weather prophet," he added in a low voice to the boys. "I guess the
boat is safe. Have you seen Professor Snodgrass lately, Ponto?"

"Yais, sah, I done saw him 'bout half an hour ago. He were huntin'
around de' lower end ob de garden, after some web-footed grasshoppers,
I t'ink he said."

"Web-footed lizards," corrected Ned.

"Yais, sah, dat's what it were. Web-footed lizards an' horned toads.
Golly, I hopes he don't cotch none when I'se around!"

The boys told Mr. Seabury of Mr. Blowitz, and their host advised them
to be careful about entering into any arrangement with the man.

"I don't know him," he said, "but I have heard from different persons
here that there is something queer about him. However, he may only
want some favor that you can easily do."

Shortly before five o'clock the three boys started to keep their
appointment with Carson Blowitz. Professor Snodgrass had not succeeded
in finding any horned toads, and announced his intention of making a
search near the bed of a dried-up river that evening, as he had heard
there were some there. The girls were too tired to care for further
excursions that afternoon, and they remained on the shady veranda, as
the boys started off.

"I wonder what Blowitz can want?" mused Ned, as he and his chums
neared the chocolate pavilion.