Thirdly，the Captain's only friend had been a crazy mannamed Will Thompson.Was he crazy before the Captain's death，or had he become crazed at that time，some terrible tragedy unhinging his mind？
Fourthly，the granddaughter of Thompson，Ethel，and the son of Captain Wegg had been in love with each other，and people expected they would marry in time.But at his father's sudden death the boy fled and left his sweetheart without a word.Why—unless something had occurred that rendered their marriage impossible？
In the ？fth place there was Old Hucks and his blind wife to be considered.What did they know about their old master's secret history？What tragic memories lurked beneath the man's perpetual smile and the woman's composed and sightless face？
Surely there was enough here to excite the curiosity and warrant an effort to untangle the mystery.And as instruments to the end there were several people available who could be of use to her；McNutt，the agent，who evidently knew more than he had cared to tell；Old Hucks and his wife and Ethel Thompson，the school—teacher.There might be others，butone or another of these four must know the truth，and it wouldbe her pleasant duty to obtain a full disclosure.So she was anxious to begin her investigations at once.
When her uncle returned from his visit to the pigs Louise said to him：
"I've been thinking，dear，that we ought to call upon that young lady who arranged our rooms，and thank her for her kindness.""That's true，"he replied.
"Can't we drive over to Thompson's this morning，Uncle？""Beth and Patsy have planned a tramp to the lake，and a row after water—lilies.""Then let us make our call together.We can invite the girl to come here and spend a day with us，when Patsy and Beth will be able to meet her.""That's a good idea，Louise.I was wondering what I'd dothis morning.Tell Old Hucks to get the nag harnessed."The girl ran eagerly upon her errand.Old Hucks seemed surprised，and a curious expression showed for an instant through his smile.But he turned without a word to harness the horse.
Louise stood watching him.
"Your fingers are quite nimblea，Thomas，considering the fact that you were once a sailor，"she said.
"But sailors have to be nimble，miss，"he returned，bucklingb a strap unmoved."Who tol'ye I were once a sea—farin'man？""I guessed it."As he appeared indisposed to say more on the subject she asked："Did you sail with Captain Wegg？""Partly，miss.Dan's already now.Don't jerk the bit，fer his mouth's tender an'it makes him balkyc.If he balks jest lethim rest a time，an'then speak to him.Dan ain't vicious；he's jest ornerya."She climbed into the dilapidated old buggyb and took the reins.Dan groaned and ambledc slowly around to where Uncle John stood awaiting his niece.
"Let me drive，Uncle，"she said；"I understand Dan.""Well，I don't，"returned Uncle John，in his whimsicald way，as he mounted to the seat beside her."I don't understand how he's happened to live since the landing of Columbus，or what he's good for，or why someone don't knock him on the head."Dan turned his long，lean face as if to give the speaker a reproachfule look；then he groaned again，leaned forward，and drew the buggy slowly into the stony lane.
"Do you know where the Thompsons live？"inquiredUncle John.
"No.Whoa，Dan！"
That was the best thing the nag did.He knew how to whoa."Thomas！"called Uncle John，turning in his seat；andat the summons Old Hucks came from the barn and approached them."How do you get to Miss Thompson's place？""Miss Ethel's？"Another ？eeting expression of surprise."Yes；we're going over to thank her for her kindnessto us.""I—I'm 'most sure as she'll be here soon to call，sir.And—perhaps you oughtn't to—to go to—Thompson's，"stammered Hucks，glancing up at them with his bright，elusivea smile.
"Well，we're going，anyhow，"growled Mr.Merrick."Then turn left at the main road an'keep straight ahead toThompson's.Ye can't miss it，sir.Brick schoolhouse on theother corner.""Thank you，Thomas.Drive on，Louise."
