riend.

"I tell you we didn't do it," repeated Telson, "and you've got to prove
we did before you say we did," added he, with triumphant emphasis.

"You've got to prove you didn't," replied Parson, not to be beaten in
this line of argument.

"How can I prove we didn't when--when we didn't do it?" cried Telson,
making up in noise for what he lacked in logic.

"I knew you couldn't prove it!" said Parson, triumphant in his turn. "I
knew it was one of your blackguard--"

"All right, old man, I _shall_ fight you," said Telson.

"I didn't mean, old man, really," said Parson. "What I mean to say
is--"

"I don't care what you say," said Telson. "What I say is, we did _not_
do it!"

"All very well," replied Parson, "but I'm certain you did."

"How are you certain, I'd like to know?"

"Because, I tell you," said Parson, slowly and incisively, "it couldn't
have been done by any one else."

"How do you know it couldn't?" asked Telson warmly.

"There you are! If you didn't do it you'd be able to prove it, but you
can't, you see."

And so this edifying argument went on, or rather round, very much after
the style of a dog trying to catch his tail, and at its close Parson and
Telson stood as far from solving the mystery as ever.

This slight difference of opinion, however, could hardly fail to result
in a little mutual irritation, and for the first time in their
friendship the two boys felt as if they did not love one another exactly
like brethren. It was therefore no small relief when further argument
was abruptly cut short by the entrance of King, looking particularly
cheerful and important.

"Hullo, you two!" exclaimed he. "Guessed I'd find you here. Such a
lark!"

"What is it?" asked the two friends, delighted with any diversion.

"Why," exclaimed the delighted King, "you know Bosher?"

"What about him? What's he done?"

"Guess."

"It's not he that cut the rudder-line, is it?" asked Telson.

"No, of course not. But, just fancy, he keeps a diary!"

"What!" exclaimed the other two, laughing, "old Bosher keep a diary!
How do you know that?"

King looked very mysterious, and then said, laughing, "I say, what would
you give for a squint at it?"

"Have you got it, then?"

"Rather," said King, producing a small notebook from his pocket. "I
found it in the Big just now."

The notion of Bosher keeping a diary had been amusing enough, but the
chance of looking at such a production was irresistible