CHAPTERVI。
　　TheabruptdisappearanceofJackHamlinandthestrangeladyandgentlemanvisitorwasscarcelynoticedbytheotherguestsoftheDivideHouse，andbeyondthecircleofSteptoeandhisfriends，whowereadistinctpartyandstrangerstothetown，therewasnoexcitement。Indeed，thehotelproprietormighthaveconfoundedthemtogether，and，perhaps，VanLoowasnotfarwronginhisbeliefthattheiridentityhadnotbeensuspected。NorwereSteptoe’sfollowersverymuchconcernedinanepisodeinwhichtheyhadtakenpartonlyatthesuggestionoftheirleader，andwhichhadterminatedsotamely。Thattheywouldhavelikeda"row，"inwhichJackHamlinwouldhavebeenincidentallyforcedtodisgorgehiswinnings，therewasnodoubt，butthattheirinterferencewasaskedsolelytogratifysomepersonalspiteofSteptoe’sagainstVanLoowasequallyplaintothem。Therewassomegrumblingandoutspokencriticismofhismethods。
　　ThiswaslatermademoreobviousbythearrivalofanotherguestforwhomSteptoeandhispartywereevidentlywaiting。Hewasashort，stoutman，whoseheavyredbeardwastrimmedalittlemorecarefullythanwhenhewasfirstknowntoSteptoeasAlkyHall，thedrunkardofHeavyTreeHill。Hisdress，too，exhibitedamarkedimprovementinqualityandstyle，althoughstillcharacterizedinthewaistandchestbytheunbuttonedfreedomofportlyandslovenlymiddleage。Civilizationhadrestrictedhispotationsorlimitedthemtocertainfestivalsknownas"sprees，"andhisfacewaslesspuffyandsodden。Butwiththeaccessionofsobrietyhehadlosthisgoodhumor，andhadtheirritabilityandintoleranceofvirtuousrestraint。
　　"Yeneedn’tladleoutanyofyourforty-rodwhiskeytome，"hesaidquerulouslytoSteptoe，ashefiledoutwiththerestofthepartythroughthebar-roomintotheadjacentapartment。"Iwanttokeepmyheadleveltillourbusinessisover，andIreckonitwouldn’thurtyouandyourgangtodothesame。They’relesslikelytoblab；andtherearefewdoorsthatwhiskeywon’tunlock，"headded，asSteptoeturnedthekeyinthedoorafterthepartyhadentered。
　　Theroomhadevidentlybeenusedformeetingsofdirectorsorpoliticalcaucuses，andwasroughlyfurnishedwithnotchedandwhittledarmchairsandasinglelongdealtable，onwhichwereinkandpens。Themensatdownarounditwithahalf-embarrassed，half-contemptuousattitudeofformality，theirbentbrowsandisolatedlooksshowinglittlecommunityofsentimentandscarcelyanattempttoveilthatindividualselfishnessthatwasprominent。
　　StilllesswasthereanyessayofcompanionshiporsympathyinthemannerofSteptoeashesuddenlyrappedonthetablewithhisknuckles。
　　"Gentlemen，"hesaid，withacertaindeliberationofutterance，asifheenjoyedhisowncoarsedirectness，"Ireckonyouallhaveasortofgeneralideawhatyouwerepickedupfor，oryouwouldn’tbehere。Butyoumayormaynotknowthatforthepresentyouarehonest，hard-workingminers，——thebackboneoftheStateofCaliforny，——andthatyouhaveformedyourselvesintoacompanycalledthe’BlueJay，’andyou’vesettledyourselvesontheBarbelowHeavyTreeHill，onadesertedclaimoftheMarshallBrothers，nothalfamilefromwherethebigstrikewasmadefiveyearsago。That’swhatyouARE，gentlemen；that’swhatyou’llcontinueTOBEuntilthejob’sfinished；and，"headded，withasuddendominancethattheyallfelt，"themanwhoforgetsitwillhavetoreckonwithme。Now，"hecontinued，resuminghisformerironicalmanner，"now，whatarethecoldfactsofthecase？TheMarshallsworkedthisclaimeversince’49，andnevergotanythingoutofit；thentheydroppedoffordiedout，leavingonlyonebrother，TomMarshall，toworkwhatwasleftofit。Well，afewdaysagoHEfoundindicationsofabigleadintherock，andinsteadofrushin’outandyellin’likeanhonestman，andcallin’
　　intheboystodrink，hesneaksoffto’Frisco，andgoestothebanktoget’emtotakeahandinit。Well，youknow，whenJimStacytakesahandinanything，IT’SBOTHHANDS，andthebankwouldn’tseeituntilhepromisedtoguaranteepossessionofthewholeabandonedclaim，——’dips，spurs，andangles，’——andletthemworkthewholething，whichthed————dfoolDID，andthebankagreedtosendanexpertdownthereto-morrowtoreport。Butwhilehewasawaysomeoneonourside，whowasanexpertalso，gotwindofit，andmadeanexaminationallbyhimself，andfounditwasaveinsureenoughandabigthing，andsomeoneelseonoursidefoundout，too，allthatMarshallhadpromisedthebankandwhatthebankhadpromisedhim。Now，gentlemen，whenthebanksendsdownthatexpertto-morrowIexpectthathewillfindYOUIN
　　POSSESSIONofeverypartofthedesertedclaimexceptthespotwhereTomisstillworking。"
　　"Andwhatgoodisthattous？"askedoneofthemencontemptuously。
　　"Good？"repeatedSteptoeharshly。"Well，ifyou’renotasd————dafoolasMarshall，you’llseethatifhehasstruckaleadorveinit’sboundtorunacrossOURCLAIMS，andwhat’stokeepusfromsinkingforitaslongasMarshallhasn’tworkedtheotherclaimsforyearsnorpre-emptedthemforthislead？"
　　"What’llkeephimfrompre-emptingnow？"
　　"Ourpossession。"
　　"Butifhecanprovethatthebrotherslefttheirclaimstohimtokeep，he’lljustsendthesheriffandhispossedownuponus，"
　　persistedthefirstspeaker。
　　"Itwilltakehimthreemonthstodothatbylaw，andthesheriffandhispossecan’tdoitbeforeaslongaswe’reinpeaceablepossessionofit。AndbythetimethatexpertandMarshallreturnthey’llfindusinpeacefulpossession，unlesswe’resuchblastedfoolsastostaytalkingaboutithere！"
　　"Butwhat’stopreventMarshallfromgettingagangofhisowntodriveusoff？"
　　"Nowyourtalkin’andnotyelpin’，"saidSteptoe，withslowinsolence。"D————difIdidn’tbegintothinkyoukalkilatedIwasgoin’toemployyouaslawyers！Nothingistopreventhimfromgettin’upHISgang，andwehopehe’lldoit，foryouseeitputsusbothonthesamelevelbeforethelaw，forwe’rebothBREAKIN’
　　IT。Andwekalkilatethatwe’reasgoodasanyroughstheycanpickupatHeavyTree。"
　　"Ireckon！""Yecancountusin！"saidhalfadozenvoiceseagerly。
　　"Butwhat’sthejobgoin’topayus？"persistedaSydneyman。"An’
　　arterwe’vebeatoffthisothergang，arewegoingtoscrubalongongrubwagesuntilwe’reyankedoutbyprocess-sarversthreemonthslater？Ifthat’stheticketI’mnotinit。Iaren’tnob——yquartzminer。"
　　"Weain’tgoingtodonomoreMININGtherethanthebank，"saidSteptoefiercely。"Andthebankain’tgoingtowaitnothreemonthsfortheendofthelawsuit。They’llfloatthestockofthatmineforacoupleofmillions，andgetoutofitwithamillionbeforeamonth。Andthey’llhavetobuyusofftodothat。Whatthey’llpaywilldependuponthelead；butwedon’tmoveoffthoseclaimsforlessthanfivethousanddollars，whichwillbetwohundredandfiftydollarstoeachman。But，"saidSteptoeinalowerbutperfectlydistinctvoice，"ifthereshouldbearow，——andtheyBEGINit，——andinthescuffleTomMarshall，theironlywitness，shouldhappentogetinthewayofarevolverorhavehisheadcavedin，theremightbesomedifficultyintheirholdin’ANY
　　OFTHEMINEagainsthonest，hardworkingminersinpossession。Youhearme？"
　　Therewasabreathlesssilenceforthemoment，andaslightmovementofthemenintheirchairs，butneverinfearorprotest。
　　Everyonehadheardthespeakerdistinctly，andeverymandistinctlyunderstoodhim。Someofthemwerecriminals，oneortwohadalreadythestainofbloodontheirhands；buteventhemosttimid，whoatothertimesmighthaveshrunkfromsuggestedassassination，sawinthespeaker’swordsonlythefairremovalofanaturalenemy。
　　"Allright，boys。I’mreadytowadeinatonce。Whyain’tweontheroadnow？Wemighthavebeenbutforfoolin’ourtimeawayonthatmanVanLoo。"
　　"VanLoo！"repeatedHalleagerly，——"VanLoo！Washehere？"
　　"Yes，"saidSteptoeshortly，administeringakickunderthetabletoHall，ashehadnowishtorevivethepreviousirritabilityofhiscomrades。"He’sgone，but，"turningtotheothers，"you’dhavehadtowaitforMr。Hall’sarrival，anyhow。Andnowyou’vegotyourorderyoucanstart。Gointwopartiesbydifferentroads，andmeetontheothersideofthehotelatHymettus。I’llbetherebeforeyou。Pickupsomeshovelsanddrillsasyougo；rememberyou’rehonestminers，butdon’tforgetyourshootin’-ironsforallthat。Nowscatter。"
　　Itwaswellthattheydid，vacatingtheroommorecheerfullyandsympatheticallythantheyhadenteredit，orHall’smanifestdisturbanceoverVanLoo’svisitwouldhavebeennoticed。WhenthelastmanhaddisappearedHallturnedquicklytoSteptoe。"Well，whatdidhesay？Wherehashegone？"
　　"Don’tknow，"saidSteptoe，withuneasycurtness。"Hewasrunningawaywithawoman——well，Mrs。Barker，ifyouwanttoknow，"headded，withrisinganger，"thewifeofoneofthosecursedpartners。JackHamlinwashere，andwasjockeyingtostophim，andinterfered。Butwhatthedevilhasthatjobtodowithourjob？"
　　Hewaslosinghistemper；everythingseemedtoturnuponthisinfernalVanLoo！
　　"Hewasn’trunningawaywithMrs。Barker，"gaspedHall，——"itwaswithherMONEY！andthefearofbeingconnectedwiththeWheatTrustswindlewhichheorganized，andwithourmoneywhichIlenthimforthesamepurpose。Andheknowsallaboutthatjob，forI
　　wantedtogethimtogointoitwithus。Yournameandmineain’tanytoosweet-smellingforthebank，andweoughttohaveamiddlemanwhoknowsbusinesstoarrangewiththem。Thebankdaren’tobjecttohim，forthey’veemployedhiminevenshadiertransactionsthanthiswhenTHEYdidn’twishtoappear。IknewhewasindifficultiesalongwithMrs。Barker’sspeculations，butI
　　neverthoughthimuptothis。And，"headded，withsuddendesperation，"YOUtrustedhim，too。"
　　InaninstantSteptoecaughtthefrightenedmanbytheshouldersandwasbearinghimdownonthetable。"Areyouatraitor，aliar，orabesottedfool？"hesaidhoarsely。"Speak。WHENandWHEREdidItrusthim？"
　　"Yousaidinyournote——Iwas——to——helphim，"gaspedHall。
　　"Mynote，"repeatedSteptoe，releasingHallwithastonishedeyes。
　　"Yes，"saidHall，tremblinglysearchinginhisvestpocket。"I
　　broughtitwithme。Itisn’tmuchofanote，butthere’syoursignatureplainenough。"
　　HehandedSteptoeatornpieceofpaperfoldedinathree-corneredshape。Steptoeopenedit。HeinstantlyrecognizedthepaperonwhichhehadwrittenhisnameandsentuptohiswifeattheBoomvilleHotel。But，addedtoit，inapparentlythesamehand，insmallercharacters，werethewords，"HelpVanLooallyoucan。"
　　Thebloodrushedintohisface。Buthequicklycollectedhimself，andsaidhurriedly，"Allright，Ihadforgottenit。Letthed————dsneakgo。We’vegotwhat’sathousandtimesbetterinthisclaimatMarshall’s，andit’swellthatheisn’tinittoscoopthelion’sshare。Onlywemustnotwastetimegettingtherenow。Yougotherefirst，andatonce，andsetthoserascalstowork。I’llfollowyoubeforeMarshallcomesup。Get；I’llsettleuphere。"
　　HisfacedarkenedoncemoreasHallhurriedaway，leavinghimalone。Hedrewoutthepieceofpaperfromhispocketandstaredatitagain。Yes；itwastheonehehadsenttohiswife。HowdidVanLoogetholdofit？Washeatthehotelthatnight？Hadhepickeditupinthehallorpassagewhentheservantdroppedit？
　　WhenHallhandedhimthepaperandhefirstrecognizeditafiendishthought，followedbyaspasmofmorefiendishrage，hadsentthebloodtohisface。Buthiscrudecommonsensequicklydismissedthatsuggestionofhiswife’scomplicitywithVanLoo。
　　Buthadsheseenhimpassingthroughthehotelthatnight，andhadsoughttodrawfromhimsomeknowledgeofhisearlyintercoursewiththechild，andconfessedeverything，andevenproducedthepaperwithhissignatureasaproofofidentity？Womenhadbeenknowntodosuchdesperatethings。Perhapsshedisbelievedherson’saversiontoher，andwastryingtosoundVanLoo。AsfortheforgedwordsbyVanLoo，andtheusehehadputthemto，hecaredlittle。Hebelievedthemanwascapableofforgery；indeed，hesuddenlyrememberedthatintheolddayshissonhadspokeninnocently，butadmiringly，ofVanLoo’swonderfulchirographicalpowersandhisfacultyofimitatingthewritingsofothers，andhowhehadevenofferedtoteachhim。Anewandexasperatingthoughtcameintohisfeverishconsciousness。WhatifVanLoo，inteachingtheboy，hadevenmadeuseofhimasaninnocentaccomplicetocoveruphisowntricks！ThesuggestionwasnoquestionofmoralethicstoSteptoe，norofhisson’spossiblecontamination，althoughsincethenightofthebigstrikehehadhelddifferentviews；itwassimplyafierce，selfishjealousythatANOTHERmighthaveprofitedbythelad’shelplessnessandinexperience。Hehadbeentormentedbythisjealousybeforeinhisson’slikingforVanLoo。Hehadatfirstencouragedhisadmirationandimitativeregardforthissmoothswindler’sgracesandaccomplishments，which，thoughhescornedthemhimself，hewas，afterthecommonparentalinfatuation，willingthattheboyshouldprofitby。
　　Incapable，throughhisownconsciousness，ofdistinguishingbetweenVanLoo’ssuperficialpolishandthetruebreedingofagentleman，hehadonlylookeduponitasanequipmentforhissonwhichmightbeserviceabletohimself。HehadtoldhiswifethetruthwhenheinformedherofVanLoo’sfearsofbeingremindedoftheirformerintimacy；buthehadnottoldherhowitsdiscontinuanceaftertheyhadleftHeavyTreeHillhadaffectedherson，andhowhestillcherishedhisoldadmirationforthatspeciousrascal。Norhadhetoldherhowthishadstunghim，throughhisownselfishgreedoftheboy’saffection。YetnowthatitwaspossiblethatshehadmetVanLoothatevening，shemighthavebecomeawareofVanLoo’spoweroverherchild。Howshewouldexult，forallherpretendedhatredofVanLoo！How，perhaps，theyhadplottedtogether！HowVanLoomighthavebecomeawareoftheplacewherehissonwaskept，andhavebeenbribedbythemothertotellher！Hestoppedinawhirlofgiddyfancies。Hisstrongcommonsenseinallotherthingshadbeenhithertoproofagainstsuchidledreamsorsuggestions；buttheverystrengthofhisparentalloveandjealousyhadawakenedinhimatlasttheterrorsofimagination。
　　Hisfirstimpulsehadbeentoseekhiswife，regardlessofdiscoveryorconsequences，atHymettus，whereshehadsaidshewasgoing。ItwasonhiswaytotherendezvousatMarshall’sclaim。
　　Butthisheasinstantlysetaside，itwashisSONhemustfind；
　　SHEmightnotconfess，ormightdeceivehim——theboywouldnot；andifhisfearswerecorrect，shecouldbearraignedafterwards。ItwaspossibleforhimtoreachthelittleMissionchurchandschool，secludedinaremotevalleybytheoldFranciscanfathers，wherehehadplacedtheboyforthelastfewyearsunknowntohiswife。Itwouldbealongride，buthecouldstillreachHeavyTreeHillafterwardsbeforeMarshallandtheexpertarrived。Andhehadafeelinghehadneverfeltbeforeontheeveofadesperateadventure，——thathemustseetheboyfirst。Herememberedhowthechildhadoftenaccompaniedhiminhisflight，andhowhehadgainedstrength，and，itseemedtohim，akindofluck，fromthetouchofthatsmallhandinhis。SurelyitwasnecessarynowthatatleasthismindshouldbeatrestregardingHIMontheeveofanaffairofthismoment。Perhapshemightneverseehimagain。Atanyothertime，andundertheinfluenceofanyotheremotion，hewouldhavescornedsuchasentimentalism——hewhohadnevertroubledhimselfeitherwithpreparationforthefutureorconsiderationforthepast。Butatthatmomenthefeltboth。Hedrewalongbreath。
　　HecouldcatchthenexttraintotheThreeBouldersandridethencetoSanFelipe。Hehurriedlylefttheroom，settledwiththelandlord，andgallopedtothestation。BytheironyofcircumstancestheonlyhorseavailableforthatpurposewasMr。Hamlin’sown。
　　Bytwoo’clockhewasattheThreeBoulders，wherehegotafasthorseandgallopedintoSanFelipebyfour。Ashedescendedthelastslopethroughthefastnessesofpinestowardsthelittlevalleyoverlookedinitsremotenessandpurelypastoralsimplicitybythegold-seekingimmigrants，——itsseclusionasoneofthefurthestnorthernCalifornianmissionsstillpreservedthroughitsinsignificanceandtheeffortsoftheremainingBrotherhood，whouseditasaninfirmaryandaschoolforthefewremainingSpanishfamilies，——herememberedhowheonceblundereduponitwiththeboywhilehotlypursuedbyahueandcryfromoneofthelargertowns，andhowhefoundsanctuarythere。Herememberedhow，whenthepursuitwasover，hehadplacedtheboythereunderthepadre’scharge。Hehadliedtohiswiferegardingthewhereaboutsofherson，buthehadspokentrulyregardinghisfreeexpenditurefortheboy’smaintenance，andthegoodfathershadaccepted，equallyforthechild’ssakeasfortheChurch’ssake，thegenerous"restitution"whichthiscoarse，powerful，ruffianlylookingfatherwasapparentlyseekingtomake。Hewasquiteawareofitatthetime，andhadequallyaccepteditwithgrimcynicism；butitnowcamebacktohimwithanewandsmartingsignificance。MightTHEY，too，notsucceedinweaningtheboy’saffectionfromhim，orifthemotherhadinterfered，wouldtheynotsidewithherinclaiminganequalright？Hehadsometimeslaughedtohimselfoverthesecurityofthishiding-place，sounknownandsounlikelytobediscoveredbyher，yetwithineasyreachofherfriendsandhisenemies；henowgroundhisteethoverthemistakewhichhisdotingdesiretokeephissonaccessibletohimhadcausedhimtomake。Heputspurstohishorse，dasheddownthelittle，narrow，ill-pavedstreet，throughthedesertedplaza，andpulledupinacloudofdustbeforetheonlyremainingtower，withitscrackedbelfry，ofthehalf-ruinedMissionchurch。Anewdormitoryandschool-
　　buildinghadbeenextendedfromitswalls，butinasubdued，harmonious，modestway，quiteunliketheusualglaringwhite-pinegloriesofprovincialtowns。Steptoelaughedtohimselfbitterly。
　　Someofhismoneyhadgoneinit。
　　Heseizedthehorsehairropedanglingfromabellbythewallandrangitsharply。Asoft-footedpriestappeared，——FatherDominico。
　　"EddyHorncastle？Ah！yes。Eddy，dearchild，isgone。"
　　"Gone！"shoutedSteptoeinavoicethatstartledthepadre。
　　"Where？When？Withwhom？"
　　"Pardon，senor，butforatime——onlyapaseartothenextvillage。
　　Itishissaint’sday——hehashalf-holiday。Heisagoodboy。Itisalittlepleasureforhimandforus。"
　　"Oh！"saidSteptoe，softenedintoaroughapology。"Iforgot。Allright。Hashehadanyvisitorslately——lady，forinstance？"
　　FatherDominicocastalookhalfoffright，halfofreprovaluponhisguest。
　　"AladyHERE！"
　　InhisreliefSteptoeburstintoacoarselaugh。"Ofcourse；youseeIforgotthat，too。Iwasthinkingofoneofhiswomanfolks，youknow——relatives——aunts。Wasthereanyothervisitor？"
　　"Onlyone。Ah！weknowthesenor’srulesregardinghisson。"
　　"One？"repeatedSteptoe。"Whowasit？"
　　"Oh，quiteanhidalgo——anoldfriendofthechild’s——mostpolite，mostaccomplished，fluentinSpanish，perfectindeportment。TheSenorHorncastlesurelycouldfindnothingtoobjectto。FatherPedrowascharmedwithhim。Amanofaffairs，andyetagoodCatholic，too。ItwasaSenorVanLoo——DonPaultheboycalledhim，andtheytalkedoftheboy’sstudiesintheolddaysasif——
　　indeed，butforthestrangerbeingacaballeroandmanoftheworld——asifhehadbeenhisteacher。"
　　Itwasaproofoftheintensityofthefather’sfeelingsthattheyhadpassedbeyondthepowerofhisusualcoarse，brutalexpression，andheonlystaredatthepriestwithadullredfaceinwhichthebloodseemedtohavestagnated。Presentlyhesaidthickly，"Whendidhecome？"
　　"Afewdaysago。"
　　"WhichwaydidEddygo？"
　　"ToBrown’sMills，scarcelyaleagueaway。Hewillbehere——evennow——ontheinstant。ButthesenorwillcomeintotherefectoryandtakesomeoftheoldMissionwinefromtheCatalangrape，plantedonehundredandfiftyyearsago，untilthedearchildreturns。Hewillbesohappy。"
　　"No！I’minahurry。Iwillgoonandmeethim。"Hetookoffhishat，moppedhiscrisp，wethairwithhishandkerchief，andinathick，slow，impededvoice，moresuggestivethantheoutburstherestrained，said，"Andaslongasmysonremainsherethatman，VanLoo，mustnotpassthisgate，speaktohim，orevenseehim。Youhearme？Seetoit，youandalltheothers。Seetoit，Isay，or"——Hestoppedabruptly，clappedhishatontheswollenveinsofhisforehead，turnedquickly，passedoutwithoutanotherwordthroughthearchwayintotheroad，andbeforethegoodpriestcouldcrosshimselforrecoverfromhisastonishmentthethudofhishorse’shoofscamefromthedustyroad。
　　Itwastenminutesbeforehisfaceresumeditsusualcolor。Butinthattenminutes，asifsomeofthestruggleofhisriderhadpassedintohim，hishorsewassweatingwithexhaustionandfear。
　　Forinthattenminutes，inthisnewimaginationwithwhichhewascursed，hehadkilledbothVanLooandhisson，andburnedtherefectoryovertheheadsofthetreacherouspriests。Then，quitehimselfagain，avoicecametohimfromtherockytrailabovetheroadwiththehailof"Father！"Hestartedquicklyasaladoffifteenorsixteencameboundingdownthehillside，andrantowardshim。
　　"YoupassedmeandIcalledtoyou，butyoudidnotseemtohear，"
　　saidtheboybreathlessly。"ThenIranafteryou。HaveyoubeentotheMission？"
　　Steptoelookedathimquiteasbreathlessly，butfromadeeperemotion。Hewas，evenatfirstsight，ahandsomelad，glowingwithyouthandtheexcitementofhisrun，and，asthefatherlookedathim，hecouldseethelikenesstohismotherinhisclear-cutfeatures，andevenaresemblancetohimselfinhissquare，compactchestandshouldersandcrisp，blackcurls。Athrillofpurelyanimalpaternitypassedoverhim，thefiercejoyofhisfleshoverhisownflesh！Hisownson，byGod！TheycouldnottakeTHATfromhim；theymightplot，swindle，fawn，cheat，lie，andstealawayhisaffections，buttherehewas，plaintoalleyes，hisownson，hisveryson！
　　"Comehere，"hesaidinasingular，half-wearyandhalf-protestingvoice，whichtheboyinstantlyrecognizedashisfather’saccentsofaffection。
　　Theboyhesitatedashestoodontheedgeoftheroadandpointedwithmingledmischiefandfastidiousnesstothedepthsofimpalpablereddustthatlaybetweenhimandthehorseman。Steptoesawthathewasverysmartlyattiredinholidayguise，withwhiteducktrousersandpatentleathershoes，and，aftertheSpanishfashion，woreblackkidgloves。Hecertainlywasabitofadandy，ashehadsaid。Thefather’swholefacechangedashewheeledandcamebeforethelad，wholifteduphisarmsexpectantly。Theyhadoftenriddentogetheronthesamehorse。
　　"Noridesto-dayinthattoggery，Eddy，"hesaidinthesamevoice。
　　"ButI’llgetdownandwe’llgoandsitsomewhereunderatreeandhavesometalk。I’vegotabitofajobthat’shurryingme，andI
　　can’twastetime。"
　　"Notoneofyouroldjobs，father？Ithoughtyouhadquitegiventhatup？"
　　Theboyspokemorecarelesslythanreproachfully，orevenwonderingly；yet，ashedismountedandtetheredhishorse，Steptoeansweredevasively，"It’sabigthing，sonny；maybewe’llmakeoureternalfortune，andthenwe’lllightoutfromthisholeandhaveagaytimeelsewhere。Comealong。"
　　Hetooktheboy’sglovedrighthandinhisownpowerfulgrasp，andtogethertheyclamberedupthesteephillsidetoarockyledgeonwhichafallenpinefromabovehadcrashed，snappeditselfintwain，andthenleftitswitheredcrowntohanghalfdowntheslope，whiletheotherhalfrestedontheledge。Onthistheysat，lookingdownupontheroadandthetetheredhorse。Agentlebreezemovedthetreetopsabovetheirheads，andthewesteringsunplayedhide-and-seekwiththeshiftingshadows。Theboy’sfacewasquickandalertwithallthatmovedroundhim，butwithoutthoughtthefather’sfacewasheavy，exceptfortheeyesthatwerefixeduponhisson。
　　"VanLoocametotheMission，"hesaidsuddenly。
　　Theboy’seyesglitteredquickly，likeasteelthatpiercedthefather’sheart。"Oh，"hesaidsimply，"thenitwasthepadretoldyou？"
　　"Howdidheknowyouwerehere？"askedSteptoe。
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidtheboyquietly。"Ithinkhesaidsomething，butI’veforgottenit。Butitwasmightygoodofhimtocome，forIthought，youknow，thathedidnotcaretoseemeafterHeavyTree，andthathe’dgonebackonus。"
　　"Whatdidhetellyou？"continuedSteptoe。"Didhetalkofmeorofyourmother？"
　　"No，"saidtheboy，butwithoutanyshowofinterestorsympathy；
　　"wetalkedmostlyaboutoldtimes。"
　　"TellMEaboutthoseoldtimes，Eddy。Younevertoldmeanythingaboutthem。"
　　Theboy，momentarilyarrestedmorebysomethinginthetoneofhisfather’svoice——aweaknesshehadnevernoticedbefore——thanbyanysuggestionofhiswords，saidwithalaugh，"Oh，onlyaboutwhatweusedtodowhenIwasverylittleandusedtocallmyselfhis’littlebrother，’——don’tyouremember，longbeforethebigstrikeonHeavyTree？Theyweregaytimeswehadthen。"
　　"Andhowheusedtoteachyoutoimitateotherpeople’shandwriting？"saidSteptoe。
　　"Whatmadeyouthinkofthat，pop？"saidtheboy，withaslightwonderinhiseyes。"Why，that’stheverythingweDIDtalkabout。"
　　"Butyoudidn’tdoitagain；youain’tdoneitsince，"saidSteptoequickly。
　　"Lord！no，"saidtheboycontemptuously。"Thereain’tnochancenow，andtherewouldn’tbeanyfuninit。Itisn’tliketheoldtimeswhenhimandmewereallalone，andweusedtowritelettersascomingfromotherpeopletoalltheboysroundHeavyTreeandtheBar，andsometimesasfarasBoomville，togetthemtodothings，andthey’dthinktheletterswerereal，andthey’ddo’em。
　　Andthere’dbethebiggestkindofarow，andnobodyeverknewwhodidit。"
　　Steptoestaredatthisfleshofhisownfleshhalfinrelief，halfinfrightenedadmiration。Sittingastridethelog，hiselbowsonhiskneesandhisglovedhandssupportinghisroundcheeks，theboy’shandsomefacebecameilluminatedwithanimpishdevilrywhichthefatherhadneverseenbefore。Withdancingeyeshewenton。
　　"Itwasoneofthoseverygamesweplayedsolongagothathewantedtoseemeaboutandwantedmetokeepmumabout，forsomeofthefolksthatheplayeditonwerearoundherenow。Itwasagamewegotoffononeofthebigstrikepartnerslongbeforethestrike。I’lltellYOU，dad，foryouknowwhathappenedafterwards，andyou’llbeglad。Well，thatpartner——Demorest——wasakindofsilly，youremember——asortofMissNancyishfellow——alwaysgloomyandlovesickafterhisgirlintheStates。Well，we’dwrittenlotsofletterstogirlsfromtheirchapsbefore，andgotlotsoffunoutofit；butwehadevenabettershowforagamehere，forithappenedthatVanLooknewallaboutthegirl——thingsthateventheman’sownpartnersdidn’t，forVanLoo’smotherwasasortofafriendofthegirl’sfamily，andtraveledaboutwithher，andknewthatthegirlwasspoonyoverthisDemorest，andthattheycorresponded。So，knowingthatVanLoowasemployedatHeavyTree，shewrotetohimtofindoutallaboutDemorestandhowtostoptheirfoolishnonsense，forthegirl’sparentsdidn’twanthertomarryabroken-downminerlikehim。Sowethoughtwe’ddoitourownway，andwritealettertoherasifitwasfromhim，don’tyousee？Iwantedtomakehimcallherawfulnames，andsaythathehatedher，thathewasamurdererandahorse-thief，andthathehadkilledapoliceman，andthathewasthinkingofbecomingaDiggerInjin，andhavingaDiggersquawforawife，whichhelikedbetterthanher。Lord！dad，yououghttohaveseenwhatstuffI
　　madeup。"Theboyburstintoashrill，half-femininelaugh，andSteptoe，catchingtheinfection，laughedloudlyinhisowncoarse，brutalfashion。
　　Forsomemomentstheysattherelookingineachother’sfaces，shakingwithsympatheticemotion，thefatherforgettingthepurposeofhiscomingthere，hisrageoverVanLoo’svisit，andeventherendezvoustowhichhishorseintheroadbelowwaswaitingtobringhim；thesonforgettingtheirretreatfromHeavyTreeHillandhisshamefulvagabondwanderingswiththatfatherintheyearsthatfollowed。Thesinkingsunstaredblanklyintheirfaces；theprotectingpinesabovethemmovedbyastrongergustshookafewconesuponthem；anenormouscrowmockinglyrepeatedthefather’scoarselaugh，andasquirrelscamperedawayfromthestrangelyassortedpairasSteptoe，wipinghiseyesandforeheadwithhispocket-handkerchief，said：——
　　"Anddidyousendit？"
　　"Oh！VanLoothoughtittoostrong。Saidthatthosesortoflove-
　　sickfoolsmademorefussoverlittlethingsthantheydidoverbigthings，andhesortoftoneditdown，andfixedituphimself。Butittold。Fortherewereneveranymorelettersinthepost-officeinherhandwriting，andtherewasn’tanypostedtoherinhis。"
　　Theybothlaughedagain，andthenSteptoerose。"Imustbegettingalong，"hesaid，lookingcuriouslyattheboy。"I’vegottocatchatrainatThreeBouldersStation。"
　　"ThreeBoulders！"repeatedtheboy。"I’mgoingthere，too，onFriday，tomeetFatherCipriano。"
　　"IreckonmyworkwillbealldonebyFriday，"saidSteptoemusingly。Standingthus，holdinghisboy’shand，hewasthinkingthattherealfightatMarshall’swouldnottakeplaceatonce，foritmighttakeadayortwoforMarshalltogatherforces。Butheonlypressedhisson’shandgently。
　　"Iwishyouwouldsometimestakemewithyouasyouusedto，"saidtheboycuriously。"I’mbiggernow，andwouldn’tbeinyourway。
　　Steptoelookedattheboywithachokingsenseofsatisfactionandpride。Buthesaid，"No；"andthensuddenlywithsimulatedhumor，"Don’tyoubetakeninbyanylettersfromME，suchasyouandVanLoousedtowrite。Youhear？"
　　Theboylaughed。
　　"And，"continuedSteptoe，"ifanybodysaysIsentforyou，don’tyoubelievethem。"
　　"No，"saidtheboy，smiling。
　　"Anddon’tyouevenbelieveI’mdeadtillyouseemeso。Youunderstand。Bytheway，FatherPedrohassomemoneyofminekeptforyou。Nowhurrybacktoschoolandsayyoumetme，butthatI
　　wasinagreathurry。IreckonImayhavebeenratherroughtothepriests。"
　　Theyhadreachedthelowerroadagain，andSteptoesilentlyunhitchedhishorse。"Good-by，"hesaid，ashelaidhishandontheboy’sarm。
　　"Good-by，dad。"
　　Hemountedhishorseslowly。"Well，"hesaidsmilingly，lookingdowntheroad，"youain’tgotanythingmoretosaytome，haveyou？"
　　"No，dad。"
　　"Nothin’youwant？"
　　"Nothin’，dad。"
　　"Allright。Good-by。"
　　Heputspurstohishorseandcantereddowntheroadwithoutlookingback。Theboywatchedhimwithidlecuriosityuntilhedisappearedfromsight，andthenwentonhisway，whistlingandstrikingofftheheadsofthewaysideweedswithhiswalking-stick。
　　CHAPTERVII。
　　ThesunarosesobrightlyoverHymettusonthemorningafterthemeetingofthethreepartnersthatitwassmallwonderthatBarker’simpressionablenaturequicklyrespondedtoit，and，withoutawakeningthestillsleepingchild，hedressedhurriedly，andwasthefirsttogreetitinthekeenairoftheslopebehindthehotel。Tohispantheisticspiritithadalwaysseemedasnaturalforhimtoearlywelcomehisreturningbrothersofthewoodsandhillsastosaygood-morningtohisfellowmortals。And，inthejoyofseeingBlackSpurrisingagaintohislevelinthedistancebeforehim，hedoffedhishattoitwithareturnofhisoldboyishhabit，laidhisarmcaressinglyaroundthegreatgirthofthenearestpine，clappedhishandstothescamperingsquirrelsinhispath，andwhistledtothedippingjays。Inthiswayhequiteforgotthemoreseriousaffairsoftheprecedingnight，or，rather，sawthemonlyinthegildingofthemorning，until，lookingup，heperceivedthetallfigureofDemorestapproachinghim；andthenitstruckhimwithhisfirstglanceathisoldpartner’sfacethathisusualsuave，gentlemelancholyhadbeensucceededbyacriticalcynicismoflookandarestrainedbitternessofaccent。
　　Barker’sloyalheartsmotehimforhisownselfishness；DemoresthadbeenhardhitbythediscoveryoftheforgeryandStacy’sconcerninit，andhaddoubtlesspassedarestlessnight，whilehe（Barker）hadforgottenallaboutit。"Ithoughtofknockingatyourdoor，asIpassed，"hesaid，withsympatheticapology，"butI
　　wasafraidImightdisturbyou。Isn’titglorioushere？Quiteliketheoldhill。Lookatthatlizard；hehasn’tmovedsincehefirstsawme。Doyouremembertheonewhousedtostealoursugar，andthenstiffenhimselfintostoneontheedgeofthebowluntilhelookedlikeanornamentalhandletoit？"hecontinued，reboundingagainintospirits。
　　"Barker，"saidDemorestabruptly，"whatsortofwomanisthisMrs。
　　VanLoo，whoseroomsIoccupy？"
　　"Oh，"saidBarker，withoptimisticinnocence，"amostproperwoman，oldchap。White-haired，well-dressed，withalittleforeignaccentandastillmoreforeigncourtesy。Why，youdon’tsupposewe’d"——
　　"Butwhatisshelike？"saidDemorestimpatiently。
　　"Well，"saidBarkerthoughtfully，"she’sthekindofwomanwhomightbeVanLoo’smother，Isuppose。"
　　"Youmeanthemotherofaforgerandaswindler？"askedDemorestsharply。
　　"Therearenomothersofswindlersandforgers，"saidBarkergravely，"inthewayyoumean。It’sonlythosepoordevils，"hesaid，pointing，nevertheless，withacertainadmirationtoacirclingsparrow-hawkabovehim，"whohaveinheritedinstincts。
　　WhatImeanisthatshemightbeVanLoo’smother，becausehedidn’tSELECTher。"
　　"Wheredidshecomefrom？andhowlonghasshebeenhere？"askedDemorest。
　　"Shecamefromabroad，Ibelieve。Andshecameherejustafteryouleft。VanLoo，afterhebecamesecretaryoftheDitchCompany，sentforherandherdaughtertokeephouseforhim。Butyou’llseeherto-dayorto-morrowprobably，whenshereturns。I’llintroduceyou；she’llberathergladtomeetsomeonefromabroad，andallthemoreifhehappenstoberichanddistinguished，andeligibleforherdaughter。"Hestoppedsuddenlyinhissmile，rememberingDemorest’slifelongsecret。Buttohissurprisehiscompanion’sface，insteadofdarkeningasitwaswonttodoatanysuchallusion，brightenedsuddenlywithasingularexcitementasheanswereddryly，"Ahwell，ifthegirlispretty，whoknows！"
　　Indeed，hisspiritsseemedtohavereturnedwithstrangevivacityastheywalkedbacktothehotel，andheaskedmanyotherquestionsregardingMrs。VanLooandherdaughter，andparticularlyifthedaughterhadalsobeenabroad。WhentheyreachedtheverandatheyfoundafewearlyriserseagerlyreadingtheSacramentopapers，whichhadjustarrived，or，inlittleknots，discussingthenews。
　　Indeed，theywouldprobablyhavestoppedBarkerandhiscompanionhadnotBarker，anxioustorelievehisfriend’scuriosity，hurriedwithhimatoncetothemanager’soffice。
　　"CanyoutellmeexactlywhenyouexpectMrs。VanLootoreturn？"
　　askedBarkerquickly。
　　Themanagerwithdifficultydetachedhimselffromthenewspaperwhichhe，too，wasanxiouslyperusing，andsaid，withapeculiarsmile，"Wellno！sheWAStoreturnto-day，butifyou’rewantingtokeepherrooms，Ishouldsaytherewouldn’tbeanytroubleaboutit，asshe’llhardlybecomingbackhereNOW。She’sratherhighandmightyinstyle，Iknow，andadeterminedsortofcritter，butIreckonsheandherdaughterwouldn’tcaremuchtobewaltzingroundinpublicafterwhathashappened。"
　　"Idon’tunderstandyou，"saidDemorestimpatiently。"WHAThashappened？"
　　"Haven’tyouheardthenews？"saidthemanagerinsurprise。"It’sinalltheSacramentopapers。VanLooisadefaulter——hashypothecatedeverythinghehadandskedaddled。"
　　Barkerstarted。Hewasnotthinkingofthelossofhiswife’smoney——onlyofHERdisappointmentandmortificationoverit。Poorgirl！Perhapsshewasalsoworryingoverhisresentment，——asifshedidnotknowhim！HewouldgotoheratonceatBoomville。
　　ThenherememberedthatshewascomingwithMrs。Horncastle，andmightbealreadyonherwayherebyrailorcoach，andhewouldmissher。Demorestinthemeantimehadseizedapaper，andwasintentlyreadingit。
　　"There’sbadnews，too，foryourfriend，youroldpartner，"saidthemanagerhalfsympathetically，halfinterrogatively。"Therehasbeenadropoutineverythingthebankiscarrying，andeverybodyisunloading。Twofirmsfailedin’Friscoyesterdaythatwerecarryingthingsforthebank，andhavethrowneverythingbackonit。Therewasanawfulpaniclastnight，andtheysaynoneofthebigspeculatorsknowwheretheystand。Threeofourbestcustomersinthehotelrushedofftothebaythismorning，butStacyhimselfstartedbeforedaylight，andgotthethroughnightexpresstostopforhimontheDivideonsignal。ShallIsendanytelegramsthatmaycometoyourroom？"
　　Demorestknewthatthemanagersuspectedhimofbeinginterestedinthebank，andunderstoodthepurportofthequestion。Heanswered，withcalmsurprise，thathewasexpectingnotelegrams，andadded，"ButifMrs。VanLooreturnsIbegyoutoatonceletmeknow，"andtakingBarker’sarmhewentintobreakfast。Seatedbythemselves，Demorestlookedathiscompanion。"I’mafraid，Barkerboy，thatthisthingismoreserioustoJimthanweexpectedlastnight，orthanhecaredtotellus。Andyou，oldman，IfeararehurtalittlebyVanLoo’sflight。Hehadsomemoneyofyourwife’s，hadn’the？"
　　Barker，whoknewthatthebulkofDemorest’sfortunewasinStacy’shands，wastouchedatthisproofofhisunselfishthought，andansweredwithequalunselfishnessthathewasconcernedonlybythefearofMrs。Barker’sdisappointment。"Why，Lord！Phil，whethershe’slostorsavedhermoneyit’snothingtome。Igaveittohertodowhatshelikedwithit，butI’mafraidshe’llbeworryingoverwhatIthinkofit，——asifshedidnotknowme！AndI’mhalfamind，ifitwerenotformissingher，togoovertoBoomville，whereshe’sstopping。"
　　"IthoughtyousaidshewasinSanFrancisco？"saidDemorestabstractedly。
　　Barkercolored。"Yes，"heansweredquickly。"ButI’veheardsincethatshestoppedatBoomvilleontheway。"
　　"Thendon’tletMEkeepyouhere，"returnedDemorest。"ForifJimtelegraphstomeIshallstartforSanFranciscoatonce，andI
　　ratherthinkhewill。Ididnotliketosaysobeforethosepanic-
　　mongersoutsidewhoarestampedingeverything；sorunalong，Barkerboy，andeaseyourmindaboutthewife。Wemayhaveotherthingstothinkaboutsoon。"
　　Thusadjured，Barkerrosefromhishalf-finishedbreakfastandslippedaway。Yethewasnotquitecertainwhattodo。HiswifemusthaveheardthenewsatBoomvilleasquicklyashehad，and，ifso，wouldbeonherwaywithMrs。Horncastle；orshemightbewaitingforhim——knowing，too，thathehadheardthenews——infearandtrembling。ForitwasBarker’scustomtoendowallthosehecaredforwithhisownsensitiveness，anditwasnotlikehimtoreflectthatthewomanwhohadsorecklesslyspeculatedagainsthisopinionwouldscarcelyfearhisreproachesinherdefeat。InthefullnessofhishearthetelegraphedtoherincaseshehadnotyetleftBoomville："Allright。Haveheardnews。Understandperfectly。
　　Don’tworry。Cometome。"Thenheleftthehotelbythestableentranceinordertoevadetheguestswhohadcongregatedontheveranda，andmadehiswaytoalittlewoodedcrestwhichheknewcommandedaviewofthetworoadsfromBoomville。Herehedeterminedtowaitandinterceptherbeforeshereachedthehotel。
　　Heknewthatmanyoftheguestswereawareofhiswife’sspeculationswithVanLoo，andthathewasherbroker。Hewishedtospareherrunningthegauntletoftheircuriousstaresandcommentsasshedroveupalone。AshewasclimbingtheslopethecoachfromSacramentodashedpasthimontheroadbelow，butheknewthatithadchangedhorsesatBoomvilleatfouro’clock，andthathistiredwifewouldnothaveavailedherselfofitatthathour，particularlyasshecouldnothaveyetreceivedthefatefulnews。Hethrewhimselfunderalargepine，andwatchedthestagecoachdisappearasitsweptroundintothecourtyardofthehotel。
　　Hesatthereforsomemomentswithhiseyesbentuponthetwoforksoftheredroadthatdivergedbelowhim，butwhichappearedtobecomewhiterandmoredazzlingashesearchedtheirdistance。
　　Therewasnothingtobeseenexceptanoccasionalpuffofdustwhicheventuallyrevealedahorsemanoralongtrailingcloudoutofwhichasolitarymule，oneofapack-trainofsixoreight，wouldmomentarilyemergeandbelostagain。Thenhesuddenlyheardhisnamecalled，and，lookingup，sawMrs。Horncastle，whohadhaltedafewpacesfromhimbetweentwocolumnsofthelong-drawnaisleofpines。
　　Inthatmysterioushalf-lightsheseemedsuchabeautifulandgoddess-likefigurethathisconsciousnessatfirstwasunabletograspanythingelse。Shewasalwayswonderfullywelldressed，butthewarmthandseclusionofthismountainmorninghadenabledhertowearalightgownofsomedelicatefabricwhichsetoffthegraceofherfigure，andevenpardonedtheruralcoquetryofasilkensasharoundherstillslenderwaist。Anopenwhiteparasolthrownoverhershouldermadeanimbusforhercharmingheadandthethickcoilsofhairunderherlace-edgedhat。Hehadneverseenherlooksobeautifulbefore。Andthatthoughtwassoplainlyinhisfrankfaceandeyesashesprangtohisfeetthatitbroughtaslightriseofcolortoherowncheek。
　　"IsawyouclimbinguphereasIpassedinthecoachafewminutesago，"shesaid，withasmile，"andassoonasIhadshakenthedustoffIfollowedyou。"
　　"Where’sKitty？"hestammered。
　　Thecolorfadedfromherfaceasithadcome，andashadeofsomethinglikereproachcreptintoherdarkeyes。Andwhateverithadbeenherpurposetosay，orhowevercarefullyshemighthavepreparedherselfforthisinterview，shewasevidentlytakenabackbythesuddendirectnessoftheinquiry。Barkersawthisasquickly，andasquicklyreferredittohisownrudeness。Hiswholesoulrushedinapologytohisfaceashesaid，"Oh，forgiveme！I
　　wasanxiousaboutKitty；indeed，IhadthoughtofcomingagaintoBoomville，foryou’veheardthenews，ofcourse？VanLooisadefaulter，andhasrunawaywiththepoorchild’smoney。"
　　Mrs。Horncastlehadheardthenewsatthehotel。Shepausedamomenttocollectherself，andthensaidslowlyandtentatively，withawatchfulintensityinhereyes，"Mrs。Barkerwent，Ithink，totheDivide"——
　　ButshewasinstantlyinterruptedbytheeagerBarker。"Isee。I
　　thoughtofthatatonce。Shewentdirectlytothecompany’sofficestoseeifshecouldsaveanythingfromthewreckbeforeshesawme。Itwaslikeher，poorgirl！Andyou——you，"hewentoneagerly，hiswholefacebeamingwithgratitude，——"you，outofyourgoodness，cameheretotellme。"Heheldoutbothhandsandtookhersinhis。