"Yeain’tafearedo’theroadagents？"suggestedabystander;"theyjustswarmongalloper’sRidge，andthey’heldup’thedownstageonlylastweek。"
"They’renotsolivelysincethedeputy-sheriff’sgotanewideaaboutthem，andhasbeenlyinglowinthebrushnearBaldTop，"
returnedSkinner。"Anyhow，theydon’tstopteamsnor’packs’
unlessthere’sachanceoftheirgettingsomefancyhorsefleshbyit;andIreckontharain’tmuchtotemptthemthar，"headded，withasatiricalsideglanceathiscustomer’scattle。ButKeywasalreadystandingintheexpress-wagon，givingafarewellshaketohispatientcompanion’shand，andthisingenuouspleasantrypassedunnoticed。Nevertheless，astheexpress-wagonrolledaway，hisactivefancybegantoconsiderthisnewdangerthatmightthreatenthehiddenwealthofhisclaim。Buthereflectedthatforatime，atleast，onlythecrudeorewouldbetakenoutandshippedtoMarysvilleinashapethatofferednoprofittothehighwaymen。
Haditbeenagoldmine！——buthereagainwastheinterpositionofProvidence！
AweeklaterPrebleKeyreturnedtoSkinner’swithaforemanandtenmen，andanunlimitedcredittodrawuponatMarysville！
ExpeditionsofthiskindcreatednosurpriseatSkinner’s。Partieshadbeforethisenteredthewildernessgayly，noneknewwhereorwhatfor;thesedateandsilentwoodshadkepttheirsecretwhilethere;theyhadevaporated，noneknewwhenorwhere——often，alas！
withanunpaidaccountatSkinner’s。Consequently，therewasnothinginKey’spartytochallengecuriosity。Inanotherweekarambling，one-storiedshedofpinelogsoccupiedthesiteofthemysteriousruins，andcontainedtheparty;intwoweeksexcavationshadbeenmade，andthewholefaceoftheoutcropwasexposed;inthreeweekseveryvestigeofformertenancywhichthefirehadnotconsumedwastrampledoutbythealienfeetofthesetoilersofthe"SylvanSilverHollowCompany。"NoneofKey’sformercompanionswouldhaverecognizedthehollowinitsblackenedlevelingandrockyfoundation;evenCollinsonwouldnothaverememberedthisstrippedandsplinteredrock，withitsheapsoffreshdebris，astheplacewherehehadovertakenKey。AndKeyhimselfhadforgotten，inhistriumph，everythingbutthechanceexperimentthathadledtohissuccess。
Perhapsitwaswell，therefore，thatonenight，whenthedarknesshadmercifullyfallenuponthissceneofsylvandesolation，anditsstillmoreincongruousandunsavoryhumanrestoration，andthelowmurmurofthepinesoccasionallyswelledupfromtheunscathedmountain-side，aloudshoutandthetramplingofhorses’feetawokethedwellersintheshanty。Springingtotheirfeet，theyhurriedlyseizedtheirweaponsandrushedout，onlytobeconfrontedbyadark，motionlessringofhorsemen，twoflamingtorchesofpineknots，andalowbutdistinctvoiceofauthority。
Intheirexcitement，half-awakenedsuspicion，andconfusion，theywereaffectedbyitsnoteofcalmpreparationandconsciouspower。
"Dropthoseguns——holdupyourhands！We’vegoteverymanofyoucovered。"
Keywasnocoward;themen，thoughflustered，werenotcravens：buttheyobeyed。"Trotoutyourleader！Lethimstandoutthere，clear，besidethattorch！"
Oneofthegleamingpineknotsdisengageditselffromthedarkcircleandmovedtothecentre，asPrebleKey，coolandconfident，steppedbesideit。
"Thatwilldo，"saidtheimmutablevoice。"Now，wewantJackRiggs，SydneyJack，FrenchPete，andOne-eyedCharley。"
Avividreminiscenceoftheformernightsceneinthehollow——ofhisownandhiscompanionsvoicesraisedinthedarkness——flashedacrossKey。Withaninstinctivepremonitionthatthisinvasionhadsomethingtodowiththeformertenant，hesaidcalmly：——
"Whowantsthem？"
"TheStateofCalifornia，"saidthevoice。
"TheStateofCaliforniamustlookfurther，"returnedKeyinhisoldpleasantvoice;"therearenosuchnamesamongmyparty。"
"Whoareyou？"
"Themanagerofthe’SylvanSilverHollowCompany，’andthesearemyworkmen。
Therewasahurriedmovement，andthesoundofwhisperinginthehithertodarkandsilentcircle，andthenthevoiceroseagain：
"Youhavethepaperstoprovethat？"
"Yes，inthecabin。Andyou？"
"I’veawarranttothesheriffofSierra。"
Therewasapause，andthevoicewentonlessconfidently：——
"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？"
"Threeweeks。Icameherethedayofthefireandtookupthisclaim。"
"Therewasnootherhousehere？"
"Therewereruins，——youcanseethemstill。Itmayhavebeenaburnt-upcabin。"
Thevoicedisengageditselffromthevaguebackgroundandcameslowlyforwards：——
"Itwasadenofthieves。Itwasthehiding-placeofJackRiggsandhisgangofroadagents。I’vebeenhuntingthisspotforthreeweeks。Andnowthewholething’sup！"
TherewasalaughfromKey’smen，butitwascheckedastheownerofthevoiceslowlyrangedupbesidetheburningtorchandtheysawhisface。Itwasdarkandsetwiththedefeatofabraveman。
"Won’tyoucomeinandtakesomething？"saidKeykindly。
"No。It’senoughfoolworkformetohaveroutedyeoutalready。
ButIsupposeit’sallinmyd——dday’swork！Good-night！Forwardthere！Get！"
Thetwotorchesdancedforwards，withthetrailingoffofvagueshadowsindimprocession;therewasaclatterovertherocksandtheyweregone。Then，asPrebleKeygazedafterthem，hefeltthatwiththemhadpassedtheonlyshadowthatlayuponhisgreatfortune;andwiththelasttenantofthehollowaproscribedoutlawandfugitive，hewashenceforthforeversafeinhisclaimandhisdiscovery。Andyet，oddlyenough，atthatmoment，asheturnedaway，forthefirsttimeinthreeweekstherepassedbeforehisfancywithastirringofreproachavisionofthefacethathehadseenatthewindow。
CHAPTERIII。
OfthegreatdiscoveryinSylvanSilverHollowitwouldseemthatCollinsonasyetknewnothing。InspiteofKey’sfearsthathemightstraythereonhisreturnfromSkinner’s，hedidnot，nordidheafterwardsrevisitthelocality。NeitherthenewsoftheregistryoftheclaimnorthearrivalofKey’sworkmeneverreachedhim。ThefewtravelerswhopassedhismillcamefromthevalleytocrosstheDivideontheirwaytoSkinner’s，andreturnedbythelongerbuteasierdetourofthestage-roadoverGalloper’sRidge。
Hehadnochancetoparticipateintheprosperitythatflowedfromtheopeningofthemine，whichplentifullybesprinkledSkinner’ssettlement;hewastoofarawaytoprofitevenbythechancecustomofKey’sSabbathwanderingworkmen。Hisisolationfromcivilization（forthosewhocametohimfromthevalleywererudeWesternemigrantslikehimself）remainedundisturbed。Thereturnoftheprospectingpartytohishumblehospitalitythatnighthadbeenanexceptionalcase;inhischaracteristicsimplicityhedidnotdreamthatitwasbecausetheyhadnowhereelsetogointheirpennilesscondition。Itwasanincidenttobepleasantlyremembered，butwhosenonrecurrencedidnotdisturbhisinfinitepatience。Hisporkbarrelandfloursackhadbeenreplenishedforothertravelers;hisownwantswerefew。
ItwasadayortwoafterthemidnightvisitofthesherifftoSilverHollowthatKeygallopeddownthesteepgradetoCollinson’s。Hewasamused，albeit，inhisnewimportance，alittleaggrievedalso，tofindthatCollinsonhadasusualconfoundedhisdescentwiththatofthegenerallydetachedboulder，andthathewasobligedtoaddhisvoicetothegeneraluproar。
ThisbroughtCollinsontohisdoor。
"I’vehadyourhosshobbledoutamongthechickweedandcloverinthegreenpasturebacko’themill，andhe’spickedupthatmuchthathe’slookin’fatandsassy，"hesaidquietly，beginningtomechanicallyunstrapKey’sbridle，evenwhilehisguestwasintheactofdismounting。"Hisback’squitehealedup。"
Keycouldnotrestrainashrugofimpatience。Itwasthreeweekssincetheyhadmet，——threeweekscrammedwithexcitement，energy，achievement，andfortunetoKey;andyetthisplaceandthismanwereasstupidlyunchangedaswhenhehadleftthem。Amomentaryfancythatthiswasthereality，thathehimselfwasonlyawakeningfromsomedelusivedream，cameoverhim。ButCollinson’snextwordswerepractical。
"Ireckonedthatmaybeyou’dwritefromMarysvilletoSkinnertosendforthehoss，andforwardhimtoye，forIneverkalkilatedyou’dcomeback。"
ItwasquiteplainfromthisthatCollinsonhadheardnothing。Butitwasalsoawkward，asKeywouldnowhavetotellthewholestory，andrevealthefactthathehadbeenreallyexperimentingwhenCollinsonovertookhiminthehollow。Heevadedthisbypost-
datinghisdiscoveryoftherichnessoftheoreuntilhehadreachedMarysville。Buthefoundsomedifficultyinrecountinghisgoodfortune：hewasnaturallynoboaster，hehadnodesiretoimpressCollinsonwithhispenetration，northeundauntedenergyhehaddisplayedingettinguphiscompanyandopeningthemine，sothathewasactuallyembarrassedbyhisownunderstatement;andunderthegrave，patienteyesofhiscompanion，toldhisstoryatbestlamely。Collinson’sfacebetrayedneitherprofoundinterestnortheslightestresentment。WhenKeyhadendedhisawkwardrecital，Collinsonsaidslowly：——
"ThenUncleDickandthatotherParkerfellerain’tgotnoshowinthisyerfind。"
"No，"saidKeyquickly。"Don’tyourememberwebrokeupourpartnershipthatmorningandwentoffourownways。Youdon’tsuppose，"headdedwithaforcedhalf-laugh，"thatifUncleDickorParkerhadstruckaleadaftertheyleftme，they’dhaveputmeinit？"
"Wouldn’tthey？"askedCollinsongravely。
"Ofcoursenot。"Helaughedalittlemorenaturally，butpresentlyadded，withanuneasysmile，"Whatmakesyouthinktheywould？"
"Nuthin’！"saidCollinsonpromptly。
Nevertheless，whentheywereseatedbeforethefire，withglassesintheirhands，Collinsonreturnedpatientlytothesubject：
"Youwuzsayingtheywenttheirway，andyouwentyours。Butyourwaywasbackontheoldwaythatyou’dallgonetogether。"
ButKeyfelthimselfonfirmergroundhere，andanswereddeliberatelyandtruthfully，"Yes，butIonlywentbacktothehollowtosatisfymyselfiftherereallywasanyhousethere，andiftherewas，towarntheoccupantsoftheapproachingfire。"
"Andtherewasahousethere，"saidCollinsonthoughtfully。
"Onlytheruins。"Hestoppedandflushedquickly，forherememberedthathehaddenieditsexistenceattheirformermeeting。"Thatis，"hewentonhurriedly，"Ifoundoutfromthesheriff，youknow，thattherehadbeenahousethere。But，"headded，revertingtohisstrongerposition，"mygoingbacktherewasanaccident，andmypickinguptheoutcropwasanaccident，andhadnomoretodowithourpartnershipprospectingthanyouhad。Infact，"hesaid，withareassuringlaugh，"you’dhavehadabetterrighttoshareinmyclaim，comingthereasyoudidatthatmoment，thanthey。Why，ifI’dhaveknownwhatthethingwasworth，I
mighthaveputyouin——onlyitwantedcapitalandsomeexperience。"
Hewasgladthathehadpitcheduponthatexcuse（ithadonlyjustoccurredtohim），andglancedaffablyatCollinson。Butthatgentlemansaidsoberly：——
"No，youwouldn’tnuther。"
"Whynot？"saidKeyhalfangrily。
Collinsonpaused。Afteramomenthesaid，"’CosIwouldn’thevtookanythingouterthetplace。"
Keyfeltrelieved。FromwhatheknewofCollinson’svagarieshebelievedhim。Hewaswiseinnotadmittinghimtohisconfidencesatthebeginning;hemighthavethoughtithisdutytotellothers。
"I’mnotsoparticular，"hereturnedlaughingly，"butthesilverinthatholewasnevertouched，norIdaresayevenimaginedbymortalmanbefore。However，thereissomethingelseaboutthehollowthatIwanttotellyou。Youremembertheslipperthatyoupickedup？"
"Yes。"
"Well，Iliedtoyouaboutthat;Ineverdroppedit。Onthecontrary，Ihadpickedupthemateofitverynearwhereyoufoundyours，andIwantedtoknowtowhomitbelonged。ForIdon’tmindtellingyounow，Collinson，thatIbelievethereWASawomaninthathouse，andthesamewomanwhosefaceIsawatthewindow。Yourememberhowtheboysjokedmeaboutit——well，perhapsIdidn’tcarethatyoushouldlaughatmetoo，butI’vehadasoreconscienceovermylie，forIrememberedthatyouseemedtohavesomeinterestinthemattertoo，andIthoughtthatmaybeImighthavethrownyouoffthescent。Itseemedtomethatifyouhadanyideawhoitwas，wemightnowtalkthematteroverandcomparenotes。Ithinkyousaid——atleast，Igatheredtheideafromaremarkofyours，"headdedhastily，asherememberedthatthesuggestionwashisown，andasatiricalone——"thatitremindedyouofyourwife’sslipper。Ofcourse，asyourwifeisdead，thatwouldoffernoclue，andcanonlybeachanceresemblance，unless"——
Hestopped。
"Haveyougot’emyet？"
"Yes，both。"Hetookthemfromthepocketofhisriding-jacket。
AsCollinsonreceivedthem，hisfacetookuponitselfanevengraverexpression。"It’smightycur’ous，"hesaidreflectively，"butlookingatthetwoof’emthelikenessismorefetchin’。Yesee，mywifehadaSTRAIGHTfoot，andneverworereg’larrightsandleftslikeotherwomen，butkinderchangedabout;yesee，theseshoesisreg’larrightsandlefts，butneverwaswornassich！"
"Theremaybeotherwomenaspeculiar，"suggestedKey。
"ThereMUSTbe，"saidCollinsonquietly。
ForaninstantKeywastouchedwiththemanlysecurityofthereply，for，rememberingUncleDick’sscandal，ithadoccurredtohimthattheunknowntenantoftherobbers’denmightbeCollinson’swife。Hewasgladtoberelievedonthatpoint，andwentonmoreconfidently：——
"So，yousee，thiswomanwasundoubtedlyinthathouseonthenightofthefire。Sheescaped，andinamightyhurrytoo，forshehadnottimetochangeherslippersforshoes;sheescapedonhorseback，forthatishowshelostthem。Nowwhatwasshedoingtherewiththoserascals，forthefaceIsawlookedasinnocentasasaint’s。"
"Seemedtoyesorto’contrairy，jistasIreckonedmywife’sfootwouldhavelookedinaslipperthatyousaidwasGIVtoye，"
suggestedCollinsonpointedly，butwithnoimplicationofreproachinhisvoice。
"Yes，"saidKeyimpatiently。
"I’vereadyarnsaforenowaboutthemEyetalianbrigandsstealin’
women，"saidCollinsonreflectively，"butthatain’tCaliforniaroad-agentstyle。GreatScott！ifoneevensomuchasspoketoawoman，they’dhavebeenwipedoutertheStatelongago。No！thewomanasWAStherecametheretoSTAY！"
AsKey’sfacedidnotseemtoexpresseitherassentorsatisfactionatthislaststatement，Collinson，afteraglanceatit，wentonwithasomewhatgentlergravity："Iseewot’stroublin’YOU，Mr。
Key;you’vebinthinkin’thatmebbeethatpoorwomanmighthevbinthebetterforabito’thatfortin’thatyoudiscoveredundertheveryspotwherethemslippersofhershadoftentrod。You’rethinkin’thatmebbeeitmighthevturnedherandthosemenfromtheirevilways。"
Mr。Keyhadbeenthinkingnothingofthekind，butforsomeobscurereasontheskepticaljeerthathadrisentohislipsremainedunsaid。Heroseimpatiently。"Well，thereseemstobenochanceofdiscoveringanythingnow;thehouseisburnt，thegangdispersed，andshehasprobablygonewiththem。"Hepaused，andthenlaidthreeorfourlargegoldpiecesonthetable。"It’sforthatoldbillofourparty，Collinson，"hesaid。"I’llsettleandcollectfromeach。Sometimewhenyoucomeovertothemine，andI
hopeyou’llgiveusacall，youcanbringthehorse。Meanwhileyoucanusehim;you’llfindhe’salittlequickerthanthemule。Howisbusiness？"headded，withaperfunctoryglancearoundthevacantroomanddustybar。
"Tharain’tmuchpassin’thisway，"saidCollinsonwithequalcarelessness，ashegatheredupthemoney，"’ceptthoseboysfromthevalley，andthey’remostalwaysstrappedwhentheycomehere。"
KeysmiledasheobservedthatCollinsonofferedhimnoreceipt，and，moreover，asherememberedthathehadonlyCollinson’swordforthedestructionofParker’sdraft。Buthemerelyglancedathisunconscioushost，andsaidnothing。Afterapausehereturnedinalightertone："Isupposeyouareratheroutoftheworldhere。
Indeed，Ihadanideaatfirstofbuyingoutyourmill，Collinson，andputtinginsteampowertogetouttimberforournewbuildings，butyouseeyouaresofarawayfromthewagon-road，thatwecouldn’thaulthetimberaway。Thatwasthetrouble，orI’dhavemadeyouafairoffer。"
"Idon’treckontoeversellthemill，"saidCollinsonsimply。
Thenobservingthelookofsuspicioninhiscompanion’sface，headdedgravely，"Yousee，IriggedupthewholethingwhenI
expectedmywifeoutfromtheStates，andIcalkilatetokeepitinmemoryofher。"
Keyslightlyliftedhisbrows。"Butyounevertoldus，bytheway，HOWyouevercametoputupamillherewithsuchanuncertainwater-supply。"
"Itwasn’tonsartinwhenIcamehere，Mr。Key;itwasafull-fedstreamstraightfromthemsnowpeaks。Itwastheearthquakedidit。"
"Theearthquake！"repeatedKey。
"Yes。Eftheearthquakekinheaveupthatsilver-bearingrockthatyoutoldusaboutthefirstdayyoukemhere，andthatyoufoundt’otherday，itcouldplayrootswithameremill-stream，I
reckon。"
"ButtheconvulsionIspokeofhappenedagesonagesago，whenthiswholemountainrangewasbeingfashioned，"saidKeywithalaugh。
"Well，thisyerearthquakewastenyearsago，justafterIcame。I
reckonIoughterrememberit。Itwasaqueersorto’dayinthefall，dryandhotasiftharmighthevbinafireinthewoods，onlytharwasn’tnowind。Notabreathofairanywhar。Theleavesofthemaldershungstraightasaplumb-line。Exceptforthattharstreamandthattharwheel，nuthin’moved。Tharwasn’tabirdonthewingoverthatcanyon;tharwasn’tasquirrelskirmishin’inthehullwood;eventhelizardsintherocksstiffenedlikestoneChineseidols。Itkeptgettin’quieterandquieter，ontilIwalkedoutonthatledgeandfeltasifI’dhavetogiveayelljusttohearmyownvoice。Tharwasathinveilovereverything，andbetwixtandbetweeneverything，andthesunwasrootedinthemiddleofitasifitcouldn’tmoveneither。Everythin’seemedtobewaitin’，waitin’，waitin’。Thenallofasuddinsuthin’seemedtogivesomewhar！Suthin’fetchedawaywithaqueersortofrumblin’，asifthepeghadslippedoutercreation。Ilookedupandkalkilatedtoseehalfadozenofthemboulderscome，lickityswitch，downthegrade。But，darnmyskin，ifoneof’emstirred！
andyetwhileIwaslooking，thewholefaceo’thatbluffbowedoversoftly，asifsaying’Good-by，’andgotcleanawaysomewharbeforeIknowedit。Why，youseethatpileaginthesideo’thecanyon！Well，athousandfeetunderthatthere’strees，threehundredfeethigh，stilluprightandstandin’。Youknowhowthempinesoveronthatfarmountain-sidealwaysseemtobeclimbin’up，up，up，overeachother’sheadstotheverytop？Well，Mr。Key，I
SAW’EMclimbin’！AndwhenIpulledmyselftogetherandgotbacktothemill，everythingwasquiet;and，byG——d，sowasthemill-
wheel，andtherewasn’ttwoinchesofwaterintheriver！"
"Andwhatdidyouthinkofit？"saidKey，interestedinspiteofhisimpatience。
"Ithought，Mr。Key——No！Imustn’tsayIthought，forIknowedit。Iknowedthatsuthin’hadhappenedtomywife！"
Keydidnotsmile，butevenfeltafaintsuperstitiousthrillashegazedathim。AfterapauseCollinsonresumed："Iheardamonthafterthatshehaddiedaboutthattimeo’yallerfeverinTexaswiththepartyshewascomin’with。Herfolkswrotethattheydiedlikeflies，andwuzallburiedtogether，unbeknownstandpromiscuous，andtharwasn’tnoremains。Sheslippedawayfrommelikethatbluffoverthatcanyon，andthatwastheendofit。"
"Butshemighthaveescaped，"saidKeyquickly，forgettinghimselfinhiseagerness。
ButCollinsononlyshookhishead。"Thenshe’dhavebeenhere，"hesaidgravely。
Keymovedtowardsthedoorstillabstractedly，heldouthishand，shookthatofhiscompanionwarmly，andthen，saddlinghishorsehimself，departed。Asenseofdisappointment——inwhichavaguedissatisfactionwithhimselfwasmingled——wasallthathadcomeofhisinterview。Hetookhimselfseverelytotaskforfollowinghisromanticquestsofar。ItwasunworthyofthepresidentoftheSylvanSilverHollowCompany，andhewasnotquitesurebutthathisconfidenceswithCollinsonmighthaveimperiledeventheinterestsofthecompany。Toatoneforthismomentaryaberration，andcorrecthisdismalfancies，heresolvedtoattendtosomebusinessatSkinner’sbeforereturning，andbranchedoffonalongdetourthatwouldintersectthetraveledstage-road。Buthereasingularincidentovertookhim。Ashewheeledintotheturnpike，heheardthetramplinghoof-beatsandjinglingharnessoftheoncomingcoachbehindhim。Hehadbarelytimetodrawupagainstthebankbeforethesixgallopinghorsesandswingingvehiclesweptheavilyby。Hehadaquickimpressionoftheheatandsteamofsweatinghorse-hide，thereekofvarnishandleather，andthemomentaryvisionofafemalefacesilhouettedagainsttheglasswindowofthecoach！Buteveninthatflashofperceptionherecognizedtheprofilethathehadseenatthewindowofthemysterioushut！
Hehaltedforaninstantdazedandbewilderedinthedustofthedepartingwheels。Then，asthebulkofthevehiclereappeared，alreadynarrowinginthedistance，withoutasecondthoughthedashedafterit。Hisdisappointment，hisself-criticism，hispracticalresolutionswereforgotten。Hehadbutoneideanow——thevisionwasprovidential！Thecluetothemysterywasbeforehim——
heMUSTfollowit！
Yethehadsenseenoughtorealizethatthecoachwouldnotstoptotakeupapassengerbetweenstations，andthatthenextstationwastheonethreemilesbelowSkinner’s。Itwouldnotbedifficulttoreachthisbyacut-offintime，andalthoughthevehiclehadappearedtobecrowded，hecouldnodoubtobtainaseatontop。
Hiseagercuriosity，however，ledhimtoputspurstohishorse，andrangeupalongsideofthecoachasifpassingit，whileheexaminedthestrangermoreclosely。Herfacewasbentlistlesslyoverabook;therewasunmistakablythesameprofilethathehadseen，butthefullfacewasdifferentinoutlineandexpression。A
strangesenseofdisappointmentthatwasalmostarevulsionoffeelingcameoverhim;helingered，heglancedagain;shewascertainlyaveryprettywoman：therewasthebeautifullyroundedchin，theshortstraightnose，anddelicatelycurvedupperlip，thathehadseenintheprofile，——andyet——yetitwasnotthesamefacehehaddreamtof。Withanodd，provokingsenseofdisillusion，hesweptaheadofthecoach，andagainslackenedhisspeedtoletitpass。Thistimethefairunknownraisedherlonglashesandgazedsuddenlyatthispersistenthorsemanatherside，andanoddexpression，itseemedtohimalmostaglanceofrecognitionandexpectation，cameintoherdark，languideyes。Thepupilsconcentrateduponhimwithasingularsignificance，thatwasalmost，heeventhought，areplytohisglance，andyetitwasasutterlyunintelligible。Amomentlater，however，itwasexplained。
Hehadfallenslightlybehindinanewconfusionofhesitation，wonder，andembarrassment，whenfromawoodedtrailtotheright，anotherhorsemansuddenlysweptintotheroadbeforehim。Hewasapowerfullybuiltman，mountedonathoroughbredhorseofaqualityfarsuperiortotheordinaryroadster。WithoutlookingatKeyheeasilyrangedupbesidethecoachasiftopassit，butKey，withasuddenresolution，putspurstohisownhorseandrangedalsoabreastofhim，intimetoseehisfairunknownstartattheapparitionofthissecondhorsemanandunmistakablyconveysomesignaltohim，——asignalthattoKey’sfancynowbetrayedsomewarningofhimself。Hewasthemoreconvincedasthestranger，aftercontinuingafewpacesaheadofthecoach，allowedittopasshimatacurveoftheroad，andslackenedhispacetopermitKeytodothesame。Instinctivelyconsciousthatthestranger’sobjectwastoscrutinizeoridentifyhim，hedeterminedtotaketheinitiative，andfixedhiseyesuponhimastheyapproached。Butthestranger，whoworealoosebrownlinendusteroverclothesthatappearedtobesuperiorinfashionandmaterial，alsohadpartofhisfaceandheaddrapedbyawhitesilkhandkerchiefwornunderhishat，ostensiblytokeepthesunanddustfromhisheadandneck，——andhadtheadvantageofhim。Heonlycaughttheflashofapairofsteel-grayeyes，asthenewcomer，apparentlyhavingsatisfiedhimself，gavereintohisspiritedsteedandeasilyrepassedthecoach，disappearinginacloudofdustbeforeit。ButKeyhadbythistimereachedthe"cut-off，"whichthestranger，ifheintendedtofollowthecoach，eitherdisdainedorwasignorantof，andheurgedhishorsetoitsutmostspeed。Evenwiththestranger’sadvantagesitwouldbeacloseracetothestation。
Nevertheless，ashedashedon，hewasbynomeansinsensibletothesomewhatquixoticnatureofhisundertaking。Ifhewasrightinhissuspicionthatasignalhadbeengivenbytheladytothestranger，itwasexceedinglyprobablethathehaddiscoverednotonlythefairinmateoftherobbers’den，butoneofthegangitself，oratleastaconfederateandally。Yetfarfromdeterringhim，inthatingenioussophistrywithwhichhewasapttotreathisromance，henowlookeduponhisadventureasapracticalpursuitintheinterestsoflawandjustice。Itwastruethatitwassaidthatthebandofroadagentshadbeendispersed;itwasafactthattherehadbeennospoliationofcoachorteamsforthreeweeks;butnoneofthedepredatorshadeverbeencaught，andtheirbooty，whichwasconsiderable，wasknowntobestillintact。Itwastotheinterestofthemine，hispartners，andhisworkmenthatthiscluetoadangerwhichthreatenedthelocalityshouldbefollowedtotheend。Astothelady，inspiteofthedisappointmentthatstillrankledinhisbreast，hecouldbemagnanimous！Shemightbetheparamourofthestrangehorseman，shemightbeonlyescapingfromsomehatefulcompanionshipbyhisaid。Andyetonethingpuzzledhim：shewasevidentlynotacquaintedwiththepersonalityoftheactivegang，forshehad，withoutdoubt，atfirstmistakenHIMforoneofthem，andafterrecognizingherrealaccomplicehadcommunicatedhermistaketohim。
Itwasagreatrelieftohimwhentheroughandtangled"cut-off"
atlastbroadenedandlightenedintotheturnpikeroadagain，andhebeheld，scarcelyaquarterofamilebeforehim，thedustcloudthatoverhungthecoachasitdrewupatthelonelywaysidestation。Hewasintime，forheknewthatthehorseswerechangedthere;butasuddenfearthatthefairunknownmightalight，ortakesomeotherconveyance，madehimstillspurhisjadedsteedforward。Ashenearedthestationheglancedeagerlyaroundfortheotherhorseman，buthewasnowheretobeseen。Hehadevidentlyeitherabandonedthechaseorriddenahead。
Itseemedequallyapartofwhathebelievedwasaprovidentialintercession，thatonarrivingatthestationhefoundtherewasavacantseatinsidethecoach。Itwasdiagonallyoppositethatoccupiedbythelady，andhewasthusenabledtostudyherfaceasitwasbentoverherbook，whosepages，however，shescarcelyturned。Afterherfirstcasualglanceofcuriosityatthenewpassenger，sheseemedtotakenomorenoticeofhim，andKeybegantowonderifhehadnotmistakenherpreviousinterrogatinglook。
Norwasithisonlydisturbingquery;hewasconsciousofthesamedisappointmentnowthathecouldexamineherfacemoreattentively，asinhisfirstcursoryglance。Shewascertainlyhandsome;iftherewasnolongerthefreshnessofyouth，therewasstilltheindefinablecharmofthewomanofthirty，andwithitthedelicatecurvesofmaturedmuliebrityandrepose。Therewerelines，particularlyaroundthemouthandfringedeyelids，thatweredeepenedasbypain;andthechin，eveninitsroundedfullness，hadtheangleofdetermination。Fromwhatwasvisible，belowthebrownlinendusterthatshewore，sheappearedtobetastefullyalthoughnotrichlydressed。
Asthecoachatlastdroveawayfromthestation，agrizzled，farmer-lookingmanseatedbesideherutteredasighofrelief，sopalpableastoattractthegeneralattention。Turningtohisfairneighborwithasmileofuncouthbutgood-humoredapology，hesaidinexplanation：——
"You’llexcuseme，miss！Idon’tknowezactlyhowYOU’REfeelin’，——
forjudgingfromyourlooksandgin’ralgait，you’reastrangerintheseparts，——butezforME，Idon’tmindsayin’thatIneverfeelezactlysafefromtheseyerroadagentsandstagerobbersontilarterwepassSkinner’sstation。AllalongthetGalloper’sRidgeit’sjesttechandgolike;thewoodsisswarmin’with’em。ButoncepastSkinner’s，you’reallright。Theyneverdaregobelowthat。Soefyoudon’tmind，miss，forit’sbein’inyourpresence，I’lljestpulloffmybutesandeasemyfeetforaspell。"
Neithertheinconsequenceofthissingularrequest，northesmileitevokedonthefacesoftheotherpassengers，seemedtodisturbthelady’sabstraction。Scarcelyliftinghereyesfromherbook，shebowedagraveassent。
"Yousee，miss，"hecontinued，"andyougents，"headded，takingthewholecoachintohisconfidence，"I’vegotoverfortyouncesofcleangolddustinthembutes，betweentheupperandlowersole，——
andit’smightytightpackingformyfeet。Yekinheftit，"hesaid，asheremovedonebootandhelditupbeforethem。"Iputthedustthereforsafety——kalkilatin’thatwhiletheseroadgentryallusgoesforaman’spocketsandhisbodybelt，theyneverthinksofhisbutes，orhaven’ttimetogothrough’em。"Helookedaroundhimwithasmileofself-satisfaction。
Themurmurofadmiringcommentwas，however，brokenbyaburly-
beardedminerwhosatinthemiddleseat。"Thet’sprettyfair，asfarasitgoes，"hesaidsmilingly，"butIreckonitwouldn’tgofarefyoustartedtorun。I’vegotasimplergamethanthat，gentlemen，andezwe’reallfriendshere，andthedanger’sover，I
don’tmindtellin’ye。Thefirstthingtheseyerroadagentsdo，afterthey’vecoveredthedriverwiththeirshotguns，istomakethepassengersgetoutandholduptheirhands。That，ma’am，"——
explanatorilytothelady，whobetrayedonlyalanguidinterest，——
"istokeep’emfromdrawingtheirrevolvers。Arevolveristhelastthingaroadagentwants，eitherinaman’shandorinhisholster。SoIseztomyself，’Efasix-shooterain’tofnoaccount，wet’stheuseofcarryin’it？’SoIjustputmyshooting-
ironinmyvalisewhenItravel，andfillmyholsterwithmygolddust，so！It’sadeucedsightheavierthanarevolver，buttheydon’tfeelitsweight，anddon’tkeertocomenighit。AndI’vebeen’heldup’twiceont’othersideoftheDividethisyear，andI
passedfreeeverytime！"
Theapplausethatfollowedthisrevelationandtheexhibitionoftheholsternotonlythrewthefarmer’sexploitsintotheshade，butseemedtoexciteanemulationamongthepassengers。Othermethodsofsecuringtheirpropertywerefreelydiscussed;buttheexcitementculminatedintheleaningforwardofapassengerwhohad，uptothatmoment，maintainedareservealmostequaltothefairunknown。Hisdressandgeneralappearancewerethoseofaprofessionalman;hisvoiceandmannercorroboratedthepresumption。
"Idon’tthink，gentlemen，"hebeganwithapleasantsmile，"thatanymanofusherewouldliketobecalledacoward;butinfightingwithanenemywhoneverattacks，orevenappears，exceptwithadeliberatelypreparedadvantageonhisside，itismyopinionthatamanisnotonlyjustifiedinavoidinganunequalencounterwithhim，butincircumventingbyeverymeanstheobjectofhisattack。Youhaveallbeenfrankintellingyourmethods。I
willbeequallysointellingmine，evenifIhaveperhapstoconfesstoalittlemorethanyouhave;forIhavenotonlyavailedmyselfofawell-knownruleoftherobberswhoinfestthesemountains，toexemptallwomenandchildrenfromtheirspoliation，——
arulewhich，ofcourse，theyperfectlyunderstandgivesthemasentimentalconsiderationwithallCalifornians，——butIhave，I
confess，alsoavailedmyselfoftheinnocentkindnessofoneofthatcharmingandjustlyexemptedsex。"Hepausedandbowedcourteouslytothefairunknown。"WhenIenteredthiscoachIhadwithmeabulkyparcelwhichwasmanifestlytoolargeformypockets，yetasevidentlytoosmallandtoovaluabletobeintrustedtotheordinaryluggage。Seeingmydifficulty，ourcharmingcompanionopposite，outoftheverykindnessandinnocenceofherheart，offeredtomakeaplaceforitinhersatchel，whichwasnotfull。Iacceptedtheofferjoyfully。WhenIstatetoyou，gentlemen，thatthatpackagecontainedvaluablegovernmentbondstoaconsiderableamount，Idoso，nottoclaimyourpraiseforanyoriginalityofmyown，buttomakethispublicavowaltoourfairfellowpassengerforsecuringtomethismostperfectsecurityandimmunityfromtheroadagentthathasbeenyetrecorded。"
Withhiseyesrivetedonthelady’sface，Keysawafaintcolorrisetoherotherwiseimpassiveface，whichmighthavebeencalledoutbytheenthusiasticpraisethatfollowedthelawyer’sconfession。Buthewaspainfullyconsciousofwhatnowseemedtohimamonstroussituation！Herewas，hebelieved，theactualaccompliceoftheroadagentscalmlyreceivingthecomplacentandpuerileconfessionsofthemenwhowereseekingtooutwitthem。
Couldhe，inordinaryjusticetothem，tohimself，orthemissionheconceivedhewaspursuing，refrainfromexposingher，orwarningthemprivately？Butwashecertain？Wasavagueremembranceofaprofilemomentarilyseen——and，ashemustevennowadmit，inconsistentwiththefullfacehewasgazingat——sufficientforsuchanaccusation？Morethanthat，wastheprotectionshehadapparentlyaffordedthelawyerconsistentwiththefunctionofanaccomplice！
"Thenifthedanger’sover，"saidtheladygently，reachingdowntodrawhersatchelfromundertheseat，"IsupposeImayreturnittoyou。"
"Bynomeans！Don’ttroubleyourself！Prayallowmetostillremainyourdebtor，——atleastasfarasthenextstation，"saidthelawyergallantly。
Theladyutteredalanguidsigh，sankbackinherseat，andcalmlysettledherselftotheperusalofherbook。Keyfelthischeeksbeginningtoburnwiththeembarrassmentandshameofhisevidentmisconception。AndherehewasonhiswaytoMarysville，tofollowawomanforwhomhefelthenolongercared，andforwhosepursuithehadnolongertheexcuseofjustice。
"ThenIunderstandthatyouhavetwiceseentheseroadagents，"
saidtheprofessionalman，turningtotheminer。"Ofcourse，youcouldbeabletoidentifythem？"
"Naryaman！Youseethey’reallmasked，andonlyoneof’emeverspeaks。"
"Theleaderorchief？"
"No，theorator。"
"Theorator？"repeatedtheprofessionalmaninamazement。
"Well，yousee，Icallhimtheorator，forhe’smightyglibwithhistongue，andreelsoffallhehastosaylikeasifhehaditbyheart。He’smightyroughonyou，too，sometimes，forallhishigh-
tonedstyle。Efhethinksamanishidin’anythinghejestscalpshimwithhistongue，andblamedifIdon’tthinkhelikesthechanceofdoin’it。He’sgotaregularsetspeech，andhe’sboundtogothroughitall，evenifhemakeseverythingwait，andrunstheriskofcapture。Yetheain’tthechief，——andevenI’veheardfolkssayain’tgotanyresponsibilityifheistook，forhedon’ttechanybodyoranybody’smoney，andcouldn’tbeprosecuted。I
reckonhe’ssomesortofabroken-downlawyer——d’yesee？"
"Notmuchofalawyer，Iimagine，"saidtheprofessionalman，smiling，"forhe’llfindhimselfquitemistakenastohisshareofresponsibility。Butit’sarathercleverwayofconcealingtheidentityoftherealleader。"
"It’sthesmartestgangthatwaseverstartedintheSierras。TheyfooledthesheriffofSierratheotherday。Theygavehimasortofideathattheyhadakindofhidin’-placeinthewoodswhartheymetandkepttheirbooty，and，byjinks！hegoesdowntharwithhishullposse，——justspilin’forafight，——andonlylightsuponagangofinnocentgreenhorns，whowereboringforsilverontheveryspotwhereheallowedtherobbershadtheirden！Heain’thelduphisheadsince。"
Keycastaquickglanceattheladytoseetheeffectofthisrevelation。Butherface——ifthesameprofilehehadseenatthewindow——betrayedneitherconcernnorcuriosity。Helethiseyesdroptothesmartbootthatpeepedfrombelowhergown，andthethoughtofhistryingtoidentifyitwiththeslipperhehadpickedupseemedtohimasridiculousashisothermisconceptions。Hesankbackgloomilyinhisseat;bydegreesthefatigueandexcitementofthedaybegantomercifullybenumbhissenses;
twilighthadfallenandthetalkhadceased。Theladyhadallowedherbooktodropinherlapasthedarknessgathered，andhadclosedhereyes;heclosedhisown，andslippedawaypresentlyintoadream，inwhichhesawtheprofileagainashehadseenitinthedarknessofthehollow，onlythatthistimeitchangedtoafullface，unlikethelady’soranyonehehadeverseen。Thenthewindowseemedtoopenwitharattle，andheagainfeltthecoolodorsoftheforest;butheawoketofindthattheladyhadonlyopenedherwindowforabreathoffreshair。Itwasnearlyeighto’clock;itwouldbeanhouryetbeforethecoachstoppedatthenextstationforsupper;thepassengersweredrowsilynodding;heclosedhiseyesandfellintoadeepersleep，fromwhichheawokewithastart。
Thecoachhadstopped！
CHAPTERIV。
"Itcan’tbeThreePinesyet，"saidapassenger’svoice，inwhichthelazinessofsleepstilllingered，"orelsewe’vesnoozedoverfivemile。Idon’tseenolights;wotarewestoppin’for？"Theotherpassengersstruggledtoanuprightposition。Onenearestthewindowopenedit;itsplacewasinstantlyoccupiedbythedoublemuzzleofashot-gun！Noonemoved。Intheawestrickensilencethevoiceofthedriverroseindrawlingprotestation。
"Itain’tnobusinesso’mine，butitsorterstrikesmethatyouchapsarea-playin’itjustalittletoofinethistime！Itain’tthreemilesfromThreePineStationandfortymen。Ofcourse，that’syourlookout，——notmine！"
Theaudacityofthethinghadevidentlystruckeventheusuallytaciturnandphlegmaticdriverintohisfirstexpostulationonrecord。
"Yourthoughtfulconsiderationdoesyougreatcredit，"saidavoicefromthedarkness，"andshallbeproperlypresentedtoourmanager;
butatthesametimewewishitunderstoodthatwedonothesitatetotakeanyrisksinstrictattentiontoourbusinessandourclients。Inthemeantimeyouwillexpeditematters，andgiveyourpassengersachancetogetanearlyteaatThreePines，byhandingdownthattreasure-boxandmail-pouch。Becarefulinhandlingthatblunderbussyoukeepbesideit;thelasttimeitunfortunatelywentoff，andIregrettosayslightlywoundedoneofyourpassengers。
Accidentsofthiskind，interfering，astheydo，withtheharmonyandpleasureofourchancemeetings，cannotbetoohighlydeplored。"
"Bygosh！"ejaculatedanoutsidepassengerinanaudiblewhisper。
"Thankyou，sir，"saidthevoicequietly;"butasIoverlookedyou，Iwilltroubleyounowtodescendwiththeothers。"
Thevoicemovednearer;and，bythelightofaflamingbull’s-eyecastuponthecoach，itcouldbeseentocomefromastout，medium-
sizedmanwithablackmask，which，however，showedhalfofasmooth，beardlessface，andanaffableyetsatiricalmouth。Thespeakerclearedhisthroatwiththeslightpreparatorycoughofthepracticedorator，and，approachingthewindow，toKey’sintensesurprise，actuallybeganintheidenticalprofessionalandrhetoricalstylepreviouslyindicatedbytheminer。
"Circumstancesoverwhichwehavenocontrol，gentlemen，compelustoobligeyoutoalight，standinarowononeside，andholdupyourhands。Youwillfindtheattitudenotunpleasantafteryourcrampedpositioninthecoach，whilethechangefromitsconfinedairtothewholesomenight-breezeoftheSierrascannotbutprovesalutaryandrefreshing。Itwillalsoenableustorelieveyouofsuchso-calledvaluablesandtreasuresinthewayofgolddustandcoin，whichIregrettosaytoooftenaremisappliedincarelesshands，andwhichtheteachingsofthehighestmoralitydistinctlydenominateastherootofallevil！Ineednotinformyou，gentlemen，asbusinessmen，thatpromptitudeandcelerityofcompliancewillinsuredispatch，andshortenaninterviewwhichhasbeensometimesneedlessly，and，Iregrettosay，painfullyprotracted。"
Hedrewbackdeliberatelywiththesamemonotonousprecisionofhabit，anddisclosedthemuzzlesofhisconfederates’weaponsstillleveledatthepassengers。Inspiteoftheirastonishment，indignation，anddiscomfiture，hispracticedeffronteryanddeliberatedisplayappearedinsomewaytotouchtheirhumoroussense，andoneortwosmiledhysterically，astheyroseandhesitatinglyfiledoutofthevehicle。Itispossible，however，thattheleveledshot-gunscontributedmoreorlessdirectlytothisresult。
Twomasksbegantosearchthepassengersunderthecombinedfocusofthebull’s-eyes，theshininggun-barrels，andarunningbutstillcarefullypreparedcommentaryfromthespokesman。"Itistoberegrettedthatbusinessmen，insteadofintrustingtheirpropertytothecustodyoftheregularlyconstitutedexpressagent，stillcontinuetosecreteitontheirpersons;acustomthat，withoutenhancingitssecurity，isnotonlyaninjusticetotheexpresscompany，butagreatdetrimenttodispatch。Wealsowishtopointoutthatwhilewedonotasaruleinterferewiththepossessionofarticlesofordinarypersonaluseoradornment，suchassimplejewelryorwatches，wereserveourrighttorestrictbyconfiscationthevulgarityandunmanlinessofdiamondsandenormousfobchains。"
Theactofspoliationwasapparentlycomplete，yetitwasevidentthattheoratorwasrestraininghimselfforamoreeffectiveclimax。Clearinghisthroatagainandsteppingbeforetheimpatientbutstillmystifiedfileofpassengers，hereviewedthemgravely。Theninaperfectlypitchedtoneofmingledpainandapology，hesaidslowly：——
"Itwouldseemthat，fromnowishofourown，weareobligedonthispresentoccasiontosuspendoneortwoofourusualrules。Wearenotinthehabitofinterferingwiththewearingapparelofouresteemedclients;butintheinterestsofordinaryhumanityweareobligedtoremovethebootsofthegentlemanontheextremeleft，whichevidentlygivehimgreatpainandimpedehislocomotion。Wealsoseldomdeviatefromourruleofobligingourclientstoholduptheirhandsduringthisexamination;butwegladlymakeanexceptioninfavorofthegentlemannexttohim，andpermithimtohandusthealtogethertooheavilyweightedholsterwhichpressesuponhiship。Gentlemen，"saidtheorator，slightlyraisinghisvoice，withadeprecatinggesture，"youneednotbealarmed！Theindignantmovementofourfriend，justnow，wasnottodrawhisrevolver，——foritisn’tthere！"Hepausedwhilehiscompanionsspeedilyremovedthefarmer’sbootsandtheminer’sholster，andwithastillmoreapologeticairapproachedthecoach，whereonlytheladyremainederectandrigidinhercorner。"Andnow，"hesaidwithsimulatedhesitation，"wecometothelastandtousthemostpainfulsuspensionofourrules。Ontheseveryrareoccasions，whenwehavebeenhonoredwiththepresenceofthefairsex，ithasbeenourinvariablecustomnotonlytoleavethemintheundisturbedpossessionoftheirproperty，butevenoftheirprivacyaswell。Itiswithdeepregretthatonthisoccasionweareobligedtomakeanexception。Forinthepresentinstance，thelady，outofthegentlenessofherheartandthepolitenessofhersex，hasburdenedherselfnotonlywiththeweightbuttheresponsibilityofapackageforceduponherbyoneofthepassengers。Wefeel，andwebelieve，gentlemen，thatmostofyouwillagreewithus，thatsoscandalousandunmanlyanattempttoevadeourrulesandviolatethesanctityofthelady’simmunitywillneverbepermitted。Foryourownsake，madam，wearecompelledtoaskyouforthesatchelunderyourseat。Itwillbereturnedtoyouwhenthepackageisremoved。"
"Onemoment，"saidtheprofessionalmanindignantly，"thereisamanherewhomyouhavespared，——amanwholatelyjoinedus。Isthatman，"pointingtotheastonishedKey，"oneofyourconfederates？"
"Thatman，"returnedthespokesmanwithalaugh，"istheowneroftheSylvanHollowMine。WehavesparedhimbecauseweowehimsomeconsiderationforhavingbeenturnedoutofhishouseatthedeadofnightwhilethesheriffofSierrawasseekingus。"Hestopped，andtheninanentirelydifferentvoice，andinatotallychangedmanner，saidroughly，"Tumbleinthere，allofyou，quick！Andyou，sir"（toKey），——"I’dadviseyoutorideoutside。Now，driver，raisesomuchasareinorawhiplashuntilyouhearthesignal——
andbyGod！you’llknowwhatnext。"Hesteppedback，andseemedtobeinstantlyswallowedupinthedarkness;butthelightofasolitarybull’s-eye——theholderhimselfinvisible——stillshowedthemuzzlesofthegunscoveringthedriver。Therewasamomentarystirofvoiceswithintheclosedcoach，butanangryroarof"Silence！"fromthedarknesshushedit。
Themomentscreptslowlyby;allnowwerebreathless。Thenaclearwhistlerangfromthedistance，thelightsuddenlywasextinguished，theleveledmuzzlesvanishedwithit，thedriver’slashfellsimultaneouslyonthebacksofhishorses，andthecoachleapedforward。
ThejoltnearlythrewKeyfromthetop，butamomentlateritwasstillmoredifficulttokeephisseatintheheadlongfuryoftheirprogress。Againandagainthelashdescendeduponthemaddenedhorses，untilthewholecoachseemedtoleap，bound，andswervewitheverystroke。Criesofprotestandevendistressbegantocomefromtheinterior，butthedriverheededitnot。Awindowwassuddenlyletdown;thevoiceoftheprofessionalmansaying，"What’sthematter？We’renotfollowed。Youareimperilingourlivesbythisspeed，"wasansweredonlyby，"Willsomeofyethrottlethatd——dfool？"fromthedriver，andtherenewedfallofthelash。Thewaysidetreesappearedasolidplateaubeforethem，opened，dancedattheirside，closedupagainbehindthem，——butstilltheyspedalong。Rushingdowngradeswiththespeedofanavalanche，theyascendedagainwithoutdrawingrein，andasifbysheermomentum;fortheheavyvehiclenowseemedtohaveadiabolicalenergyofitsown。Itgroundscatteredrockstopowderwithitscrushingwheels，itswayedheavilyonticklishcorners，recoveringitselfwiththeresistlessforwardpropulsionofthestrainingteams，untilthelightsofThreePineStationbegantoglitterthroughthetrees。Thenasuccessionofyellsbrokefromthedriver，sostronganddominantthattheyseemedtooutstripeventhespeedoftheunabatedcattle。Lesserlightswerepresentlyseenrunningtoandfro，andontheoutermostfringeofthesettlementthestagepulledupbeforeacrowdofwonderingfaces，andthedriverspoke。
"We’vebeenheldupontheopenroad，byG——d，notTHREEMILESfromwharyemenaresittin’hereyawpin’！Ifthar’samanamongyethathasn’tgotthesoulofaskunk，he’llfollerandcloseinupon’embeforetheyhaveachancetogetintothebrush。"Havingthusrelievedhimselfofhisdutyasanenforcednoncombatant，andallowedallfurtherresponsibilitytodevolveuponhisrecreantfellowemployees，herelapsedintohisusualtaciturnity，anddroveatriflelessrecklesslytothestation，wherehegrimlysetdownhisbruisedanddiscomfitedpassengers。AsKeymingledwiththem，hecouldnothelpperceivingthatneitherthelate"orator’s"
explanationofhisexemptionfromtheirfate，northedriver’ssurlycorroborationofhisrespectability，hadpacifiedthem。Foratimethisamusedhim，particularlyashecouldnothelprememberingthathefirstappearedtothembesidethemysterioushorsemanwhosomeonethoughthadbeenidentifiedasoneofthemasks。Buthewasnotalittlepiquedtofindthatthefairunknownappearedtoparticipateintheirfeelings，andhisfirstcivilitytohermetwithachillingresponse。Eventhen，inthegeneraldisillusionofhisromanceregardingher，thiswouldhavebeenonlyamomentaryannoyance;butitstrangelyrevivedallhisprevioussuspicions，andsethimtothinking。Wasthesingularsagacitydisplayedbytheoratorinhissearchpurelyintuitive？
Couldanyonehavedisclosedtohimthesecretofthepassengers’
hoards？WasitpossibleforHERwhilesittingaloneinthecoachtohavecommunicatedwiththeband？Suddenlytheremembranceflashedacrosshimofheropeningthewindowforfreshair！Shecouldhaveeasilythendroppedsomesignal。Ifthiswereso，andshereallywastheculprit，itwasquitenaturalforherownsafetythatsheshouldencouragethepassengersintheabsurdsuspicionofhimself！Hisdyinginterestrevived;afewmomentsagohehadhalfresolvedtoabandonhisquestandturnbackatThreePines。Nowhedeterminedtofollowhertotheend。Buthedidnotindulgeinanyfurthersophistryregardinghisduty;yet，inanewsenseofhonor，hedidnotdreamofretaliatinguponherbycommunicatinghissuspicionstohisfellowpassengers。Whenthecoachstartedagain，hetookhisseatonthetop，andremainedthereuntiltheyreachedJamestownintheearlyevening。Hereanumberofhisdespoiledcompanionswereobligedtowait，tocommunicatewiththeirfriends。
Happily，theexemptionthathadmadethemindignantenabledhimtocontinuehisjourneywithafullpurse。Buthewascontentwithamodestsurveillanceoftheladyfromthetopofthecoach。
OnarrivingatStocktonthissurveillancebecamelesseasy。Itwastheterminusofthestage-route，andthedivergenceofothersbyboatandrail。Ifhewereluckyenoughtodiscoverwhichonetheladytook，hispresencenowwouldbemoremarked，andmightexcitehersuspicion。Buthereacircumstance，whichhealsobelievedtobeprovidential，determinedhim。Astheluggagewasbeingremovedfromthetopofthecoach，heoverheardtheagenttelltheexpressmantocheckthe"lady’s"trunktoSanLuis。Keywasseizedwithanideawhichseemedtosolvethedifficulty，althoughitinvolvedariskoflosingtheclueentirely。ThereweretworoutestoSanLuis，onewasbystage，anddirect，thoughslower;theotherbysteamboatandrail，viaSanFrancisco。Ifhetooktheboat，therewaslessdangerofherdiscoveringhim，evenifshechosethesameconveyance;ifshetookthedirectstage，——andhetrustedtoawoman’savoidanceofthehurryofchangeandtransshipmentforthatchoice，——hewouldstillarriveatSanLuis，viaSanFrancisco，anhourbeforeher。Heresolvedtotaketheboat;acarefulscrutinyfromastateroomwindowofthearrivingpassengersonthegangplanksatisfiedhimthatshehadpreferredthestage。Therewasstillthechancethatinlosingsightofhershemightescapehim，buttheriskseemedsmall。Andatriflingcircumstancehadalmostunconsciouslyinfluencedhim——afterhisromanticandsuperstitiousfashion——astothisfinalstep。
HehadbeensingularlymovedwhenheheardthatSanLuiswasthelady’sprobabledestination。Itdidnotseemtobearanyrelationtothemountainwildernessandthewildlifeshehadjustquitted;
itwasapparentlythemostantipathic，incongruous，andinconsistentrefugeshecouldhavetaken。Itofferednoopportunityforthedisposalofbooty，orforcommunicationwiththegang。Itwaslesssecurethanacrowdedtown。AnoldSpanishmissionandmonasterycollegeinasleepypastoralplain，——ithadevenretaineditsold-worldflavoramidstAmericanimprovementsandsocialrevolution。Heknewitwell。Fromthequaintcollegecloisters，wheretheonlyreposefulyearsofhisadventurousyouthhadbeenspent，tothelongAlameda，ordoubleavenuesofancienttrees，whichconnecteditwiththeconventofSantaLuisa，andsomeofhisyouthful"devotions，"——ithadbeenthenurseryofhisromance。Hewasamusedatwhatseemedtobetheironyoffate，innowlinkingitwiththisfollyofhismaturermanhood;andyethewasuneasilyconsciousofbeingmoreseriouslyaffectedbyit。AnditwaswithagreateranxietythanthisadventurehadeveryetcosthimthatheatlastarrivedattheSanJosehotel，andfromabalconycornerawaitedthecomingofthecoach。Hisheartbeatrapidlyasitapproached。Shewasthere！Butatherside，asshedescendedfromthecoach，wasthemysterioushorsemanoftheSierraroad。Keycouldnotmistakethewell-builtfigure，whateverdoubttherehadbeenaboutthefeatures，whichhadbeensocarefullyconcealed。Withtheastonishmentofthisrediscovery，thereflashedacrosshimagainthefatefulnessoftheinspirationwhichhaddecidedhimnottogointhecoach。Hispresencetherewouldhavenodoubtwarnedthestranger，andsoestoppedthisconvincingdenouement。Itwasquitepossiblethathercompanion，byrelaysofhorsesandtheadvantageofbridlecut-offs，couldhaveeasilyfollowedtheThreePinecoachandjoinedheratStockton。Butforwhatpurpose？Thelady’strunk，whichhadnotbeendisturbedduringthefirstpartofthejourney，andhadbeenforwardedatStocktonuntouchedbeforeKey’seyes，couldnothavecontainedbootytobedisposedofinthisforgottenoldtown。
Theregisterofthehotelboresimplythenameof"Mrs。Barker，"ofStockton，butnorecordofhercompanion，whoseemedtohavedisappearedasmysteriouslyashecame。Thatsheoccupiedasitting-roomonthesamefloorashisown——inwhichshewasapparentlysecludedduringtherestoftheday——wasallheknew。
Nobodyelseseemedtoknowher。Keyfeltanoddhesitation，thatmighthavebeentheresultofsomevaguefearofimplicatingherprematurely，inmakinganymarkedinquiry，orimperilinghissecretbythebribedespionageofservants。Oncewhenhewaspassingherdoorheheardthesoundsoflaughter，——albeitinnocentandheart-
free，——whichseemedsoinconsistentwiththegravityofthesituationandhisownthoughtsthathewasstrangelyshocked。Buthewasstillmoredisturbedbyalateroccurrence。Inhiswatchfulnessofthemovementsofhisneighborhehadbeenequallycarefulofhisown，andhadnotonlyrefrainedfromregisteringhisname，buthadenjoinedsecrecyuponthelandlord，whomheknew。
Yetthenextmorningafterhisarrival，theporternotansweringhisbellpromptlyenough，hesofarforgothimselfastowalktothestaircase，whichwasnearthelady’sroom，andcalltotheemployeeoverthebalustrade。Ashewasstillleaningovertherailing，thefaintcreakofadoor，andasingularmagneticconsciousnessofbeingoverlooked，causedhimtoturnslowly，butonlyintimetoheartherustleofawithdrawingskirtasthedoorwasquicklyclosed。Inaninstanthefeltthefullforceofhisfoolishheedlessness，butitwastoolate。Hadthemysteriousfugitiverecognizedhim？Perhapsnot;theireyeshadnotmet，andhisfacehadbeenturnedaway。
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