He picked up a book, mechanically, and pretended to be deeply absorbed in study.
"What's up ?" whispered the fellow seated behind Fred.
Ripley turned enough to raise his eyebrows significantly and let his questioner see him do it.

Instantly all seated near the lawyer's son became intensely curious.
Wondering glances strayed from over book-tops, even from the far corners of the big assembly room.
Then the curious glanced at Dr.Thornton so often that the much disturbed principal soon called another teacher to the desk and left the room.
At recess, Purcell, of the sophomore class, was found in charge at the door of Dick's old locker room.

Ripley held his tongue until he was out in the school yard.

Then he broke loose before those who would listen to him---and the number was large.
Dick & Co.

had gathered by themselves in another corner of the yard.