Uncle Nat was lying down with a headache. "Isn't he the most provoking
man," declared the old lady. "I said this morning that like as not I'd
need him to-day when he's laid up."

"Oh let him rest, Auntie Gibbs," said Bob. "Phil and I will take his
place. We'll be sort of Uncle Nat twins!"

And the old lady commanded them energetically. "Here Phil, you take
these bones to Smiley Jim and let him out! That poor dog has been
neglected badly. The girls have been so busy lately!"

"Yes, busy and worried like the rest of us. Isn't it great that they
found the fan? It means a lot to me, for I had it last. And then Amos
Longworth has been dogging my steps like a stage detective. I couldn't
move without being watched."

"Yes, and that man came here and questioned Uncle Nat and me. Showed
he even suspicioned us! What do you know about that?" exclaimed Auntie
Gibbs indignantly.

"I'm wondering where he is to-day! We're apt to see him peering in one
of the windows," laughed Phil.

"We haven't notified Chief Baldwin. Bet wants to get the fan into her
father's hands before anyone else knows about it, and I don't blame
her."

Long before train time the house was in perfect order, the table
gleamed with crystal and silver. Everything of the best was displayed
to welcome home the "Lord of the Manor" as Bet called him.

"I'm going to meet your Dad, Bet!" announced Bob. "Want to come along?"

"I'd like to go but I can't. I'll meet him here." In an aside to Kit
she added: "There might be an accident or a hold-up. Anything is apt
to happen! I feel fairly safe when I'm here in the house with you
girls around me."

So while Phil finished up some odd jobs for Uncle Nat, and the girls
fluttered here and there at Auntie Gibbs' command Colonel Baxter
arrived.

Bet noticed the difference in her father's face at once. The look of
strain was gone. And his eyes were not sad or preoccupied as they had
been for the past months. The offer for the fan must have relieved him
from worry.

With a joyous cry, Bet was in his arms. "Oh Daddy, I'm so glad you're
home!" She was trembling with excitement.

"Why, what's the matter here? This is no way to greet your
father--with big tears in your eyes!"

Colonel Baxter shook hands ceremoniously with Auntie Gibbs, introduced
the stranger, Mr. Provost, the curator of an art museum in the west,
and had a cheery word for each of the young people. The Colonel seemed
happy