"I think that if Miller should be put through some such proceeding it would--well, it would likely tear what little nerve he has into tatters." Frank hesitated a moment and then sat down. The room was perfectly still while the members of the order looked at one another doubtfully. "I don't quite see," remarked Baker, presently, "how the society of Pi Gamma can put a man who is not a student through an initiation." "Oh, I didn't mean to suggest that," responded Frank, hastily, but without rising. "I was only thinking that the society has such means for terrifying a man that it ought to be easy for us to devise a plan for giving Miller a good scare." "Yes, that's the scheme!" exclaimed Rowe, earnestly. "I wouldn't favor putting him through anything like the farce with which we treat neophytes, but it does seem to me that we might give him a dose in earnest somehow." Other members gave their assent to this suggestion and then somebody asked: "But what can you do about it if you can't find Miller?" "That's a damper!" responded Rowe, gloomily. "I understand that he's skipped." "He's come back," said another senior. "So?" All eyes were turned upon the speaker. "I saw him in his shop on my way to the rooms this evening," said the senior. "Then he's got over his scare. Probably he may have heard that Merriwell wasn't seriously injured and so thinks the thing's blown over." "We'll show him the contrary!" growled Baker. "But how shall we do it?" After a moment of thought Baker rose and said: "I think as Merriwell has suggested that it is just as well that the society should not pass any vote on this matter, but with your permission I'll appoint a committee to take the matter in charge. "They can meet after the ceremonies of this evening are over and decide what to do about it. It is probably too late to undertake anything to-night." "Miller keeps open until after midnight," somebody suggested. "Yes, but it's after midnight now and we don't want to act without being thoroughly prepared. Unless there is some objection I will appoint the five new members with Rowe and myself to act as a committee to consider this matter and take such steps as we think best." There was no objection to this and so the matter was considered settled, but the interest of the students in it was so great that they had little desire to talk of other matters, and before long the meeting adjourned for the night and the members of the committee assembled in one of the smaller rooms to lay plans for Miller's punishment. CHAPTER XXII. MILLER'S NERVES. There is no need to give an account of the long discussion held by the committee; what they did in the matter is of more importance. A good many wild plans were suggested; hot-headed Rattleton was in favor of severe measures that would have given Miller pain if they had not produced serious injuries.