"It is plain enough to me," snorted Mr. Bristow, "that this principal hasn't self-control enough to be charged with teaching discipline to a lot of spirited boys. His example is bad for them---continually bad. However, that is for the Board of Education to determine. My son will not come to school to-day, but he will attend to-morrow. As the first step toward righting to-day's affair I shall expect Mr. Cantwell to address, before the whole student body, an ample and satisfactory apology to my son. I shall be present to hear that apology myself." "If it is offered," broke in Principal Cantwell, sardonically, but Superintendent Eldridge held up a hand to check him. "If you don't offer the apology, to-morrow morning, and do it properly," retorted Mr. Bristow, "I shall go to my lawyer and instruct him to get out a warrant charging you with felonious assault. That is all I have to say, sir. Mr. Eldridge, I thank you, sir, for your very prompt and kind help. Good morning, all!" "At the close of the session the principal wishes to see Mr. Prescott," read Mr. Cantwell from the platform just before school was dismissed that afternoon. Dick waited in some curiosity. "Mr. Prescott, you write for 'The Blade,' don't you?" asked Mr. Cantwell. "Sometimes, sir." "Then, Mr. Prescott, please understand that I forbid you to write anything for publication concerning this morning's happenings." Dick remained silent. "You will not, will you?" "That, Mr. Cantwell, is a matter that seems to rest between the editor and myself." "But I have forbidden it," insisted the principal, in surprise. "That is a matter, sir, about which you will have to see the editor. Here at school, Mr. Cantwell, I am under your orders. At 'The Blade' office I work under Mr. Pollock's instructions." The principal looked as though he were going to grow angry. On the whole, though, he felt that he had had enough of the consequences of his own wrath for one day. So he swallowed hard and replied: "Very good, then, Mr. Prescott. I shall hold you responsible for anything you publish that I may consider harmful to me." Dick did print an account of the trouble at school. He confined himself to a statement of the facts that he had observed with his own eyes. Editorially "The Blade" printed a comment to the effect that such scenes would have been impossible under the much-missed Dr. Thornton. Mr. Cantwell didn't have anything disagreeable to say to Dick Prescott the next morning. Purcell took up the burden of his studies again without comment. The principal did apologize effectively to young Bristow before the student body, while the elder Bristow stood grimly by. CHAPTER XIV THE STEAM OF THE BATSMAN All of Dick & Co. had made the High School nine, though not all as star players in their positions.