Early one August evening Lane went out to find a cool misty rain blowing down from the hills.

At the inn he encountered Colonel Pepper, who wore a most woebegone and ludicrous expression.

He pounced at once upon Lane.
"Daren, what do you think ?" he wailed, miserably.
"I don't think.

I know.

You've gone and done it--pulled that stunt of yours again," returned Lane.
"Yes--but oh, so much worse this time." "Worse! How could it be worse, unless you mean some one punched your head." "No.