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Why, no, not that I remember, replied the other slowly; but now that you mention him acting as though he wanted to see us so badly, I remember that Hiram has been talking to me several times lately about some wonderful secret he was carrying around with him. He said he hoped to be in a position soon to open up and take me into his confidence; and that he might have a proposition to make that would give me a great, though a pleasant shock.
You dont say? chuckled the happy Andy. Well, seems to me the shoe is on the other foot just now, and that weve got something to tell Hiram that will take his breath away for
a minute. Look at him dancing around, Rob! I suppose now hes gone and invented some sort of contraption that never can be made to work, and he wants to tell you hes saved up enough hard cash to get a patent on the same. But chances are itll be money wasted, because, so far as I know, nothing Hiram has done so far has proved much of a success.
Im a little afraid its as you say, added Rob, in a low tone, for they were now fast nearing the dock where the other boy waited for them, his face wreathed in such broad smiles that they could easily see his news was of a pleasant nature. Three times Hiram has tried to go up in that aëroplane of his and failed. I hope hes switched his genius off on some safer track than this sky traveling. But well soon know, for here we are at the dock.
Andy stood by with the boathook to fend off, and old Captain Jerry got in readiness to take charge of his launch and pole it along the border of the bay to the mouth of the creek, up which he had his mooring place.
When Rob had made the motorboat fast to a cleat on the dock, he joined his chum, and the two of them advanced toward the spot where Hiram awaited their coming, his face still betraying the great excitement under which he seemed to be laboring.
CHAPTER IV A STUNNING SURPRISE
Hiram is a queer stick, you remember, the patrol leader told him, speaking in a soft tone, as he did not wish the other to catch what he said. Everybody just knows that hes gone daffy over this craze to invent something worth while. But unless I miss my guess were going to hear some news shortly.
There was no chance to exchange further remarks, because they had reached a point close to Hiram. The latter was a rangy sort of chap. He could talk as well as the next one when he felt disposed that way, but it had always been a sort of fad with Hiram Nelson to pretend that he was a real countryman, and many a time had he amused his chums with his broad accent and his wondering stare, as of a yahoo seeing city sights for the first time.
Now, however, Hiram apparently was not bothering his head about having any fun with his fellow scouts. There was an eager expression on his face, as though he were bursting with the desire to communicate his great secret to a chosen few of his chums, especially to the patrol leader, Rob Blake.
Been alookin for you all over town, Rob, he started in to say, as they joined him. Took me an awful long time to get track of where youd gone. Then just by accident I ran across Walter Lonsdale, who told me he believed from what Sim Jeffords said, that Joe Digby had seen you and Andy here hitting it up for the dock, and so he reckoned you must have gone off on your little Tramp . And say, Walter was right that time, wasnt he?
He certainly was, replied Rob, while Andy Bowles chuckled at the roundabout way the other admitted he had received his information.
Well, Rob, continued Hiram mysteriously, course you remember my telling you that sooner or later I might have somethin of vast importance to tell you, something that would give you one of the greatest thrills ever?
Sure, I remember that, asserted the other, what about it, Hi?
The other leaned closer to the scout leader, and in a hoarse whisper exclaimed:
The time has come now, Rob!
Good enough, said Rob. Fire away then, Hiram!
Hiram cast a rather dubious glance in the direction of Andy.
Oh, dont mind me one little bit, Hi! sang out that worthy cheerfully. Ill promise to seal my lips if you give the word, and even being burned at the stake couldnt force me to squeal a syllable. Say on, Hiram; youve got Rob and me worked up to top-notch with curiosity, and I know Ill burst pretty soon if you dont take pity on me.
Oh! well, I guess its all right, the other observed slowly. Everybodyll be knowing it sooner or later. You just cant hide a light under a bushel, anyhow. So I might as well take you at your word, Andy.
My words as good as my bond, Hiram, said the bugler of the troop, with some show of pride; whereat Hiram laughed softly, as though possibly he had no reason to doubt that same fact, since Andy would find it difficult work to get anybody to accept the latter.
Lets sit down here on this pile of lumber, Hiram went on to say, while I tell you what wonderful things happened. The greatest chance Ive ever struck so far, and you can understand that Im nigh about tickled to death over it.