The Meadow-Brook Girls in the Hills Part 3

"I'm sorry, Miss."

"I'm sorry, too, since you have been so kind as to offer your services," replied the guardian politely.

"I didn't just mean it that way, Miss. I meant about Ja.n.u.s."

"How so?"

"I don't just like to say. Yes, I will, too. Do you know anything about Jan Grubb?"

"No," admitted Miss Elting.

"Then you'd better ask. I am afraid you are putting too much confidence in him."

"Mr. Collins, please be more explicit. What do you mean?"

"You'll find out after you've got out into the hills. He doesn't know any more about the hills than a little yellow dog that's spent all its life in town. He'll get you into all kinds of trouble, and then he'll leave you to get out of it as best you can. You remember what I tell you."

"Of course, I thank you for telling me," answered the guardian rather stiffly. "However, we are quite satisfied with Mr. Grubb. As I understand it, he is a highly respected citizen of Compton and an efficient mountain guide. That will be quite sufficient for us."

"I need this job. I--I need the money, Miss," whined the stranger.

"I am satisfied with the arrangements I have already made." Miss Elting turned to leave the room.

"My family needs it. I've been out of work a long time, and----"

"I am very sorry. I wish it were in my power to a.s.sist you, but I have very little voice in the matter. Another person--the one who is paying the expenses of this trip--attended to all that. You will see that it is quite useless to plead, deep as my sympathy is for you."

The man rose and eyed her with an expression that was particularly unpleasant to behold. Miss Elting returned her strange visitor's gaze.

Something other than his looks repelled her, yet there was nothing in either manner or words to account for this feeling of repulsion on the part of the guardian.

"In case anything should occur to make it necessary for us to look further for a guide I shall remember you," she said slowly. "I suppose I can reach you here at Compton?"

"N--n--no," was the hesitating answer. "But if you need me, I'll he about. Mark what I tell you, Jan Grubb is going to get you into a fine mess! You will be sorry you ever engaged him; that's all I've got to say about it. Good night, lady."

"Good night, Mr. Collins," replied the woman coldly. His final words, so full of rancor, had destroyed what little sympathy he had aroused in her. Miss Elting stood aside while the man stepped toward the door.

At this juncture Harriet Burrell appeared in the doorway leading to the hall. She had missed Miss Elting, and, not finding the guardian in her room, had come downstairs in search of her. Harriet had not known that the guardian was engaged.

"Oh, I beg your pardon, Miss Elting. I did not know--I thought you were alone."

"It is all right. Come in, Harriet. What did you wish?"

Harriet did not reply. Instead, she gazed perplexedly at the retreating form of Miss Elting's late caller.

"You'll be sorry you ever took up with that hound," flung back the fellow, turning as he was about to step out on the veranda.

Miss Elting made no reply. Her lips tightened a little, then she turned with a half-smile, regarding Harriet's frowning face quizzically.

"What does it mean, Miss Elting?" questioned the girl.

"I don't know, my dear. The man wanted to act as our guide. I am glad he isn't the one who is to lead us over the mountains. I don't like him at all. You heard what he just said?"

Harriet nodded.

"He was referring to Mr. Grubb."

"Oh!"

"I don't know what to make of it. What reason do you suppose he could have for coming to me in this manner? It is all very strange."

"I don't know, Miss Elting. I am wondering."

"Wondering what?"

There was something in the set of the shoulders, in the swing of them as the man walked away, in the poise of the head, that had impressed Harriet Burrell as being vaguely familiar. Something of this must have been reflected in the Meadow-Brook Girl's face, judging from the guardian's next question.

"Of what are you thinking, dear?"

"I have seen that man before, Miss Elting."

"Where?"

"I don't know. My memory connects him with something unpleasant. I wish I knew what it is, for I am positive there is something wrong with him. Wait! I know! I know of whom the man reminds me. Can't you see it? Don't you know?" cried Harriet eagerly.

The guardian shook her head.

CHAPTER III

THE START THAT CAME TO GRIEF

"Who do you think it is, Harriet?"

Harriet Burrell whispered something in the ear of the guardian. Again Miss Elting shook her head, this time with decision.

"Wrong, this time. There isn't the slightest resemblance that I could observe. I thought of that, too. But let's not bother our heads about it any further. We have things of greater importance to consider this evening, and, besides, we must go to bed soon; we are to make an early start in the morning, you know."

Harriet shook her brown head slowly. She was positive that she was right in her identification of the visitor, Collins. She determined to ask some questions at the first opportunity. This she did on the following morning, inquiring of the hotel clerk about the man who had so strangely called on Miss Elting. The clerk said he had never heard of the man. In the preparations that followed Harriet forgot about the caller. Grubb had a carry-all at the hotel before they had finished their breakfast. The equipment for the party occupied little room.

Ja.n.u.s had consulted with Miss Elting about the food supplies, and these were packed in the smallest possible s.p.a.ce, with the exception of a few packages for their use before they got into the mountains.

The drive to the point where they would leave the wagon would occupy the greater part of the day. The girls looked forward to that day's journey with keen antic.i.p.ation. They started out decorously and quietly, for the inhabitants of the village were early risers and the girls did not wish to attract unpleasant attention to themselves. Once they were well out of the village, however, the Meadow-Brook Girls'

spirits bubbled forth in song, shout and merry laughter. The air was crisp and cool until the sun came up, then it grew warm.

Ja.n.u.s, sitting up by the driver, was almost sternly silent. Miss Elting, in the light of the previous evening's interview, regarded him from time to time with inquiring eyes. She could not believe what her caller had told her of their guide. Ja.n.u.s was plainly an honest, well-intentioned man. Of this she had been rea.s.sured that morning in an interview with the proprietor of the Compton House.

At noon, their appet.i.tes sharpened by the bracing air and the fact that they had eaten an early breakfast, the party made a halt. The horses were unhitched and allowed to graze beside the road. The guide built a fire, Harriet and Jane in the meantime getting out something for their luncheon, which was to be a cooked one instead of a "cold bite."