ust then. I--I--thought--you
see--I--(angrily and passionately) I mean this. I'm a stranger. I don't
understand your Californian ways, and I don't want to. But I believe
you've done what you thought was right, according to a MAN'S idea of
right; and--there's my hand. Take it, take it; for it's a novelty, Mr.
Morton: it's the hand of an honest girl!

Oakhurst (hesitates, then rises, sinks on one knee, and raises MISS
MARY'S fingers to his lips). God bless you, miss! God bless you!

Miss Mary (retreating to centre door). Good-night, good-night
(slowly),--cousin--Alexander. [Exit. Dark stage.

Oakhurst (rising swiftly). No, no: it is false! Ah! She's gone. Another
moment, and I would have told her all. Pshaw! courage, man! It is only
six days more, and you are free, and this year's shame and agony forever
ended.

Enter JACKSON.

Jackson. As you ordered, sir, the night watchman has been relieved, and
has just gone.

Oakhurst. Very good, sir; and you?

Jackson. I relieved the porter, sir; and I shall bunk on two chairs in
the counting-room. You'll find me handy if you want me, sir. Good-night,
sir. [Exit C.

Oakhurst. I fear these rascals will not dare to make their second
attempt to-night. A quiet scrimmage with them, enough to keep me awake
or from thinking, would be a good fortune. No, no! no such luck for
you to-night, John Oakhurst! You are playing a losing game.... Yet
the robbery was a bold one. At eleven o'clock, while the bank was yet
lighted, and Mr. Jackson and another clerk were at work here, three
well-dressed men pick the lock of the counting-house door, enter, and
turn the key on the clerks in this parlor, and carry away a box of
doubloons not yet placed in the vaults by the porter; and all this done
so cautiously that the clerks within knew nothing of it until notified
of the open street door by the private watchman, and so boldly that the
watchman, seeing them here, believed them clerks of the bank, and let
them go unmolested. No: this was the coincidence of good luck, not of
bold premeditation. There will be no second attempt. (Yawns.) If they
don't come soon I shall fall asleep. Four nights without rest will tell
on a man, unless he has some excitement to back him. (Nods.) Hallo! What
was that? Oh! Jackson in the counting-room getting to bed. I'll look at
that front door myself. (Takes revolver from desk and goes to door C.,
tries lock, comes down stage with revolver, examines it, and lays it
do