“There may be various reasons. As one, you should see that it meant exposure for me; it meant looking into my past record and bringing to life the fact that I’m a faker.” “Now that you’ve told that much about yourself, I can’t see any good reason why you should not tell it all. Seems to me it’s your duty.” Osgood seemed to meditate again. “There are others concerned,” he said presently, “and I have a duty to them as well as to myself. What I’ve told of my own affairs doesn’t concern them, and I will claim that I’ve never yet played the squealer on any other chap.” “But the truth will have to come out.” “I haven’t a doubt about that. Let it come. But when it does, let it come from the right source.” “I suspected that you must know something about it.” “Oh, yes, you’ve suspected me all along, Nelson. In possession of the facts I’ve given you, it will be a simple matter for you to show me up in Oakdale.” “If you imagine I’m going to run right away and tattle what you’ve practically told me in confidence, you’ve got me sized up wrong.” “I was not aware that I told it to you in confidence. I do not remember that I exacted from you a promise of secrecy.” “Perhaps that was because you thought I’d tell anyhow.” “I didn’t think much about it. I didn’t stop to think. When the impulse seized me, I simply went ahead and told.” “Perhaps you’ll be sorry you did.” “Perhaps so, but it’s done now.” Jack rose once more and placed a hand on his companion’s shoulder. “Osgood,” he said, “I refuse to believe that a fellow with a conscience like yours can be thoroughly bad. Your natural impulses are right. You didn’t bind me to secrecy, but I’ll pledge you now that I’m not going to give you away.” “I don’t suppose it will make any great difference whether you do or not,” returned Ned unemotionally; “but I thank you for your good will. Hadn’t we better look up the rest of the bunch? By this time they’re probably wondering what has become of us.” As he was starting to rise, Jack gripped his shoulder, hissing: “Keep still! What’s that? Some one is coming this way!” From a distance came the sounds of a body moving through the underbrush. Slowly the sounds drew nearer, ceasing at intervals, as if the person, if a person it was, paused now and then to rest or listen. “Who do you suppose it is?” whispered Nelson. “It doesn’t seem to me it can be one of the fellows coming back this way.” Osgood shook his head as he rose noiselessly to his feet. Looking at each other, the same thought filled their minds. Perhaps it was Roy Hooker! Not far from them, yet wholly concealed by the thickets and the shadows, the moving object halted and remained silent for a long time. Gradually this silence wore upon their patience, and presently Nelson made signs indicating that he meant to investigate with all possible caution. Osgood nodded, and, side by side, they crept forward, stepping softly and peering anxiously into the gloom.