"Good for you! I admire your pluck!" said James, slapping Mark on the
back. "You are true grit, you are! Just teach the fellow a lesson."

"See if I don't!"

Mark nodded his head resolutely, and went into the presence of Dr.
Brush, thirsting for vengeance against his stepbrother, who, he felt
persuaded, had informed against him.

If Frank had known his suspicions he would have been very much
surprised. As it happened, however, he did not even know that his
stepbrother had been summoned to the doctor's study. Had he met Herbert,
the later would have told him; but after receiving his list, it so
chanced that he and his friend did not meet.

The fact was that a young man employed as tutor in mathematics in the
academy, while taking an afternoon walk, had seen Mark and James Carson
leaving the liquor saloon, and, as in duty bound, had reported the same
to the principal.

Mr. Triangle, however, had not been observed by either of the two boys,
and therefore they were led off on a false scent.

"What do you think the old man will say?" asked Mark, uneasily, as they
ascended the stairs to the principal's study.

"He'll give us a raking down, I suppose," said James. "He will come
down heavy on us."

"I wish I were out of it."

"Oh, it's not worth minding! We haven't committed murder, have we?
What's the harm in a game of billiards?"

"Not much, perhaps; but the drinking and betting are certainly
objectionable."

The boys knocked at the door, and the full, deep voice of Dr. Brush was
heard to say: "Come in!"

CHAPTER XII

SUSPENDED

Dr. Brush was seated at a table covered with papers, in a large
armchair. He was an elderly man of dignified presence, not a petty
tyrant such as is sometimes found in a similar position, but a man who
commanded respect, without an effort.

Mark Manning and James Carson entered his presence a little nervously.

"Young gentlemen," said the doctor, gravely, "I am informed that you
have violated one of the rules of the academy by frequenting a billiard
saloon where liquor is sold."

"Who told you, sir?" asked Mark.

"That is not to the purpose," said the principal, gravely.

"But I should like to know who informed on me," persisted Mark.

"Whoever did so acted as your true friend, Manning; but there is no
occasion for you to know who it was. Is it true?"

Mark would have been glad to deny the charge, and would not have felt
any scruples about doing so, if it would ha