about ready to depart with the bunch and it looks
like every last student is out to bid farewell. Now do just as I told
you and hurry or you'll be too late!"
Judd lost no time in descending the stairs and stepping quietly out of
the dormitory. He stalked leisurely across the campus, passing several
students on the way but they were so busy talking about the night's
terrible happenings that they did not recognize him. In fact, Judd
actually succeeded in mingling with the crowd, so intent were they all
upon the departure of the sheriff and his prisoners. He took a
position by the side of Benz, who was tearfully bidding good-bye.
Judd, for the moment, was touched but remembering the many things Benz
had done against him he thought the "cure" might do him good.
Of a sudden Benz chanced to turn and caught sight of Judd. At first he
stared, wild-eyed, and in open-mouthed astonishment; then he recoiled
from the terrific shock. He could not believe his eyes.
"Oh, fellows, help me! I'm seeing things!" Benz shrieked, covering his
face with his hands and endeavoring to get away.
Everyone looked in Benz's direction and at the sight of Judd the
greater portion of the crowd dispersed to a safe distance. Judd had
come among them so quietly that the sight of him was a great shock.
Pole was the first to recover himself.
"Great guns, Rube!" he exclaimed, astounded. "I thought you were
drowned!"
"Me! Drowned?" drolled Judd, slowly, "I should say not!"
"But where have you been all this time?" cried Potts.
Those who had sufficiently recovered, at least enough to believe their
eyes, began gathering about joyfully.
"Up in my room," replied Judd, suppressing a yawn.
"How did you get out? Why didn't you let us know that you were o.k?
What did you hold off so long for?" The questions were coming thick
and fast.
"I didn't think about it and besides I was busy catching up sleep."
"Catching up sleep!"
"Yep,--I didn't get to bed last night till after one o'clock. And
then, I got my clothes all wet and had to dry 'em out before I could
appear in public again."
The joy of the students at having Judd restored to them as if from
death itself, finally surpassed all bounds. They made a grand rush for
the big, awkward youth and lifting him protestingly to their shoulders,
they bore him once about the campus before releasing him, in this
manner proclaiming the glad tidings.
The sheriff, disappointed at havin
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