“How so?” asked Phil.
“The real legal battle opens in court to-morrow. I heard Dr. Churchill telling Mr. Zane about it this afternoon. It seems there is a certain point to be argued before they get at the main issue, and whichever side wins this point will have the advantage, and practically get the case.”
“What sort of a point is it?” asked Tom, who had a little leaning toward the law.
“Blessed if I know?” replied the Californian. “It was too deep for me, though I heard Moses mention it. There was something about a writ of certiorari or lis pendis or an injunction, or something like that.”
“Maybe the college authorities are going to ask for an injunction to prevent Langridge and that crowd from interfering until the football season is over,” suggested Holly Cross, hopefully.
“What? Do you imagine that all Moses and the others have to think of is football?” demanded Phil. “I tell you, fellows, this is a serious matter. I’d hate to see old Randall done away with.”
“So would we all,” declared Kindlings. “But maybe we’ll win in court, just as——”
“As we didn’t against Fairview, but as we’re going to do against Boxer Hall!” interrupted Tom, with energy, and then he saw Ruth beckoning to him, as she stood with her chums, most bewitchingly arrayed in a fur coat. “Come on!” called Tom to his friends, and soon they were escorting the girls home.
There was some expectation when the students at Randall assembled in chapel the next morning, and it was borne out by an announcement Dr. Churchill made.
“Perhaps some of you have heard of the further rumors going about concerning our difficulties,” he said, gravely. “I beg of you to pay no attention to them. The case is far from settled, though within two days it may progress much toward that end, either for us—or against us. I now wish to state,” he went on, after a pause, “that the faculty as well as the directors have been summoned to court to-morrow and the following day, so that Randall will be without a teaching force. You young gentlemen will be given two holidays from your lectures and studies, but I request that none of you leave the vicinity of the college in that time. Mr. Zane will be in charge. I believe that is all,” and the president bowed to the students.