"Why, has he money?" inquired Houston. "He must have," was the reply, "he never spends anything, just hoards it up; he's got enough any way to help me out just now, if I could only have it." "Are you in need of money?" asked Houston, quickly, "if so, I will gladly accommodate you." "Much obliged," replied Morgan, starting down the road, "but I can get along for the present. Luck has been against me a little lately, but I guess it will turn all right," adding, as he looked back over his shoulder, "if it don't turn too late, like 'Unlucky Pete'." As Houston walked rapidly up the canyon toward the house, he saw Jack again approaching, and glad of an opportunity to meet this man toward whom he felt such a powerful attraction, he slackened his pace as Jack came up, and greeting him cordially, stopped and entered into conversation with him. To his surprise, he found Jack's manner far less reserved than on the few occasions when they had met in the mine. He seemed as ready to stop as Houston himself, and though he spoke with a dignity of tone and manner utterly unlike an employe, the icy reserve was gone, and in its place, there was in his voice the genuine ring of friendliness. 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 wishing 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?"