At first the boys thought they beheld held a policeman standing in front of the First National Bank, half a block away, but a closer look revealed the fact that he was only some belated loiterer---the sole human being in sight save themselves.
"Come off this other way, and let's go down the side street," proposed Dick.
"Yes; if we're to find signs of life anywhere, it will have to be on the smaller side streets," observed Greg Holmes.
Music wafted to them from the hall.
"There's life going on up there," remarked Dave.

"We left it behind us." "It isn't life," laughed Dick, "when some other fellow is dancing with your girl." Along the side street the first corner was at the beginning of a broad back alley that ran parallel with Main Street.
Along this alleyway they turned.
"By looking up at the windows," suggested Prescott, "we may get some glimpses of the dance that are not so apparent when you're up in the hall." True, as they passed by the rear of the dance hall they caught some glimpses of moving couples going by the windows, but that was all.
"And I want to remark," grunted Tom Reade, "that it's cold outdoors tonight." "An outdoor fellow like you ought not to mind that," chaffed Dick "Oh, I'll stand it as long as the rest of you do," challenged Reade.
Dick and Dave were in the lead, the other chums coming behind them in couples.
So Prescott and Dave Darrin were the first to catch a glimpse down the short lane that led from the alleyway to the back of one of the buildings.
Here stood a man, with cap drawn well down over his forehead.
He was beside an automobile---a big black touring car.
Dick saw and guessed.

He almost jumped.

Giving Dave's arm a quick squeeze, Prescott marched by without appearing to pay any heed to the man and the autocar.
Once past the lane, Dick kept on walking, but he turned and walked backwards.

He signed to the other four, putting a finger to his lips for silence.
All six of the chums had guessed swiftly what the man and the auto, at that particular point, must mean! "Keep walking, fellows," whispered Dick, as the other startled freshmen reached him.