"All right, bring him back here when you come," urged Andy.

"Yes, and I suppose you'll stand ready to greet us with a club--you cheerful reception committee!" laughed Bob. "Well, I'll see you later."

Andy sat down, placing his bat across his knees.

"So Gaffington is going to give another spread, eh?" he mused. "That's queer--on top of the news mother sends in her letter. What did I do with it?"

He found it after looking through a ma.s.s of papers in his pockets, and read it again. Following its receipt at the college branch postoffice Andy had imparted the news to Dunk. Then the latter, meeting a friend, had walked off with him, while Andy came on to his room.

On reaching his apartment, Dunk not having come in, Andy found a notice from the Freshman Athletic Committee, stating that baseball practice would soon start in the indoor cage.

Andy was an enthusiastic player, and had made a good record at Milton.

As a freshman he was not eligible for the Yale varsity nine, but he could play on his cla.s.s team, and he was glad the chance had come to him.

Andy was thinking of many things as he sat there in the room, now and then swinging his bat. But he was careful not to let it go too close to the door, in case other visitors might chance in.

"A whole lot of things have happened since morning," said Andy to himself. "That sure was a strenuous time over poor Link. I wonder what he'll do? Probably the college will fire him from his job. I guess I'll have to see what I can do to get him another. But that won't be easy when it becomes known that he's out on bail on a theft charge.

"Then there's that news about Mortimer. And to think that he's known all along that he might have to leave Yale, yet he's been going on and living as if his father's millions were in a safe deposit box. I wonder----By Jove!" exclaimed Andy, leaping up. "I never thought of that. Why not? If he needs money----"

His train of thought was interrupted by a knock on his door, which had swung shut as Bob Hunter went out.

"Come in!" invited Andy, and he started as Mortimer Gaffington slid in.

Andy gave him a quick glance, but either Mortimer was a good actor, or he did not feel his father's loss of money, providing the news Mrs.

Blair had sent her son was correct.

"h.e.l.lo, Andy," greeted Gaffington, as he slumped into an easy chair.

"Where's Dunk?"

"I don't know. Bob Hunter was just in looking for him. Make yourself at home--he may be in soon." In spite of his dislike of Gaffington, and his fear lest he influence Dunk for evil, Andy could do no less than play the part of host.

"Thanks, I will stay for a while," answered Mortimer. "Been looking for thieves again?" he asked, noting the bat in Andy's hand. He referred to the time when Andy and his two friends had sought an intruder down the corridor, and had only found Mortimer delving in a storeroom.

"No, not this time," laughed Andy. "But the freshman team is going to get together, so I thought I'd get out my fishing tackle, so to speak."

"I see. I guess the varsity indoor practice will start soon. Say, what's this I hear about someone being arrested for the quadrangle thefts?"

"It's true enough," replied Andy, looking sharply at his visitor. "Link Bardon was arrested, and Dunk and I got him bailed out."

"You did!" cried Mortimer, almost jumping from the chair.

"Why, was there anything strange in that?" asked Andy, in surprise.

"I should think so!" exclaimed Mortimer, sharply. "Here the whole college has been upset by a lot of robberies, and your own roommate loses a valuable watch. Then, as soon as the thief is arrested, you fellows go on his bail! Strange? Well, I should say so!"

"I didn't say we went on his bond," spoke Andy, quietly. "Dunk and I only got him a lawyer who arranged for it. But I don't believe Link is guilty."

"Well, that's a matter of opinion," said Mortimer, and there was anger in his voice. "Of course, though, if he's your friend you do right to stick up for him."

"Yes," agreed Andy, "he is my friend. And it's at a time like this that he needs friends."

"Oh, well," said Mortimer, with a shrug of his shoulders, "let's forget it. I wonder what's keeping Dunk?"

"Anything I can do?" asked Andy, wishing Mortimer would leave before Dunk came in. He did not want his chum taken to Burke's for a "won't be home until morning" affair if he could help it.

"No, I want to see Dunk on a personal matter," said the caller. "Guess I won't wait any longer, though," and he arose to go out. Just as he reached the door Dunk came in whistling.

"Anything on?" Andy heard Mortimer ask quickly.

"No. Why?"

"Can I see you a moment outside?"

"Sure. I'll be back in a minute, Andy," said Dunk. "I met Bill Hagan just as I left the postoffice and he wanted me to look at a bull pup he wants to sell."

Dunk and Mortimer walked down the hall. Andy was a little anxious as to what might develop, but he need have had no fears. Dunk returned presently, looking rather grave.

"Did he want you to go to his blow-out?" asked Andy, with the privilege of a roommate.

"Yes, but I'm not going. He wanted some money. Said he was dead broke."

"And yet he's going to blow in a lot. Did you give it to him?"

"What else could I do? When a fellow's down and out that's just the time he needs help."

"That's right," agreed Andy, thinking of Link. "But did Mortimer say anything about his father's losses?"

"Not a thing. Just said he was temporarily broke, and asked for a loan.

I couldn't refuse."

"No, I suppose not. But you must be strapped after putting up for Link.

I know I am. I'm going to telegraph home."

"You needn't. I got a check in the mail to-night and I cashed it. I can lend you some if you want it."

"Well, I may call on you. But say, it's queer about Mortimer, isn't it?"

"Yes, but we don't know all the ins and outs of it yet. Maybe that rumor about his folks losing all they had isn't true."

"Maybe. I'll write home and find out. Say, but I'm tired!"

"So am I! I'm going to stay in to-night."

So it came about that neither Dunk nor Andy went to the little affair Mortimer gave on borrowed money. It was "quite some affair," too, as Bob Hunter reported later, having heard stories about it, and one or two partic.i.p.ants were suspended as a result of their performances after the spread.

After the rather exciting time concerning Link's arrest matters at Yale, as regards the happenings with which this chronicle concerns itself, quieted down. Link's case would not come up for trial for some time.

Meanwhile he was allowed his liberty on bail. He was, of course, discharged from his position.

"But I've got another job," he said to Andy, a day or so later. "That lawyer is a good sort. He helped me. I'm just going to stick here until I prove that I didn't have a hand in those robberies."