There was an investigation the next day, and Chet was allowed to tell his side of the affair.
"Hazing!" exclaimed Professor Callum, who, as head assistant, heard all cases with Dr. Doolittle. "Such a thing has not occurred in Riverview before in many years."
Dr. Doolittle murmured something that sounded like "It might have been a good thing if we had had more of it," but of course that might not have been what he said.
"Are you willing to tell all about it, and disclose the names of those who took part in the disgraceful affair?" asked Mr. Callum of Chet, who was closeted with the instructor and the master. "If you do we may be easier on you."
"I'll tell everything," said the dude.
Thereupon he related how he had been summoned to join the Society of Blue Bloods.
"Ha!" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "Then it would appear that you are not as innocent as you would have us think. You were ready to violate the school rules by going out after hours to join a secret society. That was very reprehensible—very. You must be punished for that. I shall have you do two hundred lines of Latin prose for me. Now you may tell us who those were who hazed you. Is not that proper, Dr. Doolittle?"
"Hum—er—yes, I suppose so," murmured the doctor doubtfully.
Chet said nothing.
"Well?" exclaimed Mr. Callum. "We are waiting. Who were the disgraceful students who hazed you—ran you up to the top of the flagpole, as you say, and dropped you into a tub of water? Who were they?"