"Ned Napier," responded his youthful caller.

"You must take no offense if I am a little surprised," exclaimed
Major Honeywell; "I had supposed you would be older. Perhaps your
surprise came first on receiving my note?"

"It did," replied Ned; "I was surprised and so was my mother. But
she thought I ought to come, although we could not imagine what you
wanted."

Major Honeywell smiled and motioned Ned to a chair with a
graciousness that made the lad more comfortable. It had taken but a
passing glance to reveal to the boy that he was in the presence of
no ordinary man. The articles scattered about the room, which
apparently were part of his host's traveling outfit, confirmed this.
Of three leather cases or trunks in front of the mantel and within
Ned's view, one was open. On the extended top of this, still partly
covered with the folds of a light Indian blanket, were several flat
and dull plates or dishes of Indian design, more or less broken and
chipped. From the case came a pungent aromatic smell such as Ned
had noticed in the "Early American" room of the museum. He was not
quite sure what "ethno" meant, but he made a guess that it related
to old Indian things, and this theory he confirmed to himself when
he noticed on the table that Major Honeywell had just left another
piece of pottery and by its side a large reading or magnifying
glass.

"A collector," thought Ned, more puzzled than ever.

"I thank you for coming," said Major Honeywell finally. "It was