Part 36 (2/2)

Meanwhile, Haight had bestowed considerable attention upon Miss Araminta Bixby, to the unspeakable delight of that individual, and had so ingratiated himself into her favor that she only too gladly consented to play the part of spy on the movements of Houston and Van Dorn. The two Maverick boys had also agreed to report to him whatever they were able to learn concerning these two.

Houston and Van Dorn, however, did not seem quite so intimate of late.

They were apparently as good friends as ever, but were not so frequently seen together. Nearly every evening, Van Dorn started out for a stroll, sometimes with Lyle, sometimes alone, often sauntering in the direction of the cabin, but never seen to enter; while Houston, after spending an hour or two with Miss Gladden, would walk down to the mines, and entering the various tunnels, or descending the shafts of one mine and another, would watch the night s.h.i.+ft at their work, or inspect the workings, occasionally taking measurements here and there.

On one of these trips Jack accompanied him, and on their return, they completed the arrangements for the visit to the Lucky Chance mine, the following night.

On the afternoon of the next day, Houston returned to the house a little earlier than usual, having finished his work for the day at the mines and mills, and as he with Miss Gladden and Lyle, sat in the little porch, they were joined a few moments later by Van Dorn. In low tones the plans for the evening were discussed.

”Of course,” said Houston, ”we shall go prepared for trouble, but I do not antic.i.p.ate that we shall meet with any. Even if we are watched, our course of procedure will differ so slightly from what we have followed for a week past, I think it will not excite suspicion.”

”They have watched me so many evenings to no purpose, they may be off guard to-night,” said Van Dorn.

”Don't flatter yourself that you will escape 'Minty's' espionage for a single night,” replied Lyle, ”she would remain out all night watching you to gain a smile from Haight in the morning.”

Van Dorn laughed. ”So it is the charming Miss Bixby whose watchful eye is upon me!” he exclaimed, ”I think I will have to enter the lists as Haight's rival, and see if I cannot win such faithful devotion upon the right side.”

”After you are gone,” said Lyle, ”I will soon be able to tell whether there will be men sent out to watch you to-night; and I shall act accordingly,” she added, with a smile at Miss Gladden.

”Why, Miss Maverick, what will you do?” inquired Van Dorn, ”you must not expose yourself in any way.”

”I will be in no danger,” she answered smiling.

”I have no idea what Lyle intends to do,” said Houston, ”but I have great confidence in her plans, for she knows this cla.s.s of people better than we, and I have found her judgment to be relied upon, on every occasion so far.”

Lyle's beautiful eyes spoke her thanks for his words of appreciation, as she asked:

”At what hour will you have completed the examination, and be ready to leave the mine?”

”Probably very near twelve o'clock,” Houston replied, ”we cannot accomplish our work much before that time, and I do not wish to be out much later.”

”Well,” said Lyle, merrily, but with a slightly mysterious air, ”if you are out at that hour, you may see the phantom horse and his rider.”

”Why, how is that?” inquired Van Dorn wonderingly, while Houston remarked:

”If we see nothing more than phantoms, we shall be very happily disappointed.”

”All right,” she responded, ”if the ghost walks to-night, don't be surprised,” and hearing some one enter the dining room to make preparations for the evening meal, she left them, and the subject of conversation changed immediately.

A few hours later, Houston started as usual for the mines. There was nothing out of the ordinary course of affairs in this, except that the leave-taking between him and Leslie was unusually tender, but of this no one knew but themselves. A little earlier, Van Dorn had left for his customary stroll, giving Lyle an invitation to accompany him, which she declined on the plea of being very busy. She immediately withdrew to the kitchen, and smiled to herself presently, as she saw Minty, with an air of great importance, starting out in the same direction. She had been gone about half an hour, when Lyle, who was again seated in the porch, caught sight of her moon-shaped face peering around the corner of the house in frantic endeavors to attract Haight's attention. As he was facing in almost an opposite direction, her efforts were unavailing, and Lyle, who could with difficulty restrain a smile, added to her embarra.s.sment by inquiring in the blandest tones:

”What is it, Araminta? do you wish to see me?”

At the mention of her name, Haight turned suddenly, just as the blus.h.i.+ng Miss Bixby was stammering out his name, and catching his eye, she began nodding vigorously, to signify the importance of her errand.

For once, Haight's punctilious suavity upon which he prided himself, deserted him, and exclaiming, partly in anger, and partly as a blind, ”Confound it! what does the fool want of me?” he disappeared around the house, while Lyle exchanged glances with Miss Gladden, and the inoffensive young bookkeeper, recently imported from Silver City, looked on in mute astonishment.

At the kitchen door, Haight found his agent and spy, her face s.h.i.+ning with delight that she at last had some news to impart.

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