"Certainly," said Houston cordially, his momentary surprise giving way to the confidence which he had felt in this man, since first meeting him, face to face. An engagement was made for the near future, and with a cordial hand-clasp, the two men parted. CHAPTER XXVIII. The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him. Looking at him rather archly, she asked: "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?" "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?" "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies." Houston was somewhat surprised by this second warning, but he answered lightly: "Yes, I know I am in what Ned used to call 'the camp of the Philistines,' but you do not think I have any dangerous enemies, do you?" "It is only fear of detection that keeps some of them from being dangerous," said Lyle, who saw Miss Gladden approaching, "don't give them any opportunities for working their spite in the dark." Miss Gladden just then came up, and Lyle soon resumed her place among the players. "Going out again this evening, Mr. Houston?" "Yes, Miss Gladden," replied Houston with mock gravity. "Excuse me, Everard," she answered, blushing, "but when so many strangers are about, I am obliged to be very circumspect, you know." "There are no strangers within hearing at present, Leslie," he replied, "but isn't it nearly time for this crowd to take its departure?" "Yes, they expect to leave to-morrow." "Thank Heaven!" exclaimed Houston devoutly. Miss Gladden laughed merrily. "Well," he continued rather savagely, "I hope, after they are gone, we can enjoy our evenings again as we used to. For the last ten days, I have scarcely had an opportunity for a word with you, unless we deliberately gave the whole company the cold shoulder, which, of course, would not answer." "And so," said Miss Gladden laughing, "you wreak your revenge upon poor me these last two evenings, by taking yourself away, where I cannot even have the satisfaction of seeing you, while I talk to somebody else." Houston smiled; "I am obliged to go out this evening, Leslie, I have an engagement to-night, with Jack, at his cabin." "With Jack!" exclaimed Miss Gladden, "then you have made his acquaintance!" "No, I can scarcely say that, for I never exchanged a half dozen words with him before last evening. This interview to-night is wholly on business."