“We may be dismissed from here, after all,” said Sam bitterly.

“What a shame!” cried Songbird.  “Oh, if you could only find out who did it, and expose them!”

The boys went back to their classes with heavy hearts.  They saw a number of the other students looking at them questioningly.

Jerry Koswell saw them return, and was much astonished.  Had his plot to put them in disgrace miscarried, after all?  Larkspur, too, was perplexed.  Flockley was a bit relieved, and half hoped the whole matter would blow over and nothing more be heard of it.

The day went by, and the other lads did not see Tom.  But they saw him in the evening, just before supper.

“Well, how did you make out?” asked Dick eagerly.

“Got a vacation,” was Tom’s laconic answer.

“Dismissed?” asked the others in concert.

“No, suspended until Doctor Wallington can investigate the whole matter more thoroughly.  He wanted me to apologize to Sharp, and I said flatly that I wouldn’t do it, because I hadn’t anything to apologize for.  He got mad at first, and threatened me with instant dismissal.  Then I warmed up, and said I was innocent of all wrongdoing, and perhaps I’d be able to prove it some day, and if so, and I was dismissed, I’d sue the college for loss of reputation.  That brought matters to a head, and I guess the doctor saw I was in deadly earnest.  He told me I could consider myself suspended for two weeks, or until he could get to the bottom of the affair.  So I’ve got a holiday.”

“I’m glad you didn’t apologize to Sharp,” said Sam.

“What are you going to do with yourself—­go home?” asked Dick.

“No.  I am going to move to Ashton, and then try to get to the bottom of this matter.”

“The doctor will send a letter home.”

“So will I, and you must do the same.  I think father will believe us.”

Tom left that night, and established himself at the leading hotel in Ashton.

News travels swiftly, and Koswell and his cohorts took care that the girls at Hope should hear the story about the Rovers and Stanley and their supposed disgraceful doings.  Dora, Nellie and Grace could scarcely believe their ears when they heard it.

“This is awful!” murmured Dora, and the tears came to her eyes.

“I don’t believe one word of it!” cried Nellie with spirit.

“But Tom has been suspended,” said Grace.  “And think of poor Sam and Dick!” And her heart sank like lead within her bosom.

“I am going to send Dick a note right away,” said Dora.  “I cannot bear this suspense.”

“But you don’t think Dick is guilty, do you?” asked Nellie.

“No.  But—­but the disgrace!  It is terrible!” And now Dora burst out crying in earnest.

The note from Dora reached Dick the following day, in the afternoon mail.  It was short, but to the point, reading as follows: 

“Dear Dick:  We have just heard something awful about you and Tom and Sam.  Tell us what it means.  Of course we don’t believe you have done anything wrong.