Thanks to his brief, but thorough apprenticeship under his father's
direction, he had acquired a knowledge of all the ins and outs of the
office work proper.

He had shown great diligence in clearing up the old business. In three
days after taking official charge Bart had forwarded to headquarters all
the claims covering the fire.

He had also listed the unclaimed packages in the safe, together with
those burned up, had followed out Mr. Leslie's direction to collect all
not-called-for express matter at little stations in his division, and
was now awaiting an order from headquarters as to their final
disposition.

The strange "Mr. Baker" had drifted out of his life, temporarily at
least.

Bart had purchased the articles the roustabout had required, and that
evening Baker came out from his hiding-place marvelously unlike the
great-bearded, shock-headed individual Bart had previously known.

A green patch and goggles, a deep brown face-stain, and a pair of thin
artistically made "side-burns" comprised a puzzling make-up.

Baker told Bart that he felt himself perfectly disguised, that he could
now venture freely down the road a distance where he had business.

"I'll be back, though," he promised. "Perhaps in two weeks. I'm not
through with Pleasantville. Oh, no! There's going to be an explosion
here some time soon. You've put me on my feet, Stirling, and you won't
be sorry when you know what I'm after."

Bart had half planned to hire Baker for what extra work he had to give
out. He had to look about for someone else, and Darry Haven and his
brother, Bob, alternately came around to the express office before and
after school, and helped Bart.

The company allowed for this extra service, but Bart had to take a
separate voucher for each task done.

Colonel Harrington had left for a fashionable resort two days after the
Fourth, and Bart understood that Mrs. Harrington was preparing to join
him there.

Bart's father had been taken home after spending two days in the
hospital.

The surgeon there had told him that his case was not at all hopeless,
and the old express agent was cheerful and patient under his affliction,
and nights Bart made a great showing of the necessity of going over the
business of the day, so as to keep his father's mind occupied.

So far Bart's affairs had settled down to what seemed to be a clear and
definite basis, and when that afternoon a new platform scale arrived,
and he received a l