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burst 'I'm so happy you feel that way.' He smiled ruefully. 'The world is falling apart, and I'm happy.' He looked at his watch. 'I suppose we all have to see the Dean, even though we're at war.' Then he was struck by a thought, and he fell silent

'What?' Billie said. 'What is it?'

'Maybe there wa way for you and Anthony to stay at Harvard.'

'How?'

'Let me think.'

Elspeth was nervous, but she told herself that she did not need to be afraid. She had broken the curfew last night, but she had not been caught She was almost certain this was nothing to do with her and Luke. Anthony and Billie were the ones who were in trouble. Elspeth hardly knew Billie, but she cared for Anthony, and she had a dreadful feeling he was going to be thrown out

The four of them met outside the Dean's study. Luke said: 'I've got a plan,' but before he could explain, the Dean opened the door and summoned them inside. Luke had time only to say. 'Leave the talking to me.'

The Dean of Students, Peter Ryder, was a fussy, old-fashioned man in a neat suit of black Coat and waistcoat with grey striped pants. His bow tie was a perfect butterfly, his boots gleamed with polish, and his oiled hair looked like black paint on a boiled egg. With him was a grey-haired spinster called Iris Rayford who was responsible for the moral welfare of Radcliffe girls.

They sat in a circle of chairs, as if for a tutorial. The Dean lit a cigarette. 'Now, you boys had better tell the truth, like gentlemen,' he said. 'What happened in your room last night?' .

Anthony ignored Ryder's question and acted as if he were in charge of the proceedings. 'Where's I, Jenkins?' he said curtly. 'He's the sneak, isn't he?'

'No one else has been asked to join us,' the Dean said.

'But a man has a right to be confronted by his accuser.'

"This isn't a court, Mr Carroll,' the Dean said testily.

'Miss Rayford and I have been asked to establish the

facts. Disciplinary proceedings, if such prove necessary,

will follow in due course.'

'I'm not sure that's acceptable,' Anthony said haughtily.'Jenkins should be here.' ,

Elspeth saw what Anthony was doing. He hoped Jenkins would be scared to repeat his accusation to Anthony's face. If that happened, the college might 'have to drop the matter'She did not think it would work, but perhaps it was worth a try.

However, Luke cut the discussion short. 'Enough of this,' he said with an impatient gesture. He addressed the Dean. 'I brought a woman into the House last night, sir.'

Elspeth gasped. What was he talking about?

The Dean frowned. 'My information is that it was Mr Carroll who invited the woman in.'

'I'm afraid you've been misinformed.'

Elspeth burst out 'That's not true!'

Luke gave her a look that chilled her. 'Miss Twomey was in her dorm by midnight, as the dormitory mistress's overnight book will show.'

Elspeth stared at -him. The book would show that, because a girlfriend had forged her signature. She realized she had better shut up before she talked herself into trouble. But what was Luke up to?

Anthony was asking himself the same question. Staring at Luke, mystified, he said: 'Luke, I don't know what you're doing, but - '

'Let me. tell the story,' Luke said. Anthony looked doubtful, and Luke added: 'Please.'

Anthony shrugged.

The Dean said sarcastically: 'Please carry on, Mr Lucas. I can't wait.'

'I met the girl at the Dew Drop Inn,' Luke began.

Miss Rayford spoke for: the first time. "The Dew Drop Inn?' she said incredulously. 'Is that a pun?' , "Yes.' .,.- , .--. ., : . . - . :,

'Canyon.'

'She's a waitress there. Her name is Angela Carlotti.'

The Dean plainly did not believe a word. He said: 'I was told that the person seen in Cambridge House was Miss Bilhah Josephson here.'

'No, sir,' Luke said in the same tone of immovable certitude. 'Miss Josephson is a friend of ours, but she was out of town. She spent last night at the home of a relative in Newport, Rhode Island.'

Miss Rayford spoke to Billie. 'Will the relative infirm that?'

Billie shot a bewildered look at Luke, then said: i, Miss Rayford.'

Elspeth stared at Luke. Did he really intend to ice his career to save Anthony? It was crazy! Luke a loyal friend, but this was taking friendship too far. Ryder said to Luke: 'Can you produce this ... itress?' He pronounced 'waitress' with distaste, as if were saying 'prostitute.