CHAPTER XVIII--HARRY ARRANGES FOR A SETTLEMENT

Aware that they had been discovered in their underhand work, Pud and Elmer worked their way toward the door while Dawson was quizzing the janitor, and when they heard his statement that they had gone back on their bargain, they made a bolt to get outside. But Jerry blocked them.

"No, you'll have to stay here until this matter is settled once and for all," he exclaimed, his face growing white and his hands clenching.

Realizing that resistance was futile, the two boys slunk back from the door and awaited the further action of Dawson and his companions.

"Why not let them go?" suggested Harry. "Mr. Farelli's words and their actions have vindicated the Pi Etas, and it seems to me very poor policy to bring any scandal to Rivertown High."

"But you forget that Princy has assessed a fine of seventy dollars on the Pi Etas," protested Dawson. "While I'm perfectly willing to let the matter drop, I see no reason why the boys who are members should be compelled to pay out money for something for which they were not responsible in any way."

Although Harry's suggestion had met with murmurs of approval from the other boys when it had been made, the senior's statement had brought back to their minds the cost of such procedure, and they were equally enthusiastic for the latter plan.

The thought that he could get himself out of a situation which had become decidedly embarrassing, since his schoolmates had discovered him in conference with the janitor and the bully of Rivertown High made Elmer come forward.

"Suppose I agree to pay the seventy dollars and let the matter rest? Is that agreeable to you fellows?" he asked.

"We ought to know how the trick was planned," declared Jerry.

"Especially as it is Harry against whom the insinuation is the most serious," added Paul.

"Oh, never mind about me," exclaimed our hero. "The only thing to be considered is what's best for the Pi Etas and for Rivertown High."

This stand of the new student appealed to the rest of the boys, and at a sign from Dawson, they withdrew to a corner of the cigar store for a conference, leaving Harry, the janitor, Snooks and Elmer leaning against the glass showcase.

The entire proceeding had been distasteful to the janitor, who had filled his position for so many years and, believing that it would be best for him to propitiate the boy for whom the other students had taken up the cudgels, he riveted his eyes upon the new member of the Pi Etas.

"Do you know, I think I was wrong, sir, when I told Mr. Larmore that you were the boy I had seen in the building."

"You most certainly were!" returned Harry.

"Oh, well, in a time of excitement, any man is apt to be mistaken," interposed Elmer, lightly, "and so long as no harm has been done, if I am willing to pay the expense, I don't see why the matter should go any farther."

At this statement, Harry looked at the rich boy.

"So you don't think it's any harm to have such a charge made against you when you are practically unknown to the school authorities, and to the people of the town in which the school is located?" he asked.

At the question, Elmer flushed and before he could think of a reply that was adequate, Dawson and the boys with whom he had been talking, moved over towards them.

"We've decided that if Watson is willing to overlook the affront that has been put upon him, for the good of the Pi Etas and Rivertown High, we will allow you to pay the seventy dollars, Craven, and let the matter drop."

"Very well, I will go to Mr. Larmore in the morning," announced Elmer, his relief at the solution of the difficulty evidenced by the look which settled on his face.

"No, that won't do," returned Dawson. "Mr. Larmore appointed me as collector of the assessment, and if the matter is to be arranged as you suggested, you must give the money to me. I will pay him. In that way, no one but ourselves need know of the real facts."

"But I shall need time in which to raise the money," protested Elmer.

"How long?" asked the boy who had been acting as spokesman.

"A month, I should say."

"And we're to stand for the Pi Eta society room being closed for that length of time just to accommodate you," demanded Jerry, stepping toward Elmer.

As though fearing an assault from his schoolmate, the rich boy drew back.

"Well, I might be able to get the money in two weeks," he announced.

"That won't do, either," said Dawson. "Knowing you as I do, it is my opinion that you have the money right in your pocket this minute."

"But think of the sum, seventy dollars," protested Elmer.

"Which is nothing to you, if the stories that come from Lumberport and Springtown are true," returned the senior, "and besides, I can tell from the way Snooks is acting that he has some money in his pocket.

"Now you two boys might just look the matter squarely in the face. You have deeply wronged Harry Watson--for reasons best known to yourselves. Watson is a member of the Pi Eta and a scholar in Rivertown High and is willing to overlook your actions, provided you clear the society from all odium.

"I don't mind telling you frankly that it was only because I insisted upon it that the rest of the boys who came over with me consented to such an arrangement.

"But unless you pay the money at once and to me, I shall withdraw my objections to the true state of affairs being told to Mr. Larmore--and you all know what the result of such action would be."

The tones in which the senior spoke were bitter and, fully as much as the words, they made Craven understand that he could not count upon the sympathy or support of the other Greek letter men.

And even Snooks, who had never been able to gratify his dearest ambition of becoming a Pi Eta, felt their sting.

"I've got fifteen dollars," the bully announced. "If you have the rest let's pay it, Elmer."

This statement that the butcher's son had any money in his pocket was a distinct surprise not alone to Elmer but to the other boys, and deeming that it would make the burden upon him just so much the lighter, Craven put his hand in his pocket.

"Very well. I have fifty dollars. With Pud's fifteen that will make sixty-five. If the rest of you will raise the remaining five dollars among yourselves, I will pay it in the morning."

In his talk, Dawson had been more or less bluffing, for he had not thought that even as rich as Elmer's father was, he allowed him any such amount of money; and when he had heard the boy announce that he had fifty dollars in his pocket, he could scarcely restrain the exclamation of surprise that rose to his lips. But he managed to dissemble his feelings.

"All right. You place your money on the showcase, Elmer, and you put yours down, Pud."

Quickly, the two boys obeyed and, after verifying the count, Dawson turned to the others.

"It's up to us to make up the other five dollars. Come on, shell out?" he exclaimed.

"I have fifty cents," and producing the coin, he laid it down on the showcase beside the other money.

The rest of the boys, however, not being accustomed to carrying money about with them, fidgeted nervously, then put their hands in their pockets, and the sum total they produced did not amount to over fifty cents more.

Enjoying their embarrassment, Elmer's face suddenly lighted.

"You fellows have driven hard terms with me, and if you can't make up the other five dollars, then I withdraw my offer to stand the brunt of the cost."

In dismay, Dawson and his friends looked at one another, but just as they were on the point of admitting they could not carry out their agreement, Harry took out an envelope from his pocket.

"I have five dollars," he announced. "And for the sake of the Pi Etas and Rivertown, I should be glad to put it into the fund."