"I don't think this story is going to amount to anything as a yarn," Cub announced with a look of superior wisdom.
"Why not?" asked his father.
"Because there's no villain in it. I never did like a story with a tame ending, and the worst kind of a story on earth is one that starts with a thrill and ends with a nap in a sunparlor."
Laughter greeted this grotesque contrast.
"I don't think you need expect any such up-shot in this affair," Mr.
Perry advised.
"Do you expect a villain to show his hand?" Bud inquired.
"It seems to me that we have some villains in the plot already."
"Who are they?" asked Hal.
"How about those sophomores who kidnapped your cousin and marooned him here?"
"Oh, they're only play villains," Cub put in disdainfully.