after a pause; "and it was a hot
finish all right."

"What do you mean?" I gasped.

"The syndicate has bought my gold mine in the Blue Hills," he
answered calmly.

"And you're going to throw us after making a start like this?"
Bunch almost sobbed.

"Throw nothing!" Skinski came back. "Didn't I tell you once before
that I am for you two guys all the old while--didn't I, Dodey?"

"You betcher sweet!" she answered solemnly.

"Well, that still goes," Skinski went on. "I've sold out a half
interest in my Blue Hill gold mine, and I've got the corn to show
for it."

So saying, he dug up a wad that a hound couldn't leap over.

"Now, I'm going to pay you each $6,000 to cancel my contract,"
Skinski added, after our eyes had feasted on his roll.

I looked at Bunch, and Bunch was stepping on his left foot to see
if he was awake.

"No, by Hick! I'll make it seven thousand each," Skinski chortled.
"You two guys put up your last dollar on me, and you didn't know
whether I was an ace or a polish. I like you both, for you brought
me good luck. Tear up the contract and take $7,000 apiece, is it a
go?"

"Just as you say, Skinski," I answered nervously. "Of course, if
you want the tour to continue, why----"

"Yes, of course," Bunch chimed in; "if you want the tour to
continue, why----"

"Oh! pinkies!" said Skinski; "what do I want to go hugging
one-night stands for when I have a hundred thousand booboos in the
kick. It's the Parisian boulevards for us, and a canter on the Boy
Bologna, eh, Dodey?"

"You betcher sweet!" she gurgled thirstily.

And so it came about that we destroyed the contract, pocketed our
seven thousand each, and bade Skinski and Dodo an affecting
farewell.

Bunch and I couldn't talk for hours afterwards.

We were afraid we'd wake ourselves up.

When I reached home Clara J. started in to tell me what a
delightful time she had had at the New Rochelle theatre, and how
clever the magician was, and what a funny clown came out first and
smashed a real egg on the stage, but I begged off and went to bed.

I never slept so soundly in all my life.

Next day I handed the five thousand dollars to Uncle Peter, and he
complimented me so highly on my ability to save money that I nearly
swallowed my palate.

"I'm going to invest this carefully for you, John," he informed me.
"When we return from Europe you'll be surprised."

I don't know what powers of persuasion Bunch brought to bear on
Alice and