nd then, at a
signal from Dave, all filed silently into the hallway again and
tiptoed their way to the room below. Soon, they were inside and had
the light lit, and also a lantern which belonged to Ben's bicycle,
and which he had chanced to have on hand.

Silently and with great care the boys went over the many things that
had been scattered over the floor--wearing apparel, books, pads,
papers, and various articles of more or less value. Presently Phil
gave a low cry.

"Look at this!" And he held up several sheets of paper. In one corner
were the words:

LATIN MADE EASY

_JOB HASKERS, Publisher,_

ALBANY, N. Y.
"It's the same paper!" cried Dave. "He tore the corner off so that
just the letters '_blisher_' remained."

"That's pretty good evidence," said Roger.

"I should say it was!" cried Ben. "Wonder what he will have to say
about it, when we confront him with it?"

"Let us look for more evidence, while we are at it," came from Buster.
And then the midnight search continued.

CHAPTER XXX

THE EXPOSURE--GOOD-BY TO OAK HALL

"Doctor Clay, we must see you about something that is very
important."

Thus spoke Dave, the next morning, as he and his chums filed into the
doctor's private office after the opening of the school. Job Haskers
was not at his class, but in his room, straightening out his things,
while some men had been sent up, to get rid of the tree-top and repair
the window. The storm was a thing of the past, and no other damage of
importance had been done.

"Very well, boys," returned the master of the school, kindly. "Come in
and let me know what it is."

The students came in, rather awkwardly it must be admitted, for they
had much on their minds and did not know just how the worthy doctor
would take it. But they had decided on a course of action, and they
had given their word to stick together to the end. Dave, as the
natural leader, had been chosen spokesman.

"Doctor Clay, we want to bring up a subject of great importance,"
said Dave. "Important to us, and to you, and to the whole school. The
boys have asked me to speak for them and for myself."

"About what?" demanded the master, somewhat shortly.

"About Mr. Haskers and how he has treated us."

"What has he done now?"

"It isn't what he has done now, Doctor Clay, it is what he did some
time ago--did his best to get us into grave trouble," answered