"Are you the man who wished to speak with Miss Elting?" she asked,
confessing to herself that she did not wholly like the appearance of
the man.

"Yes," he answered, rising. Now that the light fell on his face she
noted that he had a low, receding forehead. His beard covered the
greater part of his face.

"About what do you wish to speak with me?"

"Well, it's rather a delicate matter, Miss," the man made reply, gazing
down at the carpet, twisting his soft felt hat awkwardly. "I--I wanted
to ask if you needed any assistance."

"What do you mean?"

"You are going into the mountains?"

"Yes, sir."

"You will need to have some one to show you the way and look after you
and your party."

"We already have engaged some one to do that. You mean a guide, I
suppose?"

He nodded.

"May I ask your name?"