o be."

"Why?"

"'Cause if you just had an attachment to put on the spigots, you
mightn't get more than a dollar a tub."

"He's thinking of the money," thought Skippy, darkly.

"You don't seem enthusiastic."

"No-o--."

"I say, Skippy, you aren't natural," said Snorky in alarm. "You don't
look at me as you used to. What is it? Out with it now."

"Well," said Skippy slowly, "I said fifty-fifty and I stick to it;
fifty-fifty, because I am a man of my word, but I do think there ought
to be some limit . . ."

Ten minutes later, when Snorky's infectious laugh had restored his sense
of humor, Bedelle, Incorporated took up the transaction of business
again,--the discussion of the profits having by mutual consent been
adjourned to a later session.

"Skippy, old top, I'm thinking we've got to get expert advice," said
Snorky after a morning of fruitless discussion.

"You mean--"

"I mean Doc Macnooder or the Tennessee Shad."

"I'm afraid so, too. This is bigger than us."

"It's a hard choice."

"It is--and we've got to be protected."

"You bet we've got to be protected."

"Well, if we must choose between Macnooder and the Shad, which would you
rather trust?"

"Trust no one," said Snorky, finding it impossible to establish this
distinction. "And say, Skippy,--oaths on the Bible are all right, but if
we're going to let Macnooder in on this he's got to sign a paper."

"You betcha!" said Skippy, with whom a little of Bill Appleby's distrust
remained. "A paper's the thing!"

That afternoon, after due ceremony, the door was closed and locked and
Doc Macnooder inducted into an easy chair. Skippy producing the Bible
said firmly:

"Doc, you've got to take the oath; never to reveal to man, woman--"

"But I'm a Unitarian," said Macnooder, examining the St. James version.

The point was debated and passed over. Snorky then produced a formidable
document tied in green ribbons with large wax seals, stamped with a
cameo stick-pin.

"You'll have to sign this, too."

"Sign what?"

Snorky read rapidly:

"I, Doc Macnooder, in my third form year, Lawrenceville, New Jersey,
hereby testify that on this date, the 12th day of April, 1896, the
information written on the back of the present sheet of paper was
communicated to me by John C. Bedelle, the rightful and lawful inventor,
and the document does hereby establish all his rights. Signed--"

"Yes, but what's on the other side?" said Macnooder, with rising
curiosit