Bundle Brent

"'What do you mean?'

"'I'm sorry,' apologized Jimmy.

"'But it seems to me as though I've heard it all before.

In a dream, you know.'

"'I know,' said Bundle, sympathetically.

"'It's impossible,' said Jimmy, following out his own train of thought.'

THE BEAUTIFUL FOREIGN ADVENTURESS, THE INTERNATIONAL GANG, THE MYSTERIOUS NUMBER SEVEN, WHOSE IDENTITY NOBODY KNOWS.

I'VE READ IT ALL A HUNDRED TIMES IN BOOKS.

OF COURSE YOU HAVE.

SO HAVE I. BUT IT'S NO REASON WHY IT SHOULDN'T REALLY HAPPEN.

I SUPPOSE NOT, ADMITTED JIMMY.

AFTER ALL, I SUPPOSE FICTION IS FOUNDED ON THE TRUTH.

I MEAN, UNLESS THINGS DID HAPPEN, PEOPLE COULDN'T THINK OF THEM.

"'There is something in what you say,' agreed Jimmy.

"'But all the same, I can't help pitching myself to see that I'm awake.'

"'That's exactly how I felt.'

Jimmy gave a deep sigh.

"'Well, I suppose we are awake.

Let me see.

A Russian, an American, an Englishman, a possible Austrian or Hungarian, and the lady who may be any nationality, for choice Russian or Polish.'