“My other doings?” asked The Imp, somewhat mystified.

“Mr. Crabtree, do not be hasty, I beg of you,” put in the under teacher.

“Ditmore, how did you get the teeth?” demanded Josiah Crabtree.

“It was very easy, sir, if you must know.  I went into the vacant bedroom next to your room, climbed from one window to the other, and the trick was done.”

“Were you alone?”

“Yes, sir, absolutely alone.”

“Have you been alone when visiting the other rooms in this building?” demanded Josiah Crabtree, sharply.

“Mr. Crabtree——­” began George Strong, but the head teacher motioned for the assistant to be silent.

“I—­I don’t understand,” stammered Pepper.

“You have shown your expertness in visiting rooms during the night, and without awakening anybody,” went on Josiah Crabtree, coldly.  “Some time ago other rooms were visited in this building, and various things were taken—­some things of great value—­things which have not been returned.  Now, Ditmore——­”

“Mr. Crabtree, stop!” cried Pepper, and his eyes flashed with sudden fire.  “I know what is in your mind now!  But don’t you dare to accuse me!  Don’t you dare!”

“I want you to tell me the truth.”

“I have told you all I know.  I took the teeth as a joke, and I put them where they could easily be found.”

“And about the other things——­” The head teacher paused suggestively.

“I know no more about the other things that have disappeared than you do.  Do you think I’d rob myself and my best friends?”

“In a case of this kind a person might rob himself just to throw the public off the scent.”

“Do you dare to accuse me of these mysterious thefts?” cried Pepper, hotly.

“I think——­”

“Mr. Crabtree, I beg of you to be careful,” cried George Strong.  “Why not drop this whole matter until Captain Putnam returns?  Because Ditmore played a joke on you does not say that he is a—­a criminal.”

“Thank you for that, Mr. Strong,” said the cadet, warmly.  “I know I had no right to play that joke—­I have no right to play any of my jokes—­but I only did it for fun.  I think it is—­is horrible for Mr. Crabtree to even think that I—­that—­that——­” Pepper could not go on for his emotion choked him.

“Oh? you can’t deceive me!” sneered Josiah Crabtree.  “I am sure that——­”

“Mr. Crabtree, I insist that you drop this matter until Captain Putnam returns,” interrupted George Strong.

“You insist?” roared the irate instructor.

“I do, sir.”

“Who is in authority here, you or I?”

“You are the head teacher, but I feel bound to protect Captain Putnam’s interests during his absence.  You have no right to accuse any cadet of a crime unless you have proof against him.  Have you any proof against Ditmore?”

“You heard how he acknowledged taking the teeth.”