me for what I've done. But now I'm through, and no matter what
may happen, remember, Linder will never have suspected anything."

"That's like you, old chap. We'll drop it at that, but I must explain
that Zen is going to town to-night to meet Transley, and is leaving the
boy with me. It is an event in my young life, and I have house-cleaned
for it appropriately. Come inside and admire my handiwork."

Linder admired as he was directed, and then the two men fell into a
discussion of business matters. Eventually Grant cooked supper, and just
as they had finished Mrs. Transley drove up in her motor.

"Here we are!" she cried, cheerily. "Glad to see you, Mr. Linder. Wilson
has his teddy-bear and his knife and his pyjamas, and is a little put
out, I think, that I wouldn't let him bring the pig."

"I shall try and make up the deficiency," said Grant, smiling broadly,
as the boy climbed to his shoulder. "Won't you come in? Linder, among
his other accomplishments learned in France, is an excellent chaperon."

"Thank you, no; I must get along. I shall call early in the morning, so
that you will not be delayed on Wilson's account."

"No need of that; he can ride to the field with me on Prince. He is a
great help with the plowing."

"I'm sure." She stepped up to Grant and drew the boy's face down to
hers. "Good-bye, dear; be a good boy," she whispered, and Wilson waved
kisses to her as the motor sped down the road.

Linder took his departure soon after, and Grant was surprised to find
himself almost embarrassed in the presence of his little guest.
The embarrassment, however, was all on his side. Wilson was greatly
interested in the strange things in the house, and investigated them
with the romantic thoroughness of his years. Grant placed a collection
of war trophies that had no more fight in them at the child's disposal,
and he played about until it was time to go to bed.

Where to start on the bedtime preparations was a puzzle, but Wilson
himself came to Grant's aid with explicit instructions about buttons and
pins. Grant fervently hoped the boy would be able to reverse the process
in the morning, otherwise--

Suddenly, with a little dexterous movement, the child divested himself
of all his clothing, and rushed into a far corner.

"You have to catch me now," he shouted in high glee. "One, two--"

Evidently it was a game, and Grant entered into the spirit of it,
finally running Wilson to earth on the farthest corner of