Jack’s eyes had worn a somewhat reflective look since he had gone to make the inquiry.  Suddenly his face brightened with intelligence, and then, as a newsboy ran into the station calling his wares, hardened into determination.

“Clarion, special extry ’dition!  All about de epidemic er dipt’eria!” clamored the newsboy with shrill childish treble, as he made his way toward the waiting-room.  Jack darted after him, and saw the man to whom he had spoken buy a paper.  He ran back to his employer, and dragged him over toward the ticket-seller’s window.

“I have it, sir!” he exclaimed, seizing a telegraph blank and writing rapidly, and reading aloud as he wrote.  “How’s this for a way out?”——­

“Dear Sir,—­I write you this note here in the depot to inform you of an unfortunate event which has interfered with my plans and those of my family for your entertainment while in Groveland.  Yesterday my daughter Alice complained of a sore throat, which by this afternoon had developed into a case of malignant diphtheria.  In consequence our house has been quarantined; and while I have felt myself obliged to come down to the depot, I do not feel that I ought to expose you to the possibility of infection, and I therefore send you this by another hand.  The bearer will conduct you to a carriage which I have ordered placed at your service, and unless you should prefer some other hotel, you will be driven to the Forest Hill House, where I beg you will consider yourself my guest during your stay in the city, and make the fullest use of every convenience it may offer.  From present indications I fear no one of our family will be able to see you, which we shall regret beyond expression, as we have made elaborate arrangements for your entertainment.  I still hope, however, that you may enjoy your visit, as there are many places of interest in the city, and many friends will doubtless be glad to make your acquaintance.

“With assurances of my profound regret, I am
 Sincerely yours,
 Cicero Clayton.”

“Splendid!” cried Mr. Clayton.  “You ’ve helped me out of a horrible scrape.  Now, go and take him to the hotel and see him comfortably located, and tell them to charge the bill to me.”

“I suspect, sir,” suggested Jack, “that I ’d better not go up to the house, and you ’ll have to stay in yourself for a day or two, to keep up appearances.  I ’ll sleep on the lounge at the store, and we can talk business over the telephone.”

“All right, Jack, we ’ll arrange the details later.  But for Heaven’s sake get him started, or he ’ll be calling a hack to drive up to the house.  I ’ll go home on a street car.”