"I will send for Rover and Baxter."

It must be confessed that Jack was somewhat surprised when one of the
assistants came to him and told him he was wanted immediately in the
office.

"Gee! this looks bad!" cried Randy.

"Want any of us to go with you?" questioned Fred quickly.

"No; I can face the music alone," answered the oldest Rover boy.

He arrived at the office just as another assistant was bringing in Walt
Baxter. The two exchanged glances, but said nothing. But the glance
given Walt meant, "Keep mum," and the other understood and nodded
slightly.

"So here you are, eh?" cried Asa Lemm, before Colonel Colby had a chance
to say a word. "I thought I'd catch you!"

"Excuse me, Professor Lemm, but I wish you would allow me to conduct
this examination," put in Colonel Colby a trifle stiffly. If the truth
must be told, the overbearing manner of the teacher was not any more to
the liking of the master of the Hall than it was to the cadets. Yet, Asa
Lemm had come well recommended, and Colonel Colby did not wish to pass
hasty judgment on him.

"Yes, sir," returned the professor. "But please remember I have suffered
greatly, and I demand satisfaction."

"I have sent for you cadets in order to clear up the affair that
happened last night," began Colonel Colby, ignoring Asa Lemm's last
remark. "I have been given to understand that you were the two to bring
those goats into the Hall. Am I right?"

"I did not bring the goats into the Hall," returned Walt Baxter
promptly. "Just the same, I guess I'm as guilty as anybody," he added
quickly, not wishing to shirk responsibility.

"I was one of the cadets who brought the goats into the Hall, Colonel
Colby," answered Jack promptly.

"Baxter did not assist in bringing them into the Hall?"

"No, sir."

"But you were not alone, Rover?"

"No, sir."

"Who was with you in this escapade?"

"I prefer not to answer that question, Colonel Colby."

"Make him answer! Make him answer!" stormed Asa Lemm. "You young rascal!
I'll teach you to play tricks on me!" and he shook his fist in Jack's
face.

"Professor Lemm, I'll thank you to be less violent," interrupted Colonel
Colby. "This examination must be held in an orderly fashion. You say you
were not alone, Rover. Will you tell me how many were mixed up in this
affair?"

Jack thought for a moment. "Do you mean the whole happening in Professor
Lemm's room?"

"Yes."

"Oh, there were eight or ten of us--maybe more.