Into the latter vehicle Captain Mayberry was almost lifted, wrapped in every conceivable sort of warm covering that could be found in his strange quarters.  A heavy, and formerly handsome fur coat, besides thick, woolly scarfs and great old army boots had been dug out from queer hiding places, and these were heaped and piled upon the captain until scarcely the outline of his pinched face was left to the danger of the winter morning.

On either side of Captain Mayberry sat Major Dale and Tom Scott, while old Abe was directed to drive this party to the railroad station, as it had been decided that the sick or insane man should at once be taken to the hospital for treatment.

“To think,” whispered Dorothy to Tavia as they started off, “that our hospital play should have enabled us to send the poor old man directly to the Institution.  We never dreamed who would be our first patient.”

“Lucky it’s not me or you,” commented Tavia, still taking a morbid view of the night’s experience.

“And father says he will send for the captain’s sister, and try to have them reconciled.  That seems to be what worries the old man so much—­Jane is angry with him, he declares.

“And I wouldn’t do a thing to Jane,” declared Tavia.  “In my opinion jail would be too good for her.  The idea of keeping that old scarecrow cooped up there!”

“But perhaps she did it to keep him out of the institutions.  You know, some people have queer ideas about asylums.”

“Did it to save cash, likely.  Look out, there, Nat!  Don’t dump us in that snowdrift!”

“No danger,” called back Nat from the front seat.  “This is all right—­road good and hard, and not so slippery.”

“Suppose the old fellow should get hilarious,” ventured Tavia.  “Do you suppose Tom and the major could hold him in that trap?”

“Oh, indeed he is too weak to be violent,” responded Dorothy.  “And I rather think he will enjoy the ride.  He said he made it a habit to go out every day, just about nightfall.  He had sense enough to know he must have fresh air or die.”

Tired from the night’s vigil, the occupants of the Fire Bird soon wearied of conversation, and the drive behind the stage coach was made in silence, save for the creaking of the snow on the frosty roads, and the occasional sounds of an early morning team bound for the town along the old turnpike.

At the Four Corners the Fire Bird cut ahead of the coach, and with a merry call to the captain, the major, Tom and even to old Abe, the occupants of the car soon left behind them the carry-all, as well as the road to Tanglewood Park.

Arriving at The Cedars, in spite of all protests, Dorothy and Tavia were “put to bed,” while Norah brought from the kitchen great bowls of beef tea, declaring each young lady should drink at least a quart, “to save them from nemonie,” and that the hot foot baths they had would be repeated unless the girls were soon sound asleep.