the fishing-rod?"

"Why, I don't think it makes much difference, so long as they're
somewhere," answered Bertram. "And there are these Indian clubs and the
swords to be disposed of, you know."

"Yes; and it's going to look fine; don't you think?" exulted William.
"And you know for the wall-space between the windows I'm going to bring
down that case of mine, of spiders."

Bertram raised his hands in mock surprise.

"Here--down here! You're going to trust any of those precious treasures
of yours down here!"

William frowned.

"Nonsense, Bertram, don't be silly! They'll be safe enough. Besides,
they're old, anyhow. I was on spiders years ago--when I was Billy's age,
in fact. I thought he'd like them here. You know boys always like such
things."

"Oh, 'twasn't Billy I was worrying about," retorted Bertram. "It was
you--and the spiders."

"Not much you worry about me--or anything else," replied William,
good-humoredly. "There! how does that look?" he finished, as he
carefully picked his way down the stepladder.

"Fine!--er--only rather warlike, maybe, with the guns and that riotous