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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

THE TWO SMOKES


For the second time in his life Stanley experienced the sensation of being pursued by an implacable foe. To Bub all was well as long as he could maintain his lead; not so for his companion. The very knowledge that the cool, mysterious depths of the forest contained a man grimly following his trail unnerved the city bred youth in a degree, and although he believed Big Nick could not discover their escape for some time, yet he repeatedly glanced over his shoulder as if expecting to see the evil face. He began to appreciate how the rabbit must have felt when chased by the lynx.

Bub quickly understood his friend’s mental plight and seizing him by the shoulder he whirled him about and drew him down on to a decayed log.

“What is it?” asked Stanley in a perturbed voice.

“Nothing; except we will wait here till you get your nerve back,” calmly replied Bub, care-

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