p into the mountains must be brothers. Now your life is in danger, and
I save you; next my life is in peril, and you save me. A guide is
something more than one who goes to show the way."

"Of course," said Richard Dale, eyeing the man curiously: "that is why I
have chosen you. Friends told me that Melchior Staffeln was a man whom
I might trust."

"I thank them," said the guide. "And the herr wishes me to be his guide
for days and weeks or months, and show him the way up the great
mountains as I have shown others?"

"No!" said Dale sharply. "I want you to take me right in among the
heights, passes and glaciers where the visitors do not go."

The guide looked at him fixedly.

"Why? what for?" he said. "You did not tell me this when you came up to
the chalet last night, and sent for me."

"No. I tell you now."

"Why do you wish to go? There may be danger."

"I'll tell you. I want to see the mountains and study them. I would
search for metals and specimens of the stones in the higher rocks."

"Crystals?"

"Yes."

"Hah!" said the guide. "To see if there is gold and silver and precious
stones?"

"Yes."

"If it is known you will be stopped by the magistrate of the commune."

"Why? I do not want to rob the country."

"But the gold--the silver."

"Let's find them first, man; and see what the chief magistrate says
then. Can you lead me to places where I can find these?"

"Perhaps."

"Will you?"

The man was silent for a few minutes. Then,--"Will the herr be
straightforward and honest to my country, and if he finds such treasures
in the mountains, will he go to the magistrates and get leave to work
them?"

"Of that you may be sure. Will you come?"

The man was silent and thoughtful again for a minute.

"If the people know, we shall be watched night and day."

"They must not know."

"No, they must not know."

"Then you will come?"

"Yes," said the man, "I will come."

"Then, once more, forward," said Dale. "Saxe, my lad, our search for
Nature's treasures has begun."

CHAPTER TWO.

AN ALPINE VALLEY.

The track for some distance up the valley was so rugged and narrow that
the little party had to go in single file; but after a time they came
upon a more open part, less encumbered with rock, and, with the lad on
ahead, Richard Dale strode up abreast of the guide, and, taking out his
case, lit a cigar, and offered one to the Swiss.

The guide shook his head.

"No, thank