If the boys captured an old squirrel, they generally let it go; but sometimes it was retained for another purpose.
It would be taken back to the college and that evening put down through a knot hole in the study-hall floor.

The hole was carefully covered by a small piece of board with the leg of Paul's desk to keep it down.

Next morning when all would be deep in their studies and a profound silence filled the hall, Paul would quietly slip the board away from the hole.
Attracted by the light, the squirrel would soon come out.

The studious ( ?) boys who were posted, kept one eve on their books and one on the hole.

When the squirrel appeared, as it usually did in a short time these would start up with well feigned cries of alarm.