darville."

"We are stopping with Mrs. Stanhope. Sam is sick with a heavy cold."

"It's not to be wondered at. Master Tubbs has a cold, too, and the
captain had Mrs. Green give him some medicine for it."

"Has he punished Tubbs?"

"No. He's awfully upset, and I don't think he'll do anything right
away," concluded the general utility man.

The cutter was turned around, and Dick and Snuggers hurried toward the
Hall. Their coming was noticed by a score of boys who were snowballing
each other oh the parade ground, and a shout went up.

"Dick Rover is coming back! Snuggers has brought Dick Rover back!"

"Take care of the horse, Snuggers," said Dick. "Do the right thing, and
I won't forget to pay you at Christmas-time."

"All right Master Rover; thank you," answered the man of all work.

Dick was at once surrounded, but before he could answer any questions he
saw Captain Putnam appear at one of the windows and at once went inside
to greet him.

"Well, Rover, what does all this mean?" demanded the head of the school,
but there was not much sternness in his tone.

"It means Captain Putnam, that Sam, Tom, and I couldn't stand the
treatment we received from Mr. Grinder. For a little set-to which Sam
and Tubbs had in the gymnasium Mr. Grinder put Sam in the ice-cold
storeroom, and was going to keep him there all night, with nothing but
stale bread to eat and cold water to drink. If Sam had remained in the
storeroom he would have died from the effects of it. As it is, he is now
in bed at Mrs. Stanhope's, and we had to call in Dr. Fremley to attend
him."

"Is he very ill, Rover? Tell me the exact truth."

"I have never told you anything else, Captain Putnam. No, I don't think
he is very ill, but he's got a bad cold. He is very hoarse, and he
complained of such a pain in the chest that Mrs. Stanhope put on some
plasters, and when the doctor came he left some more."

"Humph!" Captain Putnam began to walk up and down his private office.
"What did you tell Dr. Fremley?"

"Nothing but that Sam had exposed himself. I didn't want to give the
school a black name. But one thing is certain, we can't remain here if
Mr. Grinder is going to stay. I shall write to my father and tell him
the full particulars."

"It will not be necessary to do so, Richard." The captain caught Dick by
the shoulder. "I have investigated this affair, and while I find that
Sam was to blame, and Tom and you, too, yet I am convinced that Mr.
Grinder e