George.

"Yes; I heard a noise like somebody stamping."

"Where did it come from?"

"I think it came from the stone cell. But it sounded like somebody
stamping on wood."

"Perhaps it came from the empty storeroom," cried Dick. "More than
likely Mr. Grinder has placed Sam and Tubby there. I wish he'd come
here. I'd question him."

"Your wish is gratified," whispered George. "Here he comes now!"

The door at the far end of the room had opened, and now Jasper Grinder
came forth in a hurry. He was about to pass to another room at the rear
of the school when Dick stopped him.

"Mr. Grinder, may I ask what you have done with Sam?" he asked.

"I have placed him in confinement until Captain Putnam returns," was the
snappy answer.

"Did you put him in the stone cell?"

"It is not for you to question me, Rover."

"In this cold weather it isn't fit for anybody to be in that stone cell.
Sam may catch his death of cold."

"I am the best judge of my own actions, Rover, and need no advice from
you. Your brother has broken the rules of this school, and must suffer
for so doing."

"It's inhuman to make a fellow freeze," burst out Tom. "I don't believe
Captain Putnam would do that."

"Not another word from either of you," came sharply from the teacher.
"Your brother will not freeze to death, but the cold may teach him a
useful lesson."

"If he gets sick, I'll get my father to hold you legally responsible,"
went on Tom.

At these words the teacher turned slightly pale, a vision of a lawsuit
with damages to pay floating across his miserly mind.

"To ease your mind Rover, let me say I'll see to it that he doesn't get
sick," he said, and before Tom or Dick could question him further he
passed out of the room.

"If he isn't the worst yet!" burst out Fred, who had listened with
interest to what was said.

"I shan't stand it," returned Tom. "Will you, Dick?"

Dick, older and more thoughtful, mused for a moment.

"I'd certainly like to help Sam," he said. "But we must be careful and
not get into trouble with Captain Putnam."

"I'm going to find my way to the door of the cell somehow," went on Tom.

"Old Grinder left that door unlocked when he came out," said George,
who had joined them.

"Good! I'm going through before he comes back."

As good as his word, Tom slipped past the various tables at which the
students were sitting, until he reached the door which connected with
Captain Putnam's private apartments.