Page:The purple pennant (IA purplepennant00barb).pdf/153

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ON DICK'S PORCH

"Is that really and truly so? Your kindness——"

"And I told him," interrupted Gordon, "that if we went to jail I'd see that he went along."

"Naturally." Lanny hugged his knees and smiled pleasantly at Dick. "We couldn't be happy without you, Dickums. Yes, you'll have to go along even if it's necessary for us to swear that you were the ring-leader. I'd be sorry for your folks, Dick, but——" Lanny shook his head inexorably. Then: "By the by, what about Way?"

"I left him at the corner of Common Street," replied Gordon. "I guess he managed all right."

"He ought to have; he's the manager," said

Lanny, with a yawn. "My word, fellows, but I'm sleepy! And I had to pretend to be Little Bright-Eyes at breakfast, too. I know I'll fall asleep in church and snore!"

"Do you think that cop recognized us, Lanny?" Gordon asked.

"Don't ask me. If he did we'll know about it soon enough. Look here, whose idea was it, anyway? Who got us into this scrape?"

"Of course, you didn't," answered Gordon gravely, "and I'm certain I didn't. I guess it was Dick, wasn't it?"

Lanny seemed about to assent until Dick reached

for a crutch. Then: "No, I don't think it was

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