“You will follow?”
“Yes. Lead on.”
Not a few of the boys were surprised to see Chet and Hal walking rapidly away in company. As soon as they were some distance from the academy and not liable to attract attention, Arlington started into a run.
“We must hurry!” he called. “Get a gait on you, Darrell!”
Coming to the path through the woods, they ran along this, with Chet in advance and Hal close at his heels.
“I am a fool!” thought Darrell more than once. “I know it. I ought to be kicked for taking any stock in him.”
Approaching a spot from which they might peer down the path to the bridge, Chester slackened his pace and cautioned his companion to move silently.
At last Darrell reached out and seized Chet by the collar, stopping him in his tracks.
“Now, hold on,” he said, in a low tone, “I want you to tell me just what you are going to show me.”
“You will see in a minute.”