Martin edged as close as he dared. It passed the lower window and he saw, to his utter amazement, that it was Piny Twilliger, who seemed in great haste to get down. He intercepted her as she reached the ground. “What is it, Piny?” he whispered. “I’ve found them!” she gasped, “and the cake isn’t eaten yet. Get all the boys together you can. Some will have to watch the door of their room—it’s Seth Laney and that crowd. You’d better get the Shackley boys and go up on the outside—that’s the only way you’ll get in. While the rest are making an awful racket in the hall to attract their attention, you can climb in the window.” “You do beat everything!” exclaimed Martin, quite conscience-smitten to think he had ever suspected Piny. “You’re a regular general! You bet we’ll get that cake,” and he ran around the building and into the big front entrance like a shot. It took only a minute to plan the campaign as outlined by Piny. There was an instant siege—within ten minutes an unconditional surrender—and the cake was saved. Borne down in triumph by Martin and Abner, they paused in front of her with a low bow. “Madam,” they said, “the honour belongs to you. Have a piece.” But Piny laughingly refused to be made a heroine of, and waited until every one else was served. She blushed furiously when they toasted her in lemonade for her presence of mind and courage. “I reckon hit wan’t much,” she said, modestly disclaiming all honours. “I’d promised to watch things, an’ I wan’t goin’ to be beaten nohow.” The spread was a great success. Afterwards, Abner walked back to the Hall with Gincy and Lalla. “You helped me a lot,” he assured the latter. “I worked up all those notes you gave me and they seemed to strike the nail on the head. I don’t see how you ever thought of them.” “That wasn’t anything,” said Lalla, “you had a dozen points a good deal better than mine. I’m glad the decision was unanimous for you, though; it was a bigger honour.” “I didn’t know you helped Abner,” remarked Gincy as they sat in her room waiting for the warning bell to ring. “I’m so proud of him and grateful to you. Miss Howard says you do splendidly in your work this term, Lalla.” “You always say such nice things,” answered Lalla, evading Gincy’s eye. “There isn’t another girl in Bentville who has encouraged me the way you have. I guess I remember, and—” She broke off suddenly. Perhaps after all she would better tell Gincy the truth about the debate. Gincy listened, her hard-working hands tightly clasped, and a sinking at her heart. It was just plain cheating and the Gooch family had never done anything like that. Of course Abner didn’t know or he never would have used the paper Lalla gave him—that was one comfort. Then Gincy thought of Raphael. Perhaps after all the medal really belonged to him; but how could she straighten it all out? Why were there so many tangles in life, anyhow?