It was just at this moment that Billy was seized suddenly with a fit of laughter, and his high glee was directed at Henri.
"Won't you set 'em going in that layout!" he howled.
With that he made a jump for his chum, as if to hurry the process of transformation. The playful effort commenced at the throat and scattered a few buttons. Henri resisted the attack, and for a second or two held Billy in close arm lock—time enough for the assailant to get a pin-jab in the thumb, and a wad of tissue paper in the clench of four fingers!
Roque viewed the antics with a frown of impatience, but the assistant of grenadier size roared his approval of the fun.
Henri was brisk enough then in taking off the old for the new, and by the time Billy commanded attention there was no occasion for worry.
Billy had swallowed the tissue!
CHAPTER II.
A STIRRING HOLIDAY.
To be rudely routed out of a snug nest in a feather bed at 3 o'clock in the morning—a morning with a real chill in it—is not a desirable experience for the average house-bred boy, and even such seasoned campaigners as Billy Barry and Henri Trouville were inclined to grumble when the giant Zorn yanked the covers from their downy couch and gruffly ordered them to get up and dress, and to make haste about it.