Perhapsitwashisveryinabilitytograspinthatexhaustedstatethefullcomprehensionofthedoctor’smeaning，perhapsbecausethephysicalbenumbingofhisbrainwasstrongerthananymentalexcitement，buthesleptagainuntilthedoctorreappeared。
\"You’redoingwellenoughnow，colonel，\"saidthephysician，afterabriefexaminationofhispatient，\"andIthinkwecanaffordtowakeyouupabit，andevenletyoumoveyourarm。You’reluckierthanpoorTomHigbee，whowon’tbeabletosethislegtothefloorforthreeweekstocome。Ihaven’tgotallthebuckshotoutofityetthatJackDumontputtheretheothernight。\"
Courtlandstartedslightly。JackDumont！ThatwasthenameofSallyDowscousinofwhomChampneyhadspoken！Hehadresolutelyputasidefromhisreturningmemorythehazyrecollectionoftheyounggirl’svoice——thelastthinghehadheardthatnight——andthemysterythatseemedtosurroundit。Buttherewasnodelusioninthiscousin——hisrival，andthatoftheequallydeceivedChampney。
Hecontrolledhimselfandrepeatedcoldly：——
\"JackDumont！\"
\"Yes。Butofcourseyouknewnothingofallthat，whileyouwereoffintheswampthere。Yet，byJingo！itwasDumont’sshootingHigbeethathelpedYOUtogetoffyourniggeradarnedsightmorethanYOURkillingthedogs。\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"returnedCourtlandcoldly。
\"Well，yousee，Dumont，whohadtakenupNo’th’nprinciples，I
reckon，moretogoadtheHigbeesandpleaseSallyDowsthanfromanyconviction，cameoverherethatnight。Whetherhesuspectedanythingwasup，orwantedtodareHigbeeforbedevilment，orwasonlydancingattendanceonMissSally，nooneknows。ButherodeslapintoHighee’sparty，calledout，’Ifyou’reouthunting，Tom，here’sachanceforyourscore！’meaningtheiroldvendettafeud，andbringshisshot—gunuptohisshoulder。Higbeewasn’tquickenough，Dumontletsfly，dropsHigbee，andthengallopsoffchasedbytheReedstoavengeHigbee，andfollowedbythewholecrowdtoseethefun，whichwasalittlebetterthannigger—driving。AndthatletyouandCatoout，colonel。\"
\"AndDumont？\"
\"GotcleanawaytoFoxboro’Station，leavinganotherscoreonhissidefortheReedsandHigbeestowipeoutasbesttheycan。YouNo’th’nmendon’tbelieveinthesesortofthings，colonel，buttakenasastraightdashandhito’raiding，thatstrokeofSallyDows’cousinwasmightyfine！\"
Courtlandcontrolledhimselfwithdifficulty。Thedoctorhadspokentruly。TheheroofthismiserableaffairwasHERcousin——
HISRIVAL！Andtohim——perhapsinfluencedbysomepityingappealofMissSallyforthemanshehaddeceived——Courtlandowedhislife！Heinstinctivelydrewaquick，sharpbreath。
\"Areyouinpain？\"
\"Notatall。WhencanIgetup？\"
\"Perhapsto—morrow。\"
\"Andthisarm？\"
\"Betternotuseitforaweekortwo。\"Hestopped，and，glancingpaternallyattheyoungerman，addedgravelybutkindly：\"Ifyou’lltakemyunprofessionaladvice，ColonelCourtland，you’llletthismattersimmerdown。Itwon’thurtyouandyouraffairsherethatfolkshavehadatasteofyourquality，andtheniggeralessonthathisfellowswon’tforget。\"
\"Ithankyou，\"returnedCourtlandcoldly;\"butIthinkIalreadyunderstandmydutytothecompanyIrepresentandtheGovernmentI
haveserved。\"
\"Possibly，colonel，\"saidthedoctorquietly;\"butyou’llletanoldermanremindyouandtheGovernmentthatyoucan’tchangethehabitsorrelationsoftwodistinctracesinafewyears。Yourfriend，MissSallyDows——althoughnotquiteinmywayofthinking——
hasneverattemptedTHAT。\"
\"IamfullyawarethatMissDowspossessesdiplomaticaccomplishmentsandgracesthatIcannotlayclaimto，\"returnedCourtlandbitterly。
Thedoctorliftedhiseyebrowsslightlyandchangedthesubject。
Whenhehadgone，Courtlandcalledforwritingmaterials。Hehadalreadymadeuphismind，andonecoursealoneseemedpropertohim。Hewrotetothepresidentofthecompany，detailingthecircumstancesthathadjustoccurred，admittingtheallegedprovocationgivenbyhisoverseer，butpointingouttheterrorismofamob—lawwhichrenderedhisowndisciplineimpossible。HeaskedthatthematterbereportedtoWashington，andsomemeasurestakenfortheprotectionofthefreedmen，inthemeantimehebeggedtotenderhisownresignation，buthewouldstayuntilhissuccessorwasappointed，orthesafetyofhisemployeessecured。
Untilthen，heshouldactuponhisownresponsibilityandaccordingtohisjudgment。Hemadenopersonalcharges，mentionednonames，askedfornoexemplaryprosecutionortrialoftheoffenders，butonlydemandedasafeguardagainstarepetitionoftheoffense。Hisnextletter，althoughlessformalandofficial，wasmoredifficult。
ItwasaddressedtothecommandantofthenearestFederalbarracks，whowasanoldfriendandformercompanion—in—arms。HealludedtosomeconversationtheyhadpreviouslyexchangedinregardtothepresenceofasmalldetachmentoftroopsatRedlandsduringtheelections，whichCourtlandatthetime，however，haddiplomaticallyopposed。Hesuggesteditnowasamatterofpublicexpediencyandprevention。Whenhehadsealedtheletters，notcaringtoexposethemtotheespionageofthelocalpostmasterorhisordinaryservants，heintrustedthemtooneofMissSally’sownhenchmen，tobepostedatthenextoffice，atBitterCreekStation，tenmilesdistant。
Unfortunately，thisdutyaccomplished，thereactionconsequentonhisstillweakphysicalconditionthrewhimbackuponhimselfandhismemory。HehadresolutelyrefusedtothinkofMissSally;hehadbeenabletowithstandthesuggestionsofherinthepresenceofherhandmaid——supposedtobepotentinnursingandherb—lore——
whomshehaddetachedtowaituponhim，andhehadreturnedpolitelyformalacknowledgmentstoherinquiries。Hehaddeterminedtocontinuethispersonalavoidanceasfaraspossibleuntilhewasrelieved，onthegroundofthatBUSINESSexpediencywhichtheseeventshadmadenecessary。Shewouldseethathewasonlyacceptingtheargumentswithwhichshehadmethispreviousadvances。Briefly，hehadrecoursetothathopelesslogicbywhichamanprovestohimselfthathehasnoreasonforlovingacertainwoman，andisasincontestablyconvincedbythesameprocessthathehas。Andinthemidstofitheweaklyfellasleep，anddreamedthatheandMissSallywerewalkinginthecemetery;thatahideoussnakeconcealedamongsomelilies，overwhichtheyounggirlwasbending，haduplifteditstriangularheadtostrike。Thatheseizeditbytheneck，struggledwithituntilhewasnearlyexhausted，whenitsuddenlycollapsedandshrunk，leavinginhispalmthelimp，crushed，anddelicatelyperfumedlittlethreadglovewhichherememberedtohaveonceslippedfromherhand。
Whenheawoke，thatperfumeseemedtobestillintheair，distinctfromthefreshbuthomelierscentsofthegardenwhichstolethroughthewindow。Asenseofdeliciouscoolnesscamewiththeafternoonbreeze，thatfaintlytrilledtheslantingslatsoftheblindwithaslumberoushummingasofbees。Thegoldengloryofasinkingsouthernsunwaspencilingthecheappaperonthewallwithleafytraceryandglowingarabesques。Butmorethanthat，thecalmofsomepotentinfluence——orsomeunseenpresence——wasuponhim，whichhefearedamovementmightdispel。Thechairatthefootofhisbedwasempty。Sophyhadgoneout。Hedidnotturnhisheadtolookfurther;hislanguideyesfallingaimlesslyuponthecarpetathisbedsidesuddenlydilated。Fortheyfellalsoonthe\"smallestfootintheState。\"
Hestartedtohiselbow，butasofthandwaslaidgentlyyetfirmlyuponhisshoulder，andwithafaintrustleofmuslinskirtsMissSallyrosefromanunseenchairattheheadofhisbed，andstoodbesidehim。
\"Don’tstir，co’nnle，Ididn’tsitwhereIcouldlookinyo’rfaceforfearofwakingyo’。ButI’llchangeseatsnow。\"ShemovedtothechairwhichSophyhadvacated，drewitslightlynearerthebed，andsatdown。
\"Itwasverykindofyou——tocome，\"saidCourtlandhesitatingly，aswithastrongefforthedrewhiseyesawayfromthefascinatingvision，andregainedacertaincoldcomposure，\"butIamafraidmyillnesshasbeengreatlymagnified。Ireallyamquitewellenoughtobeupandaboutmybusiness，ifthedoctorwouldpermitit。ButIshallcertainlymanagetoattendtomydutyto—morrow，andIhopetobeatyourservice。
\"Meaningthatyo’don’tcaretoseemeNOW，co’nnle，\"shesaidlightly，withafainttwinkleinherwise，sweeteyes。\"Ithoughtofthat，butasmybusinesswouldn’twait，Ibroughtittoyo’。\"
Shetookfromthefoldsofhergownaletter。Tohisutteramazementitwastheonehehadgivenhisoverseertoposttothecommandantthatmorning。Tohisgreaterindignationthesealwasbroken。
\"Whohasdared？\"hedemanded，halfrising。
Herlittlehandwasthrustouthalfdeprecatingly。\"Nooneyo’canfight，co’nnle;onlyME。Idon’tgenerallyopenotherfolks’
letters，andIwouldn’thavedoneitforMYSELF;Ididforyo’。\"
\"Forme？\"
\"Foryo’。Ireckonedwhatyo’MIGHTdo，andItoldSamtobringME
thelettersfirst。Ididn’tmindwhatyo’wrotetothecompany——
forthey’lltakecareofyo’，andtheirowneggsareallinthesamebasket。Ididn’topenTHATone，butIdidTHISwhenIsawtheaddress。ItwasasIexpected，andyo’’dgivenyo’selfaway！Forifyo’hadthosesoldiersdownhere，yo’’dhavearow，sure！
Don’tmove，co’nnle，YO’maynotcareforthat，it’sinYO’Rline。
Butfolkswillsaythatthesoldiersweren’tsenttopreventRIOTING，butthatCo’nnleCourtlandwasusinghisoldcomradestokeeporderonhispropertyatGov’mentexpense。Hol’on！Hol’on！
co’nnle，\"saidthelittlefigure，risingandwavingitsprettyarmswithamischievoussimulationofterrifieddeprecation。\"Don’tshoot！Ofcourseyo’didn’tmeanTHAT，butthat’saboutthewaythatSo’th’nmenwillputittoyo’rGov’ment。For，\"shecontinued，moregently，yetwiththeshrewdesttwinkleinhergrayeyes，\"ifyo’reallythoughttheniggersmightneedFederalprotection，yo’’dhaveletMEwritetothecommandanttosendanescort——nottoYO，buttoCATO——thatHEmightbeabletocomebackinsafety。Yo’’dhavehadyo’rsoldiers;I’dhavehadbackmynigger，which\"——demurely——\"yo’don’tseemtoworryyo’selfmuchabout，co’nnle;andthereisn’taSo’th’nmanwouldhaveobjected。
But，\"stillmoredemurely，andaffectedlysmoothingouthercrispskirtwithherlittlehands，\"yo’haven’tbeentroublingmemuchwithyo’rcounsellately。\"
AswiftandutterlynewcomprehensionsweptoverCourtland。Forthefirsttimeinhisknowledgeofherhesuddenlygraspedwhatwas，perhaps，thetrueconceptionofhercharacter。Lookingatherclearlynow，heunderstoodthemeaningofthosepliantgraces，sounaffectedandyetalwayscontrolledbythereasoningofanunbiasedintellect;herfrankspeechandplausibleintonations！
Beforehimstoodthetrue—borndaughterofalongraceofpoliticians！Allthathehadheardoftheirdexterity，tact，andexpediencyrosehereincarnate，withtheaddedgraceofwomanhood。
Astrangesenseofrelief——perhapsadawningofhope——stoleoverhim。
\"ButhowwillthisinsureCato’ssafetyhereafter，orgiveprotectiontotheothers？\"hesaid，fixinghiseyesuponher。
\"Thefuturewon’tconcernYO’much，co’nnle，ifasyo’sayhereyo’rresignationissentin，andyo’rsuccessorappointed，\"shereplied，withmoregravitythanshehadpreviouslyshown。
\"ButyoudonotthinkIwillleaveYOUinthisuncertainty，\"hesaidpassionately。Hestoppedsuddenly，hisbrowdarkened。\"I
forgot，\"headdedcoldly，\"youwillbewellprotected。Your——
COUSIN——willgiveyouthecounselofrace——and——closerties。\"
Tohisinfiniteastonishment，MissSallyleanedforwardinherchairandburiedherlaughingfaceinbothofherhands。Whenherdimpleshadbecomeagainvisible，shesaidwithaneffort，\"Don’tyo’think，co’nnle，thatasapeacemakermycousinwasevenabiggerfailurethanyo’self？\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"stammeredCourtland。
\"Don’tyo’think，\"shecontinued，wipinghereyesdemurely，\"thatifayoungwomanaboutmysize，whohadgotperfectlytiredandsickofallthisfussmadeaboutyo’，becauseyo’wereaNo’th’nman，managingniggers——ifthatyoungwomanwantedtoshowherpeoplewhatsortofaradicalandabolitionistaSO’TH’Nmanoftheirownsortmightbecome，she’dhavesentforJackDumontasasample？Eh？Only，Ideclaretogoodness，IneverreckonedthatheandHigbeewouldrevivethetomfoolingofthevendetta，andtaketoshootin’eachotheratonce。\"
\"Andyoursendingforyourcousinwasonlyafeinttoprotectme？\"
saidCourtlandfaintly。
\"Perhapshedidn’thavetobeSENTfor，co’nnle，\"shesaid，withaslighttouchofcoquetry。\"Supposewesay，ILETHIMCOME。He’dbehanginground，forhehaspropertyhere，andwantedtogetmetotakeitupwithmineinthecompany。Iknewwhathisnewviewsandideaswere，andIthoughtI’dbetterconsultChampney——who，beingaforeigner，andanolderresidentthanyo’，wasquiteneutral。Hedidn’thappentotellYO’anythingaboutit——didhe，co’nnle？\"sheaddedwithagravemouth，butanindescribabletwinkleinhereyes。
Courtland’sfacedarkened。\"Hedid——andhefurthertoldme，MissDows，thathehimselfwasyoursuitor，andthatyouhadrefusedhimbecauseoftheobjectionsofyourpeople。\"
Sheraisedhereyestohisswiftlyanddroppedthem。
\"Andyo’thinkIoughttohaveacceptedhim？\"shesaidslowly。
\"No！but——youknow——youtoldme\"——hebeganhurriedly。Butshehadalreadyrisen，andwasshakingoutthefoldsofherdress。
\"We’renottalkingBUSINESSco’nnle——andbusinesswasmyonlyexcuseforcominghere，andtakingSophy’splace。I’llsendherintoyo’，now。\"
\"But，MissDows！——MissSally！\"
Shestopped——hesitated——asingularweaknessforsoself—containedanature——andthenslowlyproducedfromherpocketasecondletter——
theonethatCourtlandhaddirectedtothecompany。\"Ididn’treadTHISletter，asIjusttoldyo’co’nnle，forIreckonIknowwhat’sinit，butIthoughtI’dbringitwithmetoo，incaseYO’CHANGED
YO’RMIND。\"
Heraisedhimselfonhispillowassheturnedquicklyaway;butinthatsinglevanishingglimpseofherbrightfacehesawwhatneitherhenoranyoneelsehadeverseenuponthefaceofSallyDows——aburningblush！
\"MissSally！\"Healmostleapedfromthebed，butshewasgone。
Therewasanotherrustleatthedoor——theentranceofSophy。
\"Callherback，Sophy，quick！\"hesaid。
Thenegressshookherturbanedhead。\"Notmuch，honey！WhenMissSallysayshegoes——shedonegone，shuah！\"
\"But，Sophy！\"Perhapssomethinginthesignificantfaceofthegirltemptedhim;perhapsitwasonlyanimpulseofhisforgottenyouth。\"Sophy！\"appealingly——\"tellme！——isMissSallyengagedtohercousin？\"
\"Watdat？\"saidSophyinindignantscorn。\"MissSallyengagedtodatDumont！Whatfo’？Yo’’recrazy！No！\"
\"NorChampney？Tellme，Sophy，hassheaLOVER？\"
ForamomentthewhitesofSophy’seyeswereupliftedinspeechlessscorn。\"Yo’askdat！Yo’lyin’darwiddatsnake—bitarm！Yo’
lyin’dar，andMissSally——whohasonlytowhistletocalldefustqualityindeStateraounher——comingandgoingherewidyou，andtrottingonyo’rarrants——andyo’askdat！Yes！shehasalover，andwhat’sme’，sheCAN’THELPIT;andyo’’reherlover;andwhat’sme’，YO’can’thelpiteither！Andyo’can’tbackoutofitnow——bo’feofyo’——nebber！Fo’yo’’rehers，andshe’syo’rs——fo’
ebber。Forshesuckedyo’blood。\"
\"What！\"gaspedCourtland，aghastatwhathebelievedtobethesuddeninsanityofthenegress。
\"Yes！Whar’syo’reyes？whar’syo’ryears？who’syo’datyo’
didn’tseenorheahnuffin？Whendeydraggedyo’outerdeswampdatnight——widdesnake—bitefreshenyo’rarm——didn’tSHE，datpohchile！——datsameMissSally——frowherselfdownonyo’，andputdatbabymoufofherstodewoundandsuckoutdepizenandsabedelifeobyo’atderiskobherown？Say？Andifdey’sanytroofinHoodoo，don’tdatmakeyo’onebloodandonesoul！Goway，whiteman！I’msickofyo’。Stopdar！Liedowndar！Hol’on，co’nnle，formassy’ssake。Well，dar——I’llcallherback！\"
Andshedid！
\"Lookhere——don’tyouknow——itrathertookmebysurprise，\"saidChampney，afewdayslater，withaheartygripofthecolonel’suninjuredhand;\"butIdon’tbearmalice，oldfellow，and，byJove！
itwasSUCHasensible，all—round，business—likechoiceforthegirltomakethatnowonderweneverthoughtofitbefore。Hangitall，youseeafellowwasalwayssocertainitwouldbesomethingoutofthewayanddetrimental，don’tyouknow，thatwouldtakethefancyofagirllikethat——somebodylikethatcousinofhersorHigbee，orevenME，byJovethatweneverthoughtoflookingbeyondournoses——neverthoughtoftheBUSINESS！AndYOUallthetimesocoldandsilentandmatter—of—factaboutit！ButIcongratulateyou！You’vegotthebusinessdownonasafebasisnow，andwhat’smore，you’vegottheonewomanwhocanrunit。\"
Theysayhewasatrueprophet。AtleasttheSyndicateaffairsprospered，andincourseoftimeeventheReedsandtheHigbeesparticipatedinthebenefits。Therewerenomoreracialdisturbances;onlythedistrictspolledapeacefulandSMALLER
Democraticmajorityatthenextelection。TherewerenotwantingthosewhoallegedthatColonelCourtlandhadsimplybecomeMRS。
COURTLAND’SSUPERINTENDENT;thatshehadabsorbedhimasshehadeveryonewhohadcomeunderherinfluence，andthatshewouldnotrestuntilshehadmadehimaSenator（torepresentMrs。Courtland）
inthecouncilsofthenation。ButwhenIlastdinedwiththeminWashington，tenyearsago，Ifoundthembothveryhappyandcomfortable，andIrememberthatMrs。Courtland’sremarksuponFederalandStateinterests，thepropereducationofyounggirls，andthemanagementofthefamily，wereeminentlywiseandpractical。
THECONSPIRACYOFMRS。BUNKER。
PARTI。
OnthenortherlyshoreofSanFranciscoBayalineofbluffsterminatesinapromontory，atwhosebase，formedbythecrumblingdebrisofthecliffabove，thereisanarrowstretchofbeach，saltmeadow，andscruboak。Theabruptwallofrockbehinditseemstoisolateitascompletelyfromthemainlandastheseabeforeitseparatesitfromtheoppositeshore。InspiteofitscontiguitytoSanFrancisco，——oppositealso，buthiddenbythesharpre—
enteringcurveofcoast，——thelocalitywaswild，uncultivated，andunfrequented。Asolitaryfisherman’scabinhalfhiddenintherockswastheonlytraceofhabitation。Whitedriftsofsea—gullsandpelicanacrossthefaceofthecliff，graycloudsofsandpipersrisingfromthebeach，thedrippingflightofducksoverthesaltmeadows，andtheoccasionalsplashofasealfromtherocks，weretheonlysignsoflifethatcouldbeseenfromthedecksofpassingships。Andyetthefisherman’scabinwasoccupiedbyZephasBunkerandhisyoungwife，andhehadsucceededinwrestingfromthehardsoilpasturageforacowandgoats，whilehislateen—sailedfishing—boatoccasionallyrodequietlyintheshelteredcovebelow。
ThreeyearsagoZephasBunker，anex—whaler，hadfoundhimselfstrandedonaSanFranciscowharfandhad\"hiredout\"toasmallPetalumafarmer。Attheendofayearhehadacquiredlittletasteforthefarmer’sbusiness，butconsiderableforthefarmer’syouthfuldaughter，who，equallywearyofsmallagriculture，hadconsentedtoelopewithhiminordertoescapeit。TheyweremarriedatOakland;heputhisscantearningsintoafishing—boat，discoveredthesiteforhiscabin，andbroughthisbridethither。
Thenoveltyofthechangepleasedher，althoughperhapsitwasbutlittleadvanceonherprevioushumbleposition。Yetshepreferredherpresentfreedomtothebarerestrictedhomelifeofherpast;
theperpetualpresenceoftherestlessseawasarelieftotheoldmonotonyofthewheatfieldanditsisolateddrudgery。ForMary’syouthfulfancy，thinlysustainedinchildhoodbythelightestliteraryfood，hadneitherbeenstimulatednordisillusionedbyhermarriage。Thatpracticalexperiencewhichisusuallytheendofgirlishromancehadleftherstillachildinsentiment。Thelongabsencesofherhusbandinhisfishing—boatkeptherfromwearyingoforevenknowinghisolderandunequalcompanionship;itgaveherafreedomhergirlhoodhadneverknown，yetaddedaprotectionthatsuitedherstillchildishdependency，whileittickledherpridewithitsequality。Whennotengagedinhereasyhouseholddutiesinherthree—roomedcottage，orthecareofherrockygardenpatch，shefoundtimeenoughtoindulgeherfancyoverthemysterioushazethatwrappedtheinvisiblecitysonearandyetunknowntoher;inthesailsthatslippedinandoutoftheGoldenGate，butofwhosedestinationsheknewnothing;andinthelongsmoketrailofthemailsteamerwhichhadyetbroughthernomessage。Likealldwellersbythesea，herfaceandherthoughtsweremorefrequentlyturnedtowardsit;andaswiththem，italsoseemedtoherthatwhateverchangewascomingintoherlifewouldcomeacrossthatvastunknownexpanse。ButitwasherethatMrs。Bunkerwasmistaken。
Ithadbeenasparklingsummermorning。Thewaveswererunningbeforethedrynorthwesttradewindswithcrystallinebutcolorlessbrilliancy。Shelteredbythehigh，northerlybluff，thehouseanditsgardenwereexposedtotheuntemperedheatofthecloudlesssunrefractedfromtherockywallbehindit。Sometarpaulinandropeslyingamongtherockswerestickyandodorous;thescruboaksandmanzanitabushesgaveoutthearomaofbakingwood;occasionallyafaintpot—pourrifragrancefromthehotwildrosesandbeachgrasswasblownalongtheshore;eventhelingeringodorsofBunker’svocation，andofMrs。Bunker’scooking，wereidealizedandrefinedbythesalinebreathoftheseaatthedoorsandwindows。Mrs。
Bunker，inthedazzlingsun，bendingoverherpeasandlettuceswithasmallhoe，feltthecomfortofherbrownhollandsunbonnet。
Secureinherisolation，sheunbuttonedtheneckofhergownforair，anddidnotputupthestrandofblackhairthathadescapedoverhershoulder。Itwasveryhotintheleeofthebluff，andveryquietinthatstillair。Soquietthatsheheardtwodistinctreports，followingeachotherquickly，butveryfaintandfar。
Sheglancedmechanicallytowardsthesea。Twomerchant—meninmidstreamwereshakingouttheirwingsforalongflight，apilotboatandcoastingschoonerwereroundingthepoint，buttherewasnosmokefromtheirdecks。Shebentoverherworkagain，andinanothermomenthadforgottenit。Buttheheat，withthedazzlingreflectionfromthecliff，forcedhertosuspendhergardening，andstrollalongthebeachtotheextremelimitofherdomain。Hereshelookedafterthecowthathadalsostrayedawaythroughthetangledbushforcoolness。Thegoats，impervioustotemperature，werebaskingininaccessiblefastnessesonthecliffitselfthatmadehereyesachetoclimb。Overanhourpassed，shewasreturning，andhadnearedherhouse，whenshewassuddenlystartledtoseethefigureofamanbetweenherandthecliff。Hewasengagedinbrushinghisdustyclotheswithahandkerchief，andalthoughhesawhercoming，andevenmovedslowlytowardsher，continuedhisoccupationwithahalf—impatient，half—abstractedair。Herfeminineperceptionwasstruckwiththecircumstancethathewasindeepblack，withscarcelyagleamofwhiteshowingevenathisthroat，andthatheworeatallblackhat。Withoutknowinganythingofsocialcustoms，itseemedtoherthathisdresswasinconsistentwithhisappearancethere。
\"Good—morning，\"hesaid，liftinghishatwithapreoccupiedair。
\"Doyoulivehere？\"
\"Yes，\"shesaidwonderingly。
\"Anybodyelse？\"
\"Myhusband。\"
\"Imeananyotherpeople？Arethereanyotherhouses？\"hesaidwithaslightimpatience。
\"No。\"
Helookedatherandthentowardsthesea。\"Iexpectsomefriendswhoarecomingformeinaboat。Isupposetheycanlandeasilyhere？\"
\"Didn’tyouyourselflandherejustnow？\"shesaidquickly。
Hehalfhesitated，andthen，asifscorninganequivocation，madeahastygestureoverhershoulderandsaidbluntly，\"No，Icameoverthecliff。\"
\"Downthecliff？\"sherepeatedincredulously。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，glancingathisclothes;\"itwasaroughscramble，butthegoatsshowedmetheway。\"
\"Andyouwereuponthebluffallthetime？\"shewentoncuriously。
\"Yes。Yousee——I\"——hestoppedsuddenlyatwhatseemedtobethebeginningofaprearrangedandplausibleexplanation，asifimpatientofitsweaknessorhypocrisy，andsaidbriefly，\"Yes，I
wasthere。\"
Likemostwomen，moreobservantofhisfaceandfigure，shedidnotmissthislackofexplanation。Hewasaverygood—lookingmanofmiddleage，withathin，proud，high—bredface，whichinacountryofbeardedmenhadthefurtherdistinctionofbeingsmoothlyshaven。Shehadneverseenanyonelikehimbefore。Shethoughthelookedlikeanillustrationofsomenovelshehadread，butalsosomewhatmelancholy，worn，andtired。
\"Won’tyoucomeinandrestyourself？\"shesaid，motioningtothecabin。
\"Thankyou，\"hesaid，stillhalfabsently。\"PerhapsI’dbetter。
Itmaybesometimeyetbeforetheycome。\"
Sheledthewaytothecabin，enteredthelivingroom——aplainlyfurnishedlittleapartmentbetweenthebedroomandthekitchen——
pointedtoalargebambooarmchair，andplacedabottleofwhiskeyandsomewateronthetablebeforehim。Hethankedheragainverygently，pouredoutsomespiritsinhisglass，andmixeditwithwater。Butwhensheglancedtowardshimagainhehadapparentlyrisenwithouttastingit，andgoingtothedoorwasstandingtherewithhishandinthebreastofhisbuttonedfrockcoat，gazingsilentlytowardsthesea。Therewassomethingvaguelyhistoricalinhisattitude——orwhatshethoughtmightbehistorical——asofsomebodyofgreatimportancewhohadhaltedontheeveofsomegreateventatthedoorofherhumblecabin。
Hisapparentunconsciousnessofherandofhissurroundings，hispreoccupationwithsomethingfarbeyondherken，farfrompiquingher，onlyexcitedherinterestthemore。Andthentherewassuchanoddsadnessinhiseyes。
\"Areyouanxiousforyourfolks’coming？\"shesaidatlast，followinghisoutlook。
\"I——ohno！\"hereturned，quicklyrecallinghimself，\"they’llbesuretocome——soonerorlater。Nofearofthat，\"headded，halfsmilingly，halfwearily。
Mrs。Bunkerpassedintothekitchen，where，whileapparentlyattendingtoherhouseholdduties，shecouldstillobservehersingularguest。Leftalone，heseatedhimselfmechanicallyinthechair，andgazedfixedlyatthefireplace。Heremainedalongtimesoquietandunmoved，inspiteofthemarkedostentatiousclatterMrs。Bunkerfounditnecessarytomakewithherdishes，thatanoddfancythathewasscarcelyahumanvisitantbegantotakepossessionofher。Yetshewasnotfrightened。Sheremembereddistinctlyafterwardsthat，farfromhavinganyconcernforherself，shewasonlymovedbyastrangeandvagueadmirationofhim。
Butherprolongedscrutinywasnotwithouteffect。Suddenlyheraisedhisdarkeyes，andshefeltthempiercetheobscurityofherkitchenwithaquick，suspicious，impatientpenetration，whichastheymethersgaveway，however，toalookthatshethoughtwasgentlyreproachful。Thenherose，stretchedhimselftohisfullheight，andapproachingthekitchendoorleanedlistlesslyagainstthedoor—post。
\"Idon’tsupposeyouareeverlonelyhere？\"
\"No，sir。\"
\"Ofcoursenot。Youhaveyourselfandhusband。Nobodyinterfereswithyou。Youarecontentedandhappytogether。\"
Mrs。Bunkerdidnotsay，whatwasthefact，thatshehadneverbeforeconnectedthesolecompanionshipofherhusbandwithherhappiness。Perhapsithadneveroccurredtoheruntilthatmomenthowlittleithadtodowithit。Sheonlysmiledgratefullyatthechangeinherguest’sabstraction。
\"DoyouoftengotoSanFrancisco？\"hecontinued。
\"Ihaveneverbeenthereatall。SomedayIexpectwewillgotheretolive。\"
\"Iwouldn’tadviseyouto，\"hesaid，lookingathergravely。\"I
don’tthinkitwillpayyou。You’llneverbehappythereashere。
You’llneverhavetheindependenceandfreedomyouhavehere。
You’llneverbeyourownmistressagain。ButhowdoesithappenyouneverwereinSanFrancisco？\"hesaidsuddenly。
Ifhewouldnottalkofhimself，hereatleastwasachanceforMrs。Bunkertosaysomething。SherelatedhowherfamilyhademigratedfromKansasacrosstheplainsandhadtakenupa\"location\"atContraCosta。Howshedidn’tcareforit，andhowshecametomarrytheseafaringmanwhobroughtherhere——allwithgreatsimplicityandfranknessandasunreservedlyastoasuperiorbeing——albeithisattentionwanderedattimes，andararebutmelancholysmilethathehadapparentlyevokedtomeetherconversationaladvancesbecamefixedoccasionally。Evenhisdarkeyes，whichhadobligedMrs。Bunkertoputupherhairandbuttonhercollar，resteduponherwithoutseeingher。
\"Thenyourhusband’snameisBunker？\"hesaidwhenshepausedatlast。\"That’soneofthoseNantucketQuakernames——sailorsandwhalersforgenerations——andyours，yousay，wasMacEwan。Well，Mrs。Bunker，YOURfamilycamefromKentuckytoKansasonlylately，thoughIsupposeyourfathercallshimselfaFree—Statesman。Yououghttoknowsomethingoffarmingandcattle，foryourancestorswereoldScotchCovenanterswhoemigratedahundredyearsago，andweregreatstockraisers。\"
Allthisseemedonlythenaturalomniscienceofasuperiorbeing。
AndMrs。Bunkerperhapswasnotpainedtolearnthatherhusband’sfamilywasofalowerdegreethanherown。Butthestranger’sknowledgedidnotendthere。Hetalkedofherhusband’sbusiness——
heexplainedthevastfishingresourcesofthebayandcoast。HeshowedherhowthelargecolonyofItalianfishermenwereinimicaltotheinterestsofCaliforniaandtoherhusband——particularlyasanativeAmericantrader。Hetoldherofthevolcanicchangesofthebayandcoastline，oftheformationoftherockyledgeonwhichshelived。HepointedouttoheritsvaluetotheGovernmentfordefensivepurposes，andhowitnaturallycommandedtheentranceoftheGoldenGatefarbetterthanFortPoint，andthatitoughttobeinitshands。IftheFederalGovernmentdidnotbuyitofherhusband，certainlytheStateofCaliforniashould。Andherehefellintoanabstractionasdeepandasgloomyasbefore。Hewalkedtothewindow，pacedthefloorwithhishandinhisbreast，wenttothedoor，andfinallysteppedoutofthecabin，movingalongtheledgeofrockstotheshore，wherehestoodmotionless。
Mrs。Bunkerhadlistenedtohimwithpartedlipsandeyesofeloquentadmiration。ShehadneverbeforeheardanyonetalklikeTHAT——shehadnotbelieveditpossiblethatanyonecouldhavesuchknowledge。Perhapsshecouldnotunderstandallhesaid，butshewouldtrytorememberitafterhehadgone。Shecouldonlythinknowhowkinditwasofhimthatinallthismysteryofhiscoming，andinthesingularsadnessthatwasoppressinghim，heshouldtrytointeresther。Andthuslookingathim，andwondering，anideacametoher。
Shewentintoherbedroomandtookdownherhusband’sheavypilotovercoatandsou’wester，andhandedthemtoherguest。
\"You’dbetterputthemonifyou’regoingtostandthere，\"shesaid。
\"ButIamnotcold，\"hesaidwonderingly。
\"ButyoumightbeSEEN，\"shesaidsimply。Itwasthefirstsuggestionthathadpassedbetweenthemthathispresencetherewasasecret。Helookedatherintently，thenhesmiledandsaid，\"I
thinkyou’reright，formanyreasons，\"putthepilotcoatoverhisfrockcoat，removedhishatwiththegestureofabow，handedittoher，andplacedthesou’westerinitsstead。Thenforaninstanthehesitatedasifabouttospeak，butMrs。Bunker，withadelicacythatshecouldnotherselfcomprehendatthemoment，hurriedbacktothecabinwithoutgivinghimanopportunity。
Nordidsheagainintrudeuponhismeditations。Hiddeninhisdisguise，whichtohereyesdidnot，however，seemtoconcealhischaracteristicfigure，hewanderedfornearlyanhourunderthebluffandalongtheshore，returningatlastalmostmechanicallytothecabin，where，obliviousofhissurroundings，hereseatedhimselfinsilencebythetablewithhischeekrestingonhishand。
Presently，herquick，experiencedeardetectedthesoundofoarsintheirrow—locks;shecouldplainlyseefromherkitchenwindowasmallboatwithtwostrangersseatedatthesternbeingpulledtotheshore。Withthesamestrangeinstinctofdelicacy，shedeterminednottogooutlestherpresencemightembarrassherguest’sreceptionofhisfriends。Butassheturnedtowardsthelivingroomshefoundhehadalreadyrisenandwasremovinghishatandpilotcoat。Shewasstruck，however，bythecircumstancethatnotonlydidheexhibitnofeelingofreliefathisdeliverance，butthatahalf—cynical，half—savageexpressionhadtakentheplaceofhisformermelancholy。Ashewenttothedoor，thetwogentlemenhastilyclambereduptherockstogreethim。
\"Jimreckoneditwasyouhangin’roundtherocks，butIcouldn’ttellatthatdistance。Seemedyouborrowedahatandcoat。Well——
it’sallfixed，andwe’venotimetolose。There’sacoastingsteamerjustdroppingdownbelowtheHeads，anditwilltakeyouaboard。ButIcantellyouyou’vekickedupah—llofarowoverthere。\"Hestopped，evidentlyatsomesignfromherguest。Therestoftheman’sspeechfollowedinahurriedwhisper，whichwasstoppedagainbythevoicesheknew。\"No。Certainlynot。\"Thenextmomenthistallfigurewasdarkeningthedoorofthekitchen;
hishandwasoutstretched。\"Good—by，Mrs。Bunker，andmanythanksforyourhospitality。Myfriendshere，\"heturnedgrimlytothemenbehindhim，\"thinkIoughttoaskyoutokeepthisasecretevenfromyourhusband。IDON’T！TheyalsothinkthatIoughttoofferyoumoneyforyourkindness。IDON’T！Butifyouwillhonormebykeepingthisringinremembranceofit\"——hetookaheavysealringfromhisfinger——\"it’stheonlybitofjewelryIhaveaboutme——I’llbeveryglad。Good—by！\"Shefeltforamomentthefirm，softpressureofhislong，thinfingersaroundherown，andthen——
hewasgone。Thesoundofretreatingoarsgrewfainterandfainterandwaslost。Thesamereserveofdelicacywhichnowappearedtoherasadutykeptherfromgoingtothewindowtowatchthedestinationoftheboat。No，heshouldgoashecame，withouthersupervisionorknowledge。
Nordidshefeellonelyafterwards。Onthecontrary，thesilenceandsolitudeoftheisolateddomainhadanewcharm。Theykeptthememoryofherexperienceintact，andenabledhertorefillitwithhispresence。Shecouldseehistallfigureagainpausingbeforehercabin，withouttheincongruousassociationofanotherpersonality;shecouldhearhisvoiceagain，unmingledwithonemorefamiliar。Forthefirsttime，theregularabsenceofherhusbandseemedanessentialgoodfortuneinsteadofanaccidentoftheirlife。FortheexperiencebelongedtoHER，andnottohimandhertogether。Hecouldnotunderstandit;hewouldhaveacteddifferentlyandspoiledit。Sheshouldnottellhimanythingofit，inspiteofthestranger’ssuggestion，which，ofcourse，hehadonlymadebecausehedidn’tknowZephasaswellasshedid。ForMrs。Bunkerwasgettingonrapidly;itwasherfirstadmissionoftheconjugalknowledgethatone’shusbandisinferiortotheoutsideestimateofhim。Thenextstep——thebeliefthathewasdeceivingHERashewasTHEM——wouldbecomparativelyeasy。
Norshouldsheshowhimthering。Thestrangerhadcertainlyneversaidanythingaboutthat！Itwasaheavyring，withahelmetedheadcarvedonitsredcarnelianstone，andwhatlookedlikestrangelettersaroundit。Itfittedherthirdfingerperfectly;
butHISfingersweresmall，andhehadtakenitfromhislittlefinger。Sheshouldkeepitherself。Ofcourse，ifithadbeenmoney，shewouldhavegivenittoZephas;butthestrangerknewthatshewouldn’ttakemoney。Howfirmlyhehadsaidthat\"I
don’t！\"Shefeltthewarmbloodflytoherfreshyoungfaceatthethoughtofit。Hehadunderstoodher。Shemightbelivinginapoorcabin，doingallthehouseworkherself，andherhusbandonlyafisherman，buthehadtreatedherlikealady。
Andsotheafternoonpassed。TheoutlyingfogbegantorollinattheGoldenGate，obliteratingtheheadlandandstretchingafleecybaracrossthechannelasifshuttingoutfromvulgareyesthewaythathehadgone。Nightfell，butZephashadnotyetcome。Thiswasunusual，forhewasgenerallyasregularastheafternoon\"trades\"whichblewhimthere。Therewasnothingtodetainhiminthisweatherandatthisseason。Shebegantobevaguelyuneasy;
thenalittleangryatthisnewdevelopmentofhisincompatibility。
Thenitoccurredtoher，forthefirsttimeinherwifehood，tothinkwhatshewoulddoifhewerelost。Yet，inspiteofsomepain，terror，andperplexityatthepossibility，herdominantthoughtwasthatshewouldbeafreewomantoorderherlifeassheliked。
Itwasaftertenbeforehislateensailflappedinthelittlecove。
Shewaswaitingtoreceivehimontheshore。Hisgood—humoredhirsutefacewasslightlyapologeticinexpression，butflushedanddisturbedwithsomenewexcitementtowhichanextraglassortwoofspiritshadapparentlyaddedintensity。Thecontrastbetweenhisevidentindulgenceandthepreviousabstemiousnessofherlategueststruckherunpleasantly。\"Well——Ideclare，\"shesaidindignantly，\"soTHAT’Swhatkeptyou！\"
\"No，\"hesaidquickly;\"there’sbeenawfultimesoverin’Frisco！
Everybodyjustwild，andtheVigilanceCommitteeinsession。JoHenderson’skilled！ShotbyWynyardMarioninaduel！He’llbelynched，sureasagun，iftheyketchhim。\"
\"ButIthoughtmenwhofoughtduelsalwayswentfree。\"
\"Yes，butthisain’tnocommonduel;theysaythewholethingwasplannedbeforehandbythemSouthernfire—eaterstogetrido’
Hendersonbecausehe’saNorthernmanandanti—slavery，andthattheypickedoutColonelMariontodoitbecausehewasadeadshot。
TheygothimtoinsultHenderson，sohewasboundtochallengeMarion，andthatgiv’Marionthechyceofweppings。Itwasareg’larputupjobtokillhim。\"
\"Andwhat’sallthistodowithyou？\"sheasked，withirritation。
\"Holdon，won’tyou！andI’lltellyou。Iwaspickin’upnetsoffSaucelitoaboutnoon，whenIwashailedbyoneofthemVigilancetugs，andtheysetmetostandoffandontheshoreandwatchthatMariondidn’tgetaway，whiletheywerescoutin’inland。YeseeTHEDUELTOOKPLACEJUSTOVERTHEBLUFFTHERE——BEHINDYE——andtheyallowedthatMarionhadstruckawaynorthforMendocinototakeshipthere。Forafteroverhaulin’hissecond’sboat，theyfoundoutthattheyhadcomeawayfromSaucelitoALONE。ButtheysentatugaroundbyseatoMendocinotoheadhimoffthere，whilethey’reclosin’inaroundhiminland。They’reboundtocatchhimsoonerorlater。Butyouain’tlistenin’，Mollie？\"
Shewas——ineveryfibre——butwithherheadturnedtowardsthewindow，andtheinvisibleGoldenGatethroughwhichthefugitivehadescaped。Forshesawitallnow——thatgloriousvision——herhigh—bred，handsomeguestandWynyardMarionwereoneandthesameperson。Andthisrough，commonplacemanbeforeher——herownhusband——hadbeenbaselysettocapturehim！
PARTII。
DuringthateveningandthenextMrs。Bunker，withoutbetrayinghersecret，orexcitingtheleastsuspiciononthepartofherhusband，managedtoextractfromhimnotonlyaroughdescriptionofMarionwhichtalliedwithherownimpressions，butashorthistoryofhiscareer。HewasafamouspoliticianwhohadheldhighofficeintheSouth;hewasanaccomplishedlawyer;hehadservedinthearmy;hewasafieryspeaker;hehadasingularcommandofmen。Hewasunmarried，buttherewerequeerstoriesofhisrelationswithsomeofthewivesofprominentofficials，andtherewasnodoubtthatheusedtheminsomeofhispoliticalintrigues。He，Zephas，wouldbetsomethingthatitwasawomanwhohadhelpedhimoff！Didshespeak？
Yes，shehadspoken。Itmadehersicktositthereandhearsuchstories！Becauseamandidnotagreewithsomepeopleinpoliticsitwasperfectlyawfultothinkhowtheywouldabusehimandtakeawayhischaracter！Menweresoawfullyjealous，too;ifanothermanhappenedtobesuperiorandfine—lookingtherewasn’tanythingbadenoughforthemtosayabouthim！No！shewasn’taslaverysympathizereither，andhadn’tanythingtodowithmanpolitics，althoughshewasaSouthernwoman，andtheMacEwanshadcomefromKentuckyandownedslaves。Ofcourse，he，Zephas，whoseancestorswereCapeCodQuakersandhadalwaysbeensailors，couldn’tunderstand。Shedidnotknowwhathemeantbysaying\"whatalongtailourcat’sgot，\"butifhemeanttocallheracat，andwasgoingtousesuchlanguagetoher，hehadbetterhavestayedinSanFranciscowithhisVigilancefriends。AndperhapsitwouldhavebeenbetterifhehadstayedtherebeforehetookherawayfromherparentsatMartinez。Thenshewouldn’thavebeenleftonadesertrockwithoutanychanceofseeingtheworld，orevermakinganyfriendsoracquaintances！
Itwastheirfirstquarrel。DiscreetlymadeupbyMrs。Bunkerinsomealarmatbetrayingherself;honestlyforgivenbyZephasinarude，remorsefulconsciousnessofherlimitedlife。Oneortwonightslater，whenhereturned，itwaswithamingledairofmysteryandsatisfaction。\"Well，Mollie，\"hesaidcheerfully，\"itlooksasifyourpetswerenotasbadasIthoughtthem。\"
\"Mypets！\"repeatedMrs。Bunker，withafaintrisingofcolor。
\"Well，IcalltheseSouthernChivsyourpets，Mollie，becauseyoustuckupforthemsotheothernight。Butnevermindthatnow。
Whatdoyousupposehashappened？JimRider，youknow，theSouthernbankerandspeculator，who’saregularbigInjinamongthe’Chivs，’hesentCapSimmonsdowntothewharfwhileIwasunloadin’tocomeupandseehim。Well，Iwent，andwhatdoy’uthink？Hetoldmehewasgettin’upanAmericanFishin’Company，andwantedmetotakechargeofafirst—classschooneronshares。
Saidheheardofmeafore，andknewIwasanAmericanandawhiteman，andjustthechapezcouldknockthemEytaliansouterthemarket。\"
\"Yes，\"interruptedMrs。Bunkerquickly，butemphatically，\"thefishinginterestoughttobeAmericanandprotectedbytheState，withregularchartersandtreaties。\"
\"Isay，Mollie，\"saidherastonishedbutadmiringhusband，\"you’vebeenreadin’thepapersorlistenin’tostumpspeakin’sure。\"
\"Goon，\"returnedMrs。Bunkerimpatiently，\"andsaywhathappenednext。\"
\"Well，\"returnedZephas，\"Ifirstthought，yousee，thatithadsuthin’todowiththatMarionbusiness，particklerlyezfolksallowedhewashidin’somewhereyet，andtheywantedmetorunhimoff。SoIthoughtRidermightaswellknowthatIwasn’ttobebribed，soIupsandtellshimhowI’dbeenlyin’offSaucelitotheotherdayworkin’fortheothersideaginhim。Withthathelaughs，sayshedidn’twantanybetterfriendsthanme，butthatI
mustbelivin’inthebackwoodsnottoknowthatWynyardMarionhadescaped，andwasthenatseaonhiswaytoMexicoorCentralAmerica。Thenweagreedtoterms，andthelongandshortofitis，Mollie，thatI’mtohavetheschoonerwithahundredandfiftydollarsamonth，andtenpercent。sharesafterayear！Lookslikebiz，eh，Mollie，oldgirl？butyoudon’tseempleased。\"
Shehadputasidethearmwithwhichhewasdrawinghertohim，andhadturnedherwhitefaceawaytothewindow。SoHEhadgone——thisstranger——thisonefriendofherlife——shewouldneverseehimagain，andallthatwouldevercomeofitwasthispecuniarybenefittoherhusband，whohaddonenothing。Hewouldnotevenofferhermoney，buthehadmanagedtopayhisdebttoherinthiswaythattheirvulgarpovertywouldappreciate。Andthiswastheendofherdream！
\"Youdon’tseemtotakeitin，Mollie，\"continuedthesurprisedZephas。\"Itmeansahousein’Friscoandalittlecabinforyouontheschoonerwhenyoulike。\"
\"Idon’twantit！Iwon’thaveit！Ishallstayhere，\"sheburstoutwithahalf—passionate，half—childishcry，andranintoherbedroom，leavingtheastonishedZephashelplessinhisawkwardconsternation。
\"ByGum！Imusttakeherto’Friscorightoff，orshe’llbehavin’
thehighstrikesherealone。Ioughterknoweditwouldcometothis！\"Butalthoughheconsulted\"Cap\"Simmonsthenextday，whoinformedhimitwasallwoman’swayswhen\"struck，\"andadvisedhimtopayoutallthelinehecouldatsuchdelicatemoments，shehadnorecurrenceoftheoutbreak。Onthecontrary，fordaysandweeksfollowingsheseemedcalmer，older，andmore\"growedup;\"althoughsheresistedchangingherseashoredwellingforSanFrancisco，sheaccompaniedhimononeortwoofhis\"deepsea\"tripsdownthecoast，andseemedhappierontheirsouthernlimits。Shehadtakentoreadingthepoliticalpapersandspeeches，andsomecheapAmericanhistories。CaptainBunker’screw，profoundlyconvincedthattheirskipper’swifewasa\"woman’srights\"fanatic，withthebalefulqualitiesof\"sealawyer\"superadded，marveledathisbringingher。
ItwasonreturninghomefromoneofthesetripsthattheytouchedbrieflyatSanFrancisco，wheretheSecretaryoftheFishingCompanycameonboard。Mrs。BunkerwasstartledtorecognizeinhimoneofthetwogentlemenwhohadtakenMr。Marionoffintheboat，butashedidnotappeartorecognizeherevenafteranawkwardintroductionbyherhusband，shewouldhaverecoveredherequanimitybutforasingularincident。Asherhusbandturnedmomentarilyaway，theSecretary，withasignificantgesture，slippedaletterintoherhand。Shefeltthebloodrushtoherfaceas，withasmile，hemovedawaytofollowherhusband。Shecamedowntothelittlecabinandimpatientlytoreopentheenvelope，whichborenoaddress。Asmallfoldednotecontainedthefollowinglines：——
\"Ineverintendedtoburdenyouwithmyconfidence，butthediscretion，tact，andcourageyoudisplayedonourfirstmeeting，andwhatIknowofyourloyaltysince，havepromptedmetotrustmyselfagaintoyourkindness，eventhoughyouarenowawarewhomyouhavehelped，andtherisksyouran。Myfriendswishtocommunicatewithmeandtoforwardtome，fromtimetotime，certainpapersofimportance，which，owingtothetyrannicalespionageoftheGovernment，wouldbediscoveredandstoppedinpassingthroughtheexpressorpost—office。Thesepaperswillbeleftatyourhouse，buthereImusttrustentirelytoyourwitandjudgmentastothewayinwhichtheyshouldbedeliveredtomyagentatthenearestMexicanport。Tofacilitateyouraction，yourhusbandwillreceivedirectionstopursuehiscourseasfarsouthasTodosSantos，whereaboatwillbereadytotakechargeofthemwhenheissighted。IknowIamaskingagreatfavor，butIhavesuchconfidenceinyouthatIdonotevenaskyoutocommityourselftoareplytothis。IfitcanbedoneIknowthatyouwilldoit;ifitcannot，Iwillunderstandandappreciatethereasonwhy。Iwillonlyaskyouthatwhenyouarereadytoreceivethepapersyouwillflyasmallredpennantfromthelittleflagstaffamongtherocks。Believeme，yourfriendandgratefuldebtor，\"W。M。\"