Marcy said it was not; or if it was he hadn't found it out.
"That's mighty strange," remarked one of the group who had not spoken before.
"What is strange?" demanded Marcy. "Explain yourself."
"Why, if there was a band of marauders about, as every one seems to think," said the boy——
"Well, there was," interrupted Marcy. "They came to our house, and made preparations to hang me up by the neck, when the——"
"Oh, get out!" exclaimed Allison and Goodwin in concert.
Marcy had pushed his hat on the back of his head and squared himself to tell the story of his adventure; but when these words fell upon his ear, he put his hands into his pockets and started for the post-office.
"Hold on," cried Tom, catching at his arm. "Don't go off that way. Tell us all about it."
"I will, if you will ride home with me so that I can prove my story," said Marcy. "When you see the chandelier that was pulled out of its place in the ceiling by the rope——"
"Were you hanging to the rope when it pulled out?" exclaimed the impatient boys.