," Hugh broke in with, "Owen was on deck, and did splendidly. He
may be able to make the team if he continues to improve. So you, of
course, assisted the old gentleman, as he asked, and got him safely to
his house?"

"Yes, that's what I did," replied Thad, "and it seemed that his pains
began to leave him once he got to walking. He said it was
characteristic of the disease to come and go suddenly and mysteriously.
When we arrived I had to help him up the steps, for he insisted on my
coming in. Well, to tell you the honest truth, Hugh, I was a little
curious to see what that queer old house did look like inside, and so I
didn't hold back at all. Now, you've likely never been there yourself,
even though you've been getting pretty intimate with Owen lately?"

"Once he asked me to step in, but it happened that I was in a hurry to
get home. I supposed some time or other he would renew the invitation,
but I also remembered that his grandfather was said to be queer, and
averse to meeting strangers; so I've thought nothing about it. Well,
is there anything more coming, or does that end your adventure?"

Thad drew a long breath, and looked sober.

"I only wish it did, that's right, Hugh," he continued, mysteriously.
"Up to then the whole thing hadn't amounted to a row of beans, so far
as giving me a thrill went. But the worst was yet to come."

"Go on, and don't stop so often, Thad," urged Hugh. "I believe you do
it just to tantalize me. What wonderful secret did you discover there?
Is that old house the rendezvous of a nest of counterfeiters, or might
it be where they manufacture moonshine whiskey, like those mountaineers
do down in Georgia?"

"Oh! come, it's nothing like that, Hugh, so don't allow your
imagination to carry you away. I did get something of a shock, though,
and I guess you'll feel the same way when you learn about it. Well,
the old gentleman asked me who I was, and if I knew his grandson Owen,
as well as a lot of other questions. Fact is, Hugh, I rather guess he
must have taken a violent liking for me right on, the spot, for when I
said I must be going two different times, he begged me to stay with him
just a little while longer.

"I knew I would be too late for the ball practice anyhow, and besides I
didn't have on my old suit, because mother had asked me not to wait to
change my clothes. So I sat down again each time, and answered some
more questions. The old gentleman interested me a whol