bjection," said the old woman.

"You may have fifty-'leven names ef you want to."

"I don't interfere with his names," said the professor.

"If he chooses to call himself--"

"George Washington Harry Jefferson Ebenezer Popkins," repeated the
voice, with great volubility.

"If he chooses to call himself by all those names, I'm sure I don't
care. How far do you go, ma'am?"

"About quarter of a mile farther."

The professor saw that he must proceed to his final joke.

"Let me out! Don't keep me locked up here!" said the child's voice, from
behind, in a pleading tone.

"What's that?" asked the startled old lady.

"What's what?" asked the professor, innocently.

"That child that wants to get out."

"You must have dreamed it, my good lady."

"No, there 'tis agin'," said the old lady, excited.

"It's in the trunk behind you," said the assumed voice, appearing to
proceed from our hero.

"So 'tis," said the old lady, turning halfway round.

"Oh, I shall die! Let me out! Let me out!"

"He's locked up his little girl in the trunk," Harry seemed to say.

"You wicked man, let her out this minute," said the old lady, very much
excited. "Don't you know no better than to lock up a child where she
can't get no air?"

"There is no child in the trunk, I assure you," said Professor
Henderson, politely.

"Don't you believe him," said Harry's voice.

"Do let me out, father!" implored the child's voice

"If you don't open the trunk, I'll have you took up for murder," said
the old lady.

"I will open it to show you are mistaken."

The professor got over the seat, and, opening the trunk, displayed its
contents to the astonished old lady.

"I told you that there was no child there," he said; "but you would not
believe me."

"Le' me out," gasped the old woman. "I'd rather walk. I never heerd of
such strange goin's on afore."

"If you insist upon it, madam, but I'm sorry to lose your company. Take
this with you and read it."

He handed her one of his bills, which she put in her pocket, saying she
couldn't see to read it.

When they were far enough off to make it safe, Harry gave vent to his
mirth, which he had restrained till this at difficulty and laughed long
and loud.

CHAPTER XXVI. PAGES FROM THE PAST

"What will the old lady think of you?" said Harry.

"She will have a very bad opinion till she puts on her specs and read
the bill. That will explain all. I shouldn't be surprised to see her a