length. Mrs. Cantwell arrived
at the bank, only to make the same discovery that her husband
had made about the need of counting and wrapping the money before
it could be deposited or exchanged. It was close to one o'clock,
and the High School not far away. So, full of ire, Mrs. Cantwell
started down to her husband's place of employment.

Once school let out for the day, a quarter of a thousand members
of the student body went off, full of glee, to spread the news
of the joke. As they hurried along many of the students noticed
that Mrs. Cantwell was standing not far from the gate and that,
at her feet, lay her husband's black satchel. Several of the
students were quick to wonder what this new phase of the matter
meant.

After school was dismissed Fred Ripley remained behind, strapping
several books together. Then, as he passed the principal's desk,
he remarked:

"I suppose, Mr. Cantwell, that some of the students thought that
a very funny trick that was played on you this morning. While
I am speaking of it, I wish to assure you, sir, that I had no
hand in the outrage."

"I am very glad to hear you say that, Mr. Ripley. Some day I
hope I shall have a notion who _did_ originate the practical joke."

"I don't believe you would have to guess very long, sir," Ripley
hinted.

"What do you mean?"

"Why, sir, whenever anything of that sort is hatched up in this
school, it's generally a pretty safe guess that Dick & Co. are
at the bottom of it all."

"Dick & Co.?" repeated Mr. Cantwell.

"Dick Prescott and his chums, sir," replied Ripley, rapidly naming
the five partners. Then, having accomplished what he wanted,
Fred sauntered out.

"I'll look into this further," thought Mr. Cantwell, angrily.
"If I can satisfy myself that Prescott was at the bottom of this
wicked hoax then I---I may find it possible to make him want to
cut his High School course short!"

Mrs. Cantwell was waiting at the gate.

"What on earth, Abner, did you mean by sending me this great cartload
of pennies?" demanded the principal's spouse. "Here I've taken
it up to the bank, and find they won't accept it---not in this
form, anyway. Now, I've carried it this far, Abner, and you may
carry it the rest of the way home."

"Why---er---er---" stammered the principal.

"Mr. Getchel brought the satchel to me, and told me it was money
you had sent me. But I want to say, Abner, that of all the-----"

At this moment the principal picke