\"Letmeknowwhatitisanditshallbedone，\"repliedRenshawquickly。
\"IfyoushouldcomeacrossMonsieurdeFerrieres，orhearofhim，I
wishyouwouldletmeknow。Hewasverypoorlywhenhelefthere，andIshouldliketoknowifhewasbetter。Hedidn’tsaywherehewasgoing。Atleast，hedidn’ttellfather;butIfancyheandfatherdon’tagree。\"
\"IshallbeverygladofhavingevenTHATopportunityofmakingyourememberme，MissNott，\"returnedRenshawwithafaintsmile;\"I
don’tsupposeeitherthatitwouldbeverydifficulttogetnewsofyourfriend——everybodyseemstoknowhim。\"
\"ButnotasIdid，\"saidRoseywithanabstractedlittlesigh。
Mr。Renshawopenedhisbrowneyesuponher。Washemistaken？wasthisromanticgirlonlyalittlecoquetteplayingherprovincialairsonhim？\"Yousayheandyourfatherdidn’tagree？Thatmeans，Isuppose，thatYOUandheagreed？——andthatwastheresult。\"
\"Idon’tthinkfatherknewanythingaboutit，\"saidRoseysimply。
Mr。Renshawrose。Andthiswaswhathehadbeenwaitingtohear！
\"Perhaps，\"hesaidgrimly，\"youwouldalsolikenewsofthephotographerandCaptainBower，ordidyourfatheragreewiththembetter？\"
\"No，\"saidRoseyquietly。Sheremainedsilentforamoment，andliftingherlashessaid，\"FatheralwaysseemedtoagreewithYOU，andthat——\"shehesitated。
\"That’swhyYOUdon’t。\"
\"Ididn’tsaythat，\"saidRoseywithanincongruousincreaseofcoldnessandcolor。\"Ionlymeanttosayitwasthatwhichmakesitseemsohardyoushouldgonow。\"
NotwithstandinghispreviousdeterminationRenshawfoundhimselfsittingdownagain。Confusedandpleased，wishinghehadsaidmore——orless——hesaidnothing，andRoseywasforcedtocontinue。
\"It’sstrange，isn’tit——butfatherwasurgingmethismorningtomakeavisittosomefriendsattheoldRanch。Ididn’twanttogo。Ilikeitmuchbetterhere。\"
\"Butyoucannotburyyourselfhereforever，MissNott，\"saidRenshawwithasuddenburstofhonestenthusiasm。\"Soonerorlateryouwillbeforcedtogowhereyouwillbeproperlyappreciated，whereyouwillbeadmiredandcourted，whereyourslightestwishwillbelaw。Believeme，withoutflattery，youdon’tknowyourownpower。\"
\"Itdoesn’tseemstrongenoughtokeepeventhelittleIlikehere，\"saidRoseywithaslightglisteningoftheeyes。\"But，\"sheaddedhastily，\"youdon’tknowhowmuchthedearoldshipistome。
It’stheonlyhomeIthinkIeverhad。\"
\"ButtheRanch？\"saidRenshaw。
\"TheRanchseemedtobeonlytheoldwagonhaltedintheroad。Itwasaverylittleimprovementonoutdoors，\"saidRoseywithalittleshiver。\"Butthisissocozyandsnugandyetsostrangeandforeign。DoyouknowIthinkIbegantounderstandwhyIlikeitsosinceyoutaughtmesomuchaboutshipsandvoyages。BeforethatIonlylearnedfrombooks。Booksdeceiveyou，Ithink，morethanpeopledo。Don’tyouthinkso？\"
Sheevidentlydidnotnoticethequickflushthatcoveredhischeeksandapparentlydazzledhistroubledeyelidforshewentonconfidentially。
\"Iwasthinkingofyouyesterday。Iwassittingbythegalleydoor，lookingforward。YourememberthefirstdayIsawyouwhenyoustartledmebycomingupoutofthehatch？\"
\"Iwishyouwouldn’tthinkofthat，\"saidRenshaw，withmoreearnestnessthanhewouldhavemadeapparent。
\"Idon’twanttoeither，\"saidRosey，gravely，\"forI’vehadastrangefancyaboutit。IsawoncewhenIwasyounger，apictureinaprintshopinMontgomeryStreetthathauntedme。Ithinkitwascalled’ThePirate。’Therewasanumberofwicked-lookingsailorslyingaroundthedeck，andcomingoutofahatchwasonefigurewithhishandsonthedeckandacutlassinhismouth。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidRenshaw。
\"Youdon’tunderstand。Hewashorrid-looking，notatalllikeyou。
IneverthoughtofHIMwhenIfirstsawyou;buttheotherdayI
thoughthowdreadfulitwouldhavebeenifsomeonelikehimandnotlikeyouhadcomeupthen。Thatmademenervoussometimesofbeingalone。Ithinkfatheristoo。Heoftengoesaboutstealthilyatnight，asifhewaswatchingforsomething。\"
Renshaw’sfacegrewsuddenlydark。CoulditbepossiblethatSleighthadalwayssuspectedhim，andsetspiestowatch——orwasheguiltyofsomedoubleintrigue？
\"Hethinks，\"continuedRoseywithafaintsmile，\"thatsomeoneislookingaroundtheship，andtalksofsettingbear-traps。Ihopeyou’renotmad，Mr。Renshaw，\"sheadded，suddenlycatchingsightofhischangedexpression，\"atmyfoolishnessinsayingyouremindedmeofthepirate。Imeantnothing。\"
\"Iknowyou’reincapableofmeaninganythingbutgoodtoanybody，MissNott，perhapstomemorethanIdeserve，\"saidRenshawwithasuddenburstoffeeling。\"Iwish——Iwish——youwoulddoMEafavor。
YOUaskedmeonejustnow。\"Hehadtakenherhand。Itseemedsolikeamereillustrationofhisearnestness，thatshedidnotwithdrawit。\"Yourfathertellsyoueverything。Ifhehasanyoffertodisposeoftheship，willyouwritetomeatoncebeforeanythingisconcluded？\"Hewincedalittle——thesentenceofSleight，\"What’sthefigureyouandshehavesettledupon？\"flashedacrosshismind。HescarcelynoticedthatRoseyhadwithdrawnherhandcoldly。
\"Perhapsyouhadbetterspeaktofather，asitisHISbusiness。
Besides，Ishallnotbehere。IshallbeattheRanch。\"
\"Butyousaidyoudidn’twanttogo？\"
\"I’vechangedmymind，\"saidRoseylistlessly。\"Ishallgoto-
night。\"
Sheroseasiftoindicatethattheinterviewwasended。Withanoverpoweringinstinctthathiswholefuturehappinessdependeduponhisnextact，hemadeasteptowardsher，witheageroutstretchedhands。Butsheslightlyliftedherownwithawarninggesture，\"I
hearfathercoming——youwillhaveachancetotalkBUSINESSwithhim，\"shesaid，andvanishedintoherstate-room。
VI
TheheavytreadofAbnerNottechoedinthepassage。Confusedandembarrassed，RenshawremainedstandingatthedoorthathadcloseduponRoseyasherfatherenteredthecabin。Providence，whichalwaysfosteredMr。Nott’scharacteristicmisconceptions，leftthatperspicaciousparentbutoneinterpretationofthesituation。
RoseyhadevidentlyjustinformedMr。Renshawthatshelovedanother！
\"Iwasjustsaying’good-by’toMissNott，\"saidRenshaw，hastilyregaininghiscomposurewithaneffort。\"IamgoingtoSacramentoto-night，andwillnotreturn。I——\"
\"Incourse，incourse，\"interruptedNott，soothingly;\"that’swotyousaynow，andthat’swhatyouallowtodo。That’swottheyallusdo。\"
\"Imean，\"saidRenshaw，reddeningatwhatheconceivedtobeanallusiontotheabscondingpropensitiesofNott’sprevioustenants，——\"Imeanthatyoushallkeeptheadvancetocoveranylossyoumightsufferthroughmygivinguptherooms。\"
\"Certingly，\"saidNott，layinghishandwithalargesympathyonRenshaw’sshoulder;\"butwe’lldropthatjustnow。Wewon’tswaphossesinthemiddleoftheriver。We’llsquareupaccountsinyourroom，\"headded，raisinghisvoicethatRoseymightoverhearhim，afterapreliminarywinkattheyoungman。\"Yes，sir，we’lljustsquareupandsettleinthere。Comealong，Mr。Renshaw。\"
Pushinghimwithpaternalgentlenessfromthecabin，withhishandstilluponhisshoulder，hefollowedhimintothepassage。Halfannoyedathisfamiliarity，yetnotaltogetherdispleasedbythisillustrationofRosey’sbeliefofhispreference，Renshawwonderinglyaccompaniedhim。Nottclosedthedoor，andpushingtheyoungmanintoachair，deliberatelyseatedhimselfatthetableopposite。\"It’sjustaswellthatRoseyreckonsthatyouandmeissettlin’ouraccounts，\"hebegan，cunningly，\"andmebbeeit’sjustezwellezsheshouldreckonyou’regoin’away。\"
\"ButIAMgoing，\"interruptedRenshaw，impatiently。\"Ileaveto-
night。\"
\"Surely，surely，\"saidNott，gently，\"that’swotyoukalkilatetodo;that’sjustnat’ralinayoungfeller。That’saboutwhatI
reckonI’Dhevdonetohermotherifanythin’likethishedevercroppedup，whichitdidn’t。NotbutwhatAlmiryJanehadyoungfellersenoughroundher，but，’ceptoleJudgePeter，ezwaslamedintheWarof1812，thereain’tnosimilarityezIkinsee，\"headded，musingly。
\"IamafraidIcan’tseeanysimilarityeither，Mr。Nott，\"saidRenshaw，strugglingbetweenadawningsenseofsomeimpendingabsurdityandhisgrowingpassionforRosey。\"ForHeaven’ssakespeakoutifyou’vegotanythingtosay。\"
Mr。Nottleanedforward，andplacedhislargehandontheyoungman’sshoulder。\"That’sit。That’swhatIsedtomyselfwhenI
seedhowthingswerepintin’。’Speakout，’sezI，’Abner！Speakoutifyou’vegotanythingtosay。YoukintrustthisyerMr。
Renshaw。Heain’tthekindofmantocreepintothebosomofaman’sshipforpupposesofhisown。Heain’tamanthatwouldhuntrounduntilhediscoveredapoorman’streasure，andthentrytorob——’\"
\"Stop！\"saidRenshaw，withasetfaceanddarkeningeyes。\"WHAT
treasure？WHATmanareyouspeakingof？\"
\"WhyRoseyandMr。Ferrers，\"returnedNott，simply。
Renshawsankintohisseatagain。ButtheexpressionofreliefwhichherepassedswiftlyoverhisfacegavewaytooneofuneasyinterestasNottwenton。
\"P’r’apsit’salittlehighfalutintalkin’ofRoseyezatreasure。
But，considerin’，Mr。Renshaw，ezshe’stheonlyprop’tyI’vekeptbymeforseventeenyearsezhezpaidinterestandincreasedinvalooe，itain’tsayin’toomuchtocallherso。AndezFerrersknowsthis，heoughterbeencontentwithgougin’meinthathorse-
hairspec，withoutgoin’forRosey。P’r’apsyersurprisedathearingmespeako’myownfleshandbloodezifIwastalkin’
hoss-trade，butyouandmeisbus’nessmen，Mr。Renshaw，andwediscussesezsuch。Weain’tgoin’tosloshroundandslopoverinpo’tryandsentiment，\"continuedNott，withatremulousvoice，andahandthatslightlyshookonRenshaw’sshoulder。\"Weain’tgoin’
togitupandsing，’Thou’stlarnedtoloveanotherthou’stbrokeneveryvowwe’vepartedfromeachotherandmybozom’slonelynowohisitwelltoseversuchheartsasournforeverkinIforgettheeneverfarewellfarewellfarewell。’Yeneverhappen’dtohearJimBakersingthatatthemoosichallonDupontStreet，Mr。Renshaw，\"
continuedMr。Nott，enthusiastically，whenhehadrecoveredfromthatcompleteabsenceofpunctuationwhichalonesuggestedversetohisintellect。\"Hesorterstruckwaterdownhere，\"indicatinghisheart，\"everytime。\"
\"ButwhathasMissNotttodowithM。deFerrieres？\"askedRenshaw，withafaintsmile。
Mr。Nottregardedhimwithdumb，round，astonishedeyes。\"Hezn’tshetoldyer？\"
\"Certainlynot。\"
\"Andshedidn’tletonanythin’abouthim？\"hecontinued，feebly。
\"Shesaidshe’dlikedtoknowwhere——\"Hestopped，withthereflectionthathewasbetrayingherconfidences。
Adimforebodingofsomenewformofdeceit，towhicheventhemanbeforehimwasaconsentingparty，almostparalyzedNott’sfaculties。\"Thenshedidn’ttellyerthatsheandFerrerswassparkin’andkeepin’kimpanytogether;thatsheandhimwasengaged，andwaskalkilatin’torunawaytofurrinparts;thatshecottonedtohimmorethantotheshiporherfather？\"
\"Shecertainlydidnot，andIshouldn’tbelieveit，\"saidRenshaw，quickly。
Nottsmiled。Hewasamused;heastutelyrecognizedtheusualtrustfulnessofloveandyouth。Therewasclearlynodeceithere！
Renshaw’sattentiveeyessawthesmile，andhisbrowdarkened。
\"Iliketohearyersaythat，Mr。Renshaw，\"saidNott，\"andit’snomorethanRoseydeserves，ezit’ssuthingonnat’ralandspell-likethat’scomeoverherthroughFerrers。Itain’tmyRosey。Butit’sGospeltruth，whethershe’sbewitchedornot;whetherit’sthemdamnfoolstoriesshereads——andit’slikeeznothe’sjustthekindo’snipetowrite’emhisself，andsorteradvertisehisself，don’tyersee——she’sallusstuckupforhim。They’vehadclandesentinterviews，andwhenItaxedhimwithitheezmuchezalloweditwasso，andreckonedhemustleave，soezhecouldrunheroff，youknow——kinderstampedeherwith’honor。’Them’shisverywords。\"
\"Butthatisallpast;heisgone，andMissNottdoesnotevenknowwhereheis！\"saidRenshaw，withalaugh，which，however，concealedavagueuneasiness。
Mr。Nottroseandopenedthedoorcarefully。Whenhehadsatisfiedhimselfthatnoonewaslistening，hecamebackandsaidinawhisper，\"That’salie。NotezRoseymeanstolie，butit’satrickhe’sputuponthatpoorchild。Thatman，Mr。Renshaw，hezbeenhangin’roundthePontiaceversince。I’veseedhimtwicewithmyowneyespassthecabinwindys。Morethanthat，I’veheardstrangenoisesatnight，andseenstrangefacesinthealleyoveryer。AndonlyjistnowezIkeminIketchedsightofafurrinlookin’ChineeniggerslinkingroundthebackdoorofwhatuseterbeFerrers’sloft。\"
\"Didhelooklikeasailor？\"askedRenshawquickly，withareturnofhisformersuspicion。
\"NotmorethanIdo，\"saidNott，glancingcomplacentlyathispea-
jacket。\"Hehadringsonhisyeerslikeawench。\"
Mr。Renshawstarted。ButseeingNott’seyesfixedonhim，hesaidlightly，\"Butwhathavethesestrangefacesandthisstrangeman——
probablyonlyaLascarsailoroutofajob——todowithFerrieres？\"
\"Friendso’his——fellerfurrincitizens——spiesonRosey，don’tyousee？Buttheycan’tplaytheoldman，Mr。Renshaw。I’vetoldRoseyshemustmakeavisittotheoldRanch。OnceI’vegotherthersafe，IreckonIkinmanageMr。FerrersandanynumberofChineeniggershekinbringalong。\"
Renshawremainedforafewmomentslostinthought。ThenrisingsuddenlyhegraspedMr。Nott’shandwithafranksmilebutdeterminedeyes。\"Ihaven’tgotthehangofthis，Mr。Nott——thewholethinggetsme！IonlyknowthatI’vechangedmymind。I’mNOTgoingtoSacramento。IshallstayHERE，oldman，untilIseeyousafethroughthebusiness，ormyname’snotDickRenshaw。
There’smyhandonit！Don’tsayaword。MaybeitisnomorethanIoughttodo——perhapsnothalfenough。Onlyremember，notawordofthistoyourdaughter。ShemustbelievethatIleaveto-night。
Andthesooneryougetheroutofthiscursedshipthebetter。\"
\"DeaconFlint’sgirlsaregoin’upinto-night’sboat。I’llsendRoseywiththem，\"saidNottwithacunningtwinkle。Renshawnodded。Nottseizedhishandwithawinkofunutterablesignificance。
LefttohimselfRenshawtriedtoreviewmorecalmlythecircumstancesinthesestrangerevelationsthathadimpelledhimtochangehisresolutionsosuddenly。Thattheshipwasunderthesurveillanceofunknownparties，andthatthedescriptionofthemtalliedwithhisownknowledgeofacertainLascarsailor，whowasoneofSleight’sinformants——seemedtobemorethanprobable。ThatthisseemedtopointtoSleight’sdisloyaltytohimselfwhilehewasactingashisagent，oradoubletreacheryonthepartofSleight’sinformantswasineithercaseareasonandanexcuseforhisowninterference。ButtheconnectionoftheabsurdFrenchmanwiththecase，whichatfirstseemedacharacteristicimbecilityofhislandlord，bewilderedhimthemorehethoughtofit。Rejectinganyhypothesisofthegirl’saffectionfortheantiquatedfigurewhosesanitywasaquestionofpubliccriticism，hewasforcedtotheequallyalarmingtheorythatFerriereswascognizantofthetreasure，andthathisattentionstoRoseyweretogainpossessionofitbymarryingher。Mightshenotbedazzledbyapictureofthiswealth？Wasitnotpossiblethatshewasalreadyinpartpossessionofthesecret，andherstrangeattractiontotheship，andwhathehaddeemedherinnocentcravingforinformationconcerningit，aconsequence？Whyhadhenotthoughtofthisbefore？Perhapsshehaddetectedhispurposefromthefirst，andhaddeliberatelycheckmatedhim。ThethoughtdidnotincreasehiscomplacencyasNottsoftlyreturned。
\"It’sallright，\"hebeganwithacertainsatisfactioninthisrareopportunityforMachiavelliandiplomacy，\"it’sallfixednow。
Roseytumbledtoitatonce，partiklerlywhenIsaidyouwasboundtogo。’ButwotmakesMr。Renshawgo，father，’sezshe;’wotmakeseverybodyrunawayfromtheship？’sezshe，ratherpeartlikeandsassyforher。’Mr。Renshawhezcontractin’business，’sezI;’gotabigthingupinSacramentothat’llmakehisfortun’，’sezI——forIwasn’tgoin’togiveyeraway，don’tyesee。’Hehadsomebusinesstotalktoyouabouttheship，’sezshe，lookin’atmeunderthecornerofherpockethandkerchief。’Lotso’business，’
sezI。’ThenIreckonhedon’tcaretohevmewritetohim，’sezshe。’Notabit，’sezI，’hewouldn’tansweryeifyedid。Ye’llneverhearfromthatchapagin。’\"
\"Butwhatthedevil——\"interruptedtheyoungmanimpetuously。
\"Keepyerhairon！\"remonstratedtheoldmanwithdarkintelligence。\"Efyou’dseenthewaysheflouncedintoherstateroom！——she，Rosey，ezallusmovesezsoftlyezaspirit——you’dhevwishedI’dhevunloadedalittlemore。Nosir，galsisgalsinsomethingsallthetime。\"
Renshawroseandpacedtheroomrapidly。\"PerhapsI’dbetterspeaktoheragainbeforeshegoes，\"hesaid，impulsively。
\"P’r’apsyou’dbetternot，\"repliedtheimperturbableNott。
Irritatedashewas，Renshawcouldnotavoidthereflectionthattheoldmanwasright。What，indeed，couldhesaytoherwithhispresentimperfectknowledge？Howcouldshewritetohimifthatknowledgewascorrect？
\"Ef，\"saidNott，kindly，withalayingonoflargebenedictoryandpaternalhands，\"efyerarewillin’toseeRoseyagin，withoutSPEAKIN’toher，IreckonIkenfixitforyer。I’mgoin’totakeherdowntotheboatinhalfanhour。Efyershouldhappen——mind，efyershouldHAPPENtobedownthere，seein’somefriendsoffandsorterpromenadin’upanddownthewharflikethemhigh-tonedchapsonMontgomeryStreet——yemightketchhereyeunconsciouslike。Or，yemightdothis！\"Heroseafteramoment’scogitationandwithafaceofprofoundmysteryopenedthedoorandbeckonedRenshawtofollowhim。Leadingthewaycautiously，hebroughttheyoungmanintoanopenunpartitionedrecessbesideherstateroom。Itseemedtobeusedasastoreroom，andRenshaw’seyewascaughtbyatrunkthesizeandshapeoftheonethathadprovidedRoseywiththematerialsofhermasquerade。PointingtoitMr。Nottsaidinagravewhisper：\"ThisyertrunkisthecompaniontrunktoRosey’s。
SHE’Sgotthethingsthemoperywomenwears;thisyercontainstheHEthings，thedudsandfixin’so’themeno’thesamestripe。\"
Throwingitopenhecontinued：\"Now，Mr。Renshaw，galsisgals;
it’snat’raltheyshouldbetookbyfancydressandstoreclothesonyoungchapsasontheirselves。ThatmanFerrershezgotthedeadwoodonallofyeinthissortofthing，andhezbeenplaying，sotospeak，alonehandallalong。Andefthar’sanythin’inthar，\"headded，liftingpartofatheatricalwardrobe，\"thatyouthinkyou’dfancy——anythin’you’dliketoputonwhenyepromenadethewharfdownyonder——it’syours。Don’tyebebashful，buthelpyourself。\"
ItwasfullyaminutebeforeRenshawfairlygraspedtheoldman’smeaning。Butwhenhedid——whenthesuggestedspectacleofhimselfarrayedalaFerrieres，gravelypromenadingthewharfasalastgorgeousappealtotheaffectionsofRosey，rosebeforehisfancy，hegavewaytoafitofgenuinelaughter。Thenervoustensionofthepastfewhoursrelaxed;helaugheduntilthetearscameintohiseyes;hewasstilllaughingwhenthedoorofthecabinwassuddenlyopenedandRoseyappearedcoldanddistantonthethreshold。
\"I——begyourpardon，\"stammeredRenshawhastily。\"Ididn’tmean——
todisturbyou——I——\"
WithoutlookingathimRoseyturnedtoherfather。\"Iamready，\"
shesaidcoldly，andclosedthedooragain。
AglanceofartfulintelligencecameintoNott’seyes，whichhadremainedblanklystaringatRenshaw’sapparentlycauselesshilarity。Turningtohimhewinkedsolemnly。\"Thatkeerlesskindo’hoss-laffjistfetchedher，\"hewhispered，andvanishedbeforehischagrinedcompanioncouldreply。
WhenMr。NottandhisdaughterdepartedRenshawwasnotintheship，neitherdidhemakeaspectacularappearanceonthewharfasMr。Notthadfondlyexpected，nordidheturnupagainuntilafternineo’clock，whenhefoundtheoldmaninthecabinawaitinghisreturnwithsomeagitation。
\"Aminitago，\"hesaid，mysteriouslyclosingthedoorbehindRenshaw，\"Iheardavoiceinthepassage，andgoin’outwhoshouldIseeaginbutthatdarnedfurrinniggerezItoldyer’bout，kinderhidin’inthedark，hiseyesshininlikeacatamount，Iwasjistreachin’formyweppinswhenherizupwithagrinandhandedmethisyerletter。ItoldhimIreckonedyou’dgonetoSacramento，buthesaidhewezsureyouwasinyourroom，andtoproveitIwentthar。ButwhenIkembackthed————dskunkhadvamoosed——gotfrightenedIreckon——andwasn’tnowhartobeseen。\"
Reashawtooktheletterhastily。ItcontainedonlyalineinSleight’shand。\"Ifyouchangeyourmind，thebearermaybeofservicetoyou。\"
HeturnedabruptlytoNott。\"YousayitwasthesameLascaryousawbefore。\"
\"Itwas。\"
\"ThenallIcansayisheisnoagentofdeFerrieres’s，\"saidRenshaw，turningawaywithadisappointedair。Mr。Nottwouldhaveaskedanotherquestion，butwithanabrupt\"Good-night\"theyoungmanenteredhisroom，lockedthedoor，andthrewhimselfonhisbedtoreflectwithoutinterruption。
ButifhewasinnomoodtostandNott’sfatuousconjectures，hewaslessinclinedtobesatisfiedwithhisown。Hadhebeenagaincarriedawaythroughhisimpulsesevokedbythecapricesofaprettycoquetteandtheabsurdtheoriesofherhalfimbecilefather？HadhebrokenfaithwithSleightandremainedintheshipfornothing，andwouldnothischangeofresolutionappeartobetheresultofSleight’snote？ButwhyhadtheLascarbeenhauntingtheshipbefore？Inthemidstoftheseconjectureshefellasleep。
VII
BetweenthreeandfourinthemorningthecloudsbrokeoverthePontiac，andthemoon，ridinghigh，pickedoutinblackandsilverthelonghulkthatlaycradledbetweentheironshellsofwarehousesandthewoodenframesoftenementsoneitherside。Thegalleyandcoveredgangwaypresentedamassofundefinedshadow，againstwhichthewhitedeckshonebrightly，stretchingtotheforecastleandbows，wherethetinyglassroofofthephotographerglistenedlikeageminthePontiac’screst。Sopeacefulandmotionlessshelaythatshemighthavebeensomepetrifactionofapastagenowfirstexhumedandlaidbaretothecoldlightofthestars。
Neverthelessthiscalmsecuritywaspresentlyinvadedbyasenseofstealthylifeandmotion。Whathadseemedafixedshadowsuddenlydetacheditselffromthedeck，andbegantoslipstanchionbystanchionalongthebulwarkstowardthecompanionway。Atthecabindoorithaltedandcrouchedmotionless。Thenrising，itglidedforwardwiththesamestaccatomovementuntiloppositetheslightelevationoftheforehatch。Suddenlyitdartedtothehatch，unfastenedandlifteditwithaswift，familiardexterity，anddisappearedintheopening。Butasthemoonshoneuponitsvanishingface，itrevealedthewhiteningeyesandteethoftheLascarseaman。
Droppingtothelowerdecklightly，hefelthiswaythroughthedarkpassagebetweenthepartitions，evidentlylessfamiliartohim，haltingbeforeeachdoortolisten。ReturningforwardhereachedthesecondhatchwaythathadattractedRosey’sattention，andnoiselesslyuncloseditsfastenings。Apenetratingsmellofbilgearosefromtheopening。Drawingasmallbull’s-eyelanternfromhisbreasthelitit，andunhesitatinglylethimselfdowntothefurtherdepth。Themovingflashofhislightrevealedtherecessesoftheupperhold，theabyssofthewellamidships，andglancedfromtheshiningbacksofmovingzig-zagsofratsthatseemedtooutlinetheshadowybeamsandtransoms。Disregardingthosecuriousspectatorsofhismovements，heturnedhisattentioneagerlytotheinnercasingsofthehold，thatseemedinonespottohavebeenstrengthenedbyfreshtimbers。Attackingthisstealthilywiththeaidofsometoolshiddeninhisoil-skinclothing，inthelightofthelanternheboreafancifulresemblancetothepredatoryanimalsaroundhim。Thelowcontinuoussoundofraspingandgnawingoftimberwhichfollowedheightenedtheresemblance。Attheendofafewminuteshehadsucceededinremovingenoughoftheouterplankingtoshowthattheentirefillingofthecasingbetweenthestanchionswascomposedofsmallboxes。Draggingoutoneofthemwithfeverisheagernesstothelight，theLascarforceditopen。Intheraysofthebull’s-
eye，awedgedmassofdiscoloredcoinsshowedwithaluridglow。
ThestoryofthePontiacwastrue——thetreasurewasthere！
ButMr。Sleighthadoverlookedthelogicaleffectofthisdiscoveryonthenaturalvillainyofhistool。Intheverymomentofhistriumphantexecutionofhispatron’ssuggestionstheideaofkeepingthetreasuretohimselfflasheduponhismind。HEhaddiscoveredit——whyshouldhegiveituptoanybody？HEhadrunalltherisks;ifheweredetectedatthatmoment，whowouldbelievethathispurposethereatmidnightwasonlytosatisfysomeoneelsethatthetreasurewasstillintact？No。Thecircumstanceswerepropitious;hewouldgetthetreasureoutoftheshipatonce，dropitoverherside，hastilyconcealitinthenearestlotadjacent，andtakeitawayathisconvenience。——Whowouldbethewiserforit？
Butitwasnecessarytoreconnoitrefirst。Heknewthattheloftoverheadwasempty。Heknewthatitcommunicatedwiththealley，forhehadtriedthedoorthatmorning。Hewouldconveythetreasurethere，anddropitintothealley。Theboxeswereheavy。
Eachonewouldrequireaseparatejourneytotheship’sside，buthewouldatleastsecuresomethingifhewereinterrupted。Hestrippedthecasing，andgatheredtheboxestogetherinapile。
Ah，yes，itwasfunnytoothathe——theLascarhound——thed————dnigger——shouldgetwhatbiggerandbulliermenthanhehaddiedfor！Themate’sbloodwasonthoseboxes，ifthesaltwaterhadnotwasheditout。Itwasahellofafightwhentheydraggedthecaptain——Oh，whatwasthat？Wasitthesplashofaratinthebilge，orwhat？
Asuperstitiousterrorhadbeguntoseizehimatthethoughtofblood。Thestiflingholdseemedagainfilledwithstrugglingfigureshehadknown;theairthickwithcriesandblasphemiesthathehadforgotten。Herosetohisfeet，andrunningquicklytothehatchway，leapedtothedeckabove。Allwasquiet。Thedoorleadingtotheemptyloftyieldedtohistouch。Heentered，and，glidingthrough，unbarredandopenedthedoorthatgaveuponthealley。Thecoldairandmoonlightflowedinsilently;thewayofescapewasclear。Bah！Hewouldgobackforthetreasure。
Hehadreachedthepassagewhenthedoorhehadjustopenedwassuddenlydarkened。Turningrapidly，hewasconsciousofagauntfigure，grotesque，silent，anderect，loomingonthethresholdbetweenhimandthesky。Hiddenintheshadow，hemadeastealthysteptowardsit，withanironwrenchinhisupliftedhand。Butthenextmomenthiseyesdilatedwithsuperstitioushorror;theironfellfromthishand，andwithascream，likeafrightenedanimal，heturnedandfledintothepassage。Inthefirstaccessofhisblindterrorhetriedtoreachthedeckabovethroughtheforehatch，butwasstoppedbythesoundofaheavytreadoverhead。
Theimmediatefearofdetectionnowovercamehissuperstition;hewouldhaveevenfacedtheapparitionagaintoescapethroughtheloft;but，beforehecouldreturnthere，otherfootstepsapproachedrapidlyfromtheendofthepassagehewouldhavetotraverse。
Therewasbutonechanceofescapeleftnow——theforeholdhehadjustquitted。Hemighthidethereuntilthealarmwasover。Heglidedbacktothehatch，liftedit，anditclosedsoftlyoverhisheadastheupperhatchwassimultaneouslyraised，andthesmallroundeyesofAbnerNottpeereddownuponit。TheotherfootstepsprovedtobeRenshaw’sbut，attractedbytheopendooroftheloft，heturnedasideandentered。AssoonashedisappearedMr。Nottcautiouslydroppedthroughtheopeningtothedeckbelow，and，goingtotheotherhatchthroughwhichtheLascarhadvanished，deliberatelyrefastenedit。InafewmomentsRenshawreturnedwithalight，andfoundtheoldmansittingonthehatch。
\"Theloftdoorwasopen，\"saidRenshaw。\"There’slittledoubtwhoeverwashereescapedthatway。\"
\"Surely，\"saidNott。TherewasapeculiarlookofMachiavelliansagacityinhisfacewhichirritatedRenshaw。
\"Thenyou’resureitwasFerrieresyousawpassbyyourwindowbeforeyoucalledme？\"heasked。
Nottnoddedhisheadwithanexpressionofinfiniteprofundity。
\"ButyousayhewasgoingFROMtheship。Thenitcouldnothavebeenhewhomadethenoisewehearddownhere。\"
\"Mebbeeno，andmebbeeyes，\"returnedNott，cautiously。\"Butifhewasalreadyconcealedinsidetheship，asthatopendoor，whichyousayyoubarredfromtheinside，wouldindicate，whatthedevildidhewantwiththis？\"saidRenshaw，producingthemonkey-wrenchhehadpickedup。
Mr。Nottexaminedthetoolcarefully，andshookhisheadwithmomentoussignificance。Nevertheless，hiseyeswanderedtothehatchonwhichhewasseated。
\"DidyoufindanythingdisturbedTHERE？\"saidRenshaw，followingthedirectionofhiseye。\"Wasthathatchfastenedasitisnow？\"
\"Itwas，\"saidNott，calmly。\"Butyewouldn’tmindfetchin’meahammerandsomeo’thembignailsfromthelocker，wouldyer，whileIhangroundherejustsoeztomakesureagainstanotherattack。\"
Renshawcompliedwithhisrequest;butasNottproceededtogravelynaildownthefasteningsofthehatch，heturnedimpatientlyawaytocompletehisexaminationoftheship。Thedoorsoftheotherloftsandtheirfasteningsappearedsecureandundisturbed。Yetitwasundeniablethatafeloniousentrancehadbeenmade，butbywhomorforwhatpurposestillremaineduncertain。Evennow，RenshawfounditdifficulttoacceptNott’stheorythatdeFerriereswastheaggressorandRoseytheobject，norcouldhejustifyhisownsuspicionthattheLascarhadobtainedasurreptitiousentranceunderSleight’sdirections。WithafeelingthatifRoseyhadbeenpresenthewouldhaveconfessedall，anddemandedfromheranequalconfidence，hebegantohatehisfeeble，purposeless，andinefficientalliancewithherfather，whobelievedbutdarenottaxhisdaughterwithcomplicityinthisoutrage。Whatcouldbedonewithamanwhoseonlyideaofactionatsuchamomentwastonailupanundisturbedentranceinhisinvadedhouse！HewassopreoccupiedwiththesethoughtsthatwhenNottrejoinedhiminthecabinhescarcelyheededhispresence，andwasentirelyobliviousofthefurtivelookswhichtheoldmanfromtimetotimecastuponhisface。
\"Ireckonyewouldn’tmind，\"brokeinNott，suddenly，\"efIaskedafavorofye，Mr。Renshaw。Mebbeeye’llallowit’saskin’toomuchinthematterofexpense;mebbeeye’llallowit’saskin’toomuchinthemattero’time。ButIkalkilatetopayalltheexpense，andifyou’dletmeknowwhatyervallyyertimeat，IreckonIcouldstandthat。WhatI’dbeaskin’isthis。Wouldyemindtakin’aletterfrommetoRosey，andbringin’backananswer？\"
Renshawstaredspeechlesslyatthisabsurdrealizationofhiswishofamomentbefore。\"Idon’tthinkIunderstandyou，\"hestammered。
\"P’r’apsnot，\"returnedNott，withgreatgravity。\"Butthat’snotsomuchmattertoyouezyourtimeandexpenses。\"
\"ImeantIshouldbegladtogoifIcanbeofanyservicetoyou，\"
saidRenshaw，hastily。
\"Youkinketchtheseveno’clockboatthismorning，andyou’llreachSanRafaelatten——\"
\"ButIthoughtMissRoseywenttoPetaluma，\"interruptedRenshawquickly。
Nottregardedhimwithanexpressionofpatronizingsuperiority。
\"That’swhatweladledouttothepublicgin’rally，andtoFerrersandhisganginpartickler。WeSAIDPetalumey，butifyougotoMadronoCottage，SanRafael，you’llfindRoseythar。\"
IfMr。RenshawrequiredanythingmoretoconvincehimofthenecessityofcomingtosomeunderstandingwithRoseyatonceitwouldhavebeenthislastevidenceofherfather’sutterlydarkandsupremelyinscrutabledesigns。Heassentedquickly，andNotthandedhimanote。
\"Ye’llbeparticklertogivethisinterherownhands，andwaitforananswer，\"saidNottgravely。
Resistingthepropositiontoenterthenandthereintoanelaboratecalculationofthevalueofhistimeandtheexpensesofthetrip，Renshawfoundhimselfatseveno’clockontheSanRafaelboat。
BriefaswasthejourneyitgavehimtimetoreflectuponhiscominginterviewwithRosey。Hehadresolvedtobeginbyconfessingall;theattemptoflastnighthadreleasedhimfromanysenseofdutytoSleight。Besides，hedidnotdoubtthatNott’slettercontainedsomereferencetothisaffaironlyknowntoNott’sdarkandtortuousintelligence。
VIII
MadronoCottagelayattheentranceofalittlecanadaalreadygreenwiththeearlywinterrains，andnestledinathicketoftheharlequinpaintedtreesthatgaveitaname。TheyoungmanwasalittlerelievedtofindthatRoseyhadgonetothepost-officeamileaway，andthathewouldprobablyovertakeherormeetherreturning——alone。Theroad——littlemorethanatrail——woundalongthecrestofthehilllookingacrossthecanadatothelong，dark，heavily-woodedflankofMountTamalpaisthatrosefromthevalleyadozenmilesaway。Acessationofthewarmrain，ariftinthesky，andtherarespectacleofcloudscenery，combinedwithacertainsenseoffreedom，restoredthatlightheartedgayetythatbecamehimmost。AtasuddenturnoftheroadhecaughtsightofRosey’sfigurecomingtowardshim，andquickenedhisstepwiththeimpulsivenessofaboy。Butshesuddenlydisappeared，andwhenheagainsawhershewasontheothersideofthetrailapparentlypickingtheleavesofamanzanita。Shehadalreadyseenhim。
Somehowthefranknessofhisgreetingwaschecked。Shelookedupathimwithcheeksthatretainedenoughoftheircolortosuggestwhyshehadhesitated，andsaid，\"YOUhere，Mr。Renshaw？IthoughtyouwereinSacramento。\"
\"AndIthoughtYOUwereinPetaluma，\"heretortedgayly。\"Ihavealetterfromyourfather。Thefactis，oneofthosegentlemenwhohasbeenhauntingtheshipactuallymadeanentrylastnight。Whohewas，andwhathecamefor，nobodyknows。Perhapsyourfathergivesyouhissuspicions。\"Hecouldnothelplookingathernarrowlyashehandedherthenote。Exceptthatherprettyeyebrowswereslightlyraisedincuriositysheseemedundisturbedassheopenedtheletter。Presentlysheraisedhereyestohis。
\"Isthisallfathergaveyou？\"
\"All。\"
\"You’resureyouhaven’tdroppedanything？\"
\"Nothing。Ihavegivenyouallhegaveme。\"
\"Andthatisallitis。\"Sheexhibitedthemissive，aperfectlyblanksheetofpaperfoldedlikeanote！
Renshawfelttheangrybloodglowinhischeeks。\"Thisisunpardonable！Iassureyou，MissNott，theremustbesomemistake。
Hehimselfhasprobablyforgottentheinclosure，\"hecontinued，yetwithaninwardconvictionthattheactwasperfectlypremeditatedonthepartoftheoldman。
Theyounggirlheldoutherhandfrankly。\"Don’tthinkanymoreofit，Mr。Renshaw。Fatherisforgetfulattimes。Buttellmeaboutlastnight。\"
InafewwordsMr。RenshawbrieflybutplainlyrelatedthedetailsoftheattemptuponthePontiac，fromthemomentthathehadbeenawakenedbyNott，tohisdiscoveryoftheunknowntrespasser’sflightbytheopendoortotheloft。Whenhehadfinished，hehesitated，andthentakingRosey’shand，saidimpulsively，\"YouwillnotbeangrywithmeifItellyouall？YourfatherfirmlybelievesthattheattemptwasmadebytheoldFrenchman，deFerrieres，withaviewofcarryingyouoff。\"
Adozenreasonsotherthantheoneherfatherwouldhaveattributedittomighthavecalledthebloodtoherface。Butonlyinnocencecouldhavebroughtthelookofastonishedindignationtohereyesassheansweredquickly：
\"SoTHATwaswhatyouwerelaughingat？\"
\"Notthat，MissNott，\"saidtheyoungmaneagerly：\"thoughIwishtoGodIcouldaccusemyselfofnothingmoredisloyal。Donotspeak，Ibeg，\"headdedimpatiently，asRoseywasabouttoreply。
\"Ihavenorighttohearyou;IhavenorighttoevenstandinyourpresenceuntilIhaveconfessedeverything。IcametothePontiac;
Imadeyouracquaintance，MissNott，throughafraudaswickedasanythingyourfatherchargestodeFerrieres。Iamnotacontractor。IneverwasanhonestlodgerinthePontiac。Iwassimplyaspy。\"
\"Butyoudidn’tmeantobe——itwassomemistake，wasn’tit？\"saidRosey，quitewhite，butmorefromsympathywiththeoffender’semotionthanhorrorattheoffense。
\"IamafraidIdidmeanit。Butbearwithmeforafewmomentslongerandyoushallknowall。It’salongstory。Willyouwalkon，and——takemyarm？Youdonotshrinkfromme，MissNott。Thankyou。Iscarcelydeservethekindness。\"
IndeedsolittledidRoseyshrinkthathewasconsciousofaslightreassuringpressureonhisarmastheymovedforward，andforthemomentIfeartheyoungmanfeltlikeexaggeratinghisoffenseforthesakeofproportionatesympathy。\"Doyouremember，\"hecontinued，\"oneeveningwhenItoldyousomeseatales，yousaidyoualwaysthoughttheremustbesomestoryaboutthePontiac？
TherewasastoryofthePontiac，MissNott——awickedstory——aterriblestory——whichImighthavetoldyou，whichIOUGHTtohavetoldyou——whichwasthestorythatbroughtmethere。Youwereright，too，insayingthatyouthoughtIhadknownthePontiacbeforeIsteppedfirstonherdeckthatday。Ihad。\"
HelaidhisdisengagedhandacrosslightlyonRosey’s，asiftoassurehimselfthatshewaslistening。
\"Iwasatthattimeasailor。Ihadbeenfoolenoughtorunawayfromcollege，thinkingitafineromanticthingtoshipbeforethemastforavoyageroundtheworld。Iwasalittledisappointed，perhaps，butImadethebestofit，andintwoyearsIwassecondmateofawhalerlyinginalittleharborofoneoftheuncivilizedislandsofthePacific。WhilewewereatanchorthereaFrenchtradingvesselputin，apparentlyforwater。ShehadthedregsofamixedcrewofLascarsandPortuguese，whosaidtheyhadlosttherestoftheirmenbydesertion，andthatthecaptainandmatehadbeencarriedoffbyfever。Therewassomethingsoqueerintheirstorythatourskippertookthelawinhisownhands，andputmeonboardofherwithasalvagecrew。ButthatnighttheFrenchcrewmutinied，cutthecables，andwouldhavegottoseaifwehadnotbeenarmedandprepared，andmanagedtodrivethembelow。Whenwehadgotthemunderhatchesforafewhourstheyparleyed，andofferedtogoquietlyashore。Aswewereshortofhandsandunabletotakethemwithus，andaswehadnoevidenceagainstthem，weletthemgo，tooktheshiptoCallao，turnedherovertotheauthorities，lodgedaclaimforsalvage，andcontinuedourvoyage。
Whenwereturnedwefoundthetruthofthestorywasknown。ShehadbeenaFrenchtraderfromMarseilles，ownedbyhercaptain;hercrewhadmutiniedinthePacific，killedtheirofficersandtheonlypassenger——theownerofthecargo。TheyhadmadeawaywiththecargoandatreasureofnearlyhalfamillionofSpanishgoldfortradingpurposeswhichbelongedtothepassenger。IncourseoftimetheshipwassoldforsalvageandputintotheSouthAmericantradeuntilthebreakingoutoftheCaliforniangoldexcitement，whenshewassentwithacargotoSanFrancisco。ThatshipwasthePontiacwhichyourfatherbought。\"
Aslightshudderranthroughthegirl’sframe。\"Iwish——Iwishyouhadn’ttoldme，\"shesaid。\"Ishallneverclosemyeyesagaincomfortablyonboardofher，Iknow。\"
\"IwouldsaythatyouhadpurifiedherofALLstainsofherpast——
buttheremaybeonethatremains。AndTHATinmostpeople’seyeswouldbenodetraction。Youlookpuzzled，MissNott——butIamcomingtotheexplanationandtheendofmystory。Ashipofwarwassenttotheislandtopunishthemutineersandpirates，forsuchtheywere，buttheycouldnotbefound。Aprivateexpeditionwassenttodiscoverthetreasurewhichtheyweresupposedtohaveburied，butinvain。AbouttwomonthsagoMr。SleighttoldmeoneofhisshipmateshadsenthimaLascarsailorwhohadtodisposeofavaluablesecretregardingthePontiacforapercentage。ThatsecretwasthatthetreasurewasnevertakenbythemutineersoutofthePontiac！Theywereabouttolandandburyitwhenweboardedthem。TheytookadvantageoftheirimprisonmentunderhatchestoBURYITINTHESHIP。TheyhiditintheholdsosecurelyandsafelythatitwasneverdetectedbyusortheCallaoauthorities。Iwasthenasked，asonewhoknewthevessel，toundertakeaprivateexaminationofher，withaviewofpurchasingherfromyourfatherwithoutawakeninghissuspicions。Iassented。
Youhavemyconfessionnow，MissNott。Youknowmycrime。Iamatyourmercy。\"
Rosey’sarmonlytightenedaroundhisown。Hereyessoughthis。
\"Andyoudidn’tfindanything？\"shesaid。
ThequestionsoundedsooddlylikeSleight’s，thatRenshawreturnedalittlestiffly——
\"Ididn’tlook。\"
\"Why？\"askedRoseysimply。
\"Because，\"stammeredRenshaw，withanuneasyconsciousnessofhavingexaggeratedhissentiment，\"itdidn’tseemhonorable;itdidn’tseemfairtoyou。\"
\"Oh，yousilly！youmighthavelookedandtoldME。\"
\"But，\"saidRenshaw，\"doyouthinkthatwouldhavebeenfairtoSleight？\"
\"Asfairtohimastous。For，don’tyousee，itwouldn’tbelongtoanyofus。Itwouldbelongtothefriendsorthefamilyofthemanwholostit。\"
\"Buttherewerenoheirs，\"saidRenshaw。\"Thatwasprovedbysomeimpostorwhopretendedtobehisbrother，andlibelledthePontiacatCallao，butthecourtsdecidedhewasalunatic。\"
\"Thenitbelongstothepoorpirateswhoriskedtheirownlivesforit，ratherthantoSleight，whodidnothing。\"Shewassilentforamoment，andthenresumedwithenergy，\"Ibelievehewasatthebottomofthatattacklastnight。\"
\"Ihavethoughtsotoo，\"saidRenshaw。
\"ThenImustgobackatonce，\"shecontinuedimpulsively。\"Fathermustnotbeleftalone。\"
\"NormustYOU，\"saidRenshaw，quickly。\"Doletmereturnwithyou，andsharewithyouandyourfatherthetroubleIhavebroughtuponyou。Donot，\"headdedinalowertone，\"deprivemeoftheonlychanceofexpiatingmyoffense，ofmakingmyselfworthyyourforgiveness。\"
\"Iamsure，\"saidRosey，loweringherlidsandhalfwithdrawingherarm，\"IamsureIhavenothingtoforgive。Youdidnotbelievethetreasurebelongedtousanymorethantoanybodyelse，untilyouknewME——\"
\"Thatistrue，\"saidtheyoungman，attemptingtotakeherhand。
\"Imean，\"saidRosey，blushing，andshowingadistractingrowoflittleteethinoneofherinfrequentlaughs，\"oh，youknowwhatI
mean。\"Shewithdrewherarmgently，andbecameinterestedintheselectionofcertainwaysidebayleavesastheypassedalong。\"Allthesame，Idon’tbelieveinthistreasure，\"shesaidabruptly，asiftochangethesubject。\"Idon’tbelieveiteverwashiddeninsidethePontiac。\"
\"Thatcaneasilybeascertainednow，\"saidRenshaw。
\"Butit’sapityyoudidn’tfinditoutwhileyouwereaboutit，\"
saidRosey。\"Itwouldhavesavedsomuchtalkandtrouble。\"
\"IhavetoldyouwhyIdidn’tsearchtheship，\"respondedRenshaw，withaslightbitterness。\"ButitseemsIcouldonlyavoidbeingagreatrascalbybecomingagreatfool。\"
\"Youneverintendedtobearascal，\"saidRosey，earnestly，\"andyoucouldn’tbeafool，exceptinheedingwhatasillygirlsays。
Ionlymeantifyouhadtakenmeintoyourconfidenceitwouldhavebeenbetter。\"
\"MightInotsaythesametoyouregardingyourfriend，theoldFrenchman？\"returnedRenshaw。\"WhatifIweretoconfesstoyouthatIlatelysuspectedhimofknowingthesecret，andoftryingtogainyourassistance？\"
Insteadofindignantlyrepudiatingthesuggestion，totheyoungman’sgreatdiscomfiture，Roseyonlyknitherprettybrows，andremainedforsomeminutessilent。Presentlysheaskedtimidly，——
\"Doyouthinkitwrongtotellanotherperson’ssecretfortheirowngood？\"
\"No，\"saidRenshaw，promptly。
\"ThenI’lltellyouMonsieurdeFerrieres’s！ButonlybecauseI
believefromwhatyouhavejustsaidthathewillturnouttohavesomerighttothetreasure。\"
Thenwithkindlingeyes，andavoiceeloquentwithsympathy，RoseytoldthestoryofheraccidentaldiscoveryofdeFerrieres’smiserableexistenceintheloft。Clothingitwiththeunconsciouspoetryofherfresh，youngimagination，shelightlypassedoverhisantiquegallantryandgrotesqueweakness，exaltingonlyhislonelysufferingsandmysteriouswrongs。Renshawlistened，lostbetweenshameforhislatesuspicionsandadmirationforherthoughtfuldelicacy，untilshebegantospeakofdeFerrieres’sstrangeallusionstotheforeignpapersinhisportmanteau。\"Ithinksomewerelawpapers，andIamalmostcertainIsawthewordCallaoprintedononeofthem。\"
\"Itmaybeso，\"saidRenshaw，thoughtfully。\"TheoldFrenchmanhasalwayspassedforaharmless，wanderingeccentric。Ihardlythinkpubliccuriosityhaseverevensoughttoknowhisname，muchlesshishistory。ButhadwenotbetterfirsttrytofindifthereIS
anypropertybeforeweexaminehisclaimstoit？\"
\"Asyouplease，\"saidRosey，withaslightpout;\"butyouwillfinditmucheasiertodiscoverhimthanhistreasure。It’salwayseasiertofindthethingyou’renotlookingfor。\"
\"Untilyouwantit，\"saidRenshaw，withsuddengravity。
\"Howprettyitlooksoverthere，\"saidRosey，turningherconsciouseyestotheoppositemountain。
\"Very。\"
Theyhadreachedthetopofthehill，andintheneardistancethechimneyofMadronoCottagewasevennowvisible。Attheexpectedsighttheyunconsciouslystopped——unconsciouslydisappointed。
Roseybroketheembarrassingsilence。
\"There’sanotherwayhome，butit’saroundaboutway，\"shesaidtimidly。
\"Letustakeit，\"saidRenshaw。
Shehesitated。\"Theboatgoesatfour，andwemustreturnto-
night。\"
\"Themorereasonwhyweshouldmakethemostofourtimenow，\"saidRenshawwithafaintsmile。\"To-morrowallthingsmaybechanged;
to-morrowyoumayfindyourselfanheiress，MissNott。To-morrow，\"
headded，withaslighttremorinhisvoice，\"Imayhaveearnedyourforgiveness，onlytosayfarewelltoyouforever。Letmekeepthissunshine，thispicture，thiscompanionshipwithyoulongenoughtosaynowwhatperhapsImustnotsayto-morrow。\"
Theyweresilentforamoment，andthenbyacommoninstinctturnedtogetherintoanarrowtrail，scarcewideenoughfortwo，thatdivergedfromthestraightpracticalpathbeforethem。Itwasindeedaroundaboutwayhome，soroundabout，infact，thatastheywanderedonitseemedeventodoubleonitstrack，occasionallylingeringlongandbecomingindistinctundertheshadowofmadronoandwillow;atonetimestoppingblindlybeforeafallentreeinthehollow，wheretheyhadquitelostit，andhadtositdowntorecallit;aroughway，oftenrequiringthemutualhelpofeachother’shandsandeyestotreadtogetherinsecurity;anuncertainway，nottobefoundwithoutwhisperedconsultationandconcession，andyetawayeventuallybringingthemhandinhand，happyandhopeful，tothegateofMadronoCottage。AndiftherewasonlyjusttimeforRoseytopreparetotaketheboat，itwasduetothedeviousnessoftheway。IfastraycurlwaslyinglooseonRosey’scheek，andalonghairhadcaughtinRenshaw’sbutton，itwasowingtotheroughnessoftheway;andifinthetonesoftheirvoicesandintheglancesoftheireyestherewasamaturerseriousness，itwasduetothedimuncertaintyofthepaththeyhadtraveled，andwouldhereaftertreadtogether。
IX
WhenMr。NotthadsatisfiedhimselfofRenshaw’sdeparture，hecoollyboltedthedoorattheheadofthecompanionway，thuscuttingoffanycommunicationwiththelowerdeck。Takingalongriflefromtherackabovehisberth，hecarefullyexaminedthehammerandcap，andthencautiouslylethimselfdownthroughtheforehatchtothedeckbelow。Afteradeliberatesurveyofthestillintactfasteningsofthehatchovertheforehold，heproceededquietlytounloosethemagainwiththeaidofthetoolsthatstilllaythere。Whenthehatchwasoncemorefreeheliftedit，and，withdrawingafewfeetfromtheopening，sathimselfdown，rifleinhand。Aprofoundsilencereignedthroughoutthelowerdeck。
\"Yekinrizeupouto’that，\"saidNottgently。
Therewasastealthyrustlebelowthatseemedtoapproachthehatch，andthenwithasuddenboundtheLascarleapedonthedeck。
ButatthesameinstantNottcoveredhimwithhisrifle。Aslightshadeofdisappointmentandsurprisehadcrossedtheoldman’sface，andcloudedhissmallroundeyesattheapparitionoftheLascar，buthishandwasnonethelessfirmuponthetriggerasthefrightenedprisonersankonhisknees，withhishandsclaspedintheattitudeofsupplicationformercy。
\"Efyou’rethinkin’o’skippin’aforeI’vedonewithyer，\"saidNottwithlaboredgentleness，\"Ioughterwarnyethatit’smystyletodropInjinsattwohundredyards，andthisdeckain’tanywheremor’nfifty。It’sanuncomfortablestyle，anastystyle——butit’sMYstyle。IthoughtI’dtellyer，soyercouldtakeiteasywhereyouair。Where’sFerrers？\"
Evenintheman’sinsaneterror，hisutterbewildermentatthequestionwasevident。\"Ferrers？\"hegasped;\"don’tknowhim，I
sweartoGod，boss。\"
\"P’r’aps，\"saidNott，withinfinitecunning，\"yerdon’tknowthemanezkemintotheloftfromthealleylastnight——p’r’apsyerdidn’tseeanairyFrenchmanwithadyedmoustache，eh？Ithoughtthatwouldfetchye！\"hecontinued，asthemanstartedattheevidencethathisvisionoflastnightwasalivingman。\"P’r’apsyouandhimdidn’tbreakintothisshiplastnight，jisttorunoffwithmydarterRosey？P’r’apsyerdon’tknowRosey，eh？P’r’apsyerdon’tknowezFerrerswantstomarryher，andhezbeenhangin’
roundyereversinceheleft——eh？\"
Scarcelybelievingtheevidenceofhissensesthattheoldmanwhosetreasurehehadbeentryingtostealwasutterlyignorantofhisrealoffense，andyetuncertainofthepenaltyoftheothercrimeofwhichhewasaccused，theLascarwrithedhisbodyandstammeredvaguely，\"Mercy！Mercy！\"
\"Well，\"saidNott，cautiously，\"ezIreckonthehideofadeadChineeniggerain’tanymorevallyblethanthatofadeadInjin，I
don’tcareefIletuponyer——seein’thecussednessain’tyours。
ButefIletyeroffthisonce，youmusttakeamessagetoFerrersfromme。\"
\"Letmeoffthistime，boss，andIsweartoGodIwill，\"saidtheLascareagerly。
\"YekinsaytoFerrers——letmesee——\"deliberatedNott，leaningonhisriflewithcautiousreflection。\"YekinsaytoFerrerslikethis——sezyou，’Ferrers，’sezyou，’theoldmansezthataforeyouwentawayyouseztohim，sezyou，\"Itakemyhonorwithme，\"sezyou’——haveyougotthat？\"interruptedNottsuddenly。
\"Yes，boss。\"
\"’Itakemyhonorwithme，’sezyou，\"repeatedNottslowly。
\"’Now，’sezyou——’theoldmansez，sezhe——tellFerrers，sezhe，thathishonorhavin’runawayagin，hesendsitbacktohim，andefheeverketchesitaroundafterthis，he’llshootitonsight。’
Hevyergotthat？\"
\"Yes，\"stammeredthebewilderedcaptive。
\"Thengit！\"
TheLascarsprangtohisfeetwiththeagilityofapanther，leapedthroughthehatchabovehim，anddisappearedoverthebowoftheshipwithanunhesitatingdirectnessthatshowedthateveryavenueofescapehadbeenalreadycontemplatedbyhim。Slippinglightlyfromthecutwatertotheground，hecontinuedhisflight，onlystoppingattheprivateofficeofMr。Sleight。
WhenMr。RenshawandRoseyNottarrivedonboardthePontiacthatevening，theywereastonishedtofindthepassagebeforethecabincompletelyoccupiedwithtrunksandboxes，andthebulkoftheirhouseholdgoodsapparentlyintheprocessofremoval。Mr。Nott，whowassuperintendingtheworkoftwoChinamen，betrayednotonlynosurpriseattheappearanceoftheyoungpeople，butnottheremotestrecognitionoftheirownbewildermentathisoccupation。
\"Kalkilatin’，\"heremarkedcasuallytohisdaughter，\"you’dratherlookarteryourfixin’s，Rosey，I’veleft’emtillthelast。
P’r’apsyerandMr。Renshawwouldn’tmindsittin’downonthatlockeruntilI’vestrappedthisyerbox。\"
\"Butwhatdoesitallmean，father？\"saidRosey，takingtheoldmanbythelapelsofhissea-jacket，andslightlyemphasizingherquestion。\"Whatinthenameofgoodnessareyoudoing？\"
\"Breakin’camp，Roseydear，breakin’camp，jistezweuster，\"
repliedNottwithcheerfulphilosophy。\"Kinderlikeoldtimes，ain’tit？Lord，Rosey，\"hecontinued，stoppingandfollowingupthereminiscence，withtheendoftheropeinhishandasifitwereaclue，\"don’tyemindthatdaywestartedouterLivermorePass，andseedthehullo’theCalifornycoaststretchin’yonder——
eh？Butdon’tyebeskeered，Roseydear，\"headdedquickly，asifinrecognitionofthealarmexpressedinherface。\"Iain’tturningyeouterhouseandhome;I’vejisthiredthat’ereMadronoCottagefromthePetersontilwekinlookround。\"
\"Butyou’renotleavingtheship，father，\"continuedRosey，impetuously。\"Youhaven’tsoldittothatmanSleight？\"
Mr。Nottroseandcarefullyclosedthecabindoor。Thendrawingalargewalletfromhispocket，hesaid，\"It’ssing’laryeshouldhevgotthenamerightthefirstpop，ain’tit，Rosey？butit’sSleight，sureenough，allthetime。Thisyercheck，\"headded，producingapaperfromthedepthsofthewallet，\"thisyercheckfor25，000dollarsiswothepaidforitonlytwohoursago。\"
\"But，\"saidRenshaw，springingtohisfeetfuriously，\"you’reduped，swindled——betrayed！\"
\"Youngman，\"saidNott，throwingacertaindignityintohishabitualgestureofplacinghishandsonRenshaw’sshoulders，\"I
boughtthisyershipfiveyearsagojistezshestoodfor8，000
dollars。Kalkilatin’wotshecostmeinrepairsandtaxes，andwotshebroughtmeinsincethen，accordin’tomyfiggerin’，Idon’tcallaclearprofitof15，000dollarsmuchofaswindle。\"
\"Tellhimall，\"saidRosey，quickly，morealarmedatRenshaw’sdespairingfacethanatthenewsitself。\"Tellhimeverything，Dick——Mr。Renshaw;itmaynotbetoolate。\"
InavoicehalfchokedwithpassionateindignationRenshawhurriedlyrepeatedthestoryofthehiddentreasure，andtheplottorescueit，promptedfrequentlybyRosey’stenaciousmemoryandassistedbyRosey’sdeftandtactfulexplanations。ButtotheirsurprisetheimperturbablecountenanceofAbnerNottneveraltered;
aslightmoistureofkindlypaternaltoleranceoftheirextravaganceglistenedinhislittleeyes，butnothingmore。
\"Eftherewasaparto’thisship，aplankoraboltezIdon’tknow，ezIhevn’ttouchedwithmyownhand，andlookedintowithmyowneyes，tharmightbesuthin’inthatstory。Idon’tletontobeasailorlikeYOU，butezIknowtheshipezaboyknowshisfirsthoss，asawomanknowsherfirstbabby，Ireckontharain’tnotreasureyer，onlessitwasbroughtintothePontiaclastnightbythemchaps。\"
\"Butareyoumad！Sleightwouldnotpaythreetimesthevalueoftheshipto-dayifhewerenotpositive！AndthatpositiveknowledgewasgainedlastnightbythevillainwhobrokeintothePontiac——nodoubttheLascar。\"
\"Surely，\"saidNott，meditatively。\"TheLascar！There’ssuthin’
inthat。ThatLascarIfasteneddownintheholdlastnightunbeknownsttoyou，Mr。Renshaw，andlethimoutagainthismorningekallyunbeknownst。\"
\"AndyoulethimcarryhisinformationtoSleight——withoutaword！\"
saidRenshaw，withasickeningsenseofNott’sutterfatuity。
\"Isenthimbackwithamessagetothemanhekemfrom，\"saidNott，winkingbothhiseyesatRenshaw，significantly，andmakingsignsbehindhisdaughter’sback。
Rosey，consciousofherlover’sirritation，andmoreeagertosoothehisimpatiencethanfromanyfaithinhersuggestion，interfered。\"Whynotexaminetheplacewherehewasconcealed？hemayhaveleftsometracesofhissearch。\"
Thetwomenlookedateachother。\"Seem’ezI’veturnedthePontiacovertoSleightjistezitstands，Idon’tknowezit’s’xactlyonthesquare，\"saidNottdoubtfully。
\"You’vearighttoknowatleastWHATyoudelivertohim，\"
interruptedRenshawbrusquely：\"Bringalantern。\"
FollowedbyRosey，RenshawandNotthurriedlysoughtthelowerdeckandtheopenhatchoftheforehold。Thetwomenleapeddownfirstwiththelantern，andthenassistedRoseytodescend。Renshawtookastepforwardandutteredacry。
Theraysofthelanternfellontheship’sside。TheLascarhad，duringhisforcedseclusion，putbacktheboxesoftreasureandreplacedtheplanking，yetnotsocarefullybutthatthequickeyeofRenshawhaddiscoveredit。Thenextmomenthehadstrippedawaytheplankingagain，andthehurriedly-restoredboxwhichtheLascarhadfoundfelltothedeck，scatteringpartofitsringingcontents。Roseyturnedpale;Renshaw’seyesflashedfire;onlyAbnerNottremainedquietandimpassive。
\"Areyousatisfiedyouhavebeenduped？\"saidRenshawpassionately。
TotheirsurpriseMr。Nottstoopeddown，andpickinguponeofthecoinshandeditgravelytoRenshaw。\"Wouldyemindheftin’that’erecoininyourhand——feelin’it，bitin’it，scrapin’itwithaknife，andkinderseein’howitcompareswithothercoins？\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"saidRenshaw。
\"Imeanthatthatyercoin——thatALLthecoinsinthisyerbox，thatallthecoinsinthemotherboxes——andther’sfortyon’em——isallandeveryoneof’emcounterfeits！\"
ThepiecedroppedunconsciouslyfromRenshaw’shand，andstrikinganotherthatlayonthedeckgaveoutadull，suspiciousring。
\"TheywazcounterfeitsgotupbythemDutchsupercargosharpsfordealin’withtheInjinsandcannibalsandSouthSeaheathensezbowsdowntowoodandstone。Ifsatisfiedthemezwellezthembuttonsyeputsinmissionaryboxes，Ireckon，and’ceptingezfreight，don’tcostnothin’。Ifound’emtuckedintheribso’theoldPontiacwhenIboughther，andInailed’emupintharlesttheyshouldfallintodishonesthands。It’saluckything，Mr。
Renshaw，thattheycomesintothehonestfingersofasquaremanlikeSleight——ain’tit？\"
Heturnedhissmall，guilelesseyesuponRenshawwithsuchchild-
likesimplicitythatitcheckedthehystericallaughthatwasrisingtotheyoungman’slips。
\"Butdidanyoneknowofthisbutyourself？\"
\"Ireckonnot。Ioncesuspicionedthatoldcap’enBowers，whowasalwaysfoolin’roundtheholdyer，musthevnoticedthebulgeinthecasin’，butwhenhetooktoaxin’questionsIaxedothers——yeknowmystyle，Rosey？Come。\"
Heledthewaygrimlybacktothecabin，theyoungpeoplefollowing;butturningsuddenlyatthecompanionwayheobservedRenshaw’sarmaroundthewaistofhisdaughter。
Hesaidnothinguntiltheyhadreachedthecabin，whenheclosedthedoorsoftly，andlookingatthembothgently，saidwithinfinitecunning——
\"Efitisn’ttoolate，Rosey，yekintellthisyoungmanezhowI
forgivehimforhavin’diskiveredTHETREASUREofthePontiac。\"……
ItwasnearlyeighteenmonthsafterwardsthatMr。Nottonemorningenteredtheroomofhisson-in-lawatMadronoCottage。Drawinghimaside，hesaidwithhisoldairofmystery，\"NowezRosey’sailin’
anddon’tseemtobesoeagertodiskiverwhat’sbecomeofMr。
Ferrers，Idon’tmindtellin’yethatoverayearagoIheardhediedsuddenlyinSacramento。Tharwassuthin’inthepaperabouthisbein’alunaticandclaimin’tobearelationtosomebodyonthePontiac;butlikeseznotit’sonlythewaythosenewspaperfellowsgotholdofthestoryofhiswantin’tomarryRosey。\"