students.

"Ten o'clock, and time I was getting away to my little den,"
remarked Ralph, at last; for even the best of evenings must come
to an end.

"Wait just a few minutes," said Frank, mysteriously.

"What's all this? You're up to something or other," laughed the
other.

"I'm waiting, that's all," returned Frank, calmly.

"Waiting for what?"

"To hear the signal--there it is!" as three distinct knocks
sounded on the outside of the house.

"Why, whatever does it mean, Frank," asked the visitor, as he
arose to get his cap: for they were again in the little den Frank
called his sanctum, where he kept all his beloved traps connected
with the sports he delighted in, most of them decorating the
walls.

"They're all on deck, thank goodness! And now it's safe for you to
go home," was the rather startling remark of the other.

Ralph looked at the speaker a moment, and then, as a light dawned
upon his comprehension, he burst out into a genuine, hearty,
boyish laugh.