So near did Tobias Bassett’s scheme fall through. Had John Nicholet been at home the fanciful tale of financial disaster, at either the Nicholet or Endicott side of the big lawn, would have been exploded! As it was, the next morning, before Miss Ida could make up her mind to go to Professor Endicott and put a plain question or two, the latter had plunged into a new series of experiments from which the family did not dare to try to recall him under any circumstances. And on the professor’s part, he had quite forgotten the Nicholets’ financial troubles. Ralph "fiddled about," as Tobias Bassett said, as uncertain in his direction as a crab. "I give it as my opinion," the lightkeeper observed to Miss Heppy, "that the boy can’t make up his mind whether to go about or keep on the main tack. He is as onsartain as April weather." "I do hope he ain’t sick," said his sister. "Maybe he’s comin’ down with something." "Oh, sugar! There ain’t nothing the matter with that fellow’s health," chuckled Tobias. "All he’s sickenin’ for is _girlitis_—got it the worst way. Only he don’t know it." Nor was it thought of Conny Degger that disturbed Ralph’s mind. At least he did not fear that individual’s approach to the Clay Head or the Twin Rocks Light. He did not, however, take into consideration the possibility of Lorna’s meeting the treacherous Degger at a distance. One must occasionally shop. An entire summer could not pass without the need of renewal in the Nicholet household of clothing and domestic necessities. Clinkerport stores did not carry much variety in any merchandise. So Lorna started early one morning, driven by Jackson, the Nicholets’ gardener and chauffeur, for the Big Town. It was when she was returning and was still several miles on the far side of Clinkerport that Lorna spied a familiar figure walking ahead of the automobile in the road. She leaned over the back of the driver’s seat and spoke to Jackson: "That is Mr. Degger ahead of us, Jackson. Stop when you reach him. I wish to speak to him." They were almost upon the pedestrian before Lorna saw the bandage about his head and that he carried his left hand in a sling. The noise of the stopping car made him look around. Ralph had certainly fulfilled his promise. He had so greatly changed Conny Degger’s facial appearance that only from the rear was he to be easily recognized. Besides his swathed forehead he had one rainbow-colored eye and a bruise on his cheek that gave him the appearance of carrying what the children call an "all-day-sucker" in that side of his mouth. When he opened his lips to speak to Lorna the absence of two teeth made an ugly gap in an otherwise perfect upper set. "Mercy’s sake!" gasped Lorna. "What has happened to you, Mr. Degger?"