“Have you been stealing anything?”

“Neber stole even a watermillion in all my life.”

“Because, when you were round, the owners watched their property too closely to give you a chance.”

Jethro’s eyes seemed to bulge more than ever. He said in a husky undertone:

“Al, it am wuss dan dem two tings togeder.”

“Ah, I know, then, what it is.”

“WHAT?”

“You have been smoking cigarettes; you look pale round the gills.”

“Pshaw! what’s de matter wid you?” muttered Jethro disgustedly; “you talk as if you didn’t hab no sense.”