in a criminal
way--only in the matter of form. The president will understand. And,
Gus, we can get together money enough to defend you--legally--even
though we have to quit school."

"_You_ sha'n't quit school!" said Gus. "Not if I have to do time! No,
sir! It doesn't matter much about me, but you--you're not to be in this
at all, except I don't want us ever to be not chums, Bill."

Rapid footsteps were coming along the hall then; the door opened and
Tony and Sadler burst into the room.

"He's all right, Grier. He's come to."

"Yes, _mio amico_; Siebold, this Sadler say, is again recover. You no
need longer to fear. But, ah! They tell it to me that he a sight
presents. He will go to his classes the observed. And it serves him all
the right; is it not so? And the most to do is to explain the Doctor for
you--which we all do."

CHAPTER XVI

ONE WINTER SATURDAY

Marshallton is a village with nothing more than two general stores
sufficient to cater to the needs of the near neighborhood and the Tech
students. Guilford, nine miles away, is the railroad town and, now and
then, for extra supplies the Tech boys may spend a dull half hour each
way on the trolley to visit the quiet place which holds no other
attraction than the stores.

Bill, Gus and Tony, eager to get some radio supplies that might as well
have been ordered from the city, obtained leave to run over to Guilford
and back. To show his appreciation of their friendship, Tony decided to
treat Bill and Gus to a taxi ride; so he 'phoned to the town for one. It
came and the three piled in, much elated over the prospect of a pleasant
shopping trip, though the weather was a little stormy.

The purchasing took all that was left of the morning. The boys gathered
their things into bundles and, at Tony's command, made straightway for a
restaurant. Being a senior, he claimed entire charge of these freshmen.

"You not respon--no; it is that you are irresponsible," he said as he
demanded the privilege of paying all expenses. "We will get," he
laughed, "some spaghetti and I show you to eat. You like eet?"

They did. The clean tables and pleasant interior were attractive. The
boys stamped the newly fallen snow from their feet, and opened their
coats to the genial warmth. Then they turned to meet the waiter and
glanced up with something of a shock. Luigi Malatesta stood before them
and addressed them collec