“O, nothing!” answered Tom, hastily tearing out the article that had interested him, and placing it in his pocket-book for safe keeping. “Here’s something I want to save for future reference. I’ve got an idea!”
“What is it, Newcombe?” asked Miller, eagerly. “Let us see that paper!”
“O no, I can’t! I just say that I’ve got a splendid idea, and as soon as I follow it out, I’ll tell you what it is. It will astonish you!”
“Will it? Then tell us what it is now!” said Rich, impatiently. “Perhaps we can help you.”
“I don’t need any of your help. I can get along very well by myself.”
So saying, Tom turned on his heel and walked out of the dormitory, leaving his two friends at a loss how to account for his strange behavior.
Tom was now in his element. He had a “splendid idea” that he wanted to “follow out.” He was generally very expert at such business, but, in the present instance, he could not help acknowledging to himself that his success was doubtful. He walked about among his companions with his eyes fastened thoughtfully on the ground; and, although he would occasionally chuckle to himself when he thought over his grand idea, his face more frequently wore a disappointed look, as if he found innumerable obstacles in his way. It was a more difficult task than he had ever undertaken before, and it was two days before he had thought the matter over and arrived at a conclusion. His was an enterprise that demanded an unusual amount of attention, for it was one that no other boy in the academy would have thought seriously of attempting. But Tom, who had at last been led to realize the fact that he could never be an officer, and being determined not to remain at the academy under arrest while the students were enjoying themselves, had resolved to do something desperate. In spite of the entreaties of his friends, which were renewed at every opportunity, Tom kept his own counsel, and, it was not until he had decided upon his course, that he intimated to Rich, Miller, and Martin, that he was ready to reveal his secret. So, one night, when dress parade was over, Tom conducted his companions to a remote corner of the grounds, where he gave them an insight into the “splendid idea” which had so long occupied all his thoughts.