"No, Mr. Nixon. Not only for Mr. Nugent's sake, but for your sake, I will gladly remain with you and do what I can." "Thank you. It puts new life into me to know that I have a young companion who will help me, and do for me what I cannot do for myself. You came at the right time." "Yes, I was startled when I opened the cabin door to see that man in the act of robbing you. Is he really your nephew?" "Dear knows, I don't! I never saw him before. Whatever he is I don't care to recognize him as a relative." "I don't think he will ever trouble you again. The men who carried him away will give him a good fright, at any rate. Now, Mr. Nixon, where do you think it best that I should stay? I need to be near you to take care of you." The old man looked puzzled. He looked about him at the contracted accommodations of the cabin, and hesitated. "I am afraid you would not like staying here," he said, after awhile. "Not for any length of time, Mr. Nixon. If you won't be offended, I will ask you why you stay here yourself?" "I have lived here ever since I came to Campville," he answered. "And how long is that?" "Fifteen years." "Did you build the cabin?" "No. It had just been vacated by the original owner and builder." "You ought to have a more comfortable home." "Yes, I suppose so," said Thomas Nixon; "but I don't know where to go." "Will you authorize me to find you a place, Mr. Nixon?" "Yes." "Then I will go out at once and see what I can find. You should not stay here another night." "Come back soon," said the old man. He had already come to value the company of his young companion, and felt that he should miss him, even for a short time. Gerald took his hat and went out. He bent his steps toward the store of Joe Loche, feeling that he should there be more likely to obtain the information of which he was in search. He had already called there, like Ralph Nixon, to inquire the way to the cabin of the old man. "Mr. Loche," he said, proceeding at once to business, "is there any comfortable house vacant in the village?" "Yes," answered the storekeeper. "There is a four-room house, which was occupied yesterday but is vacant to-day." "Who owns it?" "I do. I bought it, furniture and all, from Jim Morris, who has made his pile, and is going back to his old home in New Hampshire." "Are you willing to sell or let it?" "Either one. Are you going to get married and settle down among us?" "Not quite yet," answered Gerald, with a laugh. "I have been sent from the East to Mr. Nixon, and I shall stay with him for a while. He has authorized me to look him up a more suitable home." "I am glad to hear it. That old tumble-down shanty isn't fit for the old man to live in." "Would you mind showing me the house?" "I shall be glad to do so. Here, Dennis, just look after business, and I will go over to Jim's house with this young man."