Jack was still puzzled about his poem, but he said nothing, having
certain ideas about the matter, but not caring to make them known
at the time, preferring to wait till he had more information.
After the exercises were over the boys went off in little groups of
four or five in different directions.
Percival went with Jack on the river, taking young Smith along, and
when they were out from shore Dick said:
"You have an idea who inserted the verses of your other poem in your
new one, haven't you, Jack?"
"How did Herring happen to hit upon some other verses of mine which
a paper up the state had stolen?" asked Jack.
"He might do that, of course, but how did they get into the poem you
had submitted two days before if he got the paper only this morning?"
"The paper was a week old, Dick."
"Then you think that Herring may have been lying, Jack?" asked Dick
pointedly.
"Other persons besides Herring may have seen the verses in the other
paper, Dick. I cannot prove---now---that Herring wrote them in."
"But you may do so at some other time?"
"That's what he means," said young Smith, "but Jack never says
anything against a fellow unless he is sure of it."
"That's right enough, J.W., and we agree with you.
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