"Yes; but the promise was got from us by force, and that isn't binding. I've heard my pater say so."
"Oh, he's in the glue line, and ought to know what's binding! Stop it, Plunger!"—as Plunger seized him once more by the ear. "That's the worst of you. You don't know a compliment when you hear one. Don't I wish my pater was in the glue line! It's fine stuff. Made out of horses' hoofs, isn't it? Well, go on. Not binding, you said. How do you make that out?"
"Haven't I said, stupid—because it was got from us by force? But don't take my word for it. Let's ask your cousin. Will that satisfy you?"
Harry at once consented. He still had the highest admiration for his cousin, notwithstanding the fact that he had been defeated by a Beetle. They returned to the school, where they were not long in finding Stanley, who had just been joined by Newall.
"We want to talk with you alone, if—if you wouldn't mind, Stan," said Harry.
"You don't think that I'm going to clear out for any of you Lower Form cubs, do you?" sneered Newall.
"Oh, you can speak before Newall as you would before me, Harry! Come, fire away!"
Harry still hesitated. He could not forget how Newall had served him when he first came there, but while he was hesitating Plunger began:
"This is what we want to know. Supposing any fellows in this school—we won't mention names—happened to be captured by the enemy, and supposing the enemy forced them into a—a——"
"Secret society," put in Harry, as Plunger came to a standstill.