ngdoing
remains to be found out."

"I wouldn't put it past him to do something that wasn't right," came from
Fred.

"That remains to be seen, Fred. Brassy might do some things that we
wouldn't do; but at the same time I doubt if he's so very bad at heart.
He's loud-mouthed and has a hasty temper, and he likes to show off, and
all that sort of thing, but that doesn't say he's a criminal."

"That Bud Haddon looks like a bad one," announced Randy. "I wouldn't
trust him with a nickel."

"It certainly is a mystery," came from Fred. "Just the same as it's a
mystery about Professor Duke."

"Gosh, don't mention Duke!" broke out Gif. "I had all I could do to keep
from getting into a row with him this morning. He certainly is a tart one
at times."

"But he looks troubled," answered Jack. "Ever since Colonel Colby spoke
about him I've been watching him carefully. And, believe me, that man has
something on his mind that's far from pleasant."

"He certainly comes and goes a good deal," said Spouter. "He was away
several hours last night and the night before. And I understand he's
going away to-morrow afternoon again."

"Colonel Colby must know it's all right. Otherwise he wouldn't let him go
away so much," declared Gif.

On the following morning when the mail was distributed Spouter received a
letter from his father that interested him greatly. He read the
communication several times, and then, placing it in his pocket, ran off
to where he had left Gif.

"Come on, Gif!" he cried gayly. "I've got great news! Come ahead and help
find the Rovers."

"What's the news?" demanded the other, as they hurried on side by side.

"Just wait and I'll tell you all about it--maybe." And then Spouter
stopped short, struck by a sudden idea. He thought for a few seconds and
then his face broke into a broad smile.

The two boys found the Rovers up in Room 20, which the four cousins used
as a sitting room. All were busy studying and looked up in surprise as
Spouter dashed in with Gif at his heels.

"Glorious news, boys! Glorious news!" sang out Spouter, as he beamed at
them.

"What is it?" they demanded in chorus.

"Glorious, I tell you, glorious!" Spouter waved his hands eloquently.
"Why remain cooped up here within the dingy walls of a school when the
mighty plains, the boundless forests, the leaping streams, and the azure
blue of the skies await you? Why snuff the tainted air of the musty
classroom when the free ozone of the hil