“Paxton was under the window of the office, listening to all that was going on.  He was partly hidden behind a bush, so that nobody might see him.”

“Indeed!  That is not to his credit.  And Coulter?”

“Coulter was at another window, talking to Ritter.  Ritter was giving him some instructions, and as I came up unnoticed I heard Ritter say, ’Now, don’t make a mess of it.  Tell the story just as I told it, and be sure to stick to it that Ruddy hit me first, and tell Nick to stick to that, too.’  Those were his very words.”

“Is it possible!  And what did Coulter say?”

“He promised to tell the story as Ritter wanted it, and said he would tell Paxton also to say that Ruddy struck the first blow.”

“Then he virtually admitted that he struck the first blow himself.”

“I should judge so, from his talk.”

“Major Ruddy said he did.”

“But Ruddy insulted him by talking of Mr. Ritter’s losses——­” began Josiah Crabtree.

“We’ll look into that, Mr. Crabtree.  Is that all, Mr. Strong?”

“No, I waited until Coulter joined Paxton.  The two walked out on the campus, so I didn’t catch what they said.  I told them to follow me, and they are now out in the hall.”

“I will listen to what each of them has to say—­and then I will examine Century and Ditmore again.”

Coulter was called into the main office and asked a great number of questions.  Captain Putnam was very stern, and soon had the cadet badly twisted in his statements.  Then Paxton was told to come in, and on being questioned he became more confused even than Coulter.  Then both were confronted by George Strong, and at last they virtually admitted that Ritter had struck the first blow, and that they knew nothing of the quarrel previous to that time.

“You may go,” said Captain Putnam, at length.  “Your efforts to shield Ritter do you no credit.”  And Coulter and Paxton slunk out of the office silently and much worried over the thought of what punishment they might receive for trying to deceive the master of the Hall.

After that Pepper and Fred were again interviewed and cross-questioned.  But they stuck to their original story, and as that was the story told by Jack, Captain Putnam felt that it must be true.

“You may go,” said the captain, presently.

“Have I got to go back to the dormitory?” queried Pepper.

“No, you may join the other cadets,” answered the head of the school.

“But, sir——­” commenced Josiah Crabtree.

“I do not see as he merits punishment, Mr. Crabtree,” said the captain, coldly.  “We will let it pass.”  And he spoke so firmly that the dictatorial teacher said no more on the subject.

When Jack was again called into the presence of the teachers it must be admitted that he was a good deal worried.  There was a strict rule at Putnam Hall against fighting, and that rule had been violated by him.  Yet he felt he had been justified.