After dinner Frank and Markham put on some old clothes and set briskly at work. They mended the back stoop of the cottage, propped up a fence, raked the yard and got the wood shed in order.
About four o'clock both started in at the cistern at the side of the house. Its top had settled in, and new boards were required here and there, and a new trough from the house eaves.
Markham was holding a board that Frank was nailing, when some one passing by on the street whistling caused both to look up.
"Don't let go--the board will spring loose," warned Frank, turning quickly as the pressure from the board end was suddenly removed--"why, Markham--"
In wonderment and consternation at a swift glance Frank noticed a strangely startled expression on his companion's face.
Then, his eyes fixed steadfastly upon the street, Markham deliberately jumped down into the cistern out of sight.
As he spoke he thrust a long scantling down into the cistern.
"Reach for my hand--grab it. You'll be drowned," continued Frank.
"Don't bother--I'm all safe," came up Markham's hollow tones. "There's only about three feet of water here."
"How did you ever come to slip in?" asked Frank.
"Say," spoke Markham, not replying to the direct inquiry, "while I'm in here I may as well see if everything is sound and straight with the cistern."
Frank saw him flare a match. Some curious thoughts were running through Frank's mind as to the strange actions of his companion and helper.
Before he could analyze them, however, Frank saw Bob Haven turn in at the gate. He had a package under his arm. Bob stood still for a moment to gaze after the person who had just preceded him.
This latter was a young man, dressed loudly in brand new clothes, waving a slender cane with a dandified air, his whole bearing suggesting a person trying to look important and attract attention. This was the fellow the sight of whom had apparently induced Markham to plunge out of sight into the cistern.
Bob Haven stared hard after the receding figure of the stranger.
"Well, well!" he was saying as he approached Frank.
"What's the matter, Bob?" inquired Frank.
"Did you see that fellow just passed by?"
"I did once--thoroughly. Heard he was in town. The nerve, now!"