“Somebody has played a trick,” began Crabtree when an extra nip on his knee cut hint short.  “Oh, my, I shall die!” he moaned.  “I know I shall die!”

By this time the proprietor of the hotel had freed himself from the crab that had nipped him on the nose.  “You won’t die, but you’ll get out of this hotel,” he snarled.  “Throw the crabs out of the window,” he continued to his employees, and after a good deal of trouble one crab after another was hurled forth, the window being kept open in the meantime and the icy draught causing Crabtree to shiver as with the ague.  As there seemed no help for it the ex-teacher began to dress again with all possible speed.

“If I find out who did this I’ll —­ I’ll kill him,” moaned Josiah Crabtree.  “I’ve been nipped is a hundred places!”

“You’ll leave this hotel!” said the proprietor.  “I’ve had enough of you.  First the room didn’t suit, then the price was too high, and at dinner and supper you found all manner of fault with the menu.  You’ll go, and the quicker, the better.”

“But look here —­” began Crabtree.

“I won’t argue with you.  Either get out or I’ll have you arrested as a disorderly character.”

“Yes, but —­”

“Not a word.  Will you go quietly, or shall I have you put out?”

“I’ll —­ I’ll go!” gasped Josiah Crabtree, and five minutes later he was on the cold street, satchel in hand, and saying all manner of unpleasant things under his breath.

“Oh, Tom!” laughed Sam, and could go no further.  Each of the boys had felt like exploding a dozen times.  It was not until an hour after that any of them managed to get to sleep.

When they came down in the morning the hotel clerk winked at them.  “I’m not saying a word,” he whispered.  “But it served the old crank right.  Even the boss is doing a little smiling, although he got quite a nip himself.”

“Really, I don’t know what you are talking about,” answered Tom.  Then he shut up one eye, stuck his tongue into his cheek, and strolled into the dining room.

“He’s an out-and-out boy, he is,” murmured the clerk, gazing after him.

Breakfast was finished, and the cadets were strolling around the hotel awaiting further instructions from Captain Putnam, when a man drove up to the door in a big livery-stable sleigh.

“I am after some boys bound for Putnam Hall,” he said.  “Captain Putnam telegraphed to the, boss to bring ’em up to the Hall in this sleigh.”

“Hurrah!” shouted Sam.  “Such a long ride will just suit me!”

“If it doesn’t prove too cold,” was Dick’s comment.

There was but one seat in the turnout, the back being filled with straw and robes.  “Take your lunch with you,” said the driver.  “For it’s a long trip we have before us, and I reckon a part of the road ain’t none too good.”

The clerk of the hotel was consulted, and soon a big lunch-box was packed, containing sandwiches, cake, and a stone jug of hot coffee.  This was stowed away in the straw, and the lads piled in, laughing merrily over the prospect before them.