Hefound，however，afaintledgemadebycaughtdriftwoodfromthecurrentandthedebrisoftheoverhangingcliffs。Againthenarrowfootprintontheoozewashisguide。Atlast，emergingfromthecanyon，astrangeviewburstuponhissight。Theriverturnedabruptlytotheright，and，followingthemountainside，leftasmallhollowcompletelywalledinbythesurroundingheights。Tohisleftwastheridgehehaddescendedfromontheotherside，andhenowunderstoodthesingulardetourhehadmade。Hewasontheothersideofthestageroadalso，whichranalongthemountainshelfathousandfeetabovehim。Thewall，asheercliff，madethehollowinaccessiblefromthatside。Littlehillscoveredwithbuckeyeencompassedit。Itlookedlikeasylvanretreat，andyetwasassecureinitsisolationandapproachesastheoutlaw’sdenthatitwas。
　　Hewasgazingatthesingularprospectwhenashotrangintheair。
　　Itseemedtocomefromadistance，andheinterpreteditasasignal。Butitwasfollowedpresentlybyanother；andputtinghishandtohishattokeepitfromfalling，hefoundthattheupturnedbrimhadbeenpiercedbyabullet。Hestoppedatthisevidenthint，and，takinghisdispatchbagfromhisshoulder，placeditsignificantlyuponaboulder，andlookedaroundasiftoawaittheappearanceoftheunseenmarksman。Therifleshotrangoutagain，thebagquivered，andturnedoverwithabulletholethroughit！
　　Hetookouthiswhitehandkerchiefandwavedit。Anothershotfollowed，andthehandkerchiefwassnappedfromhisfingers，tornfromcornertocorner。Afeelingofdesperationandfuryseizedhim；hewasbeingplayedwithbyamaskedandskillfulassassin，whoonlywaiteduntilitpleasedhimtofirethedeadlyshot！Butthistimehecouldseetheriflesmokedriftingfromunderasycamorenotahundredyardsaway。Hesethiswhitelipstogether，butwithadeterminedfaceandunfalteringstepwalkeddirectlytowardsit。Inanothermomenthebelievedandalmosthopedthatallwouldbeover。Withsuchamarksmanhewouldnotbemaimed，butkilledoutright。
　　Hehadnotcoveredhalfthedistancebeforeamanloungedoutfrombehindthetreecarelesslyshoulderinghisrifle。Hewastallbutslightlybuilt，withanamused，criticalmanner，andnothingabouthimtosuggestthebloodthirstyassassin。HemetBricehalfway，droppinghisrifleslantinglyacrosshisbreastwithhishandslightlygraspingthelock，andgazedattheyoungmancuriously。
　　"Youlookasifyou’dhadabigscare，oldman，butyou’vecleargritforallthat！"hesaid，withacriticalandreassuringsmile。
　　"Now，whatareyoudoinghere？Stay，"hecontinued，asBrice’sparchedlipspreventedhimfromreplyingimmediately。"Ioughttoknowyourface。Hello！you’retheexpressman！"Hisglancesuddenlyshifted，andsweptpastBriceoverthegroundbeyondhimtotheentranceofthehollow，buthissmilereturnedasheapparentlysatisfiedhimselfthattheyoungmanwasalone。"Well，whatdoyouwant？"
　　"IwanttoseeSnapshotHarry，"saidBrice，withaneffort。Hisvoicecamebackmoreslowlythanhiscolor，butthatwasperhapshurriedbyasenseofshameathisphysicalweakness。
　　"Whatyouwantisadropo’whiskey，"saidthestrangergoodhumoredly，takinghisarm，"andwe’llfinditinthatshantyjustbehindthetree。"ToBrice’ssurprise，afewstepsinthatdirectionrevealedafair-sizedcabin，withaslightpretentiousnessaboutitofneatness，comfort，andpicturesqueeffect，farsuperiortotheTarboxshanty。Afewflowerswereinboxesonthewindow——
　　signs，asBricefancied，offemininetaste。Whentheyreachedthethreshold，somewhatofthisqualitywasalsovisibleintheinterior。WhenBricehadpartakenofthewhiskey，thestranger，whohadkeptsilence，pointedtoachair，andsaidsmilingly：——
　　"IamHenryDimwood，aliasSnapshotHarry，andthisismyhouse。"
　　"Icametospeakwithyouabouttherobberyofgreenbacksfromthecoachlastnight，"beganBricehurriedly，withasuddenaccessofhopeathisreception。"Imean，ofcourse，"——hestoppedandhesitated，——"theactualrobberybeforeYOUstoppedus。"
　　"What！"saidHarry，springingtohisfeet，"doyoumeantosayYOU
　　knewit？"
　　Brice’sheartsank，butheremainedsteadfastandtruthful。"Yes，"
　　hesaid，"IknewitwhenIhandeddownthebox。Isawthatthelockhadbeenforced，butIsnappedittogetheragain。Itwasmyfault。PerhapsIshouldhavewarnedyou，butIamsolelytoblame。"
　　"DidYubaBillknowofit？"askedthehighwayman，withsingularexcitement。
　　"Notatthetime，Igiveyoumyword！"repliedBricequickly，thinkingonlyofloyaltytohisoldcomrade。"Inevertoldhimtillwereachedthestation。"
　　"Andheknewitthen？"repeatedHarryeagerly。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Didhesayanything？Didhedoanything？Didhelookastonished？"
　　BricerememberedBill’suncontrollablemerriment，butrepliedvaguelyanddiplomatically，"Hewascertainlyastonished。"
　　AlaughgatheredinSnapshotHarry’seyeswhichatlastoverspreadhiswholeface，andfinallyshookhisframeashesathelplesslydownagain。Then，wipinghiseyes，hesaidinashakyvoice：——
　　"Itwouldhavebeensuredeathtohavetrustedmyselfnearthatstation，butIthinkI’dhaveriskeditjusttohaveseenBill’sfacewhenyoutoldhim！Justthinkofit！Bill，whowasamatchforanybody！Bill，whowasnevercaughtnapping！Bill，whoonlywantedsupremecontrolofthingstowipemeoffthefaceoftheearth！Bill，whoknewhoweverythingwasdone，andcouldstopitifhechose，andthentohavebeenROBBEDTWICEINONEEVENINGBY
　　MYGANG！Yes，sir！YubaBillandhisrottenoldcoachwereGONE
　　THROUGHTWICEINSIDEHALFANHOURbythegang！"
　　"Thenyouknewofittoo？"saidBrice，inuneasyastonishment。
　　"Afterwards，myyoungfriend——likeYubaBill——afterwards。"Hestopped；hiswholeexpressionchanged。"Itwasdonebytwosneakinghounds，"hesaidsharply；"onewhomIsuspectedbefore，andone，anewhand，apalofhis。Theyweredetachedtowatchthecoachandbesatisfiedthatthegreenbackswereaboard，foritisn’tmystyleto’holdup’exceptforsomethingspecial。TheyweretotakeseatsonthecoachasfarasRingwoodStation，threemilesbelowwhereweheldyouup，andtogetoutthereandpassthewordtousthatitwasallright。Theydidn’t；thatmadeusalittleextracareful，seeingsomethingwaswrong，butneversuspectingTHEM。Wefoundoutafterwardsthattheygotoneofmyscoutstocutdownthattree，sayingitwasmyordersandapartofourgame，calculatinginthestoppageandconfusiontocollartheswagandgetoffwithit。Withoutknowingit，YOUplayedintotheirhandsbygoingintoTarbox’scabin。"
　　"Buthowdidyouknowthis？"interruptedBrice，inwonder。
　　"Theyforgotonething，"continuedSnapshotHarrygrimly。"Theyforgotthathalfanhourbeforeandhalfanhourafterastageisstoppedwehavethatroadpatrolled，everyfootofit。WhileIwasopeningtheboxinthebrush，thetwofools，sneakingalongtheroad，cameslapupononeofmypatrols，andthentriedtorunforit。Onewasdropped，butbeforehewaspluggedfullofholesandhunguponatree，heconfessed，andsaidtheothermanwhoescapedhadthegreenbacks。"
　　Brice’sfacefell。"Thentheyarelost，"hesaidbitterly。
　　"Notunlessheeatsthem——ashemaywanttodobeforeI’mdoneonhim，forhemusteitherstarveorcomeout。ThatroadisstillwatchedbymymenfromTarbox’scabintothebridge。He’stheresomewhere，andcan’tgetforwardorbackward。Look！"hesaid，risingandgoingtothedoor。"Thatroad，"hepointedtothestageroad，——anarrowledgeflankedononesidebyaprecipitousmountainwall，andontheotherbyanequallyprecipitatedescent，——"ishislimitandtether，andhecan’tescapeoneitherside。"
　　"Butthetrail？"
　　"Thereisbutoneentrancetoit，——thewayyoucame，andthatisguardedtoo。Fromthetimeyouenteredituntilyoureachedthebottom，youweresignaledherefrompointtopoint！HEwouldhavebeendropped！ImerelygaveYOUahintofwhatmighthavehappenedtoyou，ifyouwereuptoanylittlegame！Youtookitlikeawhiteman。Come，now！Whatisyourbusiness？"
　　Thuschallenged，Briceplungedwithyouthfulhopefulnessintohisplan；if，ashevoicedit，itseemedtohimalittleextravagant，hewasbuoyedupbythefranknessofthehighwayman，whoalsohadtreatedthedoublerobberywithalevitythatseemedalmostasextravagant。Hesuggestedthattheyshouldworktogethertorecoverthemoney；thattheexpresscompanyshouldknowthattheunprecedentedstealthyintroductionofrobbersintheguiseofpassengerswasnotSnapshotHarry’smethod，andherepudiateditasunmanlyandunsportsmanlike；andthat，byusinghissuperiorskillandknowledgeofthelocalitytorecoverthemoneyanddelivertheculpritintothecompany’shands，hewouldnotonlyearntherewardthattheyshouldoffer，butthathewouldevokeasentimentthatallCalifornianswouldunderstandandrespect。Thehighwaymanlistenedwithatolerantsmile，but，toBrice’ssurprise，thisappealtohisvanitytouchedhimlessthantheprospectivepunishmentofthethief。
　　"Itwouldservethed————dhoundright，"hemuttered，"if，insteadofbeingshotlikeaman，hewasmadeto’dotime’inprison，liketheordinarysneakthiefthatheis。"WhenBricehadconcluded，hesaidbriefly，"Theonlytroublewithyourplans，myyoungfriend，isthatabouttwenty-fivemenhavegottoconsiderthem，andhaveTHEIRsayaboutit。Everymaninmygangisashareholderinthesegreenbacks，forIworkonthesquare；andit’sforhimtosaywhetherhe’llgivethemupforarewardandthegoodopinionoftheexpresscompany。Perhaps，"hewenton，withapeculiarsmile，"it’sjustaswellthatyoutrieditonmefirst！However，I’llsoundtheboys，andseewhatcomesofit，butnotuntilyou’resafeoffthepremises。"
　　"Andyou’llletmeassistyou？"saidBriceeagerly。
　　SnapshotHarrysmiledagain。"Well，ifyoucomeacrossthed————dthief，andyourecognizehimandcangetthegreenbacksfromhim，I’llpassoverthegametoyou。"Heroseandadded，apparentlybywayoffarewell，"Perhapsit’sjustaswellthatIshouldgiveyouaguidepartofthewaytopreventaccidents。"Hewenttoadoorleadingtoanadjoiningroom，andcalled"Flo！"
　　Brice’sheartleaped！Ifhehadforgottenherintheexcitementofhisinterview，heatonedforitbyavividblush。Herowncolorwasalittleheightenedassheslippedintotheroom，butthetwomanagedtolookdemurelyateachother，withoutawordofrecognition。
　　"Thisismyniece，Flora，"saidSnapshotHarry，withaslightwaveofthehandthatwasbynomeansuncourtly，"andhercompanywillkeepyoufromanyimpertinentquestioningaswellasifIwerewithyou。ThisisMr。Brice，Flo，whocametoseemeonbusiness，andhasquiteforgottenmypracticaljoking。"
　　ThegirlacknowledgedBrice’sbowwithashynessverydifferentfromhermanneroftheeveningbefore。Bricefeltembarrassedandevidentlyshowedit，forhishost，withasmile，putanendtotheconstraintbyshakingtheyoungman’shandheartily，biddinghimgood-by，andaccompanyinghimtothedoor。
　　Onceontheirway，Mr。Brice’sspiritsreturned。"Itoldyoulastnight，"hesaid，"thatIhopedtomeetyouthenexttimewithabetterintroduction。Yousuggestedyouruncle’s。Well，areyousatisfied？"
　　"Butyoudidn’tcometoseeME，"saidthegirlmischievously。
　　"Howdoyouknowwhatmyintentionswere？"returnedtheyoungmangayly，gazingatthegirl’scharmingfacewithaseriousdoubtastothesinglenessofhisownintentions。
　　"Oh，becauseIknow，"sheanswered，withatossofherbrownhead。
　　"IheardwhatyousaidtouncleHarry。"
　　Mr。Brice’sbrowcontracted。"Perhapsyousawme，too，whenI
　　came，"hesaid，withaslighttouchofbitternessashethoughtofhisreception。
　　MissFlolaughed。Bricewalkedonsilently；thegirlwasheartlessandworthyofhereducation。Afterapauseshesaiddemurely，"I
　　knewhewouldn’thurtyou——butYOUdidn’t。That’swhereyoushowedyourgritinwalkingstraighton。"
　　"AndIsupposeyouweregreatlyamused，"herepliedscornfully。
　　Thegirlliftedherarmsalittlewearily，aswithahalfsighshereadjustedherbrownbraidsunderheruncle’sgrayslouchhat，whichshehadcaughtupasshepassedout。"Tharain’tmuchtolaughathere！"shesaid。"Butitwasmightyfunnywhenyoutriedtoputyourhatstraight，andthenfoundthurwasthatbulletholerightthroughthebrim！Andthewayyoustaredatit——Lordy！"
　　Hermusicallaughwasinfectious，andsweptawayhisoutrageddignity。Helaughedtoo。Atlastshesaid，gazingathishat，"Itwon’tdoforyoutogobacktoyourfolkswearin’thatsorto’
　　thing。Here！Takemine！"Withasaucymovementsheaudaciouslyliftedhishatfromhishead，andplacedherownuponit。
　　"Butthisisyouruncle’shat，"heremonstrated。
　　"Allthesame；hespoiledyours，"shelaughed，adjustinghishatuponherownhead。"ButI’llkeepyourstorememberyouby。I’llloopitupbythishole，andit’lllookmightypurty。Jes’see！"
　　Shepluckedawildrosefromabushbythewayside，and，passingthestalkthroughthebullethole，pinnedthebrimagainstthecrownbyathorn。"There，"shesaid，puttingonthehatagainwithalittleaffectationofcoquetry，"how’sthat？"
　　Mr。Bricethoughtitverypicturesqueandbecomingtothegracefulheadandlaughingeyesbeneathit，andsaidso。Then，becominginhisturnaudacious，hedrewnearertoherside。
　　"Isupposeyouknowtheforfeitofputtingonagentleman’shat？"
　　Apparentlyshedid，forshesuddenlymadeawarninggesture，andsaid，"Nothere！Itwouldbeabiggerforfeitthanyou’dkeerfo’。"Beforehecouldreplysheturnedasideasifquiteinnocently，andpassedintotheshadeofafringeofbuckeyes。Hefollowedquickly。"Ididn’tmeanthat，"shesaid；butinthemeantimehehadkissedthepinktipofherearunderitsbrowncoils。
　　Hewas，nevertheless，somewhatdiscomfitedbyherundisturbedmannerandsereneface。"Yedon’tseemtomindbein’shotat，"shesaid，withanoddsmile，"butitwon’tdoforyoutokalkilatethatEVERYBODYshootsaskeerfullyasuncleHarry。"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"hereplied，struckbyhermanner。
　　"Yeain’tverycomplimentary，oryou’dallowthatotherfolksmightbewantin’whatyoutookjustnow，andmightconsideryouwaspoachin’，"shereturnedgravely。"MybestandstrongestholtamongthosemenisthatuncleHarrywouldkillthefirstonewhotriedanythinglikethaton——andtheyknowit。That’showIgetallthelibertyIwanthere，andcancomeandgoaloneasIlike。"
　　Brice’sfaceflushedquicklywithgenuineshameandremorse。"Doforgiveme，"hesaidhurriedly。"Ididn’tthink——I’mabruteandafool！"
　　"UncleHarryallowedyouwaseitherdrunkorabornidiotwhenyouwaspromenadin’intothevalleyjustnow，"shesaid，withasmile。
　　"Andwhatdidyouthink？"heaskedalittleuneasily。
　　"Ithoughtyoudidn’tlooklikeadrinkin’man，"sheansweredaudaciously。
　　Bricebithislipandwalkedonsilently，atwhichshecastasidelongglanceunderherwidelyspacedheavylashesandsaiddemurely，"Ithoughtlastnightitwasmightygoodforyoutostandupforyourfrien’YubaBill，andthen，afteryeknewwhoIwas，toletthefolksseeyoukindercottonedtometoo。Notinthestyleo’thatland-grabberHeckshill，northatpeartnewspaperman，neither。OfcourseIgavethemasgoodastheysent，"shewenton，withalittlelaugh，butBricecouldseethathersensitivelipinprofilehadthetremulousandresentfulcurveofonewhowasaccustomedtoslightandannoyance。Wasitpossiblethatthisreckless，self-containedgirlfeltherpositionkeenly？
　　"Iamproudtohaveyourgoodopinion，"hesaid，withacertainrespectmingledwithhisadmiringglance，"evenifIhavenotyouruncle’s。"
　　"Oh，helikesyouwellenough，orhewouldn’thavehearkenedtoyouaminute，"shesaidquickly。"Whenyouopenedoutaboutthemgreenbacks，Ijes’clutchedmycheerSO，"sheillustratedherwordswithagestureofherhands，andherfaceactuallyseemedtogrowpaleattherecollection，——andInighstarteduptostopye；butthatideaofYubaBillbein’robbedTWICEIthinktickledhimawful。Butitwasluckynoneo’thegangheardyeorsuspectedanything。Ireckonthat’swhyhesentmewithyou，——tokeepthemfromdoggin’youandaskin’questionsthatastraightmanlikeyouwouldbesuretoanswer。Buttheydaren’tcomenighyeaslongasI’mwithyou！"Shethrewbackherheadandrose-crestedhatwithamockairofprotectionthat，however，hadacertainrealprideinit。
　　"Iamverygladofthat，ifitgivesmethechanceofhavingyourcompanyalone，"returnedBrice，smiling，"andverygratefultoyouruncle，whateverwerehisreasonsformakingyoumyguide。Butyouhavealreadybeenthattome，"andhetoldherofthefootprints。
　　"Butforyou，"headded，withgentlesignificance，"Ishouldnothavebeenhere。"
　　Shewassilentforamoment，andhecouldonlyseethebackofherheadanditsheavybrowncoils。Afterapausesheaskedabruptly，"Where’syourhandkerchief？"
　　Hetookitfromhispocket；heringeniousuncle’sbullethadtornratherthanpiercedthecambric。
　　"Ithoughtso，"shesaid，gravelyexaminingit，"butIkinmenditasgoodasnew。IreckonyouallowIcan’tsew，"shecontinued，"butIdoheapsofmendin’，asthediggersquawandChinamenwehaveheredoonlythecoarserwork。I’llsenditbacktoyou，andmeanwhilesyoukeepmine。"
　　Shedrewahandkerchieffromherpocketandhandedittohim。Tohisgreatsurpriseitwasadelicateone，beautifullyembroidered，andutterlyincongruoustoherstation。Theideathatflasheduponhim，itistobefeared，showeditselfmomentarilyinhishesitationandembarrassment。
　　Shegaveaquicklaugh。"Don’tbefrightened。It’sboughtandpaidfor。UncleHarrydon’ttouchpassengers’fixin’s；thatain’thisstyle。Yououghterknowthat。"Yetinspiteofherlaugh，hecouldseethesensitivepoutofherlowerlip。
　　"Iwasonlythinking，"hesaidhurriedlyandsympathetically，"thatitwastoofineforme。ButIwillbeproudtokeepitasasouvenirofyou。It’snottooprettyforTHAT！"
　　"Unclegetsmethesethings。Hedon’tkeerwhattheycost，"shewenton，ignoringthecompliment。"Why，I’vegotawfullyfinegownsuptherethatIonlywearwhenIgotoMarysvilleoncetinawhile。"
　　"Doeshetakeyouthere？"askedBrice。
　　"No！"sheansweredquietly。"Not"——alittledefiantly——"thathe’safeard，fortheycan’tproveanythingagainsthim；nomankinsweartohim，andtharain’tanofficerthatkeerstogoforhim。Buthe’sthatshyforMEhedon’tkeertohavememixedwithhim。"
　　"Butnobodyrecognizesyou？"
　　"Sometimes——butIdon’tkeerforthat。"Shecockedherhatalittleaudaciously，butBricenoticedthatherarmsafterwardsdroppedathersidewiththesamewearygesturehehadobservedbefore。"WheneverIgointoshopsit’salways’Yes，miss，’and’No，miss，’and’Certainly，MissDimwood。’Oh，they’remightyrespectful。IreckontheyallowthatSnapshotHarry’sriflecarriesfar。"
　　Presentlyshefacedhimagain，fortheirconversationhadbeencarriedoninprofile。Therewasacritical，searchinglookinherbrowneyes。
　　"HereI’mtalkin’toyouasifyouwereone"——Mr。Bricewaspositiveshewasgoingtosay"oneofthegang，"butshehesitatedandconcluded，"oneofmyrelations——likecousinHiram。"
　　"Iwishyouwouldthinkofmeasbeingastrueafriend，"saidtheyoungmanearnestly。
　　Shedidnotreplyimmediately，butseemedtobeexaminingthedistance。Theywerenotfarfromthecanyonnow，andtheriverbank。Afringeofbuckeyeshidthebaseofthemountain，whichhadbeguntotowerupabovethemtotheinvisiblestageroadoverhead。
　　"Iamgoingtobearealguidetoyounow，"shesaidsuddenly。
　　"Whenwereachthatbuckeyecornerandareoutofsight，wewillturnintoitinsteadofgoingthroughthecanyon。Youshallgoupthemountaintothestageroad，fromTHISside。"
　　"Butitisimpossible！"heexclaimed，inastonishment。"Yourunclesaidso。"
　　"ComingDOWN，butnotgoingup，"shereturned，withalaugh。"I
　　foundit，andnooneknowsitbutmyself。"
　　Heglancedupatthetoweringcliff；itsnearlyperpendicularflankswereseamedwithfissures，somecleftsdeeplysetwithstuntedgrowthsofthornand"scrub，"butstillsheerandforbidding，andthenglancedbackatherincredulously。"Iwillshowyou，"shesaid，answeringhislookwithasmileoftriumph。
　　"Ihaven’ttrampedoverthiswholevalleyfornothing！Butwaituntilwereachtheriverbank。Theymustthinkthatwe’vegonethroughthecanyon。"
　　"They？
　　"Yes——anyonewhoiswatchingus，"saidthegirldryly。
　　Afewstepsfurtheronbroughtthemtothebuckeyethicket，whichextendedtotheriverbankandmouthofthecanyon。Thegirllingeredforamomentostentatiouslybeforeit，andthen，saying"Come，"suddenlyturnedatrightanglesintothethicket。Bricefollowed，andthenextmomenttheywerehiddenbyitsfriendlyscreenfromthevalley。Ontheothersiderosethemountainwall，leavinganarrowtrailbeforethem。Itwascomposedoftherockydebrisandfallentreesofthecliff，fromwhichbuckeyesandlarcheswerenowspringing。Itwasuneven，irregular，andslowlyascending；buttheyounggirlledthewaywiththefreefootstepofamountaineer，andyetagracethatwasakintodelicacy。Norcouldhefailtonoticethat，aftertheWesterngirl’sfashion，shewasshodmoreelegantlyandlightlythanwasconsistentwiththerudeandrusticsurroundings。Itwasthesameslimshoe-printwhichhadguidedhimthatmorning。Presentlyshestopped，andseemedtobegazingcuriouslyatthecliffside。Bricefollowedthedirectionofhereyes。Onaprotrudingbushattheedgeofoneofthewoodedcleftsofthemountainflanksomethingwashanging，andinthefresheningsoutherlywindwasflappingheavily，likearaven’swing，orasifstillsaturatedwiththelastnight’srain。
　　"That’smightyqueer！"saidFlo，gazingintentlyattheunsightlyandincongruousattachmenttotheshrub，whichhadavague，weirdsuggestion。"Itwasn’tthereyesterday。"
　　"Itlookslikeaman’scoat，"remarkedBriceuneasily。
　　"Whew！"saidthegirl。"Thensomebodyhascomedownwhowon’tgoupagain！There’salotoffreshrocksandbrushhere，too。
　　What’sthat？"Shewaspointingtoaspotsomeyardsbeforethemwheretherehadbeenarecentprecipitationofdebrisanduprootedshrubs。Butmingledwithitlayamassofragsstrangelyakintothetatteredremnantthatflaggedfromthebushahundredfeetabovethem。Thegirlsuddenlyutteredasharpfemininecryofmingledhorroranddisgust，——thefirstweaknessofsexshehadshown，——and，recoiling，graspedBrice’sarm。"Don’tgothere！
　　Comeaway！"
　　ButBricehadalreadyseenthatwhich，whileitshockedhim，wasurginghimforwardwithaninvinciblefascination。Gentlyreleasinghimself，andbiddingthegirlstandback，hemovedtowardtheunsightlyheap。Graduallyitdisclosedagrotesquecaricatureofahumanfigure，butsomaimedanddoubledupthatitseemedastuffedandfallenscarecrow。Asiscommoninmenstrickensuddenlydownbyaccidentinthefullnessoflife，theclothesassertedthemselvesbeforeallelsewithahideousludicrousness，obliteratingeventhemajestyofdeathintheirhelplessyetironicalincongruity。Thegarmentsseemedtohaveneverfittedthewearer，buttohavebeenassumedinghastlyjocularity，——aboothalfofftheswollenfoot，arippedwaistcoatthrownovertheshoulder，werelikethepropertiesofsomelowcomedian。Atfirstthebodyappearedtobeheadless；butasBriceclearedawaythedebrisandliftedit，hesawwithhorrorthattheheadwastwistedundertheshoulder，andswunghelplesslyfromthedislocatedneck。
　　Butthathorrorgavewaytoamoreintenseandthrillingemotionashesawtheface——althoughstrangelyfreefromlacerationordisfigurement，andimpurpledanddistendedintothesimulationofaself-complacentsmile——wasafaceherecognized！Itwasthefaceofthecynicaltravelerinthecoach——themanwhohewasnowsatisfiedhadrobbedit。
　　Astrangeandselfishresentmenttookpossessionofhim。Herewasthemanthroughwhomhehadsufferedshameandperil，andwhoevennowseemedcomplacentlyvictoriousindeath。Heexaminedhimclosely；hiscoatandwaistcoathadbeenpartlytornawayinhisfall；hisshirtstillclungtohim，butthroughitstornfrontcouldbeseenaheavytreasurebeltencirclinghiswaist。
　　Forgettinghisdisgust，Bricetoreawaytheshirtandunloosedthebelt。Itwassaturatedwithwaterliketherestoftheclothing，butitspocketseemedheavyanddistended。Inanotherinstanthehadopenedit，anddiscoveredtheenvelopecontainingthepacketofgreenbacks，itssealstillinviolateandunbroken。Itwasthestolentreasure！
　　Afaintsighrecalledhimtohimself。Thegirlwasstandingafewfeetfromhim，regardinghimcuriously。
　　"It’sthethiefhimself！"hesaid，inabreathlessexplanation。
　　"Intryingtoescapehemusthavefallenfromtheroadabove。Butherearethegreenbackssafe！Wemustgobacktoyouruncleatonce，"hesaidexcitedly。"Come！"
　　"Areyoumad？"shecried，inastonishment。
　　"No，"returnedBrice，inequalastonishment，"butyouknowIagreedwithhimthatweshouldworktogethertorecoverthemoney，andI
　　mustshowhimourgoodluck。"
　　"Hetoldyouthatifyoumetthethiefandcouldgetthemoneyfromhim，youwerewelcometoit，"saidthegirlgravely，"andyouHAVE
　　gotit。"
　　"Butnotinthewayhemeant，"returnedBricehurriedly。"Thisman’sdeathistheresultofhisattemptingtoescapefromyouruncle’sguardsalongtheroad；themeritofitbelongstothemandyouruncle。Itwouldbecowardlyandmeanofmetotakeadvantageofit。"
　　Thegirllookedathimwithanexpressionofmingledadmirationandpity。"Buttheguardswereplacedtherebeforeheeversawyou，"
　　saidsheimpatiently。"AndwhateveruncleHarrymaywanttodo，hemustdowhatthegangsays。Andwiththemoneyonceintheirpossession，oreveninyours，iftheyknewit，Iwouldn’tgivemuchforitschances——orYOURSeither——forgettin’outo’thishollowagain。"
　　"ButifTHEYaretreacherous，thatisnoreasonwhyIshouldbeso，"protestedBricestoutly。
　　"You’venorighttosaytheyweretreacherouswhentheyknewnothingofyourplans，"saidthegirlsharply。"YourcompanywouldhavemorecalltosayYOUweretreacheroustoitformakingaplanwithoutconsultin’them。"Bricewinced，forhehadneverthoughtofthatbefore。"YoucanofferthatrewardAFTERyougetawayfromherewiththegreenbacks。But，"sheaddedproudly，withatossofherhead，"gobackifyouwantto！Tellhimall！Tellhimwhereyoufoundit——tellhimIdidnottakeyouthroughthecanyon，butwasshowin’youanewtrailIhadnevershowntoTHEM！TellhimthatIamatraitor，forIhavegiventhemandhimawaytoyou，astranger，andthatyouconsideryourselftheonlystraightandhonestoneabouthere！"
　　Briceflushedwithshame。"Forgiveme，"hesaidhurriedly；"youarerightandIamwrongagain。Iwilldojustwhatyousay。I
　　willfirstplacethesegreenbacksinasecureplace——andthen"——
　　"Getawayfirst——that’syouronlyholt，"sheinterruptedhimquickly，hereyesstillflashingthroughindignanttears。"Comequick，forImustputyouonthetrailbeforetheymissme。"
　　Shedartedforward；hefollowed，butshekeptthelead，asmuch，hefancied，toevadehisobservationastoexpeditehisgoing。
　　Presentlytheystoppedbeforetheslopingtrunkofahugepinethathadlongsincefallenfromtheheightabove，but，althoughsplinteredwhereithadbrokenground，hadpreservedsomefiftyfeetofitsstraighttrunkerectandleaninglikealadderagainstthemountainwall。"There，"shesaid，hurriedlypointingtoitsdecayingbutstillprojectinglateralbranches，"youclimbit——I
　　have。Atthetopyou’llfindit’sstuckinacleftamongthebrush。There’salittlehollowandanoldwaterwayfromaspringabovewhichmakesatrailthroughthebrush。It’sasgoodasthetrailyoutookfromthestageroadthismornin’，butit’snotassafecomin’down。Keepalongittothespring，anditwilllandyejesttheothersideofuncleHiram’scabin。Goquick！I’llwaithereuntilye’vereachedthecleft。"
　　"Butyou，"hesaid，turningtowardher，"howcanIeverthankyou？"
　　Asifanticipatingaleave-taking，thegirlhadalreadywithdrawnherselfafewyardsaway，andsimplymadeanupwardgesturewithherhand。"Quick！Upwithyou！Everyminutenowisarisktome。"
　　Thusappealedto，Bricecouldonlycomply。Perhapshewasalittlehurtatthegirl’sevidentdesiretoavoidagentlerparting。
　　Securinghisprizedenvelopewithinhisbreast，hebegantoascendthetree。Itsinclination，andtheaidofferedbythebrokenstumpsofbranches，madethiscomparativelyeasy，andinafewmomentshereacheditstop，andstooduponalittleledgeinthewall。Aswiftglancearoundhimrevealedthewholewaterwayorfissureslantingupwardalongthemountainface。Thenheturnedquicklytolookdownthedizzyheight。Atfirsthecoulddistinguishnothingbutthetopofthebuckeyesandtheirwhiteclusteringblossoms。Thensomethingfluttered，——thetornwhitehandkerchiefofhisthatshehadkept。Andthenhecaughtasingleglimpseoftheflower-plumedhatrecedingrapidlyamongthetrees，andFloraDimwoodwasgone。
　　III
　　Intwenty-fourhoursEdwardBricewasinSanFrancisco。Butalthoughsuccessfulandthebearerofthetreasure，itisdoubtfulifheapproachedthisendofhisjourneywiththetemerityhehadshownonenteringtherobbers’valley。Aconsciousnessthatthemethodshehademployedmightexcitetheridicule，ifnotthecensure，ofhisprincipals，orthathemighthavecompromisedtheminhismeetingwithSnapshotHarry，considerablymodifiedhisyouthfulexultation。ItispossiblethatFlora’sreproach，whichstillrankledinhismind，mayhavequickenedhissensitivenessonthatpoint。However，hehadresolvedtotellthewholetruth，excepthisepisodewithFlora，andtoplacetheconductofSnapshotHarryandtheTarboxesinasfavorablealightaspossible。Butfirsthehadrecoursetothemanager，amanofshrewdworldlyexperience，whohadrecommendedhimtohisplace。Whenhehadfinishedandhandedhimthetreasuredenvelope，themanlookedathimwithacriticalandyetnotunkindlyexpression。"Perhapsit’sjustaswell，Brice，thatyoudidcometomeatfirst，anddidnotmakeyourreporttothepresidentanddirectors。"
　　"Isuppose，"saidBricediffidently，"thattheywouldn’thavelikedmycommunicatingwiththehighwaymanwithouttheirknowledge？"
　　"Morethanthat——theywouldn’thavebelievedyourstory。"
　　"Notbelieveit？"criedBrice，flushingquickly。"Doyouthink"——
　　Themanagercheckedhimwithalaugh。"Holdon！Ibelieveeverywordofit，andwhy？Becauseyou’veaddednothingtoittomakeyourselftheregularhero。Why，withyouropportunity，andnooneabletocontradictyou，youmighthavetoldmeyouhadahand-to-
　　handfightwiththethief，andhadtokillhimtorecoverthemoney，andevenbroughtyourhandkerchiefandhatbackwiththebulletholestoproveit。"Bricewinkedashethoughtofthefairpossessorofthosearticles。"Butasastoryforgeneralcirculation，itwon’tdo。Haveyoutoldittoanyoneelse？Doesanyoneknowwhathappenedbutyourself？"
　　BricethoughtofFlora，buthehadresolvednottocompromiseher，andhehadaconsciousnessthatshewouldbeequallyloyaltohim。
　　"Noone，"heansweredboldly。
　　"Verygood。AndIsupposeyouwouldn’tmindifitwerekeptoutofthenewspapers？You’renothankeringafterareputationasahero？"
　　"Certainlynot，"saidBriceindignantly。
　　"Well，then，we’llkeepitwhereitis。Youwillsaynothing。I
　　willhandoverthegreenbackstothecompany，butonlyasmuchofyourstoryasIthinkthey’llstand。You’reallrightasitis。
　　YubaBillhasalreadysetyouupinhisreporttothecompany，andtherecoveryofthismoneywillputyouhigher！Only，thePUBLIC
　　needknownothingaboutit。"
　　"But，"askedBriceamazedly，"howcanitbeprevented？Theshipperswholostthemoneywillhavetoknowthatithasbeenrecovered。"
　　"Whyshouldthey？Thecompanywillassumetherisk，andrepaythemjustthesame。It’sagreatdealbettertohavethereputationforacceptingtheresponsibilitythanfortheshipperstothinkthattheyonlygettheirmoneythroughtheaccidentofitsrecovery。"
　　Bricegaspedatthislargebusinesstruth。Besides，itoccurredtohimthatitkeptthesecret，andFlora’sparticipationinit，fromSnapshotHarryandthegang。Hehadnotthoughtofthatbefore。
　　"Come，"continuedthemanager，withofficialcurtness。"Whatdoyousay？Areyouwillingtoleaveittome？"
　　Bricehesitatedamoment。Itwasnotwhathisimpulsivetruthfulnaturehadsuggested。Itwasnotwhathisyouthfulfancyhadimagined。HehadnotworkeduponthesympathiesofthecompanyonbehalfofSnapshotHarryashebelievedhewoulddo。Hehadnotevenimpressedthemanager。Hisstory，farfromexcitingachivalroussentiment，hadbeenpronouncedimprobable。YethereflectedhehadsofarprotectedHER，andheconsentedwithasigh。
　　Nevertheless，theresultoughttohavesatisfiedhim。Adazzlingcheck，inclosedinaletterofthanksfromthecompanythenextday，andhispromotionfrom"theroad"totheSanFranciscooffice，wouldhavebeenquiteenoughforanyonebutEdwardBrice。Yethewasgrateful，albeitalittlefrightenedandremorsefuloverhisluck。Hecouldnothelpthinkingofthekindlytoleranceofthehighwayman，themiserabledeathoftheactualthief，whichhadprovedhisownsalvation，andaboveallthegenerous，high-spiritedgirlwhohadaidedhisescape。WhileonhiswaytoSanFrancisco，andyetinthefirstglowofhissuccess，hehadwrittenherafewlinesfromMarysville，inclosedinalettertoMr。Tarbox。Hehadreceivednoreply。
　　Thenaweekpassed。Hewroteagain，andstillnoreply。Thenavaguefeelingofjealousytookpossessionofhimasherememberedherwarninghintoftheattentionstowhichshewassubjected，andhebecamesingularlyappreciativeofSnapshotHarry’sproficiencyasamarksman。Then，cruelestofall，foryourimpassionedloverisnoloveratallifnotcruelinhisimaginings，herememberedhowshehadevadedheruncle’sespionagewithHIM；couldshenotequallywithANOTHER？Perhapsthatwaswhyshehadhurriedhimaway，——whyshehadpreventedhisreturningtoheruncle。Followingthiscameanotherweekofdisappointmentandequallymiserablecynicalphilosophy，inwhichhepersuadedhimselfhewasperfectlysatisfiedwithhismaterialadvancement，thatitwastheonlyoutcomeofhisadventuretoberecognized；andhewasmoremiserablethanever。
　　Amonthhadpassed，whenonemorninghereceivedasmallpackagebypost。Theaddresswasinahandwritingunknowntohim，butopeningtheparcelhewassurprisedtofindonlyahandkerchiefneatlyfolded。Examiningitclosely，hefounditwashisown，——theonehehadgivenher，therentmadebyheruncle’sbulletsoingeniouslyanddelicatelymendedastoalmostsimulateembroidery。Thejoythatsuddenlyfilledhimatthisproofofherremembranceshowedhimtooplainlyhowhollowhadbeenhiscynicismandhowlastinghishope！Turningoverthewrappereagerly，hediscoveredwhathehadatfirstthoughtwassomebusinesscard。Itwas，indeed，printedandnotengraved，insomecommonnewspapertype，andboretheaddress，"HiramTarbox，LandandTimberAgent，1101CaliforniaStreet。"Heagainexaminedtheparcel；therewasnothingelse，——
　　notalinefromHER！Butitwasaclueatlast，andshehadnotforgottenhim！Heseizedhishat，andtenminuteslaterwasbreastingthesteepsandhillintowhichCaliforniaStreetinthosedaysplunged，andagainemergedatitscrest，withafewstrugglinghouses。
　　Butwhenhereachedthesummithecouldseethattheoutlineofthestreetwasstillplainlymarkedalongthedistancebycottagesandnewsuburbanvilla-likeblocksofhouses。No。1101wasinoneoftheseblocks，asmalltenementenough，butapalacecomparedtoMr。
　　Tarbox’sSierrancabin。Heimpetuouslyrangthebell，andwithoutwaitingtobeannounceddashedintothelittledrawing-roomandMr。
　　Tarbox’spresence。Thathadchangedtoo；Mr。Tarboxwasarrayedinasuitofclothesasnew，ascheaplydecorative，asfreshand，apparently，asdampashisowndrawingroom。
　　"Didyougetmyletter？DidyougivehertheoneIinclosed？Whydidn’tyouanswer？"burstoutBrice，afterhisfirstbreathlessgreeting。
　　Mr。Tarbox’sfaceherechangedsosuddenlyintohisolddejecteddoggednessthatBricecouldhaveimaginedhimselfbackintheSierrancabin。ThemanstraightenedandbowedhimselfatBrice’squestions，andthenrepliedwithbold，deliberateemphasis：
　　"Yes，IDIDgetyourletter。IDIDN’Tgivenolettero’yourstoher。AndIdidn’tansweryourletterBEFORE，forIdidn’tproposetoansweritATALL。"
　　"Why？"demandedBriceindignantly。
　　"Ididn’tgiveheryourletterbecauseIdidn’tkalkilatetobeanygo-between’twixtyouandSnapshotHarry’sniece。Lookyar，Mr。
　　Brice。SenseIreadthat’arparagraphinthatpaperyougaveme，Iallowedtomyselfthatitwasn’tthesquarethingformetohaveanymoredoin’swithhim，andIquitit。Ijestchuckedyourletterinthefire。Ididn’tansweryoubecauseIreckonedI’dnocalltocorrespondwithye，andwhenIshowedyethattrailovertoHarry’scamp，itwasended。I’vegotahouseandbusinesstolookarter，anditdon’tjibewithkeepin’companywith’roadagents。’
　　That’swhatIgotouterthatpaperyougaveme，Mr。Brice。"
　　RageanddisgustfilledBriceattheman’sutterselfishnessandshamelessdesertionofhiskindred，nonethelesspowerfullythatherememberedtheparthehimselfhadplayedinconcoctingtheparagraph。"Doyoumeantosay，"hedemandedpassionately，"thatforthesakeofthatfoolishparagraphyougaveupyourownkindred？Thatyoutruckledtothemeanprejudicesofyourneighborsandkeptthatpoor，defenselessgirlfromtheonlyhonestroofshecouldfindrefugeunder？Thatyoudaredtodestroymylettertoher，andmadeherbelieveIwasasselfishandungratefulasyourself？"
　　"Youngfeller，"saidMr。Tarboxstillmoredeliberately，yetwithacertaindignitythatBricehadnevernoticedbefore，"what’sbetweenyouandFlo，andwhatrightsshehasferthinkin’ye’ezselfish’and’ezongrateful’ezme——efshedoes，Idunno！——butwhenyetalko’megivin’upmykindred，andslingsuchhogwashez’ongrateful’and’selfish’roundthisyersittin’-room，mebbeitmoutoccurtoyethatHarryDimwoodmighthevHISopiniono’whatwas’ongrateful’and’selfish’efI’dplayedinbetweenhisnieceandayoungmano’theexpresscompany，hisnat’ralenemy。It’sonethingtohevhelpedyetoseeherinheruncle’sowncamp，butanothertohelpyebymakin’aclandecentpost-offiso’mycabin。
　　Ef，insteado’writin’，you’dhevpostedyourselfbycomin’tome，youmouthevfoundoutthatwhenIbrokewithHarryIofferedtotakeFlowithmeforgoodandall——efhe’dkeepawayfromus。Andthat’sthekindo’’honestroof’thatthatthar’poordefenselessgirl’gotunderwhenhercrippledmotherdiedthreeweeksago，andleftHarryfree。Itwasby’trucklin’’tothem’meanprejudices，’
　　andreadin’thatthar’foolishparagraph，’thatIsettledthisthingthenandthar！"
　　Brice’srevulsionofsentimentwassocomplete，andthegratitudethatbeamedinhiseyeswassosincere，thatMr。Tarboxhardlyneededtheprofuseapologieswhichbrokefromhim。"Forgiveme！"
　　hecontinuedtostammer，"Ihavewrongedyou，wrongedHER——
　　everybody。Butasyouknow，Mr。Tarbox，howIhavefeltoverthis，howdeeply——howpassionately"——
　　"ItDOESmakeamanloonysometimes，"saidMr。Tarbox，relaxingintodemuredrynessagain，"soIreckonyouDID！Mebbeshereckonedso，too，forsheaskedmetogiveyouthehandkercherI
　　sentye。Itlookedasifshe’dbindoin’somefancyworkonit。"
　　BriceglancedquicklyatMr。Tarbox’sface。Itwasstolidandimperturbable。Shehadevidentlykeptthesecretofwhatpassedinthehollowtoherself。Forthefirsttimehelookedaroundtheroomcuriously。"Ididn’tknowyouwerealandagentbefore，"hesaid。
　　"NomoreIwas！Allthatkemouto’thatparagraph，Mr。Brice。
　　ThatmanHeckshill，whowassomightyperlitethatnight，wrotetomeafterwardsthathedidn’tknowmynametillhe’dseedthatparagraph，andhewantedtoknowef，eza’well-knowncitizen，’I
　　couldrecommendhimsometimberlands。Irecommendedhimhalfo’
　　myownquartersection，andhetookit。He’sputtin’upamillthar，andthat’sanotherreasonwhywewantpeaceandquietnessupthar。I’mtryin’（betwixtandbetweenus，Mr。Brice）togetHarrytocl’aroutandsellhisrightsinthevalleyandthewaterpowerontheForktoHeckshillandme。I’mopeningabusinesshere。"
　　"Thenyou’veleftMrs。TarboxwithMissFlorainyourcabinwhileyouattendtobusinesshere，"saidBricetentatively。
　　"Notexactly，Mr。Brice。Theoldwomanthoughtitagoodchancetocometo’FriscoandputFloinoneo’themCatholicconventschools——thatasksnoquestionswhartherawlogscomefrom，andturns’emoutfirst-classplankallround。Youfollerme，Mr。
　　Brice？ButMrs。Tarboxisjestinthenextroom，andwouldadmiretotellyeallthis——andI’llgoinandsendhertoyou。"Andwithapatronizingwaveofthehand，Mr。Tarboxcomplacentlydisappearedinthehall。
　　Mr。Bricewasnotsorrytobelefttohimselfinhisutterbewilderment！Flo，separatedfromherdetrimentaluncle，andplacedinaconventschool！Tarbox，theobscurepioneer，ashrewdspeculatoremergingintosuccess，andtakingtheuncle’splace！
　　Andallthiswithinthatmonthwhichhehadwastedwithabsurdrepinings。Howfeebleseemedhisownadventureandadvancement；
　　howevenludicroushispretensionstoanypatronageandsuperiority。
　　HowthiscommonbackwoodsmanhadsethiminhisplaceaseasilyasSHEhadevadedtheadvancesofthejournalistandHeckshill！Theyhadtaughthimalesson；perhapseventhesendingbackofhishandkerchiefwaspartofit！Hisheartgrewheavy；hewalkedtothewindowandgazedoutwithalongsigh。
　　Alightlaugh，thatmighthavebeenanechooftheonewhichhadattractedhimthatnightinTarbox’scabin，felluponhisear。HeturnedquicklytomeetFloraDimwood’slaughingeyesshininguponhimasshestoodinthedoorway。
　　Manyatimeduringthatmonthhehadthoughtofthismeeting——hadimaginedwhatitwouldbelike——whatwouldbehismannertowardsher——whatwouldbehergreeting，andwhattheywouldsay。Hewouldbecold，gentle，formal，gallant，gay，sad，trustful，reproachful，evenasthemoodsinwhichhethoughtofhercametohisfoolishbrain。Hewouldalwaysbeginwithrespectfulseriousness，orafranknessequaltoherown，butnever，neveragainwouldheoffendashehadoffendedunderthebuckeyes！Andnow，withherprettyfaceshininguponhim，allhisplans，hisspeeches，hispreparationsvanished，andlefthimdumb。Yethemovedtowardsherwithabriefarticulatesomethingonhislips，——somethingbetweenalaughandasigh，——butthatreallywasakiss，and——inpointoffact——promptlyfoldedherinhisarms。
　　Yetitwascertainlydirect，andperhapsthebestthatcouldbedone，fortheyoungladydidnotemergefromitascoolly，asunemotionally，norpossiblyasquicklyasshehadundertheshadeofthebuckeyes。Butshepersuadedhim——bystillholdinghishand——
　　tositbesideheronthechilly，highlyvarnished"greenrep"