"That so?" said Stubbs, and added to himself: "I thought so, but I wanted to make sure."
Hal produced his black pea. Stubbs examined it carefully and passed it back to him.
"Better keep it in a safe place," he said. "As I say, they are scarce and it never does a fellow any good to lose anything when there is anyone around."
Hal and Chester started guiltily. How could Stubbs know they had found the peas when they fell from the pocket of Jules Clemenceau? Stubbs, who had been watching the two closely, observed these sudden starts and interpreted them to his own satisfaction.
"Come now, Stubbs," said Chester, "tell us the rest of this story of yours."
"No," said Stubbs, "I am going to keep it to myself." He added under his breath: "The young cubs! Trying to pump an old-timer like me to see how much I know!"
"You mean you are not even going to tell the general?" asked Hal.
"That's what I mean," said Stubbs.
Hal and Chester exchanged glances. They wondered what had come over the little man so suddenly. Stubbs caught the interchange of glances and again he read it wrong. To Stubbs it appeared that there was relief on their features.
Stubbs shook his head.