“One moment,” he called, and St. Nicholas halted in the act of dragging out his tiny reindeer and sleigh.
“Though you have remembered us, you have forgotten yourself,” Ned went on. “Therefore, Mr. Bart Keene, alias St. Nicholas, on behalf of the pupils of the school I present you with this.”
Before Bart could get away Ned had torn the false beard from his chum’s face. Then, holding out what seemed to be a basket-ball, Ned suddenly raised it high in the air and brought it down on Bart’s head. It broke with a loud sound, for it was paper blown up, and out flew a shower of confetti, which covered Bart’s red flannel uniform with tiny scraps of colored paper. Ned had brought it to use in playing a joke on someone else, but, at the last minute, discovering the identity of St. Nicholas, he had resolved on a different plan.
CHAPTER X
WRECK OF THE TOWER
A loud shout of laughter went up at the surprised look on Bart’s face. He did not know what to say, and he shook his head to get rid of the confetti that clung even to his eyebrows. He had hoped to get away undiscovered but his chums had been too smart for him. He opened his mouth to speak, and the hickory nut he had placed in it to make his voice sound deep, dropped out and rolled on the floor. At this there was more laughter.
“Very well done, Bart,” observed Principal McCloud. “I think school is dismissed,” he added, as he and the other teachers joined in the laughter.
“Come again, Bart,” said Ned, as he and the other boys crowded about the impersonator of Santa Claus.