“What is it, Mr. Crabtree.”

“You will take charge of the other new pupils, while I take charge of the one who has broken our rules on his very arrival.”

“Hold on!” cried Tom.  “What are you going to do with my brother?”

“That is... none of your business, Master Rover.  You will go with Mr. Strong.”

“He didn’t fire the cracker.  “I did that!  And I’m not ashamed of it.  I wasn’t a pupil when I did it, and I’m not a pupil now, so I can’t see how you can punish me for breaking one of your rules.”

At this there came a titter from the cadets gathered around.  Hardly any of them liked Josiah Crabtree, who was dictatorial beyond all reason.  The head assistant flushed up.

“You are a pupil here, and I will show you that you cannot break our rules with impunity, and be impudent to me in the bargain!” cried Crabtree.  “Come with me!” And he caught Tom by the arm, while Dick and the others were led off in another direction.

“Surely, this is a fine beginning,” thought Tom as he walked along.  He was half inclined to break away, but concluded to await developments.

“Are you going to take me to Captain Putnam?” he questioned.

“We do not permit cadets placed under arrest to ask questions.”

“Great smoke!  Am I under arrest?”

“You are.”

“Perhaps you’ll want to hang me next.”

“Silence!  Or I shall be tempted to sentence you to a caning.”

“You’ll never cane me, sir.”

“Silence!  You have evidently been a wayward boy at home.  If so it will be best for you to remember that all that is now at an end, and you must behave yourself and obey orders.”

“Can’t a fellow breathe without permission?”

“Silence!”

“How about if I want a drink of water?”

“Silence, I say!” stormed Josiah Crabtree.  “I’ll warrant you’ll not feel so smart by the time you are ready to leave Putnam Hall.”

There was a silence after this, as the head assistant led the way into the building and conducted Tom to a small room looking out toward the rear.

“You will remain here, Rover, until Captain Putnam returns.”

“How long will that be?”

“Didn’t I tell you not to ask questions?”

“But Captain Putnam may not return for a day or a month,” went on Tom innocently.

“Captain Putnam will be back in an hour or two.”  Without another word, Josiah Crabtree turned and left the room, locking the door behind him.

“Well, by crickety!” came from the boy when he was left alone.  “I’ve put my foot into it from the very start.  I wonder what Captain Putnam will say to this?  If he’s half as sour minded as old Crabtree, I’ll catch it.  But I haven’t done anything wrong, and they shan’t cane me —­ and that’s flat!” and he shook his curly head decidedly.

The room was less than ten feet square and plainly furnished with two chairs and a small couch.  In one comer was a washstand containing a basin and a pitcher of water.