Problem: CHAPTER XIII

THE WESTERN EXPRESS

The old miser was very much excited and began to pace the floor of his cottage.

"Yes, I better tell the police, that's what I better do," he muttered.

"There won't be any necessity to tell the police--if it was really my brother who did it," said Sam.

"Why not, I'd like to know?" challenged Hiram Duff. "He ain't no better'n other folks."

"If he took the box, I and my family will see to it that you are repaid for your loss, Mr. Duff," answered the youngest Rover.

"Humph! Do you guarantee that?" demanded the old miser, suspiciously.

"Yes."

"And you can take his word for it, sir," added Songbird. "The Rovers are well-known and wealthy, and they will do exactly as they promise.

"I've heard that name before. Didn't you have some trouble with the railroad company?" asked Hiram Duff. "About a busted-up flying machine?"

"Yes," replied Sam.

"And got the best of that skinflint lawyer, Belright Fogg?"

"We made Mr. Fogg pay for the biplane, yes."

"I know all about it," chuckled Hiram Duff. "Served Fogg right. And he lost his job with the railroad company, too." The old man pursed up his lips. "Well, if you'll give me your word that you will settle with me I won't go to the police. But I want every cent that is coming to me, understand that."

"You'll get it--if my brother took the box," answered Sam. "But listen to me. First of all I want to find my brother. I think he ought to be under a doctor's care."
1. Who was robbed?
2. Was he a generous man?
3. Who does he suspect stole it?
4. Whose sibling is that?
5. Does Sam ask the old man to call the cops?
6. What does he assure the old man that he'll do?
7. Can they afford to repay him?
8. Who backs up his words?
9. Who have they gotten the better of in the past?
10. What's his occupation?
11. What was the issue over?
Answer: 1. Hiram Duff
2. no
3. the brother
4. Rover.
5. he says it's not needed
6. If the brother stole the money the man will be repaid
7. yes
8. songbird
9. Mr. Fogg
10. lawyer
11. busted up flying machine

Problem: CHAPTER XI

A WORD OF WARNING

"In the most unlikely places!" Duncombe murmured to himself as he bowed to the Frenchman, whose name his friend had mentioned. "I am very glad to meet you again, Monsieur le Baron!" he said, aloud.

They were in the covered garden at the Ritz. Duncombe had accepted the pressing invitation of an old college friend, whom he had met on the boulevards to drop in and be introduced to his wife. And the third at the tea-table was Monsieur Louis, known in society apparently as Monsieur le Baron de Seurs.

Lady Hadley, his friend's wife, smiled languidly upon them both. She was a frail pink and white little woman, with the reputation of a beauty to sustain, wherein lay her life's work.

"You two know one another, of course!" she remarked. "Paris is no larger than London, after all."

"Sir George and I have met once at least," the Baron said, smiling. "I am glad that he does me the honor of remembering the occasion."

Duncombe felt himself no match for his companion with the foils. He let the conversation drift, and waited for his opportunity. Presently some more guests arrived, and Duncombe drew his host on one side.

"Hadley," he said, "how long have you known the Baron?"

"Met him at Dorset House about two years ago, I think," Hadley answered. "He was doing a round of country-houses. I'm not sure that he didn't stay at Sandringham. One of the real old French families, you know, De Seurs."
1. Who did Duncombe meet?
2. What was his name?
3. Where were they?
4. Where was the garden?
5. Who had invited everyone?
6. Was the pal married?
7. What was his wife's name?
8. What was Mister Louis known as?
9. Where was he sitting?
10. Who did Duncombe pull aside?
11. Who was that?
12. Why did he pull him aside?
13. How long had he?
14. Where had they met?
Answer: 1. a Frenchman
2. Monsieur le Baron
3. in the covered garden
4. at the Ritz
5. an old college friend
6. yes
7. Lady Hadley
8. kMonsieur le Baron de Seurs.
9. at the tea-table
10. his host
11. Hadley
12. to ask him how long he has known the Baron
13. about two years ago,
14. at Dorset House

Problem: CHAPTER XVII.

Five minutes later, Tom Thurston entered, and Julia Monson came down to receive HIM, her pique not interfering, and it being rather stylish to be disengaged on the morning of the day when the household was in all the confusion of a premeditated rout.

{premeditated rout = planned party}

"This is SO good of you, Miss Monson," said Tom, as he made his bow--I heard it all, being still on the sofa--"This is SO good of you, when your time must have so many demands on it."

"Not in the least, Mr. Thurston--mamma and the housekeeper have settled every thing, and I am really pleased to see you, as you can give me the history of the new play--"

"Ah! Miss Monson, my heart--my faculties--my ideas--" Tom was getting bothered, and he made a desperate effort to extricate himself--"In short, my JUDGMENT is so confused and monopolized, that I have no powers left to think or speak of plays. In a word, I was not there."

"That explains it, then--and what has thus confused your mind, Mr. Thurston?"

"The approach of this awful night. You will be surrounded by a host of admirers, pouring into your ears their admiration and love, and then what shall I have to support me, but that 'yes,' with which you once raised me from the depths of despair to an elevation of happiness that was high as the highest pinnacle of the caverns of Kentucky; raising me from the depths of Chimborazo."

{caverns of Kentucky = Mammoth Cave; Chimborazo = a 20,500 foot volcano in Ecuador}
1. who came in?
2. and who was there to greet him?
3. what was going on in the house?
4. was she happy to see him?
5. what did she say to him?
6. who was on the sofa?
7. what does he say of his judgement?
8. and what does he lack?
9. to do what with?
10. who says something to him about his confusion?
Answer:
1. Tom Thurston
2. Julia Monson
3. a party
4. Yes
5. I am really pleased to see you"
6. "I"
7. is so confused and monopolized
8. powers
9. to think or speak of plays
10. Miss Monson