sider that we were
lucky to be around, that's all, for I guess little Brutus would have
been with the angels before now if we hadn't happened along, and heard
all that shrieking from the colored children."

Then he went on to tell about it, even to what had happened after
Brutus arrived home in the big car, the object of attention in
Darktown, with Sarah running like mad to find out what the garbled
account brought by Adolphus Smith might really mean.

The old lady was highly interested in the story, which really Hugh
managed to tell quite cleverly, even injecting some humor in his
narrative.

"So that is how Sarah comes to be calling her Brutus a hero, is it?"
Mrs. Pangborn went on to say, with a smile. "I had never heard her say
such a word before, and considered it rather queer in a mother whose
child had been close to drowning. According to my mind, you and your
chum are really the ones most deserving of that title; but I'll spare
your blushes, young men. Now tell me what you are doing in the line of
outdoor sports; because I hear there are great goings on around this
section of country; and I suppose I must give up next Saturday
afternoon to journeying over to Belleville, in order to encourage our
valiant Scranton High boys."

Both of them started telling of the things that were being done in a
baseball way; and as they were enthusiasts, they found it easy to
enlarge upon such a favorite theme. Thad, however, had begun to show
signs of nervousness, and Hugh suddenly remembering that they had come
there with a particular motive in view, drew out of the conversation,
leaving it to his chum to carry it on with the old lady.

Thad only waited for a favorable opening, when he was ready to "sail
in." This came when the Madame chanced to mention her travels in many
lands, and the fond memories she had of all her visits.

"But when I shall eventually return to my beloved France," she remarked
sadly, "I anticipate many a heartache to see the terrible condition of
the fair country that has been turned into a howling wilderness by the
vandal German armies. Ah! I almost dread the day, much as I yearn to
tread my native soil again."

"My chum was telling me that you had quite a collection of queer
souvenir spoons," Thad remarked just then, thinking he had found just
such an opening as he wished.

Madame Pangborn shot Hugh a suggestive look, as if wondering how far he
had confided in his chum.

"Yes, it is true