"Look here, Hacking, will you swear not to say a word about what I'm going to tell you?"
"Of course," said Hacking, who scenting a scandal would have promised much more than this to obtain the details of it.
"What will you swear by?"
"Oh, anything," Hacking offered, without the least hesitation. "I don't mind what it is."
"Well, what do you consider the most sacred thing in the world?"
If Hacking had known himself, he would have said food; not knowing himself, he suggested the Bible.
"I suppose you know that if you swear something on the Bible and break your oath you can be put in prison?" Mark demanded sternly.
"Yes, of course."
The oath was administered, and Hacking waited goggle-eyed for the revelation.
"Is that all?" he asked when Mark stopped.