"For his pride's sake. As it stands now, the old house advertises Adam's success. When people see it in ruins like that they always speak of the big new house on the hill. If the old house was fixed up and occupied it wouldn't cause any comment on Adam's prosperity, you see. John told me once that he had begged his father to let him do something with it, but Adam ordered him never to set foot on the place." "Well," said Mary, "I suppose he can afford to keep the old house as a sort of monument if he wants to." Peter Martin commented, in his slow way, "If Charlie is right about his reason for leaving it as it is, I am not so sure, daughter, that even Adam Ward can afford to do such a thing." Captain Charlie's eyes twinkled as he addressed his sister. "Father evidently believes with the Interpreter that houses have souls or spirits or something--like human beings." "Of course," she returned, "if the Interpreter believes it father is bound to." The old workman smiled. "You children will believe it, too, some day; at least I hope so." "I wonder if Helen ever goes to see the Interpreter," said Mary. Captain Charlie returned, quickly, "I know she does." "How do you know? Did you ever meet her there?" The Captain answered grimly, "I hid out in the garden once with Billy Rand to keep from meeting her." Flushed with the unparalleled adventures of the day, Bobby Whaley asked his father, "Dad, ain't the old Interpreter one of us?--ain't he?" "Sure he is." "Well, then, what for did old Adam Ward's daughter go to see him just like Mag an' me did?" "I don't know nothin' about that," growled Sam Whaley, "but I can tell you kids one thing. You're a-goin' to stay out of that there automobile of hers. You let me catch you takin' up with such as Adam Ward's daughter and I'll teach you somethin' you won't fergit." * * * * * The cigar-store philosopher remarked casually to the chief of police, "This here savior of the people, Jake Vodell, that's recently descended upon us, is gatherin' to himself a choice bunch of disciples--I'll tell the world." "What do you know about it?" demanded the officer of the law. The philosopher grinned. "Oh, they most of them smoke or chew, the same as your cops. Vodell himself smokes your brand. Have one on me chief." CHAPTER V ADAM WARD'S ESTATE