“Just once I was almost discovered,” continued Mr. Sanders. “And that was the other day when my cat—cried. Just then some one was passing—”
“I was,” blurted out Nancy. “And I heard you singing!”
Every one laughed.
“Was I singing, really?” asked the professor. “Well, I might have been for I was surely very happy. The anemometer was working beautifully down there, in my—cistern!”
“Cistern!” Every one seemed to cry out the word.
“He was in the cistern!” Nancy gasped. “That was where I heard the—noises coming from!”
“In the cistern!”
It took some time for the older folks to realize the significance of the revelation, but the girls and boys seemed instantly to understand.
“Yes, and you would be surprised what fine quarters I’ve had there. I have that nice, perfectly dry cistern actually furnished, even a rug on the floor! Chairs and a table, a looking glass—oh, you are all invited to inspect now,” announced the professor cheerily, “for my precious instrument has been safely shipped to the manufacturers, and I’ve been able—”
“He’s paid me more than a thousand dollars,” declared Mr. Townsend, rising from his chair and addressing the house, “and I think it’s only fair that folks around here should know how well I’ve made out on my investment.”