tily
astonished at Judd's showing he passed it off finally with: "The lucky
stiff!"

Pole was speaking. "Rube, seeing you've got so much kale now you might
pay back that quarter I loaned you, with interest."

"Yes, an' don't forget that dollar an' a half you owe me," chimed in
Oole, with his mouth full of Boston baked beans.

"I don't owe you a cent an' never did!"

"He's only kiddin', Rube," soothed Curns, "Just so you remember me in
your will, I'll be satisfied."

Judd grinned; then his face grew sober. "Well, fellahs, I reckon we'd
better be gettin' home. It's a long walk an' it's gettin' dark.
Besides, I got quite a bit o' money an' I don't want to take any
chances o' losin' it."

"That's right! I move we do go home," grunted Oole, then sweetly to
the waiter, "Another plate of beans, please."

"Behold, gentlemen, the human storehouse!" derided Pole, pointing at
Oole.

"That's enough from you, macaroni!" retorted Oole, tearing a biscuit in
two, savagely.

"Did you say Marconi? Gentlemen, I am honored!" began Pole, then
placed a hand over his eye. "Thanks for the biscuit Oole, but please
pass them next time. Such table manners!"

Benz had been quiet for some time. He was a little indignant to think
of the renown Judd was getting. Why, all the fellows were beginning to
pay attention to him now. And he, a rube! Benz's one desire was to do
something which might make Judd the laughing stock of the college;
something which would provoke ridicule whenever referred to.

"I've got it!" he whispered. "Judd's afraid of robbers. Why, I heard
that he hides his wallet under the mattress or carpet every night
before he goes to bed. Why not pull a fake hold-up and scare him stiff
on the way home to-night? Great! I'll put the fellows wise."

Benz got busy and soon everyone knew the plot but the unsuspecting
Judd. Some fellows objected strenuously, but finally consented when
they considered what a rich joke it really would be.

"Pole, it's up to you to get Rube started for college. The rest of us
fellows will make some excuses and hang around town until you two are
gone. I'll get a revolver and some masks and with the bunch will take
a short cut through Perry field and meet you near the mill pond. Get
busy!" Benz was insistent.

"I tell you, I hate to do this thing," Pole hesitated, "Seems to me
we've pestered Rube about enough. He proved to us that he's the real
stuff this afternoon and I'm fo