下载辰思小说免费APP
"Doctor，Iamquitesane。YouknowIamquitesane。Iamexcited，I
confess，butIamquitesane。ForthirteenyearsandmoreIhavesoughtforthoselittlepiecesofmetalandrock，but，thankGod！I
havefoundthem，notformyself，butformygirl。Iruinedherlife—
—Inowredeem。Andnow，Mr。Macgregor，willyouundertakeachargeforme？Willyousweartobetrue，tofaithfullycarryouttherequestIamtomake？"
Shockhesitated。
"Donotdisappointme，"saidtheoldman，takingholdofShock’shandeagerlywithhistwohandssothinandwornandtrembling。
"Promiseme，"hesaid。
"Ipromise，"saidShocksolemnly。
"Iwantyoutofollowthistrail，tostakeoutthisclaim，toregisteritinyournameformydaughter，andtodevelopordisposeofthismineinthewaythatmayseembesttoyourself。Itrustyouentirely。Ihavewatchedyoucarefullythroughthesemonths，andhaveregainedmyfaithinmyfellowmenandmyfaithinGodthroughknowingyou。IwilldieinpeacebecauseIknowyouwillprovetrue，and，"afterapause，"becauseIknowGodwillreceiveasinful，brokenmanlikeme。Youpromisemethis，Mr。Macgregor？"TheoldmaninhiseagernessraisedhimselfuponhiselbowandstretchedouthishandtoShock。
"Oncemore，"saidShock，inabrokenvoice，"Ipromiseyou，Mr。
Mowbray。Iwilldomybesttocarryoutwhatyoudesire，andsomayGodhelpme！"
Theoldmansankquietlybackonhiscouch。Asmilespreadoverhisfaceashelaywithclosedeyes，andhebreathed，"ThankGod！Icantrustyouasifyouweremyson。"
"Hark！"hesaidamomentafterwardsinananxiouswhisper。"Thereissomeonenearthetent。"Thedoctorhurriedout，andfoundCrawleyintheneighbourhoodofthetentgatheringsomesticksforthefire。Hehastenedback。
"ItisonlyMr。Crawley，"hesaid，"gettingsomewoodforthefire。"
Aspasmoffeardistortedtheoldman’sface。
"Crawley！"hewhispered，"Ifearhim。Don’tlethimsee——orknow。
Nowtakethesethings——away。Ihavedonewiththem——Ihavedonewiththem！Youwillgivemylove——tomydaughter，"hesaidtoShockaftersomemomentsofsilence。
"Sheishere，"saidShockquietly。
"Here！Now！Ifearedtoask。Godisgood。Yes，Godisgood。"
Thedoctorsteppedoutofthetent。Theoldmanlaywitheagereyeswatchingthedoor。
Swiftly，butwithastepcomposedandsteady，hisdaughtercametohim。
"Father，Iamhere，"shesaid，droppingonherkneesbesidehim。
"Mydaughter！"hecriedwithasob，whilehisarmsheldherinacloseembrace。"Mydaughter！mydaughter！Godisgoodtous。"
Foralongtimetheyremainedsilentwiththeirarmsabouteachother。Shockmovedtothedoor。Thegirlwasthefirsttomasterheremotions。
"Father，"shesaidquietly，"thedoctortellsmeyouareveryill。"
"Yes，mydaughter，veryill，butsoonIshallbebetter。Soonquitewell。"
Thegirlliftedupherfacequickly。
"Oh，father！"shecriedjoyfully，"doyouthink——"Thelookonherfather’sfacecheckedherjoy。Shecouldnotmistakeitsmeaning。
Shethrewherselfwithpassionatesobsonthegroundbesidehim。
"Yes，mydaughter，"wentontheoldmaninaclear，steadyvoice，"soonIshallbewell。Mylifehasbeenforyearsafevereddream，butthedreamispast。Iamabouttoawake。Dearchild，Ihavespoiledyourlife。Wehaveonlyafewprecioushoursleft。Helpmenottospoiltheseforyou。"
Atoncethegirlsatup，wipedhereyes，andgrewstill。
"Yes，father，wewillnotlosethem。"
Sheputherhandinhis。
"Youmakemestrong，mydaughter。Ihavemuchtosaytoyou，muchtosaytoyouofmypast。"
Sheputherfingersonhislipsgently。
"Isthatbest，father，doyouthink？"shesaid。lookinglovinglyintohisface。
Heglancedatherinquicksurprise。Shewasagirlnolonger，butawoman，wiseandstrongandbrave。
"Perhapsyouareright，mydaughter。ButyouwillrememberthatitwasforyouIlivedmylonelylife，foryouIpursuedmyfeveredquest。YouwereallIhadleftintheworldafterIhadlaidyourmotherinhergrave。Ifearedtobringyoutome。NowIknowIneednothavefeared。NowIknowwhatIhavemissed，mydaughter。"
"Wehavefoundeachother，dear，dearfather，"thegirlsaid，andwhilehervoicebrokeforamomentinasobherfacewasbrightwithsmiles。
"Yes，mydaughter，wehavefoundeachotheratlength。Thedoorsofmyheart，longclosed，hadgrownrusty，butnowtheyarewideopen，andgladlyIwelcomeyou。"
Therewassilenceforsomeminutes，thentheoldmanwenton，painfully，withever—shorteningbreath。"Now，listentomecarefully。"AndthenhetoldherthetaleofhissearchfortheLostRiver，endingwiththeeagerexclamation:"AndlastyearIfoundit。
Itisaminerichbeyondmyfondesthopes，anditisyours。Itisyours，mydaughter。"
"Oh，father，"criedthegirl，losingherselfforamoment，"Idon’twantthemine。ItisyouIwant。"
"Yes，mydaughter，Iknowthatwell，butforthepresentitisnotthewillofGodthatIshouldbewithyou，andIhavelearnedthatitisgoodtotrusttoHim，andwithoutfearIgiveyou，mydaughter，toHiscare。"
Againthegirlgrewsteadyandcalm。
"CallMr。Macgregorandthedoctor，mydear，"herfathersaid。
"Thesegentlemenalone，"hecontinuedwhentheyhadcometohim，"holdmysecret。EvenPeraultdoesnotknowall。Heknowsthevalleywhichweexploredlastyear，buthedoesnotknowitistheLostRiver。Mr。Macgregorhaspromisedtoseetheclaimstaked。Peraultwillguidehimtoit。"
"Thispaper，"takingapacketfromhisbreast，"ismywill。Initafulldisposalismadeofall。NowIwillsignit。"
Thepaperwasdulysignedandwitnessed。Withasighofcontenttheoldmansankbackuponhisbed。
"Nowallisdone。Iamwellcontent。"
Forsometimehelaywithclosedeyes。Then，wakingsuddenly，helookedatShockandsaid:"Carrymeout，Mr。Macgregor。CarrymeoutwhereIcanseethetreesandthestars。Throughlongyearstheyhavebeenmybestfriends。There，too，Iwouldlieinmylongsleep。"
Theymadeabedofboughsandskinsforhimbeforethecamp—fire，andoutintothedry，warmnightShockcarriedhim。Inthewidevalleytherestilllingeredthesoftlightofthedyingday，buttheshadowswereeverywherelyingdeeper。Nightwasrapidlydrawinguphercurtainsupontheworld。Thegreattreesstoodinthedimlightsilent，solemn，andshadowy，keepingkindlywatchoverthevalleyandallthingstherein。Overtheeasternhillthefullmoonwasjustbeginningtorise。Themingledlightsofsilverandgoldfallingthroughthetreeslentarare，unearthlylovelinesstothewholescene。
TheOldProspector，recliningonhiscouch，lethiseyeswanderoverthevalleyandupthroughthetreestotheskyandthestars，whileasmileoffullcontentrestedonhisface。
"Itisalovelynight，dearfather，"saidhisdaughter，quicktointerprethisthought。
"Yes，mydaughter，ararenight。OftenhaveIseensuchnightsinthisveryspot，butnevertillto—nightdidtheirfulljoyentermyheart。Mylifewasonelong，terribleunreality。To—nighttheworldisnew，andfulloflovelinessandallpeace。"
Thenhelayinlongsilence。Thedoctorcamenear，touchedhiswrist，listenedtothebeatingofhisheart，andwhisperedtohisdaughter，"Itwillnotbelongnow。"
Theoldmanopenedhiseyes。"Youarenear，mydaughter，"hesaid。
"Yes，father，dear，Iamhere，"shereplied，pressinghishandbetweenhers。
"Couldyousingsomething，doyouthink？"
Thegirldrewinherbreathsharplyaswithasobofpain。
"No，"saidherfather。"Nevermind，mydaughter。Itistoomuchtoask。"
"Yes，yes，father，Iwillsing。WhatshallIsing？"
"SingBernard’sgreathymn，’Theworldisveryevil。’"
Itwasahymnshehadoftensungforhim，selectingsuchofitsversesasweremorefamiliar，andasexpressedmorenearlythethoughtintheirhearts。
Asshebegantosingthedoctorpassedoutbeyondthefirelighttothesideofthetent。TherehefoundStanton，withhisheadbowedlowbetweenhisknees。
"Myboy，"saidthedoctor，"thatisverybeautiful，butitisveryhardtobear。"
"Yes，"saidStanton。"I’mababy。Iwouldliketohelpher，butI
cannot。"
"Well，myboy，sheneedsnohelpthateitheryouorIcangive。"
Perault，thehalf—breed，andCrawleysatinsilenceattheothersideofthefire。Shockremainednear，thegirl，wonderingathermarvellousself—control。Verseafterverseshesanginavoicelow，butclearandsweet。Astherefrainoccurredagainandagain，"Osweetandblessedcountry，thehomeofGod’select，Osweetandblessedcountrythateagerheartsexpect，Jesus，inmercybringustothatdearlandofrest，"
theonlychangewasthatthesongrosealittleclearerandfullerandwithdeepertone。
Aftershehadfinishedthecamplayinperfectsilence。
"Areyouasleep，father，dear？"hisdaughtersaidatlength，buttherewasnoreply。Shetouchedhishandsandhisface。
"Father！"shecriedinavoiceofaweandfear，butstilltherewasnoreply。
Thedoctorcamehastilyintothelight，lookedintotheoldman’sface，andsaid:"Heisgone。"
Withalong，low，wailingcrythegirllaidherselfuponthegroundbyherfather’ssideandputherarmsaroundhim。Theyallgatheredaboutthecouch，withthedoctorandShockstandingnearest。
"Poorchild！"saidthedoctorsoftly。"Thisisasadnightforher。"
"Yes，"saidShock，inavoicequietandsteady。"Forherthenightissad，butforhimthedayhasdawnedandthereshallbenightnomore。"
There，inthatwidevalleywheretheyellowpineneedlesliedeepandwheremorningandeveningtheminglinglightsfallsoftlythroughtheoverarchingboughs，theylaidtheOldProspectortorestunderthepinesandthestarsthathadbeenhiscompanionsforsolong。
XV
EJECTEDANDREJECTED
InthemainroomoftheOldProspector’shousesometenortwelvestern—facedmenhadgathered。Theeasy，carelessmannerthatwascharacteristicoftheranchersandcowboysofthedistricthadgivenplacetoanairofsternandseriousdetermination。Itwasevidentthattheyhadgatheredforsomepurposeofmorethanordinarymoment。BycommonconsentSinclair，ashrewdandfair—mindedScotchrancherwhopossessedthecompleteconfidenceofeverymaninthecompany，bothforhisintegrityandhisintelligence，wasinthechair。
"WhereisMr。Macgregor？"heenquired。
"GonetotheFort，"answeredTheKid。"Heisondutythereto—
morrow。Hewishedmetosay，however，thathehasnodesiretopushthismatter，asfarasheispersonallyconcerned，butthatifthecommitteethinksthepublicgooddemandshispresenceandhistestimonyhewillappearonMonday。"
"Heoughttobehere，"saidSinclair，andhistonealmostconveyedareproof。
"He’llcomeifhe’swanted，Iguess，"drawledoutIke，quicktotakehisfriend’spart。
"Well，thenletusproceed。Letusgetthefactsfirst，"saidSinclair。"Stanton，wewouldliketohearwhatyouhavetosay。"
"Well，"saidTheKid，"thereisnotmuchthatIhavetotell，butI
shallbeginatthebeginningandgiveyouallIknow。"Stanton’sairofboyishcarelessnesshadquitedisappeared，hisvoicetookadeepertonethanusual，hismannerwasgraveandstern。
"ItwassixdaysagothatIhappenedtocallattheOldProspector’shouse。"
"Toseethepreacher，Iguess，"interruptedIkegravely，winkingatMacnamara，whorespondedwithahearty"Ha！ha！Ofcourse！"
"Quitthat，Ike，"saidSinclairsternly。"Wehavegotbusinessonhand。"
"AsIwassaying，"continuedtheKid;withheightenedcolour，"I
calledattheOldProspector’shouseandfoundMissMowbrayinastateofgreatanxietyinregardtoMr。Macgregor。ShetoldmehowthedoctorhadcometoseeMr。Macgregoraboutaweekbefore，ingreatexcitement，andhadinformedhimthatCarrollandCrawleyhadsetoffforthemountainstwodaysbefore，andhow，uponhearingthat，Mr。MacgregorandPeraulthadhastilyfollowed，havingwiththemaboutaweek’sprovisions。"
"WhatreasondidMissMowbrayassignforthis？"enquiredSinclair。
"Well，Isupposeit’snosecret，now，"saidTheKid，withsomehesitation。"TheOldProspector，youknow，beforehisdeathhadmadeaveryrichfind，butdiedwithoutstakinghisclaim。ThesecretofitslocationheentrustedtoMr。Macgregorandthedoctor。Thedoctor，inafitofdrunkenness，gavethesecretawaytoCarrollandCrawley，who，leavinghimincapablefromdrink，setoffatoncetostaketheclaim。"
"Holdon，Mr。Stanton，"saidSinclair。"Wemustbecareful。Howdoyouknowtheirpurposeinsettingoffforthemountains？"
"Well，Ithink——"
"But，"interruptedSinclair，"wemusthavestatementsoffactonly。"
"Dat’sso！"criedPeraultexcitedly。"DemfellertrytogetdeOleBossshowdatmine，forsure。Crawleyhe’strytomakdeOleBosstell。Ihearheem，me。Demfellerwantdatminebad。"
"Allright，Perault，"saidSinclairquietly。"Thatdoesn’tprovetheywenttostakethatclaim。Goon，Stanton。"
"Well，"continuedTheKid，"Isetoffatonce，andonmyseconddayoutImetthesetwomen，Mr。MacgregorandPerault，exhaustedwithtravellingandfaintwithhunger。"
"Guessyou’dbettertellhowyoufoundthem，Kid，"saidIke，whohadheardthestorybefore。
"Well，gentlemen，"continuedTheKid，hisvoiceshaking，"itwasaprettytoughsight，Icantellyou。Ifirstsawthemalongwaydownthetrail。Mr。MacgregorwascarryingPeraultonhisbackandevidentlywalkingwithgreatdifficulty。WhenIcameuptothemI
foundPeraultwasalmost，ifnotquite，insensible，andMr。
Macgregorinthelaststagesofexhaustion。"TheKidpausedafewmomentstosteadyhisvoice。Low，deepoathswereheardoneveryside，whilePerault，stillweakandnervousfromhisrecentterribleexperience，wassobbingaudibly。
"Ihadplentyofgrub，"continuedTheKid。"Ididmybestforthemandhelpedthemhome。ThatisallIhavetosay。"
Adeepsilencefelluponthegroupofmen。
"Now，Perault，"saidSinclair，"tellusyourstory。"
Peraulttriedtosteadyhisvoice，but，failingutterly，brokeintopassionateweeping，Sinclairwaitingingravesilenceforhimtorecover。Macnamara，thesoft—heartedbigIrishrancher，wasquietlywipinghiseyes，whiletheothermenwereswearingterribleoaths。
"Givehimadrink，"drawledIke。"Toomuchwateraintgoodfornoman。"
Halfadozenflaskswereimmediatelyoffered。Peraultdrank，and，afterafewmoments，beganhistale。
"Ican’spikmuch，me，"hesaid，"whenItinkhowdatbeegfellerpackmeonheesbacktwentymile，Ifin’badpainhere，"strikinghisbreast，"anddenIcan’spikatall。"AndagainthelittleFrenchman’svoicebrokedowninsobs。
"Taketime，Perault，"saidSinclairgravely。"Wewanttoknowallaboutit。Beginatthebeginningandtellitinyourownway。"Thegravetone，evenmorethanthewhiskyhehaddrunk，steadiedPerault，andhebeganagain。
"Dat’stwelveortirteenday，now。DePreachere，datProspector，I
callheem，he’sjus’lakdeOleBoss，forsure——deProspectorhe’ssen’datolefooldoctor，formequeek。Icomeandfin’deProspectorhe’sver’mad;mos’awfulmad;neverseeheemlak，datbefore。’Perault，’hesay，’getponeeandgrubqueek。WegofordeLos’Reever。’"
"Bygar！He’smakmescare。Igetponeean’grubandgetoffqueek，toutesuite，rightaway。Well，wegotwodayhardandcometodecampwheredeOleBosshe’sdie，denweclimboverdemontin。DeProspectorhe’sgotmapandshowmetrail。Oui，Iknowhimbon，fusrate。’Perault，’hesay，’youmin’las’yeardeOleBosshe’sfin’
goodminewayupindevalley？’`Oui，forsure。’’Youknowdetrail？’Oui，certainment。’’Den，’hesay，’wegodere。’Nex’daywestrikedattrailandgofourorfivemile。Wecometodatvalley——
MonDieu！dere’snovalleydere。Wecomebackandtryoncemore——datblankvalley，she’snodere。DeProspectorhelookmuchondatmap。
’Wheredosetreepeak？’hesay。’Deresure’nuff，one，twotree。Datvalleyshe’srightonlineofdosepeak。’’Sure，’Isay。’Iseeheemmyselfshe’sgonenowforsure！Ah！Voila！Isee！Beegslidefeeldatvalleyup！Bygar！Dat’sso，datmontinshe’shalfgone，datvalleyhe’sfullup。MonDieu！DeProspectorhe’slakwil’man。
’Perault，’hesay，’IpromisedeolemanIgoforfin’datmine。’
’Allright，boss，’Isay，’metoo。’Wemakecacheforgrub，wehobbledeponeeandgoforfin’datmine。Dat’soneblankhardday。
Overrockandtreeandholeandstomphe’sgolakonedeerhoun。’
Nextdayhe’sjus’same。Forme，I’mtire’out。Well，wecomehometocamp，slow，slow，hungree，sorefoot——bygar！Sacrebleu！Datcacheshebrokeup，degrubhe’sgone！MonDieu！dat’sbad——fourorfivedaywalkfromhomeandnogrubatall。"
"Whatdidyouthink，Perault？"askedSinclair。"Didyouseesignsofanybeast，bearormountainlion？"
"Sure，dat’swhatItinkfus’ting，butdeProspectorhe’swalkaroun’quietandlookeveryting。’Perault，dat’sfoneeting，’hesay。’Wheredosecan’meat，eh？’Bygar！daysso，debearhecan’
eatdosecan’meat，notmoche！"
"Notlikely，notbein’agoat，"putinIkedrily。
"Well，welookaroun’ver’close，noscratch，notrack。Bygar！daysnobear，forsure——dat’sonebearontwoleg。"
"Ithink，"saidSinclairgravely，"thatthereisnodoubtofthat。
Thequestionis，whodidit？Gentlemen，ithasbeenprovedthatthesetwomen，CarrollandCrawley，wereawayduringtheweekwhenthiscrimetookplace。Wedonotknowwheretheywere，butwemustbefairtothem。Wemayhaveouropinionsaboutthis，butinfixingtheresponsibilityofthiscrimewemustbeexceedinglycarefultodealjustlywitheveryman。IsuggestwecallCarroll。"
Carrollcametothemeetingwithouthesitation，andwithhim，Crawley。
"Wewilltakeyouinafewminutes，"saidSinclairtoCrawley。
"Now，"hecontinuedtoCarroll，whenCrawleyhadbeenremoved，"wewouldliketoknowwhereyouwerelastweek。"
"That’snobody’sblankbusiness，"saidCarroll。
Anangrymurmurarosefromthecrowd。
"Carroll，thisthingistooseriousforanybluffing，andwearegoingtoseeitthrough。Itisfairthatyoushouldknowwhyweask。
Letmegiveyouthefactswehavefoundout。"SinclairgaveabriefresumeofthestoryasgatheredfromStantonandPerault。AsCarrolllistenedhisfacegrewwhitewithfury。
"Doesanyblank，blanksonofahorsethief，"hecried，whenSinclairhaddone，"sayIamthemanthatbrokeopenthatcache？Lethimstandupforninstmeandsayso。"Hegnashedhisteethinhisrage。"WhinTimCarrollgoestogitevenwidamanhedoesn’tgobehindhisbackfurit，andyezallknowthat！No，"hecried，plantinghishugefistwithacrashuponthetable，"Ididn’tputafingeronthecachenorhisponiesayther，begob！"
"Allright，Carroll，wearegladtohearit，"saidSinclair，inacold，sternvoice。"Youneedn’tgetsowildoverit。Youcannotfrightenus，youknow。Everymanherecangiveanaccountofhisdoingslastweek——canyou？"
"Icanthatsame，"saidCarroll，somewhatsubduedbySinclair’stoneandmanner。"Iamnotafraidtosaythatwewentuptoseeamineweheardof。"
"YouandCrawley，youmean？"saidSinclairquietly。
"Yes，"continuedCarroll，"andthat’sfairenough，too;andwehuntedaroundaweekfurit，an’cameback。"
"Didyoufindyourmine？"askedSinclair。
"Wedidnot，andit’sablank，blankfoolIwastolistentotheyarnofthedrunkenoldfoolofadoctor。"
"Thankyou，Carroll。Now，Idonotthinkmyselfthatyoutouchedthatcache。"
"Ifhedid，hewillswingforit，"saidavoice，coolandrelentless，inthecrowd。
Carrollstartedalittleasheheardthatvoice。
"Youshutup！"saidIke。
"Now，Carroll，wewantyoutoanswerafewquestions，"continuedSinclair。"Mr。CrawleybroughtyoutothecampwheretheOldProspectordied——isthatright？"
"Hedid。"
"Andthenyouwenteastfromthatpointoverthemountain？"
"Wedid，andIamtellingyouwewaslookingforthatmineweheardof。"
"Allright，"saidSinclair。"Howlongdidyoustayinthatneighbourhood？"
"Aweekorso。"
"DidyouseeMr。MacgregororPeraultwhileyouwerethere？"
"That’snoneofyourbusiness。"
"You’dbetteranswer，Carroll。"
"It’llbeyourbusinessprettyblanksoon！"drawledthevoiceagain。
"Shutup！"saidIke。"Givehimachance。"
"Ithinkyou’dbetteranswer，"saidSinclairquietly。"You’venothingtohide，Isuppose？"
"Ihaven’t，"saidCarrolldefiantly。"Wedidseethemtwowalkingaround，andwesoonknew，too，thattheydidn’tknowanymorethanourselvesaboutthatmine。Thinwecameaway。"
"Didyouseetheircamp？"
"Wedid。Wepasseditby。"
"Didyoustopandspeaktothem？"
"No，wedidnot;forthegoodreasontheyweren’tthere。"
"Didyouexaminethecamportouchanything？"
"Niviratouch，sohelpmeGod！"saidCarroll，withgreatearnestness。
"ThendidyouandCrawleycomeawaytogether？"
"Wedid。"
"Wheredidyoucampthatnight？"
"Overthemountainbeyant，forninsttheOldProspector’sgrave。"
"Andyoucamestraighthomenextday？"
"Wedid，exceptforalukatacoupleofprospectsweknewof。"
"Oh！Howlongdidthattakeyou？"
"Ittukmeaboutaday，andCrawleyalittleless，I’mthinkin’。"
"Howwasthat，Carroll？"enquiredSinclair。
"Well，hetukonegulchandItuktheother，andhegotthroughbeforeme，andthenextdaywecamehome;andthat’sthetruthofit，sohelpme。"
"Thenyouwereneverseparatedfromeachotherexceptforthatoneday？"
"That’strue。"TherewasnomistakingthesincerityandhonestyofCarroll’smanner。
"Anyfurtherquestionstoask，gentlemen？"
"HowlongdidyoustopatMr。Macgregor’scampwhenyouwaspassingby？"askedIke。
"Don’tbesoblankedsmart，Ike！"saidCarroll，insavagescorn。
"I’mtellingyouthatIdidn’tstopafut。Wesawtheircampandtheirponiesandwewentsthraightpast。"
"Didn’tstoptolightyourpipeornothing？"enquiredIke。
"Blankyourblankuglymug！"roaredCarroll，"doyoumeantosay，——"
"Oh，nothing，"saidIkequietly。"Justwantedtoknowhowlongyoustopped？"
"AndIamtellin’youwedidn’tsthopatall，atall，notafutofus！
Wedidn’tgoneartheircampwithinfiftyyard。"
"Notfiftyyards，eh？Well，that’sstrange。"
Carrollpouredoutavolleyofoaths。
"You’resureaboutthatfiftyyards，Carroll？"askedIke，ininsinuatingtones。
"Ididn’tpaceit，youblankedfool！butI’llswearitwasn’tmorethanthirty。"
"You’redeadsureaboutthatthirtyyards，Carroll？"persistedIke。
"Iamthat，andifyouwanttosayanythingmorecomeoutside！"saidCarroll，glaringwildlyathisinterlocutor。
"Oh，thanks，I’mcomfortable，"saidIkemildly，ashe，satlackinhischair。"Hopeyouarethesame。"
"Thatwilldo，Carroll，"saidSinclair。"Iamsureweallfeelmuchobligedtoyouforyourstraightforwardanswers。Ifwewantyouagainwe’llsendforyou。"
"AndI’llcome，"saidCarroll，withanotheroath，passingoutoftheroom。
