He turned with abruptness and started back the way they had come. But impulsively Billie ran to him, calling to him to stop. Yet when he did stop and turned to look at her she had not the slightest idea in the world what she had intended to say—if indeed she had really intended to say anything.

   “I—I just wanted to thank you,” she stammered, adding, with a swift little feeling of pity for this man who seemed so lonely: “And if there’s anything I can ever do to—to—help you——”

   “Who told you I needed help?” cried the man, his voice so harsh and threatening that Billie started back, half falling over a root.

   “Why—why,” faltered Billie, saying almost the first thing that came into her mind. “You looked so—so—sad——”

   “Sad,” the man repeated bitterly. “Yes, I have enough to make me sad. But help!” he added fiercely. “I don’t need help from you or any one.”

   And without another word he turned and strode off into the darkness.

   After that it did not take the girls long to reach the road. They felt, someway, as if they must have dreamed their adventure, it had all been so strange and unreal. And yet they knew they had never been more awake in their lives.

   “Please don’t talk about it now,” begged Vi when Laura would have discussed it. “Let’s wait till we get in our dorm with lights and everything. I’m just shivering all over.”

   For once the others were willing to do as the most timid of the trio wished, and they hurried along in silence till they saw, with hearts full of thankfulness, the lights of Three Towers Hall shine out on the road before them.

   “Look, I see the lights!”

   “So do I!”

   “Thank goodness we haven’t much farther to go.”

   “It’s all of a quarter of a mile, Vi.”

   “Huh! what’s a quarter of a mile after such a tramp as we have had?” came from Billie.

   “And after such an experience,” added Laura.

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