red Denny with a sweep of his cap that took everyone
in the greeting. "Where's the Widder Lewis?"

"Oh, what's the matter, Denny?" asked Freda, aghast. "Can't you tell
me first? You know how weak mother is."

"'Tis nothing bad," replied Denny, as he sat down on the bottom step
of the porch, in spite of all invitations to come up and have a chair.
He settled his cap more securely on his gray head. "I just want
to--tell her something."

"But what?" insisted Freda, who now sat beside the old sailor on the
step. "I know all about the business, you know."

"Do come in, Denny," pleaded Cora. "It will be easier to talk in the
living room. We young folks can go into the dining room and start our
dinner while you settle it all quietly among yourselves."

"Thank you, Miss," Denny replied, promptly accepting Cora's invitation.
"That will be the best way, I guess."

Famished as everyone seemed to be, the visit of Denny somewhat shifted
the interest from appetites, and curiosity strayed from the dining
room toward the living room.

"What can have happened?" whispered Belle to Marita. "Denny looks
positively--angry."

"Doesn't he?" Marita replied. "I suppose it is something about Freda's
property; don't you think so?"

"Likely."

The voices from the other room, that had been subdued, now rose in
tones of surprise. Freda and her mother were both trying to talk at
the same time, evidently.

Cora was serving the dinner and endeavoring not to spoil it. The boys
were too hungry and too glad to eat to allow any interruption to
interfere with their pleasure, but the girls were prone to whisper,
and even to listen when a voice penetrated the room.

"It was them!" they heard Denny exclaim, "and I'll have the law on
them!"

Then Freda said something like: "Can't be sure!"

"Sure as me name's Dinny Shane!" exclaimed the old man. "Who else
would have tied up little Brian, the dog that was never tied before in
his life! Sure I'd like to 'a caught them at it," and he brought his
fist down hard on something.

The boys and girls exchanged glances.

"Something doing," ventured Jack. "I'll bet Denny has seen the
witches."

"No--banshees," corrected Ed. "Witches aren't ripe this time of year.
But Cora, don't let us keep you. Really, Walter would love to take
your place up head there, when you have finished."

Cora was anxious to join in the conversation with Freda and her
mother, Freda having whispered to her that they would li