Part 13 (1/2)
CHAPTER XVI.
As the quondam cla.s.s-mates disappeared together down the winding road, Houston gave his friend, as succinctly as possible, an explanation of his presence there in the capacity of clerk, briefly outlining his plans, and stating what he had been able so far to accomplish.
Van Dorn was intensely interested, and through his own practical knowledge and experience, was able to give Houston some valuable information, and to make some important suggestions.
Houston was quick to see that here was just the help he would need a little later; he also knew that opportunities for seeing his friend would be limited, he must act promptly.
”Arthur,” he asked rather abruptly, ”how soon do you go east?”
”In about two weeks.”
”Any special engagements for this summer?”
”Nothing particularly important at present.”
”You remember my uncle, don't you?”
”I remember Mr. Cameron perfectly, though I have not seen him for a number of years.”
”I suppose, for a sufficient consideration, you would come out here on business for us, at any time?”
”Like Lindlay, 'just to accommodate,' I suppose,” laughed Van Dorn, and continued, ”Everard, old boy, I am at the service of yourself and your uncle, and we'll say nothing about 'considerations' until afterward; then arrange it between yourselves.”
”We will not require your time and services without ample compensation,”
returned Houston, ”but you will be just the man I will need later; an expert, familiar with this locality, in whom my uncle will repose perfect confidence, and whom the company here will not suspect.”
”But Mr. Cameron may not place much confidence in the harum-scarum soph.o.m.ore that visited his home a few years since, if he remembers him at all,” said Van Dorn, with a little laugh.
”My word will be enough for that,” said Houston, ”I will write a letter this afternoon for you to take to him. There are the gentlemen now, coming down the road; I will see you again this evening, and probably to-morrow. I wonder what has become of Mr. Winters?”
”Probably he is taking his afternoon smoke,” said Van Dorn. ”I think the old gentleman would throw up the whole mining deal rather than sacrifice that. After what you've told me of this mining concern out here, I've considerable curiosity to see this famous mine they've been writing about. I've got an idea just about how it will pan out, but I'll say nothing till I've seen it.”
”Let me know your impressions, later,” said Houston.
”Agreed,” answered Van Dorn, and the party outside having nearly reached the door, the subject was dropped.
Meanwhile, Mr. Winters, seated in the rustic porch, his attention divided between the picturesque scenery surrounding him, and the spirals of blue smoke which he loved to watch, was in no hurry to exchange his present enjoyment for subterranean explorations; the rest and solitude seemed doubly welcome after the last few weeks of travel.
Rutherford, who lingered a few moments after the others had gone, did not find him very socially inclined, and picking up his magazine from the floor, where it had reposed since Van Dorn's appearance, he started up the canyon for a stroll among the rocks by the lake.
It is to be feared that Mr. Winters, under the combined influence of his pipe and the warm suns.h.i.+ne, was very nearly asleep. It is certain that he never heard the sound of soft, trailing garments beside him, nor did he appear to be in full possession of all his faculties, until two arms rested lightly on his shoulders, and a pair of small, white hands were clasped across his eyes.
Such a proceeding, under such circ.u.mstances, naturally had the effect of very quickly restoring his faculties to their normal condition, but on trying to turn his head, he found it held as firmly as in a vise, by the hands which had been quickly removed from his eyes, while a mischievous voice announced imperiously:
”Guess who it is, and you are free!”
”Guess!” exclaimed the old gentleman in some perplexity, ”why, if I were at home, I would know this was one of my little girl's tricks, but I cannot imagine who it is here.”