“Oh, it is not as bad as that,” Lois replied with a smile.  “I was not frightened, only startled.  Anyway, we are glad to see you, for you have deserted us of late.”

“It was not my fault, I assure you,” Jasper explained.  “We have been so busy that I have had no time to come, though I sent Jimmy often, to enquire about your father.  I have had to go to the city every Saturday since I saw you last and never got back until late Sunday night.  The company is pushing us hard, and now that the portable saw-mill has arrived there is no let-up.  To-day I was cruising the woods for some special trees the company wants, and as I came so near I made up my mind to drop in and see for myself how you are all making out.”

“And you will come and have tea with us?” Lois asked.

“Yes, if I shall not be in the way.  It will be a great change for me.”

“We shall be delighted to have you, and I know my father will be pleased to see you, for he gets so lonely at times.  He is sitting up now, and likes to have some one to talk to.  He has changed a great deal since his illness.”

By this time Steve had finished setting his snare, and then they all started homeward.  It was quite an event to have a visitor, so Dora and Steve rushed on ahead to tell their mother to set an extra place “fer company.”  Lois and Jasper had no inclination to hurry.  Their hearts were happy in each other’s company, and they walked slowly along the trail not talking about anything in particular, and laughing when there was really nothing to laugh about.

Mr. Sinclair was sitting in a big, cosy chair before the fire as Lois and Jasper entered the room.  Notwithstanding the change that had come over him and his desire for conversation, he looked upon his visitor with a reserved suspicion.

“You belong to that new company, eh?” he questioned.

“Only as an employee,” Jasper replied.  “I am merely working for wages.”

“H’m, is that so?  I thought you had an interest in the concern.”

“In a way I have.  I am interested in getting out as many logs and poles as I can this winter.  But apart from that I am nothing as far as the company goes.”

“But you know all about their plans, I suppose, and what they intend to do?”

“Oh, yes, I naturally understand that they intend to supply light and power to the city and the surrounding country, but further than that I know nothing.”

“Don’t you know who compose the company?”

“No, I have not the least idea.”

“Well, that’s queer,” and Sinclair shifted uneasily in his chair.  “Perhaps you can tell me, though, where Crazy David comes in?  He seems to be somewhat connected with the whole affair.”

“He supplied the plans, so I believe.  They paid him, and made him Honorary President of the company.”

“And so that’s all you know about it?”

“Certainly.  The whole affair is as much of a mystery to me as it is to you.”