been others that went under the ice. Professor
Brice and Mr. Crews are going to make a thorough search." Crews was the
gymnastic instructor.

The excitement continued for fully half an hour. By that time it was
ascertained that every one had gotten off of the ice or out of the water
in safety. Those who had gone down were rushed to shelter, so that they
might not catch cold. Gradually the crowd dispersed, and then Professor
Brice had danger signs placed at various points on the ice, so that
there should not be a repetition of the accident.

"The thing would not have occurred had not the entire crowd happened to
congregate around the winners of the skating race," explained Professor
Brice to Colonel Colby.

"You think the ice is thick enough for any ordinary crowd?" questioned
the master of the school anxiously.

"Yes, sir. You can test it for yourself."

"Well, we must be more careful in the future, Mr. Brice. We don't want
any of our cadets drowned."

"We won't have any such crowd again if I can avoid it," was the reply.

"It's all nonsense to have such races anyway. It encourages too much
rowdyism," was the comment of Asa Lemm, one of the language professors.
Lemm was the least liked of all the teachers at the Hall. He did not
believe in a boy's having any fun, but expected the cadets to spend
their entire time in studying. He had once been fairly wealthy, and the
loss of his money had made him sour-minded and disagreeable.

"I cannot agree with that opinion," returned Colonel Colby coldly. "The
boys must have some exercise. And to be out in the fresh air is a very
good thing for them. They will study so much the better for it."

"Maybe; but I doubt it," answered Asa Lemm shortly. "You let a boy go
out and carouse around, and the first thing you know he won't care for
anything else," and he strode away with his chin held high in the air
and his lips tightly compressed. He was a man of very positive ideas,
which he tried at every opportunity to impress upon others.

"Aren't your feet wet?" questioned Jack suddenly, as he looked down at
the skating shoes worn by Ruth and May.

"Well, they are rather damp," answered Ruth.

"Mine are both wet and cold," said May. "I shouldn't mind it if I could
dry them off and warm them somewhere."

"Come on up to the Hall," went on Jack. "I'm sure they will let you dry
them in front of the open fire in the big living-room."

"Oh, Jack, we don't want to go there in such