CHAPTERVI。
TheabruptdisappearanceofJackHamlinandthestrangeladyandgentlemanvisitorwasscarcelynoticedbytheotherguestsoftheDivideHouse，andbeyondthecircleofSteptoeandhisfriends，whowereadistinctpartyandstrangerstothetown，therewasnoexcitement。Indeed，thehotelproprietormighthaveconfoundedthemtogether，and，perhaps，VanLoowasnotfarwronginhisbeliefthattheiridentityhadnotbeensuspected。NorwereSteptoe’sfollowersverymuchconcernedinanepisodeinwhichtheyhadtakenpartonlyatthesuggestionoftheirleader，andwhichhadterminatedsotamely。Thattheywouldhavelikeda\"row，\"inwhichJackHamlinwouldhavebeenincidentallyforcedtodisgorgehiswinnings，therewasnodoubt，butthattheirinterferencewasaskedsolelytogratifysomepersonalspiteofSteptoe’sagainstVanLoowasequallyplaintothem。Therewassomegrumblingandoutspokencriticismofhismethods。
ThiswaslatermademoreobviousbythearrivalofanotherguestforwhomSteptoeandhispartywereevidentlywaiting。Hewasashort，stoutman，whoseheavyredbeardwastrimmedalittlemorecarefullythanwhenhewasfirstknowntoSteptoeasAlkyHall，thedrunkardofHeavyTreeHill。Hisdress，too，exhibitedamarkedimprovementinqualityandstyle，althoughstillcharacterizedinthewaistandchestbytheunbuttonedfreedomofportlyandslovenlymiddleage。Civilizationhadrestrictedhispotationsorlimitedthemtocertainfestivalsknownas\"sprees，\"andhisfacewaslesspuffyandsodden。Butwiththeaccessionofsobrietyhehadlosthisgoodhumor，andhadtheirritabilityandintoleranceofvirtuousrestraint。
\"Yeneedn’tladleoutanyofyourforty-rodwhiskeytome，\"hesaidquerulouslytoSteptoe，ashefiledoutwiththerestofthepartythroughthebar-roomintotheadjacentapartment。\"Iwanttokeepmyheadleveltillourbusinessisover，andIreckonitwouldn’thurtyouandyourgangtodothesame。They’relesslikelytoblab；andtherearefewdoorsthatwhiskeywon’tunlock，\"headded，asSteptoeturnedthekeyinthedoorafterthepartyhadentered。
Theroomhadevidentlybeenusedformeetingsofdirectorsorpoliticalcaucuses，andwasroughlyfurnishedwithnotchedandwhittledarmchairsandasinglelongdealtable，onwhichwereinkandpens。Themensatdownarounditwithahalf-embarrassed，half-contemptuousattitudeofformality，theirbentbrowsandisolatedlooksshowinglittlecommunityofsentimentandscarcelyanattempttoveilthatindividualselfishnessthatwasprominent。
StilllesswasthereanyessayofcompanionshiporsympathyinthemannerofSteptoeashesuddenlyrappedonthetablewithhisknuckles。
\"Gentlemen，\"hesaid，withacertaindeliberationofutterance，asifheenjoyedhisowncoarsedirectness，\"Ireckonyouallhaveasortofgeneralideawhatyouwerepickedupfor，oryouwouldn’tbehere。Butyoumayormaynotknowthatforthepresentyouarehonest，hard-workingminers，——thebackboneoftheStateofCaliforny，——andthatyouhaveformedyourselvesintoacompanycalledthe’BlueJay，’andyou’vesettledyourselvesontheBarbelowHeavyTreeHill，onadesertedclaimoftheMarshallBrothers，nothalfamilefromwherethebigstrikewasmadefiveyearsago。That’swhatyouARE，gentlemen；that’swhatyou’llcontinueTOBEuntilthejob’sfinished；and，\"headded，withasuddendominancethattheyallfelt，\"themanwhoforgetsitwillhavetoreckonwithme。Now，\"hecontinued，resuminghisformerironicalmanner，\"now，whatarethecoldfactsofthecase？TheMarshallsworkedthisclaimeversince’49，andnevergotanythingoutofit；thentheydroppedoffordiedout，leavingonlyonebrother，TomMarshall，toworkwhatwasleftofit。Well，afewdaysagoHEfoundindicationsofabigleadintherock，andinsteadofrushin’outandyellin’likeanhonestman，andcallin’
intheboystodrink，hesneaksoffto’Frisco，andgoestothebanktoget’emtotakeahandinit。Well，youknow，whenJimStacytakesahandinanything，IT’SBOTHHANDS，andthebankwouldn’tseeituntilhepromisedtoguaranteepossessionofthewholeabandonedclaim，——’dips，spurs，andangles，’——andletthemworkthewholething，whichthed————dfoolDID，andthebankagreedtosendanexpertdownthereto-morrowtoreport。Butwhilehewasawaysomeoneonourside，whowasanexpertalso，gotwindofit，andmadeanexaminationallbyhimself，andfounditwasaveinsureenoughandabigthing，andsomeoneelseonoursidefoundout，too，allthatMarshallhadpromisedthebankandwhatthebankhadpromisedhim。Now，gentlemen，whenthebanksendsdownthatexpertto-morrowIexpectthathewillfindYOUIN
POSSESSIONofeverypartofthedesertedclaimexceptthespotwhereTomisstillworking。\"
\"Andwhatgoodisthattous？\"askedoneofthemencontemptuously。
\"Good？\"repeatedSteptoeharshly。\"Well，ifyou’renotasd————dafoolasMarshall，you’llseethatifhehasstruckaleadorveinit’sboundtorunacrossOURCLAIMS，andwhat’stokeepusfromsinkingforitaslongasMarshallhasn’tworkedtheotherclaimsforyearsnorpre-emptedthemforthislead？\"
\"What’llkeephimfrompre-emptingnow？\"
\"Ourpossession。\"
\"Butifhecanprovethatthebrotherslefttheirclaimstohimtokeep，he’lljustsendthesheriffandhispossedownuponus，\"
persistedthefirstspeaker。
\"Itwilltakehimthreemonthstodothatbylaw，andthesheriffandhispossecan’tdoitbeforeaslongaswe’reinpeaceablepossessionofit。AndbythetimethatexpertandMarshallreturnthey’llfindusinpeacefulpossession，unlesswe’resuchblastedfoolsastostaytalkingaboutithere！\"
\"Butwhat’stopreventMarshallfromgettingagangofhisowntodriveusoff？\"
\"Nowyourtalkin’andnotyelpin’，\"saidSteptoe，withslowinsolence。\"D————difIdidn’tbegintothinkyoukalkilatedIwasgoin’toemployyouaslawyers！Nothingistopreventhimfromgettin’upHISgang，andwehopehe’lldoit，foryouseeitputsusbothonthesamelevelbeforethelaw，forwe’rebothBREAKIN’
IT。Andwekalkilatethatwe’reasgoodasanyroughstheycanpickupatHeavyTree。\"
\"Ireckon！\"\"Yecancountusin！\"saidhalfadozenvoiceseagerly。
\"Butwhat’sthejobgoin’topayus？\"persistedaSydneyman。\"An’
arterwe’vebeatoffthisothergang，arewegoingtoscrubalongongrubwagesuntilwe’reyankedoutbyprocess-sarversthreemonthslater？Ifthat’stheticketI’mnotinit。Iaren’tnob——yquartzminer。\"
\"Weain’tgoingtodonomoreMININGtherethanthebank，\"saidSteptoefiercely。\"Andthebankain’tgoingtowaitnothreemonthsfortheendofthelawsuit。They’llfloatthestockofthatmineforacoupleofmillions，andgetoutofitwithamillionbeforeamonth。Andthey’llhavetobuyusofftodothat。Whatthey’llpaywilldependuponthelead；butwedon’tmoveoffthoseclaimsforlessthanfivethousanddollars，whichwillbetwohundredandfiftydollarstoeachman。But，\"saidSteptoeinalowerbutperfectlydistinctvoice，\"ifthereshouldbearow，——andtheyBEGINit，——andinthescuffleTomMarshall，theironlywitness，shouldhappentogetinthewayofarevolverorhavehisheadcavedin，theremightbesomedifficultyintheirholdin’ANY
OFTHEMINEagainsthonest，hardworkingminersinpossession。Youhearme？\"
Therewasabreathlesssilenceforthemoment，andaslightmovementofthemenintheirchairs，butneverinfearorprotest。
Everyonehadheardthespeakerdistinctly，andeverymandistinctlyunderstoodhim。Someofthemwerecriminals，oneortwohadalreadythestainofbloodontheirhands；buteventhemosttimid，whoatothertimesmighthaveshrunkfromsuggestedassassination，sawinthespeaker’swordsonlythefairremovalofanaturalenemy。
\"Allright，boys。I’mreadytowadeinatonce。Whyain’tweontheroadnow？Wemighthavebeenbutforfoolin’ourtimeawayonthatmanVanLoo。\"
\"VanLoo！\"repeatedHalleagerly，——\"VanLoo！Washehere？\"
\"Yes，\"saidSteptoeshortly，administeringakickunderthetabletoHall，ashehadnowishtorevivethepreviousirritabilityofhiscomrades。\"He’sgone，but，\"turningtotheothers，\"you’dhavehadtowaitforMr。Hall’sarrival，anyhow。Andnowyou’vegotyourorderyoucanstart。Gointwopartiesbydifferentroads，andmeetontheothersideofthehotelatHymettus。I’llbetherebeforeyou。Pickupsomeshovelsanddrillsasyougo；rememberyou’rehonestminers，butdon’tforgetyourshootin’-ironsforallthat。Nowscatter。\"
Itwaswellthattheydid，vacatingtheroommorecheerfullyandsympatheticallythantheyhadenteredit，orHall’smanifestdisturbanceoverVanLoo’svisitwouldhavebeennoticed。WhenthelastmanhaddisappearedHallturnedquicklytoSteptoe。\"Well，whatdidhesay？Wherehashegone？\"
\"Don’tknow，\"saidSteptoe，withuneasycurtness。\"Hewasrunningawaywithawoman——well，Mrs。Barker，ifyouwanttoknow，\"headded，withrisinganger，\"thewifeofoneofthosecursedpartners。JackHamlinwashere，andwasjockeyingtostophim，andinterfered。Butwhatthedevilhasthatjobtodowithourjob？\"
Hewaslosinghistemper；everythingseemedtoturnuponthisinfernalVanLoo！
\"Hewasn’trunningawaywithMrs。Barker，\"gaspedHall，——\"itwaswithherMONEY！andthefearofbeingconnectedwiththeWheatTrustswindlewhichheorganized，andwithourmoneywhichIlenthimforthesamepurpose。Andheknowsallaboutthatjob，forI
wantedtogethimtogointoitwithus。Yournameandmineain’tanytoosweet-smellingforthebank，andweoughttohaveamiddlemanwhoknowsbusinesstoarrangewiththem。Thebankdaren’tobjecttohim，forthey’veemployedhiminevenshadiertransactionsthanthiswhenTHEYdidn’twishtoappear。IknewhewasindifficultiesalongwithMrs。Barker’sspeculations，butI
neverthoughthimuptothis。And，\"headded，withsuddendesperation，\"YOUtrustedhim，too。\"
InaninstantSteptoecaughtthefrightenedmanbytheshouldersandwasbearinghimdownonthetable。\"Areyouatraitor，aliar，orabesottedfool？\"hesaidhoarsely。\"Speak。WHENandWHEREdidItrusthim？\"
\"Yousaidinyournote——Iwas——to——helphim，\"gaspedHall。
\"Mynote，\"repeatedSteptoe，releasingHallwithastonishedeyes。
\"Yes，\"saidHall，tremblinglysearchinginhisvestpocket。\"I
broughtitwithme。Itisn’tmuchofanote，butthere’syoursignatureplainenough。\"
HehandedSteptoeatornpieceofpaperfoldedinathree-corneredshape。Steptoeopenedit。HeinstantlyrecognizedthepaperonwhichhehadwrittenhisnameandsentuptohiswifeattheBoomvilleHotel。But，addedtoit，inapparentlythesamehand，insmallercharacters，werethewords，\"HelpVanLooallyoucan。\"
Thebloodrushedintohisface。Buthequicklycollectedhimself，andsaidhurriedly，\"Allright，Ihadforgottenit。Letthed————dsneakgo。We’vegotwhat’sathousandtimesbetterinthisclaimatMarshall’s，andit’swellthatheisn’tinittoscoopthelion’sshare。Onlywemustnotwastetimegettingtherenow。Yougotherefirst，andatonce，andsetthoserascalstowork。I’llfollowyoubeforeMarshallcomesup。Get；I’llsettleuphere。\"
HisfacedarkenedoncemoreasHallhurriedaway，leavinghimalone。Hedrewoutthepieceofpaperfromhispocketandstaredatitagain。Yes；itwastheonehehadsenttohiswife。HowdidVanLoogetholdofit？Washeatthehotelthatnight？Hadhepickeditupinthehallorpassagewhentheservantdroppedit？
WhenHallhandedhimthepaperandhefirstrecognizeditafiendishthought，followedbyaspasmofmorefiendishrage，hadsentthebloodtohisface。Buthiscrudecommonsensequicklydismissedthatsuggestionofhiswife’scomplicitywithVanLoo。
Buthadsheseenhimpassingthroughthehotelthatnight，andhadsoughttodrawfromhimsomeknowledgeofhisearlyintercoursewiththechild，andconfessedeverything，andevenproducedthepaperwithhissignatureasaproofofidentity？Womenhadbeenknowntodosuchdesperatethings。Perhapsshedisbelievedherson’saversiontoher，andwastryingtosoundVanLoo。AsfortheforgedwordsbyVanLoo，andtheusehehadputthemto，hecaredlittle。Hebelievedthemanwascapableofforgery；indeed，hesuddenlyrememberedthatintheolddayshissonhadspokeninnocently，butadmiringly，ofVanLoo’swonderfulchirographicalpowersandhisfacultyofimitatingthewritingsofothers，andhowhehadevenofferedtoteachhim。Anewandexasperatingthoughtcameintohisfeverishconsciousness。WhatifVanLoo，inteachingtheboy，hadevenmadeuseofhimasaninnocentaccomplicetocoveruphisowntricks！ThesuggestionwasnoquestionofmoralethicstoSteptoe，norofhisson’spossiblecontamination，althoughsincethenightofthebigstrikehehadhelddifferentviews；itwassimplyafierce，selfishjealousythatANOTHERmighthaveprofitedbythelad’shelplessnessandinexperience。Hehadbeentormentedbythisjealousybeforeinhisson’slikingforVanLoo。Hehadatfirstencouragedhisadmirationandimitativeregardforthissmoothswindler’sgracesandaccomplishments，which，thoughhescornedthemhimself，hewas，afterthecommonparentalinfatuation，willingthattheboyshouldprofitby。
Incapable，throughhisownconsciousness，ofdistinguishingbetweenVanLoo’ssuperficialpolishandthetruebreedingofagentleman，hehadonlylookeduponitasanequipmentforhissonwhichmightbeserviceabletohimself。HehadtoldhiswifethetruthwhenheinformedherofVanLoo’sfearsofbeingremindedoftheirformerintimacy；buthehadnottoldherhowitsdiscontinuanceaftertheyhadleftHeavyTreeHillhadaffectedherson，andhowhestillcherishedhisoldadmirationforthatspeciousrascal。Norhadhetoldherhowthishadstunghim，throughhisownselfishgreedoftheboy’saffection。YetnowthatitwaspossiblethatshehadmetVanLoothatevening，shemighthavebecomeawareofVanLoo’spoweroverherchild。Howshewouldexult，forallherpretendedhatredofVanLoo！How，perhaps，theyhadplottedtogether！HowVanLoomighthavebecomeawareoftheplacewherehissonwaskept，andhavebeenbribedbythemothertotellher！Hestoppedinawhirlofgiddyfancies。Hisstrongcommonsenseinallotherthingshadbeenhithertoproofagainstsuchidledreamsorsuggestions；buttheverystrengthofhisparentalloveandjealousyhadawakenedinhimatlasttheterrorsofimagination。
Hisfirstimpulsehadbeentoseekhiswife，regardlessofdiscoveryorconsequences，atHymettus，whereshehadsaidshewasgoing。ItwasonhiswaytotherendezvousatMarshall’sclaim。
Butthisheasinstantlysetaside，itwashisSONhemustfind；
SHEmightnotconfess，ormightdeceivehim——theboywouldnot；andifhisfearswerecorrect，shecouldbearraignedafterwards。ItwaspossibleforhimtoreachthelittleMissionchurchandschool，secludedinaremotevalleybytheoldFranciscanfathers，wherehehadplacedtheboyforthelastfewyearsunknowntohiswife。Itwouldbealongride，buthecouldstillreachHeavyTreeHillafterwardsbeforeMarshallandtheexpertarrived。Andhehadafeelinghehadneverfeltbeforeontheeveofadesperateadventure，——thathemustseetheboyfirst。Herememberedhowthechildhadoftenaccompaniedhiminhisflight，andhowhehadgainedstrength，and，itseemedtohim，akindofluck，fromthetouchofthatsmallhandinhis。SurelyitwasnecessarynowthatatleasthismindshouldbeatrestregardingHIMontheeveofanaffairofthismoment。Perhapshemightneverseehimagain。Atanyothertime，andundertheinfluenceofanyotheremotion，hewouldhavescornedsuchasentimentalism——hewhohadnevertroubledhimselfeitherwithpreparationforthefutureorconsiderationforthepast。Butatthatmomenthefeltboth。Hedrewalongbreath。
HecouldcatchthenexttraintotheThreeBouldersandridethencetoSanFelipe。Hehurriedlylefttheroom，settledwiththelandlord，andgallopedtothestation。BytheironyofcircumstancestheonlyhorseavailableforthatpurposewasMr。Hamlin’sown。
Bytwoo’clockhewasattheThreeBoulders，wherehegotafasthorseandgallopedintoSanFelipebyfour。Ashedescendedthelastslopethroughthefastnessesofpinestowardsthelittlevalleyoverlookedinitsremotenessandpurelypastoralsimplicitybythegold-seekingimmigrants，——itsseclusionasoneofthefurthestnorthernCalifornianmissionsstillpreservedthroughitsinsignificanceandtheeffortsoftheremainingBrotherhood，whouseditasaninfirmaryandaschoolforthefewremainingSpanishfamilies，——herememberedhowheonceblundereduponitwiththeboywhilehotlypursuedbyahueandcryfromoneofthelargertowns，andhowhefoundsanctuarythere。Herememberedhow，whenthepursuitwasover，hehadplacedtheboythereunderthepadre’scharge。Hehadliedtohiswiferegardingthewhereaboutsofherson，buthehadspokentrulyregardinghisfreeexpenditurefortheboy’smaintenance，andthegoodfathershadaccepted，equallyforthechild’ssakeasfortheChurch’ssake，thegenerous\"restitution\"whichthiscoarse，powerful，ruffianlylookingfatherwasapparentlyseekingtomake。Hewasquiteawareofitatthetime，andhadequallyaccepteditwithgrimcynicism；butitnowcamebacktohimwithanewandsmartingsignificance。MightTHEY，too，notsucceedinweaningtheboy’saffectionfromhim，orifthemotherhadinterfered，wouldtheynotsidewithherinclaiminganequalright？Hehadsometimeslaughedtohimselfoverthesecurityofthishiding-place，sounknownandsounlikelytobediscoveredbyher，yetwithineasyreachofherfriendsandhisenemies；henowgroundhisteethoverthemistakewhichhisdotingdesiretokeephissonaccessibletohimhadcausedhimtomake。Heputspurstohishorse，dasheddownthelittle，narrow，ill-pavedstreet，throughthedesertedplaza，andpulledupinacloudofdustbeforetheonlyremainingtower，withitscrackedbelfry，ofthehalf-ruinedMissionchurch。Anewdormitoryandschool-
buildinghadbeenextendedfromitswalls，butinasubdued，harmonious，modestway，quiteunliketheusualglaringwhite-pinegloriesofprovincialtowns。Steptoelaughedtohimselfbitterly。
Someofhismoneyhadgoneinit。
Heseizedthehorsehairropedanglingfromabellbythewallandrangitsharply。Asoft-footedpriestappeared，——FatherDominico。
\"EddyHorncastle？Ah！yes。Eddy，dearchild，isgone。\"
\"Gone！\"shoutedSteptoeinavoicethatstartledthepadre。
\"Where？When？Withwhom？\"
\"Pardon，senor，butforatime——onlyapaseartothenextvillage。
Itishissaint’sday——hehashalf-holiday。Heisagoodboy。Itisalittlepleasureforhimandforus。\"
\"Oh！\"saidSteptoe，softenedintoaroughapology。\"Iforgot。Allright。Hashehadanyvisitorslately——lady，forinstance？\"
FatherDominicocastalookhalfoffright，halfofreprovaluponhisguest。
\"AladyHERE！\"
InhisreliefSteptoeburstintoacoarselaugh。\"Ofcourse；youseeIforgotthat，too。Iwasthinkingofoneofhiswomanfolks，youknow——relatives——aunts。Wasthereanyothervisitor？\"
\"Onlyone。Ah！weknowthesenor’srulesregardinghisson。\"
\"One？\"repeatedSteptoe。\"Whowasit？\"
\"Oh，quiteanhidalgo——anoldfriendofthechild’s——mostpolite，mostaccomplished，fluentinSpanish，perfectindeportment。TheSenorHorncastlesurelycouldfindnothingtoobjectto。FatherPedrowascharmedwithhim。Amanofaffairs，andyetagoodCatholic，too。ItwasaSenorVanLoo——DonPaultheboycalledhim，andtheytalkedoftheboy’sstudiesintheolddaysasif——
indeed，butforthestrangerbeingacaballeroandmanoftheworld——asifhehadbeenhisteacher。\"
Itwasaproofoftheintensityofthefather’sfeelingsthattheyhadpassedbeyondthepowerofhisusualcoarse，brutalexpression，andheonlystaredatthepriestwithadullredfaceinwhichthebloodseemedtohavestagnated。Presentlyhesaidthickly，\"Whendidhecome？\"
\"Afewdaysago。\"
\"WhichwaydidEddygo？\"
\"ToBrown’sMills，scarcelyaleagueaway。Hewillbehere——evennow——ontheinstant。ButthesenorwillcomeintotherefectoryandtakesomeoftheoldMissionwinefromtheCatalangrape，plantedonehundredandfiftyyearsago，untilthedearchildreturns。Hewillbesohappy。\"
\"No！I’minahurry。Iwillgoonandmeethim。\"Hetookoffhishat，moppedhiscrisp，wethairwithhishandkerchief，andinathick，slow，impededvoice，moresuggestivethantheoutburstherestrained，said，\"Andaslongasmysonremainsherethatman，VanLoo，mustnotpassthisgate，speaktohim，orevenseehim。Youhearme？Seetoit，youandalltheothers。Seetoit，Isay，or\"——Hestoppedabruptly，clappedhishatontheswollenveinsofhisforehead，turnedquickly，passedoutwithoutanotherwordthroughthearchwayintotheroad，andbeforethegoodpriestcouldcrosshimselforrecoverfromhisastonishmentthethudofhishorse’shoofscamefromthedustyroad。
Itwastenminutesbeforehisfaceresumeditsusualcolor。Butinthattenminutes，asifsomeofthestruggleofhisriderhadpassedintohim，hishorsewassweatingwithexhaustionandfear。
Forinthattenminutes，inthisnewimaginationwithwhichhewascursed，hehadkilledbothVanLooandhisson，andburnedtherefectoryovertheheadsofthetreacherouspriests。Then，quitehimselfagain，avoicecametohimfromtherockytrailabovetheroadwiththehailof\"Father！\"Hestartedquicklyasaladoffifteenorsixteencameboundingdownthehillside，andrantowardshim。
\"YoupassedmeandIcalledtoyou，butyoudidnotseemtohear，\"
saidtheboybreathlessly。\"ThenIranafteryou。HaveyoubeentotheMission？\"
Steptoelookedathimquiteasbreathlessly，butfromadeeperemotion。Hewas，evenatfirstsight，ahandsomelad，glowingwithyouthandtheexcitementofhisrun，and，asthefatherlookedathim，hecouldseethelikenesstohismotherinhisclear-cutfeatures，andevenaresemblancetohimselfinhissquare，compactchestandshouldersandcrisp，blackcurls。Athrillofpurelyanimalpaternitypassedoverhim，thefiercejoyofhisfleshoverhisownflesh！Hisownson，byGod！TheycouldnottakeTHATfromhim；theymightplot，swindle，fawn，cheat，lie，andstealawayhisaffections，buttherehewas，plaintoalleyes，hisownson，hisveryson！
\"Comehere，\"hesaidinasingular，half-wearyandhalf-protestingvoice，whichtheboyinstantlyrecognizedashisfather’saccentsofaffection。
Theboyhesitatedashestoodontheedgeoftheroadandpointedwithmingledmischiefandfastidiousnesstothedepthsofimpalpablereddustthatlaybetweenhimandthehorseman。Steptoesawthathewasverysmartlyattiredinholidayguise，withwhiteducktrousersandpatentleathershoes，and，aftertheSpanishfashion，woreblackkidgloves。Hecertainlywasabitofadandy，ashehadsaid。Thefather’swholefacechangedashewheeledandcamebeforethelad，wholifteduphisarmsexpectantly。Theyhadoftenriddentogetheronthesamehorse。
\"Noridesto-dayinthattoggery，Eddy，\"hesaidinthesamevoice。
\"ButI’llgetdownandwe’llgoandsitsomewhereunderatreeandhavesometalk。I’vegotabitofajobthat’shurryingme，andI
can’twastetime。\"
\"Notoneofyouroldjobs，father？Ithoughtyouhadquitegiventhatup？\"
Theboyspokemorecarelesslythanreproachfully，orevenwonderingly；yet，ashedismountedandtetheredhishorse，Steptoeansweredevasively，\"It’sabigthing，sonny；maybewe’llmakeoureternalfortune，andthenwe’lllightoutfromthisholeandhaveagaytimeelsewhere。Comealong。\"
Hetooktheboy’sglovedrighthandinhisownpowerfulgrasp，andtogethertheyclamberedupthesteephillsidetoarockyledgeonwhichafallenpinefromabovehadcrashed，snappeditselfintwain，andthenleftitswitheredcrowntohanghalfdowntheslope，whiletheotherhalfrestedontheledge。Onthistheysat，lookingdownupontheroadandthetetheredhorse。Agentlebreezemovedthetreetopsabovetheirheads，andthewesteringsunplayedhide-and-seekwiththeshiftingshadows。Theboy’sfacewasquickandalertwithallthatmovedroundhim，butwithoutthoughtthefather’sfacewasheavy，exceptfortheeyesthatwerefixeduponhisson。
\"VanLoocametotheMission，\"hesaidsuddenly。
Theboy’seyesglitteredquickly，likeasteelthatpiercedthefather’sheart。\"Oh，\"hesaidsimply，\"thenitwasthepadretoldyou？\"
\"Howdidheknowyouwerehere？\"askedSteptoe。
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidtheboyquietly。\"Ithinkhesaidsomething，butI’veforgottenit。Butitwasmightygoodofhimtocome，forIthought，youknow，thathedidnotcaretoseemeafterHeavyTree，andthathe’dgonebackonus。\"
\"Whatdidhetellyou？\"continuedSteptoe。\"Didhetalkofmeorofyourmother？\"
\"No，\"saidtheboy，butwithoutanyshowofinterestorsympathy；
\"wetalkedmostlyaboutoldtimes。\"
\"TellMEaboutthoseoldtimes，Eddy。Younevertoldmeanythingaboutthem。\"
Theboy，momentarilyarrestedmorebysomethinginthetoneofhisfather’svoice——aweaknesshehadnevernoticedbefore——thanbyanysuggestionofhiswords，saidwithalaugh，\"Oh，onlyaboutwhatweusedtodowhenIwasverylittleandusedtocallmyselfhis’littlebrother，’——don’tyouremember，longbeforethebigstrikeonHeavyTree？Theyweregaytimeswehadthen。\"
\"Andhowheusedtoteachyoutoimitateotherpeople’shandwriting？\"saidSteptoe。
\"Whatmadeyouthinkofthat，pop？\"saidtheboy，withaslightwonderinhiseyes。\"Why，that’stheverythingweDIDtalkabout。\"
\"Butyoudidn’tdoitagain；youain’tdoneitsince，\"saidSteptoequickly。
\"Lord！no，\"saidtheboycontemptuously。\"Thereain’tnochancenow，andtherewouldn’tbeanyfuninit。Itisn’tliketheoldtimeswhenhimandmewereallalone，andweusedtowritelettersascomingfromotherpeopletoalltheboysroundHeavyTreeandtheBar，andsometimesasfarasBoomville，togetthemtodothings，andthey’dthinktheletterswerereal，andthey’ddo’em。
Andthere’dbethebiggestkindofarow，andnobodyeverknewwhodidit。\"
Steptoestaredatthisfleshofhisownfleshhalfinrelief，halfinfrightenedadmiration。Sittingastridethelog，hiselbowsonhiskneesandhisglovedhandssupportinghisroundcheeks，theboy’shandsomefacebecameilluminatedwithanimpishdevilrywhichthefatherhadneverseenbefore。Withdancingeyeshewenton。
\"Itwasoneofthoseverygamesweplayedsolongagothathewantedtoseemeaboutandwantedmetokeepmumabout，forsomeofthefolksthatheplayeditonwerearoundherenow。Itwasagamewegotoffononeofthebigstrikepartnerslongbeforethestrike。I’lltellYOU，dad，foryouknowwhathappenedafterwards，andyou’llbeglad。Well，thatpartner——Demorest——wasakindofsilly，youremember——asortofMissNancyishfellow——alwaysgloomyandlovesickafterhisgirlintheStates。Well，we’dwrittenlotsofletterstogirlsfromtheirchapsbefore，andgotlotsoffunoutofit；butwehadevenabettershowforagamehere，forithappenedthatVanLooknewallaboutthegirl——thingsthateventheman’sownpartnersdidn’t，forVanLoo’smotherwasasortofafriendofthegirl’sfamily，andtraveledaboutwithher，andknewthatthegirlwasspoonyoverthisDemorest，andthattheycorresponded。So，knowingthatVanLoowasemployedatHeavyTree，shewrotetohimtofindoutallaboutDemorestandhowtostoptheirfoolishnonsense，forthegirl’sparentsdidn’twanthertomarryabroken-downminerlikehim。Sowethoughtwe’ddoitourownway，andwritealettertoherasifitwasfromhim，don’tyousee？Iwantedtomakehimcallherawfulnames，andsaythathehatedher，thathewasamurdererandahorse-thief，andthathehadkilledapoliceman，andthathewasthinkingofbecomingaDiggerInjin，andhavingaDiggersquawforawife，whichhelikedbetterthanher。Lord！dad，yououghttohaveseenwhatstuffI
madeup。\"Theboyburstintoashrill，half-femininelaugh，andSteptoe，catchingtheinfection，laughedloudlyinhisowncoarse，brutalfashion。
Forsomemomentstheysattherelookingineachother’sfaces，shakingwithsympatheticemotion，thefatherforgettingthepurposeofhiscomingthere，hisrageoverVanLoo’svisit，andeventherendezvoustowhichhishorseintheroadbelowwaswaitingtobringhim；thesonforgettingtheirretreatfromHeavyTreeHillandhisshamefulvagabondwanderingswiththatfatherintheyearsthatfollowed。Thesinkingsunstaredblanklyintheirfaces；theprotectingpinesabovethemmovedbyastrongergustshookafewconesuponthem；anenormouscrowmockinglyrepeatedthefather’scoarselaugh，andasquirrelscamperedawayfromthestrangelyassortedpairasSteptoe，wipinghiseyesandforeheadwithhispocket-handkerchief，said：——
\"Anddidyousendit？\"
\"Oh！VanLoothoughtittoostrong。Saidthatthosesortoflove-
sickfoolsmademorefussoverlittlethingsthantheydidoverbigthings，andhesortoftoneditdown，andfixedituphimself。Butittold。Fortherewereneveranymorelettersinthepost-officeinherhandwriting，andtherewasn’tanypostedtoherinhis。\"
Theybothlaughedagain，andthenSteptoerose。\"Imustbegettingalong，\"hesaid，lookingcuriouslyattheboy。\"I’vegottocatchatrainatThreeBouldersStation。\"
\"ThreeBoulders！\"repeatedtheboy。\"I’mgoingthere，too，onFriday，tomeetFatherCipriano。\"
\"IreckonmyworkwillbealldonebyFriday，\"saidSteptoemusingly。Standingthus，holdinghisboy’shand，hewasthinkingthattherealfightatMarshall’swouldnottakeplaceatonce，foritmighttakeadayortwoforMarshalltogatherforces。Butheonlypressedhisson’shandgently。
\"Iwishyouwouldsometimestakemewithyouasyouusedto，\"saidtheboycuriously。\"I’mbiggernow，andwouldn’tbeinyourway。
Steptoelookedattheboywithachokingsenseofsatisfactionandpride。Buthesaid，\"No；\"andthensuddenlywithsimulatedhumor，\"Don’tyoubetakeninbyanylettersfromME，suchasyouandVanLoousedtowrite。Youhear？\"
Theboylaughed。
\"And，\"continuedSteptoe，\"ifanybodysaysIsentforyou，don’tyoubelievethem。\"
\"No，\"saidtheboy，smiling。
\"Anddon’tyouevenbelieveI’mdeadtillyouseemeso。Youunderstand。Bytheway，FatherPedrohassomemoneyofminekeptforyou。Nowhurrybacktoschoolandsayyoumetme，butthatI
wasinagreathurry。IreckonImayhavebeenratherroughtothepriests。\"
Theyhadreachedthelowerroadagain，andSteptoesilentlyunhitchedhishorse。\"Good-by，\"hesaid，ashelaidhishandontheboy’sarm。
\"Good-by，dad。\"
Hemountedhishorseslowly。\"Well，\"hesaidsmilingly，lookingdowntheroad，\"youain’tgotanythingmoretosaytome，haveyou？\"
\"No，dad。\"
\"Nothin’youwant？\"
\"Nothin’，dad。\"
\"Allright。Good-by。\"
Heputspurstohishorseandcantereddowntheroadwithoutlookingback。Theboywatchedhimwithidlecuriosityuntilhedisappearedfromsight，andthenwentonhisway，whistlingandstrikingofftheheadsofthewaysideweedswithhiswalking-stick。
CHAPTERVII。
ThesunarosesobrightlyoverHymettusonthemorningafterthemeetingofthethreepartnersthatitwassmallwonderthatBarker’simpressionablenaturequicklyrespondedtoit，and，withoutawakeningthestillsleepingchild，hedressedhurriedly，andwasthefirsttogreetitinthekeenairoftheslopebehindthehotel。Tohispantheisticspiritithadalwaysseemedasnaturalforhimtoearlywelcomehisreturningbrothersofthewoodsandhillsastosaygood-morningtohisfellowmortals。And，inthejoyofseeingBlackSpurrisingagaintohislevelinthedistancebeforehim，hedoffedhishattoitwithareturnofhisoldboyishhabit，laidhisarmcaressinglyaroundthegreatgirthofthenearestpine，clappedhishandstothescamperingsquirrelsinhispath，andwhistledtothedippingjays。Inthiswayhequiteforgotthemoreseriousaffairsoftheprecedingnight，or，rather，sawthemonlyinthegildingofthemorning，until，lookingup，heperceivedthetallfigureofDemorestapproachinghim；andthenitstruckhimwithhisfirstglanceathisoldpartner’sfacethathisusualsuave，gentlemelancholyhadbeensucceededbyacriticalcynicismoflookandarestrainedbitternessofaccent。
Barker’sloyalheartsmotehimforhisownselfishness；DemoresthadbeenhardhitbythediscoveryoftheforgeryandStacy’sconcerninit，andhaddoubtlesspassedarestlessnight，whilehe（Barker）hadforgottenallaboutit。\"Ithoughtofknockingatyourdoor，asIpassed，\"hesaid，withsympatheticapology，\"butI
wasafraidImightdisturbyou。Isn’titglorioushere？Quiteliketheoldhill。Lookatthatlizard；hehasn’tmovedsincehefirstsawme。Doyouremembertheonewhousedtostealoursugar，andthenstiffenhimselfintostoneontheedgeofthebowluntilhelookedlikeanornamentalhandletoit？\"hecontinued，reboundingagainintospirits。
\"Barker，\"saidDemorestabruptly，\"whatsortofwomanisthisMrs。
VanLoo，whoseroomsIoccupy？\"
\"Oh，\"saidBarker，withoptimisticinnocence，\"amostproperwoman，oldchap。White-haired，well-dressed，withalittleforeignaccentandastillmoreforeigncourtesy。Why，youdon’tsupposewe’d\"——
\"Butwhatisshelike？\"saidDemorestimpatiently。
\"Well，\"saidBarkerthoughtfully，\"she’sthekindofwomanwhomightbeVanLoo’smother，Isuppose。\"
\"Youmeanthemotherofaforgerandaswindler？\"askedDemorestsharply。
\"Therearenomothersofswindlersandforgers，\"saidBarkergravely，\"inthewayyoumean。It’sonlythosepoordevils，\"hesaid，pointing，nevertheless，withacertainadmirationtoacirclingsparrow-hawkabovehim，\"whohaveinheritedinstincts。
WhatImeanisthatshemightbeVanLoo’smother，becausehedidn’tSELECTher。\"
\"Wheredidshecomefrom？andhowlonghasshebeenhere？\"askedDemorest。
\"Shecamefromabroad，Ibelieve。Andshecameherejustafteryouleft。VanLoo，afterhebecamesecretaryoftheDitchCompany，sentforherandherdaughtertokeephouseforhim。Butyou’llseeherto-dayorto-morrowprobably，whenshereturns。I’llintroduceyou；she’llberathergladtomeetsomeonefromabroad，andallthemoreifhehappenstoberichanddistinguished，andeligibleforherdaughter。\"Hestoppedsuddenlyinhissmile，rememberingDemorest’slifelongsecret。Buttohissurprisehiscompanion’sface，insteadofdarkeningasitwaswonttodoatanysuchallusion，brightenedsuddenlywithasingularexcitementasheanswereddryly，\"Ahwell，ifthegirlispretty，whoknows！\"
Indeed，hisspiritsseemedtohavereturnedwithstrangevivacityastheywalkedbacktothehotel，andheaskedmanyotherquestionsregardingMrs。VanLooandherdaughter，andparticularlyifthedaughterhadalsobeenabroad。WhentheyreachedtheverandatheyfoundafewearlyriserseagerlyreadingtheSacramentopapers，whichhadjustarrived，or，inlittleknots，discussingthenews。
Indeed，theywouldprobablyhavestoppedBarkerandhiscompanionhadnotBarker，anxioustorelievehisfriend’scuriosity，hurriedwithhimatoncetothemanager’soffice。
\"CanyoutellmeexactlywhenyouexpectMrs。VanLootoreturn？\"
askedBarkerquickly。
Themanagerwithdifficultydetachedhimselffromthenewspaperwhichhe，too，wasanxiouslyperusing，andsaid，withapeculiarsmile，\"Wellno！sheWAStoreturnto-day，butifyou’rewantingtokeepherrooms，Ishouldsaytherewouldn’tbeanytroubleaboutit，asshe’llhardlybecomingbackhereNOW。She’sratherhighandmightyinstyle，Iknow，andadeterminedsortofcritter，butIreckonsheandherdaughterwouldn’tcaremuchtobewaltzingroundinpublicafterwhathashappened。\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"saidDemorestimpatiently。\"WHAThashappened？\"
\"Haven’tyouheardthenews？\"saidthemanagerinsurprise。\"It’sinalltheSacramentopapers。VanLooisadefaulter——hashypothecatedeverythinghehadandskedaddled。\"
Barkerstarted。Hewasnotthinkingofthelossofhiswife’smoney——onlyofHERdisappointmentandmortificationoverit。Poorgirl！Perhapsshewasalsoworryingoverhisresentment，——asifshedidnotknowhim！HewouldgotoheratonceatBoomville。
ThenherememberedthatshewascomingwithMrs。Horncastle，andmightbealreadyonherwayherebyrailorcoach，andhewouldmissher。Demorestinthemeantimehadseizedapaper，andwasintentlyreadingit。
\"There’sbadnews，too，foryourfriend，youroldpartner，\"saidthemanagerhalfsympathetically，halfinterrogatively。\"Therehasbeenadropoutineverythingthebankiscarrying，andeverybodyisunloading。Twofirmsfailedin’Friscoyesterdaythatwerecarryingthingsforthebank，andhavethrowneverythingbackonit。Therewasanawfulpaniclastnight，andtheysaynoneofthebigspeculatorsknowwheretheystand。Threeofourbestcustomersinthehotelrushedofftothebaythismorning，butStacyhimselfstartedbeforedaylight，andgotthethroughnightexpresstostopforhimontheDivideonsignal。ShallIsendanytelegramsthatmaycometoyourroom？\"
Demorestknewthatthemanagersuspectedhimofbeinginterestedinthebank，andunderstoodthepurportofthequestion。Heanswered，withcalmsurprise，thathewasexpectingnotelegrams，andadded，\"ButifMrs。VanLooreturnsIbegyoutoatonceletmeknow，\"andtakingBarker’sarmhewentintobreakfast。Seatedbythemselves，Demorestlookedathiscompanion。\"I’mafraid，Barkerboy，thatthisthingismoreserioustoJimthanweexpectedlastnight，orthanhecaredtotellus。Andyou，oldman，IfeararehurtalittlebyVanLoo’sflight。Hehadsomemoneyofyourwife’s，hadn’the？\"
Barker，whoknewthatthebulkofDemorest’sfortunewasinStacy’shands，wastouchedatthisproofofhisunselfishthought，andansweredwithequalunselfishnessthathewasconcernedonlybythefearofMrs。Barker’sdisappointment。\"Why，Lord！Phil，whethershe’slostorsavedhermoneyit’snothingtome。Igaveittohertodowhatshelikedwithit，butI’mafraidshe’llbeworryingoverwhatIthinkofit，——asifshedidnotknowme！AndI’mhalfamind，ifitwerenotformissingher，togoovertoBoomville，whereshe’sstopping。\"
\"IthoughtyousaidshewasinSanFrancisco？\"saidDemorestabstractedly。
Barkercolored。\"Yes，\"heansweredquickly。\"ButI’veheardsincethatshestoppedatBoomvilleontheway。\"
\"Thendon’tletMEkeepyouhere，\"returnedDemorest。\"ForifJimtelegraphstomeIshallstartforSanFranciscoatonce，andI
ratherthinkhewill。Ididnotliketosaysobeforethosepanic-
mongersoutsidewhoarestampedingeverything；sorunalong，Barkerboy，andeaseyourmindaboutthewife。Wemayhaveotherthingstothinkaboutsoon。\"
Thusadjured，Barkerrosefromhishalf-finishedbreakfastandslippedaway。Yethewasnotquitecertainwhattodo。HiswifemusthaveheardthenewsatBoomvilleasquicklyashehad，and，ifso，wouldbeonherwaywithMrs。Horncastle；orshemightbewaitingforhim——knowing，too，thathehadheardthenews——infearandtrembling。ForitwasBarker’scustomtoendowallthosehecaredforwithhisownsensitiveness，anditwasnotlikehimtoreflectthatthewomanwhohadsorecklesslyspeculatedagainsthisopinionwouldscarcelyfearhisreproachesinherdefeat。InthefullnessofhishearthetelegraphedtoherincaseshehadnotyetleftBoomville：\"Allright。Haveheardnews。Understandperfectly。
Don’tworry。Cometome。\"Thenheleftthehotelbythestableentranceinordertoevadetheguestswhohadcongregatedontheveranda，andmadehiswaytoalittlewoodedcrestwhichheknewcommandedaviewofthetworoadsfromBoomville。Herehedeterminedtowaitandinterceptherbeforeshereachedthehotel。
Heknewthatmanyoftheguestswereawareofhiswife’sspeculationswithVanLoo，andthathewasherbroker。Hewishedtospareherrunningthegauntletoftheircuriousstaresandcommentsasshedroveupalone。AshewasclimbingtheslopethecoachfromSacramentodashedpasthimontheroadbelow，butheknewthatithadchangedhorsesatBoomvilleatfouro’clock，andthathistiredwifewouldnothaveavailedherselfofitatthathour，particularlyasshecouldnothaveyetreceivedthefatefulnews。Hethrewhimselfunderalargepine，andwatchedthestagecoachdisappearasitsweptroundintothecourtyardofthehotel。
Hesatthereforsomemomentswithhiseyesbentuponthetwoforksoftheredroadthatdivergedbelowhim，butwhichappearedtobecomewhiterandmoredazzlingashesearchedtheirdistance。
Therewasnothingtobeseenexceptanoccasionalpuffofdustwhicheventuallyrevealedahorsemanoralongtrailingcloudoutofwhichasolitarymule，oneofapack-trainofsixoreight，wouldmomentarilyemergeandbelostagain。Thenhesuddenlyheardhisnamecalled，and，lookingup，sawMrs。Horncastle，whohadhaltedafewpacesfromhimbetweentwocolumnsofthelong-drawnaisleofpines。
Inthatmysterioushalf-lightsheseemedsuchabeautifulandgoddess-likefigurethathisconsciousnessatfirstwasunabletograspanythingelse。Shewasalwayswonderfullywelldressed，butthewarmthandseclusionofthismountainmorninghadenabledhertowearalightgownofsomedelicatefabricwhichsetoffthegraceofherfigure，andevenpardonedtheruralcoquetryofasilkensasharoundherstillslenderwaist。Anopenwhiteparasolthrownoverhershouldermadeanimbusforhercharmingheadandthethickcoilsofhairunderherlace-edgedhat。Hehadneverseenherlooksobeautifulbefore。Andthatthoughtwassoplainlyinhisfrankfaceandeyesashesprangtohisfeetthatitbroughtaslightriseofcolortoherowncheek。
\"IsawyouclimbinguphereasIpassedinthecoachafewminutesago，\"shesaid，withasmile，\"andassoonasIhadshakenthedustoffIfollowedyou。\"
\"Where’sKitty？\"hestammered。
Thecolorfadedfromherfaceasithadcome，andashadeofsomethinglikereproachcreptintoherdarkeyes。Andwhateverithadbeenherpurposetosay，orhowevercarefullyshemighthavepreparedherselfforthisinterview，shewasevidentlytakenabackbythesuddendirectnessoftheinquiry。Barkersawthisasquickly，andasquicklyreferredittohisownrudeness。Hiswholesoulrushedinapologytohisfaceashesaid，\"Oh，forgiveme！I
wasanxiousaboutKitty；indeed，IhadthoughtofcomingagaintoBoomville，foryou’veheardthenews，ofcourse？VanLooisadefaulter，andhasrunawaywiththepoorchild’smoney。\"
Mrs。Horncastlehadheardthenewsatthehotel。Shepausedamomenttocollectherself，andthensaidslowlyandtentatively，withawatchfulintensityinhereyes，\"Mrs。Barkerwent，Ithink，totheDivide\"——
ButshewasinstantlyinterruptedbytheeagerBarker。\"Isee。I
thoughtofthatatonce。Shewentdirectlytothecompany’sofficestoseeifshecouldsaveanythingfromthewreckbeforeshesawme。Itwaslikeher，poorgirl！Andyou——you，\"hewentoneagerly，hiswholefacebeamingwithgratitude，——\"you，outofyourgoodness，cameheretotellme。\"Heheldoutbothhandsandtookhersinhis。