FOR SEVERAL seconds Nathan Comber stared at Nancy in disbelief.  "You!" he cried out finally.

"You didn't expect to find me here, did you?" she asked coolly.

"I certainly didn't.  I thought you'd taken my advice and stayed with your father.  Young people today are so hardhearted!"  Gomber wagged his head in disgust.

Nancy ignored Gomber's remarks.  Shrugging, the man pushed his way into the hall.  "I know this.  If anything happens to your father, you'll never forgive yourself.  But you can't blame Nathan Gomber!  I warned you!"

Still Nancy made no reply.  She kept looking at him steadily, trying to figure out what was really in his mind.  She was convinced it was not solicitude for her father.

Nathan Gomber changed the subject abruptly.  "I'd like to see Mrs. Turnbull and Mrs. Hayes," he said.  "Go call them."

Nancy was annoyed by Gomber's crudeness, but she turned around and went down the hall to the dining room.

"We heard every word," Miss Flora said in a whisper.  "I shan't see Mr. Gomber. I don't want to sell this house."

Nancy was amazed to hear this.  "You mean he's the person who wants to buy it?"

"Yes."

Instantly Nancy was on the alert.  Because of the nature of the railroad deal in which Nathan Gomber was involved, she was distrustful of his motives in wanting to buy Twin Elms.  It flashed through her mind that perhaps he was trying to buy it at a very low price and planned to sell it off in building lots at a huge profit.

"Suppose I go tell him you don't want to sell," Nancy suggested in a low voice.

But her caution was futile.  Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned to see Gomber standing in the doorway.

"Howdy, everybody!" he said.

Miss Flora, Aunt Rosemary, and Helen showed annoyance.  It was plain that all of them thought the man completely lacking in good manners.

Aunt Rosemary's jaw was set in a grim line, but she said politely, "Helen, this is Mr. Gomber.  Mr. Gomber, my niece, Miss Corning."