Meanwhile, events occurred which were destined to have a bearing on Hervey’s life. At about half past nine that night, young Mr. Talbot emerged from the Walton house and encountered Wyne Corson coming in through the gateway. They both laughed at the encounter. “Missionary work?” Mr. Talbot inquired. “You beat me to it?” laughed Wyne. “No, I’m through,” Mr. Talbot said. “He isn’t even home; nobody knows where he is. No, I’m through working on that prospect, and I wouldn’t waste my time if I were you, Corson. He’s going to military school and I guess that’s the best place for him.” “The fellows in my troop are crazy about him,” said Wyne. “They might better be crazy about you,” Mr. Talbot answered. “If they’re as crazy as all that, they’re better off without another crazy fellow in their troop. Come on, walk along with me; there’s no one inside but Mr. and Mrs. Walton and they’ve decided to send him to Chestnut Hill School.” “Jiminies, but that chap has possibilities all right,” said Wyne, as they walked down the street together. “Impossibilities, you mean. Why they don’t even know where he is to-night; hasn’t been home since noontime. You know I had him in my troop; I know something about him.” “Two fellows in my patrol are so nutty about him that they waited around here in front of his house to-night just to get a squint at him. I don’t know, there’s kind of--oh, I don’t know--something about him; don’t you think so?” “Oh, there’s plenty about him,” laughed Mr. Talbot, “and I know a few things that nobody else knows. You take my advice and keep away from the buzz-saw. The name of Hervey Willetts means trouble. Corson, when you talk to him and deal with him you get just absolutely no comeback; there’s nothing to work on.” “Yet look what he did.” “Does that kind of thing ever get anybody anywhere?” “That’s some funny hat he wears, hey?” Mr. Talbot threw up his hands good-humoredly. “I see he’s got you,” said he. Wyne laughed, “Oh, I don’t know; you just can’t help liking him. He’s different from any fellow _I_ ever knew. He asked the doctor how much it costs to get tattooed.” “Well, there’s one thing he hasn’t done yet; I’m surprised at that. What does he want; mottoes on his arm like on his hat?” “The doctor seemed to like him,” said Wyne. “Oh, I don’t doubt that.” “I thought I might get him into my troop----” “You’re wasting your time, boy. Listen.” Mr. Talbot put his arm over Wyne’s shoulder as they walked along the street together. “Now I’m going to tell you something and you mustn’t ever mention it--to anybody.” “Yes, but you can’t tell me there’s never anything to get hold of. When I was trying to save that girl the other day, I thought there wasn’t anything to get hold of. Well, I got my fingers in her mouth and I grabbed hold of her chin. I found something to get hold of all right.” “And you’re going to California. You’re the biggest hero that’s ever come under this local council.”