CHAPTER XVIII
A NEW PLAY IS TRIED OUT
Clif didn't take Walter Treat into his confidence
that night. Not that he didn't thoroughly
trust Walt's discretion, but there was
no sense in taking chances. He wanted to stay awake,
and listen for sounds outside or in the Hall that would
announce Tom's surreptitious return; for Loring's absolute
confidence in Wattles's powers of persuasion had
ultimately convinced Clif that Tom would return; but
after a heroic effort lasting some fifteen or twenty
minutes he had to give it up, and when Tom's fortunes
again engrossed his mind, it was twenty-two
minutes past seven on Friday morning. Clif made a
record toilet, and was on his way to Number 34 before
Walter was more than half dressed. Billy Desmond
was alone in the room when Clif got there, but a mere
glance at Tom's tumbled bed told the story.
"All right?" whispered Clif hoarsely.
"Guess so", Billy chuckled. "He's gone to wash. All I know is that he was in bed when I woke up, and I had the dickens of a time getting him out. He's still half asleep."
Tom staggered in a moment later, looking rather haggard, and very, very sleepy. His greeting to Clif was a wan smile, but while he struggled into his clothes
