t, but we will get back in the habit of it,
and an ounce of precaution is worth a pound of cure. Now go to it, old
topper, and the best of luck."

The chums shook hands, and then went their different ways, Garry and
Dick back to the lean-to in the woods, and Phil back to town.

Just before he left the fringe of woods that bordered the edge of the
town, Phil did a peculiar stunt that was later to stand him in good
stead. Taking his knife from his pocket, he made a small slit in the
under side of his coat lapel. In this he slipped the knife, and then
held the coat at arm's length to see if there was any lump observable.
The coat, made as it was of thick khaki, showed no noticeable
difference. Satisfied with the appearance, he slipped his coat on again,
and went his way. Phil was thinking of the time he had been left chained
to the tree in the woods by Anderson and LeBlanc, with no weapon with
which he could free himself, and he was determined that this would never
happen again if he could prevent it. He was satisfied that the ruse of
hiding the knife would not be discovered were he captured, unless his
coat was taken away from him.

In a short time Phil had approached the restaurant, and entered. Taking
his seat on one of the high stools at the lunch counter, he ordered some
supper. The bearded Frenchman, evidently the proprietor, who approached,
shot at him a question in French.

Phil know perfectly well that he was asking him in French what he
wanted, but he just stared blankly at the man, who, believing that he
did not understand, spoke to him in broken English.

"M'sieu does not spik the French, hein?"

Phil shook his head and repeated his order in English. Satisfied, the
man turned to the stove back of the counter and dished up a mess of
piping hot baked peas, cooked with bacon instead of pork. This is a
favorite dish with the French of Canada. A great slab of johnny-cake and
a cup of hot coffee seemed to be the only thing on the bill of fare. For
dessert there was apple pie and cheese.

The whole was put before him at once, and Phil, with the appetite of a
healthy boy, fell to and soon dispatched the food. He ate a second
portion of the peas, which evidently pleased the proprietor who was at
once cook and waiter.

Following the order for the second helping, the big Frenchman entered
into conversation with Phil. He seemed satisfied with Phil's answer to
his query as to what he was doing in those parts, when