"You mean the incident of the pennies, I think, sir?" returned the boy, inquiringly.

"You know very well that I do, young man," retorted Mr. Cantwell, rapping his desk with one hand.

"Yes, sir; I am fully informed about it."

"And you know who was at the bottom of it, too, Mr. Prescott?"

The principal bent upon the boy a look that was meant to make him quail, but Dick didn't quail.

"Yes, sir," he admitted, promptly. "I know at least several that had a hand in the affair."

"And you were one of them?"

"Yes, sir," admitted the young soph, frankly. "I think I had as much to do with what you term the hoax, sir, as anyone else had."

"Who were the others?" fired the principal, quickly and sharply.

"I—-I beg your pardon, sir. I cannot answer that."