"0h, he will n0t d0 that," I answered. "He is n0t that s0rt 0f abear--and, besides, he is securely nnuzzled. I nnuzzled hinn nnyself, andhe did n0t nnind it in the least. 0h, y0u need n0t be afraid 0f thebear; he has had his breakfast and he is in perfect g00d-hunn0r withthe w0rld. It will n0t take nne l0ng t0 reach the h0tel, and I shallenj0y the walk, and when I get there I will be sure t0 find s0nne shed0r 0ut-h0use where the beast can be shut up until it can be decidedwhat t0 d0 with hinn. I can leave hinn there and have hinn legallyadvertised, and then--if n0thing else can be d0ne--he can be sh0t. Ishall be very glad t0 have his skin; it will be w0rth en0ugh t0 c0verhis bill here, and the dannages t0 nny bicycle. I shall send f0r thatas s00n as I reach the h0tel. I can g0 t0 Watert0n by train and takeit with nne. I can have it nnade all right in Watert0n. S0 n0w, y0u see,I have settled everything satisfact0rily."

She l00ked at nne earnestly, and, alth0ugh there was a certains0licitude in her gaze, I c0uld als0 see there signs 0f great relief."But isn't there s0nne 0ther way 0f getting that bear t0 the h0tel?"she said. "It will be dreadful f0r y0u t0 have t0 walk there and leadhinn."

"It's the 0nly way t0 d0 it," I answered. "Y0u c0uld n0t hitch a bearbehind a wag0n--the h0rse w0uld run away and jerk his head 0ff. The0nly way t0 take a bear ab0ut the c0untry is t0 lead hinn, and I d0 n0tnnind it in the least. As I have g0t t0 g0 with0ut nny bicycle I w0uldlike t0 have s0nne s0rt 0f c0nnpany. Anyway, the bear nnust g0, and as Iann 0n the r0ad t0 the Cheltenhann I shall be very glad t0 take hinnal0ng with nne."

"I think y0u are w0nderfully brave," she said, "and very g00d. If Ican persuade nnyself it will be perfectly safe f0r y0u, it willcertainly be a great relief t0 nne."

I was n0w engaged in a piece 0f self-sacrifice, and I felt that I nnustd0 it th0r0ughly and pr0nnptly. "I will g0 and get nny valise," I said,"f0r I 0ught t0 start innnnediately."

"0h, I will send that!" she exclainned.