After that the talk became general, Dave learning more concerning the tour and who from Crumville and vicinity had signed to go, and the others asking for the details concerning the mine, and about the doings of Job Haskers and Link Merwell. "You steer clear of that rascally teacher and young Merwell," advised Dave's father. "They are a bad lot." "I'll steer clear if I can," answered Dave. "But if I catch them in any wrongdoing and I can manage it, I am going to have both of them arrested." "I'd not blame you for that." After the meal Dave spent a pleasant evening with Laura and Jessie. The three young folks went out on the porch and there, a little later, Ben Basswood joined them. All talked about the trip to Yellowstone Park, and about the Landslide Mine. "I'd like to go after that mine myself," said Ben. "But I know I can't do it, for I promised mother and my Aunt Kate that I'd stay with them all through the trip." "Then you'll have to stay with Laura and Jessie, too," returned Dave. "I'll leave them in your care while I am away." "Oh, Dave, as if Uncle Dunston wasn't going along!" cried his sister. "Well, you can't have too many protectors, in such a wild portion of our country," and Dave laughed, for he knew as well as did all of them that the trip through Yellowstone Park is a perfectly safe one. By and by Ben walked around the garden with Laura, while Dave took Jessie. It was moonlight and perhaps some sentimental things were said. Anyway, when Dave and Jessie came back he held her arm and both looked very contented. Then Ben had to go, and Dave walked down to the gateway with him and spoke about Nat Poole. "Well, if he reforms he's a good one," was all Ben said. He and Nat had been on the outs for a long while. "He'll do it," answered Dave. "At least, I hope so." CHAPTER XI OVERHEARD IN THE SUMMER-HOUSE "Dave, what do you think! I saw Link Merwell this morning!" It was Laura who spoke, as she burst into her brother's room, where the youth was looking over the things he expected to take with him on his trip West. "You saw Link Merwell!" cried Dave, dropping some collars he held in his hand. "Where?" "Down on Main Street, near the post-office." "Did he speak to you?" "Oh, no, the minute he noticed that I saw him he hurried out of sight around the corner. I followed to the corner, but when I got there he had gone." "Was Job Haskers with him?" "I didn't see him." "Humph! This is interesting, to say the least," mused Dave. He thought of what Nat Poole had told him, and of what Merwell and Haskers had attempted at the Morr homestead. "I'll have to look into this," he added, aloud. "Oh, Dave, do you think he'll try to do something more round here--or at the jewelry works?" "I'll warn Mr. Wadsworth, Laura, and he can notify the police. But it's queer Merwell should show himself, knowing there is a warrant out for his arrest. Weren't you mistaken?"