"Now for working my little plan," murmured Flapp, and allowed the match
to go out. In a second more he was inside the tent, moving around
cautiously so as not to disturb the sleepers.

The bully remained in the tent all of ten minutes. Then he came out as
cautiously as he had entered, and fairly ran to where Link Smith was
still on guard.

"Did you see them?" asked the feeble-minded cadet.

"I did, and it's all right, Link. Now, don't tell anybody I visited the
camp."

"Humph! do you think I want to get myself in trouble?"

"Good-night."

"Good-night."

And in a moment more Lew Flapp was out of sight down the country
roadway and Link Smith was pacing his post as before.

Bright and early the camp was astir, and at half-past seven o'clock a
good hot breakfast was served, the cadets pitching into the food
provided with a will.

"And now for Putnam Hall and the grand wind-up," said Tom, as he
finished his repast.

"And then to go home and prepare for that grand trip on the houseboat,"
came from Sam.

"Which puts me in mind that we must see who will go with us," said
Dick.

"Songbird Powell says he is more than willing," answered Tom. "And I
know Dutchy will fall all over himself to become one of the party."

"I think Fred Garrison will go," said Sam. "He said he would let me
know as soon as he heard from his parents."

Captain Putnam had expected to begin the march to the Hall by half-past
eight, but there were numerous delays in packing the camping outfit, so
the battalion was not ready for the start until over an hour later.

The cadets were just being formed to start the march when several men
appeared at the edge of the field.

"There's them young soldiers now!" cried one. Come on and find the
rascals!"

"What do you want, gentlemen?" demanded George Strong, who happened to
be near the crowd.

"Who is in charge of this school?" asked one of the men.

"Captain Victor Putnam is the owner. I am his head assistant."

"Well, I'm Josiah Cotton, the constable of White Corners."

"What can I do for you, Mr. Cotton?"

"I'm after a feller named Dick Rover, and his two brothers. Are they
here?"

"They are. What do you want of them?"

"I'm goin' to lock 'em up if they did what I think they did."

"Lock them up?" cried George Strong, in astonishment.

"That's what I said. Show me the young villains."

"But what do you think they have done?"

"They broke into my shop an' stole some things," p