The matter was talked over at some length, and in the end put to the boys themselves, and all declared that they would rather remain, and some added that during their spare hours they would do all they could to put the place into shape again. "That will be unnecessary," said Captain Putnam. "The insurance companies will have to do the repairing, and I shall notify them without delay. As to the clothing that has been lost, I will make that good to each of you." The fire was not yet out when Dora Stanhope appeared, in company with John Laning and Nellie and Grace. "I am so afraid somebody had been burnt up!" cried Dora to Dick. "I'm awfully glad you and your brothers are all right!" "We got out easily, answered Dick, but he gave Dora a bright smile for the interest she had shown in him. "How did the fire start?" questioned John Laning. "Nobody knows," answered Tom. "Captain Putnam says it is a complete mystery." "I believe the Hall was set on fire," put in Sam. "And I believe I can point out the party who is guilty." "Dan Baxter?" put in Larry. "Yes." "Would he be wicked enough to do that?" cried Dora in horror. "Yes, I guess Dan is bad enough to do anything," said Dick. "He was terribly mad over the way we mauled him," came from Tom. "He was just about ready to kill us." "If that's the case Captain Putnam had better have Baxter arrested," suggested John Laning. "He is a dangerous boy to be at large." Captain Putnam came up and was soon told of what had occurred. He had not heard of the fight down at the lake, but was not greatly surprised. "I do not blame you boys, since Baxter began the attack," he said. "And I agree, he is a thoroughly bad fellow. Yes, I'll have him arrested--providing we can locate him." Word had already been sent to a clothier, and a gentlemen's outfitter, both of whom had stores in Cedarville, and before noon these men came to the Hall, and the students were fitted out temporarily--that is, the portion who had lost the majority of their clothing. Then a gang of laborers and scrub-women were sent to work to clean up the mess and make the classrooms and unburned dormitories fit for occupation. In two days Putnam Hall was once more in full sway, as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened, the burnt section being boarded entirely off from the other. The search for Dan Baxter began at once, but nothing could be ascertained concerning him. A search was also made for the _Falcon_, but that craft had disappeared from the lake. "Well, I hope we never hear or see anything more of Baxter," said Sam. "I declare, he is worse than a snake in the grass." "I'd rather see him locked up," answered Dick grimly. "Then I'd know he was out of the way of harming us further." Several days slipped by and the boys were deep in their studies, when, late one afternoon, Dick was greatly astonished by being told that Mrs. Stanhope was in the parlor waiting to see him.