ted and slid out from under her,
causing sufficient hilarious diversion for Bill to take a sneak out of
the room. When Cora and Grace captured and brought him back, the keen
edge of the idea had worn off enough for him to dodge the issue.

"I'll tell you what we're going to do," he said, and it will be better
than anything we can think of just between us here. You all read, didn't
you, that the lectures were to be repeated by request in two months
after the last talk? We didn't hear it because Professor went away, and
now three weeks of the time have gone by. But I'll tell you what Gus and
I are going to do: we're going to build a radio receiver and get it done
in time to get those talks on Edison all over again."

"Really?"

"Do you think you can do it?"

"If Billy says he can, why, the--"

"Oh, you Edison's son!" This from the irrepressible Ted.

"Go to it, Bill!"

"Can we all listen in?"

"Why, of course," said Bill, replying to the last question.
"Everybody'll be invited and there will be a horn. But don't forget
this: We've only got a little over four weeks to do it and it's some
job! So, if you're disappointed--"

"We won't be."

"No; Bill'll get there."

"Hurrah for old Bill!"

"Say, people, enough of this. I'm no candidate for President of the
United States, and remember that Gus is in this, too, as much as I am."

"Hurrah for Gus!" This was a general shout.

Gus turned and ran.

CHAPTER XVI

THE DOUBTERS

The party was on the point of breaking up, with much laughter over the
embarrassment of poor Gus, when Skeets unexpectedly furnished further
entertainment. She had paused to lean comfortably against a center
table, but its easy rolling casters objected to her weight, rolled away
hastily and deposited her without warning on the floor. Ted, who
gallantly helped her to her feet, remarked, with a grunt due to extreme
effort, that she really might as well stand up or enlist the entire four
legs of a chair to support her.

Bill, about to take leave of the host and hostess, felt a slight jerk at
his sleeve and looking round was surprised to find Thad at his elbow.
The youth said in a low voice:

"Want to see you out yonder among the trees. Give the rest the slip. Got
a pipe of an idea."

Bill nodded, wondering much. A moment later Mr. Hooper was repeating
that he was proud of the work done by the boys and glad that he had
trusted them. Then he added:

"But say, young feller, mu