{Starts  off  after  Abner.)

Col.   (his  voice  is  heard  outside  r.).     Bill !     I  say— Bill !

Car.     Yes,  uncle.     Confound  it,  what  does  he  want  ?

Col.  (from  outside).  Come  up  yere  a  minute.  I  want  you
to  give  me  your  opinion  of  this  patent  lock.  I  had  it  put  on
my  window  last  winter.  If  you  think  it's  a  good  one,  I'll  have
'em  put  all  over  the  house.  Well,  why  don't  you  come?
William  !     Doggone  his  ugly  picture.
(Sounds  of  his  coming  down-stairs.)

Car.  (has  been  standing  irresolute  at  door,  trying  to  listen
to  Col.  and  watch  Abner  through  the  door  at  the  same  time).
Hang  the  lock ;  I'll  have  to  go — the  treasure  will  keep,  I  guess.
Coming,  Uncle.
(Starts  to  door  r.  Col.  enters  r.  with  lock  and  screw-
driver in  his  hand.     He  is  followed  by  Vir.)

Col.  Here,  you  see,  is  an  extra  one.  It's  one  of  the  best
locks  I've  ever  seen.  I'll  put  it  on  this  window  just  to  show
you  how  it  works.
(He  and  Car.  go  over  to  window  on  r.,  and  Col.  proceeds
to  adjust  lock.  Mar.  enters,  sits  on  sofa  by  Vir.,  and
begins  to  read  paper.)

Mar.  See  here,  Virginia.  (Reads.)  "The  Duke  of  Bills-
bury  arrived  at  the  Hotel  Vincent  yesterday.  He  expects  to
stay  for  two  days,  after  which  his  plans  are  indefinite."  What
do  you  think  of  that  ?

Vir.     That  fake  duke  again?

Mar.  I  don't  believe  he  is  a  fake.  (Impressively.)  I
think — I  think  our  Cousin  William  over  there  is  the  fake.
Vir.  (aghast).     Oh,  Marjorie,  you  don't.
