home.

"See him slink off?" said Rufe. "He's afraid of me yet; but he needn't
be,--I've promised Vinnie not to meddle with him."

Then, on the way home, Rufe surprised Jack by telling him how Vinnie had
made acquaintance with the Peakslow family, and how Mrs. Peakslow,
taking advantage of her husband's absence from home, had called on the
Bettersons, under pretence of returning Vinnie's box of salve.

Mr. Betterson had not yet come to the house; and Jack, having hitched
Snowfoot to an oak-tree, and told of his business with the Wiggetts,
asked Vinnie and her sister if they would not like a noon-mark on their
floor. "It will be a good thing to set your clock by when it goes
wrong," he explained.

Vinnie gladly accepted the offer.

"And, O Jack!" she said, "I wish you would give Mrs. Peakslow one too."

"I would, certainly," said Jack; "but" (his pride coming up) "wouldn't
it look as if I was anxious to make my peace with Peakslow?"

"Never mind that; I think even he will appreciate the kindness. I wish
you would!"

"I will--to please you," said Jack. "This afternoon, if I have time."
And he went to the buggy for his compass.

He fumbled in the blanket under the seat, looked before and behind, and
uttered an exclamation.

"What's the trouble, Jack?" Rufe asked.

"It is gone! my compass is gone!" said Jack. "Somebody has taken it."

"That Zeph--we saw him, you know!" said Rufe. "It's one of his tricks."

"I'll overhaul that Zeph!" said Jack; "I'll teach him to play his tricks
on me!"

Vinnie ran after him as he was starting off.

"Jack! don't be hasty or unkind!"

"O no! I won't be unkind," said Jack, with something bitter in his
laugh. "I just want my compass, that's all." And he hurried down the
road.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE STRANGE CLOUD.

Jack's call on the Peakslows was brief and unsatisfactory. He returned
to the "castle" without his compass, and looking flushed and disturbed.

"I didn't accuse Zeph of stealing," said Jack, fearful of being blamed
by Vinnie. "They were at supper; and I just said, 'Zeph, my boy, what
did you do with my compass?' He denied having touched it. I explained.
Great commotion. Mamma Peakslow looked frightened out of her wits, and
papa blazed away at me like a seventy-four-gun ship. In short, you will
have to wait for your noon-mark, Mrs. Betterson. So will Mrs. Peakslow.
I didn't tell her I was going to make her one, if Zeph hadn't stolen my
compass."

"But y