“They have watched me so many evenings to no purpose, they may be off guard to-night,” said Van Dorn.
“Don’t flatter yourself that you will escape ‘Minty’s’ espionage for a single night,” replied Lyle, “she would remain out all night watching you to gain a smile from Haight in the morning.”
Van Dorn laughed. “So it is the charming Miss Bixby whose watchful eye is upon me!” he exclaimed, “I think I will have to enter the lists as Haight’s rival, and see if I cannot win such faithful devotion upon the right side.”
“After you are gone,” said Lyle, “I will soon be able to tell whether there will be men sent out to watch you to-night; and I shall act accordingly,” she added, with a smile at Miss Gladden.
“Why, Miss Maverick, what will you do?” inquired Van Dorn, “you must not expose yourself in any way.”
“I will be in no danger,” she answered smiling.
“I have no idea what Lyle intends to do,” said Houston, “but I have great confidence in her plans, for she knows this class of people better than we, and I have found her judgment to be relied upon, on every occasion so far.”
Lyle’s beautiful eyes spoke her thanks for his words of appreciation, as she asked:
“At what hour will you have completed the examination, and be ready to leave the mine?”
“Probably very near twelve o’clock,” Houston replied, “we cannot accomplish our work much before that time, and I do not wish to be out much later.”