Part 15 (2/2)

”Unexpected things seem to happen to me pretty often,” thought Harry. ”I never expected we should have an uncle of Mrs. Ross as a boarder, and here is Philip's intimate friend hiring me as a guide. Somehow, my destiny seems to be closely connected with Philip's, though we are about as far from being friends as any two boys can be.”

”Is any one going with you?” asked Harry when Congreve came out of the hotel with his gun.

”No one except you.”

”I don't know where Philip is this afternoon,” said Congreve carelessly.

Harry rather wondered whether Philip and his companion had had a quarrel. It would not have surprised him very much, for Philip was quite in the habit of quarreling with his a.s.sociates.

”How far is it to the edge of the woods?” asked Congreve.

”About a mile and a half.”

”Quite a good distance. However, it's early, and we shall have time enough.”

Part of their course lay through the fields and meadows.

As they neared the woods, suddenly Congreve said, in a tone of well-counterfeited surprise:

”Why, there is Philip Ross sitting on a rock! I wonder what brought him here? h.e.l.lo, Philip!”

CHAPTER XIII

THREE YOUNG SPORTSMEN

Philip turned and surveyed the newcomers in apparent surprise.

”Are you out gunning?” he asked.

”Yes. I have secured a guide, as you see, fearing I might get lost in the woods. I believe you know him?”

”I have that honor,” said Philip, superciliously.

This was so much in Philip's ordinary style that Harry did not dream there was any collusion between them, and that Philip was here by appointment.

”You haven't explained how you happen to be here,” said Congreve.

”I? Oh, I had a little headache, and I thought I would take a walk in the fresh air.”

”Won't you join us?” asked Congreve.

”I don't know,” said Philip, irresolutely.

Harry, supposing his indecision might spring from a dislike to his presence, here spoke up:

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