the physician. "But let us
hope for the best. I think his parents ought to be notified."

This was done, and Mr. and Mrs. Pell came on the very next day to see
their son. They found him in something of a fever and out of his mind,
crying continually for Sobber to take the snake away.

"Richard, I want to see you," said Captain Putnam that evening, and led
Dick to his private office. There he demanded to know what the eldest
Rover knew of the snake incident.

"Captain Putnam, I will tell you everything from beginning to end,"
answered Dick. "If I am to suffer I'll take my punishment, and Tom and
Sam say they stand ready to do the same." And thereupon Dick related the
particulars of the trouble with the bully and Pell, and of how he and
his brothers and Songbird and Hans had seen Sobber and Pell at the
museum where the snakes had been. Then he told of the feast, and how the
snake had been discovered in the box.

"I have kept the box," he added, "and you can look at the writing if you
wish. I think it is in Tad Sobber's hand, although somewhat disguised."

The address on the box was investigated by the master of the Hall, who
sent for several compositions Tad Sobber had written. The bully was much
disturbed when he had to give up the compositions to George Strong.

"What's that for?" he asked, with a scowl on his face.

"Captain Putnam wants them," answered the teacher, and would say no
more.

With anxious eyes the bully watched the first assistant disappear into
the office with the compositions. Then, looking to make sure that he was
not observed, he stole up to the door and applied his ear to the
keyhole. What he heard filled him with increased alarm.

"It is Sobber's handwriting beyond a doubt," said Captain Putnam, after
comparing the compositions with the address on the box cover. "I wonder
if he knew that the snake was a poisonous one?"

"Perhaps Nick Pell can tell that--after he gets over his trouble,"
returned Dick.

"Provided he does get over it, Richard."

"Don't you think he'll recover?" cried Dick, in consternation.

"He may not. It is a very serious case, so Doctor Fremley informs me."

"What does Mr. Pell say about it?"

"He wants me to investigate. He says he may have somebody arrested for
this--and I can hardly blame him. It was a vile thing to do--bring a
poisonous snake into the school."

At the mention of arrest Tad Sobber shut his teeth hard.

"I guess it's about time I made myself