It was with a grunt of relief that Updyke called Central for the last time pending the three o'clock date with Carver. This time it was a certain switchboard operator who answered him. "Miss Johnson," said the big fellow, toning down the rasping voice that had been vibrated a thousand miles within the short space of four hours. "I think she has retired for the night," lisped the girl in charge. "Quit thinking and connect as directed," snapped Updyke, forgetting that his voice was in training for a certain event at the Swathmere. "You are expected to act! And say--no listening. Get that?" The next voice he heard was that of Mary Johnson. "It's about time you said something from somewhere," said she, knowing that the unusual had happened. "That fellow showed up at Dreamy Hollow to-night--you know who. Much to say to-morrow morning--no holiday dinners for us yet. Get to the office early, say, eight thirty and I'll spin the yarn." "Big Case?" "Getting bigger all the time." "That little dinner, by the way--next winter--some time?" "Not on your sweet young life! The first breathing spell." "I was joking dear--you----" "Of course you were, we're always joking, aren't we? As long as we joke, we won't quarrel!" "Speaking of--you know who--did you see him?" "No--he had done his mischief and skedaddled a few moments before I arrived. First real bad luck in a long time. Bad mess down here!" "There is satisfaction in knowing that so and so is in the web. Will he go out to his old haunt on the outer drive?" "In time--but not now." "Why?" "He would expect us to look for him there--and we will--for a much longer time than he thinks." "Had you thought of Julie Hayes--she still runs Winifred's stand. She has sharp eyes and sharp wits. She can keep mum." "Now that is a first-class tip. I'll put George onto that. I'm phoning him at three o'clock to wake him up. He doesn't know it yet, but I'm going to have him at the hut very early to-morrow morning. He can see Julie and put her wise." "I believe it is the Swathmere that I'm saving up that pretty new dress for--is it not?" teased Mary Johnson. "Exactly so, dear girl--if we ever get around to it," mourned the big fellow. "I am more anxious about that little you-and-me dinner than any other thing in life, except one--that's you!" "It's time you got back on your job--good night!" "So long, dear--I'll ring you at the office soon as possible to-morrow morning." "Take a little nap--why don't you?" "Yeah!--take a little nap!--I hardly see myself shutting my eyes on a night like this. But I might--so you go to bed yourself and get that beauty sleep."