Hefound，however，afaintledgemadebycaughtdriftwoodfromthecurrentandthedebrisoftheoverhangingcliffs。Againthenarrowfootprintontheoozewashisguide。Atlast，emergingfromthecanyon，astrangeviewburstuponhissight。Theriverturnedabruptlytotheright，and，followingthemountainside，leftasmallhollowcompletelywalledinbythesurroundingheights。Tohisleftwastheridgehehaddescendedfromontheotherside，andhenowunderstoodthesingulardetourhehadmade。Hewasontheothersideofthestageroadalso，whichranalongthemountainshelfathousandfeetabovehim。Thewall，asheercliff，madethehollowinaccessiblefromthatside。Littlehillscoveredwithbuckeyeencompassedit。Itlookedlikeasylvanretreat，andyetwasassecureinitsisolationandapproachesastheoutlaw’sdenthatitwas。
Hewasgazingatthesingularprospectwhenashotrangintheair。
Itseemedtocomefromadistance，andheinterpreteditasasignal。Butitwasfollowedpresentlybyanother；andputtinghishandtohishattokeepitfromfalling，hefoundthattheupturnedbrimhadbeenpiercedbyabullet。Hestoppedatthisevidenthint，and，takinghisdispatchbagfromhisshoulder，placeditsignificantlyuponaboulder，andlookedaroundasiftoawaittheappearanceoftheunseenmarksman。Therifleshotrangoutagain，thebagquivered，andturnedoverwithabulletholethroughit！
Hetookouthiswhitehandkerchiefandwavedit。Anothershotfollowed，andthehandkerchiefwassnappedfromhisfingers，tornfromcornertocorner。Afeelingofdesperationandfuryseizedhim；hewasbeingplayedwithbyamaskedandskillfulassassin，whoonlywaiteduntilitpleasedhimtofirethedeadlyshot！Butthistimehecouldseetheriflesmokedriftingfromunderasycamorenotahundredyardsaway。Hesethiswhitelipstogether，butwithadeterminedfaceandunfalteringstepwalkeddirectlytowardsit。Inanothermomenthebelievedandalmosthopedthatallwouldbeover。Withsuchamarksmanhewouldnotbemaimed，butkilledoutright。
Hehadnotcoveredhalfthedistancebeforeamanloungedoutfrombehindthetreecarelesslyshoulderinghisrifle。Hewastallbutslightlybuilt，withanamused，criticalmanner，andnothingabouthimtosuggestthebloodthirstyassassin。HemetBricehalfway，droppinghisrifleslantinglyacrosshisbreastwithhishandslightlygraspingthelock，andgazedattheyoungmancuriously。
"Youlookasifyou’dhadabigscare，oldman，butyou’vecleargritforallthat！"hesaid，withacriticalandreassuringsmile。
"Now，whatareyoudoinghere？Stay，"hecontinued，asBrice’sparchedlipspreventedhimfromreplyingimmediately。"Ioughttoknowyourface。Hello！you’retheexpressman！"Hisglancesuddenlyshifted，andsweptpastBriceoverthegroundbeyondhimtotheentranceofthehollow，buthissmilereturnedasheapparentlysatisfiedhimselfthattheyoungmanwasalone。"Well，whatdoyouwant？"
"IwanttoseeSnapshotHarry，"saidBrice，withaneffort。Hisvoicecamebackmoreslowlythanhiscolor，butthatwasperhapshurriedbyasenseofshameathisphysicalweakness。
"Whatyouwantisadropo’whiskey，"saidthestrangergoodhumoredly，takinghisarm，"andwe’llfinditinthatshantyjustbehindthetree。"ToBrice’ssurprise，afewstepsinthatdirectionrevealedafair-sizedcabin，withaslightpretentiousnessaboutitofneatness，comfort，andpicturesqueeffect，farsuperiortotheTarboxshanty。Afewflowerswereinboxesonthewindow——
signs，asBricefancied，offemininetaste。Whentheyreachedthethreshold，somewhatofthisqualitywasalsovisibleintheinterior。WhenBricehadpartakenofthewhiskey，thestranger，whohadkeptsilence，pointedtoachair，andsaidsmilingly：——
"IamHenryDimwood，aliasSnapshotHarry，andthisismyhouse。"
"Icametospeakwithyouabouttherobberyofgreenbacksfromthecoachlastnight，"beganBricehurriedly，withasuddenaccessofhopeathisreception。"Imean，ofcourse，"——hestoppedandhesitated，——"theactualrobberybeforeYOUstoppedus。"
"What！"saidHarry，springingtohisfeet，"doyoumeantosayYOU
knewit？"
Brice’sheartsank，butheremainedsteadfastandtruthful。"Yes，"
hesaid，"IknewitwhenIhandeddownthebox。Isawthatthelockhadbeenforced，butIsnappedittogetheragain。Itwasmyfault。PerhapsIshouldhavewarnedyou，butIamsolelytoblame。"
"DidYubaBillknowofit？"askedthehighwayman，withsingularexcitement。
"Notatthetime，Igiveyoumyword！"repliedBricequickly，thinkingonlyofloyaltytohisoldcomrade。"Inevertoldhimtillwereachedthestation。"
"Andheknewitthen？"repeatedHarryeagerly。
"Yes。"
"Didhesayanything？Didhedoanything？Didhelookastonished？"
BricerememberedBill’suncontrollablemerriment，butrepliedvaguelyanddiplomatically，"Hewascertainlyastonished。"
AlaughgatheredinSnapshotHarry’seyeswhichatlastoverspreadhiswholeface，andfinallyshookhisframeashesathelplesslydownagain。Then，wipinghiseyes，hesaidinashakyvoice：——
"Itwouldhavebeensuredeathtohavetrustedmyselfnearthatstation，butIthinkI’dhaveriskeditjusttohaveseenBill’sfacewhenyoutoldhim！Justthinkofit！Bill，whowasamatchforanybody！Bill，whowasnevercaughtnapping！Bill，whoonlywantedsupremecontrolofthingstowipemeoffthefaceoftheearth！Bill，whoknewhoweverythingwasdone，andcouldstopitifhechose，andthentohavebeenROBBEDTWICEINONEEVENINGBY
MYGANG！Yes，sir！YubaBillandhisrottenoldcoachwereGONE
THROUGHTWICEINSIDEHALFANHOURbythegang！"
"Thenyouknewofittoo？"saidBrice，inuneasyastonishment。
"Afterwards，myyoungfriend——likeYubaBill——afterwards。"Hestopped；hiswholeexpressionchanged。"Itwasdonebytwosneakinghounds，"hesaidsharply；"onewhomIsuspectedbefore，andone，anewhand，apalofhis。Theyweredetachedtowatchthecoachandbesatisfiedthatthegreenbackswereaboard，foritisn’tmystyleto’holdup’exceptforsomethingspecial。TheyweretotakeseatsonthecoachasfarasRingwoodStation，threemilesbelowwhereweheldyouup，andtogetoutthereandpassthewordtousthatitwasallright。Theydidn’t；thatmadeusalittleextracareful，seeingsomethingwaswrong，butneversuspectingTHEM。Wefoundoutafterwardsthattheygotoneofmyscoutstocutdownthattree，sayingitwasmyordersandapartofourgame，calculatinginthestoppageandconfusiontocollartheswagandgetoffwithit。Withoutknowingit，YOUplayedintotheirhandsbygoingintoTarbox’scabin。"
"Buthowdidyouknowthis？"interruptedBrice，inwonder。
"Theyforgotonething，"continuedSnapshotHarrygrimly。"Theyforgotthathalfanhourbeforeandhalfanhourafterastageisstoppedwehavethatroadpatrolled，everyfootofit。WhileIwasopeningtheboxinthebrush，thetwofools，sneakingalongtheroad，cameslapupononeofmypatrols，andthentriedtorunforit。Onewasdropped，butbeforehewaspluggedfullofholesandhunguponatree，heconfessed，andsaidtheothermanwhoescapedhadthegreenbacks。"
Brice’sfacefell。"Thentheyarelost，"hesaidbitterly。
"Notunlessheeatsthem——ashemaywanttodobeforeI’mdoneonhim，forhemusteitherstarveorcomeout。ThatroadisstillwatchedbymymenfromTarbox’scabintothebridge。He’stheresomewhere，andcan’tgetforwardorbackward。Look！"hesaid，risingandgoingtothedoor。"Thatroad，"hepointedtothestageroad，——anarrowledgeflankedononesidebyaprecipitousmountainwall，andontheotherbyanequallyprecipitatedescent，——"ishislimitandtether，andhecan’tescapeoneitherside。"
"Butthetrail？"
"Thereisbutoneentrancetoit，——thewayyoucame，andthatisguardedtoo。Fromthetimeyouenteredituntilyoureachedthebottom，youweresignaledherefrompointtopoint！HEwouldhavebeendropped！ImerelygaveYOUahintofwhatmighthavehappenedtoyou，ifyouwereuptoanylittlegame！Youtookitlikeawhiteman。Come，now！Whatisyourbusiness？"
Thuschallenged，Briceplungedwithyouthfulhopefulnessintohisplan；if，ashevoicedit，itseemedtohimalittleextravagant，hewasbuoyedupbythefranknessofthehighwayman，whoalsohadtreatedthedoublerobberywithalevitythatseemedalmostasextravagant。Hesuggestedthattheyshouldworktogethertorecoverthemoney；thattheexpresscompanyshouldknowthattheunprecedentedstealthyintroductionofrobbersintheguiseofpassengerswasnotSnapshotHarry’smethod，andherepudiateditasunmanlyandunsportsmanlike；andthat，byusinghissuperiorskillandknowledgeofthelocalitytorecoverthemoneyanddelivertheculpritintothecompany’shands，hewouldnotonlyearntherewardthattheyshouldoffer，butthathewouldevokeasentimentthatallCalifornianswouldunderstandandrespect。Thehighwaymanlistenedwithatolerantsmile，but，toBrice’ssurprise，thisappealtohisvanitytouchedhimlessthantheprospectivepunishmentofthethief。
"Itwouldservethed————dhoundright，"hemuttered，"if，insteadofbeingshotlikeaman，hewasmadeto’dotime’inprison，liketheordinarysneakthiefthatheis。"WhenBricehadconcluded，hesaidbriefly，"Theonlytroublewithyourplans，myyoungfriend，isthatabouttwenty-fivemenhavegottoconsiderthem，andhaveTHEIRsayaboutit。Everymaninmygangisashareholderinthesegreenbacks，forIworkonthesquare；andit’sforhimtosaywhetherhe’llgivethemupforarewardandthegoodopinionoftheexpresscompany。Perhaps，"hewenton，withapeculiarsmile，"it’sjustaswellthatyoutrieditonmefirst！However，I’llsoundtheboys，andseewhatcomesofit，butnotuntilyou’resafeoffthepremises。"
"Andyou’llletmeassistyou？"saidBriceeagerly。
SnapshotHarrysmiledagain。"Well，ifyoucomeacrossthed————dthief，andyourecognizehimandcangetthegreenbacksfromhim，I’llpassoverthegametoyou。"Heroseandadded，apparentlybywayoffarewell，"Perhapsit’sjustaswellthatIshouldgiveyouaguidepartofthewaytopreventaccidents。"Hewenttoadoorleadingtoanadjoiningroom，andcalled"Flo！"
Brice’sheartleaped！Ifhehadforgottenherintheexcitementofhisinterview，heatonedforitbyavividblush。Herowncolorwasalittleheightenedassheslippedintotheroom，butthetwomanagedtolookdemurelyateachother，withoutawordofrecognition。
"Thisismyniece，Flora，"saidSnapshotHarry，withaslightwaveofthehandthatwasbynomeansuncourtly，"andhercompanywillkeepyoufromanyimpertinentquestioningaswellasifIwerewithyou。ThisisMr。Brice，Flo，whocametoseemeonbusiness，andhasquiteforgottenmypracticaljoking。"
ThegirlacknowledgedBrice’sbowwithashynessverydifferentfromhermanneroftheeveningbefore。Bricefeltembarrassedandevidentlyshowedit，forhishost，withasmile，putanendtotheconstraintbyshakingtheyoungman’shandheartily，biddinghimgood-by，andaccompanyinghimtothedoor。
Onceontheirway，Mr。Brice’sspiritsreturned。"Itoldyoulastnight，"hesaid，"thatIhopedtomeetyouthenexttimewithabetterintroduction。Yousuggestedyouruncle’s。Well，areyousatisfied？"
"Butyoudidn’tcometoseeME，"saidthegirlmischievously。
"Howdoyouknowwhatmyintentionswere？"returnedtheyoungmangayly，gazingatthegirl’scharmingfacewithaseriousdoubtastothesinglenessofhisownintentions。
"Oh，becauseIknow，"sheanswered，withatossofherbrownhead。
"IheardwhatyousaidtouncleHarry。"
Mr。Brice’sbrowcontracted。"Perhapsyousawme，too，whenI
came，"hesaid，withaslighttouchofbitternessashethoughtofhisreception。
MissFlolaughed。Bricewalkedonsilently；thegirlwasheartlessandworthyofhereducation。Afterapauseshesaiddemurely，"I
knewhewouldn’thurtyou——butYOUdidn’t。That’swhereyoushowedyourgritinwalkingstraighton。"
"AndIsupposeyouweregreatlyamused，"herepliedscornfully。
Thegirlliftedherarmsalittlewearily，aswithahalfsighshereadjustedherbrownbraidsunderheruncle’sgrayslouchhat，whichshehadcaughtupasshepassedout。"Tharain’tmuchtolaughathere！"shesaid。"Butitwasmightyfunnywhenyoutriedtoputyourhatstraight，andthenfoundthurwasthatbulletholerightthroughthebrim！Andthewayyoustaredatit——Lordy！"
Hermusicallaughwasinfectious，andsweptawayhisoutrageddignity。Helaughedtoo。Atlastshesaid，gazingathishat，"Itwon’tdoforyoutogobacktoyourfolkswearin’thatsorto’
thing。Here！Takemine！"Withasaucymovementsheaudaciouslyliftedhishatfromhishead，andplacedherownuponit。
"Butthisisyouruncle’shat，"heremonstrated。
"Allthesame；hespoiledyours，"shelaughed，adjustinghishatuponherownhead。"ButI’llkeepyourstorememberyouby。I’llloopitupbythishole，andit’lllookmightypurty。Jes’see！"
Shepluckedawildrosefromabushbythewayside，and，passingthestalkthroughthebullethole，pinnedthebrimagainstthecrownbyathorn。"There，"shesaid，puttingonthehatagainwithalittleaffectationofcoquetry，"how’sthat？"
Mr。Bricethoughtitverypicturesqueandbecomingtothegracefulheadandlaughingeyesbeneathit，andsaidso。Then，becominginhisturnaudacious，hedrewnearertoherside。
"Isupposeyouknowtheforfeitofputtingonagentleman’shat？"
Apparentlyshedid，forshesuddenlymadeawarninggesture，andsaid，"Nothere！Itwouldbeabiggerforfeitthanyou’dkeerfo’。"Beforehecouldreplysheturnedasideasifquiteinnocently，andpassedintotheshadeofafringeofbuckeyes。Hefollowedquickly。"Ididn’tmeanthat，"shesaid；butinthemeantimehehadkissedthepinktipofherearunderitsbrowncoils。
Hewas，nevertheless，somewhatdiscomfitedbyherundisturbedmannerandsereneface。"Yedon’tseemtomindbein’shotat，"shesaid，withanoddsmile，"butitwon’tdoforyoutokalkilatethatEVERYBODYshootsaskeerfullyasuncleHarry。"
"Idon’tunderstand，"hereplied，struckbyhermanner。
"Yeain’tverycomplimentary，oryou’dallowthatotherfolksmightbewantin’whatyoutookjustnow，andmightconsideryouwaspoachin’，"shereturnedgravely。"MybestandstrongestholtamongthosemenisthatuncleHarrywouldkillthefirstonewhotriedanythinglikethaton——andtheyknowit。That’showIgetallthelibertyIwanthere，andcancomeandgoaloneasIlike。"
Brice’sfaceflushedquicklywithgenuineshameandremorse。"Doforgiveme，"hesaidhurriedly。"Ididn’tthink——I’mabruteandafool！"
"UncleHarryallowedyouwaseitherdrunkorabornidiotwhenyouwaspromenadin’intothevalleyjustnow，"shesaid，withasmile。
"Andwhatdidyouthink？"heaskedalittleuneasily。
"Ithoughtyoudidn’tlooklikeadrinkin’man，"sheansweredaudaciously。
Bricebithislipandwalkedonsilently，atwhichshecastasidelongglanceunderherwidelyspacedheavylashesandsaiddemurely，"Ithoughtlastnightitwasmightygoodforyoutostandupforyourfrien’YubaBill，andthen，afteryeknewwhoIwas，toletthefolksseeyoukindercottonedtometoo。Notinthestyleo’thatland-grabberHeckshill，northatpeartnewspaperman，neither。OfcourseIgavethemasgoodastheysent，"shewenton，withalittlelaugh，butBricecouldseethathersensitivelipinprofilehadthetremulousandresentfulcurveofonewhowasaccustomedtoslightandannoyance。Wasitpossiblethatthisreckless，self-containedgirlfeltherpositionkeenly？
"Iamproudtohaveyourgoodopinion，"hesaid，withacertainrespectmingledwithhisadmiringglance，"evenifIhavenotyouruncle’s。"
"Oh，helikesyouwellenough，orhewouldn’thavehearkenedtoyouaminute，"shesaidquickly。"Whenyouopenedoutaboutthemgreenbacks，Ijes’clutchedmycheerSO，"sheillustratedherwordswithagestureofherhands，andherfaceactuallyseemedtogrowpaleattherecollection，——andInighstarteduptostopye；butthatideaofYubaBillbein’robbedTWICEIthinktickledhimawful。Butitwasluckynoneo’thegangheardyeorsuspectedanything。Ireckonthat’swhyhesentmewithyou，——tokeepthemfromdoggin’youandaskin’questionsthatastraightmanlikeyouwouldbesuretoanswer。Buttheydaren’tcomenighyeaslongasI’mwithyou！"Shethrewbackherheadandrose-crestedhatwithamockairofprotectionthat，however，hadacertainrealprideinit。
"Iamverygladofthat，ifitgivesmethechanceofhavingyourcompanyalone，"returnedBrice，smiling，"andverygratefultoyouruncle，whateverwerehisreasonsformakingyoumyguide。Butyouhavealreadybeenthattome，"andhetoldherofthefootprints。
"Butforyou，"headded，withgentlesignificance，"Ishouldnothavebeenhere。"
Shewassilentforamoment，andhecouldonlyseethebackofherheadanditsheavybrowncoils。Afterapausesheaskedabruptly，"Where’syourhandkerchief？"
Hetookitfromhispocket；heringeniousuncle’sbullethadtornratherthanpiercedthecambric。
"Ithoughtso，"shesaid，gravelyexaminingit，"butIkinmenditasgoodasnew。IreckonyouallowIcan’tsew，"shecontinued，"butIdoheapsofmendin’，asthediggersquawandChinamenwehaveheredoonlythecoarserwork。I’llsenditbacktoyou，andmeanwhilesyoukeepmine。"
Shedrewahandkerchieffromherpocketandhandedittohim。Tohisgreatsurpriseitwasadelicateone，beautifullyembroidered，andutterlyincongruoustoherstation。Theideathatflasheduponhim，itistobefeared，showeditselfmomentarilyinhishesitationandembarrassment。
Shegaveaquicklaugh。"Don’tbefrightened。It’sboughtandpaidfor。UncleHarrydon’ttouchpassengers’fixin’s；thatain’thisstyle。Yououghterknowthat。"Yetinspiteofherlaugh，hecouldseethesensitivepoutofherlowerlip。
"Iwasonlythinking，"hesaidhurriedlyandsympathetically，"thatitwastoofineforme。ButIwillbeproudtokeepitasasouvenirofyou。It’snottooprettyforTHAT！"
"Unclegetsmethesethings。Hedon’tkeerwhattheycost，"shewenton，ignoringthecompliment。"Why，I’vegotawfullyfinegownsuptherethatIonlywearwhenIgotoMarysvilleoncetinawhile。"
"Doeshetakeyouthere？"askedBrice。
"No！"sheansweredquietly。"Not"——alittledefiantly——"thathe’safeard，fortheycan’tproveanythingagainsthim；nomankinsweartohim，andtharain’tanofficerthatkeerstogoforhim。Buthe’sthatshyforMEhedon’tkeertohavememixedwithhim。"
"Butnobodyrecognizesyou？"
"Sometimes——butIdon’tkeerforthat。"Shecockedherhatalittleaudaciously，butBricenoticedthatherarmsafterwardsdroppedathersidewiththesamewearygesturehehadobservedbefore。"WheneverIgointoshopsit’salways’Yes，miss，’and’No，miss，’and’Certainly，MissDimwood。’Oh，they’remightyrespectful。IreckontheyallowthatSnapshotHarry’sriflecarriesfar。"
Presentlyshefacedhimagain，fortheirconversationhadbeencarriedoninprofile。Therewasacritical，searchinglookinherbrowneyes。
"HereI’mtalkin’toyouasifyouwereone"——Mr。Bricewaspositiveshewasgoingtosay"oneofthegang，"butshehesitatedandconcluded，"oneofmyrelations——likecousinHiram。"
"Iwishyouwouldthinkofmeasbeingastrueafriend，"saidtheyoungmanearnestly。
Shedidnotreplyimmediately，butseemedtobeexaminingthedistance。Theywerenotfarfromthecanyonnow，andtheriverbank。Afringeofbuckeyeshidthebaseofthemountain，whichhadbeguntotowerupabovethemtotheinvisiblestageroadoverhead。
"Iamgoingtobearealguidetoyounow，"shesaidsuddenly。
"Whenwereachthatbuckeyecornerandareoutofsight，wewillturnintoitinsteadofgoingthroughthecanyon。Youshallgoupthemountaintothestageroad，fromTHISside。"
"Butitisimpossible！"heexclaimed，inastonishment。"Yourunclesaidso。"
"ComingDOWN，butnotgoingup，"shereturned，withalaugh。"I
foundit，andnooneknowsitbutmyself。"
Heglancedupatthetoweringcliff；itsnearlyperpendicularflankswereseamedwithfissures，somecleftsdeeplysetwithstuntedgrowthsofthornand"scrub，"butstillsheerandforbidding，andthenglancedbackatherincredulously。"Iwillshowyou，"shesaid，answeringhislookwithasmileoftriumph。
"Ihaven’ttrampedoverthiswholevalleyfornothing！Butwaituntilwereachtheriverbank。Theymustthinkthatwe’vegonethroughthecanyon。"
"They？
"Yes——anyonewhoiswatchingus，"saidthegirldryly。
Afewstepsfurtheronbroughtthemtothebuckeyethicket，whichextendedtotheriverbankandmouthofthecanyon。Thegirllingeredforamomentostentatiouslybeforeit，andthen，saying"Come，"suddenlyturnedatrightanglesintothethicket。Bricefollowed，andthenextmomenttheywerehiddenbyitsfriendlyscreenfromthevalley。Ontheothersiderosethemountainwall，leavinganarrowtrailbeforethem。Itwascomposedoftherockydebrisandfallentreesofthecliff，fromwhichbuckeyesandlarcheswerenowspringing。Itwasuneven，irregular，andslowlyascending；buttheyounggirlledthewaywiththefreefootstepofamountaineer，andyetagracethatwasakintodelicacy。Norcouldhefailtonoticethat，aftertheWesterngirl’sfashion，shewasshodmoreelegantlyandlightlythanwasconsistentwiththerudeandrusticsurroundings。Itwasthesameslimshoe-printwhichhadguidedhimthatmorning。Presentlyshestopped，andseemedtobegazingcuriouslyatthecliffside。Bricefollowedthedirectionofhereyes。Onaprotrudingbushattheedgeofoneofthewoodedcleftsofthemountainflanksomethingwashanging，andinthefresheningsoutherlywindwasflappingheavily，likearaven’swing，orasifstillsaturatedwiththelastnight’srain。
"That’smightyqueer！"saidFlo，gazingintentlyattheunsightlyandincongruousattachmenttotheshrub，whichhadavague，weirdsuggestion。"Itwasn’tthereyesterday。"
"Itlookslikeaman’scoat，"remarkedBriceuneasily。
"Whew！"saidthegirl。"Thensomebodyhascomedownwhowon’tgoupagain！There’salotoffreshrocksandbrushhere，too。
What’sthat？"Shewaspointingtoaspotsomeyardsbeforethemwheretherehadbeenarecentprecipitationofdebrisanduprootedshrubs。Butmingledwithitlayamassofragsstrangelyakintothetatteredremnantthatflaggedfromthebushahundredfeetabovethem。Thegirlsuddenlyutteredasharpfemininecryofmingledhorroranddisgust，——thefirstweaknessofsexshehadshown，——and，recoiling，graspedBrice’sarm。"Don’tgothere！
Comeaway！"
ButBricehadalreadyseenthatwhich，whileitshockedhim，wasurginghimforwardwithaninvinciblefascination。Gentlyreleasinghimself，andbiddingthegirlstandback，hemovedtowardtheunsightlyheap。Graduallyitdisclosedagrotesquecaricatureofahumanfigure，butsomaimedanddoubledupthatitseemedastuffedandfallenscarecrow。Asiscommoninmenstrickensuddenlydownbyaccidentinthefullnessoflife，theclothesassertedthemselvesbeforeallelsewithahideousludicrousness，obliteratingeventhemajestyofdeathintheirhelplessyetironicalincongruity。Thegarmentsseemedtohaveneverfittedthewearer，buttohavebeenassumedinghastlyjocularity，——aboothalfofftheswollenfoot，arippedwaistcoatthrownovertheshoulder，werelikethepropertiesofsomelowcomedian。Atfirstthebodyappearedtobeheadless；butasBriceclearedawaythedebrisandliftedit，hesawwithhorrorthattheheadwastwistedundertheshoulder，andswunghelplesslyfromthedislocatedneck。
Butthathorrorgavewaytoamoreintenseandthrillingemotionashesawtheface——althoughstrangelyfreefromlacerationordisfigurement，andimpurpledanddistendedintothesimulationofaself-complacentsmile——wasafaceherecognized！Itwasthefaceofthecynicaltravelerinthecoach——themanwhohewasnowsatisfiedhadrobbedit。
Astrangeandselfishresentmenttookpossessionofhim。Herewasthemanthroughwhomhehadsufferedshameandperil，andwhoevennowseemedcomplacentlyvictoriousindeath。Heexaminedhimclosely；hiscoatandwaistcoathadbeenpartlytornawayinhisfall；hisshirtstillclungtohim，butthroughitstornfrontcouldbeseenaheavytreasurebeltencirclinghiswaist。
Forgettinghisdisgust，Bricetoreawaytheshirtandunloosedthebelt。Itwassaturatedwithwaterliketherestoftheclothing，butitspocketseemedheavyanddistended。Inanotherinstanthehadopenedit，anddiscoveredtheenvelopecontainingthepacketofgreenbacks，itssealstillinviolateandunbroken。Itwasthestolentreasure！
Afaintsighrecalledhimtohimself。Thegirlwasstandingafewfeetfromhim，regardinghimcuriously。
"It’sthethiefhimself！"hesaid，inabreathlessexplanation。
"Intryingtoescapehemusthavefallenfromtheroadabove。Butherearethegreenbackssafe！Wemustgobacktoyouruncleatonce，"hesaidexcitedly。"Come！"
"Areyoumad？"shecried，inastonishment。
"No，"returnedBrice，inequalastonishment，"butyouknowIagreedwithhimthatweshouldworktogethertorecoverthemoney，andI
mustshowhimourgoodluck。"
"Hetoldyouthatifyoumetthethiefandcouldgetthemoneyfromhim，youwerewelcometoit，"saidthegirlgravely，"andyouHAVE
gotit。"
"Butnotinthewayhemeant，"returnedBricehurriedly。"Thisman’sdeathistheresultofhisattemptingtoescapefromyouruncle’sguardsalongtheroad；themeritofitbelongstothemandyouruncle。Itwouldbecowardlyandmeanofmetotakeadvantageofit。"
Thegirllookedathimwithanexpressionofmingledadmirationandpity。"Buttheguardswereplacedtherebeforeheeversawyou，"
saidsheimpatiently。"AndwhateveruncleHarrymaywanttodo，hemustdowhatthegangsays。Andwiththemoneyonceintheirpossession，oreveninyours，iftheyknewit，Iwouldn’tgivemuchforitschances——orYOURSeither——forgettin’outo’thishollowagain。"
"ButifTHEYaretreacherous，thatisnoreasonwhyIshouldbeso，"protestedBricestoutly。
"You’venorighttosaytheyweretreacherouswhentheyknewnothingofyourplans，"saidthegirlsharply。"YourcompanywouldhavemorecalltosayYOUweretreacheroustoitformakingaplanwithoutconsultin’them。"Bricewinced，forhehadneverthoughtofthatbefore。"YoucanofferthatrewardAFTERyougetawayfromherewiththegreenbacks。But，"sheaddedproudly，withatossofherhead，"gobackifyouwantto！Tellhimall！Tellhimwhereyoufoundit——tellhimIdidnottakeyouthroughthecanyon，butwasshowin’youanewtrailIhadnevershowntoTHEM！TellhimthatIamatraitor，forIhavegiventhemandhimawaytoyou，astranger，andthatyouconsideryourselftheonlystraightandhonestoneabouthere！"
Briceflushedwithshame。"Forgiveme，"hesaidhurriedly；"youarerightandIamwrongagain。Iwilldojustwhatyousay。I
willfirstplacethesegreenbacksinasecureplace——andthen"——
"Getawayfirst——that’syouronlyholt，"sheinterruptedhimquickly，hereyesstillflashingthroughindignanttears。"Comequick，forImustputyouonthetrailbeforetheymissme。"
Shedartedforward；hefollowed，butshekeptthelead，asmuch，hefancied，toevadehisobservationastoexpeditehisgoing。
Presentlytheystoppedbeforetheslopingtrunkofahugepinethathadlongsincefallenfromtheheightabove，but，althoughsplinteredwhereithadbrokenground，hadpreservedsomefiftyfeetofitsstraighttrunkerectandleaninglikealadderagainstthemountainwall。"There，"shesaid，hurriedlypointingtoitsdecayingbutstillprojectinglateralbranches，"youclimbit——I
have。Atthetopyou’llfindit’sstuckinacleftamongthebrush。There’salittlehollowandanoldwaterwayfromaspringabovewhichmakesatrailthroughthebrush。It’sasgoodasthetrailyoutookfromthestageroadthismornin’，butit’snotassafecomin’down。Keepalongittothespring，anditwilllandyejesttheothersideofuncleHiram’scabin。Goquick！I’llwaithereuntilye’vereachedthecleft。"
"Butyou，"hesaid，turningtowardher，"howcanIeverthankyou？"
Asifanticipatingaleave-taking，thegirlhadalreadywithdrawnherselfafewyardsaway，andsimplymadeanupwardgesturewithherhand。"Quick！Upwithyou！Everyminutenowisarisktome。"
Thusappealedto，Bricecouldonlycomply。Perhapshewasalittlehurtatthegirl’sevidentdesiretoavoidagentlerparting。
Securinghisprizedenvelopewithinhisbreast，hebegantoascendthetree。Itsinclination，andtheaidofferedbythebrokenstumpsofbranches，madethiscomparativelyeasy，andinafewmomentshereacheditstop，andstooduponalittleledgeinthewall。Aswiftglancearoundhimrevealedthewholewaterwayorfissureslantingupwardalongthemountainface。Thenheturnedquicklytolookdownthedizzyheight。Atfirsthecoulddistinguishnothingbutthetopofthebuckeyesandtheirwhiteclusteringblossoms。Thensomethingfluttered，——thetornwhitehandkerchiefofhisthatshehadkept。Andthenhecaughtasingleglimpseoftheflower-plumedhatrecedingrapidlyamongthetrees，andFloraDimwoodwasgone。
III
Intwenty-fourhoursEdwardBricewasinSanFrancisco。Butalthoughsuccessfulandthebearerofthetreasure，itisdoubtfulifheapproachedthisendofhisjourneywiththetemerityhehadshownonenteringtherobbers’valley。Aconsciousnessthatthemethodshehademployedmightexcitetheridicule，ifnotthecensure，ofhisprincipals，orthathemighthavecompromisedtheminhismeetingwithSnapshotHarry，considerablymodifiedhisyouthfulexultation。ItispossiblethatFlora’sreproach，whichstillrankledinhismind，mayhavequickenedhissensitivenessonthatpoint。However，hehadresolvedtotellthewholetruth，excepthisepisodewithFlora，andtoplacetheconductofSnapshotHarryandtheTarboxesinasfavorablealightaspossible。Butfirsthehadrecoursetothemanager，amanofshrewdworldlyexperience，whohadrecommendedhimtohisplace。Whenhehadfinishedandhandedhimthetreasuredenvelope，themanlookedathimwithacriticalandyetnotunkindlyexpression。"Perhapsit’sjustaswell，Brice，thatyoudidcometomeatfirst，anddidnotmakeyourreporttothepresidentanddirectors。"
"Isuppose，"saidBricediffidently，"thattheywouldn’thavelikedmycommunicatingwiththehighwaymanwithouttheirknowledge？"
"Morethanthat——theywouldn’thavebelievedyourstory。"
"Notbelieveit？"criedBrice，flushingquickly。"Doyouthink"——
Themanagercheckedhimwithalaugh。"Holdon！Ibelieveeverywordofit，andwhy？Becauseyou’veaddednothingtoittomakeyourselftheregularhero。Why，withyouropportunity，andnooneabletocontradictyou，youmighthavetoldmeyouhadahand-to-
handfightwiththethief，andhadtokillhimtorecoverthemoney，andevenbroughtyourhandkerchiefandhatbackwiththebulletholestoproveit。"Bricewinkedashethoughtofthefairpossessorofthosearticles。"Butasastoryforgeneralcirculation，itwon’tdo。Haveyoutoldittoanyoneelse？Doesanyoneknowwhathappenedbutyourself？"
BricethoughtofFlora，buthehadresolvednottocompromiseher，andhehadaconsciousnessthatshewouldbeequallyloyaltohim。
"Noone，"heansweredboldly。
"Verygood。AndIsupposeyouwouldn’tmindifitwerekeptoutofthenewspapers？You’renothankeringafterareputationasahero？"
"Certainlynot，"saidBriceindignantly。
"Well，then，we’llkeepitwhereitis。Youwillsaynothing。I
willhandoverthegreenbackstothecompany，butonlyasmuchofyourstoryasIthinkthey’llstand。You’reallrightasitis。
YubaBillhasalreadysetyouupinhisreporttothecompany，andtherecoveryofthismoneywillputyouhigher！Only，thePUBLIC
needknownothingaboutit。"
"But，"askedBriceamazedly，"howcanitbeprevented？Theshipperswholostthemoneywillhavetoknowthatithasbeenrecovered。"
"Whyshouldthey？Thecompanywillassumetherisk，andrepaythemjustthesame。It’sagreatdealbettertohavethereputationforacceptingtheresponsibilitythanfortheshipperstothinkthattheyonlygettheirmoneythroughtheaccidentofitsrecovery。"
Bricegaspedatthislargebusinesstruth。Besides，itoccurredtohimthatitkeptthesecret，andFlora’sparticipationinit，fromSnapshotHarryandthegang。Hehadnotthoughtofthatbefore。
"Come，"continuedthemanager，withofficialcurtness。"Whatdoyousay？Areyouwillingtoleaveittome？"
Bricehesitatedamoment。Itwasnotwhathisimpulsivetruthfulnaturehadsuggested。Itwasnotwhathisyouthfulfancyhadimagined。HehadnotworkeduponthesympathiesofthecompanyonbehalfofSnapshotHarryashebelievedhewoulddo。Hehadnotevenimpressedthemanager。Hisstory，farfromexcitingachivalroussentiment，hadbeenpronouncedimprobable。YethereflectedhehadsofarprotectedHER，andheconsentedwithasigh。
Nevertheless，theresultoughttohavesatisfiedhim。Adazzlingcheck，inclosedinaletterofthanksfromthecompanythenextday，andhispromotionfrom"theroad"totheSanFranciscooffice，wouldhavebeenquiteenoughforanyonebutEdwardBrice。Yethewasgrateful，albeitalittlefrightenedandremorsefuloverhisluck。Hecouldnothelpthinkingofthekindlytoleranceofthehighwayman，themiserabledeathoftheactualthief，whichhadprovedhisownsalvation，andaboveallthegenerous，high-spiritedgirlwhohadaidedhisescape。WhileonhiswaytoSanFrancisco，andyetinthefirstglowofhissuccess，hehadwrittenherafewlinesfromMarysville，inclosedinalettertoMr。Tarbox。Hehadreceivednoreply。
Thenaweekpassed。Hewroteagain，andstillnoreply。Thenavaguefeelingofjealousytookpossessionofhimasherememberedherwarninghintoftheattentionstowhichshewassubjected，andhebecamesingularlyappreciativeofSnapshotHarry’sproficiencyasamarksman。Then，cruelestofall，foryourimpassionedloverisnoloveratallifnotcruelinhisimaginings，herememberedhowshehadevadedheruncle’sespionagewithHIM；couldshenotequallywithANOTHER？Perhapsthatwaswhyshehadhurriedhimaway，——whyshehadpreventedhisreturningtoheruncle。Followingthiscameanotherweekofdisappointmentandequallymiserablecynicalphilosophy，inwhichhepersuadedhimselfhewasperfectlysatisfiedwithhismaterialadvancement，thatitwastheonlyoutcomeofhisadventuretoberecognized；andhewasmoremiserablethanever。
Amonthhadpassed，whenonemorninghereceivedasmallpackagebypost。Theaddresswasinahandwritingunknowntohim，butopeningtheparcelhewassurprisedtofindonlyahandkerchiefneatlyfolded。Examiningitclosely，hefounditwashisown，——theonehehadgivenher，therentmadebyheruncle’sbulletsoingeniouslyanddelicatelymendedastoalmostsimulateembroidery。Thejoythatsuddenlyfilledhimatthisproofofherremembranceshowedhimtooplainlyhowhollowhadbeenhiscynicismandhowlastinghishope！Turningoverthewrappereagerly，hediscoveredwhathehadatfirstthoughtwassomebusinesscard。Itwas，indeed，printedandnotengraved，insomecommonnewspapertype，andboretheaddress，"HiramTarbox，LandandTimberAgent，1101CaliforniaStreet。"Heagainexaminedtheparcel；therewasnothingelse，——
notalinefromHER！Butitwasaclueatlast，andshehadnotforgottenhim！Heseizedhishat，andtenminuteslaterwasbreastingthesteepsandhillintowhichCaliforniaStreetinthosedaysplunged，andagainemergedatitscrest，withafewstrugglinghouses。
Butwhenhereachedthesummithecouldseethattheoutlineofthestreetwasstillplainlymarkedalongthedistancebycottagesandnewsuburbanvilla-likeblocksofhouses。No。1101wasinoneoftheseblocks，asmalltenementenough，butapalacecomparedtoMr。
Tarbox’sSierrancabin。Heimpetuouslyrangthebell，andwithoutwaitingtobeannounceddashedintothelittledrawing-roomandMr。
Tarbox’spresence。Thathadchangedtoo；Mr。Tarboxwasarrayedinasuitofclothesasnew，ascheaplydecorative，asfreshand，apparently，asdampashisowndrawingroom。
"Didyougetmyletter？DidyougivehertheoneIinclosed？Whydidn’tyouanswer？"burstoutBrice，afterhisfirstbreathlessgreeting。
Mr。Tarbox’sfaceherechangedsosuddenlyintohisolddejecteddoggednessthatBricecouldhaveimaginedhimselfbackintheSierrancabin。ThemanstraightenedandbowedhimselfatBrice’squestions，andthenrepliedwithbold，deliberateemphasis：
"Yes，IDIDgetyourletter。IDIDN’Tgivenolettero’yourstoher。AndIdidn’tansweryourletterBEFORE，forIdidn’tproposetoansweritATALL。"
"Why？"demandedBriceindignantly。
"Ididn’tgiveheryourletterbecauseIdidn’tkalkilatetobeanygo-between’twixtyouandSnapshotHarry’sniece。Lookyar，Mr。
Brice。SenseIreadthat’arparagraphinthatpaperyougaveme，Iallowedtomyselfthatitwasn’tthesquarethingformetohaveanymoredoin’swithhim，andIquitit。Ijestchuckedyourletterinthefire。Ididn’tansweryoubecauseIreckonedI’dnocalltocorrespondwithye，andwhenIshowedyethattrailovertoHarry’scamp，itwasended。I’vegotahouseandbusinesstolookarter，anditdon’tjibewithkeepin’companywith’roadagents。’
That’swhatIgotouterthatpaperyougaveme，Mr。Brice。"
RageanddisgustfilledBriceattheman’sutterselfishnessandshamelessdesertionofhiskindred，nonethelesspowerfullythatherememberedtheparthehimselfhadplayedinconcoctingtheparagraph。"Doyoumeantosay，"hedemandedpassionately，"thatforthesakeofthatfoolishparagraphyougaveupyourownkindred？Thatyoutruckledtothemeanprejudicesofyourneighborsandkeptthatpoor，defenselessgirlfromtheonlyhonestroofshecouldfindrefugeunder？Thatyoudaredtodestroymylettertoher，andmadeherbelieveIwasasselfishandungratefulasyourself？"
"Youngfeller，"saidMr。Tarboxstillmoredeliberately，yetwithacertaindignitythatBricehadnevernoticedbefore，"what’sbetweenyouandFlo，andwhatrightsshehasferthinkin’ye’ezselfish’and’ezongrateful’ezme——efshedoes，Idunno！——butwhenyetalko’megivin’upmykindred，andslingsuchhogwashez’ongrateful’and’selfish’roundthisyersittin’-room，mebbeitmoutoccurtoyethatHarryDimwoodmighthevHISopiniono’whatwas’ongrateful’and’selfish’efI’dplayedinbetweenhisnieceandayoungmano’theexpresscompany，hisnat’ralenemy。It’sonethingtohevhelpedyetoseeherinheruncle’sowncamp，butanothertohelpyebymakin’aclandecentpost-offiso’mycabin。
Ef，insteado’writin’，you’dhevpostedyourselfbycomin’tome，youmouthevfoundoutthatwhenIbrokewithHarryIofferedtotakeFlowithmeforgoodandall——efhe’dkeepawayfromus。Andthat’sthekindo’’honestroof’thatthatthar’poordefenselessgirl’gotunderwhenhercrippledmotherdiedthreeweeksago，andleftHarryfree。Itwasby’trucklin’’tothem’meanprejudices，’
andreadin’thatthar’foolishparagraph，’thatIsettledthisthingthenandthar！"
Brice’srevulsionofsentimentwassocomplete，andthegratitudethatbeamedinhiseyeswassosincere，thatMr。Tarboxhardlyneededtheprofuseapologieswhichbrokefromhim。"Forgiveme！"
hecontinuedtostammer，"Ihavewrongedyou，wrongedHER——
everybody。Butasyouknow，Mr。Tarbox，howIhavefeltoverthis，howdeeply——howpassionately"——
"ItDOESmakeamanloonysometimes，"saidMr。Tarbox，relaxingintodemuredrynessagain，"soIreckonyouDID！Mebbeshereckonedso，too，forsheaskedmetogiveyouthehandkercherI
sentye。Itlookedasifshe’dbindoin’somefancyworkonit。"
BriceglancedquicklyatMr。Tarbox’sface。Itwasstolidandimperturbable。Shehadevidentlykeptthesecretofwhatpassedinthehollowtoherself。Forthefirsttimehelookedaroundtheroomcuriously。"Ididn’tknowyouwerealandagentbefore，"hesaid。
"NomoreIwas！Allthatkemouto’thatparagraph，Mr。Brice。
ThatmanHeckshill，whowassomightyperlitethatnight，wrotetomeafterwardsthathedidn’tknowmynametillhe’dseedthatparagraph，andhewantedtoknowef，eza’well-knowncitizen，’I
couldrecommendhimsometimberlands。Irecommendedhimhalfo’
myownquartersection，andhetookit。He’sputtin’upamillthar，andthat’sanotherreasonwhywewantpeaceandquietnessupthar。I’mtryin’（betwixtandbetweenus，Mr。Brice）togetHarrytocl’aroutandsellhisrightsinthevalleyandthewaterpowerontheForktoHeckshillandme。I’mopeningabusinesshere。"
"Thenyou’veleftMrs。TarboxwithMissFlorainyourcabinwhileyouattendtobusinesshere，"saidBricetentatively。
"Notexactly，Mr。Brice。Theoldwomanthoughtitagoodchancetocometo’FriscoandputFloinoneo’themCatholicconventschools——thatasksnoquestionswhartherawlogscomefrom，andturns’emoutfirst-classplankallround。Youfollerme，Mr。
Brice？ButMrs。Tarboxisjestinthenextroom，andwouldadmiretotellyeallthis——andI’llgoinandsendhertoyou。"Andwithapatronizingwaveofthehand，Mr。Tarboxcomplacentlydisappearedinthehall。
Mr。Bricewasnotsorrytobelefttohimselfinhisutterbewilderment！Flo，separatedfromherdetrimentaluncle，andplacedinaconventschool！Tarbox，theobscurepioneer，ashrewdspeculatoremergingintosuccess，andtakingtheuncle’splace！
Andallthiswithinthatmonthwhichhehadwastedwithabsurdrepinings。Howfeebleseemedhisownadventureandadvancement；
howevenludicroushispretensionstoanypatronageandsuperiority。
HowthiscommonbackwoodsmanhadsethiminhisplaceaseasilyasSHEhadevadedtheadvancesofthejournalistandHeckshill！Theyhadtaughthimalesson；perhapseventhesendingbackofhishandkerchiefwaspartofit！Hisheartgrewheavy；hewalkedtothewindowandgazedoutwithalongsigh。
Alightlaugh，thatmighthavebeenanechooftheonewhichhadattractedhimthatnightinTarbox’scabin，felluponhisear。HeturnedquicklytomeetFloraDimwood’slaughingeyesshininguponhimasshestoodinthedoorway。
Manyatimeduringthatmonthhehadthoughtofthismeeting——hadimaginedwhatitwouldbelike——whatwouldbehismannertowardsher——whatwouldbehergreeting，andwhattheywouldsay。Hewouldbecold，gentle，formal，gallant，gay，sad，trustful，reproachful，evenasthemoodsinwhichhethoughtofhercametohisfoolishbrain。Hewouldalwaysbeginwithrespectfulseriousness，orafranknessequaltoherown，butnever，neveragainwouldheoffendashehadoffendedunderthebuckeyes！Andnow，withherprettyfaceshininguponhim，allhisplans，hisspeeches，hispreparationsvanished，andlefthimdumb。Yethemovedtowardsherwithabriefarticulatesomethingonhislips，——somethingbetweenalaughandasigh，——butthatreallywasakiss，and——inpointoffact——promptlyfoldedherinhisarms。
Yetitwascertainlydirect，andperhapsthebestthatcouldbedone，fortheyoungladydidnotemergefromitascoolly，asunemotionally，norpossiblyasquicklyasshehadundertheshadeofthebuckeyes。Butshepersuadedhim——bystillholdinghishand——
tositbesideheronthechilly，highlyvarnished"greenrep"
返回顶部