truth. And now I know it. I've never been to the photographer's in my
life. So how could he have my picture, I should like to know?"

"But you don't have to go to the photographer's to have your picture
taken," Jasper Jay retorted. "Why couldn't the photographer come to
you?"

"I suppose he could," Brownie Beaver said. "But he's never been here."

Jasper Jay gave one of his loud laughs.

"That--" he said--"that is just where you are mistaken. And when I
explain how I came by this news, maybe you'll believe me.

"Tommy Fox told it to me," Jasper went on, "and old dog Spot told it
to him. Everybody knows that old Spot sometimes goes to town with his
master. They were there yesterday. And Spot saw your picture himself.
What's more, he heard the photographer tell Farmer Green that he came
up here almost a week ago, hid his camera in some bushes, and set a
flashlight near a half--gnawed tree. And when you started to work on
the tree that night you brushed against a wire, and the flashlight
flared up, and the camera took your picture before you could jump
away.... Now what do you say?" Jasper Jay demanded. "Now do you think
I'm telling you the truth?"

Brownie Beaver was so surprised that it was several minutes before he
could speak. Then he said:

"Grandaddy Beaver was right. It wasn't a gun. I was just having my
picture taken." Brownie was actually pleased, because he knew he was