But sunset failed to bring the runaway, and Kilton Hall knew of this fact right speedily. Then Athol was called to the Doctor's study and the facts told him. The boy was thunderstruck, and blurted out: "It's that old harridan!" then blushed crimson. Dr. and Mrs. Kilton did not reprove the outbreak, but pardoned it upon the ground of excitement. "You would better call up your uncle at once, Athol. I do not wish to interfere, or criticise, but I know what I should wish if it were my daughter," said Mrs. Kilton. "Thank you ever so much, Mrs. Kilton, I'll do it right off," and he hurried into the little room at the end of the hall where the phone stood, Mrs. Kilton following, while the Doctor wondered what the next move must be. A moment later he joined them. Athol soon had Woodbine on the wire and then ensued a funny, one-sided conversation. "Oh, Uncle Athol, is that you?" * * * * * "Say, have you,--that is,--has Bev sent any message to you today? What! She's there, in bed? Great Scott! When did she come?" * * * * * "Three-thirty this morning on Apache? And all in? Gee! But she's all right now? You have just been hearing the whole story from her? She did those thirty-five miles in three hours? Jimminy Christmas! Say, she's a pippin! Bully girl! I knew that pie-face over at her school would queer the whole show. Say, Uncle Ath, I'd just like to put one over on her for fair. What did she do to Bev, anyhow?" * * * * * "She never! What, told her she _lied_!" Athol very nearly kicked over the little phone stand. "And Bev wouldn't stand for it and lit out? Snappy work! I say, Uncle Ath, let me come home, please, and hear all about it. I'll blow up if you don't say yes, honest, I shall. The Doctor won't let me? You bet he will. He and Mrs. Kilton are right here beside me and almost dancing up and down. They're peaches." "Oh, I beg your pardon!" he jerked over his shoulder. "But they are all right. They've been almost worried to death. They heard of it early this morning and wanted to get word to you right off, but didn't dare butt in, you see.... "Yes, they have just said I may come and I'll be down on the first train in the morning. I mustn't say a word to _Arch_. Oh, Uncle Ath! Well, I won't if you say not but I reckon I'll burst if I don't tell him. You don't want the old maid to get wise that Bev's at Woodbine? Going to give her a little dose of discipline? Oh, I say, Uncle Ath, give her all that's coming to her. She rates it all right, all right. She's made things just too darned hot for Bev, and a whole bunch of the girls up there. Everybody hates her." "Eh?" as Mrs. Kilton's hand was laid warningly upon his shoulder. Dr. Kilton had turned hastily away. He could not trust his countenance, nor did he wish to hear too much. The boy which had never died in him was rebelling in sympathy with Athol.