About half-past three Garry departed for Chester to meet his father on the five o’clock train. He arrived several minutes before train time, and chatted with the agent and explained what he had done the night before.
When the train arrived, Mr. Boone was the first to alight, and Garry rushed forward to meet him. After they had shaken hands, Mr. Boone demanded to know if anyone had been hurt.
“No, everyone’s all right. Dick is away in the woods doing a Joe Knowles, but what we wanted is to find that I’m right on the biggest hunch I ever had, or else crazy as a loon. Now I’m not going to say anything more till we get to camp, for I want to see your reaction to what I’m going to show you without having influenced you.”
They reached the tent, and Garry called out:
“Oh, Hermit, come out just a minute.”
The hermit parted the flap and stepped outside. He looked blankly at Mr. Boone and bowed.
Mr. Boone stared at the hermit, however, as though he were looking at a spirit from the world beyond. Then he cried:
“Great Heavens! It’s Dick’s father!”
“Hurrah,” shouted Garry, and he was joined in his jubilation by Phil. Even Nate shared in the exuberance.
All this time the hermit looked puzzled at the uproar. Finally Mr. Boone turned to him, and stretching out his hand, advanced and said: