But the stranger made no hostile move, and for a moment in the moonlight the two young men eyed each other warily.
Then, taking breath and with a violent effort to stop the chattering of his teeth, the stranger launched into his story.
"I took a bath in your pond," he blurted forth, "and--and they stole my clothes! That's why I'm like this!" Fred was consumed with envy.

In comparison with this ingenious narrative how prosaic and commonplace became his own plans to rid himself of accusing garments and explain his nakedness.

He regarded the stranger with admiration.

But even though he applauded the other's invention, he could not let him suppose that he was deceived by it.
"Isn't it rather a cold night to take a bath ?" he said.
As though in hearty agreement, the naked man burst into a violent fit of shivering.
"It wasn't a bath," he gasped.

"It was a bet!" "A what!" exclaimed Fred.