“Maybe—­if I’m asked.”

“Oh, you’ll be asked all right,” laughed Morse.  “Did you expect Bert and Jack would be here?”

“I didn’t know but what they might.  I haven’t seen ’em for the last two weeks.  After we closed our camp Bert went up in the country, where his folks were stopping, and Jack took a little coasting trip on a fishing boat.  We were to meet here, but they must be delayed.  However, school doesn’t open for a day or so.  But I want to get my place in shape.”

“Good idea.  That’s what I did.  Well, here we are,” Morse added as the two came opposite a large building.  “Let’s go in and see what Old Balmy has in stock.”

They advanced into the dormitory, being met in the lower hall by a pleasant-faced German who greeted them with: 

“Ach!  Goot afternoons, gentlemans.  Und it iss rooms vat you are seeking?”

“Rooms it is, Herr Balmgester,” replied Morse.  “My friend, Tom Fairfield, here, wants that big one next to mine.”

“Vat!  Dot large room for one lad?”

“Oh, I’ve got two friends coming,” explained Tom.  “I had a double room over in the Ball and Bat,” he added, referring to the Freshman dormitory, “but there’ll be three of us here.”

“Ach!  Dot iss goot!  Two boys makes troubles,” and the German monitor of the Sophomore dormitory held up two fingers.  “Three is besser—­vat one does not vant to do ven der oder two does makes like a safety-valve; ain’t it yes?” and he laughed ponderously.

“Oh, we’ll be good,” promised Tom, with a wink at Morse.  “Let’s see the room.”

It proved all that could be desired in the way of a study and sleeping apartment for three healthy, fun-loving lads, and Tom at once signed for it, feeling sure that his two chums, when they did arrive, would approve of his choice.

“Well, now that’s done, come on into town, and I’ll treat you to ice cream,” invited Morse, for though it was late in September the day was warm.  “I’m in funds now,” went on the football captain, “and I may not be—­later,” he added with a grim smile.

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Tom, hesitatingly.  “I rather thought I’d hang around.  Maybe Jack or Bert will come, and—­”

“They can’t get here until the five o’clock train, now,” declared Morse.  “You’ve got time enough to go to town and be back again.  Come ahead.”

“All right,” assented Tom.  “Wait until I get the porter to fetch my trunk from the station.”

The check having been given to the porter, Tom and his chum strolled toward the trolley line that would take them into the small city of Elmwood.

“Here comes the human interrogation point!” exclaimed Morse, when they were almost at the trolley line.

“I thought he wasn’t coming back to school,” remarked Tom, looking around.

“He did say he wasn’t, but I guess his folks made him.  He wanted to branch out for himself and be a lawyer, I believe.  He sure would be great on cross-examining witnesses with the way he asks questions,” finished Morse with a laugh.