“Let’s get back to the Hall as quickly as we can,” he said to the others.  “And if we are examined, we can deny everything.”

“All right,” said Pender.  “But what did you do to Rover?”

“Somebody kicked him and he’s about half unconscious.  I left him to the tender mercies of Pat the waiter.”  And then Lew Flapp and his cronies hurried away on the road leading to Putnam Hall.

Dick might have defended himself, but he was cruelly kicked several times, and partly lost consciousness, as already told.  In a dim, uncertain manner he felt himself raised up and carried below, and then put on the grass of the yard behind Mike Sherry’s resort.

When he was able to move he sat up and then arose to his feet slowly.  At that moment Songbird Powell discovered him.  Powell had been up the ladder a second time, to find the window closed and locked.

“Dick!” he exclaimed.  “Are you badly hurt?”

“I—­I don’t know,” was the slow reply.  “How are you?”

“I’m all right?”

“Where are Flapp and the rest?”

“They ran away.”

“And Harry and Joe?”

“They are waiting for us, down at the turn in the road.”

Dick put his hand to his head, to find a big lump directly back of the ear.  His ear was cut, and there was a scratch on his chin.

“They didn’t fight fair,” he explained, when he felt a little stronger.  “They kicked me when I was down.”

Aided by Powell he made his way to a pump and there bathed his head and procured a drink of water.

While both boys were recovering from the adventure all the lights in Mike Sherry’s resort were put out and every door and window was locked.

“He wants to steer clear of trouble,” said Powell.

“I put the blame on Lew Flapp,” answered Dick.  “To my mind he is about as mean as any boy around here.”

“Of course we can’t report him, Dick.”

“No, I’m no tale-bearer, Songbird.  But he ought to be punished.”

“He’ll make a fine major, if he’s elected,” went on Powell, as he and Dick started for the road leading to the academy.

“He shall never be elected, if I can help it.”

“I am with you on that.”

They found Harry Moss and Joe Davis walking slowly toward Putnam Hall.  Joe seemed to feel all right now that he was out in the fresh evening air, but Harry complained of a strange sickness at the stomach.

“It was horrid of Lew Flapp to make us drink,” said the young cadet.  “I told him I didn’t want anything stronger than soda.  But he and Pender made me take it.”

“I think the walk will do you good, Harry,” answered Dick kindly.  “Here, take my arm, and Songbird can take your other arm.”

When the Hall was reached they found that Lew Flapp and his cronies had already gone to bed.  Dick took Harry and Joe to their dormitory and then rejoined Powell.

“Going to keep mum?” asked the latter.