While the boys were discussing the proposed trip to Rushville they did not notice that Larkspur was close at hand, taking in much that was said. Presently Larkspur sauntered off and hunted up Jerry Koswell.
"The Rovers are going off to-morrow," he said. "Where do you suppose they are going?"
"I am not good at guessing riddles," answered Koswell rather sourly. He hated to hear the Rover name mentioned, since it made him think of his defeat at Tom's hands.
"They are going to the old Jamison place at Rushville."
"Well, what of it?"
"I was thinking," answered Larkspur meaningly. "You said you would like to square up with the Rovers, and with Tom especially."
"So I would. Show me how it can be done and I'll go at it in jig time." And now Koswell was all attention.
"I happen to know that Tom Rover and Professor Sharp are on the outs again," said Larkspur. "The professor wouldn't like anything better than to catch him doing something against the rules."
"Well, what do you propose, anyway?" demanded Jerry Koswell.
"Come up to the room and I'll tell you," answered Larkspur, and then the two hurried off and, joined by Dudd Flockley, hatched out a scheme to get the Rovers into dire trouble with the college authorities. They had a number of preparations to make, and paid a hurried visit to Ashton and several other places, Flockley hiring a runabout for that purpose.