matter, Paul--you won't say anything to your folks, will you?"

"Not for the world. It's your secret, and I'd never leak a word without
your permission. But I must be off now. Leave things just as you always
have done; and don't shut or lock the door here any more than before.
I've got to do some studying over this Boy Scout affair when I get
back. Whitson loaned me some pamphlets, but I didn't have time to read
them through."

Jack accompanied his friend down to the front door. Here Karl, having
heard them descending the stairs, joined them; and so far as Paul could
see there was no change in the boy's manner. If he had done wrong he must
be clever enough to hide the guilt that lay in his heart, and put on a
bold face.

"Remember!" was all Paul said as he squeezed Jack's quivering hand,
before jumping down the steps, boy fashion.

It was enough to encourage the sorely distressed lad, for he had the
greatest faith in Paul Morrison, the doctor's son, that any boy could
ever place in a comrade; nor had the other ever failed to equal his
expectations.

"I really believe Paul will do it," he was muttering to himself as he
slowly went upstairs again to the den, with its decorations of college
flags, and pictures of camping, canoeing, outdoor sports such as baseball
and football struggles, and kindred things so dear to the heart of almost
every growing lad; "yes, I believe he will if anybody can. But I wish he
had let me hide the rest of them away. It seems like putting temptation
in the way of a weak brother. But he told me I wasn't even to believe