When they reached the vicinity of Colby Hall Jack found, by again consulting his watch, that they were almost three-quarters of an hour late.
"Let's see if we can't slide in without any of the teachers seeing us," suggested Andy.
"Oh, I don't know that we've got to do that, Andy," returned Jack. "We haven't done anything wrong."
"Well, we are late, and you know some of the teachers won't stand for that."
"We had permission to go hunting, and we couldn't help it getting lost up there in the woods," answered his twin.
They were just about to enter one of the side doors of the Hall, when it was flung open and they found themselves confronted by one of the younger teachers, accompanied by Professor Lemm. They stepped to one side to let the teachers pass.
"Yes, as I remarked before, Tompkins, unless you have strict discipline in that class——" Asa Lemm was saying, when, of a sudden, he happened to glance at the cadets and recognized the Rovers. "What are you doing here? Where have you been?" he demanded, coming to an abrupt halt.
"We've been out hunting, sir," answered Jack.
"Hunting, eh?" And as was usual with him, Asa Lemm drew down the corners of his mouth.
"We had permission from Colonel Colby to go," put in Randy.