“Here Sadler came back in the car.
“'Engineers and conductors are easy on this road,' he said. 'One dollar apiece. We'll pull up where the road crosses to Dorcas' place, and disappoint that there pink military.'
“'Verra good,' said Jamison, nodding kindly. 'I'll go with ye, and I'm thinking we'll be there in a few moments now.' Presently the train slowed down and stopped. Sadler shouldered Hannah Atkins, and we got out. The train went on its way. The glimmer of the not distant city showed that the electric plant was working. To the left some distance stood a large house among trees, and to it a road ran from the railway crossing. It stood near the bank of the river, a yellow, stuccoed house with a patio. A man who met us at the door exclaimed:
“'What, Jamison! What, what! Why, why! Sadler! Come in, come in. What's that box? How d'ye do? Have a cigar! Have a drink. Good Lord!'
“He was introduced to me as 'Steve Dorcas.'”
CHAPTER XXX—MR. DORCAS
HE was short, thickset man with a stubby chin whisker, an incessant energy, and an amazingly choppy manner of speech.
“'Just so; just so,' he said when he had heard our circumstances and needs. 'Drive you around myself. Do it myself.'