Presently Malcolm returned, and Jelly took his departure, declaring that he supposed he would have to study although he had quite forgotten how. At Rob’s suggestion Malcolm brought his books into 32 and the three found places about the old green-topped table and prepared their lessons. It was hard going, though, and there were many interruptions, and after a while Malcolm gathered up his books and declared that he would have to go back to his own room if he was to do any work. “Sorry, Mal,” said Rob. “It’s my fault. I can’t seem to get my mind on lessons to-night. I’ve thought of a way to make that foot-scraper a lot better. Supposing that instead of having the brush――” “Never mind,” laughed Malcolm. “You tell me about it to-morrow. Good night.” “Aren’t you coming back after study?” “No, I’m going to bed.” He shot a questioning look at Evan. Evan smiled and shook his head slightly. “What are you idiots signalling about?” asked Rob. “What’s up? Or isn’t it any of my business?” “It isn’t,” answered Malcolm. “You’d better change your mind, though, Evan.” “No, I guess not. I’m much obliged, though.” “Well, if you do――” Malcolm left the sentence unfinished. “Good night, fellows.” “Good night,” they echoed. Rob was already busy with the problem of the improvement of the foot-scraper, drawing strange lines on a fly-leaf. Evan went back to his algebra. After a while the bell in the tower of Academy Hall struck nine and he closed his book with a sigh and gathered his papers together. Rob was still drawing, his unruly hair straggling down over his puckered forehead. Evan watched amusedly for a minute. Then, “Got your lessons, Rob?” he asked gravely. “Eh? What?” Rob looked up with a startled frown. “What time is it?” “Just struck nine.” “Jingo! I’ve got to get busy. Look at this, though, Evan. I’ve got it dead to rights now. I’ll bet it will work finely.” So for the next five minutes Evan listened to an explanation of the drawings and a eulogy of the invention. Then Rob resolutely turned his mind to the Anabasis, remarking sadly that it was all Greek to him, and Evan finished his letter. They went to bed at ten and Rob fell promptly to sleep. Evan, however, with Malcolm’s warning in mind, preferred to stay awake and await developments. The dormitory was very quiet, and when fully a half-hour had gone by, Evan began to think that Malcolm had mistaken the date. He closed his eyes at last, for he was really very sleepy, and was afloat in that delicious state between slumber and waking when there sounded a quiet but peremptory knock on the door. Rob didn’t hear it but Evan was wide awake on the instant. He slid out of bed, stumbled across the room and fumbled at Rob’s patent latch. “Open!” commanded a voice outside. “All right,” answered Evan, “but you’ll have to wait until I find the combination of this plaguey thing.” Then the latch slipped back and the door swung inward. In the hall were some twenty boys variously attired.