The train was crowded, but Mr. Chester had secured seats in advance so that he and Gretel were very comfortable. Gretel felt a little uneasy at first, and glanced anxiously about, in quest of her German friend, but she did not see him again, and there was a good deal of amusement in watching her fellow-passengers. Mr. Chester was very kind and talked pleasantly to her for more than an hour, before going away to the smoking-car, after providing his charge with an interesting book. Gretel tried to read, but found it impossible to fix her attention on the story, and finally gave it up in despair, and took out her knitting instead. Several ladies were also knitting, and as her fingers flew, Gretel’s thoughts were very busy. They had nearly reached New York before she had finally come to a decision, which proved a great relief to her. “I shall tell Percy about Fritz to-night,” she told herself, and she suddenly felt happier than she had felt since the evening before. She opened the bag of pop-corn Jerry had thrust into her hand just as the train was starting, and was placidly munching a ball when Mr. Chester returned. It was noon when they reached the Grand Central. Mr. Chester hailed a taxi and in it they drove to the Douaines’. Gretel had suggested going home by herself, but her companion refused to leave her until he had seen her safely inside her brother’s door. “The house looks rather deserted,” Mr. Chester said, as the cab stopped, and the driver ran up the steps to ring the bell. “There is a caretaker,” Gretel explained, “and some of the rooms up-stairs are open. Percy spends his nights here when he is in New York. He goes out for his meals, as all the servants are in Washington.” “I am afraid you will have a rather dull day by yourself,” said Mr. Chester, regretfully. “I wish I could take you somewhere to lunch, but I must hurry downtown.” Gretel thanked him, but assured him she would not be at all dull, and by this time the door was opened by a stout, good-natured looking Irish woman, who greeted Gretel with a broad, welcoming smile. Mr. Chester hurried away in his taxi, quite satisfied that his charge was in safe hands, and Gretel sat down on the hall chair to read a note her brother had left for her. It was only a hasty line to say that Percy expected to be very busy all day, but had secured reservations on the night train for Washington, and would call for her at about seven and take her out to dinner. “I have told Mrs. Murphy to give you some lunch,” he added. “I am sorry to leave you alone all the afternoon, but it cannot be helped.” The house felt cool and comfortable, and Gretel wandered from one room to another, rather enjoying the quiet and the unusualness of everything. She decided that she would stay indoors till late in the afternoon, when it would be cooler, and then go to see Mrs. Barlow. At one o’clock Mrs. Murphy called her to luncheon.