it was just the day's hero. She'd have decorated old Bond Saxon just
the same if he had waddled across the last goal line then. You're a plug
and she's a lady born, and as good as engaged to Burgess besides.
I had that straight from Dennie Saxon, and you know Dennie's no gossip.
They were far gone before they came West--the Wream-Burgess folk were--
stiffen up, Burleigh. You look like a dead man."

"I was never more alive in my life." Vic's voice and eyes
were alive enough.

"By heck! I believe it," Trench exclaimed. "Say, you got
away with Burgess about the game. If you want the girl,
go after her, too. But gently, Sweet Afton, go gently.
Most girls want to do the pursuing themselves, I believe.
I'll block the interference, if necessary, and you'll be
the sought-after yet, not the seeking, dear child."

A circular stairway winds from the Sunrise chapel down the south turret
to Dean Fenneben's study, intended originally as a sort of fire escape.
Some enterprising janitor later fixed a spring lock on the upper door to
this stairway (surprises had been sprung through this door upon the chapel
stage by prankish students at inopportune moments), so that now it was
only an exit, and was called by the students "the road to perdition,"
easy to descend but barred from retreat.

In the confusion following the chapel exercises Vic slipped into
the south turret, and the lock clicked behind him as he hurried
down "the road to perdition."

The door to Dean Fenneben's study was slightly open and Vic heard his