This plan was agreed to, and soon a dozen cadets were making the rounds, and each student was made to promise on his honor not to say a word concerning the doings of the night.
“Let me catch you opening your trap and I’ll make it warm for you,” said Jack to Mumps, and the sneak promised faithfully to keep mum.
In the morning the cadets were on hand as usual, and they came down to roll call as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Josiah Crabtree was on hand, looking as dark as a thunder cloud.
“Phew, but his face is enough to sour the milk!” whispered Andy.
“Take care, he is watching us,” returned Pepper, and then the chums became silent.
Nothing was said during breakfast, and it was not until the school was assembled for the first session of the day that Josiah Crabtree opened up upon them.
“Last night a most disgraceful thing happened at this academy,” he began. “A number of headstrong pupils locked me out of this building, and attacked me with their guns. I have some information concerning this affair, but I am bound to get at all the details. I, therefore, demand that each pupil tell all he knows of the affair. I shall ask each pupil by roll order. Dale Blackmore, what have you to say?”
“Nothing, sir,” answered Dale, rising.
“Don’t you know anything of this affair?”
“I have nothing to say,” returned the cadet, stiffly.