“My poor noodle just thumps with the thinking,” confessed Judith.  “Of course I am not willing to take the responsibility of policing Lenox Hall all night Jane.  There must be some other way.”

“I positively decline, Judy, to tell the office or ask for official help.  That would be too silly if we have made a mistake,” decided Jane falling into a convenient seat.

Judith did not speak directly.  She was loath to cross Jane further, yet unwilling to shoulder this rather serious responsibility.

“Why not invite both Bobbie and Sally over here and have them remain all night?” she suggested.  “That would be a treat for the—­”

“You forget the Lenox girls are having a party,” Jane interrupted.

“Then let us break in on the party,” followed Judith quickly.

“I agree, Judy, we must keep as close to them for a day at least, as it is possible to do without actually locking them up.  Dear me, Jude!  Look at the time!  And I’ve got to get in some gym practice.  My joints are as stiff as sticks, and I had congested headaches just from laziness.  Coming to the gym?”

“No, not today.  My head aches from activity.  You have me all swirled up.  Don’t mind if I take a rest, do you?  Suppose we have to go on picket duty?”

Jane laughed, defying her fears for Sally and Bobbie.

“When I have anything important to do I must be alert,” explained Jane.  “Go to sleep if you like Judy, but be ready if you hear me whistle.  It may be a race between the freshies and juniors you know.”

“Oh—­hum!” groaned Judith as Jane raced off.

CHAPTER XXVII

THE REAL STORY

It was just before six o’clock that same evening when Dolly Lloyd burst into the gym where Jane was exercising.

“They’re gone!” she exclaimed.  “Sally and Bobbie have left Lenox, and are rushing to get the six-thirty train.  Why do you suppose they have sneaked off like that?”

“Gone?  Are you sure?” asked Jane.

“Positive, we have a note and—­”

But Jane heard no more.  Snatching up her sweater, she jabbed her arms into it as she ran, and hardly stopped until she hammered on the door of the stable where her horse, Firefly, with others were kept.

Jim, the stable-boy, answered immediately, but seemed unable to comprehend the unseemly haste, as Jane dashed in, loosened the headstall of her intelligent mount, led him to the path and then sprang up bareback to overtake the runaways.

Jim stood speechless.  That a student should romp off like that in bloomers too—­and without a hat!

And how she was a-going it!

Her hair flew out in a cloud about her head, while Firefly, who was plainly wildly excited at his unexpected caper, just did as Jane told him without the slightest regard for lack of bridle or saddle.  Wasn’t he from Montana and didn’t his mistress train him to go as she chose without foolish restrictions?  Students along the way looked in amazement at the racing girl, but being Jane Allen some allowance was made for the caprice.