Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/148

130 the jolly boys of Oak Hall. And may they never——"

"Be found out when they are having a feast," finished Dave.

"And never want for the wherewith to have another feast," put in Roger.

"And stick to each other through thick and thin!" continued Buster Beggs.

"So say we——"

"All of us!" came in a chorus, and the toast was drunk in root beer and lemonade. Then one of the crowd started to sing one of the school songs, but was promptly hushed by Phil.

"Hold on, we mustn't get Murphy into trouble," said he. "Somebody might——"

"Listen!" came in a whisper from Dave, and he held up his hand.

"What did you hear?" questioned Ben and Roger, in a breath.

"I think I heard somebody moving through the hallway. Wait."

A hat had been placed over the keyhole of the door, to keep the light from streaming into the hall. Without disturbing this, Dave walked through the room to the next dormitory, and opened the door there slowly and noiselessly. A glimpse outside brought to view Chip Macklin on his knees, trying to learn what was going on within No. 12.