the
information that the Bostonian, after being put on a strict diet, had
been douched, pounded and rubbed; was then on his second week of
treatment; had one more to serve; was at the moment feeling like a
fighting-cock, and after a fifth week at Stuckbad, in the mountains,
where he was to take the after-cure, would be as strong as a
three-year-old, and as frisky.

The second letter was from Joplin himself and was addressed to
Stebbins. This last was authentic, and greatly relieved the situation.
It read:

Nothing like a thoroughly trained expert, my dear Stebbins. These
German savants fill me with wonder. The moment Dr. Stuffen fixed his
eyes upon me he read my case like an open book. No nitrogenous food of
any kind, was his first verdict; hot douches and complete rest packed
in wet compresses, the next. I am losing flesh, of course, but it is
only the "deadwood" of the body, so to speak. This Dr. Stuffen expects
to replace with new shoots--predicts I will weigh forty pounds more--a
charming and, to me, a most sane theory. You will be delighted also to
hear that my epigastric nerve hasn't troubled me since I arrived. Love
to the boys, whom I expect to see before the month is out. Joppy.

"Forty pounds heavier!" cried Marny from his end of the table. "He'll
look like a toy balloon in knee pants. Bully for Joppy! I wouldn't let
any Schweizerkase with a hot douche get within a hundred yards of me,
but then I'm not a bunch of nerves like Joppy. Anyhow, boys, we'll give
the lad a welcome that will raise the roof. Joppy thin was pretty good
fun, but Joppy fat will be a roaring farce."

And so it was decided, and at once all sorts and kinds of welcomes were
discussed, modified, rearranged and discussed again. Pudfut suggested
meeting him in Rotterdam and having a night of it. Malone thought of
chartering a steam launch, hiring a band and bringing him past the
towns with flags flying. Stebbins and Marny favored some demonstration
nearer home, where everybody could join in.

The programme finally agreed upon included a pathway of boughs strewn
with wild flowers from the steamboat landing, across the planking, over
the cobbles, under the old Gate of William of Orange, and so on to the
door of the inn; the appointment of Tine, dressed in a Zeeland costume
belonging to her grand-mother, as special envoy, to meet him with a
wreath of laurel, and Johann in short clothes--also heirlooms--was to
walk by his side as First Groom