The Tin Box, and What it Contained

During the next fifteen minutes a wicked plot was devised, of which itwas intended that Harry should be the victim. The particulars must bereserved for the next chapter.

CHAPTER XII

AN UNEXPECTED INVITATION

"Come here, will you!"

Harry Gilbert turned around, for the call was evidently addressed tohim, and saw, standing on the piazza of the hotel, James Congreve.

"Come here a moment. I want to speak to you," said Congreve, taking fromhis mouth the cigar he was smoking.

Harry was surprised. He had scarcely any acquaintance with Congreve, whom he knew chiefly as a companion of Philip Ross. Hitherto he hadtaken no notice of Harry – a circumstance not regretted by our hero, whohad not formed a favorable opinion of the young man.

"Do you wish to speak to me?" he asked, politely.

"Yes," said James, blandly. "May I offer you a cigar?"

"Thank you, I don't smoke," returned Harry, with increased surprise at

Congreve's friendly tone.

"It's a bad habit; I dare say you are right," said Congreve gladly. "Imean to break off soon. But what I wanted to ask you was: Do you knowyour way about the Pegan Hill Woods?"

"Yes; I've been there often."

"Then you are just the companion I want. I am thinking of exploring themwith my gun. I suppose I am likely to find some birds?"

"Oh, yes; it's a good place for a sportsman."

"Suppose you come with me. We can have a pleasant afternoon."

Harry hesitated. He did not wish to be disobliging, nor did he wish tosacrifice the afternoon. As he did not specially fancy Congreve, he didnot expect any pleasure from his company, though the young man seemeddisposed to be cordial. This Harry explained to himself by Congreve'sdesire to secure his services as a guide, and, therefore, did not feelmuch flattered.

James Congreve noticed and understood his hesitation.

"Of course," he said, "I do not wish to take up your time withoutcompensation. I will pay you fifty cents for your services."

This put a different face on the matter. Fifty cents was very good payfor an afternoon's work, and Harry at once decided that he could not letslip so good an opportunity.

"If you think my company will be worth that to you," he said, "I amquite willing. How long do you want to stay?"

"I intend to return in time for supper."

"Then it won't be necessary to go home and tell my mother where I amgoing."

"Oh, dear, no! You will be back before she has time to miss you."

"When do you want to go?"

"At once. I will go in and get my gun and be with you in a moment."

"Unexpected things seem to happen to me pretty often," thought Harry. "Inever expected we should have an uncle of Mrs. Ross as a boarder, andhere is Philip's intimate friend hiring me as a guide. Somehow, mydestiny seems to be closely connected with Philip's, though we are aboutas far from being friends as any two boys can be."

"Is any one going with you?" asked Harry when Congreve came out of thehotel with his gun.

"No one except you."

"I don't know where Philip is this afternoon," said Congrevecarelessly.

Harry rather wondered whether Philip and his companion had had aquarrel. It would not have surprised him very much, for Philip was quitein the habit of quarreling with his associates.

"How far is it to the edge of the woods?" asked Congreve.

"About a mile and a half."

"Quite a good distance. However, it's early, and we shall have timeenough."

Part of their course lay through the fields and meadows.

As they neared the woods, suddenly Congreve said, in a tone ofwell-counterfeited surprise:

"Why, there is Philip Ross sitting on a rock! I wonder what brought himhere? Hello, Philip!"

CHAPTER XIII

THREE YOUNG SPORTSMEN

Philip turned and surveyed the newcomers in apparent surprise.

"Are you out gunning?" he asked.

"Yes. I have secured a guide, as you see, fearing I might get lost inthe woods. I believe you know him?"

"I have that honor," said Philip, superciliously.

This was so much in Philip's ordinary style that Harry did not dreamthere was any collusion between them, and that Philip was here byappointment.

"You haven't explained how you happen to be here," said Congreve.

"I? Oh, I had a little headache, and I thought I would take a walk inthe fresh air."

"Won't you join us?" asked Congreve.

"I don't know," said Philip, irresolutely.

Harry, supposing his indecision might spring from a dislike to hispresence, here spoke up:

"Perhaps you won't want me any longer, as you have met Philip."