hom he cared most (if we
except Mr. Damon) was Ned Newton, who was employed in a Shopton bank.
Ned also had often gone with Tom, though lately, having a better
position, he had less time to spare.

"Well, do you feel better, Mr. Damon?" asked Tom, after a bit.

"Yes, very much, thank you. Bless my pen wiper! but I thought I was
done for when I saw my horse bolt for your front stoop. He rushed up
it, fell down, but, fortunately, I managed to get out of his way,
though the saddle girth slipped. And all I could think of was that my
wife would say: 'I told you so!' for she warned me not to ride this
animal.

"But he never ran away with me before, and I was in a hurry to get over
to see you, Tom. Now then, let's get down to business. Will you go to
South America with me?"

"Whereabout in South America are you going, Mr. Damon, and why?" Tom
asked.

"To Peru, Tom."

"What a coincidence!" exclaimed Mr. Titus.

"I beg your pardon?" said Mr. Damon, interrogatively.

"I said what a coincidence. I am going there myself."

"Excuse me," interposed Tom, "I don't believe, in the excitement of the
moment, I introduced you gentlemen. Allow me--Mr. Damon--Mr. Titus."

The presentation over, Mr. Damon went on:

"You see, Tom, I have lately invested considerable money in a wholesale
drug concern. We deal largely in Peruvian remedies, principally the
bark of the cinchona tree, from which quinine is made. Of late there
has been some trouble over our concession from the Peruvian government,
and the company has decided to send me down there to investigate.

"Of course, as soon as I made up my mind to go I thought of you. So I
came over to see if you would not accompany me. All went well until I
reached your front gate. Then my horse became frightened by a yellow
toy balloon some boy was blowing up in the street and bolted with me. I
suppose if it had been a red or green balloon the effect would have
been the same. However, here I am, somewhat the worse for wear. Now
Tom, what do you say? Will you go to South America--to Peru--with me,
and help look up this Quinine business?"

Once more Mr. Titus and Tom looked at each other.

Chapter III

A Face at the Window

"What is the matter?" asked Mr. Damon, catching the glance between Tom
and the contractor. "Is there anything wrong with South America--Peru?
I know they have lots of revolutions in those countries, but I don't
believe Peru is what they call a 'banana repub