"I hope so, Mr. Bradley."
Bradley eyed Ben reproachfully, and our hero at once smilingly corrected himself. "I mean Jake."
"That suits me better. I s'pose the young lady wouldn't like to call me Jake?"
"I think not," said Ida, smiling.
"I ain't used to bein' called mister. The boys always called me Jake."
"But I am not one of the boys, Mr. Bradley," said Miss Sinclair.
"Right you are, miss, and I reckon Richard Dewey would rather have you as you are."
Ida laughed merrily. To her the miner was a new character, unlike any she had ever met, and though rough and unconventional, she was disposed to like him.
"Find him for me, and you can ask him the question if you like. Tell him from me-but you must first know me by my real name."
Ben looked surprised. He had forgotten that Ida Sinclair was only assumed to elude the vigilance of her guardian.