第4章

afactthatseemedtohavedeprivedhimatonceofallmetre，grammar，oreventhepowerofcoherentnarration。Attimesagroanorahalf-articulatecrywouldcomefromthe"bunk"whereonRogerCatronlay，acircumstancethatalwaysseemedtoexciteCaptainDicktogreatereffortandmorerapidvocalization。Towardmorning，inthemidstofaprolongedhowlfromthecaptain，whowasfinishingthe"StarboardWatch，ahoy！"inthreedifferentkeys，RogerCatron’svoicebrokesuddenlyandsharplyfromhisen-

wrappings：——

"Dryup，youd——doldfool，willyou？"

CaptainDickstoppedinstantly。Risingtohisfeet，andlookingoverthelandscape，hetookallnatureintohisconfidenceinoneinconceivablyarchandcraftywink。"He’scominguptothewind，"

hesaidsoftly，rubbinghishands。"Thepillsisfetchin’him。

Steadynow，boys，steady。Steadyasshegoesonhercourse，"andwithanotherwinkofineffablewisdom，heenteredthecabinandlockedthedoor。

Meanwhile，thebestsocietyofSandyBarwaskindtothenewly-madewidow。Withoutbeingdefinitelyexpressed，itwasgenerallyfeltthatsympathywithherwasnowsafe，andcarriednomoralresponsibilitywithit。Evenpracticalandpecuniaryaid，whichbeforehadbeenwithheld，lestitshouldbedivertedfromitsproperintent，and，perhapsthroughtheweaknessofthewife，madetoministertothewickednessofthehusband，——eventhatwasnowopenlysuggested。Everybodyfeltthatsomebodyshoulddosomethingforthewidow。Afewdidit。Herownsexralliedtoherside，generallywithlargesympathy，but，unfortunately，smallpecuniaryorpracticalresult。Atlast，whenthefeasibilityofhertakingaboarding-houseinSanFrancisco，andidentifyingherselfwiththatlargeclassofAmericangentlewomenwhohaveseenbetterdays，butclearlyareontheroadnevertoseethemagain，wassuggested，afewofherownandherhusband’srichrelativescametothefronttorehabilitateher。Itwaseasiertotakeherintotheirhomesasanequalthantorefusetocalluponherasthemistressofalodging-houseintheadjoiningstreet。Anduponinspectionitwasfoundthatshewasstillquiteaneligiblepartie，prepossessing，andwithal，inherwidow’sweeds，akindofpoeticalandsentimentalpresence，asnecessaryinawealthyandfashionableAmericanfamilyasaworkofart。"Yes，poorCarolinehashadasad，sadhistory，"thelanguidMrs。WalkerCatronwouldsay，"andweallsympathizewithherdeeply；Walkeralwaysregardsherasasister。"Whatwasthisdarkhistorynevercameout，butitsverymysteryalwaysthrilledthevisitor，andseemedtoindicateplainlytherespectabilityofthehostess。AnAmericanfamilywithoutagenteelskeletoninitsclosetcouldscarcelyaddtothatgossipwhichkeepssocietyfromforgettingitsmembers。NorwasitaltogetherunnaturalthatpresentlyMrs。RogerCatronlentherselftothissentimentaldeception，andbegantothinkthatshereallywasamoreexquisitelyaggrievedwomanthanshehadimagined。Attimes，whenthisvagueloadofiniquityputuponherdeadhusbandassumed，throughthemysteryofherfriends，therumorofmurderandhighwayrobbery，andevenanattemptuponherownlife，shewenttoherroom，alittlefrightened，andhad"agoodcry，"

reappearingmoremournfulandpatheticthanever，andcorroboratingthesuspicionsofherfriends。Indeed，oneortwoimpulsivegentlemen，firedbyherpatheticeyelids，openlyregrettedthatthedeceasedhadnotbeenhanged，towhichMrs。WalkerCatronrespondedthat，"ThankHeaven，theyweresparedatleastthatdisgrace！"andsosentconvictionintothemindsofherhearers。

ItwasscarcelytwomonthsafterthispainfulcloseofhermatrimoniallifethatonerainyFebruarymorningtheservantbroughtacardtoMrs。RogerCatron，bearingthefollowinginscription：——

"RichardGraemeMacleod。"

Womenaremorereadilyaffectedbynamesthanweare，andtherewasacertainHighlandrespectabilityaboutthisthat，albeit，notknowingitspossessor，impelledMrs。Catrontosendwordthatshe"wouldbedowninafewmoments。"Attheendofthisfemininelyindefiniteperiod，——aquarterofanhourbytheFrenchclockonthemantel-piece，——Mrs。RogerCatronmadeherappearanceinthereception-room。Itwasadull，wetday，asIhavesaidbefore，butontheContraCostahillsthegreensandafewflowerswerealreadyshowingapromiseofrejuvenescenceandanearlyspring。Therewassomethingofthis，Ithink，inMrs。Catron’spresence，shownperhapsinthecoquettishbowofaribbon，inalargerandmoredelicateruche，inatighterbeltingofherblackcashmeregown；

butstilltherewasasuggestionofrecentrainintheeyes，andthreateningweather。Assheenteredtheroom，thesuncameout，too，andrevealedtheprettinessanddelicacyofherfigure，andI

regrettostate，also，thesomewhatobtrusiveplainnessofhervisitor。

"Iknewye’dbesorterdisapp’intedatfirst，notgettin’theregularbearingso’myname，butI’m’CaptainDick。’Mebbeye’veheardyourhusband——thatis，yourhusbandezwaz，RogerCatron——

speako’me？"

Mrs。Catron，feelingherselfoutragedanddeceivedinbelt，ruche，andribbon，freezinglyadmittedthatshehadheardofhimbefore。

"Incourse，"saidthecaptain；"why，Lordloveye，Mrs。Catron，——ezwaz，——heusedtobeallthetimetalkin’ofye。Andallersinafree，easy，confidentialway。Why，onenight——don’tyeremember？——

whenhecamehome，carryin’，mebbee，morecanvasthanwasseamanlike，andyoushethimoutthehouse，andlaidforhimwithabroomstick，oroneo’themcrokaymallets，Idisrememberwhich，andhekemovertome，oleCaptainDick，andIseztohim，sezI，’Why，Roger，them’sonlylovepats，andyercondishunissucheztomakeanywomanmad-like。’Why，Lordblessye！thereain’tennyofthemmootooldifferencesyouandhimhedezIdoesn’tknowson，anddidn’talwaysstandby，andlendyeahand，andheaveinawordortwoofadvicewhencalledon。"

Mrs。Catron，iceeverywherebutinherpinkcheeks，wasgladthatMr。CatronseemedtohavealwaysafriendtowhomheconfidedEVERYTHING，eventhebasefalsehoodshehadinvented。

"MebbenowtheyWAZfalsehoods，"saidthecaptain，thoughtfully。

"Butdon’tyegotothink，"headdedconscientiously，"thathekeptonthattackallthetime。Why，thatdayhemadearaise，gambling，Ithink，overatDutchFlat，andgiveyethembracelets，——

regularsolidgold，——why，itwouldhavedoneyourheartgoodtohaveheardhimtalkaboutyou——saidyouhadtheprettiestarminCaliforny。Well，"saidthecaptain，lookingaroundforasuitableclimax，"well，you’dhavethoughtthathewassorterproudofye！

Why，Iwozwithhimin’FriscowhenheboughtthatA1prizebonnetforyefor$75，andnothevin’over$50inhispocket，borryedtheother$25outerme。Mebbeitwasalittlefancyforabonnet；butIallersthoughthetookitalittletoomuchtoheartwhenyouswoppeditoffforthatDollarVardendress，justbecausethatLawyerMaxwellsaidtheDollarVardenswasbecomin’toye。Yeknow，Ireckon，hewasalwayssorterjealousofthattharshark——"

"MayIventuretoaskwhatyourbusinessiswithme？"interruptedMrs。Catron，sharply。

"Incourse，"saidthecaptain，rising。"Yesee，"hesaid，apologetically，"wegottotalkingo’Rogerandoletimes，andI

gotalittleouto’mycourse。It’samatterof——"hebegantofumbleinhispockets，andfinallyproducedasmallmemorandum-

book，whichheglancedover——"it’samatterof$250。"

"Idon’tunderstandyou，"saidMrs。Catron，inindignantastonishment。

"Onthe15thofJuly，"saidthecaptain，consultinghismemorandum-

book，"RogersoldhisclaimatNye’sFordfor$1，500。Now，le’ssee。Tharwasnighon$350ezheadmittedtomehelostatpoker，andwe’lladd$50tothatfortreating，suppers，anddrinksgin’rally——putRogerdownfor$400。ThentherewasYOU。Nowyouspent$250onyourtripto’Friscothetsummer；then$200wentforthempresentsyousentyourAuntJane，andtharwas$400forhouseexpenses。Well，thetfootsup$1，250。Now，what’sbecomeofthetother$250？"

Mrs。Catron’swoman’simpulsetoretaliatesharplyovercameherfirstnaturalindignationathervisitor’simpudence。

Thereinshelost，woman-like，hergroundofvantage。

"Perhapsthewomanhefledwithcantellyou，"shesaidsavagely。

"Thet，"saidthecaptain，slowly，"isagood，areasonableidee。

Butitain’ttrue；fromallIcangatherSHElentHIMmoney。Itdidn’tgoTHAR。"

"RogerCatronleftmepenniless，"saidMrs。Catron，hotly。

"Thet’sjistwhatgetsme。Yououghterhave$250somewharlyinground。"

Mrs。Catronsawhererror。"MayIaskwhatrightyouhavetoquestionme？Ifyouhaveany，Imustreferyoutomylawyerormybrother-in-law；ifyouhavenone，Ihopeyouwillnotobligemetocalltheservantstoputyoufromthehouse。"

"Thetsoundsreasonableandsquare，too，"saidthecaptain，thoughtfully；"I’veapowerofattorneyfromRogerCatrontosettleuphisaffairsandpayhisdebts，givenaweekaforethemdetectiveshandedyeoverhisdeadbody。ButIthoughtthatyouandmemightsavelawyer’sfeesandallfussandfeathers，ef，inasociable，sad-likeway，——lookin’backsorteronRogerezyouandmeonceknewhim，——wehadaquiettalktogether。"

"Goodmorning，sir，"saidMrs。Catron，risingstiffly。Thecaptainhesitatedamoment，aslightflushofcolorcameinhisfaceasheatlastroseastheladybackedoutoftheroom。"Goodmorning，ma’am，"saidthecaptain，anddeparted。

VerylittlewasknownofthisinterviewexceptthegeneralimpressioninthefamilythatMrs。Catronhadsuccessfullyresistedavagueattemptatblackmailfromoneofherhusband’sformerdissolutecompanions。YetitisonlyfairtosaythatMrs。Catronsnappedup，quitesavagely，twomalesympathizersonthissubject，andcriedagooddealfortwodaysafterward，andonce，inthehearingofhersister-in-law，tothatlady’sgreathorror，"wishedshewasdead。"

Aweekafterthisinterview，asLawyerPhillipssatinhisoffice，hewasvisitedbyMacleod。Recognizing，possibly，somepracticaldifferencebetweenthewidowandthelawyer，CaptainDickthistimefirstproducedhiscredentials，——a"powerofattorney。""Ineednottellyou，"saidPhillips，"thatthedeathofyourprincipalrendersthisinstrumentinvalid，andIsupposeyouknowthat，leavingnowill，andnoproperty，hisestatehasnotbeenadministeredupon。"

"Mebbeitis，andmebbeitisn’t。ButIhain’taskin’foranythin’

butinformation。Therewasabito’prop’tyandamillontoit，overatHeavytree，ezsoldfor$10，000。Idon’tsee，"saidthecaptain，consultinghismemorandum-book，"ezHEgotanythingoutofit。"

"Itwasmortgagedfor$7，000，"saidthelawyer，quickly，andtheinterestandfeesamounttoabout$3，000more。"

"Themortgagewasgivenassecurityforanote？"

"Yes，agamblingdebt，"saidthelawyer，sharply。

"Thet’sso，andmybeliefezthatitwasn’tasquaregame。Heshouldn’thevgivennonote。Why，don’tyemind，’waybackin’60，whenyouandmewazinMarysville，thatnightthatyoubuckedaginfaro，andlostsevinghundreddollars，andthenrefoosedtotakeupyourchecks，sayingitwasfraudandagamblingdebt？Anddon’tyemindwhenthatchapkickedye，andIhelpedtodraghimoffye——

and——"

"I’mbusynow，Mr。Macleod，"saidPhillips，hastily；"myclerkwillgiveyoualltheinformationyourequire。Goodmorning。"

"It’smightyqueer，"saidthecaptain，thoughtfully，ashedescendedthestairs，"butthemomenttheconversationgetslimberandsociable-like，andIgetstorunnin’freeundereasysail，it’salways’Goodmorning，Captain，’andwe’rebecalmed。"

Bysomeoccultinfluence，alltheforegoingconversation，slightlyexaggerated，andthewholeinterviewofthecaptainwiththewidowwithsundryadditions，becamethecommonpropertyofSandyBar，tothegreatdelightoftheboys。TherewasscarcelyapersonwhohadeverhadbusinessorsocialrelationswithRogerCatron，whom"TheFrozenTruth，"asSandyBardelightedtodesignatethecaptain，hadnot"interviewed，"assimplyanddirectly。ItissaidthatheclosedaconversationwithoneoftheSanFranciscodetectives，whohadfoundRogerCatron’sbody，inthesewords："Andnowhevin’gotthroo’bizness，Iwasgoin’toaskyewhat’sgoneofMatt。Jones，whowaswithyeinthebushinAustraily。Lord，howhegotmequiteinterestedinye，tellingmehowyouandhimgotoutonaticket-of-leave，andwaschasedbythemmilishyguards，andatlastswamouttoaSanFranciscobarkandescaped；"butheretheinevitablepressureofpreviousbusinessalwaysstoppedthecaptain’sconversationalflow。ThenaturalresultofthiswasasingularreactioninfavorofthelateRogerCatroninthepublicsentimentofSandyBar，sostrong，indeed，astoinducetheRev。

Mr。JoshuaMcSnagly，thenextSunday，tocombatitwiththemoralofCatron’slife。Aftertheservice，hewasapproachedinthevestibule，andinthehearingofsomeofhisaudience，byCaptainDick，withthefollowingcompliment："InmanypintsyehedjessgotRogerCatrondowntoahair。Iknewye’ddoit：why，Lordloveye，youandhimhadpintsincommon；andwhenhegiv’yethathundreddollarsarterthefireinSacramento，tohelpyerebuildtheparsonage，hesaidtome，——menotlikin’yeonaccounto’mybeingonthecommitteethatinvitedyetoresignfromMarysvilleallalongo’thataffairwithDeaconPursell’sdarter；andapieceshewas，parson！eh？——well，Roger，heupsandseztome，’Everymanhezhisfaults，’sezhe；andsezhe，’there’snoreasonwhyaparsonain’tahumanbeinglikeus，andthatgalo’Pursell’sispizen，ezIknow。’Soyesee，Iseedthatyewashittin’yourselfoverCatron’sshoulder，likethemearlymartyrs。"Buthere，asCaptainDickwasclearlyblockingupallegressfromthechurch，thesextonobligedhimtomoveon，andagainhewasstoppedinhisconversationalcareer。

Butonlyforatime。Beforelong，itwaswhisperedthatCaptainDickhadorderedameetingofthecreditors，debtors，andfriendsofRogerCatronatRobinson’sHall。Itwassuggested，withsomeshowofreason，thatthishadbeendoneattheinstigationofvariouspracticaljokersofSandyBar，whohadimposedonthesimpledirectnessofthecaptain，andtheattendancethatnightcertainlyindicatedsomethingmorethanamerebusinessmeeting。

AllofSandyBarcrowdedintoRobinson’sHall，andlongbeforeCaptainDickmadehisappearanceontheplatform，withhisinevitablememorandum-book，everyinchoffloorwascrowded。

ThecaptainbegantoreadtheexpendituresofRogerCatronwithrelentlessfidelityofdetail。Theseverallossesbypoker，thewhiskybills，andtherecordofa"jamboree"atTooley’s，thevagueexpenseswhereoffootedup$275，werereceivedwithenthusiasticcheersbytheaudience。Asinglemilliner’sbillfor$125washailedwithdelight；$100expendedintreatingtheVestalVirginCombinationTroupealmostcanonizedhismemory；$50forasimplebuggyridewithDeaconFiskbroughtdownthehouse；$500advanced，withoutsecurity，andunpaid，fortheelectioneeringexpensesofAssemblymanJones，whohadrecentlyintroducedabilltopreventgamblingandthesaleoflagerbeeronSundays，wasreceivedwithanominousgroan。Oneortwootheritemsofmoneyloanedoccasionedthewithdrawalofseveralgentlemenfromtheaudienceamidstthehissesorironicalcheersoftheothers。

AtlastCaptainDickstoppedandadvancedtothefootlights。

"Gentlemenandfriends，"hesaid，slowly。"Ifootsup$25，000asRogerCatronhezMADE，fairandsquare，inthisyercounty。I

footsup$27，000ezhehasSPENTinthisyercounty。Iputsittoyouezmen，——far-mindedmen，——efthismanwasapauperanddebtor？

Iputittoyouezfar-mindedmen，——ezfreeandeasymen，——ezpoliticaleconomists，——ezthisthekindofmentoimpoverishacounty？"

Anoverwhelmingandinstantaneous"No！"almostdrownedthelastutteranceofthespeaker。

"Tharisonlyoneitem，"saidCaptainDick，slowly，"onlyoneitem，thatezmen，——ezfar-mindedmen，——ezpoliticaleconomists，——itseemstomeweheztherighttoquestion。It’sthis：Tharisanitem，readtoyoubyme，of$2，000paidtocertingSanFranciscodetectives，paidouto’theassetso’RogerCatron，forthefindingofRogerCatron’sbody。GentlemenofSandyBarandfriends，I

foundthatbody，andyeritis！"

AndRogerCatron，alittlepaleandnervous，butpalpablyintheflesh，steppedupontheplatform。

Ofcoursethenewspaperswerefullofitthenextday。Ofcourse，induetime，itappearedasagarbledandromanticitemintheSanFranciscopress。OfcourseMrs。Catron，onreadingit，fainted，andfortwodayssaidthatthislastcruelblowendedallrelationsbetweenherhusbandandherself。Onthethirddaysheexpressedherbeliefthat，ifhehadhadtheslightestfeelingforher，hewould，longsince，forthesakeofmeredecency，havecommunicatedwithher。Onthefourthdayshethoughtshehadbeen，perhaps，badlyadvised，hadanopenquarrelwithherrelatives，andintimatedthatawifehadcertainobligations，etc。Onthesixthday，stillnothearingfromhim，shequotedScripture，spokeofaseventy-times-sevenforgiveness，andwentgenerallyintomildhysterics。Ontheseventh，sheleftinthemorningtrainforSandyBar。

AndreallyIdon’tknowasIhaveanythingmoretotell。Idinedwiththemrecently，and，uponmyword，amoredecorous，correct，conventional，anddulldinnerIneverateinmylife。

"WHOWASMYQUIETFRIEND？"

"Stranger！"

Thevoicewasnotloud，butclearandpenetrating。Ilookedvainlyupanddownthenarrow，darkeningtrail。Nooneinthefringeofalderahead；nooneonthegulliedslopebehind。

"O！stranger！"

Thistimealittleimpatiently。TheCaliforniaclassicalvocative，"O，"alwaysmeantbusiness。

Ilookedup，andperceivedforthefirsttimeontheledge，thirtyfeetaboveme，anothertrailparallelwithmyown，andlookingdownuponmethroughthebuckeyebushesasmallmanonablackhorse。

Fivethingstobeherenotedbythecircumspectmountaineer。

FIRST，thelocality，——lonelyandinaccessible，andawayfromtheregularfaringofteamstersandminers。SECONDLY，thestranger’ssuperiorknowledgeoftheroad，fromthefactthattheothertrailwasunknowntotheordinarytraveler。THIRDLY，thathewaswellarmedandequipped。FOURTHLY，thathewasbettermounted。

FIFTHLY，thatanydistrustortimidityarisingfromthecontemplationofthesefactshadbetterbekepttoone’sself。

AllthispassedrapidlythroughmymindasIreturnedhissalutation。

"Gotanytobacco？"heasked。

Ihad，andsignifiedthefact，holdingupthepouchinquiringly。

"Allright，I’llcomedown。Rideon，andI’lljineyeontheslide。"

"Theslide！"Herewasanewgeographicaldiscoveryasoddasthesecondtrail。Ihadriddenoverthetrailadozentimes，andseennocommunicationbetweentheledgeandtrail。Nevertheless，Iwentonahundredyardsorso，whentherewasasharpcracklingintheunderbrush，ashowerofstonesonthetrail，andmyfriendplungedthroughthebushestomyside，downagradethatIshouldscarcelyhavedaredtoleadmyhorse。Therewasnodoubthewasanaccomplishedrider，——anotherfacttobenoted。

Asherangedbesideme，IfoundIwasnotmistakenastohissize；

hewasquiteunderthemediumheight，andbutforapairofcold，grayeyes，wasrathercommonplaceinfeature。

"You’vegotagoodhorsethere，"Isuggested。

Hewasfillinghispipefrommypouch，butlookedupalittlesurprised，andsaid，"Ofcourse。"Hethenpuffedawaywiththenervouseagernessofamanlongdeprivedofthatsedative。

Finally，betweenthepuffs，heaskedmewhenceIcame。

Ireplied，"FromLagrange。"

Helookedatmeafewmomentscuriously，butonmyaddingthatI

hadonlyhaltedthereforafewhours，hesaid："IthoughtIkneweverymanbetweenLagrangeandIndianSpring，butsomehowIsorterdisrememberyourfaceandyourname。"

Notparticularlycaringthatheshouldremembereither，Irepliedhalflaughingly，that，asIlivedtheothersideofIndianSpring，itwasquitenatural。Hetooktherebuff，ifsuchitwas，soquietlythatasanactofmereperfunctorypolitenessIaskedhimwherehecamefrom。

"Lagrange。"

"Andyouaregoingto——"

"Well！thatdependsprettymuchonhowthingspanout，andwhetherIcanmaketheriffle。"Helethishandrestquiteunconsciouslyontheleathernholsterofhisdragoonrevolver，yetwithastrongsuggestiontomeofhisability"tomaketheriffle"ifhewantedto，andadded："ButjustnowIwasreck’nin’ontakingalittlepasearwithyou。"

Therewasnothingoffensiveinhisspeechsaveitsfamiliarity，andthereflection，perhaps，thatwhetherIobjectedornot，hewasquiteabletodoashesaid。IonlyrepliedthatifourpasearwasprolongedbeyondHeavytreeHill，Ishouldhavetoborrowhisbeast。

Tomysurpriseherepliedquietly，"That’sso，"addingthatthehorsewasatmydisposalwhenhewasn’tusingit，andHALFofitwhenhewas。"Dickhascarrieddoublemanyatimebeforethis，"hecontinued，"andkindoitagain；whenyourmustanggivesoutI’llgiveyoualiftandroomtospare。"

IcouldnothelpsmilingattheideaofappearingbeforetheboysatRedGulchencroupewiththestranger；butneithercouldIhelpbeingoddlyaffectedbythesuggestionthathishorsehaddonedoubledutybefore。"Onwhatoccasion，andwhy？"wasaquestionI

kepttomyself。Wewereascendingthelong，rockyflankofthedivide；thenarrownessofthetrailobligedustoproceedslowly，andinfile，sothattherewaslittlechanceforconversation，hadhebeendisposedtosatisfymycuriosity。

Wetoiledoninsilence，thebuckeyegivingwaytochimisal，thewesteringsun，reflectedagainfromtheblankwallsbesideus，blindingoureyeswithitsglare。Thepinesinthecanyonbelowwereolivegulfsofheat，overwhichahawkhereandtheredriftedlazily，or，risingtoourlevel，castaweirdandgiganticshadowofslowlymovingwingsonthemountainside。Thesuperiorityofthestranger’shorseledhimoftenfarinadvance，andmademehopethathemightforgetmeentirely，orpushon，growingwearyofwaiting。Butregularlyhewouldhaltbyabowlder，orreappearfromsomechimisal，wherehehadpatientlyhalted。Iwasbeginningtohatehimmildly，whenatoneofthosereappearanceshedrewuptomyside，andaskedmehowIlikedDickens！

HadheaskedmyopinionofHuxleyorDarwin，Icouldnothavebeenmoreastonished。ThinkingitwerepossiblethathereferredtosomelocalcelebrityofLagrange，Isaid，hesitatingly：——

"Youmean——"

"CharlesDickens。Ofcourseyou’vereadhim？Whichofhisbooksdoyoulikebest？"

IrepliedwithconsiderableembarrassmentthatIlikedthemall，——

asIcertainlydid。

Hegraspedmyhandforamomentwithafervorquiteunlikehisusualphlegm，andsaid，"That’sme，oldman。Dickensain’tnoslouch。Youcancountonhimprettymuchallthetime。"

Withthisroughpreface，helaunchedintoacriticismofthenovelist，whichforintelligentsympathyandheartyappreciationI

hadrarelyheardequaled。Notonlydidhedwellupontheexuberanceofhishumor，butuponthepowerofhispathosandtheall-pervadingelementofhispoetry。Ilookedatthemaninastonishment。Ihadconsideredmyselfaratherdiligentstudentofthegreatmasteroffiction，butthestranger’sfelicityofquotationandillustrationstaggeredme。Itistrue，thathisthoughtwasnotalwaysclothedinthebestlanguage，andoftenappearedintheslouching，slangyundressoftheplaceandperiod，yetitneverwasrusticnorhomespun，andsometimesstruckmewithitsprecisionandfitness。Considerablysoftenedtowardhim，I

triedhimwithotherliterature。Butvainly。Beyondafewofthelyricalandemotionalpoets，heknewnothing。Undertheinfluenceandenthusiasmofhisownspeech，hehimselfhadsoftenedconsiderably；offeredtochangehorseswithme，readjustedmysaddlewithprofessionalskill，transferredmypacktohisownhorse，insisteduponmysharingthecontentsofhiswhiskyflask，and，noticingthatIwasunarmed，presseduponmeasilver-mountedDerringer，whichheassuredmehecould"warrant。"Thesevariousofficesofgoodwillandthediversionofhistalkbeguiledmefromnoticingthefactthatthetrailwasbeginningtobecomeobscureandunrecognizable。Wewereevidentlypursuingarouteunknownbeforetome。Ipointedoutthefacttomycompanion，alittleimpatiently。Heinstantlyresumedhisoldmanneranddialect。

"Well，Ireckononetrail’sasgoodasanother，andwhathevyegottosayaboutit？"

Ipointedout，withsomedignity，thatIpreferredtheoldtrail。

"Mebbeyoudid。Butyou’rejissnowtakin’apasearwithME。ThisyertrailwillbringyourightintoIndianSpring，andONNOTICED，andnoquestionsasked。Don’tyoumindnow，I’llseeyouthrough。"

Itwasnecessaryheretomakesomestandagainstmystrangecompanion。Isaidfirmly，yetaspolitelyasIcould，thatIhadproposedstoppingovernightwithafriend。

"Whar？"

Ihesitated。ThefriendwasaneccentricEasternman，wellknowninthelocalityforhisfastidiousnessandhishabitsasarecluse。

Amisanthrope，ofamplefamilyandamplemeans，hehadchosenasecludedbutpicturesquevalleyintheSierraswherehecouldrailagainsttheworldwithoutopposition。"LoneValley，"or"BostonRanch，"asitwasfamiliarlycalled，wastheonespotthattheaverageminerbothrespectedandfeared。Mr。Sylvester，itsproprietor，hadneveraffiliatedwith"theboys，"norhadheeverlosttheirrespectbyanyactiveoppositiontotheirideas。Ifseclusionhadbeenhisobject，hecertainlywasgratified。

Nevertheless，inthedarkeningshadowsofthenight，andonalonelyandunknowntrail，IhesitatedalittleatrepeatinghisnametoastrangerofwhomIknewsolittle。Butmymysteriouscompaniontookthematteroutofmyhands。

"Lookyar，"hesaid，suddenly，"tharain’tbutoneplacetwixtyerandIndianSpringwharyecanstop，andthatisSylvester’s。"

Iassented，alittlesullenly。

"Well，"saidthestranger，quietly，andwithaslightsuggestionofconferringafavoronme，"efyerpointedforSylvester’s——why——I

DON’TMINDSTOPPINGTHARWITHYE。It’salittleofftheroad——I’lllosesometime——buttakingitbyandlarge，Idon’tmuchmind。"

Istated，asrapidlyandasstronglyasIcould，thatmyacquaintancewithMr。Sylvesterdidnotjustifytheintroductionofastrangertohishospitality；thathewasunlikemostofthepeoplehere，——inshort，thathewasaqueerman，etc。，etc。

Tomysurprisemycompanionansweredquietly："Oh，that’sallright。I’veheerdofhim。Efyoudon’tfeellikecheckingmethrough，orifyou’dratherput’C。O。D。’onmyback，whyit’sallthesametome。I’llplayitalone。Onlyyoujustcountmein。

Say’Sylvester’allthetime。That’sme！"

WhatcouldIopposetothisman’squietassurance？Ifeltmyselfgrowingredwithangerandnervouswithembarrassment。WhatwouldthecorrectSylvestersaytome？Whatwouldthegirls，——Iwasayoungmanthen，andhadwonanentreetotheirdomesticcirclebymyreserve，——knownbyalesscomplimentaryadjectiveamong"theboys，"——whatwouldtheysaytomynewacquaintance？YetI

certainlycouldnotobjecttohisassumingallrisksonhisownpersonalrecognizances，norcouldIresistacertainfeelingofshameatmyembarrassment。

Wewerebeginningtodescend。InthedistancebelowusalreadytwinkledthelightsinthesolitaryranchoofLoneValley。I

turnedtomycompanion。"ButyouhaveforgottenthatIdon’tevenknowyourname。WhatamItocallyou？"

"That’sso，"hesaid，musingly。"Now，let’ssee。’Kearney’wouldbeagoodname。It’sshortandeasylike。Thar’sastreetin’Friscothesametitle；Kearneyitis。"

"But——"Ibeganimpatiently。

"Nowyouleaveallthattome，"heinterrupted，withasuperbself-

confidencethatIcouldnotbutadmire。"Thenameain’tnoaccount。It’sthemanthat’sresponsible。EfIwastolayforamanthatIreckonedwasnamedJones，andafterIfetchedhimI

foundoutontheinquestthathisrealnamewasSmith，thatwouldn’tmakenomatter，aslongasIgottheman。"

Theillustration，forcibleasitwas，didnotstrikemeasofferingaprepossessingintroduction，butwewerealreadyattherancho。

ThebarkingofdogsbroughtSylvestertothedooroftheprettylittlecottagewhichhistastehadadorned。

IbrieflyintroducedMr。Kearney。"Kearneywilldo——Kearney’sgoodenoughforme，"commentedthesoi-disantKearneyhalf-aloud，tomyownhorrorandSylvester’sevidentmystification，andthenheblandlyexcusedhimselfforamomentthathemightpersonallysupervisethecareofhisownbeast。Whenhewasoutofear-shotI

drewthepuzzledSylvesteraside。

"Ihavepickedup——ImeanIhavebeenpickedupontheroadbyagentlemaniac，whosenameisnotKearney。HeiswellarmedandquotesDickens。Withcare，acquiescenceinhisviewsonallsubjects，andgeneralsubmissiontohiscommands，hemaybeplacated。Doubtlessthespectacleofyourhelplessfamily，thecontemplationofyourdaughter’sbeautyandinnocence，maytouchhisfinesenseofhumorandpathos。Meanwhile，Heavenhelpyou，andforgiveme。"

Iranupstairstothelittledenthatmyhospitablehosthadkeptalwaysreservedformeinmywanderings。Ilingeredsometimeovermyablutions，hearingthelanguid，gentlemanlydrawlofSylvesterbelow，mingledwiththeequallycool，easyslangofmymysteriousacquaintance。WhenIcamedowntothesitting-roomIwassurprised，however，tofindtheself-styledKearneyquietlyseatedonthesofa，thegentleMaySylvester，the"LilyofLoneValley，"

sittingwithmaidenlyaweandunaffectedinterestononesideofhim，whileontheotherthatarrantflirt，hercousinKate，waspracticingthepitilessarcheryofhereyes，withanexcitementthatseemedalmostreal。

"Whoisyourdeliciouslycoolfriend？"shemanagedtowhispertomeatsupper，asIsatutterlydazedandbewilderedbetweentheenraptMaySylvester，whoseemedtohanguponhiswords，andthisgiddygirloftheperiod，whowasemptyingthebatteryofhercharmsinactiverivalryuponhim。"Ofcourseweknowhisnameisn’tKearney。Buthowromantic！Andisn’theperfectlylovely？Andwhoishe？"

IrepliedwithsevereironythatIwasnotawarewhatforeignpotentatewasthentravelingincognitointheSierrasofCalifornia，butthatwhenhisroyalhighnesswaspleasedtoinformme，Ishouldbegladtointroducehimproperly。"Untilthen，"I

added，"IfeartheacquaintancemustbeMorganatic。"

"You’reonlyjealousofhim，"shesaidpertly。"LookatMay——sheiscompletelyfascinated。Andherfather，too。"Andactually，thelanguid，world-sick，cynicalSylvesterwasregardinghimwithaboyishinterestandenthusiasmalmostincompatiblewithhisnature。

YetIsubmithonestlytotheclear-headedreasonofmyownsex，thatIcouldseenothingmoreinthemanthanIhavealreadydeliveredtothereader。

Inthemiddleofanexcitingstoryofadventure，ofwhichhe，tothealreadyprejudicedmindofhisfairauditors，wasevidentlythehero，hestoppedsuddenly。

"It’sonlysomepacktrainpassingthebridgeonthelowertrail，"

explainedSylvester；"goon。"

"Itmaybemyhorseisatrifleoneasyinthestable，"saidtheallegedKearney；"heain’tusedtoboardsandcovering。"Heavenonlyknowswhatwildanddeliciousrevelationlayinthestatementofthisfact，butthegirlslookedateachotherwithcheekspinkwithexcitementasKearneyarose，and，withquietabsenceofceremony，quittedthetable。

"Ain’thejustlovely？"saidKate，gaspingforbreath，"andsowitty。"

"Witty！"saidthegentleMay，withjusttheslightesttraceofdefianceinhersweetvoice；"witty，mydear？why，don’tyouseethathisheartisjustbreakingwithpathos？Witty，indeed；why，whenhewasspeakingofthatpoorMexicanwomanthatwashung，I

sawthetearsgatherinhiseyes。Witty，indeed！"

"Tears，"laughedthecynicalSylvester，"tears，idletears。Why，yousillychildren，themanisamanoftheworld，aphilosopher，quiet，observant，unassuming。"

"Unassuming！"WasSylvesterintoxicated，orhadthemysteriousstrangermixedthe"insaneverb"withthefamilypottage？HereturnedbeforeIcouldanswerthisself-askedinquiry，andresumedcoollyhisbrokennarrative。FindingmyselfforgotteninthemanI

hadsolonghesitatedtointroducetomyfriends，Iretiredtorestearly，onlytohear，throughthethinpartitions，twohourslater，enthusiasticpraisesofthenewguestfromthevolublelipsofthegirls，astheychattedinthenextroombeforeretiring。

AtmidnightIwasstartledbythesoundofhorses’hoofsandthejinglingofspursbelow。AconversationbetweenmyhostandsomemysteriouspersonageinthedarknesswascarriedoninsuchalowtonethatIcouldnotlearnitsimport。AsthecavalcaderodeawayIraisedthewindow。

"What’sthematter？"

"Nothing，"saidSylvester，coolly，"onlyanotheroneofthoseplayfulhomicidalfreakspeculiartothecountry。AmanwasshotbyCherokeeJackoveratLagrangethismorning，andthatwasthesheriffofCalaverasandhispossehuntinghim。ItoldhimI’dseennobodybutyouandyourfriend。Bytheway，Ihopethecursednoisehasn’tdisturbedhim。Thepoorfellowlookedasifhewantedrest。"

Ithoughtso，too。Nevertheless，Iwentsoftlytohisroom。Itwasempty。MyimpressionwasthathehaddistancedthesheriffofCalaverasabouttwohours。

AGHOSTOFTHESIERRAS

Itwasavastsilenceofpines，redolentwithbalsamicbreath，andmuffledwiththedrydustofdeadbarkandmattedmosses。Lyingonourbacks，welookedupwardthroughahundredfeetofclear，unbrokenintervaltothefirstlateralbranchesthatformedtheflatcanopyaboveus。Hereandtherethefiercesun，fromwhoseactivepersecutionwehadjustescaped，searchedforusthroughthewoods，butitskeenbladewasdulledandturnedasidebyintercostalboughs，anditsbrightnessdissipatedinnebulousmiststhroughouttheroofingofthedim，brownaislesaroundus。Wewereinanotheratmosphere，underanothersky；indeed，inanotherworldthanthedazzlingonewehadjustquitted。Thegravesilenceseemedsomuchapartofthegratefulcoolness，thatwehesitatedtospeak，andforsomemomentslayquietlyoutstretchedonthepinetasselswherewehadfirstthrownourselves。Finally，avoicebrokethesilence：——

"AsktheoldMajor；heknowsallaboutit！"

Thepersonherealludedtounderthatmilitarytitlewasmyself。I

hardlyneedexplaintoanyCalifornianthatitbynomeansfollowedthatIwasa"Major，"orthatIwas"old，"orthatIknewanythingabout"it，"orindeedwhat"it"referredto。Thewholeremarkwasmerelyoneoftheusualconventionalfeelerstoconversation，——akindofsocialpreamble，quitecommontoourslangycampintercourse。Nevertheless，asIwasalwaysknownastheMajor，perhapsfornobetterreasonthanthatthespeaker，anoldjournalist，wasalwayscalledDoctor，Irecognizedthefactsofarastokickasideaninterveningsaddle，sothatIcouldseethespeaker’sfaceonalevelwithmyown，andsaidnothing。

"Aboutghosts！"saidtheDoctor，afterapause，whichnobodybrokeorwasexpectedtobreak。"Ghosts，sir！That’swhatwewanttoknow。WhatarewedoinghereinthisblankedoldmausoleumofCalaverasCounty，ifitisn’ttofindoutsomethingabout’em，eh？"

Nobodyreplied。

"Thar’sthathauntedhouseatCaveCity。Can’tbemorethanamileortwoaway，anyhow。Usedtobejustoffthetrail。"

Adeadsilence。

TheDoctor（addressingspacegenerally）"Yes，sir；itWASamightyqueerstory。"

Stillthesamereposefulindifference。WeallknewtheDoctor’sskillasaraconteur；weallknewthatastorywascoming，andweallknewthatanyinterruptionwouldbefatal。Timeandtimeagain，inourprospectingexperience，hadawordofpoliteencouragement，arashexpressionofinterest，evenatooeagerattitudeofsilentexpectancy，broughttheDoctortoasuddenchangeofsubject。Timeandtimeagainhaveweseentheunwarystrangerstandamazedandbewilderedbetweenourownindifferenceandthesuddenterminationofapromisinganecdote，throughhisownunluckyinterference。Sowesaidnothing。"TheJudge"——anotherinstanceofarbitrarynomenclature——pretendedtosleep。Jackbegantotwistacigarrito。Thorntonbitofftheendsofpineneedlesreflectively。

"Yes，sir，"continuedtheDoctor，coollyrestingthebackofhisheadonthepalmsofhishands，"itWASrathercurious。Allexceptthemurder。THAT’Swhatgetsme，forthemurderhadnonewpoints，nofancytouches，nosentiment，nomystery。Wasjustoneoftheoldstyle，’sub-head’paragraphs。Old-fashionedminerscrubsalongonhardtackandbeans，andsavesupalittlemoneytogohomeandseerelations。Old-fashionedassassinsharpensupknife，oldstyle；loadsoldflint-lock，brass-mountedpistol；walksinonold-

fashionedmineronedarknight，sendshimhometohisrelationsawaybacktoseveralgenerations，andwalksoffwiththeswag。NomysteryTHERE；nothingtoclearup；subsequentrevelationsonlyimpertinence。Nothingforanyghosttodo——whomeantbusiness。

Morethanthat，overfortymurders，sameoldkind，committedeveryyearinCalaveras，andnospiritualpostobitscomingdueeveryanniversary；noassessmentsmadeonthepeaceandquietofthesurvivingcommunity。Itellyouwhat，boys，I’vealwaysbeeninclinedtothrowoffontheCaveCityghostforthatalone。It’sabadprecedent，sir。Ifthatkindo’thingisgoingtoobtaininthefoot-hills，we’llhavethetrailsfullofchapsformerlyknockedoverbyMexicansandroadagents；everylittlecampandgrocerywillhavestockenoughonhandtogointobusiness，andwhere’sthereanysecurityforsurvivinglifeandproperty，eh？

What’syouropinion，Judge，asafair-mindedlegislator？"

Ofcoursetherewasnoresponse。YetitwaspartoftheDoctor’ssystemofaggravationtobecomediscursiveatthesemoments，inthehopeofinterruption，andhecontinuedforsomemomentstodwellontheterriblepossibilityofastateofaffairsinwhichagentlemancouldnolongersettleadisputewithanenemywithoutbeingsubjectedtosucceedingspiritualembarrassment。Butallthisdigressionfelluponapparentlyinattentiveears。

"Well，sir，afterthemurder，thecabinstoodforalongtimedesertedandtenantless。Popularopinionwasagainstit。Onedayaraggedprospector，savagewithhardlaborandharderluck，cametothecamp，lookingforaplacetoliveandachancetoprospect。