was discussed for fully an hour, and the whole party visited
Aaron Fairchild's shop. But no clews were brought to light. Then a
wagon was hired to take the captain and the boys to Putnam Hall. The
constable went along, to get the photograph which had been promised.

On the way the three Rovers were unusually silent and but little was
said by the master of the school. Arriving at the Hall the picture was
turned over to Josiah Cotton, who soon after departed. Then the three
Rovers were invited into the captain's private office. The marching
battalion had not yet arrived and was not expected for several hours.

"I'd like to sift this matter out," said the captain, seating himself
at his desk. "Richard, when did you clean your uniform last?"

"Yesterday afternoon, Captain Putnam."

"Were those holes in there then?"

"I don't think so."

"How about your uniform, Thomas?"

"I cleaned up yesterday morning. I don't remember any holes."

"And you, Samuel?"

"I had a hole in my left sleeve, but the jewelry was found in the right
sleeve."

"Let me examine the coats."

This was done, and all concluded that the holes had been cut with the
blade of a sharp knife, or with a small pair of scissors.

"I believe the job was done in the dark," said Dick. "Somebody must
have visited our tent last night after we went to sleep."

"When did you go to sleep, Richard?"

"Well, I don't think we were real sound asleep until about midnight.
There was some sort of a noise in the camp that kept us awake."

"Somebody said Tubbs was up playing negro minstrel," added Tom,
soberly.

"Yes, he was up. So you went to sleep about midnight? And when did you
get up?"

"At the first call," answered Sam.

"And your coats were as you had left them?"

"Mine was," came from Sam and Dick.

"I don't remember exactly how I did leave mine," said Tom. "But I
didn't notice anything unusual."

"Then, if the real thief visited our camp he must have come in between
midnight and six o'clock," went on the master of the school. "I must
question those who were on guard duty about this."

"That's the idea!" cried Dick. "If the thief sneaked in somebody must
have seen him."

"Unless a guard was asleep on his post," came from Tom. "As it was the
last night out they may have been pretty lax in that direction."

Dinner had been ordered, and the three Rovers dined with the captain in
his private dining room. Then the boys went up to their dormitory to