“Hurry up!” cried Tom from the sleigh, when his big brother put in an appearance again.  “I’m most frozen stiff!” And on went the cutter, the horse feeling quite fresh after his rest.

“I’ll go ahead and see if the coast is clear,” said Dick, when they reached the vicinity of the stable, and he leaped into the snow.  It did not take long to walk to the barn.  He was gone but a few minutes, and came back on a run.

“We are in for it!” he cried.  “Mr. Strong is down at the stable talking to Peleg Snuggers.”

“Great Caesar!  What’s to do?”

“Get the stuff out of the sleigh first and hide it near the Hall in the snow,” answered Dick.  Be quick!”

His advice was followed, Tom carrying the soda water and root beer and Dick the other things.  All were hidden in a snow bank —­ directly under the dormitory window.

This accomplished, Dick led the horse up to the back of the stable and unhitched him.  He could hear George Strong and the utility man talking less than twenty feet away.

“Very well, Snuggers, I’ll be back shortly,” he heard, coming from the head assistant, and Strong walked from the stable toward the Hall.

In a twinkle Dick ran around the stable corner.  “Quick, Peleg, here is the horse, all unhooked.  Put him in his stall.  The cutter is back there, out of sight,” and as the hired man took possession of the animal, the youth ran off, to join his brother at the entrance to Putnam Hall.

“The door is locked!” groaned Tom.

“Something is wrong.”

Without replying, Dick ran around to a spot under the dormitory window.  Making a soft snowball, he threw it against the glass, and followed this by several others.  Presently the window was thrown up, and Sam, Fred, and Larry showed their heads.

“Say, you fellows, help us up!” cried Dick softly.  “There is a wash line in the closet —­ the one my Aunt Martha insisted on tying around my trunk when we came here last summer.”

There was a scramble in the room, and presently the end of the line was thrown out.  It was new and strong, and quite capable of supporting either of the lads’ weight.

“You go first, Tom but be quick!” said Dick softly, and his brother caught hold and went up with ease, bracing one foot after another against the rough stonework and projecting bricks.  Then the rope came down a second time and Dick ascended.

Hardly were the boys in the room than there came a loud knocking on the door.

“It’s Mr. Strong!” gasped Sam.  “What shall we do now?  It looks as if we were a caught!”

CHAPTER XXV

MUMPS IS TAUGHT A LESSON

The cadets stared blankly at each other.  Only two of them were undressed; the others had all of their clothing on.

It was time for the head assistant to go the rounds, to see that all was right for the night.  Should he be allowed to enter the dormitory he would certainly “smell a mouse,” and perhaps knock all of their plans for a feast in the head.