With one eye on the dangling snake, Codfish had watched the masked figures with the other, and now, seeing himself unnoticed for the instant, the sneak slipped from the bed and started in a wild dash for the door, the key to which was still in the lock.
“No, you don’t!” cried Randy, and caught Codfish just as he was in the act of backing up to the door to unlock it with one of his tied hands. “Not just yet!” And thereupon all the lads pounced upon the sneak and threw him on the floor.
“Fix him up so we can label him!” cried Andy. “He deserves it! Hurry up before someone comes!”
In a twinkling Codfish found his hands untied. Then his coat was taken from him, followed by his shirt. Four of the boys held him down face front while two others approached with a can of red paint and a small brush.
“A sneak you are, a sneak you have always been and a sneak we are going to label you,” were the words uttered, and in a few seconds more the word SNEAK was painted across Codfish’s shoulders. Then he was turned over and the same word, SNEAK, was painted across his breast.
“Now then, into the clothes closet with him,” was the next order. “And remember, Codfish, if you tell a word of this to any of the professors we’ll lick you within an inch of your life,” was the caution given to the frightened cadet.
“I—I won’t say a word,” blubbered the sneak. “Please let me alone!”
“We’re going to put you in the closet and keep you there,” said one of the masked figures. Then the figure turned to the others. “We’ll take turns at watching him, fifteen minutes each. Here is a club I brought along. If he attempts to open the door of the closet and come out, knock him in the head.”
“Right, Most Honorable Ruler!” came from the other masked figures, with a profound bow.
“How long must I stay in the closet?” blubbered Codfish.