Nevertheless, Griggs hitched his team and headed onto the road with Luke and Archie on board. He said nothing and offered no explanation of where they were going. Luke wondered at the old man’s attitude but figured it wasn’t good to rile him with questions. After all, he was doing them a favor.

Griggs soon brought the wagon to a stop and motioned to the smaller of two houses. “That’s the house. The little one. That’s where you’ll find the missus.”

“This is where I’ll bid you farewell until later,” Archie said, reaching out to shake Luke’s hand. “It’s been great getting to know you, and I’m sure we will do good work together.”

“As am I.” Luke hopped down and grabbed his luggage off the back of the wagon. “What do I owe you?” he asked, coming up to the front where Griggs sat.

“Nothin’,” the man said. He slapped the lines and started the horses back down the road.

What a strange man. Luke watched for a moment, then turned back toward the houses. The little cottage was dark. It was late, and perhaps they’d all gone to bed. There was nothing to do, however, but wake them up. Then it dawned on Luke that Griggs had said this was where he’d find the missus. Perhaps Scott was away on some extended fishing venture.

“She knows me. It’s not like I’m a stranger,” Luke mused aloud. But it would hardly be appropriate for him to stay with Sally if Scott wasn’t there. Perhaps she’d have an idea where to send him for a room.

Luke walked down to the cottage, wishing it was daylight so he could see by more than what little light the larger house provided. Whoever those folks were, they hadn’t yet gone to bed, and for that he was grateful. The lamplight shining out of several rooms kept him from tripping over his feet.

When he reached the door to the small cottage, Luke knocked. To his surprise, the door creaked open. He made his way inside.

“Scott? Sally?”

There was no reply, and darkness made it hard to see where he might find a lamp or matches. Luke put down his case and let his eyes adjust to the dark. He thought he could see the outline of a table and made his way carefully to its edge.

He gently felt around until his fingers touched the smooth glass base of a lamp. Upon further inspection, he found a box of matches and struck one. He held it up to allow him to see exactly what he was dealing with. In a quick minute, he had the lamp lit and the glass chimney back in place.