To this Dick did not say a word.

“I know you would speak if I were accusing anybody wrongly, Rover.  In one way I can appreciate your silence.  But this affair was carried too far.  It was not an ordinary hazing.  The plot was one to blast your honest name and bring you into disgrace.  Such things cannot be permitted at any school of which I am the head.  I will hear the rest of your strange tale.”

In as few words as possible Dick told how he had wandered around until he had reached the cottage, and what had happened afterward.

“It was assuredly a remarkable adventure,” said Captain Putnam.  “I thought I had about seen the last of Daniel Baxter.”

“Perhaps Dan Baxter will keep shady when he finds out what has happened.”

“Perhaps.  And you think Arnold Baxter is in a bad way?”

“Yes, sir.  He came pretty close to being burnt up.”

“We will do our best for him, and notify the authorities without delay.”

An hour later the disabled man was brought into camp and the doctor came to attend him.

Under the physician’s directions Arnold Baxter was made fairly comfortable in one of the tents of the camp.

“He is in a bad way,” said the doctor.  “He will probably recover, but it will take weeks and perhaps months.”

Arnold Baxter asked for Dick and the eldest Rover went in to see him.

“I—­I want to thank you for what you did, Rover,” said the criminal in a low voice.  “It—­it was noble, very noble.  I shan’t forget it.”

“Mr. Baxter, why don’t you try to turn over a new leaf?” questioned Dick.  “Haven’t you found out that it doesn’t pay to be bad?”

“Yes, I have found it out, and the lesson has been dearly bought,” said Arnold Baxter with a sigh.  “In the future I shall try to—­to do better.  Here, I want you to give these to your father, and tell him I—­I am sorry that I visited your house some time ago,” went on the disabled man.

He gave Dick an envelope containing some pawn tickets which called for the things stolen from the Rover homestead, and also a pocketbook with some money in it.

“That is all I have left of the cash,” he said.  “I’m sorry I haven’t every cent of it.  Tell him he can do as he pleases about me.  I deserve no pity.”

“I think he’d like to see you turn over a new leaf, too.  He hates to see people on the downward path, Mr. Baxter.”

“You are a good boy, Dick Rover.  I am sorry that my son Dan isn’t like you.  Has he been caught yet?”

“I believe not.”

“If he is caught, let me know,” concluded Arnold Baxter, and there the talk ended.

“I imagine he really intends to turn over a new leaf,” said Dick to Tom and Sam, a little later.

“Hope he does,” replied Tom.

“So do I,” added Sam.

Let me add a few words more and then bring this story of life in camp to a conclusion.