The Putnam Hall Cadets: or, Good Times in School and Out

“I reckon you are, sir. I know I ain’t asleep – an’ I ain’t dry nuther.”

“But what do you make of this?”

“I dunno, unless they be a-playin’ off on you, sir.”

“Did you recognize any of those who – er – attacked us?”

“No, sir.”

“But we were attacked?”

“Yes, sir.”

“We were doused with water?”

“Yes, sir – very cold water at that.”

“And we were fired upon?”

“Yes, sir – I heard the bullets whistle past our heads, sir,” added the hired man, drawing on his imagination.

“And yet all of these cadets are asleep – or pretend to be.”

“It’s a mystery, sir, that’s wot it is, sir. But what’s to do?” and the general utility man scratched his head.

For once in his life Josiah Crabtree was nonplused. He rubbed his chin and cleared his throat several times.

“If I thought they were playing off on me – ” he began.

“They couldn’t have all been in it, sir,” interrupted Snuggers.

“I don’t know about that. But that’s the point – I do not know which to accuse.”

“Well, what do you want me to do?”

“I – er – I don’t know.”

“Hadn’t we better change our clothes an’ go to bed?”

“You may change your clothes, and I’ll do the same. But I am going to investigate further before I retire for the night.”

The pair separated, and Peleg Snuggers lost no time in getting to his room. Josiah Crabtree stalked to his own apartment and there proceeded to don dry clothing.

The head teacher was furious, but the more he mused over the problem before him, the more was he perplexed. He could not call all of the boys to account, and, to tell the truth, he was just a bit afraid of the whole school. With Captain Putnam and George Strong absent, there was no telling what the pupils might do.

“I don’t want to get shot, or something like that,” he told himself. “Perhaps I had better wait until the captain gets back.”

“Do you want me again?” came presently from Peleg Snuggers, from outside the door.

“No, you can go to bed. But sleep with one ear open, in case there are more disturbances.”

“Yes, sir; good-night, sir,” and the general utility man tiptoed away. “Don’t catch me a-gittin’ up again to-night,” he muttered to himself. “One sech duckin’ is enough fer me.”

“I fancy he has given up the battle,” said Pepper to his chums, after a long spell of silence.

“He is afraid of us.” came from Andy. “Those shots frightened him.”

“I’ll wager we hear something in the morning,” put in Jack. “We ought to bind every fellow to absolute secrecy.”

“Let’s do it!” cried Pepper. “We can visit every dormitory.”

This plan was agreed to, and soon a dozen cadets were making the rounds, and each student was made to promise on his honor not to say a word concerning the doings of the night.

“Let me catch you opening your trap and I’ll make it warm for you,” said Jack to Mumps, and the sneak promised faithfully to keep mum.

In the morning the cadets were on hand as usual, and they came down to roll call as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Josiah Crabtree was on hand, looking as dark as a thunder cloud.

“Phew, but his face is enough to sour the milk!” whispered Andy.

“Take care, he is watching us,” returned Pepper, and then the chums became silent.

Nothing was said during breakfast, and it was not until the school was assembled for the first session of the day that Josiah Crabtree opened up upon them.

“Last night a most disgraceful thing happened at this academy,” he began. “A number of headstrong pupils locked me out of this building, and attacked me with their guns. I have some information concerning this affair, but I am bound to get at all the details. I, therefore, demand that each pupil tell all he knows of the affair. I shall ask each pupil by roll order. Dale Blackmore, what have you to say?”

“Nothing, sir,” answered Dale, rising.

“Don’t you know anything of this affair?”

“I have nothing to say,” returned the cadet, stiffly.

“Um! Sit down. Harry Blossom.”

“I have nothing to say, sir,” answered Harry, as he arose.

“You know nothing?”

“I have nothing to say.”

“Bart Conners!”

“I have nothing to say, Mr. Crabtree,” answered the captain of Company B.

“Augustus Coulter!”

As Coulter arose, Jack, Pepper, Andy, and a number of others eyed him sharply.

“I – er – I don’t know anything much,” stammered Dan Baxter’s crony. “I was – er – very sleepy last night. I heard some noise, but I didn’t pay any attention.”