loss, sir, but there's pretty good
insurance."

"That's fortunate. Good-night!" Mr. Brady chuckled as they went on into
the darkness of the orchard. "Bet you he's downright peeved with us,
boys, for wetting that roof down! I happen to know that he's been
losing money on this place for five years and been trying to sell it for
a twelvemonth."

"You don't suppose," began Tom, "that he--er--that he----"

"Set the fire? Well, I'd rather not suppose about that. As there's no
evidence against him we'd better give him the benefit of the doubt, I
guess."

CHAPTER VIII

COACHING THE TACKLES

THE ride back was far less exciting. Mr. Brady drove the big car
leisurely and conversed with Clint, who had succeeded to the seat of
honour in front. Mr. Brady, it appeared, had a poultry farm some
distance on the other side of Brimfield. He seemed a trifle surprised
and pained when he discovered that Clint had never heard of the Cedar
Ridge Poultry Farm, and at once issued an invitation to visit it.

"You come over some time and I'll show you some stock that'll open your
eyes. Bring your friends along. Tell the conductor on the trolley where
you want to go and he'll set you down right at my gate. You can't miss
it, though, anyhow, for I've got nearly a quarter of a mile of houses
there. Silver Campines are my specialty. Raise a few White Wyandottes,
too. You wouldn't think to look at me that the doctors came mighty near
giving me up ten or eleven years ago, eh? Did, though. That was just
after I finished college. They said the only thing would save me was
hiking out to Colorado or Arizona or New Mexico. Some said one place and
some said another. Seeing that they couldn't decide, I settled the
question myself. Came out here, bought ten acres of land--I've got
nearly forty now--and lived in a tent one Summer while my house was
building. Doctors said it wouldn't do, but I fooled them. Slept out of
doors every night, worked like a slave fourteen hours a day and put on
flesh right from the start. I'm not what you'd call fat now, I guess,
but you ought to have seen me then! An old chap I had putting up my
first chicken house told me he could work me in nicely for a roosting
pole! Went back to one of the doctors three years ago and had him look
me over. He had to admit that I was a pretty healthy specimen. You could
see that he was downright peeved about it, though!" Mr. Brady chuckled.
"Then I settled the matter to my own satisf