“I don’t know,” began Tom. He appreciated the spirit in which Shambler gave the invitation, and yet he did not altogether like the fellow. Besides, he did not want to break up the pleasant relations so long existing among the inseparables, and he knew that spirit would vanish if a fifth member was introduced.
Still he did not quite see how he could “shake” Shambler. Ahead of him Tom saw Sid, Phil and Frank waiting for him, and on their faces he detected a look of annoyance, as they beheld his companion. But the problem was solved for him.
“By Jove! There are the Boxer Hall boys now!” cried Shambler, waving his hands to some youths who were discernable on the far side of the big campus. “Come on over, and we’ll have some fun.”
Tom took one look at the two newcomers. In an instant he recognized them as the enemies of himself and his chums—Fred Langridge and his crony, Garvey Gerhart.
“I—I’m afraid you’ll have to excuse me,” murmured Tom.
“Why—what’s wrong?” asked Shambler, curiously.
“Well, the fact of the matter is that your new friends would hardly thank you for bringing us together,” answered Tom simply, as he swung off and joined his chums, leaving a rather mystified student standing staring after him.