"We'll measure him
up down yonder. The face is enough, but these specifications will clinch
it."

"If you're after specifications," said Roy, "you might as well put down
that he's got a scar on his left heel. It's an old one, about ten years
old. And we're glad you were the one to discover him and you're welcome
to your old five thousand dollars. We don't want it, do we, Westy?"

CHAPTER XXVII

SCOUT LAW NUMBER TWO

Then the scene of all their good times and of their broken hopes was
quiet again, the ambulance and its attendant throng was gone, and the
scouts were alone.

"Can you hike home with your ankle like that?" Grove Bronson asked Roy.

"Sure, we can take our time. If we get home by evening it's all right."

"It's going to be moonlight here to-night--full moon," Westy said.

"Let's get the cooking things packed first," Connie Bennett said. "Then
we'll clear up."

"We might stay for one more camp-fire," Hunt Ward suggested,
half-heartedly.

"It wouldn't seem the same," Artie said.

They had all realized that. Dorry Benton laid aside the several tools
that he had gathered up and looked about as if wondering what to do
next.

"He saved your life," Will Dawson said to Roy.

"Do you think I don't know that?" Roy replied, a little catch in his
voice.

"Maybe if you--sort of--you know, if you save a life, maybe it makes up
for taking one--" El Sawyer said. But it was plain that he did not quite
believe that.

"He didn't do it," Pee-wee said stoutly. "Do you think I don't know? I
don't care what--he didn't do it. He likes us an--and--I--I like
him--I--"

"Don't, Kid, please don't," said Roy.

"Didn't I say we were going to have two desserts that day I stalked a
hop-toad up at Temple Camp, and wasn't I right?" Pee-wee persisted. "So
there. I can always tell. And if a fellow saved my life I wouldn't let
anybody say he was a murderer, I wouldn't."

"You're a little brick, Kid," said Roy.

"A scout has got to be loyal, hasn't he?" Pee-wee shouted. "Let's hear
you deny that. You can bet your life I wouldn't have any murderers
saving my life. I don't care about the Dominion Clothing Company or
anybody else. If you say he killed anybody, _he didn't;_ that's all
I say. A scout has tuition."

"You mean intuition, Kid?" Westy laughed.

"I don't care about signs or anything," Pee-wee stoutly protested; "and
I don't care for detectives either. Do you think I can't tell a
murderer? Everything ca