Therefore, when Frank was knocked in front of the car, Rowe and his companions knew that it would not do at all to let the accident become a matter of public knowledge. So, before the people on the car half realized what had happened, they had carried Frank across the street, got over a fence into the grounds surrounding a private house, and were rushing along toward a thick clump of shrubbery.
When they were concealed in this they paused for an instant to get their breath and make a hasty examination of the neophyte.
By that time Frank was wholly unconscious. There was a red spot upon his forehead, his clothing was torn and his hands were bleeding a little from scratches.
The wounds and bruises would not have disturbed the seniors particularly, but Frank's unconsciousness gave them genuine alarm.
"We must keep moving!" exclaimed Rowe.
"Let me take my turn at carrying, then," said the one who had been acting as rear guard.
This was done. They proceeded across the lawn, climbed another fence into a garden and, having crossed this, came to another street.
They were now fairly safe from pursuit by the passengers on the trolley car, who, as a matter of fact, gave the matter no further thought when they were told by the motorman that the affair was a lot of students' nonsense.
As it was now very late in the evening the streets were almost deserted and by acting cautiously the seniors succeeded in getting Frank to Rowe's room without interference.
There they laid him upon a bed and hastened to apply restoratives as well as they knew how.