Bar followed the rope quickly, and George Brayton’s keen eyes noted with what an easy, confident, unhesitating movement the boy glided down the frail and quivering framework. The Academy bell-tower had been standing a long time, and, although it was stanch enough, it could hardly be called immovable. The greatest trial of that night to the Rev. Dr. Dryer was the fact that Zebedee Fuller had been in bed, and that so he had no decent excuse for any attempt to question him concerning the misdeeds of the dun heifer. CHAPTER XVI A MESS OF FISH The next morning, at breakfast, Mrs. Wood’s boarders found a capital mess of fresh perch and pickerel on the table, and she remarked to them: “You are eating Mr. Vernon’s fish.” “How’s that?” asked Val. “Why,” said Mrs. Wood, “Puff Evans came to the door with them, ready cleaned, by the time we were up, and left them with his respects to Mr. Vernon. He said, too, that the boat was all right and ready for use.” “And so you cooked them for me,” said Bar. “Well, thank you for that, and I must say it looks well on Puff’s part. Shall we bring home whatever fish we catch?” “Of course,” said Mrs. Wood, “and Puff may bring as many pickerel as he pleases. They’re always welcome.” They were, indeed, that morning, for it seemed as if the previous night’s disturbance had distributed unusually keen appetites all around the table. Bar and Val were quite ready to take advantage of Puff’s hint about the boat, and George Brayton frankly declared his regret at not being able to go with them. “Only, Mr. Vernon,” he added, “you must not let your fishing prevent you from doing something with your grammar.” “I won’t,” said Bar, and then even Mrs. Wood became interested in so very unusual a method of attempting the intricacies of the Latin tongue. At that very hour, however, a brace of active-looking youths were slowly descending the hillside from the cow pastures, and one said to another: “Hiram Allen, that was very remarkable conduct on the part of Solomon’s dun heifer.” “Very,” replied Hy; “but, Zeb, don’t you suppose they suspect us?” “Of course they do,” said Zeb; “but I’ve the dun heifer’s word of honor that she won’t tell how she got into the Academy.” “No, she won’t tell,” said Hy, thoughtfully, “but it would be a rough thing on you and me if we got found out.” “Solomon took care of that with his customary wisdom,” said Zeb; “he came right over to our house and made himself sure that I had been in my peaceful couch all the time.” “We’d better keep it, even from the boys, unless it’s Bill Jones,” said Hy. “Of course,” replied Zeb, “the dun heifer, though a brute, is far more trustworthy than any human being.” Every breakfast-table in Ogleport was busy with the bell mystery that morning, and the unanimity with which all minds seemed in search of a clue which would guide them in the direction of Deacon Fuller’s house was a high testimonial to the well-earned fame of the deacon’s heir.