dad's especial gift. Hurrah for Kaiser! He's the whole circus
every time!"

"Yes," said Frank, quickly, "he came near getting his finish
though to-day. Old Officer Whalen was on his trail and meant to
fill him full of holes, if he could ever get close enough. It was
a narrow escape for Kaiser."

"A narrower one for the crowd. Did you ever see Officer Whalen
practice firing at a mark? Well, I have. The man couldn't hit a
barn door thirty feet off. Can't you come over, Frank? I've got
something to propose to you. The afternoon is too fine and bracing
to stay cooped up in the house. We'll soon have to hibernate, you
know. Come along!" called Bones.

"Ralph is with me."

"All right. Bring him along. Glad to have him."

"Look for us soon then. I've got something I want to ask you
anyway. Good-bye," and Frank turned from the phone to explain to
the wondering Ralph just why he had been so overcome with
merriment.

Of course Ralph thought the joke a good one when he too heard the
particulars of the sudden run upon the good doctor's supply of
liquid caustic.

"No wonder they limped after all that; the remedy was worse than
the disease, I reckon. I don't suppose anything serious will come