"When will we see you again?" remarked Nellie, when the touring car
had been run through the grounds.

"Oh, it won't be very long," replied Tom. But as he spoke, little did
he realize under what peculiar conditions they would come together
again.

"If you hear anything more about that money affair, let us know at
once," whispered Sam to Grace.

"I will, Sam," returned the girl; and a few minutes later the young
folks bade each other a fond good-night, and the touring car turned
towards Brill.

The lads were still some distance from the college grounds when they
heard the sounds of horns and rattles. Then they beheld a glimmer of
light down by the river bank. Soon the light brightened until it
covered a goodly portion of the sky.

"Some bonfires and some noise!" was Sam's comment.

"Well, we don't defeat Roxley every day in the year," returned Tom,
gaily. "Say, this suits me right down to the ground! Songbird, you
ought to get up a poem in honor of the occasion."

"Perhaps I will," answered the would-be poet of the college, and then
he began to murmur to himself. Evidently the poem was already
beginning to shape itself in his fertile mind.

"I say, you Rovers!" came a call as the car swung into the roadway
lining one side of the campus. "What's the matter with giving us a joy
ride?" and one of the students came running forward, followed by
several others. Two of them carried torches made of old brooms dipped
in tar.

"Nothing doing to-night," returned Sam quickly, and added in a whisper
to Tom: "Those fellows would wreck the car completely."

"I know it," answered the older Rover, and then he said aloud: "We
have had all the run we want this evening. We are going to celebrate
with the rest of the crowd down at the river." And without stopping to
argue the matter, Tom ran the automobile to its garage.

"Back, safe an' sound, eh?" questioned Abner Filbury, as he came
forward to take charge of the machine.

"Ab, you look out that some of the fellows don't take this car
to-night," warned Tom.

"There ain't no cars goin' out less'n I've the correct orders for
'em," replied Abner. "This is the last machine in, an' I'm goin' to
lock up an' stay on guard. If anybody tries to break in here against
orders, they'll git a dose of buckshot in 'em." And Abner pointed
grimly at a shotgun that hung on one of the walls.

"Oh, Ab, don't go in for shooting anybody!" exclaimed Sam, in alarm.
"Turn the hose on them, that will be enough."

"All right, jest as you say. But they ain't goin' to git in here at
these machines without permission."

Tom and Sam made a hasty visit to their room, and then hurried
downstairs again and off to the waterfront. Here, several bonfires had
been lit. They were composed of boxes and barrels with a large
quantity of brushwood added, and one bonfire was nearly twenty feet in
height.

"Here they come!" called out a student.

"Hurrah for our pitcher!"

"And the best fly catcher Brill ever saw!"

"Say, this is certainly some bonfire!" exclaimed Sam, looking at the
big blaze.

"It sure is!" returned his brother. "If the wind should shift, it
might prove dangerous," he added, as he watched a great mass of sparks
floating across the stream and over the woods beyond.

"Oh, it's perfectly safe," came from Paul Orben, who was one of the
students who had helped to pile up the combustibles.

The crowd was certainly a gay one, and the Rovers lost no time in
joining in the festivities. One student had a bugle, and another had
an old base drum which boasted of only one head. These two succeeded
in forming a crowd of their fellow-students into marching order, and,
singing gaily and tooting horns and sounding rattles, and with
numerous torches flickering, the collegians tramped around the college
buildings and over the campus and then back to the bonfires.

"Whoop! Hurrah!" came a sudden yell, and from one of the distant barns
rushed half a dozen students, dragging behind them a buggy. On the
seat, wearing an exceedingly tight jockey jacket, and likewise a
jockey cap, sat old man Filbury, the general caretaker of the
dormitories.

"Hurrah! Here the conquering hero comes!"

"It's a race-- a race for a thousand dollars!"

"I'll bet on Filbury, every time!"

"Now, see here, gents, I don't like this at all. You lemme out o' this
here kerridge," wailed the old man-of-all-work. "I ain't doin' none o'
this celebratin'. I got some work to do. You let me go."

"Oh, we couldn't think of it, Filbury," cried Stanley, who was one of
the students at the shafts of the carriage. "Now then, boys,
together!" And along the turnout rattled, past the various bonfires.

"Speech! Speech!" came another cry. "Filbury, can't you say something
about Brill and this glorious victory?"

"Never mind the victory," came from Tom. "Let him tell us about how to
pass our examinations without studying."

"And how to get credit down in town without paying any bills," put in
another student, who, evidently, had hard work making both ends meet.

"I tell you, I ain't a-goin' to make no speech," wailed old Filbury.
"I've got work to do. You lemme go."

"Sam," whispered Tom, catching his brother, by the arm, "what's the
matter with giving William Philander a ride with old Filbury?"

"Just the cheese, Tom!" returned the young Rover. "But how can we do
it?"

The matter was talked over for a short minute, and Spud and Bob were
called in to aid. William Philander Tubbs sat on a small packing case
which had not, as yet, been fed to the flames. He was, as usual,
faultlessly attired, even down to his spats.

Passing the word to those who had charge of the carriage and who were
doing their best to get some fun out of old Filbury, Tom and Sam and
their chums worked their way to a position behind William Philander.
Then came a sudden rush, and the dudish student found himself caught
up and carried bodily over to the carriage, where he was
unceremoniously dumped on the seat beside the old man-of-all-work.

"My gracious me! What does this mean?" gasped the astonished William
Philander. "I don't want any ride, I want you to leave me alone."

"All aboard, everybody!" sang out Tom, and gave the carriage a shove
from behind. Before the dudish student could attempt to leap to the
ground, the turnout was once more in motion and dashing along the
campus roadway as fast as the students could pull and push it.

"Them boys is plumb crazy!" gasped old Filbury.

"Oh, I never! We shall certainly be hurt," wailed William Philander.
And then, as two wheels of the turnout went over a big stone, he
clutched old Filbury wildly by the shoulder. Then the carriage struck
another stone, and both occupants held fast for dear life. Three times
the turnout, with its terrified occupants, circled the campus. All the
while William Philander and old Filbury were yelling wildly for their
tormentors to stop. But now, a long rope had been hitched fast to the
front axle, and fully two dozen students had hold of this, fresh ones
continually taking the places of those who became tired out. As it
was, Sam and Tom went around twice, and then fell out to rest.

"Say, Washer," said a student named Lamar to his close chum, "here's a
chance to square up with old Filbury for the way he treated us."

"What do you mean?" asked the student named Washer.

"Let us get in the lead on the rope, and run the carriage down to the
river."

"Say, that's just the cheese!" chuckled the other. "We'll do it. I
think old Filbury deserves something for reporting us as he did."

On and on went the carriage, but at the turn in the roadway it was
suddenly hauled over the grass and between some bushes.

"Oh, Tom, look! They are heading for the river!" cried Sam.

"All aboard!" yelled Washer. "Now then, straight ahead!" He and Lamar
had headed for the water. Some of the students tried to turn to the
right or the left, but others followed the leaders. In a moment more,
the carriage had reached the sloping bank of the river. Then the crowd
scattered, and a moment later the turnout, with a twist, struck the
water and went over sideways, plunging old Filbury and William
Philander into the stream.

  CHAPTER X

 THE FIRE AT HOPE

"My, what a dive!"

"Everybody to the rescue!"

"Somebody get some life-preservers!"

So the cries arose as the students ran from every direction and lined
the bank of the river, which, at this point, was but a few feet deep.

Old Filbury was the first to reappear, and as he stood up in water and
mud that reached his waist, he shook his fist at his tormentors.

"You'll pay for this!" he cried. "I'll fix yer! I'll have yer all sent
home, you'll see if I don't!"

In the meantime, William Philander had also struggled to his feet. He
had lost his cap, and on the top of his head rested a mass of grass
and mud. He came out of the water spluttering and shaking himself.

"I won't stand this! I'll have you all arrested!" he gasped.

"It was an accident," came from one of the students.

"It was not! It was done on purpose!"

"Sure! it was done a purpose!" roared old Filbury. "I never seen such
goin's on in my life!"

"Never mind, you needed a bath, Filbury," shouted one student. And at
this there was a laugh.

"I am going to report all of you," stormed William Philander. "Look at
this suit, it is ruined!" and he held up the sides of his coat to
view. The water and mud were dripping profusely from the garment.

"Better go down to the gym and get under a shower," suggested Spud.

"I am not. I am going to my room," retorted William Philander. And
then, of a sudden, he took to his heels, burst through the crowd, and
hurried toward one of the college buildings. At the same time, Filbury
started to run for one of the stables.

"Say, Tom, that was rather rough," remarked Sam, after the two had
disappeared.

"It sure was, Sam. I didn't think they would run the carriage into the
water like that."

"It was Washer's and Lamar's fault."

"I know it. They are always out for carrying a joke to the limit. I
suppose they had it in for old Filbury, and they must have had it in
for Tubbs, too."

"I wonder if either of them will make a kick over the way they have
been treated," put in Bob. It may be stated here, that, in the end,
nothing came of the incident. Filbury stormed around a little, and so
did William Philander, but, to their credit be it said, both were
"sports" enough not to take their complaints to the college
management.

All good times must come to an end, and by midnight the bonfires had
burned themselves out, and, one by one, the students retired. The
carriage was righted and taken back to the place where it belonged.

For the best part of a week after this, but little out of the ordinary
occurred. With the excitement attending the close of the baseball
season over, the Rovers applied themselves more diligently than ever
to their studies. During that time they received notes from Grace and
Nellie, stating that nothing new had developed concerning the missing
four-hundred-dollar ring. They also received another letter from Dick,
in which the oldest Rover boy stated that he and the lawyer had made a
final settlement with Pelter, Japson & Company, and that he had heard
that the brokers were about to leave New York City for good.

"By the way, Tom," said Sam, after reading the letter from Dick, "this
puts me in mind: What became of that fellow we hauled out of the
river?"

"The last I heard of him, he was still under the care of Doctor
Havens."

"Don't you think we ought to call on him? He might want to see us."

"If he wanted that, Sam, wouldn't he send us word? Perhaps, if he is
any relation to Jesse Pelter, he would rather we would keep away from
him."

On the following morning a letter came addressed to Tom, and bearing
the Ashton postmark. On opening the communication, he was much
interested to read the following:

  Dear Mr. Rover:

  "I want to thank you and your brother for what you did for me. I
  shall never forget it. Even were I in a position to do so, I would
  not insult you by offering you any reward. You, perhaps, have
  learned my name, and maybe you are wondering if I am related to Mr.
  Pelter of Pelter, Japson & Company, of New York City. Mr. Pelter is
  my uncle, and for a number of years I made my home with him. I do
  not altogether like his way of doing business, and do not uphold
  him in his dealings with your family. But he is my uncle, and on
  several occasions he has assisted me very materially. For that
  reason, I think it is best that we do not meet.

  "Again thanking you, I remain

                             "Yours truly,

                                                     "Barton Pelter."

"I guess that explains it," said Sam, after he, too, had read the
communication. "He didn't want to face us because of his relationship
to Jesse Pelter."

"I am glad that he doesn't uphold Jesse Pelter in his actions, Sam."

"More than likely he would be glad to come and see us in order to
thank us in person for what we did for him if it were not for his
uncle, and the fact that his uncle has aided him. You know the old
saying, 'You can't bite the hand that feeds you.'"

"I wonder if he is still in Ashton?"

"We might telephone to the hotel and find out."

Later on this was done, and the boys were informed over the wire that
Barton Pelter had left early that morning, taking his automobile with
him.

"Well, only one week more of the grind," remarked Sam one morning on
arising. "Aren't you glad that the closing day is so near?"

"I think I would feel a little better if I knew how I was coming out
with my examinations," returned his brother.

"But, Tom, it won't make any difference to you, if you are not coming
back."

"That may be, but, just the same, I would like to get as much credit
as possible while I am here."

Some of the examinations had already been held, and others were to
come off within the next few days. As a consequence, the majority of
the students were exceedingly busy, so that there was little time for
recreation.

Since the Rovers had come to Brill, the college had been endowed with
the money to build an observatory. This structure had now been
completed, and the boys took great delight in visiting it and looking
through the telescope which it contained. It stood on the highest hill
of the grounds, so that from the top, quite a view of the surrounding
country could be had.

"I am going to the observatory," said Songbird, that evening. "There
is going to be some kind of a transit, and I want to see it. Either of
you fellows want to come along?"

"I can't,-- I've got a paper to finish up," returned Sam, who was busy
at his writing table.

"I'll go. I need a little fresh air," said Tom, and reached for his
cap.

At the observatory the boys found one of the professors and about a
dozen students assembled. The professor was delivering something of a
lecture, to which the boys listened with interest, at the same time
taking turns looking through the big telescope.

"It's a wonderful sight," murmured Tom, after he had had his look.
Then, followed by Songbird, he walked to a little side window which,
with several others, faced in the direction of Hope Seminary.

"I suppose you would rather be at Hope than here," remarked Songbird,
dryly.

"And you would rather be at the Sanderson cottage than anywhere else
in the world," retorted Tom.

"It's too bad, Tom, that you are not coming back next Fall," went on
Songbird, seriously. "I don't know how we are going to get along
without you."

"It can't be helped. I've got to help Dick. Father is too broken down
to attend to business, and I don't think it is the fair thing to put
it all off on Dick's shoulders."

"Oh, I understand. But Sam will come back, won't he?"

"I think so. One of us, at least, ought to finish the course here.
Dick and I are cut out for business, but I think Sam ought to go into
one of the professions."

"I wish I knew what I would like to do, Tom," continued Songbird,
wistfully.

"Oh, some day you will be a celebrated poet."

"I think I have got to do something more substantial than write
poetry."

"Well, it all depends on the brand of poetry, Songbird." And Tom began
to grin. "There are some fellows who make big money at it."

"I'd like to know who they are?" questioned the would-be poet,
eagerly.

"The fellows who write up some new brand of safety razor or breakfast
food."

"Tom!" And Songbird looked positively hurt. "How can you be so cruel
and degrade poetry so?"

"Well, they do it, I don't. Now, if you----" Tom brought his words to
a sudden stop, and commenced to stare out of the window. Far over the
distant wood he had seen a strange light. Now it was increasing
rapidly.

"What is it? What do you see?" demanded Songbird, as he realized that
something unusual had attracted his chum's attention.

"Look there!" cried Tom, pointing with his finger. "Doesn't that look
like a fire?"

"It surely does," replied the other, after a hasty inspection. "But it
may be only some brush heap that a farmer is getting rid of."

"I don't know about that. Say, haven't they got a pair of field
glasses here?"

"Sure!" and Songbird turned to get the article mentioned.

As rapidly as possible, Tom focused the glasses on the distant light,
and took a careful look.

"Great Scott! it's a fire-- and at Hope Seminary!" broke out the
youth. "It looks to me as if the whole place might burn down!"

"What! A fire at Hope!" cried Songbird, and his words attracted the
attention of all the others in the observatory. He, too, took a look
through the glasses, and one after another the remaining students did
the same.

"It certainly is a fire, and at the seminary, isn't it, Tom?"

Tom did not answer. He had already started to leave the building.
Straight down the hill he tore, and then up to the building where he
and the others had their rooms. He burst in on his brother like a
cyclone.

"Sam, come on, quick! There is a fire at the seminary!"

The younger Rover, who was deep in his writing, looked up, startled.

"What is that you said, Tom?"

"I said, hurry up; come along; there is a fire at the seminary! The
girls may be in danger! Come on, let us go there in the auto."

"Oh, Tom, are you sure of this?" And now Sam leaped up, brushing his
writing to one side.

"Yes, I saw the fire from the observatory." And in as few words as
possible, Tom gave his brother the particulars. He was already donning
his automobile outfit. Sam followed suit, and both boys ran downstairs
and to the garage.

By the time they had the touring car ready, Songbird, Stanley, Spud,
and several others had joined them. The word had been passed around
that there was a fire at Hope, and permission to go to the
conflagration was readily granted by the college management.

"All aboard who are going!" sang out Tom, who was at the wheel, with
Sam beside him. Then, after several collegians had climbed into the
tonneau, away the touring car dashed over the road leading to Hope.

  CHAPTER XI

 TO THE RESCUE

It was a wild ride, never to be forgotten. Tom had all the lights
turned up fully, so that he might see everything that was ahead. From
twenty miles per hour the speed climbed up to twenty-five, then
thirty, then thirty-five, and finally forty. Over the newly-mended
bridge they dashed at breakneck speed.

"Be on your guard, Tom," warned Sam.

"We've got to get there," was the grim response. "The girls may be in
danger."

"Right you are! Let her go for all she is worth!"

They had been making many turns and going up-hill and down, but now
came a straight stretch of several miles, and here Tom put on all the
extra power the touring car could command. From forty miles an hour,
they reached forty-five, and then fifty, and, at one point, the
speedometer registered fifty-four.

"My gracious, Tom, don't kill us!" yelled Bob, to make himself heard
above the roar of the motor, for Tom had the muffler cutout wide open.

The youth at the wheel did not answer. He was giving all his attention
to the running of the car, and this was needed. Along the roadway they
sped like an arrow from a bow, past trees and fences, with here and
there a farmhouse or a barn. Once Tom saw a white spot in the road
ahead, and threw off the power. But it was only a flying newspaper,
and on he went as speedily as before.

"It's at Hope, all right!" yelled Stanley, when they slowed down at a
turn of the road.

"Yes, but I don't think it is any of the main buildings," returned
another student.

"I hope not," came from Sam.

There was one more small rise to climb, and then they came into full
view of what was ahead. Through the trees they saw that one of the
large barns, in which the fire had evidently started, was almost
totally consumed. The slight wind that was blowing had carried the
sparks to one of the wings of the main building, and this was now in
flames at several points.

"Here comes the fire engine!" cried Bob, as the touring car swept
through the seminary grounds; and he pointed down the opposite road.
Along this a small engine from a nearby town was approaching, hauled
by a score of men and boys. Far down another road could be heard the
tooting of another engine, probably from some other town.

"We might give some of those fellows help," suggested Songbird.
"What's the matter with running the car down to where they are, and
hitching fast?"

"You can do it, Songbird, if you wish," returned Tom, hurriedly. "I'll
join you just as soon as I find out if the girls are safe."

"And I'll go with Tom," put in Sam.

"Oh, they must be safe; the fire isn't in that part of the building,"
broke in Stanley. "But go ahead, you fellows, we'll take care of the
machine." For he well understood how anxious the Rovers must be
regarding the Laning girls.

Leaping from the touring car, Sam and Tom joined the crowd in the
vicinity of the fire, composed mostly of girl students and their
teachers. About a score of men and boys living in the vicinity had
come up, and these, with the hired help from the institution, were
doing all in their power, to subdue the flames.

"Did all of the girls get out?" asked Tom, of the first teacher he
met.

"I don't know-- I think so," was the answer.

The boys pushed their way along from one group of students to another,
trying to catch sight of those whom they were seeking. In the
meantime, Songbird and the others from Brill had taken charge of the
touring car, and run it down a side road, where they hooked fast to
one of the arriving fire engines, much to the relief of those who had
been dragging the machine over the somewhat rough highway, and were
almost exhausted.

"Oh, Sam!" The cry came from Grace, and the next instant the girl
rushed up and fairly threw herself into the arms of the youngest
Rover.

"Where is Nellie?" he demanded, quickly. "Is she safe?"

"Here I am!" was the call, and then Nellie came up and caught Tom by
the shoulder. "Oh, isn't this dreadful!"

"It sure is, Nellie," returned Tom, as he slipped his arm around her
waist. "But I am mighty glad that you are safe. Do you think everybody
is out?"

"We don't know, but they ought to be out, for we had plenty of
warning. The fire started in the barn, you know."

"What caused it?"

"They think one of the men must have been smoking and dropped a light
in the hay. Anyway, the fire started there."

"The other fellows took the auto to help the fire engine," broke in
Sam. "Here they come now," he added, as the machine came up with
honking horn, and dragging one of the fire engines behind it.

"I wish we could do something to put out this blaze," came from Tom.
"Sam, we must get busy."

"Right you are!"

"Oh, do be careful, both of you!" pleaded Nellie.

"Yes, don't get burnt," added Grace.

"We'll look out, don't you fear," answered Sam, and then he and Tom
turned to join those at the fire engines and the hose carts.

The seminary was provided with several water towers, and from these
some lines of hose had already been run to the fire. Now some
additional lines of hose were laid from the fire engines, which began
to take water from two cisterns. Soon the added streams showed their
effect on the flames.

"Girls! girls! have any of you see Miss Harrow?" The cry came from one
of the teachers, as she made her way through the crowd.

"Why, isn't she out?" asked a number.

"I don't know, I can't find her anywhere," replied the instructor.

"Was she in the building?"

"I think so. She said at supper time that she had a toothache, and was
going to retire early." And thus speaking, the teacher hurried on.

"Is that the Miss Harrow who lost that four-hundred-dollar diamond
ring?" asked Tom.

"Yes," replied Nellie.

"Was her room in that addition?" questioned Sam, quickly, pointing to
an end of the building which was on fire in several places.

"Yes, she has the corner window, right over there," responded Grace,
pointing to a spot close to where the building was in flames.

The words had scarcely left the lips of the girl, when, to the horror
of those standing below, a third story window was suddenly thrown up,
and the head of a woman appeared.

"Help! Help! Save me!" The cry came wildly from the woman, who was
plainly terror-stricken.

"It's Miss Harrow!" cried a score of voices.

"Look! Look! The fire is on both sides of her!"

"Don't jump! Don't jump!" yelled Tom, at the top of his lungs, and he
saw the teacher prepare to cast herself to the ground.

"Can't you come down by the stairs?" called out Sam, as loudly as he
could.

"I'm afraid to open the door! The hall is full of smoke and fire!"
screamed the teacher. "Save me! Save me!"

"Haven't they got a ladder handy?" asked Tom.

"Sure, we've got a ladder-- half a dozen of 'em," responded one of the
men who worked around the place.

"Where is it? Show it to us, quick!" put in Sam.

"All right, this way," returned the man, and started off with Sam at
his heels.

"Don't jump! don't jump! We'll help you!" cried a dozen voices to the
teacher.

"We are going to get a ladder!" yelled Tom. "Stay where you are!"

And then he followed the others. The ladders were kept in a wagon
shed, and it took but a few moments to bring them out. They were four
in number, and of various sizes.

"I'm afraid none of 'em is long enough to reach that winder," said the
man who had led the way.

"You are right," replied Tom. "But what's the matter with lashing a
couple of them together? Here's a rope." And he pointed to a washline
that hung on a nearby hook.

In frantic haste a dozen persons carried the ladders to the burning
building. Tom followed with the rope, which he unwound on the way.
Then the washline was cut, and with it two of the longest ladders were
lashed together as quickly as possible. Then the combination ladder
was raised against the building and set close to the window, to the
sill of which Miss Harrow clung.

"I'll go up if you want me to," cried Tom, as he saw the men who
belonged around the place hold back. "You steady the ladder so it
doesn't slip."

"Want me to help, Tom?" asked Sam.

"No, you see that they steady the ladder." And thus speaking, Tom
began to mount the rungs.

A cheer went up, but to this the youth paid no attention. In a few
seconds he was at the third story window. He had to pass through
considerable smoke, but as yet the flames had not reached that
vicinity.

"Come, give me your hand, and step out on the ladder," cried Tom to
the teacher.

"I-- I can't!" gasped Miss Harrow. And now the youth saw that she was
almost paralyzed from fright. She clung desperately to the window
sill, evidently unable to move. Clinging to the ladder with his left
hand, Tom placed his right foot on the window sill, and then he
reached down and caught the teacher under the arm.

"Come, you don't want to stay here," he ordered, almost sternly, and
pulled the teacher to her feet.

"Oh, oh, we'll fall! I can't do it!" were her gasped-out words.

"You've got to do it-- unless you want to be burned up. Now then, if
you don't want to climb down the ladder, let me carry you."

"I-- I-- oh-- I can't move!" And with these words, the teacher sank
down across the window sill.

A sudden change in the wind drove a cloud of smoke into Tom's face,
and for the moment he and the teacher were hidden from the view of
those below.

"Oh, look! Tom will be burned up!" screamed Nellie.

"No, he won't," returned Sam, reassuringly. "He knows what he is
doing." Nevertheless, Sam was as anxious as anyone over his brother's
safety.

When the smoke shifted, it was seen that Tom had hauled the teacher
from the window sill and had her over his shoulder. She hung down
limply, showing that she had lost consciousness. Rung by rung, the
youth came down the ladder slowly with his burden.

"He's got her! He's got her!" was the glad cry, and a few seconds
later Tom reached the ground, where he was immediately surrounded by
the others.

"Oh, Tom, how did you do it?" cried Nellie, hysterically.

"Oh, it was not much to do-- anybody could have done it," replied the
youth. "Say, what am I to do with her?" he added, indicating the
burden on his shoulder.

"This way, please," said the teacher who had taken charge of matters,
and she led the way out on the campus and to a bench on which some of
the girls had piled their fancy pillows. Here Miss Harrow was made as
comfortable as possible.

By this time a third fire engine had arrived, and more streams were
directed on the flames. The ladder was used by some of those at the
nozzle of one of the hose lines, and by this means the fire in the
wing of the main building was quickly extinguished. Nothing could be
done towards saving what was left of the barn, so the firemen directed
all their efforts towards keeping the conflagration from spreading.

"Well, it's about out," said Sam, a little later. "Some mess, though,
believe me!"

"Oh, I am so thankful it was not worse!" murmured Grace. "Suppose it
had burned down the main building!"

"Tom, you're a hero!" cried Spud, coming up.

"Nothing of the sort," retorted Tom. "Anybody could have done what I
did, and you know it."

"All the same, you're the one who did it," answered Spud, admiringly.

"He certainly did," said one of the men in the crowd. "That teacher
ought to be mighty thankful for what he did for her."

"I don't want her thanks," added Tom, in a low voice. "All I want her
to do, is to treat Nellie fairly."

  CHAPTER XII

 TOM SPEAKS HIS MIND

"Tom, Miss Harrow would like to see you."

It was an hour later, and the Rovers and the Laning girls had spent
the time in watching the efforts of the others to put out the last of
the fire. In the meanwhile, some of those present had gone through the
addition to the main building and opened the various windows and
doors, thus letting out the smoke. An examination proved that the
damage done there was very slight, for which the seminary authorities
were thankful.

"Wants to see me, eh?" returned Tom, musingly. "Well, I don't know
whether I want to see her or not."

"You might as well go, Tom, and have it over with," suggested Sam.

"If I go, I want Nellie to go along," returned the brother. "I want
her to know how I stand on this missing-ring question. By the way, how
is she, all right?" continued the youth, addressing Stanley, who had
brought the news that he was wanted.

"She seems to he all right, although she is very nervous. She says the
reason she didn't hear the alarm and get out of the building in time,
was because she had had a toothache and had taken a strong dose of
medicine to quiet her nerves. Evidently the medicine put her into a
sound sleep."

"How about the toothache?" asked Sam, slyly.

"Oh, that's gone now; the fire scared it away."

"Where is she?" questioned Tom.

"She is in the office with some of the other teachers."

"All right, if I've got to go, I might as well have it over with. Come
along, Nellie."

"Oh, Tom, do you really think I ought to go?"

"If you won't, I won't."

"All right, then," and arm in arm, Tom and Nellie proceeded into the
main building. Nellie showed the way to the office, which was located
at the end of a long corridor.

"Oh, so here is the young gentleman!" cried Miss Harrow, as they
entered. She was very pale, but did her best to compose herself.

"You sent for me?" returned Tom, bluntly.

"Yes. I wish to thank you for what you did for me. You are a very
brave young man. Were I able to do so, I should be only too pleased to
reward you liberally. But I am only a poor teacher, and----"

"I don't want any reward, Miss Harrow. What I did anybody could have
done."

"Perhaps, but----" And now the teacher stopped short, for the first
time noticing Nellie's presence. "What do you want here, Miss Laning?"
she demanded, stiffly.

"I came in with Mr. Rover; he wanted me to come," was the answer. And
as the teacher continued to glare at her, Nellie clung tightly to
Tom's arm.

"I-- I don't understand----" stammered Miss Harrow. She was evidently
much surprised.

"It's this way, Miss Harrow." answered Tom, with his usual bluntness.
"Miss Laning and I have been friends for a great many years. The fact
is, we hope-- that is, I hope"-- and now Tom looked a bit confused--
"we'll be married before a great while. I have been told about the
diamond ring that is missing, and I know all about how you have
treated Nellie. I don't like it at all. I think you are doing her a
great injustice."

"Oh!" The teacher paused abruptly and bit her lip. She glanced from
Tom to Nellie and then to the others who were in the office. "I-- I
have not accused Miss Laning of anything," she went on, rather lamely.

"Perhaps not in so many words. But you have acted as if you felt
certain she was guilty. Now, that isn't fair. She wouldn't touch
anything that wasn't her own. It's a terrible thing to cast suspicion
on any one. What would you say if I were to intimate you had taken the
four-hundred-dollar ring?"

"Sir!" and now the teacher's face grew red. "Do you mean to insult
me?"

"Not at all. But I mean to stand up for Miss Laning first, last, and
all the time," replied Tom, earnestly. "I think it is an outrage to
even suspect her."

For a few seconds there was an intense silence, broken only by a
certain nervous movement among the others in the office. Miss Harrow
bit her lip again.

"I-- I am sorry if I have done Miss Laning an injustice," she said,
slowly. "But the diamond ring is gone, and if the ring is not
recovered, I may be held responsible for it."

"Now, my dear Miss Harrow, pray do not agitate yourself too much,"
broke in another of the teachers. "This is all very painful. You had
better drop the matter."

"I am willing to drop it," answered Tom, before Miss Harrow could
speak. "Only I want it understood that Miss Laning is to be treated
with the consideration she deserves. Otherwise I may suggest to her
father that she be taken away from this institution and a suit for
damages be instituted."

"Oh, no! Not that! Not that!" came from Miss Harrow, and now she was
plainly much frightened. "I did not accuse Miss Laning of anything,
and I do not accuse her now. The ring is missing. That is all I can
say about it."

"I think we had better go, Tom," whispered Nellie.

"You may leave, Miss Laning," said one of the other teachers. "We have
had trouble enough for one night."

"Nellie started for the door, and Tom did the same; but before the
youth could leave, Miss Harrow clutched him by the arm.

"Mr. Rover, just a word," she said in a low voice. "You did me a great
service and I shall not forget it. If I have done Miss Laning an
injustice, I am very sorry for it." And having thus spoken, she turned
back and sank down on a couch. Tom and Nellie left and hurried to the
campus, where they were speedily rejoined by Sam and Grace.

"How did you make out?" asked the younger Rover. And then Tom gave the
particulars of what had occurred.

"Oh, Tom, I am glad you said what you did," cried Grace, heartily.
"Now, maybe, Miss Harrow will be more careful in her actions."

"Well, I simply said what I thought," answered Tom. "They are not
going to lay anything at Nellie's door if I can help it."

"Oh, Tom, but you told them that-- that And Nellie grew red and could
not go on.

"Well, what if I did? It's the truth, isn't it?"

"What was that?" asked Sam, curiously.

"Why, I told them that Nellie and I had been friends for years and
that, sooner or later, we were going to be married."

"You did!" shrieked Grace. "Oh, Tom Rover!"

"Folks might as well know it," returned Tom. "They've got to know it
when the affair comes off."

"Don't you think it's about time you boys started back for college?"
came from Nellie, who was blushing deeply over the personal turn which
the conversation had taken.

"Oh, there's no great rush," answered Tom, coolly.

Nevertheless, now that the conflagration was over, it was thought best
by all the students to get back to the college, so a little later the
crowd was rounded up by Spud and Stanley, and all climbed into the
automobile. Sam ran the car, and the return was made without special
incident.

"Say, Tom, if that wedding is to come off so soon, perhaps I had
better be saving up for a wedding present," remarked Sam, dryly, when
the two brothers were retiring for the night.

"I wouldn't advise you to start saving up just now," answered his
brother. "Better get some sleep first." And then he playfully shied a
pillow at Sam's head.

The next day nearly all the talk at Brill was about the fire and what
Tom had done towards rescuing Miss Harrow. Many insisted upon it that
Tom had enacted the part of a real hero, and he was interviewed by a
local reporter, and a number of newspapers printed quite an item about
the conflagration and the part he had played.

But the students had little time just now for anything outside of
their final examinations. Many papers had to be prepared, and poor Tom
often wondered how he would ever get through with any satisfaction,
either to himself or his instructors. With Sam, the task seemed much
easier, for, as Dick had once declared, Sam was "a regular bookworm,"
and no studies seemed to worry him in the least.

"If I get through at all, I shall be lucky," vouchsafed Tom, after
passing in a particularly hard paper.

"We'll hope for the best," returned Sam.

During those days came another letter from Dick, in which he stated
that he had moved into the offices vacated by Pelter, Japson &
Company, and was doing his best to get everything into working order.
He added that, on the request of their father, he had disposed of some
stocks, and in their stead, had purchased sixty-four thousand dollars'
worth of bonds.

"My, that's some bonds!" remarked Sam, on reading the letter.

"Well, bonds are usually much safer than stocks, even if they don't
pay so well," answered Tom.

There was a letter from their Aunt Martha, who stated that their
father did not seem to be quite as well as he had been the week
previous. She added that they had called in another doctor, who had
stated, after an examination, that there was no cause for alarm-- that
Mr. Rover must be kept quiet and not worried, and probably, he would
be his old self in another month or two.

"I am glad that the college is to shut down soon," said Sam, when he
and his brother were discussing this communication. "I want to see dad
and make sure things are not worse than Aunt Martha pictures them."

"Exactly the way I feel about it, Sam. They may be holding back
something on us just so we won't be worried."

Two days later came the final examination for, both the Rovers, and
they felt much relieved. Songbird was also "out of the woods," as he
expressed it, and asked them if they did not want to join him and Spud
in a short row on the river.

"That suits me," cried Tom. "I want to get out into the air somewhere.
I am done with classrooms forever. If it was not for the look of
things, I would be turning handsprings on the campus."

"Ditto," added Sam.

"Well, come on," said Songbird. And a few minutes later the four
students were down at the boathouse, getting out one of the four-oared
boats.

"Say, Songbird, I should think this would put you in the rhyming
fever," said Sam, as the four lads rowed out on the river.

"It does," returned the would-be poet.

"All right, turn on the verse spigot and let us have the latest
effusion," cried Tom, gaily.

"The verses aren't finished yet," answered Songbird. And then resting
his oar, he drew from his pocket a slip of paper and began to read:

  "The term is passed,
   Away we cast
      Our books and papers with great glee.
   No more we'll train
   Each tired brain----"

  "Instead, we'll cheer because we're free!"

concluded Tom.

"Say, that isn't half bad," broke out Songbird, enthusiastically. "I
was going to put in something about flee----"

"For gracious sake! What have fleas to do with this poetry?"
interposed Tom.

"Fleas! Who said anything about fleas?" snorted Songbird. "I said
'flee,' f-l-e-e."

"Oh, I see!" That's the flee that fled, not the flea who refuses to
flee," went on Tom. And at this sally, the other boys laughed.

"Never mind, give us the rest of it," put in Spud.

"There isn't any 'rest'-- not yet," answered the would-be poet. And
then the bays resumed the row up the river.

  CHAPTER XIII

 AT THE FARM

"All aboard who are going! We haven't any time to spare if you want to
catch that nine-fifteen train."

"Good-bye, Tom, don't forget to write."

"Say, Spud, when you get down to the Maine coast, don't eat too many
lobsters."

"And that puts me in mind, Stanley. When you reach the Grand Canyon,
send me a piece of rock; I want to see how the Canyon looks."

"Say, whose baseball mitt is this anyway?" And following this
question, the mitt came sailing through the air, to land on the floor
of the Brill carryall.

"Please get off of my feet!" The wail came from William Philander
Tubbs, who was sitting in a corner with another student partly on his
lap.

"Everybody shove, and we'll be off!" cried another student, merrily.

Then came a great mixture of cries and whistles, intermingled with the
tooting of horns and the sounding of rattles, in the midst of which
there moved from the Brill grounds several carriages and an equal
number of automobiles.

The term had come to an end, and the students were preparing to
scatter. The majority were going home, but others had planned to go
directly to the summer resorts where they were to spend their
vacations.

"Good-bye, Brill!" sang out Tom, and, for once, his voice was a trifle
husky. Now that he was leaving the college not to return, a sudden
queer sensation stole over the youth. He looked at his brother, and
then turned his gaze away.

"Never mind, Tom," said Sam, softly. "If I come back, as I expect,
you'll have to come and visit me."

Hope Seminary was not to close until the week following, and the
evening before the Rovers had visited Grace and Nellie. From them, Sam
and Tom had heard news that interested them greatly. This was to the
effect that Dora had invited her cousins to visit her in New York City
some time during the vacation.

"That will be fine!" Tom had cried. "You come when Sam and I are
there, and we'll do all we can to give you the best kind of a time."
And so it had been arranged.

The boys and their friends were in the Rover touring car. This
machine, it had been decided, was to remain at the college garage, in
care of Abner Filbury. Abner was now driving, so that the boys were at
liberty to do as they pleased.

"Let's give 'em a song," suggested Stanley, and the boys sang one
college song after another, the tunes being caught up by those in the
other turnouts. Thus they rolled up to the railroad station in Ashton.
Then the train came in, and all the young collegians lost no time in
getting aboard.

"Where are you going, my dear William Philander?" asked Tom, of the
dudish student, who sat in front of him.

"I am going to Atlantic City," was the somewhat stiff reply, for
William Philander had not forgotten the ducking in the river.

"Atlantic City!" exclaimed Tom. "Of course, you are not going in
bathing?"

"To be sure I am! I have a brand new bathing suit ordered. It is dark
blue, with pin stripes running----"

"But see here, Billy! If you go in bathing at Atlantic City this
season, you'll be chewed up."

"What do you mean?" And now the dudish student seemed interested.

"Haven't you heard about the sea serpents they have seen at Atlantic
City?" demanded Tom,-- "four or five of them." And he poked Sam, who
sat beside him, in the ribs; and also winked at Spud, who was in the
seat with William Philander.

"That's right, Tubbs," put in Sam. "Why, they say some of those sea
serpents are twenty feet long."

"Oh, yes, I heard about them, too," added Spud, and now he braced
himself for one of his usual yarns. "Why, they tell me that one
afternoon the sea serpents came in so thickly among the bathers that
it was hard for them-- I mean those in bathing-- to tell which was
sand and which was serpents. Some of the serpents crawled up on the
boardwalk, and even got into some of the stores and hotels. They had
to order out the police, and then the fire department, and, finally,
some of the soldiers had to come down from the rifle ranges with a
Gatling gun. You never heard of such a battle! Somebody said they
killed as many as ninety-seven sea serpents, and not less than three
hundred got away. Why, William Philander, I wouldn't go within
twenty-five miles of Atlantic City if I were you," concluded Spud.

"Oh, how ridiculous!" responded the dudish student. Nevertheless, he
looked much worried. "Of course, they do report a sea serpent now and
then."

"Well, you haven't got to believe it, Billy," answered Tom. "At the
same time, you'll be a fine specimen of a college boy if you come back
next Fall minus an arm and a leg. How on earth are you going to any of
the fashionable dances in that condition?" And at this, there was a
general snicker, in the midst of which William Philander arose, caught
up his dresssuit case, and fled to another car.

"You can bet that will hold William Philander for awhile," remarked
Sam. "He won't dare to put as much as a toe in the water at Atlantic
City until he is dead sure it is safe."

"Humph! William Philander isn't one of the kind to go into the water,"
sniped Tom. "He belongs to the crowd that get into fancy bathing
costumes, and then parades up and down on the sand, just to be
admired."

It was not long before the Junction was reached, and here the Rovers
had to part from a number of their friends. A fifteen-minute wait, and
then their train came along. It was not more than half full, so the
students had all the room they desired.

"I must say, the farm will look pretty good to me," remarked Tom, when
the time came for them to collect their belongings.

"I want to see dad," returned his younger brother.

"Oh, so do I."

"Oak Run! All out for Oak Run!" It was the well-known cry of the
brakeman as the train rolled into the station where the Rovers were to
alight.

"Good-bye, everybody!" sang out both Sam and Tom, and, baggage in
hand, they hurried to the station platform. Then the train went on its
way, leaving them behind.

The boys had sent a message ahead, stating when they would arrive,
and, consequently, Jack Ness, the hired man, was on hand with the
family touring car.

"Back safe and sound, eh? Glad to see yer!" cried the hired man, as
they approached, and he touched his cap.

"And we are glad to be back, Jack," returned Tom, and added quickly:
"How is my father?"

"Oh, he's doin' as well as can be expected, Mr. Tom. The doctors say
he has got to keep quiet. Your Aunt Martha said to warn both of you
not to excite him."

"Is he in bed?" questioned Sam.

"Not exactly. He sits up in his easy chair. He can't do much walkin'
around."

While talking, the boys had thrown their belongings into the car. Tom
took the wheel, with Sam beside him, leaving the hired man to get in
among the baggage. Then away they rolled, over the little bridge that
spanned the river and connected the railroad station with the village
of Dexter's Corners. Then, with a swerve that sent Jack Ness up
against the side of the car, they struck into the country road leading
to Valley Brook Farm, their home.

"Looks good, doesn't it?" remarked Sam, as they rolled along, past
well-kept farms and through a pleasant stretch of woodland.

"Yes, it looks good and is good," returned Tom, with satisfaction.
"The college and the city are all right enough, Sam, but I don't go
back on dear old Valley Brook!"

"How the country around here has changed since the time when we moved
here," went on Sam. "Do you remember those days, Tom?"

"Do I remember them? Well, I guess! And how Uncle Randolph used to be
annoyed at what we did." And Tom smiled grimly.

Another turn or two, and they came in sight of the first of the farm
fields. Then they reached the long lane leading to the commodious
farmhouse, and Tom began to sound the automobile horn.

"There is Uncle Randolph!" cried Sam, pointing to the upper end of the
lane.

"Yes, and there is Aunt Martha," added Tom, as a figure stepped out on
the farmhouse piazza. Then both of the boys waved their hands
vigorously.

"Back again, eh!" cried Uncle Randolph, when the car had been brought
to a stop. "Glad to see you, boys," and he shook hands.

"Back again, and right side up with care!" exclaimed Tom. He made one
leap up the piazza steps, and caught his aunt in his arms. "How are
you, Aunt Martha? Why, I declare, you are getting younger and better
looking every day!" and he kissed her heartily.

"Oh, Tom, my dear, don't smother me!" gasped the aunt. Yet she looked
tremendously pleased as she gazed at him. Then Sam came in for a hug
and a kiss.

"You mustn't be too boisterous," whispered Uncle Randolph, when all
started to enter the house. "Remember, your father isn't as strong as
he might be."

"Where is he?" both boys wanted to know.

"He is up in the wing over the dining-room," answered their aunt. "We
thought that would be the nicest place for him. The window has a fine
outlook, you'll remember."