"I'm too tough a morsel," Blake answered with a laugh. "Besides, I've been on the jump too much to allow an ordinary bird the chance. What's the matter with you—oversleep?"
"No, I did it on purpose. I was tired. But what's that you're reading; and what do you mean about being on the jump?"
"Oh, I just took a little run into the village after breakfast, on the motor cycle."
"You did! To tell that Spaniard he could, or could not, go with us?"
"Oh, I didn't see him. I just went into the town library. You know they've got a fairly decent one at Central Falls."
"Yes, so I heard; but I didn't suppose they'd be open so early in the morning."
"They weren't. I had to wait, and I was the first customer, if you can call it that."
"You are getting studious!" laughed Joe. "Great Scott! Look at what he's reading!" he went on as he caught a glimpse of the title of the book. "'History of the Panama Canal' Whew!"
"It's a mighty interesting book!" declared Blake. "You'll like it."
"Perhaps—if I read it," said Joe, drily.