ighted to see you, boy, and it will be a pleasant trip. But we want
you back."

"I should think we do," said Uncle Dick, laying his great hand on my
shoulder and giving me an affectionate grip.

"Yes, we couldn't get on without our first lieutenant, Philosopher Cob,"
said Uncle Bob.

I tried to look bright and cheerful; but that trap had not got me by the
leg--it seemed to be round my neck and to choke me from speaking.

What was I to do? I could not get a chance. I dare not go away and
leave that trap there without speaking, and already there was the
distant rumble of the coming train. In a few minutes I should be on my
way to London; and at last in despair I got close to Uncle Bob to speak,
but in vain--I was put off.

In came the train, drawing up to the side of the platform, and Uncle Bob
ran off to find a comfortable compartment for me, looking after me as
kindly as if I had been a woman.

"Oh," I thought, "if he would but have stayed!"

"Good-bye, my lad!" said Uncle Dick. "Take care of yourself, Cob, and
of the packet," whispered Uncle Jack.

I was about to slap my breast and say, "All right here!" but he caught
my hand and held it down.

"Don't," he said in a low half-angry voice. "Discretion, boy. If you
have something valuable about you, don't show people where it is."

I saw the wisdom of the rebuke and shook hands. "I'll try and be
wiser," I whispered; "trust me." He nodded, and this made me forget the
trap for the moment. But Uncle Bob grasped my hand and brought it back.

"Stand away, please," shouted the guard; but Uncle Bob held on by my
hand as the train moved.

"Take care of yourself, lad. Call a cab the moment you reach the
platform if your father is not there."

"Yes," I said, reaching over a fellow-passenger to speak. "Uncle Bob,"
I added quickly, "big trap in the corner of the yard; take it up at
once--to-night."

"Yes, yes," he said as he ran along the platform. "I'll see to it.
Good-bye!"

We were off and he was waving his hand to me, and I saw him for a few
moments, and then all was indistinct beneath the station lamps, and we
were gliding on, with the glare and smoke and glow of the busy town
lighting up the sky.

It had all come to me so suddenly that I could hardly believe I was
speeding away back to London; but once more comfortable in my mind with
the promise that Uncle Bob had made to take up the trap, I sat back in
the comfortable corner seat thinking of