s genuinely respected
by the boys as a good and fair-minded man. Such men as Drake,
Morton or Luce could lead these warm-hearted boys anywhere.

Stepping quickly back to the platform, Drake sounded the bell.
In an instant there was an orderly movement toward the desks.
At the second bell all were seated.

"In the absence of the principal," began Mr. Drake, "I-----"

A low-voiced laugh started in some quarters of the room.

"Silence!" insisted Mr. Drake, with dignity. "School has opened.
I-----"

He was interrupted by a new note. Out in the yard sounded the
clanging of a bell, the quick trot of horses' feet and the roll
of wheels. The boys looked at one another in unbelieving astonishment.

Then heavy steps sounded on the stairway. Outside Mr. Cantwell's
voice could be heard:

"I'll take you inside, chief!"

In came the principal, his face now white from dread of what he
had done, instead of showing the white-heat of passion. After
him came Chief Coy and three policemen in uniform.

For at least a full half minute Chief Coy stood glancing around the
room, where every student was in his seat and all was orderly.
The boys returned the chief's look with wondering eyes.
Then Mr. Coy spoke:

"Where's your riot, principal? Is this what you termed a mutiny?"

Mr. Cantwell, who had gone to his post behind the desk, appeared
to find difficulty in answering.

"Humph!" muttered the chief, and, turning, strode from the room.
His three policemen followed.

Then there came indeed an awkward silence.

Submaster Drake had abandoned the center of the stage to the principal.
Mr. Cantwell found himself at some loss for words. But at last
he began:

"Young ladies and young gentlemen, I cannot begin to tell you
how much I regret the occurrences of this morning. Discipline
is one of my greatest ideals, and this morning's mutiny-----"

He felt obliged to pause there, for an angry murmur started on
the boys' side, and traveled over to where the girls were seated:

"This morning's mutiny-----" began the principal again.

The murmur grew louder. Mr. Cantwell looked up, more of fear
than of anger in his eyes. Mr. Drake, who stood behind the principal,
held up one hand appealingly. It was that gesture which saved
the situation at that critical moment. The boys thought that
if silence would please Mr. Drake, then he might have it.

"Pardon me, sir," whispered Drake in Cantwell's ear. "I wouldn't
harp on the wo