a place I've found where I think you'll be comfortable. Have
you trunk checks? We'll have to take all baggage with us, because
I'm leaving to-morrow for a three-day inspection trip, and the
Watterbys can't be expected to do much hauling."

Bob had the checks, one for Betty's trunk and another for a small
old-fashioned "telescope" he had bought cheaply in Washington and
which held his meagre supply of clothing.

"We'll stow everything in somehow," promised Mr. Gordon cheerily, as
he and Bob carried the baggage over to the rusty little automobile.
"You wouldn't think this machine would hold together an hour on these
roads," he continued, "but she's the best friend I have. Never
complains as long as the gasoline holds out. There! I think that will
stay put, Bob. Now in with you, Betty, and we'll be off."

Bob perched himself upon the trunk, and Mr. Gordon took his place at
the wheel. With a grunt and a lurch, the car started.

"I suppose you youngsters would like to know where you're going,"
said Mr. Gordon, deftly avoiding the ruts in the miserable road.
"Well, I'll warn you it is a farm, and probably Bramble Farm will
shine in contrast. But Flame City is impossible, and when everybody
is roughing it, you'll soon grow used to the idea. The Watterbys are
nice folks, native farmers, and what they lack in initiative they
make up in kindness of heart. I'm sorry I have to leave to-morrow
morning, but every minute counts, and I have no right to put personal
business first."

He turned to Bob.

"You don't know what a help you are going to be," he said heartily.
"I really doubt if I should have had Betty come, if at the last
moment she had not telegraphed me you were coming, too. It's no place
out here for a girl--Oh, you needn't try to wheedle me, my dear, I
know what I'm saying," he interpolated in answer to an imploring look
from his niece. "No place for a girl," he repeated firmly. "I shall
have no time to look after her, and she can't roam the country
wild. Grandma Watterby is too old to go round with her, and the
daughter-in-law has her hands full. I'd like nothing better, Bob,
than to take you with me to-morrow, and you'd learn a lot of value
to you, too, on a trip of this kind. But I honestly want you to stay
with Betty; a brother is a necessity now if ever one was."

Bob flushed with pleasure. That Mr. Gordon, who had never seen him
and knew him only through Betty's letters and those the Littells had
written, s