"Too true, I need you here: a messenger." So saying Nickel Plate rang the messenger call and sat down to write the note of explanation to Bogie Man. "Rat-a-tat-tat" came a knock on the door. "Come in," said Nickel Plate in a deep bass voice, the one he kept for strangers. The door popped open and in ran--yes, he really ran--a messenger boy. And such a messenger boy, such bright, quick eyes, such a clean face and hands, not even a high water line on his neck and wrists, such twinkling feet and such a well brushed uniform! Why you would hardly believe he was a messenger boy if you saw him, he was such an active little fellow. "Did you ring, sir?" said Billy Bounce. "Sh-h-h, not so loud," whispered Nickel Plate mysteriously--the whisper he kept for strangers. "Yes, I rang." "Very well, sir, I am here." "Ah-h," hummed Bumbus. "Are you here, are you there, do you really truly know it? Have a care, have a care." "Excuse me, sir," said Billy bewildered, "I don't think I understand you." "Neither do I," said Bumbus. "Nobody does. I'm a mystery." "Mr. who?" said Billy. "Mr. Bumbus of course." "Oh! I thought you said Mr. E." "Don't be silly, boy," interrupted Nickel Plate. "Bumbus, be quiet." "I be," said Bumbus. "Can you read?" whispered Nickel Plate. "Yes, sir." "That's good. Then perhaps you know where Bogie Man lives." "No, sir, but if you'll tell me I can find his house," said Billy, hoping it wasn't the real Bogie Man he meant. "That would be telling," said Nickel Plate. "But, sir, I don't know where to find him." "Did you ever see such a lazy boy?" hummed Bumbus. "Lazy bones, lazy bones, climb up a tree and shake down some doughnuts and peanuts to me." "But really," said Nickel Plate frowning, "really you know _I_ can't tell you where Bogie Man lives; it's against the rules." [Illustration: "I _can't tell you where Bogie Man lives, it's against the rules_."--Page 14.] "Then, sir," said Billy, his head in a whirl, "I don't see how I can deliver your message." "That's your lookout. You're a messenger boy, aren't you?" "Yes, sir." "And your duty is to carry messages wherever they are sent?" "Yes, sir, but--" "There, I can't argue with you any more. You will have to take the message--good day," said Nickel Plate handing Billy the note. "But, sir--" Bumbus jumped off his chair and slowly revolved around Billy, humming-- "Little boy, Billy boy, do as you're told. Refusal is rudeness: I surely shall scold. Here's your hat, there's the door, Run while you may, I have the great pleasure to Wish you good-day." As he sang this, Bumbus circled closer and closer to Billy until finally he touched him, digging him in the ribs and giving him gentle pushes toward the door. Suddenly Billy found himself outside of the room with the door slammed in his face.