ed Mr. Castle, as they started. "It cost me seven thousand dollars."

"What's seven thousand dollars," demanded Master Tom, recklessly, "to
putting the Indian sign on that Professor Spink?"

They were not at all sure, however, that they were going to be able to do
this. Professor Spink might easily beat them to Aunt Jane's residence in
Hambleton.

But at the speed Tom took the descent of the ridge on the other side, one
might have thought that the professor was due to board a flying machine if
he wished to travel faster. 'Phemie declared she lost her breath at the
top of the hill and that it didn't overtake her again until they stopped
at the public garage in Adams to get a supply of gasoline.

The boys behind the wind-break, and the girls crouching in the tonneau,
saw little of the landscape through which the car rushed.

They rolled into Hambleton without mishap, and before noon. A word from
Lyddy put Master Tom on the right track of Aunt Jane's house, for he had
been in the town before.

"We're here quicker than we could have had a telegram delivered," declared
Harris, as he helped the girls out of the car. "I'm going in with you,
Miss Lyddy--if you don't mind?"

"Why, of course you shall come!" returned Lyddy, really allowing her
gratitude to "spill over" for the moment.

"Me--oh, my!" whispered 'Phemie, walking demurely behind them. "The end of
the world has now _came_. Lyd is showing that poor young man some favor."

But 'Phemie, as well as the other two, grew serious when the girl who
opened the door told them Mrs. Hammond had company in the parlor.

"Two gentlemen, Miss--on business," said the maid.

Just then they heard Professor Spink's booming voice.

"Oh, oh! he's here ahead of us!" cried 'Phemie, and she flung open the
door and ran into the room.

CHAPTER XXX

THE HILLCREST COMPANY, LIMITED

"Don't sign it!" shrieked 'Phemie, seeing Aunt Jane, her bonnet on as
usual, with a pen in her hand.

"For the good land's sake, child! how you scart me," complained the old
lady.

"Don't sign anything, Aunt!" urged 'Phemie. "That man is trying to cheat
you," and she pointed a scornful finger at Professor Spink.

"What do you mean, girl?" demanded the other man present, who was sitting
next to Mrs. Hammond. He looked like what he was--a shyster lawyer.

"This girl is crazy," snarled Spink, glaring at the party of young people.

"So are we all, then," Harris Colesworth responded. "I assure