Part 7 (1/2)
”Where did he go?”
”I don't know. He was near the gym.”
”Thanks.”
It did not take Sam long to reach the campus. Fully a score of Brill students were in evidence, but a quick glance showed that Tom was not among them.
”h.e.l.lo, Sam!” came from Bob Grimes, one of the crowd. ”How goes it this morning?”
”Fine, Bob. Have you seen Tom?”
”Yes, he took a walk down the road.”
”Which way?”
”Towards town.”
”Long ago?”
”Best part of half an hour, I guess.”
Sam said no more but hurried across the broad campus and on to the highway leading to Ashton. The big bell in the tower was sending out its last call for breakfast. Sam put down the road on a run, all sorts of thoughts wandering through his brain. What if Tom was clean out of his mind and had wandered off?
”Whoop! Sam! Where bound in such a hurry, child?” came the unexpected call from a nearby field, and Tom vaulted the rail fence lightly.
”Taking the morning air, like myself?”
”Tom!” gasped the younger brother, coming to a halt. He ran up closer and gave the other a quick look. Tom's eyes were as bright as they had ever been. ”Are you feeling all right this morning?” he faltered.
”Best I've felt in a long time, Sam. Say, were you coming after me?”
demanded Tom, quickly.
”Yes, if you want to know.”
”Thought I was going to run away, eh? Well, you're mistaken, Sammy, my son. I'm not going to do anything of the sort. You know how bad I felt yesterday.”
”You certainly were bad yesterday. But come on, it's time for breakfast.”
”All right, Sam,” and the two walked to the college side by side.
”Say, I did some queer things yesterday, didn't I?” went on the fun-loving Rover, anxiously.
”You certainly did, Tom.”
”Got Spud and Stanley in a regular mess.”
”Worse than that. They were in danger of their lives.”
”I was a fool, Sam, a regular, downright fool, and I'll tell 'em so when I get a chance. But it was my head,--it wasn't just right.”