CHAPTER III

A DISCOURAGED CAPTAIN

The Brents lived in a fine, large house two blocks beyond Gordon. Mr. John Brent was Clearfield's richest and most influential citizen, and "Brentwood," as his estate was called, was quite the most luxurious in town. The house stood back from the street in a full block of land, and to-*night, as Dick and his sister Grace, a pretty, dark-haired girl of thirteen, approached it from the gate, lights shone from many windows and it looked most imposing. As the evening was mild, Louise Brent, hostess for the occasion, assembled her guests on the big screened porch at the side of the house which was much more like a room than a veranda. There were gaily-colored rugs on the floor, many comfortable wicker chairs, a table that held a broad-shaded electric lamp, and plants in tubs and boxes.