"If I tell you, will you keep it to yourself, both of you?"
"Sure!" was the prompt answer.
"Well, I don't think John Smith is a man of all work at all."
"He isn't?" cried Andy. "Then what is he?"
"I think he is a private detective."
"Oh, Jack! can that be possible!" ejaculated Pepper. "But it must be so, for I watched the fellow last evening, and he didn't do much work, and he didn't seem to like it that I had an eye on him."
"Of course, if he is a detective, Captain Putnam has engaged him to clear up this mystery of the robberies," said Andy. "Well, I don't blame the captain, for this is surely going to give the school a bad name."
"Don't breathe a word of this to any one," went on Jack. "Of course, if the thief knew a detective was so near he'd be more on guard than ever."
"I only hope he gets the rascal, whoever he is."
"Wonder if it can be one of the cadets?" mused Andy.