for the
shock, mightn't you? Tell them there's a bare chance that you won't get
into the fracas, you know. I would. It would soften the blow for them,
Walton."

Walton scowled. "Don't be funny," he said shortly. "I've given you the
chance to drop out gracefully, Gilbert, and you're a fool not to take
it."

"But why should I drop out! Don't you suppose I want to play in the
Claflin game just as much as you do?"

"Perhaps you do, but you won't play in it any way you figure it. If you
don't quit willingly you'll quit the other way. I'm giving you a fair
chance, that's all. You've only got to make believe you're sick or play
sort of rottenly a couple of times. That will do the trick for you and
there won't be any other trouble."

"Say, what are you hinting at?" demanded Don quietly. "What have you got
up your sleeve?"

"Plenty, Gilbert. I've got enough up my sleeve to get you fired from
school."

There was a moment of silence. Then Don nodded thoughtfully. "So that's
it, is it?" he murmured.

"That's it, old man." Harry grinned. "Think it over now."

"What do you think you've got on me?" asked Don.

"I don't think. I know that you and three other fellows helped put out
that fire that night and that you didn't get back to hall until long
after ten-thirty." Harry dropped his knee, thrust his hands into his
pockets, leaned back in his chair and viewed Don triumphantly. "I don't
want to go to faculty with it, Gilbert, although it's really my duty and
I certainly shall if you force me."

"Hm," mused Don. "But wouldn't faculty wonder why you'd been so long
about it?"

"Probably. I'd have to tell the truth and----"

"I guess that would hurt," interpolated the other drily.

"And explain that I'd tried to shield you fellows, but that my
conscience had finally prevailed." And Harry grinned broadly. "Josh
wouldn't like it, but he wouldn't do anything to me. What he'd do to
you, though, would be a plenty, Gilbert. It would be expulsion, and you
know that as well as I do."

"Yes, I do." Don dropped his gaze to his hands and was silent a moment.
Then: "Of course you've thought of what it would mean to you, Walton? I
wouldn't be likely to keep you out of it, you know."

Harry shrugged. "Fellows might talk some, but I'd only be doing my duty.
As long as my conscience was clear----"

"You're a dirty pup, Walton," said Don, "and if I wasn't afraid of
getting the mange I'd give you the beating you deserve."

"Calling n