"Get me a mouse, and I'll show you that I'm right!"
"A mouse! a mouse! who knows where to get a mouse?" called out one of the senior boys, looking around as though he expected some one to produce the tiny animal from his pocket.
"I do," responded a little fellow with a sharp thin face that gave him somewhat the appearance of a mouse himself. "I have three of them in a box. I keep them as pets."
At this announcement there was a shout of satisfaction, and the youngster was bidden to bring out his curious pets.
He ran off, and presently returned with a little pasteboard box in which some live thing could be heard moving.
"Bravo!" cried the others with the exception of Raoul, who looked decidedly disconcerted. "Now we are all right. We have the mouse, and Raoul will show us how he can frighten the big elephant."
To judge by Raoul's expression he would greatly prefer going off quietly to bed, but he was in for it now, and must at least make an effort to carry the thing through.
So, summoning his resolution, he assumed a jaunty air, and said, gayly:
"Come along then. We'll see if I'm not right." And he led the way followed by as many boys as dared risk the consequences of being away from the school at night without leave.