ng
tree. Bah!"

He turned his back on them with this last exclamation, intended to show
his utter contempt. Passing through the gate he vanished from their
sight. But Paul, who knew the fellow so well, felt quite sure that he
would never venture to complain to his father, as he had threatened, for
that course would disclose the fact that he was out, and bring trouble
down on his own head.

"Back to your meeting place, fellows," said Paul; "and you keep that
mask, Peter. To-morrow I'll drop in on you, and we'll see Mr. Chromo. I
don't suppose anything will ever be done to Ward about it; but anyhow we
can convince the trustees who were so kind as to let us use the
gymnasium once a week, that we didn't abuse their confidence. And that's
worth while."

Accordingly the scouts trooped back to the place from which they had
started, where they found that Jack had carefully carried out the orders
given by his superior.

Peter was taken inside to notice the rope fastened across the aisle;
together with half a dozen seat cushions distributed around, doubtless
intended to trip any pursuers who might not be wise enough to follow in
the footsteps of the fleeing culprit.

After that the boys scattered, heading toward their homes in groups. As
they went they divided their chatter between the recent happening, and
the important news concerning the Summer "hike" that had been announced
that night.

Paul and his closest chum, Jack Stormways, walked together, as they
usually did. They had much to confer about, and Jack now and then
laughed as he listened to what the other was saying about the hold-up of
Ward.

"I tell you that was mighty bright of you, showing old Peter the smudge
of black on the bell rope, which proved that Ward was the fellow who
jerked it," he said, giving his chum a whack of genuine boyish approval
on his back.

"Well," chuckled Paul, himself pleased over his little method of proving
the guilt of his rival, "Peter got the charcoal all over his hands when
he ran them up and down the rope, so he knows there could be no mistake.
I gave him Ward's hat to keep for the present too. But it's too much to
hope that anything will be done. Even if Mr. Kenwood doesn't attend this
church, some of the trustees are connected with him in business, either
in his bank, or the real estate end."

"Oh! the same old story," groaned Jack. "That fellow makes me tired!
When Ward gets caught, instead of putting up a bold face, he j