The intelligent face of Bob took on a quizzical air as he waited to hear the condition.
"That is," went on Ned, "that you give us your word that you will not make known anything you have seen here, or of our plans so far as you may know them."
Bob's answer was immediate.
"I can't do that," he said, "I was sent here to do just that thing, and as quickly and as fully as I can. You ought to understand, and do, I think, that I have a duty to perform. I've taken the trouble to come all the way out here to get a story. I've got it and of course I'm going to use it. I should be false to my duty, to my employers and to myself if I promised not to do this."
"But you don't know our story."
"And I'm sorry. But I should have known it all if I had had a little better luck."
"Then you won't promise?"
"Decidedly not."
The boys showed that they were as stubborn as he.
"Then we'll see that you learn no more," Alan exclaimed angrily.