"Dave, take care of the orchestra," panted Dick. "The music mustn't stop for an instant after we get the fellows out."
Something in the looks of the five freshmen, as they burst into the hall attracted the attention of nearly everyone present.
Dick held up his hand as a sign for the dancing to stop. But Dave Darrin was already up on the platform, talking in the leader's ear, and the music did not cease.
As quickly as could be Dick got the upper classmen away from the girls, at the lower end of the hall.
"What is it? What can be the matter?" all the girls wanted to know.
But Dick called out, loudly enough to make himself heard:
"Young ladies, it is highly important that the music and the sounds of moving feet be kept up. Won't you young ladies please dance with each other until we bet back? Then we'll tell you an interesting story—-if you're good."
In the meantime Tom Reade was telling Thompson, Badger and Edgeworth, and as many more as could get close enough, what had happened.
"See here, fellows," spoke Thomp, "there's a big chance fer the crowd to win fun and glory for good old Gridley H.S. Seniors and Dick & Co. will steal down the alleyway, and be upon that lookout before he can say 'batter-cakes and coffee.' Juniors and sophs go in a bunch, prepared to catch the lookout on Main Street. All get your coats and come softly down the side stairs!"
In many gatherings the speed and comprehension with which all the Gridley High School boys acted would have been regarded as marvelous. But they were always in training for athletics. Team work and the spirit of speed and discipline prevailed among them.