"By Jove, I never thought of that!" exclaimed Tom. "Maybe you're right. I wonder if we could do anything to help?"
"Better not meddle," cautioned Ruth. "Madge and I tried to use our influence, and were roundly snubbed for our pains. It's too bad, but maybe things will come right after a while. Oh, there's a lovely waltz! Isn't it perfectly grand!" and her eyes sparkled in anticipation as Tom led her out on the floor while the music welled forth in dreamy strains.
Back in the "den of the inseparables" Sid sat in gloomy loneliness, making a pretense of studying.
"Oh, hang it all!" he cried at length, as he flung the book from him, knocking down the alarm clock in its flight. "What is the use? I might as well give up."
Then, as he noted the cessation of the fussy ticking of the timepiece he crossed to where it lay on the ragged rug, and picked it up.
"Hope it isn't damaged," he murmured contritely. He shook it vigorously, and the ticking resumed. "It's all right," he added, with a breath of relief, "you couldn't hurt it with an axe. Guess I might as well turn in. But I wish----" he paused, shrugged his shoulders helplessly, and did not finish.
There came a knock at the door, and Sid started. He flung open the portal, and Wallops, the messenger, stood in the hall.
"A note for you, Mr. Henderson," he said. "A fellow just brought it."
Sid snatched it eagerly, a hopeful look showing on his face. Then, as he saw the writing, there seemed to come into his eyes a shadow of fear.
"All right, Wallops," he replied kindly, and he closed the door.
"Again," he exclaimed. "Oh, will this never end? Must I carry this secret all through college?" and he tore the note to bits. Then he slipped on another coat, pulled a cap down over his eyes and went out.
"Why, Sid isn't here!" exclaimed Phil, when he and Tom, bubbling over still, with the spirit of the dance, came back to their apartment, after having escorted the girls home.
"That's right," agreed the pitcher, "and he's not allowed any more passes since that affair with the pocket flask. He's taking chances to slip out. Zane will be almost sure to catch him, and a few turns like that and Sid will be expelled. I wonder what's gotten into him lately?"