"Do you dare to accuse me of these mysterious thefts?" cried Pepper, hotly.
"I think——"
"Mr. Crabtree, I beg of you to be careful," cried George Strong. "Why not drop this whole matter until Captain Putnam returns? Because Ditmore played a joke on you does not say that he is a—a criminal."
"Thank you for that, Mr. Strong," said the cadet, warmly. "I know I had no right to play that joke—I have no right to play any of my jokes—but I only did it for fun. I think it is—is horrible for Mr. Crabtree to even think that I—that—that——" Pepper could not go on for his emotion choked him.
"Oh? you can't deceive me!" sneered Josiah Crabtree. "I am sure that——"
"Mr. Crabtree, I insist that you drop this matter until Captain Putnam returns," interrupted George Strong.
"You insist?" roared the irate instructor.
"I do, sir."
"Who is in authority here, you or I?"
"You are the head teacher, but I feel bound to protect Captain Putnam's interests during his absence. You have no right to accuse any cadet of a crime unless you have proof against him. Have you any proof against Ditmore?"