With Ready in their midst, they walked through the doorway, and a great shout went up as they entered the chamber beyond, the walls and ceiling of which were stained bright scarlet. The chamber was a long room, in the midst of which was a long table, and at the table sat more than a hundred students, nearly all of them sophomores. The table was covered by a scarlet cloth, but on that cloth was spread a splendid lunch, consisting of all kinds of cold meats, canned stuff, hard bread, crackers, cheese, bottled drinks, and so forth.
The students were dressed in an ordinary manner, much to the surprise of Ready, who had expected to see everything on the grotesque.
The master of ceremonies rapped on the table, crying:
“Arise, brothers of the sacred order.”
They stood up.
“Salute,” directed the master.
They saluted.
“Mr. Merriwell,” said the master, “you have faithfully kept your promise, and you shall be decorated with a leather medal.”
“I thank you, most noble master,” bowed Frank.
“We have waited patiently,” said the master. “Your places are reserved for you.”