Duncan put his hand out to the old squire. "Here, squire," he said. "I do this openly. I want you to take this, not as a bribe, but as a personal gift, which I have a perfect right to offer you. You are doing me a kindness, and also this young lady a kindness, and the one most concerned is a helpless little creature who waits until I reach Chelton to know whether or not she is to be made perfectly well, so to speak. Not that I am the one to say that, but because a noted specialist will wait for all the other doctors. It's a long stony, but I will let you know how we make out if I beat that sharper into Chelton." Cora couldn't speak. She, too, put out her hand to the old squire, who was wiping his eyes and shaking his head against Duncan's gift. Finally the young doctor prevailed upon him, and then once more they started on their mad run for Chelton. CHAPTER XXVII AGAINST THE LAW Two hours later Cora almost fell into the arms of her brother--so overstrained were her nerves after the exciting ride. "Oh, Jack," she exclaimed, "I had the awfullest time! It is very well to be a girl and imitate boys in the matter of risking; but I say, Jack, it is always risky." "Well, I am glad you have found that out, little girl," answered the brother, putting her comfortably down in the big armchair. "What's the particular risk now? No more stolen girls?" "Oh, that was your part," she said, laughing. "And, by the way, I hear you are quite a successful kidnaper." "Not so bad. But you should have seen the time we had to get Wren to the sanitarium. She didn't want to leave here, and had a mortal fear of a hospital. But how are you?" and he looked into her flushed face. "I declare it seems moons since I've seen you." "And all the other planets since I saw you, Jack. I wonder will I ever have the courage to tell you all about it?" "Wouldn't the courage just naturally come on my side? I would have to listen--" "Oh, no. You don't have to--" "There you go! Home ten minutes and picking a fight--" "Jack Kimball!" "Cora Kimball!" Then they both laughed. It was jolly even to play at quarreling, and be real brother and sister again. "Well, I have so little time, Jack, I must be serious. You know we have to get back to Breakwater to-night. We are to fetch you, and Ed and Walter and Clip--" "Oh, you don't say! In a suit case or a la hamper? Ed is literally cut up about all the girls being out of town at once. He would fit in the shirt box, I fancy. But Wallie--he seems to have expanded. I doubt if you could manage him--" "Oh, you ridiculous boy! Come on. Run after me while I get through the house. I must see dear old Margaret. How is she treating you?" "First-rate, for Margaret. She only starved me out of the midnight rations twice--"