Billy waited for the storm of protest and comment to subside.
“I mean just what I said,” he affirmed. “Cross my heart and hope to die if I don’t.”
This solemn affirmation helped to quell the doubters, especially as there was nothing to arouse suspicion in Billy’s sober face.
“Well then, tell us all about it,” urged Mouser, who was anxious to obtain confirmation of his own belief.
“It was in our town when old General Bixby was buried,” explained Billy, amid a silence in which one could have heard a pin drop. “There was a big turnout and the band played awful solemn music.”
He paused for a moment.
“Yes, go on, go on,” urged Skeets excitedly. “Was it then that you heard the ghosts walk?”
“Yes,” replied Billy. “It was then that I heard the Dead March.”
There was a moment of stupefaction, as the idea filtered into the minds of Billy’s dupes. Bobby grasped it first.
“Run, Billy run!” he counseled. “They’ll kill you for that!”