he engine of the Pulcifer car had
not stopped running so Raish was not obliged to get out and crank. He
took a fresh grip on the steering wheel and looked down upon his late
passenger.

"Well, good-night, Mr. Bangs," he said.

"Good-night--ah--good-night, Mr. Pulcifer. I'm very much obliged to you,
I am indeed. I'm sorry my mistake made you so much trouble."

"Oh, that's all right, that's all right. Don't say a word...
Well--er--good-night."

"Good-night, sir... good-night."

But still the little car did not start. It's owner's next remark was
explanatory of the delay.

"Course I HOPE you and I'll meet again, Mr. Bangs," said Raish. "May
see you in Wellmouth, you know. Still, such things are--er--kind of
uncertain and--er--sendin' bills is a nuisance, so perhaps 'twould be
better--er--easier for both of us--if we settled that little matter of
ours right now. Eh?"

"I beg your pardon. Little matter? I'm afraid I don't quite--"

"Oh, that little matter of the three dollars for fetchin' you over.
Course it don't amount to nothin', but I kind of like to get them little
things off my mind, don't you? Eh?"

Mr. Bangs was very much "fussed." He hurriedly dragged forth the big
pocketbook.

"I beg your pardon--really I BEG your pardon," he stammered over and
over again. "I quite forgot. It was inexcusable of me. I'm SO sorry."

Evidently he felt that he had committed a crime. Mr. Pulcifer took the
three one dollar bills and waved the apologies aside with them.

"Don't say a word, Mr. Bangs," he called, cheerily, as the car began
to move. "Anybody's liable to forget. Do it myself sometimes. Well, so
long. Hope to see you again one of these days. Good-night."

The flivver moved rapidly away, gaining speed as it rushed for the
hill. Galusha Bangs watched its tail-light soar and dwindle until it
disappeared over the crest. Then, with a weary sigh, he picked up the
heavy suitcase, plodded across the road and on until he reached the step
and platform of Erastus Beebe's "General and Variety Store." There was
a kerosene lamp burning dimly upon the counter within, but the door was
locked. He pounded on the door and shook it, but no one answered. Then,
remembering Mr. Pulcifer's instructions, he entered the yard behind the
store, found the door of Mr. Beebe's house and knocked upon that. There
was not even a light in the house. The Beebes had gone--as most of
East Wellmouth had gone--to the baked beans and brown-bread supp