A PLAN THAT FAILED
One afternoon Dr. Mead announced that there would be an evening
lecture, in preparation for final examinations, and he stated that he
expected every student to be present.
"The only excuse that will be accepted for non-attendance," he said,
"will be illness. As there are no students sick now, I shall regard
with grave suspicion any reports of indisposition between now and the
time for the lecture."
"What do you say to a swim?" asked Sam, of Jack, as they filed out
from the auditorium where Dr. Mead had made his announcement.
"I'll go," replied Jack. "Any of the other fellows going along?"
"Dick, Nat and Bill Slade are coming," said Sam. "I left them going
for their suits. Come on."
"Wait until I get mine," spoke Jack, and he hurried off, to join Sam
a few minutes later.
On the way to a quiet spot in Rudmore Lake, where the boys were in
the habit of taking their swimming exercises, Jack and Sam were
joined by the others.
"Did you hear the latest?" asked Bony Balmore, making his anatomy
rattle in a way peculiar to himself.
"No, what is it?" asked Jack.
"Two new students arrived," went on Bony. "They're chums of Sport
Bagot's I guess, 'cause I saw them walking with him."
"Who are they?" asked Sam.
"Ed Simpson and John Higley," replied Sam. "I heard they were regular
cut-ups, and got fired out of one school. Their guardians sent them
here to finish the term. I s'pose they'll try some funny work."
"L-l-l-l-et 'em t-t-t-try it!" spluttered Will. "I-i g-g-g-guess we
c-c-c--"
"Oh, whistle it!" exclaimed Sam.
"Pzznt!" exploded Will, which seemed to get his vocal cords in shape
again. "We'll fix 'em if they try any tricks!"
"Now you're talking," said Jack.
The boys lost little time in getting into the lake. They were
splashing about in the water, when Jack, who happened to swim near
shore, was startled by a cautious hail. He looked up, to see Budge
Rankin half hidden in the grass, making signals to him.
"What is it?" asked Jack.
"Geasynow!" exclaimed Budge, in a hoarse whisper, tossing aside a wad
of gum that he might talk more plainly.
"Go easy about what?" asked Jack.
"They're going to play a trick on you," said Budge.
"Who?" inquired Jack, while the other boys, attracted by the
conversation drew near.
"Adrian Bagot and the two new students," went on Budge. "They're on
their way here. Goin' t' steal your clothes an' make you late for th'
lecture. I heard 'em talkin' about it. Thought I'd warn you.
'Sthmatterithfoolinem?" Budge had taken a fresh chew of gum, which
accounted for the way in which he inquired what was the matter with
fooling the enemy.
"True for you!" exclaimed Sam. "How we going to do it?"
Jack pondered a moment, idly splashing the water with his opened
hand. Then he exclaimed:
"I have it! How long before they'll be here, Budge?"
"'Bout ten minutes I reckon."
"Long enough. Come on boys."
"What you up to?" asked Nat.
"Say nothing but follow me," was all Jack replied.
He scrambled up the bank to where he had left his clothes. Catching
up the garments into a bundle he placed them further along the bank,
on a little bluff that overlooked the edge of the lake. The clothes
were in plain sight.
"They'll see them there," objected Fred.
"That's what I want," Jack replied. "Do as I do."
Wondering what was up the others obeyed. Jack then ran to a small
boathouse, close to the swimming place, and returned with three long,
thin ropes, used to tie the craft to the dock.
For a few minutes Jack's fingers flew nimbly. Then he placed three
rope circles, hiding them well in the grass, each one just in front
of each of the three piles of clothes. He carefully carried the long
ends of the ropes down the bank and into the water.
"Oh, I see!" exclaimed Sam, with a chuckle. "Say, this is great!"
"Now, Budge," said Jack, when he had finished his preparations. "You
hide in the bushes. When you think it's time, you toss a stone into
the water. Do you understand?"
"Betcherlife!" replied Budge, shortly.
"Get down under the bank, then, fellows," said Jack to his
companions. "Keep well in shore, and when you hear the stone splash,
pull. That's all!"
"But they may take our clothes," objected Will, who did not seem to
understand.
"I don't believe they will," replied Jack, grimly.
The boys entered the water again, and, crouched close under the bank,
sinking down so that only the tip of their noses were above the
surface. It was almost impossible to tell they were there.
Had any one been up on the bank a few minutes later he would have
observed three lads come creeping along, as if they were afraid of
being seen. Adrian Bagot was in the lead.
"I don't see them" spoke one of the trio.
"Keep quiet, Ed Simpson," cautioned Adrian. "That Ranger chap has
sharp ears. Do you see 'em, John?"
"There's their clothes in little piles, just ahead," replied John
Higley. "They couldn't have left 'em better for us. Come on; we'll
hide 'em, and then we'll see what happens."
"Guess they won't be so fresh after this," spoke Bagot.
Slowly the trio crept forward. Well might Jack and his chums worried
for the fate of their garments had they seen the three conspirators.
But Budge was on the watch.
Just as the three sneaks were about to reach down and gather the
swimmers' clothes, a stone sailed through the air, and fell with a
splash into the water. An instant later there was a wild scene on the
bank.
Three youths went flying toward the edge of the lake as though
propelled by unseen hands. They seemed to have ropes attached to
their legs, ropes which were being pulled from below.
Then three well-dressed lads were struggling in the water, while five
other youths stood up in the shallows looking on.
"I guess we turned the tables that time," remarked Jack.