"It was all a mistake--this report that I had--er--been knighted, don't
you know," he lisped. "But it was very nice to get up such a reception
in my honor, Thomas, really it was--although it got a bit rough towards
the end. But I know it was meant well, and I thank you, honestly I do."
And the dudish student shook Tom's hand again.

And then, for once in his life, Tom Rover didn't know what to say. As he
afterwards admitted, he was completely "stumped." Poor, innocent Tubbs
had really thought it an honor! To Tom that was "the limit."

"I'll never really know that chap," he said to his brothers. "His head
must be filled with sawdust and punk."

"Well, let him drop now," advised Dick. "Quit your fooling, Tom, and get
at your studies. You know what I told you. We may have to leave Brill
before we anticipated. And we want to get all the learning we can."

"Have you heard anything more from dad?" demanded the fun-loving Rover
quickly.

"Yes, a letter came this evening. That business affair is in a worse
twist than ever. But dad hopes he can straighten it out. But he writes
that he isn't feeling as well as he was. If he gets sick, we'll have to
jump in--or at least I will--and take his place."

"We'll all jump in," was Sam's comment. "I'd like to do something in a
business way."

"Did dad give any particulars?" asked Tom.

"None but what we already know. He felt too ill to write much."

"Has he heard anything more of Crabtree or Sobber?"

"Nothing."

During the following week there was some excitement at Brill because of
a football game between that college and another institution of
learning. It was a gala occasion, and the Rover boys hired a
three-seated carriage and brought Dora, Nellie and Grace to the game.
Brill won the contest, and a great jubilee lasting far into the night
followed. The Rovers and the three girls had a little feast of their own
at the Ashton hotel, and on the way back to Hope the young people sang
songs, and had a good time generally. Perhaps some very sentimental
things were said--especially between Dick and Dora--but if so, who can
blame them? The placing of that engagement ring on Dora's finger by Dick
had made them both exceedingly happy.

During those days the boys took several short trips in the _Dartaway_,
once landing in the field on the Dawson farm. They sought out Dan
Murdock and asked him if he had seen anything more of Koswell and
Larkspur.

"Yes, I see 'em last week, but