On the outside of the crowd stood Baxter, Paxton, and Coulter, and the face of each was pale and full of fear.
“I—I didn’t think it was going to end this way,” muttered Coulter, hoarsely.
“Hush!” returned the bully, fiercely. “Do you want to be found out?”
“That’s it—mum’s the word,” put in Paxton. “If we are found out, it may mean our dismissal from the school.”
“But if one or the other is dead——” Coulter could not finish the sentence. Baxter clapped a hand over his mouth.
“Shut up, I say!” he cried. “Not a word more.”
The workers had now gotten almost to the bottom of the snow house. Presently they uncovered the form of Pepper. Close beside him lay Andy. Both were partly unconscious.
“Give them air!” ordered George Strong. “Get back, boys!” And then the two sufferers were laid out on the snow and several went to work to revive them.
“Oh, I hope they get over it!” murmured Jack. He could not bear to think of anything serious happening to his chums.
For several minutes all were in doubt. Then Pepper began to move, and Andy gave a faint gasp.