queer things there."

"And see lights."

"Tabitha never has," Irene declared. "And she lives nearest it."

"Well, 't any rate, it's haunted and no one ever goes there now, not
even Tabitha, who ain't afraid of a _thing_."

The stranger rose slowly to his feet, yawned as if bored by their
chatter, picked up his hat, and started for the door; then paused, and
casually surveying the pan of taffy on the window sill, remarked,
"Believe if I was you, I'd eat that all up before the rest of the folks
get back. There's just about enough for three, and I've a notion that
Miss Tabitha will think you didn't keep your promise very well if she
ever finds out how near you came to setting the house a-fire. She'll
never dare trust you again. It might be well not to mention that I
dropped in, either. Tramps aren't often welcome visitors, even in a
mining camp, you know. But I appreciate your dinner, and thank you
kindly. Good-day, ladies."

"Good-day," they echoed mechanically, and with puzzled eyes watched him
disappear in the direction of the railroad station on the flats. Then
they faced each other.

"Do you s'pose we better--" began Susie slowly.

"Not tell?" ventured Inez.

"And eat all the candy ourselves?" added Irene.

There was a moment's pause while three active brains worked furiously.

Then Susie sighed, "I b'lieve he's right. Tabitha would never trust us
again. We better keep still about the whole thing."

"Then we'll have to hurry and clear up this mess," said Irene. "We can
hide the candy until later, but this table would give everything away."

So the trio flew to work again, put away the remains of the tramp's
dinner, washed the telltale dishes, and had the kitchen in its usual
spick and span order when the rest of the large family returned an hour
later from their sojourn to the river. If their consciences pricked
them a little for their deception, they said nothing, not even to each
other; and it was several days before the young housekeeper discovered
their secret.

CHAPTER XI

IN THE CANYON

The next day was Saturday, and the morning dawned so hot and sultry
that almost before the old kitchen clock struck five, the restless
eaglets were stirring once more.

"Now's the time I wish we didn't live so far up the mountain," sighed
Mercedes, mopping her perspiring face on her sleeve as she struggled to
button the dress she had just donned.

"Yes, summer's an awful trial here in this