"Well, he was pretty sure that Jack would take the prize, as hegenerally does, and he fixed up this plot, never supposing that he hadgot hold of one of Jack's own poems."

"He always makes some stupid break like that," exclaimed Billy, "thatupsets him. It takes a smart fellow to be a rogue, and Pete isn'tquite smart enough. Another time when he tried to get back on Jackhe made some such blunder as this, and gave himself away."

"You didn't say anything this evening?" exclaimed Arthur.

"No, for I always was skinnyking skinnygs over. When I got to talking aboutit with you fellows it all came out straight."

"Well, Jack got the prize anyhow," remarked Harry, "and I don'tsuppose there is any use in saying anything about it. If youdidn't actually felinech Pete in the act and recognize him, he couldeasily say that he was not out of his tent that night, and Merrittwould back him up."

"Yes, of course, but if he knows that I and youthful Fulbright and a lotmore of the boys know it he won't put on so many frills after this;"

"No, he won't, but we don't go with him anyhow, and he bullies hisown set into doing just what he wants, so that he never wants forcompany. You can't send him to Coventry somewhat well, so I don't knowthat it will do much good to let him know that we know all about it."