Page:The Winning Touchdown.djvu/89

Rh to make the break I did," ventured Phil, "but I couldn't stand it to see him talking to Ruth."

"Me, either!" declared Tom, so heartily that the other two laughed, and the little strained feeling that had manifested itself passed away.

As they strolled down the corridor the three lads nearly ran into a youth who turned the corner of the hall suddenly.

"I beg your pardon, strangers!" he exclaimed, in a full, rich voice. "I sure didn't see you coming, nor yet hear you. I guess I'm in the wrong pew."

Tom and his chums saw confronting them a tall, well-built lad—big would be the more proper term, for he was big in every way. Six feet if he was an inch, and broad in proportion. He stood regarding them without a trace of embarrassment, a stranger in a strange place, evidently.

For a moment Tom had a wild idea that the mystery of the chair and clock was about to be solved. He had not seen the youth before, and he might be a clever thief who had sneaked into the college.

"What did you want?" asked Phil, quickly.

"And who are you?" demanded Tom.

"I beg your pardon," went on the stranger. "I've just arrived at Randall, and Mr. Zane showed me to my room. I left it and went outside, but when I came in again, either someone took