"Geewhillikans!" howled Billy, as he scrambled to his feet and made a dive for his lantern. "What's all this?"
The next second he flashed his bull's-eye on the walk, and began an investigation.
"WELL, WELL! IF THERE AIN'T A BOY, THEN I'M A GOAT!"
"You may shoot me if it ain't old Parks's sign!" he went on, throwing the stream of light along the board. "More Halloween monkey business, I s'pose. I'd like to catch the scalawags! Wonder how they got it down?" He stepped back to the edge of the walk and turned the light upward.
"Well, well! If there ain't a boy, then I'm a goat! Come down here, you young imp!"
Teddy only swung his legs.
"Come down, I say, or I'll—I'll—I'll—" and Billy paused, unable to think of anything terrible enough.
"I—I can't, Billy," Teddy managed to get out.
"Hung up, hey? Good enough for you. You ought to be hung up by the heels a week! I'll get you down, young man. Just you be calm till I fetch Whitney's ladder," and Billy started up the street on a trot, muttering to himself.