Brimbecomb’s words put a new light upon the matter.  That Flea would be protected by the young millionaire Lon knew; but that the young man thought of marrying her had never come into his mind.

“I don’t believe as how he’d marry a squatter girl,” he said presently.  “He won’t, if I get her once to Ithaca!”

The mention of Brimbecomb’s college town and birthplace brought a new train of thought to the lawyer.

“Have you lived in Ithaca many years?” he demanded.

“Yep.”

“The first thing I shall do,” said the attorney deliberately, “is to make a formal demand upon Mr. Shellington in your name, and get his answer.  Please remain in town where I can see you, and if anything comes up I shall write you.”

Lon gave him the address of a man near the river, and Everett allowed his client to go.  Some force within him had almost impelled him to ask the squatter concerning Screech Owl, and he breathed more freely when he thought that he had not given way to the temptation to learn something about his own people.

* * * * *

At eight o’clock that evening Everett met Mr. and Mrs. Brimbecomb at the station.  He could not comprehend the feeling that his foster parents had become strangers to him.  He kissed his mother, shook hands with Mr. Brimbecomb, and followed them into the carriage.

He went to bed content with the knowledge that their steamer would sail two days later, and that for six months he would be alone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

“I can’t understand why Horace wants to keep those children indefinitely,” said Governor Vandecar to his wife one evening.  “It seems their own father has turned up and asked for them.”

“Is Horace going to let him have them?”

“Not without a fight, I fear.  He talked to me about it, and seemed perfectly decided to keep them.  I told him to take no steps until papers were served upon him.”

“Can they keep them, Floyd?”

Mrs. Vandecar had become suddenly interested in Fledra and Floyd.

“I’m sure I don’t know,” replied the governor.  “Such things have to be threshed out in court, although much will depend upon what the youngsters wish to do.  I fear, though, that Ann and Horace are making useless trouble for themselves.”

“What process will the father have to take to get them?”

“Have habeas corpus papers issued.  It will be a nuisance; but I did not try to change his mind, because he was so earnest about it.”

“So is Ann,” replied Mrs. Vandecar, “and then, Dear, I always think their kindness to those poor little children might make the little dears useful in life sometime.  Mildred says they are very pretty and sweet.”

“Well, as I said before, it’s strange that such a case should be here in this peaceful little town, and I have promised Horace to advise him all I can, although I am too busy to take any active part in it.”