Payner snickered. "Did they send you?" "No, they didn't. That is, not really and officially. I'm just making inquiries in the general interest of peace." Payner sniffed. "What business is it of yours?" Owen hesitated. "Oh, I'd like to help both sides. I don't want to see either suffer." "I'm not suffering, I can tell you that. I didn't begin this thing, and I'm not going to cry baby. Those fellows attacked me without any kind of provocation, sneaked into my room, ripped it up, and damaged a lot of valuable specimens. If they've had enough, the least they can do is to come here and apologize and promise to behave." "And you'll agree to apologize, too?" asked the mediator. "Apologize nothing! I'll tell 'em what I'll do, when they come." Feeling somewhat humble over the failure of his mission, and at the same time more or less persuaded of the justice of Payner's cause, Owen returned to Number 7 and called the Pecks to the door. "Apologize!" cried Donald, when Owen finished his report; "apologize for having eels put in your bed and rats thrown at you? Never!" "We did begin it," observed Duncan, in a less violent tone. "We didn't; he began it," returned Donald. "Didn't he butt in about the Moons' room?" Owen turned away in annoyance. "Do as you please," he said, "but you're fools not to patch up with him some way." Rob sat down at his desk, less disposed to find excuse for the Pecks than ever before. "It's that pig-headed Donald that causes the trouble," he was thinking. "Duncan would settle the thing right off, but he's scared of his brother;" and while his mind was rebelliously following the affairs of the Pecks, and refusing to apply itself on the composition, a knock was heard at the door, and the unfinished work was again shoved into a drawer out of sight. "Hello, Ned!" cried Owen, looking up in surprise as Carle appeared. "Glad to see you," he added cordially; "sit down." His first impression at sight of Carle's serious face was that the pitcher had reconsidered the interview of last week and come to make amends. Otherwise I am afraid his greeting would have been less cordial. "Is your room-mate in?" Carle asked, looking toward the bedroom door. "He's getting his Greek with a fellow downstairs. Do you want him?" "No, I want you. Can you lend me twenty dollars?" Rob knew that he had not twenty dollars on hand, or half that sum, but instead of saying so, he answered by a question:-- "What for?" "I've got to have twenty to settle with a man before to-morrow morning. If I don't ante up he's going to see Graham, and I'll be fired sure." "I'm short," said Owen, wondering what this trouble was about. "I might let you have five." "That isn't enough," replied Carle, evidently disappointed, turning toward the door. "I've got to have twenty anyway. I'll try some one else. Good night." And before Owen had time for further questions, the door closed behind his visitor, and Rob was left alone.