"
"You're not going to tell us?" demanded Chester.
"No," said Stubbs. "By the way, here's your black pea," for Chester had
not noticed that he had dropped it.
"Thanks," said Chester, taking the pea and dropping it in his pocket, "I
wouldn't want to lose it."
"No, I guess not," said Stubbs mysteriously. "Pretty scarce articles. I
don't suppose you could find another one in some distance."
"Oh, yes, you could," said Hal. "I have one myself."
"That so?" said Stubbs, and added to himself: "I thought so, but I wanted
to make sure."
Hal produced his black pea. Stubbs examined it carefully and passed it
back to him.
"Better keep it in a safe place," he said. "As I say, they are scarce
and it never does a fellow any good to lose anything when there is
anyone around."
Hal and Chester started guiltily. How could Stubbs know they had found
the peas when they fell from the pocket of Jules Clemenceau? Stubbs, who
had been watching the two closely, observed these sudden starts and
interpreted them to his own satisfaction.
"Come now, Stubbs," said Chester, "tell us the rest of this story
of yours."
"No," said Stubbs, "I am going to keep it to myself.
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