Part 11 (1/2)

THE LITTLE BOX

Blake and Joe were too well-seasoned travelers to care to witness many of the scenes attendant upon the departure of their vessel

Though young in years, they had already crowded into their lives soout of the ordinary to arouse their interest

It was not that they were blase, or indifferent to novel sights, but travel was noith them, an old story They had been out West, to the Pacific Coast, and in far-off jungle lands, to say nothing of their trip to the place of the earthquakes, and the more recent trip to the flooded Mississippi Valley

So, once they had waved good-by to their friends and felloorkers on the pier, they went to their staterooe

The two boys and Mr Alcando had a rooh it would accommodate four, they were assured that the fourth berth would not be occupied, so no stranger would intrude

When Blake and Joe went below Mr Alcando did not follow Either he liked the open air to be found on deck, or he was not such a veteran traveler as to care to e was piled in one corner, and that of the boys in other parts of the stateroom, with the exception of the trunks and ca wanted on the voyage

”Well, what do you think of him now?” asked Joe, as he sat down, for both he and Blake were tired, there having been ht,” was the slowly-given answer

”Nothing more suspicious; eh?”

”No, I can't say that I've seen anything Of course it was queer for hiet rid of whoever it was so quickly before we careed Joe ”And he certainly can't do enough for us He is very grateful”

This was shown in every way possible by the Spaniard More than once he referred to the saving of his life in the runaway accident, and he never tired of telling those whorateful praise, too, and he was sincere in all that he said As Joe had reh for the boys

He helped in nu ready for the trip, and offered to do errands that could better be attended to by a er boy He ell supplied with cash, and it was all Joe and Blake could do to prevent hi the a sporting goods store thatout travelers who hunted in the wilds, Mr Alcando wanted to purchase for Blake and Joe couns, knives, patent acetylene lamps, portable tents, autos

”But we don't need the to do any hunting, and on't caht have to!” said Mr Alcando, ”then think how useful these outfits would be”

”But we'd have to cart them around with us forpart of the things one night We don't need 'e for you boys!” the Spaniard insisted

”I arateful to you--”

”We know that, by this ti s for their steaenerous one, ”but if ever you come to my country, all that I own is yours I am ever in your debt”

”Oh, you mustn't feel that way about it,” Blake assured hiht have saved yourself”

”Hardly,” returned the Spaniard, and he shuddered as he recalled how near he had been to death on the bridge