and hide in the
closets if necessary," said Jack. "I'll stay here with my cousins."

The knock on the door had been repeated several times, and Jack had
answered in a sleepy voice that he was coming. Then, when all was
ready, he threw the door open--to find himself confronted, not by one
of the professors, as he had expected, but by Bob Nixon, a fellow who
was employed as a chauffeur and a general man of all work around the
school.

"You must sleep pretty sound," announced Nixon good-naturedly. "I
thought I'd have to knock the door down to make you hear."

"I told you I was coming, Nixon," answered Jack. "What do you want?"

"Got a telegram for you," answered the man curtly. "Professor Brice
asked me to bring it up to you. Say, you fellows certainly did trim up
Hixley High to-day, didn't you?" the chauffeur went on, grinning.

"You're right we did!" answered Jack. He was immensely relieved to
think it was not one of the professors come to spoil their feast.
"Where is the telegram?"

"Here you are," and Nixon held it forth.

"Any charges?"

"No; it's a prepaid telegram. It was delivered with another one for
Colonel Colby. He signed for it, thinking you might be asleep. I hope
you haven't got any bad news."

"I hope so myself," answered Jack. His heart had given a little jump
on first receiving the news, thinking that possibly something had
happened at home. He lost no time in opening the envelope, and while
he did this Fred and the twins crowded around him.

The telegram was from Jack's father, and read as follows:

"Your Uncle Sam and I have volunteered for the army. We have
both received commissions. Tell Fred of this and break the news
gently to Mary and Martha. Uncle Tom will manage business and
remain head of Liberty Loan Committee. Colonel Colby will tell
you more.

"RICHARD ROVER."

"What is it?" queried Fred.

"It's great news, Fred; especially for you and for me," answered Jack,
whose eyes had traveled swiftly over the telegram.

Then he read the message aloud. Bob Nixon had retired, and Randy had
closed the door after him.

"Well, what do you know about that!" ejaculated Fred. "My father in
the army! Good for him!"

"And to think my father is going, too!" remarked the oldest of the
Rover boys. "And he also has a commission." He looked at Andy and
Randy and wanted to go on, but somehow could not.

"And they are going to make our father remain at home and take