Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/154

136 Macklin after them, as the candle-light disappeared from his view.

"We'll be back—don't worry," answered Phil. "A few hours in the dark will do you good. You can reflect upon how mean it is to act the sneak," and then the three passed out of Macklin's hearing.

"I hope it doesn't scare him into a fit," said Dave, as he and Roger and Phil hurried back to the dormitories.

"Don't worry about that," answered Phil. "Macklin is a coward, but he isn't as weak as all that. He wanted to play on our feelings, that was all. It won't hurt him a mite to leave him in the vault until to-morrow morning."

"I wonder if Gus Plum won't go out on a hunt for him."

"My gracious! I never thought of that!" ejaculated Phil. "Sure he'll go out. They occupy the same room."

"In that case Gus Plum may be watching us already."

Without loss of another moment they hurried back to the dormitories. They met nobody and heard nothing to alarm them.

"I reckon we are safe enough—at least, for the time being," said Roger, when they were inside once again. "Come, let us make the most of the feast while it lasts."