"Great Scott! does that mean we can't stick up for our rights?" demanded the youngest Rover indignantly.
"Not at all, Fred. If those fellows say anything, give it back to them. And if they start to fight, defend yourself just as well as you are able."
As mentioned before, Snopper Duke had been absent from the Hall during the election for officers and the celebration which had followed. When he returned he looked much worried, and this worry was far from dispelled when he visited his room.
"Colonel Colby, I, too, have been robbed!" he exclaimed, as he came rushing down to the office. "I've had a silver cardcase taken, and also a gold watch which has been in our family for several generations, a watch that belonged to my father and my grandfather."
"It's too bad, Professor Duke," answered the master of the Hall seriously. "May I ask what the articles were worth?"
"I don't suppose the cardcase was worth more than a few dollars, but the watch was of gold, and I presume it must have cost fifty or sixty dollars. It was an heirloom and I treasured it highly."
"I am doing my best to find out something about the robbery," said Colonel Colby. "But so far all my efforts have been in vain. I intend, if the articles are not recovered by the time the school session comes to an end, to pay for everything that has been stolen." And that was all the master of the Hall could say.
It must be admitted that both Jack and Fred felt quite proud when the first regular parade of the battalion took place that spring. The cousins had, of course, sent home word of the election and had received permission to purchase new uniforms. Both looked spick and span as they marched out at the head of their respective commands. It was a clear, warm day, and Colonel Colby announced that the cadets could parade through Haven Point to Clearwater Hall and return if they so desired.
And so it was arranged, and one of the teachers telephoned over to the girls' academy, to let those at that institution know what they might expect. Then one of the cadets telephoned to Felix Falstein, the owner of the Haven Point moving picture theater.
"Falstein always hangs out his flags for us," said this cadet. "And he'll do it this time, I'm sure."