Then as a sudden thought struck him, he began hurriedly to search his pockets. As good luck would have it, he found a small n

t must be within twenty or thirty miles of Skowhegan. King and Re

Go

e several copies of the note, thinking as he did so, "If I can only get a chance to throw these out of the car, one of them

ut to start. "Now, see here, boy," he said, "we don't want to be any harder on you than we can help,

would make it impossible for him to escape if he di

that you keep it, because if you make any tr

ng all the

night. No, we'll make Portland by daylight and lie low there till dark. But come on, now; there's Bill with the car. I shall have to bl

om his pocket as he spoke and t

give you permission," he ordered, as he

d hear a powerful car purring close at

ses and the rest of the

re all in b

, then, le

or any but the very slowest speed, at which a car could be run. In about twenty minutes, they came to the end

of the car till it gets a little darke

rained his eyes to see if he could tell where they were, but it was too dark to see much, and he was unable to so much as guess their location for some time. In about an hour, however, they passed a large

gh the towns, he choose roads, for the most part, which led around them. They lost considerab

n, bang, went one of the rear tires. "Hang it all, there's a blowout," growled Re

that the job was finished, and just as they were about to start, Bob, carelessly hanging his hand over the edge of the car, let the note fall to the ground, unnoticed by either of the men. Nothing more worthy of note happened, except that he

ave a peculiar whistle, which was soon answered

, is that you

answer. "What

at once shut. In a few moments, they were joined by a short man, about

any too well," explained King with a slight laugh, "and we want you to put us up till nig

and come in. I'll have breakfast ready in a few minutes, a

n both the eating and sleeping line," answered K

"You and the kid can go up in the south room, on the third floor,

eplied King, "

a single bed. It was lighted by two small windows, about

door, and put the key in his pocket. "I'm a very light sleeper, and I t

from his long ride, he was not long in obeying. Although he did not feel that he was bound by his promise, while they were there, he realized that the ch

door, but, as he expected, it was locked. "Gee, but this sort of thing is getting on my nerves,"

King came up and told him to come down to supper. After the meal, they waited till it was fairly dark, and then started off again

, and King said, "Now I shall have to blindfold you again

at

then added, "You don't suppose I'm fool eno

was far from comfortable, they were not far from their d

, the blindfold was removed, and Bob saw that he was in, what appeared to be, a fairly good-sized, but poorly furnished house. The opening of the

how's things

the hump-back, "but I didn

here and mighty hungry. Can't

ait here a minute," and the hump-bac

dy," said King, motioning Bob to precede him

room, where they found a table set with a plain, but generous lunch of cold meat, bread and butter and apple pie. Bob did full justice to the

him into a small room on the second fl

fitted up for just such guests as you, I hardly think you'll leave

o take account of stock, as he expressed it. The room contained only a bed and a single chair. It had but one

m stayed till they were invited out," he thought. "Oh, well,

eep, when he was somewhat rudely shaken, and o

clock, and I want to show you t

down to the basement, and into a large room. Bob needed but a

d then, make out a list of what else you want. I'll get them this forenoon, and you can

I could probably make one in a week, but here, where I'm no

u're trying to fool me. You've got to do it

side, but he intended to take all the time he could, and watch for a chance to escap

get your list made out,

r and then asked for paper and pencil. They were quickly supplied, and sittin

s of lead

lf pou

f pound

f pound

lf pou

of fine sand, suitab

t inches long by 1 and on

ectrolysis?" he asked, as

d two or three glass tanks and considerable platinum. Now we'll go up a