“Let us go around and investigate,” said George Strong, and brought out his revolver, while the master of Putnam Hall did the same.
During this time the firecrackers continued to go off, by ones, twos, and threes. Then came the explosion of a dozen or more.
“My gracious, what can this mean?” ejaculated the captain. “All of the guards must be firing at once.”
“Perhaps it is a box of cartridges that got on fire,” suggested George Strong.
The corporal of the guard had been out to one of the posts, when an explosion took place just behind him, causing him to leap wildly into the air. He looked back, saw something burning, and picked it up.
“Here you are!” he called, rushing back to Captain Putnam. “I know what is up now.”
“Humph! A firecracker!” said the master of the school. “Who is setting them off, Pell?”
“I don’t know, sir.”
“Ah! nothing but firecrackers,” said Dan Baxter, in disgust. “I am going to bed again.”
“So am I,” added Reff Ritter.