“But you wouldn’t have me leave this jewel at home, would you, Nellie?” he asked in dismay.

“Oh, no!  Not for the world!—­since you say that perhaps your very life may depend on having it; but please, Bluff, be very careful.  You might cut yourself by accident, you know, and then—­well, your mother and father would grieve so much if anything happened to you.”

“Well, would you care?” asked Bluff boldly.

Nellie gave him an arch look and ran down-stairs, as she said that she was needed just then to superintend the placing of the refreshments on the table.  Bluff laid the wonderful hunting-knife, sheath and all, back on the stand where his things were gathered, and smiled as if pleased.  He had occasion, later on, to recall each little incident of that evening, when worrying his mind over a most mysterious thing that puzzled him.

The little company separated about eleven, for the boys expected to leave home long ere noon on the following day, and had a strenuous journey before them.

After an early breakfast they gathered at Frank’s, where the last packing was done in hot haste, as the time was short.  So it happened that none of them had more than a confused idea of what was done during that last hour, save that, some way or other, their things were crammed into the big trunk.

“We should have taken two, hang it!” grunted Bluff as he tugged at the metal catches, while a couple of his mates sat on top to induce the lid to come down.

“There!  It’s all right now!” cried Will, as the click of the catch announced the desired union.

So the trunk was snatched up by the waiting men and carried off, to be taken to the station.  Frank and his chums quickly followed.  Quite a gathering of relatives and friends were on hand to see them off.

Frank was taking a last look into the automobile, to make sure nothing had been forgotten, when Hank Brady, who seemed to be making good with his job, plucked at his sleeve.

“Hello!  Came near forgetting to say good-by to you, Hank!  Hope you get on fine and dandy while I’m gone,” said the boy, holding out his hand.

“Thank you, Mr. Frank; but I only wanted to say a few words to you about a brother of mine who is out there somewhere, we believe.  Now, I know the Northwest is a big place, and you might as well think of lookin’ for a needle in a haystack as for a certain feller there; but accidents do happen, and by some sorter luck you might just happen to run across Teddy,” said Hank quickly, and with a wistful look on his face that held Frank’s attention.

“And if I do, what then?” he asked softly.

“Tell him his mother’s still a-grievin’ after him.  You see, he is her baby, though a big feller for his age, which is seventeen about.  He left us in a huff two years back.  We heard in an indirect way several times, but never straight.  She worries when she thinks nobody is a-lookin’.  If Teddy would only write to her I think she’d be kinder reconciled,” went on Hank, heaving a deep sigh.