“You can lay the whole trouble at the door of some Pornell students,” returned Pepper.  “They pelted us with soft apples and other things and that started the team to running away.  If it hadn’t been for them we would have come to the school in the carryall all safe and sound.”

“I shall investigate,” answered Captain Putnam, briefly.

“Hello!” cried Pepper, a moment later.  He was gazing at Andy’s clothing.  “Weren’t you wearing a watch and a stickpin?”

“Of course,” replied the sufferer.  He put up his hands and felt around.  “Both gone, I declare!”

“Did they jounce off when you were riding?” asked Stuffer.

“They must have!  Oh, this is the worst yet!”

“Did you lose anything else?” questioned the young quartermaster.

“I don’t know.”  Andy felt in his pockets.  “Yes, my money is gone—­eight dollars in bills!”

“Where did you have the bills?” asked Captain Putnam.

“In this vest-pocket.  It must have jounced out during the hard riding.  Oh, what luck!  Captain, I’ll have to go back and look for my property.”

“You are in no condition, Snow, to do that.”

“I’ll go back,” said Pepper.  “Stuffer and Bob, will you go along?”

“Sure thing!” cried Stuffer.

“And if we can’t find your things where you fell we’ll look along the road all the way back to the Hall,” added the young quartermaster.

“Thank you,” answered Andy, and then, feeling a curious fainting spell coming over him, he laid back on the cushions and closed his eyes.

The three cadets sprang from the carriage and made their way back to the spot where Andy had been found.  They made a thorough search, but, of course, failed to find any of the acrobatic youth’s belongings.

“He must have lost them farther back,” said Pepper.  “Let us look with care as we walk along.”

This they did, but arrived at the school without finding anything but a coat-button and a yellow lead pencil.  Then they walked past the school in the direction of Cedarville.

“Might as well give it up,” said Bob.  “It’s getting too dark to see very good, anyway.”

“Yes, and I’m getting dead hungry,” added Stuffer.

“Was there ever a time when you weren’t hungry?” asked Pepper, with a grin.

“Aw, now, quit it,” cried the lad who had a reputation as an eater.  “Don’t start so early in the term.”

“I must confess I’m a bit hungry myself,” said the young quartermaster.  “I had an early dinner.”

When they got back to the school they learned that Andy had been put to bed and that a doctor had been summoned.  The acrobatic youth had been much shaken up and it was thought best to make him keep quiet for a few days.

“Better not say anything about his loss for the present,” advised Captain Putnam.  “I will have a man sent out to make another search.”

The accidents to Andy and to Major Jack put something of a damper on the arrival for the term, and a jollification that had been scheduled for that night was indefinitely postponed.  Captain Putnam questioned the cadets concerning the actions of Roy Bock and his cronies, and then sent a stiff letter to the head of Pornell Academy.