Demorestglancedatit，turneditover，readitscontents，andinagravevoicesaid，\"Thereissomethingwronghere。Itislikemyhandwriting，butIneverwrotetheletter，norhasitbeeninmyhandbefore。\"
Stacysprangtohisside。\"Thenit’saforgery！\"
\"Waitamoment。\"Demorest，who，althoughverygrave，wasthemorecollectedofthetwo，wenttoawriting-desk，selectedasheetofpaper，andtookupapen。\"Now，\"hesaid，\"dictatethatlettertome。\"
Stacybegan，Demorest’spenrapidlyfollowinghim：——
\"DEARJIM，——OnreceiptofthisgetridofmyWheatTrustsharesatwhateverfigureyoucan。FromthewaythingspointedinNewYork\"——
\"Stop！\"interruptedDemorest。
\"Well？\"saidStacyimpatiently。
\"Now，mydearJim，\"saidDemorestplaintively，\"whendidyoueverknowmetowritesuchasentenceas’thewaythingspointed’？\"
\"Letmefinishreading，\"saidStacy。Thisliterarysensitivenessatsuchamomentseemedlittleshortofpuerilitytothemanofbusiness。
\"FromthewaythingspointedinNewYork，\"continuedStacy，\"andfromprivateadvicesreceived，thisseemstobetheonlyprudentcoursebeforethefeathersbegintofly。Longingtoseeyouagainandthedearoldstamping-groundatHeavyTree。LovetoBarker。
Hasthedearoldboybeenatanyfreshcranklately？
\"Yours，PHILDEMOREST。\"
Thedictationandcopyfinishedtogether。DemorestlaidthefreshlywrittensheetbesidetheletterStacyhadproduced。Theywereverymuchalikeandyetquitedistinctfromeachother。Onlythesignatureseemedidentical。
\"That’stheinvariablemistakewiththeforger，\"saidDemorest；\"healwaysforgetsthatsignaturesoughttobeidenticalwiththetextratherthanwitheachother。\"
ButStacydidnotseemtohearthisorrequirefurtherproof。Hisfacewasquitegrayandhislipscompresseduntillostinhiscloselysetbeardashegazedfixedlyoutofthewindow。Forthefirsttime，reallyconcernedandtouched，Demorestlaidhishandgentlyonhisshoulder。
\"Tellme，Jim，howmuchdoesthismeantoyouapartfromme？Don’tthinkofme。\"
\"Idon’tknowyet，\"saidStacyslowly。\"That’sthetrouble。AndI
won’tknowuntilIknowwho’satthebottomofit。Doesanybodyknowofyouraffairswithme？\"
\"Noone。\"
\"Noconfidentialfriend，eh？\"
\"None。\"
\"Noonewhohasaccesstoyoursecrets？No——no——woman？Excuseme，Phil，\"hesaid，asapeculiarlookpassedoverDemorest’sface，\"butthisisbusiness。\"
\"No，\"hereturned，withthatgentlenessthatusedtofrightenthemintheolddays，\"it’signorance。Youfellowsalwayssay’Cherchezlafemme’whenyoucan’tsayanythingelse。Comenow，\"hewentonmorebrightly，\"lookattheletter。Here’saman，commerciallyeducated，forhehasusedtheusualbusinessformulas，’onreceiptofthis，’and’advicesreceived，’whichIwon’tmerelysayIdon’tuse，butwhichfewbutcommercialmenuse。Next，here’samanwhousesslang，notonlyineptly，butartificially，togivethelettertheeasy，familiarturnithasn’tfrombeginningtoend。Ineedonlysay，mydearStacy，thatIdon’twriteslangtoyou，butthatnobodywhounderstandsslangeverwritesitinthatway。AndthentheknowledgeofmyopinionofBarkerissuchasmightbegainedfromthereadingofmylettersbyapersonwhocouldn’tcomprehendmyfeelings。Now，letmeplayinquisitorforafewmoments。HasanybodyaccesstomyletterstoYOU？\"
\"Noone。Ikeepthemlockedupinacabinet。Ionlymakememorandumsofyourinstructions，whichIgivetomyclerks，butneveryourletters。\"
\"Butyourclerkssometimesseeyoumakememorandumsfromthem？\"
\"Yes，butnoneofthemhavetheabilitytodothissortofthing，northeopportunityofprofitingbyit。\"
\"Hasanywoman——nowthisisnotretaliation，mydearJim，forI
fancyIdetectawoman’sclevernessandawoman’sstupidityinthisforgery——anyaccesstoyoursecretsormyletters？Awoman’svillainyisalwayseffectiveforthemoment，butalwaysdefectivewhenprobed。\"
ThelookofscornwhichpassedoverStacy’sfacewasquiteasdistinctasDemorest’spreviousprotest，ashesaidcontemptuously，\"I’mnotsuchafoolastomixuppetticoatswithmybusiness，whateverIdo。\"
\"Well，onethingmore。Ihavetoldyouthatinmyopiniontheforgerhasacommercialeducationorstyle，thathedoesn’tknowmenorBarker，anddon’tunderstandslang。Now，Ihavetoaddwhatmusthaveoccurredtoyou，Jim，thattheforgeriseitheracoward，orhisobjectisnotaltogethermercenary：forthesameabilitydisplayedinthisletterwouldonthesignaturealone——haditbeenonacheckordraft——havedrawnfromyourbanktwentytimestheamountconcerned。Now，whatistheactuallossbythisforgery？\"
\"Verylittle；foryou’vegotagoodpriceforyourstocks，consideringthedepreciationinrealizingsuddenlyonsolargeanamount。Itoldmybrokertosellslowlyandinsmallquantitiestoavoidapanic。Butthereallossisthecontrolofthestock。\"
\"ButtheamountIhadwasnotenoughtoaffectthat，\"saidDemorest。
\"No，butIwascarryingalargeamountmyself，andtogetherwecontrolledthemarket，andnowIhaveunloaded，too。\"
\"Yousoldout！andwithyourdoubts？\"saidDemorest。
\"That’sjustit，\"saidStacy，lookingsteadilyathiscompanion’sface，\"becauseIHADdoubts，anditwon’tdoformetohavethem。
Ioughteithertohavedisobeyedyourletterandkeptyourstockandmyown，orhavedonejustwhatIdid。Imighthavehedgedonmyownstock，butIdon’tbelieveinhedging。Thereisnomiddlecoursetoamaninmybusinessifhewantstokeepatthetop。Nogreatsuccess，nogreatpower，wasevercreatedbyit。\"
Demorestsmiled。\"Yetyouacceptthealternativealso，whichisruin？\"
\"Precisely，\"saidStacy。\"WhenyoureturnedtheotherdayyouwereboundtofindmewhatIwasorabeggar。Butnothingbetween。
However，\"headded，\"thishasnothingtodowiththeforgery，or，\"
hesmiledgrimly，\"everythingtodowithit。Hush！Barkeriscoming。\"
Therewasaquickstepalongthecorridorapproachingtheroom。
ThenextmomentthedoorflewopentotheboundingstepandlaughingfaceofBarker。Whateverofthoughtfulnessordespondencyhehadcarriedfromtheroomwithhimwascompletelygone。Withhisamazingbuoyancyandpowerofreactionhewasthereagaininhisusualfrank，cheerfulsimplicity。
\"IthoughtI’dcomeinandsaygoodnight，\"hebegan，withalaugh。
\"IgotStaasleepaftersomehighjinkswehadtogether，andthenI
reckoneditwasn’tthesquarethingtoleavejustyoutwotogether，thefirstnightyoucame。AndIrememberedIhadsomebusinesstotalkover，too，soIthoughtI’dchipinagainandtakeahand。
It’sonlytheshankoftheeveningyet，\"hecontinuedgayly，\"andweoughttositupatleastlongenoughtoseetheoldsnow-linevanish，aswedidinoldtimes。ButIsay，\"headdedsuddenly，asheglancedfromtheonetotheother，\"you’vebeenhavingitprettystrongalready。Why，youbothlookasyoudidthatnightthebackwateroftheSouthForkcameintoourcabin。What’sup？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidDemoresthastily，ashecaughtaglanceofStacy’simpatientface。\"Onlyallbusinessisserious，Barkerboy，thoughyoudon’tseemtofeelitso。\"
\"Ireckonyou’rerightthere，\"saidBarker，withachuckle。
\"Peoplealwayslaugh，ofcourse，whenItalkbusiness，soitmightmakeitalittlelivelierforyouandmoreofachangeifIchippedinnow。OnlyIdon’tknowwhichyou’lldo。Handmeapipe。
Well，\"hecontinued，fillingthepipeDemorestshovedtowardshim，\"yousee，IwasinSacramentoyesterday，andIwentintoVanLoo’sbranchoffice，asIheardhewasthere，andIwantedtofindoutsomethingaboutKitty’sinvestments，whichIdon’tthinkhe’smanagingexactlyright。Hewasn’tthere，however，butasIwaswaitingIheardhisclerkstalkaboutadropintheWheatTrust，andthattherewasalotofitputuponthemarket。Theyseemedtothinkthatsomethinghadhappened，anditwasgoingdownstillfurther。NowIknewitwasyourpetscheme，andthatPhilhadalotofsharesinit，too，soIjustslippedoutandwenttoabroker’sandtoldhimtobuyallhecouldofit。And，byJove！I
wasalittletakenabackwhenIfoundwhatIwasinfor，foreverybodyseemedtohaveunloaded，andIfoundIhadn’tmoneyenoughtopaymargins，butIknewthatDemorestwashere，andI
reckonedonhisseeingmethrough。\"Hestoppedandcolored，butaddedhopefully，\"IreckonI’msafe，anyway，forjustasthethingwasoverthosesameclerksofVanLoo’scameboundingintotheofficetobuyupeverything。Andofferedtotakeitoffmyhandsandpaythemargins。\"
\"Andyou？\"saidbothmeneagerly，andinabreath。
Barkerstaredatthem，andreddenedandpaledbyturns。\"Iheldon，\"hestammered。\"Yousee，boys\"——
Bothmenhadcaughthimbythearms。\"Howmuchhaveyougot？\"theysaid，shakinghimasiftoprecipitatetheanswer。
\"It’saheap！\"saidBarker。\"It’saghastlylotnowIthinkofit。
I’mafraidI’minforfiftythousand，ifacent。\"
Tohisinfiniteastonishmentanddelighthewasalternatelyhuggedandtossedbackwardsandforwardsbetweenthetwomenquiteinthefashionoftheolddays。Breathlessbutlaughing，heatlengthgaspedout，\"Whatdoesitallmean？\"
\"Tellhimeverything，Jim，——EVERYTHING，\"saidDemorestquickly。
Stacybrieflyrelatedthestoryoftheforgery，andthenlaidtheletteranditscopybeforehim。ButBarkeronlyreadtheforgery。
\"HowcouldYOU，Stacy——oneofthethreepartnersofHeavyTree——bedeceived！Don’tyouseeit’sPhil’shandwriting——butitisn’tPHIL！\"
\"ButhaveyouanyideaWHOitis？\"saidStacy。
\"Notme，\"saidBarker，withwidelyopenedeyes。\"Youseeitmustbesomebodywhomwearefamiliarwith。Ican’timaginesuchascoundrel。\"
\"HowdidYOUknowthatDemoresthadstock？\"askedStacy。
\"Hetoldmeinoneofhislettersandadvisedmetogointoit。
ButjustthenKittywantedmoney，Ithink，andIdidn’tgoin。\"
\"Irememberit，\"struckinDemorest。\"Butsurelyitwasnosecret。
Mynamewouldbeonthetransferbooksforanyonetosee。\"
\"Notso，\"saidStacyquickly。\"Youwereoneoftheoriginalshareholders；therewasnotransfer，andthebooksaswellasthesharesofthecompanywereinmyhands。\"
\"Andyourclerks？\"addedDemorest。
Stacywassilent。Afterapauseheasked，\"Didanybodyeverseethatletter，Barker？\"
\"NoonebutmyselfandKitty。\"
\"Andwouldshebelikelytotalkofit？\"continuedStacy。
\"Ofcoursenot。Whyshouldshe？Whomcouldshetalkto？\"Yethestoppedsuddenly，andthenwithhischaracteristicreactionadded，withalaugh，\"Whyno，certainlynot。\"
\"Ofcourse，everybodyknewthatyouhadboughtthesharesatSacramento？\"
\"Yes。Why，youknowItoldyoutheVanLooclerkscametomeandwantedtotakeitoffmyhands。\"
\"Yes，Iremember；theVanLooclerks；theyknewit，ofcourse，\"
saidStacywithagrimsmile。\"Well，boys，\"hesaid，withsuddenalacrity，\"I’mgoingtoturnin，forbysun-upto-morrowImustbeonmywaytocatchthefirsttrainattheDividefor’Frisco。
We’llhuntthisthingdowntogether，forIreckonwe’reallconcernedinit，\"headded，lookingattheothers，\"andoncemorewe’repartnersasintheoldtimes。LetusevensaythatI’vegivenBarker’ssignalorpassword，\"headded，withalaugh，\"andwe’llsticktogether。Barkerboy，\"hewenton，graspinghisyoungerpartner’shand，\"yourinstincthassavedusthistime；
d————difIdon’tsometimesthinkitbetterthananyotherman’ssabe；only，\"hedroppedhisvoiceslightly，\"IwishyouhaditinotherthingsthanFINANCE。Phil，I’veawordtosaytoyoualonebeforeIgo。Imaywantyoutofollowme。\"
\"ButwhatcanIdo？\"saidBarkereagerly。\"You’renotgoingtoleavemeout。\"
\"You’vedonequiteenoughforus，oldman，\"saidStacy，layinghishandonBarker’sshoulder。\"AnditmaybeforUStodosomethingforYOU。Trotofftobednow，likeagoodboy。I’llkeepyoupostedwhenthetimecomes。\"
Shovingtheprotestingandleave-takingBarkerwithpaternalfamiliarityfromtheroom，heclosedthedoorandfacedDemorest。
\"He’sthebestfellowintheworld，\"saidStacyquietly，\"andhassavedthesituation；butwemustn’ttrusttoomuchtohimforthepresent——notevenseemto。\"
\"Nonsense，man！\"saidDemorestimpatiently。\"You’relettingyourprejudicesgotoofar。Doyoumeantosaythatyoususpecthiswife。\"
\"D——nhiswife！\"saidStacyalmostsavagely。\"Leaveheroutofthis。It’sVanLoothatIsuspect。ItwasVanLoowhoIknewwasbehindit，whoexpectedtoprofitbyit，andnowwehavelosthim。\"
\"Buthow？\"saidDemorest，astonished。
\"How？\"repeatedStacyimpatiently。\"YouknowwhatBarkersaid？
VanLoo，eitherthroughstupidity，fright，orthewishtogetthelowestprices，wastoolatetobuyupthemarket。Ifhehad，wemighthaveopenlydeclaredtheforgery，andifitwasknownthatheorhisfriendshadprofitedbyit，evenifwecouldnothaveprovenhisactualcomplicity，wecouldatleasthavemadeittoohotforhiminCalifornia。But，\"saidStacy，lookingintentlyathisfriend，\"doyouknowhowthecasestandsnow？\"
\"Well，\"saidDemorest，alittleuneasilyunderhisfriend’skeeneyes，\"we’velostthatchance，butwe’vekeptcontrolofthestock。\"
\"Youthinkso？Well，letmetellyouhowthecasestandsandthepricewepayforit，\"saidStacydeliberately，ashefoldedhisarmsandgazedatDemorest。\"YouandI，wellknownasoldfriendsandformerpartners，fornoapparentreason——forwecannotprovetheforgerynow——havethrownuponthemarketallourstock，withtheusualeffectofdepreciatingit。Anotheroldfriendandformerpartnerhasboughtitinandsentuptheprice。Acommontrick，avulgartrick，butnotatrickworthyofJamesStacyorStacy’sBank！\"
\"ButwhynotsimplydeclaretheforgerywithoutmakinganyspecificchargeagainstVanLoo？\"
\"Doyouimagine，Phil，thatanymanwouldbelieveit，andthestoryofaprovidentiallyappointedfriendlikeBarkerwhosavedusfromloss？Why，allCalifornia，fromCapeMendocinotoLosAngeles，wouldroarwithlaughteroverit！No！Wemustswallowitandthereputationof’jockeying’withtheWheatTrust，too。ThatTrust’sasgoodasdonefor，forthepresent！NowyouknowwhyIdidn’twantpoorBarkertoknowit，norhavemuchtodowithoursearchfortheforger。\"
\"Itwouldbreakthedearfellow’sheartifheknewit，\"saidDemorest。
\"Well，it’stosavehimfromhavinghisheartbrokenfurtherthatI
intendtofindoutthisforger，\"saidStacygrimly。\"Good-night，Phil！I’lltelegraphtoyouwhenIwantyou，andthenCOME！\"
WithanothergripofthehandheleftDemoresttohisthoughts。Inthefirstexcitementofmeetinghisoldpartners，andinthelaterdiscoveryoftheforgery，Demoresthadbeendivertedfromhisoldsorrow，andforthetimehadforgottenitinsympatheticinterestwiththepresent。But，tohishorror，whenaloneagain，hefoundthatinterestgrowingasremoteandvapidasthestoriestheyhadlaughedoveratthetable，andeventheexcitementoftheforgedletteranditsconsequencesbegantobeasunreal，asimpotent，asshadowy，asthememoryoftheattemptedrobberyintheoldcabinonthatveryspot。Hewasashamedofthatselfishnesswhichstillmadehimclingtothispast，somuchhisown，thatheknewitdebarredhimfromthehumansympathyofhiscomrades。AndevenBarker，inwhosecourtshipandmarriagehehadtriedtoresuscitatehisyouthfulemotionsandcondonehisselfisherrors——eventhesuggestionofhisunhappinessonlytouchedhimvaguely。HewouldnolongerbeaslavetothePast，orthememorythathaddeludedhimafewhoursago。Hewalkedtothewindow；alas，therewasthesameprospectthathadlookeduponhisdreams，hadlentitselftohisoldvisions。Therewastheeternaloutlineofthehills；thererosethesteadfastpines；therewasnochangeinTHEM。Itwasthissurroundingconstancyofnaturethathadaffectedhim。Heturnedawayandenteredthebedroom。Herehesuddenlyrememberedthatthemotherofthisvagueenemy，VanLoo，——forhisfeelingtowardshimwasstillvague，asfewmenreallyhatethepersonalitytheydon’tknow，——hadonlymomentarilyvacatedit，andtohisdistasteofhisownintrusionwasnowaddedtheprofoundironyofhissleepinginthesamebedlatelyoccupiedbythemotherofthemanwhowassuspectedofhavingforgedhisname。Hesmiledfaintlyandlookedaroundtheapartment。Itwashandsomelyfurnished，andalthoughitstillhadmuchofthecharacterlessnessofthehotelroom，itwasdistinctlyflavoredbyitslastoccupant，andstillbrightenedbythatmysteriousinstinctofthesexwhichisinevitable。Whereamanwouldhavesimplylefthisforgottenslippersorcollarstherewasaglassofstillunfadedflowers；thecoldmarbletopofthedressing-tablewaslitteredwithafewlinenandsilktoiletcovers；andonthemantel-shelfwasasheafofphotographs。Hewalkedtowardsthemmechanically，glancedatthemabstractedly，andthenstoppedsuddenlywithabeatingheart。Beforehimwasthepictureofhispast，thephotographoftheonewomanwhohadfilledhislife！
Hecastahurriedglancearoundtheroomasifhehalfexpectedtoseetheoriginalstartupbeforehim，andtheneagerlyseizeditandhurriedwithittothelight。Yes！yes！ItwasSHE，——sheasshehadlivedinhisactualmemory；sheasshehadlivedinhisdream。Hesawhersweeteyes，butthefrightened，innocenttroublehadpassedfromthem；therewasthesensitiveeleganceofhergracefulfigureineveningdress；butthefigurewasfullerandmaturer。Couldhebemistakenbysomewonderfulresemblanceactinguponhistoowillingbrain？Heturnedthephotographover。No；
thereontheotherside，writteninherownchildlikehand，endearedandfamiliartohisrecollection，washerownname，andthedate！Itwassurelyshe！
Howdiditcomethere？DidtheVanLoosknowher？ItwastakeninVenice；therewastheaddressofthephotographers。TheVanLooswereforeigners，heremembered；theyhadtraveled；perhapshadmethertherein1858：thatwasthedateinherhandwriting；thatwasthedateonthephotographer’saddress——1858。Suddenlyhelaidthephotographdown，tookwithtremblingfingersaletter-casefromhispocket，openedit，andlaidhislastlettertoher，indorsedwiththecruelannouncementofherdeath，beforehimonthetable。Hepassedhishandacrosshisforeheadandopenedtheletter。Itwasdated1856！ThephotographmusthavebeentakentwoyearsAFTER
herallegeddeath！
Heexamineditagaineagerly，fixedly，tremblingly。AwildimpulsetosummonBarkerorStacyonthespotwasrestrainedwithdifficultyandonlywhenherememberedthattheycouldnothelphim。Thenhebegantooscillatebetweenajoyandanewfear，whichnow，forthefirsttime，begantodawnuponhim。Ifthenewsofherdeathhadbeenafiendishtrickofherrelations，whyhadSHEneversoughthim？Itwasnotillhealth，restraint，norfear；
therewasnothingbuthappinessandthestrengthofyouthandbeautyinthatfaceandfigure。HEhadnotdisappearedfromtheworld；hewasknownofmen；more，hismemorablegoodfortunemusthavereachedherears。Hadhewastedallthesemiserableyearstofindhimselfabandoned，forgotten，perhapsevenadupe？Forthefirsttimethestingofjealousyenteredhissoul。Perhaps，unconsciouslytohimself，hisstrangeandvaryingfeelingsthatafternoonhadbeenthegatheringclimaxofhismentalcondition；atallevents，inthesuddenrevulsiontherewasashakingoffofhisapatheticthought；therewasactivity，evenifitwastheactivityofpain。Herewasamysterytobesolved，asecrettobediscovered，apastwrongtobeexposed，anenemyor，perhaps，evenafaithlesslovetobepunished。Perhapshehadevensavedhisreasonattheexpenseofhislove。Hequicklyreplacedthephotographonthemantel-shelf，returnedthelettercarefullytohispocket-book，——nolongerasouvenirofthepast，butaproofoftreachery，——andbegantomechanicallyundresshimself。Hewasquitecalmnow，andwenttobedwithastrangesenseofrelief，andsleptashehadnotsleptsincehewasaboy。
Thewholehotelhadsunktorestbythistime，andthenbegantheusualslow，nightlyinvasionandinvestmentofitbynature。Forallitsbroadverandasandglaringterraces，itslongrangesofwindowsandglitteringcrestofcupolaandtower，itgraduallysuccumbedtothemorepotentinfluencesaroundit，andbecametheirsportandplayground。Themountainbreezesfromthedistantsummitsweptdownuponitsflimsystructure，shookthegreatglasswindowsaswithastronghand，andsentthebalmofbayandsprucethrougheverychinkandcranny。Inthegreathallandcorridorsthecarpetsbillowedwiththeintrudingblastalongthefloors；therewasthemurmurofthepinesinthepassages，andthedampodorofleavesinthedining-room。Therewasthecryofnightbirdsinthecreakingcupola，andtheswiftrushofdarkwingspastbedroomwindows。Lissomeshapescreptalongtheterracesbetweenthestolidwoodenstatues，or，bolder，scamperedthewholelengthofthegreatveranda。Inthelullingofthewindthebreathofthewoodswaseverywhere；eventhearomaofswellingsap——asiftheghastlystumpsonthedeforestedslopebehindthehotelwerebleedingafreshinthedewlessnight——stungtheeyesandnostrilsofthesleepers。
Itwas，perhaps，fromsuchcauseasthisthatBarkerwasawakenedsuddenlybythevoiceoftheboyfromthecribbesidehim，crying，\"Mamma！mamma！\"Takingthechildinhisarms，hecomfortedhim，sayingshewouldcomethatmorning，andshowedhimthefaintdawnalreadyveilingwithcolortheghostlypalloroftheSierras。Astheylookedatitagreatstarshotforthfromitsbrethrenandfell。Itdidnotfallperpendicularly，butseemedforsomesecondstoslipalongtheslopesofBlackSpur，gleamingthroughthetreeslikeachariotoffire。Itpleasedthechildtosaythatitwasthelightofmamma’sbuggythatwasfetchingherhome，anditpleasedthefathertoencouragetheboy’sfancy。Andtalkingthusinconfidentialwhisperstheyfellasleeponcemore，thefather——
himselfachildinsomanythings——holdingthesmallerandfrailerhandinhis。
TheydidnotknowthatontheothersideoftheDividethewifeandmother，scared，doubting，anddesperate，bythesideofherscared，doubting，anddesperateaccomplice，wasflyingdowntheslopeonhernight-longroadtoruin。Stilllessdidtheyknowthat，withtheearlysingingbirds，acarelesshorseman，emergingfromthetrailasthedust-stainedbuggydashedpasthim，glancedatitwithapuzzledair，utteredaquietwhistleofsurprise，andthen，wheelinghishorse，gaylycanteredafterit。
CHAPTERV。
Intheexerciseofhisarduousprofession，JackHamlinhadsatupallnightinthemagnoliasaloonoftheDivide，andasitwasratherearlytogotobed，hehad，afterhisusualhabit，shakenoffthesedentaryattitudeandpreparedhimselfforsleepbyafiercepreliminarygallopinthewoods。Besides，hehadbeenalargewinner，andonthoseoccasionshegenerallyisolatedhimselffromhiscompanionstoavoidfoolishaltercationswithinexperiencedplayers。EveninfightingJackwasfastidious，anddidnotliketohavehisstomachforarealdifficultydistendedandvitiatedbysmallpreliminaryindulgences。
Hewasjustemergingfromthewoodintothehighroadwhenabuggydashedpasthim，containingamanandawoman。Thewomanworeathickveil；themanwasalmostundistinguishablefromdust。Theglimpsewasmomentary，butdislikehasakeeneye，andinthatglimpseMr。HamlinrecognizedVanLoo。Thesituationwasequallyclear。Thebentheadsandavertedfaces，thedustcollectedintheheedlessnessofhaste，theearlyhour，——indicatinganight-longflight，——allmadeitplaintohimthatVanLoowasrunningawaywithsomewoman。Mr。Hamlinhadnomoralscruples，buthehadtheethicsofasportsman，whichheknewMr。VanLoowasnot。Whetherthewomanwasaninnocentschoolgirloranactress，hewassatisfiedthatVanLoowasdoingameanthingmeanly。Mr。Hamlinalsohadatasteformischief，andwhetherthewomanwasorwasnotfairgame，heknewthatforHISpurposesVanLoowas。Withthegreatestcheerfulnessintheworldhewheeledhishorseandcanteredafterthem。
TheywereevidentlymakingfortheDivideandafreshhorse，ortotakethecoachdueanhourlater。ItwasMr。Hamlin’spresentobjecttocircumventthis，and，therefore，itwasquiteinhiswaytoreturn。Incidentally，however，thesuperiorspeedofhishorsegavehimtheopportunityoffrequentlylungingtowardsthematafuriouspace，whichhadtheeffectoffranticallyincreasingtheirownspeed，whenhewouldpullupwithasilentlaughbeforehewasfairlydiscovered，andallowthesoundofhisrapidhorse’shoofstodieout。InthiswayheamusedhimselfuntilthestragglingtownoftheDividecameinsight，when，puttinghisspurstohishorseagain，hemanaged，underpretenseoftheanimalbecomingungovernable，totwice\"crossthebows\"ofthefugitives，compellingthemtoslackenspeed。AtthesecondofthesepassagesVanLooapparentlylostprudence，andslashingoutwithhiswhip，thelashcaughtslightlyonthecounterofHamlin’shorse。Mr。
Hamlininstantlyacknowledgeditbyliftinghishatgravely，andspeededontothehotel，arrivingatthestepsandthrowinghimselffromthesaddleexactlyasthebuggydroveup。Withcharacteristicaudacity，heactuallyassistedthefrightenedandeagerwomantoalightandrunintothehotel。Butinthisactionherveilwasaccidentallylifted。Mr。HamlininstantlyrecognizedtheprettywomanwhohadbeenpointedouttohiminSanFranciscoasMrs。
Barker，thewifeofoneofthepartnerswhosefortuneshadinterestedhimfiveyearsago。ItstruckhimthatthiswasanadditionalreasonforhisinterferenceonBarker’saccount，althoughpersonallyhecouldnotconceivewhyamanshouldevertrytopreventawomanfromrunningawayfromhim。ButthenMr。
Hamlin’spersonalexperienceshadbeenquitetheotherway。
Itwasenough，however，tocausehimtolayhishandlightlyonVanLoo’sarmasthelatter，leapingdown，wasabouttofollowMrs。
Barkerintothehotel。\"You’llhavetimeenoughnow，\"saidHamlin。
\"Timeforwhat？\"saidVanLoosavagely。
\"Timetoapologizeforhavingcutmyhorsewithyourwhip，\"saidJacksweetly。\"Wedon’twanttoquarrelbeforeawoman。\"
\"I’venotimeforfooling！\"saidVanLoo，endeavoringtopass。
ButJack’shandhadslippedtoVanLoo’swrist，althoughhestillsmiledcheerfully。\"Ah！ThenyouDIDmeanit，andyouproposetogivemesatisfaction？\"
VanLoopaledslightly；heknewJack’sreputationasaduelist。
Buthewasdesperate。\"Youseemyposition，\"hesaidhurriedly。
\"I’minahurry；Ihavealadywithme。Nomanofhonor\"——
\"Youdomewrong，\"interruptedJack，withapainedexpression，——
\"youdo，indeed。Youareinahurry——well，Ihaveplentyoftime。
Ifyoucannotattendtomenow，whyIwillbegladtoaccompanyyouandtheladytothenextstation。Ofcourse，\"headded，withasmile，\"ataproperdistance，andwithoutinterferingwiththelady，whomIampleasedtorecognizeasthewifeofanoldfriend。
Itwouldbemoresociable，perhaps，ifwehadsomegeneralconversationontheroad；itwouldpreventherbeingalarmed。I
mightevenbeofsomeusetoYOU。Ifweareovertakenbyherhusbandontheroad，forinstance，Ishouldcertainlyclaimtherighttohavethefirstshotatyou。Boy！\"hecalledtothehostler，\"justspongeoutPancho’smouth，willyou，tobereadywhenthebuggygoes？\"And，looseninghisgripofVanLoo’swrist，heturnedawayastheotherquicklyenteredthehotel。
ButMr。VanLoodidnotimmediatelyseekMrs。Barker。Hehadalreadysomeexperienceofthatlady’snervesandirascibilityonthedrive，andhadbeguntoseehiserrorintakingsodangerousanimpedimenttohisflightfromthecountry。Andanotherideahadcometohim。Hehadalreadyeffectedhispurposeofcompromisingherwithhiminthatflight，butitwasstillknownonlytofew。
Ifheleftherbehindforthefoolish，dotinghusband，wouldnotthatdevotedmantakeherbacktoavoidascandal，andevenforbeartopursueHIMforhisfinancialirregularities？WhatweretwentythousanddollarsofMrs。Barker’smoneytothescandalofMrs。
Barker’selopement？Again，thefailuretorealizetheforgeryhadlefthimsafe，andBarkerwassufficientlypotentwiththebankandDemoresttohushupthatalso。Hamlinwasnowtheonlyobstacletohisflight；butevenhewouldscarcelypursueHIMifMrs。Barkerwereleftbehind。Anditwouldbeeasiertoeludehimifhedid。
InhispreoccupationVanLoodidnotseethathehadenteredthebar-room，but，findinghimselfthere，hemovedtowardsthebar；aglassofspiritswouldrevivehim。Ashedrankithesawthattheroomwasfullofroughmen，apparentlyminersorpackers——someofthemMexican，withhereandthereaKanakaorAustralian。Twomenmoreostentatiouslyclad，thoughapparentlyonequaltermswiththeothers，werestandinginthecornerwiththeirbackstowardshim。
Fromthegeneralsilenceasheenteredheimaginedthathehadbeenthesubjectofconversation，andthathisaltercationwithHamlinhadbeenoverheard。Suddenlyoneofthetwomenturnedandapproachedhim。TohisconsternationherecognizedSteptoe，——
Steptoe，whomhehadnotseenforfiveyearsuntillastnight，whenhehadavoidedhiminthecourtyardoftheBoomvilleHotel。Hisfirstinstinctwastoretreat，butitwastoolate。Andthespiritshadwarmedhimintotemporaryrecklessness。
\"Youain’tgoin’tobebackeddownbyashort-cardgambler，areyer？\"saidSteptoe，withcoarsefamiliarity。
\"Ihavealadywithme，andampressedfortime，\"saidVanLooquickly。\"Heknowsit，otherwisehewouldnothavedared\"——
\"Well，lookhere，\"saidSteptoeroughly。\"Iain’tparticularlysweetonyou，asyouknow；butIandthesegentlemen，\"headded，glancingaroundtheroom，\"ain’tparticularlysweetonMr。JackHamlinneither，andwekalkilatetostandbyyouifyousayso。
Now，Ireckonyouwanttogetawaywiththewoman，andthequickerthebetter，asyou’reafraidthere’llbesomebodyafteryouaforelong。That’sthewayitpansout，don’tit？Well，whenyou’rereadytogo，andyoujusttipusthewink，we’llgetinacircleroundJackandcoverhim，andifhestartsafteryouwe’llsendhimonalittlelongerjourney！——eh，boys？\"
Themenmutteredtheirapproval，andoneortwodrewtheirrevolversfromtheirbelts。VanLoo’sheart，whichhadleapedatfirstatthisproposalofhelp，sankatthisfailureofhislittleplanofabandoningMrs。Barker。Hehesitated，andthenstammered，\"Thankyou！Hasteiseverythingwithusnow；butIshouldn’tmindleavingtheladyamongCHIVALROUSGENTLEMENlikeyourselvesforafewhoursonly，untilIcouldcommunicatewithmyfriendsandreturntoproperlychastisethisscoundrel。\"
Steptoedrewinhisbreathwithaslightwhistle，andgazedatVanLoo。Heinstantlyunderstoodhim。ButthepleadidnotsuitSteptoe，who，forpurposesofhisown，wishedtoputMrs。Barkerbeyondherhusband’spossiblereach。Hesmiledgrimly。\"Ithinkyou’dbettertakethewomanwithyou，\"hesaid。\"Idon’tthink，\"
headdedinalowervoice，\"thattheboyswouldlikeyourleavingher。They’reveryhigh-toned，theyare！\"heconcludedironically。
\"Then，\"saidVanLoo，withanotherdesperateidea，\"couldyounotletushavesaddle-horsesinsteadofthebuggy？Wecouldtravelfaster，andintheeventofpursuitandanythinghappeningtoME，\"
headdedloftily，\"SHEatleastcouldescapeherpursuer’svengeance。\"
ThissuitedSteptoeequallywell，aslongastheguiltycouplefledTOGETHER，andinthepresenceofwitnesses。ButhewasnotdeceivedbyVanLoo’sheroicsuggestionofself-sacrifice。\"Quiteright，\"hesaidsarcastically，\"itshallbedone，andI’venodoubtONEofyouwillescape。I’llsendthehorsesroundtothebackdoorandkeepthebuggyinfront。ThatwillkeepJackthere，TOO，——
withtheboyshandy。\"
ButMr。HamlinhadquiteasaccurateanideaofMr。VanLoo’smethodsandofhisOWNstandingwithSteptoe’sgangofroughsasMr。Steptoehimself。Morethanthat，healsohadaholdonasmallerbutmoredevotedandloyalfollowingthanSteptoe’s。Theemployeesandhostlersofthehotelworshipedhim。AsinglewordofinquiryrevealedtohimthefactthatthebuggywasNOTgoingon，butthatMr。VanLooandMrs。BarkerWERE——ontwohorses，atemporaryside-saddlehavingbeenconstructedoutofamule’spack-
tree。AtwhichMr。Hamlin，withhisusualaudacity，walkedintothebar-room，andgoingtothebarleanedcarelesslyagainstit。
Thenturningtotheloweringfacesaroundhim，hesaid，withaflashofhiswhiteteeth，\"Well，boys，I’mcalculatingtoleavetheDivideinafewminutestofollowsomefriendsinthebuggy，anditseemstomeonlythesquarethingtostandtheliquorforthecrowd，withoutprejudicetoanyfeelingorroughnesstheremaybeagainstme。EverybodywhoknowsmeknowsthatI’mgenerallytherewhenthebandplays，andI’mprettysuretoturnupforTHATsortofthing。Soyou’lljustconsiderthatI’vehadagoodgameontheDivide，andI’mreckoningit’sonlyfairtoleavealittleofitbehindmehere，to’sweetenthepot’untilIcallagain。Ionlyaskyou，gentlemen，todrinksuccesstomyfriendsinthebuggyasearlyandasoftenasyoucan。\"Heflungtwogoldpiecesonthecounterandpaused，smiling。
Hewasrightinhisconjecture。Eventhemenwhowouldhavewillingly\"heldhimup\"amomentafter，atthebiddingofSteptoe，sawnoreasonfordecliningafreedrink\"withoutprejudice。\"AnditwasapartoftheironyofthesituationthatSteptoeandVanLoowerealsoobligedtoparticipatetokeepinwiththeirpartisans。Itwas，however，anopportunediversiontoVanLoo，whomanagedtogetnearerthedoorleadingtothebackentranceofthehotel，andtoMr。JackHamlin，whowaswatchinghim，asthemencloseduptothebar。
Thetoastwasdrunkwithacclamation，followedbyanotherandyetanother。SteptoeandVanLoo，whohadkepttheirheadscool，werebothwonderingifHamlin’sintentionweretointoxicateandincapacitatethecrowdatthecrucialmoment，andSteptoesmiledgrimlyoverhissuperiorknowledgeoftheiralcoholiccapacity。
Butsuddenlytherewasthegreaterdiversionofashoutfromtheroad，theon-comingofacloudofreddust，andthehaltofanothervehiclebeforethedoor。Thistimeitwasnojadedsinglehorseanddust-stainedbuggy，butadoubleteamoffourspiritedtrotters，whosecoatswerescarcelyturnedwithfoam，beforealightstationwagoncontainingasingleman。Butthatmanwasinstantlyrecognizedbyeveryoneoftheoutsideloungersandstable-boysaswellasthestaringcrowdwithinthesaloon。ItwasJamesStacy，themillionaireandbanker。Noonebuthimselfknewthathehadcoveredhalfthedistanceofanight-longridefromBoomvilleintwohours。ButbeforetheycouldvoicetheirastonishmentStacyhadthrownalettertotheobsequiouslandlord，andthengatheringupthereinshadspedawaytotherailroadstationhalfamiledistant。
\"LooksasiftheBossofCreationwasinahurry，\"saidoneoftheeagergazersinthedoorway。\"Somebodygoin’togetsmashed，sure。\"
\"Morelikeasifhewasjusthumpin’himselftokeepfromgettingsmashed，\"saidSteptoe。\"Thebankhasn’tgotovertheeffectoftheirsmartdealintheWheatTrust。EverythingtheyhadintheirhandstumbledyesterdayinSacramento。Menlikemeandyouain’tgoin’totrusttheirmoneytobe’jockeyed’withinthatstyle。
NobodybutamanwithaswelledheadlikeStacywouldhaveevendaredtotryiton。Andnow，byG-d！he’sgottopayforit。\"
Theharsh，exultanttoneofthespeakershowedthathehadquiteforgottenVanLooandHamlininhissuperiorhatredofthemillionaire，andbothmennoticedit。VanLooedgedstillnearertothedoor，asSteptoecontinued，\"EversincehemadethatbigstrikeonHeavyTreefiveyearsago，thecountryhasn’tbeenbigenoughtoholdhim。Butmarkmywords，gentlemen，thetimeain’tfaroffwhenhe’llfindatwo-footditchagainandapickandgrubwagesroomenoughandtospareforhimandhiskindofcattle。\"
\"You’renotdrinking，\"saidJackHamlincheerfully。
Steptoeturnedtowardsthebar，andthenstarted。\"Where’sVanLoo？\"hedemandedofJacksharply。
Jackjerkedhisthumboverhisshoulder。\"Gonetohurryuphisgirl，Ireckon。Icalculateheain’tgotmuchtimetofoolawayhere。\"
SteptoeglancedsuspiciouslyatJack。Butatthesamemomenttheywereallstartled——evenJackhimself——attheapparitionofMrs。
Barkerpassinghurriedlyalongtheverandabeforethewindowsinthedirectionofthestillwaitingbuggy。\"D——nit！\"saidSteptoeinafiercewhispertothemannexthim。\"TellhernotTHERE——atthebackdoor！\"Butbeforethemessengerreachedthedoortherewasasuddenrattleofwheels，andwithoneaccordallexceptHamlinrushedtotheveranda，onlytoseeMrs。Barkerdrivingrapidlyawayalone。Steptoeturnedbackintotheroom，butJackalsohaddisappeared。
ForintheconfusioncreatedatthesightofMrs。Barker，hehadslippedtothebackdoorandfound，ashesuspected，onlyonehorse，andthatwithaside-saddleon。Hisintuitionswereright。
VanLoo，whenhedisappearedfromthesaloon，hadinstantlyfled，takingtheotherhorseandabandoningthewomantoherfate。Jackasinstantlyleapedupontheremainingsaddleanddashedafterhim。
Presentlyhecaughtaglimpseofthefugitiveinthedistance，heardthehalf-angry，half-ironicalshoutsofthecrowdatthebackdoor，andashereachedthehilltopsaw，withaminglingofsatisfactionandperplexity，Mrs。Barkerontheotherroad，stilldrivingfranticallyinthedirectionoftherailroadstation。AtwhichMr。Hamlinhalted，threwawayhisencumberingsaddle，and，goodriderthathewas，remountedthehorse，barebackedbutforhisblanket-pad，andthrustinghiskneesintheloosegirths，againdashedforwards，——withsuchgoodresultsthat，asVanLoogallopeduptothestagecoachoffice，atthenextstation，andwasabouttoenterthewaitingcoachforMarysville，thesofthandofMr。Hamlinwaslaidonhisshoulder。
\"Itoldyou，\"saidJackblandly，\"thatIhadplentyoftime。I
wouldhavebeenhereBEFOREandevenovertakenyou，onlyyouhadthebetterhorseandtheonlysaddle。\"
VanLoorecoiled。Buthewasnowdesperateandreckless。
BeckoningJackoutofearshotoftheotherpassengers，hesaidwithtightenedlips，\"Whydoyoufollowme？Whatisyourpurposeincominghere？\"
\"Ithought，\"saidHamlindryly，\"thatIwastohavethepleasureofgettingsatisfactionfromyoufortheinsultyougaveme。\"
\"Well，andifIapologizeforit，whatthen？\"hesaidquickly。
Hamlinlookedathimquietly。\"Well，IthinkIalsosaidsomethingabouttheladybeingthewifeofafriendofmine。\"
\"AndIhaveleftherBEHIND。Herhusbandcantakeherbackwithoutdisgrace，fornooneknowsofherflightbutyouandme。Doyouthinkyourshootingmewillsaveher？Itwillspreadthescandalfarandwide。ForIwarnyou，thatasIhaveapologizedforwhatyouchoosetocallmypersonalinsult，unlessyoumurdermeincoldbloodwithoutwitness，IshallletthemknowtheREASONofyourquarrel。AndIcantellyoumore：ifyouonlysucceedinSTOPPING
mehere，andmakemelosemychanceofgettingaway，thescandaltoyourfriendwillbegreaterstill。\"
Mr。HamlinlookedatVanLoocuriously。Therewasacertainamountofconvictioninwhathesaid。Hehadnevermetthiskindofcreaturebefore。HehadsurpassedevenHamlin’sfirstintuitionofhischaracter。Heamusedandinterestedhim。ButMr。Hamlinwasalsoamanoftheworld，andknewthatVanLoo’sreasoningmightbegood。Heputhishandsinhispockets，andsaidgravely，\"WhatIS
yourlittlegame？\"
VanLoohadbeenseizedwithanotherinspirationofdesperation。
Steptoehadbeenpartlyresponsibleforthissituation。VanLooknewthatJackandSteptoewerenotfriends。HehadcertainsecretsofSteptoe’sthatmightbeofimportancetoJack。Whyshouldhenottrytomakefriendswiththispowerfulfree-lanceandhalf-outlaw？
\"It’sagame，\"hesaidsignificantly，\"thatmightbeofinteresttoyourfriendstohear。\"
Hamlintookhishandsoutofhispockets，turnedonhisheel，andsaid，\"Comewithme。\"
\"ButImustgobythatcoachnow，\"saidVanLoodesperately，\"or——
I’vetoldyouwhatwouldhappen。\"
\"Comewithme，\"saidJackcoolly。\"IfI’msatisfiedwithwhatyoutellme，I’llputyoudownatthenextstationanhourbeforethatcoachgetsthere。\"
\"Youswearit？\"saidVanLoohesitatingly。
\"I’veSAIDit，\"returnedJack。\"Come！\"andVanLoofollowedMr。
Hamlinintothestationhotel。