and his eyes flashed with sudden
fire. "I know what is in your mind now! But don't you dare to accuse me!
Don't you dare!"

"I want you to tell me the truth."

"I have told you all I know. I took the teeth as a joke, and I put them
where they could easily be found."

"And about the other things----" The head teacher paused suggestively.

"I know no more about the other things that have disappeared than you
do. Do you think I'd rob myself and my best friends?"

"In a case of this kind a person might rob himself just to throw the
public off the scent."

"Do you dare to accuse me of these mysterious thefts?" cried Pepper,
hotly.

"I think----"

"Mr. Crabtree, I beg of you to be careful," cried George Strong. "Why
not drop this whole matter until Captain Putnam returns? Because Ditmore
played a joke on you does not say that he is a--a criminal."

"Thank you for that, Mr. Strong," said the cadet, warmly. "I know I had
no right to play that joke--I have no right to play any of my jokes--but
I only did it for fun. I think it is--is horrible for Mr. Crabtree to
even think that I--that--that----" Pepper could not go on for his
emotion choked him.

"Oh? you can't deceive me!" sneered Josiah Crabtree. "I am sure
that----"

"Mr. Crabtree, I insist that you drop this matter until Captain Putnam
returns," interrupted George Strong.

"You insist?" roared the irate instructor.

"I do, sir."

"Who is in authority here, you or I?"

"You are the head teacher, but I feel bound to protect Captain Putnam's
interests during his absence. You have no right to accuse any cadet of a
crime unless you have proof against him. Have you any proof against
Ditmore?"

"You heard how he acknowledged taking the teeth."

"And he said it was a joke--and I believe it was that and nothing more.
There is a wide difference between an innocent joke and a premeditated
crime. Take my advice and say no more until you have consulted with
Captain Putnam."

"Ha! you are against me--just as the cadets are against me!" stormed
Josiah Crabtree. "I know I am right. But we can wait, since you insist."
He turned towards Pepper. "I'll corner you yet, you young rascal!" he
cried bitterly.

And the two teachers passed out of the cell-like room, the door was
again locked, and Pepper was left a prisoner as before.

CHAPTER XXII

THE MYSTERY GOES ON

When nightfall came and Pepper still remained a prisoner, both Jack and
Andy commenced to wo