` To keep out of mischief , as much as anything . ' ` Well , of all the queer things -- and you 've done a lot -- that 's the queerest , ' cried Ted , taken aback at this disappointing discovery . But he did n't mean to give up yet , and began again . ` What mischief , Dan ? ' ` Never you mind . Boys should n't bother . ' ` But I do want to know , awfully , because I 'm your pal , and care for you no end . Always did . Come , now , tell me a good yarn . I love scrapes . I 'll be mum as an oyster if you do n't want it known . ' ` Will you ? ' and Dan looked at him , wondering how the boyish face would change if the truth were suddenly told him . ` I 'll swear it on locked fists , if you like . I know it was jolly , and I 'm aching to hear . ' ` You are as curious as a girl . More than some -- Josie and -- and Bess never asked a question . ' ` They do n't care about rows and things ; they liked the mine business , heroes , and that sort . So do I , and I 'm as proud as Punch over it ; but I see by your eyes that there was something else before that , and I 'm bound to find out who Blair and Mason are , and who was hit and who ran away , and all the rest of it . ' ` What ! '
cried XXXXX , in a tone that made Ted jump .
Bess Blair Dan Josie Mason Ted end eyes fists rest