very long to invent a plan that looked feasible.

Sauntering along near the guard tent, Dodge encountered a classmate
with whom he was on fairly good terms, Mr. Harper, who was waiting
to fall in when the next relief of the guard was called.

"Prescott was on the grill last night, I hear," began Bert.

"So I hear," nodded Harper.

"I guess he dodged the O.C. cold," chuckled Dodge.

"He denied any knowledge of the monument business, I've heard,"
replied Harper.

Bert chuckled.

"That sounds like old Prescott," laughed Bert. "And I'll bet
he managed it without telling any lies. I know Prescott of old.
Our family once lived in the same town with him, you know. Prescott
was one of the biggest jokers in our High School. And he never
got caught in those days. Prescott was always the artful dodger."

"What do you mean by that!" asked Harper. "You don't mean that
Prescott is untruthful."

"Oh, no, not at all," laughed Bert. "But, if I could put him
on the rack, and get the whole thing, unreservedly, out of Richard
Prescott, I'd be willing to bet, in advance, that he knows just
who set off the cannon crackers last night."