es. Three voices
mingled in a joyous shout, there was a swift clasping of hands in the
Scout grip, and then the three boys started up the steps to the open
door, where Mr. Upton stood waiting with outstretched hand.

"Welcome to our city, Pat!" he cried heartily.

"Thank you, sir. If everybody receives such a welcome as I have had it
is no wonder that we cannot keep people in the woods."

Walter actually gaped open mouthed at Pat. There was not a trace of
accent. Pat caught the look and his blue eyes twinkled. Suddenly he
whirled and hit Upton a resounding whack between the shoulders with his
open palm. "Did I not tell ye thot whin I got the leaves out av me hair
and the Irish out av me shpach I would come? And here I be. Tell me now,
do ye want to foight? 'Twas the reception I was afther giving ye whin ye
first came to the woods, and 'tis no more than roight thot ye should
trate me the same whin I land in Noo Yor-r-k."

Walter ran a calculating eye over the brawny young woodsman, six feet in
his stockings and broad in proportion, and backed away. "I waive the
privilege--out of politeness," said he with a low bow.

"'Tis loike Noo Yor-r-k to be gentle with the helpless. Shure 'tis a
foine settlemint and foine people in ut," retorted Pat.

"I am interested to learn how Hal induced you to come here, Pat," said
Mr. Upton as he ushered them into the library.

Hal chuckled. "I trapped him," said he. "I set a trap and baited it and
he walked right into it. Don't you think I'm some little trapper?"

"You certainly are," declared Mr. Upton, while Pat grinned. "Let's hear
all about it."

"Well, first I made sure that I could get passes from Dad. You know he
controls the railroad to Upper Chain. Dad was tickled to death with the
idea. Even offered to send up his private car. You know he's a great
admirer of Pat. Then for a bait I arranged through a friend to get an
introduction for Pat to some of the head people out at Bronx Park and at
the American Museum of Natural History. I knew that he just couldn't
pass that chance up, but to make sure I wrote to Doctor Merriam at
Woodcraft Camp, and of course he joined the conspiracy right away. For a
clincher I promised Pat that Walt and I would spend Walt's vacation with
him up in the woods."

Walter came out of his chair with a bound. "What's that?" he cried. "Say
it again!"

"I said that to get Pat down here I promised him that we--you and
I--would spend a week in the wood