The Putnam Hall Rivals

“It is an outrage,” answered the master of the Hall, warmly. “We must find out who is up to these tricks.”

“It will keep me busy a long time explaining matters,” went on George Strong, with a troubled look on his face.

“You had better refuse all goods after this, unless you are certain they are all right.”

“I’ll do it.”

The next day seemed to cap the climax, for that morning there came a crate of dishes, two boxes of mineral water of the most expensive kind, and a folding baby carriage. George Strong was desperate and refused to accept anything, despite the protestation of the express driver from Cedarville.

“I didn’t order the things and I won’t accept them!” cried the teacher. “Send them back!”

“And about the charges?” asked the expressman.

“Collect at the other end. I have nothing whatever to do with the orders.” And the expressman went away grumbling loudly to himself.

As was to be expected, the refusal to accept goods brought a great deal of trouble. George Strong received some harsh letters and in some cases was threatened with suits-at-law. In three instances he received the original orders for inspection, but they were poorly written, in pencil, and he could make little or nothing out of them. Goods had been sent to him because he referred to Captain Putnam as to his responsibility to make payments. This brought the master of the Hall into the mix-up, and he had to do what he could to explain matters.

“We must certainly locate the party or parties who are guilty,” said the captain. “Mr. Strong, have you any especial enemies among the students?”

“I think not, captain.”

“Have you had occasion to reprimand any of them, or keep them in after regular hours?”

“Oh, yes, I have kept some of them in.”

“Who?”

The teacher named over seven or eight, among them being Reff Ritter, Dan Baxter, and Gus Coulter.

“Any others?”

“I once had to keep in Dale Blackmore and Andy Snow for talking together. But I do not think they can be guilty.”

“Perhaps not, although Snow is rather full of fun.”

The matter was talked over and the teacher said he would watch the boys he had mentioned closely.

On the following Saturday Jack and Andy got permission to go to Top Rock Hill, located not many miles from the academy. They wanted some of the others to go along, but there was a “scrub” baseball game on and they declined.

“Do you remember how Baxter got into trouble at Top Rock Hill last fall?” said Jack, as they trudged along.

“Indeed I do, Jack,” returned Andy. “I don’t think he’ll try to take any more nuts from private property.”

Jack had with him a new spyglass and wanted to test it. The boys climbed to the very top of the hill, where a grand panorama was spread before them. On one side were the rolling hills and on the other the slope running down to the lake, which lay glistening like silver in its rim of green.

“I can see the Hall with this glass,” said Jack. “And I can see some of the fellows out on the lake in boats.”

He allowed Andy to take a look, and after a while they turned the glass in the direction of the somewhat dusty road that wound around the foot of Top Rock Hill.

“I can see a buggy coming along the road,” said Jack. “There is a man in it.”

Andy took a look at the turnout.

“Why, that is one of our horses!” he exclaimed. “The spotted white, Billy Boy. Can it be the captain who is out driving?”

“No, he was in his office when we came away.”

“Maybe it is old Crabtree.”

“I think it is Mr. Strong by his hat,” said Jack, handling the glass. “I can’t see his face very clearly. He is slowing up and – Well, I declare!”

Jack stopped suddenly and gave another long look.

“See! see!” he exclaimed. “Two men are on the road. What are they doing?”

“They seem to be quarreling with the carriage driver,” answered Andy. “They are hauling him out of the carriage, and, yes, it is Mr. Strong!”

“If he is in trouble, we ought to help him!”

“Right you are! Come on!”

Shutting up the spyglass, the two cadets hurried from the top of the hill in the direction of the wagon-road. The way was rough and uncertain and they had to beware of dangerous holes. Once they got caught in a tangle of bushes and had to go back.

“I hope we are not losing the right direction,” panted Andy, as he paused to gaze round.

“We are all right,” answered the young major. “Hurry up! He may be in peril of his life!”

At last they gained the bottom of the rocky hill. There was a small meadow to cross, beyond which was the wagon-road, lined with trees and bushes.

“Help!” they heard somebody cry. “Help! help!”

“That is Mr. Strong’s voice!” exclaimed Andy.

“I see the horse and carriage!” answered Jack, pointing down the road. “Look, the carriage is empty!”

“And the horse is running away!” finished his chum, as they saw the steed dash onward at a gallop.

“Help! help!” came the cry again. Both boys looked around, but could see no one.

“Shall we call to him?” asked Andy.

“No! no!” answered Jack, hastily. “That will put his assailants on guard. Come, the cry came from yonder.”

Forward the two boys darted once more, and then Andy called a halt.

“We haven’t anything in the way of weapons,” said he. “Let us get clubs.”

This advice was followed promptly. Fortunately heavy sticks were readily to be had, so but little time was lost. Then, as they heard another cry, they darted into a thicket along the roadside.