“No, you idiot! What the girls want to do is get up a purse, collect a lot of money, you know, and refurnish his office for him.” Dick whistled. “That _would_ be a lot of money! He certainly needs new furniture, though. But the question is whether Mr. Grayson is popular enough with the fellows, Gordie.” “Oh, he’s not a bad old scout, Dick. Of course, he’s always been rather down on athletics――――” “Hold on now! Let’s be fair. He hasn’t been down on athletics, Gordie. He merely thinks that we fellows pay too much attention to it. He’s not――not awfully sympathetic, but it isn’t fair to say that he’s against it. Now go on, and pardon the slight digression.” “All right; he’s not what I said. Anyhow, I think most fellows like Grayson pretty well. They ought to. He’s awfully fair and――and decent, even when he gives you fits about something.” “I trust he has never had occasion to give you fits,” said Dick gravely. Gordon grinned. “Well, we’ve had one or two slight misunderstandings,” he replied cheerfully. “But I don’t hold it against him.” “That’s sweet of you. I hope you’ve told him so.” “Oh, dry up and listen. And don’t wobble the car about so! It gives me heart-failure. That’s what Morris did the day we went through the fence.” “Your conversation is so absorbing that it quite takes my mind from the car,” replied Dick. “Perhaps you’d better wait until I get you home.” “All right, seeing that I’m most there――if nothing happens. There’s Fudge on the porch.” Gordon waved and Fudge shouted something unintelligible and Eli chugged around the corner of Troutman Street and drew up at the Merricks’ gate. “Come on in a minute,” said Gordon. “No, you sit right here and unfold your tale. I’ll put the brake on hard so Eli won’t run away. There! Now what’s the scheme and what must I do about it?” “Well, they wanted me to talk to you about it first; the girls, I mean. They seemed to think you had a certain amount of sense. I don’t know why they thought so, but――――” “Never mind the compliments, Gordie. You tell them that I am with them heart and soul and think it’s a fine idea. Now, what is it?” “Well, they want to do the thing quietly, you see; keep it a secret.” “I don’t just see how they can,” Dick objected, “if they mean to raise money by subscription.” “Keep it a secret from Mr. Grayson, I mean, you idiot! They want to get the things and then smuggle them into the office when he’s out.” “They’ll have trouble keeping it dark, I’m afraid,” said Dick seriously. “Someone’s almost certain to let it out.” Gordon nodded. “That’s what I said, but your sister――――” “Is she one of the conspirators?” asked Dick. “Yes. She said she was certain none of the girls would tell and so it would be up to the fellows. And of course I had to stand up for my sex, Dick, and tell her that none of us would let it out.” “I don’t see why I haven’t heard something about all this,” mused Dick.