THE result of the first investigation in the likes and dislikes of the New Jersey mosquito brought a decided difference of opinion. It was admitted (given the swollen condition of Greaser Tunxton's legs) that the insect's sense of hearing was undoubtedly defective. Snorky Green was equally emphatic in expressing his conviction that all colors were alike to it, but Skippy insisted that it was not scientific to jump to a conclusion on the basis of one experiment. "But golly! I had forty-seven bites on the red stocking and sixty-five on the blue, and if that doesn't prove anything, I'd like to know what!" "It proves that blue attracts them more than red, that's all. We must now try other combinations." "It proves one thing right here," said Snorky Green, dousing his legs with the second bottle of witch hazel. "I'm through on the human-experiment game, and that's flat." "I'm inclined to believe we should concentrate on the sense of smell," said Skippy thoughtfully. "As a matter of fact the experiment turned out as I foresaw." "It did, eh?" said Snorky wrathfully. Skippy retreated to the other side of the table and hurriedly announced: "I've been talking it over with Greaser here and the problem is narrowing down. Now what we've got to figure out is, shall we make it a washing solution or something that'll stick forever?" "Washing solution." "Sure we could wash the socks in some sort of preparation of citronella, couldn't we?" "That's too easy. Any one could do that." "Exactly! That's why we must experiment further. Greaser's got some very good ideas." "Oh! Well, bring on your stinks; I can stand them." "You can?" "Sure." "You swear?" "I swear. What's the idea, Greaser?" Greaser Tunxton looked at him hard and thoughtfully before replying. "You see, citronella comes out in the wash, but there are one or two other things much stronger." "Citronella's pretty strong!" said Snorky, who began to wonder if he had promised too rashly. "Ever heard of asafoetida?" said Skippy, with his hand on the chemical genius. "That's the stuff you put on the furnace at co-ed schools when you want a cut," said Snorky, who knew the story of Dink Stover's reasons for coming to Lawrenceville. "It is quite possible," said Greaser in his smileless, scientific manner, "that, properly treated, a mixture of silk and cotton, possibly wool, will retain enough of the essential quality of asafoetida for at least a dozen washings--" "Isn't citronella bad enough?" said Snorky, with a horrible misgiving. "It's extremely doubtful," said Greaser, shaking his head, "but I don't want to say anything definitely before we make exhaustive experiments." "Where?" said Snorky, shrinking. "If it's down at the pond again, good night!" "Green!" said Skippy wrathfully. "Bedelle to you!" "The experiments can be conducted right here," said Greaser reassuringly.