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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10323-0.txt b/10323-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..df50593 --- /dev/null +++ b/10323-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7897 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10323 *** + +THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE + +OR + +THE RIGHT ROAD AND THE WRONG + +BY + +ARTHUR M. WINFIELD + +Author of "The Rover Boys at School," "The Rover Boys on the Ocean," +"The Rover Boys on Treasure Isle," Etc. + +MCMX + + + + +BY THE SAME AUTHOR + + * * * * * + +THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL, THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN, THE ROVER BOYS ON +LAND AND SEA, THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP, THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS, THE +ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS, THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + I ON THE TRAIN + II AT THE SANDERSON HOUSE + III LIKE KNIGHTS OF OLD + IV WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CAMPUS FENCE + V GETTING ACQUAINTED + VI A HAZING, AND WHAT FOLLOWED + VII THE ARRIVAL OF SONGBIRD + VIII THE COLORS CONTEST + IX TOM IN TROUBLE + X SONGBIRD MAKES A DISCOVERY + XI HOW TOM ESCAPED PUNISHMENT + XII IN WHICH THE GIRLS ARRIVE + XIII THE ROWING RACE + XIV WILLIAM PHILANDER TUBES + XV AN AUTOMOBILING ADVENTURE + XVI SOMETHING ABOUT A CANE + XVII A MISUNDERSTANDING + XVIII THE GREAT FOOTBALL GAME + XIX MORE COMPLICATIONS + XX DAYS OF WAITING + XXI HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS + XXII WORD AT LAST + XXIII THE SPRINGTIME OF LIFE + XXIV AT THE HAUNTED HOUSE + XXV IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY + XXVI THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THEM + XXVII IN DISGRACE + XXVIII DARK DAYS + XXIX WHAT THE GIRLS DISCOVERED + XXX A BEGINNING AND AN ENDING + + + + +THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +ON THE TRAIN + + +"We're making time now, Tom." + +"Making time?" repeated Tom Rover as he gazed out of the car window at +the telegraph poles flashing past. "I should say we were, Sam! Why, we +must be running sixty miles an hour!" + +"If we are not we are making pretty close to it," came from a third +boy of the party in the parlor car. "I think the engineer is trying to +make up some of the time we lost at the last stop." + +"That must be it, Dick," said Sam Rover. "Gracious, how we are +rocking!" he added as the train rushed around a sharp curve and nearly +threw him from his chair. + +"I hope we get to Ashton on time," remarked Tom Rover. "I want to take +a look around the grounds before it gets dark." + +"That's Tom, wanting to see it all before he sleeps!" cried Sam Rover +with a grin. "You look out, Tom, that you don't get into disgrace the +first thing, as you did when we went to Putnam Hall Don't you remember +that giant firecracker, and how Josiah Crabtree locked you up in a +cell for setting it off?" + +"Ugh! Will I ever forget it!" groaned Tom, making a wry face. "But +I got the best of old Crabtree, didn't I?" he continued, his face +brightening. + +"Wonder if we'll make as many friends at college as we did at Putnam +Hall," remarked Dick Rover. "Those were jolly times and no mistake! +Think of the feasts, and the hazings, and the baseball and football, +and the rackets with the Pornell students, and all that!" + +"Speaking of hazing, I heard that some of the hazing at the college +we're bound for is fierce," came from Sam Rover. + +"Well, we'll have to stand for what comes, Sam," answered his big +brother. "No crying quit' here." + +"Right you are, Dick," said Tom, "At the same time if--Great Caesar's +ghost, what's up now!" + +As Tom uttered the last words a shrill whistle from the locomotive +pierced the air. Then came the sudden gripping of the air brakes on +the car wheels, and the express came to a stop with a shock that +pitched all the passengers from their seats. Tom and Sam went +sprawling in a heap in the aisle and Dick came down on top of them. + +"Hi, get off of me!" spluttered Sam, who was underneath. + +"What's the matter? Have we run into another train?" asked Tom as he +pushed Dick to one side and arose. + +"I don't know," answered the older brother. "Something is wrong, +that's certain." + +"Are you hurt, Sam?" asked Tom as he helped the youngest Rover to his +feet. + +"No--not much," was the panting reply. "Say, we stopped in a hurry all +right, didn't we?" + +With the shock had come loud cries from the other people in the car, +and it was found that one young lady had fainted. Everybody wanted to +know what was the matter, but nobody could answer the question. The +colored porter ran to the platform and opened the vestibule door. Tom +followed the man and so did Sam and Dick. + +"Freight train ahead, off the track," announced Tom. "We ran into the +last car." + +"Let us go up front and see how bad it is," returned Dick. "Maybe this +will tie us up here for hours." + +"Oh, I hope not," cried Sam. "I want to get to the college just as +soon as possible. I'm dying to know what it's like." + +"We can be thankful we were not hurt, Sam," said his older brother. +"If our engineer hadn't stopped the train as he did we might have had +a fearful smashup." + +"I know it," answered Sam soberly, and then the boys walked forward to +learn the full extent of the damage done and what prospects there were +of continuing their journey. + +To my old readers the lads just mentioned will need no special +introduction, but for the benefit of those who have not read the +previous volumes in this "Rover Boys Series" let me state that the +brothers were three in number, Dick being the oldest, fun-loving Tom +coming next and Sam the youngest. They were the sons of one Anderson +Rover, a rich widower, and when at home lived with their father and an +aunt and an uncle on a beautiful farm called Valley Brook. + +From the farm, and while their father was in Africa, the boys had been +sent by their Uncle Randolph to school, as related in the first book +of the series, called "The Rover Boys at School." At this place, +called Putnam Hall, they made many friends and also a few enemies and +had "the time of their lives," as Tom often expressed it. + +A term at school had been followed by a short trip on the ocean, and +then the boys, in company with their uncle, went to the jungles of +Africa to rescue Mr. Rover, who was a captive of a savage tribe of +natives. After that came trips out West, and to the Great Lakes, and +to the mountains, and, returning to school, the lads went into camp +with the other cadets. Then they took another long trip on land and +sea and led a Crusoe-like life on an island of the Pacific Ocean. + +"I think we'd better settle down now," said Dick on returning home +from being cast away, but this was not to be. They took a house-boat +trip down the Ohio and the Mississippi rivers, had a number of +adventures on the plains and then found themselves in southern waters, +where they solved the mystery of a deserted steam yacht. + +They returned to the farm and to Putnam Hall, and for a time matters +went along quietly. On account of attending to some business for his +father, Dick had fallen somewhat behind in his studies, and Tom and +Sam did their best to catch up to him, and, as a consequence, all +three of the youths graduated from Putnam Hall at the same time. + +"And now for college!" Sam had said, and all were anxious to know +where their parent intended to send them next But instead of settling +this question Mr. Rover came forward with a proposition that was as +novel as it was inviting. This was nothing less than to visit a spot +in the West Indies, known as Treasure Isle, and made a hunt for a +large treasure secreted there during a rebellion in one of the Central +American countries. + +"A treasure hunt! Just the thing!" Dick had said, and his brothers +agreed with him. The lads were filled with excitement over the +prospect, and for the time being all thoughts of going to college were +thrust aside. + +From Mr. Rover it was learned that the treasure belonged to the estate +of a Mr. Stanhope, who had died some years before. Mr. Stanhope's +widow was well known to the Rover boys, and Dick thought that Dora +Stanhope, the daughter, was the finest girl in the whole world. There +was also another relative, a Mrs. Laning--the late Mr. Stanhope's +sister--who was to share in the estate, and she had two daughters, +Grace and Nellie, two young ladies who were especial favorites with +Sam and Tom. + +"Oh, we've got to find that treasure," said Tom. "Think of what it +means to the Stanhopes and the Lanings." + +"They'll be rich--and they deserve to be," answered his brother Sam. +It may be added here that the Rovers were wealthy, so they did not +begrudge the treasure to others. + +A steam yacht was chartered and a party was made up, consisting of the +Rovers, several of the boys' school chums, Mrs. Stanhope and Dora and +Mrs. Laning and Grace and Nellie. The steam yacht carried a fine crew +and also an old tar called Bahama Bill, who knew the exact location of +the treasure. + +Before sailing it was learned that some rivals were also after the +treasure. One of these was a sharper named Sid Merrick, who had on +several occasions tried to get the best of the Rovers and failed. With +Merrick was Tad Sobber, his nephew, a youth who at Putnam Hall had +been a bitter foe to Dick, Tom and Sam. Sobber had sent the Rovers a +box containing a live poisonous snake, but the snake got away and bit +another pupil. This lad knew all about the sending of the reptile and +he exposed Tad Sobber, and the latter, growing alarmed, ran away from +the school. + +The search for the treasure proved a long one, and Sid Merrick and Tad +Sobber did all in their power to keep the wealth from falling into the +hands of the Rovers and their friends. But the Rovers won out in the +quest and sailed away with the treasure on board the steam yacht. The +vessel of their enemies followed them, but a hurricane came up and the +other ship was lost with nearly all on board. + +"Well, that's the end of Sid Merrick and Tad Sobber," said Dick when +he heard this news. "If they are at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean +they can't bother us any more." But Dick was mistaken in his surmise. +It was true that Sid Merrick had been drowned, but Tad Sobber was +alive, having been rescued by a schooner bound for London, and he +was now on his way back to the United States, more bitter than ever +against the Rovers, and with a determination to do all in his power +to bring Dick, Tom and Sam to grief and gain possession of the money +which he and his uncle had claimed belonged to them instead of to the +Stanhope estate. + +On arriving at Philadelphia from the West Indies the treasure was +deposited in a strong box of a local trust company. From it the +expenses of the trip were paid, and the sailors who had aided in the +search were suitably rewarded. Later on the balance of the treasure +was divided according to the terms of Mr. Stanhope's will. This placed +a large sum of money in the hands of Mrs. Stanhope, both for herself +and Dora, and also a goodly amount in the hands of Mrs. Laning for +herself and Grace and Nellie. + +The Stanhopes had always been fairly well off, but not so the Lanings. +John Laning was a farmer, and this sudden change to riches bewildered +him. + +"Why, mother," he said to his wife, "whatever will you and the gals do +with the money?" + +"Several things, John," she answered. "In the first place, you are not +going to work so hard and in the next place the girls are going to +have a better education." + +"Well, I'm not afraid of work," answered the farmer. "About +eddication, if they want it--well, it's their money and they can have +all the learnin' they want." + +"Dora is going to a boarding school and Nellie and Grace want to go +with her," went on Mrs. Laning. + +"Where is Dora going?" + +"To a place called Hope Seminary. Her mother knows the lady who is the +principal." + +"Well, if it's a good place, I reckon the gals can go too. But it will +be terrible lonesome here without 'em." + +"I know, John, but we want the girls to be somebody, now they have +money, don't we?" + +"Sure we do," answered Mr. Laning readily. + +So it was arranged that the three girls should go to Hope Seminary, +located several miles from the town of Ashton, in one of the Central +States. In the meantime the Rover boys were speculating on what +college they were to attend. Yale was mentioned, and Harvard and +Princeton, and also several institutions located in the Middle West. + +"Boys, wouldn't you like to go to Brill College?" asked their father +one day. "That's a fine institution--not quite so large as some but +just as good." And he smiled in a peculiar manner. + +"Brill? Where is that?" asked Dick. + +"It is near the town of Ashton, about two miles from Hope Seminary, +the school Dora Stanhope and the Laning girls are going to attend." +And Mr. Rover smiled again. + +"Brill College for mine," said Sam promptly and in a manner that made +his brothers laugh. + +"Sam wants to be near Grace," said Tom. + +"Well, don't you want to be near Nellie?" retorted the youngest Rover. + +"Of course I do. And I reckon Dick won't be angry at being where he +can occasionally see Dora," went on the fun-loving Rover with a sly +wink. "Of course it's nice enough to write letters and send boxes of +chocolates by mail, but it's a good deal better to take a stroll in +the moonlight and hold hands, eh, Dick?" + +"Is that what you do?" asked Dick, but his face grew very red as he +spoke. + +"Never in the wide, wide world!" cried Tom. + +"I leave that for my sentimental brothers, big and little." + +"Who is sentimental?" exclaimed Sam. "Maybe I don't remember you and +Nellie on the deck of the steam yacht that moonlight night--" + +"Aw, cut it out!" muttered Tom. He turned to his father, who had been +called from the room for a moment. "If you think Brill College a good +one, dad, it will suit me." + +"And it will suit me, too," added Sam. + +"I mentioned Brill for two reasons," explained Mr. Rover. "The one was +because it is near Hope Seminary and the other is because I happen to +know the president, Dr. John Wallington, quite well; in fact, we +went to school together. He is a fine gentleman--as fine a fellow as +Captain Putnam--and I am sure his college must be a good one." + +"If it's as good as dear old Putnam Hall, I shall be well content," +answered Dick. + +"Then you are satisfied to go there, Dick?" + +"Yes, sir." + +So it was settled and arrangements were at once made for the three +boys to go to Brill. Fortunately it was found that their diplomas +from Putnam Hall would admit them to the freshmen class without +examination. All of the boys wrote letters to the girls and received +answers in return. + +The college was to open two weeks before the seminary, so that to +journey to Ashton together would be out of the question. + +"Well, we'll see the girls later, anyway," said Dick. "I hope they +like it at Hope and we like it at Brill; then we'll have some splendid +times together." + +"Right you are," answered Sam, and Tom said the same. + +At last came the day for the boys to leave home. Trunks and dress-suit +cases were packed, and not only their father but also their Uncle +Randolph and their Aunt Martha went to the depot to see them off. + +"Now be good and take care of yourselves," said Mr. Rover on parting. + +"Learn all you can," added Uncle Randolph. "Remember that knowledge is +better than wealth." + +"Oh, I'm going to cram my head full of learning this trip," answered +Tom with a grin. + +"Take care of yourselves and don't get sick," was Aunt Martha's +warning. "If you do, get a doctor right away." And then she gave each +of the boys a warm, motherly kiss and a hug. She thought the lads the +very best in all this wide world. + +The train came and the boys were off. After a two hours' ride they +had to change to the main line and got into the parlor car already +mentioned. Then they had dinner in the diner and went back to the +other car to read and to look at the scenery. Thus several hours +slipped by, when of a sudden came the jar and shock that told them +something out of the ordinary had happened. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +AT THE SANDERSON HOUSE + + +When the Rover boys reached the head of the train they found an +excited crowd beginning to collect. The locomotive of the express had +cut into the last freight car a distance of several feet, smashing a +number of boxes and barrels and likewise the headlight of the engine. +Nobody had been hurt, for which everybody was thankful. But the +engineer of the express was very angry. + +"Why didn't you send a man back with a flag or put a torpedo on the +track?" he demanded of the freight train conductor. + +"Did send a man back," was the answer, "but he didn't go back far +enough--hadn't time. This happened only a few minutes ago." + +"You can't expect me to stop in a hundred feet," growled the engineer. +As a matter of fact he had not stopped in many times that distance. + +"Well, I did what I could," grumbled the freight conductor. + +By making inquiries the Rover boys learned that the freight train had +jumped a frog at a switch and part of the cars were on one track and +part on another. Two trucks were broken, and nobody could tell how +long it would take to clear the track upon which the express stood. + +"May be an hour, but more likely it will be six or eight," said one of +the brakemen to Tom. "This section of the road is the worst managed of +the lot." + +"And how far is it to Ashton?" asked Dick. + +"About twelve miles by the railroad." + +"Then walking is out of the question," came from Sam. "I shouldn't +mind hoofing it if it was two or three." + +"The railroad has to run around the hill yonder," went on the train +hand. "If you go up the tracks for a quarter of a mile you'll come to +a country road that will take you right into Ashton, and the distance +from there isn't more than seven or eight miles." + +"Any houses on that road?" asked Tom. + +"Of course--farmhouses all along." + +"Then come on," went on Tom to his brothers. "We can hire a carriage +to take us to Ashton and to the college. Some farmer will be glad of +the chance to earn the money." + +"Let us wait and see if the train moves first," answered Dick. + +"She won't move just yet," answered the brakeman with a sickly grin. + +The boys stood around for a quarter of an hour and then decided to +walk up to the country road that had been mentioned. Their trunks were +checked through, but they had their dress-suit cases with them. + +"We'll have to carry these," said Sam dolefully. + +"Let us see if we can't check them," returned his big brother. But +this was impossible, for the baggage car was locked and they could not +find the man who had charge of it. + +"Oh, well, come on," said Tom. "The cases are not so heavy, and it is +a fine day for walking," and off he started and his brothers followed +him. + +It was certainly a fine day, as Tom said. It was early September, +clear and cool, with a faint breeze blowing from the west. On the way +they passed an apple orchard, laden with fruit, and they stopped long +enough to get some. + +"I declare this is better than sitting in that stuffy car," remarked +Sam as he munched on an apple. "I am glad to stretch my legs." + +"If we don't have to stretch them too long," remarked Dick. + +"Say, I wonder if we'll pass anywhere near Hope Seminary!" cried Tom, +"It may be on this road." + +"What of it?" returned his younger brother. "The girls are not here +yet--won't be for two weeks." + +"Oh, we might get a view of the place anyway, Sam." + +"I want to see Brill first," came from Dick. "If that doesn't suit +us--" He ended with a sigh. + +"Oh, it will suit, you can bet on it!" cried Sam. "Father wouldn't +send us there if he wasn't sure it would be O.K. He's as much +interested as we are." + +Walking along the highway, which ran down to a little milk station +on the railroad, the three boys soon discovered a farmhouse nestling +between some trees and bushes. They threw their baggage on the grass +and walked up to the front door. + +They had to knock several times before their summons was answered. +Then an old lady opened the door several inches and peeped out. + +"What do you want?" she demanded in a cracked voice. + +"Good afternoon," said Dick politely. "Can we hire somebody to drive +us to Ashton? We were on the train, but there has been a smash-up, and +we--" + +"Land sakes alive! A smash-up, did you say?" cried the old lady. + +"Yes, madam." + +"Was my son Jimmie killed?" + +"Nobody was killed or even hurt." + +"Sure of that? My son Jimmie went to Crawford yesterday an' was coming +back this afternoon. Sure he wasn't on that train?" + +"If he was he wasn't hurt," answered Dick. "Can we hire a carriage to +take us to Ashton?" + +"How did it happen--that accident?" + +"The express ran into the end of a freight train." + +"Land sakes alive! The freight! Maybe it was the one we sent the cows +away on. Was there any cows killed, do you know?" + +"I don't think so." + +"Well, tell me the particulars, will you? I don't go out much an' so I +don't hear nuthin'. But an accident! Ain't it awful? But I always +said it was risky to ride on the railroad; I told Jimmie so a hundred +times. But he would go to Crawford an' now maybe he's a corpse. You +are sure you didn't see a tall, thin young man, with a wart on his +chin, that was cut up?" + +"What do you mean, the wart or the young man?" asked Tom, who was +bound to have his fun. + +"Why, the young man o' course; although I allow if he was cut up the +wart would be, too. Poor boy! I warned him a hundred--" + +"Can we hire a carriage here or not?" demanded Dick. The talk was +growing a little tiresome to him. + +"No, you can't!" snapped the old lady. "We never hire out our +carriage. If we did it would soon go to pieces." + +"Is there anybody who can drive us to Brill College? We'll pay for the +service, of course." + +"No. But you might get a carriage over to the Sanderson place." + +"Where is that?" asked Sam. + +"Up the road a piece," and the old lady motioned with her head as she +spoke. "But now, if my son Jimmie was in that accident--" + +"Good day, madam," said Dick and walked away, and Sam and Tom did the +same. The old lady continued to call after them, but they paid no +attention. + +"Poor Jimmie! If he isn't killed in a railroad accident, he'll be +talked to death some day," was Sam's comment. + +"Don't you care. We know that Jimmie's got a wart, anyway," observed +Tom, and he said this so dryly his brothers had to laugh. "Always add +to your fund of knowledge when you can," he added, in imitation of his +Uncle Randolph. + +"I hope we have better success at the next farmhouse," said Sam. +"I don't know that I want to walk all the way to Ashton with this +dress-suit case." + +"Oh, we're bound to find some kind of a rig at one place or another," +said Dick. "All the folks can't be like that old woman." + +They walked along the road until they came in sight of a second +farmhouse, also set in among trees and bushes. A neat gravel path, +lined with rose bushes, ran from the gate to the front piazza. + +"This looks nice," observed Sam. "Some folks of the better sort must +live here." + +The three boys walked up to the front piazza and set down their +baggage. On the door casing was an electric push button. + +"No old-fashioned knocker here," observed Dick as he gave the button a +push. + +"Well, we are not wanting electric push buttons," said Tom. "An +electric runabout or a good two-seat carriage will fill our bill." + +The boys waited for fully a minute and then, as nobody came to answer +their summons, Dick pushed the button again. + +"I don't hear it," said Sam. "Perhaps it doesn't ring." + +"Probably it rings in the back of the house," answered his big +brother. + +Again the boys waited, and while they did so all heard talking at a +distance. + +"Somebody in the kitchen, I guess," said Tom. "Maybe we had better go +around there. Some country folks don't use their front doors excepting +for funerals and when the minister comes." + +Leaving their dress-suit cases on the piazza, the Rover boys walked +around the side of the farmhouse in the direction of the kitchen. +The building was a low and rambling one and they had to pass a +sitting-room. Here they found a window wide open to let in the fresh +air and sunshine. + +"Now, you must go, really you must!" they heard in a girl's voice. "I +haven't done a thing this afternoon, and what will papa say when he +gets back?" + +"Oh, that's all right, Minnie," was the answer in masculine tones. +"You like us to be here, you know you do. And, remember, we haven't +seen you in a long time." + +"Yes, I know, Mr. Flockley, but--" + +"Oh, don't call me Mr. Flockley. Call me Dudd." + +"Yes, and please don't call me Mr. Koswell," broke in another +masculine voice. "Jerry is good enough for me every time." + +"But you must go now, you really must!" said the girl. + +"We'll go if you'll say good-by in the right kind of a way, eh, Dudd?" +said the person called Jerry Koswell. + +"Yes, Minnie, but we won't go until you do that," answered the young +man named Dudd Flockley. + +"Wha--what do you mean?" faltered the girl. And now, looking through +the sitting-room window and through a doorway leading to the kitchen, +the Rover boys saw a pretty damsel of sixteen standing by a pantry +door, facing two dudish young men of eighteen or twenty. The young men +wore checkered suits and sported heavy watch fobs and diamond rings +and scarf-pins. + +"Why, you'll give us each a nice kiss, won't you?" said Dudd Flockley +with a smile that was meant to be alluring. + +"Of course Minnie will give us a kiss," said Jerry Koswell. "Next +Saturday I'm coming over to give you a carriage ride." + +"I don't wish any carriage ride," answered the girl coldly. Her face +had gone white at the mention of kisses. + +"Well, let's have the kisses anyway!" cried Dudd Flockley, and +stepping forward, he caught the girl by one hand, while Jerry Koswell +grasped her by the other. + +"Oh, please let me go!" cried the girl. "Please do! Oh, Mr. Flockley! +Mr. Koswell, don't--don't--please!" + +"Now be nice about it," growled Dudd Flockley. + +"It won't hurt you a bit," added Jerry Koswell. + +"I want you to let me go!" cried the girl. + +"I will as soon as--" began Dudd Flockley, and then he gave a sudden +roar of pain as he found himself caught by the ear. Then a hand caught +him by the arm and he was whirled around and sent into a corner with a +crash. At the same time Jerry Koswell was tackled and sent down in a +heap in another corner. The girl, thus suddenly released, stared at +the newcomers in astonishment and then sank down on a chair, too much +overcome to move or speak. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +LIKE KNIGHTS OF OLD + + +The Rover boys had acted on the impulse of the moment. They had seen +that the girl wanted the two dudish young men to leave her alone, and +stepping into the kitchen, Dick had tackled Dudd Flockley while Tom +and Sam had given their attention to Jerry Koswell. + +"You cowards!" cried Dick, confronting Flockley. "Why can't you leave +a young lady alone when she tells you to?" + +"They ought to be kicked out of the house," added Tom. + +"You--you--" spluttered Dudd Flockley. He did not know what to say. He +gathered himself up hastily and Jerry Koswell followed. "Who are you?" +he demanded, facing Dick with clenched fists. + +"Never mind who I am," was the reply of the oldest Rover. "Aren't you +ashamed of yourself?" + +"This is none of your affair," came from Koswell. + +"Well, we made it our affair," answered Tom. He turned to the girl "I +hope we did right," he added hastily. + +"Why--er--yes, I think so," faltered the girl. She was still very +white and trembling. "But--but I hope you didn't hurt them." + +"See here, Minnie, are you going to stand for this?" growled Dudd +Flockley. "It ain't fair! We're old friends, and--" + +"You had no right to touch me, Mr. Flockley," answered the girl. "I +told you to let me go. I--I thought you were a--a--gentleman." And now +the tears began to show in Minnie Sanderson's eyes. + +"I am a gentleman." + +"You didn't act like one." + +"Oh, come, don't get prudish, Minnie," put in Jerry Koswell. "We +didn't mean any harm. We--" + +"I want you to leave this house!" said the girl, with a sudden show +of spirit. "You had no warrant to act as you did. It--it was--was +shameful! Leave at once!" And she stamped her small foot on the floor. +Her anger was beginning to show itself and her face lost its whiteness +and became crimson. + +"We'll leave when we please," muttered Dudd Flockley. + +"So we will," added Jerry Koswell. + +On the instant Dick looked at his brothers, and the three advanced on +the two dudish-looking young men. + +"You do as the young lady says," said Dick in a cold, hard voice. "I +don't know you, but you are not wanted here, and that is enough. Go!" +And he pointed to the door. + +"See here--" blustered Flockley. But he got no further, for Dick +suddenly wheeled him around and gave him a shove that sent him through +the doorway and off the back porch. + +"Now the other fellow," said the oldest Rover, but before Tom and +Sam could touch Jerry Koswell that individual ducked and ran after +Flockley. Then both young men stood at a safe distance. + +"We'll fix you for this!" roared Flockley. "We don't know who you are, +but we'll find out, and--" + +"Maybe you want a thrashing right now," came from Tom impulsively. +"I'm in fighting trim, if you want to know it." And he stepped out +of the house, with Sam at his heels. Dick followed. At this hostile +movement Flockley and Koswell turned and walked hurriedly out of the +garden and down the country road, a row of trees soon hiding them from +view. + +"They are as mad as hornets," observed Sam. "If they belong anywhere +near Ashton we'll have to look out for them." + +"Right you are," answered Tom. "But I am not particularly afraid." + +Having watched the two young men out of sight, the three Rover boys +returned to the farmhouse. Minnie Sanderson had now recovered somewhat +and she blushed deeply as she faced them. + +"Oh, wasn't it awful," she said. "I--I don't know what you think of +it. They had no right to touch me. I thought they were gentlemen. They +have called here several times, but they never acted that way before." + +"Then we came in the nick of time," answered Dick. "Will you allow me +to introduce myself?" and he bowed. "My name is Dick Rover and this +is my brother Tom and this my brother Sam. You are Miss Sanderson, I +suppose." + +"Yes, Minnie Sanderson." + +"We are strangers here. We were on the train, but there was a little +accident and we were in a hurry to get to Ashton, so we got off and +walked up this road, thinking we could hire somebody to drive us to +Brill College." + +"Oh, do you go to Brill?" And the girl's eyes opened widely. + +"We don't go yet, but we are going." + +"Then--then you'll meet Mr. Flockley and Mr. Koswell again." + +"What, are they students there?" cried Tom. + +"Yes. This is their second year, I believe. I know they were there +last spring, for they called here." + +Sam gave a low whistle. + +"We are making friends first clip, aren't we?" he murmured to his +brothers. + +The boys related a few of the particulars of the accident and their +experience at the farmhouse near the railroad. + +"Oh, that's old Mrs. Craven!" cried Minnie Sanderson. "She would talk +you out of your senses if you'd let her. But about a carriage, I don't +know. If papa was here--" + +At that moment came the sound of carriage wheels on the gravel path +near the barn. + +"There is papa now!" cried Minnie Sanderson. "You can talk to him. I +guess he'll take you to the college quick enough." + +"How did those two young fellows get here?" asked Sam. + +"I don't know. And please--that is--you won't say anything to my +father about that, will you? It would make him very angry, and I don't +know what he'd do." + +"We'll not say a word if you wish it that way," answered Dick. + +"I don't think they'll bother me again after the way you treated +them," added the girl. + +She led them toward the barn and introduced her father, a fat and +jolly farmer of perhaps fifty. Mr. Sanderson had been off on a short +drive with one horse and he readily agreed to take them to Brill +College for two dollars. + +"Just wait till I put in a fresh team," he said. "Then I'll get you +over to the college in less than an hour and a quarter." + +While he was hooking up he explained that he had been to a nearby +village for a dry battery for the electric doorbell. + +"We don't use the bell much, but I hate to have it out of order," he +explained. + +"That's why it didn't ring," said Sam to his brothers. + +The carriage was soon ready and the three dress-suit cases were piled +in the rear. Then the boys got in and Mr. Sanderson followed. + +"Good-by!" called the boys to Minnie Sanderson. + +"Good-by," she returned sweetly and waved her hand. + +"Maybe we'll get down this way again some day," said Dick. + +"If you do, stop in," returned the girl. + +The farmer's team was a good one and they trotted out of the yard +and into the road in fine shape. Dick was beside the driver and his +brothers were in the rear. The carriage left a cloud of dust behind as +it bowled along over the dry country road. + +"First year at Brill?" inquired Mr. Sanderson on the way. + +"Yes," answered Dick. + +"Fine place--no better in the world, so I've heard some folks say--and +they had been to some of the big colleges, too." + +"Yes, we've heard it was all right," said Tom. "By the way, where is +Hope Seminary?" + +"About two miles this side of Brill." + +"Then we'll pass it, eh?" came from Sam. + +"Well, not exactly. It's up a bit on a side road. But you can see the +buildings--very nice, too--although not so big as those up to Brill. +I'll point 'em out to you when we get there." + +"Do you know any of the fellows at Brill?" questioned Tom, nudging Sam +in the ribs as he spoke. + +"A few. Minnie met some of 'em at the baseball and football games, and +once in a while one of 'em stops at our house. But we are most too far +away to see much of 'em." + +Presently the carriage passed through a small village which the boys +were told was called Rushville. + +"I don't know why they call it that," said Mr. Sanderson with a +chuckle. "Ain't no rushes growing around here, and there ain't no rush +either; it's as dead as a salted mackerel," and he chuckled again. +"But there's one thing here worth knowing about," he added suddenly. + +"What's that?" asked Dick. + +"The Jamison place--it's haunted." + +"Haunted!" cried Tom. "What, a house?" + +"Yes, a big, old-fashioned house, set in a lot of trees. It ain't been +occupied for years, and the folks say it's haunted, and nobody goes +near it." + +"We'll have to inspect it some day," said Sam promptly. + +"What--you?" cried the fat farmer. + +"Sure." + +"Ain't you scared?" + +"No," answered the youngest Rover. "I don't believe in ghosts." + +"Well, they say it's worth a man's life to go in that house, +especially after dark." + +"I think I'd risk it." + +"So would I," added Tom. + +"We'll pay the haunted house a visit some day when there is no session +at the college," said Dick "It will give us something to do." + +"Hum!" mused the farmer. "Well, if you do it you've got backbone, +that's all I've got to say. The folks around here won't go near that +Jamison place nohow." + +The road now became hilly, with many twists and turns, and the farmer +had to give his entire attention to his team. The carriage bounced up +and down and once Sam came close to being pitched out. + +"Say, this is fierce!" he cried. "How much more of it?" + +"Not more'n a quarter of a mile," answered Mr. Sanderson. "It is +kinder rough, ain't it? The roadmaster ought to have it fixed. Some of +the bumps is pretty bad." + +There was one more small hill to cross, and then they came to a level +stretch. Here the horses made good time and the farmer "let them out" +in a fashion that pleased the boys very much. + +"A fine team and no mistake," said Dick, and this pleased Mr. +Sanderson very much, for he was proud of but two things--his daughter +Minnie and his horses. + +"There is Hope Seminary," said Mr. Sanderson presently and pointed to +a group of buildings set in among some large trees. "That's a good +school, I've been thinking of sending my daughter there, only it's a +pretty long drive, and I need her at home. You see," he explained, +"Minnie keeps house for me--has ever since my wife died, three years +ago." + +The boys gazed at the distant seminary buildings with interest, and as +they did so Dick thought of Dora Stanhope and Tom and Sam remembered +the Lanings. All thought how jolly it would be to live so close +together during the college term. + +"Now we've got only two miles more," said Mr. Sanderson as he set +his team on a trot again. "I'll land you at Brill inside of fifteen +minutes, even if the road ain't none of the best." + +The country road ran directly into the town of Ashton, but there was +a short cut to the college and they turned into this. Soon the lads +caught sight of the pile of buildings in the distance. They were set +in a sort of park, with the road running in front and a river in the +rear. Out on the grounds and down by the stream the Rover boys saw a +number of students walking around and standing in groups talking. + +With a crack of his whip Mr. Sanderson whirled from the road into the +grounds and drove up to the steps of the main building. + +"This is the place where new students report," he said with a smile. +"I'll take your grips over to the dormitory." + +"Thank you, Mr. Sanderson," said Dick. "And here are your two +dollars," and he handed the money over. + +While Dick was paying the farmer Sam turned to the back of the +carriage to look at the dress-suit cases. He gave an exclamation. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. + +"Didn't you have a suit case, Tom?" + +"Certainly." + +"Well, it's gone." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CAMPUS FENCE + + +"Gone?" + +"Yes, gone Are you sure you put it in the carriage?" + +"Positive," was Tom's answer. "I put it on top of yours and Dick's." + +"Then it must have jounced out somewhere on the road." + +"What's up?" asked Dick, catching a little of the talk. + +"Tom's case is gone. He put it on top of ours, and I suppose coming +over that rough road jounced it out." + +"One of the satchels gone, eh?" came from Mr. Sanderson. "Sure you put +it in?" + +"Yes, I am positive." + +"Too bad. Reckon I'd better go back at once and pick it up." + +"I'll go with you," said Tom. + +The matter was talked over for a minute and then Tom and the farmer +reëntered the carriage and drove off. As they did this a man came out +to meet Dick and Sam. + +"New students?" he asked shortly. + +"Yes," replied Dick. + +"Please step this way." + +The doorman led them along a broad hall and into a large office. Here +they signed a register and were then introduced by an under teacher +to Dr. Wallington, a gray-haired man of sixty, tall and thin, with a +scholarly aspect. The president of Brill shook hands cordially. + +"I feel that I know you young gentlemen," he said. "Your father and I +were old school chums. I hope you like it here and that your coming +will do you much good." + +"Thank you, I hope so too," answered Dick, and Sam said about the +same. The two boys felt at once that the doctor would prove their +friend so long as they conducted themselves properly, but they also +felt that the aged president of Brill would stand for no nonsense. + +Having been questioned by the doctor and one of the teachers, the boys +were placed in charge of the house master, who said he would show +them to their rooms in the dormitory. Dick had already explained the +absence of Tom. + +"Your father wrote that you would prefer to room together," said +the house master. "But that will be impossible, since our rooms +accommodate but two students each. We have assigned Samuel and Thomas +to room No. 25 and Richard to room No. 26, next door." + +"And who will I have with me?" asked Dick with interest. He did not +much fancy having a stranger. + +"Well, we were going to place a boy with you named Stanley Browne, a +very fine lad, but day before yesterday we received a new application +and the applicant said he desired very much to be put with the Rovers. +So he can go with you, if you wish it." + +"Who was the applicant?" asked Dick quickly. + +"John A. Powell. He said he was an old school chum of yours at Putnam +Hall and had been on a treasure hunt with you during the past summer." + +"Songbird!" cried Dick, and his face broke out in a smile. "Oh, that's +good news! It suits me perfectly." + +"Did you call the young man Songbird?" queried the house master. + +"Yes, that's his nickname." + +"Then he must be a singer." + +"No, he composes poetry--or at least verses that he calls poetry," +answered the eldest Rover. + +"I wish some more of the old Putnam Hall crowd were coming," put in +Sam. "Think of having Hans Mueller here!" And the very idea made him +grin. + +"Hans isn't fit for college yet, Sam. But there may be others," added +Dick hopefully. + +They soon reached the dormitory, located across the campus from the +main building and followed the house master up-stairs and to rooms +No. 25 and 26. Each was bright, clean and cheerful, with big windows +looking to the southward. Each contained two clothes closets, two +beds, two bookshelves, a bureau, a reading table, two plain chairs and +a rocker. The walls were bare, but the boys were told they could hang +up what they pleased so long as they did not mar the plaster. + +"The lavatories are at the end of the hall," said the house master. +"And the trunk room is there, too. Have you had the trunks sent up +yet?" + +"No, sir," answered Dick. + +"Then let me have your checks and I will attend to it. I see the man +has already brought up your suit cases. I hope your brother has no +trouble in recovering the one that was lost." + +"When is John Powell coming?" asked Dick. + +"To-morrow, so he telegraphed." + +The house master left Dick and Sam and the two boys looked over the +rooms and put some of the things from their suit cases in the closets +and in the bureaus. Then they walked down to one of the lavatories and +washed and brushed up. Everything was so new and strange to them that +they did not feel at all at home. + +"It will take a few days to get used to it I suppose," said Sam, with +a trace of a sigh. "I know I felt the same way when first I went to +Putnam Hall." + +"Let us go down and take a look around and watch for Tom," replied his +brother. "Say, but I'm glad Songbird is coming," he added. "I don't +care much for his doggerel, but John's a good fellow just the same." + +"None better," replied Sam heartily. "And his poetry isn't so very +bad, always." + +The two brothers went below and strolled around. They found the main +building formed the letter T, with the top to the front. In this were +the offices and the classroom and also the private apartments of the +president and his family and some of the faculty. To the east of the +main building was a long, one-story structure, containing a library +and a laboratory, and to the west the three-story dormitory the lads +had just left. Somewhat to the rear was another dormitory and beside +it a large gymnasium, with a swimming pool attached. A short distance +away was a house for the hired help and a stable and carriage sheds. +Down by the river was a boathouse, not unlike that at Putnam Hall but +larger. + +"This is a fine layout and no mistake," observed Dick with +satisfaction. + +"Did you see that fine athletic field beyond the campus?" returned +Sam. "That means baseball and football galore." + +Having walked around the outside of the various buildings the Rover +boys made their way to the highway to watch for the coming of Tom. +Hardly had they reached the road when they saw a crowd of six students +approaching. Among the number were Dudd Flockley and Jerry Koswell. + +"See those two, Dick?" whispered Sam. "Won't they be mad when they see +us here?" + +"Well, I don't care," answered Dick coolly. "If they say anything, let +me do the talking." And thus speaking, Dick sat down on the top of a +stone fence and his brother hopped up beside him. + +The six students came closer, and of a sudden Dudd Flockley espied the +Rovers. He stopped short and pulled his crony by the arm, and Jerry +Koswell likewise stared at Dick and Sam. + +"You here?" demanded Flockley, coming closer and scowling at the +youths on the fence. + +"We are," answered Dick briefly. + +"Freshmen?" + +"Yes." + +"Humph!" And Flockley put as much of a sneer as possible in the +exclamation. + +"How did you get here?" asked Koswell. + +"Got a carriage at the Sanderson place," answered Sam with a grin. + +"You did!" cried Flockley. "Say, you're a fresh lot, aren't you?" he +went on, glaring at Dick and Sam. "Where's the third chap?" + +"None of your business," answered Dick sharply. + +"Don't you talk to me like that!" cried Dudd Flockley, and then his +face took on a look of cunning. "Freshmen, eh? Then you don't know +what we are. We are sophs, and we want you to answer us decently." + +"That's the talk!" cried Koswell. "Boys, these are freshmen, and on +the fence, too. We can't allow this, can we?" + +"No freshies allowed on that fence!" answered another boy of the +crowd. "Off you go and quick!" + +As he spoke he approached Sam and tried to catch him by the foot to +pull him off. Sam drew in his foot and then sent it forth so suddenly +that it took the sophomore in the stomach and sent him reeling to the +grass. + +"At them!" yelled Flockley. "Show them how they must behave! Sophs to +the front!" + +"Wait!" The command came from Dick, and he spoke so clearly and firmly +that all the sophomores paused. "Is this an affair between Flockley +and Koswell and ourselves or is it simply two freshmen against six +sophs?" + +"Why--er--have Flockley and Koswell anything against you two?" +demanded one of the boys curiously. + +"I think so," answered Dick. "We had the pleasure of knocking them +both down a few hours ago. As it was a private affair, we won't go +into details." + +"Didn't do it because you were freshmen?" asked another lad. + +"Not at all. We were total strangers when the thing occurred." + +"Yes, but--" came from another sophomore. + +"Sorry I can't explain. Flockley and Koswell can if they wish. But I +advise them to keep a certain party's name out of the story," added +Dick significantly. He felt bound to protect Minnie Sanderson as much +as possible. + +"It's all stuff and nonsense!" roared Dudd Flockley. "They are +freshies and ought to be bounced off the fence and given a lesson in +the bargain." + +"That's it--come and hammer 'em!" added Jerry Koswell. + +"What's the row here?" demanded a tall lad who had just come up. He +had light curly hair, blue eyes and a face that was sunshine itself. + +"Two freshies on the stone fence, Holden," said one of the sophomores. +"We can't allow that, you know." + +At this Frank Holden, the leader of the sophomore class, laughed. + +"Too bad, fellows, but they've got you. Term doesn't begin until +to-morrow and they can sit where they please until twelve o'clock +midnight. After that"--he turned to Dick and Sam--"well, your blood +will be on your own heads if you disturb this fence or the benches +around the flagstaff." + +"My gracious! Frank's right, term isn't on until to-morrow," cried +another student. "I beg your pardon, boys!" And he bowed lowly to the +Rovers. + +"Gee, it's a wonder you fellows wouldn't say something before I was +kicked off the earth!" growled the sophomore who had been sent to the +grass by Sam. + +"Don't thank me for what I did," said Sam pleasantly, and this caused +some of the other college fellows to grin. + +"Don't say a word," cried the one who had gone down. "Only--well, if I +catch you on the fence, it will be who's best man, that's all." + +"Aren't we to do anything to these freshies?" demanded Dudd Flockley. +He did not at all relish the turn affairs had taken. + +"Can't do a thing until to-morrow," answered Frank Holden decidedly. + +"Bah! I believe in making a freshie toe the mark as soon as he +arrives." + +"So do I," added Jerry Koswell. + +"Can't be done--against the traditions of Brill," answered the class +leader. "You've got to give a freshman time to get his feet planted on +the ground, you know," he added kindly and with a smile at Dick and +Sam. + +"Thank you for that," answered the older Rover. "We'll be ready for +the whole sophomore class by to-morrow." + +"We'll see," answered Holden and passed on, and the majority of the +second-year fellows followed. Flockley and Koswell lingered behind. + +"See here, you chaps," said Flockley. "What are your names?" + +"If you want to know so bad, my name is Dick Rover and this is my +brother Sam." + +"And who was the other fellow?" asked Koswell. + +"My brother Tom." + +"Three brothers, eh, and named Rover!" growled Dudd Flockley. "All +right, I'll remember that, and I'll remember how you treated us up to +the Sanderson place." + +"And I'll remember it too and square up," added Koswell. + +"We'll make Brill too hot to hold you," snapped Flockley, and then he +turned into the gateway leading to the campus and his crony followed. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +GETTING ACQUAINTED + + +"Dick, we have made two enemies, that's sure," remarked Sam to his +brother as they watched Flockley and Koswell depart. + +"It couldn't be helped if we have, Sam," was the reply. "You are not +sorry for what we did at the Sanderson house, are you?" + +"Not in the least. What we should have done was to give those chaps a +sound thrashing." + +"They seem to have a number of friends here. Probably they will do all +they can to make life at this college miserable for us." + +"Well, if they do too much, I reckon we can do something too." + +Some new students had been standing at a distance watching the scene +described in the last chapter. Now one of them approached and nodded +pleasantly. + +"Freshmen?" he asked. + +"Yes," answered both of the Rovers. + +"So am I. My name is Stanley Browne. What's yours?" + +"Dick Rover, and this is my brother Sam." + +"Oh, are you Dick Rover? I've heard about you. My cousin knows you +real well." + +"Who is your cousin?" + +"Larry Colby." + +"Larry!" cried Dick. "Well, I guess he does know us well. We've had +some great times together at Putnam Hall and elsewhere. So you are +Larry's cousin? I am real glad to know you." And Dick held out his +hand. + +"Larry is one of our best chums," said Sam, also shaking hands. "I +remember now that he has spoken of you. I am glad to know somebody at +this place." And Sam smiled broadly. Soon all three of the boys were +on good terms, and Stanley Browne told the Rovers something about +himself. + +"I come from the South," he said. "My folks own a large cotton +plantation there. Larry was down there once and we had a lot of fun. +He told me of the sport he had had with you. You must have had great +times at Putnam Hall." + +"We did," said Sam. + +"I thought there were three of you, from what Larry said." + +"So there are," answered Dick, and told about Tom and the missing +dress-suit case. "Tom ought to be getting back," he added. + +Stanley had been at Brill for two days and had met both Flockley and +Koswell. He did not fancy either of the sophomores. + +"That Frank Holden is all right," he said, "but Flockley and Koswell +are very overbearing and dictatorial. I caught them ordering one of +the freshmen around like a servant. If they had spoken that way to me +I'd have knocked them down." And the eyes of the Southern lad flashed +darkly. + +"Where do you room?" asked Dick. He remembered what the house master +had said about Stanley and felt that the youth would make a nice +roommate for anybody. + +"I'm in No. 27, right next to you fellows. Mr. Hicks was going to put +me in with you first, but afterward said a friend of yours was going +to fill the place." + +"Yes," said Dick. "But you will be right next door, so it will be +almost the same thing. Who is your roommate?" + +"A fellow named Max Spangler. I don't know much about him, as he only +came this noon. But he seems all right. Here he comes now." + +As Stanley spoke he motioned to a short, stout lad who was walking +across the campus. The boy had a distinctly German face and one full +of smiles. + +"Hello, Friend Browne," he called out pleasantly and with a German +accent. "Did you find somebody you know?" + +"I've made myself known," answered Stanley, and then he introduced the +others. "They bunk next door to us," he added with a nod toward Dick +and Sam. + +"Hope you don't snore," said Max Spangler. "I can go anybody but what +snores." + +"No, we don't snore," answered Sam, laughing. + +"Then I'm your friend for life and two days afterward," answered the +German-American lad, and said this so gravely the others had to laugh. +Max put the Rovers in mind of their old friend Hans Mueller, but he +spoke much better English than did Hans, getting his words twisted +only when he was excited. + +Dick suggested that they all walk down the road to meet Tom, and this +was done. The conversation was a lively one, Stanley and Max telling +of their former schooldays and the Rovers relating a few of their own +adventures. Thus the four got to be quite friendly by the time the +carriage with Tom and Mr. Sanderson came in sight. + +"Find it?" sang out Sam to his brother. + +"No," was Tom's reply. + +"You didn't!" cried Dick. "How far back did you go?" + +"Way back to Rushville. I know it was in the carriage at that place, +for I saw it." + +"Too bad," said Sam. "Did you have much of value in it?" + +"Not a great deal. Most of my stuff is in my trunk. But the case alone +was worth six dollars, and it had my comb and brush and toothbrush and +all those things in it." + +"Want me any more?" asked Mr. Sanderson. "If you don't, I'll get home. +It's past milking time now." + +"No, I'll not need you," answered Tom and hopped to the ground. A +minute later the farmer turned his team around and was gone in a cloud +of dust. + +Tom was introduced to Stanley and Max, and the whole crowd walked +slowly back to the college grounds. Then Tom was taken to his room, +the others going up-stairs with him. He washed and brushed up, went to +the office and registered, and then the bell rang for supper. + +The dining hall at Brill was a more elaborate affair than the messroom +at Putnam Hall, but the Rovers were used to dining out in fine places, +so they felt perfectly at home. Dick and Sam had already met the +instructor who had charge of their table, Mr. Timothy Blackie, and +they introduced Tom. Stanley and Max were at the same table and also a +long-haired youth named Will Jackson, although his friends called him +"Spud." + +"I don't know why they call me Spud," he said to Dick, "excepting +because I like potatoes so. I'd rather eat them than any other +vegetable. Why, when I was out in Jersey one summer, on a farm, I ate +potatoes morning, noon and night and sometimes between times. The +farmer said I had better look out or I'd sprout. I guess I ate about +'steen bushels in three weeks." + +"Phew!" whistled Sam. "That's a good one." + +"Oh, it's a fact," went on Spud. "Why, one night I got up in my sleep +and they found me down in the potato bin, filling my coat pockets with +potatoes, and--" + +"Filling your coat pocket?" queried Stanley. "Do you sleep with your +coat on?" + +"Why, I--er--I guess I did that night," answered Will Jackson in some +confusion. "Anyway, I'm a great potato eater," he added lightly. Later +on the others found out that Spud had a vivid imagination and did not +hesitate to "draw the long bow" for the sake of telling a good story. + +The meal was rather a stiff and quiet one among the new students, but +the old scholars made the room hum with talk about what had happened +at the previous term. There was a good bit of conversation concerning +the last season of baseball and more about the coming work on the +gridiron. From the talk the Rovers gathered that Brill belonged to +something of a league composed of several colleges situated in that +territory, and that they had held the football championship four and +three seasons before, but had lost it to one of the colleges the next +season and to another college the season just past. + +"Football hits me," said Dick to Stanley. "I'd like to play +first-rate." + +"Maybe you'll get a chance on the eleven, although I suppose they give +the older students the preference," was the reply. + +Stanley had met quite a few of the other students, and after supper +he introduced the Rovers and Max and also Spud. Thus the Rovers were +speedily put on friendly terms with a score or more of the freshmen +and also several of the others. One of the seniors, a refined young +man named Allan Charter, took the crowd through the library and the +laboratory and also down to the gymnasium and the boathouse. + +"We haven't any boat races, for we have no other college to race +against," said the senior. "The students sometimes get up contests +between themselves, though. Dick Dawson used to be our best oarsman, +but last June a fellow named Jerry Koswell beat him." + +"Koswell!" cried Sam. "I thought he was too much of a dude to row in a +race." + +At this remark the senior smiled faintly. + +"Evidently you have met Mr. Koswell," he remarked pointedly. + +"We have," answered Tom. + +"Well, he can row, if he can't do anything else." + +"I'd like to try my skill against him some day," said Tom, who during +the past year had taken quite a fancy to rowing. + +"Perhaps Koswell will be glad to let you have the chance," said Allan +Charter. + +A little later the senior left the freshmen, and the latter strolled +back in the direction of the college buildings. It was now growing +dark, and the Rovers concluded to go up to their rooms and unpack +their trunks, which had just come in from the depot. + +"You fellows want to keep your eyes wide open to-night," cautioned +Stanley, who came up with them. + +"Hazing?" asked Dick. + +"So I was told." + +"Will they start in so early?" asked Sam. + +"Any time after midnight. I hate to think of it, but I reckon a fellow +has got to submit." + +"That depends," answered Dick. "I'll not stand for everything. I'll +not mind a little hazing, but it mustn't be carried too far." + +"That's the talk," cried Tom. "If they go too far--well, we'll try to +give 'em as good as they send, that's all." + +"Right you are!" came from Sam. + +They unpacked their trunks and proceeded to make themselves at home as +much as possible. As Dick was alone in his room, he went over to his +brothers' apartment for company, locking his door as he did so. + +"I'll tell you what I'd do if I were you, Dick," said Tom. "Stay here +to-night. My bed is big enough for two on a pinch. Then, if there is +any hazing, we can keep together. To-morrow, if Songbird comes, it +will be different." + +This suited the oldest Rover, and he brought over such things as he +needed for the night. The boys were tired out, having put in a busy +day, and by ten o'clock Sam and Tom were both yawning. + +"I think I'll go to bed," said Sam. "If anything happens wake me up." + +"Oh, you'll wake up fast enough if they come," answered Tom. "But I am +going to lay down myself. But I am not going to undress yet." + +Taking off their shoes and collars, ties and coats, the boys said +their prayers and laid down. Sam was soon in the land of dreams, and +presently Tom and Dick followed. + +Two hours passed and the three lads were sleeping soundly, when +suddenly Tom awoke with a yell. A stream of cold water had struck him +in the head, making him imagine for the instant that he was being +drowned. + +"Hi, stop" he spluttered and then stopped, for the stream of water +took him directly in the mouth. Then the stream was shifted and struck +first Dick and then Sam. All three of the Rovers leaped from the beds +as quickly as possible. Although confused from being awakened so +rudely, they realized what it meant. + +They were being hazed. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A HAZING, AND WHAT FOLLOWED + + +The stream of water came from a small hose that was being played +through a transom window over the door of the room. A lad was holding +the hose, and in the dim light Dick recognized the face of a youth +named Bart Larkspur, a sophomore who did not bear a very good +reputation. Larkspur was poor and Dick had heard that he was used by +Flockley, Koswell and others to do all sorts of odd jobs, for which +the richer lads paid him well. + +"Stop that, you!" cried the oldest Rover, and then, rushing to the +door, he flung it open and gave a shove to what was beyond. This was +a short step-ladder upon which Larkspur and several others were +standing, and over the ladder went with a crash, sending the hazers to +the floor of the hallway in a heap. + +"Get the hose," whispered Tom, who had followed his brother, and while +the sophomores were endeavoring to get up, he caught the squirming +hose and wrenched it, nozzle and all, from Bart Larkspur's hand. + +"Hi, give me that!" yelled Larkspur. + +"All right, here you are," answered Tom merrily, and turned the stream +of water directly in the sophomore's face. Larkspur spluttered and +shied and then plunged to one side into a fellow student standing +near. This was Dudd Flockley, and he was carried down on his back. + +"Play away, Six!" called out Tom in true fireman style, and directed +the stream on Flockley. It hit the dudish student in the chin and ran +down inside his shirt collar. + +"Stop, I beg of you! Oh, my!" screamed Flockley, trying to dodge the +water. "Larkspur, grab the hose! Knock that rascal down! Why don't +somebody do something?" + +"Give me that hose, you freshie!" called out Jerry Koswell, who was +in the crowd. "Don't you know better than to resist your superiors? I +want you to understand--" + +"Keep cool, old man, don't get excited," answered Tom brazenly. "Ah, I +see you are too warm. Will that serve to keep your temperature down?" +And now he turned the hose on Koswell, hitting the fellow directly in +the left ear. Koswell let out a wild yell and started to retreat and +so did several others. + +"Don't go! Capture the hose!" called out Flockley, but even as he +spoke he took good care to get behind another sophomore. + +"Capture it yourself!" growled the youth he was using as a shield. + +"Say, you're making too much noise," whispered another student. "Do +you want the proctor down on us? And turn that water off before you +ruin the building. Somebody has got to pay for this, remember," he +added. + +As it was an unwritten law of Brill that all hazers must pay for any +damage done to college property while hazing anybody, one of the +sophomores started for the lavatory where the hose had been attached +to a water faucet. But while the water still ran, Tom, aided by Dick +and Sam, directed the stream on the sophomores, who were forced to +retreat down the hallway. + +"Now rush 'em! Rush 'em!" yelled Flockley, when the water had ceased +to run. "Bind and gag 'em, and take 'em down to the gym. We can finish +hazing 'em there!" + +"Get into the room!" whispered Dick. "Hurry up, and barricade the +door!" + +"Right you are, but no more hose water for me," answered Tom, and +pulled on the rubber with all his might. It parted about half way down +the hallway, and into the room he darted with the piece in his hands. +Then Sam and Dick closed the door, locked it, and shoved a bed and the +table against the barrier. They also turned the button of the transom +window so that the glass could not be swung back as before. + +"Now they can't get in unless they break in," said Dick grimly, "and I +doubt if they'll dare to do that." + +"Say, maybe I'm not wet," remarked Sam, surveying his dripping shirt. + +"Never mind; we sent as good as we got, and more," answered Tom with +a grin. "Let us put on our coats so we don't catch cold. No use of +putting on dry clothing until you are sure the ball is over." + +"Tom, you're a crack fireman," said Dick with a smile. "I'll wager +those sophs are mad enough to chew nails." + +"What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander," quoted the +fun-loving Rover. "What's the good of living if you can't return a +compliment now and then?" + +For several minutes all was silent outside. Then came a light knock +on the door. Dick held his hand up for silence and the knock was +repeated. + +"Don't answer them," whispered the oldest Rover. + +"Say, I want to talk to you fellows," came in low tones. "This is +important." + +"Who are you?" asked Dick after a pause. + +"I'm Larkspur--Bart Larkspur, I want to tell you something." + +"Well, what is it?" demanded Tom. + +"Your resistance to our class won't do you any good. If you'll come +out and take your medicine like men, all right; but if you resist it +will go that much harder with you." + +"Who sent you--Frank Holden?" asked Sam. + +"What has Holden to do with it?" growled Larkspur. + +"We know he's the leader of your class." + +"He is not. Dudd Flockley is our leader." + +"Then Flockley sent you, eh?" put in Dick. + +"Yes, if you want to know it." + +"Well, tell Flockley to mind his own business," answered Dick sharply. +"If Frank Holden wants us we'll come, but not otherwise." + +"Are you hazing any of the other fellows?" asked Tom. + +"We'll haze them after we get through with you," growled Larkspur, and +then the Rovers heard him tiptoe his way down the hall. + +"I think this attack was gotten up by the Flockley-Koswell crowd," +was Dick's comment. "Maybe it wasn't sanctioned by the other sophs at +all." + +The Rovers waited a while longer and then with caution they pulled +back the bed and the table and opened the door. By the dim light in +the hallway they saw that the place was deserted. Somebody had run a +mop over the polished floor, thus taking up most of the water. + +"I guess they have given it up for to-night," said Dick, and his words +proved correct. + +After waiting a good hour the three Rovers rearranged the room, +hanging up some of the bedding and rugs to dry near the window, which +they left wide open. Then they locked the door and went into Dick's +room, which had not been disturbed. As they did this another door +opened, and Stanley poked out his head, followed by Max. + +"We heard it all," said the Southern lad with a chuckle. "Hope you +doused 'em good!" + +"We did," answered Tom. "They didn't tackle you, did they?" + +"No; but I suppose they will later, or to-morrow." + +"I am ready for them if they come," came from Max. "I got this," and +he held up a long, white sack. + +"What is it?" asked Sam. + +"Plaster of Paris. If they tackle me I'll make 'em look like marble +statues already." And the German-American youth winked one eye +suggestively. + +Despite the excitement the Rover boys slept soundly for the rest of +the night. All were rather sleepy in the morning, but a good wash in +cold water brightened them greatly. While getting ready for breakfast +they looked for Flockley and Koswell, but those two students, as well +as Larkspur, kept out of sight. + +"They don't like the way matters turned out last night," said Dick. + +On entering the dining-room they saw the sophomores at a nearby table. +Flockley and Koswell glared darkly, while as they passed, Larkspur +put out his foot to trip Sam up. But Sam was on guard, and instead +of stumbling he stepped on the fellow's ankle, something that caused +Larkspur to utter a gasp of pain. + +"What did you do that for?" he demanded savagely. + +"Sorry, but you shouldn't sprawl all over with your feet," answered +the youngest Rover coldly, and passed on to his seat. When he looked +back, Larkspur, watching his chance so that no teacher might see him, +shook his fist at Sam. + +"We have got to keep our eyes wide open for that bunch," was Dick's +comment. "Last night's affair will make Flockley and Koswell more sour +than ever, and Larkspur is evidently their tool, and willing to do +anything they wish done." + +After chapel the Rovers were assigned to their various classes and +given their text-books. It was announced that no regular classes would +be called until the following Monday morning. + +"That gives us plenty of time to study our first lessons," said Sam. + +"Yes, and gives us time to get acquainted with the college layout and +the rest of the students," added Tom. "Do you know, I think I am going +to like it bang-up here." + +"Just what I was thinking," returned Dick. "It isn't quite so boyish +as Putnam Hall was--some of the seniors are young men--but that +doesn't matter. We are growing older ourselves." + +"Gracious, I'm not old!" cried Tom. "Why, I feel like a two-year-old +colt!" And to prove his words he did several steps of a jig. + +Only about half of the students had as yet arrived, the others being +expected that day, Friday, and Saturday. The college coach was to +bring in some of the boys about eleven o'clock, and the Rovers +wondered if Songbird Powell would be among them. + +"You'll like Songbird," said Dick to Stanley Browne. "He's a great +chap for manufacturing what he calls poetry, but he isn't one of the +dreamy kind--he's as bright and chipper as you find 'em." + +The boys walked down to the gymnasium, and there Sam and Tom took a +few turns on the bars and tried the wooden horses. While they did +this Dick talked to a number of the freshmen with whom he had become +acquainted. + +"We are to have a necktie rush Monday," said one boy. "Every fellow is +to wear the college colors. Meet on the campus an hour before supper +time." + +"I'll be there," said Dick. He knew what was meant by a necktie rush. +All the freshmen would don neckties showing the college colors, and +the sophomores, and perhaps the juniors, would do their best to get +the neckties away from them. If more than half the boys lost their +ties before the supper bell rang the freshmen would be debarred from +wearing the colors for that term. + +Shortly before eleven o'clock a shout was heard on the road, and a +number of the students made a rush in that direction. The college +coach swung into sight in a cloud of dust. It was fairly overflowing +with boys and young men, all yelling and singing and waving their hats +and caps. At the sight those on the campus set up a cheer. + +"This is something like!" cried Tom enthusiastically. He wanted to see +things "warm up," as he expressed it. + +The coach was followed by three carriages, and all deposited their +loads at the main building steps and on the campus. There were more +cheers and many handshakes. + +"There he is!" cried Sam, and rushing forward, he caught John Powell +by the hand, shook it, and relieved the newcomer of his suit case. + +"Hello, Sam!" cried Songbird, and grinned from ear to ear. "Hello, +Dick! Hello, Tom! Say, did I surprise you?" And now he shook hands +with the others. + +"You sure did," replied Dick. "I was afraid I was going to have a +stranger for a roommate. Your coming here suits me to a T!" + +"I didn't write to you because I wanted to surprise you," explained +Songbird. "I've composed some verses about it. They start--" + +"Never mind the verses now," interrupted Tom. "Come on in and we'll +introduce you to the fellows, and then we'll listen to your story. And +we'll tell you some things that will surprise you." + +"And I'll tell you some things that will surprise you, too," returned +John Powell, as he was led away by the three Rover boys. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE ARRIVAL OF SONGBIRD + + +"So you've made some enemies as well as some friends, eh?" remarked +Songbird Powell, after he had been registered, taken up to his room, +and had listened to what the Rover boys had to tell. "No use of +talking, it doesn't take you fellows long to stir things up!" + +"You said you had a surprise for us, Songbird," returned Tom. "I'm +dying by inches to know what it is." + +"Maybe it's a new poem," put in Sam with a grimace at his brothers. + +"I've got a poem--several of them, in fact," answered Songbird, "but +I didn't have those in mind when I spoke. Who do you suppose I met +yesterday morning, in Ithaca, while I was waiting for the train?" + +"Dora Stanhope and the Lanings," answered Tom promptly. + +"No. Tad Sobber." + +"Tad Sobber!" exclaimed the Rover boys in concert. + +"Songbird, are you sure of it?" demanded Dick. + +"Sure? Wasn't I talking to him!" + +"But--but--I thought he was lost in that hurricane, when the +_Josephine_ was wrecked." + +"No. It seems he escaped to a vessel bound for England; but his uncle, +Sid Merrick, was lost, and so were most of the others. Sobber just got +back from England--came in on one of the ocean liners, so he told me." + +"How did he act?" asked Tom. + +"Where was he going?" added Sam. + +"Did he seem to have any money?" came from Dick. + +All of the Rovers were intensely interested, and showed it plainly. + +"Say, one question at a time, please!" cried Songbird, "You put me in +mind of a song I once wrote about a little boy: + + "'A little lad named Johnny Spark + Was nothing but a question mark. + He asked his questions night and day, + When he was resting or at play. + One minute he would tackle pa, + And then he'd turn and tackle ma; + And then his uncle he would quiz--" + + "And let that line please end the biz," + +finished Tom. "Say, Songbird, please don't quote poetry when we are +waiting to hear all about Tad Sobber. Have some pity on us." + +"Yes, tell us of Sobber," added Sam and Dick. + +"All right, if you don't appreciate my verses," returned the would-be +poet with a sigh. "Well, to start with, Tad Sobber was well dressed, +and looked as if he had all the money he needed. He wore a brown +checkered suit, so evidently he hasn't gone into mourning for his +uncle. He told me he had had a rough experience on the ocean during +the hurricane, and he blames you Rovers for all his troubles." + +"That's just like Sobber," was Dick's comment. + +"He wouldn't tell me where he was going or what he was going to do, +but he did let drop a remark or two about the fortune you discovered +on Treasure Isle. He said that he was firmly convinced that the money +belonged to him and to his uncle's estate, and that he meant some day +to make a fight for it." + +"In the courts?" asked Tom. "If he does that he'll get beaten. Father +says the treasure belongs to the Stanhope estate and to nobody else." + +"No, he didn't say he was going to court about it, but he said he was +bound to get hold of it some day." + +"I hope he doesn't try to get it by force," said Sam. "That would mean +trouble for the Stanhopes and the Lanings." + +"The money is in the banks now, Sam," said Dick. "He couldn't get hold +of it excepting on an order from those to whom it belongs." + +"And they'll never give him any such order," added Tom. + +"Do you suppose he was going to see the Stanhopes and the Lanings?" +questioned the oldest Rover anxiously. + +"He didn't say, I wanted to question him further, but a man who was +standing on a corner, some distance away, beckoned to him, and he left +me and joined the man, and the two walked off." + +"Who was the man?" + +"I don't know." + +The boys talked the matter over for some time, but Songbird had +nothing more to tell, and at last the subject was dropped. Songbird +was introduced to Stanley, Max, and a number of the other students, +and soon he felt quite at home. + +That evening there was a bit of hazing. Dick and Tom escaped, but Sam, +Songbird and Stanley were caught in the lower hallway by a number of +the sophomores and carried bodily to the gymnasium. Here they were +tossed in blankets and then blindfolded. + +"We'll take them to the river," said one of the sophomores. "A bath +will do them good." + +"Let's give 'em a rubbing down with mud!" cried Jerry Koswell. He had +some tar handy, and if the mud was used he intended to mix some of the +tar with it on the sly. + +"That's the talk!" cried Larkspur, who knew about the tar, he having +purchased it for Koswell and Flockley. The three had at first intended +to smear the beds of the Rovers with it, but had gotten no chance. + +"Give them a good dose!" said Dudd Flockley. He had joined in the +blanket-tossing with vigor. + +Sam, Songbird and Stanley were being led to the river when Max came +rushing up to Tom and Dick, who happened to be in the library, looking +over some works of travel. + +"Come on mit you!" he cried excitedly in broken English. "Da have got +Sam and Stanley and dot friend of yours alretty! Hurry up, or da was +killed before we git to help 'em!" + +"They? Who?" asked Dick, leaping up. + +"Sophs--down by der gym!" And then Max cooled down a bit and related +what he had seen. + +"We must surely go to the rescue!" cried Tom. "Wait! I'll get clubs +for all hands!" And he rushed up to his room, where in a clothing +closet lay the end of the hose he had taken away from the sophomores. +With his knife he cut the section of hose into eight "clubs," and With +these in his hands he hurried below again. + +At a cry from Dick and Max the freshmen commenced to gather on the +campus, and Tom quickly handed around the sections of hose. Other +first-year lads procured sticks, boxing gloves, and other things, and +looked around for somebody to lead them. + +"Come on!" cried Dick, and he sprang to the front, with Tom on one +side and Max on the other. The German-American boy had a big squirtgun +filled with water, a gun used by the gardener for spraying the bushes. + +The sophomores had captured four more freshmen, and marched all of +the crowd down to the river front, when the band under Dick, sixteen +strong, appeared. The latter came on yelling like Indians, and +flourishing their sections of hose, and sticks and other things. + +"Let 'em go! Let 'em go!" was the rallying cry, and then whack! whack! +whack! down came the rubber clubs and the sticks on the backs of the +second-year students. + +"Fight 'em off!" came from the sophomores. + +"Chase 'em away!" yelled Dudd Flockley; but hardly had he spoken when +Max discharged the squirtgun, and the water took Flockley in the eye, +causing him to yell with fright and retreat. Then Max turned the gun +on Larkspur, soaking the latter pretty thoroughly. + +Attacked from the rear, the sophomores had to let go their holds on +their victims, and as soon as they were released Sam, Songbird and the +others ran to the right and the left and joined the force under Dick. + +All told, the freshmen now numbered twenty-three, while the sophomores +could count up but fourteen. The second-year students were hemmed in +and gradually forced nearer and nearer to the bank of the river. + +"Let up! let up!" yelled several in alarm. "Don't knock us overboard!" + +"It's nothing but mud here! I don't want my new suit spoiled!" cried +one. + +"I can't swim!" added another. + +"I've got an idea," whispered Tom to the others near him. "Shove 'em +in the mud and water, or else make 'em promise not to take part in the +necktie rush." + +"That's the talk!" replied Dick. He caught hold of the sophomore in +front of him. "All shove, fellows!" And the second-year students were +gradually forced to the very edge of the river at a point where there +was a little water and a good deal of dark, sticky mud. Of course +they fought desperately to push the freshmen back, but they were +outnumbered, as already told. + +"Now, then, every fellow who will promise not to take part in the +necktie rush Monday will be allowed to go free," said Dick loudly. +"The others must take their ducking in the water--and mud." + +"Let me go!" roared Dudd Flockley. "I'm not going to have this suit +ruined!" + +"I don't want to get these patent leathers wet!" cried Jerry Koswell, +who had on a new pair of shiny shoes. + +"Then promise!" cried Sam, and "Promise!" "Promise!" came from many +others. + +Without delay several of the sophomores promised, and they were +allowed to depart. Then the others began to show fight, and three +managed to escape, among them being Dudd Flockley. The others were +forced into the water and mud up to their knees. Then they cried out +in alarm, and while two finally escaped, the others also promised to +keep out of the necktie contest. + +"Just wait!" snarled Jerry Koswell as he at last managed to pull +himself out of the sticky mud. "Just wait, that's all!" His +patent-leather shoes were a sight to behold. + +"Not so much fun when you are hazed yourself, is it?" asked Sam +coolly. + +"We'll give it to 'em yet," put in Bart Larkspur. "Lots of time +between now and the closing of the term." And then he and Koswell ran +off to join Dudd Flockley. The three went to their rooms and cleaned +up as best they could, and then took a walk down the road in the +direction of Rushville. + +"It was that Dick Rover who led the attack," said Dudd Flockley. "Do +you know what I think? I think he is going to try to make himself +leader of the freshies." + +"Just what I thought, too," answered Larkspur. "And if that's the fact +we ought to do all we can to pull him down." + +"Tom Rover is the fellow I am going to get after," came from Jerry +Koswell. He had not forgotten how Tom and Sam had sent him to the +floor in the presence of Minnie Sanderson. + +The three students walked a distance of half a mile when they saw +approaching them a trampish-looking man carrying what looked to be a +new dress-suit case. They looked at the fellow rather sharply and he +halted as he came up to them. + +"Excuse me," he mumbled, "but did any of you gents lose this case?" + +"Why, it must be Rover's case!" cried Flockley. Nearly every one in +the college had heard about the missing baggage. + +"I found it in the bushes alongside the road," went on the tramp. +"Thought it might belong to some of the college gents." + +"Let me look at it," said Koswell, and turned the case around. "Yes, +it's Rover's," he added, seeing the initials and the address. + +"Better take it up to the college," put in Larkspur. + +"Wait, I'll take it up," said Jerry Koswell suddenly. "This belongs to +a poor chap," he added to the tramp. "He won't be able to reward you, +but I will. Here's a quarter for you." And he passed over the silver +piece. + +"Much obliged," said the tramp. "Want me to carry it up to the +buildings?" + +"No, I'll do that," said Koswell, and then he winked at his cronies. +The tramp went on and the three watched him disappear in the distance. + +"What did you do that for, Jerry?" asked Flockley with interest. He +surmised that something new was afoot. + +"Oh, I did it for the fun of the thing," answered Koswell coolly. "But +maybe I can work it in somehow against that Rover bunch. Anyway, I'll +try." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE COLORS CONTEST + + +The next morning Tom was much surprised to find his missing dress-suit +case standing in front of his room door. + +"Hello! How did this get here?" he cried as he picked up the baggage. + +"What's that?" asked Sam, who was just getting up. + +"Look!" answered his brother, and brought the case in. "Somebody must +have found it and left it here while I was asleep." + +"Very kind, whoever he was," said Sam. "Are the contents all right?" + +Instead of answering Tom placed the suit case on a chair and started +to unlock it. + +"Hello, it's unlocked!" he murmured. "I thought I had it locked." + +He shoved back the clasps and threw the case open. The contents were +much jumbled, but he had expected this from the fact that the bag had +been jounced out of the carriage. + +"I guess the stuff is all here," he said slowly, turning over the +clothing and other things. "Somehow, I thought I had more in the case, +though," he added presently. + +"Don't you know what you had?" + +"Well--er--I packed it in a hurry, you know. I wanted to go fishing, +and so I got through as soon as I could. Oh, I guess it's all right." + +Tom was too lively a youth to pay much attention to his personal +belongings. Often he hardly knew what suit of clothing he had on or +what sort of a necktie. The only times he really fixed up was when +Nellie Laning was near. Why he did that only himself (and possibly +Nellie) knew. + +Sunday passed quietly. Some of the boys attended one or another of the +churches in Ashton, and the Rovers went with them. Dudd Flockley and +his cronies took a walk up the river, and reaching a warm, sunny spot, +threw themselves down to smoke cigarettes and talk. + +"Well, what did you do about the dress-suit case, Jerry?" asked +Flockley with a sharp look at his crony. + +"Returned it, as you know," was the answer, and Jerry winked +suggestively. + +"I'd have flung the bag in the river before I would give it to such a +chap as Tom Rover," growled Larkspur. + +"You trust me, Larky, old boy," answered Jerry Koswell. "I know what +I'm doing." + +"Humph!" + +"I said I returned the case, but I didn't say I returned all that was +in it." + +"What do you mean by that?" demanded Flockley. "If you've got a +secret, out with it." + +Koswell looked around to make certain that no outsider was near. + +"I kept a few things out of the bag--some things that had Tom Rover's +name or his initials on them." + +"And you are going to--" went on Flockley. + +"I am going to use 'em some day, when I get the chance." + +"Good!" cried Flockley. "I'll help you, Jerry!" + +"And so will I," added Larkspur. "If we work it right we can get Tom +Rover in a peck of trouble." + +On Monday morning the college term opened in earnest, and once again +the Rovers had to get down to the "grind," as Sam expressed it. But +the boys had had a long vacation and were in the best of health, and +they did not mind the studying. + +"Got to have a good education if you want to get along nowadays," was +the way Dick expressed himself. "If you don't learn you are bound +to be at the mercy of anybody who wants to take advantage of your +ignorance." + +"Dick, what are you going to do when you get out of college?" asked +Tom. + +"I don't know--go into business, I imagine." + +"Oh, he'll marry and settle down," chimed in Sam. "He and Dora will +live in an ivy-covered cottage like two turtle doves, and--" + +Sam got no further, for a pillow thrown by Dick caught him full in the +face and made him stagger. + +"Sam is thinking of what he and Grace are going to do," said Dick. +"And you and Nellie will likely have a cottage across the way," he +added, grinning at Tom. + +"Really!" murmured Tom, and got as red as a beet. "Say, call it off," +he added. "Do you know we have the necktie rush this afternoon?" + +"It won't amount to much," answered Sam. "Too many sophs out of it." + +"Don't you believe it," said Dick. "Remember, the juniors come into +this as well as the sophs." + +"Say, I've thought of a plan!" cried Tom. "Greatest ever! I'm going to +patent it!" And he commenced to dance around in his excitement. + +"What's loose?" asked Songbird, coming up at that moment, followed by +some others. "Tom, have you got a pain in your inwards?" + +"No, an idea--it's about the same thing," responded Tom gaily. "We +want to get the best of the second and third-year fellows during the +necktie rush, and I think I know how we can do it. We'll all sew our +neckties fast!" + +For a moment there was silence, and then, as the others caught the +idea, they commenced to laugh. + +"That's it!" cried Sam. "I'll sew mine as tight as a drum!" + +"I'll rivet mine on, if that will do any good," added Dick. + +"Sure thing!" came from Songbird, and he commenced to recite: + + "Oh, the sophs and the juniors will try + To steal from the freshies each tie; + But they will not win, + For we'll fight them like sin--" + + "And bust 'em right plumb in the eye!" +finished Tom. "Oh, say, but will you all sew your neckties fast?" + +"Sure!" + +"And we'll tell the rest to do so, too," added another freshman who +was present. + +The news soon circulated, and was kept from all but the first-year +students. + +It must be confessed that many of the students found it hard to fix +their minds on their lessons that afternoon. One boy, Max Spangler, +brought on a great laugh when the following question was put to him: + +"What great improvement in navigation did Fulton introduce?" + +"Neckties," answered Max abstractedly. + +"Neckties?" queried the instructor in astonishment. + +"I--er--I don't mean neckties," stammered the German-American student, +"I mean steamboats." + +When the afternoon session was over the students hurried to their +various rooms. The sophomores and the juniors who were to take part +in the contest talked matters over, and as far as possible laid out a +plan of action. It was decided that the largest and heaviest of the +second and third-year students were to tackle the smallest freshmen +first, while the others were to hold the rest of the first-year men at +bay. + +"We'll get fifteen or twenty neckties first clip that way," said one +of the sophomores, "and it doesn't matter who we get them from. A +little chap's tie counts as much as that of a two-hundred pounder." + +In the meantime the freshmen were busy following Tom's advice and +sewing their ties fast to their collars, shirts, and even their +undershirts. Then Dick, who had, unconsciously almost, become a +leader, called the boys into an empty recitation-room. + +"Now, I've got a plan," said he. "We want to bunch up, and all the +little fellows and lightweights get in the center. The heavy fellows +can take the outside and fight the others off. Understand?" + +"Yes!" + +"That's a good idea!" + +"Forward to the fray!" yelled Stanley, "and woe be to him who tries to +get my tie! His blood be on his own head!" he added tragically. + +"Forward!" cried Sam, "and let our watchword be, 'Die, but no tie!'" + +"Now don't get excited," said Dick. "Take it coolly, and I'm certain +that when the time is up we'll have the most of our ties still on." + +It was the custom to go out on the campus at a given time, and when +the chapel bell sounded out the hour Dick led the freshmen forward. +They came out of a side door in a body and formed around the flagstaff +almost before the sophomores and juniors knew they had appeared. + +The seniors took no part, but three had been "told off" to act as +referees, and they stood around as if inspecting the buildings and the +scenery. The instructors, who also knew what was coming, wisely kept +out of sight. + +"Come on, and at 'em!" called out Dudd Flockley, and this cry was +quickly taken up by all the others who were to take part in the +contest. + +"Hello! They know a thing or two," said Frank Holden, who was the +sophomore leader in the attack. "They've got the little fellows in the +middle." + +As tightly as possible the freshmen gathered around the flagstaff. +Each wore a necktie of the college colors and it was fastened as +tightly as strong thread could hold it. + +"At 'em!" was the yell of the second and third-year lads. "Tear 'em +apart! Pull the ties from 'em!" + +And then they leaped in at the big freshmen, and on the instant a +battle royal was started. Down went four boys on the campus, rolling +over and over. Others caught each other by the hands and shoulders and +wrestled valiantly. + +Dick and Tom were in the front rank, with Sam directly behind them. +Dick was caught by Frank Holden, and the two wrestled with might and +main. Frank was big and strong, but Dick managed to hold him so that +all the sophomore leader could do was to get his finger tips on the +sought-for necktie. + +Flockley tackled Tom, and much to his surprise was tripped up and sent +flat on his back. Mad with sudden rage, Flockley scrambled up and let +out a savage kick for Tom's stomach. But Tom was too quick for the +sophomore, and leaped to one side. + +"Foul!" cried Tom. + +"Don't do that again!" called one of the seniors to Dudd. "If you do +you'll be ruled out." Kicking and punching were prohibited by the +rules. All the boys could do was to wrestle and throw each other, and +either try to pull the neckties away or hold on to them. + +On and on the battle waged, each minute growing hotter. Many of the +students were almost winded, and felt that they could not endure +the struggle much longer. Dick, Tom and Sam managed to keep their +neckties, although Sam's was torn loose by two sophomores who held him +as in a vise until Stanley came to his assistance. When the time was +half up eleven neckties had been captured--two of them almost torn to +shreds. + +"At 'em!" yelled Frank Holden. "We haven't begun yet!" + +"Hold 'em back!" was Dick's rallying answer. "Don't let 'em get near +the little fellows!" + +Again the contest raged, and this time with increased bitterness. In +the melee some few blows were exchanged, but it must be admitted that +one side was about as much to blame for this as the other. Three +additional neckties were captured, making fourteen in all. As +thirty-seven freshmen were in the contest, the sophomores and juniors +had to capture five more neckties to win. + +"Only three minutes more!" sang out one student, looking at his watch. +"At 'em! Rip 'em apart!" + +"Three minutes more!" yelled Dick. "Hold 'em back and we'll win!" + +The enemy fought with increased fury, and one more necktie was +taken--the collar and collar band coming with it. But then of a sudden +the chapel bell tolled out the hour. + +"Time's up!" was the cry. + +"And we win!" came from a score of freshmen in huge delight. + +"Look out! Look out!" cried several small youths in the center of the +crowd. + +Crack! It was the flagstaff, and all looked in that direction. The +pole, old and decayed, was falling. It looked as if it would crush all +who stood in its path. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + + +TOM IN TROUBLE + + +"Look out, the flagpole is coming down!" + +"Stand from under, or you'll be killed!" + +Crack! came from the pole, and now many saw that it was breaking off +close to the ground. Some of the students had clung to it during the +contest, and the strain had been too much for the stick, which was +much rotted just where it entered the ground. + +Those on the outside of the crowd ran away with ease, but not so those +who were hemmed in. Two of the smallest of the freshmen, Billy Dean +and Charley Atwood, could not move fast enough, and one fell over the +other, and both went down. + +"Save me!" gasped one of the lads. + +"Don't let the pole come down on me!" screamed the other. + +The flagstaff was falling swiftly, and Dick and many others saw that +it would fall directly across Dean and Atwood unless its progress was +stayed. + +"Hold it up! Hold it up!" yelled Dick. "Hold it up, or they'll be +killed!" + +He put up his hands to meet the pole, which was coming down across +the front of the campus. Tom did likewise, and so did Frank Holden, +Stanley Brown, and several others, including an extra tall and +powerful senior. + +It was a heavy weight, and for the moment the boys under it thought +they would have to let it go. Over came the pole, and when it rested +on the boys' hands the top overbalanced the bottom and struck the +ground, sending the lower end into the air. As this happened Billy +Dean and Charley Atwood were hauled out of harm's way. Then the pole +was dropped to the campus with a thud. + +For several seconds all who stood near were too dazed to speak. Then +a cheer arose for those who had held the flagstaff up long enough for +the small youths to be rescued. + +"Say, that was a close shave!" exclaimed Sam, He, like a good many +others, was quite pale. + +"It was indeed," said a senior who had come up. "The fellows who held +the pole up deserve a good deal of credit." + +"Dick Rover suggested it," said Songbird, "Good for you, Dick!" he +added warmly. + +The falling of the flagstaff sobered the whole party of students, yet +the freshmen were jubilant over the fact that they had won in the +colors contest. + +"And we'll wear the colors this term," cried Tom proudly. + +"So we will!" called out others in a chorus. "We'll wear 'em good and +strong, too!" And they did. The very next day some of the lads came +out with neckties twice the ordinary size, and with hat bands several +inches wide, all, of course, in the Brill colors. + +Billy Dean and Charley Atwood were much affected by what had occurred, +and quickly retired from the scene. But later both of the small +students thanked Dick and the others for what had been done for them. +The broken flagstaff was hauled away by the laborers of the place, and +inside of a week a new pole, much larger than the old one, and set in +concrete, was put up. + +For several days after the contest over the colors matters ran along +smoothly at Brill. The Rover boys made many more friends, and because +of his work during the necktie rush Dick was chosen as the leader of +the freshmen's class. + +"On Friday I am going to fix Tom Rover," said Jerry Koswell to Dudd +Flockley. "Just wait and see what I do--and keep your mouth shut." + +"I'll keep my mouth shut right enough," answered Dudd, "but what's in +the wind?" + +"I'm going to pay off Professor Sharp for some of his meanness--and +pay off Tom Rover at the same time." + +"Give me a map of the proceedings. I'm too tired to guess riddles, +Jerry." + +"Well, you know how Sharp called me down to-day in English?" + +"Sure!" + +"Well, I've learned that he just received a new photograph of some +lady--I think his best girl. He has it on the mantle in his room. I'm +going to doctor that picture, and I'm going to lay the blame on Tom +Rover." + +"How will you do it?" + +"By using something I got out of Rover's dress-suit case." + +"Oh, I see!" + +"Sharp will suspect Rover at once, because he and Rover had a few +words yesterday." + +"Good! I hope he catches it well--Rover, I mean," answered Dudd +Flockley. + +Saturday was more or less of a holiday at Brill, and the three Rover +boys planned to go to town. Incidentally, they wished to learn if Dora +Stanhope and the Laning girls had as yet arrived at Hope Seminary. +They had received no letters from the girls since coming to Brill, and +were growing anxious. + +Tom was dressing to go to town when there came a knock on his door, +and one of the proctors presented himself. + +"Thomas Rover, you are wanted at the office immediately," said the +man. + +"What for?" asked Tom. + +"Don't ask me, ask Professor Sharp," answered the proctor, and looked +at Tom keenly. + +Wondering what could be the matter, Tom finished dressing, and in a +few minutes presented himself at the office. President Wallington and +Professor Sharp were both waiting for him. + +"So you've come at last, have you, you young rascal!" cried Abner +Sharp angrily. "How dare you do such an outrageous thing?" + +"Gently, professor," remonstrated the president of Brill. "You are not +yet certain--" + +"Oh, he did it, I am sure of it!" spluttered Professor Sharp. "I +declare I ought to have him locked up!" + +"Did what?" demanded Tom, who was much mystified by what was going on. + +"You know well enough, you young reprobate!" stormed the instructor. + +"See here, Professor Sharp, I'm neither a rascal nor a reprobate, and +I don't want you to call me such!" cried Tom, growing angry himself. + +"You are, and I will have you to understand--" + +"I am not, and if you call me bad names again I'll--I'll--knock you +down!" And Tom doubled up his fists as he spoke. + +"Rover, be quiet!" exclaimed Doctor Wallington, so sternly that both +Tom and Professor Sharp subsided. "I'll have no scene in this office. +You must behave yourself like a gentleman while you are here. +Professor, you must not call a student hard names." + +"But this outrage, sir!" spluttered the instructor. + +"We'll soon know the truth of the matter." + +"I'd like to know what you are talking about," said Tom. "I haven't +committed any outrage, so far as I know." + +"Didn't you do this?" cried Abner Sharp, and thrust under Tom's nose +a photograph of large size. The picture had once represented a fairly +good-looking female of perhaps thirty years of age, but now the hair +was colored a fiery red, and the end of the nose was of the same hue +while in one corner of the dainty mouth was represented a big cigar, +with the smoke curling upward. Under the photograph was scrawled in +blue crayon, "Ain't she my darling?'" + +The representation struck Tom as so comical that he was compelled to +laugh outright; he simply couldn't help it. It was just such a joke +as he might have played years before, perhaps on old Josiah Crabtree, +when at Putnam Hall. + +"Ha! So you are even willing to laugh in my face, are you!" almost +screamed Abner Sharp, and rushing at Tom he caught the youth and shook +him roughly. "Do you--er--know that this lady is my--my affianced +wife?" + +"Let me go!" cried Tom, and shook himself loose. "Excuse me, sir. I +know I hadn't ought to laugh, but it looks so--so awfully funny!" And +Tom had to grin again. + +"Rover!" broke in the president of Brill sternly, "aren't you ashamed +to do such a thing as this?" + +"Why--er--what do you mean, sir?" + +"Just what I said." + +"Oh!" A light began to break in on the fun-loving Rover's mind. "Do +you think I did this?" + +"Didn't you?" + +"Of course he did!" fumed Professor Sharp. "And now he is willing to +laugh over his dastardly work!" + +"I didn't do it, sir," said Tom firmly. + +"You are certain?" It was the head of the college who asked the +question. + +"Yes, sir. I never saw that picture before." + +"But I have the proof against you!" fairly shouted Abner Sharp. "It is +useless for you to deny your guilt." + +"I say I am not guilty." + +"Isn't this your box, Rover?" + +As Professor Sharp uttered these words he brought to light a German +silver case which Tom had picked up in a curiosity shop in New York. +The case had his name engraved on it, and contained pencils, crayons, +and other things for drawing. + +"Where did you get that?" demanded the youth. + +"Never mind where I got it. Isn't it yours?" + +"Yes." + +"Ha! Do you hear that, Doctor Wallington?" cried Abner Sharp in +triumph. "He admits the outfit is his!" + +"So I see," said the president of Brill, and if anything his face +grew a trifle more stern. "Then you admit your guilt, Rover?" he +questioned. + +"What! That I defaced the photograph?" + +"Yes." + +"No, sir! Didn't I say I had never seen the picture before?" + +"This photograph was in Professor Sharp's room, on the mantel. The +room was locked up, and the professor carried the key. This box was +found on the table, beside some books. You had some difficulty with +the professor a day or two ago in the classroom." + +"I didn't touch the picture, and I haven't been near Professor Sharp's +room," answered Tom stoutly. "If I was there, would I be fool enough +to leave that box behind, with my name engraved on it? And if the door +was locked how would I get in?" + +"Did you lend the box to anybody?" + +"No. The fact is, I--er--I thought I had left the box home. I--Oh!" + +"Well?" + +"I think maybe the box was in my dress-suit case, the case I lost. But +it wasn't in the case when it was left at my door that morning." + +"Oh, nonsense!" muttered Professor Sharp. "He is guilty, sir, and he +might as well own up to it first as last." + +"I have told the strict truth!" cried Tom hotly. "I am not in the +habit of telling falsehoods." + +"Have you any other proof against Rover, Professor Sharp?" + +"Not now, but I may be able to pick up more later." + +"Hum! This is certainly a serious matter. Rover, you will go to your +room and remain there until I send for you again." + +"Can't I go down to town?" asked Tom. + +"Not for the present. I intend to get to the bottom of this affair, +if I possibly can. If you are innocent you shall not suffer. But at +present it looks to me as if you were guilty. You may go." + +"But, sir--" + +"Not another word at present. I have other matters to attend to. I +shall call on you later. But remain in your room until I send somebody +for you." + +An angry answer arose to Tom's lips, but he checked it. In the college +Doctor Wellington's word was law, and he knew he would only make +matters worse by attempting to argue. With a heavy heart he turned, +gazed coldly at Professor Sharp, and left the office. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +SONGBIRD MAKES A DISCOVERY + + +"It's all up with me," said Tom to his brothers when he met them in +the hall. "I can't go to town." + +"Why not?" asked Sam. + +"Got to remain in my room until Doctor Wallington sends for me." + +"What have you been doing, Tom?" came from Dick. + +"Nothing." And then Tom told of what had occurred in the office. His +brothers listened with much interest. + +"This is the work of some enemy," said Sam quickly. + +"And the one who got hold of the dress-suit case," added Dick. "Tom, +do you suspect any one?" + +"Only in a general way--Koswell, Flockley, Larkspur, and that crowd." + +"It's too bad." + +"Say, but that picture was a sight!" cried the fun-loving Rover, and +gunned broadly. "No wonder old Sharp was mad. I'd be mad myself, +especially if it was a photo of my best girl." + +"I hope the doctor doesn't keep you in the room all day," said Sam. + +"You and Dick might as well go to town without me," returned Tom with +a sigh that he endeavored to suppress. "Your staying here won't do me +any good." + +"What will you do?" + +"Oh, read or study. It will give me a chance to catch up in my Latin. +I was a bit rocky in that yesterday. I can bone away until the +president sends a special message for me." + +"Want us to get anything for you?" questioned Dick. + +"Yes, a good fat letter from--well, a fat letter, that's all." + +"Postmarked Cedarville, and in Nellie Laning's handwriting," came from +Sam slyly. + +"I didn't know they postmarked letters in handwriting," answered Tom +innocently. + +"Oh, you know what I mean." + +"Sure, Sam, for I know you're looking for a letter, too. Well, run +along, children, and play," said Tom, and a minute later Sam and Dick +set off for Ashton. + +Tom did not feel as lighthearted as his words would seem to indicate. +He knew that the charge against him was a serious one, and he saw no +way of clearing himself. The finding of the box with his name on it +seemed to be proof positive against him. + +"No use of talking, the minute I get to school I seem to get into +trouble," he soliloquized. "Wonder if they'll put me in a cell, like +old Crabtree did at Putnam Hall? If they do I'll raise a kick, sure as +eggs are unhatched chickens!" + +Tom sat down to study, but he could not fix his mind on his lessons. +Then he heard somebody come along the hallway and turn into the next +room. + +"Must be Songbird, or else one of the servants," he thought. "Guess +I'll take a look." If it was Songbird, he could chat with his friend +for a while. + +He went to the next room. As he opened the door he saw Songbird, with +his back toward him. The so-styled poet was waving his arms in the air +and declaiming: + + "The weeping winds were whispering through the wood, + The rolling rill ran 'round the ragged rock; + The shepherd, with his sunny, smiling face, + Was far away to feed his flitting flock. + Deep in the dingle, dank and dark--" + + "I thought I heard an old crow bark!" +finished Tom. "Say, Songbird, how much is that poetry by the yard--or +do you sell it by the ton?" he went on. + +At the sound of Tom's voice the would-be poet gave a start. But he +quickly recovered. He scowled for a moment and then took on a look of +resignation. + +"You've spoiled one of the best thoughts I ever had," he said. + +"Don't you believe it, Songbird," answered Tom. "I've heard you make +up poetry worth ten times that. Don't you remember that little sonnet +you once composed, entitled 'Who Put Ink in Willie's Shoes?' It was +great, grand, sublime!" + +"I never wrote such a sonnet!" cried Songbird. "Ink in shoes, indeed! +Tom, you don't know real poetry when you see it!" + +"That's a fact, I don't. But, say, what's on the carpet, as the iceman +said to the thrush?" + +"Nothing. I thought I'd write a few verses, that's all. Thought you +were going to town with Sam and Dick?" + +"Can't." And once again Tom had to tell his story. He had not yet +finished when Songbird gave an exclamation. + +"It fits in!" he cried. + +"Fits in? What?" asked Tom. + +"What I heard a while ago." + +"What did you hear?" + +"Heard Flockley, Koswell and Larkspur talking together. Koswell said +he had fixed you, and that you were having a bad half hour with the +president." + +"Where was this?" + +"In the library. I was in an alcove, and they didn't see me. I was +busy reading some poetry by Longfellow--fine thing--went like this--" + +"Never mind. Chop out the poetry now, Songbird. What more did they +say?" + +"Nothing. They walked away, and I--er--I got so interested in making +up verses I forgot all about it until now." + +"I wish you had heard more. Do you know where they went to?" + +"No, but I can look around if you want me to." + +"I wish very much that you would. I can't leave, or I'd go myself." + +A few more words followed, and then Songbird went off to hunt up the +Flockley crowd. On the campus he met Max Spangler. + +"Yes, I saw them," said the German-American student in answer to a +question. "They are down along the river, just above the boathouse." + +"Thank you." + +"I'll show you if you want me to," went on Max. + +"You might come along, if you have nothing else to do," answered +Songbird. + +The two walked toward the river, and after a few minutes espied +Flockley and the others sitting on some rocks, in the sun, talking +earnestly. + +"I want to hear what they are saying," said Songbird. "I have a +special reason." And at Max's look of surprise he told something of +what had happened. + +"If Koswell is that mean he ought to be exposed," said Max. "I don't +blame him for playing a trick on old Sharp, but to lay the blame on +Tom--why, that's different." + +"Will you come along?" + +"If you want me to." + +"I don't want to drag you into trouble, Max." + +"I dink I can take care of myself," answered the German-American +student. + +The pair passed around to the rear of the spot where Flockley and his +cronies were located. Here was a heavy clump of brushwood, so they +were able to draw quite close without being seen. + +The talk was of a general character for a while, embracing football +and other college sports, and Songbird was disappointed. But presently +Jerry Koswell began to chuckle. + +"I can't help but think of the way I put it over Tom Rover," he +exclaimed. "I'll wager old Sharp will make him suffer good and +proper." + +"Maybe they'll suspend Rover," said Bart Larkspur. "But that would be +carrying it pretty far, wouldn't it?" + +"They won't suspend him, but he'll surely be punished," came from Dudd +Flockley. "By the way, are you sure it was a photo of Sharp's best +girl?" + +"Yes; but she isn't a girl, she's a woman, and not particularly +good-looking at that," answered Jerry Koswell. + +"Well, Sharp isn't so very handsome," answered Larkspur. "His nose is +as sharp as his name." + +"I suppose Rover will wonder how somebody got hold of that case of +pencils and crayons," remarked Flockley. "If he--" + +"Hello, Max!" cried a voice from behind the bushes, and the next +moment a stout youth landed on Max Spangler's back, carrying him down +with a crash in the brushwood. "What are you doing here, anyway?" + +At the interruption the whole Flockley crowd started to their feet, +and turning, beheld not only Max and the boy who had come up so +suddenly, but also Songbird. The latter was nearest to them, and +Koswell eyed him with sudden suspicion. + +"What are you doing here?" he demanded, while Max and his friend were +wrestling in a good-natured way in the bushes. + +"Oh, I've been listening to some interesting information," answered +Songbird. + +"Playing the eavesdropper, eh?" came from Flockley with a sneer. + +"If so, it was for a good purpose," answered the would-be poet warmly. + +"Say, Jerry, you want to look out for him!" cried Larkspur warningly. +"He rooms with Dick Rover, remember. They are old chums." + +"I know that," said Koswell. He faced Songbird again. "How long have +you been here?" he cried angrily. + +"That is my business, Koswell. But I heard enough of your talk to +know how you tried to put Tom Rover in a hole. It's a mean piece of +business, and it has got to be stopped." + +"Bah!" + +"You can 'bah!' all you please, but I mean what I say. To play a joke +is one thing, to blame it on a fellow student who is innocent is +another. As the poet Shelley says--But what's the use of wasting +poetry on a chap like you? Max, you heard what was said, didn't you?" + +By this time the German-American student was free of his tormentor, a +happy-go-lucky student named Henry Cale. He nodded to Songbird. + +"Yes, I heard it," he said, and gave Koswell a meaning look. + +"Fine business to be in, listening around corners," sneered Larkspur. + +"Say that once more and I'll punch your head!" cried Max, doubling up +his fists. + +"What are you fellows going to do?" questioned Koswell. He was +beginning to grow alarmed. + +"That depends on what you fellows do," returned Songbird. + +"Why--er--do you think I am going to the doctor and--er--confess?" + +"You have got to clear Tom Rover." + +"Our word is as good as yours," said Larkspur. + +"Then you are willing to tell a string of falsehoods, eh?" said +Songbird coldly. + +"I didn't say so." + +"But you meant it. Well, Larkspur, it won't do. I know about this, and +so does Max. Koswell has got to clear Tom Rover, and that is all there +is to it." + +"Will you keep quiet about me if I clear Rover?" asked Jerry Koswell +eagerly. + +"That depends on what Tom Rover says. I am going right to him now and +tell him what I heard." + +"And I'll go along," said Max. He turned to Henry Cale. "You will have +to excuse me, Henry. This is a private affair of importance." + +"Sure," was the ready answer. "I wouldn't have butted in if I had +known something was doing," and Henry walked off toward the college +buildings. + +"Just tell Tom Rover to wait--we'll fix it up somehow," cried Jerry +to Songbird and Max as the pair departed. "It's all a--er--a mistake. +I'm--er--sorry I got Rover into it--really I am." + +"No doubt of it, now!" answered Songbird significantly. "Evildoers are +usually sorry--after they are caught!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +HOW TOM ESCAPED PUNISHMENT + + +Dick and Sam were good walkers, so it did not take them long to reach +Ashton. While covering the distance they talked over Tom's dilemma, +but failed to reach any conclusion concerning it. + +"It's too bad," said Sam, "especially when the term has just opened. +It will give Tom a black eye." + +"I don't think he'll stand for too much punishment, being innocent, +Sam. He'll go home first." + +"I was thinking of that. But we don't want to be here with Tom gone." + +Arriving at Ashton, the boys hurried to the post-office. The mail for +the college was in, and among it they found several letters from home +and also epistles from Dora Stanhope and the Laning girls. + +"Here's one for Tom--that will cheer him up a bit," said Dick, holding +up one addressed in Nellie Laning's well-known hand. + +The boys sat down in an out-of-the-way corner to read their letters. +Dick had a communication of ten pages from Dora, and Sam had one of +equal length from Grace. Then there was one for all the boys from +their father, and another from their Aunt Martha. + +"The girls are coming next Wednesday," said Dick. "I hope we can get +down to the depot when they arrive." + +"Don't forget poor Tom, Dick," + +"Yes. Isn't it too bad?" + +"Nellie will cry her eyes out if he is sent away." + +"Oh, we've got to fix that up somehow." + +Having read the letters carefully, the boys went to one of the stores +to make some purchases, and then drifted down to the depot. A train +was coming in, but they did not expect to see anybody they knew. As a +well-dressed young man, carrying a suit case, alighted, both gave an +exclamation: + +"Dan Baxter!" + +The individual they mentioned will need no introduction to my old +readers. During their days at Putnam Hall the Rover boys had had in +Dan Baxter and his father enemies who had done their best to ruin +them. The elder Baxter had repented after Dick had done him a great +service, but Dan had kept up his animosity until the Rovers imagined +he would be their enemy for life. But at last Dan, driven to +desperation by the actions of those with whom he was associating, +had also repented, and it was the Rovers who had set him on his feet +again. They had loaned him money, and he had gotten a position as a +traveling salesman for a large wholesale house. How he was faring they +did not know, since they had not seen or heard of him for a long time. + +"Hello! You here?" cried Dan Baxter, and dropped his suit case on the +depot platform. "Thought you were at the college." + +"Came down for an airing," answered Dick. He held out his hand. "How +goes it with you, Dan?" + +"Fine! Couldn't be better." Baxter shook hands with both boys, and +they could not help but notice how clean-cut and happy he appeared, +quite in contrast to the careless, sullen Dan of old. + +"Come on business?" inquired Sam. + +"Yes." + +"What are you selling?" asked Dick. + +"I am in the jewelry line now, representing one of the biggest houses +in the United States. I was going through to Cleveland, but I made up +my mind to stop off here and see you. I heard from one of the old boys +that you were here." + +"I am sure I am glad to see you, Dan," said Dick, "and glad to know +you are doing well." + +"Maybe you'll be a member of the firm some day," added Sam with a +smile. + +"I don't know about that. I'm willing to work, and the traveling suits +me first-rate. They pay me a good salary, too--thirty dollars per week +and all expenses." + +"Good enough!" cried Dick. + +"I came to see you fellows," went on Dan Baxter in a lower voice. "I +haven't forgotten what you did for me when I was on my uppers. It was +splendid of you. I realize it more every day I live. My father is +with me now--that is, when I'm home. We are happier than we ever were +before." + +"That's good," murmured Sam. + +"I want to see you all. Where is Tom?" + +"Up to the college." Sam did not deem it necessary to go into +particulars. + +"I'd like to see him, too. I've got something for each of you." + +"What is that?" + +"Before I tell you I want you to promise you'll accept it. And by the +way, you got that money back, didn't you?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, will you accept what I want to give you? I want to show you I +appreciate your kindness." + +"We didn't expect anything, Dan," said Dick. + +"Oh, I know that, Dick, but please say you'll take what I have for +you. It isn't so very much, but it's something." + +"All right, if you want it that way," answered the oldest Rover, +seeing that his former enemy was very much in earnest. + +Dan Baxter put his hand in an inner pocket and brought forth three +small packages. + +"This is for you, Dick, and this for you, Sam," he said. "The other is +for Tom. They are all alike." + +The two Rovers undid the packages handed to them. Inside were small +jewelry cases, and each contained a beautiful stickpin of gold, +holding a ruby with three small diamonds around it. + +"Say, this is fine!" murmured Sam. + +"Dan, we didn't expect this," said Dick. + +"But you said you'd accept," pleaded Baxter. "They are all alike, as +I said before. I had the firm make them to order, so there is nothing +else like them on the market. The three diamonds represent you three +brothers, and the ruby--well, when you look at that you can think +of me, if you want to. And another thing," went on Baxter, his face +flushing a trifle, "the pins are settled for. They didn't come out +of my stock. I mention this because--because--" The young traveling +salesman stopped in some confusion. + +"Dan, we know you are not that kind," said Dick hastily. + +"Well, I was, but I'm not that kind any longer--everything I do is as +straight as a string. I paid for those stickpins out of my wages. I +hope you will all wear them." + +"I certainly shall," said Dick. "I shall prize this gift very highly." + +"And so shall I," added Sam. + +Dan Baxter had heard something about their search for the fortune on +Treasure Isle, and as they walked over to the hotel for lunch the +Rovers gave him some of the details. In return he told them of some +of his experiences on the road while representing a carpet house and +another concern, as well as the jewelry manufacturers. He told them of +several of the former pupils of Putnam Hall, including Fenwick better +known as Mumps, who he said was now working in a Chicago hotel. + +"You boys can rest assured of one thing," said Dan Baxter during the +course of the conversation, "if I can ever do you a good turn I'll do +it, no matter what it costs me." + +"That is very kind to say, Dan," answered + +Dick. "And let me say, if we can do anything more for you we'll do +it." + +The three youths spent several hours together and then Sam and Dick +said they would have to get back to college. Secretly they were +worried about Tom. + +"Well, please give the pin to Tom," said Baxter, "and if you feel like +it, write me a letter some day," and he told them of the cities he +expected to visit during his next selling tour. Then the Rovers and +their one-time enemy separated. + +"Not at all like the old Dan Baxter," was Sam's comment, + +"He is going to make a fine business man, after all," returned Dick. +"Well, I am glad of it, and glad, too, that he and his father are +reconciled to each other." + +Sam and Dick had covered about half the distance back to Brill when +they saw a figure striding along the country road at a rapid gait. + +"Why, say, that looks like Tom!" cried Sam. + +"It is Tom," returned his big brother. + +"Do you suppose he has run away?" + +"I don't know. Perhaps the doctor has suspended him." + +"Hello!" called Tom as he came closer. "Thought I'd find you in town +yet. Come on back and have some fun." + +"What does this mean, Tom?" demanded Dick, coming to a halt in front +of his brother. He saw at a glance that Tom looked rather happy. + +"What does what mean, my dear Richard?" asked the fun-loving Rover in +a sweet, girlish voice. + +"You know well enough. Did you run away?" + +"No. Walked away." + +"Without permission?" asked Sam. + +"My dear Samuel, you shock me!" cried Tom in that same girlish voice. + +"See here, let us in on the ground floor of the Sphinx," cried Dick +impatiently. + +"I will, kind sirs," answered Tom, this time in a deep bass voice. "I +went to the room and remained there about an hour. Songbird went out +on a still hunt, Max with him. The two overheard Jerry Koswell and his +cronies talking, learned Jerry did the trick, came back and told me, +and--" + +"You told the president," finished Sam. + +"Not on your collar button," answered Tom. "I waited. The president +sent for me. I went. He tried to get me to confess, and then the +telephone rang, and that did the biz." + +"Say, Tom, are you crazy?" demanded Dick. + +"Crazy? Yes, I'm crazy with joy. Who wouldn't be to get free so +easily?" + +"But explain it," begged Sam. + +"I can't explain it. As I said, the president tried to make me +confess, and of course I had nothing to confess. When the telephone +rang I heard one voice and then two others, one after another. I think +they belonged to Koswell, Flockley and Larkspur, but I am not sure. +The voices talked to Doctor Wallington about ten minutes. He got mad +at first and then calmed down. I heard him ask, 'In Professor Sharp's +room?' and somebody said 'Yes.' Four times he asked for names, but I +don't think he got them. Then he went out of the office and was gone +about a quarter of an hour. When he returned he said, 'Now, on your +honor, for the last time, Rover, did you mar that photograph?' and I +said 'No,' good and hard. Then he said he believed me, and was sorry +he had suspected me, and he added that I could go off for the rest of +the day and enjoy myself, and here I am." + +"And you didn't squeal on Koswell & Company?" asked Sam. + +"Nary a squeal." + +"Do you imagine they confessed?" + +"I think they told the president over the 'phone that I was innocent, +maybe the three swore to it, but I don't think they gave their names." + +"What did they mean about Sharp's room?" + +"I was curious about that, and I found out from one of the servants. +Sharp found an envelope under the door. It contained a five-dollar +bill, and on it was written in a scrawl, 'For a new photograph.'" + +"Koswell & Company got scared mightily," mused Dick. "Well, I am glad, +Tom, that you are out of it." + +"And as a token of your escape we'll present you with this," added +Sam, and brought forth the package from Dan Baxter. Tom was much +surprised, and listened to the story about the former bully of Putnam +Hall with interest. + +"Good for Dan!" he cried. "I'll write him a letter the first chance I +get." + +"And here's a letter from Nellie," said Dick, "and one from father, +and another from Aunt Martha." + +"Hurrah! That's the best yet!" exclaimed Tom. "I've got to read 'em +all. Sit down and rest." And he dropped down on a grassy bank and his +brothers followed suit. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +IN WHICH THE GIRLS ARRIVE + + +"You may be sure of one thing, Tom," remarked Dick while he and his +brothers were walking back to Brill, some time later, "Jerry Koswell +has it in for you. You had better watch him closely." + +"I intend to do so," answered Tom. "But there is another thing which +both of you seem to have forgotten. That's about the dress-suit case. +Did Koswell find it, and if so, did he take anything else besides the +box of pencils and crayons?" + +"He'll never admit it," put in Sam. "Not unless you corner him, as +Songbird did about the photo." + +"He'll have to tell where he got the box, Sam." + +"I doubt if you get any satisfaction." + +And Sam was right, as later events proved. When Tom tackled Koswell +the latter said positively that he knew nothing of the dress-suit +case. He said he had found the box on a stand in the hallway near +Professor Sharp's door, and had used it because it suited his purpose. + +"But you saw it had my name on it," said Tom. + +"No, I didn't. It was rather dark in the hall, and all I saw was that +it contained pencils and crayons," answered Jerry Koswell. + +"Well, I don't believe you," answered Tom abruptly. "You did it on +purpose, and maybe some day I'll be able to prove it." And he walked +off, leaving Koswell in anything but a comfortable frame of mind. + +Tom was curious to see how Professor Sharp would act after the affair. +During the first recitation the instructor seemed ill at ease, but +after that he acted as usual. Tom half suspected the professor still +thought him guilty. + +"Well, it was a pretty mean thing to do," soliloquized the fun-loving +Rover. "If anybody did that to a picture of Nellie I'd mash him into a +jelly." + +All of the Rovers were awaiting the arrival of the girls with +interest, and each was fearful that some poor recitation might keep +him from going to meet them at the Ashton depot on Wednesday. But, +luckily, all got permission to go to town, and they started without +delay as soon as the afternoon session was ended. + +"Where bound?" asked Songbird, in some surprise, as he saw them +driving off in a carriage Dick had ordered by telephone. + +"Going to meet Dora and Nellie and Grace," answered Dick. "Do +you--er--want to come along?" + +"Oh, sure. I'll see them all home myself," answered the would-be poet +with a wink of his eye. "No, thank you. I know enough to keep out +of somebody else's honey pot. Give them my regards," he added, and +strolled off, murmuring softly: + + "If them love me as I love thee, + How happy thee and I will be!" + +The boys got down to the depot ahead of time, and were then told that +the train was fifteen minutes late. They put in the time as best they +could, although every minute seemed five. + +"Hello! There is Dudd Flockley!" exclaimed Sam presently, and pointed +to the dudish student, who was crossing the street behind the depot. + +"Maybe he came down to meet somebody, too," said Tom. "More than +likely there will be quite a bunch of girls bound for the seminary." + +At last the train rolled in, and the three Rovers strained their eyes +to catch the first sight of their friends. + +"There they are!" shouted Dick, and pointed to a parlor car. He ran +forward, and so did his brothers. The porter was out with his box, but +it was the boys who assisted the girls to alight, and Dick who tipped +the knight of the whisk-broom. + +"Here at last!" cried Dick. "We are so glad you've come!" + +"Thought the train would never get here," added Sam. + +"Longest wait I've had since I was able to walk," supplemented Tom. + +"Oh, Tom, you big tease!" answered Nellie merrily, and caught him by +both hands. + +"Yes, we are late," said Dora a bit soberly. She gave Dick's hand a +tight squeeze. They looked at each other, and on the instant he saw +that she had something to tell him. + +"How long it seems since we saw you last," said Grace as she took +Sam's hand. Then there was handshaking all around, and all the girls +and boys tried to speak at once, to learn how the others had been +since they had separated after the treasure hunt. + +"We'll have to look after our trunks," said Dora. "There they are," +and she pointed to where they had been dumped on a truck. + +"I'll take care of the baggage," said Tom. "Just give me the checks." + +"And we've got to find a carriage to take us to Hope," added Grace. + +"All arranged," answered Sam. "We are going to take you up. Dick is +going to take Dora in a buggy, and Tom and I are going to take you and +Nellie in a two-seated. The baggage can go in a wagon behind." + +"But I thought there was a seminary stage," began Grace. + +"There is, and if you'd rather take it--" + +"Oh, no! The carriage ride will be much nicer." And Grace looked at +Sam in a manner that made his heart beat much faster than before. + +"Do you know, it seems awfully queer to be rich and to be going to a +fine boarding school," said Nellie. "I declare, I'm not used to it +yet. But I'm glad on papa and mamma's account, for neither of them +have to work as hard as they did." + +"Papa is going to improve the farm wonderfully," said Grace. "He is +going to put up a new barn and a carriage house and a new windmill for +pumping water, and he has bought a hundred acres from the farm in the +back, and added, oh, I don't know how many more cows. And we've got a +splendid team of horses, and the cutest pony you ever saw. And next +year he is going to rebuild the wing of the house and put on a big +piazza, where we can have rocking-chairs and a hammock--" + +"Yum! yum!" murmured Sam. "The hammock for mine, when I call." + +"Built for two, I suppose," remarked Dick dryly. + +"Dick Rover!" cried Grace, and blushed, + +"He'll want it for himself and Dor--" began Sam. + +"Here comes Tom," interrupted Dick hastily. "All right about the +baggage?" he asked loudly. + +"All right. The trunks and cases will go to the seminary inside of an +hour," answered Tom, "so we might as well be off ourselves. We can +drive slowly, you know." + +"Well, you can go ahead and set the pace," answered his elder brother. + +The buggy and the carriage were already on hand, and soon the boys and +girls were in the turnouts, and Tom drove off, with Dick following. + +As they did so they saw Dudd Flockley standing near, eyeing them +curiously. They had to drive close to the dudish student, who was +attired in his best, and he stared boldly at Dora and the Laning +girls. + +"What a bold young man!" was Dora's comment after they had passed. + +"He's a student at Brill," answered Dick. "Not a very nice kind, +either." Dick was much put out, for he did not like any young man to +stare at Dora. + +Ashton was soon left behind, and carriage and buggy bowled along +slowly over a country road lined on either side with trees and bushes +and tidy farms. Under the trees Dick allowed his horse to drop into a +walk, and managed to drive with one hand while the other found Dora's +waist and held it. + +"Dick, somebody might see you!" she half whispered. + +"Well, I can't help it, Dora," he answered, "It's been such a long +time since we met." + +"Yes, it seems like years and years, doesn't it?" + +"And to think we've got to go through college before--before we can--" + +"Yes, but Dick, isn't it splendid that we are going to be so close to +each other? Why, we'll be able to meet lots of times!" + +"If the seminary authorities will let you. I understand they are very +strict." + +"Oh, well, we'll meet anyhow, won't we?" + +"If you say so, dear." + +"Why, yes, dear--that is--Oh, now see what you've done!--knocked +my hat right down on my ear! Now, you mustn't--one is enough! Just +suppose another carriage should come up--with somebody in it from the +seminary?" + +"I've got my eye open," answered Dick. "But just one more--and then +you can fix your hat. They've got to make some allowance for folks +that are engaged," he added softly, as he pressed her cheek close to +his own. + +"Are we engaged, Dick?" she asked as she adjusted her hat. + +"Aren't we?" he demanded. "Why, of course we are!" + +"Well, if you say so, but--but--I suppose some folks would think we +were rather young." + +"Well, I'm not so young as I used to be--and I'm growing older every +day." + +"So am I. I am not near as young as I was when we first met--on that +little steamboat on Cayuga Lake, when you and Tom and Sam were going +to Putnam Hall for the first time." + +"No, you're not quite so young, Dora, but you are just as pretty. In +fact, you're prettier than ever." + +"Oh, you just say that!" + +"I mean it, and I'm the happiest fellow in the world this minute," +cried Dick, and caught her again in his arms. Once more the hat went +over on Dora's ear, but this time she forgot to mention it. Truth to +tell, for the time being she was just as happy as he was. + +But presently her face grew troubled, and he remembered the look she +had given him at the depot. + +"Something is on your mind, Dora," he said. "What is it?" + +"Dick, do you know that Tad Sobber is alive? That he escaped from that +dreadful hurricane in West Indian waters?" + +"Yes, I know it. But I didn't know it until a few days ago, when +Songbird Powell came to Brill He said he had met Sobber in Ithaca," + +"He came to see mamma." + +"I was afraid he would. What did he say?" + +"He came one evening, after supper. It was dark and stormy, and he +drove up in a buggy. Mamma and I and the servants were home alone, +although Nellie had been over in the afternoon. He rang the bell, and +asked for mamma, and the girl ushered him into the parlor. He asked +the girl if we had company, and he said if we had he wouldn't bother +us." + +"Guess he was afraid of being arrested." + +"Perhaps so. He told the girl he was a friend from New York. I went +down first, and when I saw him I was almost scared to death. I thought +I was looking at a ghost." + +"Naturally, since you thought he had been drowned. It's too bad he +scared you so, Dora." + +"He said he had come on business, and without waiting began to talk +about the treasure we had taken from the isle. He insisted upon it +that the treasure belonged to him, since his uncle, Sid Merrick, was +dead. When my mother came in he demanded that she give him some money +and sign some papers." + +"What did your mother do?" + +"She refused, of course. Then he got very wild and talked in a +rambling fashion. Oh, Dick, I am half inclined to think he is crazy!" +And Dora shuddered. + +"What did he say after your mother refused to do as he wished?" + +"He got up and walked around the parlor, waving his hands and crying +that we were robbing him, that the treasure was his, and that the +Rovers were nothing but thieves. Then mamma ordered him out of the +house and sent the girl to get the man who runs the farm for us. But +before the man came Sobber went away, driving his horse as fast as he +could," + +"Have you heard from him since?" + +"Yes. The next day we got an unsigned letter. In it Sobber said that, +by hook or by crook, he intended to get possession of the treasure, +and for the Rovers to beware," + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE ROWING RACE + + +Having told so much, Dora went into all the particulars of Tad +Sobber's visit to the Stanhope homestead. She told of how Sobber had +argued, and she said he had affirmed that the Rovers had falsified +matters so that the Stanhopes and the Lanings might benefit thereby. + +"What he says is absolutely untrue," said Dick. "Father went over +those papers with care, and so did the lawyers, and the treasure +belongs to you and the Lanings, and to nobody else." + +"Don't you think Sid Merrick fooled Sobber?" asked the girl. + +"Perhaps, but I guess Tad was willing to be fooled. They set their +hearts on that money, and now Tad can't give it up. In one way I am +sorry for him, and if a small amount of cash would satisfy him and set +him on his feet, I'd hand it over. We put Dan Baxter on his feet that +way." + +"Oh, but Baxter isn't Sobber, Dick. Sobber is wild and wicked. I was +so afraid he would attack mamma and me I hardly knew what to do. And +his eyes rolled so when he talked!" + +"Did he go to the Lanings?" + +"No." + +"Probably he was afraid of your uncle. Mr. Laning won't stand for any +nonsense. I suppose your mother is afraid he'll come back?" + +"Yes; and to protect herself she has hired one of the farm men to +sleep in the house. The man was once in the army, and he knows how to +use a gun." + +"Then that will make Sobber keep his distance. He is a coward at +heart. I found that out when we went to Putnam Hall together," + +"But you must beware of him, Dick. He may show himself here next." + +"It won't do him any good. All I've got here is a little spending +money. No, I don't think he'll show himself here. More than likely +he'll try to hire some shyster lawyer to fight for the treasure in the +courts. But I don't think he'll be able to upset your claim." + +They had now reached Hope Seminary, and the conversation came to an +end. The boys helped the girls to alight, and said good-by. Then they +drove back to Ashton, where the buggy was left at the livery stable; +and all piled into the carriage for the college. On the way Dick told +his brothers about Tad Sobber. + +"Dora is right. He is a bad egg," said Sam. "I wouldn't trust him +under any consideration," + +"He is too much of a coward to attack anybody openly," was Tom's +comment. "But as Dick says, he may hire some shyster lawyer to take +the matter into the courts. It would be too bad if the fortune was +tied up in endless litigation." + +"He's got to get money to fight with first," said Dick. + +"Oh, some lawyers will take a case like that on a venture." + +"That's true." + +Several days passed quietly, and the Rover boys applied themselves +diligently to their studies, for they wished to make fine records at +Brill. + +"We are here to get a good education," was the way Dick expressed +himself, "and we want to make the most of our time." + +"As if I wasn't boning away to beat the band!" murmured Tom +reproachfully. + +"I'd like to take the full course in about two years," came from Sam. + +"College studies are mighty hard," broke in Songbird, who was working +over his chemistry. "I don't get any chance to write poetry any more." + +"For which let us all be truly thankful," murmured Sam to Tom. + +"Ten minutes more," announced Dick, looking at his watch. "Then what +do you say to a row on the river?" + +"Suits me!" cried Tom. + +"All right, then. Now clear out, and--silence!" + +A quarter of an hour later the Rover boys and Songbird walked down to +the river. There were plenty of boats to be had, and Dick and Tom were +soon out. Songbird and Sam received an invitation to go for a ride in +a gasolene launch owned by Stanley. + +"Suits me!" cried the would-be poet. "I can row any time, but I can't +always ride in a motor boat." + +"Same here," said Sam. + +A number of craft were on the river, including one containing Jerry +Koswell and Bart Larkspur. Koswell scowled as he saw Tom and Dick +rowing near by. + +"We'll give 'em a shaking up," he said to his crony, and turned their +rowboat so that it bumped fairly and squarely into the craft manned by +Tom and Dick. The shock was so great that Dick, who had gotten up to +fix his seat, was nearly hurled overboard. + +"See here, what do you mean by running into us?" demanded the oldest +Rover on recovering his balance. + +"Sorry, but it couldn't be helped," answered Koswell. "Why didn't you +get out of the way?" + +"We didn't have to," retorted Sam, "and if you try that trick again +somebody will get his head punched." + +"Talk is cheap," sneered Larkspur. + +"Say, I heard you fellows have been boasting of how you can row," went +on Koswell after a pause. + +"We haven't been boasting, but we can row," answered Tom. + +"Want to race?" + +"When?" + +"Now." + +"I don't know as I care to race with a chap like you, Koswell," +answered Dick pointedly. + +"You're afraid." + +"No, I am not afraid." + +"Let us race them," whispered Tom to his brother. "I am not afraid of +them." + +"Oh, neither am I, Tom." + +"Well race you to Rock Island and back," said Koswell, after +consulting Larkspur. + +"All right," answered Dick. + +"Want to bet on the result?" questioned Koswell. He was usually +willing to bet on anything. + +"We don't bet," answered Tom. + +"And we wouldn't with you, if we did," added Dick. "I don't think you +are in our class, Koswell, and you never will be. At the same time, +since you are so anxious to row against us, we'll race you--and beat +you." + +This answer enraged Jerry Koswell, and he dared the Rovers to wager +ten dollars on the race. They would not, but others took up the bet, +and then several other wagers were made. + +Rock Island was a small, stony spot half a mile up the stream, so +the race would be about a mile in length. Frank Holden was chosen +as referee and umpire, and all of the contestants prepared for the +struggle. + +"Your boat is lighter than that of the Rovers," said Holden to Koswell +and Larkspur. "You really ought to give them some lead." + +"No. This is an even start," growled Koswell. + +"Very well, but it doesn't seem quite fair." + +It was soon noised around that the race was to take place, and the +river bank speedily became lined with students anxious to see how the +contest would terminate. + +"Now, Tom, take it easy at the start, but finish up strong," cautioned +Dick. + +"I feel like pulling a strong stroke from the first," answered Tom. +"Let us do it, and leave them completely in the shade." + +"No. We must first try to find out what they can do." + +"Say, you've got to beat 'em," came from Sam, as the launch came +close. "If they win you'll never hear the end of it." + +"They're not going to win," answered Dick, quietly but firmly. + +"All ready?" asked Frank Holden, as the boats drew up side by side +near the boathouse float. + +"We are!" sang out Tom. + +"Ready!" answered Jerry Koswell. + +"Go!" shouted Frank. + +Four pairs of oars dropped into the water simultaneously, and away +shot the two craft side by side. There was no disguising the fact +that Koswell and Larkspur were good oarsmen, and what was equally +important, they had done much practicing together. On the other hand, +while Dick and Tom could row well, they had pulled together but twice +since coming to Brill. + +"You've got your work cut out for you!" shouted Songbird. "But never +mind. Go in and win!" + +For the first quarter of a mile the two row-boats kept close together. +Occasionally one would forge ahead a few inches, but the other would +speedily overtake it. Then, however, the Rover boys settled down to a +strong, steady stroke, and forged a full length ahead. + +"See! see! The Rovers are winning!" shouted Max in delight. + +"That's the way to do it!" cried Stanley, "Keep it up! You're doing +nobly!" + +"Show 'em the way home!" added Songbird. + +"Pull, Jerry! Pull!, Bart!" screamed Dudd Flockley to his cronies. +"Don't let them beat you!" + +Before long the island was reached, and the Rovers rounded it a length +and a half ahead. This made Jerry Koswell frantic, and he called on +Larkspur to increase the stroke. + +"All right, I'm with you," was the short answer. + +The increase in the stroke speedily told, and inch by inch the second +boat began to overhaul the first Then Tom made a miss, sending a +shower of water into the air. At this the craft containing Koswell and +Larkspur shot ahead. + +"Hurrah! That's the way to do it!" yelled Flockley in delight. "Even +money on the green boat!" + +"Take you," answered Spud Jackson promptly. "How much?" + +"A fiver." + +"All right." + +"Steady, Tom," cautioned Dick. "Now, then Ready?" + +"Yes." + +"Then bend to it. One, two, three, four." + +Again the Rover boys went at the rowing with a will, increasing their +stroke until it was six to the minute more than that of Koswell and +Larkspur. The latter were frantic, and tried to do likewise, but found +it impossible. Inch by inch the Rovers' craft went ahead. Now it was +half a length, then a length, then two lengths. + +"Say, there is rowing for you!" was the comment of a senior. "Just +look at them bend to it!" + +"Yes, and look at the quick recovery," added another fourth-year +student. + +From two lengths the Rovers went three lengths ahead. Then Koswell +missed a stroke, and tumbled up against Larkspur. + +"Hi! What are you doing?" spluttered Larkspur in disgust. + +"Cou--couldn't hel--help it," panted Jerry, He was all but winded, for +the pulling had been too much for him. + +"The Rovers win! The Rovers win!" was the shout that went up, and in +the midst of the hubbub Dick and Tom crossed the line, winning by at +least six lengths. Koswell and Larkspur were so disgusted that they +did not even finish, but stopped rowing and turned away from the +float. + +"The Rovers win," announced Frank Holden. "A fine race, too," he +added. "Let me congratulate you," and he waved his hand pleasantly to +Dick and Tom. + +"I got a pain in my side, and that made me miss the stroke," said +Jerry Koswell lamely. "Some day I'll race them again, and win, too." + +"You should have won this time," growled Dudd Flockley when he was +alone with his cronies. "I dropped twenty dollars on that race." + +"I never thought they could row like that," was Larkspur's comment. "I +don't think I want to row against them again." + +Dick and Tom were warmly congratulated by all their friends. It had +been a well-earned victory, and they were correspondingly happy. +Koswell was sourer than ever against them, and vowed he would "square +up" somehow, and Larkspur agreed to help him. Dudd Flockley was glum, +for his spending money for the month was running low, and it was going +to be hard to pay the wagers he had lost. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +WILLIAM PHILANDER TUBES + + +On the following Saturday the Rover boys went down to Ashton in the +afternoon. They had arranged for the hire of a large touring car, with +a competent chauffeur, and were to take Dora and the Laning girls out +for a ride to another town called Toddville. Here they were to have +supper at the hotel, returning to Ashton in the evening. + +Lest it be thought strange that the girls could get permission from +the seminary authorities to absent themselves, let me state that +matters had been explained by Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning to the +principal of Hope, so Dora and her cousins were free to go out with +the Rovers whenever they could go out at all. + +"We'll have the best time ever!" cried Tom enthusiastically. "I hope +you ordered a fine supper over the telephone, Dick." + +"I did," was the reply. "Just the things I know the girls like." + +"And a bouquet of flowers," added Sam. He knew that Grace loved +flowers. + +"Yes. I didn't forget them, Sam," + +The boys arrived in Ashton a little ahead of time, and while waiting +for the chauffeur of the car to appear they walked down to the depot +to see if there would be any new arrivals on the Saturday special. + +When the train pulled into the depot a tall, well-dressed youth, with +an elaborate dress-suit case and a bag of golf sticks, descended from +the parlor car and gazed around him wonderingly. + +"Are you--ah--sure this is--ah--Ashton?" he inquired of the porter. + +"Yes, sah," was the brisk answer. + +"Not a--ah--very large place, is it, now?" drawled the passenger. + +"Look who's here!" burst out Tom as he hurried forward. + +"Why, it's Tubbs--William Philander Tubbs!" ejaculated Sam. + +And sure enough, it was Tubbs, the most dudish pupil Putnam Hall had +ever known, and one with whom the cadets had had no end of fun. + +"My dear old Buttertub, how are you?" called out Tom loudly, and +caught the new arrival by the shoulder. "How are you, and how is the +wife, and the eight children?" + +"Why--ah--is it really Tom Rover!" gasped Tubbs. He stared at Tom and +then at Dick and Sam. "What are you--ah--doing here, may I inquire? +But please," he added hurriedly, "don't call me Buttertub, and don't +say I have a wife and children, when I haven't." And Tubbs looked +around to see if anybody had overheard Tom's remark. + +"We go to school here," said Dick as he shook hands. "Brill College." + +"Well, I never!" gasped the tall dude. "Brill, did you say?" + +"That's it," put in Sam. + +"I am going there myself." + +"You!" roared Tom. "Hail Columbia, happy land! That's the best yet, +Tubblets. We'll have dead loads of fun. Did you bring your pet poodle +and your fancywork, and those beautiful red and yellow socks you used +to wear?" + +"I hope you didn't forget that green and pink necktie you used to +have," came from Sam, "and the blue handkerchief with the purple +variegated border." + +"I--ah--I never had those things," stormed Tubbs. "Oh, say, do you +really go to Brill?" he questioned, with almost a groan in his voice. + +"Sure as you're born," answered Dick. "We'll be glad to have you +there, William Philander. You'll be a credit to the institution. We +have a few fellows who dress well, but you'll top them all. I know +it." + +"Do you--ah--really think I can--ah--I will be as well dressed as +the--ah--as anybody?" asked the dude eagerly. He was a fair scholar, +but his mind was constantly on the subject of what to wear and how to +wear it. + +"Oh, you'll lead the bunch, and all the girls at Hope will fall dead +in love with you," answered Tom. + +"Hope? What do you mean?" + +"That's the seminary for girls. Fine lot of girls there, waiting to +see you, Philliam Willander." + +"William Philander, please. So there is a girls' school here, eh? +That's--ah--very nice. Yes, I like the girls--I always did. But, Tom, +please don't call me--ah--Buttertub. I think it's horrid, don't you +know." + +"All right, Washtub, anything you say stands still," answered Tom +cheerfully. "I wouldn't hurt your feelings for a million warts." + +"There is the carriage for Brill," said Sam, pointing it out. + +"Are you going with me?" asked the dude. + +"No. We are not going back until this evening," explained Dick. "We'll +see you later." + +"Only one other student going with you," added Tom mischievously. +"He's kind of queer, but I guess he won't hurt you." He had seen an +innocent, quiet youth, named Smith, getting into the college turnout. + +"Queer?" asked Tubbs. + +"Yes. Gets fits, or something like that. He won't hurt you if you keep +your hand to your nose." + +"My--ah--my hand to my nose?" + +"Yes," went on Tom innocently. "You see, he has an idea that folks are +smelling things. So if you keep your hand to your nose he will know +you are not smelling anything, so he'll keep quiet." + +"I don't--ah--know as I like that," stammered William Philander. + +"Carriage for the college!" called the driver, approaching, and before +he could say anything the Rovers had Tubbs in the turnout. + +"Mr. Smith, Mr. Tubbs," said Dick, introducing the students. Smith +bowed, and so did Tubbs. Then the hand of the dude went up to his nose +and stayed there. + +"Good-by! See you later!" cried Tom. + +"Be careful," warned Sam, and tapped his nose. + +"I--I think I'd--ah--rather walk," groaned Tubbs. + +"It's too far," answered Dick. Then the carriage rolled away. As it +passed out of sight they saw William Philander with his hand still +tight on his olfactory organ. + +"Wonder what Smith will think?" remarked Dick after the three brothers +had had a good laugh over the sight. + +"He'll certainly think Tubblets queer," answered Sam. + +"Tubby will be a barrel of fun," said Tom. "I'm mighty glad he's come. +It will aid to brighten up our existence considerably." + +The Rover boys were soon on their way to where they were to meet the +girls, at a point on the road some distance from Hope Seminary. Soon +the whole crowd was in the big touring car, and away they skimmed over +a road which, if it was not particularly good, was likewise by no +means bad. + +"And where are we going?" asked Dora, for that had been kept a secret. + +"To a town about twenty miles from here," said Dick. "We are to have +supper there, at the hotel." + +"How nice!" came in a chorus from the girls + +"I just love automobiling," said Nellie. "I wish I had a car." + +"I'll get you one," said Tom, and added in a whisper, "Just wait till +we are settled down We'll have the finest auto rides that--" + +"Tom Rover!" cried Nellie, and then blushed and giggled. "Oh, look at +the beautiful autumn leaves!" she added, to change the subject. But a +second later she gave Tom an arch look that meant a good deal. They +seemed to understand each other fully as well as did Dick and Dora. + +The ride to Toddville was one long to be remembered. They talked and +sang, and the boys told of the meeting with Tubbs and the joke played, +and this set the girls almost in hysterics, for they were acquainted +with the dude, and knew his peculiarities. + +When they arrived at the hotel the spread was almost ready for them, +and by the time they had washed and brushed up all felt rather hungry. +There was a fine bouquet on the table, and in addition a tiny one at +each plate. + +"Oh, how nice!" cried Grace. + +"Let me pin this on you," said Dora to Dick, and fastened the small +bouquet in his buttonhole. The other girls performed a like service +for Tom and Sam. + +The meal was served in a private dining-room, so all felt free to +act as if they were at home. They talked and cracked jokes to their +hearts' content, and the boys told their best stories. They also grew +serious at times, talking of home and their folks. + +"Mamma hasn't heard another word from Tad Sobber," said Dora to Dick. + +"And I hope he never appears again," answered the oldest Rover. + +The meal was about half finished when one of the waiters came to Dick +and said the chauffeur would like to speak to him. + +"Very well," answered the oldest Rover, and excusing himself to the +others, he went out into the hallway. + +"I've just got a telephone message from Raytown," said the chauffeur. +"My brother has been hurt at a fire there, and they want me. I don't +know what to do. I might send for another man to run the car, but +you'll have to wait until he comes. Would you be willing to do that?" + +"I might run the car myself," answered Dick. He could see that the +chauffeur was much worried over the news he had received. + +"Could you do that, sir? If you could it would help me out a whole +lot. My brother has a wife and two little children, and she'll be +scared to death if Bill is injured." + +"Then go right along. Only see to it that the car is in good working +order," answered Dick. And then he followed the chauffeur to the shed +where the automobile was stored, and had the peculiar working of that +make of car explained to him. As my old readers know, Dick had driven +a car before, and understood very well how to do it. + +As there was no particular need for hurrying, and as it promised to be +a fine moonlight night, the Rover boys and their company did not leave +the hotel until nearly eight o'clock. Then Dick lit the lamps of the +machine and ran it around to the piazza, and the others bundled in. + +"Are you sure you can run this car, Dick?" asked Dora a bit timidly. + +"Oh, yes, Dora. It is of a make that I have run before, only the other +was a five-seat instead of a seven. But this one runs the same way." + +"Dick is a born chauffeur," said Sam. "Wait till you see him let the +car out to sixty miles an hour." + +"Mercy! I don't want to run as fast as that!" cried Grace. + +"We'd all be killed if anything should happen," added Nellie. + +"Don't you worry. Dick will crawl along at three miles per," drawled +Tom. "The moonlight is too fine to run fast. Besides, Dora is going to +sit in front with him." + +"I'll make the run in about an hour and a half," said Dick, "and that +is fast enough. We don't want to get back too early." + +"Might go around the block," suggested Sam. + +"Around the block would mean about fifteen miles extra," said Dora, +who knew all about country "blocks." + +"I don't know the roads, so I'll keep to the one we came on," answered +Dick. "All ready? Then off we go," he added, and started on low speed, +which he soon changed to second and then high. "This is something +like!" he cried as he settled back with his hands on the wheel. + +"Keep your eyes on the road, and not on Dora," cautioned Tom. + +"Say another word and I'll drag you from Nellie and make you run the +car," retorted Dick, and then Tom shut up promptly. + +Mile after mile was covered, and Dick proved that he could run the big +automobile fully as well as the regular driver. The moon was shining +brightly, so that it was very pleasant. The party sang songs and +enjoyed themselves immensely. + +They were still two miles from Ashton when they came to a turn in the +road. Here there were a number of trees, and it was much darker than +it had been. Dick slowed up a trifle and peered ahead. + +Suddenly the front lamps of the machine shone down on something in the +roadway that sent back a strange sparkle of light. Dick bent forward +and uttered an exclamation of dismay. He turned off the power and +jammed on both brakes. + +"What's the matter?" cried Sam and Tom in a breath, and the girls gave +a scream of fear. + +Bang! came a report from under the car. + +One of the tires had burst. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +AN AUTOMOBILING ADVENTURE + + +"What did you run over?" asked Sam. + +"Look for yourself," returned his big brother. "This is an outrage! I +wish I could catch the party responsible for it," he added bitterly. + +Dick had stopped the touring car in the midst of a quantity of broken +glass bottles. The glass covered the road from side to side, and had +evidently been put there on purpose. + +"Say, do you think that chauffeur had anything to do with this?" +demanded Tom. + +"Hardly," answered Dick. "If his story about the fire was not true +he'd know he'd be found out." + +"Maybe it was done by some country fellow who is running an auto +repair shop," suggested Sam. "I've heard of such things being +done--when business was dull." + +"Well, we'll have to fix the tire, that is all there is to it," said +the oldest Rover. "Might as well get out while we are doing it," he +added to the girls. + +"Lucky you stopped when you did," said Tom as he walked around the +machine. "If you hadn't we might have had all four tires busted." + +"What a contemptible trick to play," said Dora as she alighted, + +"Can you mend the tire?" asked Nellie as she, too, got out, followed +by her sister. + +"Oh, yes, we can mend it--or rather put on another," said Dick. "But +we'll examine all the tires first," he added, taking off a lamp for +that purpose. + +It was found that each tire had some glass in it, and the bits were +picked out with care. While this was going on Dick suddenly swung +the lamp around so that its rays struck through the trees and bushes +lining the roadway. + +"Look! look!" he cried. "There is somebody watching us!" + +"The fellow who is guilty," added Sam. + +"Catch him!" came from Tom, and he made a quick rush forward. + +"Say, we've got to get out of here," came in a low voice from among +the trees. "Run for all you are worth!" + +"I told you to get back," said another voice "Come on this way." + +A crashing through the brushwood back of the trees followed. Dick held +up the lamp and threw the rays in the direction of the sounds. He and +his brothers caught a glimpse of two boys or men hurrying away. + +"Stop, or I'll shoot!" cried Tom, although he had no weapon at his +command. But this cry only made the fleeing ones move the faster. + +"Sam, you stay with the girls," said Dick quickly. "Tom and I can go +after those rascals." + +"All right, but take care; they may be dangerous," answered the +youngest Rover. + +Tom had picked up a good sized stone. Now he hurled it ahead into the +bushes. A cry of alarm followed, but whether he hit anybody or not he +could not till. + +Holding the lamp so that it would light up the scene ahead, Dick +and Tom ran through the grove of trees and then into the thicket of +brushwood beyond. They could hear two persons working their way along, +and knew they must be the fellows they were after. Once they caught +sight of the rascals, but the evildoers lost no time in seeking cover +by running for another patch of undergrowth. + +"Say, this is fierce!" cried Tom as he stepped into a hole and tumbled +headlong. + +"Well, it's just as bad for those fellows," answered Dick grimly. + +"Yes, but I reckon they are not dressed up as we are," Tom had on his +tuxedo and a white tie, and Dick was similarly attired. But over the +dress suit each wore a linen coat, buttoned close up to the neck. + +The two youths kept on until, much to their surprise, they came out on +a back road that was almost as good as the highway they had left. Here +was a rail fence, and as they halted at this Tom pointed down the road +a distance. + +"Somebody on wheels," he cried. "Turn the light on 'em!" + +Dick did as requested, and to their astonishment they beheld two +young fellows on bicycles. They had their heads bent low over the +handlebars, and were streaking along at top speed. Soon a bend of the +road hid them from view. + +"Those are the chaps who put that glass in the roadway," said Tom. + +"I believe you," answered his brother. "They came up here on their +wheels and walked through the woods to do it. The question is, who are +they?" + +"They are enemies of ours," was the prompt answer. + +"Yes; but how did they know we were coming this way, and in the auto?" + +"They might have overheard us talking to Songbird or Stanley." + +"Can they be Flockley and Koswell?" + +"More likely Koswell and Larkspur. Flockley hasn't the backbone to do +a thing like this, He's too much of a dude." + +Dick and Tom took a look around the vicinity. By the light of the +lamp they saw where the others had leaped the fence and mounted their +bicycles. + +"They are the guilty ones, I am sure of that," said Dick. "I wish we +had seen their faces." + +The youths went back to the auto and told of their adventure. Sam and +the girls listened with interest to what they had to say. + +"Those boys must be very wicked," said Nellie. "If we had been running +fast we might have had a serious accident." + +"Shall you accuse them of it?" asked Dora. + +"I don't know. I'll think it over," answered Dick. + +"The cut-up tire has got to be paid for," said Tom. "Whoever is guilty +ought to be made to foot the bill." + +While Dick and Sam jacked up the axle of the automobile and put on a +new tire--inner tube and shoe combined--Sam set to work and cleaned up +the roadway, throwing all the glass into the bushes. Then the new tire +was pumped up and tested. + +"Now we are all right again," said Dick. + +"I am glad we had to mend but one," said Tom. He felt pretty dirty +from the job, but he was not going to tell the girls. + +All entered the touring car again, and Dick turned on the power. He +ran slowly at first to test the new tire. + +"All O.K.," he announced presently, and then they went spinning along +as before. But the "edge" had been taken off the ride, and they did +not seem as free-hearted and full of fun as they had been before the +mishap. + +It was after ten o'clock when the seminary was reached, and the girls +found one of the under teachers waiting for them. + +"Young ladies, you were told to be in at ten," said the teacher +severely. "It is now half after." + +"We had an accident," answered Dora, and told what it was. + +"You must not stay away later than the time originally allowed," said +the teacher severely. "Remember that after this, please," and then she +dismissed the girls. + +When the boys got to the garage where the automobile belonged they +told the man in charge about the chauffeur and of what had happened on +the road. The garage manager could hardly believe the story about the +broken glass. + +"You'll have to pay for that tire," he said coldly. "You can't expect +to make me stand the loss." + +"I suppose not," answered Dick "You can have the old tire repaired and +send the bill to me. And now I want somebody to take us up to Brill +just as quickly as it can be done. It is getting late." + +"I'll get a man right away," said the manager in a relieved tone, and +two minutes later the three Rover boys were being whirled toward the +college. + +"Do you think those fellows are back yet?" questioned Sam as they sped +along the road. + +"That's what I want to find out," returned Dick. "That is, provided +they came from here," + +They left the car at the entrance to the grounds, and the chauffeur at +once turned around and started back for Ashton. + +"We'll take a look around the gymnasium first," said Dick. "That is +where they keep the bicycles and such things." + +They hurried in the direction of the gymnasium, and finding the door +unlocked, entered. The building was dark and deserted, for it was now +after eleven o'clock. + +"Hello there!" called a voice from a distance, and a watchman +appeared, lantern in hand. "What's wanted?" + +"We want to look at the bicycles, Pinkey," answered Dick. + +"The bicycles? Ain't goin' for no ride this time o' night, are you?" +asked the watchman. + +"No. We want to see if any of them have been used." + +"Think somebody has been usin' your machine on the sly?" + +To this question the Rovers did not reply, for the reason that they +had no bicycles at Brill. The watchman led the way to the bicycle +room. Here were about twenty bicycles and half a dozen motor cycles, +all belonging to various students. + +"Ain't half as many as there used to be," remarked Pinkey. "When the +craze was on we had about a hundred an' fifty. It's all automobiling +now." + +The boys looked over the various wheels and felt of the working +parts and the lamps. Presently Sam found a hot lamp and Dick located +another. + +"Who do these machines belong to?" asked Dick. + +"There's the list," said the watchman, pointing to a written sheet +tacked on the wall "They are No. 15 and No. 9." + +The boys looked at the sheet, and read the names of Walter D. Flood +and Andrew W. Crossley, two juniors, whom they knew by sight only. + +"They wouldn't play this trick on us," whispered Dick to his brothers. +"They must have loaned their bicycles to others." + +"Right you are," answered Tom. "We'll have to question them." + +"Do you know where they room?" + +"No; but we can find out from the register." + +They entered their dormitory and found out that Flood and Crossley +were in the next building, occupying Room 14 together. + +"That's luck," said Sam "We won't have to wake up anybody else" + +It was against the rules to be prowling around the dormitories so late +at night, so the Rovers had to be cautious in their movements. They +mounted the stairs to the second floor and had to hide in a corner +while a proctor marched past and out of hearing. Then, aided by the +dim light that was burning, they located No. 14 + +Dick knocked lightly on the door, and receiving no answer, knocked +again. Still there was silence. + +"Must be pretty heavy sleepers," murmured Tom. "Try the doorknob." + +Dick did so, and found the door locked. Then he knocked again, this +time louder than before. + +"You'll knock a long time to wake them up," said a voice behind them, +and turning they saw Frank Holden grinning at them. + +"Hello," said Dick softly. "Why, what's wrong?" + +"Nobody in that room, that's all," answered the sophomore. + +"Don't Flood and Crossley sleep here?" asked Sam. + +"Yes, when they are at college, but they got permission to go home +yesterday, and they went, and they won't be back until Monday." + +At this Dick whistled softly to himself. + +"It's all up, so far as finding out who used the wheels is concerned," +he said to his brothers. "Whoever took them did so, most likely, +without permission." + +"I guess you are right," returned Tom. + +"Anything I can do for you?" asked Frank Holden pleasantly. + +"Nothing, thank you," replied Dick; and then he and his brothers +withdrew and made their way to their own rooms as silently as +possible. On the way they stopped at the doors of the rooms occupied +by Koswell and Larkspur and listened. The students within were +snoring. + +"No use," said Tom softly. "We'll have to catch them some other +way--if they are guilty," And his brothers agreed with him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +SOMETHING ABOUT A CANE + + +But if Koswell and Larkspur were guilty, they kept very quiet about +it, and the Rover boys were unable to prove anything against them. The +bill for the cut-up tire came to Dick, and he paid it. + +The college talk was now largely about football, and one day a notice +was posted that all candidates for admission on the big eleven should +register at the gymnasium. + +"I think I'll put my name down," said Tom. + +"And I'll do the same," returned Dick, "but I doubt if well get much +of a show, since they know nothing of our playing qualities here." + +There were about thirty candidates, including thirteen who had played +on the big team before. But two of these candidates were behind in +then studies, and had to be dropped, by order of the faculty. + +"That leaves a full eleven anyway of old players," said Sam. "Not much +hope for you," he added to his brothers. + +"They'll do considerable shifting; every college team does," said +Dick; and he was right. After a good deal of scrub work and a general +sizing up of the different candidates, four of the old players were +dropped, while another went to the substitutes' bench. + +It was now a question between nine of the new candidates, and after +another tryout Dick was put in as a guard, he having shown an +exceptional fitness for filling that position. Tom got on the +substitutes' bench, which was something, if not much. Then practice +began in earnest, for the college was to play a game against Roxley, +another college, on a Saturday, ten days later. + +"I hope you win, Dick," said Sam, "And it's a pity you didn't get on +the gridiron, Tom," he continued. + +"Oh, I'll get on, sooner or later," answered Tom with a grin. +"Football is no baby play, and somebody is bound to get hurt." + +"You're not wishing that, are you?" asked Songbird. + +"No, indeed! But I know how it goes. Haven't I been hurt myself, more +than once?" + +The football game was to take place at Brill, on the athletic field, +and the college students were privileged to invite a certain number of +their friends. The Rovers promptly invited Dora, Nellie and Grace, and +it was arranged that Sam should see to it that the girls got there. + +"Sam will have as good a time as anybody," said Tom. "He'll have the +three girls all to himself." + +"Well, you can't have everything in this world," replied the youngest +Rover with a grin. "I guess football honors will be enough for you +this time." + +"If we win," put in Dick. "I understand Roxley has a splendid eleven +this season. They won out at Stanwell yesterday, 24 to 10." + +"I hear they are heavier than we are," said Tom. "At least ten pounds +to the man. That is going to count for something." + +At that moment William Philander Tubbs came up. He was attired, as +usual, in the height of fashion, and sported a light gold-headed cane. + +"For gracious sake, look at Tubby!" exclaimed Sam. "Talk about a +fashion plate!" + +"Hello, Billy boy!" called out Tom. "Going to make a social call on +your washerwoman?" + +"No. He's going to town to buy a pint of peanuts," said Sam. + +"I thought he might be going to a funeral-dressed so soberly," added +Dick, and this caused a general laugh, for Tubbs was attired in a +light gray suit, patent leathers with spats, and a cream-colored +necktie, with gloves to match. + +"How do you do?" said William Philander politely, as if he had not +seen the others in the classrooms an hour before. "Pleasant day." + +"Looks a bit stormy to me," answered Dick, as he saw several +sophomores eyeing Tubbs angrily. It was against the rule of Brill for +a freshman to carry a cane. + +"Stormy, did you say?" repeated the dude in dismay. "Why, +I--ah--thought it very fine, don't you know. Perhaps I had better take +an--ah--umbrella instead of this cane. + +"It would be much safer," returned Dick significantly. + +"But I--ah--don't see any clouds," went on William Philander, gazing +up into the sky. + +"They are coming," cried Tom. + +"Stand from under!" called out Sam. + +And then the "clouds" did come, although not the kind the dude +anticipated. Six sophomores came up behind Tubbs, and while two caught +him by the arms a third wrenched the gold-headed cane from his grasp. + +"Hi! hi! Stop that, I say!" cried William Philander in alarm. "Let me +alone! Give me back my cane!" + +"You don't get this cane back, freshie," answered one of the +second-year students. + +"You must give it to me! Why, Miss Margaret DeVoe Marlow gave me that +cane last summer, when we were at Newport. I want--" + +"No more cane for you, freshie!" was the cry. And then, to Tubbs' +untold horror, one of the sophomores placed the cane across his knee +as if to break it in two. + +"Don't you break that cane! Don't you dare to do it!" cried the dude, +and then he commenced to struggle violently, for the cane was very +dear to him, being a birthday gift from one of his warmest lady +friends. In the scuffle which followed William Philander had his +collar and necktie torn from him and his coat was split up the back. + +"Say, this is going too far!" cried Dick, and then he raised his +voice: "Freshmen to the rescue!" + +"This is none of your affair," growled the sophomore who had led the +attack on Tubbs. + +"Don't break that cane!" cried Tom. "If you do somebody will get a +bloody nose!" + +"We'll do as we please!" cried several second-year students. + +Then Tom and Sam rushed for the cane and got hold of it. Two +sophomores held fast on the other side, and a regular tug-of-war +ensued. In the meantime other sophomores were making life miserable +for Tubbs. They took his hat and used it for a football, and threw the +dude on his back and piled on top of him until he thought his ribs +were going to be stove in. + +"What's the row?" The call came from Stanley, and he and Max appeared, +followed by Songbird and several others. + +"Attack on Tubblets!" called Tom. "To the rescue, everybody! Save the +cane!" + +And then a crowd of at least twelve students surrounded the cane, +hauling and twisting it this way and that. It was a determined but +good-natured crowd. The sophomores felt they must break the offending +stick into bits, while the freshmen considered it the part of honor to +save the same bit of wood from destruction. + +At last Sam saw his chance, and with a quick movement he leaped +directly on the shoulders of one of the second-year students. As the +fellow went down he caught hold of two of his chums to save himself. +This loosened the hold on the cane, and in a twinkling Sam, aided by +Stanley, had it in his possession. He leaped down and started on a run +for the dormitory. + +"After him! Get the cane!" + +"Don't let him get away with it!" + +"Nail him, somebody!" + +So the cries rang out. Several sophomores tried to head the youngest +Rover off, but he was too quick for them. He dodged to the right and +the left, and hurled one boy flat. Then he ran around a corner of a +building, mounted the steps to a side door, and disappeared from view. + +"Hurrah for Sam Rover!" + +"Say, that was as good as a run on the football field!" + +"That's the time the sophs got left." + +"Hi! Where's my cane?" howled William Philander, gazing around in +perplexity as soon as the second-year students let go of him. + +"Sam has it," answered Tom. "And it wasn't broken, either," he added +with pride. + +"But--ah--why did he--ah--run away with it?" queried Tubbs innocently. + +"To stop the slaughter of the innocents," answered Dick. "He'll give +it back to you later. But don't try to carry it again," went on Dick +in a low voice. + +"Just look at me!" moaned William Philander as he gazed at the +wreck of his outfit. "Look at this tie--and it cost me a dollar and +seventy-five cents!" + +"Be thankful you weren't killed," answered a sophomore. "Don't you +know better than to carry a cane." + +"I--ah--fancy I'll carry a cane if I wish," answered Tubbs with great +dignity. + +"Not around Brill," answered several. + +"And--ah--why not?" + +"Because you're a freshie, that's why. You can wear the +colors--because of the necktie rush--but you can't carry a cane." + +"Oh--ah--so that's it!" cried William Philander, a light breaking in +on him. "But why didn't you come up politely and tell me so, instead +of rushing at me like a--ah--like mad bulls? It was very rude, don't +you know." + +"Next time we'll send you a scented note by special liveried +messenger," said one of the second-year students in disgust. + +"We'll have it on engraved paper, too," added another. + +"Thank you. That will be--ah--better," replied William Philander +calmly. "But look at my suit," he continued, and gave a groan. "I +can't--ah--make any afternoon calls to-day, and I was going to a pink +tea--" + +"Wow! A pink tea, boys!" yelled one of the boys. "Wouldn't that rattle +your back teeth?" + +"Never mind, Tubby. The cook will give you a cup of coffee instead," +said Tom. + +"I should think you'd feel blue instead of pink," added Spud Jackson. + +"Sew up the coat with a shoestring, and let it go at that," suggested +Max. + +"If you want to paste that collar fast again I've got a bottle of +glue," said Songbird. + +"Now--ah--don't you poke fun at me!" stormed William Philander. +"Haven't I suffered enough already?" + +"Why, we're not poking fun; we're weeping," said Tom, and pretended to +wipe his eyes with his handkerchief. + +"I am so sorry I could eat real doughnuts," said Dick. + +"Maybe you want to send a substitute to that pink tea," came from +Stanley. "You might call on Professor Sharp." + +"Or Pinkey, the watchman," said Max. "He'll do it for a quarter, +maybe." + +"I--ah--don't want any substitute," growled William Philander. +"I--ah--think you are--ah--very rude, all of you. I am going back to +my room, that is what I am going to do." + +At this Tom began to sing softly: + + "Don't be angry, William, darling! + Wipe the raindrops from your eyes. + All your sorrows will be passing + When you're eating Christmas pies!" + +"You stop that--you mean thing!" burst out the dude, and then turning, +he almost ran for the dormitory, the laughter of the students ringing +out loudly after him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A MISUNDERSTANDING + + +"Here's a letter from father--quite an important one, too," said Dick +as he joined his brothers in one of the rooms several days later. + +"What about?" questioned Sam, while Tom looked up from a book with +interest. + +"It's about Tad Sobber and that fortune from Treasure Isle," answered +Dick. + +"What! Has that rascal showed up again?" exclaimed Tom. + +"He has; and according to what father says, he is going to make all +the trouble possible for the Stanhopes and the Lanings," + +"That's too bad," said Sam. + +"I'll read the letter," went on Dick, and proceeded to do so. In part +the communication ran as follows: + +"You wrote that you knew about Sobber's call upon Mrs. Stanhope. Well, +after the girls left for Hope Seminary, Sobber and a lawyer named +Martin Snodd called upon Mr. Laning and then upon me. Sobber was very +bitter, and he wanted to know all about what had been done with the +treasure. He claims that he and his uncle, who is dead, were robbed of +the boxes. Evidently Sobber and the lawyer had talked the matter over +carefully, for the latter intimated that Sobber might settle the case +if the Stanhopes and the Lanings would give him seventy-five per cent. +of the fortune. Mr. Laning did not wish to go to law, and told Sobber +he might be willing to settle for a small amount, say two or three +thousand dollars. But Sobber wouldn't listen to this, and went off +declaring he would have it all. + +"'Since that time Martin Snodd has been busy, and he has obtained a +temporary injunction against the Stanhopes and the Lanings, so that +they cannot touch a dollar of the money, which, as you know, is now +in several banks. The matter will now have to await the result of the +case, which will probably be tried in court some months from now. + +"'I have learned that Sobber has little or no money, and that Martin +Snodd has taken the case on speculation, Sobber to allow him half of +whatever he gets out of it. Snodd's reputation is anything but good, +so I am afraid he will have a lot of evidence manufactured to order. +I have recommended a firm of first-class lawyers to Mrs. Stanhope and +the Lanings, and they will, of course, fight the matter to the bitter +end." + +"This is too bad!" cried Sam after Dick had finished. "So the fortune +is tied up so they can't spend a cent of what's left?" + +"They can't touch a cent until the courts decide who the fortune +really belongs to," answered Dick, "and if Sobber should win, the +Stanhopes and the Lanings will have to pay back that which they have +already used." + +"Oh, how can Sobber win?" cried Tom. "Father said the Stanhope and +Laning claims were perfectly legal." + +"True, Tom; but you can never tell how a case is going to turn out +in court. If this Martin Snodd is a shyster he may have all sorts of +evidence cooked up against our friends. Sobber would most likely +swear to anything, and so would some of the sailors saved from the +_Josephine_. And then there are some of Sid Merrick's other relatives, +who would try to benefit by the case. They'd probably testify in favor +of Sobber, for they wouldn't expect anything from Mrs. Stanhope or the +Lanings." + +"But the records of Mr. Stanhope's business deals ought, to be clear," +said Sam. + +"They are not as clear as one would wish, so father told me," answered +Dick. He gave a long sigh. "Too bad! And just when we thought the +Stanhopes and the Lanings could sit down and enjoy all that fortune." + +"I wonder if the girls know of this yet?" mused Tom. + +"Most likely they have had word from home," answered Dick. + +"It will make them feel pretty sore," said Sam. + +"Yes, it would make anybody feel sore," answered the oldest Rover. +"We'll have to drive over and see, the first chance we get." + +When they met the girls the boys learned that they knew all about the +affair. All were worried, and showed it. + +"This will upset mamma very much," said Dora. "I am afraid it will put +her in bed." + +"It's too bad, but it can't be helped," said Dick. + +"Dick, do you think we ought to buy Sobber off?" + +"No. He doesn't deserve a cent of that money." + +"Papa says the case will not come up for a long time, the courts are +so crowded with cases," remarked Nellie. "He is about as worried as +anybody, for he has already spent several thousand dollars, and if we +lose he won't know how to pay it back," + +"We'll lend him the cash," said Tom promptly, and for this Nellie gave +him a grateful look. + +The boys did their best to cheer up the girls, but their efforts were +not entirely successful. All felt that the coming legal contest would +be a bitter one, and that Tad Sobber and the shyster lawyer who was +aiding him would do all in their power to get possession of the +fortune found on Treasure Isle. + +The girls were coming to the football game with Sam, and all said they +trusted Brill would win the contest. + +"We are all going to carry Brill flags," said Grace, "and I am going +to root--isn't that what you call it?--as hard as I can." + +"Then we'll be sure to win!" cried Dick. + +Yet the oldest Rover was by no means confident. The Brill eleven had +heard that their opponents were in the pink of condition. They had +played three games already, and won all of them. Brill had played +against the scrub only, which was hardly a test of what it could do. + +The day for the contest dawned clear and bright, and early in the +afternoon the visitors from Roxley, Hope, and other institutions of +learning, as well as from Ashton and other towns, commenced to pour +in. They came on foot, in carriages and automobiles, and on bicycles, +and soon the grandstand and the bleachers were filled to overflowing. +Flags and college colors were in evidence everywhere, and so were +horns and rattles. + +While Dick was waiting to catch sight of the carriage containing Sam +and the girls from Hope he saw another turnout approaching. In it were +Mr. Sanderson and his daughter Minnie. + +"Why, how do you do, Mr. Rover!" cried the girl pleasantly. + +"Very well," answered Dick politely, raising his cap. "And how are +you?" + +"Oh, fine! I made papa drive me over to see the game. It's going to be +something grand, so I've heard," went on Minnie, and then she added: +"Thought you and your brothers were coming to see us?" + +"We--er--we haven't had much time," stammered Dick. He did not care to +add that when he went to see a young lady it was always Dora Stanhope, +and that Tom and Sam called only on Nellie and Grace Laning. + +"I've been expecting you," said the girl with a pretty pout. + +"Have Dudd Flockley and Jerry Koswell been there since?" + +"Yes, both of them came once, and Flockley came after that, but I +refused to see them. Mr. Flockley wished to bring me to see this game, +but I sent word that I was going with papa." + +"He ought to know enough to stay away by this time," said Dick. He +could think of no other remark to make. + +"Can I get a seat anywhere?" asked Minnie, looking anxiously over in +the direction of the grandstand. + +"I think so. Wait, I'll look." + +"Hold on," put in Mr. Sanderson. "Just you take Minnie along, Mr. +Rover. I'll go and take care of the hoss. I can stand anywhere and +look on." + +Minnie prepared to spring to the ground, and there was nothing to do +but for Dick to assist her. He wondered if Sam was coming with Dora +and the others, but did not see them. Then he led the way through the +crowd to where some seats were reserved. + +"I think you'll be able to see nicely from here," he said. + +"Oh, I know I shall." She smiled broadly at him. "You are very kind. I +don't know what I should have done if I had been alone--there is such +a jam. Oh, I do hope you win!" And Minnie beamed on Dick in a manner +that made him blush, for he saw that several were watching them. + +"I must go now. It is getting late," said Dick after a little more +talk. He turned, to see Sam, Dora and the Laning girls only a few +seats away. Dora was looking fully at Minnie Sanderson with wide open +eyes and a flush mounting to her cheeks. + +"Oh, so you've arrived!" cried Dick cheerily, but his voice had a +catch in it. Somehow he felt guilty, he could not tell why. + +"Yes, here we are," answered Nellie. + +"And what a crowd!" added Grace. Dora said not a word. She had stopped +looking at Minnie and her eyes were directed to nothing at all on the +football field. + +"Well, Dora, are you going to wish me success?" asked Dick, bound to +say something. + +"Oh, I guess all your lady friends will wish you that," was the answer +in a voice that did not seem like Dora's at all. + +"Why, what's the matter?" he asked in a low voice meant only for her +ears. + +"Nothing." + +"But there is, Dora." + +"You had better go down to the field now. I see the other players are +getting ready." + +"But if you are angry at me--" + +"Oh, I am not angry, so please leave me alone!" And now Dora turned +still further away, while something like tears began to spring into +her eyes. + +Dick drew back, for her tone of voice nettled him. He felt he had done +nothing wrong. He did not see that look in her eyes, or he would have +understood how much she was hurt. He turned, nodded pleasantly to +Nellie and Grace, and hurried from the grandstand. + +"Where have you been?" asked Tom when he appeared in the +dressing-room. + +"Up on the stand, talking to the girls," was Dick's short answer. + +"Anything wrong? You look out of sorts." + +"No, nothing is wrong," answered the oldest Rover. But he felt that +there was something my much wrong, yet he could not tell Tom. + +"I didn't do anything out of the way, I'm sure I didn't," Dick +murmured to himself as he prepared to go out on the gridiron. "Any +gentleman would have found a seat for Miss Sanderson. I suppose Dora +saw me talking to her, and now she imagines all sorts of things. It +isn't fair. Well, I don't care." And Dick whistled to himself, just to +keep up his courage. He did care a great deal. + +At last he was ready, and he followed Tom out on the field. The Roxley +team had just come out, and their friends were giving them a royal +welcome. + +"Roxley! Roxley!" they shouted. "They are the boys to win!" + +"It's Brill this time!" was the answering rally, and then horns and +rattles added to the din, while banners were waved gaily in the +bracing autumn air. + +Dick looked toward the grandstand, trying to single out Dora. Instead, +his eyes met those of Minnie Sanderson, and she waved both her banner +and her handkerchief. He answered the salute, and then turned to look +where Dora and the Lanings were sitting. Nellie and Grace, as well as +Sam, cheered him, but Dora took no notice. But she waved her flag at +Tom. + +This last action made Dick's heart sink, figuratively speaking, to his +shoes. How could a fellow hope to play and win with his girl cutting +him like that? But then of a sudden he shut his teeth hard. + +"I'll win even if she doesn't care," he told himself. "I'll not do it +for her, or myself--I'll do it for the honor of Brill!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE GREAT FOOTBALL GAME + + +It is not my intention to give all the particulars of that game of +football between Brill and Roxley, for the reason that I have many +other things to tell about. Yet I feel that I must tell something of +that great second half, which nobody who saw it will ever forget. + +In the first half Roxley had the kick-off, and they played such a +fierce whirlwind game that before the leather had been on the gridiron +eight minutes they scored a touchdown. Then they made another +touchdown, and just before the whistle blew for the end of the first +half one of their players kicked a goal from the field. + +And Brill scored nothing. + +More than this, the playing was so rough that two of the Brill eleven +and one from Roxley had to retire from the field. + +Of course the visitors went wild with joy, and shouted themselves +hoarse. They waved their colors, swung their rattles, and tooted +their horns for fully five minutes, while the silence among the +Brill contingent was so thick it could be "cut with a knife," as Sam +afterward expressed it. + +"It's all over," murmured Stanley with a glum look on his face. "Their +eleven this year are too heavy for us." + +"We can't meet them in mass play, that's certain," was Dick's comment. +"If we are going to gain anything at all it must be by open work." + +"Tom Rover can take Felton's place," came the order from the head of +the team, and Tom at once threw off the blanket he had been using and +got into practice with another new man and some others. + +Dick felt sore, physically and mentally. He had been roughly used by +two of the Roxley players, and had made a fumble at a critical moment. +And all during that heartrending first half Dora had not noticed him +at all! + +The coach did some plain talking to the players while in the +dressing-room, and told them of where he thought Roxley might be +weak--at the left end. + +"Don't mass unless you absolutely have to," were his words of caution. +"They have the weight, but I don't think they have the wind. Keep them +on the jump. I think that is your only chance." + +When the whistle blew for the second half the Brill eleven came out on +the gridiron with a "do or die" look on their faces. + +"Now pile it into 'em!" cried the coach. "Don't give 'em time to think +about it!" + +Whether it was this caution, or the very desperateness of the case, +it would be hard to say, but true it is that Brill went at their +opponents "hammer and tongs" from the very start. They avoided all +wedge work and confined themselves as much as possible to open +playing. More than this, they used a little trick Dick had once played +when on the eleven at Putnam Hall. The ball was passed from right to +left, then to center, and then to left again, and then carried around +the end for a gain of twenty-five yards. Then it was picked up again, +turned back and to the left once more, and forced around the end for +twenty yards more. + +"That's the way to do it!" yelled several of the Brill supporters. + +"Over with it, while you've got the chance!" + +The ball was forced back by sheer weight of Roxley, but only for five +yards. Then the Brill quarter-back got it, sent it over to Toms and in +a twinkling Tom "nursed" it to where he wanted it and kicked a goal +from the field. + +"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!" + +"That's the way to do it!" + +"Now, then, for another!" + +"By the great Julius Caesar!" cried Sam. "Isn't that fine?" + +"Oh, it was grand!" exclaimed Nellie, and she waved her banner +directly at Tom, and he waved his hand in return. Just then Nellie +felt as if she could go and hug him. + +"It certainly was fine," said Grace, "but it's only one goal, and they +have such a big score," she pouted. + +"Never mind. We won't be whitewashed, anyway." + +"It's a pity they didn't have Tom in the first half," said Dora. +Although her heart was strangely sore, she nevertheless felt proud of +what Tom had accomplished. + +Again the two elevens went at it, and now Roxley tried again to force +the center by a rush. But to their surprise Brill shifted to the +left--that one weak spot--and got the ball on a fumble by the Roxley +half-back. There was more quick action by four of the Brill players, +and when the scrimmage came to an end the leather was found just three +yards from the Roxley goal line. + +And then came that awful struggle, where muscle met muscle in a strain +that was truly terrific. Roxley was heavier, but its wind was going +fast. Brill held at first, then went ahead--an inch--a foot--a yard. + +"Hold 'em! Hold 'em!" was the Roxley cry. But it was not to be. The +yard became two, and then the leather went over with a rush. + +"A touchdown! A touchdown for Brill!" + +"Now make it a goal!" was the cry, and a goal it became, the Brill +quarter-back doing the kicking. + +From that moment on the battle waged with a fury seldom seen on any +gridiron. Brill, from almost certain defeat, commenced to scent a +victory, and went into the play regardless of physical consequences. +Tom had his thumb wrenched and Dick had his ankle skinned, but neither +gave heed to the hurts. Indeed, they never noticed them until the game +was at an end. + +And then came Dick's hour of triumph. How he got the ball from the +burly Roxley right guard nobody could exactly tell afterward but get +the ball he did, and rounded two rival players before they knew what +was up. Then down the field he sped, with his enemies yelling like +demons behind him, and his friends on the benches encouraging him to +go on. He saw nothing and heard nothing until on the grandstand he +perceived a slender girlish form arise, wave a banner, and fairly +scream: + +"Dick! Dick! Run! run! run!" + +"It's Dora," he thought. "Dora sees me! She wants me to win!" + +It was the last bit of inspiration he needed, and as a Roxley +full-back came thundering up to him he threw the fellow headlong. Then +straight as an arrow from a bow he rushed for the goal line, crossed +it, and sank limply down in front of the grandstand. + +"Hurrah for Dick Rover!" + +"Say, wasn't that a dandy run?" + +"Those brothers can certainly play!" + +"It's Brill's game now! Roxley is going to pieces!" + +Amid a great din the leather was taken down into the field and the +goal was kicked. + +"Want to get out of the game?" Dick was asked as he came down, +breathing heavily. + +"No, not unless I'm put out," was the gritty answer. + +"You'll not be put out. That was the finest run ever made on this +field." + +What had been said about Roxley going to pieces was, in part, true. +Several shifts were made in the players, but this did not aid the +eleven. With twelve minutes more to play, Brill kept up its winning +streak, and secured another touchdown and goal and then a safety. When +the whistle finally blew the ball was well in Roxley's territory. + +"Brill wins!" + +"Say, wasn't that a great game? All Roxley the first half and all +Brill the second." + +"Talk about a team pulling itself together! I never saw anything like +what Brill did in the second half." + +"Nor I." + +"Those two Rover boys are winders." + +So the talk ran on. Of course, Roxley was keenly disappointed, but it +tried not to show it, and sang songs and cheered its opponents. And +Brill cheered the enemy, as is the custom. + +Tom and Dick were surrounded by a host of friends, and had to shake +hands over and over again, and had to have their hurts washed and +bound up. Both wanted to get to where Sam and the girls had been left, +but this was impossible for quite a while, and then, much to their +surprise, they found their brother and the others had gone, and Minnie +Sanderson had departed also. + +"Wonder where they went to?" questioned Tom. "I told Sam we'd be along +as soon as possible." + +To this Dick did not answer. He was thinking deeply. Was Dora still +angry, in spite of how she had cheered him? + +"There they are!" cried Tom a few minutes later, as he and Dick walked +toward the river. He had seen Nellie and Grace on a bench in the sun, +surrounded by a number of other visitors. He hurried up to them, +his brother following more slowly. "Where are Dora and Sam?" he +questioned, looking around. + +"Dora asked to go back to the seminary," answered Nellie, and looked +sharply at Dick. + +"To the seminary?" repeated Tom in wonder. "Why, how's that?" + +"She said she had a--headache." + +"Is that so? That's too bad! Why didn't she wait for Dick to take her +over?" + +"I--I don't know, Tom." Nellie lowered her voice, so Dick might not +hear. "Something is wrong between them. I don't know what it is." + +"Wrong? Why, how can that be? I didn't hear of anything," Tom now +spoke in a whisper. + +"Well, I am sure something is wrong. They acted queer when Dick came +to the grandstand before the game commenced. Dora's heart was not in +the game at all. She was ready to go before it was over." + +"By the way, Tom, who was that other girl?" asked Grace pointedly. + +"What other girl?" + +"The girl Dick was talking to here on the grandstand." + +"Oh, that was the farmer's daughter we helped when we first came to +Ashton. Her name is Minnie Sanderson. We told you about her." + +"She seems to think a good deal of Dick," was Nellie's comment. + +"Why, you don't mean--" Tom looked around, expecting to see Dick close +by. "Hello! Where did he go?" he cried. + +"Dick is walking back to the college," said Grace. + +"Hi, Dick!" called out Tom to his brother. "Where are you going?" + +"Up to my room," answered Dick. + +"Yes, but see here--" + +"Can't see now. I'll see you later," answered Dick. He waved his cap +and bowed. "Good-by, Nellie! Good-by, Grace!" And then he turned on +his heel and continued on his way to the dormitory building. + +"Well, if this doesn't beat the Chinese!" murmured Tom. + +"He must be very angry over something," murmured Nellie. + +"I think he might have come and shook hands when he said good-by," +said Grace with a pout. + +"I think so myself," answered Tom. "Say, do you think it's that girl?" +he went on, in his usual blunt fashion. + +"It must be," answered Nellie, who was equally frank on all occasions. +"I don't know what else it could be." + +"But Dick hasn't done anything. I am sure of it. Why, I don't think he +has seen her since we stopped at her home that time." + +"Well, he seemed very attentive to her here in the stand," said Grace, +"and if you'll remember, he didn't meet us when we arrived. I am sure +Dora looked for him." + +Tom gave a long sigh and shrugged his shoulders. + +"This takes the edge off the victory," he murmured. "I thought the six +of us would have a jolly time for the rest of the day." + +"It certainly is too bad," answered Nellie. "But I don't think Dora is +to blame." + +"Oh, of course a girl will stick up for another girl," retorted Tom, +bound to say something in his brother's defense. + +"Tom Rover!" cried Nellie, and then she showed that she was +displeased. + +It was quite a while before Sam came back from seeing Dora to the +seminary. He, too, thought Dora was more to blame than Dick, and this +did not altogether please Grace. As a consequence there was a coldness +all around, and the rest of the afternoon dragged most woefully. Dick +did not return, and at last Sam and Tom saw the Laning girls back to +their school. + +"A pretty mess of fish!" muttered Sam on returning to Brill. + +"Yes; and where is it going to end?" asked Tom dolefully. It was the +first time there had been such cold feelings all around. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +MORE COMPLICATIONS + + +The football eleven celebrated the victory that evening by bonfires +and by something of a feast. Of course Tom and Dick were present, as +were also Sam and a host of others, but it must be confessed that the +Rovers did not enjoy themselves. + +"See here, Dick," said Tom after the festivities were over, "what is +this trouble between you and Dora?" + +"Don't ask me, ask her," returned Dick shortly. "She knows more about +it than I do." + +"She won't say a word," came from Sam "She said she didn't feel well, +that's all; and I know that wasn't true altogether." + +"Was it that Minnie Sanderson?" went on Tom. + +"If it was, it wasn't my fault," answered Dick. + +"But what did you do?" insisted Tom. He was bound to get at the bottom +of the affair. + +Thereupon Dick was compelled to relate all that had happened, which, +in truth, was not much. + +"And is that all?" asked Sam. + +"Yes." + +"I don't see why she should be put out over that," said Tom slowly. +"But then girls are queer. The more you know them the less you +understand them." + +"Grace and Nellie take Dora's part," said Sam with a deep sigh. "It +has put us all somewhat on the outs." + +"I am sorry to hear that," answered Dick, and his tone of voice showed +that he was sincere. "But I don't know what I can do," he added +helplessly. "I don't want to be on the outs with anybody, but if Dora +is bound to turn the cold shoulder to me--" He did not finish. + +Following the game with Roxley, Brill played two other games with a +college from Delton and another from Speer. The game with the latter +college resulted in a tie, but Delton was beaten by Brill by a score +of 16 to 10. Tom and Dick played in both games, and won considerable +credit for their work. + +During these days the boys did not see the girls, nor did they hear +from them. Thanksgiving was passed at Brill, only a few of the +students going home. Among the number to leave were Dudd Flockley and +Jerry Koswell, and they did not return until a week later. + +The dude and his crony, as well as Larkspur, were still down upon the +Rovers, but for the present they kept quiet, the reason being that +they were behind in their lessons and had to work hard to make up. But +all were watching their chances to do the Rover boys some injury on +the quiet. + +Dick, Tom and Sam got along well in their studies. The only trouble +they had in the classroom was with Professor Sharp, who made them "toe +the mark" upon every occasion. But they took good care to obey the +rules, so the irascible teacher got no chance to lecture or punish +them. + +The boys got a number of letters from home, and these brought news +that the law case Tad Sobber had instituted against the Stanhopes and +the Lanings was being pushed vigorously. Mr. Rover wrote that he felt +certain the shyster lawyer Sobber had on the case was going to present +a great mass of "evidence," no doubt manufactured for the occasion. + +"It's a shame!" cried Tom after hearing this. "Such a lawyer ought to +be in prison!" + +"The thing of it is to prove he is doing something wrong," answered +Dick. "It is one thing to know the truth and quite another to prove it +in court." + +"If the case should be lost the Lanings will be poorer than ever," +said Sam. + +"That is true, Sam. I wish we could do something, but I am afraid we +can't." + +Fate seemed bound to make matters worse for the Rover boys. On a +clear, cold Saturday afternoon in December the three brothers and +Songbird went out to look for nuts in the woods near Ashton. They had +heard that the seminary girls occasionally visited the woods for that +purpose, and each was secretly hoping to run across Dora and the +Lanings. + +It did not take the boys long to reach the woods, and they soon found +a spot where hickory nuts were plentiful. They had brought some bags +along, and were soon hard at work gathering the nuts. + +While thus occupied they heard a number of girls coming along. At +first they fancied the newcomers might be from the seminary, but soon +saw that they were natives of the place. They were five in number, and +among them was Minnie Sanderson. + +"Why, how do you do?" said Minnie, coming up with a smile on her face. +"How strange to meet out here!" And then she shook hands with each +of the Rovers, and speedily introduced her friends, and the Rovers +introduced Songbird. + +Minnie was neatly attired in a brown dress, with a brown hat to match, +and while she did not look anyway "stunning," she made an attractive +appearance. Her friends, too, were pretty, and well dressed, and all +were very jolly. + +"It's a nice bunch, all right," murmured Tom to Sam. "I like their +open-hearted way of talking." + +"So do I," answered the youngest Rover. + +The girls joined the boys in gathering nuts, and so spent an enjoyable +hour roaming through the woods. Often the Rovers and Songbird would +knock down the nuts with sticks and stones and leave the girls to +gather what they wanted. + +"We like to have a large quantity of nuts on hand for the winter," +said Minnie to Dick. "Then, when there is a deep snow on the ground we +can sit before the blazing fire and crack nuts and eat them. You must +come over some time this winter and help," she added. + +"Perhaps I will," murmured Dick. He had to admit to himself that +Minnie was very cordial and that she was by no means bad looking. He +did not wonder why Flockley and Koswell were so anxious to call upon +her. + +Roaming through the woods caused Songbird to become poetic, and while +they rested in the sunshine, and picked some of the nuts that Tom and +Sam had cracked, he recited some verses composed on the spur of the +moment: + + "Hark to the silence all around! + The well-trained ear doth hear no sound. + The birds are silent in their nest, + All tired Nature is at rest. + The brook in silence finds its way + From shadows deep to perfect day. + The wind is dead, there is no breeze--" + + "To make a fellow cough and sneeze!" + +murmured Tom, and gave a loud ker-chew! that set all the girls to +laughing. + +"That isn't right!" declared Songbird half angrily. "There is no +sneeze in this poem," + +"Oh, excuse me. I only thought I'd help you out," answered Tom +soberly. And then the would-be poet continued: + + "The wind is dead, there is no breeze + To stir the bushes or the trees. + Full well I know, as here I stand, + That Solitude commands the land!" + +"Good! Fine! Immense! Great!" cried Sam enthusiastically. "Hurrah for +Solitude!" + +"Why, Mr. Powell, you are a real poet," said one of the girls gravely. +And this pleased Songbird greatly. + +"You'll have to write in my autograph album," said another, and the +would-be poet readily consented. Later he inscribed a poem in the book +three pages long. + +At last it came time to leave the woods, and the boys walked with +the girls toward the road. As they did this they heard the sound of +wheels. + +"Must be a carriage coming," said Dick, and stepped into the roadway +to see, followed by the others in the party. A few seconds later a +turnout rumbled into sight. It was the Hope Seminary carryall, and it +contained half a dozen girls, including Dora, Nellie and Grace. + +"Hello! Look there!" cried Tom, and raised his cap, and the other boys +did the same. Dora and her cousins looked at the crowd, and their +faces flushed. They bowed rather stiffly, and then the carryall bowled +on its way. + +"Why, those are your friends!" cried Minnie, turning to the Rovers. +"Don't you want to speak to them?" + +"It's too late now," answered Dick. He had a curious sinking sensation +in his heart that he could not explain. He looked at his brothers, and +saw that they, too, were out of sorts. + +The passing of the carryall put a damper on matters, and the girls +felt it. They talked with the Rovers and Songbird a few minutes longer +and then turned in one direction while the Brill students turned in +another. + +"Fine lot of girls," was Songbird's comment. "Very nice, indeed. And +they know how to appreciate poetry, too," he added with satisfaction. + +"Oh, yes, they are all right," answered Dick carelessly. Somehow, he +was now sorry he had gone to the woods after nuts. + +"I am going to call on all of them some time," went on Songbird. "That +Minnie Sanderson told me she plays the piano, and sings. I am going to +get her to sing a new song I am writing. It goes like this--" + +"Excuse me, Songbird; not now," said Dick. "I want to do an extra +lesson." And he hurried off, while Sam and Tom did the same. + +Two hours later Dick ran into William Philander Tubbs, who had been +down to town in company with Stanley. + +"Had a lovely time, don't you know," drawled William Philander. "While +Stanley posted some letters and addressed some picture postals I did +up the shops. And what do you think? I found a beautiful new maroon +necktie, and it was only a dollar--same kind they would charge one +seventy-five for in the big cities. And I saw a new style of collar, +and some patent-leather pumps that have bows with loose ends, and--" + +"Some other time, Billy," interrupted Dick. "I'm in a hurry now." + +"Oh, I'm sorry. But, Dick, one other thing. I met Miss Stanhope and +her cousins." + +"You did?" And now Dick was willing to listen. "Where?" + +"At one of the stores. They were doing some buying, in company with +those chaps you don't like." + +"The chaps I don't like! You don't mean--" + +Dick paused in wonder. + +"I mean that Flockley chap and his chums, Koswell and Larkspur." + +"Were Miss Stanhope and the Misses Laning with those fellows?" +demanded the elder Rover. + +"They seemed to be. They were buying fruit and candy, and I think +Flockley treated to hot chocolate. The girls seemed glad enough to +see me, but I--ah--didn't want to--ah--break in, you know, so I came +away." + +"Where did they go after having the chocolate and candy?" + +"I don't know. I didn't see them after that." And there the talk came +to an end, for several other students appeared. Dick walked off in a +thoughtful mood. + +"Deeper and deeper!" he told himself, with something like a groan. +Then he hunted up Sam and Tom. + +"Going with Flockley and that crowd!" cried Tom. "Not much! I won't +have it!" And he commenced to pace the floor. + +"What are you going to do about it?" asked Sam. + +"Call on the girls and talk it over--and you and Dick are going with +me." + +"I'll not go," declared Dick. + +"Neither will I," added Sam. + +"Yes, you shall--and to-night," said Tom firmly. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +DAYS OF WAITING + + +Eight o'clock that evening saw the three Rovers on their way to Hope +Seminary. Tom was the leader, and it had taken a good half hour's +arguing on his part to get Dick and Sam to accompany him. + +"You'll make a fool of yourself, and make fools of us, too," was the +way Sam expressed himself. + +"Most likely they won't want to see us," was Dick's opinion. + +"If they don't want to see us, really and truly, I want to know it," +answered Tom bluntly. "I don't believe in this dodging around the +bush. There is no sense in it." It had angered him to think Nellie had +been seen in the company of Flockley and his cronies, and he was for +"having it out" without delay. + +"Well, you'll have to lead the way," said Dick. "I'm not going to make +a call and have Dora send down word that she can't see me." + +"She won't do that," said Tom. "I know her too well." + +"Well, you call on Nellie first." + +"I'm not afraid," retorted Tom. He was so "worked up" he was willing +to do almost anything. + +The nearer the three students got to the seminary the slower they +walked. Even Tom began to realize that he had undertaken what might +prove a very delicate mission. + +"I think it would have been better to have sent a letter," suggested +Sam. "Let's go back and write it before we go to bed." + +"And put down something in black and white that you'd be sorry for +afterward," grumbled Dick. + +At the entrance to the seminary grounds they halted again, but then +Tom caught each brother by the arm and marched them up to the front +door and rang the bell. + +A maid answered their summons and led them to a reception-room. A +minute later one of the teachers appeared. + +"Why, I thought you young gentlemen knew the young ladies had gone +away," said the teacher after they had mentioned the object of their +visit. "They said they were going to send you a note." + +"Gone away!" echoed Dick. + +"Yes. The three left for home on the late afternoon train. Mrs. +Stanhope and Mrs. Laning said it was a matter of business. Then you +didn't get their note?" + +"We did not," answered Tom. + +"That is too bad. I am sure they spoke of sending it. Wait, I will ask +Parks, our messenger, about it." + +The teacher left the room, and the Rover boys looked speculatively at +each other. + +"They must have been getting ready to leave when Tubbs saw them," said +Dick. + +"And we never knew they were going," added Sam bitterly. + +"The matter of business must refer to that Sobber case," said Tom. "I +don't know what else could take them home." + +"Maybe they have lost the case and must give the treasure up," said +Sam. "In that case, Mr. Laning would have to take the girls away from +such an expensive place as this." + +In a few minutes the lady teacher came back. + +"Parks says he took three notes, addressed to Richard, Thomas and +Samuel Rover. He says he went over to Brill this morning with them and +gave them to a man named Filbury." + +"Filbury, eh?" said Dick, naming an old man who worked around the +dormitories. "Well, we didn't get them, and I am very sorry." + +"So am I, Mr. Rover," said the teacher. + +"Do you know how long the young ladies will be gone?" + +"They could not tell. They said they would send letters after they +arrived home." + +This was all the seminary teacher could tell, and a minute later the +Rovers said good night and left. All hurried from the grounds in deep +thought. + +"We must find Filbury and see what he did with those letters," said +Tom, and his brothers agreed with him. + +When they reached Brill they located the man they were after fixing a +light in one of the halls. + +"Where are those letters you got for us this morning, Filbury?" asked +Dick sternly. + +"Letters?" asked the old man, who was rather absent minded. "I don't +remember no letters, Mr. Rover." + +"I mean the three letters which Parks of Hope Seminary gave you for me +and my brothers." + +"Oh, them. I remember now. Let me see. Yes, I got them, and one for +Mr. Flockley, too. I gave him all the letters. He said he'd hand 'em +to you." And apparently satisfied, Filbury resumed his work on the +light. + +"When was this?" demanded Sam. + +"About eleven o'clock. I hope it's all right. I would have delivered +the letters myself, only I had a lot of work to do." + +"It is not all right, and we are going to look into the matter at +once," said Dick; and hurried off with Tom and Sam at his heels. +They went straight to the room occupied by Flockley and Koswell, and +knocked on the door. There was a stir within, a few whispered words, +and then the door was opened. + +"What do you want?" asked Jerry Koswell. Flockley was sitting by the +table, reading. + +"Flockley, what did you do with those letters you got from Filbury for +us?" demanded Dick, striding into the room. + +"Letters?" asked the dude carelessly. "Oh, I put them on the table in +Tom and Sam's room." + +"When?" + +"This morning." + +"They weren't there after dinner," said Sam. + +"Nor after supper, either," added Tom. + +"Look here, do you accuse me of stealing your letters?" demanded +Flockley, rising as if in anger. + +"No; but we want to know where they are," answered Tom. + +"I told you what I did with them. I wouldn't have touched the letters, +only Filbury asked me to do the favor. If they are not on the table +maybe the wind swept them to the floor. Did you look?" + +"No." + +"Then you had better." + +"You might have spoken about them, Flockley," said Dick coldly. "Any +other student would have done so." + +"Or you could have handed us the letters at lunch," added Sam. + +"I am not your hired man!" cried Dudd Flockley. "Next time I'll not +touch the letters at all!" And then he dropped back into his chair and +pretended to read again. + +"If we don't find the letters you'll hear from us again," said Dick. +And then he and his brothers retired. + +They entered the room occupied by Sam and Tom and lit up. The notes +were not on the table. + +"Here they are!" cried Sam, and picked them up from the floor, under +the edge of Tom's bed. They looked rather mussed up, and all of the +Rovers wondered if Flockley had opened and read them. + +"I don't think he'd be any too good to do it," muttered Tom as he +opened the note addressed to himself. + +It was from Nellie, and rather cool in tone. It said all were +called home on account of the case at court, but did not give any +particulars. At the bottom was mentioned the time of departure from +Hope and also from Ashton. The notes from Dora and Grace contained +about the same information, and Grace added that she wanted Sam to +write to her. + +"If we had had these letters this afternoon we might have gone to Hope +instead of nutting," said Tom bitterly. + +"They must have expected to see us, either there or at the depot," +said Sam. "Otherwise they wouldn't have been so particular about +mentioning the time of departure from both places." + +"Yes, I guess they expected to see us, or hear from us," said Dick, +and breathed a deep sigh. + +"Well, they did see us--when we were with Miss Sanderson and her +friends." + +"What must they have thought--if they imagined we had received the +letters?" groaned Tom. + +"They thought we cut 'em dead," replied Sam. "Isn't this the worst +ever? And all on Flockley's account! I'd like to punch his nose!" + +"I'd like to be sure of one thing," said Dick, a hard tone stealing +into his voice. "Did Flockley just happen to be in Ashton when the +girls got there, or did he open and read these letters and then go on +purpose, with Koswell and Larkspur?" + +"Say, that's something to think about!" cried Tom. "If he opened the +letters I'd like to make him confess." + +"Well, one thing is certain," said Dick after the matter had been +talked over for a while, "we missed a splendid chance to talk matters +over with the girls. It is too bad!" And his face showed his concern. + +"And you didn't even want to go to Hope with me," commented Tom, with +a humor he could not repress. + +"Wish we had gone yesterday," answered Sam bluntly. He could read +"between the lines" of the note he had received, and knew that Grace +wanted to see him just as much as he wanted to see her. + +Sam said he was going to write a letter that night, and finally Tom +and Dick agreed to do the same. + +"But I shan't write much," said Dick. "I am not going to put my foot +in it." Nevertheless he wrote a letter of four pages, and then added +a postscript of two pages more. And the communications Sam and Tom +penned were equally long. + +"We'll not trust 'em to the college mail," said Tom. "We can take 'em +to the post-office when we go to church to-morrow," And this was done. + +After the letters were posted the brothers waited anxiously for +replies, and in the meantime buckled down once more to their studies. +It was now well along in December, and one morning they awoke to find +the ground covered with snow. + +"Snowballing to-day!" said Tom with a touch of cheerfulness, and he +was right. That day, after class hours, the students snowballed each +other with a will. The freshmen and the sophomores had a regular +pitched battle, which lasted the best part of an hour. All of the +Rovers took part in the contest, and it served to make them more +cheerful than they had been for some time. + +"What's the good of moping?" said Tom. "We are bound to hear from the +girls sooner or later." Yet, as day after day went by, and no letters +came, he felt as downcast as did his brothers. + +The boys were to go home for the Christmas holidays, and under +ordinary circumstances they would have felt gay over the prospect. But +now it was different. + +"Going to send Dora a Christmas present?" asked Tom of Dick, a few +days before the close of the term. + +"I don't know. Are you going to send anything to Nellie?" + +"Yes, if you send something to Dora." + +"Sam says he is going to send Grace a writing outfit and a book of +postage stamps," went on Dick. + +"That's what they all need," growled Tom. "It's a shame! They might at +least have acknowledged our letters." + +The boys did not know what to do. Supposing they sent presents to the +girls, and got them back? They held a meeting in Dick's room and asked +Songbird's advice. + +"Send them the nicest things you can buy," said the would-be poet. "I +am going to send a young lady a gift--a beautiful autograph album, +with a new poem of mine, sixteen verses in length. It's on 'The Clasp +of a Friendly Hand.' I got the inspiration once when I--er--But never +mind that. It's a dandy poem." + +"Who is the album to go to?" asked Tom indifferently. + +"Why--er--Minnie Sanderson," answered Songbird innocently. "You see, +we have gotten to be very good friends lately." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS + + +The next day the Rover boys went down to Ashton to see what they could +find in the stores. Dick said he wanted to get something nice for his +Aunt Martha, Tom wanted something for his father, and Sam said he +thought Uncle Randolph was deserving of a gift that was worth while. + +Yet when they got into the largest store of which the town boasted +all seemed to gravitate naturally to where the pretty things for the +ladies were displayed. + +"There's a dandy fan," murmured Tom. "Nellie likes fans very much." + +"So does Grace," returned Sam. "Say, what are you going to do?" + +"What are you going to do, Sam?" + +"I'm going to get one of those fans and send it, along with a box of +bonbons and chocolates," answered the youngest Rover boldly. "And I'm +going to send Mrs. Laning a pair of kid gloves," he added. + +"Then I'll send a fan, too," answered Tom, "and I'll send Mrs. Laning +a workbox. I know she'd like one." + +In the meantime Dick was looking at some fancy belt buckles and +hatpins. He knew Dora liked such things. + +"I'll just take Songbird's advice and get the best I can and send +them," he told himself. And he picked out the best buckle he could +find, and likewise a handsome hatpin, and had them put into a fancy +box, along with a fancy Christmas card, on which he wrote his name. +Then he purchased a five-pound box of candy at the confectioner's +shop, and Tom and Sam did the same. + +This was the start, and now that the ice was broken, and the first +plunge taken, the boys walked around from one store to another, +picking up various articles, not alone for the folks at home, but also +for their various friends. And they added a number of other things for +the girls, too. + +"It's no worse to send four things than two," was the way Tom +expressed himself. + +"Right you are," answered Dick. Now that they had decided to send the +things they all felt better for it. + +On the day school closed there was another fall of snow, and the boys +were afraid they would be snowbound. But the train came in, although +rather late, and all piled on board. + +At Oak Run, their railroad station, they found Jack Ness, the Rover's +hired man, awaiting them with the big sleigh. Into this they tumbled, +stowing their dress-suit cases in the rear, and then, with a crack +of the whip, they were off over Swift River, and through Dexter's +Corners, on their way to Valley Brook farm. + +"And how are the folks, Jack?" asked Sam as they drove along, the +sleighbells jingling merrily in the frosty air. + +"Fine, Master Sam, fine," was the hired man's answer. + +"And how have you been?" + +"Me? Oh, I've been takin' it easy--since Master Tom quit plaguing me." + +"Why, I never plague anybody," murmured Tom, with a look of injured +innocence on his round face. He reached out and caught some snow from +a nearby bush. "Say, Jack, what is that on the horse's hind foot?" he +went on. + +"Where? I don't see nuthin'," answered the hired man, and leaned over +the dashboard of the turnout to get a better view. As his head went +forward Tom quickly let the snow in his hand fall down the man's neck, +inside his collar. + +"Hi! hi! Wow!" spluttered Jack Ness, straightening up and twisting his +shoulders. "Say, what did you put that snow down my back for?" + +"Just to keep you from sweating too much, Jack," answered Tom with a +grin. + +"At your old tricks again," groaned the hired man. "Now, I reckon the +house will be turned upside down till you go back to college." + +When the boys got in sight of the big farm house they set up a ringing +shout that quickly brought their father and their uncle and aunt to +the door. And behind these appeared the ebony face of Aleck Pop, the +colored man who was now a fixture of the Rover household. + +"Hello, everybody!" cried Tom, making a flying leap from the sleigh +the instant it drew up to the piazza. "Isn't this jolly, though?" And +he rushed to his Aunt Martha and gave her a hug and kiss, and then +shook hands with his father and his Uncle Randolph Dick and Sam were +close behind him, and went through a similar performance. + +"My! my! Don't squeeze the breath out of me!" cried Mrs. Rover, as she +beamed with delight "You boys are regular bears!" + +"Glad you got through," said their father. "It looks like a heavy +storm." + +"It does my heart good to see you again," said Uncle Randolph. "I +trust you have profited by your stay at Brill." He was well educated +himself, and thought knowledge the greatest thing in the world. + +"Oh, we did profit, Uncle Randolph," answered Tom with mischief +chewing in his eyes. "Dick and I helped to win the greatest football +game you ever heard about." + +"Tom Rover!" remonstrated his aunt, while Aleck Pop doubled up with +mirth and disappeared behind a convenient door. + +"We brought home good reports," said Sam. "Dick stands second in +the class and Tom stands fifth. That's not so bad in a class of +twenty-two." + +"And Sam stands third," put in Tom. + +"That is splendid!" said Anderson Rover. "I am proud of you!" + +"And so am I proud," added Randolph Rover. + +"You'll all be great men some time," said their Aunt Martha. "But come +into the sitting-room and take off your things. Supper will be ready +in a little while. But if you want a doughnut beforehand--" + +"Hurrah for Aunt Martha's doughnuts!" cried Sam. "I was thinking of +them while riding in the train." + +"Well, you shall have all you wish during the holidays," answered his +aunt fondly. + +They were soon settled down and relating the particulars of some of +the things that had happened at Brill. None of the boys cared to tell +of the coldness that had sprung up between themselves and the girls. +They simply said they knew the girls had gone home. + +"That was an outrage," said Mr. Rover with considerable warmth. + +"An outrage?" repeated Dick doubtfully. "What do you mean?" + +"Perhaps you didn't hear the report that was circulated at Hope +Seminary concerning them." + +"We heard no report, excepting that they had been called home." + +"Somebody circulated a story that they were going to school on money +that did not belong to them--that their folks had confiscated a +fortune belonging to others. Grace wrote to her mother that the story +was being whispered about everywhere, and it was making them all +miserable; and that's the main reason for their going home." + +"What a contemptible thing to do!" cried Tom. "Who do you suppose is +guilty--Tad Sobber?" + +"I can think of nobody else. He is so angry he would do anything to +injure them and us." + +"And what of the case?" asked Sam. "Will it come up in court soon?" + +"Some time next Spring." + +"And what do the lawyers think of our side winning?" questioned Dick +eagerly. + +"They say it depends largely upon the evidence the other side submits. +It is possible that the case may drag on for years." + +"What a shame!" murmured Dick. + +It continued to snow all that night and the next day, and Christmas +found the family all but snowbound at Valley Brook. + +"Merry Christmas!" was the cry, early in the morning, and the boys +tumbled out of bed and dressed in a hurry. Then they went below, to +find a stack of presents awaiting them. They quickly distributed the +gifts they had brought and then looked at their own. They had almost +everything their hearts could desire. + +Yet each youth felt a pang of disappointment, for among all the gifts +there were none for them from the Stanhopes or the Lanings. + +"We are out of it," said Dick laconically to his brothers. + +"So it appears," answered Tom soberly. For once, all the fun was +knocked out of him. + +"Well, I am glad I didn't forget them, anyway," said Sam bravely. But +he wondered how it was Grace could treat him so shabbily. + +The boys passed the day as best they could in reading and playing +games, and in snowballing each other and Jack Ness and Aleck Pop. + +"My! my! But dis am lik old times at Putnam Hall!" said the colored +man, grinning from ear to ear when Tom hit him on the head with a +snowball. "Hab yo' fun while yo' am young, Massa Tom." + +"That's my motto, Aleck," answered Tom. "Have another." And he landed +a snowball on the colored man's shoulder. + +"I move we go down to the post-office for mail," said Dick toward +evening. "We don't know what we may be missing." + +"Second the motion!" cried Tom. "The post-office it is, if we can get +through." + +"Can't no hoss git through these drifts," came from Jack Ness. + +"We'll hitch up our biggest team and take our time," said Dick. "We +have got to get down to the post-office somehow." He was hoping +desperately that he would find a letter from Dora there. + +When the old folks heard of it they shook their heads doubtfully. But +the boys pleaded so strongly that at last they were allowed to go. +They got out a strong cutter and the best pair of horses on the farm, +and bundled up well. + +"If you can't make it, drive in at one of the neighbors," said Mr. +Rover on parting. + +"We will," answered Dick. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +WORD AT LAST + + +It was a long, hard drive to Dexter's Corners, and by the time the +boys arrived there they were chilled through and through and the team +was pretty well winded. They went directly to the postmaster's house, +for the office was in a room of the building. + +"I'll see if there are any letters," said the postmaster, and went +off. He returned with a picture postal for Mrs. Randolph Rover and two +advertising circulars for her husband. There were also a newspaper and +a magazine for the boys' father. + +"And is that all?" asked Dick, his heart sinking. + +"That's all." + +"Not worth coming for," muttered Tom as they turned away. + +"The mail didn't come in this morning," shouted the postmaster after +them. "You'll have to wait for more stuff until the train arrives at +Oak Run." + +"Let us go over to the Run and see if we can learn anything about the +trains," said Sam, a spark of hope springing up in his breast. + +They drove over the river, and as they did so they heard the whistle +of a locomotive. + +"Something is coming," cried Dick. + +"Perhaps it's only the night freight," returned Tom. + +When they reached the depot the train was standing there. It was the +morning accommodation, nine hours late. They saw some mail bags thrown +off and also several express boxes and packages. + +Curiosity prompted Dick to inspect the express goods. He uttered a cry +of joy. + +"A box for us!" he exclaimed. "And from Cedarville!" + +"Where?" cried Tom and Sam, and ran forward to look the box over. It +was two feet long and a foot high, and equally deep, and was addressed +to R., T. and S. Rover. + +"From the girls, I'll bet a snowball!" cried Tom joyfully. "Hurry up +and sign for it and we'll see what it contains." + +The agent was at hand, for he was the ticket agent and station master +as well, and they soon signed for the box. Then they took it to a +secluded corner of the station, and with a borrowed hammer and chisel +pried off the cover. + +The sight "that met their gaze filled them with pleasure. There were +several packages for each of the boys, from the girls and from Mrs. +Stanhope and Mrs. Laning. There were some beautiful neckties, some +books, and some diaries for the new year, and a box of fudge made +by the girls. Dora had written on the flyleaf of one of the books, +wishing Dick a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and similar +sentiments from Nellie and Grace appeared in the books for Tom and +Sam. + +"Say, I reckon this was worth coming for," remarked Sam. + +"Rather," answered Dick. + +"Wouldn't have missed it for a million dollars," added Tom. + +"Maybe the mail bag has some letters for us," went on Sam. He was +disappointed that no note had accompanied the gifts. + +"We'll take the bags to the office and see," said Dick, and this was +done a little later, after the box had been closed and put in the +cutter and carefully covered with a robe. In the bags were found +letters from their old friends, Hans Mueller and Fred Garrison, and a +postal from Dave Kearney, but that was all. + +"Well, we mustn't expect too much," said Dick. "Remember, we didn't +send any letters." + +"But we will now, thanking them for all these nice things," said Sam +quickly. + +It was nearly midnight before the boys got home again, and their folks +were much alarmed about them. They were almost exhausted, but very +happy, and they showed their new presents with great pride. + +"They are dear girls!" said Mrs. Rover. "It was splendid of them to +remember you this way, and splendid of Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning, +too." + +The next morning was spent in writing letters. It was rather hard at +first to say just what they wanted to, but after they had started the +letters grew and grew, until each was ten pages or more. They told +about meeting Minnie Sanderson and the other girls by accident, and +about not getting the notes until that night, and Dick added the +following to his letter to Dora: + +"And now let me tell you something in secret. Songbird Powell has +developed a very, very strong liking for Miss Sanderson, the girl Tom +and Sam and I aided when first we came to Brill. He talks about her a +good deal, and took her to a concert at Ashton one evening. He said he +was going to give her an autograph album for Christmas and write in +it an original poem sixteen verses long, on 'The Clasp of a Friendly +Hand,' That is pushing matters some, isn't it? We all wish him luck." + +"There, that ought to make her understand how I feel about Miss +Sanderson," said Dick to himself. And then he ended the letter by +stating he hoped they would meet again soon so that they could have a +good long talk. + +On the day after the letters were mailed the storm cleared away and +the sun came out brightly. The boys went for a long sleigh ride, and +visited some friends living in that vicinity. Then they helped to +clear off a pond, and on New Year's day went skating. + +"And now back to the grind," said Tom with a little sigh. + +"Never mind. Remember summer will soon be here," answered Sam. "And +then we can go on a dandy trip somewhere." + +The next day found them back at Brill. This was Saturday, and the +school sessions were resumed on Monday. They went at their studies +with a will, resolved to get marks that would be "worth while" at the +June examinations. They were asked to join the college basketball +team, but declined, and took regular gymnasium exercise instead. Much +to their surprise, Dudd Flockley was put on the team. + +"I don't think that dude will make good," said Tom, and he was right. +Flockley made some bad errors during the first game played, and was +lectured so severely that he left the team in disgust, and Songbird +Powell was put in his place. Then the team won three games straight, +which pleased all the students of Brill greatly. Minnie Sanderson was +at two of the games, and she applauded Songbird heartily. The two were +certainly warm friends. Dick spoke to Minnie, but did not keep himself +long in her company. + +At last, after waiting much longer than they had expected, the boys +received letters from Dora and the Lanings. The girls had been on a +visit to some relatives in Philadelphia, and had just received the +letters mailed from Oak Run. + +The three Rovers read those letters with deep interest. They told +about what the girls had been doing, and related the particulars of +the trouble at Hope Seminary. It was all Tad Sobber's work, they said, +and added that Sobber had written that he would not only get the +treasure, but also disgrace them all he possibly could. + +"The rascal!", muttered Dick when he read this. "He ought to be put in +prison!" + +Dora's letter to Dick was an especially tender epistle, and he read it +several times in secret. He was glad that the misunderstanding between +them was being cleared away. He wished she might be near, so that he +could go and see her. + +"I'd take a run to Cedarville if it wasn't so far," he told his +brothers. + +"I'd go along," answered Tom, and Sam said the same. + +"Perhaps we can run up there during the spring vacation," went on +Dick. + +There was little more snow that winter, but the weather remained +bitterly cold until well into February. The boys had considerable fun +snowballing, and skating on the river. Racing on skates was a favorite +amusement, and Sam and Tom won in a number of contests. + +One day Tom was skating by himself. He was doing some fancy figures, +and he did not notice the approach of Jerry Koswell, who was skating +with a young lady from Ashton. Tom came around in a circle, and Jerry, +who was looking at the young lady instead of where he was going, +bumped into Tom. Both of the students went down, Tom on top. + +"Hi! What do you mean by this?" burst out Koswell in a rage. + +"What do you mean?" retorted Tom, getting up. + +"You knocked me down on purpose!" howled Jerry. + +"It was as much your fault as mine." + +"It wasn't my fault at all. I've a good mind to punch your face!" And +having gotten to his feet, Koswell doubled up his fists threateningly. + +At this the young lady let out a scream. + +"Oh, please don't fight!" she cried. And then she skated to a distance +and disappeared in a crowd. + +"You keep your distance, Koswell," said Tom coldly. "If you don't--" + +He got no further, for just then Koswell let out with his right +fist. The blow landed on Tom's shoulder and sent him spinning away a +distance of several feet. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE SPRINGTIME OF LIFE + + +"A fight! a fight!" came from the crowd, and soon Tom and Koswell were +surrounded by a number of students and some outsiders. + +The blow from the bully angered Tom greatly, and skating forward he +made a pass at Koswell. But the latter ducked, and then came back at +Tom with a blow that sent the fun-loving Rover into several students +standing by. + +"Say, Rover, look out, or Jerry Koswell will eat you up!" said one of +the seniors. + +"Koswell is a good scrapper," came from another. + +"I gave him one lesson and I can give him another," answered Tom. +"There, take that!" + +He turned swiftly and rushed at Koswell. One blow after another was +delivered with telling accuracy, and Koswell went flat on his back on +the ice. When he got up his nose was bleeding. + +"I'll fix you!" he roared. "Come on to shore and take off your +skates!" + +"I'm willing," answered Tom recklessly. He knew fighting was against +the rules of the college, but he was not going to cry quits. + +The pair moved toward the shore, the crowd still surrounding them. +They soon had their skates off. + +"Now, Jerry, do him up brown!" came from Larkspur, who was present. + +"Give him the thrashing of his life!" added Flockley, who had come up. + +"He has got to spell able first, and he doesn't know the alphabet well +enough to do it!" answered Tom. + +"What's up?" cried a voice from the rear of the crowd, and Dick +appeared, followed by Sam. + +"Koswell attacked me, and wants to fight, and I am going to +accommodate him," said Tom. + +"Don't you butt in!" growled Koswell. + +"I won't," answered Dick. "But I want to see fair play." He knew it +would be useless to attempt to get Tom to give up the fight. + +Without preliminaries the two faced each other, and Koswell made a +savage rush at Tom, aiming a blow for his face. Tom ducked, and landed +on his opponent's chest. Then Koswell hit Tom on the arm and Tom came +back at him with one on the chin. Then they clinched, went down, and +rolled over and over. + +"Stop, you rascal!" cried Tom suddenly. "Can't you fight fair?" + +"What's up?" asked Dick, leaping forward. + +"He bit me in the wrist!" + +"I--I didn't do anything of the kind!" howled Jerry Koswell. + +"Break away, both of you!" ordered Dick. "We'll see into this." + +Tom let go, but Koswell continued to hold fast. Seeing this, Dick +forced the two apart and both scrambled up. + +"See here, this isn't your fight!" said Larkspur to Dick. + +"It will be yours if you don't shut up!" answered Dick, so sharply +that Larkspur shrunk back in alarm. + +"I didn't bite him!" grumbled Koswell. + +"He did--right here!" answered Tom positively. "Look!" + +He pulled up his sleeve and showed his wrist. There in the flesh were +the indentations of a set of teeth. + +"You coward!" said Sam. "You ought to be drummed out of Brill!" + +"That's worse than using a sandbag," added Dick. + +"I--I didn't do it," muttered Koswell. He looked around as if he +wanted to slink out of sight. + +"You did!" cried Tom. "And take that for it!" And before the brute of +a youth could ward off the blow he received Tom's fist in his right +eye. Then he got one in the other eye and another in the nose that +made the blood spurt freely. He tried to defend himself, but Tom was +"fighting mad," and his blows came so rapidly that Koswell was knocked +around like a tenpin and sent bumping, first into Flockley, then into +Larkspur, and then into some bushes, where he lay, panting for breath. + +"Now have you had enough?" demanded Tom, while the crowd marveled at +his quickness and staying powers. + +"I--I--" stammered Koswell. + +"If you've had enough, say so," went on Tim. "If not, I'll give you +some more." + +"I--I'm sick," murmured Koswell. "I was sick this morning when I got +up. I'll--I'll finish this with you some other day." + +"All right, Koswell," answered Tom coolly. "But when you go at it +again, do it fairly, or you'll get the worst of it. Remember that!" + +"Hurrah for Tom Rover!" was the cry from Stanley, and the cheer was +taken up on all sides. Jerry Koswell sneaked away as soon as he could, +and Flockley and Larkspur followed him. + +"He'll have it in for you, Tom," said Sam as he and his brothers got +away from the crowd. "Most likely he is mad enough to do anything." + +"Oh, he was mad before," declared Tom. "I am not afraid of him." + +Everybody thought there might be another fight in the near future, but +day after day went by and Koswell made no move, nor did he even notice +Tom. He kept with Flockley and Larkspur, and the three were often +noticed consulting together. + +At last winter was over, and the warm breath of Spring filled the air. +Much to the pleasure of the boys, they got news that Dora, Nellie and +Grace were going to return to Hope, regardless of the reports that had +been circulated about them. + +"Good! That's what I call pluck!" cried Dick. + +They learned when the girls would arrive at Ashton, and got permission +to go to town to meet them. It must be confessed that all of them were +a trifle nervous, in spite of the warm letters that had been sent. + +When the train came in they rushed for the parlor car, and then what a +handshaking and greeting followed all around! Everybody was talking at +once, and after the first minute or two there was nothing but smiles +and laughter. + +"I am so sorry that--you know," whispered Dick to Dora. + +"So am I," she answered, "What geese we are, aren't we?" + +"Well, we won't have any more misunderstandings, will we?" he went on, +squeezing her hand. + +"Never!" she declared, and gave him an arch look. "And you say +Songbird is--is--" + +"Going with Miss Sanderson? Yes; and they are as thick as two peas. +But, Dora, I never was--er--very friendly with her. I--I--" + +"But you--you talked to her at that football game, Dick. And you +didn't meet me when Sam--" + +"I know. But I had to find her a seat, after she about asked me to. I +wanted to be with you, I did really, dear." + +"Who said you could call me dear?" And now her eyes were as bright as +stars. + +"I said so, and I'm going to--when we are alone. The future Mrs. Dick +Rover deserves it," he went on boldly, but in a very low voice. + +"Oh, Dick, you're awful!" cried Dora, and blushed. But somehow she +appeared mightily pleased. + +The boys drove the girls to the seminary, and by the time the +boarding-school was reached all were on the best of terms once more. + +"Mamma wanted us to come back," explained Dora. "She says, even if we +do lose that fortune she wants me to have a better education, and she +will pay the bill for Nellie and Grace, too." + +"It will make the Lanings quite poor, I am afraid, if the fortune is +lost," replied Dick gravely. + +"I know it, Dick, but we'll have to take what comes." + +"Have you heard from Sobber or his lawyer lately?" + +"Nothing since he threatened to disgrace us." + +"You must watch out for him. If he attempts to bother you while you +are here let us know at once." + +"We will." + +"I hope the case in court is decided soon, and in your favor." + +"Say, stop!" cried Tom, as they were turning into the gate at the +seminary. + +"What's up?" asked Sam, while Dick halted the team he was driving. + +"Here comes a buggy along the side road. Just look who is in it!" + +All turned to look in the direction of the turnout which was +approaching. As it came closer the Rover boys recognized it as one +belonging to Mr. Sanderson. On the front seat sat Songbird, driving, +with Minnie Sanderson beside him. On the rear seat was William +Philander Tubbs, in company with one of Minnie's friends--a girl the +Rovers had met while nutting. + +"There's a happy crowd!" cried Tom after they had passed and bowed and +smiled. + +"No happier than we are," said Dick as he looked meaningly at Dora. + +"You are right, Dick," she answered very earnestly. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +AT THE HAUNTED HOUSE + + +"Boys, I've got a proposition to make," said Dick, one Friday +afternoon, as he and his brothers, with Songbird and Stanley, were +strolling along the river bank. + +"All right. We'll accept it for twenty-five cents on the dollar," +returned Tom gaily. + +"What is it, Dick?" asked Songbird. + +"Do you remember the haunted house at Rushville, the place Mr. +Sanderson called the Jamison home?" asked Dick of his brothers. + +"Sure!" returned Sam and Tom promptly. + +"Well, I propose we visit that house to-morrow and investigate the +ghosts--if there are any." + +"Just the thing!" cried Sam. + +"I've heard of that place," said Stanley. "I am willing to go if the +rest are." + +"If I go as far as Rushville I might as well go on to the Sanderson +home," said Songbird, who could not get Minnie out of his mind. + +"Well, we'll leave you off--after we have interviewed the ghosts," +answered Dick with a laugh. + +"Do you believe in ghosts?" asked Stanley with a faint smile. + +"No. Do you?" + +"Hardly, although I have heard some queer stories. My aunt used to +think she had seen ghosts." + +"She was mistaken," said Tom. "There are no real ghosts." + +"Say, Tom, how could a ghost be real and still be a ghost?" asked +Songbird and this question brought forth a general laugh. + +The boys sat down on a bench in the warm sunshine to discuss the +proposed visit to the deserted Jamison place, and it was arranged that +they should drive to the spot in a two-seated carriage. Then, while +the Rovers and Stanley investigated to their hearts' content, Songbird +was to drive on to the Sanderson home for a brief visit. + +"But, mind, you are not to stay too long," said Dick. "An hour is the +limit." + +"I'll make it an hour by the watch," answered the would-be poet. "Say, +I just thought of something," he went on, and murmured softly: + + "To-morrow, ere the hour is late, + We shall go forth to investigate. + The Jamison ghost + Shall be our host; + We trust we'll meet a kindly fate!" + +"That's as cheerful as a funeral dirge!" cried Tom. + +"We don't want to meet any kind of a fate," added Sam. "We want to +have some fun." + +While the boys were discussing the proposed trip to Rushville they did +not notice that Larkspur was close at hand, taking in much that was +said. Presently Larkspur sauntered off and hunted up Jerry Koswell. + +"The Rovers are going off to-morrow," he said. "Where do you suppose +they are going?" + +"I am not good at guessing riddles," answered Koswell rather sourly. +He hated to hear the Rover name mentioned, since it made him think of +his defeat at Tom's hands. + +"They are going to the old Jamison place at Rushville." + +"Well, what of it?" + +"I was thinking," answered Larkspur meaningly. "You said you would +like to square up with the Rovers, and with Tom especially." + +"So I would. Show me how it can be done and I'll go at it in jig +time." And now Koswell was all attention. + +"I happen to know that Tom Rover and Professor Sharp are on the outs +again," said Larkspur. "The professor wouldn't like anything better +than to catch him doing something against the rules." + +"Well, what do you propose, anyway?" demanded Jerry Koswell. + +"Come up to the room and I'll tell you," answered Larkspur, and then +the two hurried off and, joined by Dudd Flockley, hatched out a scheme +to get the Rovers into dire trouble with the college authorities. They +had a number of preparations to make, and paid a hurried visit to +Ashton and several other places, Flockley hiring a runabout for that +purpose. + +Saturday proved clear and warm, and the Rovers and their friends +started directly after lunch for Rushville in a two-seated carriage, +hired from a liveryman of Ashton. As they did not wish to excite any +curiosity, they told Tubbs and Max that they were going out merely for +a long ride. + +"Going to call on Miss Stanhope and the Misses Laning, I suppose," +said William Philander. + +"No. They have some lessons to make up to-day," answered Dick, and +this was true; otherwise the Rovers might not have been so willing to +spend their time at the haunted house. + +No sooner had the Rovers and their two friends driven away from Brill +than an automobile dashed up on the side road, and Flockley, Koswell +and Larkspur climbed in. The automobile kept to the side road until +the Rovers turnout was passed, then took to the main highway, passing +the upper end of Ashton. + +"Here is where you can leave us," said Koswell to the chauffeur. "I'll +see to it that the machine comes back safely." + +"You are sure about being able to run it?" asked the man. + +"Of course. I ran a big six-cylinder at home." + +"Very well, then. This is a fine car, and there would be trouble with +the boss if anything happened to it." + +"Nothing is going to happen, so don't worry," answered Koswell coolly. +Then the chauffeur left, and the automobile dashed on its way in the +direction of Rushville. + +As the Rovers and their chums were out purely for pleasure, they +took their time in driving to Rushville, going there by way of Hope +Seminary. They thought they might catch sight of Dora and the Lanings, +but were disappointed. + +"Too bad that they have got to grind away on such a fine day as this," +said Dick. + +"Well, such is life," returned Sam. "One good thing, schooldays won't +last forever." + +"Just wait till the summer vacation comes!" cried Tom. "I'm going to +have the best time anybody ever heard about." + +"What doing?" questioned Stanley. + +"Oh, I don't know yet." + +They took their time climbing the long hill leading to the haunted +house, and it was just three o'clock when they came in sight of the +dilapidated structure, almost hidden in the tangle of trees and +underbrush. + +"Now, Songbird, you've got to be back here by four, or half after, at +the latest," said Dick as he and his brothers and Stanley got out. "No +spooning with Minnie till six." + +"Huh! I don't spoon," grumbled the would-be poet. "I am--er--only +going to show her some new verses I wrote. They are entitled--" + +"Keep them for Minnie!" cried Sam. "And remember what Dick said. We +are not going to hang around here after dark." + +"Scared already?" asked Songbird. + +"No, but enough of this place is enough, that's all." + +"I'll be back, don't worry," said Songbird, and away he drove at a +swift gait, leaving the Rovers and Stanley in the roadway in front of +the house said to be haunted. + +It was certainly a lonely spot, no other house being in sight, for +Rushville lay under the brow of a hill. The boys stood still and +listened. Not a sound broke the stillness that surrounded the deserted +house. + +"It sure is a ghostlike place," remarked Stanley. "I shouldn't care to +come here at midnight." + +"Oh, that wouldn't make any difference, if you had a light," answered +Dick. The thought of a ghost had never bothered him very much. + +Boldly the four boys entered what had once been a fine garden. The +pathway was now overrun with weeds and bushes, and they had to pick +their way with care. Then they ascended the piazza, the flooring of +which was much decayed. + +"Look out that you don't fall through somewhere, and break a leg," +cautioned Tom. "This is worse than it looks from the outside." + +"Wait till we get inside," said Sam. "Glad we brought a lantern." For +a light had been taken along at the last minute. + +They pushed open the front door and entered the broad hall. As they +did so they heard a noise at the rear of the place. + +"What was that?" asked Stanley nervously. + +"Sounded like a door closing," answered Dick. + +"Hello!" called out Tom. "Is any one here?" + +To this call there was no answer. Nor was the noise they had heard +repeated. + +"Come on," said Dick bravely. "I am going to walk right through the +house, room by room, from top to bottom." + +"And we'll all go along," said Tom and Sam. + +"Well, I am with you," came from Stanley. But he plainly showed that +he did not relish what was before him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY + + +The first room the boys entered was the parlor. It was totally dark, +the blinds of the windows being tightly closed. It was full of +cobwebs, which brushed their cheeks as they passed along. + +"Certainly this was a fine mansion in its day," said Dick, as he threw +the rays of the lantern around. "But it is utterly worthless now," he +added as he gazed at the fallen ceilings and rotted woodwork. + +"I fancy the ghosts are nothing but rats and bats," said Tom. "Come +on," he continued. "It's damp enough to give one the rheumatism." + +From the parlor they passed to a sitting-room. Here there was a huge +open fireplace, filled with ashes and cobwebs. As they entered the +room they heard a rushing noise in the chimney. + +"What's that?" cried Stanley anxiously. + +"Birds," answered Dick. "I suppose they have made their home in the +chimney, since it is not used for fires." + +In a corner of the sitting-room was an old table, and on it several +musty books. The boys looked the books over, but found little to +interest them. As relics the volumes were of no value. + +"Come on to the dining-room," said Tom. "Maybe we'll find something +good to eat." + +"Ugh! I don't want anything here," answered Stanley with a shudder. + +"Wouldn't you like a piece of ghost pie, or some specter doughnuts?" +went on Tom, who was bound to have his fun. + +"Nothing, thank you, Tom." + +The dining-room of the house was in a wing, and to get to it they had +to pass through a pair of folding doors which were all but closed. As +they did so all heard a peculiar rustling sound, but from whence it +came they could not tell. + +"What was that?" asked Sam. + +"I don't know," answered his oldest brother. + +"Say, this room looks as if it had been used lately," cried Tom, as +the rays of the lantern illuminated the apartment. "Why, it's quite +homelike!" + +"Maybe some tramps have had their headquarters here," said Dick. "It +would be just like them to single out a spot like this." + +"Yes, provided they weren't afraid of ghosts," came from Stanley. + +"Tramps aren't usually afraid of anything but work," answered Tom +dryly. "But this is queer, isn't it?" he added, as he picked up +an empty cigar box. "Somebody must smoke good cigars--these were +imported." + +"Here is an empty liquor flask," said Stanley. + +"And here are some empty wine bottles," added Sam. + +"And here are some decks of playing-cards," put in Dick. "Yes, some +persons have certainly used this as a hangout." + +"What is this in the fireplace?" asked Tom as he pointed to something +smoking there. + +"It certainly has a vile smell!" exclaimed Stanley, making a wry face. + +"That shows somebody has been here recently," was Dick's comment. "We +had better be on guard if they are tramps." + +"I can't stand that smell," said Tom. "I am going to get out." + +The stuff in the fireplace, whatever it was, now burned up more +brightly. It gave off a peculiar vapor that made the boys dizzy. + +Tom turned to a door that led to the kitchen of the house. The door +was shut, and he tried in vain to open it. The others were behind him +and they, too, tried to open the barrier. + +"Must be locked from the other side," said Tom. "Come on out the way +we came in. Gracious! Isn't that awful stuff that is burning?" he +added, for the vapor now filled the room completely. + +In sudden alarm the four boys turned back toward the folding +doors through which they had entered the dining-room. To their +consternation, the doors were tightly shut. + +"Who shut these?" asked Dick as he tried to open one of the doors. + +"I didn't," said Sam. + +"Neither did I," added Tom. + +"Nobody touched the doors!" ejaculated Stanley. "It must be some of +the ghost's work." + +"Nonsense!" answered Dick sharply. "Somebody shut the doors--and +locked 'em," he added after trying both. "Hi, you!" he called. "Open +these doors, and be quick about it!" + +"Thou fool, to come here!" exclaimed a hollow voice from the other +side of the doors. + +"It's the ghost! I said it was!" said Stanley, + +"It's somebody fooling us," answered Tom. "Open the door, or we'll +smash it down!" he added in a loud voice. + +Instead of a reply there came a weird groan and then the rattle of +some heavy chains. Stanley turned pale and began to tremble, but the +Rovers were not much impressed. + +"We don't believe in ghosts, so you might as well let us out!" cried +Dick. "That stuff you set on fire is smothering us!" + +At this there was a murmur from the next room, but what was said the +prisoners did not know. + +"Come on, let us get out of a window!" cried Tom. His head was +commencing to swim, and he could hardly see. + +"Tha--that's it," murmured Sam. "Say, I'm--I'm--going--" He did not +finish, but sank to the floor in a heap. + +"Sam has been overcome!" cried Dick in horror. + +"Oh, if only we hadn't come here!" groaned Stanley. "I--the +window--I--am--smothering!" He took another step forward and then +fell. Dick tried to pick him up, but went down also, with his brain in +a whirl and strange lights flashing before his closed eyes. + +Tom was the last to be overcome. He reached a window, only to find it +tightly locked. He smashed the glass, but could not open the blinds. +Then he went down; but before he closed his eyes he saw the door to +the kitchen open and several masked faces appeared. He tried to +say something, but the words would not come, and then all became a +terrible dark blank around him. + +For about half a minute after Tom went down nothing was done. Then the +door to the kitchen was thrown wide open and four figures appeared. +All wore sheets and masks. + +"You are sure it won't kill any of them, Parwick?" asked a voice that +sounded like Jerry Koswell's, and which was far from steady. + +"Yes, I'm sure," answered the voice of a stranger. "But we don't want +to leave them in this room too long. Take 'em below." + +"If we get found out--" said another, and one could readily recognize +Flockley's voice. + +"We won't get found out," put in a fourth person. It was Larkspur. +"Come ahead, and don't waste time here." + +With great haste the masked ones picked up the three Rovers and +Stanley and dragged them into the kitchen of the old house. Then one +after another the unconscious ones were taken down into a dark and +musty cellar and placed on some straw. + +"Now to fix up the evidence!" cried Koswell. "We must be quick, or it +may be too late!" + +For all of a quarter of an hour the three Rover boys and Stanley +Browne lay where they had been placed on the moldy straw. They +breathed with difficulty, for the strange vapor still exercised its +influence on their lungs. + +At last Sam stirred and opened his eyes. + +"Wha--what's the matter with me?" he murmured, and then sat up. + +He could see next to nothing, for the cellar was dark. His head ached +keenly, and he could not collect his senses. He also felt somewhat +sick at the stomach. + +"Dick! Tom!" he called. "Where are you?" + +There was no reply, but presently he heard somebody stir. + +"Don't--don't kill me!" murmured Stanley. "Take the ghosts away!" + +"Stanley!" called Sam. "Whe--where are we?" + +"Who--who is tha--that?" stammered Stanley, sitting up. + +"It is I--Sam!" + +"Whe--where are we, Sam?" + +"I--I don't know." + +"My head is go--going around like--like a top." + +"So is mine. Tom! Dick!" + +"Is that you, Sam?" came faintly from the elder Rover as he opened his +eyes. + +"Yes. Where is Tom?" + +"Here, I guess, beside me." Dick shook his brother. "Tom! Tom! Wake +up!" he cried. But Tom continued to lay quiet with his eyes tightly +closed. + +Sam was feeling in his pocket for a matchbox, and presently he brought +the article forth and made a light. He was still so dizzy he could +scarcely see about him. Stanley had fallen back again, gasping for +breath. + +By the dim light afforded by the match the two brothers looked at Tom. +He was gasping in a strange, unnatural fashion. + +"I believe he is choking to death!" said Dick hoarsely. "Air! He must +have air!" He arose unsteadily to his feet. "Bring him here!" + +And he made for a closed cellar window with all the strength he could +command. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THEM + + +Fortunately a loose brick lay handy and with this Dick smashed out the +panes of glass in the cellar window. Another window was opposite, +and this he likewise demolished. At once a current of pure air swept +through the place. + +"Hold him up to the window," said Dick as he staggered around. And he +and Sam raised Tom up as best they could. + +"If we could only get outside," mumbled Sam. His head was aching worse +than ever. + +"I'll see what I can do," answered his oldest brother, and stumbled up +the narrow stairs. To his joy, the door above leading to the kitchen +of the house was unfastened. + +Not without great labor did the two brothers carry Tom to the floor +above. Then they went after Stanley, who was conscious, but too weak +to walk. As they stumbled around they sent several empty liquor +bottles spinning across the floor, and one was smashed into pieces. + +"I wish I knew how to revive him," said Dick as he and Sam placed Tom +near the open doorway. "Wonder if there is any water handy?" + +"Oh, my poor head!" came from Stanley. "I feel as if I had been +drinking for a month!" + +"Wonder what it was?" murmured Sam. "I--I can't make it out at all." + +"Nor I," added Dick. "But come, we must do what we can for Tom." And +he commenced to loosen his unconscious brother's tie and collar. + +Suddenly a form darkened the outer doorway of the kitchen, and to the +surprise of the boys Professor Abner Sharp showed himself. He was +accompanied by Professor Blackie. + +"Ha! So we have caught you, have we?" cried Professor Sharp, in tones +of evident satisfaction. "Nice doings, these, for students of Brill. +Aren't you ashamed of yourselves?" And he glared maliciously at the +Rovers and Stanley Browne. + +"Oh, Professor, can you--er--help us?" murmured Stanley. "We--er--are +in a lot of trouble." + +"So I see," answered Abner Sharp chillily. "Nice doings, I declare! +Don't you think so?" he added to the other professor. + +"It is too bad," murmured Professor Blackie. "I thought them all +rather nice lads." + +Dick's head was still dizzy, so he could not catch the import of the +professor's words. He continued to work over Tom, who just then opened +his eyes. + +"Gi--give me a--a drink!" murmured poor Tom. His throat seemed to be +on fire. + +"Not another drop!" shouted Professor Sharp. "Not one! This is +disgraceful! Look at what they have been drinking already!" And he +pointed to the bottles scattered around. + +"Say! What's the matter with you?" asked Sam, sleepily and angrily. He +was doing his best to pull his wits together, and thus overcome the +effects of the strange vapor. + +"There is nothing the matter with me!" roared Professor Sharp "The +matter is with you, Rover. You have been drinking too much." + +"Me? Drinking?" stammered Sam, "No, sir!" + +"Rover, you may as well admit it," came from Professor Blackie. "It is +a sad state of affairs." + +"But I haven't been drinking." + +"We know better. Look at the evidence!" roared Abner Sharp, pointing +to the bottles. "Why, your very clothing smells of rum!" he added, +smelling of Dick's shoulder. + +"Sam has told you the truth. We haven't been drinking," said Dick. + +"Rover, it would be better if you did not add falsehoods to your other +shortcomings," said Professor Blackie. He was usually a very mild man, +and had little to say outside of the classroom. + +"You are mistaken," murmured Dick. It was all he could say, for he was +still too bewildered to make a clear note of what was going on. + +"This one seems to be the worst of all," said Abner Sharp, turning to +Tom. "He must have drunk more than the others." + +"He will have to sleep it off," answered Professor Blackie. "Too bad! +Too bad! Why will young men do such things?" And he shook his head +sorrowfully. + +"I believe what the note said. This has been a regular hangout for the +Rovers and their chums," said Professor Sharp severely. "It is high +time it was broken up." + +"Yes yes," answered the other instructor How shall we--er--get them +back to Brill?" + +"I'll see about that. They must have some sort of a carriage here, or +maybe somebody was going to call for them." + +"Shall I take a look around?" + +"If you will." + +Professor Blackie looked around the house and grounds and then went +through the tangle of a garden to the roadway. He espied Songbird +coming along, driving the team rapidly and singing to himself. +Songbird had passed an all-too-short hour with Minnie Sanderson. + +"Stop, Powell!" cried the professor. + +"I was going to, sir," answered the would-be poet cheerily. "How is +this, Professor Blackie? Did you come to hunt for the ghost, too?" + +"Ghost? I came for no ghosts--since there are no ghosts," was the +quiet answer. "Were you to stop here?" + +"Yes, sir, to pick up the three Rovers and Stanley Browne. They must +be somewhere about. They came to explore the old house and to settle +this ghost story." + +"I think they came more for spirits than for ghosts," answered +Professor Blackie dryly, "Then you know all about it, eh?" + +"Why, yes." + +"Then you knew they came here to drink and to carouse generally," went +on the instructor, and his voice grew stern. + +"Drink? Carouse? What are you talking about?" gasped Songbird. "The +Rovers don't drink at all, and Stanley Browne drinks very little." + +"Of course you wish to shield them, but it will do little good, +Powell. Professor Sharp received word of what was going on, and he +asked me to accompany him here. We have seen a sad sight. What Doctor +Wallington will say when he hears of it, I cannot tell. I am afraid, +however, that he will deal severely with the offenders." + +"Professor Blackie, what you say is a riddle to me," answered +Songbird. "I don't understand you at all." + +"Then come with me, and perhaps you will understand," was the +instructor's reply, and he led the way to the rear of the deserted +house. + +All of the students and Professor Sharp were now outside, on or near +the back porch. Tom had recovered his senses, and Sam had obtained for +him a drink of water from an old well. Much to the astonishment of the +students, the professor had caught sight of a liquor flask in Tom's +pocket, and had snatched it away. + +"Here is evidence you cannot deny!" cried Abner Sharp in triumph. "All +but empty, too!" he added, after shaking the flask and smelling of it. + +"How did that--that get in m--my pocket?" mumbled poor Tom. He was +still hazy in his mind. + +"You probably know better than anybody else," retorted Professor +Sharp. "And you can tell, too, where the liquor went to," he continued +with a sneer. + +"You're a--a--contemptible old sneak!" cried Tom wrathfully, "and if I +didn't feel so--so dizzy I'd knock you down!" + +"Tom!" cried Dick warningly. He was growing a little clearer in his +mind, and could see that a terrible mistake had been made. + +"You'll not knock anybody down, you young villain!" roared Abner Sharp +in a rage. "I'll teach you to come here and drink and carouse, and +bring disgrace upon the fair name of Brill College! I'll have you +dismissed and sent home in disgrace!" + +"You're making a mistake--" began Dick. + +"No, there is no mistake. Of course you wish to hide the truth, and +smooth matters over, but it won't go with me, nor with Professor +Blackie, either," stormed Professor Sharp. "We know what we see and +what we smell. You young fellows are a disgrace to Brill, and the +sooner everybody knows it, the better. Now, then, march to the +roadway, every one of you, and no more back talk!" + +"But, sir--" began Stanley in dismay. + +"Not another word!" cried Abner Sharp. "If you have anything more to +tell, you may tell it to Doctor Wallington." + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +IN DISGRACE + + +Still dizzy from the effects of the strange vapor, the students were +driven rapidly over the country roads in the direction of Brill +College. The fresh air served to make them feel a little better, but +all were far from clear headed when ushered into the presence of +Doctor Wallington. + +"We have brought them back with us, sir," said Professor Sharp +stiffly. + +The president of the college gazed keenly at the Rovers and Stanley. +They looked at him in return, but blinked and swayed as they did so. + +"I will listen to the story," said Doctor Wallington, turning to the +two instructors, and his voice had a hard tone to it that did not +augur well for the students. + +Thereupon Professor Sharp told how he had received an anonymous note +stating that the Rovers and some others were going off to the old +Jamison house to drink and gamble, and that it was thought they were +going to take some innocent outsider with them, to fleece him of his +money. On receiving the note Abner Sharp had called Professor Blackie +into consultation with him, and had gone off, after leaving word for +the doctor about what they proposed to do. + +"We found them--the three Rovers and Stanley Browne--in a beastly +state," continued Professor Sharp. "Truly beastly state--with empty +liquor bottles and flasks strewn around, and Thomas Rover had a flask +in his pocket, which I took from him." The instructor placed the +flask on the president's desk. "There were also cigar butts scattered +around, and some packs of playing-cards." + +"Where was Powell?" + +"He had dropped the others off at the old house and gone on to visit +some folks named Sanderson. He came back later." + +"Had he been drinking, too?" + +"I do not think so," answered Professor Blackie. + +During this talk Dick and his brothers and Stanley stared somewhat +vacantly at the president and the professors. The students wanted to +speak several times, but Doctor Wallington waved them to be silent. + +"I will hear what you have to say after Professor Sharp and Professor +Blackie have finished," said the head of the college. + +He asked the instructors a great number of questions, and then turned +to Dick, as the oldest of the boys. + +"Now, then, what have you to say about your disgraceful conduct?" he +demanded severely. "Or perhaps it would be as well to postpone further +conversation until you are in a fit condition to tell a straight +story." The doctor was sarcastic as well as severe. + +"I--I am not well, sir," said Dick in a low voice. "None of us are. +But it was not liquor that did it. It was the vapor." + +"Vapor?" queried Doctor Wallington in perplexity. + +"Yes, sir." + +"What do you suppose he means?" and now the master of the college +turned to Abner Sharp. + +"When we found them in such a sad state they tried to excuse +themselves by stating that a strange vapor had made them sick," was +the instructor's reply. "But we could not trace any such vapor. I feel +sure it is merely an excuse." + +"You ought to have your head punched!" growled Tom. He was still sick, +and the sickness made him reckless. + +"Rover! How dare you?" exclaimed Doctor Wallington severely. + +"I don't care! He is down on us, me especially, and he wants to put us +in disgrace. He's a miserable sneak, that's what he is!" + +"You are evidently in no condition to tell your story, and your +companions are little better off," went on the head of the college. He +turned to the two professors. "You may take them up to rooms 77 and +78, Mr. Blackie. I will confer with you further, Mr. Sharp." + +There was no help for it, and with their heads still in a whirl, the +Rovers and Stanley were taken to two rooms not used by any of the +other students. The rooms were in an angle of the building, away +from all others. They had a small hallway of their own, with a door +shutting it off from the main hall. + +Professor Blackie marched the boys into the rooms, and saw to it that +they had a pitcher of fresh drinking water. + +"You will have to remain here until Doctor Wallington sends for you," +said the instructor, and walked out of the room. The boys heard him +pass through the little hall and close and lock the door to the main +hall. + +"Prisoners! What do you think of that?" cried Sam. + +"It is carrying matters with a high hand," answered Dick. He placed a +hand on his forehead. "How my head aches!" + +"Same here," answered Stanley. "I am going to rest," he added, and +threw himself on one of the beds. + +The others were glad to rest, also, and soon all were occupying the +beds the connecting rooms contained. They left the windows wide open, +so that they might get all the fresh air possible. Strange to say, +each was soon in a profound slumber. + +While they were sleeping they did not know that Professor Sharp came +in to see if they wanted any supper. Seeing them sleeping so soundly, +he notified Doctor Wallington. + +"Do not disturb them," said the president of Brill. "Sleep will do +them more good than anything. I doubt if they care to eat." And he +heaved a sigh as he thought of the problem before him. He liked the +Rovers and Stanley Browne, but according to what he had seen and been +told, some of the strictest rules of Brill had been violated, and it +would be impossible for him to pass the affair by or mete out ordinary +punishment. + +"I am afraid I shall have to dismiss them," he told himself. "Too +bad!" + +In some manner the story leaked out, and by Sunday noon all the +students at Brill knew that the Rovers and Stanley were in disgrace, +and in danger of dismissal. A few sided with the boys, but the +majority shook their heads. + +"They had no business to go off on such a lark," said one of the +seniors. "It's a disgrace to the whole college. If they are sent home +it will serve them right." + +Koswell and Larkspur were in high glee over the success of their plot, +and when alone winked at each other and poked each other in the ribs. + +"They'll get what's coming to 'em this trip," said Bart Larkspur with +a chuckle. "They'll be lucky if they are not sent home." + +"And we'll rub it in, too," added Koswell. "You know how those Rovers +are dead stuck on those girls at Hope." + +"Sure." + +"Well, I'll fix it so those girls hear all about this affair." + +"Good!" cried Larkspur. "That will be the bitterest dose of all." + +"Say," put in Dudd Flockley nervously, "you don't suppose there is any +danger of our being found out?" + +"Not the slightest," answered Koswell. "I saw to it that all our +tracks were covered." + +"But that fellow Parwick? Are you certain he can be trusted?" + +"Yes. But we have got to pay him for his trouble. I promised him +twenty dollars. I'll give him half and you can give him the other +half," answered Koswell. He knew Larkspur had no spending money. + +"Oh, I'm willing to pay him his price," said the dudish student. "But +I want to be dead certain that he will keep his mouth shut." + +"I'll make him do that," returned Jerry Koswell. + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +DARK DAYS + + +The Rovers and Stanley Browne were kept in the rooms until Monday +morning. During that time their meals were sent to them, and Professor +Sharp came to see them twice. + +"Doctor Wallington will dispose of your case on Monday," said the +instructor. + +"I think we should have had a doctor," said Dick. "All of us were +sick, and needed medical attention." + +"Nonsense!" cried Abner Sharp. "You have sobered up, and that was all +that was needed." + +This assertion led to a war of words, and Tom came close to whacking +the unreasonable teacher over the head with the water pitcher. As a +consequence, Abner Sharp ran out of the room in fear and reported to +the head of the institution that he had been assaulted. + +On Monday morning the four boys were told to go down and report at the +president's office Previous to this they had held a "council of war," +as Sam expressed it, and made Dick their spokesman. + +"Now, then, as you appear to be sober, I will listen to your story," +said Doctor Wallington. He was the only other person present, "And +remember," he added sharply, "I want nothing but the truth. You cannot +hope for any leniency on my part unless you tell me everything." + +"That is what we propose to do, sir," answered Dick, looking the +doctor full in the eyes. "My brothers and Stanley have asked me to do +the talking for all of us. Shall I tell my story now?" + +"Yes." + +Thereupon Dick told his tale from beginning to end, very much as +I have set it down here. He, of course, could tell nothing of the +actions of Koswell and his crowd, for he had been unconscious most of +the time. + +"Certainly a remarkable story," mused Doctor Wallington, when the +oldest Rover had finished, "And you mean to say you did not drink any +of the liquor?" + +"Not a drop, sir; and neither did the others," + +"And this vapor? What was it, and how do you account for it?" The +doctor's tones were very sceptical. + +"I can't account for it, excepting by thinking it was part of a plot +against us." + +"Hum!" The doctor turned to Stanley. "Have you anything to add to +Rover's story?" + +"Nothing, sir, excepting that it is absolutely true, Doctor +Wellington." + +After this the boys were questioned for the best part of an hour, but +without shaking their testimony in the least. Then Songbird was called +in, and he told what he knew. + +"If your story is true, it is a most extraordinary occurrence," said +the head of Brill at last. "But I must confess that I can scarcely +credit such a tale. However, I will, for the time being, give you the +benefit of the doubt, and in the meantime make some investigations on +my own account. If I find you have not told the truth I shall dismiss +you from the college. Do you understand that?" + +To this the students bowed. + +"One thing more. All of you may return to your classes but Thomas +Rover. He has an extra charge against him, that of assaulting +Professor Sharp. Thomas Rover, you will remain here. The rest of you +can go." + +With strange feelings in their hearts Dick, Sam and Stanley, +accompanied by Songbird, left the office. They had been heard, but had +not been believed. + +"We may be dismissed from here, after all," said Sam bitterly. + +"What a shame!" cried Songbird. "Oh, if you could only find out who +did it, and expose them!" + +The boys went back to their classes with heavy hearts. They saw a +number of the other students looking at them questioningly. + +Jerry Koswell saw them return, and was much astonished. Had his plot +to put them in disgrace miscarried, after all? Larkspur, too, was +perplexed. Flockley was a bit relieved, and half hoped the whole +matter would blow over and nothing more be heard of it. + +The day went by, and the other lads did not see Tom. But they saw him +in the evening, just before supper. + +"Well, how did you make out?" asked Dick eagerly. + +"Got a vacation," was Tom's laconic answer. + +"Dismissed?" asked the others in concert. + +"No, suspended until Doctor Wallington can investigate the whole +matter more thoroughly. He wanted me to apologize to Sharp, and I said +flatly that I wouldn't do it, because I hadn't anything to apologize +for. He got mad at first, and threatened me with instant dismissal. +Then I warmed up, and said I was innocent of all wrongdoing, and +perhaps I'd be able to prove it some day, and if so, and I was +dismissed, I'd sue the college for loss of reputation. That brought +matters to a head, and I guess the doctor saw I was in deadly earnest. +He told me I could consider myself suspended for two weeks, or until +he could get to the bottom of the affair. So I've got a holiday." + +"I'm glad you didn't apologize to Sharp," said Sam. + +"What are you going to do with yourself--go home?" asked Dick. + +"No. I am going to move to Ashton, and then try to get to the bottom +of this matter." + +"The doctor will send a letter home." + +"So will I, and you must do the same. I think father will believe us." + +Tom left that night, and established himself at the leading hotel in +Ashton. + +News travels swiftly, and Koswell and his cohorts took care that the +girls at Hope should hear the story about the Rovers and Stanley +and their supposed disgraceful doings. Dora, Nellie and Grace could +scarcely believe their ears when they heard it. + +"This is awful!" murmured Dora, and the tears came to her eyes. + +"I don't believe one word of it!" cried Nellie with spirit. + +"But Tom has been suspended," said Grace. "And think of poor Sam and +Dick!" And her heart sank like lead within her bosom. + +"I am going to send Dick a note right away," said Dora. "I cannot bear +this suspense." + +"But you don't think Dick is guilty, do you?" asked Nellie. + +"No. But--but the disgrace! It is terrible!" And now Dora burst out +crying in earnest. + +The note from Dora reached Dick the following day, in the afternoon +mail. It was short, but to the point, reading as follows: + +"DEAR DICK: We have just heard something awful about you and Tom and +Sam. Tell us what it means. Of course we don't believe you have done +anything wrong. + +"Yours, + +"DORA." + +This note disturbed Dick and Sam greatly, for they could understand +how the evil report concerning them had been circulated at Hope +Seminary, and how the girls had suffered in consequence. + +"I am glad they think we are innocent," said Sam. + +"They couldn't do anything else, knowing us as they do," returned his +brother. And then he sent a note back stating that the reports were +all falsehoods, and asking them to meet Tom and themselves on the +following Saturday at Ashton. + +"Perhaps Tom will have something to report by that time," said Dick. + +The time to Saturday dragged miserably. The boys could not set their +minds on their lessons, and as a consequence got some poor marks. For +this Professor Blackie gave them a lecture. + +"You ought to show your appreciation of what Doctor Wellington has +done in your case," said the instructor. + +"We can't settle down to lessons with this cloud hanging over us," +answered Dick frankly. "It has got to be cleared away, or--" he did +not finish. + +"Or what, Rover?" + +"Or I'm afraid we'll have to leave, even if we are not dismissed," was +the slow answer, and Dick breathed a deep sigh. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +WHAT THE GIRLS DISCOVERED + + +The Rover boys sent letters to their father, and on Saturday morning +came replies from Mr. Rover. He said he was both surprised and shocked +at what had occurred, and added that if they needed his aid he would +come on at once. He showed that he believed them innocent, for which +they were thankful. + +"Here is more news," said Dick. "The case of Tad Sobber against the +Stanhopes and the Lanings comes up in court next Tuesday; that is, +they are going to argue the question of the injunction on that day." + +"That will make Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning very anxious." + +"Yes, and the girls, too, Sam." + +"Well, we are anxious, too. Oh, I do hope our side wins!" cried Sam +wistfully. "It would set me wild to see Tad Sobber get all that +money!" + +Dick and Sam were to meet Tom in Ashton at three o'clock, and all +hoped that the girls would come later. Stanley could not go, for he +had a Latin composition to write. + +When the Rovers reached the hotel in Ashton they found Tom impatiently +awaiting them By the look on his face they knew he had something to +tell. + +"Come up to my room," he said, and led the way to the apartment, +located on the second floor, front. + +"You can sit by the window, Dick, and keep a lookout for the girls," +said Sam. + +"Yes, they'll be here in about an hour," said Tom. "They telephoned +this morning." + +"Well, what have you discovered--anything?" demanded Dick impatiently. + +"I think I am on the right track," answered Tom. "Let me tell you what +I've done. In the first place, I visited the haunted house yesterday +morning, and went through it from cellar to garret." + +"Alone?" queried Sam. + +"Yes, alone. But I carried a pistol, and I had it ready for use, too." + +"I don't blame you," murmured Dick. "And I guess you looked to see if +the doors were open, too." + +"I did, and smashed out several windows in the bargain. The first +place I investigated was that fireplace, and in it I found this." And +Tom held up a bit of white paper. On it was printed: + + m B. Schlemp + uggist. + ain St. + +"That is from a druggist," said Dick. + +"Exactly. I figure out the name is William B. Schlemp, that he is +a druggist, and that he is doing business at some number on Main +Street," came from Tom. "But I figure out more than that." + +"What?" + +"The paper was crumpled up, and had in it a few grains of a gray +powder. I set the powder on fire and got that strange vapor that +almost strangled us." + +"You did!" cried Sam. "Then that stuff came from that druggist beyond +a doubt." + +"So I figure it. But there is no druggist named Schlemp here," went on +Tom, "and the druggist here doesn't know of such a fellow." + +"I know what we can do," cried Dick. "Don't you remember, Dan Baxter +said he had worked for a wholesale drug house? We can telegraph and +ask him if he knows of this Schlemp." + +"Then let us do it at once," said Tom. "I have his route--the one he +said he was to follow." + +A few minutes later the following message was being flashed over the +wires to Dan Baxter, then supposed to be located at Detroit: + +"Send full name and address of Blank B. Schlemp, druggist, at once. +Highly important. + +"Thomas Rover, + +"Ashton Hotel," + +"That was about all I found at the haunted house that was important," +said Tom after the message had gone. "But I've found out something +here that may lead to something else of value." + +"What is that?" questioned Sam. + +"There is a fellow hanging around here named Henry Parwick. He is +rather dissipated, and does not seem to work for a living. One night +this Parwick had been drinking pretty freely, and he got into a +quarrel with one of his companions. They taunted each other about +money, and Parwick said he had some good friends up to Brill who would +give him all the cash he wanted. The other fellow wanted to know that +was, and Parwick winked one eye and answered, 'Oh, there's a reason, +Buddy, a good reason. They wouldn't dare to refuse me.' Since that +time I have seen Parwick talking to Jerry Koswell and Bart Larkspur." + +"Do you think this Parwick helped Koswell and the others in a plot +against us?" asked Dick. + +"It may be so. Anyway, I think Parwick has some kind of a hold on +Koswell, for I saw Jerry give him some money." + +"This is certainly interesting," mused Dick. "Do you suppose we could +corner this Parwick and get him to talk?" + +"We might, but I have another plan." + +"What is that?" + +"To watch Parwick, and follow him when I think he is going to meet +Koswell and the others. I may be able to overhear their talk." + +"Good!" + +After that Dick and Sam told Tom of what had occurred at the college +since their brother had left. Sam was just relating the particulars of +a stormy interview with Professor Sharp when Dick uttered a cry. + +"Look! Here comes Dora, and she is running!" + +One after another the brothers ran down to the ground floor of the +hotel and hurried outside. + +"Oh, I am so glad I found you all together!" cried Dora, panting for +breath. "Come quick!" + +"Where to?" queried Dick. + +"Down the road about half a mile. We just saw that Jerry Koswell and +Bart Larkspur, and they are having a quarrel with a man who acts as if +he was half intoxicated." + +"It must be Henry Parwick!" ejaculated Tom. + +"Yes, his name is Parwick," said Dora. "We heard Koswell mention it." + +"Where are they?" asked Sam as the whole party hurried down the main +street and out of Ashton, Dora leading the way. + +"They are at a cottage where an old woman named Brice lives. We were +going to stop for a drink of water when we heard voices, and saw the +young men. Then Nellie and Grace heard them mention you, and they +asked me to come here and get you just as quickly as possible. They +said they would remain, and, if possible, hear what it was all about." + +"I think we are on the right track!" cried Dick joyfully. "Maybe +matters will come to a head quicker than we imagined." + +"Dick, you stay with Dora!" cried Tom. "Come on, Sam!" And off the two +brothers sped at top speed, leaving Dick and Dora to follow as rapidly +as the strength of the girl would permit. + +Curiosity lent strength to the legs of the two Rovers, and they +covered the distance to the Brice cottage in an incredibly short space +of time. As they came into view they beheld Grace watching for them. +She held up her hand for caution. She was standing in among some +bushes by the roadside. + +"Be careful, or those wicked boys will see you!" she cried in a low +voice. "They are back of the cottage, near the barn." + +"Where is Nellie?" asked Tom. + +"She is watching them." + +"Have you learned anything?" asked Sam. + +"Yes, indeed. We have learned that Koswell, Larkspur and Flockley were +guilty of this plot against you, and that a man named Parwick aided +them by getting a strange powder for them, the powder that made you +dizzy and sick," were Grace's words, and they filled the Rovers with +much satisfaction. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +A BEGINNING AND AN ENDING + + +"It was Allan Charter's coming that clinched matters," said Tom. +"Doctor Wallington might not have believed us, but he had to believe +Charter." + +"He had to believe the girls, too," added Dick. "He knew they would +not tell him such falsehoods. But I am glad Charter came along. He +hated to get mixed up in it, I know, but he acted the man about it, +didn't he?" + +"Wonder what the doctor will do with Koswell & Company?" questioned +Sam. + +"Fire 'em, most likely, and they deserve to be fired," growled +Stanley. "Oh, when I think of the trick that was played I feel like +wiping up the floor with every one of those scoundrels!" + +"It was certainly a bit of dirty work," was Dick's comment. + +The boys were seated in Sam and Tom's room, talking it over. It was +Sunday afternoon, and outside the sun shone brightly and a light +breeze stirred the trees. + +It had proved a strenuous Saturday afternoon and evening. Dick and +Dora had come up, meeting Allan Charter, the leading senior of Brill, +on the way. They had persuaded Charter to accompany them to the Brice +cottage, and there all had witnessed a bitter quarrel between +Henry Parwick and Koswell, Larkspur and Flockley. Parwick was +semi-intoxicated, and in a maudlin way had exposed all that had been +done at the haunted house. He had spoken about getting the powder for +them, and mentioned how Koswell had fixed a fuse and lit it, and he +told of getting the liquor bottles and flasks and other things. He had +warmed up during his recital, and had demanded fifty dollars on the +spot. When refused he had threatened to go to the Brill authorities +and "blow everything." Then Koswell had threatened, if this was done, +that he would have Parwick arrested for robbing his former employer, +William Schlemp. Then had come blows, and in the midst of this Charter +had stepped forward and confronted the evildoers. + +"We have seen and heard all," he had said sternly. "I am a witness, +and so are these young ladies. You, Koswell, Flockley and Larkspur, +ought to be ashamed of yourselves. I never dreamed any students of +Brill could be so bad. I shall report to Doctor Wallington without +delay." + +Charter had been as good as his word, and had been closeted with the +head of the college for an hour. The girls went back with Tom, Dick +and Sam, and also had an interview with the president. Then Doctor +Wallington sent for Flockley, Koswell and Larkspur. Only Flockley +answered the summons, and it was learned that Koswell and Larkspur +were afraid to come back, fearing arrest. Parwick had also +disappeared. Then had come a telegram from Dan Baxter giving the +address of the druggist, Schlemp. Word was sent to this man, and later +he wrote that Parwick had once worked for him, but had been discharged +for drunkenness and because he was not honest. + +The interview between Doctor Wallington and Flockley was a most +affecting one. The dudish student broke down utterly, and confessed +all. He said Koswell had hatched out the plot, aided by Larkspur, and +that he himself had been a more or less unwilling participant. He told +much about Parwick, and how that dissolute fellow had spoken of having +the strange powder, which was a Japanese concoction, and which, if +used often, would render a person insane. He begged the good doctor to +forgive him, and said he would be willing to do anything in order to +remain at Brill. + +"My father will never forgive me if I am dismissed," he said in a +broken voice. + +"But supposing I had dismissed the Rovers and Stanley Browne?" asked +the doctor severely. + +"Yes, yes, I know, sir!" wailed Flockley. "But, oh, sir, don't send me +away! I'll do anything if you'll let me stay!" + +"I will think it over," answered the head of Brill shortly. And thus +Flockley was dismissed from the office. + +"It was certainly a wicked piece of work," said Songbird to the others +in the room. "I really think somebody ought to be arrested." + +Tom was about to speak when a footstep sounded in the hall, and a +knock on the door followed. Sam opened the portal, to behold Flockley +standing there, hat in hand. The dudish student was as white as the +wall, his clothing looked dishevelled, and his shoes were un-blacked, +a great contrast to the Flockley of old. + +"What do you want?" asked Sam abruptly. + +"I want--I want--" commenced Flockley brokenly. Then he stepped into +the room and confronted Dick. "Oh, Rover!" he cried, "won't you--won't +you please, please get Doctor Wallington to let me stay at Brill? +Please don't let him send me home! I'll do anything--apologize, get +down on my knees, if you like--but please help me to stay here!" + +Flockley caught Dick by the arm and continued to plead, and then he +entreated Sam, Tom, and Stanley, also. It was a truly affecting scene. +They all commenced to speak. He had been so mean, wicked, so unlike a +decent college fellow, how could they forgive him? + +And then came a pause, and during that pause a distant church bell +sounded out, full and clear, across the hills surrounding Brill. Dick +listened, and so did his brothers and Stanley, and the anger in their +faces died down. + +"Well, I'm willing you should stay," said Dick, "and I'll speak to the +doctor about it, if you wish." + +"And so will I," added Sam and Tom, and Stanley nodded. + +"But you ought to cut such fellows as Koswell and Larkspur," said Tom. + +"I will! I will!" said Flockley earnestly. + +The Rovers and Stanley Browne were as good as their word. On the +following day they had another interview with the head of the college +and spoke of Flockley. + +"Well, if you desire it, he can remain," said Doctor Wallington. "As +for Koswell and Larkspur, I doubt if they wish to return, since they +have not yet shown themselves. You can prosecute them if you wish." + +"No, we don't want to do that," said Dick. "We have talked it over, +and we think, for the honor of Brill, the least said the better." + +"That conclusion does you much credit, and I feel greatly relieved," +said the head of the college. He turned to Tom. "You are, of course, +reinstated, Thomas, and I shall see to it that the marks placed +against your name are wiped out. I sincerely trust that you and +Professor Sharp will allow bygones to be bygones, and will make a new +beginning." + +"I'm willing," answered Tom. And a little later he entered one of +the classrooms and he and Professor Sharp shook hands. After school +Professor Blackie came up and shook hands all around. + +"I am glad to know you are exonerated," said that professor. "This has +taught me a lesson, to take nothing for granted," he added. + +When the truth became known many of the students flocked around the +Rovers and Stanley and Songbird, and congratulated them on the +outcome of the affair. Flockley did not show himself for a long time, +excepting at meals and during class hours. + +"He feels his position keenly," said Dick. "Well, I hope he turns over +a new leaf." + +"A telegram for Richard Rover," said one of the teachers to the boys a +few days later. + +"Wonder what's up now?" mused Dick as he tore open the yellow +envelope. He read the slip inside. "Hurrah! This is the best news +yet!" he cried. + +"What is it?" asked Tom and Sam. + +"The injunction against the Stanhopes and the Lanings is dissolved +by the court. They can keep the fortune. Tad Sobber has had his case +thrown out of court!" + +"Say, that's great!" ejaculated Tom, and in the fullness of his +spirits he turned a handspring. + +"I reckon that's the end of Mr. Tad Sobber," said Sam. But the +youngest Rover was mistaken. Though beaten in court, Sobber did not +give up all idea of gaining possession of the fortune, and what he did +next will be related in another volume, to be called "The Rover Boys +Down East; Or, The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune." In that book we +shall also meet Jerry Koswell and Bart Larkspur once more, and learn +how they tried again to injure our friends. + +But for the time being all went well, and the Rover boys were +exceedingly happy. As soon as possible they met the girls and all +spent a happy half day in taking another ride in an automobile. From +Flockley they gradually learned how Koswell and Larkspur had done many +mean things, including putting the glass in the roadway, and using the +pencil box out of Tom's dress-suit case. + +"Vacation will soon be at hand," cried Sam one day, "and then--" + +"Well have the best time ever known," finished Tom. + +"Ah, vacation time," put in Songbird. "I have composed some verses +about that season. They run like this--" + +"Not to-day, Songbird," interrupted Dick. "I've got to bone away at my +geometry." + +"Then hurry up, Dick," said Sam. "I want you to come and play ball." + +"Ball it is--in half an hour," answered Dick. "And then," he added +softly to himself, "then I guess I'll write a good long letter to +Dora." + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Rover Boys at College, by Edward Stratemeyer + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10323 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..95489e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10323 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10323) diff --git a/old/10323.txt b/old/10323.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..156c1af --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10323.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8319 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Rover Boys at College, by Edward Stratemeyer + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Rover Boys at College + +Author: Edward Stratemeyer + +Release Date: November 27, 2003 [EBook #10323] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE + +OR + +THE RIGHT ROAD AND THE WRONG + +BY + +ARTHUR M. WINFIELD + +Author of "The Rover Boys at School," "The Rover Boys on the Ocean," +"The Rover Boys on Treasure Isle," Etc. + +MCMX + + + + +BY THE SAME AUTHOR + + * * * * * + +THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL, THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN, THE ROVER BOYS ON +LAND AND SEA, THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP, THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS, THE +ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS, THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + I ON THE TRAIN + II AT THE SANDERSON HOUSE + III LIKE KNIGHTS OF OLD + IV WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CAMPUS FENCE + V GETTING ACQUAINTED + VI A HAZING, AND WHAT FOLLOWED + VII THE ARRIVAL OF SONGBIRD + VIII THE COLORS CONTEST + IX TOM IN TROUBLE + X SONGBIRD MAKES A DISCOVERY + XI HOW TOM ESCAPED PUNISHMENT + XII IN WHICH THE GIRLS ARRIVE + XIII THE ROWING RACE + XIV WILLIAM PHILANDER TUBES + XV AN AUTOMOBILING ADVENTURE + XVI SOMETHING ABOUT A CANE + XVII A MISUNDERSTANDING + XVIII THE GREAT FOOTBALL GAME + XIX MORE COMPLICATIONS + XX DAYS OF WAITING + XXI HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS + XXII WORD AT LAST + XXIII THE SPRINGTIME OF LIFE + XXIV AT THE HAUNTED HOUSE + XXV IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY + XXVI THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THEM + XXVII IN DISGRACE + XXVIII DARK DAYS + XXIX WHAT THE GIRLS DISCOVERED + XXX A BEGINNING AND AN ENDING + + + + +THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +ON THE TRAIN + + +"We're making time now, Tom." + +"Making time?" repeated Tom Rover as he gazed out of the car window at +the telegraph poles flashing past. "I should say we were, Sam! Why, we +must be running sixty miles an hour!" + +"If we are not we are making pretty close to it," came from a third +boy of the party in the parlor car. "I think the engineer is trying to +make up some of the time we lost at the last stop." + +"That must be it, Dick," said Sam Rover. "Gracious, how we are +rocking!" he added as the train rushed around a sharp curve and nearly +threw him from his chair. + +"I hope we get to Ashton on time," remarked Tom Rover. "I want to take +a look around the grounds before it gets dark." + +"That's Tom, wanting to see it all before he sleeps!" cried Sam Rover +with a grin. "You look out, Tom, that you don't get into disgrace the +first thing, as you did when we went to Putnam Hall Don't you remember +that giant firecracker, and how Josiah Crabtree locked you up in a +cell for setting it off?" + +"Ugh! Will I ever forget it!" groaned Tom, making a wry face. "But +I got the best of old Crabtree, didn't I?" he continued, his face +brightening. + +"Wonder if we'll make as many friends at college as we did at Putnam +Hall," remarked Dick Rover. "Those were jolly times and no mistake! +Think of the feasts, and the hazings, and the baseball and football, +and the rackets with the Pornell students, and all that!" + +"Speaking of hazing, I heard that some of the hazing at the college +we're bound for is fierce," came from Sam Rover. + +"Well, we'll have to stand for what comes, Sam," answered his big +brother. "No crying quit' here." + +"Right you are, Dick," said Tom, "At the same time if--Great Caesar's +ghost, what's up now!" + +As Tom uttered the last words a shrill whistle from the locomotive +pierced the air. Then came the sudden gripping of the air brakes on +the car wheels, and the express came to a stop with a shock that +pitched all the passengers from their seats. Tom and Sam went +sprawling in a heap in the aisle and Dick came down on top of them. + +"Hi, get off of me!" spluttered Sam, who was underneath. + +"What's the matter? Have we run into another train?" asked Tom as he +pushed Dick to one side and arose. + +"I don't know," answered the older brother. "Something is wrong, +that's certain." + +"Are you hurt, Sam?" asked Tom as he helped the youngest Rover to his +feet. + +"No--not much," was the panting reply. "Say, we stopped in a hurry all +right, didn't we?" + +With the shock had come loud cries from the other people in the car, +and it was found that one young lady had fainted. Everybody wanted to +know what was the matter, but nobody could answer the question. The +colored porter ran to the platform and opened the vestibule door. Tom +followed the man and so did Sam and Dick. + +"Freight train ahead, off the track," announced Tom. "We ran into the +last car." + +"Let us go up front and see how bad it is," returned Dick. "Maybe this +will tie us up here for hours." + +"Oh, I hope not," cried Sam. "I want to get to the college just as +soon as possible. I'm dying to know what it's like." + +"We can be thankful we were not hurt, Sam," said his older brother. +"If our engineer hadn't stopped the train as he did we might have had +a fearful smashup." + +"I know it," answered Sam soberly, and then the boys walked forward to +learn the full extent of the damage done and what prospects there were +of continuing their journey. + +To my old readers the lads just mentioned will need no special +introduction, but for the benefit of those who have not read the +previous volumes in this "Rover Boys Series" let me state that the +brothers were three in number, Dick being the oldest, fun-loving Tom +coming next and Sam the youngest. They were the sons of one Anderson +Rover, a rich widower, and when at home lived with their father and an +aunt and an uncle on a beautiful farm called Valley Brook. + +From the farm, and while their father was in Africa, the boys had been +sent by their Uncle Randolph to school, as related in the first book +of the series, called "The Rover Boys at School." At this place, +called Putnam Hall, they made many friends and also a few enemies and +had "the time of their lives," as Tom often expressed it. + +A term at school had been followed by a short trip on the ocean, and +then the boys, in company with their uncle, went to the jungles of +Africa to rescue Mr. Rover, who was a captive of a savage tribe of +natives. After that came trips out West, and to the Great Lakes, and +to the mountains, and, returning to school, the lads went into camp +with the other cadets. Then they took another long trip on land and +sea and led a Crusoe-like life on an island of the Pacific Ocean. + +"I think we'd better settle down now," said Dick on returning home +from being cast away, but this was not to be. They took a house-boat +trip down the Ohio and the Mississippi rivers, had a number of +adventures on the plains and then found themselves in southern waters, +where they solved the mystery of a deserted steam yacht. + +They returned to the farm and to Putnam Hall, and for a time matters +went along quietly. On account of attending to some business for his +father, Dick had fallen somewhat behind in his studies, and Tom and +Sam did their best to catch up to him, and, as a consequence, all +three of the youths graduated from Putnam Hall at the same time. + +"And now for college!" Sam had said, and all were anxious to know +where their parent intended to send them next But instead of settling +this question Mr. Rover came forward with a proposition that was as +novel as it was inviting. This was nothing less than to visit a spot +in the West Indies, known as Treasure Isle, and made a hunt for a +large treasure secreted there during a rebellion in one of the Central +American countries. + +"A treasure hunt! Just the thing!" Dick had said, and his brothers +agreed with him. The lads were filled with excitement over the +prospect, and for the time being all thoughts of going to college were +thrust aside. + +From Mr. Rover it was learned that the treasure belonged to the estate +of a Mr. Stanhope, who had died some years before. Mr. Stanhope's +widow was well known to the Rover boys, and Dick thought that Dora +Stanhope, the daughter, was the finest girl in the whole world. There +was also another relative, a Mrs. Laning--the late Mr. Stanhope's +sister--who was to share in the estate, and she had two daughters, +Grace and Nellie, two young ladies who were especial favorites with +Sam and Tom. + +"Oh, we've got to find that treasure," said Tom. "Think of what it +means to the Stanhopes and the Lanings." + +"They'll be rich--and they deserve to be," answered his brother Sam. +It may be added here that the Rovers were wealthy, so they did not +begrudge the treasure to others. + +A steam yacht was chartered and a party was made up, consisting of the +Rovers, several of the boys' school chums, Mrs. Stanhope and Dora and +Mrs. Laning and Grace and Nellie. The steam yacht carried a fine crew +and also an old tar called Bahama Bill, who knew the exact location of +the treasure. + +Before sailing it was learned that some rivals were also after the +treasure. One of these was a sharper named Sid Merrick, who had on +several occasions tried to get the best of the Rovers and failed. With +Merrick was Tad Sobber, his nephew, a youth who at Putnam Hall had +been a bitter foe to Dick, Tom and Sam. Sobber had sent the Rovers a +box containing a live poisonous snake, but the snake got away and bit +another pupil. This lad knew all about the sending of the reptile and +he exposed Tad Sobber, and the latter, growing alarmed, ran away from +the school. + +The search for the treasure proved a long one, and Sid Merrick and Tad +Sobber did all in their power to keep the wealth from falling into the +hands of the Rovers and their friends. But the Rovers won out in the +quest and sailed away with the treasure on board the steam yacht. The +vessel of their enemies followed them, but a hurricane came up and the +other ship was lost with nearly all on board. + +"Well, that's the end of Sid Merrick and Tad Sobber," said Dick when +he heard this news. "If they are at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean +they can't bother us any more." But Dick was mistaken in his surmise. +It was true that Sid Merrick had been drowned, but Tad Sobber was +alive, having been rescued by a schooner bound for London, and he +was now on his way back to the United States, more bitter than ever +against the Rovers, and with a determination to do all in his power +to bring Dick, Tom and Sam to grief and gain possession of the money +which he and his uncle had claimed belonged to them instead of to the +Stanhope estate. + +On arriving at Philadelphia from the West Indies the treasure was +deposited in a strong box of a local trust company. From it the +expenses of the trip were paid, and the sailors who had aided in the +search were suitably rewarded. Later on the balance of the treasure +was divided according to the terms of Mr. Stanhope's will. This placed +a large sum of money in the hands of Mrs. Stanhope, both for herself +and Dora, and also a goodly amount in the hands of Mrs. Laning for +herself and Grace and Nellie. + +The Stanhopes had always been fairly well off, but not so the Lanings. +John Laning was a farmer, and this sudden change to riches bewildered +him. + +"Why, mother," he said to his wife, "whatever will you and the gals do +with the money?" + +"Several things, John," she answered. "In the first place, you are not +going to work so hard and in the next place the girls are going to +have a better education." + +"Well, I'm not afraid of work," answered the farmer. "About +eddication, if they want it--well, it's their money and they can have +all the learnin' they want." + +"Dora is going to a boarding school and Nellie and Grace want to go +with her," went on Mrs. Laning. + +"Where is Dora going?" + +"To a place called Hope Seminary. Her mother knows the lady who is the +principal." + +"Well, if it's a good place, I reckon the gals can go too. But it will +be terrible lonesome here without 'em." + +"I know, John, but we want the girls to be somebody, now they have +money, don't we?" + +"Sure we do," answered Mr. Laning readily. + +So it was arranged that the three girls should go to Hope Seminary, +located several miles from the town of Ashton, in one of the Central +States. In the meantime the Rover boys were speculating on what +college they were to attend. Yale was mentioned, and Harvard and +Princeton, and also several institutions located in the Middle West. + +"Boys, wouldn't you like to go to Brill College?" asked their father +one day. "That's a fine institution--not quite so large as some but +just as good." And he smiled in a peculiar manner. + +"Brill? Where is that?" asked Dick. + +"It is near the town of Ashton, about two miles from Hope Seminary, +the school Dora Stanhope and the Laning girls are going to attend." +And Mr. Rover smiled again. + +"Brill College for mine," said Sam promptly and in a manner that made +his brothers laugh. + +"Sam wants to be near Grace," said Tom. + +"Well, don't you want to be near Nellie?" retorted the youngest Rover. + +"Of course I do. And I reckon Dick won't be angry at being where he +can occasionally see Dora," went on the fun-loving Rover with a sly +wink. "Of course it's nice enough to write letters and send boxes of +chocolates by mail, but it's a good deal better to take a stroll in +the moonlight and hold hands, eh, Dick?" + +"Is that what you do?" asked Dick, but his face grew very red as he +spoke. + +"Never in the wide, wide world!" cried Tom. + +"I leave that for my sentimental brothers, big and little." + +"Who is sentimental?" exclaimed Sam. "Maybe I don't remember you and +Nellie on the deck of the steam yacht that moonlight night--" + +"Aw, cut it out!" muttered Tom. He turned to his father, who had been +called from the room for a moment. "If you think Brill College a good +one, dad, it will suit me." + +"And it will suit me, too," added Sam. + +"I mentioned Brill for two reasons," explained Mr. Rover. "The one was +because it is near Hope Seminary and the other is because I happen to +know the president, Dr. John Wallington, quite well; in fact, we +went to school together. He is a fine gentleman--as fine a fellow as +Captain Putnam--and I am sure his college must be a good one." + +"If it's as good as dear old Putnam Hall, I shall be well content," +answered Dick. + +"Then you are satisfied to go there, Dick?" + +"Yes, sir." + +So it was settled and arrangements were at once made for the three +boys to go to Brill. Fortunately it was found that their diplomas +from Putnam Hall would admit them to the freshmen class without +examination. All of the boys wrote letters to the girls and received +answers in return. + +The college was to open two weeks before the seminary, so that to +journey to Ashton together would be out of the question. + +"Well, we'll see the girls later, anyway," said Dick. "I hope they +like it at Hope and we like it at Brill; then we'll have some splendid +times together." + +"Right you are," answered Sam, and Tom said the same. + +At last came the day for the boys to leave home. Trunks and dress-suit +cases were packed, and not only their father but also their Uncle +Randolph and their Aunt Martha went to the depot to see them off. + +"Now be good and take care of yourselves," said Mr. Rover on parting. + +"Learn all you can," added Uncle Randolph. "Remember that knowledge is +better than wealth." + +"Oh, I'm going to cram my head full of learning this trip," answered +Tom with a grin. + +"Take care of yourselves and don't get sick," was Aunt Martha's +warning. "If you do, get a doctor right away." And then she gave each +of the boys a warm, motherly kiss and a hug. She thought the lads the +very best in all this wide world. + +The train came and the boys were off. After a two hours' ride they +had to change to the main line and got into the parlor car already +mentioned. Then they had dinner in the diner and went back to the +other car to read and to look at the scenery. Thus several hours +slipped by, when of a sudden came the jar and shock that told them +something out of the ordinary had happened. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +AT THE SANDERSON HOUSE + + +When the Rover boys reached the head of the train they found an +excited crowd beginning to collect. The locomotive of the express had +cut into the last freight car a distance of several feet, smashing a +number of boxes and barrels and likewise the headlight of the engine. +Nobody had been hurt, for which everybody was thankful. But the +engineer of the express was very angry. + +"Why didn't you send a man back with a flag or put a torpedo on the +track?" he demanded of the freight train conductor. + +"Did send a man back," was the answer, "but he didn't go back far +enough--hadn't time. This happened only a few minutes ago." + +"You can't expect me to stop in a hundred feet," growled the engineer. +As a matter of fact he had not stopped in many times that distance. + +"Well, I did what I could," grumbled the freight conductor. + +By making inquiries the Rover boys learned that the freight train had +jumped a frog at a switch and part of the cars were on one track and +part on another. Two trucks were broken, and nobody could tell how +long it would take to clear the track upon which the express stood. + +"May be an hour, but more likely it will be six or eight," said one of +the brakemen to Tom. "This section of the road is the worst managed of +the lot." + +"And how far is it to Ashton?" asked Dick. + +"About twelve miles by the railroad." + +"Then walking is out of the question," came from Sam. "I shouldn't +mind hoofing it if it was two or three." + +"The railroad has to run around the hill yonder," went on the train +hand. "If you go up the tracks for a quarter of a mile you'll come to +a country road that will take you right into Ashton, and the distance +from there isn't more than seven or eight miles." + +"Any houses on that road?" asked Tom. + +"Of course--farmhouses all along." + +"Then come on," went on Tom to his brothers. "We can hire a carriage +to take us to Ashton and to the college. Some farmer will be glad of +the chance to earn the money." + +"Let us wait and see if the train moves first," answered Dick. + +"She won't move just yet," answered the brakeman with a sickly grin. + +The boys stood around for a quarter of an hour and then decided to +walk up to the country road that had been mentioned. Their trunks were +checked through, but they had their dress-suit cases with them. + +"We'll have to carry these," said Sam dolefully. + +"Let us see if we can't check them," returned his big brother. But +this was impossible, for the baggage car was locked and they could not +find the man who had charge of it. + +"Oh, well, come on," said Tom. "The cases are not so heavy, and it is +a fine day for walking," and off he started and his brothers followed +him. + +It was certainly a fine day, as Tom said. It was early September, +clear and cool, with a faint breeze blowing from the west. On the way +they passed an apple orchard, laden with fruit, and they stopped long +enough to get some. + +"I declare this is better than sitting in that stuffy car," remarked +Sam as he munched on an apple. "I am glad to stretch my legs." + +"If we don't have to stretch them too long," remarked Dick. + +"Say, I wonder if we'll pass anywhere near Hope Seminary!" cried Tom, +"It may be on this road." + +"What of it?" returned his younger brother. "The girls are not here +yet--won't be for two weeks." + +"Oh, we might get a view of the place anyway, Sam." + +"I want to see Brill first," came from Dick. "If that doesn't suit +us--" He ended with a sigh. + +"Oh, it will suit, you can bet on it!" cried Sam. "Father wouldn't +send us there if he wasn't sure it would be O.K. He's as much +interested as we are." + +Walking along the highway, which ran down to a little milk station +on the railroad, the three boys soon discovered a farmhouse nestling +between some trees and bushes. They threw their baggage on the grass +and walked up to the front door. + +They had to knock several times before their summons was answered. +Then an old lady opened the door several inches and peeped out. + +"What do you want?" she demanded in a cracked voice. + +"Good afternoon," said Dick politely. "Can we hire somebody to drive +us to Ashton? We were on the train, but there has been a smash-up, and +we--" + +"Land sakes alive! A smash-up, did you say?" cried the old lady. + +"Yes, madam." + +"Was my son Jimmie killed?" + +"Nobody was killed or even hurt." + +"Sure of that? My son Jimmie went to Crawford yesterday an' was coming +back this afternoon. Sure he wasn't on that train?" + +"If he was he wasn't hurt," answered Dick. "Can we hire a carriage to +take us to Ashton?" + +"How did it happen--that accident?" + +"The express ran into the end of a freight train." + +"Land sakes alive! The freight! Maybe it was the one we sent the cows +away on. Was there any cows killed, do you know?" + +"I don't think so." + +"Well, tell me the particulars, will you? I don't go out much an' so I +don't hear nuthin'. But an accident! Ain't it awful? But I always +said it was risky to ride on the railroad; I told Jimmie so a hundred +times. But he would go to Crawford an' now maybe he's a corpse. You +are sure you didn't see a tall, thin young man, with a wart on his +chin, that was cut up?" + +"What do you mean, the wart or the young man?" asked Tom, who was +bound to have his fun. + +"Why, the young man o' course; although I allow if he was cut up the +wart would be, too. Poor boy! I warned him a hundred--" + +"Can we hire a carriage here or not?" demanded Dick. The talk was +growing a little tiresome to him. + +"No, you can't!" snapped the old lady. "We never hire out our +carriage. If we did it would soon go to pieces." + +"Is there anybody who can drive us to Brill College? We'll pay for the +service, of course." + +"No. But you might get a carriage over to the Sanderson place." + +"Where is that?" asked Sam. + +"Up the road a piece," and the old lady motioned with her head as she +spoke. "But now, if my son Jimmie was in that accident--" + +"Good day, madam," said Dick and walked away, and Sam and Tom did the +same. The old lady continued to call after them, but they paid no +attention. + +"Poor Jimmie! If he isn't killed in a railroad accident, he'll be +talked to death some day," was Sam's comment. + +"Don't you care. We know that Jimmie's got a wart, anyway," observed +Tom, and he said this so dryly his brothers had to laugh. "Always add +to your fund of knowledge when you can," he added, in imitation of his +Uncle Randolph. + +"I hope we have better success at the next farmhouse," said Sam. +"I don't know that I want to walk all the way to Ashton with this +dress-suit case." + +"Oh, we're bound to find some kind of a rig at one place or another," +said Dick. "All the folks can't be like that old woman." + +They walked along the road until they came in sight of a second +farmhouse, also set in among trees and bushes. A neat gravel path, +lined with rose bushes, ran from the gate to the front piazza. + +"This looks nice," observed Sam. "Some folks of the better sort must +live here." + +The three boys walked up to the front piazza and set down their +baggage. On the door casing was an electric push button. + +"No old-fashioned knocker here," observed Dick as he gave the button a +push. + +"Well, we are not wanting electric push buttons," said Tom. "An +electric runabout or a good two-seat carriage will fill our bill." + +The boys waited for fully a minute and then, as nobody came to answer +their summons, Dick pushed the button again. + +"I don't hear it," said Sam. "Perhaps it doesn't ring." + +"Probably it rings in the back of the house," answered his big +brother. + +Again the boys waited, and while they did so all heard talking at a +distance. + +"Somebody in the kitchen, I guess," said Tom. "Maybe we had better go +around there. Some country folks don't use their front doors excepting +for funerals and when the minister comes." + +Leaving their dress-suit cases on the piazza, the Rover boys walked +around the side of the farmhouse in the direction of the kitchen. +The building was a low and rambling one and they had to pass a +sitting-room. Here they found a window wide open to let in the fresh +air and sunshine. + +"Now, you must go, really you must!" they heard in a girl's voice. "I +haven't done a thing this afternoon, and what will papa say when he +gets back?" + +"Oh, that's all right, Minnie," was the answer in masculine tones. +"You like us to be here, you know you do. And, remember, we haven't +seen you in a long time." + +"Yes, I know, Mr. Flockley, but--" + +"Oh, don't call me Mr. Flockley. Call me Dudd." + +"Yes, and please don't call me Mr. Koswell," broke in another +masculine voice. "Jerry is good enough for me every time." + +"But you must go now, you really must!" said the girl. + +"We'll go if you'll say good-by in the right kind of a way, eh, Dudd?" +said the person called Jerry Koswell. + +"Yes, Minnie, but we won't go until you do that," answered the young +man named Dudd Flockley. + +"Wha--what do you mean?" faltered the girl. And now, looking through +the sitting-room window and through a doorway leading to the kitchen, +the Rover boys saw a pretty damsel of sixteen standing by a pantry +door, facing two dudish young men of eighteen or twenty. The young men +wore checkered suits and sported heavy watch fobs and diamond rings +and scarf-pins. + +"Why, you'll give us each a nice kiss, won't you?" said Dudd Flockley +with a smile that was meant to be alluring. + +"Of course Minnie will give us a kiss," said Jerry Koswell. "Next +Saturday I'm coming over to give you a carriage ride." + +"I don't wish any carriage ride," answered the girl coldly. Her face +had gone white at the mention of kisses. + +"Well, let's have the kisses anyway!" cried Dudd Flockley, and +stepping forward, he caught the girl by one hand, while Jerry Koswell +grasped her by the other. + +"Oh, please let me go!" cried the girl. "Please do! Oh, Mr. Flockley! +Mr. Koswell, don't--don't--please!" + +"Now be nice about it," growled Dudd Flockley. + +"It won't hurt you a bit," added Jerry Koswell. + +"I want you to let me go!" cried the girl. + +"I will as soon as--" began Dudd Flockley, and then he gave a sudden +roar of pain as he found himself caught by the ear. Then a hand caught +him by the arm and he was whirled around and sent into a corner with a +crash. At the same time Jerry Koswell was tackled and sent down in a +heap in another corner. The girl, thus suddenly released, stared at +the newcomers in astonishment and then sank down on a chair, too much +overcome to move or speak. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +LIKE KNIGHTS OF OLD + + +The Rover boys had acted on the impulse of the moment. They had seen +that the girl wanted the two dudish young men to leave her alone, and +stepping into the kitchen, Dick had tackled Dudd Flockley while Tom +and Sam had given their attention to Jerry Koswell. + +"You cowards!" cried Dick, confronting Flockley. "Why can't you leave +a young lady alone when she tells you to?" + +"They ought to be kicked out of the house," added Tom. + +"You--you--" spluttered Dudd Flockley. He did not know what to say. He +gathered himself up hastily and Jerry Koswell followed. "Who are you?" +he demanded, facing Dick with clenched fists. + +"Never mind who I am," was the reply of the oldest Rover. "Aren't you +ashamed of yourself?" + +"This is none of your affair," came from Koswell. + +"Well, we made it our affair," answered Tom. He turned to the girl "I +hope we did right," he added hastily. + +"Why--er--yes, I think so," faltered the girl. She was still very +white and trembling. "But--but I hope you didn't hurt them." + +"See here, Minnie, are you going to stand for this?" growled Dudd +Flockley. "It ain't fair! We're old friends, and--" + +"You had no right to touch me, Mr. Flockley," answered the girl. "I +told you to let me go. I--I thought you were a--a--gentleman." And now +the tears began to show in Minnie Sanderson's eyes. + +"I am a gentleman." + +"You didn't act like one." + +"Oh, come, don't get prudish, Minnie," put in Jerry Koswell. "We +didn't mean any harm. We--" + +"I want you to leave this house!" said the girl, with a sudden show +of spirit. "You had no warrant to act as you did. It--it was--was +shameful! Leave at once!" And she stamped her small foot on the floor. +Her anger was beginning to show itself and her face lost its whiteness +and became crimson. + +"We'll leave when we please," muttered Dudd Flockley. + +"So we will," added Jerry Koswell. + +On the instant Dick looked at his brothers, and the three advanced on +the two dudish-looking young men. + +"You do as the young lady says," said Dick in a cold, hard voice. "I +don't know you, but you are not wanted here, and that is enough. Go!" +And he pointed to the door. + +"See here--" blustered Flockley. But he got no further, for Dick +suddenly wheeled him around and gave him a shove that sent him through +the doorway and off the back porch. + +"Now the other fellow," said the oldest Rover, but before Tom and +Sam could touch Jerry Koswell that individual ducked and ran after +Flockley. Then both young men stood at a safe distance. + +"We'll fix you for this!" roared Flockley. "We don't know who you are, +but we'll find out, and--" + +"Maybe you want a thrashing right now," came from Tom impulsively. +"I'm in fighting trim, if you want to know it." And he stepped out +of the house, with Sam at his heels. Dick followed. At this hostile +movement Flockley and Koswell turned and walked hurriedly out of the +garden and down the country road, a row of trees soon hiding them from +view. + +"They are as mad as hornets," observed Sam. "If they belong anywhere +near Ashton we'll have to look out for them." + +"Right you are," answered Tom. "But I am not particularly afraid." + +Having watched the two young men out of sight, the three Rover boys +returned to the farmhouse. Minnie Sanderson had now recovered somewhat +and she blushed deeply as she faced them. + +"Oh, wasn't it awful," she said. "I--I don't know what you think of +it. They had no right to touch me. I thought they were gentlemen. They +have called here several times, but they never acted that way before." + +"Then we came in the nick of time," answered Dick. "Will you allow me +to introduce myself?" and he bowed. "My name is Dick Rover and this +is my brother Tom and this my brother Sam. You are Miss Sanderson, I +suppose." + +"Yes, Minnie Sanderson." + +"We are strangers here. We were on the train, but there was a little +accident and we were in a hurry to get to Ashton, so we got off and +walked up this road, thinking we could hire somebody to drive us to +Brill College." + +"Oh, do you go to Brill?" And the girl's eyes opened widely. + +"We don't go yet, but we are going." + +"Then--then you'll meet Mr. Flockley and Mr. Koswell again." + +"What, are they students there?" cried Tom. + +"Yes. This is their second year, I believe. I know they were there +last spring, for they called here." + +Sam gave a low whistle. + +"We are making friends first clip, aren't we?" he murmured to his +brothers. + +The boys related a few of the particulars of the accident and their +experience at the farmhouse near the railroad. + +"Oh, that's old Mrs. Craven!" cried Minnie Sanderson. "She would talk +you out of your senses if you'd let her. But about a carriage, I don't +know. If papa was here--" + +At that moment came the sound of carriage wheels on the gravel path +near the barn. + +"There is papa now!" cried Minnie Sanderson. "You can talk to him. I +guess he'll take you to the college quick enough." + +"How did those two young fellows get here?" asked Sam. + +"I don't know. And please--that is--you won't say anything to my +father about that, will you? It would make him very angry, and I don't +know what he'd do." + +"We'll not say a word if you wish it that way," answered Dick. + +"I don't think they'll bother me again after the way you treated +them," added the girl. + +She led them toward the barn and introduced her father, a fat and +jolly farmer of perhaps fifty. Mr. Sanderson had been off on a short +drive with one horse and he readily agreed to take them to Brill +College for two dollars. + +"Just wait till I put in a fresh team," he said. "Then I'll get you +over to the college in less than an hour and a quarter." + +While he was hooking up he explained that he had been to a nearby +village for a dry battery for the electric doorbell. + +"We don't use the bell much, but I hate to have it out of order," he +explained. + +"That's why it didn't ring," said Sam to his brothers. + +The carriage was soon ready and the three dress-suit cases were piled +in the rear. Then the boys got in and Mr. Sanderson followed. + +"Good-by!" called the boys to Minnie Sanderson. + +"Good-by," she returned sweetly and waved her hand. + +"Maybe we'll get down this way again some day," said Dick. + +"If you do, stop in," returned the girl. + +The farmer's team was a good one and they trotted out of the yard +and into the road in fine shape. Dick was beside the driver and his +brothers were in the rear. The carriage left a cloud of dust behind as +it bowled along over the dry country road. + +"First year at Brill?" inquired Mr. Sanderson on the way. + +"Yes," answered Dick. + +"Fine place--no better in the world, so I've heard some folks say--and +they had been to some of the big colleges, too." + +"Yes, we've heard it was all right," said Tom. "By the way, where is +Hope Seminary?" + +"About two miles this side of Brill." + +"Then we'll pass it, eh?" came from Sam. + +"Well, not exactly. It's up a bit on a side road. But you can see the +buildings--very nice, too--although not so big as those up to Brill. +I'll point 'em out to you when we get there." + +"Do you know any of the fellows at Brill?" questioned Tom, nudging Sam +in the ribs as he spoke. + +"A few. Minnie met some of 'em at the baseball and football games, and +once in a while one of 'em stops at our house. But we are most too far +away to see much of 'em." + +Presently the carriage passed through a small village which the boys +were told was called Rushville. + +"I don't know why they call it that," said Mr. Sanderson with a +chuckle. "Ain't no rushes growing around here, and there ain't no rush +either; it's as dead as a salted mackerel," and he chuckled again. +"But there's one thing here worth knowing about," he added suddenly. + +"What's that?" asked Dick. + +"The Jamison place--it's haunted." + +"Haunted!" cried Tom. "What, a house?" + +"Yes, a big, old-fashioned house, set in a lot of trees. It ain't been +occupied for years, and the folks say it's haunted, and nobody goes +near it." + +"We'll have to inspect it some day," said Sam promptly. + +"What--you?" cried the fat farmer. + +"Sure." + +"Ain't you scared?" + +"No," answered the youngest Rover. "I don't believe in ghosts." + +"Well, they say it's worth a man's life to go in that house, +especially after dark." + +"I think I'd risk it." + +"So would I," added Tom. + +"We'll pay the haunted house a visit some day when there is no session +at the college," said Dick "It will give us something to do." + +"Hum!" mused the farmer. "Well, if you do it you've got backbone, +that's all I've got to say. The folks around here won't go near that +Jamison place nohow." + +The road now became hilly, with many twists and turns, and the farmer +had to give his entire attention to his team. The carriage bounced up +and down and once Sam came close to being pitched out. + +"Say, this is fierce!" he cried. "How much more of it?" + +"Not more'n a quarter of a mile," answered Mr. Sanderson. "It is +kinder rough, ain't it? The roadmaster ought to have it fixed. Some of +the bumps is pretty bad." + +There was one more small hill to cross, and then they came to a level +stretch. Here the horses made good time and the farmer "let them out" +in a fashion that pleased the boys very much. + +"A fine team and no mistake," said Dick, and this pleased Mr. +Sanderson very much, for he was proud of but two things--his daughter +Minnie and his horses. + +"There is Hope Seminary," said Mr. Sanderson presently and pointed to +a group of buildings set in among some large trees. "That's a good +school, I've been thinking of sending my daughter there, only it's a +pretty long drive, and I need her at home. You see," he explained, +"Minnie keeps house for me--has ever since my wife died, three years +ago." + +The boys gazed at the distant seminary buildings with interest, and as +they did so Dick thought of Dora Stanhope and Tom and Sam remembered +the Lanings. All thought how jolly it would be to live so close +together during the college term. + +"Now we've got only two miles more," said Mr. Sanderson as he set +his team on a trot again. "I'll land you at Brill inside of fifteen +minutes, even if the road ain't none of the best." + +The country road ran directly into the town of Ashton, but there was +a short cut to the college and they turned into this. Soon the lads +caught sight of the pile of buildings in the distance. They were set +in a sort of park, with the road running in front and a river in the +rear. Out on the grounds and down by the stream the Rover boys saw a +number of students walking around and standing in groups talking. + +With a crack of his whip Mr. Sanderson whirled from the road into the +grounds and drove up to the steps of the main building. + +"This is the place where new students report," he said with a smile. +"I'll take your grips over to the dormitory." + +"Thank you, Mr. Sanderson," said Dick. "And here are your two +dollars," and he handed the money over. + +While Dick was paying the farmer Sam turned to the back of the +carriage to look at the dress-suit cases. He gave an exclamation. + +"What's the matter?" asked Tom. + +"Didn't you have a suit case, Tom?" + +"Certainly." + +"Well, it's gone." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CAMPUS FENCE + + +"Gone?" + +"Yes, gone Are you sure you put it in the carriage?" + +"Positive," was Tom's answer. "I put it on top of yours and Dick's." + +"Then it must have jounced out somewhere on the road." + +"What's up?" asked Dick, catching a little of the talk. + +"Tom's case is gone. He put it on top of ours, and I suppose coming +over that rough road jounced it out." + +"One of the satchels gone, eh?" came from Mr. Sanderson. "Sure you put +it in?" + +"Yes, I am positive." + +"Too bad. Reckon I'd better go back at once and pick it up." + +"I'll go with you," said Tom. + +The matter was talked over for a minute and then Tom and the farmer +reëntered the carriage and drove off. As they did this a man came out +to meet Dick and Sam. + +"New students?" he asked shortly. + +"Yes," replied Dick. + +"Please step this way." + +The doorman led them along a broad hall and into a large office. Here +they signed a register and were then introduced by an under teacher +to Dr. Wallington, a gray-haired man of sixty, tall and thin, with a +scholarly aspect. The president of Brill shook hands cordially. + +"I feel that I know you young gentlemen," he said. "Your father and I +were old school chums. I hope you like it here and that your coming +will do you much good." + +"Thank you, I hope so too," answered Dick, and Sam said about the +same. The two boys felt at once that the doctor would prove their +friend so long as they conducted themselves properly, but they also +felt that the aged president of Brill would stand for no nonsense. + +Having been questioned by the doctor and one of the teachers, the boys +were placed in charge of the house master, who said he would show +them to their rooms in the dormitory. Dick had already explained the +absence of Tom. + +"Your father wrote that you would prefer to room together," said +the house master. "But that will be impossible, since our rooms +accommodate but two students each. We have assigned Samuel and Thomas +to room No. 25 and Richard to room No. 26, next door." + +"And who will I have with me?" asked Dick with interest. He did not +much fancy having a stranger. + +"Well, we were going to place a boy with you named Stanley Browne, a +very fine lad, but day before yesterday we received a new application +and the applicant said he desired very much to be put with the Rovers. +So he can go with you, if you wish it." + +"Who was the applicant?" asked Dick quickly. + +"John A. Powell. He said he was an old school chum of yours at Putnam +Hall and had been on a treasure hunt with you during the past summer." + +"Songbird!" cried Dick, and his face broke out in a smile. "Oh, that's +good news! It suits me perfectly." + +"Did you call the young man Songbird?" queried the house master. + +"Yes, that's his nickname." + +"Then he must be a singer." + +"No, he composes poetry--or at least verses that he calls poetry," +answered the eldest Rover. + +"I wish some more of the old Putnam Hall crowd were coming," put in +Sam. "Think of having Hans Mueller here!" And the very idea made him +grin. + +"Hans isn't fit for college yet, Sam. But there may be others," added +Dick hopefully. + +They soon reached the dormitory, located across the campus from the +main building and followed the house master up-stairs and to rooms +No. 25 and 26. Each was bright, clean and cheerful, with big windows +looking to the southward. Each contained two clothes closets, two +beds, two bookshelves, a bureau, a reading table, two plain chairs and +a rocker. The walls were bare, but the boys were told they could hang +up what they pleased so long as they did not mar the plaster. + +"The lavatories are at the end of the hall," said the house master. +"And the trunk room is there, too. Have you had the trunks sent up +yet?" + +"No, sir," answered Dick. + +"Then let me have your checks and I will attend to it. I see the man +has already brought up your suit cases. I hope your brother has no +trouble in recovering the one that was lost." + +"When is John Powell coming?" asked Dick. + +"To-morrow, so he telegraphed." + +The house master left Dick and Sam and the two boys looked over the +rooms and put some of the things from their suit cases in the closets +and in the bureaus. Then they walked down to one of the lavatories and +washed and brushed up. Everything was so new and strange to them that +they did not feel at all at home. + +"It will take a few days to get used to it I suppose," said Sam, with +a trace of a sigh. "I know I felt the same way when first I went to +Putnam Hall." + +"Let us go down and take a look around and watch for Tom," replied his +brother. "Say, but I'm glad Songbird is coming," he added. "I don't +care much for his doggerel, but John's a good fellow just the same." + +"None better," replied Sam heartily. "And his poetry isn't so very +bad, always." + +The two brothers went below and strolled around. They found the main +building formed the letter T, with the top to the front. In this were +the offices and the classroom and also the private apartments of the +president and his family and some of the faculty. To the east of the +main building was a long, one-story structure, containing a library +and a laboratory, and to the west the three-story dormitory the lads +had just left. Somewhat to the rear was another dormitory and beside +it a large gymnasium, with a swimming pool attached. A short distance +away was a house for the hired help and a stable and carriage sheds. +Down by the river was a boathouse, not unlike that at Putnam Hall but +larger. + +"This is a fine layout and no mistake," observed Dick with +satisfaction. + +"Did you see that fine athletic field beyond the campus?" returned +Sam. "That means baseball and football galore." + +Having walked around the outside of the various buildings the Rover +boys made their way to the highway to watch for the coming of Tom. +Hardly had they reached the road when they saw a crowd of six students +approaching. Among the number were Dudd Flockley and Jerry Koswell. + +"See those two, Dick?" whispered Sam. "Won't they be mad when they see +us here?" + +"Well, I don't care," answered Dick coolly. "If they say anything, let +me do the talking." And thus speaking, Dick sat down on the top of a +stone fence and his brother hopped up beside him. + +The six students came closer, and of a sudden Dudd Flockley espied the +Rovers. He stopped short and pulled his crony by the arm, and Jerry +Koswell likewise stared at Dick and Sam. + +"You here?" demanded Flockley, coming closer and scowling at the +youths on the fence. + +"We are," answered Dick briefly. + +"Freshmen?" + +"Yes." + +"Humph!" And Flockley put as much of a sneer as possible in the +exclamation. + +"How did you get here?" asked Koswell. + +"Got a carriage at the Sanderson place," answered Sam with a grin. + +"You did!" cried Flockley. "Say, you're a fresh lot, aren't you?" he +went on, glaring at Dick and Sam. "Where's the third chap?" + +"None of your business," answered Dick sharply. + +"Don't you talk to me like that!" cried Dudd Flockley, and then his +face took on a look of cunning. "Freshmen, eh? Then you don't know +what we are. We are sophs, and we want you to answer us decently." + +"That's the talk!" cried Koswell. "Boys, these are freshmen, and on +the fence, too. We can't allow this, can we?" + +"No freshies allowed on that fence!" answered another boy of the +crowd. "Off you go and quick!" + +As he spoke he approached Sam and tried to catch him by the foot to +pull him off. Sam drew in his foot and then sent it forth so suddenly +that it took the sophomore in the stomach and sent him reeling to the +grass. + +"At them!" yelled Flockley. "Show them how they must behave! Sophs to +the front!" + +"Wait!" The command came from Dick, and he spoke so clearly and firmly +that all the sophomores paused. "Is this an affair between Flockley +and Koswell and ourselves or is it simply two freshmen against six +sophs?" + +"Why--er--have Flockley and Koswell anything against you two?" +demanded one of the boys curiously. + +"I think so," answered Dick. "We had the pleasure of knocking them +both down a few hours ago. As it was a private affair, we won't go +into details." + +"Didn't do it because you were freshmen?" asked another lad. + +"Not at all. We were total strangers when the thing occurred." + +"Yes, but--" came from another sophomore. + +"Sorry I can't explain. Flockley and Koswell can if they wish. But I +advise them to keep a certain party's name out of the story," added +Dick significantly. He felt bound to protect Minnie Sanderson as much +as possible. + +"It's all stuff and nonsense!" roared Dudd Flockley. "They are +freshies and ought to be bounced off the fence and given a lesson in +the bargain." + +"That's it--come and hammer 'em!" added Jerry Koswell. + +"What's the row here?" demanded a tall lad who had just come up. He +had light curly hair, blue eyes and a face that was sunshine itself. + +"Two freshies on the stone fence, Holden," said one of the sophomores. +"We can't allow that, you know." + +At this Frank Holden, the leader of the sophomore class, laughed. + +"Too bad, fellows, but they've got you. Term doesn't begin until +to-morrow and they can sit where they please until twelve o'clock +midnight. After that"--he turned to Dick and Sam--"well, your blood +will be on your own heads if you disturb this fence or the benches +around the flagstaff." + +"My gracious! Frank's right, term isn't on until to-morrow," cried +another student. "I beg your pardon, boys!" And he bowed lowly to the +Rovers. + +"Gee, it's a wonder you fellows wouldn't say something before I was +kicked off the earth!" growled the sophomore who had been sent to the +grass by Sam. + +"Don't thank me for what I did," said Sam pleasantly, and this caused +some of the other college fellows to grin. + +"Don't say a word," cried the one who had gone down. "Only--well, if I +catch you on the fence, it will be who's best man, that's all." + +"Aren't we to do anything to these freshies?" demanded Dudd Flockley. +He did not at all relish the turn affairs had taken. + +"Can't do a thing until to-morrow," answered Frank Holden decidedly. + +"Bah! I believe in making a freshie toe the mark as soon as he +arrives." + +"So do I," added Jerry Koswell. + +"Can't be done--against the traditions of Brill," answered the class +leader. "You've got to give a freshman time to get his feet planted on +the ground, you know," he added kindly and with a smile at Dick and +Sam. + +"Thank you for that," answered the older Rover. "We'll be ready for +the whole sophomore class by to-morrow." + +"We'll see," answered Holden and passed on, and the majority of the +second-year fellows followed. Flockley and Koswell lingered behind. + +"See here, you chaps," said Flockley. "What are your names?" + +"If you want to know so bad, my name is Dick Rover and this is my +brother Sam." + +"And who was the other fellow?" asked Koswell. + +"My brother Tom." + +"Three brothers, eh, and named Rover!" growled Dudd Flockley. "All +right, I'll remember that, and I'll remember how you treated us up to +the Sanderson place." + +"And I'll remember it too and square up," added Koswell. + +"We'll make Brill too hot to hold you," snapped Flockley, and then he +turned into the gateway leading to the campus and his crony followed. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +GETTING ACQUAINTED + + +"Dick, we have made two enemies, that's sure," remarked Sam to his +brother as they watched Flockley and Koswell depart. + +"It couldn't be helped if we have, Sam," was the reply. "You are not +sorry for what we did at the Sanderson house, are you?" + +"Not in the least. What we should have done was to give those chaps a +sound thrashing." + +"They seem to have a number of friends here. Probably they will do all +they can to make life at this college miserable for us." + +"Well, if they do too much, I reckon we can do something too." + +Some new students had been standing at a distance watching the scene +described in the last chapter. Now one of them approached and nodded +pleasantly. + +"Freshmen?" he asked. + +"Yes," answered both of the Rovers. + +"So am I. My name is Stanley Browne. What's yours?" + +"Dick Rover, and this is my brother Sam." + +"Oh, are you Dick Rover? I've heard about you. My cousin knows you +real well." + +"Who is your cousin?" + +"Larry Colby." + +"Larry!" cried Dick. "Well, I guess he does know us well. We've had +some great times together at Putnam Hall and elsewhere. So you are +Larry's cousin? I am real glad to know you." And Dick held out his +hand. + +"Larry is one of our best chums," said Sam, also shaking hands. "I +remember now that he has spoken of you. I am glad to know somebody at +this place." And Sam smiled broadly. Soon all three of the boys were +on good terms, and Stanley Browne told the Rovers something about +himself. + +"I come from the South," he said. "My folks own a large cotton +plantation there. Larry was down there once and we had a lot of fun. +He told me of the sport he had had with you. You must have had great +times at Putnam Hall." + +"We did," said Sam. + +"I thought there were three of you, from what Larry said." + +"So there are," answered Dick, and told about Tom and the missing +dress-suit case. "Tom ought to be getting back," he added. + +Stanley had been at Brill for two days and had met both Flockley and +Koswell. He did not fancy either of the sophomores. + +"That Frank Holden is all right," he said, "but Flockley and Koswell +are very overbearing and dictatorial. I caught them ordering one of +the freshmen around like a servant. If they had spoken that way to me +I'd have knocked them down." And the eyes of the Southern lad flashed +darkly. + +"Where do you room?" asked Dick. He remembered what the house master +had said about Stanley and felt that the youth would make a nice +roommate for anybody. + +"I'm in No. 27, right next to you fellows. Mr. Hicks was going to put +me in with you first, but afterward said a friend of yours was going +to fill the place." + +"Yes," said Dick. "But you will be right next door, so it will be +almost the same thing. Who is your roommate?" + +"A fellow named Max Spangler. I don't know much about him, as he only +came this noon. But he seems all right. Here he comes now." + +As Stanley spoke he motioned to a short, stout lad who was walking +across the campus. The boy had a distinctly German face and one full +of smiles. + +"Hello, Friend Browne," he called out pleasantly and with a German +accent. "Did you find somebody you know?" + +"I've made myself known," answered Stanley, and then he introduced the +others. "They bunk next door to us," he added with a nod toward Dick +and Sam. + +"Hope you don't snore," said Max Spangler. "I can go anybody but what +snores." + +"No, we don't snore," answered Sam, laughing. + +"Then I'm your friend for life and two days afterward," answered the +German-American lad, and said this so gravely the others had to laugh. +Max put the Rovers in mind of their old friend Hans Mueller, but he +spoke much better English than did Hans, getting his words twisted +only when he was excited. + +Dick suggested that they all walk down the road to meet Tom, and this +was done. The conversation was a lively one, Stanley and Max telling +of their former schooldays and the Rovers relating a few of their own +adventures. Thus the four got to be quite friendly by the time the +carriage with Tom and Mr. Sanderson came in sight. + +"Find it?" sang out Sam to his brother. + +"No," was Tom's reply. + +"You didn't!" cried Dick. "How far back did you go?" + +"Way back to Rushville. I know it was in the carriage at that place, +for I saw it." + +"Too bad," said Sam. "Did you have much of value in it?" + +"Not a great deal. Most of my stuff is in my trunk. But the case alone +was worth six dollars, and it had my comb and brush and toothbrush and +all those things in it." + +"Want me any more?" asked Mr. Sanderson. "If you don't, I'll get home. +It's past milking time now." + +"No, I'll not need you," answered Tom and hopped to the ground. A +minute later the farmer turned his team around and was gone in a cloud +of dust. + +Tom was introduced to Stanley and Max, and the whole crowd walked +slowly back to the college grounds. Then Tom was taken to his room, +the others going up-stairs with him. He washed and brushed up, went to +the office and registered, and then the bell rang for supper. + +The dining hall at Brill was a more elaborate affair than the messroom +at Putnam Hall, but the Rovers were used to dining out in fine places, +so they felt perfectly at home. Dick and Sam had already met the +instructor who had charge of their table, Mr. Timothy Blackie, and +they introduced Tom. Stanley and Max were at the same table and also a +long-haired youth named Will Jackson, although his friends called him +"Spud." + +"I don't know why they call me Spud," he said to Dick, "excepting +because I like potatoes so. I'd rather eat them than any other +vegetable. Why, when I was out in Jersey one summer, on a farm, I ate +potatoes morning, noon and night and sometimes between times. The +farmer said I had better look out or I'd sprout. I guess I ate about +'steen bushels in three weeks." + +"Phew!" whistled Sam. "That's a good one." + +"Oh, it's a fact," went on Spud. "Why, one night I got up in my sleep +and they found me down in the potato bin, filling my coat pockets with +potatoes, and--" + +"Filling your coat pocket?" queried Stanley. "Do you sleep with your +coat on?" + +"Why, I--er--I guess I did that night," answered Will Jackson in some +confusion. "Anyway, I'm a great potato eater," he added lightly. Later +on the others found out that Spud had a vivid imagination and did not +hesitate to "draw the long bow" for the sake of telling a good story. + +The meal was rather a stiff and quiet one among the new students, but +the old scholars made the room hum with talk about what had happened +at the previous term. There was a good bit of conversation concerning +the last season of baseball and more about the coming work on the +gridiron. From the talk the Rovers gathered that Brill belonged to +something of a league composed of several colleges situated in that +territory, and that they had held the football championship four and +three seasons before, but had lost it to one of the colleges the next +season and to another college the season just past. + +"Football hits me," said Dick to Stanley. "I'd like to play +first-rate." + +"Maybe you'll get a chance on the eleven, although I suppose they give +the older students the preference," was the reply. + +Stanley had met quite a few of the other students, and after supper +he introduced the Rovers and Max and also Spud. Thus the Rovers were +speedily put on friendly terms with a score or more of the freshmen +and also several of the others. One of the seniors, a refined young +man named Allan Charter, took the crowd through the library and the +laboratory and also down to the gymnasium and the boathouse. + +"We haven't any boat races, for we have no other college to race +against," said the senior. "The students sometimes get up contests +between themselves, though. Dick Dawson used to be our best oarsman, +but last June a fellow named Jerry Koswell beat him." + +"Koswell!" cried Sam. "I thought he was too much of a dude to row in a +race." + +At this remark the senior smiled faintly. + +"Evidently you have met Mr. Koswell," he remarked pointedly. + +"We have," answered Tom. + +"Well, he can row, if he can't do anything else." + +"I'd like to try my skill against him some day," said Tom, who during +the past year had taken quite a fancy to rowing. + +"Perhaps Koswell will be glad to let you have the chance," said Allan +Charter. + +A little later the senior left the freshmen, and the latter strolled +back in the direction of the college buildings. It was now growing +dark, and the Rovers concluded to go up to their rooms and unpack +their trunks, which had just come in from the depot. + +"You fellows want to keep your eyes wide open to-night," cautioned +Stanley, who came up with them. + +"Hazing?" asked Dick. + +"So I was told." + +"Will they start in so early?" asked Sam. + +"Any time after midnight. I hate to think of it, but I reckon a fellow +has got to submit." + +"That depends," answered Dick. "I'll not stand for everything. I'll +not mind a little hazing, but it mustn't be carried too far." + +"That's the talk," cried Tom. "If they go too far--well, we'll try to +give 'em as good as they send, that's all." + +"Right you are!" came from Sam. + +They unpacked their trunks and proceeded to make themselves at home as +much as possible. As Dick was alone in his room, he went over to his +brothers' apartment for company, locking his door as he did so. + +"I'll tell you what I'd do if I were you, Dick," said Tom. "Stay here +to-night. My bed is big enough for two on a pinch. Then, if there is +any hazing, we can keep together. To-morrow, if Songbird comes, it +will be different." + +This suited the oldest Rover, and he brought over such things as he +needed for the night. The boys were tired out, having put in a busy +day, and by ten o'clock Sam and Tom were both yawning. + +"I think I'll go to bed," said Sam. "If anything happens wake me up." + +"Oh, you'll wake up fast enough if they come," answered Tom. "But I am +going to lay down myself. But I am not going to undress yet." + +Taking off their shoes and collars, ties and coats, the boys said +their prayers and laid down. Sam was soon in the land of dreams, and +presently Tom and Dick followed. + +Two hours passed and the three lads were sleeping soundly, when +suddenly Tom awoke with a yell. A stream of cold water had struck him +in the head, making him imagine for the instant that he was being +drowned. + +"Hi, stop" he spluttered and then stopped, for the stream of water +took him directly in the mouth. Then the stream was shifted and struck +first Dick and then Sam. All three of the Rovers leaped from the beds +as quickly as possible. Although confused from being awakened so +rudely, they realized what it meant. + +They were being hazed. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A HAZING, AND WHAT FOLLOWED + + +The stream of water came from a small hose that was being played +through a transom window over the door of the room. A lad was holding +the hose, and in the dim light Dick recognized the face of a youth +named Bart Larkspur, a sophomore who did not bear a very good +reputation. Larkspur was poor and Dick had heard that he was used by +Flockley, Koswell and others to do all sorts of odd jobs, for which +the richer lads paid him well. + +"Stop that, you!" cried the oldest Rover, and then, rushing to the +door, he flung it open and gave a shove to what was beyond. This was +a short step-ladder upon which Larkspur and several others were +standing, and over the ladder went with a crash, sending the hazers to +the floor of the hallway in a heap. + +"Get the hose," whispered Tom, who had followed his brother, and while +the sophomores were endeavoring to get up, he caught the squirming +hose and wrenched it, nozzle and all, from Bart Larkspur's hand. + +"Hi, give me that!" yelled Larkspur. + +"All right, here you are," answered Tom merrily, and turned the stream +of water directly in the sophomore's face. Larkspur spluttered and +shied and then plunged to one side into a fellow student standing +near. This was Dudd Flockley, and he was carried down on his back. + +"Play away, Six!" called out Tom in true fireman style, and directed +the stream on Flockley. It hit the dudish student in the chin and ran +down inside his shirt collar. + +"Stop, I beg of you! Oh, my!" screamed Flockley, trying to dodge the +water. "Larkspur, grab the hose! Knock that rascal down! Why don't +somebody do something?" + +"Give me that hose, you freshie!" called out Jerry Koswell, who was +in the crowd. "Don't you know better than to resist your superiors? I +want you to understand--" + +"Keep cool, old man, don't get excited," answered Tom brazenly. "Ah, I +see you are too warm. Will that serve to keep your temperature down?" +And now he turned the hose on Koswell, hitting the fellow directly in +the left ear. Koswell let out a wild yell and started to retreat and +so did several others. + +"Don't go! Capture the hose!" called out Flockley, but even as he +spoke he took good care to get behind another sophomore. + +"Capture it yourself!" growled the youth he was using as a shield. + +"Say, you're making too much noise," whispered another student. "Do +you want the proctor down on us? And turn that water off before you +ruin the building. Somebody has got to pay for this, remember," he +added. + +As it was an unwritten law of Brill that all hazers must pay for any +damage done to college property while hazing anybody, one of the +sophomores started for the lavatory where the hose had been attached +to a water faucet. But while the water still ran, Tom, aided by Dick +and Sam, directed the stream on the sophomores, who were forced to +retreat down the hallway. + +"Now rush 'em! Rush 'em!" yelled Flockley, when the water had ceased +to run. "Bind and gag 'em, and take 'em down to the gym. We can finish +hazing 'em there!" + +"Get into the room!" whispered Dick. "Hurry up, and barricade the +door!" + +"Right you are, but no more hose water for me," answered Tom, and +pulled on the rubber with all his might. It parted about half way down +the hallway, and into the room he darted with the piece in his hands. +Then Sam and Dick closed the door, locked it, and shoved a bed and the +table against the barrier. They also turned the button of the transom +window so that the glass could not be swung back as before. + +"Now they can't get in unless they break in," said Dick grimly, "and I +doubt if they'll dare to do that." + +"Say, maybe I'm not wet," remarked Sam, surveying his dripping shirt. + +"Never mind; we sent as good as we got, and more," answered Tom with +a grin. "Let us put on our coats so we don't catch cold. No use of +putting on dry clothing until you are sure the ball is over." + +"Tom, you're a crack fireman," said Dick with a smile. "I'll wager +those sophs are mad enough to chew nails." + +"What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander," quoted the +fun-loving Rover. "What's the good of living if you can't return a +compliment now and then?" + +For several minutes all was silent outside. Then came a light knock +on the door. Dick held his hand up for silence and the knock was +repeated. + +"Don't answer them," whispered the oldest Rover. + +"Say, I want to talk to you fellows," came in low tones. "This is +important." + +"Who are you?" asked Dick after a pause. + +"I'm Larkspur--Bart Larkspur, I want to tell you something." + +"Well, what is it?" demanded Tom. + +"Your resistance to our class won't do you any good. If you'll come +out and take your medicine like men, all right; but if you resist it +will go that much harder with you." + +"Who sent you--Frank Holden?" asked Sam. + +"What has Holden to do with it?" growled Larkspur. + +"We know he's the leader of your class." + +"He is not. Dudd Flockley is our leader." + +"Then Flockley sent you, eh?" put in Dick. + +"Yes, if you want to know it." + +"Well, tell Flockley to mind his own business," answered Dick sharply. +"If Frank Holden wants us we'll come, but not otherwise." + +"Are you hazing any of the other fellows?" asked Tom. + +"We'll haze them after we get through with you," growled Larkspur, and +then the Rovers heard him tiptoe his way down the hall. + +"I think this attack was gotten up by the Flockley-Koswell crowd," +was Dick's comment. "Maybe it wasn't sanctioned by the other sophs at +all." + +The Rovers waited a while longer and then with caution they pulled +back the bed and the table and opened the door. By the dim light in +the hallway they saw that the place was deserted. Somebody had run a +mop over the polished floor, thus taking up most of the water. + +"I guess they have given it up for to-night," said Dick, and his words +proved correct. + +After waiting a good hour the three Rovers rearranged the room, +hanging up some of the bedding and rugs to dry near the window, which +they left wide open. Then they locked the door and went into Dick's +room, which had not been disturbed. As they did this another door +opened, and Stanley poked out his head, followed by Max. + +"We heard it all," said the Southern lad with a chuckle. "Hope you +doused 'em good!" + +"We did," answered Tom. "They didn't tackle you, did they?" + +"No; but I suppose they will later, or to-morrow." + +"I am ready for them if they come," came from Max. "I got this," and +he held up a long, white sack. + +"What is it?" asked Sam. + +"Plaster of Paris. If they tackle me I'll make 'em look like marble +statues already." And the German-American youth winked one eye +suggestively. + +Despite the excitement the Rover boys slept soundly for the rest of +the night. All were rather sleepy in the morning, but a good wash in +cold water brightened them greatly. While getting ready for breakfast +they looked for Flockley and Koswell, but those two students, as well +as Larkspur, kept out of sight. + +"They don't like the way matters turned out last night," said Dick. + +On entering the dining-room they saw the sophomores at a nearby table. +Flockley and Koswell glared darkly, while as they passed, Larkspur +put out his foot to trip Sam up. But Sam was on guard, and instead +of stumbling he stepped on the fellow's ankle, something that caused +Larkspur to utter a gasp of pain. + +"What did you do that for?" he demanded savagely. + +"Sorry, but you shouldn't sprawl all over with your feet," answered +the youngest Rover coldly, and passed on to his seat. When he looked +back, Larkspur, watching his chance so that no teacher might see him, +shook his fist at Sam. + +"We have got to keep our eyes wide open for that bunch," was Dick's +comment. "Last night's affair will make Flockley and Koswell more sour +than ever, and Larkspur is evidently their tool, and willing to do +anything they wish done." + +After chapel the Rovers were assigned to their various classes and +given their text-books. It was announced that no regular classes would +be called until the following Monday morning. + +"That gives us plenty of time to study our first lessons," said Sam. + +"Yes, and gives us time to get acquainted with the college layout and +the rest of the students," added Tom. "Do you know, I think I am going +to like it bang-up here." + +"Just what I was thinking," returned Dick. "It isn't quite so boyish +as Putnam Hall was--some of the seniors are young men--but that +doesn't matter. We are growing older ourselves." + +"Gracious, I'm not old!" cried Tom. "Why, I feel like a two-year-old +colt!" And to prove his words he did several steps of a jig. + +Only about half of the students had as yet arrived, the others being +expected that day, Friday, and Saturday. The college coach was to +bring in some of the boys about eleven o'clock, and the Rovers +wondered if Songbird Powell would be among them. + +"You'll like Songbird," said Dick to Stanley Browne. "He's a great +chap for manufacturing what he calls poetry, but he isn't one of the +dreamy kind--he's as bright and chipper as you find 'em." + +The boys walked down to the gymnasium, and there Sam and Tom took a +few turns on the bars and tried the wooden horses. While they did +this Dick talked to a number of the freshmen with whom he had become +acquainted. + +"We are to have a necktie rush Monday," said one boy. "Every fellow is +to wear the college colors. Meet on the campus an hour before supper +time." + +"I'll be there," said Dick. He knew what was meant by a necktie rush. +All the freshmen would don neckties showing the college colors, and +the sophomores, and perhaps the juniors, would do their best to get +the neckties away from them. If more than half the boys lost their +ties before the supper bell rang the freshmen would be debarred from +wearing the colors for that term. + +Shortly before eleven o'clock a shout was heard on the road, and a +number of the students made a rush in that direction. The college +coach swung into sight in a cloud of dust. It was fairly overflowing +with boys and young men, all yelling and singing and waving their hats +and caps. At the sight those on the campus set up a cheer. + +"This is something like!" cried Tom enthusiastically. He wanted to see +things "warm up," as he expressed it. + +The coach was followed by three carriages, and all deposited their +loads at the main building steps and on the campus. There were more +cheers and many handshakes. + +"There he is!" cried Sam, and rushing forward, he caught John Powell +by the hand, shook it, and relieved the newcomer of his suit case. + +"Hello, Sam!" cried Songbird, and grinned from ear to ear. "Hello, +Dick! Hello, Tom! Say, did I surprise you?" And now he shook hands +with the others. + +"You sure did," replied Dick. "I was afraid I was going to have a +stranger for a roommate. Your coming here suits me to a T!" + +"I didn't write to you because I wanted to surprise you," explained +Songbird. "I've composed some verses about it. They start--" + +"Never mind the verses now," interrupted Tom. "Come on in and we'll +introduce you to the fellows, and then we'll listen to your story. And +we'll tell you some things that will surprise you." + +"And I'll tell you some things that will surprise you, too," returned +John Powell, as he was led away by the three Rover boys. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE ARRIVAL OF SONGBIRD + + +"So you've made some enemies as well as some friends, eh?" remarked +Songbird Powell, after he had been registered, taken up to his room, +and had listened to what the Rover boys had to tell. "No use of +talking, it doesn't take you fellows long to stir things up!" + +"You said you had a surprise for us, Songbird," returned Tom. "I'm +dying by inches to know what it is." + +"Maybe it's a new poem," put in Sam with a grimace at his brothers. + +"I've got a poem--several of them, in fact," answered Songbird, "but +I didn't have those in mind when I spoke. Who do you suppose I met +yesterday morning, in Ithaca, while I was waiting for the train?" + +"Dora Stanhope and the Lanings," answered Tom promptly. + +"No. Tad Sobber." + +"Tad Sobber!" exclaimed the Rover boys in concert. + +"Songbird, are you sure of it?" demanded Dick. + +"Sure? Wasn't I talking to him!" + +"But--but--I thought he was lost in that hurricane, when the +_Josephine_ was wrecked." + +"No. It seems he escaped to a vessel bound for England; but his uncle, +Sid Merrick, was lost, and so were most of the others. Sobber just got +back from England--came in on one of the ocean liners, so he told me." + +"How did he act?" asked Tom. + +"Where was he going?" added Sam. + +"Did he seem to have any money?" came from Dick. + +All of the Rovers were intensely interested, and showed it plainly. + +"Say, one question at a time, please!" cried Songbird, "You put me in +mind of a song I once wrote about a little boy: + + "'A little lad named Johnny Spark + Was nothing but a question mark. + He asked his questions night and day, + When he was resting or at play. + One minute he would tackle pa, + And then he'd turn and tackle ma; + And then his uncle he would quiz--" + + "And let that line please end the biz," + +finished Tom. "Say, Songbird, please don't quote poetry when we are +waiting to hear all about Tad Sobber. Have some pity on us." + +"Yes, tell us of Sobber," added Sam and Dick. + +"All right, if you don't appreciate my verses," returned the would-be +poet with a sigh. "Well, to start with, Tad Sobber was well dressed, +and looked as if he had all the money he needed. He wore a brown +checkered suit, so evidently he hasn't gone into mourning for his +uncle. He told me he had had a rough experience on the ocean during +the hurricane, and he blames you Rovers for all his troubles." + +"That's just like Sobber," was Dick's comment. + +"He wouldn't tell me where he was going or what he was going to do, +but he did let drop a remark or two about the fortune you discovered +on Treasure Isle. He said that he was firmly convinced that the money +belonged to him and to his uncle's estate, and that he meant some day +to make a fight for it." + +"In the courts?" asked Tom. "If he does that he'll get beaten. Father +says the treasure belongs to the Stanhope estate and to nobody else." + +"No, he didn't say he was going to court about it, but he said he was +bound to get hold of it some day." + +"I hope he doesn't try to get it by force," said Sam. "That would mean +trouble for the Stanhopes and the Lanings." + +"The money is in the banks now, Sam," said Dick. "He couldn't get hold +of it excepting on an order from those to whom it belongs." + +"And they'll never give him any such order," added Tom. + +"Do you suppose he was going to see the Stanhopes and the Lanings?" +questioned the oldest Rover anxiously. + +"He didn't say, I wanted to question him further, but a man who was +standing on a corner, some distance away, beckoned to him, and he left +me and joined the man, and the two walked off." + +"Who was the man?" + +"I don't know." + +The boys talked the matter over for some time, but Songbird had +nothing more to tell, and at last the subject was dropped. Songbird +was introduced to Stanley, Max, and a number of the other students, +and soon he felt quite at home. + +That evening there was a bit of hazing. Dick and Tom escaped, but Sam, +Songbird and Stanley were caught in the lower hallway by a number of +the sophomores and carried bodily to the gymnasium. Here they were +tossed in blankets and then blindfolded. + +"We'll take them to the river," said one of the sophomores. "A bath +will do them good." + +"Let's give 'em a rubbing down with mud!" cried Jerry Koswell. He had +some tar handy, and if the mud was used he intended to mix some of the +tar with it on the sly. + +"That's the talk!" cried Larkspur, who knew about the tar, he having +purchased it for Koswell and Flockley. The three had at first intended +to smear the beds of the Rovers with it, but had gotten no chance. + +"Give them a good dose!" said Dudd Flockley. He had joined in the +blanket-tossing with vigor. + +Sam, Songbird and Stanley were being led to the river when Max came +rushing up to Tom and Dick, who happened to be in the library, looking +over some works of travel. + +"Come on mit you!" he cried excitedly in broken English. "Da have got +Sam and Stanley and dot friend of yours alretty! Hurry up, or da was +killed before we git to help 'em!" + +"They? Who?" asked Dick, leaping up. + +"Sophs--down by der gym!" And then Max cooled down a bit and related +what he had seen. + +"We must surely go to the rescue!" cried Tom. "Wait! I'll get clubs +for all hands!" And he rushed up to his room, where in a clothing +closet lay the end of the hose he had taken away from the sophomores. +With his knife he cut the section of hose into eight "clubs," and With +these in his hands he hurried below again. + +At a cry from Dick and Max the freshmen commenced to gather on the +campus, and Tom quickly handed around the sections of hose. Other +first-year lads procured sticks, boxing gloves, and other things, and +looked around for somebody to lead them. + +"Come on!" cried Dick, and he sprang to the front, with Tom on one +side and Max on the other. The German-American boy had a big squirtgun +filled with water, a gun used by the gardener for spraying the bushes. + +The sophomores had captured four more freshmen, and marched all of +the crowd down to the river front, when the band under Dick, sixteen +strong, appeared. The latter came on yelling like Indians, and +flourishing their sections of hose, and sticks and other things. + +"Let 'em go! Let 'em go!" was the rallying cry, and then whack! whack! +whack! down came the rubber clubs and the sticks on the backs of the +second-year students. + +"Fight 'em off!" came from the sophomores. + +"Chase 'em away!" yelled Dudd Flockley; but hardly had he spoken when +Max discharged the squirtgun, and the water took Flockley in the eye, +causing him to yell with fright and retreat. Then Max turned the gun +on Larkspur, soaking the latter pretty thoroughly. + +Attacked from the rear, the sophomores had to let go their holds on +their victims, and as soon as they were released Sam, Songbird and the +others ran to the right and the left and joined the force under Dick. + +All told, the freshmen now numbered twenty-three, while the sophomores +could count up but fourteen. The second-year students were hemmed in +and gradually forced nearer and nearer to the bank of the river. + +"Let up! let up!" yelled several in alarm. "Don't knock us overboard!" + +"It's nothing but mud here! I don't want my new suit spoiled!" cried +one. + +"I can't swim!" added another. + +"I've got an idea," whispered Tom to the others near him. "Shove 'em +in the mud and water, or else make 'em promise not to take part in the +necktie rush." + +"That's the talk!" replied Dick. He caught hold of the sophomore in +front of him. "All shove, fellows!" And the second-year students were +gradually forced to the very edge of the river at a point where there +was a little water and a good deal of dark, sticky mud. Of course +they fought desperately to push the freshmen back, but they were +outnumbered, as already told. + +"Now, then, every fellow who will promise not to take part in the +necktie rush Monday will be allowed to go free," said Dick loudly. +"The others must take their ducking in the water--and mud." + +"Let me go!" roared Dudd Flockley. "I'm not going to have this suit +ruined!" + +"I don't want to get these patent leathers wet!" cried Jerry Koswell, +who had on a new pair of shiny shoes. + +"Then promise!" cried Sam, and "Promise!" "Promise!" came from many +others. + +Without delay several of the sophomores promised, and they were +allowed to depart. Then the others began to show fight, and three +managed to escape, among them being Dudd Flockley. The others were +forced into the water and mud up to their knees. Then they cried out +in alarm, and while two finally escaped, the others also promised to +keep out of the necktie contest. + +"Just wait!" snarled Jerry Koswell as he at last managed to pull +himself out of the sticky mud. "Just wait, that's all!" His +patent-leather shoes were a sight to behold. + +"Not so much fun when you are hazed yourself, is it?" asked Sam +coolly. + +"We'll give it to 'em yet," put in Bart Larkspur. "Lots of time +between now and the closing of the term." And then he and Koswell ran +off to join Dudd Flockley. The three went to their rooms and cleaned +up as best they could, and then took a walk down the road in the +direction of Rushville. + +"It was that Dick Rover who led the attack," said Dudd Flockley. "Do +you know what I think? I think he is going to try to make himself +leader of the freshies." + +"Just what I thought, too," answered Larkspur. "And if that's the fact +we ought to do all we can to pull him down." + +"Tom Rover is the fellow I am going to get after," came from Jerry +Koswell. He had not forgotten how Tom and Sam had sent him to the +floor in the presence of Minnie Sanderson. + +The three students walked a distance of half a mile when they saw +approaching them a trampish-looking man carrying what looked to be a +new dress-suit case. They looked at the fellow rather sharply and he +halted as he came up to them. + +"Excuse me," he mumbled, "but did any of you gents lose this case?" + +"Why, it must be Rover's case!" cried Flockley. Nearly every one in +the college had heard about the missing baggage. + +"I found it in the bushes alongside the road," went on the tramp. +"Thought it might belong to some of the college gents." + +"Let me look at it," said Koswell, and turned the case around. "Yes, +it's Rover's," he added, seeing the initials and the address. + +"Better take it up to the college," put in Larkspur. + +"Wait, I'll take it up," said Jerry Koswell suddenly. "This belongs to +a poor chap," he added to the tramp. "He won't be able to reward you, +but I will. Here's a quarter for you." And he passed over the silver +piece. + +"Much obliged," said the tramp. "Want me to carry it up to the +buildings?" + +"No, I'll do that," said Koswell, and then he winked at his cronies. +The tramp went on and the three watched him disappear in the distance. + +"What did you do that for, Jerry?" asked Flockley with interest. He +surmised that something new was afoot. + +"Oh, I did it for the fun of the thing," answered Koswell coolly. "But +maybe I can work it in somehow against that Rover bunch. Anyway, I'll +try." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE COLORS CONTEST + + +The next morning Tom was much surprised to find his missing dress-suit +case standing in front of his room door. + +"Hello! How did this get here?" he cried as he picked up the baggage. + +"What's that?" asked Sam, who was just getting up. + +"Look!" answered his brother, and brought the case in. "Somebody must +have found it and left it here while I was asleep." + +"Very kind, whoever he was," said Sam. "Are the contents all right?" + +Instead of answering Tom placed the suit case on a chair and started +to unlock it. + +"Hello, it's unlocked!" he murmured. "I thought I had it locked." + +He shoved back the clasps and threw the case open. The contents were +much jumbled, but he had expected this from the fact that the bag had +been jounced out of the carriage. + +"I guess the stuff is all here," he said slowly, turning over the +clothing and other things. "Somehow, I thought I had more in the case, +though," he added presently. + +"Don't you know what you had?" + +"Well--er--I packed it in a hurry, you know. I wanted to go fishing, +and so I got through as soon as I could. Oh, I guess it's all right." + +Tom was too lively a youth to pay much attention to his personal +belongings. Often he hardly knew what suit of clothing he had on or +what sort of a necktie. The only times he really fixed up was when +Nellie Laning was near. Why he did that only himself (and possibly +Nellie) knew. + +Sunday passed quietly. Some of the boys attended one or another of the +churches in Ashton, and the Rovers went with them. Dudd Flockley and +his cronies took a walk up the river, and reaching a warm, sunny spot, +threw themselves down to smoke cigarettes and talk. + +"Well, what did you do about the dress-suit case, Jerry?" asked +Flockley with a sharp look at his crony. + +"Returned it, as you know," was the answer, and Jerry winked +suggestively. + +"I'd have flung the bag in the river before I would give it to such a +chap as Tom Rover," growled Larkspur. + +"You trust me, Larky, old boy," answered Jerry Koswell. "I know what +I'm doing." + +"Humph!" + +"I said I returned the case, but I didn't say I returned all that was +in it." + +"What do you mean by that?" demanded Flockley. "If you've got a +secret, out with it." + +Koswell looked around to make certain that no outsider was near. + +"I kept a few things out of the bag--some things that had Tom Rover's +name or his initials on them." + +"And you are going to--" went on Flockley. + +"I am going to use 'em some day, when I get the chance." + +"Good!" cried Flockley. "I'll help you, Jerry!" + +"And so will I," added Larkspur. "If we work it right we can get Tom +Rover in a peck of trouble." + +On Monday morning the college term opened in earnest, and once again +the Rovers had to get down to the "grind," as Sam expressed it. But +the boys had had a long vacation and were in the best of health, and +they did not mind the studying. + +"Got to have a good education if you want to get along nowadays," was +the way Dick expressed himself. "If you don't learn you are bound +to be at the mercy of anybody who wants to take advantage of your +ignorance." + +"Dick, what are you going to do when you get out of college?" asked +Tom. + +"I don't know--go into business, I imagine." + +"Oh, he'll marry and settle down," chimed in Sam. "He and Dora will +live in an ivy-covered cottage like two turtle doves, and--" + +Sam got no further, for a pillow thrown by Dick caught him full in the +face and made him stagger. + +"Sam is thinking of what he and Grace are going to do," said Dick. +"And you and Nellie will likely have a cottage across the way," he +added, grinning at Tom. + +"Really!" murmured Tom, and got as red as a beet. "Say, call it off," +he added. "Do you know we have the necktie rush this afternoon?" + +"It won't amount to much," answered Sam. "Too many sophs out of it." + +"Don't you believe it," said Dick. "Remember, the juniors come into +this as well as the sophs." + +"Say, I've thought of a plan!" cried Tom. "Greatest ever! I'm going to +patent it!" And he commenced to dance around in his excitement. + +"What's loose?" asked Songbird, coming up at that moment, followed by +some others. "Tom, have you got a pain in your inwards?" + +"No, an idea--it's about the same thing," responded Tom gaily. "We +want to get the best of the second and third-year fellows during the +necktie rush, and I think I know how we can do it. We'll all sew our +neckties fast!" + +For a moment there was silence, and then, as the others caught the +idea, they commenced to laugh. + +"That's it!" cried Sam. "I'll sew mine as tight as a drum!" + +"I'll rivet mine on, if that will do any good," added Dick. + +"Sure thing!" came from Songbird, and he commenced to recite: + + "Oh, the sophs and the juniors will try + To steal from the freshies each tie; + But they will not win, + For we'll fight them like sin--" + + "And bust 'em right plumb in the eye!" +finished Tom. "Oh, say, but will you all sew your neckties fast?" + +"Sure!" + +"And we'll tell the rest to do so, too," added another freshman who +was present. + +The news soon circulated, and was kept from all but the first-year +students. + +It must be confessed that many of the students found it hard to fix +their minds on their lessons that afternoon. One boy, Max Spangler, +brought on a great laugh when the following question was put to him: + +"What great improvement in navigation did Fulton introduce?" + +"Neckties," answered Max abstractedly. + +"Neckties?" queried the instructor in astonishment. + +"I--er--I don't mean neckties," stammered the German-American student, +"I mean steamboats." + +When the afternoon session was over the students hurried to their +various rooms. The sophomores and the juniors who were to take part +in the contest talked matters over, and as far as possible laid out a +plan of action. It was decided that the largest and heaviest of the +second and third-year students were to tackle the smallest freshmen +first, while the others were to hold the rest of the first-year men at +bay. + +"We'll get fifteen or twenty neckties first clip that way," said one +of the sophomores, "and it doesn't matter who we get them from. A +little chap's tie counts as much as that of a two-hundred pounder." + +In the meantime the freshmen were busy following Tom's advice and +sewing their ties fast to their collars, shirts, and even their +undershirts. Then Dick, who had, unconsciously almost, become a +leader, called the boys into an empty recitation-room. + +"Now, I've got a plan," said he. "We want to bunch up, and all the +little fellows and lightweights get in the center. The heavy fellows +can take the outside and fight the others off. Understand?" + +"Yes!" + +"That's a good idea!" + +"Forward to the fray!" yelled Stanley, "and woe be to him who tries to +get my tie! His blood be on his own head!" he added tragically. + +"Forward!" cried Sam, "and let our watchword be, 'Die, but no tie!'" + +"Now don't get excited," said Dick. "Take it coolly, and I'm certain +that when the time is up we'll have the most of our ties still on." + +It was the custom to go out on the campus at a given time, and when +the chapel bell sounded out the hour Dick led the freshmen forward. +They came out of a side door in a body and formed around the flagstaff +almost before the sophomores and juniors knew they had appeared. + +The seniors took no part, but three had been "told off" to act as +referees, and they stood around as if inspecting the buildings and the +scenery. The instructors, who also knew what was coming, wisely kept +out of sight. + +"Come on, and at 'em!" called out Dudd Flockley, and this cry was +quickly taken up by all the others who were to take part in the +contest. + +"Hello! They know a thing or two," said Frank Holden, who was the +sophomore leader in the attack. "They've got the little fellows in the +middle." + +As tightly as possible the freshmen gathered around the flagstaff. +Each wore a necktie of the college colors and it was fastened as +tightly as strong thread could hold it. + +"At 'em!" was the yell of the second and third-year lads. "Tear 'em +apart! Pull the ties from 'em!" + +And then they leaped in at the big freshmen, and on the instant a +battle royal was started. Down went four boys on the campus, rolling +over and over. Others caught each other by the hands and shoulders and +wrestled valiantly. + +Dick and Tom were in the front rank, with Sam directly behind them. +Dick was caught by Frank Holden, and the two wrestled with might and +main. Frank was big and strong, but Dick managed to hold him so that +all the sophomore leader could do was to get his finger tips on the +sought-for necktie. + +Flockley tackled Tom, and much to his surprise was tripped up and sent +flat on his back. Mad with sudden rage, Flockley scrambled up and let +out a savage kick for Tom's stomach. But Tom was too quick for the +sophomore, and leaped to one side. + +"Foul!" cried Tom. + +"Don't do that again!" called one of the seniors to Dudd. "If you do +you'll be ruled out." Kicking and punching were prohibited by the +rules. All the boys could do was to wrestle and throw each other, and +either try to pull the neckties away or hold on to them. + +On and on the battle waged, each minute growing hotter. Many of the +students were almost winded, and felt that they could not endure +the struggle much longer. Dick, Tom and Sam managed to keep their +neckties, although Sam's was torn loose by two sophomores who held him +as in a vise until Stanley came to his assistance. When the time was +half up eleven neckties had been captured--two of them almost torn to +shreds. + +"At 'em!" yelled Frank Holden. "We haven't begun yet!" + +"Hold 'em back!" was Dick's rallying answer. "Don't let 'em get near +the little fellows!" + +Again the contest raged, and this time with increased bitterness. In +the melee some few blows were exchanged, but it must be admitted that +one side was about as much to blame for this as the other. Three +additional neckties were captured, making fourteen in all. As +thirty-seven freshmen were in the contest, the sophomores and juniors +had to capture five more neckties to win. + +"Only three minutes more!" sang out one student, looking at his watch. +"At 'em! Rip 'em apart!" + +"Three minutes more!" yelled Dick. "Hold 'em back and we'll win!" + +The enemy fought with increased fury, and one more necktie was +taken--the collar and collar band coming with it. But then of a sudden +the chapel bell tolled out the hour. + +"Time's up!" was the cry. + +"And we win!" came from a score of freshmen in huge delight. + +"Look out! Look out!" cried several small youths in the center of the +crowd. + +Crack! It was the flagstaff, and all looked in that direction. The +pole, old and decayed, was falling. It looked as if it would crush all +who stood in its path. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + + +TOM IN TROUBLE + + +"Look out, the flagpole is coming down!" + +"Stand from under, or you'll be killed!" + +Crack! came from the pole, and now many saw that it was breaking off +close to the ground. Some of the students had clung to it during the +contest, and the strain had been too much for the stick, which was +much rotted just where it entered the ground. + +Those on the outside of the crowd ran away with ease, but not so those +who were hemmed in. Two of the smallest of the freshmen, Billy Dean +and Charley Atwood, could not move fast enough, and one fell over the +other, and both went down. + +"Save me!" gasped one of the lads. + +"Don't let the pole come down on me!" screamed the other. + +The flagstaff was falling swiftly, and Dick and many others saw that +it would fall directly across Dean and Atwood unless its progress was +stayed. + +"Hold it up! Hold it up!" yelled Dick. "Hold it up, or they'll be +killed!" + +He put up his hands to meet the pole, which was coming down across +the front of the campus. Tom did likewise, and so did Frank Holden, +Stanley Brown, and several others, including an extra tall and +powerful senior. + +It was a heavy weight, and for the moment the boys under it thought +they would have to let it go. Over came the pole, and when it rested +on the boys' hands the top overbalanced the bottom and struck the +ground, sending the lower end into the air. As this happened Billy +Dean and Charley Atwood were hauled out of harm's way. Then the pole +was dropped to the campus with a thud. + +For several seconds all who stood near were too dazed to speak. Then +a cheer arose for those who had held the flagstaff up long enough for +the small youths to be rescued. + +"Say, that was a close shave!" exclaimed Sam, He, like a good many +others, was quite pale. + +"It was indeed," said a senior who had come up. "The fellows who held +the pole up deserve a good deal of credit." + +"Dick Rover suggested it," said Songbird, "Good for you, Dick!" he +added warmly. + +The falling of the flagstaff sobered the whole party of students, yet +the freshmen were jubilant over the fact that they had won in the +colors contest. + +"And we'll wear the colors this term," cried Tom proudly. + +"So we will!" called out others in a chorus. "We'll wear 'em good and +strong, too!" And they did. The very next day some of the lads came +out with neckties twice the ordinary size, and with hat bands several +inches wide, all, of course, in the Brill colors. + +Billy Dean and Charley Atwood were much affected by what had occurred, +and quickly retired from the scene. But later both of the small +students thanked Dick and the others for what had been done for them. +The broken flagstaff was hauled away by the laborers of the place, and +inside of a week a new pole, much larger than the old one, and set in +concrete, was put up. + +For several days after the contest over the colors matters ran along +smoothly at Brill. The Rover boys made many more friends, and because +of his work during the necktie rush Dick was chosen as the leader of +the freshmen's class. + +"On Friday I am going to fix Tom Rover," said Jerry Koswell to Dudd +Flockley. "Just wait and see what I do--and keep your mouth shut." + +"I'll keep my mouth shut right enough," answered Dudd, "but what's in +the wind?" + +"I'm going to pay off Professor Sharp for some of his meanness--and +pay off Tom Rover at the same time." + +"Give me a map of the proceedings. I'm too tired to guess riddles, +Jerry." + +"Well, you know how Sharp called me down to-day in English?" + +"Sure!" + +"Well, I've learned that he just received a new photograph of some +lady--I think his best girl. He has it on the mantle in his room. I'm +going to doctor that picture, and I'm going to lay the blame on Tom +Rover." + +"How will you do it?" + +"By using something I got out of Rover's dress-suit case." + +"Oh, I see!" + +"Sharp will suspect Rover at once, because he and Rover had a few +words yesterday." + +"Good! I hope he catches it well--Rover, I mean," answered Dudd +Flockley. + +Saturday was more or less of a holiday at Brill, and the three Rover +boys planned to go to town. Incidentally, they wished to learn if Dora +Stanhope and the Laning girls had as yet arrived at Hope Seminary. +They had received no letters from the girls since coming to Brill, and +were growing anxious. + +Tom was dressing to go to town when there came a knock on his door, +and one of the proctors presented himself. + +"Thomas Rover, you are wanted at the office immediately," said the +man. + +"What for?" asked Tom. + +"Don't ask me, ask Professor Sharp," answered the proctor, and looked +at Tom keenly. + +Wondering what could be the matter, Tom finished dressing, and in a +few minutes presented himself at the office. President Wallington and +Professor Sharp were both waiting for him. + +"So you've come at last, have you, you young rascal!" cried Abner +Sharp angrily. "How dare you do such an outrageous thing?" + +"Gently, professor," remonstrated the president of Brill. "You are not +yet certain--" + +"Oh, he did it, I am sure of it!" spluttered Professor Sharp. "I +declare I ought to have him locked up!" + +"Did what?" demanded Tom, who was much mystified by what was going on. + +"You know well enough, you young reprobate!" stormed the instructor. + +"See here, Professor Sharp, I'm neither a rascal nor a reprobate, and +I don't want you to call me such!" cried Tom, growing angry himself. + +"You are, and I will have you to understand--" + +"I am not, and if you call me bad names again I'll--I'll--knock you +down!" And Tom doubled up his fists as he spoke. + +"Rover, be quiet!" exclaimed Doctor Wallington, so sternly that both +Tom and Professor Sharp subsided. "I'll have no scene in this office. +You must behave yourself like a gentleman while you are here. +Professor, you must not call a student hard names." + +"But this outrage, sir!" spluttered the instructor. + +"We'll soon know the truth of the matter." + +"I'd like to know what you are talking about," said Tom. "I haven't +committed any outrage, so far as I know." + +"Didn't you do this?" cried Abner Sharp, and thrust under Tom's nose +a photograph of large size. The picture had once represented a fairly +good-looking female of perhaps thirty years of age, but now the hair +was colored a fiery red, and the end of the nose was of the same hue +while in one corner of the dainty mouth was represented a big cigar, +with the smoke curling upward. Under the photograph was scrawled in +blue crayon, "Ain't she my darling?'" + +The representation struck Tom as so comical that he was compelled to +laugh outright; he simply couldn't help it. It was just such a joke +as he might have played years before, perhaps on old Josiah Crabtree, +when at Putnam Hall. + +"Ha! So you are even willing to laugh in my face, are you!" almost +screamed Abner Sharp, and rushing at Tom he caught the youth and shook +him roughly. "Do you--er--know that this lady is my--my affianced +wife?" + +"Let me go!" cried Tom, and shook himself loose. "Excuse me, sir. I +know I hadn't ought to laugh, but it looks so--so awfully funny!" And +Tom had to grin again. + +"Rover!" broke in the president of Brill sternly, "aren't you ashamed +to do such a thing as this?" + +"Why--er--what do you mean, sir?" + +"Just what I said." + +"Oh!" A light began to break in on the fun-loving Rover's mind. "Do +you think I did this?" + +"Didn't you?" + +"Of course he did!" fumed Professor Sharp. "And now he is willing to +laugh over his dastardly work!" + +"I didn't do it, sir," said Tom firmly. + +"You are certain?" It was the head of the college who asked the +question. + +"Yes, sir. I never saw that picture before." + +"But I have the proof against you!" fairly shouted Abner Sharp. "It is +useless for you to deny your guilt." + +"I say I am not guilty." + +"Isn't this your box, Rover?" + +As Professor Sharp uttered these words he brought to light a German +silver case which Tom had picked up in a curiosity shop in New York. +The case had his name engraved on it, and contained pencils, crayons, +and other things for drawing. + +"Where did you get that?" demanded the youth. + +"Never mind where I got it. Isn't it yours?" + +"Yes." + +"Ha! Do you hear that, Doctor Wallington?" cried Abner Sharp in +triumph. "He admits the outfit is his!" + +"So I see," said the president of Brill, and if anything his face +grew a trifle more stern. "Then you admit your guilt, Rover?" he +questioned. + +"What! That I defaced the photograph?" + +"Yes." + +"No, sir! Didn't I say I had never seen the picture before?" + +"This photograph was in Professor Sharp's room, on the mantel. The +room was locked up, and the professor carried the key. This box was +found on the table, beside some books. You had some difficulty with +the professor a day or two ago in the classroom." + +"I didn't touch the picture, and I haven't been near Professor Sharp's +room," answered Tom stoutly. "If I was there, would I be fool enough +to leave that box behind, with my name engraved on it? And if the door +was locked how would I get in?" + +"Did you lend the box to anybody?" + +"No. The fact is, I--er--I thought I had left the box home. I--Oh!" + +"Well?" + +"I think maybe the box was in my dress-suit case, the case I lost. But +it wasn't in the case when it was left at my door that morning." + +"Oh, nonsense!" muttered Professor Sharp. "He is guilty, sir, and he +might as well own up to it first as last." + +"I have told the strict truth!" cried Tom hotly. "I am not in the +habit of telling falsehoods." + +"Have you any other proof against Rover, Professor Sharp?" + +"Not now, but I may be able to pick up more later." + +"Hum! This is certainly a serious matter. Rover, you will go to your +room and remain there until I send for you again." + +"Can't I go down to town?" asked Tom. + +"Not for the present. I intend to get to the bottom of this affair, +if I possibly can. If you are innocent you shall not suffer. But at +present it looks to me as if you were guilty. You may go." + +"But, sir--" + +"Not another word at present. I have other matters to attend to. I +shall call on you later. But remain in your room until I send somebody +for you." + +An angry answer arose to Tom's lips, but he checked it. In the college +Doctor Wellington's word was law, and he knew he would only make +matters worse by attempting to argue. With a heavy heart he turned, +gazed coldly at Professor Sharp, and left the office. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +SONGBIRD MAKES A DISCOVERY + + +"It's all up with me," said Tom to his brothers when he met them in +the hall. "I can't go to town." + +"Why not?" asked Sam. + +"Got to remain in my room until Doctor Wallington sends for me." + +"What have you been doing, Tom?" came from Dick. + +"Nothing." And then Tom told of what had occurred in the office. His +brothers listened with much interest. + +"This is the work of some enemy," said Sam quickly. + +"And the one who got hold of the dress-suit case," added Dick. "Tom, +do you suspect any one?" + +"Only in a general way--Koswell, Flockley, Larkspur, and that crowd." + +"It's too bad." + +"Say, but that picture was a sight!" cried the fun-loving Rover, and +gunned broadly. "No wonder old Sharp was mad. I'd be mad myself, +especially if it was a photo of my best girl." + +"I hope the doctor doesn't keep you in the room all day," said Sam. + +"You and Dick might as well go to town without me," returned Tom with +a sigh that he endeavored to suppress. "Your staying here won't do me +any good." + +"What will you do?" + +"Oh, read or study. It will give me a chance to catch up in my Latin. +I was a bit rocky in that yesterday. I can bone away until the +president sends a special message for me." + +"Want us to get anything for you?" questioned Dick. + +"Yes, a good fat letter from--well, a fat letter, that's all." + +"Postmarked Cedarville, and in Nellie Laning's handwriting," came from +Sam slyly. + +"I didn't know they postmarked letters in handwriting," answered Tom +innocently. + +"Oh, you know what I mean." + +"Sure, Sam, for I know you're looking for a letter, too. Well, run +along, children, and play," said Tom, and a minute later Sam and Dick +set off for Ashton. + +Tom did not feel as lighthearted as his words would seem to indicate. +He knew that the charge against him was a serious one, and he saw no +way of clearing himself. The finding of the box with his name on it +seemed to be proof positive against him. + +"No use of talking, the minute I get to school I seem to get into +trouble," he soliloquized. "Wonder if they'll put me in a cell, like +old Crabtree did at Putnam Hall? If they do I'll raise a kick, sure as +eggs are unhatched chickens!" + +Tom sat down to study, but he could not fix his mind on his lessons. +Then he heard somebody come along the hallway and turn into the next +room. + +"Must be Songbird, or else one of the servants," he thought. "Guess +I'll take a look." If it was Songbird, he could chat with his friend +for a while. + +He went to the next room. As he opened the door he saw Songbird, with +his back toward him. The so-styled poet was waving his arms in the air +and declaiming: + + "The weeping winds were whispering through the wood, + The rolling rill ran 'round the ragged rock; + The shepherd, with his sunny, smiling face, + Was far away to feed his flitting flock. + Deep in the dingle, dank and dark--" + + "I thought I heard an old crow bark!" +finished Tom. "Say, Songbird, how much is that poetry by the yard--or +do you sell it by the ton?" he went on. + +At the sound of Tom's voice the would-be poet gave a start. But he +quickly recovered. He scowled for a moment and then took on a look of +resignation. + +"You've spoiled one of the best thoughts I ever had," he said. + +"Don't you believe it, Songbird," answered Tom. "I've heard you make +up poetry worth ten times that. Don't you remember that little sonnet +you once composed, entitled 'Who Put Ink in Willie's Shoes?' It was +great, grand, sublime!" + +"I never wrote such a sonnet!" cried Songbird. "Ink in shoes, indeed! +Tom, you don't know real poetry when you see it!" + +"That's a fact, I don't. But, say, what's on the carpet, as the iceman +said to the thrush?" + +"Nothing. I thought I'd write a few verses, that's all. Thought you +were going to town with Sam and Dick?" + +"Can't." And once again Tom had to tell his story. He had not yet +finished when Songbird gave an exclamation. + +"It fits in!" he cried. + +"Fits in? What?" asked Tom. + +"What I heard a while ago." + +"What did you hear?" + +"Heard Flockley, Koswell and Larkspur talking together. Koswell said +he had fixed you, and that you were having a bad half hour with the +president." + +"Where was this?" + +"In the library. I was in an alcove, and they didn't see me. I was +busy reading some poetry by Longfellow--fine thing--went like this--" + +"Never mind. Chop out the poetry now, Songbird. What more did they +say?" + +"Nothing. They walked away, and I--er--I got so interested in making +up verses I forgot all about it until now." + +"I wish you had heard more. Do you know where they went to?" + +"No, but I can look around if you want me to." + +"I wish very much that you would. I can't leave, or I'd go myself." + +A few more words followed, and then Songbird went off to hunt up the +Flockley crowd. On the campus he met Max Spangler. + +"Yes, I saw them," said the German-American student in answer to a +question. "They are down along the river, just above the boathouse." + +"Thank you." + +"I'll show you if you want me to," went on Max. + +"You might come along, if you have nothing else to do," answered +Songbird. + +The two walked toward the river, and after a few minutes espied +Flockley and the others sitting on some rocks, in the sun, talking +earnestly. + +"I want to hear what they are saying," said Songbird. "I have a +special reason." And at Max's look of surprise he told something of +what had happened. + +"If Koswell is that mean he ought to be exposed," said Max. "I don't +blame him for playing a trick on old Sharp, but to lay the blame on +Tom--why, that's different." + +"Will you come along?" + +"If you want me to." + +"I don't want to drag you into trouble, Max." + +"I dink I can take care of myself," answered the German-American +student. + +The pair passed around to the rear of the spot where Flockley and his +cronies were located. Here was a heavy clump of brushwood, so they +were able to draw quite close without being seen. + +The talk was of a general character for a while, embracing football +and other college sports, and Songbird was disappointed. But presently +Jerry Koswell began to chuckle. + +"I can't help but think of the way I put it over Tom Rover," he +exclaimed. "I'll wager old Sharp will make him suffer good and +proper." + +"Maybe they'll suspend Rover," said Bart Larkspur. "But that would be +carrying it pretty far, wouldn't it?" + +"They won't suspend him, but he'll surely be punished," came from Dudd +Flockley. "By the way, are you sure it was a photo of Sharp's best +girl?" + +"Yes; but she isn't a girl, she's a woman, and not particularly +good-looking at that," answered Jerry Koswell. + +"Well, Sharp isn't so very handsome," answered Larkspur. "His nose is +as sharp as his name." + +"I suppose Rover will wonder how somebody got hold of that case of +pencils and crayons," remarked Flockley. "If he--" + +"Hello, Max!" cried a voice from behind the bushes, and the next +moment a stout youth landed on Max Spangler's back, carrying him down +with a crash in the brushwood. "What are you doing here, anyway?" + +At the interruption the whole Flockley crowd started to their feet, +and turning, beheld not only Max and the boy who had come up so +suddenly, but also Songbird. The latter was nearest to them, and +Koswell eyed him with sudden suspicion. + +"What are you doing here?" he demanded, while Max and his friend were +wrestling in a good-natured way in the bushes. + +"Oh, I've been listening to some interesting information," answered +Songbird. + +"Playing the eavesdropper, eh?" came from Flockley with a sneer. + +"If so, it was for a good purpose," answered the would-be poet warmly. + +"Say, Jerry, you want to look out for him!" cried Larkspur warningly. +"He rooms with Dick Rover, remember. They are old chums." + +"I know that," said Koswell. He faced Songbird again. "How long have +you been here?" he cried angrily. + +"That is my business, Koswell. But I heard enough of your talk to +know how you tried to put Tom Rover in a hole. It's a mean piece of +business, and it has got to be stopped." + +"Bah!" + +"You can 'bah!' all you please, but I mean what I say. To play a joke +is one thing, to blame it on a fellow student who is innocent is +another. As the poet Shelley says--But what's the use of wasting +poetry on a chap like you? Max, you heard what was said, didn't you?" + +By this time the German-American student was free of his tormentor, a +happy-go-lucky student named Henry Cale. He nodded to Songbird. + +"Yes, I heard it," he said, and gave Koswell a meaning look. + +"Fine business to be in, listening around corners," sneered Larkspur. + +"Say that once more and I'll punch your head!" cried Max, doubling up +his fists. + +"What are you fellows going to do?" questioned Koswell. He was +beginning to grow alarmed. + +"That depends on what you fellows do," returned Songbird. + +"Why--er--do you think I am going to the doctor and--er--confess?" + +"You have got to clear Tom Rover." + +"Our word is as good as yours," said Larkspur. + +"Then you are willing to tell a string of falsehoods, eh?" said +Songbird coldly. + +"I didn't say so." + +"But you meant it. Well, Larkspur, it won't do. I know about this, and +so does Max. Koswell has got to clear Tom Rover, and that is all there +is to it." + +"Will you keep quiet about me if I clear Rover?" asked Jerry Koswell +eagerly. + +"That depends on what Tom Rover says. I am going right to him now and +tell him what I heard." + +"And I'll go along," said Max. He turned to Henry Cale. "You will have +to excuse me, Henry. This is a private affair of importance." + +"Sure," was the ready answer. "I wouldn't have butted in if I had +known something was doing," and Henry walked off toward the college +buildings. + +"Just tell Tom Rover to wait--we'll fix it up somehow," cried Jerry +to Songbird and Max as the pair departed. "It's all a--er--a mistake. +I'm--er--sorry I got Rover into it--really I am." + +"No doubt of it, now!" answered Songbird significantly. "Evildoers are +usually sorry--after they are caught!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +HOW TOM ESCAPED PUNISHMENT + + +Dick and Sam were good walkers, so it did not take them long to reach +Ashton. While covering the distance they talked over Tom's dilemma, +but failed to reach any conclusion concerning it. + +"It's too bad," said Sam, "especially when the term has just opened. +It will give Tom a black eye." + +"I don't think he'll stand for too much punishment, being innocent, +Sam. He'll go home first." + +"I was thinking of that. But we don't want to be here with Tom gone." + +Arriving at Ashton, the boys hurried to the post-office. The mail for +the college was in, and among it they found several letters from home +and also epistles from Dora Stanhope and the Laning girls. + +"Here's one for Tom--that will cheer him up a bit," said Dick, holding +up one addressed in Nellie Laning's well-known hand. + +The boys sat down in an out-of-the-way corner to read their letters. +Dick had a communication of ten pages from Dora, and Sam had one of +equal length from Grace. Then there was one for all the boys from +their father, and another from their Aunt Martha. + +"The girls are coming next Wednesday," said Dick. "I hope we can get +down to the depot when they arrive." + +"Don't forget poor Tom, Dick," + +"Yes. Isn't it too bad?" + +"Nellie will cry her eyes out if he is sent away." + +"Oh, we've got to fix that up somehow." + +Having read the letters carefully, the boys went to one of the stores +to make some purchases, and then drifted down to the depot. A train +was coming in, but they did not expect to see anybody they knew. As a +well-dressed young man, carrying a suit case, alighted, both gave an +exclamation: + +"Dan Baxter!" + +The individual they mentioned will need no introduction to my old +readers. During their days at Putnam Hall the Rover boys had had in +Dan Baxter and his father enemies who had done their best to ruin +them. The elder Baxter had repented after Dick had done him a great +service, but Dan had kept up his animosity until the Rovers imagined +he would be their enemy for life. But at last Dan, driven to +desperation by the actions of those with whom he was associating, +had also repented, and it was the Rovers who had set him on his feet +again. They had loaned him money, and he had gotten a position as a +traveling salesman for a large wholesale house. How he was faring they +did not know, since they had not seen or heard of him for a long time. + +"Hello! You here?" cried Dan Baxter, and dropped his suit case on the +depot platform. "Thought you were at the college." + +"Came down for an airing," answered Dick. He held out his hand. "How +goes it with you, Dan?" + +"Fine! Couldn't be better." Baxter shook hands with both boys, and +they could not help but notice how clean-cut and happy he appeared, +quite in contrast to the careless, sullen Dan of old. + +"Come on business?" inquired Sam. + +"Yes." + +"What are you selling?" asked Dick. + +"I am in the jewelry line now, representing one of the biggest houses +in the United States. I was going through to Cleveland, but I made up +my mind to stop off here and see you. I heard from one of the old boys +that you were here." + +"I am sure I am glad to see you, Dan," said Dick, "and glad to know +you are doing well." + +"Maybe you'll be a member of the firm some day," added Sam with a +smile. + +"I don't know about that. I'm willing to work, and the traveling suits +me first-rate. They pay me a good salary, too--thirty dollars per week +and all expenses." + +"Good enough!" cried Dick. + +"I came to see you fellows," went on Dan Baxter in a lower voice. "I +haven't forgotten what you did for me when I was on my uppers. It was +splendid of you. I realize it more every day I live. My father is +with me now--that is, when I'm home. We are happier than we ever were +before." + +"That's good," murmured Sam. + +"I want to see you all. Where is Tom?" + +"Up to the college." Sam did not deem it necessary to go into +particulars. + +"I'd like to see him, too. I've got something for each of you." + +"What is that?" + +"Before I tell you I want you to promise you'll accept it. And by the +way, you got that money back, didn't you?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, will you accept what I want to give you? I want to show you I +appreciate your kindness." + +"We didn't expect anything, Dan," said Dick. + +"Oh, I know that, Dick, but please say you'll take what I have for +you. It isn't so very much, but it's something." + +"All right, if you want it that way," answered the oldest Rover, +seeing that his former enemy was very much in earnest. + +Dan Baxter put his hand in an inner pocket and brought forth three +small packages. + +"This is for you, Dick, and this for you, Sam," he said. "The other is +for Tom. They are all alike." + +The two Rovers undid the packages handed to them. Inside were small +jewelry cases, and each contained a beautiful stickpin of gold, +holding a ruby with three small diamonds around it. + +"Say, this is fine!" murmured Sam. + +"Dan, we didn't expect this," said Dick. + +"But you said you'd accept," pleaded Baxter. "They are all alike, as +I said before. I had the firm make them to order, so there is nothing +else like them on the market. The three diamonds represent you three +brothers, and the ruby--well, when you look at that you can think +of me, if you want to. And another thing," went on Baxter, his face +flushing a trifle, "the pins are settled for. They didn't come out +of my stock. I mention this because--because--" The young traveling +salesman stopped in some confusion. + +"Dan, we know you are not that kind," said Dick hastily. + +"Well, I was, but I'm not that kind any longer--everything I do is as +straight as a string. I paid for those stickpins out of my wages. I +hope you will all wear them." + +"I certainly shall," said Dick. "I shall prize this gift very highly." + +"And so shall I," added Sam. + +Dan Baxter had heard something about their search for the fortune on +Treasure Isle, and as they walked over to the hotel for lunch the +Rovers gave him some of the details. In return he told them of some +of his experiences on the road while representing a carpet house and +another concern, as well as the jewelry manufacturers. He told them of +several of the former pupils of Putnam Hall, including Fenwick better +known as Mumps, who he said was now working in a Chicago hotel. + +"You boys can rest assured of one thing," said Dan Baxter during the +course of the conversation, "if I can ever do you a good turn I'll do +it, no matter what it costs me." + +"That is very kind to say, Dan," answered + +Dick. "And let me say, if we can do anything more for you we'll do +it." + +The three youths spent several hours together and then Sam and Dick +said they would have to get back to college. Secretly they were +worried about Tom. + +"Well, please give the pin to Tom," said Baxter, "and if you feel like +it, write me a letter some day," and he told them of the cities he +expected to visit during his next selling tour. Then the Rovers and +their one-time enemy separated. + +"Not at all like the old Dan Baxter," was Sam's comment, + +"He is going to make a fine business man, after all," returned Dick. +"Well, I am glad of it, and glad, too, that he and his father are +reconciled to each other." + +Sam and Dick had covered about half the distance back to Brill when +they saw a figure striding along the country road at a rapid gait. + +"Why, say, that looks like Tom!" cried Sam. + +"It is Tom," returned his big brother. + +"Do you suppose he has run away?" + +"I don't know. Perhaps the doctor has suspended him." + +"Hello!" called Tom as he came closer. "Thought I'd find you in town +yet. Come on back and have some fun." + +"What does this mean, Tom?" demanded Dick, coming to a halt in front +of his brother. He saw at a glance that Tom looked rather happy. + +"What does what mean, my dear Richard?" asked the fun-loving Rover in +a sweet, girlish voice. + +"You know well enough. Did you run away?" + +"No. Walked away." + +"Without permission?" asked Sam. + +"My dear Samuel, you shock me!" cried Tom in that same girlish voice. + +"See here, let us in on the ground floor of the Sphinx," cried Dick +impatiently. + +"I will, kind sirs," answered Tom, this time in a deep bass voice. "I +went to the room and remained there about an hour. Songbird went out +on a still hunt, Max with him. The two overheard Jerry Koswell and his +cronies talking, learned Jerry did the trick, came back and told me, +and--" + +"You told the president," finished Sam. + +"Not on your collar button," answered Tom. "I waited. The president +sent for me. I went. He tried to get me to confess, and then the +telephone rang, and that did the biz." + +"Say, Tom, are you crazy?" demanded Dick. + +"Crazy? Yes, I'm crazy with joy. Who wouldn't be to get free so +easily?" + +"But explain it," begged Sam. + +"I can't explain it. As I said, the president tried to make me +confess, and of course I had nothing to confess. When the telephone +rang I heard one voice and then two others, one after another. I think +they belonged to Koswell, Flockley and Larkspur, but I am not sure. +The voices talked to Doctor Wallington about ten minutes. He got mad +at first and then calmed down. I heard him ask, 'In Professor Sharp's +room?' and somebody said 'Yes.' Four times he asked for names, but I +don't think he got them. Then he went out of the office and was gone +about a quarter of an hour. When he returned he said, 'Now, on your +honor, for the last time, Rover, did you mar that photograph?' and I +said 'No,' good and hard. Then he said he believed me, and was sorry +he had suspected me, and he added that I could go off for the rest of +the day and enjoy myself, and here I am." + +"And you didn't squeal on Koswell & Company?" asked Sam. + +"Nary a squeal." + +"Do you imagine they confessed?" + +"I think they told the president over the 'phone that I was innocent, +maybe the three swore to it, but I don't think they gave their names." + +"What did they mean about Sharp's room?" + +"I was curious about that, and I found out from one of the servants. +Sharp found an envelope under the door. It contained a five-dollar +bill, and on it was written in a scrawl, 'For a new photograph.'" + +"Koswell & Company got scared mightily," mused Dick. "Well, I am glad, +Tom, that you are out of it." + +"And as a token of your escape we'll present you with this," added +Sam, and brought forth the package from Dan Baxter. Tom was much +surprised, and listened to the story about the former bully of Putnam +Hall with interest. + +"Good for Dan!" he cried. "I'll write him a letter the first chance I +get." + +"And here's a letter from Nellie," said Dick, "and one from father, +and another from Aunt Martha." + +"Hurrah! That's the best yet!" exclaimed Tom. "I've got to read 'em +all. Sit down and rest." And he dropped down on a grassy bank and his +brothers followed suit. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +IN WHICH THE GIRLS ARRIVE + + +"You may be sure of one thing, Tom," remarked Dick while he and his +brothers were walking back to Brill, some time later, "Jerry Koswell +has it in for you. You had better watch him closely." + +"I intend to do so," answered Tom. "But there is another thing which +both of you seem to have forgotten. That's about the dress-suit case. +Did Koswell find it, and if so, did he take anything else besides the +box of pencils and crayons?" + +"He'll never admit it," put in Sam. "Not unless you corner him, as +Songbird did about the photo." + +"He'll have to tell where he got the box, Sam." + +"I doubt if you get any satisfaction." + +And Sam was right, as later events proved. When Tom tackled Koswell +the latter said positively that he knew nothing of the dress-suit +case. He said he had found the box on a stand in the hallway near +Professor Sharp's door, and had used it because it suited his purpose. + +"But you saw it had my name on it," said Tom. + +"No, I didn't. It was rather dark in the hall, and all I saw was that +it contained pencils and crayons," answered Jerry Koswell. + +"Well, I don't believe you," answered Tom abruptly. "You did it on +purpose, and maybe some day I'll be able to prove it." And he walked +off, leaving Koswell in anything but a comfortable frame of mind. + +Tom was curious to see how Professor Sharp would act after the affair. +During the first recitation the instructor seemed ill at ease, but +after that he acted as usual. Tom half suspected the professor still +thought him guilty. + +"Well, it was a pretty mean thing to do," soliloquized the fun-loving +Rover. "If anybody did that to a picture of Nellie I'd mash him into a +jelly." + +All of the Rovers were awaiting the arrival of the girls with +interest, and each was fearful that some poor recitation might keep +him from going to meet them at the Ashton depot on Wednesday. But, +luckily, all got permission to go to town, and they started without +delay as soon as the afternoon session was ended. + +"Where bound?" asked Songbird, in some surprise, as he saw them +driving off in a carriage Dick had ordered by telephone. + +"Going to meet Dora and Nellie and Grace," answered Dick. "Do +you--er--want to come along?" + +"Oh, sure. I'll see them all home myself," answered the would-be poet +with a wink of his eye. "No, thank you. I know enough to keep out +of somebody else's honey pot. Give them my regards," he added, and +strolled off, murmuring softly: + + "If them love me as I love thee, + How happy thee and I will be!" + +The boys got down to the depot ahead of time, and were then told that +the train was fifteen minutes late. They put in the time as best they +could, although every minute seemed five. + +"Hello! There is Dudd Flockley!" exclaimed Sam presently, and pointed +to the dudish student, who was crossing the street behind the depot. + +"Maybe he came down to meet somebody, too," said Tom. "More than +likely there will be quite a bunch of girls bound for the seminary." + +At last the train rolled in, and the three Rovers strained their eyes +to catch the first sight of their friends. + +"There they are!" shouted Dick, and pointed to a parlor car. He ran +forward, and so did his brothers. The porter was out with his box, but +it was the boys who assisted the girls to alight, and Dick who tipped +the knight of the whisk-broom. + +"Here at last!" cried Dick. "We are so glad you've come!" + +"Thought the train would never get here," added Sam. + +"Longest wait I've had since I was able to walk," supplemented Tom. + +"Oh, Tom, you big tease!" answered Nellie merrily, and caught him by +both hands. + +"Yes, we are late," said Dora a bit soberly. She gave Dick's hand a +tight squeeze. They looked at each other, and on the instant he saw +that she had something to tell him. + +"How long it seems since we saw you last," said Grace as she took +Sam's hand. Then there was handshaking all around, and all the girls +and boys tried to speak at once, to learn how the others had been +since they had separated after the treasure hunt. + +"We'll have to look after our trunks," said Dora. "There they are," +and she pointed to where they had been dumped on a truck. + +"I'll take care of the baggage," said Tom. "Just give me the checks." + +"And we've got to find a carriage to take us to Hope," added Grace. + +"All arranged," answered Sam. "We are going to take you up. Dick is +going to take Dora in a buggy, and Tom and I are going to take you and +Nellie in a two-seated. The baggage can go in a wagon behind." + +"But I thought there was a seminary stage," began Grace. + +"There is, and if you'd rather take it--" + +"Oh, no! The carriage ride will be much nicer." And Grace looked at +Sam in a manner that made his heart beat much faster than before. + +"Do you know, it seems awfully queer to be rich and to be going to a +fine boarding school," said Nellie. "I declare, I'm not used to it +yet. But I'm glad on papa and mamma's account, for neither of them +have to work as hard as they did." + +"Papa is going to improve the farm wonderfully," said Grace. "He is +going to put up a new barn and a carriage house and a new windmill for +pumping water, and he has bought a hundred acres from the farm in the +back, and added, oh, I don't know how many more cows. And we've got a +splendid team of horses, and the cutest pony you ever saw. And next +year he is going to rebuild the wing of the house and put on a big +piazza, where we can have rocking-chairs and a hammock--" + +"Yum! yum!" murmured Sam. "The hammock for mine, when I call." + +"Built for two, I suppose," remarked Dick dryly. + +"Dick Rover!" cried Grace, and blushed, + +"He'll want it for himself and Dor--" began Sam. + +"Here comes Tom," interrupted Dick hastily. "All right about the +baggage?" he asked loudly. + +"All right. The trunks and cases will go to the seminary inside of an +hour," answered Tom, "so we might as well be off ourselves. We can +drive slowly, you know." + +"Well, you can go ahead and set the pace," answered his elder brother. + +The buggy and the carriage were already on hand, and soon the boys and +girls were in the turnouts, and Tom drove off, with Dick following. + +As they did so they saw Dudd Flockley standing near, eyeing them +curiously. They had to drive close to the dudish student, who was +attired in his best, and he stared boldly at Dora and the Laning +girls. + +"What a bold young man!" was Dora's comment after they had passed. + +"He's a student at Brill," answered Dick. "Not a very nice kind, +either." Dick was much put out, for he did not like any young man to +stare at Dora. + +Ashton was soon left behind, and carriage and buggy bowled along +slowly over a country road lined on either side with trees and bushes +and tidy farms. Under the trees Dick allowed his horse to drop into a +walk, and managed to drive with one hand while the other found Dora's +waist and held it. + +"Dick, somebody might see you!" she half whispered. + +"Well, I can't help it, Dora," he answered, "It's been such a long +time since we met." + +"Yes, it seems like years and years, doesn't it?" + +"And to think we've got to go through college before--before we can--" + +"Yes, but Dick, isn't it splendid that we are going to be so close to +each other? Why, we'll be able to meet lots of times!" + +"If the seminary authorities will let you. I understand they are very +strict." + +"Oh, well, we'll meet anyhow, won't we?" + +"If you say so, dear." + +"Why, yes, dear--that is--Oh, now see what you've done!--knocked +my hat right down on my ear! Now, you mustn't--one is enough! Just +suppose another carriage should come up--with somebody in it from the +seminary?" + +"I've got my eye open," answered Dick. "But just one more--and then +you can fix your hat. They've got to make some allowance for folks +that are engaged," he added softly, as he pressed her cheek close to +his own. + +"Are we engaged, Dick?" she asked as she adjusted her hat. + +"Aren't we?" he demanded. "Why, of course we are!" + +"Well, if you say so, but--but--I suppose some folks would think we +were rather young." + +"Well, I'm not so young as I used to be--and I'm growing older every +day." + +"So am I. I am not near as young as I was when we first met--on that +little steamboat on Cayuga Lake, when you and Tom and Sam were going +to Putnam Hall for the first time." + +"No, you're not quite so young, Dora, but you are just as pretty. In +fact, you're prettier than ever." + +"Oh, you just say that!" + +"I mean it, and I'm the happiest fellow in the world this minute," +cried Dick, and caught her again in his arms. Once more the hat went +over on Dora's ear, but this time she forgot to mention it. Truth to +tell, for the time being she was just as happy as he was. + +But presently her face grew troubled, and he remembered the look she +had given him at the depot. + +"Something is on your mind, Dora," he said. "What is it?" + +"Dick, do you know that Tad Sobber is alive? That he escaped from that +dreadful hurricane in West Indian waters?" + +"Yes, I know it. But I didn't know it until a few days ago, when +Songbird Powell came to Brill He said he had met Sobber in Ithaca," + +"He came to see mamma." + +"I was afraid he would. What did he say?" + +"He came one evening, after supper. It was dark and stormy, and he +drove up in a buggy. Mamma and I and the servants were home alone, +although Nellie had been over in the afternoon. He rang the bell, and +asked for mamma, and the girl ushered him into the parlor. He asked +the girl if we had company, and he said if we had he wouldn't bother +us." + +"Guess he was afraid of being arrested." + +"Perhaps so. He told the girl he was a friend from New York. I went +down first, and when I saw him I was almost scared to death. I thought +I was looking at a ghost." + +"Naturally, since you thought he had been drowned. It's too bad he +scared you so, Dora." + +"He said he had come on business, and without waiting began to talk +about the treasure we had taken from the isle. He insisted upon it +that the treasure belonged to him, since his uncle, Sid Merrick, was +dead. When my mother came in he demanded that she give him some money +and sign some papers." + +"What did your mother do?" + +"She refused, of course. Then he got very wild and talked in a +rambling fashion. Oh, Dick, I am half inclined to think he is crazy!" +And Dora shuddered. + +"What did he say after your mother refused to do as he wished?" + +"He got up and walked around the parlor, waving his hands and crying +that we were robbing him, that the treasure was his, and that the +Rovers were nothing but thieves. Then mamma ordered him out of the +house and sent the girl to get the man who runs the farm for us. But +before the man came Sobber went away, driving his horse as fast as he +could," + +"Have you heard from him since?" + +"Yes. The next day we got an unsigned letter. In it Sobber said that, +by hook or by crook, he intended to get possession of the treasure, +and for the Rovers to beware," + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE ROWING RACE + + +Having told so much, Dora went into all the particulars of Tad +Sobber's visit to the Stanhope homestead. She told of how Sobber had +argued, and she said he had affirmed that the Rovers had falsified +matters so that the Stanhopes and the Lanings might benefit thereby. + +"What he says is absolutely untrue," said Dick. "Father went over +those papers with care, and so did the lawyers, and the treasure +belongs to you and the Lanings, and to nobody else." + +"Don't you think Sid Merrick fooled Sobber?" asked the girl. + +"Perhaps, but I guess Tad was willing to be fooled. They set their +hearts on that money, and now Tad can't give it up. In one way I am +sorry for him, and if a small amount of cash would satisfy him and set +him on his feet, I'd hand it over. We put Dan Baxter on his feet that +way." + +"Oh, but Baxter isn't Sobber, Dick. Sobber is wild and wicked. I was +so afraid he would attack mamma and me I hardly knew what to do. And +his eyes rolled so when he talked!" + +"Did he go to the Lanings?" + +"No." + +"Probably he was afraid of your uncle. Mr. Laning won't stand for any +nonsense. I suppose your mother is afraid he'll come back?" + +"Yes; and to protect herself she has hired one of the farm men to +sleep in the house. The man was once in the army, and he knows how to +use a gun." + +"Then that will make Sobber keep his distance. He is a coward at +heart. I found that out when we went to Putnam Hall together," + +"But you must beware of him, Dick. He may show himself here next." + +"It won't do him any good. All I've got here is a little spending +money. No, I don't think he'll show himself here. More than likely +he'll try to hire some shyster lawyer to fight for the treasure in the +courts. But I don't think he'll be able to upset your claim." + +They had now reached Hope Seminary, and the conversation came to an +end. The boys helped the girls to alight, and said good-by. Then they +drove back to Ashton, where the buggy was left at the livery stable; +and all piled into the carriage for the college. On the way Dick told +his brothers about Tad Sobber. + +"Dora is right. He is a bad egg," said Sam. "I wouldn't trust him +under any consideration," + +"He is too much of a coward to attack anybody openly," was Tom's +comment. "But as Dick says, he may hire some shyster lawyer to take +the matter into the courts. It would be too bad if the fortune was +tied up in endless litigation." + +"He's got to get money to fight with first," said Dick. + +"Oh, some lawyers will take a case like that on a venture." + +"That's true." + +Several days passed quietly, and the Rover boys applied themselves +diligently to their studies, for they wished to make fine records at +Brill. + +"We are here to get a good education," was the way Dick expressed +himself, "and we want to make the most of our time." + +"As if I wasn't boning away to beat the band!" murmured Tom +reproachfully. + +"I'd like to take the full course in about two years," came from Sam. + +"College studies are mighty hard," broke in Songbird, who was working +over his chemistry. "I don't get any chance to write poetry any more." + +"For which let us all be truly thankful," murmured Sam to Tom. + +"Ten minutes more," announced Dick, looking at his watch. "Then what +do you say to a row on the river?" + +"Suits me!" cried Tom. + +"All right, then. Now clear out, and--silence!" + +A quarter of an hour later the Rover boys and Songbird walked down to +the river. There were plenty of boats to be had, and Dick and Tom were +soon out. Songbird and Sam received an invitation to go for a ride in +a gasolene launch owned by Stanley. + +"Suits me!" cried the would-be poet. "I can row any time, but I can't +always ride in a motor boat." + +"Same here," said Sam. + +A number of craft were on the river, including one containing Jerry +Koswell and Bart Larkspur. Koswell scowled as he saw Tom and Dick +rowing near by. + +"We'll give 'em a shaking up," he said to his crony, and turned their +rowboat so that it bumped fairly and squarely into the craft manned by +Tom and Dick. The shock was so great that Dick, who had gotten up to +fix his seat, was nearly hurled overboard. + +"See here, what do you mean by running into us?" demanded the oldest +Rover on recovering his balance. + +"Sorry, but it couldn't be helped," answered Koswell. "Why didn't you +get out of the way?" + +"We didn't have to," retorted Sam, "and if you try that trick again +somebody will get his head punched." + +"Talk is cheap," sneered Larkspur. + +"Say, I heard you fellows have been boasting of how you can row," went +on Koswell after a pause. + +"We haven't been boasting, but we can row," answered Tom. + +"Want to race?" + +"When?" + +"Now." + +"I don't know as I care to race with a chap like you, Koswell," +answered Dick pointedly. + +"You're afraid." + +"No, I am not afraid." + +"Let us race them," whispered Tom to his brother. "I am not afraid of +them." + +"Oh, neither am I, Tom." + +"Well race you to Rock Island and back," said Koswell, after +consulting Larkspur. + +"All right," answered Dick. + +"Want to bet on the result?" questioned Koswell. He was usually +willing to bet on anything. + +"We don't bet," answered Tom. + +"And we wouldn't with you, if we did," added Dick. "I don't think you +are in our class, Koswell, and you never will be. At the same time, +since you are so anxious to row against us, we'll race you--and beat +you." + +This answer enraged Jerry Koswell, and he dared the Rovers to wager +ten dollars on the race. They would not, but others took up the bet, +and then several other wagers were made. + +Rock Island was a small, stony spot half a mile up the stream, so +the race would be about a mile in length. Frank Holden was chosen +as referee and umpire, and all of the contestants prepared for the +struggle. + +"Your boat is lighter than that of the Rovers," said Holden to Koswell +and Larkspur. "You really ought to give them some lead." + +"No. This is an even start," growled Koswell. + +"Very well, but it doesn't seem quite fair." + +It was soon noised around that the race was to take place, and the +river bank speedily became lined with students anxious to see how the +contest would terminate. + +"Now, Tom, take it easy at the start, but finish up strong," cautioned +Dick. + +"I feel like pulling a strong stroke from the first," answered Tom. +"Let us do it, and leave them completely in the shade." + +"No. We must first try to find out what they can do." + +"Say, you've got to beat 'em," came from Sam, as the launch came +close. "If they win you'll never hear the end of it." + +"They're not going to win," answered Dick, quietly but firmly. + +"All ready?" asked Frank Holden, as the boats drew up side by side +near the boathouse float. + +"We are!" sang out Tom. + +"Ready!" answered Jerry Koswell. + +"Go!" shouted Frank. + +Four pairs of oars dropped into the water simultaneously, and away +shot the two craft side by side. There was no disguising the fact +that Koswell and Larkspur were good oarsmen, and what was equally +important, they had done much practicing together. On the other hand, +while Dick and Tom could row well, they had pulled together but twice +since coming to Brill. + +"You've got your work cut out for you!" shouted Songbird. "But never +mind. Go in and win!" + +For the first quarter of a mile the two row-boats kept close together. +Occasionally one would forge ahead a few inches, but the other would +speedily overtake it. Then, however, the Rover boys settled down to a +strong, steady stroke, and forged a full length ahead. + +"See! see! The Rovers are winning!" shouted Max in delight. + +"That's the way to do it!" cried Stanley, "Keep it up! You're doing +nobly!" + +"Show 'em the way home!" added Songbird. + +"Pull, Jerry! Pull!, Bart!" screamed Dudd Flockley to his cronies. +"Don't let them beat you!" + +Before long the island was reached, and the Rovers rounded it a length +and a half ahead. This made Jerry Koswell frantic, and he called on +Larkspur to increase the stroke. + +"All right, I'm with you," was the short answer. + +The increase in the stroke speedily told, and inch by inch the second +boat began to overhaul the first Then Tom made a miss, sending a +shower of water into the air. At this the craft containing Koswell and +Larkspur shot ahead. + +"Hurrah! That's the way to do it!" yelled Flockley in delight. "Even +money on the green boat!" + +"Take you," answered Spud Jackson promptly. "How much?" + +"A fiver." + +"All right." + +"Steady, Tom," cautioned Dick. "Now, then Ready?" + +"Yes." + +"Then bend to it. One, two, three, four." + +Again the Rover boys went at the rowing with a will, increasing their +stroke until it was six to the minute more than that of Koswell and +Larkspur. The latter were frantic, and tried to do likewise, but found +it impossible. Inch by inch the Rovers' craft went ahead. Now it was +half a length, then a length, then two lengths. + +"Say, there is rowing for you!" was the comment of a senior. "Just +look at them bend to it!" + +"Yes, and look at the quick recovery," added another fourth-year +student. + +From two lengths the Rovers went three lengths ahead. Then Koswell +missed a stroke, and tumbled up against Larkspur. + +"Hi! What are you doing?" spluttered Larkspur in disgust. + +"Cou--couldn't hel--help it," panted Jerry, He was all but winded, for +the pulling had been too much for him. + +"The Rovers win! The Rovers win!" was the shout that went up, and in +the midst of the hubbub Dick and Tom crossed the line, winning by at +least six lengths. Koswell and Larkspur were so disgusted that they +did not even finish, but stopped rowing and turned away from the +float. + +"The Rovers win," announced Frank Holden. "A fine race, too," he +added. "Let me congratulate you," and he waved his hand pleasantly to +Dick and Tom. + +"I got a pain in my side, and that made me miss the stroke," said +Jerry Koswell lamely. "Some day I'll race them again, and win, too." + +"You should have won this time," growled Dudd Flockley when he was +alone with his cronies. "I dropped twenty dollars on that race." + +"I never thought they could row like that," was Larkspur's comment. "I +don't think I want to row against them again." + +Dick and Tom were warmly congratulated by all their friends. It had +been a well-earned victory, and they were correspondingly happy. +Koswell was sourer than ever against them, and vowed he would "square +up" somehow, and Larkspur agreed to help him. Dudd Flockley was glum, +for his spending money for the month was running low, and it was going +to be hard to pay the wagers he had lost. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +WILLIAM PHILANDER TUBES + + +On the following Saturday the Rover boys went down to Ashton in the +afternoon. They had arranged for the hire of a large touring car, with +a competent chauffeur, and were to take Dora and the Laning girls out +for a ride to another town called Toddville. Here they were to have +supper at the hotel, returning to Ashton in the evening. + +Lest it be thought strange that the girls could get permission from +the seminary authorities to absent themselves, let me state that +matters had been explained by Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning to the +principal of Hope, so Dora and her cousins were free to go out with +the Rovers whenever they could go out at all. + +"We'll have the best time ever!" cried Tom enthusiastically. "I hope +you ordered a fine supper over the telephone, Dick." + +"I did," was the reply. "Just the things I know the girls like." + +"And a bouquet of flowers," added Sam. He knew that Grace loved +flowers. + +"Yes. I didn't forget them, Sam," + +The boys arrived in Ashton a little ahead of time, and while waiting +for the chauffeur of the car to appear they walked down to the depot +to see if there would be any new arrivals on the Saturday special. + +When the train pulled into the depot a tall, well-dressed youth, with +an elaborate dress-suit case and a bag of golf sticks, descended from +the parlor car and gazed around him wonderingly. + +"Are you--ah--sure this is--ah--Ashton?" he inquired of the porter. + +"Yes, sah," was the brisk answer. + +"Not a--ah--very large place, is it, now?" drawled the passenger. + +"Look who's here!" burst out Tom as he hurried forward. + +"Why, it's Tubbs--William Philander Tubbs!" ejaculated Sam. + +And sure enough, it was Tubbs, the most dudish pupil Putnam Hall had +ever known, and one with whom the cadets had had no end of fun. + +"My dear old Buttertub, how are you?" called out Tom loudly, and +caught the new arrival by the shoulder. "How are you, and how is the +wife, and the eight children?" + +"Why--ah--is it really Tom Rover!" gasped Tubbs. He stared at Tom and +then at Dick and Sam. "What are you--ah--doing here, may I inquire? +But please," he added hurriedly, "don't call me Buttertub, and don't +say I have a wife and children, when I haven't." And Tubbs looked +around to see if anybody had overheard Tom's remark. + +"We go to school here," said Dick as he shook hands. "Brill College." + +"Well, I never!" gasped the tall dude. "Brill, did you say?" + +"That's it," put in Sam. + +"I am going there myself." + +"You!" roared Tom. "Hail Columbia, happy land! That's the best yet, +Tubblets. We'll have dead loads of fun. Did you bring your pet poodle +and your fancywork, and those beautiful red and yellow socks you used +to wear?" + +"I hope you didn't forget that green and pink necktie you used to +have," came from Sam, "and the blue handkerchief with the purple +variegated border." + +"I--ah--I never had those things," stormed Tubbs. "Oh, say, do you +really go to Brill?" he questioned, with almost a groan in his voice. + +"Sure as you're born," answered Dick. "We'll be glad to have you +there, William Philander. You'll be a credit to the institution. We +have a few fellows who dress well, but you'll top them all. I know +it." + +"Do you--ah--really think I can--ah--I will be as well dressed as +the--ah--as anybody?" asked the dude eagerly. He was a fair scholar, +but his mind was constantly on the subject of what to wear and how to +wear it. + +"Oh, you'll lead the bunch, and all the girls at Hope will fall dead +in love with you," answered Tom. + +"Hope? What do you mean?" + +"That's the seminary for girls. Fine lot of girls there, waiting to +see you, Philliam Willander." + +"William Philander, please. So there is a girls' school here, eh? +That's--ah--very nice. Yes, I like the girls--I always did. But, Tom, +please don't call me--ah--Buttertub. I think it's horrid, don't you +know." + +"All right, Washtub, anything you say stands still," answered Tom +cheerfully. "I wouldn't hurt your feelings for a million warts." + +"There is the carriage for Brill," said Sam, pointing it out. + +"Are you going with me?" asked the dude. + +"No. We are not going back until this evening," explained Dick. "We'll +see you later." + +"Only one other student going with you," added Tom mischievously. +"He's kind of queer, but I guess he won't hurt you." He had seen an +innocent, quiet youth, named Smith, getting into the college turnout. + +"Queer?" asked Tubbs. + +"Yes. Gets fits, or something like that. He won't hurt you if you keep +your hand to your nose." + +"My--ah--my hand to my nose?" + +"Yes," went on Tom innocently. "You see, he has an idea that folks are +smelling things. So if you keep your hand to your nose he will know +you are not smelling anything, so he'll keep quiet." + +"I don't--ah--know as I like that," stammered William Philander. + +"Carriage for the college!" called the driver, approaching, and before +he could say anything the Rovers had Tubbs in the turnout. + +"Mr. Smith, Mr. Tubbs," said Dick, introducing the students. Smith +bowed, and so did Tubbs. Then the hand of the dude went up to his nose +and stayed there. + +"Good-by! See you later!" cried Tom. + +"Be careful," warned Sam, and tapped his nose. + +"I--I think I'd--ah--rather walk," groaned Tubbs. + +"It's too far," answered Dick. Then the carriage rolled away. As it +passed out of sight they saw William Philander with his hand still +tight on his olfactory organ. + +"Wonder what Smith will think?" remarked Dick after the three brothers +had had a good laugh over the sight. + +"He'll certainly think Tubblets queer," answered Sam. + +"Tubby will be a barrel of fun," said Tom. "I'm mighty glad he's come. +It will aid to brighten up our existence considerably." + +The Rover boys were soon on their way to where they were to meet the +girls, at a point on the road some distance from Hope Seminary. Soon +the whole crowd was in the big touring car, and away they skimmed over +a road which, if it was not particularly good, was likewise by no +means bad. + +"And where are we going?" asked Dora, for that had been kept a secret. + +"To a town about twenty miles from here," said Dick. "We are to have +supper there, at the hotel." + +"How nice!" came in a chorus from the girls + +"I just love automobiling," said Nellie. "I wish I had a car." + +"I'll get you one," said Tom, and added in a whisper, "Just wait till +we are settled down We'll have the finest auto rides that--" + +"Tom Rover!" cried Nellie, and then blushed and giggled. "Oh, look at +the beautiful autumn leaves!" she added, to change the subject. But a +second later she gave Tom an arch look that meant a good deal. They +seemed to understand each other fully as well as did Dick and Dora. + +The ride to Toddville was one long to be remembered. They talked and +sang, and the boys told of the meeting with Tubbs and the joke played, +and this set the girls almost in hysterics, for they were acquainted +with the dude, and knew his peculiarities. + +When they arrived at the hotel the spread was almost ready for them, +and by the time they had washed and brushed up all felt rather hungry. +There was a fine bouquet on the table, and in addition a tiny one at +each plate. + +"Oh, how nice!" cried Grace. + +"Let me pin this on you," said Dora to Dick, and fastened the small +bouquet in his buttonhole. The other girls performed a like service +for Tom and Sam. + +The meal was served in a private dining-room, so all felt free to +act as if they were at home. They talked and cracked jokes to their +hearts' content, and the boys told their best stories. They also grew +serious at times, talking of home and their folks. + +"Mamma hasn't heard another word from Tad Sobber," said Dora to Dick. + +"And I hope he never appears again," answered the oldest Rover. + +The meal was about half finished when one of the waiters came to Dick +and said the chauffeur would like to speak to him. + +"Very well," answered the oldest Rover, and excusing himself to the +others, he went out into the hallway. + +"I've just got a telephone message from Raytown," said the chauffeur. +"My brother has been hurt at a fire there, and they want me. I don't +know what to do. I might send for another man to run the car, but +you'll have to wait until he comes. Would you be willing to do that?" + +"I might run the car myself," answered Dick. He could see that the +chauffeur was much worried over the news he had received. + +"Could you do that, sir? If you could it would help me out a whole +lot. My brother has a wife and two little children, and she'll be +scared to death if Bill is injured." + +"Then go right along. Only see to it that the car is in good working +order," answered Dick. And then he followed the chauffeur to the shed +where the automobile was stored, and had the peculiar working of that +make of car explained to him. As my old readers know, Dick had driven +a car before, and understood very well how to do it. + +As there was no particular need for hurrying, and as it promised to be +a fine moonlight night, the Rover boys and their company did not leave +the hotel until nearly eight o'clock. Then Dick lit the lamps of the +machine and ran it around to the piazza, and the others bundled in. + +"Are you sure you can run this car, Dick?" asked Dora a bit timidly. + +"Oh, yes, Dora. It is of a make that I have run before, only the other +was a five-seat instead of a seven. But this one runs the same way." + +"Dick is a born chauffeur," said Sam. "Wait till you see him let the +car out to sixty miles an hour." + +"Mercy! I don't want to run as fast as that!" cried Grace. + +"We'd all be killed if anything should happen," added Nellie. + +"Don't you worry. Dick will crawl along at three miles per," drawled +Tom. "The moonlight is too fine to run fast. Besides, Dora is going to +sit in front with him." + +"I'll make the run in about an hour and a half," said Dick, "and that +is fast enough. We don't want to get back too early." + +"Might go around the block," suggested Sam. + +"Around the block would mean about fifteen miles extra," said Dora, +who knew all about country "blocks." + +"I don't know the roads, so I'll keep to the one we came on," answered +Dick. "All ready? Then off we go," he added, and started on low speed, +which he soon changed to second and then high. "This is something +like!" he cried as he settled back with his hands on the wheel. + +"Keep your eyes on the road, and not on Dora," cautioned Tom. + +"Say another word and I'll drag you from Nellie and make you run the +car," retorted Dick, and then Tom shut up promptly. + +Mile after mile was covered, and Dick proved that he could run the big +automobile fully as well as the regular driver. The moon was shining +brightly, so that it was very pleasant. The party sang songs and +enjoyed themselves immensely. + +They were still two miles from Ashton when they came to a turn in the +road. Here there were a number of trees, and it was much darker than +it had been. Dick slowed up a trifle and peered ahead. + +Suddenly the front lamps of the machine shone down on something in the +roadway that sent back a strange sparkle of light. Dick bent forward +and uttered an exclamation of dismay. He turned off the power and +jammed on both brakes. + +"What's the matter?" cried Sam and Tom in a breath, and the girls gave +a scream of fear. + +Bang! came a report from under the car. + +One of the tires had burst. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +AN AUTOMOBILING ADVENTURE + + +"What did you run over?" asked Sam. + +"Look for yourself," returned his big brother. "This is an outrage! I +wish I could catch the party responsible for it," he added bitterly. + +Dick had stopped the touring car in the midst of a quantity of broken +glass bottles. The glass covered the road from side to side, and had +evidently been put there on purpose. + +"Say, do you think that chauffeur had anything to do with this?" +demanded Tom. + +"Hardly," answered Dick. "If his story about the fire was not true +he'd know he'd be found out." + +"Maybe it was done by some country fellow who is running an auto +repair shop," suggested Sam. "I've heard of such things being +done--when business was dull." + +"Well, we'll have to fix the tire, that is all there is to it," said +the oldest Rover. "Might as well get out while we are doing it," he +added to the girls. + +"Lucky you stopped when you did," said Tom as he walked around the +machine. "If you hadn't we might have had all four tires busted." + +"What a contemptible trick to play," said Dora as she alighted, + +"Can you mend the tire?" asked Nellie as she, too, got out, followed +by her sister. + +"Oh, yes, we can mend it--or rather put on another," said Dick. "But +we'll examine all the tires first," he added, taking off a lamp for +that purpose. + +It was found that each tire had some glass in it, and the bits were +picked out with care. While this was going on Dick suddenly swung +the lamp around so that its rays struck through the trees and bushes +lining the roadway. + +"Look! look!" he cried. "There is somebody watching us!" + +"The fellow who is guilty," added Sam. + +"Catch him!" came from Tom, and he made a quick rush forward. + +"Say, we've got to get out of here," came in a low voice from among +the trees. "Run for all you are worth!" + +"I told you to get back," said another voice "Come on this way." + +A crashing through the brushwood back of the trees followed. Dick held +up the lamp and threw the rays in the direction of the sounds. He and +his brothers caught a glimpse of two boys or men hurrying away. + +"Stop, or I'll shoot!" cried Tom, although he had no weapon at his +command. But this cry only made the fleeing ones move the faster. + +"Sam, you stay with the girls," said Dick quickly. "Tom and I can go +after those rascals." + +"All right, but take care; they may be dangerous," answered the +youngest Rover. + +Tom had picked up a good sized stone. Now he hurled it ahead into the +bushes. A cry of alarm followed, but whether he hit anybody or not he +could not till. + +Holding the lamp so that it would light up the scene ahead, Dick +and Tom ran through the grove of trees and then into the thicket of +brushwood beyond. They could hear two persons working their way along, +and knew they must be the fellows they were after. Once they caught +sight of the rascals, but the evildoers lost no time in seeking cover +by running for another patch of undergrowth. + +"Say, this is fierce!" cried Tom as he stepped into a hole and tumbled +headlong. + +"Well, it's just as bad for those fellows," answered Dick grimly. + +"Yes, but I reckon they are not dressed up as we are," Tom had on his +tuxedo and a white tie, and Dick was similarly attired. But over the +dress suit each wore a linen coat, buttoned close up to the neck. + +The two youths kept on until, much to their surprise, they came out on +a back road that was almost as good as the highway they had left. Here +was a rail fence, and as they halted at this Tom pointed down the road +a distance. + +"Somebody on wheels," he cried. "Turn the light on 'em!" + +Dick did as requested, and to their astonishment they beheld two +young fellows on bicycles. They had their heads bent low over the +handlebars, and were streaking along at top speed. Soon a bend of the +road hid them from view. + +"Those are the chaps who put that glass in the roadway," said Tom. + +"I believe you," answered his brother. "They came up here on their +wheels and walked through the woods to do it. The question is, who are +they?" + +"They are enemies of ours," was the prompt answer. + +"Yes; but how did they know we were coming this way, and in the auto?" + +"They might have overheard us talking to Songbird or Stanley." + +"Can they be Flockley and Koswell?" + +"More likely Koswell and Larkspur. Flockley hasn't the backbone to do +a thing like this, He's too much of a dude." + +Dick and Tom took a look around the vicinity. By the light of the +lamp they saw where the others had leaped the fence and mounted their +bicycles. + +"They are the guilty ones, I am sure of that," said Dick. "I wish we +had seen their faces." + +The youths went back to the auto and told of their adventure. Sam and +the girls listened with interest to what they had to say. + +"Those boys must be very wicked," said Nellie. "If we had been running +fast we might have had a serious accident." + +"Shall you accuse them of it?" asked Dora. + +"I don't know. I'll think it over," answered Dick. + +"The cut-up tire has got to be paid for," said Tom. "Whoever is guilty +ought to be made to foot the bill." + +While Dick and Sam jacked up the axle of the automobile and put on a +new tire--inner tube and shoe combined--Sam set to work and cleaned up +the roadway, throwing all the glass into the bushes. Then the new tire +was pumped up and tested. + +"Now we are all right again," said Dick. + +"I am glad we had to mend but one," said Tom. He felt pretty dirty +from the job, but he was not going to tell the girls. + +All entered the touring car again, and Dick turned on the power. He +ran slowly at first to test the new tire. + +"All O.K.," he announced presently, and then they went spinning along +as before. But the "edge" had been taken off the ride, and they did +not seem as free-hearted and full of fun as they had been before the +mishap. + +It was after ten o'clock when the seminary was reached, and the girls +found one of the under teachers waiting for them. + +"Young ladies, you were told to be in at ten," said the teacher +severely. "It is now half after." + +"We had an accident," answered Dora, and told what it was. + +"You must not stay away later than the time originally allowed," said +the teacher severely. "Remember that after this, please," and then she +dismissed the girls. + +When the boys got to the garage where the automobile belonged they +told the man in charge about the chauffeur and of what had happened on +the road. The garage manager could hardly believe the story about the +broken glass. + +"You'll have to pay for that tire," he said coldly. "You can't expect +to make me stand the loss." + +"I suppose not," answered Dick "You can have the old tire repaired and +send the bill to me. And now I want somebody to take us up to Brill +just as quickly as it can be done. It is getting late." + +"I'll get a man right away," said the manager in a relieved tone, and +two minutes later the three Rover boys were being whirled toward the +college. + +"Do you think those fellows are back yet?" questioned Sam as they sped +along the road. + +"That's what I want to find out," returned Dick. "That is, provided +they came from here," + +They left the car at the entrance to the grounds, and the chauffeur at +once turned around and started back for Ashton. + +"We'll take a look around the gymnasium first," said Dick. "That is +where they keep the bicycles and such things." + +They hurried in the direction of the gymnasium, and finding the door +unlocked, entered. The building was dark and deserted, for it was now +after eleven o'clock. + +"Hello there!" called a voice from a distance, and a watchman +appeared, lantern in hand. "What's wanted?" + +"We want to look at the bicycles, Pinkey," answered Dick. + +"The bicycles? Ain't goin' for no ride this time o' night, are you?" +asked the watchman. + +"No. We want to see if any of them have been used." + +"Think somebody has been usin' your machine on the sly?" + +To this question the Rovers did not reply, for the reason that they +had no bicycles at Brill. The watchman led the way to the bicycle +room. Here were about twenty bicycles and half a dozen motor cycles, +all belonging to various students. + +"Ain't half as many as there used to be," remarked Pinkey. "When the +craze was on we had about a hundred an' fifty. It's all automobiling +now." + +The boys looked over the various wheels and felt of the working +parts and the lamps. Presently Sam found a hot lamp and Dick located +another. + +"Who do these machines belong to?" asked Dick. + +"There's the list," said the watchman, pointing to a written sheet +tacked on the wall "They are No. 15 and No. 9." + +The boys looked at the sheet, and read the names of Walter D. Flood +and Andrew W. Crossley, two juniors, whom they knew by sight only. + +"They wouldn't play this trick on us," whispered Dick to his brothers. +"They must have loaned their bicycles to others." + +"Right you are," answered Tom. "We'll have to question them." + +"Do you know where they room?" + +"No; but we can find out from the register." + +They entered their dormitory and found out that Flood and Crossley +were in the next building, occupying Room 14 together. + +"That's luck," said Sam "We won't have to wake up anybody else" + +It was against the rules to be prowling around the dormitories so late +at night, so the Rovers had to be cautious in their movements. They +mounted the stairs to the second floor and had to hide in a corner +while a proctor marched past and out of hearing. Then, aided by the +dim light that was burning, they located No. 14 + +Dick knocked lightly on the door, and receiving no answer, knocked +again. Still there was silence. + +"Must be pretty heavy sleepers," murmured Tom. "Try the doorknob." + +Dick did so, and found the door locked. Then he knocked again, this +time louder than before. + +"You'll knock a long time to wake them up," said a voice behind them, +and turning they saw Frank Holden grinning at them. + +"Hello," said Dick softly. "Why, what's wrong?" + +"Nobody in that room, that's all," answered the sophomore. + +"Don't Flood and Crossley sleep here?" asked Sam. + +"Yes, when they are at college, but they got permission to go home +yesterday, and they went, and they won't be back until Monday." + +At this Dick whistled softly to himself. + +"It's all up, so far as finding out who used the wheels is concerned," +he said to his brothers. "Whoever took them did so, most likely, +without permission." + +"I guess you are right," returned Tom. + +"Anything I can do for you?" asked Frank Holden pleasantly. + +"Nothing, thank you," replied Dick; and then he and his brothers +withdrew and made their way to their own rooms as silently as +possible. On the way they stopped at the doors of the rooms occupied +by Koswell and Larkspur and listened. The students within were +snoring. + +"No use," said Tom softly. "We'll have to catch them some other +way--if they are guilty," And his brothers agreed with him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +SOMETHING ABOUT A CANE + + +But if Koswell and Larkspur were guilty, they kept very quiet about +it, and the Rover boys were unable to prove anything against them. The +bill for the cut-up tire came to Dick, and he paid it. + +The college talk was now largely about football, and one day a notice +was posted that all candidates for admission on the big eleven should +register at the gymnasium. + +"I think I'll put my name down," said Tom. + +"And I'll do the same," returned Dick, "but I doubt if well get much +of a show, since they know nothing of our playing qualities here." + +There were about thirty candidates, including thirteen who had played +on the big team before. But two of these candidates were behind in +then studies, and had to be dropped, by order of the faculty. + +"That leaves a full eleven anyway of old players," said Sam. "Not much +hope for you," he added to his brothers. + +"They'll do considerable shifting; every college team does," said +Dick; and he was right. After a good deal of scrub work and a general +sizing up of the different candidates, four of the old players were +dropped, while another went to the substitutes' bench. + +It was now a question between nine of the new candidates, and after +another tryout Dick was put in as a guard, he having shown an +exceptional fitness for filling that position. Tom got on the +substitutes' bench, which was something, if not much. Then practice +began in earnest, for the college was to play a game against Roxley, +another college, on a Saturday, ten days later. + +"I hope you win, Dick," said Sam, "And it's a pity you didn't get on +the gridiron, Tom," he continued. + +"Oh, I'll get on, sooner or later," answered Tom with a grin. +"Football is no baby play, and somebody is bound to get hurt." + +"You're not wishing that, are you?" asked Songbird. + +"No, indeed! But I know how it goes. Haven't I been hurt myself, more +than once?" + +The football game was to take place at Brill, on the athletic field, +and the college students were privileged to invite a certain number of +their friends. The Rovers promptly invited Dora, Nellie and Grace, and +it was arranged that Sam should see to it that the girls got there. + +"Sam will have as good a time as anybody," said Tom. "He'll have the +three girls all to himself." + +"Well, you can't have everything in this world," replied the youngest +Rover with a grin. "I guess football honors will be enough for you +this time." + +"If we win," put in Dick. "I understand Roxley has a splendid eleven +this season. They won out at Stanwell yesterday, 24 to 10." + +"I hear they are heavier than we are," said Tom. "At least ten pounds +to the man. That is going to count for something." + +At that moment William Philander Tubbs came up. He was attired, as +usual, in the height of fashion, and sported a light gold-headed cane. + +"For gracious sake, look at Tubby!" exclaimed Sam. "Talk about a +fashion plate!" + +"Hello, Billy boy!" called out Tom. "Going to make a social call on +your washerwoman?" + +"No. He's going to town to buy a pint of peanuts," said Sam. + +"I thought he might be going to a funeral-dressed so soberly," added +Dick, and this caused a general laugh, for Tubbs was attired in a +light gray suit, patent leathers with spats, and a cream-colored +necktie, with gloves to match. + +"How do you do?" said William Philander politely, as if he had not +seen the others in the classrooms an hour before. "Pleasant day." + +"Looks a bit stormy to me," answered Dick, as he saw several +sophomores eyeing Tubbs angrily. It was against the rule of Brill for +a freshman to carry a cane. + +"Stormy, did you say?" repeated the dude in dismay. "Why, +I--ah--thought it very fine, don't you know. Perhaps I had better take +an--ah--umbrella instead of this cane. + +"It would be much safer," returned Dick significantly. + +"But I--ah--don't see any clouds," went on William Philander, gazing +up into the sky. + +"They are coming," cried Tom. + +"Stand from under!" called out Sam. + +And then the "clouds" did come, although not the kind the dude +anticipated. Six sophomores came up behind Tubbs, and while two caught +him by the arms a third wrenched the gold-headed cane from his grasp. + +"Hi! hi! Stop that, I say!" cried William Philander in alarm. "Let me +alone! Give me back my cane!" + +"You don't get this cane back, freshie," answered one of the +second-year students. + +"You must give it to me! Why, Miss Margaret DeVoe Marlow gave me that +cane last summer, when we were at Newport. I want--" + +"No more cane for you, freshie!" was the cry. And then, to Tubbs' +untold horror, one of the sophomores placed the cane across his knee +as if to break it in two. + +"Don't you break that cane! Don't you dare to do it!" cried the dude, +and then he commenced to struggle violently, for the cane was very +dear to him, being a birthday gift from one of his warmest lady +friends. In the scuffle which followed William Philander had his +collar and necktie torn from him and his coat was split up the back. + +"Say, this is going too far!" cried Dick, and then he raised his +voice: "Freshmen to the rescue!" + +"This is none of your affair," growled the sophomore who had led the +attack on Tubbs. + +"Don't break that cane!" cried Tom. "If you do somebody will get a +bloody nose!" + +"We'll do as we please!" cried several second-year students. + +Then Tom and Sam rushed for the cane and got hold of it. Two +sophomores held fast on the other side, and a regular tug-of-war +ensued. In the meantime other sophomores were making life miserable +for Tubbs. They took his hat and used it for a football, and threw the +dude on his back and piled on top of him until he thought his ribs +were going to be stove in. + +"What's the row?" The call came from Stanley, and he and Max appeared, +followed by Songbird and several others. + +"Attack on Tubblets!" called Tom. "To the rescue, everybody! Save the +cane!" + +And then a crowd of at least twelve students surrounded the cane, +hauling and twisting it this way and that. It was a determined but +good-natured crowd. The sophomores felt they must break the offending +stick into bits, while the freshmen considered it the part of honor to +save the same bit of wood from destruction. + +At last Sam saw his chance, and with a quick movement he leaped +directly on the shoulders of one of the second-year students. As the +fellow went down he caught hold of two of his chums to save himself. +This loosened the hold on the cane, and in a twinkling Sam, aided by +Stanley, had it in his possession. He leaped down and started on a run +for the dormitory. + +"After him! Get the cane!" + +"Don't let him get away with it!" + +"Nail him, somebody!" + +So the cries rang out. Several sophomores tried to head the youngest +Rover off, but he was too quick for them. He dodged to the right and +the left, and hurled one boy flat. Then he ran around a corner of a +building, mounted the steps to a side door, and disappeared from view. + +"Hurrah for Sam Rover!" + +"Say, that was as good as a run on the football field!" + +"That's the time the sophs got left." + +"Hi! Where's my cane?" howled William Philander, gazing around in +perplexity as soon as the second-year students let go of him. + +"Sam has it," answered Tom. "And it wasn't broken, either," he added +with pride. + +"But--ah--why did he--ah--run away with it?" queried Tubbs innocently. + +"To stop the slaughter of the innocents," answered Dick. "He'll give +it back to you later. But don't try to carry it again," went on Dick +in a low voice. + +"Just look at me!" moaned William Philander as he gazed at the +wreck of his outfit. "Look at this tie--and it cost me a dollar and +seventy-five cents!" + +"Be thankful you weren't killed," answered a sophomore. "Don't you +know better than to carry a cane." + +"I--ah--fancy I'll carry a cane if I wish," answered Tubbs with great +dignity. + +"Not around Brill," answered several. + +"And--ah--why not?" + +"Because you're a freshie, that's why. You can wear the +colors--because of the necktie rush--but you can't carry a cane." + +"Oh--ah--so that's it!" cried William Philander, a light breaking in +on him. "But why didn't you come up politely and tell me so, instead +of rushing at me like a--ah--like mad bulls? It was very rude, don't +you know." + +"Next time we'll send you a scented note by special liveried +messenger," said one of the second-year students in disgust. + +"We'll have it on engraved paper, too," added another. + +"Thank you. That will be--ah--better," replied William Philander +calmly. "But look at my suit," he continued, and gave a groan. "I +can't--ah--make any afternoon calls to-day, and I was going to a pink +tea--" + +"Wow! A pink tea, boys!" yelled one of the boys. "Wouldn't that rattle +your back teeth?" + +"Never mind, Tubby. The cook will give you a cup of coffee instead," +said Tom. + +"I should think you'd feel blue instead of pink," added Spud Jackson. + +"Sew up the coat with a shoestring, and let it go at that," suggested +Max. + +"If you want to paste that collar fast again I've got a bottle of +glue," said Songbird. + +"Now--ah--don't you poke fun at me!" stormed William Philander. +"Haven't I suffered enough already?" + +"Why, we're not poking fun; we're weeping," said Tom, and pretended to +wipe his eyes with his handkerchief. + +"I am so sorry I could eat real doughnuts," said Dick. + +"Maybe you want to send a substitute to that pink tea," came from +Stanley. "You might call on Professor Sharp." + +"Or Pinkey, the watchman," said Max. "He'll do it for a quarter, +maybe." + +"I--ah--don't want any substitute," growled William Philander. +"I--ah--think you are--ah--very rude, all of you. I am going back to +my room, that is what I am going to do." + +At this Tom began to sing softly: + + "Don't be angry, William, darling! + Wipe the raindrops from your eyes. + All your sorrows will be passing + When you're eating Christmas pies!" + +"You stop that--you mean thing!" burst out the dude, and then turning, +he almost ran for the dormitory, the laughter of the students ringing +out loudly after him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A MISUNDERSTANDING + + +"Here's a letter from father--quite an important one, too," said Dick +as he joined his brothers in one of the rooms several days later. + +"What about?" questioned Sam, while Tom looked up from a book with +interest. + +"It's about Tad Sobber and that fortune from Treasure Isle," answered +Dick. + +"What! Has that rascal showed up again?" exclaimed Tom. + +"He has; and according to what father says, he is going to make all +the trouble possible for the Stanhopes and the Lanings," + +"That's too bad," said Sam. + +"I'll read the letter," went on Dick, and proceeded to do so. In part +the communication ran as follows: + +"You wrote that you knew about Sobber's call upon Mrs. Stanhope. Well, +after the girls left for Hope Seminary, Sobber and a lawyer named +Martin Snodd called upon Mr. Laning and then upon me. Sobber was very +bitter, and he wanted to know all about what had been done with the +treasure. He claims that he and his uncle, who is dead, were robbed of +the boxes. Evidently Sobber and the lawyer had talked the matter over +carefully, for the latter intimated that Sobber might settle the case +if the Stanhopes and the Lanings would give him seventy-five per cent. +of the fortune. Mr. Laning did not wish to go to law, and told Sobber +he might be willing to settle for a small amount, say two or three +thousand dollars. But Sobber wouldn't listen to this, and went off +declaring he would have it all. + +"'Since that time Martin Snodd has been busy, and he has obtained a +temporary injunction against the Stanhopes and the Lanings, so that +they cannot touch a dollar of the money, which, as you know, is now +in several banks. The matter will now have to await the result of the +case, which will probably be tried in court some months from now. + +"'I have learned that Sobber has little or no money, and that Martin +Snodd has taken the case on speculation, Sobber to allow him half of +whatever he gets out of it. Snodd's reputation is anything but good, +so I am afraid he will have a lot of evidence manufactured to order. +I have recommended a firm of first-class lawyers to Mrs. Stanhope and +the Lanings, and they will, of course, fight the matter to the bitter +end." + +"This is too bad!" cried Sam after Dick had finished. "So the fortune +is tied up so they can't spend a cent of what's left?" + +"They can't touch a cent until the courts decide who the fortune +really belongs to," answered Dick, "and if Sobber should win, the +Stanhopes and the Lanings will have to pay back that which they have +already used." + +"Oh, how can Sobber win?" cried Tom. "Father said the Stanhope and +Laning claims were perfectly legal." + +"True, Tom; but you can never tell how a case is going to turn out +in court. If this Martin Snodd is a shyster he may have all sorts of +evidence cooked up against our friends. Sobber would most likely +swear to anything, and so would some of the sailors saved from the +_Josephine_. And then there are some of Sid Merrick's other relatives, +who would try to benefit by the case. They'd probably testify in favor +of Sobber, for they wouldn't expect anything from Mrs. Stanhope or the +Lanings." + +"But the records of Mr. Stanhope's business deals ought, to be clear," +said Sam. + +"They are not as clear as one would wish, so father told me," answered +Dick. He gave a long sigh. "Too bad! And just when we thought the +Stanhopes and the Lanings could sit down and enjoy all that fortune." + +"I wonder if the girls know of this yet?" mused Tom. + +"Most likely they have had word from home," answered Dick. + +"It will make them feel pretty sore," said Sam. + +"Yes, it would make anybody feel sore," answered the oldest Rover. +"We'll have to drive over and see, the first chance we get." + +When they met the girls the boys learned that they knew all about the +affair. All were worried, and showed it. + +"This will upset mamma very much," said Dora. "I am afraid it will put +her in bed." + +"It's too bad, but it can't be helped," said Dick. + +"Dick, do you think we ought to buy Sobber off?" + +"No. He doesn't deserve a cent of that money." + +"Papa says the case will not come up for a long time, the courts are +so crowded with cases," remarked Nellie. "He is about as worried as +anybody, for he has already spent several thousand dollars, and if we +lose he won't know how to pay it back," + +"We'll lend him the cash," said Tom promptly, and for this Nellie gave +him a grateful look. + +The boys did their best to cheer up the girls, but their efforts were +not entirely successful. All felt that the coming legal contest would +be a bitter one, and that Tad Sobber and the shyster lawyer who was +aiding him would do all in their power to get possession of the +fortune found on Treasure Isle. + +The girls were coming to the football game with Sam, and all said they +trusted Brill would win the contest. + +"We are all going to carry Brill flags," said Grace, "and I am going +to root--isn't that what you call it?--as hard as I can." + +"Then we'll be sure to win!" cried Dick. + +Yet the oldest Rover was by no means confident. The Brill eleven had +heard that their opponents were in the pink of condition. They had +played three games already, and won all of them. Brill had played +against the scrub only, which was hardly a test of what it could do. + +The day for the contest dawned clear and bright, and early in the +afternoon the visitors from Roxley, Hope, and other institutions of +learning, as well as from Ashton and other towns, commenced to pour +in. They came on foot, in carriages and automobiles, and on bicycles, +and soon the grandstand and the bleachers were filled to overflowing. +Flags and college colors were in evidence everywhere, and so were +horns and rattles. + +While Dick was waiting to catch sight of the carriage containing Sam +and the girls from Hope he saw another turnout approaching. In it were +Mr. Sanderson and his daughter Minnie. + +"Why, how do you do, Mr. Rover!" cried the girl pleasantly. + +"Very well," answered Dick politely, raising his cap. "And how are +you?" + +"Oh, fine! I made papa drive me over to see the game. It's going to be +something grand, so I've heard," went on Minnie, and then she added: +"Thought you and your brothers were coming to see us?" + +"We--er--we haven't had much time," stammered Dick. He did not care to +add that when he went to see a young lady it was always Dora Stanhope, +and that Tom and Sam called only on Nellie and Grace Laning. + +"I've been expecting you," said the girl with a pretty pout. + +"Have Dudd Flockley and Jerry Koswell been there since?" + +"Yes, both of them came once, and Flockley came after that, but I +refused to see them. Mr. Flockley wished to bring me to see this game, +but I sent word that I was going with papa." + +"He ought to know enough to stay away by this time," said Dick. He +could think of no other remark to make. + +"Can I get a seat anywhere?" asked Minnie, looking anxiously over in +the direction of the grandstand. + +"I think so. Wait, I'll look." + +"Hold on," put in Mr. Sanderson. "Just you take Minnie along, Mr. +Rover. I'll go and take care of the hoss. I can stand anywhere and +look on." + +Minnie prepared to spring to the ground, and there was nothing to do +but for Dick to assist her. He wondered if Sam was coming with Dora +and the others, but did not see them. Then he led the way through the +crowd to where some seats were reserved. + +"I think you'll be able to see nicely from here," he said. + +"Oh, I know I shall." She smiled broadly at him. "You are very kind. I +don't know what I should have done if I had been alone--there is such +a jam. Oh, I do hope you win!" And Minnie beamed on Dick in a manner +that made him blush, for he saw that several were watching them. + +"I must go now. It is getting late," said Dick after a little more +talk. He turned, to see Sam, Dora and the Laning girls only a few +seats away. Dora was looking fully at Minnie Sanderson with wide open +eyes and a flush mounting to her cheeks. + +"Oh, so you've arrived!" cried Dick cheerily, but his voice had a +catch in it. Somehow he felt guilty, he could not tell why. + +"Yes, here we are," answered Nellie. + +"And what a crowd!" added Grace. Dora said not a word. She had stopped +looking at Minnie and her eyes were directed to nothing at all on the +football field. + +"Well, Dora, are you going to wish me success?" asked Dick, bound to +say something. + +"Oh, I guess all your lady friends will wish you that," was the answer +in a voice that did not seem like Dora's at all. + +"Why, what's the matter?" he asked in a low voice meant only for her +ears. + +"Nothing." + +"But there is, Dora." + +"You had better go down to the field now. I see the other players are +getting ready." + +"But if you are angry at me--" + +"Oh, I am not angry, so please leave me alone!" And now Dora turned +still further away, while something like tears began to spring into +her eyes. + +Dick drew back, for her tone of voice nettled him. He felt he had done +nothing wrong. He did not see that look in her eyes, or he would have +understood how much she was hurt. He turned, nodded pleasantly to +Nellie and Grace, and hurried from the grandstand. + +"Where have you been?" asked Tom when he appeared in the +dressing-room. + +"Up on the stand, talking to the girls," was Dick's short answer. + +"Anything wrong? You look out of sorts." + +"No, nothing is wrong," answered the oldest Rover. But he felt that +there was something my much wrong, yet he could not tell Tom. + +"I didn't do anything out of the way, I'm sure I didn't," Dick +murmured to himself as he prepared to go out on the gridiron. "Any +gentleman would have found a seat for Miss Sanderson. I suppose Dora +saw me talking to her, and now she imagines all sorts of things. It +isn't fair. Well, I don't care." And Dick whistled to himself, just to +keep up his courage. He did care a great deal. + +At last he was ready, and he followed Tom out on the field. The Roxley +team had just come out, and their friends were giving them a royal +welcome. + +"Roxley! Roxley!" they shouted. "They are the boys to win!" + +"It's Brill this time!" was the answering rally, and then horns and +rattles added to the din, while banners were waved gaily in the +bracing autumn air. + +Dick looked toward the grandstand, trying to single out Dora. Instead, +his eyes met those of Minnie Sanderson, and she waved both her banner +and her handkerchief. He answered the salute, and then turned to look +where Dora and the Lanings were sitting. Nellie and Grace, as well as +Sam, cheered him, but Dora took no notice. But she waved her flag at +Tom. + +This last action made Dick's heart sink, figuratively speaking, to his +shoes. How could a fellow hope to play and win with his girl cutting +him like that? But then of a sudden he shut his teeth hard. + +"I'll win even if she doesn't care," he told himself. "I'll not do it +for her, or myself--I'll do it for the honor of Brill!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE GREAT FOOTBALL GAME + + +It is not my intention to give all the particulars of that game of +football between Brill and Roxley, for the reason that I have many +other things to tell about. Yet I feel that I must tell something of +that great second half, which nobody who saw it will ever forget. + +In the first half Roxley had the kick-off, and they played such a +fierce whirlwind game that before the leather had been on the gridiron +eight minutes they scored a touchdown. Then they made another +touchdown, and just before the whistle blew for the end of the first +half one of their players kicked a goal from the field. + +And Brill scored nothing. + +More than this, the playing was so rough that two of the Brill eleven +and one from Roxley had to retire from the field. + +Of course the visitors went wild with joy, and shouted themselves +hoarse. They waved their colors, swung their rattles, and tooted +their horns for fully five minutes, while the silence among the +Brill contingent was so thick it could be "cut with a knife," as Sam +afterward expressed it. + +"It's all over," murmured Stanley with a glum look on his face. "Their +eleven this year are too heavy for us." + +"We can't meet them in mass play, that's certain," was Dick's comment. +"If we are going to gain anything at all it must be by open work." + +"Tom Rover can take Felton's place," came the order from the head of +the team, and Tom at once threw off the blanket he had been using and +got into practice with another new man and some others. + +Dick felt sore, physically and mentally. He had been roughly used by +two of the Roxley players, and had made a fumble at a critical moment. +And all during that heartrending first half Dora had not noticed him +at all! + +The coach did some plain talking to the players while in the +dressing-room, and told them of where he thought Roxley might be +weak--at the left end. + +"Don't mass unless you absolutely have to," were his words of caution. +"They have the weight, but I don't think they have the wind. Keep them +on the jump. I think that is your only chance." + +When the whistle blew for the second half the Brill eleven came out on +the gridiron with a "do or die" look on their faces. + +"Now pile it into 'em!" cried the coach. "Don't give 'em time to think +about it!" + +Whether it was this caution, or the very desperateness of the case, +it would be hard to say, but true it is that Brill went at their +opponents "hammer and tongs" from the very start. They avoided all +wedge work and confined themselves as much as possible to open +playing. More than this, they used a little trick Dick had once played +when on the eleven at Putnam Hall. The ball was passed from right to +left, then to center, and then to left again, and then carried around +the end for a gain of twenty-five yards. Then it was picked up again, +turned back and to the left once more, and forced around the end for +twenty yards more. + +"That's the way to do it!" yelled several of the Brill supporters. + +"Over with it, while you've got the chance!" + +The ball was forced back by sheer weight of Roxley, but only for five +yards. Then the Brill quarter-back got it, sent it over to Toms and in +a twinkling Tom "nursed" it to where he wanted it and kicked a goal +from the field. + +"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!" + +"That's the way to do it!" + +"Now, then, for another!" + +"By the great Julius Caesar!" cried Sam. "Isn't that fine?" + +"Oh, it was grand!" exclaimed Nellie, and she waved her banner +directly at Tom, and he waved his hand in return. Just then Nellie +felt as if she could go and hug him. + +"It certainly was fine," said Grace, "but it's only one goal, and they +have such a big score," she pouted. + +"Never mind. We won't be whitewashed, anyway." + +"It's a pity they didn't have Tom in the first half," said Dora. +Although her heart was strangely sore, she nevertheless felt proud of +what Tom had accomplished. + +Again the two elevens went at it, and now Roxley tried again to force +the center by a rush. But to their surprise Brill shifted to the +left--that one weak spot--and got the ball on a fumble by the Roxley +half-back. There was more quick action by four of the Brill players, +and when the scrimmage came to an end the leather was found just three +yards from the Roxley goal line. + +And then came that awful struggle, where muscle met muscle in a strain +that was truly terrific. Roxley was heavier, but its wind was going +fast. Brill held at first, then went ahead--an inch--a foot--a yard. + +"Hold 'em! Hold 'em!" was the Roxley cry. But it was not to be. The +yard became two, and then the leather went over with a rush. + +"A touchdown! A touchdown for Brill!" + +"Now make it a goal!" was the cry, and a goal it became, the Brill +quarter-back doing the kicking. + +From that moment on the battle waged with a fury seldom seen on any +gridiron. Brill, from almost certain defeat, commenced to scent a +victory, and went into the play regardless of physical consequences. +Tom had his thumb wrenched and Dick had his ankle skinned, but neither +gave heed to the hurts. Indeed, they never noticed them until the game +was at an end. + +And then came Dick's hour of triumph. How he got the ball from the +burly Roxley right guard nobody could exactly tell afterward but get +the ball he did, and rounded two rival players before they knew what +was up. Then down the field he sped, with his enemies yelling like +demons behind him, and his friends on the benches encouraging him to +go on. He saw nothing and heard nothing until on the grandstand he +perceived a slender girlish form arise, wave a banner, and fairly +scream: + +"Dick! Dick! Run! run! run!" + +"It's Dora," he thought. "Dora sees me! She wants me to win!" + +It was the last bit of inspiration he needed, and as a Roxley +full-back came thundering up to him he threw the fellow headlong. Then +straight as an arrow from a bow he rushed for the goal line, crossed +it, and sank limply down in front of the grandstand. + +"Hurrah for Dick Rover!" + +"Say, wasn't that a dandy run?" + +"Those brothers can certainly play!" + +"It's Brill's game now! Roxley is going to pieces!" + +Amid a great din the leather was taken down into the field and the +goal was kicked. + +"Want to get out of the game?" Dick was asked as he came down, +breathing heavily. + +"No, not unless I'm put out," was the gritty answer. + +"You'll not be put out. That was the finest run ever made on this +field." + +What had been said about Roxley going to pieces was, in part, true. +Several shifts were made in the players, but this did not aid the +eleven. With twelve minutes more to play, Brill kept up its winning +streak, and secured another touchdown and goal and then a safety. When +the whistle finally blew the ball was well in Roxley's territory. + +"Brill wins!" + +"Say, wasn't that a great game? All Roxley the first half and all +Brill the second." + +"Talk about a team pulling itself together! I never saw anything like +what Brill did in the second half." + +"Nor I." + +"Those two Rover boys are winders." + +So the talk ran on. Of course, Roxley was keenly disappointed, but it +tried not to show it, and sang songs and cheered its opponents. And +Brill cheered the enemy, as is the custom. + +Tom and Dick were surrounded by a host of friends, and had to shake +hands over and over again, and had to have their hurts washed and +bound up. Both wanted to get to where Sam and the girls had been left, +but this was impossible for quite a while, and then, much to their +surprise, they found their brother and the others had gone, and Minnie +Sanderson had departed also. + +"Wonder where they went to?" questioned Tom. "I told Sam we'd be along +as soon as possible." + +To this Dick did not answer. He was thinking deeply. Was Dora still +angry, in spite of how she had cheered him? + +"There they are!" cried Tom a few minutes later, as he and Dick walked +toward the river. He had seen Nellie and Grace on a bench in the sun, +surrounded by a number of other visitors. He hurried up to them, +his brother following more slowly. "Where are Dora and Sam?" he +questioned, looking around. + +"Dora asked to go back to the seminary," answered Nellie, and looked +sharply at Dick. + +"To the seminary?" repeated Tom in wonder. "Why, how's that?" + +"She said she had a--headache." + +"Is that so? That's too bad! Why didn't she wait for Dick to take her +over?" + +"I--I don't know, Tom." Nellie lowered her voice, so Dick might not +hear. "Something is wrong between them. I don't know what it is." + +"Wrong? Why, how can that be? I didn't hear of anything," Tom now +spoke in a whisper. + +"Well, I am sure something is wrong. They acted queer when Dick came +to the grandstand before the game commenced. Dora's heart was not in +the game at all. She was ready to go before it was over." + +"By the way, Tom, who was that other girl?" asked Grace pointedly. + +"What other girl?" + +"The girl Dick was talking to here on the grandstand." + +"Oh, that was the farmer's daughter we helped when we first came to +Ashton. Her name is Minnie Sanderson. We told you about her." + +"She seems to think a good deal of Dick," was Nellie's comment. + +"Why, you don't mean--" Tom looked around, expecting to see Dick close +by. "Hello! Where did he go?" he cried. + +"Dick is walking back to the college," said Grace. + +"Hi, Dick!" called out Tom to his brother. "Where are you going?" + +"Up to my room," answered Dick. + +"Yes, but see here--" + +"Can't see now. I'll see you later," answered Dick. He waved his cap +and bowed. "Good-by, Nellie! Good-by, Grace!" And then he turned on +his heel and continued on his way to the dormitory building. + +"Well, if this doesn't beat the Chinese!" murmured Tom. + +"He must be very angry over something," murmured Nellie. + +"I think he might have come and shook hands when he said good-by," +said Grace with a pout. + +"I think so myself," answered Tom. "Say, do you think it's that girl?" +he went on, in his usual blunt fashion. + +"It must be," answered Nellie, who was equally frank on all occasions. +"I don't know what else it could be." + +"But Dick hasn't done anything. I am sure of it. Why, I don't think he +has seen her since we stopped at her home that time." + +"Well, he seemed very attentive to her here in the stand," said Grace, +"and if you'll remember, he didn't meet us when we arrived. I am sure +Dora looked for him." + +Tom gave a long sigh and shrugged his shoulders. + +"This takes the edge off the victory," he murmured. "I thought the six +of us would have a jolly time for the rest of the day." + +"It certainly is too bad," answered Nellie. "But I don't think Dora is +to blame." + +"Oh, of course a girl will stick up for another girl," retorted Tom, +bound to say something in his brother's defense. + +"Tom Rover!" cried Nellie, and then she showed that she was +displeased. + +It was quite a while before Sam came back from seeing Dora to the +seminary. He, too, thought Dora was more to blame than Dick, and this +did not altogether please Grace. As a consequence there was a coldness +all around, and the rest of the afternoon dragged most woefully. Dick +did not return, and at last Sam and Tom saw the Laning girls back to +their school. + +"A pretty mess of fish!" muttered Sam on returning to Brill. + +"Yes; and where is it going to end?" asked Tom dolefully. It was the +first time there had been such cold feelings all around. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +MORE COMPLICATIONS + + +The football eleven celebrated the victory that evening by bonfires +and by something of a feast. Of course Tom and Dick were present, as +were also Sam and a host of others, but it must be confessed that the +Rovers did not enjoy themselves. + +"See here, Dick," said Tom after the festivities were over, "what is +this trouble between you and Dora?" + +"Don't ask me, ask her," returned Dick shortly. "She knows more about +it than I do." + +"She won't say a word," came from Sam "She said she didn't feel well, +that's all; and I know that wasn't true altogether." + +"Was it that Minnie Sanderson?" went on Tom. + +"If it was, it wasn't my fault," answered Dick. + +"But what did you do?" insisted Tom. He was bound to get at the bottom +of the affair. + +Thereupon Dick was compelled to relate all that had happened, which, +in truth, was not much. + +"And is that all?" asked Sam. + +"Yes." + +"I don't see why she should be put out over that," said Tom slowly. +"But then girls are queer. The more you know them the less you +understand them." + +"Grace and Nellie take Dora's part," said Sam with a deep sigh. "It +has put us all somewhat on the outs." + +"I am sorry to hear that," answered Dick, and his tone of voice showed +that he was sincere. "But I don't know what I can do," he added +helplessly. "I don't want to be on the outs with anybody, but if Dora +is bound to turn the cold shoulder to me--" He did not finish. + +Following the game with Roxley, Brill played two other games with a +college from Delton and another from Speer. The game with the latter +college resulted in a tie, but Delton was beaten by Brill by a score +of 16 to 10. Tom and Dick played in both games, and won considerable +credit for their work. + +During these days the boys did not see the girls, nor did they hear +from them. Thanksgiving was passed at Brill, only a few of the +students going home. Among the number to leave were Dudd Flockley and +Jerry Koswell, and they did not return until a week later. + +The dude and his crony, as well as Larkspur, were still down upon the +Rovers, but for the present they kept quiet, the reason being that +they were behind in their lessons and had to work hard to make up. But +all were watching their chances to do the Rover boys some injury on +the quiet. + +Dick, Tom and Sam got along well in their studies. The only trouble +they had in the classroom was with Professor Sharp, who made them "toe +the mark" upon every occasion. But they took good care to obey the +rules, so the irascible teacher got no chance to lecture or punish +them. + +The boys got a number of letters from home, and these brought news +that the law case Tad Sobber had instituted against the Stanhopes and +the Lanings was being pushed vigorously. Mr. Rover wrote that he felt +certain the shyster lawyer Sobber had on the case was going to present +a great mass of "evidence," no doubt manufactured for the occasion. + +"It's a shame!" cried Tom after hearing this. "Such a lawyer ought to +be in prison!" + +"The thing of it is to prove he is doing something wrong," answered +Dick. "It is one thing to know the truth and quite another to prove it +in court." + +"If the case should be lost the Lanings will be poorer than ever," +said Sam. + +"That is true, Sam. I wish we could do something, but I am afraid we +can't." + +Fate seemed bound to make matters worse for the Rover boys. On a +clear, cold Saturday afternoon in December the three brothers and +Songbird went out to look for nuts in the woods near Ashton. They had +heard that the seminary girls occasionally visited the woods for that +purpose, and each was secretly hoping to run across Dora and the +Lanings. + +It did not take the boys long to reach the woods, and they soon found +a spot where hickory nuts were plentiful. They had brought some bags +along, and were soon hard at work gathering the nuts. + +While thus occupied they heard a number of girls coming along. At +first they fancied the newcomers might be from the seminary, but soon +saw that they were natives of the place. They were five in number, and +among them was Minnie Sanderson. + +"Why, how do you do?" said Minnie, coming up with a smile on her face. +"How strange to meet out here!" And then she shook hands with each +of the Rovers, and speedily introduced her friends, and the Rovers +introduced Songbird. + +Minnie was neatly attired in a brown dress, with a brown hat to match, +and while she did not look anyway "stunning," she made an attractive +appearance. Her friends, too, were pretty, and well dressed, and all +were very jolly. + +"It's a nice bunch, all right," murmured Tom to Sam. "I like their +open-hearted way of talking." + +"So do I," answered the youngest Rover. + +The girls joined the boys in gathering nuts, and so spent an enjoyable +hour roaming through the woods. Often the Rovers and Songbird would +knock down the nuts with sticks and stones and leave the girls to +gather what they wanted. + +"We like to have a large quantity of nuts on hand for the winter," +said Minnie to Dick. "Then, when there is a deep snow on the ground we +can sit before the blazing fire and crack nuts and eat them. You must +come over some time this winter and help," she added. + +"Perhaps I will," murmured Dick. He had to admit to himself that +Minnie was very cordial and that she was by no means bad looking. He +did not wonder why Flockley and Koswell were so anxious to call upon +her. + +Roaming through the woods caused Songbird to become poetic, and while +they rested in the sunshine, and picked some of the nuts that Tom and +Sam had cracked, he recited some verses composed on the spur of the +moment: + + "Hark to the silence all around! + The well-trained ear doth hear no sound. + The birds are silent in their nest, + All tired Nature is at rest. + The brook in silence finds its way + From shadows deep to perfect day. + The wind is dead, there is no breeze--" + + "To make a fellow cough and sneeze!" + +murmured Tom, and gave a loud ker-chew! that set all the girls to +laughing. + +"That isn't right!" declared Songbird half angrily. "There is no +sneeze in this poem," + +"Oh, excuse me. I only thought I'd help you out," answered Tom +soberly. And then the would-be poet continued: + + "The wind is dead, there is no breeze + To stir the bushes or the trees. + Full well I know, as here I stand, + That Solitude commands the land!" + +"Good! Fine! Immense! Great!" cried Sam enthusiastically. "Hurrah for +Solitude!" + +"Why, Mr. Powell, you are a real poet," said one of the girls gravely. +And this pleased Songbird greatly. + +"You'll have to write in my autograph album," said another, and the +would-be poet readily consented. Later he inscribed a poem in the book +three pages long. + +At last it came time to leave the woods, and the boys walked with +the girls toward the road. As they did this they heard the sound of +wheels. + +"Must be a carriage coming," said Dick, and stepped into the roadway +to see, followed by the others in the party. A few seconds later a +turnout rumbled into sight. It was the Hope Seminary carryall, and it +contained half a dozen girls, including Dora, Nellie and Grace. + +"Hello! Look there!" cried Tom, and raised his cap, and the other boys +did the same. Dora and her cousins looked at the crowd, and their +faces flushed. They bowed rather stiffly, and then the carryall bowled +on its way. + +"Why, those are your friends!" cried Minnie, turning to the Rovers. +"Don't you want to speak to them?" + +"It's too late now," answered Dick. He had a curious sinking sensation +in his heart that he could not explain. He looked at his brothers, and +saw that they, too, were out of sorts. + +The passing of the carryall put a damper on matters, and the girls +felt it. They talked with the Rovers and Songbird a few minutes longer +and then turned in one direction while the Brill students turned in +another. + +"Fine lot of girls," was Songbird's comment. "Very nice, indeed. And +they know how to appreciate poetry, too," he added with satisfaction. + +"Oh, yes, they are all right," answered Dick carelessly. Somehow, he +was now sorry he had gone to the woods after nuts. + +"I am going to call on all of them some time," went on Songbird. "That +Minnie Sanderson told me she plays the piano, and sings. I am going to +get her to sing a new song I am writing. It goes like this--" + +"Excuse me, Songbird; not now," said Dick. "I want to do an extra +lesson." And he hurried off, while Sam and Tom did the same. + +Two hours later Dick ran into William Philander Tubbs, who had been +down to town in company with Stanley. + +"Had a lovely time, don't you know," drawled William Philander. "While +Stanley posted some letters and addressed some picture postals I did +up the shops. And what do you think? I found a beautiful new maroon +necktie, and it was only a dollar--same kind they would charge one +seventy-five for in the big cities. And I saw a new style of collar, +and some patent-leather pumps that have bows with loose ends, and--" + +"Some other time, Billy," interrupted Dick. "I'm in a hurry now." + +"Oh, I'm sorry. But, Dick, one other thing. I met Miss Stanhope and +her cousins." + +"You did?" And now Dick was willing to listen. "Where?" + +"At one of the stores. They were doing some buying, in company with +those chaps you don't like." + +"The chaps I don't like! You don't mean--" + +Dick paused in wonder. + +"I mean that Flockley chap and his chums, Koswell and Larkspur." + +"Were Miss Stanhope and the Misses Laning with those fellows?" +demanded the elder Rover. + +"They seemed to be. They were buying fruit and candy, and I think +Flockley treated to hot chocolate. The girls seemed glad enough to +see me, but I--ah--didn't want to--ah--break in, you know, so I came +away." + +"Where did they go after having the chocolate and candy?" + +"I don't know. I didn't see them after that." And there the talk came +to an end, for several other students appeared. Dick walked off in a +thoughtful mood. + +"Deeper and deeper!" he told himself, with something like a groan. +Then he hunted up Sam and Tom. + +"Going with Flockley and that crowd!" cried Tom. "Not much! I won't +have it!" And he commenced to pace the floor. + +"What are you going to do about it?" asked Sam. + +"Call on the girls and talk it over--and you and Dick are going with +me." + +"I'll not go," declared Dick. + +"Neither will I," added Sam. + +"Yes, you shall--and to-night," said Tom firmly. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +DAYS OF WAITING + + +Eight o'clock that evening saw the three Rovers on their way to Hope +Seminary. Tom was the leader, and it had taken a good half hour's +arguing on his part to get Dick and Sam to accompany him. + +"You'll make a fool of yourself, and make fools of us, too," was the +way Sam expressed himself. + +"Most likely they won't want to see us," was Dick's opinion. + +"If they don't want to see us, really and truly, I want to know it," +answered Tom bluntly. "I don't believe in this dodging around the +bush. There is no sense in it." It had angered him to think Nellie had +been seen in the company of Flockley and his cronies, and he was for +"having it out" without delay. + +"Well, you'll have to lead the way," said Dick. "I'm not going to make +a call and have Dora send down word that she can't see me." + +"She won't do that," said Tom. "I know her too well." + +"Well, you call on Nellie first." + +"I'm not afraid," retorted Tom. He was so "worked up" he was willing +to do almost anything. + +The nearer the three students got to the seminary the slower they +walked. Even Tom began to realize that he had undertaken what might +prove a very delicate mission. + +"I think it would have been better to have sent a letter," suggested +Sam. "Let's go back and write it before we go to bed." + +"And put down something in black and white that you'd be sorry for +afterward," grumbled Dick. + +At the entrance to the seminary grounds they halted again, but then +Tom caught each brother by the arm and marched them up to the front +door and rang the bell. + +A maid answered their summons and led them to a reception-room. A +minute later one of the teachers appeared. + +"Why, I thought you young gentlemen knew the young ladies had gone +away," said the teacher after they had mentioned the object of their +visit. "They said they were going to send you a note." + +"Gone away!" echoed Dick. + +"Yes. The three left for home on the late afternoon train. Mrs. +Stanhope and Mrs. Laning said it was a matter of business. Then you +didn't get their note?" + +"We did not," answered Tom. + +"That is too bad. I am sure they spoke of sending it. Wait, I will ask +Parks, our messenger, about it." + +The teacher left the room, and the Rover boys looked speculatively at +each other. + +"They must have been getting ready to leave when Tubbs saw them," said +Dick. + +"And we never knew they were going," added Sam bitterly. + +"The matter of business must refer to that Sobber case," said Tom. "I +don't know what else could take them home." + +"Maybe they have lost the case and must give the treasure up," said +Sam. "In that case, Mr. Laning would have to take the girls away from +such an expensive place as this." + +In a few minutes the lady teacher came back. + +"Parks says he took three notes, addressed to Richard, Thomas and +Samuel Rover. He says he went over to Brill this morning with them and +gave them to a man named Filbury." + +"Filbury, eh?" said Dick, naming an old man who worked around the +dormitories. "Well, we didn't get them, and I am very sorry." + +"So am I, Mr. Rover," said the teacher. + +"Do you know how long the young ladies will be gone?" + +"They could not tell. They said they would send letters after they +arrived home." + +This was all the seminary teacher could tell, and a minute later the +Rovers said good night and left. All hurried from the grounds in deep +thought. + +"We must find Filbury and see what he did with those letters," said +Tom, and his brothers agreed with him. + +When they reached Brill they located the man they were after fixing a +light in one of the halls. + +"Where are those letters you got for us this morning, Filbury?" asked +Dick sternly. + +"Letters?" asked the old man, who was rather absent minded. "I don't +remember no letters, Mr. Rover." + +"I mean the three letters which Parks of Hope Seminary gave you for me +and my brothers." + +"Oh, them. I remember now. Let me see. Yes, I got them, and one for +Mr. Flockley, too. I gave him all the letters. He said he'd hand 'em +to you." And apparently satisfied, Filbury resumed his work on the +light. + +"When was this?" demanded Sam. + +"About eleven o'clock. I hope it's all right. I would have delivered +the letters myself, only I had a lot of work to do." + +"It is not all right, and we are going to look into the matter at +once," said Dick; and hurried off with Tom and Sam at his heels. +They went straight to the room occupied by Flockley and Koswell, and +knocked on the door. There was a stir within, a few whispered words, +and then the door was opened. + +"What do you want?" asked Jerry Koswell. Flockley was sitting by the +table, reading. + +"Flockley, what did you do with those letters you got from Filbury for +us?" demanded Dick, striding into the room. + +"Letters?" asked the dude carelessly. "Oh, I put them on the table in +Tom and Sam's room." + +"When?" + +"This morning." + +"They weren't there after dinner," said Sam. + +"Nor after supper, either," added Tom. + +"Look here, do you accuse me of stealing your letters?" demanded +Flockley, rising as if in anger. + +"No; but we want to know where they are," answered Tom. + +"I told you what I did with them. I wouldn't have touched the letters, +only Filbury asked me to do the favor. If they are not on the table +maybe the wind swept them to the floor. Did you look?" + +"No." + +"Then you had better." + +"You might have spoken about them, Flockley," said Dick coldly. "Any +other student would have done so." + +"Or you could have handed us the letters at lunch," added Sam. + +"I am not your hired man!" cried Dudd Flockley. "Next time I'll not +touch the letters at all!" And then he dropped back into his chair and +pretended to read again. + +"If we don't find the letters you'll hear from us again," said Dick. +And then he and his brothers retired. + +They entered the room occupied by Sam and Tom and lit up. The notes +were not on the table. + +"Here they are!" cried Sam, and picked them up from the floor, under +the edge of Tom's bed. They looked rather mussed up, and all of the +Rovers wondered if Flockley had opened and read them. + +"I don't think he'd be any too good to do it," muttered Tom as he +opened the note addressed to himself. + +It was from Nellie, and rather cool in tone. It said all were +called home on account of the case at court, but did not give any +particulars. At the bottom was mentioned the time of departure from +Hope and also from Ashton. The notes from Dora and Grace contained +about the same information, and Grace added that she wanted Sam to +write to her. + +"If we had had these letters this afternoon we might have gone to Hope +instead of nutting," said Tom bitterly. + +"They must have expected to see us, either there or at the depot," +said Sam. "Otherwise they wouldn't have been so particular about +mentioning the time of departure from both places." + +"Yes, I guess they expected to see us, or hear from us," said Dick, +and breathed a deep sigh. + +"Well, they did see us--when we were with Miss Sanderson and her +friends." + +"What must they have thought--if they imagined we had received the +letters?" groaned Tom. + +"They thought we cut 'em dead," replied Sam. "Isn't this the worst +ever? And all on Flockley's account! I'd like to punch his nose!" + +"I'd like to be sure of one thing," said Dick, a hard tone stealing +into his voice. "Did Flockley just happen to be in Ashton when the +girls got there, or did he open and read these letters and then go on +purpose, with Koswell and Larkspur?" + +"Say, that's something to think about!" cried Tom. "If he opened the +letters I'd like to make him confess." + +"Well, one thing is certain," said Dick after the matter had been +talked over for a while, "we missed a splendid chance to talk matters +over with the girls. It is too bad!" And his face showed his concern. + +"And you didn't even want to go to Hope with me," commented Tom, with +a humor he could not repress. + +"Wish we had gone yesterday," answered Sam bluntly. He could read +"between the lines" of the note he had received, and knew that Grace +wanted to see him just as much as he wanted to see her. + +Sam said he was going to write a letter that night, and finally Tom +and Dick agreed to do the same. + +"But I shan't write much," said Dick. "I am not going to put my foot +in it." Nevertheless he wrote a letter of four pages, and then added +a postscript of two pages more. And the communications Sam and Tom +penned were equally long. + +"We'll not trust 'em to the college mail," said Tom. "We can take 'em +to the post-office when we go to church to-morrow," And this was done. + +After the letters were posted the brothers waited anxiously for +replies, and in the meantime buckled down once more to their studies. +It was now well along in December, and one morning they awoke to find +the ground covered with snow. + +"Snowballing to-day!" said Tom with a touch of cheerfulness, and he +was right. That day, after class hours, the students snowballed each +other with a will. The freshmen and the sophomores had a regular +pitched battle, which lasted the best part of an hour. All of the +Rovers took part in the contest, and it served to make them more +cheerful than they had been for some time. + +"What's the good of moping?" said Tom. "We are bound to hear from the +girls sooner or later." Yet, as day after day went by, and no letters +came, he felt as downcast as did his brothers. + +The boys were to go home for the Christmas holidays, and under +ordinary circumstances they would have felt gay over the prospect. But +now it was different. + +"Going to send Dora a Christmas present?" asked Tom of Dick, a few +days before the close of the term. + +"I don't know. Are you going to send anything to Nellie?" + +"Yes, if you send something to Dora." + +"Sam says he is going to send Grace a writing outfit and a book of +postage stamps," went on Dick. + +"That's what they all need," growled Tom. "It's a shame! They might at +least have acknowledged our letters." + +The boys did not know what to do. Supposing they sent presents to the +girls, and got them back? They held a meeting in Dick's room and asked +Songbird's advice. + +"Send them the nicest things you can buy," said the would-be poet. "I +am going to send a young lady a gift--a beautiful autograph album, +with a new poem of mine, sixteen verses in length. It's on 'The Clasp +of a Friendly Hand.' I got the inspiration once when I--er--But never +mind that. It's a dandy poem." + +"Who is the album to go to?" asked Tom indifferently. + +"Why--er--Minnie Sanderson," answered Songbird innocently. "You see, +we have gotten to be very good friends lately." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS + + +The next day the Rover boys went down to Ashton to see what they could +find in the stores. Dick said he wanted to get something nice for his +Aunt Martha, Tom wanted something for his father, and Sam said he +thought Uncle Randolph was deserving of a gift that was worth while. + +Yet when they got into the largest store of which the town boasted +all seemed to gravitate naturally to where the pretty things for the +ladies were displayed. + +"There's a dandy fan," murmured Tom. "Nellie likes fans very much." + +"So does Grace," returned Sam. "Say, what are you going to do?" + +"What are you going to do, Sam?" + +"I'm going to get one of those fans and send it, along with a box of +bonbons and chocolates," answered the youngest Rover boldly. "And I'm +going to send Mrs. Laning a pair of kid gloves," he added. + +"Then I'll send a fan, too," answered Tom, "and I'll send Mrs. Laning +a workbox. I know she'd like one." + +In the meantime Dick was looking at some fancy belt buckles and +hatpins. He knew Dora liked such things. + +"I'll just take Songbird's advice and get the best I can and send +them," he told himself. And he picked out the best buckle he could +find, and likewise a handsome hatpin, and had them put into a fancy +box, along with a fancy Christmas card, on which he wrote his name. +Then he purchased a five-pound box of candy at the confectioner's +shop, and Tom and Sam did the same. + +This was the start, and now that the ice was broken, and the first +plunge taken, the boys walked around from one store to another, +picking up various articles, not alone for the folks at home, but also +for their various friends. And they added a number of other things for +the girls, too. + +"It's no worse to send four things than two," was the way Tom +expressed himself. + +"Right you are," answered Dick. Now that they had decided to send the +things they all felt better for it. + +On the day school closed there was another fall of snow, and the boys +were afraid they would be snowbound. But the train came in, although +rather late, and all piled on board. + +At Oak Run, their railroad station, they found Jack Ness, the Rover's +hired man, awaiting them with the big sleigh. Into this they tumbled, +stowing their dress-suit cases in the rear, and then, with a crack +of the whip, they were off over Swift River, and through Dexter's +Corners, on their way to Valley Brook farm. + +"And how are the folks, Jack?" asked Sam as they drove along, the +sleighbells jingling merrily in the frosty air. + +"Fine, Master Sam, fine," was the hired man's answer. + +"And how have you been?" + +"Me? Oh, I've been takin' it easy--since Master Tom quit plaguing me." + +"Why, I never plague anybody," murmured Tom, with a look of injured +innocence on his round face. He reached out and caught some snow from +a nearby bush. "Say, Jack, what is that on the horse's hind foot?" he +went on. + +"Where? I don't see nuthin'," answered the hired man, and leaned over +the dashboard of the turnout to get a better view. As his head went +forward Tom quickly let the snow in his hand fall down the man's neck, +inside his collar. + +"Hi! hi! Wow!" spluttered Jack Ness, straightening up and twisting his +shoulders. "Say, what did you put that snow down my back for?" + +"Just to keep you from sweating too much, Jack," answered Tom with a +grin. + +"At your old tricks again," groaned the hired man. "Now, I reckon the +house will be turned upside down till you go back to college." + +When the boys got in sight of the big farm house they set up a ringing +shout that quickly brought their father and their uncle and aunt to +the door. And behind these appeared the ebony face of Aleck Pop, the +colored man who was now a fixture of the Rover household. + +"Hello, everybody!" cried Tom, making a flying leap from the sleigh +the instant it drew up to the piazza. "Isn't this jolly, though?" And +he rushed to his Aunt Martha and gave her a hug and kiss, and then +shook hands with his father and his Uncle Randolph Dick and Sam were +close behind him, and went through a similar performance. + +"My! my! Don't squeeze the breath out of me!" cried Mrs. Rover, as she +beamed with delight "You boys are regular bears!" + +"Glad you got through," said their father. "It looks like a heavy +storm." + +"It does my heart good to see you again," said Uncle Randolph. "I +trust you have profited by your stay at Brill." He was well educated +himself, and thought knowledge the greatest thing in the world. + +"Oh, we did profit, Uncle Randolph," answered Tom with mischief +chewing in his eyes. "Dick and I helped to win the greatest football +game you ever heard about." + +"Tom Rover!" remonstrated his aunt, while Aleck Pop doubled up with +mirth and disappeared behind a convenient door. + +"We brought home good reports," said Sam. "Dick stands second in +the class and Tom stands fifth. That's not so bad in a class of +twenty-two." + +"And Sam stands third," put in Tom. + +"That is splendid!" said Anderson Rover. "I am proud of you!" + +"And so am I proud," added Randolph Rover. + +"You'll all be great men some time," said their Aunt Martha. "But come +into the sitting-room and take off your things. Supper will be ready +in a little while. But if you want a doughnut beforehand--" + +"Hurrah for Aunt Martha's doughnuts!" cried Sam. "I was thinking of +them while riding in the train." + +"Well, you shall have all you wish during the holidays," answered his +aunt fondly. + +They were soon settled down and relating the particulars of some of +the things that had happened at Brill. None of the boys cared to tell +of the coldness that had sprung up between themselves and the girls. +They simply said they knew the girls had gone home. + +"That was an outrage," said Mr. Rover with considerable warmth. + +"An outrage?" repeated Dick doubtfully. "What do you mean?" + +"Perhaps you didn't hear the report that was circulated at Hope +Seminary concerning them." + +"We heard no report, excepting that they had been called home." + +"Somebody circulated a story that they were going to school on money +that did not belong to them--that their folks had confiscated a +fortune belonging to others. Grace wrote to her mother that the story +was being whispered about everywhere, and it was making them all +miserable; and that's the main reason for their going home." + +"What a contemptible thing to do!" cried Tom. "Who do you suppose is +guilty--Tad Sobber?" + +"I can think of nobody else. He is so angry he would do anything to +injure them and us." + +"And what of the case?" asked Sam. "Will it come up in court soon?" + +"Some time next Spring." + +"And what do the lawyers think of our side winning?" questioned Dick +eagerly. + +"They say it depends largely upon the evidence the other side submits. +It is possible that the case may drag on for years." + +"What a shame!" murmured Dick. + +It continued to snow all that night and the next day, and Christmas +found the family all but snowbound at Valley Brook. + +"Merry Christmas!" was the cry, early in the morning, and the boys +tumbled out of bed and dressed in a hurry. Then they went below, to +find a stack of presents awaiting them. They quickly distributed the +gifts they had brought and then looked at their own. They had almost +everything their hearts could desire. + +Yet each youth felt a pang of disappointment, for among all the gifts +there were none for them from the Stanhopes or the Lanings. + +"We are out of it," said Dick laconically to his brothers. + +"So it appears," answered Tom soberly. For once, all the fun was +knocked out of him. + +"Well, I am glad I didn't forget them, anyway," said Sam bravely. But +he wondered how it was Grace could treat him so shabbily. + +The boys passed the day as best they could in reading and playing +games, and in snowballing each other and Jack Ness and Aleck Pop. + +"My! my! But dis am lik old times at Putnam Hall!" said the colored +man, grinning from ear to ear when Tom hit him on the head with a +snowball. "Hab yo' fun while yo' am young, Massa Tom." + +"That's my motto, Aleck," answered Tom. "Have another." And he landed +a snowball on the colored man's shoulder. + +"I move we go down to the post-office for mail," said Dick toward +evening. "We don't know what we may be missing." + +"Second the motion!" cried Tom. "The post-office it is, if we can get +through." + +"Can't no hoss git through these drifts," came from Jack Ness. + +"We'll hitch up our biggest team and take our time," said Dick. "We +have got to get down to the post-office somehow." He was hoping +desperately that he would find a letter from Dora there. + +When the old folks heard of it they shook their heads doubtfully. But +the boys pleaded so strongly that at last they were allowed to go. +They got out a strong cutter and the best pair of horses on the farm, +and bundled up well. + +"If you can't make it, drive in at one of the neighbors," said Mr. +Rover on parting. + +"We will," answered Dick. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +WORD AT LAST + + +It was a long, hard drive to Dexter's Corners, and by the time the +boys arrived there they were chilled through and through and the team +was pretty well winded. They went directly to the postmaster's house, +for the office was in a room of the building. + +"I'll see if there are any letters," said the postmaster, and went +off. He returned with a picture postal for Mrs. Randolph Rover and two +advertising circulars for her husband. There were also a newspaper and +a magazine for the boys' father. + +"And is that all?" asked Dick, his heart sinking. + +"That's all." + +"Not worth coming for," muttered Tom as they turned away. + +"The mail didn't come in this morning," shouted the postmaster after +them. "You'll have to wait for more stuff until the train arrives at +Oak Run." + +"Let us go over to the Run and see if we can learn anything about the +trains," said Sam, a spark of hope springing up in his breast. + +They drove over the river, and as they did so they heard the whistle +of a locomotive. + +"Something is coming," cried Dick. + +"Perhaps it's only the night freight," returned Tom. + +When they reached the depot the train was standing there. It was the +morning accommodation, nine hours late. They saw some mail bags thrown +off and also several express boxes and packages. + +Curiosity prompted Dick to inspect the express goods. He uttered a cry +of joy. + +"A box for us!" he exclaimed. "And from Cedarville!" + +"Where?" cried Tom and Sam, and ran forward to look the box over. It +was two feet long and a foot high, and equally deep, and was addressed +to R., T. and S. Rover. + +"From the girls, I'll bet a snowball!" cried Tom joyfully. "Hurry up +and sign for it and we'll see what it contains." + +The agent was at hand, for he was the ticket agent and station master +as well, and they soon signed for the box. Then they took it to a +secluded corner of the station, and with a borrowed hammer and chisel +pried off the cover. + +The sight "that met their gaze filled them with pleasure. There were +several packages for each of the boys, from the girls and from Mrs. +Stanhope and Mrs. Laning. There were some beautiful neckties, some +books, and some diaries for the new year, and a box of fudge made +by the girls. Dora had written on the flyleaf of one of the books, +wishing Dick a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and similar +sentiments from Nellie and Grace appeared in the books for Tom and +Sam. + +"Say, I reckon this was worth coming for," remarked Sam. + +"Rather," answered Dick. + +"Wouldn't have missed it for a million dollars," added Tom. + +"Maybe the mail bag has some letters for us," went on Sam. He was +disappointed that no note had accompanied the gifts. + +"We'll take the bags to the office and see," said Dick, and this was +done a little later, after the box had been closed and put in the +cutter and carefully covered with a robe. In the bags were found +letters from their old friends, Hans Mueller and Fred Garrison, and a +postal from Dave Kearney, but that was all. + +"Well, we mustn't expect too much," said Dick. "Remember, we didn't +send any letters." + +"But we will now, thanking them for all these nice things," said Sam +quickly. + +It was nearly midnight before the boys got home again, and their folks +were much alarmed about them. They were almost exhausted, but very +happy, and they showed their new presents with great pride. + +"They are dear girls!" said Mrs. Rover. "It was splendid of them to +remember you this way, and splendid of Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning, +too." + +The next morning was spent in writing letters. It was rather hard at +first to say just what they wanted to, but after they had started the +letters grew and grew, until each was ten pages or more. They told +about meeting Minnie Sanderson and the other girls by accident, and +about not getting the notes until that night, and Dick added the +following to his letter to Dora: + +"And now let me tell you something in secret. Songbird Powell has +developed a very, very strong liking for Miss Sanderson, the girl Tom +and Sam and I aided when first we came to Brill. He talks about her a +good deal, and took her to a concert at Ashton one evening. He said he +was going to give her an autograph album for Christmas and write in +it an original poem sixteen verses long, on 'The Clasp of a Friendly +Hand,' That is pushing matters some, isn't it? We all wish him luck." + +"There, that ought to make her understand how I feel about Miss +Sanderson," said Dick to himself. And then he ended the letter by +stating he hoped they would meet again soon so that they could have a +good long talk. + +On the day after the letters were mailed the storm cleared away and +the sun came out brightly. The boys went for a long sleigh ride, and +visited some friends living in that vicinity. Then they helped to +clear off a pond, and on New Year's day went skating. + +"And now back to the grind," said Tom with a little sigh. + +"Never mind. Remember summer will soon be here," answered Sam. "And +then we can go on a dandy trip somewhere." + +The next day found them back at Brill. This was Saturday, and the +school sessions were resumed on Monday. They went at their studies +with a will, resolved to get marks that would be "worth while" at the +June examinations. They were asked to join the college basketball +team, but declined, and took regular gymnasium exercise instead. Much +to their surprise, Dudd Flockley was put on the team. + +"I don't think that dude will make good," said Tom, and he was right. +Flockley made some bad errors during the first game played, and was +lectured so severely that he left the team in disgust, and Songbird +Powell was put in his place. Then the team won three games straight, +which pleased all the students of Brill greatly. Minnie Sanderson was +at two of the games, and she applauded Songbird heartily. The two were +certainly warm friends. Dick spoke to Minnie, but did not keep himself +long in her company. + +At last, after waiting much longer than they had expected, the boys +received letters from Dora and the Lanings. The girls had been on a +visit to some relatives in Philadelphia, and had just received the +letters mailed from Oak Run. + +The three Rovers read those letters with deep interest. They told +about what the girls had been doing, and related the particulars of +the trouble at Hope Seminary. It was all Tad Sobber's work, they said, +and added that Sobber had written that he would not only get the +treasure, but also disgrace them all he possibly could. + +"The rascal!", muttered Dick when he read this. "He ought to be put in +prison!" + +Dora's letter to Dick was an especially tender epistle, and he read it +several times in secret. He was glad that the misunderstanding between +them was being cleared away. He wished she might be near, so that he +could go and see her. + +"I'd take a run to Cedarville if it wasn't so far," he told his +brothers. + +"I'd go along," answered Tom, and Sam said the same. + +"Perhaps we can run up there during the spring vacation," went on +Dick. + +There was little more snow that winter, but the weather remained +bitterly cold until well into February. The boys had considerable fun +snowballing, and skating on the river. Racing on skates was a favorite +amusement, and Sam and Tom won in a number of contests. + +One day Tom was skating by himself. He was doing some fancy figures, +and he did not notice the approach of Jerry Koswell, who was skating +with a young lady from Ashton. Tom came around in a circle, and Jerry, +who was looking at the young lady instead of where he was going, +bumped into Tom. Both of the students went down, Tom on top. + +"Hi! What do you mean by this?" burst out Koswell in a rage. + +"What do you mean?" retorted Tom, getting up. + +"You knocked me down on purpose!" howled Jerry. + +"It was as much your fault as mine." + +"It wasn't my fault at all. I've a good mind to punch your face!" And +having gotten to his feet, Koswell doubled up his fists threateningly. + +At this the young lady let out a scream. + +"Oh, please don't fight!" she cried. And then she skated to a distance +and disappeared in a crowd. + +"You keep your distance, Koswell," said Tom coldly. "If you don't--" + +He got no further, for just then Koswell let out with his right +fist. The blow landed on Tom's shoulder and sent him spinning away a +distance of several feet. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE SPRINGTIME OF LIFE + + +"A fight! a fight!" came from the crowd, and soon Tom and Koswell were +surrounded by a number of students and some outsiders. + +The blow from the bully angered Tom greatly, and skating forward he +made a pass at Koswell. But the latter ducked, and then came back at +Tom with a blow that sent the fun-loving Rover into several students +standing by. + +"Say, Rover, look out, or Jerry Koswell will eat you up!" said one of +the seniors. + +"Koswell is a good scrapper," came from another. + +"I gave him one lesson and I can give him another," answered Tom. +"There, take that!" + +He turned swiftly and rushed at Koswell. One blow after another was +delivered with telling accuracy, and Koswell went flat on his back on +the ice. When he got up his nose was bleeding. + +"I'll fix you!" he roared. "Come on to shore and take off your +skates!" + +"I'm willing," answered Tom recklessly. He knew fighting was against +the rules of the college, but he was not going to cry quits. + +The pair moved toward the shore, the crowd still surrounding them. +They soon had their skates off. + +"Now, Jerry, do him up brown!" came from Larkspur, who was present. + +"Give him the thrashing of his life!" added Flockley, who had come up. + +"He has got to spell able first, and he doesn't know the alphabet well +enough to do it!" answered Tom. + +"What's up?" cried a voice from the rear of the crowd, and Dick +appeared, followed by Sam. + +"Koswell attacked me, and wants to fight, and I am going to +accommodate him," said Tom. + +"Don't you butt in!" growled Koswell. + +"I won't," answered Dick. "But I want to see fair play." He knew it +would be useless to attempt to get Tom to give up the fight. + +Without preliminaries the two faced each other, and Koswell made a +savage rush at Tom, aiming a blow for his face. Tom ducked, and landed +on his opponent's chest. Then Koswell hit Tom on the arm and Tom came +back at him with one on the chin. Then they clinched, went down, and +rolled over and over. + +"Stop, you rascal!" cried Tom suddenly. "Can't you fight fair?" + +"What's up?" asked Dick, leaping forward. + +"He bit me in the wrist!" + +"I--I didn't do anything of the kind!" howled Jerry Koswell. + +"Break away, both of you!" ordered Dick. "We'll see into this." + +Tom let go, but Koswell continued to hold fast. Seeing this, Dick +forced the two apart and both scrambled up. + +"See here, this isn't your fight!" said Larkspur to Dick. + +"It will be yours if you don't shut up!" answered Dick, so sharply +that Larkspur shrunk back in alarm. + +"I didn't bite him!" grumbled Koswell. + +"He did--right here!" answered Tom positively. "Look!" + +He pulled up his sleeve and showed his wrist. There in the flesh were +the indentations of a set of teeth. + +"You coward!" said Sam. "You ought to be drummed out of Brill!" + +"That's worse than using a sandbag," added Dick. + +"I--I didn't do it," muttered Koswell. He looked around as if he +wanted to slink out of sight. + +"You did!" cried Tom. "And take that for it!" And before the brute of +a youth could ward off the blow he received Tom's fist in his right +eye. Then he got one in the other eye and another in the nose that +made the blood spurt freely. He tried to defend himself, but Tom was +"fighting mad," and his blows came so rapidly that Koswell was knocked +around like a tenpin and sent bumping, first into Flockley, then into +Larkspur, and then into some bushes, where he lay, panting for breath. + +"Now have you had enough?" demanded Tom, while the crowd marveled at +his quickness and staying powers. + +"I--I--" stammered Koswell. + +"If you've had enough, say so," went on Tim. "If not, I'll give you +some more." + +"I--I'm sick," murmured Koswell. "I was sick this morning when I got +up. I'll--I'll finish this with you some other day." + +"All right, Koswell," answered Tom coolly. "But when you go at it +again, do it fairly, or you'll get the worst of it. Remember that!" + +"Hurrah for Tom Rover!" was the cry from Stanley, and the cheer was +taken up on all sides. Jerry Koswell sneaked away as soon as he could, +and Flockley and Larkspur followed him. + +"He'll have it in for you, Tom," said Sam as he and his brothers got +away from the crowd. "Most likely he is mad enough to do anything." + +"Oh, he was mad before," declared Tom. "I am not afraid of him." + +Everybody thought there might be another fight in the near future, but +day after day went by and Koswell made no move, nor did he even notice +Tom. He kept with Flockley and Larkspur, and the three were often +noticed consulting together. + +At last winter was over, and the warm breath of Spring filled the air. +Much to the pleasure of the boys, they got news that Dora, Nellie and +Grace were going to return to Hope, regardless of the reports that had +been circulated about them. + +"Good! That's what I call pluck!" cried Dick. + +They learned when the girls would arrive at Ashton, and got permission +to go to town to meet them. It must be confessed that all of them were +a trifle nervous, in spite of the warm letters that had been sent. + +When the train came in they rushed for the parlor car, and then what a +handshaking and greeting followed all around! Everybody was talking at +once, and after the first minute or two there was nothing but smiles +and laughter. + +"I am so sorry that--you know," whispered Dick to Dora. + +"So am I," she answered, "What geese we are, aren't we?" + +"Well, we won't have any more misunderstandings, will we?" he went on, +squeezing her hand. + +"Never!" she declared, and gave him an arch look. "And you say +Songbird is--is--" + +"Going with Miss Sanderson? Yes; and they are as thick as two peas. +But, Dora, I never was--er--very friendly with her. I--I--" + +"But you--you talked to her at that football game, Dick. And you +didn't meet me when Sam--" + +"I know. But I had to find her a seat, after she about asked me to. I +wanted to be with you, I did really, dear." + +"Who said you could call me dear?" And now her eyes were as bright as +stars. + +"I said so, and I'm going to--when we are alone. The future Mrs. Dick +Rover deserves it," he went on boldly, but in a very low voice. + +"Oh, Dick, you're awful!" cried Dora, and blushed. But somehow she +appeared mightily pleased. + +The boys drove the girls to the seminary, and by the time the +boarding-school was reached all were on the best of terms once more. + +"Mamma wanted us to come back," explained Dora. "She says, even if we +do lose that fortune she wants me to have a better education, and she +will pay the bill for Nellie and Grace, too." + +"It will make the Lanings quite poor, I am afraid, if the fortune is +lost," replied Dick gravely. + +"I know it, Dick, but we'll have to take what comes." + +"Have you heard from Sobber or his lawyer lately?" + +"Nothing since he threatened to disgrace us." + +"You must watch out for him. If he attempts to bother you while you +are here let us know at once." + +"We will." + +"I hope the case in court is decided soon, and in your favor." + +"Say, stop!" cried Tom, as they were turning into the gate at the +seminary. + +"What's up?" asked Sam, while Dick halted the team he was driving. + +"Here comes a buggy along the side road. Just look who is in it!" + +All turned to look in the direction of the turnout which was +approaching. As it came closer the Rover boys recognized it as one +belonging to Mr. Sanderson. On the front seat sat Songbird, driving, +with Minnie Sanderson beside him. On the rear seat was William +Philander Tubbs, in company with one of Minnie's friends--a girl the +Rovers had met while nutting. + +"There's a happy crowd!" cried Tom after they had passed and bowed and +smiled. + +"No happier than we are," said Dick as he looked meaningly at Dora. + +"You are right, Dick," she answered very earnestly. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +AT THE HAUNTED HOUSE + + +"Boys, I've got a proposition to make," said Dick, one Friday +afternoon, as he and his brothers, with Songbird and Stanley, were +strolling along the river bank. + +"All right. We'll accept it for twenty-five cents on the dollar," +returned Tom gaily. + +"What is it, Dick?" asked Songbird. + +"Do you remember the haunted house at Rushville, the place Mr. +Sanderson called the Jamison home?" asked Dick of his brothers. + +"Sure!" returned Sam and Tom promptly. + +"Well, I propose we visit that house to-morrow and investigate the +ghosts--if there are any." + +"Just the thing!" cried Sam. + +"I've heard of that place," said Stanley. "I am willing to go if the +rest are." + +"If I go as far as Rushville I might as well go on to the Sanderson +home," said Songbird, who could not get Minnie out of his mind. + +"Well, we'll leave you off--after we have interviewed the ghosts," +answered Dick with a laugh. + +"Do you believe in ghosts?" asked Stanley with a faint smile. + +"No. Do you?" + +"Hardly, although I have heard some queer stories. My aunt used to +think she had seen ghosts." + +"She was mistaken," said Tom. "There are no real ghosts." + +"Say, Tom, how could a ghost be real and still be a ghost?" asked +Songbird and this question brought forth a general laugh. + +The boys sat down on a bench in the warm sunshine to discuss the +proposed visit to the deserted Jamison place, and it was arranged that +they should drive to the spot in a two-seated carriage. Then, while +the Rovers and Stanley investigated to their hearts' content, Songbird +was to drive on to the Sanderson home for a brief visit. + +"But, mind, you are not to stay too long," said Dick. "An hour is the +limit." + +"I'll make it an hour by the watch," answered the would-be poet. "Say, +I just thought of something," he went on, and murmured softly: + + "To-morrow, ere the hour is late, + We shall go forth to investigate. + The Jamison ghost + Shall be our host; + We trust we'll meet a kindly fate!" + +"That's as cheerful as a funeral dirge!" cried Tom. + +"We don't want to meet any kind of a fate," added Sam. "We want to +have some fun." + +While the boys were discussing the proposed trip to Rushville they did +not notice that Larkspur was close at hand, taking in much that was +said. Presently Larkspur sauntered off and hunted up Jerry Koswell. + +"The Rovers are going off to-morrow," he said. "Where do you suppose +they are going?" + +"I am not good at guessing riddles," answered Koswell rather sourly. +He hated to hear the Rover name mentioned, since it made him think of +his defeat at Tom's hands. + +"They are going to the old Jamison place at Rushville." + +"Well, what of it?" + +"I was thinking," answered Larkspur meaningly. "You said you would +like to square up with the Rovers, and with Tom especially." + +"So I would. Show me how it can be done and I'll go at it in jig +time." And now Koswell was all attention. + +"I happen to know that Tom Rover and Professor Sharp are on the outs +again," said Larkspur. "The professor wouldn't like anything better +than to catch him doing something against the rules." + +"Well, what do you propose, anyway?" demanded Jerry Koswell. + +"Come up to the room and I'll tell you," answered Larkspur, and then +the two hurried off and, joined by Dudd Flockley, hatched out a scheme +to get the Rovers into dire trouble with the college authorities. They +had a number of preparations to make, and paid a hurried visit to +Ashton and several other places, Flockley hiring a runabout for that +purpose. + +Saturday proved clear and warm, and the Rovers and their friends +started directly after lunch for Rushville in a two-seated carriage, +hired from a liveryman of Ashton. As they did not wish to excite any +curiosity, they told Tubbs and Max that they were going out merely for +a long ride. + +"Going to call on Miss Stanhope and the Misses Laning, I suppose," +said William Philander. + +"No. They have some lessons to make up to-day," answered Dick, and +this was true; otherwise the Rovers might not have been so willing to +spend their time at the haunted house. + +No sooner had the Rovers and their two friends driven away from Brill +than an automobile dashed up on the side road, and Flockley, Koswell +and Larkspur climbed in. The automobile kept to the side road until +the Rovers turnout was passed, then took to the main highway, passing +the upper end of Ashton. + +"Here is where you can leave us," said Koswell to the chauffeur. "I'll +see to it that the machine comes back safely." + +"You are sure about being able to run it?" asked the man. + +"Of course. I ran a big six-cylinder at home." + +"Very well, then. This is a fine car, and there would be trouble with +the boss if anything happened to it." + +"Nothing is going to happen, so don't worry," answered Koswell coolly. +Then the chauffeur left, and the automobile dashed on its way in the +direction of Rushville. + +As the Rovers and their chums were out purely for pleasure, they +took their time in driving to Rushville, going there by way of Hope +Seminary. They thought they might catch sight of Dora and the Lanings, +but were disappointed. + +"Too bad that they have got to grind away on such a fine day as this," +said Dick. + +"Well, such is life," returned Sam. "One good thing, schooldays won't +last forever." + +"Just wait till the summer vacation comes!" cried Tom. "I'm going to +have the best time anybody ever heard about." + +"What doing?" questioned Stanley. + +"Oh, I don't know yet." + +They took their time climbing the long hill leading to the haunted +house, and it was just three o'clock when they came in sight of the +dilapidated structure, almost hidden in the tangle of trees and +underbrush. + +"Now, Songbird, you've got to be back here by four, or half after, at +the latest," said Dick as he and his brothers and Stanley got out. "No +spooning with Minnie till six." + +"Huh! I don't spoon," grumbled the would-be poet. "I am--er--only +going to show her some new verses I wrote. They are entitled--" + +"Keep them for Minnie!" cried Sam. "And remember what Dick said. We +are not going to hang around here after dark." + +"Scared already?" asked Songbird. + +"No, but enough of this place is enough, that's all." + +"I'll be back, don't worry," said Songbird, and away he drove at a +swift gait, leaving the Rovers and Stanley in the roadway in front of +the house said to be haunted. + +It was certainly a lonely spot, no other house being in sight, for +Rushville lay under the brow of a hill. The boys stood still and +listened. Not a sound broke the stillness that surrounded the deserted +house. + +"It sure is a ghostlike place," remarked Stanley. "I shouldn't care to +come here at midnight." + +"Oh, that wouldn't make any difference, if you had a light," answered +Dick. The thought of a ghost had never bothered him very much. + +Boldly the four boys entered what had once been a fine garden. The +pathway was now overrun with weeds and bushes, and they had to pick +their way with care. Then they ascended the piazza, the flooring of +which was much decayed. + +"Look out that you don't fall through somewhere, and break a leg," +cautioned Tom. "This is worse than it looks from the outside." + +"Wait till we get inside," said Sam. "Glad we brought a lantern." For +a light had been taken along at the last minute. + +They pushed open the front door and entered the broad hall. As they +did so they heard a noise at the rear of the place. + +"What was that?" asked Stanley nervously. + +"Sounded like a door closing," answered Dick. + +"Hello!" called out Tom. "Is any one here?" + +To this call there was no answer. Nor was the noise they had heard +repeated. + +"Come on," said Dick bravely. "I am going to walk right through the +house, room by room, from top to bottom." + +"And we'll all go along," said Tom and Sam. + +"Well, I am with you," came from Stanley. But he plainly showed that +he did not relish what was before him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY + + +The first room the boys entered was the parlor. It was totally dark, +the blinds of the windows being tightly closed. It was full of +cobwebs, which brushed their cheeks as they passed along. + +"Certainly this was a fine mansion in its day," said Dick, as he threw +the rays of the lantern around. "But it is utterly worthless now," he +added as he gazed at the fallen ceilings and rotted woodwork. + +"I fancy the ghosts are nothing but rats and bats," said Tom. "Come +on," he continued. "It's damp enough to give one the rheumatism." + +From the parlor they passed to a sitting-room. Here there was a huge +open fireplace, filled with ashes and cobwebs. As they entered the +room they heard a rushing noise in the chimney. + +"What's that?" cried Stanley anxiously. + +"Birds," answered Dick. "I suppose they have made their home in the +chimney, since it is not used for fires." + +In a corner of the sitting-room was an old table, and on it several +musty books. The boys looked the books over, but found little to +interest them. As relics the volumes were of no value. + +"Come on to the dining-room," said Tom. "Maybe we'll find something +good to eat." + +"Ugh! I don't want anything here," answered Stanley with a shudder. + +"Wouldn't you like a piece of ghost pie, or some specter doughnuts?" +went on Tom, who was bound to have his fun. + +"Nothing, thank you, Tom." + +The dining-room of the house was in a wing, and to get to it they had +to pass through a pair of folding doors which were all but closed. As +they did so all heard a peculiar rustling sound, but from whence it +came they could not tell. + +"What was that?" asked Sam. + +"I don't know," answered his oldest brother. + +"Say, this room looks as if it had been used lately," cried Tom, as +the rays of the lantern illuminated the apartment. "Why, it's quite +homelike!" + +"Maybe some tramps have had their headquarters here," said Dick. "It +would be just like them to single out a spot like this." + +"Yes, provided they weren't afraid of ghosts," came from Stanley. + +"Tramps aren't usually afraid of anything but work," answered Tom +dryly. "But this is queer, isn't it?" he added, as he picked up +an empty cigar box. "Somebody must smoke good cigars--these were +imported." + +"Here is an empty liquor flask," said Stanley. + +"And here are some empty wine bottles," added Sam. + +"And here are some decks of playing-cards," put in Dick. "Yes, some +persons have certainly used this as a hangout." + +"What is this in the fireplace?" asked Tom as he pointed to something +smoking there. + +"It certainly has a vile smell!" exclaimed Stanley, making a wry face. + +"That shows somebody has been here recently," was Dick's comment. "We +had better be on guard if they are tramps." + +"I can't stand that smell," said Tom. "I am going to get out." + +The stuff in the fireplace, whatever it was, now burned up more +brightly. It gave off a peculiar vapor that made the boys dizzy. + +Tom turned to a door that led to the kitchen of the house. The door +was shut, and he tried in vain to open it. The others were behind him +and they, too, tried to open the barrier. + +"Must be locked from the other side," said Tom. "Come on out the way +we came in. Gracious! Isn't that awful stuff that is burning?" he +added, for the vapor now filled the room completely. + +In sudden alarm the four boys turned back toward the folding +doors through which they had entered the dining-room. To their +consternation, the doors were tightly shut. + +"Who shut these?" asked Dick as he tried to open one of the doors. + +"I didn't," said Sam. + +"Neither did I," added Tom. + +"Nobody touched the doors!" ejaculated Stanley. "It must be some of +the ghost's work." + +"Nonsense!" answered Dick sharply. "Somebody shut the doors--and +locked 'em," he added after trying both. "Hi, you!" he called. "Open +these doors, and be quick about it!" + +"Thou fool, to come here!" exclaimed a hollow voice from the other +side of the doors. + +"It's the ghost! I said it was!" said Stanley, + +"It's somebody fooling us," answered Tom. "Open the door, or we'll +smash it down!" he added in a loud voice. + +Instead of a reply there came a weird groan and then the rattle of +some heavy chains. Stanley turned pale and began to tremble, but the +Rovers were not much impressed. + +"We don't believe in ghosts, so you might as well let us out!" cried +Dick. "That stuff you set on fire is smothering us!" + +At this there was a murmur from the next room, but what was said the +prisoners did not know. + +"Come on, let us get out of a window!" cried Tom. His head was +commencing to swim, and he could hardly see. + +"Tha--that's it," murmured Sam. "Say, I'm--I'm--going--" He did not +finish, but sank to the floor in a heap. + +"Sam has been overcome!" cried Dick in horror. + +"Oh, if only we hadn't come here!" groaned Stanley. "I--the +window--I--am--smothering!" He took another step forward and then +fell. Dick tried to pick him up, but went down also, with his brain in +a whirl and strange lights flashing before his closed eyes. + +Tom was the last to be overcome. He reached a window, only to find it +tightly locked. He smashed the glass, but could not open the blinds. +Then he went down; but before he closed his eyes he saw the door to +the kitchen open and several masked faces appeared. He tried to +say something, but the words would not come, and then all became a +terrible dark blank around him. + +For about half a minute after Tom went down nothing was done. Then the +door to the kitchen was thrown wide open and four figures appeared. +All wore sheets and masks. + +"You are sure it won't kill any of them, Parwick?" asked a voice that +sounded like Jerry Koswell's, and which was far from steady. + +"Yes, I'm sure," answered the voice of a stranger. "But we don't want +to leave them in this room too long. Take 'em below." + +"If we get found out--" said another, and one could readily recognize +Flockley's voice. + +"We won't get found out," put in a fourth person. It was Larkspur. +"Come ahead, and don't waste time here." + +With great haste the masked ones picked up the three Rovers and +Stanley and dragged them into the kitchen of the old house. Then one +after another the unconscious ones were taken down into a dark and +musty cellar and placed on some straw. + +"Now to fix up the evidence!" cried Koswell. "We must be quick, or it +may be too late!" + +For all of a quarter of an hour the three Rover boys and Stanley +Browne lay where they had been placed on the moldy straw. They +breathed with difficulty, for the strange vapor still exercised its +influence on their lungs. + +At last Sam stirred and opened his eyes. + +"Wha--what's the matter with me?" he murmured, and then sat up. + +He could see next to nothing, for the cellar was dark. His head ached +keenly, and he could not collect his senses. He also felt somewhat +sick at the stomach. + +"Dick! Tom!" he called. "Where are you?" + +There was no reply, but presently he heard somebody stir. + +"Don't--don't kill me!" murmured Stanley. "Take the ghosts away!" + +"Stanley!" called Sam. "Whe--where are we?" + +"Who--who is tha--that?" stammered Stanley, sitting up. + +"It is I--Sam!" + +"Whe--where are we, Sam?" + +"I--I don't know." + +"My head is go--going around like--like a top." + +"So is mine. Tom! Dick!" + +"Is that you, Sam?" came faintly from the elder Rover as he opened his +eyes. + +"Yes. Where is Tom?" + +"Here, I guess, beside me." Dick shook his brother. "Tom! Tom! Wake +up!" he cried. But Tom continued to lay quiet with his eyes tightly +closed. + +Sam was feeling in his pocket for a matchbox, and presently he brought +the article forth and made a light. He was still so dizzy he could +scarcely see about him. Stanley had fallen back again, gasping for +breath. + +By the dim light afforded by the match the two brothers looked at Tom. +He was gasping in a strange, unnatural fashion. + +"I believe he is choking to death!" said Dick hoarsely. "Air! He must +have air!" He arose unsteadily to his feet. "Bring him here!" + +And he made for a closed cellar window with all the strength he could +command. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THEM + + +Fortunately a loose brick lay handy and with this Dick smashed out the +panes of glass in the cellar window. Another window was opposite, +and this he likewise demolished. At once a current of pure air swept +through the place. + +"Hold him up to the window," said Dick as he staggered around. And he +and Sam raised Tom up as best they could. + +"If we could only get outside," mumbled Sam. His head was aching worse +than ever. + +"I'll see what I can do," answered his oldest brother, and stumbled up +the narrow stairs. To his joy, the door above leading to the kitchen +of the house was unfastened. + +Not without great labor did the two brothers carry Tom to the floor +above. Then they went after Stanley, who was conscious, but too weak +to walk. As they stumbled around they sent several empty liquor +bottles spinning across the floor, and one was smashed into pieces. + +"I wish I knew how to revive him," said Dick as he and Sam placed Tom +near the open doorway. "Wonder if there is any water handy?" + +"Oh, my poor head!" came from Stanley. "I feel as if I had been +drinking for a month!" + +"Wonder what it was?" murmured Sam. "I--I can't make it out at all." + +"Nor I," added Dick. "But come, we must do what we can for Tom." And +he commenced to loosen his unconscious brother's tie and collar. + +Suddenly a form darkened the outer doorway of the kitchen, and to the +surprise of the boys Professor Abner Sharp showed himself. He was +accompanied by Professor Blackie. + +"Ha! So we have caught you, have we?" cried Professor Sharp, in tones +of evident satisfaction. "Nice doings, these, for students of Brill. +Aren't you ashamed of yourselves?" And he glared maliciously at the +Rovers and Stanley Browne. + +"Oh, Professor, can you--er--help us?" murmured Stanley. "We--er--are +in a lot of trouble." + +"So I see," answered Abner Sharp chillily. "Nice doings, I declare! +Don't you think so?" he added to the other professor. + +"It is too bad," murmured Professor Blackie. "I thought them all +rather nice lads." + +Dick's head was still dizzy, so he could not catch the import of the +professor's words. He continued to work over Tom, who just then opened +his eyes. + +"Gi--give me a--a drink!" murmured poor Tom. His throat seemed to be +on fire. + +"Not another drop!" shouted Professor Sharp. "Not one! This is +disgraceful! Look at what they have been drinking already!" And he +pointed to the bottles scattered around. + +"Say! What's the matter with you?" asked Sam, sleepily and angrily. He +was doing his best to pull his wits together, and thus overcome the +effects of the strange vapor. + +"There is nothing the matter with me!" roared Professor Sharp "The +matter is with you, Rover. You have been drinking too much." + +"Me? Drinking?" stammered Sam, "No, sir!" + +"Rover, you may as well admit it," came from Professor Blackie. "It is +a sad state of affairs." + +"But I haven't been drinking." + +"We know better. Look at the evidence!" roared Abner Sharp, pointing +to the bottles. "Why, your very clothing smells of rum!" he added, +smelling of Dick's shoulder. + +"Sam has told you the truth. We haven't been drinking," said Dick. + +"Rover, it would be better if you did not add falsehoods to your other +shortcomings," said Professor Blackie. He was usually a very mild man, +and had little to say outside of the classroom. + +"You are mistaken," murmured Dick. It was all he could say, for he was +still too bewildered to make a clear note of what was going on. + +"This one seems to be the worst of all," said Abner Sharp, turning to +Tom. "He must have drunk more than the others." + +"He will have to sleep it off," answered Professor Blackie. "Too bad! +Too bad! Why will young men do such things?" And he shook his head +sorrowfully. + +"I believe what the note said. This has been a regular hangout for the +Rovers and their chums," said Professor Sharp severely. "It is high +time it was broken up." + +"Yes yes," answered the other instructor How shall we--er--get them +back to Brill?" + +"I'll see about that. They must have some sort of a carriage here, or +maybe somebody was going to call for them." + +"Shall I take a look around?" + +"If you will." + +Professor Blackie looked around the house and grounds and then went +through the tangle of a garden to the roadway. He espied Songbird +coming along, driving the team rapidly and singing to himself. +Songbird had passed an all-too-short hour with Minnie Sanderson. + +"Stop, Powell!" cried the professor. + +"I was going to, sir," answered the would-be poet cheerily. "How is +this, Professor Blackie? Did you come to hunt for the ghost, too?" + +"Ghost? I came for no ghosts--since there are no ghosts," was the +quiet answer. "Were you to stop here?" + +"Yes, sir, to pick up the three Rovers and Stanley Browne. They must +be somewhere about. They came to explore the old house and to settle +this ghost story." + +"I think they came more for spirits than for ghosts," answered +Professor Blackie dryly, "Then you know all about it, eh?" + +"Why, yes." + +"Then you knew they came here to drink and to carouse generally," went +on the instructor, and his voice grew stern. + +"Drink? Carouse? What are you talking about?" gasped Songbird. "The +Rovers don't drink at all, and Stanley Browne drinks very little." + +"Of course you wish to shield them, but it will do little good, +Powell. Professor Sharp received word of what was going on, and he +asked me to accompany him here. We have seen a sad sight. What Doctor +Wallington will say when he hears of it, I cannot tell. I am afraid, +however, that he will deal severely with the offenders." + +"Professor Blackie, what you say is a riddle to me," answered +Songbird. "I don't understand you at all." + +"Then come with me, and perhaps you will understand," was the +instructor's reply, and he led the way to the rear of the deserted +house. + +All of the students and Professor Sharp were now outside, on or near +the back porch. Tom had recovered his senses, and Sam had obtained for +him a drink of water from an old well. Much to the astonishment of the +students, the professor had caught sight of a liquor flask in Tom's +pocket, and had snatched it away. + +"Here is evidence you cannot deny!" cried Abner Sharp in triumph. "All +but empty, too!" he added, after shaking the flask and smelling of it. + +"How did that--that get in m--my pocket?" mumbled poor Tom. He was +still hazy in his mind. + +"You probably know better than anybody else," retorted Professor +Sharp. "And you can tell, too, where the liquor went to," he continued +with a sneer. + +"You're a--a--contemptible old sneak!" cried Tom wrathfully, "and if I +didn't feel so--so dizzy I'd knock you down!" + +"Tom!" cried Dick warningly. He was growing a little clearer in his +mind, and could see that a terrible mistake had been made. + +"You'll not knock anybody down, you young villain!" roared Abner Sharp +in a rage. "I'll teach you to come here and drink and carouse, and +bring disgrace upon the fair name of Brill College! I'll have you +dismissed and sent home in disgrace!" + +"You're making a mistake--" began Dick. + +"No, there is no mistake. Of course you wish to hide the truth, and +smooth matters over, but it won't go with me, nor with Professor +Blackie, either," stormed Professor Sharp. "We know what we see and +what we smell. You young fellows are a disgrace to Brill, and the +sooner everybody knows it, the better. Now, then, march to the +roadway, every one of you, and no more back talk!" + +"But, sir--" began Stanley in dismay. + +"Not another word!" cried Abner Sharp. "If you have anything more to +tell, you may tell it to Doctor Wallington." + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +IN DISGRACE + + +Still dizzy from the effects of the strange vapor, the students were +driven rapidly over the country roads in the direction of Brill +College. The fresh air served to make them feel a little better, but +all were far from clear headed when ushered into the presence of +Doctor Wallington. + +"We have brought them back with us, sir," said Professor Sharp +stiffly. + +The president of the college gazed keenly at the Rovers and Stanley. +They looked at him in return, but blinked and swayed as they did so. + +"I will listen to the story," said Doctor Wallington, turning to the +two instructors, and his voice had a hard tone to it that did not +augur well for the students. + +Thereupon Professor Sharp told how he had received an anonymous note +stating that the Rovers and some others were going off to the old +Jamison house to drink and gamble, and that it was thought they were +going to take some innocent outsider with them, to fleece him of his +money. On receiving the note Abner Sharp had called Professor Blackie +into consultation with him, and had gone off, after leaving word for +the doctor about what they proposed to do. + +"We found them--the three Rovers and Stanley Browne--in a beastly +state," continued Professor Sharp. "Truly beastly state--with empty +liquor bottles and flasks strewn around, and Thomas Rover had a flask +in his pocket, which I took from him." The instructor placed the +flask on the president's desk. "There were also cigar butts scattered +around, and some packs of playing-cards." + +"Where was Powell?" + +"He had dropped the others off at the old house and gone on to visit +some folks named Sanderson. He came back later." + +"Had he been drinking, too?" + +"I do not think so," answered Professor Blackie. + +During this talk Dick and his brothers and Stanley stared somewhat +vacantly at the president and the professors. The students wanted to +speak several times, but Doctor Wallington waved them to be silent. + +"I will hear what you have to say after Professor Sharp and Professor +Blackie have finished," said the head of the college. + +He asked the instructors a great number of questions, and then turned +to Dick, as the oldest of the boys. + +"Now, then, what have you to say about your disgraceful conduct?" he +demanded severely. "Or perhaps it would be as well to postpone further +conversation until you are in a fit condition to tell a straight +story." The doctor was sarcastic as well as severe. + +"I--I am not well, sir," said Dick in a low voice. "None of us are. +But it was not liquor that did it. It was the vapor." + +"Vapor?" queried Doctor Wallington in perplexity. + +"Yes, sir." + +"What do you suppose he means?" and now the master of the college +turned to Abner Sharp. + +"When we found them in such a sad state they tried to excuse +themselves by stating that a strange vapor had made them sick," was +the instructor's reply. "But we could not trace any such vapor. I feel +sure it is merely an excuse." + +"You ought to have your head punched!" growled Tom. He was still sick, +and the sickness made him reckless. + +"Rover! How dare you?" exclaimed Doctor Wallington severely. + +"I don't care! He is down on us, me especially, and he wants to put us +in disgrace. He's a miserable sneak, that's what he is!" + +"You are evidently in no condition to tell your story, and your +companions are little better off," went on the head of the college. He +turned to the two professors. "You may take them up to rooms 77 and +78, Mr. Blackie. I will confer with you further, Mr. Sharp." + +There was no help for it, and with their heads still in a whirl, the +Rovers and Stanley were taken to two rooms not used by any of the +other students. The rooms were in an angle of the building, away +from all others. They had a small hallway of their own, with a door +shutting it off from the main hall. + +Professor Blackie marched the boys into the rooms, and saw to it that +they had a pitcher of fresh drinking water. + +"You will have to remain here until Doctor Wallington sends for you," +said the instructor, and walked out of the room. The boys heard him +pass through the little hall and close and lock the door to the main +hall. + +"Prisoners! What do you think of that?" cried Sam. + +"It is carrying matters with a high hand," answered Dick. He placed a +hand on his forehead. "How my head aches!" + +"Same here," answered Stanley. "I am going to rest," he added, and +threw himself on one of the beds. + +The others were glad to rest, also, and soon all were occupying the +beds the connecting rooms contained. They left the windows wide open, +so that they might get all the fresh air possible. Strange to say, +each was soon in a profound slumber. + +While they were sleeping they did not know that Professor Sharp came +in to see if they wanted any supper. Seeing them sleeping so soundly, +he notified Doctor Wallington. + +"Do not disturb them," said the president of Brill. "Sleep will do +them more good than anything. I doubt if they care to eat." And he +heaved a sigh as he thought of the problem before him. He liked the +Rovers and Stanley Browne, but according to what he had seen and been +told, some of the strictest rules of Brill had been violated, and it +would be impossible for him to pass the affair by or mete out ordinary +punishment. + +"I am afraid I shall have to dismiss them," he told himself. "Too +bad!" + +In some manner the story leaked out, and by Sunday noon all the +students at Brill knew that the Rovers and Stanley were in disgrace, +and in danger of dismissal. A few sided with the boys, but the +majority shook their heads. + +"They had no business to go off on such a lark," said one of the +seniors. "It's a disgrace to the whole college. If they are sent home +it will serve them right." + +Koswell and Larkspur were in high glee over the success of their plot, +and when alone winked at each other and poked each other in the ribs. + +"They'll get what's coming to 'em this trip," said Bart Larkspur with +a chuckle. "They'll be lucky if they are not sent home." + +"And we'll rub it in, too," added Koswell. "You know how those Rovers +are dead stuck on those girls at Hope." + +"Sure." + +"Well, I'll fix it so those girls hear all about this affair." + +"Good!" cried Larkspur. "That will be the bitterest dose of all." + +"Say," put in Dudd Flockley nervously, "you don't suppose there is any +danger of our being found out?" + +"Not the slightest," answered Koswell. "I saw to it that all our +tracks were covered." + +"But that fellow Parwick? Are you certain he can be trusted?" + +"Yes. But we have got to pay him for his trouble. I promised him +twenty dollars. I'll give him half and you can give him the other +half," answered Koswell. He knew Larkspur had no spending money. + +"Oh, I'm willing to pay him his price," said the dudish student. "But +I want to be dead certain that he will keep his mouth shut." + +"I'll make him do that," returned Jerry Koswell. + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +DARK DAYS + + +The Rovers and Stanley Browne were kept in the rooms until Monday +morning. During that time their meals were sent to them, and Professor +Sharp came to see them twice. + +"Doctor Wallington will dispose of your case on Monday," said the +instructor. + +"I think we should have had a doctor," said Dick. "All of us were +sick, and needed medical attention." + +"Nonsense!" cried Abner Sharp. "You have sobered up, and that was all +that was needed." + +This assertion led to a war of words, and Tom came close to whacking +the unreasonable teacher over the head with the water pitcher. As a +consequence, Abner Sharp ran out of the room in fear and reported to +the head of the institution that he had been assaulted. + +On Monday morning the four boys were told to go down and report at the +president's office Previous to this they had held a "council of war," +as Sam expressed it, and made Dick their spokesman. + +"Now, then, as you appear to be sober, I will listen to your story," +said Doctor Wallington. He was the only other person present, "And +remember," he added sharply, "I want nothing but the truth. You cannot +hope for any leniency on my part unless you tell me everything." + +"That is what we propose to do, sir," answered Dick, looking the +doctor full in the eyes. "My brothers and Stanley have asked me to do +the talking for all of us. Shall I tell my story now?" + +"Yes." + +Thereupon Dick told his tale from beginning to end, very much as +I have set it down here. He, of course, could tell nothing of the +actions of Koswell and his crowd, for he had been unconscious most of +the time. + +"Certainly a remarkable story," mused Doctor Wallington, when the +oldest Rover had finished, "And you mean to say you did not drink any +of the liquor?" + +"Not a drop, sir; and neither did the others," + +"And this vapor? What was it, and how do you account for it?" The +doctor's tones were very sceptical. + +"I can't account for it, excepting by thinking it was part of a plot +against us." + +"Hum!" The doctor turned to Stanley. "Have you anything to add to +Rover's story?" + +"Nothing, sir, excepting that it is absolutely true, Doctor +Wellington." + +After this the boys were questioned for the best part of an hour, but +without shaking their testimony in the least. Then Songbird was called +in, and he told what he knew. + +"If your story is true, it is a most extraordinary occurrence," said +the head of Brill at last. "But I must confess that I can scarcely +credit such a tale. However, I will, for the time being, give you the +benefit of the doubt, and in the meantime make some investigations on +my own account. If I find you have not told the truth I shall dismiss +you from the college. Do you understand that?" + +To this the students bowed. + +"One thing more. All of you may return to your classes but Thomas +Rover. He has an extra charge against him, that of assaulting +Professor Sharp. Thomas Rover, you will remain here. The rest of you +can go." + +With strange feelings in their hearts Dick, Sam and Stanley, +accompanied by Songbird, left the office. They had been heard, but had +not been believed. + +"We may be dismissed from here, after all," said Sam bitterly. + +"What a shame!" cried Songbird. "Oh, if you could only find out who +did it, and expose them!" + +The boys went back to their classes with heavy hearts. They saw a +number of the other students looking at them questioningly. + +Jerry Koswell saw them return, and was much astonished. Had his plot +to put them in disgrace miscarried, after all? Larkspur, too, was +perplexed. Flockley was a bit relieved, and half hoped the whole +matter would blow over and nothing more be heard of it. + +The day went by, and the other lads did not see Tom. But they saw him +in the evening, just before supper. + +"Well, how did you make out?" asked Dick eagerly. + +"Got a vacation," was Tom's laconic answer. + +"Dismissed?" asked the others in concert. + +"No, suspended until Doctor Wallington can investigate the whole +matter more thoroughly. He wanted me to apologize to Sharp, and I said +flatly that I wouldn't do it, because I hadn't anything to apologize +for. He got mad at first, and threatened me with instant dismissal. +Then I warmed up, and said I was innocent of all wrongdoing, and +perhaps I'd be able to prove it some day, and if so, and I was +dismissed, I'd sue the college for loss of reputation. That brought +matters to a head, and I guess the doctor saw I was in deadly earnest. +He told me I could consider myself suspended for two weeks, or until +he could get to the bottom of the affair. So I've got a holiday." + +"I'm glad you didn't apologize to Sharp," said Sam. + +"What are you going to do with yourself--go home?" asked Dick. + +"No. I am going to move to Ashton, and then try to get to the bottom +of this matter." + +"The doctor will send a letter home." + +"So will I, and you must do the same. I think father will believe us." + +Tom left that night, and established himself at the leading hotel in +Ashton. + +News travels swiftly, and Koswell and his cohorts took care that the +girls at Hope should hear the story about the Rovers and Stanley +and their supposed disgraceful doings. Dora, Nellie and Grace could +scarcely believe their ears when they heard it. + +"This is awful!" murmured Dora, and the tears came to her eyes. + +"I don't believe one word of it!" cried Nellie with spirit. + +"But Tom has been suspended," said Grace. "And think of poor Sam and +Dick!" And her heart sank like lead within her bosom. + +"I am going to send Dick a note right away," said Dora. "I cannot bear +this suspense." + +"But you don't think Dick is guilty, do you?" asked Nellie. + +"No. But--but the disgrace! It is terrible!" And now Dora burst out +crying in earnest. + +The note from Dora reached Dick the following day, in the afternoon +mail. It was short, but to the point, reading as follows: + +"DEAR DICK: We have just heard something awful about you and Tom and +Sam. Tell us what it means. Of course we don't believe you have done +anything wrong. + +"Yours, + +"DORA." + +This note disturbed Dick and Sam greatly, for they could understand +how the evil report concerning them had been circulated at Hope +Seminary, and how the girls had suffered in consequence. + +"I am glad they think we are innocent," said Sam. + +"They couldn't do anything else, knowing us as they do," returned his +brother. And then he sent a note back stating that the reports were +all falsehoods, and asking them to meet Tom and themselves on the +following Saturday at Ashton. + +"Perhaps Tom will have something to report by that time," said Dick. + +The time to Saturday dragged miserably. The boys could not set their +minds on their lessons, and as a consequence got some poor marks. For +this Professor Blackie gave them a lecture. + +"You ought to show your appreciation of what Doctor Wellington has +done in your case," said the instructor. + +"We can't settle down to lessons with this cloud hanging over us," +answered Dick frankly. "It has got to be cleared away, or--" he did +not finish. + +"Or what, Rover?" + +"Or I'm afraid we'll have to leave, even if we are not dismissed," was +the slow answer, and Dick breathed a deep sigh. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +WHAT THE GIRLS DISCOVERED + + +The Rover boys sent letters to their father, and on Saturday morning +came replies from Mr. Rover. He said he was both surprised and shocked +at what had occurred, and added that if they needed his aid he would +come on at once. He showed that he believed them innocent, for which +they were thankful. + +"Here is more news," said Dick. "The case of Tad Sobber against the +Stanhopes and the Lanings comes up in court next Tuesday; that is, +they are going to argue the question of the injunction on that day." + +"That will make Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning very anxious." + +"Yes, and the girls, too, Sam." + +"Well, we are anxious, too. Oh, I do hope our side wins!" cried Sam +wistfully. "It would set me wild to see Tad Sobber get all that +money!" + +Dick and Sam were to meet Tom in Ashton at three o'clock, and all +hoped that the girls would come later. Stanley could not go, for he +had a Latin composition to write. + +When the Rovers reached the hotel in Ashton they found Tom impatiently +awaiting them By the look on his face they knew he had something to +tell. + +"Come up to my room," he said, and led the way to the apartment, +located on the second floor, front. + +"You can sit by the window, Dick, and keep a lookout for the girls," +said Sam. + +"Yes, they'll be here in about an hour," said Tom. "They telephoned +this morning." + +"Well, what have you discovered--anything?" demanded Dick impatiently. + +"I think I am on the right track," answered Tom. "Let me tell you what +I've done. In the first place, I visited the haunted house yesterday +morning, and went through it from cellar to garret." + +"Alone?" queried Sam. + +"Yes, alone. But I carried a pistol, and I had it ready for use, too." + +"I don't blame you," murmured Dick. "And I guess you looked to see if +the doors were open, too." + +"I did, and smashed out several windows in the bargain. The first +place I investigated was that fireplace, and in it I found this." And +Tom held up a bit of white paper. On it was printed: + + m B. Schlemp + uggist. + ain St. + +"That is from a druggist," said Dick. + +"Exactly. I figure out the name is William B. Schlemp, that he is +a druggist, and that he is doing business at some number on Main +Street," came from Tom. "But I figure out more than that." + +"What?" + +"The paper was crumpled up, and had in it a few grains of a gray +powder. I set the powder on fire and got that strange vapor that +almost strangled us." + +"You did!" cried Sam. "Then that stuff came from that druggist beyond +a doubt." + +"So I figure it. But there is no druggist named Schlemp here," went on +Tom, "and the druggist here doesn't know of such a fellow." + +"I know what we can do," cried Dick. "Don't you remember, Dan Baxter +said he had worked for a wholesale drug house? We can telegraph and +ask him if he knows of this Schlemp." + +"Then let us do it at once," said Tom. "I have his route--the one he +said he was to follow." + +A few minutes later the following message was being flashed over the +wires to Dan Baxter, then supposed to be located at Detroit: + +"Send full name and address of Blank B. Schlemp, druggist, at once. +Highly important. + +"Thomas Rover, + +"Ashton Hotel," + +"That was about all I found at the haunted house that was important," +said Tom after the message had gone. "But I've found out something +here that may lead to something else of value." + +"What is that?" questioned Sam. + +"There is a fellow hanging around here named Henry Parwick. He is +rather dissipated, and does not seem to work for a living. One night +this Parwick had been drinking pretty freely, and he got into a +quarrel with one of his companions. They taunted each other about +money, and Parwick said he had some good friends up to Brill who would +give him all the cash he wanted. The other fellow wanted to know that +was, and Parwick winked one eye and answered, 'Oh, there's a reason, +Buddy, a good reason. They wouldn't dare to refuse me.' Since that +time I have seen Parwick talking to Jerry Koswell and Bart Larkspur." + +"Do you think this Parwick helped Koswell and the others in a plot +against us?" asked Dick. + +"It may be so. Anyway, I think Parwick has some kind of a hold on +Koswell, for I saw Jerry give him some money." + +"This is certainly interesting," mused Dick. "Do you suppose we could +corner this Parwick and get him to talk?" + +"We might, but I have another plan." + +"What is that?" + +"To watch Parwick, and follow him when I think he is going to meet +Koswell and the others. I may be able to overhear their talk." + +"Good!" + +After that Dick and Sam told Tom of what had occurred at the college +since their brother had left. Sam was just relating the particulars of +a stormy interview with Professor Sharp when Dick uttered a cry. + +"Look! Here comes Dora, and she is running!" + +One after another the brothers ran down to the ground floor of the +hotel and hurried outside. + +"Oh, I am so glad I found you all together!" cried Dora, panting for +breath. "Come quick!" + +"Where to?" queried Dick. + +"Down the road about half a mile. We just saw that Jerry Koswell and +Bart Larkspur, and they are having a quarrel with a man who acts as if +he was half intoxicated." + +"It must be Henry Parwick!" ejaculated Tom. + +"Yes, his name is Parwick," said Dora. "We heard Koswell mention it." + +"Where are they?" asked Sam as the whole party hurried down the main +street and out of Ashton, Dora leading the way. + +"They are at a cottage where an old woman named Brice lives. We were +going to stop for a drink of water when we heard voices, and saw the +young men. Then Nellie and Grace heard them mention you, and they +asked me to come here and get you just as quickly as possible. They +said they would remain, and, if possible, hear what it was all about." + +"I think we are on the right track!" cried Dick joyfully. "Maybe +matters will come to a head quicker than we imagined." + +"Dick, you stay with Dora!" cried Tom. "Come on, Sam!" And off the two +brothers sped at top speed, leaving Dick and Dora to follow as rapidly +as the strength of the girl would permit. + +Curiosity lent strength to the legs of the two Rovers, and they +covered the distance to the Brice cottage in an incredibly short space +of time. As they came into view they beheld Grace watching for them. +She held up her hand for caution. She was standing in among some +bushes by the roadside. + +"Be careful, or those wicked boys will see you!" she cried in a low +voice. "They are back of the cottage, near the barn." + +"Where is Nellie?" asked Tom. + +"She is watching them." + +"Have you learned anything?" asked Sam. + +"Yes, indeed. We have learned that Koswell, Larkspur and Flockley were +guilty of this plot against you, and that a man named Parwick aided +them by getting a strange powder for them, the powder that made you +dizzy and sick," were Grace's words, and they filled the Rovers with +much satisfaction. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +A BEGINNING AND AN ENDING + + +"It was Allan Charter's coming that clinched matters," said Tom. +"Doctor Wallington might not have believed us, but he had to believe +Charter." + +"He had to believe the girls, too," added Dick. "He knew they would +not tell him such falsehoods. But I am glad Charter came along. He +hated to get mixed up in it, I know, but he acted the man about it, +didn't he?" + +"Wonder what the doctor will do with Koswell & Company?" questioned +Sam. + +"Fire 'em, most likely, and they deserve to be fired," growled +Stanley. "Oh, when I think of the trick that was played I feel like +wiping up the floor with every one of those scoundrels!" + +"It was certainly a bit of dirty work," was Dick's comment. + +The boys were seated in Sam and Tom's room, talking it over. It was +Sunday afternoon, and outside the sun shone brightly and a light +breeze stirred the trees. + +It had proved a strenuous Saturday afternoon and evening. Dick and +Dora had come up, meeting Allan Charter, the leading senior of Brill, +on the way. They had persuaded Charter to accompany them to the Brice +cottage, and there all had witnessed a bitter quarrel between +Henry Parwick and Koswell, Larkspur and Flockley. Parwick was +semi-intoxicated, and in a maudlin way had exposed all that had been +done at the haunted house. He had spoken about getting the powder for +them, and mentioned how Koswell had fixed a fuse and lit it, and he +told of getting the liquor bottles and flasks and other things. He had +warmed up during his recital, and had demanded fifty dollars on the +spot. When refused he had threatened to go to the Brill authorities +and "blow everything." Then Koswell had threatened, if this was done, +that he would have Parwick arrested for robbing his former employer, +William Schlemp. Then had come blows, and in the midst of this Charter +had stepped forward and confronted the evildoers. + +"We have seen and heard all," he had said sternly. "I am a witness, +and so are these young ladies. You, Koswell, Flockley and Larkspur, +ought to be ashamed of yourselves. I never dreamed any students of +Brill could be so bad. I shall report to Doctor Wallington without +delay." + +Charter had been as good as his word, and had been closeted with the +head of the college for an hour. The girls went back with Tom, Dick +and Sam, and also had an interview with the president. Then Doctor +Wallington sent for Flockley, Koswell and Larkspur. Only Flockley +answered the summons, and it was learned that Koswell and Larkspur +were afraid to come back, fearing arrest. Parwick had also +disappeared. Then had come a telegram from Dan Baxter giving the +address of the druggist, Schlemp. Word was sent to this man, and later +he wrote that Parwick had once worked for him, but had been discharged +for drunkenness and because he was not honest. + +The interview between Doctor Wallington and Flockley was a most +affecting one. The dudish student broke down utterly, and confessed +all. He said Koswell had hatched out the plot, aided by Larkspur, and +that he himself had been a more or less unwilling participant. He told +much about Parwick, and how that dissolute fellow had spoken of having +the strange powder, which was a Japanese concoction, and which, if +used often, would render a person insane. He begged the good doctor to +forgive him, and said he would be willing to do anything in order to +remain at Brill. + +"My father will never forgive me if I am dismissed," he said in a +broken voice. + +"But supposing I had dismissed the Rovers and Stanley Browne?" asked +the doctor severely. + +"Yes, yes, I know, sir!" wailed Flockley. "But, oh, sir, don't send me +away! I'll do anything if you'll let me stay!" + +"I will think it over," answered the head of Brill shortly. And thus +Flockley was dismissed from the office. + +"It was certainly a wicked piece of work," said Songbird to the others +in the room. "I really think somebody ought to be arrested." + +Tom was about to speak when a footstep sounded in the hall, and a +knock on the door followed. Sam opened the portal, to behold Flockley +standing there, hat in hand. The dudish student was as white as the +wall, his clothing looked dishevelled, and his shoes were un-blacked, +a great contrast to the Flockley of old. + +"What do you want?" asked Sam abruptly. + +"I want--I want--" commenced Flockley brokenly. Then he stepped into +the room and confronted Dick. "Oh, Rover!" he cried, "won't you--won't +you please, please get Doctor Wallington to let me stay at Brill? +Please don't let him send me home! I'll do anything--apologize, get +down on my knees, if you like--but please help me to stay here!" + +Flockley caught Dick by the arm and continued to plead, and then he +entreated Sam, Tom, and Stanley, also. It was a truly affecting scene. +They all commenced to speak. He had been so mean, wicked, so unlike a +decent college fellow, how could they forgive him? + +And then came a pause, and during that pause a distant church bell +sounded out, full and clear, across the hills surrounding Brill. Dick +listened, and so did his brothers and Stanley, and the anger in their +faces died down. + +"Well, I'm willing you should stay," said Dick, "and I'll speak to the +doctor about it, if you wish." + +"And so will I," added Sam and Tom, and Stanley nodded. + +"But you ought to cut such fellows as Koswell and Larkspur," said Tom. + +"I will! I will!" said Flockley earnestly. + +The Rovers and Stanley Browne were as good as their word. On the +following day they had another interview with the head of the college +and spoke of Flockley. + +"Well, if you desire it, he can remain," said Doctor Wallington. "As +for Koswell and Larkspur, I doubt if they wish to return, since they +have not yet shown themselves. You can prosecute them if you wish." + +"No, we don't want to do that," said Dick. "We have talked it over, +and we think, for the honor of Brill, the least said the better." + +"That conclusion does you much credit, and I feel greatly relieved," +said the head of the college. He turned to Tom. "You are, of course, +reinstated, Thomas, and I shall see to it that the marks placed +against your name are wiped out. I sincerely trust that you and +Professor Sharp will allow bygones to be bygones, and will make a new +beginning." + +"I'm willing," answered Tom. And a little later he entered one of +the classrooms and he and Professor Sharp shook hands. After school +Professor Blackie came up and shook hands all around. + +"I am glad to know you are exonerated," said that professor. "This has +taught me a lesson, to take nothing for granted," he added. + +When the truth became known many of the students flocked around the +Rovers and Stanley and Songbird, and congratulated them on the +outcome of the affair. Flockley did not show himself for a long time, +excepting at meals and during class hours. + +"He feels his position keenly," said Dick. "Well, I hope he turns over +a new leaf." + +"A telegram for Richard Rover," said one of the teachers to the boys a +few days later. + +"Wonder what's up now?" mused Dick as he tore open the yellow +envelope. He read the slip inside. "Hurrah! This is the best news +yet!" he cried. + +"What is it?" asked Tom and Sam. + +"The injunction against the Stanhopes and the Lanings is dissolved +by the court. They can keep the fortune. Tad Sobber has had his case +thrown out of court!" + +"Say, that's great!" ejaculated Tom, and in the fullness of his +spirits he turned a handspring. + +"I reckon that's the end of Mr. Tad Sobber," said Sam. But the +youngest Rover was mistaken. Though beaten in court, Sobber did not +give up all idea of gaining possession of the fortune, and what he did +next will be related in another volume, to be called "The Rover Boys +Down East; Or, The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune." In that book we +shall also meet Jerry Koswell and Bart Larkspur once more, and learn +how they tried again to injure our friends. + +But for the time being all went well, and the Rover boys were +exceedingly happy. As soon as possible they met the girls and all +spent a happy half day in taking another ride in an automobile. From +Flockley they gradually learned how Koswell and Larkspur had done many +mean things, including putting the glass in the roadway, and using the +pencil box out of Tom's dress-suit case. + +"Vacation will soon be at hand," cried Sam one day, "and then--" + +"Well have the best time ever known," finished Tom. + +"Ah, vacation time," put in Songbird. "I have composed some verses +about that season. They run like this--" + +"Not to-day, Songbird," interrupted Dick. "I've got to bone away at my +geometry." + +"Then hurry up, Dick," said Sam. "I want you to come and play ball." + +"Ball it is--in half an hour," answered Dick. "And then," he added +softly to himself, "then I guess I'll write a good long letter to +Dora." + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Rover Boys at College, by Edward Stratemeyer + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE *** + +***** This file should be named 10323.txt or 10323.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/3/2/10323/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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