“I will do that—presently. First, however, I should like to ask you what punishment you think should be meted out to the boys who are guilty?”
“I fancy they won’t be ready for punishment for some time after we find out who they are,” exclaimed Longback.
Smiling at this answer to his question, Mr. Larmore exclaimed:
“I am obliged to you boys for coming to see me. I’m sorry to say, however, that I cannot accept your statements as to the innocence of the members of the Pi Eta society in regard to smashing the apparatus in the physical laboratory.
“My authority—who is no other than Tony, the janitor,—is, I believe, altogether too reliable.
“For that reason, I have decided that until I can learn who the perpetrators of the act are, to punish them individually, I shall assess the Pi Eta society the amount of the damages, which comes to seventy dollars, and until payment is made, I shall insist that the society’s room be closed.
“I shall be obliged if you will act as collector for me, Dawson. You can also announce my decision to all the society members, though I shall do it in school just before the noon recess.
“And now, young gentlemen, I bid you good morning.”
CHAPTER XVI—STUMBLING ACROSS A CLUE
Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.