“How are you going to catch him?”

“I don’t know.  We might try to trace up the watch and chain through the authorities.”

“I hate to let the authorities know anything has been stolen in the school.  It gives us a bad name in public.”  The two men were alone, so they could speak freely.

“It will give the school a worse name if we don’t get the watch and chain back.  I am afraid Major Ruddy can hold you for the worth of them.”

“He can, and I expect to pay for them if we don’t get them back.  I will think it over, and perhaps I’ll report the loss.”

Later on, the authorities were notified that a watch and chain were missing.  No details were given, but the police were asked to look out for the watch and chain in pawnbroking establishments and elsewhere.

“I shall also offer a reward,” said the owner of the school, and the next day a bulletin was posted, offering a reward of ten dollars for information leading to the recovery of the timepiece and conviction of the thief.

“It’s tough to go without your watch, Jack,” said Pepper.

“Captain Putnam is going to loan me one for the present,” was the young major’s reply.  “It’s only a silver affair, but he says it keeps good time, and that’s the main thing.”

A day or two after the reward was offered, Jack, Pepper and Andy received an invitation to take dinner at Point View Lodge with the Fords and spend the evening there.  The weather was now growing colder and the Fords expected before long to close up their summer home and move to the city for the winter.

“Say, this is all to the merry!” cried Pepper, as he read the invitation.  “Of course we’ll go.”

“If Captain Putnam will let us,” added Andy, anxiously.

“I think he will,” returned Jack.  “He is so cut up over this watch affair I think he will do almost anything for me.”

The three went to the captain and showed the invitation, and were told that they could go to Point View Lodge, but that they must be back at Putnam Hall by ten o’clock.

“It’s lucky we can go in our uniforms,” said Pepper.  “Otherwise I suppose we’d have to go in full dress, eh?”

“Sure thing.”

“How are we going to get to the Lodge?  We can’t walk.”

“Might hire a carriage for once.”

“Too slow.  The Lodge is so far off.  We could make better time on our bicycles.”

“But if it rains—­or snows?”

“Then we’ll have to take a carriage.”

The three cadets watched the weather anxiously.  It remained clear and cool up to the afternoon of the day they were going and then grew cloudy.

“Looks like rain or snow to me,” announced Jack.

“Oh, don’t croak!” cried Andy.  “It’s a bit cloudy, but that’s all.  I guess it will hold off until morning.”

“Got your bicycle ready for the trip, Andy?” questioned Pepper.

“Sure, I oiled up this morning.  How about you?”