Then there was an interval of two nights, during which Bart, plainly too much used up to stand the strain, or else out of money, remained in his bed.
When Hodge arose again, and prepared to go out, he heard a stir in Merriwell's alcove.
"Are you awake, Frank ?" he asked, softly.
"Yes," was the reply, "and I am going with you." Bart hesitated.

He was tempted to undress and return to bed, but he had received his money from home that day and, having lost heavily the last time he played, he was anxious for "satisfaction." "I'm not Merriwell's guardian," he thought.

"I guess the fellow is able to take care of himself." So he told Frank to dress fully for going out, and to take his shoes in his hand.
Together they crept from the room, slid along the corridor, watched a favorable moment to get past the sentinel, and finally found their way into a room where the "gang" was waiting.
There was much whispered satisfaction when Merriwell was known to be with Hodge.
Then the window was softly opened, and one by one the boys descended the fire-escape, which ran past that window.

The last one out closed the window, having arranged it so it could be readily opened from the outside.
Behind the messhall they sat down on the ground and pulled on their shoes.
It was a cool, starry night, "I rather fancy I know where we are bound," said Frank.
"Where ?" asked Bart.
"To the old boathouse, down the cove." "Sure.

You are a good guesser, old man." Then the thought came to Frank that it would be a good thing for Fardale Academy if that boathouse should burn to the ground.