ason why they shouldn't be."

"I was thinking that they might be bub-bub-bandits."

"Well, there isn't any very great difference between the two, so far
as we are concerned."

"But isn't there any law among the Kik-kik-Carlists? Can't we appeal
to Did-did-Don Carlos?"

"Oh yes, of course--if we could only get at him, and if he could only
get at us; but these two things are just what can't be done. And so
I'm afraid we'll have to make up our minds to pay the piper."

At this Russell again gave a heavy groan.

"Don't be alarmed," said Hurry, in a soothing tone. "We can beat them
down."

"No," moaned Russell, "we can't do anything. And I've got too much
about me altogether."

"You haven't carried any large sum of money with you, surely?" cried
Harry. "Why, man, you're mad!"

"But I didn't think there'd be any danger on the railway," said
Russell.

"If your money is in bills of exchange you'll be right enough," said
Harry.

Russell shook his head.

"No," said he, "it's worse than that."

"How?"

"My money is in bub-bub-bonds--Spanish bub-bub-bonds."

"Bonds!" repeated Harry.

"Yes," groaned Russell--"kik-kik-coupon bub-bub-bonds."

"Coupon bonds! Why, man, what in Heaven's name are you doing with
coupon bonds in this country?"

"Why, they're Spanish bonds, and I was taking them out of the country
to England."

"Whew!" whistled Harry. "In how much?"

"Thirty thousand pounds!" wailed Russell, in a voice of despair.

Another prolonged whistle was the result of this information.

"It's no use making it a secret to you," continued Russell. "I'll be
searched, I suppose, and the bonds'll be taken."

"I'll tell you what to do," said Harry: "let me take care of them."

Russell shook his head.

"N-no; you'll be searched too. They'll be no safer."

"Well, then, hide them in this room somewhere."

"I don't know where to hide them," said Russell, dolefully; "besides,
we may be taken to another room, and so it's no use hiding them here.
I've been thinking of sewing them up inside the lining of my coat,
only I haven't any needle and thread to sew with. Oh, if Mrs. Russell
were here! I didn't think of this. I'd get her to stitch them inside
my coat to-night. And now I don't know what to do. If it weren't for
these bonds I should feel safe enough. But the amount is so
e-normous!"

"Are they registered?"

"Oh no. I don't believe they register bonds in this miserable
country, or do anything but steal t