Ten minutes later Skippy, shivering under the apple tree, beheld Tabby reappear, take up the tongs gingerly and return to the house. Almost immediately the window of the Doctor's study opened with a bang and there was an iron clank in the near roadway.
"I never smelled such a smell! Is it possible?" said the Doctor, coughing. "What is it?"
"Please, sir, I don't know," said Mr. Tapping miserably.
"You don't know and you are a B. S.?"
"I haven't the faintest idea."
"Well, what is your explanation, or have you any explanation of this extraordinary occurrence?"
"I think, sir, the boy is completely unbalanced."
"Bedelle! He's always been steady and well conducted."
"He's been acting queerly lately, sir, and he absolutely refuses to give any explanation. The house, sir, is quite untenantable. I—I don't think the boys can sleep there to-night."
"Where is Bedelle now?"