There was no direct evidence against the chums. Bart had bought some powder in Mr. Williamson's store a few days before the explosion, but he testified it was for his gun, which evidence was corroborated by Mr. Keene. The taking away of the clock dial by Frank was dwelt upon, and there seemed a disposition to make much of it, but the boy's uncle bore out Frank's statement that the dial had been placed among a lot of other relics and ornaments in his nephew's room, and was not hidden away as though Frank wished to conceal any evidence. Ned's sudden trip was explained, though it was manifest that some of the school commissioners looked with disfavor on it. The affair ended, as far as the four chums were concerned, in a sort of Scotch verdict of "not proven." "Does that end this inquiry?" asked Mr. Keene. "For the time being," replied Mr. Williamson. "Then I demand that this committee issue a statement that there is not the slightest evidence against my son and his chums." "We will do nothing of the sort!" exclaimed Mr. Williamson. "Then I shall take legal steps to compel you to." "And I will join you," declared Mr. Masterson. "This investigation will be continued later," Mr. Williamson went on. "We have not finished. We are going to have some expert detectives here. Then perhaps we shall discover who perpetrated this outrage." "You may rest assured it was none of these boys," said Mr. Dent. "I know my nephew and I know his chums too well even to suspect them." "That is all at present," the president of the board remarked. "The meeting is adjourned." "But it leaves these boys under a cloud," objected Mr. Keene. "I am sorry but that cannot be helped," was Mr. Williamson's reply. CHAPTER XIV NED'S BUSINESS VENTURE Meanwhile Ned Wilding was speeding on the fast train toward New York. The first part of the journey was no novelty to him, as he had been over that part of the line before. Soon, however, he noticed a change in the scenery and was kept busy watching the landscape as it seemed to fly past the windows. "I wonder if I'll have time to attend to that little matter of business before I go to Uncle Kenfield's house," said Ned to himself as he leaned back in his seat and pulled a bundle of papers from his pocket. "Let's see what the address is." Ned began to turn over the pages of a booklet which he selected from among his bundle of documents. "Skem & Skim, 111 Broadway," he read. "I'll just drop down there before I go to uncle's house and buy my stock. Just think of me being a stockholder in the Mt. Olive Oil Well Corporation, Limited. Capital ten million dollars, surplus and undivided profits five millions. It must be a great concern." Ned gave himself up to pleasant thoughts and looked out of the window. Perhaps he saw himself a millionaire riding in his private car. For Ned was going to do some business on his own account--the first he had ever done.