"Alger Jr, Horatio - The Young Explorer" - читать интересную книгу автора (Alger Horatio Jr)

"I am, a little; I don't know what good that will do."
"Then I will explain. I shall dress the seamstress in one of my own dresses, and
let her go to the table with you. Mr. Campbell will naturally suppose that she
is Miss Ida Sinclair, and will be satisfied."
"I see! That is splendid!" exclaimed Ben, entering with hearty enthusiasm into
the conspiracy.
It happened, luckily, that the first seamstress on whom he called was
sufficiently like Miss Sinclair in figure to justify him in engaging her. He
directed her to call at the hotel at eight the next morning without fail. The
poor girl was glad to make this engagement, having been without employment for
two weeks previous.
When she arrived, Miss Sinclair, without confiding too much in her, made known
her desire, and the girl, who had had but a scanty breakfast, was glad to
embrace the opportunity of enjoying the hospitality of a first-class hotel. Miss
Sinclair had really work enough to employ her during the day.
When Mr. Campbell caught sight of Ben approaching the dining-room in company
with a young lady, he advanced eagerly and peered into the young lady's face. He
turned away in disappointment.
"I have made a fool of myself. It is only a common country girl. I must look
elsewhere for my ward."
Directly after breakfast Ben had the satisfaction of seeing the obnoxious
guardian depart in a hack.
"Good-by, Mr. Vernon!" he said politely. "I see you are leaving the hotel."
"Good-by!" muttered Campbell.
"I hope you'll excuse my cousin for not seeing you?"
"I don't think she's the one I supposed," said Campbell. "It's of no
consequence."
Ben hastened to inform Miss Sinclair of her guardian's departure.
"Now the field is clear," said Ida, breathing a sigh of relief.
"I say, Ida, you managed him tip-top," said Ben admiringly. "I never should have
thought of such a plan."
Miss Sinclair smiled faintly.
"I don't like to employ deceit," she said, "but it seems necessary to fight such
an enemy with his own weapons."
"He wanted to deceive you. He put a wrong name on his card."
"That is true, Ben. I must thank you for the manner in which you have aided me
in this matter. I should not have known how to act if I had not had you to call
upon."
Ben's face brightened.
"I am glad to hear you say that, Cousin Ida," he said. "You are spending so much
money for me that I shall be glad to feel that I have earned some of it."
"Have no trouble on that score, Ben. I foresee that you will continue to be of
great service to me. I regard the money expended for you as well invested."
Ben heard this with satisfaction. It naturally gave him a feeling of heightened
importance when he reflected that a wealthy heiress had selected him as her
escort and right-hand man, and that she was satisfied with her choice.
On Saturday morning Miss Sinclair and Ben went on board the California steamer,
and when the tide served, they started on their long voyage.
CHAPTER XII. IN SAN FRANCISCO.
Ben was not seasick, and enjoyed the novel experiences vastly. Miss Sinclair was