SOMETHING QUEER

For a little while, after he had read to Joe the
letter from Mr. Hadley, Blake remained silent. Nor did his chum
speak. When he did open his lips it was to ask:

"Well, what do you think of it, Blake?"

Blake drew a long breath, and replied, questioningly:

"What do you think of it?"

"I asked you first!" laughed Joe. "No, but seriously, what do you
make of it all?"

"Make of it? You mean going to Panama?"

"Yes, and this chap Alcando. What do you think of him?"

Blake did not answer at once.

"Well?" asked Joe, rather impatiently.

"Did anything--that is, anything that fellow said--or did--strike
you as being--well, let's say--queer?" and Blake looked his chum
squarely in the face.

"Queer? Yes, I guess there did! Of course he was excited about the
runaway, and he did have a narrow escape, if I do say it myself.