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 astonished. He beheld Mr. Hilliard-Belmont-Jennison (known to him still by only the first borrowed name), scarcely thought of by the little boy, save as a vanished mystery, since the ride on the train from Ossokosee.

"Ah!" the new-comer exclaimed, in his former smooth voice, "I'm delighted to find you here, Gerald. Mr. Banger told me you were. How are you?" He extended his hand, smiling. "You remember me, don't you?" he asked, standing between the boy and the arbor's entrance.

Gerald stared at him in bewildered surprise. He would have been more terrified had not so much to cause fear long been spared him.

"I—I do. Yes, sir," he replied, with wide-open eyes and a pale face. "I—I hope you are well."

"Quite well, I thank you," laughed the other. "And I hope you and Mr. Touchtone have forgiven that silly trick, which I never, never meant to let go so far, that I drifted into in the train that afternoon. You remember?"

"Yes. We didn't know what to make of it. Mr. Hilliard—Mr. Hilliard said—"

"O, I saw Mr. Hilliard next evening and