opefully.

On returning to camp word had been sent to Captain Putnam that Dick
Rover was at the den in a condition not fit to be seen.

Mr. Strong and another teacher had gone to the place mentioned in the
anonymous communication only to find the den empty.

A general alarm was sent out, and the search for the missing captain of
Company A was begun as recorded. Captain Putnam also began to
investigate on his private account, with results that were as
surprising as they were dismaying. He learned the several cadets had
left camp early in the night and among them Ben Hurdy, Lew Flapp,
Pender, and Jackson. Without delay he summoned Ben Hurdy to his private
tent and made the young cadet undergo a strict cross-examination.

At first Hurdy would not talk, but soon he became frightened and broke
down utterly. He told of the plot against Dick, and of how Flapp and
the others had carried it out.

"I didn't want to go into it," he whined. "But Flapp said he would
thrash me if I didn't do my share. They wanted to get square with
Captain Rover because he had won at the athletic contests and at the
drill."

"I see," said Captain Putnam grimly, and then he ordered Ben Hurdy to
keep absolutely silent until called on to speak. "If you say a word now
I'll dismiss you at once," he concluded.

When Dick arrived Captain Putnam saw to it that his blisters were
dressed with care, and then he asked the eldest Rover to tell his whole
story.

"I do not know as I can do that, Captain Putnam," said the young
captain, blushing. "I don't care to become a tale-bearer."

"Did you leave camp of your own free will, Rover?"

"I did not, sir."

"You were carried away to be hazed, then?"

"Yes, sir; but I would prefer not to speak of that part of my
adventures."

"Those who carried you off drugged you."

"How do you know that?" asked Dick, in surprise.

"Never mind that now, Rover. Did they drug you or not?"

"No, sir."

"What!"

"They tried to drug me, but I threw the liquor over my shoulder when
they weren't looking."

"Oh, I see," and Captain Putnam smiled. "They tried to trick you and
you ended by tricking them, is that it?"

"That's about the size of it, sir. They thought I was in a stupor when
they left me, but as soon as they were gone I began to shift for
myself. But I don't understand how you know about this, Captain
Putnam."

"One of the party to this outrage has confessed, so I know all about
it, Rover. The leader,