"Why, bless my soul!" said her surprised grandfather; with a sudden brightening of his faded eyes. "There's no good reason, my dear, why you shouldn't go home for a visit. I didn't realize, I didn't guess--" "Aunt Agatha never would let me," said Jeanne, hopelessly. "I've asked her twice since school was out. It's so hot and I'm so worried about daddy. I thought if I could go for just a little while--but she says it costs too much money--that I mustn't even _think_ of such a thing." "Oh, she did, did she?" Jeanne was startled then by the look that came into her grandfather's sunken eyes. It was a strange look; a malevolent look; a look full of malice. Except for the first few weeks of her residence with her grandfather his eyes had always seemed _kind_. Now they glittered and his entire face settled into strange, new lines. It had become cruel. "Call James!" he said. Jeanne jumped with surprise at the sharpness of his voice. Faithful James, who was snoring on the hat-rack--Mrs. Huntington being out for the afternoon and the hat-rack seat being wide and comfortable--hurried to his master. "James," said Mr. Huntington, leaning forward in his chair, "not a word of this to anybody--do you promise!" "Yes, sir," agreed James, accustomed to blind obedience. "You are to find out what time the through train leaves for Chicago. Tonight's train, I mean. Be ready to go to the station at that time. You are to buy a ticket from here to Bancroft, Michigan--_Upper_ Michigan--for my granddaughter. Reserve the necessary berths--she will have two nights on the sleeper. You will find money in the left-hand drawer of my dresser. If it isn't enough, you will lend me some--she will need something extra for meals and so forth. And remember, not a word to anybody. If necessary, go outside to telephone about the train." "Very well, sir," said James. "I understand, sir--and by Jinks! I'm _with_ you!" "Good. Now, Jeannette, as soon as we know what time that train goes--" "I _do_ know," said Jeanne. "Nine-thirty, P.M. I have that time-card--the one that Allen Rossiter gave me--with the trains marked right through to Bancroft. But James had better make sure that the time hasn't been changed. And please, couldn't he send a telegram to Allen, in Chicago, to meet me! I have his address." "Of course," returned Mr. Huntington. "I had forgotten that. Allen will be of great assistance. Now, go very quietly to your room. You are not to say good-by to anybody. No one but James is to know that you are going. Put on something fit to travel in and pack as many useful clothes as your suitcase will hold--things that you can wear in Bancroft. Have your hat and gloves where you can find them quickly and take your money with you. James will take care of everything else. Now _go_." When Mr. Huntington said "Now _go_," people usually went. Jeanne _wanted_ to throw her arms about her grandfather's neck, and say a thousand thank-yous, but plainly this was not the time.