"The watch had a pretty good constitution, so it has survived to the present day. But I'm getting sleepy, Walter. It's the hard study, I suppose, that's done it. I must be getting back to Ma'am Glenn's. Good-night."
"Good-night, Lem."
Lemuel Warner gathered up his books, and left the room. Walter poked the fire, putting some ashes on, so that it would keep till the next morning, and commenced undressing. He had scarcely commenced, however, when a heavy step was heard on the stairs, and directly afterwards a knock resounded upon his door.
Wondering who his late visitor could be, Walter stepped to the door, and opened it.
CHAPTER II. IN THE CARS.
If Walter was surprised at receiving a visit at so late an hour, he was still more surprised to recognize in the visitor Dr. Porter, the principal of the Institute.
"Good-evening, Conrad," said the doctor. "I am rather a late visitor. I was not sure but you might be in bed."
"I was just getting ready to go to bed, sir. Won't you walk in?"