l be a sad Christmas, when I
meant it to be such a happy one."

But it would not be Christmas for two days, and much might happen in
that time.

It was nearly dusk when the big automobile drew near the old deserted
cabin of Newt Baker, from which the strange man had once been seen
running away. Looking from the window on his side, Ted peered at the old
shack, and as he did so he uttered a cry of surprise and wonder.

"What is it?" asked Uncle Toby, quickly bringing the machine to a stop,
for he thought some one had opened a door and fallen out.

"It's Trouble! I saw him at the window just now! In there!" and Ted
pointed to the old cabin.

"Trouble in there? It can't be!" said Uncle Toby.

But just then Janet set up a cry.

"Yes, he is, Uncle Toby! I saw him!"

Mr. Bardeen lost little time in jumping from the automobile. Followed by
the children, he ran to the door of the cabin, and as he opened it he
heard the barking of a dog mingled with the crying voice of Trouble. An
instant later Skyrocket rushed out to greet his friends, and then
Trouble came from an inner room, toddling into the arms of Janet.

"Oh, William! how did you ever get here?" cried Lola.

"And Skyrocket, too! Look! Here's our dog!" shouted Ted.

With the high voices of the children, the barking of Skyrocket, and the
crying of Trouble, there was so much noise that no one heard footsteps
coming from the room out of which the missing boy had rushed until
suddenly a strange man stood on the threshold.

"Look!" cried Tom, glancing up at this man. "There's the tramp!"

And they all saw the same stranger who had rushed away from the cottage
the time Uncle Toby went to the well to get water for the automobile
radiator.

"What are you doing here?" asked Uncle Toby in a stern voice. "And did
you try to kidnap him?" Mr. Bardeen pointed to little William, who was
sobbing in Janet's arms. And as he saw this and thought what a lot of
trouble seemed to have been caused by this man, Uncle Toby started
toward him as if in anger.

"Don't hit me!" pleaded the man. "I'm in trouble! I've had a lot of
trouble. I was in the war--and--but that was long ago--and--"

His voice was very faint, and as Uncle Toby walked toward him the man
tried to run back into the room. But his foot slipped and he fell,
striking his head heavily on the floor. Then he rolled over and lay very
quiet.

"He's fainted, I guess," said Tom.

"Looks so," agreed Uncle Toby. "Well, we