“And how much was it worth?”

“I believe my mother paid thirty-five dollars for it.  It was a Christmas gift, so I am not sure about the value.”

“Well, take another look for it and report to me again to-morrow,” answered Captain Putnam, with a heavy sigh.  Then, of a sudden, he added:  “Do you suspect anybody of taking the scarfpin?”

“I have no clue whatever to the theft,” answered Pepper, slowly.

“But have you any suspicions, Ditmore?” And the master’s voice grew a trifle stern.

“Only in a general way.”

“Please explain yourself.”

“I—­er—­I hardly know what to say, sir,” stammered Pepper.  “There may be nothing in it at all.”

“In what?  Come, out with it.”

“Why, you see, sir, some of the cadets in this school are not good friends with me and Major Ruddy, and maybe they thought they would play a trick on us by taking his watch and chain and my scarfpin.”

“Humph! a mighty poor trick!  Who are those cadets?”

“I don’t want to accuse them, Captain Putnam.”

“I understand.  But who are the cadets?”

“Reff Ritter and Gus Coulter.”

“Oh, yes, I remember now.  You and Major Ruddy have had quite some trouble with them in the past.”

“Yes, sir.  But I’d hate to think they did such a mean thing as this,” added Pepper, hastily.

“Well, take a look around and report again to-morrow,” returned Captain Putnam; and then closed his desk slowly and thoughtfully.

Pepper did take a look around, but it was of no use.  Not a trace of the missing scarfpin could be found.

“This certainly beats the nation!” remarked Dale, when the cadets were talking the affair over.  “First Andy loses his jewelry, then Jack, and now Pepper.  Wonder if I hadn’t better put my cuff-links in the captain’s safe?” And he cut a wry face.  “They cost me a dollar and a quarter.”

“I’ll wager Captain Putnam would give a good deal to catch the thief,” remarked Stuffer.  “Say, Pep, I hope you don’t suspect anybody in this dormitory?” he added anxiously.

“No, Stuffer,” was the quick answer.  Then Pepper broke into a grin.  “Of course, if it was a doughnut, or a pie, I’d suspect you right off!”

“Huh!  It’s no crime to take something to eat!” grunted Stuffer.

“I’d hate to think any cadet was guilty,” came from Emerald. “’Twould blacken the character of the whole school, so it would!”

“Well, Jack and Pepper have some bitter enemies,” said Dale, significantly.  And all present knew to whom he referred.

“Well, you can’t always tell,” said Dale, and shrugged his broad shoulders.

At that moment Fred Century came hurrying into the dormitory.

“Have you heard the latest news?” he cried.

“No, what is it?” questioned Andy.

“Maybe we are going to have an extra holiday,” suggested Pepper.