"I tell you," said Browning, slowly, and there was a dangerous glitter in his eyes, "I'm not above telling tales in a case like this, and if you don't go straight to the dean and tell him the truth, I'll go and lay the matter before him, and what's more, Master Ford, I'll give you such a thumping that you'll carry the marks as long as you live." Browning spoke quietly, but there was a businesslike ring in his tone that Ford could not misunderstand. The others were very quiet, and they looked at Ford, awaiting his answer. "You take a mighty high attitude," he muttered. "Shut up," muttered Browning, savagely. "I for one won't hear any argument about it; you've got to do what we say, or take the consequences. And to make certain of those consequences, I'm going to give you a licking now!" Browning pulled off his coat, threw it upon the floor, and advanced upon Ford. The others stood aside, their eyes glistening, and their fists fairly itching to take a share in Ford's punishment. As to the latter, he retreated to a corner, and placed a chair between himself and Browning. "Hold on," he said, huskily. "You've got the best of me because there are so many of you----" "I propose to lick you alone!" interrupted Browning. "All the same," suggested Dismal Jones, slowly, "when Browning gets through with him, I think the rest of us will take a turn one at a time." Ford was thoroughly frightened. "I give it up," he stammered. "You force me to it I'll do what you say, and I guess my standing in the class is good enough, as I never have done anything before this----" "Never been caught at it," interrupted Diamond, sarcastically. "Don't waste any talk," said Browning; "he's going with us to the dean's office now; Merriwell is probably there at this minute trying to make Babbitt believe in a student's honor." Saying this, Browning put on his coat and unlocked the door; then he turned to Ford. "Come along," he said. Trembling like a leaf, Ford crossed the room, picked up his hat from the table, and went out into the hall. The other students followed closely after. As he came to the stairway Ford made a leap. In his excitement he probably hoped that he might be able to run away from these angry fellows, and possibly escape making the confession that they wished him to make. With an angry laugh they all leaped after him and caught him as he was two steps down the stairs. The result was that the whole pack of them went tumbling down the flight and landed with many a bruise in a heap at the bottom. When they got up Browning had his strong hand clinched in Ford's collar until the miserable rascal was almost choking. In this way he was fairly pushed across the campus, to the great astonishment of all the students who happened to be there at the time. He was marched straight up to the dean's office, where the students entered without knocking. The dean was still talking with Babbitt and Mr. Harding.