Whatwashedoing？Whatwasanygentlemandoing？Hewasn’tanymolly-coddletogotobedatteno’clock！Whatwashedoing？
Well——he’dbeenwithmenwhodidn’tshuttheirdoorsandturntheboysoutjustintheshankoftheevening。Hewasn’tanyBarkertobewet-nursedbyDemorest。
\"Someoneelsewashere！\"saidDemoreststernly，withhiseyesfixedonWhiskeyDick。Thedullglazewhichseemedtoveiltheouterworldfromthedrunkard’spupilsshiftedsuddenlywithsuchalookofdirecthorrorthatDemorestwasfaintoturnawayhisown。
Buttheveilmercifullyreturned，andwithitDick’sworked-upsenseofinjury。Nobodywasthere——not\"ashole。\"DidDemorestthinkiftherehadbeenanyofhisfriendstheretheywouldhavestoodbylike\"dogsh\"andseenhiminsulted？
Demorestturnedawayandre-enteredthecabinasDicklurchedheavilyforward，stillmuttering，downthetrail。Theexcitementover，asickeningrepugnancetothewholeincidenttooktheplaceofDemorest’sresentmentandindignation。Therehadbeenacowardlyattempttorobthemoftheirmiserabletreasure。Hehadmetitandfrustrateditinalmostasbrutalafashion：thegoldwasalreadytarnishedwithblood。Tohissurprise，yetrelief，hefoundhispartnersunconsciousoftheoutrage，stillsleepingwiththephysicalimmobilityofover-excitedandtiredmen。Shouldheawakenthem？No！Heshouldhavetoawakenalsotheirsuspicionsanddesireforrevenge。Therewasnodangerofafurtherattack；
therewasnofearthattheculpritwoulddisclosehimself，andto-
morrowtheywouldbefaraway。Letoblivionrestuponthatnight’sstainonthehonorofHeavyTreeHill。
Herolledasmallbarrelbeforetheopening，smoothedthedislodgedearth，replacedthepanwithitstreasure，andtrustedthatinthebustleoftheearlymorningdeparturehispartnersmightnotnoticeanychange。StoppingbeforethebunkofStacyheglancedatthesleepingman。Hewaslyingonhisback，butbreathingheavily，andhishandsweremovingtowardshischestasif，indeed，hisstrangefancyofthegoldenincubuswerebeingrealized。Demorestwouldhavewakenedhim，butpresently，withasighofrelief，thesleeperturnedoveronhisside。ItwaspleasantertolookatBarker，whosedampcurlsweremattedoverhissmooth，boyishforehead，andwhoselipswerepartedinasmileunderthesilkenwingsofhisbrownmustache。He，too，seemedtobetryingtospeak，andrememberingsomepreviousrevelationswhichhadamusedthem，Demorestleanedoverhimfraternallywithanansweringsmile，waitingforthebelovedone’snametopasstheyoungman’slips。
Butheonlymurmured，\"Three——hundred——thousanddollars！\"Theeldermanturnedawaywithagraveface。Theinfluenceofthetreasurewasparamount。
Whenhehadplacedoneofthechairsagainsttheunprotecteddooratananglewhichwouldpreventanyeasyornoiselessintrusion，Demorestthrewhimselfonhisbunkwithoutundressing，andturnedhisfacetowardsthesinglewindowofthecabinthatlookedtowardstheeast。Hedidnotapprehendanothercovertattemptagainstthegold。Hedidnotfeararobberywithforceandarms，althoughhewassatisfiedthattherewasmorethanoneconcernedinit，butthisheattributedonlytotheencumberingweightoftheirexpectedbooty。Hesimplywaitedforthedawn。Itwassometimebeforehiseyesweregreetedwiththevagueopalinebrightnessofthefirmamentwhichmeantthevanishingofthepallidsnow-linebeforethecomingday。Abirdtwitteredontheroof。Theairwaschill；
hedrewhisblanketaroundhim。Thenheclosedhiseyes，hefanciedonlyforamoment，butwhenheopenedthemthedoorwasstandingopeninthestrongdaylight。Hesprangtohisfeet，butthenextmomenthesawitwasonlyStacywhohadpassedout，andwasreturningfullydressed，bringingwaterfromthespringtofillthekettle。ButStacy’sfacewassogravethat，recallinghisdisturbedsleep，Demorestlaughinglyinquiredifhehadbeenhauntedbythetreasure。ButtohissurpriseStacyputdownthekettle，and，withahurriedglanceatthestillsleepingBarker，saidinalowvoice：——
\"Iwantyoutodosomethingformewithoutaskingwhy。LaterI
willtellyou。\"
Demorestlookedathimfixedly。\"Whatisit？\"hesaid。
\"Thepack-muleswillbehereinafewmoments。Don’twaittocloseuporputawayanythinghere，butclapthatgoldinthesaddle-
bags，andtakeBarkerwithyouand’lite’outforBoomvilleAT
ONCE。Iwillovertakeyoulater。\"
\"Istherenotimetodiscussthis？\"askedDemorest。
\"No，\"saidStacybluntly。\"Callmeacrank，sayI’minabluefunk\"——hiscompressedlipsandsharpblackeyesdidnotlendthemselvesmuchtothathypothesis——\"onlygetoutofthiswiththatstuff，andtakeBarkerwithyou！I’mnotresponsibleformyselfwhileit’shere。\"
DemorestknewStacytobecombative，butpractical。Ifhehadnotbeenassuredofhispartner’slastnightslumbershemighthavethoughtheknewoftheattempt。Orifhehaddiscoveredtheturned-upgroundintherearofthecabinhiscuriositywouldhavedemandedanexplanation。Demorestpausedonlyforamoment，andsaid，\"Verywell，Iwillgo。\"
\"Good！I’llrouseoutBarker，butnotawordtohim——exceptthathemustgo。
TherousingoutofBarkerconsistedofStacy’sliftingthatyounggentlemanbodilyfromhisbunkandstandinghimuprightintheopendoorway。ButBarkerwasaccustomedtothisSpartanprocess，andafteramoment’sbalancingwithclosedlidslikeanunwrappedmummy，hesatdowninthedoorwayandbegantodress。Heatfirstdemurredtotheirdepartureexceptalltogether——itwassounfraternal；buteventuallyheallowedhimselftobepersuadedoutofitandintohisclothes。ForBarkerhadalsohadHISvisionsinthenight，oneofwhichwasthattheyshouldbuildabeautifulvillaonthesiteoftheoldcabinandsolemnlyagreetocomeeveryyearandpassaweekinittogether。\"Ithoughtatfirst，\"hesaid，slidingalongthefloorinsearchofdifferentarticlesofhisdress，orstoppinggravelytocatchthemastheywerethrowntohimbyhispartners，\"thatwe’dhaveitatBoomville，asbeinghandiertogetthere；butI’veconcludedwe’dbetterhaveithere，alittlehigherupthehill，whereitcouldbeseenoverthewholeBlackSpurRange。Whenweweren’therewecoulduseitasaHutofRefugeforbroken-downorwashed-outminersorwearytravelers，likethosehospicesintheAlps，youknow，andhavesomebodytokeepitforus。YouseeI’vethoughtevenofTHAT，andVanLooistheverymantotakechargeofitforus。Youseehe’sgotsuchgoodmannersandspeakstwolanguages。Lord！ifaGermanorFrenchmancamealong，pooranddistressed，VanLoowouldjustchipinhisownlanguage。See？You’vegottothinkofallthesedetails，yousee，boys。Andwemightcallit’TheRestoftheThreePartners，’or’ThreePartners’Rest。’\"
\"Andyoumightbeginbygivingusone，\"saidStacy。\"Dryupanddrinkyourcoffee。\"
\"I’lldrawouttheplans。I’vegotitallinmyhead，\"continuedtheenthusiasticBarker，unheedingtheinterruption。\"I’lljustrunoutandtakealookatthesite，it’sonlyrightbackofthecabin。\"ButhereStacycaughthimbyhisdanglingbeltashewasflyingoutofthedoorwithonebooton，andthrusthimdowninachairwithatincupofcoffeeinhishand。
\"Keeptheplansinyourhead，Barkerboy，\"saidDemorest，\"forherearethepackmulesandpacker。\"Thiswasquiteenoughtodiverttheimpressionableyoungman，whospeedilyfinishedhisdressing，asamulebearingalargepack-saddleandtwoenormoussaddle-bagsorpouchesdroveupbeforethedoor，ledbyamuleteeronasmallhorse。Thetransferofthetreasuretothesaddle-bagswasquicklymadebytheirunitedefforts，asthefirstraysofthesunwerebeginningtopaintthehillside。Shadinghiskeeneyeswithhishand，StacystoodinthedoorwayandhandedDemorestthetworifles。Demoresthesitated。\"Hadn’tYOUbetterkeepone？\"hesaid，lookinginhispartner’seyeswithhisfirstchallengeofcuriosity。ThesunseemedtoputahumoroustwinkleintoStacy’sglanceashereturned，\"Notmuch！Andyou’dbettertakemyrevolverwithyou，too。I’mfeelingalittlebetternow，\"hesaid，lookingatthesaddlebags，\"butI’mnotfittobetrustedyetwithcarnalweapons。WhentheothermulecomesandispackedI’llovertakeyouonthehorse。\"
Alittlemoresatisfied，althoughstillwonderingandperplexed，Demorestshoulderedonerifle，andwithBarker，whowascarryingtheother，followedthemuleteerandhisequipagedownthetrail。
Forawhilehewasalittleashamedofhispartinthisunusualspectacleoftwoarmedmenconvoyingaladenmuleinbroaddaylight，but，luckily，itwastooearlyfortheBarminerstobegoingtowork，andasthetunnelmenwerenowatbreakfastthetrailwasfreeofwayfarers。AtthepointwhereitcrossedthemainroadDemorest，however，sawSteptoeandWhiskeyDickemergefromthethicket，apparentlyinearnestconversation。Demorestfelthisrepugnanceandhalf-restrainedsuspicionssuddenlyreturn。YethedidnotwishtobetraythembeforeBarker，norwashewilling，incaseofanemergency，toallowtheyoungmantobeentirelyunprepared。Callinghimtofollow，heranquicklyaheadoftheladenmule，andwasrelievedtofindthat，lookingback，hiscompanionhadbroughthisrifletoa\"ready，\"throughsomeinstinctivefeelingofdefense。AsSteptoeandWhiskeyDick，amomentlaterdiscoveringthem，wereevidentlysurprised，thereseemed，however，tobenoreasonforfearinganoutbreak。
Suddenly，atawhisperfromSteptoe，heandWhiskeyDickboththrewuptheirhands，andstoodstillonthetrailafewyardsfromtheminaburlesqueoftheusualrecognizedattitudeofhelplessness，whileahoarselaughbrokefromSteptoe。
\"D————difwedidn’tthinkyouwereroad-agents！Butweseeyou’reonlyguardingyourtreasure。RatherfancystyleforHeavyTreeHill，ain’tit？Thingsmustbegettin’roughupthartohevtotakeoutyourgunslikethat！\"
Demoresthadlookedkeenlyatthefourhandsthusexhibited，andwasmoreconcernedthattheyborenotraceofwoundsormutilationthanattheinsultofthespeech，particularlyashehadadistinctimpressionthattheactionwasintendedtoshowhimthefutilityofhissuspicions。
\"Iamgladtoseethatifyouhaven’tanyarmsinyourhandsyou’renotincapableofhandlingthem，\"saidDemorestcoolly，ashepassedbythemandagainfellintotherearofthemuleteer。
ButBarkerhadthoughttheincidentveryfunny，andlaughedeffusivelyatWhiskeyDick。\"Ididn’tknowthatSteptoewasuptothatkindoffun，\"hesaid，\"andIsupposeweDIDlookratherroughwiththesegunsasweranonaheadofthemule。ButthenyouknowthatwhenyoucalledtomeIreallythoughtyouwereinforashindy。Allthesame，WhiskeyDickdidthat’handsup’toperfection：howhemanageditIdon’tknow，buthiskneesseemedtoknocktogetherasifhewasinarealfunk。\"
Demoresthadthoughtsotoo，buthemadenoreply。Howfarthatmiserabledrunkardwasaforcedorwillingaccompliceoftheeventsoflastnightwaspartofaquestionthathadbecomemoreandmorerepugnanttohimashewasleavingthesceneofitforever。Ithadcomeuponhim，desecratingthedreamhehaddreamtthatlastnightandturningitshopefulclimaxtobitterness。SmallwonderthatBarker，walkingbyhisside，hadhisquicksympathiesaroused，andashesawthatshadow，whichtheywereallfamiliarwith，buthadneversoughttopenetrate，falluponhiscompanion’shandsomeface，evenhisyouthfulspiritsyieldedtoit。Theywerebothrelievedwhentheclatterofhoofsbehindthem，astheyreachedthevalley，announcedtheapproachofStacy。\"Istartedwiththesecondmuleandthelastloadsoonafteryouleft，\"heexplained，\"andhavejustpassedthem。Ithoughtitbettertojoinyouandlettheotherloadfollow。NobodywillinterferewithTHAT。\"
\"Thenyouaresatisfied？\"saidDemorest，regardinghimsteadfastly。
\"Youbet！Look！\"
Heturnedinhissaddleandpointedtothecrestofthehilltheyhadjustdescended。Abovethepinescirclingthelowerslopeabovethebareledgesofrockandoutcrop，acolumnofthickblacksmokewasrisingstraightasaspireinthewindlessair。
\"That’stheoldshantypassingaway，\"saidStacycomplacently。\"I
reckontherewon’tbemuchleftofitbeforewegettoBoomville。\"
DemorestandBarkerstared。\"Youfiredit？\"saidBarker，tremblingwithexcitement。
\"Yes，\"saidStacy。\"Icouldn’tbeartoleavetheoldrookeryforcoyotesandwild-catstogatherin，soItouchedheroffbeforeI
left。\"
\"But\"——saidBarker。
\"But，\"repeatedStacycomposedly。\"Hallo！what’sthematterwiththatnewplanof’TheRest’thatyou’regoingtobuild，eh？Youdon’twantthemBOTH。\"
\"Andyoudidthisratherthanleavethedearoldcabintostrangers？\"saidBarker，withkindlingeyes。\"Stacy，Ididn’tthinkyouhadthatpoetryinyou！\"
\"There’sheapsinme，Barkerboy，thatyoudon’tknow，andIdon’texactlysabemyself。\"
\"Only，\"continuedtheyoungfelloweagerly，\"weoughttohaveALL
beenthere！Weoughttohavemadeasolemnriteofit，youknow，——
akindofsacrifice。Weoughttohavepouredakindoflibationontheground！\"
\"Ididsprinklealittlekeroseneoverit，Ithink，\"returnedStacy，\"justtohelpthingsalong。Butifyouwanttoseeherflaming，Barker，youjustrunbacktothatlastcornerontheroadbeyondthebigredwood。That’sthespotforaview。\"
AsBarker——alwaysdevotedtoaspectacle——swiftlydisappearedthetwomenfacedeachother。\"Well，whatdoesitallmean？\"saidDemorestgravely。
\"Itmeans，oldman，\"saidStacysuddenly，\"thatifwehadn’thadniggerluck，thesameblindluckthatsentusthatstrike，youandIandthatBarkerovertherewouldhavebeenswirlinginthatsmokeuptotheskyabouttwohoursago！\"Hestoppedandaddedinalower，butearnestvoice，\"Lookhere，Phil！WhenIwentouttofetchwaterthismorningIsmeltsomethingqueer。Iwentroundtothebackofthecabinandfoundaholedugunderthefloor，andpiledagainstthecornerwallalotofbrush-woodandacanofkerosene。Someofthekerosenehadbeenalreadypouredonthebrush。Everythingwasreadytolight，andonlymycomingoutanhourearlierhadfrightenedthedevilsaway。Theideawastosettheplaceonfire，suffocateusinthesmokeofthekerosenepouredintothehole，andthentorushinandgrabthetreasure。Itwasasystematicplan！\"
\"No！\"saidDemorestquietly。
\"No？\"repeatedStacy。\"ItoldyouIsawthewholethingandtookawaythekerosene，whichIhid，andafteryouhadgoneusedittofirethecabinwith，toseeiftheonesIsuspectedwouldgathertowatchtheirwork。\"
\"ItwasnopartoftheirFIRSTplan\"’saidDemorest，\"whichwasonlyrobbery。Listen！\"HehurriedlyrecountedhisexperienceoftheprecedingnighttotheastonishedStacy。\"No，thefirewasanafterthoughtandrevenge，\"headdedsternly。
\"Butyousayyoucuttherobberinthehand；therewouldbenodifficultyinidentifyinghimbythat。\"
\"IwoundedonlyaHAND，\"saidDemorest。\"ButtherewasaHEADinthatattemptthatIneversaw。\"Hethenrevealedhisownhalf-
suspicions，buthowtheywereapparentlyrefutedbythebravadoofSteptoeandWhiskeyDick。
\"ThenthatwasthereasonTHEYdidn’tgatheratthefire，\"saidStacyquickly。
\"Ah！\"saidDemorest，\"thenYOUtoosuspectedthem？\"
Stacyhesitated，andthensaidabruptly，\"Yes。\"
Demorestwassilentforamoment。
\"Whydidn’tyoutellmethisthismorning？\"hesaidgently。
StacypointedtothedistantBarker。\"Ididn’twantyoutotellhim。Ithoughtitbetterforonepartnertokeepasecretfromtwothanforthetwotokeepitfromone。Whydidn’tyoutellmeofyourexperiencelastnight？\"
\"Iamafraiditwasforthesamereason，\"saidDemorest，withafaintsmile。\"Anditsometimesseemstome，Jim，thatweoughttoimitateBarker’sfrankness。Inourdreadoftaintinghimwithourownknowledgeofevilwearesendinghimoutintotheworldverypoorlyequipped，forallhisthreehundredthousanddollars。\"
\"Ireckonyou’reright，\"saidStacybriefly，extendinghishand。
\"Shakeonthat！\"
Thetwomengraspedeachother’shands。
\"Andhe’snofool，either，\"continuedDemorest。\"WhenwemetSteptoeontheroad，withoutawordfromme，heclosedupalongside，withhishandonthelockofhisrifle。AndIhadn’tthehearttopraisehimorlaughitoff。\"
Neverthelesstheywerebothsilentastheobjectoftheircriticismboundeddownthetrailtowardsthem。Hehadseenthefuneralpyre。
Itwasawfullysad，itwasawfullylovely，buttherewassomethinggrandinit！WhocouldhavethoughtStacycouldbesopoetic？Buthewantedtotellthemsomethingelsethatwasmightypretty。
\"Whatwasit？\"saidDemorest。
\"Well，\"saidBarker，\"don’tlaugh！ButyouknowthatJackHamlin？
Well，boys，he’sbeenhoveringaroundusonhismustang，keepingusandthatpack-muleinsighteversinceweleft。Sometimeshe’sonasidetrailofftotheright，sometimesofftotheleft，butalwaysatthesamedistance。Ididn’tliketotellyou，boys，forIthoughtyou’dlaughatme；butIthink，youknow，he’stakenasortofshinetoussincehedroppedinlastnight。AndIfancy，yousee，he’ssortofhangingroundtoseethatwegetalongallright。I’dhavepointedhimoutbeforeonlyIreckonedyouandStacywouldsayhewasmakinguptousforourmoney。\"
\"Andwe’dhavebeenwrong，Barkerboy，\"saidStacy，withaheartinessthatsurprisedDemorest，\"forIreckonyourinstinct’stherightone。\"
\"Thereheisnow，\"saidthegratifiedBarker，\"justabreastofusonthecut-off。Hestartedjustafterwedid，andhe’sgotahorsethatcouldhavebroughthimintoBoomvillehoursago。It’sjusthiskindness。\"
HepointedtoadistantfringeofbuckeyefromwhichJackHamlinhadjustemerged。Althoughevidentlyholdinginapowerfulmustang，nothingcouldbemoreunconsciousandutterlyindifferentthanhisattitude。Hedidnotseemtoknowoftheproximityofanyothertraveler，andtocareless。Hishandsomeheadwasslightlythrownback，asifhewascarolingafterhisusualfashion，butthedistancewastoogreattomakehismelodyaudibletothem，ortoallowBarker’sshoutofinvitationtoreachhim。Suddenlyheloweredhistightenedrein，themustangsprangforward，andwithaflashofsilverspursandbridlefripperieshehaddisappeared。
Butasthetrailhewaspursuingcrossedtheirsamilebeyond，itseemedquitepossiblethattheyshouldagainmeethim。
TheywerenowfairlyintotheBoomvillevalley，andwereenteringanarrowarroyoborderedwithduskywillowswhicheffectuallyexcludedtheviewoneitherside。Itwasthebedofamountaintorrentthatinwinterdescendedthehillsideoverthetrailbywhichtheyhadjustcome，butwasnowsunkintothethirstyplainbetweenbanksthatvariedfromtwotofivefeetinheight。Themuleteerhadadvancedintothenarrowchannelwhenhesuddenlycastahurriedglancebehindhim，uttereda\"MadredeDios！\"andbackedhismuleandhispreciousfreightagainstthebank。Thesoundofhoofsonthetrailintheirrearhadcaughthisquickerear，andasthethreepartnersturnedtheybeheldthreehorsementhunderingdownthehilltowardsthem。TheywereapparentlyMexicanvaquerosoftheusualcommonswarthytype，theirfacesmadestilldarkerbytheblacksilkhandkerchieftiedroundtheirheadsundertheirstiffsombreros。Eithertheywereunableorunwillingtorestraintheirhorsesintheirheadlongspeed，andacollisioninthatnarrowpassagewasimminent，butsuddenly，beforereachingitsentrance，theydivergedwithavolleyofoaths，anddashingalongtheleftbankofthearroyo，disappearedintheinterveningwillows。Dividedbetweenreliefattheirescapeandindignationatwhatseemedtobeadrunken，feast-dayfreakoftheseroysteringvaqueros，thelittlepartyre-formed，whenacryfromBarkerarrestedthem。Hehadjustperceivedahorsemanmotionlessinthearroyowho，althoughunnoticedbythem，hadevidentlybeenseenbytheMexicans。Hehadapparentlyleapedintoitfromthebank，andhadhaltedasiftowitnessthissingularincident。Astheclatterofthevaqueros’hoofsdiedawayhelightlyleapedthebankagainanddisappeared。ButinthatsingleglimpseofhimtheyrecognizedJackHamlin。Whentheyreachedthespotwherehehadhalted，theycouldseethathemusthaveapproacheditfromthetrailwheretheyhadpreviouslyseenhim，butwhichtheynowfoundcrosseditatrightangles。Barkerwasright。Hehadreallykeptthemateasydistancethewholelengthofthejourney。
Buttheywerenowreachingitsend。WhentheyissuedatlastfromthearroyotheycameupontheoutskirtsofBoomvilleandthegreatstage-road。Indeed，thesixhorsesofthePioneercoachwerejustpantingalongthelasthalfmileofthesteepupgradeastheyapproached。Theyhaltedmechanicallyastheheavyvehicleswayedandcreakedbythem。Intheirordinaryworkingdress，sunburntwithexposure，coveredwithdust，andcarryingtheirriflesstillintheirhands，they，perhaps，presentedasufficientlycharacteristicappearancetodrawafewfaces——someofthemprettyandintelligent——tothewindowsofthecoachasitpassed。ThesensitiveBarkerwasquickesttofeelthatresentmentwithwhichthePioneerusuallymetthewide-eyedcriticismoftheEasterntouristor\"greenhorn，\"andreddenedundertheboldscrutinyofapairofblackinquisitiveeyesbehindaneyeglass。Thatannoyancewascommunicated，thoughinalesserdegree，eventothebeardedDemorestandStacy。Itwasanunexpectedcontactwiththatgreatworldinwhichtheyweresosoontoenter。Theyfeltashamedoftheirappearance，andyetashamedofthatfeeling。TheyfeltasecretsatisfactionwhenBarkersaid，\"They’dopentheireyeswideriftheyknewwhatwasinthatpack-saddle，\"andyettheycorrectedhimforwhattheywerepleasedtocallhis\"snobbishness。\"Theyhurriedalittlefasterastheroadbecamemorefrequented，asifeagertoshortentheirdistancetocleanclothesandcivilization。
OnlyDemorestbegantolingerintherear。Thiscontactwiththestagecoachhadagainbroughthimfacetofacewithhisburiedpast。
Hefelthisolddreamrevive，andoccasionallyturnedtolookbackuponthedarkoutlinesofBlackSpur，underwhoseshadowithadreturnedsooften，andwonderedifhehadleftitthereforever，anditwerenowslowlyexhalingwiththethinnedanddyingsmokeoftheirburningcabin。
Hiscompanions，knowinghissilentmoods，hadprecededhimatsomedistance，whenheheardthesoftsoundofamblinghoofsonthethickdust，andsuddenlythelighttouchofJackHamlin’sgauntletonhisshoulder。ThemustangJackbestrodewasreekingwithgrimeandsweat，butJackhimselfwasasimmaculateandfreshasever。
Withadelightfulaffectationofembarrassmentandtimidityhebeganflickingthesidebuttonsofhisvelvetvaquerotrouserswiththethongofhisriata。\"Ireckonedtoslingawordalongwithyoubeforeyouwent，\"hesaid，lookingdown，\"butI’msoshythatI
couldn’tdoitincompany。SoIthoughtI’dgetitoffonyouwhileyouwerealone。\"
\"We’veseenyouonceortwicebefore，thismorning，\"saidDemorestpleasantly，\"andweweresorryyoudidn’tjoinus。\"
\"IreckonImighthave，\"saidJackgayly，\"ifmyhorsehadonlymadeuphismindwhetherhewasabirdorasquirrel，andhadn’tbeensovariousandpromiscuousaboutwhetherhewantedtoclimbatreeorfly。He’snotabadhorseforaMexicanplug，onlywhenhethinksthereisanydevilmentaroundhewantstowadeinandtakeahand。However，IreckonedtoseethelastofyouandyourpileintoBoomville。AndIDID。WhenImeetthreefellowslikeyouthatarecleanwhiteallthroughIsortofcottonto’em，evenifI’Malittleofabrunettemyself。AndI’vegotsomethingtogiveyou。\"
Hetookfromafoldofhisscarletsashasmallparcelneatlyfoldedinwhitepaperasfreshandspotlessashimself。Holdingitinhisfingers，hewenton：\"IhappenedtobeatHeavyTreeHillearlythismorningbeforesun-up。InthedarknessIstruckyourcabin，andIreckon——Istrucksomebodyelse！AtfirstIthoughtitwasoneofyouchapsdownonyourkneesprayingattherearofthecabin，butthewaythefellowlitoutwhenhesmeltmecomingmademethinkitwasn’tentirelyfastingandprayer。However，Iwenttotherearofthecabin，andthenIreckonedsomekindfriendhadbeenbringingyoukindlingsandfirewoodforyourearlybreakfast。
Butthatdidn’tsatisfyme，soIkneltdownashehadknelt，andthenIsaw——well，Mr。Demorest，IreckonIsawJUSTWHATYOUHAVE
SEEN！ButeventhenIwasn’tquitesatisfied，forthatmanhadbeengrubbingroundasifsearchingforsomething。SoIsearchedtoo——andIfoundIT。I’vegotithere。I’mgoingtogiveittoyou，foritmaysomedaycomeinhandy，andyouwon’tfindanythinglikeitamongthefolkswhereyou’regoing。It’ssomethingunique，asthosefine-art-collectingsharpsin’Friscosay——somethingquitematchless，unlessyoutrytomatchitonedayyourself！Don’topenthepaperuntilIrunonandsay’Solong’toyourpartners。Good-
by。\"
HegraspedDemorest’shandandthendroppedthelittlepacketintohispalm，andambledawaytowardsStacyandBarker。Holdingthepacketinhishandwithanamusedyetpuzzledsmile，DemorestwatchedthegamblergiveStacy’shandaheartyfarewellshakeandasupplementaryslaponthebacktothedelightedBarker，andthenvanishinaflashofredsashandsilverbuttons。AtwhichDemorest，walkingslowlytowardshispartners，openedthepacket，andstoodsuddenlystill。Itcontainedthedriedandbloodlesssecondfingerofahumanhandcutoffatthefirstjoint！
Foraninstanthehelditatarm’slength，asifabouttocastitaway。Thenhegrimlyreplaceditinthepaper，putitcarefullyinhispocket，andsilentlywalkedafterhiscompanions。
CHAPTERI
AstrongsouthwesterwasbeatingagainstthewindowsanddoorsofStacy’sBankinSanFrancisco，andspreadingafilmofrainbetweentheregularsplendorsofitsmahoganycountersandsprucelydressedclerksandtheusualpassingpedestrian。ForStacy’snewbanking-
househadlongsincereceivedtheepithetof\"palatial\"fromanenthusiasticlocalpressfreshfromthe\"opening\"luncheoninitsrichlydecorateddirectors’rooms，anditwassaidthatonceahomelywould-bedepositorfromOneHorseGulchwassocowedbyitsmagnificencethathisheartfailedhimatthelastmoment，andmumblinganapologytotheelegantreceivingteller，fledwithhisgreasychamoispouchofgold-dusttodeposithistreasureinthedingyMintaroundthecorner。Perhapstherewassomethingofthisfeeling，mingledwithacertainsimple-mindedfascination，inthehesitationofastrangerofahigherclasswhoenteredthebankthatrainymorningandfinallytenderedhiscardtotheimportantnegromessenger。
ThecardprecededhimthroughnoiselesslyswingingdoorsandacrossheavilycarpetedpassagesuntilitreachedtheinnercoreofMr。
JamesStacy’sprivateoffices，andwasrespectfullylaidbeforehim。Hewasnotalone。Athisside，inanattitudeofpoliteandstudiedexpectancy，stoodacorrect-lookingyoungman，forwhomMr。
Stacywasevidentlywritingamemorandum。Thestrangerglancedfurtivelyatthecardwithacuriosityhardlyinkeepingwithhissuggestedgoodbreeding；butStacydidnotlookatituntilhehadfinishedhismemorandum。
\"There，\"hesaid，withbusinessdecision，\"youcantellyourpeoplethatifwecarrytheirnewdebenturesoverourlimitwewillexpectalargermargin。Ditchesarenotwhattheywerethreeyearsagowhenminerswerewillingtowastetheirmoneyoveryourrates。
Theydon’tgambleTHATWAYanymore，andyourcompanyoughttoknowit，andnotgamblethemselvesoverthatprospect。\"Hehandedthepapertothestranger，whobowedoveritwithstudiedpoliteness，andbackedtowardsthedoor。Stacytookupthewaitingcard，readit，saidtothemessenger，\"Showhimin，\"andinthesamebreathturnedtohisguest：\"Isay，VanLoo，it’sGeorgeBarker！Youknowhim。\"
\"Yes，\"saidVanLoo，withapolitehesitationashehaltedatthedoor。\"Hewas——Ithink——er——inyouremployatHeavyTreeHill。\"
\"Nonsense！Hewasmypartner。AndyoumusthaveknownhimsinceatBoomville。Come！HegotfortysharesofDitchstock——throughyou——at110，whichwereworthabout80！SOMEBODYmusthavemademoneyenoughbyittorememberhim。\"
\"Iwasonlyspeakingofhimsocially，\"saidVanLoo，withadeprecatingsmile。\"Youknowhemarriedayoungwoman——thehotel-
keeper’sdaughter，whousedtowaitatthetable——andaftermymotherandsistercameouttokeephouseformeatBoomvilleitwasquiteimpossibleformetoseemuchofhim，forheseldomwentoutwithouthiswife，youknow。\"
\"Yes，\"saidStacydryly，\"Ithinkyoudidn’tlikehismarriage。
ButI’mgladyourdisinclinationtoseehimisn’tonaccountofthatdealinstocks。\"
\"Ohno，\"saidVanLoo。\"Good-by。\"
But，unfortunately，inthenextpassagehecameuponBarker，whowithacryofunfeignedpleasure，nonethelesssincerethathewasfeelingalittlealienintheseimpressivesurroundings，recognizedhim。NothingcouldexceedVanLoo’sprotestofdelightatthemeeting；nothinghisequaldesolationatthefactthathewashasteningtoanotherengagement。\"Butyouroldpartner，\"headded，withasmile，\"iswaitingforyou；hehasjustreceivedyourcard，andIshouldbeonlykeepingyoufromhim。Sogladtoseeyou；
you’relookingsowell。Good-by！Good-by！\"
Reassured，Barkernolongerhesitated，butdashedwithhisoldimpetuousnessintohisformerpartner’sroom。Stacy，alreadydeeplyabsorbedinotherbusiness，wassittingwithhisbacktowardshim，andBarker’sarmswereactuallyencirclinghisneckbeforetheastonishedandhalf-angrymanlookedup。ButwhenhiseyesmetthelaughinggrayonesofBarkerabovehimhegentlydisengagedhimselfwithaquickreturnofthecaress，rose，shutthedoorofaninneroffice，andreturningpushedBarkerintoanarmchairinquitetheoldsuppressivefashionofformerdays。Yes；
itwasthesameStacythatBarkerlookedat，albeithisbrownbeardwasnowcloselycroppedaroundhisdeterminedmouthandjawinakindofgravedecorum，andhisenergeticlimbsalreadyattunedtotherigorofclothesoffashionablecutandstillmorerigoroussombrenessofcolor。
\"Barkerboy，\"hebegan，withthefamiliartwinkleinhiskeeneyeswhichtheyoungerpartnerremembered，\"Idon’tencouragestagdancingamongmyyoungmenduringbankhours，andyou’llpleasetorememberthatwearenotonHeavyTreeHill\"——
\"Where，\"brokeinBarkerenthusiastically，\"wewereonlyoverlookedbytheBlackSpurRangeandtheSierransnow-line；wherethenearestvoicethatcametoyouwasquarterofamileawayasthecrowfliesandnearlyamilebythetrail。\"
\"Andwasgenerallyanoath！\"saidStacy。\"Butyou’reinSanFranciscoNOW。Whereareyoustopping？\"Hetookupapencilandhelditoveramemorandumpadawaitingly。
\"AttheBrookHouse。It’s\"——
\"Holdon！’BrookHouse，’\"Stacyrepeatedashejotteditdown。
\"Andforhowlong？\"
\"Oh，adayortwo。Yousee，Kitty\"——
Stacycheckedhimwithamovementofhispencilintheair，andthenwrotedown，\"’Dayortwo。’Wifewithyou？\"
\"Yes；andoh，Stacy，ourboy！Ah！\"hewenton，withalaugh，knockingasidetheremonstratingpencil，\"youmustlisten！He’sjustthesweetest，knowingestlittlechapliving。Doyouknowwhatwe’regoingtochristenhim？Well，he’llbeStacyDemorestBarker。
Goodnames，aren’tthey？Andthenitperpetuatesthedearoldfriendship。\"
Stacypickedupthepencilagain，wrote\"WifeandchildS。D。B。，\"
andleanedbackinhischair。\"Now，Barker，\"hesaidbriefly，\"I’mcomingtodinewithyoutonightat7。30sharp。THENwe’lltalkHeavyTreeHill，wife，baby，andS。D。B。ButhereI’mallforbusiness。Haveyouanywithme？\"
Barker，whowaseasilyamused，hadextractedacertainentertainmentoutofStacy’smemorandum，buthestraightenedhimselfwithalookofeagerconfidenceandsaid，\"Certainly；that’sjustwhatitis——
business。Lord！Stacy，I’mALLbusinessnow。I’mineverything。
AndIbankwithyou，thoughperhapsyoudon’tknowit；it’sinyourBranchatMarysville。Ididn’twanttosayanythingaboutittoyoubefore。ButLord！youdon’tsupposethatI’dbankanywhereelsewhileyouareinthebusiness——checks，dividends，andallthat；butinthismatterIfeltyouknew，oldchap。Ididn’twanttotalktoabankernortoabank，buttoJimStacy，myoldpartner。\"
\"Barker，\"saidStacycurtly，\"howmuchmoneyareyoushortof？\"
AtthisdirectquestionBarker’salwaysquickcolorrose，but，withanequallyquicksmile，hesaid，\"Idon’tknowyetthatI’mshortatall。\"
\"ButIdo！\"
\"Lookhere，Jim：why，I’mjustoverloadedwithsharesandstocks，\"
saidBarker，smiling。
\"Notoneofwhichyoucouldrealizeonwithoutsacrifice。Barker，threeyearsagoyouhadthreehundredthousanddollarsputtoyouraccountatSanFrancisco。\"
\"Yes，\"saidBarker，withaquietreminiscentlaugh。\"IrememberI
wantedtodrawitoutinonechecktoseehowitwouldlook。\"
\"Andyou’vedrawnoutallinthreeyears，anditlooksd————dbad。\"
\"Howdidyouknowit？\"askedBarker，hisfacebeamingonlywithadmirationofhiscompanion’somniscience。
\"HowdidIknowit？\"retortedStacy。\"IknowYOU，andIknowthekindofpeoplewhohaveunloadedtoyou。\"
\"Come，Stacy，\"saidBarker，\"I’veonlyinvestedinsharesandstockslikeeverybodyelse，andthenonlyonthebestadviceI
couldget：likeVanLoo’s，forinstance，——thatmanwhowasherejustnow，thenewmanageroftheEmpireDitchCompany；andCarter’s，myownKitty’sfather。AndwhenIwasofferedfiftythousandWideWestExtensions，andwashesitatingoverit，hetoldmeYOUwereinittoo——andthatwasenoughformetobuyit。\"
\"Yes，butwedidn’tgointoitathisfigures。\"
\"No，\"saidBarker，withaneagersmile，\"butyouSOLDathisfigures，forIknewthatwhenIfoundthatYOU，myoldpartner，wasinit；don’tyousee，Ipreferredtobuyitthroughyourbank，anddidat110。Ofcourse，youwouldn’thavesolditatthatfigureifitwasn’tworthitthen，andneitherInoryouaretoblameifitdroppedthenextweekto60，don’tyousee？\"
Stacy’seyeshardenedforamomentashelookedkeenlyintohisformerpartner’sbrightgrayones，buttherewasnotraceofironyinBarker’s。Onthecontrary，aslightshadeofsadnesscameoverthem。\"No，\"hesaidreflectively，\"Idon’tthinkI’veeverbeenfoolishorfollowedoutmyOWNideas，exceptonce，andthatwasextravagant，Iadmit。Thatwasmyideaofbuildingakindofrefuge，youknow，onthesiteofouroldcabin，wherepoorminersandplayed-outprospectorswaitingforastrikecouldstaywithoutpayinganything。Well，Isunktwentythousanddollarsinthat，andmighthavelostmore，onlyCarter——Kitty’sfather——persuadedme——
he’sanawfulcleveroldfellow——intoturningitintoakindofbranchhotelofBoomville，whileusingitasahoteltotakepoorchapswhocouldn’tpay，athalfprices，orquarterprices，PRIVATELY，don’tyousee，soastosparetheirpride，——awfullypretty，wasn’tit？——andmakethehotelprofitbyit。\"
\"Well？\"saidStacyasBarkerpaused。
\"Theydidn’tcome，\"saidBarker。
\"But，\"headdedeagerly，\"itshowsthatthingswerebetterthanI
hadimagined。Onlytheothersdidnotcome，either。\"
\"Andyoulostyourtwentythousanddollars，\"saidStacycurtly。
\"FIFTYthousand，\"saidBarker，\"forofcourseithadtobealargerhotelthantheother。AndIthinkthatCarterwouldn’thavegoneintoitexcepttosavemefromlosingmoney。\"
\"Andyetmadeyoulosefiftythousandinsteadoftwenty。ForI
don’tsupposeHEadvancedanything。\"
\"Hegavehistimeandexperience，\"saidBarkersimply。
\"Idon’tthinkitworththirtythousanddollars，\"saidStacydryly。
\"Butallthisdoesn’ttellmewhatyourbusinessiswithmeto-day。\"
\"No，\"saidBarker，brighteningup，\"butitisbusiness，youknow。
Somethingintheoldstyle——asbetweenpartnerandpartner——andthat’swhyIcametoYOU，andnottothe’banker。’AnditallcomesoutofsomethingthatDemorestoncetoldus；soyouseeit’sallusthreeagain！Well，youknow，ofcourse，thattheExcelsiorDitchCompanyhaveabandonedtheBarandHeavyTreeHill。Itdidn’tpay。\"
\"Yes；nordoesthecompanypayanydividendsnow。Yououghttoknow，withfiftythousandoftheirstockonyourhands。\"
Barkerlaughed。\"Butlisten。IfoundthatIcouldbuyuptheirwholeplantandalltheditchingalongtheBlackSpurRangefortenthousanddollars。\"
\"AndGreatScott！youdon’tthinkoftakinguptheirbusiness？\"
saidStacy，aghast。
Barkerlaughedmoreheartily。\"No。Nottheirbusiness。ButI
rememberthatonceDemoresttoldus，inthedearolddays，thatitcostnearlyasmuchtomakeawaterditchasarailroad，inthewayofsurveyingandengineeringandlevels，youknow。Andhere’stheplantforarailroad。Don’tyousee？\"
\"ButarailroadfromBlackSpurtoHeavyTreeHill——what’sthegoodofthat？\"
\"Why，BlackSpurwillbeinthelineofthenewDivideRailroadthey’retryingtogetabillforinthelegislature。\"
\"Aninfamouspieceofwildcatjobbingthatwillneverpass，\"saidStacydecisively。
\"TheysaidBECAUSEitwasthat，itwouldpass，\"saidBarkersimply。
\"TheysaythatWatson’sBankisinit，andisboundtogetitthrough。Andasthatisarivalbankofyours，don’tyousee，I
thoughtthatifWEcouldgetsomethingrealgoodorvaluableoutofit，——somethingthatwoulddotheBlackSpurgood，——itwouldbeallright。\"
\"Andwasyourbusinesstoconsultmeaboutit？\"saidStacybluntly。
\"No，\"saidBarker，\"it’stoolatetoconsultyounow，thoughIwishIhad。I’vegivenmywordtotakeit，andIcan’tbackout。ButI
haven’tthetenthousanddollars，andIcametoyou。\"
Stacyslowlysettledhimselfbackinhischair，andputbothhandsinhispockets。\"Notacent，Barker，notacent。\"
\"I’mnotaskingitoftheBANK，\"saidBarker，withasmile，\"forI
couldhavegonetothebankforit。Butasthiswassomethingbetweenus，Iamaskingyou，Stacy，asmyoldpartner。\"
\"AndIamansweringyou，Barker，asyouroldpartner，butalsoasthepartnerofahundredothermen，whohaveevenagreaterrighttoaskme。Andmyansweris，notacent！\"
Barkerlookedathimwithapale，astonishedfaceandslightlypartedlips。Stacyrose，thrusthishandsdeeperinhispockets，andstandingbeforehimwenton：——
\"Nowlookhere！It’stimeyoushouldunderstandmeandyourself。
Threeyearsago，whenourpartnershipwasdissolvedbyaccident，ormutualconsent，wewillsay，westartedafresh，eachonourownhook。Throughfoolishnessandbadadviceyouhaveinthosethreeyearshopelesslyinvolvedyourselfasyouneverwouldhavedonehadwebeenpartners，andyetinyourdifficultyyouaskmeandmynewpartnerstohelpyououtofadifficultyinwhichtheyhavenoconcern。\"
\"YourNEWpartners？\"stammeredBarker。
\"Yes，mynewpartners；foreverymanwhohasashare，oradeposit，oraninterest，oradollarinthisbankismyPARTNER——evenyou，withyoursecuritiesattheBranch，areone；andyoumaysaythatinTHISIamprotectingyouagainstyourself。\"
\"Butyouhavemoney——youhaveprivatemeans。\"
\"Nonetospeculatewithasyouwishmeto——onaccountofmyposition；nonetogiveawayfoolishlyasyouexpectmeto——onaccountofprecedentandexample。Iamasoullessmachinetakingcareofcapitalintrustedtomeandmybrains，butdecidedlyNOTtomyheartnormysentiment。Somyansweris，notacent！\"
Barker’sfacehadchanged；hiscolorhadcomeback，butwithanolderexpression。Presently，however，hisbeamingsmilereturned，withtheadditionalsuggestionofanaffectionatetolerationwhichpuzzledStacy。
\"Ibelieveyou’reright，oldchap，\"hesaid，extendinghishandtothebanker，\"andIwishIhadtalkedtoyoubefore。Butit’stoolatenow，andI’vegivenmyword。\"
\"YourWORD！\"saidStacy。\"Haveyounowrittenagreement？\"
\"No。Mywordwasaccepted。\"Heblushedslightlyasifconsciousofagreatweakness。