“So you were put in the cellar? I did not know that,” and now the captain’s face softened a little.
“Captain Putnam, I think we are not being treated fairly,” said Jack, earnestly. “We have done no wrong, and is it right to condemn us without a hearing?”
“I expect to listen to your story, Ruddy, and I will also listen to what Ditmore has to say.”
“Will you listen now?”
“I will be at leisure in an hour. You may come to this office then. Have you had breakfast?”
“We had a little,” and Pepper smiled faintly as he answered the question.
“Then go to the mess-room and get the meal. If you see Mr. Crabtree tell him that I said you were to report to me.”
“We will,” answered both cadets, and left a moment later.
“I think we’ll come out all right,” said Jack, on the way to the dining-room. “I don’t think he’ll stand for Crabtree’s putting us down in the cellar.”
“I reckon that’s our strong point.”