ould speak and plead for my shortcomings in the matter, when it
should come to her knowledge. And oh! was I not thankful beyond
measure, for her sake, even more than for my own, that the jewels had
been recovered, and were once more safe in my own possession, before
she learned of the perils they had passed through. If I felt somewhat
shamefaced and repentant, as it was, what would it have been if they
had been lost beyond recovery!

The joy at the unexpected return of the absentees was not confined to
their own family or circle, for the "Governor"--uncle Rutherford had
years since held that dignity in the State, and was still "the
Governor" to all the denizens of the Point--was greatly beloved by all
who knew him well; and the old residents of the place, which had for so
many years been his summer-home, considered themselves to be his
intimate acquaintances. He was an authority and a law to each one among
them. What "the Governor" did, was invariably right in their eyes; from
what "the Governor" said, there was no appeal. He would, indeed, have
been a daring man who should question the right or wisdom of uncle
Rutherford's words or deeds in the presence of any of these stanch
adherents.

And dear aunt Emily was not less beloved in her way, for the simple
people of the Point all but adored her,--true, wise friend that she had
proved to them; and among them none were more ardent in their devotion
and admiration than Captain and Mrs. Yorke.

So it was no wonder that the captain's face beamed with delight, nor
that, being somewhat after the manner of the Athenians of old, who
delighted in some new thing to tell or to hear, he should now be in
haste to despatch his daily business, and take his departure to spread
the news about the Point. Indeed, he would scarcely wait until I--who
regained my senses before it was too late--furnished him with the list
for the next day's supplies, which mother had confided to my keeping.
In fact, in the midst of the excitement and pleasant anticipations
which uncle Rutherford's cablegram had called forth, Jim's
"peanut-undertakin'" was for the present entirely lost sight of, unless
it was by the lad himself and his faithful chum and ally, Bill.

No need to give here the reasons which had influenced uncle
Rutherford's unexpected return; they were purely of a business nature,
and would interest no one else.

CHAPTER III.

AN ARRIVAL.

I had made my confession,--for a confessio