“I think it would be just the cheese, fellows,” observed Bart.
“It would, and the crackers, too,” conceded Ned. “But I don’t see how we can manage it.”
“Maybe we can,” declared Frank indefinitely.
When the four chums went to school the following Monday morning they were made aware that something unusual had taken place. It was not so much in what was said, as in an indefinable air of expectancy on the part of several members of the faculty. After the usual opening morning services, Principal McCloud advanced to the edge of the platform in the assembly hall, and remarked:
“Young gentlemen, I have something to say to you. After I have finished, Mr. Long, the science teacher, has a few words to add.”
At once Bart cast apprehensive looks at his chums. Had the “borrowing” of the specimens been discovered? It looked so.
“Some time between Friday night and this morning,” went on the principal, “this school was entered, and some objects were taken from the science cabinets.”
There was no doubt about it. The blow had fallen. Bart, Ned and Frank prepared to “take their medicine.”
“It has been discovered,” continued Mr. McCloud, “that several specimens of snakes, lizards, toads and alligators were surreptitiously removed from Professor Long’s cabinet. This would not have been so serious, for, whoever took them, brought them all back again—that is all save one. I regret to report that one of the finest and largest specimens of mud turtles is missing. Now Professor Long has a word to say.”
Mr. Long, who was a small man, with a bustling, nervous manner, came briskly to the edge of the platform.