The noise of voices awoke Bert Dodge with start.  He awoke with a snort, then sat bolt upright, peering in the dark.

“Wh—–­who’s there?” he demanded hoarsely.

“A committee on class honor, Mr. Dodge,” replied Furlong, while Anstey added, with ironic politeness: 

“Don’t be alahmed, suh.  We do not believe you to be possessed, suh, of any of the commodity of which we are in search.”

“Brayton” asked Greg, “will you be good enough to slip into your bathrobe and hang your blankets over the window?  Then we can have some light.  That’s one thing we’re going to need,” he added significantly.

“Don’t you do it, Bray,” broke in Dodge stiffly.  “As for you fellows, the best thing you can all do is to go back to your cradles.  Bray and I want to sleep the night through.  And you’ve no business here, anyway.”

“I’m afraid you’ve missed the point, suh?” replied Anstey with bored patience.  “That is exactly why we’re here, suh—–­because we have business here.”

Brayton had slipped into his bathrobe and was now crossing the room with blankets on one arm.

“Chase ’em out, Bray; don’t hang any blankets for them to run a light behind,” begged Dodge.

“I’m afraid I’d better,” murmured Brayton, as he stood on a chair and reached up to put the blankets in place.  Didn’t you hear the announcement that this is a committee of honor?  The class has a right to send one to any man, and Prescott, the class president, is here.  There, those blankets will hold and shut in all light.  Turn on the gas, Holmesy, if you will.”

“You’d better get into robe and slippers, too, Mr. Dodge,” hinted Dunstan strongly.  “Our business is with you, and I think you’ll feel more at ease on your feet.”

“What is all this nonsense about, anyway growled Dodge, as he slipped out of bed and wrapped himself in his dressing gown.

“That’s what we’ll ask you to explain,” retorted Greg.  “But let us go about this in a regular manner.  In the first place, Brayton, please understand that you are not being investigated.  It is Mr. Dodge who is under suspicion.”

“Yes; under fine suspicion!” snarled Dodge.  “You mean I’m to be the victim of a plot hatched by my two old enemies back in the home town.”

But Greg, ignoring him, turned to his chum.

“Dick, old ramrod, as you’re the aggrieved one, I don’t suppose you can exactly act as class president in this case.  But you can designate some other member of the class to act in your place.”

“Then I’ll name Mr. Anstey,” replied Dick.  “I believe he will be satisfactory to everyone.”

“Not to me!” snapped Bert Dodge, his uneasy gaze roving from one face to another.  “The class president can’t name his own substitute.”

“Silence!” commanded Brayton, turning on his roommate.  “Of course the class president can delegate his duties, temporarily, to another.”