Cheer up; maybe the
Major's glassware IS priceless. So long, Cap'n Sol. See you again some
time tomorrer."

He and Mr. Gott departed. The depot master rose from his chair. "Issy,"
he commanded, "shut up shop."

Issy obeyed, closing the windows and locking the front door. Captain
Sol himself locked the ticket case and put the cash till into the small
safe.

"That'll do, Is," said the Captain. "Good-night. Don't worry too much
over the Major's glass. I'll talk with him, myself. You dream about
pleasanter things--your girl, if you've got one."

That was a chance shot, but it struck Issy in the heart. Even during
his melancholy progress to and from Major Hardee's, the vision of Gertie
Higgins had danced before his greenish-blue eyes. His freckles were
engulfed in a surge of blushes as, with a stammered "Night, Cap'n
Berry," he hurried out into the moonlight.

The depot master blew out the lamps. "Come on, Sim," he said, briefly.
"Goin' to walk up with me, or was YOU goin' to the club?"

"Cal'late I'll trot along with you, if you don't mind. I'd just as soon
get home early and wrastle with the figures on that Williams movin'
job."

They left the depot, locked and dark, passed the "general store," where
Mr. Higgins was putting out his lights prior to adjournment to the
"club" overhead, walked up Main Street to Cross Street, turned and began
climbing the hill. Simeon spoke several times but his friend did not
answer. A sudden change had come over him. The good spirits with which
he told of his adventure with Williams and which had remained during
Phinney's stay at the depot, were gone, apparently. His face, in the
moonlight, was grave and he strode on, his hands in his pockets.

At the crest of the hill he stopped.

"Good-night, Sim," he said, shortly, and, turning, walked off.

The building mover gazed after him in surprise. The nearest way to the
Berry home was straight down Cross Street, on the other side of the
hill, to the Shore Road, and thence along that road for an eighth of
a mile. The Captain's usual course was just that. But to-night he had
taken the long route, the Hill Boulevard, which made a wide curve before
it descended to the road below.

Sim, who had had a shrewd suspicion concerning his friend's silence and
evident mental disturbance, stood still, looking and wondering. Olive
Edwards, Captain Berry's old sweetheart, lived on the Boulevard. She
was in trouble and the Captain knew it. He had aske