my office and I will see
what I can do for you."

Nick had certainly been bitten and now the hand was twice its ordinary
size, while the pain was acute. The boy shook like a leaf.

"I'm poisoned, I know I am!" he wailed. "It's all Tad Sobber's fault,
too! Oh, if I should die!" And then of a sudden he fell to the floor in
convulsions.

CHAPTER XVIII

IN WHICH TAD SOBBER DISAPPEARS

All standing near Nick Pell were amazed to see the boy fall to the
floor. Captain Putnam and Dick Rover raised him up. His eyes were
rolling frightfully and his jaws opened and shut with a snap that was
sickening.

"Something is certainly wrong with him," whispered Sam to Tom.

"Yes, he wouldn't act that way if he was simply frightened," was the
reply. "And see his hand!"

"We will carry him up to one of the spare bedrooms," said Captain
Putnam. "And, Mr. Strong, see to it that we get a doctor here as soon as
possible. Tell him it is a case of snake poisoning, and ask him over the
telephone what we had best do."

Nick Pell was carried upstairs. By this time he had ceased to move and
lay like a log in the hands of those who supported him.

Many had heard him mention Tad Sobber and all looked at the bully
inquiringly. Sobber was deadly pale, but managed to keep up a bold
front.

"I am not to blame," he said, in answer to a question from one of the
teachers. "I didn't put the snake in Pell's desk."

"Did you bring the snake into the school?"

"Certainly not," answered the bully shamelessly. He made up his mind to
keep out of "hot water" even if it was necessary to lie to do it.

A hurry call was sent to Doctor Fremley of Cedarville and he came as
quickly as his mare could bring him. Only the teachers and the physician
were allowed in the bedroom with Pell, so the cadets did not know what
took place.

"It's as plain as day," said Dick to his brother and his chums. "Sobber
got the snake and put it in the box. That is why Pell said he was to
blame."

"But Sobber told a teacher he did not bring the snake into the Hall,"
answered Songbird.

"I do not believe him," came from Tom.

"Nor do I," added Sam. "He's a bad egg, if ever there was one."

The poisoning of Nick Pell cast a damper over the whole school, and
neither the teachers nor the pupils could settle down to lessons. The
doctor remained with the sufferer for two hours, and when he went away
he looked very grave.

"He is by no means out of danger," announced