At least I think it is going to be pleasant for all
of us. But I'm not going to tell you what it is. You must come down and
see for yourself."
She led the way downstairs, the young man following her, wondering what
the surprise might be, and fairly certain it, nor anything else, could
be pleasant on that day.
He supposed, of course, that he must descend to the parlor to reach the
solution of the mystery, but he was mistaken. On the second floor Mrs.
Hepton stopped and pointed.
"It's in there," she said, pointing.
"There" was the room formerly occupied by Mr. Saks, the long-haired
artist. Since his departure it had been vacant. Pearson looked at the
closed door and then at the lady.
"A surprise for me in THERE?" he repeated. "What's the joke, Mrs.
Hepton?"
By way of answer she took him by the arm, and, leading him to the door,
threw the latter open.
"Here he is!" she said.
"Hello, Jim!" hailed Captain Elisha Warren, cheerfully. "Ship ahoy! Glad
to see you."
He was standing in the middle of the room, his hat on the table and his
hands in his pockets.
Pearson was surprised; there was no doubt of that--not so much at the
sight of his friend--he had expected to see or hear from the captain
before the day was over--as at seeing him in that room.
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