"Yes, and by Jove, you'll suffer for this! Why aren't you sports enough to take your initiation as the others do?"
"Because we don't choose to," replied our hero.
"Then I'll make you!" cried Hiram, doubling up his fists and leaping at Joe. "Come on, Luke, give 'em what's coming to 'em!"
"Two can play at that game," spoke Joe coolly. He noted that the room had been roughly fitted up as a sort of society meeting chamber. At the entrance was a long, narrow and shallow tank of water. It was through this that Joe and Tom had waded.
"I'll fix you!" cried Hiram.
"All right," agreed Joe easily. "As well here and now as anywhere, anytime."
He threw himself into a position of defense as Hiram came on. Luke was advancing toward Tom, while the others, still wearing their masks, looked on in anticipation.
There might have been two stiff fights the next moment had there not suddenly sounded from without a series of startled cries. Then came the clanging of bells, and above the riot of noise the lads heard some one shouting:
"Fire! Fire! Fire!"
