hs 295 pounds and she was immense.

Just as she started to tell us that curfew would not ring to-night
Uncle Peter winked at me, and we sneaked out and began to drown our
sorrow.

Those musicales would be all to the good if the music didn't
suffocate them.

After the crowd had left that night Peaches said to me, "John,
Uncle Peter and Aunt Martha and I have been talking matters over
to-day, and we've arranged a most delightful surprise for you!"

"What is it, another one of those parlor riots?" I asked, "If so, I
want to tell you right now that you couldn't surprise me if Uncle
Peter and Aunt Martha stepped out and did a song and dance in black
face."

Peaches laughed.

"Oh! that isn't it," she chuckled. "It has something to do with
the $5,000 you've saved."

"Oh! it has," I muttered faintly.

"Yes, Uncle Peter thinks we better not invest it in that house just
now," she went on. "He has a better plan. You are to give him the
money and he will invest it for you."

"Ah!" I said.

"But that isn't the real surprise," she cooed.

"It will do," I answered.

"Uncle Peter is so delighted that you have kept your promise to me
not to speculate any more that he has planned--oh! I nearly told,
and it's _such_ a secret!"

Then I went over into a corner and got busy with my thoughts.

Bunch and I would have to get Petroskinski to work in a hurry.

We both needed the money.

CHAPTER III.

JOHN HENRY GETS BUSY.

We were a half-hour early for my appointment with Signor
Petroskinski when Bunch and I strolled into the cafe of the Hotel
Astor the next day.

"Bunch," I said, when the waiter had forced a confession from us,
"there's doings out home. Clara J. tipped me off last night that I
must hand over my five thousand plunks to be properly invested by
the Mayor of Ruraldene."

"Uncle Peter!" chuckled Bunch.

"Now I can't tip my hand to the old gentleman and have him lecture
me all over the place, can I, Bunch?"

"Not unless you want your wife to know that you sprained your
promise."

"Then it's up to me to press the button and start my get-rich-quick
concern," I said. "I simply can't go home and hand them a sad
drool about being coaxed into the Street and being trimmed for my
coin--nix! The only thing to do is to go out and get it back, and
get it quick, eh, Bunch?"

"You bet, John," Bunch agreed. "I spent last evening with Alice
and I felt like phony money all the time. She's going right