od he stowed a goodly portion in his pockets, in
a couple of spare napkins, and by some silent motions from Tom learned
that his brother was doing the same.

Just as the students were finishing the meal, Jasper Grinder came in and
walked down the aisles between the tables. He looked both angry and
perplexed. As he came close to Tom he paused.

"Excuse me, Mr. Grinder, but won't you let Sam out of the stone cell?"
asked Tom, to avoid being questioned.

"You be silent Rover," muttered the teacher, and passed on without
saying more.

After the supper hour it was usual for the students to have half an hour
to themselves, during which they might read, play games, or do as they
pleased. But now Mr. Grinder called them together in the main classroom.

"I wish to talk to you young gentlemen," said the teacher, when all were
seated.

"We're going to catch it now," whispered Tom to Dick. "Don't you give
the secret away."

"Indeed I won't," answered the eldest Rover. "I intend to lay the whole
case before Captain Putnam as soon as he returns."

"Silence!" thundered Jasper Grinder. "I want you boys to stop talking
instantly."

"I didn't say anything," murmured several in an undertone.

"Silence, I say!" repeated the master, and then all became so quiet that
the ticking of the clock could be heard distinctly.

The teacher gazed around at the scores of faces and looked more stem
than ever.

"I am going to question all of you separately, and I trust each of you
will tell the truth. The question is, Do you know what has become of
Samuel Rover and William Tubbs? or Do you know what they have done? I
shall start with the first boy. Hickley, what have you to say?"

"I don't know anything about them," answered the boy named Hickley.

"Brainard, do you know?"

"No, sir."

"Parkham?"

"I know they had a little set-to in the gymnasium, but that's all. The
whole thing was a friendly bout, I guess."

"I am the best judge of that. It was a disgraceful fight. What have you
to say, Griggs?"

"If you say it was disgraceful I suppose it was, sir. I thought it was
only a friendly dispute----"

"Stop! I want you to answer the original questions, yes, or no."

"No."

"No, what?"

"No, to both original questions."

"No, sir!" and Jasper Grinder stamped his foot.

"Oh! All right, sir. No, sir, to both questions, sir."

There was a titter at this, which caused Jasper Grinder to grow red in
the face.

"Boys, be quiet!"