"Oh, of course," said Jack in a tone intended to appear sulky, but with a covert wink at Harry, "somebody is always taking the joy out of life. Why can't I just shoot up a few Dutchmen, I'd like to know?"
"Because they might not think it polite," answered Ned seriously. "Besides," he added, "it wouldn't be strictly in accordance with Boy Scout principles, as you yourself will admit."
"Well," observed David with a sigh, "when I consider some of the things that have happened during the last few days and weeks, I am almost ready to admit that I'd like to resign temporarily."
"Why?" asked Ned. "Have the Germans been doing things to you?"
"Well," stated David, "isn't their capture and treatment of Jimmie sufficient to make us want to do things to them?"
"Yes, it is," admitted Ned, "but at the same time we must remember that 'two wrongs never make a right,' and, according to my recollection, number ten of the Boy Scout laws states that a scout is brave and has the courage to face danger in spite of fear, and defeat does not down him."
"Yes," put in Jack, "and number three, which we all know so well, states that a scout must do one good turn to somebody every day."
"Am I to understand that you would not consider shooting a German a good turn?" asked Harry, who was slightly in the lead.
"A good turn to whom?" asked Ned, following closely upon Jack's heels. "Would shooting be a good turn to the 'shootee'?"
"Well, I don't know about that," answered Jack. "I can easily understand how some fellows might consider it a disadvantage."