some months, when we again find him interested
in some of the work of Professor Bumper,
as set forth in the magazine mentioned.

"Well, he certainly is having some conversation,"
reflected Ned, as, after more than five
minutes, Tom's ear was still at the receiver of
the instrument, into the transmitter of which
he had said only a few words.

"All right," Tom finally answered, as he hung
the receiver up, "I'll be here," and then he turned
to Ned, whose curiosity had been growing with
the telephone talk, and remarked:

"That certainly was wonderful!"

"What was?" asked Ned. "Do you think I'm
a mind reader to be able to guess?"

"No, indeed! I beg your pardon. I'll tell you
at once. But I couldn't break away. It was
too important. To whom do you think I was
talking just then?"

"I can imagine almost any one, seeing I know
something of what you have done. It might be
almost anybody from some person you met up
in the caves of ice to a red pygmy from the
wilds of Africa."