ForamomentMrs。Horncastlewasspeechlessandvacillating。ShehadoftennoticedbeforethatitwaspartoftheironyofthecreationofsuchasimplenatureasBarker’sthathewasnotonlyopentodeceit，butabsolutelyseemedtoinviteit。Insteadofmakingothersfranker，peoplewereinclinedtorebukehiscredulitybyrestraintandequivocationontheirownpart。Buttheevasionthusofferedtoher，althoughonlytemporary，wasatemptationshecouldnotresist。Anditprolongedaninterviewthataruthlessrevelationofthetruthmighthaveshortened。
\"Shedidnottellmeshewasgoingthere，\"sherepliedstillevasively；\"and，indeed，\"sheadded，withaburstofcandorstillmoredangerous，\"Ionlylearneditfromthehotelclerkaftershewasgone。ButIwanttotalktoyouaboutherrelationstoVanLoo，\"shesaid，withareturnofherformerintensityofgaze，\"andIthoughtwewouldbelesssubjecttointerruptionherethanatthehotel。OnlyIsupposeeverybodyknowsthisplace，andanyofthoseflirtingcouplesarelikelytocomehere。Besides，\"sheadded，withalittlehalf-hystericallaughandaslightshiver，asshelookedupatthehighinterlacingboughsaboveherhead，\"it’saspublicastheaislesofachurch，andreallyonefeelsasifonewere’speakingout’inmeeting。Isn’ttheresomeotherspotalittlemoresecluded，wherewecouldsitdown，\"shewenton，asshepokedherparasolintotheusualblackgunpowderydepositofearthwhichmingledwiththecarpetofpine-needlesbeneathherfeet，\"andnotgetallstickyanddirty？\"
Barker’seyessparkled。\"Iknoweveryfootofthishill，Mrs。
Horncastle，\"hesaid，\"andifyouwillfollowmeI’lltakeyoutooneoftheloveliestnooksyoueverdreamedof。It’sanoldIndianspringnowforgotten，andIthinkknownonlytomeandthebirds。
It’snotmorethantenminutesfromhere；only\"——hehesitatedashecaughtsightofthesmartFrenchbronzebuckledshoeandsilkenanklewhichMrs。Horncastle’sgatheringupofherdaintyskirtsaroundherhaddisclosed——\"itmaybealittleroughanddustygoingtoyourfeet。\"
ButMrs。Horncastlepointedoutthatshehadalreadyirretrievablyruinedhershoesandstockingsinclimbinguptohim，——althoughBarkercouldreallydistinguishnodiminutionoftheirfreshness，——
andthatshemightaswellgoon。Whereattheybothpasseddownthelongaisleofslopetoalittlehollowofmanzanita，whichagainopenedtoaviewofBlackSpur，butleftthehotelhidden。
\"WhattimedidKittygo？\"beganBarkereagerly，whentheywerehalfdowntheslope。
ButhereMrs。Horncastle’sfootslippedupontheglassypine-
needles，andnotonlystoppedananswer，butobligedBarkertogiveallhisattentiontokeephiscompanionfromfallingagainuntiltheyreachedtheopen。Thencametheplungethroughthemanzanitathicket，thenacoolwadethroughwaist-deepferns，andthentheyemerged，holdingeachother’shand，breathlessandpantingbeforethespring。
Itdidnotbeliehisenthusiasticdescription。Atriangularhollow，nichedinashelfofthemountain-side，narrowedtoapointfromwhichtheoverflowofthespringpercolatedthroughafringeofalder，tofallinwhatseemedfromthevalleytobeagreenfurrowdownthewholelengthofthemountain-side。Overhungbypinesabove，whichmetandmingledwiththewillowsthateverywherefringedit，itmadetheonecoolingshadeinthewholebaskingexpanseofthemountain，andyetwaspenetratedthroughoutbytheintoxicatingspiceoftheheatedpines。Floweringreedsandlonglushgrassesdrewamagiccircleroundanopenbowl-likepoolinthecentre，thatwasalwaysreplenishedtotheslowmurmurofanunseenrivuletthattrickledfromawhite-quartzcaverninthemountain-sidelikeaveinopenedinitsflank。Shadowsoftimidwingscrossedit，quickrustlingsdisturbedthereeds，butnothingmore。Itwassilent，butbreathing；itwashiddentoeverythingbuttheskyandtheillimitabledistance。
Theythreadedtheirwayarounditonthespongycarpet，coveredbydelicatelace-likevinesthatseemedtocaressratherthantrammeltheirmovingfeet，untiltheyreachedanopenspacebeforethepool。Itwascushionedandmattedwithdisintegratedpinebark，andheretheysatdown。Mrs。Horncastlefurledherparasolandlaiditaside；raisedbothhandstothebackofherheadandtooktwohat-pinsout，whichsheplacedinhersmilingmouth；removedherhat，stuckthehat-pinsinit，andhandedittoBarker，whogentlyplaceditonthetopofatallreed，whereduringtherestofthatmomentousmeetingitswunganddroopedlikeaflower；
removedherglovesslowly；drankstillsmilinglyandgratefullynearlyawineglassfulofthewaterwhichBarkerbroughtherinthegreentwistedchaliceofalilyleaf；lookedthepictureofhappiness，andthenburstintotears。
Barkerwasastounded，dismayed，eventerror-stricken。Mrs。
Horncastlecrying！Mrs。Horncastle，theimperious，thecollected，thecoldlycritical，thecynical，smilingwomanoftheworld，actuallycrying！Otherwomenmightcry——Kittyhadcriedoften——butMrs。Horncastle！Yet，thereshewas，sobbing；actuallysobbinglikeaschoolgirl，herbeautifulshouldersrisingandfallingwithhergrief；cryingunmistakablythroughherlongwhitefingers，throughalacepocket-handkerchiefwhichshehadhurriedlyproducedandshakenfrombehindherlikeaconjurer’strick；herbeautifuleyesathousandtimesmorelustrousforthesparklingbeadsthatbrimmedherlashesandwelledoverlikethepoolbeforeher。
\"Don’tmindme，\"shemurmuredbehindherhandkerchief。\"It’sveryfoolish，Iknow。Iwasnervous——worried，Isuppose；I’llbebetterinamoment。Don’tnoticeme，please。\"
ButBarkerhaddrawnbesideherandwastrying，afterthefashionofhissex，totakeherhandkerchiefawayinapparentlythefirmbeliefthatthisactionwouldstophertears。\"Buttellmewhatitis。DoMrs。Horncastle，please，\"hepleadedinhisboyishfashion。
\"IsitanythingIcando？Onlysaytheword；onlytellmeSOMETHING！\"
Buthehadsucceededinpartiallyremovingthehandkerchief，andsocaughtaglimpseofherweteyes，inwhichafaintsmilestruggledoutlikesunshinethroughrain。Buttheycloudedagain，althoughshedidn’tcry，andherbreathcameandwentwiththeactionofasob，andherhandsstillremainedagainstherflushedface。
\"IwasonlygoingtotalktoyouofKitty\"（sob）——\"butIsupposeI’mweak\"（sob）——\"andsuchafool\"（sob）\"andIgottothinkingofmyselfandmyownsorrowswhenIoughttobethinkingonlyofyouandKitty。\"
\"NevermindKitty，\"saidBarkerimpulsively。\"Tellmeaboutyourself——yourownsorrows。Iamabrutetohavebotheredyouaboutheratsuchamoment；andnowuntilyouhavetoldmewhatispainingyousoIshallnotletyouspeakofher。\"Hewasperfectlysincere。WhatwereKitty’spossibleandeasytearsoverthelossofhermoneytotheunknownagonythatcouldwrenchasobfromawomanlikethis？\"DearMrs。Horncastle，\"hewentonasbreathlessly，\"thinkofmenownotasKitty’shusband，butasyourtruefriend。Yes，asyourBESTandTRUESTfriend，andspeaktomeasyouwouldspeaktohim。\"
\"Youwillbemyfriend？\"shesaidsuddenlyandpassionately，graspinghishand，\"mybestandtruestfriend？andifItellyouall，——everything，youwillnotcastmefromyouandhateme？\"
Barkerfeltthesamethrillfromherwarmhandslowlypossesshiswholebeingasithadtheeveningbefore，butthistimehewaspreparedandansweredthegraspandhereyestogetherashesaidbreathlessly，\"Iwillbe——IAMyourfriend。\"
Shewithdrewherhandandpasseditoverhereyes。Afteramomentshecaughthishandagain，and，holdingittightlyasifshefearedhemightflyfromher，bitherlip，andthenslowly，withoutlookingathim，said，\"IliedtoyouaboutmyselfandKittythatnight；Ididnotcomewithher。IcamealoneandsecretlytoBoomvilletosee——toseethemanwhoismyhusband。\"
\"Yourhusband！\"saidBarkerinsurprise。Hehadbelieved，withtherestoftheworld，thattherehadbeennocommunicationbetweenthemforyears。Yetsointensewashisinterestinherthathedidnotnoticethatthisrevelationwasleavingnownoexcuseforhiswife’spresenceatBoomville。
Mrs。Horncastlewentonwithdoggedbitterness，\"Yes，myhusband。
Iwenttohimtobegandbribehimtoletmeseemychild。Yes，MY
child，\"shesaidfrantically，tighteningherholduponhishand，\"forIliedtoyouwhenIoncetoldyouIhadnone。Ihadachild，and，morethanthat，achildwhoathisbirthIdidnotdaretoopenlyclaim。\"
Shestoppedbreathlessly，staredathisfacewithherformerintensityasifshewouldpluckthethoughtthatfollowedfromhisbrain。Butheonlymovedclosertoher，passedhisarmoverhershoulderswithamovementsonaturalandprotectingthatithadacertaindignityinit，and，lookingdownuponherbentheadwitheyesbrimmingwithsympathy，whispered，\"Poor，poorchild！\"
WhereatMrs。Horncastleagainburstintotears。Andthen，withherheadhalfdrawntowardshisshoulder，shetoldhimall，——allthathadpassedbetweenherandherhusband，——evenallthattheyhadthenbuthintedat。Itwasasifshefeltshecouldnow，forthefirsttime，voicealltheseterriblememoriesofthepastwhichhadcomebacktoherlastnightwhenherhusbandhadlefther。Sheconcealednothing，sheveilednothing；therewereintervalswhenhertearsnolongerflowed，andacruelhardnessandreturnofheroldimperiousnessofvoiceandmannertooktheirplace，asifshewasdoingarigidpenanceandtookabittersatisfactioninlayingbareherwholesoultohim。\"Ineverhadafriend，\"shewhispered；
\"therewerewomenwhopersecutedmewiththeirjealoussneers；
thereweremenwhopersecutedmewiththeirselfishaffections。
WhenIfirstsawYOU，youseemedsomethingsoapartanddifferentfromallothermenthat，althoughIscarcelyknewyou，Iwantedtotellyou，eventhen，allthatIhavetoldyounow。Iwantedyoutobemyfriend；somethingtoldmethatyoucould，——thatyoucouldseparatemefrommypast；thatyoucouldtellmewhattodo；thatyoucouldmakemethinkasyouthought，seelifeasYOUsawit，andtrustalwaystosomegoodnessinpeopleasYOUdid。AndinthisfaithIthoughtthatyouwouldunderstandmenow，andevenforgivemeall。\"
Shemadeaslightmovementasiftodisengagehisarm，and，possibly，tolookintohiseyes，whichsheknewinstinctivelywerebentuponherdowncasthead。Butheonlyheldherthemoretightlyuntilhercheekwascloseagainsthisbreast。\"WhatcouldIdo？\"
shemurmured。\"Amaninsorrowandtroublemaygotoawomanforsympathyandsupportandtheworldwillnotgainsayormisunderstandhim。Butawoman——weaker，morehelpless，credulous，ignorant，andcravingforlight——mustnotinheragonygotoamanforsuccorandsympathy。\"
\"Whyshouldshenot？\"burstoutBarkerpassionately，releasingherinhisattempttogazeintoherface。\"Whatmandarerefuseher？\"
\"NotTHAT，\"shesaidslowly，butwithstillavertedeyes，\"butbecausetheworldwouldsaysheLOVEDhim。\"
\"Andwhatshouldshecarefortheopinionofaworldthatstandsasideandletshersuffer？Whyshouldsheheeditswretchedbabble？\"hewentoninflashingindignation。
\"Because，\"shesaidfaintly，liftinghermoisteyesandmoistandpartedlipstowardshim，——\"becauseitwouldbeTRUE！\"
Therewasasilencesoprofoundthateventhespringseemedtowithholditssongastheireyesandlipsmet。Whenthespringrecommenceditsmurmur，andtheycouldhearthedroningofabeeabovethemandtherustlingofthereed，shewasmurmuring，too，withherfaceagainsthisbreast：\"YoudidnotthinkitstrangethatIshouldfollowyou——thatIshouldriskeverythingtotellyouwhatIhavetoldyoubeforeItoldyouanythingelse？Youwillneverhatemeforit，George？\"
Therewasanothersilencestillmoreprolonged，andwhenhelookedagainintotheflushedfaceandglisteningeyeshewassaying，\"I
haveALWAYSlovedyou。IknownowIlovedyoufromthefirst，fromthedaywhenIleanedoveryoutotakelittleStafromyourlapandsawyourtendernessforhiminyoureyes。IcouldhavekissedyouTHEN，dearest，asIdonow。\"
\"And，\"shesaid，whenshehadgainedhersmilingbreathagain，\"youwillalwaysremember，George，thatyoutoldmethisBEFOREItoldyouanythingofher。\"
\"HER？Ofwhom，dearest？\"heasked，leaningoverhertenderly。
\"OfKitty——ofyourwife，\"shesaidimpatiently，asshedrewbackshylywithherformerintensegaze。
Hedidnotseemtograsphermeaning，butsaidgravely，\"LetusnottalkofherNOW。LaterweshallhaveMUCHtosayofher。For，\"headdedquietly，\"youknowImusttellherall。\"
Thecolorfadedfromhercheek。\"Tellherall！\"sherepeatedvacantly；thensuddenlysheturneduponhimeagerly，andsaid，\"Butwhatifsheisgone？\"
\"Gone？\"herepeated。
\"Yes；gone。WhatifshehasrunawaywithVanLoo？Whatifshehasdisgracedyouandherchild？\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"hesaid，seizingbothherhandsandgazingatherfixedly。
\"Imean，\"shesaid，withahalf-frightenedeagerness，\"thatshehasalreadygonewithVanLoo。George！George！\"sheburstoutsuddenlyandpassionately，fallinguponherkneesbeforehim，\"doyouthinkthatIwouldhavefollowedyouhereandtoldyouwhatI
didifIthoughtthatshehadnowtheslightestclaimuponyourloveorhonor？Don’tyouunderstandme？IcametotellyouofherflighttoBoomvillewiththatman；howIaccidentallyinterceptedthemthere；howItriedtosaveherfromhim，andevenliedtoyoutotrytosaveherfromyourindignation；buthowshedeceivedmeasshehasyou，andevenescapedandjoinedherloverwhileyouwerewithme。Icametotellyouthatandnothingmore，George，I
swearit。Butwhenyouwerekindtomeandpitiedme，Iwasmad——
wild！Iwantedtowinyoufirstoutofyourownlove。IwantedyoutorespondtoMINEbeforeyouknewyourwifewasfaithless。
YetIwouldhavesavedherifIcould。Listen，George！Amomentmorebeforeyouspeak！\"
Thenshehurriedlytoldhimall；thewholestoryofhiswife’sdishonor，fromherentranceintothesitting-roomwithVanLoo，herlaterappealforconcealmentfromherhusband’sunexpectedpresence，totheuseshemadeofthatconcealmenttoflywithherlover。Shesparednodetail，andevenrepeatedtheinsultMrs。
Barkerhadcastuponherwiththetriumphantreproachthatherhusbandwouldnotbelieveher。\"Perhaps，\"sheaddedbitterly，\"youmaynotbelievemenow。Icouldevenstandthatfromyou，George，ifitcouldmakeyouhappier；butyouwouldstillhavetobelieveitfromothers。ThepeopleattheBoomvilleHotelsawthemleaveittogether。\"
\"Idobelieveyou，\"besaidslowly，butwithdowncasteyes，\"andifIdidnotloveyoubeforeyoutoldmethisIcouldloveyounowforthepartyouhavetaken；but\"——Hestopped。
\"Youloveherstill，\"sheburstout，\"andImighthaveknownit。
Perhaps，\"shewentondistractedly，\"youloveherthemorethatyouhavelosther。Itisthewayofmen——andwomen。\"
\"IfIhadlovedhertruly，\"saidBarker，liftinghisfrankeyestohers，\"IcouldnothavetouchedYOURlips。Icouldnotevenhavewishedto——asIdidthreeyearsago——asIdidlastnight。ThenI
feareditwasmyweakness，nowIknowitwasmylove。Ihavethoughtofiteversince，evenwhilewaitingmywife’sreturnhere，knowingthatIdidnotandnevercouldhavelovedher。ButforthatveryreasonImusttrytosaveherforherownsake，ifI
cannotsaveherformine；andifIfail，dearest，itshallnotbesaidthatweclimbedtohappinessoverherbackbentwiththeburdenofhershame。IfIlovedyouandtoldyouso，thinkingherstillguiltlessandinnocent，howcouldIprofitnowbyherfault？\"
Mrs。Horncastlesawtoolatehermistake。\"Thenyouwouldtakeherback？\"shesaidfrenziedly。
\"Tomyhome——whichishers——yes。Tomyheart——no。Sheneverwasthere。\"
\"AndI，\"saidMrs。Horncastle，withaquiveringlip，——\"wheredoI
gowhenyouhavesettledthis？Backtomypastagain？Backtomyhusbandless，childlesslife？\"
Shewasturningaway，butBarkercaughtherinhisarmsagain。
\"No！\"hesaid，hiswholefacesuddenlyradiatingwithhopeandyouthfulenthusiasm。\"No！Kittywillhelpus；wewilltellherall。Youdonotknowher，dearest，asIdo——howgoodandkindsheis，inspiteofall。Wewillappealtoher；shewilldevisesomemeansbywhich，withoutthescandalofadivorce，sheandImaybeseparated。ShewilltakedearlittleStawithher——itisonlyright，poorgirl；butshewillletmecomeandseehim。Shewillbeasistertous，dearest。Courage！Allwillcomerightyet。
Trusttome。\"
AnhystericallaughcametoMrs。Horncastle’slipsandthenstopped。Forasshelookedupathiminhissupremehopefulness，hisdivineconfidenceinhimselfandothers——athishandsomefacebeamingwithloveandhappiness，andhiscleargrayeyesglitteringwithanalmostspiritualprescience——she，womanoftheworldandbitterexperience，andperfectlycognizantofherownandKitty’spossibilities，was，nevertheless，completelycarriedawaybyherlover’soptimism。Forofalloptimismthatofloveisthemostconvincing。Dearboy！——forhewasbutaboyinexperience——onlyhisloveforhercouldworkthismagic。Soshegavehimkissforkiss，largelybelieving，largelyhoping，thatMrs。BarkerwasinlovewithVanLooandwouldNOTreturn。Andinthishopeaninvinciblebeliefinthefollyofherownsexsoothedandsustainedher。
\"Wemustgonow，dearest，\"saidBarker，pointingtothesunalreadynearthemeridian。Threehourshadfled，theyknewnothow。\"I
willbringyoubacktothehillagain，buttherewehadbetterseparate，youtakingyourwayalonetothehotelasyoucame，andI
willgoalittlewayontheroadtotheDivideandreturnlater。
KeepyourowncounselaboutKittyforhersakeandours；perhapsnooneelsemayknowthetruthyet。\"Withafarewellkisstheyplungedagainhandinhandthroughthecoolbrackenandagainthroughthehotmanzanitabushes，andsopartedonthehilltop，astheyhadneverpartedbefore，leavingtheirwholeworldbehindthem。
Barkerwalkedslowlyalongtheroadundertheflickeringshadeofwaysidesycamore，hissensitivefacealsoalternatingwithhisthoughtinlightsandshadows。Presentlytherecrepttowardshimoutofthedistanceahalting，vacillating，deviatingbuggy，trailingacloudofdustafteritlikeabrokenwing。Asitcamenearerhecouldseethatthehorsewasspentandexhausted，andthatthebuggy’ssoleoccupant——awoman——wasequallyexhaustedinhermonotonousattempttourgeitforwardwithwhipandreinsthatroseandfellatintervalswithfeeblereiteration。Thenhesteppedoutoftheshadowandstoodinthemiddleofthesunlitroadtoawaitit。Forherecognizedhiswife。
Thebuggycamenearer。Andthenthemostexquisitepanghehadeverfeltbeforeathiswife’shandsshotthroughhim。Forassherecognizedhimshemadeawildbutimpotentattempttodashpasthim，andthenassuddenlypulledupintheditch。
Hewentuptoher。Shewasdirty，shewasdisheveled，shewashaggard，shewasplain。Therewereringsofdustroundhertear-
swepteyesandsmudgesofdust-driedperspirationoverherfaircheek。Hethoughtofthebeauty，freshness，andeleganceofthewomanhehadjustleft，andaninfinitepitysweptthesoulofthisweak-mindedgentleman。Herantowardsher，andtenderlyliftingherinhershame-stainedgarmentsfromthebuggy，saidhurriedly，\"Iknowitall，poorKitty！YouheardthenewsofVanLoo’sflight，andyouranovertotheDividetotryandsavesomeofyourmoney。Whydidn’tyouwait？Whydidn’tyoutellme？\"
Therewasnomistakingtherealityofhiswords，thegenuinepityandtendernessofhisaction；butthewomansawbeforeheronlythefamiliardupeofherlife，andfeltaninfinitereliefmingledwithacertaincontemptforhisweaknessandangeratherpreviousfearsofhim。
\"Youmighthavedrivenover，then，yourself，\"shesaidinahigh，querulousvoice，\"ifyouknewitsowell，andhavesparedMEthishorrid，dirty，filthy，hopelessexpedition，forIhavenotsavedanything——there！AndIhavehadallthisdisgustingbother！\"
Foraninstanthewassorelytemptedtolifthiseyestoherface，buthecheckedhimself；thenhegentlytookherdust-coatfromhershouldersandshookitout，wipedthedustfromherfaceandeyeswithhisownhandkerchief，heldherhatandblewthedustfromitwithavividmemoryofperformingthesameserviceforMrs。
Horncastleonlyanhourbefore，whileshearrangedherhair；andthen，liftingheragainintothebuggy，saidquietly，ashetookhisseatbesideherandgraspedthereins：——
\"Iwilldriveyoutothehotelbywayofthestables，andyoucangoatoncetoyourroomandchangeyourclothes。Youaretired，youarenervousandworried，andwantrest。Don’ttellmeanythingnowuntilyoufeelquiteyourselfagain。\"
Hewhippedupthehorse，who，recognizinganotherhandatthereins，lungedforwardinafinaleffort，andinafewminutestheywereatthehotel。
AsMrs。Horncastlesatatluncheoninthegreatdining-room，alittlepaleandabstracted，shesawMrs。Barkersweepconfidentlyintotheroom，fresh，rosy，andinanewandravishingtoilette。
WithaswiftglanceofconsciouspowertowardstheotherguestsshewalkedtowardsMrs。Horncastle。\"Ah，hereyouare，dear，\"shesaidinavoicethatcouldeasilyreachallears，\"andyou’vearrivedonlyalittlebeforeme，afterall。AndI’vehadsuchanAWFUL
drivetotheDivide！Andonlythink！poorGeorgetelegraphedtomeatBoomvillenottoworry，andhisdispatchhasonlyjustcomebackhere。\"
AndwithaglanceofcomplacencyshelaidBarker’sgentleandforgivingdispatchbeforetheastonishedMrs。Horncastle。
CHAPTERVIII。
AsthedayadvancedtheexcitementoverthefinancialcrisisincreasedatHymettus，until，inspiteofitsremoteandpeacefulisolation，itseemedtothrobthroughallitsverandasandcorridorswithsomepulsationfromtheouterworld。BesidesthelettersanddispatchesbroughtbyhurriedmessengersandbycoachfromtheDivide，therewasacrowdofguestsandservantsaroundthebranchtelegraphatthenewHeavyTreepost-officewhichwasconstantlyaugmenting。Addedtothenaturalanxietyofthedeeplyinterestedwasthestimulatedfeverofthefewwhowishedtobe\"inthefashion。\"Itwasearlyrumoredthataheavyoperator，aguestofthehotel，whowasalsoadirectorinthetelegraphcompany，hadboughtupthewiresforhissoleuse，thatthedispatchesweredoctoredinhisinterestsasa\"bear，\"andtherewaswildtalkoflynchingbytheindignantmob。PassengersfromSacramento，SanFrancisco，andMarysvillebroughtincrediblenewsandthewildestsensations。Firmafterfirmhadfailedinthegreatcities。Oldestablishedhousesthatdatedbacktothe\"springof’49，\"andhadweatheredthefiresandinundationsoftheirperilousCalifornianinfancy，collapsedbeforethismysterious，invisible，impalpablebreathofpanic。Companiesrootedinrespectabilityandsneeredatforold-fashionedwayswerediscoveredtohaveshamelesslyspeculatedwithtrusts！Aneminentdeaconandpillarofthechurchwasfounddeadinhisroomwithabulletinhisheartandadamningconfessiononthedeskbeforehim！Foreignbankersweresendingtheirgoldoutofthecountry；governmentwouldbeappealedtotoopenthevaultsoftheMint；therewouldbeanembargoonallbullionshipment！Nothingwastoowildorpreposteroustoberepeatedorcredited。
Andwiththisfeverofsordidpassionthesummertemperaturehadincreased。Forthelasttwoweeksthethermometerhadstoodabnormallyhighduringtheday-longsunshine；andthemetallicdustintheroadsovermineralrangesprickedtheskinlikered-hotneedles。Inthedeepestwoodsthearomaticsapstoodinbeadsonfelledlogsandsplinteredtree-shafts；eventhemountainnightbreezefailedtocoolthesebakedandheatedfastnesses。Therewereominouscloudsofsmokebydaythatwerepillarsoffirebynightalongthedistantvalleys。Someofthenearercrestswereetchedagainstthemidnightskybydullredcreepinglineslikeadyingfirework。Thegreathotelitselfcreakedandcrackledandwarpedthoughallitspainted，blistered，andveneeredexpanse，andwasfilledwiththestiflingbreathofdesiccation。Thestuccocrackedandcrumbledawayfromthecornices；therewereyawninggapsintheboardedfloorsbeneaththeTurkeycarpets。Plate-glasswindowsbecamehopelesslyfixedintheirwarpedandtwistedsashes，andaddedtotheheat；therewasawarmincenseofpinesapinthedining-roomthatflavoredallthecuisine。Andyetthebabbleofstocksandshareswenton，andpeopleprickedtheirearsovertheirsouptocatchthegossipofthelastarrival。
Demorest，loathingitallinhisnew-foundbitterness，wasneverthelessimpatientinhisinaction，andwaseagerlyawaitingatelegramfromStacy；Barkerhaddisappearedsinceluncheon。
Suddenlytherewasacommotionontheverandaasacarriagedroveupwithahandsome，gray-hairedwoman。InthebuzzingofvoicesaroundhimDemorestheardthenameofMrs。VanLoo。Infurthercomments，madeinmoresmotheredaccents，heheardthatVanLoohadbeenstoppedatCanyonStation，butthatnowarranthadyetbeenissuedagainsthim；thatitwasgenerallybelievedthatthebankdarednotholdhim；thatothersopenlyaverredthathehadbeenusedasascapegoattoavertsuspicionfromhigherguilt。AndcertainlyMrs。VanLoo’scalm，confidentairseemedtocorroboratetheseassertions。
Hewasstillwonderingifthestrangecoincidencewhichhadbroughtbothmotherandsonintohisownlifewasnotmerelyafancy，asfarasSHEwasconcerned，whenawaiterbroughtamessagefromMrs。
VanLoothatshewouldbegladtoseehimforafewmomentsinherroom。Lastnighthecouldscarcelyhaverestrainedhiseagernesstomeetherandelucidatethemysteryofthephotograph；nowhewasconsciousofanequallystrongrevulsionoffeeling，andadullpremonitionofevil。However，itwasnodoubtpossiblethatthemanhadtoldherofhispreviousinquiries，andshehadmerelyacknowledgedthembythatmessage。
DemorestfoundMrs。VanLoointheprivatesitting-roomwhereheandhisoldpartnershadsuppedontheprecedingnight。Shereceivedhimwithunmistakablecourtesyandevenacertaindignitythatmightormightnothavebeenassumed。Hehadnodifficultyinrecognizingtheson’smechanicalpolitenessinthefirst，buthewaspuzzledatthesecond。
\"Themanagerofthishotel，\"shebegan，withaforeigner’sprecisionofEnglish，\"hasjusttoldmethatyouwereatpresentoccupyingmyroomsathisinvitation，butthatyouwishedtoseemeatonceonmyreturn，andIbelievethatIwasnotwronginapprehendingthatyoupreferredtohearmywishesfrommyownlipsratherthanfromaninnkeeper。Ihadintendedtokeeptheseroomsforsomeweeks，but，unfortunatelyforme，thoughfortunatelyforyou，thepresentterriblefinancialcrisis，whichhasmostunjustlybroughtmysonintosuchscandalousprominence，willobligemetoreturntoSanFranciscountilhisreputationisfullyclearedofthesefoulaspersions。IshallonlyaskyoutoallowmetheundisturbedpossessionoftheseroomsforacoupleofhoursuntilI
canpackmytrunksandgatherupafewsouvenirsthatIalmostalwayskeepwithme。\"
\"Pray，considerthatyourwishesaremyowninrespecttothat，mydearmadam，\"returnedDemorestgravely，\"andthat，indeed，I
protestedagainsteventhistemporaryintrusionuponyourapartments；butIconfessthatnowthatyouhavespokenofyoursouvenirsIhavethegreatestcuriosityaboutoneofthem，andthatevenmyobjectinseekingthisinterviewwastogratifyit。ItisinregardtoaphotographwhichIsawonthechimney-pieceinyourbedroom，whichIthinkIrecognizedasthatofsomeonewhomI
formerlyknew。\"
Therewasasuddenlookofsharpsuspicionandevenhardaggressivenessthatquitechangedthelady’sfaceashementionedtheword\"souvenir，\"butitquicklychangedtoasmileassheputupherfanwithagestureofarchdeprecation，andsaid：
\"Ah！Isee。Ofcourse，alady’sphotograph。\"
ThereplyirritatedDemorest。Morethanthat，hefeltasuddensenseoftheabsolutesentimentalityofhisrequest，andtheconsciousnessthathewasabouttoinvitethefamiliarconfidenceofthisstrangewoman——whosesonhadforgedhisname——inregardtoHER！
\"ItwasaVenetianpicture，\"hebegan，andstopped，asingulardisgustkeepinghimfromvoicingthename。
ButMrs。VanLoowaslessreticent。\"Oh，youmeanmydearestfriend——alovelypicture，andyouknowher？Why，yes，surely。YouareTHEMr。Demorestwho——Ofcourse，thatoldlove-affair。Well，youareamarvel！Fiveyearsago，atleast，andyouhavenotforgotten！Ireallymustwriteandtellher。\"
\"Writeandtellher！\"Thenitwasallalieaboutherdeath！Hefeltnotonlyhisfaith，hishope，hisfutureleavinghim，butevenhisself-control。Withanefforthesaid。——
\"Ithinkyouhavealreadysatisfiedmycuriosity。Iwastoldfiveyearsagothatshewasdead。Itwasbecauseofthedateofthephotograph——twoyearslater——thatIventuredtointrudeuponyou。
Iwasanxiousonlytoknowthetruth。\"
\"ShecertainlywasverymuchlivingandoftheworldwhenIsawherlast，twoyearsago，\"saidMrs。VanLoo，withaneasysmile。\"I
daresaythatwasaruseofherrelatives——averystupidone——tobreakofftheaffair，forIthinktheyhadotherplans。But，dearme！nowIremember，wastherenotsomelittlequarrelbetweenyoubefore？Someletterfromyouthatwasnotverykind？Myimpressionisthattherewassomethingofthesort，andthattheyoungladywasindignant。Butonlyforatime，youknow。Sheverysoonforgotit。Idaresayifyouwrotesomethingverycharmingtoheritmightnotbetoolate。Wewomenareveryforgiving，Mr。
Demorest，andalthoughsheisverymuchsoughtafter，asareallyoungAmericangirlswhosefatherscangivethemacomfortable’dot’，herparentsmightbepersuadedtothrowoverapoorprinceforarichcountrymanintheend。Ofcourse，youknow，toyouRepublicansthereisalwayssomethingfascinatingintitlesandblood，andourdearfriendislikeothergirls。Still，itisworththerisk。Andfiveyearsofwaitinganddevotionreallyoughttotell。It’squitearomance！ShallIwritetoherandtellherI
haveseenyou，lookingwellandprosperous？Nothingmore。Doletme！Ishouldbedelighted。\"
\"Ithinkithardlyworthwhileforyoutogiveyourselfthattrouble，\"saidDemorestquietly，lookinginMrs。VanLoo’ssmilingeyes，\"nowthatIknowthestoryoftheyounglady’sdeathwasaforgery。AndIwillnotintrudefurtheronyourtime。Praygiveyourselfnoneedlesshurryoveryourpacking。ImaygotoSanFranciscothisafternoon，andnotevenrequiretheroomsto-night。\"
\"Atleast，letmemakeyouapresentofthesouvenirasanacknowledgmentofyourcourtesy，\"saidMrs。VanLoo，passingintoherbedroomandreturningwiththephotograph。\"Ifeelthatwithyourfiveyearsofconstancyitismoreyoursthanmine。\"AsagentlemanDemorestknewhecouldnotrefuse，andtakingthephotographfromherwithalowbow，withanotherfinalsalutationhewithdrew。
Alonebyhimselfinacorneroftheverandahewassurprisedthattheinterviewhadmadesolittleimpressiononhim，andhadsolittlealteredhisconviction。Hisdiscoverythattheannouncementofhisbetrothed’sdeathwasafictiondidnotaffectthefactthatthoughlivingshewasyetdeadtohim，andapparentlybyherownconsent。ThecontrastbetweenherlifeandhisduringthosefiveyearshadbeencovertlyaccentedbyMrs。VanLoo，whetherintentionallyornot，andhesawagainaslastnightthefullextentofhissentimentalfolly。Hecouldnotevencondolewithhimselfthathewasthevictimofmiserablefalsehoodsthatothershadinvented。SHEhadacceptedthem，andhadevenexcusedherdesertionofhimbythatlastdeceitoftheletter。
Hedrewoutherphotographandagainexaminedit，butnotasalover。Hadshereallygrownstouterandmoreself-complacent？Wasthespiritualityanddelicacyhehadworshipedinherpurelyhisownidioticfancy？Hadshealwaysbeenlikethis？Yes。Therewasthegirlwhocouldweaklystrive，weaklyrevengeherself，andweaklyforget。Therewasthefigurethathehadexpectedtofindcarveduponthetombwhichhehadlongsoughtthathemightweepover。Helaughedaloud。
Itwasveryhot，andhewasstiflingwithinaction。WhatwasBarkerdoing，andwhyhadnotStacytelegraphedtohim？Andwhatwerethosepeopleinthecourtyarddoing？Weretheydiscussingnewsoffurtherdisasterandruin？Perhapshewasevennowabeggar。Well，hisfortunemightgowithhisfaith。
Butthecrowdwassimplylookingattheroofofthehotel，andhenowsawthatablacksmokewasdriftingacrossthecourtyard，andwasconsciousofasmellofsootandburning。Hesteppeddownfromtheverandaamongthemingledguestsandservants，andsawthatthesmokewasonlypouringfromachimney。Heheard，too，thatthechimneyhadbeenonfire，andthatitwasMrs。VanLoo’sbedroomchimney，andthatwhenthestartledservantshadknockedatthelockeddoorshehadtoldthemthatshewasonlyburningsomeoldlettersandnewspapers，therefuseofhertrunks。Therewasnaturallysomeindignationthatthehotelhadbeensofoolishlyendangered，insuchscorchingweather，andthemanagerhadhadascenewithherwhichresultedinherleavingthehotelindignantlywithherhalf-packedboxes。Butevenafterthesmokehaddiedawayandthefirebeenextinguishedinthechimneyandhearth，therewasanacridsmellofsmoulderingpinepenetratingtheupperfloorsofthehotelallthatafternoon。
WhenMrs。VanLoodroveaway，themanagerreturnedwithDemoresttotherooms。Themarblehearthwassmokedanddiscoloredandstilllitteredwithcharredashesofburntpaper。\"Mybeliefis，\"saidthemanagerdarkly，\"thattheoldhagcameherejusttoburnupalotofincriminatingpapersthathersonhadintrustedtoherkeeping。Itlooksmightysuspicious。YouseeshegotupanawfullotofsidewhenItoldherIdidn’treckontorunasmeltingfurnaceinawoodenhotelwiththethermometeratonehundredintheoffice，andIreckonitwasjustanexcuseforgettingoffinahurry。\"
ButthecontinueddelayinStacy’spromisedtelegramhadbeguntoworkuponDemorest’susualequanimity，andhescarcelylistenedinhisanxietyforhisoldpartner。HeknewthatStacyshouldhavearrivedinSanFranciscobynoon。HehadalmostdeterminedtotakethenexttrainfromtheDividewhentwohorsemendashedintothecourtyard。Therewastheusualstirontheverandaandrushfornews，butthetwonewarrivalsturnedouttobeBarker，onahorsecoveredwithfoam，andadashing，elegantlydressedstrangeronamustangascarefullygroomedandasspotlessashimself。DemorestinstantlyrecognizedJackHamlin。
HehadnotseenHamlinsincethatday，fiveyearsbefore，whenthelatterhadaccompaniedthethreepartnerswiththeirtreasuretoBoomville，andhadhandedhimthemysteriouspacket。Asthetwomendismountedhurriedlyandmovedtowardshim，hefeltapremonitionofsomethingasfatefulandimportantasthen。InobediencetoasignfromBarkerheledthemtoamoresecludedangleoftheveranda。Hecouldnothelpnoticingthathisyoungerpartner’sfacewasmobileasever，butmorethoughtfulandolder；
yethisvoicerangwiththeoldfreemasonryofthecamp，ashesaid，withalaugh，\"Thesignalhasbeengiven，andit’sbootandsaddleandaway。\"
\"ButIhavehadnodispatchfromStacy，\"saidDemorestinsurprise。
\"HewastotelegraphtomefromSanFranciscoinanyemergency。\"
\"Henevergotthereatall，\"saidBarker。\"JackranslapintoVanLooattheDivide，andsentadispatchtoJim，whichstoppedhimhalfwayuntilJackcouldreachhim，whichhenearlybrokehisnecktodo；andthenJackfinishedupbybringingamessagefromStacytousthatweshouldallmeettogetherontheslopeofHeavyTree，neartheBar。ImetJackjustasIwasridingintotheDivide，andcamebackwithhim。Hewilltellyoutherest，andyoucanswearbywhatJacksays，forhe’swhiteallthrough，\"headded，layinghishandaffectionatelyonHamlin’sshoulder。
Hamlinwincedslightly。ForhehadNOTtoldBarkerthathiswifewaswithVanLoo，norhisfirstreasonforinterfering。ButherelatedhowhehadfinallyovertakenVanLooatCanyonStation，andhowthefugitivehaddisclosedtheconspiracyofSteptoeandHallagainstthebankandMarshallasthepriceofhisownrelease。Onthisnews，rememberingthatStacyhadpassedtheDivideonhiswaytothestation，hehadfirstsentadispatchtohim，andthenmethimatthefirststationontheroad。\"Ireckon，gentlemen，\"saidHamlin，withanunusualearnestnessinhisvoice，\"thathe’dnotonlygotmytelegram，butALLTHENEWSthathadbeenflyingaroundthismorning，forhelookedlikeamantowhomitwasjusta’toss-
up’whetherhetookhisownlifethenandthereorwaswillingtohavesomebodyelsetakeitforhim，forhesaid，’I’llgomyself，’
andtelegraphedtohavethesurveyorstoppedfromcoming。Thenhetoldmetotellyoufellows，andaskyoutocometoo。\"Jackpaused，andaddedhalfmischievously，\"HesortofaskedMEwhatI
wouldtaketostandbyhimintherow，iftherewasone，andItoldhimI’dtake——whiskey！Yousee，boys，it’sakindofoff-nightwithme，andIwouldn’tmindforthesakeofoldtimestofinishthegamewitholdSteptoethatIbeganamatteroffiveyearsago。\"
\"Allright，\"saidDemorest，withakindlingeye；\"Isupposewe’dbetterstartatonce。Onemoment，\"headded。\"Barkerboy，willyouexcusemeifIspeakawordtoHamlin？\"AsBarkernoddedandwalkedtotherailsoftheveranda，DemoresttookHamlinaside，\"YouandI，\"hesaidhurriedly，\"areSINGLEmen；Barkerhasawifeandchild。Thisislikelytobenochild’splay。\"
ButJackHamlinwasnofool，andfromcertainleadingquestionswhichBarkerhadalreadyput，butwhichhehadskillfullyevaded，hesurmisedthatBarkerknewsomethingofhiswife’sescapade。Heansweredalittlemoreseriouslythanhiswont，\"Idon’tthinkasregardsHISWIFEthatwouldmakemuchdifferencetohimorherhowstifftheworkwas。\"
Demorestturnedawaywithhislastpangofbitterness。ItneededonlythisconfirmationofallthatStacyhadhinted，ofwhathehimselfhadseeninhisbriefinterviewwithMrs。Barkersincehisreturn，toshakehislastremainingfaith。\"We’llallgotogether，then，\"hesaid，withalaugh，\"asintheoldtimes，andperhapsit’saswellthatwehavenowomaninourconfidence。\"
Anhourlaterthethreemenpassedquietlyoutofthehotel，scarcelynoticedbytheotherguests，whowerealsoobliviousoftheirabsenceduringtheevening。ForMrs。Barker，quiterecoveredfromherfatiguingride，wasinhighspiritsandthemostbeautifulandspotlessofsummergowns，andwasconsideredquiteaheroinebytheotherladiesasshedweltupontheterribleheatofherreturnjourney。\"OnlyIknewMr。Barkerwouldbeworried——andthepoormanactuallywalkedamiledowntheDivideroadtomeetme——I
believeIshouldhavestayedthereallday。\"SheglancedroundtheothergroupsforMrs。Horncastle，butthatladyhadretiredearly。
Possiblyshealonehadnoticedtheabsenceofthetwopartners。
Theguestssatupuntilquitelate，fortheheatseemedtogrowstillmoreoppressive，andthestrangesmellofburningwoodrevivedthegossipaboutMrs。VanLooandherstupidityinsettingfiretoherchimney。Someaverredthatitwouldbedaysbeforethesmellcouldbegotoutofthehouse；othersreferredittothefiresinthewoods，whichwerenowdangerouslynear。Onespokeoftheisolatedpositionofthehotelasaffordingthegreatestsecurity，butwasmetbytheassertionofafamousmountaineerthattheforestfireswerewonttoleapfromcresttocrestmysteriously，withoutanyapparentcontinuouscontact。Thisledtomoreorlesslight-heartedconjectureofpresentdangerandsomeamusingstoriesofhotelfiresandtheirludicrousrevelations。Therewerealsosomeentertainingspeculationsastowhattheywoulddoandwhattheywouldtrytosaveinsuchanemergency。
\"Formyself，\"saidMrs。Barkeraudaciously，\"IshouldcertainlyletMr。BarkerlookafterStaandconfinemyselfentirelytogettingawaywithmydiamonds。Iknowthewretchwouldneverthinkofthem。\"
Itwasstilllaterwhen，exhaustedbytheheatandsomereactionfromtheexcitementoftheday，theyatlastdesertedtheverandafortheirrooms，andforawhiletheshadowybulkofthewholebuildingwaspickedoutwithregularlyspacedlightsfromitsopenwindows，untilnowthesefinallyfadedandwentoutonebyone。Anhourlaterthewholebuildinghadsunktorest。Itwassaidthatitwasonlyfourinthemorningwhenayawningporter，havingputoutthelightinadark，uppercorridor，wasamazedbyadullglowfromthetopofthewall，andawoketothefactthataredfire，asyetsmokelessandflameless，wascreepingalongthecornice。Herantotheofficeandgavethealarm；butonreturningwithassistancewasstoppedinthecorridorbyanimpenetrablewallofsmokeveinedwithmurkyflashes。Thealarmwasgiveninallthelowerfloors，andtheoccupantsrushedfromtheirbedshalfdressedtothecourtyard，onlytosee，astheyafterwardsaverred，theflamesburstlikecannondischargesfromtheupperwindowsanduniteabovethecracklingroof。Sosuddenandcompletewasthecatastrophe，althoughslowlypreparedbyaleakintheoverheatedchimneybetweenthefloors，thateventheexcitementoffearandexertionwassparedthesurvivors。Therewasbewildermentandstupor，butneitheruproarnorconfusion。Peoplefoundthemselveswanderinginthewoods，halfawakeandhalfdressed，havingdescendedfromthebalconiesandleapedfromthewindows，——theyknewnothow。Othersontheupperfloorneitherawokenormovedfromtheirbeds，butweresuffocatedwithoutacry。Fromthefirstaninstinctiveideaofthehopelessnessofcombatingtheconflagrationpossessedthemall；toablind，automaticfeelingtofleethebuildingwasaddedtheslowmechanismofthesomnambulist；
delicatewomenwalkedspeechlessly，butsecurely，alongledgesandroofsfromwhichtheywouldhavefallenbythemerelightofreasonandofday。Therewasnocrowdingorimpedinghasteintheirdumbexodus。ItwasonlywhenMrs。Barkerawokedisheveledinthecourtyard，andwithanhystericaloutcryrushedbackintothehotel，thattherewasanysignofpanic。
Mrs。Horncastle，whowasstandingnear，fullydressedasfromsomenight-longvigil，quicklyfollowedher。Thehalf-franticwomanwasmakingdirectlyforherownapartments，whosewindowsthoseinthecourtyardcouldseewerealreadybelchingsmoke。SuddenlyMrs。
Horncastlestoppedwithabittercryandclaspedherforehead。IthadjustflasheduponherthatMrs。BarkerhadtoldheronlyafewhoursbeforethatStahadbeenremovedwiththenursetotheUPPER
FLOOR！ItwasnottheforgottenchildthatMrs。Barkerwasreturningfor，butherdiamonds！Mrs。Horncastlecalledher；shedidnotreply。Thesmokewasalreadypouringdownthestaircase。
Mrs。Horncastlehesitatedforamomentonly，andthen，drawingalongbreath，dashedupthestairs。Onthefirstlandingshestumbledoversomething——theprostratefigureofthenurse。Butthissavedher，forshefoundthatnearthefloorshecouldbreathemorefreely。Beforeherappearedtobeanopendoor。Shecreptalongtowardsitonherhandsandknees。Thefrightenedcryofachild，awakenedfromitssleepinthedark，gavehernervetorise，entertheroom，anddashopenthewindow。Bytheflashinglightshecouldseealittlefigurerisingfromabed。ItwasSta。
Therewasnotamomenttobelost，fortheopenwindowwasbeginningtodrawthesmokefromthepassage。Luckily，theboy，bysomechildishinstinct，threwhisarmsroundherneckandleftherhandsfree。Whisperinghimtoholdtight，sheclamberedoutofthewindow。Anarrowledgeofcornicescarcelywideenoughforherfeetranalongthehousetoadistantbalcony。Withherbacktothehouseshezigzaggedherfeetalongthecornicetogetawayfromthesmoke，whichnowpoureddirectlyfromthewindow。Thenshegrewdizzy；theweightofthechildonherbosomseemedtobetopplingherforwardtowardstheabyssbelow。Sheclosedhereyes，franticallygraspingthechildwithcrossedarmsonherbreastasshestoodontheledge，until，asseenfrombelowthroughthetwistingsmoke，theymighthaveseemedafigureoftheMadonnaandChildnichedinthewall。Thenavoicefromabovecalledtoher，\"Courage！\"andshefelttheflapofatwistedsheetloweredfromanupperwindowagainstherface。Shegraspediteagerly；itheldfirmly。Thensheheardacryfrombelow，sawthemcarryingaladder，andatlastwasliftedwithherburdenfromtheledgebypowerfulhands。Thenonlydidsheraisehereyestotheupperwindowwhencehadcomeherhelp。Smokeandflamewerepouringfromit。Theunknownherowhohadsacrificedhisonlychanceofescapetoherremainedforeverunknown……
OnlyfourmilesawaythatnightagroupofmenwerewaitingforthedawnintheshadowofapinenearHeavyTreeBar。AstheskyglowedredlyoverthecrestbetweenthemandHymettus，Hamlinsaid：——
\"Anotheroneofthoseforestfires。It’sthissideofBlackSpur，andabigone，Ireckon。\"
\"Doyouknow，\"saidBarkerthoughtfully，\"IwasthinkingofthetimetheoldcabinburntuponHeavyTree。Itlookstobeaboutinthesameplace。\"
\"Hush！\"saidStacysharply。
CHAPTERIX。
Anabandonedtunnel——anirregularorificeinthemountainflankwhichlookedlikeadried-upsewerthathaddisgorgedthroughitsopeningtherefuseofthemountaininredslime，gravel，andapeculiarclayknownas\"cement，\"inafoulstreakdownitsside；anarrowledgeoneitherside，brokenupbyheapsofquartz，tailings，androck，andhalfhiddeninscrub，oak，andmyrtle；adecayingcabinoflogs，bark，andcobblestones——thesemadeuptheexterioroftheMarshallclaim。Tothisdefacementofthemountain，therudeclearingofthicketandunderbrushbyfireorblasting，theloppingoftree-boughsandthedecapitationofsaplings，mightbeaddedthedebrisandruinsofhalf-civilizedoccupancy。Thegroundbeforethecabinwascoveredwithbrokenboxes，tincans，thestavesandbrokenhoopsofcasks，andthecast-offragsofblanketsandclothing。Thewholeclaiminitsunsavory，unpicturesquedetails，anditsvulgarstoryofsordid，reckless，andselfishoccupancyandabandonment，wasafoulblotonthelandscape，whichthefirstrosydawnonlymadethemoreoffending。Surelythelastspotintheworldthatmenshouldquarrelandfightfor！
SothoughtGeorgeBarker，aswithhiscompanionstheymovedinsinglefileslowlytowardsit。Thelittlepartyconsistedonlyofhimself，Demorest，andStacy；MarshallandHamlin——accordingtoaprearrangedplan——werestillinambushtojointhematthefirstappearanceofSteptoeandhisgang。Theclaimwasyetunoccupied；
theyhadsecuredtheirfirstsuccess。Steptoe’sfollowers，unawarethathisdesignhadbeendiscovered，andconfidentthattheycouldeasilyreachtheclaimbeforeMarshallandthesurveyor，hadlingered。SomeofthemhadheldadrunkencarouseattheirrendezvousatHeavyTree。Otherswerestillengagedinprocuringshovelsandpicksandpansfortheirmockequipmentasminers，andthis，again，gaveMarshall’sadherentstheadvantage。THEYknewthattheiropponentswouldprobablyfirstapproachtheemptyclaimencumberedonlywiththeirpeacefulimplements，whiletheythemselveshadbroughttheirrifleswiththem。
Stacy，whobytacitconsentledtheparty，onreachingtheclaimatoncepostedDemorestandBarkereachbehindaseparateheapofquartztailingsontheledge，whichaffordedthemacapitalbreastwork，andstationedhimselfatthemouthofthetunnelwhichwasnearestthetrail。Ithadalreadybeenarrangedwhateachmanwastodo。Theywereinpossession。Fortheresttheymustwait。
Whattheythoughtatthatmomentnooneknew。Theircharacteristicappearancehadslightlychanged。ThemelancholyandphilosophicDemorestwasalertandbitter。Barker’schangefulfacehadbecomefixedandsteadfast。Stacyaloneworehis\"fightinglook，\"whichtheothershadremembered。
Theyhadnotlongtowait。Thesoundsofrudelaughter，coarseskylarking，andvoicesmoreorlessstillconfusedwithhalf-spentliquorcamefromtherockytrail。AndthenSteptoeappearedwithpartofhisstragglingfollowers，whowerecelebratingtheireasyinvasionbyclatteringtheirpicksandshovelsandbeatingloudlyupontheirtinsandprospecting-pans。Thethreepartnersquicklyrecognizedthestampofthestrangers，inspiteoftheirpeacefulimplements。TheywerethewaifsandstraysofSanFranciscowharves，ofSacramentodens，ofdissolutemountaintowns；andtherewasnot，probably，asingleactualmineramongthem。AragingscornandcontempttookpossessionofBarkerandDemorest，butStacyknewtheirexactvalue。AsSteptoepassedbeforetheopeningofthetunnelheheardthecryof\"Halt！
Helookedup。HesawStacynotthirtyyardsbeforehimwithhisrifleathalf-cock。HesawBarkerandDemorest，fullyarmed，risefrombehindtheirbreastworksofrockalongtheledgeandthusfullyoccupytheclaim。Buthesawmore。Hesawthathisplotwasknown。Outlawanddesperadoashewas，hesawthathehadlosthismoralpowerinthisactualpossession，andthatfromthatmomenthemustbetheaggressor。Hesawhewasfightingnoirresponsiblehirelingslikehisown，butmenofpositionandimportance，whoselosswouldmakeastir。Againsttheirriflesthefewrevolversthathismenchancedtohaveslungtothemwereoflittleavail。
Buthewasnotcowed，althoughhisfewfollowersstumbledtogetheratthismomentarycheck，halfangrily，halftimorouslylikewolveswithoutaleader。\"Bringuptheothermenandtheirguns，\"hewhisperedfiercelytothenearest。ThenhefacedStacy。
\"WhoareYOUtostoppeacefulminersgoingtoworkontheirownclaim？\"hesaidcoarsely。\"I’lltellyouWHO，boys，\"headded，suddenlyturningtohismenwithahoarselaugh。\"Itain’teventhebank！It’sonlyJimStacy，thatthebankkickedoutyesterdaytosaveitself，——JimStacyandhisbroken-downpals。Andwhat’sthethiefdoinghere——inMarshall’stunnel——theonlyspotthatMarshallcanclaim？Weain’tnoparticularfriendso’Marshall’s，thoughwe’reneighborsonthesameclaim；butweain’tgoingtoseeMarshalloustedbytramps。Arewe，boys？\"
\"No，byG-d！\"saidhisfollowers，droppingthepansandseizingtheirpicksandrevolvers。Theyunderstoodtheappealtoarmsifnottotheirreason。Foraninstantthefightseemedimminent。
Thenavoicefrombehindthemsaid：——
\"Youneedn’ttroubleyourselvesaboutthat！I’MMarshall！IsentthesegentlementooccupytheclaimuntilIcameherewiththesurveyor，\"andtwomensteppedfromathicketofmyrtleintherearofSteptoeandhisfollowers。Thespeaker，Marshall，wasathin，slight，overworked，over-agedman；hiscompanion，thesurveyor，wasequallyslight，butred-bearded，spectacled，andprofessional-
looking，withalongtraveling-dusterthatmadehimappearevenclerical。TheywerescarcelyaphysicaladditiontoStacy’sparty，whatevermighthavebeentheirmoralandlegalsupport。
ButitwasjustthissupportthatSteptoestrangelyclungtoinhisdesignsforthefuture，andawildideaseizedhim。Thesurveyorwasreallytheonlydisinterestedwitnessbetweenthetwoparties。
IfSteptoecouldconfusehismindbeforetheactualfighting——fromwhichhewould，ofcourse，escapeasanon-combatant——itwouldgofarafterwardstorehabilitateSteptoe’sparty。\"Verywell，then，\"
hesaidtoMarshall，\"Ishallcallthisgentlemantowitnessthatwehavebeenattackedhereinpeaceablepossessionofourpartoftheclaimbythesearmedstrangers，andwhethertheyareactingonyourorderornot，theirbloodwillbeonyourhead。\"
\"ThenIreckon，\"saidthesurveyor，ashetoreawayhisbeard，wig，spectacles，andmustache，andrevealedthefigureofJackHamlin，\"thatI’maboutthelastwitnessthatMr。Steptoe-Horncastleoughttocall，andaboutthelastwitnessthatheeverWILLcall！\"
ButhehadnotcalculateduponthedesperationofSteptoeoverthefailureofthislasthope。Fortheresprangupintheoutlaw’sbrainthesamehideousideathathevoicedtohiscompanionsattheDivide。Withahoarsecrytohisfollowers，hecrashedhispickaxeintothebrainofMarshall，whostoodnearhim，andsprangforward。
Threeorfourshotswereexchanged。Twoofhismenfell，abulletfromStacy’sriflepiercedSteptoe’sleg，andhedroppedforwardononeknee。Heheardthestepsofhisreinforcementswiththeirweaponscomingclosebehindhim，androlledasideontheslopingledgetoletthempass。Butherolledtoofar。Hefelthimselfslippingdownthemountain-sideintheslimyshootofthetunnel。
Hemadeadesperateattempttorecoverhimself，butthetreacherousdriftoftheloosedebrisrolledwithhim，asifhewerepartofitsrefuse，and，carryinghimdown，lefthimunconscious，butotherwiseuninjured，inthebushesofthesecondledgefivehundredfeetbelow。
Whenherecoveredhissensestheshoutsandoutcriesabovehimhadceased。Heknewhewassafe。Theledgecouldonlybereachedbyacircuitousroutethreemilesaway。Heknew，too，thatifhecouldonlyreachapointofoutcropahundredyardsawayhecouldeasilydescendtothestageroad，downthegentleslopeofthemountainhiddeninagrowthofhazel-brush。Hebounduphiswoundedleg，anddraggedhimselfonhishandsandkneeslaboriouslytotheoutcrop。Hedidnotlookup；sincehispickhadcrashedintoMarshall’sbrainhehadbutoneblindthoughtbeforehim——toescapeatonce！Thathisrevengeandcompensationwouldcomelaterheneverdoubted。Helimpedandcrept，rolledandfell，frombushtobushthroughtheslopingthickets，untilhesawtheredroadafewfeetbelowhim。
Ifheonlyhadahorsehecouldputmilesbetweenhimandanypresentpursuit！Whyshouldhenothaveone？Theroadwasfrequentedbysolitaryhorsemen——minersandMexicans。Hehadhisrevolverwithhim；whatmatteredthelifeofanothermanifheescapedfromtheconsequencesoftheonehehadjusttaken？Heheardtheclatterofhoofs；twopriestsonmulesrodeslowlyby；hegroundhisteethwithdisappointment。Buttheyhadscarcelypassedbeforeanotherandmorerapidclattercamefromtheirrear。Itwasaladonhorseback。Hestarted。Itwashisownson！
Herememberedinaflashhowtheboyhadsaidhewascomingtomeetthepadreatthestationonthatday。Hisfirstimpulsewastohidehimself，hiswound，andhisdefeatfromthelad，buttheblindideaofescapewasstillparamount。Heleanedoverthebankandcalledtohim。Theastonishedladcanteredeagerlytohisside。
\"Givemeyourhorse，Eddy，\"saidthefather；\"I’minbadluck，andmustget。\"
Theboyglancedathisfather’sface，athistatteredgarmentsandbandagedleg，andreadthewholestory。Itwasafamiliarpagetohim。Hepaledfirstandthenflushed，andthen，withanoddglitterinhiseyes，said，\"Takemewithyou，father。Do！Youalwaysdidbefore。I’llbringyouluck。\"
Desperationissuperstitious。Whynottakehim？Theyhadbeenluckybefore，andthetwotogethermightconfoundanydescriptionoftheiridentitytothepursuers。\"Helpmeup，Eddy，andthengetupbeforeme。\"
\"BEHIND，youmean，\"saidtheboy，withalaugh，ashehelpedhisfatherintothesaddle。
\"No，\"saidSteptoeharshly。\"BEFOREme，——doyouhear？AndifanythinghappensBEHINDyou，don’tlook！IfIdropoff，don’tstop！Don’tgetdown，butgoonandleaveme。Doyouunderstand？\"
herepeatedalmostsavagely。
\"Yes，\"saidtheboytremulously。
\"Allright，\"saidthefather，withasoftervoice，ashepassedhisonearmroundtheboy’sbodyandliftedthereins。\"Holdtightwhenwecometothecross-roads，forwe’lltakethefirstturn，foroldluck’ssake，totheMission。\"
Theywerethelastwordsexchangedbetweenthem，forastheywheeledrapidlytotheleftatthecross-roads，JackHamlinandDemorestswungasquicklyoutofanotherroadtotherightimmediatelybehindthem。Jack’schallengeto\"Halt！\"wasonlyansweredbySteptoe’shorsespringingforwardunderthesharplashoftheriata。
\"Holdup！\"saidJacksuddenly，layinghishandupontheriflewhichDemoresthadliftedtohisshoulder。\"He’scarryingsomeone，——awoundedcomrade，Ireckon。Wedon’twantHIM。Swingoutandgoforthehorse；wellforward，intheneckorshoulder。\"
Demorestswungfarouttotherightoftheroadandraisedhisrifle。AsitcrackedSteptoe’shorseseemedtohavesuddenlystrucksomeobstacleaheadofhimratherthantohavebeenhithimself，forhisheadwentdownwithhisforefeetunderhim，andheturnedahalf-somersaultontheroad，flinginghistworidersadozenfeetaway。
Steptoescrambledtohisknees，revolverinhand，buttheotherfigurenevermoved。\"Handsup！\"saidJack，sightinghisownweapon。Thereportsseemedsimultaneous，butJack’sbullethadpiercedSteptoe’sbrainevenbeforetheoutlaw’spistolexplodedharmlesslyintheair。
Thetwomendismounted，butbyacommoninstincttheybothrantotheprostratefigurethathadnevermoved。
\"ByGod！it’saboy！\"saidJack，leaningoverthebodyandliftingtheshouldersfromwhichtheheadhungloosely。\"Neckbrokenanddeadashispal。\"Suddenlyhestarted，and，toDemorest’sastonishment，beganhurriedlypullingofftheglovefromtheboy’slimprighthand。
\"Whatareyoudoing？\"demandedDemorestincreepinghorror。
\"Look！\"saidJack，ashelaidbarethesmallwhitehand。Thefirsttwofingersweremerelyunsightlystumpsthathadbeenhiddeninthepaddedglove。
\"GoodGod！VanLoo’sbrother！\"saidDemorest，recoiling。
\"No！\"saidJack，withagrimface，\"it’swhatIhavelongsuspected，——it’sSteptoe’sson！\"
\"Hisson？\"repeatedDemorest。
\"Yes，\"saidJack；andheadded，afterlookingatthetwobodieswithalong-drawnwhistleofconcern，\"andIwouldn’t，ifIwereyou，sayanythingofthistoBarker。\"
\"Why？\"saidDemorest。
\"Well，\"returnedJack，\"whenourscrimmagewasoverdownthere，andtheybroughtthenewstoBarkerthathiswifeandherdiamondswereburntupatthehotel，yourememberthattheysaidthatMrs。
Horncastlehadsavedhisboy。\"
\"Yes，\"saidDemorest；\"butwhathasthattodowithit？\"
\"Nothing，Ireckon，\"saidJack，withaslightshrugofhisshoulders，\"onlyMrs。Horncastlewasthemotheroftheboythat’slyingthere。\"……
TwoyearslaterasDemorestandStacysatbeforethefireintheoldcabinonMarshall’sclaim——nowlegallytheirown——theylookedfromthedoorbeyondthegreatbulkofBlackSpurtothepallidsnow-lineoftheSierras，stillasremoteandunchangedtothemaswhentheyhadgazeduponitfromHeavyTreeHill。And，forthematterofthat，theythemselvesseemedtohavebeenleftsounchangedthatevennow，asintheolddays，itwasBarker’svoiceashegreetedthemfromthedarkeningtrailthatalonebroketheirreverie。
\"Well，\"saidDemorestcheerfully，\"yourusualluck，Barkerboy！\"
fortheyalreadysawinhisfacethehappylighttheyhadonceseenthereonaneventfulnightsevenyearsago。
\"I’mtobemarriedtoMrs。Horncastlenextmonth，\"hesaidbreathlessly，\"andlittleStalovesheralreadyasifshewashisownmother。Wishmejoy。\"
AslightshadowpassedoverStacy’sface；buthishandwasthefirsttograspBarker’s，andhisvoicethefirsttosay\"Amen！\"