ole Puppy_, it is!" And
Peggy laughing, submitted.

"I never _was_ so teased in all my life!" she said; "but I feel it doing
me good."

"That is our one object, my charming child!" said Gerald, gravely. "We
invited you here in the hope that our united efforts might counteract
the pernicious influences of Fernley House."

"Nobody will ever explain to me what a Come-at-a-Body is!" said
Margaret. "Whenever I ask, you all say, 'Oh, hush! it might come!' Mrs.
Merryweather, won't you tell me?"

"I will read you the description of it in the Log," said Mrs.
Merryweather, smiling; "that is the best I can do for you."

She turned over the pages of the book that lay open in her lap. "Here it
is!" she said. "Now mark and learn, Margaret.

"'The Come-at-a-Body is found only in its native habitat, where it may
be observed at the proper season, indulging in the peculiar actions that
characterize it. It has more arms than legs, and more hair than either.
It moves with great rapidity, its gait being something between a wallop
and a waddle; and as it comes (one of its peculiarities is that it
always comes, and never goes), it utters loud screams, and gnashes its
teeth in time with its movements.'

"Now, my dear, you know all that I do!" Mrs. Merryweather concluded with
a candid smile.

"Thank you so much!" said Margaret, laughing. "I am certainly
enlightened."

At this moment Phil, who was sitting near the door, laid down his work,
and held up a warning hand. "Hark!" he said. "What is that?"

"Only the wind!" said some one.

"Or the car rattling o'er the stony street!" said another.

"No!" said Phil. "I heard a voice, I am sure. Listen!"

All were silent. Outside the rain was pouring, the wind wailing in long
sighing gusts; but--yes! mingling with the wind, a voice was certainly
calling:

"Hallo! hallo, there! Merryweather!"

Gerald sprang to his feet, and struck his twin brother on the shoulder.
"The Philistines are upon thee, Samson!" he cried. "I should know that
voice in the shock of spears: it is Claud Belleville!"

CHAPTER IX.

MR. BELLEVILLE

[Illustration: "MR. CLAUD BELLEVILLE WAS A TALL, PALLID YOUTH."]

THE Montforts and Jack Ferrers looked up with much curiosity and some
apprehension as the twins returned ushering in the unexpected visitor.
Mr. and Mrs. Merryweather and the girls welcomed him cordially, but
Margaret could not help contrasting their somewhat subdued cheerfulness
with the joyou