After this the old couple did not linger long. Hucks poured some water from a jug into a tumbler, glanced around the little room to see that everything was in order, and then--after he and Nora had both kissed the bandaged forehead--blew out the candle and retired. The Major crouched low in the berry bushes until the couple had passed by; then he rose and thoughtfully followed after them. Whatever Patsy's father might have thought of the Wegg farm mystery before, this adventure convinced him that the girls were not altogether foolish in imagining a romance connected with the place. And, notwithstanding Patsy's loyal defense of Old Hucks, he was evidently tangled up in the affair to a large extent, and could explain if he chose much that was now puzzling the girl detectives. After careful thought the Major decided to confide in Uncle John, at this juncture, rather than in the nieces; since the latest developments were more fitted for a man's interference. By good fortune the girls had an engagement the next day, and set out together in the surrey to visit Ethel Thompson and lunch with her in the rose bower, which was the pride of the little school teacher's garden. As soon as they were gone the Major hunted up Uncle John and said: "Come with me, sir." "I won't," was the brisk reply; "I'm going fishing, and whoever wishes my society must come with me." "You'll not catch anything fishing, but you're very liable to catch something if you follow my lead," said the Major, meaningly. "What's up, Gregory?" "I'm not sure what it is, John." And then he carefully explained his discovery that an injured man was occupying the cabin in the berry patch, and seemed to be the object of the Hucks' tender care. "It's the secrecy of the thing that astounds me most, sir," he added. "If all was open and above board, I'd think little enough of it." Uncle John's kindly interest was at once aroused, and he proposed that they go directly to the cabin and interview the man in hiding. Hucks being at the time busy in the barn, the two men sauntered into the berry patch without being observed, and then walked briskly along the winding paths until they sighted the building. Pausing at the window, they saw the man still reclining upon his cot, and holding in his left hand a book--one of Patsy's, the Major observed--which he was quietly engaged in reading. Then they moved around to the door, which Uncle John pushed open. Without hesitation, the two men entered and stood gazing down upon the strange occupant of the place. "Good morning," said Mr. Merrick, while the Major nodded a greeting. The man half arose, moving stiffly. "Pardon me, sirs," he said, rather startled at the interruption; "I regret that I am physically unable to receive you with more courtesy." The Major gazed into the partially bandaged face with a glimmer of awakening recognition. "H-m! Ha! If I'm not mistaken," said he, "it's Joseph Wegg."