“Aye, aye, sir,” sang out the big sophomore, and away he went.
When the door had closed behind Bingham, Frank looked around. There were no more sophomores in the room, and he laughed heartily.
“Fellows,” he said, “somebody is going to be surprised to-night. This is going to be a regular circus.”
“What’s the game?” asked Mason, tumbling that Merry was up to some kind of a trick. “Let us in.”
“Never mind,” answered Frank, shaking his head. “But watch out for a surprise this evening. Don’t say a word. Jack Ready will be the leader of the sophomores, and he expects to have everything his own way. Oh, it will be a great celebration of Omega Lambda Chi, if nothing goes crooked.”
And that was all he would say.
Carker came back with the paper and envelopes, and Merry at once sat down to write the decoy letter. By the time it was finished, Ready showed up, announcing that the cab was waiting at the corner. Then Bingham came in and said that Boltwood was in his room, writing a sonnet to Lotta’s ear.
Frank read the decoy letter, which ran like this:
“Dear Mr. Boltwood: Since we parted last night something very surprising has happened. I have received a letter from my dear mama, telling me that my Aunt Kitty has died and left me a fortune if I will leave the stage. Isn’t that just perfectly lovely? And still, I shall so hate to give up my career and relinquish my art. But we’re all out for the dust, and sometimes the ghost fails to walk, which makes us warm under the lapels of our sealskins. With the money dear old Aunt Kit has left to me, I can raise quite a breeze.
“I am going home to-morrow, but before I go I wish to see once more the friend who recited such beautiful poetry last evening. I could not go away without seeing you, Mr. Boltwood. It can only be for a few minutes, as I have to play to-night. The messenger who brings this will take you to where I am waiting in a cab. Do come at once, dear boy! If I only had some of Aunt Kit’s dough now, I’d square myself with you for the feed you gave me last night. Don’t fail me, dear Mr. Boltwood. Yours, etc.,