“What do you mean?”
“I mean just this,” answered Jack, and then spoke about the talk he had heard between Reff Ritter and Coulter concerning the use of the French headache powders.
“Now I want you to tell the truth, Coulter,” said the young major, finally. “Who put those powders into my drinking water? Answer, or I’ll give you the biggest thrashing you ever had in your life!”
“Don’t—don’t hit me!” cried the cadet.
“Then answer—and tell the strict truth.”
“Reff Ritter. But if he learns I told on him he’ll hammer me to death,” added Coulter, with a very white face.
And then he told the particulars, just as Ritter had given them. All of the cadets present listened with interest. When Coulter had finished Jack caught him by the shoulder.
“Now get out!” he cried. “Go back to Ritter, and don’t you show your face near our camp!” And Coulter lost no time in disappearing.
Five minutes later the cadets came in sight of the new camp. As they entered the clearing Pepper gave a gasp.
“Look! There is Captain Putnam!”