"Some of the men. It was true that I was ill last night. Jules Clemenceau
will not forget."
The young French boy had stood with one hand in his pocket, and now
withdrew the hand and extended it to Hal. As he did so, two small objects
fell from his pocket. Apparently Jules did not notice them. Hal shook
hands with the boy and the Frenchman took his departure.
Chester, in the meantime, had picked up the two little objects and now he
called to Jules, but the young Frenchman did not hear him.
"Oh, I guess he doesn't want these things, anyhow," the lad muttered.
"What things?" asked Hal, who had not seen the objects drop from
Jules' pocket.
Chester passed one of the objects to him.
"Know what it is?" he asked.
"Sure," returned Hal, "don't you?"
"No. What is it?"
"A pea."
"I never saw a pea like that."
"Probably not. They are rather rare. A black pea, that's what it is.
Where did you get it?"
"Jules dropped it out of his pocket."
"Well, as he seems to think I have done him a favor, I am just going to
keep this. I guess he won't mind. I'll carry it as a pocket piece."
"Then I'll carry the mate to it," said Chester.
He put the little round pea in his pocket and Hal followed suit.
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