Chapter VII
NO CLUES
Gale hastily deposited her own and Phyllis' books in their room and wentflying downstairs again. Phyllis, out on her new crutches, was waitingfor her on the campus. Together the two slowly made their way to thehome of the Dean. They had seen her leave the office only a few minutesearlier and hoped she would interview them. Or rather, Gale correctedher thoughts, let them interview her.
The girls had talked things over long and earnestly. They had letseveral days elapse, but now they had decided the best thing to do wasto go to the Dean with the note that had mysteriously appeared in theirroom.
Gale proposed to tell the Dean everything that the girls knew orsuspected--things which the Dean, herself, already knew. The attempts onthe Dean had been interpreted by the girls to mean direct attempts toseriously injure her. Now they wanted to know why. Since someone hadchosen 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 walkedalong. First there had been the canoe, then the acid hurled from theChemistry room window, the candy eaten by Dean Travis' secretary--andother things that had come to her ears such as the fire in the Dean'shome and the stolen funds from the college treasury. But what was it thegirls knew that someone feared? Try as she would, Gale could not thinkof a thing that pointed directly to any one person. There was no reasonanyone should suspect the Adventure Girls of being interested in theDean's difficulties.
"It is glorious being able to be about again," Phyllis sighed as sherested a moment. "I can hardly wait for the time I'll be able to playhockey 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'smoods and lately she had recognized the strain Phyllis was under. Theconfinement Phyllis had undergone was desperately trying. Phyllis wasactive, she was full of life. She had to be doing things, accomplishingthings 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 aidedby the knowledge that with patience she would be able to go back to herold activities again. It was only because she knew her indisposition wasbut 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 unlessshe were certain the Dean would see them.
The maid answered Gale's ring. She said the Dean was home and would seethem. When the girls were in the living room the Dean entered. Shesmiled 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----" Galepaused for breath then continued more resolutely, "The day I towed yourcanoe to shore you made me promise not to mention the subject. Ihaven't--generally. Since then I've heard of things that have happenedto you. What you said made me think the acid was thrown out the windowthat day and----"
The Dean held up her hand for silence. She was staring past Gale. TheFreshman turned. The door behind her was slowly closing.
"Suppose we walk on the campus," the Dean proposed in a low voice. "Wecan 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 getaround 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 backof which work was being carried on building the new stables. The workmenwere finished for the day so the girls and the Dean could inspect thescene while they talked. Lumber was piled high in readiness for thebuilding, the foundation was already dug and the ground was litteredwith implements and discarded stones and bricks.
The three halted near a pile of lumber. No one was in sight, so Galecontinued with the tale she had. When she had finished the Dean lookedat 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 havebeen keeping our eyes and ears open. Perhaps someone found out we weresnooping----"
"But we haven't discovered anything," Gale said. "Dean Travis, whatabout the money that was stolen? Did someone take money from the collegefunds?"
The Dean nodded slowly. "Since you know so much I will tell you whatlittle more there is to be told. Someone, we don't know who, tookmoney--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 istrustworthy. About the other occurrences--you already know as much asI."
"Why did Professor Harris give up her position as Dean?" Gale askedsuddenly. She had for a long time been thinking that the former Deanmight be trying to revenge herself upon the new head for taking herposition.
"She went abroad to live in England, I believe," Dean Travis said. "Shehad 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 thereanyone else trying for the position the same time as you?"
"I believe there was," the Dean smiled. "Are you trying to make mebelieve that my rival for the position has sworn revenge? No, girls, Idon'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?" Galecontinued hopefully. "I'm sorry, Dean, this sounds like a crossexamination, doesn't it? We are being terribly nosey, but it is onlybecause 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 ofrecognizing 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?" Galeasked the Dean.
The Dean shook her head smilingly. "I've been entrusted with thisposition and I am going to see it through to the best of my ability. Iam going to make Briarhurst an even finer and larger college than italready is. That is, of course, with the cooeperation of the girls."
"You have our cooeperation," Phyllis said promptly. "All the AdventureGirls and some others are keenly interested in everything youpropose--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 onlya 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 lumberagainst which Gale and the Dean were leaning was tottering. Phyllisthrew herself forward, shoving and dragging Gale and the Dean clear, butin so doing was herself caught in the avalanche of lumber as it toppleddown upon them.