"I wish I could go, but I can't," replied Stonewell, decidedly. "I've an engagement I can't break." "Oh, rats, chuck your tailor for once--your measure will keep. But now I'll give you some information that will bring you along with us--Nellie Strong is with the Blunts; she arrived this morning and is going to stay over for graduation. Now will you come?" "I can't, Bob, but I'll be out to the Blunts' house to-night." "Pshaw, I counted on your going--what is your engagement; can't you put it off?" "I really wish I could, but it's imperative; there's nothing pleasant about it--I may tell you about it later--I can't now." "It seems to me you've been getting an extra lot of letters lately, Stone." "Yes, more than I wish for," rejoined Stone rather bitterly. "Helen and I went walking that Sunday afternoon, the Sunday you and I had intended going across the river. First Helen had an errand to do on Conduit Street and right ahead of us you were walking along. You went into a big yellow house." Stonewell gave a start. "Well," he said, "what of it?" "Look here, Stone, old chap, you have something on your mind that's bothering you terribly. Is there no way I can help you; will it do you no good to talk things over with me?" "Bob, I can't talk; I don't pretend I'm not worried, but I just can't unburden my mind, not even to the best friend a man ever had," replied Stonewell huskily, with almost a break in his voice. He walked away from his roommate with agitated face, and gloomily looked out upon the waters of Chesapeake Bay. Loud were the expressions of disappointment from Robert's friends when he told them Stonewell could not join them on their trip. They all got aboard the steam launch, which immediately started up the Severn River; the day was pleasant and all were in high spirits. The Severn River is most picturesque in its scenery. High, densely-wooded banks, irregular in outline, line its shores, and there are many indentations of little bays that lead into the river. Three miles above its mouth the Severn widens into Round Bay, a sheet of water several miles in diameter. And above this and emptying into it is a narrow stream, which is still called Severn River. The launch steamed through Round Bay, and then entered this narrow stream. "Isn't this beautiful?" cried Robert. "Just look at this winding little river; I wonder how far up we can go. Say, coxswain, how far up this river can we steam?" "If I knew the channel I could take you up to Indian Landing, sir," answered the coxswain; "some of our steamers have been up that far; but I don't know the channel, sir; I'm afraid we'll go aground at any minute." "Well, can't you follow that gasoline launch ahead of us? The fellow in it probably knows the channel." "Yes, sir, I can do that."