speak to her. He was sure she had seen all that had happened.

“Can’t afford to rush things too fast,” he whispered to himself and, turning toward the bunk tent, he hastened away.

As an hour and a half remained before he must go on duty, Johnny slicked up a bit and went over to La Salle street to sell the bonds which Pant had entrusted to his care. The first two dealers he approached refused to buy; they did not purchase bonds in such small lots. The third looked Johnny over carefully, then examined the bonds. After that, he wet the tip of his right forefinger on a sponge and proceeded to count out a handful of bills. These, with some small change, he shoved beneath the lattice to Johnny.

“Fine day,” he smiled, as he turned away.

“You bet,” Johnny agreed, as he pocketed the money.

Out on the shore of the lake he found Pant.

The latter stared at him for a moment in silence. He was looking at the three red lines drawn on Johnny’s face by the bear.

“Say,” he whispered at last, “give me those bonds!”

“I, I,” Johnny stared, “I haven’t got them!”

“Haven’t got them? Where are they?”

“Sold ’em as you said to do.”

“Sold them? When?”

“Half an hour ago.”

“With that on your face?”

“Sure.”

With a low whistle, Pant sank down upon the sand.

“Why, what’s wrong?” demanded Johnny.

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