He scratched one of the troublesome matches under the edge of the mantel and turned toward the gas fixture. With one hand on the key of the nearest bracket and the other holding the flaring match he stood motionless, staring at Hansel’s face uncertainly visible in the half light.
“What was that?” he cried softly.
“What? I didn’t hear——”
“Listen!”
“School this way! School this way! School this way!”
Bert threw the match into the grate and leaped toward the door.
“Come on!” he cried. “They’re here!”
As he dashed out of the door, Hansel close behind him, the corridor and stairway were noisy with the tramping of many feet.
“Raid! Raid!” was the cry echoing through the building. Doors were crashing shut upstairs and down, and the valiant defenders were taking the stairs three or four at a time. Bert and Hansel joined the hurrying throng, and in a trice found themselves outside in the darkness. Overhead a few stars twinkled wanly. The unlighted bulk of Academy Building rose before them at a little distance and toward it they sped. But the cries of “School! School! School this way!” came from farther along toward Weeks. The steps of Academy were empty, and after a moment’s indecision, Bert and Hansel and a few others who had followed them turned away and hurried toward the rallying place. A crowd of some half hundred fellows had already gathered in front of Weeks, and in the dim light from the open doorway Hansel made out Harry Folsom, who seemed to be in charge of affairs.