"Ah, yes, so I did, so I did." The former miser wrinkled his brow. "How much does a pie cost?" "Ten and twenty cents." "Boys, do you think you could eat a twenty-cent pie?" "Do we?" cried Walter. "Just try us and see, Uncle Job." And now he clasped his guardian half affectionately by the shoulder. "Then get the twenty-cent pie, Mrs. Graham, and be sure an' pick out the best. You--er--have the other things?" "Yes, sir--potatoes, green corn, and coffee." "Very good." And as the housekeeper retired, Job Dowling turned to the boys again. "And how is your arm, Ben? Not seriously hurt, I trust?" "It's only a scratch," was the answer. "And you, Walter?" "I'm all right. But how have you been, Uncle Job, and what of that stolen stuff?" "Oh, I'm only tolerable--got quite some rheumatism. The hairlooms is all safe--but they cost me two hundred and twenty-seven dollars an' a half to git 'em!" And the guardian nodded to emphasize his words. "Well, they're worth it," answered Ben, promptly; and Job Dowling did not dare dispute the assertion. "Where are they?" "In the desk. I'll show 'em to you, and then ye can both tell me all about yer adventures on the water and in Cuby." The heirlooms had just been brought out, and Ben was examining the watch, when a form darkened the window opening,--the form of a boy dressed in a natty sailor suit. All looked up in wonder, and all cried out in unison:---- "Larry!" "Ben, Walter, and Uncle Job!" came from the youth who had fought so gallantly under Dewey at Manila. "Here's a family gathering, for sure!" And with a light leap he cleared the window-sill and actually fell into his brothers' arms, while Job Dowling looked on with a half smile on his wrinkled face. "I couldn't remain away from the United States any longer," explained Larry, when, an hour after, all sat down to the really excellent dinner Job Dowling had provided. "While I was at Hong Kong I got a good chance to ship on a steamer for San Francisco, and we came home on the double-quick, for the government had chartered the vessel to carry troops to the Philippines. Maybe I'll go back under Dewey some time, but not just yet. I've got some prize money coming to me, I don't know yet how much, and I'll lie off to see." "And I've got prize money coming, too," added Walter. "I like the navy first-rate, and shall stick to it for the present, even if I have a chance of being mustered out." "I haven't any prize money coming, but I am to be a second lieutenant of volunteers," put in Ben. "Our regiment is to be mustered out very soon, and then I'm going to try for something else in the same line." "And what is that, Ben?" asked Job Dowling and the other boys together. "I'm going to try for a commission in the regular army." "Hurrah! that's the talk!" came from Larry. "And if you stay in the army, I'll see what I can do toward working my way up in the navy."