“Say,” he bolted out in mingled awe and admiration, “you know how to do things with that queer contrivance, don’t you?”
Tom briefly explained some of the minutiæ of the wireless and had an ardent listener. When he had concluded he intimated pleasantly:
“And how did you chance to come along just when I needed you, Bill?”
The Barber boy at once looked serious. A furtive embarrassed expression came into his face.
“That’s it,” he mumbled, “I came to tell you, Tom, you see?”
“To tell me what, Bill?” asked Tom encouragingly.
“About that tar and feather business. I had nothing to do with it, Tom, honest Injun.”
“Who said you did, Bill?” propounded Tom, smiling.
“I’ll bet you thought it.”
“Well, wasn’t it quite natural I should?” inquired Tom.