station to meet the dreaded '_us_.' He had
told everybody that he was expecting his long-absent brother, and had
tried to seem glad on account of it.

'You and he were great friends, I believe,' he said to Squire
Harrington.

'Yes, we were friends,' the latter replied; 'but when he lived here my
health was such that I did not mingle much in society. I met him,
however, in Paris four years ago, and found him very companionable and
quite Europeanized in his manner and tastes. He spoke French or German
altogether, and might easily have passed for a foreigner. I shall be
glad to see him.'

'And so shall I,' chimed in Peterkin, whose voice was like a trumpet and
could be heard everywhere. 'A first-rate chap, though we didn't use to
hitch very well together. He was all-fired big feelin', and them days
Peterkin was nowhere; but circumstances alter cases. He'll be glad to
see me now, no doubt;' and with the most satisfied air the half
millionaire put his hand as if by accident to his immense diamond pin,
and pulling down his swallow-tail, walked away.

Frank saw the faint smile of contempt which showed itself in Squire
Harrington's face, and his own grew red with shame, but paled almost
instantly as the outer door was opened by some one who did not seem to
think it necessary to ring; and a stranger, in Spanish cloak and
broad-brimmed hat, stepped into the hall.

Arthur had come, and was _alone_. The train had been on time, and at
just half-past ten the long line of cars stopped before the Shannondale
station, where John, the coachman from Tracy Park, was waiting. The
night was dark, but by the light from the engine and the office John saw
the foreign-looking stranger, who stepped upon the platform, and felt
sure it was his man. But there was no one with him, though it seemed as
if he were expecting some one to follow him from the car as he stood for
a moment waiting. Then, as the train moved on, he turned with a puzzled
look upon his face to meet John, who said to him, respectfully:

'Are you Mr. Arthur Tracy?'

'Yes; who are you?' was the not very cordial response.

'Mr. Frank Tracy sent me from the park to fetch you,' John replied. 'I
think he expected some one with you. Are you alone?'

'Yes--no, no!' and Arthur's voice indicated growing alarm and uneasiness
as he looked rapidly around him, 'Where is she? Didn't you see her? She
was with me all the way. Surely she got off when I did. Where can she
have gone?'