\"Yeain’tafearedo’theroadagents？\"suggestedabystander;\"theyjustswarmongalloper’sRidge，andthey’heldup’thedownstageonlylastweek。\"
\"They’renotsolivelysincethedeputy-sheriff’sgotanewideaaboutthem，andhasbeenlyinglowinthebrushnearBaldTop，\"
returnedSkinner。\"Anyhow，theydon’tstopteamsnor’packs’
unlessthere’sachanceoftheirgettingsomefancyhorsefleshbyit;andIreckontharain’tmuchtotemptthemthar，\"headded，withasatiricalsideglanceathiscustomer’scattle。ButKeywasalreadystandingintheexpress-wagon，givingafarewellshaketohispatientcompanion’shand，andthisingenuouspleasantrypassedunnoticed。Nevertheless，astheexpress-wagonrolledaway，hisactivefancybegantoconsiderthisnewdangerthatmightthreatenthehiddenwealthofhisclaim。Buthereflectedthatforatime，atleast，onlythecrudeorewouldbetakenoutandshippedtoMarysvilleinashapethatofferednoprofittothehighwaymen。
Haditbeenagoldmine！——buthereagainwastheinterpositionofProvidence！
AweeklaterPrebleKeyreturnedtoSkinner’swithaforemanandtenmen，andanunlimitedcredittodrawuponatMarysville！
ExpeditionsofthiskindcreatednosurpriseatSkinner’s。Partieshadbeforethisenteredthewildernessgayly，noneknewwhereorwhatfor;thesedateandsilentwoodshadkepttheirsecretwhilethere;theyhadevaporated，noneknewwhenorwhere——often，alas！
withanunpaidaccountatSkinner’s。Consequently，therewasnothinginKey’spartytochallengecuriosity。Inanotherweekarambling，one-storiedshedofpinelogsoccupiedthesiteofthemysteriousruins，andcontainedtheparty;intwoweeksexcavationshadbeenmade，andthewholefaceoftheoutcropwasexposed;inthreeweekseveryvestigeofformertenancywhichthefirehadnotconsumedwastrampledoutbythealienfeetofthesetoilersofthe\"SylvanSilverHollowCompany。\"NoneofKey’sformercompanionswouldhaverecognizedthehollowinitsblackenedlevelingandrockyfoundation;evenCollinsonwouldnothaverememberedthisstrippedandsplinteredrock，withitsheapsoffreshdebris，astheplacewherehehadovertakenKey。AndKeyhimselfhadforgotten，inhistriumph，everythingbutthechanceexperimentthathadledtohissuccess。
Perhapsitwaswell，therefore，thatonenight，whenthedarknesshadmercifullyfallenuponthissceneofsylvandesolation，anditsstillmoreincongruousandunsavoryhumanrestoration，andthelowmurmurofthepinesoccasionallyswelledupfromtheunscathedmountain-side，aloudshoutandthetramplingofhorses’feetawokethedwellersintheshanty。Springingtotheirfeet，theyhurriedlyseizedtheirweaponsandrushedout，onlytobeconfrontedbyadark，motionlessringofhorsemen，twoflamingtorchesofpineknots，andalowbutdistinctvoiceofauthority。
Intheirexcitement，half-awakenedsuspicion，andconfusion，theywereaffectedbyitsnoteofcalmpreparationandconsciouspower。
\"Dropthoseguns——holdupyourhands！We’vegoteverymanofyoucovered。\"
Keywasnocoward;themen，thoughflustered，werenotcravens：buttheyobeyed。\"Trotoutyourleader！Lethimstandoutthere，clear，besidethattorch！\"
Oneofthegleamingpineknotsdisengageditselffromthedarkcircleandmovedtothecentre，asPrebleKey，coolandconfident，steppedbesideit。
\"Thatwilldo，\"saidtheimmutablevoice。\"Now，wewantJackRiggs，SydneyJack，FrenchPete，andOne-eyedCharley。\"
Avividreminiscenceoftheformernightsceneinthehollow——ofhisownandhiscompanionsvoicesraisedinthedarkness——flashedacrossKey。Withaninstinctivepremonitionthatthisinvasionhadsomethingtodowiththeformertenant，hesaidcalmly：——
\"Whowantsthem？\"
\"TheStateofCalifornia，\"saidthevoice。
\"TheStateofCaliforniamustlookfurther，\"returnedKeyinhisoldpleasantvoice;\"therearenosuchnamesamongmyparty。\"
\"Whoareyou？\"
\"Themanagerofthe’SylvanSilverHollowCompany，’andthesearemyworkmen。
Therewasahurriedmovement，andthesoundofwhisperinginthehithertodarkandsilentcircle，andthenthevoiceroseagain：
\"Youhavethepaperstoprovethat？\"
\"Yes，inthecabin。Andyou？\"
\"I’veawarranttothesheriffofSierra。\"
Therewasapause，andthevoicewentonlessconfidently：——
\"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？\"
\"Threeweeks。Icameherethedayofthefireandtookupthisclaim。\"
\"Therewasnootherhousehere？\"
\"Therewereruins，——youcanseethemstill。Itmayhavebeenaburnt-upcabin。\"
Thevoicedisengageditselffromthevaguebackgroundandcameslowlyforwards：——
\"Itwasadenofthieves。Itwasthehiding-placeofJackRiggsandhisgangofroadagents。I’vebeenhuntingthisspotforthreeweeks。Andnowthewholething’sup！\"
TherewasalaughfromKey’smen，butitwascheckedastheownerofthevoiceslowlyrangedupbesidetheburningtorchandtheysawhisface。Itwasdarkandsetwiththedefeatofabraveman。
\"Won’tyoucomeinandtakesomething？\"saidKeykindly。
\"No。It’senoughfoolworkformetohaveroutedyeoutalready。
ButIsupposeit’sallinmyd——dday’swork！Good-night！Forwardthere！Get！\"
Thetwotorchesdancedforwards，withthetrailingoffofvagueshadowsindimprocession;therewasaclatterovertherocksandtheyweregone。Then，asPrebleKeygazedafterthem，hefeltthatwiththemhadpassedtheonlyshadowthatlayuponhisgreatfortune;andwiththelasttenantofthehollowaproscribedoutlawandfugitive，hewashenceforthforeversafeinhisclaimandhisdiscovery。Andyet，oddlyenough，atthatmoment，asheturnedaway，forthefirsttimeinthreeweekstherepassedbeforehisfancywithastirringofreproachavisionofthefacethathehadseenatthewindow。
CHAPTERIII。
OfthegreatdiscoveryinSylvanSilverHollowitwouldseemthatCollinsonasyetknewnothing。InspiteofKey’sfearsthathemightstraythereonhisreturnfromSkinner’s，hedidnot，nordidheafterwardsrevisitthelocality。NeitherthenewsoftheregistryoftheclaimnorthearrivalofKey’sworkmeneverreachedhim。ThefewtravelerswhopassedhismillcamefromthevalleytocrosstheDivideontheirwaytoSkinner’s，andreturnedbythelongerbuteasierdetourofthestage-roadoverGalloper’sRidge。
Hehadnochancetoparticipateintheprosperitythatflowedfromtheopeningofthemine，whichplentifullybesprinkledSkinner’ssettlement;hewastoofarawaytoprofitevenbythechancecustomofKey’sSabbathwanderingworkmen。Hisisolationfromcivilization（forthosewhocametohimfromthevalleywererudeWesternemigrantslikehimself）remainedundisturbed。Thereturnoftheprospectingpartytohishumblehospitalitythatnighthadbeenanexceptionalcase;inhischaracteristicsimplicityhedidnotdreamthatitwasbecausetheyhadnowhereelsetogointheirpennilesscondition。Itwasanincidenttobepleasantlyremembered，butwhosenonrecurrencedidnotdisturbhisinfinitepatience。Hisporkbarrelandfloursackhadbeenreplenishedforothertravelers;hisownwantswerefew。
ItwasadayortwoafterthemidnightvisitofthesherifftoSilverHollowthatKeygallopeddownthesteepgradetoCollinson’s。Hewasamused，albeit，inhisnewimportance，alittleaggrievedalso，tofindthatCollinsonhadasusualconfoundedhisdescentwiththatofthegenerallydetachedboulder，andthathewasobligedtoaddhisvoicetothegeneraluproar。
ThisbroughtCollinsontohisdoor。
\"I’vehadyourhosshobbledoutamongthechickweedandcloverinthegreenpasturebacko’themill，andhe’spickedupthatmuchthathe’slookin’fatandsassy，\"hesaidquietly，beginningtomechanicallyunstrapKey’sbridle，evenwhilehisguestwasintheactofdismounting。\"Hisback’squitehealedup。\"
Keycouldnotrestrainashrugofimpatience。Itwasthreeweekssincetheyhadmet，——threeweekscrammedwithexcitement，energy，achievement，andfortunetoKey;andyetthisplaceandthismanwereasstupidlyunchangedaswhenhehadleftthem。Amomentaryfancythatthiswasthereality，thathehimselfwasonlyawakeningfromsomedelusivedream，cameoverhim。ButCollinson’snextwordswerepractical。
\"Ireckonedthatmaybeyou’dwritefromMarysvilletoSkinnertosendforthehoss，andforwardhimtoye，forIneverkalkilatedyou’dcomeback。\"
ItwasquiteplainfromthisthatCollinsonhadheardnothing。Butitwasalsoawkward，asKeywouldnowhavetotellthewholestory，andrevealthefactthathehadbeenreallyexperimentingwhenCollinsonovertookhiminthehollow。Heevadedthisbypost-
datinghisdiscoveryoftherichnessoftheoreuntilhehadreachedMarysville。Buthefoundsomedifficultyinrecountinghisgoodfortune：hewasnaturallynoboaster，hehadnodesiretoimpressCollinsonwithhispenetration，northeundauntedenergyhehaddisplayedingettinguphiscompanyandopeningthemine，sothathewasactuallyembarrassedbyhisownunderstatement;andunderthegrave，patienteyesofhiscompanion，toldhisstoryatbestlamely。Collinson’sfacebetrayedneitherprofoundinterestnortheslightestresentment。WhenKeyhadendedhisawkwardrecital，Collinsonsaidslowly：——
\"ThenUncleDickandthatotherParkerfellerain’tgotnoshowinthisyerfind。\"
\"No，\"saidKeyquickly。\"Don’tyourememberwebrokeupourpartnershipthatmorningandwentoffourownways。Youdon’tsuppose，\"headdedwithaforcedhalf-laugh，\"thatifUncleDickorParkerhadstruckaleadaftertheyleftme，they’dhaveputmeinit？\"
\"Wouldn’tthey？\"askedCollinsongravely。
\"Ofcoursenot。\"Helaughedalittlemorenaturally，butpresentlyadded，withanuneasysmile，\"Whatmakesyouthinktheywould？\"
\"Nuthin’！\"saidCollinsonpromptly。
Nevertheless，whentheywereseatedbeforethefire，withglassesintheirhands，Collinsonreturnedpatientlytothesubject：
\"Youwuzsayingtheywenttheirway，andyouwentyours。Butyourwaywasbackontheoldwaythatyou’dallgonetogether。\"
ButKeyfelthimselfonfirmergroundhere，andanswereddeliberatelyandtruthfully，\"Yes，butIonlywentbacktothehollowtosatisfymyselfiftherereallywasanyhousethere，andiftherewas，towarntheoccupantsoftheapproachingfire。\"
\"Andtherewasahousethere，\"saidCollinsonthoughtfully。
\"Onlytheruins。\"Hestoppedandflushedquickly，forherememberedthathehaddenieditsexistenceattheirformermeeting。\"Thatis，\"hewentonhurriedly，\"Ifoundoutfromthesheriff，youknow，thattherehadbeenahousethere。But，\"headded，revertingtohisstrongerposition，\"mygoingbacktherewasanaccident，andmypickinguptheoutcropwasanaccident，andhadnomoretodowithourpartnershipprospectingthanyouhad。Infact，\"hesaid，withareassuringlaugh，\"you’dhavehadabetterrighttoshareinmyclaim，comingthereasyoudidatthatmoment，thanthey。Why，ifI’dhaveknownwhatthethingwasworth，I
mighthaveputyouin——onlyitwantedcapitalandsomeexperience。\"
Hewasgladthathehadpitcheduponthatexcuse（ithadonlyjustoccurredtohim），andglancedaffablyatCollinson。Butthatgentlemansaidsoberly：——
\"No，youwouldn’tnuther。\"
\"Whynot？\"saidKeyhalfangrily。
Collinsonpaused。Afteramomenthesaid，\"’CosIwouldn’thevtookanythingouterthetplace。\"
Keyfeltrelieved。FromwhatheknewofCollinson’svagarieshebelievedhim。Hewaswiseinnotadmittinghimtohisconfidencesatthebeginning;hemighthavethoughtithisdutytotellothers。
\"I’mnotsoparticular，\"hereturnedlaughingly，\"butthesilverinthatholewasnevertouched，norIdaresayevenimaginedbymortalmanbefore。However，thereissomethingelseaboutthehollowthatIwanttotellyou。Youremembertheslipperthatyoupickedup？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，Iliedtoyouaboutthat;Ineverdroppedit。Onthecontrary，Ihadpickedupthemateofitverynearwhereyoufoundyours，andIwantedtoknowtowhomitbelonged。ForIdon’tmindtellingyounow，Collinson，thatIbelievethereWASawomaninthathouse，andthesamewomanwhosefaceIsawatthewindow。Yourememberhowtheboysjokedmeaboutit——well，perhapsIdidn’tcarethatyoushouldlaughatmetoo，butI’vehadasoreconscienceovermylie，forIrememberedthatyouseemedtohavesomeinterestinthemattertoo，andIthoughtthatmaybeImighthavethrownyouoffthescent。Itseemedtomethatifyouhadanyideawhoitwas，wemightnowtalkthematteroverandcomparenotes。Ithinkyousaid——atleast，Igatheredtheideafromaremarkofyours，\"headdedhastily，asherememberedthatthesuggestionwashisown，andasatiricalone——\"thatitremindedyouofyourwife’sslipper。Ofcourse，asyourwifeisdead，thatwouldoffernoclue，andcanonlybeachanceresemblance，unless\"——
Hestopped。
\"Haveyougot’emyet？\"
\"Yes，both。\"Hetookthemfromthepocketofhisriding-jacket。
AsCollinsonreceivedthem，hisfacetookuponitselfanevengraverexpression。\"It’smightycur’ous，\"hesaidreflectively，\"butlookingatthetwoof’emthelikenessismorefetchin’。Yesee，mywifehadaSTRAIGHTfoot，andneverworereg’larrightsandleftslikeotherwomen，butkinderchangedabout;yesee，theseshoesisreg’larrightsandlefts，butneverwaswornassich！\"
\"Theremaybeotherwomenaspeculiar，\"suggestedKey。
\"ThereMUSTbe，\"saidCollinsonquietly。
ForaninstantKeywastouchedwiththemanlysecurityofthereply，for，rememberingUncleDick’sscandal，ithadoccurredtohimthattheunknowntenantoftherobbers’denmightbeCollinson’swife。Hewasgladtoberelievedonthatpoint，andwentonmoreconfidently：——
\"So，yousee，thiswomanwasundoubtedlyinthathouseonthenightofthefire。Sheescaped，andinamightyhurrytoo，forshehadnottimetochangeherslippersforshoes;sheescapedonhorseback，forthatishowshelostthem。Nowwhatwasshedoingtherewiththoserascals，forthefaceIsawlookedasinnocentasasaint’s。\"
\"Seemedtoyesorto’contrairy，jistasIreckonedmywife’sfootwouldhavelookedinaslipperthatyousaidwasGIVtoye，\"
suggestedCollinsonpointedly，butwithnoimplicationofreproachinhisvoice。
\"Yes，\"saidKeyimpatiently。
\"I’vereadyarnsaforenowaboutthemEyetalianbrigandsstealin’
women，\"saidCollinsonreflectively，\"butthatain’tCaliforniaroad-agentstyle。GreatScott！ifoneevensomuchasspoketoawoman，they’dhavebeenwipedoutertheStatelongago。No！thewomanasWAStherecametheretoSTAY！\"
AsKey’sfacedidnotseemtoexpresseitherassentorsatisfactionatthislaststatement，Collinson，afteraglanceatit，wentonwithasomewhatgentlergravity：\"Iseewot’stroublin’YOU，Mr。
Key;you’vebinthinkin’thatmebbeethatpoorwomanmighthevbinthebetterforabito’thatfortin’thatyoudiscoveredundertheveryspotwherethemslippersofhershadoftentrod。You’rethinkin’thatmebbeeitmighthevturnedherandthosemenfromtheirevilways。\"
Mr。Keyhadbeenthinkingnothingofthekind，butforsomeobscurereasontheskepticaljeerthathadrisentohislipsremainedunsaid。Heroseimpatiently。\"Well，thereseemstobenochanceofdiscoveringanythingnow;thehouseisburnt，thegangdispersed，andshehasprobablygonewiththem。\"Hepaused，andthenlaidthreeorfourlargegoldpiecesonthetable。\"It’sforthatoldbillofourparty，Collinson，\"hesaid。\"I’llsettleandcollectfromeach。Sometimewhenyoucomeovertothemine，andI
hopeyou’llgiveusacall，youcanbringthehorse。Meanwhileyoucanusehim;you’llfindhe’salittlequickerthanthemule。Howisbusiness？\"headded，withaperfunctoryglancearoundthevacantroomanddustybar。
\"Tharain’tmuchpassin’thisway，\"saidCollinsonwithequalcarelessness，ashegatheredupthemoney，\"’ceptthoseboysfromthevalley，andthey’remostalwaysstrappedwhentheycomehere。\"
KeysmiledasheobservedthatCollinsonofferedhimnoreceipt，and，moreover，asherememberedthathehadonlyCollinson’swordforthedestructionofParker’sdraft。Buthemerelyglancedathisunconscioushost，andsaidnothing。Afterapausehereturnedinalightertone：\"Isupposeyouareratheroutoftheworldhere。
Indeed，Ihadanideaatfirstofbuyingoutyourmill，Collinson，andputtinginsteampowertogetouttimberforournewbuildings，butyouseeyouaresofarawayfromthewagon-road，thatwecouldn’thaulthetimberaway。Thatwasthetrouble，orI’dhavemadeyouafairoffer。\"
\"Idon’treckontoeversellthemill，\"saidCollinsonsimply。
Thenobservingthelookofsuspicioninhiscompanion’sface，headdedgravely，\"Yousee，IriggedupthewholethingwhenI
expectedmywifeoutfromtheStates，andIcalkilatetokeepitinmemoryofher。\"
Keyslightlyliftedhisbrows。\"Butyounevertoldus，bytheway，HOWyouevercametoputupamillherewithsuchanuncertainwater-supply。\"
\"Itwasn’tonsartinwhenIcamehere，Mr。Key;itwasafull-fedstreamstraightfromthemsnowpeaks。Itwastheearthquakedidit。\"
\"Theearthquake！\"repeatedKey。
\"Yes。Eftheearthquakekinheaveupthatsilver-bearingrockthatyoutoldusaboutthefirstdayyoukemhere，andthatyoufoundt’otherday，itcouldplayrootswithameremill-stream，I
reckon。\"
\"ButtheconvulsionIspokeofhappenedagesonagesago，whenthiswholemountainrangewasbeingfashioned，\"saidKeywithalaugh。
\"Well，thisyerearthquakewastenyearsago，justafterIcame。I
reckonIoughterrememberit。Itwasaqueersorto’dayinthefall，dryandhotasiftharmighthevbinafireinthewoods，onlytharwasn’tnowind。Notabreathofairanywhar。Theleavesofthemaldershungstraightasaplumb-line。Exceptforthattharstreamandthattharwheel，nuthin’moved。Tharwasn’tabirdonthewingoverthatcanyon;tharwasn’tasquirrelskirmishin’inthehullwood;eventhelizardsintherocksstiffenedlikestoneChineseidols。Itkeptgettin’quieterandquieter，ontilIwalkedoutonthatledgeandfeltasifI’dhavetogiveayelljusttohearmyownvoice。Tharwasathinveilovereverything，andbetwixtandbetweeneverything，andthesunwasrootedinthemiddleofitasifitcouldn’tmoveneither。Everythin’seemedtobewaitin’，waitin’，waitin’。Thenallofasuddinsuthin’seemedtogivesomewhar！Suthin’fetchedawaywithaqueersortofrumblin’，asifthepeghadslippedoutercreation。Ilookedupandkalkilatedtoseehalfadozenofthemboulderscome，lickityswitch，downthegrade。But，darnmyskin，ifoneof’emstirred！
andyetwhileIwaslooking，thewholefaceo’thatbluffbowedoversoftly，asifsaying’Good-by，’andgotcleanawaysomewharbeforeIknowedit。Why，youseethatpileaginthesideo’thecanyon！Well，athousandfeetunderthatthere’strees，threehundredfeethigh，stilluprightandstandin’。Youknowhowthempinesoveronthatfarmountain-sidealwaysseemtobeclimbin’up，up，up，overeachother’sheadstotheverytop？Well，Mr。Key，I
SAW’EMclimbin’！AndwhenIpulledmyselftogetherandgotbacktothemill，everythingwasquiet;and，byG——d，sowasthemill-
wheel，andtherewasn’ttwoinchesofwaterintheriver！\"
\"Andwhatdidyouthinkofit？\"saidKey，interestedinspiteofhisimpatience。
\"Ithought，Mr。Key——No！Imustn’tsayIthought，forIknowedit。Iknowedthatsuthin’hadhappenedtomywife！\"
Keydidnotsmile，butevenfeltafaintsuperstitiousthrillashegazedathim。AfterapauseCollinsonresumed：\"Iheardamonthafterthatshehaddiedaboutthattimeo’yallerfeverinTexaswiththepartyshewascomin’with。Herfolkswrotethattheydiedlikeflies，andwuzallburiedtogether，unbeknownstandpromiscuous，andtharwasn’tnoremains。Sheslippedawayfrommelikethatbluffoverthatcanyon，andthatwastheendofit。\"
\"Butshemighthaveescaped，\"saidKeyquickly，forgettinghimselfinhiseagerness。
ButCollinsononlyshookhishead。\"Thenshe’dhavebeenhere，\"hesaidgravely。
Keymovedtowardsthedoorstillabstractedly，heldouthishand，shookthatofhiscompanionwarmly，andthen，saddlinghishorsehimself，departed。Asenseofdisappointment——inwhichavaguedissatisfactionwithhimselfwasmingled——wasallthathadcomeofhisinterview。Hetookhimselfseverelytotaskforfollowinghisromanticquestsofar。ItwasunworthyofthepresidentoftheSylvanSilverHollowCompany，andhewasnotquitesurebutthathisconfidenceswithCollinsonmighthaveimperiledeventheinterestsofthecompany。Toatoneforthismomentaryaberration，andcorrecthisdismalfancies，heresolvedtoattendtosomebusinessatSkinner’sbeforereturning，andbranchedoffonalongdetourthatwouldintersectthetraveledstage-road。Buthereasingularincidentovertookhim。Ashewheeledintotheturnpike，heheardthetramplinghoof-beatsandjinglingharnessoftheoncomingcoachbehindhim。Hehadbarelytimetodrawupagainstthebankbeforethesixgallopinghorsesandswingingvehiclesweptheavilyby。Hehadaquickimpressionoftheheatandsteamofsweatinghorse-hide，thereekofvarnishandleather，andthemomentaryvisionofafemalefacesilhouettedagainsttheglasswindowofthecoach！Buteveninthatflashofperceptionherecognizedtheprofilethathehadseenatthewindowofthemysterioushut！
Hehaltedforaninstantdazedandbewilderedinthedustofthedepartingwheels。Then，asthebulkofthevehiclereappeared，alreadynarrowinginthedistance，withoutasecondthoughthedashedafterit。Hisdisappointment，hisself-criticism，hispracticalresolutionswereforgotten。Hehadbutoneideanow——thevisionwasprovidential！Thecluetothemysterywasbeforehim——
heMUSTfollowit！
Yethehadsenseenoughtorealizethatthecoachwouldnotstoptotakeupapassengerbetweenstations，andthatthenextstationwastheonethreemilesbelowSkinner’s。Itwouldnotbedifficulttoreachthisbyacut-offintime，andalthoughthevehiclehadappearedtobecrowded，hecouldnodoubtobtainaseatontop。
Hiseagercuriosity，however，ledhimtoputspurstohishorse，andrangeupalongsideofthecoachasifpassingit，whileheexaminedthestrangermoreclosely。Herfacewasbentlistlesslyoverabook;therewasunmistakablythesameprofilethathehadseen，butthefullfacewasdifferentinoutlineandexpression。A
strangesenseofdisappointmentthatwasalmostarevulsionoffeelingcameoverhim;helingered，heglancedagain;shewascertainlyaveryprettywoman：therewasthebeautifullyroundedchin，theshortstraightnose，anddelicatelycurvedupperlip，thathehadseenintheprofile，——andyet——yetitwasnotthesamefacehehaddreamtof。Withanodd，provokingsenseofdisillusion，hesweptaheadofthecoach，andagainslackenedhisspeedtoletitpass。Thistimethefairunknownraisedherlonglashesandgazedsuddenlyatthispersistenthorsemanatherside，andanoddexpression，itseemedtohimalmostaglanceofrecognitionandexpectation，cameintoherdark，languideyes。Thepupilsconcentrateduponhimwithasingularsignificance，thatwasalmost，heeventhought，areplytohisglance，andyetitwasasutterlyunintelligible。Amomentlater，however，itwasexplained。
Hehadfallenslightlybehindinanewconfusionofhesitation，wonder，andembarrassment，whenfromawoodedtrailtotheright，anotherhorsemansuddenlysweptintotheroadbeforehim。Hewasapowerfullybuiltman，mountedonathoroughbredhorseofaqualityfarsuperiortotheordinaryroadster。WithoutlookingatKeyheeasilyrangedupbesidethecoachasiftopassit，butKey，withasuddenresolution，putspurstohisownhorseandrangedalsoabreastofhim，intimetoseehisfairunknownstartattheapparitionofthissecondhorsemanandunmistakablyconveysomesignaltohim，——asignalthattoKey’sfancynowbetrayedsomewarningofhimself。Hewasthemoreconvincedasthestranger，aftercontinuingafewpacesaheadofthecoach，allowedittopasshimatacurveoftheroad，andslackenedhispacetopermitKeytodothesame。Instinctivelyconsciousthatthestranger’sobjectwastoscrutinizeoridentifyhim，hedeterminedtotaketheinitiative，andfixedhiseyesuponhimastheyapproached。Butthestranger，whoworealoosebrownlinendusteroverclothesthatappearedtobesuperiorinfashionandmaterial，alsohadpartofhisfaceandheaddrapedbyawhitesilkhandkerchiefwornunderhishat，ostensiblytokeepthesunanddustfromhisheadandneck，——andhadtheadvantageofhim。Heonlycaughttheflashofapairofsteel-grayeyes，asthenewcomer，apparentlyhavingsatisfiedhimself，gavereintohisspiritedsteedandeasilyrepassedthecoach，disappearinginacloudofdustbeforeit。ButKeyhadbythistimereachedthe\"cut-off，\"whichthestranger，ifheintendedtofollowthecoach，eitherdisdainedorwasignorantof，andheurgedhishorsetoitsutmostspeed。Evenwiththestranger’sadvantagesitwouldbeacloseracetothestation。
Nevertheless，ashedashedon，hewasbynomeansinsensibletothesomewhatquixoticnatureofhisundertaking。Ifhewasrightinhissuspicionthatasignalhadbeengivenbytheladytothestranger，itwasexceedinglyprobablethathehaddiscoverednotonlythefairinmateoftherobbers’den，butoneofthegangitself，oratleastaconfederateandally。Yetfarfromdeterringhim，inthatingenioussophistrywithwhichhewasapttotreathisromance，henowlookeduponhisadventureasapracticalpursuitintheinterestsoflawandjustice。Itwastruethatitwassaidthatthebandofroadagentshadbeendispersed;itwasafactthattherehadbeennospoliationofcoachorteamsforthreeweeks;butnoneofthedepredatorshadeverbeencaught，andtheirbooty，whichwasconsiderable，wasknowntobestillintact。Itwastotheinterestofthemine，hispartners，andhisworkmenthatthiscluetoadangerwhichthreatenedthelocalityshouldbefollowedtotheend。Astothelady，inspiteofthedisappointmentthatstillrankledinhisbreast，hecouldbemagnanimous！Shemightbetheparamourofthestrangehorseman，shemightbeonlyescapingfromsomehatefulcompanionshipbyhisaid。Andyetonethingpuzzledhim：shewasevidentlynotacquaintedwiththepersonalityoftheactivegang，forshehad，withoutdoubt，atfirstmistakenHIMforoneofthem，andafterrecognizingherrealaccomplicehadcommunicatedhermistaketohim。
Itwasagreatrelieftohimwhentheroughandtangled\"cut-off\"
atlastbroadenedandlightenedintotheturnpikeroadagain，andhebeheld，scarcelyaquarterofamilebeforehim，thedustcloudthatoverhungthecoachasitdrewupatthelonelywaysidestation。Hewasintime，forheknewthatthehorseswerechangedthere;butasuddenfearthatthefairunknownmightalight，ortakesomeotherconveyance，madehimstillspurhisjadedsteedforward。Ashenearedthestationheglancedeagerlyaroundfortheotherhorseman，buthewasnowheretobeseen。Hehadevidentlyeitherabandonedthechaseorriddenahead。
Itseemedequallyapartofwhathebelievedwasaprovidentialintercession，thatonarrivingatthestationhefoundtherewasavacantseatinsidethecoach。Itwasdiagonallyoppositethatoccupiedbythelady，andhewasthusenabledtostudyherfaceasitwasbentoverherbook，whosepages，however，shescarcelyturned。Afterherfirstcasualglanceofcuriosityatthenewpassenger，sheseemedtotakenomorenoticeofhim，andKeybegantowonderifhehadnotmistakenherpreviousinterrogatinglook。
Norwasithisonlydisturbingquery;hewasconsciousofthesamedisappointmentnowthathecouldexamineherfacemoreattentively，asinhisfirstcursoryglance。Shewascertainlyhandsome;iftherewasnolongerthefreshnessofyouth，therewasstilltheindefinablecharmofthewomanofthirty，andwithitthedelicatecurvesofmaturedmuliebrityandrepose。Therewerelines，particularlyaroundthemouthandfringedeyelids，thatweredeepenedasbypain;andthechin，eveninitsroundedfullness，hadtheangleofdetermination。Fromwhatwasvisible，belowthebrownlinendusterthatshewore，sheappearedtobetastefullyalthoughnotrichlydressed。
Asthecoachatlastdroveawayfromthestation，agrizzled，farmer-lookingmanseatedbesideherutteredasighofrelief，sopalpableastoattractthegeneralattention。Turningtohisfairneighborwithasmileofuncouthbutgood-humoredapology，hesaidinexplanation：——
\"You’llexcuseme，miss！Idon’tknowezactlyhowYOU’REfeelin’，——
forjudgingfromyourlooksandgin’ralgait，you’reastrangerintheseparts，——butezforME，Idon’tmindsayin’thatIneverfeelezactlysafefromtheseyerroadagentsandstagerobbersontilarterwepassSkinner’sstation。AllalongthetGalloper’sRidgeit’sjesttechandgolike;thewoodsisswarmin’with’em。ButoncepastSkinner’s，you’reallright。Theyneverdaregobelowthat。Soefyoudon’tmind，miss，forit’sbein’inyourpresence，I’lljestpulloffmybutesandeasemyfeetforaspell。\"
Neithertheinconsequenceofthissingularrequest，northesmileitevokedonthefacesoftheotherpassengers，seemedtodisturbthelady’sabstraction。Scarcelyliftinghereyesfromherbook，shebowedagraveassent。
\"Yousee，miss，\"hecontinued，\"andyougents，\"headded，takingthewholecoachintohisconfidence，\"I’vegotoverfortyouncesofcleangolddustinthembutes，betweentheupperandlowersole，——
andit’smightytightpackingformyfeet。Yekinheftit，\"hesaid，asheremovedonebootandhelditupbeforethem。\"Iputthedustthereforsafety——kalkilatin’thatwhiletheseroadgentryallusgoesforaman’spocketsandhisbodybelt，theyneverthinksofhisbutes，orhaven’ttimetogothrough’em。\"Helookedaroundhimwithasmileofself-satisfaction。
Themurmurofadmiringcommentwas，however，brokenbyaburly-
beardedminerwhosatinthemiddleseat。\"Thet’sprettyfair，asfarasitgoes，\"hesaidsmilingly，\"butIreckonitwouldn’tgofarefyoustartedtorun。I’vegotasimplergamethanthat，gentlemen，andezwe’reallfriendshere，andthedanger’sover，I
don’tmindtellin’ye。Thefirstthingtheseyerroadagentsdo，afterthey’vecoveredthedriverwiththeirshotguns，istomakethepassengersgetoutandholduptheirhands。That，ma’am，\"——
explanatorilytothelady，whobetrayedonlyalanguidinterest，——
\"istokeep’emfromdrawingtheirrevolvers。Arevolveristhelastthingaroadagentwants，eitherinaman’shandorinhisholster。SoIseztomyself，’Efasix-shooterain’tofnoaccount，wet’stheuseofcarryin’it？’SoIjustputmyshooting-
ironinmyvalisewhenItravel，andfillmyholsterwithmygolddust，so！It’sadeucedsightheavierthanarevolver，buttheydon’tfeelitsweight，anddon’tkeertocomenighit。AndI’vebeen’heldup’twiceont’othersideoftheDividethisyear，andI
passedfreeeverytime！\"
Theapplausethatfollowedthisrevelationandtheexhibitionoftheholsternotonlythrewthefarmer’sexploitsintotheshade，butseemedtoexciteanemulationamongthepassengers。Othermethodsofsecuringtheirpropertywerefreelydiscussed;buttheexcitementculminatedintheleaningforwardofapassengerwhohad，uptothatmoment，maintainedareservealmostequaltothefairunknown。Hisdressandgeneralappearancewerethoseofaprofessionalman;hisvoiceandmannercorroboratedthepresumption。
\"Idon’tthink，gentlemen，\"hebeganwithapleasantsmile，\"thatanymanofusherewouldliketobecalledacoward;butinfightingwithanenemywhoneverattacks，orevenappears，exceptwithadeliberatelypreparedadvantageonhisside，itismyopinionthatamanisnotonlyjustifiedinavoidinganunequalencounterwithhim，butincircumventingbyeverymeanstheobjectofhisattack。Youhaveallbeenfrankintellingyourmethods。I
willbeequallysointellingmine，evenifIhaveperhapstoconfesstoalittlemorethanyouhave;forIhavenotonlyavailedmyselfofawell-knownruleoftherobberswhoinfestthesemountains，toexemptallwomenandchildrenfromtheirspoliation，——
arulewhich，ofcourse，theyperfectlyunderstandgivesthemasentimentalconsiderationwithallCalifornians，——butIhave，I
confess，alsoavailedmyselfoftheinnocentkindnessofoneofthatcharmingandjustlyexemptedsex。\"Hepausedandbowedcourteouslytothefairunknown。\"WhenIenteredthiscoachIhadwithmeabulkyparcelwhichwasmanifestlytoolargeformypockets，yetasevidentlytoosmallandtoovaluabletobeintrustedtotheordinaryluggage。Seeingmydifficulty，ourcharmingcompanionopposite，outoftheverykindnessandinnocenceofherheart，offeredtomakeaplaceforitinhersatchel，whichwasnotfull。Iacceptedtheofferjoyfully。WhenIstatetoyou，gentlemen，thatthatpackagecontainedvaluablegovernmentbondstoaconsiderableamount，Idoso，nottoclaimyourpraiseforanyoriginalityofmyown，buttomakethispublicavowaltoourfairfellowpassengerforsecuringtomethismostperfectsecurityandimmunityfromtheroadagentthathasbeenyetrecorded。\"
Withhiseyesrivetedonthelady’sface，Keysawafaintcolorrisetoherotherwiseimpassiveface，whichmighthavebeencalledoutbytheenthusiasticpraisethatfollowedthelawyer’sconfession。Buthewaspainfullyconsciousofwhatnowseemedtohimamonstroussituation！Herewas，hebelieved，theactualaccompliceoftheroadagentscalmlyreceivingthecomplacentandpuerileconfessionsofthemenwhowereseekingtooutwitthem。
Couldhe，inordinaryjusticetothem，tohimself，orthemissionheconceivedhewaspursuing，refrainfromexposingher，orwarningthemprivately？Butwashecertain？Wasavagueremembranceofaprofilemomentarilyseen——and，ashemustevennowadmit，inconsistentwiththefullfacehewasgazingat——sufficientforsuchanaccusation？Morethanthat，wastheprotectionshehadapparentlyaffordedthelawyerconsistentwiththefunctionofanaccomplice！
\"Thenifthedanger’sover，\"saidtheladygently，reachingdowntodrawhersatchelfromundertheseat，\"IsupposeImayreturnittoyou。\"
\"Bynomeans！Don’ttroubleyourself！Prayallowmetostillremainyourdebtor，——atleastasfarasthenextstation，\"saidthelawyergallantly。
Theladyutteredalanguidsigh，sankbackinherseat，andcalmlysettledherselftotheperusalofherbook。Keyfelthischeeksbeginningtoburnwiththeembarrassmentandshameofhisevidentmisconception。AndherehewasonhiswaytoMarysville，tofollowawomanforwhomhefelthenolongercared，andforwhosepursuithehadnolongertheexcuseofjustice。
\"ThenIunderstandthatyouhavetwiceseentheseroadagents，\"
saidtheprofessionalman，turningtotheminer。\"Ofcourse，youcouldbeabletoidentifythem？\"
\"Naryaman！Youseethey’reallmasked，andonlyoneof’emeverspeaks。\"
\"Theleaderorchief？\"
\"No，theorator。\"
\"Theorator？\"repeatedtheprofessionalmaninamazement。
\"Well，yousee，Icallhimtheorator，forhe’smightyglibwithhistongue，andreelsoffallhehastosaylikeasifhehaditbyheart。He’smightyroughonyou，too，sometimes，forallhishigh-
tonedstyle。Efhethinksamanishidin’anythinghejestscalpshimwithhistongue，andblamedifIdon’tthinkhelikesthechanceofdoin’it。He’sgotaregularsetspeech，andhe’sboundtogothroughitall，evenifhemakeseverythingwait，andrunstheriskofcapture。Yetheain’tthechief，——andevenI’veheardfolkssayain’tgotanyresponsibilityifheistook，forhedon’ttechanybodyoranybody’smoney，andcouldn’tbeprosecuted。I
reckonhe’ssomesortofabroken-downlawyer——d’yesee？\"
\"Notmuchofalawyer，Iimagine，\"saidtheprofessionalman，smiling，\"forhe’llfindhimselfquitemistakenastohisshareofresponsibility。Butit’sarathercleverwayofconcealingtheidentityoftherealleader。\"
\"It’sthesmartestgangthatwaseverstartedintheSierras。TheyfooledthesheriffofSierratheotherday。Theygavehimasortofideathattheyhadakindofhidin’-placeinthewoodswhartheymetandkepttheirbooty，and，byjinks！hegoesdowntharwithhishullposse，——justspilin’forafight，——andonlylightsuponagangofinnocentgreenhorns，whowereboringforsilverontheveryspotwhereheallowedtherobbershadtheirden！Heain’thelduphisheadsince。\"
Keycastaquickglanceattheladytoseetheeffectofthisrevelation。Butherface——ifthesameprofilehehadseenatthewindow——betrayedneitherconcernnorcuriosity。Helethiseyesdroptothesmartbootthatpeepedfrombelowhergown，andthethoughtofhistryingtoidentifyitwiththeslipperhehadpickedupseemedtohimasridiculousashisothermisconceptions。Hesankbackgloomilyinhisseat;bydegreesthefatigueandexcitementofthedaybegantomercifullybenumbhissenses;
twilighthadfallenandthetalkhadceased。Theladyhadallowedherbooktodropinherlapasthedarknessgathered，andhadclosedhereyes;heclosedhisown，andslippedawaypresentlyintoadream，inwhichhesawtheprofileagainashehadseenitinthedarknessofthehollow，onlythatthistimeitchangedtoafullface，unlikethelady’soranyonehehadeverseen。Thenthewindowseemedtoopenwitharattle，andheagainfeltthecoolodorsoftheforest;butheawoketofindthattheladyhadonlyopenedherwindowforabreathoffreshair。Itwasnearlyeighto’clock;itwouldbeanhouryetbeforethecoachstoppedatthenextstationforsupper;thepassengersweredrowsilynodding;heclosedhiseyesandfellintoadeepersleep，fromwhichheawokewithastart。
Thecoachhadstopped！
CHAPTERIV。
\"Itcan’tbeThreePinesyet，\"saidapassenger’svoice，inwhichthelazinessofsleepstilllingered，\"orelsewe’vesnoozedoverfivemile。Idon’tseenolights;wotarewestoppin’for？\"Theotherpassengersstruggledtoanuprightposition。Onenearestthewindowopenedit;itsplacewasinstantlyoccupiedbythedoublemuzzleofashot-gun！Noonemoved。Intheawestrickensilencethevoiceofthedriverroseindrawlingprotestation。
\"Itain’tnobusinesso’mine，butitsorterstrikesmethatyouchapsarea-playin’itjustalittletoofinethistime！Itain’tthreemilesfromThreePineStationandfortymen。Ofcourse，that’syourlookout，——notmine！\"
Theaudacityofthethinghadevidentlystruckeventheusuallytaciturnandphlegmaticdriverintohisfirstexpostulationonrecord。
\"Yourthoughtfulconsiderationdoesyougreatcredit，\"saidavoicefromthedarkness，\"andshallbeproperlypresentedtoourmanager;
butatthesametimewewishitunderstoodthatwedonothesitatetotakeanyrisksinstrictattentiontoourbusinessandourclients。Inthemeantimeyouwillexpeditematters，andgiveyourpassengersachancetogetanearlyteaatThreePines，byhandingdownthattreasure-boxandmail-pouch。Becarefulinhandlingthatblunderbussyoukeepbesideit;thelasttimeitunfortunatelywentoff，andIregrettosayslightlywoundedoneofyourpassengers。
Accidentsofthiskind，interfering，astheydo，withtheharmonyandpleasureofourchancemeetings，cannotbetoohighlydeplored。\"
\"Bygosh！\"ejaculatedanoutsidepassengerinanaudiblewhisper。
\"Thankyou，sir，\"saidthevoicequietly;\"butasIoverlookedyou，Iwilltroubleyounowtodescendwiththeothers。\"
Thevoicemovednearer;and，bythelightofaflamingbull’s-eyecastuponthecoach，itcouldbeseentocomefromastout，medium-
sizedmanwithablackmask，which，however，showedhalfofasmooth，beardlessface，andanaffableyetsatiricalmouth。Thespeakerclearedhisthroatwiththeslightpreparatorycoughofthepracticedorator，and，approachingthewindow，toKey’sintensesurprise，actuallybeganintheidenticalprofessionalandrhetoricalstylepreviouslyindicatedbytheminer。
\"Circumstancesoverwhichwehavenocontrol，gentlemen，compelustoobligeyoutoalight，standinarowononeside，andholdupyourhands。Youwillfindtheattitudenotunpleasantafteryourcrampedpositioninthecoach，whilethechangefromitsconfinedairtothewholesomenight-breezeoftheSierrascannotbutprovesalutaryandrefreshing。Itwillalsoenableustorelieveyouofsuchso-calledvaluablesandtreasuresinthewayofgolddustandcoin，whichIregrettosaytoooftenaremisappliedincarelesshands，andwhichtheteachingsofthehighestmoralitydistinctlydenominateastherootofallevil！Ineednotinformyou，gentlemen，asbusinessmen，thatpromptitudeandcelerityofcompliancewillinsuredispatch，andshortenaninterviewwhichhasbeensometimesneedlessly，and，Iregrettosay，painfullyprotracted。\"
Hedrewbackdeliberatelywiththesamemonotonousprecisionofhabit，anddisclosedthemuzzlesofhisconfederates’weaponsstillleveledatthepassengers。Inspiteoftheirastonishment，indignation，anddiscomfiture，hispracticedeffronteryanddeliberatedisplayappearedinsomewaytotouchtheirhumoroussense，andoneortwosmiledhysterically，astheyroseandhesitatinglyfiledoutofthevehicle。Itispossible，however，thattheleveledshot-gunscontributedmoreorlessdirectlytothisresult。
Twomasksbegantosearchthepassengersunderthecombinedfocusofthebull’s-eyes，theshininggun-barrels，andarunningbutstillcarefullypreparedcommentaryfromthespokesman。\"Itistoberegrettedthatbusinessmen，insteadofintrustingtheirpropertytothecustodyoftheregularlyconstitutedexpressagent，stillcontinuetosecreteitontheirpersons;acustomthat，withoutenhancingitssecurity，isnotonlyaninjusticetotheexpresscompany，butagreatdetrimenttodispatch。Wealsowishtopointoutthatwhilewedonotasaruleinterferewiththepossessionofarticlesofordinarypersonaluseoradornment，suchassimplejewelryorwatches，wereserveourrighttorestrictbyconfiscationthevulgarityandunmanlinessofdiamondsandenormousfobchains。\"
Theactofspoliationwasapparentlycomplete，yetitwasevidentthattheoratorwasrestraininghimselfforamoreeffectiveclimax。Clearinghisthroatagainandsteppingbeforetheimpatientbutstillmystifiedfileofpassengers，hereviewedthemgravely。Theninaperfectlypitchedtoneofmingledpainandapology，hesaidslowly：——
\"Itwouldseemthat，fromnowishofourown，weareobligedonthispresentoccasiontosuspendoneortwoofourusualrules。Wearenotinthehabitofinterferingwiththewearingapparelofouresteemedclients;butintheinterestsofordinaryhumanityweareobligedtoremovethebootsofthegentlemanontheextremeleft，whichevidentlygivehimgreatpainandimpedehislocomotion。Wealsoseldomdeviatefromourruleofobligingourclientstoholduptheirhandsduringthisexamination;butwegladlymakeanexceptioninfavorofthegentlemannexttohim，andpermithimtohandusthealtogethertooheavilyweightedholsterwhichpressesuponhiship。Gentlemen，\"saidtheorator，slightlyraisinghisvoice，withadeprecatinggesture，\"youneednotbealarmed！Theindignantmovementofourfriend，justnow，wasnottodrawhisrevolver，——foritisn’tthere！\"Hepausedwhilehiscompanionsspeedilyremovedthefarmer’sbootsandtheminer’sholster，andwithastillmoreapologeticairapproachedthecoach，whereonlytheladyremainederectandrigidinhercorner。\"Andnow，\"hesaidwithsimulatedhesitation，\"wecometothelastandtousthemostpainfulsuspensionofourrules。Ontheseveryrareoccasions，whenwehavebeenhonoredwiththepresenceofthefairsex，ithasbeenourinvariablecustomnotonlytoleavethemintheundisturbedpossessionoftheirproperty，butevenoftheirprivacyaswell。Itiswithdeepregretthatonthisoccasionweareobligedtomakeanexception。Forinthepresentinstance，thelady，outofthegentlenessofherheartandthepolitenessofhersex，hasburdenedherselfnotonlywiththeweightbuttheresponsibilityofapackageforceduponherbyoneofthepassengers。Wefeel，andwebelieve，gentlemen，thatmostofyouwillagreewithus，thatsoscandalousandunmanlyanattempttoevadeourrulesandviolatethesanctityofthelady’simmunitywillneverbepermitted。Foryourownsake，madam，wearecompelledtoaskyouforthesatchelunderyourseat。Itwillbereturnedtoyouwhenthepackageisremoved。\"
\"Onemoment，\"saidtheprofessionalmanindignantly，\"thereisamanherewhomyouhavespared，——amanwholatelyjoinedus。Isthatman，\"pointingtotheastonishedKey，\"oneofyourconfederates？\"
\"Thatman，\"returnedthespokesmanwithalaugh，\"istheowneroftheSylvanHollowMine。WehavesparedhimbecauseweowehimsomeconsiderationforhavingbeenturnedoutofhishouseatthedeadofnightwhilethesheriffofSierrawasseekingus。\"Hestopped，andtheninanentirelydifferentvoice，andinatotallychangedmanner，saidroughly，\"Tumbleinthere，allofyou，quick！Andyou，sir\"（toKey），——\"I’dadviseyoutorideoutside。Now，driver，raisesomuchasareinorawhiplashuntilyouhearthesignal——
andbyGod！you’llknowwhatnext。\"Hesteppedback，andseemedtobeinstantlyswallowedupinthedarkness;butthelightofasolitarybull’s-eye——theholderhimselfinvisible——stillshowedthemuzzlesofthegunscoveringthedriver。Therewasamomentarystirofvoiceswithintheclosedcoach，butanangryroarof\"Silence！\"fromthedarknesshushedit。
Themomentscreptslowlyby;allnowwerebreathless。Thenaclearwhistlerangfromthedistance，thelightsuddenlywasextinguished，theleveledmuzzlesvanishedwithit，thedriver’slashfellsimultaneouslyonthebacksofhishorses，andthecoachleapedforward。
ThejoltnearlythrewKeyfromthetop，butamomentlateritwasstillmoredifficulttokeephisseatintheheadlongfuryoftheirprogress。Againandagainthelashdescendeduponthemaddenedhorses，untilthewholecoachseemedtoleap，bound，andswervewitheverystroke。Criesofprotestandevendistressbegantocomefromtheinterior，butthedriverheededitnot。Awindowwassuddenlyletdown;thevoiceoftheprofessionalmansaying，\"What’sthematter？We’renotfollowed。Youareimperilingourlivesbythisspeed，\"wasansweredonlyby，\"Willsomeofyethrottlethatd——dfool？\"fromthedriver，andtherenewedfallofthelash。Thewaysidetreesappearedasolidplateaubeforethem，opened，dancedattheirside，closedupagainbehindthem，——butstilltheyspedalong。Rushingdowngradeswiththespeedofanavalanche，theyascendedagainwithoutdrawingrein，andasifbysheermomentum;fortheheavyvehiclenowseemedtohaveadiabolicalenergyofitsown。Itgroundscatteredrockstopowderwithitscrushingwheels，itswayedheavilyonticklishcorners，recoveringitselfwiththeresistlessforwardpropulsionofthestrainingteams，untilthelightsofThreePineStationbegantoglitterthroughthetrees。Thenasuccessionofyellsbrokefromthedriver，sostronganddominantthattheyseemedtooutstripeventhespeedoftheunabatedcattle。Lesserlightswerepresentlyseenrunningtoandfro，andontheoutermostfringeofthesettlementthestagepulledupbeforeacrowdofwonderingfaces，andthedriverspoke。
\"We’vebeenheldupontheopenroad，byG——d，notTHREEMILESfromwharyemenaresittin’hereyawpin’！Ifthar’samanamongyethathasn’tgotthesoulofaskunk，he’llfollerandcloseinupon’embeforetheyhaveachancetogetintothebrush。\"Havingthusrelievedhimselfofhisdutyasanenforcednoncombatant，andallowedallfurtherresponsibilitytodevolveuponhisrecreantfellowemployees，herelapsedintohisusualtaciturnity，anddroveatriflelessrecklesslytothestation，wherehegrimlysetdownhisbruisedanddiscomfitedpassengers。AsKeymingledwiththem，hecouldnothelpperceivingthatneitherthelate\"orator’s\"
explanationofhisexemptionfromtheirfate，northedriver’ssurlycorroborationofhisrespectability，hadpacifiedthem。Foratimethisamusedhim，particularlyashecouldnothelprememberingthathefirstappearedtothembesidethemysterioushorsemanwhosomeonethoughthadbeenidentifiedasoneofthemasks。Buthewasnotalittlepiquedtofindthatthefairunknownappearedtoparticipateintheirfeelings，andhisfirstcivilitytohermetwithachillingresponse。Eventhen，inthegeneraldisillusionofhisromanceregardingher，thiswouldhavebeenonlyamomentaryannoyance;butitstrangelyrevivedallhisprevioussuspicions，andsethimtothinking。Wasthesingularsagacitydisplayedbytheoratorinhissearchpurelyintuitive？
Couldanyonehavedisclosedtohimthesecretofthepassengers’
hoards？WasitpossibleforHERwhilesittingaloneinthecoachtohavecommunicatedwiththeband？Suddenlytheremembranceflashedacrosshimofheropeningthewindowforfreshair！Shecouldhaveeasilythendroppedsomesignal。Ifthiswereso，andshereallywastheculprit，itwasquitenaturalforherownsafetythatsheshouldencouragethepassengersintheabsurdsuspicionofhimself！Hisdyinginterestrevived;afewmomentsagohehadhalfresolvedtoabandonhisquestandturnbackatThreePines。Nowhedeterminedtofollowhertotheend。Buthedidnotindulgeinanyfurthersophistryregardinghisduty;yet，inanewsenseofhonor，hedidnotdreamofretaliatinguponherbycommunicatinghissuspicionstohisfellowpassengers。Whenthecoachstartedagain，hetookhisseatonthetop，andremainedthereuntiltheyreachedJamestownintheearlyevening。Hereanumberofhisdespoiledcompanionswereobligedtowait，tocommunicatewiththeirfriends。
Happily，theexemptionthathadmadethemindignantenabledhimtocontinuehisjourneywithafullpurse。Buthewascontentwithamodestsurveillanceoftheladyfromthetopofthecoach。
OnarrivingatStocktonthissurveillancebecamelesseasy。Itwastheterminusofthestage-route，andthedivergenceofothersbyboatandrail。Ifhewereluckyenoughtodiscoverwhichonetheladytook，hispresencenowwouldbemoremarked，andmightexcitehersuspicion。Buthereacircumstance，whichhealsobelievedtobeprovidential，determinedhim。Astheluggagewasbeingremovedfromthetopofthecoach，heoverheardtheagenttelltheexpressmantocheckthe\"lady’s\"trunktoSanLuis。Keywasseizedwithanideawhichseemedtosolvethedifficulty，althoughitinvolvedariskoflosingtheclueentirely。ThereweretworoutestoSanLuis，onewasbystage，anddirect，thoughslower;theotherbysteamboatandrail，viaSanFrancisco。Ifhetooktheboat，therewaslessdangerofherdiscoveringhim，evenifshechosethesameconveyance;ifshetookthedirectstage，——andhetrustedtoawoman’savoidanceofthehurryofchangeandtransshipmentforthatchoice，——hewouldstillarriveatSanLuis，viaSanFrancisco，anhourbeforeher。Heresolvedtotaketheboat;acarefulscrutinyfromastateroomwindowofthearrivingpassengersonthegangplanksatisfiedhimthatshehadpreferredthestage。Therewasstillthechancethatinlosingsightofhershemightescapehim，buttheriskseemedsmall。Andatriflingcircumstancehadalmostunconsciouslyinfluencedhim——afterhisromanticandsuperstitiousfashion——astothisfinalstep。
HehadbeensingularlymovedwhenheheardthatSanLuiswasthelady’sprobabledestination。Itdidnotseemtobearanyrelationtothemountainwildernessandthewildlifeshehadjustquitted;
itwasapparentlythemostantipathic，incongruous，andinconsistentrefugeshecouldhavetaken。Itofferednoopportunityforthedisposalofbooty，orforcommunicationwiththegang。Itwaslesssecurethanacrowdedtown。AnoldSpanishmissionandmonasterycollegeinasleepypastoralplain，——ithadevenretaineditsold-worldflavoramidstAmericanimprovementsandsocialrevolution。Heknewitwell。Fromthequaintcollegecloisters，wheretheonlyreposefulyearsofhisadventurousyouthhadbeenspent，tothelongAlameda，ordoubleavenuesofancienttrees，whichconnecteditwiththeconventofSantaLuisa，andsomeofhisyouthful\"devotions，\"——ithadbeenthenurseryofhisromance。Hewasamusedatwhatseemedtobetheironyoffate，innowlinkingitwiththisfollyofhismaturermanhood;andyethewasuneasilyconsciousofbeingmoreseriouslyaffectedbyit。AnditwaswithagreateranxietythanthisadventurehadeveryetcosthimthatheatlastarrivedattheSanJosehotel，andfromabalconycornerawaitedthecomingofthecoach。Hisheartbeatrapidlyasitapproached。Shewasthere！Butatherside，asshedescendedfromthecoach，wasthemysterioushorsemanoftheSierraroad。Keycouldnotmistakethewell-builtfigure，whateverdoubttherehadbeenaboutthefeatures，whichhadbeensocarefullyconcealed。Withtheastonishmentofthisrediscovery，thereflashedacrosshimagainthefatefulnessoftheinspirationwhichhaddecidedhimnottogointhecoach。Hispresencetherewouldhavenodoubtwarnedthestranger，andsoestoppedthisconvincingdenouement。Itwasquitepossiblethathercompanion，byrelaysofhorsesandtheadvantageofbridlecut-offs，couldhaveeasilyfollowedtheThreePinecoachandjoinedheratStockton。Butforwhatpurpose？Thelady’strunk，whichhadnotbeendisturbedduringthefirstpartofthejourney，andhadbeenforwardedatStocktonuntouchedbeforeKey’seyes，couldnothavecontainedbootytobedisposedofinthisforgottenoldtown。
Theregisterofthehotelboresimplythenameof\"Mrs。Barker，\"ofStockton，butnorecordofhercompanion，whoseemedtohavedisappearedasmysteriouslyashecame。Thatsheoccupiedasitting-roomonthesamefloorashisown——inwhichshewasapparentlysecludedduringtherestoftheday——wasallheknew。
Nobodyelseseemedtoknowher。Keyfeltanoddhesitation，thatmighthavebeentheresultofsomevaguefearofimplicatingherprematurely，inmakinganymarkedinquiry，orimperilinghissecretbythebribedespionageofservants。Oncewhenhewaspassingherdoorheheardthesoundsoflaughter，——albeitinnocentandheart-
free，——whichseemedsoinconsistentwiththegravityofthesituationandhisownthoughtsthathewasstrangelyshocked。Buthewasstillmoredisturbedbyalateroccurrence。Inhiswatchfulnessofthemovementsofhisneighborhehadbeenequallycarefulofhisown，andhadnotonlyrefrainedfromregisteringhisname，buthadenjoinedsecrecyuponthelandlord，whomheknew。
Yetthenextmorningafterhisarrival，theporternotansweringhisbellpromptlyenough，hesofarforgothimselfastowalktothestaircase，whichwasnearthelady’sroom，andcalltotheemployeeoverthebalustrade。Ashewasstillleaningovertherailing，thefaintcreakofadoor，andasingularmagneticconsciousnessofbeingoverlooked，causedhimtoturnslowly，butonlyintimetoheartherustleofawithdrawingskirtasthedoorwasquicklyclosed。Inaninstanthefeltthefullforceofhisfoolishheedlessness，butitwastoolate。Hadthemysteriousfugitiverecognizedhim？Perhapsnot;theireyeshadnotmet，andhisfacehadbeenturnedaway。