“Osgood is your particular friend, isn’t he? Can’t you see any reason why you should shield him, dismissing consideration for the rest of us? You were here playing poker in Ned’s rooms. An unfortunate misunderstanding—I hope that’s what it was—brought about that encounter with Hooker. You can tell the story and refuse to name the others who were in the game. More than half the people will consider that an act of decency on your part. They won’t blame you for trying to shield the rest of the crowd, although they may attempt to worm our names from you.” “It wouldn’t do any good, anyhow,” asserted Shultz. “As soon as Hooker gets straightened out and remembers things, he’ll tell; he’ll name all of us.” “There’s the unpleasant possibility that Hooker may not get straightened out, Shultz. Anyhow, perhaps it will be some time before he does. Perhaps he’ll come around gradually, and some of us may be able to see him and caution him to keep mum. It’s the only chance.” “And if he doesn’t come around at all, and none of the crowd squeals, how are they ever going to find out just what happened? There you are.” “They will find it out, Shultz; I’ve made up my mind to that.” “What do you mean?” “I mean that somebody is going to tell the truth. If you don’t do it, somebody else will.” Osgood was compelled to grapple with Shultz, who strove to reach Billy, crying hoarsely: “Let me get at that little whelp! He’s threatening to blow on us! I’ll fix him!” “No, you won’t,” said Ned, displaying an amount of strength that surprised Piper, who still remained apparently calm and undisturbed. “He hasn’t said that he’s going to blow.” “But that was what he meant.” Ned thrust the raging fellow back and held him until he had calmed down somewhat. “What did you mean, Piper?” Osgood asked over his shoulder. “Did you mean that you were going to chase right out of here and tell every one?” “That wasn’t exactly what I meant,” answered Billy. “I’m going to talk with the rest of the crowd. I’m going to tell them just where I stand and what I think. I’m going to do my best to induce them, one and all, to put it up to Shultz just as I have put it up to him. Then, if he isn’t man enough to shoulder the blame, I’ll suggest that we all walk up in a body and tell the whole thing.” “You see! you see!” panted Shultz. “That’s his game! He’s a squealer! He’s bound to make me the goat.” “Give me a chance to talk to him,” urged Osgood. “I’m sure Billy will listen to reason.” “I’m ready to listen to reason,” said Piper; “but argument on false premises won’t have the slightest effect on me. I’ve thought this thing all over and decided on the only proper course to be followed.” “But you can see,” said Ned, almost pleadingly, “that you’re asking a most difficult thing of Charley.” “That doesn’t make it any less the right thing,” was the unbending retort.