ogether the two girls in their
flannel robes scuttled out of Number 83 and down the two flights to the
lower hall.

There was a light in the principal's office. When Nancy and Jennie went
in Madame Schakael was sitting at her broad desk. It was not yet
midnight.

"I was sorry to break up your party, Nancy," said the little lady, with
a quiet smile. "But it seemed necessary."

"Oh, Madame! did you know----"

"I was kindly told by one of your classmates," said the Madame, grave
again. "I am sorry it so happened. I do not encourage meannesses of any
kind at Pinewood Hall. The tattler is one of the most abominable of our
trials.

"As for the breaking of the rules by girls who wish to stuff themselves
with goodies after hours, I have little to say. A junior who is
president of her class, and on the road to being one of our most
prominent pupils, knows best what she wishes to do."

"Oh, Madame! Forgive me!" begged Nancy, greatly troubled. And even
Jennie saw nothing humorous in the incident.

"You are forgiven, Miss Nelson," said Madame Schakael, cheerfully. "I
expect, however, my junior and senior girls to help rather than hinder
the general deportment of the school. And 'orgies' after hours do not
set the younger girls a good example.

"However," said the principal, kindly, "this was not my object in
calling you down, as I said before. A telegram has arrived for you. I do
not understand it, but perhaps you will. Here is the evening paper--it
in part solves the mystery. But who, my dear, signs himself or herself
'Scorch'?"

"Scorch!" gasped both Nancy and Jennie together.

The Madame pushed the yellow slip of paper toward the startled Nancy.
She read at a glance what it contained:

"Come to Garvan's Hotel at once. G. in bad way.
See P. & O. accident. --Scorch."

"Scorch is Mr. Gordon's office boy," said Nancy, trembling.

"And 'G.' stands for Mr. Gordon," whispered Jennie, looking over her
chum's shoulder.

The Madame had rustled open the paper and now displayed the front page
to the eyes of the girls. Spread upon it was the account of a terrible
accident on the P. & O. Railroad. At the top of the list of injured,
printed in black type, was:

"Henry Gordon, lawyer, Cincinnati, seriously."

CHAPTER XXVII

THE MAN IN GRAY AGAIN

"Do you understand it, Nancy?" asked the principal, quietly.

"Oh, yes, Madame!"

"I suppose it is natural for them to send for you