Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/67

Rh string, on which were bells, so that they jingled musically.

"Merry Christmas to all!" exclaimed St. Nicholas in a deep bass voice. "May I speak to them, sir?" and the figure turned to Professor McCloud, who, entering into the spirit of the occasion, nodded an assent. Neither he nor any of the teachers were prepared for the advent of Santa Claus. Some of the boys had suspected, but they were not sure.

"My sled and reindeer shrunk as soon as I struck this climate," Santa Claus went on in his deep tones, which Ned was puzzling his brain over. He was wondering where he had heard them before. "Still I managed to come," the red-coated figure went on. "I have a few gifts for some of the more faithful of my subjects."

He slung the bag from his shoulder and began groping in it.

"Is Lem Gordon here?" he asked.

"Step up, Lemuel," said Professor McCloud, for, though he did not know what was coming, he was willing to let the pupils have fun on such an occasion as this.

Rather sheepishly Lem, the pitcher on the High School nine, left his seat.

"I have heard of your good work last season,"