At breakfast Tom was strangely cheerful and ate a hearty repast. Yet nothing had happened to better the situation, and Clif was puzzled. Of course if Tom had decided to accept conditions philosophically, and make the best of them, Clif was pleased, but there was something in the other’s manner, a sort of under surface excitement, that prevented Clif from being quite satisfied with that explanation. And then, too, Tom was so casual when Clif detained him in the corridor after breakfast. His replies to the other boy’s questions were brief and vague. Yes, he was going to see “Cheese” right now. And “Cocky” afterward. That theme? Well, yes, he might have a go at that later. When Clif called “Good luck!” after him as he turned down the corridor he said: “Thanks, old son,” and waved a hand almost gayly. The interview with Mr. Parks was not disappointing only because Tom had not hoped that anything would come of it. The French instructor firmly refused to interfere in the matter, and even managed to make Tom feel that he had committed a breach of ethics in proposing such a course. Not, however, that Tom troubled about it. He thanked “Cheese” most courteously――so courteously, in fact, that the instructor frowned suspiciously――and withdrew. Several times during the forenoon Clif ran across him in the corridors, and at two recitations they occupied adjacent seats, and Clif’s puzzlement increased rather than diminished. Tom neither looked nor acted his part. Clif confided the fact to Loring, adding uneasily: “He’s up to something, and I’ll bet it’s something crazy. I wish I knew what.” The Scrub did not choose a new captain. There was the chance that Tom would square himself with the Office and return to his duties, and so the Scrub sent word to Tom to appoint a temporary leader and Tom’s choice was Johnny Thayer, the fullback. That afternoon the First had very little trouble with the Scrub, and scored three times, holding its own goal-line inviolate. Tom’s absence, both as halfback and captain, was felt. With a game against Minster High School two days off the Scrub’s showing that Thursday afternoon wasn’t encouraging. Loring returned to East after the day’s practice was over, a little disappointed. Not because of the Scrub’s rather sorry exhibition, but because he had hoped that Mr. Babcock would try out his forward-pass play in practice, and Mr. Babcock hadn’t done it. Loring supposed that Tom’s absence from the team had prevented, and concluded that he would have to wait until next season for a test of the play. Loring was still eating supper when Clif, looking much disturbed, was admitted by Wattles. “He wasn’t in dining hall,” announced the visitor, “and I’ve looked all over the place for him! He hasn’t been here, has he?” “Tom? No, I haven’t seen him since noon. He’s around somewhere, though, of course!” “Yes,” agreed Clif but without conviction. “Just the same, it’s not like him to miss a meal. He’s never done it before.”