The air was heavy with apple blossoms, warm with spring richness, and Frank drank it in eagerly. From somewhere about the place he heard the pur of a motor car, but could see nothing of the machine. “I don’t believe I can stay indoors,” he sighed softly, and turned to where his clothes lay on a chair. Indeed, the morning was a perfect one. The little town lay still, deserted, apparently empty of all life. Yet its streets were clothed with freshness, and its feathery-leaved trees were green with new spring life. From the fruit orchards that hedged Carsonville there drifted renewed sweetness on every breeze. Chip glanced at his chum, but Clancy was sleeping the sleep of the just. The red-haired chap put in his daytime most energetically, and when he slept he did it with just as much vigor. “I’ll let him pound his ear,” smiled Chip, as he flung on his clothes, impatient to be outdoors. “Anyway, I’d just as soon have a walk all by myself for a change. I’ve a good notion to go down and take a dip in the mill pond, by gracious!” At thought of the cool, inviting waters of the river, which he had explored with the aid of Billy Mac, he finished his dressing hurriedly. The hotel was still dead to the world, and Frank quietly let himself out into the silent corridor. Downstairs, however, he found the clerk sweeping out the office. The clerk looked up with a cheery greeting and a wide grin, for Chip was already a popular hero in Carsonville, after the game of the day before. “Up early, ain’t you?” “Too fine a morning to sleep,” said Chip. “What’s that machine I heard buzzing around?” “The garage is down the street a ways,” explained the clerk, leaning on his broom. “They’ve got one machine there for hire. Want to get it?” “No, thanks,” and Frank laughed. “I was only mildly curious. Clancy’s car is all right?” “Sure, I seen it out in the back yard only just now.” Merry nodded and passed on to the veranda. At sight of the upturned chairs he was attacked by sudden laziness, and with a yawn turned over one of the chairs and seated himself, drinking in the clear air greedily. “Mornings like this make life worth living,” he reflected contentedly. “I’ll wager that if folks knew how good these early spring mornings were, they’d go to bed earlier and get up earlier. It’s worth all the rest of the day!” He sprawled out comfortably. He was still weary with his stiff game of the previous afternoon, and his long evening following, and soon realized that if he sat here very long he would be fast asleep once more. So, after five minutes, he forced himself to rise. “I never thought I’d be getting lazy!” he murmured. “Well, down to the river and have a quick dip, then a rest on the long grass, and back to rout Clan out in time for breakfast.” He paused as he reached the steps, for he caught sight of a solitary figure that seemed to be approaching the Morton House.