. Ford. He states that Cameron
Smith has been caught and has made a confession that he looted the safe
at Point View Lodge. Smith was partly intoxicated at the time of his
capture, and informed the detective that some jewelry he had in his
possession had come from Reff Ritter. He stated that Ritter took the
stuff from the cadets and the others while they slept, and it was
Smith's part to pawn the things and divide the proceeds."

"And Ritter was guilty of all the thefts at the Hall?" cried Pepper.

"Yes, and he even took some of his own things, just for a blind,
according to this man Smith. What Coulter has to say, and Paxton, seems
to corroborate his story."

"What a terrible thing to do!" murmured Jack.

"Smith had a bunch of pawn tickets hidden away in a drawer, and they
represent all the things taken from this school, and they also represent
some other things, namely, those lost by you, Snow, at the time the
horse ran away with you."

"Then it was Cameron Smith after all whom I saw, and who robbed me when
I was unconscious!" cried the acrobatic youth.

"Yes. He was a bad man, and I have no doubt but that he was the one to
lead Ritter astray."

"What are you going to do with Ritter?"

"I cannot do otherwise than have him arrested. But I hate to have such a
scandal attached to the school," and Captain Putnam heaved a sigh that
came from the bottom of his heart.

In the meantime, Reff Ritter had come back to Putnam Hall in another
sleigh, and had gone to his dormitory to change his clothes. Here he was
confronted by Coulter and, a little later, by Nick Paxton, and a hot
discussion arose, which ended in blows. Both Coulter and Paxton fell
upon the bully together and punished him severely. The pair told Ritter
what they thought of him, and each declared that he was going to expose
the bully to Captain Putnam.

"I'll tell all I know about Ruddy's watch and chain, and about you and
that Cameron Smith, too!" declared Coulter.

"Don't you do it!" shouted Ritter.

"And I'll tell what I know about your sneaking in and out of the
dormitories at night," added Paxton. And then he and Coulter went off
together.

They reached the office just as Jack, Andy and Pepper were about to
leave. Each told his story, and both were closely questioned by the
master of the school.

"How long ago did you find this out about the watch and chain, Coulter?"
demanded Captain Putnam.

"Only a few days ago, sir."

"You should hav