“Say, Dick, who do you suppose I met a while ago,” went on Harry Sharp.

“I don’t know—­Dan Baxter?”

“That’s the chap.  How did you guess it?”

“I saw him myself.”

“I thought he didn’t dare to show himself?”

“Well, he ought to be arrested, Harry.  But perhaps having his father in prison, and losing most of his money, is punishment enough for him.”

“I met him in the post office.  He was posting several letters.”

“Did you see the handwriting on the letters?”

“No.  As soon as he saw me he slid out of sight.”

“I guess he doesn’t fancy being recognized.  By the way, have you seen Captain Putnam?”

“Saw him about an hour ago.  I think he was going to the Hall.”

“Good enough!  I was waiting for him to get back.”

A few words more followed, and the two boys separated, and Dick hurried to the doctor’s office.  Dr. Fremley was ready to leave, and soon the pair were on the way to the Stanhope cottage.

Not wishing to give the Hall a bad name Dick deemed it advisable to say nothing about the fact that Sam had been locked in an ice-cold room without his overcoat or hat, and merely stated that his brother had exposed himself.

“He has a very heavy cold,” said the doctor, after an examination.  “If let run, it would have become serious, beyond a doubt; but I feel confident I can check it,” and he left some medicine and some plasters.

As soon as the doctor was gone Dick announced his intention of returning to Putnam Academy.  “The captain has got back, and I want to lay the whole case before him, and do it, too while Sam is still sick.”

“Shall I go along?” asked Tom.

“No, I’ll go alone.  They may need you here on Sam’s account.”

Dick was soon on the way, riding another horse, for the Stanhopes now kept two.  He had had a fine dinner, and felt in the best of spirits, despite the disagreeable task before him.  He did not doubt for a moment but that Captain Putnam would side with him and condemn the actions of Jasper Grinder.

He was still out of sight of the Hall when he saw Peleg Snuggers riding toward him in the captain’s cutter.

“Is that you, Master Rover!” sang out the man of all work.  “Where are your brothers?”

“Safe, Snuggers.  Has the captain got back?”

“Yes—­got in a couple of hours ago.”

“Has he said anything about our going away?”

“Said anything?  Just guess he has.  Why, the whole school is so upset nobody knows what he is doing.  Do you know what happened after you and your brothers ran away?”

“Of course I don’t.  What did happen?”

“Mr. Grinder had a terrible row with more than a dozen of the boys, who sided with what you had done.  He got awfully mad at them, and was going to cane the lot, when all of a sudden he fell down in a fit, just like he was going to die, and we had to work over him most an hour before we could bring him around.”