But those who were more hot headed were still pressing forward.  It looked as though they were trying to get close enough to lay hands on the now trembling principal.

Under the circumstances, Mr. Cantwell did the very worst thing he could have done.  He pushed three or four boys aside and made a break across the assembly room.  Once out in the corridor, the principal dove into his private office, turning the key after him.  Secure, now, and his anger once more boiling up, Mr. Cantwell rang his telephone bell.  Calling for the police station, he called for Chief Coy and reported that mutiny and violence had broken loose in the High School.

“That seems almost incredible,” replied Chief Coy.  “But I’ll come on the run with some of my men.”

Several of the fellows made a move to follow the principal out into the corridor.  Dick Prescott swung the door shut and threw himself against it.  Dave Darrin and Tom Reade rushed to his support.  The other chums got to him as quickly as they could.

“Nothing rash, fellows!” urged Dick.  “Remember, we don’t make the laws, or execute them.  This business will be settled more to our satisfaction if we don’t put ourselves in the wrong.”

“Pull that fellow Prescott away from the door!” called Fred Ripley, anxious to start any kind of trouble against Dick & Co.  Submaster Drake, forcing his way through the throng, calming the hottest-headed ones, turned an accusing look on Fred. The latter saw it and slunk back into the crowd.

Bristow, still holding his handkerchief to his head, darted out of the building.

Submaster Morton and Luce, bearing the excitement, came up from class rooms on the ground floor.  They entered by the same door through which Bristow had left.

Over on the other side of the room, fearing that a violent riot was about to start, some of the girls began to scream.  The women teachers present hurried among the girls, quieting them by reassuring words.

“Now, young gentlemen,” called Mr. Drake, “we’ll consider all this rumpus done with.  Discipline reigns and Gridley’s good name must be preserved!”

This brought a cheer from many, for Mr. Drake was genuinely respected by the boys as a good and fair-minded man.  Such men as Drake, Morton or Luce could lead these warm-hearted boys anywhere.

Stepping quickly back to the platform, Drake sounded the bell.  In an instant there was an orderly movement toward the desks.  At the second bell all were seated.

“In the absence of the principal,” began Mr. Drake, “I-----”

A low-voiced laugh started in some quarters of the room.

“Silence!” insisted Mr. Drake, with dignity.   “School has opened. 
I-----”

He was interrupted by a new note.  Out in the yard sounded the clanging of a bell, the quick trot of horses’ feet and the roll of wheels.  The boys looked at one another in unbelieving astonishment.