_is_ unusually tropical," said the Phoenix, cocking one
eye toward the sun. "This fire, however, is necessary--but I shall
explain later. Meanwhile, if you will just aid me with this branch--"
And for the next fifteen minutes they worked over the heap, adding to
it and shaping it up. David kept his thoughts to himself. He could see
that the Phoenix knew what it was doing, so everything must be all
right.

"By the way, my boy," said the Phoenix casually, when they had
finished, "my prediction was correct. I knew it would be. The
inevitable has occurred."

"What are you talking about, Phoenix?"

"The Scientist, my boy. He is in our midst once more."

David clutched a branch in the heap and said "Oh, Phoenix!" in a
frightened voice.

"Now, my dear fellow, there is no cause for alarm. He is not nearby at
present. I sent him back."

"Sent him back? How?"

"Nothing to it, my boy," said the Phoenix smugly. "He was up at the
crack of dawn, toiling with typical stupidity in full sight on the
slope below. He was making a blind of green branches to hide in while
he spies on me. (Really, the childishness of his efforts! To think for
a minute he could fool _me_ with such tricks!) Well, I waited until he
had gone down the slope to cut more greenery, and when his back was
turned, I slipped down to the blind and took his binoculars."

"But Phoenix, what did you want with his binoculars?"

"I did not want his binoculars, my boy, but _he_ did. His language
when he discovered the loss was simply frightful--I could hear it all
the way up here. Of course, he had to return to town for another
pair."

"But he'll be back!"

"Precisely, my boy. But he will have something to keep him busy when
he returns. I took the liberty of destroying his blind. _That_ will
hold him."

"But it won't hold him long, Phoenix! We've got to think of something
else. Now your whole birthday is spoiled!"

"On the contrary, my boy, it will hold him long enough. Now please do
not ask me why; you must take my word for it, and I shall explain
later. And my birthday is _not_ spoiled. I am looking forward with a
great deal of pleasure to the surprise which you promised me. Come,
let us enjoy it, whatever it is, and forget the Scientist."

"Well ... are you _sure_ about the Scientist?"

"Absolutely."

The Phoenix was so positive that David began to feel better. He picked
up the paper bag and said: "Well, it isn't much of a surprise,
really--just a bir