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“Do you not think that the ‘sacred compact’ between Mr. Rightbody and Mr. Silsbie referred to her?”

“We reckon it do.”

Mrs. Rightbody, flushed and animated, would have given worlds had her daughter been present to hear this undoubted confirmation of her theory. Yet she felt a little nervous and uncomfortable even on this threshold of discovery.

“Is she here now?”

“She’s in Tuolumne,” said Seventy-Four.

“A little better looked arter than formerly,” added Seventy-Five.

“I see. Then Mr. Silsbie ENTICED her away?”

“Well, ma’am, it WAS allowed as she runned away. But it wasn’t proved, and it generally wasn’t her style.”

Mrs. Rightbody trifled with her next question.

“She was pretty, of course?”

The eyes of both men brightened.

“She was THAT!” said Seventy-Four emphatically.

“It would have done you good to see her!” added Seventy-Five.

Mrs. Rightbody inwardly doubted it; but, before she could ask another question, the two men again retired to the corner for consultation. When they came back, there was a shade more of kindliness and confidence in their manner; and Seventy-Four opened his mind more freely.

“We wish to say, ma’am, looking at the thing, by and large, in a far-minded way, that, ez YOU seem interested, and ez Mr. Rightbody was interested, and was, according to all accounts, deceived and led away by Silsbie, that we don’t mind listening to any proposition YOU might make, as a lady–allowin’ you was ekally interested.”

“I understand,” said Mrs. Rightbody quickly. “And you will furnish me with any papers?”

The two men again consulted.

“We wish to say, ma’am, that we think she’s got papers, but–“

“I MUST have them, you understand,” interrupted Mrs. Rightbody, “at any price.

“We was about to say, ma’am,” said Seventy-Four slowly, “that, considerin’ all things,–and you being a lady–you kin have HER, papers, pedigree, and guaranty, for twelve hundred dollars.”

It has been alleged that Mrs. Rightbody asked only one question more, and then fainted. It is known, however, that by the next day it was understood in Deadwood that Mrs. Rightbody had confessed to the Vigilance Committee that her husband, a celebrated Boston millionaire, anxious to gain possession of Abner Springer’s well-known sorrel mare, had incited the unfortunate Josh Silsbie to steal it; and that finally, failing in this, the widow of the deceased Boston millionaire was now in personal negotiation with the owners.

Howbeit, Miss Alice, returning home that afternoon, found her mother with a violent headache.

“We will leave here by the next steamer,” said Mrs. Rightbody languidly. “Mr. Ryder has promised to accompany us.”

“But, mother–“

“The climate, Alice, is over-rated. My nerves are already suffering from it. The associations are unfit for you, and Mr. Marvin is naturally impatient.”

Miss Alice colored slightly.

“But your quest, mother?”

“I’ve abandoned it.”

“But I have not,” said Alice quietly. “Do you remember my guide at the Yo Semite,–Stanislaus Joe? Well, Stanislaus Joe is–who do you think?”

Mrs. Rightbody was languidly indifferent.

“Well, Stanislaus Joe is the son of Joshua Silsbie.”

Mrs. Rightbody sat upright in astonishment

“Yes. But mother, he knows nothing of what we know. His father treated him shamefully, and set him cruelly adrift years ago; and, when he was hung, the poor fellow, in sheer disgrace, changed his name.”

“But, if he knows nothing of his father’s compact, of what interest is this?”

“Oh, nothing! Only I thought it might lead to something.”

Mrs. Rightbody suspected that “something,” and asked sharply, “And pray how did YOU find it out? You did not speak of it in the valley.”

“Oh! I didn’t find it out till to-day,” said Miss Alice, walking to the window. “He happened to be here, and–told me.”

PART IV.

If Mrs. Rightbody’s friends had been astounded by her singular and unexpected pilgrimage to California so soon after her husband’s decease, they were still more astounded by the information, a year later, that she was engaged to be married to a Mr. Ryder, of whom only the scant history was known, that he was a Californian, and former correspondent of her husband. It was undeniable that the man was wealthy, and evidently no mere adventurer; it was rumored that he was courageous and manly: but even those who delighted in his odd humor were shocked at his grammar and slang.