Problem: CHAPTER XXIX

"Guess I'll have to wash my hands of him," Collins told Johnny. "I know Del Mar must have been right when he said he was the limit, but I can't get a clue to it."

This followed upon a fight between Michael and Collins. Michael, more morose than ever, had become even crusty-tempered, and, scarcely with provocation at all, had attacked the man he hated, failing, as ever, to put his teeth into him, and receiving, in turn, a couple of smashing kicks under his jaw.

"He's like a gold-mine all right all right," Collins meditated, "but I'm hanged if I can crack it, and he's getting grouchier every day. Look at him. What'd he want to jump me for? I wasn't rough with him. He's piling up a sour-ball that'll make him fight a policeman some day."

A few minutes later, one of his patrons, a tow-headed young man who was boarding and rehearsing three performing leopards at Cedarwild, was asking Collins for the loan of an Airedale.

"I've only got one left now," he explained, "and I ain't safe without two."

"What's happened to the other one?" the master-trainer queried.

"Alphonso--that's the big buck leopard--got nasty this morning and settled his hash. I had to put him out of his misery. He was gutted like a horse in the bull-ring. But he saved me all right. If it hadn't been for him I'd have got a mauling. Alphonso gets these bad streaks just about every so often. That's the second dog he's killed for me."
1. Who fought?
2. Did they have a friendly rapport beforehand?
3. Who won the fight?
4. Whom is speaking?
5. Does Michael have an even temper?
6. What does Collins liken him to?
Answer: 1. Michael and Collins
2. No
3. unknown
4. Collins
5. No
6. A gold-mine

Problem: CHAPTER XII.

The Boys Talk It over

Allen and Ike Watson were soon on the way back to the ranch. Fortunately Ike Watson knew every foot of the ground, and led by the most direct route.

As the reader knows, Paul and Chet heard them approaching and received their elder brother with open arms.

"You look like a ghost!" declared Chet, starting back on catching sight of Allen's pale face.

"And I feel like a shadow," responded Allen with a weary laugh. "But a good dinner and a nap will make me as bright as a dollar again."

"He has our horses!" cried Paul.

"Yes, but not my own," returned Allen.

He walked into the house and was here introduced to Noel Urner. The table was at once spread, and soon both Allen and Ike Watson were regaling themselves to their heart's content.

During the progress of the meal Allen related all of his wonderful story of the fall from the bridge, the journey on the underground river, and of his struggle to reach the open air once more. He said nothing about the wealth which lay exposed in the cavern or of the fact that it was Uncle Barnaby's mine, for he felt he had no right to mention those matters before Ike Watson and Noel Urner, friends though they might be. Uncle Barnaby had guarded his secret well and he would do the same.

All listened with deep interest to what he had to say.

"It was a wonder the fall into the water didn't kill you," said Paul. "Such a distance as it was!"
1. Where were they headed?
2. who knew the way?
3. Did he know the best path?
4. Who looked very pale?
5. But what did he say he was like?
6. what would make him feel better?
7. and?
8. whose steeds did they have?
9. Who did they then meet?
10. What was the first trial of allen's journey?
Answer: 1. the ranch
2. Ike Watson
3. Yes
4. Allen
5. a ghost
6. a good dinner
7. a nap
8. unknown
9. their elder brother
10. the fall into the water

Problem: (CNN) -- An Ohio judge on Tuesday set a $1 million bond for the man accused of kidnapping and keeping a 13-year-old girl bound and gagged in his basement, authorities say.

Matthew Hoffman, 30, is suspected of having abducted Sarah Maynard, who authorities discovered over the weekend. She disappeared on Wednesday along with her mother, brother and family friend.

Sarah Maynard's mother, Tina Herrmann, 32, remains missing, along with 10-year-old Kody Maynard and Herrmann's friend, 41-year-old Stephanie Sprang.

Hoffman appeared in the Mount Vernon Municipal Court on Tuesday via a video link with the local jail, according to Pam Fuller, a deputy clerk. He is represented by a public defender.

Hoffman sat in a corner and looked straight ahead during much of the proceeding. He wore what looked to be a green vest, which the local sheriff later described as a suicide gown.

Knox County Sheriff David Barber said Hoffman was put in the gown after he gave indications to the jail staff and to investigators he could try to harm himself.

Previously, Barber has said he believes Hoffman could "absolutely" lead police to the three missing people. He is not cooperating with the investigation, officials said.

"The likelihood is, of course, that they are not alive," Barber said about Herrmann, her son and Sprang.

But he added he hopes they are, and that the department's priority remains trying to find them.

Sarah Maynard was released from the hospital Monday. Barber described the girl as doing well under the circumstances.

"There's so many people behind her that definitely that's going to help with her emotional recovery. And she is receiving those kind of services as well," he said.
1. Who is this story about?
2. How old is Matthew Hoffman?
3. What is it he did?
4. What was her name?
5. Are others missing?
6. Who?
7. What is his bond set to?
8. Where is he going to court?
9. Was he wearing anything special?
10. What was that?
11. Why was he wearing that?
12. Do the police think that Hoffman harmed the other missing people?
13. Do they think the missing people are alive?
14. Is Sarah Maynard doing ok?
Answer:
1. Matthew Hoffman
2. 30
3. kidnapped and kept a 13-year-old girl bound and gagged in his basement
4. Sarah Maynard
5. yes
6. Tina Herrmann, Kody Maynard, and Stephanie Sprang
7. $1 million
8. Mount Vernon
9. yes
10. a green vest
11. he gave indications that he could try to harm himself
12. yes
13. no
14. she is doing well under the circumstances