"Perhaps he'll tell on us," suggested Larry, but Frank shook his
head.

"He hasn't got backbone enough to do it.  He's a worse coward than
Mumps was."

Soon it came time for Sam to do his turn at guarding, and stuffing
a big bit of candy in his mouth, the youngest Rover stepped out
into the dimly lit hallway and sat down on a low stool which one
of the guards had placed there.

For ten or fifteen minutes nothing occurred to disturb Sam, and he
was just beginning to think that watching was all nonsense when he
saw a dark figure creeping along the wall at the extreme lower end
of the hallway, where it made a turn toward the back stairs.

"Hullo, who's that?" he muttered.  "It doesn't look much like Mr.
Strong."

He continued to watch the figure, and now saw that it was dressed
in a black suit and had what looked like a shawl over its head.

"That's queer," went on the boy.  "What can that man or boy be up
to?"

Presently the figure turned and entered one of the lower
dormitories, closing the door gently behind it.  Then it came out
again and made swiftly for the rear of the upper hallway.   By
this time Sam was more curious than ever, and as the figure
disappeared around the bend by the back stairs he followed on
tiptoes.

But as what light there was came from the front, the rear was very
dark, and the youth could see little or nothing.  He heard a door
close and the lock click, but whether or not it was upstairs or
down he could not tell.

For several minutes he remained in the rear hallway, and then he
went back to his post.  Soon Tom came out to relieve him, and Sam
re-entered the dormitory and told his story to the others.

"That's certainly odd," was Dick's comment

"Was it a man or a boy, Sam?"

"I can't say exactly.  If it wasn't a man it was a pretty big
boy."

"Perhaps we ought to report the matter to Captain Putnam,"
suggested Frank.  "That person may have been around the hallways
for no good purpose."

"Oh, pshaw! perhaps it was somebody who was trying to spy on us,"
put in Fred.  "If we tell the captain we will only be exposing
ourselves, and I guess you all know what that means."

"It means half-holidays cut off for a month," said Dick.

"Besser you vait und see vot comes of dis," said Hans, and after a
little more talk this idea prevailed, and then the boys went in to
clear up what was left of the feast.  Everything was gone but a
little ice-cream, and it did not take long to dispose of this.

Sam was bound to have some fun, and instead of eating his last
mouthful of cream he awaited a favorable opportunity and dropped
it down inside of Fred's collar.

"Great Scott!" roared Fred Garrison.  "Whow!"  And he began to
dance around.  "Oh, my backbone!  That's worse than a chunk of
ice!  Oh, but I'll be frozen stiff!"

"Go down and sit on the kitchen stove," suggested Dick.

"Sit on the stove?  I'll sit on Sam's head if I get the chance!"
roared Fred, and made a rush for Sam.  A scuffle ensued, which
came to a sudden end as both sent a washstand over with a loud
crash.

"Wow you've done it!" cried Frank.  "That's noise enough to wake
the dead."

"Great Caesar, stop that row!" burst out Torn, opening the door.
"Do you want to bring the captain down on us at the last minute?"

"Clear up that muss, both of you," said Dick to Sam and Fred.  But
the latter demurred.  It was Sam's fault -- he started the racket.

"I won't touch it."  And Fred proceeded to go to bed.

"I reckon we had best dust," said one of the boys from another
dormitory.

"So you had!" burst out Tom.  "I hear somebody coming already,"
and in a twinkle the outsiders ran for their various quarters,
leaving the occupants of Dormitory No. 6 to fix up matters as best
they could.

It was no easy job to straighten out the washstand, clear up the
general muss, and disrobe.  But the boys were on their mettle, and
in less than two minutes the light was out and all were under the
covers, although, to be sure, Sam had his shoes still on and Tom
was entirely clothed.

"Boys, what is the row up here?"  The call came from Captain
Putnam himself.  He was ascending the front stairs, lamp in hand,
and attired in a long dressing gown.

As no one answered, he paused in the upper hallway and asked the
question again.  Then he looked into one dormitory after another.

"All asleep, eh?  Well, see that you don't wake up again as soon
as my back is turned," he went on, and soon after walked below
again, a faint smile on his features.  He knew that boys were
bound to be more or less mischievous, no matter how strict his
regulations.

"I'll tell you what, the captain's a brick!" whispered Tom, as he
began to disrobe noiselessly.

"So he is," answered Frank.  "You wouldn't catch old Crabtree
acting that way.  He'd have bad every cadet out of bed and sent
half a dozen of us down to the guard-room."

"I guess the captain remembers when he was a cadet himself,"
remarked Dick.  "I've heard that they cut up some high pranks at
West Point."

"George Strong would be just as kind," came from Tom.  "But say, I
am growing awfully tired."

"So am I," came from several others,

Then the good-night word was passed, and soon all of the cadets
were sound asleep, never dreaming of the surprise which awaited
them in the morning.





CHAPTER VII

WHO WAS GUILTY?

"Boys, I've had my trunk looted!"

"And I've had my trousers' pockets picked!"

"And the half-dollar I left on the bureau is gone!"

Such were some of the excited exclamations which the Rover boys
heard when they went downstairs the next morning.   The speakers
were the youths who occupied Dormitories Numbers 3 and 4, at the
rear of the main upper hall.  An inquiry among the lads elicited
the information that everybody had suffered excepting one boy, who
said he had not had any money on hand.

"I spent my last cent for the spread," he grinned.  "I guess I'm
the lucky one."

The news of the robberies created a profound sensation throughout
Putnam Hall, and both Captain Putnam and George Strong were very
much disturbed.

"We never had such a thing occur before," said the captain, and he
ordered a strict investigation.

All told, something like thirty-two dollars were missing, and also
a gold watch, a silver watch, and several shirt-studs of more or
less value.  Among the shirt-studs was one set with a ruby
belonging to a cadet named Weeks.

The investigation revealed nothing of importance.  The robbery had
been committed during the night, while the owners of the money and
the various articles slept.

"I must get at the bottom of this affair," said Captain Putnam.
"The honor of the academy is at stake."

He talked to all of those who had lost anything and promised to
make the matter good.  Then he asked each if he had any suspicions
regarding the thief or thieves.  No one had, and for the time
being it looked as if the case must fall to the ground.

Those who had been at the feast hardly knew what to say or to do.
Should they tell the captain of the strange figure Sam had seen in
the hallway?

"I'll tell him, and shoulder the blame, if you fellows are
willing," said Sam, after a long discussion.  "Fun is one thing,
and shielding a thief is another."

"But what can you tell?" asked Fred.  "You do not know that that
person, was the thief."

"More than likely he was," came from Dick.

"And if he was, who was he?" went on Fred.  "If you tell Captain
Putnam you'll simply get us all into trouble."

"I vote that Sam makes a clean breast of it," said Frank, and
Larry said the same.  This was just before dinner, and immediately
after the midday meal had been finished the youngest Rover went up
to the master of the Hall and touched him on the arm.

"I would like to speak to you in private and at once, Captain
Putnam," he said.

"Very well, Rover; come with me," was the reply, and Captain
Putnam led the way to his private office.

"I suppose I should have spoken of this before," said Sam, when
the two were seated. "But I didn't want to get the others into
trouble. As it is, Captain Putnam, I want to take the entire blame
on my own shoulders."

"The blame of what, Samuel?"

"Of what I am going to tell you about.  We voted to tell you, but
I don't want to be a tattle-tale and get the others into trouble
along with me."

"I will hear what you have to say," returned the master of the Hall
briefly.

"Well, sir, you know it was Dick's birthday yesterday, and we boys
thought we would celebrate a bit.  So we had a little blow-out in
our room."

"Was that the noise I heard last night?"

"The noise you heard was from our room, yes.  But that isn't what
I was getting at," stammered Sam.  "We set a guard out in the
hallway to keep watch."

"Well?"

"I was out in the hall part of the time, and I saw a dark figure
in the rear hallway prowling around in a most suspicious manner.
It went into Dormitory No. 3 and then came out and disappeared
toward the back stairs."

"This is interesting.  Who was the party?"

"I couldn't make out."

"Was it a man or a woman?

"A man, sir, or else a big boy.  He had something like a shawl
over his shoulders and was dressed in black or dark-brown."

"You saw him go in and come out of one of the sleeping rooms?"

"Yes, sir."

"And then he went down the back stairs?"

"He either went down the stairs or else into one of the back
rooms.  I walked back after a minute or two, but I didn't see
anything more of him, although I heard a door close and heard a
key turn in a lock."

"Was this before I came up or after?"

"Before, sir. We went to sleep right after you came up."

"Who was present at the feast?" And now Captain Putnam prepared to
write down the names.

"Oh, sir; I hope you won't -- won't --"

"I'll have to ask you for the names, Samuel.  I want to know who
was on foot last night as well as who was robbed."

"Surely you don't think any of us was guilty?" cried Sam in sudden
horror.

"I don't know what to think.  The names, please."

"I -- I think I'll have to refuse to give them, Captain Putnam."

"Of course all the boys who sleep in your dormitory were present?"

"I said I would take this all on my own shoulders, Captain Putnam.
Of course, you know I wouldn't have confessed at all; but I don't
wish to give that thief any advantage."

"Perhaps the person wasn't a thief at all, only some other cadet
spying upon you."

"We thought of that."

"You may as well give me the names.  I shall find them out
anyway."

Hardly knowing whether or not he was doing right, Sam mentioned
all of the cadets who had taken part in the feast.  This list
Captain Putnam compared with another containing the names of those
who had been robbed.

"Thirty-two pupils," he mused. "I'll have the whole, school in
this before I finish."

He looked at Sam curiously.  The youth wondered what was coming
next, when there was a sudden knock on the door.  "Come in," said
Captain Putnam, and one of the little boys entered with a letter
in his hand.

"Mr. Strong sent me with this," said the young cadet.  "He just
found it on the desk in the main recitation room."

"All right, Powers; thank you," answered the captain, and took the
letter.  "You can go," and Powers retired again.

The letter was encased in a dirty, envelope on which was printed
in a big hand, in lead pencil:

"CAPT. VICTOR PUTNAM.
Very Important. Deliver at Once."

Taking up a steel blade, the master of the Hall cut open the
envelope and took out the slip of paper it contained.  As he read
the communication he started.  Then he crushed the paper in his
hand and looked sharply at Sam.

"Samuel, was the party you saw in the hall-way tall and slim?"

"Rather tall, yes, sir."

"And slim?"

"Well, he wasn't fat."

"Did you see his face?"

"No; it was too dark for that, and, besides, he had that shawl, or
whatever it was, pretty well up around him."

"Did you notice how he walked?"

"He moved on tiptoes."

"And you cannot imagine who it was?"

"No, sir."

"By the way, you of course know Alexander Pop, our colored
waiter."

"Why, to be sure!  Everybody knows Aleck, and we have had lots of
fun with him, at one time or another.  But you surely don't
suspect him, do you?"

"This letter says Pop is guilty."

"That letter?  And who wrote it?"

"I do not know.  It contains but two lines, and you can read it
for yourself," and the captain handed over the communication,
which ran as follows:

"Alexander Pop stole that money and the other things.
ONE WHO KNOWS ALL."

"That's a mighty queer letter for anybody to write," murmured Sam,
as he handed it back.  "Why didn't the writer come to you, as I
have done?"

"Perhaps he wanted to keep out of trouble."

"I don't believe the letter tells the truth, sir."

"And why not?"

"Because Aleck is too good-hearted a fellow to turn thief."

"Hum!  That hardly covers the ground, Samuel."

"Well, why don't you have him searched?"

"I will."

Without further ado Sam was dismissed, and Captain Putnam called
George Strong to him and showed the strange letter.

"Why not look among Pop's effects?" suggested the assistant.  "He
may have hidden the money and jewelry in his trunk."

"We will go up to his apartment," replied Captain Putnam, and a
few minutes later the pair ascended to the attic room which the
colored waiter had used for several terms.  They found Pop just
fixing up for a trip to Cedarville.

He nodded pleasantly, and then looked at both questioningly.

"Pop, I am afraid I have a very unpleasant duty to perform," began
Captain Putnam.

"Wot's dat, sah?" asked Aleck in surprise.

"You have heard of the robberies that have been committed?"

"'Deed I has, sah.  But -- but yo' don't go fo' to distrust me, do
yo', cap'n?" went on the colored man anxiously.

"I would like to search your trunk and your clothing, Pop.  If you
are innocent you will not object."

"But, sah, I didn't steal nuffin, sah."

"Then you shouldn't object."

"It aint right nohow to 'spect an honest colored pusson, sah,"
said Aleck, growing angry.

"Do you object to the search?"

"I do, sah.  I am not guilty, sah, an' dis am not treatin' me jest
right, sah, 'deed it aint, sah."

"If you object, Pop, I will be under the painful necessity of
having Snuggers place you under arrest.  You know he is a special
officer for the Hall."

At this announcement Aleck fell back completely dumfounded.
"Well, dat's de wust yet!" he muttered, and sank back on a chair,
not knowing what to do next.





CHAPTER VIII

IN WHICH ALEXANDER POP RUNS AWAY


"Will you submit to having your trunk examined or not?" demanded
Captain Putnam, after a painful pause, during which Alexander
Pop's eyes rolled wildly from one teacher to the other.

"Yo' kin examine it if yo' desire," said Aleck. "But it's an
outrage, Cap'n Putnam, an' outrage, sah!"

Without more ado Captain Putnam approached the waiter's trunk, to
find it locked.

"Where is the key, Pop?"

"Dare, sah, on de nail alongside ob yo' sah."

Soon the trunk was unlocked and the lid thrown back.  The box
contained a miscellaneous collection of wearing apparel, which the
captain pushed to one side.  Then he brought out a cigar box
containing some cheap jewelry and other odds and ends, as well as
two five dollar bills.

"Dat money am mine, sah," said Aleck. "Yo paid me dat las'
Saturday, sall."

"That is true, but how did this get here, Pop?"

As Captain Putnam paused he held up a stud set with a ruby-the
very stud the cadet Weeks had lost!

"Dat -- dat stud -- I never seen dat shirt-stud before, cap'n,
'deed I didn't," stammered the waiter.

"That is certainly Weeks' stud; I remember it well," put in George
Strong.  "He showed it to me one day, stating it was a gift from
his aunt."

"And here is a cheap watch," added Captain Putnam, bringing forth
the article.  "Pop, is this your watch?"

"No, sah -- I -- I never seen dat watch before," answered Aleck
nervously.  "I dun reckon sumbuddy put up a job on dis poah coon,
sah," he continued ruefully.

"I believe the job was put up by yourself," answered Captain
Putnam sternly.  "If you are guilty you had better confess."

A stormy war of words followed.  Alexander Pop stoutly declared
himself innocent, but in the face of the proofs discovered the
master of the Hall would not listen to him.

"Peleg Snuggers shall take you in charge and drive down to the
Cedarville lock-up," said the captain.

The news that some of the things had been found in Pop's trunk
spread with great rapidity.  Many were astonished to learn that he
was thought guilty, but a few declared that "a coon wasn't to be
trusted anyway."

"Niggers are all thieves," said Jim Caven, "never yet saw an
honest one."

"I don't believe you!" burst out Tom.  "Pop's a first-rate fellow,
and the captain has got to have more proof against him before I'll
believe him guilty."

"Oh, he's a bad egg!" growled the Irish boy.

"You only say that because he called you down last week," put in
Frank.  He referred to a tilt between the new pupil and the
colored man.  Jim Caven had tried to be "smart" and had gotten the
worst of the encounter.

"Yes, I think he's as honest as you are!" burst out Tom, before he
had stopped to think twice.

"What! do you call me a thief!" roared Jim Caven, and leaped upon
Tom, with his face as white as the wall.  "I'll make you smart for
that!"

One blow landed on Tom's cheek and another was about to follow,
when Tom dodged and came up under Caven's left arm.  Then the two
boys faced each other angrily.

"A fight!  Fight!" cried a number of the cadets, and in a twinkle
a ring was formed around the two contestants.

"I'm going to give you the worst thrashing you ever had," said
Caven, but in rather a nervous tone.

"All right, Caven, go ahead and do it," cried Tom.  "I will stand
up for Aleck Pop, and there you are!"

Tom launched forth and caught Caven on the right cheek.  The Irish
lad also struck out, but the blow fell short.  Then the two boys
clinched.

"Break away there!" cried Frank. "Break away!"

"I'll break his head!" panted Caven.  "How do you like that?"  And
he held Tom with one hand and hit him in the neck with the other.

The blow was a telling one, and for a brief instant Tom was dazed.
But then he caught his second wind and threw Caven backward.
Before the Irish lad could recover his balance, Tom struck him
in the nose, and over rolled his opponent.

A shout went up.  "Good for Tom Rover!  That was a telling blow!
I Keep it up!"

"I'll fix you!" gasped Jim Caven, as soon as he could speak.
"I'll fix you!" and staggering to his feet, he glanced around for
some weapon.  Nothing met his view but a garden spade which Peleg
Snuggers had been using, and catching this up he ran for Tom as if
to lay him low forever.

"Caven, none of that!  Fight fair!"

"He shan't call me a thief!" growled the Irish boy.  "I'll show
him!"  And he aimed a tremendous blow for Tom's head.

Had the spade fallen as intended Tom's cranium might have been split
in twain.  But now both Dick and Frank caught the unreasonable youth
and held him while Sam and several others took the spade away.

"Stop it -- here comes Mr. Strong!" came the unexpected cry from
some outsiders.

"Yes, give it up, Tom," whispered Sam.

"We're in hot water enough, on account of that feast."

"I'll give it up if Caven is willing," muttered

"I'll meet you another time," answered Caven, and walked rapidly
away.

"What is the row here?" demanded George Strong, as he strode up.

"Nothing, sir," said one of the boy.  "Some of the fellows were
wrestling for possession of that spade."

"Oh, I was afraid there was a fight," and Mr. Strong sauntered
off.

He was on his way to the barn, and presently the cadets saw him
come forth with the man-of-fall-work and the light spring wagon.

"They are going to take poor Aleck to the Cedarville lock-up,"
announced Fred.  "Poor chap, I never thought this of him!"

"Nor I," answered Dick.  "To me this affair isn't very clear."

"I don't believe they will be able to convict him of the crime,"
put in Sam.

An hour later Peleg Snuggers started away from Putnam Hall with
his prisoner.  Aleck looked the picture of misery as he sat on a
rear seat, his wrists bound together and one leg tied to the wagon
seat with a rope.

"Dis am a mistake," he groaned.  "I aint guilty nohow!"

Some of the boys wished to speak to him, but this was not
permitted.  Soon the turnout was out of sight.

"You may think I am hard with him," said Captain Putnam, later on,
"but to tell the truth he does not come from a very good family
and he has a step-brother already in prison."

 "Aleck can't be held responsible for his stepbrother's doings,"
murmured Tom, but not loud enough for the master to hear him.

A diligent search had been made for the other stolen articles, but
nothing more was brought to light.  If Pop had taken the things he
had either hidden them well or else disposed of them.

It was nearly nightfall when Peleg Snuggers drove back to the
Hall.  Dick and Tom met him just outside the gates and saw that
the man-of-all-work looked much dejected.

"Well, Peleg, is he safe in jail?" called out Tom.

"No, he ain't," was the snappy reply.

"Why, what did you do with him?" questioned Dick quickly.

"Do?  I didn't do nuthin -- not me.  It was him as did it all --
cut that blessed rope and shoved me over the dashboard on to the
hosses!" growled Snuggers.

"Do you mean to say he got away from you?" asked Tom.

"Yes, he did -- got away like a streak o' fightnin', thet's wot he
did, consarn him!"  And without another word Peleg drove to the
rear of the Hall, put his team in the barn, and went in to report
to Captain Putnam.

Another row resulted, and this nearly cost the utility Man his
position.  But it appeared that he was not so much to blame that
Alexander Pop had taken him unawares and finally he was sent away
to his work with the caution to be more careful in the future.
Before night and during the next day a hunt was made for the
colored man, but he had left the vicinity entirely, gone to New
York, and shipped on one of the outward-bound ocean vessels.  The
Rover boys fancied that they would never see him again, but in
this they were mistaken.




CHAPTER IX

THE ROVER BOYS ON WHEELS

"Say, fellows, but this is the greatest sport yet!"

"I feel like flying, Tom," said Dick Rover.  "I never thought
wheeling was so grand."

"Nor I," came from Sam Rover.  "Where shall we go this afternoon?"

It was several weeks later, and the scholars were having a
half-holiday.  Just six days before, Randolph Rover had surprised
his three nephews by sending each a handsome bicycle, and it had
taken them hardly any time to learn how to handle the machines.

"Let us take a ride over to Chardale," said Dick.  "I understand
that the roads are very good in that direction."

"All right, I'm willing," answered Sam, and Tom said the same.
Soon the three brothers were on the way, Dick leading and Tom and
Sam coming behind, side by side.

It was an ideal day for cycling, cool and clear, and the road they
had elected to take was inviting to the last degree, with its
broad curves, its beautiful trees, and the mountainous views far
to the north and west.

"It's a wonder we didn't get wheels before," observed Dick.  "This
beats skating or riding a to bits."

"Just you look out that you don't take a header!" warned Tom.
"This road is all right, but a loose stone might do a pile of
damage."

"I've got my eye on the road," answered his big brother.  "For the
matter of that, we'll all have to keep our eyes open."

To reach Chardale they had to cross several bridges and then
descend a long hill, at the foot of which ran the railroad to
several towns north and south.

"Come on!" cried Tom, and spurted ahead.  With a laugh, Sam tried
to catch up to him, but could not.  "Now for a coast!" went on the
fun-loving Rover, as the hill was gained, and on he started, his
wheel flying faster and faster as yard after yard was covered.

"My gracious, Tom! look out or you'll be smashed up!" yelled Dick.
"Put on your brake!"

"Can't," came back the answer.  "I took it off entirely this
morning."

This reply had scarcely reached Dick's ears when another sound
came to him which disturbed him greatly.

Far away he heard the whistle of a locomotive as it came around
the bottom of the hill.  Looking in the direction, he saw the puff
of smoke over the treetops.

He tried to cry out, but now the road was rather rough, and he had
to pay strict attention 'to where he was riding.

"Tom's going to get into trouble," gasped Sam, as he ranged up
alongside of his elder brother.  "The road crosses the railroad
tracks just below here."

"I know it, Sam.  I wish we could make him come back."

As Dick finished he saw a chance to stop and at once dismounted.
Then he yelled at the top of his lungs:

"Tom, stop!  Stop, or you'll run into the railroad train!"

Sam also came to a halt and set up a shout.  But Tom was now
speeding along like the wind and did not hear them.

Nearer and nearer he shot to the railroad tracks.  Then the
whistle of the locomotive broke upon his ears and he turned pale.

"I don't want to run into that train," he muttered, and tried to
bring his bicycle to a halt.

But the movement did not avail without a brake, and so he was
compelled to seek for some side path into which he might guide his
machine.

But, alas! the road was hemmed in with a heavy woods on one side
and a field of rocks on the other.  A sudden stop, therefore,
would mean a bad spill, and Tom had no desire to break his bones
by any such proceeding.

Nearer and nearer he drew to the railroad crossing.  He could now
hear the puffing of the engine quite plainly and caught a glimpse
of the long train over the rocks to his left.  On he bounded until
the crossing itself came into view.  He was less than a hundred
yards from it -- and the oncoming engine was about the same
distance away!

There are some moments in one's life that seem hours, and the
present fraction of time was of that sort to poor Tom.  He had a
vision of a terrific smash-up, and of Dick and Sam picking up his
lifeless remains from the railroad tracks.  "I'm a goner!" he
muttered, and then, just before the tracks were reached, he made
one wild, desperate leap in the direction of a number of bushes
skirting the woods.  He turned over and over, hit hard -- and for
several seconds knew no more.

When Dick and Sam came up they found Tom sitting in the very midst
of the bushes.  The bicycle lay among the rocks with the handle-
bars and the spokes of the front wheel badly twisted.

"Are you much hurt, Tom?" asked his big brother sympathetically,
yet glad to learn that Tom had not been ground to death under the
train, which had now passed the crossing.

"I don't know if I'm hurt or not," was the 'slow answer, as Tom
held his handkerchief to his nose, which was bleeding.

"I tried to plow up these bushes with my head, that's all. I guess
my ankle is sprained, too."

"You can't ride that wheel any further," announced Sam.

"I don't want to ride.  I've had enough, for a few days at least."

It was a good quarter of an hour before Tom felt like standing up.
Then he found his ankle pained him so much that walking was out of
the question.

"I'm sure I don't know what I am going to do," he said ruefully.
"I can't walk and I can't ride, and I don't know as I can stay
here."

"Perhaps Dick and I can carry you to Hopeton," said Sam,
mentioning a, small town just beyond the railroad tracks.

"It will be a big job. If you --  Here comes a wagon.  Perhaps the
driver of that will give me a lift."

As Tom finished a large farm wagon rattled into sight, drawn by a
pair of bony horses and driven by a tall, lank farmer.

"Hullo, wot's the matter?" asked the farmer, as he drew rein.
"Had a breakdown?"

"No, I've had a smash-up," answered Tom.

"My brother's ankle is sprained, and we would like to know if you
can give him a lift to the next town," put in Dick. "We'll pay you
for your trouble."

"That's all right -- Seth Dickerson is allers ready to aid a
fellow-bein' in distress," answered the farmer.  "Can ye git in
the wagon alone?"

Tom could not, and the farmer and Dick carried him forward and
placed him on the seat.  Then the damaged bicycle was placed in
the rear of the turnout, and Seth Dickerson drove off, while Sam
and Dick followed on their steeds of steel.

"I see you air dressed in cadet uniforms," remarked the farmer, as
the party proceeded on its way.  "Be you fellers from Pornell
school?"

"No; we come from Putnam Hall," answered Tom.

"Oh, yes - 'bout the same thing, I take it.  How is matters up to
the school -- larnin' a heap?"

"We are trying to learn all we have to."

"Had some trouble up thar, didn't ye?  My wife's brother was
a-tellin' me about it.  A darkey stole some money an' watches, an'
that like."

"They think he stole them," said Tom.

"We can hardly believe it."

"Why don't Captain Putnam hunt around them air pawnshops fer the
watches?" went on Seth Dickerson, after a pause.

"The thief would most likely pawn 'em, to my way of thinkin'."

"He hasn't much of a chance to do that.  But I presume the police
will keep their eyes open."

"I was over to Auburn yesterday -- had to go to see about a
mortgage on our farm -- and I stopped into one of them pawnbrokin'
shops to buy a shot-gun, if I could git one cheap.  While I was in
there a big boy came in and pawned a gold watch an' two shirt
studs."

"Is that so," returned Tom, with much interest.  "What kind of a
looking boy was it?"

"A tall, slim feller, with reddish hair.  He had sech shifty eyes
I couldn't help but think that maybe he had stolen them things
jest to raise some spending money."

"Did he give his name?"

"He said Jack Smith, but I don't think thet vas correct, for he
hesitated afore he gave it."

"A tall, slim fellow, with reddish hair and shifty eyes," mused
Tom.  "Do you remember how he was dressed?"

"He had on a rough suit of brownish-green and a derby hat with a
hole knocked in one side."

"My gracious me!" burst out the boy.  "Can it be possible!"

"Can wot be possible, lad?"

"That description fits one of our students exactly."  Tom called
to Dick and Sam.  "Come up here, both of you!"

"What's up, Tom; do you feel worse?" asked Dick, as he wheeled as
closely to the seat of the wagon as possible.

"No, I feel better.  But I've made a big discovery -- at least, I
feel pretty certain that I have?"

"What discovery?" questioned Sam.

"I've discovered who stole that money and other stuff."

"And who was it?" came quickly from both brothers.

"Jim Caven."





CHAPTER X

A STRANGE MESSAGE FROM THE SEA

"Jim Caven!" repeated Dick slowly, "What makes you believe that he
is guilty?"

"From what Mr. Dickerson here says," answered Tom, and repeated
what the farmer had told him.

"Gracious, that does look black for Caven!" said Dick, when he had
finished.  He turned to the farmer.  "Would you recognize that boy
again if you saw him?"

"I allow as how I would.  His eyes was wot got me -- never saw
sech unsteady ones afore in my life."

"Yes, those eyes put me down on Caven the minute I saw him,"
answered Tom.  "More than half of the boys at the Hall have put
him down as a first-class sneak, although we can't exactly tell
why."

"See here," said Dick.  "I think it would be best if Mr. Dickerson
would drive back to the Hall with us and tell Captain Putnam of
what he knows."

"And see if he can identify Caven," finished Sam.  "Are you
willing to do that, Mr. Dickerson?"

"Well, to tell the truth, I've got some business to attend to
now," was the slow reply.

"I am sure Captain Putnam will pay you for your trouble," went on
Sam.  "If he won't, we will."

"You seem mighty anxious to bring this Caven to justice,"  smiled
the farmer.

"We are, for two reasons," said Tom.  "The first is, because he
isn't the nice sort to have around, and the second is, because one
of the men working at the school, a colored waiter, whom we all
liked, has been suspected of this crime and had to run away to
avoid arrest."

"I see. Well --"  The farmer mused for a moment.  "All right, I'll
go back with ye -- and at once."

The team was turned around as well as the narrow confines of the
hilly road permitted, and soon the Rover boys were on their way
back to Putnam Hall, a proceeding which pleased Tom in more ways
than one, since he would not have now to put up at a strange
resort to have his ankle and his wheel cared for.  They bowled
along at a rapid gait, the horses having more speed in them than
their appearance indicated.  They were just turning into the road
leading to Putnam Hall grounds when Dick espied several cadets
approaching, bound for the lake shore.

"Here come Caven, Willets, and several others!" he cried.  "Mr.
Dickerson, do you recognize any of those boys?"

The farmer gave a searching glance, which lasted until the
approaching cadets were beside the wagon.  Then he pointed his
hand at Jim Caven.

"Thet's the boy I seed over to Auburn, a-pawning thet watch an'
them studs," he announced.  "He's got his sodger uniform on, but I
know him jest the same."

Jim Caven looked at the farmer in astonishment.  Then when he
heard Seth Dickerson's words he fell back and his face grew
deathly white.

"I -- I don't know you," he stammered.

"I seed you over to Auburn, in a pawnshop," repeated Dickerson.

"It -- It isn't true!" gasped Caven.  "I was never over to Auburn
in my life.  Why should I go there to a pawnshop?"

"I guess you know well enough, Caven," said Tom.  "You bad better
come back to the Hall with us and have a talk with Captain
Putnam."

"I won't go with you.  This is -- is a -- a plot against me,"
stammered the slim youth.

"You will go back!" cried Dick, and caught Caven by the arm.  But
with a jerk the seared boy freed himself and ran down the road at
the top of his speed.

Sam and Dick pursued him on their bicycles, while some of the
others came after on foot.  Seeing this, Jim Caven took to the
woods just as Dan Baxter had done, and the boys found it
impossible to track him any further.

"I wonder if he'll come back tonight?" said Dick, as the party
returned to where they had left Seth Dickerson and Tom.

"I don't think he will," answered Sam.  "I declare, he must be
almost as bad as the Baxters!"

The farm wagon soon reached the Hall, and Dick ushered Seth
Dickerson into Captain Putnam's office.  The captain looked
surprised at the unexpected visitor, but listened with deep
concern to all the farmer and the Rover boys had to say.

"This certainly looks black for Caven," he said at last.  "I did
not think I had such a bad boy here.  And you say he got away from
you?"

"Yes, sir."

"It is a question if he will come back -- providing he is really
guilty.  I will have his trunk and bag searched without delay.
But if he is guilty how did that ruby stud and the watch come into
Alexander Pop's possession?"

"He was down on Aleck," replied Tom, who had hobbled in after the
others.  "And, besides, he thought if Aleck was arrested the
search for the criminal would go no further."

"Perhaps you are right, Thomas.  It is a sad state of affairs at
the best."

The party ascended to the dormitory which Jim Caven occupied with
several smaller boy.  His trunk was found locked, but Captain Putnam
took upon himself the responsibility of hunting up a key to fit the
box.  Once open the trunk was found to contain, among other things,
a bit of heavy cloth tied with a piece of strong cord.

"Here we are, sure enough!" cried the captain, as he undid the
package and brought to light several of the missing watches and
also some of the jewelry.  "I guess it is a clear case against
Caven, and Pop is innocent."

"I wish we could tell Pop of it," put in Dick.

"He must feel awfully bad."

"I will do what I can for the negro, Rover.  I am very sorry
indeed, now, that I suspected him," said Captain Putnam, with a
slow shake of his head.

At the bottom of the trunk was a pocketbook containing nearly all
of the money which had been stolen.  A footing-up revealed the
fact that two watches and three gold shirt studs were still
missing.

"And those were pawned in Auburn," said Sam.  "Just wait and see
if I am not right."

A party was organized to hunt for Caven, and the captain himself
went to Auburn that very evening.  The hunt for the missing boy
proved unsuccessful, and it may be added here that he never turned
up at Putnam Hall again nor at his home in Middletown, having run
away to the West.

When Captain Putnam came back he announced that he had recovered
all but one watch.  The various goods and the money were distributed
among their rightful owners, and it must be confessed that a big
sigh of relief went up from the cadets who had suffered.  The
single missing timepiece was made good to the boy who had lost it,
by the captain buying a similar watch for the youth.

After this several weeks passed without anything of special
interest occurring outside of a stirring baseball match with a
club from Ithaca, which Putnam Hall won by a score of six to
three.  In this game Dick made a much-needed home run, thus
covering himself with glory.

"The Rovers are out of sight!" was Larry's comment.  "Whatever
they do they do well."

"And they hang together like links of a chain," added Fred.  "The
friend of one is the friend of all, and the same can be said of an
enemy."

One morning a telegraph messenger from Cedarville was seen
approaching the Hall, just as the boys were forming for the
roll-call.

"Here's a telegram for somebody," said Sam.

"I hope it's not bad news."

"A message for Richard Rover," announced George Strong, after
receiving it, and handed over the yellow envelope.

Wondering what the message could contain and who had sent it, Dick
tore open the envelope and read the brief communication.  As his
eyes met the words his head seemed to swim around, so bewildered
was he by what was written there.

"What is it, Dick?" came from Tom and Sam.

"It's from Uncle Randolph.  He wants us to come home at once.  He
says -- but read it for yourselves," and the elder Rover handed
over the message, which ran as follows:

"Have just received a strange message from the sea, supposed to be
written by your father.  Come home at once.
RANDOLPH ROVER."

"My gracious!  News from father!" gasped Tom.

"Is he really alive?" burst out Sam.  "Oh, I pray Heaven the news
is true!"

"A strange message from the sea," repeated Dick.  "I wonder what
he can mean?"

"Perhaps it's a message that was picked up by some steamer,"
suggested Sam.  "Anyway, uncle wants us to come home at once."

"He doesn't say all of us.  The message is addressed to me."

"But of course he wanted all of us to come," put in Tom.  "Anyway,
four horses couldn't hold me back!" he continued determinedly.

"Nor me," chimed in Sam.  He drew a long breath.  "If we hurry up
we can catch the noon boat at Cedarville for Ithaca."

"Yes, and the evening train for Oak Run," finished Tom.  "Hurry
up, Dick!"

Dick was willing.  To tell the truth, that message had fired him
as he had never been fired before.  He burst into the captain's
office pell-mell, with Tom and Sam on his heels, to explain the
situation.  Ten minutes later -- and even this time seemed an age
to the brothers -- they were hurrying into their ordinary clothing
and packing, their satchels, while Peleg Snuggers was hitching up
to take them to the landing at Cedarville.

"Good-by to you, and good luck!" shouted Frank, as they clambered
into the wagon, and many other cadets set up a shout.  Then the
wagon rattled off.  The Rover boys had turned their backs on dear
old Putnam Hall for a long while to come.





CHAPTER XI

THE ROVERS REACH A CONCLUSION

For the three Rover boys the Golden Star could not make the trip
from Cedarville to Ithaca fast enough.  They fretted over every
delay, and continually wondered if there was any likelihood of
their missing the train which was to take them to Oak Run, the
nearest railroad station to Valley Brook farm, their uncle's home.

But the train was not missed; instead, they had to wait half an
hour for it.  During this time they procured dinner, although Dick
felt so strange he could scarcely eat a mouthful.

"Uncle Randolph doesn't say much," he murmured to Tom.  "He might
have said more."

"We'll know everything before we go to bed, Dick," answered his
brother.  "I don't believe Uncle Randolph would telegraph unless
the news was good."

They indulged in all sorts of speculation, as the train sped on
its way to Oak Run.  When the latter place was reached it was
dark, and they found Jack Ness, the hired man, waiting for them
with the carriage.

"There, I  knowed it," grinned Jack.  "Mr. Rover calculated that
only Dick would come, but I said we'd have 'em all."

"And what is this news of my father?" questioned Dick.

"It's a message as was picked up off the coast of Africky,"
replied Ness.  "Mr. Rover didn't explain very clearly to me.  He's
a good deal excited, and so is the missus."

"And so are we," remarked Sam.  "Can it be that father is on his
way home?"

"I calculate not, Master Sam.  Leas'wise, your uncle didn't say
so," concluded the hired man.

Never had the horses made better time than they did now, and yet
the boys urged Ness continually to drive faster.  Swift River was
soon crossed -- that stream where Sam had once had such a stirring
adventure -- and they bowled along past the Fox and other farms.

"Here we are!" shouted Dick at last.

"There is Uncle Randolph out on the porch to greet us!"

"And there is Aunt Martha!" added Sam.  "I do believe they look
happy, don't you, Tom?"

"They certainly don't look sad," was the noncommittal answer; and
then the carriage swept up to the horse-block and the three boys
alighted.

"All of you, eh?" were Randolph Rover's first words.  "Well,
perhaps it is just as well so."

"We simply couldn't stay behind, uncle,"  said Sam.  "And we are
dying to know what it all means."

"But you must have supper first," put in Aunt Martha, as she gave
one and another a motherly kiss.  "I know riding on the cars
usually makes Tom tremendously hungry."

"Well eat after we have had the news," said Tom.  "We're dying to
know all, as Sam says."

"The news is rather perplexing, to tell the truth," said Randolph
Rover, as he led the way into the library of the spacious home.
"I hardly know what to make of it."

"Who brought it?" questioned Dick.

"It came by mail -- a bulky letter all the way from Cape Town,
Africa."

"From father?"

"No, from a Captain Townsend, who, it seems, commands the clipper
ship Rosabel.  He sent me one letter inclosing another.  The first
letter is from himself."

"And is the second letter from father?" burst out Tom.

"Yes, my boy."

"Oh, let us see it!" came in a shout from all three of the Rover
boys.

"You had better read the captain's communication first," answered
Randolph Rover.  "Then you will be more apt to understand the
other.  Or shall I read it for the benefit of all?"

"Yes, yes, you read it, Uncle Randolph," was the answer.

"The letter is dated at Cape Town, and was written a little over a
month ago.  It is addressed to 'Randolph Rover, or to Richard,
Thomas, or Samuel Rover, New York City,' and is further marked
'Highly Important-Do Not Lose or Destroy.'"

"And what is in it?" asked the impatient Tom.  "Do hurry and tell
us, Uncle Randolph."

And then his uncle read as follows:

"TO THE ROVER FAMILY, New York:

I am a stranger to you, but I deem it my duty to write to you on
account of something which occurred on the 12th day of April last,
while my clipper ship Rosabel, bound from Boston, U. S. A., to
Cape Town, Africa, was sailing along the coast of Congo but a few
miles due west from the mouth of the Congo River.

"Our ship had been sent in by a heavy gale but the wind had gone
down, and we were doing more drifting than sailing to the
southward when the lookout espied a man on a small raft which was
drifting toward, us.

"On coming closer, we discovered that the man was white and that
he looked half starved.  We put out a boat and rescued the poor
creature  but he had suffered so much from spear wounds and
starvation that, on being taken on board of our ship, he
immediately relapsed into insensibility, and out of this we failed
to arouse him.  He died at sundown, and we failed, even to learn
him name or home address.

"On searching the dead man's pockets we came across the enclosed
letter, addressed to you, and much soiled from water.  As you will
see, it is dated more than a year back and was evidently in the
possession of the man who died for some time.  Probably he started
out to deliver it, or to reach some point from which it could be
mailed.

"I trust that the message becomes the means of rescuing the
Anderson Rover mentioned in the letter, and I will be pleased to
learn if this letter of mine is received.  The Rosabel sails from
Cape Town to Brazil as soon as her cargo can be discharged and
another taken on.

"Very truly yours,

"JOHN V. TOWNSEND, Captain."

As Randolph Rover ceased reading there was a brief silence, broken
by Tom.

"So the man who died held a letter.  And what is in that, Uncle
Randolph?"

"I will read it to you, boys, although that is a difficult matter,
for the writing is uneven and much blurred.  On one part of the
sheet there is a blot of blood -- the blood, I presume -- of the
poor fellow who was trying to deliver the communication."

Unfolding the stained document, Randolph Rover bent closer to the
table lamp that he might read the more easily.  As for the boys,
they fairly held their breaths, that no spoken word might escape
them.

"The letter is addressed to me," said the uncle.  "But the
envelope is, as you can see, very much torn.  I will read," and he
did so.

"NIWILI CAMP, on the Congo,

"July the 18th, 189--.

"DEAR BROTHER RANDOLPH:

"If, by the goodness of God, this reaches you, I trust that you
will set out without delay to my, assistance.

"I write under great difficulties, as a prisoner, of the Bumwo
tribe of natives, ruled by King Susko.

"I have discovered the secret of a gold mine here, and the king
will not let me go, fearing that I will tell the outside world of
my discovery and bring the English or French here to slay him and
his followers.  They know nothing here of Americans.

"I entrust this to the care of an English sailor who is going to
try to make his escape.  I cannot go myself, having had my leg
broken by a blow from one of my jailers.

"I am sick and weak in body, and it may be that I will soon die.
Yet I beg of you to do what you can for me.  If I die, I trust you
to be a father to my dear boys, Dick, Tom, and Sam, and ask Martha
for me to be a mother to them.

"The king expects soon to remove to another camp at a place called
Rhunda Konoka (the Water Well).  Perhaps he will take me along, or
else he may slay me.

"All those who were with me are dead excepting several natives who
have joined the Burnwo tribe.

"Good-by, and do what you can until you are certain that I am
dead.

"Your loving brother,

"ANDERSON ROVER"

When Randolph Rover ceased reading he saw that there were tears in
the eyes of all of the boys, and that his wife was also crying.
His own voice had had to be cleared continually.  To all the
letter was like a message from the grave.

"And that is all?" questioned Dick, breaking the silence.

"That is all, my boy -- and the letter was written about a year
ago!"

"But we'll go in search of him!" put in Tom, quickly.  "He may be
alive yet."

"I thought I would go," answered Randolph Rover, "and I thought,
possibly, that I might take Dick with me."

"Oh, you must take me too!" burst out Tom.  "I could never bear to
be left behind."

"And you must take me," interrupted Sam.  "We always go together,
you know."

At this talk Randolph Rover was somewhat taken aback.  "All!" he
cried.  "Why, what would three boys do in the heart of Africa?"

"Look for father!" cried Tom.  "I shan't stay behind -- you can't
make me!" he went on half defiantly.

"We have been through lots of adventures, uncle, you know that,"
came from Sam.  "We are not afraid."

"But the danger, boys --" began the uncle.

"What danger wouldn't we face for father's sake!" said Tom.  "I'd
go through fire and water for him."

"You had better let us all go," said Dick.

"If you don't let Tom and Sam go, why, the chances are they'll --"

"Run away and go anyway," finished Sam.

"Oh, Uncle Randolph, say we can go; please do!"

At this enthusiasm the uncle smiled sadly.

"All-right, boys; as you are bound to have it so, you shall all
go.  But don't blame me if the perils are greater than you
anticipate, and if the undertaking costs one or more of you your
lives."





CHAPTER XII.

OFF FOR AFRICA

It was long after midnight before the conversation in relation to
the proposed trip to Africa came to an end.  Mrs. Rover insisted
that the boys should eat something, and they sat around the table
discussing the viands and the two letters at the same time.

"Have you any idea where this Niwili Camp is?" asked Dick of his
uncle.

"It is on the Congo, but how far froth the mouth of that stream is
a question, lad.  Probably we can learn all about it when we reach
Boma, the capital of the Congo Free State."

"The Congo is a pretty big stream, isn't it?" questioned Sam.

"Very large indeed.  At its mouth it is about ten miles wide, and
it is from twelve to fourteen hundred miles long.  Stanley traced
its course after an expedition in which he fought over thirty
battles with the natives."

"They must be fearfully savage."

"Those in the interior are.  The natives that live close to the
ocean are peaceable enough, so I have been told."

"And how are we going to get there?" asked Tom.  "I don't suppose
there are any regular steamers running to the Congo."

"No, indeed, Tom.  I have written to a shipping firm in New York
for information, and they will probably send word by morning," was
the answer.

It can well be imagined that the boys slept but little that night.
In the morning they telegraphed to Putnam Hall for their trunks,
and also let Captain Putnam and their chums know how matters
stood.  Then began preparations for such a tour as none of them
had ever before anticipated.