Opposite Mrs. Henderson’s house was a tree with wide-spreading branches. Beneath that tree was a deep shadow, where the electric lights did not reach. The boys took the opposite side of the street and walked along by twos as if they were on their way to their rooms and happened to come that way. From their manner no one would have suspected they had lately come from Mrs. Henderson’s, or that they were looking for the spying proctor. Frank and Jack were in advance. Their hats were tipped down over their eyes, for they did not wish Rudge to recognize them before they could use the blanket. As they approached the tree they could see a dark figure that was hugging the trunk. That dark figure almost seemed to be a part of the tree. “There he is!” whispered Jack. “’Sh!” cautioned Merry. It was plain enough that the man under the tree wished to escape observation, for he remained perfectly motionless where the shadows were thickest. Frank and Jack walked along as if they meant to pass him. When they were directly beneath the tree, Merriwell suddenly made a pantherish sidelong leap. Open fluttered the blanket, and in a moment it was wrapped about the head and shoulders of the spying proctor. Jack sprang to Merriwell’s aid, and, despite the man’s struggles, he was helpless before Rattleton and Browning came running to the spot, eager to help. The proctor had uttered a smothered cry and then fought fiercely, but Merriwell hoarsely growled: “Be silent if you value your life! We are desperate men.” When Browning placed his hands on the proctor he handled the man as if he were taking charge of an infant. “Move lively!” whispered Frank. “If we are caught----” All knew what that meant. To be caught in this meant expulsion from the college. “Look!” palpitated Harry, pointing along the street. “See there! Some one is coming!” “Where?” “Right there! Coming this way!” A figure was seen hurrying toward them, and, as it passed beneath an electric light, Merriwell whispered: “Prof. Babbitt himself.” This talk was made so low that the half-smothered proctor could not understand a word, although he was aware that something had alarmed his captors. He made another effort to struggle. “Keep still!” growled Browning, like a huge mastiff, and he held the man easily. Prof. Babbitt suddenly stopped. It seemed that he saw the dark forms beneath the tree. He peered sharply at them, and then, with surprising suddenness, whirled about and hastened away. Frank chuckled. “Thought he had made a mistake,” he softly whispered. “Thought the proctor could not be here as long as he could see more than one fellow beneath this tree. Didn’t want us to recognize him. See how he is crossing the street to keep from passing directly under that light.” “The old sinner!” came from Harry. “I wish we had him instead of this fellow!” “We’ve seen enough to know that Babbitt put the proctor up to this job,” declared Diamond.