te, and Ben saw her face
change as she leaned against the counter.

Miss Mehitable saw it too. "Aha!" she thought triumphantly. "Aha! It
isn't so funny to break a body's heart, after all."

"Well, Ben Barry," she said aloud, "why didn't you wait till we got
settled?"

The aviator stood in the doorway, but came no farther.

"Because I have to take Pete away. I've had a _billet doux_ from Rufus
Carder and he wants him."

The dwarf rushed to his new master on quaking legs. "Oh, Master! I won't
go! I can't go." He looked off wildly on the big billows rolling in.
"I'll throw myself in the sea."

Ben put a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Of course you won't go," he said; "but you want to brighten up your
wits now and remember everything that will help us. We're going to the
city to-night and begin at once to settle that gentleman's affairs." He
gave Geraldine a reassuring look. "I should like to take your father's
letter with me," he added quietly.

"But we mustn't get Pete into trouble," she replied doubtfully.

"I'm not intending to show it. I want to familiarize myself with his
handwriting. I expect to have an interview and perhaps there will be
notes to examine."

"But not at the farm," protested the girl quickly. "You'll not go near
the meadow?"

"No; the cows have nothing to fear from us this time."

"And you'll"--Geraldine swallowed--"you'll be careful?"

Ben nodded. "All my promises hold," he replied, looking straight into
her eyes with only the ghost of his old smile, as Miss Upton noticed.

Geraldine ran upstairs, brought down her father's letter, and gave it to
him.

He took it with a nod of thanks. "How do you think you will like to
fly, Pete?" he asked. "You can go home with me, or, if you prefer it, in
the trolley."

"Anywhere with you, Master," returned the boy. He felt certain that
Rufus Carder would not be met among the clouds, but who could be sure
that he would not pop up in a trolley car.

"Very well, then. Good-bye, everybody, and expect us when you see us."

"Good-bye, you dear boy," cried Miss Mehitable. _Somebody_ should call
him "dear." She was determined on that. "Always workin' for others," she
continued loudly, "and riskin' your life the way you are." She moved to
the door, and raised her voice still higher as the strangely assorted
pair moved away up the road. "I hope you'll get your reward sometime!"
she shouted; then she turned back and glared at Geraldine.

The girl put h