A little while later Martell and Brown went below. In the lower hallway they met Fred and some of the others.
"Well, Martell, when are you going to return that suitcase?" demanded the youngest Rover.
"I told you I haven't got your suitcase and don't know anything about it," cried the loudly dressed youth. But at the same time his face grew flushed and he could not look Fred in the eyes.
"You took that suitcase, and if you don't return it pretty quick you'll see what will happen," warned Fred; and then he walked away with his cousins, leaving Nappy Martell gazing at Slugger Brown, questioningly. The pair conversed in a low tone, and passed on out of the hall on to the campus.
"Now's your time, Fred, if you're going to do as you said," whispered Randy.
"Right you are!" was the quick reply. "Come on;" and Fred led the way upstairs again, his cousins following.
When they reached Nappy Martell's room, they found the door locked. But the door to Slugger Brown's apartment was unfastened, and they quickly entered this and passed into the room beyond.
"Say, Jack, won't you stand on guard?" questioned Fred. "They might come back while we're at work."
"All right, boys. But be careful what you do. You don't want to spoil anything. A joke is a joke, but it loses its flavor if it is carried too far."
With Jack standing in the hallway on guard, Fred and the twins took possession of Nappy Martell's room. The boy who loved to dress so loudly was rather methodical in his habits, and had arranged all of his clothing and other articles with great nicety in his chiffonier and his closet.