folks as if he were a hermit. I happen to know that two of our most
respected chums, Hugh Morgan and Thad Stevens, seem to have taken a
great liking for that dark-faced chap. I've seen Owen in their company
considerably of late."

Eli gave a snort of disdain. He was one of those impulsive boys who
often say disagreeable things on the spur of the moment, and then
perhaps afterwards feel sorry for having done so. Evidently, he had
taken a notion to dislike the said Owen, and did not care who knew it.

"That fellow had been a mystery ever since he and his ancient
granddaddy came to Scranton, and started to live in that old house
called The Rookery, and which used to be thought a haunted place. I've
always had a hunch they must be some relation to the notorious Luther
Dugdale who has had a bad reputation as a dishonest operator down in
the Wall Street district in New York. Why, lately I even asked my
cousin in a letter about that man, and he wrote me the old chap had
strangely disappeared some years ago, carrying off a big bunch of
boodle dishonestly gained. Well, I'm not saying it's the same old
rascal who's living in our midst right now, but, fellows, you can draw
your own conclusions, for they came here just two years ago this
summer!"

"Wow! that's something new you're telling us, Eli!"

"It takes _you_ to pick up clues, and you'll miss your vocation if you
don't look for a job with the Government Secret Service, believe me,
Eli!"

"So Hugh Morgan has taken up with that gloomy looking chap Owen, has