NothingwasknowndefinitelyuntilJack，amonthlater，turnedupinSacramento，withabilliard-cueinhishand，andaheartoverchargedwithindignantemotion。"Idon’tmindsayingtoyou，gentlemen，inconfidence，"saidJacktoacircleofsympathizingplayers，——"Idon’tmindtellingyouregardingthisthing，thatI
wasassoftonthatfreckled-faced，red-eyed，tallow-hairedgal，asifshe’dbeen——a——a——anactress。AndIdon’tmindsaying，gentlemen，that，asfarasIunderstandwomen，shewasjustassoftonme。Youkinlaugh;butit’sso。OnedayItookheroutbuggy-
riding，——instyle，too，——andoutontheroadIofferedtodothesquarething，justasifshe’dbeenalady，——offeredtomarryherthenandthere。Andwhatdidshedo？"saidJackwithahystericallaugh。"Why，blankitall！OFFEREDMETWENTY-FIVEDOLLARSAWEEK
ALLOWANCE——PAYTOBESTOPPEDWHENIWASN’TATHOME！"Theroaroflaughterthatgreetedthisfrankconfessionwasbrokenbyaquietvoiceasking，"AndwhatdidYOUsay？"——"Say？"screamedJack，"I
justtoldhertogoto————withhermoney。"——"Theysay，"continuedthequietvoice，"thatyouaskedherfortheloanoftwohundredandfiftydollarstogetyoutoSacramento——andthatyougotit。"——
"WhosayssoroaredJack。"Showmetheblankliar。"Therewasadeadsilence。Thenthepossessorofthequietvoice，Mr。JackHamlin，languidlyreachedunderthetable，tookthechalk，and，rubbingtheendofhisbilliard-cue，beganwithgentlegravity："ItwasanoldfriendofmineinSacramento，amanwithawoodenleg，agameeye，threefingersonhisrighthand，andaconsumptivecough。
Beingunable，naturally，tobackhimself，heleavesthingstome。
So，forthesakeofargument，"continuedHamlin，suddenlylayingdownhiscue，andfixinghiswickedblackeyesonthespeaker，"sayit’sME！"
Iamafraidthatthisstory，whethertruthfulornot，didnottendtoincreasePeg’spopularityinacommunitywhererecklessnessandgenerositycondonedfortheabsenceofalltheothervirtues;anditispossible，also，thatRedDogwasnomorefreefromprejudicethanothermorecivilizedbutequallydisappointedmatchmakers。
Likewise，duringthefollowingyear，shemadeseveralmorefoolishventures，andlostheavily。Infact，afeverishdesiretoincreaseherstoreatalmostanyriskseemedtopossessher。AtlastitwasannouncedthatsheintendedtoreopentheinfelixRockvilleHotel，andkeepitherself。
Wildasthisschemeappearedintheory，whenputintopracticaloperationthereseemedtobesomechanceofsuccess。Much，doubtless，wasowingtoherpracticalknowledgeofhotel-keeping，butmoretoherrigideconomyanduntiringindustry。Themistressofmillions，shecooked，washed，waitedontable，madethebeds，andlaboredlikeacommonmenial。Visitorswereattractedbythisnovelspectacle。Theincomeofthehouseincreasedastheirrespectforthehostesslessened。Noanecdoteofheravaricewastooextravagantforcurrentbelief。Itwasevenallegedthatshehadbeenknowntocarrytheluggageofgueststotheirrooms，thatshemightanticipatetheusualporter’sgratuity。Shedeniedherselftheordinarynecessariesoflife。Shewaspoorlyclad，shewasill-fed——butthehotelwasmakingmoney。
Afewhintedofinsanity;othersshooktheirheads，andsaidacursewasentailedontheproperty。Itwasbelieved，also，fromherappearance，thatshecouldnotlongsurvivethistaxonherenergies，andalreadytherewasdiscussionastotheprobablefinaldispositionofherproperty。
ItwastheparticularfortuneofMr。JackHamlintobeabletosettheworldrightonthisandotherquestionsregardingher。
AstormyDecembereveninghadsetinwhenhechancedtobeaguestoftheRockvilleHotel。Hehad，duringthepastweek，beenengagedintheprosecutionofhisnobleprofessionatRedDog，andhad，inthegraphiclanguageofacoadjutor，"clearedoutthetown，excepthisfareinthepocketsofthestage-driver。""TheRedDogStandard"hadbewailedhisdepartureinplayfulobituaryverse，beginning，"DearestJohnny，thouhastleftus，"whereintherhymes"bereftus"and"deplore"carriedavagueallusionto"athousanddollarsmore。"Aquietcontentmentnaturallysuffusedhispersonality，andhewasmorethanusuallylazyanddeliberateinhisspeech。Atmidnight，whenhewasabouttoretire，hewasalittlesurprised，however，byataponhisdoor，followedbythepresenceofMistressPegMoffat，heiress，andlandladyofRockvillehotel。
Mr。Hamlin，despitehispreviousdefenceofPeg，hadnolikingforher。Hisfastidioustasterejectedheruncomeliness;hishabitsofthoughtandlifewereallantagonistictowhathehadheardofherniggardlinessandgreed。Asshestoodthere，inadirtycalicowrapper，stillredolentwiththeday’scuisine，crimsonwithembarrassmentandtherecentheatofthekitchenrange，shecertainlywasnotanalluringapparition。Happilyforthelatenessofthehour，herloneliness，andtheinfelixreputationofthemanbeforeher，shewasatleastasafeone。AndIfeartheveryconsciousnessofthisscarcelyrelievedherembarrassment。
"Iwantedtosayafewwordstoyealone，Mr。Hamlin，"shebegan，takinganunofferedseatontheendofhisportmanteau，"orI
shouldn’thevintruded。Butit’stheonlytimeIcanketchyou，oryoume;forI’mdowninthekitchenfromsunuptillnow。"
Shestoppedawkwardly，asiftolistentothewind，whichwasrattlingthewindows，andspreadingafilmofrainagainsttheopaquedarknesswithout。Then，smoothingherwrapperoverherknees，sheremarked，asifopeningadesultoryconversation，"Thar’sapowerofrainoutside。"
Mr。Hamlin’sonlyresponsetothismeteorologicalobservationwasayawn，andapreliminarytugathiscoatashebegantoremoveit。
"Ithoughtyecouldn’tminddoin’meafavor，"continuedPeg，withahard，awkwardlaugh，"partik’lyseein’ezfolksallowedyou’dsorterbinafriendo’mine，andhedstoodupformeattimeswhenyouhedn’tanypartiklercalltodoit。Ihevn’t"shecontinued，lookingdownonherlap，andfollowingwithherfingerandthumbaseamofhergown，——"Ihevn’tsomanyfriendsezslingsakindwordformethesetimesthatIdisrememberthem。"Herunderlipquiveredalittlehere;and，aftervainlyhuntingforaforgottenhandkerchief，shefinallyliftedthehemofhergown，wipedhersnubnoseuponit，butleftthetearsstillinhereyesassheraisedthemtotheman，Mr。Hamlin，whohadbythistimedivestedhimselfofhiscoat，stoppedunbuttoninghiswaistcoat，andlookedather。
"Likeeznotthar’llbehighwaterontheNorthFork，efthisrainkeepson，"saidPeg，asifapologetically，lookingtowardthewindow。
Theotherrainhavingceased，Mr。Hamlinbegantounbuttonhiswaistcoatagain。
"IwantedtoaskyeafavoraboutMr。——about——JackFolinsbee，"
beganPegagainhurriedly。"He’sailin’agin，andismightylow。
Andhe’slosin’aheapo’moneyhereandthar，andmostlytoYOU。
Youcleanedhimoutoftwothousanddollarslastnight——allhehad。"
"Well？"saidthegamblercoldly。
"Well，Ithoughtezyouwozafriendo’mine，I’daskyetoletupalittleonhim，"saidPeg，withanaffectedlaugh。"Youkindoit。Don’tlethimplaywithye。"
"MistressMargaretMoffat，"saidJack，withlazydeliberation，takingoffhiswatch，andbeginningtowinditup，"efyou’rethatmuchstuckafterJackFolinsbee，YOUkinkeephimoffofmemucheasierthanIkin。You’rearichwoman。Givehimenoughmoneytobreakmybank，orbreakhimselfforgoodandall;butdon’tkeephimforlin’roundmeinhopestomakearaise。Itdon’tpay，MistressMoffat——itdon’tpay！"
AfinernaturethanPeg’swouldhavemisunderstoodorresentedthegambler’sslang，andthemiserabletruthsthatunderlaidit。Butshecomprehendedhiminstantly，andsathopelesslysilent。
"Efyou’lltakemyadvice，"continuedJack，placinghiswatchandchainunderhispillow，andquietlyunloosinghiscravat，"you’llquitthisyerforlin’，marrythatchap，andhandovertohimthemoneyandthemoney-makin’that’skillin’you。He’llgetridofitsoonenough。Idon’tsaythisbecauseIexpecttogitit;for，whenhe’sgotthatmuchofaraise，he’llmakeabreakfor’Frisco，andloseittosomefirst-classsportTHERE。Idon’tsay，neither，thatyoumayn’tbeinluckenoughtoreformhim。Idon’tsay，neither——andit’sadernedsightmorelikely！——thatyoumayn’tbeluckieryet，andhe’llupanddieaforehegitsridofyourmoney。
ButIdosayyou’llmakehimhappyNOW;and，ezIreckonyou’reaboutezbadlystuckafterthatchapezIeversawanywoman，youwon’tbehurtin’yourownfeelin’seither。"
ThebloodleftPeg’sfaceasshelookedup。"Butthat’sWHYI
can’tgivehimthemoney——andhewon’tmarrymewithoutit。"
Mr。Hamlin’shanddroppedfromthelastbuttonofhiswaistcoat。
"Can’t——give——him——the——money？"herepeatedslowly。
"No。"
"Why？"
"Because——becauseILOVEhim。"
Mr。Hamlinrebuttonedhiswaistcoat，andsatdownpatientlyonthebed。Pegarose，andawkwardlydrewtheportmanteaualittlenearertohim。
"WhenJimBywaysleftmethisyerproperty，"shebegan，lookingcautiouslyaround，"heleftittomeonCONDITIONS;notconditionsezwazinhisWRITTENwill，butconditionsezwazSPOKEN。A
promiseImadehiminthisveryroom，Mr。Hamlin，——thisveryroom，andonthatverybedyou’resittin’on，inwhichhedied。"
Likemostgamblers，Mr。Hamlinwassuperstitious。Herosehastilyfromthebed，andtookachairbesidethewindow。ThewindshookitasifthediscontentedspiritofMr。Bywayswerewithout，re-
enforcinghislastinjunction。
"Idon’tknowifyourememberhim，"saidPegfeverishly。"hewasamanezhedsuffered。Allthatheloved——wife，fammerly，friends——
hadgonebackonhim。Hetriedtomakelightofitaforefolks;
butwithme，beingapoorgal，helethimselfout。Inevertoldanybodythis。Idon’tknowwhyhetoldME;Idon’tknow，"
continuedPeg，withasniffle，"whyhewantedtomakemeunhappytoo。Buthemademepromise，that，ifheleftmehisfortune，I’dNEVER，NEVER——sohelpmeGod！——nevershareitwithanymanorwomanthatILOVED;Ididn’tthinkitwouldbehardtokeepthatpromisethen，Mr。Hamlin;forIwasverypoor，andhedn’tafriendnoralivingbein’thatwaskindtome，butHIM。"
"Butyou’veasgoodasbrokenyourpromisealready，"saidHamlin。
"You’vegivenJackmoney，asIknow。"
"OnlywhatImademyself。Listentome，Mr。Hamlin。WhenJackproposedtome，IofferedhimaboutwhatIkalkilatedIcouldearnmyself。Whenhewentaway，andwassickandintrouble，Icamehereandtookthishotel。IknewthatbyhardworkIcouldmakeitpay。Don’tlaughatme，please。IDIDworkhard，andDIDmakeitpay——withouttakin’onecentofthefortin’。AndallImade，workin’bynightandday，Igavetohim。Idid，Mr。Hamlin。I
ain’tsohardtohimasyouthink，thoughImightbekinder，I
know。"
Mr。Hamlinrose，deliberatelyresumedhiscoat，watch，hat，andovercoat。Whenhewascompletelydressedagain，heturnedtoPeg。
"Doyoumeantosaythatyou’vebeengivin’allthemoneyyoumadeheretothisA1first-classcherubim？"
"Yes;buthedidn’tknowwhereIgotit。OMr。Hamlin！hedidn’tknowthat。"
"DoIunderstandyou，thathe’sbinbuckinaginFarowiththemoneythatyouraisedonhash？AndYOUmakin’thehash？"
"Buthedidn’tknowthat，hewouldn’thevtookitifI’dtoldhim。"
"No，he’dhevdiedfust！"saidMr。Hamlingravely。"Why，he’sthatsensitive——isJackFolinsbee——thatitnearlykillshimtotakemoneyevenofME。Butwheredoesthisangelresidewhenheisn’tfightin’thetiger，andis，sotospeak，visibletothenakedeye？"
"He——he——stopshere，"saidPeg，withanawkwardblush。
"Isee。MightIaskthenumberofhisroom——orshouldIbea——
disturbinghiminhismeditations？"continuedJackHamlin，withgravepoliteness。
"Oh！thenyou’llpromise？Andyou’lltalktohim，andmakeHIM
promise？"
"Ofcourse，"saidHamlinquietly。
"Andyou’llrememberhe’ssick——verysick？Hisroom’sNo。44，attheendofthehall。PerhapsI’dbettergowithyou？"
"I’llfindit。"
"Andyouwon’tbetoohardonhim？"
"I’llbeafathertohim，"saidHamlindemurely，asheopenedthedoorandsteppedintothehall。Buthehesitatedamoment，andthenturned，andgravelyheldouthishand。Pegtookittimidly。
Hedidnotseemquiteinearnest;andhisblackeyes，vainlyquestioned，indicatednothing。Butheshookherhandwarmly，andthenextmomentwasgone。
Hefoundtheroomwithnodifficulty。Afaintcoughfromwithin，andaquerulousprotest，answeredhisknock。Mr。Hamlinenteredwithoutfurtherceremony。Asickeningsmellofdrugs，apalpableflavorofstaledissipation，andthewastedfigureofJackFolinsbee，half-dressed，extendeduponthebed，greetedhim。Mr。
Hamlinwasforaninstantstartled。Therewerehollowcirclesroundthesickman’seyes;therewaspalsyinhistremblinglimbs;
therewasdissolutioninhisfeverishbreath。
"What’sup？"heaskedhuskilyandnervously。
"Iam，andIwantYOUtogetuptoo。"
"Ican’t，Jack。I’mregularlydoneup。"Hereachedhisshakinghandtowardsaglasshalf-filledwithsuspicious，pungent-smellingliquid;butMr。Hamlinstayedit。
"Doyouwanttogetbackthattwothousanddollarsyoulost？"
"Yes。"
"Well，getup，andmarrythatwomandownstairs。"
Folinsbeelaughedhalfhysterically，halfsardonically。
"Shewon’tgiveittome。"
"No;butIwill。"
"YOU？"
"Yes。"
Folinsbee，withanattemptatarecklesslaugh，rose，tremblingandwithdifficulty，tohisswollenfeet。Hamlineyedhimnarrowly，andthenbadehimliedownagain。"To-morrowwilldo，"hesaid，"andthen——"
"IfIdon’t"
"Ifyoudon’t，"respondedHamlin，"why，I’lljustwadeinandCUT
YOUOUT！"
ButonthemorrowMr。Hamlinwassparedthatpossibleactofdisloyalty;for，inthenight，thealreadyhesitatingspiritofMr。
JackFolinsbeetookflightonthewingsofthesouth-eaststorm。
Whenorhowithappened，nobodyknew。Whetherthislastexcitementandthenearprospectofmatrimony，orwhetheranoverdoseofanodyne，hadhastenedhisend，wasneverknown。Ionlyknow，that，whentheycametoawakenhimthenextmorning，thebestthatwasleftofhim——afacestillbeautifulandboy-like——lookedupcoldlyatthetearfuleyesofPegMoffat。"Itservesmeright，it’sajudgment，"shesaidinalowwhispertoJackHamlin;"forGodknewthatI’dbrokenmyword，andwilledallmypropertytohim。"
Shedidnotlongsurvivehim。WhetherMr。HamlineverclothedwithactionthesuggestionindicatedinhisspeechtothelamentedJackthatnight，isnotofrecord。Hewasalwaysherfriend，andonherdemisebecameherexecutor。ButthebulkofherpropertywaslefttoadistantrelationofhandsomeJackFolinsbee，andsopassedoutofthecontrolofRedDogforever。
THEGREATDEADWOODMYSTERY
Itwasgrowingquitedarkinthetelegraph-officeatCottonwood，TuolumneCounty，California。Theoffice，abox-likeenclosure，wasseparatedfromthepublicroomoftheMiners’Hotelbyathinpartition;andtheoperator，whowasalsonewsandexpressagentatCottonwood，hadclosedhiswindow，andwasloungingbyhisnews-
standpreparatorytogoinghome。Without，thefirstmonotonousrainoftheseasonwasdrippingfromtheporchesofthehotelinthewaninglightofaDecemberday。Theoperator，accustomedashewastolongintervalsofidleness，wasfastbecomingbored。
Thetreadofmud-muffledbootsontheveranda，andtheentranceoftwomen，offeredamomentaryexcitement。HerecognizedinthestrangerstwoprominentcitizensofCottonwood;andtheirmannerbespokebusiness。Oneofthemproceededtothedesk，wroteadespatch，andhandedittotheotherinterrogatively。
"That’saboutthewaythethingp’ints，"respondedhiscompanionassentingly。
"Ireckoneditonlysquartousehisdienticalwords？"
"That’sso。"
Thefirstspeakerturnedtotheoperatorwiththedespatch。
"Howsooncanyoushoveherthrough？"
Theoperatorglancedprofessionallyovertheaddressandthelengthofthedespatch。
"Now，"heansweredpromptly。
"Andshegetsthere？"
"To-night。Butthere’snodeliveryuntilto-morrow。"
"Shoveherthroughto-night，andsaythere’sanextratwentyleftherefordelivery。"
Theoperator，accustomedtoallkindsofextravagantoutlayforexpedition，repliedthathewouldlaythispropositionwiththedespatch，beforetheSanFranciscooffice。Hethentookitandreadit——andre-readit。Hepreservedtheusualprofessionalapathy，——haddoubtlesssentmanymoreenigmaticalandmysteriousmessages，——butnevertheless，whenhefinished，heraisedhiseyesinquiringlytohiscustomer。Thatgentleman，whoenjoyedareputationforequalspontaneityoftemperandrevolver，methisgazealittleimpatiently。Theoperatorhadrecoursetoatrick。
Underthepretenceofmisunderstandingthemessage，heobligedthesendertorepeatitaloudforthesakeofaccuracy，andevensuggestedafewverbalalterations，ostensiblytoinsurecorrectness，butreallytoextractfurtherinformation。
Nevertheless，themandoggedlypersistedinaliteraltranscriptofhismessage。Theoperatorwenttohisinstrumenthesitatingly。
"Isuppose，"headdedhalf-questioningly，"thereain’tnochanceofamistake。ThisaddressisRightbody，thatricholdBostonianthateverybodyknows。Thereain’tbutone？"
"That’stheaddress，"respondedthefirstspeakercoolly。
"Didn’tknowtheoldchaphadinvestmentsouthere，"suggestedtheoperator，lingeringathisinstrument。
"NomoredidI，"wastheinsufficientreply。
Forsomefewmomentsnothingwasheardbuttheclickoftheinstrument，astheoperatorworkedthekey，withtheusualappearanceofimpartingconfidencetoasomewhatreluctanthearerwhopreferredtotalkhimself。Thetwomenstoodby，watchinghismotionswiththeusualaweoftheunprofessional。Whenhehadfinished，theylaidbeforehimtwogold-pieces。Astheoperatortookthemup，hecouldnothelpsaying，——
"Theoldmanwentoffkindersudden，didn’the？Hadnotimetowrite？"
"Notsuddenforthatkindo’man，"wastheexasperatingreply。
Butthespeakerwasnottobedisconcerted。"Ifthereisananswer——"hebegan。
"Thereain’tany，"repliedthefirstspeakerquietly。
"Why？"
"Becausethemanezsentthemessageisdead。"
"Butit’ssignedbyyoutwo。"
"On’yezwitnesses——eh？"appealedthefirstspeakertohiscomrade。
"On’yezwitnesses，"respondedtheother。
Theoperatorshruggedhisshoulders。Thebusinessconcluded，thefirstspeakerslightlyrelaxed。Henoddedtotheoperator，andturnedtothebar-roomwithapleasingsocialimpulse。Whentheirglassesweresetdownempty，thefirstspeaker，withacheerfulcondemnationofthehardtimesandtheweather，apparentlydismissedallpreviousproceedingsfromhismind，andloungedoutwithhiscompanion。Atthecornerofthestreettheystopped。
"Well，thatjob’sdone，"saidthefirstspeaker，bywayofrelievingtheslightsocialembarrassmentofparting。
"Thet’sso，"respondedhiscompanion，andshookhishand。
Theyparted。Agustofwindsweptthroughthepines，andstruckafaintAeoliancryfromthewiresabovetheirheads;andtherainandthedarknessagainslowlysettleduponCottonwood。
ThemessagelaggedalittleatSanFrancisco，laidoverhalfanhouratChicago，andfoughtlongitudethewholeway;sothatitwaspastmidnightwhenthe"allnight"operatortookitfromthewiresatBoston。ButitwasfreightedwithamandatefromtheSanFranciscooffice;andamessengerwasprocured，whospedwithitthroughdarksnow-boundstreets，betweenthehighwallsofclose-
shutteredraylesshouses，toacertainformalsquareghostlywithsnow-coveredstatues。Hereheascendedthebroadstepsofareservedandsolid-lookingmansion，andpulledabronzebell-knob，thatsomewherewithinthosechasterecesses，afteranapparentreflectivepause，coldlycommunicatedthefactthatastrangerwaswaitingwithout——asheought。Despitethelatenessofthehour，therewasaslightglowfromthewindows，clearlynotenoughtowarmthemessengerwithindicationsofafestivitywithin，butyetbespeaking，asitwere，someprolongedthoughsubduedexcitement。
Thesoberservantwhotookthedespatch，andreceiptedforitasgravelyasifwitnessingalastwillandtestament，respectfullypausedbeforetheentranceofthedrawing-room。Thesoundofmeasuredandrhetoricalspeech，throughwhichtheoccasionalcatarrhalcoughoftheNew-Englandcoaststruggled，astheonlyeffortofnaturenotwhollyrepressed，camefromitsheavily-
curtainedrecesses;fortheoccasionoftheeveninghadbeenthereceptionandentertainmentofvariousdistinguishedpersons，and，ashadbeenepigrammaticallyexpressedbyoneoftheguests，"thehistoryofthecountry"wastakingitsleaveinphrasesmoreorlessmemorableandcharacteristic。Someofthesevaledictoryaxiomswereclever，somewitty，afewprofound，butalwaysleftasagenteelcontributiontotheentertainer。Somehadbeenalreadyprepared，and，likeacard，hadservedandidentifiedtheguestatothermansions。
Thelastguestdeparted，thelastcarriagerolledaway，whentheservantventuredtoindicatetheexistenceofthedespatchtohismaster，whowasstandingonthehearth-ruginanattitudeofweariedself-righteousness。Hetookit，openedit，readit，re-
readit，andsaid，——
"Theremustbesomemistake！Itisnotforme。Calltheboy，Waters。"
Waters，whowasperfectlyawarethattheboyhadleft，neverthelessobedientlywalkedtowardsthehall-door，butwasrecalledbyhismaster。
"Nomatter——atpresent！"
"It’snothingserious，William？"askedMrs。Rightbody，withlanguidwifelyconcern。
"No，nothing。Istherealightinmystudy？"
"Yes。But，beforeyougo，canyougivemeamomentortwo？"
Mr。Rightbodyturnedalittleimpatientlytowardshiswife。Shehadthrownherselflanguidlyonthesofa;herhairwasslightlydisarranged，andpartofaslipperedfootwasvisible。Shemighthavebeenafinely-formedwoman;butevenhercarelessdeshabilleleftthegeneralimpressionthatshewasseverelyflannelledthroughout，andthatanyostentationofwomanlycharmwasundervigoroussanitarySURVEILLANCE。
"Mrs。Marvintoldmeto-nightthathersonmadenosecretofhisseriousattachmentforourAlice，andthat，ifIwassatisfied，Mr。
Marvinwouldbegladtoconferwithyouatonce。"
TheinformationdidnotseemtoabsorbMr。Rightbody’swanderingattention，butratherincreasedhisimpatience。Hesaidhastily，thathewouldspeakofthatto-morrow;andpartlybywayofreprisal，andpartlytodismissthesubject，added——
"PositivelyJamesmustpaysomeattentiontotheregisterandthethermometer。Itwasover70degreesto-night，andtheventilatingdraughtwasclosedinthedrawing-room。"
"ThatwasbecauseProfessorAmmonsatnearit，andtheoldgentleman’stonsilsaresosensitive。"
"HeoughttoknowfromDr。DyerDoitthatsystematicandregularexposuretodraughtsstimulatesthemucousmembrane;whilefixedairover60degreesinvariably——"
"Iamafraid，William，"interruptedMrs。Rightbody，withfeminineadroitness，adoptingherhusband’stopicwithaviewoftherebydirectinghimfromit，——"I’mafraidthatpeopledonotyetappreciatethesubstitutionofbouillonforpunchandices。I
observedthatMr。Spondeedeclinedit，and，Ifancied，lookeddisappointed。Thefibrineandwheatinliqueur-glassespassedquiteunnoticedtoo。"
"Andyeteachhalf-drachmcontainedthehalf-digestedsubstanceofapoundofbeef。I’msurprisedatSpondee！"continuedMr。
Rightbodyaggrievedly。"ExhaustinghisbrainandnerveforcebythehighestcreativeeffortsoftheMuse，heprefersperfumedanddilutedalcoholflavoredwithcarbonicacidgas。EvenMrs。
Faringwayadmittedtomethatthesuddenloweringofthetemperatureofthestomachbytheintroductionofice——"
"Yes;butshetookalemoniceatthelastDorotheaReception，andaskedmeifIhadobservedthattheloweranimalsrefusedtheirfoodatatemperatureover60degrees。"
Mr。Rightbodyagainmovedimpatientlytowardsthedoor。Mrs。
Rightbodyeyedhimcuriously。
"Youwillnotwrite，Ihope？Dr。Kepplertoldmeto-nightthatyourcerebralsymptomsinterdictedanyprolongedmentalstrain。"
"Imustconsultafewpapers，"respondedMr。Rightbodycurtly，asheenteredhislibrary。
Itwasarichly-furnishedapartment，morbidlysevereinitsdecorations，whichweresymptomaticofagloomydyspepsiaofart，thenquiteprevalent。Afewcurios，veryugly，butprovidentiallyequallyrare，werescatteredabout。Therewerevariousbronzes，marbles，andcasts，allrequiringexplanation，andsofulfillingtheirpurposeofpromotingconversation，andexhibitingtheeruditionoftheirowner。Thereweresouvenirsoftravelwithahistory，oldbric-a-bracwithapedigree，butlittleornothingthatchallengedattentionforitselfalone。Inallcasesthesuperiorityoftheownertohispossessionswasadmitted。Asanaturalresult，nobodyeverlingeredthere，theservantsavoidedtheroom，andnochildwaseverknowntoplayinit。
Mr。Rightbodyturnedupthegas，andfromacabinetofdrawers，preciselylabelled，drewapackageofletters。Thesehecarefullyexamined。Allwerediscolored，andmadedignifiedbyage;butsome，intheiroriginalfreshness，musthaveappearedtrifling，andinconsistentwithanycorrespondentofMr。Rightbody。Nevertheless，thatgentlemanspentsomemomentsincarefullyperusingthem，occasionallyreferringtothetelegraminhishand。Suddenlytherewasaknockatthedoor。Mr。Rightbodystarted，madeahalf-unconsciousmovementtoreturntheletterstothedrawer，turnedthetelegramfacedownwards，andthen，somewhatharshly，stammered，——
"Eh？Who’sthere？Comein。"
"Ibegyourpardon，papa，"saidaveryprettygirl，entering，without，however，theslightesttraceofapologyoraweinhermanner，andtakingachairwiththeself-possessionandfamiliarityofanhabitueoftheroom;"butIknewitwasnotyourhabittowritelate，soIsupposedyouwerenotbusy。Iamonmywaytobed。"
Shewassoverypretty，andwithalsoutterlyunconsciousofit，orperhapssoconsciouslysuperiortoit，thatonewasprovokedintoamorecriticalexaminationofherface。Butthisonlyresultedinareiterationofherbeauty，andperhapstheaddedfactsthatherdarkeyeswereverywomanly，herrichcomplexioneloquent，andherchiselledlipsfellenoughtobepassionateorcapricious，notwithstandingthattheirgeneraleffectsuggestedneithercaprice，womanlyweakness，norpassion。
Withtheinstinctofanembarrassedman，Mr。Rightbodytouchedthetopichewouldhavepreferredtoavoid。
"Isupposewemusttalkoverto-morrow，"hehesitated，"thismatterofyoursandMr。Marvin’s？Mrs。Marvinhasformallyspokentoyourmother。"
MissAliceliftedherbrighteyesintelligently，butnotjoyfully;
andthecolorofaction，ratherthanembarrasament，rosetoherroundcheeks。
"Yes，HEsaidshewould，"sheansweredsimply。
"Atpresent，"continuedMr。Rightbodystillawkwardly，"Iseenoobjectiontotheproposedarrangement。"
MissAliceopenedherroundeyesatthis。
"Why，papa，Ithoughtithadbeenallsettledlongago！Mammaknewit，youknewit。LastJuly，mammaandyoutalkeditover。"
"Yes，yes，"returnedherfather，fumblinghispapers;"thatis——
well，wewilltalkofitto-morrow。"Infact，Mr。RightbodyHAD
intendedtogivetheaffairaproperattitudeofseriousnessandsolemnitybydueprecisionofspeech，andsomeappositereflections，whenheshouldimpartthenewstohisdaughter，butfelthimselfunabletodoitnow。"Iamglad，Alice，"hesaidatlast，"thatyouhavequiteforgottenyourpreviouswhimsandfancies。YouseeWE
areright。"
"Oh！Idaresay，papa，ifI’mtobemarriedatall，thatMr。Marvinisineverywaysuitable。"
Mr。Rightbodylookedathisdaughternarrowly。Therewasnottheslightestimpatiencenorbitternessinhermanner：itwasaswellregulatedasthesentimentsheexpressed。
"Mr。Marvinis——"hebegan。
"IknowwhatMr。MarvinIS，"interruptedMissAlice;"andhehaspromisedmethatIshallbeallowedtogoonwithmystudiesthesameasbefore。Ishallgraduatewithmyclass;and，ifIprefertopractisemyprofession，Icandosointwoyearsafterourmarriage。"
"Intwoyears？"queriedMr。Rightbodycuriously。
"Yes。Yousee，incaseweshouldhaveachild，thatwouldgivemetimeenoughtoweanit。"
Mr。Rightbodylookedatthisfleshofhisflesh，prettyandpalpablefleshasitwas;but，beingconfrontedasequallywiththebrainofhisbrain，allhecoulddowastosaymeekly，——
"Yes，certainly。Wewillseeaboutallthatto-morrow。"
MissAlicerose。Somethinginthefree，unfetteredswingofherarmsassherestedthemlightly，afterahalfyawn，onherlithehips，suggestedhisnextspeech，althoughstilldistraitandimpatient。
"Youcontinueyourexercisewiththehealth-liftyet，Isee。"
"Yes，papa;butIhadtogiveuptheflannels。Idon’tseehowmammacouldwearthem。Butmydressesarehigh-necked，andbybathingItoughenmyskin。See！"sheadded，as，withachild-likeunconsciousness，sheunfastenedtwoorthreebuttonsofhergown，andexposedthewhitesurfaceofherthroatandnecktoherfather，"Icandefyachill。"
Mr。Rightbody，withsomethingakintoagenuineplayful，paternallaugh，leanedforwardandkissedherforehead。
"It’sgettinglate，Ally，"hesaidparentally，butnotdictatorially。
"Gotobed。"
"Itookanapofthreehoursthisafternoon，"saidMissAlice，withadazzlingsmile，"toanticipatethisdissipation。Good-night，papa。To-morrow，then。"
"To-morrow，"repeatedMr。Rightbody，withhiseyesstillfixeduponthegirlvaguely。"Good-night。"
MissAlicetrippedfromtheroom，possiblyatriflethemorelight-
heartedlythatshehadpartedfromherfatherinoneofhisraremomentsofillogicalhumanweakness。Andperhapsitwaswellforthepoorgirlthatshekeptthissingleremembranceofhim，when，I
fear，inafter-years，hismethods，hisreasoning，andindeedallhehadtriedtoimpressuponherchildhood，hadfadedfromhermemory。
For，whenshehadleft，Mr。Rightbodyfellagaintotheexaminationofhisoldletters。Thiswasquiteabsorbing;somuchso，thathedidnotnoticethefootstepsofMrs。Rightbody，onthestaircaseasshepassedtoherchamber，northatshehadpausedonthelandingtolookthroughtheglasshalf-dooronherhusband，ashesattherewiththelettersbesidehim，andthetelegramopenedbeforehim。
Hadshewaitedamomentlater，shewouldhaveseenhimrise，andwalktothesofawithadisturbedairandaslightconfusion;sothat，onreachingit，heseemedtohesitatetoliedown，althoughpaleandevidentlyfaint。Hadshestillwaited，shewouldhaveseenhimriseagainwithanagonizedeffort，staggertothetable，fumblinglyrefoldandreplacethepapersinthecabinet，andlockit，and，althoughnowbuthalf-conscious，holdthetelegramoverthegas-flametillitwasconsumed。
For，hadshewaiteduntilthismoment，shewouldhaveflownunhesitatinglytohisaid，as，thisactcompleted，hestaggeredagain，reachedhishandtowardthebell，butvainly，andthenfellproneuponthesofa。
Butalas！noprovidentialnoraccidentalhandwasraisedtosavehim，oranticipatetheprogressofthisstory。Andwhen，halfanhourlater，Mrs。Rightbody，alittlealarmed，andmoreindignantathisviolationofthedoctor’srules，appeareduponthethreshold，Mr。Rightbodylayuponthesofa，dead！
Withbustle，withthrongingfeet，withtheirruptionofstrangers，andahurryingtoandfro，but，morethanall，withanimpulseandemotionunknowntothemansionwhenitsownerwasinlife，Mrs。
Rightbodystrovetocallbackthevanishedlife，butinvain。Thehighestmedicalintelligence，calledfromitsbedatthisstrangehour，sawonlythedemonstrationofitstheoriesmadeayearbefore。Mr。Rightbodywasdead——withoutdoubt，withoutmystery，evenasacorrectmanshoulddie——logically，andindorsedbythehighestmedicalauthority。
Butevenintheconfusion，Mrs。Rightbodymanagedtospeedamessengertothetelegraph-officeforacopyofthedespatchreceivedbyMr。Rightbody，butnowmissing。
Inthesolitudeofherownroom，andwithoutaconfidant，shereadthesewords：——
"[Copy。]
"ToMR。ADAMSRIGHTBODY，BOSTON，MASS。
"JoshuaSilsbiediedsuddenlythismorning。Hislastrequestwasthatyoushouldrememberyoursacredcompactwithhimofthirtyyearsago。
（Signed）"SEVENTY-FOUR。
"SEVENTY-FIVE。"
Inthedarkenedhome，andamidtheformalcondolementsoftheirfriendswhohadcalledtogazeuponthescarcelycoldfeaturesoftheirlateassociate，Mrs。Rightbodymanagedtosendanotherdespatch。Itwasaddressedto"Seventy-FourandSeventy-Five，"
Cottonwood。Inafewhoursshereceivedthefollowingenigmaticalresponse：——
"Ahorse-thiefnamedJoshSilsbiewaslynchedyesterdaymorningbytheVigilantesatDeadwood。"
PARTII。
Thespringof1874wasretardedintheCaliforniasierras;somuchso，thatcertainEasterntouristswhohadearlyventuredintotheYoSemiteValleyfoundthemselves，oneMaymorning，snow-boundagainstthetempestuousshouldersofElCapitan。SofuriouswastheonsetofthewindattheUpperMercedCanyon，thatevensorespectablealadyasMrs。Rightbodywasfaintoclingtotheneckofherguidetokeepherseatinthesaddle;whileMissAlice，scorningallmasculineassistance，washurled，alovelychaos，againstthesnowywallofthechasm。Mrs。Rightbodyscreamed;MissAliceragedunderherbreath，butscrambledtoherfeetagaininsilence。
"Itoldyouso！"saidMrs。Rightbody，inanindignantwhisper，asherdaughteragainrangedbesideher。"Iwarnedyouespecially，Alice——that——that——"
"What？"interruptedMissAlicecurtly。
"Thatyouwouldneedyourchemiloonsandhighboots，"saidMrs。
Rightbody，inaregretfulundertone，slightlyincreasingherdistancefromtheguides。
MissAliceshruggedherprettyshouldersscornfully，butignoredhermother’simplication。
"Youwereparticularlywarnedagainstgoingintothevalleyatthisseason，"sheonlyrepliedgrimly。
Mrs。Rightbodyraisedhereyesimpatiently。
"YouknowhowanxiousIwastodiscoveryourpoorfather’sstrangecorrespondent，Alice。Youhavenoconsideration。"
"ButwhenYOUHAVEdiscoveredhim——whatthen？"queriedMissAlice。
"Whatthen？"
"Yes。Mybeliefis，thatyouwillfindthetelegramonlyamerebusinesscipher，andallthisquestmerenonsense。"
"Alice！Why，YOUyourselfthoughtyourfather’sconductthatnightverystrange。Haveyouforgotten？"
TheyoungladyhadNOT，but，forsomefar-reachingfemininereason，chosetoignoreitatthatmoment，whenherlatetumbleinthesnowwasstillfreshinhermind。
"Andthiswoman，whoevershemaybe——"continuedMrs。Rightbody。
"Howdoyouknowthere’sawomaninthecase？"interruptedMissAlice，wickedlyIfear。
"Howdo——I——know——there’sawoman？"slowlyejaculatedMrs。
Rightbody，flounderinginthesnowandtheunexpectedpossibilityofsucharidiculousquestion。Buthereherguideflewtoherassistance，andestoppedfurtherspeech。And，indeed，agraveproblemwasbeforethem。
Theroadthatledtotheirsingleplaceofrefuge——acabin，halfhotel，halftrading-post，scarceamileaway——skirtedthebaseoftherockydome，andpassedperilouslyneartheprecipitouswallofthevalley。Therewasarapiddescentofahundredyardsormoretothisterrace-likepassage;andtheguidespausedforamomentofconsultation，coolyoblivious，aliketotheterrifiedquestioningofMrs。Rightbody，orthehalf-insolentindependenceofthedaughter。Theelderguidewasrusset-bearded，stout，andhumorous：
theyoungerwasdark-bearded，slight，andserious。
"EfyoukingityoungBunkerHilltoletyoutoteheronyourshoulders，I’llgittheMadamtohangontome，"cametoMrs。
Rightbody’shorrifiedearsastheexpressionofherparticularcompanion。
"Freezetotheoldgal，anddon’treckononmeifthedaughterstartsintoplayitalone，"wastheenigmaticalresponseoftheyoungerguide。
MissAliceoverheardbothpropositions;and，beforethetwomenreturnedtotheirside，thathigh-spiritedyoungladyhadurgedherhorsedownthedeclivity。
Alas！atthismomentagustofwhirlingsnowsweptdownuponher。
Therewasaflounder，amis-step，afatalstrainonthewrongrein，afall，afewpluckybutunavailingstruggles，andbothhorseandriderslidignominiouslydowntowardtherockyshelf。Mrs。
Rightbodyscreamed。MissAlice，fromaconfuseddebrisofsnowandice，upliftedavexedandcoloringfacetotheyoungerguide，alittlethemoreangrily，perhaps，thatshesawashadeofimpatienceonhisface。
"Don’tmove，buttieoneendofthe’lass’underyourarms，andthrowmetheother，"hesaidquietly。
"Whatdoyoumeanby’lass’——thelasso？"askedMissAlicedisgustedly。
"Yes，ma’am。"
"Thenwhydon’tyousayso？"
"OAlice！"reproachfullyinterpolatedMrs。Rightbody，encircledbytheelderguide’sstalwartarm。
MissAlicedeignednoreply，butdrewtheloopofthelassooverhershoulders，andletitdroptoherroundwaist。Thensheessayedtothrowtheotherendtoherguide。Dismalfailure！Thefirstflingnearlyknockedherofftheledge;thesecondwentallwildagainsttherockywall;thethirdcaughtinathorn-bush，twentyfeetbelowhercompanion’sfeet。MissAlice’sarmsunkhelplesslytoherside，atwhichsignalofunqualifiedsurrender，theyoungerguidethrewhimselfhalfwaydowntheslope，workedhiswaytothethorn-bush，hungforamomentperilouslyovertheparapet，securedthelasso，andthenbegantopullawayathislovelyburden。MissAlicewasnodeadweight，however，butsteadilyhalf-scrambledonherhandsandkneestowithinafootortwoofherrescuer。Atthistoofamiliarproximity，shestoodup，andleanedalittlestifflyagainsttheline，causingtheguidetogiveanextrapull，whichhadthelamentableeffectoflandingheralmostinhisarms。
Asitwas，herintelligentforeheadstruckhisnosesharply，andI
regrettoadd，treatingofaromanticsituation，causedthatsomewhatprominentsignandtokenofaherotobleedfreely。MissAliceinstantlyclappedahandfulofsnowoverhisnostrils。
"Nowelevateyourrightarm，"shesaidcommandingly。
Hedidashewasbidden，butsulkily。
"Thatcompressestheartery。"
Noman，withaprettywoman’shandandahandfulofsnowoverhismouthandnose，couldeffectivelyutteraheroicsentence，nor，withhisarmelevatedstifflyoverhishead，assumeaheroicattitude。But，whenhismouthwasfreeagain，hesaidhalf-
sulkily，half-apologetically，——
"Imighthaveknownagirlcouldn’tthrowworthacent。"
"Why？"demandedMissAlicesharply。
"Because——why——because——yousee——theyhaven’tgottheexperience，"
hestammeredfeebly。
"Nonsense！theyhaven’ttheCLAVICLE——that’sall！It’sbecauseI’mawoman，andsmallerinthecollar-bone，thatIhaven’ttheplayofthefore-armwhichyouhave。See！"Shesquaredhershouldersslightly，andturnedtheblazeofherdarkeyesfullonhis。
"Experience，indeed！Agirlcanlearnanythingaboycan。"
Apprehensiontooktheplaceofill-humorinherhearer。Heturnedhiseyeshastilyaway，andglancedabovehim。TheelderguidehadgoneforwardtocatchMissAlice’shorse，which，relievedofhisrider，wasflounderingtowardthetrail。Mrs。Rightbodywasnowheretobeseen。Andthesetwowerestilltwentyfeetbelowthetrail！
Therewasanawkwardpause。
"ShallIputyouupthesameway？"hequeried。MissAlicelookedathisnose，andhesitated。"Orwillyoutakemyhand？"headdedinsurlyimpatience。Tohissurprise，MissAlicetookhishand，andtheybegantheascenttogether。
Butthewaywasdifficultanddangerous。Onceortwiceherfeetslippedonthesmoothly-wornrockbeneath;andsheconfessedtoaninwardthankfulnesswhenheruncertainfemininehand-gripwasexchangedforhisstrongarmaroundherwaist。Notthathewasungentle;butMissAliceangrilyfeltthathehadonceortwiceexercisedhissuperiormasculinefunctionsinaroughway;andyetthenextmomentshewouldhaveprobablyrejectedtheideathatshehadevennoticedit。Therewasnodoubt，however，thatheWASalittlesurly。
Afiercescramblefinallybroughtthembackinsafetytothetrail;
butintheactionMissAlice’sshoulder，strikingaprojectingbowlder，wrungfromherafemininecryofpain，herfirstsignofwomanlyweakness。Theguidestoppedinstantly。
"IamafraidIhurtyou？"
Sheraisedherbrownlashes，atriflemoistfromsuffering，lookedinhiseyes，anddroppedherown。Why，shecouldnottell。Andyethehadcertainlyakindface，despiteitsseriousness;andafineface，albeitunshornandweather-beaten。Herowneyeshadneverbeensoneartoanyman’sbefore，saveherlover’s;andyetshehadneverseensomuchinevenhis。Sheslippedherhandaway，notwithanyreferencetohim，butrathertoponderoverthissingularexperience，andsomehowfeltuncomfortablethereat。
Norwashelessso。Itwasbutafewdaysagothathehadacceptedthechargeofthisyoungwomanfromtheelderguide，whowastherecognizedescortoftheRightbodyparty，havingbeenaformercorrespondentofherfather’s。Hehadbeenhiredlikeanyotherguide，buthadundertakenthetaskwiththatchivalrousenthusiasmwhichtheaverageCalifornianalwaysextendstothesexsoraretohim。Buttheillusionhadpassed;andhehaddroppedintoasulky，practicalsenseofhissituation，perhapsfraughtwithlessdangertohimself。Onlywhenappealedtobyhismanhoodorherweakness，hehadforgottenhiswoundedvanity。
Hestrodemoodilyahead，dutifullybreakingthepathforherinthedirectionofthedistantcanyon，whereMrs。Rightbodyandherfriendawaitedthem。MissAlicewasfirsttospeak。Inthistrackless，unchartedterraincognitaofthepassions，itisalwaysthewomanwhostepsouttoleadtheway。
"Youknowthisplaceverywell。Isupposeyouhavelivedherelong？"
"Yes。"
"Youwerenotbornhere——no？"
Alongpause。
"Iobservetheycallyou’StanislausJoe。’Ofcoursethatisnotyourrealname？"（Mem。——MissAlicehadnevercalledhimANYTHING，usuallyprefacinganyrequestwithalanguid，"O-er-er，please，mister-er-a！"explicitenoughforhisstation。）
"No。"
MissAlice（trottingafterhim，andbawlinginhisear）。——"WHAT
namedidyousay？"
TheMan（doggedly）。——"Idon’tknow。"Nevertheless，whentheyreachedthecabin，afteranhalf-hour’sbuffetingwiththestorm，MissAliceappliedherselftohermother’sescort，Mr。Ryder。
"What’sthenameofthemanwhotakescareofmyhorse？"
"StanislausJoe，"respondedMr。Ryder。
"Isthatall？"
"No。Sometimeshe’scalledJoeStanislaus。"
MissAlice（satirically）。——"Isupposeit’sthecustomheretosendyoungladiesoutwithgentlemenwhohidetheirnamesunderanalias？"
Mr。Ryder（greatlyperplexed）。——"Why，dearme，MissAlice，youallers’pearedtomeasagalaswasabletotakekeer——"
MissAlice（interruptingwithawounded，dove-liketimidity）。——"Oh，nevermind，please！"
Thecabinofferedbutscantyaccommodationtothetourists;whichfact，whenindignantlypresentedbyMrs。Rightbody，wasexplainedbythegood-humoredRyderfromthecircumstancethattheusualhotelwasonlyaslightaffairofboards，cloth，andpaper，putupduringtheseason，andpartlydismantledinthefall。"Youcouldn’tbekeptwarmenoughthere，"headded。NeverthelessMissAlicenoticedthatbothMr。RyderandStanislausJoeretiredtherewiththeirpipes，afterhavingpreparedtheladies’supper，withtheassistanceofanIndianwoman，whoapparentlyemergedfromtheearthatthecomingoftheparty，anddisappearedasmysteriously。
Thestarscameoutbrightlybeforetheyslept;andthenextmorningaclear，unwinkingsunbeamedwithalmostsummerpowerthroughtheshutterlesswindowoftheircabin，andironicallydisclosedthedetailsofitsrudeinterior。Twoorthreemangy，half-eatenbuffalo-robes，abearskin，somesuspicious-lookingblankets，riflesandsaddles，deal-tables，andbarrels，madeupitsscantinventory。
Astripoffadedcalicohungbeforearecessnearthechimney，butsoblackenedbysmokeandagethatevenfemininecuriosityrespecteditssecret。Mrs。Rightbodywasinhighspirits，andinformedherdaughterthatshewasatlastonthetrackofherhusband’sunknowncorrespondent。"Seventy-FourandSeventy-FiverepresenttwomembersoftheVigilanceCommittee，mydear，andMr。
Ryderwillassistmetofindthem。"
"Mr。Ryder！"ejaculatedMissAlice，inscornfulastonishment。
"Alice，"saidMrs。Rightbody，withasuspiciousassumptionofsuddendefence，"youinjureyourself，youinjureme，bythisexclusiveattitude。Mr。Ryderisafriendofyourfather’s，anexceedinglywell-informedgentleman。Ihavenot，ofcourse，impartedtohimtheextentofmysuspicions。ButhecanhelpmetowhatImustandwillknow。Youmighttreathimalittlemorecivilly——or，atleast，alittlebetterthanyoudohisservant，yourguide。Mr。Ryderisagentleman，andnotapaidcourier。"
MissAlicewassuddenlyattentive。Whenshespokeagain，sheasked，"WhydoyounotfindoutsomethingaboutthisSilsbie——whodied——orwashung——orsomethingofthatkind？"
"Child！"saidMrs。Rightbody，"don’tyouseetherewasnoSilsbie，or，iftherewas，hewassimplytheconfidantofthat——woman？"
Aknockatthedoor，announcingthepresenceofMr。RyderandStanislausJoewiththehorses，checkedMrs。Rightbody’sspeech。
Astheanimalswerebeingpacked，Mrs。RightbodyforamomentwithdrewinconfidentialconversationwithMr。Ryder，and，totheyounglady’sstillgreaterannoyance，leftheralonewithStanislausJoe。MissAlicewasnotingoodtemper，butshefeltitnecessarytosaysomething。
"Ihopethehoteloffersbetterquartersfortravellersthanthisinsummer，"shebegan。
"Itdoes。"
"Thenthisdoesnotbelongtoit？"
"No，ma’am。"
"Wholiveshere，then？"
"Ido。"
"Ibegyourpardon，"stammeredMissAlice，"Ithoughtyoulivedwherewehired——wherewemetyou——in——in——Youmustexcuseme。"
"I’mnotaregularguide;butastimeswerehard，andIwasoutofgrub，Itookthejob。"
"Outofgrub！""job！"AndSHEwasthe"job。"WhatwouldHenryMarvinsay？Itwouldnearlykillhim。Shebeganherselftofeelalittlefrightened，andwalkedtowardsthedoor。
"Onemoment，miss！"
Theyounggirlhesitated。Theman’stonewassurly，andyetindicatedacertainkindofhalf-patheticgrievance。HERcuriositygotthebetterofherprudence，andsheturnedback。
"Thismorning，"hebeganhastily，"whenwewerecomingdownthevalley，youpickedmeuptwice。"
"IpickedYOUup？"repeatedtheastonishedAlice。
"Yes，CONTRADICTEDme：that’swhatImean，——oncewhenyousaidthoserockswerevolcanic，oncewhenyousaidthefloweryoupickedwasapoppy。Ididn’tletonatthetime，foritwasn’tmysay;
butallthewhileyouweretalkingImighthavelaidforyou——"
"Idon’tunderstandyou，"saidAlicehaughtily。
"Imighthaveentrappedyoubeforefolks。ButIonlywantyoutoknowthatI’Mright，andherearethebookstoshowit。"
Hedrewasidethedingycalicocurtain，revealedasmallshelfofbulkybooks，tookdowntwolargevolumes，——oneofbotany，oneofgeology，——nervouslysoughthistext，andputtheminAlice’soutstretchedhands。
"Ihadnointention——"shebegan，half-proudly，half-embarrassedly。
"AmIright，miss？"heinterrupted。
"Ipresumeyouare，ifyousayso。"
"That’sall，ma’am。Thankyou！"
Beforethegirlhadtimetoreply，hewasgone。Whenheagainreturned，itwaswithherhorse，andMrs。RightbodyandRyderwereawaitingher。ButMissAlicenoticedthathisownhorsewasmissing。
"Areyounotgoingwithus？"sheasked。
"No，ma’am。"
"Oh，indeed！"
MissAlicefeltherspeechwasafeebleconventionalism;butitwasallshecouldsay。She，however，DIDsomething。Hithertoithadbeenherhabittosystematicallyrejecthisassistanceinmountingtoherseat。Nowsheawaitedhim。Asheapproached，shesmiled，andputoutherlittlefoot。Heinstantlystooped;sheplaceditinhishand，rosewithaspring，andforonesuprememomentStanislausJoeheldherunresistinglyinhisarms。Thenextmomentshewasinthesaddle;butinthatbriefintervalofsixtysecondsshehadutteredavolumeinasinglesentence，——
"Ihopeyouwillforgiveme！"
Hemutteredareply，andturnedhisfaceasidequicklyasiftohideit。
MissAlicecanteredforwardwithasmile，butpulledherhatdownoverhereyesasshejoinedhermother。Shewasblushing。
PARTIII。
Mr。Ryderwasasgoodashisword。AdayortwolaterheenteredMrs。Rightbody’sparlorattheChrysopolisHotelinStockton，withtheinformationthathehadseenthemysterioussendersofthedespatch，andthattheywerenowintheofficeofthehotelwaitingherpleasure。Mr。Ryderfurtherinformedherthatthesegentlemenhadonlystipulatedthattheyshouldnotrevealtheirrealnames，andthattheybeintroducedtohersimplyastherespective"Seventy-Four"and"Seventy-Five"whohadsignedthedespatchsenttothelateMr。Rightbody。
Mrs。Rightbodyatfirstdemurredtothis;but，ontheassurancefromMr。Ryderthatthiswastheonlyconditiononwhichaninterviewwouldbegranted，finallyconsented。
"Youwillfindthemsquaremen，eveniftheyarealittlerough，ma’am。But，ifyou’dlikemetobepresent，I’llstop;thoughI
reckon，ifye’dcalkilatedonthat，you’dhavehadmetakecareo’
yourbusinessbyproxy，andnotcomeyourselfthreethousandmilestodoit。"
Mrs。Rightbodybelieveditbettertoseethemalone。
"Allright，ma’am。I’llhangroundouthere;andefyeshouldhappentohaveaticklin’inyourthroat，andabadspello’
coughin’，I’lldropin，carelesslike，toseeifyoudon’twantthemdrops。Sabe？"
Andwithanexceedinglyarchwink，andaslightfamiliartaponMrs。Rightbody’sshoulder，whichmighthavecausedthelateMr。
Rightbodytobursthissepulchre，hewithdrew。
Averytimid，hesitatingtaponthedoorwasfollowedbytheentranceoftwomen，bothofwhom，ingeneralsize，strength，anduncouthness，wereludicrouslyinconsistentwiththeirdiffidentannouncement。TheyproceededinIndianfiletothecentreoftheroom，facedMrs。Rightbody，acknowledgedherdeepcourtesybyastrongshakeofthehand，and，drawingtwochairsoppositetoher，satdownsidebyside。
"IpresumeIhavethepleasureofaddressing——"beganMrs。Rightbody。
ThemandirectlyoppositeMrs。Rightbodyturnedtotheotherinquiringly。
Theothermannoddedhishead，andreplied，——
"Seventy-Four。"
"Seventy-Five，"promptlyfollowedtheother。
Mrs。Rightbodypaused，alittleconfused。
"Ihavesentforyou，"shebeganagain，"tolearnsomethingmoreofthecircumstancesunderwhichyougentlemensentadespatchtomylatehusband。"
"Thecircumstances，"repliedSeventy-Fourquietly，withaside-
glanceathiscompanion，"pannedoutaboutinthisyerstyle。WehungamannamedJoshSilsbie，downatDeadwood，forhoss-stealin’。
WhenIsayWE，IspeakforSeventy-Fiveyerasispresent，aswellasrepresentin’，sotospeak，seventy-twoothergentsasisscattered。WehungJoshSilsbieonsquar，prettysquar，evidence。
Aforehewasstrungup，Seventy-Fiveyeraxedhim，accordin’tocustom，eftherwasennythinghehadtosay，orennyrequestthatheallowedtomakeofus。HeturnstoSeventy-Fiveyer，and——"
Herehepausedsuddenly，lookingathiscompanion。
"Hesez，sezhe，"beganSeventy-Five，takingupthenarrative，——"hesez，’KinIwritealetter？’sezhe。SezI，’Notmuch，oleman：
ye’vegotnotime。’Sezhe，’KinIsendadespatchbytelegraph？’
Isez，’Heaveahead。’Hesez，——theseishisdientikalwords，——
’SendtoAdamRightbody，Boston。Tellhimtorememberhissacredcompackwithmethirtyyearsago。’"
"’Hissacredcompackwithmethirtyyearsago，’"echoedSeventy-
Four，——"hisdientikalwords。"
"Whatwasthecompact？"askedMrs。Rightbodyanxiously。
Seventy-FourlookedatSeventy-Five，andthenbotharose，andretiredtothecorneroftheparlor，wheretheyengagedinaslowbutwhispereddeliberation。Presentlytheyreturned，andsatdownagain。
"Weallow，"saidSeventy-Four，quietlybutdecidedly，"thatYOU
knowwhatthatsacredcompactwas。"
Mrs。Rightbodylosthertemperandhertruthfulnesstogether。"Ofcourse，"shesaidhurriedly，"Iknow。Butdoyoumeantosaythatyougavethispoormannofurtherchancetoexplainbeforeyoumurderedhim？"
Seventy-FourandSeventy-Fivebothroseagainslowly，andretired。
Whentheyreturnedagain，andsatdown，Seventy-Five，whobythistime，throughsomesubtilemagnetism，Mrs。Rightbodybegantorecognizeasthesuperiorpower，saidgravely，——
"Wewishtosay，regardingthisyermurder，thatSeventy-Fourandmeisequallyresponsible;thatwereckonalsotorepresent，sotospeak，seventy-twoothergentlemenasisscattered;thatweareready，Seventy-Fourandme，totakeandholtthatresponsibility，nowandatanytime，aforeeverymanormenaskinbefetchedaginus。WewishtosaythatthisyersayofoursholdsgoodyerinCaliforny，orinanypartoftheseUnitedStates。"
"OrinCanady，"suggestedSeventy-Four。
"OrinCanady。Wewouldn’tagreetocrossthewater，orgotofurrinparts，unlessabsolutelynecessary。Weleavesthechiseofweppingstoyourprincipal，ma’am，orbeingalady，ma’am，andinterested，toanyoneyoumayfetchtoactforhim。AnadvertisementinanyoftheSacramentopapers，oraplaycardorhandbillstuckuntoatreenearDeadwood，sayingthatSeventy-FourorSeventy-Fivewillcommunicatewiththisyerprincipaloragentofyours，willfetchus——allers。"
Mrs。Rightbody，alittlealarmedanddesperate，sawherblunder。
"Imeannothingofthekind，"shesaidhastily。"IonlyexpectedthatyoumighthavesomefurtherdetailsofthisinterviewwithSilsbie;thatperhapsyoucouldtellme——"abold，brightthoughtcrossedMrs。Rightbody’smind——"somethingmoreaboutHER。"
Thetwomenlookedateachother。
"IsupposeyoursocietyhavenoobjectiontogivingmeinformationaboutHER，"saidMrs。Rightbodyeagerly。
Anotherquietconversationinthecorner，andthereturnofbothmen。
"Wewanttosaythatwe’venoobjection。"
Mrs。Rightbody’sheartbeathigh。Herboldnesshadmadeherpenetrationgood。Yetshefeltshemustnotalarmthemenheedlessly。
"WillyouinformmetowhatextentMr。Rightbody，mylatehusband，wasinterestedinher？"
ThistimeitseemedanagetoMrs。Rightbodybeforethemenreturnedfromtheirsolemnconsultationinthecorner。Shecouldbothhearandfeelthattheirdiscussionwasmoreanimatedthantheirpreviousconferences。Shewasalittlemortified，however，whentheysatdown，tohearSeventy-Foursayslowly，——
"Wewishtosaythatwedon’tallowtosayHOWmuch。"
"Doyounotthinkthatthe’sacredcompact’betweenMr。RightbodyandMr。Silsbiereferredtoher？"
"Wereckonitdo。"
Mrs。Rightbody，flushedandanimated，wouldhavegivenworldshadherdaughterbeenpresenttohearthisundoubtedconfirmationofhertheory。Yetshefeltalittlenervousanduncomfortableevenonthisthresholdofdiscovery。
"Issheherenow？"
"She’sinTuolumne，"saidSeventy-Four。
"Alittlebetterlookedarterthanformerly，"addedSeventy-Five。
"Isee。ThenMr。SilsbieENTICEDheraway？"
"Well，ma’am，itWASallowedassherunnedaway。Butitwasn’tproved，anditgenerallywasn’therstyle。"
Mrs。Rightbodytrifledwithhernextquestion。
"Shewaspretty，ofcourse？"
Theeyesofbothmenbrightened。
"ShewasTHAT！"saidSeventy-Fouremphatically。
"Itwouldhavedoneyougoodtoseeher！"addedSeventy-Five。
Mrs。Rightbodyinwardlydoubtedit;but，beforeshecouldaskanotherquestion，thetwomenagainretiredtothecornerforconsultation。Whentheycameback，therewasashademoreofkindlinessandconfidenceintheirmanner;andSeventy-Fouropenedhismindmorefreely。
"Wewishtosay，ma’am，lookingatthething，byandlarge，inafar-mindedway，that，ezYOUseeminterested，andezMr。Rightbodywasinterested，andwas，accordingtoallaccounts，deceivedandledawaybySilsbie，thatwedon’tmindlisteningtoanypropositionYOUmightmake，asalady——allowin’youwasekallyinterested。"
"Iunderstand，"saidMrs。Rightbodyquickly。"Andyouwillfurnishmewithanypapers？"
Thetwomenagainconsulted。
"Wewishtosay，ma’am，thatwethinkshe’sgotpapers，but——"
"IMUSThavethem，youunderstand，"interruptedMrs。Rightbody，"atanyprice。
"Wewasabouttosay，ma’am，"saidSeventy-Fourslowly，"that，considerin’allthings，——andyoubeingalady——youkinhaveHER，papers，pedigree，andguaranty，fortwelvehundreddollars。"
IthasbeenallegedthatMrs。Rightbodyaskedonlyonequestionmore，andthenfainted。Itisknown，however，thatbythenextdayitwasunderstoodinDeadwoodthatMrs。RightbodyhadconfessedtotheVigilanceCommitteethatherhusband，acelebratedBostonmillionaire，anxioustogainpossessionofAbnerSpringer’swell-
knownsorrelmare，hadincitedtheunfortunateJoshSilsbietostealit;andthatfinally，failinginthis，thewidowofthedeceasedBostonmillionairewasnowinpersonalnegotiationwiththeowners。
Howbeit，MissAlice，returninghomethatafternoon，foundhermotherwithaviolentheadache。
"Wewillleaveherebythenextsteamer，"saidMrs。Rightbodylanguidly。"Mr。Ryderhaspromisedtoaccompanyus。"
"But，mother——"
"Theclimate，Alice，isover-rated。Mynervesarealreadysufferingfromit。Theassociationsareunfitforyou，andMr。
Marvinisnaturallyimpatient。"
MissAlicecoloredslightly。
"Butyourquest，mother？"
"I’veabandonedit。"
"ButIhavenot，"saidAlicequietly。"DoyouremembermyguideattheYoSemite，——StanislausJoe？Well，StanislausJoeis——whodoyouthink？"
Mrs。Rightbodywaslanguidlyindifferent。
"Well，StanislausJoeisthesonofJoshuaSilsbie。"
Mrs。Rightbodysatuprightinastonishment"Yes。Butmother，heknowsnothingofwhatweknow。Hisfathertreatedhimshamefully，andsethimcruellyadriftyearsago;and，whenhewashung，thepoorfellow，insheerdisgrace，changedhisname。"