"Letmeknowwhatitisanditshallbedone，"repliedRenshawquickly。
"IfyoushouldcomeacrossMonsieurdeFerrieres，orhearofhim，I
wishyouwouldletmeknow。Hewasverypoorlywhenhelefthere，andIshouldliketoknowifhewasbetter。Hedidn’tsaywherehewasgoing。Atleast，hedidn’ttellfather;butIfancyheandfatherdon’tagree。"
"IshallbeverygladofhavingevenTHATopportunityofmakingyourememberme，MissNott，"returnedRenshawwithafaintsmile;"I
don’tsupposeeitherthatitwouldbeverydifficulttogetnewsofyourfriend——everybodyseemstoknowhim。"
"ButnotasIdid，"saidRoseywithanabstractedlittlesigh。
Mr。Renshawopenedhisbrowneyesuponher。Washemistaken？wasthisromanticgirlonlyalittlecoquetteplayingherprovincialairsonhim？"Yousayheandyourfatherdidn’tagree？Thatmeans，Isuppose，thatYOUandheagreed？——andthatwastheresult。"
"Idon’tthinkfatherknewanythingaboutit，"saidRoseysimply。
Mr。Renshawrose。Andthiswaswhathehadbeenwaitingtohear！
"Perhaps，"hesaidgrimly，"youwouldalsolikenewsofthephotographerandCaptainBower，ordidyourfatheragreewiththembetter？"
"No，"saidRoseyquietly。Sheremainedsilentforamoment，andliftingherlashessaid，"FatheralwaysseemedtoagreewithYOU，andthat——"shehesitated。
"That’swhyYOUdon’t。"
"Ididn’tsaythat，"saidRoseywithanincongruousincreaseofcoldnessandcolor。"Ionlymeanttosayitwasthatwhichmakesitseemsohardyoushouldgonow。"
NotwithstandinghispreviousdeterminationRenshawfoundhimselfsittingdownagain。Confusedandpleased，wishinghehadsaidmore——orless——hesaidnothing，andRoseywasforcedtocontinue。
"It’sstrange，isn’tit——butfatherwasurgingmethismorningtomakeavisittosomefriendsattheoldRanch。Ididn’twanttogo。Ilikeitmuchbetterhere。"
"Butyoucannotburyyourselfhereforever，MissNott，"saidRenshawwithasuddenburstofhonestenthusiasm。"Soonerorlateryouwillbeforcedtogowhereyouwillbeproperlyappreciated，whereyouwillbeadmiredandcourted，whereyourslightestwishwillbelaw。Believeme，withoutflattery，youdon’tknowyourownpower。"
"Itdoesn’tseemstrongenoughtokeepeventhelittleIlikehere，"saidRoseywithaslightglisteningoftheeyes。"But，"sheaddedhastily，"youdon’tknowhowmuchthedearoldshipistome。
It’stheonlyhomeIthinkIeverhad。"
"ButtheRanch？"saidRenshaw。
"TheRanchseemedtobeonlytheoldwagonhaltedintheroad。Itwasaverylittleimprovementonoutdoors，"saidRoseywithalittleshiver。"Butthisissocozyandsnugandyetsostrangeandforeign。DoyouknowIthinkIbegantounderstandwhyIlikeitsosinceyoutaughtmesomuchaboutshipsandvoyages。BeforethatIonlylearnedfrombooks。Booksdeceiveyou，Ithink，morethanpeopledo。Don’tyouthinkso？"
Sheevidentlydidnotnoticethequickflushthatcoveredhischeeksandapparentlydazzledhistroubledeyelidforshewentonconfidentially。
"Iwasthinkingofyouyesterday。Iwassittingbythegalleydoor，lookingforward。YourememberthefirstdayIsawyouwhenyoustartledmebycomingupoutofthehatch？"
"Iwishyouwouldn’tthinkofthat，"saidRenshaw，withmoreearnestnessthanhewouldhavemadeapparent。
"Idon’twanttoeither，"saidRosey，gravely，"forI’vehadastrangefancyaboutit。IsawoncewhenIwasyounger，apictureinaprintshopinMontgomeryStreetthathauntedme。Ithinkitwascalled’ThePirate。’Therewasanumberofwicked-lookingsailorslyingaroundthedeck，andcomingoutofahatchwasonefigurewithhishandsonthedeckandacutlassinhismouth。"
"Thankyou，"saidRenshaw。
"Youdon’tunderstand。Hewashorrid-looking，notatalllikeyou。
IneverthoughtofHIMwhenIfirstsawyou;buttheotherdayI
thoughthowdreadfulitwouldhavebeenifsomeonelikehimandnotlikeyouhadcomeupthen。Thatmademenervoussometimesofbeingalone。Ithinkfatheristoo。Heoftengoesaboutstealthilyatnight，asifhewaswatchingforsomething。"
Renshaw’sfacegrewsuddenlydark。CoulditbepossiblethatSleighthadalwayssuspectedhim，andsetspiestowatch——orwasheguiltyofsomedoubleintrigue？
"Hethinks，"continuedRoseywithafaintsmile，"thatsomeoneislookingaroundtheship，andtalksofsettingbear-traps。Ihopeyou’renotmad，Mr。Renshaw，"sheadded，suddenlycatchingsightofhischangedexpression，"atmyfoolishnessinsayingyouremindedmeofthepirate。Imeantnothing。"
"Iknowyou’reincapableofmeaninganythingbutgoodtoanybody，MissNott，perhapstomemorethanIdeserve，"saidRenshawwithasuddenburstoffeeling。"Iwish——Iwish——youwoulddoMEafavor。
YOUaskedmeonejustnow。"Hehadtakenherhand。Itseemedsolikeamereillustrationofhisearnestness，thatshedidnotwithdrawit。"Yourfathertellsyoueverything。Ifhehasanyoffertodisposeoftheship，willyouwritetomeatoncebeforeanythingisconcluded？"Hewincedalittle——thesentenceofSleight，"What’sthefigureyouandshehavesettledupon？"flashedacrosshismind。HescarcelynoticedthatRoseyhadwithdrawnherhandcoldly。
"Perhapsyouhadbetterspeaktofather，asitisHISbusiness。
Besides，Ishallnotbehere。IshallbeattheRanch。"
"Butyousaidyoudidn’twanttogo？"
"I’vechangedmymind，"saidRoseylistlessly。"Ishallgoto-
night。"
Sheroseasiftoindicatethattheinterviewwasended。Withanoverpoweringinstinctthathiswholefuturehappinessdependeduponhisnextact，hemadeasteptowardsher，witheageroutstretchedhands。Butsheslightlyliftedherownwithawarninggesture，"I
hearfathercoming——youwillhaveachancetotalkBUSINESSwithhim，"shesaid，andvanishedintoherstate-room。
VI
TheheavytreadofAbnerNottechoedinthepassage。Confusedandembarrassed，RenshawremainedstandingatthedoorthathadcloseduponRoseyasherfatherenteredthecabin。Providence，whichalwaysfosteredMr。Nott’scharacteristicmisconceptions，leftthatperspicaciousparentbutoneinterpretationofthesituation。
RoseyhadevidentlyjustinformedMr。Renshawthatshelovedanother！
"Iwasjustsaying’good-by’toMissNott，"saidRenshaw，hastilyregaininghiscomposurewithaneffort。"IamgoingtoSacramentoto-night，andwillnotreturn。I——"
"Incourse，incourse，"interruptedNott，soothingly;"that’swotyousaynow，andthat’swhatyouallowtodo。That’swottheyallusdo。"
"Imean，"saidRenshaw，reddeningatwhatheconceivedtobeanallusiontotheabscondingpropensitiesofNott’sprevioustenants，——"Imeanthatyoushallkeeptheadvancetocoveranylossyoumightsufferthroughmygivinguptherooms。"
"Certingly，"saidNott，layinghishandwithalargesympathyonRenshaw’sshoulder;"butwe’lldropthatjustnow。Wewon’tswaphossesinthemiddleoftheriver。We’llsquareupaccountsinyourroom，"headded，raisinghisvoicethatRoseymightoverhearhim，afterapreliminarywinkattheyoungman。"Yes，sir，we’lljustsquareupandsettleinthere。Comealong，Mr。Renshaw。"
Pushinghimwithpaternalgentlenessfromthecabin，withhishandstilluponhisshoulder，hefollowedhimintothepassage。Halfannoyedathisfamiliarity，yetnotaltogetherdispleasedbythisillustrationofRosey’sbeliefofhispreference，Renshawwonderinglyaccompaniedhim。Nottclosedthedoor，andpushingtheyoungmanintoachair，deliberatelyseatedhimselfatthetableopposite。"It’sjustaswellthatRoseyreckonsthatyouandmeissettlin’ouraccounts，"hebegan，cunningly，"andmebbeeit’sjustezwellezsheshouldreckonyou’regoin’away。"
"ButIAMgoing，"interruptedRenshaw，impatiently。"Ileaveto-
night。"
"Surely，surely，"saidNott，gently，"that’swotyoukalkilatetodo;that’sjustnat’ralinayoungfeller。That’saboutwhatI
reckonI’Dhevdonetohermotherifanythin’likethishedevercroppedup，whichitdidn’t。NotbutwhatAlmiryJanehadyoungfellersenoughroundher，but，’ceptoleJudgePeter，ezwaslamedintheWarof1812，thereain’tnosimilarityezIkinsee，"headded，musingly。
"IamafraidIcan’tseeanysimilarityeither，Mr。Nott，"saidRenshaw，strugglingbetweenadawningsenseofsomeimpendingabsurdityandhisgrowingpassionforRosey。"ForHeaven’ssakespeakoutifyou’vegotanythingtosay。"
Mr。Nottleanedforward，andplacedhislargehandontheyoungman’sshoulder。"That’sit。That’swhatIsedtomyselfwhenI
seedhowthingswerepintin’。’Speakout，’sezI，’Abner！Speakoutifyou’vegotanythingtosay。YoukintrustthisyerMr。
Renshaw。Heain’tthekindofmantocreepintothebosomofaman’sshipforpupposesofhisown。Heain’tamanthatwouldhuntrounduntilhediscoveredapoorman’streasure，andthentrytorob——’"
"Stop！"saidRenshaw，withasetfaceanddarkeningeyes。"WHAT
treasure？WHATmanareyouspeakingof？"
"WhyRoseyandMr。Ferrers，"returnedNott，simply。
Renshawsankintohisseatagain。ButtheexpressionofreliefwhichherepassedswiftlyoverhisfacegavewaytooneofuneasyinterestasNottwenton。
"P’r’apsit’salittlehighfalutintalkin’ofRoseyezatreasure。
But，considerin’，Mr。Renshaw，ezshe’stheonlyprop’tyI’vekeptbymeforseventeenyearsezhezpaidinterestandincreasedinvalooe，itain’tsayin’toomuchtocallherso。AndezFerrersknowsthis，heoughterbeencontentwithgougin’meinthathorse-
hairspec，withoutgoin’forRosey。P’r’apsyersurprisedathearingmespeako’myownfleshandbloodezifIwastalkin’
hoss-trade，butyouandmeisbus’nessmen，Mr。Renshaw，andwediscussesezsuch。Weain’tgoin’tosloshroundandslopoverinpo’tryandsentiment，"continuedNott，withatremulousvoice，andahandthatslightlyshookonRenshaw’sshoulder。"Weain’tgoin’
togitupandsing，’Thou’stlarnedtoloveanotherthou’stbrokeneveryvowwe’vepartedfromeachotherandmybozom’slonelynowohisitwelltoseversuchheartsasournforeverkinIforgettheeneverfarewellfarewellfarewell。’Yeneverhappen’dtohearJimBakersingthatatthemoosichallonDupontStreet，Mr。Renshaw，"
continuedMr。Nott，enthusiastically，whenhehadrecoveredfromthatcompleteabsenceofpunctuationwhichalonesuggestedversetohisintellect。"Hesorterstruckwaterdownhere，"indicatinghisheart，"everytime。"
"ButwhathasMissNotttodowithM。deFerrieres？"askedRenshaw，withafaintsmile。
Mr。Nottregardedhimwithdumb，round，astonishedeyes。"Hezn’tshetoldyer？"
"Certainlynot。"
"Andshedidn’tletonanythin’abouthim？"hecontinued，feebly。
"Shesaidshe’dlikedtoknowwhere——"Hestopped，withthereflectionthathewasbetrayingherconfidences。
Adimforebodingofsomenewformofdeceit，towhicheventhemanbeforehimwasaconsentingparty，almostparalyzedNott’sfaculties。"Thenshedidn’ttellyerthatsheandFerrerswassparkin’andkeepin’kimpanytogether;thatsheandhimwasengaged，andwaskalkilatin’torunawaytofurrinparts;thatshecottonedtohimmorethantotheshiporherfather？"
"Shecertainlydidnot，andIshouldn’tbelieveit，"saidRenshaw，quickly。
Nottsmiled。Hewasamused;heastutelyrecognizedtheusualtrustfulnessofloveandyouth。Therewasclearlynodeceithere！
Renshaw’sattentiveeyessawthesmile，andhisbrowdarkened。
"Iliketohearyersaythat，Mr。Renshaw，"saidNott，"andit’snomorethanRoseydeserves，ezit’ssuthingonnat’ralandspell-likethat’scomeoverherthroughFerrers。Itain’tmyRosey。Butit’sGospeltruth，whethershe’sbewitchedornot;whetherit’sthemdamnfoolstoriesshereads——andit’slikeeznothe’sjustthekindo’snipetowrite’emhisself，andsorteradvertisehisself，don’tyersee——she’sallusstuckupforhim。They’vehadclandesentinterviews，andwhenItaxedhimwithitheezmuchezalloweditwasso，andreckonedhemustleave，soezhecouldrunheroff，youknow——kinderstampedeherwith’honor。’Them’shisverywords。"
"Butthatisallpast;heisgone，andMissNottdoesnotevenknowwhereheis！"saidRenshaw，withalaugh，which，however，concealedavagueuneasiness。
Mr。Nottroseandopenedthedoorcarefully。Whenhehadsatisfiedhimselfthatnoonewaslistening，hecamebackandsaidinawhisper，"That’salie。NotezRoseymeanstolie，butit’satrickhe’sputuponthatpoorchild。Thatman，Mr。Renshaw，hezbeenhangin’roundthePontiaceversince。I’veseedhimtwicewithmyowneyespassthecabinwindys。Morethanthat，I’veheardstrangenoisesatnight，andseenstrangefacesinthealleyoveryer。AndonlyjistnowezIkeminIketchedsightofafurrinlookin’ChineeniggerslinkingroundthebackdoorofwhatuseterbeFerrers’sloft。"
"Didhelooklikeasailor？"askedRenshawquickly，withareturnofhisformersuspicion。
"NotmorethanIdo，"saidNott，glancingcomplacentlyathispea-
jacket。"Hehadringsonhisyeerslikeawench。"
Mr。Renshawstarted。ButseeingNott’seyesfixedonhim，hesaidlightly，"Butwhathavethesestrangefacesandthisstrangeman——
probablyonlyaLascarsailoroutofajob——todowithFerrieres？"
"Friendso’his——fellerfurrincitizens——spiesonRosey，don’tyousee？Buttheycan’tplaytheoldman，Mr。Renshaw。I’vetoldRoseyshemustmakeavisittotheoldRanch。OnceI’vegotherthersafe，IreckonIkinmanageMr。FerrersandanynumberofChineeniggershekinbringalong。"
Renshawremainedforafewmomentslostinthought。ThenrisingsuddenlyhegraspedMr。Nott’shandwithafranksmilebutdeterminedeyes。"Ihaven’tgotthehangofthis，Mr。Nott——thewholethinggetsme！IonlyknowthatI’vechangedmymind。I’mNOTgoingtoSacramento。IshallstayHERE，oldman，untilIseeyousafethroughthebusiness，ormyname’snotDickRenshaw。
There’smyhandonit！Don’tsayaword。MaybeitisnomorethanIoughttodo——perhapsnothalfenough。Onlyremember，notawordofthistoyourdaughter。ShemustbelievethatIleaveto-night。
Andthesooneryougetheroutofthiscursedshipthebetter。"
"DeaconFlint’sgirlsaregoin’upinto-night’sboat。I’llsendRoseywiththem，"saidNottwithacunningtwinkle。Renshawnodded。Nottseizedhishandwithawinkofunutterablesignificance。
LefttohimselfRenshawtriedtoreviewmorecalmlythecircumstancesinthesestrangerevelationsthathadimpelledhimtochangehisresolutionsosuddenly。Thattheshipwasunderthesurveillanceofunknownparties，andthatthedescriptionofthemtalliedwithhisownknowledgeofacertainLascarsailor，whowasoneofSleight’sinformants——seemedtobemorethanprobable。ThatthisseemedtopointtoSleight’sdisloyaltytohimselfwhilehewasactingashisagent，oradoubletreacheryonthepartofSleight’sinformantswasineithercaseareasonandanexcuseforhisowninterference。ButtheconnectionoftheabsurdFrenchmanwiththecase，whichatfirstseemedacharacteristicimbecilityofhislandlord，bewilderedhimthemorehethoughtofit。Rejectinganyhypothesisofthegirl’saffectionfortheantiquatedfigurewhosesanitywasaquestionofpubliccriticism，hewasforcedtotheequallyalarmingtheorythatFerriereswascognizantofthetreasure，andthathisattentionstoRoseyweretogainpossessionofitbymarryingher。Mightshenotbedazzledbyapictureofthiswealth？Wasitnotpossiblethatshewasalreadyinpartpossessionofthesecret，andherstrangeattractiontotheship，andwhathehaddeemedherinnocentcravingforinformationconcerningit，aconsequence？Whyhadhenotthoughtofthisbefore？Perhapsshehaddetectedhispurposefromthefirst，andhaddeliberatelycheckmatedhim。ThethoughtdidnotincreasehiscomplacencyasNottsoftlyreturned。
"It’sallright，"hebeganwithacertainsatisfactioninthisrareopportunityforMachiavelliandiplomacy，"it’sallfixednow。
Roseytumbledtoitatonce，partiklerlywhenIsaidyouwasboundtogo。’ButwotmakesMr。Renshawgo，father，’sezshe;’wotmakeseverybodyrunawayfromtheship？’sezshe，ratherpeartlikeandsassyforher。’Mr。Renshawhezcontractin’business，’sezI;’gotabigthingupinSacramentothat’llmakehisfortun’，’sezI——forIwasn’tgoin’togiveyeraway，don’tyesee。’Hehadsomebusinesstotalktoyouabouttheship，’sezshe，lookin’atmeunderthecornerofherpockethandkerchief。’Lotso’business，’
sezI。’ThenIreckonhedon’tcaretohevmewritetohim，’sezshe。’Notabit，’sezI，’hewouldn’tansweryeifyedid。Ye’llneverhearfromthatchapagin。’"
"Butwhatthedevil——"interruptedtheyoungmanimpetuously。
"Keepyerhairon！"remonstratedtheoldmanwithdarkintelligence。"Efyou’dseenthewaysheflouncedintoherstateroom！——she，Rosey，ezallusmovesezsoftlyezaspirit——you’dhevwishedI’dhevunloadedalittlemore。Nosir，galsisgalsinsomethingsallthetime。"
Renshawroseandpacedtheroomrapidly。"PerhapsI’dbetterspeaktoheragainbeforeshegoes，"hesaid，impulsively。
"P’r’apsyou’dbetternot，"repliedtheimperturbableNott。
Irritatedashewas，Renshawcouldnotavoidthereflectionthattheoldmanwasright。What，indeed，couldhesaytoherwithhispresentimperfectknowledge？Howcouldshewritetohimifthatknowledgewascorrect？
"Ef，"saidNott，kindly，withalayingonoflargebenedictoryandpaternalhands，"efyerarewillin’toseeRoseyagin，withoutSPEAKIN’toher，IreckonIkenfixitforyer。I’mgoin’totakeherdowntotheboatinhalfanhour。Efyershouldhappen——mind，efyershouldHAPPENtobedownthere，seein’somefriendsoffandsorterpromenadin’upanddownthewharflikethemhigh-tonedchapsonMontgomeryStreet——yemightketchhereyeunconsciouslike。Or，yemightdothis！"Heroseafteramoment’scogitationandwithafaceofprofoundmysteryopenedthedoorandbeckonedRenshawtofollowhim。Leadingthewaycautiously，hebroughttheyoungmanintoanopenunpartitionedrecessbesideherstateroom。Itseemedtobeusedasastoreroom，andRenshaw’seyewascaughtbyatrunkthesizeandshapeoftheonethathadprovidedRoseywiththematerialsofhermasquerade。PointingtoitMr。Nottsaidinagravewhisper："ThisyertrunkisthecompaniontrunktoRosey’s。
SHE’Sgotthethingsthemoperywomenwears;thisyercontainstheHEthings，thedudsandfixin’so’themeno’thesamestripe。"
Throwingitopenhecontinued："Now，Mr。Renshaw，galsisgals;
it’snat’raltheyshouldbetookbyfancydressandstoreclothesonyoungchapsasontheirselves。ThatmanFerrershezgotthedeadwoodonallofyeinthissortofthing，andhezbeenplaying，sotospeak，alonehandallalong。Andefthar’sanythin’inthar，"headded，liftingpartofatheatricalwardrobe，"thatyouthinkyou’dfancy——anythin’you’dliketoputonwhenyepromenadethewharfdownyonder——it’syours。Don’tyebebashful，buthelpyourself。"
ItwasfullyaminutebeforeRenshawfairlygraspedtheoldman’smeaning。Butwhenhedid——whenthesuggestedspectacleofhimselfarrayedalaFerrieres，gravelypromenadingthewharfasalastgorgeousappealtotheaffectionsofRosey，rosebeforehisfancy，hegavewaytoafitofgenuinelaughter。Thenervoustensionofthepastfewhoursrelaxed;helaugheduntilthetearscameintohiseyes;hewasstilllaughingwhenthedoorofthecabinwassuddenlyopenedandRoseyappearedcoldanddistantonthethreshold。
"I——begyourpardon，"stammeredRenshawhastily。"Ididn’tmean——
todisturbyou——I——"
WithoutlookingathimRoseyturnedtoherfather。"Iamready，"
shesaidcoldly，andclosedthedooragain。
AglanceofartfulintelligencecameintoNott’seyes，whichhadremainedblanklystaringatRenshaw’sapparentlycauselesshilarity。Turningtohimhewinkedsolemnly。"Thatkeerlesskindo’hoss-laffjistfetchedher，"hewhispered，andvanishedbeforehischagrinedcompanioncouldreply。
WhenMr。NottandhisdaughterdepartedRenshawwasnotintheship，neitherdidhemakeaspectacularappearanceonthewharfasMr。Notthadfondlyexpected，nordidheturnupagainuntilafternineo’clock，whenhefoundtheoldmaninthecabinawaitinghisreturnwithsomeagitation。
"Aminitago，"hesaid，mysteriouslyclosingthedoorbehindRenshaw，"Iheardavoiceinthepassage，andgoin’outwhoshouldIseeaginbutthatdarnedfurrinniggerezItoldyer’bout，kinderhidin’inthedark，hiseyesshininlikeacatamount，Iwasjistreachin’formyweppinswhenherizupwithagrinandhandedmethisyerletter。ItoldhimIreckonedyou’dgonetoSacramento，buthesaidhewezsureyouwasinyourroom，andtoproveitIwentthar。ButwhenIkembackthed————dskunkhadvamoosed——gotfrightenedIreckon——andwasn’tnowhartobeseen。"
Reashawtooktheletterhastily。ItcontainedonlyalineinSleight’shand。"Ifyouchangeyourmind，thebearermaybeofservicetoyou。"
HeturnedabruptlytoNott。"YousayitwasthesameLascaryousawbefore。"
"Itwas。"
"ThenallIcansayisheisnoagentofdeFerrieres’s，"saidRenshaw，turningawaywithadisappointedair。Mr。Nottwouldhaveaskedanotherquestion，butwithanabrupt"Good-night"theyoungmanenteredhisroom，lockedthedoor，andthrewhimselfonhisbedtoreflectwithoutinterruption。
ButifhewasinnomoodtostandNott’sfatuousconjectures，hewaslessinclinedtobesatisfiedwithhisown。Hadhebeenagaincarriedawaythroughhisimpulsesevokedbythecapricesofaprettycoquetteandtheabsurdtheoriesofherhalfimbecilefather？HadhebrokenfaithwithSleightandremainedintheshipfornothing，andwouldnothischangeofresolutionappeartobetheresultofSleight’snote？ButwhyhadtheLascarbeenhauntingtheshipbefore？Inthemidstoftheseconjectureshefellasleep。
VII
BetweenthreeandfourinthemorningthecloudsbrokeoverthePontiac，andthemoon，ridinghigh，pickedoutinblackandsilverthelonghulkthatlaycradledbetweentheironshellsofwarehousesandthewoodenframesoftenementsoneitherside。Thegalleyandcoveredgangwaypresentedamassofundefinedshadow，againstwhichthewhitedeckshonebrightly，stretchingtotheforecastleandbows，wherethetinyglassroofofthephotographerglistenedlikeageminthePontiac’screst。Sopeacefulandmotionlessshelaythatshemighthavebeensomepetrifactionofapastagenowfirstexhumedandlaidbaretothecoldlightofthestars。
Neverthelessthiscalmsecuritywaspresentlyinvadedbyasenseofstealthylifeandmotion。Whathadseemedafixedshadowsuddenlydetacheditselffromthedeck，andbegantoslipstanchionbystanchionalongthebulwarkstowardthecompanionway。Atthecabindoorithaltedandcrouchedmotionless。Thenrising，itglidedforwardwiththesamestaccatomovementuntiloppositetheslightelevationoftheforehatch。Suddenlyitdartedtothehatch，unfastenedandlifteditwithaswift，familiardexterity，anddisappearedintheopening。Butasthemoonshoneuponitsvanishingface，itrevealedthewhiteningeyesandteethoftheLascarseaman。
Droppingtothelowerdecklightly，hefelthiswaythroughthedarkpassagebetweenthepartitions，evidentlylessfamiliartohim，haltingbeforeeachdoortolisten。ReturningforwardhereachedthesecondhatchwaythathadattractedRosey’sattention，andnoiselesslyuncloseditsfastenings。Apenetratingsmellofbilgearosefromtheopening。Drawingasmallbull’s-eyelanternfromhisbreasthelitit，andunhesitatinglylethimselfdowntothefurtherdepth。Themovingflashofhislightrevealedtherecessesoftheupperhold，theabyssofthewellamidships，andglancedfromtheshiningbacksofmovingzig-zagsofratsthatseemedtooutlinetheshadowybeamsandtransoms。Disregardingthosecuriousspectatorsofhismovements，heturnedhisattentioneagerlytotheinnercasingsofthehold，thatseemedinonespottohavebeenstrengthenedbyfreshtimbers。Attackingthisstealthilywiththeaidofsometoolshiddeninhisoil-skinclothing，inthelightofthelanternheboreafancifulresemblancetothepredatoryanimalsaroundhim。Thelowcontinuoussoundofraspingandgnawingoftimberwhichfollowedheightenedtheresemblance。Attheendofafewminuteshehadsucceededinremovingenoughoftheouterplankingtoshowthattheentirefillingofthecasingbetweenthestanchionswascomposedofsmallboxes。Draggingoutoneofthemwithfeverisheagernesstothelight，theLascarforceditopen。Intheraysofthebull’s-
eye，awedgedmassofdiscoloredcoinsshowedwithaluridglow。
ThestoryofthePontiacwastrue——thetreasurewasthere！
ButMr。Sleighthadoverlookedthelogicaleffectofthisdiscoveryonthenaturalvillainyofhistool。Intheverymomentofhistriumphantexecutionofhispatron’ssuggestionstheideaofkeepingthetreasuretohimselfflasheduponhismind。HEhaddiscoveredit——whyshouldhegiveituptoanybody？HEhadrunalltherisks;ifheweredetectedatthatmoment，whowouldbelievethathispurposethereatmidnightwasonlytosatisfysomeoneelsethatthetreasurewasstillintact？No。Thecircumstanceswerepropitious;hewouldgetthetreasureoutoftheshipatonce，dropitoverherside，hastilyconcealitinthenearestlotadjacent，andtakeitawayathisconvenience。——Whowouldbethewiserforit？
Butitwasnecessarytoreconnoitrefirst。Heknewthattheloftoverheadwasempty。Heknewthatitcommunicatedwiththealley，forhehadtriedthedoorthatmorning。Hewouldconveythetreasurethere，anddropitintothealley。Theboxeswereheavy。
Eachonewouldrequireaseparatejourneytotheship’sside，buthewouldatleastsecuresomethingifhewereinterrupted。Hestrippedthecasing，andgatheredtheboxestogetherinapile。
Ah，yes，itwasfunnytoothathe——theLascarhound——thed————dnigger——shouldgetwhatbiggerandbulliermenthanhehaddiedfor！Themate’sbloodwasonthoseboxes，ifthesaltwaterhadnotwasheditout。Itwasahellofafightwhentheydraggedthecaptain——Oh，whatwasthat？Wasitthesplashofaratinthebilge，orwhat？
Asuperstitiousterrorhadbeguntoseizehimatthethoughtofblood。Thestiflingholdseemedagainfilledwithstrugglingfigureshehadknown;theairthickwithcriesandblasphemiesthathehadforgotten。Herosetohisfeet，andrunningquicklytothehatchway，leapedtothedeckabove。Allwasquiet。Thedoorleadingtotheemptyloftyieldedtohistouch。Heentered，and，glidingthrough，unbarredandopenedthedoorthatgaveuponthealley。Thecoldairandmoonlightflowedinsilently;thewayofescapewasclear。Bah！Hewouldgobackforthetreasure。
Hehadreachedthepassagewhenthedoorhehadjustopenedwassuddenlydarkened。Turningrapidly，hewasconsciousofagauntfigure，grotesque，silent，anderect，loomingonthethresholdbetweenhimandthesky。Hiddenintheshadow，hemadeastealthysteptowardsit，withanironwrenchinhisupliftedhand。Butthenextmomenthiseyesdilatedwithsuperstitioushorror;theironfellfromthishand，andwithascream，likeafrightenedanimal，heturnedandfledintothepassage。Inthefirstaccessofhisblindterrorhetriedtoreachthedeckabovethroughtheforehatch，butwasstoppedbythesoundofaheavytreadoverhead。
Theimmediatefearofdetectionnowovercamehissuperstition;hewouldhaveevenfacedtheapparitionagaintoescapethroughtheloft;but，beforehecouldreturnthere，otherfootstepsapproachedrapidlyfromtheendofthepassagehewouldhavetotraverse。
Therewasbutonechanceofescapeleftnow——theforeholdhehadjustquitted。Hemighthidethereuntilthealarmwasover。Heglidedbacktothehatch，liftedit，anditclosedsoftlyoverhisheadastheupperhatchwassimultaneouslyraised，andthesmallroundeyesofAbnerNottpeereddownuponit。TheotherfootstepsprovedtobeRenshaw’sbut，attractedbytheopendooroftheloft，heturnedasideandentered。AssoonashedisappearedMr。Nottcautiouslydroppedthroughtheopeningtothedeckbelow，and，goingtotheotherhatchthroughwhichtheLascarhadvanished，deliberatelyrefastenedit。InafewmomentsRenshawreturnedwithalight，andfoundtheoldmansittingonthehatch。
"Theloftdoorwasopen，"saidRenshaw。"There’slittledoubtwhoeverwashereescapedthatway。"
"Surely，"saidNott。TherewasapeculiarlookofMachiavelliansagacityinhisfacewhichirritatedRenshaw。
"Thenyou’resureitwasFerrieresyousawpassbyyourwindowbeforeyoucalledme？"heasked。
Nottnoddedhisheadwithanexpressionofinfiniteprofundity。
"ButyousayhewasgoingFROMtheship。Thenitcouldnothavebeenhewhomadethenoisewehearddownhere。"
"Mebbeeno，andmebbeeyes，"returnedNott，cautiously。"Butifhewasalreadyconcealedinsidetheship，asthatopendoor，whichyousayyoubarredfromtheinside，wouldindicate，whatthedevildidhewantwiththis？"saidRenshaw，producingthemonkey-wrenchhehadpickedup。
Mr。Nottexaminedthetoolcarefully，andshookhisheadwithmomentoussignificance。Nevertheless，hiseyeswanderedtothehatchonwhichhewasseated。
"DidyoufindanythingdisturbedTHERE？"saidRenshaw，followingthedirectionofhiseye。"Wasthathatchfastenedasitisnow？"
"Itwas，"saidNott，calmly。"Butyewouldn’tmindfetchin’meahammerandsomeo’thembignailsfromthelocker，wouldyer，whileIhangroundherejustsoeztomakesureagainstanotherattack。"
Renshawcompliedwithhisrequest;butasNottproceededtogravelynaildownthefasteningsofthehatch，heturnedimpatientlyawaytocompletehisexaminationoftheship。Thedoorsoftheotherloftsandtheirfasteningsappearedsecureandundisturbed。Yetitwasundeniablethatafeloniousentrancehadbeenmade，butbywhomorforwhatpurposestillremaineduncertain。Evennow，RenshawfounditdifficulttoacceptNott’stheorythatdeFerriereswastheaggressorandRoseytheobject，norcouldhejustifyhisownsuspicionthattheLascarhadobtainedasurreptitiousentranceunderSleight’sdirections。WithafeelingthatifRoseyhadbeenpresenthewouldhaveconfessedall，anddemandedfromheranequalconfidence，hebegantohatehisfeeble，purposeless，andinefficientalliancewithherfather，whobelievedbutdarenottaxhisdaughterwithcomplicityinthisoutrage。Whatcouldbedonewithamanwhoseonlyideaofactionatsuchamomentwastonailupanundisturbedentranceinhisinvadedhouse！HewassopreoccupiedwiththesethoughtsthatwhenNottrejoinedhiminthecabinhescarcelyheededhispresence，andwasentirelyobliviousofthefurtivelookswhichtheoldmanfromtimetotimecastuponhisface。
"Ireckonyewouldn’tmind，"brokeinNott，suddenly，"efIaskedafavorofye，Mr。Renshaw。Mebbeeye’llallowit’saskin’toomuchinthematterofexpense;mebbeeye’llallowit’saskin’toomuchinthemattero’time。ButIkalkilatetopayalltheexpense，andifyou’dletmeknowwhatyervallyyertimeat，IreckonIcouldstandthat。WhatI’dbeaskin’isthis。Wouldyemindtakin’aletterfrommetoRosey，andbringin’backananswer？"
Renshawstaredspeechlesslyatthisabsurdrealizationofhiswishofamomentbefore。"Idon’tthinkIunderstandyou，"hestammered。
"P’r’apsnot，"returnedNott，withgreatgravity。"Butthat’snotsomuchmattertoyouezyourtimeandexpenses。"
"ImeantIshouldbegladtogoifIcanbeofanyservicetoyou，"
saidRenshaw，hastily。
"Youkinketchtheseveno’clockboatthismorning，andyou’llreachSanRafaelatten——"
"ButIthoughtMissRoseywenttoPetaluma，"interruptedRenshawquickly。
Nottregardedhimwithanexpressionofpatronizingsuperiority。
"That’swhatweladledouttothepublicgin’rally，andtoFerrersandhisganginpartickler。WeSAIDPetalumey，butifyougotoMadronoCottage，SanRafael，you’llfindRoseythar。"
IfMr。RenshawrequiredanythingmoretoconvincehimofthenecessityofcomingtosomeunderstandingwithRoseyatonceitwouldhavebeenthislastevidenceofherfather’sutterlydarkandsupremelyinscrutabledesigns。Heassentedquickly，andNotthandedhimanote。
"Ye’llbeparticklertogivethisinterherownhands，andwaitforananswer，"saidNottgravely。
Resistingthepropositiontoenterthenandthereintoanelaboratecalculationofthevalueofhistimeandtheexpensesofthetrip，Renshawfoundhimselfatseveno’clockontheSanRafaelboat。
BriefaswasthejourneyitgavehimtimetoreflectuponhiscominginterviewwithRosey。Hehadresolvedtobeginbyconfessingall;theattemptoflastnighthadreleasedhimfromanysenseofdutytoSleight。Besides，hedidnotdoubtthatNott’slettercontainedsomereferencetothisaffaironlyknowntoNott’sdarkandtortuousintelligence。
VIII
MadronoCottagelayattheentranceofalittlecanadaalreadygreenwiththeearlywinterrains，andnestledinathicketoftheharlequinpaintedtreesthatgaveitaname。TheyoungmanwasalittlerelievedtofindthatRoseyhadgonetothepost-officeamileaway，andthathewouldprobablyovertakeherormeetherreturning——alone。Theroad——littlemorethanatrail——woundalongthecrestofthehilllookingacrossthecanadatothelong，dark，heavily-woodedflankofMountTamalpaisthatrosefromthevalleyadozenmilesaway。Acessationofthewarmrain，ariftinthesky，andtherarespectacleofcloudscenery，combinedwithacertainsenseoffreedom，restoredthatlightheartedgayetythatbecamehimmost。AtasuddenturnoftheroadhecaughtsightofRosey’sfigurecomingtowardshim，andquickenedhisstepwiththeimpulsivenessofaboy。Butshesuddenlydisappeared，andwhenheagainsawhershewasontheothersideofthetrailapparentlypickingtheleavesofamanzanita。Shehadalreadyseenhim。
Somehowthefranknessofhisgreetingwaschecked。Shelookedupathimwithcheeksthatretainedenoughoftheircolortosuggestwhyshehadhesitated，andsaid，"YOUhere，Mr。Renshaw？IthoughtyouwereinSacramento。"
"AndIthoughtYOUwereinPetaluma，"heretortedgayly。"Ihavealetterfromyourfather。Thefactis，oneofthosegentlemenwhohasbeenhauntingtheshipactuallymadeanentrylastnight。Whohewas，andwhathecamefor，nobodyknows。Perhapsyourfathergivesyouhissuspicions。"Hecouldnothelplookingathernarrowlyashehandedherthenote。Exceptthatherprettyeyebrowswereslightlyraisedincuriositysheseemedundisturbedassheopenedtheletter。Presentlysheraisedhereyestohis。
"Isthisallfathergaveyou？"
"All。"
"You’resureyouhaven’tdroppedanything？"
"Nothing。Ihavegivenyouallhegaveme。"
"Andthatisallitis。"Sheexhibitedthemissive，aperfectlyblanksheetofpaperfoldedlikeanote！
Renshawfelttheangrybloodglowinhischeeks。"Thisisunpardonable！Iassureyou，MissNott，theremustbesomemistake。
Hehimselfhasprobablyforgottentheinclosure，"hecontinued，yetwithaninwardconvictionthattheactwasperfectlypremeditatedonthepartoftheoldman。
Theyounggirlheldoutherhandfrankly。"Don’tthinkanymoreofit，Mr。Renshaw。Fatherisforgetfulattimes。Buttellmeaboutlastnight。"
InafewwordsMr。RenshawbrieflybutplainlyrelatedthedetailsoftheattemptuponthePontiac，fromthemomentthathehadbeenawakenedbyNott，tohisdiscoveryoftheunknowntrespasser’sflightbytheopendoortotheloft。Whenhehadfinished，hehesitated，andthentakingRosey’shand，saidimpulsively，"YouwillnotbeangrywithmeifItellyouall？YourfatherfirmlybelievesthattheattemptwasmadebytheoldFrenchman，deFerrieres，withaviewofcarryingyouoff。"
Adozenreasonsotherthantheoneherfatherwouldhaveattributedittomighthavecalledthebloodtoherface。Butonlyinnocencecouldhavebroughtthelookofastonishedindignationtohereyesassheansweredquickly：
"SoTHATwaswhatyouwerelaughingat？"
"Notthat，MissNott，"saidtheyoungmaneagerly："thoughIwishtoGodIcouldaccusemyselfofnothingmoredisloyal。Donotspeak，Ibeg，"headdedimpatiently，asRoseywasabouttoreply。
"Ihavenorighttohearyou;IhavenorighttoevenstandinyourpresenceuntilIhaveconfessedeverything。IcametothePontiac;
Imadeyouracquaintance，MissNott，throughafraudaswickedasanythingyourfatherchargestodeFerrieres。Iamnotacontractor。IneverwasanhonestlodgerinthePontiac。Iwassimplyaspy。"
"Butyoudidn’tmeantobe——itwassomemistake，wasn’tit？"saidRosey，quitewhite，butmorefromsympathywiththeoffender’semotionthanhorrorattheoffense。
"IamafraidIdidmeanit。Butbearwithmeforafewmomentslongerandyoushallknowall。It’salongstory。Willyouwalkon，and——takemyarm？Youdonotshrinkfromme，MissNott。Thankyou。Iscarcelydeservethekindness。"
IndeedsolittledidRoseyshrinkthathewasconsciousofaslightreassuringpressureonhisarmastheymovedforward，andforthemomentIfeartheyoungmanfeltlikeexaggeratinghisoffenseforthesakeofproportionatesympathy。"Doyouremember，"hecontinued，"oneeveningwhenItoldyousomeseatales，yousaidyoualwaysthoughttheremustbesomestoryaboutthePontiac？
TherewasastoryofthePontiac，MissNott——awickedstory——aterriblestory——whichImighthavetoldyou，whichIOUGHTtohavetoldyou——whichwasthestorythatbroughtmethere。Youwereright，too，insayingthatyouthoughtIhadknownthePontiacbeforeIsteppedfirstonherdeckthatday。Ihad。"
HelaidhisdisengagedhandacrosslightlyonRosey’s，asiftoassurehimselfthatshewaslistening。
"Iwasatthattimeasailor。Ihadbeenfoolenoughtorunawayfromcollege，thinkingitafineromanticthingtoshipbeforethemastforavoyageroundtheworld。Iwasalittledisappointed，perhaps，butImadethebestofit，andintwoyearsIwassecondmateofawhalerlyinginalittleharborofoneoftheuncivilizedislandsofthePacific。WhilewewereatanchorthereaFrenchtradingvesselputin，apparentlyforwater。ShehadthedregsofamixedcrewofLascarsandPortuguese，whosaidtheyhadlosttherestoftheirmenbydesertion，andthatthecaptainandmatehadbeencarriedoffbyfever。Therewassomethingsoqueerintheirstorythatourskippertookthelawinhisownhands，andputmeonboardofherwithasalvagecrew。ButthatnighttheFrenchcrewmutinied，cutthecables，andwouldhavegottoseaifwehadnotbeenarmedandprepared，andmanagedtodrivethembelow。Whenwehadgotthemunderhatchesforafewhourstheyparleyed，andofferedtogoquietlyashore。Aswewereshortofhandsandunabletotakethemwithus，andaswehadnoevidenceagainstthem，weletthemgo，tooktheshiptoCallao，turnedherovertotheauthorities，lodgedaclaimforsalvage，andcontinuedourvoyage。
Whenwereturnedwefoundthetruthofthestorywasknown。ShehadbeenaFrenchtraderfromMarseilles，ownedbyhercaptain;hercrewhadmutiniedinthePacific，killedtheirofficersandtheonlypassenger——theownerofthecargo。TheyhadmadeawaywiththecargoandatreasureofnearlyhalfamillionofSpanishgoldfortradingpurposeswhichbelongedtothepassenger。IncourseoftimetheshipwassoldforsalvageandputintotheSouthAmericantradeuntilthebreakingoutoftheCaliforniangoldexcitement，whenshewassentwithacargotoSanFrancisco。ThatshipwasthePontiacwhichyourfatherbought。"
Aslightshudderranthroughthegirl’sframe。"Iwish——Iwishyouhadn’ttoldme，"shesaid。"Ishallneverclosemyeyesagaincomfortablyonboardofher，Iknow。"
"IwouldsaythatyouhadpurifiedherofALLstainsofherpast——
buttheremaybeonethatremains。AndTHATinmostpeople’seyeswouldbenodetraction。Youlookpuzzled，MissNott——butIamcomingtotheexplanationandtheendofmystory。Ashipofwarwassenttotheislandtopunishthemutineersandpirates，forsuchtheywere，buttheycouldnotbefound。Aprivateexpeditionwassenttodiscoverthetreasurewhichtheyweresupposedtohaveburied，butinvain。AbouttwomonthsagoMr。SleighttoldmeoneofhisshipmateshadsenthimaLascarsailorwhohadtodisposeofavaluablesecretregardingthePontiacforapercentage。ThatsecretwasthatthetreasurewasnevertakenbythemutineersoutofthePontiac！Theywereabouttolandandburyitwhenweboardedthem。TheytookadvantageoftheirimprisonmentunderhatchestoBURYITINTHESHIP。TheyhiditintheholdsosecurelyandsafelythatitwasneverdetectedbyusortheCallaoauthorities。Iwasthenasked，asonewhoknewthevessel，toundertakeaprivateexaminationofher，withaviewofpurchasingherfromyourfatherwithoutawakeninghissuspicions。Iassented。
Youhavemyconfessionnow，MissNott。Youknowmycrime。Iamatyourmercy。"
Rosey’sarmonlytightenedaroundhisown。Hereyessoughthis。
"Andyoudidn’tfindanything？"shesaid。
ThequestionsoundedsooddlylikeSleight’s，thatRenshawreturnedalittlestiffly——
"Ididn’tlook。"
"Why？"askedRoseysimply。
"Because，"stammeredRenshaw，withanuneasyconsciousnessofhavingexaggeratedhissentiment，"itdidn’tseemhonorable;itdidn’tseemfairtoyou。"
"Oh，yousilly！youmighthavelookedandtoldME。"
"But，"saidRenshaw，"doyouthinkthatwouldhavebeenfairtoSleight？"
"Asfairtohimastous。For，don’tyousee，itwouldn’tbelongtoanyofus。Itwouldbelongtothefriendsorthefamilyofthemanwholostit。"
"Buttherewerenoheirs，"saidRenshaw。"Thatwasprovedbysomeimpostorwhopretendedtobehisbrother，andlibelledthePontiacatCallao，butthecourtsdecidedhewasalunatic。"
"Thenitbelongstothepoorpirateswhoriskedtheirownlivesforit，ratherthantoSleight，whodidnothing。"Shewassilentforamoment，andthenresumedwithenergy，"Ibelievehewasatthebottomofthatattacklastnight。"
"Ihavethoughtsotoo，"saidRenshaw。
"ThenImustgobackatonce，"shecontinuedimpulsively。"Fathermustnotbeleftalone。"
"NormustYOU，"saidRenshaw，quickly。"Doletmereturnwithyou，andsharewithyouandyourfatherthetroubleIhavebroughtuponyou。Donot，"headdedinalowertone，"deprivemeoftheonlychanceofexpiatingmyoffense，ofmakingmyselfworthyyourforgiveness。"
"Iamsure，"saidRosey，loweringherlidsandhalfwithdrawingherarm，"IamsureIhavenothingtoforgive。Youdidnotbelievethetreasurebelongedtousanymorethantoanybodyelse，untilyouknewME——"
"Thatistrue，"saidtheyoungman，attemptingtotakeherhand。
"Imean，"saidRosey，blushing，andshowingadistractingrowoflittleteethinoneofherinfrequentlaughs，"oh，youknowwhatI
mean。"Shewithdrewherarmgently，andbecameinterestedintheselectionofcertainwaysidebayleavesastheypassedalong。"Allthesame，Idon’tbelieveinthistreasure，"shesaidabruptly，asiftochangethesubject。"Idon’tbelieveiteverwashiddeninsidethePontiac。"
"Thatcaneasilybeascertainednow，"saidRenshaw。
"Butit’sapityyoudidn’tfinditoutwhileyouwereaboutit，"
saidRosey。"Itwouldhavesavedsomuchtalkandtrouble。"
"IhavetoldyouwhyIdidn’tsearchtheship，"respondedRenshaw，withaslightbitterness。"ButitseemsIcouldonlyavoidbeingagreatrascalbybecomingagreatfool。"
"Youneverintendedtobearascal，"saidRosey，earnestly，"andyoucouldn’tbeafool，exceptinheedingwhatasillygirlsays。
Ionlymeantifyouhadtakenmeintoyourconfidenceitwouldhavebeenbetter。"
"MightInotsaythesametoyouregardingyourfriend，theoldFrenchman？"returnedRenshaw。"WhatifIweretoconfesstoyouthatIlatelysuspectedhimofknowingthesecret，andoftryingtogainyourassistance？"
Insteadofindignantlyrepudiatingthesuggestion，totheyoungman’sgreatdiscomfiture，Roseyonlyknitherprettybrows，andremainedforsomeminutessilent。Presentlysheaskedtimidly，——
"Doyouthinkitwrongtotellanotherperson’ssecretfortheirowngood？"
"No，"saidRenshaw，promptly。
"ThenI’lltellyouMonsieurdeFerrieres’s！ButonlybecauseI
believefromwhatyouhavejustsaidthathewillturnouttohavesomerighttothetreasure。"
Thenwithkindlingeyes，andavoiceeloquentwithsympathy，RoseytoldthestoryofheraccidentaldiscoveryofdeFerrieres’smiserableexistenceintheloft。Clothingitwiththeunconsciouspoetryofherfresh，youngimagination，shelightlypassedoverhisantiquegallantryandgrotesqueweakness，exaltingonlyhislonelysufferingsandmysteriouswrongs。Renshawlistened，lostbetweenshameforhislatesuspicionsandadmirationforherthoughtfuldelicacy，untilshebegantospeakofdeFerrieres’sstrangeallusionstotheforeignpapersinhisportmanteau。"Ithinksomewerelawpapers，andIamalmostcertainIsawthewordCallaoprintedononeofthem。"
"Itmaybeso，"saidRenshaw，thoughtfully。"TheoldFrenchmanhasalwayspassedforaharmless，wanderingeccentric。Ihardlythinkpubliccuriosityhaseverevensoughttoknowhisname，muchlesshishistory。ButhadwenotbetterfirsttrytofindifthereIS
anypropertybeforeweexaminehisclaimstoit？"
"Asyouplease，"saidRosey，withaslightpout;"butyouwillfinditmucheasiertodiscoverhimthanhistreasure。It’salwayseasiertofindthethingyou’renotlookingfor。"
"Untilyouwantit，"saidRenshaw，withsuddengravity。
"Howprettyitlooksoverthere，"saidRosey，turningherconsciouseyestotheoppositemountain。
"Very。"
Theyhadreachedthetopofthehill，andintheneardistancethechimneyofMadronoCottagewasevennowvisible。Attheexpectedsighttheyunconsciouslystopped——unconsciouslydisappointed。
Roseybroketheembarrassingsilence。
"There’sanotherwayhome，butit’saroundaboutway，"shesaidtimidly。
"Letustakeit，"saidRenshaw。
Shehesitated。"Theboatgoesatfour，andwemustreturnto-
night。"
"Themorereasonwhyweshouldmakethemostofourtimenow，"saidRenshawwithafaintsmile。"To-morrowallthingsmaybechanged;
to-morrowyoumayfindyourselfanheiress，MissNott。To-morrow，"
headded，withaslighttremorinhisvoice，"Imayhaveearnedyourforgiveness，onlytosayfarewelltoyouforever。Letmekeepthissunshine，thispicture，thiscompanionshipwithyoulongenoughtosaynowwhatperhapsImustnotsayto-morrow。"
Theyweresilentforamoment，andthenbyacommoninstinctturnedtogetherintoanarrowtrail，scarcewideenoughfortwo，thatdivergedfromthestraightpracticalpathbeforethem。Itwasindeedaroundaboutwayhome，soroundabout，infact，thatastheywanderedonitseemedeventodoubleonitstrack，occasionallylingeringlongandbecomingindistinctundertheshadowofmadronoandwillow;atonetimestoppingblindlybeforeafallentreeinthehollow，wheretheyhadquitelostit，andhadtositdowntorecallit;aroughway，oftenrequiringthemutualhelpofeachother’shandsandeyestotreadtogetherinsecurity;anuncertainway，nottobefoundwithoutwhisperedconsultationandconcession，andyetawayeventuallybringingthemhandinhand，happyandhopeful，tothegateofMadronoCottage。AndiftherewasonlyjusttimeforRoseytopreparetotaketheboat，itwasduetothedeviousnessoftheway。IfastraycurlwaslyinglooseonRosey’scheek，andalonghairhadcaughtinRenshaw’sbutton，itwasowingtotheroughnessoftheway;andifinthetonesoftheirvoicesandintheglancesoftheireyestherewasamaturerseriousness，itwasduetothedimuncertaintyofthepaththeyhadtraveled，andwouldhereaftertreadtogether。
IX
WhenMr。NotthadsatisfiedhimselfofRenshaw’sdeparture，hecoollyboltedthedoorattheheadofthecompanionway，thuscuttingoffanycommunicationwiththelowerdeck。Takingalongriflefromtherackabovehisberth，hecarefullyexaminedthehammerandcap，andthencautiouslylethimselfdownthroughtheforehatchtothedeckbelow。Afteradeliberatesurveyofthestillintactfasteningsofthehatchovertheforehold，heproceededquietlytounloosethemagainwiththeaidofthetoolsthatstilllaythere。Whenthehatchwasoncemorefreeheliftedit，and，withdrawingafewfeetfromtheopening，sathimselfdown，rifleinhand。Aprofoundsilencereignedthroughoutthelowerdeck。
"Yekinrizeupouto’that，"saidNottgently。
Therewasastealthyrustlebelowthatseemedtoapproachthehatch，andthenwithasuddenboundtheLascarleapedonthedeck。
ButatthesameinstantNottcoveredhimwithhisrifle。Aslightshadeofdisappointmentandsurprisehadcrossedtheoldman’sface，andcloudedhissmallroundeyesattheapparitionoftheLascar，buthishandwasnonethelessfirmuponthetriggerasthefrightenedprisonersankonhisknees，withhishandsclaspedintheattitudeofsupplicationformercy。
"Efyou’rethinkin’o’skippin’aforeI’vedonewithyer，"saidNottwithlaboredgentleness，"Ioughterwarnyethatit’smystyletodropInjinsattwohundredyards，andthisdeckain’tanywheremor’nfifty。It’sanuncomfortablestyle，anastystyle——butit’sMYstyle。IthoughtI’dtellyer，soyercouldtakeiteasywhereyouair。Where’sFerrers？"
Evenintheman’sinsaneterror，hisutterbewildermentatthequestionwasevident。"Ferrers？"hegasped;"don’tknowhim，I
sweartoGod，boss。"
"P’r’aps，"saidNott，withinfinitecunning，"yerdon’tknowthemanezkemintotheloftfromthealleylastnight——p’r’apsyerdidn’tseeanairyFrenchmanwithadyedmoustache，eh？Ithoughtthatwouldfetchye！"hecontinued，asthemanstartedattheevidencethathisvisionoflastnightwasalivingman。"P’r’apsyouandhimdidn’tbreakintothisshiplastnight，jisttorunoffwithmydarterRosey？P’r’apsyerdon’tknowRosey，eh？P’r’apsyerdon’tknowezFerrerswantstomarryher，andhezbeenhangin’
roundyereversinceheleft——eh？"
Scarcelybelievingtheevidenceofhissensesthattheoldmanwhosetreasurehehadbeentryingtostealwasutterlyignorantofhisrealoffense，andyetuncertainofthepenaltyoftheothercrimeofwhichhewasaccused，theLascarwrithedhisbodyandstammeredvaguely，"Mercy！Mercy！"
"Well，"saidNott，cautiously，"ezIreckonthehideofadeadChineeniggerain’tanymorevallyblethanthatofadeadInjin，I
don’tcareefIletuponyer——seein’thecussednessain’tyours。
ButefIletyeroffthisonce，youmusttakeamessagetoFerrersfromme。"
"Letmeoffthistime，boss，andIsweartoGodIwill，"saidtheLascareagerly。
"YekinsaytoFerrers——letmesee——"deliberatedNott，leaningonhisriflewithcautiousreflection。"YekinsaytoFerrerslikethis——sezyou，’Ferrers，’sezyou，’theoldmansezthataforeyouwentawayyouseztohim，sezyou，"Itakemyhonorwithme，"sezyou’——haveyougotthat？"interruptedNottsuddenly。
"Yes，boss。"
"’Itakemyhonorwithme，’sezyou，"repeatedNottslowly。
"’Now，’sezyou——’theoldmansez，sezhe——tellFerrers，sezhe，thathishonorhavin’runawayagin，hesendsitbacktohim，andefheeverketchesitaroundafterthis，he’llshootitonsight。’
Hevyergotthat？"
"Yes，"stammeredthebewilderedcaptive。
"Thengit！"
TheLascarsprangtohisfeetwiththeagilityofapanther，leapedthroughthehatchabovehim，anddisappearedoverthebowoftheshipwithanunhesitatingdirectnessthatshowedthateveryavenueofescapehadbeenalreadycontemplatedbyhim。Slippinglightlyfromthecutwatertotheground，hecontinuedhisflight，onlystoppingattheprivateofficeofMr。Sleight。
WhenMr。RenshawandRoseyNottarrivedonboardthePontiacthatevening，theywereastonishedtofindthepassagebeforethecabincompletelyoccupiedwithtrunksandboxes，andthebulkoftheirhouseholdgoodsapparentlyintheprocessofremoval。Mr。Nott，whowassuperintendingtheworkoftwoChinamen，betrayednotonlynosurpriseattheappearanceoftheyoungpeople，butnottheremotestrecognitionoftheirownbewildermentathisoccupation。
"Kalkilatin’，"heremarkedcasuallytohisdaughter，"you’dratherlookarteryourfixin’s，Rosey，I’veleft’emtillthelast。
P’r’apsyerandMr。Renshawwouldn’tmindsittin’downonthatlockeruntilI’vestrappedthisyerbox。"
"Butwhatdoesitallmean，father？"saidRosey，takingtheoldmanbythelapelsofhissea-jacket，andslightlyemphasizingherquestion。"Whatinthenameofgoodnessareyoudoing？"
"Breakin’camp，Roseydear，breakin’camp，jistezweuster，"
repliedNottwithcheerfulphilosophy。"Kinderlikeoldtimes，ain’tit？Lord，Rosey，"hecontinued，stoppingandfollowingupthereminiscence，withtheendoftheropeinhishandasifitwereaclue，"don’tyemindthatdaywestartedouterLivermorePass，andseedthehullo’theCalifornycoaststretchin’yonder——
eh？Butdon’tyebeskeered，Roseydear，"headdedquickly，asifinrecognitionofthealarmexpressedinherface。"Iain’tturningyeouterhouseandhome;I’vejisthiredthat’ereMadronoCottagefromthePetersontilwekinlookround。"
"Butyou’renotleavingtheship，father，"continuedRosey，impetuously。"Youhaven’tsoldittothatmanSleight？"
Mr。Nottroseandcarefullyclosedthecabindoor。Thendrawingalargewalletfromhispocket，hesaid，"It’ssing’laryeshouldhevgotthenamerightthefirstpop，ain’tit，Rosey？butit’sSleight，sureenough，allthetime。Thisyercheck，"headded，producingapaperfromthedepthsofthewallet，"thisyercheckfor25，000dollarsiswothepaidforitonlytwohoursago。"
"But，"saidRenshaw，springingtohisfeetfuriously，"you’reduped，swindled——betrayed！"
"Youngman，"saidNott，throwingacertaindignityintohishabitualgestureofplacinghishandsonRenshaw’sshoulders，"I
boughtthisyershipfiveyearsagojistezshestoodfor8，000
dollars。Kalkilatin’wotshecostmeinrepairsandtaxes，andwotshebroughtmeinsincethen，accordin’tomyfiggerin’，Idon’tcallaclearprofitof15，000dollarsmuchofaswindle。"
"Tellhimall，"saidRosey，quickly，morealarmedatRenshaw’sdespairingfacethanatthenewsitself。"Tellhimeverything，Dick——Mr。Renshaw;itmaynotbetoolate。"
InavoicehalfchokedwithpassionateindignationRenshawhurriedlyrepeatedthestoryofthehiddentreasure，andtheplottorescueit，promptedfrequentlybyRosey’stenaciousmemoryandassistedbyRosey’sdeftandtactfulexplanations。ButtotheirsurprisetheimperturbablecountenanceofAbnerNottneveraltered;
aslightmoistureofkindlypaternaltoleranceoftheirextravaganceglistenedinhislittleeyes，butnothingmore。
"Eftherewasaparto’thisship，aplankoraboltezIdon’tknow，ezIhevn’ttouchedwithmyownhand，andlookedintowithmyowneyes，tharmightbesuthin’inthatstory。Idon’tletontobeasailorlikeYOU，butezIknowtheshipezaboyknowshisfirsthoss，asawomanknowsherfirstbabby，Ireckontharain’tnotreasureyer，onlessitwasbroughtintothePontiaclastnightbythemchaps。"
"Butareyoumad！Sleightwouldnotpaythreetimesthevalueoftheshipto-dayifhewerenotpositive！AndthatpositiveknowledgewasgainedlastnightbythevillainwhobrokeintothePontiac——nodoubttheLascar。"
"Surely，"saidNott，meditatively。"TheLascar！There’ssuthin’
inthat。ThatLascarIfasteneddownintheholdlastnightunbeknownsttoyou，Mr。Renshaw，andlethimoutagainthismorningekallyunbeknownst。"
"AndyoulethimcarryhisinformationtoSleight——withoutaword！"
saidRenshaw，withasickeningsenseofNott’sutterfatuity。
"Isenthimbackwithamessagetothemanhekemfrom，"saidNott，winkingbothhiseyesatRenshaw，significantly，andmakingsignsbehindhisdaughter’sback。
Rosey，consciousofherlover’sirritation，andmoreeagertosoothehisimpatiencethanfromanyfaithinhersuggestion，interfered。"Whynotexaminetheplacewherehewasconcealed？hemayhaveleftsometracesofhissearch。"
Thetwomenlookedateachother。"Seem’ezI’veturnedthePontiacovertoSleightjistezitstands，Idon’tknowezit’s’xactlyonthesquare，"saidNottdoubtfully。
"You’vearighttoknowatleastWHATyoudelivertohim，"
interruptedRenshawbrusquely："Bringalantern。"
FollowedbyRosey，RenshawandNotthurriedlysoughtthelowerdeckandtheopenhatchoftheforehold。Thetwomenleapeddownfirstwiththelantern，andthenassistedRoseytodescend。Renshawtookastepforwardandutteredacry。
Theraysofthelanternfellontheship’sside。TheLascarhad，duringhisforcedseclusion，putbacktheboxesoftreasureandreplacedtheplanking，yetnotsocarefullybutthatthequickeyeofRenshawhaddiscoveredit。Thenextmomenthehadstrippedawaytheplankingagain，andthehurriedly-restoredboxwhichtheLascarhadfoundfelltothedeck，scatteringpartofitsringingcontents。Roseyturnedpale;Renshaw’seyesflashedfire;onlyAbnerNottremainedquietandimpassive。
"Areyousatisfiedyouhavebeenduped？"saidRenshawpassionately。
TotheirsurpriseMr。Nottstoopeddown，andpickinguponeofthecoinshandeditgravelytoRenshaw。"Wouldyemindheftin’that’erecoininyourhand——feelin’it，bitin’it，scrapin’itwithaknife，andkinderseein’howitcompareswithothercoins？"
"Whatdoyoumean？"saidRenshaw。
"Imeanthatthatyercoin——thatALLthecoinsinthisyerbox，thatallthecoinsinthemotherboxes——andther’sfortyon’em——isallandeveryoneof’emcounterfeits！"
ThepiecedroppedunconsciouslyfromRenshaw’shand，andstrikinganotherthatlayonthedeckgaveoutadull，suspiciousring。
"TheywazcounterfeitsgotupbythemDutchsupercargosharpsfordealin’withtheInjinsandcannibalsandSouthSeaheathensezbowsdowntowoodandstone。Ifsatisfiedthemezwellezthembuttonsyeputsinmissionaryboxes，Ireckon，and’ceptingezfreight，don’tcostnothin’。Ifound’emtuckedintheribso’theoldPontiacwhenIboughther，andInailed’emupintharlesttheyshouldfallintodishonesthands。It’saluckything，Mr。
Renshaw，thattheycomesintothehonestfingersofasquaremanlikeSleight——ain’tit？"
Heturnedhissmall，guilelesseyesuponRenshawwithsuchchild-
likesimplicitythatitcheckedthehystericallaughthatwasrisingtotheyoungman’slips。
"Butdidanyoneknowofthisbutyourself？"
"Ireckonnot。Ioncesuspicionedthatoldcap’enBowers，whowasalwaysfoolin’roundtheholdyer，musthevnoticedthebulgeinthecasin’，butwhenhetooktoaxin’questionsIaxedothers——yeknowmystyle，Rosey？Come。"
Heledthewaygrimlybacktothecabin，theyoungpeoplefollowing;butturningsuddenlyatthecompanionwayheobservedRenshaw’sarmaroundthewaistofhisdaughter。
Hesaidnothinguntiltheyhadreachedthecabin，whenheclosedthedoorsoftly，andlookingatthembothgently，saidwithinfinitecunning——
"Efitisn’ttoolate，Rosey，yekintellthisyoungmanezhowI
forgivehimforhavin’diskiveredTHETREASUREofthePontiac。"……
ItwasnearlyeighteenmonthsafterwardsthatMr。Nottonemorningenteredtheroomofhisson-in-lawatMadronoCottage。Drawinghimaside，hesaidwithhisoldairofmystery，"NowezRosey’sailin’
anddon’tseemtobesoeagertodiskiverwhat’sbecomeofMr。
Ferrers，Idon’tmindtellin’yethatoverayearagoIheardhediedsuddenlyinSacramento。Tharwassuthin’inthepaperabouthisbein’alunaticandclaimin’tobearelationtosomebodyonthePontiac;butlikeseznotit’sonlythewaythosenewspaperfellowsgotholdofthestoryofhiswantin’tomarryRosey。"