“I think he went up the lake, in the direction of the Saldy farm,” answered Andy.

The Darwood farmhouse set back from the road, among some cedar trees.  Rushing up to the back door, the boys pounded vigorously.

“Who is there?” demanded a man’s voice, and then Mr. Darwood showed himself.

“Please let us in, we are nearly frozen!” cried Jack.

“Hello! been in the water, eh?” cried Samuel Darwood.  “Come right in and I’ll stir up the fire!” and he stepped aside that the cadets might enter.

When Pepper deposited his burden in a chair it was seen that Gus Coulter was in a bad way.  His eyes were closed, and he was shaking as with convulsions.

“Here, we’ll strip off some of his wet clothes and rub him down!” cried Andy.  “And can you get something hot to drink, Mr. Darwood?”

“Sure I can,” cried the farmer.  “But I’ll pile some wood on the fire first!” he added.

[Illustration:  “CATCH HOLD!” JACK CRIED, AS HE SWUNG ONE END OF THE SWEATER TOWARD THE UNFORTUNATE YOUTH.

    The Mystery of Putnam Hall. (Page 259)]

He was as good as his word, and soon the fire was roaring, and the kitchen got thoroughly warm.  The farmer was home alone, but he knew how to make some hot coffee, which he speedily offered to all of the cadets.  Coulter could hardly drink, and it was a good half-hour before he felt at all like even speaking.  He was propped up in a big rocking-chair directly in front of the fire, and Andy and Pepper took turns at trying to restore his blood to circulation.  Jack was not so far gone, and soon felt quite like himself.  The wet uniforms were hung up to dry, Mr. Darwood in the meantime lending the lads some other garments.  He had been the one to cut the ice from the lake at that spot, so he felt in some measure responsible for the mishap, even though he had put up several danger signs, to which Ritter and Coulter had paid no attention.

“I don’t know that we will care to skate back to the Hall,” said Pepper.  “Mr. Darwood, could you take us back in your sleigh, if we paid you for it?”

“I’ll take you back, and it shan’t cost you a cent,” answered the farmer, quickly.

“Hadn’t we better find out what became of Reff Ritter?” questioned Jack.

“I’ll run over to the Saldy farm and see,” answered Andy, and set off without delay.

While Andy was gone, Samuel Darwood went to the barn to hitch up his team.  Jack, Pepper and Coulter remained in the kitchen.  Coulter sat staring at the fire, but occasionally his eyes wandered to Jack.  Suddenly, while the others were silent, he spoke.

“Say, but you’re a fine fellow, Jack Ruddy!” he said.  “A fine fellow!  And I’m a—­a skunk!  That’s what I am, a low-down, mean skunk!”

“Never mind now, Gus,” answered Jack, kindly.  He hardly knew what to say at this outburst.

“You—­you jumped in and saved me from drowning, didn’t you?”