we do that,” answered Hogan.
“Got many pupils there now?”
“Forty or fifty so far,” said Jack.
“Humph! How many teachers?”
“Two regular teachers, besides Captain Putnam. Then we have others for French, and German, and music.”
“Who are the regular teachers?”
“Mr. Crabtree and Mr. Strong.”
“Do they stay there all the time?”
“Yes.”
“It must grow rather monotonous for them.”
“Oh, we try to make it lively enough.”
“Don’t they ever go to town, or go boating?”
“Of course. Mr. Strong is quite an oarsman,” came from Andy, who had been out with the second assistant on more than one occasion.
At this announcement both of the men exchanged glances.
“You can come ashore and look at the school if you wish,” said Jack.
“No, thank you, we don’t care to do so,” was the hasty answer; and a moment later the sloop veered off, and was soon out of speaking distance.
“Well, they are a queer pair and no mistake,” murmured Jack. “Did you notice how one kept his hand over his forehead?”
“And how the other had his cap pulled far down over his eyes,” added Andy.
“Sure, an nayther of ’em looked roight sharp to me,” put in Hogan. “I’d not like to be spendin’ much toime in their company.”
“I believe they are up to something,” said Jack. “I’d like to know what it is.”
“Perhaps we’ll find out later,” answered Andy. And they did find out, in a manner that was as thrilling as it was astonishing.
CHAPTER III
A CASE OF BRIBERY
When the boys got back to the boathouse they found Pepper Ditmore awaiting them.
“Dashed off that bit of writing as soon as I could,” said he. “My, but wasn’t it mean of old Crabtree to make me do it! But wait, I’ll get square on him!”
“Pep, we met that strange sloop again,” said Jack, and told of what had been said.
“There’s a mystery there, that’s certain,” answered Pepper. “Perhaps we had better report to Captain Putnam.”
“It won’t do any harm.”
“Then come on now. We’ve got ten minutes before parade.”
Captain Putnam’s office was a finely furnished apartment, just off the main classroom. They found the master of the school engaged in writing a letter.
“Well, young gentlemen, what can I do for you?” he said cheerily as they entered.
“We’ve got something to tell you, sir,” they answered, and then Jack quietly related their story.
The master of Putnam Hall listened with close attention, and questioned each one of the party.
“This is certainly odd,” said he, meditatively. “Still, there may be nothing of importance in it. If you see the sloop hovering around again, let me know.”
“We will, sir,” answered Jack, and then he and his companions hurried off.
The drum was already rolling, and all of the cadets lost no time in getting out on the parade ground. It was a beautiful day in early October, with just enough of coolness to make it bracing.
“The battalion will fall into line!” was the command, from one of the old army officers present, and then the cadets of Company A and Company B took the places assigned to them.
“Company, attention!” was the command from the officer in charge of Company A, to which Jack, Pepper, and Andy belonged. And then followed a similar command to Company B.
While the battalion was at attention, Captain Putnam came forth and mounted a small stand that was handy.
“Young gentlemen,” said he, gazing, at the assembled cadets, “I have an announcement of importance to make to you. In the past you have been under the command of Captain Wilson and Lieutenants Plummer and Montgomery, who have drilled you thoroughly in the arts and duties of the soldier. These instructors will leave the Hall early next week, and then I intend to place the battalion in charge of such officers as you may select for yourselves.”
“Hurrah!” came the shout. “Three cheers for Captain Putnam!”
“Three cheers for Captain Wilson and his assistants!” was the added cry, and the cheers were given with a will.
“As you well know, ever since this school was organized I have been keeping a close watch on every cadet, to find out who was fit to take command. I have prepared a list of sixteen names, which you will find hung up in the general library and in the gymnasium. Of these names the first eight are eligible for the rank of major of the battalion, and all are eligible for the rank of captain, or first or second lieutenant. The position of sergeant or corporal may be filled by any cadet in the school. Voting for the various officers will take place to-morrow, directly after the regular school session.”
“Hurrah!” came another shout, as the captain stepped down.
“Battalion, attention!” came the command, a moment later. “Carry arms! Present arms! Support arms! Shoulder arms! Forward, march!”
“Tap! tap! tap-tap-tap!” went the drums, and off moved the young soldiers. They marched around the parade ground twice, and then into the mess-hall, where each cadet took his place at one or another of the long dining tables. It was a spirited scene, and one calculated to make the heart of each boy bound with enthusiasm.
“Your name is on that list, Jack,” whispered a cadet sitting near. “I saw Peleg Snuggers tacking it up in the gym as I came away.” Peleg Snuggers was the general utility man around Putnam Hall.
“I hope you are on it, too, Joe,” answered Jack.
“I am,” returned Joe Nelson, who was a quiet and studious cadet, hailing from Philadelphia. “And Andy Snow and Henry Lee are on it, too,” he went on. “I think – ”
“Silence at the table!” broke in the rough voice of Josiah Crabtree. “If I hear any more of that, I’ll send you away without your supper!”
“Oh,” murmured Joe Nelson. It was rarely that he had any trouble with any of the teachers.
“Say, but old Crabtree is crusty enough to make pie of,” was Pepper’s whispered comment.
“Silence, I say!” thundered the first assistant. “I will have silence!” And he looked around the board so fiercely that hardly anybody dared to say another word.
At
