"Whole number of votes cast, 83.Necessary to a choice, 42.Robert Grenwood has 5.Reffton Ritter has 10.Daniel Baxter has 12.Bart Conners has 56."
"Hurrah for Bart Conners!" shouted half a dozen cadets in chorus.
"Bart Conners is declared elected major for the ensuing term," went on Captain Putnam. "Major Conners, allow me to congratulate you," and he came forward and held out his hand.
"And let me congratulate you, too," added Major Jack, and he shook hands also.
A great number of cadets, and some teachers, come up to shake Bart by the hand. Ritter and Baxter were conspicuous by their absence. Each of the bullies was chagrined at the poor showing he had made. Instead of gaining on the second ballot they had lost.
"That shows how much one can depend on his friends," growled Baxter to Mumps.
"Never mind, Dan, maybe you'll be elected a captain," answered the toady and sneak.
"I don't want to be a captain; I want to be a major or nothing," grumbled the bully.
A little later the balloting for a captain forCompany A was started. There were half a dozen candidates, including both Ritter and Coulter, and Ritter did all he could to get the boys who had voted for Baxter to support him, and then bribed Coulter to step out in his favor. But Jack, Pepper and Bart Conners worked hard for Harry Blossom, as agreed, and as a consequence Harry was elected on the third ballot by fifty-two votes.
"Hurrah for Harry Blossom!" was the cry, and the newly-elected captain of Company A was congratulated on all sides.
This election was followed by that for a captain for Company B. Here the struggle was as fierce as before, but Dave Kearney won out on the sixth ballot. Then came ballots for the lieutenants, and Bob Grenwood came out strong with fifty-five votes. Dale Blackmore was made the new quartermaster, much to his delight, although Dale cared more for athletics than he did for military matters.
Not one of the Ritter or the Baxter crowd got an office, much to their disgust. Baxter went off by himself to sulk, but Ritter and Coulter denounced their rivals openly.
"I reckon votes were bought," said Ritter.
"Sure they were bought," responded Coulter.
"So they were, by Ritter & Company," retorted Andy, who overheard the talk.
"Oh, give us a rest, Snow!" muttered Ritter. "Idon't want the old office anyway, and all my real friends know it."
"Sour grapes," answered the acrobatic youth.
"Don't you get fresh, or I'll punch your head!" cried the bully, savagely.
"Will you?" answered Andy. "Just you try it, if you dare!"
"I will!" came hotly from Ritter, and leaping forward he hit Andy a sharp blow on the chin.
The assault came so suddenly that the acrobatic youth had no time to defend himself. He staggered and fell, and as he went down the bully gave him a sharp kick in the side.
"Stop that, Ritter! What do you mean by kicking Andy when he is down?"
It was Pepper who uttered these words, as he rushed up from the other side of the campus.
"I didn't kick him," retorted Ritter. He was startled, for he had not anticipated being seen.
"You did!"
"A fight! A fight!" was the cry, and soon a crowd of cadets began to collect.
Slowly Andy arose to his feet. His face was pale, for both the blow on the chin and the kick in the side had been severe.
"You—you brute!" he gasped. "You dirty brute!"
"Hi, don't you call me a brute!" roared Ritter.
"You are a brute!" put in Pepper. "No fair-minded chap would kick a fellow when he was down."
"Ditmore, you keep out of this," grumbled the bully.
"I'm going to see that Andy has fair play," returned Pepper.
The encounter had occurred after Captain Putnam and the teachers had disappeared, so there was little chance of an interruption by the Hall authorities.
Andy stood up and tried to collect himself. He was "boiling mad," for the attack had been a dastardly one.
"Had enough?" demanded the bully, coming closer, and with his fists clenched.
"No, I haven't!" answered the acrobatic youth, and then, of a sudden, he sprang high in the air, to come down on Ritter's shoulder. Then he caught the bully around the neck with one arm.
"Hi! hi! let up——" began Ritter. "I—I——"
"I'll not let up!" retorted Andy. "You brought this on yourself, Reff Ritter, and now you can take the consequences. How do you like that, and that, and that?"
Each "that" was accompanied by a stinging blow, one on the ear, one on the eye and one on the nose. The second made the bully's left optic black, and the third caused the blood to spurt freely. Then Andy landed another blow onRitter's mouth, leaped to the ground, and shoved the fellow from him.
"I'll give you those for an opener," he said, breathing heavily. "You can have some more in another minute."
"You—you rat!" hissed the bully and came at Andy with a rush. But the acrobatic youth dodged, and Ritter ran full tilt into Dan Baxter.
"Hi, keep your distance, Ritter!" growled Baxter.
"I'll fix him!" yelled Ritter, and made another lunge for Andy. This time he hit Andy on the shoulder. But the acrobatic youth came back at him in double-quick order, and Ritter received a blow in the chin that bowled him over into the arms of Nick Paxton. As he went over his eyes closed, and then he slid in a heap to the ground.
"A knockout for Snow!"
"Say, that was a smashing blow!"
"It served Ritter right; he kicked Andy when he was down."
"Yes, and he hit him before he was ready."
Paxton, Coulter and several others gathered around the fallen bully and rubbed his face with some snow. In a few minutes he opened his eyes and stared around.
"Don't—don't hit me again!" he mumbled, between his bleeding teeth.
"Have you had enough?" demanded Andy. "If you haven't, stand up and get some more."
"Don't—don't hit me again!"
"Then you have had enough?"
"I'll—I'll meet you another time."
"No, you won't, Ritter, you'll meet me now."
"That's the talk!" cried several. "Finish the fight."
"I don't want to fight any more," answered the bully, and his words came in almost a whine.
"Then you have had enough? Yes or no?"
"I've—I've had enough," said Ritter, in a low tone.
"Very well; see that you remember this lesson," declared Andy, and then turned on his heel and walked towards the Hall, followed by a dozen of his admirers.
"Andy, it was great, the way you jumped on him!" declared Pepper.
"It was only a little acrobatic stunt," declared Andy. "But it came in mighty handy. I shouldn't have tried it only he didn't fight fair—hitting me before I was ready, and kicking me when I was down."
"You watch out that he doesn't play you foul," said Dale, who was present.
"I'll keep my eyes open."
It was soon whispered around the school howAndy had met and vanquished the bully, and as a consequence many of the fellows who had toadied to Ritter deserted him. Even Paxton gave him the cold shoulder openly, and Baxter simply sneered at him. Only Gus Coulter clung to Ritter, and the pair seemed to become greater cronies than ever.
After the election of officers, and the fight, matters ran along swiftly until the midwinter holidays. During those days many of the boys visited their homes. Captain Putnam spent his time in trying to clear up the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the things from the Hall, but without success. The detective he had hired unearthed nothing of importance and was discharged. One of the waiters left of his own accord, and the master of the school could not help but wonder if he was the guilty party.
In the meantime, Andy and his chums had been trying to find out something about Cameron Smith. They were equally unsuccessful, for no one they knew in Boston had ever heard of that individual. His name was not in the directory.
"There was something strange about him," said Andy. "I wish Ritter would tell us more about him. But I know it would be useless to ask Reff. He hasn't spoken to me since the fight."
After the holidays came some fine skating on the lake, and also some iceboating.
Fred Century had had a new iceboat built at Cedarville. It was called theSkimmer, and he was exceedingly proud of the craft.
"You must come out with me," he said to Jack, Pepper and Andy, one Saturday afternoon. "The ice is as smooth as glass, and the wind is just right."
"All right!" cried Pepper. "A sail will suit me down to the ground."
Jack and Andy were also pleased to go, and the quartet of boys were soon down at the boathouse, where theSkimmerwas tied up.
They were just getting aboard of the iceboat when they saw another craft heave in sight.
"Who is that on board?" asked Andy.
"It is Reff Ritter," answered Pepper, "and Gus Coulter is with him."
"The iceboat belongs to a fellow in Cedarville," said a cadet standing near. "Ritter hired it for a week."
The second craft was called theRosebud, and was rather a fine-looking outfit, with steel runners and a snowy-white sail.
"He must have paid something to rent that," observed Jack. "I thought he didn't have much money?"
"He says his father is in business again and is doing better," answered Paxton, who was present. "Hello, Reff!" he called out. "Want another passenger?"
"I don't want you!" answered the bully, briefly.
"All right, you don't have to have me!" growled Paxton.
"Say, Century, do you want to race me?" asked Ritter, as he brought theRosebudalongside the dock.
"I don't know," answered Fred, slowly. "What do you say?" he whispered to the others.
"Do you think you can beat him?" asked Pepper.
"I can try."
"Then go ahead," said Jack. "You don't care, do you, Andy?"
"Not at all—if Fred can beat him," was the reply from the acrobatic youth.
"All right, I'll race!" called out Fred. "But you will have to carry four, the same as myself."
"Humph!" growled Ritter. "I don't know about that."
"I'll go, Reff!" cried Mumps.
"So will I!" added a cadet named White.
"All right, jump aboard," cried the bully, and Mumps and White lost no time in doing as bidden.
"Where do you want to race to?" asked Fred.
"Up to Dorsett's Point and back."
"All right. Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Then let her go!" yelled the owner ofSkimmer; and in a moment the iceboat race had started.
At first it was an even race. Reff Ritter knew how to handle an iceboat to perfection and brought his craft up in the breeze in a manner that won considerable admiration.
"Take care that he doesn't beat you, Fred," said Pepper. "If he does, he will never get done crowing over you."
"This race isn't over yet," answered the owner of theSkimmer. "Wait till we round the bend yonder."
When the bend mentioned was gained theRosebudwas a good three lengths in the lead.
"Good-by!" shouted Coulter. "Here is where we leave you behind!"
"Your iceboat isn't in it with this," added Mumps.
"We'll tell them you are coming by-and-by!" came from Ritter.
"Don't answer them," whispered Jack. "Fred, can we do anything to help the boat along?"
"Just shift a little more to the left—that's it," was the reply. "Now we'll soon get the breeze and then we'll do better."
Fred's words proved true. As theSkimmerrounded the bend, a good, stiff blast struck her sails and away she started after theRosebud.
"Now we are going some!" cried Andy, his face brightening.
"Make her hum!" cried Pepper.
Slowly but surely theSkimmercrept up on theRosebud, until the bow of the second craft overlapped the stern of the first.
"Not walking away so fast now, are you?" questioned Pepper, cheerily.
"Just wait, we'll beat you, see if we don't!" growled Coulter.
"Swing the mainsail over!" cried Ritter.
His order was obeyed, and theRosebudcommenced to pick up again. But theSkimmerkept on steadily, and at last, when the turning-point was reached, was several lengths ahead.
"Now for the homestretch!" cried Jack.
"I hope we win by about a mile!" was Andy's wish.
The turning-point was a well-known rock, and theSkimmercame around this in fine style. But,just as this was accomplished, Ritter allowed theRosebudto swing around out of the proper course.
"Look out, you'll run us down!" yelled Fred, in alarm.
"Clear the track!" yelled Ritter, angrily. "Clear the track!"
"The clown!" muttered Jack. "Does he want to run into us?"
Fred worked quickly, assisted by all the others and theSkimmerwas thrown out of her course. On rushed both of the iceboats and theRosebudslid by the other with less than six inches to spare.
"Ritter, that wasn't fair!" shouted Fred. "I won't race with a fellow who won't sail fair!"
"You go to grass! I don't care about the race anyway!" howled the bully.
"You are beaten and you know it," cried Pepper.
"In a regular race such actions would disqualify you," was Jack's comment.
"Oh, don't preach! I know what I am doing!" grumbled Ritter, and then he steered off in another direction and out of hearing.
"What a mean bully he is getting to be!" said Fred. "It seems to me he is much worse than he was when I first came to the Hall."
"He is slowly but surely losing his grip here and that is souring him," answered Jack. "Before he knows it he won't have a friend in the world. Asit is, about the only fellow who is really friendly with him is Coulter. Paxton doesn't have much to do with him, and Mumps merely toadies to him the same as he toadies to Dan Baxter and some of the rest."
"Where shall we go now?" asked Fred.
"Anywhere you please," came from the others.
"Shall we take a run up to Point View?" and Fred looked quizzically at first one and then another of his friends.
"Might do that," answered Jack. "But the Lodge is shut up, you know; the Fords are at their city home for the winter."
"Well, we can run up that way anyway," said Pepper. "One place is as good as another."
The course of the iceboat was slightly changed, and in less than a quarter of an hour they swept up to the dock attached to Point View Lodge. The sails were lowered and they went ashore to stretch their legs, for sitting on the iceboat rather cramped them.
"Might as well take a look around the Lodge while we are here," suggested Jack.
"Is there a caretaker here?" asked Andy.
"I don't think so, but there may be."
The four youths walked through the snow in the direction of the mansion, which was set among some heavy trees.
"Hello, what is that, an animal track?" asked Jack, pointing to a trail among the trees.
"Looks more like human footprints to me," replied Pepper.
"Then somebody must be here."
"Funny the trail leads from the side fence," came from Andy. "If it was some person who belonged here why wouldn't he come from the road or the dock?"
"Maybe it was easier to come that way than by the road, right after the snow fell," suggested Pepper.
They walked forward to the mansion and saw that the trail led to the back door and then around to a side window.
"Hello! I don't like this!" exclaimed Jack. "What would a person be doing at the side window?"
"Try the window?" suggested Fred. They had already tried the door, to find it locked.
Jack stood on a flat rock that was handy and took hold of the lower sash. Much to his surprise it went up with ease.
"It's open!" he exclaimed. "Do you know what I think? I think somebody came here and got into the house by this window!"
"A tramp, perhaps," said Fred.
"Or a burglar!" vouchsafed Andy.
"Do you think he is in the house now?" asked Pepper.
"That is something for us to find out. If he is, we must catch him and turn him over to the authorities!"
"Have we a right to enter the house?" questioned Andy.
"I am sure Mr. Ford would want us to do so, Andy."
"I guess you are right. But be careful, Jack, that fellow, whoever he is, may be a desperate character."
"Perhaps he isn't here now," said Fred. "He may have looted the place and skipped."
"I'll soon see," cried Jack. "Pepper, do you want to go in with me? You other fellows might stay on guard."
"Sure, I'll go in," answered The Imp.
In a moment more the two cadets stood in the sitting-room of the mansion.
"Better not make too much noise," whispered Jack. "If he is here we may be able to take him unawares."
As the sky was overcast that afternoon it was rather dark in the mansion, and the cadets could see but little as they made their way from one room to another. They were just entering thedining-room when Pepper's foot struck something and sent it spinning across the floor.
"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."
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 searchedthe 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 theSkimmer. "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!"
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. "Nowthen, 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; wewent 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 andthen 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 starteda 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 theSkimmerwas 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 hurriedoff 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 theSkimmerand 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'llround 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.
"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 theRosebudagain," remarked Pepper, as he was adjusting his skates. "Fred, are you going to take out theSkimmer?"
"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 lookedquestioningly 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 theRosebud!"
"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 skatedforward, 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.