“I will not,” declared Leonard indignantly. “What do you take me for?”
Slim shrugged. “All right,” he said. “I guess there’s nothing much up, anyway. We’ve got lighted streets all the rest of—” He stopped. On the other side of the street as they turned the corner was a group of five older fellows making their way briskly toward the center of town: Red Reilly, Gordon Renneker, Joe Greenwood and two others. “Juniors,” said Slim. “Coming to see the fun, I suppose. I’ll bet Red’s had a lot to do with this business. Don’t let them see us, General.” Slim slowed his pace a little, and the group across Meadow street passed on, laughing and talking gayly.
“How much further is it?” asked Leonard.
“About five blocks,” replied Slim absently. After a moment he said: “Look here, General, I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be a clever game to get into Kingman’s by the back entrance. It’s on Moody street, around the corner from the front door, and I don’t believe those fellows know about it.”
“Sounds sensible to me,” began Leonard.
But Slim disappointed him again. “No, by golly,” exclaimed Slim suddenly, “I’m blowed if I’ll sneak up any alleys on account of a lot of freshies! We’ll go in by the front door, General!”
“Sure,” agreed Leonard unenthusiastically. “Just as you say, Slim.”
“How are they going to stop us?” Slim went on belligerently. “They can’t do it, by gum!”
“Of course not,” Leonard assented. “Why, there’s only a hundred or so of them. The idea!”