An elderly servant answered his summons, and looked very much surprised at observing a good-looking youth standing on the steps. Tom asked to see Miss Philock, and the servant, after shutting the door, and audibly locking it, walked away. "They must be terribly afraid of me," thought Tom, but further musings were put to an end by the arrival of the preceptress herself. "What do you want, young man?" she asked, and her voice sounded like some file rasping and scraping. "I wish to deliver a message to Miss Ruth Clinton," was Tom's answer. "Who are you?" "I am Thomas Parsons, of Randall College." "Are you any relation to Miss Clinton?" "No; but I room with her brother, and he was slightly hurt in football practice to-day. He wanted me to tell her that it was nothing serious. He also has a letter from his father, that he wished me to deliver." Miss Philock fairly glared at Tom. "That is a very ingenious and plausible answer," said the elderly lady slowly. "I have had many excuses made to me by young gentlemen as reasons for sending messages to young ladies under my care, but this one is the most ingenious I have ever received." "But it's true!" insisted Tom, who perceived that his story was not believed. "That's what they all say," was the calm answer of Miss Philock. Tom was nonplused. He hardly knew what reply to make. "You are evidently a stranger to our rules," went on Miss Philock. "You must go away at once, or I shall notify the proctor," and she was about to close the door. "But," cried Tom desperately, "I have a message for Miss Ruth Clinton!" "Are you a relative of hers?" again asked the preceptress coldly. "No; not exactly," spoke Tom slowly. "That's the way they all say it," she went on. "If you are not a relative you can send her no message." "But can't you tell her what I've told you?" asked the 'varsity pitcher. "She may worry about her brother, and he wants her to have this letter from her father." "How do I know she has a brother?" asked Miss Philock sternly. "I am telling you." "Yes, I know," frigidly. "Other young men have called here to see the young ladies under my charge, and they often pretend to be brothers and cousins, when they were not." "I am not pretending." "I don't know whether you are or not, sir. It has been my experience that you can never trust a young man. I shall have to bid you good evening, though I do you the credit to state that your plan is a very good one. Only, I am too sharp for you, young man. You can send no message to Miss Clinton or any other young lady student under my charge." The door was almost shut. Tom was in despair. At that moment he caught sight of a girlish figure in the hall behind the preceptress. It was Madge Tyler. "Oh, Madge--Miss Tyler!" he cried impulsively, "will you tell Miss Clinton that her brother is not badly hurt. That is, in case she hears any rumors. His shoulder is dislocated, but he's all right."