sappointed you are that you can't be there to see my mother's
face and get her thanks right away. But----"

Fortunately for both of these perplexed people, Ninian Sharp came along
the passage just then, and one glimpse of his bright, helpful face
cleared away Jessica's anxieties.

"You'll know what's best and how to do it, won't you, dear Mr.
Sharp?"

"Certainly. That's my business. Straightening out the tangled affairs
of the silly rest of the world! Fetch on your trouble!"

He was in the gayest of moods, elated over the successful termination of
his tedious labors, though in his heart not unmindful of the tragedy
which had brought his share in them to an end. What was left, the law's
dealings with Antonio and the division and disposition of the recovered
funds, belonged to Mr. Hale, and he very thankfully resigned these
matters to that gentleman's capable hand.

"I want to go home. And I don't want to leave Ephraim."

"I want to go with you. And I'm going to leave Ephraim--because he'd
have to stay awhile, whether or not. He will be an important witness
for the prosecution, providing that New York Company bothers any further
after having recovered all that belongs to them, with some that doesn't.
I've a 'loose foot,' as I've heard that your 'Aunt Sally' also
has betimes, and I mean to shake it out Sobrante way. If you'd like to
travel in my company I can't prevent it, as I see!"

"Oh! you darling man! You mean--I know it, for it's just like all the
rest of your great kindness--that you're going wholly on purpose to take
me home!"

"Beg pardon, but indeed, I'm not. At this present moment I have no
stronger desire than to see that wonderful ranch of yours and those
'boys' who've spoiled you so. Why, I couldn't stay away, after
putting my finger so deeply into your family pie. I propose to start
on the nine o'clock train to-morrow morning. Think you can be ready
by then?"

"I'm ready this minute! No, I mean, as soon as I bid everybody good-by,
and--and----"

"Do a little shopping, eh? That's what most young ladies delay for,
I believe."

"But I'm neither a young lady nor have I any shopping to do. I
couldn't have because I haven't any money, you see, even if I knew
how to shop."

"Why?" demanded "Forty-niner," impatiently. "No money? I don't
believe all ours is gone yet."

"Why, I forgot that. I really did. And I would love, if Mr. Sharp thinks
it would be all right to use it when there is all this hosp