“You are right,” answered Jack. “Now we’ve got to face the music!”
CHAPTER XXX
BACK TO THE HALL—CONCLUSION
“Well, young gentlemen, it would seem that you have been taking matters into your own hands,” remarked Captain Putnam, as he faced those who had just arrived. He looked stern, yet not as angry as they had sometimes seen him.
“Captain Putnam, we felt it was absolutely necessary to do what we have done,” answered Jack.
“Have the others told you how we were treated?” asked Pepper.
“In part, yes. But I wish to hear what you have to say also.”
“And I suppose you’d like to hear what Mr. Crabtree and Mr. Cuddle have to say,” put in Andy.
“Never mind that just now,” said the master of the Hall. “Major Ruddy, I will listen to your story.”
In a plain, straightforward manner Jack told his story from beginning to end, very much as I have set it down here. He did not omit a single important detail. He told of the throwing of the inkwell, the hot potatoes and the bread, but mentioned no names. He also related the particulars of the trouble in the classrooms, and of how Pluxton Cuddle had endeavored to starve them into submission, aided in this work by Josiah Crabtree. When this was told the captain drew down the corners of his mouth and frowned.
“He won’t stand for that—I knew he wouldn’t,” whispered Dale to Stuffer.