“How did Reade come to have it?” inquired Mr. Thurston.
“He snatched it away from me.”
“Reade, is this true?” demanded the chief engineer, turning to the youth.
“Yes, sir; as far as the story goes.”
“Tell me the whole truth of this affair,” ordered Mr. Thurston sternly.
Tom started to do so, modestly, but Black broke in angrily at points in the narrative.
“The principal thing that I have against Mr. Black,” Tom said, “is that he spoiled all my drawing work of this morning.”
“Yes; but how did I come to do it?” insisted the newcomer. “You pushed me against your drawing table.”
Tom started with astonishment.
“My friend,” he remarked, “Baron Munchausen never had anything on you!”