The Putnam Hall Rivals

“I don’t think so. I think the whole thing is a plot against us.”

The boys talked the matter over for some time, but could make no progress towards a solution of the mystery.

“If Baxter did it, it was done to get square because we spoilt their feast,” said Jack.

“No doubt of that.”

“Shall we squeal on them?”

“I don’t want to be a tale-bearer.”

“Neither do I.”

For fully an hour nobody came near them. They heard the students retire, and later on heard a murmur of voices in the hallway. Then Captain Putnam appeared.

“Both of you will come with me,” he said, coldly.

“But, captain – ” began Jack.

“It is too late to discuss the situation to-night,” cut in the master of the Hall. “We will talk it over in the morning, and then I will decide what is to be done.”

He would not listen to another word, and meekly they followed him out of the office and down a side hallway to where there was a small room.

This room had been designed for stores, but it was almost empty. The two boys saw that in it had been placed two cots and a quantity of blankets.

“You will remain here all night,” said Captain Putnam. “There is a pitcher of water for you.” And then he withdrew, leaving them to themselves. The door was locked and bolted, and they heard the captain walk rapidly away.

“Well, what do you think of that?” declared Pepper, gazing around blankly. “Are we prisoners?”

“It certainly looks like it, Pep.”

“And for nothing at all! It’s an outrage, Jack!”

“Captain Putnam appeared to be very angry.”

“Yes, and he wouldn’t listen to a word! I never dreamed it of him, never!”

“Well, one thing is certain – we’ve got to stay here until morning. Look at the window.”

The blinds were closed, and over them had been nailed several heavy slats. The room was rather cold, and they had only a small lamp for illumination.

When Pepper awoke he thought somebody was whistling in his ear. He listened intently and soon discovered that the whistling came through the keyhole of the door.

“Who is there?” he asked, rising.

“Is that you, Pep?” came in Andy’s voice.

“Yes.”

“Is Jack there, too?”

“Yes.” And now the Imp aroused his chum.

“What is it all about anyway? Our crowd is all upset over it,” continued Andy, in a low voice.

Pepper and Jack told as much as they knew, and their acrobatic friend listened with interest.

“I’d like to let you out, but the door is locked and I haven’t any key,” went on Andy.

“Never mind, we can stay here just as well,” said Jack.

“Something was doing in our dormitory too,” went on Andy. “We started to go to bed, when old Crabtree came up and ordered us out. Then he went in and shut the door.”

“What did he do there?”

“I think he made some kind of a search. Presently he called for Captain Putnam, and then both stayed in the room quarter of an hour. After that we were told to go to bed.”

“Something is certainly wrong,” mused Pepper. “Well, we’ll have to await developments, that’s all.”

It was too cold for Andy to remain in the hall long, and soon he went back to his dormitory, and Pepper and Jack went to sleep as before.

At eight o’clock in the morning Peleg Snuggers came in, with a big tray containing the boys’ breakfast.

“What! are we to remain here?” cried Jack.

“I dunno,” answered the general-utility man of Putnam Hall. “I was ordered to bring your breakfast, that’s all.”

“Who ordered it?”

“Mr. Crabtree.”

“Does Captain Putnam know of it?” asked Jack.

“Captain Putnam went away at six o’clock this morning. Had some special business in Rochester, I think.”

“Went away!” echoed Jack. “Then old Crabby – I mean Mr. Crabtree, is in charge.”

“That’s it.”

“Humph! Pep, that won’t be to our advantage.”

“I know it. He hates us.”

“I think he hates most o’ you young gents,” whispered Peleg Snuggers, who had no great love for the teacher in question.

“You tell Mr. Crabtree that we want to see him,” said Jack.

“It won’t do no good.”