“Then the men in the green masks and hoods must have been them,” cried the young major.
“I am afraid you are right, Major Ruddy, and it worries me greatly. I really do not know what to do. I hate to make a public affair of this—especially in view of what has occurred in the past.”
“Why not start a private hunt for the two men?” suggested Andy. “We are willing to do all we can to aid you.”
“I know you are and I am thankful to you for it,” said the teacher warmly.
“To-morrow is Saturday,” said the young major. “Why not organize a party and search the woods back of the Chetwood home? We may be able to get on the trail of the pair.”
The matter was talked over for half an hour, and in the end George Strong said he would go out the next morning, and take Andy and Jack with him.
“Can’t you take Pepper Ditmore, too, and Stuffer—I mean Paul—Singleton?” asked Jack. “I know they won’t say a word to anybody, and you may need them—if we find the men and they show fight.”
“I want no violence, Major Ruddy. I think we made a mistake before by not treating Mr. Callax and Mr. Shaff very gently.”
“You can’t treat a man gently if he wants to club you,” answered Andy bluntly.
“That is true, and we’ll have to arm ourselves, I suppose, in case of emergency.” George Strong mused for a moment. “Yes, you may include Ditmore and Singleton in the party—but tell them to keep quiet about it. I do not wish this affair to become the talk of the whole school.”