"He seems honest，"said Louise，"but I blame a man of hisability for becoming a mere tramp.He ought to have asserted himself and maintained the position in which he first found himself.""How？"inquired Patsy.
"At that time he was well dressed and had a watch and diamond ring.If he had gone to some one and frankly told his story he could surely have obtained a position to correspond with his personality.But instead of this he wasted his time and the little capital he possessed in doing nothing that was sensible.""It is easy for us to criticise the man，"remarked Beth，"and he may be sorry，now，that he did not act differently.But I think，in his place，I should have made the same attempt he did to unravel the mystery of his lost identity.So much depended upon that.""It's all very odd and incomprehensible，"said Uncle John.
"I wonder who he can be."
"I suppose he calls himself Thursday because that was theday he ？rst found himself，"observed Patsy.
"Yes；and Smith was the commonest name he could think of to go with it.The most surprising thing，"added their uncle，"is the fact that a man of his standing was not missed or sought for.""Perhaps，"suggested Louise，"he had been insane and escaped from some asylum.""Then how did he come to be lying in a ditch ？"questionedPatsy；"and wouldn't an escaped maniac be promptly hunted down and captured？""I think so，"agreed Mr.Merrick."For my part，I'm inclined to accept the man's theory that it was an automobile accident.""Then what became of the car，or of the others in it ？""It's no use，"said Beth，shaking her head gravely."If Thursday Smith，who is an intelligent young man，couldn't solve the mystery himself，it isn't likely we can do so.""We know as much as he does，as far as that is concerned，"said Patsy，"and our combined intelligence ought at least to equal his.I'm sorry for the poor man，and wish we might help him to come to his own again."They all agreed to this sentiment and while the girls attended to their editorial duties they had the amazing story of Thursday Smith uppermost in their minds.When the last copy had been placed in the hands of Miss Briggs and they weredriving to the farm—at a little after six o'clock—they renewedthe interesting discussion.
Just before reaching the farm Hetty Hewitt came out of the wood just in front of them.She was clothed in her short skirt and leggings and bore a ？shing rod and a creel.
"What luck？"asked Patsy，stopping the horse.
"Seven trout，"answered the artist."I might have caught more，but the poor little creatures squirmed and struggled so desperately that I hadn't the heart to destroy any more of them.Won't you take them home for Mr.Merrick's breakfast？"Patsy looked at the girl musingly.
"Jump in，Hetty，"she said；"I'm going to take you with us for the night.The day's ？shing has tired you；there are deep circles under your eyes；and that stuffy old hotel isn't home—like.Jump in."Hetty flushed with pleasure，but hesitated to accept the invitation.
"I—I'm not dressed for—"
"You're all right，"said Beth，supporting her cousin's proposition.
"We'll lend you anything you need."
"Do come，Miss Hewitt，"added Louise.
Hetty sighed，then smiled and finally climbed into the surrey.