“Down there—the fifth window from here. You had better hide until I open the blinds.”
“We will,” whispered Pepper.
Carrying the bags and the excelsior they had brought along, the cadets retreated, leaving Fred to enter the school building alone. Fred closed and locked the door after him. Then the cadets outside crouched down behind some bushes.
“I hope he isn’t caught,” whispered Andy. “Somebody might take him for a burglar and shoot at him!”
“I see a light in one of the upper rooms,” said Jack. “That looks as if somebody was up.”
“There goes the light out,” answered Dale, a moment later.
With their hearts beating rapidly, the cadets waited. Now that they had really embarked on the midnight expedition they began to realize what a great undertaking it was.
“If we are caught, Doctor Pornell may have us all locked up,” said one boy who was extra nervous.
“If you want to withdraw you can do so,” answered Jack. “Everyone to take part here must do so of his own free will.”
“I’ll tell yez what we’ll do,” said Hogan. “If an alarm comes run for the lake for all ye are worth!” And this was agreed upon by all.