e sidewalk,
having been sent there by a vigorous trip from Tom Reade.

"All that ails you, Hen Dutcher, is that you didn't get your name in the
paper," called Tom denouncingly. "But you will, one of these days. It'll
be in the police-court news, though. Sixty days for vagrancy!"

"Say, do you know what I'll do to you?" demanded young Dutcher,
clenching his fists and advancing upon Reade.

"Nothing," asserted Tom calmly. "That's all you ever do, except make a
noise with your mouth. I never hear your mouth making any noise, though,
when recitation in arithmetic is going on."

"You think you're smart, don't you?" glowered Hen Dutcher.

"I don't think you are, anyway," retorted Tom, turning on his heel.

Dan Dalzell and Harry Hazelton were at hand, and now the whole of Dick &
Co. presented a rather solid front. Some of the other boys wanted to do
some "guying," but Tom's prompt and vigorous rebuke to Dutcher had
cooled the ardor of a lot of would-be teasers.

The bell rang soon, calling all inside. School opened as usual, but
after a little Old Dut glanced up, looking keenly at Dick and two of the
latter's friends.

"I am glad to be able to tell you all," began the principal, "that three
of my boys, last night----"

As he paused all eyes were turned toward three boys who were turning
different shades of red.

"Three of my boys," continued Old Dut, "did their school credit by
displaying the qualities of good citizenship. You all know whom I mean.
Master Prescott, do you care to rise and tell us something of the events
of last night?"

"I'd rather not, sir," pleaded Prescott.

"Master Darrin?" pursued Old Dut.

"I feel like Master Prescott, only more so," replied Dave, turning
redder still.

"Master Holmes?"

"By the advice of my lawyer," rejoined Greg solemnly, "I have nothing to
say."

"I'm glad to see that our young men are modest, as well as brave,"
continued Old Dut.

Some of the boys had been staring expectantly, some of the girls
admiringly. Laura Bentley, the doctor's daughter, looked secretly
pleased when she heard Dick decline to tell of his adventures.

"First class in American history will now recite," announced Old Dut,
and the work of the day had begun. Yet, somehow, most of the pupils
seemed to have forgotten whatever they had previously known of the
campaign against Richmond.

At recess Dick, Dave and Greg, flanked by their three other chums,
managed to keep clear of tormentors.

Wh