And Martin Proctor, sitting on the top step outside, read. He read at some length, too. He started in with a list of Alton Academy graduates who had attained national prominence. The list included a Secretary of State, two Chief Justices, three United States Senators, numerous congressmen and a wealth of smaller fry. When he had finished Harmon inquired: “No Presidents or Vice-Presidents?” “I haven’t graduated yet,” replied Martin cheerfully. “Now I’ll read you something from the report of the Board of Overseers.” “What for? What do I care about the Board of Overseers?” “Joe told me to.” When that was done Martin paused for comment, got none and began a flattering description of the Carey Gymnasium. Inside, Harmon leaned against the wall and grinned. A brief summary of scholarships and a statement to the effect that the Academy roster of year before last represented thirty-nine states of the Union, two territories and three foreign countries completed the programme. “Joe said I was to ask you if you’d made up your mind,” announced Martin then. “You tell him to give you an evening paper to read the next time,” replied Harmon. “Say, why don’t you?” asked Martin persuasively. “Honest, Harmon, you’ll like Alton a heap better than Kenly.” “You go back and ask Myers what he’s going to say to the faculty when I get out of here and tell my story!” “Oh, we’ve got that fixed all right,” chuckled Martin. “Well, I’ve got to be getting down to supper.” “Hold on there! When do I eat?” “I don’t know. You see, if we opened the door to give you anything you might try to get out!” “You think so, do you?” asked Harmon grimly. “Well, you’ve got more sense than I thought you had! How long does supper run?” “Until seven. It’s ten minutes past six now.” “Listen, Porter--” “Proctor’s my name, old chap.” “Proctor, then. Look here, now. If you’ll open that door and let me out I’ll keep quiet about this. You can tell the others that--that I asked to see that catalogue and that you went to hand it in and I knocked you down.” “Yes, and they’d believe it, wouldn’t they?” asked Martin scornfully. “Think of something better, please! Besides, I’m just as much interested in saving you from your career of crime as they are, Harmon. Why, I’d never forgive myself if I left one turn unstoned! We’re trying to save you from yourself, old chap!” “You’d much better be thinking about saving yourselves,” answered Harmon, laughing. “Did you laugh then?” called Martin eagerly. “Sure. It struck me as funny. You’ll see the joke later.” “I’ll send Joe up. He said if you sounded like you were in a good temper--”