“I want to thank you and your brother for what you did for me.  I shall never forget it.  Even were I in a position to do so, I would not insult you by offering you any reward.  You, perhaps, have learned my name, and maybe you are wondering if I am related to Mr. Pelter of Pelter, Japson & Company, of New York City.  Mr. Pelter is my uncle, and for a number of years I made my home with him.  I do not altogether like his way of doing business, and do not uphold him in his dealings with your family.  But he is my uncle, and on several occasions he has assisted me very materially.  For that reason, I think it is best that we do not meet.

“Again thanking you, I remain

“Yours truly,

“Barton Pelter.”

“I guess that explains it,” said Sam, after he, too, had read the communication.  “He didn’t want to face us because of his relationship to Jesse Pelter.”

“I am glad that he doesn’t uphold Jesse Pelter in his actions, Sam.”

“More than likely he would be glad to come and see us in order to thank us in person for what we did for him if it were not for his uncle, and the fact that his uncle has aided him.  You know the old saying, ‘You can’t bite the hand that feeds you.’”

“I wonder if he is still in Ashton?”

“We might telephone to the hotel and find out.”

Later on this was done, and the boys were informed over the wire that Barton Pelter had left early that morning, taking his automobile with him.

“Well, only one week more of the grind,” remarked Sam one morning on arising.  “Aren’t you glad that the closing day is so near?”

“I think I would feel a little better if I knew how I was coming out with my examinations,” returned his brother.

“But, Tom, it won’t make any difference to you, if you are not coming back.”

“That may be, but, just the same, I would like to get as much credit as possible while I am here.”

Some of the examinations had already been held, and others were to come off within the next few days.  As a consequence, the majority of the students were exceedingly busy, so that there was little time for recreation.

Since the Rovers had come to Brill, the college had been endowed with the money to build an observatory.  This structure had now been completed, and the boys took great delight in visiting it and looking through the telescope which it contained.  It stood on the highest hill of the grounds, so that from the top, quite a view of the surrounding country could be had.

“I am going to the observatory,” said Songbird, that evening.  “There is going to be some kind of a transit, and I want to see it.  Either of you fellows want to come along?”

“I can’t,—­ I’ve got a paper to finish up,” returned Sam, who was busy at his writing table.

“I’ll go.  I need a little fresh air,” said Tom, and reached for his cap.