Whatwashedoing？Whatwasanygentlemandoing？Hewasn’tanymolly-coddletogotobedatteno’clock！Whatwashedoing？
Well——he’dbeenwithmenwhodidn’tshuttheirdoorsandturntheboysoutjustintheshankoftheevening。Hewasn’tanyBarkertobewet-nursedbyDemorest。
"Someoneelsewashere！"saidDemoreststernly，withhiseyesfixedonWhiskeyDick。Thedullglazewhichseemedtoveiltheouterworldfromthedrunkard’spupilsshiftedsuddenlywithsuchalookofdirecthorrorthatDemorestwasfaintoturnawayhisown。
Buttheveilmercifullyreturned，andwithitDick’sworked-upsenseofinjury。Nobodywasthere——not"ashole。"DidDemorestthinkiftherehadbeenanyofhisfriendstheretheywouldhavestoodbylike"dogsh"andseenhiminsulted？
Demorestturnedawayandre-enteredthecabinasDicklurchedheavilyforward，stillmuttering，downthetrail。Theexcitementover，asickeningrepugnancetothewholeincidenttooktheplaceofDemorest’sresentmentandindignation。Therehadbeenacowardlyattempttorobthemoftheirmiserabletreasure。Hehadmetitandfrustrateditinalmostasbrutalafashion：thegoldwasalreadytarnishedwithblood。Tohissurprise，yetrelief，hefoundhispartnersunconsciousoftheoutrage，stillsleepingwiththephysicalimmobilityofover-excitedandtiredmen。Shouldheawakenthem？No！Heshouldhavetoawakenalsotheirsuspicionsanddesireforrevenge。Therewasnodangerofafurtherattack；
therewasnofearthattheculpritwoulddisclosehimself，andto-
morrowtheywouldbefaraway。Letoblivionrestuponthatnight’sstainonthehonorofHeavyTreeHill。
Herolledasmallbarrelbeforetheopening，smoothedthedislodgedearth，replacedthepanwithitstreasure，andtrustedthatinthebustleoftheearlymorningdeparturehispartnersmightnotnoticeanychange。StoppingbeforethebunkofStacyheglancedatthesleepingman。Hewaslyingonhisback，butbreathingheavily，andhishandsweremovingtowardshischestasif，indeed，hisstrangefancyofthegoldenincubuswerebeingrealized。Demorestwouldhavewakenedhim，butpresently，withasighofrelief，thesleeperturnedoveronhisside。ItwaspleasantertolookatBarker，whosedampcurlsweremattedoverhissmooth，boyishforehead，andwhoselipswerepartedinasmileunderthesilkenwingsofhisbrownmustache。He，too，seemedtobetryingtospeak，andrememberingsomepreviousrevelationswhichhadamusedthem，Demorestleanedoverhimfraternallywithanansweringsmile，waitingforthebelovedone’snametopasstheyoungman’slips。
Butheonlymurmured，"Three——hundred——thousanddollars！"Theeldermanturnedawaywithagraveface。Theinfluenceofthetreasurewasparamount。
Whenhehadplacedoneofthechairsagainsttheunprotecteddooratananglewhichwouldpreventanyeasyornoiselessintrusion，Demorestthrewhimselfonhisbunkwithoutundressing，andturnedhisfacetowardsthesinglewindowofthecabinthatlookedtowardstheeast。Hedidnotapprehendanothercovertattemptagainstthegold。Hedidnotfeararobberywithforceandarms，althoughhewassatisfiedthattherewasmorethanoneconcernedinit，butthisheattributedonlytotheencumberingweightoftheirexpectedbooty。Hesimplywaitedforthedawn。Itwassometimebeforehiseyesweregreetedwiththevagueopalinebrightnessofthefirmamentwhichmeantthevanishingofthepallidsnow-linebeforethecomingday。Abirdtwitteredontheroof。Theairwaschill；
hedrewhisblanketaroundhim。Thenheclosedhiseyes，hefanciedonlyforamoment，butwhenheopenedthemthedoorwasstandingopeninthestrongdaylight。Hesprangtohisfeet，butthenextmomenthesawitwasonlyStacywhohadpassedout，andwasreturningfullydressed，bringingwaterfromthespringtofillthekettle。ButStacy’sfacewassogravethat，recallinghisdisturbedsleep，Demorestlaughinglyinquiredifhehadbeenhauntedbythetreasure。ButtohissurpriseStacyputdownthekettle，and，withahurriedglanceatthestillsleepingBarker，saidinalowvoice：——
"Iwantyoutodosomethingformewithoutaskingwhy。LaterI
willtellyou。"
Demorestlookedathimfixedly。"Whatisit？"hesaid。
"Thepack-muleswillbehereinafewmoments。Don’twaittocloseuporputawayanythinghere，butclapthatgoldinthesaddle-
bags，andtakeBarkerwithyouand’lite’outforBoomvilleAT
ONCE。Iwillovertakeyoulater。"
"Istherenotimetodiscussthis？"askedDemorest。
"No，"saidStacybluntly。"Callmeacrank，sayI’minabluefunk"——hiscompressedlipsandsharpblackeyesdidnotlendthemselvesmuchtothathypothesis——"onlygetoutofthiswiththatstuff，andtakeBarkerwithyou！I’mnotresponsibleformyselfwhileit’shere。"
DemorestknewStacytobecombative，butpractical。Ifhehadnotbeenassuredofhispartner’slastnightslumbershemighthavethoughtheknewoftheattempt。Orifhehaddiscoveredtheturned-upgroundintherearofthecabinhiscuriositywouldhavedemandedanexplanation。Demorestpausedonlyforamoment，andsaid，"Verywell，Iwillgo。"
"Good！I’llrouseoutBarker，butnotawordtohim——exceptthathemustgo。
TherousingoutofBarkerconsistedofStacy’sliftingthatyounggentlemanbodilyfromhisbunkandstandinghimuprightintheopendoorway。ButBarkerwasaccustomedtothisSpartanprocess，andafteramoment’sbalancingwithclosedlidslikeanunwrappedmummy，hesatdowninthedoorwayandbegantodress。Heatfirstdemurredtotheirdepartureexceptalltogether——itwassounfraternal；buteventuallyheallowedhimselftobepersuadedoutofitandintohisclothes。ForBarkerhadalsohadHISvisionsinthenight，oneofwhichwasthattheyshouldbuildabeautifulvillaonthesiteoftheoldcabinandsolemnlyagreetocomeeveryyearandpassaweekinittogether。"Ithoughtatfirst，"hesaid，slidingalongthefloorinsearchofdifferentarticlesofhisdress，orstoppinggravelytocatchthemastheywerethrowntohimbyhispartners，"thatwe’dhaveitatBoomville，asbeinghandiertogetthere；butI’veconcludedwe’dbetterhaveithere，alittlehigherupthehill，whereitcouldbeseenoverthewholeBlackSpurRange。Whenweweren’therewecoulduseitasaHutofRefugeforbroken-downorwashed-outminersorwearytravelers，likethosehospicesintheAlps，youknow，andhavesomebodytokeepitforus。YouseeI’vethoughtevenofTHAT，andVanLooistheverymantotakechargeofitforus。Youseehe’sgotsuchgoodmannersandspeakstwolanguages。Lord！ifaGermanorFrenchmancamealong，pooranddistressed，VanLoowouldjustchipinhisownlanguage。See？You’vegottothinkofallthesedetails，yousee，boys。Andwemightcallit’TheRestoftheThreePartners，’or’ThreePartners’Rest。’"
"Andyoumightbeginbygivingusone，"saidStacy。"Dryupanddrinkyourcoffee。"
"I’lldrawouttheplans。I’vegotitallinmyhead，"continuedtheenthusiasticBarker，unheedingtheinterruption。"I’lljustrunoutandtakealookatthesite，it’sonlyrightbackofthecabin。"ButhereStacycaughthimbyhisdanglingbeltashewasflyingoutofthedoorwithonebooton，andthrusthimdowninachairwithatincupofcoffeeinhishand。
"Keeptheplansinyourhead，Barkerboy，"saidDemorest，"forherearethepackmulesandpacker。"Thiswasquiteenoughtodiverttheimpressionableyoungman，whospeedilyfinishedhisdressing，asamulebearingalargepack-saddleandtwoenormoussaddle-bagsorpouchesdroveupbeforethedoor，ledbyamuleteeronasmallhorse。Thetransferofthetreasuretothesaddle-bagswasquicklymadebytheirunitedefforts，asthefirstraysofthesunwerebeginningtopaintthehillside。Shadinghiskeeneyeswithhishand，StacystoodinthedoorwayandhandedDemorestthetworifles。Demoresthesitated。"Hadn’tYOUbetterkeepone？"hesaid，lookinginhispartner’seyeswithhisfirstchallengeofcuriosity。ThesunseemedtoputahumoroustwinkleintoStacy’sglanceashereturned，"Notmuch！Andyou’dbettertakemyrevolverwithyou，too。I’mfeelingalittlebetternow，"hesaid，lookingatthesaddlebags，"butI’mnotfittobetrustedyetwithcarnalweapons。WhentheothermulecomesandispackedI’llovertakeyouonthehorse。"
Alittlemoresatisfied，althoughstillwonderingandperplexed，Demorestshoulderedonerifle，andwithBarker，whowascarryingtheother，followedthemuleteerandhisequipagedownthetrail。
Forawhilehewasalittleashamedofhispartinthisunusualspectacleoftwoarmedmenconvoyingaladenmuleinbroaddaylight，but，luckily，itwastooearlyfortheBarminerstobegoingtowork，andasthetunnelmenwerenowatbreakfastthetrailwasfreeofwayfarers。AtthepointwhereitcrossedthemainroadDemorest，however，sawSteptoeandWhiskeyDickemergefromthethicket，apparentlyinearnestconversation。Demorestfelthisrepugnanceandhalf-restrainedsuspicionssuddenlyreturn。YethedidnotwishtobetraythembeforeBarker，norwashewilling，incaseofanemergency，toallowtheyoungmantobeentirelyunprepared。Callinghimtofollow，heranquicklyaheadoftheladenmule，andwasrelievedtofindthat，lookingback，hiscompanionhadbroughthisrifletoa"ready，"throughsomeinstinctivefeelingofdefense。AsSteptoeandWhiskeyDick，amomentlaterdiscoveringthem，wereevidentlysurprised，thereseemed，however，tobenoreasonforfearinganoutbreak。
Suddenly，atawhisperfromSteptoe，heandWhiskeyDickboththrewuptheirhands，andstoodstillonthetrailafewyardsfromtheminaburlesqueoftheusualrecognizedattitudeofhelplessness，whileahoarselaughbrokefromSteptoe。
"D————difwedidn’tthinkyouwereroad-agents！Butweseeyou’reonlyguardingyourtreasure。RatherfancystyleforHeavyTreeHill，ain’tit？Thingsmustbegettin’roughupthartohevtotakeoutyourgunslikethat！"
Demoresthadlookedkeenlyatthefourhandsthusexhibited，andwasmoreconcernedthattheyborenotraceofwoundsormutilationthanattheinsultofthespeech，particularlyashehadadistinctimpressionthattheactionwasintendedtoshowhimthefutilityofhissuspicions。
"Iamgladtoseethatifyouhaven’tanyarmsinyourhandsyou’renotincapableofhandlingthem，"saidDemorestcoolly，ashepassedbythemandagainfellintotherearofthemuleteer。
ButBarkerhadthoughttheincidentveryfunny，andlaughedeffusivelyatWhiskeyDick。"Ididn’tknowthatSteptoewasuptothatkindoffun，"hesaid，"andIsupposeweDIDlookratherroughwiththesegunsasweranonaheadofthemule。ButthenyouknowthatwhenyoucalledtomeIreallythoughtyouwereinforashindy。Allthesame，WhiskeyDickdidthat’handsup’toperfection：howhemanageditIdon’tknow，buthiskneesseemedtoknocktogetherasifhewasinarealfunk。"
Demoresthadthoughtsotoo，buthemadenoreply。Howfarthatmiserabledrunkardwasaforcedorwillingaccompliceoftheeventsoflastnightwaspartofaquestionthathadbecomemoreandmorerepugnanttohimashewasleavingthesceneofitforever。Ithadcomeuponhim，desecratingthedreamhehaddreamtthatlastnightandturningitshopefulclimaxtobitterness。SmallwonderthatBarker，walkingbyhisside，hadhisquicksympathiesaroused，andashesawthatshadow，whichtheywereallfamiliarwith，buthadneversoughttopenetrate，falluponhiscompanion’shandsomeface，evenhisyouthfulspiritsyieldedtoit。Theywerebothrelievedwhentheclatterofhoofsbehindthem，astheyreachedthevalley，announcedtheapproachofStacy。"Istartedwiththesecondmuleandthelastloadsoonafteryouleft，"heexplained，"andhavejustpassedthem。Ithoughtitbettertojoinyouandlettheotherloadfollow。NobodywillinterferewithTHAT。"
"Thenyouaresatisfied？"saidDemorest，regardinghimsteadfastly。
"Youbet！Look！"
Heturnedinhissaddleandpointedtothecrestofthehilltheyhadjustdescended。Abovethepinescirclingthelowerslopeabovethebareledgesofrockandoutcrop，acolumnofthickblacksmokewasrisingstraightasaspireinthewindlessair。
"That’stheoldshantypassingaway，"saidStacycomplacently。"I
reckontherewon’tbemuchleftofitbeforewegettoBoomville。"
DemorestandBarkerstared。"Youfiredit？"saidBarker，tremblingwithexcitement。
"Yes，"saidStacy。"Icouldn’tbeartoleavetheoldrookeryforcoyotesandwild-catstogatherin，soItouchedheroffbeforeI
left。"
"But"——saidBarker。
"But，"repeatedStacycomposedly。"Hallo！what’sthematterwiththatnewplanof’TheRest’thatyou’regoingtobuild，eh？Youdon’twantthemBOTH。"
"Andyoudidthisratherthanleavethedearoldcabintostrangers？"saidBarker，withkindlingeyes。"Stacy，Ididn’tthinkyouhadthatpoetryinyou！"
"There’sheapsinme，Barkerboy，thatyoudon’tknow，andIdon’texactlysabemyself。"
"Only，"continuedtheyoungfelloweagerly，"weoughttohaveALL
beenthere！Weoughttohavemadeasolemnriteofit，youknow，——
akindofsacrifice。Weoughttohavepouredakindoflibationontheground！"
"Ididsprinklealittlekeroseneoverit，Ithink，"returnedStacy，"justtohelpthingsalong。Butifyouwanttoseeherflaming，Barker，youjustrunbacktothatlastcornerontheroadbeyondthebigredwood。That’sthespotforaview。"
AsBarker——alwaysdevotedtoaspectacle——swiftlydisappearedthetwomenfacedeachother。"Well，whatdoesitallmean？"saidDemorestgravely。
"Itmeans，oldman，"saidStacysuddenly，"thatifwehadn’thadniggerluck，thesameblindluckthatsentusthatstrike，youandIandthatBarkerovertherewouldhavebeenswirlinginthatsmokeuptotheskyabouttwohoursago！"Hestoppedandaddedinalower，butearnestvoice，"Lookhere，Phil！WhenIwentouttofetchwaterthismorningIsmeltsomethingqueer。Iwentroundtothebackofthecabinandfoundaholedugunderthefloor，andpiledagainstthecornerwallalotofbrush-woodandacanofkerosene。Someofthekerosenehadbeenalreadypouredonthebrush。Everythingwasreadytolight，andonlymycomingoutanhourearlierhadfrightenedthedevilsaway。Theideawastosettheplaceonfire，suffocateusinthesmokeofthekerosenepouredintothehole，andthentorushinandgrabthetreasure。Itwasasystematicplan！"
"No！"saidDemorestquietly。
"No？"repeatedStacy。"ItoldyouIsawthewholethingandtookawaythekerosene，whichIhid，andafteryouhadgoneusedittofirethecabinwith，toseeiftheonesIsuspectedwouldgathertowatchtheirwork。"
"ItwasnopartoftheirFIRSTplan"’saidDemorest，"whichwasonlyrobbery。Listen！"HehurriedlyrecountedhisexperienceoftheprecedingnighttotheastonishedStacy。"No，thefirewasanafterthoughtandrevenge，"headdedsternly。
"Butyousayyoucuttherobberinthehand；therewouldbenodifficultyinidentifyinghimbythat。"
"IwoundedonlyaHAND，"saidDemorest。"ButtherewasaHEADinthatattemptthatIneversaw。"Hethenrevealedhisownhalf-
suspicions，buthowtheywereapparentlyrefutedbythebravadoofSteptoeandWhiskeyDick。
"ThenthatwasthereasonTHEYdidn’tgatheratthefire，"saidStacyquickly。
"Ah！"saidDemorest，"thenYOUtoosuspectedthem？"
Stacyhesitated，andthensaidabruptly，"Yes。"
Demorestwassilentforamoment。
"Whydidn’tyoutellmethisthismorning？"hesaidgently。
StacypointedtothedistantBarker。"Ididn’twantyoutotellhim。Ithoughtitbetterforonepartnertokeepasecretfromtwothanforthetwotokeepitfromone。Whydidn’tyoutellmeofyourexperiencelastnight？"
"Iamafraiditwasforthesamereason，"saidDemorest，withafaintsmile。"Anditsometimesseemstome，Jim，thatweoughttoimitateBarker’sfrankness。Inourdreadoftaintinghimwithourownknowledgeofevilwearesendinghimoutintotheworldverypoorlyequipped，forallhisthreehundredthousanddollars。"
"Ireckonyou’reright，"saidStacybriefly，extendinghishand。
"Shakeonthat！"
Thetwomengraspedeachother’shands。
"Andhe’snofool，either，"continuedDemorest。"WhenwemetSteptoeontheroad，withoutawordfromme，heclosedupalongside，withhishandonthelockofhisrifle。AndIhadn’tthehearttopraisehimorlaughitoff。"
Neverthelesstheywerebothsilentastheobjectoftheircriticismboundeddownthetrailtowardsthem。Hehadseenthefuneralpyre。
Itwasawfullysad，itwasawfullylovely，buttherewassomethinggrandinit！WhocouldhavethoughtStacycouldbesopoetic？Buthewantedtotellthemsomethingelsethatwasmightypretty。
"Whatwasit？"saidDemorest。
"Well，"saidBarker，"don’tlaugh！ButyouknowthatJackHamlin？
Well，boys，he’sbeenhoveringaroundusonhismustang，keepingusandthatpack-muleinsighteversinceweleft。Sometimeshe’sonasidetrailofftotheright，sometimesofftotheleft，butalwaysatthesamedistance。Ididn’tliketotellyou，boys，forIthoughtyou’dlaughatme；butIthink，youknow，he’stakenasortofshinetoussincehedroppedinlastnight。AndIfancy，yousee，he’ssortofhangingroundtoseethatwegetalongallright。I’dhavepointedhimoutbeforeonlyIreckonedyouandStacywouldsayhewasmakinguptousforourmoney。"
"Andwe’dhavebeenwrong，Barkerboy，"saidStacy，withaheartinessthatsurprisedDemorest，"forIreckonyourinstinct’stherightone。"
"Thereheisnow，"saidthegratifiedBarker，"justabreastofusonthecut-off。Hestartedjustafterwedid，andhe’sgotahorsethatcouldhavebroughthimintoBoomvillehoursago。It’sjusthiskindness。"
HepointedtoadistantfringeofbuckeyefromwhichJackHamlinhadjustemerged。Althoughevidentlyholdinginapowerfulmustang，nothingcouldbemoreunconsciousandutterlyindifferentthanhisattitude。Hedidnotseemtoknowoftheproximityofanyothertraveler，andtocareless。Hishandsomeheadwasslightlythrownback，asifhewascarolingafterhisusualfashion，butthedistancewastoogreattomakehismelodyaudibletothem，ortoallowBarker’sshoutofinvitationtoreachhim。Suddenlyheloweredhistightenedrein，themustangsprangforward，andwithaflashofsilverspursandbridlefripperieshehaddisappeared。
Butasthetrailhewaspursuingcrossedtheirsamilebeyond，itseemedquitepossiblethattheyshouldagainmeethim。
TheywerenowfairlyintotheBoomvillevalley，andwereenteringanarrowarroyoborderedwithduskywillowswhicheffectuallyexcludedtheviewoneitherside。Itwasthebedofamountaintorrentthatinwinterdescendedthehillsideoverthetrailbywhichtheyhadjustcome，butwasnowsunkintothethirstyplainbetweenbanksthatvariedfromtwotofivefeetinheight。Themuleteerhadadvancedintothenarrowchannelwhenhesuddenlycastahurriedglancebehindhim，uttereda"MadredeDios！"andbackedhismuleandhispreciousfreightagainstthebank。Thesoundofhoofsonthetrailintheirrearhadcaughthisquickerear，andasthethreepartnersturnedtheybeheldthreehorsementhunderingdownthehilltowardsthem。TheywereapparentlyMexicanvaquerosoftheusualcommonswarthytype，theirfacesmadestilldarkerbytheblacksilkhandkerchieftiedroundtheirheadsundertheirstiffsombreros。Eithertheywereunableorunwillingtorestraintheirhorsesintheirheadlongspeed，andacollisioninthatnarrowpassagewasimminent，butsuddenly，beforereachingitsentrance，theydivergedwithavolleyofoaths，anddashingalongtheleftbankofthearroyo，disappearedintheinterveningwillows。Dividedbetweenreliefattheirescapeandindignationatwhatseemedtobeadrunken，feast-dayfreakoftheseroysteringvaqueros，thelittlepartyre-formed，whenacryfromBarkerarrestedthem。Hehadjustperceivedahorsemanmotionlessinthearroyowho，althoughunnoticedbythem，hadevidentlybeenseenbytheMexicans。Hehadapparentlyleapedintoitfromthebank，andhadhaltedasiftowitnessthissingularincident。Astheclatterofthevaqueros’hoofsdiedawayhelightlyleapedthebankagainanddisappeared。ButinthatsingleglimpseofhimtheyrecognizedJackHamlin。Whentheyreachedthespotwherehehadhalted，theycouldseethathemusthaveapproacheditfromthetrailwheretheyhadpreviouslyseenhim，butwhichtheynowfoundcrosseditatrightangles。Barkerwasright。Hehadreallykeptthemateasydistancethewholelengthofthejourney。
Buttheywerenowreachingitsend。WhentheyissuedatlastfromthearroyotheycameupontheoutskirtsofBoomvilleandthegreatstage-road。Indeed，thesixhorsesofthePioneercoachwerejustpantingalongthelasthalfmileofthesteepupgradeastheyapproached。Theyhaltedmechanicallyastheheavyvehicleswayedandcreakedbythem。Intheirordinaryworkingdress，sunburntwithexposure，coveredwithdust，andcarryingtheirriflesstillintheirhands，they，perhaps，presentedasufficientlycharacteristicappearancetodrawafewfaces——someofthemprettyandintelligent——tothewindowsofthecoachasitpassed。ThesensitiveBarkerwasquickesttofeelthatresentmentwithwhichthePioneerusuallymetthewide-eyedcriticismoftheEasterntouristor"greenhorn，"andreddenedundertheboldscrutinyofapairofblackinquisitiveeyesbehindaneyeglass。Thatannoyancewascommunicated，thoughinalesserdegree，eventothebeardedDemorestandStacy。Itwasanunexpectedcontactwiththatgreatworldinwhichtheyweresosoontoenter。Theyfeltashamedoftheirappearance，andyetashamedofthatfeeling。TheyfeltasecretsatisfactionwhenBarkersaid，"They’dopentheireyeswideriftheyknewwhatwasinthatpack-saddle，"andyettheycorrectedhimforwhattheywerepleasedtocallhis"snobbishness。"Theyhurriedalittlefasterastheroadbecamemorefrequented，asifeagertoshortentheirdistancetocleanclothesandcivilization。
OnlyDemorestbegantolingerintherear。Thiscontactwiththestagecoachhadagainbroughthimfacetofacewithhisburiedpast。
Hefelthisolddreamrevive，andoccasionallyturnedtolookbackuponthedarkoutlinesofBlackSpur，underwhoseshadowithadreturnedsooften，andwonderedifhehadleftitthereforever，anditwerenowslowlyexhalingwiththethinnedanddyingsmokeoftheirburningcabin。
Hiscompanions，knowinghissilentmoods，hadprecededhimatsomedistance，whenheheardthesoftsoundofamblinghoofsonthethickdust，andsuddenlythelighttouchofJackHamlin’sgauntletonhisshoulder。ThemustangJackbestrodewasreekingwithgrimeandsweat，butJackhimselfwasasimmaculateandfreshasever。
Withadelightfulaffectationofembarrassmentandtimidityhebeganflickingthesidebuttonsofhisvelvetvaquerotrouserswiththethongofhisriata。"Ireckonedtoslingawordalongwithyoubeforeyouwent，"hesaid，lookingdown，"butI’msoshythatI
couldn’tdoitincompany。SoIthoughtI’dgetitoffonyouwhileyouwerealone。"
"We’veseenyouonceortwicebefore，thismorning，"saidDemorestpleasantly，"andweweresorryyoudidn’tjoinus。"
"IreckonImighthave，"saidJackgayly，"ifmyhorsehadonlymadeuphismindwhetherhewasabirdorasquirrel，andhadn’tbeensovariousandpromiscuousaboutwhetherhewantedtoclimbatreeorfly。He’snotabadhorseforaMexicanplug，onlywhenhethinksthereisanydevilmentaroundhewantstowadeinandtakeahand。However，IreckonedtoseethelastofyouandyourpileintoBoomville。AndIDID。WhenImeetthreefellowslikeyouthatarecleanwhiteallthroughIsortofcottonto’em，evenifI’Malittleofabrunettemyself。AndI’vegotsomethingtogiveyou。"
Hetookfromafoldofhisscarletsashasmallparcelneatlyfoldedinwhitepaperasfreshandspotlessashimself。Holdingitinhisfingers，hewenton："IhappenedtobeatHeavyTreeHillearlythismorningbeforesun-up。InthedarknessIstruckyourcabin，andIreckon——Istrucksomebodyelse！AtfirstIthoughtitwasoneofyouchapsdownonyourkneesprayingattherearofthecabin，butthewaythefellowlitoutwhenhesmeltmecomingmademethinkitwasn’tentirelyfastingandprayer。However，Iwenttotherearofthecabin，andthenIreckonedsomekindfriendhadbeenbringingyoukindlingsandfirewoodforyourearlybreakfast。
Butthatdidn’tsatisfyme，soIkneltdownashehadknelt，andthenIsaw——well，Mr。Demorest，IreckonIsawJUSTWHATYOUHAVE
SEEN！ButeventhenIwasn’tquitesatisfied，forthatmanhadbeengrubbingroundasifsearchingforsomething。SoIsearchedtoo——andIfoundIT。I’vegotithere。I’mgoingtogiveittoyou，foritmaysomedaycomeinhandy，andyouwon’tfindanythinglikeitamongthefolkswhereyou’regoing。It’ssomethingunique，asthosefine-art-collectingsharpsin’Friscosay——somethingquitematchless，unlessyoutrytomatchitonedayyourself！Don’topenthepaperuntilIrunonandsay’Solong’toyourpartners。Good-
by。"
HegraspedDemorest’shandandthendroppedthelittlepacketintohispalm，andambledawaytowardsStacyandBarker。Holdingthepacketinhishandwithanamusedyetpuzzledsmile，DemorestwatchedthegamblergiveStacy’shandaheartyfarewellshakeandasupplementaryslaponthebacktothedelightedBarker，andthenvanishinaflashofredsashandsilverbuttons。AtwhichDemorest，walkingslowlytowardshispartners，openedthepacket，andstoodsuddenlystill。Itcontainedthedriedandbloodlesssecondfingerofahumanhandcutoffatthefirstjoint！
Foraninstanthehelditatarm’slength，asifabouttocastitaway。Thenhegrimlyreplaceditinthepaper，putitcarefullyinhispocket，andsilentlywalkedafterhiscompanions。
CHAPTERI
AstrongsouthwesterwasbeatingagainstthewindowsanddoorsofStacy’sBankinSanFrancisco，andspreadingafilmofrainbetweentheregularsplendorsofitsmahoganycountersandsprucelydressedclerksandtheusualpassingpedestrian。ForStacy’snewbanking-
househadlongsincereceivedtheepithetof"palatial"fromanenthusiasticlocalpressfreshfromthe"opening"luncheoninitsrichlydecorateddirectors’rooms，anditwassaidthatonceahomelywould-bedepositorfromOneHorseGulchwassocowedbyitsmagnificencethathisheartfailedhimatthelastmoment，andmumblinganapologytotheelegantreceivingteller，fledwithhisgreasychamoispouchofgold-dusttodeposithistreasureinthedingyMintaroundthecorner。Perhapstherewassomethingofthisfeeling，mingledwithacertainsimple-mindedfascination，inthehesitationofastrangerofahigherclasswhoenteredthebankthatrainymorningandfinallytenderedhiscardtotheimportantnegromessenger。
ThecardprecededhimthroughnoiselesslyswingingdoorsandacrossheavilycarpetedpassagesuntilitreachedtheinnercoreofMr。
JamesStacy’sprivateoffices，andwasrespectfullylaidbeforehim。Hewasnotalone。Athisside，inanattitudeofpoliteandstudiedexpectancy，stoodacorrect-lookingyoungman，forwhomMr。
Stacywasevidentlywritingamemorandum。Thestrangerglancedfurtivelyatthecardwithacuriosityhardlyinkeepingwithhissuggestedgoodbreeding；butStacydidnotlookatituntilhehadfinishedhismemorandum。
"There，"hesaid，withbusinessdecision，"youcantellyourpeoplethatifwecarrytheirnewdebenturesoverourlimitwewillexpectalargermargin。Ditchesarenotwhattheywerethreeyearsagowhenminerswerewillingtowastetheirmoneyoveryourrates。
Theydon’tgambleTHATWAYanymore，andyourcompanyoughttoknowit，andnotgamblethemselvesoverthatprospect。"Hehandedthepapertothestranger，whobowedoveritwithstudiedpoliteness，andbackedtowardsthedoor。Stacytookupthewaitingcard，readit，saidtothemessenger，"Showhimin，"andinthesamebreathturnedtohisguest："Isay，VanLoo，it’sGeorgeBarker！Youknowhim。"
"Yes，"saidVanLoo，withapolitehesitationashehaltedatthedoor。"Hewas——Ithink——er——inyouremployatHeavyTreeHill。"
"Nonsense！Hewasmypartner。AndyoumusthaveknownhimsinceatBoomville。Come！HegotfortysharesofDitchstock——throughyou——at110，whichwereworthabout80！SOMEBODYmusthavemademoneyenoughbyittorememberhim。"
"Iwasonlyspeakingofhimsocially，"saidVanLoo，withadeprecatingsmile。"Youknowhemarriedayoungwoman——thehotel-
keeper’sdaughter，whousedtowaitatthetable——andaftermymotherandsistercameouttokeephouseformeatBoomvilleitwasquiteimpossibleformetoseemuchofhim，forheseldomwentoutwithouthiswife，youknow。"
"Yes，"saidStacydryly，"Ithinkyoudidn’tlikehismarriage。
ButI’mgladyourdisinclinationtoseehimisn’tonaccountofthatdealinstocks。"
"Ohno，"saidVanLoo。"Good-by。"
But，unfortunately，inthenextpassagehecameuponBarker，whowithacryofunfeignedpleasure，nonethelesssincerethathewasfeelingalittlealienintheseimpressivesurroundings，recognizedhim。NothingcouldexceedVanLoo’sprotestofdelightatthemeeting；nothinghisequaldesolationatthefactthathewashasteningtoanotherengagement。"Butyouroldpartner，"headded，withasmile，"iswaitingforyou；hehasjustreceivedyourcard，andIshouldbeonlykeepingyoufromhim。Sogladtoseeyou；
you’relookingsowell。Good-by！Good-by！"
Reassured，Barkernolongerhesitated，butdashedwithhisoldimpetuousnessintohisformerpartner’sroom。Stacy，alreadydeeplyabsorbedinotherbusiness，wassittingwithhisbacktowardshim，andBarker’sarmswereactuallyencirclinghisneckbeforetheastonishedandhalf-angrymanlookedup。ButwhenhiseyesmetthelaughinggrayonesofBarkerabovehimhegentlydisengagedhimselfwithaquickreturnofthecaress，rose，shutthedoorofaninneroffice，andreturningpushedBarkerintoanarmchairinquitetheoldsuppressivefashionofformerdays。Yes；
itwasthesameStacythatBarkerlookedat，albeithisbrownbeardwasnowcloselycroppedaroundhisdeterminedmouthandjawinakindofgravedecorum，andhisenergeticlimbsalreadyattunedtotherigorofclothesoffashionablecutandstillmorerigoroussombrenessofcolor。
"Barkerboy，"hebegan，withthefamiliartwinkleinhiskeeneyeswhichtheyoungerpartnerremembered，"Idon’tencouragestagdancingamongmyyoungmenduringbankhours，andyou’llpleasetorememberthatwearenotonHeavyTreeHill"——
"Where，"brokeinBarkerenthusiastically，"wewereonlyoverlookedbytheBlackSpurRangeandtheSierransnow-line；wherethenearestvoicethatcametoyouwasquarterofamileawayasthecrowfliesandnearlyamilebythetrail。"
"Andwasgenerallyanoath！"saidStacy。"Butyou’reinSanFranciscoNOW。Whereareyoustopping？"Hetookupapencilandhelditoveramemorandumpadawaitingly。
"AttheBrookHouse。It’s"——
"Holdon！’BrookHouse，’"Stacyrepeatedashejotteditdown。
"Andforhowlong？"
"Oh，adayortwo。Yousee，Kitty"——
Stacycheckedhimwithamovementofhispencilintheair，andthenwrotedown，"’Dayortwo。’Wifewithyou？"
"Yes；andoh，Stacy，ourboy！Ah！"hewenton，withalaugh，knockingasidetheremonstratingpencil，"youmustlisten！He’sjustthesweetest，knowingestlittlechapliving。Doyouknowwhatwe’regoingtochristenhim？Well，he’llbeStacyDemorestBarker。
Goodnames，aren’tthey？Andthenitperpetuatesthedearoldfriendship。"
Stacypickedupthepencilagain，wrote"WifeandchildS。D。B。，"
andleanedbackinhischair。"Now，Barker，"hesaidbriefly，"I’mcomingtodinewithyoutonightat7。30sharp。THENwe’lltalkHeavyTreeHill，wife，baby，andS。D。B。ButhereI’mallforbusiness。Haveyouanywithme？"
Barker，whowaseasilyamused，hadextractedacertainentertainmentoutofStacy’smemorandum，buthestraightenedhimselfwithalookofeagerconfidenceandsaid，"Certainly；that’sjustwhatitis——
business。Lord！Stacy，I’mALLbusinessnow。I’mineverything。
AndIbankwithyou，thoughperhapsyoudon’tknowit；it’sinyourBranchatMarysville。Ididn’twanttosayanythingaboutittoyoubefore。ButLord！youdon’tsupposethatI’dbankanywhereelsewhileyouareinthebusiness——checks，dividends，andallthat；butinthismatterIfeltyouknew，oldchap。Ididn’twanttotalktoabankernortoabank，buttoJimStacy，myoldpartner。"
"Barker，"saidStacycurtly，"howmuchmoneyareyoushortof？"
AtthisdirectquestionBarker’salwaysquickcolorrose，but，withanequallyquicksmile，hesaid，"Idon’tknowyetthatI’mshortatall。"
"ButIdo！"
"Lookhere，Jim：why，I’mjustoverloadedwithsharesandstocks，"
saidBarker，smiling。
"Notoneofwhichyoucouldrealizeonwithoutsacrifice。Barker，threeyearsagoyouhadthreehundredthousanddollarsputtoyouraccountatSanFrancisco。"
"Yes，"saidBarker，withaquietreminiscentlaugh。"IrememberI
wantedtodrawitoutinonechecktoseehowitwouldlook。"
"Andyou’vedrawnoutallinthreeyears，anditlooksd————dbad。"
"Howdidyouknowit？"askedBarker，hisfacebeamingonlywithadmirationofhiscompanion’somniscience。
"HowdidIknowit？"retortedStacy。"IknowYOU，andIknowthekindofpeoplewhohaveunloadedtoyou。"
"Come，Stacy，"saidBarker，"I’veonlyinvestedinsharesandstockslikeeverybodyelse，andthenonlyonthebestadviceI
couldget：likeVanLoo’s，forinstance，——thatmanwhowasherejustnow，thenewmanageroftheEmpireDitchCompany；andCarter’s，myownKitty’sfather。AndwhenIwasofferedfiftythousandWideWestExtensions，andwashesitatingoverit，hetoldmeYOUwereinittoo——andthatwasenoughformetobuyit。"
"Yes，butwedidn’tgointoitathisfigures。"
"No，"saidBarker，withaneagersmile，"butyouSOLDathisfigures，forIknewthatwhenIfoundthatYOU，myoldpartner，wasinit；don’tyousee，Ipreferredtobuyitthroughyourbank，anddidat110。Ofcourse，youwouldn’thavesolditatthatfigureifitwasn’tworthitthen，andneitherInoryouaretoblameifitdroppedthenextweekto60，don’tyousee？"
Stacy’seyeshardenedforamomentashelookedkeenlyintohisformerpartner’sbrightgrayones，buttherewasnotraceofironyinBarker’s。Onthecontrary，aslightshadeofsadnesscameoverthem。"No，"hesaidreflectively，"Idon’tthinkI’veeverbeenfoolishorfollowedoutmyOWNideas，exceptonce，andthatwasextravagant，Iadmit。Thatwasmyideaofbuildingakindofrefuge，youknow，onthesiteofouroldcabin，wherepoorminersandplayed-outprospectorswaitingforastrikecouldstaywithoutpayinganything。Well，Isunktwentythousanddollarsinthat，andmighthavelostmore，onlyCarter——Kitty’sfather——persuadedme——
he’sanawfulcleveroldfellow——intoturningitintoakindofbranchhotelofBoomville，whileusingitasahoteltotakepoorchapswhocouldn’tpay，athalfprices，orquarterprices，PRIVATELY，don’tyousee，soastosparetheirpride，——awfullypretty，wasn’tit？——andmakethehotelprofitbyit。"
"Well？"saidStacyasBarkerpaused。
"Theydidn’tcome，"saidBarker。
"But，"headdedeagerly，"itshowsthatthingswerebetterthanI
hadimagined。Onlytheothersdidnotcome，either。"
"Andyoulostyourtwentythousanddollars，"saidStacycurtly。
"FIFTYthousand，"saidBarker，"forofcourseithadtobealargerhotelthantheother。AndIthinkthatCarterwouldn’thavegoneintoitexcepttosavemefromlosingmoney。"
"Andyetmadeyoulosefiftythousandinsteadoftwenty。ForI
don’tsupposeHEadvancedanything。"
"Hegavehistimeandexperience，"saidBarkersimply。
"Idon’tthinkitworththirtythousanddollars，"saidStacydryly。
"Butallthisdoesn’ttellmewhatyourbusinessiswithmeto-day。"
"No，"saidBarker，brighteningup，"butitisbusiness，youknow。
Somethingintheoldstyle——asbetweenpartnerandpartner——andthat’swhyIcametoYOU，andnottothe’banker。’AnditallcomesoutofsomethingthatDemorestoncetoldus；soyouseeit’sallusthreeagain！Well，youknow，ofcourse，thattheExcelsiorDitchCompanyhaveabandonedtheBarandHeavyTreeHill。Itdidn’tpay。"
"Yes；nordoesthecompanypayanydividendsnow。Yououghttoknow，withfiftythousandoftheirstockonyourhands。"
Barkerlaughed。"Butlisten。IfoundthatIcouldbuyuptheirwholeplantandalltheditchingalongtheBlackSpurRangefortenthousanddollars。"
"AndGreatScott！youdon’tthinkoftakinguptheirbusiness？"
saidStacy，aghast。
Barkerlaughedmoreheartily。"No。Nottheirbusiness。ButI
rememberthatonceDemoresttoldus，inthedearolddays，thatitcostnearlyasmuchtomakeawaterditchasarailroad，inthewayofsurveyingandengineeringandlevels，youknow。Andhere’stheplantforarailroad。Don’tyousee？"
"ButarailroadfromBlackSpurtoHeavyTreeHill——what’sthegoodofthat？"
"Why，BlackSpurwillbeinthelineofthenewDivideRailroadthey’retryingtogetabillforinthelegislature。"
"Aninfamouspieceofwildcatjobbingthatwillneverpass，"saidStacydecisively。
"TheysaidBECAUSEitwasthat，itwouldpass，"saidBarkersimply。
"TheysaythatWatson’sBankisinit，andisboundtogetitthrough。Andasthatisarivalbankofyours，don’tyousee，I
thoughtthatifWEcouldgetsomethingrealgoodorvaluableoutofit，——somethingthatwoulddotheBlackSpurgood，——itwouldbeallright。"
"Andwasyourbusinesstoconsultmeaboutit？"saidStacybluntly。
"No，"saidBarker，"it’stoolatetoconsultyounow，thoughIwishIhad。I’vegivenmywordtotakeit，andIcan’tbackout。ButI
haven’tthetenthousanddollars，andIcametoyou。"
Stacyslowlysettledhimselfbackinhischair，andputbothhandsinhispockets。"Notacent，Barker，notacent。"
"I’mnotaskingitoftheBANK，"saidBarker，withasmile，"forI
couldhavegonetothebankforit。Butasthiswassomethingbetweenus，Iamaskingyou，Stacy，asmyoldpartner。"
"AndIamansweringyou，Barker，asyouroldpartner，butalsoasthepartnerofahundredothermen，whohaveevenagreaterrighttoaskme。Andmyansweris，notacent！"
Barkerlookedathimwithapale，astonishedfaceandslightlypartedlips。Stacyrose，thrusthishandsdeeperinhispockets，andstandingbeforehimwenton：——
"Nowlookhere！It’stimeyoushouldunderstandmeandyourself。
Threeyearsago，whenourpartnershipwasdissolvedbyaccident，ormutualconsent，wewillsay，westartedafresh，eachonourownhook。Throughfoolishnessandbadadviceyouhaveinthosethreeyearshopelesslyinvolvedyourselfasyouneverwouldhavedonehadwebeenpartners，andyetinyourdifficultyyouaskmeandmynewpartnerstohelpyououtofadifficultyinwhichtheyhavenoconcern。"
"YourNEWpartners？"stammeredBarker。
"Yes，mynewpartners；foreverymanwhohasashare，oradeposit，oraninterest，oradollarinthisbankismyPARTNER——evenyou，withyoursecuritiesattheBranch，areone；andyoumaysaythatinTHISIamprotectingyouagainstyourself。"
"Butyouhavemoney——youhaveprivatemeans。"
"Nonetospeculatewithasyouwishmeto——onaccountofmyposition；nonetogiveawayfoolishlyasyouexpectmeto——onaccountofprecedentandexample。Iamasoullessmachinetakingcareofcapitalintrustedtomeandmybrains，butdecidedlyNOTtomyheartnormysentiment。Somyansweris，notacent！"
Barker’sfacehadchanged；hiscolorhadcomeback，butwithanolderexpression。Presently，however，hisbeamingsmilereturned，withtheadditionalsuggestionofanaffectionatetolerationwhichpuzzledStacy。
"Ibelieveyou’reright，oldchap，"hesaid，extendinghishandtothebanker，"andIwishIhadtalkedtoyoubefore。Butit’stoolatenow，andI’vegivenmyword。"
"YourWORD！"saidStacy。"Haveyounowrittenagreement？"
"No。Mywordwasaccepted。"Heblushedslightlyasifconsciousofagreatweakness。