Part 28 (1/2)

After a few moments of ordinary conversation, Jack remarked:

”You are not often out in this locality at this hour, and alone.”

”No,” Houston replied, ”but I have been visiting the miners in company with Morgan, and remained there later than I intended. Then a talk with Morgan out there among the rocks delayed me still longer.”

”Pardon me,” said Jack, ”but I suppose you are aware that you have enemies here.”

”Yes,” said Houston, slightly surprised, ”I am conscious of that fact.”

”And,” continued Jack, lowering his tone, ”you are probably also aware that this enmity is likely to increase, so that unless you exercise great caution, your life will be in danger?”

Houston was startled, not so much by the suggestion of personal danger, as by the thought that this man seemed to understand something of his position there. Was it possible his secret was known? It could not be, but if it were,--his nerves quivered, not with fear for himself, but with apprehension lest his whole scheme should in some way prove a failure.

These thoughts flashed through his mind with the speed of lightning, but Jack was quick to read them, and before Houston could make any reply, he continued:

”I desire to have a private interview with you, as early as possible, and as we will wish to be perfectly secure from interruption, as well as from all danger of being overheard, I wish you would come to my cabin, there we can talk with perfect safety. And now, as a key to this contemplated interview, allow me to say that I fully understand your mission here; but have no fear, your secret is absolutely safe.

My only reason for wis.h.i.+ng to meet you is, that I desire to aid you if you will permit me. Will you fix an evening for this conference of ours?”

”Certainly,” said Houston cordially, his momentary surprise giving way to the confidence which he had felt in this man, since first meeting him, face to face.

An engagement was made for the near future, and with a cordial hand-clasp, the two men parted.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him. Looking at him rather archly, she asked:

”Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?”

”I don't know just how late I may be detained,” he answered, smiling, ”Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?”

”Certainly,” she replied, ”Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;” then she added more seriously, ”This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies.”

Houston was somewhat surprised by this second warning, but he answered lightly:

”Yes, I know I am in what Ned used to call 'the camp of the Philistines,' but you do not think I have any dangerous enemies, do you?”

”It is only fear of detection that keeps some of them from being dangerous,” said Lyle, who saw Miss Gladden approaching, ”don't give them any opportunities for working their spite in the dark.”

Miss Gladden just then came up, and Lyle soon resumed her place among the players.

”Going out again this evening, Mr. Houston?”

”Yes, Miss Gladden,” replied Houston with mock gravity.

”Excuse me, Everard,” she answered, blus.h.i.+ng, ”but when so many strangers are about, I am obliged to be very circ.u.mspect, you know.”

”There are no strangers within hearing at present, Leslie,” he replied, ”but isn't it nearly time for this crowd to take its departure?”