Then they moved
around to the door, which Uncle John pushed open.
Without hesitation, the two men entered and stood gazing down upon the
strange occupant of the place.
"Good morning," said Mr. Merrick, while the Major nodded a greeting.
The man half arose, moving stiffly.
"Pardon me, sirs," he said, rather startled at the interruption; "I
regret that I am physically unable to receive you with more courtesy."
The Major gazed into the partially bandaged face with a glimmer of
awakening recognition.
"H-m! Ha! If I'm not mistaken," said he, "it's Joseph Wegg."
"Oh; is it?" asked Uncle John, looking upon the young man curiously.
"What's happened to you, Joseph?"
"Just an automobile accident, sir. The steering gear broke, and we went
over an embankment."
"I see."
"Are you Mr. Merrick, sir."
"Yes."
"I owe you an apology for intruding upon your premises in this way, and
beg you to forgive the seeming impertinence. But I've been rather
unlucky of late, sir, and without this refuge I don't know what would
have become of me. I will explain, if you will permit me."
Uncle John nodded.
"After I had squandered the money you paid me, through Major Doyle, for
this farm, in a vain endeavor to protect a patent I had secured, I was
forced to become a chauffeur to earn my livelihood.
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