"I thought I did," returned our hero. "In fact, I am certain I did," he added.
"But it gave way and let you down."
Our hero shook his head. He couldn't understand it at all.
In a few minutes he was able to go with his friends and show them where the root-beer and soda-water bottles were hidden.
Loaded down with the stuff, the crowd returned to the Hall, and the feast began.
Nearly all of the boys of Mont's age had been invited in a general way, and a lively time was had for fully an hour.
Hoke Ummer could not stand it to see his rival triumph over him, and so slipped down to the room occupied by Moses Sparks, one of the under teachers.
"Mont Folsom and his crowd are having a feast in one of the upper rooms," he said.
At once Moses Sparks prepared to investigate.
The feast was at its height when a footstep was heard.