"It's queer he should show himself so close to Crumville. One would think that he would want to put all the distance possible between himself and your folks." "That's true, Ben. Maybe he is up to some more of his tricks." The girls were on the lookout for the boys, and now, having bundled up well, they came from the restaurant, and all got into the sleigh once more. Then they turned back in the direction of Crumville, this time, however, taking a route which did not go near Conover's Hill. "Oh, Dave! were you sure it was that Ward Porton?" questioned his sister, when he had told her and Jessie about the appearance of the former moving-picture actor. "I was positive. Besides, if it wasn't Porton, why would he run away?" "I sincerely hope he doesn't try to do you any harm, Dave," said Jessie, and gave a little shiver. "I was hoping we had seen the last of that horrid young man." "Why, Jessie! You wouldn't call him horrid, would you, when he looks so very much like Dave?" asked Ben, mischievously. "He doesn't look very much like Dave," returned the girl, quickly. "And he doesn't act in the least like him," she added loyally. "It's mighty queer to have a double that way," was the comment of the real estate man's son. "I don't know that I should like to have somebody else looking like me." "If you couldn't help it, you'd have to put up with it," returned Dave, briefly. And then he changed the subject, which, as the others could plainly see, was distasteful to him. As they left Clayton the moon came up over a patch of woods, flooding the snowy roadway with subdued light. In spite of what had happened, all of the young folks were in good spirits, and they were soon laughing and chatting gaily. Ben started to sing one of the old Oak Hall favorites, and Dave and the girls joined in. The grays were now behaving themselves, and trotted along as steadily as could be desired. When the sleighing-party reached Crumville they left Ben Basswood at his door, and then went on to the Wadsworth mansion. "Did you have a fine ride?" inquired Mrs. Wadsworth, when the young folks bustled into the house. "Oh, it was splendid, Mamma!" cried her daughter. "Coming back in the moonlight was just the nicest ever!" "Did those grays behave themselves?" questioned Mr. Wadsworth, who was present. "John said they acted rather frisky when he brought them out." "Oh, they were pretty frisky at first," returned Dave. "But I finally managed to get them to calm down," he added. The matter had been discussed by the young folks, and it had been decided not to say anything about the runaway unless it was necessary.