"I expect the Beetles had a hand in it. What do you think?"
"I scarcely know what to think. It's a mystery. You haven't been climbing to the turret in your sleep, and hauling the flag down just for the fun of the thing, have you?"
The idea quite tickled Hibbert, for he laughed outright.
"By the by," said Paul, turning the conversation to the purpose for which he had come to that room, "you recollect that letter I gave you to post a few weeks back?"
"Yes."
"You're quite certain you posted it?"
"Quite certain. I think that I said so at the time."
Paul noticed that though Hibbert was quite certain that he had posted the letter he spoke with some hesitation.
"Yes, yes; you said so at the time—that's quite right. But I was wondering whether by any chance you might have given it to some other boy to post."
"No; I put it in the letter-box with my own hands." Hibbert again hesitated for a moment, then added; "Something did happen, but I did not think it worth while to worry you about it."