"
Leon unconcernedly overturned the wood-box. Alf, with a yell,
ran and jumped upon a stool, standing there, his eyes threatening
to pop out from sheer terror.
Leon began to stir the firewood about with his foot.
Click-ick-ick!
Alf howled with terror, and seemed in danger of falling from the
stool.
"You'll keep on hearing rattlers, I expect," grunted Reade, "when
all the time it's nothing but the snapping of your nerves from
smoking cigarettes. The next thing you know your brain will snap
utterly."
Click-ick-ick! On his stool Alf danced a mild war-dance from
sheer nervousness.
"Come, be like a man, and give up the pests," advised Tom.
"I---I---be-believe I will," half agreed the lad.
Click-ick-ick-ick!
"Didn't you hear that?" quavered the youngster.
"I hear your voice, but no rattlers," Reade went on. "Are you
still hearing the snakes? Be a man, Alf! Come, empty your pockets
of cigarettes and throw them in the fire."
Like one in a dream Alf Drew obeyed.
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