The Mystery of Arnold Hall

!" called Patricia franticall

eir room, trying to cra

ously. "We want to wear out the battery b

ang, and stuffed her fingers into her ears, while Anne did

exclaimed, viewing th

ithdrawing her fingers from ears. "What do

think they're plannin

oy?" que

o," said Mar

Hazel and Clarice, taken a fancy to them, and subsequently invited them to her home several times. She entertained lavis

l got to do with it

e back door is opened-and they find some way to have said back door

ate with Clarice all of a sudden," m

feather,"

s just like Clarice!" pr

, and both let their studying go until the eleventh hour; furthermore, Hazel is terribly restles

r both of them, I think; and perhaps pa

quired Ma

part, and Rose's parties are somewhat stimulating, I imagine; mor

ing, about tonight, I

ve we to object if those two silly kids wan

tled down upon the house, just as Mrs. Vincent e

puzzled, "how will they manage to

ater than usual. Doll will give it, and go to bed at the regular time. Then, with the back door key, which I suppose

s some stand-in with

enough for it,

mean?" inqu

rs, or candy, and naturally it makes an '

from the street lamp, she could distinguish Clarice and Hazel. Evidently they could not get in, and had used a flash light to attract her attention. How to let them know that she saw them, without making any noise, was a problem which she solved by passing a handkerchief back and forth near the screen, hoping that its whiteness would be visible against the dark background of the room. Frantic gestures toward the back door answered her efforts. They must have forgotten the key. Creeping noiselessly toward her door, Patricia succeeded in opening it quietly and stealing down the hall without arousing anyone. Fortunately, the door into the narrow passage leading to the

ged Hazel the following noon, as they left the house with the

ck of the restaurant, after their o

rned white of you to let us in last

atricia, playing with the salt cellar nerv

life. Rose's party was all right. We had fun, out, after

use?" exclai

l no

found a big crowd, and had trouble getting tables together. Luckily Clarice and I, and a c

nd a match on the table to sho

re half an hour whe

icia, with horror in

two fellows who were with us hustled us quietly out of the side

said Patricia gravely. "Did

ell me it wa

rtainl

in?" demanded Ha

ister's. Only for a kind Providence, you and Clarice might have been included,

nally. "This is the last time I'

u, Hazel. You haven't the time or money to go with anyone lik

ilent so long, that Patricia began

y. "I'll give her up, even though I supp

d Patricia heartily, beg

t pause, "that the college authorities will hear

he others were all out

; at Kleg's I s

ricia sharply, recalling Jack'

He was at a table half way down the room;

dn't

ho

peated Patricia

l no

minute's thought. "It's awfully queer, but since we can't understand it, t

rse not. I

r job. She said something one day ab

er?" continued Hazel, scraping up

with Clarice quite often of late. I

e, as long as she had somebody to step out with. It's a case of some boy with her, not an

ving the next stall, picked up

ured Hazel, glanc

, she looked full into the pa

ing first at Hazel and then at Patricia

cia briefly, when Ha

you, if you don't mind," continued th

he began to talk abo

lso among the townsfolk. Greystone has a player almost as famous as our Dunn, and the bett

out?" inquired Hazel sharply, wh

only mentioning an improbable chance of such a thing. But, if he wer

place is Greysto

are just as loyal to their college as we are

t in for part of the game?" asked Patricia anxiousl

boy, looking straight into Patricia'

the gridiron goss

I'm neither coa

ce a lot," said Patricia

know?" he in

er know anything to be kept q

her for a moment, then replie

, and the girls left Norman at the steps w

rried along the hall toward their classroom. "Do you suppose he heard what we wer

g very low," replied Patricia kind

chattered Hazel, trying to control

t by getting wrought up over it; but I think we'll just take it for granted that

possibly being out of the game. Had Joe some secret influence which might, at the last minute, result in Tut getting his chance? Did Norman have som

onnell's smooth voice broke into he

promptly; then realized, too late,

Crimson with embarrassment, Patricia slid as low in

le as he passed a long white hand over his star-like hair. "T