us?"

"Oh, I didn't see him. I just went into the town library. You know
they've got a fairly decent one at Central Falls."

"Yes, so I heard; but I didn't suppose they'd be open so early in
the morning."

"They weren't. I had to wait, and I was the first customer, if you
can call it that."

"You _are_ getting studious!" laughed Joe. "Great Scott! Look at
what he's reading!" he went on as he caught a glimpse of the title
of the book. "'History of the Panama Canal' Whew!"

"It's a mighty interesting book!" declared Blake. "You'll like
it."

"Perhaps--if I read it," said Joe, drily.

"Oh, I fancy you'll want to read it," went on Blake,
significantly.

"Say!" cried Joe, struck with a sudden idea. "You've made up your
mind to go to Panama; haven't you?"

"Well," began his chum slowly, "I haven't fully decided--"

"Oh, piffle!" cried Joe with a laugh. "Excuse my slang, but I know
just how it is," he proceeded. "You've made up your mind to go,