“And of your work, Red.  I’m not jealous of that; I’m too proud of it.”

“I know you are, bless you.”

Then he was off, all his old vigour showing in his preparations for the hurried trip, and as he went away Ellen felt as might those on shore watching a lusty life-saver put off in a boat to pull for a sinking ship.

* * * * *

Burns and Amy Mathewson were away three days, during which Red kept Ellen even more closely in touch with himself than usual, by means of the long wire.  When he returned it was with the bearing of a conqueror, for the case had tried his regained mettle and he had triumphed more surely than he could have hoped.

“The hand’s as good as new, Len, and the touch not a particle affected.  Van’s a trump, and I stopped on the way out to tell him so.  He was pleased as a boy; think of it, Len—­my ancient enemy and my new good friend!  And the case is fine as silk.  They’ve a good local man to look after it till I come again, which will be Thursday.  And I’m going to drive there—­and take you—­and Jord King and Jord’s mother.  How’s that for a plan?”

“It sounds very jolly, Red, but will the Kings go?  And why Mrs. King?  Will she care to?”

“Because I’ve found some old friends of hers in the place, though I’ll not tell her whom.  Besides, I want to keep on her right side, for reasons.  And Jord’s back has been bothering him lately and I’ve prescribed a rest.  We’ll take the Kings’ limousine and go in state.  It’ll be arranged in five minutes, see if it won’t.  By the way, Jord says Aleck’s new arm is really going to do him some service besides improving his looks.”

He pulled her away to the telephone and held her on his knee while he talked to Jordan King, giving her a laughing hug, when, to judge by the things he was saying into the transmitter, he had brought about his effect.

“Yes, I know I sound crazy,” he admitted to King, “but you must give something to a man who has been buried alive and dug up again.  I’ve taken this notion and I’m going to carry it through.  Mrs. King will enjoy every foot of the way, and you and I will jump out and pick apple blossoms for the ladies whenever they ask.  It’s a peach of a plan, and the whole idea is to minister to my pride.  I want to arrive in a great prince of a car like yours and impress the natives down there.  See?  Yes, go and put it up to your mother, and then call me up.  Don’t you dare say no!”

“No wonder he’s astonished,” Ellen commented while they waited.  “For you, who are never content except when you’re at the steering wheel, to ask Jordan, who is another just like you, to elect to travel in a limousine with a liveried chauffeur—­well, I admit I am puzzled myself.”

“Why, it’s simple enough.  I want to take you and Mrs. Alexander King.  She wouldn’t go a step in Jord’s roadster at his pace.  And if she would, and we went in pairs, Jord would be always wanting to change off and take you with him—­and as you very well know I’m not made that way.  Stop guessing, Len, and prepare yourself to break down Mrs. King’s opposition, if she makes any—­which I don’t expect.”