“It’s hard to say,” replied Jack. “He showed spunk, though, in running away, and I guess he couldn’t have taken any money with him, either, for his guardian never let him have any. Well, if he comes I’ll look out for him, and I’ll not hand him over to a policeman, either.”
“Say,” called a voice from the other side of the street. “Bettergome, Jack.”
“Better go home—what for, Budge?” asked Jack as he saw the queer, gum-loving lad coming toward him.
“Some of your camping stuff arrived, and your aunts don’t know where to put it. It’s all over the parlor floor,” explained Budge, taking his gum out of his mouth in order to speak more plainly.
“I hope it’s my new gun!” exclaimed Jack. “Come on, Nat, let’s hurry. Did they send you after me, Budge?” for the assistant janitor used to do chores for Jack’s aunts, and was constantly around the house.
“’Swat,” replied Budge, that being his gum version of “That’s what.”
Jack and Nat hurried to the former’s house. They found several packages strewn about the parlor, while Jack’s three maiden aunts were sitting in chairs, staring helplessly at the accumulation of stuff.
“Oh, Jack!” exclaimed Aunt Angelina. “Whatever is in all those packages? The man who brought them told us to be careful, as one was marked firearms.”
“That’s all right,” said Jack easily. “It’s only some guns and cartridges I expect, Aunt Angelina.”
“But—but suppose it should blow up the place, Jack dear?” asked Aunt Mary.