"I know a number of very nice fellows. Of course there are all sorts, and as is the case everywhere there are some the better men don't care to know. Some of them are a pretty tough set. There is one in particular I happen to know about, who is sure to be sent up if he doesn't look out."
"Sent up where? This is interesting," said Jo.
"Well, you see there are certain rules, and if a man breaks them and gets found out he is liable to imprisonment for ten days. The university attends to all its own cases without recourse to the police."
"Oh, dear! Tell us some more. Do you know the man? Is he very wicked?" Mary Lee asked.
"He is simply a worthless, reckless nobody. He calls himself the son of a countess, and likes people to believe he will inherit a title himself. His mother did marry a count for her second husband, though her first husband, this fellow's father, was little more than a peasant. She herself is a mere adventuress from whom the count parted years ago, having found out her character. She is a handsome woman, they say, and quite fascinating; the son resembles her, I am told, not only in looks but in character."
The Corner girls did not dare to look at Jo, whose face was scarlet. All three were listening intently.
"Go on," said Nan with more than usual eagerness. "Tell us some more about him. It is quite like a story-book."
"His mother managed to get him into the university," Mr. Bingham went on, "but I imagine he has about run his career, for his escapades are becoming known to the faculty, and, moreover, his reputation has become such that none of the decent fellows want to be seen with him. He is tricky at cards and has done a number of shady things."
"I suppose you couldn't tell his name," said Nan. "We want to avoid him, you see," she added with a slight laugh.
"Oh, every one knows him. I am divulging no secret," replied Mr. Bingham. "His name is Karl Hofer."