By this time the noise and excitement had increased so that nearly half of the school was out in the corridor in front of Stowell's room. They saw the remains of the stuffed figure on the floor, and many quickly surmised that a joke had been played.
"What is Codfish doing with that dummy?"
"Has he been using it for an imitation Hun to shoot at?"
"Maybe he's going to join the football team next Fall and wants to practice up."
"Has he been taming mice on the sly?"
"Gee! I don't want to stay in a place where a fellow keeps mice in his room."
In the midst of this talk the janitor and the chauffeur did what they could to round up the escaped mice. They managed to capture two of the rodents and kill two others, and that was all that could be found.
"If there were any more, the rest must have gotten away," remarked Bob Nixon.
"This is simply a practical joke," announced Captain Dale, after a few more words with Stowell. "Have you any idea who played it?"
"I don't know exactly, sir, but I think maybe I can find out," answered the sneak. He felt much subdued, especially as he saw the eyes of many of the other cadets on him.