ve made that
remark about simply being tired of proving the scapegoat; and that the
lesson he had learned would only make him wiser about acting as Ted's
scout.

So Bud hastened to leave the scene of his recent humiliation; and no
sooner was he gone than Paul again secured the door against intrusion.

"Are we going to get busy now?" asked William, as he fondly caressed the
novel weapon with which he had recently harassed the would-be destroyers
of the camp equipment, as though loth to lay it down for a broom.

"Wait a bit," remarked Paul; "for unless I'm mistaken there's another
Tiger loose in the den of the Fox!"

As if to emphasize the truth of his words there came, just at that
moment, a tremendous crash from the dark gymnasium near by. Groans, and
angry words testified to the fact that Scissors Dempsey was having his
troubles of his own in trying to navigate that abyss of gloom, seeking
to find the door, and escape by that means.

"Wow!" exclaimed William, once more tightening his grip on that
war-club, while the light of battle glowed in his eyes; "I clean forgot
that pilgrim in there. Oh! for one last good belt at a Slavin Tiger.
Paul, get a lamp, won't you, and turn us loose in there. Oh my! oh me,
what luck!"

"I suppose he's just got to be chased out of the place; and the sooner
we do it the better," Paul responded, advancing toward the connecting
door.

He knew just where to find the nearest lamp. It was close beside the
door, and Paul had stamped its location in his mind.

Accordingly, he struck a match and passed the portal. Jack was at his
heels, trying to hold the impetuous William and the equally belligerent
Bobolink in check; but unable to wholly do so.

When the match was applied to the wall lamp it gave a dim light. The
presence of electricity in the furnace room only made the contrast more
positive. Still, those eager boys possessed sharp vision, and almost
instantly both William and his fellow scout discovered a moving figure
at the other side of the gymnasium crawling out from under a wilderness
of blankets and tents that had fallen upon him.

CHAPTER IX

RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL

If Paul could have had his own way just then he would have been in favor
of allowing Scissors a chance to make his escape. But he had a pair of
impetuous comrades along; and aroused by the excitement of the occasion
neither William nor Bobolink thought of consulting his wishes.

No sooner was the la