Readily agreeing, the boys swarmed in a troop into the building, and while Shorty, watching his chance, dodged to Bart's desk, opened the top and placed the limburger as far back as possible, smearing some of it in the cracks.
Gleefully the others watched, filing innocently from the room when the deed was accomplished.
"Wow! but Bart'll raise an awful rumpus," opined several.
"Never mind about Bart. Come on to the store," exclaimed Soda. And, linking his arm through Bronson's, as though fearful he might escape, Soda hurried through the hall, the others following close behind.
But as they started down the steps, they were confronted by a group of Firsts.
"Hey, you Seconds! Back to Number one and clean our desks for us."
At a glance Fred realized that he and his companions were outnumbered by the Upper Formers, and, with that quickness of decision which was destined to make him so good a football player, he whispered:
"The side door!"
Laughing derisively, thee Seconds turned and rushed into No. 1, hastily swarming out the window and through the door.
So unexpected was the refusal to clean their desks, that for a moment the Firsts stood motionless at the foot of the steps, then charged up.