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"Why should he put the barrels there?" "I will tell you," answered Pepper, stepping forward. "I bought them to celebrate with to-night. I thought they'd make a dandy bonfire." "Indeed! Then you set them ablaze, Ditmore?" "No, sir. My idea was to roll them to the lake-shore and pile them one on top of the other." "Then who did set them on fire in the woods?"
You see, we always do dress when we get up in the morning, Mr. Crabtree," he added with a simple smile. "I want none of your impudence, Ditmore." "Oh, dear, was I impudent?" murmured The Imp. "I didn't know it. I beg ten thousand pardons yes, a million, if you'd rather, sir." "Be quiet, you you forward boy! Something was going on in here! If I find out what it was, I shall punish all of you!"
"If you were struck, Major Ruddy, it was your duty to report the occurrence at the office," said Josiah Crabtree, loftily. "Such actions as these will most likely cost you your command." "Oh, what a shame!" burst out Pepper. "Ditmore, I want no words from you!" roared the head teacher, savagely.
"But have you any suspicions, Ditmore?" And the master's voice grew a trifle stern. "Only in a general way." "Please explain yourself." "I er I hardly know what to say, sir," stammered Pepper. "There may be nothing in it at all." "In what? Come, out with it."
"Say, do you fellows know that Ruddy, Ditmore and Snow are going out to-night?" he said. He always loved to tell the news, and thought himself quite important in so doing. "Where to?" asked one of the cadets. "To Point View Lodge the place where the Ford family live. They've got an invitation to dinner." "Lucky dogs!" came from another cadet.
One and all declared that Pepper had remained a prisoner all night and was still in the cell-like room. Then he spoke to The Imp himself. "Did you go out last night?" he asked. "How could I?" asked Pepper. "Answer my question, Ditmore." "No, I didn't go out. I have been here ever since you brought me in yesterday."
Crabtree, do not be hasty, I beg of you," put in the under teacher. "Ditmore, how did you get the teeth?" demanded Josiah Crabtree. "It was very easy, sir, if you must know. I went into the vacant bedroom next to your room, climbed from one window to the other, and the trick was done." "Were you alone?" "Yes, sir, absolutely alone."
"Ouch!" yelled Bock. "Let go!" "You get out of the grandstand!" cried Pepper. "If you don't I'll get a crowd to mob you." "See here, Ditmore " "Don't talk get!" interrupted Pepper. "Let Roy alone!" sang out Bat Sedley. "If you don't, I'll crack you one!" "Hello, you rascals!" came unexpectedly from nearby, and a farmer named Baker showed himself. "You here? Jest wait till I git my paws on you!"
The dictatorial teacher accused Pepper of copying an example in algebra from another cadet, and a bitter altercation followed. "I didn't do it, and I don't want you to say so!" flared up Pepper, his cheeks aflame. "Ditmore, be silent!" roared Josiah Crabtree. "Not another word, or I'll send you to Captain Putnam!" "I don't care I didn't copy!" muttered Pepper. "It's a shame to say I did!"
He took but little interest in the military side of the school and consequently did not know all the rules. "Well, I can do the talking here. You are excused." "Mr. Crabtree, Ditmore tells me that he is very cold, and he has had no breakfast." "Ha! So he is complaining, eh? Well, I'll attend to him. You may go." "Are you going to give him his breakfast?" "Yes when he deserves it not before."
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