Penrod and Sam

. That is, the street was deserted so far as Penrod was concerned. Here and there people were to be seen upon the sidewalk

in favour of policemen, firemen, street-car conductors, motormen, and all other men in any sort of uniform or regalia. But thi

le at the corner, invested with powers of observation, might have been surprised to find itself suddenly enacting a role of dubious honour in improvised melodrama. Penrod, approaching, gave the pole a look of s

pted something against him, then growing bitter when slapped, and stealing after him to take him treacherously

cion of ambush with a muttered, "Whoa, Charlie!" or "Whoa, Mike!" or even "Whoa, Washington!" for preoccupation with the enemy outweighed attention to the details of theatrical consistency, though the steed's varying names were at least har

s seven or eight, he would have shouted "Bing!" at the top of his voice; he would have galloped openly; all the world might have seen that he bestrode a charger. But a change had come upon him with advancing years. Although the grown people in sight were indeed to him as walkin

t weapons of wood were unworthy to the point of being contemptible and ridiculous, and he employed them only when he was alone and unseen. For months a yearning had grown more and more poignant in his vitals, and this yearning was symbolized by one of his most profound secrets. In the inner pocket of his jacket, he carried a bit of wood whittled into the distant likeness of a pisto

es of periodicals whose illustrations were fascinatingly pistolic. Some of the magazines upon the very library table at home were sprinkled with pictures of people (usually in evening clothes) pointing pistols at other people. Nay, the Library Board of the town had emitted a "Selected List of Fifteen Books for Boys," and Penrod had r

f a gatepost, and, entering the house through the kitchen, ceased to bing for a time. However, driven ba

ou know what I'd do if you was a cr

gnorantly, and with no cordiality. "Well, I AM a cook. I'm a-cookin' rig

e, where he was greeted in a boisterous manner by his wistful littl

oldly, and bestowed a spi

ley, "Yay, Penrod!" and the sandy head of co

over," sa

He was a dog of long and enlightening experience; and he made it clear that the conjunction of Penrod and Sam portended events which, from his point of view, might be unfortunate. Duke had a forgiving disposition, but he also possessed a

doin'?"

n'. Wh

our house," said Sam, who was wearing

nrod showed li

how you if you came

enrod indifferently. "I know everything that's in yo

s in the yard or in

se," returned Penrod frankly, "that I'd

s, don't you? Yes, you do!" Penrod's curiosity stirred somewhat. "Well,

imbed the fence. "I bet YOUR ole eyes'll

good deal to get me excited,

ee!" Sam

e way upstairs, tiptoeing, implying unusual and increasing peril. Turning, in the upper hall, they went into Sam's father's bedroom, and Sam closed the door with a caution so genuine that already Penrod's eyes began to fulfil his host's prediction. Advent

ntil the surface of its contents-Mr. Williams' winter underwear-lay exposed. Then he fumbled beneath the g

, and dyspeptic) and it was larger and more horrible than any revolver either of the boys had ever seen in any picture, moving or stationary. Moreover, greenis