They quarreled, then fought.
Two of the yellow partners killed the third! And now, a serious problem confronted the two survivors of that misunderstanding.
What was to be done with the remains of the unsuccessful disputant ?" Midshipman Trotter looked at each of the wondering plebes in turn.
It looked as though he were asking the question of them.
"I don't know, sir," admitted Dan Dalzell, at the left of the line.
"I don't know, sir," admitted the man next to Dan.

So it went down the line, until Dave Darrin, at the further end, had admitted himself to be as much in the dark as were the others.
"Then, listen," resumed Mr.Trotter impressively.

"The Chinese, being descended from a very ancient civilization, are not only very ingenious but also very thrifty.

They were burdened with two hundred pounds of evidence on the premises.

In their extremity the two survivors cut up their late partner, cooked him, and disposed of the flesh at meal times." From the gravity of the narrator's expression he appeared to be reciting a wholly true story.
"Now, then," rasped out Midshipman Trotter, "that being the state of affairs at the laundry--_what was the telephone number_ ?" Trotter's gaze was fixed on Dan Dalzell's face almost accusingly.
"How the--" began startled Dan gruffly.