The next instant he let out a cry of commingled pain and astonishment for the clapper had rolled from the shirt and fallen on his toes. He danced around on one foot, trying to nurse the other.
“Another trick!” he howled. “Oh my toes! The big one must be smashed to a jelly! And what is that iron thing?”
He nursed his foot for several minutes and then picked up the clapper and turned it over.
“A bell clapper! Ha! is it possible! It must be! The clapper belonging to the church! I must inform Captain Putnam of this at once!”
Down the stairs he hobbled as well as his injured foot permitted. He found the master of the school just preparing to take a drive.
“I have found it, sir!” cried the teacher. “It was hidden, where do you suppose? in one of my bureau drawers!”
“Found what?” asked Captain Putnam.
“The bell clapper belonging to the Union church.”
“Is it possible?” And now the Captain’s face took on a look of concern, for one of the church members had asked him about the clapper during the afternoon.
“I knew some of the boys were up to mischief last night,” went on Josiah Crabtree. “We ought to find out who is guilty.”