when breakfast was over, they gathered
anxiously together in Number 6 Billings and discussed the latest
development with lowered voices, like a quartette of anarchists
arranging a bomb party.

"He's right up on his ear," said Clint gloomily. "If he gets us now he
will send us all packing, and don't you doubt it!"

"Piffle!" This from Tim, the least impressed of the four. "Probation is
all we'd get. Didn't the paper say we were heroes?"

"No, it didn't," answered Tom shortly. "And I wish that paper was in
Halifax!"

"Might as well be fired as put on pro," said Clint. "It would mean no
more football this year for any of us. My word, wouldn't Robey be mad!"

"Wouldn't I be!" growled Tom. "Look here, do you really suppose he's
trying to find out who we were, or was that just a bluff to scare us
into 'fessing up!"

"Josh isn't much of a bluffer," observed Don judiciously. "What he says
he means. What I don't savvy is why he hasn't found out already. Every
hall master has a record of leaves."

"Yes, but it was Saturday night and I'll bet half the school had leave,"
said Tim. "I dare say, though, that if any fellows are suspected we're
amongst 'em, Don. Being on the first floor, Josh knows we could sneak in
easily. Still, he can't prove it on us."

"I'm not so sure," replied Don thoughtfully. "Suppose he asked Mr.
Brady?"

A dismayed silence ensued until Tom laughed mirthlessly.

"That's one on us," he said. "We never thought of that. Maybe he has
asked Brady already."

"Brady doesn't know our names," said Tim. "You didn't tell him, did you,
Don?"

"No, he didn't ask. But he could easily describe us so that Josh would
recognise us, I guess."

"That's the trouble with being so plaguy distinguished looking," mourned
Tim. "Seems to me, fellows, that there's just one thing to be did, and
did sudden."

"You mean warn Mr. Brady?" asked Clint.

"Exactly, my discerning young friend. Maybe the horse is stolen----"

"What horse?" asked Tom perplexedly.

"Merely a figure of speech, Tom. I was about to observe when so rudely
interrupted----"

"Oh, cut out the verbiage," growled Tom.

"That possibly it was too late to lock the stable door," continued Tim,
"but we'd better do it, just the same. Let's see if he has a telephone."

"Of course he has," said Clint, "but I don't think it would be safe to
call him up. We'd better see him. Or write him a letter."

"He wouldn't get a letter until tomorrow, maybe," objecte