folks. Now I feel better. That niece of mine has got the right stuff in
her. After THAT invitation, you will come and see us once in a while.
That makes it easier, hey?"

Pearson shook his head. "I'm not sure, Captain," he observed, slowly,
"that it doesn't make it harder. I shall look for you at the boarding
house very soon. Don't disappoint me. Good night."

The captain's last remark that evening was made to Edwards, whom he met
just outside the door of his bedroom.

"Commodore," he said, "a barn full of rats is a nuisance, ain't it?"

"Sir?" stammered the astonished butler.

"I say a barn full of rats is a nuisance."

"Why--why, yes, sir. I should think it might be, sir."

"Yup. Well, I know a worse one. It's a house full of mysteries. By, by,
Son. Pleasant dreams."

He sat up until late, meditating profoundly. Then, taking from its
envelope the letter yet unsealed, which he had written to Miss Abigail
Baker, he added this postscript:

"Eleven o'clock. I have decided, Abbie, to accept the guardianship and
the rest of it, for a spell, anyhow. Shall notify the lawyers in the
morning. Necessity is one thing, and pleasure is another. I doubt if
I find the job pleasant, but I guess it is necessary. Anyhow, it looks