"There, that will provide a little comfort," she said, but then, as Dick caught her hand as if to kiss it, she gave a merry little laugh and ran upstairs again. It was a long while before Dick could go to sleep. He had read the letter found in the kitchen with care, and he wondered what it all meant. "What plans can Arnold Baxter be completing?" he asked himself. "And how can he surprise father? Can that refer to the missing mine in Colorado? He talks as if he was going to get out of jail pretty soon, but that can't be, for the judge will certainly give him three or four years at the least. Perhaps I had better write to father about this." No other person came that night to disturb the inmates of the cottage, and when at last Dick did fall into slumber he did not awaken until the sun was shining in the window and a neighboring Irish woman, who did Mrs. Stanhope's washing and ironing, was knocking on the kitchen door for entrance. "Good-morning, Mrs. O'Toole," he said, as he leaped up and let her in. "Good-marnin', young sir," stammered the washerwoman. "Sure an' I didn't ixpict to see you here." "I suppose not. But come in, and I will call Miss Dora." "No need to call me, if you please," came in a silvery voice from the hall, and Dora appeared, as bright and fresh as ever. "I would have been down before, only I had to wait on mamma." "And how is she?" "She is no worse, but neither is she better. I shall send for our doctor to-day." Breakfast was soon on the table-fresh coffee, fresh eggs, and dainty buckwheat cakes baked by Dora's own hands. It is needless to say that Dick enjoyed the repast. "You'll make a famous housekeeper for somebody some day, Dora," he said, looking at her pointedly. "You go and eat your cakes before they get cold," she answered. "I've already eaten my fill, I can't go another one. I've enjoyed them ever so much. Now I guess I had better be off for Cedarville." "If you wish, you can hitch up Dolly to the carriage and drive over. It will be nicer than walking." "Supposing I go over on horseback? Is she used to a saddle?" "Oh, yes, and you will find a gentleman's saddle in the harness closet back of the stalls." "Then I'll go that way. Good-by. I'll be back before noon, unless something unusual turns up. And when I am down in Cedarville I'll send word to father about Aleck." Leaving the house Dick went to the barn, which was usually locked. Dora had given him the key, but to his surprise he found the padlock pried off and the door partly open. "Can this be more of Crabtree's work?" he asked himself. "Perhaps he has stolen the mare! What fools we were not to look in here last night." But Dick's fears were groundless. The mare was still there. But she was all saddled, ready for him to ride. "Crabtree's work, beyond a doubt," he thought. Before he went to the house he came here, and it was his intention to steal the mare and get away on her. CHAPTER VII A HUNT THROUGH THE WOODS