get into this
library? And where on earth did the person spring from who would want
to take it out? And not only want to take it," he continued, as he
examined the entry regarding the volume, "but come and have it renewed
one, two, three, four--nine times! He has had that book for eighteen
weeks!"

Without exactly making up his mind to do so, Mr. Tolman deferred taking
steps toward getting an assistant until P. Glascow, the person in
question, should make an appearance, and it was nearly time for the
book to be brought in again.

"If I get a boy now," thought Mr. Tolman, "Glascow will be sure to come
and bring the book while I am out."

In almost exactly two weeks from the date of the last renewal of the
book, P. Glascow came in. It was the middle of the afternoon, and Mr.
Tolman was alone. This investigator of musical philosophy was a quiet
young man of about thirty, wearing a light-brown cloak, and carrying
under one arm a large book.

P. Glascow was surprised when he heard of the change in the
proprietorship of the library. Still, he hoped that there would be no
objection to his renewing the book which he had with him, and which he
had taken out some time ago.

"Oh, no," said Mr. Tolman, "none in the world. In fact, I don't
suppose there are any other subscribers who would want it. I have had
the curiosity to look to see if it had ever been taken out before, and
I find it has not."

The young man smiled quietly. "No," said he, "I suppose not. It is
not every one who would care to study the higher mathematics of music,
especially when treated as Dormstock treats the subject."

"He seems to go into it pretty deeply," remarked Mr. Tolman, who had
taken up the book. "At least, I should think so, judging from all
these calculations, and problems, and squares, and cubes."

"Indeed he does," said Glascow. "And although I have had the book some
months, and have more reading time at my disposal than most persons, I
have only reached the fifty-sixth page, and doubt if I shall not have
to review some of that before I can feel that I thoroughly understand
it."

"And there are three hundred and forty pages in all!" said Mr. Tolman,
compassionately.

"Yes," replied the other. "But I am quite sure that the matter will
grow easier as I proceed. I have found that out from what I have
already done."

"You say you have a good deal of leisure?" remarked Mr. Tolman. "Is
the musical business dull at present