Ted, just sniff the air for arnica. My
word for it, he'll empty the bottle to-night on his bruises."

"Bully! bully! and again bully! I would have rushed to assist you only
you made me promise to keep my hands off; and you're my superior officer,
you see. Besides, I reckoned that with such a hunky-dory bat you'd be
able to give just pie, which you did, Paul."

"But the half hasn't been told yet," went on the narrator.

"What! do you mean there's a sequel to this story?" asked Jack, burning
with eagerness apparently, to hear.

"I guess that's what it is. Listen. Ward was just taking a young lady
home. He chose to pass along our street, though now he wishes he hadn't;
for they arrived just when Ted and his backers jumped out of the bushes.
She screamed, and her escort sprinted down the street for help. After I
had punched and pounded the three Hallowe'en left-overs from last year
until they faded away, I had the pleasure of seeing the young lady to her
door, yum! yum!"

"Hurrah! and I bet all differences are patched up again between you!"
cried Jack.

"Everything is lovely, and the goose hangs high," sang Paul.

"Meaning poor old blundering Ward. He showed himself for a coward to
the girl he's sweet on. Oh! my, oh! me, how is the mighty fallen.
Congratulations, good friend, and then more of them. So the clouds have
disappeared along your horizon, just as they did on mine. I only wish I'd
had a hand in clearing your skies."

"So you did. You kept that baseball bat of mine until the right minute
came. Only for that my name might have been mud," laughed Paul.

"And if you'd only open your heart now, and give me a hint about the
fellow you believe has been playing that trick on me with my old
coins--"

"Just you wait a little. It's coming soon. So-long!" and with a click the
connection was cut off.

CHAPTER XXI

THE MEETING

"How are you, Paul?"

It was Mr. Jared Pender who came out of the post-office as Paul happened
to be passing the next day, and addressed the boy he had met on the
preceding evening at the house of the Stormways.

"Why, how do you do, Mr. Pender? Been at work, I see," replied Paul, with
a suggestive look in the direction of the post-office.

The tall dark gentleman looked a little perplexed, and followed Paul's
glance. Then an expression of understanding passed over his face.

"Ah! yes, I see, you are a good guesser, Paul. But please do not mention
the fact to any one. We Gove