“Slady, I always liked you,” Hervey said; “but this bunch—I’m leaving to-night, Slady. So long.” I guess Tom must have been there all the time. He just said, “Too bad, Hervey, I was just going to ask you to do a little favor for me—a good turn.” “Nix on those,” Hervey said. “Come on, Trip.” “You see,” Tom said in that easy way he has, “there’s a carnival going on at Greenvale——” “We were there,” Hervey said; “come ahead, Trip.” Tom said, “Well, you see, they had a fellow engaged to do a high dive there on Saturday, and he’s flunked. They sent here and asked if we happened to have a good diver who could do the stunt—dive from a high platform or something like that—carrying a flag—I forgot just what. I told them _nothing doing_——” “What do you mean, nothing doing?” Hervey blurted out. “I told them there wasn’t a scout here could do it,” Tom said. “What do you mean, couldn’t do it?” Hervey shot back at him. “I saw that platform, it’s a cinch——” “Yes, for a professional,” Tom said. “What do you mean a professional?” Hervey came right back at him. “There’s a pond there and a ladder—we saw the whole business—it’s—Slady it’s—there’s nothing to it—it’s a kid’s trick.” “Well, er—as long as you’re starting away to-night,” Tom said. “If you were staying over Saturday——” “I’ll stay over Saturday, Slady,” said Hervey. “I’ll do that just to show you I can. Nobody can call me a— But not a day after Saturday, Slady. You tell ’em I’ll do that dive and throw in a double somersault—I’ll show you. You told them there’s nobody here could do that? _You told them that?_ You make me laugh, Slady!” “You think you could do it?” Tom asked him, kind of doubtful and serious. “Slady, don’t make me laugh,” Hervey said. “It would be some stunt,” said Tom. “What do you mean, stunt?” Hervey shot back. “Slady, I’ll show you—you just leave it to me.” “You’ll try it then?” “_Try it!_ Don’t make me smile, Slady. You tell ’em I’ll do it. Here’s my hand on it.” “I don’t want your hand,” said Tom; “give it to Mr. Arnoldson. If you really mean business, if you really think you could do it, if you really want to give your hand on it, as a pledge——” “Posilutely,” Hervey said. “Well, then, give your hand to Mr. Arnoldson,” Tom said; “he’s a trustee. Go ahead, if you mean business and are not just bluffing, give your hand to Mr. Arnoldson. Are you game? Talk is cheap. Now see if you’re game.” Gee whiz, I had to laugh to see Hervey walk up as bold and friendly as could be and shake hands with Mr. Arnoldson. Honest, that fellow’s a scream. Mr. Arnoldson was laughing all over. Before they got through shaking hands who should go running up but Sandwich, jumping up at Mr. Arnoldson and at Hervey and barking like mad. I guess he wanted to give his hand on it too. CHAPTER XXXV TO THE POINT