manner until Irvington was reached, where they left
the train and entered Mr. Hatch's private carriage, which was waiting.

They were driven from the beautiful village to the splendid home of Mr.
Hatch, which overlooked the Hudson.

A boy of seventeen or eighteen, with his head bare and his hands in his
pockets, was standing on the veranda as they approached.

"There's Art now!" exclaimed Mr. Hatch. "Hello, Art!"

"Hello, dad," coolly responded the boy, without stirring.

"Here, Art, is Mr. Merriwell," said the banker, when they had left the
carriage. "Mr. Merriwell, my son."

"How are you, Mr. Merriwell," said Arthur, with a touch of cordiality,
as he shook hands with the visitor. "Father has been telling me about
you. Says you're a corking fisherman. That was what put you right with
him. He's the biggest crank on fishing that I ever saw."

Arthur Hatch was a chap it was not easy to fathom at first sight. He
resembled his father slightly, but he was larger and better built,
although somewhat too flat across the chest. He seemed to affect a
drawl, and the grasp of his hand was not exactly hearty.

They entered the house.

"I'll take care of Merriwell now, father, if you don't mind," said the
son. "Perhaps I can entertain him until dinner time."

"You'll find I don't need entertaining," laughed Frank. "I particularly
dislike to have any one put himself out to entertain me. I feel easier
when no effort is made."

"Come up to my room," invited the boy.

They ascended to Art's room, which was on the second floor, and proved
to be almost luxurious.

"Now, make yourself at home, Merriwell," drawled the boy, with an air of
familiarity. "There is the bathroom."

Frank removed his coat, pulled back his cuffs, and washed his face and
hands, which gave him a feeling of freshness.

In the meantime, on returning to Art's room, he found the boy had
produced a flask and glasses.

"Here's some fine old rye," he said. "We have lots of time to touch it
up a little before dinner."

"Excuse me," said Merry, shaking his head.

"Don't you care for rye? Well, I have some bourbon here. Perhaps that
will----"

"I'll have to be excused from taking anything."

"Really? It will do you good. You've been having a session with the
governor and those Wall Street sharks, and it seems to me you need
something after that."

"I don't think I need anything, thank you."

"Well, later on we can have a cocktail before dinner. Which