appear as if that trick had been played by some other
cadets. In fact, they were going to make all the evidence point to those
other cadets. Now, do you think those cadets ought to defend themselves
by telling Colonel Colby all they know? They feel that they don't want
to be tale bearers."

"If the trick was to be played solely to injure their reputation, they
certainly ought to expose it," was the teacher's quick response. "It is
one thing to tell on another person just for the sake of telling, and it
is quite a different thing to defend one's own reputation."

Following this there was quite a discussion, but in the end Professor
Brice convinced the Rovers that they had better tell the particulars of
what they had overheard. He listened to their story with close
attention.

"This is certainly worthy of an investigation," he said, after they had
finished. "I'll tell Colonel Colby about it, and maybe he will send for
you. If he does so, kindly take my advice and see to it that when you
come to the colonel's office you are not watched by Brown, Martell and
Stowell, or that may spoil everything. I think that the colonel will
agree with me that the thing to do is to catch those fellows
red-handed."

"All right, Professor, we'll leave everything in your hands," answered
Fred. Even yet he did not feel just right over what had been done. He
still felt that he and his cousins should have settled affairs privately
with Slugger Brown and his cronies, even if it had been a matter of fist
fights.

The young professor lost no time in going to Colonel Colby. He found the
master of the Hall in his study looking over the questions which were to
be used in the coming examination.

"I am sorry to report more trouble, sir," he announced, and, sitting
down, he gave Colonel Colby a rapid sketch of what had taken place at
the gymnasium.

"Too bad! too bad!" and the master of the Hall showed his
disappointment. He heaved a sigh. "It looks to me, Brice, as if I had
made a mistake in giving Brown and Martell another chance."

"Just what I was thinking, sir," returned the young teacher.

"You say the Rovers did not wish to report the matter?"

"That's it, sir. I had to fairly drag the story but of them. They did
not want to have the reputation of tale bearers."

"I think I understand their view of it, Brice. At the same time, this is
too serious a matter to allow them to settle it between themselves. I
think the best thing we can d