tart earlier," said the
instructor, and let them go in to supper.

"Gracious! what a difference between Mr. Dale and old Haskers," was
Dave's comment.

"I wish all the teachers were like Mr. Dale--and Doctor Clay," returned
Roger.

The party were just finishing their evening meal when Nat Poole and Link
Merwell slunk in. The tall youth had one eye nearly closed by the blow
Dave had delivered. He glared savagely at Dave, but said nothing.

"He'll chew you up--if he gets the chance," whispered Roger to Dave.

"Then I won't give him the chance," answered the other, with a quiet
smile.

The story soon circulated among the students that Merwell and Dave had
had a fight and the tall boy had gotten the worse of it. To this Dave
said nothing, but Merwell explained to his friends that Porter had hit
him foul, taking him completely off his guard.

"The next time we meet you'll see him go down and out," added the tall
boy. "He won't be in it a minute after I once get at him."

Word was sent to Mike Marcy about his mule, and the farmer sent an
answer back that the mule was now at home again, safe and sound. The
mean fellow did not add one word of thanks for the information given to
him.

"That's like Marcy," said Dave. "If he thanked me for anything I think
I'd drop dead."

"Some men hardly know how to be civil," answered Phil.

During the next few days word also came from Dodsworth Sadler that he
was on the trail of Blodgett and Volney and hoped to catch them before
many days. He added that he had evidence to convict the swindlers if he
could only lay his hands on them.

"That lets you and me out," said Dave to Gus Plum. "I don't think you'll
ever hear another word from the two rascals."

"If it hadn't been for you I should have paid them that money," said the
former bully, gratefully. "And they would have kept me in their power if
they could."

Dave was anxiously awaiting a letter from his uncle, and when it came he
could scarcely take time to tear open the communication, so eager was he
to know its contents. The letter was very brief and simply asked the boy
to come home on the following Saturday, and added that if he really
wanted to go to London he could do so. Dave was to show the letter to
Doctor Clay, in order to get the necessary permission to leave the Hall.

"I shall be sorry to have you go, Master Porter," said the principal of
the academy. "But I can understand how you feel about your father and
sis