CHAPTER XI
THE FIRST BREAK
"Say, where in the name of Diogenes's lantern have you been, Tom?"
"Yes, come in you musty old deserter, and give an account of yourself. You've been away so long that you must have forgotten the countersign."
"It was a girl, fellows—I can smell the perfumery!"
Thus Sid, Phil and Frank greeted the advent of our hero into the common room, soon after he had left Boswell. Tom's brain had been so busy with so many thoughts, after the sight of that torn handkerchief, that he had eaten scarcely any supper, though his appetltie just before that had been of the best.
"Shove over; can't you?" was all Tom said to Phil, who was stretched out on the old sofa.
"Sure I can. What's the matter? Got a grouch!"
"No, but I'm dead tired."
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