Page:Ralph on the Railroad.djvu/958

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134
RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS

to go rolling right against it. And the mystery; the deadly secrets, the—the—hold on, though, I'm violating the eth—eth—yes, ethics of the profession."

"No, no—go on and tell us something about it," urged Ralph. "I'm interested."

"Can't. I've gone too far already. Sworn to secrecy. Honestly, I'm not romancing, Ralph, I'm working on a case that reads like a story book. Some of the strange things going on—they fairly stagger me. I can't say another word just now, but just the minute I can, you just bet I'll tell you all about it, Ralph Fairbanks. Say, you haven't seen two boys around here, have you—two tiny fellows? I left them in the garden here. They're in my charge, and I mustn't lose sight of them," and Zeph began looking all around the place.

"Two human monkeys, who make no more of flying through the air than you or I do to run a race?" inquired Ralph.

"That's them," assented Zeph.

"They were here a few minutes ago," advised Ralph, "but I don't see them just now. I wondered who they were. The last I saw of them, they were chasing one another over our neighbors' lot over there."

"I must find them," said Zeph. "They are another of my responsibilities. I hear them."