“Mum’s the word, all around!” said Andy, after things had quieted down. “Reff Ritter and his cronies may give us away,” said Pepper. “If they do they had better look out!” answered one of the big students. “We want no tale-bearers in this school. I’ll warn them.” And, early in the morning he did so. It was a good move, for Coulter and Paxton were preparing to send a note to Captain Putnam, exposing Pepper, Jack and their chums. “You do anything of the sort and you’ll catch it good and hot!” said the big student. “Remember, we haven’t forgot how you acted during the rebellion. If you don’t behave yourselves we’ll make it so uncomfortable for you that you’ll want to go home.” And then, in fright, Coulter and Paxton tore the note up. By noon it was known throughout Cedarville that the church had been visited and the clapper of the bell taken. Some folks attributed the trick to the Pornell students, some to the Putnam Hall cadets, and still others to some village lads. A deacon of the church went to Pornell Academy and demanded the clapper, and got into a warm row with Doctor Pornell. “My students are young gentlemen, they would not do such a thing!” cried the head of the academy, wrathfully. “It is an outrage to accuse them.” “They weren’t any too good to paint the church porch red,” returned the deacon, pointedly. “If they have the clapper I want it.” At this remark Dr. Pornell subsided and made some inquiries, but, of course, the clapper was not found. It was not until evening that Josiah Crabtree went to his bureau drawer, to get out a clean dress shirt. He was still in a bad humor over the candy affair, and he hauled forth a shirt with no gentle hand. The next instant he let out a cry of commingled pain and astonishment for the clapper had rolled from the shirt and fallen on his toes. He danced around on one foot, trying to nurse the other. “Another trick!” he howled. “Oh my toes! The big one must be smashed to a jelly! And what is that iron thing?” He nursed his foot for several minutes and then picked up the clapper and turned it over. “A bell clapper! Ha! is it possible! It must be! The clapper belonging to the church! I must inform Captain Putnam of this at once!” Down the stairs he hobbled as well as his injured foot permitted. He found the master of the school just preparing to take a drive. “I have found it, sir!” cried the teacher. “It was hidden, where do you suppose? in one of my bureau drawers!” “Found what?” asked Captain Putnam. “The bell clapper belonging to the Union church.” “Is it possible?” And now the Captain’s face took on a look of concern, for one of the church members had asked him about the clapper during the afternoon. “I knew some of the boys were up to mischief last night,” went on Josiah Crabtree. “We ought to find out who is guilty.” “You are right.” “What of this bell clapper?” “I’ll return it to the church at once.” “And when will you investigate?”