第7章

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。