"An outdoor fellow like you ought not to mind that," chaffed Dick
"Oh, I'll stand it as long as the rest of you do," challenged
Reade.
Dick and Dave were in the lead, the other chums coming behind them in couples.
So Prescott and Dave Darrin were the first to catch a glimpse down the short lane that led from the alleyway to the back of one of the buildings.
Here stood a man, with cap drawn well down over his forehead.
He was beside an automobile—-a big black touring car.
Dick saw and guessed. He almost jumped. Giving Dave's arm a quick squeeze, Prescott marched by without appearing to pay any heed to the man and the autocar.
Once past the lane, Dick kept on walking, but he turned and walked backwards. He signed to the other four, putting a finger to his lips for silence.
All six of the chums had guessed swiftly what the man and the auto, at that particular point, must mean!
"Keep walking, fellows," whispered Dick, as the other startled freshmen reached him. "And laugh—-loudly!"
Their forced laughter rang out. Then Dick, again at the head with Dave, started in on the first bars of the latest popular song. Again the chums understood, and joined in with a will.