"Aw, you big story-teller! I never tetched it!"

The Little Doctor clutched the nearest arm till the owner of it squealed.

"How many of you have eaten some of these? Tell the truth, now." They
quailed before her sternness--quailed and confessed. All told, seven had
swallowed the sweet pellets, in numbers ranging from two to a dozen more.

"Is it poison?" Chip whispered the question in the ear of the perturbed
Little Doctor.

"No--but it will make them exceedingly uncomfortable for a time--I'm going
to pump them out."

"Good shot! Serves 'em right, the little--"

"All of you who have eaten this--er--candy, must come with me. The rest
of you may stay here and play, but you must NOT touch this case."

"Yuh going t' give 'em a lickin'?" Sary Denson wetted a finger copiously
before turning a leaf upon the beautiful skeleton.

"Never mind what I'm going to do to them--you had better keep out of
mischief yourself, however. Mr. Bennett, I wish you would get some
fellow you can trust--some one who won't talk about this afterward--
turn this case around so that it will be safe, and then come to the
back bedroom--the one off the kitchen. And tell Louise I want her,
will you, please?"

"I'll get old Weary. Yes, I'll send the Countess--but don't you think