“Good work, old man!” said Hodge affectionately patting Dan on the shoulder. “We’ll leave you here. Look out for Gus. If he meets you alone some dark night he may pitch into you.” “Hello, Carlton,” said Dan, as he and his roommate were about to enter their hall. “What’s wrong?” The little fellow’s face was pale and it was manifest that he had been crying. “Somebody poured water in my bed,” said Carlton. “My room is all mussed up too. I――I think I’ll――――” “You’ll what?” asked Dan kindly as the boy hesitated. “I――I think I’ll write my mother and ask her to let me come home.” “No, no. That isn’t the way. I’ll go over with you, and we’ll set matters to rights in a minute. Do you know who did it?” “I think I do. I am almost sure――――” “Well, don’t let him know that you know, whoever it is.” “Why not?” “Because you may have more trouble if you do.” “But I don’t want to sleep in a wet bed. I’ll catch cold.” “Take your bedding off and let it dry.” “Maybe they’ll pour more water on it if I do.” “I guess not.” “Hello; got a protector have you?” Dan looked up as he heard the question, and saw Gus Kiggins before him. “Well, you’ll need his help, I guess,” continued Gus, as he looked again at the troubled little lad. “He wants his mamma, doesn’t he? Poor little darling! Do the naughty bad boys plague him? He mustn’t play with muckers. It is naughty and it is not nice. Come――――” “That’s enough!” broke in Dan quietly. “Enough of what?” demanded Gus as he instantly turned to face Dan. His manner betrayed his anger and it was manifest that he resented the quiet words of the new boy. “Enough of picking on a little fellow,” said Dan steadily. “What is it to you?” “I sha’n’t stand by and see Carlton abused.” “He needs a little attention――and so do you! And you’ll both get it.” Dan did not move from his position nor did he reply to the words of his angry classmate. As he looked at Gus he saw that the boy undoubtedly was possessed of great physical strength. He was not any taller than he, but was much heavier. Dan recalled too, what one of the boys had said, that “Gus Kiggins was one of the best boxers in the Tait School.” The fellow was angry now and not only inclined to quarrel, but apparently ready to seek trouble. Dan was also aware of the feeling of jealousy which doubtless had been aroused by what he had seen of his pitching in the scrub game of baseball. “Here comes Squint!” exclaimed Gus suddenly in a low voice, as the teacher who was in charge of the entry came into the hall. “That saves you this time, but if you don’t learn how to mind your own business you’ll get some teaching that isn’t down in the catalogue!” With this parting threat Gus turned and left the hall. The teacher nodded to the two boys who remained in the entry, and at once entered his room. “Oh, thank you! Thank you!” exclaimed Carlton to Dan. “For what?” “For taking my part against that big bully.” “Has he ever troubled you before?”