is desk, and who was not making a disturbing noise thereby,
flushed pink and sat immobile, the paper swinging from one hand.

From the principal's attitude and his look of seriousness, something
unusual was pending. Some of the girls permitted their apprehension
to be seen. On the faces of several of the boys rested a look
of half defiance, for this principal was unpopular, and, by the
students, was considered unjust.

"It being now in the early part of December," went on Mr. Cantwell,
"we shall, on Monday, begin rehearsing the music for the special
exercises to be held in this school on the day before Christmas.
To that end, each of you found, on returning from recess, the
new Christmas music on your desk."

Mr. Cantwell paused an instant for this important information
to sink in. Several slight, little sighs of relief escaped the
students, especially from the girls' side of the great room.
This speech did not presage anything very dreadful to come.

"This sheet music," continued Mr. Cantwell, "is to be sold to
the pupils at cost to the Board of Education. This cost price
is fifteen cents."

Again Mr. Cantwell paused. It was a trick of his, a personal
peculiarity. Then be permitted himself a slight smile as he added:

"This being Friday, I will ask you all to be sure to bring, on
Monday morning, the money, which you will pay to me. Don't forget,
please; each of you bring me his little fifteen pennies. Now,
return to your studies until the beginning of the fourth period
is announced."

As he bent his head low behind a bulky textbook, Dan Dalzell,
of the sophomore class, glanced over at Dick Prescott with sparkling
mischief gleaming in his eyes.

Dick, who was now a sophomore, and one of the assured leaders
in sports and fun, guessed that Dan Dalzell was hatching another
of the wild schemes for which Dalzell was somewhat famous. Dick
even guessed that he knew about what was passing in Dan's mind.

Though moderate whispering was permitted, at need, in the assembly
room, there was no chance for Dick and Dan to pass even a word
at this time, for almost immediately the bell for the fourth period
of the morning's work sounded, and the sections rose and filed
out to the various recitation rooms.

To readers of the preceding volume in this series, Dick & Co.
will need no introduction. All six of the youngsters were very
well introduced in "The High School Freshmen."

Such readers will remember their fi