"
"It certainly was," agreed Bob. "That man acted in a strange manner,
too, as if he was afraid some one would see him. I wonder if there is
any mystery connected with him?"
There came a time when the boys had good reason to remember this
incident of the box filled with a strange substance, for they were in
great danger from it.
"Well, I don't know that it concerns us," mused Ned. "I guess we'll
not get any damages from the railroad company in time to use the money
on our California trip, so we might as well take some cash out of our
saving fund. I do wish we'd hear from the professor. It's several days
since I wrote to him, saying we would go with him."
"I suppose he is so busy catching a new kind of flea, or a rare
specimen of mud turtle, that he has forgotten all about writing,"
suggested Bob. "If he doesn't--"
What Bob intended saying was interrupted by a commotion at the front
door. The bell had rung a few seconds before, and the servant maid had
answered it. Now the boys heard her voice raised in protest:
"Stop! Stop!" she cried. "Don't do that! You are a crazy man! I'll
call the police!"
And, in reply came these words:
"Calm yourself, calm yourself, my dear young lady. All I desire is to
capture that spider crawling on your left arm. It is a very valuable
variety of the red spotted species, and I must have it for my
collection. Now just stand still a moment--"
"Professor Snodgrass has arrived!" cried Ned, as he made a rush for
the door.
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