Mr. Conant, who was Colonel Hathaway's lawyer and agent, was at the train to meet his important client on his return to Dorfield. The first to alight from the coach was the Colonel, who greeted his lawyer with a cordial handclasp. Mary Louise kissed Peter Conant upon his impassive cheek and presented him to a pretty young girl who clung to her arm smiling, yet half bewildered by her arrival in a strange town. There seemed no one else with the party and Mr. Conant glanced over the crowd of passengers and said:  
"Mr. Jones did not accompany you, then?"
 
"Why, yes; I suppose he's here," answered the Colonel carelessly. "I believe he traveled another car."
 
"I don't see him anywhere," added Mary Louise. "I wonder if anyone reminded him that this is the place to get off?"
 
"Never mind," said Alora; "if father can't keep track of himself, let him go on to another station. I can't lose him for long, that's certain."
 
"There he is, up ahead," announced Mara Louise. "He's quarreling with his porter about something."
 
"To save the tip," suggested Alora, scornfully.
 
Mary Louise rushed to greet an old colorful man with snow-white hair, who was picking up their hand baggage.
 
"Oh, Uncle Eben, I'm so glad to see again!" she exclaimed. "And how's Aunt Sallie? And is my well? And are the goldfish still alive? And——"
 
"Bress yo' soul, Ma'y Weeze!" said the delighted old servant, "ev'body's well an' to see you-all back ag'in."
 
The Colonel shook Uncle Eben's hands—both of them—in a but manner. "I suppose the is still running, Uncle?"
 
"Not jes' dis yere minnit, Kun'l," with a glad , "but dat car's gwine ter run jes' as soon as we-all gits aboahd. What yo' think I's be'n doin' all winter, Kun'l, in dat lonesomeness house, 'cept keepin' dat car greased up?"
 
"Did you grease it in the house, then, Uncle?" asked Mary Louise gravely, but with twinkling eyes.
 
Old Eben again, for this was a happy hour for him, but while he chuckled he led them to where the automobile stood waiting. Behind the others slowly followed Jason Jones, carrying his own luggage and eyeing every deta............