Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/168

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DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL

who drinks.' 'But all of you drink,' said the engineer. 'I do not,' answered the head of the examiners. 'You do.' 'Only water, coffee, and soft drinks.' 'That's what I drink, too,' said the engineer—and got the job."

"Well, Plum drinks something stronger than that," said Roger. "I've seen him do it. He ought to have been reported, but I am not the one to play the sneak."

It was a beautiful night, and all the boys, after cleaning up the dormitories went outside, to the playground or the river. They remained out until it was time to retire.

The light in the upper hall was turned low, so none of the lads noticed anything unusual on first entering the dormitories. Then Dave, who was in advance, stumbled over an upset chair and fell upon a bed spring. Phil followed and bumped into several trunks, piled one on top of the other.

"Hold on—something is wrong!" cried Dave, and turned on the light. "Well, I declare!"

"Somebody has rough-housed us right enough!" came from Phil, as he gazed around in dismay. "What a mess!"

And mess it truly was. Every bed had been taken apart, and the tops, bottoms, sides, springs, mattresses, and bedclothing were in a tangled heap in the center of the floor. On top were piled an