第5章

"Oh，IhadtogivehimsomekindofreasonformybeingalonewhenIdidnotfindyouasIexpected，"shesaidhalfwearily。Thenachangecameoverhertiredface；asmileofmingledaudacityandtentativecoquetrylitupthesmallfeatures。"Perhapsitistrue；

perhapsImayhaveahusbandcomingonthesteamer——thatdepends。

Sitdown，Jim。”

Shelethishanddrop，andpointedtoanarmchairfromwhichshehadjustrisen，andsankdownherselfinacornerofthesofa，herthinfingersplayingwithanddrawingthemselvesthroughthetasselsofthecushion。

"Yousee，Jim，assoonasIwasfree，LouisSylvester——yourememberLouisSylvester？——wantedtomarryme，andeventhoughtthathewasthecauseofDick"sdivorcingme。HeactuallywentEasttosettleupsomepropertyhehadlefthimthere，andhe"scomingonthesteamer。”

"LouisSylvester!"repeatedReddy，staringather。"Why，hewasabiggerfoolthanIwas，andaworseman!"headdedbitterly。

"Ibelievehewas，"saidthelady，smiling，"andIthinkhestillis。But，"sheadded，glancingatReddyunderherlightfringedlids，"you——you"reregularlyreformed，aren"tyou？You"restouter，too，andaltogethermoresolidandcommerciallooking。Yetwho"dhavethoughtofyourkeepingahoteloreverdoinganythingbutspeculateinwild-catorplayatdrawpoker。Howdidyoudriftintoit？Come，tellme!I"mnotMrs。Sylvesterjustyet，andmaybeImightliketogointothebusinesstoo。Youdon"twantapartner，doyou？"

Hermannerwaslightandirresponsible，orratheritsuggestedachildlikeputtingofallresponsibilityforheractionsuponothers，whichherememberednowtoowell。Perhapsitwasthiswhichkepthimfromobservingthatthecornersofhersmilinglips，however，twitchedslightly，andthatherfingers，twistingthethreadsofthetassel，wereoccasionallystiffenednervously。Forheburstout:Ohyes；hehaddriftedintoitwhenitwasatossupifitwasn"thisbodyinsteadthatwouldbefounddriftingouttoseafromthefirstwharfofSanFrancisco。Yes，hehadbeenacommonlaborer，——afarmhand，inthosefieldsshehadpassed，——awaiterinthefarmkitchen，andbutforluckhemightbetakingherordersnowinthisveryhotel。Itwasnotherfaultifhewasnotinthegutter。

Sheraisedherthinhandwithatiredgestureasiftowardofftheonsetofhiswords。"ThesameoldJim，"sherepeated；"andyetI

thoughtyouhadforgottenallthatnow，andbecomecalmerandmoresensiblesinceyouhadtakenfleshandgrownsomatteroffact。

Yououghttohaveknownthen，asyouknownow，thatInevercouldhavebeenanythingtoyouaslongasIwastiedtoDick。Andyouknowyouforcedyourpresentsonme，Jim。ItookthemfromYOU

becauseIwouldtakenothingfromDick，forIhatedhim。AndI

neverknewpositivelythatyouwereinstraitsthen；youknowyoualwaystalkedbig，Jim，andwerealwaysgoingtomakeyourfortunewiththenextthingyouhadinhand!"

Itwastrue，andherememberedit。Hehadnotintendedthiskindofrecrimination，buthewasexasperatedwithherweariedacceptanceofhisreproachesandbyasuddenconvictionthathislong-cherishedgrievanceagainsthernowthathehadvoiceditwasinadequate，mean，andtrifling。Yethecouldnothelpsaying:——

"ThenyouhadpresentsfromSylvester，too。Ipresumeyoudidnothatehim，either？"

"HewouldhavemarriedmethedayafterIgotmydivorce。”

"AndsowouldI，"burstoutReddy。

Shelookedathimfixedly。"Youwould？"shesaidwithapeculiaremphasis。"Andnow"——

Hecolored。IthadbeenpartofhisrevengefulpurposeonseeinghertotellherofhisengagementtoKelly。Henowfoundhimselftongue-tied，irresolute，andashamed。Yethefeltshewasreadinghisinnermostthoughts。

She，however，onlyloweredhereyes，andwiththesametiredexpressionsaid:"Nomatternow。Letustalkofsomethingnearer。

Thatwastwomonthsago。Andsoyouhavechargeofthishotel!I

likeitsomuch。Imeantheplaceitself。IfancyIcouldlivehereforever。Itissofarawayandrestful。Iamsosickoftownsandcities，andpeople。Andthislittlegroveissosecluded。Ifonehadmerelyalittlecottagehere，onemightbesohappy。”

Whatdidshemean？——whatdidsheexpect？——whatdidshethinkofdoing？ShemustbegotridofbeforeKelly"sarrival，andyethefoundhimselfwaveringunderherpotentandyetscarcelyexertedinfluence。Thedesperationofweaknessisapttobemorebrutalthanthedeterminationofstrength。Herememberedwhyhehadcomeupstairs，andblurtedout:"Butyoucan"tstayhere。Therulesareverystringentinregardto——tostrangerslikeyourself。Itwillbeknownwhoyoureallyareandwhatpeoplesayofyou。Evenyourdivorcewilltellagainstyou。It"sallwrong，Iknow——butwhatcanIdo？Ididn"tmaketherules。Iamonlyaservantofthelandlord，andmustcarrythemout。”

Sheleanedbackagainstthesofaandlaughedsilently。Butshepresentlyrecoveredherself，althoughwiththesameexpressionoffatigue。"Don"tbealarmed，mypoorJim!Ifyoumeanyourfriend，Mr。Woodridge，Iknowhim。Itwashe，himself，whosuggestedmycominghere。Anddon"tmisunderstandhim——normeeither。He"sonlyagoodfriendofSylvester"s；theyhadsomespeculationtogether。He"scomingheretoseemeafterLouisarrives。He"swaitinginSanFranciscoforhiswifeanddaughter，whocomeonthesamesteamer。Soyouseeyouwon"tgetintotroubleonmyaccount。

Don"tlooksoscared，mydearboy。”

"Doesheknowthatyouknewme？"saidReddy，withawhiteface。

"Perhaps。Butthenthatwasthreemonthsago，"returnedthelady，smiling，"andyouknowhowyouhavereformedsince，andgrowneversomuchmoresteadyandrespectable。”

"Didhetalktoyouofme？"continuedReddy，stillaghast。

"Alittle——complimentaryofcourse。Don"tlooksofrightened。I

didn"tgiveyouaway。”

Herlaughsuddenlyceased，andherfacechangedintoamorenervousactivityassheroseandwenttowardthewindow。Shehadheardthesoundofwheelsoutside——thecoachhadjustarrived。

"There"sMr。Woodridgenow，"shesaidinamoreanimatedvoice。

"Thesteamermustbein。ButIdon"tseeLouis；doyou？"

SheturnedtowhereReddywasstanding，buthewasgone。

Themomentaryanimationofherfacechanged。Sheliftedhershoulderswithahalfgestureofscorn，butinthemidstofitsuddenlythrewherselfonthesofa，andburiedherfaceinherhands。

Afewmomentselapsedwiththebustleofarrivalinthehallandpassages。Thentherewasahesitatingstepatherdoor。Shequicklypassedherhandkerchiefoverherweteyesandresumedherformerlookofwearyacceptation。Thedooropened。ButitwasMr。

Woodridgewhoentered。Theroughshirt-sleevedranchmanhaddeveloped，duringthelastfourmonths，intoanequallybluntbutsoberlydressedproprietor。Hiskeenenergeticface，however，woreanexpressionofembarrassmentandanxiety，withanaddedsuggestionofahalfhumorousappreciationofit。

"Iwouldn"thavedisturbedyou，Mrs。Merrydew，"hesaid，withagentlebluntness，"ifIhadn"twantedtoaskyouradvicebeforeI

sawReddy。I"mkeepingoutofhiswayuntilIcouldseeyou。I

leftNellyandhermotherin"Frisco。There"sbeensomequeergoings-ononthesteamercominghome；Kellyhasspranganewgameonhermother，and——andsuthin"thatlooksasiftheremightbeanewdeal。However，"hereasensethathewas，perhaps，treatinghisstatementtooseriously，stoppedhim，andhesmiledreassuringly，"thatisasmaybe。”

"Idon"tknow，"hewenton，"asIevertoldyouanythingaboutmyKellyandReddy，——partik"lerlyaboutKelly。She"sagoodgirl，asquaregirl，butshe"sgotsomeall-firedromanticideasinherhead。Mebbeeitkemfromherreading，mebbeeitkemfromhernotknowingothergirls，orseeingtoomuchofaqueersortofmen；butshegotaninterestinthebadones，andthoughtitwashermissiontoreformthem，——reformthembypurekindness，attentivelittlesisterlyways，andmoralexample。ShefirsttriedherhandonReddy。Whenhefirstkemtoushewas——well，hewasablazin"

ruin!Shetookhiminhand，yankedhimouterhimself，puthisfootonthebedrock，andmadehimwhatyouseehimnow。Well——whathappened；why，hegotreg"larlysoftonher；wantedtoMARRYHER，andIagreedconditionally，ofcourse，tokeephimuptothemark。

Didyouspeak？"

"No，"saidthelady，withherbrighteyesfixeduponhim。

"Well，thatwasallwellandgood，andI"dlikedtohavecarriedoutmypartofthecontract，andwaswilling，andamstill。Butyousee，Kelly，aftershe"dlandedReddyonfirmground，gotalittletired，Ireckon，gal-like，ofthethingshe"dworkedsoeasily，andwhenshewentEastshelookedaroundforsomeotherwrecktotryherhandon，andshefounditonthesteamercomingback。Andwhodoyouthinkitwas？Why，ourfriendLouisSylvester!"

Mrs。Merrydewsmiledslightly，withherbrighteyesstillonthespeaker。

"Well，youknowheISfastattimes——ifheisafriendofmine——andshereg"larlytackledhim；andasmyoldwomansays，itwasasighttoseehergoforhim。ButthenHEdidn"ttumbletoit。No!

Reformin"ain"tinHISlineI"mafeard。Andwhatwastheresult？

Why，Kellyonlygotallthemorekeenwhenshefoundshecouldn"tmanagehimlikeReddy，——and，betweenyouandme，she"dhavelikedReddymoreifhehadn"tbeensoeasy，——andit"sended，Ireckon，inhernowfallingdeadinlovewithSylvester。Sheswearsshewon"tmarryanyoneelse，andwantstodevoteherwholelifetohim!

Now，what"stobedone!Reddydon"tknowityet，andIdon"tknowhowtotellhim。Kellysayshermissionwasendedwhenshemadeanewmanofhim，andheoughterbethankfulforthat。Couldn"tyoukinderbreakthenewstohimandtellhimthereain"tanyshowforhim？"

"Doeshelovethegirlsomuch，then？"saidtheladygently。

"Yes；butIamafraidthereisnohopeforReddyaslongasshethinksthere"sachanceofhercapturingSylvester。”

Theladyroseandwenttothewriting-table。"Woulditbeanycomforttoyou，Mr。Woodridge，ifyouweretoldthatshehadnottheslightestchancewithSylvester？"

"Yes。”

Shewroteafewlinesonacard，putitinanenvelope，andhandedittoWoodridge。"FindoutwhereSylvesterisinSanFrancisco，andgivehimthatcard。Ithinkitwillsatisfyyou。AndnowasI

havetocatchthereturncoachintenminutes，ImustaskyoutoexcusemewhileIputmythingstogether。”

"Andyouwon"tfirstbreakthenewstoReddyforme？"

"No；andIadviseyoutokeepthewholemattertoyourselfforthepresent。Good-by!"

Shesmiledagain，fascinatinglyasusual，but，asitseemedtohim，atriflewearily，andthenpassedintotheinnerroom。Yearsafter，inhispractical，matteroffactrecollectionsofthisstrangewoman，healwaysrememberedherbythissmile。

ButshehadsufficientlyimpressedhimbyherpartingadjurationtocausehimtoanswerReddy"seagerinquirieswiththestatementthatKellyandhermotherweregreatlypreoccupiedwithsomefriendsinSanFrancisco，andtospeedilyescapefurtherquestioning。Reddy"sdisappointmentwassomewhatmitigatedbythesimultaneousannouncementofMrs。Merrydew"sdeparture。Buthewasstillmorerelievedandgratifiedtohear，afewdayslater，ofthemarriageofMrs。MerrydewwithLouisSylvester。If，tothegeneralsurpriseandcommentitexcited，hecontributedonlyasmileofcynicaltolerationandsuperiorself-complacency，thereaderwillunderstandandnotblamehim。Nordidthepublic，whoknewtheausterecompletenessofhisreform。NordidMr。Woodridge，whofailedtounderstandtheonlyactorinthislittlecomedywhomightperhapshavedifferedfromthemall。

AmonthlaterJamesReddymarriedKellyWoodridge，inthechillylittlechurchatOakdale。Perhapsbythattimeitmighthaveoccurredtohimthatalthoughthefreshnessandfruitionofsummerwereeverywhere，thebuildingseemedtobestillunwarmed。Andwhenhesteppedforthwithhisbride，andglancedacrosstheprosperouslandscapetowardthedistantbayandheadlandsofSanFrancisco，heshiveredslightlyatthedrylypracticalkissofthekeennorthwesternTrades。

Buthewasprosperousandcomfortablethereafter，astherespectableownerofbroadlandsandpayingshares。ItwassaidthatMrs。Reddycontributedmuchtothepopularityofthehotelbyhercharmingfreedomfromprejudiceandsympathywithmankind；butthiswasperhapsonlyduetothecontrasttohermoreseriousandattimesabstractedhusband。Atleastthiswasthecharitableopinionoftheproverbiallytolerantandkind-heartedBaronessStreichholzer(neeMerrydew，andrelictofthelatelamentedLouisSylvester，Esq。)，whomIrecentlyhadthepleasureofmeetingatWiesbaden，wherethewatersandreposefulsurroundingsstronglyremindedherofOakdale。

THEHEIROFTHEMcHULISHES。

I。

TheconsulfortheUnitedStatesofAmericaattheportofSt。

Kentigernwassittingaloneinthesettledgloomofhisprivateoffice。Yetitwasonlyhighnoon，ofa"seasonable"winter"sday，bythefaceoftheclockthathunglikeapallidmoononthemurkywalloppositetohim。Whatelsecouldbeseenoftheapartmentbythefaintlightthatstruggledthroughthepalloffogoutsidethelustrelesswindowspresentedtheordinaryaspectofabusinesssanctum。Therewereashelfoffog-boundadmiraltylaw，oneortwocoloredprintsofoceansteamshipsunderfullsteam，bowon，tremendouslyforeshortened，andseemingtoforcethemselvesthroughshadowypartitions；therewereengravingsofLincolnandWashington，asunsubstantialandshadowyasthedeadthemselves。Outside，againstthewindow，whichwasalmostlevelwiththestreet，anoccasionalprocessionofblacksilhouettedfiguresofmenandwomen，withprayer-booksintheirhandsandgloomontheirfaces，seemedtobebornofthefog，andprematurelytoreturntoit。Atwhichaconvictionofsinovercametheconsul。HerememberedthatitwastheSabbathday，andthathehadnobusinesstobeattheconsulateatall。

Unfortunately，withthisshamefulconvictioncamethesoundofabellringingsomewhereinthedepthsofthebuilding，andtheshufflingoffeetontheoutersteps。Thelightofhisfirehadevidentlybeenseen，andlikeabeaconhadattractedsomewanderingandpossiblyintoxicatedmarinerwithAmericanpapers。Theconsulwalkedintothehallwithasuddenrighteousfrigidityofmanner。

Itwasonethingtobelounginginone"sownofficeontheSabbathday，andquiteanothertobedeliberatelycallingthereonbusiness。

Heopenedthefrontdoor，andamiddle-agedmanentered，accompanyingandpartlyshovingforwardamorediffidentandyoungerone。

Neitherappearedtobeasailor，althoughbothweredressedinthatdingyrespectabilityandremotenessoffashionaffectedbysecondandthirdmateswhenashore。Theywerealreadywellinthehall，andmakingtheirwaytowardtheprivateoffice，whentheeldermansaid，withanairofcasualexplanation，"Lookin"fortheAmericanconsul；Ireckonthisyer"stheconsulate？"

"Itistheconsulate，"saidtheofficialdryly，"andIamtheconsul；but"——

"That"sallright，"interruptedthestranger，pushingpasthim，andopeningthedooroftheprivateoffice，intowhichheshovedhiscompanion。"Tharnow!"hecontinuedtothediffidentyouth，pointingtoachair，andquiteignoringthepresenceoftheconsul；

"thar"sabitofAmerica。Sitdownthar。You"reundertheflagnow，andcandoasyoudarnplease。”Nevertheless，helookedalittledisappointedasheglancedaroundhim，asifhehadexpectedadifferentenvironmentandpossiblyadifferentclimate。

"Ipresume，"saidtheconsulsuavely，"youwishtoseemeonsomeurgentmatter；foryouprobablyknowthattheconsulateisclosedonSundaytoordinarybusiness。Iamheremyselfquiteaccidentally。”

"Thenyoudon"tlivehere？"saidthevisitordisappointedly。

"No。”

"Ireckonthat"sthereasonwhywedidn"tseenoflaga-flyin"whenwewasa-huntin"thisplaceyesterday。Weweredirectedhere，butIsaystoMalcolm，saysI，"No；itain"there，oryou"dseetheStarsandStripesaforeyou"dseeanythin"else。"ButIreckonyoufloatitoveryourhouse，eh？"

TheconsulhereexplainedsmilinglythathedidNOTflyaflagoverhislodgings，andthatexceptonnationalholidaysitwasnotcustomarytodisplaythenationalensignontheconsulate。

"Thenyoucan"tdohere——andyouaCONSUL——whatanyniggercandointheStates，eh？That"sabouthowitpansout，don"tit？ButI

didn"tthinkYOU"Dtumbletoitquitesoquick，Jack。”

AtthismentionofhisChristianname，theconsulturnedsharplyonthespeaker。Acloserscrutinyofthefacebeforehimendedwithaflashofreminiscence。Thefogwithoutandwithinseemedtomeltaway；hewasstandingoncemoreonaWesternhillsidewiththisman；ahundredmilesofsparklingsunshineandcrisp，dryairstretchingaroundhim，andaboveablueandarchedskythatroofedthethirdofacontinentwithsixmonths"summer。Andthenthefogseemedtocomebackheavierandthickertohisconsciousness。Heemotionallystretchedouthishandtothestranger。Butitwasthefogandhispersonalsurroundingswhichnowseemedtobeunreal"Whyit"sHarryCuster!"hesaidwithalaughthat，however，endedinasigh。"Ididn"trecognizeyouinthishalflight。”Hethenglancedcuriouslytowardthediffidentyoungman，asiftoidentifyanotherpossibleoldacquaintance。

"Well，Ispottedyoufromthefirst，"saidCuster，"thoughIain"tseenyousincewewereinScott"sCamptogether。That"stenyearsago。You"relookin"atHIM，"hecontinued，followingtheconsul"swanderingeye。"Well，it"sabouthimthatIcametoseeyou。Thisyer"saMcHulish——agenuineMcHulish!"

Hepaused，asiftogiveeffecttothisstatement。Butthenameapparentlyofferednothrillingsuggestiontotheconsul，whoregardedtheyoungmancloselyforfurtherexplanation。Hewasafair-facedyouthofabouttwentyyears，withpalereddish-browneyes，darkhairreddishattheroots，andasingularwhiteandpinkwaxinessofovalcheek，which，however，narrowedsuddenlyattheangleofthejaw，andfellawaywiththeretreatingchin。

"Yes，"continuedCuster；"IoughtersaytheONLYMcHulish。Heisthedirectheir——andofroyaldescent!He"soneofthemMcHulisheswhosenameinthemoldhistorytimeswasenoughtowhoopuptheboysandmake"empaintthetownred。Aregularcampaignboomer——

theoldMcHulishwas。Stumpspeechesandbrass-bandswarn"tinitwiththeboyswhenHEwasaround。They"dgotheirbottomdollarandlastcartridge——ifthey"dhadcartridgesinthemdays——onhim。

ThatwastheregularMcHulishgait。AndMalcolmthere"sthelastof"em——gotthesamestyleoffeatures，too。”

Ludicrousasthesituationwas，itstrucktheconsuldimly，asthroughfoganddarkness，thatthefeaturesoftheyoungmanwerenotunfamiliar，andindeedhadlookedoutuponhimdimlyandvaguelyatvarioustimes，fromvarioushistoriccanvases。Itwasthefaceofcomplacentfatuity，incompetency，andinconstancy，whichhaddraggeddownstrength，competency，andconstancytoitsownidioticfateandlevels，——afaceforwhoseweaknessesvalorandbeautyhadnotonlysacrificedthemselves，butmadethingsequallyunpleasanttoagreatmanyminorvirtues。Nevertheless，theconsul，withanamusedsenseofitsridiculousincongruitytothegrimScottishSabbathprocessioninthestreet，andthefog-boundvolumesofadmiraltylawintheroom，smiledaffably。

"Ofcourseouryoungfriendhasnodesiretotestthemagicofhisnamehere，inthesedegeneratedays。”

"No，"saidCustercomplacently；"thoughbetweenyouandme，oldman，there"salwaysnotellin"whatmightturnupoverinthisyermonarchy。Thingsofcoursearedifferentoverourway。ButjestnowMalcolmwillbesatisfiedtotakethetitleandpropertytowhichhe"srightfulheir。”

Theconsul"sfacefell。Alas!itwasonlytheold，oldstory。Itsendlessrepetitionsandvariationshadbeenfamiliartohimeveninhisyouthandinhisownland。"Efthatmanhadhisrights，"hadoncebeenpointedouttohiminawildWesterncamp，"he"dbenowsittin"inscarletontherightoftheQueenofEngland!"Thegentlemanwhowasindicatedinthisapocalypticalvision，itappeared，simplyboreasingularlikenesstoareigningHanoverianfamily，whichforsomeunexplainedreasonhehadcontentedhimselfwithbearingwithfortitudeandpatience。Butitwasinhisofficialcapacitythattheconsul"sexperiencehadbeenthemosttrying。AttimesithadseemedtohimthatmuchoftherealpropertyandpeerageofGreatBritainwastheinheritedrightofpennilessAmericanrepublicanswhohadhithertorefrainedfrompresentingtheirlegalclaims，andthatthehabitualfirstdutyofgenerationsofBritishnoblemenoncomingintotheirestatesandtitleswastoshiptheirheirsandnextofkintoAmerica，andthenforgetallaboutthem。Hehadlistenedpatientlytoclaimstopositionsmoreorlessexalted，——claimsoftenpresentedwithingenuoussophistryorpatheticsimplicity，prosecutedwithgreatgoodhumor，andabandonedwithinvinciblecheerfulness；buttheyseldomculminatedmoreseriouslythaninthedisbursementofafewdollarsbytheconsultoenabletherightfulownerofmillionstoprocureasteeragepassagebacktohispreviousdemocraticretirement。Therehadbeenothers，lesssincerebutmorepretentiousinquality，towhom，however，alettertotheHeralds"

CollegeinLondonwasallsufficient，andwho，onpaymentofvariousfeesandemoluments，wereenabledtostaggerbacktoNewYorkorBostonwithcertainunclaimedandforgottenluggagewhichamoregallantancestorhadscornedtobringwithhimintothenewlife，orhadthrownasideinhisunduehastetomakethemcitizensoftherepublic。Still，allthishadgrownmonotonousandwearisome，andwasdisappointingascomingthroughtheinterventionofanoldfriendwhooughttoknowbetter。

"Ofcourseyouhavealreadyhadlegalopiniononthesubjectoverthere，"saidtheconsul，withasigh，"buthere，youknow，yououghtfirsttogetsomeprofessionaladvicefromthoseacquaintedwithScotchprocedure。Butperhapsyouhavethattoo。”

"No，"saidCustercheerfully。"Why，itain"tonlytwomonthsagothatIfirstsawMalcolm。TumbledoverhimonhisownfarmjestoutofMacCorkleville，Kentucky，whereheandhisfathersbeforehimhadbeenlivin"nighahundredyears——yes，AHUNDREDYEARS，byJove!eversincetheyfirstemigratedtothecountry。Hadatalkoverit；sawanoldBibleaboutasbigandasusedupasthat，"——

liftingthewell-wornconsularBible，——"withdatesinit，andheardthewholestory。Andhereweare。”

"Andyouhaveconsultednolawyer？"gaspedtheconsul。

"TheMcHulishes，"saidanunexpectedvoicethatsoundedthinandfeminine，"nevertookanylegaldecision。FromthecraggysummitsofGlenCrankieheliftedthebannerofhisforefathers，orraisedthewar-cry，"Hulishdhu，ieroe!"fromthebattlementsofCraigiedurrach。Andtheclangatheredroundhimwithshoutsthatrenttheair。Thatwasthewayofitinoldtimes。Andtheboyswhoopedhimupandstoodbyhim。”Itwasthediffidentyoungmanwhohadhalfspoken，halfrecited，withanoddenthusiasmthateventheculminatingslangcouldnotmakeconventional。

"That"saboutthesizeofit，"saidCuster，leaningbackinhischaireasilywithanapprovingglanceattheyoungman。"AndI

don"tknowifthatain"tthewaytoworkthethingnow。”

Theconsulstaredhopelesslyfromtheonetotheother。Ithadalwaysseemedpossiblethatthisdreadfulmaniamightdevelopintoactualinsanity，andhehadlittledoubtbutthattheyoungerman"sbrainwasslightlyaffected。Butthisdidnotaccountforthedelusionandexpectationsoftheelder。HarryCuster，astheconsulrememberedhim，wasalevel-headed，practicalminer，whoseleaningtoadventureandexcitementhadnotpreventedhimfrombeingacoolspeculator，andhehadamassedmorethanacompetencybyreasonofhisjudiciousforesightandpromptaction。Yethewasevidentlyundertheglamourofthismadman，althoughoutwardlyaslazilyself-containedasever。

"Doyoumeantotellme，"saidtheconsulinasuppressedvoice，"thatyoutwohavecomehereequippedonlywithastatementoffactsandafamilyBible，andthatyouexpecttotakeadvantageofafeudalenthusiasmwhichnolongerexists——andperhapsneverdidexistoutofthepagesofromance——asameansofclaimingestateswhosetitleshavelongsincebeensettledbylaw，andcanbeclaimedonlyunderthattenure？SurelyIhavemisunderstoodyou。

Youcannotbeinearnest。”

"HonestInjun，"saidCuster，noddinghisheadlazily。"Wemeanit，butnotjestthatwayyou"veputit。F"rinstance，itain"tonlyustwo。Thisyerthing，olepard，we"rerunnin"asasyndicate。”

"Asyndicate？"echoedtheconsul。

"Asyndicate，"repeatedCuster。"HalftheboysthatwereatEagleCampareinit，andtwoofMalcolm"sneighborsfromKentucky——theregularoldScotchbreedlikehimself；foryouknowthatMacCorkleCountywassettledbythemoldScotchCovenanters，andthefolksareScotchPresbyterianstothisday。Andforthematterofthat，theEagleboysthatareinitareofScotchdescent，orakindofblend，youknow；infact，I"mhalfScotchmyself——orIrish，"headdedthoughtfully。"Soyouseethatsettlesyourargumentaboutanylocalopinion，forifthemScotsdon"tknowtheirownpeople，whodoes？"

"MayIask，"saidtheconsul，withadesperateattempttopreservehiscomposure，"whatyouareproposingtodo？"

"Well，"saidCuster，settlinghimselfcomfortablybackinhischairagain，"thatdepends。DoyourememberthetimethatwejumpedthemMexicanclaimsontheNorthFork——thetimethemgreaserswantedtotakeinthewholeriver-bankbecausethey"dfoundgoldononeoftheupperbars？Seemstomewejestwentpeaceful-likeoverthereonemoonshinynight，andtookupTHEIRstakesandsetdownOURS。

SeemstomeYOUwereoneoftheparty。”

"Thatwasinourowncountry，"returnedtheconsulhastily，"andwasanindefensibleact，eveninalawlessfrontiercivilization。

ButyouaresurelynotmadenougheventoconceiveofsuchathingHERE!"

"Keepyourhairon，Jack，"saidCusterlazily。"What"sthematterwithconstitutionalmethods，eh？Doyourememberthetimewhenwedidn"tlikePueblorules，andwelaidoutEurekaCityontheirlines，andwhoopeduptheMexicansanddiggerstoelectmayorandaldermen，andputthecityfrontonJuanitaCreek，andthencorraleditforwaterlots？Seemstomeyouwerecountyclerkthen。Nowwho"stokeepDickMacgregorandJoeHamilton，thatarebothuptheNilenow，fromdroppin"inoverheretoseeMalcolminhisownhouse？Who"sgoin"toobjecttoWallaceorBaird，whoareonthisside，doin"theEytalianlakes，fromcomin"hereontheirwayhome；orWatsonandMooreandTimley，thatarelivin"overinParis，fromjoinin"theboysingivin"Malcolmahousewarmin"inhisoldhome？What"stokeepthewholesyndicatefromgatherin"atKelpieIslanduphereoffthewestcoast，amongthetombsofMalcolm"sancestors，andfixin"upthingsgenerallywiththeclan？"

"Onlyonething，"saidtheconsul，withagravitywhichheneverthelessfeltmightbeamistakenattitude。"Youshouldn"thavetoldMEaboutit。Forif，asyouroldfriend，Icannotkeepyoufromcommittinganunconceivablefolly，astheAmericanconsulhereitwillbemyfirstdutytogivenoticetoourlegation，andperhapswarntheauthorities。AndyoumaybesureIwilldoit。”

TohissurpriseCusterleanedforwardandpressedhishandwithanexpressionofcheerfulrelief。"That"sso，oldpard；Ireckonedonit。Infact，ItoldMalcolmthatthatwouldbeaboutyourgait。

Ofcourseyoucouldn"tdootherwise。Anditwouldhavebeenplayin"itratherlowdownonyoutohaveleftyououtinthecold——

withoutevenTHATshowinthegame。Forwhatyouwilldoinwarnin"theotherfellows，don"tyousee，willjustwakenuptheclan。It"sbetterthanacampaigncircular。”

"Don"tbetoosureofthat，"saidtheconsul，withahalf-

hystericallaugh。"Butwewon"tconsidersolamentableacontingency。Comeanddinewithme，bothofyou，andwe"lldiscusstheonlythingworthdiscussing，——yourLEGALrights，——andyoucantellmeyourwholestory，which，bytheway，Ihaven"theard。”

"Sorry，Jack，butitcan"tbedone，"saidCuster，withhisfirstapproachtoseriousnessofmanner。"Yousee，we"dmadeupourmindnottocomehereagainafterthisfirstcall。Weain"tgoin"tocompromiseyou。”

"Iamthebestjudgeofthat，"returnedtheconsuldryly。Thensuddenlychanginghismanner，hegraspedCuster"shandswithbothhisown。"Come，Harry，"hesaidearnestly；"Iwillnotbelievethatthisisnotajoke，butIbegofyoutopromisemeonething，——

donotmoveastepfurtherinthismatterwithoutlegalcounsel。

Iwillgiveyoualettertoalegalfriendofmine——amanofaffairs，amanoftheworld，andaScotastypical，perhaps，asanyyouhavementioned。StateyourLEGALcasetohim——onlythat；buthisopinionwillshowyoualso，ifIamnotmistaken，thefollyofyourdependinguponanysectionalorhistoricalsentimentinthismatter。”

Withoutwaitingforareply，hesatdownandhastilywroteafewlinestoafriendlylocalmagnate。WhenhehadhandedthenotetoCuster，thelatterlookedattheaddress，andshowedittohisyoungcompanion。

"Samename，isn"tit？"heasked。

"Yes，"respondedMr。McHulish。

"Doyouknowhim？"askedtheconsul，evidentlysurprised。

"Wedon"t，buthe"safriendofoneoftheEagleboys。Ireckonwewouldhaveseenhimanyhow；butwe"llagreewithyoutoholdonuntilwedo。It"sago。Goodby，oldpard!Solong。”

Theybothshooktheconsul"shand，anddeparted，leavinghimstaringatthefogintowhichtheyhadmeltedasiftheywereunrealshadowsofthepast。

II。

Thenextmorningthefoghadgivenwaytoapalpable，horizontallydrivingrain，whichwettheinsideaswellastheoutsideofumbrellas，andcausedthemtobepresentedateveryconceivableangleastheydriftedpastthewindowsoftheconsulate。Therewasatapatthedoor，andaclerkentered。

"YewillbeintoSirJamesMacFen？"

Theconsulnodded，andadded，"Showhiminhere。”

Itwasthemagnatetowhomhehadsentthenotethepreviousday，amanoflargeyetslowandcautiousnature，learnedandevenpedantic，yetfar-sightedandpractical；veryhumanandheartyinsocialintercourse，which，however，lefthimasitfoundhim，——withnosentimentalorunbusiness-likeentanglements。Theconsulhadknownhimsensibleandsturdyatboardmeetingsandexecutivecouncils；logicalandconvincingatpoliticalgatherings；decorousandgraveinthekirk；andhumorousandjovialatfestivities，whereperhapslaterintheevening，incompanywithothers，handswereclaspedoveralibationlyricallydefinedasa"rightguidwilliewaught。”Ononeoftheseoccasionstheyhadwalkedhometogether，notwithoutsomeostentationofsteadiness；yetwhenMacFen"seminentlyrespectablefrontdoorhadcloseduponhim，theconsulwasperfectlysatisfiedthatadistinctlyproperandunswervingmanofbusinesswouldissuefromitthenextmorning。

"Ay，butit"sasoftday，"saidSirJames，removinghisgloves。

"Ye"llnotbegaddingaboutinthisweather。”

"Yougotmynoteofintroduction，Isuppose？"saidtheconsul，whenthemomentoustopicoftheweatherwasexhausted。

"Oh，ay。”

"Andyousawthegentlemen？"

"Ay。”

"Andwhat"syouropinionof——hisclaims？"

"He"safinelad——thatMalcolm——afinetypeofalad，"saidSirJames，withanalmosttooeffusiveconfidence。"Ye"llbethinkingsoyourself——nodoubt？Ay，it"swonderfultoconsiderthepreservationoftypesolongafteritsdispersalinotherlands。

Andit"sastrangeandwonderfulcountrythatofyours，withitsplantations——asonemightsay——ofhomogeneityunimpairedforsomanyyears，andkeepingtheoldfaithtoo——andallitsstrangesurvivals。Ay，andthatKentucky，wherehislandis——itwillbearichState!It"sveryinstructingandinterestingtohearhisaccountofthatremarkableregiontheycall"thebluegrasscountry，"andthestocktheyraisethere。I"mobligedtoye，myfriend，foramostedifyingandimprovingevening。”

"Buthisclaim——didhenotspeakofthat？"

"Oh，ay。AndthatMr。Custer——he"sagrandman，andanamusingone。Ye"llbegreatcomrades，youandhe!Man!itwasdelightfultohearhimtelloftheraredoingsandthebitfunyetwohadintheoldtimes。Eh，sir，butwho"dthinkthatoftheproperAmericanconsulatSt。Kentigern!"AndSirJamesleanedbackinhischair，andbestowedanadmiringsmileonthatofficial。

Theconsulthoughthebegantounderstandthisevasion。"Thenyoudon"tthinkmuchofMr。McHulish"sclaim？"hesaid。

"I"mnotsayingthat。”

"ButdoyoureallythinkaclaimbaseduponafamilyBibleandafamilylikenessasubjectforseriousconsideration？"

"I"mnotsayingTHATeither，laddie。”

"Perhapshehasconfidedtoyoumorefullythanhehastome，orpossiblyyouyourselfknewsomethingincorroborationofhisfacts。”

Hiscompanionhadevidentlynodesiretobecommunicative。Buttheconsulhadheardenoughtofeelthathewasjustifiedinleavingthematterinhishands。Hehadgivenhimfairwarning。Yet，nevertheless，hewouldbeevenmoreexplicit。

"Idonotknow，"hebegan，"whetherthisyoungMcHulishconfidedtoyouhisgreatrelianceuponsomepeculiareffectofhispresenceamongthetenants，andofestablishinghisclaimtothepropertybyexcitingtheenthusiasmoftheclan。Itcertainlystruckmethathehadsomeratherexaggeratedideas，borrowed，perhaps，fromromanceshe"dread，likeDonQuixotehisbooksofchivalry。Heseemstobelieveintheexistenceofaclanloyalty，andtheactualsurvivalofoldfeudalinstinctsandofoldfeudalmethodsintheHighlands。HeappearstolookuponhimselfasakindoflocalPrinceCharlie，and，byJove!I"veanideahe"salmostascrazy。”

"Andwhyshouldhenabelieveinhisownkithandkin？"saidSirJames，quickly，withasuddenringinhisvoice，andadialecticalfreedomquitedistinctfromhisformerdeliberateandcautiousutterance。"TheMcHulisheswerechieftainsbeforeAmericawasdiscovered，andmany"sthetimetheyoverrantheborderbeforetheywentasfarasthat。Ifthere"sanythinginbloodandloyalty，itwouldbestrangeiftheydidnarespond。AndIcantellye，mafrien"，there"smoreintheHielandsthanany"romancer，"asyecallthem，——ay，evenScotthissel"，andhewasbutanEdinboro"

man，——everdreamedof。Don"tfashyoursel"aboutthat。Andyouandme"llnotagreeaboutPrinceCharlie。SomedayI"lltellye，mafrien"，mairabootthatbonnieladdiethanye"llgatherfromyourpartisanhistorians。Untilthenye"llbewisewhenye"llbetalkingtoScotchmennottobeexpressingyourSouthernprejudices。”

Intenselysurprisedandamusedatthissuddenoutbreakofenthusiasmonthepartoftheusuallycautiouslawyer，theconsulcouldnotrefrainfromaccentingitbyamarkedreturntopracticalbusiness。

"IshallbedelightedtolearnmoreaboutPrinceCharlie，"hesaid，smiling，"butjustnowhisprototype——ifyou"llallowmetocallhimso——isanearertopic，andforthepresent，atleastuntilheassumehisnewtitlesanddignities，hasarighttoclaimmyprotection，andIamresponsibleforhimasanAmericancitizen。

Now，mydearfriend，istherereallyanyproperty，land，ortitleofanyimportanceinvolvedinhisclaim，andwhatandwhere，inHeaven"sname，isit？ForIassureyouIknownothingpracticalaboutit，andcannotmakeheadortailofit。”

SirJamesresumedhisslowserenity，andgathereduphisgloves。

"Ay，there"sagreatdeer-forestinBallochbrinkie，andthere"spartofLochPhillibeginCairngormshire，andthere"sKelpieIslandoffMoreovershire。Ay，there"senoughlandwhenthecroftersareclearedoff，andthesmallsheep-tenantsevicted。Itwillbeagrandpropertythen。”

Theconsulstared。"Thecroftersandtenantsevicted!"herepeated。"Aretheynotpartoftheclan，andloyaltotheMcHulish？"

"TheMcHulish，"saidSirJameswithgreatdeliberation，"hasn"tsetfootthereforyears。They"dbeburninghimineffigy。”

"But，"saidtheastonishedconsul，"that"sratherbadfortheexpectantheir——andthemagicoftheMcHulishpresence。”

"I"mnotsayingthat，"returnedSirJamescautiously。"Yeseehecanbemakingbetterarrangementswiththefamilyonaccountofit。”

"Withthefamily？"repeatedtheconsul。"Thendoeshetalkofcompromising？"

"Imeantheywouldbemorelikelytosellforafairconsideration，andhe"dbebetterpayingmoneytothemthanthelawyers。Thesyndicatewillberich，eh？AndI"mnotsayingtheMcHulishwouldn"ttakeKentuckylandsinexchange。It"safinecountry，thatbluegrassdistrict。”

TheconsulstaredatSirJamessolongthatafaintsmilecameintothelatter"sshrewdeyes；atwhichtheconsulsmiled，too。Avagueairofreliefandunderstandingseemedtofilltheapartment。

"Oh，ay，"continuedSirJames，drawingonhisgloveswitheasydeliberation，"he"safineladthatMalcolm，andit"sapraiseworthyinstinctinhimtowishtoreturntothelandofhisforebears，andtakehisplaceagainamongthem。AndI"mnoticing，Mr。Consul，thatagreatmanyofyourcountrymenaredoingthesame。Eh，yoursisagran"countryofprogressandceevelandreligiousliberty，butfora"that，asBurnssays，it"sinyourbloodtoturntotheauldhomeagain。Andit"safinethingtohavethemoneytodoit——and，I"mthinking，moneywellspentallaround。Good-morning。Eh，butI"mforgettingthatIwantedtoaskyoutodinewithmeandMalcolm，andyourMr。Custer，andMr。

Watson，whowillbeoneofyoursyndicate，andwhomIoncemetabroad。Butye"llgetabitnoteofinvitation，withtheday，frommelater。”

TheconsulrememberedthatCusterhadsaidthatoneofthe"Eagleboys"hadknownSirJames。ThiswasevidentlyWatson。Hesmiledagain，butthistimeSirJamesrespondedonlyinageneralsortofway，ashegeniallybowedhimselfoutoftheroom。

Theconsulwatchedhissolidandeminentlyrespectablefigureasitpassedthewindow，andthenreturnedtohisdesk，stillsmiling。

Firstofallhewasrelieved。Whathadseemedtohimawildandrecklessenterprise，withpossiblysomegriminternationalcomplicationsonthepartofhiscompatriots，hadsimplyresolveditselfintoanordinarybusinessspeculation——theethicsofwhichtheyhadprettyequallydividedwiththelocaloperators。Ifanything，itseemedthattheScotchmanwouldgetthebestofthebargain，andthat，foronceatleast，hiscountrymenweredeficientinforesight。Butthatwasamatterbetweentheparties，andCusterhimselfwouldprobablybethefirsttoresentanysuggestionofthekindfromtheconsul。ThevisionoftheMcHulishburnedineffigybyhisdevotedtenantsandretainers，andthethoughtthattheprosaicdollarsofhiscountrymenwouldbesubstitutedforthepotentpresenceoftheheir，tickled，itistobefeared，thesaturninehumoroftheconsul。HehadtakenaninvincibledisliketothecallowrepresentativeoftheMcHulish，whohefelthadinsomeextraordinarywayimposeduponCuster"scredulity。ButthenhehadapparentlyimposedequallyuponthepracticalSirJames。

ThethoughtofthisshamidealoffeudalandprivilegedincompetencybeingelevatedtoactualpositionbythecombinedeffortsofAmericanrepublicansandhard-headedScotchdissenters，onwhomthesoftScotchmistsfellfromabovewithequalimpartiality，struckhimasbeingveryamusing，andforsometimethereafterlightenedtherespectablegloomofhisoffice。OtherengagementspreventedhisattendanceatSirJames"sdinner，althoughhewasinformedafterwardthatithadpassedoffwithgreateclat，thelatersingingof"AuldlangSyne，"andthedrinkingofthehealthofCusterandMalcolmwith"Hielandhonors。”HelearnedalsothatSirJameshadinvitedCusterandMalcolmtohislacustrinecountry-seatintheearlyspring。ButhelearnednothingmoreoftheprogressofMalcolm"sclaim，itsdetails，orthemannerinwhichitwasprosecuted。Nooneelseseemedtoknowanythingaboutit；itfoundnoechointhegossipoftheclubs，orinthenewspapersofSt。

Kentigern。Intheabsenceofthepartiesconnectedwithit，itbegantoassumetohimtheaspectofahalf-humorousromance。Heoftenfoundhimselfwonderingiftherehadbeenanyotherpurposeinthisquestorspeculationthanwhathadappearedonthesurface，itseemedsoinadequateinresult。Itwouldhavebeensoperfectlyeasyforawealthysyndicatetobuyupamuchmorevaluableestate。

HedisbelievedutterlyinthesincerityofMalcolm"ssentimentalattitude。Theremustbesomeotherreason——perhapsnotknowneventothesyndicate。

Onedayhethoughtthathehadfoundit。Hehadreceivedanoteaddressedfromoneoftheprincipalhotels，butbearingalargepersonalcrestonpaperandenvelope。AMissKirkby，passingthroughSt。KentigernonherwaytoEdinburgh，desiredtoseetheconsulthenextday，ifhewouldappointanhourattheconsulate；

or，ashertimewaslimited，shewouldtakeitasagreatfavorifhewouldcallatherhotel。Althoughacountrywoman，hernamemightnotbesowellknowntohimasthoseofher"oldfriends"

HarryCuster，Esq。，andSirMalcolmMcHulish。Theconsulwasalittlesurprised；theuseofthetitle——unlessitreferredtosomeotherMcHulish——wouldseemtoindicatethatMalcolm"sclaimwassuccessful。Hehad，however，nopreviousknowledgeofthetitleof"Sir"inconnectionwiththeestate，anditwasprobablethathisfaircorrespondent——likemostofhercountrywomen——wasmoreappreciativethancorrectinherbestowalofdignities。Hedeterminedtowaivehisordinarybusinessrules，andtocalluponheratonce，accepting，asbecamehispatriotism，thatcharmingtyrannywhichtheAmericanwomanusuallyreservesexclusivelyforherdevotedcountrymen。