The offending sophomore, despite his protests and his promise to “be good,” was thrust out from the room, and the race was then resumed.  Whenever either of the contestants lagged or one seemed to be gaining slightly upon the other he was sharply bidden to make good his loss, and when the two freshmen had come near the side of the room which they were seeking to gain the collar buttons were close together and each freshman could see the expression on his companion’s face.  Perhaps it was well for them both that the members of the rival class could not see the quiet glance which Hawley gave Will nor its equally keen response, but the look was understood by both freshmen and they were aware that the critical time in the contest was approaching.

They were by this time within two feet of the door which opened into the hall.  The sophomores who had been standing in front of it now moved back to give the contestants room, and as Hawley perceived that the way was clear, after looking up for a moment and glancing keenly at his classmate, he suddenly leaped to his feet and Will instantly followed his example.  Before the astonished sophomores were fully aware of what was occurring both had darted through the doorway after Hawley had with almost incredible quickness flung open the door.  Instantly it was closed, and Hawley, seizing the iron handle of the catch and putting forth all his strength, braced his feet against the wall and prepared to hold the inmates prisoners in the room.

“Get Andrews and Briggs!” whispered Hawley, and Will quickly darted across the hallway to the room of his two classmates.  A word was sufficient to inform them of what was occurring, and in an incredibly brief time all three were standing beside Hawley.

The giant freshman was holding the door, which opened inward, easily, though the sophomores in the room were striving desperately on their side.  But Hawley had the strong handle and only the tiny latch could be seized from within.  Numbers counted for nothing in this struggle, as only one could pull at a time.

The silence in the building was unbroken, though the first thought of the bold freshmen had been that their sophs would throw open the window and summon their classmates to their aid.  Whether it was due to their excitement or to the fact that they did not wish to have their predicament known, Will Phelps never learned, but no outcry was made, though the steady pull upon the door continued.

“I’ve got ’em!” whispered Hawley gleefully.  “If the latch doesn’t give way they won’t see outdoors again till I give ’em leave.  Run, Will!” he added hastily.  “Get twenty of our fellows here as soon as you can and we’ll fix ’em yet.  I can hold on here forever!”

Leaving his classmates at the doorway, Will Phelps ran swiftly down the stairs and sped across the campus to his own room.  He found his room-mate seated at his desk, evidently hard at work.  Foster glanced up reprovingly as Will burst into the room and said, “I thought, Will, you were—­”