"It's a hard choice."
"It is—and we've got to be protected."
"You bet we've got to be protected."
"Well, if we must choose between Macnooder and the Shad, which would you rather trust?"
"Trust no one," said Snorky, finding it impossible to establish this distinction. "And say, Skippy,—oaths on the Bible are all right, but if we're going to let Macnooder in on this he's got to sign a paper."
"You betcha!" said Skippy, with whom a little of Bill Appleby's distrust remained. "A paper's the thing!"
That afternoon, after due ceremony, the door was closed and locked and Doc Macnooder inducted into an easy chair. Skippy producing the Bible said firmly:
"Doc, you've got to take the oath; never to reveal to man, woman—"
"But I'm a Unitarian," said Macnooder, examining the St. James version.
The point was debated and passed over. Snorky then produced a formidable document tied in green ribbons with large wax seals, stamped with a cameo stick-pin.