I don't like it any better than you do--but--" Bill Baynton, the youngest boy, broke in, "Who told the Squire what fellows was in it ?" "It wasn't Billy," said another lad; "he just kept on yelling you was dead." "Look here," said Tom McGregor turning to John, "did you tell the Squire we fellows set it up ?" John was insulted.

He knew well the playground code of honour, but remembered in time his boxing-master's advice, the more mad you are the cooler you keep yourself.

He replied in his old formal way, "The question is one you have no right to ask; it is an insult." To the boys the failure to say "no" meant evasion.

"Then, of course, you told," returned the older lad.

"If I wasn't afraid you'd run home and complain, I'd spank you." It had been impossible for John to be angry with his uncle, although the punishment and the shame of carrying the news to the other boys he felt to be a too severe penalty.