ck."

As Leila went out, Helen Trent appeared, a slightly sleepy look in her
blue eyes. Her arrival was greeted with acclamation. Aside from Vera and
Leila, the long pleasant dining room was empty of students when the
Lookouts and Katherine had entered it. In consequence, they were more
free to laugh and talk. The presence of the Sans in the room during
meals quenched the spirit of comradarie that was so marked at Silverton
Hall.

"Have you seen Miss Remson?" was hurled at Helen in chorus. She dimpled
engagingly and nodded her head.

"I saw her last night after I left you girls. I had to have a new bulb
for one of my lights."

"Glad of it." Jerry beamed at Helen. She had not wished her junior
friend left out of Miss Remson's confidence. "If she had not told you, I
was going to ask her if you might be in on it," she assured.

"Faithful old Jeremiah." Helen reached over from where she had paused
beside the Lookouts' table and patted Jerry on the shoulder.

"One might think you were addressing a valued family watch dog,"
remarked Lucy Warner. Helen's dimples deepened. "You don't say much,
Luciferous, but what you say is _amazin'_. I hadn't the slightest
intention of ranking my respected pardner, Jeremiah, as an animal
friend. With this apologetic explanation, I shall insist that you drop
all such thoughts."

"Oh, I did not say I thought so," calmly corrected Lucy. "I merely said,
'One might think.'" Lucy's features were purposely austere. Her greenish
eyes were dancing. Long since her chums had discovered that her sense
of humor was as keen as her sense of criticism.

Leila presently returned to find the breakfasters feasting on hot,
old-fashioned cinnamon buns. These buns were a specialty at Wayland
Hall, and, with coffee, were a tempting meal in themselves. Another ten
minutes, and they left the dining-room en masse, bound for the little
manager's office, there to learn what they might or might not expect
from the Sans during the coming college year.

CHAPTER V.

LETTER NUMBER TWO.

"Come in!" called a brisk, familiar voice, as Ronny knocked lightly on
the almost closed door. Filing decorously into the rather small office,
the nine girls grouped themselves about the manager's chair.

"Take seats, friends," she invited. "Four of you can use the settee.
There are chairs enough for the others. Will you see that the door is
tightly closed, Helen. This matter is strictly confidential. It's rather
early