Both young men were intent on the game when it was disturbed by the opening of the door. The air was blue with smoke, and Harvey White was the first to look up from his hand. Then Jim turned and saw the intruder standing silent on the threshold. Jim glanced back at his host and was puzzled by the mixed expressions of chagrin and amusement and defiance on the other's face. "I'm lookin' for James Todhunter," said the stranger. "That's my name," said Jim, standing up. "Have you been sent for me by Mr. Hammond of Millbrook?" "Sent for ye? I'm Amos Hammond," returned the man at the door. "Oh! I beg your pardon!" exclaimed Jim, and Harvey White sniggered. "We'll move right along," said Hammond abruptly. "We're late now." A little core of heat began to glow in Jim's heart. "Very well, but if we're late it's your fault," he said. The tanned skin above Hammond's dark beared grayed for an instant, then reddened, and the close eyes narrowed, and the lips twisted. If ever a man looked like swearing and didn't, it was Amos Hammond at that moment. He turned in silence and stepped out into the sunshine. Young Todhunter shook hands cordially with White, thanked him for the dinner and the entertainment, and followed the man from Millbrook to where a heavy wagon and a team of big grays stood beside the platform. "Which is your belongin's?" asked Hammond harshly, pausing beside the imposing mound of baggage. "All this stuff is mine," replied Jim casually. "All yours?" cried Hammond, with a change of voice and eyes. "If they're filled with anything more valuable nor bricks, then they must be worth a power of money. You are blessed with a considerable share of this world's goods, James Todhunter--but a humble and a contrite heart is worth more than gold." Jim felt embarrassed. "I'm not rich, as you must know already, Mr. Hammond," he replied. "These trunks and things contain nothing but my personal belongings--clothing and that sort of things." "Well, that's somethin'," returned Hammond. "When I was yer age, James, a quart measure would of held all of my personal clothin' I didn't happen to be wearin' at the time. You'd of done better to of kep' yer money till you got here an' let me lay it out for you in trade--but property is property." The high wagon was soon loaded. The load was secured with heavy ropes. Hammond and Jim took their places side by side on the board which served as a seat, and the big grays settled into their padded collars, straightened out the steel traces with a jangle and pulled away from the platform. Jim looked back over his shoulder and saw the station-master watching through the window of the red shack.