Each one of the others had something in his hand besides his pipe or cigar; two or three had brooms, some horsewhips, some baseball bats, some canes, others umbrellas, and so on. The one who was apparently the leader had an iron poker.
"Who is the next neophyte who wishes to become acquainted with the mysteries of Pi Gamma?" he asked.
"It's Merriwell's turn next," answered one of the others.
"Very well, then, fetch him in."
At the mention of Merriwell's name the four solemn students against the wall glanced at each other.
"Hi, there! Hi, there!" called several voices. "No talking to each other!"
All the other students turned furiously upon the solemn four and glared fiercely. One of the four opened his lips as if to say something, then thought better of it, and shut them again.
"If you want to make a link in the mystic chain of the Pi Gamma," exclaimed the leader, sternly, "you'd better keep your mouth shut!"
The student thus addressed looked as if he was aching to say that he had not said anything, but his eyes simply wavered and otherwise he remained perfectly still.
"I guess they'll behave themselves," declared the leader. "Go out and bring in Merriwell."