Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/152

134 "Away with him to yonder dungeon cell!" came in a deep voice from Buster Beggs. "Chain him to the wall, and let the lean and ravenous rats feast upon his vitals!" And the fat youth struck a stage attitude.

"Hold on, you're stealing Horsehair's stage business," said Sam Day. "That's just the way he recites that address to the Romans."

Two of the boys tiptoed their way into the hall and listened on the stairs. All was dark and silent, for Murphy had long since retired and so had the other monitors and the teachers.

"It looks safe," said one, on returning to the dormitories.

"Come on," answered Roger. "Now, Macklin, take hold of my hand and walk along, and mind you don't make any noise. If you do—well, you'll be mighty sorry, that's all."

In another moment, Roger, Dave, and Phil were out in the hallway, with the sneak between them. The course of the lads was to a rear hallway and then down a long stairs, and through a narrow entry, leading to another stairs.

Macklin shuffled along hesitatingly and they took care that he should not fall on the stairs. "Not a word, mind!" whispered Roger into his ear, and he remained mute, although shivering with fright.

At last the four students stood in the cellar of