"It will be a case of boil instead of freeze," interrupted Bumbus. "Then boil!" cried Billy. "I must do my duty while I live." "In with him!" cried Nickel Plate. "In with him!" cried Bumbus. "Yah-haw!" yawned Drone. And with that they lifted Billy up and were about to drop him into the vat, when through the open skylight and down in their midst dropped Mr. Gas. He was seated in his big arm-chair which was carried along by hundreds of toy balloons of all colors. "Hold!" he cried. But instead of holding they were all so surprised that they let go of Billy and he fell to the floor, just missing the vat by a few inches. Luckily he lit on his feet, and, of course, as this was just the same as a jump, he bounded up again and out through the skylight, followed by Mr. Gas. CHAPTER XVI. IN SPOOKVILLE When they had gotten well away from the factory, Billy recovered his wits sufficiently to thank Mr. Gas warmly for his assistance. "You are welcome, Billy Bounce--it was lots of fun for me and I needed an outing anyway." "But how did you know about my need?" said Billy. "I tried to send Umberufen and Gehsundheit, but could get neither of them to go." "The wireless telephoneless telephone brought me your wish. I came very near answering, but you didn't hold the wireless wire, and I thought it would be more exciting to save you at the last minute, the way they always do in books." "I'm afraid--" began Billy. "Don't do it," interrupted Mr. Gas. "What?" "Be afraid." "But I meant to say I was afraid--" he began again. "You did say it--you didn't just mean to say it," said Mr. Gas severely. "Well, what I meant was that I didn't think Gehsundheit and Umberufen have been of much use to me." "That's better--never use the word afraid, because there's nothing in the world to be afraid of if you do your best." "I'll remember that, sir," answered Billy. "About Gehsundheit and Umberufen--they are not very useful, it's true, but the two old fellows have been out of work for so long that I hire them out of charity." "I suppose they mean well." "Oh! yes; but be careful of well meaners unless they are good doers--that's what counts." "Yes, sir," said Billy. "And now good-by--keep your teeth clean and don't eat any dirt." "Of course not, I never do eat dirt." "I know you don't, but it is my rule to give advice that can be easily followed--that's the way I keep my friends. Good-by." "Good-by, and thank you," called Billy, and in less than half a jiffy Mr. Gas and his toy balloons were only a speck on the horizon. When Billy again reached the earth it was night. He had just taken Barker out of his pocket and was going to dig a hole for the Singing Tree, when he saw that he was in a great shadowy city. "That's strange," he said, looking about him. "I was sure that I was in the middle of a green meadow when I first came down and here I am in a city."