nd so on, I cal'late 'tain't silly for me either. Perhaps
you'd like to have me tell Serena that you said she was silly. Shall I?"

Daniel did not answer, but his look was answer sufficient. Azuba smiled
triumphantly.

"Practical," she sneered. "No, Cap'n Daniel, I ain't been practical so
far, but I'm goin' to be. I'm a-goin' to be. You watch me."

Her employer's guns were spiked. He marched out of the kitchen, slamming
the door viciously. The library was tenanted by Cousin Percy, who was
taking a nap on the lounge. Upstairs, Gertrude was helping her mother
with a "report" of some kind. Hapgood, the butler, was in the hall, and
he bowed respectfully.

"Yes, sir," he said. "Did you wish anything, sir?"

"No," snarled Captain Dan, and went out for a walk. This was the last
straw. If Azuba was going crazy the situation was hopeless indeed. And
he had received no reply to his letter.

Hapgood, left alone in the hall, grinned, strolled into the library and,
regardless of Mr. Hungerford's presence, filled his pockets with cigars
from his employer's box. Downstairs, in the kitchen, Azuba was busy
getting dinner. At intervals she burst out laughing.

That evening Mr. "Monty" Holway called.

CHAPTER X

Mr. Holway's call was, ostensibly, a call upon the Dott family
in general, but it was to Gertrude that he addressed most of his
conversation. The young lady was very affable and gracious. She
expressed herself as glad to see him, and she appeared to be. "Monty"
was a voluble person, and he talked a great deal, although a critic
might possibly have considered his remarks more remarkable for quantity
than quality. In the presence of Captain Dan he appeared a trifle ill
at ease, a fact which the captain attributed to circumstances attending
their first meeting. Serena seemed somewhat surprised at the call. She
regarded her daughter and Mr. Holway with an odd expression, and, so it
seemed to her husband, was apparently dissatisfied or disturbed. At all
events she said little and, when addressed, answered absent-mindedly.

Mr. Hungerford was the most surprised of all. He had been out, and when,
returning, he found his friend in the drawing-room, his greeting was not
too cordial. Mr. Holway also seemed embarrassed, and a bit on his guard.

"Hello, Tacks!" he said, rising and extending his hand.

Cousin Percy did not see the hand, or, if he saw it, did not offer his
own.

"Hello," he said, gruffly. Then, after a quic