CHAPTER XXX.
YOUNG KIDNAPERS.
Back of Mrs. Henderson’s house was a yard that was surrounded by a high board fence. Over this fence several dark figures were cautiously making their way, having left the house by the back door.
Frank was in the lead, and he carried a blanket he had taken from the room of one of the freshmen. The blanket had been donated “for the good of the cause” by the enthusiastic freshman who had listened to Frank’s scheme, which was now being carried out.
Having climbed to the top of the fence, aided by others behind, Merriwell let himself down by his hands on the other side and dropped. Then he picked up the blanket, which was in a closely rolled bundle, that had been flung over in advance, and whistled a low signal to the others.
They followed him in turn, their blood warm at the thought of the danger and the adventure before them. They were Diamond, Rattleton, Browning and Griswold, making five in the entire party.
Others had begged to take part in the adventure, but Merriwell had declared that five was the greatest number that could work to advantage without danger of attracting attention.
Browning groaned as he clambered to the top of the fence and hung balanced there.
“The fellow who follows Merriwell wants to take out a life insurance,” he hoarsely whispered.
Then, with some difficulty, he let himself down and dropped heavily to the ground.
When all were over, Frank led them from the yard, and soon they were on the street.
“Griswold,” said Frank, “make a hustle for a cab, and bring it to the corner nearest Mrs. Henderson’s. If you are not lively, we’ll be there ahead of you.”
“O. K.,” said Danny. “I won’t be more than a year.”
Away he scudded.
“Now,” said Frank, “if Rudge is where Blossom said, we’ll have him inside of fifteen minutes. Come on.”
They followed him, and soon he led them round into York Street.
Opposite Mrs. Henderson’s house was a tree with wide-spreading branches. Beneath that tree was a deep shadow, where the electric lights did not reach.
The boys took the opposite side of the street and walked along by twos as if they were on their way to their rooms and happened to come that way. From their manner no one would have suspected they had lately come from Mrs. Henderson’s, or that they were looking for the spying proctor.
Frank and Jack were in advance. Their hats were tipped down over their eyes, for they did not wish Rudge to recognize them before they could use the blanket.
As they approached the tree they could see a dark figure that was hugging the trunk. That dark figure almost seemed to be a part of the tree.
“There he is!” whispered Jack.
“’Sh!” cautioned Merry.
It was plain enough that the man under the tree wished to escape observation, for he remained perfectly motionless where the shadows were thickest.
Frank and Jack walked along as if they meant to pass him. When they were directly beneath the tree, Merriwell suddenly made a pantherish sidelong leap.
Open fluttered the blanket, and in a moment it waswrapped about the head and shoulders of the spying proctor.
Jack sprang to Merriwell’s aid, and, despite the man’s struggles, he was helpless before Rattleton and Browning came running to the spot, eager to help.
The proctor had uttered a smothered cry and then fought fiercely, but Merriwell hoarsely growled:
“Be silent if you value your life! We are desperate men.”
When Browning placed his hands on the proctor he handled the man as if he were taking charge of an infant.
“Move lively!” whispered Frank. “If we are caught——”
All knew what that meant. To be caught in this meant expulsion from the college.
“Look!” palpitated Harry, pointing along the street. “See there! Some one is coming!”
“Where?”
“Right there! Coming this way!”
A figure was seen hurrying toward them, and, as it passed beneath an electric light, Merriwell whispered:
“Prof. Babbitt himself.”
This talk was made so low that the half-smothered proctor could not understand a word, although he was aware that something had alarmed his captors. He made another effort to struggle.
“Keep still!” growled Browning, like a huge mastiff, and he held the man easily.
Prof. Babbitt suddenly stopped. It seemed that he saw the dark forms beneath the tree. He peered sharply at them, and then, with surprising suddenness, whirled about and hastened away.
Frank chuckled.
“Thought he had made a mistake,” he softly whispered. “Thought the proctor could not be here as long ashe could see more than one fellow beneath this tree. Didn’t want us to recognize him. See how he is crossing the street to keep from passing directly under that light.”
“The old sinner!” came from Harry. “I wish we had him instead of this fellow!”
“We’ve seen enough to know that Babbitt put the proctor up to this job,” declared Diamond.
“Well, now is our time to get out,” said Bruce.
“Sure,” nodded Frank.
The big fellow picked up the proctor and carried him along with ease, refusing assistance from any of the others. Frank took the lead, and they hastened toward the corner where Griswold was to bring the cab.
Before that corner was reached a cab rattled up and stopped.
“Gris is there!” said Frank, with satisfaction.
Then he stopped short, quickly adding:
“So is a cop!”
“How do you know?” asked Harry, in great agitation.
“Saw him pass by the light of the side lamp. There—there he goes!”
They saw the policeman cross the street and disappear, walking along slowly.
“Wheejiz!” gurgled Rattleton. “That was a close shave!”
Again they went forward.
Frank whistled a soft signal, and Griswold whistled back. Danny was standing beside the open cab door as the daring young kidnapers came up.
“All right?” asked Frank.
“O. K.,” Griswold assured in his curt way. “Cop just went along, but he’s gone now.”
“Gone!” hissed Diamond. “Not much! Look—there he is! He is coming back!”
“Thunder and guns!”
“Blue blazes!”
“Lively, fellows!”
They attempted to bundle the captured proctor into the cab, but he had caught enough of their words to know they were in danger of detection, and he fought as savagely as he could, crying out in a muffled voice for help.
“Hang him!” growled Browning. “He’ll get us all nipped!”
“Better drop him and make a run for it!” fluttered Harry.
“The cop sees something is wrong!” palpitated Jack. “He’s coming in a hurry!”
This was true, and the kidnapers were in great peril.