never would stay in that
house," declared Polly, quickly.

"We have several weeks to discuss a school for Polly," remarked Mrs.
Brewster, rising to go out and seek her husband.

"I'd love to be with Anne," ventured Polly, wistfully.

"Maybe you will, dear. Don't say any more about it, now, but trust to
your dear mother's wisdom and ways. Whatever is best for you, she will
see that it is brought about," replied Anne, thus winning a grateful
smile from John.

Barbara now went to her room, as she felt the company was not
appreciative of her presence, and was too attentive on Polly. Polly and
Eleanor went over to incidentally ask Tom Latimer about certain details
in Evans' patent, and more especially what did he know about Kenneth
Evans. As both girls were acquainted with Jim Latimer, they had not the
same curiosity to hear any one talk about him.

But John took advantage of this trio tete-a-tete to hurry Anne out of
the room. Quite naturally, they took the path that ran about the side of
the house, where the rose-climbers cast heavy shadows in the moonlight.
Thence they walked, arm in arm, along the crater-trail where it led to
the Cliffs.

CHAPTER IX

JEB'S SUNDAY NIGHT OFF

Jim Latimer and Kenneth Evans made their appearance much earlier on
Sunday morning, than they had on the previous one. When greetings with
his brother, and the family at Pebbly Pit were over, Jim explained: "The
Boss lifted his ban on using the horses, when he found his men grumbling
all week over their wretched Sunday."

Of course, the two new arrivals were interested in hearing all about the
gold mine and its present condition, not only because there might be a
possibility that Kenneth's uncle was the Montresor who first discovered
the vein of ore, but also because Polly and Eleanor were such good pals,
and they deserved something big like a gold mine! Which goes to show
that youth needs no time or preparation to discover and appreciate any
desirable qualities of mind and soul.

Barbara was in her element that Sunday, as John escorted Anne wherever
they went, and the two younger girls had Jim and Kenneth for
companions. So, quite naturally, Tom Latimer fell to her lot. As she had
been carefully trained to make the most of any opportunity offered,
especially with a rich and desirable young man for the prize, she used
every art to captivate Tom. But the young man was sensibly educated and
wondered why really good-looking girls sho