comfortable and safe. I will relock the door on you, and if you want to
leave at any time you can unfasten a window and get out."

Baker did not reply. Bart heard him mumbling to himself as though
debating the proposition submitted to him.

"I don't want to make you a lot of trouble," he finally faltered out.

"Of course you don't, and won't," asserted Bart--"you want to give me
pleasure, though, don't you? So you do as I suggest, and I'll sleep a
good deal sounder than if you didn't. Here's the key. I will be over to
the express office about eight o'clock. Is it a bargain?"

"Yes," answered the strange man.




CHAPTER XIII

"HIGHER STILL!"


About eight o'clock that evening Bart came down to the express office
carrying a lunch basket and a blanket, as he had promised his erratic
friend, Mr. Baker.

The young express agent had spent a busy day, and the evening promised
to continue to furnish plenty for him to do.