of paper?" asked Joe, when they had alighted from their motor
cycle at the Baker homestead a little later.

"Well, to tell you the truth, Joe, I was a bit suspicious."

"What about; that gun business?"

"Yes," and Blake's voice was serious.

"Buttermilk and corn cakes!" cried Joe with a laugh. "You don't
mean to say you think this fellow is an international spy; do you?
Trying to get secrets of the United States fortifications at the
Canal?"

"Well, I don't know as I exactly believe _that_, Joe, and yet it
was strange someone should be writing to him about the big guns."

"Yes, maybe; but then he explained it all right."

"You mean he _tried_ to explain it."

"Oh, well, if you look at it that way, of course you'll be
suspicious. But I don't believe anything of the sort. It was just
a blunder of someone who didn't know how, trying to write the
English language.

"It's all nonsense to think he's a spy. He came to Mr. Hadley well
recommended, and you can make up your mind Mr. Hadley wouldn't
have anything to do with him if there was something wrong."