"I don't know as we hadn't ought to beg your pardon for creepin' in on
you this way," said the captain. "We thought the house was empty. We
didn't know you was visitin' your--your property."

"Well, so far as that goes, neither did we. I don't wonder you expected
to find burglars or tramps or whatever you did expect. We've had an
awful time this night, ain't we, Emily?"

"We certainly have," declared Miss Howes, with emphasis.

"Yes, you see--"

She gave a brief history of the cruise and wreck of the depot-wagon.
Also of their burglarious entry of the house.

"And now, Cap'n," she said, in conclusion, "if you could think up any
way of our gettin' to that hotel, we'd be ever so much obliged. . . .
Hello! There's that driver, I do believe! And about time, I should say!"

From without came the sound of wheels and the voice of Winnie S.,
hailing his missing passengers.

"Hi! Hi-i! Where be ye?"

"He'll wear his lungs out, screamin' that way," snapped Thankful. "Can't
he see the light, for goodness sakes?"

Captain Obed answered. "He couldn't see nothin' unless 'twas hung on the
end of his nose," he said. "That boy's eyes and brains ain't connected.
Here, Kenelm," turning to Mr. Parker, "you go out and tell Win to shut