oving Rover. "You
were going to keep it a secret, but we read all about it in the London
paper one of the fellows sent over."

"Read about--ah--what, please?"

"Why, how the king and queen knighted you, and all that, Philliam
Whilander."

"William Philander, please, Thomas. But--er--this is a mistake----"

"No, no, Tubby, my boy, no mistake at all, I assure you. This is in your
honor solely. The college faculty did it--they couldn't do less, to one
so decorated, or knighted,--which is it, please? It's the grandest thing
that ever happened to Brill."

"But don't you know, I--er--I haven't been--er--knighted, or anything
else. I wasn't in England, I went to Paris, and----"

"Now, now, my dear boy, don't try that game," said Tom, reproachfully.
"We all know perfectly well that you were knighted and that you are now
Sir Tubbs, P. X. C., and all that. We salute you!" And then Tom took off
his hat. "Three cheers for Sir Tubbs!" he called loudly.

The cheers were given with a will, and a tiger added. Poor Tubbs was
almost stricken dumb, and commenced to mop the perspiration from his
forehead.

"Don't crowd so close!" cried Tom, warningly. "His Lordship must have
air! He isn't used to so much excitement! Stand back! Now then, into the
carriage, if you please!" And into the turnout went poor Tubbs, and the
next instant his hat was snatched from his head and a tall, white beaver
was placed in its stead. Then several medals of tin and brass were
pinned to his coat, and the crowd set up a riotous cheering.

"Hurrah for Sir Tubbs!"

"My, what an honor for Brill!"

"Nothing like having a real nobleman for a student!"

"Away we go! Pile in, boys!" cried Tom, and then there was a crack of a
whip, and off the strange turnout started, with poor Tubbs on the seat
looking more bewildered than ever, and followed by the great carryall
with the yelling and singing students who had come to greet him.

CHAPTER XIX

STARTLING NEWS FROM HOME

"Here the conquering hero comes!"

"Say, but he looks like a real Lord, doesn't he?"

"Don't forget to bow to all the people you pass, Sir Tubbs!"

So the cries rang on, as the carriage and the carryall rolled away from
the Ashton depot.

"Say, look here, what does this mean?" stammered the dudish student. "I
tell you I'm no lord, or knight, or anything like that! I was over to
Paris, not London, don't you know. Weally, this is--er--very
embarrassing!" he pleaded, wildly.