ieved, about to become his roommate.

"See here, you've got to come right up to the house, 'cause aunt Dorcas
wants to see that paper," Master Plummer cried, as if but just reminded
of his mission.

"What for?"

"She wants to read the advertisement."

"Oh, she does, eh? Well, if the old woman is willin' to promise that I
can come here to live, I'll let her take the paper; that's the only way
she'll get it."

Plums looked at his friend, as if believing he had not heard him aright.

"I mean what I say. I've got the chance now to have things my way, in
spite of all Joe Potter may do. Go up an' tell her so; if she agrees,
whistle, an' I'll be there before she can wink."

"Come with me, an' tell her yourself; I won't carry a message like that
to aunt Dorcas," Plums replied, indignantly.

"All right; then she can go without the paper. It don't make any
difference to me."

"She won't go without it, 'cause one of us will walk over to Weehawken,
an' perhaps that would be cheaper for her than to feed you."

The amateur detective began to understand that he was not exactly in a
position to drive a very hard bargain, although confident the possession
of the paper would give him the home he desired. Therefore, instead of
attempting to force Plums into acting the part of messenger, he said, in
a tone of condescension:

"If you're so perky 'bout it, I s'pose I can go with you, though I'd
rather have the thing settled before I flash up."

Without replying, Plums turned, and began to retrace his steps,
regretting, now, that he had spoken harshly to Joe concerning this
fellow who was displaying such a mean spirit.

Master Fernald followed, with the air of one who is master of the
situation, rehearsing in his mind what he should say when the little
woman asked for the paper.

The matter was not arranged exactly as he intended it should be.

When they arrived at the cottage, Plums opened the door for him to
enter, and Dan stepped inside with a jaunty air, unsuspicious of his
companion's purpose.

Aunt Dorcas greeted the newcomer kindly; but, before Joe could speak,
Plums, standing with his back against the door, to prevent the alleged
detective from making his escape, cried, in a loud tone:

"Dan's got the paper, but says he won't give it up unless aunt Dorcas
agrees that he shall live here till we get out of the scrape."

"Did you say that, Dan Fernald?" Joe asked, mildly. And the amateur
detective replied, with a g