he
boys were guilty of blowing up the dining-room of his hostelry.

The hotel man had treated them kindly, for he was in dread that the
boys would get their folks to sue him for damages. He had offered to
pay back the money taken from Phil for the spread, and the
shipowner's son had taken the amount, to which he was justly
entitled.

The examination of the letter had revealed next to nothing. It was
evidently written in a disguised hand, but some of the letters looked
like Job Haskers's handwriting. In the corner of the paper some sort
of an advertisement had been torn off, only the letters, "_blisher_"
showing.

"I think those letters are part of the word, '_Publisher_,'" Dave had
said. "This letter was evidently penned by somebody who used some
publisher's blank."

"Maybe Job Haskers had those blanks," Phil had exclaimed. "Remember,
he said he published or was going to publish something once upon a
time."

The boys talked it over, but could reach no conclusion. Jason Sparr
told how the letter had come to him, but this added no new light on
the subject.

"Well, it was a nasty trick, no matter who played it," said Dave.

"I sha'n't rest until I find out who did it," retorted Phil.

All were resolved to watch Job Haskers and also Nat Poole. But while
doing this they had to turn once more to their studies. Phil, Ben, and
Buster had to work harder than ever, and so did Dave, to make up for
the time lost during their absence. But Doctor Clay was kind to them,
and for once Job Haskers did not say anything, although he showed that
he expected them to "toe the mark," as Roger expressed it.

Several weeks slipped by, and during that time Oak Hall played several
games of ball. One game of importance was won, and this was celebrated
in a befitting manner. Dave attended the games, and so did Phil and
Roger, but none of the three allowed the sport to interfere with their
studies. All were "in the grind," and resolved to graduate that coming
June with the highest possible honors.

During those days Dave received many letters from home. His folks and
friends were glad to know that the wild man had been captured and the
mystery of the blowing up cleared away. Jessie sent him a very warm
letter in particular, congratulating him for bringing back the
runaways, and saying she hoped he would have no more trouble during
the final term at Oak Hall. She added that she and all the others
expected to come to the school at graduat