"Yes, she'll look a little better for a bit of attention, I think," said Andy, half aloud. "Though I don't know as I can bat any better with it." He gave two or three preliminary swings in the air, when the door suddenly opened, a head was thrust in and Andy gave it a glancing blow. "Wow! What's that for?" the newcomer gasped. "A nice way to receive company, Andy! Where'd you learn that?" "I beg your pardon, Bob, old man!" exclaimed Andy, as he recognized Hunter, Dunk's friend. "I was just getting out my bat to see how it felt and----" "I can tell you how it felt," interrupted Bob, with emphasis. "It felt hard! Better put up a sign outside your door--'Beware of the bat.'" "And have the fellows think this is a zoological museum," laughed Andy. "I will not. But, Bob, I'm very sorry you got in the way of my stick. Does it hurt? Want any witch hazel or anything like that?" "Oh, no, it isn't so worse. Good thing I wear my hair long or I might have a headache. But say--where's Dunk?" "He was with me a little while ago. We stopped in the postoffice, and I thought he came on here. But he didn't. Have you seen him?" "No, but I want to. Gaffington and his crowd are going to have another blow-out to-night, and I wanted to make sure Dunk wouldn't fall by the wayside." "That's so. Glad you told me. I'll do all I can. But say, he and I have had a strenuous time to-day." "What's up?" asked Bob. "I've been so blamed busy getting primed for a quiz that I haven't had time to eat." "It's about the robberies--the quadrangle thefts," explained Andy. "They arrested Link Bardon." "What! Your farmer friend?" "Yes. Dunk and I bailed him out." "Good for you! Now I suppose the thefts will stop." "Not necessarily," returned Andy, quickly. "Link wasn't the thief." "He wasn't? Then why did they pinch him? Of course I don't know anything about it, and if he's your friend, why, of course, you have a right to stick up for him." "Oh, it isn't that so much," explained Andy. "I don't know him very well; but I'm sure he isn't guilty of the thefts. There are some queer circumstances about them, but I'm sure they can all be explained." "Well, it's your funeral--not mine," said Bob, with a shrug of his shoulders. "I wonder where Dunk is. I think I'll go hunt him up." "All right, bring him back here when you come," urged Andy. "Yes, and I suppose you'll stand ready to greet us with a club--you cheerful reception committee!" laughed Bob. "Well, I'll see you later." Andy sat down, placing his bat across his knees. "So Gaffington is going to give another spread, eh?" he mused. "That's queer--on top of the news mother sends in her letter. What did I do with it?" He found it after looking through a mass of papers in his pockets, and read it again. Following its receipt at the college branch postoffice Andy had imparted the news to Dunk. Then the latter, meeting a friend, had walked off with him, while Andy came on to his room.