“Are you sure that’s what you were talking about, Mr. Stubbs?” asked Chester.

“Why, of course.  What did you think?”

“Well, I thought perhaps you might have told Miss Ellison of all the trouble we have caused you.”

Stubbs started.

“I—­I—­” he stammered.

“Oh, we heard you, Mr. Stubbs,” said Hal.

“Well,” said Stubbs with ruffled dignity.  “Eavesdroppers never hear any good of themselves.”  But the little man soon recovered his poise.  “I was just joking,” he said.  “I knew you boys were listening.  Ha!  Ha!” He eyed Chester.  “The young lady here says she has met you,” he said.  “You young rascal, so this is why you wanted to come on ahead, is it?”

Chester blushed.

“See here, Mr. Stubbs,” he began, “I—­”

“Ha!  Ha!” laughed Stubbs.  He approached Chester and gave him a dig in the ribs with his thumb.  “So,” he exclaimed, and added, “well, I was young myself once.”

He had successfully turned the tables on Chester and he was now very much pleased with himself.

Chester decided that the best policy was to ignore the little man’s remarks, so he turned the conversation by introducing Hal and Nikol to Helen.  Then, when all were on speaking terms, he turned to Hal.

“Tell me how you happened to find us?” he asked.

“It’s simple enough,” was the reply.  “As we were sailing along, I heard shots below.  I came down to investigate.  The first thing I knew, after coming in sight of this house, I saw a great hulk of a man come rushing out.  I drew my revolver and was about to fire when I recognized Ivan.  At first I wasn’t sure whether Ivan knew us, but when he grabbed Stubbs there and began to play with him, I knew he did.  So Nikol and I stood back and watched.  Then you came out.  That’s all I have to tell.”

“And so you admit it wasn’t a dream,” exclaimed Stubbs angrily.  “A fine lot of friends you are.  How do you know what that untamed heathen might have done to me?”

“Heathen, am I?” exclaimed Ivan, getting to his feet.

“No, no!  I didn’t mean that,” said Stubbs, backing away.  “I apologize.”

Ivan resumed his seat and Stubbs continued: 

“I just want to tell you I don’t think much of such treatment.  As I have told you before, you rush to each other’s aid fast enough, but when I get in a tight place I am left to fight it out by myself.”

“And you always come out on top, Mr. Stubbs,” declared Chester.  “We would deprive you of none of the glory.”

“Yes, but some of these times I won’t come out on top and then what good will glory do me, huh?”

“Think how proud Mrs. Stubbs—­”

“I can tell you right now that Mrs. Stubbs is not looking for glory,” shouted Stubbs.  “What Mrs. Stubbs wants is me and if I fool around with you much longer I’m mighty likely to disappoint her.”

Stubbs stalked across the room and sat down in a corner.