"I will question each pupil separately," he declared, "and I am confident I shall have a clue to the rascals before school closes this afternoon." This he did, beginning with the lower classes and progressing steadily towards the higher grades. It was a long and tedious business, but it was evident to the least observant of the students that Mr. Allen was in deadly earnest about the matter and determined to get at the root of it. About mid-morning the principal entered Garry's class. When it came to the latter's turn to be questioned he answered in a straightforward manner that he knew nothing about how the cow happened to be in the classroom that morning. The same answer was given as regarded the map and the fans. Rooster, Bill, Nick, and Ted answered in the same way, as did all the other boys in that class. "I am forced to take your word in this matter," said the principal, when the questioning was over. "But if I find that any of you have deceived me or have withheld information that might lead to the detection of the boys I seek, the punishment meted out to you will be far more severe than I had originally intended. Is there any one of you--" he paused and looked sternly about the attentive class--"who remembers something he would like to say to me." There was dead silence. Mr. Allen spoke to the teacher in a low tone and went from the room. Thus he went from class to class until he reached the junior grades. In these were included Sandy Podder and Lent Stewart. The principal's examination, so far vain, took on an added impetus when he questioned Sandy Podder. "Do you know anything of this, Podder?" Mr. Allen asked, almost perfunctorily. Sandy hesitated. The hesitation was noticed and the class became immediately interested. "Why--I--I--don't know anything very certain, Mr. Allen," Sandy said, with apparent reluctance. The worried frown on the principal's face deepened. "Tell me what you do know," he commanded. "Why, it's--it's only that I happened to see some boys with a cow last night." Sandy spoke still more reluctantly, as though the facts were being drawn from him against his will. "You did?" The principal's look became interested, intent. "Can you give me the names of those boys?" "Why, I hardly know. I couldn't be sure. You see, it was nearly dark--" "But you think you know the names of those boys, don't you?" Mr. Allen interrupted abruptly. "Speak out, Podder. I must know the truth." "Well, then," replied Sandy, still with well-simulated reluctance, "I heard those boys talk, and I am sure that one of them was Garry Grayson." CHAPTER XI Under Suspicion At the mention of Garry Grayson's name there was a startled murmur among the students. Mr. Allen was himself surprised, but kept an impassive face. He looked closely at Sandy Podder. "Did you recognize any of the other boys that you say were with Grayson?" he asked.