“Young ladies and young gentlemen,” began the principal, “a very silly hoax was perpetrated on me yesterday.  I do not believe you will have any difficulty in understanding what I mean.  But the matter went beyond this school room.  An account of the hoax was published in the morning paper, and that holds me up to severe ridicule.  I trust that we shall not have any repetition of such childish, so-called jokes.  I do not know yet what action I may or may not take in this matter, and can promise nothing.  I can and do promise, however, that if any more such hoaxes are attempted I shall do all in my power to ferret out and summarily punish the offenders!-----”

Here the principal’s own sense of prudence warned him that he had gone quite as far as was necessary or prudent.  So he choked down his rising words and called for the morning singing.  Yet, as Mr. Cantwell uttered his last words his glance fell very sternly on one particular young member of the sophomore class.  Dick Prescott.

“Prin. has it in for you, old fellow!” whispered Dave Darrin, as he and Dick jostled on the way to a recitation.  “But if he has—–­humph—–­it won’t be long before he finds out that you had some help.  You shan’t be the scapegoat for all of Dick & Co.”

“Don’t say anything,” Dick whispered back.  “I’ll find a way to take care of myself.  If any trouble is to come, I think I can take care of it.  Anyway, I won’t have anyone else dragged into it.”

But the principal said nothing more during that school session.  In the afternoon, however, when Mr. Cantwell took his accustomed walk after dinner, he met several acquaintances who made laughing or casual references to the yarn in the morning’s “Blade.”

“I’ve got to stamp this spirit out in the school,” decided the principal, again at a white heat.  “If I don’t I’ll soon have some real trouble on hand with these young jackanapes!  The idea of their making me—–­the principal—–­ridiculous in the town!  No school principal can submit to hoaxes like that one without suffering in public esteem.  I’ll sift this matter down and nip the whole spirit in the bud.”

In this Mr. Cantwell was quite possibly at error in judgment.  Probably the High School boys wouldn’t have played such a prank on good old Dr. Thornton, had he still been their school chief.  But, if they had, Dr. Thornton would have admitted the joke good-humoredly and would have taken outside chaffing with a good nature that would have disarmed all wit aimed at him.  Mr. Cantwell, as will be seen, lacked the saving grace of a sense of humor.  He also lacked ability in handling full-blooded, fun-loving boys.

Wednesday, just before one o’clock, the principal electrified the assembled students by saying, in a voice that was ominously quiet and cool: 

“When school is dismissed I shall be glad to have Mr. Prescott remain for a few words with me.”

“Now it’s coming,” thought Dick, though without any particular thrill of dismay.