“Tommy didn’t come,” his father said. “He went with his mother. But,” with a glance at Mr. Lewis, “Ben and I decided to take a look at this whale of a gorilla here. What do you think of him, boys?”
“Biggest I’ve ever seen,” came from Joe. “Wonder how he was captured.”
“It wasn’t an easy job,” said Mr. Lewis. “I once saw natives in Africa capture a gorilla. Was in the Mountains of the Moon. They used a peculiar trap consisting of a circular hole in the ground. When the animal fell into the hole, a noose was tightened around its neck.”
“You say you were there?” asked Bob. “How long ago has it been?”
“A good many years—four, to be exact. Howard and I went together on a big expedition. We brought back several unusual specimens of animal life.”
“Then,” began Bob with a smile, “you’ll probably go again in the next few days, won’t you? Back in San Francisco you said you were going.”
Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton exchanged amused glances.
“Shall we tell them, Ben?” asked Bob’s father.
“Tell us what?” cried Joe, sensing that something was in the wind.
“Simply that we’re leaving for Africa Friday,” was the quiet answer from Mr. Lewis.