The Best Made Plans | Page 5

in the corridor and three latecomers rushed in. As Waern straightened to close his locker door, the leader of the group crashed into him.
"Hey," he demanded, "what's the idea trying to trip me?" He paused, looking at the boy closely. "Oh, you again! Still trying to be a big man, huh?" He placed a hand on Waern's chest, pushing violently.
"Out of our way, trash."
Pete Waern staggered back, dropping his books. A notebook landed on its back and sprang open, to scatter paper over the floor. He looked at the mess for an instant.
One of the three laughed.
"That's how you show 'em, Gerry."
Pete stared angrily at his attacker.
"What do you think you're doing?"
The three advanced purposefully. One seized Pete by an arm, swinging him about violently. Another joined him and between them, they held the smaller lad firmly.
Gerry swung an open hand jarringly against Pete's face.
"Guess you're going to have to have a little lesson in how to talk to your betters," he snarled. He drew back a fist.
Don Michaels had come out of his chair. He strode over to the group, to face the attacker.
"Just exactly what do you think you're doing?" he demanded icily.
"Who do you think you are?"
Don touched a small bronze button in his lapel. "I'm one of the guys that's supposed to keep order around this place," he said. "We've got self-government in this school, remember?" He swung about to confront the two who still held Waern.
"Now, suppose you turn this guy loose and start explaining yourselves."
Gerry placed a large hand on Don's shoulder, kneading at the muscles suggestively.
"Look, little man," he said patronizingly, "you'll be a lot better off if you just mind your own business. Like watching those lockers over there so they don't fly away or something. We'll take----"
Michaels swung around slowly, then put knuckles on hips and stared at the other sternly.
"Take that hand away," he said softly. "Now get over there, and start picking up those books. Get them nice and neat." His voice rose a trifle.
"Now, I said!" He stabbed a finger out.
The boy before him hesitated, his face contorted with effort. He forced a hand part way up.
Don continued to stare at him.
The other drew a sobbing breath, then turned away and knelt by the scattered books and papers.
[Illustration]
Don wheeled to confront the other two.
"Get over by those lockers," he ordered. "Now, let's hear it. What's your excuse for this row?"
"Aw, you saw it. You saw that little gersal trip Gerry there." The two had backed away, but now one of them started forward again.
"Come to think of it, you don't look so big to me." He half turned.
"Come on, Walt, let's----"
"Be quiet!" Michaels' gaze speared out at the speaker.
"Now, get over to those lockers. Move!" He swiveled his head to examine the boy who had picked up the books.
"Put them down there by the locker," he said coldly. "Then get yourself over there with your pals." He took a pad and pencil from his pocket, then pointed.
"All right. What's your name?"
"Walt ... Walter Kelton."
"Class group?"
"Three oh one." The boy looked worried. "Hey, what you----"
"I'll tell you all about it--later." Don scribbled on the top sheet of the pad, then tore it off. He pointed again.
"What's your name?"
"Aw, now, look. We----"
"Your name!"
"Aw ... Gerald Kelton."
"Class group?"
"Aw, same as his. We're brothers."
"What's the number of your class group?"
"Aw ... well, it's three oh one. Like I said----"
"Later! Now you. What's your name and class group?"
"Maurie VanSickle. I'm in three oh one, too."
Don finished writing, then snapped three shots of paper toward the three.
"All right. Here are your copies of the report slips. You're charged with group assault. You'll report at the self-government office before noon tomorrow. Know where it is?"
"Yeah. Yeah, we know where it is, all right," grumbled Gerry Kelton. He pointed at Pete Waern.
"How about him?"
"Never mind about that. Just get your stuff and get to your classes. And you better make it fast. Late bell's about to ring. Now get going." Don turned toward Pete Waern.
"Close your locker, fella, and come over here."
* * * * *
He glanced at the three retreating backs, then turned and went back to his chair. Pete hesitated an instant, then picked up his books and locked the door of his locker. Again, he hesitated, and went slowly over to stand in front of Michaels.
Don looked at him curiously.
"You ever have any trouble with those three before now?"
Pete shook his head. "Not really," he said. "Oh, one of the Keltons ... Gerry ... sneaked off the grounds a few weeks ago. I wrote him up." He grinned.
"Pushed on past me when I was on noon guard. I trailed him to his class group later and got his name."
Don nodded. "He ever say anything to you about it?"
"No. I've seen him in the