I put on it: 'Closed for the day.

Inquire at Abijah Thompson's.' You see," he added, his eye twinkling ever so little, "'Bije Thompson lives in the last house in the village, two mile or more over to the west'ard." "He does! Then why in the world did you tell people to inquire there ?" "Oh, if I didn't they'd be botherin' you, probably, and I didn't want 'em doin' that.

If they want me enough to travel way over to 'Bije's they'll come back here to-morrow, I shouldn't wonder.

I guess likely they'd have to; 'Bije don't know anything about me." He rubbed his chin and then added: "Maybe 'twould be a good notion to lock that kitchen door." They were standing at the edge of the bluff.

He sauntered over to the kitchen, closed the door, and then, opening the window beside it, reached in through that window and turned the key in the lock of the door.