“Oh, I’m getting used to the upper air,” he said.  “But what is the news you were to tell me?”

“Did you know mamma and papa had gone to the West Indies?” asked the girl.

“No!  I should say that was news.  When did they go?  I didn’t know they intended to make a trip.”

“Neither did they; nor I, either.  It was very sudden.  They sailed from New York yesterday.  Mr. George Hosbrook, a business friend of papa’s, offered to take them on his steam yacht, resolute.  He is making a little pleasure trip, with a party of friends, and he thought papa and mamma might like to go.”

“He wired to them, they got ready in a rush, caught the express to New York, and went off in such a hurry that I can hardly realize it yet.  I’m left all alone, and I’m in such trouble!”

“Well, I should say that was news,” spoke Tom.

“Oh, you haven’t heard the worst yet,” went on Mary.  “I don’t call the fact that papa and mamma went off so suddenly much news.  But the cook just left unexpectedly, and I have invited a lot of girl friends to come and stay with me, while mamma and papa are away; and now what shall I do without a cook?  I was on my way down to an intelligence office, to get another servant, when you nearly ran me down!  Now, isn’t that news?”

“I should say it was—­two kinds,” admitted Tom, with a smile.  “Well, I’ll help you all I can.  I’ll take you to the intelligence office, and if you can get a cook, by hook or by crook, I’ll bundle her into this car, and get her to your house before she can change her mind.  And so your people have gone to the West Indies?”

“Yes, and I wish I had the chance to go.”

“So do I,” spoke Tom, little realizing how soon his wish might be granted.  “But is there any particular intelligence office you wish to visit?”

“There’s not much choice,” replied Mary Nestor, with a smile, “as there’s only one in town.  Oh.  I do hope I can get a cook!  It would be dreadful to have nothing to eat, after I’d asked the girls to spend a month with me; wouldn’t it?”

Tom agreed that it certainly would, and they soon after arrived at the intelligence office.

CHAPTER III

TOM KNOCKS OUT ANDY

“Do you want me to come in and help you?” asked the young inventor, of Miss Nestor.

“Do you know anything about hiring a cook?” she inquired, with an arch smile.

“I’m afraid I don’t,” the lad was obliged to confess.

“Then I’m a little doubtful of your ability to help me.  But I’m ever so much obliged to you.  I’ll see if I can engage one.  The cook who just left went away because I asked her to make some apple turnovers.  Some of the girls who are coming are very fond of them.”

“So am I,” spoke Tom, with a smile.

“Are you, indeed?  Then, if the cook I hope to get now will make them, I’ll invite you over to have some, and—­also meet my friends.”