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 get more hot muffins, "He aint no kwolty."

Many were the questions to be asked and answered and in consequence, it was nearly nine o'clock before breakfast was over; then Watson found himself the center of an admiring group. First of all, he was buttonholed by Jack and his laugh, hearty as the winds of his own State, made the walls ring, and all involuntarily joined.

"You ought to be a very happy man, Mr. De Vere," he said, addressing the latter.

"I am," Mr. De Vere replied. "Only a few years ago this beautiful city was a mere hamlet. The wonderful resources of this valley were undeveloped and no prospect of better conditions."

He looked musingly in the direction of the mine. "Hernando came to us and proved 'Old Ninety-Nine' no myth—of course you know the history?" Mr. De Vere interjected.

"Yes, and Jack tells me you have in your possession one of his ears, petrified."

"Had," corrected Mr. De Vere, "but no