received a warm reception at the hands of those who were waiting
for them. Mr. Wadsworth was delighted to get back the jewels, and
thanked Dave over and over again for what he had done. Dave's father
and his uncle were also happy, and as for Laura, she had to hug her
brother over and over again. Jessie wanted to hug him, too, but her
maidenly modesty prevented this, but she gave Dave a look and a hand
squeeze that meant a good deal, for our hero was her hero, too, and
always had been.

The boys knew they had to go back to Oak Hall, but the older folks had
insisted that they rest up a bit, after their traveling. So they
"rested" by going skating and sleigh-riding for the last time that
season, taking the girls along.

"I've got an idea," said Dave's uncle, one morning, after the snow had
cleared away. "The roads are so fine just now, what is to prevent my
taking you to Oak Hall in the touring car? We can make it in a day, I
think."

"Grand!" shouted Dave.

"Just the thing!" added Phil.

"Couldn't be better," supplemented Roger.

"You can ship your baggage on by express," went on Dunston Porter,
"and then we'll have room enough to take Laura and Jessie, if they
want to go along."

"Fine!" burst out Roger, so quickly that it made Phil wink, and then
the senator's son grew red. "Isn't it all right?" he demanded.

"Sure thing," responded the shipowner's son.

The matter was talked over; and that night it was arranged that the
two girls should go along on the trip, returning later to Crumville
with Mr. Porter. Not to tire Laura and Jessie too much, it was decided
to leave after lunch the next day, stopping over night at Ryeport, and
finishing the trip to Oak Hall the morning following.

"If only the good weather holds out," said Roger, wistfully. And then
he added suddenly: "Who is going to sit in front with your uncle,
Dave?"

"Why, you are, of course," broke in Phil, with a grin.

"Why--er--I----" stammered the senator's son.

"Now, Phil, you know you said you'd like that seat," broke in Dave.
"He's only fooling you, Roger." And then Roger looked quite satisfied,
for, it might as well be confessed, Roger and Laura were very friendly
and liked greatly to be in each other's company. The senator's son had
a manly regard for Dave's sister--the same kind of a feeling that our
hero had for dear little Jessie.

The trunks and suit-cases had been shipped off, and the big
six-cylinder car--a new machine belonging