“Then somebody leaked, that’s all,” grumbled one of the boys, angrily.
“I suppose so. But they mean to get a chance to steal your grub. Look out for them, fellows. Keep a good watch out,” said Ralph, impressively.
“Hey! hold on, where are you going to?” demanded one of the group as Ralph started to slip away.
“Sorry, but I can’t be with you to-night, fellows. Some mighty important business of a private character chains me down,” explained the other.
“No, you don’t now. You’re needed at the spread more than any other fellow; and we don’t mean to let you off this time. Private matters must wait when the class of Umty Fourteen has the call. Duty before pleasure, you know. Besides, you’re IT to-night, and we just won’t get on without you. Come on!”
Ralph thus found himself in another fix, and could well exclaim to be delivered from his friends. First the enemy had captured him and tried to keep him a prisoner until midnight. And now the fellow members of his class, having determined to elect him president for the balance of the season, seemed equally bent on preventing him from keeping his appointment with Smalling.
He said nothing further, but walked along with the crowd. All the while he was keeping his eyes open in the hope of seeing a chance to drop out, and giving his classmates the slip. He could not bear the thought of postponing the interview with Sam Smalling that might mean everything in the world to him.
They had reached the barn before he found his opportunity. A number of freshmen had come on at dusk to guard the place, so that their enemies might not take possession unawares, and shut them out.
While the two divisions were fraternizing Ralph saw his chance, and dodged aside.
“Here, where’s Ralph West gone to? We mustn’t let him slip away,” said a voice.