemedtohaveneverfittedthewearer，buttohavebeenassumedinghastlyjocularity，——aboothalfofftheswollenfoot，arippedwaistcoatthrownovertheshoulder，werelikethepropertiesofsomelowcomedian。Atfirstthebodyappearedtobeheadless；butasBriceclearedawaythedebrisandliftedit，hesawwithhorrorthattheheadwastwistedundertheshoulder，andswunghelplesslyfromthedislocatedneck。
Butthathorrorgavewaytoamoreintenseandthrillingemotionashesawtheface——althoughstrangelyfreefromlacerationordisfigurement，andimpurpledanddistendedintothesimulationofaself-complacentsmile——wasafaceherecognized！Itwasthefaceofthecynicaltravelerinthecoach——themanwhohewasnowsatisfiedhadrobbedit。
Astrangeandselfishresentmenttookpossessionofhim。Herewasthemanthroughwhomhehadsufferedshameandperil，andwhoevennowseemedcomplacentlyvictoriousindeath。Heexaminedhimclosely；hiscoatandwaistcoathadbeenpartlytornawayinhisfall；hisshirtstillclungtohim，butthroughitstornfrontcouldbeseenaheavytreasurebeltencirclinghiswaist。
Forgettinghisdisgust，Bricetoreawaytheshirtandunloosedthebelt。Itwassaturatedwithwaterliketherestoftheclothing，butitspocketseemedheavyanddistended。Inanotherinstanthehadopenedit，anddiscoveredtheenvelopecontainingthepacketofgreenbacks，itssealstillinviolateandunbroken。Itwasthestolentreasure！
Afaintsighrecalledhimtohimself。Thegirlwasstandingafewfeetfromhim，regardinghimcuriously。
\"It’sthethiefhimself！\"hesaid，inabreathlessexplanation。
\"Intryingtoescapehemusthavefallenfromtheroadabove。Butherearethegreenbackssafe！Wemustgobacktoyouruncleatonce，\"hesaidexcitedly。\"Come！\"
\"Areyoumad？\"shecried，inastonishment。
\"No，\"returnedBrice，inequalastonishment，\"butyouknowIagreedwithhimthatweshouldworktogethertorecoverthemoney，andI
mustshowhimourgoodluck。\"
\"Hetoldyouthatifyoumetthethiefandcouldgetthemoneyfromhim，youwerewelcometoit，\"saidthegirlgravely，\"andyouHAVE
gotit。\"
\"Butnotinthewayhemeant，\"returnedBricehurriedly。\"Thisman’sdeathistheresultofhisattemptingtoescapefromyouruncle’sguardsalongtheroad；themeritofitbelongstothemandyouruncle。Itwouldbecowardlyandmeanofmetotakeadvantageofit。\"
Thegirllookedathimwithanexpressionofmingledadmirationandpity。\"Buttheguardswereplacedtherebeforeheeversawyou，\"
saidsheimpatiently。\"AndwhateveruncleHarrymaywanttodo，hemustdowhatthegangsays。Andwiththemoneyonceintheirpossession，oreveninyours，iftheyknewit，Iwouldn’tgivemuchforitschances——orYOURSeither——forgettin’outo’thishollowagain。\"
\"ButifTHEYaretreacherous，thatisnoreasonwhyIshouldbeso，\"protestedBricestoutly。
\"You’venorighttosaytheyweretreacherouswhentheyknewnothingofyourplans，\"saidthegirlsharply。\"YourcompanywouldhavemorecalltosayYOUweretreacheroustoitformakingaplanwithoutconsultin’them。\"Bricewinced，forhehadneverthoughtofthatbefore。\"YoucanofferthatrewardAFTERyougetawayfromherewiththegreenbacks。But，\"sheaddedproudly，withatossofherhead，\"gobackifyouwantto！Tellhimall！Tellhimwhereyoufoundit——tellhimIdidnottakeyouthroughthecanyon，butwasshowin’youanewtrailIhadnevershowntoTHEM！TellhimthatIamatraitor，forIhavegiventhemandhimawaytoyou，astranger，andthatyouconsideryourselftheonlystraightandhonestoneabouthere！\"
Briceflushedwithshame。\"Forgiveme，\"hesaidhurriedly；\"youarerightandIamwrongagain。Iwilldojustwhatyousay。I
willfirstplacethesegreenbacksinasecureplace——andthen\"——
\"Getawayfirst——that’syouronlyholt，\"sheinterruptedhimquickly，hereyesstillflashingthroughindignanttears。\"Comequick，forImustputyouonthetrailbeforetheymissme。\"
Shedartedforward；hefollowed，butshekeptthelead，asmuch，hefancied，toevadehisobservationastoexpeditehisgoing。
Presentlytheystoppedbeforetheslopingtrunkofahugepinethathadlongsincefallenfromtheheightabove，but，althoughsplinteredwhereithadbrokenground，hadpreservedsomefiftyfeetofitsstraighttrunkerectandleaninglikealadderagainstthemountainwall。\"There，\"shesaid，hurriedlypointingtoitsdecayingbutstillprojectinglateralbranches，\"youclimbit——I
have。Atthetopyou’llfindit’sstuckinacleftamongthebrush。There’salittlehollowandanoldwaterwayfromaspringabovewhichmakesatrailthroughthebrush。It’sasgoodasthetrailyoutookfromthestageroadthismornin’，butit’snotassafecomin’down。Keepalongittothespring，anditwilllandyejesttheothersideofuncleHiram’scabin。Goquick！I’llwaithereuntilye’vereachedthecleft。\"
\"Butyou，\"hesaid，turningtowardher，\"howcanIeverthankyou？\"
Asifanticipatingaleave-taking，thegirlhadalreadywithdrawnherselfafewyardsaway，andsimplymadeanupwardgesturewithherhand。\"Quick！Upwithyou！Everyminutenowisarisktome。\"
Thusappealedto，Bricecouldonlycomply。Perhapshewasalittlehurtatthegirl’sevidentdesiretoavoidagentlerparting。
Securinghisprizedenvelopewithinhisbreast，hebegantoascendthetree。Itsinclination，andtheaidofferedbythebrokenstumpsofbranches，madethiscomparativelyeasy，andinafewmomentshereacheditstop，andstooduponalittleledgeinthewall。Aswiftglancearoundhimrevealedthewholewaterwayorfissureslantingupwardalongthemountainface。Thenheturnedquicklytolookdownthedizzyheight。Atfirsthecoulddistinguishnothingbutthetopofthebuckeyesandtheirwhiteclusteringblossoms。Thensomethingfluttered，——thetornwhitehandkerchiefofhisthatshehadkept。Andthenhecaughtasingleglimpseoftheflower-plumedhatrecedingrapidlyamongthetrees，andFloraDimwoodwasgone。
III
Intwenty-fourhoursEdwardBricewasinSanFrancisco。Butalthoughsuccessfulandthebearerofthetreasure，itisdoubtfulifheapproachedthisendofhisjourneywiththetemerityhehadshownonenteringtherobbers’valley。Aconsciousnessthatthemethodshehademployedmightexcitetheridicule，ifnotthecensure，ofhisprincipals，orthathemighthavecompromisedtheminhismeetingwithSnapshotHarry，considerablymodifiedhisyouthfulexultation。ItispossiblethatFlora’sreproach，whichstillrankledinhismind，mayhavequickenedhissensitivenessonthatpoint。However，hehadresolvedtotellthewholetruth，excepthisepisodewithFlora，andtoplacetheconductofSnapshotHarryandtheTarboxesinasfavorablealightaspossible。Butfirsthehadrecoursetothemanager，amanofshrewdworldlyexperience，whohadrecommendedhimtohisplace。Whenhehadfinishedandhandedhimthetreasuredenvelope，themanlookedathimwithacriticalandyetnotunkindlyexpression。\"Perhapsit’sjustaswell，Brice，thatyoudidcometomeatfirst，anddidnotmakeyourreporttothepresidentanddirectors。\"
\"Isuppose，\"saidBricediffidently，\"thattheywouldn’thavelikedmycommunicatingwiththehighwaymanwithouttheirknowledge？\"
\"Morethanthat——theywouldn’thavebelievedyourstory。\"
\"Notbelieveit？\"criedBrice，flushingquickly。\"Doyouthink\"——
Themanagercheckedhimwithalaugh。\"Holdon！Ibelieveeverywordofit，andwhy？Becauseyou’veaddednothingtoittomakeyourselftheregularhero。Why，withyouropportunity，andnooneabletocontradictyou，youmighthavetoldmeyouhadahand-to-
handfightwiththethief，andhadtokillhimtorecoverthemoney，andevenbroughtyourhandkerchiefandhatbackwiththebulletholestoproveit。\"Bricewinkedashethoughtofthefairpossessorofthosearticles。\"Butasastoryforgeneralcirculation，itwon’tdo。Haveyoutoldittoanyoneelse？Doesanyoneknowwhathappenedbutyourself？\"
BricethoughtofFlora，buthehadresolvednottocompromiseher，andhehadaconsciousnessthatshewouldbeequallyloyaltohim。
\"Noone，\"heansweredboldly。
\"Verygood。AndIsupposeyouwouldn’tmindifitwerekeptoutofthenewspapers？You’renothankeringafterareputationasahero？\"
\"Certainlynot，\"saidBriceindignantly。
\"Well，then，we’llkeepitwhereitis。Youwillsaynothing。I
willhandoverthegreenbackstothecompany，butonlyasmuchofyourstoryasIthinkthey’llstand。You’reallrightasitis。
YubaBillhasalreadysetyouupinhisreporttothecompany，andtherecoveryofthismoneywillputyouhigher！Only，thePUBLIC
needknownothingaboutit。\"
\"But，\"askedBriceamazedly，\"howcanitbeprevented？Theshipperswholostthemoneywillhavetoknowthatithasbeenrecovered。\"
\"Whyshouldthey？Thecompanywillassumetherisk，andrepaythemjustthesame。It’sagreatdealbettertohavethereputationforacceptingtheresponsibilitythanfortheshipperstothinkthattheyonlygettheirmoneythroughtheaccidentofitsrecovery。\"
Bricegaspedatthislargebusinesstruth。Besides，itoccurredtohimthatitkeptthesecret，andFlora’sparticipationinit，fromSnapshotHarryandthegang。Hehadnotthoughtofthatbefore。
\"Come，\"continuedthemanager，withofficialcurtness。\"Whatdoyousay？Areyouwillingtoleaveittome？\"
Bricehesitatedamoment。Itwasnotwhathisimpulsivetruthfulnaturehadsuggested。Itwasnotwhathisyouthfulfancyhadimagined。HehadnotworkeduponthesympathiesofthecompanyonbehalfofSnapshotHarryashebelievedhewoulddo。Hehadnotevenimpressedthemanager。Hisstory，farfromexcitingachivalroussentiment，hadbeenpronouncedimprobable。YethereflectedhehadsofarprotectedHER，andheconsentedwithasigh。
Nevertheless，theresultoughttohavesatisfiedhim。Adazzlingcheck，inclosedinaletterofthanksfromthecompanythenextday，andhispromotionfrom\"theroad\"totheSanFranciscooffice，wouldhavebeenquiteenoughforanyonebutEdwardBrice。Yethewasgrateful，albeitalittlefrightenedandremorsefuloverhisluck。Hecouldnothelpthinkingofthekindlytoleranceofthehighwayman，themiserabledeathoftheactualthief，whichhadprovedhisownsalvation，andaboveallthegenerous，high-spiritedgirlwhohadaidedhisescape。WhileonhiswaytoSanFrancisco，andyetinthefirstglowofhissuccess，hehadwrittenherafewlinesfromMarysville，inclosedinalettertoMr。Tarbox。Hehadreceivednoreply。
Thenaweekpassed。Hewroteagain，andstillnoreply。Thenavaguefeelingofjealousytookpossessionofhimasherememberedherwarninghintoftheattentionstowhichshewassubjected，andhebecamesingularlyappreciativeofSnapshotHarry’sproficiencyasamarksman。Then，cruelestofall，foryourimpassionedloverisnoloveratallifnotcruelinhisimaginings，herememberedhowshehadevadedheruncle’sespionagewithHIM；couldshenotequallywithANOTHER？Perhapsthatwaswhyshehadhurriedhimaway，——whyshehadpreventedhisreturningtoheruncle。Followingthiscameanotherweekofdisappointmentandequallymiserablecynicalphilosophy，inwhichhepersuadedhimselfhewasperfectlysatisfiedwithhismaterialadvancement，thatitwastheonlyoutcomeofhisadventuretoberecognized；andhewasmoremiserablethanever。
Amonthhadpassed，whenonemorninghereceivedasmallpackagebypost。Theaddresswasinahandwritingunknowntohim，butopeningtheparcelhewassurprisedtofindonlyahandkerchiefneatlyfolded。Examiningitclosely，hefounditwashisown，——theonehehadgivenher，therentmadebyheruncle’sbulletsoingeniouslyanddelicatelymendedastoalmostsimulateembroidery。Thejoythatsuddenlyfilledhimatthisproofofherremembranceshowedhimtooplainlyhowhollowhadbeenhiscynicismandhowlastinghishope！Turningoverthewrappereagerly，hediscoveredwhathehadatfirstthoughtwassomebusinesscard。Itwas，indeed，printedandnotengraved，insomecommonnewspapertype，andboretheaddress，\"HiramTarbox，LandandTimberAgent，1101CaliforniaStreet。\"Heagainexaminedtheparcel；therewasnothingelse，——
notalinefromHER！Butitwasaclueatlast，andshehadnotforgottenhim！Heseizedhishat，andtenminuteslaterwasbreastingthesteepsandhillintowhichCaliforniaStreetinthosedaysplunged，andagainemergedatitscrest，withafewstrugglinghouses。
Butwhenhereachedthesummithecouldseethattheoutlineofthestreetwasstillplainlymarkedalongthedistancebycottagesandnewsuburbanvilla-likeblocksofhouses。No。1101wasinoneoftheseblocks，asmalltenementenough，butapalacecomparedtoMr。
Tarbox’sSierrancabin。Heimpetuouslyrangthebell，andwithoutwaitingtobeannounceddashedintothelittledrawing-roomandMr。
Tarbox’spresence。Thathadchangedtoo；Mr。Tarboxwasarrayedinasuitofclothesasnew，ascheaplydecorative，asfreshand，apparently，asdampashisowndrawingroom。
\"Didyougetmyletter？DidyougivehertheoneIinclosed？Whydidn’tyouanswer？\"burstoutBrice，afterhisfirstbreathlessgreeting。
Mr。Tarbox’sfaceherechangedsosuddenlyintohisolddejecteddoggednessthatBricecouldhaveimaginedhimselfbackintheSierrancabin。ThemanstraightenedandbowedhimselfatBrice’squestions，andthenrepliedwithbold，deliberateemphasis：
\"Yes，IDIDgetyourletter。IDIDN’Tgivenolettero’yourstoher。AndIdidn’tansweryourletterBEFORE，forIdidn’tproposetoansweritATALL。\"
\"Why？\"demandedBriceindignantly。
\"Ididn’tgiveheryourletterbecauseIdidn’tkalkilatetobeanygo-between’twixtyouandSnapshotHarry’sniece。Lookyar，Mr。
Brice。SenseIreadthat’arparagraphinthatpaperyougaveme，Iallowedtomyselfthatitwasn’tthesquarethingformetohaveanymoredoin’swithhim，andIquitit。Ijestchuckedyourletterinthefire。Ididn’tansweryoubecauseIreckonedI’dnocalltocorrespondwithye，andwhenIshowedyethattrailovertoHarry’scamp，itwasended。I’vegotahouseandbusinesstolookarter，anditdon’tjibewithkeepin’companywith’roadagents。’
That’swhatIgotouterthatpaperyougaveme，Mr。Brice。\"
RageanddisgustfilledBriceattheman’sutterselfishnessandshamelessdesertionofhiskindred，nonethelesspowerfullythatherememberedtheparthehimselfhadplayedinconcoctingtheparagraph。\"Doyoumeantosay，\"hedemandedpassionately，\"thatforthesakeofthatfoolishparagraphyougaveupyourownkindred？Thatyoutruckledtothemeanprejudicesofyourneighborsandkeptthatpoor，defenselessgirlfromtheonlyhonestroofshecouldfindrefugeunder？Thatyoudaredtodestroymylettertoher，andmadeherbelieveIwasasselfishandungratefulasyourself？\"
\"Youngfeller，\"saidMr。Tarboxstillmoredeliberately，yetwithacertaindignitythatBricehadnevernoticedbefore，\"what’sbetweenyouandFlo，andwhatrightsshehasferthinkin’ye’ezselfish’and’ezongrateful’ezme——efshedoes，Idunno！——butwhenyetalko’megivin’upmykindred，andslingsuchhogwashez’ongrateful’and’selfish’roundthisyersittin’-room，mebbeitmoutoccurtoyethatHarryDimwoodmighthevHISopiniono’whatwas’ongrateful’and’selfish’efI’dplayedinbetweenhisnieceandayoungmano’theexpresscompany，hisnat’ralenemy。It’sonethingtohevhelpedyetoseeherinheruncle’sowncamp，butanothertohelpyebymakin’aclandecentpost-offiso’mycabin。
Ef，insteado’writin’，you’dhevpostedyourselfbycomin’tome，youmouthevfoundoutthatwhenIbrokewithHarryIofferedtotakeFlowithmeforgoodandall——efhe’dkeepawayfromus。Andthat’sthekindo’’honestroof’thatthatthar’poordefenselessgirl’gotunderwhenhercrippledmotherdiedthreeweeksago，andleftHarryfree。Itwasby’trucklin’’tothem’meanprejudices，’
andreadin’thatthar’foolishparagraph，’thatIsettledthisthingthenandthar！\"
Brice’srevulsionofsentimentwassocomplete，andthegratitudethatbeamedinhiseyeswassosincere，thatMr。Tarboxhardlyneededtheprofuseapologieswhichbrokefromhim。\"Forgiveme！\"
hecontinuedtostammer，\"Ihavewrongedyou，wrongedHER——
everybody。Butasyouknow，Mr。Tarbox，howIhavefeltoverthis，howdeeply——howpassionately\"——
\"ItDOESmakeamanloonysometimes，\"saidMr。Tarbox，relaxingintodemuredrynessagain，\"soIreckonyouDID！Mebbeshereckonedso，too，forsheaskedmetogiveyouthehandkercherI
sentye。Itlookedasifshe’dbindoin’somefancyworkonit。\"
BriceglancedquicklyatMr。Tarbox’sface。Itwasstolidandimperturbable。Shehadevidentlykeptthesecretofwhatpassedinthehollowtoherself。Forthefirsttimehelookedaroundtheroomcuriously。\"Ididn’tknowyouwerealandagentbefore，\"hesaid。
\"NomoreIwas！Allthatkemouto’thatparagraph，Mr。Brice。
ThatmanHeckshill，whowassomightyperlitethatnight，wrotetomeafterwardsthathedidn’tknowmynametillhe’dseedthatparagraph，andhewantedtoknowef，eza’well-knowncitizen，’I
couldrecommendhimsometimberlands。Irecommendedhimhalfo’
myownquartersection，andhetookit。He’sputtin’upamillthar，andthat’sanotherreasonwhywewantpeaceandquietnessupthar。I’mtryin’（betwixtandbetweenus，Mr。Brice）togetHarrytocl’aroutandsellhisrightsinthevalleyandthewaterpowerontheForktoHeckshillandme。I’mopeningabusinesshere。\"
\"Thenyou’veleftMrs。TarboxwithMissFlorainyourcabinwhileyouattendtobusinesshere，\"saidBricetentatively。
\"Notexactly，Mr。Brice。Theoldwomanthoughtitagoodchancetocometo’FriscoandputFloinoneo’themCatholicconventschools——thatasksnoquestionswhartherawlogscomefrom，andturns’emoutfirst-classplankallround。Youfollerme，Mr。
Brice？ButMrs。Tarboxisjestinthenextroom，andwouldadmiretotellyeallthis——andI’llgoinandsendhertoyou。\"Andwithapatronizingwaveofthehand，Mr。Tarboxcomplacentlydisappearedinthehall。
Mr。Bricewasnotsorrytobelefttohimselfinhisutterbewilderment！Flo，separatedfromherdetrimentaluncle，andplacedinaconventschool！Tarbox，theobscurepioneer，ashrewdspeculatoremergingintosuccess，andtakingtheuncle’splace！
Andallthiswithinthatmonthwhichhehadwastedwithabsurdrepinings。Howfeebleseemedhisownadventureandadvancement；
howevenludicroushispretensionstoanypatronageandsuperiority。
HowthiscommonbackwoodsmanhadsethiminhisplaceaseasilyasSHEhadevadedtheadvancesofthejournalistandHeckshill！Theyhadtaughthimalesson；perhapseventhesendingbackofhishandkerchiefwaspartofit！Hisheartgrewheavy；hewalkedtothewindowandgazedoutwithalongsigh。
Alightlaugh，thatmighthavebeenanechooftheonewhichhadattractedhimthatnightinTarbox’scabin，felluponhisear。HeturnedquicklytomeetFloraDimwood’slaughingeyesshininguponhimasshestoodinthedoorway。
Manyatimeduringthatmonthhehadthoughtofthismeeting——hadimaginedwhatitwouldbelike——whatwouldbehismannertowardsher——whatwouldbehergreeting，andwhattheywouldsay。Hewouldbecold，gentle，formal，gallant，gay，sad，trustful，reproachful，evenasthemoodsinwhichhethoughtofhercametohisfoolishbrain。Hewouldalwaysbeginwithrespectfulseriousness，orafranknessequaltoherown，butnever，neveragainwouldheoffendashehadoffendedunderthebuckeyes！Andnow，withherprettyfaceshininguponhim，allhisplans，hisspeeches，hispreparationsvanished，andlefthimdumb。Yethemovedtowardsherwithabriefarticulatesomethingonhislips，——somethingbetweenalaughandasigh，——butthatreallywasakiss，and——inpointoffact——promptlyfoldedherinhisarms。
Yetitwascertainlydirect，andperhapsthebestthatcouldbedone，fortheyoungladydidnotemergefromitascoolly，asunemotionally，norpossiblyasquicklyasshehadundertheshadeofthebuckeyes。Butshepersuadedhim——bystillholdinghishand——
tositbesideheronthechilly，highlyvarnished\"greenrep\"