't know how to treat a teacher decently! I won't stand for
their nonsense! I want them severely punished, or else----"

"Wait a moment, Professor Lemm," interrupted the colonel, rising and
facing him sternly. "I said I was sorry, and I am; but I feel that you
are not the man to teach in this institution, and consequently I must
ask you for your resignation. I will pay you your salary up to the first
of next month, and you can leave this school just as soon as you
desire."

"Wha--what? This! to me?" ejaculated the professor in consternation.

"Yes, sir. You can draw your pay, and, if you wish, you can leave this
morning."

"But--but--this is outrageous! I won't stand it! I was hired for the
school year!"

"You were--on condition that your services were entirely satisfactory to
me. They are not satisfactory, and consequently I am giving you this
opportunity to resign."

"If I have to leave, I'll have those boys arrested!" stormed Asa Lemm.

"I don't think I'd be so foolish, if I were in your place, Professor.
What they did was nothing but a foolish schoolboy joke, and they did
that simply to get square with you for your unreasonable conduct toward
them. I think the best you can do is to drop the matter. If you insist
on dragging this affair before the public, perhaps the boys, and I,
myself, will have something to say that you will not care to hear."

"We'll see--we'll see!" cried Asa Lemm, shaking his head and with his
eyes blazing wrathfully. "We'll see about this!" and thus speaking, he
stamped away.

CHAPTER XIV

OVERHEARING A PLOT

"Professor Lemm has left Colby Hall!"

"What do you mean, Jack? Left the Hall for good?"

"Yes, Randy."

"Who told you that?" questioned Fred eagerly.

"I just got it from Professor Brice. He said that old Lemon resigned,
took his pay, and left yesterday afternoon while we were in classes."

"Hurrah! that's the best news I've heard in a year of Sundays!" cried
Andy. "Gone for good! Just think of it!" and, in high spirits, he began
to do a jig, and ended with a handspring across the room, landing with a
violent thump on the bed.

"Hi, you, Andy!" remonstrated Jack. "Just because you are happy is no
reason you should bust up my sleeping place."

"Wow! I feel fine enough to do almost anything," returned the fun-loving
Rover. "Just to think of it! We won't be worried by Asa Lemm any more!"

"Don't you be too sure of that," went on his cousin. "Asa Lemm is gone,