"You've got to run some risks, Tubbs," said d.i.c.k. "Quick, or you may be too late."

Fearful of a fall, the rich youth put out one foot and a hand. d.i.c.k tried to reach him, but was unable to do so.

"A little further, Tubbs," he said encouragingly.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A PERILOUS CLIMB.

_Rover Boys in the Mountains_.]

"I--I'm afraid I'll fall," was the trembling answer. Then the rich youth let out a cry of alarm. "Somebody is coming!"

"Come," cried d.i.c.k, and reached out a trifle further. As Tubbs gave the eldest Rover his fingers d.i.c.k hauled him from the window and literally swung him into the dormitory. Then, as Tubbs landed in a heap on the floor, Sam closed the window and locked it.

"Now you must clear out to another room!" cried d.i.c.k. "Whoever was coming will find that window wide open, and guess you have escaped in this direction."

"But where can we go to?" asked the rich youth.

"Go to Dormitory No. 6. Only young Adler is in there, and Hemmingway, and they are on a vacation until after Christmas. The closet is a big one, and you can both hide on the upper shelf. Quick! I'll bring you some supper."

All three left the dormitory, and Sam and Tubbs scurried off in the direction indicated. As for d.i.c.k, he lost no time in reaching the mess hall.

"Sorry, sir," he said to the under-teacher. "The bell couldn't have rung very loud."

"It rang as loud as usual," was the answer, and no more was said, the teacher's head being just then full of other matters.

Glad to get off so easily, d.i.c.k lost no time in eating his supper. While making way with the food he stowed a goodly portion in his pockets, in a couple of spare napkins, and by some silent motions from Tom learned that his brother was doing the same.

Just as the students were finishing the meal, Jasper Grinder came in and walked down the aisles between the tables. He looked both angry and perplexed. As he came close to Tom he paused.

"Excuse me, Mr. Grinder, but won't you let Sam out of the stone cell?"

asked Tom, to avoid being questioned.

"You be silent Rover," muttered the teacher, and pa.s.sed on without saying more.

After the supper hour it was usual for the students to have half an hour to themselves, during which they might read, play games, or do as they pleased. But now Mr. Grinder called them together in the main cla.s.sroom.

"I wish to talk to you young gentlemen," said the teacher, when all were seated.

"We're going to catch it now," whispered Tom to d.i.c.k. "Don't you give the secret away."

"Indeed I won't," answered the eldest Rover. "I intend to lay the whole case before Captain Putnam as soon as he returns."

"Silence!" thundered Jasper Grinder. "I want you boys to stop talking instantly."

"I didn't say anything," murmured several in an undertone.

"Silence, I say!" repeated the master, and then all became so quiet that the ticking of the clock could be heard distinctly.

The teacher gazed around at the scores of faces and looked more stem than ever.

"I am going to question all of you separately, and I trust each of you will tell the truth. The question is, Do you know what has become of Samuel Rover and William Tubbs? or Do you know what they have done? I shall start with the first boy. Hickley, what have you to say?"

"I don't know anything about them," answered the boy named Hickley.

"Brainard, do you know?"

"No, sir."

"Parkham?"

"I know they had a little set-to in the gymnasium, but that's all. The whole thing was a friendly bout, I guess."

"I am the best judge of that. It was a disgraceful fight. What have you to say, Griggs?"

"If you say it was disgraceful I suppose it was, sir. I thought it was only a friendly dispute----"

"Stop! I want you to answer the original questions, yes, or no."

"No."

"No, what?"

"No, to both original questions."

"No, sir!" and Jasper Grinder stamped his foot.

"Oh! All right, sir. No, sir, to both questions, sir."

There was a t.i.tter at this, which caused Jasper Grinder to grow red in the face.

"Boys, be quiet!" he shouted. "If you do not be still I will keep all of you in to-morrow."

As this would have spoiled the chances for a good skate and some exciting races, the boys immediately subsided. Then the questioning went on until d.i.c.k Rover was reached.

"I don't know where Sam and Tubbs are now," said d.i.c.k. "Perhaps they are frozen stiff."

"Did you aid them in escaping from the stone cell and the storeroom?"

"No, sir."

"Have you seen them since I placed them there?"

"Yes, I have," answered d.i.c.k boldly, seeing it was useless to beat about the bush longer.

"Oh! Then you did aid them to escape?"

"Not from the stone cell and the storeroom. I met them after they had escaped."

"Where did you see them last?"