MissRoseydidnothoweverimmediatelyavailherselfofherfather’spurchase，butcontentedherselfwiththeusualscarletribbonthatlikeasnoodconfinedherbrownhair，whenshereturnedtohertasks。Thespacebetweenthegalleyandthebulwarkshadbeenherfavoriteresortinsummerwhennotactuallyengagedinhouseholdwork。Itwasnowlightlyroofedoverwithboardsandtarpaulinagainstthewinterrain，butstillaffordedheraveranda-likespacebeforethegallerydoor，whereshecouldreadorsew，lookingoverthebowofthePontiactothetossingbayorthefurtherrangeoftheContraCostahills。

HitherMissRoseybroughtthepurpleprodigy，partlytopleaseherfather，partlywithaviewofsubjectingittoviolentradicalchanges。Butaftertryingitonbeforethetinymirrorinthegalleyonceortwice，herthoughtswanderedaway，andshefellintooneofherhabitualreveriesseatedonalittlestoolbeforethegalleydoor。

Shewasrousedfromitbytheslightshakingandrattlingofthedoorsofasmallhatchonthedeck，notadozenyardsfromwhereshesat。Ithadbeenevidentlyfastenedfrombelowduringthewetweather，butasshegazed，thefasteningswereremoved，thedoorsweresuddenlylifted，andtheheadandshouldersofayoungmanemergedfromthedeck。Partlyfromherfather’sdescription，andpartlyfromtheimpossibilityofitsbeinganybodyelse，sheatonceconceivedittobethenewlodger。Shehadtimetonotethathewasyoungandgood-looking，graverperhapsthanbecamehissuddenpantomimicappearance，butbeforeshecouldobservehimclosely，hehadturned，closedthehatchwithacertainfamiliardexterity，andwalkedslowlytowardsthebows。Eveninherslightbewilderment，sheobservedthathisstepuponthedeckseemeddifferenttoherfather’sorthephotographer’s，andthathelaidhishandonvariousobjectswithahalf-caressingeaseandhabit。

Presentlyhepausedandturnedback，andglancingatthegalleydoorforthefirsttimeencounteredherwonderingeyes。

Itseemedsoevidentthatshehadbeenacuriousspectatorofhisabruptentranceondeckthathewasatfirstdisconcertedandconfused。Butafterasecondglanceatherheappearedtoresumehiscomposure，andadvancedalittledefiantlytowardsthegalley。

"IsupposeIfrightenedyou，poppinguptheforehatchjustnow？"

"Thewhat？"askedRosey。

"Theforehatch，"herepeatedimpatiently，indicatingitwithagesture。

"Andthat’stheforehatch？"shesaidabstractedly。"Youseemtoknowships。"

"Yes——alittle，"hesaidquietly。"Iwasbelow，andunfastenedthehatchtocomeupthequickestwayandtakealookround。I’vejusthiredaroomhere，"headdedexplanatorily。

"Ithoughtso，"saidRoseysimply;"you’rethecontractor？"

"Thecontractor！——oh，yes！Youseemtoknowitall。"

"Father’stoldme。"

"Oh，he’syourfather——Nott？Certainly。Iseenow，"hecontinued，lookingatherwithahalfrepressedsmile。"Certainly，MissNott，goodmorning，"hehalfaddedandwalkedtowardsthecompanionway。

SomethinginthedirectionofhiseyesasheturnedawaymadeRoseyliftherhandstoherhead。Shehadforgottentoremoveherfather’sbalefulgift。

Shesnatcheditoffandranquicklytothecompanionway。

"Sir！"shecalled。

Theyoungmanturnedhalfwaydownthestepsandlookedup。Therewasafaintcolorinhercheeks，andherprettybrownhairwasslightlydisheveledfromthehastyremovalofthebonnet。

"Father’sveryparticularaboutstrangersbeingonthisdeck，"shesaidalittlesharply。

"Oh——ah——I’msorryIintruded。"

"I——I——thoughtI’dtellyou，"saidRosey，frightenedbyherboldnessintoafeebleanti-climax。

"Thankyou。"

Shecamebackslowlytothegalleyandpickeduptheunfortunatebonnetwithaslightsenseofremorse。Whyshouldshefeelangrywithherpoorfather’sunhappyoffering？Andwhatbusinesshadthisstrangeyoungmantousetheshipsofamiliarly？Yetshewasvaguelyconsciousthatsheandherfather，withalltheirloveandtheirdomesticexperienceofit，lackedacertaininstinctiveeaseinitspossessionthatthehalfindifferentstrangerhadshownonfirsttreadingitsdeck。Shewalkedtothehatchwayandexamineditwithanewinterest。Succeedinginliftingthehatch，shegazedatthelowerdeck。Asshealreadyknewtheladderhadlongsincebeenremovedtomakeroomforoneofthepartitions，theonlywaythestrangercouldhavereacheditwasbyleapingtooneoftherings。Tomakesureofthissheletherselfdownholdingontotherings，anddroppedacoupleoffeettothedeckbelow。Shewasinthenarrowpassageherfatherhadpenetratedthepreviousnight。

BeforeherwasthedoorleadingtodeFerrieres’sloft，alwayslocked。Itwassilentwithin;itwasthehourwhentheoldFrenchmanmadehishabitualpromenadeinthecity。Butthelightfromthenewly-openedhatchallowedhertoseemoreofthemysteriousrecessesoftheforwardbulkheadthanshehadknownbefore，andshewasstartledbyobservinganotheryawninghatch-wayatherfeetfromwhichtheclosely-fittingdoorhadbeenlifted，andwhichthenewlodgerhadevidentlyforgottentocloseagain。

Theyounggirlstoopeddownandpeeredcautiouslyintotheblackabyss。Nothingwastobeseen，nothingheardbutthedistantgurgleandclickofwaterinsomeremoterdepth。Shereplacedthehatchandreturnedbywayofthepassagetothecabin。

Whenherfathercamehomethatnightshebrieflyrecountedtheinterviewwiththenewlodger，andherdiscoveryofhiscuriosity。

Shedidthiswithapossibleincreaseofherusualshynessandabstraction，andapparentlymoreasadutythanacolloquialrecreation。ButitpleasedMr。Nottalsotogiveitmorethanhisusualmisconception。"Lookingroundtheship，washe——eh，Rosey？"

hesaidwithinfinitearchness。"Incourse，kindersweepin’roundthegalley，andofferin’tofetchyouwoodandwater，eh？"Evenwhentheyounggirlhadpickedupherbookwiththeusualfaintsmileofaffectionatetolerance，andthendriftedawayinitspages，Mr。Nottchuckledaudibly。"IreckonoldFrenchydidn’tcomebywhentheyoungonewasbedevlin’youthere。"

"What，father？"saidRosey，liftingherabstractedeyestohisface。

AtthemomentitseemedimpossiblethatanyhumanintelligencecouldhavesuspecteddeceitorduplicityinRosey’scleargaze。

ButMr。Nott’sintelligencewassuperhuman。"Iwassayin’thatMr。

Ferrieresdidn’thappeninwhiletheyoungfellerwasthere——eh？"

"No，father，"answeredRosey，withanefforttofollowhimoutofthepagesofherbook。"Why？"

ButMr。Nottdidnotreply。Laterintheeveningheawkwardlywaylaidthenewlodgerbeforethecabindoorasthatgentlemanwouldhavepassedontohisroom。

"I’mafraid，"saidtheyoungman，glancingatRosey，"thatI

intrudeduponyourdaughterto-day。Iwasalittlecurioustoseetheoldship，andIdidn’tknowwhatpartofitwasprivate。"

"Thereain’tnoprivateparttothisyership——thatez，’ceptingtheroomsandlofts，"saidMr。Nott，authoritatively。Then，subjectingtheanxiouslookofhisdaughtertohisusualfacultyformisconception，headded，"Tharain’tnoplacewharyouhaven’tasmuchrighttogoezanyotherman;tharain’tanyman，furrinerorAmerykan，youngorold，dyedorundyed，ezhevgotanybetterrights。Youhearme，youngfellow。Mr。Renshaw——mydarter。Mydarter——Mr。Renshaw。Rosey，givethegentlemanachair。She’sonlyjestcomeinfromapromeynade，andhezjesttakenoffherbonnet，"

headded，withanarchlookatRosey，andahurriedlookaroundthecabin，asifhehopedtoseethemissinggiftvisibletothegeneraleye。"Sotakeaseataminit，won’tye？"

ButMr。Renshaw，afteranobservantglanceattheyounggirl’sabstractedface，brusquelyexcusedhimself，"I’vegotalettertowrite，"hesaid，withahalfbowtoRosey。"Goodnight。"

Hecrossedthepassagetotheroomthathadbeenassignedtohim，andclosingthedoorgavewaytosomeirritabilityoftemperinhiseffortstolightthelampandadjusthiswritingmaterials。ForhisexcusetoMr。Nottwasmoretruthfulthanmostpolitepretexts。

Hehad，indeed，alettertowrite，andonethat，beingyetyounginduplicity，thenearpresenceofhishostrendereddifficult。Foritranasfollows：——

"DEARSLEIGHT，"AsIfoundIcouldn’tgetachancetomakeanyexaminationoftheshipexceptasoccasionoffered，IjustwentintorentlodgingsinherfromtheGod-forsakenoldasswhoownsher，andhereIamatenantfortwomonths。Icontractedforthattimeincasetheoldfoolshouldsellouttosomeoneelsebefore。Exceptthatshe’scutupalittlebetweendecksbythepartitionsforloftsthatthatPikeCountyidiothasputintoher，shelooksbutlittlechanged，andherFORE-HOLD，asfarasIcanjudge，isintact。ItseemsthatNottboughtherjustasshestands，withhercargohalfout，buthewasn’therewhenshebrokecargo。IfanybodyelsehadboughtherbutthiscursedMissourian，whohasn’tgotthehayseedoutofhishair，Imighthavefoundoutsomethingfromhim，andsavedmyselfthiskindoffooling，whichisn’tinmyline。IfIcouldgetpossessionofaloftonthemaindeck，wellforward，justoverthefore-hold，Icouldsatisfymyselfinafewhours，buttheloftisrentedbythatcrazyFrenchmanwhoparadesMontgomeryStreeteveryafternoon，andthougholdPikeCountywantstoturnhimout，I’mafraidIcan’tgetitforaweektocome。

"Ifanythingshouldhappentome，justyouwaltzdownhereandcorralmythingsatonce，forthisoldfrontierpiratehasawayofconfiscatinghislodgers’trunks。

"Yours，DICK。"

III

IfMr。RenshawindulgedinanyfurthercuriosityregardingtheinteriorofthePontiac，hedidnotmakehisactiveresearchesmanifesttoRosey。Nor，inspiteofherfather’sinvitation，didheagainapproachthegalley——afactwhichgaveherherfirstvagueimpressioninhisfavor。HeseemedalsotoavoidthevariousadvanceswhichMr。Nottappearedimpelledtomake，whenevertheymetinthepassage，butdidsowithoutseeminglyavoidingHER，andmarkedhishalfcontemptuousindifferencetotheelderNottbyanincreaseofrespecttotheyounggirl。Shewouldhavelikedtoaskhimsomethingaboutships，andwassurehisconversationwouldhavebeenmoreinterestingthanthatofoldCaptainBower，towhosecabinhehadsucceeded，whohadoncetoldherashipwasthe"devil’shen-coop。"Shewouldhavelikedalsotoexplaintohimthatshewasnotinthehabitofwearingapurplebonnet。Butherthoughtswerepresentlyengrossedbyanexperiencewhichinterruptedtheeventenorofheryounglife。

Shehadbeen，assheafterwardsremembered，impressedwithanervousrestlessnessoneafternoon，whichmadeitimpossibleforhertoperformherordinaryhouseholdduties，oreventoindulgeherfavoriterecreationofreadingorcastlebuilding。Shewanderedovertheship，and，impelledbythesamevaguefeelingofunrest，descendedtothelowerdeckandtheforwardbulkheadwhereshehaddiscoveredtheopenhatch。Ithadnotbeenagaindisturbed，norwasthereanytraceoffurtherexploration。A

littleashamed，sheknewnotwhy，ofrevisitingthesceneofMr。

Renshaw’sresearches，shewasturningbackwhenshenoticedthatthedoorwhichcommunicatedwithdeFerrieres’sloftwaspartlyopen。Thecircumstancewassounusualthatshestoppedbeforeitinsurprise。Therewasnosoundfromwithin;itwasthehourwhenitsqueeroccupantwasalwaysabsent;hemusthaveforgottentolockthedoororithadbeenunfastenedbyotherhands。Afteramomentofhesitationshepusheditfurtheropenandsteppedintotheroom。

Bythedimlightoftwoport-holesshecouldseethatthefloorwasstrewnandpiledwiththecontentsofabrokenbaleofcurledhorsehair，ofwhichafewuntouchedbalesstillremainedagainstthewall。Aheapofmoroccoskins，somealreadycutintheformofchaircushioncovers，andafewcushionsunfinishedandunstuffedlayinthelightoftheports，andgavetheapartmenttheappearanceofacheapworkshop。Arudeinstrumentforcombingthehorsehair，awls，buttons，andthreadheapedonasmallbenchshowedthatactiveworkhadbeenbutrecentlyinterrupted。Acheapearthenwareewerandbasinonthefloor，andapalletmadeofanopenbaleofhorsehair，onwhicharaggedquiltandblanketwereflung，indicatedthatthesolitaryworkerdweltandsleptbesidehiswork。

Thetruthflashedupontheyounggirl’sactivebrain，quickenedbyseclusionandfedbysolitarybooks。Shereadwithkeeneyesthemiserablesecretofherfather’sstrangeguestinthepoverty-

strickenwalls，inthemuteevidencesofmenialhandicraftperformedinlonelinessandprivation，inthispiteousadaptationofanaccidenttosavetheconsciousshameofpremeditatedtoil。

Sheknewnowwhyhehadstammeringlyrefusedtoreceiveherfather’soffertobuybackthegoodshehadgivenhim;sheknewnowhowhardlygainedwasthepittancethatpaidhisrentandsupportedhischildishvanityandgrotesquepride。Fromapeginthecornerhungthefamiliarmasqueradethathidhispoverty——thepearl-graytrousers，theblackfrockcoat，thetallshininghat——inhideouscontrasttothepenuryofhissurroundings。ButifTHEYwerehere，wherewasHE，andinwhatnewdisguisehadheescapedfromhispoverty？Avagueuneasinesscausedhertohesitateandreturntotheopendoor。Shehadnearlyreacheditwhenhereyefellonthepalletwhichitpartlyilluminated。Asingularresemblanceintheraggedheapmadeherdrawcloser。Thefadedquiltwasadressing-

gown，andclutchingitsfoldslayawhite，wastedhand。

TheemigrantchildhoodofRoseNotthadbeenmorethanonceshadowedbyscalpingknives，andshewasacquaintedwithDeath。

Shewentfearlesslytothecouch，andfoundthatthedressing-gownwasonlyanenwrappingoftheemaciatedandlifelessbodyofdeFerrieres。Shedidnotretreatorcallforhelp，butexaminedhimclosely。Hewasunconscious，butnotpulseless;hehadevidentlybeenstrongenoughtoopenthedoorforairorsuccor，buthadafterwardfalleninafitonthecouch。Sheflewtoherfather’slockerandthegalleyfire，returned，andshutthedoorbehindher，andbytheskillfuluseofhotwaterandwhiskysoonhadthesatisfactionofseeingafaintcolortaketheplaceofthefadedrougeintheghastlycheeks。Shewasstillchafinghishandswhenheslowlyopenedhiseyes。Withastart，hemadeaquickattempttopushasideherhandsandrise。Butshegentlyrestrainedhim。

"Eh——what！"hestammered，throwinghisfacebackfromherswithaneffortandtryingtoturnittothewall。

"Youhavebeenill，"shesaidquietly。"Drinkthis。"

Withhisfacestillturnedawayheliftedthecuptohischatteringteeth。Whenhehaddrainedithethrewatremblingglancearoundtheroomandatthedoor。

"There’snoonebeenherebutmyself，"shesaidquickly。"I

happenedtoseethedooropenasIpassed。Ididn’tthinkitworthwhiletocallanyone。"

Thesearchinglookhegaveherturnedintoanexpressionofrelief，which，toherinfiniteuneasiness，againfeeblylightenedintooneofantiquatedgallantry。Hedrewthedressing-gownaroundhimwithanair。

"Ah！itisagoddess，Mademoiselle，thathasdeignedtoenterthecellwhere——where——I——amusemyself。Itisdroll——isitnot？I

cameheretomake——whatyoucall——theexperimentofyourfather’sfabric。Imakemyself——ha！ha！——likeaworkman。Ah，bah！theheat，thedarkness，theplebeianmotionmakemyheadtogoround。

Istagger，Ifaint，Icryout，Ifall。Butwhatofthat？ThegreatGodhearsmycryandsendsmeanangel。Voila！"

Heattemptedaneasygestureofgallantry，butoverbalancedhimselfandfellsidewaysonthepalletwithagasp。Yettherewassomuchgenuinefeelingmixedwithhisgrotesqueaffectation，somuchpiteousconsciousnessoftheineffectivenessofhisfalsehood，thattheyounggirl，whohadturnedaway，camebackandlaidherhanduponhisarm。

"Youmustliestillandtrytosleep，"shesaidgently。"Iwillreturnagain。Perhaps，"sheadded，"thereissomeoneIcansendfor？"

Heshookhisheadviolently。Theninhisoldmanneradded，"AfterMademoiselle——noone。"

"Imean——"shehesitated——"haveyounofriends？"

"Friends，——ah！withoutdoubt。"Heshruggedhisshoulders。"ButMademoisellewillcomprehend——"

"Youarebetternow，"saidRoseyquickly，"andnooneneedknowanythingifyoudon’twishit。Trytosleep。YouneednotlockthedoorwhenIgo;Iwillseethatnoonecomesin。"

Heflushedfaintlyandavertedhiseyes。"Itistoodroll，Mademoiselle，isitnot？"

"Ofcourseitis，"saidRosey，glancingroundthemiserableroom。

"AndMademoiselleisanangel。"

Hecarriedherhandtohislipshumbly——hisfirstpurelyunaffectedaction。Sheslippedthroughthedoor，andsoftlycloseditbehindher。

Reachingtheupperdeckshewasrelievedtofindherfatherhadnotreturned，andherabsencehadbeenunnoticed。ForshehadresolvedtokeepdeFerrieres’ssecrettoherselffromthemomentthatshehadunwittinglydiscoveredit，andtodothisandstillbeabletowatchoverhimwithoutherfather’sknowledgerequiredsomecaution。Shewasconsciousofhisstrangeaversiontotheunfortunatemanwithoutunderstandingthereason，butasshewasinthehabitofentertaininghiscapricesmorefromaffectionatetoleranceofhisweaknessthanreverenceofhisjudgment，shesawnodisloyaltytohiminwithholdingaconfidencethatmightbedisloyaltoanother。"Itwon’tdofatheranygoodtoknowit，"shesaidtoherself，"andifitDIDitoughtn’tto，"sheaddedwithtriumphantfemininelogic。Buttheimpressionmadeuponherbythespectacleshehadjustwitnessedwasstrongerthananyotherconsideration。TherevelationofdeFerrieres’ssecretpovertyseemedachapterfromaromanceofherownweaving;foramomentitliftedthemiserableherooutofthedepthsofhisfollyandselfishness。Sheforgottheweaknessofthemaninthestrengthofhisdramaticsurroundings。Itpartlysatisfiedacravingshehadfelt;itwasnotexactlythestoryoftheship，asshehaddreamedit，butitwasanepisodeinherexperienceofitthatbrokeitsmonotony。Thatsheshouldsoonlearn，perhapsfromdeFerrieres’sownlips，thetruereasonofhisstrangeseclusion，andthatitinvolvedmorethanappearedtohernow，sheneverforamomentdoubted。

Attheendofanhoursheagainknockedsoftlyatthedoor，carryingsomelightnourishmentshehadpreparedforhim。Hewasasleep，butshewasastoundedtofindthatintheintervalhehadmanagedtodresshimselfcompletelyinhisantiquatedfinery。Itwasamomentaryshocktotheillusionshehadbeenfostering，butsheforgotitinthepitiablecontrastbetweenhishaggardfaceandhispomatumedhairandbeard，thejauntinessofhisattire，andthecollapseofhisinvalidfigure。Whenshehadsatisfiedherselfthathissleepwasnatural，shebusiedherselfsoftlyinarrangingthemiserableapartment。Withafewfemininetouchessheremovedtheslovenlinessofmisery，andplacedtheloosematerialandostentatiousevidencesofhisworkononeside。Findingthathestillslept，andknowingtheimportanceofthisnaturalmedication，sheplacedtherefreshmentshehadbroughtbyhissideandnoiselesslyquittedtheapartment。Hurryingthroughthegatheringdarknessbetweendecks，sheonceortwicethoughtshehadheardfootsteps，andpaused，butencounteringnoone，attributedtheimpressiontoherover-consciousness。Yetshethoughtitprudenttogotothegalleyfirst，whereshelingeredafewmomentsbeforereturningtothecabin。Onenteringshewasalittlestartledatobservingafigureseatedatherfather’sdesk，butwasrelievedatfindingitwasMr。Renshaw。

Heroseandputasidethebookhehadidlypickedup。"IamafraidIamanintentionalintruderthistime，MissNott。ButIfoundnoonehere，andIwastemptedtolookintothisship-shapelittlesnuggery。Youseethetemptationgotthebetterofme。"

Hisvoiceandsmileweresofrankandpleasant，sofreefromhispreviousrestraint，yetstillrespectful，soyouthfulyetmanly，thatRoseywasaffectedbythemeveninherpreoccupation。Hereyesbrightenedandthendroppedbeforehisadmiringglance。Hadsheknownthattheexcitementofthelastfewhourshadbroughtawonderfulcharmintoherprettyface，hadarousedtheslumberinglifeofherhalf-awakenedbeauty，shewouldhavebeenmoreconfused。Asitwas，shewasonlygladthattheyoungmanshouldturnouttobe"nice。"Perhapshemighttellhersomethingaboutships;perhapsifshehadonlyknownhimlongershemight，withdeFerrieres’spermission，havesharedherconfidencewithhim，andenlistedhissympathyandassistance。Shecontentedherselfwithshowingthisanticipatorygratitudeinherfaceasshebeggedhim，withthetimidityofamaidenhostess，toresumehisseat。

ButMr。Renshawseemedtotalkonlytomakehertalk，andIamforcedtoadmitthatRoseyfoundthisalmostaspleasant。ItwasnotlongbeforehewasinpossessionofhersimplehistoryfromthedayofherbabyemigrationtoCaliforniatothetransferofherchildishlifetotheoldship，andevenofmuchoftheromanticfanciesshehadwovenintoherexistencethere。Whateverulteriorpurposehehadinview，helistenedasattentivelyasifherartlesschroniclewasfilledwithpracticalinformation。Once，whenshehadpausedforbreath，hesaidgravely，"ImustaskyoutoshowmeoverthiswonderfulshipsomedaythatImayseeitwithyoureyes。"

"ButIthinkyouknowitalreadybetterthanIdo，"saidRoseywithasmile。

Mr。Renshaw’sbrowcloudedslightly。"Ah，"hesaid，withatouchofhisformerrestraint;"andwhy？"

"Well，"saidRoseytimidly，"Ithoughtyouwentroundandtouchedthingsinafamiliarwayasifyouhadhandledthembefore。"

TheyoungmanraisedhiseyestoRosey’sandkeptthemtherelongenoughtobringbackhisgentlerexpression。"Then，becauseI

foundyoutryingonaveryqueerbonnetthefirstdayIsawyou，"

hesaid，mischievously，"Ioughttobelieveyouwereinthehabitofwearingone。"

Inthefirstflushofmutualadmirationyoungpeopleareapttofindalaughquiteassignificantasasighforanexpressionofsympatheticcommunion，andthismaster-strokeofwitconvulsedthemboth。InthemidstofitMr。Nottenteredthecabin。Butthecomplacencywithwhichheviewedtheevidentperfectunderstandingofthepairwasdestinedtosuffersomeabatement。Rosey，suddenlyconsciousthatshewasinsomewayparticipatinginridiculeofherfatherthroughhisunhappygift，becameembarrassed。Mr。Renshaw’srestraintreturnedwiththepresenceoftheoldman。Invain，atfirst，AbnerNottstrovewithprofoundlevitytoindicatehisarchcomprehensionofthesituation，andinvain，later，becomingalarmed，heendeavored，withcheerfulgravity，toindicatehisutterobliviousnessofanybutabusinesssignificanceintheirtete-a-tete。

"Ioughtn’ttohevintruded，Rosey，"hesaid，"whenyouandthegentlemanweretalkin’ofcontracts，mebbee;butdon’tmindme。

I’monthefly，anyhow，Roseydear，hevin’toseeamanroundthecorner。"

ButeventheattitudeofwithdrawingdidnotpreventtheexitofRenshawtohisapartmentandofRoseytothegalley。Leftaloneinthecabin，AbnerNottfeltintheknotsandtanglesofhisbeardforareason。Glancingdownathisprodigiousbootswhich，coveredwithmudandgravel，stronglyemphasizedhisagriculturalorigin，andgavehimageneralappearanceofstandingonhisownbroadacres，hewasstruckwithanidea。"It’sthemboots，"hewhisperedtohimself，softly;"theysomehowdon’tseem’xactlytotrumporfollowsuitinthisyercabin;theydon’thitchintoanythin’，butjistsloshroundloose，and，sotospeak，playitalone。Andthemyoungcrittersnat’rallyfeelsitandgetsouto’theway。"Actinguponthisinstinctwithhisusualprecipitatecaution，heatonceproceededtothenearestsecond-handshop，and，purchasingapairofenormouscarpetslippers，originallythepropertyofagoutysea-captain，reappearedwithastrongsuggestionofnewlyupholsteringthecabin。Theimprovement，however，wasfraughtwithaportentouscircumstance。Mr。Nott’sfootsteps，whichusuallyannouncedhisapproachallovertheship，becamestealthyandinaudible。

MeantimeMissRoseyhadtakenadvantageoftheabsenceofherfathertovisitherpatient。Toavoidattractingattentionshedidnottakealight，butgropedherwaytothelowerdeckandrappedsoftlyatthedoor。ItwasinstantlyopenedbydeFerrieres。Hehadapparentlyappreciatedthefewchangesshehadalreadymadeintheroom，andhadhimselfclearedawaythepalletfromwhichhehadrisentomaketwolowseatsagainstthewall。Twobitsofcandleplacedonthefloorilluminatedthebeamsabove，thedressing-gownwasartisticallydrapedoverthesolitarychair，andapileofcushionsformedanotherseat。WithelaboratecourtesyhehandedMissRoseytothechair。Helookedpaleandweak，thoughthegravityoftheattackhadevidentlypassed。Yethepersistedinremainingstanding。"IfIsit，"heexplainedwithagesture，"I

shallagaindisgracemyselfbysleepinginMademoiselle’spresence。

Yes！Ishallsleep——Ishalldream——andwaketofindhergone？"

Moreembarrassedbyhisrecoverythanwhenhewaslyinghelplesslybeforeher，shesaidhesitatinglythatshewasgladhewasbetter，andthatshehopedhelikedthebroth。

"Itwasmannafromheaven，Mademoiselle。See，Ihavetakenitall——

everypreciousdrop。WhatelsecouldIhavedoneforMademoiselle’skindness？"

Heshowedhertheemptybowl。Aswiftconvictioncameuponherthatthemanhadbeensufferingfromwantoffood。Thethoughtrestoredherself-possessionevenwhileitbroughtthetearstohereyes。"Iwishyouwouldletmespeaktofather——orsomeone，"shesaidimpulsively，andstopped。

Aquickandhalfinsanegleamofterrorandsuspicionlituphisdeepeyes。"Forwhat，Mademoiselle！Foranaccident——thatisnothing——absolutelynothing，forIamstrongandwellnow——see！"hesaidtremblingly。"Orforawhim——forafollyyoumaysay，thattheywillmisunderstand。No，Mademoiselleisgood，iswise。Shewillsaytoherself，’Iunderstand，myfriendMonsieurdeFerrieresforthemomenthasasecret。Hewouldseempoor，hewouldtaketheroleofartisan，hewouldshuthimselfupinthesewalls——perhapsI

mayguesswhy，butitishissecret。Ithinkofitnomore。’"Hecaughtherhandinhiswithagesturethathewouldhavemadeoneofgallantry，butthatinitstremulousintensitybecameapiteoussupplication。

"Ihavesaidnothing，andwillsaynothing，ifyouwishit，"saidRoseyhastily;"butothersmayfindouthowyoulivehere。Thisisnotfitworkforyou。Youseemtobea——agentleman。Yououghttobealawyer，oradoctor，orinabank，"shecontinuedtimidly，withavagueenumerationoftheprevailingdegreesoflocalgentility。

Hedroppedherhand。"Ah！doesnotMademoisellecomprehendthatitisBECAUSEIamagentlemanthatthereisnothingbetweenitandthis？Look！"hecontinuedalmostfiercely。"WhatifItoldyouitisthelawyer，itisthedoctor，itisthebankerthatbringsme，agentleman，tothis，eh？Ah，bah！WhatdoIsay？Thisishonest，whatIdo！Butthelawyer，thebanker，thedoctor，whatarethey？"

Heshruggedhisshoulders，andpacingtheapartmentwithafurtiveglanceatthehalfanxious，halffrightenedgirl，suddenlystopped，draggedasmallportmanteaufrombehindtheheapofbalesandopenedit。"Look，Mademoiselle，"hesaid，tremulouslyliftingahandfulofwornandsoiledlettersandpapers。"Look——thesearethetoolsofyourbanker，yourlawyer，yourdoctor。Withthisthebankerwillmakeyoupoor，thelawyerwillproveyouathief，thedoctorwillswearyouarecrazy，eh？Whatshallyoucalltheworkofagentleman——this"——hedraggedthepileofcushionsforward——"orthis？"

Totheyounggirl’sobservanteyessomeofthepapersappearedtobeofalegalorofficialcharacter，andotherslikebillsoflading，withwhichshewasfamiliar。Theirhalf-theatricalexhibitionremindedherofsomeplayshehadseen;theymightbethecluetosomestory，orthemereworthlesshoardingsofadiseasedfancy。Whatevertheywere，deFerrieresdidnotapparentlycaretoexplainfurther;indeed，thenextmomenthismannerchangedtohisoldabsurdextravagance。"ButthisisstupidforMademoiselletohear。Whatshallwespeakof？Ah，whatSHOULD

wespeakofinMademoiselle’spresence？"

"Butarenotthesepapersvaluable？"askedRosey，partlytodrawherhost’sthoughtsbacktotheirformerchannel。

"Perhaps。"Hepausedandregardedtheyounggirlfixedly。"DoesMademoisellethinkso？"

"Idon’tknow，"saidRosey。"HowshouldI？"

"Ah！ifMademoisellethoughtso——ifMademoisellewoulddeign——"Hestoppedagainandplacedhishanduponhisforehead。"Itmightbeso！"hemuttered。

"Imustgonow，"saidRosey，hurriedly，risingwithanawkwardsenseofconstraint。"FatherwillwonderwhereIam。"

"Ishallexplain。Iwillaccompanyyou，Mademoiselle。"

"No，no，"saidRosey，quickly;"hemustnotknowIhavebeenhere！"

Shestopped。Thehonestblushflewtohercheek，andthenreturnedagain，becauseshehadblushed。

DeFerrieresgazedatherwithanexaltedlook。Thendrawinghimselftohisfullheight，hesaid，withanexaggeratedandindescribablegesture，"Go，mychild，go。Tellyourfatherthatyouhavebeenaloneandunprotectedintheabodeofpovertyandsuffering，but——thatitwasinthepresenceofArmanddeFerrieres。"

Hethrewopenthedoorwithabowthatnearlyswepttheground，butdidnotagainoffertotakeherhand。Atonceimpressedandembarrassedatthiscrowningincongruity，herprettyliptrembledbetweenasmileandacryasshesaid，"Good-night，"andslippedawayintothedarkness。

ErectandgrotesquedeFerrieresretainedthesameattitudeuntilthesoundofherfootstepswaslost，whenheslowlybegantoclosethedoor。Butastrongarmarresteditfromwithout，andalargecarpetedfootappearedatthebottomofthenarrowingopening。Thedooryielded，andMr。AbnerNottenteredtheroom。

IV

Withanexclamationandahurriedglancearoundhim，deFerrieresthrewhimselfbeforetheintruder。Butslowlyliftinghislargehand，andplacingitonhislodger’sbreast，hequietlyoverborethesickman’sfeebleresistancewithanimpactofpowerthatseemedalmostasmoralasitwasphysical。Hedidnotappeartotakeanynoticeoftheroomoritsmiserablesurroundings;indeed，scarcelyoftheoccupant。Stillpushinghim，withabstractedeyesandimmobileface，tothechairthatRoseyhadjustquitted，hemadehimsitdown，andthentookuphisownpositiononthepileofcushionsopposite。Hisusuallyunderdonecomplexionwasofwateryblueness;buthisdull，abstractedglanceappearedtoexerciseacertaindumb，narcoticfascinationonhislodger。

"Imout，"saidNott，slowly，"hevlaidyeouthereonsight，withoutennywarnin’，ordroppedyeinyertracksinMontgomeryStreet，wherevertherwasroomtoworkasix-shooterincomf’ably？

Johnson，ofPetaluny——him，yeknow，ezhadagameeye——fetchedFlynncomin’outermeetin’oneSunday，anditwasonlyonaccountofhiswife，andsheasecond-handone，sotospeak。TherewasWalker，ofContraCosta，pluggedthatyoungSacramentochap，whosenameIdisremember，fullo’holesjustezHEwassayin’’Goodby’

tohisdarter。Imouthevdoneallthisifithadsettledthingstopleaseme。ForwhileyouandFlynnandthatSacramentochapezallaboutthesamesorto’men，Rosey’sadifferentkindfromtheirsorto’women。"

"Mademoiselleisanangel！"saiddeFerrieres，suddenlyrising，withanexcessofextravagance。"Asaint！Look！Icramthelie，ha！downhisthroatwhochallengesit。"

"Efbymam’selleyemeanmyRosey，"saidNott，quietlylayinghispowerfulhandsondeFerrieres’sshoulders，andslowlypinninghimdownagainuponhischair，"ye’reaboutright，thoughsheain’tmam’selleyet。EzIwassayin’，Imighthevkilledyouoff-handifIhedthoughtitwouldhevbeenagoodthingforRosey。"

"Forher？Ah，well！Look，Iamready，"interrupteddeFerrieres，againspringingtohisfeet，andthrowingopenhiscoatwithbothhands。"See！hereatmyheart——fire！"

"EzIwassayin’，"continuedNott，oncemorepressingtheexcitedmandowninhischair，"Imighthevwipedyeout——andmebbeeyewouldn’thevkeered——orYOUmighthevwipedMEout，andImouthevsaid，’Thank’ee，’butIreckonthisain’tacaseforwhat’scomf’ableforyouandme。It’swhat’sgoodforROSEY。Andthethingtokalkilateis，what’stobedone。"

HissmallroundeyesforthefirsttimerestedondeFerrieres’sface，andwerequicklywithdrawn。Itwasevidentthatthisabstractedlook，whichhadfascinatedhislodger，wasmerelyaresoluteavoidanceofdeFerrieres’sglance，anditbecameapparentlaterthatthisavoidancewasduetoaludicrousappreciationofdeFerrieres’sattractions。

"Andafterwe’vedoneTHATwemustkalkilatewhatRoseyis，andwhatRoseywants。P’raps，yeallow，YOUknowwhatRoseyis？

P’rapsyou’veseenherpranceroundinvelvetbonnetsandwhitesatinslippers，andsich。P’rapsyou’veseenherreadin’tracksandv’yages，withoutwaitin’tospellaword，orcatchherbreath。

Butthatain’ttheRoseyezIknow。It’salittlechildezustercrawlinandoutthetail-boardofaMizzouriwagononthealcalipizonedplains，wheretherewasn’tanotherbitofGod’smercyonyearthtobeseenformilesandmiles。It’salittlegalasusterhungerandthirstezquietandmannerlyezshenoweatsanddrinksinplenty;whosevoicewasezsteadywithInjinsyellingroundhernestintheleavesonSweetwaterezinherpurtycabinupyonder。

THAT’SthegalezIknow！That’stheRoseyezmyolewomanputsintomyarmsonenightarterweleftLaramiewhenthefeverwashigh，andsez，’Abner，’sezshe，’thechariotisswingin’lowformeto-night，buttharain’troominitforheroryoutogitinorhitchon。Takeherandrareher，sowekinalljineontheothershore，’sezshe。AndI’dknowedtheothershorewasn’tnoKaliforny。Andthatnight，p’raps，thechariotswunglowerthaneverbefore，andmyolewomansteppedintoit，andleftmeandRoseytocreeponintheoldwagonalone。It’sthemkindo’

things，"addedMr。Nottthoughtfully，"thatseemtopinttomykillin’youonsightezthebestthingtobedone。AndyetRoseymightn’tlikeit。"

Hehadslippedoneofhisfeetoutofhishugecarpetslippers，and，ashereacheddowntoputitonagain，headdedcalmly："AndeztoyermarryingHERitain’ttobedone。"

TheutterlybewilderedexpressionwhichtransfigureddeFerrieres’sfaceatthisannouncementwasunobservedbyNott’savertedeyes，nordidheperceivethathislistenerthenextmomentstraightenedhiserectfigureandadjustedhiscravat。

"EfRosey，"hecontinued，"hezreadinvy’gesandtracksinEyetalianandFrenchcountriesofsuchchapsezyouandkalkilatesyou’retherightkindtotieto，mebbeeitmouthevdoneifyou’dbeenlivin’overtharinapallis，butsomehowitdon’tjibeinoverhereandagreewithaship——andthatshiplyingcomf’ableashoreinSanFrancisco。Youdon’tseemtosuittheclimate，yousee，andyourgeneralgaitislikelytostampedetheothercattle。

Agin，"saidNott，withanostentationoflookingathiscompanionbutreallygazingonvacancy，"thisfixedup，antiquestyleofyoursgoesbetterwiththemivykiveredruinsinRomeandPalmyrythatRosey’smixedyouupwith，thanitwouldyere。Iain’tsaying，"headdedasdeFerriereswasabouttospeak，"Iain’tsayin’ezthatchildain’tsmittenwithye。Itain’tnousetolieandsayshedon’tpreferyoutoheroldfather，oryoungchapsofherownageandkind。I’veseeditafornow。IsuspicioneditaforIseedherslipouto’thisplaceto-night。Thar！keepyourhairon，suchezitis！"headdedasdeFerrieresattemptedaquickdeprecatorygesture。"Iain’taskinyerhowoftenshecomeshere，norwhatsheseztoyounoryoutoher。Iain’taskedherandI

don’taskyou。I’llallowezyou’vesettledallthepreliminariesandboughthertheringandsich;I’monlyaskin’younow，kalkilatinyou’vegotallthekeerdsinyourownhand，whatyou’lltaketostepoutandleavetheboard？"

ThedazedlookofdeFerrieresmighthaveforceditselfevenuponNott’sone-ideadfatuity，haditnotbeenapartofthatgentleman’ssystemdelicatelytolookanotherwayatthatmomentsoasnottoembarrasshisadversary’scalculation。"Pardon，"

stammereddeFerrieres，"butIdonotcomprehend！"Heraisedhishandtohishead。"Iamnotwell——Iamstupid。Ah，monDieu！"

"Iain’tsayin’，"addedNottmoregently，"ezyoudon’tfeelbad。

It’snat’ral。Butitain’tbusiness。I’maskingyou，"hecontinued，takingfromhisbreast-pocketalargewallet，"howmuchyou’lltakeincashnow，andtherestnextsteamerday，togiveupRoseyandleavetheship。"

DeFerrieresstaggeredtohisfeetdespiteNott’srestraininghand。

"ToleaveMademoiselleandleavetheship？"hesaidhuskily，"isitnot？"

"Incourse。Yercanleavethingsyerjustezyoufound’emwhenyoucame，youknow，"continuedNott，forthefirsttimelookingaroundthemiserableapartment。"It’sabusinessjob。I’lltakethebalesbackag’in，andyoukinreckonupwhatyou’reout，countin’Roseyandlosso’time。"

"Hewishesmetogo——hehassaid，"repeateddeFerrierestohimselfthickly。

"EfyoumeanMEwhenyousayHIM，andeztharain’tanyothermanaround，Ireckonyoudo——’yes！’"

"Andheasksme——he——thismanofthefeetandthedaughter——asksme——deFerrieres——whatIwilltake，"continueddeFerrieres，buttoninghiscoat。"No！itisadream！"Hewalkedstifflytothecornerwherehisportmanteaulay，liftedit，andgoingtotheouterdoor，acutthroughtheship’ssidethatcommunicatedwiththealley，unlockeditandflungitopentothenight。Athickmistlikethebreathoftheoceanflowedintotheroom。

"YouaskmewhatIshalltaketogo，"hesaidashestoodonthethreshold。"IshalltakewhatYOUcannotgive，Monsieur，butwhatIwouldnotkeepifIstoodhereanothermoment。ItakemyHonor，Monsieur，and——Itakemyleave！"

Foramomenthisgrotesquefigurewasoutlinedintheopening，andthendisappearedasifhehaddroppedintoaninvisibleoceanbelow。Stupefiedanddisconcertedatthiscompletesuccessofhisovertures，AbnerNottremainedspeechless，gazingatthevacantspaceuntilacoldinfluxofthemistrecalledhim。Thenheroseandshuffledquicklytothedoor。

"Hi！Ferrers！Lookyer——Say！Wot’syourhurry，pardner？"

Buttherewasnoresponse。Thethickmist，whichhidthesurroundingobjects，seemedtodeadenallsoundalso。Afteramoment’spauseheclosedthedoor，butdidnotlockit，andretreatingtothecentreoftheroomremainedblinkingatthetwocandlesandpluckingsomeperplexingproblemfromhisbeard。

Suddenlyanideaseizedhim。Rosey！Wherewasshe？Perhapsithadbeenapreconcertedplan，andshehadfledwithhim。Puttingoutthelights，hestumbledhurriedlythroughthepassagetothegangwayabove。Thecabin-doorwasopen;therewasthesoundofvoices——Renshaw’sandRosey’s。Mr。Nottfeltrelievedbutnotunembarrassed。Hewouldhaveavoidedhisdaughter’spresencethatevening。Butevenwhilemakingthisresolutionwithcharacteristicinfelicityheblunderedintotheroom。Roseylookedupwithaslightstart;Renshaw’sanimatedfacewaschangedtoitsformerexpressionofinwarddiscontent。

"Youcameinsolikeaghost，father，"saidRoseywithaslightpeevishnessthatwasnewtoher。"AndIthoughtyouwereintown。

Don’tgo，Mr。Renshaw。"

ButMr。RenshawintimatedthathehadalreadytrespasseduponMissNott’stime，andthatnodoubtherfatherwantedtotalkwithher。

Tohissurpriseandannoyance，however，Mr。Nottinsistedonaccompanyinghimtohisroom，andwithoutheedingRenshaw’scold"Good-night，"enteredandclosedthedoorbehindhim。

"P’rap’s，"saidMr。Nottwithatroubledair，"youdisrememberthatwhenyoufirstkemhereyouaskedmeifyoucouldhevthat’erloftthattheFrenchmanhaddownstairs。"

"No，Idon’trememberit，"saidRenshawalmostrudely。"But，"headded，afterapause，withanairofamanobligedtoreviveastaleandunpleasantmemory，"ifIdid——whataboutit？"

"Nuthin’，onlythatyoukinhevitto-morrow，ezthat’ereFrenchmanismovin’out，"respondedNott。"Ithoughtyouwassorterkeenaboutitwhenyoufirstkem。"

"Umph！we’lltalkaboutitto-morrow。"SomethinginthelookofweariedperplexitywithwhichMr。Nottwasbeginningtoregardhisownmalapropospresence，arrestedtheyoungman’sattention。

"What’sthereasonyoudidn’tsellthisoldshiplongago，takeadecenthouseinthetown，andbringupyourdaughterlikealady？"

heaskedwithasuddenbluntgoodhumor。ButeventhisimpliedblasphemyagainstthehabitationheworshipeddidnotpreventMr。

Nottfromhisusualmisconstructionofthequestion。

"Ireckon，now，Rosey’sgothigh-flownideasoflivin’inacastlewithruins，eh？"hesaidcunningly。

"Haven’theardhersay，"returnedRenshawabruptly。"Good-night。"

FirmlyconvincedthatRoseyhadbeenunabletoconcealfromMr。

RenshawtheinfluenceofherdreamsofacastellatedfuturewithdeFerrieres，heregainedthecabin。Satisfyinghimselfthathisdaughterhadretired，hesoughthisowncouch。Butnottosleep。

ThefigureofdeFerrieres，standingintheshipsideandmeltingintotheouterdarkness，hauntedhim，andcompelledhimindreamstoriseandfollowhimthroughthealleysandby-waysofthecrowdedcity。Again，itwasapartofhismorbidsuspicionthathenowinvestedtheabsentmanwithapotentialsignificanceandanunknownpower。Whatdeep-laidplansmighthenotformtopossesshimselfofRosey，ofwhichhe，AbnerNott，wouldbeignorant？

Uncheckedbytherestraintofafather’sroofhewouldnowgivefulllicensetohispower。"Saidhe’dtakehisHonorwithhim，"

mutteredAbnertohimselfinthedimwatchesofthenight;"lookin’

atthatsayin’initsrightlight，itlooksbad。"

V

TheelaboratelyuntruthfulaccountwhichMr。NottgavehisdaughterofdeFerrieres’ssuddendeparturewasmorefortunatethanhisusualequivocations。Whileitdisappointedandslightlymortifiedher，itdidnotseemtoherinconsistentwithwhatshealreadyknewofhim。"Saidhisdoctorhadorderedhimtoquittownunderanhour，owingtoacomin’attackofhayfever，andhehadafriendfromfurrinpartswaitin’himattheSprings，Rosey，"explainedNott，hesitatingbetweenhisdesiretoavoidhisdaughter’seyesandhiswishtoobservehercountenance。

"Washeworse？——Imeandidhelookbadly，father？"inquiredRoseythoughtfully。

"Ireckonnotexacklybad。Kinderlookedezifhemoutbeworsesoonefhedidn’thumphisself。"

"Didyouseehim？——inhisroom？"askedRoseyanxiously。Upontheanswertothissimplequestiondependedthefutureconfidentialrelationsoffatheranddaughter。Ifherfatherhadhimselfdetectedthemeansbywhichhislodgerexisted，shefeltthatherownobligationstosecrecyhadbeenremoved。ButMr。Nott’sanswerdisposedofthisvainhope。ItwasaresponseafterhisusualfashiontothequestionheIMAGINEDsheartfullywishedtoask，i。

e。ifhehaddiscoveredtheirrendezvousofthepreviousnight。

Thisitwaspartofhispeculiardelicacytoignore。Yethisreplyshowedthathehadbeenunconsciousoftheonemiserablesecretthathemighthavereadeasily。

"Iwasthereanhourorso——himandmealone——discussin’trade。I

reckonhe’sgotagoodthingouterthatcurledhorsehair，forI

seehe’sgotinaninvoiceo’cushions。I’vestored’emallintheforrardbulkheaduntilhesendsfor’em，ezMr。Renshawheztakentheloft。"

ButalthoughMr。Renshawhadtakentheloft，hedidnotseeminhastetooccupyit。Hespentpartofthemorninginuneasilypacinghisroom，inoccasionalsalliesintothestreetfromwhichhepurposelesslyreturned，andonceortwiceindistantandfurtivecontemplationofRoseyatworkinthegalley。ThislastobservationwasnotunnoticedbytheastuteNott，whoatonceconceivingthathewasnourishingasecretandhopelesspassionforRosey，begantoconsiderwhetheritwasnothisdutytowarntheyoungmanofherpreoccupiedaffections。ButMr。Renshaw’sfinaldisappearanceobligedhimtowithholdhisconfidencetillmorning。

ThistimeMr。Renshawlefttheshipwiththeevidentdeterminationofsomesettledpurpose。Hewalkedrapidlyuntilhereachedthecounting-houseofMr。Sleight，whenhewasatonceshownintoaprivateoffice。InafewmomentsMr。Sleight，abrusquebutpassionlessman，joinedhim。

"Well，"saidSleight，closingthedoorcarefully。"Whatnews？"

"None，"saidRenshawbluntly。"Lookhere，Sleight，"headded，turningtohimsuddenly。"Letmeoutofthisgame。Idon’tlikeit。"

"Doesthatmeanyou’vefoundnothing？"askedSleight，sarcastically。

"ItmeansthatIhaven’tlookedforanything，andthatIdon’tintendtowithoutthefullknowledgeofthatd————dfoolwhoownstheship。"

"You’vechangedyourmindsinceyouwrotethatletter，"saidSleightcoolly，producingfromadrawerthenotealreadyknowntothereader。Renshawmechanicallyextendedhishandtotakeit。

Mr。Sleightdroppedtheletterbackintothedrawer，whichhequietlylocked。TheapparentlysimpleactdyedMr。Renshaw’scheekwithcolor，butitvanishedquickly，andwithitanytokenofhispreviousembarrassment。HelookedatSleightwiththeconvincedairofaresolutemanwhohadatlasttakenadisagreeablestepbutwaswillingtostandbytheconsequences。

"IHAVEchangedmymind，"hesaidcoolly。"Ifoundoutthatitwasonethingtogodownthereasaskilledprospectormightgotoexamineaminethatwastobevaluedaccordingtohisreportoftheindications，butthatitwasentirelyanotherthingtogoandplaythespyinapoordevil’shouseinordertobuysomethinghedidn’tknowhewassellingandwouldn’tsellifhedid。"

"AndsomethingthatthemanHEboughtofdidn’tthinkofselling;

somethingHEhimselfneverpaidfor，andneverexpectedtobuy，"

sneeredSleight。

"ButsomethingthatWEexpecttobuyfromourknowledgeofallthis，anditisthatwhichmakesallthedifference。"

"Butyouknewallthisbefore。"

"Ineversawitinthislightbefore！IneverthoughtofituntilIwaslivingtherefacetofacewiththeoldfoolIwasintendingtooverreach。IneverwasSUREofituntilthismorning，whenheactuallyturnedoutoneofhislodgersthatImighthavetheveryroomIrequiredtoplayoffourlittlegameincomfortably。Whenhedidthat，Imadeupmymindtodropthewholething，andI’mheretodoit。"

"Andletsomebodyelsetaketheresponsibility——withthepercentage——unlessyou’vealsofeltityourdutytowarnNotttoo，"

saidSleightwithasneer。

"Youonlydaresaythattome，Sleight，"saidRenshawquietly，"becauseyouhaveinthatdraweranequalevidenceofmyfollyandmyconfidence;butifyouarewiseyouwillnotpresumetoofaroneither。Letusseehowwestand。Throughtheyarnofadrunkencaptainandamutinoussailoryoubecameawareofanunclaimedshipmentoftreasure，concealedinanunknownshipthatenteredthisharbor。Youareenabled，throughme，tocorroboratesomefactsandidentifytheship。Youproposedtome，asaspeculation，toidentifythetreasureifpossiblebeforeyoupurchasedtheship。

Iacceptedtheofferwithoutconsideration;onconsiderationInowdeclineit，butwithoutprejudiceorlosstoanyonebutmyself。

AstoyourinsinuationIneednotremindyouthatmypresencehereto-dayrefutesit。IwouldnotrequireyourpermissiontomakeamuchbetterbargainwithagoodnaturedfoollikeNottthanIcouldwithyou。OrifIdidnotcareforthebusinessIcouldhavewarnedthegirl——"

"Thegirl——whatgirl？"

Renshawbithislipbutansweredboldly，"Theoldman’sdaughter——apoorgirl——whomthisactwouldrobaswellasherfather。"

Sleightlookedathiscompanionattentively。"Youmighthavesaidsoatfirst，andletuponthiscamp-meetin’exhortation。Wellthen——admittingyou’vegottheoldmanandtheyounggirlonthesamestring，andthatyou’veplayeditprettylowdownintheshorttimeyou’vebeenthere——Isuppose，DickRenshaw，I’vegottoseeyourbluff。Well，howmuchisit！What’sthefigureyouandshehavesettledon？"

ForaninstantMr。Sleightwasinphysicaldanger。ButbeforehehadfinishedspeakingRenshaw’squicksenseoftheludicroushadsofarovercomehisfirstindignationastoenablehimeventoadmiretheperfectmoralinsensibilityofhiscompanion。Asheroseandwalkedtowardsthedoor，hehalfwonderedthathehadevertreatedtheaffairseriously。Withasmilehereplied：

"Farfrombluffing，Sleight，Iamthrowingmycardsonthetable。

ConsiderthatI’vepassedout。Letsomeothermantakemyhand。

Rakedownthepotifyoulike，oldman，IleaveforSacramentoto-

night。Adios。"

WhenthedoorhadclosedbehindhimMr。Sleightsummonedhisclerk。

"IsthatpetitionforgradingPontiacStreetready？"

"I’veseenthelargestpropertyholders，sir;they’reonlywaitingforyoutosignfirst。"Mr。Sleightpausedandthenaffixedhissignaturetothepaperhisclerklaidbeforehim。"Gettheothernamesandsenditupatonce。"

"IfMr。Nottdoesn’tsign，sir？"

"Nomatter。Hewillbeassessedallthesame。"Mr。Sleighttookuphishat。

"TheLascarseamanthatwasheretheotherdayhasbeenwantingtoseeyou，sir。Isaidyouwerebusy。"

Mr。Sleightputdownhishat。"Sendhimup。"

NeverthelessMr。Sleightsatdownandatonceabstractedhimselfsocompletelyastobeapparentlyinutteroblivionofthemanwhoentered。HewaslitheandIndian-looking;bearingindressandmannerthecarelessslouchwithouttheeasyfranknessofasailor。

"Well！"saidSleightwithoutlookingup。

"Iwasonlywantin’toknowefyouhadanynewsforme，boss？"

"News？"echoedSleightasifabsently;"newsofwhat？"

"ThatlittlematterofthePontiacwetalkedabout，boss，"returnedtheLascarwithanuneasyservilityinthewhitesofhisteethandeyes。

"Oh，"saidSleight，"that’splayedout。It’saregularfraud。

It’sanoldforecastleyarn，myman，thatyoucan’treeloffinthecabin。"

Thesailor’sfacedarkened。

"Themanwhowaslookingintoithasthrownthewholethingup。I

tellyouit’splayedout！"repeatedSleight，withoutraisinghishead。

"It’strue，boss——everyword，"saidtheLascar，withanappealinginsinuationthatseemedtostrugglehardwithsavageearnestness。

"Youcanswearme，boss;Iwouldn’tlietoagentlemanlikeyou。

Yourmanhasn’thalflooked，orelse——itmustbethere，or——"

"That’sjustit，"saidSleightslowly;"who’stoknowthatyourfriendshaven’tbeentherealready？——thatseemstohavebeenyourstyle。"

"Butnooneknewitbutme，untilItoldyou，IsweartoGod。I

ain’tlying，boss，andIain’tdrunk。Say——don’tgiveitup，boss。

Thatmanofyourslikelydon’tbelieveit，becausehedon’tknowanythingaboutit。IDO——Icouldfindit。"

Asilencefollowed。Mr。Sleightremainedcompletelyabsorbedinhispapersforsomemoments。ThenglancingattheLascar，hetookhispen，wroteahurriednote，foldedit，addressedit，and，holdingitbetweenhisfingers，leanedbackinhischair。

"Ifyouchoosetotakethisnotetomyman，hemaygiveitanothershow。Mind，Idon’tsaythatheWILL。He’sgoingtoSacramentoto-night，butyoucouldgodownthereandfindhimbeforehestarts。He’sgotaroomthere，Ibelieve。Whileyou’rewaitingforhim，youmightkeepyoureyesopentosatisfyyourself。"

"Ay，ay，sir，"saidthesailor，eagerlyendeavoringtocatchtheeyeofhisemployer。ButMr。Sleightlookedstraightbeforehim，andheturnedtogo。

"TheSacramentoboatgoesatnine，"saidMr。Sleightquietly。

Thistimetheirglancesmet，andtheLascar’seyeglistenedwithsubtleintelligence。Thenextmomenthewasgone，andMr。Sleightagainbecameabsorbedinhispapers。

MeanwhileRenshawwasmakinghiswaybacktothePontiacwiththatlight-heartedoptimismthathadcharacterizedhispartingwithSleight。Itwasthisqualityofhisnature，fosteredperhapsbytheeasycivilizationinwhichhemoved，thathadoriginallydrawnhimintorelationswiththemanhehadjustquitted;aqualitythathadbeentroubledanddarkenedbythoserelations，yet，whentheywerebroken，atoncereturned。Itconsequentlydidnotoccurtohimthathehadonlyselfishlycompromisedwiththedifficulty;itseemedtohimenoughthathehadwithdrawnfromacompacthethoughtdishonorable;hewasnotcalledupontobetrayhispartnerinthatcompactmerelytobenefitothers。Hehadbeenwillingtoincursuspicionandlosstoreinstatehimselfinhisself-respect，morehecouldnotdowithoutjustifyingthatsuspicion。TheviewtakenbySleightwas，afterall，thatwhichmostbusinessmenwouldtake——whicheventheunbusiness-likeNottwouldtake——whichthegirlherselfmightbetemptedtolistento。ClearlyhecoulddonothingbutabandonthePontiacandherownertothefatehecouldnotinhonoravert。Andeventhatfatewasproblematical。ItdidnotfollowthatthetreasurewasstillconcealedinthePontiac，northatNottwouldbewillingtosellher。HewouldmakesomeexcusetoNott——hesmiledtothinkhewouldprobablybeclassedinthelonglineofabscondingtenants——hewouldsaygood-bytoRosey，andleaveforSacramentothatnight。Heascendedthestairstothegangwaywithafreerbreastthanwhenhefirstenteredtheship。

Mr。Nottwasevidentlyabsent，andafteraquickglanceatthehalf-opencabindoor，Renshawturnedtowardsthegalley。ButMissRoseywasnotinheraccustomedhaunt，andwithafeelingofdisappointment，whichseemedinconsistentwithsoslightacause，hecrossedthedeckimpatientlyandenteredhisroom。Hewasabouttoclosethedoorwhentheprolongedrustleofatrailingskirtinthepassageattractedhisattention。ThesoundwassounlikethatmadebyanygarmentwornbyRoseythatheremainedmotionless，withhishandonthedoor。Thesoundapproachednearer，andthenextmomentawhiteveiledfigurewithatrailingskirtslowlysweptpasttheroom。Renshaw’spulseshaltedforaninstantinhalfsuperstitiousawe。Astheapparitionglidedonandvanishedinthecabindoorhecouldonlyseethatitwastheformofabeautifulandgracefulwoman——butnothingmore。Bewilderedandcurious，heforgothimselfsofarastofollowit，andimpulsivelyenteredthecabin。Thefigureturned，utteredalittlecry，threwtheveilaside，andshowedthehalftroubled，halfblushingfaceofRosey。

"I——beg——yourpardon，"stammeredRenshaw;"Ididn’tknowitwasyou。"

"Iwastryingonsomethings，"saidRosey，recoveringhercomposureandpointingtoanopentrunkthatseemedtocontainatheatricalwardrobe——"somethingsfathergavemelongago。IwantedtoseeiftherewasanythingIcoulduse。IthoughtIwasallaloneintheship，butfancyingIheardanoiseforwardIcameouttoseewhatitwas。Isupposeitmusthavebeenyou。"

Sheraisedhercleareyestohis，withaslighttouchofwomanlyreservethatwassoincompatiblewithanyvulgarvanityorgirlishcoquetrythathebecamethemoreembarrassed。Herdress，too，ofaslightlyantiqueshape，richbutsimple，seemedtorevealandaccentacertainreposeofgentlewomanliness，thathewasnowwishingtobelievehehadalwaysnoticed。Consciousofasuperiorityinherthatnowseemedtochangetheirrelationscompletely，healoneremainedsilent，awkward，andembarrassedbeforethegirlwhohadtakencareofhisroom，andwhocookedinthegalley！Whathehadthoughtlesslyconsideredamerelyvulgarbusinessintrigueagainstherstupidfather，nowtohisextravagantfancyassumedtheproportionsofasacrilegetoherself。

"You’vehadyourrevenge，MissNott，forthefrightIoncegaveyou，"hesaidalittleuneasily，"foryouquitestartledmejustnowasyoupassed。IbegantothinkthePontiacwashaunted。I

thoughtyouwereaghost。Idon’tknowwhysuchaghostshouldFRIGHTENanybody，"hewentonwithadesperateattempttorecoverhispositionbygallantry。"Letmesee——that’sDonnaElvira’sdress——isitnot？"

"Idon’tthinkthatwasthepoorwoman’sname，"saidRoseysimply;

"shediedofyellowfeveratNewOrleansasSignorasomebody。"

HerignoranceseemedtoMr。Renshawsoplainlytopartakemoreofthenunthantheprovincialthathehesitatedtoexplaintoherthathemeanttheheroineofanopera。

"Itseemsdreadfultoputonthepoorthing’sclothes，doesn’tit？"

sheadded。

Mr。Renshaw’seyesshowedsoplainlythathethoughtotherwise，thatshedrewalittleausterelytowardsthedoorofherstate-

room。

"Imustchangethesethingsbeforeanyonecomes，"shesaiddryly。

"ThatmeansImustgo，Isuppose。Butcouldn’tyouletmewaithereorinthegangwayuntilthen，MissNott？Iamgoingawayto-

night，andImayn’tseeyouagain。"Hehadnotintendedtosaythis，butitslippedfromhisembarrassedtongue。Shestoppedwithherhandonthedoor。

"Youaregoingaway？"

"I——think——Imustleaveto-night。IhavesomeimportantbusinessinSacramento。"

Sheraisedherfrankeyestohis。Theunmistakablelookofdisappointmentthathesawinthemgavehisheartasuddenthrobandsentthequickbloodtohischeeks。

"It’stoobad，"shesaid，abstractedly。"Nobodyeverseemstostayherelong。CaptainBowerpromisedtotellmeallabouttheshipandhewentawaythesecondweek。ThephotographerleftbeforehefinishedthepictureofthePontiac;MonsieurdeFerriereshasonlyjustgone，andnowYOUaregoing。"

"Perhaps，unlikethem，Ihavefinishedmyseasonofusefulnesshere，"hereplied，withabitternesshewouldhaverecalledthenextmoment。ButRosey，withafaintsigh，saying，"Iwon’tbelong，"enteredthestate-roomandclosedthedoorbehindher。

Renshawbithislipandpulledatthelongsilkenthreadsofhismoustacheuntiltheysmarted。Whyhadhenotgoneatonce？Whywasitnecessarytosayhemightnotseeheragain——andifhehadsaidit，whyshouldheaddanythingmore？Whatwashewaitingfornow？ToendeavortoprovetoherthathereallyborenoresemblancetoCaptainBower，thephotographer，thecrazyFrenchmandeFerrieres？Orwouldhebeforcedtotellherthathewasrunningawayfromaconspiracytodefraudherfather——merelyforsomethingtosay？Wasthereeversuchfolly？Roseywas"notlong，"asshehadsaid，buthewasbeginningtopacethenarrowcabinimpatientlywhenthedooropenedandshereturned。

Shehadresumedherordinarycalicogown，butsuchwastheimpressionleftuponRenshaw’sfancythatsheseemedtowearitwithanewgrace。Atanyothertimehemighthaverecognizedthechangeasduetoanewcorset，whichstrictveracitycompelsmetorecordRoseyhadadoptedforthefirsttimethatmorning。Howbeit，herslightcoquetryseemedtohavepassed，forsheclosedtheopentrunkwithareturnofheroldlistlessair，andsittingonitrestedherelbowsonherkneesandherovalchininherhands。

"Iwishyouwoulddomeafavor，"shesaidafterareflectivepause。

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