CHAPTER XV.
THE GREAT CRUSADE "I was in Great Beeding this morning," said Dick, as he sat at luncheon with his father, "and the blinds were up in Aunt Margaret's house." "They have returned from their holiday then," his father observed with a tremor in his voice.

He looked afraid.

Then he looked annoyed.
"Pettifer will break down if he doesn't take care," he exclaimed petulantly.

"No man with any sense would work as hard as he does.

He ought to have taken two months this year at the least." "We should still have to meet Aunt Margaret at the end of them," said Dick calmly.