Dick knew that Ripley was the accomplice, but kept his silence, preferring to fight all his own battles by himself.
So Fred Ripley was now a junior, in good standing as far as scholarship and school record went.
So far, during this new year, Ripley had managed to smother his hatred for Dick & Co., especially for Dick himself.
Lessons and recitations on this early December morning went off as usual.

In time the hands of the clock moved around to one o'clock in the afternoon, at which time the High School closed for the day.
The partners of Dick & Co.

went down the steps of the building and all soon found their way through the surging crowds of escaped students.

This sextette turned down one of the streets and trudged along together.

At first several of the other High School boys walked along near them.