Part 66 (2/2)

Martha was setting the supper table when he came in. He went to his room and when he came down supper was almost ready. Primmie was in the kitchen, busy with the cooking.

”We're having an early supper, Mr. Bangs,” said Martha. ”That everlastin' seance begins about half past seven, so Cap'n Jethro took pains to tell me, and he'll be crosser'n a hen out in a rainstorm if we're not on time.”

Galusha looked surprised. He had forgotten the seance altogether. Yes, he had quite forgotten it. And, up to that noon, he had thought of very little else the entire week. What WAS the matter with him?

”Lulie is goin' to send Zach over to tell us when they're ready to set sail for Ghost Harbor,” went on Martha. ”That will save us watchin' the clock. What say?”

But he had not said anything and she went on arranging the dishes. After an interval she asked a question.

”How soon--that is, when will you have to leave us--leave here, Mr.

Bangs?” she asked. She was not looking at him when she asked it.

Galusha sighed. ”In about two weeks, I--ah--suppose,” he said.

”Oh!”

”Ah--yes.”

There was another silent interval. Then Martha turned her head to listen.

”Wasn't that an automobile I heard then?” she asked. ”Yes, it is. It can't be the Spiritualist crowd comin' so soon. No, it is stoppin' here, at our gate. Is it Doctor Powers, I wonder?”

She went to the window, pulled aside the shade and looked out.

”It is a big car,” she said. ”It isn't the doctor, that's sure. There's a man gettin' out, a big man in a fur coat. Who on earth--?”

Steps sounded without upon the walk, then there was a knock upon the side door, that of the dining room. Martha opened the door. A man's voice, a brisk, businesslike voice, asked a question.

”Why, yes,” replied Miss Phipps, ”he lives here. He's right here now.

Won't you step in?”

The man who had asked the question accepted the invitation and entered the dining room. He was a big, broad-shouldered man in a racc.o.o.n motor coat. He took off a cap which matched the coat and looked about the room. Then he saw Galusha.

”Why, h.e.l.lo, Loos.h.!.+” he said.

Galusha knew him, had recognized the voice before he saw its owner. His mouth opened, shut, and opened again. He was quite pale.

”Ah--ah--why, Cousin Gussie!” he stammered.

For the man in the fur coat standing there in Martha Phipps' dining room was the senior partner of Cabot, Bancroft and Cabot.

CHAPTER XIX

For perhaps thirty seconds after the exchange of greetings, the trio in the Phipps' dining room stood where they were, practically without moving. Mr. Cabot, of course, was smiling broadly, Miss Phipps was gazing in blank astonishment from one to the other of the two men, and Galusha Bangs was staring at his relative as Robinson Crusoe stared at the famous footprint, ”like one thunderstruck.”

It was Cabot who broke up the tableau. His smile became a hearty laugh.

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