nd toward the waiting car and he obeyed her gesture
without protest, gently lifting Jessica into it, for she would not
otherwise have been removed from Ephraim's side.

"Go with him, lady. Elsa won't want to _live_ down here and we'll
follow presently. Never had a woman seem so fond of my company, not in
all my eighty years. H-m-m!"

Commonly, the most genial of men, the sharpshooter's spirits had fully
regained their normal poise. Since he had not been dismissed by Mrs.
Trent, and since his little Jessica believed in him, everything was all
right. Elsa had been hoarding so long for her overgrown "child" that
she had lost her wits. He wasn't surprised. She was a woman.

So, with a smile, he was able to watch the car disappear upward, and
he even began to whistle, lest Elsa should improve this opportunity and
resume her racket.

"No disrespect to you, ma'am, remembering the good victuals you've
often given me, but kind of to keep my courage up, like the boy going
through the woods."

Elsa vouchsafed no reply, beyond grasping his sleeve firmly, as if to
assure herself that he should not vanish through the solid wall behind
them; and he, at least, was relieved when the little car came rolling
downward again, empty.

Elsa, who understood its management as well as her husband, grasped its
side and motioned Ephraim forward.

"Ladies first," he objected, gallantly.

"Get in, wretch, already."

"Oh! I'm not loath to get in, now. Even your sweet presence doesn't
make this hole a paradise. And I came down here a heavy-hearted man, yet
I've going up light as a feather. Glad I've got you along to ballast,
else I'd likely shoot clean up to the sky."

Poor Elsa thought his hilarity ill-timed. She glared at him first, then
began to weep, and her tears sobered him as no frowns could do.

"Look, here, old girl, cheer up! Likely it's only a passing fit of
madness has got you in tow. Women are kittle cattle, I've been told.
Except Lady Jess and the madam. But they're quality. It's in their
blood to be noble just as 'tis in--well, let that go. If you've lost
any of your money, as you 'pear to think, you'll find it again. Why,
you're bound to. Who is there to steal it save your own selves? Likely
you've got up some dark night in your sleep and hid it away so careful
you've forgot the place. Good! The top and fresh air again, thank
Heaven!"

Mr. Hale had left the cabin immediately after Elsa, and though inclined
to stoop and