"Then I'm glad you girls didn't keep on after him," said Mr. DeVere in his hoarse voice. "I wish you would take no further part in this affair, Ruth and Alice," and he spoke earnestly.
"Don't worry, Daddy," laughed Alice. "I'm sure, after all, that the man isn't dangerous. He wouldn't hurt us, that's certain, for he loaned us the use of his cabin, and he was very polite about it."
"He doesn't seem to care about us," added Ruth. "For he runs every time he sees us. Is there anything peculiar about us?"
"Yes," said Russ, "there is."
"What?"
"I'll tell you—some other time," he informed her, and Ruth grew rosy red.
"Well, I suppose we could go on with the barn-burning scene, said Mr. Pertell, when the chase had been discussed in all its phases. "I did want Sandy on hand, though, as representing his father, the owner of the farm, in case anything happens."
"I won't own the farm much longer," said Felix Apgar sadly. "The sale will come off next week, and then I s'pose we'll be turned out bag and baggage, Mother."
"Oh, Pa, I hate to hear you talk that way," she said, as she put her trembling hand in his.
