"About ten minutes. He brought a message from Mr. Crabtree, who wants to see me in Cedarville. I told him I wouldn't go--and I won't." "I shouldn't either, Dora. Perhaps Crabtree only wants to get you away from the house so that he can come here and see your mother." "I never thought of that." "Where is your mother now?" "Lying down with a headache. She is getting more nervous every day. I wish Mr. Crabtree was--was--" "In Halifax, I suppose," finished Dick. "Yes, or some other place as far off. Every time he comes near mamma she has the strangest spells." "He is a bad man--no doubt of it, Dora. I almost wish we had him back to the Hall. Then I could keep my eye on him." "I'm glad you are back, Dick," said the girl softly. "If there is any trouble, you'll let me call on you, won't you?" "I shall expect you to call on me, Dora--the very first thing," he returned promptly. "I wouldn't have anything happen to you or your mother for anything in the world." By this time Sam and Tom were coming up, and they had to be told about Dan Baxter. "He and his father are a team," said Sam. "I wonder if he knows what his father has done. If I meet him I'll ask him." Dick had expected to pay his respects to Mrs. Stanhope, but now thought best not to disturb her. All the boys had a short chat with Dora, and then set out on the return to school. On the way the three boys discussed the situation, but could get little satisfaction out of their talk. "Something is in the wind," was Dick's comment. "But what it is time alone will reveal." And he was right, as events in the near future proved. CHAPTER XIII THE FIRE AT THE HALL Sam had been right when he said that Dan Baxter was like his father. Parent and son were thoroughly bad, but how bad the Rover boys and their friends were still to learn. On Saturday the cadets had a half-holiday, and some of them went over to the lake to fish, Sam and Tom accompanying the party. While the boys were waiting for bites they espied a large sail-boat skimming along the lake shore. As it came closer Tom and Sam were much astonished to see that the boat contained Dan Baxter, Josiah Crabtree, and Mumps. "By jinks, there is Mumps' yacht!" ejaculated Tom. "How in the world did he get her up here?" "Brought her by way of the canal and the river, I suppose," answered Sam. "Hullo there!" called out Larry Colby, who was in the crowd. "Mumps, you might be in better company." "You keep your mouth shut!" retorted Fenwick. "If you talk to me, I'll come ashore and give you a thrashing," put in Baxter. "I dare you to come ashore!" burst out Tom. "You'll stay where you are if you know when you are well off." No more was said, and presently the boat sped out of sight around a bend of the lake shore. Fishing proved to be good, and in the excitement of the sport Baxter and the others were, for the time being, forgotten.