At first his cry was not heard. Then Jack caught sight of the pair standing on a rock, and waved his hand in return. The mainsail of the sloop was thrown over, and the _Alice_ came slowly up to the rock and Andy and Pepper leaped on board. Then a straight course was laid for Putnam Hall. “We tied up at Paul’s boathouse when it started to rain,” said the young major. “It was certainly a heavy shower, eh?” “Yes, indeed,” returned Pepper. “I see you managed to keep dry,” came from Stuffer. “Have some peanuts,” he added, diving into a pocket and bringing up a handful. “Yes, we managed to keep dry,” answered Andy. “But we had a remarkable time doing it.” And then he and Pepper told of their adventure at old Jabez Trask’s mansion. The others listened in wonder to what they had to tell. “That old man must be a tartar,” was Dale’s comment. “Sure, an’ mebbe he’ll come to the school to make trouble fer ye,” said Hogan. “But if he does sure yez can have him arristed fer false imprisonment!” “Somehow, I don’t think he’ll come to the school,” answered Pepper. “I imagine he is the kind of a man to keep by himself—one who hates publicity.” And he was right, Jabez Trask did not come to the school, nor did he report the affair to the Cedarville authorities. There was a reason for this, as we shall learn later. “Then you didn’t get your basket, Pepper?” said Jack, just as the school dock was reached. “No, but I’ll get something of the sort in Cedarville, and send it to my aunt,” was the answer, and the lad was as good as his word. He found the basket maker had removed to town, and there procured a basket that pleased his relative very much. “I know one thing I’d like,” said Pepper to Jack, the next morning. “I’d like to meet that Bert Field and have a talk with him. There is something odd about his wanting to meet such a queer stick as Jabez Trask, and about his wanting to know the location of that haunted mill.” “Maybe you’ll meet him while we are in camp, Pep.” “Perhaps.” Sunday passed quietly in and around Putnam Hall, and on Monday morning the cadets commenced their preparations for going into camp. Each student was allowed to take along a dress-suit case full of clothing, the suit-cases being transported to the camp by wagon, along with the tents, the cooking outfits, and blankets. “Hurrah! I’ve got good news!” cried Dale, bursting into the dormitory where Jack and some others were sorting out their things. “Then tell it quick,” returned the young major. “Old Crabtree isn’t going to camp with us. He has a call to come to Albany on some family business. Only Captain Putnam and Mr. Strong are going.” “Thanks be to Crabtree for staying away,” said Andy solemnly. “What a blessing it would be if he would stay away forever.” “No such luck,” put in Fred, who, though a comparatively new pupil at the Hall, detested the first assistant teacher as cordially as did the others.