Hickey had now reached the height of his fame. Intoxicated by success, he forgot all prudence, or rather his revolt became an appetite that demanded constant feeding. He no longer concealed his past exploits, he even went so far as to announce the escapades he planned.
"You are running your head into the noose, Hickey, my boy," said Macnooder, sadly; "every master in the school has got his eye on you."
"I know it," said Hickey proudly, "but they've got to catch me."
"Your position is different," objected Macnooder, "now you are suspected. And do you want me to tell you the truth? Your trick about the clappers was too clever. If you could imagine that, you were at the bottom of other things. That's what the Doctor will say to himself when he thinks it over."
"The Doctor plays square," retorted Hickey; "he won't do anything on suspicion. Let him try and catch me, let them all try. If they get me fair and square, I'll take my punishment. I say, Doc, just you wait. I've got something up my sleeve that'll make them all sit up."
"Good Lord!" said the Egghead, who was of the party, "you don't mean you're going on?"
"Egghead," said Hickey, impressively, "I've made up my mind that I just can't live without doing one thing more!"
"Heavens, Hickey! what now?"
"I've got a craving, Egghead, to sleep in Tabby's bed."