When she rode her pony over to the Wegg farm next day Ethel's bright face was wreathed with smiles. She told her girl friends that she and Joe had had a "good talk" together, and understood each other better than ever before. The nieces did not tell her of their newly conceived hopes that the young couple would presently possess enough money to render their future comfortable, because there were so many chances that Bob West might win the little game being played. But at this moment Ethel did not need worldly wealth to make her heart light and happy, for she had regained her childhood's friend, and his injuries only rendered the boy the more interesting and companionable. Meantime Uncle John had been busily thinking. It annoyed him to be so composedly defied by a rascally country merchant, and he resolved, if he must fight, to fight with all his might. So he wired to his agent in New York the following words: "What part of the Almaquo timber tract burned in forest fire three years ago?" The answer he received made him give a satisfied grunt. "No forest fires near Almaquo three years ago. Almadona, seventy miles north, burned at that time, and newspaper reports confounded the names." "Very good!" exclaimed Uncle John. "I've got the rascal now." He issued instructions to the lumber company to make no further payments of royalties to Robert West until otherwise advised, and this had the effect of bringing West to the farm white with rage. "What do you mean by this action, Mr. Merrick?" he demanded. "We've been paying you money that does not belong to you for three years, sir," was the reply. "In a few days, when my investigations are complete, I will give you the option of being arrested for embezzlement of funds belonging to Joseph Wegg and the Thompsons, or restoring to them every penny of their money." West stared. "You are carrying matters with a high hand, sir," he sneered. "Oh, no; I am acting very leniently," said Uncle John. "Neither Joe nor the Thompsons own a dollar's interest in the Almaquo property. It is all mine, and mine alone." "Then produce the stock and prove it!" retorted Mr. Merrick, triumphantly. At that moment Louise interrupted the interview by entering the room suddenly. "Oh, Uncle," said she, "will you join us in a picnic to the Falls tomorrow afternoon? We are all going." "Then I won't be left behind," he replied, smiling upon her. "We shall take even Thomas and Nora, and come home late in the evening, by moonlight." "That suits me, my dear," said he. West stood silent and scowling, but as the girl tripped away she saw him raise his eyes and glance slyly toward the cupboard, for they were in the right wing room.