"May I say something?"

"Surest thing you know!" came promptly from Tom.

"Then I'm going to give you a bit or advice," went on the older lad.
"You may follow it, or not, but I feel it's my duty to offer it. And
it's this. I've heard the whole story now, and I know how you fellows
must feel. But my advice is--to do nothing at all to Sam and Nick."




CHAPTER IV

HOW SAM TOLD IT

For a few seconds there was silence in Tom's room. All eyes were fixed
on Bruce Bennington, but the latter bore the scrutiny well. Then came
gasps of surprise, and one or two mutterings. Bruce heard them, and
smiled.

"Come!" he invited with a laugh. "Out with it. I know what you are
thinking. Speak up, Tom--and the rest of you."

"Did you--did you really mean that?" asked Tom slowly, "or was it a
joke?"

"It wasn't a joke, certainly. I'm in earnest," and the smile faded
from the face of Bruce Bennington.