The girl started.
"Why," she exclaimed, "if we get to the garage about noon you will find dad in the house in the same yard. He's my father. I'm Ethel Lorry."
"Great spark-plugs!" exclaimed Matt. "I guess this is my lucky day, after all. You're George's sister, are you?"
A cry escaped the girl, and she reached out to drop a convulsive hand on Matt's arm.
"You know George?" she asked breathlessly.
"I should say so!" returned Matt.
"Where is he?" The girl was tremendously excited. "Is he well? Has he come back from San Francisco?"
"Yes, Miss Lorry, he is back from San Francisco, and he's feeling tiptop. But he didn't want to come to Madison just yet. I left him not more than an hour ago. His cousin, Joe McGlory, is with him."
"But why didn't he want to come home?" cried the girl, with vague alarm in her voice.
"I'm to see your father and tell him about that. That's what I was coming to town for."