"Cut it," commanded Garry, as he made a pass at Ted. "What are you trying to do, pull a fight?" As they walked on toward the school, it was noticeable that Bill Sherwood was unusually silent. When Garry finally commented on this, Bill roused himself with an effort from his abstraction. "There was a row at home about Frank's going with that poolroom crowd," he explained. "Gee, I wish I could find some way to sidetrack him! They're sure a rough gang, and I never thought that a brother of mine would be running around with them." "Oh, don't worry!" Rooster tried to cheer his chum up. "Frank will tumble to them himself if you give him time. Just leave him alone till he comes to his senses." "Yeah, that's just what I am doing," said Bill mournfully. "He won't let me do anything else." The chums reached the grounds of the high school a short time later, and found the campus already crowded with students. As the boys mingled with these on their way to the building they caught sight of Sandy Podder talking to Lent Stewart. As Sandy's eyes lighted on Garry, an angry look came into them. He said something in a low voice to his companion, and then the boys saw him slip off into the crowd. "Up to some dirty scheme, you can bet," said Rooster Long, with a contemptuous twirl of his books. "That Sandy Podder sure has it in for us." "And he was talking to Lent Stewart," remarked Garry thoughtfully. "The two seem to be pals." "Thick as thieves. They're two of a kind, from all I've seen of them," said Bill. They entered the big building now and looked about them with interest as they proceeded down the corridor. The school was an old one, the ceilings high, the woodwork dark. But despite the dingy aspect of the place there was an air of dignity, an atmosphere of learning, that impressed the boys just admitted within its portals. They passed an open door and had the temerity to look in. "Gee, that's an office!" breathed Ted, with a touch of awe. "Where they send the naughty freshmen, maybe," put in Nick Danter, with a chuckle. "Bet you'll be the first to make it, Ted, at that." Ted's retort was cut short by an unexpected incident. They had reached the end of the corridor and were about to turn the corner to the room assigned to them when Garry leaped back suddenly, almost knocking over Rooster and Bill, who were directly behind him. A cup of dirty water thrown by an invisible hand had narrowly missed landing squarely on the front of his new coat! CHAPTER VI FACING THE BULLY Surprise on Garry Grayson's part was quickly followed by anger. Whoever had thrown that cup of water had done it with deliberate and malicious intent. While Nick, who had caught most of the water, was wiping it from his sleeve, Garry leaped around the corner. There, as he had more than half expected, he encountered the grinning face of Sandy Podder.