Not wishing to give the Hall a bad name d.i.c.k deemed it advisable to say nothing about the fact that Sam had been locked in an ice-cold room without his overcoat or hat, and merely stated that his brother had exposed himself.

"He has a very heavy cold," said the doctor, after an examination. "If let run, it would have become serious, beyond a doubt; but I feel confident I can check it," and he left some medicine and some plasters.

As soon as the doctor was gone d.i.c.k announced his intention of returning to Putnam Academy. "The captain has got back, and I want to lay the whole case before him, and do it, too while Sam is still sick."

"Shall I go along?" asked Tom.

"No, I'll go alone. They may need you here on Sam's account."

d.i.c.k was soon on the way, riding another horse, for the Stanhopes now kept two. He had had a fine dinner, and felt in the best of spirits, despite the disagreeable task before him. He did not doubt for a moment but that Captain Putnam would side with him and condemn the actions of Jasper Grinder.

He was still out of sight of the Hall when he saw Peleg Snuggers riding toward him in the captain's cutter.

"Is that you, Master Rover!" sang out the man of all work. "Where are your brothers?"

"Safe, Snuggers. Has the captain got back?"

"Yes--got in a couple of hours ago."

"Has he said anything about our going away?"

"Said anything? Just guess he has. Why, the whole school is so upset n.o.body knows what he is doing. Do you know what happened after you and your brothers ran away?"

"Of course I don't. What did happen?"

"Mr. Grinder had a terrible row with more than a dozen of the boys, who sided with what you had done. He got awfully mad at them, and was going to cane the lot, when all of a sudden he fell down in a fit, just like he was going to die, and we had to work over him most an hour before we could bring him around."

CHAPTER VIII.

JASPER GRINDER IS DISMISSED.

d.i.c.k was greatly surprised over the news which Peleg Snuggers conveyed to him. He knew that Jasper Grinder was an intensely pa.s.sionate man when aroused, as on the occasion of the attempted caning, but he had not imagined that the man would fall into a fit while in such a condition.

"Did he come out of the fit all right?" he questioned soberly.

"When he came around he was as weak as a rag, and I and one of the big boys had to help him up to his room. He stayed there the rest of the evening, and the other teachers had to take charge."

"What do they say about the matter?"

"As soon as the captain got back all of 'em got in the private office and held a long talk. Then the captain had a talk with Mr. Grinder, and after that the captain sent me off to look for you. He said you must be at the Lanings, or at Mrs. Stanhope's, or else somewhere in Cedarville."

"We are stopping with Mrs. Stanhope. Sam is sick with a heavy cold."

"It's not to be wondered at. Master Tubbs has a cold, too, and the captain had Mrs. Green give him some medicine for it."

"Has he punished Tubbs?"

"No. He's awfully upset, and I don't think he'll do anything right away," concluded the general utility man.

The cutter was turned around, and d.i.c.k and Snuggers hurried toward the Hall. Their coming was noticed by a score of boys who were s...o...b..lling each other oh the parade ground, and a shout went up.

"d.i.c.k Rover is coming back! Snuggers has brought d.i.c.k Rover back!"

"Take care of the horse, Snuggers," said d.i.c.k. "Do the right thing, and I won't forget to pay you at Christmas-time."

"All right Master Rover; thank you," answered the man of all work.

d.i.c.k was at once surrounded, but before he could answer any questions he saw Captain Putnam appear at one of the windows and at once went inside to greet him.

"Well, Rover, what does all this mean?" demanded the head of the school, but there was not much sternness in his tone.

"It means Captain Putnam, that Sam, Tom, and I couldn't stand the treatment we received from Mr. Grinder. For a little set-to which Sam and Tubbs had in the gymnasium Mr. Grinder put Sam in the ice-cold storeroom, and was going to keep him there all night, with nothing but stale bread to eat and cold water to drink. If Sam had remained in the storeroom he would have died from the effects of it. As it is, he is now in bed at Mrs. Stanhope's, and we had to call in Dr. Fremley to attend him."

"Is he very ill, Rover? Tell me the exact truth."

"I have never told you anything else, Captain Putnam. No, I don't think he is very ill, but he's got a bad cold. He is very hoa.r.s.e, and he complained of such a pain in the chest that Mrs. Stanhope put on some plasters, and when the doctor came he left some more."

"Humph!" Captain Putnam began to walk up and down his private office.

"What did you tell Dr. Fremley?"

"Nothing but that Sam had exposed himself. I didn't want to give the school a black name. But one thing is certain, we can't remain here if Mr. Grinder is going to stay. I shall write to my father and tell him the full particulars."

"It will not be necessary to do so, Richard." The captain caught d.i.c.k by the shoulder. "I have investigated this affair, and while I find that Sam was to blame, and Tom and you, too, yet I am convinced that Mr.

Grinder exceeded his authority here. He had no business to put Sam in the storeroom and Master Tubbs in the stone cell in this freezing weather. More than that, something happened after you left that shows plainly Mr. Grinder is not the proper person to be a teacher here, and from to-day I intend to dispense with his services."

d.i.c.k knew what the captain referred to, the falling of the teacher into his pa.s.sionate fit on the floor, but he said nothing on that point, for in a way he felt sorry for one who could control himself so little.

"I am glad we won't have to put up with him, sir, any longer. In one way, he is worse than Mr. Crabtree was."

"Let us drop the whole subject, Richard. I have not been satisfied with Mr. Grinder for some time past, and had in view a teacher to take his place before this happened. The new teacher will come after the holidays, and I feel certain all the students will like him fully as much as they like Mr. Strong."

"We won't ask for anybody better than Mr. Strong--or yourself," answered d.i.c.k, with a smile.

A talk lasting quarter of an hour followed, and it was decided that d.i.c.k should return to the Stanhope cottage, to tell Tom and Sam what turn affairs had taken. Then Tom was to come to the Hall, leaving d.i.c.k to look after Sam.

It was nightfall before d.i.c.k got back to the cottage. Of course his brothers and the others listened to his story with interest. Both Sam and Tom felt greatly relieved.

"If Grinder keeps on he'll kill himself in one of his fits," said Sam.

"I hope he leaves before I go back to school."

"If I was you, I wouldn't go back until he does leave," said Tom. "I'm sure Mrs. Stanhope will let you stay here; won't you?"

"To be sure, Tom," answered the lady of the cottage. "But now Captain Putnam has made up his mind, you may be sure Mr. Grinder will not remain at the Hall many days."

"Perhaps he'll go to-night," said Dora. "The captain surely wont wish him at the Hall over Sunday."