“We saw those cigarette butts there once before, and also an empty liquor bottle,” he added. “But I do not remember that we saw any playing-cards.”
“Have you anything to add to this story?” asked the captain of Pepper.
“No, sir, excepting to say that Jack has told the exact truth, Captain Putnam. We had nothing to do with the fire and nothing to do with the cigarettes or drink.”
“What about the cigarettes, cards, and liquor that were found in your belongings?”
“If they were found there, they were put there by somebody who wanted to do us harm.”
“Most likely the same party who got Pepper to go to the boathouse with me,” added Jack.
“Have you any idea who that party can be?”
“Yes, sir, but I should not like to speak of that,” answered Jack, firmly.
Captain Putnam looked at both cadets sharply.
“Both of you suspect somebody, is that it?” he said, slowly.
“We are not certain, and therefore it would not be right for us to mention any names,” said Jack.
“Now tell me the truth of your trouble with Mr. Crabtree,” pursued the captain, after a thoughtful pause.
Thereupon, the two boys told how they had been taken from the cold storeroom and placed in the cellar, and how they had escaped through the clothing closet above. At the recital the captain had to turn away his face, to conceal a smile that hovered around his mouth.
“We didn’t think it was fair at all,” went on Jack. “So when we got out we determined to hide until you got back and then come to you. And that is just what we have done.”
The captain was silent and nodded slowly to himself several times. Then he took a deep breath and rubbed his chin reflectively.
“Boys!” he exclaimed, decisively. “I am going to take you at your word. You can return to your studies and forget what has passed. Does that suit you?”
“It suits me!” exclaimed Jack, and his heart gave a bound.
“Suits me, too,” added Pepper. “I am much obliged, sir.”
“There is some mystery here, and some day perhaps we shall get at the bottom of it. I expect you to help me all you can to clear it up.”
“Captain Putnam, am I to—re—to——” Jack could not go on.
“Mr. Crabtree said I was to—er—to give up being major of the battalion——”
“You will take your place as formerly, Major Ruddy.”