it is true; but we may hear from him, nevertheless. When he went away he
was an angry as ever, so Professor Brice said."

As was usual, the Rovers had congregated in their rooms, along with
several of their chums. Outside it was snowing once again, the soft
particles whirling in all directions and clinging fast to the window
panes. It was the off hour of the afternoon, but none of the lads had
cared to go outside, or even visit the school library.

The news that Asa Lemm had left the Hall was true. Following his heated
interview with Colonel Colby, he had written out his resignation,
accepted his pay for the month, packed his baggage, and left the school,
never to return. Only several of the teachers and the man who had driven
him away had seen him go; and this was as Colonel Colby wished it, for
he was afraid that if the cadets were present at the disliked teacher's
departure, they would make some sort of demonstration against him.

Strange as it may seem, Colonel Colby had said nothing further about
punishing the cadets. Evidently he had taken their word for it that
they would not have played the trick on any other teacher in the
school, and possibly he remembered what Andy had said to the effect that
the boys had been punished beforehand for what had been done. A few of
the lads were afraid that the matter might be taken up later, but the
majority had reached the conclusion that they would hear no more
concerning it.

"It's too bad it's snowing," said Jack, after he and the others had
tired of speaking about the departed teacher. "I had an idea we would be
able to get in some fine skating before we left for the Christmas
holidays."

The Rover boys had not forgotten the fact that both Asa Lemm and Colonel
Colby had received notes concerning the joke that had been played. They
remembered well how Slugger Brown, as related in a previous volume, had
sent an anonymous communication to Elias Lacy, accusing them of having
shot the old farmer's cows.

"If Slugger was mean enough to send that letter, he'd be mean enough to
send these notes," was the way Jack put it.

"I wish we could see one or both of the letters," remarked Randy. "We
could very quickly tell if they were in Slugger's handwriting, or
Nappy's either."

"Oh, you can bet they'd disguise their handwriting as much as possible,"
said Fred.

The snow continued the next day, and it was so windy and unpleasant
outdoors that the battalion had to dispense wi