yril had little trouble in finding Billy, as he knew the
steamship she was to take.

"I thought as long as I was in New York to-day I'd just come and say
good-by to you and Aunt Hannah," he informed her, with an evident aim
toward making his presence appear to be casual.

"That was good of you!" exclaimed Billy. "And how are Uncle William and
Mr. Bertram?"

"Very well, I fancy, though they weren't there when I left," replied the
man.

"Oh!--gone away?"

"Yes. A little matter of business they said; but--well, by Jove!" he
broke off, his gaze on a familiar figure hurrying at that moment toward
them. "There's William now!"

William, with no eyes but for Billy, came rapidly forward.

"Well, well, Billy! I thought as long as I happened to be in New York
to-day I'd just run down to the boat and see you and Aunt Hannah off,
and wish--CYRIL! Where did YOU come from?"

Billy laughed.

"He just happened to be in town, too, Uncle William, like you," she
explained. "And I'm sure I think it's lovely of you to be so kind. Aunt
Hannah'll be up right away. She went down to the stateroom to--" This
time it was Billy who stopped abruptly. The two men facing her could not
see what she saw, and not until their brother Bertram's merry greeting
fell on their ears did they understand her sudden silence.

"And is this the way you meant to run away from us, young lady?" cried
Bertram. "Not so fast! You see, I happened to be in New York this
morning, and so I--" Something in Billy's face sent a pause to his words
just as his eyes spied the two men at the girl's side. For a moment he
stared dumbly; then he gave a merry gesture of defeat.

"It's all up! I might as well confess. I'VE been planning this thing for
three weeks, Billy, ever since your letter came, in fact. As for my two
fellow-sinners here, I'll wager they weren't two days behind me in their
planning. So now, own up, boys!"

William and Cyril, however, did not have to "own up." Mrs. Stetson
appeared at the moment and created, for them, a very welcome diversion.

Long minutes later, when the good-byes had become nothing but a flutter
of white handkerchiefs from deck to shore, and shore to deck, William
drew a long sigh.

"That's a nice little girl, boys, a nice little girl!" he exclaimed. "I
declare! I didn't suppose I'd mind so much her going so far away."

CHAPTER XX

BILLY, THE MYTH

To all appearances it came about very naturally that Billy did
not retur