train back with me; it will save a lot of, bother!"

"But I strongly object to return to Mount Hope!" said North.

"Be reasonable--" urged the sheriff.

"This is an infernal outrage!" cried North.

"I'm sorry, John, but make it easy for me, make it easy for yourself;
we'll have a nice friendly trip and you will be back here by the first
of the week."

For a moment North hesitated. He had so many excellent reasons why he
did not wish to return to Mount Hope, but he knew that there was
something back of Mr. Conklin's mild eye and yet milder speech.

"Well, John?" prompted the sheriff encouragingly.

"I suppose I'll go with you," said North grudgingly.

"Of course you will," agreed the sheriff.

He had never entertained any doubts on this point.

It was ten o'clock Saturday morning when North and the sheriff left the
east-bound express at Mount Hope and climbed into the bus that was
waiting for them.

North's annoyance had given place to a certain humorous appreciation of
the situation. His plans had gone far astray in the past forty-eight