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100
THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS

as the strip of silk found near the looted jewelry box. Tom stared at it intently as the rich lad flourished it.

"By Jove!" suddenly exclaimed Boswell, "I've got that torn handkerchief again," and he held it up, showing where a strip had evidently been ripped from it. "I've got two," he explained, "and this one got torn the other day. I thought I laid it aside, but, in my hurry, I must have grabbed it up."

"How—how'd you tear it?" asked Tom, when he could trust his voice.

"Oh, it caught on a nail down at the boathouse, and a piece was ripped off."

"Why—why couldn't you have it sewed on?" asked Tom.

"What? Carry a mended handkerchief? I guess not. Anyhow the piece fell in the water and floated away. Hope you'll be in the eight next time we practice, though I may get your place."

"Maybe," answered Tom, and he did not take the trouble to designate which clause the word modified.