and--What's that?"

He leaped to his feet and peered out of the window. Just within his
range of vision a carriage, drawn by two dripping, sorry-looking nags,
drew up under the slight shelter of an elm-tree about fifty yards away
from the house. From it emerged eight fellows in rain-coats, while the
tall, long-nosed watcher whom Neil had seen at the corner joined them
and made his report. The group looked toward Livingston's window and
Neil dodged back.

"It's too late now," he whispered. "There they are."

"Look a bit damp, don't they," laughed Livingston softly as he peered
out over the other's shoulder. "I'll go down and lock the door."

"No, stay here," said Neil. "I'll look after that; they might get you. I
wish it wasn't so dark! How about the back way? Can't you get out there
and sneak around by the field?"

"I told you I wasn't going to run away from them," replied his host,
"and I haven't changed my mind."

"You're an obstinate ass!" answered Neil. He scowled at the calm and
smiling countenance of the freshman president a moment, and then turned
quickly and pulled the shades at the windows. "I've got it!" he cried.
"Look here, will you do as I tell you? If you do I promise you we'll
fool them finely."

"I'm not going out of this room," objected Livingston.