y believe that he enjoys the recollection of the boy's
infamous practical jokes."

"I believe you are right," responded Harkaway.

A day or two later on the doctor was seated with Mr. Mole.

"Mr. Mole."

"Doctor."

"Your health must be looked to. You'll have to travel."

"How, doctor?" said Mole.

"Young Harkaway is in foreign parts, and his prolonged absence causes
his parents considerable uneasiness, and you must go and look after
him."

Mole's eyes twinkled.

"Do you mean it?"

"I do. When would you like to start?"

"To-day."

"Very good. The sooner the better," said the doctor.

Mr. Mole's countenance fell suddenly.

An ugly thought crossed him.

What would Mrs. Mole say?

"There is one matter I would like to consult you on, doctor."

"What might that be?" demanded the doctor.

"My wife might have a word to say upon the subject."

"I will undertake to remove her scruples," said the doctor.

"You will?"

"Yes. She will never object when she knows how important your mission
is."

"Doctor," exclaimed Mr. Mole, joyously; "you are a trump."

A delay naturally occurred, however.

Mr. Mole could not travel with his wooden stumps, his friends one and
all agreed.

No.

He must have a pair of cork legs made.

The doctor who had been attending our old friend knew of a maker of
artificial limbs who was a wonderful man, according to all accounts.

"Yes," said Mole, "cork legs well hosed will----"

At this moment a voice tuning up under the window cut him short,

"He gave his own leg to the undertaker,
And sent for a skilful cork-leg maker.
Ritooral looral."

"That's Dick Harvey. Infamous!" ejaculated Mr. Mole.

"On a brace of broomsticks never I'll walk,
But I'll have symmetrical limbs of cork.
Ritooral looral."

"Monstrous!" exclaimed Mr. Mole; "close the window, sir, if you
please."

It was all very well to say "Close it," but this was easier said than
done.

Dick Harvey had fixed it beyond the skill of that skilful mechanician
to unfasten.

* * * *

The aggravating minstrel continued without--

"Than timber this cork is better by half,
Examine likewise my elegant calf.
Ritooral looral----"

"I will have that window closed," cried Mole.

He arose, forgetting in his haste that he was minus one leg, and down
he rolled.