"After what I've seen of their luck, I'm almost afraid to put up any job against 'em," confessed Hooper.
"You never did have much sand or wit, I reckon," snarled Dowley.
"Are you still going to try to bring the kid soldiers to disgrace?" asked Hooper in an eager undertone.
"If I do, I don't believe you'll be much help."
"But I'd like to know——"
"Bill Hooper, if I need your help in anything I'll be sure to let you know."
"Now, Dowley, you needn't be so warm-tongued about it," urged Hooper. "Of course, if there's any safe scheme for fixing the records of these kids, I'm plumb crazy to have a hand in it, and that you know, Dowley."
"Did the last thing we put up—spoiling Kid Overton's rifle—get traced back to us?" demanded Dowley.
"Now, that scheme didn't work much trouble to the kid," complained Hooper. "He was in bad for half a day, then got a new rifle, and has been receiving bouquets ever since."
"You wait—watch and listen," urged Dowley. "You won't be very much older when you'll hear something drop that'll fix Overton if he happens to be around."