He hesitated as if he would like to say something more, then retreating rather clumsily, he got his hat and said good-night, and left the office.
The letter which he had dictated was not laid upon Mr. Burton's desk for signature in exactly the phraseology which Tom had used, but Tom never knew that. This is the way the letter read:
Mr. William Barnard, Scoutmaster,
Second Dansburg Troop,
Dansburg, Ohio.
Dear Sir:
Replying to your letter asking for accommodations for your three patrols for month of August, we can assign you three cabins (Numbers, 5,6 and 7) covering that time. These are in an isolated spot, as you requested, being somewhat removed from the body of the camp.
Circular of rates and particulars is enclosed. Kindly answer promptly, as applications are numerous.
Yours truly,
The letter went out that night, and as it happened, a very considerable series of adventures resulted.
Perhaps if Margaret Ellison had looked at the map or even stopped to think, she would have consulted with Tom before typing that letter, which was the cause of such momentous consequences. As for Mr. Burton, he knew that Tom knew the camp like A. B. C. and he simply signed his name to the letter and let it go at that.