enough that we
aren't afraid of that pair."

"Just the same, Fred, if they do come back we'll have to keep our eyes
wide open, for they surely will do their best to put one over on us, and
any fellows who would be mean enough to do what they have done, wouldn't
hesitate to do worse."

"I can't understand why Colonel Colby is going to let them come back at
all."

"Oh, I suppose he feels that he ought to give them at least one more
chance. He probably remembers how Dan Baxter acted toward our fathers
and the colonel himself, as well as their chums, and how Baxter
afterwards reformed."

"Yes, that may be true. But when one fellow like Walt Baxter's father
reforms, a dozen others remain as bad as ever, or grow worse. To my
mind, there isn't much in the way of reform in Slugger Brown's make-up,
or in Nappy Martell either."

"Oh, I agree with you there. Slugger Brown is nothing short of a brute,
and Nappy Martell is as sly and vicious as any fellow I ever ran up
against. We'll certainly have to watch them when they get back here."

CHAPTER IV

OUT HUNTING

After the excitement attending the skating races, matters moved along
quietly at Colby Hall for several days. The Rover boys, as was their
custom, paid close attention to their studies.

"We've got to make a record for ourselves," was the way Jack put it. "If
we don't, our folks may take it in their heads to send us to some other
boarding school, thinking Colonel Colby is too easy with us."

"And to take Jack away from this vicinity when he is getting so sweet on
Ruth Steven----" began Randy, when he was cut short by a book flung by
his cousin, landing on his shoulder.

"You cut out that talk, Randy!" cried Jack.

"Let's talk about the weather," murmured Andy, who had passed to the
window. "Say, fellows, do you know, I think it's going to snow!"

"Hurrah! That means some fun snowballing!" cried Fred.

The snow came down all that night, and in the morning covered the
ground to the depth of several inches. A great many of the cadets rushed
out in glee, and half a dozen impromptu snowballing matches were soon in
progress.

It was almost time to go in for the morning session when several of the
cadets noticed a figure, huddled up in a slouch hat and a heavy
overcoat, coming up from behind the Hall toward a side door.

"Here comes Bob Nixon!" yelled one of the cadets, mentioning the name of
Colonel Colby's chauffeur. "Let's give him a volley."

"R