Part 12 (1/2)

”Is that so? Evidently they must know we are on their track,” said Dave, shaking his head gravely.

”I wish we could have collared 'em,” went on the s.h.i.+powner's son. ”I'd like to punch their heads.”

”Don't do it, Phil. If you ever catch them, call an officer and have them locked up. A thras.h.i.+ng is wasted on such rascals.”

”Do you know some more about them?” questioned Roger, quickly.

”I do.” And then Dave related what Nat Poole had had to say, and also told about how Laura and Jessie had been scared when attending the church fair.

”You are right, they ought to be locked up,” was Roger's comment.

”By the way, did you hear the news from Oak Hall?” went on Phil, as they drove off towards the Wadsworth mansion.

”What news?”

”Somehow or other, the storm lifted off two of the skylights from the roof of the main building and the snow got in the garret and there the heat from the chimney must have melted it, for it ran down-the water did-through the floor and loosened the plaster in several of the dormitories, including ours. I understand all of the plaster has got to come down.”

”What a muss!”

”Yes, and it is going to take several weeks to fix it up-they couldn't get any masons right away.”

”Then where will we sleep when we go back?”

”I don't know. I understand from Shadow that the doctor was thinking of keeping the school closed until about the first of February.”

”Say, that will give us quite a holiday!” exclaimed Dave.

”For which all of us will be profoundly sorry,” responded Phil, making a sober face and winking one eye.

The girls greeted the newcomers with sincere pleasure.

”What a pity Belle Endicott isn't here,” sighed Laura.

”So it is,” answered Jessie. ”We'll have to do what we can to make up for her absence.”

Two days later it cleared off, and the young folks enjoyed a long sleigh-ride. Then they went skating, and on New Year's Eve attended a party given at Ben Ba.s.swood's house. Besides our friends, Ben had invited Sam Day and Buster Beggs, and also a number of girls; and all enjoyed themselves hugely until after midnight. When the clock struck twelve, the boys and girls went outside and tooted horns and rang a big dinner-bell, and wished each other and everybody else ”A Happy New Year!”

The celebration on the front piazza was at its height when suddenly came a shower of s...o...b..a.l.l.s from a near street corner. One s...o...b..ll hit Dave in the shoulder and another landed directly on Jessie's neck, causing the girl to cry out in mingled pain and alarm.

”Hi! who's throwing s...o...b..a.l.l.s!” exclaimed Roger, and then came another volley, and he was. .h.i.t, and also Laura and one of the other girls. At once the girls fled into the house.

”Some rowdies, I suppose,” said Phil. ”I've half a mind to go after them.”

”We can't without our hats and coats,” answered Dave.

Just then came another shower of s...o...b..a.l.l.s and Dave was. .h.i.t again. This was too much for him, and despite the fact that he was bare-headed and wore a fine party suit, he leaped down on the sidewalk and started for the corner. Phil and Roger came after him. Ben rushed into the hallway, to catch up two of his father's canes and his chums' hats, and then he followed.

Those who had thrown the s...o...b..a.l.l.s had not dreamed of being attacked, and it was not until Dave was almost on them that they started to run.

There were three boys-two rather rough-looking characters. The third was well dressed, in a fur cap and overcoat lined with fur.