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THE PURPLE PENNANT

tion explained to him and the trio became a quartette.

Save Morris not a person was glimpsed from Gordon's house to their destination. The only person they were likely to meet was the policeman on that beat, and, since he had to cover a deal of territory, and was known to have a partiality for the better lighted district nearest town, the boys considered their chances of evading him were excellent. Making certain that there was no watch-man about, they approached the smaller of the two rollers and considered it. It would have to be turned around and run back a half-block to the next street, north two blocks and then east to the Common Street side of the athletic field. The first difficulty that presented itself was that, contrary to the statement of the engineer, the fire under the boiler was not banked. In fact, there was very little fire there. This was explained by Morris. Being Saturday, he said, the engineers had left their fires to go out so they would not have to tend them until Monday morning.

"Isn't that the dickens?" asked Lanny. He lifted down a red lantern that hung from the engine and dubiously examined the steam gauge. "About ten pounds," he muttered. "She won't stir a step on that!"

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