The pair separated, and Peleg Snuggers lost no time in getting to his room. Josiah Crabtree stalked to his own apartment and there proceeded to don dry clothing.
The head teacher was furious, but the more he mused over the problem before him, the more was he perplexed. He could not call all of the boys to account, and, to tell the truth, he was just a bit afraid of the whole school. With Captain Putnam and George Strong absent, there was no telling what the pupils might do.
“I don’t want to get shot, or something like that,” he told himself. “Perhaps I had better wait until the captain gets back.”
“Do you want me again?” came presently from Peleg Snuggers, from outside the door.
“No, you can go to bed. But sleep with one ear open, in case there are more disturbances.”
“Yes, sir; good-night, sir,” and the general utility man tiptoed away. “Don’t catch me a-gittin’ up again to-night,” he muttered to himself. “One sech duckin’ is enough fer me.”
“I fancy he has given up the battle,” said Pepper to his chums, after a long spell of silence.
“He is afraid of us.” came from Andy. “Those shots frightened him.”
“I’ll wager we hear something in the morning,” put in Jack. “We ought to bind every fellow to absolute secrecy.”
“Let’s do it!” cried Pepper. “We can visit every dormitory.”