“I am very sorry,” she said. “Father is engaged with some one in the library. The door is closed, and I cannot tell who it is, but from the voice I think it must be one of the students. Won’t you wait? He may be at leisure shortly.” “I have some work to do,” I answered, “so I’ll not wait. My errand was not urgent, so I can call again. I came merely for a brief social visit.” “He will be sorry to miss you, I know,” said Miss Nettie, “and you must come again soon.” “I will, thank you,” was my response. “Good night, Miss Nettie.” “Good night,” she responded; “and tell Mr. Wendell that we are sorry the game came out so badly.” CHAPTER XXIV A TURN OF LUCK I had not retraced my footsteps far when I heard Professor Fuller’s gate open and close. Evidently the caller had taken his departure, and from the manner in which he was following me, I felt confident he must be one of the students. He was walking at about the same pace that I was, keeping some fifty yards behind me. At the entrance to the college grounds I paused long enough for him to come up. It was Len Howard. He either did not see me, or did not want to notice me, for he was going past me with his head bent toward the ground. “Hullo, Howard,” I said. He looked up quickly. His face was somewhat pale and worn; his expression grave and thoughtful. “Hullo, Elder,” he answered. “You were Professor Fuller’s visitor, weren’t you?” “Yes; I have just come from there. I am glad I went. The old governor is very kind.” “You haven’t been telling him――――” “No, no,” answered Howard, interrupting me. “It was not necessary to tell him everything. It would only have distressed him, and――and I couldn’t have gone all over it again. I went to pay him the money I had borrowed, and which Ray gave me this morning. I then merely told him that I had got foolishly into debt, and asked his advice.” “Have you disposed of those town men?” I inquired. “Yes, and a terrible load it lifted off my mind. I have done a lot of hard thinking during the past two days, more than I ever did in my life before, and I have made resolutions that I shall never break.” “I am sure of it, Howard,” I answered, “and I am very glad you got out of your trouble so well.” “What worries me most,” he continued, “is the debt I owe Ray Wendell. As each of my debts is paid I feel this load grow heavier; and while it is a great relief to be rid of these old accounts, I hate to think of all I owe to Ray. I would give anything to be able to pay him promptly, but I don’t know what to do. I am in very moderate circumstances, and my debts amount to a large sum.” “Don’t let it worry you, Howard,” I answered. “I know you will do your best, and so does Ray. Pay him as you feel you can.”