willingness with
which he had followed them, and began to run swiftly back toward the
college buildings. The sophomore was known as one of the fleetest footed
men in college, and already Will Phelps had had him pointed out as one
of the few who had "made" the track team in his freshman year. He had
looked up to him with the respect that only a freshman can know for the
prominent men in college life, and now was his opportunity to test his
own ability against that of the fleeing member of the sophomore class.

Quickly he darted in pursuit, feeling rather than perceiving that his
own classmates were speedily left far behind him. He was exerting
himself to the utmost and ran as though the prize he was seeking was the
greatest of coveted honors. As he sped over the grass his respect for
his rival increased greatly, for whatever Mott's defects might be, there
certainly was in him no lack of ability to run. The distance between the
runners was steadily maintained, and indeed, it seemed to Will as if it
was being increased. On and on he ran, and the college buildings were
now near-by, and if the fleeing sophomore should once gain an entrance
in one of them then Will knew all further pursuit would be useless.

Suddenly the form of Mott disappeared in the dim light and Will Phelps
stopped abruptly and peered keenly before him. But when his classmates
joined him and all four cautiously advanced, several minutes elapsed
before a solution for the mystery was found.

CHAPTER VII

SPLINTER'S QUESTIONS

Directly before them the boys could see a long ditch or trench which had
been dug the entire length of the back campus and of whose existence
they had not been aware. Doubtless Mott had known of it, however, and in
his flight had made for it with all the speed he could command, either
hoping to lead his pursuers into difficulty or trusting that it in some
way would provide a means of escape for himself.

Whatever his plan may have been it succeeded admirably, for when the
four freshmen stood together on the border of the trench not a sign of
the presence of Mott could be discovered. In which direction he had fled
they were also ignorant. It was evident however that he was gone and
after a careful search had confirmed the conviction in their minds that
the sophomore had escaped, Will Phelps said:

"We'll have to give it up, fellows. He's gone."

"We can go up to his room and get him," suggested Peter John, who was
beco