Pete shook his head. "Not really," he said. "Oh, one of the Keltons ... Gerry ... sneaked off the grounds a few weeks ago. I wrote him up." He grinned. "Pushed on past me when I was on noon guard. I trailed him to his class group later and got his name." Don nodded. "He ever say anything to you about it?" "No. I've seen him in the halls a few times since then. He always avoided me--up to now." "I see." Don nodded. "But today, he suddenly went for you--with reinforcements." Pete grinned wanly. "I guess I'll have to get used to things like that," he said. "Ever since Uncle Harle was----" He clasped his hands together, then turned suddenly aside. For an instant, he stood, head averted, then he ran over to lean against a row of lockers, facing away from Michaels. "Uncle Harle didn't---- Oh, why don't you just leave me alone?" Don considered him for a moment, then walked over, to place a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, hold up a minute, Chum," he said. "I'm not trying to give you a bad time. Now suppose you calm down a little. Doesn't do you a bit of good to tear yourself apart. You're not responsible for whatever your uncle got into, you know." Pete faced him, his back braced against the lockers. "That's what you say here," he said bitterly. "Sure, we've been in the same classes. You know me, so you try to be decent. But what do you really think? And how about everyone else? You think they're being all nice and understanding about this?" He snorted. "Know why I'm not in class now? Got no class to go to. I was in Civics Four this period. They threw me out. Faculty advisor said I'd do better in ... in some Shop Study." Don frowned. "Funny," he said. "You always got good grades. No trouble that way?" "Of course not." Pete spread his hands. "I----" A low snicker interrupted the words and Don looked around, to see Gerry Kelton close by. Behind him were his brother and Maurie. Gerry laughed derisively. "Go ahead," he commented, "let him talk. You might learn something from the little----" Don motioned impatiently with his head. "Get going, you three," he said sharply. "You've got less than a minute before late bell." "Sure we have," Gerry told him. "We might even be late to class. Now wouldn't that be awful? Some jerk wants to write up a bunch of lousy report slips, make him look good, we're----" "Move!" Michaels' voice rose sharply. "Don't try that one on me. It's been tried before. Doesn't work." Gerry paused in mid-stride, then seemed to deflate. He turned away. "Come on, guys," he said. "Let's get out of here. We'll take care of this later." * * * * * As the three disappeared down the hall, Don turned back. Pete was staring at him curiously. "How do you do that?" "Do what?"