Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/162

148 "We don't allow no mice in de sleepin'-cahs!" stormed the porter. "Dogs, an' cats, an' parrots, an' mice goes in de baggage-cah."

"Are there any more of them loose?" asked one of the ladies.

"I will see!" cried the tall, slim man. "I forgot about that! Oh, I hope they are safe! If they are not, what shall I do? I have an engagement in Jacksonville, and another in St. Augustine, to fill."

"Do you show 'em on the stage?" snorted the fat man.

"To be sure. Haven't you heard of me, Professor Richard De Haven, the world-famous trainer of mice, rats, and cats? I have exhibited my mice in all the countries of the world, and"

"Never mind that just now," interrupted Dunston Porter. "Go and see if the others are safe, otherwise we'll have to round up your live-stock before we go to sleep again."

"Oh, I shall never sleep another wink in this car!" sighed a lady.

"I shall!" snorted the fat man, "or else get the price of my berth out of that chap, or the railroad company!"

Professor De Haven ran to his berth and dragged forth a dress-suit-case. A moment later he uttered a genuine howl of dismay.

"They are all gone!"