"Yes, about as usual, I guess, practically so." "Better than usual according to Dean Sanford," cheerfully. "He's inclined to brag a little this year, justifiedly, too, one must admit from the attendance." "Yes, the attendance is excellent--among the students. Among the faculty--did the dean seem inclined to brag any on the faculty?" "No; he only talked a few moments." Mr. Gleason produced the big timepiece again hastily. "Nine o'clock. I wonder what can be keeping Elice," he fidgeted. The visitor smiled, an odd smile, neither of bitterness nor yet of amusement. "Not inclined particularly to brag on his faculty, the dean, I gather?" returned Armstrong. The older man straightened. Out of kindness he would retreat so far; but if pursued-- "No, he barely mentioned the faculty, as I remember." "Not even the professor of chemistry?" The horn-rimmed glasses had left their owner's nose and, as they had a way of doing when the old man was abstracted, swung like a pendulum from his fingers. "Not even the professor of chemistry?" repeated Armstrong. Very quietly the older man held his ground, very steadily. "Just what is it you wish to know, Steve?" he asked directly. "You gathered, of course, it was a board meeting I referred to--and confidential naturally. I think I need say no more." "No, no more, certainly. I was merely curious to know if you knew. You've satisfied my curiosity, I believe." "Satisfied! I'm afraid you're taking a bit for granted. I repeat, if you'll tell me explicitly what you wish--" "I was mistaken, then, after all," with a peculiar direct look. "You don't really know, Sanford didn't announce--I'm surprised. I never fancied he'd miss the opportunity. It's superhuman repression!" For fully half a minute Mr. Gleason said nothing; then at the interrupting sound of footsteps in the storm vestibule, followed an instant later by the click of a latch-key, he leaned suddenly toward the younger man. "That's Elice now," he said. The voice was almost childishly hurried and curious. "What was it that you wondered I didn't know, that Sanford didn't announce?" From under shaded lids Armstrong observed the change and smiled. The smile vanished as a shadow passed through the entrance. "I merely marvelled that the dean didn't announce that there would be no professor of chemistry after another week, the close of the present semester," he said evenly. "That is, until a new one is appointed." "Steve!" The old man's face went gray,--gray as the face of a believer whose gods have been offered sacrilege. In the silence the shadow advanced to the doorway of the room itself; very real, paused there waiting, all-seeing, listening. "You mean you're leaving the department then, quitting for good?"