“There won’t be any more fight!” cried Jack, who had no desire to be brought up before the master of the school again. “Fred, open that door!” And then, as the youngest Rover did so, he added to his opponent: “Now get out of here before I throw you out.”
“You can’t throw me out!” blustered Brassy. But then, as Jack advanced on him threateningly, he made a sudden spring for the door and ran out into the corridor. “I’m not going to fight four to one. But just wait—this isn’t ended yet,” he went on, and then disappeared.
Fred closed the door again, and he and the others gathered around Jack, who was panting from his unexpected exertions.
“Gosh, but he looked mad!” was Randy’s comment. “What was it all about?”
In as few words as possible the young captain explained the situation so far as he was able.
“Brassy must have gone over to Clearwater Hall and there got the idea that you were queering that proposed party,” was Fred’s comment. “Well, I’m glad if the girls are wise to what is going on.”
“Better chew this over in the morning,” admonished Andy. “The thing now is to get into bed and put out the lights. One of the professors may be up here any minute.”
This advice was considered good, and with lightning-like rapidity the room was placed in order and the others retired again, leaving Jack to undress and go to bed as quickly as possible. A little later one of the monitors came through the hall, but none of the Rovers was disturbed.
It was not until two days later that the Rovers heard the particulars of what had occurred at Clearwater Hall. Then they learned that, unknown to any of the girls, one of the teachers had been delegated by Miss Garwood, the head of the academy, to make a quiet investigation concerning the proposed sleighing party. And when this teacher had found out who were on the committee of arrangements, Miss Garwood had forbidden any of the young ladies to participate. When this became known, Brassy Bangs had at once concluded that Jack—and perhaps some of his relatives and friends—was responsible for what had occurred. The party had been called off.
“I’m glad it’s called off,” said Jack.