happened, Tom? No accident to the M. N. 1 is there? You aren't
backing out now, at the last minute, are you?"

"Oh, no," was the easy answer. "We'll go, as arranged, but not
today. I had some unexpected news last night which necessitates
making a trip this morning. I expect to be back tonight, if all
goes well, and we'll start tomorrow morning instead of this. It's
a matter of important business."

"Well, I don't know that we can find fault with Mr. Swift for
attending to business," said Mr. Hardley, with a short laugh.
"Business is what keeps the world moving. And we are a little
ahead of our schedule, as a matter of fact. May I ask where you
are going, Mr. Swift?"

"To Bedford, to call on a Mr. Barton Keith," answered Tom
quickly, looking the adventurer straight in the eyes.

Mr. Hardley was a good actor, or else he was a perfectly
innocent man, for he showed not the least sign of perturbation.

"Oh, Bedford," he remarked. "Don't know that I ever heard of
the place."

"Or Mr. Keith, either?" asked Tom, a bit sharply.

"No, certainly not. Why should I?" he asked, boldly.

"I didn't know," Tom replied. "I'm sorry to postpone our trip,
but it's necessary," he added. "I'll be back as soon as I can.