Fortunately a loose brick lay handy and with this Dick smashed out the panes of glass in the cellar window. Another window was opposite, and this he likewise demolished. At once a current of pure air swept through the place.
"Hold him up to the window," said Dick as he staggered around. And he and Sam raised Tom up as best they could.
"If we could only get outside," mumbled Sam. His head was aching worse than ever.
"I'll see what I can do," answered his oldest brother, and stumbled up the narrow stairs. To his joy, the door above leading to the kitchen of the house was unfastened.
Not without great labor did the two brothers carry Tom to the floor above. Then they went after Stanley, who was conscious, but too weak to walk. As they stumbled around they sent several empty liquor bottles spinning across the floor, and one was smashed into pieces.
"I wish I knew how to revive him," said Dick as he and Sam placed Tom near the open doorway. "Wonder if there is any water handy?"
"Oh, my poor head!" came from Stanley. "I feel as if I had been drinking for a month!"
"Wonder what it was?" murmured Sam. "I—I can't make it out at all."
"Nor I," added Dick. "But come, we must do what we can for Tom." And he commenced to loosen his unconscious brother's tie and collar.
Suddenly a form darkened the outer doorway of the kitchen, and to the surprise of the boys Professor Abner Sharp showed himself. He was accompanied by Professor Blackie.
"Ha! So we have caught you, have we?" cried Professor Sharp, in tonesof evident satisfaction. "Nice doings, these, for students of Brill.Aren't you ashamed of yourselves?" And he glared maliciously at theRovers and Stanley Browne.
"Oh, Professor, can you—er—help us?" murmured Stanley. "We—er—are in a lot of trouble."
"So I see," answered Abner Sharp chillily. "Nice doings, I declare!Don't you think so?" he added to the other professor.
"It is too bad," murmured Professor Blackie. "I thought them all rather nice lads."
Dick's head was still dizzy, so he could not catch the import of the professor's words. He continued to work over Tom, who just then opened his eyes.
"Gi—give me a—a drink!" murmured poor Tom. His throat seemed to be on fire.
"Not another drop!" shouted Professor Sharp. "Not one! This is disgraceful! Look at what they have been drinking already!" And he pointed to the bottles scattered around.
"Say! What's the matter with you?" asked Sam, sleepily and angrily. He was doing his best to pull his wits together, and thus overcome the effects of the strange vapor.
"There is nothing the matter with me!" roared Professor Sharp "The matter is with you, Rover. You have been drinking too much."
"Me? Drinking?" stammered Sam, "No, sir!"
"Rover, you may as well admit it," came from Professor Blackie. "It is a sad state of affairs."
"But I haven't been drinking."
"We know better. Look at the evidence!" roared Abner Sharp, pointing to the bottles. "Why, your very clothing smells of rum!" he added, smelling of Dick's shoulder.
"Sam has told you the truth. We haven't been drinking," said Dick.
"Rover, it would be better if you did not add falsehoods to your other shortcomings," said Professor Blackie. He was usually a very mild man, and had little to say outside of the classroom.
"You are mistaken," murmured Dick. It was all he could say, for he was still too bewildered to make a clear note of what was going on.
"This one seems to be the worst of all," said Abner Sharp, turning toTom. "He must have drunk more than the others."
"He will have to sleep it off," answered Professor Blackie. "Too bad! Too bad! Why will young men do such things?" And he shook his head sorrowfully.
"I believe what the note said. This has been a regular hangout for the Rovers and their chums," said Professor Sharp severely. "It is high time it was broken up."
"Yes yes," answered the other instructor How shall we—er—get them back to Brill?"
"I'll see about that. They must have some sort of a carriage here, or maybe somebody was going to call for them."
"Shall I take a look around?"
"If you will."
Professor Blackie looked around the house and grounds and then went through the tangle of a garden to the roadway. He espied Songbird coming along, driving the team rapidly and singing to himself. Songbird had passed an all-too-short hour with Minnie Sanderson.
"Stop, Powell!" cried the professor.
"I was going to, sir," answered the would-be poet cheerily. "How is this, Professor Blackie? Did you come to hunt for the ghost, too?"
"Ghost? I came for no ghosts—since there are no ghosts," was the quiet answer. "Were you to stop here?"
"Yes, sir, to pick up the three Rovers and Stanley Browne. They must be somewhere about. They came to explore the old house and to settle this ghost story."
"I think they came more for spirits than for ghosts," answeredProfessor Blackie dryly, "Then you know all about it, eh?"
"Why, yes."
"Then you knew they came here to drink and to carouse generally," went on the instructor, and his voice grew stern.
"Drink? Carouse? What are you talking about?" gasped Songbird. "TheRovers don't drink at all, and Stanley Browne drinks very little."
"Of course you wish to shield them, but it will do little good, Powell. Professor Sharp received word of what was going on, and he asked me to accompany him here. We have seen a sad sight. What Doctor Wallington will say when he hears of it, I cannot tell. I am afraid, however, that he will deal severely with the offenders."
"Professor Blackie, what you say is a riddle to me," answeredSongbird. "I don't understand you at all."
"Then come with me, and perhaps you will understand," was the instructor's reply, and he led the way to the rear of the deserted house.
All of the students and Professor Sharp were now outside, on or near the back porch. Tom had recovered his senses, and Sam had obtained for him a drink of water from an old well. Much to the astonishment of the students, the professor had caught sight of a liquor flask in Tom's pocket, and had snatched it away.
"Here is evidence you cannot deny!" cried Abner Sharp in triumph. "All but empty, too!" he added, after shaking the flask and smelling of it.
"How did that—that get in m—my pocket?" mumbled poor Tom. He was still hazy in his mind.
"You probably know better than anybody else," retorted Professor Sharp. "And you can tell, too, where the liquor went to," he continued with a sneer.
"You're a—a—contemptible old sneak!" cried Tom wrathfully, "and if I didn't feel so—so dizzy I'd knock you down!"
"Tom!" cried Dick warningly. He was growing a little clearer in his mind, and could see that a terrible mistake had been made.
"You'll not knock anybody down, you young villain!" roared Abner Sharp in a rage. "I'll teach you to come here and drink and carouse, and bring disgrace upon the fair name of Brill College! I'll have you dismissed and sent home in disgrace!"
"You're making a mistake—" began Dick.
"No, there is no mistake. Of course you wish to hide the truth, and smooth matters over, but it won't go with me, nor with Professor Blackie, either," stormed Professor Sharp. "We know what we see and what we smell. You young fellows are a disgrace to Brill, and the sooner everybody knows it, the better. Now, then, march to the roadway, every one of you, and no more back talk!"
"But, sir—" began Stanley in dismay.
"Not another word!" cried Abner Sharp. "If you have anything more to tell, you may tell it to Doctor Wallington."
Still dizzy from the effects of the strange vapor, the students were driven rapidly over the country roads in the direction of Brill College. The fresh air served to make them feel a little better, but all were far from clear headed when ushered into the presence of Doctor Wallington.
"We have brought them back with us, sir," said Professor Sharp stiffly.
The president of the college gazed keenly at the Rovers and Stanley.They looked at him in return, but blinked and swayed as they did so.
"I will listen to the story," said Doctor Wallington, turning to the two instructors, and his voice had a hard tone to it that did not augur well for the students.
Thereupon Professor Sharp told how he had received an anonymous note stating that the Rovers and some others were going off to the old Jamison house to drink and gamble, and that it was thought they were going to take some innocent outsider with them, to fleece him of his money. On receiving the note Abner Sharp had called Professor Blackie into consultation with him, and had gone off, after leaving word for the doctor about what they proposed to do.
"We found them—the three Rovers and Stanley Browne—in a beastly state," continued Professor Sharp. "Truly beastly state—with empty liquor bottles and flasks strewn around, and Thomas Rover had a flask in his pocket, which I took from him." The instructor placed the flask on the president's desk. "There were also cigar butts scattered around, and some packs of playing-cards."
"Where was Powell?"
"He had dropped the others off at the old house and gone on to visit some folks named Sanderson. He came back later."
"Had he been drinking, too?"
"I do not think so," answered Professor Blackie.
During this talk Dick and his brothers and Stanley stared somewhat vacantly at the president and the professors. The students wanted to speak several times, but Doctor Wallington waved them to be silent.
"I will hear what you have to say after Professor Sharp and ProfessorBlackie have finished," said the head of the college.
He asked the instructors a great number of questions, and then turned to Dick, as the oldest of the boys.
"Now, then, what have you to say about your disgraceful conduct?" he demanded severely. "Or perhaps it would be as well to postpone further conversation until you are in a fit condition to tell a straight story." The doctor was sarcastic as well as severe.
"I—I am not well, sir," said Dick in a low voice. "None of us are.But it was not liquor that did it. It was the vapor."
"Vapor?" queried Doctor Wallington in perplexity.
"Yes, sir."
"What do you suppose he means?" and now the master of the college turned to Abner Sharp.
"When we found them in such a sad state they tried to excuse themselves by stating that a strange vapor had made them sick," was the instructor's reply. "But we could not trace any such vapor. I feel sure it is merely an excuse."
"You ought to have your head punched!" growled Tom. He was still sick, and the sickness made him reckless.
"Rover! How dare you?" exclaimed Doctor Wallington severely.
"I don't care! He is down on us, me especially, and he wants to put us in disgrace. He's a miserable sneak, that's what he is!"
"You are evidently in no condition to tell your story, and your companions are little better off," went on the head of the college. He turned to the two professors. "You may take them up to rooms 77 and 78, Mr. Blackie. I will confer with you further, Mr. Sharp."
There was no help for it, and with their heads still in a whirl, the Rovers and Stanley were taken to two rooms not used by any of the other students. The rooms were in an angle of the building, away from all others. They had a small hallway of their own, with a door shutting it off from the main hall.
Professor Blackie marched the boys into the rooms, and saw to it that they had a pitcher of fresh drinking water.
"You will have to remain here until Doctor Wallington sends for you," said the instructor, and walked out of the room. The boys heard him pass through the little hall and close and lock the door to the main hall.
"Prisoners! What do you think of that?" cried Sam.
"It is carrying matters with a high hand," answered Dick. He placed a hand on his forehead. "How my head aches!"
"Same here," answered Stanley. "I am going to rest," he added, and threw himself on one of the beds.
The others were glad to rest, also, and soon all were occupying the beds the connecting rooms contained. They left the windows wide open, so that they might get all the fresh air possible. Strange to say, each was soon in a profound slumber.
While they were sleeping they did not know that Professor Sharp came in to see if they wanted any supper. Seeing them sleeping so soundly, he notified Doctor Wallington.
"Do not disturb them," said the president of Brill. "Sleep will do them more good than anything. I doubt if they care to eat." And he heaved a sigh as he thought of the problem before him. He liked the Rovers and Stanley Browne, but according to what he had seen and been told, some of the strictest rules of Brill had been violated, and it would be impossible for him to pass the affair by or mete out ordinary punishment.
"I am afraid I shall have to dismiss them," he told himself. "Too bad!"
In some manner the story leaked out, and by Sunday noon all the students at Brill knew that the Rovers and Stanley were in disgrace, and in danger of dismissal. A few sided with the boys, but the majority shook their heads.
"They had no business to go off on such a lark," said one of the seniors. "It's a disgrace to the whole college. If they are sent home it will serve them right."
Koswell and Larkspur were in high glee over the success of their plot, and when alone winked at each other and poked each other in the ribs.
"They'll get what's coming to 'em this trip," said Bart Larkspur with a chuckle. "They'll be lucky if they are not sent home."
"And we'll rub it in, too," added Koswell. "You know how those Rovers are dead stuck on those girls at Hope."
"Sure."
"Well, I'll fix it so those girls hear all about this affair."
"Good!" cried Larkspur. "That will be the bitterest dose of all."
"Say," put in Dudd Flockley nervously, "you don't suppose there is any danger of our being found out?"
"Not the slightest," answered Koswell. "I saw to it that all our tracks were covered."
"But that fellow Parwick? Are you certain he can be trusted?"
"Yes. But we have got to pay him for his trouble. I promised him twenty dollars. I'll give him half and you can give him the other half," answered Koswell. He knew Larkspur had no spending money.
"Oh, I'm willing to pay him his price," said the dudish student. "ButI want to be dead certain that he will keep his mouth shut."
"I'll make him do that," returned Jerry Koswell.
The Rovers and Stanley Browne were kept in the rooms until Monday morning. During that time their meals were sent to them, and Professor Sharp came to see them twice.
"Doctor Wallington will dispose of your case on Monday," said the instructor.
"I think we should have had a doctor," said Dick. "All of us were sick, and needed medical attention."
"Nonsense!" cried Abner Sharp. "You have sobered up, and that was all that was needed."
This assertion led to a war of words, and Tom came close to whacking the unreasonable teacher over the head with the water pitcher. As a consequence, Abner Sharp ran out of the room in fear and reported to the head of the institution that he had been assaulted.
On Monday morning the four boys were told to go down and report at the president's office Previous to this they had held a "council of war," as Sam expressed it, and made Dick their spokesman.
"Now, then, as you appear to be sober, I will listen to your story," said Doctor Wallington. He was the only other person present, "And remember," he added sharply, "I want nothing but the truth. You cannot hope for any leniency on my part unless you tell me everything."
"That is what we propose to do, sir," answered Dick, looking the doctor full in the eyes. "My brothers and Stanley have asked me to do the talking for all of us. Shall I tell my story now?"
"Yes."
Thereupon Dick told his tale from beginning to end, very much as I have set it down here. He, of course, could tell nothing of the actions of Koswell and his crowd, for he had been unconscious most of the time.
"Certainly a remarkable story," mused Doctor Wallington, when the oldest Rover had finished, "And you mean to say you did not drink any of the liquor?"
"Not a drop, sir; and neither did the others,"
"And this vapor? What was it, and how do you account for it?" The doctor's tones were very sceptical.
"I can't account for it, excepting by thinking it was part of a plot against us."
"Hum!" The doctor turned to Stanley. "Have you anything to add toRover's story?"
"Nothing, sir, excepting that it is absolutely true, DoctorWellington."
After this the boys were questioned for the best part of an hour, but without shaking their testimony in the least. Then Songbird was called in, and he told what he knew.
"If your story is true, it is a most extraordinary occurrence," said the head of Brill at last. "But I must confess that I can scarcely credit such a tale. However, I will, for the time being, give you the benefit of the doubt, and in the meantime make some investigations on my own account. If I find you have not told the truth I shall dismiss you from the college. Do you understand that?"
To this the students bowed.
"One thing more. All of you may return to your classes but ThomasRover. He has an extra charge against him, that of assaultingProfessor Sharp. Thomas Rover, you will remain here. The rest of youcan go."
With strange feelings in their hearts Dick, Sam and Stanley, accompanied by Songbird, left the office. They had been heard, but had not been believed.
"We may be dismissed from here, after all," said Sam bitterly.
"What a shame!" cried Songbird. "Oh, if you could only find out who did it, and expose them!"
The boys went back to their classes with heavy hearts. They saw a number of the other students looking at them questioningly.
Jerry Koswell saw them return, and was much astonished. Had his plot to put them in disgrace miscarried, after all? Larkspur, too, was perplexed. Flockley was a bit relieved, and half hoped the whole matter would blow over and nothing more be heard of it.
The day went by, and the other lads did not see Tom. But they saw him in the evening, just before supper.
"Well, how did you make out?" asked Dick eagerly.
"Got a vacation," was Tom's laconic answer.
"Dismissed?" asked the others in concert.
"No, suspended until Doctor Wallington can investigate the whole matter more thoroughly. He wanted me to apologize to Sharp, and I said flatly that I wouldn't do it, because I hadn't anything to apologize for. He got mad at first, and threatened me with instant dismissal. Then I warmed up, and said I was innocent of all wrongdoing, and perhaps I'd be able to prove it some day, and if so, and I was dismissed, I'd sue the college for loss of reputation. That brought matters to a head, and I guess the doctor saw I was in deadly earnest. He told me I could consider myself suspended for two weeks, or until he could get to the bottom of the affair. So I've got a holiday."
"I'm glad you didn't apologize to Sharp," said Sam.
"What are you going to do with yourself—go home?" asked Dick.
"No. I am going to move to Ashton, and then try to get to the bottom of this matter."
"The doctor will send a letter home."
"So will I, and you must do the same. I think father will believe us."
Tom left that night, and established himself at the leading hotel inAshton.
News travels swiftly, and Koswell and his cohorts took care that the girls at Hope should hear the story about the Rovers and Stanley and their supposed disgraceful doings. Dora, Nellie and Grace could scarcely believe their ears when they heard it.
"This is awful!" murmured Dora, and the tears came to her eyes.
"I don't believe one word of it!" cried Nellie with spirit.
"But Tom has been suspended," said Grace. "And think of poor Sam andDick!" And her heart sank like lead within her bosom.
"I am going to send Dick a note right away," said Dora. "I cannot bear this suspense."
"But you don't think Dick is guilty, do you?" asked Nellie.
"No. But—but the disgrace! It is terrible!" And now Dora burst out crying in earnest.
The note from Dora reached Dick the following day, in the afternoon mail. It was short, but to the point, reading as follows:
"DEAR DICK: We have just heard something awful about you and Tom and Sam. Tell us what it means. Of course we don't believe you have done anything wrong.
"Yours,
This note disturbed Dick and Sam greatly, for they could understand how the evil report concerning them had been circulated at Hope Seminary, and how the girls had suffered in consequence.
"I am glad they think we are innocent," said Sam.
"They couldn't do anything else, knowing us as they do," returned his brother. And then he sent a note back stating that the reports were all falsehoods, and asking them to meet Tom and themselves on the following Saturday at Ashton.
"Perhaps Tom will have something to report by that time," said Dick.
The time to Saturday dragged miserably. The boys could not set their minds on their lessons, and as a consequence got some poor marks. For this Professor Blackie gave them a lecture.
"You ought to show your appreciation of what Doctor Wellington has done in your case," said the instructor.
"We can't settle down to lessons with this cloud hanging over us," answered Dick frankly. "It has got to be cleared away, or—" he did not finish.
"Or what, Rover?"
"Or I'm afraid we'll have to leave, even if we are not dismissed," was the slow answer, and Dick breathed a deep sigh.
The Rover boys sent letters to their father, and on Saturday morning came replies from Mr. Rover. He said he was both surprised and shocked at what had occurred, and added that if they needed his aid he would come on at once. He showed that he believed them innocent, for which they were thankful.
"Here is more news," said Dick. "The case of Tad Sobber against the Stanhopes and the Lanings comes up in court next Tuesday; that is, they are going to argue the question of the injunction on that day."
"That will make Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning very anxious."
"Yes, and the girls, too, Sam."
"Well, we are anxious, too. Oh, I do hope our side wins!" cried Sam wistfully. "It would set me wild to see Tad Sobber get all that money!"
Dick and Sam were to meet Tom in Ashton at three o'clock, and all hoped that the girls would come later. Stanley could not go, for he had a Latin composition to write.
When the Rovers reached the hotel in Ashton they found Tom impatiently awaiting them By the look on his face they knew he had something to tell.
"Come up to my room," he said, and led the way to the apartment, located on the second floor, front.
"You can sit by the window, Dick, and keep a lookout for the girls," said Sam.
"Yes, they'll be here in about an hour," said Tom. "They telephoned this morning."
"Well, what have you discovered—anything?" demanded Dick impatiently.
"I think I am on the right track," answered Tom. "Let me tell you what I've done. In the first place, I visited the haunted house yesterday morning, and went through it from cellar to garret."
"Alone?" queried Sam.
"Yes, alone. But I carried a pistol, and I had it ready for use, too."
"I don't blame you," murmured Dick. "And I guess you looked to see if the doors were open, too."
"I did, and smashed out several windows in the bargain. The first place I investigated was that fireplace, and in it I found this." And Tom held up a bit of white paper. On it was printed:
m B. Schlemp uggist. ain St.
"That is from a druggist," said Dick.
"Exactly. I figure out the name is William B. Schlemp, that he is a druggist, and that he is doing business at some number on Main Street," came from Tom. "But I figure out more than that."
"What?"
"The paper was crumpled up, and had in it a few grains of a gray powder. I set the powder on fire and got that strange vapor that almost strangled us."
"You did!" cried Sam. "Then that stuff came from that druggist beyond a doubt."
"So I figure it. But there is no druggist named Schlemp here," went onTom, "and the druggist here doesn't know of such a fellow."
"I know what we can do," cried Dick. "Don't you remember, Dan Baxter said he had worked for a wholesale drug house? We can telegraph and ask him if he knows of this Schlemp."
"Then let us do it at once," said Tom. "I have his route—the one he said he was to follow."
A few minutes later the following message was being flashed over the wires to Dan Baxter, then supposed to be located at Detroit:
"Send full name and address of Blank B. Schlemp, druggist, at once.Highly important.
"Thomas Rover,
"Ashton Hotel,"
"That was about all I found at the haunted house that was important," said Tom after the message had gone. "But I've found out something here that may lead to something else of value."
"What is that?" questioned Sam.
"There is a fellow hanging around here named Henry Parwick. He is rather dissipated, and does not seem to work for a living. One night this Parwick had been drinking pretty freely, and he got into a quarrel with one of his companions. They taunted each other about money, and Parwick said he had some good friends up to Brill who would give him all the cash he wanted. The other fellow wanted to know that was, and Parwick winked one eye and answered, 'Oh, there's a reason, Buddy, a good reason. They wouldn't dare to refuse me.' Since that time I have seen Parwick talking to Jerry Koswell and Bart Larkspur."
"Do you think this Parwick helped Koswell and the others in a plot against us?" asked Dick.
"It may be so. Anyway, I think Parwick has some kind of a hold onKoswell, for I saw Jerry give him some money."
"This is certainly interesting," mused Dick. "Do you suppose we could corner this Parwick and get him to talk?"
"We might, but I have another plan."
"What is that?"
"To watch Parwick, and follow him when I think he is going to meetKoswell and the others. I may be able to overhear their talk."
"Good!"
After that Dick and Sam told Tom of what had occurred at the college since their brother had left. Sam was just relating the particulars of a stormy interview with Professor Sharp when Dick uttered a cry.
"Look! Here comes Dora, and she is running!"
One after another the brothers ran down to the ground floor of the hotel and hurried outside.
"Oh, I am so glad I found you all together!" cried Dora, panting for breath. "Come quick!"
"Where to?" queried Dick.
"Down the road about half a mile. We just saw that Jerry Koswell and Bart Larkspur, and they are having a quarrel with a man who acts as if he was half intoxicated."
"It must be Henry Parwick!" ejaculated Tom.
"Yes, his name is Parwick," said Dora. "We heard Koswell mention it."
"Where are they?" asked Sam as the whole party hurried down the main street and out of Ashton, Dora leading the way.
"They are at a cottage where an old woman named Brice lives. We were going to stop for a drink of water when we heard voices, and saw the young men. Then Nellie and Grace heard them mention you, and they asked me to come here and get you just as quickly as possible. They said they would remain, and, if possible, hear what it was all about."
"I think we are on the right track!" cried Dick joyfully. "Maybe matters will come to a head quicker than we imagined."
"Dick, you stay with Dora!" cried Tom. "Come on, Sam!" And off the two brothers sped at top speed, leaving Dick and Dora to follow as rapidly as the strength of the girl would permit.
Curiosity lent strength to the legs of the two Rovers, and they covered the distance to the Brice cottage in an incredibly short space of time. As they came into view they beheld Grace watching for them. She held up her hand for caution. She was standing in among some bushes by the roadside.
"Be careful, or those wicked boys will see you!" she cried in a low voice. "They are back of the cottage, near the barn."
"Where is Nellie?" asked Tom.
"She is watching them."
"Have you learned anything?" asked Sam.
"Yes, indeed. We have learned that Koswell, Larkspur and Flockley were guilty of this plot against you, and that a man named Parwick aided them by getting a strange powder for them, the powder that made you dizzy and sick," were Grace's words, and they filled the Rovers with much satisfaction.
"It was Allan Charter's coming that clinched matters," said Tom."Doctor Wallington might not have believed us, but he had to believeCharter."
"He had to believe the girls, too," added Dick. "He knew they would not tell him such falsehoods. But I am glad Charter came along. He hated to get mixed up in it, I know, but he acted the man about it, didn't he?"
"Wonder what the doctor will do with Koswell & Company?" questionedSam.
"Fire 'em, most likely, and they deserve to be fired," growled Stanley. "Oh, when I think of the trick that was played I feel like wiping up the floor with every one of those scoundrels!"
"It was certainly a bit of dirty work," was Dick's comment.
The boys were seated in Sam and Tom's room, talking it over. It was Sunday afternoon, and outside the sun shone brightly and a light breeze stirred the trees.
It had proved a strenuous Saturday afternoon and evening. Dick and Dora had come up, meeting Allan Charter, the leading senior of Brill, on the way. They had persuaded Charter to accompany them to the Brice cottage, and there all had witnessed a bitter quarrel between Henry Parwick and Koswell, Larkspur and Flockley. Parwick was semi-intoxicated, and in a maudlin way had exposed all that had been done at the haunted house. He had spoken about getting the powder for them, and mentioned how Koswell had fixed a fuse and lit it, and he told of getting the liquor bottles and flasks and other things. He had warmed up during his recital, and had demanded fifty dollars on the spot. When refused he had threatened to go to the Brill authorities and "blow everything." Then Koswell had threatened, if this was done, that he would have Parwick arrested for robbing his former employer, William Schlemp. Then had come blows, and in the midst of this Charter had stepped forward and confronted the evildoers.
"We have seen and heard all," he had said sternly. "I am a witness, and so are these young ladies. You, Koswell, Flockley and Larkspur, ought to be ashamed of yourselves. I never dreamed any students of Brill could be so bad. I shall report to Doctor Wallington without delay."
Charter had been as good as his word, and had been closeted with the head of the college for an hour. The girls went back with Tom, Dick and Sam, and also had an interview with the president. Then Doctor Wallington sent for Flockley, Koswell and Larkspur. Only Flockley answered the summons, and it was learned that Koswell and Larkspur were afraid to come back, fearing arrest. Parwick had also disappeared. Then had come a telegram from Dan Baxter giving the address of the druggist, Schlemp. Word was sent to this man, and later he wrote that Parwick had once worked for him, but had been discharged for drunkenness and because he was not honest.
The interview between Doctor Wallington and Flockley was a most affecting one. The dudish student broke down utterly, and confessed all. He said Koswell had hatched out the plot, aided by Larkspur, and that he himself had been a more or less unwilling participant. He told much about Parwick, and how that dissolute fellow had spoken of having the strange powder, which was a Japanese concoction, and which, if used often, would render a person insane. He begged the good doctor to forgive him, and said he would be willing to do anything in order to remain at Brill.
"My father will never forgive me if I am dismissed," he said in a broken voice.
"But supposing I had dismissed the Rovers and Stanley Browne?" asked the doctor severely.
"Yes, yes, I know, sir!" wailed Flockley. "But, oh, sir, don't send me away! I'll do anything if you'll let me stay!"
"I will think it over," answered the head of Brill shortly. And thusFlockley was dismissed from the office.
"It was certainly a wicked piece of work," said Songbird to the others in the room. "I really think somebody ought to be arrested."
Tom was about to speak when a footstep sounded in the hall, and a knock on the door followed. Sam opened the portal, to behold Flockley standing there, hat in hand. The dudish student was as white as the wall, his clothing looked dishevelled, and his shoes were un-blacked, a great contrast to the Flockley of old.
"What do you want?" asked Sam abruptly.
"I want—I want—" commenced Flockley brokenly. Then he stepped into the room and confronted Dick. "Oh, Rover!" he cried, "won't you—won't you please, please get Doctor Wallington to let me stay at Brill? Please don't let him send me home! I'll do anything—apologize, get down on my knees, if you like—but please help me to stay here!"
Flockley caught Dick by the arm and continued to plead, and then he entreated Sam, Tom, and Stanley, also. It was a truly affecting scene. They all commenced to speak. He had been so mean, wicked, so unlike a decent college fellow, how could they forgive him?
And then came a pause, and during that pause a distant church bell sounded out, full and clear, across the hills surrounding Brill. Dick listened, and so did his brothers and Stanley, and the anger in their faces died down.
"Well, I'm willing you should stay," said Dick, "and I'll speak to the doctor about it, if you wish."
"And so will I," added Sam and Tom, and Stanley nodded.
"But you ought to cut such fellows as Koswell and Larkspur," said Tom.
"I will! I will!" said Flockley earnestly.
The Rovers and Stanley Browne were as good as their word. On the following day they had another interview with the head of the college and spoke of Flockley.
"Well, if you desire it, he can remain," said Doctor Wallington. "As for Koswell and Larkspur, I doubt if they wish to return, since they have not yet shown themselves. You can prosecute them if you wish."
"No, we don't want to do that," said Dick. "We have talked it over, and we think, for the honor of Brill, the least said the better."
"That conclusion does you much credit, and I feel greatly relieved," said the head of the college. He turned to Tom. "You are, of course, reinstated, Thomas, and I shall see to it that the marks placed against your name are wiped out. I sincerely trust that you and Professor Sharp will allow bygones to be bygones, and will make a new beginning."
"I'm willing," answered Tom. And a little later he entered one of the classrooms and he and Professor Sharp shook hands. After school Professor Blackie came up and shook hands all around.
"I am glad to know you are exonerated," said that professor. "This has taught me a lesson, to take nothing for granted," he added.
When the truth became known many of the students flocked around the Rovers and Stanley and Songbird, and congratulated them on the outcome of the affair. Flockley did not show himself for a long time, excepting at meals and during class hours.
"He feels his position keenly," said Dick. "Well, I hope he turns over a new leaf."
"A telegram for Richard Rover," said one of the teachers to the boys a few days later.
"Wonder what's up now?" mused Dick as he tore open the yellow envelope. He read the slip inside. "Hurrah! This is the best news yet!" he cried.
"What is it?" asked Tom and Sam.
"The injunction against the Stanhopes and the Lanings is dissolved by the court. They can keep the fortune. Tad Sobber has had his case thrown out of court!"
"Say, that's great!" ejaculated Tom, and in the fullness of his spirits he turned a handspring.
"I reckon that's the end of Mr. Tad Sobber," said Sam. But the youngest Rover was mistaken. Though beaten in court, Sobber did not give up all idea of gaining possession of the fortune, and what he did next will be related in another volume, to be called "The Rover Boys Down East; Or, The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune." In that book we shall also meet Jerry Koswell and Bart Larkspur once more, and learn how they tried again to injure our friends.
But for the time being all went well, and the Rover boys were exceedingly happy. As soon as possible they met the girls and all spent a happy half day in taking another ride in an automobile. From Flockley they gradually learned how Koswell and Larkspur had done many mean things, including putting the glass in the roadway, and using the pencil box out of Tom's dress-suit case.
"Vacation will soon be at hand," cried Sam one day, "and then—"
"Well have the best time ever known," finished Tom.
"Ah, vacation time," put in Songbird. "I have composed some verses about that season. They run like this—"
"Not to-day, Songbird," interrupted Dick. "I've got to bone away at my geometry."
"Then hurry up, Dick," said Sam. "I want you to come and play ball."
"Ball it is—in half an hour," answered Dick. "And then," he added softly to himself, "then I guess I'll write a good long letter to Dora."
End of Project Gutenberg's The Rover Boys at College, by Edward Stratemeyer