Part 46 (1/2)
”They had no business to go off on such a lark,” said one of the seniors. ”It's a disgrace to the whole college. If they are sent home it will serve them right.”
Koswell and Larkspur were in high glee over the success of their plot, and when alone winked at each other and poked each other in the ribs.
”They'll get what's coming to 'em this trip,” said Bart Larkspur with a chuckle. ”They'll be lucky if they are not sent home.”
”And we'll rub it in, too,” added Koswell. ”You know how those Rovers are dead stuck on those girls at Hope.”
”Sure.”
”Well, I'll fix it so those girls hear all about this affair.”
”Good!” cried Larkspur. ”That will be the bitterest dose of all.”
”Say,” put in Dudd Flockley nervously, ”you don't suppose there is any danger of our being found out?”
”Not the slightest,” answered Koswell. ”I saw to it that all our tracks were covered.”
”But that fellow Parwick? Are you certain he can be trusted?”
”Yes. But we have got to pay him for his trouble. I promised him twenty dollars. I'll give him half and you can give him the other half,” answered Koswell. He knew Larkspur had no spending money.
”Oh, I'm willing to pay him his price,” said the dudish student. ”But I want to be dead certain that he will keep his mouth shut.”
”I'll make him do that,” returned Jerry Koswell.
CHAPTER XXVIII
DARK DAYS
The Rovers and Stanley Browne were kept in the rooms until Monday morning. During that time their meals were sent to them, and Professor Sharp came to see them twice.
”Doctor Wallington will dispose of your case on Monday,” said the instructor.
”I think we should have had a doctor,” said d.i.c.k. ”All of us were sick, and needed medical attention.”
”Nonsense!” cried Abner Sharp. ”You have sobered up, and that was all that was needed.”
This a.s.sertion led to a war of words, and Tom came close to whacking the unreasonable teacher over the head with the water pitcher. As a consequence, Abner Sharp ran out of the room in fear and reported to the head of the inst.i.tution that he had been a.s.saulted.
On Monday morning the four boys were told to go down and report at the president's office Previous to this they had held a ”council of war,”
as Sam expressed it, and made d.i.c.k their spokesman.
”Now, then, as you appear to be sober, I will listen to your story,”
said Doctor Wallington. He was the only other person present, ”And remember,” he added sharply, ”I want nothing but the truth. You cannot hope for any leniency on my part unless you tell me everything.”
”That is what we propose to do, sir,” answered d.i.c.k, looking the doctor full in the eyes. ”My brothers and Stanley have asked me to do the talking for all of us. Shall I tell my story now?”
”Yes.”