"Stop, this instant!" cried the teacher, and then turning to some of the boys added: "Summon Captain Putnam at once."
The room was in an uproar, and many wanted Dick and Slade to continue the battle. But the punch in the eye had taken away the bully's courage and he did not get up to continue the contest.
"What does this mean?" demanded Captain Putnam, as he came in, and he faced Dick and Slade sternly.
"It means that that fellow ought to have a good thrashing, sir," answered Dick, boldly, and pointed at the bully.
"It's his fault, it ain't mine," put in Peter Slade, hastily. "He started it."
"That is not true, Captain Putnam. I was passing his seat when he reached out and smeared ink on my knee," and Dick pointed down to his soiled trousers. "I wasn't going to stand for that and told him so. Then he jumped up and hit me in the shoulder, leaving more ink on me. After that I hit him."
"That's the truth," said several. "Peter's hand is full of ink."
"He knocked over an inkwell just before Dick came along," said Fred. "I saw him do it."
"Did you see it?" questioned Captain Putnam of the instructor.
"I saw nothing until the boys were fighting in the aisle," answered the teacher who had been delivering the lecture.
"Captain Putnam, I am sure Dick Rover is not to blame," said a very quiet student named Rames. "Slade put the ink on Rover and struck the first blow--of that I am positive."
"It was my inkwell he knocked over," came from another lad. "I told him to leave it alone, but he wouldn't mind me."
"Oh, you are all against me!" roared Peter Slade.
"Evidently you are guilty," said the master of the Hall, sternly. "I want both you and Richard Rover to come to my office. Rames, you can come, too, and you also, Brocton."
In the office a thorough investigation was held. Several other cadets were called upon to testify, and it was proved that Peter Slade was entirely to blame for what had occurred.
"You should not have attacked him, Richard," said the captain to Dick. "But under the circumstances I cannot blame you. You may go."
For his misconduct Peter Slade was confined in the "guardhouse" for three days. The black eye Dick had given him did not go away very fast and when he came out and resumed his place among the students he was a sight to behold. That he was very angry at the eldest Rover boy is easily imagined.