u to stay away, so I can stop there
till that time, an' then I'll leave."

"Yes, an' you're goin' to tell her a whole lot of stuff 'bout me, so's
she won't let me stop there."

"I'll promise never to speak your name except to tell her you come as
far's this with us, an' was up behind the barn twice. Now with
seventy-five cents you can live a good deal more swell somewhere else
than at aunt Dorcas's, an' at three o'clock to-morrow afternoon you may
do what you please."

"How do I know you'll keep your promise?"

"'Cause neither you nor anybody else can say I ever went back on my
word, an' fix it any way you're a mind to, it's the best trade you can
make. I'm certain she wouldn't take in four of us, an' the only show
you've got is for me to leave."

"But where'll I find a chance to buy something to eat?"

"There are plenty of stores 'round here, an' you can get a lodging most
anywhere, for twenty-five cents."

"Hand over your money."

"Do you 'gree not to show your nose 'round there till three o'clock
to-morrow?"

"Of course I do."

Joe counted out the amount agreed upon, and said, warningly, as he gave
it to Master Fernald:

"I'm reckonin' on your keepin' your word, same's I will mine; but don't
make the mistake of goin' back on me, Dan Fernald, for if you come to
aunt Dorcas's before the time we've 'greed on, I'll make it hot. You
know I can do it, so be square, or you'll get into worse trouble than if
the detectives found you."

"That's right; threaten a feller when you think you've got him in a
hole!"

"I ain't doin' half so much threatenin' as you did, an' besides, I'm
payin' for the privilege when I give you pretty nigh all the money I've
got, an' you with a pocket full."

The amateur detective did not think it advisable to reply to this
remark, and the two remained silent until Joe believed the time had come
when the journey should be resumed.

The princess was weary with running to and fro, and willingly allowed
the boy to take her in his arms again.

"The next time we stop it'll be at aunt Dorcas's," Joe said, as he set
out, and then he halted suddenly, for Master Fernald was following close
in the rear.

"Where you goin'?"

"With you, of course."

"Didn't I buy you off till three o'clock to-morrow afternoon?"

"Does that mean I can't so much as walk up the road when you're on it?"

"It means you mustn't follow me to aunt Dorcas's house, an', after all
that's been said and done, I sh