Jackson。Yes，sir。[Exit。
OldMorton（takingupSTARBOTTLE’Snote）。\"MissMorriswillarriveto-night。\"Andyethesawheronlyyesterday。Thisisnotlikehermother：no。Shewouldneverhaveforgivenandforgottensoquickly。Perhapssheknewnotmysinandhermother’swrongs;
perhapsshehas——has——CHRISTIANforgiveness（sarcastically）;
perhaps，likemyprodigal，shewillbeimmaculatelyperfect。Well，well：atleastherpresencewillmakemyhomelesslonely。\"Anattendantandchild。\"Achild！Ah，ifHE，myboy，myAlexander，werestillachild，Imightwarmthiscold，coldheartinhissunshine！StrangethatIcannotreconstructfromthisdutiful，submissive，obedient，industriousAlexander，——thisredeemedoutcast，thissonwhosharesmylife，myfortunes，myheart，——thefoolish，wilful，thoughtless，idleboy，thatoncedefiedme。I
remember（musing，withasmile）howthelittlerascal，ha，ha！oncestruckme，——STRUCKME！——whenIcorrectedhim：ha，ha！（Rubbinghishandswithamusement，andthensuddenlybecominggraveandlugubrious。）No，no。Thesearethewhisperingsoftheflesh。WhyshouldIfindfaultwithhimforbeingallthatarighteousconversiondemands，——allthatIaskedandprayedfor？No，AlexanderMorton：itisyou，YOU，whoarenotyetregenerate。ItisYOUwhoareungratefultoHimwhoblessedyou，toHimwhoseguidinghandledyouto——
EnterJACKSON。
Jackson。DonJoseCastro。
EnterDONJOSE。
DonJose。Athousandpardons，senor，forinterruptingyouinthehoursofbusiness;butitis——itisofbusinessIwouldspeak。
（Lookingaround。）
OldMorton（toJACKSON）。Youcanretire。（ExitJACKSON。）Beseated，Mr。Castro：Iamatyourservice。
DonJose。Itisofyour——yourson——
OldMorton。OurfirmisMorton&Son：inbusinessweareone，Mr。
Castro。
DonJose。Bueno！ThentoyouastohimIwillspeak。HereisaletterIreceivedyesterday。Ithassignificance，importanceperhaps。But，whateveritis，itissomethingforyou，notme，toknow。IfIamwrongedmuch，DonAlexandro，you，you，arewrongedstillmore。ShallIreadit？Good。（Reads。）\"ThemantowhomyouhaveaffiancedyourdaughterisnotthesonofAlexanderMorton。Haveacare。IfIdonotprovehimanimpostorattheendofsixdays，believemeone，andnotyourtruefriendandservant，Concho。\"Insixdays，DonAlexandro，theyearofprobationisover，andIhavepromisedmydaughter’shandtoyourson。（HandslettertoMORTON。）
OldMorton（ringingbell）。Isthatall，Mr。Castro？
DonJose。All，Mr。Castro？Carramba！isitnotenough？
EnterJACKSON。
OldMorton（toJACKSON）。Youhavekeptarecordofthisbusinessduringthelasteighteenmonths。Lookatthisletter。（Handingletter。）Isthehandwritingfamiliar？
Jackson（takingletter）。Can’tsay，sir。Theformistheoldone。
OldMorton。Howmanysuchlettershaveyoureceived？
Jackson。Fourhundredandforty-one，sir。Thisisthefourhundredandforty-secondapplicationforyourson’sposition，sir。
DonJose。Pardon。Thisisnotanapplication：itisonlyinformationorcaution。
OldMorton（toJACKSON）。Howmanylettersofinformationorcautionhavewereceived？
Jackson。Thismakessevenhundredandeighty-one，sir。
OldMorton。How，sir！（Quickly。）Therewerebutsevenhundredandseventy-ninelastnight。
Jackson。Begpardon，sir！ThegentlemanwhocarriedMr。Alexander’svalisefromtheboatwasthesevenhundredandeightieth。
OldMorton。Explainyourself，sir。
Jackson。Heimpartedtome，whilereceivinghisstipend，thefactthathedidnotbelieveyoungMr。Alexanderwasyourson。Anhourlater，sir，healsoimpartedtomeconfidentiallythathebelievedyouwerehisfather，andrequestedtheloanoffivedollars，toberepaidbyyou，toenablehimtopurchaseacleanshirt，andappearbeforeyouinrespectablecondition。Hewaitedforyouanhour，andexpressedsomeindignationthathehadnotanequalshowwithotherstothrowhimselfintoyourarms。
DonJose（rising，aside，andupliftinghishands）。Carramba！
TheseAmericanosareoftheDevil！（Aloud。）Enough，DonAlexandro！
Thenyouthinkthisletterisonlyworth——
OldMorton。Onemoment。Icanperhapstellyouexactlyitsmarketvalue。（ToJACKSON。）Goon，sir。
Jackson。Athalf-pastten，sir，thenbeingslightlyundertheinfluenceofliquor，heacceptedthepriceofadeckpassagetoStockton。
OldMorton。Howmuchwasthat，sir？
Jackson。Fiftycents。
OldMorton。Exactlyso！Thereyouhave，sir（toDONJOSE），themarketvalueoftheinformationyouhavereceived。Iwouldadviseyou，asabusinessmatter，nottopaymore。Asabusinessmatter，youcanatanytimedrawuponusfortheamount。（ToJACKSON。）
AdmitMr。Capper。[ExitJACKSON。
DonJose（risingwithdignity）。Thisisaninsult，DonAlexandro。
OldMorton。Youarewrong，Mr。Castro：itisBUSINESS;sought，I
believe，byyourself。Nowthatitistransacted，Ibegyoutodinewithmeto-morrowtomeetmyniece。Nooffence，sir，nooffence。
Come，come！Business，youknow，business。
DonJose（relaxing）。Beitso！Iwillcome。（Aside。）TheseAmericanos，theseAmericanos，areoftheDevil！（Aloud。）Adios。
（Going。）Ihear，byreport，thatyouhavemetwiththemisfortuneofaseriouslossbyrobbery？
OldMorton（aside）。Soourmishapisknowneverywhere。（Aloud。）
Noseriousmisfortune，Mr。Castro，evenifwedonotrecoverthemoney。Adios。
[ExitDonJose。
OldMorton。Thestiff-neckedPapist！Thatheshoulddare，forthesakeofhisblack-browed，frowarddaughter，to——questionthefaithonwhichIhavepinnedmyfuture！Well，withGod’sblessing，I
gavehimsomewholesomediscipline。IfitwerenotformycovenantwithAlexander——andnoblyhehasfulfilledhispart，——IshouldforbidhisalliancewiththebloodofthisspyingJesuit。
EnterMr。JACKSON，leadinginCAPPER。
Jackson。Policeman，sir。[Exit。
Capper（turningsharply）。Who’sthatman？
OldMorton。Jackson，clerk。
Capper。Umph！Beenherelong？
OldMorton。Ayear。Hewasappointedbymyson。
Capper。Knowanythingofhispreviouslife？
OldMorton（stiffly）。Ihavealreadytoldyouheisanappointeeofmyson’s。
Capper。Yes！（Aside。）\"Likemaster，likeman。\"（Aloud。）Well，tobusiness。Wehaveworkeduptherobbery。Wehavereachedtwoconclusions，——one，thattheworkwasnotdonebyprofessionals;theother，consequentuponthis，thatyoucan’trecoverthemoney。
OldMorton。Excuseme，sir，butIdonotseethelastconclusion。
Capper。Thenlisten。Theprofessionalthiefhasonlyoneortwowaysofdisposingofhisplunder，andthesewaysarealwayswellknowntous。Good！Yourstolencoinhasnotbeendisposedofintheregularway，throughtheusualhandswhichwecouldatanytimeseize。Ofthiswearesatisfied。
OldMorton。Howdoyouknowit？
Capper。Inthisway。TheonlyclewwehavetotheidentificationofthemissingmoneyweretwoboxesofMexicandoubloons。
OldMorton（aside）。Mr。Castro’sspecialdeposit！Hemayhavereasonforhisinterest。（Aloud。）Goon。
Capper。Itisacoinrareincirculationintheinterior。Thenightaftertherobbery，thedealerofamonte-tableinSacramentopaidoutfivethousanddollarsindoubloons。Hedeclareditwastakeninatthetable，andcouldnotidentifytheplayers。Ofcourse，OFCOURSE！Sofar，yousee，youarehelpless。Wehaveonlyestablishedonefact，thattherobberis——is——（significantly）
agambler。
OldMorton（quietly）。Theregulartradeofthethiefseemstometobeoflittleimportanceifyoucannotidentifyhim，orrecovermymoney。Butgoon，sir，goon：oristhisall？
Capper（aside）。Theoldfoolisblind。Thatisnatural。（Aloud。）
Itisnotall。Thecrimewilldoubtlessberepeated。Themanwhohasaccesstoyourvaults，whohastakenonlythirtythousanddollarswhenhecouldhavesecuredhalfamillion，——thisman，whohasalreadygambledthatthirtythousandaway，——willnotstopthere。Hewillinadayortwo，perhapsto-day，trytoretrievehislossesoutofYOURcapital。Iamheretopreventit。
OldMorton（becominginterested）。How？
Capper。Giveme，forforty-eighthours，freeaccesstothisbuilding。Letmeconcealmyselfsomewhere，anywhere，withinthesewalls。Letitbewithouttheknowledgeofyourclerks，evenofYOURSON！
OldMorton（proudly）。Mr。AlexanderMortonisabsentto-day。
Thereisnootherreasonwhyheshouldnotbeheretoconsenttotheactsofhispartnerandfather。
Capper（quickly）。Verygood。Itisonlytoinsureabsolutesecrecy。
OldMorton（aside）。Anotherrobberymightexciteasuspicion，worseforourcreditthanouractualloss。Thereisasignificantearnestnessaboutthisman，thatawakensmyfears。IfAlexanderwereonlyhere。（Aloud。）Iaccept。（CAPPERhasbeentryingdoorsR。andL。）
Capper。Whatroomisthis？（AtR。）
OldMorton。Myson’s：Iwouldprefer——
Capper。Andthis？（AtL。）
OldMorton。Mine，sir;ifyouchoose——
Capper（lockingdoor，andputtingkeyinhispocket）。Thiswilldo。Obligemebymakingthenecessaryarrangementsinyourcounting-room。
OldMorton（hesitatingandaside）。Heisright：perhapsitisonlyprudence，andIamsavingAlexanderadditionalcareandannoyance。
[Exit。
EnterMR。SHADOWcautiously，C。
Shadow（inalispingwhispertoCAPPER）。I’vegotthelithtoftheclerkthcomplete。
Capper（triumphantly）。Putitinyourpocket，Shadow。Wedon’tcareforthelackeysnow：weareafterthemaster。
Shadow。Eh！themathter？
Capper。Yes：themaster，——theyoungmaster，thereclaimedson，thereformedprodigal！ha，ha！——theyoungmanwhocompensateshimselfforallthisausteredevotiontobusinessandprinciplebydippingintotheoldman’svaultswhenhewantsapasear：eh，Shadow？
That’sthemanwe’reafter。Lookhere！Inevertookanystockinthatyoungman’sreformation。Yedon’tteacholdsportslikehimnewtricks。They’reabadlot，fatherandson，——eh，Shadow？——andhe’sachipoftheoldblock。Ispottedhimbeforethisrobbery，beforewewereevercalledinhereprofessionally。I’vehadmyeyeonAlexanderMorton，aliasJohnOakhurst;and，whenIfoundtheoldman’sdoubloonsrakedoveramonte-tableatSacramento，Iknewwheretolookforthethief。Eh，Shadow？
Shadow（aside）。Heithenormouth，thithMithterCapper。
EnterOLDMORTON。
OldMorton。Ihavearrangedeverything。Youwillnotbedisturbedorsuspectedhereinmyprivateoffice。Eh！（LookingatSHADOW。）
Whohasslippedinhere？
Capper。OnlymyShadow，Mr。Morton;butIcanridmyselfevenofthat。（CrossestoSHADOW。）Takethiscardtotheoffice，andwaitforfurtherorders。Vanish，Shadow！[ExitSHADOW。
EnterJACKSON。
Jackson。Mr。Alexanderhascomein，sir。（OLDMORTONandCAPPER
start。）
OldMorton。Whereishe？
Jackson。Inhisprivateroom，sir。
OldMorton。Enough：youcango。
[ExitJACKSON。
Capper（crossingtoMORTON）。Remember，youhavegivenyourpledgeofsecrecy。Beware！Yourhonor，yourproperty，thecreditandreputationofyourbank，areatstake。
OldMorton（afterapauseofhesitation，withdignity）。Igaveyoumyword，sir，whilemysonwasnotpresent。Ishallsavemyselffrombreakingmywordwithyou，orconcealinganythingfromhim，bywithdrawingmyself。Forthenexttwenty-fourhours，thisroom（pointingtoprivateroomR。）isyours。
Eachregardstheother。ExitOLDMORTONC。，asCAPPERexitinprivateroomR。Afterapause，doorofroomL。opens，andHARRY
YORKappears，slightlyintoxicated，followedbyJOHNOAKHURST。
HarryYork（lookingaround）。ByJove！Morton，butyou’vegotthingsinstylehere。Andthisyer’sthegov’nor’sdesk;andhereoldPraisegodBarebonessitsoppositeye。Lookyer，oldboy（throwinghimselfinchair），Ikinallowhowitcomeseasyforyetorunthisbank，forit’saboutasexciting，thesetimes，asfarowastoyein’49，whenIfirstknewyeasJackOakhurst;buthowtheDevilyoucansitoppositethatstiffembodimentofalltheTenCommandments，daybyday，damnit！that’swotGETSme！Why，thefirstdayIcamehereonbusiness，theoldmanfrozemesothatI
couldn’tthawadepositoutofmypocket。Itchillsmetothinkofit。
Oakhurst（hastily）。IsupposeIamaccustomedtohim。Butcome，Harry：letmewarmyou。（OpensdoorofsafeL。，anddiscoverscupboard，decanter，andglasses。）
York（laughing）。ByJove！undertheoldman’sverynose。Jack，thisislikeyou。（Takesadrink。）Well，oldboy，thisislikeoldtimes。Butyoudon’tdrink？
Oakhurst。No，norsmoke。Thefactis，Harry，I’vetakenayear’spledge。I’vesixdaysstilltorun;afterthat（gloomily），why（witharecklesslaugh），IshallbeJackOakhurstagain。
York。Lord！tothinkofyourturningouttobeanybody’sson，Jack！——leastofall，HIS！（Pointingtochair。）
Oakhurst（laughingrecklessly）。NotmorestrangethanthatI
shouldfindHarryYork，thespendthriftofPokerFlat，therichandrespectedMr。York，producemerchantofSanFrancisco。
York。Yes;but，myboy，youseeIdidn’tstrikeit——inarichfather。Igaveupgambling，married，andsettleddown，savedmymoney，investedalittlehereandthere，and——workedforit，Jack，damnme，——workedforitlikeadamnedhorse！
Oakhurst（aside）。True，thisisnotwork。
York。Butthatain’tmybusinesswithyenow，oldboy：it’sthis。
You’vehadsometrialsandtroublesinthebanklately，——adefalcationofagentsoneday，arobberynext。It’sluck，myboy，luck！butyeknowpeoplewilltalk。Youdon’tmindmysayin’thatthere’srumors’round。Theoldman’smightyunpopularbecausehe’sasaint;andfolksdon’tentirelyfancyyoubecauseyouusedtobethereverse。Well，Jack，itamountsto’boutthis：I’vewithdrawnmyaccountfromParkinson’s，inSacramento，andI’vegotaprettyheavybalanceonhand——nighontwohundredthousand——inbondsandcertificateshere;andifitwillhelpyouovertheroughplaces，oldboy，asadeposit，yeritis（drawingpocket-book。）
Oakhurst（greatlyaffected，butendeavoringtoconcealit）。Thankyou，Harry，oldfellow——but——
York（quickly）。Iknow：I’lltaketherisk，abusinessrisk。
You’llstandbymeallyoucan，oldboy;you’llmakeitpayallyoucan;andifyouloseit——why——allright！
Oakhurst（embarrassed）。AsadepositwithMorton&Son，drawingtwopercentmonthlyinterest——
York。DamnMorton&Son！I’llbackitwithJackOakhurst，themanIknow。
Oakhurst（advancingslowly）。I’lltakeit，Harry。
York（extendinghishand）。It’sasquaregame，Jack！
Oakhurst（seizinghishandwithrepressedemotion）。It’sasquaregame，HarryYork，ifIlive。
York。ThenI’lltravel。Good-night，oldboy。I’llsendmyclerkaroundinthemorningtoputthingsright。Good-night（going）。
Oakhurst（graspingYORK’Shand）。Onemoment——no——nothing！Good-
night。[ExitYORK。
OAKHURSTfollowshimtodoor，andthenreturnstodesk，throwinghimselfinchair，andburyinghisfaceinhishands。
Oakhurst（withdeepfeeling）。Itneededbutthistofillthemeasureofmydegradation。Ihavebornethesuspicionsoftheoldman’senemies，thehalf-pitying，half-contemptuoussympathyofhisfriends，evenhisowncold，heartless，fanaticalfulfilmentofhissenseofduty;butTHIS——thisconfidencefromonewhohadmostreasontoscornme，thistrustfromonewhoknewmeasIWAS，——thisisthehardestburden。Andhe，too，intimewillknowmetobeanimpostor。Hetoo——areformedman;buthehashonorablyretracedhissteps，andwonthepositionIholdbyatrick，animposture。
Andwhatisallmylaborbesidehishonestsincerity？Ihavefoughtagainstthechancesthatmightdiscovermydeception，againsttheenemieswhowouldoverthrowme，againstthefatethatputmehere;andIhavebeensuccessful——yes，asuccessfulimpostor！Ihaveevenfoughtagainstthehumaninstinctthattoldthisfierce，foolisholdmanthatIwasanalientohishouse，tohisblood;Ihaveevenfelthimscanmyfaceeagerlyforsomereflectionofhislong-lostboy，forsomerealizationofhisdream;
andIhaveseenhimturnaway，cold，heartsick，anddespairing。
WhatmattersthatIhavebeentohimdevoted，untiring，submissive，ay，abettersontohimthanhisownweakfleshandbloodwouldhavebeen？Hewouldto-morrowcastmeforthtowelcometheoutcast，SandyMorton。Well，whatmatters？（Recklessly。）
Nothing。Insixdaysitwillbeover;insixdaystheyearofmyprobationwillhavepassed;insixdaysIwilldisclosetohimthedeceitIhavepractised，andwillfacetheworldagainasJohnOakhurst，thegambler，whostakedandlostALLonasinglecast。
AndJovita！Well，well！——thegameismade：itistoolatetodrawoutnow。（Ringsbell。EnterJACKSON。）Whohasbeenhere？
Jackson。OnlyDonJose，andMr。Capper，thedetective。
Oakhurst。Thedetective？Whatfor？
Jackson。Toworkuptherobbery，sir。
Oakhurst。True！Capper，Capper，yes！Amanofwildandridiculoustheories，butwell-meaning，brave，andhonest。（Aside。）Thisistheoldman’sidea。HedoesnotknowthatIwasonthetrailofthethievesanhourbeforethepolicewerenotified。（Aloud。）
Well，sir？
Jackson。Hetoldyourfatherhethoughttherecoveryofthemoneyhopeless，buthecametocautionusagainstasecondattempt。
Oakhurst（aside，starting）。True！Ihadnotthoughtofthat。
（Excitedly。）Thesuccessoftheirfirstattemptwillincitethemtoanother;themoneytheyhavestolenisgonebythistime。
（Aloud。）Jackson，Iwillstayhereto-nightandto-morrownight，andrelieveyourregularwatchman。Youwill，ofcourse，saynothingofmyintention。
Jackson。Yes，sir。（Lingering。）
Oakhurst（afterapause）。Thatisall，Mr。Jackson。
Jackson。Begyourpardon，Mr。Morton;butCol。Starbottle，withtwoladies，washerehalfanhourago，andsaidtheywouldcomeagainwhenyouwerealone。
Oakhurst。Verywell：admitthem。
Jackson。Begpardon，sir;buttheyseemedtoavoidseeingyourfatheruntiltheyhadseenyou。Itlookedmysterious，andI
thoughtIwouldtellyoufirst。
Oakhurst（laughing）。Admitthem，Mr。Jackson。（ExitJACKSON。）
Thispoorfellow’sdevotionisincreasing。He，too，believesthathisoldassociateindissipation，JohnOakhurst，ISthesonofAlexanderMorton。He，too，willhavetoshareinthedisgraceoftheimpostor。Ladies！umph！（Lookingdownathisclothes。）I’mafraidthereformofAlexanderMortonhasn’timprovedtheusualneatnessofJohnOakhurst。Ihaven’tslept，norchangedmyclothes，forthreedays。（GoestodoorofMORTON，sen。’s，room。）
Locked，andthekeyontheinside！That’sstrange。Nonsense！theoldmanhaslockedhisdoorandgoneoutthroughtheprivateentrance。Well，I’llfindmeansofmakingmytoilethere。[ExitintoprivateroomL。
EnterJACKSON，leadinginCOL。STARBOTTLE，MISSMARY，theDUCHESS，andchildofthreeyears。
Jackson。Mr。AlexanderMorton，jun。，isinhisprivateroom。Hewillbehereinamoment。[ExitJACKSON。
Starbottle。Onemoment，asinglemoment，MissMary。Permitmeto——
er——ifImaysoexpressmyself，to——er——grouptheparty，to——er——
placethe——er——presentcompanyintoposition。Ihave——er——observedaspartofmy——er——legalexperience，thatincasesofmoralillustrationagreat，Imaysay——er——tremendous，effectonthe——er——
jury，Imeanthe——er——guiltyparty，hasbeenproducedbytheattitudeofthe——er——victimandmartyr。You，madam，asthe——er——
injuredwife（placingher），shallstandhere，firmyetexpectant，protectingyourchild，yetlookinghopefullyforassistancetowarditsnaturalprotector。You，MissMary，shallstandhere（placingher），asMoralRetribution，leaningtowardandslightlyappealingtome，theimageof——er——er——InflexibleJustice！（Inflateshischest，putshishandinhisbosom，andstrikesanattitude。）
DoorofyoungMorton’sroomopens，anddisclosesMR。OAKHURST
gazingatthegroup。HestartsslightlyonobservingtheDUCHESS，butinstantlyrecovershimself，andfacesthecompanycoldly。TheDUCHESSstartsonobservingOAKHURST，andstrugglesinconfusiontowardsthedoor，draggingwithherthechildandMISSMARY，whoendeavorstore-assureher。COL。STARBOTTLElooksinastonishmentfromonetotheother，andadvancestofront。
Col。Starbottle（aside）。The——er——tableau，althoughstrikinginmoralforce，isapparently——er——deficientinmoralstamina。
MissMary（angrilytotheDUCHESS）。I’mashamedofyou！（ToOAKHURST，advancing。）Idon’taskpardonformyintrusion。IfyouareAlexanderMorton，youaremykinsman，andyouwillknowthatI
cannotintroducemyselfbetterthanastheprotectorofaninjuredwoman。Comehere！（TotheDUCHESS，dragginghertowardsOAKHURST。
ToOAKHURST。）Lookuponthiswoman：sheclaimstobe——
Starbottle（steppingbetweenMISSMARYandtheDUCHESS）。Amoment，MissMary，asinglemoment！Permitmeto——er——explain。Thewholething，the——er——situationremindsme，demnme，ofmostamusingincidentatSacramentoin’52。LargepartyatHankSuedecois：knowHank？Confirmedoldbachofsixty。Dinnerforforty。Everythinginstyle，firstfamilies，Ged，——JudgeBeeswinger，MatBoompointer，andMajeBlodgettofAhlabam：knowoldMajeBlodgett？Well，Majewasthere。Ged，sir，delay，——everybodywaiting。IwenttoHank。
\"Hank，\"Isays，\"what’smatter？whydelay？\"——\"Star，\"hesays，——
alwayscalledmeStar，——\"Star，——it’scook！\"——\"Demncook，\"Isays：
\"dischargecook，——onlyablackmulattoanyway！\"——\"Can’t，Star，\"hesays：\"impossible！\"——\"Can’t？\"saysI。——\"No，\"sayshe。\"Listen，Star，\"hesays，\"familysecret！Honor！Can’tdischargecook，becausecook——demnit——’sMYwife！\"Fact，sir，fact——showedmarriagecertificate——marriedprivatelysevenyears！Fact，sir——
TheDuchess（toMISSMARY）。Someothertime，miss，letusgonow。
There’samistake，miss，Ican’texplain。Someothertime，miss！
See，miss，howcoldandsternhelooks！anothertime，miss！
（Struggling。）ForGod’ssake，miss，letmego！
MissMary。No！Thismysterymustbeclearedupnow，beforeI
enterHIShouse，——beforeIacceptthechargeofthis——
Starbottle（interrupting，andcrossingbeforeMISSMARY）。A
moment——asinglemoment，miss。（ToOAKHURST。）Mr。Morton，youwillpardontheexuberance，andperhaps，underthecircumstances，somewhatnaturalimpulsiveness，ofthe——er——sex，forwhichIamperhapsresponsible;Imaysay——er——personally，sir，——personallyresponsible——
Oakhurst（coldly）。Goon，sir。
Starbottle。Theladyonmyrightis——er——thenieceofyourfather，——yourcousin。Theladyonmyleft，engagedinsoothingthe——er——bashfultimidityofinfancy，is——er——thatis——er——claimstobe，themotherofthechildofAlexanderMorton。
Oakhurst（calmly）。Sheisright。
MissMary（rushingforward）。Thenyouare——
Oakhurst（gentlyrestrainingher）。Youhaveanotherquestiontoask：youhesitate：letmeaskit。（CrossingtotheDUCHESS。）Youhaveheardmyanswer。Madam，areyouthelegalwifeofAlexanderMorton？
TheDuchess（sinkinguponherknees，anddroppingherfaceinherhands）。No！
Oakhurst。Enough：Iwilltakethechild。Pardonme，MissMorris，butyouhaveheardenoughtoknowthatyourmissionisaccomplished，butwhatelsepassesbetweenthiswomanandmyselfbecomesnostrangertohear。（MotionstowardroomL。）
MissMary（aside）。ItisHISson。Iamsatisfied（going）。Come，colonel。
[ExeuntintoroomL。，STARBOTTLEandMISSMARY。
TheDuchess（crossingtoOAKHURST，andfallingathisfeet）。
Forgiveme，Jack，forgiveme！Itwasnofaultofmine。Ididnotknowthatyouwerehere。Ididnotknowthatyouhadtakenhisname！
Oakhurst。Hush——onyourlife！
TheDuchess。Hearme，Jack！Iwasanxiousonlyforahomeformychild。IcametoHER——theschoolmistressofRedGulch——foraid。I
toldherthenameofmyboy’sfather。She——shebroughtmehere。
Oh，forgiveme，Jack！Ihaveoffendedyou！
Oakhurst。HowcanIbelieveyou？YouhavedeceivedHIM。Youhavedeceivedme。Listen！WhenIsaid，amomentago，youwerenotthewifeofAlexanderMorton，itwasbecauseIknewthatyourfirsthusband——theAustralianconvictPritchard——wasstillliving;thatyouhaddeceivedSandyMortonasyouhaddeceivedme。ThatwaswhyIleftyou。Tellme，haveyoudeceivedmealsoabouthim，asyoudidabouttheother？IsHEliving，andwithyou;ordead，asyoudeclared。
TheDuchess（aside）。HewillkillmeifItellhim。（Aloud。）No，no。Heisgone——isdeadthesethreeyears。
Oakhurst。Youswear！
TheDuchess（hesitates，gasps，andlooksaroundforherchild;thenseizingit，anddrawingittowardher）。I——swear。
Oakhurst。Enough。SeeknottoknowwhyIamhere，andunderhisname。Enoughforyouthatithassavedyourchild’sfuture，andsecuredhimhisheritagepastallrevocation。Yetremember！awordfromyouwithinthenextfewdaysdestroysitall。Afterthat，I
carenotwhatyousay。
TheDuchess。Jack！Oneword，Jack，beforeIgo。Ineverthoughttobringmyshametoyou！——toHIM！
Oakhurst。Itwasnotrick，then，nocontrivance，thatbroughtherhere。No：itwasfate。AndatleastIshallsavehischild。
Re-enterSTARBOTTLE，MISSMARY，andDUCHESS。
Col。Starbottle（impressively）。Permitme，Mr。AlexanderMorton，asthefriendofmy——er——principaltodeclarethatwehavereceived——honorable——honorable——satisfaction。Allowme，sir，tograspthehand，the——er——cherishedhandofagentlemanwho，demnme！hasfulfilledallhisdutiesto——er——societyandgentlemen。
Andallowmetoadd，sir，shouldanyinvidiouscriticismofthepresent——er——settlementbeutteredinmypresence，Ishallholdthatcriticresponsible，sir——er——personallyresponsible！
MissMary（sweepingtruculentlyandaggressivelyuptoJOHN
OAKHURST）。AndpermitMEtoadd，sir，that，ifyoucanseeyourwayclearlyoutofthiswretchedmuddle，it’smorethanIcan。
ThisarrangementmaybeaccordingtotheCaliforniancodeofmorality，butitdoesn’taccordwithmyEasternideasofrightandwrong。Ifthisfoolish，wretchedcreaturechoosestoabandonallclaimuponyou，choosestorunawayfromyou，——why，Isuppose，asaGENTLEMAN，accordingtoyourlawsofhonor，youareabsolved。
Good-night，Mr。AlexanderMorton。（GoestodoorC。，andexit，pushingoutSTARBOTTLE，theDUCHESS，andchild。MR。OAKHURSTsinksintochairatdesk，buryinghisfaceinhishands。Re-enterslowlyandembarrassedly，MISSMARY：lookstowardOAKHURST，andcomesslowlydownstage。）
MissMary（aside）。Iwastoohardonhim。IwasnotsohardonSandywhenIthoughtthathe——he——wasthefatherofherchild。Andhe’smyownfleshandblood，too;and——he’scrying。（Aloud。）Mr。
Morton。
Oakhurst（slowlyliftinghishead）。Yes;MissMary。
MissMary。Ispokehastilyjustthen。I——I——thought——yousee——I——
（angrilyandpassionately）Imeanthis。I’mastranger。Idon’tunderstandyourCalifornianways，andIdon’twantto。ButI
believeyou’vedonewhatyouthoughtwasright，accordingtoaMAN’Sideaofright;and——there’smyhand。Takeit，takeit;forit’sanovelty，Mr。Morton：it’sthehandofanhonestgirl！
Oakhurst（hesitates，thenrises，sinksononeknee，andraisesMISS
MARY’Sfingerstohislips）。Godblessyou，miss！Godblessyou！
MissMary（retreatingtocentredoor）。Good-night，good-night（slowly），——cousin——Alexander。[Exit。Darkstage。
Oakhurst（risingswiftly）。No，no：itisfalse！Ah！She’sgone。
Anothermoment，andIwouldhavetoldherall。Pshaw！courage，man！Itisonlysixdaysmore，andyouarefree，andthisyear’sshameandagonyforeverended。
EnterJACKSON。
Jackson。Asyouordered，sir，thenightwatchmanhasbeenrelieved，andhasjustgone。
Oakhurst。Verygood，sir;andyou？
Jackson。Irelievedtheporter，sir;andIshallbunkontwochairsinthecounting-room。You’llfindmehandyifyouwantme，sir。Good-night，sir。[ExitC。
Oakhurst。Ifeartheserascalswillnotdaretomaketheirsecondattemptto-night。Aquietscrimmagewiththem，enoughtokeepmeawakeorfromthinking，wouldbeagoodfortune。No，no！nosuchluckforyouto-night，JohnOakhurst！Youareplayingalosinggame……Yettherobberywasaboldone。Ateleveno’clock，whilethebankwasyetlighted，andMr。Jacksonandanotherclerkwereatworkhere，threewell-dressedmenpickthelockofthecounting-housedoor，enter，andturnthekeyontheclerksinthisparlor，andcarryawayaboxofdoubloonsnotyetplacedinthevaultsbytheporter;andallthisdonesocautiouslythattheclerkswithinknewnothingofituntilnotifiedoftheopenstreetdoorbytheprivatewatchman，andsoboldlythatthewatchman，seeingthemhere，believedthemclerksofthebank，andletthemgounmolested。No：thiswasthecoincidenceofgoodluck，notofboldpremeditation。Therewillbenosecondattempt。（Yawns。）Iftheydon’tcomesoonIshallfallasleep。Fournightswithoutrestwilltellonaman，unlesshehassomeexcitementtobackhim。（Nods。）
Hallo！Whatwasthat？Oh！Jacksoninthecounting-roomgettingtobed。I’lllookatthatfrontdoormyself。（TakesrevolverfromdeskandgoestodoorC。，trieslock，comesdownstagewithrevolver，examinesit，andlaysitdown。）
Oakhurst（slowlyandquietly。）Thedoorislockedontheoutside：
thatmayhavebeenanaccident。Thecapsaretakenfrommypistol：
THATwasnot！Well，hereisthevault，andhereisJohnOakhurst：
toreachtheone，theymustpasstheother。
（Takesoffhiscoat，seizespokerfromgrate，andapproachessafe。）
Ha！someoneismovingintheoldman’sroom。（ApproachesdoorofroomR。as——
EnternoiselesslyandcautiouslyfromroomL。，PRITCHARD，SILKY，andSOAPY。PRITCHARDandhisconfederatesapproachOAKHURSTfrombehind，carryinglariat，orslip-noose。
Oakhurst（listeningatdoorR。）Good。AtleastIknowfromwhatquartertoexpecttheattack。Ah！
PRITCHARDthrowsslip-nooseoverOAKHURSTfrombehind;OAKHURST
putshishandinhisbreastastheslip-nooseisdrawnacrosshisbosom，pinioningonearmoverhisbreast，andtheotherathisside。SILKYandSOAPY，directedbyPRITCHARD，dragOAKHURSTtochairfacingfront，andpinionhislegs。PRITCHARD，C。，regardinghim。
Oakhurst（verycoolly）。Youhaveleftmemyvoice，Isuppose，becauseitisuseless。
Pritchard。That’sso，pard。’Twon’tbenohelptoye。
Oakhurst。ThenyouhavekilledJackson。
Pritchard。Lordloveye，no！Thatain’tlikeus，pard！Jackson’stendin’doorforus，andkinderlookin’outgin’rallyfortheboys。
Thar’snothin’meanaboutJackson。
Soapy。No！Jackson’sasquarman。Eh，Silky？
Silky。Ezwhiteamaneztheyis，pard！
Oakhurst（aside）。Thetraitor！（Aloud。）Well！
Pritchard。Well，youwantterknowourbusiness。Calluponabusinessmaninbusinesshours。Ourlittlegameisthis，Mr。JackMortonAlexanderOakhurst。Whenwewasheretheothernight，wewaswantin’akeytothattheerlock（pointingtovault），andwesorterdroppedinpassin’togetit。
Oakhurst。AndsupposeIrefusetogiveitup？
Pritchard。Wewerekalkilatin’onyerbein’eventhatimpolite：
wasn’twe，boys？
SilkyandSoapy。Wewasthat。
Pritchard。AndsowegotMr。Jacksontotakeanimpressionofitinwax。Oh，he’sasquarman——isMr。Jackson！
Silky。Jacksonisawhiteman，Soapy！
Soapy。Theydon’tmakenobettermennorJackson，Silky。
Pritchard。Andwe’vegotaduplicatekeyhere。Butwedon’twantanydifferences，pard：weonlywantasquargame。Itseemedtous——
someofyouroldpardsasknewye，Jack——thatyehadarathersoftthinghere，reformin’;andwethoughtyewaskinderthrowin’offontheboys，notgivin’’emanyhandinthegame。Buttharain’tanythin’meanaboutus。Eh，boys？
Soapy。Weisallersreadytochipinekalinthegame。Eh，Silky？
Silky。That’sme，Soapy。
Pritchard。Yesee，theboysisfreeandopen-handed，Jack。Andsothepropositionwewantermaketoye，Jack，isthis。It’sreg’laronthesquar。Wereckon，takin’Mr。Jackson’sword，——andtharain’tnoman’swordezisbetternorJackson’s，——thatthere’snighontotwomillionsinthatvault，nottospeakofalittlespeshildeposito’York’s，ezwelearnfromthataccommodatin’friend，Mr。
Jackson。Weproposetoshareitwithye，onekilterms——usfive——
countin’Jackson，asquareman。Incourse，wetakestherisko’
packin’itawayto-nightcomfortable。Ezyourfriends，Jack，weallowthisyerlittlearrangementtobeadeucedsighteasierforyouthanplayin’SandyMortononariglarsalary，withthechanceo’therealSandypoppin’inuponyeanynight。
Oakkurst。It’salie。Sandyisdead。
Pritchard。Incourse，incourse;thatisyourlittlegame！Butwekalkilated，Jack，evenonthat，onyerbein’rambunktiousandcontrary;andsowewentterRedGulch，andfoundSandy。YeknowI
takeakindo’interestinSandy：he’sthesecondhusbandofmywife，thewomanyourunawaywith，pard。Butthar’snothin’meanaboutme！eh，boys？
Silky。No！he’stheforgivingestkindofaman，isPritchard。
Soapy。That’sso，Silky。
Pritchard。And，thinkin’yemightbedubious，wefilledSandyaboutfullo’ryewhiskey，andbroughthimalong;andoneofourpardsispreambulatin’thestreetswithhim，readytobringhimoncall。
Oakhurst。It’salie，Pritchard，——acowardlylie！
Pritchard。Isit？Hush！
Sandy（without，singing），——
Oh，yer’syerSandyMorton，Drinkhimdown！
Oh，yer’syerSandyMorton，Drinkhimdown！
Oh，yer’syerSandyMorton，Allaliveandjusta-snortin’！
Oh，yer’syerSandyMorton，Drinkhimdown！
Pritchard。Wedon’tproposetorunhiminyer，ceptwe’retook，oryerunaccommodatin’totheboys。
Oakhurst。AndifIrefuse？
Pritchard。Why，we’lltakewhatwecanget;andwe’llleaveSandyMortonwithyouyer，tosorteralleviatetheoldman’sfeelin’soverthelossofhismoney。There’snothin’meanaboutus;no！eh，boys？（Goingtowardsafe。）
Oakhurst。Hearmeamoment，HenryPritchard。（PRITCHARDstopsabreastofOAKHURST。）FouryearsagoyouwereassaultedintheArcadeSalooninSacramento。Youwouldhavebeenkilled，butyourassailantsuddenlyfelldeadbyapistol-shotfiredfromsomeunknownhand。Istoodtwentyfeetfromyouwithfoldedarms;butthatshotwasfiredbyme，——me，HenryPritchard，——throughmyclothes，fromaderringerhiddeninmywaistcoat！Understandme，I
donotaskyourgratitudenow。Butthatpistolisinmyrighthand，andnowcoversyou。Makeasinglemotion，——ofamuscle，——anditisyourlast。
Pritchard（motionless，butexcitedly）。Youdarenotfire！No，darenot！AshotherewillbringmypalandSandyMortontoconfrontyou。Youwillhavekilledmetosaveexposure，haveaddedmurdertoimposture！Youhavenowitnesstothisattempt！
Capper（openingdoorofroomL。，atthesamemomentthattwopolicemenappearatdoorC。，andtwoatroomR）。Youarewrong：hehasfive（crossingtoSILKYandSOAPY，andlayinghishandsontheirshoulders）;and，ifImistakenot，hehastwomoreinthesegentlemen，whomIknow，andwhowillbequiteaswillingtofurnishthenecessaryState’sevidenceoftherobbery，asofthefactthattheyneverknewanyotherAlexanderMortonthanthegentlemanwhositsinthatchair。
Soapy。That’sso，Silky。
Silky。That’sso，Soapy。
Capper（topolicemen）。Takethemaway。
[ExitpolicemenwithPRITCHARD，SOAPY，andSILKY。CAPPERunbindsOAKHURST。
Oakhurst。ThenIhavetothankyou，Mr。C。
Capper。Yes！\"Amanofridiculoustheories，butwell-meaning，brave，andhonest。\"No，sir;don’tapologize：youwereright，Mr。
Oakhurst。ItisIwhooweyouanapology。Icamehere，believingYOUweretherobber，havingnofaithinyouoryourreformation，expecting，——yes，sir，——hoping，todetectyouintheact。Hearme！
Fromthehouryoufirstenteredthebank，Ihaveshadowedyoureverymovement，Ihavebeenthesilentwitnessofallthathaspassedinthisroom。Youhaveplayedadesperategame，Mr。
Oakhurst;butI’llseeyouthroughit。Ifyouaretruetoyourresolve，forthenextsixdays，Iwillholdthesewretchessilent。
Iwillprotectyourimposturewiththestrongarmofthelaw。I
don’tlikeYOURtheories，sir;butIbelieveyoutobewell-
meaning，andIknowyoutobebraveandhonest。
Oakhurst（graspinghishand）。Ishallnotforgetthis。ButSandy——
Capper。Iwillputmymenonhistrack，andhavehimbroughtquietlyhere。Icangiveyounoaidbeyondthat。Asanhonorableman，Ineednottellyouyourduty。Settleitwithhimasbestyoucan。
Oakhurst。Youareright;IWILLseehim。（Aside。）Unlesshehaschanged，hewilllistentome，hewillobeyme。
Capper。Hush！（Blowsoutcandle。）Standhere！
CAPPERandOAKHURSTretreattowingL。，asenterMORTON，sen。，fromroomR。
Morton。Theprivatedooropen，theroomdark，andCappergone。I
don’tlikethis。ThemoreIthinkofthemysteryofthatman’smannerthismorning，themoreitseemstohidesometerriblesecretImustfathom！Therearematcheshere。（Strikesalight，asCAPPERdrawsOAKHURST，struggling，backintoshadow。）What’sthis？
（Pickingupkey。）Thekeyofthevault。Achairoverturned。
（Touchesbell。）Noanswer！Jacksongone！MyGod！Aterriblesuspicionhauntsme！No。Hush！（RetreatstoprivateroomR。，asdoorofL。opensand——
EnterSANDY。
Sandy（drunkenly）。Shoo！Shoo！boys，wharareye，boys，eh？
Pritchard，Silky，Soapy！Wharareye，boys？
Morton（aside）。Acrimehasbeencommitted，andhereisoneofthegang。Godhasdeliveredhiminmyhands。（Drawsrevolver，andfires，asOAKHURSTbreaksfromCAPPER，andstrikesupMORTON’S
pistol。CAPPERatsamemomentseizesSANDY，anddragshiminroomL。MORTONandOAKHURSTstruggletocentre。）
Morton（relaxingholdofOAKHURST）。Alexander！GoodGod！Whyareyouhere？Whyhaveyousteppedbetweenmeandretribution？Youhesitate。Godinheaven！Speak，Alexander，myson，speakforGod’ssake！Tellme——tellmethatthisdetective’ssuspicionsarenottrue。Tellmethatyouarenot——not——no，Icannotsayit。
Speak，AlexanderMorton，Icommandyou！Whoisthismanyouhavesaved？Isit——isit——youraccomplice？
Oakhurst（sinkingathisfeet）。Don’taskme！Youknownotwhatyouask！Iimploreyou——
Capper（appearingquietlyfromroomL。，andlockingthedoorbehindhim）。YoursonhasactedunderMYorders。Themanhehassaved，ashehassavedyou，wasadecoy，——oneofmypolicemen。
TABLEAU。
CAPPER，MORTON，OAKHURST。
Curtain。
ENDOFACTIII。
ACTIV。
SCENE1。——MR。MORTON’Svilla，RussianHill，Night。OAKHURST’S
bedroom。SofainalcoveC。，doorinflatleftofC。SANDYMORTON
discovered，unconscious，lyingonsofa;OAKHURSTstandingathishead，twopolicemenathisfeet。CandlesontableL。
Oakhurst。Thatwilldo。Youaresurehewasunconsciousasyoubroughthimin？
FirstPoliceman。Sure，sir？Hehasn’tknownanythingsincewepickedhimuponthesidewalkoutsidethebank。
Oakhurst。Good！Youhavefulfilledyourorderswell，andyourchiefshallknowit。Gonow。Beascautiousingoingoutasyouwereonentering。Hereistheprivatestaircase。（OpensdoorL。）
[Exitpoliceman。
Oakhurst（listening）。Gone！andwithoutdisturbinganyone。Sofar，luckhasbefriendedme。Hewillsleepto-nightbeneathhisfather’sroof。Hisfather！umph！wouldtheoldmanrecognizehimhere？Wouldhetaketohisheartthisdrunkenoutcast，pickedfromtheguttersofthestreet，andbroughtherebythestrongarmofthelaw？Hush！（Aknockwithout。）Ah，itisthecolonel：heisprompttothehour。（Opensdoorcautiously，andadmitsCOL。
STARBOTTLE。）
Starbottle（lookingaround，andoverlookingSANDY）。Ipresumetheother——er——principalisnotyetontheground？
Oakhurst（motioningtosofa）。HeIS！
Starbottle（startingashelookstowardssofa）。Ged，youdon’tmeantosayit’sallOVER，withoutwitnesses，withoutmy——er——
presence？
Oakhurst。Pardonme，Col。Starbottle;but，ifyoulookagain，youwillperceivethatthegentlemanisonlydrunk。
Starbottle。Eh？Ged！notuncommon，sir，notuncommon！Iremembersingularincidentat——er——Louisvillein’47。OldJudgeTollim——
knowoldJudgeTolly？——Ged！hecametogrounddrunk，sir;couldn’tstand！Demnme，sir，hadtoputhimintopositionwithkitchenpokerdownhisback，andtwosectionsoflightning-rodinhis——er——
trousers，demnme！Firm，sir，firm，youunderstand，here（strikinghisbreast），but——here（strikinghislegs）——er——er——wobbly！No，sir！Intoxicationofprincipalnotabar，sir，topersonalsatisfaction！（Goestowardssofawitheyeglass。）GoodGed！why，it’sDiego！（ReturningstiflytoOAKHURST。）Excuseme，sir，butthisisacaseinwhichIcannotact。Cannot，sir，——impossible！
absurd！pre——post——or——ous！Irecogmzeinthe——er——inebriatedmenialonyondersofaaperson，sir，who，havingalreadydeclinedmypersonalchallenge，is——er——excludedfromtheconsiderationofgentlemen。Thepersonwholiesthere，sir，isDiego，——amenialofDonJoseCastro，——-alias\"Sandy，\"thevagabondofRedGulch。
Oakhurst。Youhaveomittedonetitle，histrueone。HeisAlexanderMorton，thesonofthemasterofthishouse。
Starbottle（startinginbewilderment）。AlexanderMorton！（Aside。）
Ged！myfirstsuspicionswerecorrect。Star，youhavelosttheopportunityofmakingyourfortuneasascoundrel;butyouhaveatapecuniarysacrifice，preservedyourhonor。
Oakhurst。Yes。Hearme，Col。Starbottle。Ihavesummonedyouhereto-night，asIhavealreadyintimated，onanaffairofhonor。
Ihavesoughtyouasmyfather’slegalcounsel，asadisinterestedwitness，asagentlemanofhonor。Themanwholiesbeforeyouwasoncemyfriendandpartner。Ihavewrongedhimdoubly。Ashispartner，Iranawaywiththewomanhebelieved，andstillbelieves，tobehiswife;ashisfriend，Ihaveforatwelvemonthkepthimfromtheenjoymentofhishome，hispatrimony，byashamefuldeception。Ihavesummonedyouto-nighttowitnessmyconfession;
asalawyer，toarrangethosedetailsnecessarytorestoretohimhisproperty;asamanofhonor，toreceivefrommewhateverretributionhedemands。Youwillbeawitnesstoourinterview。
Whateverbefallsmehere，youwillexplaintoMr。Morton——toJovita——thatIaccepteditasaman，anddidnotavoid，hereorelsewhere，thepenaltyofmycrime。（Foldinghisarms。）
Slarbottle。Umph！Thecaseis，asyousay，adelicateone，butnot——not——peculiar。No，sir！Ged，sir，IrememberTomMarshall——
knowTomMarshallofKentucky？——saidtome，\"Star！\"——alwayscallsmeStar，——\"howinblank，sir，canyouremembertheREALnamesofyourclients？\"——\"Why，\"saysI，\"Tom，\"alwayscalledhimTom，——
\"yesterdayIwascalledtomakewill——mostdistinguishedfamilyofVirginia——aslawyerandgentleman，youunderstand：can’tmentionname。Waitedforsignature——mostdistinguishedname：Ged，sir，mansignedBloggins，——PeterBloggins。Fact，demme！’Mistake，’I
said，——’excitement;exaltationoffever。Noncompos。Composeyourself，Bob。’——’Star，’hesaid，——alwayscalledmeStar，——’forforty-sevenyearsIhavebeenanimpostor！’——hisverywords，sir。
’Iamnot’——youunderstand：’IAMPeterBloggins！’\"
Oakhurst。But，mydearcolonel，I——
Starbottle（loftily）。Saynomore，sir！Iacceptthe——erposition。Letussee！Thegentlemanwill，onrecognition，probablymakeapersonalattack。Youarearmed。Ah，no？Umph！
OnreflectionIwouldnotpermithimtostrikeasingleblow：I
wouldanticipateit。Itwillprovokethechallengefromhim，leavingYOU，sir，the——er——choiceofweapons。
Oakhurst。Hush！heismoving！Takeyourstandhere，inthisalcove。Remember，asagentleman，andamanofhonor，Col。
Starbottle，Itrustyounottointerferebetweentheinjuredmanand——justice！（PushesCOL。STARBOTTLEintoalcovebehindcouch，andapproachesSANDY。）
Sandy（wakingslowly——andincoherently）。Hush，Silky！hush！Eh？
Oh，hushyourself！（Sings。）
Oh，yer’syerSandyMorton，Drinkhimdown！
Eh！Oh！（Halfsitsuponcouch。）Eh！（Lookingaroundhim。）
WherethedevilamI？
Oakhurst（advancingandleaningoverSANDY’Scouch）。Inthehouseofyourfather，AlexanderMorton。
Sandy（recoilinginastonishment）。Hisvoice，JohnOakhurst！
What——ah！（Rises，andrushestowardsOAKHURSTwithupliftedhand。）
Starbottle（gesticulatinginwhisper）。Ablow！asingleblowwouldbesufficient。
Sandy（lookingatOAKHURST，whoregardshimcalmly）。I——eh！I——
eh！Ha，ha！I’mgladtosee——oldpard！I’mgladtoseeye！
（COL。STARBOTTLEliftshishandinamazement。）
Oakhurst（declininghishand）。Doyouunderstandme，SandyMorton？
Listen。IamJohnOakhurst，——themanwhohasdeceivedyourfather，whohasdeceivedyou。
Sandy（withoutheedinghiswords，butregardinghimaffectionately）。
Tothinkofit——JackOakhurst！It’slikehim，likeJack。Hewasallersonsartain，thedarnedlittlecuss！Jack！Lookathim，willye，boys？lookathim！Growedtoo，anddressedtokill，andsittin’
inthisyerhouseasnatrilasajaybird！（Lookingaround。）Nasty，ain’tit，Jack？andthisyer’syourhouse——theoldman’shouse——eh？
Why，thisis——thisiswhereshecame。Jack，Jack！（Eagerly。）Tellme，pard，whereisshe？
Starbottle（aside，rubbinghishands）。Weshallhaveitnow！
Oakhurst。Shehasgone，——gone！Buthearme。Shehaddeceivedyouasshehasme。Shehasgone，——gonewithherfirsthusband，HenryPritchard。
Sandy（stupefied）。Gone！Herfirsthusband！Pritchard！
Oakhurst。Ay，yourwife！
Sandy。Oh，damnmywife！I’mtalkingofMary，——MissMary，——thelittleschoolma’am，Jack;thelittleroseofPokerFlat。Oh！I
see——yedidn’tknowher，Jack，——thepertiest，sweetestlittle——
Oakhurst（turningawaycoldly）。Ay，ay！Sheishere！
Sandy（lookingafterhimaffectionately）。Lookathim，boys！
Allersthesame，——high-toned，cold，eventohispardner！That’shim，——JackOakhurst！ButJack，Jack，you’regoin’toshakehands，ain’tye？（Extendshishand，afterapause。OAKHURSTtakesitgloomily。）
