“It was a night a good deal like this, Dan, that we paid our call on Broadwood last spring.” And then, Ned urging, Dan, with Gerald interpolating at intervals, told the story of the famous joke on Broadwood perpetrated by the S. P. M. (“Society of Predatory Marauders,” explained Gerald.) And Kendall, who had never heard of the affair before, listened with open ears. And when Dan had finished Kendall burst out with: “Then that’s why they tried to paint the flagpole!” “Who? What do you mean?” exclaimed the others. “Oh! Nothing! That is――!” “Who tried to paint the flagpole?” Dan demanded. “What do you know about that, Burtis?” “I――I thought maybe they did,” stammered Kendall. “Broadwood? I never thought of that.” This from Dan. “Nobody ever found out who did do that stunt,” said Ned thoughtfully. There was a moment’s silence. Then Ned asked suddenly: “Wasn’t it about that time you went on pro, Curt?” “It――it was a day or so afterwards,” replied Kendall. “Hm. Nice weather we’re having.” “What’s the point, Tooker?” asked Dan. “Ask our friend, Mr. Bendall Kurtis.” “All right, Burtis, you’ve got the floor. If there’s a story, let’s have it.” “There isn’t; at least, there’s nothing I can tell,” replied Kendall. “Oh, I thought you knew something.” “What did you mean, Tooker?” asked Gerald. “Out with it.” Ned’s chair came down with a crash on the porch and he pointed an accusing finger at Kendall. “There,” he declared dramatically, “is the one man who can explain the Mystery of the Paint on the Flagpole!” “Burtis? Nonsense!” Dan laughed. “Kick him, Burtis.” “Then,” said Ned, folding his arms with dignity, “then ask him to explain why he was put on probation the next day.” “Consider yourself asked, Burtis,” Gerald laughed. “Answer!” commanded Ned. “We are all friends together and our motto is ‘Discretion.’” “Why――why――” Kendall stammered. “It isn’t my secret. You see―― Well, I do know about it, but I oughtn’t to tell. I refused to tell Mr. Collins, and that’s why he put me on probation. I didn’t want them to get into trouble.” “Didn’t want who to get into trouble?” asked Ned with the manner of a Grand Inquisitor. “Those fellows.” “What fellows?” “The fellows who――who did it.” “You mean the Broadwood fellows?” asked Dan quietly. “Yes――no――” “Then Broadwood _did_ do it!” exclaimed Ned triumphantly. “I knew it! Now tell us all about it. We all swear secrecy, Curt. By yon gleaming orb we pledge ourselves to never divulge what we are about to hear! Proceed!” And finally Kendall proceeded and told the whole story from the time he had overheard the conversation between the Broadwood boys in the drug store until he had gone out of the Office in disgrace. And he talked to three deeply interested hearers. “Well, I’ll be jiggered!” exclaimed Dan when Kendall had finished. “I’ll be double jiggered,” Ned declared. “Do you mean to tell me, Curt, that you were chump enough to let Collins put you on pro just to save those idiots?”