o report to you the utter spoil of your shop and your
work; also my own complete!" Such was the breath-taking remark of Tony
Sabaste, as he stuck his head into the room of Bill and Gus and regarded
the boys at their studies soon after daylight.

With no more than a word of surprise or doubt the young mechanics
followed their Italian friend into the basement and were not long in
finding his words true.

The crown plate of the drill had been broken in two with a hammer and
probably the same means had been used to crack the lathe pulley and
smash some of the tools. Materials were not harmed, but the work just
begun on two new radio sets of the better value, along with Tony's
efforts, was reduced to splinters.

The door of the shop had never been locked; the miscreant had entered in
the night and engaged in the work of destruction.

"Well, who----?" began Bill.

"Ah, say not that question," said Tony. "Do not you know? Is there a
doubt; even one? I have no enemy in the school but one, and who
else----"

"Oh, sure, anyone but friendly, innocent Bill would know. Malatesta, of
course."

Gus was ready with short cuts to names as well as to problems, his
genius for detection having been proved in a like instance, before this.
He went over and picked up a hammer, holding it by the head and scanning
the handle.

"Here, I suppose, are some thumb prints," he said; "it only remains for
us to get hold of----"

Gus was interrupted by the sudden entrance of a member of the senior
class, Jim Lambert, who had but a few days before completed a crystal
radio set in the shop. He gazed about him.

"About as I thought. This is rotten, fellows, and if I know anything, it
is going to be paid for."

"Who will--?" began Bill.

"Let me tell you. I room right above here, as you know. Late last night,
very late, probably toward morning, I was wakened by a noise. I listened
and heard the sound of a blow that was surely down here. Then I heard
some more noises, muffled, though,--the floor, you know, is fire-proofed
and thick. I didn't wake Smith, but I got up and went to the door and
looked out. I hadn't been there two minutes before I was aware that
someone came up out of the basement and was standing in the hall. I
think he must have suspected something, for he came along toward my door
and I got inside and closed it, with my hand on the knob so as not to
click the latch. Then I felt a pressure on the door--the fellow had the
nerve t