Page:The purple pennant (IA purplepennant00barb).pdf/242

Rh along G Street, they slipped around the corner, cut through a yard and climbed a fence, dodged past a house and finally gained Troutman Street.

"There," said Fudge, with satisfaction, "I guess we've thrown them off all right." He stopped a moment, made a silent investigation and added darkly: "I hope they tear their pants on that fence the way I did!"

"It must be awfully late," said Perry. "I guess I'll go back this way; it's shorter."

"Better not," warned Fudge. "Come on to F Street. They might see you."

"I hope," mused Perry as they went on down the block, "I hope he will try to reform, Fudge. He doesn't seem what you'd call a hardened criminal, does he?"

"No, he doesn't. I guess there's a lot of good in him, Perry. I dare say he will get away safely and go back out West and settle down just like you or me."

"I do hope so." Perry sighed. "I liked him a lot, Fudge."

"Me, too. I wish he wasn't a criminal, that's what I wish. And, oh, shucks, now he can't do that drawing! I'll have to tell Dick that he left town unexpectedly. Say, let's do something to