If he had had any lingering doubts about this, they were driven away at sight of a farmhouse standing back a short distance from the latter highway and nearly concealed by a clump of trees, and which he knew must be the house of Mr. Renders' brother. An unnatural stillness seemed to hang over the place, and at first he was inclined to ignore Mr. Renders' advice and keep on. But he knew only too well that Jack and Fairy needed all the rest they could get before completing their long journey. Accordingly, he advanced boldly to the door, and seizing the heavy brass knocker, he raised a noise that must have aroused every inmate of the house. Heads quickly began to appear from the windows, until he imagined he had awakened a house full of people. "Who's there, and what is wanted at this unseemly hour?" demanded a voice he felt sure belonged to the host. Little Snap quickly explained his situation, and as he finished speaking, handed Mr. Renders the note sent by his brother. "Wait till I can strike a light, when I will read it, and if I think favorable of what he says, I will be out in a moment." Then the window was closed, while a minute later a light shone from the apartment. This last soon began to move about, and it was not long before the door was opened, when Mr. Renders appeared fully dressed. "Hope you will excuse my delay, but I didn't keep you waiting longer than I could help. So you have come from Six Roads?" "Yes, sir; and I have got to get back there before six o'clock this morning, or I would never have troubled you." "Never mind that. I have called better men than I am out of their nests on worse nights than this. In regard to a horse, I have one which can take you to Volney and back in one hour, though I don't care about having you crowd him quite as hard as that, unless it is necessary." "I will not hurt the horse. Can you let me have him? I will pay you well——" "A fig for the pay! Dismount and turn your animals into that pen. I claim a horse can rest better by having a chance to move about if he wants to. I will feed them as soon as they have cooled off somewhat. I will lead out my horse." Hardly able to comprehend that he was so well favored, Little Snap did as he was told, and by the time he had seen Fairy and Jack in comfortable quarters, Mr. Renders had his horse ready for him to spring into the saddle. "He may need a little urging, but don't spare him. It is eleven miles to Volney, and he is good for the trip and return without any more stop than you will wish to make with Mr. Calvert. I think you will be fortunate enough to find that gentleman at home." Mr. Renders then described Mr. Calvert's house to him, so he would have no difficulty in finding it, when Little Snap began the second stage of his journey.