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 "Well, so I am," answered Laurie, "in this affair. Now we'll go down and get it off at night-*rates."

"Say," said Ned, "we're a set of dumb-bells! We could have sent a night-letter of fifty words for the same price."

"That's so," admitted Laurie. "I think a night-letter costs a little more, though, doesn't it? Anyway, this is more—more succinct. It sounds more businesslike. What do you think?"

They agreed that it did, and presently, a fresh copy of the message in his pocket, Laurie led the way from the room, followed by the others. The languid youth who accepted the telegram at the office appeared to hesitate over "sister-in-law," but he made no objection to its inclusion as one word, and he brightened perceptibly as the sense of the message percolated in his mind. He looked curiously at the three boys, re-read the message, and then shook his head incredulously.

"Sick 'em, Prince," he murmured.

The cost of the telegram was less than Laurie had dared hope it would be, and in the first moment of relief he magnanimously offered to pay a