"I was jist a-thinkin' o' somethin' kinder funny," explained Pete, "an' I guess ye don't need ter know nuthin' 'bout it."
"And after all our suspense!" protested Bob.
"How can you be so cruel?" added Sam.
"Peter is only jokin'," said Jack, hopefully.
"Not much he ain't, feller!"
Thereupon the whole crowd, with the exception of Dave, did their best to draw from the stocky boy the secret of his mirth.
But Pete could not be in any way cajoled, so they finally gave it up.
Presently, with a huge grin, he started toward the door, bade them good-night, and was gone.
The boys looked at each other inquiringly.
"Well," remarked Tim, drawing a long breath, "that chap certainly knows something, eh, Jack? Do you deny it?"