“Coats!” exclaimed Crawford, in sudden surprise. “Why, I left mine in the ’bus.”
“So did I, and I!” exclaimed several voices at once.
Kauffman read the letter.
“Ye green and verdant Freshmen are cordially invited to attend an auction sale of coats, to be held in the lower hall of the Goodwin immediately after the Sophomores partake of their white fish supper. We would state privately that in the pockets of these garments will be found many rare and valuable relics, such as autograph letters, signed by your own classmates, unpaid laundry bills, etc. These will be sold to the lowest bidder.”
Embarrassment and indignation were plainly visible on the faces of the Freshmen, and both feelings were reflected in no small degree in the countenances of the girls.
“White fish!” exclaimed Crawford, who was the first to recover from the general consternation. “That explains it.”
“Why! How!” exclaimed the girls, who could not fully take in the situation. Kauffman looked up with a grim smile that was not entirely mirthful. “In other words,” he began, and his teeth seemed to cut each syllable, “they have scooped our coats and obtained our planked white fish under false pretenses. Now they propose to eat the fish under our very noses and sell the coats at public auction. Can such things be?” He looked about him upon the comical dismay of the group. Then a storm of indignant protests filled the air.
“See here, Jack.” Crawford plucked Kauffman by the elbow and led him to one side. There was a hurried consultation between the two and a sudden decision. When it was reached Crawford slipped from the room and left the hotel by the little street in the rear. Presently those nearest the front windows became aware of some unusual commotion at the entrance to the hotel, and, when somebody cautiously raised the window and reclosed the inside blinds, the sound of Crawford’s voice was distinctly heard.
“Blame you fellows,” he was saying; “give me my coat. I left something valuable in the pocket. It’s a mean trick, anyway.”
“What was it, Freshie?” came from a lower window in a taunting voice. “Handkerchief?”