Dexie soon had a copy of the letter and a general knowledge of a few others in Plaisted’s peculiar handwriting, and this proved of much value in establishing certain facts that came up at a future time, the copied letter proving the missing link in a chain of evidence that brought Plaisted’s misdoings to judgment.

Lancy was consulted about the box, and promised to see it safe into the hands of the owner.  Soon after they learned that this was the very box that they had heard the town-crier proclaim as lost when driving home from the market-house.

With many regrets at leave-taking, both on the part of visitors and entertainers, the little party drove away, unconscious of the fact that under the seat of the carriage there were several substantial tokens of regard, which were, however, discovered, when they arrived at Mrs. Fremont’s.

Mrs. Fremont congratulated them all on the benefit they had undoubtedly received from their visit, particularly Elsie, who seemed to be a new creature.  Her pale cheeks had been painted by the sun a warm brown, and the pure sea-air had created an appetite that told its story in rounded limbs and wide-awake appearance that contrasted greatly with the languid movements she had brought with her from Halifax.

Lancy sent word to his parents that they would return the following week, and promised to telegraph the day of starting.

This was glad news to Hugh, who was present when the letter was read, and heard its contents discussed.

Ever since Hugh had come into possession of his fortune he had looked forward to the return of the party with much impatience.  There were times when he felt almost tempted to seek Dexie’s presence, and try again to win a word that would give him some hope.  All his future plans seemed to depend on the way Dexie treated him, and he waited her coming, uplifted sometimes by hope, but more often depressed by fear, and with a restlessness that made him almost irritable at times.  He insisted on filling his usual place in the store, glad enough to keep his mind occupied and his thoughts away from himself.

At last one morning the telegraph messenger knocked at the door, and brought the welcome message.

A broad smile passed over Mr. Gurney’s face as he read the telegram, and he handed it to his wife, saying: 

“Dexie sent that telegram or wrote it, or I’m very much mistaken.”

Whereupon Hugh was very anxious to read it, and to his great delight Mrs. Gurney passed it over to him, and this is what he read: 

“Kill the prodigal; the fatted calves are on the way.”

For the first time in many weeks, Hugh burst into a hearty laugh, and he read the words over until he could almost fancy he heard Dexie’s laughing voice beside him.

“Well, that message may have seemed incomprehensible to the transmitter of it, but it tells us a long story,” said Mrs. Gurney, a smile lighting up her face.  “It says they are well and in good spirits, that they are glad to be coming home again, but will be very hungry when they get here, so I had better bestir myself and ‘kill the prodigal,’” and she rose to visit the kitchen.