expect."

"Yes, and that's why I don't like it."

"Why not?" asked Morse.

"It may have a bad effect on the whole school. Class disputes always
do. If a class doesn't hang together------"

"They'll hang------" began Morse, about to perpetrate the old joke of
"hanging separately," when Bruce laughingly interrupted with the remark:

"Now that'll do you. There's a five spot fine for using that classic
so early in the season. But you know what I mean. It won't do to have
class dissension."

"No, you're right. But maybe it will work itself out."

While Bruce and Morse went their ways, Tom and his chums, talking
excitedly, went to Tom's room. He had some new rods and a gun he
wanted to exhibit, but, most of all, he wanted to give his friends the
whole history of the summer's adventures.

"Now go ahead," invited Joe Rooney, when they were all seated, more or
less comfortably, on the beds and chairs in the room of the three
chums. "Let's have the whole yarn."

And Tom began, telling the story of the secret of the old mill. He had
not proceeded far ere there came a knock on the door.

"Come!" invited Tom, after a moment's hesitation, during which he
recalled that, as the term had not officially started, there could be
no danger from prowling monitors, or suspicious professors. The door
opened and Bruce Bennington entered.

"Hello, Bruce, old stock!" greeted Tom, rising and holding out his
hand. "Glad to see you! Here, some of you fellows get up and give one
of our betters a seat."

"Not a one! Not a one!" exclaimed Bruce, holding up a protesting hand.
"The floor's good enough for me."

But several chairs being offered by admiring Sophomores, who knew how
to appreciate one of the best-loved lads in Elmwood Hall, Bruce
accepted a seat.

"Go ahead, Tom," he suggested. "Don't let me interrupt the
festivities. I don't want to be the skeleton at the feast."

"Oh, I was only telling the fellows how Sam and Nick acted this
summer," proceeded our hero. "And, as I was saying," he resumed, "they
captured Bert, Jack and my friend, from home, Dick Jones.

"They sneaked up on 'em while I was away from camp, mauled 'em
something fierce, and tied 'em up. Then they held em prisoners for
several days------"

"On bread and water," interrupted Jack. "Don't forget that, Tommy my
boy!"

"That's right," added Bert with a sorrowful sigh at the recollection.
"I was nearly starved before you rescued us."

"And