ote. He was visibly embarrassed that he did not have chairs for
all, and offered his own to the stranger.

"Please keep your seat," Mr. Westcote told him. "I prefer to sit on
the ground. What a delightful place you have here, sir," and he looked
around upon the scenery.

"It is very beautiful," David assented, "and I can hear the Falls so
plainly, especially at night."

An amused twinkle shone in Betty's eyes as she turned them upon
Jasper's face. She knew very well that it was impossible to hear the
sound of the falling waters, and that it was purely imagination on his
part.

The stranger, however, did not smile. In fact, there was an expression
of sadness upon his face as he watched David. He said very little,
being content to let the others do the talking. But he observed the
old man very carefully without apparently doing so. What his thoughts
were he kept to himself, and when he arose to go, he took David's hand
in almost a reverent manner, and looked searchingly into his eyes as if
trying to find something there which he missed. He hardly spoke a word
on the way back but seemed lost in deep thought. As Jasper alighted
from the car in front of his cabin, Mr. Westcote laid his right hand
upon his shoulder.

"Take good care of that old man," he said. "Let nothing interfere with
your watchfulness until you hear from me again. Get the best place you
can for him, no matter what it costs."

That was all, but the expression upon the stranger's face, and the
impressive manner in which he uttered these words gave Jasper cause for
deep thought during the remainder of the morning.

CHAPTER IX

UNITED FORCES

Jasper was now in a position to give up his entire time to old David's
interests. No longer need he worry about working on the farm, nor how
he was to obtain his daily food. He was provided for a month at least,
and he was most anxious now to enter upon the odd task which had been
assigned to him. Robert Westcote, the stranger, interested him
greatly, and he felt sure that he should hear more about him later.

Having eaten his simple lunch, he started down the road. The village
of Creekdale was about two miles away, and there he hoped to find a
house suitable for David. The only man he knew in the place was the
storekeeper, and from him he believed that he could secure some
information, and at the same time get his cheque cashed.

It was a beautiful afternoon, and his heart was lighter