source of wonder to him. Perhaps Barrifield knew the secret of their
management.

"Even if it did cost that," proceeded Barrifield, "think of the quantity
of them we will sell, and the immense circulation it will give us. We
could afford to lose a little on each and make it back on the
advertising."

Perner knew nothing of advertising, except that a certain paper received
five thousand dollars a page for each issue, and Barrifield had assured
them that the circulation of the "Whole Family" would be more than twice
as great. He subsided, therefore, while Barrifield drew from his
overcoat pocket a flat package of considerable size and weight. He undid
the strings carefully, and a leather-bound, limp-covered book lay before
them.

"That," he said triumphantly, "is the Bible!"

Van Dorn reached for it and turned some of the leaves curiously.

"First one Van ever saw," said Perner.

Livingstone took up the book with thoughtful regard.

"Do you really think we'd better use this as a premium?" he said
hesitatingly. "It seems to me that it--that it's too--that it's
overdoing it." Livingstone's smooth face flushed a little. "I mean that
it's been overdone already," he added hastily and with confusion.

"Oh, my dear boy," said Barrifield, "the Bible is never overdone. This
is a finer one than Frisby used, and I can get it for just what the
watch costs. The' Whole Family' and the great Instructor's Bible, worth
both together five dollars, all for one dollar!"

"You don't mean to say that _this_ won't cost postage!" said Perner.

"Not a great deal. Book postage is cheap,--very cheap,--and think how
many of them we will sell and how much good they will do! One
half-million Bibles and the 'Whole Family'--"

"You didn't bring the gun along, did you?" interrupted Van Dorn.

Just then the dishes were served, and the premiums were for the moment
put aside. The talk, however, continued. Barrifield spoke of other
premiums he had been considering and upon which he had secured "special
inside figures" on large quantity. He no longer mentioned hundreds and
thousands in relation to the new paper. He was reveling in millions that
were as real to him as if they were already to his credit at the
banker's. Presently he reviewed once more the story of Frisby and the
"Voice of Light," whose cry in the wilderness had brought fortune so
promptly to his aid.

He added fresh details recently obtained, and told how during the first
mont