"Why, certainly, if you wish," Rutherford replied, with slight embarrassment, "but then, it isn't at all necessary, you know; that is, unless it is your choice, for your salary or your position doesn't cut any figure with me. Whatever your circumstances may be, I know as well as I need to know that you are a gentleman; anybody can see that, and I have told my brother so." "I am much obliged to you, Ned," Houston answered, with difficulty restraining a smile, "but I am going to begin by saying that your brother knows me a great deal better than you do." Rutherford's face expressed so much astonishment, that it resembled nothing so much as an exaggerated exclamation point. Houston continued: "I have never in my life known what it was to have an own brother, but the one who for many years has held that place in my heart is Morton Rutherford, and I think he will tell you that of all his class mates, there was not one with whom he was upon more intimate, confidential terms, than Everard Houston, of New York." "Everard Houston! Great Scott!" exclaimed Rutherford, springing to his feet, "why I remember that name well; he was Mort's best friend. You don't mean to say you are the same? Why, I thought you said you were from Chicago!" "I was from Chicago, when you met me," answered Houston, smiling, "but I had come from New York less than ten days before." "Well, by Jove!" said Rutherford, walking up and down the room, "I am floored completely! If you had once said you were from New York, I might have suspected who you were, but Chicago! and then," here he stopped and gazed at his friend with a comical look of perplexity, "why, Everard Houston was the nephew and adopted son of W. E. Cameron." "Certainly," assented Houston. "Well then, what in thunder,--if I may ask the question,--are you doing out here with this confounded Buncombe-Boomerang mining company?" "That is just what I wished to tell you to-night," Houston replied, "but we must talk low, for walls sometimes have ears," and placing a chair for his friend near his own, he proceeded to tell him of his object in coming out to the mining camp, of the work which he had accomplished, and of his plans for what yet remained to be done. Rutherford listened with much interest, deepening into admiration for his friend. "And now," said Houston, in conclusion, "you will see why I could not very well reveal my identity to you when we first met. I knew you as soon as I saw your card, but I was a stranger in this part of the country, with a certain role to play, uncertain of success, and, not knowing what difficulties or obstacles I might meet, thought there would be less danger of unexpected complications, if you thought me just what I appeared to be."