esh."

"Hear! hear!" yelled a dozen voices.

"In that respect," proclaimed Thompson, solemnly, "Dick & Co.
shall no longer be freshman at Gridley H.S.! If the spirit seizes
any of you, then go ahead and be fresh---of course, not _too_
fresh! Mix in with the upper classmen, all of you, if you want
to. Have your opinions, and don't be afraid to let 'em out---if
you can't hold in any longer. To the upper class dances this
winter Dick & Co. shall have a bid---if you'll all learn how to
walk and glide across a waxed floor. Remember, when you're among
the fellows, you don't have to keep in the back freshmen row---but
see to it that you don't encourage general mutiny in your class
against the superior upper classes. Finally, you can get sassy
with all upper classman whenever any of you six want to---all
you'll have to do, further, will be to fight."

Another round of cheers confirmed Thompson's declaration.

"Now, fellows, get a move on!" bawled Sam Edgeworth, captain of
the football eleven. "We've barely time to get to the field and
meet Coach Morton punctually."

"Will you let me make one request?" shouted Dick, over the hubbub.

"Yes. Go ahead! Get it out quick!"

"Then please don't let out a word," begged young Prescott, "about
Dick & Co., as we fellows are called, being at the bottom of the
plot against the Board of Education."

"Not a word!" promised Captain Edgeworth, gravely.

Then Dick was hustled good-naturedly to the door, Ben Badger once
more springing forward to hold it open. As Dick hurried out onto
the sidewalk a hurricane of cheers followed him. Then, as the
door was closing, came a fierce burst of the High School yell.

Just as it happened, this parting salute couldn't have been worse
timed. Within four doors Dr. Thornton, the principal, was sauntering
slowly along. He heard tine hubbub, of course, and looked up,
to see Dick Prescott coming out alone, a pleased look on his flushed
face.

Across the street, just coming out of a store, was Chairman Jason
Stone of the Gridley Board of Education.

"Young Prescott! Bless my soul!" murmured Dr. Thornton. "Why
are the football team making such a row over that young freshman?"

In another instant the principal's question all but answered itself.

"Why, I wonder," muttered the good doctor, "if the enthusiasm
in any way relates to the hoax on the Board. Was Prescott at
the bottom of it? I'll keep it in mind and try to find out!"

"If