Everybody wanted to know how the fire had started. It soon became noised around that Jack and Pepper had been seen coming from the burning building.
“What have you to say to this, Major Ruddy?” asked Captain Putnam, in rather a stern voice.
Jack knew not what to say. He looked at Pepper.
“Come, answer me,” went on the master of the academy.
“We—er—we went out to see if we could find some other boys,” said Jack.
“We got a note,” put in Pepper. He placed his hand in his pocket and drew out the folded sheet of paper. “We—well, I declare!”
“What is it, Ditmore?”
Pepper did not answer, for he was staring at the sheet. It was almost blank, only a few traces of letters remaining on it!
“Ditmore, answer me!” came from Captain Putnam, and now his voice was more stern than ever.
“Why, I—er—look at that!” and he held out the sheet.