Among the number to whom nothing was said were the members of the Phi Sigma Tau, and as the morning advanced they became fully aware that something unusual was in the wind.  Several times they caught sight of a folded paper being stealthily passed from one desk to another, but as to its contents they had no idea, as it was not handed to any one of them.

At recess there was more grouping and whispering, and Grace was puzzled and not a little hurt over the way in which she and her friends were ignored.  Such a thing had not happened since the basketball trouble the previous year.

“Eleanor started that paper, whatever it is,” said Nora O’Malley to the Phi Sigma Tau, who stood in a group around her desk.  “She was here when I came in this morning, and I was early, too.  It is some masterpiece of mischief on her part, or she wouldn’t take the trouble to get here on time.”

“Here comes Mabel,” said Jessica.  “Maybe she has seen the paper.  Mabel, dear, did you see that paper that has been going the rounds this morning?”

Mabel nodded.

“What was written on it, Mabel?” asked Grace curiously.

Mabel looked distressed for a moment then she said, “I wish I might tell you all about it, but I gave my word of honor before I read it that I wouldn’t mention the contents to any one.”

“Then, of course, we won’t ask you,” said Anne Pierson quickly.  “But tell us this much—­is it about any of us?”

“No,” replied Mabel.  “It isn’t.  It is something I was asked to sign.”

“And did you sign it?” asked Jessica.

“I certainly did not,” responded Mabel.  “It was——­” she stopped, then flushed.  She had been on the point of telling.  “I am sorry I ever saw it,” she continued.  “I can’t bear to have secrets and not tell you.”

“That’s all right, Mabel,” said Marian Barber, patting her on the shoulder.  “We don’t want you to tell.  If it doesn’t concern us we don’t care, do we, girls?”

“No, indeed,” was the reply.

Just then the bell sounded and the girls returned to their seats with the riddle still unsolved.  Nothing more was seen of the mysterious paper, and Grace came to the conclusion that it had been nothing important, after all.

On Wednesday, aside from a little more whispering and significant glances exchanged among the pupils, not a ripple disturbed the calm of the study hall.  It was therefore a distinct and not altogether pleasant surprise when Miss Thompson walked into the room, dismissed the senior class and requested the three lower classes to remain in their seats.

After the seniors had quietly left the study hall, Miss Thompson stood gravely regarding the rows of girls before her.  Her eyes wandered toward where Eleanor sat, looking bored and indifferent, and then she looked toward Grace, whose steady gray eyes were fixed on the principal’s face with respectful attention.

“I don’t believe Grace is guilty, at any rate,” thought Miss Thompson; then she addressed the assembled girls.