ry unhappy, leading a wicked life. What annoyed him
most, he said, was that nearly everybody thought he was bad.

"It only goes to show," he said, "that you can never go by anybody's
looks."

"You're right," said Kernel Cob, and gave a sharp glance at the Hero.
"Many a kind heart beats beneath an ugly face."

And then the row-boat landed at the dock, and the showman, taking the
Villain and the Hero under one arm and Kernel Cob and Sweetclover
under the other, got out and walked away.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VIII

Through the town they went and everywhere children ran after them, and
wondered at the strange puppets. And after a while they came to a
little theatre and were thrown down among a lot of other puppets.

"I don't intend to stay here," said Kernel Cob. "I'm going to run
away. I've got to find Jackie and Peggs' motheranfather."

"I don't think you'll be able to get away," said the Villain.

"Well, at least I'll try," answered Kernel Cob. "Wouldn't you like to
come with us?"

"You bet," said the Villain, for he had taken a great fancy to Kernel
Cob and especially to Sweetclover, whose gentle manners appealed very
strongly to him. "But how are you going to do it?"

"Let me think," said Kernel Cob and they were very quiet for a long
while.

"I tell you what," said the Villain, "When I am going to play I'll run
off the stage and as soon as you see the Showman run after me, you
must be ready to run and before he catches me, you'll be safe away."

"But you won't be able to come with us, then," said Sweetclover, "and
you'll be beaten."

"Well, as long as you and Kernel Cob get away, it won't matter what
happens to me," said the Villain.

"That's very noble of you, I'm sure," said Kernel Cob, "and I see that
you are a very friendly Villain, but I think I can find a better plan
than that."

While they were talking, the Showman came and tied some strings on
Kernel Cob and Sweetclover.

"What's that for?" asked Kernel Cob.

"I guess you are going to play in the show," explained the Villain.
"That's the way he works us."

"Now we will never be able to get away," sighed Sweetclover.

"Won't we though," said Kernel Cob, "leave it to me," for he was very
brave of heart and nothing daunted him, because he was a soldier, you
see, and was brave by nature.

And the Showman took them into the theatre, and the performance began.
When the play was over, quick as a flash, Kernel Co