“What mess tent? Jerry’s?”
“Well, he was there. That’s where I met him. It was the circus mess tent. The cook gave it to me. It was peachy!”
“Su-say!” cried Tom. “Maybe he isn’t lying, fellows! You know there was to be a circus here to-day!”
“Yes, that’s what made Nel dream of ’em,” said Bob.
But Tom was studying Nelson’s face attentively, and something about his smile made Tom suspect that he was on the right track.
“I’ll bu-bu-bet you it’s su-su-su-so!” cried Tom. “Where is it, Nel?”
“Come on,” said Nelson.
They followed him up to the brow of the hill. Before them lay the tents and the wagons, and, nearer at hand, the elephant and the camel were still quietly eating breakfast. They stared in amazement.
“Well, I’ll be bu-bu-bu-bu——!”
“Of course you will, Tommy,” said Nelson soothingly. “Only don’t explode.”