ck with
you!"

It subsequently proved that there was more truth than fiction in this
jest, for in answer to Dr. Swift's inquiry Mr. Croyden announced that
he happened to be coming into New York that very day in his car, and
if the Swifts were willing he would carry Theo back with him.

"That will be the very thing!" exclaimed the boy in delight. "We can
do the shelves all up so he won't guess what they are, and I can take
them right along. Then they will be safe at Mr. Croyden's house and I
shall not run the risk of the expressman being late. You know
expressmen always are late. Think how long they were getting my
crutches to Maine."

Accordingly the shelves were packed with greatest care in many soft
papers so they would not be scratched, and afterward they were wrapped
in a stouter outside covering. When the parcel was tied up no one
would have suspected what was inside, and Theo viewed the mysterious
bundle with satisfaction.

"Mr. Croyden will think that for a small boy you travel with a good
deal of luggage," chuckled the Doctor.

"Maybe he won't have room to take it," Mrs. Swift rejoined.

Theo's face fell.

"He must take it," he said, "even if I walk to Trenton myself."

But there was room, plenty of it, in the big touring car.

Mr. Croyden did, to be sure, comment teasingly about the lad's
extended wardrobe, and ask how many dozen suits of clothes he had
brought with him; but he made no objection to taking either the bundle
or the suit-case.

And when that night just before dinner Theo slipped into the
dining-room and placed the shelves beside Mr. Croyden's chair no boy
could have been happier. The only person happier than Theo himself was
the man who received them.

"My, but this is a present!" exclaimed the merchant. "And you made
them all yourself? I can hardly believe it. Why, they are beautifully
finished! And isn't it a queer thing that only yesterday I told
Mrs. Croyden I must buy some bookshelves for my office? You remember,
don't you, Madeline?"

Mrs. Croyden nodded.

"Those were his very words," affirmed Mrs. Croyden, turning to
Theo. "He said it only at breakfast. I believe it was mental
telepathy, Theo."

[Illustration: "THIS IS A PRESENT"]

Theo beamed.

He had really succeeded then in giving Mr. Croyden something he
wanted! That was pleasure enough.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XIII

THE TRENTON VISIT

[Illustration: A]

Although originally planned to be of