Free Red Planet by Robert A. Heinlein

but you go off half cocked. Suppose you do get your gun and suppose you manage to scare old Howie into coughing up Willis. How long are you going to keep him? You know how long? Just long enough for him to call in some Company police. Then they lock you up and take Willis away from you again. And you'll never see Willis again, not to mention the trouble and grief you'll cause your folks.’
    There followed a considerable silence. Finally Jim said, ‘Okay, let me up.’
    'You've given up the idea of waving your gun around?’
    'Sure.’
    'On your honor? Licensed gun-wearer's oath and all that sort of thing?’
    'Yes, I promise.’
    Frank let him up and brushed him off. Jim rubbed his arm and said, ‘You needn't have twisted it so hard.’
    'You're a fine one to complain; you ought to thank me. Now grab your notebook; we're going to be late to chemistry lab.’
    'I'm not going.’
    'Don't be silly, Jim. No use to pile up a bunch of cuts and maybe flunk just because you're sore at the Head.’
    'That's not the idea. I'm quitting, Frank. I won't stay in this school.’
    'What? Don't be hasty, Jim. I know how you feel, but it's here or nowhere. Your folks can't afford to send you back to Earth for school.’
    'Then it's nowhere. I won't stay here. I'm going to hang around just long enough to find some way to get my hands on Willis, then I'm going home.’
    'Well ...’ Frank stopped to scratch his head. ‘It's your problem. But see here—you might as well come on to chem lab. It won't hurt you any and you don't intend to leave this minute anyhow.’
    'No.’
    Frank looked worried. ‘Will you promise me to stay right here and not do anything rash till I get back?’
    'Why should you worry?’
    'Promise me, Jim, or I cut lab, too.’
    'Oh, all right, all right! Go ahead.’
    'Right!’ Frank dashed away.
    When Frank got back he found Jim sprawled on his bunk. ‘Asleep?’
    'No.’
    'Figured out what you are going to do?’
    'No.’
    'Anything you want?’
    'No.’
    'Your conversation is brilliant,’ Frank commented and sat down at the study desk.
    'Sorry.’ Nothing was heard from Howe the rest of that day. Frank managed to persuade Jim to attend classes the next day by pointing out that he did not want to invite attention to himself while he was waiting for an opportunity to grab Willis.
    Tuesday also passed without word from Howe. Tuesday night, perhaps two hours after lights-out, Frank suddenly woke up. Someone was stirring in the room. ‘Jim!’ he called out softly.
    Dead silence. Keeping quiet himself Frank reached out and switched on the light. Jim was standing near the door. ‘Jim,’ complained Frank, ‘why didn't you answer me? You trying to scare me to death?’
    'Sorry.’
    'What's up? What are you doing out of bed?’
    'Never mind. You go on back to sleep.’
    Frank climbed out of bed. ‘Oh, no! Not while you've got that wild look in your eye. Now tell papa.’
    Jim waved him away. ‘I don't want to mix you up in this. Go on back to bed.’
    'Think you're big enough to make me? Now cut out the foolishness and give. What are your plans?’
    Reluctantly Jim explained. It seemed likely to him that Headmaster Howe had Willis locked up somewhere in his office. Jim planned to break in and attempt a rescue. ‘Now you go back to bed,’ he finished. ‘If they question you, you don't know anything; you slept all night.’
    'Let you tackle it alone? Not likely! Anyhow you need somebody to jigger for you.’ Frank started fumbling around in their locker.
    'I don't want any help. What are you looking for?’
    'Laboratory gloves,’ answered Frank. ‘You're going to get help whether you want it or not, you thumb-fingered idiot. I don't want you caught.’
    'What do you want gloves for?’
    'Ever hear of fingerprints?’
    'Sure, but he'll know who did it—and I don't care; I'll be gone.’
    'Sure, he'll know, but he may not be able to prove it. Here, put these on.’ Jim accepted the gloves and with them he tacitly