But there was a black cloud on the horizon. You would not think of calling Roy Blakeley a black cloud, yet he was the black cloud in this instance. He was a boy who would sit contentedly on a fence thinking of nothing in particular, then suddenly be aroused to mirthful enterprise as by an inspiration. Surely he was one of the spirits of Temple Camp. Boys returned home in the autumn and talked of him all winter. His patrol, the Silver Foxes, shone by his own reflected light. They were (to quote the voice of Temple Camp) a bunch of jolliers. If Danny had not been called to the office it is probable that Roy would never have conceived the mischievous idea of descending with his bantering cronies upon the defenseless Pioneer Row. But his piquant sallies to Danny upon his visit to the seat of the powers reminded him that he had neglected Pie Alley, which was his name for that lowly suburb. Roy invariably acted upon every random inspiration. "Come on, let's go down to Pie Alley and kid the life out of Sophomore Senior, the Student Prince of scouting," said he. "We'll tell him he's awarded a typewriter machine," said Warde Hollister. "We'll tell him all the tests for merit badges have been changed," said Ralph Warner. They would have been accompanied by a clamorous escort except that it was rest hour and most scouts were either asleep or reading in reclining postures in their cabins. So no one went upon this memorable expedition but Roy and two of his patrol, Ralph Warner and Warde Hollister. Reaching the big, sprawling, shingled dormitory, they serenaded the subject of their call like knights of old. They knew that Holman Sharpe would be resting. Holman did everything that was on the scout program. He was getting his money's worth. Roy was something of a balladist and he saluted the victim with a minstrel lay: "Oh Sharpy, dear Sharpy, come out of the door The badge list is changed and there's ninety-six more." This failing to arouse him they tried again. "Oh Sharpy, dear Sharpy, get up and come out And the fourth test on plumbing we'll tell you about." Still again they tried to lure him with soft melody. "Oh Sharpy, dear Sharpy, come out with scout stealth And we'll hand you the medal for personal health." Holman Sharpe did not come out, but he looked out through the open window. CHAPTER XVI THE ACCUSED "Don't you scouts know it's rest hour?" said Holman. "You'd better look in your handbooks and see what's on page three thirty-seven. What are you scouts doing down here at this time of day?"