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"I know!" piped up Mr Appel "She's covered with leeches--blood-suckers--and can't get 'enant water"

When he spoke he called attention to the fact of his presence and that of Mr Stott and old Mr Penrose Instead of being grateful for the information, and for the assistance the others had expected to render, Mr Budlong turned upon the libertines! Haven't you any shaly that as soon as they recovered from their astonishment they retreated, but, at that, their haste was not sufficient to appease an outraged husband Mr Budlong picked up a pebble and threith such a sure aim that it bounced between Mr Stott's shoulder-blades

When he had picked off the blood-suckers that were battening on Mrs Budlong, the two returned to ca notice on Wallie that they were leaving by the first passing conveyance if they had to buy it

Whether or not Mr Hicks had known of the leeches was a matter for much discussion, and opinion was about equally divided as to his innocence He disclaie of thened

Histo Wallie, who could not rid himself of the suspicion that the incident had been planned, though Pinkey contended that he did not believe Hicks was "deep" enough to think of anything like that

"Anyhow, he's cost us three dudes," said Wallie, which re with a stick

"Three head of dudes at 500 a day for, say, eleven days is, say----"

"They're gone and that's all there is to it The thing for us to do is to see that no more leave," Wallie interrupted practically

"I'm not worryin' about them," Pinkey replied, confidently, "if we can jest hold that cook We've got to huh this trip, then after he's paid off I ai out"

But as if to make amends for the loss he had caused his ely saccharine and he redoubled his efforts to provide entertainuests By the ti his suspicions of Hicks and felt inclined to believe that he had been hasty in his judg on his words and relied upon hi of interest Mr Stott was indebted to hiated the Florida hoot-owl to the background, though the thrill of the adventure was so interuish that it was ian