Slim edged to the end of the ledge, and Leonard slowly followed him. Then, with one hand tight around Slim’s right wrist and the other holding fast to the sash, Leonard pressed his body close against the edge of the embrasure while Slim reached out his left hand for a grip on the stone work about the next window. After a moment he said: “Give me another inch or two if you can.” Leonard obeyed. There was a moment of suspense and then Slim announced: “All right, General. Let go!” Rather fearfully Leonard released the other’s wrist and turned his head to see. Slim was safe on the next sill, raising the lower sash. Then he disappeared, and Leonard climbed back into Number 12. A moment later the door of the next room opened and Slim’s bare feet padded along the corridor. A key turned in the lock in front of Leonard and the door swung in. “Left the key in the lock,” panted Slim as he entered. “Say, we’ll have to do some hurrying, General! Must be getting close to half-past.” They hustled off to the lavatory and hustled back again and hurriedly donned their clothes. Leonard looked at his watch the instant before he put the light out. The hands pointed to twenty-four minutes after six. Below, in the half-light of the doorway, Slim paused and looked about inquiringly. There was no one in sight. But as they turned side by side into the middle path that led toward Academy street voices behind them announced that some of the fellows had finished supper and were returning to the dormitories. At the far end of the row, Borden Hall, the freshman dormitory, showed an occasional light, but, so far as either Slim or Leonard could see, no forms were about the entrance. They went on toward the gate, Slim chuckling softly. “Guess we beat them to it, after all,” he said. But a minute later Slim changed his mind. CHAPTER XVII SLIM RETREATS Just short of the gate the sound of hurrying footsteps brought them sharply around. Behind them, seen dimly, were many approaching forms. “Let’s beat it,” whispered Leonard. “Run from a bunch of freshies?” demanded Slim haughtily. “Not much! We’ll turn down Academy street, though, and let them by. If they’re up to something we can’t stop them here.”