Neil, gasping for breath, subsided on to the window-seat and nodded his head vigorously.  “That’s just what I do mean.  There’s no doubt about it, my friend.  Didn’t I tell you I heard Cowan—­”

“Oh, Cowan!”

“I know, but it was all in earnest.  Carey and he are on their way to Pike’s stable for the carriage, and the others are to meet there.  They’ve had fellows watching you all day.  There’s one at the corner now—­a tall, long-nosed chap that I’ve seen in class.  So get your things and get out as soon as you can move.”

Livingston, with his hands in his pockets, stared thoughtfully out of the window, Neil watching him impatiently and listening apprehensively for the sound of carriage wheels down the street.

“It doesn’t seem to me that they could be idiots enough to attempt such a silly trick,” said Livingston at last.  “You—­you’re quite sure you weren’t mistaken—­that they weren’t stringing you?”

“They didn’t know I was there!” cried Neil in exasperation.  “I went in late—­Mills had us blocking kicks—­and was changing my things over in a dark corner when they hurried in and went over into the next alley and began to talk.  At first they were whispering, but after a bit they talked loud enough for me to hear every word.”

“Well, anyhow—­and I’m awfully much obliged, Fletcher—­I don’t intend to run from a few sophs.  I’ll lock the front door and this one and let them hammer.”

“But—­”

“Nonsense; when they find they can’t get in they’ll get tired and go away.”

“And you’ll go out and get nabbed at the corner!  That’s a clever program, I don’t think!” cried Neil in intense scorn.  “Now you listen to me, Livingston.  What you want to do is to put your glad rags in a bag and—­What’s that?”

He leaped to his feet and peered out of the window.  Just within his range of vision a carriage, drawn by two dripping, sorry-looking nags, drew up under the slight shelter of an elm-tree about fifty yards away from the house.  From it emerged eight fellows in rain-coats, while the tall, long-nosed watcher whom Neil had seen at the corner joined them and made his report.  The group looked toward Livingston’s window and Neil dodged back.

“It’s too late now,” he whispered.  “There they are.”

“Look a bit damp, don’t they,” laughed Livingston softly as he peered out over the other’s shoulder.  “I’ll go down and lock the door.”

“No, stay here,” said Neil.  “I’ll look after that; they might get you.  I wish it wasn’t so dark!  How about the back way?  Can’t you get out there and sneak around by the field?”

“I told you I wasn’t going to run away from them,” replied his host, “and I haven’t changed my mind.”

“You’re an obstinate ass!” answered Neil.  He scowled at the calm and smiling countenance of the freshman president a moment, and then turned quickly and pulled the shades at the windows.  “I’ve got it!” he cried.  “Look here, will you do as I tell you?  If you do I promise you we’ll fool them finely.”