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THE SHADOW ON THE CURTAIN

proper training, going at it slowly, day by day, you know—well, we'll see what your mother says."

Perry frowned and moved impatiently on the couch. "Yes, sir, but you know mother always finds objections to my doing things like that. You'd think I was a regular invalid! Other fellows run and jump and play football and their folks don't think anything of it. But mother——"

"Come, come, Perry! That'll do, son. Your mother is naturally anxious about you. You see, there's only one of you, and we—well, we don't want any harm to come to you."

"Yes, sir," said Perry, more meekly. "Only I thought if you'd say it was all right, before she comes in——"

The Doctor chuckled. "Oh, that's your little game, is it? No, no, we'll talk it over with your mother. She's sensible, Perry, and I dare say she won't make any objections; that is, if you promise to be careful."

"Yes, sir. Why, there's a regular trainer, you know, and the fellows have to do just as he tells them to."

"Who is the trainer?"

"'Skeet' Presser, sir. He's——"

"Skeet?"

"That's what they call him. He's small and

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