The Nevada County picayune., 1918-07-04
Indeed Q CheerfuI Tale
"No breasfast?" he questioned.
Copyright, Frank A. hunsey Co.)

 He started to tell me which pocket when he recollected my propensity for coniscating his property. Its all right" I assured him. I'm not smoking at present" "In my left hand upper vest pocket | he finished. l found a fiat leather case in the pocket he had indicated. l opened the case, and handful of crumpled tobac- | co fell out.
 I'm afraid sat on it." I said apollo | getically.
 He turned his face to the wall with ont word left him alone with the | dust of his last cigar When l had gone a short distance l heard him sneeZe. When I was satisfied that l had done the best l could to rearrange my dis ordered clothes and linen l rejoined the disconsolate group at the site of the one time house. There were only four l of them-Captain Perkins, Jim, Vida and Kent Lucille had not returned.
 "Where's Lucile?" Vida inquired.
 "Tootles got away" I explained, and she chased her"
 But Tootles is here" Vida indi- cated the dog playing around the shed. "She came back quite awhile ago with | this in her mouth.
 Vida help up the torn and dirty rem nants of what had been Lucile's l kimono.
 That's Lucile's kimono!" I cried. l An idea struck me. What was she wearing under that?"
 'I helped her put on my costume," 1 Vida vouchsafed, the one that was drying in the shed. It fits her beauti- fully"
 Then l presume that you will find Lucille over there behind that clump of bushes" l hazarded in loud tone.
 There was sound of branches breaking and leaves rustling as if some one were beating a hasty re- treat.
 "Oh, seer Light dawned on Vida Just let her alone. She'll get used to them in an hour or so. You do feel kind of funny ut first. Now about that breakfast"
 Yes, Bopp chimed in, produce that feast you were speaking of. With the dog in sight we'll take a chance on anything you've prepared"
 Sail ho" cried Jim.
 Where be she?" demanded his su- l perior.
 Coming around the point" Jim re- piled.
 Sure enough fat little tugboat was nosing her way comfortably through the waves into the cove. Its the rev enue tug." exclaimed Captain Perkins, whose knowledge of lake craft was naturally superior to that of the rest of us
 "A revenue tug?" Bopp repeated. What is she doing hereT'
 Lets go and find out"
 The tug came in as far as sho dared, and then an officer came ashore in 6 dinghy.
 Pardon me, ladies and gentlemen" he began suavely, taking no notice of our disheyeled appearance. 1 am the ro sonue officer in charge of this dis triet.'
 4 cry from the tug startled us.
 What's that?' we exclaimed.
 The yell was repeated. this time with smothered finish.
 Its just a couple of prisoners we captured this morning." explained the | officer.
 We are very glad to see you and your boat" Bopp stated. doing the honors We have had terrible fire here, and if you will set us safely ashore at Fair View we shall be for ever in your debt"
 I'm sorry" he replied, but I cannot carry your party as passengers. Be ing on government service my duties are very exacting. However, l shall be glad to notify the first vessel I meet and request them to call for you"
 But, man." Bopp exclaimed, i've have been without anything to eat for three days! Surely you can't refuse to take us to some place where food may | be had"
 LOh ENl lilul huNt 1 food" I interposed.
 I'm trying to forget it." Bopp re- piled, with ungracious impatience. "I want regular food" "The lake is calming down." the off, cer pointed out, "and you can surely get aid soon. AS 1t happens, we are hot on the trail of a gang of snug glers. and if we delay now the chief operator may escape us. He is posing as Il telephone repair man employed by the local company in Fair View, but merely uses that position to cloak his criminal operations. He was sent to Greens island before the storm and has not reported back to the office, so we presume that he is here now"
 By common impulse we looked for Kent. He was not among us. Appar- entlv he had waited to hear m mora