On the following day the master of the Hall came back and said he would start his investigation that afternoon after the school session.
"And let me tell you one thing," he announced. "Whoever brought that real snake into this academy will have to suffer for it."
That afternoon in one of the classrooms some of the pupils were reciting history when of a sudden a wild shriek rang through the air and Nick Pell was seen to bounce up out of his seat and run away from his desk as if a demon was after him.
"What is it, Pell?" demanded the teacher.
"The—the snake!" groaned Nick. "Oh, I'm a dead boy!"
"Where is it?" asked a score of voices.
"In my desk! It just bit me in the hand! Oh, I'm a dead boy, I know I am!" And Nick Pell shook from head to foot in his terror.
The announcement that the snake was in Nick's desk was received in various ways by the boys present. Some thought it must be the real snake and others thought it might be only a trick. With caution the teacher approached the desk, armed with a ruler. Then came a hissing sound and the snake stuck out its head.
"It's alive!" yelled a dozen cadets.
"Kill it! Kill it!"