to a wad.

"Those must be the newspapers he had the suitcase wrapped in," remarked
Walt Baxter.

"More than likely," answered Jack. He picked up the wad of papers and
glanced at them. "New York newspapers, too," he cried. "Nappy must have
brought them with him from home."

"Was the suitcase locked, Fred?" questioned Randy.

"No. I didn't bother to lock it, because, you see, I had it with me. I
only lock a suitcase when I check it."

"Then you'd better take a look inside and see if your duds are all
right," advised Andy.

The youngest Rover quickly unstrapped the suitcase and threw back the
catch. Then, as Randy sent the rays of the flashlight into the bag, he,
as well as the others, uttered various exclamations.

"The mean fellow!"

"Fred, you ought to get after him for this!"

For a quick look inside the suitcase had revealed the fact that Nappy
Martell had opened the bag and thrown handfuls of dirt amid the pieces
of clothing and the various other articles Fred had packed therein.

"You'll have to have all that laundered stuff done over again before
you can wear it," declared Jack. "And you'll have to have those
neckties cleaned, too, I am afraid. Say! this is a shame!"

"Just wait! I think I'll be able to get square with Nappy Martell,"
muttered the youngest Rover.

"He ought to be reported for this," broke in Walt Baxter. "This isn't a
joke. It's a low-down, dirty trick."

At this remark all of the other Rover boys looked at Fred, and he
looked at his cousins in return.

"I don't know about reporting this," he answered slowly. "I rather
think I prefer to settle with Martell myself."

"That's the talk!" cried Andy. "If you reported this, some of the
fellows might put you down for a softy and a sneak. I'd rather watch my
chance and give Martell as good as he sent."

"And with interest," added his twin.

"If you fellows are anything like your fathers were before you, I
reckon you'll know how to get square with Nappy," remarked Walt Baxter.
"I've heard that the Rovers never took a back seat for anybody."

"I'll figure out what I'm going to do after I get settled here,"
returned Fred. He suddenly began to smile. "Say! things have been
happening since we left home, haven't they?"

"I should say yes!" answered Andy.

With Jack assisting his cousin in carrying the suitcase, the whole
crowd returned to Colby Hall, and here the Rovers started to separate
from Walt Baxter, first requesting him to rema