"I can tell you who owns every acre around Crofield, boundary lines and all," answered Jack. "I was born there. You don't know about the people, though. They'll do almost anything to have the road there. My father will help all he can. He says the place is dead now." "What's his name?" asked the first speaker, with a notebook and a pencil in his hand. "His is John Ogden. Mine's Jack Ogden. My father knows every man in the county," replied Jack. "Ogden," said the gentleman in the forward seat, next the window. "My name's Magruder; we three are directors in the new road. I'm a director in this road. Are you to stay in Albany?" "I go by the night boat to New York," said Jack, almost proudly. "Can you stay over a day? We'll entertain you at the Delavan House if you'll give us some information." "Certainly; I'll be glad to," said Jack; and so when the train stopped at Albany, Jack was talking familiarly enough with the three railway directors. Mary Ogden had a very clear idea that Mr. Murdoch preferred to make up the next paper without any help from her, and even Mrs. Murdoch was almost glad to know that her young friend was to spend the next week with Mrs. Edwards. One peculiar occurrence of that day had not been reported at the _Eagle_ office, and it had consequences. The Committee of Six, who had visited the sanctum so threateningly, went away beaten, but recounted their experience. They did so in the office of the Mertonville Hotel, and Mike Flaherty had more than a little to say about "that gurril," and about "the black eyes of her," and the plucky way in which she had faced them. One little old gentleman whose eyes were still bright, in spite of his gray hair, stood in the door and listened, with his hand behind his ear. "Gentlemen," exclaimed this little old man, turning to the men behind him. "Did you hear 'em? I guess I know what we ought to do. Come on into Crozier's with me--all of you. We must give her a testimonial for her pluck." "Crozier's?" asked a portly, well-dressed man. "Nothing there but dry-goods." "Come, Jeroliman. You're a banker and you're needed. I dare you to come!" said the little old man, jokingly, leading the way. Seven of them reached the dress-goods counter of the largest store in Mertonville, and here the little old gentleman bought black silk for a dress. "You brought your friends, I see, General Smith," said the merchant, laughing. "One of your jokes, eh?" "No joke at all, Crozier; a testimonial of esteem,"--and three gentlemen helped one another to tell the story. "I'll make a good reduction, for my share," exclaimed the merchant, as he added up the figures of the bill. "Will that do, General?" "I'll join in," promptly interposed Mr. Jeroliman, the banker, laughing. "I won't take a dare from General Smith. Come, boys." They were old enough boys, but they all "chipped in," and General Smith's dare did not cost him much, after all.