has not yet been found, and that everything is at a standstill
concerning it."

"Grace says practically the same thing," returned Sam. "She adds that
Nellie is very much downcast, and she thinks that, while her friends
all stand by her, some of the girls are giving her the cold shoulder."

"It's an outrage! Oh, Sam, I wish I could do something!" And unable to
control his feelings, Tom clenched his hands and began to pace the
floor.

"It certainly is the meanest thing I ever heard of, Tom. But I don't
see what we can do. In fact, I don't see what anybody can do. The
seminary management must have made a thorough investigation, and if
they haven't discovered anything, I don't see how an outsider can
solve the mystery."

"Maybe they ought to shadow some of the hired help, or something like
that."

"They may be doing that, Tom. They certainly won't let a
four-hundred-dollar ring get away from them without making the biggest
kind of an effort to find out where it went. But open that letter from
Dick, and see what he has to say."

The communication was torn open, and Tom glanced over it hastily.

"Here's a surprise, Sam," he cried. "Well, what do you know about
this!" And he read as follows: