第6章

AsIseemedtobetheonlycustomeratthathour，Iselectedatablebythewindowfordistraction。Tomhadtakenmyorder；theotherwaiters，includingTournelli，wereabsent，withtheexceptionofasolitaryGerman，who，intheinterludeofperfunctorytriflingwiththecasters，gazedatmewiththatabstractedirresponsibilitywhichonewaiterassumestowardsanother’scustomer。Eventheproprietorhaddesertedhisdeskatthecounter。ItseemedtobeafavorableopportunitytogetsomeinformationfromTom。

Butheanticipatedme。Whenhehaddealtacertainnumberofdishesaroundme，asiftheywerecardsandhewastellingmyfortune，heleanedoverthetableandsaid，withinterrogatingconfidence：——

"IreckonyoucallthatMr。Mannersofyoursagoodlawyer？"

WewereveryloyaltoeachotherintheClub，andIrepliedwithyouthfulenthusiasmthathewasconsideredoneofthemostpromisingatthebar。And，rememberingTournelli，Iaddedconfidentlythatwhoeverengagedhimtolookaftertheirpropertyinterestshadsecuredatreasure。

"Butishegoodincriminalcases——beforeapolicecourt，forinstance？"continuedTom。

Ibelieved——Idon’tknowonwhatgrounds——thatMannerswasgoodininsuranceandadmiraltylaw，andthathelookeduponcriminalpracticeaslow；butIansweredbriskly——thoughatriflestartled——

thatasacriminallawyerhewasperfect。

"Hecouldadviseaman，whohadarowhangingon，howtosteerclearofbeingupformurder——eh？"

Itrusted，withadesperateattemptatjocosity，thatneitherhenorTournellihadbeendoinganythingtorequireManners’sservicesinthatway。

"Itwouldbetoolate，THEN，"saidTom，coolly，"andANYBODYcouldtellamanwhatheoughttohavedone，orhowtomakethebestofwhathehaddone；butthesmartthinginalawyerwouldbetogiveachappointsBEFOREHAND，andsortertellhimhowfarhecouldgo，andyetkeepinsidethelaw。Howhemightgoadafellowtodrawonhim，andthenplughim——eh？"

Ilookedupquickly。Therewasnothinginhisordinary，good-

humored，butnotverystrongfacetosuggestthathehimselfwasthesubjectofthishypotheticalcase。IfhewerespeakingforTournelli，theItaliancertainlywasnottobecongratulatedonhisambassador’sprudence；and，aboveall，Mannerswastobewarnedoftheinterpretationwhichmightbeputuponhiscounsels，anddisseminatedthuspublicly。AsIwasthinkingwhattosay，hemovedaway，butsuddenlyreturnedagain。

"WhatmadeyouthinkTournellihadbeenuptoanything？"heaskedsharply。

"Nothing，"Ianswered；"Ionlythoughtyouandhe，beingfriends"——

"Youmeanwe’rebothwaitersinthesamerestaurant。Well，Idon’tknowhimanybetterthanIknowthatchapoverthere，"pointingtotheotherwaiter。"He’saGreaseroranItalian，and，Ireckon，goeswithhiskind。"

Whyhadwenotthoughtofthisbefore？NothingwouldbemorenaturalthanthattherichandimperiousTournellishouldbeexclusive，andhavenoconfidenceswithhisenforcedassociates。

AnditwasevidentthatTomhadnoticeditandwasjealous。

"Isupposehe’sratheraswell，isn’the？"Isuggestedtentatively。

AfaintsmilepassedoverTom’sface。ItwaspartlycynicalandpartlysuggestiveofthatamusedtolerationofouryouthfulcredulitywhichseemedtobeapartofthatdiscomposingpatronagethateverybodyextendedtotheClub。Ashesaidnothing，I

continuedencouragingly：——

"Becauseaman’sawaiter，itdoesn’tfollowthathe’salwaysbeenone，oralwayswillbe。"

"No，"saidTom，abstractedly；"butit’saboutasgoodasanythingelsetolielowandwaiton。"Butheretwocustomersentered，andheturnedtothem，leavingmeindoubtwhethertoacceptthisasaverbalpleasantryoranadmission。Onlyonethingseemedplain：

Ihadcertainlygainednoinformation，andonlyaddedadarkermysterytohisconferencewithManners，whichIdeterminedIshouldaskMannerstoexplain。

Ifinishedmymealinsolitude。Therainwasstillbeatingdrearilyagainstthewindowswithanoccasionalaccessionofimpulsethatseemedlikehumanimpatience。Vaguefiguresunderdrippingumbrellas，thathidtheirfacesasifinpremeditateddisguise，hurriedfromthemainthoroughfare。Awomaninahoodedwaterprooflikeadomino，aMexicaninablackserape，mighthavebeenstageconspiratorshasteningtoarendezvous。ThecavernouschillandodorwhichIhadbeforenotedascomingfromsomesarcophagusoflarderoroven，where"funeralbakedmeats"mighthavebeenkeptinstock，begantooppressme。Thehollowandfictitiousdomesticityofthiscommonboardhadneverbeforeseemedsohopelesslydisplayed。AndTom，thewaiter，hisnapkintwistedinhishandandhisfaceturnedwithasuddendarkabstractiontowardsthewindow，appearedtobereally"lyinglow，"andwaitingforsomethingoutsidehisavocation。

CHAPTERII。

ThefactthatTomdidnothappentobeondutyatthenextClubdinnergavemeanopportunitytorepeathismysteriousremarktoManners，andtojokinglywarnthatrisingyounglawyeragainsttheindiscretionofvaguecounsel。Manners，however，onlyshruggedhisshoulders。"Idon’tknowwhathemeant，"hesaidcarelessly；"butsincehechoosestotalkofhisownaffairspublicly，Idon’tmindsayingthattheyareneitherveryweightynorverydangerous。It’sonlytheoldstory：theusualmatrimonialinfidelitiesthataremixedupwiththeCalifornianemigration。Heleavestheregularwifebehind，——fairlyorunfairly，Ican’tsay。Shegetstiredwaiting，aftertheusualstyle，andelopeswithsomebodyelse。TheWesternPenelopeisn’tbuiltforwaiting。ButsheseemstohaveconvertedsomeofhispropertyintocashwhensheskippedfromSt。

Louis，andthat’swherehischiefconcerncomesin。That’swhathewantedtoseemefor；that’swhyheinveigledmeintothatinfernalpantryofhisonedaytoshowmeaplanofhisproperty，asifthatwasanygood。"

Hepauseddisgustedly。Weallfelt，Ithink，thatTomwassomekindofanimpostor，claimingthesympathiesoftheClubonfalsepretenses。Nevertheless，theQuartermastersaid，"Thenyoudidn’tdoanythingforhim——givehimanyadvice，eh？"

"No；fortheproperty’sasmuchhersashis，andhehasn’tgotadivorce；and，asit’sdoubtfulwhetherhedidn’tdesertherfirst，hecan’tgetone。Hewassurprised，"headded，withagrimsmile，"whenItoldhimthathewasobligedtosupporther，andwasevenliableforherdebts。Butpeoplewhoarealwaystalkingofinvokingthelawknownothingaboutit。"Weweresurprisedtoo，althoughMannerswasalwaysconvincingus，insomecheerfulbutdiscomposingway，thatwewerealldailyandhourly，inoursimplestacts，makingourselfresponsibleforallsortsofliabilitiesandactions，andevengenerallypreparingourselvesforarrestandimprisonment。TheQuartermastercontinuedlazily：——

"Thenyoudidn’tgivehimanypointsaboutshooting？"

"No；hedoesn’tevenknowthemanshewentoffwith。Itwaseighteenmonthsago，andIdon’tbelievehe’devenknowheragainifhemether。But，ifheisn’tmuchofaclient，weshallmisshimto-nightasawaiter，fortheplaceisgettingfull，andtherearenotenoughtoserve。"

Therestaurantwas，indeed，unusuallycrowdedthatevening；themoresothat，theprivateroomsabovebeingearlyoccupied，somedinnerpartiesandexclusivecoupleshadbeenobligedtocontentthemselveswiththepublicdiningsaloon。Asmalltablenearestus，usuallyleftvacanttoinsureacertainseclusiontotheClub，wasarranged，withadeprecatoryapologyfromtheproprietor，foroneofthosecouples，amanandwoman。Themanwasawell-knownspeculator，——cool，yetrecklessandpleasure-loving；thewoman，good-looking，picturesquelyattractive，self-conscious，andself-

possessed。Ourpropinquitywasevidentlyneithernovelnordiscomposing。Asshesettledherskirtsinherplace，herbright，darkeyessweptourtablewithafrank，almostchildish，familiarity。TheyoungermembersoftheClubquiteunconsciouslypulleduptheircollarsandsettledtheirneckties；theeldersasunconsciouslyraisedtheirvoicesslightly，andsomewhatarrangedtheirsentences。Alas！thesimplicityandunaffectednessoftheClubwereagaininvaded。

Suddenlytherewasacrash，thebreakingofglass，andanexclamation。Tournelli，nodoubtdisorganizedbytheunusualhurry，onhiswaytoourtablehaddroppedhistray，impartiallydistributedaplateofasparagusoveranadjoiningtable，and，flushedandnervous，yetwithanaffectationofstudiedcalmness，waspouringthesauceintotheyoungQuartermaster’splate，inspiteofhislanguidprotests。Atanyothertimewewouldhavelaughed，buttherewassomethingintheexaggeratedagitationoftheItalianthatcheckedourmirth。Whyshouldhebesoupsetbyatriflingaccident？Hecouldaffordtopayforthebreakage；hewouldlaughatdismissal。Wasitthesensitivenessofarefinednature，or——hewasyoungandgood-looking——washedisconcertedbythefactthatourhandsomeneighborhadwitnessedhisawkwardness？

Butshewasnotlaughing，and，asfarasIcouldsee，wasintentlyregardingthebilloffare。

"Waiter！"calledhercompanion，hailingTournelli。"Here！"TheItalian，withafacenowdistinctlywhite，leanedoverthetable，adjustingtheglasses，butdidnotreply。

"Waiter！"repeatedthestranger，sharply。Tournelli’sfacetwitched，thenbecamesetasamask；buthedidnotmove。Thestrangerleanedforwardandpulledhisapronfrombehind。

Tournellistartedwithflashingeyes，andturnedswiftlyround。

ButtheQuartermaster’shandhadclosedonhiswrist。

"That’smyknife，Tournelli。"

TheknifedroppedfromtheItalian’sfingers。

"BetterseeWHAThewants。ItmaynotbeTHAT，"saidtheyoungofficer，coollybutkindly。

Tournelliturnedimpatientlytowardsthestranger。Wealonehadwitnessedthisincident，andwerewatchinghimbreathlessly。Yetwhatbadefairamomentagotobeatragedy，seemednowtohaltgrotesquely。ForTournelli，throwingopenhislinenjacketwithamelodramaticgesture，tappedhisbreast，andwithflashingeyesandsuppressedaccentssaid，"Sare；youwantahme？Look——Iamherre！"

Thespeculatorleanedbackinhischairingood-humoredastonishment。

Thelady’sblackeyes，withoutlookingatTournelli，glancedbackwardroundtheroom，andslippedalongourtable，withhalf-defiantunconcern；andthensheutteredashorthystericallaugh。

"Ah！zelady——madame——zesignora——eh——shewantahme？"continuedTournelli，leaningonthetablewithcompressedfingers，andglaringather。"PerhapsSHEwantahTournelli——eh？"

"Well，youmightbringsomewiththesoup，"blandlyrepliedherescort，whoseemedtoenjoytheItalian’sexcitementasanationaleccentricity；"buthurryupandsetthetable，willyou？"

Thenfollowed，ontheauthorityoftheEditor，whounderstoodItalian，asingularscene。Secure，apparently，inhisbeliefthathislanguagewasgenerallyuncomprehended，Tournellibroughtadecanter，and，settingitonthetable，said，"Traitress！"inanintensewhisper。Thiswasfollowedbythecruets，whichheputdownwiththeexclamation，"Perjuredfiend！"Twoglasses，placedoneithersideofher，carriedtheword"Apostate！"toherear；andthreeknivesandforks，rattlingmorethanwasnecessary，andlaidcrosswisebeforeherplate，wereaccompaniedwith"Tremble，wanton！"Then，ashepulledthetableclothstraight，andostentatiouslyconcealedawine-stainwithacleannapkin，scarcelywhiterthanhislips，hearticulatedunderhisbreath："Lethimbeware！hegoesnothencealive！Iwillslicehiscravenheart——

thus——andthoushaltseeit。"Heturnedquicklytoasidetableandbroughtbackaspoon。"AndTHISiswhyIhavenotfoundyou；"

anotherspoon，"ForTHISyouhavedisappeared；"apurelyperfunctorypolishingofherfork，"ForHIM，bah！"anequallyunnecessarywipingofherglass，"BloodofGod！"——morewiping——"Itwillend！Yes"——generalwipingandafinalflourishoverthewholetablewithanapkin——"Igo，butatthedoorIshallawaityouboth。"

Shehadnotspokenyet，norevenliftedhereyes。Whenshedidso，however，sheraisedthemlevelwithhis，showedallherwhiteteeth——theyweresmallandcruel-looking——andsaidsmilinglyinhisowndialect：——

"Thief！"

Tournellihalted，rigid。

"You’retalkinghislingo，eh？"saidherescortgood-humoredly。

"Yes。"

"Well——tellhimtobustlearoundandbealittlelivelierwiththedinner，won’tyou？Thisisonlyskirmishing。"

"Youhear，"shecontinuedtoTournelliinaperfectlyevenvoice；

"orshallitbeapoliceman，andachargeofstealing？"

"Stealing！"gaspedTournelli。"YOUsaystealing！"

"Yes——tenthousanddollars。Youarewelldisguisedhere，mylittlefellow；itisagoodbusiness——yours。Keepitwhileyoucan。"

Ithinkhewouldhavesprunguponherthereandthen，butthattheQuartermaster，whowasnearesthim，andhadbeenintentlywatchinghisface，madeascarcelyperceptiblemovementasifreadytoanticipatehim。Hecaughttheofficer’seye；caught，Ithink，inourstherevelationthathehadbeenunderstood，drewbackwithasidelong，sinuousmovement，anddisappearedinthepassagetothekitchen。

Ibelieveweallbreathedmorefreely，althoughthesituationwasstillfullenoughofimpendingpossibilitiestopreventpeacefulenjoymentofourdinner。AstheEditorfinishedhishurriedtranslation，itwassuggestedthatweoughttowarntheunsuspectingescortofTournelli’sthreats。Butitwaspointedoutthatthiswouldbebetrayingthewoman，andthatJoHays（hercompanion）wasfullyabletotakecareofhimself。"Besides，"saidtheEditor，aggrievedly，"youfellowsonlythinkofYOURSELVES，andyoudon’tunderstandthefirstprinciplesofjournalism。DoyousupposeI’mgoingtodoanythingtospoilahalf-columnofleadedbreviercopy——fromaneye-witness，too？No；it’sasquareenoughfightasitstands。Wemustlookoutforthewoman，andnotletTournelligetanunfairdroponHays。Thatis，ifthewholethingisn’tabluff。"

ButtheItaliandidnotreturn。Whetherhehadincontinentlyfled，orwasnursinghiswrathinthekitchen，oralreadyfulfillinghisthreatofwaitingonthepavementoutsidetherestaurant，wecouldnotguess。Anotherwaiterappearedwiththedinnerstheyhadordered。AmomentarythrillofexcitementpassedoverusatthepossibilitythatTournellihadpoisonedtheirsoup；butitpresentlylapsed，aswesawthecouplepartakingofitcomfortably，andchattingwithapparentunconcern。WasthescenewehadjustwitnessedonlyapieceofSouthernexaggeration？Wasthewomanacreaturedevoidofnervesorfeelingofanykind；orwasshesimplyaconsummateactress？Yetshewasclearlynotacting，forintheintervalsofconversation，andevenwhiletalking，herdarkeyeswanderedcarelesslyaroundtheroom，withtheeasyself-confidenceofaprettywoman。Wewerebeginningtotalkofsomethingelse，whentheEditorsaidsuddenly，inasuppressedvoice：

"Hullo！What’sthematternow？"

Thewomanhadrisen，andwashurriedlythrowinghercloakoverhershoulders。ButitwasHERfacethatwasnowashenandagitated，andwecouldseethatherhandsweretrembling。Herescortwasassistingher，butwasevidentlyasastonishedasourselves。

"Perhaps，"hesuggestedhopefully，"ifyouwaitaminuteitwillpassoff。"

"No，no，"shegasped，stillhurriedlywrestlingwithhercloak。

"Don’tyouseeI’msuffocatinghere——Iwantair。Youcanfollow！"

Shebegantomoveoff，herfaceturnedfixedlyinthedirectionofthedoor。Weinstinctivelylookedthere——perhapsforTournelli。

Therewasnoone。Nevertheless，theEditorandQuartermasterhadhalf-risenfromtheirseats。

"Helloo！"saidMannerssuddenly。"There’sTomjustcomein。Callhim！"

Tom，evidentlyrecalledfromhisbrieffurloughbytheproprietoronaccountofthepressofcustom，hadjustmadehisappearancefromthekitchen。

"Tom，where’sTournelli？"askedtheLawyerhurriedly，butfollowingtheretreatingwomanwithhiseyes。

"Skipped，theysay。Somebodyinsultedhim，"saidTomcurtly。

"Youdidn’tseehimhangingroundoutside，eh？Swearingvengeance？"

askedtheEditor。

"No，"saidTomscornfully。

Thewomanhadreachedthedoor，anddartedoutofitasherescortpausedamomentatthecountertothrowdownacoin。Yetinthatmomentshehadhurriedbeforehimthroughthepassageintothestreet。Iturnedbreathlesslytothewindow。Foraninstantherface，whiteasaphantom’s，appearedpressedrigidlyagainsttheheavyplate-glass，hereyesstaringwithahorriblefascinationbackintotheroom——Ievenimaginedatus。Perhaps，asitwasevidentthatTournelliwasnotwithher，shefanciedhewasstillhere；perhapsshehadmistakenTomforhim！However，herescortquicklyrejoinedher；theirshadowspassedthewindowtogether——

theyweregone。

Thenapistol-shotbrokethequietofthestreet。

TheEditorandQuartermasterroseandrantothedoor。Mannersrosealso，butlingeredlongenoughtowhispertome，"Don’tlosesightofTom，"andfollowedthem。Buttomymomentarysurprisenooneelsemoved。Ihadforgotten，inthepreviousexcitement，thatinthosedaysapistol-shotwasnotunusualenoughtoattractattention。Afewraisedtheirheadsatthesoundofrunningfeetonthepavement，andtheflittingofblackshadowspastthewindows。Tomhadnotstirred，but，napkininhand，andeyesfixedonvacancy，wasstanding，asIhadseenhimoncebefore，inanattitudeoflistlessexpectation。

InafewminutesMannersreturned。IthoughtheglancedoddlyatTom，whowasstilllingeringinattendance，andIevenfanciedhetalkedtousostentatiouslyforhisbenefit。"Yes，itwasarowofTournelli’s。Hewaswaitingatthecorner；hadrushedatHayswithaknife，buthadbeenmetwithaderringer-shotthroughhishat。

Thelady，who，itseems，wasonlyachancesteameracquaintanceofHays’，thoughttheattackmusthavebeenmeantforHER，asshehadrecognizedintheItalianamanwhohadstolenfromherdivorcedhusbandintheStates，twoyearsago，andwasafugitivefromjustice。AtleastthatwastheexplanationgivenbyHays，forthewomanhadfaintedandbeendrivenofftoherhotelbytheQuartermaster，andTournellihadescaped。ButtheEditorwasonhistrack。"Youdidn’tnoticethatlady，Tom，didyou？"

Tomcameoutofanabstractedstudy，andsaid："No，shehadherbacktomeallthetime。"

Mannersregardedhimsteadilyforamomentwithoutspeaking，butinawaythatIcouldnothelpthinkingwasmuchmoreembarrassingtothebystandersthantohim。Whenwerosetoleave，asheplacedhisusualgratuityintoTom’shand，hesaidcarelessly，"Youmightdropintomyofficeto-morrowifyouhaveanythingtotellME。"

"Ihaven’t，"saidTomquietly。

"ThenImayhavesomethingtotellYOU。"

Tomnodded，andturnedawaytohisduties。TheMiningSecretaryandmyselfcouldscarcelywaittoreachthestreetbeforeweturnedeagerlyonManners。

"Well？"

"Well；thewomanyousawwasTom’srunawaywife，andTournellithemansheranawaywith。"

"AndTomknewit？"

"Can’tsay。"

"AndyoumeantosaythatallthiswhileTomneversuspectedHIM，andevendidnotrecognizeHERjustnow？"

Mannersliftedhishatandpassedhisfingersthroughhishairmeditatively。"Askmesomethingeasier，gentlemen。"

ATREASUREOFTHEGALLEON。

Herfather’shousewasnearlyamilefromthesea，butthebreathofitwasalwaysstrongatthewindowsanddoorsintheearlymorning，andwhentherewereheavy"southwesters"blowinginthewinter，thewindbroughtthesharpstingofsandtohercheek，andtherainanoddtasteofsalttoherlips。OnthisparticularDecemberafternoon，however，asshestoodinthedoorway，itseemedtobesingularlycalm；thesouthwesttradesblewbutfaintly，andscarcelybrokethecrestsofthelongPacificswellthatlazilyroseandfellonthebeach，whichonlyaslantingcopseofscrub-

oakandwillowhidfromthecottage。Nevertheless，sheknewthisleague-longstripofshiningsandmuchbetter，itistobefeared，thanthescantyflower-garden，aridandstuntedbyitscontiguity。

Ithadbeenherplaygroundwhenshefirstcamethere，amotherlessgirloftwelve，andshehadhelpedherfathergatheritsscattereddriftwood——asthefortunesoftheMillerswerenotaboveacceptingtheseoccasionalofferingsoftheirlordlyneighbor。

"Iwouldn’tgofarto-day，Jenny，"saidherfather，asthegirlsteppedfromthethreshold。"Idon’ttrusttheweatheratthisseason；andbesidesyouhadbetterbelookingoveryourwardrobefortheChristmasEvepartyatSol。Catlin’s。"

"Why，father，youdon’tintendtogotothatman’s？"saidthegirl，lookingupwithatroubledface。

"LawyerMiller，"ashewascalledbyhisfewneighbors，lookedslightlyembarrassed。"Whynot？"heaskedinafaintlyirritatedtone。

"Whynot？Why，father，youknowhowvulgarandconceitedheis，——

howeverybodyheretrucklestohim！"

"Verylikely；he’saverysuperiormanofhiskind，——akindtheyunderstandhere，too，——agreattrapper，hunter，andpioneer。"

"ButIdon’tbelieveinhistrapping，hunting，andpioneering，"

saidthegirl，petulantly。"Ibelieveit’sallashollowandboisterousashimself。It’snomorereal，orwhatonethinksitshouldbe，thanheis。Andhedarestopatronizeyou——you，father，aneducatedmanandagentleman！"

"Sayratheranunsuccessfullawyerwhowasfoolenoughtobelievethatbuyingaranchcouldmakehimafarmer，"returnedherfather，buthalfjestingly。"IonlywishIwasasgoodatmytradeasheis。"

"Butyouneverlikedhim，——youalwaysusedtoignorehim；you’vechanged，father"——Shestoppedsuddenly，forherrecollectionofherfather’squietsuperiorityandeasyindependencewhenhefirstcametherewasinsuchmarkedcontrasttohislatecarelessandweakconcessiontotherudelifearoundthem，thatshefeltapangofvaguedegradation，whichshefearedhervoicemightbetray。

"Verywell！Doasyoulike，"hereplied，withaffectedcarelessness；

"onlyIthought，aswecannotaffordtogoelsewherethisChristmas，itmightbewellforustotakewhatwecouldfindhere。"

"Takewhatwecouldfindhere！"Itwassounlikehim——hewhohadalwaysbeensostronginpreservingtheirlittledomesticrefinementsintheirrudesurroundings，thattheirpovertyhadneverseemedmean，northeirseclusionignoble。Sheturnedawaytoconcealherindignantcolor。ShecouldsharethehouseholdworkwithasquawandChinaman，shecouldfetchwoodandwater。Catlinhadpatronizinglyseenherdoingit，buttodancetohisvulgarpiping——never！

Shewasnotlonginreachingthesandsthatnowlaybeforeher，warm，sweet-scentedfromshortbeachgrass，stretchingtoadimrockypromontory，andabsolutelyuntrodbyanyfootbutherown。

Itwasthisvirginityofseclusionthathadbeencharmingtohergirlhood；fencedinbetweentheimpenetrablehedgeofscrub-oaksontheoneside，andtheliftinggreenwallsofbreakerstippedwithchevauxdefriseofwhitefoamontheother，shehadknownaperfectsecurityforhersportsandfanciesthathadcaptivatedhertown-bredinstinctsandnativefastidiousness。Afewwhite-wingedsea-birds，asproud，reserved，andmaiden-likeasherself，hadbeenheronlycompanions。Anditwasnowthecustodianofhersecret，——

asecretasinnocentandchildlikeasherpreviousyouthfulfancies，——butstillasecretknownonlytoherself。

Onedayshehadcomeupontherottingribsofawreckonthebeach。

Itsdistancefromthetideline，itsposition，anditsdeepimbeddingofsand，showedthatitwasofancientorigin。AnomnivorousreaderofallthatpertainedtothehistoryofCalifornia，Jennyhadinfancyoftensailedtheseasinoneofthosemysterioustreasure-shipsthathadskirtedthecoastinbygonedays，andsheatoncesettledinhermindthatherdiscoverywasnoneotherthanacastawayPhilippinegalleon。Partlyfromherreserve，andpartlyfromasuddenlyconceivedplan，shedeterminedtokeepitsexistenceunknowntoherfather，ascarefulinquiryonherparthadfounditwasequallyunknowntotheneighbors。Forthisshy，imaginativeyounggirlofeighteenhadconvincedherselfthatitmightstillcontainapartofitsoldtreasure。Shewoulddigforitherself，withouttellinganybody。Ifshefailed，noonewouldknowit；ifsheweresuccessful，shewouldsurpriseherfatherandperhapsretrievetheirfortunebylessvulgarmeansthantheirpresenttoil。Thankstothesecludedlocalityandthefactthatshewasknowntospendherleisuremomentsinwanderingthere，shecouldworkwithoutsuspicion。Secretlyconveyingashovelandafewtoolstothespotthenextday，shesetaboutherprodigioustask。Astheupperworksweregone，andthegalleonnotlarge，inthreeweeks，workinganhourortwoeachday，shehadmadeadeepexcavationinthestern。Shehadfoundmanycuriousthings，——theflotsamandjetsamofpreviousstorms，——butasyet，itisperhapsneedlesstosay，notthetreasure。

To-dayshewasfilledwiththevaguehopeofmakingherdiscoverybeforeChristmasDay。Tohavebeenabletotakeherfathersomethingonthatday——ifonlyafewoldcoins——thefruitofherownunsuspectedlaborandintuition——nottheresultofvulgarbarterormenialwage——wouldhavebeencompletehappiness。Itwasperhapsasomewhatvisionaryexpectationforaneducatedgirlofeighteen，butIamwritingofayoungCaliforniangirl，whohadlivedinthefierceglamouroftreasure-hunting，andinwhosesensitiveindividualitysomeofitssubtlepoisonhadbeeninstilled。Howbeit，to-dayshefoundnothing。Shewassadlyhidingherpickandshovel，aswashercustom，whenshediscoveredthefreshtrackofanalienfootinthesand。RobinsonCrusoewasnotmoreastoundedatthesavagefootprintthanJennyMilleratthisdamningproofoftheinvasionofhersacredterritory。Thefootprintscamefromandreturnedtothecopseofshrubs。Someonemighthaveseenheratwork！

Butasingularchangeintheweather，overlookedinherexcitement，hereforceditselfuponher。Alightfilmoverseaandsky，liftedonlybyfitfulgustsofwind，seemedtohavesuddenlythickeneduntilitbecameanopaquevault，narrowingincircumferenceasthewindincreased。Thepromontorybehindherdisappeared，asifswallowedup，thedistancebeforeherseemedtocontract；theoceanatherside，thecolorofdullpewter，vanishedinasheetofslantingrain，andbythetimeshereachedthehouse，halfrunning，halfcarriedalongbythequarteringforceofthewind，afullgalewasblowing。

Itblewalltheevening，reachingaclimaxandfuryatpastmidnightthatwasrememberedformanyyearsalongthatcoast。Inthemidstofittheyheardtheboomingofcannon，andthenthevoicesofneighborsintheroad。"Therewas，"saidthevoices，"abigsteamerashorejustaforethehouse。"Theydressedquicklyandranout。

Huggingtheedgeofthecopsetobreatheandevadethefuryofthewind，theystruggledtothesands。Atfirst，lookingouttosea，thegirlsawnothingbutfoam。But，followingthedirectionofaneighbor’sarm，forinthatwildtumultmanaloneseemedspeechless，shesawdirectlybeforeher，socloseuponherthatshecouldhavethrownapebbleonboard，thehighbowsofaship。Indeed，itsverynearnessgaveherthefeelingthatitwasalreadysaved，anditsoccasionalheavyrolltoleeward，drunken，helpless，ludicrous，butneverawful，broughtahystericlaughtoherlips。Butwhenalividbluelight，litintheswingingtop，showedanumberofblackobjectsclingingtobulwarksandrigging，andthesea，withlanguid，heavycruelty，pushingratherthanbeatingthemaway，onebyone，sheknewthatDeathwasthere。

Theneighbors，herfatherwiththeothers，hadbeenrunninghopelesslytoandfro，orcoweringingroupsagainstthecopse，whensuddenlytheyutteredacry——theirfirst——ofjoyfulwelcome。

Andwiththatshout，themanshemostdespisedandhated，Sol。

Catlin，mountedona"calico"mustang，asoutrageousandbizarreashimself，dashedamongthem。

Inanothermoment，whathadbeenfear，bewilderment，andhesitationwaschangedtocourage，confidence，andaction。Themenpressedeagerlyaroundhim，andaseagerlydispersedunderhisquickcommand。Gallopingathisheelswasateamwiththewhale-boat，broughtfromtheriver，milesaway。Hewashere，there，andeverywhere；catchingthelinethrownbytherocketfromtheship，marshalingthementohaulitin，answeringthehailfromthoseonboardabovethetempest，pervadingeverythingandeverybodywiththefuryofthestorm；loud，imperious，domineering，self-asserting，all-sufficient，andsuccessful！Andwhentheboatwaslaunched，thelastmightyimpulsecamefromhisshoulder。Herodeatthehelmintothefirsthangingwalloffoam，erectandtriumphant！Dazzled，bewildered，cryingandlaughing，shehatedhimmorethanever。

Theboatmadethreetrips，bringingoff，withtheaidofthehawser，allbutthesailorsshehadseenperishbeforeherowneyes。Thepassengers，——theywerefew，——thecaptainandofficers，foundrefugeinherfather’shouse，andwereloudintheirpraisesofSol。Catlin。Butinthatgratefulchorusasinglegloomyvoicearose，thevoiceofawealthyandtroubledpassenger。"Iwillgive，"hesaid，"fivethousanddollarstothemanwhobringsmeaboxofsecuritiesIleftinmystateroom。"EveryeyeturnedinstinctivelytoSol。；heansweredonlythoseofJenny’s。"Saytenthousand，andifthedod-blastedhulkholdstogethertwohourslongerI’lldoit，d——nme！Youhearme！Myname’sSol。Catlin，andwhenIsayathing，byG-d，Idoit。"Jenny’sdisgustherereacheditsclimax。Theheroofanightofundoubtedenergyandcouragehadblotteditoutinasinglemomentofnativevanityandvulgaravarice。

Hewasgone；notonlytwohours，butdaylighthadcomeandtheywereeagerlyseekinghim，whenhereturnedamongthem，drippingand——empty-handed。Hehadreachedtheship，hesaid，withanother；

foundthebox，andtrustedhimselfalonewithittothesea。Butinthesurfhehadtoabandonittosavehimself。Ithadperhapsdriftedashore，andmightbefound；forhimself，heabandonedhisclaimtothereward。Hadhelookedabashedormortified，Jennyfeltthatshemighthaverelented，butthebraggartwasasall-

satisfied，asconfidentandboastfulasever。Nevertheless，ashiseyeseemedtoseekhers，shewasconstrained，inmerepoliteness，toaddherowntoherfather’scondolences。"Isuppose，"shehesitated，inpassinghim，"thatthisisamerenothingtoyouafterallthatyoudidlastnightthatwasreallygreatandunselfish。"

"Wereyouneverdisappointed，Miss？"hesaid，withexasperatingabruptness。

Aquickconsciousnessofherownthanklesslaboronthegalleon，andaterribleideathathemighthavesomesuspicionof，andperhapstheleastsuggestionthatshemighthavebeendisappointedinhim，broughtafaintcolortohercheek。Butsherepliedwithdignity：——

"Ireallycouldn’tsay。Butcertainly，"sheadded，withanew-

foundpertness，"youdon’tlookit。"

"Nordoyou，Miss，"washisidioticanswer。

Afewhourslater，alarmedatwhatshehadheardoftheinroadsofthesea，whichhadrisenhigherthaneverknowntotheoldestsettler，andperhapsmindfulofyesterday’sfootprints，shesoughtheroldsecludedhaunt。Thewreckwasstillthere，buttheseahadreachedit。Theexcavationbetweenitsgauntribswasfilledwithdriftandtheseaweedcarriedtherebythesurgesandentrappedinitsmeshes。Andthere，too，caughtasinanet，laythewoodenboxofsecuritiesSol。Catlinhadabandonedtothesea。

Thisisthestoryasitwastoldtome。Thesingularityofcoincidenceshaschallengedsomespeculation。JennyinsistedatthetimeuponsharingthefullrewardwithCatlin，butlocalcriticshavepointedoutthatfromsubsequenteventsthisprovednothing。Forshehadmarriedhim！

OUTOFAPIONEER’STRUNK。

Itwasaslightlycynical，butfairlygood-humoredcrowdthathadgatheredbeforeawarehouseonLongWharfinSanFranciscooneafternooninthesummerof’51。Althoughtheoccasionwasanauction，thebidders’chancesmorethanusuallyhazardous，andtheseasonandlocalityfamousforrecklessspeculation，therewasscarcelyanyexcitementamongthebystanders，andalazy，half-

humorouscuriosityseemedtohavetakentheplaceofanyzealforgain。

Itwasanauctionofunclaimedtrunksandboxes——thepersonalluggageofearlyemigrants——whichhadbeenleftonstorageinhulkorwarehouseatSanFrancisco，whiletheownerwasseekinghisfortuneinthemines。Thedifficultyandexpenseoftransport，oftenobligingthegold-seekertomakepartofhisjourneyonfoot，restrictedhimtothesmallestimpedimenta，andthatofakindnotoftenfoundintheluggageofordinarycivilization。Asaconsequence，duringtheemigrationof’49，hewasaptonlandingtoavailhimselfoftheinvitationusuallydisplayedonsomeofthedoorsoftherudehostelriesontheshore："RestfortheWearyandStorageforTrunks。"Inamajorityofcasesheneverreturnedtoclaimhisstoredproperty。Enforcedabsence，protractedequallybygoodorevilfortune，accumulatedthehighstoragechargesuntiltheyusuallyfarexceededtheactualvalueofthegoods；sickness，furtheremigration，ordeathalsoreducedthenumberofpossibleclaimants，andthatmorewonderfulhumanfrailty——absoluteforgetfulnessofdepositedpossessions——combinedtogethertoleavethebulkofthepropertyinthecustodian’shands。Underanunderstoodagreementtheywerealwayssoldatpublicauctionafteragiventime。Althoughthecontentsofsomeofthetrunkswereexposed，itwasfoundmoreinkeepingwiththepublicsentimenttosellthetrunksLOCKEDandUNOPENED。Theelementofcuriositywaskeptupfromtimetotimebytheincautiousdisclosuresoftheluckyorunluckypurchaser，andgeneralbiddingthusencouraged——

exceptwhenthespeculator，withthetruegamblinginstinct，gavenoindicationinhisfaceofwhatwasdrawninthislottery。

Generally，however，somesuggestionintheexteriorofthetrunk，alabelorinitials；someconjecturalknowledgeofitsformerowner，ortheideathathemightbesecretlypresentinthehopeofgettinghispropertybackforlessthantheaccumulateddues，keptupthebiddingandinterest。

Amodest-looking，well-wornportmanteauhadbeenjustputupatasmallopeningbid，whenHarryFlintjoinedthecrowd。TheyoungmanhadarrivedaweekbeforeatSanFranciscofriendlessandpenniless，andhadbeenforcedtopartwithhisowneffectstoprocurenecessaryfoodandlodgingwhilelookingforanemployment。

Intheironyoffatethatmorningtheproprietorsofadry-goodsstore，struckwithhisgoodlooksandmanners，hadofferedhimasituation，ifhecouldmakehimselfmorepresentabletotheirfairclients。HarryFlintwasgazinghalfabstractedly，halfhopelessly，attheportmanteauwithoutnoticingtheauctioneer’spersuasivechallenge。Inhisabstractionhewasnotawarethattheauctioneer’sassistantwasalsolookingathimcuriously，andthatpossiblyhisdejectedandhalf-cladappearancehadexcitedtheattentionofoneofthecynicalbystanders，whowasexchangingafewwordswiththeassistant。Hewas，however，recalledtohimselfamomentlaterwhentheportmanteauwasknockeddownatfifteendollars，andconsiderablystartledwhentheassistantplaceditathisfeetwithagrimsmile。

"That’syourproperty，Fowler，andIreckonyoulookasifyouwanteditbackbad。"

"But——there’ssomemistake，"stammeredFlint。"Ididn’tbid。"

"No，butTomFlynndidforyou。Yousee，Ispottedyoufromthefirst，andtoldFlynnIreckonedyouwereoneofthosechapswhocamebackfromtheminesdeadbroke。Andheupandboughtyourthingsforyou——likeasquareman。That’sFlynn’sstyle，ifheisagambler。"

"But，"persistedFlint，"thisneverwasmyproperty。Mynameisn’tFowler，andIneverleftanythinghere。"

Theassistantlookedathimwithagrim，half-credulous，half-

scornfulsmile。"Haveityourownway，"hesaid，"butIoughtertellye，oldman，thatI’mthewarehouseclerk，andIrememberYOU。

I’mhereforthatpurpose。Butasthattharvaliseisboughtandpaidforbysomebodyelseandgiventoyou，it’snothingmoretome。Takeitorleaveit。"

TheridiculousnessofquarrelingoverthemereformofhisgoodfortuneherestruckFlint，and，ashisabruptbenefactorhadasabruptlydisappeared，hehurriedoffwithhisprize。Reachinghischeaplodging-house，heexamineditscontents。Ashehadsurmised，itcontainedafullsuitofclothingofthebettersort，andsuitabletohisurbanneeds。Therewereafewarticlesofjewelry，whichheputreligiouslyaside。Thereweresomeletters，whichseemedtobeofapurelybusinesscharacter。Therewereafewdaguerreotypesofprettyfaces，oneofwhichwassingularlyfascinatingtohim。Buttherewasanother，ofayoungman，whichstartledhimwithitsmarvelousresemblancetoHIMSELF！Inaflashofintelligenceheunderstooditallnow。Itwasthelikenessoftheformerownerofthetrunk，forwhomtheassistanthadactuallymistakenhim！Heglancedhurriedlyattheenvelopesoftheletters。TheywereaddressedtoShelbyFowler，thenamebywhichtheassistanthadjustcalledhim。Themysterywasplainnow。Andforthepresenthecouldfairlyaccepthisgoodluck，andtrusttolaterfortunetojustifyhimself。

Transformedinhisnewgarb，helefthislodgingstopresenthimselfoncemoretohispossibleemployer。Hiswayledpastoneofthelargegamblingsaloons。Itwasyettooearlytofindthedry-goodstraderdisengaged；perhapstheconsciousnessofmoredecent，civilizedgarbemboldenedhimtominglemorefreelywithstrangers，andheenteredthesaloon。Hewasscarcelyabreastofoneofthefarotableswhenamansuddenlyleapedupwithanoathanddischargedarevolverfullinhisface。Theshotmissed。

BeforehisunknownassailantcouldfireagaintheastonishedFlinthadclosedwithhim，andinstinctivelyclutchedtheweapon。A

briefbutviolentstruggleensued。Flintfelthisstrengthfailinghim，whensuddenlyalookofastonishmentcameintothefuriouseyesofhisadversary，andtheman’sgraspmechanicallyrelaxed。

Thehalf-freedpistol，thrownupwardsbythismovement，wasaccidentallydischargedpointblankintohistemples，andhefelldead。Nooneinthecrowdhadstirredorinterfered。

"You’vedoneforAustralianPetethistime，Mr。Fowler，"saidavoiceathiselbow。Heturnedgaspinglyandrecognizedhisstrangebenefactor，Flynn。"Icallyoualltowitness，gentlemen，"

continuedthegambler，turningdictatoriallytothecrowd，"thatthismanwasFIRSTattackedandwasUNARMED。"HeliftedFlint’slimpandemptyhandsandthenpointedtothedeadman，whowasstillgraspingtheweapon。"Come！"Hecaughtthehalf-paralyzedarmofFlintanddraggedhimintothestreet。

"But，"stammeredthehorrifiedFlint，ashewasbornealong，"whatdoesitallmean？Whatmadethatmanattackme？"

"Ireckonitwasacaseofshootingonsight，Mr。Fowler；buthemisseditbynotwaitingtoseeifyouwerearmed。Itwasn’tthesquarething，andyou’reallrightwiththecrowdnow，whateverhemighthavehadagin’you。"

"But，"protestedtheunhappyFlint，"Ineverlaideyesonthemanbefore，andmynameisn’tFowler。"

Flynnhalted，anddraggedhiminadoorway。"Whothedevilareyou？"heaskedroughly。

Briefly，passionately，almosthysterically，Flinttoldhimhisscantstory。Anoddexpressioncameoverthegambler’sface。

"Lookhere，"hesaidabruptly，"Ihavepassedmywordtothecrowdyonderthatyouareadead-brokeminercalledFowler。IallowedthatyoumighthavehadsomerowwiththatSydneyduck，AustralianPete，inthemines。Thatsatisfiedthem。IfIgobacknow，andsayit’salie，thatyournameain’tFowler，andyouneverknewwhoPetewas，they’lljestpassyouovertothepolicetodealwithyou，andwashtheirhandsofitaltogether。Youmayprovetothepolicewhoyouare，andhowthatd——-clerkmistookyou，butitwillgiveyoutrouble。Andwhoisthereherewhoknowswhoyoureallyare？"

"Noone，"saidFlint，withsuddenhopelessness。

"Andyousayyou’reanorphan，andain’tgotanyrelationslivin’

thatyou’rebeholdento？"

"Noone。"

"Then，takemyadvice，andBEFowler，andsticktoit！BeFowleruntilFowlerturnsup，andthanksyouforit；foryou’vesavedFowler’slife，asPetewouldneverhavefunkedandlosthisgritoverFowlerashedidwithyou；andyou’vearighttohisname。"

Hestopped，andthesameodd，superstitiouslookcameintohisdarkeyes。

"Don’tyouseewhatallthatmeans？Well，I’lltellyou。You’reinthebiggeststreakofluckamaneverhad。You’vegotthecardsinyourownhand！Theyspell"Fowler"！PlayFowlerfirst，last，andallthetime。Good-night，andgoodluck，MR。FOWLER。"

Thenextmorning’sjournalcontainedanaccountofthejustifiablekillingofthenotoriousdesperadoandex-convict，AustralianPete，byacourageousyoungminerbythenameofFowler。"Anactoffirmnessanddaring，"saidthe"Pioneer，""whichwillgofartocounteracttheterrorismproducedbythoselawlessruffians。"

Inhisnewsuitofclothes，andwiththispaperinhishand，Flintsoughtthedry-goodsproprietor——thelatterwassatisfiedandconvinced。ThatmorningHarryFlintbeganhiscareerassalesmanandas"ShelbyFowler。"

FromthatdayShelbyFowler’scareerwasoneofuninterruptedprosperity。Withintheyearhebecameapartner。Thesamemiraculousfortunefollowedotherventureslater。Hewasmillowner，mineowner，bankdirector——amillionaire！Hewaspopular，thereputationofhisbriefachievementoverthedesperadokepthimsecurefromtheattackofenvyandrivalry。HeneverwasconfrontedbytherealFowler。Therewasnodangerofexposurebyothers——theonecustodianofhissecret，TomFlynn，diedinNevadatheyearfollowing。Hehadquiteforgottenhisyouthfulpast，andeventhemorerecentluckyportmanteau；rememberednothing，perhaps，buttheprettyfaceofthedaguerreotypethathadfascinatedhim。ThereseemedtobenoreasonwhyheshouldnotliveanddieasShelbyFowler。

HisbusinessayearlatertookhimtoEurope。HewasenteringatrainatoneofthegreatrailwaystationsofLondon，whentheporter，whohadjustdepositedhisportmanteauinacompartment，reappearedatthewindowfollowedbyayoungladyinmourning。

"Begpardon，sir，butIhandedyouthewrongportmanteau。Thatbelongstothisyounglady。Thisisyours。"

Flintglancedattheportmanteauontheseatbeforehim。Itcertainlywasnothis，althoughitboretheinitials"S。F。"Hewasmechanicallyhandingitbacktotheporter，whenhiseyesfellontheyounglady’sface。Foraninstanthestoodpetrified。Itwasthefaceofthedaguerreotype。"Ibegpardon，"hestammered，"butaretheseyourinitials？"Shehesitated，perhapsitwastheabruptnessofthequestion，buthesawshelookedconfused。

"No。Afriend’s。"

Shedisappearedintoanothercarriage，butfromthatmomentHarryFlintknewthathehadnootheraiminlifebuttofollowthisclueandthebeautifulgirlwhohaddroppedit。Hebribedtheguardatthenextstation，anddiscoveredthatshewasgoingtoYork。Ontheirarrival，hewasreadyontheplatformtorespectfullyassisther。Afewwordsdisclosedthefactthatshewasafellow-

countrywoman，althoughresidinginEngland，andatpresentonherwaytojoinsomefriendsatHarrogate。HernamewasWest。Atthementionofhis，heagainfanciedshelookeddisturbed。

Theymetagainandagain；theinformalityofhisintroductionwasoverlookedbyherfriends，ashisassumednamewasalreadyrespectablyandresponsiblyknownbeyondCalifornia。Hethoughtnomoreofhisfuture。Hewasinlove。Heevendaredtothinkitmightbereturned；buthefelthehadnorighttoseekthatknowledgeuntilhehadtoldherhisrealnameandhowhecametoassumeanother’s。Hedidsoalone——scarcelyamonthaftertheirfirstmeeting。Tohisalarm，sheburstintoafloodoftears，andshowedanagitationthatseemedfarbeyondanyapparentcause。

Whenshehadpartlyrecovered，shesaid，inalow，frightenedvoice：——

"YouarebearingMYBROTHER’Sname。ButitwasanamethattheunhappyboyhadsoshamefullydisgracedinAustraliathatheabandonedit，and，ashelayuponhisdeath-bed，thelastactofhiswastedlifewastowriteanimploringletterbeggingmetochangeminetoo。Fortheinfamouscompanionofhiscrimewhohadfirsttempted，thenbetrayedhim，hadpossessionofallhispapersandletters，manyofthemfromME，andwasthreateningtobringthemtoourVirginiahomeandexposehimtoourneighbors。

Maddenedbydesperation，themiserableboytwiceattemptedthelifeofthescoundrel，andmighthaveaddedthatbloodguiltinesstohisothersinshadhelived。IDIDchangemynametomymother’smaidenone，leftthecountry，andhavelivedheretoescapetherevelationsofthatdesperado，shouldhefulfillhisthreat。"

InaflashofrecollectionFlintrememberedthestartledlookthathadcomeintohisassailant’seyeaftertheyhadclinched。ItwasthesamemanwhohadtoolaterealizedthathisantagonistwasnotFowler。"ThankGod！youareforeversafefromanyexposurefromthatman，"hesaid，gravely，"andthenameofFowlerhasneverbeenknowninSanFranciscosaveinallrespectandhonor。Itisforyoutotakeback——fearlesslyandalone！

Shedid——butnotalone，forsheshareditwithherhusband。

THEGHOSTSOFSTUKELEYCASTLE。

Thereshouldhavebeensnowonthegroundtomakethepictureseasonableandcomplete，buttheWesternBarbarianhadlivedlongenoughinEnglandtoknowthat，exceptinthepagesofaholidaysupplement，thiswasrarelytheaccompanimentofaChristmaslandscape，andhecheerfullyaccepted，onthe24thofDecember，thebackgroundofalow，broodingsky，onwhichthedelicatetraceryofleaflessspraysandblackerchevauxdefriseofpinewasfaintlyetched，asaconsistentsettingtotheturretsandpeacefullystackedchimneysofStukeleyCastle。Yet，eveninthisdisastrouseclipseofcoloranddistance，theharmoniousoutlinesofthelong，gray，irregularpileseemedtohimaswonderfulasever。Itstilldominatedthewholelandscape，and，ashehadoftenfancied，carriedthissubjectioneventothehumanbeingswhohadcreatedit，livedinit，butwhichitseemedtohaveinsomedull，senilewaydozedoverandforgotten。Hevividlyrecalledtheprevioussunshineofanautumnalhousepartywithinitswalls，wheresomedescendantsofitsoldcastellans，encounteredinlonggalleriesorattheverydooroftheirbedrooms，lookedasalientothehouseastheBarbarianhimself。

Fortherestitmaybefounddescribedinthelocalguide-books，withaviewofits"SouthFront，""WestFront，"and"GreatQuadrangle。"ItwasallegedtobebasedonanencampmentoftheRomans——thathighlyapocryphalracewhoseemedtohavespenttheirtimeingettinguppicnicsontessellatedpavements，where，afterhilariouslyemptyingtheirpocketsoftheirloosecoinandthrowingroundtheirdishes，theyinstantlybuiltaroadtoescapeby，leavingnootherrecordoftheirexistence。StowandDugdalehadrecordedthedatewhenaNormanfavoriteobtainedtheroyallicenseto"embattleit；"ithaddonedutyonChristmascardswiththequestionablesnowalreadyreferredtolaidonthicklyincrystal；

ithadbeenlovinglyportrayedbyafaircountrywoman——thevivaciouscorrespondentofthe"EastMachiasSentinel"——inacombinationofthemostdelightfulfemininedisregardoffactswiththehighestfemininerespectfortitles。Itwasrichinarealandspiritualestateoftapestries，paintings，armor，legends，andghosts。Everythingthepoetcouldwishfor，andindeedsomethingsthatdecentprosemighthavepossiblywishedoutofit，werethere。

Yet，fromthedaythatithadbeenforciblyseizedbyaParliamentaryGeneral，untilmorerecently，whenithadpassedbythenolessdesperateconveyanceofmarriageintothehandsofaFriendlyNoblemanknowntotheWesternBarbarian，ithadbeensupposedtosuggestsomethingorothermoreremarkablethanitself。"Fewspectators，"saidtheguide-book，"eventhemostunimpassioned，canstandinthecourtyardandgazeuponthosehistoricwallswithoutfeelingathrillofawe，"etc。TheWesternBarbarianhadstoodthere，gazed，andfeltnothrill。"Theprivilegedguest，"saidthegravehistorian，"passinginreviewthelineamentsoftheillustriousownersofStukeley，asheslowlypacesthesombregallery，mustbeconsciousofemotionsofnoordinarycharacter，"

etc。，etc。TheBarbarianhadbeenconsciousofnosuchemotions。

Anditwasforthisreason，andbelievingheMIGHTexperiencethemifleftthereinsolitude，withnodistractingorextraneoushumanityaroundhim，ithadbeenagreedbetweenhimandtheFriendlyNobleman，whohadfineBarbarianinstincts，thatashe——theFriendlyNobleman——andhisfamilyweretospendtheirholidaysabroad，theBarbarianshouldbeallowed，ontheeveanddayofChristmas，tostayatStukeleyalone。"But，"addedhishost，"you’llfinditbeastlylonely，andalthoughI’vetoldthehousekeepertolookafteryou——you’dbettergoovertodineatAudleyFriars，wherethere’sabigparty，andtheyknowyou，anditwillbeadeuceddealmoreamusing。And——er——Isay——youknow——you’rereallyNOTlookingoutforghosts，andthatsortofthing，areyou？Youknowyoufellowsdon’tbelieveinthem——overthere。"AndtheBarbarian，assuringhimthatthiswasapartofhisdeficientemotions，itwassettledthenandtherethatheshouldcome。Andthatwaswhy，onthe24thofDecember，theBarbarianfoundhimselfgazinghopefullyonthelandscapewithhisportmanteauathisfeet，ashedroveuptheavenue。

TheravensdidNOTcroakominouslyfromthebattlementsasheentered。Andthehousekeeper，althoughneither"stately"nor"tall，"norfullofreminiscencesof"hislatelordship，thepresentEarl’sfather，"wasverysensibleandpractical。TheBarbariancould，ofcourse，havehischoiceofrooms——but——shehadthought——rememberinghistastesthelasttime，thatthelongblueroom？Exactly！Thelong，low-archedroom，withthefadedbluetapestry，lookinguponthegallery——capital！Hehadalwayslikedthatroom。Frompurelynegativeevidencehehadeveryreasontobelievethatitwastheoneformidable-lookingroominEnglandthatQueenElizabethhadnotsleptin。

Whenthefootmanhadlaidouthisclothes，andhisstepgrewfainteralongthepassage，untilitwassuddenlyswallowedupwiththeclosingofaredbaizedoorintheturretstaircase，likeatrapinanoubliette，thewholebuildingseemedtosinkbackintorepose。Quietitcertainlywas，butnotmoreso，heremembered，thanwhenthechambersoneithersidewerefilledwithguests，andfloatingvoicesinthecorridorwerelostinthoseall-absorbingwalls。Sofar，certainly，thiswasnonewexperience。Itwaspastfour。Hewaitedfortheshadowstogather。Lightthickenedbeyondhiswindows；graduallytheoutflankingwallandpartofaprojectingterracecrumbledawayinthedarkness，asifNightwereslowlyreducingthecastle。Thefiguresonthetapestryinhisroomstoodoutfaintly。Thegallery，seenthroughhisopendoor，barredwithblackspacesbetweenthemullionedwindows，presentlybecameobliterated，asifinvadedbyadullsmokefromwithout。Butnothingmoved，nothingglimmered。Reallythismightbecomeintimeverystupid。

Hewasstartled，however，whiledressing，toseefromhiswindowsthatthegreatbanquetinghallwasilluminated，butoncomingdownwasamusedtofindhisdinnerservedonasmalltableinitsoakensolitudelitbythelargeelectricchandelier——forStukeleyCastleunderitspresentlordhadallthemodernimprovements——shiningonthetatteredbannersandglancingmailabovehim。Itwasevidentlythehousekeeper’sreadingofsomewrittensuggestionofhernoblemaster。TheBarbarian，inaflashofinstinct，imaginedthepassage：——

"Humorhimasaharmlesslunatic；theplateisquitesafe。"

Decliningthefurtherofferofanilluminationofthepicturegallery，granddrawing-room，ball-room，andchapel，afewhourslaterhefoundhimselfwanderinginthecorridorwithasinglecandleandagrowingconvictionofthehopelessnessofhisexperiment。Thecastlehadasyetyieldedtohimnothingthathehadnotseenbeforeinthedistractionofcompanyandthegarishnessofday。Itwasbecomingatriflemonotonous。Yetfine——

exceedingly；andnowthatachangeofwindhadliftedthefog，andthefullmoonshoneonthelowerhalfofthepicturesofthegallery，startingintothemostartificialsimulationoflifeanumberofVanDykelegs，farthingales，andfingersthatwouldhavedeceivednobody，itseemedgracious，gentle，andinnocentbeyondexpression。Wanderingdownthegallery，consciousofbeingmorelikeaghostthananyofthepaintedfigures，andthattheymightreasonablyobjecttohim，hewishedhecouldmeettheoriginalofoneofthosepicturedgallantsandsecretlycomparehisfingerswiththecopy。Herememberedanembroideredpairofglovesinacabinetandasuitofarmoronthewallthat，inmeasurement，didnotseemtobearoutthedelicacyoftheonenorthemajestyoftheother。Itoccurredtohimalsotosatisfyayearninghehadoncefelttotryonacertainbreastplateandsteelcapthathungoveranoakensettle。Itwillbeperceivedthathewasgettingagooddealbored。Forthuscaparisonedhelistlessly，and，aswillbeseen，imprudently，allowedhimselftosinkbackintoaverymodernchair，andgivewaytoadreamycogitation。

Whatpossibleinterestcouldthedeadhaveinanythingthatwashere？Admittingthattheyhadany，andthatitwasnottheLIVING，whomtheBarbarianhadalwaysfoundmostinclinedtohauntthepast，wouldnotaghostofanydecidedconvictionsobjecttosuchacollectionashisdescendanthadgatheredinthisgallery？Yonderidiotinsilkandsteelhadblunderinglyandcruellypersecutedhiskinsmaninleatherandsteelonlyafewpanelsdistant。Wouldtheycaretomeethere？Andiftheirhumanweaknesseshaddiedwiththem，whatwouldbringthemhereatall？AndifnotTHEM——whothen？Hestoppedshort。Thedooratthelowerendofthegalleryhadopened！Notstealthily，notnoiselessly，butinanordinaryfashion，andanumberoffigures，dressedinthehabilimentsofabygoneage，cametroopingin。Theydidnotglideinnorfloatin，buttrampledinawkwardly，clumsily，andunfamiliarly，gapingaboutthemastheywalked。Attheheadwasapparentlyastewardinakindoflivery，whostoppedonceortwiceandseemedtobepointingoutandexplainingcertainobjectsintheroom。AflashofindignantintelligencefilledthebrainoftheBarbarian！Itseemedabsurd！——impossible！——butitwastrue！Itwasaholidayexcursionpartyofghosts，beingshownoverStukeleyCastlebyaghostlyCicerone！Andashismeasured，monotonousvoiceroseontheChristmasmorningair，itcouldbeheardthathewasactuallyshowingoff，nottheantiquitiesoftheCastle，buttheMODERN

IMPROVEMENTS！

"This’ere，gossips，"——theBarbarianinstantlydetectedthefallacyofalltheso-calledmediaevaljargonhehadread，——"istheHelectricBell，whichdoesawaywithourhold，hordinary’ornblowin’，andthehattendantwaitin’inthe’allfortheusual’Withoutthere，whowaits？’whichallofuswasaccustomedtoinmortalflesh。Youhobservethisbutton。Ipressitso，anditinstantlyringsabellinthekitchen’all，andshowsinfairlettersthenameofthis’eregallery——aswewillseelater。Willhanygooddameorgafferpressthebutton？WillYOU，mistress？"

saidtheCiceronetoagiggling，kerchief-coifedlass。

"Oisoy，Maudlin！——lookout——willyer！——It’sthesoimeoldgagasthembloomin’knobsyouketchedholdofwhenyerwas’erelas’

Whitsuntide，"calledoutthemediaeval’Arryoftheparty。

"ItisNOTtheGalvanic-Magneticmachinein’islordship’slibrary，"saidtheCicerone，severely，"whichisameretoyforinfants，andhold-fashioned。Andwehave’ereamuchlaterinvention。Iopenthislittledoor，Iturnthis’andle——calledaswitch——and，hasyouperceive，thegalleryishinstantlyhilluminated。"

Therewasahoarsecryofastonishmentfromtheassemblage。TheBarbarianfeltanawfulthrillasthissearching，insufferablelightofthenineteenthcenturystreamedsuddenlyupontheup-

turned，vacant-eyed，anddullfacesofthosesightseersofthepast。Buttherewasnoresponsivegleamintheireyes。

"Itbethesun，"gaspedanoldwomaninagraycloak。

"Toimetorouseout，Myryan，andmakethefoire，"saidthemediaeval’Arry。Thecustodiansmiledwithsuperiortoleration。

"Butwhatdo’eewanto’myoldlanthorne，"askedayellow-jerkinedstableboy，pointingtoanold-fashionedhornedlantern，tempusEdwardIII。，"withthisbraveloight？"

"Youknow，"saidthecustodian，withcondescendingfamiliarity，"thesemortalsworshipwhattheycall’curios’andthe’antique，’

and’islordshipgaveamatteroffiftypoundsforthatsamelanthern。That’swhatthemodernfolkcome’eretosee——likeasye。"

"Oi’veanoldthree-leggedstoolinWhitechapeloi’lllethislordship’avecheap——forfivequid，"suggestedthehumorist。

"The’prenticewightknowsnotthathespeakstruly。For’ereisabraverjestthan’is。Goodfolks，wiltpleaseyetoexamineyoncoffer？"pointingtoanoakenchest。

"’Tisbutpoorstuff，marry，"saidMaudlin。

"’Tisacoffer——thesamebeingmadeinWardourStreetlastyear——

’islordshipgaveonehundredpoundsforit。Lookatthesewould-

beworm-holes，——buttheyweremadewithanAUGER。Marry，WEknowwhatworm-holesare！"

Aghastlygrinspreadoverthefacesofthespectralassemblyastheygatheredaroundthechestwithsilentlaughter。

"Wiltwalk’ereandseethephonographinthelibry，madebyHedison，anHamerican，whichbottlesupthevoiceandpreservesitfreshforahundredyears？’Tisararenewfancy。"

"Rot，"said’Arry。ThenturningtothegigglingMaudlin，hewhispered："Sawitlas’toime。’Islordshipgotapieceo’moymoindthatoireeledoffintoitaboutthis’ereswindle。Fawneythatoldbloketherechargingatannerapiecetousforchaffin’abitofabarrel。"

"Haveyounolastnewbraveriestoshowusofthegallantsandtheirmistresses，asyouwerewont？"saidMaudlintotheCicerone。

"’Twasarareshowlasttime——themodishsilkgownsandfarthingalesintheclosets。"

"ButtherebenocompanythisChristmas，"saidthecustodian，"and’islordshipdoesnotentertain，unlessitbethenewfool’islordshipsentdown’ereto-day，whohasbeenmopin’andmoonin’inthecorridors，asiseverthewayofthesewittolcreatureswhentheyarenotheeded。Hewas’ereinararemotleyofhisownchoosing，withwhichhethinkstoraisealaugh，amomentago。Yeseehimnot——not’avin’thegiftthatbelongsbyrighttomydreadoffice。’TisaweirdprivilegeIhave——andmaynotbeimpartedtoothers——save"——

"Savewhat，goodmansteward？Prithee，speak？"saidMarianearnestly。

"’Tiseverashillin’extra。"

Therewasnoresponse。Afewofthemorebashfulghoststhrusttheirhandsintheirpocketsandlookedawkwardlyanotherway。TheBarbarianfeltamomentaryrelieffollowedbyaslightpangofmortifiedvanity。Hewasalittleafraidofthem。Thepricewasanextortion，certainly，butsurelyhewasworththeextrashilling！

"HehasbroughtbutlittlebraveriesofattireintotheCastle，"

continuedtheCicerone，"butI’avesomething’erewhichwasfoundonthetopofhisportmanteau。Iwotyeknownottheuseofthis。"

TotheBarbarian’sintenseindignation，theCiceroneproduced，fromunderhis，his（theBarbarian’s）ownoperahat。"Marry，whatshouldbethis？Readmethisriddle！Toit——andunyoke！"

Adozenvacantguessesweremadeastheshowmanhelditaloft。

Thenwithaconjuror’sgesturehesuddenlyplacedhisthumbswithintherim，releasedthespringandextendedthehat。Theassemblylaughedagainsilentlyasbefore。

"’Tisahat，"saidtheCicerone，withasuperiorair。

"Nay，"saidMaudlin，"giveithere。"Shetookitcuriously，examinedit，andthenwithasuddencoquettishmovementliftedittowardsherowncoifedhead，asiftotryiton。TheCiceronesuddenlysprangforwardwithadespairinggesturetopreventher。

AndheretheBarbarianwasconsciousofamorestartlingrevelation。

Howandwhyhecouldnottell，butheKNEWthattheputtingonofthatarticleofhisowndresswouldaffecttheyounggirlastheassumptionofthesteelcapandcorselethadevidentlyaffectedhim，andthathewouldinstantlybecomeasvisibletoherassheandhercompanionshadbeentohim。Heattemptedtorise，butwastoolate；

shehadevadedtheCiceronebyducking，and，facinginthedirectionoftheBarbarian，clappedthehatonherhead。Hesawtheswiftlightofconsciousness，ofastonishment，ofsuddenfearspringintohereyes！Sheshrieked，hestarted，struggled，andawoke！

Butwhatwasthis！Hewasaloneinthemoonlitgallery，certainly；

theghastlyfiguresintheiroutlandishgarbweregone；hewasawakeandinhissenses，but，inthisfirstflashofrealconsciousness，hecouldhaveswornthatsomethingremained！

Somethingterror-stricken，andretreatingeventhenbeforehim，——

somethingoftheworld，modern，——and，evenashegazed，vanishingthroughthegallerydoorwiththematerialflashandrustleofsilk。

Hewalkedquietlytothedoor。Itwasopen。Ah！Nodoubthehadforgottentoshutitfast；acurrentofairorasuddendraughthadopenedit。Thatnoisehadawakenedhim。Morethanthat，rememberingthelightningflashofdreamconsciousness，ithadbeentheCAUSEofhisdream。Yet，forafewmomentshelistenedattentively。

Whatmighthavebeenthedullreverberationofaclosingdoorinthedirectionofthehousekeeper’sroom，onthelowerstory，wasallheheard。Hesmiled，foreventhat，naturalasitmightbe，waslessdistinctandrealthanhisabsurdvision。

NeverthelessthenextafternoonheconcludedtowalkovertoAudleyFriarsforhisChristmasdinner。Itshospitablemastergreetedhimcordially。

"Butdoyouknow，mydearfellow，"hesaid，whentheywerealoneforamoment，"ifyouhadn’tcomebyyourselfI’dhavesentoverthereforyou。ThefactisthatA——-wrotetousthatyouweredownatStukeleyalone，ghost-huntingorsomethingofthatsort，andI’mafraiditleakedoutamongtheyoungpeopleofourparty。

Twoofourgirls——Ishan’ttellyouwhich——stoleovertherelastnighttogiveyouastartofsomekind。Theydidn’tseeyouatall，but，byJove，itseemstheygotthebiggestkindofafrightTHEMSELVES，fortheydeclarethatsomethingdreadfulinarmor，youknow，wassittinginthegallery。Awfullygoodjoke，wasn’tit？

OfcourseYOUdidn’tseeanything，——didyou？"

"No，"saidtheBarbarian，discreetly。