\"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。