"

During those days the Rover boys received a letter from their father
which proved unusually interesting. Anderson Rover wrote, in part, as
follows:

"You will be surprised to learn, at this late day, that something had
been heard about Arnold Baxter. A man who knows him fairly well met him
a few nights ago in Owego. The news was telegraphed to me at once, and
the local police were informed, but since that time nothing more has
been seen or heard of the rascal. The man said he was well dressed and
had been stopping at a leading hotel. Evidently he is using what was
stolen."

"In Owego!" cried Sam. "Why, that city isn't over fifty miles from
here."

"This is his old stamping ground," put in Tom. "For all we know he may
now be hanging around Ithaca or Cedarville."

"I don't believe he'll come here," said Dick. "He is too well known."

"Oh, if only we could lay hands on him, Dick!"

"Wish we could, Tom. But Arnold Baxter knows enough to keep out of our
clutches."

"Wonder if he knows what became of Dan?"

"Like as not our story was in all the newspapers, and they mentioned
Dan too."

"If that is so, it's more than likely he thinks we are responsible for
Dan being left behind on the island."

"I'm not going to bother my head about Arnold Baxter," put in Sam. "If
he shows himself I'll have him arrested, that's all."

One day after another slipped by and all of the boys continued to study
with a will. Once they received long letters from Dora Stanhope and
Nellie and Grace Laning, and sent long letters in return.

"Wish the girls were back here," said Dick. But this could not be, as
they had decided to remain in California for a while longer, and the
boys had to content themselves by sending the girls keepsakes by which
to be remembered.

On the Friday afternoon preceding the final week of the term Tom and
Sam walked down to the lake, intending to go out in a boat for a short
row.

As they drew close to the boathouse they heard loud talking and then a
cry of pain.

"Please don't," came in the voice of a young cadet. "Please, please
don't, Flapp!"

"But I just will, you little imp!" came in Lew Flapp's harsh voice.
"I'll teach you to play the sneak!"

"But I--I didn't mean to do anything, really I didn't," answered the
other. "But I felt so sick, and I--"

"Oh, I know you, Moss. For two pins I'd break your head for you!" And
then came the sounds of several blows in quick succession.

"It's Flapp!"