The little man was offended.
"Call it snooping when I go out hunting news for my paper?" he asked.
"It's snooping when you go sticking your nose into other people's business," declared Chester.
"This is my business," exclaimed Stubbs.
"Oh, no, it's not. It's just a plain case—"
"I tell you it is my business. It's the business of the New York Gazette. The people in the United States want to know what is going on over here."
"I'm afraid General Petain wouldn't agree with you, Stubbs," interposed Hal. "He doesn't care what the people in the United States want. All he cares about right now is to lick the Germans."
"Well, maybe you're right," Stubbs admitted, "but just the same—I want you fellows to know that hunting news is not snooping."
"Stubbs," said Chester, "I've got to give you credit. In my opinion you're a first class snooper."
"What?" exclaimed the little man, fairly dancing with rage. "Snooper? Me a snooper? What do you mean?"