John obediently stretched his long form upon the floor and peered up through the flue of the open fireplace. As he did so the clatter in the chimney suddenly increased in volume and for a moment John was on the point of hastily withdrawing from the spot.
As he prepared to do so, however, suddenly a little, young bird fell, striking the floor close to John’s head. At the same time there was a renewal of the clatter in the chimney and John hastily withdrew.
To his amazement he found when he arose that Fred was laughing.
“What’s there so funny about it?” demanded John as he tried to brush the accumulated dust from his person.
For a moment Fred was almost unable to control himself, but at last he said, “Oh, Jack, what fools we have been. There we were so scared by the sound of the wings that we heard in this room and the strange noises that came from the chimney that we couldn’t get out of the place fast enough. And now it’s all as plain as daylight.”
“I don’t see it,” said John blankly.
“Well, have a little patience, and in time you’ll see it, Johnny.”
“Why don’t you talk? Why don’t you explain yourself? What are you laughing at?” demanded John, irritated by the manner of his companion.
“Why those sounds we heard were made by chimney-swallows.”
“What is a chimney-swallow?”