Bart was rather skillful at this, and he assisted Frank in perfecting the figure in Merriwell's bed.
"There," he finally whispered, with satisfaction, "that would fool Lieutenant Gordan himself." They donned trousers and coats, and prepared to leave the room in their stocking feet.
Bart opened the door and peered cautiously out into the hall.
"Coast is clear," he whispered over his shoulder.
In another moment they were outside the room.

Along the corridor they skurried like cats, their feet making no noise on the floor.
Frank was still entirely unaware of their destination, but, as they had not taken their shoes, he knew they were not to leave the building.
Frank cared little where they went, but he realized Hodge was leading the way to a remote part of the building, where the rooms were not entirely taken, as the academy was not full of students.
All at once, Bart sent a peculiar hiss down the corridor, and it was answered by a similar sound.
A moment later they scudded past a fellow who was hugging in a shadow where the lights did not reach.
"Who's that ?" whispered Frank.
"That's the sentinel," replied Bart.
Then they came to the door of a certain room, on which Hodge knocked in a peculiar manner.
A faint sound of unbarring came from behind the door, which quickly opened, and they dodged into the room.
As yet there was no light in the room, and, still filled with wonder, Frank asked: "Was that the regular sentinel out there, Bart ?" "That was our sentinel," was the reply.
"But where are the regular sentinels?
I did not see one of them." Faint chuckles came from several parts of the room, and Hodge replied: "At a certain hour each night the duties of the regular sentinels take them away long enough for me to get out of my room and in here.

See ?" "They must be in the trick ?" "The most of them are.

When it happens that one is not, we have to look out for him, and dodge him.

To-night those on duty on this floor were all fixed." Then somebody cautiously struck a match, by the flare of which Frank saw several fellows were gathered in the room.
A lamp was lighted, and Merriwell looked around.