Part 10 (1/2)

”I want to see you--to talk about Dad's affairs,--and about Tom,” went on the youngest Rover, in a whisper.

”All right, Sam. I'll get up early and run over here before breakfast.

I'll be at the gate at seven o'clock--if it is clear. I'll see you first and then talk to Tom;” and so it was arranged.

”Here, what's the secret?” demanded Tom, abruptly.

”Nothing much,” answered Sam. ”d.i.c.k will be over to see us in the morning, before he and Dora go back.”

”Oh, all right.” Tom gave a sudden chuckle. ”Wish I had brought that calf along. I could have a barrel of fun with him to-night!”

”You're going right to bed, and so am I,” answered Sam. ”We've had fun enough for the present.” And then he and his brother said good-bye to Dora, for they did not expect to see her again for some time to come.

Sam was afraid that Tom might not want to go to bed so soon, but his fears were groundless. Tom undressed at once and inside of five minutes was in profound slumber. He occasionally moved uneasily in his sleep and sighed heavily, but that was all.

”Maybe he ought to have a doctor, but what a doctor can do for him I don't know,” thought Sam, and retired himself, sighing deeply. With Tom not himself the whole world seemed wrong.

d.i.c.k was on hand at the appointed time and Sam was glad to get up to meet him and know that Tom was still sleeping.

”Well, first of all, I'll have to tell you about Dad,” said d.i.c.k, as he ran the auto up the road a bit, out of sight of Brill. ”He is not nearly as well as I would like to see and the doctor says he must not dream of doing a stroke of work. So that leaves all that New York business, and that Western business, in my hands.”

”Can you manage it, d.i.c.k?”

”I've got to manage it, Sam. And in the meantime I've got Mrs.

Stanhope's affairs to look after, and also Dora's money matters. It is keeping me hustling, I can tell you. I never dreamed I would become such an out-and-out business fellow.”

”It's fine of you to be able to do it, d.i.c.k. I am only sorry I can't help you. But some day Tom and I will finish up here and then we'll take hold.”

”Sure, I know that. But now let us drop business. Tell me all about Tom. Just how has he been acting? I know you didn't want to let out in front of the girls.”

”Well, Tom is a problem, d.i.c.k. Sometimes he acts as bright as ever and then he seems to be clean off.” And then, in as few words as possible, Sam related the particulars of his brother's doings since he had returned to Brill. As he proceeded d.i.c.k's face grew very thoughtful.

”I don't like this at all,” he said flatly. ”Maybe after all it would be much better to send Tom home and place him under the care of a specialist. If he remains here there is no telling what he will do next. Supposing Spud or Stanley had been drowned in that well hole?”

and d.i.c.k gave a s.h.i.+ver.

”Yes, but how are you going to get him home if he won't go?”

”Do you think he'll object?”

”Yes, d.i.c.k. But you can try him, if you wish,” concluded Sam. And then the pair returned to the college grounds.

By this time Tom had come below and was looking for them.

”If you were going to take a ride why didn't you let me know?” he grumbled. ”I'd like to run that car a bit before d.i.c.k goes back.”

”Say, Tom, why not return to Cedarville with me and Dora?” asked d.i.c.k, kindly. ”I am sure the trip would do you good, and when you got there you could take a good, long rest.”

”Humph! all at me to rest, eh? Well, I'm not going to rest; I'm going to study and get through here just as soon as possible.” Tom straightened up. ”Now, don't you two think I can't do it, for I can.

I feel stronger every day. That crack I got on the head was a fierce one, I admit, but it isn't going to knock me out, not by a long shot!