NO CLUES
Gale hastily deposited her own and Phyllis’ books in their room and went
flying downstairs again. Phyllis, out on her new crutches, was waiting
for her on the campus. Together the two slowly made their way to the
home of the Dean. They had seen her leave the office only a few minutes
earlier and hoped she would interview them. Or rather, Gale corrected
her thoughts, let them interview her.
The girls had talked things over long and earnestly. They had let
several days elapse, but now they had decided the best thing to do was
to go to the Dean with the note that had mysteriously appeared in their
room.
Gale proposed to tell the Dean everything that the girls knew or
suspected—things which the Dean, herself, already knew. The attempts on
the Dean had been interpreted by the girls to mean direct attempts to
seriously injure her. Now they wanted to know why. Since someone had
chosen to link them to the mysterious events, by means of that note,
they felt they had a right to share the mystery whatever it was.
Gale was trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together as they walked
along. First there had been the canoe, then the acid hurled from the
Chemistry room window, the candy eaten by Dean Travis’ secretary—and
other things that had come to her ears such as the fire in the Dean’s
home and the stolen funds from the college treasury. But what was it the
girls knew that someone feared? Try as she would, Gale could not think
of a thing that pointed directly to any one person. There was no reason
anyone should suspect the Adventure Girls of being interested in the
Dean’s difficulties.
“It is glorious being able to be about again,” Phyllis sighed as she
rested a moment. “I can hardly wait for the time I’ll be able to play
hockey again.”
“I shouldn’t think you would want to play,” Gale said laughingly.
“You’ve been so brave, Phyl,” she added more seriously.
“Tush!” Phyllis smiled.
But Gale was not deceived. She knew Phyllis well, she knew her friend’s
moods and lately she had recognized the strain Phyllis was under. The
confinement Phyllis had undergone was desperately trying. Phyllis was
active, she was full of life. She had to be doing things, accomplishing
things to be content. If anything should happen to take away Phyllis’
activities and zest for enjoyment, life would not mean much to the girl.
The courage she had displayed these past weeks had been strongly aided
by the knowledge that with patience she would be able to go back to her
old activities again. It was only because she knew her indisposition was
but temporary that Phyllis had been able to bear it so cheerfully.
Gale ran lightly up the steps of the Dean’s home while Phyllis waited.
Steps were difficult for her to negotiate and she would not do it unless
she were certain the Dean would see them.
The maid answered Gale’s ring. She said the Dean was home and would see
them. When the girls were in the living room the Dean entered. She
smiled naturally upon Gale and shook hands with Phyllis.
“I’m delighted to see you about again, Miss Elton.”
“I’m delighted to be about again,” Phyllis said happily.
“Dean Travis, we came to see you because—that is we think——” Gale
paused for breath then continued more resolutely, “The day I towed your
canoe to shore you made me promise not to mention the subject. I
haven’t—generally. Since then I’ve heard of things that have happened
to you. What you said made me think the acid was thrown out the window
that day and——”
The Dean held up her hand for silence. She was staring past Gale. The
Freshman turned. The door behind her was slowly closing.
“Suppose we walk on the campus,” the Dean proposed in a low voice. “We
can be sure there will be no prying ears there.”
“Do you want to wait for us, Phyl?” Gale asked.
“No, indeed!” Phyllis said vigorously. “It may be hard for me to get
around but I won’t remain behind. I’m not going to miss anything.”
The three walked slowly in the direction of the Chemistry Hall in back
of which work was being carried on building the new stables. The workmen
were finished for the day so the girls and the Dean could inspect the
scene while they talked. Lumber was piled high in readiness for the
building, the foundation was already dug and the ground was littered
with implements and discarded stones and bricks.
The three halted near a pile of lumber. No one was in sight, so Gale
continued with the tale she had. When she had finished the Dean looked
at both Gale and Phyllis thoughtfully for a moment before she spoke.
“What you say is true,” she agreed. “Strange things have been happening,
but I see no reason why you should be connected with me.”
“You see,” Phyllis put in, “we have always been mystery fans and we have
been keeping our eyes and ears open. Perhaps someone found out we were
snooping——”
“But we haven’t discovered anything,” Gale said. “Dean Travis, what
about the money that was stolen? Did someone take money from the college
funds?”
The Dean nodded slowly. “Since you know so much I will tell you what
little more there is to be told. Someone, we don’t know who, took
money—cash—from the safe in my office. The balance of the money,
however, is in the bank and quite safe.”
“Haven’t you any idea who might have taken it?” Phyllis pursued.
“Four people have the combination, and I am convinced that each one is
trustworthy. About the other occurrences—you already know as much as
I.”
“Why did Professor Harris give up her position as Dean?” Gale asked
suddenly. She had for a long time been thinking that the former Dean
might be trying to revenge herself upon the new head for taking her
position.
“She went abroad to live in England, I believe,” Dean Travis said. “She
had been planning it for quite a while.”
“And then you were appointed,” Gale murmured.
“Wasn’t there an election or something?” Phyllis asked. “Wasn’t there
anyone else trying for the position the same time as you?”
“I believe there was,” the Dean smiled. “Are you trying to make me
believe that my rival for the position has sworn revenge? No, girls, I
don’t think that is possible.”
“What does Doctor Norcot think about these things?” Gale asked.
“She is at quite a loss to explain them,” the Dean murmured.
“The day she ran back to the Chemistry room—she saw no one?” Gale
continued hopefully. “I’m sorry, Dean, this sounds like a cross
examination, doesn’t it? We are being terribly nosey, but it is only
because we are so interested.”
“Since someone is sending us notes it makes us all the more curious,”
added Phyllis. “I would like to know who sent us that note.”
“Do you have it with you?” the Dean asked.
Gale pulled it from her coat pocket and unfolded it.
“You see,” she said, “it is typewritten so there is no danger of
recognizing the handwriting.”
“About every other person at Briarhurst has a portable typewriter,”
Phyllis frowned. “We are absolutely stumped for clues.”
“Aren’t you afraid to stay here with so many things happening?” Gale
asked the Dean.
The Dean shook her head smilingly. “I’ve been entrusted with this
position and I am going to see it through to the best of my ability. I
am going to make Briarhurst an even finer and larger college than it
already is. That is, of course, with the coöperation of the girls.”
“You have our coöperation,” Phyllis said promptly. “All the Adventure
Girls and some others are keenly interested in everything you
propose—the new organ for the chapel, the new and different classes,
the horses for spring riding, all of them. It will be really wonderful.
I’ve always wanted to ride well,” she continued softly.
The Dean tapped Phyllis’ crutch. “Doctor Norcot tells me it will be only
a week or so and you won’t have to use these any more. I’m glad.”
“So am I,” Phyllis said vigorously. “I——”
Her words froze in a cry of horror on her lips. The pile of lumber
against which Gale and the Dean were leaning was tottering. Phyllis
threw herself forward, shoving and dragging Gale and the Dean clear, but
in so doing was herself caught in the avalanche of lumber as it toppled
down upon them.