“I’m willing,” answered Tom.  And a little later he entered one of the classrooms and he and Professor Sharp shook hands.  After school Professor Blackie came up and shook hands all around.

“I am glad to know you are exonerated,” said that professor.  “This has taught me a lesson, to take nothing for granted,” he added.

When the truth became known many of the students flocked around the Rovers and Stanley and Songbird, and congratulated them on the outcome of the affair.  Flockley did not show himself for a long time, excepting at meals and during class hours.

“He feels his position keenly,” said Dick.  “Well, I hope he turns over a new leaf.”

“A telegram for Richard Rover,” said one of the teachers to the boys a few days later.

“Wonder what’s up now?” mused Dick as he tore open the yellow envelope.  He read the slip inside.  “Hurrah!  This is the best news yet!” he cried.

“What is it?” asked Tom and Sam.

“The injunction against the Stanhopes and the Lanings is dissolved by the court.  They can keep the fortune.  Tad Sobber has had his case thrown out of court!”

“Say, that’s great!” ejaculated Tom, and in the fullness of his spirits he turned a handspring.

“I reckon that’s the end of Mr. Tad Sobber,” said Sam.  But the youngest Rover was mistaken.  Though beaten in court, Sobber did not give up all idea of gaining possession of the fortune, and what he did next will be related in another volume, to be called “The Rover Boys Down East; Or, The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune.”  In that book we shall also meet Jerry Koswell and Bart Larkspur once more, and learn how they tried again to injure our friends.

But for the time being all went well, and the Rover boys were exceedingly happy.  As soon as possible they met the girls and all spent a happy half day in taking another ride in an automobile.  From Flockley they gradually learned how Koswell and Larkspur had done many mean things, including putting the glass in the roadway, and using the pencil box out of Tom’s dress-suit case.

“Vacation will soon be at hand,” cried Sam one day, “and then—­”

“Well have the best time ever known,” finished Tom.

“Ah, vacation time,” put in Songbird.  “I have composed some verses about that season.  They run like this—­”

“Not to-day, Songbird,” interrupted Dick.  “I’ve got to bone away at my geometry.”

“Then hurry up, Dick,” said Sam.  “I want you to come and play ball.”

“Ball it is—­in half an hour,” answered Dick.  “And then,” he added softly to himself, “then I guess I’ll write a good long letter to Dora.”

THE END