"Have the entries for candidates closed?" Bronson suddenly asked.
"Why, no. A fellow can come out any time. But what makes you ask?" inquired Fred eagerly.
"Just wanted to know," returned Bronson, smiling tantalizingly. "Here we are at the Head's. See you this afternoon." And he turned in at the gate.
Wondering what his friend meant by his mysteriousness, Fred continued to his home, where he bolted his dinner, and then returned to school, seeking Hal, whom he drew to one side.
"Bronson given in his name for the nine yet?" he inquired excitedly.
"No; why?"
Briefly Fred related the conversation that had passed between Clothespin and him.
"What do you suppose he's driving at?" asked Hal, when the story was finished.
"More than I know. Let's see if we can find him."
But though they searched diligently, Bronson was nowhere to be found, and it was not until the candidates had assembled at the cage that the puzzle was solved.