hole outfit in trouble. Tell me about
it," he concluded, turning to Harriet.

"You saw it, sir?" asked Harriet quickly.

"I didn't see anything," returned the guide. "The man was standing on
the spot where you are standing at this moment. He was listening to
what we were saying, but for what reason I can't imagine. I made the
mistake of calling to you. I shouldn't have done that. When you
started for him he disappeared."

"Yes, we saw him; then we did not," added Miss Elting.

"You didn't stop to think. You were too excited, and, besides, I was
nearer to the man than were the rest of you girls. He simply dropped
down on all fours and ran off the porch like a dog or a cat."

"Well, I swum!" muttered the guide.

"Mr. Grubb, I don't like this," declared the guardian severely.

"Neither do I, Miss," he replied in a tone that made the girls laugh.

"I am not certain what I ought to do, Mr. Grubb," continued Miss
Elting. "If it means that my girls are to be annoyed and disturbed, we
shall be obliged to look for another guide. You know I have a personal
responsibility in this matter. I shall have to think it over. Unless
you can give me reasonable assurance that these incidents will not be
repeated, then I shall have to make some different arrangements. You
will please send the luggage to the hotel as suggested. I will see you
early in the morning, at any rate. Come, girls."

Janus, somewhat downcast and very thoughtful, led the way to the
Compton House, a short distance down the street from the post-office
and grocery store. The girls began talking almost as soon as they had
left the store porch.

"Please, please don't discharge him," begged Hazel. "He is such a nice
man."

"And thuch nithe whithkerth," added Grace Thompson. "He lookth jutht
like an uncle of mine, who----"

"I agree with the girls, Miss Elting," interjected Harriet. "We are
able to take care of ourselves. Perhaps this is simply another crazy
man, of whom we shall be rid as soon as we leave the village for the
mountains in the morning. Please don't dismiss Mr. Grubb."

"I shall have to think this matter over," was the guardian's grave
reply. "We do not care to repeat last summer's experience. You
remember what came of relying on the assurance of a stranger." Miss
Elting referred to the manner in which they had been tricked by the man
who had charge of her brother's houseboat the previous summer, and
whose treachery had c