I could easily make the necessary arrangements for ponies, guides, &c.
"Yours faithfully, "GEORGE ANDERSON." "Upon my word, a cool hand! a very cool hand!" muttered Delaine in some perplexity, as he thrust the letter into his pocket, and strolled on toward the lake.

His mind went back to the strange nocturnal encounter which had led to the development of this most annoying relation between himself and Anderson.

He recalled the repulsive old man, his uneducated speech, the signs about him of low cunning and drunken living, his rambling embittered charges against his son, who, according to him, had turned his father out of the Manitoba farm in consequence of a family quarrel, and had never cared since to find out whether he was alive or dead.

"Sorry to trouble you, sir, I'm sure--a genelman like you"-- obsequious old ruffian!--"but my sons were always kittle-cattle, and George the worst of 'em all.

If you would be so kind, sir, as to gie 'im a word o' preparation--" Delaine could hear his own impatient reply: "I have nothing whatever, sir, to do with your business! Approach Mr.Anderson yourself if you have any claim to make." Whereupon a half-sly, half-threatening hint from the old fellow that he might be disagreeable unless well handled; that perhaps "the lady" would listen to him and plead for him with his son.
Lady Merton! Good heavens! Delaine had been immediately ready to promise anything in order to protect her.
Yet even now the situation was extremely annoying and improper.