ll me what you've got up your sleeve, Horatio," snapped Hugh, "and
quit giving all these dark hints. You know something connected with
K.K. that perhaps no one else does."

"Guess I do, Hugh; for he confided in me, and told me not to say
anything to the rest. Oh, how foolish it was for K.K. to think he
could do that big job two days in succession; but he said he was
feeling equal to nearly anything; and just had to make the try,
since the notion had gripped him. But come on over to my den, Hugh,
and I'll tell you all about it. Then you must decide what's best
to be done; and say, I hope you can soothe Mrs. Kinkaid a bit in
the bargain."

Ten seconds later and the two boys found themselves ensconced in the
room Horatio called his "den," although it was also his sleeping
apartment. But he had fixed it as near like a boy's ideal of a
lounging-place could be, the walls carrying the customary college
pennants and a great variety of other things besides that gave them
a rather crowded appearance. Evidently Horatio believed it added
to the charm, for he never entered that "sanctum" without an involuntary
smile of appreciation.

Horatio closed the door softly after him. Hugh had also noticed how
he did this just as carefully when admitting him to the front hall;
and as though he expected that this must have aroused a certain amount
of curiosity, Horatio hastened to explain.

"You see, the poor woman is so excited, and in such a nervous condition,
that she jumps up at the sound of a door closing, and starts to rush
out into the hall, believing that Justin has got back home and hurried
over to acquaint her with the joyous fact. Each time her
disappointment leaves her worse than before. She will be needing
Doctor Cadmus if this keeps on, as sure as anything."

"Well, what is it you want to tell me, Horatio?" demanded Hugh, not
even taking the trouble to drop down into the chair the owner of the
"den" shoved toward him; for it seemed as though he must soon be on
the jump---there was evidently something hanging over their heads,
which would be needing prompt attention.

"Why, it's just this, Hugh," began the other. "K.K. took a foolish
notion he'd like to say he'd one over the full course just for practice.
And, Hugh, he told me he meant to make use of the short-cut that
crosses the old haunted quarry!" Hugh started, and looked serious.

"Then, if anything has happened to K.K., it just have been while
he was cross