He had already effected his purpose of compromising her with him in that flight, but it was still known only to few.

If he left her behind for the foolish, doting husband, would not that devoted man take her back to avoid a scandal, and even forbear to pursue HIM for his financial irregularities?
What were twenty thousand dollars of Mrs.Barker's money to the scandal of Mrs.Barker's elopement?
Again, the failure to realize the forgery had left him safe, and Barker was sufficiently potent with the bank and Demorest to hush up that also.

Hamlin was now the only obstacle to his flight; but even he would scarcely pursue HIM if Mrs.
Barker were left behind.

And it would be easier to elude him if he did.
In his preoccupation Van Loo did not see that he had entered the bar-room, but, finding himself there, he moved towards the bar; a glass of spirits would revive him.

As he drank it he saw that the room was full of rough men, apparently miners or packers--some of them Mexican, with here and there a Kanaka or Australian.