“Doctor Wallington will dispose of your case on Monday,” said the instructor.

“I think we should have had a doctor,” said Dick.  “All of us were sick, and needed medical attention.”

“Nonsense!” cried Abner Sharp.  “You have sobered up, and that was all that was needed.”

This assertion led to a war of words, and Tom came close to whacking the unreasonable teacher over the head with the water pitcher.  As a consequence, Abner Sharp ran out of the room in fear and reported to the head of the institution that he had been assaulted.

On Monday morning the four boys were told to go down and report at the president’s office Previous to this they had held a “council of war,” as Sam expressed it, and made Dick their spokesman.

“Now, then, as you appear to be sober, I will listen to your story,” said Doctor Wallington.  He was the only other person present, “And remember,” he added sharply, “I want nothing but the truth.  You cannot hope for any leniency on my part unless you tell me everything.”

“That is what we propose to do, sir,” answered Dick, looking the doctor full in the eyes.  “My brothers and Stanley have asked me to do the talking for all of us.  Shall I tell my story now?”

“Yes.”

Thereupon Dick told his tale from beginning to end, very much as I have set it down here.  He, of course, could tell nothing of the actions of Koswell and his crowd, for he had been unconscious most of the time.

“Certainly a remarkable story,” mused Doctor Wallington, when the oldest Rover had finished, “And you mean to say you did not drink any of the liquor?”

“Not a drop, sir; and neither did the others,”

“And this vapor?  What was it, and how do you account for it?” The doctor’s tones were very sceptical.

“I can’t account for it, excepting by thinking it was part of a plot against us.”

“Hum!” The doctor turned to Stanley.  “Have you anything to add to Rover’s story?”

“Nothing, sir, excepting that it is absolutely true, Doctor Wellington.”

After this the boys were questioned for the best part of an hour, but without shaking their testimony in the least.  Then Songbird was called in, and he told what he knew.

“If your story is true, it is a most extraordinary occurrence,” said the head of Brill at last.  “But I must confess that I can scarcely credit such a tale.  However, I will, for the time being, give you the benefit of the doubt, and in the meantime make some investigations on my own account.  If I find you have not told the truth I shall dismiss you from the college.  Do you understand that?”

To this the students bowed.

“One thing more.  All of you may return to your classes but Thomas Rover.  He has an extra charge against him, that of assaulting Professor Sharp.  Thomas Rover, you will remain here.  The rest of you can go.”

With strange feelings in their hearts Dick, Sam and Stanley, accompanied by Songbird, left the office.  They had been heard, but had not been believed.