What could be done?

The boys fell to discussing the matter in little groups, and not a few
expressed regret that Tad Horner had unmasked, as an alibi could have
been arranged for him if he had not done so. Now he would be too proud
to permit them to try anything of the sort, and he would tell the truth
about his connection with the affair if the truth were demanded of him.

"We're in a bad box," said one fellow in one of the little groups.
"Diamond is mad enough to do as he threatens."

"Sure," nodded another. "And that breaks up this joint. No more little
lunches here--no more games of penny ante."

"It's a howling shame!" exploded a third. "It makes me feel grouchy."

"I move we strangle Diamond," suggested the first speaker.

"It seems that that is the only way to keep his tongue still," dolefully
groaned a tall chap. "This is a big horse on us."

"That's what," sighed a boy with a face like a girl's. "The whole
business puts me in a blue funk."

Then they stood and stared silently at each other through the eyeholes
in their masks, and not one of them was able to propose anything
practicable.

The rest of the assembled sophomores seemed in quite as bad a plight,