"I don't wish to have you interfere with our plans," put in Josiah Crabtree. "I won't interfere with the other plans. But I am going to get square." "We've had delay enough," continued Josiah Crabtree. "Well, that wasn't my fault. Mumps got sick, and that's all there is to it," growled Dan Baxter, and then went to dressing his swollen eye once more. In the meantime Sam and Tom had rejoined their fellows and told their story. All of the others were indignant at Baxter's doing and glad to learn he had been given a sound drubbing. "I don't see why he hangs in this neighborhood," said Larry. "It's a wonder he doesn't try to join his father." "They are probably on the outs since Dan took that two hundred dollars," answered Tom. The boys were all tired that night, and the occupants of Dormitory No. 6 retired early in consequence. It was a little after midnight that Dick awoke with a cough. He sat up in bed and opened his eyes to find the room almost filled with smoke. "For gracious sake!" he muttered. "What's the matter here? Sam! Tom!" "What's this?" came from Larry Colby. "Is the house on fire?" He leaped from his bed, and so did Dick. By this time the smoke in the dormitory was getting thicker and thicker. It was coming through the door, which stood partly open. "Wake up, boys; the Hall is on fire!" "Fire! Fire! Fire!" came from all parts of the building. One after another the cadets roused up. Some were completely bewildered and did not know what to do. "We had better get out as soon as we can!" exclaimed Dick, as he slipped into his trousers. "Come, Tom! come, Sam!" He ran for the hallway, to find it so thick with smoke that escape in that direction seemed cut off. "We can't go down that way!" came from Frank. "We'd be smothered to death." "Let's jump from the windows," put in Larry, who was more frightened than any of the others. "No, no; don't jump yet!" cried Tom "You'll break a leg, and maybe your neck." "But I don't want to be burnt up," returned Larry, his teeth chattering. "Hold on, we have that rope we used when we had the feast last summer," said Sam. "Let us tie that to the window and get down on it." Sam ran to the closet and found the rope just where it had been left, on a hook in the corner. Soon they had it out and fastened to a bed-slat braced across the window frame. "Down you go, Larry!" said Dick. "Be careful; I reckon we have plenty of time." Larry slid down in a jiffy, and one after another the others came after him, Dick being the last. As the youth turned around on the window sill he saw the fire creeping in at the door. Their escape had taken place none too soon. Down on the parade ground they found a motley collection of half-dressed cadets, instructors, servants, and others who had been sleeping in the burning Hall. In the midst of the group was Captain Putnam, pale but comparatively cool, considering the excitement under which he was laboring.