the statement the aspect of a joke. Honest, you didn't hear anyone call
to me?"

"No," replied Bart.

The cab drove up and halted.

"Don't do any talking. Don't start any gossip about--about--of course
you won't! I've got your word. You're a truthful, reliable boy,
Stirling, and I--I respect you," stumbled on the colonel. "Mum's the
word, and I'll--I'll make you no trouble, see?"

"Thank you, Colonel Harrington," said Bart in a queer tone.

The colonel again regarded him penetratingly, and then got into the cab.
He took the trouble of leaning out and waving his hand as the vehicle
started up. He smiled in a sickly way at Bart, and once made a movement
as if inclined to get out and once more suggest to the young express
agent that he "forget it."

"That man is scared half to death over something," reflected Bart, as he
took a short cut to regain the express office.




CHAPTER XII

THE MYSTERIOUS MR. BAKER