“Humph!” Captain Putnam began to walk up and down his private office.  “What did you tell Dr. Fremley?”

“Nothing but that Sam had exposed himself.  I didn’t want to give the school a black name.  But one thing is certain, we can’t remain here if Mr. Grinder is going to stay.  I shall write to my father and tell him the full particulars.”

“It will not be necessary to do so, Richard.”  The captain caught Dick by the shoulder.  “I have investigated this affair, and while I find that Sam was to blame, and Tom and you, too, yet I am convinced that Mr. Grinder exceeded his authority here.  He had no business to put Sam in the storeroom and Master Tubbs in the stone cell in this freezing weather.  More than that, something happened after you left that shows plainly Mr. Grinder is not the proper person to be a teacher here, and from to-day I intend to dispense with his services.”

Dick knew what the captain referred to, the falling of the teacher into his passionate fit on the floor, but he said nothing on that point, for in a way he felt sorry for one who could control himself so little.

“I am glad we won’t have to put up with him, sir, any longer.  In one way, he is worse than Mr. Crabtree was.”

“Let us drop the whole subject, Richard.  I have not been satisfied with Mr. Grinder for some time past, and had in view a teacher to take his place before this happened.  The new teacher will come after the holidays, and I feel certain all the students will like him fully as much as they like Mr. Strong.”

“We won’t ask for anybody better than Mr. Strong—­or yourself,” answered Dick, with a smile.

A talk lasting quarter of an hour followed, and it was decided that Dick should return to the Stanhope cottage, to tell Tom and Sam what turn affairs had taken.  Then Tom was to come to the Hall, leaving Dick to look after Sam.

It was nightfall before Dick got back to the cottage.  Of course his brothers and the others listened to his story with interest.  Both Sam and Tom felt greatly relieved.

“If Grinder keeps on he’ll kill himself in one of his fits,” said Sam.  “I hope he leaves before I go back to school.”

“If I was you, I wouldn’t go back until he does leave,” said Tom.  “I’m sure Mrs. Stanhope will let you stay here; won’t you?”

“To be sure, Tom,” answered the lady of the cottage.  “But now Captain Putnam has made up his mind, you may be sure Mr. Grinder will not remain at the Hall many days.”

“Perhaps he’ll go to-night,” said Dora.  “The captain surely wont wish him at the Hall over Sunday.”

Tom remained with his brothers until evening; then started for the Hall on foot, not caring to bother with a horse.  The road was now well broken, so he had no trouble in making the journey.

When he arrived at the Academy he found the boys assembled in the classroom, in charge of one of the under-teachers.