tfully. "Hang it all, with Dick gone and Tom
acting as he does, times are not half as jolly as they used to be!"

In the next room Sam sat down to study. Tom had wanted to study, too,
but his brother had persuaded him to lie down and rest, and now he was
asleep and breathing heavily. Sam tiptoed his way across the room to
gaze at him.

"Poor, poor Tom!" he murmured softly. "He'll have to take it easy. If
he tries to keep up here it may kill him, or----" Sam did not finish.
It was a terrorizing thought to imagine that Tom might go out of his
mind. "He's got to have a doctor--some specialist. I'm glad Dick is
coming, so we can talk it over. But it's too bad to burden Dick with
this--and Dora, too--when they aren't over their honeymoon yet. Oh,
dear, it's too bad Pelter threw that footstool at Tom!"

Tom continued to sleep and Sam tried his best to study. But it was
hard work and the youngest Rover made slow progress. An hour passed
and then there came a soft tap on the door. Songbird was there.

"I thought I'd ask how he was," he whispered, nodding towards Tom.

"Sound asleep, Songbird." Sam paused for a moment. "Come in," and his
chum did so, and Sam closed the door again. "I wanted to ask you about
Stanley and Spud."

"I--I tried to explain to them, without going into it too deeply," said
Songbird. "I think Spud understands. But Stanley--well, he's pretty
well riled yet. But I guess he'll get over it."

"You can tell 'em that Tom would never play such a trick if he
was--well just right here," and Sam touched his forehead. "It's an
awful state of affairs, Songbird! I hardly know what to do."

"Why not send Tom home for a rest?"

"How can I if he won't go?"

"Get the doctor to order it."

"That's an idea. I'll talk it over with Dick when he comes. But I
wish you could fix it up with Stanley."

"I'll do my best," answered Songbird, and then, as Tom moved
restlessly, he hastily left the room as quietly as he had entered it.

Before Sam went to bed Tom roused up and wanted a drink of water. His
brother made him take another of the pills and then both retired. For
a long time Sam could not sleep, but at last he fell into a profound
slumber.

When Sam awoke it was with a start, for the sun was shining brightly
and he feared he had overslept himself. He glanced to where Tom had
been resting and uttered an exclamation.

"Gone! I wonder where he went to?"

He glanced at the chair on