"What's that?" asked his chum.

"I don't know--sounded like a spoon or a fork," was the reply. Pepper
walked forward, bent down, and felt around. "Yes, it's a silver fork!"

"It made as much noise as if it was a dozen of 'em!" murmured his chum.

"Hark!"

Pepper put up his hand and both listened intently. They had heard a
noise, as of footsteps overhead.

"Somebody is up there!" whispered Jack.

"It must be the fellow we are after!" returned Pepper. "What shall we do
next, go after him?"

"Yes, but we had better try to arm ourselves."

"I've got the fork."

"I'll take this," said Jack, picking up a bronze ornament from the
mantelpiece.

Hardly daring to breathe, the two cadets stole from the dining-room to
the hall and prepared to mount the stairs. As they did this they heard
more footsteps, this time in the rear of the upper floor of the mansion.

"There he goes, Jack!"

"Sounds as if he was going to try to get out the back way!"

"Hi, there, stop!" called Pepper, at the top of his voice. "Stop, you
rascal!"

"Don't you try to stop me!" was the reply from the upper hallway. "If
you do, it will be the worse for you!"

"Who is he?" asked Pepper, quickly. "I've heard that voice before."

"I think I know," answered his chum. "Come on, and we'll soon see if I
am right."




CHAPTER XXVI

WHAT THE CONSTABLE THOUGHT


Up the stairs went the two cadets, Jack leading the way. On the upper
landing they paused, for the sounds of footsteps had suddenly ceased.

"Which way did he go?" whispered Pepper.

"I don't know, Pepper. Go slow now, we don't want to walk into any
trap."

With caution the chums made their way to the back end of the hall. As
they did this a door close by came open and a cold draught of air met
the lads.

"This way!" cried Jack. "He has opened a window! That air comes from
outside!"

He rushed through the open door, to find himself in a bedroom. In an
alcove was a window and this was wide open. Beyond the window was the
top of a back porch, with a trellis reaching to the ground.

"There he goes!" exclaimed Jack, pointing down among the trees.

"Stop! stop!" came in a cry from the side of the mansion, and a moment
later Andy appeared, followed by Fred.

"Stop the rascal!" shouted Jack, and bounced out on the porch with all
speed. Down the trellis he came, with Pepper following.

By this time the fleeing individual had gained the shelter of a number
of trees. Beyond these was a hedge, and he dove through this and then
into some brushwood that lined the highway.

"Can you catch him, Andy?" asked Jack.

"I can try!" was the answer.

"Keep back, unless you want to get shot!" roared the man, and he raised
something he held in his hand. It was too dark to see if it was a
pistol.

Andy came to a halt, and in a few moments his companions joined him. By
this time the fellow was out of sight. The cadets strained their ears,
but in the snow no sounds of footsteps reached them.

"I guess we have lost him," murmured Fred.

"Sorry I didn't keep after him," grumbled Andy.

"He might have shot you."

"Come on, let us make a hunt for him!" cried Jack, and this was done.
But though they searched the vicinity for the best part of half an hour
they failed to locate the man who had fled.

"Jack, who do you think it was?" questioned Pepper, as the four boys
gathered in the mansion and lit one of the lamps, for it was now quite
dark.

"I may be mistaken, but to me his voice sounded like that of the man
Reff Ritter met in Cedarville, Cameron Smith."

"Just what I think!" cried The Imp. "Did you get a look at his face?"

"Not a close look, and it was too dark to see much. But that Smith had a
queer catch in his voice and this fellow had the same thing."

"Yes, I remember that."

"Was that the fellow Reff met?" demanded Andy.

"We are not sure, Andy, but we think so."

"What was he doing here?" asked Fred.

"That remains for us to find out," answered Pepper. "Certainly the man
had no right here, otherwise he wouldn't have run away as he did."

"Let us take a look through the house," suggested Pepper.

A hand-lamp was lit and the boys began a systematic inspection of the
Lodge. They found nothing disturbed in most of the rooms, but when they
inspected the library all set up a shout.

"The safe!"

"It has been blown open!"

"Yes, and look, the contents are scattered all over the floor!"

It was true, the small safe that was located under a bend of the stairs
had been drilled and the door blown asunder. On the floor of the library
lay the shattered door and likewise several bundles of papers and
legal-looking documents. They also saw a case that had contained
silverware.

"Wonder how much he took?" said Pepper.

"He took something, that is sure," answered Jack.

"We must have come in right after he blew the safe open," said Andy.

"Boys, I think we ought to notify the authorities at once, and also
notify the Fords," cried Jack. "This is a serious piece of business."

"Let us go to the nearest farmhouse and tell the folks," suggested Andy.

He hardly uttered the words when a loud ring at the front door of the
mansion made every cadet jump.

"There is somebody now!" cried Fred.

"I'll see who it is," said Pepper, and went off, followed by Jack.

When they opened the door they found themselves confronted by a farmer
named Fasick, who lived in that vicinity.

"Hello!" cried the farmer, on noticing the uniforms the boys wore. "What
are you cadets doing here?"

"Who are you?" questioned Jack.

"I'm Isaac Fasick, and I own the farm down the road a spell. I saw the
lights here, and as Mr. Ford asked me to keep an eye on his property I
made up my mind I'd come over and see what it meant. Is he here on a
visit?"

"Not that we know of, Mr. Fasick," answered Jack. "Come in out of the
cold, and we'll tell you something."

The burly farmer entered, and the cadets quickly related what had
occurred. When Mr. Fasick saw the shattered safe he was all but stunned.

"The pesky rascal!" he ejaculated. "Did he run away with much?"

"That we don't know, for we have no idea what was in the safe," replied
Jack.

"He must have taken some of the silver spoons, and knives and forks,"
put in Pepper. "Here is the empty silverware case, and I found a loose
silver fork on the floor of the dining-room."

"The Fords will be the only ones to tell just what was taken," said
Andy. "And the sooner we notify them the better."

"I don't know if they are in the city or not," said Isaac Fasick "I
know they meant to travel some this winter."

"They are at their city home just now; I got a letter day before
yesterday," answered the former major of the school battalion. He did
not deem it necessary to say the letter was from Laura Ford.

"Let us telegraph to them," said Pepper. "But what about the thief? We
ought to get right after him."

"We can tell Jed Plodders," said the farmer. "He's the Cedarville
constable and pretty smart, too."

"Jed will never catch that fellow," answered Jack. "He'll be miles and
miles away before the constable gets his badge pinned on to go after
him."

"Oh, Jed is smart," cried the farmer. "He's my wife's second cousin, and
the whole family is mighty cute."

"All right, let him catch the thief," answered Pepper.

Matters were talked over for several minutes, and the boys decided to
separate, Andy and Pepper to remain on guard at the Lodge and Fred and
Jack to run the iceboat to Cedarville and take Isaac Fasick along.

"Now, don't you run into no air-holes!" cried the farmer, as he took a
seat on the _Skimmer_. "I don't want to drown just yet, not me!"

"We'll be on our guard," answered the owner of the craft.

"The wind is just right," said Jack, as the mainsail was hoisted. This
was true, and the run to the village took but a few minutes. While the
boys went off to send their message to the Fords, Isaac Fasick hunted up
the constable and related what had occurred.

"Ha! a robbery, eh?" cried the constable, looking highly important.

"That's it, Jed."

"And you caught the boys in the house all alone?" went on the constable,
trying to look very wise.

"Why, yes; I did."

"Maybe they did the robbery, Isaac."

"By gum! I didn't think of that, Jed!" exclaimed the farmer.

"It would be an easy way of tryin' to look innercent," went on the
constable. "They fixed it all up--blow open the safe, hide the silver
an' other valerables, an' then, when you surprise 'em, they try to put
the crime off on sumbuddy else."

"Say, Jed, do you think that's so?" asked the farmer, his suspicions
aroused.

"Don't it look reasonable, Isaac?"

"It sure does, Jed. But to think them boys would do sech a terruble
deed!"

"Some o' them boys at boardin'-school spend a fierce sight o' money.
Some of 'em drink an' gamble. They ain't above gittin' money by hook or
crook, ef they need it. Yes, they may be guilty," and the constable
swelled out with his own importance.

"Perhaps you better question 'em," suggested the farmer, timidly.

"Question 'em?" snorted the constable. "Yes, I will; an' I'll do
more--I'll hold 'em until this mysterious case is cleared up!"




CHAPTER XXVII

LOOKING FOR CLUES


Having sent their message to the Fords, the two cadets turned in the
direction where the farmer had said the constable lived.

"I don't think old Plodders will be able to do a thing," said Jack.
"He'll look wise and ask a lot of questions, and that's all."

A block had been covered when they saw the farmer and the constable
approaching. On his breast Jed Plodders had pinned a bright, silver
star, and he carried a policeman's club in his hand.

"There they are!" cried Isaac Fasick.

"Is them the cadets?" queried the guardian of the peace.

"That's two of 'em. The other two said they'd stay an' watch the house."

"Stop!" cried the constable, and pointed his club at the cadets.

"Are you Constable Plodders?" questioned Jack.

"That's who I be," was the stern reply. "Now then, out with it, young
fellers. You broke into Mr. Ford's house, didn't you? Now, don't try to
fool me, fer it won't wash! You broke into the house, and Mr. Fasick
ketched you at it, didn't he?" And the constable cast what was meant for
an eagle eye on Jack and then on Fred. He had made up his mind that he
would surprise both of the boys into a confession.

The two cadets stared in wonder at the constable, and then a smile came
into Jack's face. The situation was so ludicrous he felt like laughing.
Jed Plodders saw the smile and frowned deeply.

"This ain't no laughing matter, you scamp!" he bellowed. "You broke into
the Ford house an' tried to steal the silverware! Now don't try to deny
it, or it will be the wuss fer you! You done it now, didn't you?" And he
pointed his club at first one cadet and then the other.

"No, we didn't do it!" burst out Fred. "You are a great big chump to
think we did!"

"Hi! hi! don't you talk to me like that!" roared the guardian of the
peace.

"Then don't you accuse us of any crime," came quickly from Jack.

"Didn't Mr. Fasick find you at the house?" demanded the constable.

"He did, but we didn't go there to steal; we went there to see if
everything was all right. He went there for the same purpose."

"Say, don't you go for to mix me up in this robbery," interrupted Isaac
Fasick, hastily. "I didn't have a thing to do with it."

"No more had we," answered Fred. "We just sailed to the place on my
iceboat. We can prove it."

"We are friends of the Ford family; we can easily prove that, too,"
added Jack. "Mr. Ford and his wife both asked us, when we were in this
vicinity, to take a look and see if everything was all right. We found a
strange man in the mansion and we did our best to catch him, but he got
away. What we want you to do is to get busy and try to catch that
rascal. If you don't do it, we'll make a complaint against you for
neglect of duty."

While Jack had been major of the school battalion he had been in the
habit of speaking in an authoritative voice, and now he used the same
tone in addressing Jed Plodders. The constable stared at the cadet for a
moment and then his jaw dropped and likewise the club in his hand.

"Well--er--if you're friends o' the family mebbe that alters
the--er--the case," he stammered. "Why didn't you say so fust?"

"You didn't give us a chance," answered Fred.

"What you want to do is to go to the house and then try to get on the
track of that robber," said Jack. "We'll help you all we can."

"I got to send word to Mr. Ford."

"We have already done that, and he will probably come as quickly as he
can, or send somebody."

"Did you git a good look at the man?"

"No, not a very good look."

"Then you hain't got no idee who he might be?" went on the constable.

"Well, I think----" commenced Jack, and then broke off short, and at the
same time pinched Fred's arm. It would do little or no good to acquaint
the constable with their suspicion that the rascal might be the man
named Cameron Smith.

"What do you think?" demanded Jed Plodders.

"I think I saw the man in Cedarville once. But I am not certain. I
rather imagine he was a stranger around here."

"Thet's what he was," came from Isaac Fasick. "There hain't no thieves
livin' in these parts. We are all honest folks."

Several other men of Cedarville were told about the robbery, and a crowd
of half a dozen got on the iceboat and sailed to Point View Lodge. When
they arrived at the house they found that Pepper and Andy had brought in
some wood and started a cheerful blaze in the big fireplace of the
living-room.

"It was so cold we couldn't stand it," said Pepper. "I don't think Mr.
Ford will mind."

The constable and the other newcomers inspected the damage done to the
safe with interest, and walked through the rooms of the house. The
cadets showed them just how the thief had made his escape, and Jed
Plodders and two of the men went off to see if they could trail the
evil-doer.

"I think at least one of us ought to stay here until Mr. Ford comes,"
said Pepper.

"Supposing you and I stay?" suggested Andy. "Fred and Jack can take the
iceboat back to the Hall and explain matters to Captain Putnam."

This was agreed to, and a little later the _Skimmer_ was on the way to
the school. It was now after eight o'clock and the cadets were hungry.
Andy and Pepper were to have their meals sent to them from the Fasick
farmhouse.

Tying up at the boathouse landing, Jack and Fred hurried into the Hall.
As they passed one of the classrooms they came face to face with Reff
Ritter.

"Got back late, didn't you?" said the bully to Fred.

"Yes," was the short reply.

The bully passed on without another word.

Jack was in a quandary. What should he tell Captain Putnam? If he told
of his suspicions concerning Cameron Smith he would drag Reff Ritter
into the mix-up.

"I guess I had better wait until something more turns up," he thought.
"If I mention this Smith, and he is innocent, both he and Reff will be
terribly angry at me."

As briefly as possible the former major of the school battalion related
what had occurred at Point View Lodge. Captain Putnam listened with keen
interest.

"It is a pity you didn't catch that robber," said he. "For all we know,
he may be the fellow who has been stealing here."

"Well, we couldn't get him," answered Jack. "Maybe Constable Plodders
will be more successful."

"I hardly think so, Ruddy. So you left Snow and Ditmore at the Lodge?"

"Yes, sir. We thought Mr. Ford would like them to remain until he got
there, or sent somebody."

"I see." Captain Putnam mused for a moment. "I don't see that I can do
anything. You had better go and get your supper. Tell the head waiter I
sent you in."

"Yes, sir," said Jack, and he and Fred hurried off to the mess-hall.
The waiter was inclined to grumble a little at having to serve them at
such a late hour, but, nevertheless, he got them plenty to eat, and they
pitched in as only hungry boys can.

On the following morning came word from Cedarville that Mr. Ford had
arrived, and Jack and Fred were allowed to take the _Skimmer_ and sail
to Point View Lodge. There they met the gentleman, who was somewhat
excited over what had occurred.

"The loss of the silverware is a serious one," said he. "The ware came
from my wife's grandfather and she prized it very highly. I meant to
take it to the city with me, but forgot to ship it, and so we placed it
in the safe here. A couple of gold napkin-rings are also gone, and
likewise my old gold watch."

"Mr. Ford, I wish to tell you something in private," said Jack, and then
he took the gentleman aside and related his suspicions concerning
Cameron Smith.

"I think this is assuredly worth looking into, Jack," said Rossmore
Ford, slowly. "I shall put a first-class city detective on this case,
and I'll tell him about this Cameron Smith. He'll soon be able to find
out who the chap is. If he is an honest man, well and good. But if not,
we'll round him up and make him give an account of himself."

"Please don't mention our names," said Jack, gravely, "And please don't
mention Reff Ritter."

"I'll remember that," answered the owner of the Lodge.




CHAPTER XXVIII

TO THE RESCUE


"If this weather keeps on, skating and iceboating will soon be over,
Jack."

"Right you are, Pepper. I think if we want any more skating this season
we had better go out this afternoon."

"Just what I say!" cried Dale Blackmore. "If it starts to rain the ice
will be gone in no time."

"All out for a skate, as soon as school is dismissed!" came from Andy.

A week had passed, and during that time nothing had been learned
concerning the robbery at Point View Lodge. Mr. Ford had hired two city
detectives but, so far, neither these men, nor the local constable, had
been able to accomplish anything. One city detective was trying to
locate Cameron Smith, but that individual could not be traced.

During the past few days the weather had moderated greatly. Much of the
snow was gone, and the cadets feared that soon the ice on the lake
would disappear and then skating would be a thing of the past.

"Spring will be here before you know it," said Pepper.

"Yes, and then summer, and the end of our days at Putnam Hall," added
Jack, with something of a sigh.

"Jack, how are you getting along in your studies?" questioned Andy.

"Fairly well. I find Latin rather hard. How about you, Andy?"

"Mathematics is my bugbear, Jack. Some of those problems old Crabtree
gives us are corkers."

"Well, you must be sure to pass, Andy, and then it will be good-by to
Crabtree forever."

After school was dismissed about twenty of the cadets hurried down to
the lake-front to go skating.

"I see Reff Ritter has hired the _Rosebud_ again," remarked Pepper, as
he was adjusting his skates. "Fred, are you going to take out the
_Skimmer_?"

"No, I don't think it is safe. Skating is one thing; to sail a heavy
iceboat is another."

"Just my idea," added Stuffer.

They watched Reff Ritter sail away. The only person with the bully was
Gus Coulter. Jack and Pepper watched Ritter closely and then looked
questioningly at each other. What did Ritter know about Cameron Smith,
and was the man really the fellow who had robbed the Ford mansion?

Soon the merry shouts of the cadets proved they were enjoying themselves
thoroughly. Some started a race, while others formed sides for a hockey
contest, with Dale Blackmore as captain of one five and Emerald Hogan as
captain of the other.

"Let us go down the shore a bit," suggested Jack to Pepper and Andy, and
the three joined hands for the spin. All felt like "letting out," as
Andy expressed it, and they covered over a mile almost before they knew
it.

"The ice is getting pretty rotten," said Jack, as his skate cut in so
deeply that he would have fallen had not his chums supported him.

"Yes, a day or two more and skating will be at an end," answered Andy.

"Jack, are you going in for baseball this spring?" questioned Pepper.

"No, I am going in for nothing but study towards the end of the term."

"Well, I guess I'll have to do the same--if I want to graduate,"
answered Pepper, and he heaved a deep sigh as he thought of all the fun
he would have to miss.

The three cadets skated on until they came to a spot where the shore
made a sharp turn. On the point of land were a number of trees and
bushes, so they could not see what was beyond.

"Listen!" cried Andy. "Somebody is calling!"

"Help! help!" came the cry. "Help!"

"Somebody must have broken in!" exclaimed Jack. "Come on, maybe we can
save him!"

He broke away and led around the point of land. Beyond were some rocks
and a sort of cove, where the ice was extra soft.

"There is an iceboat!" exclaimed Andy. "It's the _Rosebud_!"

"It's in the water!" ejaculated Pepper. "And see, Gus Coulter is
clinging to it."

"Where is Ritter?"

"I don't know."

"I see Ritter!" burst out Jack. "He is clinging to the ice yonder,
trying to crawl out! Come on, fellows, we've got to help them both."

"Help! help!" screamed Gus Coulter, and his voice showed that he was
almost scared to death. Ritter did not call, but was making frantic
efforts to get on top of the ice, which seemed to break away as he
placed his weight on it.

It took Jack, Pepper and Andy but a minute to get to the vicinity of the
mishap. As he skated forward, the former major of the school battalion
stripped off the sweater he was wearing.

"Join hands with me," he called to his chums. "Now be careful; not too
near the hole, remember. I'll throw Ritter the end of the sweater."

His chums understood, and while they held hands, Jack advanced
cautiously. The ice cracked ominously, but step by step he drew closer
to where Ritter was clinging.

"Catch hold!" he cried, as he swung one end of the sweater toward the
unfortunate youth.

"You--you won't let go?" questioned the bully, suspiciously.

"Of course not!" retorted Jack. "Hold tight now, and we'll haul you up."

He gave the signal, and Andy and Pepper pulled back with all their
might, and Jack did the same. Slowly but surely Reff Ritter came up out
of the icy water, his teeth chattering loudly. Soon he was out of
danger.

"Run for the nearest farmhouse!" cried Jack. "Put the sweater on if you
want to," and he tossed the garment over.

"It was Coulter's fault," growled Reff Ritter. "He swung the sail the
wrong way." And then he ran off as advised.

"Such meanness!" snorted Pepper. "And Coulter may be drowned!"

"Ritter was always willing to lay the blame on somebody else," added
Andy.

The chums skated as closely as possible to where the iceboat was
drifting in a sheet of open water--a spot where some days before a
farmer had been cutting ice. To the craft Coulter was clinging and still
crying piteously.

"Help!" came in a chattering tone. "Please help me, somebody, or I'll be
dro--drowned! I can't ho--hold on mu--much lon--ger!"

"We are coming, Coulter!" yelled Pepper.

"I'm nearly fro--frozen to de--death!" chattered the suffering cadet.

"If we only had a line we might throw it to him," said Andy.

"I've got an idea!" exclaimed Pepper. "Come on and get that fallen
tree!"

He pointed to the shore, where a long sapling lay partly uncovered in
the snow. He skated off for this, with Andy at his heels.

While Andy and Pepper were doing their best to get the sapling out of
the snow and drag it over the ice, Jack circled the spot where the
_Rosebud_ was drifting. The iceboat was now within ten feet of the ice,
so he could see Coulter quite plainly. The poor fellow had been ducked
in the water and was shaking from head to feet from cold.

"We'll soon have you ashore, Gus!" he called out. "Keep up your
courage."

"I--I can't hold on much longer!" was the gasped-out reply. "I am
free--freezing to de--death!"

At that moment a blast of air came sweeping across the lake. It caught
the sail of the iceboat and tilted the craft over in the water.

"Oh! oh!" screamed Coulter, and then, as the iceboat whirled around, the
exhausted cadet lost his grip and commenced to slip slowly downward.
Soon he was in the water up to his shoulders.

"Save me!" he yelled. "Oh, Ruddy, don't let me drown! Please sa--save
m--me! Please!" And then of a sudden his head went under out of sight!

Jack was for the moment struck dumb with horror. He felt that Coulter
was drowning before his very eyes. Then a sudden noble determination
came to him, and measuring his distance carefully he leaped for the
iceboat and managed to catch the swaying mast. He went down in the water
up to his knees, but held on to a stay with his left hand.

The icy water made the youth gasp. But he set his teeth hard and looked
down for Coulter. Presently he saw the other cadet bob upward. Then a
hand came up and was waved frantically. Jack tried his best to reach
that hand, but could not. Then Coulter commenced to sink again from
sight.

"I must save him! I must!" thought Jack, and an instant later leaped
boldly into the waters of the icy lake.




CHAPTER XXIX

A REAL HERO


It was a desperate plunge to take, for the former major of the school
battalion ran the risk of getting a chill that would kill him. But Jack
was a hero, and he could not bear to see Gus Coulter drowned before his
eyes.

As the icy waters closed over him, he struck out boldly for the spot
where he had last beheld the struggling youth. Then his hand came in
contact with Coulter's body and he caught the cadet by the arm.

As soon as Coulter felt himself touched, he swung around, and the next
instant had Jack by the shoulder, in a grip like that of death itself.

The former major of the school battalion realized only too well that he
must not let the drowning boy catch him by the neck, otherwise both
would go down to rise no more. He shoved Coulter as far off as possible
and at the same time struck out to regain the surface of the lake.

When the pair came up they were some distance from the iceboat and also
some distance from the edge of the ice.

"Help! help!" yelled Jack to Pepper and Andy.

The latter had succeeded in getting the sapling free of the snow, and
were dragging it to the ice on the lake-shore.

"Hello, Jack's in, too!" cried Andy, in horror.

"Hurry with the tree!" yelled Jack, as he commenced to swim for the edge
of the ice. "Quick now, or we'll both go down again! This water is
frightfully cold."

A few strokes brought Jack and Coulter to the edge of the ice. Coulter
was still holding fast, but his strength was rapidly growing weaker. His
head shook so that his teeth rattled like castanets.

Luckily Jack reached a spot where the shore ice was tolerably firm. More
than this, the water was somewhat shallow, so he could stand on the
bottom while Pepper and Andy shoved out the end of the sapling to him.

"Here, I'll lift Gus out!" he called, his own teeth chattering not a
little. "He ca--can't hel--help hi--himself!"

He lifted the other cadet as high as he could and with a shove sent him
rolling on the ice beyond. Andy and Pepper caught Coulter by the feet
and immediately dragged him out of harm's way. Then Jack caught hold of
the end of the sapling and was hauled up by his chums.

"How in the world did you fall in?" gasped Andy.

"I didn't fall in--I ju--jumped in!"

"Oh, Jack!" came from Pepper. "Talk about nerve! But come, you had
better get to shelter as soon as you can."

"Yes, I fe--feel as if I wa--was turning to i--i--ice!" chattered the
other.

"The Darwood farmhouse is just over the hill, let us run to that,"
suggested Andy. "Here, put on my sweater!" and he stripped off the
garment in an instant.

"Do--don't leave m--me!" came from Coulter. He was on his knees, being
too weak to rise to his feet.

"I'll carry you on my back!" cried Pepper. "Come, take hold."

Coulter was too far gone to aid himself, and Andy had to place him on
Pepper's back. Then off the whole party started, Andy holding Jack by
the arm and thus giving him some support.

"Where did Ritter go?" asked Jack, as they sped over the hill in the
direction of the farmhouse mentioned.

"I think he went up the lake, in the direction of the Saldy farm,"
answered Andy.

The Darwood farmhouse set back from the road, among some cedar trees.
Rushing up to the back door, the boys pounded vigorously.

"Who is there?" demanded a man's voice, and then Mr. Darwood showed
himself.

"Please let us in, we are nearly frozen!" cried Jack.

"Hello! been in the water, eh?" cried Samuel Darwood. "Come right in and
I'll stir up the fire!" and he stepped aside that the cadets might
enter.

When Pepper deposited his burden in a chair it was seen that Gus Coulter
was in a bad way. His eyes were closed, and he was shaking as with
convulsions.

"Here, we'll strip off some of his wet clothes and rub him down!" cried
Andy. "And can you get something hot to drink, Mr. Darwood?"

"Sure I can," cried the farmer. "But I'll pile some wood on the fire
first!" he added.

[Illustration: "CATCH HOLD!" JACK CRIED, AS HE SWUNG ONE END OF THE
SWEATER TOWARD THE UNFORTUNATE YOUTH.

    _The Mystery of Putnam Hall._ (Page 259)]

He was as good as his word, and soon the fire was roaring, and the
kitchen got thoroughly warm. The farmer was home alone, but he knew how
to make some hot coffee, which he speedily offered to all of the cadets.
Coulter could hardly drink, and it was a good half-hour before he felt
at all like even speaking. He was propped up in a big rocking-chair
directly in front of the fire, and Andy and Pepper took turns at
trying to restore his blood to circulation. Jack was not so far gone,
and soon felt quite like himself. The wet uniforms were hung up to dry,
Mr. Darwood in the meantime lending the lads some other garments. He had
been the one to cut the ice from the lake at that spot, so he felt in
some measure responsible for the mishap, even though he had put up
several danger signs, to which Ritter and Coulter had paid no attention.

"I don't know that we will care to skate back to the Hall," said Pepper.
"Mr. Darwood, could you take us back in your sleigh, if we paid you for
it?"

"I'll take you back, and it shan't cost you a cent," answered the
farmer, quickly.

"Hadn't we better find out what became of Reff Ritter?" questioned Jack.

"I'll run over to the Saldy farm and see," answered Andy, and set off
without delay.

While Andy was gone, Samuel Darwood went to the barn to hitch up his
team. Jack, Pepper and Coulter remained in the kitchen. Coulter sat
staring at the fire, but occasionally his eyes wandered to Jack.
Suddenly, while the others were silent, he spoke.

"Say, but you're a fine fellow, Jack Ruddy!" he said. "A fine fellow!
And I'm a--a skunk! That's what I am, a low-down, mean skunk!"

"Never mind now, Gus," answered Jack, kindly. He hardly knew what to say
at this outburst.

"You--you jumped in and saved me from drowning, didn't you?"

"Yes. But anybody would do that, Gus, for a schoolmate."

"No, they wouldn't; Reff Ritter wouldn't. He would have left me to
drown!" And Coulter shuddered. "You're a real hero, Jack Ruddy! And I'm
a--a skunk; yes, a mean, low-down skunk--and I always have been!" And
now Gus Coulter buried his face in his hands.

"Jack certainly deserves great credit for jumping in after you," said
Pepper, warmly. "It was a mighty cold plunge for anybody to take."

"Oh, let's drop it!" came modestly from the hero of the occasion.

"I am not going to drop it!" retorted Gus Coulter, with spirit. "You
saved my life, and I want everybody to know it, especially Reff Ritter.
He would have left me to drown!"

"Reff had to save himself. He was chilled to the bone when we got him
out," answered Jack.

"If you had been Reff you wouldn't have run away and left me to drown,"
went on Coulter, stubbornly.

At this Jack was silent.

"You don't know it all, Jack Ruddy. Reff and I had a quarrel. He said
he--he didn't want to have anything more to do with me. I believe he--he
would have been glad to have me drown!"

"Oh, don't say that, Gus!" burst out Pepper.

"But I will say it!" flared out Gus Coulter. "After this I am going to
cut Reff Ritter! And I am going to tell what I know about him, too! And
I am going to get Nick Paxton to tell what he knows, too!"

"What do you know about him?" asked Jack, with sudden interest.

"Oh, I know a good deal."

"Coulter, answer me honestly. Do you know anything about his dealings
with a certain man named Cameron Smith?"

"Oh, do you know that fellow?" questioned the other cadet, and he stared
wonderingly at Jack.

"I know a little about him."

"Don't you have anything to do with him, Jack! And don't you have much
to do with Reff! They are both bad! Oh, you don't know how bad!" And Gus
Coulter shook his head to emphasize his words.

"What did you and Reff quarrel about, Gus?" asked Pepper.

"We quarreled about--about---- Oh, I don't know how I can speak of it!
But I suppose I've got to, if I want to remain honest. We quarreled over
something I found one day in his private box. I got suspicious of him,
and when he was taking a nap I took his key and opened the box. And in
the box what do you suppose I found?"

"What?" came simultaneously from Jack and Pepper.

"Your watch and chain, Jack."




CHAPTER XXX

THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED--CONCLUSION


"My watch and chain!" cried the former major of the school battalion.

"Yes."

"What did you do about it? Why didn't you report it to me, or to Captain
Putnam?"

"I was so stunned I didn't know what to do. I couldn't believe that Reff
had taken them, and that he was guilty of the robberies that were going
on. I locked the box up and put the key back in his pocket. That night I
accused him of the theft, and we had a quarrel and almost came to blows.
He said he didn't take the watch and chain, that he found them in the
gymnasium near the lockers. He said he was only keeping them to get
square with you, and that he would return them to you before the term
closed."

"Found them in the gym?" repeated Pepper.

"I don't believe it," came firmly from the former major of the school
battalion. "I believe he took them; and I believe he took the other
things, too!"

"And I believe that myself, now!" cried Gus Coulter. "Oh, my eyes are
open! I used to think Reff was a pretty good fellow, even though
something of a bully, but I am learning that he is bad through and
through. Paxton saw him sneaking through the dormitories at night, and
he got afraid of him and cut him."

"And what of Cameron Smith?" asked Jack. "You said he was bad?"

"He is. I didn't know it at first, but I heard about it during the
holidays, when he and Reff went off on what they called a good time."

"Can you give me Smith's real address?"

"He claims to come from Boston, but I know Reff once sent him a letter
addressed to Springfield, care of the Excelsior Hotel."

Having once opened his mind, Gus Coulter talked freely of his doings
with Reff Ritter. He said the bully had quite some money at times, but
the amount was quickly spent.

Just as Mr. Darwood drove around to the door with his sleigh Andy came
back to the farmhouse.

"I had some hot words with Ritter," he explained. "He was just as
bullying as ever, and gave us no credit for hauling him out of the lake,
and he said if Coulter was drowned it would be his own fault. Oh, he is
the limit!"

The ride to Putnam Hall was a short one, and on arriving at the school
the cadets hurried to their dormitories to change their damp clothing
for suits which were perfectly dry. In the meantime Jack asked Pepper to
find Captain Putnam and tell the master of the school that he wished to
see him on a matter of great importance.

A little later the former major of the school battalion entered the
captain's private office, followed by Pepper and Andy. They found
Captain Putnam staring at a telegram that had just come in.

"Well, what can I do for you?" he asked.

"I've got something to tell you, sir," returned Jack, and as briefly as
possible he narrated what had occurred on the lake and repeated what
Coulter had told him. As he progressed Captain Putnam shook his head
sadly.

"It must be true," he said almost brokenly. "It all fits in--this
telegram and what you say."

"The telegram?" repeated Jack.

"Yes, Ruddy. This telegram is from Mr. Ford. He states that Cameron
Smith has been caught and has made a confession that he looted the safe
at Point View Lodge. Smith was partly intoxicated at the time of his
capture, and informed the detective that some jewelry he had in his
possession had come from Reff Ritter. He stated that Ritter took the
stuff from the cadets and the others while they slept, and it was
Smith's part to pawn the things and divide the proceeds."

"And Ritter was guilty of all the thefts at the Hall?" cried Pepper.

"Yes, and he even took some of his own things, just for a blind,
according to this man Smith. What Coulter has to say, and Paxton, seems
to corroborate his story."

"What a terrible thing to do!" murmured Jack.

"Smith had a bunch of pawn tickets hidden away in a drawer, and they
represent all the things taken from this school, and they also represent
some other things, namely, those lost by you, Snow, at the time the
horse ran away with you."

"Then it was Cameron Smith after all whom I saw, and who robbed me when
I was unconscious!" cried the acrobatic youth.

"Yes. He was a bad man, and I have no doubt but that he was the one to
lead Ritter astray."

"What are you going to do with Ritter?"

"I cannot do otherwise than have him arrested. But I hate to have such a
scandal attached to the school," and Captain Putnam heaved a sigh that
came from the bottom of his heart.

In the meantime, Reff Ritter had come back to Putnam Hall in another
sleigh, and had gone to his dormitory to change his clothes. Here he was
confronted by Coulter and, a little later, by Nick Paxton, and a hot
discussion arose, which ended in blows. Both Coulter and Paxton fell
upon the bully together and punished him severely. The pair told Ritter
what they thought of him, and each declared that he was going to expose
the bully to Captain Putnam.

"I'll tell all I know about Ruddy's watch and chain, and about you and
that Cameron Smith, too!" declared Coulter.

"Don't you do it!" shouted Ritter.

"And I'll tell what I know about your sneaking in and out of the
dormitories at night," added Paxton. And then he and Coulter went off
together.

They reached the office just as Jack, Andy and Pepper were about to
leave. Each told his story, and both were closely questioned by the
master of the school.

"How long ago did you find this out about the watch and chain, Coulter?"
demanded Captain Putnam.

"Only a few days ago, sir."

"You should have told me before. And you, Paxton, should have told me
about Ritter's sneaking around."

"Oh, I thought it was only fun at first," pleaded Paxton.

"He is undoubtedly guilty, and there remains nothing to do but to have
him arrested."

It was not long after this when he and George Strong went on a hunt for
Reff Ritter, to place him in the guardroom until an officer of the law
could be summoned. Ritter could not be found, and it was not until some
time later that Peleg Snuggers brought in the information that the cadet
had been seen leaving the Hall, dress-suit case in hand, by a side door.

"He has run away!" cried George Strong.

"If so, perhaps it is just as well," murmured Captain Putnam. "To
prosecute him in court would create a terrible scandal! I would rather
pay for the stolen things out of my own pocket!"

Reff Ritter had indeed run away. By some means unknown he managed to get
to a town at the end of the lake and there boarded a midnight train
bound West. He was traced as far as Chicago, but that was the last seen
or heard of him until many years later, when it was learned that he had
gone to Alaska with some gold miners. He got very little gold for a
large amount of hard work, and drifted from place to place, picking up
odd jobs that offered themselves.

The announcement that Ritter was the fellow who had perpetrated the
many thefts at Putnam Hall created strong excitement in the school. But
the matter was hushed up as much as possible by Captain Putnam, and the
master saw to it that every cadet got back the things that belonged to
him, and also squared matters with the teachers.

In due course of time Cameron Smith was tried for the robbery of Point
View Lodge and was sent to prison for a term of years. He admitted
robbing Andy after the runaway, and the acrobatic youth got back from
the pawnbrokers the things taken on that occasion.

After the excitement had passed, Jack, Pepper, Andy and their chums of
the senior class buckled down to hard work for the rest of the term. As
a consequence, Jack graduated at the head of the class, with Joe Nelson,
second; Andy, third; Stuffer, fourth; Pepper, fifth; Henry Lee, sixth,
and Fred Century, seventh.

"I must congratulate you, Ruddy," cried Captain Putnam, warmly. "All
through your term at this school you have made a record to be proud of.
And the other graduates have made fine records, too. I shall hate to
part with all of you."

"And I shall hate to leave Putnam Hall," answered the former major of
the school battalion. "I have had the time of my life since I have been
here."

"So have I!" put in Pepper.

"The best ever!" chimed in Andy.

"I shall never forget Putnam Hall, no matter where I go," came from
Stuffer.

"The best school there ever was!" added Joe Nelson.

       *       *       *       *       *

And now, kind reader, let me add a few words more and then bring this
story of "The Putnam Hall Mystery" to a close. As I promised some years
ago, when I gave you "The Putnam Hall Cadets," I have now related in
detail the most important events that transpired at the military school
during the first years of its existence. What took place there after
Jack Ruddy and his chums left will be found set down in another line of
books called "The Rover Boys Series," starting with "The Rover Boys at
School." In that volume you will not only meet the three jolly Rover
brothers--Dick, Tom and Sam--but also learn more concerning the doings
of Bart Conners, Harry Blossom and Dave Kearney, and again meet that
dictatorial old teacher, Josiah Crabtree, and the bully, Dan Baxter, and
his toady, Mumps. The Rover boys went to Putnam Hall for a number of
years, and had just as good a time as did Jack and his friends.

The graduation exercises at Putnam Hall were that year very elaborate,
and many visitors were present, including the parents and brothers and
sisters of the graduates, and Mr. and Mrs. Ford, and Laura and Flossie.

"Oh, I am so glad that you came out at the head of the class, Jack!"
cried Laura, as she came up to shake his hand.

"Thank you very much, Laura," he answered, and then, as he took her hand
he looked full into her clear eyes. "I'd rather have your
congratulations than anything else," he added.

"Oh, Jack!" she murmured, and then she gave him a glance that thrilled
him through and through. Heretofore, they had only been friends, but
from that moment a deeper sentiment seemed to stir them both, and, years
later, when Jack became settled in business, pretty Laura Ford became
Mrs. Ruddy. In the same year, Pepper, who went into the insurance
business with his father, married Flossie; and all were very happy. Andy
remained a jolly bachelor, to visit one or the other of his chums, as
suited him. He went into business with Jack, and the firm prospered
greatly.

The fun, when the school broke up for the term, was of the
never-to-be-forgotten variety. Great bonfires were lit along the
lake-shore, and around these the cadets gathered, to sing and "cut up"
generally. Some of the boys caught Peleg Snuggers and made him ride a
wooden horse, while others captured Mumps and made the sneak dive
head-first into a barrel that contained several pounds of pulverized
charcoal. When the cadet came forth he was a sight to behold. One
bonfire was made up of discarded schoolbooks.

"Farewell to thee forever!" cried Pepper, as he cast in an old grammar
and a volume of Cicero's works. "Never again shall I need thee, thank
goodness!" And this speech brought forth a roar of laughter.

"Everybody in a grand march!" shouted Andy, a little later. "Jack, as
our old major, you must lead off!"

"So I will," answered Jack, with a happy smile. "Battalion, attention!
Present firebrands! Forward, march!"

And then the cadets marched around and across the campus, waving their
firebrands, and singing and cheering lustily. And here let us wish them
all good luck and say good-by.


THE END




THE FAMOUS ROVER BOYS SERIES

BY ARTHUR M. WINFIELD

(Edward Stratemeyer)


       *       *       *       *       *

American Stories of American Boys and Girls

       *       *       *       *       *

NEARLY THREE MILLION COPIES SOLD OF THIS SERIES

       *       *       *       *       *

12mo.   CLOTH.   UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING. COLORED WRAPPERS.

       *       *       *       *       *

          THE ROVER BOYS AT SCHOOL
          THE ROVER BOYS ON THE OCEAN
          THE ROVER BOYS IN THE JUNGLE
          THE ROVER BOYS OUT WEST
          THE ROVER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES
          THE ROVER BOYS IN THE MOUNTAINS
          THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA
          THE ROVER BOYS IN CAMP
          THE ROVER BOYS ON THE RIVER
          THE ROVER BOYS ON THE PLAINS
          THE ROVER BOYS IN SOUTHERN WATERS
          THE ROVER BOYS ON THE FARM
          THE ROVER BOYS ON TREASURE ISLE
          THE ROVER BOYS AT COLLEGE
          THE ROVER BOYS DOWN EAST
          THE ROVER BOYS IN THE AIR
          THE ROVER BOYS IN NEW YORK
          THE ROVER BOYS IN ALASKA
          THE ROVER BOYS IN BUSINESS
          THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR
          THE ROVER BOYS AT COLBY HALL
          THE ROVER BOYS ON SNOWSHOE ISLAND
          THE ROVER BOYS UNDER CANVAS
          THE ROVER BOYS ON A HUNT
          THE ROVER BOYS IN THE LAND OF LUCK
          THE ROVER BOYS AT BIG HORN RANCH

       *       *       *       *       *

GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK




THE TOM SWIFT SERIES

By VICTOR APPLETON

       *       *       *       *       *

=UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING. INDIVIDUAL COLORED WRAPPERS.=

       *       *       *       *       *

These spirited tales, convey in a realistic way, the wonderful advances
in land and sea locomotion. Stories like these are impressed upon the
memory and their reading is productive only of good.

          TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE
          TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS
          TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE
          TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER
          TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL
          TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH
          TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS
          TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE

       *       *       *       *       *

GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK

       *       *       *       *       *

Transcriber's note: Punctuation normalized.

Page 60, "say" changed to "said" (Major Ruddy said he).

Page 154, "Pegged" changed to "Pepper" (Pepper. "There)

Page 161, double "and" repaired (up and catch).

Page 163, "ring" changed to "bring" (bring in a professional).

Page 204, double "the" repaired (And the two teachers).

Page 208, "scribbed" changed to "scribbled" (scribbled down).

Page 273, double "you" repaired (and what you say)

Page 276, "Goerge" changed to "George" (cried George Strong.)