"Well, Rad, what is it?" asked Tom, as he met the colored
man. The young inventor was on his way to the mysterious
shop. "What is troubling you?"

"It's dat dar giant. He done says as how he's on guard--a
deteckertiff--an' I can't go nigh dat buildin' t' sweep up
de refuse."

"Well, that's right, Rad. I'd prefer that you keep away.
I'm doing some special work in there and it's--"

"Am it dangerous, Massa Tom? I ain't askeered! Anybody
whut kin drive mah mule Boomerang--"

"I know, Eradicate, but this isn't so dangerous. It's just
secret, and I don't want too many people about. You can go
anywhere else except there. Koku is on guard."

"Den can't I be, Massa Tom?" asked the colored man
eagerly. "I kin guard an' detect same as dat low-down,
good-fo'-nuffin white trash Koku!"

Tom hesitated.

"I suppose I could get you a sort of officer's badge," he
mused, half aloud.

"Dat's whut I want!" eagerly exclaimed Eradicate. "I ain't
gwine hab dat Koku--dat cocoanut--crowin' ober me! I kin
guard an' detect as good's anybody!"