"Son, you're all right!" congratulated the manager, holding out his hand. "I'm a game loser. I'm not only out twenty-five dollars but my Dynamite is all gone. A baby could ride that mule now! Officer, pay this _man_ the money. He earned it all right!" CHAPTER X AN ATTEMPTED HOLD-UP It was exactly six-thirty and the fellows were just finishing a good supper at Walker's lunch counter. Judd had become a hero in the eyes of everyone now, except Benz. He could not allow himself to think of Judd being other than just a plain country rube and although mightily astonished at Judd's showing he passed it off finally with: "The lucky stiff!" Pole was speaking. "Rube, seeing you've got so much kale now you might pay back that quarter I loaned you, with interest." "Yes, an' don't forget that dollar an' a half you owe me," chimed in Oole, with his mouth full of Boston baked beans. "I don't owe you a cent an' never did!" "He's only kiddin', Rube," soothed Curns, "Just so you remember me in your will, I'll be satisfied." Judd grinned; then his face grew sober. "Well, fellahs, I reckon we'd better be gettin' home. It's a long walk an' it's gettin' dark. Besides, I got quite a bit o' money an' I don't want to take any chances o' losin' it." "That's right! I move we do go home," grunted Oole, then sweetly to the waiter, "Another plate of beans, please." "Behold, gentlemen, the human storehouse!" derided Pole, pointing at Oole. "That's enough from you, macaroni!" retorted Oole, tearing a biscuit in two, savagely. "Did you say Marconi? Gentlemen, I am honored!" began Pole, then placed a hand over his eye. "Thanks for the biscuit Oole, but please pass them next time. Such table manners!" Benz had been quiet for some time. He was a little indignant to think of the renown Judd was getting. Why, all the fellows were beginning to pay attention to him now. And he, a rube! Benz's one desire was to do something which might make Judd the laughing stock of the college; something which would provoke ridicule whenever referred to. "I've got it!" he whispered. "Judd's afraid of robbers. Why, I heard that he hides his wallet under the mattress or carpet every night before he goes to bed. Why not pull a fake hold-up and scare him stiff on the way home to-night? Great! I'll put the fellows wise." Benz got busy and soon everyone knew the plot but the unsuspecting Judd. Some fellows objected strenuously, but finally consented when they considered what a rich joke it really would be. "Pole, it's up to you to get Rube started for college. The rest of us fellows will make some excuses and hang around town until you two are gone. I'll get a revolver and some masks and with the bunch will take a short cut through Perry field and meet you near the mill pond. Get busy!" Benz was insistent.