"All right, we'll tie up its tongue first. Gee, but it's cold here!"
"Will it freeze all right, do you think?" inquired another voice, evidently addressing the first speaker.
"Freeze, you galoot, of course it will; solid as a rock, and they won't get it out till spring." A low chuckle followed.
"What in the name of time are they doing?" said Jimmy. "Taking the tongue out of something and freezing it! Can it be a cat?"
"Your mind runs to cats to-night," Frank whispered back. "Those chaps are going to do something to the bell."
"Drop the cat on them," said Jimmy. "They'd think it was the Old Boy himself."
"No," returned Frank, who had crouched down till his mouth was about level with Jimmy's ear. "Let's wait and see what they intend to do. Keep still as a mouse."
The boys below had already begun work on the big bell. "For the love of Mike, don't let that tongue hit. I can't get the thing out. It is held by some kind of a dingus that is riveted in. Some one will have to hold it, while the rest of us turn the bell up."
From below came the sound of puffing and grunting. "Easy," said some one, "for heaven's sake, hold that tongue so it doesn't hit, or we'll have the whole School on our necks. There," continued the same voice, "good work. Now, prop this beam under that side of her, and the job is done."
"All but the water," said another voice.