ely a second's hesitation on Mr. Silt's part. Then he said:
"That's exactly what I mean. I got a--ahem!--a letter from Cap'n Am'zon
only lately."

"And he's comin' to see ye?" gasped Cap'n Joab, turning from the door to
stare like the others at the storekeeper.

"Yes," the latter confessed. "And he's likely to stay quite a spell when
he does come. Says suthin' 'bout settlin' down. He's gettin' along in
years like the rest of us. Mebbe I'll let him keep store for me this
summer whilst I take a vacation," added Cap'n Abe more briskly, "like I
been wantin' to do for a long spell back."

"You took a vacation of a week or more about--was it ten year ago?"
demanded Cap'n Joab. "I looked after the place for ye then."

"Ahem! I mean a real vacation," Cap'n Abe declared, still staring at the
fishfly now feebly butting its head against the pane. "That week was
when I went to the--'hem--buryin' of my a'nt, Joab. I'll go this time
mebbe for two-three months. Take a v'y'ge somewhere, I've always wanted
to."

"Land sakes!" exploded Cap'n Joab. "I know ye been talkin' 'bout
cruisin' around--to see your folks, or the like--for the longest spell.
But I didn't s'pose ye re'lly meant it. And your brother comin', too!
Well!"

"If he can tell of his adventures as well as you relate them," laughed
Lawford, "Cap'n Amazon should be an addition to the Cardhaven social
whirl."

"You take my advice, young man," Cap'n Abe said, with sternness, "and
belay that sort o' talk afore Cap'n Am'zon when he does come. He's lived
a rough sort o' life. He's nobody's tame cat. Doubt his word and he's
jest as like as not to take ye by the scruff of the neck and duck ye in
the water butt."

There was a general laugh. Almost always the storekeeper managed to turn
the tables in some way upon any doubting Thomas that drifted into his
shop. Because of his ability in this particular he had managed to hold
his audience all these years.

Lawford could think of no reply with which to turn the laugh. His wit
was not of a nimble order. He turned to the door again and suddenly a
low ejaculation parted his lips.

"There's that girl again!"

Milt Baker screwed his neck around for a look. "See who's come!" he
cackled. "I bet it's one o' them moving picture actresses."

Lawford cast on the ribald Milt a somewhat angry glance. Yet he did not
speak again for a moment.

"Tidy craft," grunted Cap'n Joab, eying the young woman who was
appro