Aware that they had been discovered in their underhand work, Pud and
Elmer worked their way toward the door while Dawson was quizzing the
janitor, and when they heard his statement that they had gone back on
their bargain, they made a bolt to get outside. But Jerry blocked them.
"No, you'll have to stay here until this matter is settled once and for
all," he exclaimed, his face growing white and his hands clenching.
Realizing that resistance was futile, the two boys slunk back from the
door and awaited the further action of Dawson and his companions.
"Why not let them go?" suggested Harry. "Mr. Farelli's words and their
actions have vindicated the Pi Etas, and it seems to me very poor policy
to bring any scandal to Rivertown High."
"But you forget that Princy has assessed a fine of seventy dollars on
the Pi Etas," protested Dawson. "While I'm perfectly willing to let the
matter drop, I see no reason why the boys who are members should be
compelled to pay out money for something for which they were not
responsible in any way."
Although Harry's suggestion had met with murmurs of approval from the
other boys when it had been made, the senior's statement had brought
back to their minds the cost of such procedure, and they were equally
enthusiastic for the latter plan.
The thought that he could get himself out of a situation which had
become decidedly embarrassing, since his schoolmates had discovered him
in conference with the janitor and the bully of Rivertown High made
Elmer come forward.
"Suppose I agree to pay the seventy dollars and let the matter rest? Is
that agreeable to you fellows?" he asked.
"We ought to know how the trick was planned," declared Jerry.
"Especially as it is Harry against whom the insinuation is the most
serious," added Paul.
"Oh, never mind about me," exclaimed our hero. "The only thing to be
considered is what's best for the Pi Etas and for Rivertown High."
This stand of the new student appealed to the rest of the boys, and at a
sign from Dawson, they withdrew to a corner of the cigar store for a
conference, leaving Harry, the janitor, Snooks and Elmer leaning against
the glass showcase.
The entire proceeding had been distasteful to the janitor, who had
filled his position for so many years and, believing that it would be
best for him to propitiate the boy for whom the other students had taken
up the cudgels, he riveted his eyes upon the new member of the Pi Etas.
"Do you know, I think I was wrong, sir, when I told Mr. Larmore that you
were the boy I had seen in the building."
"You most certainly were!" returned Harry.
"Oh, well, in a time of excitement, any man is apt to be mistaken,"
interposed Elmer, lightly, "and so long as no harm has been done, if I
am willing to pay the expense, I don't see why the matter should go any
farther."
At this statement, Harry looked at the rich boy.
"So you don't think it's any harm to have such a charge made against you
when you are practically unknown to the school authorities, and to the
people of the town in which the school is located?" he asked.
At the question, Elmer flushed and before he could think of a reply that
was adequate, Dawson and the boys with whom he had been talking, moved
over towards them.
"We've decided that if Watson is willing to overlook the affront that
has been put upon him, for the good of the Pi Etas and Rivertown High,
we will allow you to pay the seventy dollars, Craven, and let the matter
drop."
"Very well, I will go to Mr. Larmore in the morning," announced Elmer,
his relief at the solution of the difficulty evidenced by the look which
settled on his face.
"No, that won't do," returned Dawson. "Mr. Larmore appointed me as
collector of the assessment, and if the matter is to be arranged as you
suggested, you must give the money to me. I will pay him. In that way,
no one but ourselves need know of the real facts."
"But I shall need time in which to raise the money," protested Elmer.
"How long?" asked the boy who had been acting as spokesman.
"A month, I should say."
"And we're to stand for the Pi Eta society room being closed for that
length of time just to accommodate you," demanded Jerry, stepping toward
Elmer.
As though fearing an assault from his schoolmate, the rich boy drew
back.
"Well, I might be able to get the money in two weeks," he announced.
"That won't do, either," said Dawson. "Knowing you as I do, it is my
opinion that you have the money right in your pocket this minute."
"But think of the sum, seventy dollars," protested Elmer.
"Which is nothing to you, if the stories that come from Lumberport and
Springtown are true," returned the senior, "and besides, I can tell from
the way Snooks is acting that he has some money in his pocket.
"Now you two boys might just look the matter squarely in the face. You
have deeply wronged Harry Watson--for reasons best known to yourselves.
Watson is a member of the Pi Eta and a scholar in Rivertown High and is
willing to overlook your actions, provided you clear the society from
all odium.
"I don't mind telling you frankly that it was only because I insisted
upon it that the rest of the boys who came over with me consented to
such an arrangement.
"But unless you pay the money at once and to me, I shall withdraw my
objections to the true state of affairs being told to Mr. Larmore--and
you all know what the result of such action would be."
The tones in which the senior spoke were bitter and, fully as much as
the words, they made Craven understand that he could not count upon the
sympathy or support of the other Greek letter men.
And even Snooks, who had never been able to gratify his dearest ambition
of becoming a Pi Eta, felt their sting.
"I've got fifteen dollars," the bully announced. "If you have the rest
let's pay it, Elmer."
This statement that the butcher's son had any money in his pocket was a
distinct surprise not alone to Elmer but to the other boys, and deeming
that it would make the burden upon him just so much the lighter, Craven
put his hand in his pocket.
"Very well. I have fifty dollars. With Pud's fifteen that will make
sixty-five. If the rest of you will raise the remaining five dollars
among yourselves, I will pay it in the morning."
In his talk, Dawson had been more or less bluffing, for he had not
thought that even as rich as Elmer's father was, he allowed him any such
amount of money; and when he had heard the boy announce that he had
fifty dollars in his pocket, he could scarcely restrain the exclamation
of surprise that rose to his lips. But he managed to dissemble his
feelings.
"All right. You place your money on the showcase, Elmer, and you put
yours down, Pud."
Quickly, the two boys obeyed and, after verifying the count, Dawson
turned to the others.
"It's up to us to make up the other five dollars. Come on, shell out?"
he exclaimed.
"I have fifty cents," and producing the coin, he laid it down on the
showcase beside the other money.
The rest of the boys, however, not being accustomed to carrying money
about with them, fidgeted nervously, then put their hands in their
pockets, and the sum total they produced did not amount to over fifty
cents more.
Enjoying their embarrassment, Elmer's face suddenly lighted.
"You fellows have driven hard terms with me, and if you can't make up
the other five dollars, then I withdraw my offer to stand the brunt of
the cost."
In dismay, Dawson and his friends looked at one another, but just as
they were on the point of admitting they could not carry out their
agreement, Harry took out an envelope from his pocket.
"I have five dollars," he announced. "And for the sake of the Pi Etas
and Rivertown, I should be glad to put it into the fund."