"They're all hopping or crawling away!"
"Oh, my goodness!" cried Professor Snodgrass, as he glanced down at
the liberated toads and lizards. "Oh, my goodness! That is too bad. I
brought them with me to compare with the horned toads and web-footed
lizards I hope to secure. Now they are getting away. Please, my dear
young lady, help me to save them!"
But the servant maid had fled into the house as soon as the scientist
released her arm. She was convinced that she had just escaped the
clutches of a madman.
"Come on, boys!" called Ned. "Help the professor!"
"Here are some small butterfly nets," the scientist said, producing
them from his pocket. "Don't injure the toads or lizards."
The boys were glad enough of these aids in catching the professor's
specimens, that were rapidly seeking hiding places about the stoop and
sidewalk. Though they had acquired a certain familiarity with strange
insects and reptiles, from seeing the museum collector handle them,
they did not fancy picking up a toad or lizard bare-handed. With the
nets, however, they managed, with the assistance of the scientist, to
capture most of the specimens, returning them to their cases in the
valise.
"There!" exclaimed Mr. Snodgrass, when, after a close scrutiny of the
porch he could see no more of the creatures, "I think we have them
all. Now boys, permit me to ask how you are. I am sorry my visit was
attended with such excitement, but I could not miss the chance of
getting that spider.
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