you in any way?"

"I think not, Rover. Where are you bound?"

"To a plantation about a hundred miles from here," and the eldest
Rover gave a few particulars.

"Well, I wish you luck," said the government detective. "Now, do me
a favor, will you?" he asked earnestly. "Don't act as if you know
me, and don't tell anybody who I am."

"I'll comply willingly."

"If your brothers recognize me, ask them to do the same."

"I will."

"I am looking up some rascals and I don't want them to get on to the
fact that I am a detective."

"I understand."

At that moment a heavy-set individual with a shock of bushy hair came
slouching in. At once James Monday took his departure, the newcomer
gazing after him curiously.

Dick waited a moment, and then rejoined Sam and Tom.

"Dick, we just caught sight of a man we know," said Sam. "Can you
guess whom?"

"Mr. Day-of-the-week," put in Tom.

Dick put up his hand warningly.

"Don't mention that to a soul," he whispered. "I was just talking to
him. He is here on special business, and he wants nobody to know him."

"Then we'll be as mum as a mouse in a cheese," answered Sam.

"Correct," joined in Tom. "But what's his game?"

"I don't know," answered Dick. But he was destined to find out ere
he was many days older.

CHAPTER VIII

FUN AT THE HOTEL

The long ride had made all of the boys hungry, and when they procured
supper at the hotel they cleaned up nearly everything that was set
before them.

"Nothing the matter with your appetites," observed a sour-looking
individual who sat next to Tom at the table.

"Nothing at all, sir," answered the fun-loving youth. "What made you
think there was?"

"Eh?"

"What made you think there was something wrong with our internal
machinery, whereby we might be wanting in a proper regard for victuals?"

The man stared at Tom, and while a few at the table snickered, the
man himself looked more sour than ever.

"See here, don't you poke fun at me!" he cried.

"Never dreamed of it, my dear sir," said Tom, unruffled. "By the way,
how's your heart?"

"Why--er--my heart's all right."

"Glad to hear it. Yesterday I heard of a donkey who had his heart on
the wrong side of his body. Odd case, wasn't it?"

"See here, you young imp, do you mean to call me a--er--a donkey?"
and the man grew red in the face.

"A donkey? Why, no, sir! What put such a notion in your head?"

"You said--"

"So I did. Go on."

"You said--"

"So