Demorestglancedatit，turneditover，readitscontents，andinagravevoicesaid，"Thereissomethingwronghere。Itislikemyhandwriting，butIneverwrotetheletter，norhasitbeeninmyhandbefore。"
　　Stacysprangtohisside。"Thenit’saforgery！"
　　"Waitamoment。"Demorest，who，althoughverygrave，wasthemorecollectedofthetwo，wenttoawriting-desk，selectedasheetofpaper，andtookupapen。"Now，"hesaid，"dictatethatlettertome。"
　　Stacybegan，Demorest’spenrapidlyfollowinghim：——
　　"DEARJIM，——OnreceiptofthisgetridofmyWheatTrustsharesatwhateverfigureyoucan。FromthewaythingspointedinNewYork"——
　　"Stop！"interruptedDemorest。
　　"Well？"saidStacyimpatiently。
　　"Now，mydearJim，"saidDemorestplaintively，"whendidyoueverknowmetowritesuchasentenceas’thewaythingspointed’？"
　　"Letmefinishreading，"saidStacy。Thisliterarysensitivenessatsuchamomentseemedlittleshortofpuerilitytothemanofbusiness。
　　"FromthewaythingspointedinNewYork，"continuedStacy，"andfromprivateadvicesreceived，thisseemstobetheonlyprudentcoursebeforethefeathersbegintofly。Longingtoseeyouagainandthedearoldstamping-groundatHeavyTree。LovetoBarker。
　　Hasthedearoldboybeenatanyfreshcranklately？
　　"Yours，PHILDEMOREST。"
　　Thedictationandcopyfinishedtogether。DemorestlaidthefreshlywrittensheetbesidetheletterStacyhadproduced。Theywereverymuchalikeandyetquitedistinctfromeachother。Onlythesignatureseemedidentical。
　　"That’stheinvariablemistakewiththeforger，"saidDemorest；"healwaysforgetsthatsignaturesoughttobeidenticalwiththetextratherthanwitheachother。"
　　ButStacydidnotseemtohearthisorrequirefurtherproof。Hisfacewasquitegrayandhislipscompresseduntillostinhiscloselysetbeardashegazedfixedlyoutofthewindow。Forthefirsttime，reallyconcernedandtouched，Demorestlaidhishandgentlyonhisshoulder。
　　"Tellme，Jim，howmuchdoesthismeantoyouapartfromme？Don’tthinkofme。"
　　"Idon’tknowyet，"saidStacyslowly。"That’sthetrouble。AndI
　　won’tknowuntilIknowwho’satthebottomofit。Doesanybodyknowofyouraffairswithme？"
　　"Noone。"
　　"Noconfidentialfriend，eh？"
　　"None。"
　　"Noonewhohasaccesstoyoursecrets？No——no——woman？Excuseme，Phil，"hesaid，asapeculiarlookpassedoverDemorest’sface，"butthisisbusiness。"
　　"No，"hereturned，withthatgentlenessthatusedtofrightenthemintheolddays，"it’signorance。Youfellowsalwayssay’Cherchezlafemme’whenyoucan’tsayanythingelse。Comenow，"hewentonmorebrightly，"lookattheletter。Here’saman，commerciallyeducated，forhehasusedtheusualbusinessformulas，’onreceiptofthis，’and’advicesreceived，’whichIwon’tmerelysayIdon’tuse，butwhichfewbutcommercialmenuse。Next，here’samanwhousesslang，notonlyineptly，butartificially，togivethelettertheeasy，familiarturnithasn’tfrombeginningtoend。Ineedonlysay，mydearStacy，thatIdon’twriteslangtoyou，butthatnobodywhounderstandsslangeverwritesitinthatway。AndthentheknowledgeofmyopinionofBarkerissuchasmightbegainedfromthereadingofmylettersbyapersonwhocouldn’tcomprehendmyfeelings。Now，letmeplayinquisitorforafewmoments。HasanybodyaccesstomyletterstoYOU？"
　　"Noone。Ikeepthemlockedupinacabinet。Ionlymakememorandumsofyourinstructions，whichIgivetomyclerks，butneveryourletters。"
　　"Butyourclerkssometimesseeyoumakememorandumsfromthem？"
　　"Yes，butnoneofthemhavetheabilitytodothissortofthing，northeopportunityofprofitingbyit。"
　　"Hasanywoman——nowthisisnotretaliation，mydearJim，forI
　　fancyIdetectawoman’sclevernessandawoman’sstupidityinthisforgery——anyaccesstoyoursecretsormyletters？Awoman’svillainyisalwayseffectiveforthemoment，butalwaysdefectivewhenprobed。"
　　ThelookofscornwhichpassedoverStacy’sfacewasquiteasdistinctasDemorest’spreviousprotest，ashesaidcontemptuously，"I’mnotsuchafoolastomixuppetticoatswithmybusiness，whateverIdo。"
　　"Well，onethingmore。Ihavetoldyouthatinmyopiniontheforgerhasacommercialeducationorstyle，thathedoesn’tknowmenorBarker，anddon’tunderstandslang。Now，Ihavetoaddwhatmusthaveoccurredtoyou，Jim，thattheforgeriseitheracoward，orhisobjectisnotaltogethermercenary：forthesameabilitydisplayedinthisletterwouldonthesignaturealone——haditbeenonacheckordraft——havedrawnfromyourbanktwentytimestheamountconcerned。Now，whatistheactuallossbythisforgery？"
　　"Verylittle；foryou’vegotagoodpriceforyourstocks，consideringthedepreciationinrealizingsuddenlyonsolargeanamount。Itoldmybrokertosellslowlyandinsmallquantitiestoavoidapanic。Butthereallossisthecontrolofthestock。"
　　"ButtheamountIhadwasnotenoughtoaffectthat，"saidDemorest。
　　"No，butIwascarryingalargeamountmyself，andtogetherwecontrolledthemarket，andnowIhaveunloaded，too。"
　　"Yousoldout！andwithyourdoubts？"saidDemorest。
　　"That’sjustit，"saidStacy，lookingsteadilyathiscompanion’sface，"becauseIHADdoubts，anditwon’tdoformetohavethem。
　　Ioughteithertohavedisobeyedyourletterandkeptyourstockandmyown，orhavedonejustwhatIdid。Imighthavehedgedonmyownstock，butIdon’tbelieveinhedging。Thereisnomiddlecoursetoamaninmybusinessifhewantstokeepatthetop。Nogreatsuccess，nogreatpower，wasevercreatedbyit。"
　　Demorestsmiled。"Yetyouacceptthealternativealso，whichisruin？"
　　"Precisely，"saidStacy。"WhenyoureturnedtheotherdayyouwereboundtofindmewhatIwasorabeggar。Butnothingbetween。
　　However，"headded，"thishasnothingtodowiththeforgery，or，"
　　hesmiledgrimly，"everythingtodowithit。Hush！Barkeriscoming。"
　　Therewasaquickstepalongthecorridorapproachingtheroom。
　　ThenextmomentthedoorflewopentotheboundingstepandlaughingfaceofBarker。Whateverofthoughtfulnessordespondencyhehadcarriedfromtheroomwithhimwascompletelygone。Withhisamazingbuoyancyandpowerofreactionhewasthereagaininhisusualfrank，cheerfulsimplicity。
　　"IthoughtI’dcomeinandsaygoodnight，"hebegan，withalaugh。
　　"IgotStaasleepaftersomehighjinkswehadtogether，andthenI
　　reckoneditwasn’tthesquarethingtoleavejustyoutwotogether，thefirstnightyoucame。AndIrememberedIhadsomebusinesstotalkover，too，soIthoughtI’dchipinagainandtakeahand。
　　It’sonlytheshankoftheeveningyet，"hecontinuedgayly，"andweoughttositupatleastlongenoughtoseetheoldsnow-linevanish，aswedidinoldtimes。ButIsay，"headdedsuddenly，asheglancedfromtheonetotheother，"you’vebeenhavingitprettystrongalready。Why，youbothlookasyoudidthatnightthebackwateroftheSouthForkcameintoourcabin。What’sup？"
　　"Nothing，"saidDemoresthastily，ashecaughtaglanceofStacy’simpatientface。"Onlyallbusinessisserious，Barkerboy，thoughyoudon’tseemtofeelitso。"
　　"Ireckonyou’rerightthere，"saidBarker，withachuckle。
　　"Peoplealwayslaugh，ofcourse，whenItalkbusiness，soitmightmakeitalittlelivelierforyouandmoreofachangeifIchippedinnow。OnlyIdon’tknowwhichyou’lldo。Handmeapipe。
　　Well，"hecontinued，fillingthepipeDemorestshovedtowardshim，"yousee，IwasinSacramentoyesterday，andIwentintoVanLoo’sbranchoffice，asIheardhewasthere，andIwantedtofindoutsomethingaboutKitty’sinvestments，whichIdon’tthinkhe’smanagingexactlyright。Hewasn’tthere，however，butasIwaswaitingIheardhisclerkstalkaboutadropintheWheatTrust，andthattherewasalotofitputuponthemarket。Theyseemedtothinkthatsomethinghadhappened，anditwasgoingdownstillfurther。NowIknewitwasyourpetscheme，andthatPhilhadalotofsharesinit，too，soIjustslippedoutandwenttoabroker’sandtoldhimtobuyallhecouldofit。And，byJove！I
　　wasalittletakenabackwhenIfoundwhatIwasinfor，foreverybodyseemedtohaveunloaded，andIfoundIhadn’tmoneyenoughtopaymargins，butIknewthatDemorestwashere，andI
　　reckonedonhisseeingmethrough。"Hestoppedandcolored，butaddedhopefully，"IreckonI’msafe，anyway，forjustasthethingwasoverthosesameclerksofVanLoo’scameboundingintotheofficetobuyupeverything。Andofferedtotakeitoffmyhandsandpaythemargins。"
　　"Andyou？"saidbothmeneagerly，andinabreath。
　　Barkerstaredatthem，andreddenedandpaledbyturns。"Iheldon，"hestammered。"Yousee，boys"——
　　Bothmenhadcaughthimbythearms。"Howmuchhaveyougot？"theysaid，shakinghimasiftoprecipitatetheanswer。
　　"It’saheap！"saidBarker。"It’saghastlylotnowIthinkofit。
　　I’mafraidI’minforfiftythousand，ifacent。"
　　Tohisinfiniteastonishmentanddelighthewasalternatelyhuggedandtossedbackwardsandforwardsbetweenthetwomenquiteinthefashionoftheolddays。Breathlessbutlaughing，heatlengthgaspedout，"Whatdoesitallmean？"
　　"Tellhimeverything，Jim，——EVERYTHING，"saidDemorestquickly。
　　Stacybrieflyrelatedthestoryoftheforgery，andthenlaidtheletteranditscopybeforehim。ButBarkeronlyreadtheforgery。
　　"HowcouldYOU，Stacy——oneofthethreepartnersofHeavyTree——bedeceived！Don’tyouseeit’sPhil’shandwriting——butitisn’tPHIL！"
　　"ButhaveyouanyideaWHOitis？"saidStacy。
　　"Notme，"saidBarker，withwidelyopenedeyes。"Youseeitmustbesomebodywhomwearefamiliarwith。Ican’timaginesuchascoundrel。"
　　"HowdidYOUknowthatDemoresthadstock？"askedStacy。
　　"Hetoldmeinoneofhislettersandadvisedmetogointoit。
　　ButjustthenKittywantedmoney，Ithink，andIdidn’tgoin。"
　　"Irememberit，"struckinDemorest。"Butsurelyitwasnosecret。
　　Mynamewouldbeonthetransferbooksforanyonetosee。"
　　"Notso，"saidStacyquickly。"Youwereoneoftheoriginalshareholders；therewasnotransfer，andthebooksaswellasthesharesofthecompanywereinmyhands。"
　　"Andyourclerks？"addedDemorest。
　　Stacywassilent。Afterapauseheasked，"Didanybodyeverseethatletter，Barker？"
　　"NoonebutmyselfandKitty。"
　　"Andwouldshebelikelytotalkofit？"continuedStacy。
　　"Ofcoursenot。Whyshouldshe？Whomcouldshetalkto？"Yethestoppedsuddenly，andthenwithhischaracteristicreactionadded，withalaugh，"Whyno，certainlynot。"
　　"Ofcourse，everybodyknewthatyouhadboughtthesharesatSacramento？"
　　"Yes。Why，youknowItoldyoutheVanLooclerkscametomeandwantedtotakeitoffmyhands。"
　　"Yes，Iremember；theVanLooclerks；theyknewit，ofcourse，"
　　saidStacywithagrimsmile。"Well，boys，"hesaid，withsuddenalacrity，"I’mgoingtoturnin，forbysun-upto-morrowImustbeonmywaytocatchthefirsttrainattheDividefor’Frisco。
　　We’llhuntthisthingdowntogether，forIreckonwe’reallconcernedinit，"headded，lookingattheothers，"andoncemorewe’repartnersasintheoldtimes。LetusevensaythatI’vegivenBarker’ssignalorpassword，"headded，withalaugh，"andwe’llsticktogether。Barkerboy，"hewenton，graspinghisyoungerpartner’shand，"yourinstincthassavedusthistime；
　　d————difIdon’tsometimesthinkitbetterthananyotherman’ssabe；only，"hedroppedhisvoiceslightly，"IwishyouhaditinotherthingsthanFINANCE。Phil，I’veawordtosaytoyoualonebeforeIgo。Imaywantyoutofollowme。"
　　"ButwhatcanIdo？"saidBarkereagerly。"You’renotgoingtoleavemeout。"
　　"You’vedonequiteenoughforus，oldman，"saidStacy，layinghishandonBarker’sshoulder。"AnditmaybeforUStodosomethingforYOU。Trotofftobednow，likeagoodboy。I’llkeepyoupostedwhenthetimecomes。"
　　Shovingtheprotestingandleave-takingBarkerwithpaternalfamiliarityfromtheroom，heclosedthedoorandfacedDemorest。
　　"He’sthebestfellowintheworld，"saidStacyquietly，"andhassavedthesituation；butwemustn’ttrusttoomuchtohimforthepresent——notevenseemto。"
　　"Nonsense，man！"saidDemorestimpatiently。"You’relettingyourprejudicesgotoofar。Doyoumeantosaythatyoususpecthiswife。"
　　"D——nhiswife！"saidStacyalmostsavagely。"Leaveheroutofthis。It’sVanLoothatIsuspect。ItwasVanLoowhoIknewwasbehindit，whoexpectedtoprofitbyit，andnowwehavelosthim。"
　　"Buthow？"saidDemorest，astonished。
　　"How？"repeatedStacyimpatiently。"YouknowwhatBarkersaid？
　　VanLoo，eitherthroughstupidity，fright，orthewishtogetthelowestprices，wastoolatetobuyupthemarket。Ifhehad，wemighthaveopenlydeclaredtheforgery，andifitwasknownthatheorhisfriendshadprofitedbyit，evenifwecouldnothaveprovenhisactualcomplicity，wecouldatleasthavemadeittoohotforhiminCalifornia。But，"saidStacy，lookingintentlyathisfriend，"doyouknowhowthecasestandsnow？"
　　"Well，"saidDemorest，alittleuneasilyunderhisfriend’skeeneyes，"we’velostthatchance，butwe’vekeptcontrolofthestock。"
　　"Youthinkso？Well，letmetellyouhowthecasestandsandthepricewepayforit，"saidStacydeliberately，ashefoldedhisarmsandgazedatDemorest。"YouandI，wellknownasoldfriendsandformerpartners，fornoapparentreason——forwecannotprovetheforgerynow——havethrownuponthemarketallourstock，withtheusualeffectofdepreciatingit。Anotheroldfriendandformerpartnerhasboughtitinandsentuptheprice。Acommontrick，avulgartrick，butnotatrickworthyofJamesStacyorStacy’sBank！"
　　"ButwhynotsimplydeclaretheforgerywithoutmakinganyspecificchargeagainstVanLoo？"
　　"Doyouimagine，Phil，thatanymanwouldbelieveit，andthestoryofaprovidentiallyappointedfriendlikeBarkerwhosavedusfromloss？Why，allCalifornia，fromCapeMendocinotoLosAngeles，wouldroarwithlaughteroverit！No！Wemustswallowitandthereputationof’jockeying’withtheWheatTrust，too。ThatTrust’sasgoodasdonefor，forthepresent！NowyouknowwhyIdidn’twantpoorBarkertoknowit，norhavemuchtodowithoursearchfortheforger。"
　　"Itwouldbreakthedearfellow’sheartifheknewit，"saidDemorest。
　　"Well，it’stosavehimfromhavinghisheartbrokenfurtherthatI
　　intendtofindoutthisforger，"saidStacygrimly。"Good-night，Phil！I’lltelegraphtoyouwhenIwantyou，andthenCOME！"
　　WithanothergripofthehandheleftDemoresttohisthoughts。Inthefirstexcitementofmeetinghisoldpartners，andinthelaterdiscoveryoftheforgery，Demoresthadbeendivertedfromhisoldsorrow，andforthetimehadforgottenitinsympatheticinterestwiththepresent。But，tohishorror，whenaloneagain，hefoundthatinterestgrowingasremoteandvapidasthestoriestheyhadlaughedoveratthetable，andeventheexcitementoftheforgedletteranditsconsequencesbegantobeasunreal，asimpotent，asshadowy，asthememoryoftheattemptedrobberyintheoldcabinonthatveryspot。Hewasashamedofthatselfishnesswhichstillmadehimclingtothispast，somuchhisown，thatheknewitdebarredhimfromthehumansympathyofhiscomrades。AndevenBarker，inwhosecourtshipandmarriagehehadtriedtoresuscitatehisyouthfulemotionsandcondonehisselfisherrors——eventhesuggestionofhisunhappinessonlytouchedhimvaguely。HewouldnolongerbeaslavetothePast，orthememorythathaddeludedhimafewhoursago。Hewalkedtothewindow；alas，therewasthesameprospectthathadlookeduponhisdreams，hadlentitselftohisoldvisions。Therewastheeternaloutlineofthehills；thererosethesteadfastpines；therewasnochangeinTHEM。Itwasthissurroundingconstancyofnaturethathadaffectedhim。Heturnedawayandenteredthebedroom。Herehesuddenlyrememberedthatthemotherofthisvagueenemy，VanLoo，——forhisfeelingtowardshimwasstillvague，asfewmenreallyhatethepersonalitytheydon’tknow，——hadonlymomentarilyvacatedit，andtohisdistasteofhisownintrusionwasnowaddedtheprofoundironyofhissleepinginthesamebedlatelyoccupiedbythemotherofthemanwhowassuspectedofhavingforgedhisname。Hesmiledfaintlyandlookedaroundtheapartment。Itwashandsomelyfurnished，andalthoughitstillhadmuchofthecharacterlessnessofthehotelroom，itwasdistinctlyflavoredbyitslastoccupant，andstillbrightenedbythatmysteriousinstinctofthesexwhichisinevitable。Whereamanwouldhavesimplylefthisforgottenslippersorcollarstherewasaglassofstillunfadedflowers；thecoldmarbletopofthedressing-tablewaslitteredwithafewlinenandsilktoiletcovers；andonthemantel-shelfwasasheafofphotographs。Hewalkedtowardsthemmechanically，glancedatthemabstractedly，andthenstoppedsuddenlywithabeatingheart。Beforehimwasthepictureofhispast，thephotographoftheonewomanwhohadfilledhislife！
　　Hecastahurriedglancearoundtheroomasifhehalfexpectedtoseetheoriginalstartupbeforehim，andtheneagerlyseizeditandhurriedwithittothelight。Yes！yes！ItwasSHE，——sheasshehadlivedinhisactualmemory；sheasshehadlivedinhisdream。Hesawhersweeteyes，butthefrightened，innocenttroublehadpassedfromthem；therewasthesensitiveeleganceofhergracefulfigureineveningdress；butthefigurewasfullerandmaturer。Couldhebemistakenbysomewonderfulresemblanceactinguponhistoowillingbrain？Heturnedthephotographover。No；
　　thereontheotherside，writteninherownchildlikehand，endearedandfamiliartohisrecollection，washerownname，andthedate！Itwassurelyshe！
　　Howdiditcomethere？DidtheVanLoosknowher？ItwastakeninVenice；therewastheaddressofthephotographers。TheVanLooswereforeigners，heremembered；theyhadtraveled；perhapshadmethertherein1858：thatwasthedateinherhandwriting；thatwasthedateonthephotographer’saddress——1858。Suddenlyhelaidthephotographdown，tookwithtremblingfingersaletter-casefromhispocket，openedit，andlaidhislastlettertoher，indorsedwiththecruelannouncementofherdeath，beforehimonthetable。Hepassedhishandacrosshisforeheadandopenedtheletter。Itwasdated1856！ThephotographmusthavebeentakentwoyearsAFTER
　　herallegeddeath！
　　Heexamineditagaineagerly，fixedly，tremblingly。AwildimpulsetosummonBarkerorStacyonthespotwasrestrainedwithdifficultyandonlywhenherememberedthattheycouldnothelphim。Thenhebegantooscillatebetweenajoyandanewfear，whichnow，forthefirsttime，begantodawnuponhim。Ifthenewsofherdeathhadbeenafiendishtrickofherrelations，whyhadSHEneversoughthim？Itwasnotillhealth，restraint，norfear；
　　therewasnothingbuthappinessandthestrengthofyouthandbeautyinthatfaceandfigure。HEhadnotdisappearedfromtheworld；hewasknownofmen；more，hismemorablegoodfortunemusthavereachedherears。Hadhewastedallthesemiserableyearstofindhimselfabandoned，forgotten，perhapsevenadupe？Forthefirsttimethestingofjealousyenteredhissoul。Perhaps，unconsciouslytohimself，hisstrangeandvaryingfeelingsthatafternoonhadbeenthegatheringclimaxofhismentalcondition；atallevents，inthesuddenrevulsiontherewasashakingoffofhisapatheticthought；therewasactivity，evenifitwastheactivityofpain。Herewasamysterytobesolved，asecrettobediscovered，apastwrongtobeexposed，anenemyor，perhaps，evenafaithlesslovetobepunished。Perhapshehadevensavedhisreasonattheexpenseofhislove。Hequicklyreplacedthephotographonthemantel-shelf，returnedthelettercarefullytohispocket-book，——nolongerasouvenirofthepast，butaproofoftreachery，——andbegantomechanicallyundresshimself。Hewasquitecalmnow，andwenttobedwithastrangesenseofrelief，andsleptashehadnotsleptsincehewasaboy。
　　Thewholehotelhadsunktorestbythistime，andthenbegantheusualslow，nightlyinvasionandinvestmentofitbynature。Forallitsbroadverandasandglaringterraces，itslongrangesofwindowsandglitteringcrestofcupolaandtower，itgraduallysuccumbedtothemorepotentinfluencesaroundit，andbecametheirsportandplayground。Themountainbreezesfromthedistantsummitsweptdownuponitsflimsystructure，shookthegreatglasswindowsaswithastronghand，andsentthebalmofbayandsprucethrougheverychinkandcranny。Inthegreathallandcorridorsthecarpetsbillowedwiththeintrudingblastalongthefloors；therewasthemurmurofthepinesinthepassages，andthedampodorofleavesinthedining-room。Therewasthecryofnightbirdsinthecreakingcupola，andtheswiftrushofdarkwingspastbedroomwindows。Lissomeshapescreptalongtheterracesbetweenthestolidwoodenstatues，or，bolder，scamperedthewholelengthofthegreatveranda。Inthelullingofthewindthebreathofthewoodswaseverywhere；eventhearomaofswellingsap——asiftheghastlystumpsonthedeforestedslopebehindthehotelwerebleedingafreshinthedewlessnight——stungtheeyesandnostrilsofthesleepers。
　　Itwas，perhaps，fromsuchcauseasthisthatBarkerwasawakenedsuddenlybythevoiceoftheboyfromthecribbesidehim，crying，"Mamma！mamma！"Takingthechildinhisarms，hecomfortedhim，sayingshewouldcomethatmorning，andshowedhimthefaintdawnalreadyveilingwithcolortheghostlypalloroftheSierras。Astheylookedatitagreatstarshotforthfromitsbrethrenandfell。Itdidnotfallperpendicularly，butseemedforsomesecondstoslipalongtheslopesofBlackSpur，gleamingthroughthetreeslikeachariotoffire。Itpleasedthechildtosaythatitwasthelightofmamma’sbuggythatwasfetchingherhome，anditpleasedthefathertoencouragetheboy’sfancy。Andtalkingthusinconfidentialwhisperstheyfellasleeponcemore，thefather——
　　himselfachildinsomanythings——holdingthesmallerandfrailerhandinhis。
　　TheydidnotknowthatontheothersideoftheDividethewifeandmother，scared，doubting，anddesperate，bythesideofherscared，doubting，anddesperateaccomplice，wasflyingdowntheslopeonhernight-longroadtoruin。Stilllessdidtheyknowthat，withtheearlysingingbirds，acarelesshorseman，emergingfromthetrailasthedust-stainedbuggydashedpasthim，glancedatitwithapuzzledair，utteredaquietwhistleofsurprise，andthen，wheelinghishorse，gaylycanteredafterit。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　Intheexerciseofhisarduousprofession，JackHamlinhadsatupallnightinthemagnoliasaloonoftheDivide，andasitwasratherearlytogotobed，hehad，afterhisusualhabit，shakenoffthesedentaryattitudeandpreparedhimselfforsleepbyafiercepreliminarygallopinthewoods。Besides，hehadbeenalargewinner，andonthoseoccasionshegenerallyisolatedhimselffromhiscompanionstoavoidfoolishaltercationswithinexperiencedplayers。EveninfightingJackwasfastidious，anddidnotliketohavehisstomachforarealdifficultydistendedandvitiatedbysmallpreliminaryindulgences。
　　Hewasjustemergingfromthewoodintothehighroadwhenabuggydashedpasthim，containingamanandawoman。Thewomanworeathickveil；themanwasalmostundistinguishablefromdust。Theglimpsewasmomentary，butdislikehasakeeneye，andinthatglimpseMr。HamlinrecognizedVanLoo。Thesituationwasequallyclear。Thebentheadsandavertedfaces，thedustcollectedintheheedlessnessofhaste，theearlyhour，——indicatinganight-longflight，——allmadeitplaintohimthatVanLoowasrunningawaywithsomewoman。Mr。Hamlinhadnomoralscruples，buthehadtheethicsofasportsman，whichheknewMr。VanLoowasnot。Whetherthewomanwasaninnocentschoolgirloranactress，hewassatisfiedthatVanLoowasdoingameanthingmeanly。Mr。Hamlinalsohadatasteformischief，andwhetherthewomanwasorwasnotfairgame，heknewthatforHISpurposesVanLoowas。Withthegreatestcheerfulnessintheworldhewheeledhishorseandcanteredafterthem。
　　TheywereevidentlymakingfortheDivideandafreshhorse，ortotakethecoachdueanhourlater。ItwasMr。Hamlin’spresentobjecttocircumventthis，and，therefore，itwasquiteinhiswaytoreturn。Incidentally，however，thesuperiorspeedofhishorsegavehimtheopportunityoffrequentlylungingtowardsthematafuriouspace，whichhadtheeffectoffranticallyincreasingtheirownspeed，whenhewouldpullupwithasilentlaughbeforehewasfairlydiscovered，andallowthesoundofhisrapidhorse’shoofstodieout。InthiswayheamusedhimselfuntilthestragglingtownoftheDividecameinsight，when，puttinghisspurstohishorseagain，hemanaged，underpretenseoftheanimalbecomingungovernable，totwice"crossthebows"ofthefugitives，compellingthemtoslackenspeed。AtthesecondofthesepassagesVanLooapparentlylostprudence，andslashingoutwithhiswhip，thelashcaughtslightlyonthecounterofHamlin’shorse。Mr。
　　Hamlininstantlyacknowledgeditbyliftinghishatgravely，andspeededontothehotel，arrivingatthestepsandthrowinghimselffromthesaddleexactlyasthebuggydroveup。Withcharacteristicaudacity，heactuallyassistedthefrightenedandeagerwomantoalightandrunintothehotel。Butinthisactionherveilwasaccidentallylifted。Mr。HamlininstantlyrecognizedtheprettywomanwhohadbeenpointedouttohiminSanFranciscoasMrs。
　　Barker，thewifeofoneofthepartnerswhosefortuneshadinterestedhimfiveyearsago。ItstruckhimthatthiswasanadditionalreasonforhisinterferenceonBarker’saccount，althoughpersonallyhecouldnotconceivewhyamanshouldevertrytopreventawomanfromrunningawayfromhim。ButthenMr。
　　Hamlin’spersonalexperienceshadbeenquitetheotherway。
　　Itwasenough，however，tocausehimtolayhishandlightlyonVanLoo’sarmasthelatter，leapingdown，wasabouttofollowMrs。
　　Barkerintothehotel。"You’llhavetimeenoughnow，"saidHamlin。
　　"Timeforwhat？"saidVanLoosavagely。
　　"Timetoapologizeforhavingcutmyhorsewithyourwhip，"saidJacksweetly。"Wedon’twanttoquarrelbeforeawoman。"
　　"I’venotimeforfooling！"saidVanLoo，endeavoringtopass。
　　ButJack’shandhadslippedtoVanLoo’swrist，althoughhestillsmiledcheerfully。"Ah！ThenyouDIDmeanit，andyouproposetogivemesatisfaction？"
　　VanLoopaledslightly；heknewJack’sreputationasaduelist。
　　Buthewasdesperate。"Youseemyposition，"hesaidhurriedly。
　　"I’minahurry；Ihavealadywithme。Nomanofhonor"——
　　"Youdomewrong，"interruptedJack，withapainedexpression，——
　　"youdo，indeed。Youareinahurry——well，Ihaveplentyoftime。
　　Ifyoucannotattendtomenow，whyIwillbegladtoaccompanyyouandtheladytothenextstation。Ofcourse，"headded，withasmile，"ataproperdistance，andwithoutinterferingwiththelady，whomIampleasedtorecognizeasthewifeofanoldfriend。
　　Itwouldbemoresociable，perhaps，ifwehadsomegeneralconversationontheroad；itwouldpreventherbeingalarmed。I
　　mightevenbeofsomeusetoYOU。Ifweareovertakenbyherhusbandontheroad，forinstance，Ishouldcertainlyclaimtherighttohavethefirstshotatyou。Boy！"hecalledtothehostler，"justspongeoutPancho’smouth，willyou，tobereadywhenthebuggygoes？"And，looseninghisgripofVanLoo’swrist，heturnedawayastheotherquicklyenteredthehotel。
　　ButMr。VanLoodidnotimmediatelyseekMrs。Barker。Hehadalreadysomeexperienceofthatlady’snervesandirascibilityonthedrive，andhadbeguntoseehiserrorintakingsodangerousanimpedimenttohisflightfromthecountry。Andanotherideahadcometohim。Hehadalreadyeffectedhispurposeofcompromisingherwithhiminthatflight，butitwasstillknownonlytofew。
　　Ifheleftherbehindforthefoolish，dotinghusband，wouldnotthatdevotedmantakeherbacktoavoidascandal，andevenforbeartopursueHIMforhisfinancialirregularities？WhatweretwentythousanddollarsofMrs。Barker’smoneytothescandalofMrs。
　　Barker’selopement？Again，thefailuretorealizetheforgeryhadlefthimsafe，andBarkerwassufficientlypotentwiththebankandDemoresttohushupthatalso。Hamlinwasnowtheonlyobstacletohisflight；butevenhewouldscarcelypursueHIMifMrs。Barkerwereleftbehind。Anditwouldbeeasiertoeludehimifhedid。
　　InhispreoccupationVanLoodidnotseethathehadenteredthebar-room，but，findinghimselfthere，hemovedtowardsthebar；aglassofspiritswouldrevivehim。Ashedrankithesawthattheroomwasfullofroughmen，apparentlyminersorpackers——someofthemMexican，withhereandthereaKanakaorAustralian。Twomenmoreostentatiouslyclad，thoughapparentlyonequaltermswiththeothers，werestandinginthecornerwiththeirbackstowardshim。
　　Fromthegeneralsilenceasheenteredheimaginedthathehadbeenthesubjectofconversation，andthathisaltercationwithHamlinhadbeenoverheard。Suddenlyoneofthetwomenturnedandapproachedhim。TohisconsternationherecognizedSteptoe，——
　　Steptoe，whomhehadnotseenforfiveyearsuntillastnight，whenhehadavoidedhiminthecourtyardoftheBoomvilleHotel。Hisfirstinstinctwastoretreat，butitwastoolate。Andthespiritshadwarmedhimintotemporaryrecklessness。
　　"Youain’tgoin’tobebackeddownbyashort-cardgambler，areyer？"saidSteptoe，withcoarsefamiliarity。
　　"Ihavealadywithme，andampressedfortime，"saidVanLooquickly。"Heknowsit，otherwisehewouldnothavedared"——
　　"Well，lookhere，"saidSteptoeroughly。"Iain’tparticularlysweetonyou，asyouknow；butIandthesegentlemen，"headded，glancingaroundtheroom，"ain’tparticularlysweetonMr。JackHamlinneither，andwekalkilatetostandbyyouifyousayso。
　　Now，Ireckonyouwanttogetawaywiththewoman，andthequickerthebetter，asyou’reafraidthere’llbesomebodyafteryouaforelong。That’sthewayitpansout，don’tit？Well，whenyou’rereadytogo，andyoujusttipusthewink，we’llgetinacircleroundJackandcoverhim，andifhestartsafteryouwe’llsendhimonalittlelongerjourney！——eh，boys？"
　　Themenmutteredtheirapproval，andoneortwodrewtheirrevolversfromtheirbelts。VanLoo’sheart，whichhadleapedatfirstatthisproposalofhelp，sankatthisfailureofhislittleplanofabandoningMrs。Barker。Hehesitated，andthenstammered，"Thankyou！Hasteiseverythingwithusnow；butIshouldn’tmindleavingtheladyamongCHIVALROUSGENTLEMENlikeyourselvesforafewhoursonly，untilIcouldcommunicatewithmyfriendsandreturntoproperlychastisethisscoundrel。"
　　Steptoedrewinhisbreathwithaslightwhistle，andgazedatVanLoo。Heinstantlyunderstoodhim。ButthepleadidnotsuitSteptoe，who，forpurposesofhisown，wishedtoputMrs。Barkerbeyondherhusband’spossiblereach。Hesmiledgrimly。"Ithinkyou’dbettertakethewomanwithyou，"hesaid。"Idon’tthink，"
　　headdedinalowervoice，"thattheboyswouldlikeyourleavingher。They’reveryhigh-toned，theyare！"heconcludedironically。
　　"Then，"saidVanLoo，withanotherdesperateidea，"couldyounotletushavesaddle-horsesinsteadofthebuggy？Wecouldtravelfaster，andintheeventofpursuitandanythinghappeningtoME，"
　　headdedloftily，"SHEatleastcouldescapeherpursuer’svengeance。"
　　ThissuitedSteptoeequallywell，aslongastheguiltycouplefledTOGETHER，andinthepresenceofwitnesses。ButhewasnotdeceivedbyVanLoo’sheroicsuggestionofself-sacrifice。"Quiteright，"hesaidsarcastically，"itshallbedone，andI’venodoubtONEofyouwillescape。I’llsendthehorsesroundtothebackdoorandkeepthebuggyinfront。ThatwillkeepJackthere，TOO，——
　　withtheboyshandy。"
　　ButMr。HamlinhadquiteasaccurateanideaofMr。VanLoo’smethodsandofhisOWNstandingwithSteptoe’sgangofroughsasMr。Steptoehimself。Morethanthat，healsohadaholdonasmallerbutmoredevotedandloyalfollowingthanSteptoe’s。Theemployeesandhostlersofthehotelworshipedhim。AsinglewordofinquiryrevealedtohimthefactthatthebuggywasNOTgoingon，butthatMr。VanLooandMrs。BarkerWERE——ontwohorses，atemporaryside-saddlehavingbeenconstructedoutofamule’spack-
　　tree。AtwhichMr。Hamlin，withhisusualaudacity，walkedintothebar-room，andgoingtothebarleanedcarelesslyagainstit。
　　Thenturningtotheloweringfacesaroundhim，hesaid，withaflashofhiswhiteteeth，"Well，boys，I’mcalculatingtoleavetheDivideinafewminutestofollowsomefriendsinthebuggy，anditseemstomeonlythesquarethingtostandtheliquorforthecrowd，withoutprejudicetoanyfeelingorroughnesstheremaybeagainstme。EverybodywhoknowsmeknowsthatI’mgenerallytherewhenthebandplays，andI’mprettysuretoturnupforTHATsortofthing。Soyou’lljustconsiderthatI’vehadagoodgameontheDivide，andI’mreckoningit’sonlyfairtoleavealittleofitbehindmehere，to’sweetenthepot’untilIcallagain。Ionlyaskyou，gentlemen，todrinksuccesstomyfriendsinthebuggyasearlyandasoftenasyoucan。"Heflungtwogoldpiecesonthecounterandpaused，smiling。
　　Hewasrightinhisconjecture。Eventhemenwhowouldhavewillingly"heldhimup"amomentafter，atthebiddingofSteptoe，sawnoreasonfordecliningafreedrink"withoutprejudice。"AnditwasapartoftheironyofthesituationthatSteptoeandVanLoowerealsoobligedtoparticipatetokeepinwiththeirpartisans。Itwas，however，anopportunediversiontoVanLoo，whomanagedtogetnearerthedoorleadingtothebackentranceofthehotel，andtoMr。JackHamlin，whowaswatchinghim，asthemencloseduptothebar。
　　Thetoastwasdrunkwithacclamation，followedbyanotherandyetanother。SteptoeandVanLoo，whohadkepttheirheadscool，werebothwonderingifHamlin’sintentionweretointoxicateandincapacitatethecrowdatthecrucialmoment，andSteptoesmiledgrimlyoverhissuperiorknowledgeoftheiralcoholiccapacity。
　　Butsuddenlytherewasthegreaterdiversionofashoutfromtheroad，theon-comingofacloudofreddust，andthehaltofanothervehiclebeforethedoor。Thistimeitwasnojadedsinglehorseanddust-stainedbuggy，butadoubleteamoffourspiritedtrotters，whosecoatswerescarcelyturnedwithfoam，beforealightstationwagoncontainingasingleman。Butthatmanwasinstantlyrecognizedbyeveryoneoftheoutsideloungersandstable-boysaswellasthestaringcrowdwithinthesaloon。ItwasJamesStacy，themillionaireandbanker。Noonebuthimselfknewthathehadcoveredhalfthedistanceofanight-longridefromBoomvilleintwohours。ButbeforetheycouldvoicetheirastonishmentStacyhadthrownalettertotheobsequiouslandlord，andthengatheringupthereinshadspedawaytotherailroadstationhalfamiledistant。
　　"LooksasiftheBossofCreationwasinahurry，"saidoneoftheeagergazersinthedoorway。"Somebodygoin’togetsmashed，sure。"
　　"Morelikeasifhewasjusthumpin’himselftokeepfromgettingsmashed，"saidSteptoe。"Thebankhasn’tgotovertheeffectoftheirsmartdealintheWheatTrust。EverythingtheyhadintheirhandstumbledyesterdayinSacramento。Menlikemeandyouain’tgoin’totrusttheirmoneytobe’jockeyed’withinthatstyle。
　　NobodybutamanwithaswelledheadlikeStacywouldhaveevendaredtotryiton。Andnow，byG-d！he’sgottopayforit。"
　　Theharsh，exultanttoneofthespeakershowedthathehadquiteforgottenVanLooandHamlininhissuperiorhatredofthemillionaire，andbothmennoticedit。VanLooedgedstillnearertothedoor，asSteptoecontinued，"EversincehemadethatbigstrikeonHeavyTreefiveyearsago，thecountryhasn’tbeenbigenoughtoholdhim。Butmarkmywords，gentlemen，thetimeain’tfaroffwhenhe’llfindatwo-footditchagainandapickandgrubwagesroomenoughandtospareforhimandhiskindofcattle。"
　　"You’renotdrinking，"saidJackHamlincheerfully。
　　Steptoeturnedtowardsthebar，andthenstarted。"Where’sVanLoo？"hedemandedofJacksharply。
　　Jackjerkedhisthumboverhisshoulder。"Gonetohurryuphisgirl，Ireckon。Icalculateheain’tgotmuchtimetofoolawayhere。"
　　SteptoeglancedsuspiciouslyatJack。Butatthesamemomenttheywereallstartled——evenJackhimself——attheapparitionofMrs。
　　Barkerpassinghurriedlyalongtheverandabeforethewindowsinthedirectionofthestillwaitingbuggy。"D——nit！"saidSteptoeinafiercewhispertothemannexthim。"TellhernotTHERE——atthebackdoor！"Butbeforethemessengerreachedthedoortherewasasuddenrattleofwheels，andwithoneaccordallexceptHamlinrushedtotheveranda，onlytoseeMrs。Barkerdrivingrapidlyawayalone。Steptoeturnedbackintotheroom，butJackalsohaddisappeared。
　　ForintheconfusioncreatedatthesightofMrs。Barker，hehadslippedtothebackdoorandfound，ashesuspected，onlyonehorse，andthatwithaside-saddleon。Hisintuitionswereright。
　　VanLoo，whenhedisappearedfromthesaloon，hadinstantlyfled，takingtheotherhorseandabandoningthewomantoherfate。Jackasinstantlyleapedupontheremainingsaddleanddashedafterhim。
　　Presentlyhecaughtaglimpseofthefugitiveinthedistance，heardthehalf-angry，half-ironicalshoutsofthecrowdatthebackdoor，andashereachedthehilltopsaw，withaminglingofsatisfactionandperplexity，Mrs。Barkerontheotherroad，stilldrivingfranticallyinthedirectionoftherailroadstation。AtwhichMr。Hamlinhalted，threwawayhisencumberingsaddle，and，goodriderthathewas，remountedthehorse，barebackedbutforhisblanket-pad，andthrustinghiskneesintheloosegirths，againdashedforwards，——withsuchgoodresultsthat，asVanLoogallopeduptothestagecoachoffice，atthenextstation，andwasabouttoenterthewaitingcoachforMarysville，thesofthandofMr。Hamlinwaslaidonhisshoulder。
　　"Itoldyou，"saidJackblandly，"thatIhadplentyoftime。I
　　wouldhavebeenhereBEFOREandevenovertakenyou，onlyyouhadthebetterhorseandtheonlysaddle。"
　　VanLoorecoiled。Buthewasnowdesperateandreckless。
　　BeckoningJackoutofearshotoftheotherpassengers，hesaidwithtightenedlips，"Whydoyoufollowme？Whatisyourpurposeincominghere？"
　　"Ithought，"saidHamlindryly，"thatIwastohavethepleasureofgettingsatisfactionfromyoufortheinsultyougaveme。"
　　"Well，andifIapologizeforit，whatthen？"hesaidquickly。
　　Hamlinlookedathimquietly。"Well，IthinkIalsosaidsomethingabouttheladybeingthewifeofafriendofmine。"
　　"AndIhaveleftherBEHIND。Herhusbandcantakeherbackwithoutdisgrace，fornooneknowsofherflightbutyouandme。Doyouthinkyourshootingmewillsaveher？Itwillspreadthescandalfarandwide。ForIwarnyou，thatasIhaveapologizedforwhatyouchoosetocallmypersonalinsult，unlessyoumurdermeincoldbloodwithoutwitness，IshallletthemknowtheREASONofyourquarrel。AndIcantellyoumore：ifyouonlysucceedinSTOPPING
　　mehere，andmakemelosemychanceofgettingaway，thescandaltoyourfriendwillbegreaterstill。"
　　Mr。HamlinlookedatVanLoocuriously。Therewasacertainamountofconvictioninwhathesaid。Hehadnevermetthiskindofcreaturebefore。HehadsurpassedevenHamlin’sfirstintuitionofhischaracter。Heamusedandinterestedhim。ButMr。Hamlinwasalsoamanoftheworld，andknewthatVanLoo’sreasoningmightbegood。Heputhishandsinhispockets，andsaidgravely，"WhatIS
　　yourlittlegame？"
　　VanLoohadbeenseizedwithanotherinspirationofdesperation。
　　Steptoehadbeenpartlyresponsibleforthissituation。VanLooknewthatJackandSteptoewerenotfriends。HehadcertainsecretsofSteptoe’sthatmightbeofimportancetoJack。Whyshouldhenottrytomakefriendswiththispowerfulfree-lanceandhalf-outlaw？
　　"It’sagame，"hesaidsignificantly，"thatmightbeofinteresttoyourfriendstohear。"
　　Hamlintookhishandsoutofhispockets，turnedonhisheel，andsaid，"Comewithme。"
　　"ButImustgobythatcoachnow，"saidVanLoodesperately，"or——
　　I’vetoldyouwhatwouldhappen。"
　　"Comewithme，"saidJackcoolly。"IfI’msatisfiedwithwhatyoutellme，I’llputyoudownatthenextstationanhourbeforethatcoachgetsthere。"
　　"Youswearit？"saidVanLoohesitatingly。
　　"I’veSAIDit，"returnedJack。"Come！"andVanLoofollowedMr。
　　Hamlinintothestationhotel。