On seeing the open eyes of our "dummy," La Porte had explained as follows:
One of his horses went lame a bit, and he intended to give him a little treatment. The "dummy" must not disturb himself, as the hired man was on hand to render all the necessary help.
Then, as he was leaving the room, La Porte had added:
"By-the-by, if the horse comes out all right, and I am gone when you turn out in the morning, tell the old man that I am off for Baysville to see about the club excursion."
Wondering vaguely what species of lameness it was that must be treated with brandy and bandaged with linen handkerchiefs, the "dummy" fell asleep, and finding the young man absent on the following morning, delivered his message as directed.
It was received without comment, as such excursions were of frequent occurrence, and as no one presumed to question the movements of the spoiled young pleasure seeker.
He did not return on the next day, but the morning of the 19th brought him home, not, however, as he went, but in company with a sewing-machine agent whom he called Ed., and whose full name was Edward S. Dwight.
La Porte stated that his horse was lame again, and that he had left his team at Amora, and returned with Dwight in the machine wagon.
During that day La Porte accompanied Dwight on his rounds among the farmers, and early the following morning the two returned together to Amora.