On that very day Ben Barry received a threatening letter from Rufus Carder demanding the return of Pete, and he knew that no more time must be lost. He flew over to the Port that afternoon, and alighting on the landing-field which had been prepared near his cottage walked to the little shop near the wharf. Here he found Pete industriously obeying Miss Upton's orders in company with his idol, the whole quartet gay amid their chaos. Even Mrs. Whipp had postponed the fear of rheumatism and had learned how to laugh. They had formed a line and were passing the articles from boxes to shelves when the leather-coated, helmeted figure stood suddenly before them. The effect of the apparition upon Geraldine with its associations was so extreme as to make her feel faint for a minute, and Ben saw her face change as she leaned against the counter. Miss Mehitable saw it too. "Aha!" she thought triumphantly. "Aha! It isn't so funny to break a body's heart, after all." "Well, Ben Barry," she said aloud, "why didn't you wait till we got settled?" The aviator stood in the doorway, but came no farther. "Because I have to take Pete away. I've had a _billet doux_ from Rufus Carder and he wants him." The dwarf rushed to his new master on quaking legs. "Oh, Master! I won't go! I can't go." He looked off wildly on the big billows rolling in. "I'll throw myself in the sea." Ben put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Of course you won't go," he said; "but you want to brighten up your wits now and remember everything that will help us. We're going to the city to-night and begin at once to settle that gentleman's affairs." He gave Geraldine a reassuring look. "I should like to take your father's letter with me," he added quietly. "But we mustn't get Pete into trouble," she replied doubtfully. "I'm not intending to show it. I want to familiarize myself with his handwriting. I expect to have an interview and perhaps there will be notes to examine." "But not at the farm," protested the girl quickly. "You'll not go near the meadow?" "No; the cows have nothing to fear from us this time." "And you'll"--Geraldine swallowed--"you'll be careful?" Ben nodded. "All my promises hold," he replied, looking straight into her eyes with only the ghost of his old smile, as Miss Upton noticed. Geraldine ran upstairs, brought down her father's letter, and gave it to him. He took it with a nod of thanks. "How do you think you will like to fly, Pete?" he asked. "You can go home with me, or, if you prefer it, in the trolley." "Anywhere with you, Master," returned the boy. He felt certain that Rufus Carder would not be met among the clouds, but who could be sure that he would not pop up in a trolley car. "Very well, then. Good-bye, everybody, and expect us when you see us."