"Handkerchief box! Shades of Koami!" cried Ikey. "That, you dunce, is a box made to----Oh, you tell him, Hashmi, I haven't the heart."

"No, he wants to figure out how much he's made on us," added Andy.

"That box--he is for the retaining of the messages from the departed,"

explained the j.a.panese.

"You mean it's a spiritualist cabinet?" demanded Thad. "I say now, will it do the rapping trick?"

"You misapprehend me," murmured Hashmi. "I mean that you conserve in that the letters your ancestors may have written you. But of a courseness you might put in it your nose beautifiers if you wish, and perfume them."

"Nose beautifiers--he means handkerchiefs," explained Ikey. "It's a bargain--only three dollars."

"I'll take it," spoke Thad. "I know a girl I can give it to. No objection to putting a powder puff in it; is there, Hashmi?"

"Of a surely, no."

More of the wares from the big box were displayed and the two other lads took something. Then Dunk insisted on having another look, and bought several "vawses," as Ikey insisted on calling them.

"They'll look swell in the room, eh, Andy? he asked.

"They sure will. I only hope there's no more rough house or you'll be out several dollars."

"If those rusty sophs smash any of this stuff I'll go to the dean about it!" threatened Dunk, well knowing, however, that he would not.

"Such bargains! Such bargains!" whispered Ikey, as he let them out of the side door, first glancing up and down the dark alley to make sure that no other college lads were lying in wait to demand their share of the precious stuff. The coast was clear and Andy and his chums slipped out, carrying their purchases.

"Are you coming?" Dunk asked of Ikey.

"No, I'll stay and help Hashmi pack up the things. If you want any more let me know."

"Huh! You mean you'll stay and count up how much you've stuck us!" said Dunk. "Oh, well, it looks like nice stuff. But I've got enough for the present. I've overdrawn my allowance as it is."

"Well, we'll leave this junk in your room, Andy, and then go out and have some fun," suggested Thad.

They piled their purchases on the beds in Andy's and Dunk's room in Wright Hall and then proceeded on to Burke's place, an eating and drinking resort for many students.

There was a crowd there when Andy and his chums entered and they were noisily greeted.

"Oh, you Dunk!"

"Over here! Lots of room!"

"Waiter, five more cold steins!"

"None for me!" said Andy with a smile.

"That's all right--he's trying for the team," someone said, in a low tone.

"Oh!"

Through the haze of the smoke of many pipes Andy saw some of the football crowd. They were all taking "soft stuff," which he himself ordered.

Then began an evening of jollity and clean fun. It was rather rough, and of the nature of horseplay, of course, and perhaps some of the lads did forget themselves a little, but it was far from being an orgy.

"I'm going to pull out soon," spoke Andy to Dunk, when an hour or so had pa.s.sed.

"Oh, don't be in a rush. I'll be with you in a little while."

"All right, I'll wait."

Again to Andy had come the idea that he might, after all, prove a sort of "brother's keeper" to his chum.

The fun grew faster and more furious, but there was a certain line that was never overstepped, and for this Andy was glad.

The door opened to admit another throng, and Andy saw Mortimer and several of his companions of the fast set. How Gaffington kept up the pace and still managed to retain his place on the football team was a mystery to many. He had wonderful recuperative powers, though, and was well liked by a certain element.

"h.e.l.lo, Dunk!" he greeted Andy's roommate. "You're looking pretty fit."

"Same to you--though you look as though you'd been having one."

"So I have--rather strenuous practice to-day. Oh, there's the fellow who did me up!" and he looked at Andy and, to our hero's surprise, laughed.

"It's all right, old man--no hard feelings," went on Mortimer. "Will you shake?"

"Sure!" exclaimed Andy, eagerly. He was only too anxious not to have any enmity.

"Put her there! Shake!" exclaimed the other. "You shook me and I shook you. No hard feelings, eh?"

"Of course not!"

"That's all right then. Fellows, I'll give you one--Andy Blair--a good tackier!" and Mortimer raised his gla.s.s on high.

"Andy Blair! Oh, you Andy! Your eye on us!"

And thus was Andy pledged by his enemy. What did it mean?

Faster grew the fun. The room was choking blue with tobacco smoke, and Andy wanted to get away.

"Come on, Dunk," he said. "Let's pull out. We've got some stiff recitations to-morrow."

"All right, I'm willing."

Mortimer saw them start to leave, and coming over put his arm affectionately around Dunk.

"Oh, you're not going!" he expostulated. "Why, it's early yet and the fun's just starting. Don't be a quitter!"

Dunk flushed. He was not used to being called that.