" returned Fred.

"Have you any idea how this fire started?"

"I don't see how it could start unless it was from the cigarettes and
the matches those fellows used," answered Randy bluntly. "I hate to make
that statement, but the truth is the truth."

"I believe you are right, Rover. Now then, I wish you to do me a favor.
I want you to keep as quiet about this as you are to keep quiet about
that joke those cadets proposed to play. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," answered both the Rovers.

"Then that is all for the present;" and, so speaking, Colonel Colby
dismissed the boys.

"I guess he's going to save this fire affair until he catches them
trying to play the joke," was Fred's comment, as they hurried away to
join the others.

"That's it, Fred." Randy looked at his cousin knowingly. "There is
certainly something coming to Slugger, Nappy and Codfish, isn't there?"

CHAPTER XVII

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

The news that there had been a fire at Colby Hall soon spread to the
town and to Clearwater Hall, and there were many anxious inquiries over
the telephone and otherwise as to whether anybody had been hurt.

"No, nobody was hurt, and the fire didn't amount to much," said Spouter,
when called up by his Cousin May. "Perhaps, when we see you girls
personally, we'll have something to tell you that will be a surprise."

In the middle of the afternoon of the day following the fire, a number
of letters were brought in by one of the hired men from the Haven Point
post-office.

"Here's a drop letter for you, Jack," remarked Gif, who was distributing
some of the mail. "Most likely from your best girl," and he smiled
good-naturedly.

"Doesn't look much like a girl's handwriting," answered the oldest Rover
boy, as he inspected the envelope. Wondering what the letter might
contain, he tore open the envelope and was considerably surprised to
read the following, written on a raggedly-torn half sheet of note paper:

"You Rovers think yourselves smart, but do not forget that I am not
done with you. You have been the means of my losing a very
lucrative position. I will not have you arrested, for it would be a
hard matter for me to obtain justice in this neighborhood; but I
will remember you, and some day I will bring you to book for what
you have done. You are nothing but a set of imps and hoodlums, and
sooner or later Colby will learn the truth."

"This is undoubtedly from Professor