afactthatseemedtohavedeprivedhimatonceofallmetre，grammar，oreventhepowerofcoherentnarration。Attimesagroanorahalf-articulatecrywouldcomefromthe\"bunk\"whereonRogerCatronlay，acircumstancethatalwaysseemedtoexciteCaptainDicktogreatereffortandmorerapidvocalization。Towardmorning，inthemidstofaprolongedhowlfromthecaptain，whowasfinishingthe\"StarboardWatch，ahoy！\"inthreedifferentkeys，RogerCatron’svoicebrokesuddenlyandsharplyfromhisen-
wrappings：——
\"Dryup，youd——doldfool，willyou？\"
CaptainDickstoppedinstantly。Risingtohisfeet，andlookingoverthelandscape，hetookallnatureintohisconfidenceinoneinconceivablyarchandcraftywink。\"He’scominguptothewind，\"
hesaidsoftly，rubbinghishands。\"Thepillsisfetchin’him。
Steadynow，boys，steady。Steadyasshegoesonhercourse，\"andwithanotherwinkofineffablewisdom，heenteredthecabinandlockedthedoor。
Meanwhile，thebestsocietyofSandyBarwaskindtothenewly-madewidow。Withoutbeingdefinitelyexpressed，itwasgenerallyfeltthatsympathywithherwasnowsafe，andcarriednomoralresponsibilitywithit。Evenpracticalandpecuniaryaid，whichbeforehadbeenwithheld，lestitshouldbedivertedfromitsproperintent，and，perhapsthroughtheweaknessofthewife，madetoministertothewickednessofthehusband，——eventhatwasnowopenlysuggested。Everybodyfeltthatsomebodyshoulddosomethingforthewidow。Afewdidit。Herownsexralliedtoherside，generallywithlargesympathy，but，unfortunately，smallpecuniaryorpracticalresult。Atlast，whenthefeasibilityofhertakingaboarding-houseinSanFrancisco，andidentifyingherselfwiththatlargeclassofAmericangentlewomenwhohaveseenbetterdays，butclearlyareontheroadnevertoseethemagain，wassuggested，afewofherownandherhusband’srichrelativescametothefronttorehabilitateher。Itwaseasiertotakeherintotheirhomesasanequalthantorefusetocalluponherasthemistressofalodging-houseintheadjoiningstreet。Anduponinspectionitwasfoundthatshewasstillquiteaneligiblepartie，prepossessing，andwithal，inherwidow’sweeds，akindofpoeticalandsentimentalpresence，asnecessaryinawealthyandfashionableAmericanfamilyasaworkofart。\"Yes，poorCarolinehashadasad，sadhistory，\"thelanguidMrs。WalkerCatronwouldsay，\"andweallsympathizewithherdeeply；Walkeralwaysregardsherasasister。\"Whatwasthisdarkhistorynevercameout，butitsverymysteryalwaysthrilledthevisitor，andseemedtoindicateplainlytherespectabilityofthehostess。AnAmericanfamilywithoutagenteelskeletoninitsclosetcouldscarcelyaddtothatgossipwhichkeepssocietyfromforgettingitsmembers。NorwasitaltogetherunnaturalthatpresentlyMrs。RogerCatronlentherselftothissentimentaldeception，andbegantothinkthatshereallywasamoreexquisitelyaggrievedwomanthanshehadimagined。Attimes，whenthisvagueloadofiniquityputuponherdeadhusbandassumed，throughthemysteryofherfriends，therumorofmurderandhighwayrobbery，andevenanattemptuponherownlife，shewenttoherroom，alittlefrightened，andhad\"agoodcry，\"
reappearingmoremournfulandpatheticthanever，andcorroboratingthesuspicionsofherfriends。Indeed，oneortwoimpulsivegentlemen，firedbyherpatheticeyelids，openlyregrettedthatthedeceasedhadnotbeenhanged，towhichMrs。WalkerCatronrespondedthat，\"ThankHeaven，theyweresparedatleastthatdisgrace！\"andsosentconvictionintothemindsofherhearers。
ItwasscarcelytwomonthsafterthispainfulcloseofhermatrimoniallifethatonerainyFebruarymorningtheservantbroughtacardtoMrs。RogerCatron，bearingthefollowinginscription：——
\"RichardGraemeMacleod。\"
Womenaremorereadilyaffectedbynamesthanweare，andtherewasacertainHighlandrespectabilityaboutthisthat，albeit，notknowingitspossessor，impelledMrs。Catrontosendwordthatshe\"wouldbedowninafewmoments。\"Attheendofthisfemininelyindefiniteperiod，——aquarterofanhourbytheFrenchclockonthemantel-piece，——Mrs。RogerCatronmadeherappearanceinthereception-room。Itwasadull，wetday，asIhavesaidbefore，butontheContraCostahillsthegreensandafewflowerswerealreadyshowingapromiseofrejuvenescenceandanearlyspring。Therewassomethingofthis，Ithink，inMrs。Catron’spresence，shownperhapsinthecoquettishbowofaribbon，inalargerandmoredelicateruche，inatighterbeltingofherblackcashmeregown；
butstilltherewasasuggestionofrecentrainintheeyes，andthreateningweather。Assheenteredtheroom，thesuncameout，too，andrevealedtheprettinessanddelicacyofherfigure，andI
regrettostate，also，thesomewhatobtrusiveplainnessofhervisitor。
\"Iknewye’dbesorterdisapp’intedatfirst，notgettin’theregularbearingso’myname，butI’m’CaptainDick。’Mebbeye’veheardyourhusband——thatis，yourhusbandezwaz，RogerCatron——
speako’me？\"
Mrs。Catron，feelingherselfoutragedanddeceivedinbelt，ruche，andribbon，freezinglyadmittedthatshehadheardofhimbefore。
\"Incourse，\"saidthecaptain；\"why，Lordloveye，Mrs。Catron，——ezwaz，——heusedtobeallthetimetalkin’ofye。Andallersinafree，easy，confidentialway。Why，onenight——don’tyeremember？——
whenhecamehome，carryin’，mebbee，morecanvasthanwasseamanlike，andyoushethimoutthehouse，andlaidforhimwithabroomstick，oroneo’themcrokaymallets，Idisrememberwhich，andhekemovertome，oleCaptainDick，andIseztohim，sezI，’Why，Roger，them’sonlylovepats，andyercondishunissucheztomakeanywomanmad-like。’Why，Lordblessye！thereain’tennyofthemmootooldifferencesyouandhimhedezIdoesn’tknowson，anddidn’talwaysstandby，andlendyeahand，andheaveinawordortwoofadvicewhencalledon。\"
Mrs。Catron，iceeverywherebutinherpinkcheeks，wasgladthatMr。CatronseemedtohavealwaysafriendtowhomheconfidedEVERYTHING，eventhebasefalsehoodshehadinvented。
\"MebbenowtheyWAZfalsehoods，\"saidthecaptain，thoughtfully。
\"Butdon’tyegotothink，\"headdedconscientiously，\"thathekeptonthattackallthetime。Why，thatdayhemadearaise，gambling，Ithink，overatDutchFlat，andgiveyethembracelets，——
regularsolidgold，——why，itwouldhavedoneyourheartgoodtohaveheardhimtalkaboutyou——saidyouhadtheprettiestarminCaliforny。Well，\"saidthecaptain，lookingaroundforasuitableclimax，\"well，you’dhavethoughtthathewassorterproudofye！
Why，Iwozwithhimin’FriscowhenheboughtthatA1prizebonnetforyefor$75，andnothevin’over$50inhispocket，borryedtheother$25outerme。Mebbeitwasalittlefancyforabonnet；butIallersthoughthetookitalittletoomuchtoheartwhenyouswoppeditoffforthatDollarVardendress，justbecausethatLawyerMaxwellsaidtheDollarVardenswasbecomin’toye。Yeknow，Ireckon，hewasalwayssorterjealousofthattharshark——\"
\"MayIventuretoaskwhatyourbusinessiswithme？\"interruptedMrs。Catron，sharply。
\"Incourse，\"saidthecaptain，rising。\"Yesee，\"hesaid，apologetically，\"wegottotalkingo’Rogerandoletimes，andI
gotalittleouto’mycourse。It’samatterof——\"hebegantofumbleinhispockets，andfinallyproducedasmallmemorandum-
book，whichheglancedover——\"it’samatterof$250。\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"saidMrs。Catron，inindignantastonishment。
\"Onthe15thofJuly，\"saidthecaptain，consultinghismemorandum-
book，\"RogersoldhisclaimatNye’sFordfor$1，500。Now，le’ssee。Tharwasnighon$350ezheadmittedtomehelostatpoker，andwe’lladd$50tothatfortreating，suppers，anddrinksgin’rally——putRogerdownfor$400。ThentherewasYOU。Nowyouspent$250onyourtripto’Friscothetsummer；then$200wentforthempresentsyousentyourAuntJane，andtharwas$400forhouseexpenses。Well，thetfootsup$1，250。Now，what’sbecomeofthetother$250？\"
Mrs。Catron’swoman’simpulsetoretaliatesharplyovercameherfirstnaturalindignationathervisitor’simpudence。
Thereinshelost，woman-like，hergroundofvantage。
\"Perhapsthewomanhefledwithcantellyou，\"shesaidsavagely。
\"Thet，\"saidthecaptain，slowly，\"isagood，areasonableidee。
Butitain’ttrue；fromallIcangatherSHElentHIMmoney。Itdidn’tgoTHAR。\"
\"RogerCatronleftmepenniless，\"saidMrs。Catron，hotly。
\"Thet’sjistwhatgetsme。Yououghterhave$250somewharlyinground。\"
Mrs。Catronsawhererror。\"MayIaskwhatrightyouhavetoquestionme？Ifyouhaveany，Imustreferyoutomylawyerormybrother-in-law；ifyouhavenone，Ihopeyouwillnotobligemetocalltheservantstoputyoufromthehouse。\"
\"Thetsoundsreasonableandsquare，too，\"saidthecaptain，thoughtfully；\"I’veapowerofattorneyfromRogerCatrontosettleuphisaffairsandpayhisdebts，givenaweekaforethemdetectiveshandedyeoverhisdeadbody。ButIthoughtthatyouandmemightsavelawyer’sfeesandallfussandfeathers，ef，inasociable，sad-likeway，——lookin’backsorteronRogerezyouandmeonceknewhim，——wehadaquiettalktogether。\"
\"Goodmorning，sir，\"saidMrs。Catron，risingstiffly。Thecaptainhesitatedamoment，aslightflushofcolorcameinhisfaceasheatlastroseastheladybackedoutoftheroom。\"Goodmorning，ma’am，\"saidthecaptain，anddeparted。
VerylittlewasknownofthisinterviewexceptthegeneralimpressioninthefamilythatMrs。Catronhadsuccessfullyresistedavagueattemptatblackmailfromoneofherhusband’sformerdissolutecompanions。YetitisonlyfairtosaythatMrs。Catronsnappedup，quitesavagely，twomalesympathizersonthissubject，andcriedagooddealfortwodaysafterward，andonce，inthehearingofhersister-in-law，tothatlady’sgreathorror，\"wishedshewasdead。\"
Aweekafterthisinterview，asLawyerPhillipssatinhisoffice，hewasvisitedbyMacleod。Recognizing，possibly，somepracticaldifferencebetweenthewidowandthelawyer，CaptainDickthistimefirstproducedhiscredentials，——a\"powerofattorney。\"\"Ineednottellyou，\"saidPhillips，\"thatthedeathofyourprincipalrendersthisinstrumentinvalid，andIsupposeyouknowthat，leavingnowill，andnoproperty，hisestatehasnotbeenadministeredupon。\"
\"Mebbeitis，andmebbeitisn’t。ButIhain’taskin’foranythin’
butinformation。Therewasabito’prop’tyandamillontoit，overatHeavytree，ezsoldfor$10，000。Idon’tsee，\"saidthecaptain，consultinghismemorandum-book，\"ezHEgotanythingoutofit。\"
\"Itwasmortgagedfor$7，000，\"saidthelawyer，quickly，andtheinterestandfeesamounttoabout$3，000more。\"
\"Themortgagewasgivenassecurityforanote？\"
\"Yes，agamblingdebt，\"saidthelawyer，sharply。
\"Thet’sso，andmybeliefezthatitwasn’tasquaregame。Heshouldn’thevgivennonote。Why，don’tyemind，’waybackin’60，whenyouandmewazinMarysville，thatnightthatyoubuckedaginfaro，andlostsevinghundreddollars，andthenrefoosedtotakeupyourchecks，sayingitwasfraudandagamblingdebt？Anddon’tyemindwhenthatchapkickedye，andIhelpedtodraghimoffye——
and——\"
\"I’mbusynow，Mr。Macleod，\"saidPhillips，hastily；\"myclerkwillgiveyoualltheinformationyourequire。Goodmorning。\"
\"It’smightyqueer，\"saidthecaptain，thoughtfully，ashedescendedthestairs，\"butthemomenttheconversationgetslimberandsociable-like，andIgetstorunnin’freeundereasysail，it’salways’Goodmorning，Captain，’andwe’rebecalmed。\"
Bysomeoccultinfluence，alltheforegoingconversation，slightlyexaggerated，andthewholeinterviewofthecaptainwiththewidowwithsundryadditions，becamethecommonpropertyofSandyBar，tothegreatdelightoftheboys。TherewasscarcelyapersonwhohadeverhadbusinessorsocialrelationswithRogerCatron，whom\"TheFrozenTruth，\"asSandyBardelightedtodesignatethecaptain，hadnot\"interviewed，\"assimplyanddirectly。ItissaidthatheclosedaconversationwithoneoftheSanFranciscodetectives，whohadfoundRogerCatron’sbody，inthesewords：\"Andnowhevin’gotthroo’bizness，Iwasgoin’toaskyewhat’sgoneofMatt。Jones，whowaswithyeinthebushinAustraily。Lord，howhegotmequiteinterestedinye，tellingmehowyouandhimgotoutonaticket-of-leave，andwaschasedbythemmilishyguards，andatlastswamouttoaSanFranciscobarkandescaped；\"butheretheinevitablepressureofpreviousbusinessalwaysstoppedthecaptain’sconversationalflow。ThenaturalresultofthiswasasingularreactioninfavorofthelateRogerCatroninthepublicsentimentofSandyBar，sostrong，indeed，astoinducetheRev。
Mr。JoshuaMcSnagly，thenextSunday，tocombatitwiththemoralofCatron’slife。Aftertheservice，hewasapproachedinthevestibule，andinthehearingofsomeofhisaudience，byCaptainDick，withthefollowingcompliment：\"InmanypintsyehedjessgotRogerCatrondowntoahair。Iknewye’ddoit：why，Lordloveye，youandhimhadpintsincommon；andwhenhegiv’yethathundreddollarsarterthefireinSacramento，tohelpyerebuildtheparsonage，hesaidtome，——menotlikin’yeonaccounto’mybeingonthecommitteethatinvitedyetoresignfromMarysvilleallalongo’thataffairwithDeaconPursell’sdarter；andapieceshewas，parson！eh？——well，Roger，heupsandseztome，’Everymanhezhisfaults，’sezhe；andsezhe，’there’snoreasonwhyaparsonain’tahumanbeinglikeus，andthatgalo’Pursell’sispizen，ezIknow。’Soyesee，Iseedthatyewashittin’yourselfoverCatron’sshoulder，likethemearlymartyrs。\"Buthere，asCaptainDickwasclearlyblockingupallegressfromthechurch，thesextonobligedhimtomoveon，andagainhewasstoppedinhisconversationalcareer。
Butonlyforatime。Beforelong，itwaswhisperedthatCaptainDickhadorderedameetingofthecreditors，debtors，andfriendsofRogerCatronatRobinson’sHall。Itwassuggested，withsomeshowofreason，thatthishadbeendoneattheinstigationofvariouspracticaljokersofSandyBar，whohadimposedonthesimpledirectnessofthecaptain，andtheattendancethatnightcertainlyindicatedsomethingmorethanamerebusinessmeeting。
AllofSandyBarcrowdedintoRobinson’sHall，andlongbeforeCaptainDickmadehisappearanceontheplatform，withhisinevitablememorandum-book，everyinchoffloorwascrowded。
ThecaptainbegantoreadtheexpendituresofRogerCatronwithrelentlessfidelityofdetail。Theseverallossesbypoker，thewhiskybills，andtherecordofa\"jamboree\"atTooley’s，thevagueexpenseswhereoffootedup$275，werereceivedwithenthusiasticcheersbytheaudience。Asinglemilliner’sbillfor$125washailedwithdelight；$100expendedintreatingtheVestalVirginCombinationTroupealmostcanonizedhismemory；$50forasimplebuggyridewithDeaconFiskbroughtdownthehouse；$500advanced，withoutsecurity，andunpaid，fortheelectioneeringexpensesofAssemblymanJones，whohadrecentlyintroducedabilltopreventgamblingandthesaleoflagerbeeronSundays，wasreceivedwithanominousgroan。Oneortwootheritemsofmoneyloanedoccasionedthewithdrawalofseveralgentlemenfromtheaudienceamidstthehissesorironicalcheersoftheothers。
AtlastCaptainDickstoppedandadvancedtothefootlights。
\"Gentlemenandfriends，\"hesaid，slowly。\"Ifootsup$25，000asRogerCatronhezMADE，fairandsquare，inthisyercounty。I
footsup$27，000ezhehasSPENTinthisyercounty。Iputsittoyouezmen，——far-mindedmen，——efthismanwasapauperanddebtor？
Iputittoyouezfar-mindedmen，——ezfreeandeasymen，——ezpoliticaleconomists，——ezthisthekindofmentoimpoverishacounty？\"
Anoverwhelmingandinstantaneous\"No！\"almostdrownedthelastutteranceofthespeaker。
\"Tharisonlyoneitem，\"saidCaptainDick，slowly，\"onlyoneitem，thatezmen，——ezfar-mindedmen，——ezpoliticaleconomists，——itseemstomeweheztherighttoquestion。It’sthis：Tharisanitem，readtoyoubyme，of$2，000paidtocertingSanFranciscodetectives，paidouto’theassetso’RogerCatron，forthefindingofRogerCatron’sbody。GentlemenofSandyBarandfriends，I
foundthatbody，andyeritis！\"
AndRogerCatron，alittlepaleandnervous，butpalpablyintheflesh，steppedupontheplatform。
Ofcoursethenewspaperswerefullofitthenextday。Ofcourse，induetime，itappearedasagarbledandromanticitemintheSanFranciscopress。OfcourseMrs。Catron，onreadingit，fainted，andfortwodayssaidthatthislastcruelblowendedallrelationsbetweenherhusbandandherself。Onthethirddaysheexpressedherbeliefthat，ifhehadhadtheslightestfeelingforher，hewould，longsince，forthesakeofmeredecency，havecommunicatedwithher。Onthefourthdayshethoughtshehadbeen，perhaps，badlyadvised，hadanopenquarrelwithherrelatives，andintimatedthatawifehadcertainobligations，etc。Onthesixthday，stillnothearingfromhim，shequotedScripture，spokeofaseventy-times-sevenforgiveness，andwentgenerallyintomildhysterics。Ontheseventh，sheleftinthemorningtrainforSandyBar。
AndreallyIdon’tknowasIhaveanythingmoretotell。Idinedwiththemrecently，and，uponmyword，amoredecorous，correct，conventional，anddulldinnerIneverateinmylife。
\"WHOWASMYQUIETFRIEND？\"
\"Stranger！\"
Thevoicewasnotloud，butclearandpenetrating。Ilookedvainlyupanddownthenarrow，darkeningtrail。Nooneinthefringeofalderahead；nooneonthegulliedslopebehind。
\"O！stranger！\"
Thistimealittleimpatiently。TheCaliforniaclassicalvocative，\"O，\"alwaysmeantbusiness。
Ilookedup，andperceivedforthefirsttimeontheledge，thirtyfeetaboveme，anothertrailparallelwithmyown，andlookingdownuponmethroughthebuckeyebushesasmallmanonablackhorse。
Fivethingstobeherenotedbythecircumspectmountaineer。
FIRST，thelocality，——lonelyandinaccessible，andawayfromtheregularfaringofteamstersandminers。SECONDLY，thestranger’ssuperiorknowledgeoftheroad，fromthefactthattheothertrailwasunknowntotheordinarytraveler。THIRDLY，thathewaswellarmedandequipped。FOURTHLY，thathewasbettermounted。
FIFTHLY，thatanydistrustortimidityarisingfromthecontemplationofthesefactshadbetterbekepttoone’sself。
AllthispassedrapidlythroughmymindasIreturnedhissalutation。
\"Gotanytobacco？\"heasked。
Ihad，andsignifiedthefact，holdingupthepouchinquiringly。
\"Allright，I’llcomedown。Rideon，andI’lljineyeontheslide。\"
\"Theslide！\"Herewasanewgeographicaldiscoveryasoddasthesecondtrail。Ihadriddenoverthetrailadozentimes，andseennocommunicationbetweentheledgeandtrail。Nevertheless，Iwentonahundredyardsorso，whentherewasasharpcracklingintheunderbrush，ashowerofstonesonthetrail，andmyfriendplungedthroughthebushestomyside，downagradethatIshouldscarcelyhavedaredtoleadmyhorse。Therewasnodoubthewasanaccomplishedrider，——anotherfacttobenoted。
Asherangedbesideme，IfoundIwasnotmistakenastohissize；
hewasquiteunderthemediumheight，andbutforapairofcold，grayeyes，wasrathercommonplaceinfeature。
\"You’vegotagoodhorsethere，\"Isuggested。
Hewasfillinghispipefrommypouch，butlookedupalittlesurprised，andsaid，\"Ofcourse。\"Hethenpuffedawaywiththenervouseagernessofamanlongdeprivedofthatsedative。
Finally，betweenthepuffs，heaskedmewhenceIcame。
Ireplied，\"FromLagrange。\"
Helookedatmeafewmomentscuriously，butonmyaddingthatI
hadonlyhaltedthereforafewhours，hesaid：\"IthoughtIkneweverymanbetweenLagrangeandIndianSpring，butsomehowIsorterdisrememberyourfaceandyourname。\"
Notparticularlycaringthatheshouldremembereither，Irepliedhalflaughingly，that，asIlivedtheothersideofIndianSpring，itwasquitenatural。Hetooktherebuff，ifsuchitwas，soquietlythatasanactofmereperfunctorypolitenessIaskedhimwherehecamefrom。
\"Lagrange。\"
\"Andyouaregoingto——\"
\"Well！thatdependsprettymuchonhowthingspanout，andwhetherIcanmaketheriffle。\"Helethishandrestquiteunconsciouslyontheleathernholsterofhisdragoonrevolver，yetwithastrongsuggestiontomeofhisability\"tomaketheriffle\"ifhewantedto，andadded：\"ButjustnowIwasreck’nin’ontakingalittlepasearwithyou。\"
Therewasnothingoffensiveinhisspeechsaveitsfamiliarity，andthereflection，perhaps，thatwhetherIobjectedornot，hewasquiteabletodoashesaid。IonlyrepliedthatifourpasearwasprolongedbeyondHeavytreeHill，Ishouldhavetoborrowhisbeast。
Tomysurpriseherepliedquietly，\"That’sso，\"addingthatthehorsewasatmydisposalwhenhewasn’tusingit，andHALFofitwhenhewas。\"Dickhascarrieddoublemanyatimebeforethis，\"hecontinued，\"andkindoitagain；whenyourmustanggivesoutI’llgiveyoualiftandroomtospare。\"
IcouldnothelpsmilingattheideaofappearingbeforetheboysatRedGulchencroupewiththestranger；butneithercouldIhelpbeingoddlyaffectedbythesuggestionthathishorsehaddonedoubledutybefore。\"Onwhatoccasion，andwhy？\"wasaquestionI
kepttomyself。Wewereascendingthelong，rockyflankofthedivide；thenarrownessofthetrailobligedustoproceedslowly，andinfile，sothattherewaslittlechanceforconversation，hadhebeendisposedtosatisfymycuriosity。
Wetoiledoninsilence，thebuckeyegivingwaytochimisal，thewesteringsun，reflectedagainfromtheblankwallsbesideus，blindingoureyeswithitsglare。Thepinesinthecanyonbelowwereolivegulfsofheat，overwhichahawkhereandtheredriftedlazily，or，risingtoourlevel，castaweirdandgiganticshadowofslowlymovingwingsonthemountainside。Thesuperiorityofthestranger’shorseledhimoftenfarinadvance，andmademehopethathemightforgetmeentirely，orpushon，growingwearyofwaiting。Butregularlyhewouldhaltbyabowlder，orreappearfromsomechimisal，wherehehadpatientlyhalted。Iwasbeginningtohatehimmildly，whenatoneofthosereappearanceshedrewuptomyside，andaskedmehowIlikedDickens！
HadheaskedmyopinionofHuxleyorDarwin，Icouldnothavebeenmoreastonished。ThinkingitwerepossiblethathereferredtosomelocalcelebrityofLagrange，Isaid，hesitatingly：——
\"Youmean——\"
\"CharlesDickens。Ofcourseyou’vereadhim？Whichofhisbooksdoyoulikebest？\"
IrepliedwithconsiderableembarrassmentthatIlikedthemall，——
asIcertainlydid。
Hegraspedmyhandforamomentwithafervorquiteunlikehisusualphlegm，andsaid，\"That’sme，oldman。Dickensain’tnoslouch。Youcancountonhimprettymuchallthetime。\"
Withthisroughpreface，helaunchedintoacriticismofthenovelist，whichforintelligentsympathyandheartyappreciationI
hadrarelyheardequaled。Notonlydidhedwellupontheexuberanceofhishumor，butuponthepowerofhispathosandtheall-pervadingelementofhispoetry。Ilookedatthemaninastonishment。Ihadconsideredmyselfaratherdiligentstudentofthegreatmasteroffiction，butthestranger’sfelicityofquotationandillustrationstaggeredme。Itistrue，thathisthoughtwasnotalwaysclothedinthebestlanguage，andoftenappearedintheslouching，slangyundressoftheplaceandperiod，yetitneverwasrusticnorhomespun，andsometimesstruckmewithitsprecisionandfitness。Considerablysoftenedtowardhim，I
triedhimwithotherliterature。Butvainly。Beyondafewofthelyricalandemotionalpoets，heknewnothing。Undertheinfluenceandenthusiasmofhisownspeech，hehimselfhadsoftenedconsiderably；offeredtochangehorseswithme，readjustedmysaddlewithprofessionalskill，transferredmypacktohisownhorse，insisteduponmysharingthecontentsofhiswhiskyflask，and，noticingthatIwasunarmed，presseduponmeasilver-mountedDerringer，whichheassuredmehecould\"warrant。\"Thesevariousofficesofgoodwillandthediversionofhistalkbeguiledmefromnoticingthefactthatthetrailwasbeginningtobecomeobscureandunrecognizable。Wewereevidentlypursuingarouteunknownbeforetome。Ipointedoutthefacttomycompanion，alittleimpatiently。Heinstantlyresumedhisoldmanneranddialect。
\"Well，Ireckononetrail’sasgoodasanother，andwhathevyegottosayaboutit？\"
Ipointedout，withsomedignity，thatIpreferredtheoldtrail。
\"Mebbeyoudid。Butyou’rejissnowtakin’apasearwithME。ThisyertrailwillbringyourightintoIndianSpring，andONNOTICED，andnoquestionsasked。Don’tyoumindnow，I’llseeyouthrough。\"
Itwasnecessaryheretomakesomestandagainstmystrangecompanion。Isaidfirmly，yetaspolitelyasIcould，thatIhadproposedstoppingovernightwithafriend。
\"Whar？\"
Ihesitated。ThefriendwasaneccentricEasternman，wellknowninthelocalityforhisfastidiousnessandhishabitsasarecluse。
Amisanthrope，ofamplefamilyandamplemeans，hehadchosenasecludedbutpicturesquevalleyintheSierraswherehecouldrailagainsttheworldwithoutopposition。\"LoneValley，\"or\"BostonRanch，\"asitwasfamiliarlycalled，wastheonespotthattheaverageminerbothrespectedandfeared。Mr。Sylvester，itsproprietor，hadneveraffiliatedwith\"theboys，\"norhadheeverlosttheirrespectbyanyactiveoppositiontotheirideas。Ifseclusionhadbeenhisobject，hecertainlywasgratified。
Nevertheless，inthedarkeningshadowsofthenight，andonalonelyandunknowntrail，IhesitatedalittleatrepeatinghisnametoastrangerofwhomIknewsolittle。Butmymysteriouscompaniontookthematteroutofmyhands。
\"Lookyar，\"hesaid，suddenly，\"tharain’tbutoneplacetwixtyerandIndianSpringwharyecanstop，andthatisSylvester’s。\"
Iassented，alittlesullenly。
\"Well，\"saidthestranger，quietly，andwithaslightsuggestionofconferringafavoronme，\"efyerpointedforSylvester’s——why——I
DON’TMINDSTOPPINGTHARWITHYE。It’salittleofftheroad——I’lllosesometime——buttakingitbyandlarge，Idon’tmuchmind。\"
Istated，asrapidlyandasstronglyasIcould，thatmyacquaintancewithMr。Sylvesterdidnotjustifytheintroductionofastrangertohishospitality；thathewasunlikemostofthepeoplehere，——inshort，thathewasaqueerman，etc。，etc。
Tomysurprisemycompanionansweredquietly：\"Oh，that’sallright。I’veheerdofhim。Efyoudon’tfeellikecheckingmethrough，orifyou’dratherput’C。O。D。’onmyback，whyit’sallthesametome。I’llplayitalone。Onlyyoujustcountmein。
Say’Sylvester’allthetime。That’sme！\"
WhatcouldIopposetothisman’squietassurance？Ifeltmyselfgrowingredwithangerandnervouswithembarrassment。WhatwouldthecorrectSylvestersaytome？Whatwouldthegirls，——Iwasayoungmanthen，andhadwonanentreetotheirdomesticcirclebymyreserve，——knownbyalesscomplimentaryadjectiveamong\"theboys，\"——whatwouldtheysaytomynewacquaintance？YetI
certainlycouldnotobjecttohisassumingallrisksonhisownpersonalrecognizances，norcouldIresistacertainfeelingofshameatmyembarrassment。
Wewerebeginningtodescend。InthedistancebelowusalreadytwinkledthelightsinthesolitaryranchoofLoneValley。I
turnedtomycompanion。\"ButyouhaveforgottenthatIdon’tevenknowyourname。WhatamItocallyou？\"
\"That’sso，\"hesaid，musingly。\"Now，let’ssee。’Kearney’wouldbeagoodname。It’sshortandeasylike。Thar’sastreetin’Friscothesametitle；Kearneyitis。\"
\"But——\"Ibeganimpatiently。
\"Nowyouleaveallthattome，\"heinterrupted，withasuperbself-
confidencethatIcouldnotbutadmire。\"Thenameain’tnoaccount。It’sthemanthat’sresponsible。EfIwastolayforamanthatIreckonedwasnamedJones，andafterIfetchedhimI
foundoutontheinquestthathisrealnamewasSmith，thatwouldn’tmakenomatter，aslongasIgottheman。\"
Theillustration，forcibleasitwas，didnotstrikemeasofferingaprepossessingintroduction，butwewerealreadyattherancho。
ThebarkingofdogsbroughtSylvestertothedooroftheprettylittlecottagewhichhistastehadadorned。
IbrieflyintroducedMr。Kearney。\"Kearneywilldo——Kearney’sgoodenoughforme，\"commentedthesoi-disantKearneyhalf-aloud，tomyownhorrorandSylvester’sevidentmystification，andthenheblandlyexcusedhimselfforamomentthathemightpersonallysupervisethecareofhisownbeast。Whenhewasoutofear-shotI
drewthepuzzledSylvesteraside。
\"Ihavepickedup——ImeanIhavebeenpickedupontheroadbyagentlemaniac，whosenameisnotKearney。HeiswellarmedandquotesDickens。Withcare，acquiescenceinhisviewsonallsubjects，andgeneralsubmissiontohiscommands，hemaybeplacated。Doubtlessthespectacleofyourhelplessfamily，thecontemplationofyourdaughter’sbeautyandinnocence，maytouchhisfinesenseofhumorandpathos。Meanwhile，Heavenhelpyou，andforgiveme。\"
Iranupstairstothelittledenthatmyhospitablehosthadkeptalwaysreservedformeinmywanderings。Ilingeredsometimeovermyablutions，hearingthelanguid，gentlemanlydrawlofSylvesterbelow，mingledwiththeequallycool，easyslangofmymysteriousacquaintance。WhenIcamedowntothesitting-roomIwassurprised，however，tofindtheself-styledKearneyquietlyseatedonthesofa，thegentleMaySylvester，the\"LilyofLoneValley，\"
sittingwithmaidenlyaweandunaffectedinterestononesideofhim，whileontheotherthatarrantflirt，hercousinKate，waspracticingthepitilessarcheryofhereyes，withanexcitementthatseemedalmostreal。
\"Whoisyourdeliciouslycoolfriend？\"shemanagedtowhispertomeatsupper，asIsatutterlydazedandbewilderedbetweentheenraptMaySylvester，whoseemedtohanguponhiswords，andthisgiddygirloftheperiod，whowasemptyingthebatteryofhercharmsinactiverivalryuponhim。\"Ofcourseweknowhisnameisn’tKearney。Buthowromantic！Andisn’theperfectlylovely？Andwhoishe？\"
IrepliedwithsevereironythatIwasnotawarewhatforeignpotentatewasthentravelingincognitointheSierrasofCalifornia，butthatwhenhisroyalhighnesswaspleasedtoinformme，Ishouldbegladtointroducehimproperly。\"Untilthen，\"I
added，\"IfeartheacquaintancemustbeMorganatic。\"
\"You’reonlyjealousofhim，\"shesaidpertly。\"LookatMay——sheiscompletelyfascinated。Andherfather，too。\"Andactually，thelanguid，world-sick，cynicalSylvesterwasregardinghimwithaboyishinterestandenthusiasmalmostincompatiblewithhisnature。
YetIsubmithonestlytotheclear-headedreasonofmyownsex，thatIcouldseenothingmoreinthemanthanIhavealreadydeliveredtothereader。
Inthemiddleofanexcitingstoryofadventure，ofwhichhe，tothealreadyprejudicedmindofhisfairauditors，wasevidentlythehero，hestoppedsuddenly。
\"It’sonlysomepacktrainpassingthebridgeonthelowertrail，\"
explainedSylvester；\"goon。\"
\"Itmaybemyhorseisatrifleoneasyinthestable，\"saidtheallegedKearney；\"heain’tusedtoboardsandcovering。\"Heavenonlyknowswhatwildanddeliciousrevelationlayinthestatementofthisfact，butthegirlslookedateachotherwithcheekspinkwithexcitementasKearneyarose，and，withquietabsenceofceremony，quittedthetable。
\"Ain’thejustlovely？\"saidKate，gaspingforbreath，\"andsowitty。\"
\"Witty！\"saidthegentleMay，withjusttheslightesttraceofdefianceinhersweetvoice；\"witty，mydear？why，don’tyouseethathisheartisjustbreakingwithpathos？Witty，indeed；why，whenhewasspeakingofthatpoorMexicanwomanthatwashung，I
sawthetearsgatherinhiseyes。Witty，indeed！\"
\"Tears，\"laughedthecynicalSylvester，\"tears，idletears。Why，yousillychildren，themanisamanoftheworld，aphilosopher，quiet，observant，unassuming。\"
\"Unassuming！\"WasSylvesterintoxicated，orhadthemysteriousstrangermixedthe\"insaneverb\"withthefamilypottage？HereturnedbeforeIcouldanswerthisself-askedinquiry，andresumedcoollyhisbrokennarrative。FindingmyselfforgotteninthemanI
hadsolonghesitatedtointroducetomyfriends，Iretiredtorestearly，onlytohear，throughthethinpartitions，twohourslater，enthusiasticpraisesofthenewguestfromthevolublelipsofthegirls，astheychattedinthenextroombeforeretiring。
AtmidnightIwasstartledbythesoundofhorses’hoofsandthejinglingofspursbelow。AconversationbetweenmyhostandsomemysteriouspersonageinthedarknesswascarriedoninsuchalowtonethatIcouldnotlearnitsimport。AsthecavalcaderodeawayIraisedthewindow。
\"What’sthematter？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidSylvester，coolly，\"onlyanotheroneofthoseplayfulhomicidalfreakspeculiartothecountry。AmanwasshotbyCherokeeJackoveratLagrangethismorning，andthatwasthesheriffofCalaverasandhispossehuntinghim。ItoldhimI’dseennobodybutyouandyourfriend。Bytheway，Ihopethecursednoisehasn’tdisturbedhim。Thepoorfellowlookedasifhewantedrest。\"
Ithoughtso，too。Nevertheless，Iwentsoftlytohisroom。Itwasempty。MyimpressionwasthathehaddistancedthesheriffofCalaverasabouttwohours。
AGHOSTOFTHESIERRAS
Itwasavastsilenceofpines，redolentwithbalsamicbreath，andmuffledwiththedrydustofdeadbarkandmattedmosses。Lyingonourbacks，welookedupwardthroughahundredfeetofclear，unbrokenintervaltothefirstlateralbranchesthatformedtheflatcanopyaboveus。Hereandtherethefiercesun，fromwhoseactivepersecutionwehadjustescaped，searchedforusthroughthewoods，butitskeenbladewasdulledandturnedasidebyintercostalboughs，anditsbrightnessdissipatedinnebulousmiststhroughouttheroofingofthedim，brownaislesaroundus。Wewereinanotheratmosphere，underanothersky；indeed，inanotherworldthanthedazzlingonewehadjustquitted。Thegravesilenceseemedsomuchapartofthegratefulcoolness，thatwehesitatedtospeak，andforsomemomentslayquietlyoutstretchedonthepinetasselswherewehadfirstthrownourselves。Finally，avoicebrokethesilence：——
\"AsktheoldMajor；heknowsallaboutit！\"
Thepersonherealludedtounderthatmilitarytitlewasmyself。I
hardlyneedexplaintoanyCalifornianthatitbynomeansfollowedthatIwasa\"Major，\"orthatIwas\"old，\"orthatIknewanythingabout\"it，\"orindeedwhat\"it\"referredto。Thewholeremarkwasmerelyoneoftheusualconventionalfeelerstoconversation，——akindofsocialpreamble，quitecommontoourslangycampintercourse。Nevertheless，asIwasalwaysknownastheMajor，perhapsfornobetterreasonthanthatthespeaker，anoldjournalist，wasalwayscalledDoctor，Irecognizedthefactsofarastokickasideaninterveningsaddle，sothatIcouldseethespeaker’sfaceonalevelwithmyown，andsaidnothing。
\"Aboutghosts！\"saidtheDoctor，afterapause，whichnobodybrokeorwasexpectedtobreak。\"Ghosts，sir！That’swhatwewanttoknow。WhatarewedoinghereinthisblankedoldmausoleumofCalaverasCounty，ifitisn’ttofindoutsomethingabout’em，eh？\"
Nobodyreplied。
\"Thar’sthathauntedhouseatCaveCity。Can’tbemorethanamileortwoaway，anyhow。Usedtobejustoffthetrail。\"
Adeadsilence。
TheDoctor（addressingspacegenerally）\"Yes，sir；itWASamightyqueerstory。\"
Stillthesamereposefulindifference。WeallknewtheDoctor’sskillasaraconteur；weallknewthatastorywascoming，andweallknewthatanyinterruptionwouldbefatal。Timeandtimeagain，inourprospectingexperience，hadawordofpoliteencouragement，arashexpressionofinterest，evenatooeagerattitudeofsilentexpectancy，broughttheDoctortoasuddenchangeofsubject。Timeandtimeagainhaveweseentheunwarystrangerstandamazedandbewilderedbetweenourownindifferenceandthesuddenterminationofapromisinganecdote，throughhisownunluckyinterference。Sowesaidnothing。\"TheJudge\"——anotherinstanceofarbitrarynomenclature——pretendedtosleep。Jackbegantotwistacigarrito。Thorntonbitofftheendsofpineneedlesreflectively。
\"Yes，sir，\"continuedtheDoctor，coollyrestingthebackofhisheadonthepalmsofhishands，\"itWASrathercurious。Allexceptthemurder。THAT’Swhatgetsme，forthemurderhadnonewpoints，nofancytouches，nosentiment，nomystery。Wasjustoneoftheoldstyle，’sub-head’paragraphs。Old-fashionedminerscrubsalongonhardtackandbeans，andsavesupalittlemoneytogohomeandseerelations。Old-fashionedassassinsharpensupknife，oldstyle；loadsoldflint-lock，brass-mountedpistol；walksinonold-
fashionedmineronedarknight，sendshimhometohisrelationsawaybacktoseveralgenerations，andwalksoffwiththeswag。NomysteryTHERE；nothingtoclearup；subsequentrevelationsonlyimpertinence。Nothingforanyghosttodo——whomeantbusiness。
Morethanthat，overfortymurders，sameoldkind，committedeveryyearinCalaveras，andnospiritualpostobitscomingdueeveryanniversary；noassessmentsmadeonthepeaceandquietofthesurvivingcommunity。Itellyouwhat，boys，I’vealwaysbeeninclinedtothrowoffontheCaveCityghostforthatalone。It’sabadprecedent，sir。Ifthatkindo’thingisgoingtoobtaininthefoot-hills，we’llhavethetrailsfullofchapsformerlyknockedoverbyMexicansandroadagents；everylittlecampandgrocerywillhavestockenoughonhandtogointobusiness，andwhere’sthereanysecurityforsurvivinglifeandproperty，eh？
What’syouropinion，Judge，asafair-mindedlegislator？\"
Ofcoursetherewasnoresponse。YetitwaspartoftheDoctor’ssystemofaggravationtobecomediscursiveatthesemoments，inthehopeofinterruption，andhecontinuedforsomemomentstodwellontheterriblepossibilityofastateofaffairsinwhichagentlemancouldnolongersettleadisputewithanenemywithoutbeingsubjectedtosucceedingspiritualembarrassment。Butallthisdigressionfelluponapparentlyinattentiveears。
\"Well，sir，afterthemurder，thecabinstoodforalongtimedesertedandtenantless。Popularopinionwasagainstit。Onedayaraggedprospector，savagewithhardlaborandharderluck，cametothecamp，lookingforaplacetoliveandachancetoprospect。