“It did, though I don’t doubt that he’s burned the paper before now. Just how it was taken bewilders me. I was out last night, yes, and in a bunch of fellows at the class meeting. You know we’re getting up something of a surprise on the seniors, in the shape of the annual supper and dance which the juniors give to the graduating class. Lef was there, but he avoided me all night. The only fellow I could suspect would be that sneak, Asa Barnes, who seemed to want to be unusually confidential with me. And doubtless he swiped the paper at some time when I wasn’t paying much attention; for I’ve been told that he can play all the sleight of hand tricks of a magician.” “Paper--you keep saying that, and I don’t understand?” expostulated Ralph. “No more you do, Ralph. And I’m going to tell you now, only it’s to be a dead secret between us.” “I’ll never repeat a word of it without your permission,” remarked Ralph; at the same time thinking how strange it was that his companion kept pushing this matter forward ahead of the affair that concerned him, Ralph, so deeply. “You remember Professor Parke telling about the anonymous note he received?” “Why, of course; and is that the paper you mean? What were you keeping it for, and why should Lef want to get hold of it?” asked Ralph, quickly. “Oh! you’re a little too rapid. Listen. On that paper was a little blur. I made it out to be the mark of some one’s left thumb, and the professor agreed with me.” “What! did that have anything to do with what you were telling us Thursday afternoon in the gym about finger prints, and all that stuff?” flashed the astonished freshman. “Everything to do with it, since that was only a little dodge of mine to get Lef Seller to make a plain impression of his left thumb. And, Ralph, it corresponded exactly with the mark on the paper!” “Well, I declare, you do wonderful things, Frank! I never heard of anything quite so clever as that. Did you accuse him of it when he went in the lunch room?” “Yes. Of course he denied it first. Then I told him how I knew. He knocked the tray that carried the imprint of his hands, on the floor, and defied me; but I simply stated that he could be made to show the print of his thumb at any time by the Head!” “Good! What did he do then?” continued the eager Ralph. “Knuckled down and pleaded with me not to give him away. Promised to turn over a new leaf and all that,” said Frank, shrugging his shoulders. “But you surely didn’t believe him?” “No, but you see I couldn’t find it in me to tell on him, as it would mean his being expelled. But Lef knew that he was in my power just so long as I held that paper with the thumb-print on it.” “I see. And, slippery customer that he is, he hired that other scamp to steal it out of your pocket. That was an easy thing for Asa to do, if all they say about his palming is true. Then it’s gone, as you say!” dolefully remarked Ralph.