“Might as well go on bicycles,” suggested Dale, and got out his machine. Fred used a machine belonging to Pepper, and as the road was good the distance to Deacon Pelham’s home was quickly covered. They found the deacon coming in from a day of labor in a distant field. “How do you do, Deacon Pelham,” said Fred politely. “Why, bless my soul, it’s Fred Century!” cried the deacon smiling. “How do you do!” And he held out his hand. “Who’s this with you, another young sodger, I suppose.” “Yes, sir, my fellow cadet, Dale Blackmore.” “Come into the house. My wife will be glad to see you—she’s much better than when I had to hurry for a doctor that time,” added the church man. “We haven’t much time to spare, Mr. Pelham,” said Fred. He lowered his voice. “We came on a little business.” “Is that so? What do you want?” “You once said if you could do me a favor you would,” continued the owner of the _Ajax_. “So I will.” “I came to see you about that bell clapper that was brought back to the church this afternoon.” “Ah!” Deacon Pelham’s face became a study. “Did you take it?” “No, sir.” “Glad to hear it. It was a scandalous piece of business. But what do you know about it?” “I know that some of the cadets of Putnam Hall wish to hush the matter up. It was only a little joke and——” “A very bad joke, my boy.” “Perhaps, but they thought that if you’d drop it they would make the church a contribution of this.” Fred drew out the money—six new crisp one-dollar bills. “Hum! Six dollars, eh? Well—er—the church needs money that is sure.” “It will pay for the cut rope and more, sir. It was only a joke. If you’ll drop it, it will save some cadets a lot of trouble,” went on Fred earnestly. “All you’ve got to do is to send word to Captain Putnam that the matter has been adjusted. You’ll do that for me, won’t you Mr. Pelham?” At first the deacon was obdurate, but in the end he weakened. The church was in a poor way and needed every dollar it could get. As head of the committee he promised to drop the matter, and wrote a note to that effect and signed it. Then Fred gave him the money. “But, mind you, no more jokes,” said the deacon, as the cadets departed. “Not that kind anyway,” answered Fred, and off he sped on his bicycle, with Dale beside him. “It was easier than I thought,” said Dale. “Now to get that note to Captain Putnam in secret before he starts his investigation.” CHAPTER VI AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF IMPORTANCE “I guess that note will do the business—and we’ll never be suspected.” It was Reff Ritter who spoke and he addressed Gus Coulter and Nick Paxton. The three cronies were in a wing of the school, out of sight and hearing of the other pupils. “What did you put in the note?” asked Paxton with interest.