he
little ones.

"That auld dog o' mine always barks at sic a troop o' mendicants,"
remarked Cousin Ronald quietly. "I ken mendicant's the word, lads and
lasses, and ye hae acted it out wi' commendable ingenuity and success."

"You couldn't have made a better guess if you had belonged to the
universal Yankee nation, cousin," laughed Herbert.

They retired again and in a few minutes Eva and Lulu came in dressed in
travelling attire, each with a satchel in her hand.

"This must be the place, I think," said Eva, glancing from side to side,
"but there seems to be no one in."

"They may be in directly," said Lulu, "let us sit down and rest in these
comfortable looking chairs, while we wait."

They seated themselves, and as they did so, Zoe and Maud walked in.

They too were dressed as travelers, and carried satchels. The four shook
hands, Zoe remarking, "So you got in here before us! How did you come?"

"In the stage," answered Lulu.

"Ah! one travels so slowly in that! We came in the cars," said Maud.

"Yes," said Zoe; "in the train that just passed."

"Let us go back in the cars, Lu," said Eva.

"Yes; in the same train they take. Oh! who is this coming? He acts like
a crazy man!" as Frank Dinsmore entered, gesticulating wildly, rolling
his eyes and acting altogether very much like a madman.

Chester was following close at his heels.

"Don't be alarmed, ladies," he said, "he shall not harm you. I'll take
care of that; I have my eye on him all the time; never let him out of my
sight. I am his keeper."

"But he's dangerous, isn't he?" they asked, shrinking from Frank's
approach, as if in great fear.

"Not while I am close at hand," said Chester. "I'll see that he disturbs
no one."

"I think it would be well for us to go now, girls," said Zoe. "Let us
ask the driver of that stage to take us in; then we'll be safe from this
lunatic."

They hurried out and in another minute Chester and Frank followed.

Then Edward came in, walked up to the fire and stood leaning against the
mantelpiece in seemingly thoughtful mood; but as the lady travelers
again appeared at the door, he started and went forward to receive them.

"Walk in, ladies," he said; "walk into the parlor. Pray be seated,"
handing them chairs. "Now what can I do for you?"

"You are the innkeeper?" asked Zoe.

"At your service, madam. Do you wish a room? or rooms?"

"Yes; we will have two; and let them be adjoining, if possible."

"Certainly,