The cadets were not used to marching over the rough roads, and a good many of them were tired out and glad enough to turn in and go to bed. But some of them had to stand guard, and among these were Andy and Stuffer. “Say, let us go back into the woods and see what became of those Pornell fellows,” said Pepper to Jack. “I can’t get away, otherwise I would,” answered the young officer. “Supposing I get up a crowd and go, Jack? You’ll have the guards keep their eyes closed, won’t you?” “Sure. But don’t let Ritter and his gang spot you.” “I’ll be careful.” Pepper made a careful canvass and managed to enlist the services of nine cadets, including Fred, Dale, Emerald and Bob Grenwood. “I’ve got a plan to scare them—if they are still in the woods,” said the quartermaster of the battalion. “I was going to try the trick on some of our own fellows, up at Lake Caboy—but I’d rather work it on the Pornell crowd,” and then he told what his plan was. “Just the thing!” cried Pepper. “We’ll scare ’em out of their senses!” With caution the party stole away from the temporary camp. Several of them carried bundles, and Bob Grenwood had a big megaphone. “We’ve got to hurry, otherwise they may be gone,” said Pepper. “Bock and Sedley were waiting for Carey.” It was not yet ten o’clock and the sky was bright with stars. The cadets hurried as fast they could, The Imp leading the way. “We may as well put on the disguises now,” said he, as soon as they reached the spot where the wagons had been found. “For all we know they may be coming this way.” The party halted and undid their bundles. Out rolled some white bedsheets and tall hats made of white cardboard. The cadets put on the hats and wound the sheets around them, making them look like so many ghosts. “Now for the phosphorus,” said Bob Grenwood and brought forth a little box. He rubbed some on his hands, his forehead and his cheeks and the others did likewise. The phosphorus gave forth a sickly yellow glow that was ghastly in the extreme. “Look!” cried Pepper, just as the boys had finished their ghostly preparations. “Here they come now!” All looked and saw that he was right. From the direction of the dilapidated cottage four young fellows were approaching rapidly. They were Bock and Sedley, their particular chum, Carey, and Plunkett, the senior who had invited the wagon drivers into the roadhouse. “We’ll surround them,” whispered Pepper. “And be sure and don’t let any of them escape.” So it was arranged, and the ghostlike figures ranged themselves in a semi-circle in the woods. “Halt!” cried Bob Grenwood, through the megaphone. “As you value your lives, halt!” He spoke in a low tone, and in amazement the four Pornell students stopped short. Then Sedley caught sight of the figures with the glow upon their faces and he set up a yell. “It’s ghosts!” “Ghosts?” repeated Carey.