Alma suddenly looked up with a little blush and a smile. Her eyes seemed to say to him:
"I heard you call? What is it?"
He nodded pleasantly, and said, "Would you like to see some of my traps?"
"Oh, yes. Do open one of your trunks."
Mr. Franklin took out a bunch of keys and went to one of the trunks. As he did so he said to himself:
"Deuced bright girl! She learned my call in a flash. I must teach her the whole alphabet, and then will have some tall fun and circumvent that fool of a clerk."
This remark was applied to Mr. Belford, and was eminent for its touching truth.
While the young people were opening the trunk, Mr. Denny and Mr. Belford were engaged in examining the business papers spread on the table, and for several minutes they paid no attention to things done and said almost under their eyes.
Such a very strange trunk. Instead of clothing, it contained the most singular assortment of scientific instruments. Each was carefully secured so that no rude handling would harm it, and all shining and glistening brilliantly as if kept with the most exquisite care. Mr. Franklin unfastened a small brass telescope, mounted upon a stand, with a compass, levels, plumb line, and weight attached.
"That's my theodolite. There's a tripod in one of my boxes. I'll get it and mount it, and we'll have a shot at the chimney.