ting."

"Where?"

"I don't know. My memory connects him with something unpleasant. I
wish I knew what it is, for I am positive there is something wrong with
him. Wait! I know! I know of whom the man reminds me. Can't you see
it? Don't you know?" cried Harriet eagerly.

The guardian shook her head.

CHAPTER III

THE START THAT CAME TO GRIEF

"Who do you think it is, Harriet?"

Harriet Burrell whispered something in the ear of the guardian. Again
Miss Elting shook her head, this time with decision.

"Wrong, this time. There isn't the slightest resemblance that I could
observe. I thought of that, too. But let's not bother our heads about
it any further. We have things of greater importance to consider this
evening, and, besides, we must go to bed soon; we are to make an early
start in the morning, you know."

Harriet shook her brown head slowly. She was positive that she was
right in her identification of the visitor, Collins. She determined to
ask some questions at the first opportunity. This she did on the
following morning, inquiring of the hotel clerk about the man who had
so strangely called on Miss Elting. The clerk said he had never heard
of the man. In the preparations that followed Harriet forgot about the
caller. Grubb had a carry-all at the hotel before they had finished
their breakfast. The equipment for the party occupied little room.
Janus had consulted with Miss Elting about the food supplies, and these
were packed in the smallest possible space, with the exception of a few
packages for their use before they got into the mountains.

The drive to the point where they would leave the wagon would occupy
the greater part of the day. The girls looked forward to that day's
journey with keen anticipation. They started out decorously and
quietly, for the inhabitants of the village were early risers and the
girls did not wish to attract unpleasant attention to themselves. Once
they were well out of the village, however, the Meadow-Brook Girls'
spirits bubbled forth in song, shout and merry laughter. The air was
crisp and cool until the sun came up, then it grew warm.

Janus, sitting up by the driver, was almost sternly silent. Miss
Elting, in the light of the previous evening's interview, regarded him
from time to time with inquiring eyes. She could not believe what her
caller had told her of their guide. Janus was plainly an honest,
well-intentioned man. Of this she had