"Yes, indeed," laughed Jack, "but there and many persons who parade
their blue blood and fine ancestry before the world just as much
as he does. What is he, pork merchant or something like that?"

"Pretty good, Jack," said Percival with a grin. "He was a butcher
at one time, but don't mention it if you don't want to earn his
everlasting scorn. It is never spoken of. He is one of the wealthiest
men along the river, and employs a man to do nothing but cut off
his stock coupons. They may invite us to the house, although they
are a very exclusive sort and are supposed to associate only with
millionaires, and the descendants of the oldest and best families."

"The girl does not seem to have any of that nonsense," said Jack,
"and she is really very pleasant company. By the way," with a
smile, "she did invite me to the house, but I guess you did not
hear it."

"Well, well, you are coming on, Jack!" exclaimed Dick. "Of course
she would invite you. Why not?"

"And she asked me to bring you, Dick," with another chuckle. "That
is all right, too, isn't it?"

"Why, of course!" and Dick grinned again. "We will go as soon
as we can, Jack."

The visit to the fine house back of the river was made sooner than
the boys anticipated, and in a most unexpected and unusual fashion.

It was about twelve o'clock at night, and everything was quiet