“This is where they used to come to hold their revels and plan their expeditions,” said he.
Wallace and his two friends had passed the preceding Saturday there, perfecting their scheme for driving George Edwards away from the lake, and securing possession of Mr. Stebbins’ money, and everything in the cabin was just as they had left it.
There were the dishes from which they had eaten their dinner, the hammocks in which they had swung while talking over their plans, and the books and papers that had helped them while away their leisure time were scattered about.
The officer picked up one of the books, and turning to the title-page, read the words, “The Life of Jesse James.” Throwing it aside with an exclamation of disgust, he picked up another, which was entitled, “Wild Harry, the Black Valley Demon.”
“Here is the secret of the whole matter, and I can now understand some things that I couldn’t see through before,” said the officer. “Those foolish boys have poisoned their minds by reading dime novels, and are anxious to imitate the heroes of them. I see that Wallace’s name is on some, and that Forbes and Benson own the others. Pick them up and be careful of them, for they will do for evidence.”
George accompanied the officers to the village, not forgetting to take his clothes with him, as Bob had directed, appeared as one of the witnesses at the preliminary examination which was held that afternoon, and that night he slept at the academy, so that he could be ready to assume his duties the next morning.
The arrest and trial of the guilty boys created a greater sensation than the quiet little village of Montford had ever known before.
Their fathers exerted themselves to the utmost in their behalf; but their efforts to clear them were entirely unsuccessful, and the most they could do was to secure a mitigation of the punishment they so richly deserved.
As soon as the excitement was over, our three friends settled down to business, working hard for five days in the week, and spending every pleasant Saturday at the lake.
George Edwards proved to be an apt pupil, and very soon became one of the most popular students at the academy. At first, the boys played tricks upon him, in spite of all his caution; but George submitted so good-naturedly, and did his full duty in so manly a way, that they finally left off bothering him.