And if you undertake to remain, we shall be obliged to inform our hostess that we regret our inability to stay any longer." Conscious that others were probably looking their way, Bert Dodge tried to make his face as expressionless as possible.
"See here, Prescott-----" the fellow began coaxingly.
But Dick turned and walked away.

Greg, very stiff and straight, moved at his friend's side.
Afraid of what others might notice, Dodge passed on.

He presently reached a door leading into the hallway.

Here he remained briefly.
Then, when he believed himself to be unobserved, he slipped out, took his hat and got away.
A few minutes later, as Dick and Greg passed the door of a little reception room, Susie Sharp called them in quietly.

They found her there alone.
"Oh, Mr.Prescott! Mr.Holmes! Have I made any mistake, I thought it would be a pleasant surprise to you both if I had Mr.Dodge here to meet you, as you all three were classmates at West Point.