Jerry made an involuntary gesture with his right hand.  He had been about to touch his cap respectfully, but caught himself just in time.

“Hello, Jerry!” sang out the breezy one, giving the chauffeur a hearty slap on the shoulder that must have somewhat astonished him; “you told me you’d be right glad to give my folks a little joy ride if the chance ever came along.  We’re heading right now for the Hoover place, and would be obliged to you to give us a lift, because we’ll have to walk all the way back; and brother-in-law Andrew here isn’t a well man.  How about it, Jerry, old top?”

Jerry grinned as though enjoying the joke.

“Sure I can—–­Lu,” he managed to say, though it evidently came a bit hard for him to be so familiar with his rich employer’s first name.  “Just bundle in, and we’ll take a round-about way there.  I can give you half an hour, easy enough, and the old man need never know the difference in the gas supply.”

They all got in, “old man” and all, for the car had supplementary seats to be used in emergencies, being built for seven passengers.  Thad and Hugh were trying hard to keep from exhibiting broad grins on their faces; though, for that matter, neither of those simple, guileless souls would have suspected the least thing had the boys laughed outright in their happiness.

They had a splendid ride, and must have covered many miles while that wonderful half-hour was being used up.  Matilda looked supremely happy.  Now and then Hugh saw her glance rest admiringly on Brother Lu.  She must have begun to believe that after all the coming of this poor sick brother of hers, who had appeared so forlorn, and with such a dreadful and alarming cough, was gradually emerging from his chrysalis stage, and becoming a full-fledged magician.

Greatly to the amusement of the boys, Brother Lu would every little while ask Matilda how she liked such a car, and seemed to chuckle softly to himself when she rolled up her eyes in an expressive fashion, and declared that it surely must be getting pretty close to Paradise to be able to go about the beautiful country in such a palatial conveyance; poor Matilda had evidently been accustomed to considering it an event when she managed by great good luck to get an invitation to take a ride in an ordinary country buggy or farm wagon.

Then finally they passed in through the gate of the Hoover estate.  This estate had a reputation in Scranton as being the prettiest little country place around.  It had belonged to a wealthy gentleman who had lately died in New York City.  There were rumors that it had changed hands, though no one seemed to have heard the name of the new owner.  Thad and Hugh could easily understand now why this secrecy had been maintained.  They caught many a sly wink from the wizard, who sat back there with his sister and her husband, whenever they looked around.