the wires having been severed,
it was later discovered, at a point where they entered the building.

"I'll say this, Leon," he finally told the waiting boy; "I'll keep
quiet about this little thing for three days, and then feel free to
mention it, if the necessity arises. I'll make a further bargain
with you to this effect; you fight shy of the company of Nick Lang
after this, and I'll hold my tongue as long as I understand that
you've cut his acquaintance; otherwise, I'll feel free to speak; and
there are lots of people in this town who'll believe you had some
dark motive back of your breaking into this building to-night. Your
reputation is against you, Leon, you understand. Another fellow
might enter here, and everybody would believe what he said; but
you've long ago lost the confidence of everybody worth while in
Scranton. Is it a bargain, then?"

Leon replied with alacrity; but then that was no sign that he meant
to keep his word. He had been caught in a downright lie on many
another occasion; so Hugh did not place much reliance on his promise
to reform.

"Oh! as to that, Hugh," said the crafty Leon, "I've been figuring on
cutting away from Nick for a long time now, and I guess I'll do it.
He's got me in lots of nasty scrapes, you understand, and then just
laughs at me. I'd have given him the shake long since, only he
threatened to whip me black and blue if I ever did. But this would
be a good chance to try it out. Yes, I'll promise you to try and
break away from Nick; and I hope you'll keep mum about my coming here
to-night. If you don't mind, Thad, I'd like to have my flashlight
now. And I ought to be going back home in the bargain, because dad
doesn't like me to be out nights unless he knows where I'm at."

Thad chuckled as though he considered this last remark in the light
of a joke; for Leon roamed the streets until a late hour every night
he chose; but, as there was no need of their staying longer, they
passed out of the window, and headed toward their respective homes.

CHAPTER IX

SCRANTON IN GALA ATTIRE

That was, indeed, a busy Friday with the students of Scranton High.
Lessons had been tabooed entirely, for what was the use of trying to
hold the attention of the scholars upon dry subjects when their
thoughts continually roamed afield, and seemed concerned only with
what great things were scheduled for the next afternoon? Still, they
gathered at school, which was a sort of genera