"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."