The Mystery at Putnam Hall: The School Chums' Strange Discovery

esent?" came rather awkwa

nswered George Strong. "I did not desire

rude--" commenced the

red Mr. Strong, with a

and walk off, but his curiosity got the better of him and he

cher, when they were alone, and the door had been closed. "At first I could not find

a," answered C

ening to all that was going on. He was partly hi

not to his cred

p unnoticed I heard Ritter say, 'Now, don't make a mess of it. Tell the story just as I told it, and be sur

e! And what di

anted it, and said he would tell Paxton al

itted that he struck t

udge so, fr

uddy sai

talking of Mr. Ritter's los

t, Mr. Crabtree. Is

out on the campus, so I didn't catch what they said. I t

hem has to say-and then I will e

his statements. Then Paxton was told to come in, and on being questioned he became more confused even than Coulter. Then both were confronted by Geo

edit." And Coulter and Paxton slunk out of the office silently and much worried over the

tioned. But they stuck to their original story, and as that was

said the capta

ack to the dormitor

ther cadets," answered

commenced Jos

e captain, coldly. "We will let it pass." And he spoke so fir

that he was a good deal worried. There was a strict rule at Putnam Hall against f

d I find that your story of the occurrence is substantially corre

ing twice. It was all done in a few seconds. But I guess I'd do it again," added Jack. "I wouldn't l

in upper classman had once pulled his nose and, regardless of consequences, he had knocked the fellow down and dragged him by the heels through the dirt of the road. He had considered himself justified

first duty of a soldier is?" he ask

; to obey

act

hat to do if a fellow slaps y

y I do not blame you for what you did, especially as you acted on the spur of the moment. But fighting

If he attacks me, I'll defend m

" answered the captain, grimly. "You m

ed Jack, and lost no tim

uestioned Pepper, eagerly, when

ismisse

all

es

I was in fear that you would at l

t Ritter?"

Captain Putnam is g

e notion of taking a sail, and the crowd of boys took a walk

ill show up for dri

soon," ans

ck had buckled on his sword, and so had Henry Lee and Bart Conners. The cadets had their guns, that is all but the

om Major Jack Ruddy, and all the young

, to see that every cadet was "toeing

nd the cadets made the movements with their guns. The drilling was so w

in, and four abreast the cadets moved off, down the parade ground. They marched up and down several times, and execut

ere," whispered

e," was

it from Captain Pu

arshly from Josiah Crabtree. "

cheerful beggar!

head of the school

?" snarled the teacher. "

e; sorry I spoke," answ

keep your mouth

I keep my mouth closed?"

es, Ditmore! Leave the table

t throu

t once!" And the teacher glare

muttered The I

e, who sat near, and he passed over two sl

edge of the table. Then Pepper got up and left the room. He did not k

e structure and hurry across the float to where the Al

he would be dismissed from the school. The captain had also cut him off from all holidays up to Christmas, and added that he must expect t

nd stuffing the napkin that held the cake and sa

hat was Jack's property. As Pepper came closer he saw that the bully

ought Pepper. "I'll watch

ter walk up and down the float. Evidently the bully wanted to make certain that he was not being

d out on the float. He was soon at the side of the Alice. He heard a blow sound out. Ritt

eap over the guard-rail of the craft. The ax was raised for another blow, but before it coul