e
boasted.

As he pushed open the door a young fellow got out of one of the chairs
and paid the barber what was coming to him. Then he reached for his hat
and started to leave.

"Lew Flapp!" ejaculated Sam. "Is it possible?"

The bully of Putnam Hall whirled around and gave a start. He had not
dreamed of meeting one of the Rovers.

"What--er--what do you want?" he stammered, not knowing what to say.

"Where did you come from, Flapp?"

"That's my business."

"It was a fine trick you played on us while we were on the march back
to Putnam Hall."

"Trick? I haven't played any trick on you," answered Lew Flapp,
loftily, as he began to regain his self-possession.

"You know well enough that you robbed that jewelry shop and then tried
to lay the blame on me and my brothers."

"Rover, you are talking in riddles."

"No, I'm not; I'm telling the strict truth."

"Bah!" Lew Flapp shoved forward. "Let me pass."

"Not just yet." Sam placed himself in front of the barber shop door.

"What's the row?" put in the barber, who happened to be the only other
person in the shop.

"This fellow is a thief, Mr. Gregg."

"You don't say!" cried Lemuel Gregg. "Who did he rob?"

"He robbed a jewelry shop up near Putnam Hall and then he laid the
blame on my brothers and me."

"That was a mean thing to do."

"It is false!" roared Lew Flapp. "Get out of my way, or it will be the
worse for you!"

"I'm not afraid of you, Flapp," responded Sam, sturdily. "Mr. Gregg,
will you help me to make him a prisoner?"

"Are you certain of what you are doing?" questioned the barber,
nervously. "I don't want to get into trouble over this. I once cut off
a man's beard by mistake and had to pay twenty-two dollars damages."

"I know exactly what I am doing. Help me to make him a prisoner and you
shall be well rewarded."

At the promise of a reward Lemuel Gregg became interested. He knew
that the Rovers were well-to-do and could readily pay him handsomely
for his services.

"You--you had better stay here, young man," he said, to Lew Flapp. "If
you are innocent it won't hurt you. We'll have the squire look into
this case."

"I won't stay!" roared the bully, and making a sudden leap at Sam he
hurled the youngest Rover to one side and tried to bolt through the
door.

"No, you don't!" came from the barber, and leaping to the front he
caught Lew Flapp by the end of the coat and held him.

"Let go!"

"I won't!"

"Then take that!" And t