“Never, senor!” exclaimed the man quickly. “I get this from a friend, and I sell it to you for very little more than I paid.”

“Oh, it was cheap enough,” went on the lad. “I’m not kicking. Only I’d like to get another. I knew mother would like this, and she did. She loves old-fashioned things.”

“And you want another for one who also loves of the time that is past—is that it, senor?”

“You’ve guessed it, Mendez. But keep mum about it. I want to surprise her.”

Then the wind, blowing in a contrary direction, carried the voices away, and Tom kept on, having only halted momentarily.


[CHAPTER XXI]
IN THE SHACK

“Jove!” murmured Tom, as he hurried on, “what have I stumbled upon?”