rd mutiny, sir. Express your regret for the injury
unintentionally done Bristow."

Mr. Cantwell wheeled abruptly.

"Who is principal here, Mr. Drake?"

"You are, sir."

"Then be good enough to let me finish my remarks."

This dialogue was spoken in an undertone, but the students guessed
some inkling of its substance.

The submaster subsided, but Mr. Cantwell couldn't seem to remember,
just then, what he wanted to say. So he stood gazing about the
room. In doing this he caught sight of the face of Purcell.

"Mr. Purcell!" called the principal.

That young man rose, standing by his seat. "Mr. Purcell, you
made some threat to me a few minutes ago?"

"Yes, sir."

"What was that threat?"

"I told you that, if you laid hands on me, I'd floor you."

"Would you have done it?"

"At the time, yes, sir. Or I'd have tried to do so."

"That is all. The locker room monitor will go with you to the
basement. You may go for the day. When you come to-morrow morning,
I will let you know what I have decided in your case."

Submaster Drake bit his lips. This was not the way to deal with
a situation in which the principal had started the trouble. Mr.
Drake wouldn't have handled the situation in this way, nor would
Dr. Thornton, the former principal.

But Purcell, with cheerfulness murmured, "Very good, sir," and
left the room, while many approving glances followed him.

Messrs. Morton and Luce shuffled rather uneasily in their seats.
Mr. Cantwell began to gather an idea that he was making his own
bad matter worse, so he changed, making an address in which he
touched but lightly upon the incidents of the morning. He made
an urgent plea for discipline at all times, and tried to impress
upon the student body the need for absolute self-control.

In view of his own hasty temper that last part of the speech nearly
provoked an uproar of laughter. Only respect for Mr. Drake and
the other submasters prevented that. The women teachers, or
most of them, too, the boys were sure, sided with them secretly.

The first recitation period of the morning was going by rapidly,
but Mr. Cantwell didn't allow that to interfere with his remarks.
At last, however, he called for the belated singing. This was
in progress when the door opened. Mr. Eldridge, superintendent
of schools, entered, followed by Bristow's father. That latter
gentleman looked angry.

"Mr. Cantwell, can you spare us a few moments in your office?"
inqui