“I cannot consent even to that.”

“We’ll not harm anything.”

“You certainly will not if you do not enter.”

“We’ve got to come in, Mr. Whitaker!” said the speaker a little more boldly.

“And I forbid it.”

An interval in the conversation then followed during which Will could see that the sophomores were conferring.  They had withdrawn to a place about midway between the house and the barn and consequently were nearer the hiding-place of the two freshmen than before, but both were compelled to draw back for fear of being discovered and consequently were unable to hear what was said.

In a brief time the sophomores returned to the piazza where the minister was still standing.  “Mr. Whitaker,” began the leader.

“Yes, sir.  At your service,” responded the minister pleasantly.

“Why do you object to our coming in?  You know we won’t do any harm to the place.  You know what we’ve come for.”

“Perhaps that’s the very reason why I object.”

“You don’t have to stay here.  We’ll give you our word we won’t harm anything.  All we want is to get those freshmen canes.  You’re not responsible for them and you certainly don’t mean to say that you would stand up for that class.  Why it’s the worst that ever entered Winthrop.”

“I have frequently heard of the class,” said the minister laughing genially as he spoke.  “I have a grandson who chances to be a member of it.”

“I beg your pardon.  I didn’t mean to say that every fellow in it was a poor stick.  All I meant was that as a class it’s the most conceited one that was ever seen.  That’s what every one says.”

“Doubtless,” remarked Mr. Whitaker dryly.

“You don’t care anything about the squabbles of the classes.  It’s nothing to you anyway, Mr. Whitaker,” pleaded the sophomore.

“What led you to suspect that the canes might be here?”

“It wouldn’t be fair to tell that,” laughed the sophomore.  “We know they’re here all right, and that’s enough.”

“Would you believe me if I were to say to you that they are not here?”

“Yes, sir, I suppose we should,” replied the sophomore dubiously, “but you won’t say it.”

“Why not, since they are not here?”

“What?” demanded the entire party almost together.

“That is what I said.  The canes are not in my house.”

“In the barn, then?” said the leader suspiciously.

“No, they are not in the barn, either.  There is not a cane on my place except the one I occasionally use myself.  If you think that will do—­”

“But, Mr. Whitaker, the man was seen when he brought the canes here.”

“Quite likely.”

“And yet you say they are not here?”

“That is what I said.  And what I still say.”

“I don’t understand—­”

“I do not say they were not here.  All I say is that they are not here.”