That's the understandin'." His voice
was surprisingly harsh for one so high-pitched. He looked more
like a professor than ever.
"Willie has reasons for his caution which we respect," explained
the spokesman.
J. Wallingford Speed, face to face with these serious-minded
gentlemen, began to reflect that this foot-race was not a thing
to be taken too lightly.
"I can't understand," he declared, with a touch of irritation,
"why you should risk such priceless things upon a friendly
encounter."
"_Friendly!_" cried Willie and Stover in a tone that made
their listeners gasp. "The Centipede and the Flying Heart is just
as friendly as a pair of wild boars."
"You see, it's a good thing we wised you up," added the latter.
Carara muttered fiercely: "Senor, I works five year' for that
saddle. I am a good gambler, _si, si!_ but I keel somebody
biffore I lose it to the Centipede."
"And is that Echo Phonograph worth all this?" inquired Helen.
"We won that phonograph at risk of life and limb," said Willie,
doggedly, "from the Centipede-"
"--and twenty other outfits, Senor.
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