The people who fell back from the dangerous vicinity crowded on the Yale men who had looked so anxiously after Merriwell as he hastened to the aid of the imperiled freshman.

Willis Paulding, feeling Merriwell's rebuke, and stung by a feeling of his own cowardice, had slipped away.
"I don't like that," Hodge grumbled, looking at the spot where Frank had vanished.
"I've seen things myself that I like better!" grunted Browning.
"You can bet your life that Merry will go wherever a friend is in danger!" said Rattleton.
"Or a foe, either!" added Diamond.
"Fuf-fellows, I'm worried abub bub-bout this!" stuttered Joe Gamp.
"I'd feel easier a good deal if we had all stayed home to-night!" droned Dismal.
For once, neither Danny nor Bink had any comment to offer, funny or otherwise.

A feeling that something awful was about to happen stilled their chatter.
Then all started, leaping as if they had been shot at, and pushed back into the retreating and startled crowd.

A furnace or something of the kind had given way in the basement with a thunderous report.

A great gap showed in one of the walls, and the wall itself seemed on the point of toppling down.
"Sounded like a siege-gun!" chirped a well-known voice.