around the campus of Elmwood Hall. "I thought I'd meet Bert Wilson or
Jack Fitch on my way up, but I missed 'em. How are you, anyhow?"

"Fit as a fiddle. Say, you're looking as if you had enjoyed your
vacation."

"I sure did! You're not looking bad yourself. Able to sit up and take
nourishment, I guess."

"You've struck it, Tom. But what did you do with yourself all summer?"

"Jack, Bert and another chum of mine went camping, and, believe me, we
had some times!"

"So I heard. I had a letter from Jack the other day. He mentioned
something about a secret of the mill, the crazy hermit and all that
sort. Say, but you did go some."

"That's right. It was great while it lasted. How about you?" and Tom
looked at his friend, Morse Denton, anxious to hear about his good
times.

"Oh, I went with my folks to the shore. Had a pretty good
summer--motorboating, canoeing with the girls, and all that. But I got
a bit tired of it. I came back early to get some of the football
material into shape for this fall," and Morse Denton, who had been
captain of the Freshman eleven, and who was later elected as regular
captain, looked at Tom, as if sizing him up as available pigskin
material.