The roll of the drum soon summoned all of the cadets to the campus, and with Jack at the head of the battalion, they went through the manual of arms and then marched around the Hall and into the messroom. Jack and Pepper both put on a bold front, yet each felt far from easy. “They’ll catch it—just wait!” whispered Ritter to Coulter. “Before noon they’ll wish they had let that clapper alone!” After breakfast the cadets went to chapel. The services here were almost over when Captain Putnam came in and took his place on the platform. “Now you’ll hear something drop!” said Ritter gleefully, to his cronies. “Ritter, stop your talking!” said George Strong, who was near. “I—er—I only wanted the window closed,” stammered the bully. “I feel cold.” “Couldn’t you close it yourself?” “Coulter was right there—I thought he could do it.” Then the window was closed, and the conversation came to an end. “I have a few words to say to you young gentlemen,” said Captain Putnam, coming to the front of the platform. His eyes swept the auditorium and Jack and Pepper felt something cold run up and down their backbones. “As you all know, the clapper of the bell of the Union Church was taken night before last, and the deed was done by some cadets of this institution.” The captain paused, and the silence was so intense that the ticking of the clock could be plainly heard. “The taking of the clapper was a foolish prank, and it was an equally foolish prank to place it where it was found,” continued Captain Putnam. “Yesterday I resolved to make a thorough investigation and punish the offenders.” “Quite right, eminently proper,” murmured Josiah Crabtree. “I heard, too, that a plan had been put through by you cadets to stand together—that everybody was to keep mum, as it is called. This you know is a violation of the agreement made after the—er—the unfortunate affair which—er—led to a rebellion among you.” “I didn’t hear of that,” murmured one of the cadets. “Nor I,” added another. “What did you say, Farhaven?” asked the captain quickly. “I didn’t hear of any agreement to keep mum,” replied the cadet addressed. “Nor did I,” put in Bob Grenwood, the quartermaster of the battalion. “Nor I,” came from several others. At these words the captain’s face showed relief. “All who have not agreed to band together will raise their hands,” said the captain loudly, and instantly nearly every cadet raised his hand. “This is really gratifying,” went on Captain Putnam, with almost a smile on his face. “To my mind, to take the clapper was bad enough, but to band together to overthrow the discipline of the school would be much worse. I am glad to learn you young gentlemen have not done such a thing.” Again the head of the school paused, and the boys wondered what was coming next.