"It will require a cool head and a level one to carry this thing through, and accomplish what you have undertaken," said Rutherford thoughtfully, as he took one or two turns up and down the room, "and I guess you are the right one for the work. Van Dorn will be just the one to help you, too, he's pretty cool and quick-witted himself, but I should think you would both need a third party, somebody who has been on the ground for a long time and who understands all about the working of these things." "It would be of great assistance to us, and I intend to keep a look-out, and if it is possible to find such a person, and one whom we can trust at the same time, I shall secure him." "Well, I'm sure I wish you success, and I shall be anxious to hear from you while I'm gone, and know how you are coming on." They smoked silently for a few moments, then Rutherford said: "By the way, Houston, how about the congratulations I told you some time ago I was ready to offer whenever the occasion required; are they in order now? or shall I reserve them until my return?" "They are in order whenever you choose to offer them," Houston replied quietly. "Indeed! well, I'm glad to hear it, I thought it about time. I congratulate you most heartily, and tender you both my sincerest wishes for your happiness. I tell you what, old fellow, I think you've found a splendid woman, and I think, too, that you are wonderfully suited to each other. Seems strange, doesn't it? to think of a pair like you two, finding each other in a place like this!" "It is rather unusual, I admit," said Houston. "Yes," added Rutherford, "taking into consideration all the surroundings, and the why and wherefore of your coming here, I think it borders on the romantic." A moment later he asked, "Does Miss Gladden know what you are doing out here?" Houston shook his head, in reply. "Doesn't she know who you really are?" "Not yet," Houston answered, "no one out here knows any more about that than you did two hours ago." "Whew!" said Rutherford, "she will be slightly surprised when she finds that old Blaisdell's clerk and bookkeeper has a few cool millions of his own, won't she?" "I hope she will not object to the millions," said Houston with a smile, "but I have the satisfaction of knowing that they were not the chief attraction; she cares for me myself, and for my own sake, not for the sake of my wealth, and I am just old fashioned enough to consider that of first importance." "And when will she learn your secret? not until the closing scene of the last act?" "I cannot tell just when," Houston answered, "that will of course depend a great deal upon circumstances." Rutherford then became confidential regarding his own hopes for the future, and gave Houston a description of his fiancee, and a brief history of their acquaintance and engagement.