"I didn't see any book. But, hark, there is some one at the door.
They're after me to attend the wedding, and what shall I say! How can
I explain!" and the parson started to go to the door.

"Wait, Daniel," his wife called. "If the book is gone, Rodney must
have taken it over to show it to Captain Josh, for he said he was going
to do that just as soon as it came."

"But why should he take the key, Martha?" and the parson turned his
despairing face upon hers.

"I do not know, Daniel. But you had better send some one after him at
once. He may know something about it."

In the meantime the doorbell had been ringing furiously, and when
Parson Dan at last opened it, he was confronted by several excited men,
among whom was the bridegroom.

"What's wrong, parson?" Ned Percher cried. "We've been waitin' out
here fer some time. The church is locked, and the people are gettin'
impatient."

"I can't find the key, Ned, that's what's the trouble," the parson
explained.

"Can't find the key!" came in a chorus from all.

"No. It's gone, and the only person who must know about it is Rodney,
and I believe he's over at Captain Josh's."