Publisher's Synopsis
"The same," says John Merrick. "Bad pennies always return, they say. I've come back to look up the family and find how many are left." He eyes the lad. "So my sister Jane has adopted you, my boy -- and she now owns this town!"
A curious man, this Uncle John, returning to the village of Elmhurst where he was born. He has given up his work in the canning business, out West, and has arrived looking as poor as a beggar.
Besides his sister, in Elmhurst, John Merrick also finds three nieces -- all different girls, with different qualities. Jane has been studying them carefully . . . for she has a fortune that someone must inherit.
Now their Uncle John studies them carefully, as well -- for he, too, has a carefully guarded secret.
