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", Porter, proceed."

Ralph gave the direction. He and Fred were seated in the garden summer-house, settled comfortably on benches facing each other across a rustic table, after a good breakfast, a general restful feeling permeating them.

"All right," assented Fred. "Before I begin, though, I wish to make a remark. The way your mother and yourself have treated me has been just royal—I'll never forget it!"

"And never forget us," directed the young engineer with a warm, friendly smile. "You'll always find yourself welcome in this house."

"That's what gets me," said Fred, and there was a slight tremor and a suspicion of tears in his voice. "Most fellows would have little to do with an impostor, eh?"

"That's a pretty hard word, Porter," intimated Ralph. "Just the same, I believe in you. I have had confidence in you all along." Rh